As noted on our Twitter feed, Clear Channel Cleveland country outlet WGAR/99.5 is adding a well known local radio voice to the, uh, mix in its new morning drive show.
Local radio vet LeeAnn Sommers, who worked until recently in Denver, returns to Northeast Ohio to join incoming host Tim Leary on WGAR’s new “Morning Showgram”.
Leary and Sommers have the unenviable task of replacing morning drive mainstay Jim Mantel, recently shown the door after Oak Tree didn’t renew his contract.
Below is the official WGAR press release on the new show, which starts October 25th. By that time, your Primary Editorial Voice(tm) should be back in the OMW Saddle…
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Wednesday, October 6, 2010, Cleveland, Ohio…Cleveland’s Country 99.5 WGAR is pleased to announce the addition of TIM LEARY & LEEANN SOMMERS in Morning Drive. “The Morning Showgram” will debut on WGAR on Monday, October 25th and will be heard Monday through Friday from 5:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
“We are delighted to have TIM LEARY and LEEANN SOMMERS as our new morning team here at WGAR,” said Charley Connolly, Program Director for WGAR. He continued, “Tim is one of the funniest people I have ever met and a solid human being as well. We can’t wait for him to bring his pipes, passion and sense of humor to Northeast Ohio. LeeAnn is no stranger to Cleveland and we are pumped to be able to bring her back to Northeast Ohio. She is a true professional and I can not wait to hear her team up with Tim in morning drive.”
“I’m absolutely humbled and honored with this opportunity to work at such a country heritage icon as WGAR,” said Tim Leary. He continued, “My jaw is still on the ground as the reality of this sets in…totally excited!”
“I can not wait to return to Cleveland and join WGAR,” said LeeAnn Sommers. She continued, “It is also exciting to make the move back to morning drive and join such a legendary country station. I simply can not wait!”
Tim Leary is originally from Boston, Massachusetts and is a member of the Academy of Country Music, and The Country Music Association. For the past two years, Tim has been morning talent at Cat Country 98.1 WCTK in Providence, Rhode Island. Prior to that Tim was also the four year morning talent for Cub Country 94.5 KUUB in Reno, Nevada. As a long time professional stand-up comedian Tim’s credits include hundreds of clubs, colleges, and corporate performances, including; The Comedy Connection in Boston, Zanies and the Improv in Chicago, and the Comedy Store and The Laugh Factory in Los Angeles. Along with numerous theatrical credits in both Chicago and Boston, Tim is also a professional improv comedian and graduate of both the Second City in Chicago, and the ACME Theater in Los Angeles. Tim was also a writer/performer with Warner Bros. Studios, the Cartoon Network, as well as FOX.
LeeAnn Sommers brings nearly 20 years of radio and television experience to WGAR, dating back to mornings and middays on WJZM, Jammin’ 92.3 in 1992. Her call letter credits in Cleveland include WENZ, 96.5 KISS FM (WAKS), and Mix 106.5 (WMVX). LeeAnn spent the past 5 years in Denver, Colorado working on-air in middays and afternoon drive for KIMN, KWLI, and KXKL. LeeAnn also serves as voice over talent for KDVR and KWGN in Denver. Her television credits also include a stint as an entertainment reporter for WEWS in the late 90’s.
Your ratings will be going DOWN for dismissing your BEST DJ personalities. First Michelle Mallony . . . then JIM MANTEL & Tony McGinty. Who’s next Laurie? Sure hope not . . . she’s your ONLY link to keeping what few Loyal Listeners you have left! What are you people thinking? Why mess up such a good thing for what WAS the best radio station in Cleveland. I am thankful you still have her & Chuck Collier. They have their work cut out for them, trying to keep what’s left of your dedicated listeners. Save a buck? Good luck! If you lose all your listeners, you’re gonna need that dollar for the bus to the unemployment line YOURSELF!
I was surprised that cat country in Road island had changed the morning show.Now to females take Tims
place. I hope Tim makes it in ohio. I guess shake are normal for radio.It won’t be the same without Tim and his humor in the morning.He made my day.
I say I will give the new morning show a chance. At least WGAR is bringing back a former local voice back to Cleveland. That may help things a bit. Also, there are still a lot of people listening to WGAR, as ratings only went down overall a little bit. The station will do fine.