TheIndustry.biz has been bombarded with questions, complaints and comments about Radio One moving The Tom Joyner Morning Show (TJMS) to the AM Radio Station WOL in Washington, DC and replacing him with industry vet Russ Parr. We’ve gotten the most complaints since this blog premiered in 2000. Unfortunately, we are not in control of what Radio One does with their shows but I will say typically there is an onslaught of disappointed listeners for a couple of weeks then they disappear.
We too are surprised that Radio One is using another syndicated show to replace Tom with a host who would be considered more of a competitor than a “new” show instead of trying out a local show. Unfortunately, it takes a while to develop a local show and DC is a market that is very loyal to vet radio hosts. It is also rare and perhaps even an insult to move a nationally syndicated FM show to an AM Radio Station in a market as AM has not been the focus of urban major radio outlets for years now (unless it’s a talk format which is rare).
In the radio industry, we understand that Radio One is most certainly moving TJMS to the AM format, instead of canceling the show in the market to fulfill their previously agreed to advertising commitments. Time will tell how Russ Parr fairs in his new slot but unfortunately it is highly unlikely that Radio One will put Tom back in the spot after making the decision to move him. Radio just doesn’t work that way. Nevertheless, stranger things have happened (Donnie Simpson’s resurgence).
Listeners in DC Not Happy with Tom Joyner Being Moved to AM
It’s really a shame that the actual listeners do not have a say. Russ Parr is not even on Tom Joyner’s level. Its an insult to move Tom to AM radio. Well I guess I will listen to Memphis V101, or Charlotte V101.9. And radio execs wonder why we stream other stations out of state.
Putting Russ ghetto show on 102.3 doesn’t make sense because he is hip hop & 102.3 is old school, adult contemporary just like Tom Joyner. Cathy Hughes has lost her mind.
When Cathy took out a successful I.P.O. in effect she lost control to a Board of Directors which make decisions for which she must abide. All Black owned media in America have been taken over by the Majority or either effectively neutralized. Tom was doing and saying too much as far as Black community progress for the powers that be.
100 % Agree w/ you there!! .. I heard the commercial this morning & lost it! I couldn’t believe my ears. Enough complaints & low ratings, TJMS will be back on FM… Or is there another plan …enter Donnie back in the morning after RP’s failure!? ..B/C it would be awkward to place TJMS back in the slot! …Good thing for the TJMS app!
I was a little upset when I heard about the move. I’m a big fan of Tom Joyner Morning Show. I love the crew and never miss them in the Morning. TJMS show always have me cracking up in the morning on my way to work and as soon as I get to work I finish listening to them until they go off the air at 10:00. Who listens to AM unless its the Football game, really. He will truly be missed , so I guess I won’t be listening to that channel in the Mornings anymore, they have lost me. I am pissed a loyal listener is what I was. I guess January 19th I’ll find another channel to listen to.
It’s a pity that we have allowed “Corporate America” to tell us what’s good and what’s bad radio. Anyone in radio knows that A-M stations are or can be just as good as FMs. When “Corporate Americans” owned the A-M’s they were the best thing since sliced bread. But when the FCC mandated that “Corporate America” must allow more minorities and women to own stations, they sold their A-Ms because they felt they were less valuable when in fact they are not. Typical example is WOL. Anyone who knows the heritage of WOL know that it was a history-making station in DC — #1 in ARBITRON back in the day — ruling the market with Petey Green. WLS in Chicago and WDIA in Memphis are other examples. WOKJ in Jackson. WDIA with Bobby O’Jay is A-M and was a powerhouse stations back in the day and still rule the market in Memphis. And what about WLW, the most powerful station in the US at one point with 500,000 watts out of Cincinnati? Then there’s WWL out of New Orleans, which was credited with exposing some of the atrocities of Hurricane Katrina when all the FMs were down. That’s how Mayor Ray Nagin got the word out about what was actually happening in the Crescent City. So it is no disgrace for the TJMS to move to A-M. A more appropriate and bigger problem would be “Corporate America” trying to wipe out A-M Radio?
A-M only got a bad name from “Corporate America” because they want to continue to dominate the airwaves and discredit minority and women owned stations. Don’t fall for them saying A-M has no place on the dial in modern-day digital/social media America. If the A-M station has the content and serves the public interest of the community the way it should, I think the station should get the “props” and we should not let others in the industry continue to try to tell us what to like and what to accept. I’m an A-M station owner and proud of it!!! I would stack my “Awesome A-M” up against any “Static Free” F-M anywhere any day!
POE it is GREAT that AM and WOL have legacy of activism. But if no one gets it what is the use ?
I wont listen to static for 4 hours bc that will give me a headache.
WOL bettter out it a new antenna.
Tom Joyner has been SETUP TO FAIL!!!
102.3 in the morning….DEAD!!
