HEAR KEN MERSON FROM AUGUST 30, 1975 ON WCBM BALTIMORE! Click on either Real Audio or Windows Media above to listen!

Note the youthful appearance on the left of the page from this 1976 WCBM publicity photo. 30 years later, Ken Merson is still on the air, hosting middays at 'Great Oldies' 94.9 WOLX-FM in Madison, Wisconsin.

There's something to be said for longevity and consistency. Some call it talent. His many listeners call him a friend. The native of Laurel, Maryland attended the University of Maryland in the early 70's. By 1973 he landed his first job at 900 AM WLMD in Laurel. By 1974, he caught a break. 68 WCBM in Baltimore brought Ken aboard to do some swing and weekend work. By the fall of 1974, Merson saw an opportunity to go full-time at another Baltimore station, so he left WCBM for 104.3 FM WDJQ. After a few weeks on the air, Merson realized he and the station didn't really click, so he quit.

In January, 1975 WCBM Program Director Bruce Holberg called Merson with offer to return to 'CBM for fill-in work. Holberg hired Merson on-the-spot the night a weekender walked off the job while Ken was visiting the station. Not too long after that, WCBM's host of the 'East of Midnight' show from 12-6 AM, Cleo Brooks (Don Brooks, who went on to become a station owner in Atlantic City, New Jersey), left to go to 1400 WWIN. At that time, long-time vet Jack Edwards went to the all-night slot. Then later in 1975 when 7-Midnight guy John Stupak left the station, Edwards moved to 7-Mid, and former DC radio guy Dave Arlington went to overnights. Meanwhile, Merson was kept busy doing weekends and fill-ins at WCBM. In 1976, Production Director Brian McDonald moved to WBAL. Arlington took McDonald's slot and finally Ken went full-time in the graveyard shift. Over the next 6 years, Ken worked other shifts at WCBM. Those were Middays (1977), PM Drive (1979) under new PD Ray Quinn, and back to Middays (at Ken's insistence) under PD Ben Hill.

By '82, station owner Metromedia decided to drop music and go to a News format. The Merson Person took his act to FM and landed a spot with 104.3...now known as B104. In the span of 8 years, Ken went from 'CBM...to 104.3...to 'CBM...and again to 104.3. Merson held down Middays at 104. His fellow jocks included Brian & O'Brien and Willy B. The station was #1. In the mid-80's, the atmosphere had changed at B104. In the Fall of 1986, Merson got a job offer from WWMX (Mix 106.5) and took the gig. By late '89, he and Mix had parted ways. At the same time, Oldies 105.7 WQSR was looking for a full-time guy. They hired Merson. Fifteen years and a new millennium later, the 'Merson Person' is still playing the hits. He also served as Music Director of both WQSR and sister station WLIF Lite 101.9.

When WQSR dumped its oldies format in May of 2005, Merson had already segued to sister station WLIF (Lite 101.9) as its PM Drive host while retaining the Music Directorship. In the fall of 2006, Merson ended his tenure in Baltimore radio as WLIF went in a different direction. After a few months hiatus, he began his present duties in early 2007.

They say that in some cases, what goes around, comes around. Ken started out playing oldies. After a stretch in contemporary radio in the 80's, he's back with his beloved Motown Sound. Merson is known for his knowledge of the oldies and his quick wit on the air. One final note about Merson that sums up his close identification with the golden years of rock and roll...he shares the same birthday with the late Elvis Presley. A number of Baltimore area radio professionals have moved thru the ranks over the years thanks in no small measure to Ken's donating his time and coaching expertise to aspiring broadcasters. He's a pro. E-Mail Ken at mersonperson@hotmail.com.

NEW!!!! Listen to Ken Merson in action!