Scott Beels, professionally known as Bumper Morgan, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, May 24 at the age of 59 after living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis for one year. Scott was surrounded by his wife Kim of 32 years, and his children; Christopher and his wife Azra, Stephanie, and Griffin.
During a radio career that spanned more than four decades, Bumper was a producer, DJ, and production director at many radio stations across the country. His first radio gig was in 1977 in his hometown of Phoenix, AZ at KRIZ, and he was inducted into the KRIZ Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame in 2013.
Bumper was on the air at stations including KZZP Phoenix, AZ; KPUR Amarillo, TX; KRIG Odessa-Midland, TX; KJ-100 Louisville, KY; B-94 Pittsburgh, PA; 13Q WQUE New Orleans, WGCL Cleveland, OH, KTFM San Antonio, TX; Y107 Nashville, TN; 104 The Core Nashville, TN; Oldies 101.1, WCOD, WXTK, Frank-FM and PIXY-103 Cape Cod, MA. His talent was recognized by the Massachusetts Association of Broadcasters in 2012.
I’m so sorry to hear about Bumper. I just found this article today, 9/27/22. Ironically I was searching the internet to see where he landed in radio and I find this. Bumper was at WGCL in Cleveland when I met him. At the time I was working at WQAL doing mid-days. WGCL evening personality, Brandy Kellogg, had invited me over to see the station as I had never been there before. After touring the studio in walked Bumper and Dancing’ Danny Wright. Bumper was trying out a new Mirage keyboard for triggering sampled sound effects and showed me how it worked. That made such an impression on me that I bought my own version of it a few years later, the Ensoniq EPS, which was the newer version. That put me on a path to digital music and writing songs which later lead me to writing some song snippets for TV. I looked up to Bumper because, not only was he one the great voices I so admire, but he had amazing writing/editing and producing skills! He had it all! On top of that he had a great, fun-loving personality, with that impish sense of humor we all enjoyed. We’ll all miss his humor, amazing pipes and creativity. His family should be proud of what he’s been able to accomplish.
Kim, Christopher, Azra, I was blessed to meet Scott again through Keith Clark Stovall as we christened Florida’s new, “Hot101.5” WHJK, Jacksonville. I had known Scott from my days in Phoenix.
I’m blessed to count Scott a dear friend. Decades and call letters have flown as now also Bumper – but his destination can be found by Any who would seek it! We shall look forward to that great day.
Sincerely,
Charlie Bryan
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Worked with Bumper at WPIX-FM/NYC in the early 80s. Incredibly naturally funny guy – there were times that just the look on his face would crack me up. So sorry that we lost him.
What a voice! Will be missed
Thank you so much Tom. Y107 was a magical place. xo KIm
So many people don’t know they lost a friend — Bumper’s voice was heard all across the nation, and world I believe, as one of the most amazing voice guys I ever heard. I worked with him for several years in Nashville TN at (then) Y107 and he was blessed with a talent that seldom happens. He was also a perfectionist when it came to his work and he had pipes of gold. He and Kim were an example of the oft-cliched, but in their case, truly the case – soul mates. It was clear that they were made for each other.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Bumper’s family and he will truly be missed. He was taken far too soon. 🙁