103.1 WLOQ Bob Kelley

Contact Bob Kelley

Bob Kelley (Robert Michael)

Hi friends and welcome to my website. I'm not a professional
webmaster but I did my best in sharing some of the things in my life
I have been blessed with and a few fun stories.
If you have any comments or want to drop me a line please write me
at bkelley@wloq.com. I would love to hear from you.


I hope you can join us for this year's 51st Annual Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival in Winter Park. Performing on the Florida Family Insurance Stage this year will be guitarist Peter White, flutist Althena Rena, and guitarist Tim Bowman. It's Friday through Sunday March 19th-21st in Central Park right off Park Avenue downtown, and it's FREE!

Winter Park, Florida
Home of the Knowles Memorial Chapel

Started my first radio job part time at WLOQ in September 1978.
Went to mornings in 1980 where I locked myself in the studio until late 1992.
I have served as Program Director and Music Director plus seeing the station evolve through Easy Listening....NAC and Smooth Jazz,
From 1992 to 1996 I did afternoons at WMGF Magic 107.7
in Orlando and also was their Music Director and filled in mornings.
I returned to WLOQ by invitation in April 2005 where I now do
Saturdays 10-3 and do other dayparts during the week and fill in hosting Landscapes and the Sunday Jazz Brunch.

My Fondest WLOQ Memory

Oh boy...did I flub the introduction of Bob James to the Bob Carr Performing Art Center audience!
Bob started his first song and in those days they allowed the host to walk out over the music and make an "on mike" introduction. So..with the music going...lights blairing...out I go as the band started in on "Touchdown."
Yes friends...it was my FIRST WLOQ (at that time Q103) concert introduction.
"Good evening everybody " I said...."I'm Bob Kelley from Q103 and welcome to the Bob James Auditorium!
Would you please welcome the Bob Carr Band!" After that I even left the stage incorrectly. A moment later everyone saw me scooting behind the white screen behind the stage set. YIKES! and OOPS!

My Most Beautiful Sight

The Matterhorn in Switzerland

and seeing my mom laugh.

A Personal Passion
I write a daily devotional based on things that I have experienced.
How God shows me His Word through His world. I don't consider this a talent. I am just a vessel.

Bob's Daily Devotionals started with me opening my heart and eyes to the Lord.

If you'd like me to share one...just let me know at bkelley@wloq.com

A Humbling Birthday Moment

I was in for Mark and doing the morning show on Septemeber 10, 2007 and something seemed strange.
I saw heads...alot of them...just outside the studio going by the door window.
After opening the mike and going on the air for a break in walked everyone at the station.
Paul Cross...our program director...led the WLOQ Chorus in a pretty raucous rendition of Happy Birthday.
I'm not sure what color red but I think I turned it again on September 10th 2009. I woke up kind of melancholy knowing momma wasn't here for my birthday. I had a music meeting that day and noticed a home made chocolate for the September WLOQ birthdays in the kitchen that our lovely receptionist Bonnie had made. About ten minutes into the meeting around the corner and into the conference comes the WLOQ Birthday Chorus once again.

This time I was red again but also some sort of purple. I thanked everyone for being the family I have always had. God bless them all...and thankyou so very much.

Taking My Morning Walks

The Surprise Visitor

Having my pop visit me while on the air at our Fairbanks Ave Winter Park studio.
He surprised me...he just knocked on the studio window one Saturday.
I'll always remember the day I got my part time job at the station he said "You're going to do what!?"
He was always proud of me though...I stuck out some hard times because I loved it so much.
My father always loved our music..the people...and the fact it made me so happy.
He was an encourager to me every single day...and he was always there.
Thanks pop...I love you.

My Mom

On May 5, 2009 the Lord called my mom home.
She was home with me and the crisis nurse from Hospice of the Comforter who was singing to her.
I can't find the words to thank them for the outpouring of professionalism...compassion...and love that they showed in the two weeks they took care of her.
During this difficult time I learned something....that I was struggling with letting go.
Through my faith and the faith of those from Hospice I was reminded every hour of every day that I was not alone...nor was she.
I have been surrounded by heartfelt loving friends including my co-workers whom I admire and cherish.
WLOQ is not a job...it is God's blessing to me.

