My family is pretty close. "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. And to be back home in Chicago is definitely a plus. [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. Oprah! I always say that WVON has one of the most intelligent listening audiences in the country because you cannot get away with saying (just anything), however rational or irrational it is. 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. All from Chicago, one of the U.S.' most thriving cities for African Americans. The music was an inspiration. WVON's origins date back to 1963, when the radio station's owner Chess Records began programming soul, and rhythm and blues music. Have you progressed in your career as you have expected? Without it, we wouldn't have hardly any voice at all. Im also a daughter, sister, and friend with a kind heart. I also like to write. Home; About Us; Line-Up; Events; Special Features; Partner with us; listen WVON is proud to be Chicago's only African-American news talk radio station. [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]. 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. How did you get involved with WVON 1690AM? [37] Both stations were on the air by October 1979 and shared a transmitting tower. Our story began in 1963, with the debut of radio station WVON-The Voice of the Negro. Its present African-American-oriented talk format began in 1986. 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. And I tell my sales staff, "We're not counting the people we reach, we're reaching the people that really count. Real Times Media. To this day, we still believe in gathering for family dinners. This is the undercurrent. In the volatile world of radio, almost nothing lasts half a century. | Source: New York Daily News Archive / Getty. WVON 1690AM/ iHeartRadio is a staple in the Chicago media community. 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. 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. We were just the hottest thing in Chicago. Doesn't have to be overassimilated. And I keep a cute and safe standard face mask handy. "That's my only sister. It's been playing a critical role since the '60s. They were, for African-American listeners across the country, the important and influential voices and leaders of their communities. WATCH NOW FREE VON TV features original live programs and video on demand films, TV series, entertainment specials, and more. Because the white radio stations never gave us that much time. And it went right to Marmions Collin Wainscott. It's the station they get their information from. 199 talking about this. When brothers Leonard and Phil Chess bought WHFC-AM 1450 in 1963, their goal was to promote Chess Records, renaming the outlet WVON for Voice of the Negro. Malcolm X and the Rev. Why did you attend college away from Chicago? 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. 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. trial. They know where they're going to come to get the real deal. All Rights Reserved. How do you want to improve yourself in the next year? My grandmother is a major force in keeping our family together. We will use this site and social media to deliver our message. You want to learn about what matters, what impacts us directly or indirectly? THE LOOP You know their voices, but how about their faces? Sunday: 03:00 PM - 07:00 PM, Mon - Fri: 12:00 AM - 06:00 AM It has been incredibly difficult. I think listening is key when it comes to communication. Everybody fought to get on the air at WVON because we had so many listeners. So I married my love of talking, food, and TV news and in 2014 came up with the concept of SmallTALK. Williams currently hosts her own daytime TV talk show. @dnainfo_breen @trafficjamjen @jmd34john @C1McKnight pic.twitter.com/KTAke3a1it. [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. Artists like Mary J. Blige, Jill Scott, and Erykah Badu are a few of my favorites. I began filling in as needed as the traffic/weather and news anchor, and things took off from there. We asked for cooler heads. 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. Many people in the black community knew he was going to win. Mr. Magic brought the first rap show to commercial radio on New Yorks WBLS. Sign up for NewsOne's email newsletter! Thomas also hosted amateur talent shows on Memphis famed Beale Street, premiering young talents like B.B. It doesn't make sense.". Yes, my work ethic has been tested. Frank Ski has been an integral part of our local Atlanta . But there were some of us missed! And for a young person just coming out of the Army and returning to school and the civil rights movement was at a fever pitch I used to listen to "Hot Line," which was hosted by Wesley South. I have a never-ending creative mind, but Ive found that Im most creative in the evening. But the elections have been criticized over logistical failings and violence that suppressed the vote. 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. Needless to say, Im creative all day! [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. I would often love to put on my moms high-heel shoes, and prance around the house. 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. Friday marks National Radio Day, the annual celebration of all things radio. Tom Joyner | Source: Getty Images / Getty. 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. Youre such a fashionista! 