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. Im smiling as I answer this. From the archives of the Coalition for the Remembrance of Elijah Muhammad, this short documentary . And they were saying how we should stop the riots. WVON's origins lie in WHFC, which began in 1926, broadcasting from the Hotel Flanders in Chicago. How do you want to improve yourself in the next year? What has been your proudest achievement? [13] In 2002, then State Senator Barack Obama filled in for vacationing Cliff Kelley. [48] The WRLL call letters were assigned to Midway's half of the time-share on 1450 at Cicero, Illinois. . But we were in the food markets, vegetable markets, community centers, just everywhere. trial. Youre such a fashionista! Main Menu. Im also a daughter, sister, and friend with a kind heart. They don't play it safe. Legendary disc jockeys Lucky Cordell, Cecil Hale, Herb Kent, The Cool Gent, Richard Pegue and Pervis Spann took part in a lively dialogue as they discussed their days at WVON radio. Danielle Sanders is a journalist and writer living in Chicago. It's got to have a vibrant community, a vibrant audience. 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! 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. $19.99. Although stations like WLS, the big 50,000-watt stations, powerhouse stations, managed to survive, the little black stations didn't. The Laurence Holmes Show, Weekdays 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. Kap & Co. Show, Weekdays 12 p.m. - 2 p.m. Officers also tried to rescue the Cordells but could not make it into the room where they were trapped because ofthe heat, authorities said. Copyright 2009-2018, New York Public Radio. Melvin Lindsey, the originator of the "Quiet Storm" late-night music programming format and Washington D.C air personality the 1970-1980s. 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. [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. 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. Deeb, Gary. The Bill Leff and Wendy Snyder Show, Weekdays 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.; 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. Sunday: 03:00 PM - 07:00 PM, Mon - Fri: 12:00 AM - 06:00 AM They were attracted by some good jazz and blues, and along with that would be the story. 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. It doesn't make sense.". They were taken to the U. of C. medical center in serious-to-critical condition, fire officials said Sunday. [42], In 1986, WVON adopted its current black-oriented talk radio format. One of the big things we did, we gave away Christmas baskets. According to WVON disc jockey Lucky Cordell, "You know a radio station is not the wires and the tubes and a transmitter. Russ Parr | Source: The Washington Post / Getty. We will be engaging and probably controversial. Only sometimes, lol! Be the first to know latest important news & events directly to your inbox. That evening, firefighters pulled him and his 60-year-old daughter out of their home in the 7300 block of South Euclid Avenue, officials said. Here are NewsOnes top 20 Black radio jockeys of all time, picked for their pioneering spirit and influence. No evidence has been shared. (WVON ). 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. WVON Radio 1690 - The Talk of Chicago ADVERTISEMENT Our Partners Florida Gov. [19] Other similar stations across the country took inspiration from WVON's format. And we were 1,000 watts in the daytime, 250 watts at night, that's all! [28] WVON reduced its news and community programming beginning in 1974, but continued to air a weekly broadcast by Jesse Jackson. "We had a monthlong debate over the word 'Negro,'" says Melody Spann-Cooper, daughter of Pervis Spann and chairman of Midway Broadcasting Corp., which owns WVON. I think it is still (important). If you only hear someone, but youre not listening to them, its like null and void communication. He became the station's program and music director in 1965 and went on to become WVON's general manager in 1970. Along the way, the Voice of the Negro became the Voice of the Nation. [35][36][38][39] The 317-foot tower was located at the old WVON site at 3350 South Kedzie Avenue. I was never really shy. '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. What makes for a good urban talk station? Nat'l Advertisers Hypo. If it's going on in black politics, if it's going on in Chicago and it's impacting the African-American community, or you want to know what's going on, this is the station that you go to. Currently, Samantha is an on-air personality at WVON 1690AM/i HeartRadio, Chicagos oldest African Amercan-owned news talk radio station. She was given medication for the next several months, but on June 20,. Being able to get the factual information quickly and distribute it just as fast is important in this day and age. [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. But originally, journalism wasnt my major. 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. We will use this site and social media to deliver our message. And I remember WLS and WCFL calling us, and they were saying: "Who the hell are you guys?" 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. 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 Have you always been comfortable talking to people? It officially launched in 2015 with a series of episodes highlighting Chicago Influencers and Chicago Dining. And dominated. Home; About Us; Line-Up; Events; Special Features; Partner with us; listen Jacks band was also the personal favorite of Vice President Al Gore and played many of their events both personal and for the administration. ThroughoutAmerican history, Black disc jockeys did more than just spin records. Im the oldest of three, with a younger brother and sister. Early life . King, Ike Turner, and Bobby Blue Bland. 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. 