My mom's memorial service was held on May 14, 2009 at Glen Haven Memorial Park.
People from all the seasons of her life were there...friends...and teachers from Lakemont Elementary School...business professionals that have helped us...and the staff from WLOQ.
It was humbling to share my memories and see so many who loved her.
My deepest gratitude to the listeners who have written me...my fellow workers who helped honor her...my dear neighbors who have lifted me up...and Brian Morgan who shared such eloquent and Godly words about her and myself.
Someone suggested to me I should write a book with all mom's stories...then I realized..."Mom IS the story!"

WLOQ Cares/Hospice of the Comforter

I have recently experienced once again the feeling that Hospice "never forgets you."
Their grief counseling is so helpful and they have many Horizons Grief Support Groups.
They have General...Ongoing...Specialized and Social Groups.
In addition Hospice of the Comforter focuses on families effected by suicide or the passing of a child...
and there are Horizons Grief Support Groups for people that only speak Spanish.

Hospice of the Comforter wishes everyone a joyous and blessed 2010!

Social Groups include a Women's Lunch Bunch...Men's Breakfast Group and Comfort Foods Winter Potluck Social.
Hospice of the Comforter also has Specialized Grief Support Groups including a Jewish Support Group..Young WidowsSupport Group and an Spanish Support Group.

Horizons Grief Support Groups are open to everyone that has this need.
For more information and to register please call Hospice of the Comforter at 407-682-0808.

Volunteer Opportunities for 2010 include Patient/Family Care Volunteers in Homes and Nursing Facilities. Also Hospice House Volunteers plus Gerald D. Robinson Residence Volunteers and 11th Hour Volunteers.

Their website once again is www.hospiceofthecomforter.org and they are a Smooth 103.1 WLOQ charity.
WLOQ has more information about them on our WLOQ Cares page of our website www.wloq.com.
I will be adding information about them and how they touch lives on an ongoing basis.
If you have any questions please write me at bkelley@wloq.com and I will be happy to get answers.
Please...if you need help or know someone who does contact them....they are God's great blessing.

A Personal Thankyou
I attend a Hospice of the Comforter Men's Breakfast Group which meets the 1st and 3rd Friday of every month at the Denny's Restaurant in Altamonte Springs. Over some great food and hot coffee we share stories...remember our loved ones...and offer encouragement to one another, Sometimes just a handshake and a smile does wonders...to give it...and to receive it. This group is open to any man who is grieving the loss of a loved one and you are more than welcome to join us. You may call Hospice of the Comforter for more inforamtion or e-mail me at bk elley@wloq.com.

Hospice of the Comforter is a compassionate nonprofit ministry since 1990. I learned so much of about them on the morning of Tuesday October 27, 2009 when I attened their Every Day Is A Gift Breakfast Tour. A group of us were welcomed by their President Robert G. Wilson who gave an elegant and compassionate opening, then gave us some history of the organization. Approximately 750 patients are now serviced and they forecast over 1000 in the next few years. The President said that "Many think of us the wrong way. We have a wonderful staff, volunteers and supporters whose goal is to provide quality care and superior service, and it will remain that way regardless of how large we grow." It is the dignity of the end of life....something we are all faced with."

The tour led us through acknowledgement of the various service providers like the doctors, nurses, social workers and volunteers. Afterwards I toured their Home that currently houses around 15 patients. Hospice of the Comforter told me that they do have a Wish List, and these are items that can help the patients and their families. Items like the Clinging Cross, CD, DVD and VCR players, lift chairs, helium tanks, tissues, office supplies, Adobe Photoshop Software, and iMacs., If you can help with any of these please call them at 407-682-0808 or let me know at

WLOQ has a rich and diverse history and I'm very proud of it.
Through the years we've been able to do many great things and I'm very grateful I could share in them.
It was my first radio job and always my favorite. I actually 'auditioned" with three 45 rpm records under my arm.
In April 2009 I celebrated my 18th year with the radio station...mostly doing mornings.
I wanted to share some of my history so I've posted some photos of "the vintage years."
WLOQ has been more than a job or profession through all these years. Even when I was elsewhere being part of this family never stopped. Each day is a gift and as a great mentor of mine once told me..."when you are on the air always make your listener feel like the light's on...that you are there and that you care."

