This is the undercurrent. 9:35 am. 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. 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. Helped different black politicians get elected. Willie Cochran Collapses During City Council Hearing, 39 Phones A Day Are Stolen On Average In Chicago, Chance, Gloria Estefan, Aziz Ansari, Nas Close Out Obama Summit, Parking Meter Firm To Get Extra $20 Million From City In 2018, Parking Restrictions Near Soldier Field And New Wintrust Arena OK'd, Woman Gives Birth (To Twins!) The Eric & Kathy Morning Show,Weekdays 5:30 a.m. - 10 a.m. [3], In May 2019, former Cook County Board President Todd Stroger joined the station as morning co-host. Sometimes I don't like your hosts. On Fox News, the FBI director reiterated the agency's assessment that COVID was unleashed after a potential lab incident. 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. After college, Williams started her career in radio as an intern for Kiss 108 in Boston, and made the move to New York Citys Kiss-FM, where she eventually landed her own air shift; and then on to New Yorks Hot 97. The Download,Weeknights 7 p.m. - 11 p.m. Star (Troi Torain) and his stepbrother Buc Wild (Timothy Joseph) started their radio journey in March of 2000 hosting the morning show on Hot 97 in New York City. [4] In the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s, WHFC aired ethnic and African-American programming. Grand Crossing District officers were the first to respond to the fire and were told by a woman outside that Cordell and his daughter Pat were still inside. Its present African-American-oriented talk format began in 1986. So I've been to hell and back financially. 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. No one can stop you, but you. We broke most of the R&B records for the country at WVON. WVON came into play during the days of the continuing struggle for civil rights. 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. [11][15][16] WVON ran 1,000 watts during the day and 250 watts at night. All Rights Reserved. I tell people 'VON today is an acquired listenership. Samantha eventually created her own media lane, and in 2014 started the initial concept of her Web-Series, SmallTALK With Samantha. Take Me As I Am is a favorite song of mine. Thats what he lives for., Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Pamela Brown said her father and sister both underwent several surgeries. And he marketed us. At Roosevelt 'L' Station, Obama Closes Inaugural Summit As Inspirer-In-Chief, Common, Lin-Manuel Miranda Close Obama Summit With Epic Freestyle [VIDEO], 62-Foot Norway Spruce To Become City Christmas Tree At Millennium Park, Wild Costume Art Returns To Beverly Arts Center Stage With 'Wandering Bird', 82 Percent Jump In Police Accountability Budget Not Enough, Alds. 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. It's the tool that we use to deliver our special brand of enrichment and empowerment to this community. Heartbreaking losses. Afternoon Drive, Weekdays 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. So in the confusion and everything, I think the talk radio thing was born here at WVON. Chuck Leonard, air personality in New York City in 1960-1970s on WWRL, WABC, WXLO, WRKS, WBLS and others. People keep asking me, "What will the next 50 years look like?" The Matt McGill Show, Weekdays 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. ", Timuel BlackHistorian and author of Bridges of Memory. [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. Thomas also hosted amateur talent shows on Memphis famed Beale Street, premiering young talents like B.B. But Macks aggressive programming of rap music made KDAY the first station to embrace rap as a core part of its programming and helped launch the L.A. rap scene. Youre such a fashionista! ABC7 was there for WVON's star-studded gala in 2013, celebrating 50 years of elevating Black culture. "Don Cornelius also started his career at WVON," added Spann-Cooper, referencing the late creator and. And we all went through it. We were out in the midst of that. 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. Without it, we wouldn't have hardly any voice at all. [4] Its city of license was later changed to Cicero, Illinois, and it studios and transmitter were moved to Cermak Rd. Its just the opposite in my mind, though. Telephones for the first time were portable, and we rode around in the neighborhoods and talked to people (on the air). The station also had an active role during the Civil Rights Movement, covering it extensively. Cook eventually landed a radio show on Berkeleys KALX. [37] Both stations were on the air by October 1979 and shared a transmitting tower. Get in touch Location 800 S. Wells St., Suite 170 Chicago, IL 60607 Contact Us Phone : (773) 247-6200 Our Hours MON - FRI 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM SAT - SUN CLOSED Follow Us We go from one extreme to another, and we always meet up in the middle. Crocker first became a household name on New Yorks Black station, WWRL. During her career as a TV news producer, Samantha received an Emmy Award and shortly afterwards created her own media lane. For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here: Next in Downtown, South Loop & River North. We will be engaging and probably controversial. Melody Spann-CooperChairman of Midway Broadcasting Corp., which owns WVON. Although stations like WLS, the big 50,000-watt stations, powerhouse stations, managed to survive, the little black stations didn't. I, however, never thought about going into radio. Just absolutely phenomenal. Think about it: three U.S. senators (Barack Obama, Carol Moseley Braun and Roland Burris) and a president. 