From TV to radio, David “Bloomdaddy” Bloomquist can do it all, but he’s made his home in the City of Light on 1100 WTAM.
“I love what I do and where I do it. Cleveland is a very underrated city, and the people of Northeast Ohio are awesome,” Bloomdaddy — who recently finished as the 5th ranked mid-market afternoon show in the Barrett News Media Top 20 — said. “They love WTAM 1100 and it’s an honor to be a small part of this legendary station.”
It all began in Wheeling, West Virgina, as the young Bloomdaddy embarked on his career as a news anchor/sportscaster.
“I was a morning news anchor and sportscaster at a CBS TV affiliate in the early 2000s, when I was approached by WOMP-AM in Bellaire, OH about me hosting a radio show.”
The extra cash was helpful in a small market so, “I decided to do it without having any clue as to what I was doing.” Bloomdaddy worked both the TV and radio gigs. But the two-hour daily show was more than he bargained for.
“I was honestly a little too green. I thought it wouldn’t last long, but when the ratings started climbing, I got a call from iHeartMedia to join the legendary 1170 WWVA and got out of TV altogether.”
He recalled the transition from one medium to another to be relatively painless. “The transition was easy for me because radio is all about personality and I have plenty of it. TV is so regimented and scripted that I was ready to ad-lib and just let it rip from the hip.”
Bloomdaddy doesn’t credit his big personality for his success. He also has strong opinions, which, for many in talk radio, gives life to a better show. However, building a better show wasn’t all easy.
“I really had no idea about how to put a show together until I was guided by the coaching from the numerous resources at iHeartMedia, who helped me tremendously,” Bloomdaddy said. “From there, it’s just been about refining skills and trying to get better.”
He’s refined his skills with the help of coaches at iHeart.
“[They] continue to help me grow each show. I was always on my own researching and putting in the hours daily to formulate my monologues and opinions. Their guidance has given me insight into making what we do entertaining. I’ve honed my listening skills as an invaluable tool to improve.”
Part of Bloomdaddy’s training is to remember he is more than just a host; he is a friend to the audience. “I remind myself daily that I’m a companion to a listener. I talk with them as I would if we were sitting in a restaurant or coffee house. And I consider myself ‘down to Earth.’ I want to make sure that comes through every day with a little bit of show biz thrown in.”
Another key to his success at 1100 WTAM? Keeping it local.
“I believe local hosts need to focus on one word: local. There are plenty of places to get opinions about national issues and the administration. Listeners should expect that when there is a big story in Cleveland, my show is where they should come.”
For Bloomdaddy, he does more than just keep it local. He brings radio to the listeners. “I’m a big fan of being in public. I love remote broadcasts, especially from the stadiums and arenas.”
He went on to note how important being with the listener is. “We must get out of the studio and meet the listeners. Be visible in the community more frequently. When people get to meet you, they feel like they know you. Connections are important and the best way to do it is to be up close and personal with the public.”
Some of the ways he connects with listeners is by living life to the fullest. “I live my life like a Clevelander would. I attend the Guardians, Browns, and Cavs games, I check out the hot new place that opened, and visit the restaurants that have been around for 80 years.”
Bloomdaddy went on to say, “I love to meet and talk with new people. That ‘face to face’ connection is the best way to maintain and gain listeners.”
For those looking to transition to radio or TV — or those looking to the mic for the first time — Bloomdaddy’s advice is simple.
“You can’t let haters get in your head,” he shared. “In this business people are going to dissect and ridicule just about everything you have to say. Don’t let it change your opinions or who you are.”
He later added, “There is an entire subculture living on social with nothing to do but get in our heads. Don’t let them.”
As for handling naysayers on and off air, he follows a simple rule of thumb. “If it’s a spirited conversation on-air, we have the discussion. Off-air? I don’t engage. If it’s not coming through the speakers, it doesn’t matter. Silence is a true friend who never betrays.”
Most importantly, when you have strong opinions make sure you have the facts to back it up. “Research your topics, formulate a great opinion, and lay it out there like you own it and never look back,” the 1100 WTAM host concluded. “If the audience senses any lack of confidence in your ‘take,’ you’re cooked.”
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Krystina Alarcon Carroll is a news media columnist and features writer for Barrett Media. She has experience in almost every facet of the industry including: digital and print news; live, streamed, and syndicated TV; documentary and film productions. Her prior employers have included NY1 and Fox News Digital and the Law & Crime Network. You can find Krystina on X (formerly twitter) @KrystinaAlaCarr.
