MPB Hosts Special Screening of ‘WZZQ the Movie’
Free, public screening event will feature music, a food truck and Q&A with filmmakers, original WZZQ DJs
JACKSON, Miss. – Mississippi Public Broadcasting will host a special screening event for “WZZQ the Movie,” on Friday, May 17, beginning at 6 p.m. The event, held at the MPB auditorium at 3825 Ridgewood Road, will also feature a reception and Q&A with filmmaker Ann Ford, producer Robbie Fisher and original WZZQ personalities Bill Ellison, Perez Hodge and Victor Hawkins.
The screening, which is open to the public, comes ahead of the broadcast premiere of the film on Monday, May 20 at 8 p.m. on MPB.
Ford describes the documentary as a love letter to the FM station that became an underground icon in Mississippi from 1973 to 1981, when AM ruled the radio airwaves.
The disc jockeys of WZZQ 102 (formerly WJDX-FM, the Rock of Jackson) created their own format based on the music they loved – an eclectic selection of current and classic rock singles, album cuts, B-sides, and new artists, like the then-unknown Dan Fogelberg.
The station flipped to a country format in 1981, ending an era for the WZZQ community.
“Growing up in Jackson, WZZQ was a constant companion,” Ford said. “I never forgot it or lost my love for it – even long after it was gone. I went into radio and television myself, and WZZQ was a big influence on my creative style.”
On May 17, the evening begins with a reception at 6 p.m. in MPB’s courtyard. The screening is at 7 p.m., followed by the Q&A. Ford and former WZZQ personalities will share stories and answer audience questions.
Eventgoers can purchase food and drinks from vendors onsite.
Ford said her moviemaking path began a few years ago when Ellison, former WZZQ newsman and current MPB “Grassroots” host, suggested to her that someone should make a documentary about the station.
"As soon as he said it, I knew I wanted to be the one to step up," Ford said. "I didn’t want WZZQ to slip away and vanish forever."
Ford began work on the film in 2019, collaborating with Fisher and Don Warren as director of photography.
Grammy-winning audio engineer Randy Everett worked on the mix and sound design and restored some of the original recordings. Engineer Kent Bruce of Malaco digitized a big box of reel-to-reel audio tapes and restored those recordings. New Orleans-based editor Tom Roche polished the edit and got the film ready for broadcast.
The filmmaking team also received support from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, Hal & Mal's in Jackson, WLBT, the Fogelberg estate, former WZZQ employees, and other sources.
In 2022, the Mississippi Humanities Council sponsored a “WZZQ Listener Event” at Duling Hall in Jackson that provided additional stories for the movie from those who had either experienced it or heard stories from family, Ford said.
“A lot of people pitched in on this film,” Ford said. “’WZZQ the Movie’ wouldn’t exist without their expertise, encouragement, and hard work.”
Register for the event here or visit mpbonline.org.
Find all MPB press releases here.
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Mississippi Public Broadcasting educates, informs, and inspires Mississippians with quality programs and services. Through a statewide network, MPB also provides trusted information during emergencies. MPB’s locally produced programming reflectsMississippi’s unique culture and diverse heritage. Since 1970, MPB has won over 350 national, regional and statewide awards, including Emmy®, Edward R. Murrow and Parents’ Choice® Awards.