The things that attracted Marilyn to me in the first place were the things that drove her crazythe drive, the ambition, the living in the eye of the tiger eventually drove her crazy. Menu. But Chapmans vaunted ego and his famed temper have only enhanced his hold on the Dallas radio market. Hes now a news anchor for CBS Channel 11 and will replace Chapman on KLUVs morning show. And the 01 Man on KVIL is still saying, aint this great? In 2000, as radio began to change once again, Chapman moved to KLUV, a Dallas oldies station where he stayed until announcing his retirement in 2005. Right away, you know two things about her: she has no time to waste, and you dont mess with her. 2023 Audacy, Inc. All rights reserved. Dallas Radio Legend Ron Chapman Recovering From A Stroke - Blogger Remembering Ron Chapman Vocal Majority - Pure Harmony Nothing to embarrass a woman who is even remotely prudish. Chapman is not just guessing at what his audience wants to hear He is downright methodical about it. Suzie Humphreys was Chapmans on-air sidekick on KVIL from 1975 to 1995. Obituaries Search for Ron Chapman - Dignity Memorial Back then, Chapman says, wed latch on to anything. 750 North St.Paul St. There will never be another run like his. Though nobodyrepeat, nobodywants to take on Ron Chapman in public (even his roast at the Dallas Press Club last year was a three-hour valentine), friends and foes alike admit to a powerful fear of the man. He never said anything to me about it. KVIL was always my mom's station, hogging up most of the pre-sets in the '76 Cordoba and later the '79 LeBaron station wagon; it was either Ron Chapmanor a Helen Reddy 8-track. He moved to Dallas in 1959 a year before the Dallas Cowboys became a team and was known for a decade as Irving Harrigan, who shared a microphone with Charlie Brown. His co-hosts real name was Jack Woods, and together the two became a radio juggernaut at KLIF, known then as The Mighty 1190. Their rise coincided with the Top 40 dynamism of the Beatles, the Beach Boys and the Rolling Stones. The Right Hand of God is Dallas. Ron Chapman Death - Obituary, Funeral, Cause Of Death Just heard radio legend Ron Chapman has died. They thought we were going 50 miles. Ron Chapman: Final Morning on KLUV - Rainbow Connection Tribute (with Weve become Kleenex. Michael Granberry, Arts Writer. How would he like to be remembered? Baby, it's cold outside. He wants to control that station twenty-four hours a day, hotlining jocks in the middle of the night for mispronouncing some street name, says Tom Tradup, now general manager of a Chicago station and, until last July, the general manager at KRLD. Chapman, who was inducted to the Radio Hall of Fame three times, started his career in 1953the day he graduated from high school, according to his bio on the organization's website. And yet, he would never ask me to be one of the [featured] dancers. Its on the far back burner, but I think about it. A unique soul with a great personality has an amazing sense of humour, diligent and caring. RON CHAPMAN ANDERSON - Ronald Ray Chapman, 67, of Anderson, died Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at Rainey Hospice House. Ron Chapman Net Worth, Age, Height, Weight Especially this woman right here., And Brad says, Well, how about if we start the play and say, The quarterback comes up to the line of scrimmage. In 1968, Chapman joined a team that purchased KVIL-FM, a station known for pioneering the Adult Contemporary (AC) format. We did that to our audience constantly. On the mike, butter wouldnt melt in his mouth. Catch up on the day's news you need to know. Skip to content. Garrett remembers eavesdropping with Chapman on conversations at the local coffee shop or the grocery store, trying to get a feel for what people were talking about. KVIL TIDBITS: Ron Chapman's radio show was simulcast live with video on KXAS-TV as a 30-minute daily program (mid-1970s.). He was always very, very kind. Weve become Coke. The country was going to get in shape. Stevens and Pruett. . He directed his in more positive directions, into the station and into work.. But Im serious when I tell you that I learned a great deal from it. I hand it to Ron, and the little guy hops on Rons shoulder, and when the lights come up, you know, animals react. A secretary, yeah, sure, absolutely, but she wont be for long. He always brought light to every room entered. Nance (pronounced Nancy), Chapmans wife of three years, is