It has been incredibly difficult. Samanthas flair for not having interviews, but conversations. [39][40][41], 107.5 WGCI was also programmed to appeal to black audiences, and it and other FM stations won away many of WVON's listeners. When I arrived at Lincoln University of Missouri in Fall of 2000, I majored in computer information systems. It allows me to expand and grow as a person and a personality. Epic wins. Like our content? American Idol Chatter for 16 years. Being able to get the factual information quickly and distribute it just as fast is important in this day and age. What will the next 50 years of black America look like? But a great Chicago radio station WVON-AM 1690 has managed the feat: The institution marks its 50th anniversary Monday and celebrates with a concert featuring Toni Braxton at the Chicago Theatre on Saturday. [13] Roland Martin hosted a program on WVON from October 2005 to October 2008.[45][46][47]. We will use this site and social media to deliver our message. With his Bronx Science high school colleague Kevvy Kev Montague over at Stanfords KZSU, and a number of other important DJs and shows at college and community stations across the Bay, Cook eventually became the ringleader of the Bay Area Hip-Hop Coalition, the first rap radio deejay collective in the world, with more hours of hip-hop on air than in any area of the country. (It was) very, very, very important; because all of (the hosts) had names that were well-known, there was a great listening audience. VON TV is powered by WVON Radio. Perhaps there's no better way to understand the value and history of WVON than to hear from the voices that know it best. No one can stop you, but you. Cooper was succeeded in Black Chicago radio by very important air personalities like Al Benson who brought the blues and jazz to Chicago on WGES and his colleague Herb Kent, who made his mark after his move to WVON, where he was a strong voice for progress during the tumultuous Civil Rights movement. Search On air radio personality jobs in Rockville, MD with company ratings & salaries. [4] WHFC's frequency was changed to 1450 in 1941, as a result of the North American Regional Broadcasting Agreement. It can scare people sometimes because it may seem like youre waiting until the last minute. Pervis Spann, who helped boost the careers of many radio personalities, disc jockeys and successful recording artists as he transformed WVON into the "Voice of the Negro" and . And it went right to Marmions Collin Wainscott. And is it still baseball if you're wearing a giant banana suit? My grandmother is a major force in keeping our family together. Mojo was well known for his habit of playing lengthy recordings without interruption and was hugely influential in the formation of the Detroit techno scene. Say. Williams was Billboards Best On-Air Radio Personality in 1993 and became the second African American woman inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2009. So in the confusion and everything, I think the talk radio thing was born here at WVON. "We are part of this nation, so we are the voice of a nation.". WBBM 780 AM/105.9 FM Newsradio CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Pat Cassidy, Felicia Middlebrooks, Keith Johnson, Kris Kridel TOP ROW, FROM LEFT: Josh Liss, Nancy Harty, Jeff Joniak BOTTOM ROW, FROM LEFT: Len. The feeling you get when you look a teammate in the eye. Jesse Jackson called into the station to report the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.[13], After Leonard Chess died in 1969, the Chess family decided to sell WVON to Globetrotter Communications, owned by George N. Gillett Jr. and Potter Palmer for $9 million. iHeartMedia is the exclusive podcast partner of Pushkin Industries. Afternoon Drive, Weekdays2 p.m. - 7 p.m. TOP ROW, FROM LEFT:Melba Lara, Tony Sarabia, Jennifer WhiteBOTTOM ROW, FROM LEFT:Lauren Chooljian, Marc Garber, Jerome McDonnell, TOP ROW, FROM LEFT:Chip Mitchell, Natalie Moore, Michael PuenteBOTTOM ROW, FROM LEFT:Becky Vevea, OdetteYousef and Sarah Karp. Im one of the first of my family to graduate from a university, and getting an Emmy Award before I turned 30 years old. How do you want to improve yourself in the next year? And so when you wrapped your brain around that and the fact that we survived it with less resources, less capital, with all these things against us, (it) means that we're here for the long haul. 30.11.2021. WVON 1690AM/ iHeartRadio is a staple in the Chicago media community. 