Solomon Jones returns to WURD

Solomon Jones is on the move again.

This time it’s back to the airwaves of WURD 96.1 FM, Pennsylvania’s only black owned talk-radio station, where the Inquirer and Daily News columnist previously worked as a host from 2014 to 2017.

Starting May 6, Jones will host the Wake Up With WURD morning show, replacing current host, Aaron Smith, who will continue on with WURD by hosting the new WURD Show On the Go, also launching on May 6.

Last December, when 107.9 FM switched from the gospel-focused Praise to the old school R&B of Classix, Radio One announced that Jones’ Praise talk-radio show, Your Voice with Solomon Jones, would move from the airwaves to the internet.

During Your Voice’s four month stint as a digital-only show, Jones noticed that it was challenging for older listeners to catch up to the new format. “[Digital formats] can augment what you do on the air, but talk radio is a format that needs to be done on the air,” Jones said.

“Having both Solomon Jones and Dr. Aaron Smith on the WURD team will allow us to deepen our journalistic coverage and community engagement in ways that will be transformative for the station and the community,” Sara Lomax-Reese, WURD President and CEO, said a statement.

The shuffle comes as a part of WURD’s efforts to deepen community relationships, according to a press release. Jones and Smith will host a live broadcast show Friday during the 9 a.m. hour to introduce listeners to the changes.

Jones said that he will maintain two roles with Radio One: Your Voice will continue to air a Saturday edition at 9 a.m. on Classix 107.9 FM and he will periodically offer social and political commentary on WRNB 100.3 FM.

Radio One did not immediately respond to a request for comment.