Sad news out of Western Wisconsin and the Twin Cities: Michael W. Wegner of Osceola, also known as Michael J. ‘Donuts’ Douglas has left us. His was a household name in Minneapolis/St. Paul radio during the 1970s and 80s. I first heard Michael J. when I was about 9 or 10 years old. He was doing news for KDWB-AM 630 (‘KDWB/63.’) Later, he was part of the infamous U100 (WYOO), “the Boogie Station.” At U100, Michael J. did news and co-hosted mornings: first with Jerry St. James, then with Rob Sherwood. However, Michael J. Douglas was best known as “Donuts”, half of the incredibly successful “Knapp and Donuts” morning show on KSTP-FM 94.5 (KS95) in the early and mid-1980s.
Obituary and funeral service information can be found here. Visitation will be held from 3:00-7:00PM on Sunday, April 28th at the Grandstrand Funeral Home in Osceola, Wisconin.
The initial death announcement to the Twin Cities broadcasting community and many comments from friends/coworkers can be seen on Chuck Knapp’s Facebook page:
Several airchecks of Michael J. Douglas can be heard on my friend Tom Gavaras’ excellent website RadioTapes.com:
I was never fortunate enough to work with Michael J. But everyone who has says he was one of the “good guys” with a big heart. R.I.P, Michael J. Douglas. Radio Heaven has just gained another fine broadcaster.