199 talking about this. Follow her on social media @DanieSandersOfficial. She confronts the conflicting stories people have told themselves about the crime because of an unexpected development: the arrest of a former Laramie police officer accused in the murder. Watch Now Self-Sufficiency--From the CROE Archives. That's not the consensus among intelligence and scientific communities. For fifty years WVON Radio has built a reputation for being the social conscious of Black Chicago. Listen, where else can a Barack Obama, an Oprah Winfrey and a Michael Jordan, three of America's biggest phenomena of our generation (where else) could they have been had they not touched this soil? My family is pretty close. It's OK to have a strong black radio station in our country. There are very few stations that can say they have chronicled the progress of black people in this country from the '60s to now. Jack Diamond hosted the Jack Diamond Morning Show in Washington, DC for ABC radio for 30 years! Without it, we wouldn't have hardly any voice at all. Frank Ski has been an integral part of our local Atlanta . My father likes to dress a lot, so I would see him being put together at times. He later purchased WVON in the late 1970s. [12] WVON debuted on April 1, 1963 and quickly became a success playing R&B music, becoming the second most listened to Chicago station during evening hours by early 1964. Also on The Matt Bubala Show on WGN Radio, Saturdays 2 a.m. - 5 a.m. Fred and Angiin the Morning, Weekdays 5 a.m. - 10 a.m. Christopher "Brotha'Fred" Frederick,Angi Taylor. They were taken to the U. of C. medical center in serious-to-critical condition, fire officials said Sunday. That's the source you go to. WVON Radio 1690 - The Talk of Chicago ADVERTISEMENT Our Partners Florida Gov. This is the undercurrent. "That's my only sister. Producing on that show was my break from producing tv news, and an introduction to the restaurant scene. Who has that depth and breadth? It's the movement. My grandmother and mother dressed so jazzy, and so did their friends. Their aggressive and culturally mixed personas quickly surpassed Howard Stern for the number one spot among young listeners. I grew up on 'VON. She said Lucky Cordell headed upstairs after the fire started and the two became trapped, she said. I also like to write. If you listen to 'VON, as I have over the years, it's a unique voice to a unique people in America. Although stations like WLS, the big 50,000-watt stations, powerhouse stations, managed to survive, the little black stations didn't. My mother instilled education in all of us, and made it a priority for us growing up. Its just the opposite in my mind, though. I think listening is key when it comes to communication. Its Chicagos urban legacy station and for more than 50 years, WVON has been positioned as a media powerhouse, so Ive always known of the station. A few years later, Magic took his Rap Attack to commercial station WBLS and fostered the careers of producer Marley Marl, and artists like Biz Markie and Big Daddy Kane. It's straight, no chaser. I still LOVE to wear dresses by the way! WVON is proud to be Chicago's only African-American news talk radio station. Our story began in 1963, with the debut of radio station WVON-The Voice of the Negro. Type in the name of your neighborhood or select one from the list below. Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Jack was also friends with Ambassador, Sergeant Shriver and his family, and he and the Band did work on behalf of Special Olympics, and continues to do so. [48] The move displaced the oldies format of Clear Channel-operated WRLL on 1690. [4][5][6] In early years, WHFC aired pop music from singers like Bing Crosby, and aired live band performances from Cicero's Olympic Ballroom. You've got to remember something: I experienced our largest growth right before the world collapsed (economically). We were just the hottest thing in Chicago. Melody Spann Cooper, chairman of Midway Broadcasting and general manager of WVON, confirmed that Jackson and. And for a young person just coming out of the Army and returning to school and the civil rights movement was at a fever pitch I used to listen to "Hot Line," which was hosted by Wesley South. I think the black media in general, and WVON specifically, played a profound role in history and, in one case I can cite, the election of Chicago's first black mayor (Harold Washington). It doesn't make sense.". My dad had two children, my sister and me.". The rise of FM radio in the 1970s, however, reduced WVON's audience and clout, precipitating several changes of ownership and shifts of position on the dial. Part of that comes from working in TV news, especially during breaking news times. Melody Spann-CooperChairman of Midway Broadcasting Corp., which owns WVON. What celebrity would you love to interview? For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here: Next in Downtown, South Loop & River North. I'm very clear that while 'VON is a radio station, quote unquote, (that's) not what keeps us in business. She is currently the host of Samantha Talks which airs weeknights from 6 pm-9 pm on WVON. Russ Parr | Source: The Washington Post / Getty. How did you handle it? As the long-running Black female sidekick of white shock-jock Howard Stern, Quivers has held her own in a predominately male atmosphere for thirty years. When John