Our Esteemed Announcers
Bob Becker
Bob has been on the air playing great oldies since August 1963, starting at WMAX Grand Rapids. His father was a radio singer in the 1930s as part of “The WASH Twins,” and Bob continues the tradition, even singing on Real Oldies Music Radio. Bob’s career includes top West Michigan stations like WLAV, WGRD, WODJ, WOOD FM, and Real Oldies WGVU. Alongside Gary Hunt, he brought live oldies back to the air.
Beyond radio, Bob is a veteran actor, starring in 20+ productions, including The Music Man and It’s a Wonderful Life.
He funds the station himself and hopes everyone will help keep it on the air.
Gary Hunt
Gary Hunt is a seasoned radio announcer on Real Oldies Music Radio, bringing classic hits from the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s to listeners worldwide. His passion for radio started early, when he worked at a pirate radio station at just 13 years old, setting the stage for a lifelong career in broadcasting.
With decades of experience behind the mic, Gary’s deep knowledge of music history and engaging personality make him a favorite among oldies fans. When he’s not on the air, he indulges in his love for vinyl, building an impressive collection of rare and classic records.
Bob Mason
I spent 35 exciting years as a 9-1-1 Operator and Police Dispatcher with the Grand Rapids Police Department — the calm voice on the line when things got crazy.
But my first love was radio! I got my start at WZZM-FM Grand Rapids (1969–1974) as Assistant Program Director/Music Director, then led the way as Program Director at WLRQ-FM Muskegon (1975–1978). Even while working full-time in public safety, I stayed close to the mic with part-time gigs at WLAV, WGRD, WJFM, WLHT, WOOD, and WODJ.
After retiring from the police department, I returned to full-time radio, hosting the midday show on WFGR (2007–2008), then spent 13 years at Grand Valley State University’s Real Oldies stations — six of those as Program Director.
I’ve been lucky to share this ride with my amazing wife Liz for 44 years. We’ve raised 4 great kids and now have 8 grandkids who keep us laughing.
Jim Hampton
Jim Hampton is a veteran radio producer, broadcaster, and marketing strategist with over 50 years of experience. He produced interview/music specials for networks including ABC, CBS, BBC, FM Tokyo, and Shanghai Radio Network.
His career began at ABC Radio, where he was an on-air personality at WXYZ Detroit. Later he worked at WABX, WJBK, WCAR, and was Production Manager of WLS Chicago. Hampton was the first American DJ to host a pop music show in China, “The MusicWorld Express,” reaching over one billion listeners on Radio Shanghai. He also co-hosted American Top 40 in Japan with Casey Kasem.
Currently, he publishes CityWatchLA.com and co-publishes USARadioMuseum.com. He hosts An Original Christmas, heard around the world and hosts Radio Recall and Mr. Sinatra – His Music, His Life on Real Oldies Music Radio.
Carole Fletcher a.k.a. “Cat”
I’m so thrilled to be a part of the team here at Real Oldies Music Radio! We’ve got the best music and listeners! As a native Michigander, I have been lucky enough to have spent many years on the air, starting at WGRD and the morning show on 105.7 in Grand Rapids, as well as stations from Kalamazoo to Indianapolis.
Highlights include interviewing Neil Diamond, Barry Manilow, Davy Jones, Donny Osmond, Bob Saget, Michael J. Fox and singing backup for REO and Michael Damien.
My First Album: Toys In The Attic – Aerosmith
Favorite Things: theatre, boating, watching MSU Spartan (proud alum!) sports, hanging out with my husband/high school sweetheart Tim, our dog Dewey and my two kids.
Wanna be a part of the Top 5 @ 10? Just email me your 5 favorite songs from the 1950s-’60s-’70s to msucarole@yahoo.com and you can have your own Top 5 Countdown!
Follow me on Facebook: Cat’s on the Air
Davy Jones and Cat
Paul Anthony
Paul Anthony relished disc jockeying at a couple of Central Michigan University radio stations, WCHP and WMHW, but eight (8) weeks before graduation had a “What if continuing on the air isn’t what I really want to do career-wise” epiphany, piquing his interest in exploring what a position selling commercials would be like. WCHP sold commercials, so he tried his hand at working with local businesses, loved it, and upon graduation spent the next forty-nine (49) years on the advertising/marketing side at radio and TV stations in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Indiana, predominantly serving as a General Manager or overseeing Sales Departments.
