Who is your favorite artist and why? Season three, Never Seen Again, tells the story of two women, living on opposite sides of the country, who went missing in the summer of 1999. Think about it: three U.S. senators (Barack Obama, Carol Moseley Braun and Roland Burris) and a president. We went out in the street, made appearances at a lot of community centers. Sports reveal the strange and fascinating psychology that competition brings out in all of us. I began filling in as needed as the traffic/weather and news anchor, and things took off from there. [1] Early life [ edit] Spann was born in Itta Bena, Mississippi, on August 16, 1932. She is the first black woman in Chicago to hold this distinction. 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). [48] The move displaced the oldies format of Clear Channel-operated WRLL on 1690. Crocker assembled a huge, multiracial audience, and had a great influence on the mainstreaming of disco. What Ive done is always remember who I am and where I plan to go. I would watch my mother, grandmother and aunts get dressed all the time when they would go out, or just on a regular basis. But I believe Im right where God wants me to be. Jack was friends with the late Abe Pollin and Irene Pollin, and worked closely with them in their philanthropic work. Season one, The Drug Wars, tells the story of an FBI agent who goes undercover with a biker gang, and follows a trail of clues that eventually leads to the US invasion of a foreign country. He always had guests who represented different aspects of what was going on in the black community at that time. Melvin Lindsey, the originator of the "Quiet Storm" late-night music programming format and Washington D.C air personality the 1970-1980s. Its just the opposite in my mind, though. WVON RADIO PERSONALITY Pam Morris with her grandaughter, Chloe Morris, 6 The doctors remained concerned about Morris. You've got to remember something: I experienced our largest growth right before the world collapsed (economically). Yvonne Daniels died on June 21, 1991. How did you get involved with WVON 1690AM? Jack and his partners, Jimmy Alexander and Lisa Anne are proud to host mornings on regional stand out 106.9 The Eagle. Once that job ended for me, I knew I had to be creative and innovative. We asked for cooler heads. Officers also tried to rescue the Cordells but could not make it into the room where they were trapped because ofthe heat, authorities said. And one of the reasons was to give a different view of black life to the general public, the radio-listening public. What kind of music do you like? She was given medication for the next several months, but on June 20,. Melody Spann-CooperChairman of Midway Broadcasting Corp., which owns WVON. [37] Both stations were on the air by October 1979 and shared a transmitting tower. 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. Gibson got his start on the very first Black-owned radio station, Atlantas WERD, in 1949. WVON Radio 1690 - The Talk of Chicago ADVERTISEMENT Our Partners Florida Gov. 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. It's straight, no chaser. It tells an incredible story about the graciousness of this city and how it really embraces its iconic things. Tags: BBChicago, black media, Dsanders, Samantha Thomas, talent, VonTV, WVON. It has been incredibly difficult. [33] Two former WVON personalities, Pervis Spann and Wesley South, were the principals of Midway Broadcasting. They finally caught up with us. 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. Say. Martin Luther King Jr.), we were instrumental in quelling those riots. [35][36] WXOL broadcast from studios at that location, while WCEV built its own facilities on the northwest side of Chicago. And we were 1,000 watts in the daytime, 250 watts at night, that's all! [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. State Sen. Barack Obama filled in for vacationing announcer Cliff Kelley. Why did you attend college away from Chicago? And it went right to Marmions Collin Wainscott. 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. All Rights Reserved. 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. 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. But there were some of us missed! "In the Wake of the News.". And two important guests I remember listening to were Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King. 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. (It was) very, very, very important; because all of (the hosts) had names that were well-known, there was a great listening audience. Im also a daughter, sister, and friend with a kind heart. So if we were in an economic recession in the mainstream, I was in a tsunami. Cordell had a long career in Chicago radio. They were attracted by some good jazz and blues, and along with that would be the story. In 1978 she became the first African American woman rock DJ at WRQX-FM in Washington, D.C. Really an educational outlet for black people, and also an educational outlet for white people, to let them know what black people are like. 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. She also kept us involved in extracurricular activities like summer camps, after-school programs, and church. [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. It was meaningful because it gave to the listener the kind of (broadcast) that was inspirational as well as informational. It can scare people sometimes because it may seem like youre waiting until the last minute. Perhaps there's no better way to understand the value and history of WVON than to hear from the voices that know it best. I think listening is key when it comes to communication. [4] In the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s, WHFC aired ethnic and African-American programming. I'm sure they were fair, but it was always a white talk show, not completely black like this. Its currently still being broadcast. When firefighters arrived, the officers directed them to the room, police said. [4][5] It was owned by Richard W. We were out in the midst of that. Jesse Jackson called the station to report King's assassination. Im smiling as I answer this. Lindsey started out interning at Howard Universitys WHUR and got his first break filling in for a DJ who couldnt make it in. "Don Cornelius also started his career at WVON," added Spann-Cooper, referencing the late creator and. 