Bruce Williams
Encyclopedia
Bruce H. Williamsis an American
radio host
, entrepreneur
, writer
and former politician
. His nationally-syndicated talk show
, The Bruce Williams Show, aired throughout the United States for 29 years, until ending production in March 2010. Williams has written six books, and he also writes a syndicated
advice column
called Smart Money.
. After serving with the United States Air Force
in Korea
and earning a degree in education from Newark State Teachers College, now Kean University
, he became active in politics, education, and business in New Jersey.
in New Brunswick, New Jersey
. This was soon followed by his second show, Bruce Williams at Large. Williams then set his sights on reaching a larger audience, and his persistence paid off. In 1978, he was hired by WMCA
in New York City
. Williams made his debut on NBC Talknet
when the programming block began on November 2, 1981. His national reputation began to grow. Williams flew airplanes and on December 5, 1982, while attempting to abort a landing, crashed into a few trees in Princeton, New Jersey
. Maurice Tunick, Talknet creator and Executive Producer remembers the incident:
Williams was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 1999 and has since been listed as the sixth greatest talk show host in radio history by Talkers Magazine
. Williams ran an advice show focused on personal business matters such as real estate transactions, career planning, entrepreneurship, and travel until the September 11, 2001 attacks
. Since that time, the show became a mix of business and politics, and every show ended with the song God Bless America.
On February 22, 2010, Williams announced in an email to affiliates that he would end his show and radio career effective March 5, 2010.
Williams has authored several books, and he writes the Smart Money newspaper column, which appears in over 600 newspapers.
s and selling them to other children at the age of 11 during World War II
. Later in life, Williams entered a wide variety of business ventures including insurance sales, driving a beer truck, driving a taxi, real estate sales, a flower shop, a barber
shop, and several nightclub
s. He drove an ice cream truck in New York
and was the founder of Lane Robbins, now Oak Crest Day Camp, a private preschool in Somerset, New Jersey
. He also spent two terms as mayor
of Franklin Township, New Jersey
from 1967-1975.
He is currently involved in a flower shop business and is on the board of a bank.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
radio host
Radio personality
A radio personality is a person with an on-air position in radio broadcasting. A radio personality can be someone who introduces and discusses various genres of music, hosts a talk radio show that may take calls from listeners, or someone whose primary responsibility is to give news, weather,...
, entrepreneur
Entrepreneur
An entrepreneur is an owner or manager of a business enterprise who makes money through risk and initiative.The term was originally a loanword from French and was first defined by the Irish-French economist Richard Cantillon. Entrepreneur in English is a term applied to a person who is willing to...
, writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
and former politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. His nationally-syndicated talk show
Talk radio
Talk radio is a radio format containing discussion about topical issues. Most shows are regularly hosted by a single individual, and often feature interviews with a number of different guests. Talk radio typically includes an element of listener participation, usually by broadcasting live...
, The Bruce Williams Show, aired throughout the United States for 29 years, until ending production in March 2010. Williams has written six books, and he also writes a syndicated
Print syndication
Print syndication distributes news articles, columns, comic strips and other features to newspapers, magazines and websites. They offer reprint rights and grant permissions to other parties for republishing content of which they own/represent copyrights....
advice column
Advice column
An advice column is a column in a magazine or newspaper written by an advice columnist . The image presented was originally of an older woman providing comforting advice and maternal wisdom, hence the name "aunt"...
called Smart Money.
Early life
Williams grew up in East Orange, New JerseyEast Orange, New Jersey
East Orange is a city in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census the city's population 64,270, making it the state's 20th largest municipality, having dropped 5,554 residents from its population of 69,824 in the 2000 Census, when it was the state's 14th most...
. After serving with the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
in Korea
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
and earning a degree in education from Newark State Teachers College, now Kean University
Kean University
Kean University is a coeducational, public research university located in Union and Hillside, New Jersey, United States. Kean University serves its students in the liberal arts, the sciences, and the professions with a dedication to intellectual and cultural growth and is best known for its...
, he became active in politics, education, and business in New Jersey.