For many years he desired to return to his roots upon retirement as a 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s Oldies disc jockey. Paul’s Friday 9:00 am-12:00 noon Real Oldies Music Radio show is a dream come true. Please email your song requests to PaulAnthonyShow.RealOldies@gmail.com
Rockin' Ray Baker
I started in radio at WBSR Pensacola on weekends, then landed my first full-time gig at BIG WISE in Asheville, NC. In 1975, I joined WGRD Grand Rapids for six years, covering St. Jude’s School-a-thon, epic contests, and sharing my show with Wolfman Jack before introducing him at Michigan Jam with Bob Seger.
After WGRD, I spent a year at WCUZ with Grand Rapids radio legends, then moved to BJ105 Orlando in ’83, where callers knew me from Grand Rapids. In ’86, I moved to Tampa, attended USF, and worked at WHBO. Later, I worked in Pittsburgh radio and TV, leading to a TV management career across several cities.
Gary Mitchell
Gary Mitchell, veteran programmer, producer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and renowned U.S. and global TV distributor, announced his retirement in June 2023 after a 50-year career. His path included syndication and cable distribution at Sony Pictures Television, research and programming at Katz Media, and hosting the Milwaukee talk show A New Day. He produced numerous programs, including INTERSECTIONS, 7 DAYS LEFT, MONSTER QUEST, and the Forensic Files tribute special.
Gary is best known for founding CABLEready in 1992, which ran for over 20 years and distributed acclaimed shows such as Forensic Files, Inside the Actors Studio, Dominick Dunne’s Power, Privilege and Justice, and Women Behind Bars. After CABLEready closed in 2013, he launched GARYLICO.TV, continuing to distribute Forensic Files worldwide.
Reflecting on his retirement, Lico expressed gratitude for clients, colleagues, and friendships built through decades in media. While his career spanned all of television, radio was his first love, and he looks forward to bringing his humor and energy to Real Oldies Music Radio.
Mark Roberts
Mark is one far-out DJ bringing the boss sounds of the 1950s, ‘60s, and ‘70s to the airwaves on Real Oldies Music Radio. With a knack for picking the raddest tunes, he keeps things groovy with classic rock, doo-wop, and Motown jams. Whether he’s spinning The Beach Boys or The Temptations, Mark knows how to keep listeners feelin’ hip. So tune in every Tuesday at 12 noon Eastern, kick back, and let Mark take you on a psychedelic trip through time!
Paul Dee
From his early childhood, Paul Dee was fascinated by radio. It all started with a crystal set built on a pine board and a mini AM radio station operating out of his bedroom. In his early teens he was bitten by the “Ham Radio” bug and upon turning age 16 with a freshly issued driver’s license in hand, he got his first paying job in radio on the air at WION/WYON. Subsequently he was on the air at WJEF, WFRS, WBRN and WERX before graduating from college in 1969 and embarking on a 40 year electrical engineering career with the world’s largest manufacturer of car radios. Paul is now returning to the air after a 55 year break, hosting a radio show featuring the music he loves to listen to.
Do you have a favorite oldie you’d like to hear on the Paul Dee Show? Send Paul Dee an e-mail at pauldeeoldies@gmail.com .
Bob Backman
Pennsylvania, 1957, an intruder breaks the flimsy lock on a radio station’s transmitter room, boosts the power to 1,000,000 watts and starts broadcasting street-corner Doo-Wop records throughout the Eastern Seaboard. Before the authorities could apprehend him, he sneaks out the back door, into Rock and Roll History. He’s wanted to this day.
Legend has it he left behind only a single clue….a cow bell. It is rumored that it’s the same voice that can now be heard throughout the United States on Cool Bobby B’s Doo-Wop Stop.
Wink Martindale
Wink Martindale (December 4, 1933-April 15, 2025) is an American disc jockey, radio personality, and television game show host, best known for hosting shows like Tic-Tac-Dough, Gambit, and High Rollers. Beginning his career in radio, he became a pioneering voice in rock and roll, even interviewing Elvis Presley early on. In 1959, he recorded the spoken-word hit Deck of Cards, which became a Top 10 hit. With a smooth delivery and warm personality, Martindale became a household name in game shows throughout the 1970s and 1980s. His career spans over seven decades, cementing his legacy in broadcasting history.
The Real Don Steele
In 1987, M.G. (Machine Gun) Kelly and The Real Don Steele of KHJ radio fame, joined forces to launch a massive radio production entitled: Live from the ‘60s with The Real Don Steele. The series was an instant hit and ran for nearly seven years on over 200 radio stations. This 3-hour weekly program brought back radio’s lost art of Theater of the Mind! Each week, The Real Don Steele entered a time warp to the 1960s. From there, the music and events of the decade became present day!