Minus ‘Tad Pole,’ Utica Still Feeling Froggy

• Townsquare Utica, NY announced the retirement of Bill “Tad Pole” McAdams, longtime Brand Manager of Country WFRG (Big Frog 104) and co-host of the Tad and Polly morning show with his wife, Stacey “Polly Wogg” McAdams (below, left). It was concurrently announced that company veteran Carl Neff (below, right) is returning to Big Frog 104 as “Polly’s” new co-host. More on that in a moment.

“We are so incredibly thankful for Bill McAdams’ immeasurable contributions to Townsquare Media,” said Market President Karen Carey. “As a programming leader over the last decade, he has helped build Big Frog 104 into a mammoth radio brand, and helped expand WFRG and all of our stations into successful, multi-media brands. We wish Bill the absolute best in his well-deserved retirement.” Townsquare Utica Director of Content David Wheeler added, “Bill McAdams has been an incredible Brand Manager for Big Frog 104, and an incredible coach in our industry for so many years. It’s sad to see him go, but we are happy he will be able to have some relaxing time on the golf course when the snow finally thaws out. We wish him nothing but the best in retirement, and look forward to watching Polly yell at his cooking on Facebook.”

Carl Neff initially joined Townsquare Utica as an intern in 2018 and worked his way up to weekend part-time on Big Frog 104 and Classic Hits sister WODZ (96.1 The Eagle). After graduating from SUNY Oswego in 2020, Neff worked as afternoon news anchor on WHCU/Ithaca, NY. He now returns to his hometown and Townsquare to co-host mornings with Polly on Big Frog 104.

Carey said of Neff, “Carl is a fresh, energetic talent who is excited to connect with the Big Frog 104 audience. Carl is starting with this sage advice: Put on your seatbelt, Carl, because you are in for one heck of a ride with Polly!” Wheeler remarked, “We are ready to kick off 2022 by welcoming home Carl Neff. I know our audience on Big Frog 104 will be excited to have him on-air with Polly, and to follow their crazy shenanigans.”

Neff exclaimed, “Getting this opportunity with Big Frog is huge for me. As someone who has grown up listening to Big Frog, joining the morning show is an unbelievable feeling. I’ve worked hard to get where I am, ever since I got my first opportunity on-air six years ago. Replacing Tadpole, a Central New York staple, has left me with big shoes to fill. But I can assure you, Polly and I will prove doubters wrong. We both have the same drive and love for media. Thank you to Townsquare for giving me this opportunity. I’m living my dream in the place I call home.”