He is best known as the morning drive anchor of radio station KVIL, on the 103.7 frequency. "They should have changed the call letters the day he left," said Jody Dean, who joined KVIL in 1982 and served as Chapman's producer before replacing him on the morning show. Bud Buschardt worked as the unit manager on Away We Go and Sumpn Else, two television shows that Chapman did for WFAA Channel 8 in the mid-60s. Suzie was initially an airborne reporter, but was later given her trademark "KVIL-o-Van" (bearing the vanity plate, "SOOZIE.") Her efforts were honored in 2004 as an inductee to the Texas Radio Hall of Fame. We are very grateful for the care and compassion he. You people dont listen to me, and you are going to lose $100,000 on this auction! When she replied that the auction had never made anywhere near that much, he snapped, Thats why!. Dallas Cowboys want another playmaker on offense. The feature says Chapman and his wife, Nance, had met at a charity telethon in the late sixties and spent decades as platonic friends before both parties . In 1989, KVIL reigned supreme for three consecutive quarters, reaching 10.5 ratings points in the July Arbitrons, 3.1 points ahead of runner-up KSCS. (To Everything There Is a Season) by the Byrds. Chapman and his morning cohortsSuzy Humphries, Jody Dean, Michael Rey, et al.are saying, in effect. The station would cycle through many owners, all of whom readily admittedthey were really buying Chapman-- "a warm and fuzzy tyrant," D called him in 1989, which he took as compliment. Robert Wilonsky, Special Contributor. The other bold stroke by the founders of KVIL was its attitude toward Dallass sister city, Fort Worth. Info. And brother, let me tell you something: It was a different age., In 1989, The Dallas Morning News devoted a High Profile cover story to Chapman, noting that peers described him variously as a genius, tyrant and hero. The radio industry took to social media to reflect on Chapman's life and career. They filmed it. The next step from there would have been the street. In a 1985 issue ofBillboard, the music industry's trade publication, a radio consultant called it "dominant" -- "the best-run radio station in Dallas" among a pile of worthy contenders, including K104. They had no bathtub, no phone, no family car. The following obituaries have been provided by local funeral homes. - Click to. Nance prayed for her. Hollywood actress Morgan Fairchild first met the radio maestro when she was a student at Lake Highlands High School. Jack Woods partnered with Chapman in the early 60s on Gordon McLendons KLIF. The station is branded as "Alt 103.7" and airs an alternative rock radio format. Ron Chapman began his radio career the DAY he graduated high school, hitting the airwaves in his hometown of Haverhill, Massachusetts. A lot of people on this board are so young that they have never heard of Michael Selden. We could go AOR. In 1969, Chapman joined the staff of KVIL-FM/Dallas-Fort . "But a well-respected punchline," Rhyner said. In the service, Chapman was the Fifties equivalent of Robin Williams, doing a sort of Good Morning, Korea. On the troop ship the first night out, his sister recalls, it came time for the sergeant to hand out assignments. Chapman is not just guessing at what his audience wants to hear He is downright methodical about it. Imagine working in a situation for five or six years where your first question every day had to be, What kind of moods he in today?, Tony Garrett got a dose of it too, though he took it philosophically. Incidentally, the quarterback is the guy behind the center. Everywhere 1 go, the broadcasters are asking me how to do that. KVIL wasso named for its original HQ in the Highland Park Village, after Charles Meeks acquired a broadcast license from the feds to open up shop in 1958. Ron Chapman made Vocal Majority . I was off the wall, and he loved it. Its on the far back burner, but I think about it. You understand that? Boom! He killed the competition. The individuality, the uniqueness. . Ron Chapman Obituary KVIL - Death : DFW Radio Legend Died: Funeral - KVIL and DFW Radio legend, Ron Chapman died aged 85, on April, 26th, 2021, with loved ones left in total devastation. He also hosted a televised series from Northpark Center in the 1960's for a three-year stint. Yeah, he would. Blonde, voluptuous, impeccably well-mannered, and gracious, she smiles through a mouthful of sharp teeth. I was driving an older beat-up Nissan, and my alternator went out one night while on the way to work. The Emperor is in his tower . In the meantime, you play every night like it was opening night, kick ass, and prove me wrong. By Casey Carr. In my mind, Chapman continues, I used to picture Mary Tyler Moore. He remained at KVIL-FM for 32 years, serving as program director, music director, promotion director and morning personality. And Ron has a brand-new sweater. . Im sitting there, and Im cracking up. In 1968, Chapman joined a team that purchased