Kris Erik Stevens came to the Rock of Chicago in 1969 to work at WLS. Kris replaced the legendary Art Roberts when Roberts moved to midday as WLS program director John Rook began to reshape the WLS lineup. Kris occupied the 6 - 9 pm slot from October 1970 until the end of 1971.
Kris Erik Stevens joined WLS from KQV in Pittsburgh. KQV personalities Fred Winston and Gary Gears would also join WLS in the next few years, as would KQV Program Director Mike McCormick.
CKLW as Billy MackKris began his career in May of 1962 at WJPD in Ishpeming, Michigan. Kris moved on to WLTH in Gary, Indiana before moving on to KOIL in Omaha. Kris was known as Johnny Mitchell while was part of the legendary KOIL, Omaha staff. The KOIL staff also included Fred Winston, Gary Gears, Sam Holman, Lyle Dean, and Mike McCormick.
CRUISIN' 1970 Kris's other stops include CKLW in Winsdor, WQXI in Atlanta, WCFL in Chicago, and KIIS in Los Angeles.
Seeking a new challenge, he opened a broadcast creative services company specializing in advertising, recording and syndicated radio programming. Shortly thereafter, Kris Stevens Enterprises began winning awards for its radio commercials and nationally syndicated radio programs.
In 1985, Stevens conceptualized, produced and hosted one of the first weekly radio programs delivered via satellite for the CBS Radio Network. "Entertainment Coast to Coast" won the Gold Medal Award for "Best Entertainment Radio Program" of the year.
Eric is featured in this interview on Jim Hampton’s Radio Recall show. In it, they talk about Stevens’ career at WLS and at WCFL, as he was one of a few jocks who worked both sides of the river in one of America’s closest Top 40 battles in the early 1970s.
[ LISTEN ] (9:30)
[ LISTEN ] (9:30)
Kris owns Kris Stevens Enterprises, and remains a multitalented voice performer who has been the spokesperson for such clients as Pontiac, National Geographic Specials, The Orkin Man, Stouffers, The Family Channel, McDonald's, Southwestern Bell, ABC Television, Movie Tunes and many more.
In his free time, Stevens can be found skiing in Colorado, scuba diving in the Caymans or yachting off the California coast.
WHERE DID KRIS WORK? Here is the list: WJPD, WLTH, KOIL, CKLW, KQV, WQXI, WLS, WCFL, KIIS and WFXD.
Some materials found on this page were originally published by the following: Radio Spirits, Discogs, Kris Erik Stevens.
