Every radio station needs that one special person who knows not only the history of the station, but the market inside and out. That one person who goes above and beyond — someone you simply can’t replace. Audacy in Miami is losing that person. Gayle Garton is about to leave the station she loved and has been a part of for 34 years. How time flies when you love what you do.
Gayle had the passion for radio and grabbed the first job she could in 1980 as a receptionist. Journalism degree be damned, she was drawn to what she heard coming out of the speakers and wanted to be a part of it. She worked her way up from the front desk and honed her craft at a couple of different Miami stations before walking through the door at the then-owned Jefferson Pilot stations in 1992.
Jefferson Pilot became Lincoln Financial, and that became Entercom, which eventually turned into Audacy. But while ownership and management changed, Gayle was a constant. She started on the weekend — remember that, live weekend talent? — and station programmer Rob Sidney was quick to realize Gayle’s potential. She was the first female voice heard on WLYF during the day. As a result, Gayle was promoted to music director, a title she would hold for 30 years.
More Than a Title
Gayle didn’t just occupy an office and a chair in the air studio for all those years — she was a valuable contributor. No matter who sat in the head programming chair, Gayle was there to offer direction. While my involvement with the station has been minimal, in every music sort with her and Brand Manager Michelle Stevens, her market knowledge proved invaluable…