Something amazing happened on the radio last week. A music station broke the rules and talked for more than three minutes without a music bed. It was not a sponsored break nor was it a live read.
And it was magical.
Let me set the scene for you. Before Donald Trump won the presidency, America’s big story was the Cubs breaking their 108 year-old World Series curse. If you’re from Chicago or have even the remotest connection to the city, you know just how momentous an event this was. The parade itself was a cathartic statement to everyone who’s ever been a suffering Cub fan that anything is possible.
And so someone relatively new to the Chicago scene – WDRV (Hubbard Radio) Program Director Rob Cressman – sensed that in the wake of 
the celebrating, a statement needed to be made about precisely what this Cubs triumph truly meant to Chicagoans, especially those who have watched this team fail for decades and decades. And the right person to put an exclamation point on the Cubs’ triumph was his midday icon, Bob Stroud.
Rob laid out it out this way to Bob on the Saturday morning following the parade: Write down your reflections about the Cubs – what this accomplishment means to you and what it means to the city. And take as much time as you need to say what you want to say.
Why Stroud? He’s a unique music host in every respect. He is truly a craftsman. He shows up every day prepped and ready to go, usually dressed to the nines. Bob is a true professional who works hard to combine his knowledge and perspective with the music he’s played for Windy City denizens for years, starting on WMET in 1979.
Bob has spent his entire career in Chicago radio, and was one of the original WDRV jocks. His “Rock ‘N Roll Roots” show has been around for more than 35 years. Rob realized there was no one more qualified to put a point on the Cubs’ accomplishment and what it means to Chicago than Bob Stroud. Here’s his call, made even more special by the fact he did it live, rather than pre-recording it:
Amazing things can happen on the radio when you’re in the moment, you’re connected to your audience and your community, and you have the personalities on staff who have the capability to pull it off. It is easy to simply post remembrances on the website or on social media pages, and let it go at that.
It’s when it goes on the air the magic happens. These historic moments don’t come around often. As Fox 32/Chicago meteorologist Mike Caplan reported, the Cubs’ victory reported that Hell had officially “frozen over,” registering -54° (while it hit 100° in Wrigleyville). To truly put a signature on this milestone, media outlets and personalities had to work hard and dig down deep.
Kudos to Rob Cressman and Bob Stroud for capturing the moment, live on the radio. The post on WDRV’s Facebook page has garnered nearly 20,000 views and hundreds of shares – more evidence Bob’s words on Monday resonated with Cubs fans everywhere.
Sometimes the greatest moments are the ones we least expect. The Cubs’ comeback falls into that category. And so does a Classic Rock jock stopping the music for a few minutes to put it all in perspective.
Go Cubs.
A video version of Bob Stroud’s Cubs essay is below:
Postscript: As of 10:30am ET on 11/14, the post passed 22,000 Facebook views and 300 shares. I also should have mentioned that WDRV is both a Jacobs Media and a jacapps client.
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
In 2008, jacapps was launched - a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created - a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the "connected car" and its impact.
Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Media's commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment.
Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
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Bob Stroud is an exceptional broadcaster. Never mind his love, his passion for a three minute 45 RPM record that connects with you emotionally. Bob’s roots, his rock and roll roots run deep. No question. But listen to how he connects here. How he admits to not being a Chicago native, but instantly connects to all Chicagoans of certain era by his love for ‘CFL and WLS. One of the great music radio battles of all time with great songs, outstanding personalities and just a touch of plate reverb. You see, by then he has won you over. It doesn’t matter where he or anyone in Chicago grew up. A connection was made, and great Chicago radio of the past, is that connection. It’s an excellent piece. Written for the ear. And, as I mentioned, all of it connects. And you know what kids; it wasn’t on a liner card. Certainly a high point of “music radio” in 2016. Kudos Bob! Now back to my Leon Russell recordings.
Brock, thanks for the kind comment and your observations. I’m sure Bob appreciates it, too.
Count me a proud member of the “Stroud Crowd”. The man is a gem and a joy to listen to –
And a great “croud” to be in. Thanks for the comment, David.