Radio History: June 7

Martin & Lewis

➦In 1917...singer/comedian/actor Dean Martin was born in Steubenville Ohio.

He was one of the most famous music artists in the 1950s and 1960s. Playboy magazine later called Martin “the coolest man who ever lived.” He & Jerry Lewis began as a team in movies & on NBC radio in the late ’40’s, and did TV together in the early 50’s, but split in 1956.  He became a big TV star with NBC’s Dean Martin Show (1965-74) and his Celebrity Roasts (’73-’84.)

He succumbed to lung cancer Christmas Day 1995 at age 78.

➦In 1932..WLW 700 AM Cincinnati was authorized to experiment with a power of 500,000 watts at 700 khz.  In January 1934, WLW began broadcasting with 500,000 watts after midnight under the experimental call sign W8XO. In April 1934 the station was authorized to operate at 500,000 watts during regular hours using the WLW call letters. On May 2, 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt ceremonially pressed the same golden telegraph key that Wilson had used to open the Panama Canal, officially launching WLW's 500-kilowatt signal.

As the first station in the world to broadcast at this strength, WLW received numerous complaints from around the United States and Canada that it was interfering with other stations, most notably from CFRB, then on 690 kHz, in Toronto, Ontario. In December 1934, WLW was instructed to cut back to 50 kilowatts at night until it had eliminated the interference. The station began construction of two shorter towers 1850 feet southwest from the main tower in order to create a directional antenna, which successfully reduced the signal broadcast towards Canada. With these antenna towers in place, full-time broadcasting at 500 kilowatts resumed in early 1935. However, WLW was continuing to operate under special temporary authority that had to be renewed every six months; each renewal brought complaints about interference, and undue domination of the market, by such a high-power station.

After complaints of signal interference and years of controversy the extra power was rescinded in 1939.

➦In 1945...an NBC radio summer replacement show The Adventures of Topper aired for the first time. Roland Young reprised his title role from the 1937 movie of the same name. Eight years later the program would move to TV with a different cast and become a big hit.

➦In 1955...NBC radio presented The Lux Radio Theatre for the final time. The program had aired for 21 years, most of them on CBS.

➦In 1959…KLX-AM, Oakland, California changed its call letters to KEWB-AM (now KNEW 960 AM).

➦In 1965... KNX 1070 AM personality Bob Crane told his L-A audience he was leaving the show to star in a new TV series “Hogan’s Heroes.” Crane said he had been considering offers for years.

Nashville Radio: Bill Cody Update..."We Need a Miracle"

Country music broadcaster Bill Cody remains in critical condition and facing a life-threatening health crisis requiring a double heart and kidney transplant.

The longtime Grand Ole Opry announcer and Country Radio Hall of Famer was admitted to the ICU about three weeks ago in heart and kidney failure, his daughter Hannah Davis announced in a Facebook post on May 31.

Bill Cody

After weeks of tests, dialysis, and fluctuating health, doctors determined a double transplant is his only option for survival. Davis said prayers were answered earlier this week when Cody was approved for the transplant list. However, his condition has since worsened, with his heart strength declining sharply, leading to plans to intubate him.

Cody has been a prominent voice in country music for nearly 50 years. He hosts WSM Radio’s flagship morning show “Coffee, Country & Cody” and is described by the station as one of the “most familiar and beloved voices in country music broadcasting.” His career also includes nationally syndicated radio, television, and film work.

Over the years, he has received multiple nominations from the Country Music Association, Academy of Country Music, and Billboard for broadcasting excellence. He was inducted into the Country Music Disc Jockey Hall of Fame in 2008 and received a star on the Music City Walk of Fame in 2024.

Taylor Swift’s ‘Toy Story 5’ Song Breaks Records in First Day

Taylor Swift’s new single “I Knew It, I Knew You” shattered streaming records Friday across Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.