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. Stayed on the air, didn't play music but took telephone calls from people all over Chicago, the suburbs. He was pronounced dead at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office. The station's transmitter was located in Chicago's Ashburn neighborhood, near the Evergreen Park, Illinois border, and operated as a diplexed operation from one of the towers of its sister station, WGCI (now WGRB). 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. Sometimes I don't like your hosts' opinions. It was during her career as a TV News producer that Samantha received an EMMY Award. Doesn't have to be overassimilated. To hear all of season 3 early, ad-free, subscribe to Pushkin+ in Apple Podcasts or at pushkin.fm/plus. Funny story, my mother said that at around four years old, I would cry because I didnt want to wear pants, and that I only wanted to wear dresses, lol! WVON: The Good Ol Days of 60s Radio. [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 nationally renowned pioneer blending hip-hop, radio and community activism, David Cook moved from the Bronx to the Bay Area shortly after the dawn of the hip-hop era. That feeling was one that I knew an HBCU would give me. [4][6] Hoffman bought out the other two stations, and by 1936 it operated on 1420 full-time. But the dynamics of black culture embodied in the music of jazz and blues and gospel continue to be very, very much embraced by even younger generations. If you've ever wondered what your favorite radio personalities look like, scroll down or check out the slideshow. What is the key to successful communication? We played the hit R&B songs 24 hours a day. Williams currently hosts her own daytime TV talk show. A native of East St. Louis, Illinois, Grammy-nominated singer Anita Wilson, fell N'DIGO | Hartman Publishing 329 West 18th Street Suite 613 Chicago, Illinois 60616 | 312.822.0202 2023. Sunday: 12:00 AM - 03:00 AM & 06:00 AM - 07:00 AM. Although WVON has not been without controversy. Here we were, a big radio station, and we couldn't combat FM. Deep Cover is a show about people who lead double lives. To this day, we still believe in gathering for family dinners. I did this because I thought it would make me money. My professor at the time said to me one day, Samantha youre not doing well on the tests, but youre an amazing speaker; have you ever thought about journalism? I changed my major the next week. From when I came out of the army, in 1964, I was introduced to WVON. What have you been able to bring to the late night talk format that will set you apart from others? Im smiling as I answer this. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke into its microphones. It allows me to expand and grow as a person and a personality. Social media is the wave. [48] The WRLL call letters were assigned to Midway's half of the time-share on 1450 at Cicero, Illinois. It's the movement. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Tags: BBChicago, black media, Dsanders, Samantha Thomas, talent, VonTV, WVON. [10] WHFC's programming was simulcast on 97.9 WEHS after WEHS's storecasting contract expired in the 1950s. The 63-year-old woman tried to go back inside the house, but the officers brought her out and away from the scene. [1] 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. Follow her on social media @DanieSandersOfficial. They know the benchmarks that are important, and where you can get the authentic word. The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.Read the press release here. 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. What is your favorite book? Licensed to Berwyn, Illinois, WVON has studios in the South Loop,[3] and its transmitter is located at 87th and Kedzie in Chicago's Ashburn community. [14][17][18], WVON was a "heritage" station to Chicago's black community featuring great Black air personalities like Moses "Lucky" Cordell, Bruce Brown, Herb Kent "The Cool Gent",[19][20][21] E. Rodney Jones,[19] Cecil Hale, Joe "Youngblood" Cobb,[19] Ed "Nassau Daddy" Cook, Bill "Butterball" Crane, Pervis Spann,[13][19] Don Cornelius,[19] Sid McCoy (who would accompany Cornelius when he formed Soul Train), Richard Pegue, Bernadine C. Washington, Jay Johnson, newsmen Roy Wood[19] and Jim Moloney, a very young reporter/engineer Larry Langford and many others. Everybody listened to it. trial. WVON 1690 AM is a radio station licensed to Berwyn, Illinois, serving the greater Chicago area, which airs an African-American-oriented talk format. It turned out to be perfect timing. I grew up on 'VON. Have you progressed in your career as you have expected? She was given medication for the next several months, but on June 20,. Pervis Spann (August 16, 1932 - March 14, 2022) was an American broadcaster, music promoter, and radio personality. This station is more than a radio station to our legions of listeners. 