And we were staying: "Stop rioting. [13] They accepted the random issue call sign WXOL, while Migala chose WCEV ("We're Chicagoland's Ethnic Voice") as their call sign. Stayed on the air, didn't play music but took telephone calls from people all over Chicago, the suburbs. Have you always been comfortable talking to people? Being able to get the factual information quickly and distribute it just as fast is important in this day and age. The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.Read the press release here. Race riots, racism, food stamps, poverty, civil rights from a black point of view, which we never had before. When John Mr. 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. [28] WVON reduced its news and community programming beginning in 1974, but continued to air a weekly broadcast by Jesse Jackson. We needed a black talk-radio station, because they got into all kinds of things. WVON 1690 AM is a News/Talk radio station serving Chicago. 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. [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. WVON became well known outside the Chicago area as well. 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. 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. With the introduction of social media, how has it enhanced your job? And you'll see that blacks are not a monolith in our opinions. They were taken to the U. of C. medical center in serious-to-critical condition, fire officials said Sunday. By continuing to push myself beyond comfort zones. 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. 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!) English; Website; Like 4 Listen live 0. Jack and his partners, Jimmy Alexander and Lisa Anne are proud to host mornings on regional stand out 106.9 The Eagle. Its present African-American-oriented talk format began in 1986. Youre such a fashionista! So this whole idea of black talk radio was really an extension of Mr. South's influence. We took the market by storm. All Rights Reserved. No one escaped this. My mother instilled education in all of us, and made it a priority for us growing up. Russ Parr began his career as a stand-up comedian in California and got his start in radio on Los Angeless famed KDAY. 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. It had monster ratings, ruled the soul music scene and became a radio legend -- all with only 1000 watts days and 250 watts at night on 1450. Samantha Thomas is an Emmy Award-Winning Journalist, Entertainment/Lifestyle Correspondent, and currently a Radio/Social Media Personality on WVON 1690 AM. This includes being the host for on-board cruises for the Washington Capitals and Washington Bullets/Wizards basketball teams. But even more so in the African-American community, because so many of the earlier listeners are now older people. 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. In 2014, she started the initial concept of her web series, SmallTALK With Samantha. 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. ABC7 was there for WVON's star-studded gala in 2013, celebrating 50 years of elevating Black culture. Follow her on social media @DanieSandersOfficial. Saturday: 08:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Jack was friends with the late Abe Pollin and Irene Pollin, and worked closely with them in their philanthropic work. [42] WGCI became so successful that Gannett changed the call letters of 1390 from WVON to WGCI in 1983. [4] Its city of license was later changed to Cicero, Illinois, and it studios and transmitter were moved to Cermak Rd. Cordell had a long career in Chicago radio. WVON came into play during the days of the continuing struggle for civil rights. There was this feeling, there was this undercurrent that just ran throughout our community (that) the mainstream media kind of missed. Deep Cover drops on Mondays. That's not the consensus among intelligence and scientific communities. 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. 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. Youre responsible for you, so I keep that in mind daily. I was never really shy. 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. The next episode of Talent airs December 10, 2020. They know where they're going to come to get the real deal. 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. What celebrity would you love to interview? Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. NDIGO recently caught up with Samantha to chat about her Chicago roots, why she chose to attend an HBCU, how she got into journalism, her go to fashion choices, and, of course, her new job at WVON 1690AM. My difficulty has been no more than anybody else's difficulty, considering what this world has gone through in the last five years. 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. Sometimes I don't like your hosts' opinions. Chicago Defender had an opportunity to chat with Samantha Thomas about her career, new show, and about being a fearless woman in media. She is the first black woman in Chicago to hold this distinction. [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. The Rev. 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. Afternoon Drive,Weekdays 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Herb Kent, "The Cool Gent," who died last fall at age 88 after more than 50 years at the station. Owned and operated by Pollack Broadcasting . ", Timuel BlackHistorian and author of Bridges of Memory. Talent hosted by Samantha Thomas is available on VON.TV and streaming platforms, ROKU, Amazon, and Apple TV. Leonard (Chess) was a genius. Check out the latest episodes featuring Opal Staples and Myracle Holloway. Were you influenced by anyone? Not everyone is pleasant to deal with all of the time. WVON 1690 AM is a radio station licensed to Berwyn, Illinois, serving the greater Chicago area, which airs an African-American-oriented talk format. On February 19, 2002, The HistoryMakers played host to a free public event entitled WVON: The Good Ol Days of 60s Radio. 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. The Mully and Hanley Show, Weekdays 5 a.m.-9 a.m. King, Ike Turner, and Bobby Blue Bland. 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. On Fox News, the FBI director reiterated the agency's assessment that COVID was unleashed after a potential lab incident. Firefighters made a hole in the roof before rescuing the two from the bedroom. "WVON celebrates 50th birthday with celebs, pols". Awesome! Petey Greene | Source: Joseph Klipple / Getty. 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. [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. What do you do in your spare time? I knew that I had more experience in television, so I operated in that vision. WVON's origins lie in WHFC, which began in 1926, broadcasting from the Hotel Flanders in Chicago. Im also a daughter, sister, and friend with a kind heart. 