Rocky Allen
Encyclopedia
Rocky Allen is an American talk radio
personality and host of the eponymous Rocky Allen Showgram. It aired, most recently, from 3 to 7 pm ET on FM station WPLJ, New York
. Allen's show, which he co-hosts with long-time on-air partner Blain Ensley, is a mix of celebrity interviews, Top Forty
music, and variety talk.
Allen has previously hosted shows in Providence
, Detroit, St. Louis
, Buffalo
, and Dayton
.
radio station WPLJ, where he hosted an afternoon-drive show from 1993
until 1998
, and again beginning in September 2005
until February 2008.
During his first run on the station, Allen underwent a series of surgeries beginning in October 1996 to remove calcium deposits believed to be the cause of persistent back pain. Allen was partially paralyzed following the surgeries, and required the use of a wheelchair. In October 1997, after a year of not being able to walk, doctors advised Allen to undergo full-time rehab which they said might be the only way for him to be able to walk again. This prompted Allen to go on a five month leave of absence from radio, after which he was able to walk freely.
In January 1999
, Allen made an unsuccessful move to WPLJ sister station WABC
. The move was designed to complement WABC's non-political morning talk lineup of Art Bell
and Laura Schlessinger
. The show never matched its afternoon ratings success, and was replaced 15 months later by Curtis and Kuby, who had vacated the morning show on the station to make room for Allen.
Allen proceeded to host the morning show on WDVD, Detroit
in 2001
. He was joined by Blain Ensley in 2002. Ensley had served as co-host on the Sports Guys.
Allen and Ensley returned to WPLJ on September 20, 2005, nearly seven years after leaving the station.http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/v-pfriendly/story/345680p-295101c.html The show placed 15th among listeners ages 12-and-over in the Spring 2006 Arbitron book
.http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/ent_radio/story/435825p-367225c.html
In a cost-cutting measure by WPLJ's parent company Citadel, the Rocky Allen Showgram was cancelled on February 29, 2008. Race Taylor, who was bumped to midday by the return of Allen, returned to the afternoon drive with a music-only format.
Allen briefly resurfaced in 2008 doing weekend sports talk on WEPN
.
and University of Missouri – St. Louis
. He and his wife Julie have two daughters.
Talk radio
Talk radio is a radio format containing discussion about topical issues. Most shows are regularly hosted by a single individual, and often feature interviews with a number of different guests. Talk radio typically includes an element of listener participation, usually by broadcasting live...
personality and host of the eponymous Rocky Allen Showgram. It aired, most recently, from 3 to 7 pm ET on FM station WPLJ, New York
WPLJ
WPLJ is a radio station in New York City owned by the broadcasting division of Cumulus Media. WPLJ shares studio facilities with sister station WABC inside 2 Penn Plaza in midtown Manhattan, and its transmitter is atop the Empire State Building. The station currently plays a Hot Adult...
. Allen's show, which he co-hosts with long-time on-air partner Blain Ensley, is a mix of celebrity interviews, Top Forty
Top Forty
The Top Forty or Top 40 is a music industry shorthand for the currently most-popular songs in a particular genre. When used without qualification, it typically refers to the best-selling or most frequently broadcast popular music songs of the previous week...
music, and variety talk.
Allen has previously hosted shows in Providence
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
, Detroit, St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, Buffalo
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
, and Dayton
Dayton, Ohio
Dayton is the 6th largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Montgomery County, the fifth most populous county in the state. The population was 141,527 at the 2010 census. The Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 841,502 in the 2010 census...
.
New York Radio
Allen's well-traveled career is best known for his streaks on New YorkNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
radio station WPLJ, where he hosted an afternoon-drive show from 1993
1993 in radio
The year 1993 in radio involved some significant events.-Events:*WIBF debuts it's modern rock in Jenkintown/Philadelphia*March 13 - Eagle 106 WEGX becomes WJJZ Smooth Jazz 106.1 and featured Smooth Jazz format. the final song played for Eagle 106 was I Will Remember You by Amy Grant...
until 1998
1998 in radio
The year 1998 in radio involved some significant events.-Events:*January 2 — A gunman shoots Antario Teodoro Filho, Brazilian politician and radio presenter, during a broadcast.*January 21 - Big 105 debuts playing its AC format...
