September 11 Radio History

In 1945...At WSM Radio's Studio B in Nashville, Ernest Tubb recorded "It's Been So Long Darling," at what is believed to have been just the second recording session ever to take place in Music City.


In 1965...the Beatles' "Help!" album went #1 on American radio and stayed there for for 9 weeks.


In 1995..."Runaway" by Janet Jackson became the first single by a woman to make its debut in the top 10 of Billboard's Hot 100.


In 2000...John R. Gambling does the last “Rambling With Gambling” show on WOR 710 AM


In 2001...Terrorist attack on New York City silenced four FM and nine TV stations.

The Events of September 11, 2001 | Graphiq

Video produced by Art Vuolo Jr:



Since three of the major television broadcast network owned-and-operated stations had their transmission towers atop the North Tower (One World Trade Center), coverage was limited after the collapse of the tower. The FM transmitter of National Public Radio station WNYC was also destroyed in the collapse of the North Tower and its offices evacuated. For an interim period, it continued broadcasting on its AM frequency and used NPR's New York offices to produce its programming.

The satellite feed of one television station, WPIX, froze on the last image received from the WTC mast; the image (a remote-camera shot of the burning towers), viewable across North America (as WPIX is available on cable TV in many areas), remained on the screen for much of the day until WPIX was able to set up alternate transmission facilities. It shows the WTC at the moment power cut off to the WPIX transmitter, prior to the towers' collapse.

During the September 11, 2001 attacks, WCBS-TV channel 2 and WXTV-TV channel 41 stayed on the air. Unlike most other major New York television stations, WCBS-TV maintained a full-powered backup transmitter at the Empire State Building after moving its main transmitter to the North Tower of the World Trade Center. The station was also simulcasted nationally on Viacom (which at the time owned CBS) cable network VH1 that day. In the immediate aftermath of the attacks, the station lent transmission time to the other stations who had lost their transmitters, until they found suitable backup equipment and locations.

The Emergency Alert System was never activated in the terrorist attacks, as the extensive media coverage made it unnecessary.

9/11 Simultaneous Broadcast from Six Networks of the first fifteen minutes



Television coverage of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, and their aftermath was the longest uninterrupted news event in the history of U.S. television. The major U.S. broadcast and cable networks were on the air for days with uninterrupted coverage from the moment news first came that the first plane hit the World Trade Center. Millions of shocked television viewers watching live pictures of the World Trade Center saw the second plane hit and both buildings come down. In order to keep up with the constant flood of information, at 10:49 a.m. EDT, Fox News Channel began running continuous updates in the form of a news ticker that crawled along the bottom of the screen. This was so well received by viewers that it became a permanent feature on the channel and was adopted by many other news channels.


In 2005…Radio/Television sportscaster (CBS, ABC, NFL Films) Chris Schenkel, who covered professional bowling for 35 years along with various other sports, died of emphysema at the age of 82.


In 2009...screenwriter/producer Larry Gelbart succumbed to cancer at age 81.  He started writing for Danny Thomas on the radio, was a gag writer for Bob Hope, Jack Paar, Red Buttons and Sid Caesar before falling into the role for which he will be long remembered, the creative force behind the iconic M*A*S*H TV series.


In 2014…Songwriter (Can't Take My Eyes Off You, Silhouettes, Sherry, Big Girls Don't Cry, Walk Like A Man, Dawn-Go Away, Rag Doll, Let's Hang On!, Navy Blue, The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine-Anymore, My Eyes Adored You, Lady Marmalade)/record producer (4 Seasons, Freddy Cannon, Mitch Ryder, Rays, Billy & Lillie, Diane Renay, Eddie Rambeau, Oliver)/singer (The Whiffenpoof Song)/conductor (Music To Watch Girls By)/label owner (DynoVoice)/Songwriter's Hall of Famer Bob Crewe died of complications from dementia at 83.

Bob Crewe (right) in 1967 with The Four Seasons

Crewe was a singer himself in the 1940s and ’50s, but he found his niche writing, co-writing and producing for a wide range of other artists, sometimes on record labels he started, including Dynovoice. His first hit, written with Frank Slay, was the 1957 single “Silhouettes”; a Top 10 hit for the Rays, it became a Top 10 hit again for Herman’s Hermits in 1965.

In 1964,  he produced “Devil With a Blue Dress On & Good Golly Miss Molly,” a hit for Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels.

Nearly a decade later he wrote, with Kenny Nolan, “Lady Marmalade,” recorded by Labelle. Propelled by its provocative and irresistible chorus in French, “Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir,” it rose to No. 1 in 1975. Nearly three decades later, a new version of the song featuring Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Pink and Mya was heard in the soundtrack of the movie “Moulin Rouge.” It, too, became a No. 1 hit.

But it was in his work with the Four Seasons and the striking falsetto of Frankie Valli that Crewe established himself as a master purveyor of pop sentimentality. In less than 10 years he helped make the group one of the best known in the history of popular music.

More Advertisers Buying Into Podcasts

Westwood One and Advertiser Perceptions, the business intelligence firm that measures and interprets what advertisers think, release exclusive new insights about podcast advertising sentiment.

Advertiser Perceptions polled marketers and agency representatives about podcast advertising in July 2016, and compared the same poll in September 2015.

Read the story in AdAge featuring these new podcast insights.

