Paul & Al: Three Decades Of Decadence
• Can you believe it? iHeartMedia Rock WHJY (94 HJY)/Providence is proud to announce The Paul and Al Morning Show will soon celebrate the big 3-0 with the station! And yes, they fully intend to celebrate that major milestone with a big-ass 30-year anniversary celebration on July 15 from 5:30 to 10am, featuring a whole bunch of highlights from the guys’ three decades-worth of early morning entertainment.
Paul Fuller (left) and Al Matthews (right) joined 94 HJY in the summer of 1990 and have been familiar, trusted voices to listeners around the Providence area ever since. Fast-forward thirty years, and The Paul and Al Morning Show remains atop the ratings and ranks second in Rhode Island radio history for all-time in longevity for a morning show on the same station, earning them an induction into the Rhode Island Radio Hall of Fame in 2008.
“Thirty years goes by fast when you’re in a great place every day,” said Paul. “We’re surrounded by management and staff that are smart, funny, supportive, compassionate, and even hard-working and are really blessed to be on a totally unique rock station that is a part of the culture of Southern New England. When will we retire? You’ll have to pry the microphone from our cold, dead hands.” He then handed that mic to Al, who added, “There’s only one thing better than rock ‘n’ roll, and that’s our rock ‘n’ roll listeners. ‘HJY is one-of-a-kind in so many ways, and our listeners’ fierce loyalty is key to the station’s success and our 30-year run. We’re incredibly grateful to our listeners for letting us do what we love: playing AC/DC and Metallica for breakfast and cracking lame jokes. It’s a hell of a living! Thanks to iHeartMedia for keeping us rocking.”
PD Doug Palmieri remarked, “I remember the day Paul and Al signed on as the new morning show hosts at 94 HJY, replacing iconic morning talent Carolyn Fox. They hit the ground running and never looked back, becoming a Southern New England institution. I’ve been lucky enough to work with them over much of their 30 years on 94 HJY and their humor, generosity and dedication to listeners are truly inspiring. Thirty years in one place performing at the highest level in this industry ain’t no joke, and these guys are the best in the business.”
GM Rhonda Lapham said, “Paul and Al have meant so much to so many in Southern New England. Above the great content and comic relief, they have also made sure to involve themselves in multiple charities like Amos House, Best Buddies, Food-a-thons and the list goes on. It has been a real privilege for me to be able to work with both of them. They are wonderful people and we look forward to several more years of laughter with them.” (Special thanks to Paul & Al’s longtime Producer Kevin Mulhern). [Photo credit: Olga Enger/Studio Newport Portraits and Headshots].
