Hugg honored for on-air career

SANDUSKY — Wherever he went as a child, Randy Hugg always brought one item with him — which, in the end, signaled his true destiny. "As a kid, whether on the river or in the valley, I always remember playing in the sand by the water with a portable radio nearby," said Hugg, who grew up on Cleveland's east side. "I would listen to WIXY (in Cleveland) and CKLW (in Windsor, Ontario, near Detroit). That's when I fell in love," Hugg said. "I could build sandcastles and listen to great radio." Hugg never tuned out interest from the broadcasting industry. Rather he dialed in, making a long and successful career out of playing music, reading spots and charming people with trivia tidbits. From adolescence to adulthood, Hugg's bond with broadcasts spanned for decades, and it all culminates this week. Hugg, a legendary on-air voice emanating from Sandusky, intends to sign off Friday, ending a 43-year professional radio career, most notably as host of the Morning Mix on WCPZ-FM 102.7. Friday's show, meanwhile, will also serve as a best-of broadcast with Hugg replaying some of his most famous clips, segments and interviews. "I'm so appreciative to everyone who has listened and supported me," said Hugg, noting it's just time to enter retirement. "Thank you for letting me do this." He's leaving a major void not just in the 6-10 a.m. timeslot but in the studio as a trusted ally and even better friend to colleagues. "Randy has just been a great mentor, and he's encouraged me not just professionally but also in some things in my personal life," said Audra Sennish, the production and promotions manager for WCPZ and its BAS Broadcasting sister stations of WLEC-AM 1450 and WMJK-FM 100.9. Sennish first met Hugg a few years ago. He brought her on his show during a homegrown artist segment. Hugg, without question, played Sennish's music on WCPZ, a huge breakthrough and confidence-booster for her. "It was super cool to have someone as legendary do that. He's just so supportive of everyone," Sennish said. "He's truly the voice of the north coast, and it's hard to imagine a world of radio without him." How it started Fresh out of broadcasting school, Hugg moved from Cleveland to the local area where he landed his first radio gig: WRWR out of Port Clinton. "I was 19. It was an old mom-and-pop station. I had the rock show at night," Hugg said. He'd soon find his way across the Edison Memorial Bridge to Sandusky where he worked for BAS Broadcasting's predecessor, known as Miller Broadcasting. Other names of ownership companies prior to BAS during Hugg's tenure included Signal 1, Embrescia, Citicaster and Clear Channel Radio. "That might be my biggest accomplishment in radio: staying with the same radio station through all those different ownership changes after all those years without losing my job," Hugg said. Hugg also endured the evolution of technology. It's another big change from when he started, in the early 1980s, to today. "I started out playing 45s (vinyl records playing at 45 revolutions per minute), and all of the commercials were on cartridges that you had to pull by hand, stack up and get ready to play," Hugg said. "Then it went to albums and then CDs. Now everything is on the computer. It makes it easier, but look out if there is a computer crash or server issues." While his voice carried programming, Hugg knew, early on, he needed to be heard and seen. This ensured people could connect a face with who's speaking to ensure trust with listeners. "Making personal contact is so important," Hugg said. "Going out and doing events, like Party at the Pier, is so important to meet people. Trust me, it's hard to do those night events when you have to wake up the next day at 3 a.m. for your show, but it's important, and I enjoyed meeting people who listened to my show." Organizing a show Beyond normal disc jockey duties, such as playing hit music and recapping sports games from the night prior, Hugg perfected the art of incorporating all aspects of pop culture in a seamless fashion. He'd weave different stories about celebrities, local news, birthdays and more — while blending trivia, offering contests, taking calls and bringing guests into the studio — together in a connected fashion, which made his entire program somehow, someway flawlessly flow. "You just kind of figure it out," Hugg said. "I place things in a certain way. I'm a big planner." Those strong organizational skills greatly impress many, including Troy Baumgartner, a longtime morning show host for WLEC. He's also the production/promotions/sports director