Ellis B. Feaster: The Voice of Faith and Keeper of Radio’s Soul

In an industry where voices flicker and fade, Ellis B. Feaster’s resonates with enduring warmth, blending Christian faith, infectious energy, and an archivist’s zeal for radio’s golden era. For over four decades, Feaster has woven a remarkable career across 13 markets, from Long Island’s suburban airwaves to Orlando’s vibrant morning drive. As the longtime host of Z88.3 FM’s morning show, he infuses Central Florida with positivity, while his YouTube channel—boasting over 50,000 subscribers—preserves radio’s past for generations. A devout Christian, seasoned broadcaster, and tireless historian, Feaster’s journey is a testament to how passion and purpose can amplify a medium’s heartbeat.

Roots of Faith and Radio Dreams

Born in Long Island, New York, in the late 1950s, Ellis Feaster grew up in a working-class family where a small transistor radio became his portal to the world. At age 10, his parents gifted him the device, sparking a lifelong love affair with broadcasting. “I loved hearing the personalities—they felt like my friends,” Feaster shared in a 2024 Z88.3 FM listener Q&A. Those distant voices, crackling through the night, weren’t just entertainment; they were companions, igniting a dream to join their ranks. By 17, he landed his first part-time gig at a Long Island station, kicking off a career that would span formats and coasts.

Feaster’s Christian faith, instilled early by his parents, became a cornerstone of his life and work. His father, a man of deep conviction, envisioned him in Christian radio, a path Feaster initially resisted in favor of mainstream formats. Yet, faith subtly shaped his outlook, fostering an optimism that defined his on-air persona. A defining moment came in the late 1980s during a career setback in Seattle. Facing unemployment after a station format flip, Feaster leaned on prayer, finding solace in a church community that offered not just spiritual support but a lead to his next gig in Salt Lake City. “My faith taught me to trust the journey, even when the dial goes silent,” he later reflected on the Radio Connection Live podcast in 2024. This resilience would guide him through radio’s ups and downs, anchoring his approach with grace and gratitude.

A Career Across the Dial

Feaster’s radio odyssey began humbly in 1976 at Long Island’s WLIR, where he spun Top 40 as a weekend jock under the name Bruce Ellis. His high-energy delivery—honed through countless hours mimicking idols like Dan Ingram—caught attention, landing him at Philadelphia’s WIFI in 1978 for afternoon drive. There, he embraced R&B and disco, adapting his style to the city’s urban pulse. By the early 1980s, he was crisscrossing markets—Atlantic City’s WMGM (as Bruce Ellis), Wilmington’s WDEL, and Norfolk’s WNOR—tackling Top 40, rock, and all-news formats with a chameleon-like knack for connection. “Ellis had this ability to make every listener feel like the only one,” recalls Jim Davis, a former WNOR program director, noting Feaster’s phone-heavy, conversational style.

The late 1980s and 1990s saw Feaster’s star rise. In Tampa Bay, he joined WFLZ in 1988, hosting evenings with a Hot AC blend that topped ratings. Stints in Seattle (KUBE, 1990), Salt Lake City (KISN, 1992), and Portland (KKRZ, 1994) followed, each showcasing his versatility across Top 40, adult contemporary, and country. His 1992 aircheck from Orlando’s WCFB (B94.5), preserved on his YouTube channel, captures his peak: a vibrant afternoon show with rapid-fire listener calls and seamless segues, radiating the era’s Top 40 electricity. By 2000, Feaster landed at Orlando’s WWKA (K92FM), tackling country afternoons before returning to mornings. The station’s rigid six-song backsell format challenged him, but he thrived, earning praise for making formulaic feel fresh. “Ellis turned corporate playlists into personal stories,” says former WWKA colleague Lisa Brooks.

In 2009, Feaster’s career took a pivotal turn when friend and fellow DJ Tyler McGraw urged him to join Orlando’s Z88.3 FM, a contemporary Christian station owned by Central Florida Educational. Initially hesitant, Feaster embraced the move, fulfilling his father’s long-ago wish. “My dad always wanted me in Christian radio,” he told Z88.3 listeners. Within weeks, he was co-hosting mornings with Tyler, blending faith-based music with uplifting banter. The shift wasn’t just professional—it was spiritual, aligning his work with his beliefs. “It’s like coming home,” he said, describing the transition.

The Historian’s Passion: Preserving Radio’s Legacy

Beyond the mic, Feaster’s legacy shines through his role as a radio historian and aircheck collector. Since the 1970s, he’s amassed thousands of recordings—his own and those of departed peers—capturing the raw energy of radio’s golden years. In 2008, he launched the Ellis B Feaster Radio Channel on YouTube, now a digital museum with over 50,000 subscribers and daily uploads at 3 p.m. EST. Featuring airchecks from the 1940s to 1990s, the channel preserves voices like Rick Dees and stations like New York’s WABC at its Top 40 peak. “This isn’t just nostalgia—it’s history,” Feaster told Talking About Radio in 2023. His collection, shared by peers who entrusted him with their tapes, includes rarities like a 1969 WMCA aircheck, viewed over 10,000 times.

The channel’s impact ripples through the radio community. “Ellis’s archive is a lifeline for studying how radio shaped culture,” says historian Donna Halper, who credits his uploads for aiding her research. Listeners echo the sentiment: a 2024 comment on his WCFB aircheck reads, “This takes me back to high school in Orlando—Ellis was the voice!” With over 2,000 videos, the channel draws broadcasters and fans globally, offering a free resource for teaching radio’s craft. Feaster’s meticulous curation—digitizing fragile cassettes and annotating each clip—has made him a steward of the medium’s soul.

Orlando’s Morning Beacon

Since 2009, Feaster has anchored mornings at Z88.3 FM, Orlando’s leading contemporary Christian station, delivering “positive hits” to a loyal audience. Airing weekdays from 5:30 a.m., his show blends artists like Lauren Daigle with community updates and faith-driven encouragement. His high-octane style—think quick-witted teases and listener shoutouts—resonates in a market craving optimism. “Ellis brings joy to the morning grind,” says listener Maria Gonzalez, a 10-year fan who credits his show with lifting her commute. In 2023, Z88.3’s morning ratings ranked among Orlando’s top five, a feat program director Jim Hoge attributes to Feaster’s authenticity: “He’s not just a jock—he’s a friend to every listener.”

Feaster’s arrival at Z88.3 was serendipitous. Released from WWKA in 2008 amid format shifts, he was drawn to the station’s mission of hope. The move required sacrifices—his 2:45 a.m. wake-ups leave little room for naps, with bedtime at 6:30 p.m. sharp. Yet, he thrives on the rhythm, even “sleeping in” at 4:30 a.m. on weekends. A 2023 health scare—a suspected seizure during his shift—tested his resolve, but community prayers and a swift recovery reinforced his purpose. “The listeners’ support was overwhelming,” he told Media Confidential, flashing a hospital-room thumbs-up.

A Voice for the Ages

Ellis Feaster’s career—spanning Top 40, country, Christian, and beyond—embodies radio’s adaptability and heart. His faith, once a quiet guide, now radiates through Z88.3, where he ministers as much as he entertains. As a historian, his YouTube channel ensures radio’s past isn’t forgotten, inspiring young broadcasters like Sarah Patel, a 2024 intern who cites his airchecks as her “radio school.” Colleagues like Tyler McGraw call him “a living legend who makes everyone better.” For listeners and industry veterans, Feaster’s legacy is clear: a voice that uplifts, a passion that preserves, and a faith that endures. As radio evolves, his story reminds the next generation that the dial’s magic lies in connection—human, heartfelt, and eternal.