When Jim London arrived on Washington DC radio in 1980 he had already compiled an impressive and diverse resume encompassing experience as a Program Director, News Director, play-by-play man for the Pony League boys baseball World Series heard around the globe, talk show host, TV news panelist and interviewer, newspaper reporter and feature writer. Morning Drive disc jockey stints at WIRK West Palm Beach, WQAM Miami and KCMO Kansas City laid the groundwork for his years of ratings success in Washington.
From 1980 to 1983...Morning Drive at Washington's new country station, WPKX (KIX Country). Right out of the box KIX pulled even with the market's dominant country station, WMZQ and won Cashbox Magazine's Country Station Of The Year award. Jim was voted Major Market Air Personality of 1983 by the Country Music Association in Nashville.
1983 to 1992...Morning Drive at WMZQ with new partner Mary Ball. In 1986 Mary and Jim ended Hardin and Weaver's 30-year reign (on WMAL) as Washington's most popular morning show. Thirteen times #1 Arbitron 25-54, seven times #2, 20 of 25 books no lower than second in the money demo. During that time MZQ won Station Of The Year awards from both Billboard Magazine and the Country Music Association. Jim emceed the biggest country music concert in history, 575,000 people on the Washington Monument grounds, July 4th, 1985. He has also hosted events at The White House, The Kennedy Center, Wolftrap and many other venues.
1993 to 1997...Morning Drive at the new Oldies-100 (now BIG-100). During that period Mary Ball retired from radio and left the show leading to his reinvention of himself as, once again, a solo on the air.
1998 to 1999...Morning Drive at WGAY (now WIHT). Great fun as was reflected in a consistant ratings climb until new owners changed the format. (Some the aircheck is from GAY.)
1999...Weekends and vacation fill at WASH.
2000 to 2007...Jim returned to WMZQ where his new midday show consistantly led the station's ratings. However, an economy with its thumb poised over the flush handle and a tsunami of new-tech competition led to the departure of several on-air veterans. And that is why you're reading this now.
Personal History: Born in Pittsburgh and grew up in nearby Washington, Pa. B.A. in Political Science from Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton. U.S. Navy veteran (a seagoing tugboat sailor). Lives with wife Mary and teenaged son Mike in Alexandria, Va.
References: Bennet Zier and Jeff Wyatt of Umansky, Wyatt and Zier in Washington.
Catherine Melloy of Goodwill Industries in Washington.
Steve Allan, Program Director, WJZW, Washington.
Jim is eager to return to the air in Washington as either a DJ or in News. Please listen to his aircheck. It covers his time in Country and AC with a snippet of a newscast, spots and narrations. Jim is a very versatile talent. He is anxious to succeed with you.