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. Stayed on the air, didn't play music but took telephone calls from people all over Chicago, the suburbs. Following is an edited, brief oral history from five Chicagoans long in tune with an irreplaceable Chicago radio station. There's something about this place. 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. Afternoon Drive, Weekdays 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. FM had this great sound: stereo. 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! The Download,Weeknights 7 p.m. - 11 p.m. But when we hit, we hit like a ton of bricks. I don't know. The 63-year-old woman tried to go back inside the house, but the officers brought her out and away from the scene. 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. 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. Owned and operated by Pollack Broadcasting . Rufus Thomas was the preeminent DJ of Memphis WDIA, the nations first radio station with an all-Black air staff. Jacks band was also the personal favorite of Vice President Al Gore and played many of their events both personal and for the administration. WATCH NOW FREE VON TV features original live programs and video on demand films, TV series, entertainment specials, and more. Williams currently hosts her own daytime TV talk show. On March 15, 1996, Granum Communications sold WAOK and WVEE to Infinity Broadcasting, a division of CBS Radio. Deeb, Gary. Many people in the black community knew he was going to win. In 1998, Joyner became the first African-American inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame. Thanks for listening to 94.7 The Drive! I may not get you at 20, but I'm going to get you by the time you turn 45, 50. Sunday: 03:00 PM - 07:00 PM, Mon - Fri: 12:00 AM - 06:00 AM That was huge. [28] WVON reduced its news and community programming beginning in 1974, but continued to air a weekly broadcast by Jesse Jackson. It's a very learned audience. And is it still baseball if you're wearing a giant banana suit? Rufus Thomas | Source: Getty Images / Getty. It's the movement. My difficulty has been no more than anybody else's difficulty, considering what this world has gone through in the last five years. 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 Currently, Samantha is an on-air personality at WVON 1690AM/i HeartRadio, Chicago's oldest African Amercan-owned news talk radio station. On Fox News, the FBI director reiterated the agency's assessment that COVID was unleashed after a potential lab incident. Currently, Samantha is an on-air personality at WVON 1690AM/i HeartRadio, Chicagos oldest African Amercan-owned news talk radio station. Yes, my work ethic has been tested. Copyright 2009-2018, DNAinfo. To hear all of season 3 early, ad-free, subscribe to Pushkin+ in Apple Podcasts or at pushkin.fm/plus. A legendary disc jockey on the airwaves of Philadelphia and New York in the 1950s and 1960s, Douglas Wendell Jocko Henderson was a pioneer of the slick-talking, rapid-fire radio patter that influenced Black and White jockeys nationwide and laid a cultural foundation for rap music. 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. Mack gave the first airplay to now-legendary acts like the LA Dream Team, Egyptian Lover, World Class Wreckin Cru, Dr. Dre, Eazy E, Ice T, Ice Cube, NWA, Tone Loc and dozens more. Chuck Leonard, air personality in New York City in 1960-1970s on WWRL, WABC, WXLO, WRKS, WBLS and others. The next episode of Talent airs December 10, 2020. It's OK to have a strong black radio station in our country. I know why people were so upset when Marshall Field's became Macy's. Saturday: 12:00 AM - 06:00 AM The Bill Leff and Wendy Snyder Show, Weekdays 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.; 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. And I keep a cute and safe standard face mask handy. 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. Stroger, the former Cook County Board president, joined him as co-host in 2019. Dyana Williams is one of the earliest and most influential female air personalities in Black radio. 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. A radio station is people." 1. Deep Cover is a show about people who lead double lives. You want to know the pulse of what's happening in our community, what we're thinking on particular issues? 4. Popular syndicated personalities Tom Joyner and Steve Harvey also started in this market. Not only did we play good R&B music, and a lot of white pop music too. Asking questions like: Is "the zone" a real place? And it grew up with 'VON. The WintrustBusiness Lunch with Steve Bertrand, Weekdays noon-1 p.m. Melody Spann-Cooper. I love it here, and I love being from here! People keep asking me, "What will the next 50 years look like?" Epic wins. [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 the black community has unique and particular issues that impact it on a daily basis, historically, and in terms of our connections with ourselves and the rest of the country. Mary J. Blige. During his eight years at WVON, Kent established a huge following in the citys growing African-American community. Sway himself became the morning personality on KMEL-FM, and then was hired by MTV as an on-air host and journalist. Season two, Mob Land, is about a high-rolling lawyer who joins forces with the feds to try to bring down one of the most powerful criminal syndicates in the country. What is the key to successful communication? On-Air personality at WVON, Kent established a huge following in the last five.! 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