Here are the results from the Advertiser Perceptions study:

• The number of advertisers planning to invest in podcasting has doubled. More than one in five (21%) marketers and agency representatives said they plan to advertise in podcasts in the next sixth months, up from 10% last year.
• More advertisers have already started investing in podcasting. More than one in five (21%) said they currently advertise in podcasts, up from 15%.
• More advertisers are considering podcasting as a media investment in the near future.
• More than half (58%) said they have discussed podcast advertising for potential media investment, up from 41%.
• Twenty-eight percent of marketers and agency representatives said they “definitely would consider” advertising in podcasting in the next six months, up from 18%.

You can also find more information here about podcast consumption trends and advertiser perceptions in Westwood One’s 2016 State of American Podcasting report.

 Suzanne Grimes, President, Westwood One and EVP, Corporate Marketing for Cumulus Media, said, “Podcast hosts have strong, devoted listeners who trust what they have to say, both on the air and across social media. Advertisers are flocking to podcasts because they can create custom branded experiences natively woven into the fabric of the show and its digital extensions -- breaking through the clutter of our ever-evolving digital world.”

"Podcasts are growing in popularity with advertisers, because, like broadcast radio, listeners develop personal relationships with the show and hosts,” said Andy Sipple, SVP of Media Consulting at Advertiser Perceptions. “So ads that match the tenor and tone of the content come across like recommendations from a friend. The fact that podcasts are frequently more specialized or niche only makes the advertising that much more powerful."

AdLarge Media, New Mommy Media Ink Ad Sales Deal

Recent IAB Podcast Upfront presenter AdLarge Media has signed a deal for exclusive ad sales representation of New Mommy Media, a network of dynamic audio podcasts designed to grow with the listener and their child, from the first trimester to the terrible twos and beyond. The arrangement signals AdLarge’s foray into female lifestyle audio programming.

The brainchild of Mommy-In-Charge Sunny Gault, the New Mommy Media Network generates 60,000 downloads a month across a variety of targeted content choices. Each 30-minute program features intimate and genuine discussions with everyday parents and experts alike on relevant topics.

“We’ve been listening to the marketplace, and we are excited to bring New Mommy Media to our advertisers looking to reach the coveted female consumer,” said Yvonne Lacey, Vice President, Digital Sales Development for AdLarge Media. “New Mommy Media is a shining reflection of Sunny’s passion to help moms - and dads – everywhere, whether they’re trying to conceive, expecting twins, or juggling play dates for their toddler.”

“The New Mommy Media Network provides an essential on-the-go support group -- available anytime and anywhere -- to meet the demands of a parent’s busy schedule,” added Gault. “Moms make most purchasing decisions in their households, but with hectic schedules they rely heavily on advice from their peers and from professionals.” {Studies show that 64% of Moms seek out product reviews before making a purchase (PunchTab, 2013).  The highly desirable consumer group represents $2.4 trillion in spending power (Mom 3.0).}

Following the birth of her first child, Sunny Gault had no idea how she was going to transition from having a successful television career to being a full-time parent. She took the challenge head-on, and after combining her media background with her experiences as a new mom who had never even changed a diaper before, New Mommy Media was born (along with three more children!).  The five humorously titled podcasts currently on the network are: Preggie Pals, Newbies, Parent Savers, The Boob Group, and Twin Talks.

New Mommy Media podcasts are available on multiple platforms, including the recent Mom’s Choice Award-winning New Mommy Media Network app, where you can find all the programs in one place, as well as apps for each individual podcast. The podcasts also can be downloaded via iTunes, Stitcher, Spreaker, Tune-in, Google Play Music, and iHeartRadio.

Louisville Radio: Host Pleads Guilty To Reduced Charge

Jaison Gardner

A co-host of non-com WFPL 89.3 FM's Strange Fruit radio show and Black Lives Matter activist pleaded guilty Friday to an amended misdemeanor charge that supporters said stemmed from a rental car dispute.

Jaison Gardner, 36, was arrested Aug. 1 after police said that, while driving a 2016 Mazda, he cut erratically in front of a Louisville Metro Police detective, who then recognized Gardner as having an outstanding felony warrant out of Indianapolis, the Courier-Journal previously reported.

"While awaiting backup and verifying the warrant, the detective briefly surveilled the suspect and vehicle and also learned the vehicle had been reported and confirmed to have been stolen," police spokesman Dwight Mitchell said at the time.

Indiana court records show the warrant stemmed from a 2003 forgery and theft case out of Indianapolis, which is still pending.

He was charged with receiving stolen property over $10,000, a Class C felony. Gardner pleaded guilty Friday morning in Jefferson District Court to an amended charge of attempted receiving stolen property, a misdemeanor.

The local radio host was ordered to pay $145, court records show, and a one-year jail sentence was suspended, provided he doesn’t reoffend.

GA Radio: WQIL Flips To 80s-90s Based Smash Hits

New Generation Radio, headquartered out of the Washington, DC/Baltimore, MD area has added yet another affiliate for its Hot Adult Hits format, Smash Hits.

Friday morning, New Generation Radio’s Smash Hits entered central Georgia on 50,000 watt WQIL 101.3 FM.  The station had been Contemporary Christian branding as Faith FM.

New Generation Radio President and veteran radio programmer, Jason Kidd says, “We’re very excited to add yet another station in the southeast! Like many markets, there was a big hole here for a Gen-X leaning adult hits format. A station that caters to 25-54 adults by specializing in 80’s and 90’s hit music, as well as hits from today.”

Smash Hits, 101-3 transmits from Chauncey, GA and blankets central Georgia with 50,000 watts and will be voiced by Benztown’s # 1 rated voice, Pat Garrett. Smash Hits is an exciting music format that is customized for each market, targeting the Gen-X audience and concentrating on 80’s and 90’s hits. Not just rock or new wave, but ALL the hits!

