Don’t miss Fred, weekday mornings from 6am-9am, and Sundays 12p-5p.
At the age of 14, Fred Rouse’s love of music led him to buy his first DJ gear with his parents help. He began playing for school parties in Eastern NC and had to be driven by his Dad because he wasn’t old enough to get a drivers license! Even as a high school student at 16, he began working part time at WZKB Wallace with HOF DJ Mack Jones.
In 1995 Fred gravitated to WRNS in Kinston, a popular country station working with Wayne Carlyle, but after meeting the iconic Steve Hardy, Fred realized that beach music radio was where he needed to be.
Being mentored by Steve landed Fred a spot at Sunny Fm 94.3 with a Sunday afternoon slot. As the station’s ownership changed Fred found a new home at Kool 98.7 (WKOO-FM) in Jacksonville, NC with radio veteran Clay McCauley. Soon after this association, they also started recording a syndicated version of “Coast-to-Coast Beach Favorites”. This show was carried weekly to over 30 affiliates. The first year they won awards for “FM DJ” and “Syndicated Show of the Year”.
Fred continued playing mobile jobs on weekends and stepped away from radio for a couple of years. In 2011 was rehired by a former boss for the “Beach Boogie and Blues” network in Eastern NC . During COVID the morning show was a fan favorite. At BB&B, Fred continues to play the best in Beach Music.
Fred is grateful for all the support by his listeners and thanks the CBMA for his recent induction into the Beach Music Hall of Fame. After 36 years, Fred is still living his dream!