Where are they now - BOB COUNTRY

[patriotsbrady]

Hey Everyone ---

I've been out of the market for a while now, but I was a big fan of both incarnations of Bob Country (93.5/93.9; 95.3/107.1).

Can anyone tell me what is going on with all the below former Bob Country jocks...and how I can get in touch with them???


- Heath Cole
- Jason & Traci
- Justin Tyler
- Brian Ryea
- Sonny
- Chris Garrett

And out of all the former Bob Country jocks, who has turned the downturn of Bob Country into a successful career for themselves??

Looking forward to hearing from everyone so I can say hello to all the former Bob Country personalities!

 

[nhradiochild]

Just from reading the boards here, I think I can answer a few questions, but only vaguely.

If memory serves me correctly, Heath and Chris are affiliated with 99 Rock, Chris does the morning show.
Jason and Traci were always KIXX-FM, and while Jason was let go, Traci continues with a new cohost.

That's all I know.

 

[FeedJake]

Let's see, moving down the list:

Heath Cole-Operations Manager for Dartmouth Broadcasting/99Rock--Middays on 99Rock.

Jason & Traci-Jason, unemployed, last I heard, health issues--Traci, now the "star" of the KIXX morning show along with Paul from the "Eyeglass Outlet" in West Lebanon.

Justin Tyler-Program Director at New 92 Country in Columbia, South Carolina.

Brian Ryea-Operations Manager at Upper Valley Radio in Lebanon. Also co-hosts a painful local morning talk show with former Valley News sports writer Greg Fennell.

Sonny-I don't recall where he is, I want to say Florida.

Chris Garrett-Morning Host on 99Rock. Also does play-by-play for Dartmouth Hockey.

And, to answer your question, who has turned out the best from BOB'S downfall? Easily, Heath Cole, hands down. Heath WAS BOB Country, BOTH times, got a shitty deal, BOTH times, and came out on top working for Dartmouth.

A true radio professional, in a great position. No longer has to be force-fed anything by the suits. Can successfully program without anyone breathing down his neck.

 

[radio247mama]

Actually Justin Tyler is now doing Middays/Program Director at WWGR in Fort Myers, FL.

If you want to base "successful" on market size...he would be it. Market #61 at the #1 station in the market against two other country stations.

Bob Country definitely did produce a GREAT STAFF. Imagine if they were all still together in the Upper Valley as Bob Country...

 

[seacrestout]

Very astute observations Jake. I agree that Heath has fought the battle both on the street and in his own building, and still remained focused on the real fight. I've watched Heath's career for a long time, and that boy is only in a tiny market because he wants to be. Make no mistake, if he could talk his hot wife into the move, I am sure he could write his ticket.

Other Bob staff-Phil Rivera--another fella with a hell of a set of pipes, and talent. Last I heard, he was back in Littleton, NH doing the morning show, then answering the phone (notice I didn't say phoneS) Phil and Sonny had a great morning show. Played off each other well, and were very entertaining! Phil should be practicing his version of "This time, it's for real!" Is that his most current info?

As for Sonny, he's gone back to Tyler. He is the one in Columbia, SC riding afternoons and programming. He is also doing some sort of syndicated show as well, or so his myspace indicates.

Any word on Jason?

What of Little Drew?

Did I read a while back that the pompus sniveling putz Hoytt was coming back to the radio? I just need to know so I can avoid that frequency like the plague!

All that having been said, I am not sure you can base success on market size. You can be a success in market 180 and a failure in NYC. I think success is self defined. If you want to have a great life in Vermont, and at the top of your game, how can you NOT be considered a success?

That having been said, there will always be the jelous folks who are simply disapointed in themselves that will fire shots across bows of those who dont deserve it. Those are the bitter folks that often lurk here in behind the keys...EK and the other crazy kids at Pamal...opps did I use my outside voice?

Mama you're right...that Bob team, with a hot stick would have been a powerhouse!!!!!

Seacrest Out

 

[uvradioguy]

"BOB COUNTRY" was a little station in Ascutney. The Vox "BOB COUNTRY" was a whole different crew on a
whole different stick(s) with a whole different company. Strange how the two have mingled and it is hard to differentiate who was on with which frequencies. The return of "BOB COUNTRY" was truly a joke. I was with the company at the time and the whole ill conceived plan was a complete failure. "Genius" Heath has only been hired for his 'gigs' because he is a yes-man all the way. When I worked with him he didn't have a single good idea on his own. He simply does what the big guys tell him to do. Why do you thing 99 Rock is such a failure? He is the big guy now and doesn't have a creative bone in his body. If it wasn't for Chris Garrett, that station would be a complete loss. If WGXL had any sense about them, they would have scooped Garrett back up.

As for the original Bob Staff, we've already talked about Heath, what about Maggie Webb? She was mid-days when the original Bob Started, and was replaced by some Ross kid (no idea where he is), then Justin Tyler. The afternoons were always Heath and the mornings always Jason and Traci. Jason I believe is out of radio entirely and as was posted earlier Traci has taken reigns as Morning Show Host and Program Director of KIXX.

Everyone has taken separate paths...but as is always the case in radio...their paths will meet again.

 

[AMFM1]

True, it was a different station, under ownership who NEVER invested anything into programming unlike the first BOB. Just ask Dick and I about things at WSSH under the Dynacom crew. I can remember when I first heard the Rob/Shirley Magic flip to BOB. What a riot! Jason and Heath ran "Clap for the Wolfman" for 24 hours straight on April fools day. The Vox BOB wasn't anything like the first. It was more of a Barlow-Corm, let's trash our competition station. While the first BOB staff has gone on to some good things, what about BOB2?

- Doug McKenzie
- Don Grey
- Bud Hill
- Lefty Wright
- Big Mike
- Rob the Weekend Guy
- Justin Case
- J.T.
- Lori

Turnover seemed much higher the second time around, but then again it was under different ownership. Uvradioguy brings up a good question about Maggie Webb, aka Brooke O'Donnell. Where did she end up? Her and Dave Cooper had a pretty good show on Magic back in the days, its too bad that they weren't given a break and offered a slot on the original BOB!

 

[Oldbones]

Other Bob staff-Phil Rivera--another fella with a hell of a set of pipes, and talent. Last I heard, he was back in Littleton, NH doing the morning show, then answering the phone (notice I didn't say phoneS) Phil and Sonny had a great morning show. Played off each other well, and were very entertaining! Phil should be practicing his version of "This time, it's for real!" Is that his most current info?

He was still at WLTN-FM doing AM drive (and simulcast on a co-owned AM in Berlin) as of a couple months ago. Pretty much the only programming staffer at Barry Lunderville's cluster. Pretty much limits his schtik to time, temp & trivia.

I'll have to give a listen next time I'm up that way.

 

[seacrestout]

UV-

Wow, so when did Heath fire you? Wait, is this you, Tom?

Although you make some good points, that the two BOB's were very different on some levels, the idea of fresh new fun country (BEFORE every country station on the planet started using that term) was constant. As a listener, I could hear it. The jocks were young, and having a good time, which translated. Heath doesnt necesarily have to have great ideas on his own...the sign of a good leader is to surround yourself with great people. As long as Heath can pick the best of the ideas from all the ones that are presented, he is batting above average.

Before I log off, lets me have a great big belly laugh....Coop and Web? A good show? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA

There, I feel better.

Seacrest Out