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. Melody Spann-Cooper. After starting as a DJat WGES in Chicago in 1952, Cordell moved to WGRY in Gary before working at WVON in Chicago. Although WVON has not been without controversy. They finally caught up with us. We had to get it done, and get it done efficiently fast. It's owners were Leonard and Phil Chess, the founders of Chess Records. She is the first black woman in Chicago to hold this distinction. If you want a very honest and culturally specific perspective, as it relates to black people and I'm talking domestic, as well as foreign WVON will give you an impressive array. @dnainfo_breen @trafficjamjen @jmd34john @C1McKnight pic.twitter.com/KTAke3a1it. 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. On March 15, 1996, Granum Communications sold WAOK and WVEE to Infinity Broadcasting, a division of CBS Radio. How did you get involved with WVON 1690AM? I loved the way college life looked, and knew I wanted to get that feeling. The Opening Bell, Weekdays 5 a.m. - 6 a.m. & The Steve Cochran Show. Conrad WorrillProfessor at Northeastern Illinois University and former host on WVON. 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. To hear all of season 3 early, ad-free, subscribe to Pushkin+ in Apple Podcasts or at pushkin.fm/plus. On September 18, 2006, the station got another signal upgrade when WVON's call letters and programming moved to 1690 AM broadcasting with 10,000 watts during the day. 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. Thats what he lives for., Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Just absolutely phenomenal. The Roe Conn Show With Anna Davlantes, Weekdays 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. By continuing to push myself beyond comfort zones. I grew up on 'VON. Needless to say, Im creative all day! Everybody fought to get on the air at WVON because we had so many listeners. Listen online or download the iHeart App. Its a lighthearted nightmare in here, weirdos! Their aggressive and culturally mixed personas quickly surpassed Howard Stern for the number one spot among young listeners. Melody Spann-CooperChairman of Midway Broadcasting Corp., which owns WVON. I think Ive progressed well in my career. Im one of the first of my family to graduate from a university, and getting an Emmy Award before I turned 30 years old. 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. Part of that comes from working in TV news, especially during breaking news times. 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. Youre responsible for you, so I keep that in mind daily. in Cicero. I have a never-ending creative mind, but Ive found that Im most creative in the evening. Were you influenced by anyone? After being the emcee at an event where she and other professionals were honored, I networked and kept in touch with many in attendance. 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. To this day, we still believe in gathering for family dinners. [33] Two former WVON personalities, Pervis Spann and Wesley South, were the principals of Midway Broadcasting. The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.Read the press release here. Really an educational outlet for black people, and also an educational outlet for white people, to let them know what black people are like. But that's true of most of the reading and listening areas of communication. Learn how and when to remove this template message, North American Regional Broadcasting Agreement, RadioInsight.com . I still LOVE to wear dresses by the way! And it was very inspiring in this short period of time, an hour format, that Mr. South was able to interview two of our giants in the black movement in this country. Cordell, 86, died Tuesday night at the University of Chicago medical center, where he had been in the intensive care unit since June 28. During the 1980s, Daniels worked Chicago morning shows on WVON, WGCI and eventually on "Smooth Jazz WNUA." During her 30-year career, Daniels is credited with paving the way for future generations of female radio personalities. How did you handle it? [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. Of course, when the riots came (after the assassination of the Rev. 30.11.2021. However, the gift of speaking was always within me, and it was noticed by Melody Spann-Cooper, the owner of WVON 1690AM, in 2019. Not that the journey has been easy or predictable. Copyright 2009-2018, DNAinfo. 9:35 am. I would watch shows like A Different World and movies like School Daze, and would get excited each time I watched. WVON came into play during the days of the continuing struggle for civil rights. We broke most of the R&B records for the country at WVON. 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. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jake Halpern reveals webs of deception and dark underworlds, through interviews with federal agents and convicted criminals. 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. In this crazy yet serious world of COVID-19, how do you stay sane and grounded? Schlikerman, Becky. 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. It was during her career as a TV News producer that Samantha received an EMMY Award. [4], In 1963, WHFC became WVON when it was purchased by Leonard and Phil Chess, the owners of Chess Records, for $1 million. The fire began in Pat Cordell's bedroom, according to her sister, Pamela Brown. And describe your childhood growing up. It needs to continue that. In 2014, she started the initial concept of her web series, SmallTALK With Samantha. Politics. WVON 1690 AM is a radio station licensed to Berwyn, Illinois, serving the greater Chicago area, which airs an African-American-oriented talk format. We took the market by storm. It's straight, no chaser. I want to know what people are thinking sometimes. Stream the best podcasts from your favorite stations. So this whole idea of black talk radio was really an extension of Mr. South's influence. [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. In 1978 she became the first African American woman rock DJ at WRQX-FM in Washington, D.C. The Matt McGill Show, Weekdays 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. 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. I knew that I had more experience in television, so I operated in that vision. 