Please note...captions for photos below are above the photo.

Here I am at our next studio on Fairbanks Avenue in Winter Park. Pop was worried radio would not be a good be a good future for me. After a few years he surprised one Saturday and visited me while I was on the air. He saw the joy in my face and never said anything about radio and my career choice again.

By the way...he loved WLOQ so much..he used to always set all the dials in stereo stores to 103.1

Way to go pop...I love you too!

Through the years I had the chance talk to alot of famous people...and many things surprised me. How kind and gentle heavyweight champ George Forman seemed to be. Comedian Pat Paulson of Smothers Brothers fame was a wine expert with his own vineyards! Grover Washington was an elegant man and dressed beautifully and a real live ex KGB Russian agent who was fascinated with our "CD's!"

One of the thrills of living in Central Florida is being close to the Cape. Since my father captured Sputnik in 1957 on a reel to reel ta

I was blessed to be able to cover the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1987, 1988 and 1989. It was a lot of work but breathtakingly beautiful in Switzerland. Here I am at OIA getting ready to head to our plane. Flying over the Alps...then later seeing the Matterhorn was something I'll never forget. I always said when you see the Matterhorn you're at the "quietest place on earth."

I grew up in Winter Park...I was the "Opie Taylor" of the Avenue some said. I knew all the mom's and pop's that ran businesses and my Saturdays were often filled with a great western at The Colony Theatre and some "rock candy" at the Sugar Plum Shoppe next door. Today the town's beauty is known all over the world and much of it is as simple as a fresh flower in their rose garden.

Pop was born in London Ontario and had an authentic Canadian railroad conductors hat that I found.
On Halloween day in 2008 we had WLOQ Costume Day at our office and I was so proud to wear it.

Just call me "Casey Kelley" at the mike. Thanks pop!

An original Q103 logo from the very early 80's. We went through several WLOQ designs in the early days but this was from the days Q103 was our main on air moniker.

My greatest WLOQ thrill was introducing Count Basie.

I remember shaking his hand backstage at The Great Southern Music Hall in downtown Orlando...I was so nervous.

He was chompin on a big cigar when I reached out to shake his hand and say hello. The Count quietly mumbled back "Hey...nice to meet ya." I'll never forget that.

In our earlier days WLOQ did a lot of concerts at the Tupperware Convention Center way out on South Orange Blossom Trail on the way to Kissimmee. It was a great venue but I always wondered how our listeners managed to get to the 8pm shows especially during the work week. In the case of Bob James in February of 1981...I would imagine a few folks may have called in sick just to be sure they could see the great keyboardist and composer. Notice the $12.50 price at the bottom of this Orlando Sentinel ad. I remember MC'ng this concert and meeting Bob for the first time since my "Here's the Bob Carr Band at the Bob James Auditorium" flub about a year earlier. Can you say red face?

In 1982 I hosted the Walt Disney World Village Jazz Competition 82 at Lake Buena Vista. It was designed to provide a showcase for the talents of High School and College jazz students. I have the poster of the event in my WLOQ scrapbook and I wanted to share it with you.

Some of my vintage albums used for our WLOQ 30th Anniversary commemorative magazine. Note the Al Jarreau record in the lower right...that's a 45 rpm with a "picture sleeve" which is pretty rare.

Here I am...Sir Kelley at Medeival Times in Kissimmee. This was a special radio night where different Central Florida stations were assigned different colored knights and competed during a live arena dinner show. I don't remember how the WLOQ knight did...the only thing I recall is how heavy that sword was!

Here I am at the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG). This is the representative office of the United Nations in Geneva. With more than 1,600 staff, they are the biggest United Nations duty station outside of headquarters in New York and provide critical support to the Organization’s efforts. They service over 8,000 meetings every year, making UNOG one of the busiest intergovernmental conference centres in the world and a focal point for multilateral diplomacy. Together, they strive to strengthen our contribution towards realizing the vision of the United Nations for a more stable, secure and prosperous world for all. I was very proud to be standing there.

