The Coast Crew

Bill Bradley
Host, The Coast Morning Show

Weekdays from 6-9am

A broadcast Veteran in Cape Breton for over 30 years. Bill’s passion for radio started in the late 80’s. Graduating from Memorial High in Sydney Mines from The Radio/TV program, he then went on to Graduate from Loyalist College of Applied Arts and Technology in Ontario with a Broadcasting Diploma. Bill is a proud member of our community and believes in giving back. In 2019 he was the Media Liaison for The Canadian Senior Little League Championship.

Phil Thompson
Program Director
Host, The Coast Mid-Morning Show

Weekdays from 9-11am

Phil has been a well known broadcaster in the Cape Breton market for over 40 years starting at CJCB in 1976, working on The CAPE 949 and MAX 98.3FM as On Air afternoon Host and Promotions Director.  Joining the crew at The Coast 89.7 in September of 2016 as New Program Director and midday host.  Phil is very active in community work, Past President of the Sydney Sunrise Rotary Club, Sydney Ribfest and more.

Bill MacNeil
General Manager
Host, Country Café

Weekdays from 11am-1pm

Bill MacNeil is the General Manager of Coastal Community Radio Co-operative and Music Director for The Coast 89.7.  Through his dedication and follow through on the idea for a radio station that specializes in East Coast Music, The Coast 89.7 was born. Bill is responsible for the overall management of the station. Outside of his management responsibilities, Bill can be heard on-air with Country Cafe weekdays 11am-1pm. He also takes an active role in the production of commercials and promos. Under his leadership, the station was named The Radio Station of the Year Award at the 2011 East Coast Music Awards and nominated for Radio Station of the Year at the 2011 Music Nova Scotia Awards. Bill has been a long time advocate for local musicians and believes in locally owned and operated radio for Cape Breton. Bill began his radio career with CKBW Bridgewater and was Operations Manager & Music Director with CKPE-FM Sydney until 1993 when he left radio to work in the Music Industry. He returned to radio in 2003 when Coastal Community Radio Cooperative was established. Despite his many responsibilities at The Coast 89.7, Bill is a proud Rotarian with the Rotary Club of Sydney Sunrise.

Ron Neville
Afternoon Drive/Sunday Brunch Host

Weekdays from 3-6pm
Sundays from 9am-12pm

Ron Neville first caught the radio bug listening to local stations at around the age of 10, and later to international short wave stations as a teenager. Ron, a native of Glace Bay, graduated from the Kingstec broadcasting course in Kentville, Nova Scotia in 1980, and joined the staff of CHER Radio in Sydney later that year. He left CHER in 1988 to pursue a university education in computers, always with a view to combining his dual interests of broadcasting and radio. His educational pursuits continued thru the 90s and his spark for radio was reignited in 1998 when he volunteered at CAPR radio at UCCB (now CBU), and later at Radio FreeECMA. As an adamant supporter of community-based radio, Ron joined The Coast 89.7 in early 2006, performing production and on-air duties while it was still a special events station. With the launch of the 6,000-watt station he took on news duties from December 2007 until October 2008, when he returned to his first love, music announcing and commercial production.

Rhonda MacKenzie
Midday/Weekend Host

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 1-3pm
Saturdays from 7am-2pm
Sundays from 1-5pm

Rhonda MacKenzie has worked behind the scenes and on-air at CJCB, 94.9 The Cape and MAX 98.3 for 13 years. A graduate of Riverview Rural High School, Rhonda went on to get a Bachelor of Arts Community Studies degree from UCCB (now CBU) as well as completing their Theatre Arts Certificate Program. She has been involved with theatre groups in high school and university, appearing on stage as well as working with the technical side. Rhonda is happy to be a member of The Coast 89.7 family.

Scott Purdie
Host, Flashback Friday

Fridays from 6-10pm

Scott Purdie has been with The Coast since its launch in December 2007. Scott is the host of Flashback Friday, and also does fill in duty – whether on the Coast morning show or afternoon drive along with weekends and holidays. Scott’s favourite East Coast & Canadian artists include The Trews, The Arkells, The Sheepdogs, The Blue Stones, The Glorious Sons, etc. He is also involved in coaching hockey with Cape Breton Blizzard female hockey. In the summer, Scott can be found exploring the trails and beaches all over Cape Breton.

