Jake Hartford
Encyclopedia
Jake Hartford is a talk radio
host whose show airs from 5 to 8 A.M. Saturdays on WLS-AM 890
. Hartford had been a host from 1991 to 2008 at WLS-AM, but moved his show to WCPT-AM (820) from 2008 to 2010 after being laid off. However, a management change at WLS-AM resulted in his rehiring.
, honoring the most popular Chicago television news personalities.
In 2002, Hartford used his influence as a radio personality to affect the selection of the Official Fish of Chicago
. He suggested that his listeners cast an online vote for the Longnose dace
. As a result of the campaign, the longnose dace came from distant obscurity to winning the contest.
. He started at WLS-AM in September 1989, known then as "Jake the Travel Guy," working alongside Roe Conn
. Jake then began as a solo host on March 16, 1991.
Hartford was let go in a series of layoffs by new WLS-AM owner Citadel Broadcasting on February 29, 2008. In commenting on his release, Hartford said "I spent nearly 20 years building a brand there, and it was over in a less than a one-minute phone call without even a 'thanks.' And it's not like the ratings weren't good."
Another upper management shuffle in early 2010 at WLS-AM resulted in reversing previous lay-offs, one of which included bringing Hartford back.
Hartford's real name is Jim Edwards. While working for WBBM-TV
, he was forced to adopt a radio pseudonym, which he chose by abbreviating the last name of his longtime boss, Walter Jacobson
as the first name of his pseudonym.
Talk radio
Talk radio is a radio format containing discussion about topical issues. Most shows are regularly hosted by a single individual, and often feature interviews with a number of different guests. Talk radio typically includes an element of listener participation, usually by broadcasting live...
host whose show airs from 5 to 8 A.M. Saturdays on WLS-AM 890
WLS (AM)
WLS is a Chicago clear-channel AM station on 890 kHz. It uses C-QUAM AM stereo and transmits with 50,000 watts from transmitter and towers on the south edge of Tinley Park, Illinois....
. Hartford had been a host from 1991 to 2008 at WLS-AM, but moved his show to WCPT-AM (820) from 2008 to 2010 after being laid off. However, a management change at WLS-AM resulted in his rehiring.
Style
Hartford is most infamous for giving callers the wrong instructions to change their clocks during Daylight Saving Time shifts. Every May he conducts the "Gizzy Awards," named after former Chicago newscaster Giselle FernándezGiselle Fernández
-External links:...
, honoring the most popular Chicago television news personalities.
In 2002, Hartford used his influence as a radio personality to affect the selection of the Official Fish of Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. He suggested that his listeners cast an online vote for the Longnose dace
Longnose dace
The longnose dace is found in muddy and warm, clear and cold, streams and lakes. The largest longnose dace are about 6 inches long. They are well-adapted for living on the bottom of fast-flowing streams among the stones. Longnose dace eat mostly immature aquatic insects. They are important...
. As a result of the campaign, the longnose dace came from distant obscurity to winning the contest.
Radio History
Jake worked in Chicago television news, including producing segments for Walter JacobsonWalter Jacobson
Walter David Jacobson is a Chicago television news personality and current anchor of the 6 p.m. news on WBBM-TV. He had been working at WBBM-TV since February 2010 once again doing Walter Jacobson's Perspective twice a week on the 10 O'Clock News prior to being promoted to anchoring the 6 p.m...
. He started at WLS-AM in September 1989, known then as "Jake the Travel Guy," working alongside Roe Conn
Roe Conn
Roe B. Conn is an American talk radio host of The Roe Conn Show with Richard Roeper, which airs on WLS-AM 890 in Chicago live from 2 to 6 p.m. , Monday through Friday. Three hours of the radio show are also simulcast on NBC Chicago Digital 5.2 television between 3 and 6 p.m. weekdays...
. Jake then began as a solo host on March 16, 1991.
Hartford was let go in a series of layoffs by new WLS-AM owner Citadel Broadcasting on February 29, 2008. In commenting on his release, Hartford said "I spent nearly 20 years building a brand there, and it was over in a less than a one-minute phone call without even a 'thanks.' And it's not like the ratings weren't good."
Another upper management shuffle in early 2010 at WLS-AM resulted in reversing previous lay-offs, one of which included bringing Hartford back.
Personal
Jake makes his home at "Green Jakres" in Lockport, Illinois, with his wife (beauty pageant winner Miss Dill Pickle 1982) and two sons.Hartford's real name is Jim Edwards. While working for WBBM-TV
WBBM-TV
WBBM-TV, virtual channel 2 , is the CBS owned-and-operated television station in Chicago, Illinois. WBBM-TV's main studios and offices are located in The Loop section of Chicago, as part of the development at Block 37, and its transmitter is atop the Willis Tower.-History:WBBM-TV traces its history...
, he was forced to adopt a radio pseudonym, which he chose by abbreviating the last name of his longtime boss, Walter Jacobson
Walter Jacobson
Walter David Jacobson is a Chicago television news personality and current anchor of the 6 p.m. news on WBBM-TV. He had been working at WBBM-TV since February 2010 once again doing Walter Jacobson's Perspective twice a week on the 10 O'Clock News prior to being promoted to anchoring the 6 p.m...
as the first name of his pseudonym.