, and again beginning in September 2005
2005 in radio
The year 2005 in radio involved some significant events.-Events:*April 29 - KFRC 610 AM in San Francisco, switches formats as a result of ownership change. KFRC becomes KEAR, the "Sound of the New Life", a listener-supported, gospel/religious only station. It had been previously KFRC from...
until February 2008.
During his first run on the station, Allen underwent a series of surgeries beginning in October 1996 to remove calcium deposits believed to be the cause of persistent back pain. Allen was partially paralyzed following the surgeries, and required the use of a wheelchair. In October 1997, after a year of not being able to walk, doctors advised Allen to undergo full-time rehab which they said might be the only way for him to be able to walk again. This prompted Allen to go on a five month leave of absence from radio, after which he was able to walk freely.
In January 1999
1999 in radio
The year 1999 in radio involved some significant events.-Events:*January 1 - 102.1 The Zone stopped played at 6AM and 102.1 FM played a stunt of waves and announcement voice over of our newest radio station....
, Allen made an unsuccessful move to WPLJ sister station WABC
WABC (AM)
WABC , known as "NewsTalkRadio 77 WABC" is a radio station in New York City. Owned by the broadcasting division of Cumulus Media, the station broadcasts on a clear channel and is the flagship station of Cumulus Media Networks...
. The move was designed to complement WABC's non-political morning talk lineup of Art Bell
Art Bell
Arthur W. "Art" Bell, III is an American broadcaster and author, known primarily as one of the founders and the original host of the paranormal-themed radio program Coast to Coast AM. He also created and formerly hosted its companion show, Dreamland...
and Laura Schlessinger
Laura Schlessinger
Laura Catherine Schlessinger is an American talk radio host, socially conservative commentator and author. Her radio program consists mainly of her responses to callers' requests for personal advice and has occasionally featured her short monologues on social and political topics...
. The show never matched its afternoon ratings success, and was replaced 15 months later by Curtis and Kuby, who had vacated the morning show on the station to make room for Allen.
Allen proceeded to host the morning show on WDVD, Detroit
WDVD
WDVD is a hot adult contemporary radio station in Detroit, Michigan, broadcasting at 96.3 MHz on the FM dial. WDVD's studios and offices are located in the Fisher Building near downtown Detroit. WDVD's transmitter is located in Oakland County in Royal Oak Township at 8 Mile Road and Wyoming Avenue...
in 2001
2001 in radio
The year 2001 in radio involved some significant events.-Events:*12 January: Jammin 103.5 becomes Kiss 103.5 in Chicago.*29 January: The 80s Channel WXXY and WWYX becomes Viva! 103.1...
. He was joined by Blain Ensley in 2002. Ensley had served as co-host on the Sports Guys.
Allen and Ensley returned to WPLJ on September 20, 2005, nearly seven years after leaving the station.http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/v-pfriendly/story/345680p-295101c.html The show placed 15th among listeners ages 12-and-over in the Spring 2006 Arbitron book
Arbitron
Arbitron is a consumer research company in the United States that collects listener data on radio audiences. It was founded as American Research Bureau by Jim Seiler in 1949 and became national by merging with L.A. based Coffin, Cooper and Clay in the early 1950s...
.http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/ent_radio/story/435825p-367225c.html
In a cost-cutting measure by WPLJ's parent company Citadel, the Rocky Allen Showgram was cancelled on February 29, 2008. Race Taylor, who was bumped to midday by the return of Allen, returned to the afternoon drive with a music-only format.
Allen briefly resurfaced in 2008 doing weekend sports talk on WEPN
WEPN
WEPN is a 24-hour sports talk formatted radio station in New York City featuring national and local sports talk programs and live broadcasts of sports matches. It is the New York affiliate for ESPN Radio...
.
Personal life
Allen was born in Georgia. He attended St. Louis Community CollegeSt. Louis Community College
St. Louis Community College is the Missouri two-year college supported by the Junior College District of St. Louis City – St. Louis County. The three original campuses were built simultaneously in 1964: Florissant Valley , Forest Park , and Meramec . A fourth campus, Wildwood opened in August 2007...
and University of Missouri – St. Louis
University of Missouri – St. Louis
The University of Missouri–St. Louis is one of four universities in the University of Missouri System. Established in 1963, it is the newest university in the UM System. , it is the largest university by enrollment in the St. Louis area with 16,548 students...
. He and his wife Julie have two daughters.