WGN Radio
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We Were All Girlfriends: Judy Markey, Much-Loved WGN Radio Personality, Dies At Age 82
In May of 2009, I wrote the following. Last week, on our way to Klein Flowers in Madison, the first thing we did when we got in the car was tune in to “Kathy and Judy” as we went shopping for flower plants. This week, on the way to my parents’ home 90 minutes north,… Continue reading
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“Orion Samuelson, The Elvis Presley Of Agricultural Radio”
At the time of his death, I wrote an article about Orion Samuelson, the famed radio broadcaster who worked at WGN radio and reported on agricultural news. This weekend, The New York Times reported the news in its obituaries, and the headline certainly caught my eye. Raised on a Wisconsin dairy farm without electricity or… Continue reading
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Dean Richards: A Chicago Voice We Counted On
On this blustery Saturday, when a heavy coat is needed when walking outside, I sit at my desk to write what I hope will be a warm column about Dean Richards. This is one of those pieces that are from a list of topics needing a comment or two, but get left behind, given the… Continue reading
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Wisconsin-Born Legendary “Voice Of Agriculture”, Orion Samuelson, Dies At 91
Legendary WGN Radio farm broadcaster Orion Samuelson passed away Monday at the age of 91. Known as the “Voice of Agriculture,” his life is most worthy of recalling. Samuelson was born on a dairy farm in Ontario, Wisconsin, where a leg disease left him for a time nearly crippled as a teenager. He would take classes for six… Continue reading
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Remembering Big Jim Sykes And The Enduring Power Of Elvis
This morning on WGN radio (Bob Sirott’s show), I learned of the death on January 9th of Big Jim Sykes. His unmistakable voice marks the loss of someone who used his radio professionalism to keep the spirit of Elvis Presley alive for millions of listeners. Through his work on the Elvis Channel on SiriusXM, Sykes didn’t… Continue reading
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Bruce DuMont Deserves To Be Remembered
In light of the news about Charlie Kirk so many other important stories have fallen between the cracks. Bruce DuMont, a longtime host of the Beyond the Beltway political radio talk show; the founder of the Museum of Broadcast Communications; and a former television producer, host, and analyst died at the age of 81. He… Continue reading