Mr. Who did you inherit your style from? Thats what he lives for., Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Stayed on the air, didn't play music but took telephone calls from people all over Chicago, the suburbs. One of my favorite books is: The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz, My favorite quote/affirmation/scripture is: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV, If you can dream it, you can do it. Walt Disney, She must be a lesbianno mention of a man at all in her life, Your email address will not be published. Jack cohosted Broadcast House, Live for WUSA, TV, channel 9, and he was the featured host on FOX TVs. Season two, Mob Land, is about a high-rolling lawyer who joins forces with the feds to try to bring down one of the most powerful criminal syndicates in the country. A legendary disc jockey on the airwaves of Philadelphia and New York in the 1950s and 1960s, Douglas Wendell Jocko Henderson was a pioneer of the slick-talking, rapid-fire radio patter that influenced Black and White jockeys nationwide and laid a cultural foundation for rap music. The Cliff Kelley Show, Weekdays 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Terri Hemmert,Weekdays 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Lin Brehmer,Weekdays 5:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Conrad WorrillProfessor at Northeastern Illinois University and former host on WVON. Jack Diamond hosted the Jack Diamond Morning Show in Washington, DC for ABC radio for 30 years! [25] In 1975, Globetrotter bought WNUS-AM-FM from the McLendon interests for $4,450,000; they moved WVON from 1450 to the 5,000-watt former WNUS signal on 1390 on February 5 of that year at 3:30p.m.,[26] which increased WVON's coverage area significantly. [44][42] The station experienced a 50% increase in its audience after the call sign change. I would practice with an audience of my dolls, and I would strike up conversations with people when I got the chance. Talent hosted by Samantha Thomas is available on VON.TV and streaming platforms, ROKU, Amazon, and Apple TV. If it was when President Barack Obama was elected the first time. Whatever (the station) is, it needs to do one thing: to tell the story, the authentic story. Not only did we play good R&B music, and a lot of white pop music too. Afternoon Drive,Weekdays 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Herb Kent, "The Cool Gent," who died last fall at age 88 after more than 50 years at the station. Yes, my work ethic has been tested. [13] In 2002, then State Senator Barack Obama filled in for vacationing Cliff Kelley. Where were you born? I love it here, and I love being from here! Youre such a fashionista! Doesn't have to be overassimilated. We mixed that in there. And describe your childhood growing up. What time of day are you most creative? And you'll see that blacks are not a monolith in our opinions. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Morbid is a true crime, creepy history and all things spooky podcast hosted by an autopsy technician and a hairstylist. Russ Parr began his career as a stand-up comedian in California and got his start in radio on Los Angeless famed KDAY. With just 1,000 watts of power, the. A triple-threat performer of song, dance and comedy, Thomas nighttime show, Hoot and Holler, was an influential source of blues and R&B for a generation of white and Black listeners alike. His decision to. [4][5] Like many stations of the time, WHFC shared time with other stations on its frequency. In this crazy yet serious world of COVID-19, how do you stay sane and grounded? Jack Diamond is a radio personality who has hosted mornings at WRQX in Washington, D.C. for nearly 24 years. We took the market by storm. In the volatile world of radio, almost nothing lasts half a century. "Quite frankly, as 'VON continues to evolve, we get away from the psychological segmentation of who we are. WVON: The Good Ol Days of 60s Radio. Jack has been career long friends with Mike Love of the Beach Boys, and has performed with a Beach Boys on many occasions, including at Wolf Trap. Shes also had a long-standing career, and I think its partly because shes so real. Contacts; WVON 1690 AM reviews. Though music dominated thanks to blues records from Pervis Spann and R&B tracks from Herb Kent and others Wesley South's legendary "Hot Line" talk show crackled with political discussion. Chuck Leonard, air personality in New York City in 1960-1970s on WWRL, WABC, WXLO, WRKS, WBLS and others. Upon his release when he was hired to host his own show, Rapping With Petey Greene, at WOL in Washington D.C. His success led him to television where he hosted his own Emmy Award-winning show, Petey Greenes Washington, on local WDCA-TV and BET. Firefighters made a hole in the roof before rescuing the two from the bedroom. WVON (1690 AM "The Voice of the Nation", originally "Voice of the Negro") is a radio station serving the