Beach Music Station - 94.9 the Surf

Ted Bell

Ted Bell knew at age 11 that he wanted to be a radio broadcaster. It was either that, or a city bus driver. Born and raised in Lynchburg, Virginia, Ted, an only child, and his mother and father used public transportation as their main means of getting around…not unusual for a family in the 40’s and 50’s. He laughs when recalling his escapades of telling his mother that his buddy’s parents were taking them somewhere, when, in fact, he was headed lickety-split to the local radio station, WWOD 1390 AM. Ted was fascinated with radio and in particular, a show called “Night Train” which aired nightly from 8 – 11. Jim Wilkie was the host of the pop-music show and would become a personal and professional mentor to Ted.

Ted’s family moved to Orangeburg, SC when he was 15. His dad’s new boss knew the manager of a local radio station, WORG 1580 AM, and Ted began working on Saturday and Sunday afternoons at the station. Ted loved the rhythm and blues artists of that time, including Jackie Wilson, and never particularly “got into” the British Invasion (Beatles, Rolling Stones etc). He recalls that national stars, Gladys Knight and the Pips and Ben E. King to name a few, would drop in at the station when they were in town for a concert. As thrilling as that was for a young broadcaster, Ted regrets that there was no modern-day-technological sophistication, so he had no way to record their interviews.

Upon high school graduation, Ted was drafted into the US Army and did a 2-year tour of duty in Vietnam. Wounded in action and the recipient of the Purple Heart, he completed his tour of duty and received an honorable discharge in 1968.After arriving back home in the States, Ted took a job at WKYB in Hemingway, SC. The next few years took him to WNOK in Columbia and WTMA in Charleston, SC, which later changed to WPXI (Pixie). Ted became the first Operations Manager there and credits this experience with his growing knowledge of broadcasting.

In 1973, Ted returned to WORG in Orangeburg as General Manager. The late 70’s took him to Anaheim, California (KNOB), then onto Boise, Idaho. He landed in Albemarle, NC at WABZ in 1980, where he was known for his “Saturday Night Music Machine” show, which featured recording stars of the 50’s and 60’s such as Bobby Rydell and Chubby Checker. This was an exciting time to be in radio, and Ted held weekly telephone interviews with stars such as Debbie Reynolds, George Burns, Phil Everly, Teresa Brewer, Neil Sedaka, Tiny Tim, and Gene McDaniels, to name a few. These interviews, recorded on reel-to-reel tapes, have been misplaced over the years, much to Ted’s dismay. It was also during these years at WABZ that Ted contacted Johnny Olsen (of “C’mon Down” fame from The Price is Right) to produce id’s for the station. They became fast friends and enjoyed a friendship until Olsen’s sudden death in 1985.

Ted left Albemarle in 1982 to take a job at WVIO in Blowing Rock, NC. He syndicated a show called “Night Train”, similar in format to the one he loved earlier. Ironically, he sent the show to WGOL FM 98 back in Lynchburg and actually interviewed Jim Wilkie, his mentor. City buses in Lynchburg had “TED BELL’S NIGHT TRAIN ON WGOL” plastered on the sides to advertise his show. In a sense, Ted was now in radio and on a city bus!! He happily recalls a snowy day when a listener, snowed in from her teaching job, called in to request a new beach music song, “Over the Rainbow” by Band of Oz. Electricity filled the air (AND the airwaves) as a rapport quickly grew between Ted and the caller. They met in person after a few weeks of “personal requests”, and ultimately Ted and Lynne were married in December of 1988. Ted says Lynne is his “Christmas bride”, and they love “Santa, Make Her My Bride” by the Ray Conniff Singers. .

While on vacation in North Myrtle Beach in 2002, Ted ran into Billy Smith (whom he had worked with in Charleston) who told him of a possible opening at 94.9 the Surf radio station. Ted followed up on the lead, and the rest is history. He and Lynne relocated to the coast, and Ted began his 10am – 3pm slot in January of 2003 at the station.

Having seen and experienced many changes in his years of radio, Ted sees 94.9 the Surf as playing an integral role in “legendary tradition”, with radio giants such as WKIX (Raleigh, NC) and the Big Ape (Jacksonville, Florida) having pioneered the way. He especially enjoys his “All Request Café” from 12 – 1 pm daily, when he receives requests from all over the United States and from as far away as Kuwait. He loves that 94.9 is locally owned and operated as opposed to a huge conglomerate. He feels the respect of working WITH owners Harvey and Selene Graham.

Ted was the recipient in 1989 of a nomination of “DJ of the Year” from Billboard Magazine. He also was awarded recognition in “Who’s Who in Business” in 2004. .

He and Lynne reside in the Crescent Beach section of North Myrtle Beach, content with their 3 cats and visits from their 4 mutual children.

Ted’s very favorite beach music song of all times? “Over the Rainbow” by Band of Oz…
Wonder why??

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