Maria Genero returns to her radio roots on WECK

Five months after leaving Channel 2 with his “Most Buffalo” sidekick Kate Welshofer, Genero’s distinctive voice resurfaced this weekend as an on-air personality on WECK radio (12:30 p.m., 100.1, 100.5 and 102.9 FM).

Genero worked 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the station owned by Buddy Shula, who has hired several longtime broadcasters.

“We hope Maria will get a lot more involved very soon,” Shula said.

“I hope so,” Genero said.

Genero’s return to radio came days after the National Comedy Center in Jamestown announced that Welshofer, his “Most Buffalo” costar, had joined as a communications and content strategist. In his role, Welshofer will oversee the development of digital, social and audiovisual content.

Genero, a Niagara Falls native and enshrined in the Buffalo Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame, made a name for herself in local television. She achieved a rare hat trick in local television working at WGRZ, WKBW-TV (Channel 7) and WIVB-TV (Channel 4).

But before becoming a popular television personality, Genero worked for Rock 102 and country station WYRK.

Other than taking some time off to travel after leaving Channel 2, Genero said she “didn’t do much.” I still haven’t cleaned my house.

She said Shula called to ask for a return on the radio.

“That’s where I started,” Genero said. “Radio is great, and that’s good. It’s an old station. Some of the old greats are there – Joe Chille, Roger Christian, JP (John Piccillo), Buddy Shula, Donny Tomasula. And I thought, sure, I fit into that category.

“I love this team. I think it will be fun. I just like the whole behavior there. It’s cowardly, it’s just, go have fun. It’s not brain surgery. Everyone went around the block about three times.

Genero admitted to being a little nervous during her first show Saturday morning, which was unannounced because she didn’t want to promote it.

“I just wanted to slip in and try it and see,” she said. “I was nervous, very nervous.”

It is not yet clear to what extent she will be further involved within WECK.

“Right now, everything is up in the air,” she said. “We’re just taking it slowly. I haven’t done radio in so long. I was like, well, be yourself… I was on Channel 2 for 17 years. So being on air on Channel 2 was like talking to my friends. It was so easy. It will take me a little time to feel comfortable like that. Not 17 years old obviously. But just to feel comfortable in the radio, it’s going to take a little time to feel comfortable on this bike again. The first time was a little scary.

The first song she played was an Elvis Presley tune. She didn’t remember which one.

However, she remembers playing a 1960s Shirelles song, “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” and adding a commentary after the end.

“I said, ‘no ladies, he won’t,’” Genero said with a laugh.

No doubt, his “Most Buffalo” fans will.