Jake Hartford
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Jake Hartford (birthday December 1st)[citation needed] is a radio talk show host at WCPT-AM (820), airing Saturday mornings from 6-10 AM in Chicago, Illinois, USA.[1] The new station follows his recent lay off from WLS-AM 890, where he had been a host from 1991 to 2008.
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[edit] Style
Some have called his irreverent style "quirky yet refreshing."[who?] Jake is most infamous for giving callers the wrong instructions to change their clocks during Daylight Savings Time shifts. Every May he conducts the "Gizzy Awards," named after former Chicago newscaster Giselle Fernández, honoring the most popular Chicago television news personalities.
In 2002, Hartford used his influence as a radio personality to affect the selection of the Official Fish of Chicago. He suggested that his listeners cast an online vote for the Longnose Dace. As a result of the campaign, the longnose dace came from distant obscurity to winning the contest.[2]
[edit] Radio History
Jake worked in Chicago television news, including producing segments for Walter Jacobson. He started at WLS-AM in September of 1989, known then as "Jake the Travel Guy," working alongside Roe Conn. Jake then began as a solo host on March 16, 1991.
Hartford was let go in a series of layoffs by new WLS-AM owner Citadel Broadcasting on February 29, 2008.[3] In commenting on his release, Hartford said "I spent nearly 20 years building a brand there, and it was over in a less than a one-minute phone call without even a 'thanks.' And it's not like the ratings weren't good."[4] On March 18, 2008, Radio Online reported that Jake Hartford is moving to cross-town Progressive Talk station WCPT for a show from 6-10 AM on Saturdays.
[edit] Personal
Jake makes his home at "Green Jakres" in Lockport, Illinois, with his wife (beauty pageant winner Miss Dill Pickle 1982) and two sons. Chicago Tribune columnist Eric Zorn claimed on his blog that Jake's real name is Jim Edwards.[5]
[edit] References
- ^ It's just Jake, Chicago Sun Times, March 18, 2008.
- ^ Jake Hartford, WCPT on-air declaration, June 7, 2008.
- ^ WLS dumps staffers in cost-cutting 'bloodbath', Chicago Tribune, March 1, 2008.
- ^ 'What a shame', Chicago Sun Times, March 6, 2008.
- ^ Diann Burns is not out of her mind!, "Change of Subject", chicagotribune.com, May 2, 2006.
