Don & Roma aren't all that's missing from WLS (Chicago)

The Chicago Sun-Times ^ | 09-23-04 | Don Feder

[Musket]

I sure hope you're wrong. One thing's for sure, King Richie and his Goon Squads and the Rat Boy Governor Blago are all very happy to see Don Wade go away.

[texasbluebell]

Here's another good station that has a great line-up, that you can listen to online.

It's www.ksky.com out of Dallas (and that won't be a hot link, so copy and paste).

It's got everybody but Rush on it, it seems.

I listen early to Laura Ingraham, and then you can always go over to Rush on wls after she's over.

Laura's just so much fun to listen to, and so sharp, I'm really happy that someone posted about ksky a few weeks ago around here. I had been trying to find a decent station that carried her.

One other good online radio source, out of LA, is http://www.krla870.com/programguide870.asp

[sneakers]

Thanks texasbluebell! I'll check them both out!

[texasbluebell]

Hope it helps!

[NewsJunqui]

Has anyone checked out Mike North who's now on in the mornings on WSCR 670? Might be too much sports talk for most people though...

[Outland]

Is this thread dead or did I miss a new one?
Has anyone seen this from October 14th?

Excerpted from www.suntimes.com/output/feder/cst-fin-feder141.html

Talks with Don & Roma getting down to business

October 14, 2004

BY ROBERT FEDER SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST

Now that Disney/ABC Radio has appointed a new boss for news/talk WLS-AM (890), the fate of morning stars Don Wade and Roma finally may be resolved at last.

But in taking so long to get down to business, ABC unwittingly allowed a door to open for the Wades at another Chicago station.

Four months after Zemira Jones left as president and general manager for a top operations post at Radio One, ABC this week named John Gallagher, a 19-year ABC veteran, as his successor. Gallagher, who most recently was director of sales at WJR-AM in Detroit, also will head Radio Disney's WRDZ-AM (1300).

Gallagher inherits a station that has been without its morning-drive franchise since Sept. 14, when the Wades' last contract extension expired.

Long-stalled negotiations with WLS are getting under way in earnest just as a new suitor has entered the picture.

Salem Communications, which is about to acquire WIND-AM (560) in a swap with Univision Radio and transform the Spanish-language station into a general market news/talk outlet, is believed to be a serious alternative for the Wades.

Although Salem's official plan for WIND is to air Bill Bennett's syndicated morning show, luring the Wades from WLS would be a major coup.

Fueling the speculation is the fact that Salem's director of network programming is Tom Tradup, the former president and general manager of WLS who retained the Wades when the station turned to news/talk.

While most observers expect WLS to come to terms with the Wades eventually, the sudden emergence of another player provides a distinct advantage to the husband-and-wife team.

The soap opera surrounding Don & Roma's contract talks is just one of several dramas being played out on Chicago's morning radio stage.

 

[Musket]

Thanks for the update. I've been meaning to get over to Feder's page but I keep forgetting. Personally I wouldn't mind if Don and Roma go to the new WIND AM 560. Frankly, I like Bill Bennett, but his show is kinda boring. Just DON'T step on Laura Ingraham's slot. She is my absolute favorite!(After Rush of course).

Nice to hear some good news about Don and Roma for a change.

Thanks!

[Outland]

I've been a fan of Don & Roma since before they were on WLS.. before the days of Rush, in fact. Actually, I'm a talk radio junkie although I'd never listen to WGN.

I think that bringing back WIND into the market could be a good thing as well as poetic justice if they are to host some conservative shows. I remember a long time ago when WIND was still in English and one of their main hosts was a very liberal character by the name of Dave Balm. WIND in those days was a liberal-light version of WGN.

[Don Munn]

WGN became WDNC after Bob Collins died.

[Musket]

...poetic justice if they are to host some conservative shows.

If what Feder says holds true, it's gonna be the following Salem line-up-- Bill Bennett, Laura Ingraham, Dennis Prager, Michael Medved and Michael Savage.

[Outland]

Whoa! Medved is excellent. I like Savage for his blunt and direct attitude, but he can be trying at times. The only way I can hear him locally is via streaming audio on the net. I can't say I've ever heard Laura or Dennis.

Now let's hope that WIND doesn't put something really good up against Rush's slot or I'll have to tape-delay my listening.

[aruanan]

Behind the scenes, WLS is plagued with problems ranging from an angry unionizing effort among producers to the extreme right-wing political tilt of its programs with hardly even the pretense of balance anymore.

Having listened to this station a lot, I wouldn't say there is any extreme right-wing political tilt. The station has slid down the tubes, though, over the past year.

[Outland]

Collins was a moderate at best, in my opinion.

I'm thinking that WIND will be looking for local shows. Hmm.. "Chicago FreepNet"?

[Outland]

In all the election excitement, I forgot to mention... Talk Radio WIND is off and running!! WOOOHOOO!

Pass the word! AM 560

[Musket]

Thanks! Oh yeah, I'm all over 560. It's great. It's so strange to hear Michael Savage on the streets of the city at night lound and clear, but I'll get used to it. For some reason Laura Ingraham's show cut out today about half way through and I had to resort to the trusty old WHFB 1060. But yeah, it's a new day! ; )

WOO-HOO! HAPPY ELECTION DAY!

[Prince Charles]

Don & Roma will be returning to WLS as early as next Monday morning.

[jaydubya2]

Hi Price,

Where did you get this info?
"Don & Roma will be returning to WLS as early as next Monday morning."

I've started listening to the new WIND 560. I like it. I thought D & R might go there. As far as talk radio, it's giving WLS a run for it's money. They just need some local shows.

[Musket]

Wow! That's FANTASTIC NEWS! Thanks a ton! Could this week get any better!

[Prince Charles]

The story is in today's Chicago Sun-Times.

[Musket]

Don and Roma Returning to WLS morning show