Worcester radio morning host Hank Stolz jumps down the dial

By Michael Warshaw

The way Hank Stolz puts it, his decade-long stint as morning host on Worcester radio station WTAG AM 580 was "a dream job and a wonderful 10 years." It's also at an end, as Stolz makes a move to a rival station halfway down the dial.

Those who have spent time working in radio know that one of its most frustrating aspects is that despite the work being so much fun, it remains a business. Radio is now dominated by a relatively few large corporations, including San Antonio-based Clear Channel Communications, owners of WTAG. "Those who follow business news know that Clear Channel has been re-structuring and that has meant company-wide layoffs and WTAG was certainly not immune to those," says Stolz, explaining why he was willing to leave his dream job. "I've been through the hard times before, but this time it felt different so I asked some close friends in the community if they knew of any other opportunities that might be in the area."

Stolz has decided to join Worcester radio station WCRN AM 830, although in an altered role, sharing the 8 a.m. morning hour with host Peter Blute and then hosting alone for the remainder of the morning. He debuts next week.

At WTAG, the news was unexpected, but not unusual for the radio business. According to Market Manager Michael Schaus, the news that Stolz was moving on came as a "complete surprise," yet it won't change the strategy for the station's role in the area. "For me, we've always been the news/talk leader and we will always be that," he says, adding that the station will fill Stolz's former time slot with current personnel while they conduct a search for a replacement. "Hank's a great guy. I'm happy for people who can move on and do something better for their family. I'm sorry to lose Hank, but this is radio and they were looking for something to put themselves on the map."

Stolz looks back with warmth at his WTAG experience, saying, "I'm very proud of what [news anchor] Sherman [Whitman], [Program Director] George [Brown] and I built with the WTAG Morning News. I leave for the new challenge of being part of a station with an ongoing commitment to the area. Sherman and [afternoon news anchor] Jim [Schnare] and the whole gang remain my good friends and I wish them continued success. Unfortunately, by going to a competitor, I was unable to formally say goodbye to all my friends who supported me for these last 10 years, I hope they come and find me on WCRN and we can continue our morning conversations." o