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It might be a jock, talk show host or even news person on the few news stations left. But who would you say are your favorite radio talents in South Florida (Miami-Fort Lauderdale through West Palm/Boca Raton) and why?
I would have to say Julie Guy and Tamara Gant of WFLC - 97.3 The Coast. Why? LIVE and LOCAL. That's why. I'm so over radio of today with all the syndicated crap (Elvis, Seacrest, and any other Clear Channel voicetracked station).
It's nice to know that 97.3 The Coast is literally what they say they are, live and local. Donnie and Kenny are both live and it gives more meaning to South Florida to have local jocks on so we can keep in touch with our community. When Y100 and Z100 were solely Elvis Duran, the show was good. Now that Elvis has opened to about 12 other stations, it's just not the same "Morning Zoo" that Z100 in NY used to be #1 for.
As for West Palm Beach - I would give Kevin and Virginia of Wild 955 and Mo and Sally of Kool 105.5 (ironically both Clear Channel) for at least giving WPB local and live radio.
Actually, Coast does have some voice-tracked weekend shifts. A few months ago, I was up at 6 AM on a Saturday and heard Kenny Walker on the air. The shift was obviously voice tracked. But that is still better than the Premium Choice crap that Clear Channel dishes out on weekends.
Other great talents - it goes without saying that Neil Rogers is the best AM talker I have ever listened to in my life. It is awful that both he AND Jorge are gone. Neil could do a great show without any preparation. Kevin and Virginia are great on an otherwise awful station. And out of Key West, Bill Bravo is very talented.
I gotta admit, Gnarly on Coast is a great old school jock and is a good fit for Totally 80s Weekend. Not sure if he's live or voice-tracked but he's fun to listen to. Elsewhere on FM, props to Paul and Ron, they're about as local as you can get, even if they're being aired in Key West and West Palm, and Freddy Cruz for 20 years running at the same station.
Sadly, I can't name a single jock from 93 Rock, I've heard (heard, mind you) that they voice-track every talk-break, even if there's a body in the studio.
Besides Coast, Majic 102.7 is for the most part Live & Local. I believe that overnights are VT'd. Outside of a couple of syndicated programs on the weekend, they also have live people on. Gnarly, who I worked with at Y-100 is a great person who really has fun on air and knows his stuff. If i'm out and about during the weekend, I try to tune in to listen.
As for choosing other favorite talent, weeding out the sea of voice trackers, i'd have to say I most enjoy listening to Mindy Lang..mid-day maven at Majic. She is one of the few that really comes across as a person who is down to earth and talks to you..not at you. Mindy is a natural born communicator who also knows her music and is worth my listening time. Another choice is Vance Phillips who works 7 P - Midnight also at Majic. Vance is another who isn't wrapped up in being a on air celeb. No offense to the other live talent in the market, but a "big name" doesn't mean you'll make me listen. What you do with my time does.
Speaking of great jocks, does anyone know what happened to Keith Van Allen at 98.7 The Gater? He had been on the station for nearly 15 years, and I am sure he was axed in a cost-cutting move. I also remember him being on the old WOVV back in the late '80s.
My favorites are Rick Shaw, Roby Yonge, Dan Chandler, Lee Sherwood, Tom Dooley, Mike Harvey, Johnny Knox, Ronnie Grant, Charlie Murdock, and a few others.
I got so heavily invested in personality-driven radio as a kid that the current landscape is like a barren wasteland. And I'm talking about way before Keith Van Allen ever opened a mic. All the remaining 'old skool' talent in South Florida is in Miami. West Palm Beach slammed the door on that chapter with the firing of JR Jackson and Dave Michaels from WIRK.
I should add that a cat named Dave Hazard who still does weekends and fill-in at WIRK is a fun listen. He suffers from a forgettable voice but is endlessly entertaining as I peck away at my 'honey-do' list on Saturday afternoons.
I remember her (early 90s?), but don't know from where. Maybe WZZR? She HAS worked for Sunny 104.3 before and that's in the same building as WIRK. Probly voice tracked. I heard Keith Van Allen on WIRK yesterday. Kinda surprised me.
I believe Harley Rhodes also worked at WRMF for a long time. I think it was during the '90s. I'll listen for Keith Van Allen on WIRK. Good to hear that he is still in the market. I am sure he was the victim of Clear Channel cuts - although CC seems to value jocks most on Rock-formatted stations.
Jim Dunlap was on the old WQAM Tiger Radio..I think in morning drive...and probably made the transition to WAXY with Rick Shaw as FM overtook the AM's like QAM.
In the morning I flip between Paul & Young Ron (they're pillars in South Florida Radio) and Jorge Sedano on 790 (he's a local and a better sports talk show host than Rose).
Since, Neil is gone I don't listen much in mid day anymore. Though, if I am in the car I'll flip between Beck & Dan Patrick or listen to Rush. Though, none are obviously local.
In the afternoon I truly enjoy Dan LeBatard. I wish WIOD would put on a real local show. Not Schnitt. Schnitt is not local and a total bore. Plus, he's a Rush wannabe.
Those are my selections for what it's worth. Great Topic! Just wish there were more local options to speak of like there were in the 80's & 90's.
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