Donnie Simpson has inked a multi-year agreement for both radio and television with Radio One (parent company of TV One) that will bring the veteran out of retirement and back both on-air on radio (on WMMJ MAJIC 102.3 FM in D.C.) and as the newest TV One talent.
Simpson stepped out of the limelight in 2010 culminating a 41 year media career in radio, television and movies.
As part of the agreement, Simpson will host “The Donnie Simpson Show” afternoons (3p – 7p) on MAJIC 102.3 starting on Monday, August 17th. And on the television side, he will collaborate with TV One (via his Donnie Simpson Productions) to create TV programming that will have Donnie back on TV by the fourth quarter of this year.
Brad Siegel, President of TV One says, “TV One is excited to be the entertainment platform providing Donnie Simpson’s return to television. As evidenced by fan reaction whenever he’s out or making appearances, Donnie is a universally adored media personality and his youthful spirit appeals to devotees of all ages. The breadth of his knowledge and depth of musical tastes make him an excellent asset for the network as we expand our programming slate and grow our brand. Knowing how much his fans have missed him, we are eager to get him on the air and look forward to announcing his first special soon.”
Donnie Simpson adds, “After 5 1/2 years of retirement my wife said, ‘Everywhere you go people tell you how much they miss you and that they want you to come back. You should go back to work’. That’s what she said. What I heard was that voice from a horror movie yelling, ‘Get Out!’”
He continues, “So here I am and I’m bubbling over with excitement to get back on radio after 5 years, and thrilled that I’ll be back on TV after more than 15. It’s been a great vacation, but it’s time to go back to work and have some fun… To do this all with a Black-owned network that I respect so much makes it that much sweeter for me. To all of those people who have pleaded with me to come back and do ‘something,’ thank you for your love and encouragement, and I look forward to talking to you and seeing you again real soon.”
Donnie Simpson, the son of a record shop owner, began his radio career at 15 years old with WJLB in Detroit, MI. He relocated to Washington DC where he began working at WRC-FM, now WKYS, as a jock and program director. In the early 1980s, Simpson landed his first television job on WRC-TV. Soon after he hosted “Video Soul,” a music video show on BET (I remember that; it was my introduction to him), and many other network specials. Simpson eventually hosted “The Donnie Simpson Morning Show” on WPGC-FM where he continued for 17 years. He retired in 2010.
So who’s next? Ed Gordon?