A guy who was a staple of morning radio in Michigan’s Great Southwest for many years, but left for alternative careers in trucking and with the U.S. Postal Service, will make a triumphant return to the airwaves on News Talk 94.9 – WSJM Radio next month, undoubtedly much to the delight of many listeners across the region.
Jim Gifford, who was co-host of the Moody in the Morning Show for many years and also hosted shows on WIRX and other Mid-West Family stations, will return to the air on WSJM’s “Taking the Lead” Morning broadcast in late October, when current host Ray Gustafson returns to his family and home in Minneapolis after four years in the market.
Gifford’s well known humor has made him a popular fixture not only on the radio but in social media as well. In addition to taking the lead on the morning radio, Gifford will retain his job with the U.S. Postal Service, based in the Stevensville Post Office. He has been gone from the air for more than four years now, but returns as the host of the show from 6-to-9am at 94.9 on the FM dial, as well as streaming online.
Jim’s been a key player in Southwest Michigan radio for many years. In fact, in 1985 he came to town and put Magic 107 on the air and hosted the morning show there until 1992 when he became a partner with a radio venture in Rhinelander, Wisconsin for half a dozen years.
He returned to the fold at Mid-West Family in 1998 to inaugurate Kool 94.9, an all oldies radio station on the air, before transitioning that station into the team at 98.3-The Coast in late 1998 where he became the morning show host as well as Operations Director.
Sometime after the turn of the century (that sounds old, eh?) he moved into the role as the Morning News Anchor for WSJM News, and also became Program Director there. As a result of his anchor role, he became an integral part of, and co-host of, the Moody in the Morning Show until his departure in 2015 for his other adventures. Under his tutelage, WSJM won honors as the Michigan Association of Broadcasters Station of the Year Award seven times.
Now, he’s back next month to see “if the third time’s the charm!”
During his absence from radio, Jim worked briefly for Ralph Moyle, Inc. of Mattawan as a truck driver trainee in the summer and fall of 2015 before moving over to his role as a City Carrier Assistant with the U.S. Postal Service in Stevensville, where he will continue in addition to his return to the morning airwaves.
Jim went to the Ohio School of Broadcasting from 1977 to 1979, after completing coursework toward a degree in Parks & Recreation Management at the Ohio State University School of Natural Resources from 1974 to 1975.
He’s also a graduate of the Lake Michigan College Leadership Institute. He also was responsible for the development of the “Coast Cares for Kids” fund in association with the Berrien Community Foundation, helping fund numerous children’s causes since 2000 including The Boys & Girls Club, Kids of Veterans and the Curious Kids Museum.
Congratulations, Mr. Gifford…and welcome home!