WQIL 101.3 FM (50 Kw) Red=Local Coverage Area

Jason Kidd’s portfolio consists of 20+ years of programming experience in multiple formats. He spent 10 years programming for CBS Radio, most recently at WPGC in Washington, DC where in 2012, he posted the station’s highest ratings in PPM history (18-34, 18-49 and 25-54). Prior to WPGC, he programmed at WQSR Baltimore, WWMX Baltimore and KQBT Austin. Before joining CBS Radio, Jason spent five years with Clear Channel Entertainment programming WKST/Pittsburgh and WWHT Syracuse. He also held various programming and on air roles at Sirius/XM for six and a half years

FCC Call Sign Activity For August 2016

During the period the month of August 2016 the Commission accepted applications to assign call signs to, or change the call signs of the following broadcast stations.

September 10 Radio History

In 1933…Singer/pianist/comedian/actor Jimmy Durante made his first appearance on Eddie Cantor's "Chase and Sanborn Hour," and continued to perform on the NBC Radio program for two months. When Cantor left, Durante took over the show as its star for five months in 1934.


In 1935…The radio program "Popeye, the Sailor," with Detmar Poppen in the title role, debuted on the NBC Red Network. The 15-minute show was heard three times a week for six months.


In 1945...KLS-AM in Oakland California changed call letters to KWBR, eventually becoming KDIA 1310 AM.

For twenty-five years, the call letters KDIA were synonymous with soul music in the Bay Area, according to the Bay Area Radio Museum.  Descended from the pioneering Oakland station KLS — which itself was born from an early experimental station, 6XAM, in 1921 and became KWBR in 1945 — the 1,000-watt station had begun emphasizing programs that targeted the local African-American audience around the end of World War II.

By the late 1950s, while still known as KWBR, the station was competing with KSAN 1450 AM in San Francisco for black listeners with rhythm-and-blues music and popular disc jockeys, including Big Don Barksdale and Bouncin' Bill Doubleday. In July 1959, KWBR was sold for $550,000 to the Sonderling Stations group, operator of the legendary Memphis station, WDIA. On September 4, 1959, KWBR became KDIA, reflecting its new parentage. (Sonderling also owned KFOX in Los Angeles and WOPA in the Chicago suburb of Oak Park.)

Under Sonderling ownership and the management of Walter Conroy, KDIA directed its full programming effort toward the emerging black audience, keeping Don Barksdale and Bill Doubleday on its staff and adding high-caliber talent over the years that included Bay Area Radio Hall of Famer George Oxford (previously a competitor at KSAN), John Hardy, Belva Davis (later known for her television work at KRON, KPIX and KQED), Rosko (nom de radieux of William Roscoe Mercer), Roland Porter, Bob White, Bill Hall, Johnny Morris and Bob Jones. The station leveraged its dial position — 1310 AM — into its identity as "KDIA Lucky 13."

In 1965, KDIA's power was raised to 5,000 watts from a new transmitter facility near the Bay Bridge Toll Plaza which also housed the station's new studios and offices. The five-fold increase in power made KDIA a veritable powerhouse and helped to hasten the demise of the old KSAN, which had become KSOL in 1964. (Going full circle, it was another KSOL — this time on 107.7 FM — that would eventually end KDIA's supremacy in the late 1970s.)

The station thrived through the 1970s, but was sold by Sonderling to Viacom International in 1980. KDIA continued with an Urban Contemporary music format under Viacom until 1983, when the station was sold again (along with WDIA) to Ragan Henry. In 1984, KDIA changed hands once more, becoming the property of Adam Clayton Powell III, who flipped the station to All News KFYI.

After the failure of KFYI's news format, the station went off the air on April 9, 1985, only to be revived under new ownership as KDIA in October of that year. In subsequent years, the station was owned by future San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown and Oakland Mayor Elihu Harris, and by James Gabbert, who had also owned KIOI and KOFY. In 1997, Gabbert entered into an agreement to air the syndicated "Radio Disney" programming format on KDIA in advance of selling the station to ABC, Inc.  The station's call letters were changed to KMKY on January 20, 1998, and ABC purchased the station for $6.25-million in May 1998.

The KDIA call letters are currently assigned to the religious-formatted station known as "The Light For San Francisco," licensed in the city of Vallejo and operating at 1640 kHz.


In 1948…In Washington, DC, Mildred "Axis Sally" Gillars, a Nazi radio propagandist during World War II, was indicted for treason. Upon her conviction she spent 12 years in prison.


In 1962...The BBC banned Bobby "Boris" Pickett's Halloween novelty single "Monster Mash," finding it in poor taste. However, in 1973 the radio giant lifts the ban, sending a re-release of the holiday favorite to #3.


In 1984...The Federal Communications Commission changed a rule allowing broadcasters to own 12 AM and 12 FM radio stations. The previous limit was 7 of each.


In 1992...Howard Stern appeared as Fartman on the MTV Video Music Awards.


in 2001...Sean Hannity went into syndication


In 2004...Ken Minyard, the anchor of "Ken and Company" on KABC-AM, announced his retirement.

Bob Arthur, Ken Minyard

Ken Minyard (born in 1939) was featured on KABC 790 AM's morning Newstalk show in the early 1970s, but he is best remembered as a partner on the radio with Bob Arthur.  The "Ken and Bob Company" was Los Angeles' #1 rated radio show for almost 20 years on KABC.

The pair started their run in 1973, with the more talkative Minyard commenting on news events or quirky happenings, while Arthur, the more authoritative newsman, provided wry one-liners and snappy observations. That chemistry kept their program, “The Ken and Bob Company,” at No. 1 in the ratings for most of their tenure, and the pair never dropped out of the Top 3 among morning radio shows.

