Jack Daniel (DJ)
Encyclopedia
Jack Daniel is a DJ and radio executive who has worked in Charlotte, North Carolina
radio since the mid-1970s. Daniel's first radio job in the Charlotte market was on WPEG
.
When WROQ
was an album rock station, Daniel served as program director. Later he became a morning host at CHR
WJZR "Z-100"
. In 1986, Daniel became midday announcer at CHR/adult contemporary WBCY
. At that time, he was also host of the TV series "Let's Dance" on WPCQ
. Later that year, he was also WBCY program director. During his time at WBCY, the station made a significant ratings improvement after finally selecting a successful morning team—Randy Cook and Spiff Dingle—and increasing its focus on CHR music.
In September 1987, Daniel became program director on the station he had left in 1986, which by this time was album rock WRFX. At this time, he had been a part of Charlotte-area radio more than 12 years. By 1990, Daniel was the station's general manager. Daniel prevented popular morning hosts John Boy and Billy
from leaving the station by making a deal that paid them well and gave them the chance to be syndicated.
When WRFX owner Pyramid Broadcasting purchased struggling CHR WAQQ (which used to be WROQ) and sports talk WAQS
, Daniel became general manager of those stations.
WAQQ became WEDJ in 1994 and Daniel became its general manager, but by November of that year, the station's 10-month-old format was not succeeding quickly enough for Pyramid. Daniel admitted he had never tried starting a new station and it was more difficult than he thought. He left radio because of a noncompete clause.
Daniel became director of sales and marketing for Paradox Films, which produced ads for WBTV
, The Nashville Network and Charlotte Motor Speeedway
. But he did not stay away from radio for long. In May 1995, he became program director and afternoon host on modern rock
WEND
. In 1996, Daniel was nominated for Program Director of the Year by the Billboard & Airplay Monitor Awards.
In 1999, Daniel became operations manager of WEND
and oldies
WWMG "Magic 96.1", remaining program director for WEND.
Daniel also plays in a band called Route 66.
In 2000, Clear Channel Radio purchased WEND/WWMG and moved the operation to join their other Charlotte stations, WRFX, WLYT, and WKKT. On May 12, 2011, Daniel will celebrate both his and New Rock 1065 The End's 16th year together in Charlotte. It will mark
Daniel's longest single stop in his career which began at WCHS (Concord High School) in 1971. He also worked at campus radio station, WECU-AM at East Carolina University before stints at WOOW, WBZQ, WRMT in Eastern North Carolina before returning to the Charlotte area
via WYCL in York, S.C. before joining WPEG/WEGO. Daniel has two grown children Adam (25) and Alexandra (21) who live in Raleigh and attend NCSU. His wife Carla is a retired Speech Pathologist.
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
radio since the mid-1970s. Daniel's first radio job in the Charlotte market was on WPEG
WPEG
WPEG is a Mainstream Urban-formatted radio station in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. It broadcasts at 97.9 FM, and is owned by CBS Radio.-History:...
.
When WROQ
WNKS
WNKS, known on the air as KISS 95.1, is a 100,000 watt radio station in Charlotte, North Carolina. It broadcasts at 95.1 MHz from a tower in Dallas, North Carolina, primarily serving the Charlotte metropolitan area. On air programming consists of mainstream top 40 music...
was an album rock station, Daniel served as program director. Later he became a morning host at CHR
Contemporary hit radio
Contemporary hit radio is a radio format that is common in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia that focuses on playing current and recurrent popular music as determined by the Top 40 music charts...
WJZR "Z-100"
WRFX
WRFX is a classic rock music station in Charlotte, North Carolina.It is the flagship for the John Boy and Billy Big Show, the well-known morning show that is syndicated around the country.-History:...
. In 1986, Daniel became midday announcer at CHR/adult contemporary WBCY
WLNK
WLNK, known on the air as "107.9 The Link", is a 100,000 watt radio station in Charlotte, North Carolina. It broadcasts at 107.9 MHz, primarily serving the Charlotte metropolitan area...
. At that time, he was also host of the TV series "Let's Dance" on WPCQ
WCNC-TV
WCNC-TV is the NBC affiliate in Charlotte, North Carolina. It broadcasts its digital signal on UHF channel 22 and is carried on cable channel 6 on most area cable systems. It is owned by the Belo Corporation...
