UTICA-ROME — Fans of longtime morning radio host Bill Keeler won’t have to wait much longer to get their fix. Keeler’s returning to 92.7 The Drive (WXUR) right after Labor Day.
In a press release issued this morning, Keeler and WXUR announced Keeler will be live from 5-9am weekdays, starting Tuesday, September 8.
Keeler was unexpectedly let go from Townsquare Media’s 950 WIBX last week, along with executive producer Davey Smith and news anchor Jeff Monaski. Today’s announcement says Smith and Monaski will join Keeler on his new station, along with Jay Aiello, who “recently exited another radio station.”
In a press release, Keeler said, “At The Drive, I’ll be able to do everything we did at IBX, plus all the things they wouldn’t let us do.”
In addition to airing on 92.7 WXUR, Keeler’s program will stream live on his YouTube channel, Facebook, Live 365 and The Drive’s own live stream.
“I’m so excited to head back to The Drive, in the same studios I built 20 years ago,” said Keeler. “And working with a legend like Genesee Joe is a dream come true. I don’t think there’s a better mix of Classic Rock music anywhere on air or online. I’m also really excited about working again with Mindy Barstein, who is the true definition of the local owner who always puts community first.”
Barstein, the GM and owner of WXUR said, “”It is extremely important that radio goes back to its roots of entertaining, informing and serving the local community. Now, with Bill and his crew joining us, The Drive is the only full time live radio station playing music you won’t hear anywhere else. Keeler in the Morning and Genesee Joe in the afternoon. It doesn’t get any better than that.”
The station is bumping the nationally-syndicated “Bob and Tom Show” to make room for Keeler, who said WXUR’s local ownership was key in his decision to accept the offer. “Local radio works when it’s actually local,” he said. “It means the people making decisions live here, work here, know the businesses, know the charities, know the important players and, most importantly, know the people listening,” Keeler said.
Program Director “Genesee” Joe Trisolino said, “I am really glad to welcome Bill Keeler and Keeler in the Morning to the 92.7 The Drive team. Bill is a local radio legend with many ties to this community, and he puts on an excellent show. I’ve had a long friendship and much respect for Bill. Adding Bill and his crew to 92.7 The Drive gives us a fully local lineup. We now have the strongest on-air talent, not only locally but
regionally! Welcome to the team, Bill! This is why WE DARE TO BE DIFFERENT!”
In addition to bringing on Keeler, there will be a few minor adjustments to the balance of the WXUR schedule, compared to what’s currently listed on the website. Matt McMullen will take over at 9am, followed by Genesee Joe from 2-7pm. Rick DeVoe, BBQ Bob Merrick and Lady Di fill out the rest of the evening/overnight. And 92.7 The Drive will continue to feature longtime radio host “Doctor” Jerry Kraus in “The Recovery Room” on Sundays from 9 to noon.
In addition to the new spot on the radio dial, Keeler says he’s launching a new independently-owned digital content company. It will produce original programming and offer professional production services to “up-and-coming influencers, business, organizations and other content creators.”
“The media business has changed dramatically, and I think there’s an enormous opportunity to build something that takes the best parts of radio and combines them with everything that’s happening digitally,” Keeler said. “We’re not just building a radio show. We’re building a content company.”
Keeler says he plans to take content from his radio show and repurpose it for digital consumption. He also said there may be occasions where the show produces online content that has “nothing to do with” the radio program.
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