WADK 1540 and 101.1 FM (News/Talk/Jazz) Newport, RI legendary morning host BOBB ANGEL will step back from his 58-year stint as host of WADK’S MORNING REPORT effective September 20, according to a press release sent on behalf of the station this morning.
Island Broadcasting of RI, a Rhode Island limited liability company, is set to acquire two Rhode Island radio stations, 1540 WADK/101.1 W266DI Newport and Mixx 99.3 WMNP, from 3G Broadcasting, a Florida corporation.
Newport radio stations to change hands in $350,000 deal
“Angel, during an unprecedented tenure with WADK through multiple ownership changes, has held every position on the legacy VOICE OF NEWPORT including General Manager. Bobb – with three B’s – has decided to focus on play-by-play and executive producer of WADK’s high school sports broadcasts,” the press release states.
On September 23, longtime station midday host Bruce Newbury will move into mornings.
“The WADK lineup will now consist of MORNINGS WITH BRUCE with station meteorologist STEVE CASCIONE until 10 AM; VOICES OF NEWPORT COUNTY, local interviews and business talk 10:00-11:00; and THE CEO SHOW with Robert Reiss from PARK CITY PRODUCTIONS 11:00-12:00,” the press release states.
“THE MIDDAY ON WADK, local arts and music interviews hosted by general manager and sister Rhythmic CHR/Throwbacks WMNP (MIXX 99.3) program director MATT (DOUBLE G) GIRARD follows from 12:00-1:00. In afternoons will be BUSINESS TALK WITH JIM CAMPBELL from Park City, the syndicated FRANKIE BOYER SHOW and local sports BIG TICKET WITH TEDDY HORAN. Evenings will remain local sports play-by-play and repeats of the midday shows. Locally originated Jazz and swing with STEVE CONTI will continue on weekends as will the syndicated DINING OUT WITH BRUCE NEWBURY, TALKIN’ BIRDS WITH RAY BROWN, THE MONEY PIT and UNDER THE HOOD. Newbury will also continue hosting weekends on WVMT-AM/Burlington-Plattsburgh Vt/NY,” the stations states.
WADK provided the following additional background on Bobb Angel;
A 1962 graduate of Rogers High School, Bobb – with 3 “B’s” – has lived on Aquidneck Island his entire life, and he has been a vital part of the local community. He graduated from the RI School of Broadcasting in 1967, and was hired by WADK in Newport in June of that year. Bobb has served in every capacity at WADK including stints in various executive positions, Along the way, he has mentored many young broadcasters whose first experience in broadcasting was with WADK. Bobb is closely identified in the community. As host of Newport’s annual Christmas Concert, he has raised generous amounts of contributions to the MLK Center’s Holiday Food Drive as well as numerous other causes and charities throughout Aquidneck Island. His annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade broadcasts are must-hear for thousands of listeners, many of whom have left the island but still follow “The Voice of Newport County” via live stream and podcasts.
Bobb is a 2010 inductee into the R.I. Radio Hall of Fame, one of the 6 Halls-of-Fame to which he is a member. He is a 7-time Rhode Island Sportscaster of the Year. Bobb has anchored WADK’s Morning Report every weekday for over 40 years. As the Voice of Newport County Sports since the 1970s, Bobb has and will continue to provide extensive broadcast coverage as well as calling the play-by-play for local high school sporting events from football to basketball, baseball, softball and hockey as well as Salve Regina University contests.
In every town in Newport County and throughout Rhode Island, there are countless men and women who can recall their moment of glory when Bobb Angel called their play, pass, fast break, the winning run or game-saving catch. He has chronicled the achievements of local student athletes who have gone on to success at the collegiate and professional level. In addition, Bobb has been at the mic through many of the notable and even historic events of the past half-century in Newport including the America’s Cup, Tall Ships, Newport’s Sister Cities ceremonies, the iconic Newport Jazz Festival which Bobb anchored live on WADK, and the City’s beloved parades. Bobb Angel is part of the history, the fabric and the life and times of thousands of Newporters.
Congrats to Bobb on his “retirement”, he truly is and will always be the Voice of Newport. I listen every morning here in Southern California via WADK’s stream. I for one will greatly miss hearing his voice each morning. I can’t think of a better fit than Bruce Newbury.