The subject matter can get a bit raunchy, and the occasional bodily function may slip through the airwaves, but what Orlando rock fans tune in for are the on-air personalities and guitar-laden music.<\/p>\n
Loyal listeners of Orlando\u2019s WJRR morning show are familiar with its hosts, Pat Lynch and Taco Bob. But, even if you just channel surf through morning FM radio, you\u2019ve probably heard their unmistakable voices. The guys regularly promote local rock concerts, describe the latest viral videos and, most importantly, talk about their alma mater \u2014 UCF.<\/p>\n
Meet \u201cPat Lynch\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Pat Dougher, \u201990, better known as Pat Lynch, grew up in South Florida. He chose to attend UCF thanks to a recommendation about WUCF radio from a counselor at Palm Beach Community College.<\/p>\n While he was a student, Dougher worked an internship, which, he says, was key to his future career because it allowed him to meet some of the real players and shot callers in the local radio industry. \u201cDoing an internship opened the door to the people who have and still do make it possible to do what I do for a living,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n As a radio\/television major, Dougher ended up leading a student drive to gain an afternoon block of student programming on WUCF, which proved successful.<\/p>\n After WUCF, he went on to work for Central Florida\u2019s old Q-96, then Relativity Records in New York City. After a brief time up north, he moved back to Orlando, where he worked as a manager at Peaches Music. In addition, he worked part time for WDIZ, which was eventually merged with WJRR when Paxson Communications bought the station. Seventeen years later, Dougher\u2019s still with WJRR.<\/p>\n Meet \u201cTaco Bob\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Bob Miller, \u201996, better known as Taco Bob, says he chose to attend UCF because it seemed like the next step on the ladder after growing up in Central Florida and attending Valencia. \u201cPlus, UCF offered a great communications department,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n As a radio\/television major, Miller had the opportunity to meet guest speaker Jenny Sue Rhodes from then-Paxson Communications [now WJRR], to whom he credits helping him get his foot in the door of the radio industry thanks to an internship with her company, after which he was hired on as an employee. This year marks his 20th year with WJRR.<\/p>\n Pat Lynch, Meet Taco Bob<\/strong><\/p>\n So, how did this pair end up together? \u201cWhen WDIZ merged with WJRR, our program director walked in the studio one day and said, \u2018Pat, this is Taco Bob. He\u2019s going to be on during the lunch hour with you to do entertainment news,\u2019\u201d Dougher explains. \u201cI said, \u2018OK,\u2019 and we hit it off immediately. We had good chemistry, so the powers that be said, \u2018Looks like we may have something here we can develop into a full show.\u2019 The rest was history.\u201d<\/p>\n Learn more about the guys and their lives in radio in the Q&A below.<\/p>\n WJRR has had several format changes over the years, but adopted its current rock format and call letters in 1993. Some of the station\u2019s alumni includes Larry the Cable Guy, Just Plain Mark and Buckethead.<\/em><\/p>\n ROCKIN’ ON WITH PAT AND BOB<\/strong><\/p>\n Q. Describe a typical day at work.<\/strong><\/p>\n Pat Dougher: Arrive at 4:10 a.m., catch up on overnight news and start the show at 5 a.m. From 5 a.m. to 10 a.m., we execute the mechanics of the show as well as the online\/social media aspects of the show. After the show, we produce any promos or commercials that have been assigned, meet with our programming boss and sales counterparts as needed. The day sometimes also includes on-site appearances for client and station promotions. I try to leave the office by noon, catch a nap and then begin a couple of hours of show prep for the next day\u2019s program.<\/p>\n Q. Favorite thing about your job?<\/strong><\/p>\n Bob Miller: When we have a great show.<\/p>\n Q. Why do you do what you do?<\/strong><\/p>\n PD: I always loved radio as a kid and decided I would try to make it a career.<\/p>\n BM: I love entertaining people.<\/p>\n Q. Working in radio, you\u2019ve probably had opportunities to meet some pretty famous people. Who has been your favorite so far, and why?<\/strong><\/p>\n PD: Hands down, Ozzy Osbourne. Why? He is the front man of, in my honest opinion, the most important hard-rock band, Black Sabbath.<\/p>\n BM: Matt Damon because he\u2019s very down-to-earth and a great guy to have a beer with. Slash because he\u2019s Slash, and he does so much more than rock. Larry the Cable Guy because Pat and I worked with him for years, and it\u2019s so good to see a great person become beyond successful.<\/p>\n Q. What did you want to be when you grew up?<\/strong><\/p>\n PD: Police officer\/law enforcement<\/p>\n BM: Meteorologist or actor<\/p>\n Q. How did you end up at WJRR? (What other jobs have you had?)<\/strong><\/p>\n PD: My previous radio jobs have been at WUCF (when the station played rock music and paid some of the students, including me). I then went to work for the old Q-96. After that, I briefly worked for Relativity records in NYC. I moved back to Orlando and worked for Peaches Music as a manager, and also part time at the legendary WDIZ (where I ended up working full time). WDIZ was merged with WJRR when Paxson Communications bought WDIZ. Been at WJRR ever since.<\/p>\n BM: I did an internship at WJRR while attending UCF, and they hired me. I worked in the restaurant business from [age] 14 to 21.<\/p>\n Q. What advice would you give to current UCF radio\/television students?<\/strong><\/p>\n PD: Minor in something that will make you more valuable to a potential employer \u2014 business, marketing, etc. And, do an internship to establish some contacts.<\/p>\n BM: Do an internship and learn as much as you can while you\u2019re there about promotions, marketing, production, sales, etc.<\/p>\n