Weigel Broadcasting Soft Oldies “87.7 MeTV-FM” WRME-LP Chicago has named Rick O’Dell as its new Program Director.
O’Dell replaces Mark Zander who exited last month to join Hubbard Classic Rock “97.1 The River” WDRV for weekends. O’Dell is best known for his long run with Smooth Jazz 95.5 WNUA and has since been involved with a few digital ventures in that format.
10-7-15 – Chicago, Illinois – MeTV FM announces the hire of Chicago radio icon Rick O’Dell as Program Director. 87.7 MeTV FM features an exclusive format of classic pop music. O’Dell will focus on format development, brand management and work with the station team for creation of cross-platform content, ideas and initiatives. He’ll begin on Monday, October 12.
“The timeless hits and memorable music of MeTV FM are the music I grew up with. I love these songs. And most of them were on the playlist of WCLR when I was with them back in the day,” said O’Dell. “I can’t wait to get started working with Neal and his incredible team.”
“It’s great to have someone of Rick O’Dell’s caliber on board and we’re excited to have him at MeTV FM. Rick’s career in Chicago radio elevates what we’ve already started and I’m confident we’ll see more good things to come with him on our team,” said Neal Sabin, Vice Chairman of Weigel Broadcasting Co.
O’Dell is a native Chicagoan and has been in the broadcast industry since 1980. He started at suburban stations and moved up to hold various programing and production positions at WCLR-FM/WTMX-FM. In 1989, he moved over to WNUA-FM where he hosted the midday show and the station’s “Sunday Brunch” from 1989 to 2009. Following a format change at WNUA-FM in 2009, O’Dell was named Operations Manager, Smooth Jazz, for Chicago-based AccuRadio.com where he programmed a dozen different internet radio channels. In 2009, he became Operations Manager and Program Director for 87.7 WLFM-LP and was on air talent as well. In 2012, O’Dell launched SmoothJazzChicago.net, a locally targeted and branded audio stream featuring music and air talent familiar to Chicago’s considerable Smooth Jazz fan base.
O’Dell is also an adjunct professor in the Radio Department at Chicago’s Columbia College.
MeTV FM plays distinctive “Me Music,” featuring a deep playlist of classic pop and timeless tracks from the 60’s to the 80’s. MeTV FM 87.7 core artists include Carly Simon, James Taylor, The Eagles, Elton John, The Carpenters, Motown superstars, America, Neil Diamond and hundreds more.
