John R. Hickman: Biography

John R. Hickman (1944-1999) was a radio historian and WAMU-FM, Washington, D.C., on-air personality who started collecting vintage radio programs when he was a teenager and began working at WRC-AM, Washington, D.C., while still in high school.  Hickman graduated from American University, Washington, D.C., in 1966, with a bachelor’s degree in English and broadcasting.  Following a short stint as music director of WRC, he joined the United States Army in 1967, where he taught broadcasting for Armed Forces Radio-TV.  After his return to civilian life, he taught broadcasting for ITT Educational Services in Washington, D.C, served as public information officer for the Veterans Administration, and continued to pursue a freelance radio career, including announcing, producing, and writing initiatives.

As an undergraduate at American University in 1964, Hickman inaugurated a half-hour weekly show on WAMU devoted to classic programs which quickly grew in popularity.  Hickman hosted the program, now expanded to four hours and known as The Big Broadcast, until 1990 when he retired in failing health.  A lifetime radio enthusiast, Hickman donated his collection of vintage programming to the University in 1994.

Links:

Hickman Collection (AU)

John R. Hickman Digital Collection

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