“CHIO” In The Morning – A Radio Legend
By: Roundhouse Ron
On Friday December 14, 2012, like the rest of the Philadelphia area, I was totally shocked & stunned that wired 96.5 (WRDM) had fired “CHIO”, for reasons that no one knows. Since early 1995, he has made this city his home, from starting with Q102.1 (WIOQ) to this present day. Being the honest man that he is, “CHIO” wanted his faithful listeners to understand and make one thing perfectly clear, “I Did Not Resign, I Straight Up, Got Fired”.Since hearing this information, I decided it was about time I had written a story on this very good friend of mine. Way back, when “CHIO” first arrived in Philly, I was introduced to him by a mutual friend of the both of ours, another local radio icon by the name of “Glenn Kalina”. Glenn and his wife “Stavros”, were both friends of mine, therefore they asked me to show this Philly newbie (“CHIO”) around our fine town for little, cause he liked the “ROCKY” movies and I am a true Philadelphian. During these past seventeen (17) years, we have always kept in touch and been seen around at many local venues together as he would take over these spots. In fact, “CHIO” gave me my start in the promotional field, by me listening and learning how crazy this world of entertainment works. I then ventured out on my own as “Roundhouse Ron” & “Philly Music Video Promotions” in 2000.
This Philadelphia radio legend first air checked in on February of 1995, with then Q102.1 (WIOQ) a Clear Channel station in the 6pm to 10pm time slot. Back then, Q102 had an entirely different vibe with such slogans as “Peace On The Streets” & “The Switch Is On”. Their main competition for many years was Y100 (WXPN). “CHIO” took over the night time airwaves as his program was climbing to the rating charts. In January of 1997, Clear Channel had a brain storm to revamp the station, so with that, “CHIO” moved on with his career.
Phoenix, Arizona was the next location for my boy, in January of 1997, “CHIO” took a nice job at 103.9 (KPTY), “Arizona’s Party Station”. Riding the hot frequency waves of Arizona, he stayed until August of 1997, where at this time, he was known as “CHIO The Hit Man”.
As “CHIO’s” career was gaining more popularity by da moment, he fell into an awesome gig in sunny San Diego, CA, and started there in August of 1997 with Q106.5 (KKLQ). He held down his night shift with sum great ratings, so what happens, he gets a phone call from Q102.1 back here in Philly with an offer “CHIO” could not refuse. The family loaded up the moving van once again in August of 1999.
Taking over the Philadelphia airwaves once again, “CHIO” was received with a huge warm welcome back. He found a nice spot on Q102.1 with the afternoon drive shift (2pm to 6pm). From August of 1999 to December of 1999, “CHIO” made the drive home from work, both very entertaining and informational.
In January of 2000, an exciting career booster was proposed to “CHIO” from WIQO (Q102.1) with taking over the morning show. There was no way he was letting this amazing opportunity go, so he was signed on as the morning show
host, with another local radio legend being the co-host. Yes, you got it, “CHIO” was now teamed up with “Diego Ramos” (local boy born & raised). “CHIO” would host the program (6am to 10am), while “Diego” would be the stunt man, producer & all around whatever needed to be done, he did it for the show kinda guy. Not only was a legendary show now being developed, but also was a new name for “CHIO”, that he will carry on for the next 13 years. All I gotta say is “CHIO” In The Morning and the world knew who I was talking about.
host, with another local radio legend being the co-host. Yes, you got it, “CHIO” was now teamed up with “Diego Ramos” (local boy born & raised). “CHIO” would host the program (6am to 10am), while “Diego” would be the stunt man, producer & all around whatever needed to be done, he did it for the show kinda guy. Not only was a legendary show now being developed, but also was a new name for “CHIO”, that he will carry on for the next 13 years. All I gotta say is “CHIO” In The Morning and the world knew who I was talking about.In January of 2006, “CHIO” got an interesting offer from a radio station (Z90) in San Diego, CA. He decide to take a journey across this country via automobile, just to get away for a while cause he felt he needed a change in his life. “CHIO” signed on and worked just 1 day on air, then in conversations with his wife “Shawn”, he decided to leave this job and return back home in New Jersey. Now remember, he had no job or job offer in this area. But “CHIO” made the call to leave, quit his job in San Diego and return to his humble home in Cherry Hill to save his marriage with “Shawn”.
