Nick cannon Hosts As Radio One
It was anything but the regularly scheduled programming on Old School 95.5 FM and Hot 104.1 FM as calls poured into the stations.
“Being a music-based format versus news/talk, it does allow you to focus on a lot of conversation,” said Gary Gunter, vice president and general manager for Radio One St. Louis.
“But being a station of and for the community, we allowed people to get a lot off of their chest and be able to let their feelings be known and share and cry and talk to their favorite DJs about what they felt the next steps should be.”
Rage, despair, frustration and pain were expressed by listeners during various key points within the months of unrest that began August 9 and carried on through the holiday season.
“We wanted to be that outlet,” Gunter said. “It was challenging at first – kind of scary as well. But at the same time, as it played out we just saw how much that these stations meant to the community as far as them having a vehicle to express themselves.”
On Monday, January 19, Radio One St. Louis will spend the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday continuing its efforts to aid in the healing process of the unrest and aftershock of events in Ferguson. They will again modify programming for a “Radio-thon” fundraiser benefiting the businesses affected by looting, fires and other property damage in the wake of Michael Brown Jr.’s death and the St. Louis County grand jury’s decision not to indict Darren Wilson.
“Part of our mission statement as a company is we definitely strive to serve our community, not only with entertainment but also with information and inspiration,” Gunter said.
The on-air collaborative effort with the Regional Business Council will feature local leaders, celebrities and will be hosted by film, television and radio personality Nick Cannon.
From noon to 7 p.m. on MLK Day, listeners can call in and pledge financial support as Ferguson seeks to begin the process of rebuilding the community, especially along West Florissant Avenue. Each hour they will have a different celebrity or local leader that has been affected by Ferguson join them on air.
“We have Mike McMillan of the Urban League, the mayor of Ferguson and some business owners who were affected by the unrest,” Gunter said. “Kathy Osborn, head of the Regional Business Council, will take part, and there will be some other surprises to make it a fun interactive day for listeners.”
Radio One St. Louis did a similar event for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital last year and raised nearly $30,000.
“With the support of the community and our listeners and people who understand the plight of those businesses affected, I’m hoping people will step up and do their part,” Gunter said.
Proceeds will be donated directly to the Reinvest North County Fund, whose two-fold mission is to provide immediate relief to small business impacted by the unrest and provide school districts with appropriate resources, particularly in times of distress.
“A lot of what you saw on TV is not what Ferguson is all about,” Gunter said. “I just hope that they can get back on track and get past this. I do think some positive things will come out of this – some positive things have already come out of it – and just make people aware of what’s going on in their communities and be active in their communities.”