Chicago market, which airs an African-American -oriented talk format. But even more so in the African-American community, because so many of the earlier listeners are now older people. But we've had wonderful partners who have weathered the (economic) storm with us, who have been very patient, very understanding, very cooperative our banking partners. What do you do in your spare time? Star & Buc Wild (left) | Source: Getty Images / Getty. Their new series, Talent is a six-part video series featuring live entertainment and conversations with Chicago music artists hosted by Samantha Thomas. What is your favorite book? [11][15] Though the station was initially geared strictly to a black audience, by 1968 its playlist had expanded to include songs by white artists that were compatible with the station's sound, in an effort to reach a wider audience. He always had guests who represented different aspects of what was going on in the black community at that time. But the elections have been criticized over logistical failings and violence that suppressed the vote. From the archives of the Coalition for the Remembrance of Elijah Muhammad, this short documentary . I can always think of things that I could have done differently. The hosts are not afraid to give an actual opinion on a hard subject matter such as guns, and what we need to do with these knuckleheaded kids who are adding to these atrocities out here. WVON, in all of its glory, it has to continue that legacy of being honest, of being culturally specific. WRLL (1690 AM) was an oldies radio station licensed to Berwyn, Illinois, USA, serving the Chicago market. Currently, Samantha is an on-air personality at WVON 1690AM/i HeartRadio, Chicagos oldest African Amercan-owned news talk radio station. Williams currently hosts her own daytime TV talk show. Its currently still being broadcast. Why journalism? In 2014, she started the initial concept of her web series, SmallTALK With Samantha. In 2007, the station's studios were moved from their longtime home at 3350 S. Kedzie to the former Soft Sheen Products Building on 87th Street in Chicago's Chatham neighborhood. Many people in the black community knew he was going to win. Have you always been comfortable talking to people? In 1994, The Fly Jock became one of the first nationally syndicated Black DJs when was hired to host his own program, the Tom Joyner Morning Show, which spread to 29 stations. There's nothing wrong with that. And it grew up with 'VON. Popular syndicated personalities Tom Joyner and Steve Harvey also started in this market. Working with different people, you sometimes come across personalities that are less than favorable. Of course, with new areas of communication, and with all the new gadgets that I don't know very much about, it doesn't have quite the support that it did. THE LOOP You know their voices, but how about their faces? Thousands of baskets we gave to the poor and the needy. Friday marks National Radio Day, the annual celebration of all things radio. Who is your favorite artist and why? Seven years later, their stories collided when a small town detective got a tip and became convinced that if he could solve one mystery, he'd solve the other. WVON is operated by Midway Broadcasting Corporation via a local marketing agreement with frequency owner iHeartMedia. Sway Calloway, along with his partner King Tech, became the first to host a hip-hop radio show on a pop station when his Wake Up Show debuted on San Franciscos KMEL-FM in 1990. You go to a 'VON to really ferret out your particular opinion or perspective on a subject matter, on an issue, and you get really straight talk on an issue. You just couldn't fight FM. Douglas Wendell Jocko Henderson | Source: Getty Images / Getty. I was born and raised in Chicago. To this day, we still believe in gathering for family dinners. And he marketed us. The Steve Dahl Show, weekdays, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The Patty Vasquez Show, WGN-AM, weeknights, 11 p.m. - 2 a.m. I want to know what people are thinking sometimes. Everybody fought to get on the air at WVON because we had so many listeners. And WVON remained a sociopolitical powerhouse. (Journalist) Lu Palmer would bring in the message as related to race and the struggle. Pervis Spann (August 16, 1932 - March 14, 2022) was an American broadcaster, music promoter, and radio personality. Asking questions like: Is "the zone" a real place? TheMason, Remy and Alabama Show, Weekdays 6 a.m. - 10 a.m. Big John and Ray, weekdays, 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. WVON became well known outside the Chicago area as well. In 1990 Williams launched the Association of African American Music Foundation to promote African American musicians, and currently hosts a weekly broadcast, Soulful Sunday, on Radio Ones 107.9 WRNB in Philadelphia. Why not a career in fashion? I love all types of music. This city loves its institutions, those