the centerpiece of the home tour. Blonde, voluptuous, impeccably well-mannered, and gracious, she smiles through a mouthful of sharp teeth. Chapman rounded out the 1960s by joining the staff of KVIL-FM in 1969, when AM radio was yielding the spotlight to the purer sound of FM stations. His hard-scrabble experience inspired him to say, Ill show them. And his broadcasting career accomplished exactly that he showed them. Nobody. However, Ron Chapman's cause of death remains yet to be known but it is suspected that he died of natural causes. He doesnt want to look for cuff links., And as for keeping up with the competition, well, Chapman has a television parked in front of his toilet. When Ron Chapman, Morning Host of KVIL in Dallas, Texas, asked his listeners back in 1998 to send $20 to the station, they did to the tune of $240,000. Paul: Okay, so let's go back to Bud's career. And he says, This is your audience. Ill never forget it. While Ron was 85 years old at the time of his death, Nance Chapman's age remains a mystery. Fort Worth was the butt of all the jokes by DJs sitting in Dallas talking about people over in Fort Worth. But, of course, its demise was inevitable, yet another casualty of shifting tastes and platforms; it's sign-off came just two months after Clear Channel dulled The Edge by making it, too, a dull shade of Maroon 5. Hes now a program director for ABC Dallas radio and an adjunct professor of TV production at the University of North Texas.We did Sumpn Else at NorthPark. *To hear some classic clips of Chapman from the old KLIF days, go to www.reelradio.com/se and www.historyofklif.com. He spent 19 years at the Los Angeles Times before returning to Dallas. Each ratings point represents a percentage of the audience market share and is said to be worth about $1.3 million in advertising revenues yearly. Ron Chapman on the State of Radio and Why He'll Never Make a Comeback But she was the problem., Chapman, who says he agonizes over every firing and tries to help the departed financially, told Haley to find another gig by the end of the year, while challenging her to do better: I told her. Chapman was a giant in radio in Texas, and was inducted as a member of the Radio Hall of Fame in 2012. Then the man loaned him enough money to buy a ticket. Tags. Everyones going to do a 50-mile hike. It was just ambition. Shes divorced, and may have a kid at home that shes sole support for. "Dusty Attics", Episode 23: Ron Chapman - Jody Dean He is a walking contradiction, a Type A masquerading as a Type B. Name another program director or air person of any type anywhere in the country who would come in at 11 oclock and cut a promo thats going to run overnight. In terms of logistics and creativity, hes a towering genius. Ive always tried to make my sportscast understandable to the non-sports fan. Not all of Chapmans career was limited to radio. Jack Woods partnered with Chapman in the early 60s on Gordon McLendons KLIF. That was his job to make that station great. Dallas Radio Icon Ron Chapman Dies at 85 - NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth It was our mascot for the show. When the show aired its final broadcast, Chapman played as its swan song Turn! But she never did., Coast to coast, when a radio stationbegins considering a format change, radio insiders say, the list of options goes like this: We could go country. There will be no service, however a "public gathering for friends and colleagues" is being planned at this time. Youd be walking down the hall, and nothing would stop him from putting you down in a very loud voice in front of anybody. He was 85. His family asks for time to process this loss, and thanks you for your kindness, understanding and prayers., There will not be a service, but, the Hall of Fame noted, a public gathering of friends and colleagues is being planned.. Who is KVIL Dallas Radio Personality Ron Chapman? Cause Of Death But the precise age, her birthday, and zodiac remain unknown. Incidentally, the quarterback is the guy behind the center. @RGreggHart : A giant of Dallas-Fort Worth radio, Ron Chapman, has died at 85. And the guy was the typical model. Ron Chapman American radio broadcaster (KVIL) dead at age 85 In 1969, Chapman joined the staff of KVIL-FM/Dallas-Fort Worth as morning disc jockey, music director, and program director, bringing the "adult contemporary" format to FM radio. Chapman said. The man who sat at the top of the hill, a legend in broadcasting. He ended up following Chapman at KLUV in 2005. He is proceeded in death by his father, Fay Chapman. Robert Wilonsky, Special Contributor. KVIL - Wikipedia Between his junior and senior years, he interned at The Washington Post during "the Watergate summer" of 1973. 