The LA Times reports the duo rarely worked from a script, and instead riffed on the day’s headlines. In explaining what made “Ken and Bob” work, Minyard said people appreciated their combination of professionalism and optimism. Arthur explained their popularity and longevity another way: “I've heard it said that it was like eavesdropping on a poker game where the stakes weren't very high.”

6600 Block of Hollywood Blvd.

After Arthur retired in 1990, Minyard soldiered on alone briefly, then partnered with Roger Barkley (of the former Los Angeles morning radio show Lohman and Barkley on KFWB and later KFI) for an additional 6 years, but the morning Los Angeles radio market was growing very competitive, particularly from an increasing number of FM morning talk shows. One Monday morning, Los Angeles tuned in to find that Roger Barkley was gone and Minyard was continuing with a new format. He commented at the time that Barkley was upset, but that the station demanded a change. "Talk radio, and radio in general, is tough", he once remarked. "You won't work forever". But Ken Minyard still had many more good years on Los Angeles radio.

Later he partnered with Peter Tilden on KABC and also had a 2-year pairing on a syndicated show with his son, Rick.

Santos Named Chair/CCO of Newly Formed iHLatino Division

iHeartMedia announced today it has joined forces with Hispanic radio legend Enrique Santos of Magnus Media to develop an unprecedented Hispanic multi-platform initiative that will leverage iHeartMedia’s reach of more than a quarter of a billion listeners monthly.

Under this new alliance, Santos will become Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of iHeartLatino, iHeartMedia’s new Hispanic platform, which builds on the company’s unique position as the number one Hispanic reach medium in the U.S. Today, iHeartMedia reaches 91% of the U.S. Hispanic population on a monthly basis — more Hispanics than any other media company, including Hispanic-targeted media companies.

Beginning in October, Santos will anchor iHeartMedia’s new Spanish-language station WMGE 94.9 FM rebranded as TÚ 94.9, which launched at 12 p.m. Friday, September 9. TÚ 94.9 will be the new home of the top rated Enrique Santos Show on weekday mornings. In addition to headlining the TÚ 94.9 lineup, Santos’ show will also be syndicated by Premiere Networks on Spanish-speaking stations across the U.S. beginning in October.

WMGE 94.9 (100 Kw) Red=Local Coverage Area

In addition, Santos will advance iHeartMedia’s efforts to activate the Hispanic audience across all of the company’s platforms; develop new Latino-focused programming and content; identify and develop new talent for the company in the Hispanic arena; and play a major role in iHeartMedia’s marquee live events – including the iHeartRadio Music Awards and the iHeartRadio Music Festival – and host the iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina.

“Enrique is a one-of a-kind talent, able to communicate equally as well to the Spanish and English speaking audiences. He also has unparalleled relationships within the Latino music and advertising industries and we look forward to building on those opportunities,” said Bob Pittman, Chairman and CEO of iHeartMedia, Inc. “With the entire iHeartMedia platform and its enormous reach at his disposal, he will be able to amplify his already successful profile and talents as well as create new content and opportunities for iHeartMedia and our consumers.”

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to be joining forces with iHeartMedia at this point in my career,” said Santos. “From our very first meeting, Bob and his team impressed me with their leadership and intense commitment to serve our community as a major priority. The iHeartMedia team’s forward looking approach coupled with the company’s massive reach provides the perfect foundation for us to create the next generation of transmedia entertainment for Latinos across the nation.”

Atlanta Radio: English Nick Moves To Middays On WSRV

English Nick

Cox Media Group (CMG) and Atlanta's Classic Hits WSRV 97.1 FM The River, have announced the moving of English Nick to middays, which has been jockless.

Beginning Monday, Sept. 12, a familiar voice will entertain Atlanta in middays, as English Nick shifts from his position as the weeknight host into middays. English Nick has been on weeknights at 97.1 The River since January of this year and previously Nick had been a weekend and fill-in host on The River for four years.

Prior to joining CMG in 2011, Nick worked at other Atlanta rock stations including WNNX, 99X and 96 Rock.

Chris Eagan, Director of Branding and Programming, said, “Nick is a well-known name in the market who is loved by the River audience, and! I’m thrilled to bring him and his English accent (yes, it’s real) to middays!”

WSRV 97.1 FM (100 Kw) Red=Local Coverage Area

“Monday, Sept. 12 is going to be a great day in Atlanta radio as I get to be part of the soundtrack for the River Workforce,” added Nick. “I’m so excited to be part of the best classic rock crew in town, coming on after Steve Craig in the morning and setting it up for Kaedy Kiely in afternoons.”

No word on what's next for the night shift.

FCC Chief Unveils Revised Pay-TV Set-Top Box Rules

(Reuters) -- The chairman of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission on Thursday unveiled revised proposed rules to allow tens of millions of Americans to drop costly rented pay-TV set-top boxes for programing and get service through app-based software.

The plan, first proposed in January and updated on Thursday, is aimed at ending the cable industry's long domination of the $20-billion-a-year set-top box market and lowering prices for consumers. Nearly all pay-TV subscribers lease set-top boxes from their cable, satellite or telecommunications providers at an average annual cost of $231.

In recent months, the plan drew fierce opposition from television and content providers, including AT&T Inc, Comcast Corp and Twenty-First Century Fox Inc. AT&T criticized Wheeler's revised proposal as "overbroad" and "unnecessary."

A vote by the five-member commission is expected on Sept. 29. The new rules would require companies covering 95 percent of U.S. TV subscribers to comply by September 2018.