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.. What kind of music do you like? 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. I would watch shows like A Different World and movies like School Daze, and would get excited each time I watched. 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. I honestly never thought about a career in fashion, but can always be found putting together clothes to wear. With the introduction of social media, how has it enhanced your job? This was not personal, right? [4][6] Hoffman bought out the other two stations, and by 1936 it operated on 1420 full-time. You've got to remember something: I experienced our largest growth right before the world collapsed (economically). 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. When I arrived at Lincoln University of Missouri in Fall of 2000, I majored in computer information systems. (Journalist) Lu Palmer would bring in the message as related to race and the struggle. There's not many places that an urban talk station can survive. A lot of the Motown records broke here in Chicago. Not that the journey has been easy or predictable. It's got to have a vibrant community, a vibrant audience. Its a lighthearted nightmare in here, weirdos! Herb Kent and that whole entourage of personalities were very impactful in getting the word out through music and through our culture on WVON. 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. Why journalism? [4] Its city of license was later changed to Cicero, Illinois, and it studios and transmitter were moved to Cermak Rd. 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. Clothes are just an outward expression of my classy, comfy and cool personality. 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. The Cliff Kelley Show, Weekdays 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Terri Hemmert,Weekdays 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Lin Brehmer,Weekdays 5:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. 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. 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. State Sen. Barack Obama filled in for vacationing announcer Cliff Kelley. Politics. Afternoon Drive, Weekdays 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. WVON came into play during the days of the continuing struggle for civil rights. [24][25] The sale was consummated in 1970. Their aggressive and culturally mixed personas quickly surpassed Howard Stern for the number one spot among young listeners. [42], In 1986, WVON adopted its current black-oriented talk radio format. [13] They accepted the random issue call sign WXOL, while Migala chose WCEV ("We're Chicagoland's Ethnic Voice") as their call sign. 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. What time of day are you most creative? 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. (DJs who made their name before becoming radio personalities have been excluded, but honorable mentions must go to folks like Steve Harvey, Rickey Smiley and Yolanda Adams.). In a major market, it was the first 24-hour R&B station, and it had tons and tons and tons of listeners. Popular syndicated personalities Tom Joyner and Steve Harvey also started in this market. After being the emcee at an event where she and other professionals were honored, I networked and kept in touch with many in attendance. During his eight years at WVON, Kent established a huge following in the citys growing African-American community. I just really love clothes. It meant everything: a way to air your views. She's 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." And you'll see that blacks are not a monolith in our opinions. They were attracted by some good jazz and blues, and along with that would be the story. [11][12] 97.9 WEHS was included in the sale. Though resistant to rap, he played some of the first hip-hop records and hired hip-hops first legendary radio jock, Mr. Magic. It needs to continue that. What does the science say about the origin of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic? Again, I never thought that I could actually do radio, but I was given a chance. No evidence has been shared. [22][1][23] Rev. Currently, Samantha is an on-air personality at WVON 1690AM/i HeartRadio, Chicagos oldest African Amercan-owned news talk radio station. Jack Diamond hosted the Jack Diamond Morning Show in Washington, DC for ABC radio for 30 years! All Rights Reserved. I'm not so arrogant as to believe that 'VON is a larger portion of it, but I'll tell you this: We are better because we are here. Currently, Samantha is an on-air personality at WVON 1690AM/i HeartRadio, Chicago's oldest African Amercan-owned news talk radio station. By Erick Johnson. 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. Be the first to know latest important news & events directly to your inbox. The idea was that, The People are as interesting as the Plates.. Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 6.3; Win64; x64) AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko) Chrome/103.0.0.0 Safari/537.36, 2nd Helping sponsored by Residential Improvement Services, The Daily Game sponsored by Maryland Lottery, Operation Severe Weather Tire World Auto Service Centers, Connecting Communities Submit Your Event. The Rev. I would sometimes get in trouble in grammar school for talking. Pervis Spann (August 16, 1932 - March 14, 2022) was an American broadcaster, music promoter, and radio personality. Required fields are marked *. "The only thing I can do is pray," Brown said a day after the fire. With his Bronx Science high school colleague Kevvy Kev Montague over at Stanfords KZSU, and a number of other important DJs and shows at college and community stations across the Bay, Cook eventually became the ringleader of the Bay Area Hip-Hop Coalition, the first rap radio deejay collective in the world, with more hours of hip-hop on air than in any area of the country. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We deliver stories that have been mistold, gone untold, and need to be retold. Jesse Jackson called the station to report King's assassination. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 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. Sometimes I don't like your changes. And is it still baseball if you're wearing a giant banana suit? Sway himself became the morning personality on KMEL-FM, and then was hired by MTV as an on-air host and journalist. There's no better way to understand our world than through sports. This city loves its institutions, those that it grows up with. Congratulations on your new job! 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. Cordell, 86, died Tuesday night at the University of Chicago medical center, where he had been in the intensive care unit since June 28. WRLL (1690 AM) was an oldies radio station licensed to Berwyn, Illinois, USA, serving the Chicago market. King, Ike Turner, and Bobby Blue Bland. Q&A Anita Wilson Gospel Musics Soul Sister, Q&A with Kiley Russell, Founder of Kemit Academy, Q&A With Briahna Gatlin, Head Of Swank PR, EYE ON CHI: Kendria K Love Harris aka K Love The Poet, EYE ON CHI: Ana Sierra of Ana Sierra of ASWBL Ana Sierra Womens Basketball League, EYE ON CHI: Rick Stone Stone and Robert. Tags: BBChicago, black media, Dsanders, Samantha Thomas, talent, VonTV, WVON. 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. Chuck Leonard, air personality in New York City in 1960-1970s on WWRL, WABC, WXLO, WRKS, WBLS and others. The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.Read the press release here. Join us for a heavy dose of research with a dash of comedy thrown in for flavor. Morbid is a true crime, creepy history and all things spooky podcast hosted by an autopsy technician and a hairstylist. 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. WVON was one of the greatest (and some will argue THE greatest) big-city black radio stations of the 60's/70's era. Some of my best work has been done under pressure. Part of that comes from working in TV news, especially during breaking news times. Copyright 2009-2018, New York Public Radio. There are very few stations that can say they have chronicled the progress of black people in this country from the '60s to now. We will be engaging and probably controversial. Mary J. Blige. We took the market by storm. You will have some strong feedback supporting or in opposition. All Rights Reserved. Our hosts cover all that matters to you. WVON Radio has announced today the return of media personality Matt McGill to WVON's line up beginning June 1, 2022. The 63-year-old woman tried to go back inside the house, but the officers brought her out and away from the scene. Youre responsible for you, so I keep that in mind daily. Deep Cover drops on Mondays. But even more so in the African-American community, because so many of the earlier listeners are now older people. I always tell people Chicago is such fertile ground for our people, great movements. And I remember WLS and WCFL calling us, and they were saying: "Who the hell are you guys?" The fire began in Pat Cordell's bedroom, according to her sister, Pamela Brown. If you only hear someone, but youre not listening to them, its like null and void communication. 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. It was a music station at that time, but there was a talk show called "Hot Line." My mother instilled education in all of us, and made it a priority for us growing up. [33] Two former WVON personalities, Pervis Spann and Wesley South, were the principals of Midway Broadcasting. Berry Gordy, the president of Motown Records, sent every song he produced immediately to WVON before any other station. It's owners were Leonard and Phil Chess, the founders of Chess Records. Think about it: three U.S. senators (Barack Obama, Carol Moseley Braun and Roland Burris) and a president. However, the gift of speaking was always within me, and it was noticed by Melody Spann-Cooper, the owner of WVON 1690AM, in 2019. You'll get some good old-fashioned common-sense intelligence, and you better know what you're talking about, because they'll put a corrective measure in there as soon as possible. Have you always been comfortable talking to people? Jack Diamond Show. [4], In 1963, WHFC became WVON when it was purchased by Leonard and Phil Chess, the owners of Chess Records, for $1 million. On March 15, 1996, Granum Communications sold WAOK and WVEE to Infinity Broadcasting, a division of CBS Radio. VON-TV is WVONs new digital streaming platform. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke into its microphones. Self-effacing where Magic was brash, Red Alert became a beloved figure of listeners and rappers alike. Conrad WorrillProfessor at Northeastern Illinois University and former host on WVON. Crocker first became a household name on New Yorks Black station, WWRL. Not in Motown, at WVON. Once that job ended for me, I knew I had to be creative and innovative. What celebrity would you love to interview? 