Jim Connors (DJ)

Jim "JC" Connors (died February 24, 1987) was a radio disc jockey of the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980's, who tragically lost his life in a fatal car crash February 24th 1987 in Virginia

Highlights

Jim Connors earned 13 Gold records for discovering artists during his career including; Harry Chapin's hit TAXI. Chapin later went on to write a song inspired by JC's life called W*O*L*D. Connors also earned gold with Chuck Berry for My Ding-a-ling, Wayne Newton for Daddy Don't You Walk So Fast, Joe Simon - Power of Love, Mouth & MacNeal How do you Do?, and many others.

Career

During his career in radio Jim Connors worked at WKRI Providence/Warwick, RI as the Morning Drive Entertainer. Prior to that he worked at WBSM New Bedford, Massachusetts as the AM Drive & PM Talk host with numerous levels of on air radio production & copy writing. At WCIB Falmouth, Massachusetts and Cape Cod, Massachusetts he was Vice President of Operations and PM drive time host with multiple levels of on air production responsibility. At WROC in Rochester, New York he was Operations Manager & AM Drive Host. Under his guidance at WROC his programs were consistently rated #1 in Nielsen data for adults 25-34. At WROC he also performed multiple appearances for WROC-TV Weather, as the company worked through the largest media strike in Rochester's history.

At WYSL in Buffalo, New York JC was the AM Drive host. There his program was nationally rated by Arbitron #5. Considering this was in National market #26, it proved to be a very impressive number. Prior to working WYSL at WMEX in Boston, Massachusetts he was the Music Director and AM drive host whose program was consistently rated #1 in the Boston marketplace in the early 1970's. This is where he earned 13 gold records during his tenure for discovering artists and/or being first in the nation to promote their music. This is where Jim Connors and Harry Chapin become friends, and JC helped launch Chapin's career.

WJET Erie, Pennsylvania was his first official radio job outside of duties performed in the U.S. Air Force. At WJET he held the title of Production Director for Radio & Television channel 24. He was the mid day host for WJET, and was rated #1 in this market ahead of the morning drive team.

While serving in the United States Air Force Jim Connors was on President John F. Kennedy's communications team in the Florida Keys. The team aided directly in the Cuban blockade.

Connors graduated from Pawtucket West High school in 1958. He then entered the United States Air Force in San Antonio, Texas. His career as a radio announcer began there.

JC was well known amongst Radio programmers of the 1960's and 1970's for his "Think Sheet". This was a monthly publication he would draft and send to fellow Radio Programmers making recommendations on new artists for National air, along with jock jokes and trend analysis based on market research.

External links

JimConnors.org JimConnors.net 440.com rockradioscrapbook.ca wmex surveys californiaaircheck.com staffannouncer.com

Reference

Jim Connors from JimConnors.net