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Hall of Fame Radio
Who knew that DJ Carl Russo began his broadcasting career installing an illegal “pirate” transmitter at Medaille College in 1980? But from there it’s all been one stellar on air gig after another.
Carl graduated from Medaille College in 1980, but before graduating, he started at WYSL in January 1980. In August of the same year, Carl started at 97Rock. While doing 6-to midnight on WYSL, he would run down the street at midnight and do the Midnight to 6 shift on 97 Rock on weekends. Carl went full time as the “Midnight Mayor” on 97Rock in 1982 and then a year later he took over to the 7-to Midnight shift .
When 97 Rock left the airways in January of 1985 Carl wound up in Indianapolis at WFBQ-FM dominating the 7-midnight shift. Carl became the highest rated Album Rock night time jock in the United States, getting enormous audience shares in the Indianapolis market. Appearances at the Indy 500 and National Hot Rod Association U.S. Nationals helped Russo gain popularity.
KZEW-FM Dallas/Ft. Worth stole Carl away to because they needed a high profile night man. In his first ratings period at KZEW he beat crosstown competitor KTXQ , And went on to Syndication through the United Stations Radio Network. In the fall of 1988, 97 Rock was back and so was Russo. Carl has dominated afternoon drive at 97 Rock ever since.
In addition to his duties on 97Rock, Carl has Radio Duties on the Westwood 1 Radio Network, doing TWO, five-hour classic Rock shows 7 days a week on approximately 150 affiliate Stations from Hawaii to Alaska. His voice also travels the country from NY to LA in commercial voice work.
Away from radio Carl is a volunteer Fire Fighter/E.M.T. at the East Seneca Fire Company. He served five years as a Fire Commissioner helping to improve emergency services in the town. Carl also served with Boy Scout troop 618 and has been a huge help & supporter of the Greater Niagara Frontier Boy Scout Council.
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