Baltimore Radio: Stroke Sidelines WCBM's Tom Marr

Talk Radio WCBM 680 AM has announced that due to recent medical complications, longtime talk-show host Tom Marr will be going on a medical hiatus.

In a statement released to WCBM, the Marr family confirmed that Tom suffered a stroke as a result of recent back surgery. “In the early hours of July 3rd, Tom Marr suffered a stroke due to complications from a recent surgical procedure on his spine,” the statement said. “We ask everyone to keep him in their thoughts and prayers for a full recovery, and to respect our wishes for privacy regarding his medical condition,” the family said.

Marr has been a fixture in Baltimore radio since 1967, and has been with WCBM since 1988 when the Mangione family acquired the station. Most recently, he was named by industry publication “Talkers Magazine” as one of the top 100 radio talk show hosts in the United States, an honor that’s been bestowed upon him on numerous occasions throughout his career. He is a frequent guest host on the nationally syndicated Mark Levin Show, and has often appeared on national networks such as CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, and C-Span.

Tom Marr

Prior to coming to WCBM, Marr spent 21 years at the former WFBR 1300 AM in Baltimore, starting as a newsman. He pulled double duty in the 1970’s as the WFBR news director and weekend sports anchor at WMAR-TV. Additionally, he covered Baltimore’s professional sports teams for the CBS Radio Network. In 1979, Marr was named to the radio play-by-play team for the Baltimore Orioles when WFBR acquired the team’s broadcast rights. He stayed in that position through the 1986 season when the station’s broadcast rights expired. Marr then returned to his roots as a newsman and political commentator, and began his current career as a radio talk show host. He was also a frequent panelist on WFBR’s “Conference Call” and WJZ-TV and WMAR-TV’s “Square Off” program.

“I have known and worked with my colleague and friend, Tom Marr for close to thirty years. He is a fighter and I hope and pray that he will make a full recovery. Bruce Elliott will fill in for Tom until he is able to return.” said WCBM program director Sean Casey.

Station General Manager, Marc Beaven commented,”Tom Marr has made a tremendous mark on WCBM and on the Baltimore radio listening audience for almost 50 years. We ask listeners to pray for Tom’s recovery.”