I remember the first time I heard WRCH-FM in its newer, more contemporary incarnation as Lite 100.5. I was in my car driving over Avon Mountain at around 10 or eleven oclock in the morning on a sunny day in 1989. The first thing I heard was the voice of Joe Hann, clear, friendly, professional and warm. A first impression any radio station would feel fortunate to give. For me, Joes voice will always be the signature voice of Lite 100.5 WRCH. I had no idea at the time that within a few years I too would be working at WRCH and following that man behind that signature voice on a daily basis for the next 20 years. Over the years, behind the scenes and off the air Joe and I have had numerous discussions about the strengths and weaknesses of certain songs and artists, politics, women, relationships, movies, our parents and siblings, baseball and the state of the world in general. Weve had the most fun cracking each other up, keeping each other loose with inside jokes and quirky observations. I literally stood shoulder to shoulder with Joe on stage at the Bushnell for 16 Nite Of Lite Laughter appearances after greeting guests with Joe in the foyer of the iconic Hartford landmark. We saw Celine Dion at Berklee College in Boston before she became a megastar. Elton John in Concert in Hartford is also etched in my memory. Joes high standard as our Music Director has made him a guardian of good taste for you, for me, your family and the community. Good programming that comes out of your radio doesnt automatically fall out of the sky. It requires constant attention by a person with a critical ear who really cares, to do it consistently well. Joe Hann has done that day after working day for a long time. In case you havent heard Joe Hann is retiring on Friday, October 10, 2014 after 25 years at WRCH and 40 years in radio broadcasting. I will miss saying to him have a good night and Ill see you tomorrow at 7pm as I have just about every day for two decades. Perhaps the most remarkable thing about our friendship is that we actually crossed paths before all of this, very briefly without saying a word in a crowd of 50 people working feverishly to transform WRCH-AM at that time into a new oldies station WRCQ, The Golden 91Q in September of 1974. A snapshot of a guy wearing wire rimmed glasses and a Civil War cap stepping in front of me for a nanosecond somehow got filed away in my brain. Something I pointed out to Joe upon our first meeting 18 years later in 1992 at Lite 100.5 WRCH. Job well done my friend. Good luck and good health as you enjoy your retirement. Sincerely, Dean Richards
Posted on: Fri, 10 Oct 2014 01:25:34 +0000
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