Those were the sentiments of hundreds who came out to share their well wishes for DC radio talk show host, Donnie Simpson yesterday.

 

One of the most listened to morning persons in urban radio for over 30 years has called it quits, at least at the place where he called home for more than twenty of those years, WPGC 95.5.

 

Amid speculation of losing creative control over his show, Donnie Simpson left WPGC, albeit on a high note, and with the love of the city whom he loves back.

 

"I love them, I feel the love that they have for me. But that comes from the love they know I have for them. We have a very special relationship, me and the people of DC.  They know it's real, so they tap in to that that.  It's no act.  I am who I am, and they know that.  I just want to say 'Thank you' for supporting me all these years.  I wasn't sure how I would be excepted in DC, moving here from Detroit, but look at this, thirty-three years later.  They've claimed me as their own, you know?  And I appreciate that.  God has been good to me, and DC has been good to me", said Simpson.

 

On Friday Donnie treated his listeners to a free lunch at Ben's Chili Bowl, a Washington DC landmark.

Among the many fans and supporters who stopped by to congratulate Simpson on his success were councilman Harry Thomas, Jr., Rock Newman, former Redskins' player, turned sports analyst, Brian Mitchell and national recording artist Tony Terry.

Terry, a Duke Ellington School of the Arts graduate, recounted how he wanted to be interviewed by Simpson on Video Soul, the popular BET video program of that spanned the 80s and 90s.

"I remember dreaming about sitting on that couch.  I wanted to be on that show so bad to be interviewed by Donnie."

Terry's dream came true in 1994 with the debut of his hit song, 'When A Man Cries".  [See the video here.]

Simpson, the definitive DC radio icon, touched the lives of many people who woke up to his Donnie Simpson Radio Show each morning.  Students who received scholarships from the Pam and Donnie Simpson Scholarship Fund were on hand to say 'Thank you'.

Shante Brown, a graduate from Shaw University, was one such person.  Brown recounted how she didn't know how she would complete her senior year.  A friend told her about the Pam and Donnie Simpson Scholarship Fund that would later help her graduate with a degree in Computer Information Systems.  Brown recounts that turbulent year.

"My house caught on fire, my mom had breast cancer, and we had our house broken in to.  I had no money to fund my way through college, but with the grace of God I got a call from my [school's] scholarship advisor telling me I had been awarded the Donnie Simpson scholarship."

Others gave credit to Simpson for being a positive influence and role model in their lives.

"He's been a positive influence in DC and I'm sorry to see him leave, but when you cross that bridge other things come forward, and he'll do other things for the community, and great things for Washington, DC.  I'm sorry to see him leave", said J.R. Gibbs, who credited Simpson for inspiring him to be a better father.

Anji Corley, winner of WPGC's Next Top Jock contest, and the latest addition to  WPGC during the 6am-10 am time slot, says she will continue to try do what Donnie Simpson has done for so long, "make people's lives better".

"It makes me feel honored that I have been able to sit across from him and laugh with him everyday", said Corley.

Many people we spoke with gave their thoughts on what Simpson's next endeavor might be.  We were given a gamut of responses - from satellite radio host, to late night talk show host, to a position in public service.

When we asked Simpson, himself, what his next endeavor might be he jokingly told us "I think I'll run for mayor."  

Uh, oh!   Watch out, Mayor Fenty.  (But we suspect he's been doing that for some time now, anyway).