Honestly, I thought everyone knew that hed started out in radio with a program called Tips for Teenagers.. April 26, 2021. I prayed for her to have a lot of success, and I prayed that she get a wonderful starring part-and stay in New York forever.. Ron Chapman announced his retirement on 98.7 KLUV at age 69 saying he was retiring from the morning program and going on vacation with his wife Nancy. Chapman hired fellow broadcasting legend Jody Dean to work a late-night shift at KVIL in 1982. On April 13 in Las Vegas, Ron Chapman will be inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters' Radio Hall of Fame -- a momentous occasion that comes exactly one month after the Citadel . He brought, what is known in the industry as the "adult contemporary" format to FM. Ron Chapman joined KVIL-FM/Dallas-Fort Worth in 1969 as morning disc jockey, music director, and program director, and stayed there for 31 years. He is proceeded in death by his father, Fay Chapman. Chapman and his morning cohortsSuzy Humphries, Jody Dean, Michael Rey, et al.are saying, in effect. He then did afternoon drive at KVIL-FM for several years until he was fired by Ron Chapman. Ron Chapman is a dazzlingly entertaining intellect who has refreshed my life for 25 years with his insightful wit and unerring eye for the quixotic vagaries of the human kind. Chapman realized that if he won Fort Worth, he could almost double the stations numbers. His rages and abuse must be swallowed whole. One of his greatest talents is picking people, knowing where they fit, where they go.They gave me a little yellow van, and I drove it myself. Its what youd get if God had money, Nance says. 26, 2021 at 1:34 PM PDT. Chapman returned to the states in 1959, took a radio job in New Haven, Connecticut, and then, when a co-worker landed a job with KLIF in Dallas, Chapman went alongat $175 a week, more than double his Connecticut salary. Hes right. Everybody bring your water. We became great friends, Fairchild said. Ron Chapman's radio career began in 1953the day he graduated from high schoolwhen he became a disc jockey at station WHAV/Haverhill, MA. Legendary radio host Ron Chapman has passed away. Shes divorced, and may have a kid at home that shes sole support for. By now, everyone knows the story about how, in 1988, Chapman asked his KVIL listeners to send in $20 each, without ever saying why, and took in $240,000. I wouldnt even park near one. Three Time Texas Radio Hall Of Famer, Ron Chapman Has Died I would hope it would be as someone who elevated the art.. Hey, says Chapman, most people like living here. Catch up on the day's news you need to know. Ron Chapman, DFW radio legend, dies at age 85 - Blogger Walton and Johnson. Chapman had served as emcee for a couple of years in a row and had complained both times about the sound system. And every morning he was there for us, standing at his mic, drinking Dr Pepper, talking to the city. It was the only way we could get a feel for the publics impressions on what we were doing. But her memories of her tenure at the station are not pleasant. We could go New Age. Thats just the wrapper. We are very grateful for the care and compassion he. Ron Chapman has passed away. Chapman began his career in Dallas radio in 1959 at KLIF as a member of the "Charlie and Harrigan" team. I swear to you. Here and there, she reveals a snippet about her husband. But it was impossible to replicate a station that made a growing big city feel like a small town. Our Campaigns - Candidate - Ron Chapman 1 radio show . He likes certain things in certain places. Meet Jody Dean: A man for this season: Lost job leads to a better life He knew you dont talk down to your audience, you speak up to them, and thats when Ron enjoyed his greatest success., Dean added that Chapman helped transform radio in the city into a shining example of what the media can do and should be. From 1965 to 1968, he became Dallas rarefied answer to Dick Clark and American Bandstand, as host of the wildly popular Sumpn Else, a teen dance show carried live from NorthPark Center on WFAA-TV (Channel 8). This is the story of how a chance encounter lead to a close friendship that would span four decades, and a revolutionary radio travel program that is in it's 46th year. Turns out that a few years back, during a race around the world for a promotion, Chapman arrived late at the airportno ticket, no cash, no passport. He is very perfectionist about his personal things. In 1969, Chapman joined the staff of KVIL-FM/Dallas-Fort . An