After weeks of listener voting, on-air auditions, and spirited competition, 101.7 The WALL has selected a new co-host to join veteran morning personality Ken Paradise. The station’s “Rock the Mic” contest drew strong audience participation and a talented field of finalists, with listeners ultimately helping determine who would land the coveted morning show position.
Robert Goodell is the new co-host after listeners made him the runaway favorite in the station’s competition.
Goodell was the overwhelming audience choice on the 101.7 The WALL Facebook page, where fans voted throughout the contest’s video submissions and on-air auditions. The three-judge panel — Paradise, Operations Manager Paul Szmal, and General Manager Scott Swanson — followed the listeners’ lead.
“We’re very excited to welcome Rob to the WALL family,” Szmal said. “It wasn’t an easy decision given the quality of everyone who auditioned. We thank all who submitted videos and took the mic on the air — and our listeners enjoyed it as much as we did.”
“This show has been a big part of my life for four years. To sit in this chair is like a dream come true,” Goodell said during his on-air audition. “And the best part is, I have the best face for radio. It’s going to work out great.”
His commitment was never in question: Goodell recorded roughly a hundred takes of his audition video — and already had the station’s “Shut Up and Rock” slogan tattooed on his backside, a fact confirmed live on the air.
Goodell joins Paradise on the air weekdays from 6 to 9 a.m. beginning Monday, July 13.
101.7 The WALL is one of seven Finger Lakes radio stations operated by FLX Local Media, alongside Finger Lakes Daily News.
