UTICA-ROME — John Simmons, well known for his 25-year stint as “Matt Herkimer” on Big Frog 104 (WFRG) has died. He was 78.
Thanks to Budd “Money” Yeman for sharing a link to Simmons’ obituary.
Simmons got his start at WTLB but —after a tour in Vietnam and working in several other radio markets — spent the majority of his career spinning country hits at WFRG.
He was the longest-lasting member of the original lineup from what was originally “96 Frog,” initially hired for afternoons. At the launch, DJs had to pick names related to the local area, so John Simmons became Matt Herkimer.
After he moved to the wake-up shift, he dropped “Herkimer” and started going by “Matt in the Morning.”
Simmons was let go in November 2013, just a few months after celebrating his — and the station’s — 25th anniversary. Simmons then went across town to cover mornings at Bug Country (WBUG/WBGK), locally owned by Roser Communications.
According to his obituary, after Simmons left radio for good, he and his wife moved to Florida and worked as substitute teachers, before fully retiring to Myrtle Beach. The couple continued to summer in the Adirondacks.
The obituary says a memorial will be held in the Utica area at a later date.
David Andrews says:
Rest in peace Matt!