Walker Vreeland Signs Off WBAZ

Radio personality Walker Vreeland signed off WBAZ 102.5 FM in Water Mill for the last time on Friday, December 9, as he bids farewell to the East End and moves back to New York City to pursue his passions.

He attributed his decision to leave to his recent illness and surgery—he was diagnosed with bile duct cancer and had three-quarters of his liver removed earlier this year.

“You can run from your essential nature but you can’t hide,” Mr. Vreeland said in a statement. “Eventually push comes to shove, and for me the ‘shove’ came in the form of illness: something that forces you to get real with yourself, real quick; to stop delaying the change you know you need to make, and resisting who you truly are and what brings you the most joy.”

He said he will now focus his life on writing, acting, voiceover work, and his autobiographical one-man show, “From Ship to Shape,” which he produced as a staged reading this past spring for Bay Street Theater’s New Works Festival in Sag Harbor. He will continue to produce his podcast, “Interview with the Artist,” in which he talks to musicians, actors, comedians and other creative celebrities.

Mr. Vreeland worked for WBAZ’s parent company, Long Island Radio Broadcasting, for 10 years, and his most recent responsibility was hosting the WBAZ afternoon slot.

Outside of the radio studio, Mr. Vreeland put a face to his voice by hosting East End Arts’ Teeny Awards ceremony, which honors high school thespians, and the Taste of Tuckahoe fundraiser for the Tuckahoe School, among other public appearances.

“It breaks my heart to say goodbye to Walker on a daily basis, but I am so proud of my colleague and friend and excited for his future,” said Lauren Stone, the owner of the Long Island Radio Broadcasting Hamptons cluster. “Walker has so many talents in addition to radio: he is a gifted singer, a songwriter, playwright, and actor. I admire his decision to follow his heart and his dreams.”