The country track became Spotify’s most-streamed country song in a single day by a female artist in the platform’s history. On Apple Music, it set the all-time record for the biggest soundtrack single by first-day streams and the platform’s largest country single of 2026. Amazon Music reported it as the platform’s largest 24-hour global streaming debut for any song this year.

On June 5th, 2026, Taylor Swift’s “I Knew It, I Knew You” became the most-streamed country song in a single day by a female artist in Spotify history. pic.twitter.com/qOstHfAnQX

— Spotify (@Spotify) June 5, 2026

The song is featured in Disney and Pixar’s upcoming Toy Story 5, set for theatrical release on June 19. Swift also dropped the music video Friday, which centers on the cowgirl doll Jessie and teases her relationships with Woody and Buzz Lightyear. 

Kids Are Listening To More Songs From The Good Old Days

Nostalgia dominates music consumption in 2026, with young listeners increasingly turning to decades-old tracks over new releases.

A Wall Street Journal report highlights a clear “Retro Revival,” backed by data from Luminate. In a survey of U.S. consumers aged 13–24, the share who said they listened most to 2020s music fell from 55% in 2021 to 44% last year. 

At the same time, a full quarter of this group now primarily listens to music from the 1990s or earlier.

The 1990s emerged as the fastest-growing decade by streams, rising 8% from Q2 2024 to Q2 2025. Among the general U.S. population, 64% reported listening to ’90s music — higher than the ’80s (58%) or even the 2020s (53%).

60 Minutes Vets Remaining At CBS News...For Now

Lesley Stahl, Bill Whitaker and Jon Wertheim announced Friday they will remain at “60 Minutes,” ending speculation that the CBS News program’s crisis would strip it of its biggest on-air stars.

In a joint email to staff, the three veteran correspondents said they plan to “stay and fight” to “repair and preserve” the reputation of the country’s top-rated news magazine. 

 

Stahl, Whitaker, Wertheim

“Here’s why we are staying: We don’t want to see ‘60 Minutes’ die,” they wrote.The correspondents expressed deep frustration with recent moves by Bari Weiss, CBS News editor in chief, including the firing of longtime executive producer Tanya Simon and several veteran producers and correspondents, which they called “heartbreaking.” 

They warned that they would leave if the program loses its editorial independence. Weiss’s changes, which included appointing tech journalist and filmmaker Nick Bilton — who has no broadcast news experience — as the new leader of “60 Minutes,” have roiled the newsroom. 

Charlotte Radio: Charlie & Debbie To Wake-Up Duty At Country 103.7

Longtime WSOC-FM personalities Charlie & Debbie will take over the morning show at Country 103.7 beginning Monday, June 22, following the retirement of longtime host Tanner.

The duo, who have been on the Beasley Media Group station for more than 20 years and most recently hosted afternoons, were announced as the new morning team on Friday.

Beasley Media Group Charlotte Vice President and Market Manager Mac Edwards said the pair’s deep connection with listeners and strong community ties made them the ideal choice. He highlighted their chemistry, warmth, and passion for country music as key strengths for the morning slot.

Beasley Chief Content Officer Justin Chase added that Charlie & Debbie excel at authentic audience connections and align with the company’s focus on local entertainment and community engagement during mornings.

Pittsburgh Radio: Josh Wolff New Brand Manager for Audacy

Josh Wolff has been named Brand Manager for Audacy Pittsburgh’s country station “Y108” WDSY, hot AC “100.7 Star” WBZZ, and urban contemporary WAMO (660 AM and W297BU 107.3 FM).

The appointment follows three years as Program Director of Cumulus Media’s adult contemporary “Warm 98.5” WRRM in Cincinnati. Wolff succeeds Mark Anderson, who exited the company earlier this week.

The move represents a homecoming for Wolff, who previously interned at the Pittsburgh cluster when the stations were owned by CBS Radio. A Pittsburgh native and Fox Chapel High School graduate, Wolff brings deep familiarity with the market and a strong track record in programming and brand management.