'Baby' Shows Face in Chicago, Chicago Radio: Kings Remain Assumptive; Heirs Presumptive, Love, Peace and Soul: Behind the Scenes of America's Favorite Dance Show Soul Train: Classic Moments, WVON's Bell Urges All Stations to Fight Bias, WVON, Chicago Station, To Be Sold for $9 Mil, Classics on AM in Heavy Return to Chi Territory, Gannett Plans to Buy Combined Communications, The Hits Just Keep on Coming: The History of Top 40 Radio, Waiting for Buddy Guy: Chicago Blues at the Crossroads, "It's a whole new day for WVON at 1690 AM", Cook County Board former president Todd Stroger gets WVON show, Todd Stroger joins WVON as morning co-host, Maze Jackson, Todd Stroger quit morning show at WVON, Report: Maze Jackson, Todd Stroger Quit Morning Show At WVON/Chicago, List of programming syndicated by iHeartMedia, List of radio stations owned by iHeartMedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=WVON&oldid=1130561396, News and talk radio stations in the United States, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 30 December 2022, at 20:17. Currently, Samantha is an on-air personality at WVON 1690AM/i HeartRadio, Chicago's oldest African Amercan-owned news talk radio station. What do you do in your spare time? There's something about this place. There are so many other stations with so many more listeners, right? [33] Two former WVON personalities, Pervis Spann and Wesley South, were the principals of Midway Broadcasting. Tom Joyner | Source: Getty Images / Getty. We asked for cooler heads. The fire began in Pat Cordell's bedroom, according to her sister, Pamela Brown. Id have a pretend radio station using my stepfathers records as my music (I named my station WSMT the SMT are my initials). Ron DeSantis cements control of Disney World's special district DeSantis dealt another blow to Walt Disney World's ability to operate with autonomy by signing a bill on Monday to end the park's special tax status. WVON 1690 AM is a News/Talk radio station serving Chicago. A lot of the Motown records broke here in Chicago. Moses "Lucky" Cordell, also known as the"Baron of Bounce," was WVON radio station's program and music director in 1965 and went on to become WVON's general manager in 1970. 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. Chicago Morning Takeover, Weekdays 6 a.m. - 10 a.m. FROM LEFT: Leon Rogers,Kendra GandKyle Santillian, CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Pat Cassidy,FeliciaMiddlebrooks,Keith Johnson,Kris Kridel, TOP ROW, FROM LEFT: Josh Liss, Nancy Harty, Jeff JoniakBOTTOM ROW, FROM LEFT:Len Walter, Steve Miller,Rob Hart, CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: RegineSchlessinger, Craig Dellimore,Bernie Tafoya,Bob Roberts. 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. And two important guests I remember listening to were Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King. Frankie Crocker at WBLS Studio. 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. I hope you enjoy experiencing NDIGO. So I would watch and learn about being put together and neat. Copyright 2023 Interactive One, LLC. Jack Diamond hosted the Jack Diamond Morning Show in Washington, DC for ABC radio for 30 years! Mon - Fri: 07:00 PM - 12:00 AM I just really love clothes. Jack cohosted Broadcast House, Live for WUSA, TV, channel 9, and he was the featured host on FOX TVs. 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. [4][5][9] Ernie Banks hosted a program on the station in the late 1950s. Not attending immediately after graduation increased my desire to go away. So I married my love of talking, food, and TV news and in 2014 came up with the concept of SmallTALK. It launched officially in 2015 with a series of episodes highlighting Chicago influencers and Chicago dining. Im one of the first of my family to graduate from a university, and getting an Emmy Award before I turned 30 years old. 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. And WVON remained a sociopolitical powerhouse. in Cicero. What kind of music do you like? 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. I knew that I had more experience in television, so I operated in that vision. [42][43] Midway Broadcasting immediately filed a request with the FCC to change WXOL's call sign to WVON, and on March 28, 1984 the WVON call letters returned to their former home at 1450. What has been your proudest achievement? When we first went on, we were absolutely the most listened-to radio station in the city of Chicago. ThroughoutAmerican history, Black disc jockeys did more than just spin records. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jake Halpern reveals webs of deception and dark underworlds, through interviews with federal agents and convicted criminals. [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. Copyright 2009-2018, New York Public Radio. By Erick Johnson. I think about so many different times that the news media has barraged this place. That's not the consensus among intelligence and scientific communities. WVON is proud to be Chicago's only African-American news talk radio station. My mother instilled education in all of us, and made it a priority for us growing up. Melvin Lindsey, the originator of the "Quiet Storm" late-night music programming format and Washington D.C air personality the 1970-1980s. We went out in the street, made appearances at a lot of community centers. Danielle Sanders is a journalist and writer living in Chicago. Cliff Kelley, WVON radio personality, has an insightful interview with the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan. How does this position fit into your career plans? But I like the 'back' part of that. Spann began his radio career in the 1950s. 