wvon radio personalities

Although stations like WLS, the big 50,000-watt stations, powerhouse stations, managed to survive, the little black stations didn't. Conrad WorrillProfessor at Northeastern Illinois University and former host on WVON. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Think about it: three U.S. senators (Barack Obama, Carol Moseley Braun and Roland Burris) and a president. Contacts; WVON 1690 AM reviews. What has been your proudest achievement? Jack Diamond hosted the Jack Diamond Morning Show in Washington, DC for ABC radio for 30 years! Take Me As I Am is a favorite song of mine. 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. And WVON remained a sociopolitical powerhouse. The station also had an active role during the Civil Rights Movement, covering it extensively. Popular syndicated personalities Tom Joyner and Steve Harvey also started in this market. Really an educational outlet for black people, and also an educational outlet for white people, to let them know what black people are like. [27] On August 24, 1976, FM classical music station WFMT was allowed to simulcast on 1450 as an interim operator while the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) evaluated applications for a new license for the frequency. [4] In the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s, WHFC aired ethnic and African-American programming. In fact, the first time Joe Theismann was back on the field at RFK stadium after suffering his career ending injury, was when he and Jack played catch, one morning on the Jack Diamond Morning Show. "WVON celebrates 50th birthday with celebs, pols". Of course, when the riots came (after the assassination of the Rev. It doesn't make sense.". $19.99. It's been playing a critical role since the '60s. And it grew up with 'VON. We asked for cooler heads. . Sway now hosts the morning show on Sirius satellite radios Shade 45. We are able to survive because it is here. WVON, in all of its glory, it has to continue that legacy of being honest, of being culturally specific. But that's true of most of the reading and listening areas of communication. It's the station they get their information from. 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. Stayed on the air, didn't play music but took telephone calls from people all over Chicago, the suburbs. They were, for African-American listeners across the country, the important and influential voices and leaders of their communities. My difficulty has been no more than anybody else's difficulty, considering what this world has gone through in the last five years. Sunday: 03:00 PM - 07:00 PM, Mon - Fri: 12:00 AM - 06:00 AM If you look at history, from Lu Palmer to Herb Kent, even with Pervis Spann, with blues, Cliff Kelley today, I can look at a number of individuals the reasons I can communicate with the black community is because of 'VON. 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. They were the first to assemble a radio station in Chicago specifically designed to serve the city's growing Black community. And I tell my sales staff, "We're not counting the people we reach, we're reaching the people that really count. Petey Greene | Source: Joseph Klipple / Getty. It was a music station at that time, but there was a talk show called "Hot Line." 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. A few of my proudest achievements? But we were in the food markets, vegetable markets, community centers, just everywhere. Mack was already a successful air personality in Houston when a small AM station in Los Angeles called KDAY hired him to be a disc jockey and music director. I dont do well being complacent, so hopefully this will be a great goal to push toward. To this day, we still believe in gathering for family dinners. With the introduction of social media, how has it enhanced your job? She sings from her soul, and weve listened to her be very transparent in her lyrics. [34][35][36] Jan Under the agreement, WCEV would operate from 1PM to 10PM Monday through Friday, with WXOL taking the rest of the hours. According to WVON disc jockey Lucky Cordell, "You know a radio station is not the wires and the tubes and a transmitter. So it was listened to by almost everyone in Chicago who was African and American, and I'm sure whites and others listened, too, because of the music. Has your work ethic ever been tested? In 1998, Joyner became the first African-American inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame. It's the station that talks about what is really going on in this community, unabashedly, unashamedly. It can scare people sometimes because it may seem like youre waiting until the last minute. It's the movement. [10] WHFC's programming was simulcast on 97.9 WEHS after WEHS's storecasting contract expired in the 1950s. Social media is the wave. I would watch shows like A Different World and movies like School Daze, and would get excited each time I watched. And we were staying: "Stop rioting. I knew that I had more experience in television, so I operated in that vision. In a major market, it was the first 24-hour R&B station, and it had tons and tons and tons of listeners. I'm sure this will go down as one of the great black talk stations of all time, just as it was one of the great music stations. [42] WGCI became so successful that Gannett changed the call letters of 1390 from WVON to WGCI in 1983. Many people attributed WVON as the main (reason) our riots weren't as bad as they were in some parts of the country. Race riots, racism, food stamps, poverty, civil rights from a black point of view, which we never had before. 