WLRN's ''The Night Train'' Host Ted Grossman Retires

RADIO ONLINE | Saturday, December 28, 2024

Ted Grossman

Ted Grossman, the host of WLRN-FM/Miami's "The Night Train," will retire after a 50-year tenure that saw his program become a staple in South Florida radio. Grossman's final broadcast is scheduled for 8pm on Sunday, December 29, marking the end of an era for the four-hour show that airs from downtown Miami.

Since its inception, Grossman has enriched his broadcasts with a deep knowledge of jazz history, spotlighting musicians, iconic recording studios and historic venues. According to Peter Maerz, WLRN's Vice President for Radio and Grossman's colleague of over 30 years, the show frequently features rare live recordings from the golden age of swing and big band music, captivating a diverse audience.

Grossman's eclectic taste in music has been a program hallmark, shaping its broad appeal. "You just can't play big bands," Grossman explained in a previous interview with the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. He emphasized the importance of variety in his playlists, which span multiple genres, excluding only smooth jazz and fusion. Despite his modest claim of not knowing music theory-"I can't tell a sharp from a flat," he joked-he has always been confident in his musical selections.

Listeners of "The Night Train" span generations, with older audiences reliving the tunes of their youth and younger fans discovering the allure of vintage sounds. Grossman's approachable delivery and rich narratives transform each episode into a learning experience, akin to a class on musical heritage.

Beyond the airwaves, Grossman's life has been equally diverse. A Brooklyn native who relocated to Miami Beach in 1949, he is a North Miami Senior High School alum and a Vietnam-era Air Force veteran. After military service, he worked three decades with the U.S. Postal Service, retiring in 2009, and also spent time as an announcer at the Miami Seaquarium.

The inception of "The Night Train" in 1975 came after WLRN ended a syndicated big band show, presenting Grossman with the opportunity to pitch his own show. Leveraging his extensive collection of big band records and his ease behind the microphone, he secured a spot at the station, balancing his radio passion with his postal career.