Be Be Bonati, Grew up in Jacksonville, Florida with

Ÿ         Mom - Dutch, English, Irish - Pavo, Georgia

Ÿ         Dad   - Italian - Buffalo, New York

The top letter is one I saved from my first station WSPF in Hickory, NC. And the photos of me on the signs at the truck stops of America at exit 29, in thermals but check out those gas prices that was all apart of wild Wednesdays at WGIG-FM in Brunswick. The photo with the plaid jacket was in the studio at what is now WROO-FM in Jacksonville, Florida.

     

 

 

The Bottom photo was an actual elephant race and it was Tons of fun!!!

I started singing at age 8 for family and friends then picked up the guitar

around 12, played at high school shows and talent competitions.

Started playing Drums at 14, Joined bands at 15 played parties and VFW clubs.

Spent most of my time at the beach and playing with bands. 

Ÿ         Got my first solo gig at The Purple Jester - off Arlington Expressway.

Ÿ         That led to one of many Radio Interviews and once behind the mic at the radio studio I was hooked.

Was awarded a vocal scholarship to attend Jacksonville University

After two semesters went to FCCJ on full scholarship.

Made great friends that were also talented musicians and we started a band called BMC Connection playing at local parties and Shakey’s pizza parlor. BMC Connection recorded our first album, and had some airplay on one of the songs. That was our 3 minutes of fame as BMC Connection.

Since I always wanted to play music with my dad it wasn’t long before I joined him as Drummer/Vocalist.

He played Keys, Trumpet and sang and we became The Generation Gap.

Ÿ         We played at Swain’s Charcoal Steakhouse

Ÿ         The Sea Turtle

Ÿ         The Chateau

Ÿ         Then my dad and I played on the road up and down the east coast.

Ÿ         We played together 5 nights a week for 6 years, recorded several albums and went on many radio interviews.

I performed as guest vocalist with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra - Pops Series on 4 separate occasions

Continued performing with great musicians in Jacksonville.

Ÿ         Recorded in Nashville and finally auditioned for the “You Can Be A Star Show”  I won the first

       Segment and lost the second segment. Another 3 minutes of fame.

Ÿ         Recording with Jan Sherman at Sally Industries was always wonderful and something I continue to do.

Ÿ         I moved to Ft. Lauderdale and played with some great musicians there.

Then came the big move to join some friends in Hickory, North Carolina where I delivered pizza’s, dusted biscuits, and picked strawberries in between playing for the Fred Astaire dance groups and competitions. 

That is where I decided I had to be behind the mic and could not deny the magic of the radio studio.   I got my best vocal tape ready and went to the station in Hickory. Heard nothing for weeks then got the call I would be a part of WSPF - AM. 

Ÿ         From Hickory, NC WSPF - AM to

Ÿ         Jesup, Ga and Waycross WQCW - FM to

Ÿ         WGIG - FM with Joe Willie in the mornings and I was hooked. I got an offer to go to Jacksonville, Florida at a Major Market station, WROO - FM, I tried my wings at that but after a year I knew I had to come back to The Beautiful Golden Isles and be able to enjoy the people I worked with. I called Joe and came up here many times but there wasn’t anything for me just yet. I continued to work in music and the recording studios in Jacksonville waiting for something to break. Finally I just moved here and bang a spot came open and I went to work then followed Joe to the next radio adventure. He introduced me to Mark who helped dust off some of the cobwebs and that‘s pretty much how things moved in my world at MAGIC - 105.9. The most important thing is that I love being in Radio, I love the listeners, The Music and the wonderful people I work with. I feel very blessed to be here enjoying my job and all that goes with it.

Ÿ         Guess you could say it’s MAGIC! (I had to say it ).