‘The J Show’ Out @ B96/Chicago
• UPDATE: There has been a serious disruption in Chicago’s morning drive landscape, as Entercom Top 40 WBBM-FM (B96) has parted company with The J Show — host J Niice and co-host Showbiz Shelly have exited after a decade of wake-up service. “10 years to the day. Thank you Chicago,” Niice tweeted.
• RAMP has confirmed that fellow J Show castmates Gabe Ramirez and Minnie, a.k.a. Samantha Jacobs remain with the station in a capacity TBA.
RAMP spoke with Niice, and he told us, “My time at B96/Chicago will always be a highlight of my career and my life! My crew — Shelly, Gabe and Minnie are the best I’ve worked with and I thank them for their hard work and friendship. Chicago is a city second to none. I learned so much here and became a better media professional because of this city. Working alongside legends like Todd Cavanah and Erik Bradley at a legendary radio station in a legendary city was an honor. Although it has come to an end I’m really excited to do something new and explore some interesting opportunities! First stop — NYC to spend time with the family, grab a slice and relax on a crowded smelly subway train.”
Nice, a.k.a. Jamar McNeil, started his radio career at iHeartMedia Top 40 WIHT (Hot 99.5)/Washington. He went on to do nights at Top 40 siblings WAKS (96.5 Kiss FM)/Cleveland and WHYI (Y-100)/Miami before arriving at B96 in 2008. Looking ahead, Niice can be reached at 646-926-4423, jniice@gmail.com or through his agent, Paul Anderson at paul@workhousemedia.com. Check out his website, TheJShowRadio.com. You may follow Showbiz Shelly on Twitter or via her website, showbizshelly.com.
• Meanwhile, Windy City media maven Robert Feder is strongly speculating that B96 is bringing market vet DreX back to town to do mornings. DreX, a.k.a. Kevin Buchar did mornings on iHeartMedia Top 40 rival WKSC (103.5 Kiss FM) from 2002 until December 2010. After a brief stint at KGO/San Francisco, DreX has been largely out of radio and living back in San Antonio, where earlier in his career he worked at KTFM.
RAMP has learned that an announcement regarding the future direction of the B96 morning show is scheduled for Monday, April 2 at 7:30am CT.
