Ted “The Bear” Richards

Ted “The Bear” Richards: A Legendary Radio Career

Origins and Early Career (Carolinas and Florida)

Ted “The Bear” Richards, born Robert Theodore Richards, began his radio journey in 1965 at WBLR in Batesburg-Leesville, South Carolina. He further honed his skills at WDXY in Sumter, South Carolina, and with the Armed Forces Radio network. By the early 1970s, Richards had advanced to WAPE 690 AM in Jacksonville, Florida—a dynamic Top 40 station known as “The Big Ape.” There, he adopted the on-air name “Teddy Bear” Richards, a nickname that evolved into his signature “The Bear” persona. At WAPE, Richards embraced the Drake-Chenault programming style and worked alongside emerging talents like Jay Thomas, setting the stage for his subsequent move to CKLW.​

The Big 8 Era at CKLW (1972–1984)

In 1972, Richards joined CKLW AM 800 in Windsor, Ontario, a powerhouse Top 40 station serving the Detroit market, famously known as “The Big 8.” He remained a prominent figure there until the mid-1980s, becoming one of the station’s longest-tenured and most cherished voices. Richards typically handled the evening and late-night shifts, often the 6–9 pm slot, where his smooth, resonant delivery and engaging on-air persona quickly garnered a loyal following. His warm, booming voice and upbeat style made listeners feel as though they had a fun-loving friend on the radio each night.​

Richards developed a reputation for infusing entertainment into the structured Top 40 format. He enlivened his shows with creative bits, character voices, and occasional celebrity impersonations. On Sunday nights, he hosted playful “celebrity star” segments featuring colleagues impersonating famous voices—from John Wayne to Fats Domino—delighting listeners and pushing the envelope of the station’s format. He also produced an annual Halloween special, the “Halloweenie Show,” complete with faux witches and humorous spooky weather forecasts, showcasing his flair for theater-of-the-mind radio. As former CKLW producer Gary Tinnes recalled, Richards was a “perfectionist and an extremely talented guy” who poured his heart into every show. “You didn’t just do his show, you lived it,” Tinnes remarked.​

Night after night, “The Bear” brought an infectious energy that resonated with Motor City youth. His timely one-liners and skillful talk-ups—hitting the vocal of a song post—were delivered with effortless cool and precision. Listeners from Detroit to Windsor, and well beyond given CKLW’s expansive signal, felt the excitement. Fellow broadcasters and fans have attested to Richards’ impact. One Detroit radio veteran reminisced that “Ted was the coolest jock on the radio, hands down,” noting how Richards knew “the music…better than anyone, and he knew how to talk around every tune…better than anyone.” This admirer credits Ted “The Bear” as the very reason he pursued a career in radio, saying, “He was why I wanted to be in radio.” Indeed, Richards’ larger-than-life on-air personality—equal parts friendly DJ, music expert, and mischievous ringmaster—helped cement CKLW’s legacy as a legendary station. During his tenure, CKLW consistently topped market ratings, with Richards’ show playing a pivotal role in that success. He remained with “The Big 8” until the end of its Top 40 era in late 1984, becoming an integral part of Detroit broadcasting lore.​

Post-CKLW: Detroit Radio and Beyond (1980s–1990s)

After CKLW’s Top 40 era concluded, Richards continued to be a significant presence in Detroit radio. In the mid-1980s, he joined WHND AM 560 (“Honey Radio”), an oldies station that perfectly suited Richards’ nostalgic style and love for classic hits. He also worked at Detroit’s WOMC-FM, the market’s leading oldies/classic hits outlet, alongside other Detroit radio greats, including fellow CKLW alum Dick Purtan. Richards’ involvement with WOMC and WHND in the ’80s contributed to those stations’ success, as he brought along many fans who remembered him from CKLW.​

By the early 1990s, Richards ventured beyond Detroit. He had a stint at WRQN in Toledo, Ohio, another oldies station not far from Detroit. In 1992, he returned closer to his roots, joining WTRG in Raleigh, North Carolina. WTRG (“Oldies 100.7”) served the Raleigh/Durham market, reintroducing Richards to Carolina audiences. This period demonstrated Richards’ versatility—he could transition between markets and still connect with listeners through his trademark smooth patter and deep knowledge of pop hits. After decades in local radio, a new opportunity emerged that would take Ted Richards’ voice nationwide.​

National Syndication with Jones Radio Network (1990s–2000s)

In the mid-1990s, Richards transitioned into syndicated radio, leveraging his veteran experience. He joined the Jones Radio Networks (JRN) based in Colorado, becoming the morning show host for JRN’s nationally syndicated “Good Time Oldies” format. This role transformed “The Bear” into a coast-to-coast presence, with his show distributed to over 150 markets across America each day. From a studio hub in Denver, Richards broadcasted golden oldies and friendly banter, effectively recreating the feel of local upbeat radio for affiliate stations nationwide. Industry colleagues noted that Richards adapted to syndication naturally; his clever and entertaining style resonated with a broad audience. Throughout the late 1990s and 2000s, he became a familiar voice to a new generation of listeners who may not have heard him on CKLW but now enjoyed his personality on their hometown oldies station. Ted Richards remained the morning drive host on Jones Radio’s Oldies format for roughly a decade, preserving the spirit of classic Top 40 radio in the satellite age.​

Even while heard nationally, Richards maintained ties to Detroit’s radio community.