Petey Greene | Source: Joseph Klipple / Getty. I think about so many different times that the news media has barraged this place. And describe your childhood growing up. 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. And WVON remained a sociopolitical powerhouse. Firefighters made a hole in the roof before rescuing the two from the bedroom. So I've been to hell and back financially. Politics. 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. 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 Required fields are marked *. [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. Tom Joyner | Source: Getty Images / Getty. Sports reveal the strange and fascinating psychology that competition brings out in all of us. Perhaps there's no better way to understand the value and history of WVON than to hear from the voices that know it best. [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. Main Menu. 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. That's the source you go to. I waited two years to attend, but the wait was just what I needed. 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. WVON Radio has announced today the return of media personality Matt McGill to WVON's line up beginning June 1, 2022. They were the first to assemble a radio station in Chicago specifically designed to serve the city's growing Black community. "A youthful 'free' alternative to the AM vacuum at 1450", North American Regional Broadcasting Agreement, 50 years of Chicago's WVON: A Chicago voice that echoes nationwide, Iconic WVON radio station moving from Chatham. WVON Radio 1690 - The Talk of Chicago ADVERTISEMENT Our Partners Florida Gov. 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. Copyright 2023 Interactive One, LLC. It doesn't make sense.". There's not many places that an urban talk station can survive. We mixed that in there. Frankie Crocker at WBLS Studio. ", Herb KentLegendary Chicago broadcaster; was one of WVON's original disc jockeys. Afternoon Drive, Weekdays 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Sway Calloway | Source: Michael Loccisano / Getty, 'Dilbert' Comic Creator Calls Black People A 'Hate Group,' Urges Segregation So Whites Can 'Escape', Kyle Rittenhouse Faces 2nd Civil Lawsuit, Continues To Beg For Money From His Supporters, Bernie Mac Show Star Camille Winbush Is Not Ashamed Of Joining OnlyFans, Mississippi Cops Beat, Waterboarded Handcuffed Black Men, Shot 1 For Dating White Women': Lawyers, Ben Stein's 'Aunt Jemima' Rant Is A Master Class On White Privilege, Black History In China: The History Of China's First Black Inhabitants, Karl Malone's 'Pedophile' Past Haunts Him After NBA Names Him Judge Of Dunk Contest. "WVON celebrates 50th birthday with celebs, pols". It's got to have a vibrant community, a vibrant audience. The Boers& Bernstein Show, Weekdays 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. Real Times Media. Being multifaceted in the media industry, or any field for that matter, is important, especially during this time. "The only thing I can do is pray," Brown said a day after the fire. Because the white radio stations never gave us that much time. in Cicero. Thats what he lives for., Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. She also kept us involved in extracurricular activities like summer camps, after-school programs, and church. I, however, never thought about going into radio. Ken DunkinState representative in the 5th District, and frequent WVON guest. Im one of the first of my family to graduate from a university, and getting an Emmy Award before I turned 30 years old. The 63-year-old woman tried to go back inside the house, but the officers brought her out and away from the scene. Using the name "Ebony Moonbeams," Williams started her career in broadcasting in 1973 when. [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. 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. It has been incredibly difficult. Our hosts cover all that matters to you. 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 (CBS), Las Vegas (ABC, FOX, and CBS), and Chicago (CBS) & (WGN). Copyright 2023 Interactive One, LLC. Im smiling as I answer this. Berry Gordy, the president of Motown Records, sent every song he produced immediately to WVON before any other station. [4][5][9] Ernie Banks hosted a program on the station in the late 1950s. Melody Spann-CooperChairman of Midway Broadcasting Corp., which owns WVON. I can wear a T-shirt and jeans, and some stilettos and a dress, and love both outfits because Im always adding my personality to the mix. @dnainfo_breen @trafficjamjen @jmd34john @C1McKnight pic.twitter.com/KTAke3a1it. Our innovative concepts and approach to delivering intimate and scaled events tailored to fit client needs are unparalleled in today's broadcasting landscape. 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. [24][25] The sale was consummated in 1970. She said Lucky Cordell headed upstairs after the fire started and the two became trapped, she said. They finally caught up with us. After starting as a DJat WGES in Chicago in 1952, Cordell moved to WGRY in Gary before working at WVON in Chicago. 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 resistant to rap, he played some of the first hip-hop records and hired hip-hops first legendary radio jock, Mr. Magic. [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. I may not get you at 20, but I'm going to get you by the time you turn 45, 50. When John Mr. Star & Buc Wild previously hosted the morning show on Philadelphias 100.3 The Beat. 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. 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. WVON is proud to be Chicago's only African-American news talk radio station. All Rights Reserved. Jack Diamond hosted the Jack Diamond Morning Show in Washington, DC for ABC radio for 30 years! Im the oldest of three, with a younger brother and sister. Congratulations on your new job! 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. VON TV is powered by WVON Radio. Dyana Williams is one of the earliest and most influential female air personalities in Black radio. But that's true of most of the reading and listening areas of communication. Melody Spann-Cooper. 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. 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. It's owners were Leonard and Phil Chess, the founders of Chess Records. WVON created a legendary group of radio personalities known as . Good Sport dives into worlds like F1 racing, table tennis, NBA shooting, and beyond. Williams currently hosts her own daytime TV talk show. Jack cohosted Broadcast House, Live for WUSA, TV, channel 9, and he was the featured host on FOX TVs. It needs to continue that. 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. Not attending immediately after graduation increased my desire to go away. A lot of the Motown records broke here in Chicago. I want to know what people are thinking sometimes. 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. WVON: The Good Ol Days of 60s Radio. WVON, in all of its glory, it has to continue that legacy of being honest, of being culturally specific. As president and general manager of Chicago's WVON-AM, Melody Spann-Cooper heads the only African American-owned radio station in the nation's third-largest market. Some of my best work has been done under pressure. How did you handle it? The Steve Cochran Show,Weekdays 6 a.m. - 10 a.m. 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. [4][5] It was owned by Richard W. Talent hosted by Samantha Thomas is available on VON.TV and streaming platforms, ROKU, Amazon, and Apple TV. Needless to say, Im creative all day! Deeb, Gary. 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