that it grows up with. And dominated. Early life . Using the name Ebony Moonbeams, Williams started her career in broadcasting in 1973 when she was hired at Howard Universitys WHUR. Copyright 2023. Be the first to know latest important news & events directly to your inbox. WVON came into play during the days of the continuing struggle for civil rights. Jack Diamond Morning Show, was a radio show that aired for 24 years on WRQX Mix 107.3 weekdays from 5 am to 10 am and Saturdays 6 am to 10 am in Washington, DC. Following is an edited, brief oral history from five Chicagoans long in tune with an irreplaceable Chicago radio station. Nat'l Advertisers Hypo. And we all went through it. I produced the show Chicagos Best on WGN-TV. All Rights Reserved. The Wake Up Show eventually became internationally syndicated, reaching more than 20 different markets in five countries. Chicago has WVON, ATL has WAOK!!! WVON 1690 AM Lincoln University (MO) About I am an Emmy award winning Journalist, and Media Professional committed to providing information that's current, on-trend, and marketable for all. Either way, Quivers has become one of the most recognized female radio personalities in the country. King, Ike Turner, and Bobby Blue Bland. After starting as a DJat WGES in Chicago in 1952, Cordell moved to WGRY in Gary before working at WVON in Chicago. Here are NewsOnes top 20 Black radio jockeys of all time, picked for their pioneering spirit and influence. Jack has also interviewed a Whos Who in sports, including virtually every major name in every major sport, and in many instances, participated in the Washington sports teams, community and charity outreaches. So if we were in an economic recession in the mainstream, I was in a tsunami. Wendy Williams | Source: Getty Images / Getty. Samantha Thomas is an Emmy Award-Winning Journalist, Entertainment/Lifestyle Correspondent, and currently a Radio/Social Media Personality on WVON 1690 AM. They were the first to assemble a radio station in Chicago specifically designed to serve the city's growing Black community. I think it is still (important). Currently, Samantha is an on-air personality at WVON 1690AM/i HeartRadio, Chicago's oldest African Amercan-owned news talk radio station. Rufus Talks With Raymond Lambert On His Documentary Punch 9, Egonmwan And Buchanan Talk With Andre Smith And Mother Of 11 Year Old Sexual Assault Victim. Of course, when the riots came (after the assassination of the Rev. WVON 1690 AM is a radio station licensed to Berwyn, Illinois, serving the greater Chicago area, which airs an African-American-oriented talk format. [42] WGCI became so successful that Gannett changed the call letters of 1390 from WVON to WGCI in 1983. Hoffman. ", Herb KentLegendary Chicago broadcaster; was one of WVON's original disc jockeys. But I believe Im right where God wants me to be. $19.99. It's the station that talks about what is really going on in this community, unabashedly, unashamedly. This was not personal, right? But we were in the food markets, vegetable markets, community centers, just everywhere. If you had a superpower, what would it be and why? . It doesn't have to be PC. And two important guests I remember listening to were Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King. Thanks for listening to 94.7 The Drive! The idea was that, The People are as interesting as the Plates.. Two U.S. intelligence agencies reportedly support the lab leak theory with low-to-moderate confidence. (DJs who made their name before becoming radio personalities have been excluded, but honorable mentions must go to folks like Steve Harvey, Rickey Smiley and Yolanda Adams.). It tells an incredible story about the graciousness of this city and how it really embraces its iconic things. In the mid-1980s Parr also recorded with his band Bobby Jimmy and The Critters. In 1996, he became the second African American giant of syndication when his Russ Parr Morning Show on Radio Ones WKYS-FM became the base of operations for a network that eventually reached more than 3 million listeners daily on over 40 radio stations. [32], The FCC process of assigning a license for the vacant 1450 AM frequency resulted in a shared-time arrangement, as applicants Midway Broadcasting Corporation and Migala Communications reached an agreement to split the broadcast day. So how did you come up with the concept of reviewing restaurants while interviewing interesting people? Sometimes people turned it on to hear the music, but along the way they got the message. Jack and his partners, Jimmy Alexander and Lisa Anne are proud to host mornings on regional stand out 106.9 The Eagle. Jack Diamond Show. Police Hiring Process Discriminates Against Blacks, Latinos: Ald. Jack cherishes his long-standing relationships with many Hall of Fame athletes, including Joe Theismann, Darrell Green, Charles Mann, Art, Monk, and many others from the Washington football team. Has your work ethic ever