11Alive’s Denis O’Hayer joins WABE
January 13, 2009 at 2:58 pm by Thomas Wheatley in NewsDenis O’Hayer, a 33-year news veteran and one of the state’s best political reporters, is joining local NPR affiliate WABE 90.1 FM.
Starting on February 2, O’Hayer will locally host Public Radio International’s The World from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., NPR’s All Things Considered from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and American Public Media’s MarketPlace from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. These programs present a mix of local, national and international news, interviews, commentaries, reviews, and features on business and economics.
During his 11-year tenure with WXIA-TV, O’Hayer regularly covered local affairs, politics and government – including the Georgia Legislature. He also served as a reporter and anchor for election coverage on 11Alive, My ATL TV and 11Alive.com.
“Denis brings with him a wealth of experience as one of Atlanta’s brightest and most competent reporters in the business,” said John Weatherford, Public Broadcasting Atlanta Senior Vice President and General Manager. “His career in television and radio will complement the station’s efforts to continue to deliver reliable news and information. Our entire news department is looking forward to working with Denis.”
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“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.”
If you don’t recognize his name, you can rest assured you’ve seen O’Hayer’s face before. He’s the scrappy guy with the gray beard.
January 14th, 2009 at 1:37 am
Does this mean we’re losing John Lemley? I’m going to CRY. :-(
January 14th, 2009 at 9:32 am
I’m sure John Lemley is a nice guy, but as a broadcaster he’s awful. He can’t make it through an afternoon without mangling a half-dozen sentences beyond recognition. I always figured he was drunk or dyslexic. I for one am glad to see some professional talent at our NPR affiliate.
January 14th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
What station are YOU listening to? Lemley is the best thing going for WABE. Uhm, I don’t think the AJC would select him as best drive dj for 2008 is he couldn’t speak. I for one don’t have anything against O’Hayer, but Lemley was the reason that I listened to All Things Considered. He’s supposed to anchor a new lunchtime program beginning next month. As for the late afternoons, after he leaves, it’s Clark Howard here I come!
January 14th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
What’s really screwy is the fact that Thomas Wheatly makes no mention of John Lemley. I’d be MUCH more interested to read about that new lunch program than what O’Hayer (is that spelled right?) is doing. I agree with Will. John Lemley is what made All Things Considered listenable. Mistakes? Well, have you listened to the Washington folks on the program? Sheez, he doesn’t come close to their flub level. It’s live radio anchored by human beings. You’ve been listening to too much pre-produced crap. Long live Lemley!
January 14th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Matt – As a friend of John Lemley’s, I am offended and embarrassed for you. Plus, I think I know the group that you’re a part. John Lemley is one of the nicest, most talented guys I know. Plus, after listening to public radio in four major cities now – New York, Washington, Boston and Seattle – I can tell you that he IS the best and no one can touch him. Will – I’m afraid I may have to join you. What time does Clark start broadcasting?
January 14th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
“Plus, I think I know the group that you’re a part.”
Whatever group that is, sign me up. As one of millions of Atlantans who have suffered through years of John Lemley’s high school thespian club annunciations, I’m relieved beyond belief that I will never have to hear his irritatingly phony voice again.
January 14th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
I have to second what the fellow above said – This is not my first city nor my first public radio station. You Atlantans have no idea what you have in John Lemley. Before moving here, I lived in Boston and Philadelphia. When I moved to Atlanta, I have to say I wasn’t expecting much out of this city’s public radio. John Lemley changed my mind. I have to say that he is really too good for Atlanta. I’m surprised he hasn’t gone national. “High school thespian club pronunciations?” That is just a freakish comment. I think you’re thinking of just about EVERY OTHER news person at that station. Speaking of such – John Weatherford must be the biggest idiot of them all. Why would he want the afternoon to be in line with Steve Goss or . . . good god, Charles Edwards?! Did he MEAN to say Bob Edwards? That I could buy and they already have that with John Lemley.
January 17th, 2009 at 11:31 am
Surprised John Lemley hasn’t “gone national”? Really? What nation are you surprised he hasn’t been able to take by storm? The Faroe Islands?
January 19th, 2009 at 10:11 am
Actually, that’s the one-and-only service area for Turkheimer & Hadden, isn’t it?
February 2nd, 2009 at 5:18 pm
WABE always gets the worst people to drive us mad. Dennis O’Hayer can actually READ! What a concept. I’ve gotten used to turning the radio off during ATC whenever the local news reader came on. It was infuriating to listen to his constant mistakes. I am so HAPPY, I may actually donate! (haven’t done that in many years)
February 2nd, 2009 at 5:40 pm
Just read the comments above. I’m sure Mr Lemley is a nice guy, but seriously – he can’t read. He’s even flubbed is ATC and WABE lines!
I sometimes work in different cities, and get used to different stations. I’ve never heard anyone read as bad as Mr Lemley. It was pathetic that they kept him on prime time all these years. Trust my guess – this wasn’t a promotion!
His sunny personality didn’t cover all his CONSTANT mistakes.
If you hadn’t noticed his prolific flubs, what have you been listening to? The final straw for me was when I realized he pronounced WABE as dupple-ewe ABE.
I’ve been turning him off for over a year to avoid his flubs. This is not the kind of person you want in drive time – or any. But I never listen during the day, so he won’t bother me.
And as much as I love Clark Howard – good luck listening to him. WSB has the WORST commercials – by the ton. Or haven’t you noticed that, either?
February 17th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
“I think I know the group that you’re a part of” WTH? I’m pretty sure I know what you are suggesting and that’s nonsense.
The guy left a bit to be desired when it came to announcing. Steve Goss is far superior. However, for all we know Lemley wants to spend more time being program director or something like that.