The Online Reflector

By Sarah Haefner
STAFF WRITER

Be it known, the University of Indianapolis has welcomed an Indiana legend into its midst for the past 2 years and his smooth, euphonic voice has carried across the airwaves and into the hearts and homes of thousands of WICR listeners.

Chuck Workman, Indianapolis’ first African-American sports director in radio, has worked for UIndy’s WICR-FM station since April 2006 and hosts the Saturday Evening Jazz Show. Airing every Saturday from 6-8 p.m., the show features music of the bygone jazz era, along with contemporary jazz music by local and national artists.

Workman also has been engaged in or contributed to numerous other areas of WICR, including helping with the annual listener fund drive in the summer, enhancing programming, and an increasing the number of listeners.

Staff and faculty in the communication department recognize and appreciate his work.

“Chuck has unbelievable credibility with everybody in the market. People love his knowledge of jazz. His show at WPTI aired for 18 years, so people know him and his background,” said Director of Underwriting and Advertising, Doug Housemeyer. “Whenever I think of doing anything major, I call Chuck.”

Workman’s co-workers at WICR agree with this sentiment.

“He’s fantastic, extremely talented and knowledgeable about jazz. I’ve had the nicest experience getting to know him. I can’t say enough good things about him,” said Roberta Thompson, administrative assistant for the communications department and WICR traffic director.

Workman’s love for radio and jazz stems from his upbringing in Indianapolis, a city he said was instrumental in the musical genre and helped develop a lot of great names.

“Jazz was a way of life—a culture, language, style,” Workman said.

He also can remember the first time he heard an orchestra on the radio and knew right then, at seven years old, that he had found his passion.

“I didn’t know what it was, but I stayed glued to the radio jumping up and down,” Workman said. “I grew up on Indiana Avenue, and the music never seemed to stop. Back then, having a musical instrument in hand was just as important as a basketball.”

Workman’s pursuit of a career in radio, television and the general media first led him to a position on a civilian commercial radio for the Army.

He helped build WTLC-FM and then moved to a daytime station known as WATI, where he broadcasted 30 minute updates on sports and racetrack scores.

Workman also has worked for WPTI radio, hosting a Sunday morning jazz show which still holds the record for the longest No.1 rated show.

Workman continued to pursue opportunities in other media outlets, including television and print.

At Channel 4, he primarily worked in sports and public service. Currently he is a jazz columnist for the weekly newspaper Nuvo.

His column can be read every Wednesday and focuses on jazz events, bands, musicians and news.

Although he has a passion for the business, Workman cannot say he hasn’t seen any low points.

“I’ve been through five radio sales and two television station sales. How many times have you had the rug pulled out from under you in this business?” Workman asked.
But he can admit to a few proud moments, most significantly participating in the WPTI endowment fund.

The station managed to produce seven volumes of compact disks with tracks donated by local artists and sold them at various events and locations. The proceeds were donated to school music programs.

“These programs give kids a chance for hope,” Workman said. “What an impact.