WBLI

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WBLI (106.1 FM, "106.1 BLI") is a Top 40 music formatted radio station which mainly serves Nassau and Suffolk Counties on Long Island and can also be heard in the Hudson Valley, the South Shore of Connecticut, and the Jersey Shore. Its transmitter is located in Farmingville, New York.

It's signal is badly hindered to the West by 105.9 WCAA in New York City as well as by an Illegal Carribbean Pirate Radio Station broadcasting on 106.1 in Flatbush Brooklyn.

[edit] History

WBLI, the station as a whole, first went on the air in 1958 as WPAC-FM, but gained fame in the 1970s. DJs from the '70s & '80s included Barry Neal, Randi Taylor, Bruce Michaels, Nick O'Neil, Chris Tyler, Bill Terry (was PD in the '80s), Jeff Thomas (also the PD), Scott Taylor, Don Nelson, Rick Sommers, Keith Allen (now of B103 Long Island), Rob McLean, Mary Ann (aka J.J. Kennedy of WLTW/New York City),Carl Dayton,TK Townsend,Brooke Daniels,Larry Adams, Scott Miller and Kelly Hart. WBLI had a Saturday Night disco show called "Club 106" during the disco days, and a Sunday Night Oldies show known as "Only Gold" during the 70's through the mid 80's hosted by Don Nelson.

Its most recent incarnation of CHR began in September of 1996 when the station, under its then-owners Chancellor Broadcasting and PD Doc Medek flipped from Hot A/C, an evolution that had begun in May of 1996. Under Doc Medek and Al Levine as M-D/night jock the station redeveloped it's CHR sound on Long Island, voiced by Billy Moore, and a new jingle package, playing the current records, and had night show features like the "Fresh 5 at 9", and the "New Music Challenge" return. By 1997 'BLI was one of the more rhythmic mainstream CHR's on the air featuring "Classic Dance Weekends". When Cox Radio took over 'BLI they evolved into a more mainstream CHR with less dance product (though still more than most other CHR's) and a tighter playlist voiced by Kurt Flood, Mark Driscoll, Jennifer Vaughn, and Brian James. On March 29th 2006 Beau Weaver took over as voice of 106.1 BLI, a new jingle package debuted at this time as well- the package that is still used today.

In September of 1996 'BLI dropped the Syndicated weekend Program "Open House Party" on Saturday nights in favor of a disco show hosted by Party Marty Mitchell, also the longtime host of the B-103 Disco Party, and currently, The K-JOY All Request Party Marty Saturday Night Show heard on Long Island, NY's WKJY (K-JOY 98.3 FM. Online at KJOY.com). Open House Party continued on Sunday nights until Noverber of 96. Party Marty's show would continue until 1998 when "CLUB BLI" would begin, playing current club music. CLUB BLI is the current Saturday night show featuring occasional live broadcasts from popular Long Island clubs.

WBLI, which is currently owned by Cox Radio and licensed to Patchogue, New York, is programmed by Jeremy (J.J.) Rice who has been with the station since 1998. (Rice was formerly PD of WWHT (Hot 107.9) in Syracuse while the station was owned by Cox Radio. When ClearChannel purchased WWHT in 1998, Rice moved to Long Island and has since been the program director of WBLI and CHR format director for Cox Radio.) The APD is Al Levine "on the scene", who has been with 'BLI since February 5th 1995 and has done nights, afternoon drive, mid-days, and now once again afternoon drive.

[edit] BLI In the Morning

The morning program, known as "BLI in the Morning" features Dana DiDonato, "Big Gay Randy", and Ted Lindner with news and traffic. The show has benchmarks such as Dana's crush of the week, Randy's Happy Horoscopes, the Dirt report, Phoney-Phone crank calls; a staple of former co-host Steve Harper, and Hersday, a feature that was pioneerd by former co-host Maria Garcia. Steve Harper had hosted BLI in the AM for 25 years before being let go in the Summer of 2006. His last show was on July 19th 2006.

[edit] Controversy

On Wednesday, February 27, 2008, Randy of the "BLI in the Morning" show offended a caller from the Mastic section of Long Island, NY, by insinuating that she lived in a trailer park.^[1] After in the station received complaints regarding the remarks, and after Randy's refusal to apologize, he was suspended by station management.^[2]

On Friday, February 29, 2008, radio personalities Opie and Anthony, vocal proponents for free speech in broadcasting, called for the firing of WBLI station manager John Shea for "not standing behind his guy."^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Current DJs

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• Dana DiDonato
• Randy
• Drew
• Al Levine "On the Scene"
• Astra
• Tim Clarke
• Orphan Andrew
• Anthony from The Deli
• Erica Hayden
• Catie Holmes
• Alfredo "on the Radio"

[edit] Former Personalities

• Reno
• Wendy Wild
• Tony "the Tiger"
• Just Joe
• Steve Harper
• Party Marty Mitchell
• Maria Garcia
• Slam the Stuntman
• Vic The Latino
• Stick
• Fisher
• Jarrett Galeno
• Skyy Walker
• LJ
• Ballistic Bob

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• 106.1 WBLI official website
• Query the FCC's FM station database for WBLI
• Radio Locator information on WBLI
• Query Arbitron's FM station database for WBLI