for WCPZ. "I have never met someone who's more organized and more prepared for a daily show than Randy — and that's what has made him so great for so many years," Baumgartner said. Come Monday, Baumgartner's taking over for Hugg's morning show slot. "I don't want to look at it as replacing him. My hope is that I can continue to build what he's already established and created here," Baumgartner said. "You can't replace a legend like that." Remembering the good times During one of his final few broadcasts, Hugg traveled down memory lane, recalling some of his favorite and most memorable moments. This would include: • Drive-thru weddings: "I remember we did a promotion with the Wendy's on Perkins Avenue and had drive-thru weddings back in the 1990s. We'd have Dave James sing acoustic songs for the newlyweds. A lot of people also renewed their vows this way. I believe one of the couples that got married is still together." • A not-so-nice ice promotion: "One that didn't work out so well was an ice promotion we did at the Sandusky Mall. A diamond was embedded in a huge, giant block of ice. People would go to the mall and guess when the diamond would fall out of the ice. It ended a lot sooner than anyone thought since we put the block right under a skylight in the center court. It melted the ice. I got a call from the people that the whole thing fell over, and water was everywhere." • Game on: "Our Game-o-Tron 3000 Contest, which happens at 7:30 a.m. every day, is something different every day. I've learned that only 3% to 6% of listeners will ever call in to a radio station. So we tried to make the contest fun so that people can play at home or listen as well." Lasting thoughts In retirement, Hugg intends to spend more time with his family: wife, Pat; their son, Eric; and his stepson, Erin. He'll also do some voiceover work for clients. For anyone seeking a career in radio, Hugg provided some guidance. For instance, aspiring radio hosts should start small and dream big. "First of all, you have to start at a smaller market, like Sandusky," Hugg said. "You try to do as much as you can with the public and try to get out as much as possible to meet people." Even though he had offers, Hugg never left Sandusky. "In bigger markets, you don't have as much job security. Yes, you get paid more, but you can also be fired at any time," Hugg said. "I wanted to stay local. My son, at the time, didn't want me to be the every-other-weekend dad," he added. "I wanted to be part of his life, and it ended up being the right decision. I might have never met my wife, who was an account executive here at WCPZ." Before leaving, Hugg wanted to express his appreciation toward his colleagues: both the on-air personalities and behind-the-scenes people. "I have an amazing staff who have been invaluable here," Hugg said. He then directed his final message to listeners. Without them, Hugg said, he would never achieve this level of success. "Thank you for letting me do this for the last 43 years," Hugg said. "It's been an honor and a lot of fun." Hearing from the listeners This past week on WCPZ's social media pages, many people wished Hugg well in retirement. This would include: • Matt Duskins: Congratulations, Randy. It's been great listening to you for years (ever since) second grade for me. • Cindy Hipp-Ritter: Happy retirement. Morning radio will not be the same without your voice. • Kristi Lovekin: Have a wonderful retirement, Randy. I always enjoyed stopping by when I got the chance years ago. • Courtney Armstrong Hall: Happy retirement, Randy. Will miss winning on the radio with you. • Teddy Dees: Have a happy retirement. I've enjoyed your shows over the years. • Sandra Wilcox: Congrats, Randy. Wishing you all the best in your retirement. • Marcia Lee: Enjoy your retirement, Randy. I, as well as many other people, will miss hearing you on the radio as well as seeing you host the Mix 102.7 Cruise. • Ellen Lint-Oaks: Congratulations, Randy. We'll miss listening to you on the radio. Enjoy your well-deserved retirement. • Sheryl Smith: You are the heart of Mix 102.7. I appreciate all the joy you've given me through your 40 years. • Leslie Miears-Bixby: Tell me it's not so. My morning radio is forever changed. Sad day for me, but yay for you, Randy. Thank you for the many years of great music and fun mornings. No other morning radio show is as good as yours Randy. • Michelle McKenzie: Happy retirement, Randy. I will always remember my time working there with you and Pat. I know everyone will miss hearing you on the radio. You are the voice of WCPZ. Congrats.