announcement in this newspaper heralded his arrival, along with the promise that KVIL would play music that was "always in good taste, but contemporary in all ways" -- a rather unwieldy slogan. Jody Dean was Chapman's producer at KVIL from 1987 to 1994. Ive done this in many ways in my sportscast. By Emily Jimenez, NewsRadio 1080 KRLD. So Chapman is now going to teach Brad and me how we should broadcast a football game to appeal to his target audience women. Robert Wilonsky on Twitter: "I once wrote Ron Chapman meant more to How would he like to be remembered? He moved to Dallas in 1959 a year before the Dallas Cowboys became a team and was known for a decade as Irving Harrigan, who shared a microphone with Charlie Brown. His co-hosts real name was Jack Woods, and together the two became a radio juggernaut at KLIF, known then as The Mighty 1190. Their rise coincided with the Top 40 dynamism of the Beatles, the Beach Boys and the Rolling Stones. Warmth, a man who seems to genuinely feel that his biggest contribution to the world is sending his listeners off to work happy and chipper, so that each in her own little way can help make a kinder, gentler Dallas. In one infamous stunt, Chapman told his listeners to each send $20 to the station; within three days, the station had received $200,000 (the money was donated to charity). Chapman is a perfectionist in every way, Nance says. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Hell suddenly realize he needs to talk to everybody he knows.. DALLAS Updated at 9:41 p.m. with more quotes from colleagues. KVIL tried to take on powerhouse KLIF-AM in the late 1960s; on 4/17/1967, they changed to a Top 40, "solid rock sound" format (formerly a talk/music format,) and renamed all of their jocks "Dave" to emphasize their 'David . Anybody can read, goddammit! Im paying you to write! Do you understand this? He is best known as the morning drive anchor of radio station KVIL, on the 103.7 frequency. Baby, it's cold outside. All great relationships are built on trust . The station is branded as "Alt 103.7" and airs an alternative rock radio format. Chapman thought that was funny. Because shes gonna move up. That was the power of Ron Chapman. "How sad that all of those KVIL things are now part of history. They thought we were going 50 miles. Jason Kidd hopes Mavs star stays patient in preseason play, Spring training cuts are incoming, but these Rangers prospects have impressed in camp. Why Ron Chapman Was An All-Time Great - Radio Ink Six years later, he moved to Texas to begin what eventually became a Radio Hall of Fame career in DFW. Our thoughts and hearts are with his frien - 2 years ago. And you were supposed to live up to them. Anyway, I was holding this animal on my shoulder, on my freshly cleaned jacket, and it got a little excited. And this was totally not intended. The winning name was Chief Rain in the Pants.. We decided we would keep Fort Worth, and treat her like the lady that she is. In honor of his life, we reproduce this 1989 profile of Chapman. His talent rose above us all. "This has something to do with age. After working for two years with the Voice of the United Nations Command in Korea , Chapman moved to Connecticut and station WHNC/New Haven. His wife says the best way to get him frantic is to put him in a car without a phone. Thats what we started doing. Net Worth Inspector Menu. Youd be walking down the hall, and nothing would stop him from putting you down in a very loud voice in front of anybody. Who is KVIL Dallas Radio Personality Ron Chapman? Cause Of Death RIP Ron Chapman. "KVIL was so big, so all-encompassing that you never thought it would go away.". Now, its someone I found out of Kim Dawson headshots. He spent more than three decades at KVIL, toiling as a morning deejay, music director and program director, transforming the adult contemporary format into a major success on the FM band. Name another program director or air person of any type anywhere in the country who would come in at 11 oclock and cut a promo thats going to run overnight. Enjoy unlimited access to all of our incredible journalism, in print and digital. For example, co-workers wondered about his habit of dumping all his foreign currency into a drawer when he returns from trips. Suite 2100 Ron Chapman Was a Warm and Fuzzy Tyrant. I love doing the morning show but my bones are beginning to tell me that hitting the ground running at 4:10 every morning is not going to be supported forever by whatever frame that I carry around with me