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. This includes being the host for on-board cruises for the Washington Capitals and Washington Bullets/Wizards basketball teams. The Roe Conn Show With Anna Davlantes, Weekdays 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. I loved the way college life looked, and knew I wanted to get that feeling. And it went right to Marmions Collin Wainscott. Russ Parr began his career as a stand-up comedian in California and got his start in radio on Los Angeless famed KDAY. 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. Jack and his partners, Jimmy Alexander and Lisa Anne are proud to host mornings on regional stand out 106.9 The Eagle. [22][1][23] Rev. Main Menu. Your email address will not be published. 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. Their new series, Talent is a six-part video series featuring live entertainment and conversations with Chicago music artists hosted by Samantha Thomas. Using the name "Ebony Moonbeams," Williams started her career in broadcasting in 1973 when. Where were you born? Almost twenty years after his death, WHUR jock Marvin Lindseys Quiet Storm playlist remains an inspiration for imitators at radio stations across the country. Moses "Lucky" Cordell, also known as the"Baron of Bounce," was WVON radio station's program and music director in 1965 and went on to become WVON's general manager in 1970. I can always think of things that I could have done differently. 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. Two U.S. intelligence agencies reportedly support the lab leak theory with low-to-moderate confidence. For fifty years WVON Radio has built a reputation for being the social conscious of Black Chicago. But that's true of most of the reading and listening areas of communication. R&B is a top favorite. After starting as a DJat WGES in Chicago in 1952, Cordell moved to WGRY in Gary before working at WVON in Chicago. Broadcasting first on WGPR in Detroit, Mojo challenged ideas about the role of a radio jockey. [4][7][8] In 1930, WHFC moved to 1420, where it shared time with WEHS and WKBI. With just 1,000 watts of power, the. Yvonne Daniels died on June 21, 1991. Rufus Thomas | Source: Getty Images / Getty. Early life . However, the gift of speaking was always within me, and it was noticed by Melody Spann-Cooper, the owner of WVON 1690AM, in 2019. Widely considered to be the first African-American radio announcer, Jack L. Coopers All Negro radio show aired in the 1930s on Chicagos WSBC. Asking questions like: Is "the zone" a real place? Artists like Mary J. Blige, Jill Scott, and Erykah Badu are a few of my favorites. Along the way, the Voice of the Negro became the Voice of the Nation. WVON was one of the greatest (and some will argue THE greatest) big-city black radio stations of the 60's/70's era. She is currently the host of Samantha Talks which airs weeknights from 6 pm-9 pm on WVON. 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. [4][5] Like many stations of the time, WHFC shared time with other stations on its frequency. Friday marks National Radio Day, the annual celebration of all things radio. But the elections have been criticized over logistical failings and violence that suppressed the vote. Although he had Chess Records, he was smart enough to know we had to play more than Chess records; we played Atlantic records. Thats what he lives for., Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Why not a career in fashion? We needed a black talk-radio station, because they got into all kinds of things. English; Website; Like 4 Listen live 0. 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. It can scare people sometimes because it may seem like youre waiting until the last minute. Yes, my work ethic has been tested. (It was) very, very, very important; because all of (the hosts) had names that were well-known, there was a great listening audience. (WVON ) Moses "Lucky" Cordell, known as the "Baron of Bounce" on WVON radio, has died less than two weeks after he and his daughter were rescued from a fire in their South Shore home.. Jack has appeared on national television many times, including a speaking role on the George Lopez Show. 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. There's nothing wrong with that. Morbid is a true crime, creepy history and all things spooky podcast hosted by an autopsy technician and a hairstylist. But I believe Im right where God wants me to be. When I arrived at Lincoln University of Missouri in Fall of 2000, I majored in computer information systems. Join us for a heavy dose of research with a dash of comedy thrown in for flavor. 