Panellist: Todd B

Todd Bell is an eclectic, somewhat eccentric radio veteran with over 25 years’ experience on the air. His multifaceted skills have allowed him to host a night time relationship talk show, romance-themed music shows, a morning-drive talk show, as well as serve as a more-than-reliable fill-in for all radio dayparts.

He is currently the interim morning show host on WPGC 95.5 in Washington, DC (6-10 am weekdays), where he also hosts “Reminisce Radio,” spinning classic “old school” R&B and hip hop tunes every Sunday night from 7-10pm.

Todd’s laid-back, yet engaging and humorous style brings fresh creativity and spontaneity to DC radio. His smooth baritone voice and witty charm have been described as engaging and disarming to listeners.

A native of Sarasota, Florida, Todd’s gift of gab was witnessed early on, at the tender age of three, when he would faithfully watch noon news broadcasts in an effort to mimic news anchors. As a result, the precocious child’s emphatic declarations of “news, sports and weather!” are still fondly recalled by family members.

His world-view and scope were further broadened during a three-and-a-half year stint in the U.S. Army, where he served in the Panama Canal Zone on both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of the isthmus.

Upon completing his military obligations and receiving an Honorable Discharge, Todd enrolled at Hampton University to pursue his dream of becoming a television news anchor.

While attending Booker T. Washington’s alma mater, he decided to try out for the campus radio station, 88.1 WHOV-FM, as a method of strengthening his broadcasting skills.

He soon fell under the spell of radio in 1995 and went on to distinguish himself as “Best New Announcer” and, ultimately, “Best Announcer” at WHOV, where his wide range and versatility blossomed as he starred in an array of formats, traversing the blues, reggae, hip hop, R&B, jazz, acid jazz, and gospel.

After graduating with honors from Hampton in 1998, Todd was hired by Norfolk (VA’s) WOWI 103 JAMZ as an overnights and weekends radio announcer and, at one point, he simultaneously held down a shift for one of WOWI’s sister stations, WSVY, spinning oldies.

Midway through the following year, 1999, Todd was promoted to full-time status as host of “The Quiet Storm,” where anchored the #1 night show in the market.

In August of 2000, just nine months later – and a mere year-and-a-half after getting his start in professional radio, Todd joined WPGC 95.5 as host of “Lovetalk and Slow Jams.” While at ‘PGC, Todd’s flexible radio talents afforded him the distinction of being the only jock at the station to have worked both prime-time shifts (mornings and afternoons) as well as mid-days.

His diverse abilities ultimately led to the morning-drive slot at Talk (formerly “Heaven”) 1580, where he hosted “The Break-Down,” which covered a wide array of subjects – from politics to health to entertainment, and in a short time, the show attracted newsmakers of all sorts, including best-selling authors, actors, and politicians; ultimately leading to a live broadcast from the U.S. Capitol which included interviews with senators and congresspersons.

Leaning once again on his wide and extensive skill set, Todd B. served as host of “The Coolout,” a nightly program where he played the best cool, current and classic “slow jams” for DC-area lovers,

Todd’s creative talents have been utilized in jingles and voice-overs for radio and television; additionally, he has been a featured poet and vocalist at a number of venues in the Washington, D.C. area, Detroit, Virginia and New York; and in 1997, Todd was published in the Gavin, one of the music industry’s leading publications. And his skills go beyond the mic.

In 1996, he was also named “Best Supporting Actor” by the Hampton Players for his standout portrayal of “Jake Pernod” in the world premiere of the late, great playwright, Avon Long’s “40 Acres and a Mule”.

Todd B. is a widowed father of three and is currently balancing family life with that of a voiceover artist and singer. In Washington, DC