The Last Contest” at KCBQ

“The Last Contest” at KCBQ: From Concept to Cultural Phenomenon The magic of The Last Contest at KCBQ was more than a sweepstakes—it was a masterclass in showmanship and creativity, driven by program director Jack McCoy and his talented team. From conception to execution, every detail was designed to captivate the audience’s imagination, immersing them in a thrilling audio experience that blurs the line between fantasy and reality. Jack McCoy: The Visionary Behind The Last Contest KCBQ’s brilliant program director, Jack McCoy, was already […]

January 2, 2023 69 3 10

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Radio History

WEFM 99.5 FM Chicago

WEFM 99.5 FM: The Underdog That Took on Chicago Radio in the Late 1970s "Radio is the theater of the mind; television is the theater of the mindless." — Steve Allen A Station in Transition: From Classical to Contemporary For decades, Chicago’s FM dial was home to WEFM 99.5, a station steeped in tradition. Founded in 1940 by Zenith Radio Corporation, WEFM was among the pioneers of FM radio, broadcasting a steady diet of classical music that catered to Chicago’s […]

January 2, 2023 33 3

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Radio Legends

The Original Superjock

Larry Lujack SuperJock The Original Superjock Larry Lujack In American radio, few personalities have left as indelible a mark as Larry Lujack. With his sardonic wit, distinctive voice, and groundbreaking segments, Lujack redefined the role of the disc jockey, transforming the airwaves into a platform for both entertainment and authenticity. His journey from a small-town boy in Iowa to the revered “Superjock” of Chicago’s radio scene is a testament to talent, resilience, and an unyielding passion for broadcasting. Early Life […]

January 1, 2023 30 4 3

Radio Legends

China Smith… Wow!

China Smith: The Voice That Defined an Era in Radio China Smith, born Wayne Thomas Rorabacher in 1943 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, was a radio personality whose voice and style left an indelible mark on the broadcasting industry. With a career spanning over three decades and multiple major markets, Smith's journey from the Midwest to the bright lights of Los Angeles is a story of reinvention, innovation, and enduring connection with listeners. Smith’s radio career began in 1970 at WGRD in […]

August 11, 2022 2

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Radio Legends

Alison Steele

The Nightbird Who Gave New York a Midnight Soul "The flutter of wings, the shadow across the moon, the sounds of the night… as the Nightbird spreads her wings and soars." If you ever tuned into the FM dial late at night in New York City during the late ‘60s and ‘70s, you know exactly who that was. Alison Steele, "The Nightbird," was more than a radio DJ—she was a storyteller, a poet, and the voice of the city after […]

March 27, 2020 45 6 8

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Radio Legends

Kid Leo

The Voice That Made Cleveland Rock "Cleveland, it’s time to rock and roll!" If you grew up in Cleveland during the 1970s and 1980s and had WMMS on your radio dial, chances are you remember Kid Leo. More than just a DJ, he was the gatekeeper of rock ‘n’ roll in the Midwest—the guy who made sure the next big band got its shot, the guy who had the pulse of the streets, the clubs, and the records that would […]

March 26, 2020 13 3

Radio Eras

WKLO 1080

The Louisville Top 40 Giant That Refused to Go Down Without a Fight "You could hear it before you even turned the radio on. That reverb. That jingle. That voice. WKLO wasn’t just a station—it was a lifestyle." There was a time when WKLO 1080 was the only station that mattered in Louisville. If you were cruising down Bardstown Road, hanging out at Fountain Ferry Park, or trying to sneak into the Toy Tiger club underage, WKLO was in your […]

March 24, 2020 42

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Radio Eras

Miami-Fort Lauderdale

Miami-Fort Lauderdale: A Radio Battleground Like No Other (1960s-1980s) "Radio wasn’t just background noise in South Florida—it was a way of life. The jocks were our rockstars, the stations our best friends, and the competition? Cutthroat." Miami and Fort Lauderdale have always been hot markets—not just for tourists and nightlife, but for radio. From the 1960s through the 1980s, South Florida’s airwaves were some of the most competitive in the country. Whether it was the legendary Top 40 wars on […]

March 22, 2020 23 1 2

Radio Legends

Max Kinkel

Max Kinkel from CKLW to New York Radio Stardom Max Kinkel, affectionately known as “Super Max,” is a name that resonates with radio enthusiasts across North America. With a career that spanned iconic stations like CKLW in Windsor and WCBS-FM in New York, Max’s dynamic voice and magnetic personality made him a beloved figure on the airwaves. But his journey to becoming a radio legend started far from the bustling cities he would later call home. Born and raised in […]

March 21, 2020 17

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