RIP Rick Stone

[EdWalker]

https://www.michiganmedia.com/2026/06/1 ... ses-at-78/

[EdWalker]

In 1981, Rick and Barbara relocated to Petoskey. While waiting for FCC approval for a construction permit for a new FM station, Rick built and managed WMKC-FM (Indian River/St. Ignace/Mackinaw City). In 1988, the FCC finally approved the license for WAIR-FM (Atlanta) (now WFDX) on 92.5 FM with 100,000 watts, covering 23 counties with a “solid gold” format. About a year later the FCC also granted a new sister station, WTRV-FM (Leland/Traverse City)(now WCMV) on 94.3.

https://www.michiganmedia.com/2026/06/1 ... ses-at-78/

[TC Talks]

I only met him a few times, but thought he was a red blooded broadcaster.

[tvbobn]

I've known Rick for close to 50 years. We had a competing application for a new FM in 1980. Rick later won the construction permit to build that station (WAIR-FM.) We've been friends ever since then.

He stopped by the radio station that I owned near Bay City to see the latest automation system that we were using. He was interested in using it in Petoskey, but he never did. In 1992, I went to work for Rick at WJML/WAIR, before building WFGE in Mackinaw City.

Over the years we exchanged ideas to make our stations (radio and TV) better with those new ideas. When Rick sold out and retired, I was surprised, but the time was right. It really shocked me when he moved from Petoskey to Cheboygan.

Rick Stone was a real broadcaster. He was especially good at making money from small market stations, including AM stations. I will miss our phone calls talking about the old days. Rest in Peace my friend.