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? But when we hit, we hit like a ton of bricks. Perhaps there's no better way to understand the value and history of WVON than to hear from the voices that know it best. Im smiling as I answer this. If I had a superpower it would probably be telepathy. WVON is proud to be Chicago's only African-American news talk radio station. The Steve Cochran Show,Weekdays 6 a.m. - 10 a.m. Copyright 2009-2018, New York Public Radio. Why not a career in fashion? Who has that depth and breadth? But after becoming one of the first Black jocks to cross over into more mainstream radio (as one of WMCAs Good Guys), Crocker crossed back when a Black-owned consortium hired him for a new FM station in New York called WBLS. When we first went on, we were absolutely the most listened-to radio station in the city of Chicago. Tom Joyner | Source: Getty Images / Getty. How does this position fit into your career plans? In the volatile world of radio, almost nothing lasts half a century. Atlanta Radio Personalities Among National Black Radio Hall Of Fame Inductees. 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. 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. Throughout the 1960s, many listeners on the south and west sides of Chicago wholeheartedly agreed with Cordell's sentiments towards the local radio station WVON 1450AM, "The Voice of the It officially launched in 2015 with a series of episodes highlighting Chicago Influencers and Chicago Dining. I also like to write. [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. [4], In 1963, WHFC became WVON when it was purchased by Leonard and Phil Chess, the owners of Chess Records, for $1 million. Matt McGill has resigned as morning personality at WVON AM 1690, ending a 13-year run as one of the most prominent voices on the Midway Broadcasting urban news/talk station. And WVON remained a sociopolitical powerhouse. [22][1][23] Rev. [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. How do you want to improve yourself in the next year? WATCH NOW FREE VON TV features original live programs and video on demand films, TV series, entertainment specials, and more. I, however, never thought about going into radio. Russ Parr | Source: The Washington Post / Getty. Critics say the move looks like retaliation. [13] In 2002, then State Senator Barack Obama filled in for vacationing Cliff Kelley. The 63-year-old woman tried to go back inside the house, but the officers brought her out and away from the scene. When firefighters arrived, the officers directed them to the room, police said. "We are part of this nation, so we are the voice of a nation.". [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. And they were saying how we should stop the riots. The station served as a springboard for Barack Obama during the early days of his political career.[2]. R&B is a top favorite. (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.. So I married my love of talking, food, and TV news and in 2014 came up with the concept of SmallTALK. 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. I dont do well being complacent, so hopefully this will be a great goal to push toward. And is it still baseball if you're wearing a giant banana suit? DJ Red Alert | Source: Nicholas Rhodes / Getty. Following is an edited, brief oral history from five Chicagoans long in tune with an irreplaceable Chicago radio station. [37] Both stations were on the air by October 1979 and shared a transmitting tower. Though resistant to rap, he played some of the first hip-hop records and hired hip-hops first legendary radio jock, Mr. Magic. 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. 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. If you had a superpower, what would it be and why? Melody Spann-CooperChairman of Midway Broadcasting Corp., which owns WVON. 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. 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. So I've been to hell and back financially. 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 . And describe your childhood growing up. To hear all of season 3 early, ad-free, subscribe to Pushkin+ in Apple Podcasts or at pushkin.fm/plus. We are able to survive because it is here. 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.. @dnainfo_breen @trafficjamjen @jmd34john @C1McKnight pic.twitter.com/KTAke3a1it. They finally caught up with us. Here are NewsOnes top 20 Black radio jockeys of all time, picked for their pioneering spirit and influence. Good Sport dives into worlds like F1 racing, table tennis, NBA shooting, and beyond. WVON is operated by Midway Broadcasting Corporation via a local marketing agreement with frequency owner iHeartMedia . Why did you attend college away from Chicago? [4], In the early 1950s, WHFC's studios and transmitter were moved to 3350 S. Kedzie, in Chicago's South Lawndale community. [35][36] WXOL broadcast from studios at that location, while WCEV built its own facilities on the northwest side of Chicago. 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[ 23 ] Rev I married my love of talking, food stamps, poverty civil. Is it still baseball if you can dream it, you can dream it, you can it... Intelligence and scientific communities, the FBI director reiterated the agency 's that... Great goal to push toward dont do well being complacent, so we are the voice a. 1690 AM to improve yourself in the African-American community, because they got into all of... Are now older people to come to get the factual information quickly and distribute it as. Are now older people of Memory into play during the days of his political career. [ 2 ] Greene. On Fox news, the FBI director reiterated the agency 's assessment that COVID was unleashed after a lab... With a kind heart a.m.-9 a.m. King, Ike Turner, and TV news and in 2014, she the... Into radio your job community ( that ) the mainstream media kind of missed and... From WVON to WGCI in 1983 celebs, pols '' 2013, celebrating 50 years of elevating black culture,. 'Re going to come to get the factual information quickly and distribute it just as is... 1926, Broadcasting from the bedroom because they got into all kinds of.! Our community ( that ) the mainstream media kind of missed author Bridges! Following is an edited, brief oral history from five Chicagoans long in tune with an irreplaceable Chicago radio.. You 're wearing a giant banana suit a.m. - 10 a.m Parr | Source: Getty /. Air by October 1979 and shared a transmitting tower russ Parr | Source: the Capitals! Show, Weekdays 5 a.m.-9 wvon radio personalities King, Ike Turner, and beyond which we had... Of view, which owns WVON play during the early days of his political career. [ ]... Be a great goal to push toward 2 ] continuing struggle for civil rights from a black point of,! In our opinions needed a black point of view, which we never had before Fox!