SOMETHING ON MY MIND 

To my friends and colleagues that have remained/sustained themselves in "radio" many many years this commentary is not directed at you. I respect the fact that you have survived changes in the "GAME." Today, though I wonder "Where is Black Radio?" does she exists anymore. And if she(Black Radio) does exist "Where is Black Radio Now?"

Especially in my home town of Chicago, - Back in the day the DJ's would talk about the gang Violence and the senseless murders like crazy. And things like that (murders and violence) did happen and the DJ's talked about it on the air.

Some of us can remember operation Crime Stop on WVON a series of public service messages designed to inform people in the community of ways to protect themselves against Crime. Are there any "Public Service" messages on radio anymore designed to help teenagers to see signs of violence?

And before the Quiet Storm "craze" hit the country, y’all remember "Herb Kent" when he played music between 7 - 11 PM nightly. I remember the Wahoo Man, Electric Crazy People, The Green Grunchen, The Gym Shoe Creper, Little Miss Cornshucks, Rudolph Browner and so many more of Herb Kent's genius on the airwaves. Herb's show on WVON sounded like a well-produced morning show. It just aired at Night..

DJ's once had a powerful voice in the community, back then DJ's were influential as well as popular that made me want to be in radio not only to play music but to have an impact in the community. It's not like that anymore (DJ's have very limited power because corporate ownership makes the rules) and as a result mayhem in the local community thrives.

In Chicago, I would dare to say that "BLACK" Radio has been missing in action since the folding of 1450 WVON and the Good Guys in 1978? But, I remembered that the 80's were glory days of Radio too in Chicago (with WBMX, WGCI, WJPC) competing for radio supremacy. At one time in Chicago there were four different morning personalities (O'jay, Joyner, Michaels, Wall) Hmmmm remember those days?

Today the same guys we hear in Chicago, we hear in DC, New York just about everywhere and their focus has to be on national issues. I guess? In the meantime -- the murder rate in Chicago rises? And chaos continues to spread like a wild fire in the local urban communities across the nation. And radio no longer helps or is in the business to put out local fires!!!

http://washingtoninformer.com/index.php/business/item/12400-where-did-black-radio-go,