Radio Royalty: 5 Questions With Will Lochamy

BIRMINGHAM, AL - Anyone who lived in Birmingham in the 80s and 90s and listened to talk radio certainly knows who Bob Lochamy is. The long-time radio host became somewhat of a local celebrity during his long run on the airwaves - most notably as the sidekick to Paul Finebaum for more than a decade.

In 2010, when Birmingham Mountain Radio launched as an internet radio station, brothers Will and Reed Lochamy brought their podcast, "Oh Brother," to the radio waves, and the Lochamy name returned to Birmingham radio. Since then, BMR has moved to the FM dial and Will Lochamy has been named the co-host of BMR's Morning Blend with Scott "Reg" Register.

Will and Reed still do Oh Brother on Thursday nights on BMR (107.3 FM), but Will pulls double duty at the station with the daily morning show. Will has become one of the most recognizable voices in Birmingham radio, if not one of the busiest radio personalities in the city.

Patch caught up with Will Lochamy to discuss carrying the family radio torch, so to speak, and where he sees his radio career progressing from here.

How much input and influence does your dad have on your radio career?

Most of his initial input was to avoid radio at all costs. It can be a brutal industry, but BMR is just different. We're the opposite of cut-throat corporate. He sees that now.

There's no question that his history in radio is what sparked my interest. I never saw the negative business side, so the fun stuff is what stood out. It seemed like a good plan when I realized I need to grow up and get a long term job.

Your morning show is obviously different from your Thursday night show with your brother. Does it ever get difficult transitioning between the two formats?

To put it musical terms, the morning show is like a concert that takes practice and plenty of time to set the stage up, where the Thursday night show is like an open jam session in someone's basement. When I started the morning show, Reed and I discussed pulling the plug on Oh Brother. I think we're both glad we didn't. Even though it can be goofy and lax at times, that show lets us discuss issues that are important to us. Stuff that might be too much for the morning drive.

Some people find it hard to work alongside a family member. How have you and Reed been able to successfully balance your personal relationship with your business relationship?

As weird as this seems to be, we've just never really had any contention. Not as kids, not as teens, and now not as adults that work together. Go figure. I drag him along on most of my media ventures because the on on-air chemistry seems to work. He might stop at some point, but for now I keep driving to his house to pick him up before shows and he keeps getting in the car.

What are some things you would like to see happen with your radio career in the future?

I'd like to see it still be a thing. Honestly, I know how lucky I am to have my job and the freedom to say the things I say. I'm confident in saying that there's not another station in the country like BMR. My hope is that I don't screw it up for the bosses and that all the cool businesses in town continue to advertise. I've said this many times, but I feel like my boss, Jeff Clanton, is like the George Bailey of Birmingham. The dude deserves whatever good is coming his way.

What were your 3 favorite albums of 2018?

Janelle Monáe - "Dirty Computer" Let me count thy ways that I love her and everything she's doing. We needed to dance this year and she made us do it.

Will Stewart - "County Seat" Everything Will and his cohort Janet Simpson do is borderline perfect. I want to try and give them a distortion pedal at some point because I know my head would absolutely explode.

The Brummies - "Eternal Reach" This one was a surprise for me. For whatever reason, I never checked out John and Jacob and had some incorrect preconceived notions about those guys. As far as new albums, I listened to this as much or more than anything last year.

Photo submitted by Will Lochamy