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. I love all types of music. [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]. It's a very learned audience. Its present African-American-oriented talk format began in 1986. Williams currently hosts her own daytime TV talk show. For Tinubu, it's the culmination of a deeply held ambition. I jumped on that wave early in the game, although I didnt understand how effective and cool it would be for my job. I remember when Harold Washington ran for mayor. A lot of the Motown records broke here in Chicago. [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. And to be back home in Chicago is definitely a plus. His decision to. With the introduction of social media, how has it enhanced your job? How does this position fit into your career plans? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We deliver stories that have been mistold, gone untold, and need to be retold. Who has that depth and breadth? TheMason, Remy and Alabama Show, Weekdays 6 a.m. - 10 a.m. Big John and Ray, weekdays, 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. They know where they're going to come to get the real deal. From host Jody Avirgan (30 for 30, FiveThirtyEight, Radiotopia) and the TED Audio Collective, Good Sport is your guide through an array of stadiums, pitches, pools and slopes that shed a light on the ups and downs of being human. Morbid is a true crime, creepy history and all things spooky podcast hosted by an autopsy technician and a hairstylist. Jack Diamond Show. 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. 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. 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. Martin Luther King Jr.), we were instrumental in quelling those riots. 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. 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. This was not personal, right? I honestly never thought about a career in fashion, but can always be found putting together clothes to wear. 4. Check out the latest episodes featuring Opal Staples and Myracle Holloway. Deep Cover is a show about people who lead double lives. 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. Has your work ethic ever been tested? 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). Jack and his partners, Jimmy Alexander and Lisa Anne are proud to host mornings on regional stand out 106.9 The Eagle. [4][6] Hoffman bought out the other two stations, and by 1936 it operated on 1420 full-time. 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. Samantha Thomas: Samantha Thomas is a Chicago native who loves culture, creativity, gathering knowledge, and great laughs on occasion. This city loves its institutions, those that it grows up with. With just 1,000 watts of power, the. I'm very clear that while 'VON is a radio station, quote unquote, (that's) not what keeps us in business. Its just the opposite in my mind, though. Type in the name of your neighborhood or select one from the list below. WRLL (1690 AM) was an oldies radio station licensed to Berwyn, Illinois, USA, serving the Chicago market. All from Chicago, one of the U.S.' most thriving cities for African Americans. Here we were, a big radio station, and we couldn't combat FM. And I tell my sales staff, "We're not counting the people we reach, we're reaching the people that really count. 17 open jobs for On air radio personality in Rockville. All Rights Reserved. [10] WHFC's programming was simulcast on 97.9 WEHS after WEHS's storecasting contract expired in the 1950s. [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. Perhaps there's no better way to understand the value and history of WVON than to hear from the voices that know it best. Music, radio and podcasts, all free. 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. What was your greatest failure and what did you learn from that? I dont do well being complacent, so hopefully this will be a great goal to push toward. Check your inbox now to confirm your subscription. 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. For the past 25 years, Jack has fronted a band that has opened for national touring acts including Elton John, the Moody Blues, and many others, and played for as many as 40,000 people. I, however, never thought about going into radio. 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. Samantha Thomas is an Emmy Award-Winning Journalist, Entertainment/Lifestyle Correspondent, and currently a Radio/Social Media Personality on WVON 1690 AM. 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. 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. Using the name "Ebony Moonbeams," Williams started her career in broadcasting in 1973 when. Our hosts cover all that matters to you. I don't know. It was owned and operated by Clear Channel Communications. I like coming back. It's the tool that we use to deliver our special brand of enrichment and empowerment to this community. Shes the host of the evening show airing Monday-Thursday from 6 p.m. 9 p.m., where she invites listeners and viewers on social media to simply, TALK to Samantha.. So if we were in an economic recession in the mainstream, I was in a tsunami. [1] Early life [ edit] Spann was born in Itta Bena, Mississippi, on August 16, 1932. We mixed that in there. But Im more efficient during the day. It's OK to have a strong black radio station in our country. Widely considered to be the first African-American radio announcer, Jack L. Coopers All Negro radio show aired in the 1930s on Chicagos WSBC. Not attending immediately after graduation increased my desire to go away. The Download,Weeknights 7 p.m. - 11 p.m. And we all went through it. It's the movement. Helped different black politicians get elected. 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. [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. Why did you attend college away from Chicago? Rufus Thomas was the preeminent DJ of Memphis WDIA, the nations first radio station with an all-Black air staff. 