Jim O\u2019Brien approaches life with an attitude of gratitude. Known to thousands of WCSX listeners as \u201cBig Jim\u201d, for nearly 24 years, he was the voice of so many mornings on 94.7, but that suddenly came to an end on Thursday morning.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love that I was appreciated by so many men & women in the Motor City and Veterans and classic rock fans,\u201d he said from his Waterford home on Friday.<\/p>\n
Jim made the stunning announcement on the show\u2019s Facebook page that he was being let go. He took time to thank the listeners, teammates, and veterans for all of their support.<\/p>\n
Jim first joined WCSX back in 2002 as the executive producer and co-host with his good friend, the late Ken Calvert. Calvert and another co-host and friend, Jamie Samulesen, were on his mind.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think about them every Friday,\u201d he said. \u201cEvery Friday on the way home from work, I think about the two of them.<\/p>\n
\u201cI miss \u2018em, and I think about Kenny Boy,\u201d he said of his nickname for Calvert. \u201cI\u2019m sad that I can\u2019t say \u2018I love you, Kenny Boy\u2019 every Friday on the air.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBig Jim\u2019s house\u201d was a staple on the classic rock station, and doing work to help veterans. O\u2019Brien served eight years in the Navy.<\/p>\n
This past Monday, he held his first \u201cHalfway to Veteran\u2019s Day\u201d event.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver the years here with CSX, we\u2019ve raised over $3 million with our show and some of the projects, he said. \u201cIf you\u2019re in Allen Park, right by City Hall, if you go there, you will see Bob Seger Blvd.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dedicating streets to legendary artists stemmed from the idea of honoring Detroit\u2019s stars while they were alive. It arose from the death of Detroit native and Eagles lead singer Glen Frey.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a blue-collar work ethic that goes back to Bob Seger and Dilla and Ted Nugent and Jack White, and Aretha, it all threads together in Motown,\u201d he said. \u201cThere is a synergy here, and you work hard when you\u2019re on the air here, because you appreciate what you\u2019ve got.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jim insists he\u2019s not done, and he is carrying a ton of gratitude into this next chapter. <\/p>\n
He made it clear he has no plans to leave Michigan, and he\u2019s open to plenty of new opportunities that could come his way.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s an honor to be a small part of the DNA of Detroit Radio, and I\u2019m not done, man,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s just that\u2019s one chapter, and the only way to make God laugh is tell Him your plans. I\u2019m looking forward to seeing what\u2019s next.\u201d<\/p>\n
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