CHESAPEAKE, Va. — We're in the Greenbrier neighborhood of Chesapeake at the WNOR FM99 studios, catching up with rock jock Rick Rumble, who is celebrating 30 years in the 757.
“Let’s go to line one. Hello, good morning...” Rumble says talking into the mic on his live show at FM99.
Part of what makes the drive to work bearable for many people in Hampton Roads is listening to Rumble in the Morning on WNOR FM99.
“We’re gonna play a game of stupid news or yes or B.S.," he quipped.
Rumble in the Morning sports guy Rod Fitzwell was here in 1995 when the Michigan native auditioned.
“One of the first impersonations he did was of Mike Tyson," said Fitzwell.
“And I just remember laughing so hard, and then he went into another impression, and I realized this guy has such quick wit — he’s so good,"
“I look in the mirror now, and all I see is an old guy from Crime Stoppers. That’s what I look like now — every old man on Crime Stoppers. ‘There he is, Dad, it’s Rumble!’” said Rumble.
It’s risky business stepping into this studio. You never know what side of a joke you’re going to end up on.
“It’s 9:43 now here at FM99 WNOR. Good morning to ya! Beverly Kidd from News Channel 3 is here in the studio.”
But it was worth the risk — and they did go easy on me.
“She’s hoping one of us starts a fire or carjacks somebody — something newsy!” he said jokingly on his live show.
He says part of the fun of live radio is you never know what’s going to happen.
“Throw Metallica tickets out there, and people will do some crazy things," Rumble went on to say. "This naked chick on a horse just rides across the parking lot. ‘Where’d you get a horse?’ Welcome to Chesapeake!”
I asked the host of the top-rated morning radio show what he thinks is the secret to his success.
“Honestly, it’s curiosity — to maintain a childlike curiosity about things and life," he said.
Good advice no matter what business you’re in.
You can catch Rumble in the Morning Monday through Friday from 5:30 to 10 a.m. But careful drinking your coffee while listening — it might end up on the dashboard.
Rick Rumble and his motley morning crew are helping us start the day with a smile. They are Positively Hampton Roads.
