Hudson Valley Station Getting Community Involved in Radio Drama and Music Videos

In the fall of 2025, TALKERS wrote about well-known New York radio engineer Dr. Andy Gladding’s acquisition of WKZE-FM, Salisbury, Connecticut – a Triple A station serving the Hudson Valley. Gladding serves as chief engineer for Salem New York and for Hofstra University’s WRHU-FM, Hempstead, New York. Since acquiring the station with his wife Katie Berghorn, they have actively pursued involving the community in the station in creative ways. The station is presenting a Halloween radio drama as well as an airstaff music video to create community engagement. Scooby-Doo’s “A Night of Fright Is No Delight” will air on Saturday (10/31) at 7:00 pm featuring voices from the airstaff, clients and community, with a soundtrack performed by local band Cold Flavor Repair in a production that will raise awareness for the Dutchess County SPCA. Gladding says, “Local radio needs to reestablish its position as the community megaphone. At a time when AI-generated content, opinion and voices are saturating the market, the live, local DJ must be reestablished and elevated as the centerpiece of trusted messaging. Giving our staff more creative freedom and control ultimately leads to a stronger team and higher-quality output.” He adds, “There’s a lot of talent walking through this building. Give people room to use it. That’s how you make radio people care about.” You can see the air staff music videoof “Somebody’s Watching Me” by Rockwell that peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1984 here.