December 11 Radio History

In 1936...One day after officially abdicating the British throne to marry American divorcée Wallis Warfield Simpson, the former King Edward VIII said in a radio broadcast, "I have found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of responsibility, and to discharge my duties as King as I would wish to do, without the help and support of the woman I love."

In 1944..."The Chesterfield Supper Club," a 15-minute weekday program airing at 7:00 p.m. (ET), debuted on NBC Radio. Initially, Perry Como hosted all the shows. Beginning with the second season, he reduced his schedule to Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, while Jo Stafford hosted Tuesdays and Thursdays. In 1948, Peggy Lee took over the Thursday broadcast. In 1949, the program began its final two years on radio as a weekly 30-minute show.



In 1954...Allan Waters purchased 10-year old Toronto radio station CHUM 1050 AM from patent medicine king Jack Part, for shares Waters held in Part’s companies, and $500 a month.

CHUM 1050 AM (50 Kw-DA) Red-Local Coverage

CHUM was a 1000 watt daytime-only station, which Waters built into a 50,000 watt top 40 juggernaut.

In 1964...Soul and gospel singer Sam Cooke was shot to death. He was 33. The manager of a Los Angeles motel claimed she shot Cooke in self-defense after he turned on her when she tried to help a young woman who said Cooke had tried to rape her

In 1985...GE, General Electric, bought RCA Corporation for $6.3 billion. NBC Radio and Television was also included in the purchase.


In 1991...Robert Q. Lewis, personality for  WNEW 1130 AM , WNBC 660 AM, KHJ, 1961-62; KFI, 1972-75; KRLA, 1975 in Los Angelesm  died at 71 years-of-age.

Robert Q Lewis - 1956

Lewis made his radio debut in 1931, at age 11, on a local radio show, "Dr. Posner's Kiddie Hour". He enrolled in the University of Michigan in 1938, where he was a member of the Phi Sigma Delta fraternity. He left to enlist in the U.S. Army in 1942 and became a radio operator in the Signal Corps.

After the war, he became an announcer and disc jockey.  Among those who served as writers on Lewis's radio programs were playwright Neil Simon, author and dramatist Paddy Chayevsky, and radio comedy writer Goodman Ace,  who headed a CBS team of comedy writers, including Simon, that acted largely as "script doctors" for existing shows in need of fixing. Ace was frustrated over CBS's revamp of the show he assembled for Lewis, The Little Show: "I give them a good, tight, fifteen-minute comedy show," Ace told Time, "and what do they do? Expand it to half an hour and throw in an orchestra and an audience. Who the hell said a comedy show had to be half an hour, Marconi? Ida Cantor?"

Future talk-show host and producer Merv Griffin often sang on Lewis's show. Lewis began appearing on television, but he continued on radio, first for the CBS and later as a disc jockey in Los Angeles. One of his radio series, Robert Q.'s Waxworks, was devoted to old records, setting the pattern that later radio personalities like Dr. Demento would follow.  His interview-based program was heard locally on KFI, Los Angeles, in 1972.




In 1992...WNEW 1130 AM, New York City ended broadcasting after 58 years.
WNEW ended live programming on December 11, 1992 at 8pm; they then ran their regularly scheduled talk shows.

During overnights and on the weekend, WNEW simulcasted Country WYNY, except for Giants games and the evening talk shows.

December 15, 1992 marked the end of WNEW programming.

At 4pm that day, WNEW ran the Perry Como Christmas Show, then the talk shows from 7 to midnight.

At 11:59pm, they cut in to Larry King, did an ID and signed off forever.

Orlando Radio: Programming Vet Chris Kampmeier Retires At iHM

iHeartMedia announced Friday that noted programming veteran Chris Kampmeier will retire on December 31, 2016. The company has named Rick Everett as Kampmeier’s replacement, effective January 1, 2017.

Chris Kampmeier

Kampmeier has over 45 years of experience in the radio industry and most recently served as the Regional VP of Programming for iHeartMedia’s North Florida Region. He also worked as the SVP of Programming for iHeartMedia-Orlando for 20 years, as well as PD for WYNY/New York City and VP of Programming for Transtar/Unistar in Los Angeles. Kampmeier’s background also includes working as a PD at WDAE-AM/Tampa, WPLR/New Haven, KESZ/Phoenix and KMGR/Salt Lake City.

“iHeartMedia’s North Florida station brands are recognized as industry leaders in ratings, digital, revenue, profit and innovation,” said Kampmeier. “Going out on my own terms and on top is a good thing! My partnership with our amazing executive team has been deeply satisfying and I am grateful for their support over the years. My biggest honor has been to serve alongside the programmers and air talent, and the wondrous creativity they bring every day. I am proud to have been a radio man for the last 47 years and am excited for the long term future of our industry.”

“We’re going to miss Chris deeply,” said Linda Byrd, President for iHeartMedia’s North Florida Region. “He’s been my work husband for over 17 years. By most accounts, we have the top five stations in both ratings and revenue in the Orlando market, which is an accomplishment that wouldn’t have happened without Chris.”

