Mark Samansky
Dublin Core
Title
Mark Samansky
Alternative Title
Mark Samansky
Subject
Orlando (Fla.)
Disc jockeys--United States
Shock radio
Radio--United States
Music--Florida
Rock music--United States
Description
Mark Samansky, a popular radio personality, a pioneering DJ, and one of the earliest "shock jocks" in Orlando, Florida. He was half of the iconic “Baxter and Mark Show," which aired from 5:30 am to 10:00 am weekdays on 100.3 WDIZ-FM, from 1983 to 1992. Known for his twisted and irreverent sense of humor, extensive knowledge of rock music, and musical parodies, Samansky performed on-air and at various small Orlando venues, Samansky was a staple of rock radio in the region for 20 years.
Samansky's radio career began in 1976 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, before he moved to Denver, Colorado; Chicago, Illinois; and finally, Houston, Texas, where he began a hit show with fellow disc jockey Alan Baxter, "The Baxter and Mark Show," which they brought to Orlando in 1983. The show was the #1 rated radio show among adults 18 to 34 years old in Orlando for a period. Samansky left the show in 1992 and moved to 740 WWNZ-AM in Orlando, where he remained until he was fired in 1993 for an off-color comment he made on-air. He next moved to the Orlando classic-rock station 96.5 WHTQ-FM, experiencing a ratings-topping summer in 1996 among 25- to 54-year-olds. Samansky later served a one-year stint at 101.1 WJRR-FM in 2000 alongside Larry the Cable Guy, and helped produce the future-famous comedian's first album. Samansky passed away in 2011.
Samansky's radio career began in 1976 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, before he moved to Denver, Colorado; Chicago, Illinois; and finally, Houston, Texas, where he began a hit show with fellow disc jockey Alan Baxter, "The Baxter and Mark Show," which they brought to Orlando in 1983. The show was the #1 rated radio show among adults 18 to 34 years old in Orlando for a period. Samansky left the show in 1992 and moved to 740 WWNZ-AM in Orlando, where he remained until he was fired in 1993 for an off-color comment he made on-air. He next moved to the Orlando classic-rock station 96.5 WHTQ-FM, experiencing a ratings-topping summer in 1996 among 25- to 54-year-olds. Samansky later served a one-year stint at 101.1 WJRR-FM in 2000 alongside Larry the Cable Guy, and helped produce the future-famous comedian's first album. Samansky passed away in 2011.
Creator
Dolan, Mick
Source
Original black and white photograph: Private Collection of Mick Dolan.
Date Created
ca. 1983-1991
Contributor
Dolan, Mick
Is Format Of
Digital reproduction of original black and white photograph.
Is Part Of
Rock Collection, Central Florida Music History Collection, RICHES of Central Florida.
Format
image/jpg
Extent
45.2 KB
Medium
1 black and white photograph
Type
Still Image
Coverage
WDIZ-FM, Orlando, Florida
Accrual Method
Donation
Mediator
History Teacher
Geography Teacher
Humanities Teacher
Music Teacher
Rights Holder
Copyright to this resource is held by Mick Dolan and is provided here by RICHES of Central Florida for educational purposes only.
Curator
Cravero, Geoffrey
Digital Collection
Source Repository
Private Collection of Mick Dolan
External Reference
Brewster, Bill, and Frank Broughton. Last Night a Dj Saved My Life: The History of the Disc Jockey. New York: Grove Press, 2000.
Neer, Richard. FM: The Rise and Fall of Rock Radio. New York: Villard Books, 2001.
Willis, Nicole A. "Mark Samansky: Radio antics hooked his audience." Orlando Sentinel (April 6, 2011). http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2011-04-06/news/os-obituary-mark-samansky-20110406_1_baxter-and-mark-show-mark-samansky-rock-station (accessed May 28, 2015).
Still Image Item Type Metadata
Original Format
1 black and white photograph
Collection
Citation
Dolan, Mick, “Mark Samansky,” RICHES, accessed April 25, 2024, https://richesmi.cah.ucf.edu/omeka/items/show/5197.