Freddy Mertz

He was Kato Kalin long before Kato became a household word. The ultimate mooch. Freddy Mertz was one of a kind, a great talk radio pioneer. Pioneer because he was one of the first to ‘do it differently’.

Mertz was one of Randy Michaels discoveries, and man did he pan out. He came to Newsradio 970 WFLA in the late 80s to a staff loaded with talent. Lassiter, Dick Norman, etc. Mertz did not sound like any of them, but he sounded great.

Mertz was discovered by ABC radio and left Tampa Bay to do a national overnight show from ABC. He was a hit, a smash, until his antics got him in trouble with some of the affiliates. ABC canned Freddy.

Freddy worked other markets around the country, but he has not been visible lately.

Truly a talented radio guy.