KVIL-FM, a station known for pioneering the Adult Contemporary (AC) format. Didnt think about it until after I handed the keys back to him. Suite 2100 So when we cut away to commercial, we would turn off the lights so the studio would get cool. Anybody can read, goddammit! He was the Dean of Dallas/Fort Worth Radio spending 31 years hosting the morning show at KVIL, most of those in the number one position. He directed his in more positive directions, into the station and into work.. But when the chairwoman greeted Chapman in the ballroom, she says, he lit into her. Chapman is a perfectionist in every way, Nance says. "And that means something," Mike Rhyner said Thursday morning. Hey, says Chapman, most people like living here. And so, Ive always wanted to be YA-HA! Give me a spotlight and let me go., On Monday, the Texas Radio Hall of Fame paid tribute to Chapman by noting on Facebook: Three time radio Hall of Famer and Dallas radio ICON Ron Chapman has passed. Barack O-blame-a. To a person, everyone interviewed for this story believed that Chapman, if riled, could end his career. Every store in town used KVIL's mellowrock as its shop-to soundtrack; it evenprovidedthe background music softly droning throughout my orthodontist's office, because what pre-teen with a mouth full of metal doesn't dig some "Afternoon Delight." There will be NO service, but a public gathering of friends and colleagues is being planned.". Jun 03, 2004 07:18pm. 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. Part of Audacy. The kids had to wear coats and ties on the show. Some 12,000 did, and KVIL donated $240,000 to charity. Next to the picture, the new kid on the block had penned, Dont buy a house here. Michael Granberry was born and grew up in Dallas. He is very perfectionist about his personal things. Among the passengers on a March 4 flight out of Hanoi 45 years ago Sunday at the end of the Vietnam War were three Air Force officers who would eventually settle in Northwest Florida. In 1969, he teamed up with local radio men Hugh Lampman and Jack Shell at the newly born KVIL. Born October 11, 1942 in Ashland, KY, he was the son of the late Otis Guy and . They were buying Ron Chapmanat something like a half million dollars a pound. One infamous incident occurred during last years gala for the National Craniofacial Foundation. And one night in March 1981, KVIL radio legend Ron Chapman walked into Billy Bob's. "And I walked up to Chapman and I said, 'I'm going to come work for you,' " Dean said. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Thirty-two of them at the same station. During his 31 years at KVIL, Chapman became famous for his upbeat humor and his participation in outrageous stunts and giveaways. Nance likens her life with Ron to living with P.T. And some who have shown too much personality, critics charge, get the ax. Homepage; Contact US; About US; Ron Chapman Net Worth, Age, Height, Weight. ", China sets this year's economic growth target at 'around 5%', 20 cars of Norfolk Southern cargo train derail in Ohio, China expands defense budget 7.2%, marking slight increase, Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway and husband are divorcing, Teen hikers rescued after days stuck in California snowstorm, Trump pitches a sequel, but shies away from attacking rivals, Indonesia fuel depot fire kills 19; 3 still missing, How one storm system wreaked havoc from coast to coast, Before Oscars, Everything Everywhere sweeps Spirit Awards, Californians await key decisions from reparations task force. Here are a few other stories about Chapmans career, told by those who knew and worked with the legend. There was some serious speculation for a while in Haverhill about the Ghost Tuba Player. Jody Dean was Chapmans producer at KVIL from 1987 to 1994. I tell people this story, and they think its one of those urban legends. "Well, they had to do something," the National Radio Hall of Famer said. He never said anything to me about it. For two weeks, while everyone else painted and scraped, he sat in a deck chair and interviewed people to see what their talent was., After Chapman had been in Korea for about a month, he got a parchment scroll commending him for lifting the morale of the troops. I hear it., I said, Yes. He seems completely oblivious to his subjects, the teeming thousands of Little People trapped and fuming in the traffic below. Hes now retired and owns a winery called Orangewoods near San Diego.In, Im going to say 62 or 63, Jack Kennedy, I think, did a 50-mile hike. Ron was one of those guys who made this a better place to live.. Ron, how come my offer to buy KVIL never worked out? 