CHICAGO — Add one more admirer to WVON-AM, which is celebrating 50 years.
President Barack Obama called into Cliff Kelley's "Talk of Chicago" show Friday to wish the radio station a happy 50th anniversary.
"The main reason I called was I'm so proud of 'VON and its anniversary, and the whole 'VON family," he said. "I just wanted to say how proud I was. Michelle and I remember all the times we were on the show."
Kelley and co-host Matt McGill joked with the president that he could host his own show when his time in the White House is over. Obama guest-hosted Kelley's slot when Obama was a state senator.
"I'm worried about my job when you're done," Kelley said.
"All I'm looking for is a small segment sometime once in a while, mostly talking about sports," the president replied.
He told listeners WVON plays an important role in informing and engaging the black community.
"I truly think 'VON has played such an important service to the community for so long," he said. "It creates a conversation that's community based...and I know that when I was in the state senate, when I was in the U.S. senate, there was never a better forum to describe some of the things we wanted to do."
As for hosting a radio gig in the future, Obama said he wasn't sure WVON would have an opening.
"I expect there will be 50 more years of 'VON. Cliff, when you're 90, 95, I'm assuming you're still going to be in that seat."