Jonathan Lewis
On-Air Host & Creative Director

Monday and Tuesday from 1-3pm
Saturdays from 2-6pm

The Legend of Jonathan Lewis begins in ancient times, in a long-forgotten era known only as 1992. Since then, he has travelled, lived and explored all across Canada, forming himself into the attempt of a human being that graces the Coast airwaves whenever his schedule tells him to. Jonathan never saw himself working in radio, it just kinda happened. His background is a picture of Goku from Dragon Ball Z and he… what? Ohhhh, professional background, not my desktop background. That makes more sense…no, no I’ll leave it in, I’m too lazy to delete it. His professional background is in theatre, he has a BFA in fine arts specializing in theatre (acting) from Memorial University NFLD and he has done work with most of the theatre companies here in the CBRM.

Donnie Campbell
Host, Celtic Serenade

Sundays from 5-8pm

Donnie Campbell is the host of Cape Breton’s longest running radio program. For over 45 years Celtic Serenade has been showcasing artists and delighting audiences across Cape Breton and around the World thanks to online streaming. Join Donnie every Sunday evening from 5pm-8pm for three hours of the very best in Celtic, Bluegrass, Folk and East Coast Music!

Email Donnie celticserenade@bellaliant.net

Bobby Nock
News Director/Morning News Anchor

Weekdays every hour from 6am-11am, every half hour at 6:30, 7:30, 8:30

Bobby grew up in Whycocomagh before moving to Halifax to attend university where he earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Journalism degree. After university, Bobby moved back to Cape Breton where he began working as a freelance journalist and has done work for both print media and as a broadcast journalist. When he’s not working as a journalist, Bobby turns his hand to his first passion – art. His work has been shown in venues across the Maritimes as well as New York City. His current project is his second year-long Marathon of Art. Beginning with the opening of the London Olympics, Bobby has produced a work of art everyday and posted the results on his website. As the News Director, Bobby Nock will get your day started by bringing you information that helps connect you to the community with all the latest in local news.

David Desveaux
Afternoon News Anchor

Weekdays every hour from 12pm-5pm, every half hour at 4:30 & 5:30

Dave Desveaux, a native of New Waterford leverages his experience and passion for research in The Coast 89.7 Newsroom where as the Weekday Newscaster. His foray into radio began with a research position at The Coast, which led to the production of a radio documentary on the music of the Mi’kmaq people. The program, entitled “First Nations, First Music” was co-produced with fellow Coast personality Ron Neville and released in early 2011. A graduate of Breton Education Centre, Dave went on to get a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and Sociology from Cape Breton University, as well as a Master of Arts Degree in Sociology from Dalhousie University. He has worked as a teaching assistant at Dalhousie, and in various short-term customer service and research positions.

Bill MacCuish
Host, Dialogue & News Anchor

New Episode every Sunday at 12pm
Encore Presentations on Tuesday & Thursday nights from 10-11pm

I’ve had the pleasure of working in radio news rooms here on the East Coast, Ontario, and the Northwest Territories.  At the Coast, you’ll hear me on Dialogue. It’s a weekly show featuring stories of interesting people, places and events. If you have any suggestions for a show or news tips, please contact me at maccuish@coastalradio.ca.  

Paul MacDougall
The Good Sentence (Dialogue Podcast)

New Episode every Sunday at 12pm
Encore Presentations on Tuesday & Thursday nights from 10-11pm

Paul has been a contributor/interviewer for The Good Sentence segment on the station’s current affairs show Dialogue since 2014. Paul writes plays, short fiction, book reviews, newspaper and magazine articles and a monthly column for the Cape Breton Post, on local sports history topics. He is the author of the book ‘Distinction Earned, Cape Breton Boxing legends,’ has dabbled a bit in film and radio plays and bicycles as much as he can, anywhere he can. His day job is Senior Instructor in Health Sciences at CBU.

Dave Wilson
Weekend News Anchor

The Coast 89.7 Welcomes back Dave Wilson from Glace Bay to Weekend News!