Being an only child...mom...pop and I were real close. We always went on vacations together...especially Sanibel Island to shell. Here momma is in my official 1958 "shelling hat" that I always wore for good luck when looking for rare finds on the beach. Hospice of the Comforter provided us with such dignity at the end...and very soon I will providing much more information about this wonderful organization here in Central Florida. They touched my life in a way that is very hard to describe.

Momma loved the station. In our record days we played a great song called "Hard Work" by John Handy. When I played it...she always said she'd rock back and forth to the beat! That a way mom!

We had a good time doing nothing...just being with each other.

I love you momma.

As time passes since my mom and pop were called home the Lord continues to show me comfort. Simple things like pictures and perhaps a burning candle can be a healing for the heart. Anyone who has lost family knows the loss never goes away but the memories we cherish can last the rest of our lives and can be God's greatest strength and blessing.

Sharing a laugh with Robert Harris at Jazz Jams Uptown. He is very talented guitarist and any time you can see him play do yourself a favor. I like the way my greying hair matches my shirt.

                                  (photo courtesy of bvphoto.net)

Beautiful sunset at Jazz Jams Uptown. This is our yearly Listener Appreciation Concert held at Cranes Roost at Uptown Altamonte.

It's a special time when families can come out to a free show...have something to eat and drink...and truly enjoy themselves. It's our way of saying..."Thankyou for listening to Smooth 103.1 WLOQ."

WLOQ listeners enjoying the talented Jackeim Joyner. Everyone brings their own chair or sits in the ampitheatre and enjoys free jazz outdoors. Ahhhh! Relaxing and living the good life in Central Florida with Smooth 103.1 WLOQ.

Our final listener appreciation Jazz Jams Uptown Concert was spectacular! Singer songwriter Matt Shenk and saxophonist Erly Thornton entertained to several thousand gathered at Cranes Roost in Altamonte. I loved hosting the show and our sincere thanks to all of our sponsors and the City of Alatamonte for a very successful concert summer.

It was a great night of smooth jazz on Friday October 2, 2009 at The Plaza Theatre in Orlando. It was final 2009 Guitars and Saxes Tour stop for Jeff Lorber...Jeff Golub...Jesse J and Euge Groove who "rocked the house" as they say. Jeff Golub mentioned they had some special surprises for Orlando that night and they sure did...including a red hot guitar riff from none other than keyboardist Jeff Lorber! It was a great night of music and we are looking forward to the Boney James Concert on Sunday October 18th.

On October 24th beautiful Lake Concord Park in Casselberry served as the backdrop for what proved to be one of the hottest concerts of 2009. The beautiful and very talented lady of sax Jessy J in her third Central Florida concert since the summer gave the audience of several thousand lots to cheer about and dance to. Guitarist Nate Najar and his band opened and they heated things up early with a performance that including Nate "dissapearing" into the crowd. It was a wonderful kickoff to the weekend celebration of jazz and art in the City Of Casseberry and Smooth 103.1 WLOQ was proud to be there.

My friend Bruce Larson took this amazing shot of Jessy after the show and I thought how classy.

It was almost like a pose.

Jessy on stage is definitely in her element and all of us at WLOQ wish her the very best in success in her growing musical career.

By the way if you need a good photographer you can contact Bruce at www.bvphoto.net

Even though my photographic skills are "all thumbs" my ears were wide open to the great smooth jazz of England's Oli Silk at the Orlando Food and Wine Fest. The sun (and Oli) was warming up the crowd on Sunday November 15, 2009 when I stopped to hear him for a few minutes. I had a chance to chat with him back stage and he seemed like an easy going fellow with a big heart for good music. Oli said it was his first time in Orlando and the beautiful weather and WLOQ listeners were making him feel "right at home." His live rendition of his hit Chill Or Be Chilled was particularly cool that afternoon.

At my LIVE Orlando Food Wine Fest at Panera Bread I had a chance to talk with Rico Monaco before his stage show. Rico is a great guy and works so hard at his craft. His band...Rico Monaco and Sol Sons are a Central Florida favorite and they "rocked the house" on Saturday November 14, 2009 at Lake Eola. Rico's latin rock tribute to Santana was right down my alley because I have always believed Carlos Santana to be "the greatest guitar player on earth."

Thanks Rico for the passion and being part of our weekend celebration!

