New Job for Radio's Jack Diamond

Jack Diamond radio fans got some good news and some bad news Saturday.

The DC radio legend has landed a new radio gig, but it’s not in DC. He’ll be airing live from WLS 94.7-FM, a classic hits radio station in Chicago; but DC-area fans will be able to tune in online.

Did Cumulis Media, which owns WLS, see the error of their ways? It was Cumulus that unceremoniously dumped Diamond in April 2013, after 24 years, from WRQX 107-3-FM and his fans didn’t like it one bit.

In what was surely a cost-cutting move last year, Cumulus replaced Diamond with a syndicated DJ and sidekicks in Atlanta who were the polar opposite of Diamond, making crude jokes on the air and paying cash to anyone who would tune in. A year later, that show was gone too.

Meanwhile, Diamond fans got their fix on his Facebook page, staying in touch while he traveled, dabbled in photography and briefly tried out radio shows in MIami and San Diego that he ended up leaving.

Also read: ‘Love Your Show Babe:’ Jack Diamond Exits MIX 107.3

Here’s what Diamond had to say on his Facebook page Saturday:

I LOVE you, Washington, DC! I LOVE you, PotomacDarnesBurg! I LOVE you, Northern Virginia, Ocean City, Rockville, Silver Spring, Fairfax, Georgetown, Old Town, Annapolis and ALL of the many places I’ve had the pleasure to live in and around my hometown. I’m not going to say goodbye. We’ve done that already. What I will say is I am thrilled to join one of America’s truly great radio stations in an amazing city. Yes, I’m sorry it’s not in DC. We tried, but... Well, you know : ) I am thrilled it’s Chicago! A remarkable city in so many ways. Where my parents were married and I have many friends. You can listen online, www.947wls.com on iHeart http://www.iheart.com/live/947-wls-5367/Rdio and the 94.7 WLS-FM app, and I hope you will. I have to hit the road, but I wanted to let you know and say a most sincere Thank You! For everything. Thanks for being friends with me here on Facebook and please try and listen. I think you’ll LOVE the station! 5:30AM-9AM Central, 6:30AM-10AM Eastern. Jack xo.

New station WLS welcomed Diamond to Chicago:

“It is a great pleasure to announce the addition of Jack Diamond to 94-7 WLS!

Jack will host mornings, 5:30-9am, beginning Monday, November 3rd. Jack’s positivity, fun and endearing qualities match perfectly with our current morning lineup including air talent/meteorologist Brant Miller, Marti Jones with information/traffic updates and producer Dan Wolfe. This will be the third radio tour for Jack and me working together, previously in Atlanta and Washington, DC. What seemed like a fun idea to have him sit-in WLS FM mornings for a week this summer turned out to be a great idea. If you don’t know Jack, you will soon! Welcome Jack Diamond to 94-7 WLS!

Diamond is quoted as saying, “As a kid listening to the radio at night, WLS and WABC were the stations that sparked a desire to spend my life doing what those great personalities were doing from so many miles away. Pure magic. Hosting Mornings at 94-7 WLS is not only a career dream come true, it brings my career full circle and is truly “going home.” In a city with such great air talent through the years, it’s an honor to join them, past and present in Chicago. Thanks to John Dickey, Mike McVay, Market Manager Donna Baker and the one and only Jan Jeffries, Cumulus SVP/PD of WLS FM for the enthusiastic welcome and great opportunity at such a legendary radio station.”

Jack’s career path includes, WRQX/Washington (24 years Mornings), KSON/San Diego, WQXI/94Q Atlanta, KNBR/San Francisco, WRKO/Boston, WPRO/Providence and KIMN/Denver, among others.