Barbara Dacey, Voice of WMVY, Will Leave Station

Jane Seagrave Tuesday, October 24 2017 - 12:56pm

<p>Ms. Dacey, director of worldwide programming at WMVY, will leave the station where she has worked since 1985 at the end of the year.</p>

Barbara Dacey, who joined WMVY radio as a part-time deejay and rose to director of worldwide programming, will leave the Island-based radio station where she has worked since 1985 at the end of the year, she announced today.

Ms. Dacey made the announcement on her regular midday radio show and in a press release distributed concurrently. Program director PJ Finn, who appeared with her on the air, said she was not retiring and had not ruled out the possibility of returning at some point.

“Working at MVY has been a central and deeply inspiring part of my life,” Ms. Dacey said in the press release. “Being on the air day in and day out is literally a transportive experience, and I love it and will miss it.”

Speaking on air, she said she plans to spend more time singing and playing her guitar as well as focusing on her meditation and work with Bodhi Path of Martha’s Vineyard.

“I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to live my life,” she said. “This has been a very interesting decision-making process that I’ve gone through. In answer to why now, I don’t know. It seems like it is a good decision for me and I think it will be good for the station. I hope I’m making the right decision. I think I am.”

Ms. Dacy, who spent her entire career at WMVY, has been both its voice and its public face for many years. She was named program director in 1993 and was a key driver behind the radio station’s growth, lifting it to national recognition and guiding its emergence as one of the pioneers of streaming internet radio. In 2005 she was named director of worldwide programming.

“To be exposed to this music, this level of artistry and put feelings about lives into words and music has always and will forever save my life. It’s a privileged position we are in every day,” she said of being on the air.

Ms. Dacey will end her weekday 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on-air shift and take an undefined leave from the Friends of mvyradio board.

Comments

Hello Barbara,

Molly cape cod, ma

Hello Barbara,
I am a long time listener- well, ever since I moved to the Cape- in 2001.
Love the station and YOU were a big part of that!
very soothing voice, easy and enjoyable to listen to and I loved your interviews and your musical knowledge. Good Luck w/your future endeavors!

Heard your annocement today

Arty Quahog Truro

Heard your annocement today,sad.
Go with your dreams sweet lady.
Maybe a live for all to here

We love Barbara!! She is WMVY

Jimmy Katama

We love Barbara!! She is WMVY such a great loss!! Best of luck been listening for years... Bill Nark I hope he takes the new roll..

I agree such a great DJ and

Bruce Edgartown

I agree such a great DJ and so involved in the community.. we wish her well!
I as well hope Bill Narcaweitz is the new lead roll!
Love Blues @8

I will miss Barbara Dacey!

Erik B. Edgartown

I will miss Barbara Dacey! She brought the station to where it is today, and with some challenging times. She is MVY!!
I also agree I hope to see someone like Bill Narkewicz take over the station. He brings great energy and knows his music!

I am a late riser and I have

RICO Edgartown

I am a late riser and I have Barbara on when I shave -and shower - she is part of my morning routine - I will miss "What's New For Lunch" and her voice. Xxxooo

I am sorry to see Barbara go.

Gail Chilmark

I am sorry to see Barbara go....She will be missed!

The light the light will burn

Anonymous Chilmark

The light the light will burn bright and the music will continue. I would like to see Peter Simon more - I miss him!

I hate this - and miss her

Carl Edgartown

I hate this - and miss her already. Love you Barbara and the best of luck !

Barbara will be missed.. I

Jim J. Edgartown

Barbara will be missed.. I hope MVY will continue!! Best station

My family first vacationed on

Frank Edgartown

My family first vacationed on MV in 1989 and I would be remiss if I didn't say WMVY in general and, Barbara Dacey in particular, were not a part of the reason we fell in love with the island. We listened to 'MVY online when off island and on the fm dial whenever in reach of its signal. Ms. Dacey is as much a part of our Vineyard lives as South Beach, the Flying Horses and Menemsha sunsets have been and will continue to be.

Congratulations, Barbara Dacey, on a life well lived and a job well done. While we will miss your on-air presence we are encouraged that you will not be going too far away and we may hear from you again. Enjoy your well-deserved respite.

Oh no such sad news. Love

Roy Dennis

Oh no such sad news. Love Barbara and MVY. I wish her well. It will be difficult to fill her shoes. I hope MVY brings back Peter Simon and his private collection on Sunday evenings.

Barbara, you have not only

George T. West Tisbury

Barbara, you have not only been the voice of WMVY, you have made WMVY the voice of the Vineyard. Thanks for all your great programming.

The end of an era. Loved

Mason Buddy Marblehead/VH

The end of an era. Loved working with you, Barbara, back in the early days of MVY. You are and always were the backbone of the station which, under your leadership, has grown to enjoy worldwide respect and following. Good luck......

Barbara, I have listened to

Deb W. Newport, ri

Barbara, I have listened to MVY for years. Love the music and the soothing sound of your voice! Best of luck as you continue on your next musical and spiritual journey!!!

Barbara, it was an absolute

Mike McLaughlin Naples, Florida

Barbara, it was an absolute joy to work with you in the (gulp) 80's and early 90's at the station. Your musical expertise and laid back style was always a joy to enjoy! WMVY has been an absolute giant in the radio industry and I hope you are proud of your achievements and most of all being the person that you are. Miss you and wish only the best! Good luck to y'all at WMVY...

Barbara Dacey, the voice of

Tom Gorton Nanning, China

Barbara Dacey, the voice of Martha's Vineyard, knew what she was doing when hiring Mike McLaughlin. Mike had the most soothing on-air voice ever and his most relaxing show was a Sunday staple in our home when living in Falmouth. Thank you so very, very much Barbara....and Mike too!