Paul Harvey: The Early Days
Former WKZO/Kalamazoo owner Bill Wertz reports that Paul Harvey’s “first real gig” was at the Michigan radio station “where he literally auditioned for a week for then-owner John Fetzer before getting hired.” “Harvey was Program Director for the station under his real name,” reports Wertz. “And his Sports Director at the time was none other than [legendary Chicago Cubs and White Sox broadcaster] Harry Carey!” Wertz also reports that Fetzer “almost fired Paul” for what became Harvey’s trademark “pregnant pause.” “He was told to not leave even a second of dead air,” says Wertz. “Obviously that’s an argument that he ultimately won.” Our thanks to McVay Media News/Talk Specialist Holland Cooke for the accompanying archive photo of Harvey’s formative days at WKZO.