Photo by Scott Tucker Photography

T. Scott Walker and his Top Rockers Band was at the Orlando Food and Wine Festival in November of 2009 and it was good to see an old friend from the 1980's. Many of you might remember T. Scott from his many solo Jimmy Buffetish performances at numerous clubs around Central Florida. It was really great to see T. Scott after all these years and "Hey! You gotta love his shirt!"

Throughout my radio career I have many wonderful surprises. I remember at one of the three Montruex Jazz Festivals I attended between 1987-1989 I was invited to be on Swiss and French television for interviews. That was quite a thrill...but I always remember meeting artists the most like Count Basie...Buddy Rich...Frankie Lane and Grover Washington Jr. to name a few. At the 2009 Orlando Food and Wine Festival I got to meet Oli Silk. Oli was a keyboardist from England who was playing in the U.S. for the very first time at our festival. Backstage he told me he wa thrilled...humbled and quite nervous. If you love smooth jazz like I do pick up his Chill Or Be Chilled CD and I think you will really enjoy it.

"Thanks Oli...it was great to have you here and to meet you!" It's the kind of moment that makes all the hard work so special.

The 33rd Annual Maitland Rotary Club Art Festival October 2nd-4th was a big success. For the second year patrons saw art and music at night with their new "Art Under the Stars." I took this shot from our WLOQ booth on a lovely Sunday morning right before I had a delicious strawberry smoothie and wildberry muffin.

The 33rd Annual Maitland Rotary Club Art Festival reminded me that fall is definitely in the air. "Say.....I really like that purple hat!"

At the Celebration of Freedom...it was all about the balloons. To a child...it is man's greatest invention.

The Stars and Stripes on July 4th is beautiful! In fact...it is beautiful the other 364 days of the year too!

Since my mom passed away I have sought some quiet time in the morning. I love to walk down to Lake Knowles off Temple Drive in Winter Park and sit by the lake. One morning I took this picture of a tree that's been part of this area for decades and realized that God's beauty is all around us.

One evening after work I noticed this blue streak in the eastern sky around 7:30pm. I'm not sure what it is but the Lord's paintbrush got my attention. I grabbed my cellphone camera and took several pictures thinking "this is really unusual." It is one of God's daily masterpieces.

One November morning last year I took this picture with my cell phone camera at 7:00am before I started walking. Doing mornings for so many years at WLOQ I guess I forgot about (or didn't see) the beautiful sunrises we get in Central Florida.
It seems like my eyes are "open wider" to alot of things now...like the natural beauty of a new day.

Momma got me a nice digital camera last Christmas..but I still use my cellphone camera more. I guess it's because the phone is with me all the time. The wonderful pictures and videos I captured of her are forever a treasure in my heart. On Tuesday morning September 29, 2009 I saw these beautiful flowers by Lake Knowles and took a picture. While it's not the best quality...it represents to me that "moment you can capture" when the time is right. The time was very right.

With all this cold weather so far in 2010 I haven't braved the "frozen outdoor tundra" quite as much for my morning walks.

However a warm spell blanketed Central Florida the second week of March and on with sneakers and out the door at 6:30am I went. I walk a couple of miles to a nearby lake zig zagging down back roads and a pond and eventually getting to a small lake in Winter Park. I always have my cell phone and I always take pictures while sitting on the bench enjoying some quiet early morning time with God. It is a simple pleasure and one of the nicest I know. It always makes me feel better and I truly love the time with the one who made it all.

On Tuesday evening October 20, 2009 Hospice of the Comforter held its bi-annual Circle of Hope - Circle of Healing Memorial Service and Reception at the Central Christian Church of Orlando on Ivanhoe Blvd off I-4.

The staff and volunteers through music...testimonials...candles and a rose ceremony remembered loved ones that are gone. The Hospice of the Comforter Grievance Counselors presented roses to the families when each loved ones name was called out. Momma's name was called out near the end and I was very proud to hear it. When I got home I put it near her picture and reading lamp by her rocker. It opened up beautifully and is such a wonderful reminder of her life and her love.

Radio to me is no different than sitting down and visiting with someone...except there's a microphone between you and me.

"Thanks for listening to Smooth 103.1 WLOQ......I'll leave the light on for you."

Bob Kelley Bio

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