In an effort to attract more listeners to the fading ratings of Donnie Simpson’s morning show at WPGC, management got involved by playing more current music and requesting Simpson to override his “creative control” contract clause. It was perceived that Simpson and his son programming the music for the show was doing more harm than good. As a result, Simpson has decided to walk this week ending a 32 year career and a long affiliation with WPGC.
Simpson’s last show likely will be Friday, people on both sides said, barring any last-minute changes to an exit agreement that was still being finalized over the weekend. The 55-year-old legend has been doing mornings at the station since 1993 and has refused the station’s offering for a big send-off with a going away party. In addition, CBS will keep Simpson from jumping to another station by invoking the “non-compete” provision of his contract. The clause bars Simpson from working for a Washington-area station for the next 13 1/2 months. Simpson’s departure follows months of declining ratings for his show and internal friction between Simpson and various members of WPGC’s management. The station has sought to boost Simpson’s ratings and attract younger listeners by updating his playlist and playing hit songs more often. Simpson and his producer-son, Donnie Jr., have maintained that the station was meddling, compromising his long-running program and alienating loyal listeners. In addition, Simpson’s contract includes a clause that offers him “creative control” over the show. Possible legal action by Simpson for breach of contract against the station remains a mystery at this point.
Simpson has been a radio personality since he was a teenager in Detroit, his home town. Before joining WPGC, he spent 16 years at WKYS-FM, helping to build it into a local powerhouse. He also gained national and international attention as the host of Black Entertainment Television’s “Video Soul” program for almost 15 years. Simpson has not disclosed his plans after he leaves WPGC. Station managers declined to comment.
I love Donnie! NO! Can he come back to Detroit!!! Love Bug Retro. 🙂
Pam Perry
http://www.Pamperrypr.com
Donnie will be missed on DC radio. Hope he puts together a syndicated show. He has history and could do a real good back in the day show.
What does management expect when they agree to give a personality/d.j creative control?
Donnie is washed up. He became the old guy in the club with a throwback jersey and Timbs… He just doesnt work for what WPGC needs to compete against Russ Parr.
I enjoyed listening to Donnie when I lived in DC and now listen when I can via internet. It’s very unfortunate that this had to happen the way it did.
I think I can speak for myself and most people around my age when I say we would welcome Donnie Simspon as a radio personalilty in our market instead of the garbage we are subjected to on the airwaves today.
I smell a syndicated morning show… so hopefully we won’t have to wait long.
You made WPGC what it is. Sad that it had to end this way first Chris Paul now you. The show will not last without you. Who needs to listen to the same song over & over within that hour. Good Luck Donnie enjoy your time off and come back on the airwaves and top WPGC.
I am so pissed off!! I can’t believe you are leaving Donnie. I listened to your show faithfully every morning. Hearing your voice always made my day better. Listening to you is a part of my morning routine. Those other people that are on your show, aren’t as good without you. Russ Parr is a little too ghetto for me. I really hate that you’re leaving radio. It will NEVER be the same. Well, it’s a good thing I have an ipod and cd’s cause all the other radio stations suck!! After your last show, I will be done with radio. I will miss you Donnie! Good Luck!!
You know what WPCG is a fool Donnie makes WPGC. With Donnies fan base and large lis of celebrity friends. Good luck finding celebs to do your interviews when WKYS and 92Q have already estabilished relationships with celebs. Furthur more with the launch of internet radio and apps for Iphone, Blackberry and andriod phones any loyal Donnie Simpson fan can follow him where ever he goes. I say go to 92Q a baltimore station and bump off ricky smiley. Donnie im a Fan a 25 year old fan at that and there was nothing wrong with his music choice.
come on man wpgc without donnie simpson would be like go go music without chuck brown it just aint right!
come on man wpgc without donnie simpson is like go go music without chuch brown it just aint right!
This is the end of a legendary man. I don’t know no other person who stayed on the air OVER their time to raise money from the DMV area during tragic times. Donnie received a bad deal, but I believe he will rise again. You are a man with compassion and a heart. God Bless You.
As a Washington D.C. native, I’m not all suprised by what’s happening with Donnie Simpson. His soon to be former station has very ‘stiff’ competition in the Russ Parr, Steve Harvey, and Tom Joyner morning shows. But, Donnie brought something different to mix, CLASS, HUMILITY, INTEGRITY, LOYALTY, and sincere COMPASION for his audience. Perhaps, this situation will to turnout for the better and give the rest of the country an opportunity to enjoy his wonderful talent. So, move over STEVE, TOM, and Michael! Donnie’s coming to town!