State AG's Are Ready To Challenge PSKY, WBD Merger

California, New York and other states are preparing to file a lawsuit to block Paramount Skydance’s $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros., sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Friday.

The lawsuit is expected to be filed in the coming weeks and would represent the most aggressive state-level intervention yet in U.S. antitrust enforcement against the Hollywood mega-merger. It was not immediately clear which additional states would join California and New York.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta, a Democrat leading the opposition, criticized President Donald Trump on Thursday for what he called an “abdication” of federal antitrust responsibility, noting that state governments have fewer resources than federal agencies. Bonta’s office said Friday that California’s investigation remains active.

TV Ratings: How Kimmel, Fallon, Allen Fared Post-Late Show Era

Kimmel, Allen, Fallon

Jimmy Kimmel Live! led in total viewers while The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon won the key adults 18–49 demographic during the first full week of late night television’s post-Late Show era.

The week of May 24, 2026, was unusually fragmented due to Memorial Day closures, extended holiday breaks for several programs, and strong NBA lead-ins on NBC that boosted Fallon’s show.

The LateNighter website is reporting the Nielsen Live+3 ratings: 

• ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! topped total viewers with an average of 2.43 million (+35% from the prior week) and 252,000 adults 18–49 (+31%) across three original episodes and two repeats.
• The Tonight Show averaged 1.41 million total viewers (+6%) and 271,000 adults 18–49 (+3%), narrowly beating Kimmel in the younger demographic despite airing repeats all week. Fallon’s demo victory was fueled by NBC’s Western Conference Finals coverage: after Game 5 on May 26, the show drew 1.66 million viewers and 392,000 adults 18–49; after Game 6, it posted 1.70 million viewers and a strong 504,000 in the demo.
• On CBS, the new Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen block struggled in Stephen Colbert’s former 11:35 p.m. slot. The program averaged 885,000 total viewers and 94,000 adults 18–49 across five originals at 11:35 p.m., with the 12:05 a.m. repeat at 590,000 viewers and 62,000 adults 18–49. The combined one-hour block averaged just 737,000 total viewers and 78,000 adults 18–49 — a sharp decline from Colbert’s Q1 2026 averages of 2.70 million viewers and 233,000 in the demo.

R.I.P.: Gary Todd, Longtime Former Morning Host at WIBC

Gary Todd (1937-2026)

Gary Todd, the longtime Indianapolis morning radio host known for "Gary's Place" on WIBC, passed away peacefully on May 22, 2026, in Forest, Virginia. He was 89 years old. 

Born on May 8, 1937, in Walla Walla, Washington, Todd developed an early passion for broadcasting through high school radio shows. He served four years in the U.S. Navy as a journalist and photographer, meeting his wife Linda May at a Naval Air Station near Phoenix, Arizona. They married and shared 67 years together. 

Todd built a radio career across stations in Washington, California, Arizona, Canada, Colorado, and Oregon before arriving in Indianapolis in 1968. He quickly became a dominant voice on 1070 AM WIBC (later 93.1 FM), hosting the top-rated morning show "Gary's Place" for two decades until 1988. His engaging style and community focus helped WIBC compete fiercely with other local stations, including battles for morning drivetime supremacy. 

Career Highlights moments included:

• Live reporting from Cape Kennedy for the Apollo 11 launch.
• Broadcasting from Indianapolis Motor Speedway during Indy 500 practice and qualifying.
• Pre-game shows for Indiana Pacers home games.
• The ambitious "Great Race" promotion, a trip around the world. 

Beyond entertainment, Todd was deeply involved in community service. He earned awards such as the Distinguished Service Award from the Speedway Jaycees, the Indiana Jaycees’ Outstanding Young Hoosier Award, the CASPER Award, and the Service to Mankind Award. He chaired radio campaigns for organizations like the Hemophilia Foundation and Crossroads Rehabilitation Center, co-captained an Indiana University Foundation campaign, and led efforts for the American Cancer Society. He also facilitated on-air call-in segments with Mayor Bill Hudnut. 