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. RIP Ron Chapman. The station's studios are located along North Central Expressway in Uptown Dallas. He died Monday at age 85. We said, Okay, thats it! And he says, This is your audience. Ill never forget it. 1 forever. There are no excuses in Ron Chapmans world except You screwed up. Dallas most important news stories of the week, delivered to your inbox each Sunday. That was, perhaps, the last Most Meaningful Moment on local radio. Posted Mon, Apr 26, 2021 at 8:33 pm CT. Dallasites are grieving the death today of deejay Ron Chapman, a man whose voice was a constant companion throughout the Metroplex for more than five . Skip to content. Who is available? "It's a shame it's gone, but KVIL had a great history," he said. It was also an opportunity, and that night Rons car found itself parked outside every cool bar and nightclub on Greenville Avenue. In 2000, Chapman moved to KLUV/Dallas, an "oldies" station where he stayed until announcing his retirement from radio in 2005. Id never been in a Cadillac Seville. Jody Dean was Chapman's producer at KVIL from 1987 to 1994. Enjoy unlimited access to all of our incredible journalism, in print and digital. I never brought it up with him, either. FACE FOR RADIO: Chapman hosted a popular TV show. So one of our sponsors was Coca-Cola. (A whole lot better, wife Nance is quick to observe, than the other way around.) Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, a man-made creek meanders past a resistance pool and a hot tub on its way to the pump. Wednesday's announcement just made it official, finally. And because I drove the yellow van, I could go wherever I wanted to go. In terms of logistics and creativity, hes a towering genius. Chapmans radio station has been number one in Dallas. Mess with Ron and I might become an ape in heat and jump all over you. The longtime host of KVIL died in April 2021 at the age of 85. When it comes to his precious radio station, the man is as fiercely protective of his listeners and his formal as a mother sow is of her litter. @theoldgreywolf once told me, "Chapman was the pioneer, the seer." "I was always on the quest of doing something new and dramatic and different and surprising," Ron said in 2010. . Michael Selden, a DJ at KVIL from 1974 to 1979, has gone full circle with Chapman emotionally, from admiration to loathing and back again. I just never mellowed out. Chapman admits. He likes to say he lost two-thirds of his voice then, but every so often you can hear peeks and hints of that booming voice that used to wake up Dallas every weekday morning. Chapman was a giant in radio in Texas, and was inducted as a member of the Radio Hall of Fame in 2012. 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). At the haunted house, Chapman took along a producer and equipped her with a microphone. I knew I was fired. A man in the hotel found his passport and rushed it to the airport. Thats just the wrapper. Between his junior and senior years, he interned at The Washington Post during "the Watergate summer" of 1973. Exact sum is $73000000. And Ron says, When youre doing your broadcast, I want you to think that these people here are your audience. To the multitudes who wake up with him every weekday, hes Mr. Net Worth Inspector Menu. But there is more to the message than merely commercialized feminism. Turn! Most of the radio folk we talked to have a love-hate relationship with the man. But theyll never work hard enough.. So I went by my hairdressers, who lived in Oak Cliff. Thats what we started doing. The Texas Radio Hall of Fame says "his family asks for time to process this loss, and thanks you for your kindness, understanding and prayers. Even after he retired, he would call and ask for help, and I was always happy to do it. So he and a couple of radio buds ( Hugh Lampman and Jack Schell) got some backers and found a little building on Mockingbird across from the Dallas Country Club, where they launched a station called KVIL. In 1959, a 23-year-old up-and-coming disc jockey from Haverhill, Mass., took on the role of morning co-host for a . Because shes gonna move up. Nothing to embarrass a woman who is even remotely prudish. 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Everybody that works here eventually comes back around, and Im going to be here when they come round again. Ron Chapman made money by Directors niche. Everyone I knew went to college. He did not. Suzie Humphreys was Chapmans on-air sidekick on KVIL from 1975 to 1995. He's now a news anchor for CBS Channel 11 and will replace Chapman on KLUV's morning show. The store was open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. As writer Diane Reischel put it in The News story: The store was the childrens living room, the customers their audience., His sister, Florence Littauer, said her baby brother was so clever and funny that people would pay me for him to speak. As The News noted, The parents his mother was a violinist challenged the children to think creatively. Chapman remembers all the other long-gone-and-forgotten ones who came gunning for him: the Mobys in the Morning, the Stevenses and Pruetts. Read our daily updates at 12:30, 2:30 and 4:30 p.m., and our complete obituaries in The Herald-Dispatch on Wednesday and