"If adopted, these consumer-first rules would pave the way for a competitive marketplace for new devices that enhance the TV-watching experience. Bottom line: consumers will no longer have to rent a set-top box just to watch the programing they already pay for," FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler wrote in a blog post.

Wheeler initially proposed in January open standards for set-top boxes allowing tech companies to re-imagine the delivery of video content. The new proposal grants device makers the ability to integrate cable company apps.

The plan would also include a licensing body to ensure that pay-TV companies do not enter into anti-competitive agreements and allow for "integrated search" of different content providers. Pay-TV providers would be required to provide their apps to platforms like Roku, Apple iOS, Windows and Android, the FCC said.

Set-top box rental fees have jumped 185 percent since 1994, while the cost of televisions, computers and mobile phones has dropped 90 percent, the FCC has estimated.

Comcast said in a statement that Wheeler's "latest tortured approach is equally flawed" as his initial plan, violates federal law and would harm consumers. Comcast added that the proposal would impose "an overly complicated government licensing regime and heavy-handed regulation in a fast-moving technological space."

Cable companies have previously expressed concerns that rivals like Alphabet Inc or Apple Inccould create devices or apps and insert their own content or advertising in cable content.

U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal backed Wheeler's proposal.

"Consumers don’t have to rent computers from their broadband providers or DVD players from their cable companies – set-top boxes should be no different," Blumenthal said in a statement.

Chip Pickering, head of the trade group INCOMPAS that includes Amazon.com, Google, Facebook Inc and Netflix Inc, praised Wheeler's plan, saying it would allow for "lower prices, more choice and the freedom to discover new and exciting content streaming online."

Megyn Kelly Defends Matt Lauer

Megyn Kelly

Fox News host Megyn Kelly came to fellow broadcaster Matt Lauer’s defense Thursday night after the NBC anchor had been raked over the coals for his handling of his network’s presidential forum the night before.

Many media pundits and even journalists have suggested Lauer was sexist in his questioning of Hillary Clinton and soft when it came to Donald Trump. But according to Kelly, who is friends with Lauer, the hubbub is really only about one thing: he didn’t please the “left-wing press.”

According to TheBlaze, most of the criticism revolved around his decision to intensely question the Democratic candidate on her use of a private email server during her tenure as secretary of state. By the same token, many critiqued Lauer for not fact-checking Trump’s claim that he has always been against the Iraq War. In 2003, he gave a tepid endorsement of the invasion during an interview with radio host Howard Stern.

“You can’t win in this election, you can’t win,” Kelly said. “Especially, with all due respect to our brethren, the left-wing press, because they wanna see you kill Trump. And if you try to throw too much shade at Hillary, then they wanna kill you.”


Howard Kurtz, Fox’s media analyst and host of the network’s “MediaBuzz” show, argued Lauer did a “solid job” with his questioning of Clinton and Trump, telling Kelly that a lot of the criticism from the left-leaning media is because they feel the NBC host “should have smashed [Trump] to smithereens.”

The Fox host did ultimately agree Trump should have been more thoroughly questioned on his claim about never supporting the Iraq War, but still said Lauer did a good job getting the billionaire businessman to talk about the issues.

Was Hillary Wearing Earbud During NBC Forum?

While Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump each generated headlines about comments made Wednesday night at a candidates’ forum, the buzz Thursday was more about a report claiming Clinton relied on a “micro” earbud as she fielded questions about national security — a claim her campaign vigorously denied, according to Fox News.

The website True Pundit quoted unnamed New York police sources saying Clinton was wearing an “inductive earpiece” during the NBC forum hosted by Matt Lauer. The website described the unit as the kind of tech used by stage actors in need of prompting to recite forgotten lines.

Two senior campaign aides, though, told Fox News the report is absolutely not true.

True Pundit published a zoomed-in image of Clinton’s left ear showing a shiny reflection purported to be a stealth communications device.

The site claimed to be quoting NYPD sources involved in the forum’s security detail. True Pundit reported that such technology could be used to receive cues from a long distance.

But Clinton spokesman Nick Merrill said what is seen in the photo is merely a reflection of the TV lights or a flash.

Geraldo Regrets Discounting Ailes' Allegations

Geraldo Rivera

Fox News correspondent Geraldo Rivera is apologizing for his initial reaction to Gretchen Carlson's lawsuit against Roger Ailes.

According to CNN, Rivera says he is "filled with regret" for his instinctive support of Ailes, the Fox News chairman who resigned in July under a cloud of sexual harassment allegations.

"It became apparent that Gretchen was not alone in alleging abhorrent behavior behind his closed doors. Now I am filled with regret for stubbornly discounting their various allegations," Rivera wrote.
Rivera's message, published on Facebook on Thursday night, implied that he now believes Ailes did behave inappropriately.

"The Murdochs," the owners of 21st Century Fox, "would not have turned the world upside down but for good cause," he wrote while apologizing for his "skepticism."

"Like victims of sexual assault, those alleging harassment deserve the presumption of credibility," he wrote.


Rivera is one of more than a dozen prominent Fox reporters and hosts who rallied to Ailes' defense when Carlson sued in July.

Some of their comments came under severe scrutiny after Ailes resigned. Earlier this week, Fox settled Carlson's lawsuit to the tune of $20 million. The company issued an unusual public apology to her.

Fox has also completed private settlements with a "handful" of other women who accused Ailes of harassment.

Ailes, through his lawyers, has denied the allegations.

WWOne Sports Scores Interview With Suspended QB Tom Brady

Tom Brady

On Thursday night's NFL kickoff game, Pats QB Tom Brady spoke with radio show Westwood One Sports about his 'Deflategate' suspension, his first national interview about the suspension.

