Jack Daniel (DJ)

Jack Daniel is a DJ and radio professional who has worked in Charlotte, North Carolina radio since the mid-1970s. Daniel's first radio job in the Charlotte market was on WPEG.^[1]

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.^[2] Later that year, he was also WBCY program director.^[3] 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.^[4]

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.^[1] By 1990, Daniel was the station's general manager.^[5] 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.^[6]

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.^[7]

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.^[8]

Daniel became director of sales and marketing for Paradox Films, which produced ads for WBTV, The Nashville Network and Charlotte Motor Speeedway.^[9] But he did not stay away from radio for long. In May 1995, he became program director and afternoon host on modern rock WEND.^[10] In 1996, Daniel was nominated for Program Director of the Year by the Billboard & Airplay Monitor Awards.^[11]

In 1999, Daniel became operations manager of WEND and oldies WWMG "Magic 96.1", remaining program director for WEND.^[12]

Daniel also plays in a band called Route 66.^[13]

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. In 1975 he joined WPEG/WEGO in Concord. Daniel has two grown children Adam (28), a teacher at Mitchell College and Alexandra (24), a Social Worker in Raleigh. Both are married. His wife Carla is a retired Speech Pathologist.

In 2011, Daniel became syndicated on iheartradio. He can be heard each weekday morning on "BIG CLASSIC HITS", a channel that plays the hits of the 70's and 80's. In addition to being available via iheartradio, the show is offered on terrestrial stations in over 50 markets natiowide. You can follow Jack Daniel on twitter @jackdaniel1065. In addition to his syndicated duties, he remains Program Director & Midday host on WEND, New Rock 1065 The End. He is approaching 19 years as WEND's only Program Director. Jack Daniel has also been heard on national and regional advertising campaigns for Arby's, AEG Concerts and in the mid 90's, Auto Zone.

References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Jeff Borden, "Reporter's Comedy Show Will Air," The Charlotte Observer, September 11, 1987.
2. ↑ Jeff Borden, "WDAV Moving to New Facility," The Charlotte Observer, February 5, 1986.
3. ↑ Kathy Haight and Jeff Borden, "Stores Await Springsteen's Live Album," The Charlotte Observer, November 10, 1986.
4. ↑ Jeff Borden, "Cook, Dingle Morning Team Leads Ratings Surge at WBCY," The Charlotte Observer, May 7, 1987.
5. ↑ Kathy Haight, "Little Feat: Tips from the Pros," The Charlotte Observer, July 20, 1990.
6. ↑ Tim Funk, "Deal Keeps Duo on Air in Charlotte," The Charlotte Observer, February 25, 1993.
7. ↑ Tim Funk and Carol Smith, "Broadcaster Boosts Stake in Charlotte," The Charlotte Observer, September 24, 1993.
8. ↑ Tim Funk, "News Emmy Nominations Announced," The Charlotte Observer, November 22, 1994.
9. ↑ Tim Funk, "Cablevision Adds 2 New Channels," The Charlotte Observer, January 17, 1995.
10. ↑ Tim Funk, "WBTV News Pulls Closer to WSOC at 5, 5:30," The Charlotte Observer, May 31, 1995.
11. ↑ Kay McFadden, "WBTV Picks Cameron," The Charlotte Observer, August 13, 1996.
12. ↑ Bill Keveney, WSOC's Vince Coakley Gets Vote of Confidence, Moves to Weekdays," The Charlotte Observer, March 2, 1999.
13. ↑ Pam Bilger, "Mike & Steve's Place Bucks Smoky Trend," The Charlotte Observer, November 16, 2006.