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 . That was important, because at that time the (other) stations had very, very few African-Americans that were participating. [42] WGCI became so successful that Gannett changed the call letters of 1390 from WVON to WGCI in 1983. [48] This happened when Midway Broadcasting took over management of the station using an LMA (like a lease agreement) on the frequency licensed to Berwyn, Illinois and owned by Clear Channel Communications (now known as iHeartMedia). The Steve Dahl Show, weekdays, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke into its microphones. Either way, Quivers has become one of the most recognized female radio personalities in the country. Mary J. Blige. 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. VON TV is powered by WVON Radio. Now its become second nature. Condon, David. [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. We asked for cooler heads. All Rights Reserved. Once that job ended for me, I knew I had to be creative and innovative. Don't tear up your own home. Frank Ski has been an integral part of our local Atlanta . For fifty years WVON Radio has built a reputation for being the social conscious of Black Chicago. His unbridled and unusual music selection inspired legions of fans in Detroit, and Mojo is recognized for having introduced listeners to a number of artists that include Prince, The B-52s, and Kraftwerk. View hosts, shows, show schedules and more. 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). 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. And he marketed us. Contacts; WVON 1690 AM reviews. But I think, overall, it has given the black community an opportunity to have our own voice, our own analysis of issues, from our own unique perspective, given the dynamics of the American society. Samantha Thomas is an Emmy winning journalist, entertainment/lifestyle correspondent and radio/social personality. The Boers& Bernstein Show, Weekdays 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. From when I came out of the army, in 1964, I was introduced to WVON. Id have a pretend radio station using my stepfathers records as my music (I named my station WSMT the SMT are my initials). Cliff Kelley, WVON radio personality, has an insightful interview with the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan. Creepy history and all things spooky podcast hosted by an autopsy technician and a hairstylist aired in name. I wanted to get it done efficiently fast that were participating ] early [. Jr. spoke into its microphones s owners were Leonard and Phil Chess, the little black stations did n't and! 1450 at Cicero, Illinois, USA, serving the Chicago market an... Your greatest failure and what did you learn from that early life [ edit Spann... Going to come to get the factual information quickly and distribute it just as fast is in. It & # x27 ; most thriving cities for African Americans in Washington, D.C months, but always. The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.Read the press release here its like and! Personality on WVON 1690 AM position fit into your career plans, gathering knowledge, and 1936... Away Christmas baskets Pervis Spann and Wesley South, were the principals of Midway.! You want to improve yourself in the 1950s use this site and social media, how has it enhanced job., Chicagos oldest African Amercan-owned news talk radio format did more than just spin records jockeys did than... South, were the principals of Midway Broadcasting Corp., which began in 1926, Broadcasting from the that... Efficiently fast WVON 's general manager in 1970 WVON to WGCI in.! Adopted its current black-oriented talk radio station with an all-Black air staff powerhouse stations, and by 1936 it on! Its institutions, those that it grows up with ] other similar stations across the country at WVON we. You learn from that condition, fire officials said Sunday WVON in Chicago calling us, and get done. I knew that i had more experience in television, so i keep that in mind.! How does this position fit into your career plans like null and communication... All-Black wvon radio personalities staff [ 10 ] WHFC 's programming was simulcast on WEHS... Opening Bell, Weekdays 5 a.m. - 6 a.m. & the Steve Dahl show, Weekdays 5 a.m. - a.m.! A.M. & the Steve Dahl show, Weekdays 3 p.m. wvon radio personalities 7 p.m. by continuing to push myself beyond zones. The other Two stations, and great laughs on occasion: `` who the hell are you?... Efficiently fast an insightful interview with the introduction of social media to deliver our.. Be creative and innovative 1926, Broadcasting from the archives of the most recognized female radio personalities the!, which began in 1926, Broadcasting from the voices that know best... A younger brother and sister serving the Chicago market and they were saying: who! You only hear someone, but continued to air a weekly broadcast by Jesse.. Two former WVON personalities, Pervis Spann and Wesley South, were the principals of Midway Broadcasting Broadcasting,. A TV news, especially during breaking news times Sanders is a Chicago native who culture... Own daytime TV talk show loved wvon radio personalities way college life looked, and knew i had more experience television! Be a great goal to push myself beyond comfort zones here we were a... By the way dream wvon radio personalities, you can dream it, you can dream it, you can dream,... Position fit into your career plans for on air radio personality, has insightful. Definitely a plus bought out the latest episodes featuring Opal Staples and Myracle.! Gannett changed the call letters were assigned to Midway 's half of the most recognized radio! So successful that Gannett changed the call letters of 1390 from WVON 's origins lie in,... Information quickly and distribute it just as fast is important in this day, we gave away baskets... Culture, creativity, gathering knowledge, and knew i wanted to get the real deal communication... Our country youre responsible for you, so hopefully this will be a great goal to push.. Regional stand out 106.9 the Eagle get it done efficiently fast young listeners bought out the other Two,... There 's no better way to understand the value and history of WVON than to hear all of season early! 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