WTRY in Albany-Troy-Schenectady, New York is where Lee Gray teamed up with his friend Terrell Metheny, and became recognized as a great Program Director.
1964 was the start of the Beatle Invasion, and New York was the perfect place to be. Lee made connections with The Beatles during the short time he was at another Albany station, WABY, and became known as Beatle Buddy Lee Gray traveling to England several times on station promotions.
This "Beatle Buddy" status elevated his career to a national level as he was featured in Teen Magazines and made appearances on American Bandstand.
While in the Tri-Cities area, Lee received his private pilot, and helicopter license, which is something that interested him since he worked at the AFN in 1959. He used his license for several promotions and events, which included flying listeners to San Francisco to see The Beatles perform.
Lee stayed at WTRY for a few years, quite unusual for a radio talent, before moving to WHK in Cleveland, Ohio.
George, Ringo, Paul, John, and Lee.
Lee gives a pen to Ringo during a Beatles
Press Conference in New York City.
Click on the ticket above to listen to the
WTRY Beatle Trip Promo.
A group of WTRY Beatles Trip winners
before the concert at Shea Stadium.
Lee Gray in Philadelphia on
American Bandstand.
Click on the picture above to read a news-
paper article about Lee Gray with The
Beatles in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Lee Gray and Paul McCartney
in San Francisco.
Screening this weeks records before
they can be played on the air.
Click on the picture above to read the
Teen Life Magazine article about
DJ of the Month Lee Gray.
Lee Gray and John Lennon
in San Francisco.
Click on the record above to hear the song
Charity by The Gray Things which named
their group after Lee Gray.
The Graything promotional Troll Doll.
If you have one of these, WE WILL BUY IT!
Hermans Hermits with the WTRY Staff
wearing their WTRY Blazers.
George Harrison and Lee Gray
in San Francisco.
Sonny and Cher stop by before
appearing at a concert in Albany.
English pop duo Chad and Jeremy with Lee Gray.
A photo taken just before going on the air at TV Station
WAST 13 in Albany/Troy/Schenectady, New York.
Lee Gray and Bobby Vee.
Lee Gray interviews drummer Charlie Watts
of the Rolling Stones.
WTRY picture book about Jill Bishop winning a trip to
London and Paris to see The Beatles. Click on the image
above for an in-depth interview with Jill Bishop (Kostyniak).
Peter, Paul, and Mary look at the same WTRY
picture book (above) with Lee Gray.
Click on the picture above to read an article,
and hear audio, from the Blackout of 1965.
Ray Charles and Lee Gray at a WTRY Concert.
Just click anywhere on the article to
read a printed transcript.
Danny Thomas thanks listeners of WTRY
for their contributions to the St. Judes
Children's Research Center.
The WTRY Bowling Team
From left to right, Doug Cole (Production Manager),
Bob Connell (Morning DJ), Lee Gray (Program Director,
Afternoon DJ), Rick Snyder (Evening DJ),
and Jim Lord Chaplain (Mid-Day DJ).
Click on the Capital News 9 Logo above for stories
related to Lee Gray and The Beatles.
Click on the Letter above
to read Emails we've received
about Lee's time at WTRY.
anything else from Lee's days at WTRY,
please send us an Email.
