Jay wears many hats here at Rip 97.9. As well as being one of the voices you regularly hear everyday, he's also our Sales Manager and Music Director, and a part of RIP 97.9 in one form or another since our debut in 1999. Jay is proud to be a full-time Mountaintop resident, and is active with many organizations in the community. He spent many years in the music business before returning to broadcasting.

Big Jay's Q & A

Where were you born? Long Island, NY

What's the coolest thing about the Great Northern Catskills?
Fresh Air! (Times Square!)

When you have friends visit the Great Northern Catskills for the first time, what's the one thing you insist they see/do?
Wipe their feet, then visit any one of 18 restaurants here on the mountaintop that will absolutely blow them away.

Favorite Hobby/Pastime? I'm so geeked out, so that's a tough one. Movies (I always watch the DVD Extras and commentaries FIRST), Music (collector) Computers (repair), Radios (the kind that glow in the dark), Travel.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be, and why? The ability to bring healing and peace to the world. Is there any reason NOT to?

One song that's the anthem to your life? When I Grow Up

Favorite band and/or songs growing up? Beatles, Xavier Cugat, Marvin Gaye, 101 Strings, Rolling Stones, Mrs. Miller, Musical Multiplication Records, Beach Boys, Allen Robin, Vaughan Meader, Roy Orbison, Camelot, Man of La Mancha.

What are some of the stations/cities where you've worked before coming to Rip 97.9? KC101 New Haven CT, WINE/WRKI-95 Danbury CT, WDJF Westport CT, WSNG Torrington CT

Coolest / funniest / weirdest moment of your radio career so far? It all kind of blends together. I'm so fortunate to be able to come to work every day and do what I love. I truly feel blessed. And who to better work with than the mountaintop's own GPG? BTW Guy taught me the road to cool is to immediately cut the sleeves off your tee-shirts. Yup....

The funny moments for me are all the "inside" radio things that happen on the air. Remotes are especially funny and entertaining, especially when things don't go as planned.

I have a pretty high tolerance for weird - and radio people are a little cracked to begin with.


If they made a movie about you, what actor would you like to play you? Jon Lovitz of course!


Famous person (living or dead) you'd most like to have dinner with? Ahmet Ertegun, Arthur Godfrey, Danny Thomas


What's your #1 pet peeve? Rude, Ignorant or Intolerant people

Whom do you admire the most? My parents, hands down.

Dog or Cat? Other Critters? Two feline ankle biters. :)