Air Staff

JOHN ANDERSON
Monday through Friday 6am to 9:30am

John Anderson began his broadcasting career at WPTL in 1977 when he was still a junior at Pisgah High school. He provided weekend and fill-in shifts for several years. He was the last operator in the former studio location in The Cogburn building in downtown Canton. He was also the first operator in the current studio location in Highland park. He then became employed in Asheville and served as evening, mid-day and morning show host. His last 25 years were spent as an award-winning creative director for a group of 6 radio stations in Western NC. John is a Haywood county native and is very proud to be serving as his hometown’s morning show host honoring WPTL’s commitment to the community. John has also played guitar in several local bands and feels that his musical gift brings something unique to his ability as a broadcaster.

JACK CUATT
Saturday 6am to 9:30am

Jack was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida and has always had a love
of every genre of music. From a young boy, he has always wanted to work at a
radio station. From rock to rockabilly, country to hillbilly, and gospel to
bluegrass, he has always had a varied taste in music. His first exposure to
music was a neighbor that worked in radio and he started collecting albums at
the age of 12. He spent most of his adult life in retail management and retired
to the Waynesville area 7 years ago.

BOYD WRIGHT
Weekends

Boyd is a native of Western North Carolina. Having only a radio as entertainment growing up in the mountains he became a fan of old time gospel music. Boyd attended broadcasting school in Nashville and went on to enroll in an electronics program at Southwestern Tech in Sylva, NC. He spent 35 years working for Southern Railway. Upon retirement Boyd hosted a gospel program on WRGC in Sylva and WBHN in Bryson City. He currently does volunteer interpretive work for the National Parks Service and also works as a Master Gardener in Swain and Jackson counties for the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service. He’s also a big antique car fan and has worked with the Smoky Mountain Classic Chevy Club.

TIM SURRETT
Host of Papertown Roots Radio Mondays & Wednesdays from 7pm to 10pm

Tim Surrett was born and raised in Canton, NC. With music being a big part of Tim’s life and seeing the power of music as a ministry, Tim climbed on a bus right out of high school and began a musical career that would bless him with many opportunities. Tim has played on several of the most prestigious stages in the music business like the Grand Ole Opry, Carnegie Hall and the Ryman Auditorium. Tim has also had the honor of playing and recording with some of the most talented people in the music industry such as Tony Rice, Doyle Lawson, JD Crowe, Adam Steffey, Ralph Stanley, Larry Sparks, Paul Williams, The Kingsmen, The Inspirations, Squire Parsons, Danny Roberts, and many more. Among these opportunities, Tim has also been honored with many awards such as the Singing News Fan Awards Favorite Musician of the Year.

CHARLOTTE BURKE – Middays

Charlotte Burke is a lifelong country music fan, radio nerd, and proud hobby farmer. She lives on a tiny farm with a menagerie of animals and one very small (but very expensive) tractor. A huge reader, home cook, dirt-digger, and live-music lover, she grew up in a big, music-loving family with deep roots in the industry. She’s been behind a microphone since age 14 and still loves the magic of radio — along with basketball, breaking news, and all things pop culture.

CHRIS RUSSELL – Afternoons

Born on Long Island, raised in South Carolina, Chris has mastered the art of the “non-regional dialect” and with a broadcast career spanning over 20 years, has entertained listeners spanning from Texas to New Mexico, Louisiana, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and New York. Chris has emceed and hosted such varied events as bullriding to beauty pageants to ring announcing professional wrestling! He now spends his “free” time with his wife of 30+ years, 3 dogs, and is eagerly awaiting his 1st grandchild!

JOHN GLEASON – Evenings

John has worked in radio for multiple decades and is multi-talented with his voice-acting abilities. When John is not on the radio he enjoys spending time with his family along with reading and writing.

JOHN ST. JOHN – Overnights

John has traveled the country and has made stops in Denver, Minneapolis, Kansas City, Tampa and Nashville and is country music fan. John’s two sons both work in the music industry and John and his boys enjoy the great outdoors when they can get some downtime together. There’s nothing like camping with a blazing bonfire and some loud country music playing.

JONATHON STEELE- Weekends

I started in restaurants, but was told by multiple managers that I talked to the customers too much and was telling them too many stories. They all suggested I leave them alone, leave the building, and try radio instead. So, here I am. I have one wife, three step-kids, and one granddaughter. I enjoy donuts, coffee, and red wine, but not all at the same time. If I could do my show from any location in the world, it would be on a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean. Now, that would be a good story.

MICHAEL JOHN- Weekends

I am a foodie, which means I love food! I am originally from New Jersey and grew up eating a lot of pasta, lasagna and pizza. My family and I love hanging in the backyard barbecuing–wings, ribs, steaks, burgers–my wife, Celeste is magical around the grill…I’m in charge of beverages and games. I have two daughters and a son….Amia, Hailey and John I started my radio career in Las Vegas and had a blast….remember “What happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas”….my love handles really enjoyed the all you can eat buffets!