Peter van de Graaff
Robservations on the media beat:
Oregon radio has claimed another announcer from Chicago’s WFMT FM 98.7. Peter van de Graaff, chief announcer and former program director of the Window to the World Communications classical music station, has been named music director and morning host at KWAX in Eugene, Oregon, starting March 1. He’ll continue to be heard here as voice of the syndicated “Through the Night with Peter van de Graaff,” which he produces and hosts for WFMT’s Beethoven Network. In an unrelated move, announcer Suzanne Nance left WFMT in August to join KQAC in Portland, Oregon, as program director and afternoon host. “Peter is a treasure of the station and of our international radio network,” said WFMT program director David Polk. “While we’ll miss working in the same office as someone as knowledgeable and collegial as Peter, he will remain an important presence on WFMT as he has for nearly 30 years.” A Chicago native and graduate of Brigham Young University, van de Graaff joined WFMT as a staff announcer in 1988.
Rob Johnson
Rob Johnson, veteran news anchor at CBS-owned WBBM-Channel 2, has written a book for young people that combines his love for hockey with a serious message about concussion injuries. Head in the Game, published by Outskirts Press, tells the fictional story of 10-year-old Timothy Trainor, a talented hockey player whose life changes unexpectedly. Johnson calls it “a perfect stocking stuffer for your young athlete.” The 62-page paperback is available at OutskirtsPress.com and Amazon.com.
Chris Jones
A deep bow to Chicago Tribune theater critic Chris Jones on winning the prestigious George Jean Nathan Award for outstanding drama criticism. Among his many great pieces from 2014-15, Jones was cited for his review of “The Project(s),” a play about conditions facing residents of Chicago’s housing complexes. Administered by Cornell University’s Department of English, the awards are bestowed by the heads of the English departments of Cornell, Princeton and Yale universities. Jones shares the $10,000 prize with the Princeton professor Brian Eugenio Herrera. Jones, who joined the Tribune in 2000, also has been reviewing theater for CBS 2 since 2007.
Sam Jemielity
Sam Jemielity, former executive editor and director of content for Playboy.com, has been named editor of Chicago Booth Magazine, the journal and website of The University of Chicago Booth School of Business. A graduate of University of Chicago and Rutgers University, Jemielity previously was associate editor of NewCity Chicago and AOL CityGuide. He also has written for the Tribune, Chicago magazine and People magazine.
Rod Zimmerman
High fives all around at WUSN FM 99.5 after the CBS Radio country music station raised $1,334,105 last week in its 25th annual Country Cares for St. Jude Kids Radiothon benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “Like so many years before, our generous listeners responded overwhelmingly,” said Rod Zimmerman, senior vice president and market manager of CBS Radio Chicago. Zimmerman noted the 25-year total for the radiothon now exceeds $25 million. This year’s two-day event aired live from the Best Buy store at the John Hancock Center.
Carl Amari
December 26 will be the final airing of Carl Amari and Lisa Wolf’s “Hollywood 360” on Salem Media news/talk WIND AM 560. The showcase for classic radio dramas and show biz nostalgia, airing from 8 p.m. to midnight Saturdays, will continue in other cities and on hollywood360radio.com. Its demise on WIND coincides with the expansion of Amari and Wolf’s “WGN Radio Theater” on Tribune Media news/talk WGN AM 720. Starting January 2, it will air from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. “WGN Radio Theater” has been airing only on Sunday nights since April.