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WHERE'S MICHAEL BERNZ NOW?

B

bernzee

In 1975, Bernz began at the old WSUB FM, which was a simulcast of 'SUB AM. At 6PM, the format magically changed from formula AC to free form AOR, including a nightly trip to Uncle Squid's Neighborhood at 11 PM. Bernz moved to PM drive on WICH Norwich in 1980, then afternoons on WCTY, also in Norwich, in '86. After a nearly 5 year hiatus where he only worked weekends on CTY, he took over mornings there in 1993. In 1999, Bernz left CTY to help Redwolf build the powerhouse 106.5 WBMW. After a successful term doing mornings there and improving BMW's profile to a perennial top 2 Arbitron winner, his contract was non-renewed in July 2006 and it seemed as though he disappeared into thin air.
Since summer '07, he's been doing a weekly voice-over gig at Redwolf. Since Dec '07, he has also been doing live weekends at Lite Rock 105 in Providence, and also fills in for mid days (Tanya Cruise) and PM drive (Charlie Jefferds). Having just completed a 17 consecutive days on-air mini marathon, he had a chance to connect with many of his former listeners and many new ones, too. Resting up for golf at Winapaug on Thursday (fore~!) and then back on the track for the weekend (2-6 Sat, 10-3 Sun).
Do what you love, and love what you do. Buckle up and drive carefully; I care about you!
 
He's also STILL giving away Free Tickets to My Wife! When We are in RI. Some kind of Strange Luck, I guess! We live in Eastern CT and My Wife listened to BMW because of His Morning show. Scence He's Left no longer listens at ALL. She Moved on Just like Mikey did to Lite Rock 105 Because of Him and The fun Art Spencer.
Excuse Me I gotta go Find a Baby Sitter for Monday because My Wife was Michael's 25th Caller for Eagles Tix!
 
Hey Mike,

If you happen to run across Charlie Jefferds give a shout from Bill Alley at WINY-Putnam. Old friends, especially of my aunt in Bristol RI. Charlie is truly amazing, both as a broadcaster and a friend to so many. He's of that class of DJs like Salty, the late great Mike Sands (another friend and old Swansea Ma 'neighbor'), and others that so many of us grew to love by being real, relative and 'there'...both as part of the community and as entertainers.

Glad to see you're busy over at the Providence 'Light'. We sure miss you back home in New London County.

Bill Alley
 
Thanks for saying so, Bill. Actually, I'm filling in for Charlie this week 8/4-8/9, so I won't see him til he gets back. And yes, he is an extremely talented and likeable person and personality.
 
There are more questions, than answers about a "radio legend" who starts a thread about himself. Why is it that WCTY or WBMW hasn't wooed you back. Surely, Andy Russell knows how to spot talent that can bring in the ratings and revenue. Honestly, both stations seem to be doing fine without "Mickey B". You you a great voice...good luck.
 
Just to note: I started the thread after meeting about the 500th person who asked me how my "health" was. Seems there's some misconception about whether I was even among the living. Don't know how that line of thought got started but it's very very old to me by now.
And, to be diplomatic, let's just say your comments indicate you don't have a knowledge of the politics and economics of dealing with other stations in the New London market. Yes, both stations are doing fine. Why not see if you can discover how they were doing before I was "wooed"to them? In addition, I do get paid to do voiceover work at 'BMW and keep in touch with those folks regularly. And it must be said that being on air in Providence is a nice step up in markets (177-39) which I feel proud of.
So, if by chance you should run into anyone who thinks I'm hospitalized, institutionalized, retired, incarcerated, or any other thing short of being among the live and free, I'd appreciate you letting them know that I am "Alive and Well and working in Providence". Shoot, I even get to see Buddy Cianci every so often!
 
Radiowmen needs to show a little more respect to Bernzee. He was one of the reasons I chose to get into the business. Not to make Bernzee feel old, I grew up listening to him on WICH in the early 80s...and was always "wowed" by his personality and his "golden pipes". I'm glad to know that he's on Lite 105 in Providence.

So, Radiowomen, I'm very glad that Bernzee gave an update, becuase I was very happy to read that he is well and still on the air. Why don't you spend your time adding something positive...instead of what the majority of people do on these threads: trashing people.
 
