Radio One Midwest Power Plays
Big Bink PDs Power 107
Theodore ‘Big Bink’ Turner started 2012 in a different city, with a new expanded job, but the same Radio One radio family. Named Program Director of Radio One’s WCKX-FM (Power 107.5) in Columbus, OH, Big Bink segued from his position as MD/On-air personality at KBFB-FM (97.9 The Beat) in Dallas. Says Gary Spurgeon, GM of Radio One Dallas, “Bink’s hard work, dedication, work ethic, positive attitude and leadership abilities gave him this great opportunity.”
Mason in the Afternoon Now
Detroit veteran air personality John Mason, heard regularly as the public address announcer for the Detroit Pistons, is now heard regularly again on Radio One, this time on talk WCHB-AM (1200), simulcasting on 99.9 FM, in the 4-7pm weekday slot. Known as the Voice of Detroit, the 30-year veteran is a two-time Emmy award winner for producing and hosting television shows on local NBC and former UPN affiliates, and owner of his own syndicated radio morning show that was previously carried on WGPR prior to Radio One’s LMA switch of the format to gospel.
Mason seems to have resolved his differences with Radio One where he previously hosted mornings, then afternoons at its urban AC WDMK-FM (Kiss 105.9) from 2001 to 2006 after having done an 18-year stretch in mornings at crosstown Urban WJLB-FM (97.9).
Radio One Ups Robyn and Ro
Radio One Cleveland welcomed two midday personalities to its WZAK-FM (93.1) and WENZ-FM (Z107.9) over the holidays. Robyn Simone segues from middays at WENZ to the same position at heritage WZAK, adding APD duties, while former weekend personality Ro Digga assumes Robyn’s midday slot at WENZ, adding Programming Coordinator responsibilities.
Says Operations Manager Colby Colb, “After doing midday’s on WENZ for the past 10 years, Robyn was a natural fit on WZAK for the listeners and the staff continuing the great progress we made under Karen Vaughn. Ro Digga started as an intern nine years ago and has worked hard to become one of the best jocks on the station and will take us to new heights on Z1079.”
Chuck Berry Bronzed
An eight-foot bronze statue of Chuck Berry, considered to be the ‘father of rock and roll,” was erected in Universal City, Missouri, in a plaza across the street from the Blueberry Hill where Berry still plays monthly. Berry, a Kennedy Center honoree, will attend the official dedication with his family on July 29 in a ceremony saluting his legacy. His son Charles Berry Jr. told University City Patch after the installation, “I’m going to brag. They got a statue of my dad in U City. My dad, he’s the coolest dude on the planet to me.”
25th ANNIVERSARY Congratulations to Detroit Radio’s Afternoon Anchor FRANKIE DARCELL
(l-r) singer K'Jon, Detroit City Council member JoAnn Watson, Frankie Darcell, and legendary performer Ron Banks--Photo by Brian Thompson
The year 2009 marked veteran air personality Frankie Darcell’s 25th anniversary in broadcasting. More than 250 guests joined the popular Detroit afternoon drive host of WMXD-FM (Mix 92.3) at the Roostertail Restaurant for a star-studded celebration that included performances from Ruben Studdard, Kem and K’Jon. U.S. Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick presented Darcell the Spirit of Detroit award from the Detroit City Council and Wayne County Commissioner Alisha Bell presented a proclamation from the State of Michigan. Frankie used her special milestone to honor Black Family Development, AugMe Foundation Breast Cancer for Women, and Karmanos Cancer Institute.
Tom Joyner Back In Chicago
The immediate fallout over the replacement of “The Tom Joyner Show” with the “Steve Harvey Show” on Clear Channel urban AC WVAZ-FM (V103) radio has been less that positive. Listeners have been e-mailing the station in great numbers voicing their disappointment. Most see Steve Harvey as not having an adult show, saying that his show appeals more to young people. Some have even called for protests.
That’s been the Windy City mood since “The Tom Joyner Morning Show” disappeared from Chicago airwaves). Fans can now rejoice. According to radio consultant Tony Gray, the show is expected to return to its morning timeslot on Crawford urban AC WSRB-FM (Soul 106.3). A deal is in the works to return Joyner to this market where his ratings were higher than those of the “Steve Harvey Morning Show,” which was moved over from WGCI to replace him at WVAZ.
As Clear Channel VP Doc Wynter explained, “It was strictly a business decision. We are trying to appeal to a younger demographic at WGCI and we have a vested interest in “The Steve Harvey Show.” The WGCI replacement team we have put together is extremely witty and funny.”
WVAZ PD Derrick Brown commented, “I feel like V103 just won the lottery! Steve Harvey is an entertainment and marketing juggernaut. There are very few entertainers who have successfully tackled radio, TV, film, stage, online and publishing. His unique life perspective and riveting content fit V103 like a glove. Being a ‘King of Comedy,’ nobody can beat Steve being funny and I’m absolutely elated that he’s joining our team.”
On a sadder note though, Brown added, “Tom Joyner has been a great partner with V103 for the past 13 years, making it difficult to part ways. We appreciate all Tom’s hard work and wish him continued success.”
Obviously disappointed, Tom Joyner responded, “After 16 years, ‘The Tom Joyner Morning Show’ won’t be broadcast on a local Chicago radio station at this time. For Sybil and me, our relationship with the Chicago radio listeners goes back more than 20 years, and believe me it has not ended by any stretch of the imagination.”
And sure enough, Joyner’s back in Chicago.
Nice Threads?
President Barack Obama seems to have taken a liking to the threads worn by Clear Channel urban AC WVAZ-FM (V103)’s Ramonski Luv. The suit will definitely go with the President’s walk.—Photo by Jerome Simmons
Goes to Chicago’s Black History
Coca Cola kicks off Black History Month in Chicago with recording artist Musiq Soulchild, who wrote poems to accompany this art display.
KMJM Adds Smooth Jazz Countdown
Clear Channel urban KMJM-FM (Majic 104.9) in St. Louis adds the Broadcast Architecture syndicated two-hour “Smooth Jazz Top 20 Countdown” with Allen Kepler to its weekend line-up effective February 2.
What Do These People Have In Common?
An Old School luncheon brings veterans of the radio and music industry together, including Carter Russell, Frank Chaplin, John Hall Jr., Maurice White, Kirkland Burke, Wayne Lewis, Dwayne Holmes, Eddie Carter, Clarence Waldron, Jerome Simmons, Richard Steele, Eddie Thomas, Carl Davis, Abe Thompson and John Colletti, managing partner of Gibsons.—Photo by Jerome Simmons
WBBM Launches New Morning Team
CBS Radio rhythmic WBBM-FM (B96) in Chicago has a new morning team drawn from within the station. Midday personality J Niice and night show host Julian Nieh have teamed up for “The J Niice & Julian on the Radio” show, replacing the long-running morning team of Eddie & JoBo, who departed last year. Weekender Rebecca Ortiz moves to middays and swing jock Jerzy fills the open nights temporarily
Missing James Cochrane
Chicago began the year mourning the passing of Motown/Arista Records executive James Cochran, who died on December 29, 2008; ironically, the same date of the passing of Ronnie Johnson of Atlantic Records one year earlier. Cochran died after battling a long illness. His wife Rochelle, two sons–Sean and Cory–and two grandchildren, survive him.
