Access Atlanta > Entertainment > Radio Talk > Archives > 2009 > January > 13
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
1/13: WXIA’s Denis O’Hayer new local WABE host for “All Things Considered”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
WXIA-TV political reporter Denis O’Hayer has been hired to replace John Lemley as local host of “All Things Considered” on 90.1/WABE-FM from 4 to 6:30. He will also do local spots for “The World” at 3 p.m. and “Marketplace” at 6:30 p.m.
He starts on air Feb. 2 though he’ll be at the station starting Tuesday January 20. Lemley will start handling classical duties from noon to 3 p.m. but will continue to do some news-related duties including a special noon hour news/talk show. He used to do classical music before he did news. He takes over for Wanda Yang Temko, who is leaving at the end of January.
General Manager John Weatherford has been a fan of O’Hayer’s for years, having been fellow street reporters many years ago when Weatherford was at WAGA-TV and O’Hayer was at WGST-AM. He finally convinced O’Hayer to leave WXIA, where his contract ends later this week.
“I think he’s the perfect fit to balance the afternoons in the way Steve Goss does in the mornings,” Weatherford said. “He’s in line in keeping with the quality and caliber of a Charles Edwards.”
I will update this when I talk to O’Hayer (he was busy when I talked to him) but here’s his canned quote from the release.
“I am thrilled to work with WABE,” O’Hayer said. “The station has established itself as the city’s public radio station and provider of news. The station has a strong credibility all its own, and I’m looking forward to this new journey.”
Here’s his official bio:
O’Hayer began his broadcast career in radio in Connecticut in 1976 at WGCH-AM followed by WELI-AM. In 1978, his career led him to Atlanta where he accepted a position with WGST-AM/FM. O’Hayer worked at the station for more than 19 years in a variety of roles. Through the years, O’Hayer has hosted several news and public affairs programs including Midday and Lifestyle, two magazine shows; Counterpoint with Tom Houck and Dick Williams; Cover Your Assets, a consumer-oriented show; Lawn & Garden; The Home Show; The Law Show; and Thirty ‘til Six, an afternoon drive news block with Bob Coxe. From 1991-1997, O’Hayer hosted Sixty at Six, a daily, one hour news and interview program. His broadcast career also includes on-air work with CNN’s Southeast Bureau and Georgia Public Broadcasting.
He has been the recipient of several local, regional and national awards including a National Headliner Award, the National Radio Award from Investigative Reporters and Editors and three Achievement in Radio Awards.
O’Hayer has served on the boards of several community organizations. He is currently president of the Atlanta Press Club where he has been a board member for approximately 10 years in two different terms. He spent nine years on the board of Families First and was also a member of the board of the Atlanta Botanical Garden.