Later Life and LegacyAfter leaving WIBC, Todd continued in radio, including ownership and morning duties at a station in Florida. He remained a man of faith who cherished family, the outdoors, fishing, golf, and travel. 

A memorial Mass was scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at Holy Spirit Parish at Geist in Fishers, Indiana, with visitation beforehand. A private family graveside service followed at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations were suggested to the Parkinson’s Foundation.

R.I.P.: Ned Jarrett, Two-Time NASCAR Champion and Broadcaster

Ned Jarrett (1932-2026)

Ned Jarrett, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and longtime broadcaster, died Thursday of natural causes at his home, his family announced. He was 93.

Jarrett earned induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2011 as part of its second five-member class, recognized for a legendary driving career that produced 50 wins on NASCAR’s premier circuit, including championships in 1961 and 1965.

One of the most respected figures in NASCAR history, Jarrett transitioned seamlessly from the driver’s seat to the broadcast booth after retiring from full-time competition. His calm, insightful commentary became a staple for generations of fans on television and radio, helping grow the sport’s popularity during its expansion years.

Radio History: June 6

➦In 1938...NBC radio introduced two melodramatic soaps to the daytime airwaves, Stella Dallas and Young Widder Brown, both produced by Frank & Anne Hummert.  Stella Dallas, “the true to life story of mother love and sacrifice,” continued in 15 minute radio bursts until 1955.  ‘Brown’ outlasted it by a year.

Radio soap opera titan Frank Hummert became a partner in a Chicago advertising agency, where in 1930 Anne Ashenshurst was hired as a copywriter and assistant to Hummert.  Together, both before and after their 1935 wedding, Anne & Frank developed and supervised the production of early daytime radio dramas Just Plain Bill, Ma Perkins, Skippy, Backstage Wife and Young Widder Brown.  They later produced Amanda of Honeymoon Hill, Front Page Farrell, John’s Other Wife, Little Orphan Annie, Judy and Jane, Mr. Chameleon, and Our Gal Sunday.   The Hummerts also had longrunning prime time success with Mr. Keen, Tracer of Lost Persons, Waltz Time and The American Album of Familiar Music.

Larry Lujack

➦In 1940...Superjock Larry Lee Blankenburg a.k.a Larry Lujack was born in Quasqueton, Iowa, and reared in Caldwell, Idaho. At 18 he joined KCID-AM in Caldwell, adopting the surname of his idol, the Chicago Bears quarterback Johnny Lujack.

After working at stations in Idaho and Washington State, Mr. Lujack joined WCFL in 1967 and moved to WLS four months later. Except for a four-year stint back at WCFL, he remained with WLS for the next two decades.

In 1984 WLS gave Lujack a 12-year, $6 million contract, making him one of the country’s highest-paid radio personalities. (“I am not the least bit excited,” he was reported to have said.) But in 1987, amid declining ratings, the station’s corporate parent, Capital Cities-ABC, bought out his contract.

His honors include membership in the Illinois Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame (“It’s not Mount Rushmore,” he said on learning of his induction) and the National Radio Hall of Fame.

He passed away December 18, 2013.

➦In  1944….Radio covered first news of the Allies’ D-Day Invasion…

Garth Brooks Wants $2B For Music Catalog

Country music icon Garth Brooks is actively considering the sale of his entire music catalog — including both songwriting rights and recordings — with an asking price of roughly $2 billion, according to people familiar with the matter.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the potential deal would rank among the largest ever for a single artist’s catalog. Brooks, one of the best-selling recording artists in history, has been exploring a transaction for several years and recently signaled to investors that he is among the few superstars of his stature who has not yet sold, one person familiar with the discussions said. He has floated a valuation ranging from the high $1 billion range to more than $2 billion.