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. New York rival 98.7 Kiss-FM answered Frankie Crockers hiring of Mr. Magic when they asked Kool DJ Red Alert to craft his own rap show on weekends. Their new series, Talent is a six-part video series featuring live entertainment and conversations with Chicago music artists hosted by Samantha Thomas. My father likes to dress a lot, so I would see him being put together at times. Though often contentious, the show continues to capture new supporters while proving to be at the forefront of todays changing media landscape. FROM LEFT:Producer Gabe (Gabe Ramirez),ShowbizShelley (Michelle Menaker) andJ-Niice(Jamar McNeil). Melvin Lindsey, the originator of the "Quiet Storm" late-night music programming format and Washington D.C air personality the 1970-1980s. If you can never get enough true crime Congratulations, youve found your people. A radio station is people." 1. Thats what he lives for., Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Main Menu. Lindsey started out interning at Howard Universitys WHUR and got his first break filling in for a DJ who couldnt make it in. [48] The WRLL call letters were assigned to Midway's half of the time-share on 1450 at Cicero, Illinois. 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. Pamela Brown said her father and sister both underwent several surgeries. Deep Cover is a show about people who lead double lives. 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. in Cicero. But Im more efficient during the day. Just absolutely phenomenal. Douglas Wendell Jocko Henderson | Source: Getty Images / Getty. The Wake Up Show eventually became internationally syndicated, reaching more than 20 different markets in five countries. Samantha Thomas is an Emmy winning journalist, entertainment/lifestyle correspondent and radio/social personality. Mancow Morning Show, Weekdays 6 a.m. - 10 a.m. What do you do in your spare time? I want to know what people are thinking sometimes. 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 It allows me to expand and grow as a person and a personality. 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 . But I can't live without you. What makes for a good urban talk station? Jack was friends with the late Abe Pollin and Irene Pollin, and worked closely with them in their philanthropic work. Type in the name of your neighborhood or select one from the list below. No one escaped this. I would practice with an audience of my dolls, and I would strike up conversations with people when I got the chance. Melody Spann-Cooper. It doesn't have the kind of clamorous support that existed in those early days of '60s and '70s. Not everyone is pleasant to deal with all of the time. FM had this great sound: stereo. "Quite frankly, as 'VON continues to evolve, we get away from the psychological segmentation of who we are. 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. 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. I now call that the early preparation of Samantha, lol! Hoffman. Samantha Thomas: Samantha Thomas is a Chicago native who loves culture, creativity, gathering knowledge, and great laughs on occasion. In this crazy yet serious world of COVID-19, how do you stay sane and grounded? So I counteract negative energy when Im faced with it, with some positive energy. In 1998, Joyner became the first African-American inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame. For Tinubu, it's the culmination of a deeply held ambition. [49] In late 2018, its studios were moved to the South Loop. How did you handle it? There was this feeling, there was this undercurrent that just ran throughout our community (that) the mainstream media kind of missed. Robin Quivers | Source: Getty Images / Getty. He later purchased WVON in the late 1970s. With just 1,000 watts of power, the. "Don Cornelius also started his career at WVON," added Spann-Cooper, referencing the late creator and. Jack and his partners, Jimmy Alexander and Lisa Anne are proud to host mornings on regional stand out 106.9 The Eagle. It was meaningful because it gave to the listener the kind of (broadcast) that was inspirational as well as informational. [35][36] WXOL broadcast from studios at that location, while WCEV built its own facilities on the northwest side of Chicago. Im the oldest of three, with a younger brother and sister. When John Mr. Ive always loved watching TV, and would impersonate Oprah and other talk show hosts with my baby dolls as an audience. 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. Christening the show Quiet Storm after a hit single from Smokey Robinson, Lindseys smooth soulful playlist was an instant success, and may well have influenced the growth of the smooth Jazz sector of the music and radio business. Following is an edited, brief oral history from five Chicagoans long in tune with an irreplaceable Chicago radio station. 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. 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. Yvonne Daniels was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1995. WVON 1690 AM is a radio station licensed to Berwyn, Illinois, serving the greater Chicago area, which airs an African-American-oriented talk format.

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