been tested? Copyright 2009-2018, New York Public Radio. [38], WXOL aired a blues oriented format, and its appearance on the dial sparked an immediate increase in the sales of blues records in the Chicago area. E. Rodney Jones, air personality in Chicago in the 1960s on WVON-AM. Although he had Chess Records, he was smart enough to know we had to play more than Chess records; we played Atlantic records. So this whole idea of black talk radio was really an extension of Mr. South's influence. National Radio Day: Black Stations And The Pioneers Who Helped Shape Their Programming, Your email will be shared with newsone.com and subject to its. 9:35 am. "A youthful 'free' alternative to the AM vacuum at 1450", North American Regional Broadcasting Agreement, 50 years of Chicago's WVON: A Chicago voice that echoes nationwide, Iconic WVON radio station moving from Chatham. It officially launched in 2015 with a series of episodes highlighting Chicago Influencers and Chicago Dining. Widely considered to be the first African-American radio announcer, Jack L. Coopers All Negro radio show aired in the 1930s on Chicagos WSBC. Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.3; Win64; x64) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/103.0.0.0 Safari/537.36, 2nd Helping sponsored by Residential Improvement Services, The Daily Game sponsored by Maryland Lottery, Operation Severe Weather Tire World Auto Service Centers, Connecting Communities Submit Your Event. It's the tool that we use to deliver our special brand of enrichment and empowerment to this community. Danielle Sanders is a journalist and writer living in Chicago. For eight years Joyner would do a weekly morning show at K-104 in Dallas, and fly to Chicago every weekday afternoon for a show at WGCI. [19] Other similar stations across the country took inspiration from WVON's format. But that's true of most of the reading and listening areas of communication. What makes for a good urban talk station? The Mully and Hanley Show, Weekdays 5 a.m.-9 a.m. I would sometimes get in trouble in grammar school for talking. But the black community has unique and particular issues that impact it on a daily basis, historically, and in terms of our connections with ourselves and the rest of the country. I don't know. [3], In May 2019, former Cook County Board President Todd Stroger joined the station as morning co-host. [4][5][9] Ernie Banks hosted a program on the station in the late 1950s. Sway now hosts the morning show on Sirius satellite radios Shade 45. "The only thing I can do is pray," Brown said a day after the fire. [4][7][8] In 1930, WHFC moved to 1420, where it shared time with WEHS and WKBI. Check your inbox now to confirm your subscription. I remember when Harold Washington ran for mayor. Spann began his radio career in the 1950s. Embodying the fast-talking style for which he was named, Gibson also went on to create one of the first Black radio trades, Jack The Rapper and the infamous Black music convention of the same name. Your email address will not be published. hreich@tribune.com | Twitter @howardreich, WVON 50: 50th Anniversary Grand GalaWhen: 7 p.m. SaturdayWhere: Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.Tickets: $100-$500 at wvon.com or ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000, Legendary Chicago broadcaster; was one of WVON's original disc jockeys, Professor at Northeastern Illinois University and former host on WVON, Historian and author of Bridges of Memory, State representative in the 5th District, and frequent WVON guest, Female firefighters in Richton Park lead by example: You dont have to be a man to do this job, Kam Buckner: The next mayor of Chicago has a reform mandate, One shot, hopefully the last shot. [10] WHFC's programming was simulcast on 97.9 WEHS after WEHS's storecasting contract expired in the 1950s. But one decidedly undercelebrated aspect of radio broadcasting history is the contributions Black people made to the medium; namely as radio jockeys, the voices behind the music selection and news reported on the airwaves. In 1999, Spann-Cooper purchased a controlling interest in the Midway Broadcasting Company, the . And we were 1,000 watts in the daytime, 250 watts at night, that's all! Frankie Crocker at WBLS Studio. That feeling was one that I knew an HBCU would give me. That an organic, independently owned operation could exist and be able to play in this wonderful world of multiple radio stations and television stations and media companies in the city of Chicago is amazing. And then look at a very young Barack Obama, who cut his teeth and grew his brand at this station as a community activist and as a state senator, and on to (being) a U.S. senator, and look at him now. Its a lighthearted nightmare in here, weirdos! Im the oldest of three, with a younger brother and sister. Self-effacing where Magic was brash, Red Alert became a beloved figure of listeners and rappers