and happy to have served me around for a lot of years but it looks as tho I really need to be taking care of it instead of it taking care of me. Ronald Chapman July 23, 2021 Ronald Monroe Chapman, 77, of Jordan, died peacefully in his sleep at 2:32 am on July 23, 2021 while at home surrounded by his loving family. Back then, Chapman says, wed latch on to anything. But the youngsters came to understand their poverty., I liked applause early on, said Chapman, who took on Ron as his radio first name in 1965. Im rough to work for. But it doesnt mean that I wont stick my heel in your throat. I used to do the 11 to 2 a.m. shift, during college. "His family asks for time to . Brings new meaning to the phrase Sunday Funday. Chapmans radio station has been number one in Dallas. There are a lot of stations right now that will say, after they read this, Oooooh, so thats what theyre doing. They still dont know it., Even the KVIL signal is altered to be pleasing to a womans naturally more sensitive ears. We had a contest to name the honey bear. He ended up following Chapman at KLUV in 2005. Right away, you know two things about her: she has no time to waste, and you dont mess with her. So why should you go on the air and tell people who love living here that the town is a piece of crap? So I had just had my jacket cleaned. Here are a few other stories about Chapmans career, told by those who knew and worked with the legend. On the mike, butter wouldnt melt in his mouth. He was huge in Dallas for decades doing mornings at KVILclick link to learn more. "Well, they had to do something," the National Radio Hall of Famer said. Thats power. No sexism, period. A 1989 profile in D magazine described him as The Emperor in his tower, whose duality is a big part of Ron Chapmans magic. He is, the writer opined, an amalgamation of Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader.. Legendary radio host Ron Chapman has passed away - Audacy . Ron preparing to parachute out of an airplane and broadcast all the way to the ground. The magic is about to happen, the same magic thats been running nonstop for twenty years. Ron Chapman Was a Warm and Fuzzy Tyrant - D Magazine While many have attempted to imitate his formula, nobodyat least locallyis likely to remotely approach his mastery of it. Ron, how come my offer to buy KVIL never worked out? It was, after all, the city's top radio station for years, throughout the 1970s and '80s and even into the '90s, when it was finally capsized by country radio. And we stayed in touch over the years. I knew I was fired. The piece coincided with Chapmans 20th anniversary at KVIL, where, The News noted, His hyper, happy-talk Ron Chapman and the Morning Group has been the almost-constant No. They had no bathtub, no phone, no family car. Yeah, he would. Dallas, Texas 75201. It was also an opportunity, and that night Rons car found itself parked outside every cool bar and nightclub on Greenville Avenue. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. And no decision is really final until Chapman signs off on it. It was a woman who had a pink sweater wrapped around her neck. I dodged flying reels of tape more than once., Later, Dean said, Im sure Ron regretted a great deal of it. I was driving an older beat-up Nissan, and my alternator went out one night while on the way to work. He was just a wonderful, wonderful guy., And yet, on a professional level, Chapmans reputation carried with it a darker side. Jun 03, 2004 07:18pm. Jack Woods partnered with Chapman in the early 60s on Gordon McLendons KLIF. Theres a Stevie Wonder song where right in the middle of the song he does this loud, high-pitched scream. Dallas Cowboys want another playmaker on offense. He knows what people want to hear. From 1965 to 1968, Chapman hosted a television dance show for teens called "Sump'N Else." In 1969, he moved to KVIL, where he spent 32 years. Legendary radio host Ron Chapman has passed away. Ron was a legend already in the 60s in Dallas, Fairchild said Monday from her home in Los Angeles. He spent 19 years at the Los Angeles Times before returning to Dallas. Says Littauer, Only Ron could spend two weeks on a ship, do nothing, and then get a commendation for it.. Talk about a cush gig. We had to beg them to stop sending checks. The hand goes higher above his head: VEE higher now, almost pleading as it keens with the anticipation of all the wonderful, warm, cuddly, sensual things to come. EYE descending now, deeper into the warmth and coziness; the voice says Yes, my