Matt Siegel is the host of the Matty in the Morning Show in Massachusetts on KISS 108. The show has a legacy in Boston, and has been on the air since January 12, 1981. Matt has worked with a variety of co-hosts, including Bill Rossi, Lisa Lipps, and presently Billy Costa and Lisa Donovan.
Early life
Siegel's first introduction to the spotlight came during high school. He auditioned to emcee the schooltalent show - a big step at the time for a quiet and reserved student. He got the gig and was told that he was a natural with the microphone. Years later, while student teaching at Oneonta University, a professor who was amused by his classes, directed him towards show business. His first job in radio was a daytime shift in Oneonta, New York, and then in 1972 he got a job with KWFM-FM in Tucson, AZ - a radical underground progressive rock station. From there he worked as a freelance producer and commercial voice-over announcer at Warner Bros. Records. While vacationing in Boston in 1977, Siegel stumbled into a job opening with WBCN-FM. He filled in for Charles Laquidara, who had taken a leave of absence. After two months on the morning show, he was hired permanently as the midday host, where he stayed for 2½ years. There he created a spoof call-in show called "Dr. Matt’s Advice to the Love Lorn", which in-turn led to a job at WCVB-TV hosting a show called "Five All Night Live". This was followed by a national appearance on Life’s Most Embarrassing Moments with host Steve Allen. In the summer of 1980, Seigel was offered the morning spot with KISS 108 FM. Matty in the Morning.
Matty in the Morning Show
Siegel has been the host of KISS 108’s morning show since January 12, 1981. Matty in the Morning is KISS 108’s highest rated show and it’s the leading FM Morning Show in Boston. According to Arbitron ratings, Siegel's show consistently ranks #1 with women 18-49 for the past 20 years. The guests on the show include a variety of celebrities, including Oprah, Madonna, Ben Affleck, Dustin Hoffman, Celine Dion, Christopher Reeve, Bette Midler, Barry Manilow, Ted Danson, Cher, Tom Hanks, Rosie O’Donnell, Harry Connick, Jr., Michael J. Fox, and Lenny Clarke amongst many others. Matty in the Morning targets over 450,000 listeners per week and is consistently voted one of the nation’s top DJ’s by Billboard Magazine. Seigel achieved radio’s highest honor winning the National Association of Broadcasters' Marconi Award as the Morning Show Personality of the Year-Major Market. The show's staff feature a variety of characters and personalities in its current incarnation. On the show with Siegel are co-hosts Billy Costa and Lisa Donovan and producers Rebekah "Bex" Maroun and Justin Aguirre. The show from 2001-2009 was syndicated to various markets in New England and Upstate New York, but since 2010 are now only available in Boston.
An Evening With Matty
In 2018, Siegel began producing and starring in a series of one-man shows called An Evening With Matty at Boston’s historic Wilbur Theatre. Since then, the show has sold out an unprecedented 12 consecutive times.
Personal life
Siegel lives in Newton, Massachusetts with his wife Maryann. He has 4 children, Alexandra, Lilly and Chloe, and Olivia. His daughter Alexandra Siegel has been featured in videos on Funny or Die, had a guest appearance on ABC Family's Switched at Birth as well as HBO's "Eastbound & Down", and was featured in Taco Bell's 2014 commercial, "Hello Father," for their rolled chicken tacos. In 2017, director Hailey Millar created a short biographical documentary titled "" which highlights Siegel's work and personal life.
Awards
As host of Matty In The Morning, Siegel achieved radio’s highest honor in 2001 winning the coveted National Association of Broadcasters' Marconi Award for Personality of the Year. Established in 1989, the NAB Marconi Radio Awards are awarded in recognition of excellence to radio stations and outstanding on-air personalities. The prestigious achievement coincided with the celebration of Siegel’s 20th Anniversary with KISS 108. January 12, 2001 officially marked the 20th anniversary of the Matty in the Morning Show on KISS 108. Then Massachusetts Governor Paul Celluci proclaimed that January 12, 2001 shall be honored as “Matty in the Morning” Day within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Siegal won a second Marconi Award for Personality of the Year - Major Market - in 2009. In 2012, Siegel was inducted into the Massachusetts Broadcaster's Hall of Fame.
