On Air Personalities
Dan Deely : Weekdays 6AM-10AM
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Dan Deely joins 107.3 The Wave as morning drive host from 6 am to 10 am weekdays. Dan has been a regular voice on Cleveland radio since 1984 at Majic 105.7, Q104, 95.5 The Fish and most recently WDOK. Dan was also a familiar face on Cleveland television as the original weekend weatherman on WUAB channel 43’s Ten O’clock news and also did weekend weather on WOIO channel 19 and WKYC channel 3.
Dan and his wife Mary Jo have lived in Independence for 22 years with their sons Joe 19 and Paul 15 and he is thrilled that the studios for 107.3 the Wave will be located in Independence!
Dan’s very first job in radio was hosting a jazz show at his college radio station, so joining the staff of the Wave feels like coming full circle!
Dan says, “There are enough things in your day that aren’t smooth…your radio station doesn't have to be one of them!” He invites you to join him every weekday morning for a Smooth Start to your day!
Mark Ribbins: Weekdays 10AM-2PM
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In my high school days, I used to make jazz mixtapes and play them in my car, doing song intros as I drove. I guess playing DJ back then was getting me prepped for The Wave. Who knew? After high school, I studied mass media communications at Cleveland State while working at my family's christian book store. That led to my first radio gigs playing gospel music at WSUM and WDMT, and later, WRDZ. Thanks to a recommendation from my friend Dan Steinberg (who worked here at the time), I landed at The Wave in the early 90s, and have pretty much been around ever since. It's a pleasure to be back to bringing you your smooth favorites.
When I’m not in the studio or at one of our events, you can often find me doing ministry work at Evening Star Church in the Glenville area. My favorite times are spent hanging out with my lovely wife Celeste (whom I saw for the first time at a Wave concert years ago), and our daughter Julia. I’m a Cleveland native, and I really believe this is one of the greatest places in the world to live. Our area has a remarkable amount to offer, and a ton of potential for the future. As much as I love to travel, I’m always glad to come home to the shores of Lake Erie.
Bobby Thomas: Weekdays 2PM-6PM
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Bobby Thomas joins 107.3 The Wave as Creative Services Director and afternoon drive host from 2 PM to 6 PM weekdays. Bobby is a native Clevelander and has been heard on the air in Northeast Ohio at WZZP/WLTF, WLYT and WDOK in Cleveland, and at WKDD in Akron. His radio career lead him to the east coast for eight years at stations on Long Island, NY (WBZO/WMJC) and in Stamford, Connecticut (STAR 99.9, KOOL 96.7).
Bobby has also carved out a successful career as a commercial, film and stage actor. He's appeared in hundreds of national, regional and local commercials on television and radio, as well as a number independent films and two online Web series productions (The Road To Sundance, Hit Boys). Bobby is currently active as an actor in community theater stage productions around the Cleveland area, recently performing in The Diary of Anne Frank (Mr. van Daan) and the musical, Christmas Carol Rag (Fezziwig). In 2012, Bobby will be appearing in the the feature film comedy Fun Size (Paramount Pictures) staring Victoria Justice, Johnny Knoxville, Chelsea Handler and Ana Gasteyer, coming to a theater near you.
Lynn Kelly: Weekdays 6PM-12 Midight
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The music is what drew me to my career in radio. My love for it started when I was young, listening to my 45"s, singing into my hair brush, and taking dance for 10 years. It didn't matter what genre either! Pop, Classical, even my mother's albums, Herb Alpert, Ramsey Lewis, and Burt Bacharach. I couldn't get enough.
I am an Akron native, and pleased to say I have been able to stay in Ohio for my entire radio career. I was also a big fan of The Wave! The idea of now working at the station is one of the most exciting prospect's, and I can' t wait to hang with all of you "after dark' in Cleveland!
When I am not listening to music, I do love to read. Most recently I read the Steig Larson trilogy, and a couple of bio's by Stephen Tyler and Chelsea Handler. I love to cook, am a bonifide Food Network and Cooking Channel junkie, and have not met a glass of vino I really didn't like! My husband Ray and I are trying to raise a 13 year old and an 18 year old, if we survive 2012, we'll consider ourselves lucky!! That is where the wine comes in!
Looking forward to the coming year bringing you the most exciting new format Cleveland has heard!