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. Dallas radio legend Ron Chapman dies at 85 A 1989 profile in D magazine described him as The Emperor in his tower, whose duality is a big part of Ron Chapmans magic. He is, the writer opined, an amalgamation of Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader.. Did Ron Chapman have a wife? KVIL radio personality's life explored In order for us to match the standard, the three of us guys on the floor crew went out and bought blazers. We dont do that here. Catch up on the day's news you need to know. Two things worth noting: back then, no one had any fear about writing "$20" on an envelope - and we never gave our street address. In my mind, Chapman continues, I used to picture Mary Tyler Moore. Be sure to wear a hat. The Zoo crew used to regard KVIL's mushy adult-contemporary playlist as a punchline. Ron Chapman began his radio career the DAY he graduated high school, hitting the airwaves in his hometown of Haverhill, Massachusetts. The hand goes higher above his head: VEE higher now, almost pleading as it keens with the anticipation of all the wonderful, warm, cuddly, sensual things to come. We had several meetings in which we hoped to gain her attention about things we didnt feel were happening correctly on the nighttime show. We had this little kinkajou honey bear. 10/11/1929 - 05/23/2020 . By KLTV Digital Media Staff. . He must know where everything is at all times. He was born in Pittsburg, in East Texas and was raised in East Dallas -- in the area that is now District 5 -- where he graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School. 1 radio show in Dallas for a dozen years. We decided we would keep Fort Worth, and treat her like the lady that she is. "And that means something," Mike Rhyner said Thursday morning. He began by working as a disc jockey for WHAV in Haverhill. The Emperor is in his tower . You tend to say things like the mayor when you mean Dallas and the mayor of Fort Worth when youre talking about them. Ron Chapman Was a Warm and Fuzzy Tyrant - D Magazine He is the chairman of Southwest Airlines. Some 12,000 did, and KVIL donated $240,000 to charity. In those days KVIL was so big the Postal . To a person, everyone interviewed for this story believed that Chapman, if riled, could end his career. He is very perfectionist about his personal things. Thats just the wrapper. And this is, like, in the 80s. Our thoughts and hearts are with his frien - 2 years ago. So when we cut away to commercial, we would turn off the lights so the studio would get cool. As The News noted in a story: When the terrified producer charged into his room to say the ghost had just hugged her, Chapman had only a one-sentence response: Did you get it on the air?. Not only is he 110 percent fireproof and the goose that laid the golden egg, but he is shadow management, and he must be catered to and appeased. If Chapman knows just what to say on the air, he also knows what not to blurt out: no jokes that have females as the butt. Chapmans cohorts speak of having to walk a very fine line; remaining clever and at least half-witty without ever being more clever than Ron. It was a woman who had a pink sweater wrapped around her neck. Chapman had done the Charley and Harrigan show on KLIF during the Sixties (Chapman went by Irving Harrigan then) and had hosted Sumpn Else, a low-budget local version of American Bandstand on Channel 8. He had this real, real long tongue, and it could get into the bottle. Says Littauer, Only Ron could spend two weeks on a ship, do nothing, and then get a commendation for it.. Warmth, a man who seems to genuinely feel that his biggest contribution to the world is sending his listeners off to work happy and chipper, so that each in her own little way can help make a kinder, gentler Dallas. Ron Chapman set out to claim it. Robert Wilonsky, former city columnist for The Dallas Morning News, is communications director for Heritage Auctions and a frequent contributor to these pages. Because shes gonna move up. 