WEEI Announces New Drive-Time 'Dream Team'

(Boston, February 15, 2011) – Writing a new chapter in its 20-year history as the national sports talk radio leader, the WEEI Sports Radio Network today announced a major change to its afternoon drive-time show.

In a move that creates a “Dream Team” pairing two of Boston’s most respected and entertaining personalities, Michael Holley, who has co-hosted the midday “Dale and Holley” program on WEEI since 2005, is moving to afternoon drive-time, joining Glenn Ordway for “The Big Show with Glenn Ordway and Michael Holley.”  The program will air weekdays from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and launches on February 28. LISTEN TO THE ANNOUNCEMENT.

WEEI will be announcing details on a revamped midday show in the coming days.

“We have one mission at WEEI, and that is to give our loyal listeners the most entertaining and informative sports radio experience that we can provide,” said Julie Kahn, Vice President and Market Manager at Entercom New England.  “Our new programming lineup will carry on the 20-year tradition that we’ve built:  THE source for news, commentary and entertainment for the true Boston sports fan.”

The pairing of Ordway and Holley, each with his own distinctive style, unites two of the most popular and credible icons of the Boston sports scene, and adds a new dynamic to an already powerful program in afternoon drive for WEEI.

“Glenn and Michael are both tremendous talents,” said Jason Wolfe, Vice President of AM Programming and Operations at Entercom New England.  “They bring incredible passion, unmatched credibility and unique insight into the Boston sports scene.  I'm really looking forward to this new partnership becoming one of the great sports radio shows of our time.”

Glenn Ordway, former voice of the Boston Celtics, was named Program Director of Sports Radio 850 WEEI in June of 1995.  He unveiled a new program line-up for the station, and also launched “The Big Show.”  Hosted by Ordway, it has become one of the landmark sports talk shows in America.

“The Big O” has won numerous broadcasting awards.  In 2005, he was named winner of the “Jimmy Award,” which honors individuals who have committed themselves to the mission of Dana Farber and The Jimmy Fund.  He regularly appears on the trade journal Talkers Magazine’s “Heavy Hundred List” of top broadcasters in the country.  In 2010, Ordway checked in at #67.

Michael Holley joined the midday show at WEEI in March of 2005 after successful ventures in both television and newspapers.  A popular columnist for The Boston Globe and The Chicago Tribune, Michael further made his presence felt on the national stage with appearances on ESPN's popular show "Around the Horn" and later on Fox SportsNet's "I, MAX."   He solidified his reputation as one of the nation's most versatile talents with his New York Times best-selling "Patriot Reign." He has also written "Red Sox Rule" with Terry Francona, and "Never Give Up" with Tedy Bruschi.

For more information, log onto www.weei.com

About The WEEI Sports Radio Network

The WEEI Sports Radio Network, comprised of Sports Radio WEEI and WEEI.com. WEEI is the nation’s leading sports talk radio station, with affiliates in markets all over New England: WEEI-FM in Providence, WVEI-FM in Springfield, and WVEI-AM in Worcester. Additionally, WEEI has made significant expansion into Maine and New Hampshire, with the addition of four new syndicated stations. Beginning in August 2008, WEEI.com made significant upgrades to the website’s design and content. The website hired Rob Bradford as editor-in-chief and has since hired over a dozen contributors to the site. In March 2009, the web site unveiled a major face lift and re-launched itself as “the sports page of the future.” For more information and to check out Boston’s best sports content, log onto WEEI.com.

About Entercom Communications 

Entercom Communications Corp. (NYSE: ETM) is one of the five largest radio broadcasting companies in the United States, with a nationwide portfolio of 110 stations in 23 markets, including San Francisco, Boston, Seattle, Denver, Portland, Sacramento and Kansas City. Known for developing unique and highly successful, locally programmed stations, Entercom is home to some of radio’s most distinguished brands and compelling personalities. The company is also the radio broadcast partner of the Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics, Kansas City Royals, New Orleans Saints and Buffalo Sabres. Entercom focuses on creating effective integrated marketing solutions for its customers that incorporate the company’s audio, digital and experiential assets. Additionally, the company has a long-standing commitment to responsible corporate citizenship and environmental stewardship. Entercom stations play a vital, hands-on role in improving their communities, providing over $100 million in annual support for local charitable organizations. The company’s radio stations have received numerous awards, including multiple Edward R. Murrow Awards for excellence in broadcast journalism and National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Marconi Awards for excellence in radio broadcasting. In 2007, Forbes magazine named Entercom one of America’s “Most Trustworthy Companies.”

About Glenn Ordway

Glenn Ordway has enjoyed one of the more legendary careers in Boston radio. His career, which has spanned more than 30 years, began at WMLO in Beverly, and quickly thereafter to WMEX/WITS in Boston where he became sports director and color analyst for Boston Bruins broadcasts.

In 1981, Ordway moved to WRKO and hosted an award winning program called Sportscall.

He spent 13 years as a commentator for the Boston Celtics, both as an analyst to the legendary Johnny Most, and as the play by play announcer for the team. During his stellar career with the team, Ordway played himself in long running Boston based sitcom, Cheers.

Ordway moved with the Celtics to WEEI in 1987 and became Executive Sports Editor before being named Program Director in June of 1995. It was then, that he altered the station’s lineup, and launched The Big Show, the longest running afternoon drive sports show in the market. At the same time, Ordway created a feature called “The Whiner Line,” historically the highest rated 15 minute radio segment in Boston, where listeners call in and “whine” about what’s going on in the Boston sports scene. The overwhelming popularity of the Whiner Line led to the creation of the “The Whiney Awards,” an annual event where the top “whiners” are honored for their tremendous contributions to the segment’s success.

The Big O, as he is best known, has won numerous broadcasting awards, and was most recently, named winner of the “Jimmy Award” in 2005. The award honors individuals who have, over the years, committed themselves to the mission of Dana Farber and the Jimmy Fund. He regularly appears on the trade journal Talkers Magazine’s Heavy Hundred List of top broadcasters in the country. This past year, Ordway checked in at #67.

About Michael Holley

Michael Holley first joined WEEI as a co-host of the midday show in March of 2005 after successful ventures in both television and writing. Michael graduated from Point Park University in 1992 and began his career in journalism at the Akron Beacon Journal covering high school sports and later on the Cleveland Cavaliers.

In 1993, Holley was one of a dozen reporters who contributed to the Beacon Journal's Pulitzer Prize winning series "A Question of Color." Michael came to the Boston Globe in 1994 and covered the Boston Celtics for three and a half years. Michael brought a fresh and edgy approach to the Globe after becoming a columnist in 1998. In September 2001, he briefly worked at the Chicago Tribune before returning to his previous position with the Globe that same year.

Michael further made his presence felt on the national stage with appearances on ESPN's popular show "Around the Horn" and later on Fox SportsNet's "I, MAX." He solidified his reputation as one of the nation's most talented writers with his New York Times best selling "Patriot Reign". He has also written "Red Sox Rule" with Terry Francona, and "Never Give Up" with Tedy Bruschi.