After more than three decades as a morning drive fixture in Boston, Susan Semedo is dialing up retirement.
From the daily-morning drive grind, that is.
Known on-air as Pebbles, Semedo is leaving mornings at Beasley Media Group’s Hip-Hop and R&B Hot 96.9 (WBQT) to focus full-time on her “Positively Pebbles” brand, Radio Ink reports.
Semedo joined Hot 96.9 at its launch in 2013 after more than 15 years at Jam’n 94.5 (WJMN), where she built the morning franchise that eventually followed her across the dial, RI reporter Cameron Coats says.
“Northeastern alum Pebbles began her career at WILD 1090 (1988-1995), where she quickly became one of the station’s most recognizable voices,” says Boston Radio Watch.
Semedo was given her radio nickname while at WILD.
Program Director Elroy Smith told her she needed a radio-friendly name, and gave her three choices: Pebbles, Gypsy, or Asia.
She chose Pebbles because, at the time, R&B singer “Pebbles” Reid was popular for the song “Mercedes Boy.”
“It kind of had a buzz around the name, which is good,” Semedo told the Boston Globe in 2006.
At Hot 96.9, she anchored The GetUp Crew alongside Ramiro, Melissa, and Leroy, taking it into syndication two years ago.
Positively Pebbles, which includes a podcast and weekly newsletter, will serve as her primary platform going forward.
“After 38 years, Pebbles leaves behind a legacy of service, connection, and a voice that helped shape the sound of the city,” BRW tweeted. “Boston radio will feel her absence. Her last day is Friday.”
