I have been staring blankly at Steve's impressive LinkedIn resume tonight, wondering what to say, to express my sadness and grief.Young spent the last eight years working with Jones Radio Networks (now Dial-Global) where resonances of his smile will long reverberate in the halls, he had programmed such high-profile stations as WAXQ (Q104.3)/New York, KISW/Seattle, CJAY/Calgary and CITI-FM/Winnipeg. He also was operations director of WNEW/New York and spent some time as Nationwide's western region group PD, overseeing a roster that included KLUC/Las Vegas and KRQQ/Tucson. He joined Jones Radio Networks in October 2000 as director of rock and pop programming, transitioning to senior programming consultant when the company became Dial-Global in June of this year. Young started consulting at Joint Communications Corp. in 1986, and eventually opened his own firm, Youngradio Management, in 1995, working with a lineup that included WHTZ (Z100), WKTU and WTJM (Jammin 105) in New York.
At WAXQ, Steve took the station from a 22nd place ranking in the 25-54 demographic and in three Arbitrons, moved it to 5th place in the New York metro. Steve also served as a research consultant for Z-100, WKTU and WTJM during his time with AM/FM Inc. Steve worked on the air in several Canadian markets at such stations as CJFM, a Montreal Hot Adult Contemporary station; CKRC, a CHR in Winnipeg; and CITI FM an Album Rock station also in Winnipeg.
Trained in Communications at York University in Toronto, Steve was also the Program Director of one of the first campus radio stations in Canada, for two years.To say the least, he was an expert in research analysis and strategic thinking, database marketing, and talent development. Steve was reportedly struck by a heart attack on a cruise to Cabo San Lucas, was hospitalized and died Monday.
Young unselfishly gave his intelligence, friendship and enduring wit to those of us whose lives he touched during his 32 years spanning all aspects of radio, on-air and management.
Rock radio will be playing some very sad songs today.
3 comments:
I know of no finer friend, no better mentor. Steve is the kind of guy that if you got it, and he got you, you knew him for life. He could be counted on to be honest, encouraging, and wise.
Steve was by far the greatest boss I ever had. He had a genius for making the work environment fun, inspiring, and dripping with creative possibilities. Haven't seen Steve in 20 years- yet news of his passing hits so hard.
Steve was my neighbor, and was one of the friendliest people I've met in Seattle. I am saddened to hear of his passing.
For years I have seen the CD samplers in our mail room addressed to Steve Young Radio. I had no idea that Steve was such a well respected, creative and accomplished person in the radio world. That makes me just a little sadder because now I know he was so much more than just the super nice guy chatting with me at the bus stop.
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