Chris Orion
Encyclopedia
Chris Orion is an American radio personality. He is best known for being the voice of the "Saturday Night Party Mix" on WOMX-FM, Mix 105.1 in Orlando
, Florida
. Formerly known as Ed "the phone guy" Downs, he began and maintained a radio
career in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
from 1997-2001. The Saturday Night Party Mix was the most listened to weekend radio program at The Walt Disney World Resort. It was so popular that for the Saturday Night Party Mix's 5,000th request, Walt Disney World's Pleasure Island created a one-night only drink. The Chris-orita made its debut in the Rock and Roll Beach Club on July 8, 2006. Chris celebrated the 100th Saturday Night Party Mix on December 9, 2007.
Chris began his career early in 1996 with an internship at a simulcasted AM station facing the Liberty Bell
in Downtown Philadelphia. From those days of dubbing reel-to-reels and recording commercials for "A King's Limo", Chris left the low-watt station for chance to board-op overnight on WYXR-FM, STAR 104.5. Within a few short days, he was asked to participate on the Gary Bryan Morning Show. During an off air discussion, Chris mentioned that working at McDonald's
would provide him with more microphone time than answering phones. The next break, Gary Bryan opened the mic and began a search for a McDonald's to broadcast from. Days later, the tri-state area woke to Ed asking people if they would like to "make that a combo" The success of the stunt lead to the "Ed The Phone Guy" character becoming a popular feature in Philadelphia morning radio. Chris was the youngest on-air personality on modern Philadelphia radio.
In February 2008, Chris hosted his final Saturday Night Party Mix. During the broadcast he hinted at a big announcement to be revealed at 10 PM. When the 10 o'clock hour started he told his listening audience this would be his final show (he still had two hours of air time until the end of the show). After the Party Mix ended Chris worked as the evening weekday DJ for sister station WOCL Sunny 105.9 for several months. He can now be heard occasionally filling in for other DJ's on the station.
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. Formerly known as Ed "the phone guy" Downs, he began and maintained a radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
career in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
from 1997-2001. The Saturday Night Party Mix was the most listened to weekend radio program at The Walt Disney World Resort. It was so popular that for the Saturday Night Party Mix's 5,000th request, Walt Disney World's Pleasure Island created a one-night only drink. The Chris-orita made its debut in the Rock and Roll Beach Club on July 8, 2006. Chris celebrated the 100th Saturday Night Party Mix on December 9, 2007.
Chris began his career early in 1996 with an internship at a simulcasted AM station facing the Liberty Bell
Liberty Bell
The Liberty Bell is an iconic symbol of American Independence, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Formerly placed in the steeple of the Pennsylvania State House , the bell was commissioned from the London firm of Lester and Pack in 1752, and was cast with the lettering "Proclaim LIBERTY...
in Downtown Philadelphia. From those days of dubbing reel-to-reels and recording commercials for "A King's Limo", Chris left the low-watt station for chance to board-op overnight on WYXR-FM, STAR 104.5. Within a few short days, he was asked to participate on the Gary Bryan Morning Show. During an off air discussion, Chris mentioned that working at McDonald's
McDonald's
McDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 64 million customers daily in 119 countries. Headquartered in the United States, the company began in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by the eponymous Richard and Maurice McDonald; in 1948...
would provide him with more microphone time than answering phones. The next break, Gary Bryan opened the mic and began a search for a McDonald's to broadcast from. Days later, the tri-state area woke to Ed asking people if they would like to "make that a combo" The success of the stunt lead to the "Ed The Phone Guy" character becoming a popular feature in Philadelphia morning radio. Chris was the youngest on-air personality on modern Philadelphia radio.
In February 2008, Chris hosted his final Saturday Night Party Mix. During the broadcast he hinted at a big announcement to be revealed at 10 PM. When the 10 o'clock hour started he told his listening audience this would be his final show (he still had two hours of air time until the end of the show). After the Party Mix ended Chris worked as the evening weekday DJ for sister station WOCL Sunny 105.9 for several months. He can now be heard occasionally filling in for other DJ's on the station.