Bear O'Brian

Born Wade Collier on May 18, 1960, in Manchester, Georgia, I entered radio in my hometown at WFDR in 1978.  In 1980, I moved to WRNZ Z-96 in Augusta, Georgia where the name ‘Bear O’Brian’ was born.  In 1981, I worked at WCGQ, a pop music station.  After staying there 8 years, I then traveled the country for about 18 months performing stand-up comedy. 

I went back into radio in Macon, Georgia in 1991, then on to Montgomery, Alabama at WMCZ downtown in the Bell Building.  Next, I worked at a station in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and then two years later went back to Montgomery to WBAM when it went to a country format in 1994.  I then worked at WHHY when they went country and was re-named ‘Cat Country’.  I’ve also worked many years in Columbus, Georgia but it’s nice to be home on the Mountain!! 

I am married to Mandi, who owns her own bakery where she bakes and decorates the most beautiful and delicious birthday and wedding cakes in the whole ‘danged’ world...  

I have a son, Tristan, and a daughter, Sydney.