In the interview with Westwood One's Jim Gray, Brady said he decision not to pursue the 'Deflategate' suspension any further was "a personal decision to move on."

He added that "it went on for a long time" and he "wanted to put it behind him."

Brady also told Gray "I'm really trying to take it day by day."


The Patriots kick off their season on Sunday night against the Arizona Cardinals, without their starting quarterback.

Buffalo Radio: WGR Extends Sports Radio Broadcast Deals

Entercom/Buffalo has announced it has extended its radio broadcast deal with Pegula Sports and Entertainment, whose holdings include the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres.

The agreement will run through the respective 2020-2021 seasons for both teams and keep the radio broadcasts on Sports WGR 550 AM. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Continuing to unite Bills and Sabres radio properties on one network best serves the needs of our passionate fans as we move forward as ‘One Buffalo’,” said Russ Brandon, Pegula Sports and Entertainment COO and Bills and Sabres president.

According to the Buffalo Business Journal, Brandon called the deal key to creating a “one-stop shop” when it comes to sports coverage in the Buffalo Niagara market.

Entercom Buffalo has built day-long Bills and Sabres coverage into its broadcast packages including shows with former Sabres Andrew Peters and Craig Rivet and a Bills-themed show, led by veteran broadcaster John Murphy.

WGR 550 AM (5 Kw, DA-N)

“The Bills and Sabres are Western New York’s passion and an important element of this community,” said Greg Ried, Entercom Buffalo vice president and general manager.

Collectively, the Bills and Sabres networks extend to 20 radio stations in New York state, northwestern Pennsylvania and Southern Ontario.

Jax Radio: Cody Black New PD At WXXJ, WJGL

Cody Black

Cox Media Group (CMG) Jacksonville has promoted Cody Black to Director of Branding and Programming for both Alternative WXXJ X102.9 FM  and Classic Hits WJGL 96.9 FM The Eagle.

Black started at CMG Jacksonville in a part-time capacity in 2010, was promoted to full-time in the Promotions department in 2012 and has been working in Programming with X102.9 since July 2015.

He adds programming responsibilities for 96.9 The Eagle that were previously held by Aaron Schachter who is now the Director of Digital Content for both CMG Orlando and Jacksonville.

“Cody is a great testament to what hard work, patience and leadership training can do for your career,” said CMG Jacksonville Operations Manager Todd Shannon. “He started with us in 2010 and has learned many facets of our business in a very short amount of time. I am very excited to see Cody continue to make X102.9 one of the most respected Alternative stations in the country and add to the current success of 96.9 The Eagle.”

“The last year at X102.9 has been an absolute blast, and now I have the opportunity to oversee the legendary 96.9 The Eagle. This is the dream!” said Black. “Thank you to everyone at Cox Media Group for making it easy to succeed in the best media company on earth. A very special thank you to Bill Hendrich, Susan Larkin, Steve Smith, Todd Shannon, and Keith Hastings. You are the best in the business and it’s truly an honor to work under your leadership!”

Bend OR Radio: KLTW Rebrands As Ben 95.7 FM

Horizon Broadcasting Group says it has amended the format of KLTW 95.7 FM to Adult Hits branding as 95.7 BEN FM… Playing Whatever!

“We’re excited to create a radio station for Central Oregon that is focused on playing whatever Ben wants,” said Horizon Broadcasting Group Market Manager Jess Hanson. “The station is targeted to adults who like a variety of music genres, and we plan to focus on playing hit records that appeal to men 25-54, and deliver an audience of prime consumers for our advertisers.”

95.7 BEN FM’s playlist includes artists like Bon Jovi, Prince, Madonna, Def Leppard, The Beatles, Phil Collins, The Police, Guns n’ Roses, Wham, ELO, Fleetwood Mac, Paul McCartney, Rob Thomas, U2, David Bowie, Bob Seger, MC Hammer, Van Halen, Chicago, KC and the Sunshine Band, Michael Jackson, AC/DC, Billy Joel, No Doubt, John Cougar Mellencamp, Matchbox 20, Prince, Pat Benatar, Earth, Wind and Fire and the B-52’s.

KLTW 95.7 FM (100 Kw) Red=Local Coverage Area 

95.7 BEN FM is the new home of the 12’s in Central Oregon, and will broadcast all Seattle Seahawks games live.

“95.7 MY FM will remain actively involved in the community, promoting events like Alive After 5 and a variety of non-profit events with whom Horizon Broadcasting Group has partnered,” noted Hanson.

Nashville Radio: The Delanie Walker Show Debuts On 104.5 The Zone

Delanie Walker

Cumulus Media-Nashville has announced that Tennessee Titans’ Tight End Delanie Walker will join the Midday 180 Team on WGFX 104.5 FM The Zone for a LIVE 1-hour show beginning Tuesday, September 13, 2016, from 1pm-2pm CST.

The announcement was made Thursday by Brad Willis, Program Director for 104.5 The Zone and Titans Radio.

Walker joins broadcaster Chad Withrow, Jonathan Hutton and Paul Kuharsky for the weekly Delanie Walker show with a LIVE studio audience in the 104.5 The Zone Music Performance Studio brought to you by Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee. The show will provide an insider’s perspective into the game and other current events. “As a Pro Bowler and a leader for the Tennessee Titans both on the field and in the community we are excited to partner with Delanie on the Delanie Walker show,” said Brad Willis, Program Director, 104.5 The Zone.

Walker said, “I am honored to be part of the most listened to sports station in Nashville and look forward to connecting with the fans and letting people know who I am and what I am about.”