Maria Lopez: All Week 12Midnight-6AM
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Maria Lopez knew from an early age that radio was in her future. “Even before I knew I wanted to have a career in the business, I always loved the voices of radio”. Maria has now been gracing radio airwaves for over 20 years, from her first on air position as a newscaster in San Francisco, to her current showcase on the Smooth Jazz Network®. In past years, Maria has been nominated for Smooth Jazz Personality of the Year by the premiere radio trade publication, Radio & Records. She has also appeared on TV as a pledge host for KQED San Francisco and national PBS broadcasts.
She expresses her strong connection to the music…"There is nothing like the soothing quality of Smooth Jazz, especially in the evening to ease the stress of everyday life. The artists are all great down-to-earth people too, and many have become personal friends over the years.”
Her life centers around music (with personal favorites that run the gamut from Eric Clapton to Kirk Whalum to the Beatles), friends and family…husband Steve and her two “amazing” kids, Anthony and Lindsey.
Maria Lopez – the perfect companion to wind down the day.
Allen Kepler; Saturday 6AM-10AM, Sunday 6:30AM-10AM
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A native of Kansas City, Kansas, Allen began playing music at the age of 11. While in high school, he played in jazz band alongside smooth jazz guitarist and Grammy® winner Norman Brown. After receiving music performance scholarships to several universities, Allen studied music, radio, television and film at the University of Kansas.
His first professional radio stint came in 1985 with San Diego’s smooth jazz pioneer, KIFM. Two years later Kepler moved from sunny Southern California to Chicago’s WNUA, where he worked on air and in programming before moving to Princeton, New Jersey to join Broadcast Architecture® in the winter of 1990.
By then, Kepler had earned a national reputation for his knowledge of smooth jazz. In 1992, Kepler founded Broadcast Architecture’s now legendary smooth jazz consulting arm, and began consulting successful radio stations including WQCD New York, KTWV Los Angeles, KYOT in Phoenix, and WNUA. Kepler also served as director of the company's international programming for Tokyo's JOAV-FM (J-Wave). With Broadcast Architecture, Kepler has personally consulted over 75 smooth jazz stations.
Billboard Magazine writer Ken Tucker described Kepler as "more than a consultant… he’s an evangelist for the smooth jazz format". "While radio consultants are involved in any number of aspects of a radio station's programming, it is downright rare to find them helping a station, let alone a format, sell itself to ad agencies."
Kepler, who lives in Los Angeles with his wife JoAnn and their four children, is a member of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences. He also serves on the Executive Board for the Guitar Center Music Foundation, promoting the importance of music through education and media initiatives, and providing financial and in-kind resources to public schools and other non-profit organizations.
Miranda Wilson: Saturday 2PM-7PM, Sunday 4PM-9PM
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There may be no bigger fan of smooth jazz music than Miranda Wilson. Her passion for the songs and artists she plays fuels every word and thought she shares with the listeners working right alongside her.
Miranda’s a native of the Bay Area who joined smooth jazz KKSF in San Francisco fifteen years ago in a part-time role. Her connection with listeners was immediate, and within a year she became the workday companion of choice in the city by the bay.
Miranda’s been honored by the American Women in Radio and Television association with a 2005 citation for Best Midday Host. She’s also a successful voiceover artist whose biggest role to date is as the voice of Rene Santz in the CD-ROM version of “Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego?” Miranda is also very active in her community, serving on the board of the East Oakland Youth Association.
Miranda’s CD collection includes Stevie Wonder, Miles Davis and Sting, and she’s an avid sports fan who also enjoys a good HBO series. Her smooth voice and quick wit, blended with just a touch of sass, make Miranda Wilson the type of co-worker you could listen to all day!
Dave Koz: Sunday 10AM-12 Noon
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Dave Koz is a renaissance man for the 21st century. He continues to excel and grow as a performer while finding further fulfillment as a radio host.
A native of Southern California, Dave graduated UCLA with a mass communications degree, but decided to pursue a career in music. The talented saxophonist got his ‘big break’ in the touring band of singer Bobby Caldwell, high-profile sideman gigs with Jeff Lorber and Richard Marx followed, and soon Dave was signed to Capitol Records.
In a career spanning two decades, Dave has established himself as a platinum-selling artist, humanitarian, entrepreneur, radio host, and instrumental music advocate. With multiple Grammy® nominations, he’s being honored by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce with a star on Hollywood Boulevard’s Walk of Fame. Dave has played with such musical luminaries as Ray Charles, Natalie Cole, Barry Manilow, Celine Dion, Kenny Loggins, U2, Luther Vandross and Rod Stewart to name a few.
