Art Wander is a veteran broadcaster, though most of his 40-plus year career was spent behind the scenes programming radio stations around the country.
During that time, Art headed up the operations of radio stations around the country for major group owners. He was instrumental in helping Rick Dees become a nationally known air personality. He also befriended Brian Epstein, manager of the Beatles, and was the first to play “A Day In the Life” before the title was decided. He met the Beatles and interviewed them on a radio station he programmed.
A musicologist, Art programmed radio stations in every form from Top 40, Album Rock, Big Band, Classical and Country. At one point while working for a group owner headquartered in Memphis, TN, Art was charged with programming all at the same time.
It wasn’t until he returned to his native Buffalo in the late ‘80s that he was coaxed into hosting the first opinionated sports talk show in Buffalo that developed into a 7-year on-the-air radio career of nightly broadcasts. He became “The Voice of the Fans” using his personality to add humor to his shows.
While he was working at a Buffalo radio station, the Empire Sports Network under Bob Koshinski made its debut and Art had a show on the network.
In 1996, Art left his job to join Empire Sports and became instrumental in developing the network’s website that included writing a column using his radio trademark, “Don’t Get Me Started”.
He participated in the televised “Fan Forum” with Bob Koshinski. When Koshinski became the Vice President/General Manager of the Empire Sports Network, Art was moved into the host position on the show which was retitled “Just Getting Started”.
In 2000, the company purchased the radio station now known as WNSA 107.7 FM and accepted a two-hour programming slot where he speaks to listeners and offers comments and opinions from noon-2 p.m.
Art’s proudest moment came when he was allowed to conduct the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra at a concert in LaSalle Park. He plays piano, golf, chess ­ and his computer.
Art Wander. He’s on television; he’s on radio; he’s on the web. You just can’t escape him no matter how hard you might try.