No loyalty at all I think it’s a disgrace to move a radio icon like TJ to am for Russ Parr I will not be listening to 102.3 any more in the morning I guess I’ll be checking out 96.3 Steve Harvey. ….
What does Radio One use for brains? They definitely do not care or listen to there audience. One of the dumbest moves they’ve made. If Russ Parr was not liked on 93.9 KYS why do you think he’ll be liked on 102.3 .
TJMS loyalist moving to 95.5
This is just stupid! I don’t even enjoy the music selections offered on the Russ Parr show and the silly ass antics. Just because you make the decisions doesn’t mean you are making the right ones. Radio One is being ran by Bonobos
WTH ….. “IF IT AIN’T BROKE, THEN LEAVE IT ALONE!!!!!” TJMS IS THE BEST; ESPECIALLY IN THE AM. THEY GIVE YOU NEWS, LAUGHS, EDUCATION, FACTS, FUN, ENERGY, ETC…. TO GET THE DAY STARTED ON A POSITIVE NOTE.
THEY ARE HONEST, FACTUAL AND STRONG. THEY ARE NOT AFRAID TO GIVE THEIR OPINION AND DON’T GO ALONG JUST TO GET ALONG
I WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO THE CRUISES THIS YEAR, WELL I HOPE THEY WILL CONTINE TO SAIL….
IT’S A DOWN RIGHT DIRTY SHAME THAT THE LISTENERS DON’T HAVE ANY SAY; AFTER ALL, WE ARE THE BREAD AND BUTTER !!! SO PROUD OF MYSELF FOR NOT REALLY SAYING HOW I FEEL… WILL NOT BE LISTENNG TO 102.3 ON 1/19/2016 AND BEYOND…
WPFW is the way. They give the people what they want. They aren’t sell outs.
Well, I guess now I’ll make more use of My Apple subscription. AM radio… Really!!
This is how you treat a man who has helped students continue their college education, this is how you treat a man who is community aware, this is how you treat a man who puts a smile on your face before you go to work in the morning. Have you laughing while sitting in traffic that is backed up to who knows where. This is an outrage. What Radio One is doing to Tom Joyner and his crew is just down right WRONG!!!! I am not a Russ parr fan and will never be. Putting Tom and his crew on an AM station that no one hardly listens to in the morning is ridiculous. This justifies my not ever listening to Majic 102.3 ever again. I am sooooo disappointed in Radio One. Honestly, I am just so tired of the powers that be putting people where they don’t belong. That morning show is Tom’s show, not Russ’. I’m done. PERIOD
Radio One sold out, plain and simple.
Magic 102 is in a heated radio battle and has been on the losing end of it for some time. They have been tweaking the station music and seem to be looking at a slightly younger audience (but not to young). Plus KYS will get a younger morning show to compete against a very good Joe Clair morning show on WPGC. I like Tom Joyner though but I like Steve Harvey better.
Funny somebody mentioned WPFW. They have some decent oldies and blues shows on Saturdays. Sad thing is they don’t play much music on the weekdays except in the evenings.
Some moves are not worth the money Bye Bye Bird us to love u Money is The Root Of All EVIL
I stopped listening to Russ Parr because I matured and the show didn’t. The jokes became more & more crass and I wasn’t learning anything worthwhile other than the latest drama filled escapades of the artists featured on his show. I am very disappointed with the decision but I am grateful for the app.
This makes me very sad but I will be listening to the TJMS on AM until they take him off. I hope he finds a new home after his contract with Radio One ends. I have nothing against Russ Parr his style is just not my preference.
I hope that all of the upset listeners write to Radio One (as I am doing) and also follows Tom and the gang to AM. I also hope we don’t simply let this fade away but keep displeasure with this out there so Radio One executives are aware.
IF I WANTED TO LISTEN TO RUSS PARR AND HIP HOP IN THE MORNING, I WOULD TURN TO 93.9…..ITS A DAMN SHAME EVERY YEAR THE RADIO STATIONS ARE ALWAYS TRYING TO CHANGE SOMETHING FOR THE WORST, IM STILL MAD THAT THEY LET KEVIN “SLOW JAMMIN” JAMES GO YEARS AGO AND CHANGED TO WHOLE FORMAT….IT HAS NOT BEEN THE SAME SINCE……GLAD I HAVE XM RADIO AND PANDORA SO I DONT HAVE LISTEN TO THE MESS THE RADIO PLAYS OVER AND OVER…………
I am going with Tom!!!!!!!!!!
The only way to beat the move is to get the ADVERTISERS TO STOP ADVERTISING WITH THAT STATION..DOLLARS HURT WHEN THEY GO ELSE WHERE. SO TO BE EFFECTIVE YOU HAVE TO STOP ADVERTISING ON THAT STATION…
Who listens to music on the AM band? Radio One is nuts and they can keep Russ Parr and his corny jokes.
Nothing against Russ Parr, bu