dearest, you are almost home, safe and warm here with me, with us, ELLLLLLLLLvery low and smoky-warm, like embers in the fireplace and sleeping babies in rooms with duckies on the wall, like hearth and home and cows dozing in the barn, and maybe a comforter over your legs on a winter evening, Not too long ago, Ron Chapman received a postcard. I just never mellowed out. Chapman admits. Ron Chapman made money by Directors niche. It would dance on kids shoulders. He was an actor, known for Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders (1979). Because of my vast admiration and liking for this protean man, I was shocked beyond dismay when he publicly stated that inviting me to roast him was the worst mistake hed ever made. The longtime host of KVIL died in April 2021 at the age of 85. If someone leaves KVIL and wants, a year later, to work for Y-95, and theyve just been in the Dallas Observer calling me a, uh, you -fill- in-the-blanks, well, they know better than to call me for references.. And because he spanned KLIF and "Sump'n Else" to KVIL -- he WAS the history of Dallas radio . There will be no service, however a "public gathering for friends and colleagues" is being planned at this time. We could go AOR. He directed his in more positive directions, into the station and into work.. From Haverhill, Mass (also Ed McMahon's first rad - 2 years ago. Theyll still be talking about that twenty years from now. - Click to. Chapman liked to say he was a poor kid who grew up behind a grocery store, which his father owned in his native Haverhill, Mass. Chapman joined KVIL in 1969 where he would remain a fixture for 32 years. Chapman remembers all the other long-gone-and-forgotten ones who came gunning for him: the Mobys in the Morning, the Stevenses and Pruetts. We had this little kinkajou honey bear. And thats a problem KVIL itself will have to face one of these days. Hes like the man who juggles chain saws while singing Verdi. Forty-five years in one market. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones defers comment on revival of sexual harassment lawsuit, Q and A: How MLBs streaming, TV options will impact Rangers fans ability to watch team. Ron Chapman Radio Hall Of Fame So if anyone were to remember me. When we first went to KVIL to do the Cowboys games, Ron brings Brad Sham and me into his office and starts giving us this big speech on how we should broadcast a football game. His career launched in 1953, the day after he graduated from high school. Garrett remembers Chapmans blowing up at him for reading the same filler story at several news slots. Chapman rounded out the 1960s by joining the staff of KVIL-FM in 1969, when AM radio was yielding the spotlight to the purer sound of FM stations. Ron was a longtime morning host at our sister station KVIL 103.7, where he worked with KRLD's Mitch Carr. Nothing to embarrass a woman who is even remotely prudish. Ron Chapman on the State of Radio and Why He'll Never Make a Comeback The Radio Hall of Famer died at the age of 85 by leading an exemplary life being the pioneer of radio hosting in the country. Late Radio Legend Ron Chapman Changed The Way Dallas Sounded Ron Chapmans the only one that talks to her that first hour, and in that hour, 1 can mold her frame of mind. I cannot say I will miss KVIL, mostly because I haven't listened to it in years -- couldn't tell you its format since, oh, 1985? After 45 years in radio, Ron Chapman retired from his morning show on June 24, 2005. And it suddenly became a craze. But the thing about it is, ten minutes later, its like it never happened.. Like the time when, in charge of locking away the band instruments in a wire cage, Ralph kept the mouthpiece of the tuba in his pocket. Tags. Though nobodyrepeat, nobodywants to take on Ron Chapman in public (even his roast at the Dallas Press Club last year was a three-hour valentine), friends and foes alike admit to a powerful fear of the man. I grew up listening to his voice, though as many different characters, in Arlington. Chapman retired from KVIL in 2000 and moved to KLUV, where he worked until 2005 before retiring again. But back then, you prayed for Vince Lombardi. Chapman died Monday at the age of 85, the Texas Radio Hall of Fame announced on its Facebook page. You understand that? Boom! Chapman moved to KVIL a decade later, after the station briefly flirted with Top 40 in an attempt to topple the mighty KLIF. Copyright 2023, D Magazine Partners, Inc. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website.