3-19-14
Early on in Jim Kerr's career, while working at WLS-AM in Chicago, a new young program director by the name of John Gehron was brought in to run the show. Gehron's arrival meant PD Tommy Edwards would be pushed back into on-air duties, leaving Kerr as the odd man out. Instead of handing him a pink slip and a few bucks to take his cardboard box full of records home, Gehron and Edwards kept Kerr on staff until something else in the company opened up.
Gehron explains: "Jim was incredibly versatile and he impressed me with how natural he sounded on the air. He was so good we didn't want to lose him from the company. We found ways to keep him on the air, covering for everyone, until NY had an opening. He is a remarkable talent." Tommy Edwards said once he asked Kerr to cover reports of students streaking on the Northwestern University campus. "He not only phoned in funny reports but he even interviewed a streaker. It was funny & compelling. It was obvious to me this guy was very talented."
From WLS in Chicago, Kerr would move to WPLJ in New York. The date was March 18, 1974. Kerr would spend the next 40 years doing morning radio in New York City.
Mike O'Malley was Kerr's Program Director when he worked at WYNY. "Jim totally immersed himself in the format: the music, the listeners and the artists. Jim had and has tremendous credibility and his enthusiasm for the music no doubt introduced many of his CHR and rock fans to country while converting even the most skeptical country P1s to Jim Kerr fans. Like so many great talent, his 'matter of fact' conversational delivery helps him come across as someone you want to hang with. I loved working with Jim and it?s exciting to be able to congratulate him on 40 years!"
We spoke with Kerr about that amazing accomplishment today. LISTEN HERE
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