Harford County (April 20, 2004) -- Spring is the time of year to celebrate new life. Instead, we mourn the passing of some noteworthy Baltimore media personalities.

Former WLPL-FM (now WERQ, 92.3) morning man Randy Hilton has passed away in California. Randy sat in the 'LPL air chair during the late 1960s and early 70s, and occasionally appeared on the old "Pogo's Cartoon Circus" program from the original Channel 24 when it was WMET-TV. Randy and I occasionally corresponded by email until he headed west from northern Virginia last year. According to friend Sam Carson, Hilton was involved in Internet radio when he died of a sudden heart attack late last year.

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MTA Transit Team reporter William (Mac) McClellan also died suddenly following an apparent heart attack on March 19. Mac, who was also an accomplished stand-up comedian, was preparing for a show at Baltimore's Improv when he was stricken. He was just 48. McClellan began his broadcasting career in the Tidewater, Virginia area in the 1980s. At the time of his death, he was providing MTA bus and train reports for WBAL-TV (11), WEAA-FM (88.9), and WHFC-FM (91.1), while working comedy clubs from New York to Norfolk on weekends. A genuinely funny man, McClellan left behind his wife Peg and five children. Contributions may be sent to The McClellan Family, P.O. Box 9447, Baltimore, MD 21228.

We also lost Johnny Walker on March 1. Walker, who was born James L. Embrey, Jr., in Louisville, KY, was described by many as "Baltimore's first shock jock." In reality, however, he was more ornery than shocking. This is not to suggest that his on-air exploits weren't totally without negative consequences. Just ask his old boss Harry Shriver. Walker arrived at the old WFBR-AM (now WJFK-AM, 1300) from a station in Chattanooga in 1974, replacing the popular but temperamental Pete Berry, who was known as "The Flying Dutchman." A little man with wire-frame glasses, a mop-like haircut, and a high-pitched squeal for a voice, Walker was also a chain smoker known to consume two packs of cigarettes during his 5:30-10am weekday air shift. To do a Johnny Walker retrospective would take hours, days even. But one of his most famous stunts had to be the time he flew to Kenya in search of a witch doctor to help the then-slumping Baltimore Orioles. Then of course, there was the infamous Dennis Holly incident. At WFBR's 80th anniversary reunion in June, 2002, former afternoon dj Wayne Gruen presented an 'FBR montage which included many of Walker's routines. Former GM Harry Shriver described Johnny as "one of the greatest performers who ever opened a mike." Walker death at age 56 was attributed to pulmonary disease.

And local media giant Brent Gunts passed away on February 25. Gunts was Baltimore's senior broadcaster and one of the most respected men in the business. I first met Brent Gunts in 1959 when my mom and I were in the audience of the old "Quiz Club" program back when Channel 11 was still on North Charles Street. Gunt and co-host Jay Grayson were shaking hands with audience members as they filed out-a daily practice during the long run of the local show. Brent Gunts' broadcasting career began in 1936 at the old WFBR, where he would eventually hire Tomas Garrison Morfit, later known as Garry Moore, to host a local show called "The Varsity Club" (Morfit bolted to WBAL two weeks later after that station promised to pay him. Gunts and WFBR had no money in the budget for a host!). Enlisting in the Army in 1941, Brent eventually attained the rank of major and was later appointed chief of the radio section of the U.S. Savings Bond Division of the United States Treasury Department. Returning to Baltimore in 1949, he founded Brent Gunts Productions, which was responsible for dozens of early local television shows, most of which ran on Channel 11. In 1959, Gunts was appointed vice president and general manager of WBAL-TV, a position he held for a number of years. I was reunited with Brent Gunts in 2001, and he told me a wonderful story. He once lived near a man who worked for WCAO. One Sunday morning, the man offered to take young Brent to the studio. But after arriving and starting a record, the man announced that he had a serious hangover and needed to see the druggist down the street for a headache powder. Ten-year-old Brent was left alone to run WCAO! Brent Gunts was the consummate professional, a real media trailblazer, and a genuinely nice person. He was 86.

Katie Leahan is leaving WJZ-TV (13) for, of all places, the C.I.A. Leahan has taken a media relations position with the spy agency, which begs the question, why does the secretive C.I.A. need a media relations person?

WPOC-FM (93.1) program director Scott Lindy has resigned to take a job with the Sirius Satellite Network. And Lori Lewis has been named PD at Smooth Jazz WSMJ-FM (104.3). All the best to both in their new positions.

WHFC-FM (91.1) presents "Animania 2004," Saturday, May 8, 10am-6pm at Harford Community College's Chesapeake Center. This fundraising "mini-con" features anime and J-Pop music, a video game room, vendors, refreshments, and more. Don't know what anime and J-Pop are? Ask your kids. Admission is $5 with proceeds going to WHFC, which is also conducting its spring on-air fundraising drive April 25 through May 8. WHFC's share of public money for station operations is just four cents per county resident this year, so they need all the help they can get. To pledge, call 410-836-4305, or go to www.whfc911.org and use Pay Pal.

And finally, former WBAL-AM (1090) sports guy Steve Melewski has landed with the Aberdeen Ironbirds, and will assume play-by-play responsibilities for the minor league baseball team. The Ironbirds games will be heard again this season on WAMD-AM (970). Former broadcaster Steve Spedafino has left for parts unknown.

Have a question or comment? Email me at gwhelton@yahoo.com.

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