The Man Behind The Microphone
Bruce Barber started his radio career on the campus of Hobart and William Smith Colleges in 1978 and now more than 40 years later has come full circle: he’s a Professional in Residence at the University of New Haven, where he teaches broadcasting and podcasting and manages the University’s award-winning campus station, 88.7 WNHU.
After four years at 97 Rock in Buffalo, Bruce became the co-host of the popular “Smith and Barber the Morning Show” on WPLR in New Haven, which was consistently one of the top-rated morning programs in Connecticut during its 18 year run.
He left ‘PLR in 2003 and formed Barber Productions with entrepreneur Mac Haskell.
In the years that followed, Bruce built a home studio, taught himself digital audio production and in 2007 became an independent host and producer for Connecticut Public Radio.
Bruce joined the University of New Haven in 2016 where he oversees a student leadership team at WNHU, teaches independent studies in radio and podcasting, and continues his voiceover work for WNPR and Connecticut Public Television.
Bruce's Career Journey
I’ll never forget the day I walked into a radio studio for the first time. It was 1977, and I was a sophomore at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva New York.
The campus station was WEOS (Echoes of the Seneca), and my friend and fraternity brother Tom Lawler invited me to read an announcement on the air. I had no idea at the time, but this would mark the beginning of decades long career in broadcasting.
A year later my first paying gig was at an AM station near campus. I kept the paystub.
After graduation I took an internship at 97 Rock in Buffalo, the station I grew up listening to. When the news director fell and broke his leg I had my ‘right place at the right time’ moment, and found myself on the air in the coveted morning drive time slot with Larry “Snortin’” Norton and JC Corcoran, pictured here with my company car, an early eighties Dodge Omni.
When the station changed its format in 1985 I lost the job (and the car), but soon thereafter I landed in New Haven Connecticut for what would prove to be the most significant phase of my career as co-host of “Smith and Barber the Morning Show” on 99.1 WPLR.
After an amazing 18 years, marriage and parenthood had me dreaming of trying something new. In 2003 I left ‘PLR, formed Barber Productions, and pitched a show called “The Real Life Survival Guide” to Connecticut Public Radio.
As the show enjoyed a gratifying run I was given the opportunity to join Connecticut Public Radio as a host and producer, a role that continues to this day.
I was also able to transition the show to the emerging medium of podcasting, which I immediately embraced at the thought its exciting possibilities.
January of 2016 marked the beginning of a new chapter, as I became a professional in residence at the University of New Haven, and the general manager of the campus radio station, 88.7 WNHU.
I had come full circle.
What I’ve learned during this eclectic career arc that took me from college radio to mornings to public radio — and back to academic college! — is that in addition to a career spent communicating via the audio medium, I am also passionate about passing along what I’ve learned along the way and building on the old ways of doing things in the new world a digital technology.
The result is a journey I will be sharing via the blog that accompanies this website, where I’ll be telling you about an exciting new project I’m working on: The Community Audio Network.
I hope you’ll check in from time to time to see how it’s going.