Amos Brown: Indianapolis Radio Host, Community Leader, Dead At 64
Amos Brown, community leader and popular, longtime Indianapolis radio host with Radio One-owned WTLC-AM 1310, reportedly died from a heart attack at a family member’s home in Chicago on Friday, reports the Indy Star. He was 64 years old.
Brown had hosted Afternoons with Amos since 2004 on WTLC and was a finalist for the National Association of Broadcasters Marconi Awards. He was also inducted into the Indiana Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2007.
.@Ritz4Ed on death of Amos Brown: Indiana needs more leaders like Amos @rtv6 @RafaelOnTV pic.twitter.com/yGGehsGunT
— #IndyThisWeek (@IndyThisWeek) November 7, 2015
Indiana State Representative Gregory Porter described the loss of Brown as being “devastating” for the African-American community. He described Brown’s show as being an important conduit for dialogue between Indianapolis politicians and citizens. Porter is reported to have known Brown personally for over 30 years.
“Amos is truly a fixture in our community,” Porter was quoted about Amos Brown. “He moved here years ago, but he fit right in, and he’s truly a voice of the people. He asked their questions.”
In 2010, Brown was described as being a “radio warrior” by the Indianapolis Business Journal. The publication described Amos Brown as an “influential” Indianapolis community activist. Even though Brown’s Afternoons with Amos ran on a gospel station, it was reported to be the fourth-largest audience-drawing radio program behind nationally syndicated shows played on FM stations. Brown’s ratings as an AM broadcaster are described as having the “highest audience share in any U.S. market for a black-oriented radio talk show.”
Brown was reported to have moved to Indianapolis from Chicago in 1975, where he first worked in broadcasting. He was known for packing up to a dozen guests in his tiny studio.
Tanya Bell, the president of the Indiana Black Expo, released a statement with regard to Brown’s life, and death.
“His passion and voice will be sorely missed. Amos defined his life through an unwavering and unparalleled commitment to public service, advocacy and leadership.”
Radio One Indianapolis’ vice president Chuck Williams said that Brown defined the “depth and passion” of a city’s leaders’ commitment. Williams remembered Brown as having dedicated his life, passionately, for making the City of Indianapolis a better place for all members of its community.
Brown was known for asking tough questions, but insisted that he was not a “gotcha” journalist.
“If the show is all about the host, then the host isn’t listening,” Brown was quoted in 2010. “My show is not about ‘gotcha.’ It’s about getting information to the people.”
Afternoons with Amos was also known to be popular with advertisers.
“There is a great demand by advertisers to be on his show,” Williams was quoted.
Brown described “mellowing” as he aged and attributed part of this process being a result of working for Dr. Frank Lloyd, a surgeon, who owned WTLC for a period before moving on to become the head of a Methodist hospital. Brown stated that Lloyd once gave him advice that “stuck” with him. Lloyd reportedly told Brown that “it’s OK to walk around the block before you make a decision.”
Brown stated that Lloyd’s example, and the advice, had stuck with him.
Bill Perkins, the president of Perkins Nichols Media, stated how Brown’s audience “trusts him.” President of Promotus Advertising, Bruce Bryant, stated that if he had been on a bigger radio station, he thought that Amos Brown’s audience and reach could have been even more broad. Bryant described Amos Brown’s personal brand as being bigger than that of WTLC.
[Feature Screenshot via WISH-TV/Twitter]
