As Connoisseur Media begins its LMA of Cumulus Media News/Talk 600 WICC Bridgeport CT and AC “WEBE 108” 107.9 WEBE Westport ahead of its swap for the stations in exchange for its Allentown PA cluster, the company has made some staffing changes.
Update 5/3: Connoisseur has announced further additions to WICC and WEBE following the acquisitions of the stations from Cumulus.
A new local afternoon show will debut on WICC hosted by Paul Pacelli will debut on Monday, May 13 from 2-6pm. Paul Pacelli joins WICC from co-hosting mornings at 1360 WDRC Hartford and has also worked at 1410 WPOP, 1220 WQUN New Haven, 1400 WSTC Stamford/1350 WNLK Norwalk and 840 KXNT Las Vegas during his career. Aaron Johnson, a former writer for the Waterbury Republican and CT Post will serve as producer and provide local sports content for the station.
WEBE morning host Jay Michaels will move to afternoons with former morning host Storm N Norman retaking that slot following the exits of Program Director/afternoon host Mike McGowan and morning co-host Megan Stone. Operations Manager Danny Lyons will assume the PD duties.
With an agreement to operate WEBE 108 FM and 600 WICC AM effective May 1st, Connoisseur Media announced staffing changes in an effort to have a stronger impact and connection to the Fairfield County community.
Melissa Sheketoff, who grew up in Southern Connecticut, joins Tony Reno for the newly anointed “Tony and Melissa Show” on 600 WICC in morning drive. Melissa will be handling news duties as well as co-hosting the show.
“Being part of the iconic morning show on WICC is a dream come true,”commented Melissa, “starting as an intern 11 years ago and making my way back here is the greatest blessing, not to mention being friends with Tony throughout the years”.
Afternoons on 600 WICC returns to local talk for the first time in years. Market veteran Paul Pacelli, starting on May 13th, will host a 2pm-6pm call-in show. Former Waterbury Republican and CT Post newspaper writer, Aaron Johnson, comes on board to produce and provide local sports content.
“I’m thrilled and honored to be on board at a heritage powerhouse like WICC, a station synonymous with greater Bridgeport and Southwestern Connecticut,” Paul said, “my goal is to present a passionate, entertaining and vital platform for local newsmakers, personalities and residents.”
“For a station like WICC to have continued success on the AM dial it needs to fully embrace the community,” commented Operations Manager Keith Dakin, “we want to make this station come alive on all levels from podcasting to social to an on air product that the Bridgeport community can be proud to call their own.”
Legendary WEBE 108 FM morning man, “Stormin” Norman returns to his home of 30 years. Norman famously held down mornings for decades on the AC station and, starting Monday, will return to that post.
“WEBE 108 has been my radio home for most of my adult life, and I am thrilled to again wake up families in Southern Connecticut,” Norm declared, “It’s a great opportunity to work with Jeff Warshaw and the incredible folks at local Connoisseur Media”.
Danny Lyons, Program Director, will continue to handle middays and Jay Michaels will move from mornings to afternoons to make way for Norman.
“Growing up in Connecticut and having worked at WEBE/WICC for many years, I am extremely motivated to increase the localism, passion and a commitment to the community on these stations “ said SVP/General Manager Kristin Okesson, “with the return of Norm, the additions of Paul and Melissa, plus the talent staff already on board, I think the future continues to be very bright for these radio stations.”
Original Report 5/1: At WEBE Program Director/afternoon host Mike McGowan and morning co-host Megan Stone have exited. McGowan has been with WEBE since 2012 first as Imaging Director and adding the PD duties in 2014. He has spent his career at stations throughout Connecticut and the Boston market with stops at WBMX, WJMN, WQSX, and WODS Boston and WEZN, WKCI, WKSS, and WTIC-FM in Connecticut.
Longtime WEBE morning host Storm N Norman is currently hosting afternoons. Norman led the WEBE morning show from its launch in 1984 until retiring in 2013. He returned to the station last year as a fill-in host.
At WICC, PD/News Director/morning co-host Mike Bellamy is out after a dozen years at the station. Melissa Sheketoff, who had been hired to launch a new afternoon show on WICC prior to the sale, will instead join Tony Reno in mornings. Sheketoff previously served as morning news anchor at WCAX-TV in Burlington VT. She previously interned for Cumulus Bridgeport in 2010/2011
Can I assume that when iHeart takes over the Erie, PA Connoisseur properties we will also see a mass exodus of their current airstaff in favor of Premium Choice voicetracks and programming? Perhaps Connoisseur is opening up a few positions for some soon to be laid off Erie staff they want to move over there.