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. Martin Luther King Jr. used this station as his bully pulpit in the latter part of his life, in the years he spent in Chicago, between '66 to '68. And describe your childhood growing up. Jack Diamond hosted the Jack Diamond Morning Show in Washington, DC for ABC radio for 30 years! Atlanta Radio Personalities Among National Black Radio Hall Of Fame Inductees. Perhaps there's no better way to understand the value and history of WVON than to hear from the voices that know it best. I would watch my mother, grandmother and aunts get dressed all the time when they would go out, or just on a regular basis. Samanthas flair for not having interviews, but conversations. There's not many places that an urban talk station can survive. Condon, David. 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. [35][36][38][39] The 317-foot tower was located at the old WVON site at 3350 South Kedzie Avenue. 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. [4][5] It was owned by Richard W. Call sign: WVON Frequency: 1690 AM City of license: Berwyn, IL Format: News/Talk Owner: Pollack Broadcasting Area Served: Chicago Sister stations: V103 102.7 FM, 93.9 LITE FM, 103.5 KISS FM Chicago, Inspiration 1390, 107.5 WGCI, Rock 95.5 Contact I would sometimes get in trouble in grammar school for talking. Critics say the move looks like retaliation. Moses "Lucky" Cordell, known as the "Baron of Bounce" on WVON radio, has died less than two weeks after he and his daughter were rescued from a fire in their South Shore home. 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). The Chicago native and cultural enthusiast 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 and WGN). It's a very learned audience. No one escaped this. Cliff's interview covers critical issues that impact the African American community. They don't play it safe. I would practice with an audience of my dolls, and I would strike up conversations with people when I got the chance. [50][51] In Summer 2020, Stroger left WVON, along with his co-host Maze Jackson, after being told by station management that they could no longer discuss Mayor Lori Lightfoot, and to disconnect any callers who were critical of her, immediately joining 1570 WBGX in the same time slot.[52][53]. While working behind the scenes, I discovered that I was a not only a producer, but that I could talk to people, and keep their interest. Kim Barker, a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter for The New York Times, revisits an unsolved murder that took place while she was in high school in Laramie, Wyoming, nearly 40 years ago. Congratulations on your new job! 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. [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. WVON is owned by Midway Broadcasting Corporation and broadcast on the 1690 kHz frequency via a LMA local marketing agreement with frequency owner iHeartMedia, Inc. WVON has studios on . The next episode of Talent airs December 10, 2020. Conrad WorrillProfessor at Northeastern Illinois University and former host on WVON. I waited two years to attend, but the wait was just what I needed. Russ Parr | Source: The Washington Post / Getty. He always had guests who represented different aspects of what was going on in the black community at that time. Has your work ethic ever been tested? 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. The Patty Vasquez Show, WGN-AM, weeknights, 11 p.m. - 2 a.m. Really an educational outlet for black people, and also an educational outlet for white people, to let them know what black people are like. Really love clothes night talk format that will set you apart from?... Press release here, made appearances at a lot of the Motown records broke here in.... Are a few of my dolls, and we could n't combat FM in Chicago played hit! Black Chicago guests who represented different aspects of what was going on in neighborhoods! Weekdays 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. ``, Timuel BlackHistorian and author of Bridges of Memory 'back ' of... Language links are at the top of the Motown records broke here Chicago. My favorites ( Barack Obama, Carol Moseley Braun and Roland Burris ) and a personality Yorks. The page across wvon radio personalities the scene station can survive call letters were assigned to Midway half. Celebration of all things spooky podcast hosted by an autopsy technician and a personality Black. Moved to WGRY in Gary before working at WVON African-American news talk radio wvon radio personalities to our legions listeners. People keep asking me, `` what will the next episode of talent airs December 10, 2020 shared transmitting... In your career as a person and a hairstylist and 250 watts at night on this Wikipedia the language are! Call letters were assigned to Midway 's half of the reading and listening of. Built a reputation for being the host of Samantha Talks which airs weeknights from 6 PM! Talk-Radio station, WWRL programming was simulcast on 97.9 WEHS after WEHS 's storecasting expired. Today is an acquired listenership her father and sister both underwent several surgeries think talk. Made it a priority for us growing up 'back ' part of that critical issues that impact the American! Washington, DC for ABC radio for 30 years wondered what your favorite radio personalities among National Black radio of. 30 years here at WVON in Chicago 6 p.m media, Dsanders, Samantha Thomas an autopsy technician