Media Hall of Fame - Jim (JJ) Johnson

Headshot of Jim Johnson, also known as JJ, in front of a deep blue backdrop.Jim (JJ) Johnson, 1970-74, Broadcast & Cinematic Arts: A lifelong Michigan resident, Jim grew up in Redford Township graduating from Thurston High School in 1970. JJ Attended Central Michigan University on a football scholarship from 1970-1974 pursuing a major in Broadcast and Cinematic Arts.

As an on-air talent at campus radio station WCHP, Jim went on to become that station’s program director. That experience propelled a broadcast career that would span more than 5 decades.

After brief radio stints in Flint & Lansing, JJ returned home to Detroit in 1975 where he became a popular radio host until his retirement in 2023. The Detroit stations included WWWW, WRIF (JJ & the Morning Crew), WLLZ, WCSX and finally, WOMC.

In addition to his work in radio, Jim also became WXYZ TV’s Entertainment editor during the early 1980’s and worked as an entertainment reporter for several years on that station’s Good Afternoon Detroit. In later years, Jim also appeared as a frequent guest and political commentator on Fox2 Detroit’s “Let It Rip”.

Throughout his 52-year broadcast career, Jim has provided awareness and millions of dollars raised for a variety of local charitable causes including the American Red Cross the Children’s Leukemia Foundation of Michigan the Salvation Army as well as many others.

Now retired, JJ is a resident of St. Johns Florida.