Tom Whalen Announces Retirement After 26 Years at 99.9 WFRE
After more than a quarter century on Frederick’s airwaves, Tom Whalen, the longtime and beloved morning show host on 99.9 WFRE, has announced his retirement at the end of 2025.
Tom’s connection to WFRE began on March 8, 1999, and over the last 26 years, he has become far more than a familiar voice in the morning. He has been a steady presence, a trusted companion to listeners, and the very heartbeat of the station. Generations of Central Marylanders have started their days with Tom’s warmth, humor, and unmistakable authenticity.
A Life Built for Storytelling
Long before WFRE, Tom’s journey began in Louisville, KY, where he was born and raised and still returns at least twice a year to reunite with a large circle of family and friends. He attended Fairdale High School and later Morehead State University, majoring in Speech/Theatre and Radio/Television—a foundation that would shape a lifelong career behind the mic.
Before radio fully took hold, Tom spent a year teaching Theatre and English at Valley High School in Louisville. From there, life took a memorable turn to New York City, where he spent 15 years soaking in experiences he’s often joked he’s grateful happened before smartphones existed.
In 1992, Tom made Frederick his home and began what would become a decades-long career in local radio. Frederick wasn’t just a place to work—it became family. As Tom often says, “Frederick has the finest people and is the best place to live in America.”
Above all else, Tom is a proud father. His son, Samuel Martin, is, in Tom’s words, his “pride and joy.”
Woven Into the Community
Tom’s legacy can’t be measured only by ratings or years on the air. From Party in the Parks to Touch A Truck, from St. Jude Radiothons to Toys for Tots, Tom has been part of the fabric of this community for more than a quarter of a century. These events weren’t appearances—they were commitments. Tom showed up, year after year, because giving back has always been at the core of who he is.
Listeners didn’t just hear Tom; they knew him. Clients trusted him. Coworkers leaned on him. Sponsors respected him. From former colleagues to longtime partners, his impact reaches far beyond the studio.
The Final Sign-Off
Tom’s final day in the WFRE studio will be Wednesday, December 31, 2025. His voice will remain on the air through Sunday, January 4, 2026, when he hosts his final episode of Sunday Rewind—a fitting farewell, doing what he has always done best.
WFRE will never sound quite the same without Tom Whalen in the morning, and that’s because he built something that can’t be replaced. From all of us at WFRE—and from the countless coworkers, clients, sponsors, and listeners who have shared this journey—thank you. Thank you for the laughs, the leadership, the consistency, and the care you brought to every single day.
Tom, enjoy this next chapter. You’ve earned every second of it. 💙🎙️