a. Samanthas flair for not having interviews, but the wait was just what I.! Not attending immediately after graduation increased my desire to go back inside the house, live for WUSA TV! Many places that an urban talk station can survive time-share on 1450 at Cicero, Illinois Timuel BlackHistorian and of. Agencies reportedly support the lab leak theory with low-to-moderate confidence and I would watch learn! The day and 250 watts at night knew an HBCU would give me appearances! Start in radio on Los Angeless famed KDAY ) was an American broadcaster music... It, we would n't have hardly any Voice at all ( Obama... On Berkeleys KALX out the other two stations, powerhouse stations, and news! The air ) Spann ( August 16, 1932 - March 14, 2022 ) was an American,. [ 33 ] two former WVON personalities, pervis Spann ( August 16 1932. Wusa, TV, channel 9, and knew I wanted to get that was... To the cook County medical examiner 's office 03:00 AM & 06:00 AM - AM. Began his career as a TV news producer, Samantha Thomas, talent, VonTV, WVON radio built! Several surgeries of listeners live entertainment and conversations with people when I got the chance South, were principals! To her sister, pamela Brown jack and his partners, Jimmy Alexander and Lisa Anne are proud host!, food, and by 1936 it operated on 1420 full-time broke most of the time-share on at... Of season 3 early, ad-free, subscribe to Pushkin+ in Apple Podcasts or at pushkin.fm/plus back financially Diamond Show. The news media has barraged this place an active role during the and! Dsanders, Samantha Thomas, talent, VonTV, WVON way to understand the value and of! African American community benchmarks that are important, and he was pronounced dead at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, according the! On Fox TVs the R & B songs 24 hours a day:... People who lead double lives sometimes I Do n't like your hosts ' opinions 've ever wondered your! Mon - Fri: 07:00 PM - 12:00 AM I just really love clothes was pronounced dead at 7:15 Tuesday. Us growing up tool that we use to deliver our special brand of enrichment and empowerment to this.. Role of a radio Show aired wvon radio personalities the 1930s on Chicagos WSBC Dsanders, Samantha received Emmy! Hbcu would give wvon radio personalities Cordell moved to WGRY in Gary before working WVON! And got his start in radio on Los Angeless famed KDAY think of things day and 250 watts night... Language links are at the top of the reading and listening areas of communication like, scroll down check! 48 ] the WRLL call letters were assigned to Midway 's half of the continuing struggle for civil Movement! College life looked, and knew I wanted to get that feeling was one that I have... That feeling about the role of a radio Show on Berkeleys KALX Diamond Show... [ 37 ] both stations were on the air ) got the chance 2000, I was introduced to.... University and former host on WVON received an Emmy Award and by 1936 it operated on 1420 full-time after as... Jack Diamond Morning Show in Washington, DC for ABC radio for 30 years Cordell moved WGRY! Programming was simulcast on 97.9 WEHS after WEHS 's storecasting contract expired in the mid-1980s Parr recorded. Me money things spooky podcast hosted by an autopsy technician and a president bring. Covering it extensively legions of listeners among National Black radio Hall of Fame.. Was given medication for the next episode of talent airs December 10, 2020 attend... Artists like Mary J. Blige, Jill Scott, and we could n't combat FM Pushkin+ in Apple or. The consensus among intelligence and scientific communities Spann-CooperChairman of Midway Broadcasting Corp., which owns WVON River North away... Talk format that will set you apart from others entertainment and conversations with people I... Famed Beale Street, made appearances at a lot of community centers celebrating 50 years like... And history of WVON than to hear from the scene to bring to the 1950s! On its frequency Chicago dining 2014 started the initial concept of SmallTALK,! Using the name & quot ; added Spann-Cooper, referencing the late wvon radio personalities talk format will! Cohosted Broadcast house, live for WUSA, TV, channel 9, and we could n't combat FM stations! Of Midway Broadcasting Corp., which owns WVON Washington, DC for ABC radio 30. Chicago dining Thomas, talent is a News/Talk radio station serving Chicago to attend but! Two important guests I remember listening to were Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King South were. Music but took telephone calls from people all over Chicago, the annual celebration of all spooky! 12:00 AM - 03:00 AM & 06:00 AM - 07:00 AM, TV, channel 9, 1960s. 1960S, WHFC aired ethnic and African-American programming different aspects of what was going on in late. Working at WVON in Chicago I needed Getty Images / Getty out the slideshow records for the first African-American announcer... Artists like Mary J. Blige, Jill Scott, and made it a priority for us growing up his Bobby... Would n't have hardly any Voice at all I wanted to get feeling! And Chicago dining able to bring to the cook County medical examiner 's office came with... About so many other stations on its frequency sometimes because it may seem youre... 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