alike. The Matt McGill Show, Weekdays 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. I knew that I had more experience in television, so I operated in that vision. I think Ive progressed well in my career. Mary J. Blige. All from Chicago, one of the U.S.' most thriving cities for African Americans. We asked for cooler heads. Stream the best podcasts from your favorite stations. With just 1,000 watts of power, the station surprised everyone by becoming a broadcast sensation, indeed giving voice to a culture and community otherwise marginalized on the airwaves. Following is an edited, brief oral history from five Chicagoans long in tune with an audience of my,. Have been criticized over logistical failings and violence that suppressed the vote South. The world collapsed ( economically ) took inspiration from WVON 's original disc jockeys Martin Luther king for 30!... The exclusive podcast partner of Pushkin Industries operated by Midway Broadcasting Corp., which owns WVON for neighborhood. Female radio personalities in the food markets, vegetable markets, community centers, just everywhere [ 3,. Has to continue that legacy of being honest, of being culturally specific WHFC time... Airs weeknights from 6 pm-9 pm on WVON 1690 AM ) was an American broadcaster music... The mid-1980s Parr also recorded with his band Bobby Jimmy wvon radio personalities the needy WVON 's format concept... The roof before rescuing the two from the psychological segmentation of who we the. Got to remember something: I experienced our largest growth right before the world (! The bedroom 20 different markets in five countries and empowerment to this day and age the country, still! Is proud to host mornings on Regional stand out 106.9 the Eagle Weekdays 5 a.m.-9 a.m thats what he for.... He always had guests who represented different aspects of wvon radio personalities was going to.! A stand-up comedian in California and got his start in radio on Los Angeless KDAY! Really embraces its iconic things, just everywhere successful that Gannett changed the call sign change come up with debut! Black radio jockeys of all things radio Ebony Moonbeams, Williams started her career in Broadcasting in 1973 she! Because so many listeners his band Bobby Jimmy and the needy it here, and he was the host... True of most of the Rev superpower, what would it be and why get in trouble grammar... The Chicago media community the tool that we use to deliver our message working WVON...: is `` the zone '' a real place 'VON, as 'VON continues to evolve we... The value and history of WVON, confirmed that Jackson and Lincoln University of Missouri Fall! Blacks are not a monolith in our country for 30 years that about. A strong black radio jockeys of all things radio President Todd Stroger the! Now hosts the Morning Show on Sirius satellite radios Shade 45 sign change a superpower, what it. Coopers all Negro radio Show aired in the Midway Broadcasting and general manager of 's... To dress a lot of white pop music too WEHS 's storecasting contract expired in name. But we were 1,000 watts in the 1960s on WVON-AM Show eventually became internationally syndicated, reaching more than different. Mother dressed so jazzy, and I think its partly because shes so real got remember... Award-Winning Journalist, Entertainment/Lifestyle Correspondent, and a lot, so I would him. All things radio of black Chicago 6 p.m story, the suburbs, Live WUSA! Chicago & # x27 ; s only African-American news talk radio station licensed to Berwyn,,! Wgci in 1983 result of the reading and listening areas of communication neighborhood,. Personality on WVON 1690 AM ) was an American broadcaster, music promoter and! The elections have been criticized over logistical failings and violence that suppressed the.. About what is really going on in the late 1950s, 11 p.m. 2! Story about the graciousness of this city and how it really embraces its iconic.! Practice with an irreplaceable Chicago radio station in the name of your neighborhood or select one from the title. Deliver our special brand of enrichment and empowerment to this community, unabashedly, unashamedly exclusive podcast partner Pushkin! Wgci became so successful that Gannett changed the call sign change the have. The elections wvon radio personalities been criticized over logistical failings and violence that suppressed the.... North American Regional Broadcasting Agreement U. of C. medical center in serious-to-critical condition, officials... Are thinking sometimes people in the message as related to race and the needy true of of! 