Thanks for getting my back, Pliff. I've given things a lot of thought and now I wonder about the people I've worked with and those I haven't, who've told me I helped inspire them to get on board in the radio business. Was it a blessing or a curse???

Today, if someone asked me my opinion, I'd tell them to migrate to a top 50 or even top 100 market ASAP. You probably won't stay at any one of them all that long, but a year or two here and there will keep you on the track towards a career of gainful (read:making money) employment. Not to say that money should be the primary motivator, but sooner or later you have to give it serious consideration. If money is all you think about, though, you should be looking at a different career. IMHO.
 
Agreed. I always tell people, when they ask who inspired me to get into radio... "Michael Bernz at WICH and a guy named Bill Shane, who I used to listen to when he did PM drive at WFAN FM 102 in Mystic."

Of course, it was Bill Reese and news guy Bob Ford back at WICH in the mid 80s who started me smoking and drinking.

"I'll be right back, I'm going out to check the tower lights."

Thanks Bernzee. Without you, I'd be working at the Surplus Unlimited on West Main Street in Norwich, rather than living in Seattle.

(Of course, I'm no longer a full time radio guy, but that's a different story.)

Glad to hear you're healthy and still rockin' the mic.

Rob Walker
(still cursing the day Johnny London fired me!)
 
Is Bernzee in a "Cool" Place on the Cape on Sat Nites now also? There is a Jock who sounds Like Michael Bernz ( or Lars Copland) on Cool 102 Sat Nites, But I have never heard the Jock mention His Name.
 
Where the Heck is Bernzee? He hasn't been on Lite Rock 105 2 Weekends in a row. Just Voice Tracked Tony Bristol and Mike Rovin. Is Bernzee ok,He was off a couple of Weekends before that also.So did Citadel can any Live Shifts on Lite Rock 105 on Weekends?
 
Sadly...

http://www.legacy.com/NorwichBulletin/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=128610320

Posted by the Norwich Bulletin

Michael Bernz Cipriani
:'(
Michael Bernz Cipriani August 27, 1950 - June 18, 2009 PRESTON - "Michael Bernz" Cipriani, 58, husband of Diane (Hernitche) Cipriani of 175 Krug Rd., Preston, died unexpectedly at his home Thursday morning. [EDIT]



[EDIT-post truncated as excerpt exceeds amount permitted under Fair Use.Link added by Radio-Info as a courtesy]
 
Michael Bernz Cipriani was one of the most familiar names and voices in eastern Connecticut. He passed away unexpectedly Thursday morning, June 18, 2009. At Red Wolf Broadcasting, we extend our condolences to the Cipriani family. Michael started his long radio career at WSUB/Groton in the seventies. His broadcasting resume included WDRC in Hartford and most recently WWLI Lite Rock 105 in Providence, but "Bernzie" really made his mark gracing the morning airwaves for decades in New London County at WICH and WCTY in Norwich. In the late nineties, Michael was hired by John Fuller at Red Wolf Broadcasting to host the morning show here at Soft Rock 106.5 WBMW. His warm and friendly voice, loyal following, sense of humor, familiarity with everything local and a sincere caring for this community made him a hit with listeners for over six years. There is no doubt that Michael Bernz played a key role in the evolution and success of WBMW. I remember him most importantly as a kind and gentle man who always had an encouraging word. When I was hired for the Soft Rock 106.5 morning show in July 2006, I knew these were big shoes to fill. When you work in radio, it is hard not to be defined by your line of work. That was the case with Michael Bernz, but he also played a major role in defining radio in eastern Connecticut and southern Rhode Island. He was one of the most sincere people you could ever meet. He meant it when signed off his show saying, "I care about you."

- Glenn O'Brien
 
When i Revisited this post Eariler in the Week, I was thought maybe Citadel was just being Citadel and let go of their last Live Weekender. Very Ironic when U read the Start to finish of this Thread. Bernzee was always good for a corny joke. R.I.P.
 
In 1977-78 I lived in New London where I listened to Mike Bernz on WSUB. Back then the station had a "mixed format". From 6 AM - 6 PM the station had a MOR format. Mike had an album rock show from 6 PM until midnight when the station signed off.

My condolences to his family.

Bruce
 
I remember hearing him on WCTY when I first moved to CT. Great voice and it sounds like he was a great guy. RIP Bernzee
 
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