Radio and automobiles have been lifelong passions for the host of Auto World... Born in Boston, Bob Long is a veteran of 30-plus years in the profession of radio broadcasting. Today he is considered by most to be the #1 Automotive Radio Personality in America.
Bob started his radio career at age 17 and has worked at many different radio stations from 1000 to 50,000 watts. His love of sports got him interested in a broadcasting career at an elementary school age, but during his college years Bob expanded his interests into news, auto journalism and music radio. Long was major market music host on many stations specializing in 70’s and 80’s music during the 1980’s. He was a host in formats included A/C, oldies and, CHR.
In the late 1980's Bob got an opportunity to work in national sports talk radio on the Sports Final and American Forum/Business Radio Networks. Long was a trivia host on the largest sports radio network of its time. Broadcast nightly on over 135 stations.
In 1992 Long, along with four other broadcasters, formed the Talk America Radio Networks. From its humble beginnings to its expansion to over 500 markets, two talk networks, Spanish music network, and news service, Long served as VP Programming and Affiliate Relations, as well as a producer and host for sports, current affairs, and AutoWorld Radio until the company was sold in 2002.
In 1995 Long created a radio trade publication "The Guide to Talk Radio Programming" and served as its editor in chief and publisher through 1999.
From 1996-1998 Long was co-host of the national sports program "Grandestand", with veteran broadcasters Carl and George Grande (radio voice of the Cincinnati Reds).
From 2000-2002 Long was the Co Host and producer of the radio version of the Speed Channel Television series Car Crazy. The program was distributed through both Talk America Radio Networks and The National Radio Network. Also from 2000-2002 Long was national spokesperson for the Sears Diehard Security Battery.
Long served as news anchor and sub host for Motor Trend Radio from 2000-2002. In late 2002 Bob was named host and executive producer of Motor Trend Radio Magazine and Motor Trend Weekend, a position held up until late Oct 2010. During Long’s tenure the show doubled it affiliate count and became heard in NYC, Chicago and Atlanta just name a few new major markets.
Long sculptured Motor Trend Radio's format to bring the pages of the world’s most respected auto authority to life. The program was syndicated through the Talk Radio Network on over 145 radio stations. During Long’s tenure the show gained huge growth when it was added to the Stars 2 lineup Sirius 108 /XM 139 as a live feed Sat and Sun 11-1PM ET. Long was also a contributing writing for Motor Trend magazine, he also had a blog on www.motortrend.com called “Radio Active”.
Over the years Long has received 32 International Automotive Media Awards for broadcast excellence. The IAMA highest honor “Best of Radio" was received by Long in: 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2008, 2009 and 2010.
Long also is the host of The Daily Syndicated Automotive feature called "The Long Drive" distributed through the Sun Radio Network and Talk Shows USA. It is heard on hundreds of stations around North America and more than 4 radio networks.
Long is also the host of Hagerty’s Inside Classic Cars the only national show devoted to Classic Cars From it is start in April 2010 it has received rave reviews. The show is heard Sunday’s live 4-5PM ET on the American Talk Radio Network as well as 8-9PM PT on the Radio America Network.
In 2010 Long became national spokesperson for Gumout and returning to his broadcast roots created the American Talk Radio Network with a partner company in CO.
2011 will bring the launch of an exciting new radio network created by Long; The Automotive Radio Network will be the world’s first network of its kind. Also in 2011 look for Long to launch at least one more syndicated radio show
Radio on the Road," a book by William Hutchings, listed Long's AutoWorld show and in particular, Host, Bob Long as a must hear. This book lists more than 15,000 stations in the U.S. and Canada with their call letters, frequency, and broadcast format. "If you're traveling on a Sunday," Hutchings writes, "or at home where you can hear one of his broadcasts, tune Bob in-he's a listening pleasure and a real pro."
Long's lifelong passion includes for cars from every era going back to his childhood, when he started reading and collecting auto magazines and memorabilia. Vehicle wise Long has been the owner of several Mustangs and Corvettes and other collectable vehicles
Long’ automotive passion runs deep for many other makes including Jaguar, Aston Martin Porsche and all things Italian. Some other key areas of automotive interest include Cords, Packard’s, and Duisenberg’s, America Muscle Cars and especially Super Cars