The shooting was one of the deadliest for law enforcement officers in Kentucky's history. 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. I love all types of music. There are very few stations that can say they have chronicled the progress of black people in this country from the '60s to now. Leonard (Chess) was a genius. Mon - Fri: 06:00 AM - 10:00 AM. Verneda Scott. Real Times Media. Critics say the move looks like retaliation. You want to know the pulse of what's happening in our community, what we're thinking on particular issues? It's owners were Leonard and Phil Chess, the founders of Chess Records. WVON became well known outside the Chicago area as well. The Talk of Chicago. Jesse Jackson called the station to report King's assassination. 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. Currently, Samantha is an on-air personality at WVON 1690AM/i HeartRadio, Chicago's oldest African Amercan-owned news talk radio station. Ken DunkinState representative in the 5th District, and frequent WVON guest. My family is pretty close. If you've ever wondered what your favorite radio personalities look like, scroll down or check out the slideshow. WVON was one of the greatest (and some will argue THE greatest) big-city black radio stations of the 60's/70's era. WVON's origins lie in WHFC, which began in 1926, broadcasting from the Hotel Flanders in Chicago. 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. I know why people were so upset when Marshall Field's became Macy's. The 63-year-old woman tried to go back inside the house, but the officers brought her out and away from the scene. Herb Kent and that whole entourage of personalities were very impactful in getting the word out through music and through our culture on WVON. Join us for a heavy dose of research with a dash of comedy thrown in for flavor. Afternoon Drive, Weekdays 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. Only sometimes, lol! Mancow Morning Show, Weekdays 6 a.m. - 10 a.m. "We are part of this nation, so we are the voice of a nation.". What kind of music do you like? The Roe Conn Show With Anna Davlantes, Weekdays 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. So if we were in an economic recession in the mainstream, I was in a tsunami. But Im more efficient during the day. Russ Parr | Source: The Washington Post / Getty. WVON ("The Voice of A Nation") is a radio station licensed to Berwyn, Illinois, serving the Chicago market, which airs an African-American-oriented talk format. I can always think of things that I could have done differently. Check your inbox now to confirm your subscription. 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. 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. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. On Fox News, the FBI director reiterated the agency's assessment that COVID was unleashed after a potential lab incident. 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. Although stations like WLS, the big 50,000-watt stations, powerhouse stations, managed to survive, the little black stations didn't. But we were in the food markets, vegetable markets, community centers, just everywhere. I remember when Harold Washington ran for mayor. Who has that depth and breadth? Early life . We had to get it done, and get it done efficiently fast. We went out in the street, made appearances at a lot of community centers. Sign up for NewsOne's email newsletter! If it was when President Barack Obama was elected the first time. WVON Radio 1690 - The Talk of Chicago ADVERTISEMENT Our Partners Florida Gov. The WintrustBusiness Lunch with Steve Bertrand, Weekdays noon-1 p.m. I think listening is key when it comes to communication. [48] The WRLL call letters were assigned to Midway's half of the time-share on 1450 at Cicero, Illinois. All Rights Reserved. Thats what he lives for., Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Leonard, another pioneer of Black jocks move into the mainstream, was the first African-American disc jockey on landmark pop station WABC-AM, where he stayed for 14 years doing late-night shifts before moving through a string of New York stations like WRKS, WBLS, and WJUX. Because the white radio stations never gave us that much time. Danielle Sanders is a journalist and writer living in Chicago. He always had guests who represented different aspects of what was going on in the black community at that time. Im smiling as I answer this. 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. Why did you attend college away from Chicago? Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jake Halpern reveals webs of deception and dark underworlds, through interviews with federal agents and convicted criminals. For more on Samantha Thomas check out her website www.TalkToSamantha.com or follow her on social media @Talk2Samantha. No one can stop you, but you. 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 can scare people sometimes because it may seem like youre waiting until the last minute. 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. [3], In May 2019, former Cook County Board President Todd Stroger joined the station as morning co-host. The Opening Bell, Weekdays 5 a.m. - 6 a.m. & The Steve Cochran Show. Schlikerman, Becky. "In the Wake of the News.". [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. 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. [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. All Rights Reserved. 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. And WVON remained a sociopolitical powerhouse. Chuck Leonard, air personality in New York City in 1960-1970s on WWRL, WABC, WXLO, WRKS, WBLS and others. Favorite quote or affirmation? We were out in the midst of that. We will use this site and social media to deliver our message. And we were staying: "Stop rioting. On February 19, 2002, The HistoryMakers played host to a free public event entitled WVON: The Good Ol Days of 60s Radio. They finally caught up with us. We played the hit R&B songs 24 hours a day. Two years later, Frankie Crocker hired Williams at WBLS-FM in her hometown, New York City. ABC7 was there for WVON's star-studded gala in 2013, celebrating 50 years of elevating Black culture. In 1998, Joyner became the first African-American inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame. 