tion to keep everyone informed of what bands are playing in town. Ocean98 is the go-to station for locals and visitors alike to get all their information. While there is no doubt that this is a local radio station, it is also very popular with online listeners. Recent analytics show that the station is regularly streamed in 67 countries around the world every day! Since 2005, the Ocean City area has been waking up to "Bulldog's Rude Awakening Show" weekdays from 6-10 am. Show host and station general manager, David "Bulldog" Rothner enjoys waking up each morning at 3:30 am to go to what he calls "the greatest job in the world." In addition to being a local morning show, The Rude Awakening Show also features daily interviews which range from A-list celebrities to New York Times best-selling authors, top touring comedians, Musicians, TV stars, Hollywood actors, professional athletes and a myriad of others. According to Bulldog, the show is really for the listeners. "While we do prepare for the show, we also encourage the show to be listener driven. It's a very interactive show with people calling and texting in non-stop." The station is active in social media, posting a "Facebook Question of the Day" that has become a popular routine for their 50,000 plus followers. The current cast of daily characters joining Bulldog includes Big Al Reno, Coach, Marla, and Lee from Malibu's Surf Shop. Additionally, there are regular contributors ranging from local restaurateurs to a rocket scientist. This is no ordinary morning radio show! Bulldog and Moore were friends for many years since meeting in the Caribbean, where Bulldog lived on the island of St. Maarten. But it wasn't until 2004 when Moore suggested Bulldog move to the Ocean City area and join the station that Ocean98 began to morph into what it is today. The two were a perfect complement of each other and they both shared the vision for what a local radio station should be. "You need to be small enough to be part of the community," Bulldog said, "And you also need to be larger than life." The station has established itself and has been called "....one of the best radio stations in the world" by The Washington Post. Ocean98 has won numerous awards both locally and regionally. It is home to some of the most popular and wellattended events including, "The Party," which is held each December at Seacrets and is a combination of a listener appreciation and Seacrets customer appreciation party. The "Ocean98 Golf Tournament" is the one golf tournament you don't even have to know how to play golf to participate. "Reggae Play Day" in the streets of Berlin has drawn thousands to America's Coolest Small Town. Both "The Best Bloody Mary" contest and "The Best Wings Around Contest" attract the area's top bars and restaurants, showcasing their unique recipes. The winner is judged by attendees of the event, and all listeners are invited. The Ocean98 Foundation was created several years ago to help raise funds for various charities and to fund their annual Ocean98 Cash for College program. The Cash for College program awards local students in Wicomico, Worcester, and Sussex County $3,000 each year to use towards their college education. The foundation has also supported local hospitals Peninsula Regional Medical Center and Atlantic General Hospital. The Believe in Tomorrow Children's House by the Sea, the Humane Society, Diakonia, and many more.
Ocean98 continues to evolve and will keep working to stay on the cutting edge. It was the first station in the area to add an app to allow listeners to take the station with them on their phones. They were one of the first stations in the market to initiate a text line to stay connected with listeners. The morning show is known for its spontaneous remotes and has broadcast live from New York, Jamaica, Washington DC, Vermont, Chicago, and even throughout Europe. Plans for future remotes are in the works and will include international artists joining the broadcast. With Ocean98, you need to stay tuned because you can always expect the unexpected. The regular weekday lineup of Bulldog and The Rude Awakening Show, Middays with Marla, The Afternoon Coast with Colleen, and Nights with Schwab is punctuated by an outstanding weekend schedule. Billy Bruce hosts the Rock Inside the Hall Show and Rock Outside the Hall Show, local artist Kaleb Brown hosts Island Time featuring arguably the greatest collection of reggae, and DJ Bobby O and Stevie J complete this impressive combination of talent. Ocean98 truly has something for everyone! For those who may be planning a trip to Ocean City, Maryland, we suggest you stream ocean98.com before you arrive, so you are in the know of what is going on. When you show up, you can tune in to 98.1FM to stay current and to hear the best of rock. Chances are once you tune in, you'll never turn it off.
"Bulldog" Inside Ocean City
2020
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