Lowell NH Radio: Teddy Panos EXITS Morning Show On WCAP

Teddy Panos

 WCAP 980 AM in Lowell, NH listening tuning in to hear the familiar sound of Teddy Panos’s voice during the drive-time morning show on 980 AM were in for a surprise on Friday. Panos had gone radio silent, quitting the station after more than 15 years as a personality on WCAP.

The  Sun reports Gerry Nutter, who normally cohosts Saturday morning with Warren Shaw, is hosting the popular weekday show in Panos’s absence.

“There’s really no dramatic story, here,” Panos said by phone, as his kids could be heard playing in the background. “I think I’ve pretty much run out of things to say at this point. The story is ‘loudmouth shuts up after 15 years.’”

Panos started as a sports director before moving on to hosting the 6 to 10 a.m. “Merrimack Valley Radio in The Morning” show. Previously, he worked for WXPO-TV, Channel 50, an independent television station.

Station owner Sam Poulten insisted that Panos was just taking a much-needed break.

“Teddy has done a phenomenal job over the last 15 years, built up a terrific following and is literally the voice of WCAP,” Poulten said. “Even thinking about him off the air for any amount of time is quite a loss for me. And I’m hoping he’s going to be back sooner rather than later, but no pressure. I want him to do what he needs right now. He’s earned it. We’ve been friends for a long time. I’m giving him the space he needs.”

The station is locally owned and operated by Merrimack Valley Radio LLC, licensed by Poulten and a group of other local businesspeople. It broadcasts with 5,000 watts of power to the Merrimack Valley and southern New Hampshire.

Panos sounded both sure and wistful as he considered Poulten’s comments, saying that, “I’ve known Sam forever, and he’s been very good to me throughout the years,” and while he wouldn’t rule out returning to the station “at some point, under different circumstances” he said he didn’t plan on going back.

For now, Panos said he’s going to spend some time focusing on his fundraising and communications work for the Megan House Foundation, a long-term residential treatment home in Dracut for women between the ages of 18 to 25 who are recovering from addiction.