I truly doubt it.
When I moved to Maryland in 1986, Donnie was the first DJ who played good music. He has a spirit that comes across the airwaves and makes you want to get your day started. He played an awesome mix of classic R&B and today’s so-called “hip hop”.
Donnie Simpson is a DMV ICON and can never be replaced. I knew things were going awry when Huggy left, then Chris Paul left. The three of them were extra-special and made the mornings worth listening to.
Donnie became family and when Katrina struck, we heard his compassion as he urged his listeners to reach out and help the families displaced by Katrina. It was such an awesome occassion.
Donnie will be greatly missed and because he’s leaving I will no longer listen to morning radio. Quite frankly, the rest of the local shows are a joke. Maybe this is a good thing for Donnie. I’d love to hear him in syndication, he’d have no problem getting a deal.
My kids grew up listening to that velvet voice and we’re all disappointed that he’s leaving but happy for him. Part of what makes Donnie so special is his ability to relate to his listeners. While we all know that he has numerous celebrity friends, he always came across as one of the family!
WPGZ’s new morning show these past couple of weeks without Donnie has been really really really lame. While I love Mike Brooks, the new female on the show is too loud and obnoxious. She didn’t fit into Donnie’s flow at all…smh
Best of luck to you Mr. Simpson. You are a great man who will be sorely missed. I wish you well in your future endeavors. And if you decide to retire and enjoy that beautiful grandbaby, that’s fine too!
God bless you and your family!
Cee from Annapolis Maryland
p.s. but if by chance you decide to go syndicated, call Chris Paul and get the show back on the air!
You will ge MISSED!
My son (age 16) and I are excited to know that Donnie will be back on the air in 2011. We both came to the conclusion, a few months ago, that the show has gone downhill in the past year. Now, it’s becoming clear that station management has possibly driven the downhill slide which has been very obvious in the past year.
Best of luck to Donnie. Goodbye to WPGC. We look forward to finding Donnie on the air — better than ever!
I swear if they cindicate the next morning show from another city like new york. I will 100% completely give up on WPGC. As soon as donnie finds another show regardless of where I will listen. Donnie is all i have ever known since i was a little child. David Hanes was bad enough. Im not saying bye Donnie im just gonna say ill see you in a bit.
I use to listen to Donnie on WPGC everyday, but now am in the car at a different time, but I’m a loyal Donnie fan. And I like Huggy Lowdown and Chris Paul too!
I just recently starting listening to V103 on my computer at work. I absolutely love it…I never heard Donnie Simpson on the radio but i can imagine that he was really good at it as I used to watch him faithfully on BET….I know he will be missed by all and that radio station will never ever be the same without him….I don’t know what happened but I wish him the best in whatever he chooses to do from here…..God Bless you Donnie Simpson!!!!!
Donnie should realize that radio in this day and age is dying a slow death and he is not bigger than the station, if his ratings were declining he should have done what ever he had to do to make and keep his show relevent if his son as producer couldn’t make it happen he should have fired his son and hired someone that understand radio today and could make it happen for Donnie.
Donnie left because of Donnie’s ego I know I work in radio and I have had the ego and I have dealt with the ego’s. But I still have a job!
ALL of you need to go and put a pillow over your heads and go to sleep. Who wants to listen to 15 people talking on the radio sounding like a bunch of cackling hens early in the morning? Also, who wants to listen to Hip Hop and Rap before their morning coffee. BTW how do you know that Donnie was only in it for the money? If he did not like what he was doing he would not be doing it. Also, Jay YOU CANNOT COMPARE YOURSELF to DONNIE SIMPSON, so don’t try it. He has been in the business a lot longer than you.
The problem was when Donnie thought that his son, who is mediocre at best, was good enough for WPGC. D.J. would never find ajob anywhere else in radio than with his dad. Just so happens that Donnie is so large that this will not affect him. But his son is garbage!!! Now his niece on WJLA? Very good.
Donnie, dump DJ and you’ll have your nxt job until you die. Let DJ get a job on his own. He’s gotten a free ride to the detriment of your career. Why do we as parents feel that our kids are all that when they are not?