Friday, December 14, 2012

Orlando Radio: WDBO’s Jim Turner Signs-Off

Joe Kelley and Jim Turner
After 40 years as a NewsTalk WDBO’s Morning News host, Jim Turner hosted his last show today. Turner had announced his plans to retire last month. See original posting.

On May 28, 1972, Turner joined the staff of then AM 580 WDBO by responding to an ad in a broadcast trade magazine.  Over 8,000 shows later, Jim Turner has celebrated a rare milestone in the broadcast business.  “It wasn’t something planned.  The years just sort of piled up on me,” Turner said.  In 2004, Turner was honored with a coveted Marconi Award for “Personality of the Year” by the National Association of Broadcasters.

After 12 years as WDBO’s afternoon host, Turner took over the morning drive time slot, and in 1985, (then) Program Director David Bernstein decided that Jim was the personality who should lead the station’s move away from music and into the information and talk format.

“Jim is a broadcast icon,” said Drew Anderssen, WDBO Program Director.  “He has been revered as one of the premier morning hosts in America for many years, a true professional, and a great man.  We stand by Jim in celebration of his 40 years of community service and dedication to Central Florida as he begins to write a new page in his life.  He will truly be missed as the daily voice of morning news in Orlando radio.”

“Jim has been WDBO’s anchor to our listeners and community,” added Susan Larkin, Cox Media Group Orlando Vice President and Market Manager.  “His talent, engagement, and sheer love of radio is to be admired.  We will miss Jim and cannot thank him enough for his part in building this brand.”

Upon Turner’s retirement, fellow CMG News Talk host, Joe Kelley, will be at the helm of Central Florida’s Morning News on NewsTalk 96.5 WDBO.

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