WXKR-FM's McIntyre heads for Nashville

6/22/2007

After 14 years at WXKR-FM, 94.5, "Mac" is movin' on.

Mike McIntyre, who has played the hits from 3 to 7 p.m. at the classic rock station for all but six months of his lengthy tenure, will sign off on June 29.

He is headed to another Cumulus Media station in Nashville - WRQQ-FM, 97.1 - and will occupy the same time slot.

His first day on the job will be July 16.

"I am sad to say good-bye to Toledo, but I'm overjoyed about the opportunity Cumulus has created for me in Nashville," said McIntyre, who turned 43 on Tuesday.

"It wasn't like there were any bad feelings or that anything went wrong in Toledo. I sought out the transfer. In this business, having a chance to move from the 87th market to 44th is a major leap for somebody who does what I do for a living."

McIntyre, a Detroit native and father of four, worked a handful of part-time gigs in the Motor City before landing his first full-time job at Adrian's WQTE-FM, 95.3, in 1989. He was hired by Cumulus in November, 1993.

"I've had a great run in Toledo," he said. "I'll miss it here. It's been a great city for me and my family."

However, McIntyre is looking forward to working at WRQQ, where he also will serve as the music director at the classic hits station that operates out of studios on Nashville's famous Music Row.

"Musically, things will pretty much be the same there as they are here," McIntyre said. "What will be different is the new challenge, the new people, the new community, and the new culture. It will take a bit of getting used to, but I am looking forward to it."

Dan McClintock, senior rock programmer for WXKR and WRWK-FM, 106.5, said McIntyre will be missed.

"Mac was an exceptional talent in terms of connecting with the audience," McClintock said. "That's one thing that can't be taught. It's something you have to learn on your own.

"Our loss is Nashville's gain, but at least Mac is staying within the company. And that's good news."

McClintock said he plans to hire an in-house candidate to replace McIntyre.

In other news:

•A familiar voice has returned to the local radio airwaves.

Matt Melzak, the former play-by-play man for the Toledo Storm as well as director of communications, rejoined Norm Wamer on Monday as co-host of "The Front Row" on WLQR-AM, 1470.

Melzak, a graduate of St. Francis de Sales High School and the University of Toledo, previously was co-host for the afternoon sports talk program with Wamer from 2000 to 2003.

"It was almost like we picked right up where we left off," said Wamer, who had been doing the show solo for the past year. "It's nice to be back with Matt again. I think we're going to have a lot of fun. I am really looking forward to it."

w Mitch Jacob, news director at WTOL-TV, Channel 11, said the CBS affiliate will air a half-hour special Monday night from 8:30 to 9 p.m. detailing the building of the new Veterans' Glass City Skyway bridge.

The show, hosted by morning co-anchor Brad Harvey, is titled "Tragedy to Triumph."