Page 17 - Fall 2025

Spotlight on Alumni

Mike Dow, Class of 1982

By Richard Nickerson, ‘81
Biographer for the North Star Magazine

Houlton has often been called Music Town. While I
don’t disagree with that, a strong argument can also
be made for the nickname Radio Town. Consider
how many HHS graduates have gone on to successful
careers in radio. It’s no surprise that, in a time when
independently owned radio stations are fading into
obscurity, WHOU is thriving.
This month we introduce you to a broadcasting legend
from the Class of 1982, Michael Dow.

Since graduating, he says that most of his life has
revolved around radio. “It had been my dream since
childhood, a passion instilled by my grandmother.”
Mike recalls a pivotal moment which changed his life. In 1995, he teamed
up with Houlton
“In 1980, my 10th grade typing teacher, announced alum, John Elliott
that he had acquired the WRNE radio equipment from ’77, when he started
Ricker College and had installed it in his home. The Z107.3 with Chuck
FCC allowed him to operate the station as a learning Foster. John was an
laboratory for students. I teamed up with friend and industry icon who
classmate Troy Savoy, and we hit the airwaves together had come home to
for the next two years. We were both hooked for life.” Maine to start his
Mike went on to say that Troy has been with WKIT own station. John
100.3 in Bangor for decades and sounds better than used the name Mike
ever. Elliott on the air as
a tribute to his first
After HHS, Mike was accepted at a newly opened son. They started The
communications school in Bangor. He graduated from Mike & Mike Show
the New England School of Broadcasting (Currently in 1998 and had
NESCOM) in 1984. During this time, he was on the air an incredible run on several stations for the next 15
during the week at WZON (Z-62) in Bangor, WHSN at years. The show was a twisted combination of comedy,
Husson College and weekends at WHOU in Houlton. music, listener involvement and public service. They

“I’m so glad that my first full time radio job was in my helped generate hundreds of tons of food for local
hometown. I worked full time at WHOU from 1984 to food pantries and took listeners on bus trips to see
1991. I made some lifelong friendships there, including Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones and The Eagles.
the legendary Bob Blanchette and Bob Reece. They Following Mike & Mike, he spent 15 years as host of
had a huge impact on me.” The Big Morning Show with Mike Dow on stations in

More learning and experience came from his time at Bangor, Augusta and Bar Harbor.
WABK in Augusta, where he later hosted a morning In 2024, he accepted his dream job, operations
show for 15 years (from a studio in Bangor!).

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