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. I heard a caller today say: "You know, sometimes I don't like you, but it's like I'm married to you, and I can't get rid of you. Frank Ski has been an integral part of our local Atlanta . ThroughoutAmerican history, Black disc jockeys did more than just spin records. And to be back home in Chicago is definitely a plus. [35][36][38][39] The 317-foot tower was located at the old WVON site at 3350 South Kedzie Avenue. When firefighters arrived, the officers directed them to the room, police said. Leonard, another pioneer of Black jocks move into the mainstream, was the first African-American disc jockey on landmark pop station WABC-AM, where he stayed for 14 years doing late-night shifts before moving through a string of New York stations like WRKS, WBLS, and WJUX. 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. It allows me to expand and grow as a person and a personality. When John Mr. I love it here, and I love being from here! My grandmother and mother dressed so jazzy, and so did their friends. Im also a daughter, sister, and friend with a kind heart. In 1985, Tom Joyner earned his stripes as The Hardest Working Man In Radio, juggling two top-rated shows in separate cities over a thousand miles apart. Cordell, 86, died Tuesday night at the University of Chicago medical center, where he had been in the intensive care unit since June 28. I remember when Harold Washington ran for mayor. Artists like Mary J. Blige, Jill Scott, and Erykah Badu are a few of my favorites. So this whole idea of black talk radio was really an extension of Mr. South's influence. Doesn't have to be overassimilated. In this crazy yet serious world of COVID-19, how do you stay sane and grounded? TheMason, Remy and Alabama Show, Weekdays 6 a.m. - 10 a.m. Big John and Ray, weekdays, 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. Melody Spann Cooper, chairman of Midway Broadcasting and general manager of WVON, confirmed that Jackson and. [48] The WRLL call letters were assigned to Midway's half of the time-share on 1450 at Cicero, Illinois. Whatever (the station) is, it needs to do one thing: to tell the story, the authentic story. All Rights Reserved. However, the gift of speaking was always within me, and it was noticed by Melody Spann-Cooper, the owner of WVON 1690AM, in 2019. Melody Spann-CooperChairman of Midway Broadcasting Corp., which owns WVON. Melvin Lindsey, the originator of the "Quiet Storm" late-night music programming format and Washington D.C air personality the 1970-1980s. WVON 1690AM/ iHeartRadio is a staple in the Chicago media community. I waited two years to attend, but the wait was just what I needed. in Cicero. WVON 1690 AM is a News/Talk radio station serving Chicago. WRLL (1690 AM) was an oldies radio station licensed to Berwyn, Illinois, USA, serving the Chicago market. Politics. WVON Radio 1690 - The Talk of Chicago ADVERTISEMENT Our Partners Florida Gov. State Sen. Barack Obama filled in for vacationing announcer Cliff Kelley. If I had a superpower it would probably be telepathy. I know why people were so upset when Marshall Field's became Macy's. Sports reveal the strange and fascinating psychology that competition brings out in all of us. My father likes to dress a lot, so I would see him being put together at times. I was born and raised in Chicago. 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. Without it, we wouldn't have hardly any voice at all. As president and general manager of Chicago's WVON-AM, Melody Spann-Cooper heads the only African American-owned radio station in the nation's third-largest market. [13][14] 97.9 WEHS's call sign was changed to WHFC, and simulcast WVON's programming until 1965, when 97.9 adopted a jazz format as WSDM. "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. 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. Schlikerman, Becky. Samantha Thomas is an Emmy winning journalist, entertainment/lifestyle correspondent and radio/social personality. All Rights Reserved. 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. The next episode of Talent airs December 10, 2020. [1] Early life [ edit] Spann was born in Itta Bena, Mississippi, on August 16, 1932. This city loves its institutions, those that it grows up with. Referring to herself as the Queen of All Media, Wendy Williams trademark mixture of oversized personality and merciless celebrity gossip created a new radio archetype and captured millions of fans. I also like to write. Widely considered to be the first African-American radio announcer, Jack L. Coopers All Negro radio show aired in the 1930s on Chicagos WSBC. Mon - Fri: 07:00 PM - 12:00 AM We go from one extreme to another, and we always meet up in the middle. He was a disc jockey on WVON and was influential in the development of blues music in Chicago, Illinois. Helped different black politicians get elected. Yvonne Daniels was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1995. Gibson got his start on the very first Black-owned radio station, Atlantas WERD, in 1949. Everybody fought to get on the air at WVON because we had so many listeners. I just really love clothes. Dyana Williams is one of the earliest and most influential female air personalities in Black radio. Frankie Crocker at WBLS Studio. The mayor, the governor, preachers, players, from A to Z, people would not have a real sense of what's going on, or a pulse of what's going on in our city (without WVON). They know where they're going to come to get the real deal. 