After a half century of broadcasting up and down the AM and FM radio dial in Vermont, Jon Noyes will “hang up the headphones” and end his broadcasting career on June 30th with his final morning program on The Point WNCS–FM 104.7. 

Noyes, 64, a Montpelier resident, began his broadcasting career in high school working for his Station Manager father, Alan Noyes, (Vermont Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame Inaugural inductee) at WSNO AM in Barre. (His older brothers; Bill and David, both worked on–air for the station as well, with Bill awarded Vermont Sportscaster of the Year in 1974). He began pulling weekend shifts throughout high school, also working on special events as well as broadcasting a variety of sports; including high school hockey, basketball and baseball. Working mornings on WSNO AM, and when WORK FM was added to the group, he then moved into sales for almost a decade, before taking over the copy writer‘s position for a couple of years. 

After leaving the Barre stations – Noyes was hired by Ed Flanagan for Sales and on–air work at WSKI AM in Montpelier. Transitioning to full time morning show co–hosting duties with the curmudgeonly VAB HOF Bob Bannon, Noyes saw his responsibilities eventual move into Programming for WSKI AM. A three year stint doing the morning “Extraordinary Extravaganza” with Bannon and his cast of characters (including – Col. Smedley, Milton Plainfield and Hattie Maycumber, among others) – led to morning show duties across the hall at WNCS– FM/The Point, a much coveted position he held for three years. 

Leaving the Point–and broadcasting – for brief stints in the world of retail business as well as heading up the Barre Partnership downtown promotions organization, Noyes was eventually contacted by the VAB HOF Ken Squier‘s Radio Vermont Group (WDEV AM/FM) to come work on producing and promoting the Groups‘ upcoming 75th Anniversary celebrations for WDEV. During his time at WDEV, he also teamed up with VAB HOF Sportscaster George Commo (an 11 time winner of Vermont Sportscaster of the Year award) on Norwich University Cadets hockey broadcasts – including a National Championship season in 2010. Following his work in promotions for the group, he was hired to work the Morning News Service on WDEV AM/FM with long–time morning host & VAB HOF Eric Michaels, oftentimes producing Squier‘s unique Saturday morning program “Music to go to the Dump By”. Michaels and Noyes worked together for close to eight years on the MNS before Michaels left. Noyes teamed with Dana Jewell for a year or so doing the MNS, and worked at the Radio Vermont Group for a dozen years before leaving in 2018. 

Eventually, Noyes returned to part time work afternoons at WNCS FM/The Point before taking over the morning show duties full time beginning in 2019, just as the COVID–19 pandemic was 

beginning to set in. The return to morning show duties on the point felt like a completion of a long journey in broadcasting. Upon returning to the Point, reaching the 50 year mark in radio began to seem like an obtainable goal and a good way to complete a career as a broacaster. 

More than anything else, the radio business is time sensitive – so Noyes is looking forward to having the time to pursue travel and other activities with his wife of 34 years, Susette Bollard, (recently retired herself after 40 plus years in education – most recently as Superintendent of the Central Vermont Supervisory Union) along with their kids and grandkid. And he thinks maybe one of the biggest obstacles to overcome will be resetting his sleep patterns. Morning radio has been a huge part of his life for half a century – rising well before dawn to prepare for the day‘s program...so not setting an alarm is something he‘s really looking forward to. 

“I‘ve had the invaluable experience and the great honor of working with and learning from 17 Vermont Association of Broadcaster’s Hall of Fame members over my 5 decades in radio along with many, many other tremendously smart, hard–working and incredibly talented people. It‘s been an educational experience equivalent to a Masters Class in every aspect of radio: from management, sales, advertising – to programming, live sports broadcasts, promotions and special events, and the ability to problem solve on the fly – to ‘just somehow get the thing on the air‘.” 

Noyes offered this opinion of his upcoming retirement. “It‘s something l‘ve thought about for some time now. I‘ll miss the people – on both sides of the radio – but I won‘t miss the hours. I‘m a night owl by nature – not conducive to early morning radio broadcasting. But I really want to thank all the listeners throughout the years, as the song goes “town to town – up and down the dial” – both those unknown as well as those who‘ve taken time out to offer a thoughtful comment, or even a gentle criticism. Radio is a very personal medium. The intimacy of speaking one on one to someone is so personal. It‘s the reason you get up that early in the morning – to talk to that diverse audience of people and help them prepare for the day ahead. And to hopefully entertain them for a bit as well. I will miss that communication and that connection. 

But, all in all, thank you for the pleasure of coming into your homes each day all these years.”