Dave's radio career began in 1994 as the host of "Personal Notes" and later, "The Dave Koz Radio Show", which is heard nationwide. He was co-host of the "Dave Koz and Pat Prescott Morning Show" on smooth jazz station KTWV- Los Angeles, and has even been heard on J-Wave in Tokyo, Japan. After more than a decade, Dave's as comfortable in front of a radio microphone as he is on stage!
Legends of Jazz With Ramsey Lewis: Sunday 9PM-12 Midnight
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Hosted by Grammy-winning recording artist, pianist, composer and radio personality, Ramsey Lewis, "LEGENDS OF JAZZ" was introduced in February 1997. Over the years, the show has exposed the music of Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, Stan Getz, Herbie Hancock, Bill Evans, Oscar Peterson and dozens more legendary instrumentalists to a whole new audience. The show also often features vocalists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Nancy Wilson and Billie Holiday along with a host of today's masters of jazz, who not only honor the American Songbook, but are destined to be the legends of tomorrow.
Ramsey Lewis first came to the airwaves as a host in his home town of Chicago, but his recording career spans six decades. As leader of The Ramsey Lewis Trio, his 1960s hits included "The In Crowd" and "Wade in the Water." He is active on the live music circuit and since 1993 has been artistic director of Jazz at Ravinia in Highland Park, IL. Ramsey has been instrumental in the development of Ravinia's Jazz in the Schools Mentor Program. He also took the "Legends of Jazz" brand into television as host and co-producer of a 13-part series that aired on public stations around the nation.
"LEGENDS OF JAZZ with RAMSEY LEWIS" is syndicated by United Stations Radio Networks and airs on 107.3 The Wave Sunday evenings from nine until midnight.
News Staff
AM News: Chris Keppler
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Chris is the regular news anchor on WQMX's Wynn and Wilson in the Morning and WONE's Tim and Christi in the Morning programs. He first opened a microphone at WZIP-FM at The University of Akron in 1990 but got his first paid radio job delivering weekend news on WZKL-FM & WDPN-AM in Alliance. Chris then moved to WJER AM & FM in Dover where he reported on Tuscarawas County, including stories that made national headlines. Chris has been honored by his peers with first place awards from the Ohio Associated Press Broadcasters including Best Reporter, Best Feature Story, and Best Broadcast Writing among others. In addition to his work as a broadcast journalist Chris has also worked in public relations and as an instructor at the University of Akron teaching Broadcast News Writing. Chris enjoys volunteer work, and has served on the boards of the Ohio Associated Press Broadcasters, Public Relations Society of America (Akron Area Chapter), American Cancer Society Hope Gala Committee and currently serves on the Green Baseball/Softball Federation Board. Contact Chris through the newsroom 330-864-6397 or email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
AM Traffic: Amani Abraham
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Amani Abraham is the morning web editor and also tracks morning drive traffic for 1590 WAKR, 97.5 WONE and 94.9 WQMX during weekday mornings and is a reporter/anchor. She's no stranger to AkronNewsNow.com, having worked as an intern with Rubber City Radio Group as a producer for the Daily Vodcast and other video projects.. Amani is a 2011 graduate with a Communications degree from the University of Akron, where she excelled in her work on the student radio station WZIP-FM and Z-TV, the University's television program. You can reach Amani through the newsroom 330-864-6397 or by email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
PM Traffic: Mike Ward
Mike Ward has been a radio news reporter and anchor for over 20 years, for a variety of stations in Ohio, Virginia, and California. For seven years, he was a news reporter and anchor for Sacramento's top-rated news/talk station, KFBK, and was also news director for WFIR in Roanoke, Virginia. He's also been heard on Cleveland stations. Mike has a special interest in technology, and was a regular on the nationally syndicated radio show "On Computers with Gina Smith". Despite his out-of-area experience, Mike is an Akron native. He was born at Akron City Hospital, and grew up in Cuyahoga Falls. He's been with AkronNewsNow since 2009. You can reach Mike through the newsroom at 330-864-6397, or by email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
PM Traffic: Aaron Coleman
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Aaron has been working with RCRG since August of 2008 covering various news and sporting events. He graduated in 2003 from St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron. He then went onto the University of Akron in May of 2008 with a degree in Radio/TV & Media Productions and a minor in Psychology. It was at WZIP & ZTV where Aaron developed a passion for radio especially Sports Radio. While attending the University of Akron you could hear Aaron on Sundays doing the "Sports Power Talk" program. Aaron covers City Hall, County Council and Akron School Board beats and handles traffic updates weekday afternoons on 1590 WAKR, 97.5 WONE and 94.9 WQMX. You can contact Aaron through the newsroom 330-864-6397 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it