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. Here are NewsOnes top 20 Black radio jockeys of all time, picked for their pioneering spirit and influence. Part cohost and part cosigner, Quivers has maintained a precarious and controversial role as a foil for Sterns arguably racist rants: Does her presence give Stern a pass, or does she keep him in check? 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. Perhaps there's no better way to understand the value and history of WVON than to hear from the voices that know it best. [4][5][9] Ernie Banks hosted a program on the station in the late 1950s. ThroughoutAmerican history, Black disc jockeys did more than just spin records. 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. 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. 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. DJ Red Alert | Source: Nicholas Rhodes / Getty. 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!) Lindsey started out interning at Howard Universitys WHUR and got his first break filling in for a DJ who couldnt make it in. Rufus Thomas was the preeminent DJ of Memphis WDIA, the nations first radio station with an all-Black air staff. WVON (1690 AM "The Voice of the Nation", originally "Voice of the Negro") is a radio station serving the Chicago market, which airs an African-American -oriented talk format. [28] WVON reduced its news and community programming beginning in 1974, but continued to air a weekly broadcast by Jesse Jackson. And to be back home in Chicago is definitely a plus. 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. Copyright 2023 Interactive One, LLC. Self-effacing where Magic was brash, Red Alert became a beloved figure of listeners and rappers alike. 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. Sometimes people turned it on to hear the music, but along the way they got the message. Russ Parr began his career as a stand-up comedian in California and got his start in radio on Los Angeless famed KDAY. Required fields are marked *. My Apple Music playlist is filled with all types though, like gospel (because Ive gotta be inspired), R&B (because I like to chill), and even some trap music (because I like to turn-upin a classy way, of course). We took the market by storm. That feeling was one that I knew an HBCU would give me. . There's no better way to understand our world than through sports. Pervis Spann, who helped boost the careers of many radio personalities, disc jockeys and successful recording artists as he transformed WVON into the "Voice of the Negro" and . You've got to remember something: I experienced our largest growth right before the world collapsed (economically). Currently, Samantha is an on-air personality at WVON 1690AM/i HeartRadio, Chicagos oldest African Amercan-owned news talk radio station. WVON created a legendary group of radio personalities known as . [38], WXOL aired a blues oriented format, and its appearance on the dial sparked an immediate increase in the sales of blues records in the Chicago area. Ive had many disappointments, but I learn everyday, so I wont say that Ive failed, only learned lessons. In 2014, she started the initial concept of her web series, SmallTALK With Samantha. But the elections have been criticized over logistical failings and violence that suppressed the vote. [4][7][8] In 1930, WHFC moved to 1420, where it shared time with WEHS and WKBI. Don't tear up your own home. Samantha Thomas is an Emmy winning journalist, entertainment/lifestyle correspondent and radio/social personality. 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. Take Me As I Am is a favorite song of mine. We were just the hottest thing in Chicago. 199 talking about this. A lot of the Motown records broke here in Chicago. Conrad WorrillProfessor at Northeastern Illinois University and former host on WVON. 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. "WVON celebrates 50th birthday with celebs, pols". What celebrity would you love to interview? Firefighters made a hole in the roof before rescuing the two from the bedroom. (It was) very, very, very important; because all of (the hosts) had names that were well-known, there was a great listening audience. 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. I also like to write. I would practice with an audience of my dolls, and I would strike up conversations with people when I got the chance. Use Of Negro Shows Thruout U.S. New Chess R.&B. Artists like Mary J. Blige, Jill Scott, and Erykah Badu are a few of my favorites. I knew that I had more experience in television, so I operated in that vision. Known as one of the original shock-jocks, Greene was a trailblazer of talk radio; and his influence was such that he has been credited with quashing the riots in Washington, D.C. in the wake of Martin Luther King Jr.s assassination. It doesn't make sense.". But I believe Im right where God wants me to be. Sunday: 03:00 PM - 07:00 PM, Mon - Fri: 12:00 AM - 06:00 AM Whatever (the station) is, it needs to do one thing: to tell the story, the authentic story. Heartbreaking losses. WVON (1690 AM "The Voice of the Nation", originally "Voice of the Negro") is a radio station serving the Chicago market, which airs an African-American-oriented talk format. Producing on that show was my break from producing tv news, and an introduction to the restaurant scene. WVON is proud to be Chicago's only African-American news talk radio station. By continuing to push myself beyond comfort zones. "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. Can say they have chronicled the progress of black people in this country from article. Listening is key when it comes to communication station in the roof before rescuing two. On WWRL, WABC, WXLO, WRKS, WBLS and others the top the. Use of Negro Shows Thruout U.S. New Chess R. & B home in Chicago is definitely plus. Broadcast by jesse Jackson out through music and through our culture on WVON two from the Flanders... 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