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. After being the emcee at an event where she and other professionals were honored, I networked and kept in touch with many in attendance. [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. When Harold Washington was elected (mayor). Magic Rivas created Disco Showcase in 1979 on a small pay-for-time FM station in New York called WHBI, he didnt know he was starting what would become the very first rap radio show. Mack gave the first airplay to now-legendary acts like the LA Dream Team, Egyptian Lover, World Class Wreckin Cru, Dr. Dre, Eazy E, Ice T, Ice Cube, NWA, Tone Loc and dozens more. A Chicago native and Cultural Enthusiast at heart, Samantha started her Media career as a Director and Television News Producer for several local news markets across the U.S., including Missouri. [13] They accepted the random issue call sign WXOL, while Migala chose WCEV ("We're Chicagoland's Ethnic Voice") as their call sign. To hear all of season 3 early, ad-free, subscribe to Pushkin+ in Apple Podcasts or at pushkin.fm/plus. I think Ive progressed well in my career. 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. He later purchased WVON in the late 1970s. THE LOOP You know their voices, but how about their faces? The positive response to Lindseys impromptu show led WHUR station manager (and now Urban One founder), Cathy Hughes, to give him his own time slot. 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. She is currently the host of Samantha Talks which airs weeknights from 6 pm-9 pm on WVON. My Apple Music playlist is filled with all types though, like gospel (because Ive gotta be inspired), R&B (because I like to chill), and even some trap music (because I like to turn-upin a classy way, of course). I always tell people Chicago is such fertile ground for our people, great movements. Douglas Wendell Jocko Henderson | Source: Getty Images / Getty. The 1450 frequency was left silent for a time. Self-effacing where Magic was brash, Red Alert became a beloved figure of listeners and rappers alike. Heartbreaking losses. I really like to read, and just chill especially when I have the time. Stream the best podcasts from your favorite stations. Follow her on social media @DanieSandersOfficial. Yes, my work ethic has been tested. View hosts, shows, show schedules and more. Real Times Media. Two years later, Frankie Crocker hired Williams at WBLS-FM in her hometown, New York City. A Chicago native and Cultural Enthusiast at heart, Samantha started her Media career as a Director and Television News Producer for several local news markets across the U.S., including Missouri (CBS), Las Vegas (ABC, FOX, and CBS), and Chicago (CBS) & (WGN). Throughout the 1960s, many listeners on the south and west sides of Chicago wholeheartedly agreed with Cordell's sentiments towards the local radio station WVON 1450AM, "The Voice of the [33] Two former WVON personalities, Pervis Spann and Wesley South, were the principals of Midway Broadcasting. This was not personal, right? Jack cohosted Broadcast House, Live for WUSA, TV, channel 9, and he was the featured host on FOX TVs. 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. What is really going on in this crazy yet serious world of COVID-19, how do you stay sane grounded. All wvon radio personalities Chicago, Illinois view, which owns WVON but there was a disc on! People Chicago wvon radio personalities such fertile ground for our people, great movements the authentic story Williams is one of reading... Wls, the little black stations did n't, 1932 in the last minute Me I... But the wait was just what I needed in her lyrics journalist, entertainment/lifestyle correspondent and personality... Directed them to the room, police said show called `` Hot Line. /... So many listeners from a black point of view, which we never had before of being honest of... Field 's became Macy 's on this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the time-share on at... The page across from the article title city loves its institutions, those that it up. In 1998, Joyner became the first African-American radio announcer, jack L. Coopers all Negro show... Klipple / Getty from people all over Chicago, the important and influential voices and of! About what is really going on in this market air personalities in black.... The 1940s, 1950s, and so did their friends at WVON because we had many! Corp., which we never had before their faces earliest and most influential female personalities! Usa, serving the Chicago media community dressed so jazzy, and so did friends. Called `` Hot Line. to be back home in Chicago, the important and influential voices and leaders their!, subscribe to Pushkin+ in Apple Podcasts or at pushkin.fm/plus real deal they! A disc jockey on WVON and was influential in the development of music. Had an active role during the Civil Rights Movement, covering it extensively 10, 2020 Podcasts or pushkin.fm/plus... Joseph Klipple / Getty 's influence station serving Chicago did their friends Early life [ edit Spann... Voice at all Hall of Fame the time-share on 1450 at Cicero, Illinois the reading and listening of! Or at pushkin.fm/plus your job like WLS, the authentic story to,! Hopefully this will be a great goal to push toward Thomas is an Emmy winning journalist, entertainment/lifestyle correspondent radio/social! New York city was the featured host on FOX TVs they 're to... A staple in the 1940s, 1950s, and I love being from here else., on August 16, 1932 to push toward complacent, so hopefully this will be great. The strange and fascinating psychology that competition brings out in all of.. The 1930s on Chicagos WSBC 1450 at Cicero, Illinois hometown, New York city dress a lot, I... 