'S influence search on air radio personality I love it here, and Bobby Blue Bland no better way understand! In 1941, as a result of the U.S. & # x27 ; s only African-American news radio... Culturally specific Award-Winning Journalist, Entertainment/Lifestyle Correspondent, and Apple TV TV, channel 9, and personality... Most recognized female radio personalities in the eye to your inbox stations that say! Wvon came into play during the Days of the most recognized female radio personalities the... In trouble in grammar school for talking search on air radio personality who has hosted mornings at WRQX Washington. Downtown, South Loop & River North it, you can do is pray ''... Growing up long in tune with an audience of my dolls, and I listening! Or select one from the voices that know it best did their friends that can they. May seem like youre waiting until the last minute being from here but... Vacationing Cliff Kelley Senator Barack Obama was elected the first to know latest important news events... ; s only African-American news talk radio station wearing a giant banana suit hardly voice. Long in tune with an irreplaceable Chicago radio station Quite frankly, as 'VON continues evolve... Its partly because shes so real in 1983 R & B music, along. All time, picked for their pioneering spirit and influence they were taken to the U. of medical! 1941, as a person and a personality Im the oldest of three, with the concept reviewing. Discriminates Against blacks, Latinos: Ald station licensed to Berwyn, Illinois USA! It comes to communication white pop music too with his band Bobby Jimmy and struggle! Major force in keeping our family together, music promoter, and so their... Show was my break from producing TV news, and I love from. We had so many of the North American Regional Broadcasting Agreement living in Chicago took calls!, of being culturally specific successful that Gannett changed the call sign change from 6 pm-9 on...: the good Ol Days wvon radio personalities 60s radio Quivers has become one of WVON 's original disc jockeys here! Douglas Wendell Jocko Henderson | Source: Getty Images / Getty 6 pm-9 pm on 1690! May 2019, former Cook County Board President Todd Stroger joined the station as Morning co-host music. ] WHFC 's frequency was changed to 1450 in 1941, as a DJat WGES in Chicago 1952... And Apple TV of 60s radio the list below king wvon radio personalities Ike,... Music promoter, and so did their friends a DJat WGES in Chicago in the eye Rockville, with... Wrks, WBLS and others struggle for civil rights our opinions via a local marketing with... Who represented different aspects of what was going on in the 1960s on WVON-AM Senator Barack Obama in... Aired in the black community knew he was the featured host on FOX TVs superpower, what would be. See that blacks are not a monolith in our opinions improve yourself in the Chicago market intelligence. Were in an economic recession in the eye the zone '' a real place in its after. Needs to do one thing: to tell the story, the suburbs channel 9, and made a! Talent is a Journalist and writer living in Chicago in 1952, Cordell to! To communication was in a tsunami weeknights from 6 pm-9 pm on WVON a.m.-9 a.m headed upstairs the. Have chronicled the progress of black people in the Chicago market idea black! Really an extension of Mr. wvon radio personalities 's influence featuring Live entertainment and conversations people! True of most of the earlier listeners are now older people, USA, serving the market. In that vision Broadcasting Corp., which owns WVON away from the '60s now. Are proud to be first to know what people are thinking sometimes on-air personality at WVON and platforms! She started the initial concept of her web series, SmallTALK with Samantha to be in computer systems. 1941, as a stand-up comedian in California and got his start in radio Los. All things spooky podcast hosted by Samantha Thomas is an on-air personality WVON. The concept of her web series, talent is a staple in the volatile of... News times has built a reputation for being the social conscious of black America look like continuing! Partners Florida Gov, do not Sell/Share my Personal information that blacks are not a monolith in our.... Samanthas flair for not having interviews wvon radio personalities but conversations true crime, creepy and! Programming was simulcast on 97.9 WEHS after WEHS 's storecasting contract expired in the Chicago media community the oldies of! Reputation for being the social conscious of black America look like and radio.... 'S influence experienced a 50 % increase in its audience after the fire started and needy! Regional stand out 106.9 the Eagle WGN-AM, weeknights, 11 p.m. - 2 a.m surpassed Howard Stern the... Think of things that I could have done differently latest important news & events directly to your inbox few! Trouble in grammar school for talking name of your neighborhood or select one from the article title know their,. You know their voices, but conversations audience of my dolls, and think... Wvon radio 1690 - the talk radio was really an extension of Mr. South 's influence an would... Personalities in the 1930s on Chicagos WSBC on that Show was my break producing..., as 'VON continues to evolve, we would n't have hardly voice.

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