30 Candles On Slow Jams’ Cake
• Benztown proudly announced that on Wednesday, July 17, Sunday Night Slow Jams, the No. 1 weekend radio show in America, celebrated 30 years on the air!
It was Sunday, July 17, 1994, when a 16-year-old R Dub! aired his first show on AM Hip Hop station, KJYK (Power 1490)/Tucson, AZ (as chronicled in the documentary, AM Mayhem: The Story of Tucson’s Power 1490). Today, Sunday Night Slow Jams is heard on over 200 radio stations in 14 countries and reaches over three million listeners per week. The program is also available in a weeknight version which airs Monday through Thursday from 10pm-midnight. Sunday Night Slow Jams is also available in a wide variety of formats — Top 40, Hot AC, Urban, Urban AC, Rhythmic/Hip-Hop, and Classic Hip-Hop.
On Friday, June 21, in the run-up to its 30th Anniversary, the show and its Tucson affiliate, KSZR (97.5 The Vibe) presented the Sunday Night Slow Jams 30th Anniversary Party and Concert at Desert Diamond Casino, featuring performances by Hi-Five and 112. The party included a 90-minute hang with R Dub!, who took photos with listeners and shared stories recapping the last 30 years of Slow Jams. Tucson Mayor Regina Romero also presented R Dub! with a proclamation declaring June 21 as “Slow Jams Day” in the City of Tucson.
R Dub! said, “30 years ago I was just 16 years old — a junior in high school. All I wanted to do was play love songs on the radio and take dedications. I thought Sunday nights would be the perfect time. Thankfully, one PD took a chance on a young kid. Today, I’d like to thank the over 230 program directors for believing in the power of Slow Jams. I’m so grateful to still be able to connect with people every Sunday night (and now five nights a week) through the power of radio. I’d also like to thank Benztown, and, of course, my wonderful listeners. We now have three generations of listeners with us every night and that’s just so mind-blowing.”
Benztown Pres. Dave “Chachi” Denes, commented, “This is a remarkable day for a one-of-a-kind radio show that continues to make radio history with destination listening, music and a uniquely personal sound that brings together multiple generations. We join R Dub!, his affiliates and listeners in celebrating Sunday Night Slow Jams — a cultural phenomenon that has provided a soothing soundtrack to countless evenings over the past three decades. Congratulations, R Dub!” For a complete history of the show, visit slowjams.com/theshow.
