The mystery is over as Jack Oliver and Barb bring familiar voices to 97.1 BOB FM and give Wichita radio another reason to get up in the morning.
Well, would you look at that. BOB finally got out of Human Resources, and apparently nobody lost their job. In fact, somebody got a new one. After two weeks of wondering what was happening behind the scenes at Murfin Media’s 97.1 BOB FM in Wichita, we now have our answer. BOB FM Mornings with Jack and Barb debuted Monday, October 19, bringing veteran Wichita personality Jack Oliver and Barb to the station’s morning lineup. And I have to admit, this is one of those developments that makes me smile, partly because of the talent involved and partly because we’ve been having entirely too much fun wondering what BOB was doing upstairs.
For those who missed our earlier coverage, On The Dial first raised eyebrows October 4 with a story suggesting that BOB had been summoned to HR.
We weren’t accusing the poor fellow of anything.
Although I still have questions about some of his music selections.
Then came the $275,000 sale of Classic Hits 92.7 KWME from Murfin Media to Greg Steckline’s Steckline Communications, followed by the station’s relaunch as 92.7 The Keeper of the Hits.
That development raised an obvious question.
What happens to Jack and Barb?
Well, now we know.
And from a programming standpoint, I think Murfin Media has made an interesting move.
Jack Oliver isn’t some unfamiliar personality being imported into Wichita with a suitcase, a prerecorded demo, and a sudden interest in the Kansas weather.
He’s been part of this region’s broadcasting landscape since 1969.
His career includes KLEO, KAKE, KKRD, KEYN, and KWME, with generations of listeners developing a relationship with his unmistakable voice and personality.
That’s more than experience.
That’s local credibility.
And pairing Jack with Barb gives BOB FM an opportunity to develop a morning identity built around familiar people rather than relying entirely on the station’s wonderfully unpredictable music library.
Because let’s face it.
BOB has spent years doing whatever BOB wants.
One minute it’s Fleetwood Mac.
The next minute it’s Prince.
Then Def Leppard shows up, followed by something you haven’t heard since you were driving a car with a cassette deck.
And somehow, it works.
But here’s what I particularly appreciate about this move.
Murfin isn’t throwing away what makes BOB different. It’s adding something that could make BOB even more valuable to Wichita listeners.
Personality.
Local conversation.
Familiarity.
The kind of companionship that matters when people are driving Kellogg, navigating I-235, heading toward Andover or Derby, or trying to figure out why their morning commute suddenly resembles a parking lot.
That’s where good local radio earns its place.
Jack and Barb bring an established connection to the market, and their arrival gives 97.1 another way to distinguish itself in a competitive Wichita broadcasting environment.
The move also illustrates something I’ve always believed.
When ownership changes create uncertainty, the smartest solution isn’t necessarily to discard the people listeners already know.
Sometimes it’s finding a new place where those relationships can continue growing.
And that’s exactly why this development deserves attention.
Jack and Barb have a new morning home.
BOB gets additional personality.
And Wichita listeners get another familiar team to start their day.
Congratulations to Jack, Barb, and the Murfin Media team on the launch.
I’ll be interested to hear how the show develops and how much personality BOB is willing to share with his new morning companions.
Because we all know BOB likes being in charge.
And after spending two weeks in Human Resources, I’m not entirely convinced he’s ready to start taking orders.
But one thing is certain. The mystery is solved, Jack and Barb are on the air, and BOB FM just became a whole lot more interesting.
Now somebody please tell HR to close the file.
BOB has a morning show to run.
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