While driving back to Philadelphia, “CHIO” received a phone call on his cell, from another Philly radio station. Yeppers, wired 96.5 (WRDW) heard that he was returning to Philly and they wanted to start a new morning program just for him. Because of him still being in contract with Q102.1, “CHIO” had to wait til March of 2006, only then could he return to the frequency in this area.
So, as the story goes, “CHIO” worked for wired 96.5 from March of 2006 til his finally good bye on December 14, 2012 at approximately 9:45am. It was a great run for over 6½ years as he was killin the Philadelphia radio market with good ratings and a very entertaining local show.
During the history of this awesome morning program, “CHIO” worked with many interesting and very popular co-hosts like “Diego”, “Angi Taylor”, “Blaire”, “Jill”, “Justice”, “Lisa Paige”, “Roula Christie”, “David ”Secrest” Krieger”, “Casey”, “Joey B”, “G-N Kang”, “Ryan Motts”, “White Trash Matt”, “Shila” and most recently “Tingle”.
“CHIO” is also responsible for sum outstanding events and charity work in our area, like who remembers “Singles Mingle”, with the 1st one being at “Envy Nightclub” in Philly? How about the very emotional “Chio’s Christmas Wish List”, giving away over $126,000 while helping over 126 families, making Christmas just a little bit brighter in tough times. Things like this, no one can take away from him, “CHIO” honestly luvs to give back to the community that he serves, while trying to make a difference in any way he can.
As being one of “CHIO’s” good friends here in da Philadelphia area, we have hit many local night spots as he was doing numerous personal appearances. Actually, I must accredit my reputation & vast knowledge in the promotional field to my boy “CHIO”, he showed me how important is it to be genuine to people when they come out supporting you & your events.
If you have ever meet “CHIO” in person, you know this all to be very true, he respects each person as a loyal friend & this is why he does what he loves to do. I can’t go any further without mentioning all of the clubs you may have seen “CHIO” at, sum in fact may jar your brain with awesome memories, like “Club 1415”, “The Shark Club”, “Maui Nightclub”, “Egypt Nightclub”, “The Warehouse”, “The Cave”, “Adelphi Nightclub”, “The 8th Floor”, “Baja Beach Club”, “Soncini’s Sports Bar”, “Touche Nightclub”, “Iguana Yacht Club”, “Bronco Billy’s”, “Pulse Nightclub”, “Blue Martini”, “The Roxxy”, “The Bamboo Bar”, “Chrome Nightclub”, “The Woodbine”, “The Big Kahuna”, “Ice Nightclub”, “Top Dog”, “Envy Nightclub”, “Flatspin Nightclub”, “Club Manhattan”, “Reed’s Nightclub”, “Diego’s Bar”, “The Deck”, “RP Murphy’s”, “Bootleggers”, “Club 27”, “Cebu”, “Escape Nightclub”, “The Lagoon”, “Club Deco”.
And he is still going even stronger today with the “CHIO” “Radio Frequency Tour”, hitting places like “Penguin’s Pub”, “MoodSwing Nightclub”, “Kellen’s Station House”, “The Trappe Tavern”, “Phily Sports Bar” & “The Foundation Room” (Showboat Casino in Atlantic City).
If you wanna keep in touch with “CHIO”, please go to one of his personal facebook accounts, www.facebook.com/ChioFanPage or www.facebook.com/ChioInTheMorning. He also has a personal twitter account, www.twitter.com/ChioNation.