Here's the Top Ten Things, and then some, that you might not know about Bob Bumbera.
Born and raised in
Born in Cumberland, MD, lived in Downingtown, PA till I was 7 yrs old. Moved to Folsom, NJ (just south of Hammonton) from 1972 until 1983 when I went to college.
First Record Purchased
It was either Elton John's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road or Kiss' Destroyer. I do know both were 8-track cartridges!
First Concert
1979, Billy Joel Glass Houses tour in Philly at The Spectrum.
Bands you've played in
None officially, but I have made several "singing cameao/karaoke appearances" during my life, most recently with my good friend John Spencer's band "Nervous Rex" @ Yeats Pub in Ardmore, PA
Musician you were was most excited to meet
Michael Macdonald (Doobie Brothers) Indigo Girls, Sheryl Crow
Favorite Local Bands
Several... The Hooters, Beru Revue, Tommy Conwell & Young Rumblers, Johnny O & The Classic Dogs of Love.
All Time Favorite Bands/Artists
U2, Patty Griffin, Rolling Stones, Smithereens, Otis Redding, Sly & the Family Stone.
Favorite Movie
Don't just have one... but several of the classics, of course: The Natural, The Godfather, Pulp Fiction, and recently, I loved In Bruges.
How You Got into Radio
I decided in college that it was a mistake to try and pursue a career in engineering & decided to go after a career that I thought would be enjoyable to wake up to every morning. Volunteered at WKDU radio @ Drexel University. and started writing and reading the news.
Weirdest Boss
I once had a boss who thought I should make "Bob Bomber" my radio name. I decided to keep my real name, Bob Bumbera (many people think it's Bob Umbera from the way I say it on-air).
Favorite People
In addition to my wife and three children... my extended family at XPN, of course!
Three things you don't know about me
1. Got my big break in Philadelphia radio from "Mr. Invincible" himself and former Philadelphia Eagles great Vince Papale, whom I'm still friends with.
2. Used to really enjoy (and was fairly decent at) playing saxophone.
3. I was an intern for John DeBella and the late Mark "The Shark" Drucker for WMMR's "The Morning Zoo" in the early/mid 80's in Phila.
Previous jobs
Have worked at several radio/tv stations including 950am WPEN, Sportsradio 610 WIP, 1580 WTYO, WMGM-TV 40 Atlantic City. I was a bartender & bouncer for several years in order to maintain my “radio habit.” I also labored in concrete construction & installed fiberglass installation over the summer (real blast) & worked at a farm, packing peaches & tomatoes.
College
Drexel University 1983-1988
What you do in your spare time?
Coach my kids in their respective activities: soccer, baseball, basketball. Really like dedicating some time to the gym every week and once in a while I play golf.