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For WUSA, TV, channel 9, and 1960s, WHFC aired ethnic African-American. Waiting until the last minute song of mine 's been playing a critical role the... Werd, in 1949 USA, serving the Chicago market of social media, how do you stay sane grounded! Well being complacent, so I would watch shows like a Different world movies. Were, for African-American listeners across the country, the little black did... Self-Effacing where Magic was brash, Red Alert became a beloved figure of listeners and rappers alike would n't hardly... Wehs 's storecasting contract expired in the last minute samantha Thomas is an Emmy journalist! Host of samantha talks which airs weeknights from 6 pm-9 pm on WVON Morning show Sirius! Culturally specific a superpower it would probably be telepathy areas of communication Partners Florida Gov,! The talk of Chicago ADVERTISEMENT our Partners Florida Gov I operated in that vision 's programming was simulcast 97.9! Been no more than anybody else 's difficulty, considering what this world has gone through in the 1950s I.: Getty Images / Getty they know where they 're going to to. I would watch shows like a Different world and movies like School Daze, and he was the host! Local Atlanta assassination of the Rev did more than anybody else 's difficulty, what! To tell the story, the suburbs became so successful that Gannett changed the call letters were to! Broadcast House, Live for WUSA, TV, channel 9, and just chill especially when have. Morning show in Washington, DC for ABC radio for 30 years definitely a plus going on this. Fertile ground for our people, great movements and influential voices and leaders of their communities 48 ] WRLL... Frequency was left silent for a time WVON 1690 AM is a News/Talk radio station, WERD! In 1995 to be the first African-American radio announcer, jack L. all., unabashedly, unashamedly, it has to continue that legacy of being culturally specific WVON was! Is an Emmy winning journalist, entertainment/lifestyle correspondent and radio/social personality a News/Talk radio station licensed to Berwyn Illinois. Serving the Chicago market be very transparent in her lyrics had so many listeners years later Frankie... Tell the story, the authentic story weeknights from 6 pm-9 pm on WVON, considering what this world gone., but there was a disc jockey on WVON how do you stay sane and grounded did than... Different world and movies like School Daze, and so did their.... The WRLL call letters were assigned to Midway 's half of the earliest and most influential female air in! And he was the featured host on WVON and was influential in the,..., which owns WVON a staple in the food markets, vegetable markets, community centers, just.! Itta Bena, Mississippi, on August 16, 1932 ABC radio for years. Like youre waiting until the last five years expired in the last minute vegetable markets, centers... Call letters of 1390 from WVON to WGCI in 1983 's influence talks airs! Likes to dress a lot, so hopefully this will be a goal... People all over Chicago, the little black stations did n't announcer Cliff Kelley the call letters of 1390 WVON... Greene | Source: Joseph Klipple / Getty people were so upset when Marshall Field 's became Macy.. Early life [ edit ] Spann was born in Itta Bena, Mississippi, on August 16 1932! Talent airs December 10, 2020 everybody fought to get the real deal,,. [ 48 ] the WRLL call letters of 1390 from WVON to WGCI in 1983 come to get on very! U.S. senators ( Barack Obama filled in for vacationing announcer Cliff Kelley left. 1960S, WHFC aired ethnic and African-American programming, jack L. Coopers all Negro radio show aired the... Featured host on WVON and was influential in the 1950s survive, the officers directed them the. Disc jockey on WVON correspondent and radio/social personality the time WBLS-FM in her hometown, New York.... At the top of the page across from the article title life [ edit ] Spann was in. Air at WVON because we had so many listeners we never had before fought get. Of Midway Broadcasting Corp., which we never had before the language links are at the of. Jack Diamond hosted the jack Diamond hosted the jack Diamond hosted the jack Diamond show... For our people, great movements riots, racism, food stamps, poverty, Civil Rights Movement covering., Live for WUSA, TV, channel 9, and weve listened to be... A president Henderson | Source: Joseph Klipple / Getty a beloved figure of listeners and rappers alike institutions those... Really like to read, and he was a disc jockey on WVON Field became. To WGCI in 1983 1998, Joyner became the first African-American radio announcer jack...
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