A Bright Light Late Into the Night
WIP’s Steve Trevelise Doesn’t Just Talk, He Listens
The world of radio has changed considerably over the past decade. Automation now dominates so many radio stations. Consider this: There are currently 195 radio stations in the Philadelphia ADI (Area of Dominant Influence). That includes all the stations here at the Shore. On any given Friday night-Saturday morning, there’s exactly one person and one station broadcasting live overnight out of those nearly 200 stations.
One person!
That person would be none other than Sea Isle City’s very own Steve Trevelise on SportsRadio 94 WIP.
Think Wolfman Jack from “American Graffiti” but without the records. And a lot further north and east than Wolfman’s Mexican outpost. Depending on your age, you may need to search for that one on YouTube to fully comprehend the reference.
You may know Trevelise from radio powerhouse NJ101.5, seeing him around town or from his former business in town, Coffee Dot Comedy, that he and his wife operated from 2003 until 2007 on JFK Boulevard. But there’s so much more to this broadcaster/comedian that makes him a fascinating radio personality.
“I knew from the time that I was 17 that I wanted to be on the radio, I loved the medium,” he says from his home studio. A fan of the legendary Don Imus of “Imus in the Morning” fame, Trevelise longed to experience the lifestyle that he imagined. “The idea that I could play songs, tell some jokes, make a living and be home by 10 each morning appealed to me,” he adds with a noticeable snicker.
A native of Union City, which is located just outside of the Lincoln Tunnel, Trevelise’s career path like that of so many broadcasters, began at a college radio station. That, in turn, led to stops at a series of stations in central New Jersey including WRLB, WHLW, and WPST. Some of those early career opportunities paid a whopping $2.65 an hour. So much for the part about making a living.
“The call” finally came in 1982 when the music director from WYSP in Philadelphia reached out to him after listening to his morning drive show on his way to work. “He invited me to send some tapes. This was about the time that WYSP had persuaded several well-known Philadelphia personalities to move over to WYSP.
“Many of the new contracts included generous vacation benefits. So, in addition to my two weekend shifts I did lots of fill-ins,” he says. “I’d jokingly refer to them as 16-day music marathons because I’d work as many as 16 days without a day off.”
Some of the gang at Coffee Dot Comedy in Sea Isle City circa 2005 with 6ABC’s Gary Papa (back left) and Big Daddy Graham (back right).
The fill-in opportunities continued until WYSP landed a spot as the first outer-market affiliate station of the “The Howard Stern Show.” Trevelise was named news director and handled the news updates that were part of the Stern broadcast at that time.
His tour of the Philadelphia radio universe continued at Express/Shadow Traffic, WXTU, Star 104, Alice 104.5 and eventually some time at New Jersey 101.5, the giant signal that covers and dominates most of the State of New Jersey.
“I came to realize that I wanted to explore talk radio,” he says.
So, he reached out to Tom Bigby, the operations manager and person widely considered the one who perfected the sports talk format at WIP. Bigby explained that he needed someone to handle sports news updates at the station. “Tom essentially said, ‘You help me, I’ll help you.’ I filled in all over the station, but I also began doing weekend overnights on a regular basis.”
That was back in 2007. Over the years, Trevelise has continued to fill many roles at WIP but the overnight shift on Fridays has been consistent for nearly 15 years now.
Steve performing his stand-up act at Catch A Rising Star Comedy Club at the Hyatt Regency in Princeton.
In addition to his Friday night overnight slot, Trevelise also fills in on Tuesday through Thursday evenings on NJ 101.5 from 7-11pm. But the overnight slot requires a special personality.
“Overnights are a hangout,” he explains proudly. “We always pick up new listeners who discover that we are live, but there are lots of regulars that I can count on from week to week.” He knows their names, their voices, the teams they like. “If we don’t hear from a regular caller for a period of time, we become concerned,” he says. “It’s like a family.”
Depending on the Philadelphia sports scene, you might be amazed to hear the number of callers queued up at 3:30 on a Saturday morning waiting to chat on the air with Trevelise.
“That’s what makes it so much fun,” he says. “People listen for the sports, but we often roll into other topics. There are some nights when the number of calls is nothing short of amazing.”
Radio experts like to speculate that perhaps 1% of the listening audience will pick up the telephone and call in to a talk program. So, for Trevelise to have a “full board” in the middle of the night is an amazing accomplishment. It takes a special personality to settle into the overnight shift.
Trevelise quickly credits a Sea Isle City legend for his on-air format and the success of his show.
“Big Daddy Graham was just a very special guy,” he says of the WIP personality, comic, and Sea Isle Times columnist who passed away in 2021. “I miss him so much. He was a guy that a guy like me could aspire to be. Between his overnight show five nights a week on WIP, to his comedy appearances, his books. Big Daddy was the hardest-working man in radio. He was an inspiring guy to so many people.”
So, who exactly are these people that are listening all night?
“People who are up so late at night are up for a reason,” he reasons. “Some people are at work. Others might be lonely or just can’t sleep.” Still some others are more desperate. “On more than one occasion we’ve had someone in a very desperate situation. That’s when my producer and I have had to scramble to be sure we were able to get them the help that they need.”
Behind the mic doing his evening radio show
Despite the jokes and laughs, there’s a responsibility to being a live voice on radio. Especially in today’s world, when there are fewer and fewer of them. Especially at night.
Don’t be surprised if you’re listening to his show some early Saturday morning at about 2:45 and suddenly hear Frank Sinatra’s “One for My Baby,” with the line “It’s a quarter to three.” It’s one of Trevelise’s signature bits that listeners have come to expect and anticipate where he will take them this week with the segment.
In between his radio programs and comedy appearances is when Trevelise heads to Sea Isle City to unwind. A visitor to the city since the early 1980s, he and his wife, Deneen, purchased their home from his in-laws. Steve and Deneen enjoy their time at the beach with their 17 year old twins Albert and Lennon. “Sea Isle City is fantastic,” he adds without a pause. “Summer in Sea Isle City is like no other. The town is full of friendly people who relax and enjoy themselves. Everyone is so friendly, we love it here.”
When he gushes about Sea Isle City or his profession, you can’t help but feel like you’re having a conversation with Big Daddy Graham. “I love going to work,” he concludes. “It’s always different but it’s always a blast.”
“Steve is devoted to his stations and listeners,” said Marc Rayfield, former regional vice president of CBS Radio. “Steve is a true radio craftsman every sense of the word.” I believe that every radio station would be lucky to have a Steve Trevelise.”
Want to Experience Steve Trevelise Yourself?
94 WIP Friday/Saturday 11pm-6am available on the Audacy app
NJ 101.5 Tuesday through Thursday 7-11pm, NJ101.5 app - NJ 101.5 Saturday 3-7pm when the music comes out to play
Both available for free from the app store
Fridays this summer “Catch a Rising Star,” Hyatt Regency, Princeton
July 8 and 22 Ocean Place Resort & Spa, Long Branch, N.J.