Radio career
In 1975, Williams found another way to serve the public by hosting At Your Service on WCTCWCTC
WCTC is an American radio station broadcasting a syndicated and live talk radio format. Licensed to New Brunswick, New Jersey, the station serves the Middlesex area. The station is currently owned by Greater Media .The station broadcasts in C-QUAM AM stereo...
in New Brunswick, New Jersey
New Brunswick, New Jersey
New Brunswick is a city in Middlesex County, New Jersey, USA. It is the county seat and the home of Rutgers University. The city is located on the Northeast Corridor rail line, southwest of Manhattan, on the southern bank of the Raritan River. At the 2010 United States Census, the population of...
. This was soon followed by his second show, Bruce Williams at Large. Williams then set his sights on reaching a larger audience, and his persistence paid off. In 1978, he was hired by WMCA
WMCA
WMCA, 570 AM, is a radio station in New York City, most known for its "Good Guys" Top 40 era in the 1960s. It is currently owned by Salem Communications and plays a Christian radio format...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. Williams made his debut on NBC Talknet
NBC Talknet
NBC Talknet was a nighttime programming block on the NBC Radio Network from the 1980s to the 1990s. It comprised several advice-oriented call-in talk shows, the most notable personalities being Bruce Williams and Sally Jessy Raphael...
when the programming block began on November 2, 1981. His national reputation began to grow. Williams flew airplanes and on December 5, 1982, while attempting to abort a landing, crashed into a few trees in Princeton, New Jersey
Princeton, New Jersey
Princeton is a community located in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States. It is best known as the location of Princeton University, which has been sited in the community since 1756...
. Maurice Tunick, Talknet creator and Executive Producer remembers the incident:
Williams was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 1999 and has since been listed as the sixth greatest talk show host in radio history by Talkers Magazine
Talkers magazine
Talkers Magazine is a trade industry publication related to talk radio in the United States. Its slogan is "The Bible of Talk Radio and the New Talk Media"...
. Williams ran an advice show focused on personal business matters such as real estate transactions, career planning, entrepreneurship, and travel until the September 11, 2001 attacks
September 11, 2001 attacks
The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks (also referred to as September 11, September 11th or 9/119/11 is pronounced "nine eleven". The slash is not part of the pronunciation...
. Since that time, the show became a mix of business and politics, and every show ended with the song God Bless America.
On February 22, 2010, Williams announced in an email to affiliates that he would end his show and radio career effective March 5, 2010.
Williams has authored several books, and he writes the Smart Money newspaper column, which appears in over 600 newspapers.
Business ventures
During his radio career Williams spoke frequently about the jobs he held throughout the years. He began by melting down lead pipes into toy soldierToy soldier
A toy soldier is a miniature figurine that represents a soldier. The term applies to depictions of uniformed military personnel from all eras, and includes knights, cowboys, pirates, and other subjects that involve combat-related themes. Toy soldiers vary from simple playthings to highly realistic...
s and selling them to other children at the age of 11 during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Later in life, Williams entered a wide variety of business ventures including insurance sales, driving a beer truck, driving a taxi, real estate sales, a flower shop, a barber
Barber
A barber is someone whose occupation is to cut any type of hair, and to shave or trim the beards of men. The place of work of a barber is generally called a barbershop....
shop, and several nightclub
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
s. He drove an ice cream truck in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and was the founder of Lane Robbins, now Oak Crest Day Camp, a private preschool in Somerset, New Jersey
Somerset, New Jersey
Somerset is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located at the easternmost section within Franklin Township, in Somerset County, New Jersey. At the 2000 United States Census, the CDP population was 23,040...
. He also spent two terms as mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Franklin Township, New Jersey
Franklin Township, Somerset County, New Jersey
-Communities of Franklin Township:The following are census-designated places, unincorporated enclaves, and historical communities located within Franklin Township...
from 1967-1975.
He is currently involved in a flower shop business and is on the board of a bank.
Books
- America Asks Bruce
- House Smart
- In Business for Yourself
- Protecting your Financial Future (foreword)
- The Bruce Williams Source Book
- Thanks for Asking