. Later that year, he was also WBCY program director. During his time at WBCY, the station made a significant ratings improvement after finally selecting a successful morning team—Randy Cook and Spiff Dingle—and increasing its focus on CHR music.
In September 1987, Daniel became program director on the station he had left in 1986, which by this time was album rock WRFX. At this time, he had been a part of Charlotte-area radio more than 12 years. By 1990, Daniel was the station's general manager. Daniel prevented popular morning hosts John Boy and Billy
John Boy and Billy
John Isley and Billy James, known as John Boy & Billy, named after "John-Boy Harris and brother Bross Harris", are American radio hosts based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Their comedic morning program The John Boy & Billy Big Show broadcasts from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m...
from leaving the station by making a deal that paid them well and gave them the chance to be syndicated.
When WRFX owner Pyramid Broadcasting purchased struggling CHR WAQQ (which used to be WROQ) and sports talk WAQS
WFNZ
WFNZ "610 AM The Fan" is a Sports Talk format radio station in Charlotte, North Carolina.-History:WFNZ signed on in 1941 as WAYS . For much of the 1960s through early 1980s, it was Charlotte's top-rated Top 40 station under the moniker "61 Big Ways." The morning show was aired on both WAYS and...
, Daniel became general manager of those stations.
WAQQ became WEDJ in 1994 and Daniel became its general manager, but by November of that year, the station's 10-month-old format was not succeeding quickly enough for Pyramid. Daniel admitted he had never tried starting a new station and it was more difficult than he thought. He left radio because of a noncompete clause.
Daniel became director of sales and marketing for Paradox Films, which produced ads for WBTV
WBTV
WBTV, channel 3 , is the CBS affiliate in Charlotte, North Carolina. It is one of two flagship stations of Raycom Media. WBTV's studios are located off Morehead Street just west of Uptown Charlotte, and its transmitter is located in north-central Gaston County, North Carolina...
, The Nashville Network and Charlotte Motor Speeedway
Lowe's Motor Speedway
Charlotte Motor Speedway is a motorsports complex located in Concord, North Carolina, United States 13 miles from Charlotte, North Carolina. The complex features a quad oval track that hosts NASCAR racing including the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend and the Sprint All-Star Race...
. But he did not stay away from radio for long. In May 1995, he became program director and afternoon host on modern rock
Modern rock
Modern rock is a rock format commonly found on commercial radio; the format consists primarily of the alternative rock genre...
WEND
WEND
WEND , known as "106.5 The End", is a Alternative radio station based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Owned by Clear Channel Communications, the station broadcasts at 106.5 MHz with an ERP of 84 kW. The station is licensed to Salisbury and its transmitter is located just west of China Grove, NC...
. In 1996, Daniel was nominated for Program Director of the Year by the Billboard & Airplay Monitor Awards.
In 1999, Daniel became operations manager of WEND
WEND
WEND , known as "106.5 The End", is a Alternative radio station based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Owned by Clear Channel Communications, the station broadcasts at 106.5 MHz with an ERP of 84 kW. The station is licensed to Salisbury and its transmitter is located just west of China Grove, NC...
and oldies
Oldies
Oldies is a term commonly used to describe a radio format that concentrates on music from a period of about 15 to 55 years before the present day....
WWMG "Magic 96.1", remaining program director for WEND.
Daniel also plays in a band called Route 66.
In 2000, Clear Channel Radio purchased WEND/WWMG and moved the operation to join their other Charlotte stations, WRFX, WLYT, and WKKT. On May 12, 2011, Daniel will celebrate both his and New Rock 1065 The End's 16th year together in Charlotte. It will mark
Daniel's longest single stop in his career which began at WCHS (Concord High School) in 1971. He also worked at campus radio station, WECU-AM at East Carolina University before stints at WOOW, WBZQ, WRMT in Eastern North Carolina before returning to the Charlotte area
via WYCL in York, S.C. before joining WPEG/WEGO. Daniel has two grown children Adam (25) and Alexandra (21) who live in Raleigh and attend NCSU. His wife Carla is a retired Speech Pathologist.