Longtime syndicated Classic Hits host Mike Harvey has announced he will step down from his nightly Mike Harvey Show and Saturday Weekend Party with Mike Harvey on December 31 with many of his affiliates then transitioning to Tony Lorino’s “Throwback Nation Radio“.
After a career in programming and station management, including launching “94.5 3WS” WWSW Pittsburgh in 1980, Harvey co-founded Transtar Radio Networks in 1982 with Bill Moyes. Through a series of mergers, Transtar would become Unistar and then fold into Westwood One. His Oldies show “SuperGold Saturday Night” would debut the following year, which would evolve into the two shows he currently hosts.
Harvey will now transition to a consulting and partnership role with Lorino’s “Throwback Nation Radio” as the latter will add most of The Mike Harvey Show affiliates. Lorino has been featured on Mike Harvey Show segments over the past few weeks to introduce him to the current audience.
After more than 35 years, legendary radio host and executive Mike Harvey will step away from hosting his nightly classic hits show, The Mike Harvey Show, and the Saturday Weekend Party with Mike Harvey on Westwood One as of December 31, 2019. With over 500 affiliates and countless friendships along the way, Mike leaves the air hosting the longest continuously running syndicated music show in radio history.
Mike’s accolades include management experience in San Francisco and Pittsburgh, and he is the only three-time Billboard Magazine “Major Market Program Director of The Year” award winner. After leaving day-to-day station management, he revolutionized the broadcast industry with the launch of the Transtar Radio Networks in the early 1980s. Mike launched “Super Gold” across the network in 1983, which segued to his current show.
“This has always been a challenge, but never a job for me,” Harvey said. “It has been a labor of love.”
To reach out to Mike and wish him well, drop him a note at [email protected], or on The Mike Harvey Show’s Facebook page, which will remain active.
As Mike Harvey steps away from the microphone day to day, Mike announces a new consulting and partnership role “Throwback Nation Radio,” effective January 1, 2020.
Throwback Nation Radio, hosted by TONY LORINO on Monday-Saturday and DANNY HUSTLE on Sunday, launched in October 2018 and is the fastest-growing syndicated classic hits show today. Focused on high-energy listener interaction with high-quality hits of the 80s and 90s, Throwback Nation Radio will welcome the vast majority of Mike’s current affiliates with open arms to kick off the new year. The program is syndicated by Sun Broadcast Group (SBG).
“Mike has been a pioneer of the broadcast industry, and his passion exudes is why Classic Hits become the #1 format in our business,” said Tony Lorino, CEO and weeknight host of Throwback Nation Radio. “While we won’t be able to replace Mike, a person I’ve idolized for years, but we will certainly honor his spirit, and continue the best possible interactive show we can for our listeners.”
“When I decided to end the daily shows, I wanted to leave my affiliates in the best hands possible,” Harvey said. “I listened, critically, to all the available options, and only ONE struck me as warm, friendly and fun as I’ve always tried to make my own shows. Tony’s ‘Throwback Nation’ sounds FRESH, while still providing that warmth, friendliness and fun that bonds a station’s listeners. And to top it all off…he’s one of the nicest guys ever.
“We’ve built Tony into MY shows to familiarize our listeners with him BEFORE I ‘took a bow.’ He’s been doing features with me several times per hour, and by the end of December will practically be a co-host. It’s a natural transition,” Harvey said.
Throwback Nation Radio is available in weeknight, weekend, or 7-night a week versions. For more information about Throwback Nation Radio, contact Rich O’Brien at 212.380.9338 or [email protected], or visit www.sunbgi.com.
