Brotha Fred Is Chip Off The Old Block

Chicago morning star estranged from radio legend father

Four decades after the legendary Charlie Van Dyke hosted mornings in Chicago on former Top 40 giant WLS-AM (890), Christopher “Brotha’ Fred” Frederick debuts today as morning host on WKSC-FM (103.5), the current Top 40 powerhouse known as Kiss FM.

What’s the connection? They’re father and son, according to Robert Feder's blog at chicago.timeout.com.

Although their relationship has never been made public until now — and the two have not spoken to each other in 14 years — Van Dyke, 63, confirmed that the 30-year-old Frederick is his son from a previous marriage. And he couldn’t be more proud.

“Whatever disappointment and sadness I have felt over not having any contact is not as big as my excitement for what he’s about to do,” Van Dyke said from his home in Paradise Valley, Ariz., on the eve of his son’s debut here. “I just can’t tell you how thrilled I am for him. I know what it’s like to stand at the corner of Michigan and Wacker at 4am, and for him, Monday morning is ‘the bigs.’ I’ll be listening online. I think he’s going to do an excellent job.”

“Brotha’ Fred’s A.M. Mayhem” replaces Kevin “DreX” Buchar, who was dropped last month after seven years at the Clear Channel Radio station (see separate story here) . Appearing with Frederick will be Kiss FM holdover Angi Taylor and comedian David Livingston. “Chicago morning radio is a dream of my entire life,” Frederick said shortly after his appointment was announced, adding that he felt he was “born to do this.”

Efforts to reach Frederick for this story were not successful. A Clear Channel spokeswoman told Feder he would not be doing any media interviews in advance of his debut.

Since 2006, Frederick’s star has risen in Charlotte, N.C., where he doubled as morning host on Clear Channel’s WIBT-FM and evening co-host of “Fox News Edge” on WCCB-TV. He also voice-tracked shows to nine other Clear Channel markets and to XM Radio. Before that he hosted afternoons at Clear Channel’s KHFI-FM in Austin, Texas. In all that time, he never traded on his famous father’s name. “I’d have been willing to give him any help I possibly could, but he certainly did this on his own,” Van Dyke said. “I think it’s all to his credit. It’s all about his determination and his ability, his willingness to take direction. I think it says volumes about him.”

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