Broadcasters Irene Ware, Tom Joyner, Herb Kent, Walt 'Baby' Love and Donnie Simpson Will Be Toasted In Miami For Their Contributions To The Radio Industry
Miami, FL, November 14, 2007 - Sizzle Productions announced the 2007 urban radio legends that will be honored at this year's I Rock The Mic Awards to be held on Saturday, December 1 during the IRTM Conference weekend. This year's honorees include gospel radio pioneer and industry executive Irene Johnson-Ware, the hardest working man in radio Tom Joyner, the king of the dusties Herb Kent, radio pioneer and industry editor Walt 'Baby' Love and drive-time master Donnie Simpson. ABC Radio Networks syndicated host Doug Banks will serve as host for the evening.
Elroy R.C. Smith, Operations Manager of Radio One Philadelphia, will do a very special tribute and award presentation to Tom Joyner during his personality workshop on the afternoon of Saturday, December 1.
Honoree Irene Johnson-Ware's long-standing illustrious career in gospel radio started in 1961 in Mobile, AL where she was the host on WGOK's The Mandy Show, now known as "The Brighter Day." She rose to the level of General Manager and enjoyed an unprecedented thirty-seven and a half year tenure. In a career that spanned over 38 years, Mrs. Ware has exemplified the terms empowerment, mentoring and networking, by positively impacting the lives and careers of women in the radio industry. Her stellar career is evidenced by her numerous appointments and awards which include recognitions by the Living Legend Foundation, Jack The Rapper, Rainbow PUSH, BRE Magazine, Midwest Radio & Music Association, Gospel Music Workshop of America and the Eastern Stars. A driving force behind the National Black Programmers Coalition for years, Mrs. Ware always has words of inspiration and encouragement for all she encounters and continues to inspire with her unrelenting drive to improve opportunities for African Americans in the music and radio industry.
Known to some as the "Fly Jock" and known to many as the "Hardest Working Man In Radio" honoree Tom Joyner is the ultimate syndicated morning host as star of Reach Media's The Tom Joyner Morning Show. Joyner made headlines in the mid-1980s when he accepted the simultaneous positions of morning drive man at KKDA-FM in Dallas and afternoon drive talent at WGCI-FM in Chicago. His daily round trip commute the two cities earned him national publicity, high ratings and millions of frequent flyer miles. In January 1994, Joyner began syndicating The Tom Joyner Morning Show to 29 stations. The new show offered a mix of music, comedy, guests ranging from Stevie Wonder to Tipper Gore and occasional discussions of social or political issues. Today, The Tom Joyner Morning Show is heard by over eight million listeners in 115 markets each week. Joyner was the first African American inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1998. In addition to his collection of Billboard "Best Urban Contemporary Air Personality" awards, he received IMPACT's Best of the Year award so many times it was eventually renamed The Tom Joyner Award.
Honoree Herb Kent was a high school student on Chicago's South Side when he began his radio career hosting a classical music program for WBEZ/Chicago in the late 1940s. From 1955 to 1960, Kent was heard on WBEE/Chicago where he developed a show devoted to a format he called "dusty records." His style of humor, critique, and banter was immediately recognizable to his loyal listeners, no matter what station broadcast his show. As a prominent civil right activist in the 1960s, Ken would broadcast live from a different high school each week so that he could provide community youth with an alternative to the typical Friday night activities. Today, "The Cool Gent" continues his work with community leaders to create programs that will provide a productive environment for South Side youth. His many awards and recognitions include induction into the Radio Hall of Fame, a street dedicated in his honor on Chicago's South Side and a U.S. postage stamp bearing his likeness. Since 1988, Herb Kent continues to be a part of WVAZ/Chicago where he hosts two highly rated shows.
A true legend in the media world, honoree Donnie Simpson calls WPGC/Washington, DC home every morning, serving up a warm blend of humor celebrity guests, unique perspective o the day's headlines, up-to-the-minute news and the hottest music in the country. He began his career at WJLB/Detroit as the age of 15. After eight years of success in Detroit, Simpson packed his bags and moved to Washington, DC to join WKYS as morning show host and program director. After a successful 15 year run on WKYS, he made history when he made the switch to cross-town WPGC, signing a record deal for over $1 million dollars making him the first Urban format radio personality with an annual salary on that level without being syndicated. In 1983, Simpson was recruited by BET to host the network's primetime music video show, Video Soul, where he broke new ground as one of the nation's first VJs. His following at BET led to appearances in motion picture and because of his national level of attraction, he has returned to BET for the past two years to host their annual Walk of Fame celebration and telecast. Simpson is celebrating 30 years of excellence on Washington, DC radio with consistent ratings success and a reputation that has earned him legend status among his peers and loyal listeners.
IRTM 2006 honorees were urban radio legend Hal Jackson, host of Sunday Classics on WBLS/New York and urban radio icon Jerry Rushin, General Manager of Cox Radio Miami.
IRTM will be held November 30 through December 2, 2007 in Miami, Florida at the Conrad Miami hotel. Hotel reservations can be made by calling 1.800.CONRADS and mentioning I Rock The Mic for conference room rate.
IRTM, known as the family reunion of urban radio, creates a unique environment where accomplished industry professionals and the aspiring convene for power networking, informative panels, talent development workshops and exclusive entertainment events.
IRTM, co-founded by Rick Party in 2005, is a property of Sizzle Productions, Inc., a Miami-based imaging production company.
IRTM conference, sponsorship, program ads, tickets and conference registration information is available online at www.irockthemic.com, via phone 214.943.1559 or by email: info@irockthemic.com.
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Contact:
Winsor Barbee
214.943.1559
Winsor@irockthemic.com
