Bill grew up in Cleveland and started in radio during his high school years at a time that coincided with the legendary Great Folk Scare. His first job was part time at a small FM in New Jersey before moving to Florida in the 1960s.

 

Once in Tampa Bay, he worked at WDAE twice, 1967 to 1968 and 1969 to 1971. The first stint was as a part-timer and later overnight guy, while the second was as music director and afternoon jock. He was also at WINQ from 1966 to 1967, WALT (under Jim Walter ownership) from 1968 to 1969, WFLA and WYOU part-time in 1975 or so, and WQYK from 1977 to 1980, his last job in commercial radio. 

 

Ever since then, Bill has been on the air as a volunteer at community radio WMNF in Tampa, doing the “Music of the Isles” Celtic program, a big-band jazz show from 1980 to 1996 and today (2017), as host of the weekly “Live Music Showcase”.

 

Along the way, he founded The Wind That Shakes the Barley, the first Irish traditional band in Florida, and plays guitar in several Contra Dance bands, of which three have toured as far north as New England. 

 

Since 1980, Bill has made a living recording acoustic music albums and producing radio documentaries for the Florida Humanities Council. More recently, he’s done promotional and documentary video work.