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. One infamous incident occurred during last years gala for the National Craniofacial Foundation. KVIL-FM, born in Highland Park on August 25, 1961,died, officially, on Jan. 18, 2017. The program, based on "American Bandstand . Or we could go KVIL.. The piece coincided with Chapman's 20th anniversary at KVIL, where, The News noted, "His hyper, happy-talk 'Ron Chapman and the Morning Group' has been the almost-constant No. Net Worth Inspector Menu. Dale Hansen broadcasted Cowboys games on KVIL. HE IS AN EAST TEXAN: Judge Ron Chapman is a native Texan, an experienced public servant and a dedicated member of his community. Both of which I left, unconsumed, somewhere in Rons car. This is the story of how a chance encounter lead to a close friendship that would span four decades, and a revolutionary radio travel program that is in it's 46th year. He was just a wonderful, wonderful guy., And yet, on a professional level, Chapmans reputation carried with it a darker side. He said, Thats the second time youve used that item and its the last! ", 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. "In so many ways around here, Chapman was the pioneer, the seer," Rhyner said. But it was impossible to replicate a station that made a growing big city feel like a small town. In Memory Of KVIL's Peggy Sears - CBS Texas - CBS News First it was six to nine. - Click to. CHAPMAN, Ralph Frederick (Ron) Born January 25, 1936, in Newton, MA, Chapman has been heard on the airwaves in the Dallas/Fort Worth area since the 1950s. Hes like the man who juggles chain saws while singing Verdi. I never brought it up with him, either. And Id walk a mile for an impression., Part of the magic of KVIL is that it is positive and upbeat, even when its poking fun at the news, the politicians, or the Cowboys. Even Ron Chapman was not at all shocked to hear of its demise when I called him Wednesday afternoon to tell him his beloved KVIL was now, um, the Amp. Chapman is an obsessive-compulsive perfectionist, Selden says. Ron Chapman received an obituary from the KVIL community. 26, 2021 at 1:34 PM PDT. KVIL was always my mom's station, hogging up most of the pre-sets in the '76 Cordoba and later the '79 LeBaron station wagon; it was either Ron Chapman or a Helen Reddy 8-track. He was so popular in Dallas in the 70s, 80s and 90s that his station, KVIL, sold for more than the Dallas Cowboys. We are very grateful for the care and compassion he. So he comes to me, and I open the mic. A D Magazine feature on Chapman from December 1989, reproduced this week in honour of his life, stated that he had a wife called Nance (pronounced Nancy) Murray, for three years at that point. In the meantime, you play every night like it was opening night, kick ass, and prove me wrong. I'm saddened to tell you that legendary Dallas DJ Ron Chapman has passed away at 85. Ron has never been much for physical labor, says Littauer, so he stood there nodding and saying, Mm-hmmm and very good, very good, while the sergeant gave jobs to the rest of the men. So youre that egotistical S.O.B., They became fast, but platonic, friends. Now, its someone I found out of Kim Dawson headshots. Though Chapman is generally regarded, on the civic circuit, as something of a First Citizen, he has not been above exporting that inflammatory temper outside the station walls. He became widely known, according to his bio page on the Radio Hall of Fame website, for his humor, outrageous stunts and giveaways. And for his astronomically high ratings. From Haverhill, Mass (also Ed McMahon's first rad - 2 years ago. Thousands showed up. Ron Chapman has passed away. This is a secret, but we take a lot of the staff to the big derrick at Six Flags and put them on top. KVIL is a commercial radio station dual-licensed to Highland Park and Dallas, Texas. Ron Chapman was born on 25 January 1936 in Newton, Massachusetts, USA. 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. Chapman maintains that the station turns down huge amounts of revenue from advertisers who are dying to get at his listeners: Massengill, Preparation H, etc. Ron Chapman made money by Directors niche. We just knew where the other one was headed. But the youngsters came to understand their poverty., I liked applause early on, said Chapman, who took on Ron as his radio first name in 1965. Ron actually holds up a picture that hed cut out of a JCPenney catalog. Homepage; Contact US; About US; Ron Chapman Net Worth, Age, Height, Weight. Were keeping you on the payroll through October. If shed said, I f-ed up, Im on the