Jack Daniel (DJ)

Jack Daniel is a DJ and radio executive who has worked in Charlotte, North Carolina radio since the mid-1970s.

Daniel's first radio job in the Charlotte market was on WPEGJeff Borden, "Reporter's Comedy Show Will Air," "The Charlotte Observer", September 11, 1987.] .

When WROQ was an album rock station, Daniel served as program director. Later he became a morning host at CHR WJZR "Z-100". In 1986, Daniel became midday announcer at CHR/adult contemporary WBCY. At that time, he was also host of the TV series "Let's Dance" on WPCQ [Jeff Borden, "WDAV Moving to New Facility," "The Charlotte Observer", February 5, 1986.] . Later that year, he was also WBCY program director [Kathy Haight and Jeff Borden, "Stores Await Springsteen's Live Album," "The Charlotte Observer", November 10, 1986.] . During his time at WBCY, the station made a significant ratings improvement after finally selecting a successful morning team--Randy Cook and Spiff Dingle--and increasing its focus on CHR music [Jeff Borden, "Cook, Dingle Morning Team Leads Ratings Surge at WBCY," "The Charlotte Observer", May 7, 1987.] .

In September 1987, Daniel became program director on the station he had left in 1986, which by this time was album rock WRFX. At this time, he had been a part of Charlotte-area radio more than 12 years. By 1990, Daniel was the station's general manager [Kathy Haight, "Little Feat: Tips from the Pros," "The Charlotte Observer", July 20, 1990.] . Daniel prevented popular morning hosts John Boy and Billy from leaving the station by making a deal that paid them well and gave them the chance to be syndicated [Tim Funk, "Deal Keeps Duo on Air in Charlotte," "The Charlotte Observer", February 25, 1993.] .

When WRFX owner Pyramid Broadcasting purchased struggling CHR WAQQ (which used to be WROQ) and sports talk WAQS, Daniel became general manager of those stations [Tim Funk and Carol Smith, "Broadcaster Boosts Stake in Charlotte," "The Charlotte Observer", September 24, 1993.] .

WAQQ became WEDJ in 1994 and Daniel became its general manager, but by November of that year, the station's 10-month-old format was not succeeding quickly enough for Pyramid. Daniel admitted he had never tried starting a new station and it was more difficult than he thought. He left radio because of a noncompete clause [Tim Funk, "News Emmy Nominations Announced," "The Charlotte Observer", November 22, 1994.] .

Daniel became director of sales and marketing for Paradox Films, which produced ads for WBTV, The Nashville Network and Charlotte Motor Speeedway [Tim Funk, "Cablevision Adds 2 New Channels," "The Charlotte Observer", January 17, 1995.] . But he did not stay away from radio for long. In May 1995, he became program director and afternoon host on modern rock WEND [Tim Funk, "WBTV News Pulls Closer to WSOC at 5, 5:30," "The Charlotte Observer", May 31, 1995.] . In 1996, Daniel was nominated for Program Director of the Year by the Billboard & Airplay Monitor Awards [Kay McFadden, "WBTV Picks Cameron," "The Charlotte Observer", August 13, 1996.] .

In 1999, Daniel became operations manager of WEND and oldies WWMG "Magic 96.1", remaining program director for WEND [Bill Keveney, WSOC's Vince Coakley Gets Vote of Confidence, Moves to Weekdays," "The Charlotte Observer", March 2, 1999.] .

Daniel also plays in a band called Route 66 [Pam Bilger, "Mike & Steve's Place Bucks Smoky Trend," "The Charlotte Observer", November 16, 2006.] .

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