From TOWPATH MEDIA, LLC
River Rat Country is adding to its line up and Northwest Ohio country music lovers will recognize the newest addition.
Cliff Smithers, who has been familiar to Toledo area radio listeners for the last 32 years, recently exited the K-100 morning show and will now be heard 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Monday through Friday on the internet radio station River Rat Country.
“Cliff is a great guy,” said Josh David, owner of Towpath Media, LLC. “The fact he’s not on the air in Toledo is a crime but I’m incredibly excited we’re able to use River Rat Country to keep him connected to the Northwest Ohio listeners who have come to love him for the last 32 years.”
Smithers spent many years hosting various time slots on 93.5 WRQN and K-100. He transitioned to mornings at K-100 as Gary Shores announced his retirement.
“They were brilliant in the way Gary passed the morning show on to Cliff and Lynn,” David said. “Usually a show leaves and the new guy starts Monday. With Gary, Cliff, and Lynn, they hosted together for some time and it was almost like Gary handed the keys to the number one morning show over to Cliff. That almost never happens. As a fan of radio, it was cool to hear. In a perfect world Cliff would still be there, but I’m beyond excited to have him on River Rat Country.”
River Rat Country will welcome Smithers to the team beginning Monday, July 11. Listeners will also hear another familiar voice, as longtime newsman London Mitchell provides news updates for River Rat Country at the top and bottom of every hour during the morning hours.
“Having both London and Cliff together is a dream come true,” David said. “London has been providing news updates and a phenomenal public affairs program on Towpath Radio for the last few months. Feedback has been 100% positive and we’re excited to expand his content to our country music fans.”
Mitchell exited Cumulus early in 2022 after 53 years in the industry.
“This is an exciting time for internet radio.” David said. “There are a ton of good people who are moving away from these huge corporate companies to exercise their craft on an independent level. Since the big companies own all the FM towers and are cutting staff like crazy, internet radio continues to get better.”
River Rat Country and Towpath Radio are owned by Towpath Media, LLC in Grand Rapids, Ohio. River Rat Country specializes in Classic Country, ‘90s Country, Bluegrass, and Outlaw. Towpath Radio plays hits from the ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s.
Both stations are internet based and available exclusively on the River Rat Country app, Towpath Radio app, RiverRatCountry.com, and TowpathRadio.com.
