Jay Barry signs off on Wednesday.
By Jerry Hume
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 6:05 p.m.
Read more: Local, Community
IRON RIVER -- From a young age, Jay Barry knew he was meant to be on the radio.
"Since high school days, (I) had to be a broadcaster,” said Jay. "Turned out to be a broadcaster and I loved it, everyday."
Jay has spent nearly all of his 45 years in broadcasting at WIKB in Iron River. For most of those years, he's hosted telephone time, a three-hour talk show, pitching products and services to listeners. But it's much more; it's fun and a way to inform people about community happenings. WIKB says Jay has hosted the nation’s longest running talk show since 1965.
Jay has seen several changes in the broadcast industry in his 45 year career. From records and tracks to computers and automation, he's been a part of the changing radio landscape.
"Now everything is basically computers and it gets more and more everyday,” Jay said. “The broadcast industry is totally relying on computers today, and they're moving away from that one-on-one contact, and that's not a good thing."
That one-on-one contact with listeners is Jay's expertise. And now Jay has decided he's retiring--Wednesday will be his last day. And while he'll miss his on-air duties, it's his other job as the general manager of the station that makes him ready to retire.
"I'm going to miss people,” Jay said. “That's going to be the hardest part, saying goodbye on Wednesday."
And in return, his listeners who have become his friends over the years, will miss him, too.