Walker will debut on 104.5 The Zone’s Delanie Walker Show on September 13, 2016, during the 2016 Tennessee Titans season.

104.5 The Zone is the official broadcast partner of the Tennessee Titans, providing the game day broadcast play-by-play from Mike Keith, sideline reporting by Jonathan Hutton and with analysis by former Titan Frank Wycheck, in addition to two hours of pre- and post-game local coverage during the Lee Company Countdown to Kickoff.

Trump University Trial May Have to Wait for The Turtles

Donald Trump’s lead lawyer defending the presidential candidate’s defunct real estate seminars venture against fraud claims may have to first fight the 1960s group The Turtles in a copyright trial.

According to Bloomberg, a federal judge in Los Angeles rejected lawyer Dan Petrocelli’s request to move the Nov. 15 trial in which he’s defending SiriusXM Radio Inc. against former members of the band. Petrocelli has said that will make it impossible for him to adequately prepare for the Trump trial now set to begin less than two weeks later.

The judge in the Trump University case in San Diego scheduled a jury trial for Nov. 28 so the case could be decided after the presidential election but before a possible inauguration. At an Aug. 26 court hearing, Petrocelli told U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel that he would ask to have the trial moved to mid-January if he wasn’t able to win a delay of The Turtles trial.

The Trump University case is one of two class-action lawsuits by former enrollees who claim they were cheated into paying as much as $35,000 for real-estate investment seminars. The students allege they were lured by false promises that the seminars would be taught by instructors who were hand-picked by Trump and that they would learn the billionaire’s investment secrets.

In the case filed by The Turtles band members, Petrocelli is defending the satellite-radio provider in a class-action lawsuit by owners of pre-1972 recordings who seek payment under California law for their songs being played on the radio. Sirius XM settled similar claims by major record companies for $210 million.

Philly Radio: Curt Schilling Talks Tebow, Trashes ESPN

Curt Schilling

“Hey listen, the guy is a great athlete, but I played with thousands of great athletes,” Schilling told Howard Eskin and Joe Giglio on the WIP 94.1 FM Afternoon Show. “The quote that I think probably got Larry [Bowa]’s blood boiling and the one the kinda got my hair on end is the quote of, ‘He was a really good hitter in high school.’ Well, you know what? So was I."

This was no disrespect to Tim Tebow. There’s no chance on this planet that he plays in the big leagues if he’s treated like a professional baseball player. No chance. None,” according to CBS Local.

Tebow, who hit .494 with four homers and 30 RBIs as a junior at Nease High School in Ponte Vedra, Florida, worked out for the majority of MLB teams on August 30th.

“I watched the video, I saw him playing. Again, that’s a great swing…in high school,” Schilling, a six-time all-star and three-time world series champion pitcher, said.



On Thursday, the New York Mets are reportedly signing Tebow to a minor-league contract.

“You knew someone was gonna sign him because it’s gonna bring in money and it’s gonna put people in the seats,” Schilling said on Thursday. “But there’s only so many roster spots and on most of those teams and most of those leagues, so some kid who baseball has been his whole life is not playing right now.”

Philly Radio: Karen Vaughn New OM For Radio One Cluster

Karen Vaughn

Radio One/Philadelphia has announced the promotion of Karen Vaughn as the Operations Manager of the three station cluster in the fourth largest media market in the country.

She has been afternoon host on Indianapolis’ heritage radio station WTLC 106.7 FM, and Program Director for WTLC-FM, WTLC-AM, WHHH-FM and Boom.  Vaughn will lead Radio One Philadelphia’s Old School WRNB 100.3 FM, Praise WPPZ 103.9 FM and WPHI 107.9 FM BOOM stations.

Shawneen Thompson, Vice President, General Manager of Radio One Philadelphia says, “I’m excited to promote Karen and welcome her to Philadelphia. She went to Temple University, so she’s no stranger to our great city. I have every confidence the combination of her on-air, programming and leadership experience across a diverse mix of formats has prepared her for this role.”

Karen’s broadcast career spans across the country and has been well recognized. Prior to Radio One Indianapolis, she worked at WZAK-FM in Cleveland and Hot 105 in Miami. She has been honored as Assistant Program Director and Music Director of the Year from Billboard Magazine, Radio and Records Magazine and Gavin Magazine. Her Radio show has also been nominated for Urban Radio Personality/Show of the year, named on R&R Magazine’s “Women on the Rise” Top Ten list. Most recently Karen has been inducted in the Broadcaster’s Hall of Fame.

“Karen has done an exceptional job with our Indy cluster. She is a leader and visionary,” said Colby Colb, Vice President, Programming, Radio One. “We are excited to promote her once again to Philadelphia for her to take that cluster to the next level. She’s a great example of what hard work and ingenuity produces.”

DMLive HopeLine Provides Suicide Intervention

Benztown, the radio imaging, production library, programming, jingles and voice-over services company, has announced that nationally syndicated weekly talk show Dawson McAllister Live (DMLive) intervened in over 1,000 potential suicides in the month of August through TheHopeLine, setting a record for successful suicide interventions by the organization in a single month.

TheHopeLine is an off-air chat hotline created by DMLive host, internationally recognized youth communicator Dawson McAllister, where one-on-one conversations effect change in the lives of teenagers and young adults. The volume of people effectively served by TheHopeLine is significant, given that September is National Suicide Prevention Month.

DMLive is a three-hour weekly show heard on over 50 stations throughout the U.S. and Canada. The call-in talk show provides a forum where teenagers and young adults can talk about the problems they are facing, including: divorce, depression, cutting, suicide, drug addictions, eating disorders and family issues.

