Born in Libertyville, IL and raised in Milwaukee, WI, Bill grew up on baseball, beer, brats and golf until his interests turned to radio and being on the air. “My grandfather was a locally well-known sports editor for the Milwaukee Journal newspaper who covered golf and bowling, so I was always around the media. It was simply a matter of time before I was smitten by the broadcast bug.” So, he became an intern for Milwaukee’s WTMJ. “It was a thrill to walk the halls with people who I grew up listening to.” Bill was hooked. Eventually he landed weekends as a top 40 station in Two Rivers, WI, about 90 miles north of Milwaukee. “I worked full-time during the week at a grocery store and drove nearly two hours one-way to do weekends there. That’s how badly I wanted on-the-air.” Soon thereafter, he returned to Milwaukee where he stayed for nearly 9 years, working at Top 40, Oldies, and Lite Rock stations.
His career then sent his to Rockford, Il, Minneapolis-St. Paul, back the Milwaukee, Green Bay, WI and Des Moines, IA where he programmed Oldies and then Country. “Although I was enjoying my career in country, I longed for a return to the format I love…Oldies.” So, he moved to Toledo, OH to program their Oldies station. He made his way to Charleston, S.C. as Program Director of Y-102.5 in January of 1999 and finally landed here in Columbus at B107-9. Aside from getting B107-9 listeners up and going in the morning, Bill is an avid golfer and enjoys photography. Bill is married (both to wife Debra and the station) and is the father of 21-year-old Stephanie and 12-year-old Chloe (the cat who thinks she’s a human).
I’ve always had music in my life. At a very young age I remember sitting for hours playing my records over and over. During my school years, I began playing drums in my high school marching and jazz bands. At the same time, a childhood friend and I built a basement radio station. From that moment I was “infected” by the broadcasting bug and knew what I wanted to do for a career. So I find myself in a city that I have always loved, playing the BIG Hits we grew up with!
When I am not on the radio, I love being with my family. My wife Connie and I are the proud parents of two boys, Matt and Brandon (who is a student at Ohio State!). We have a GREAT love for animals and share our home with a small zoo of 5 dogs, 5 cats and a cockatiel (they actually allow us to live with them!). My other hobbies include motorcycles - at last count my brother and I have 18 in our collection. I hope you will join me in my life-long hobby of playing BIG Hits for Central Ohio on B107-9!
Born and raised in California, I was certain I would be an actor, with my image dancing on the silver screen with the likes of George Clooney and Brad Pit. Well, after 200 auditions, countless cattle calls and one extra position in a Pepsi generation commercial (I am the 227th hand from the left) I felt radio might be fun, and that it has been! I have been blessed to work in some of the best markets in the country. Imaging radio stations in New York, Philadelphia and Dallas, even did mornings for a while in California’s bay area. Even a psychic talk show in Seattle. I had friends in Columbus and found it very easy to make more when I got here!
My basic philosophy in doing radio shows has been if I make someone laugh in the course of the show, I have done my job (even if its me). I have the greatest job in the world all truth be told. I work with a great group of people who love music and love to laugh. I consider my style to be the silly, dork next-door that is just as much fun to laugh at as with! (Yes kids … class clowns can find work …. Eventually)
Thank you for listening to my show. I think radio should be fun and entertaining. There's the great music and then there's the magic between songs.
When you and I talk, share a story and connect in a personal way, my prayer before each program is that it will be a blessing to you. Uplifting, fun, positive and inspirational. Laughter is medicine for the spirit so, hopefully as you listen you might actually chuckle or crack a smile every once in a while. It’s got to be fun, it’s got to be good and it’s got to be real.
In case you didn't notice, I really enjoy what I do. I grew up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and I’ve been on the air since I was 15 years old. It was my dream to be on the radio and nothing like needing a driver's license was gonna stop me! Since then, I’ve been most fortunate to have worked all over the country at some great stations including WLS CHICAGO, WAVA WASHINGTON, WMJX MIAMI, WGCL CLEVELAND, B-94 PITTSBURGH, KLIF DALLAS, and WIBG PHILADELPHIA. I believe we are all uniquely gifted and created for God’s purpose in this world. I just feel so at home when I sit behind a microphone. Well, come to think of it, I am home! It's an entire 13 step commute to my basement studio. Not being a corporate guy this is perfect. I pinch myself everyday. How blessed to be able to do what I love doing from the place I love being most.
Thanks again for giving me the opportunity to come into your homes....
I was born and raised near Steubenville, Ohio, birthplace of music and movie legend Dean Martin! I have always been a fan of great music from about every possible era, even at such a young age. I think I would attribute that appreciation of great music to growing up in a very music oriented family. From Patsy Cline, Sonny and Cher to Bobby Vinton, I grew up listening to it all!
Born with a microphone in my hand and a desire for the radio industry I have worked at quite a few stations in my career path. Being the youngest member of the B107-9 on-air staff, that has only been a very short 10 years (as compared to most of my peers here at the station). However, I must say that playing great Classic Top 40 like these, and getting out to visit with great folks, like yourself has to be the most fun! And I know what you're saying..."He doesn't LOOK much like a Bulldog!" I'm a kinder, gentler Bulldog. Thanks for listening!
Rock & Roll's Greatest Hits, Saturday 7PM-12AM
American Gold, Sunday 7AM-11AM
Live, coast-to-coast every Saturday night, Dick takes your requests via the toll-free hotline (1-888-222-1965) and spins the greatest hits of all time - all from the finest oldies library in the industry. “American Gold” is your weekend time machine, with count-downs based exclusively on the original Billboard “Hot 100” record charts of the 60s and 70s. Click here to visit Dick Bartley's official web site.
Joe Johnson is the authority on all things Beatles! Join him every Sunday morning at 11AM for an hour with the greatest rock and roll band of all time! Click here to visit the official Beatle Brunch web site.