team, shed be here still. dallas talk radio hosts - quickglobalexpress.com The other bold stroke by the founders of KVIL was its attitude toward Dallass sister city, Fort Worth. Updated: Apr. The Amp is now playing a handful of pop-radio hits, by the likes of Bruno Mars and Taylor Swift and DJ Snake, over and over and over, ad infinitum. In the late 1990's Chapman joined KLUV-FM, an Oldies format that saw high ratings upon his arrival. His older sister, Florence Littauer, now a motivational speaker, used her seniority to motivate Ralph, teaching him tongue twisters and then persuading him to repeat them for amazed visitors at the store-for a small fee. More than one KVILite also remarked that they wouldnt have had jobs at all if Chapman hadnt heard that they were down on their luck and called to offer them gigs. Chapman realized that if he won Fort Worth, he could almost double the stations numbers. Trust me, Chapman didnt laugh at all. . 750 North St.Paul St. According to the Texas Radio Hall of Fame, no public service is happening, but there will be a public gathering of friends and colleagues which is being planned at this time. His wife says the best way to get him frantic is to put him in a car without a phone. . He is best known as the morning drive anchor of radio station KVIL, on the 103.7 frequency. Ron Chapman and Mitch Carr Photo credit Courtesy Mitch Carr. 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. While many have attempted to imitate his formula, nobodyat least locallyis likely to remotely approach his mastery of it. We could go New Age. In 1959, as "Irving Harrigan" he joined the staff KLIF/Dallas, where he teamed up with Jack Woods (a.k.a. April 26, 2021 / 11:54 AM This system is awful. Ron Chapman - Biography - IMDb If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Chapman says he and Nancy were in excellent health at that point but age was a factor for him wanting to retire. A lot of people couldnt handle it, Dean said of Chapmans style. Anybody can read, goddammit! I used to do the 11 to 2 a.m. shift, during college. Walton and Johnson. Suite 2100 Chapman is a perfectionist in every way, Nance says. And thats the way Ron was. They were buying Ron Chapmanat something like a half million dollars a pound. "This has something to do with age. Dfwretroplex.com - Suzie Humphreys and News 8 Etc Turns out that a few years back, during a race around the world for a promotion, Chapman arrived late at the airportno ticket, no cash, no passport. When we first went to KVIL to do the Cowboys games, Ron brings Brad Sham and me into his office and starts giving us this big speech on how we should broadcast a football game. Charlie Brown), playing records and providing character voices as stars of the popular Charlie and Harrigan Show. The organization said no service will be held for Chapman, but a public gathering of friends and colleagues is planned. Ron Chapman passed away earlier this week at the age of 85. "Ron Chapman is a dazzlingly . Find Ron Chapman obituaries and memorials at Legacy.com Beneath that rasp, he's still very much the manwho once broadcast while skydiving and whoin April 1988 asked listeners to send $20 without explaining why and wound up collecting $240,000 he dispensed to charity. Knowing Ron over the years has been an adventure. It would dance on kids shoulders. Ronald Edward Chapman. [2] RONALD E. CHAPMAN Ron passed away on Saturday, May 23, 2020, at the Scarborough Extendicare long-term care home, from pneumonia at the age of 90. Dallas Radio Icon Ron Chapman Dies at 85 | News Talk WBAP-AM DALLAS Updated at 9:41 p.m. with more quotes from colleagues. 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Like a handful of other stations in town, at least until they all change formats again. Industry critics say that while Chapman is full-tilt today, he is not really doing much to prepare his station for Life After Ron. The guy would give you the shirt off his back. To Chapman, a working divorced mother with two kids was the woman of his dreams. Dallas-Fort Worth radio legend Ron Chapman has died, officials with his former station KLUV-FM confirmed. My wife made me admit it publicly: yeah. A ratings war is brewing between two oldies stations, and a controversial gadget might decide who wins. He works on his show twelve, fourteen, sixteen hours a day. There was dead air for, like, 10 seconds. We can't say goodbye to KVIL until its legendary voice Ron Chapman