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Sep 18, 2006 5:54 pm US/Central
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WVON Moves To 1690AM
Stronger Signal And 24-Hour Broadcasts
by Derrick Blakley
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
A powerhouse in Chicago radio is getting even stronger. CBS 2's Derrick Blakley reports, WVON has a new home on the dial, and a new force to reach more listeners.
It's a new frequency and a new era for Chicago's only black-owned radio station, WVON.
"Black Chicago built this station to be its drum major. That's what we are, and that's what we will continue to be," said Melody Spann-Cooper, co-owner of WVON.
But now, WVON moves to 1690AM with a stronger daytime signal, 24-hour operation, and an expanded roster of hosts, including Al Sharpton.
"I'm so excited about it," said Rev. Al Sharpton. "I might stay in Chicago more often."
In the 60's, WVON ruled as an R&B powerhouse with legendary disc jockeys like E. Rodney Jones, Bill Butterball Crane and Herb Kent. 20 years ago, the station switched to talk, becoming a crucial black political forum.
"If it was not for WVON, I don't think Harold Washington would have been elected mayor," said Rev. Sharpton.
"Anybody who knows anything about Chicago knows politics is different here. Politics is as important here as sports is in other cities," said WVON host Cliff Kelley.
Now, WVON will lease the 1690 signal for five years from radio giant Clear Channel, with an option to buy that frequency. Critics worry that WVON is selling out. But Spann-Cooper says she's buying in.
"I'm very confident I can't lose with this deal," she said.
Later this year there will be another transition for WVON as they move from their cramped, outdated studios on South Kedzie to the former Soft Sheen headquarters on 87th Street.
Legendary disc jockey Pervis Spann "the Blues Man," who's also co-owner of the station, says leaving the old studios on Kedzie will be like leaving home. But, he says, it's also the kind of growth he dreamed about.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)