Longtime Radio Exec, Programmer Roberts Dies

RADIO ONLINE | Sunday, March 9, 2014 | 4:34pm CT

Longtime radio executive and personality Jack Roberts died late Friday in Los Angeles, following a long illness. He was 62. During his career in broadcasting, Roberts worked as an air personality, producer, Program Director and General Manager. He most recently served as Executive Producer for CRN Digital Talk Radio's programming, including the morning program "What's Cookin Today."

"Jack truly understood and loved radio," said CRN President/CEO Michael J. Horn. "He became an instant, caring friend to everyone he encountered. Not only has radio lost such a special person, but so has the world."

Roberts worked with some of the nation's top celebrity broadcasters and air talent. For more than 25 years, he booked for markets including Los Angeles, New York, Boston, Providence, and Hartford. "There wasn't a guest or celebrity Jackie didn't think he could get," said Horn, "And he almost always booked them."

While working as a senior producer on the syndicated Dick Cavett and Colonel Oliver North radio programs, Roberts also was in charge of production for "The Jerry Williams Show" and "The Doug Stephan Show."

His experience ranged from working as a Top 40 format air personality in the northeast at a number of stations, including WRKO/Boston, WMEX/Edgartown MA, WXKS/Boston, WPRO/Providence and WDRC/Hartford, where he also became the station's General Manager and Program Director. He eventually became GM and PD at WWRC/Washington DC, WMRE/Charles Town WV, WBET/Sturgis MI and WHIL/Mobile AL.

Radio personality and concert promoter Ron Jacobs wrote on his blog, "Jack Roberts is great at shining the spotlight on others and not blowing his own horn." Jacobs also noted that when Roberts became ill with "some heavy medical issues," he never complained.