Big Bear City, CA April 21, 2013 – Jay Tunnell, who has spent the last 17 years in the radio business at KBHR Radio and Outdoor (and prior to that, many years at the now defunct KTOT/KBBV), has decided to take up full-time residence in his second home in Lake Havasu. He and his wife Debby are excited for the opportunity to live near their son and a move to a more moderate climate. In addition to countless radio commercials coining him the voice of Big Bear, Jay’s voice was the calm call for evacuation during the Old Fire in 2003. Owner Rick Herrick said, “We will miss him. He was our first hire and, as it turned out, a great choice indeed”. Rick went on to say, “this day was not a total surprise but like so many things in life it arrived too soon”. Jay will go to work for a four station group located in Havasu City. “His great sense of humor along with his on-air and sales talent will be hard to replace”, said KBHR co-owner, Cathy Herrick.
“It was a hard decision but the right one to make at this time”, said Jay. “45 years in Big Bear and almost 35 years on the radio here is a lot of personal history. It’s a fond farewell as we start a new chapter”.
With the additional loss of radio talent Mike Evans, who brought a variety of creative skills to the station for several years, KBHR is restructuring. Alan Sharpe, former owner of Big Bear Marina, has been added to the KBHR team as a Customer Team Member. Current weekend announcer, Vanessa Finney, will expand her roll as a Customer Team Member as well. Rick Bates, best known for his Friday evening “Blues on the Bear” show, has been named as the new KBHR Music Director. Rick Herrick will manage sales along with Cathy Herrick. Prior to moving to Big Bear, Rick held Senior Account Executive positions for Los Angeles radio stations, KBIG and KABC. Cathy was the Media Supervisor for Focus Media in Studio City.
Mike Evans is also relocating to his desert vacation home.