Dawson McAllister, Jessica McVay

McAllister began his national radio show in the early ‘90’s on various Christian radio stations. Starting with only five stations, DMLive grew to nationwide distribution, and in 1994 was voted National Religious Broadcaster’s Talk Show of the Year. Shortly after the start of DMLive on radio, it became clear that radio alone was not enough to meet the needs of young listeners. Compelled by the burgeoning needs of hurting young callers, McAllister created TheHopeLine and grew the show’s outreach through affiliations across mainstream radio. Today, TheHopeLine serves thousands each month, with the objective of helping people become released from despair by offering clear thinking and right values concerning the issues they are dealing with at the time. Through TheHopeLine, HopeCoaches are available 24/7 by live chat.

TheHopeLine has over a dozen vetted partner organizations to provide longer-term care and services to those seeking help, advice and healing.

Benztown President Dave “Chachi” Denes said: “DMLive and TheHopeLine provide a lifeline and a message of hope that every community can benefit from. Dawson, his co-host Jai McVay, and DMLive  are clearly connecting with teens and young adults in a profound and powerful way, as evidenced by the number of suicide interventions in the month of August alone.”

Host Dawson McAllister adds: “There are so many teenagers and young adults who need help, and we are grateful that DMLive, TheHopeLine and our station partners are working together to provide that help when they most need it. We thank the programmers and other leaders in radio who join us every week to make a life-changing difference for people and families in communities across the country.”

For more information and to get Dawson McAllister Live in your market for cash or barter, visit http://www.benztown.com/programming/dawson-mcallister-live or contact Masa Patterson at Benztown at mp@benztown.com or (818) 842-4600.

9/11 Drama On Air Force One Preserved On Handwritten Notes

By Steve Holland

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The notes are handwritten on a legal pad and provide a verbatim account of the shock, pain and grim determination aboard Air Force One on Sept. 11, 2001.

Ari Fleischer

They were scribbled by Ari Fleischer, press secretary for President George W. Bush, and he is releasing them to mark the 15th anniversary on Sunday of the worst attack on American soil since Japanese forces bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941.

There are six pages in all, the only original verbatim text of what Bush said on Air Force One as he and his senior aides absorbed the news.

"We’re at war," Bush told Vice President Dick Cheney. Hanging up and turning to his aides, he added: "When we find out who did this, they're not going to like me as president. Somebody's going to pay."

Fleischer adopted the role of presidential note taker as Air Force One lifted off from Florida after the twin towers in New York and the Pentagon were attacked by hijacked passenger jets.

Ari Fleischer photo 9/11/01

"I always took notes. It's how you do your job," Fleischer  told Reuters. "But on Sept. 11 it was instantly clear how much more important it was to have a record of what the president did and said. I basically glued myself to his side almost the entire day and remained in his cabin on Air Force One to listen and take notes."

President Bush, Ari Fleischer 9/11/01

Much of the material has been part of the public record. Fleischer has used them for annual tweets about Sept. 11 and in speeches and made them available to the commission that investigated the 9/11 attacks. But he has not previously released them in full to the public.

The story that unfolds in Fleischer's penmanship begins with the raw emotions Bush and his aides experienced, the president already itching to retaliate.

"I can't wait to find out who did it," Bush said. "It's going to take a while and we're not going to have a little slap on the wrist crap."

There is a dramatic period in which Bush tries to overcome opposition from the Secret Service to letting him return to Washington. The plane first took him to Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, then Offutt air base in Nebraska. He got back to Washington that night.

"I want to get home as soon as possible," Bush said. "I don't want whoever this is holding me outside Washington."

An aide responded: "Our people are saying it's too unsteady still."

Bush said that was the message he was hearing from Cheney as well.

Bush chief of staff Andy Card said, "The right thing is to let the dust settle."

Fleischer's notes include an eerie reference to a communication heard on the plane from the ground that "Angel is next." Because Air Force One's codename at the time was "angel," there was worry onboard that the plane was a target.

He said an armed guard was stationed outside the door leading to the Air Force One cockpit, just in case someone was a threat on the plane itself.

A month later, Bush and his team were told the reference to "angel" was a miscommunication from the ground. One offshoot of the 9/11 attacks was a major renovation of Air Force One's communications abilities.

The president, only in office for eight months, had another priority in mind as well: making sure his family was safe. Bush's wife, Laura, and their two daughters were whisked to secure locations.

    "Barney?" Bush said, inquiring about his beloved Scottish terrier.

    "He's nipping at the heels of Osama bin Laden now," said Card.

NJ Radio: WAWZ Sponsors Unique 9/11 Memorial

WAWZ Star 99.1 FM, a Christian radio station based in Zarephath NJ has amassed 2,996 pairs, to symbolize the 2,996 victims who died in the terrorist attacks.

Saturday those shoes will be on display at the Zarephath Christian Church, with a small American flag placed with every pair.

The empty shoes, symbolizing those who no longer walk among us, will be on display through Sept. 16.

According to MediaLife, Todd Beamer, who famously yelled, “Let’s roll” as the members of Flight 93 stormed their hijacked plane’s cockpit, attended the church.

“The Empty Shoe Memorial will be a visually moving tribute designed to remember the men, women and children who died, honor our uniformed heroes and celebrate the spirit of strength and unity that surfaced in the days following,” says the station on its website.

The station relied on the donations of the community to get all the shoes, setting up donation events at malls, auto dealers, churches, retailers and festivals.

When the memorial has finished on Sept. 18, the station will donate all the shoes to the charity Soles 4 Souls, which collects shoes for those in need across the world.