Elroy Reuniting Boston Radio
• Legendary programmer Elroy Smith is hosting the Boston Radio Reunion & Awards on Friday, July 26 from 6-9pm at the Bruce C. Bolling Municipal Building in Boston.
Smith, currently Director of Urban Content for Cox Media Group, has deep roots in Boston — he’s a graduate of Emerson College and Cambridge College and a member of Emerson College’s WERS 88.9 Hall Of Fame. Smith famously programmed former daytimer 1090 WILD AM from 1983-1988, elevating this limited signal to a 2.9 share 12+, better than a number of Boston FMs. He also had the distinction of being the first programmer to play “Candy Girl” by Boston’s New Edition in 1984.
Smith, who hosted the Chicago Radio Reunion last year, remarked, “This celebration will be an evening of reconnecting, networking with current and former radio industry people. Boston has such a rich history of excellence in broadcasting that should be preserved and celebrated.”
Among this year’s esteemed honorees: The 1090 WILD Radio Award will go to Kandi Eastman, 29-year midday host at KMJQ (Magic 102.1)/Houston, who started her professional radio career with WILD • The “Sunny Joe White Award,” named in honor of the late, legendary Boston programmer, will be presented to one of the most dynamic former WXKS (Kiss 108)/Boston on-air personalities, JoJo “Cookin'” Kincaid • The Emerson College Media Achievement Award will be presented to Stephen Hill, former 1090 WILD programmer/on-air personality & former President of Music Programming & Specials at BET• The Legacy Entertainment Award will be presented to Ralph Tresvant, original member of New Edition and nationally syndicated radio personality.
To pay tribute to the impact that 1090 WILD made in the Boston community for decades and the relentless passion that its staff had in producing high quality radio, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu will proclaim Friday, July 26, 2024, as “1090 WILD Day” in Boston.
For more details about this event, please email BostonRadioReunion@gmail.com.