As the new Region VP of Programming, Everett will work with radio station personalities and program directors to oversee on-air content and music programming for all 41 radio station brands across eight markets in the North Florida Region.

Rick Everett

Everett has worked with iHeartMedia-Orlando for 19 years, most recently serving as PD for 101.1 WJRR and 96.9 The Game, and Director of Marketing and Promotions for the Orlando market. His experience also includes various programming and promotions positions in Jacksonville.

“I’m grateful to the amazing team at iHeartMedia Orlando and I’m excited we will continue working together,” said Everett. “I want to thank Linda Byrd and Gene Romano for this incredible opportunity, and I’m especially grateful to Chris for his mentorship over the last 19 years, which helped make this opportunity possible. I look forward to working with the North Florida Region to continue its track record of success, and bring our radio station brands to new heights!”

“With change comes opportunity,” continued Byrd. “Rick has been in training for this job a long time. He is a natural, having worked side by side with me and the Orlando team for over 19 years. He is trusted and respected by everyone in our building. I’m lucky to have him on the bench and can’t wait to see how he embraces this new position.”

ABC News' Nightline Profiles Glenn Beck

Radio talk show host Glenn Beck known for being combative and controversial, is now trying to become a moderate voice of reason, in the nation’s post-election climate.

Today, Beck says, a lot of the time, he’s “trying to figure out how to be a more responsible person.”

ABC News' Nightline was invited to spend a day with Beck at TheBlaze headquarters outside of Dallas. The Blaze is Beck’s media network, housed inside an old movie studio.

On the day Nightline visited, Beck arrived at just past 6 a.m. He was one of the first in the office, pausing to paint before touring construction progress of his new show set. A legendary workaholic, Beck got into make-up, had a quick meeting with his staff and then went on-air. Close to 4 million listeners per week tune into his three-hour daily radio show with additional audiences watching online and on TV.

For years, Beck has been the jock of shock. But more recently, much of his rage has been directed towards Donald Trump, who he called a “dictator in the making.”

Beck strongly opposed Trump during the campaign, campaigning alongside Sen. Ted Cruz during the primaries. Despite the barbs he once threw at the president-elect, today Beck is cautiously trying to turn the page.

Poisonous is one of the few G-rated words liberals use to describe Beck. Staunchly conservative, he says he wants to be a bridge builder not a flame thrower, but he remains critical of President Obama.

Beck said he doesn’t consider himself a healer but when it comes to bringing people together, he said, “I am going to do it in my own life, and I’m going to do it in my own business. I am inviting you to make the commitment to do the same thing.”


ABC Breaking News | Latest News Videos

But despite this new tone, Beck is aware that he still has enemies. He has security with him 24/7 and said he is told he receives anywhere between 15 and 18 death threats every day against him and his family.

He admits that some portion of the bitterness in America was fueled by commentators like himself, but it’s a divide he now hopes to bridge.

Glenn Beck Pulls Researcher From Iraq For Shooting at ISIS

A former Marine is suspended from working in the field for media outlet TheBlaze after he posted a photo of himself on Twitter purportedly shooting a rifle at Islamic State (ISIS) militants.

Jason Buttrill is the chief researcher for the Glenn Beck-owned network. He was embedded with Iraqi troops this week as they fight to take back the city of Mosul from ISIS' grip.

The Hill reported Friday evening, however, that Buttrill has been suspended over the incident.

"Jason Buttrill is a valued researcher for Mercury Radio Arts for a television show that airs on TheBlaze network," Mercury Radio Arts, the parents company of TheBlaze, said in a statement. "Given his military and security background, Mr. Buttrill was offered the opportunity for an important research assignment in Iraq. Due to his conduct, Mercury Radio Arts has recalled him back to the U.S. He has been suspended from further field research assignments."

Buttrill tweeted the photo in question on Thursday. Jason Stern of the Committee to Protect Journalists replied and said his actions were dangerous to all journalists.

The reprimand by The Blaze comes after Jason Stern of the Committee to Protect Journalists warned Buttrill that his actions could be deadly for other journalists in or near war zones.

“Jason, journalists are detained and killed all over the world over false accusations of being combatants,” Stern tweeted on Friday. “This doesn't help.”

Mercury Radio Arts, which owns The Blaze, did not indicate how long Buttrill would be suspended in a statement.

Garth Brooks In Talks for Trump Inaugural Celebrations

(Reuters) -- Country star Garth Brooks is in discussions to perform at the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, the singer's representative said on Friday, as organizers of the event denied media reports that they were struggling to find A-list stars to take part.

Brooks, 54, one of the world's best-selling solo artists, performed for Democrat Barack Obama's inauguration in 2009, along with a line-up that included Bruce Springsteen, U2, Beyonce, and Stevie Wonder.

"Garth has performed for the five living presidents," his publicist Nancy Seltzer said on Friday. "While rumor has it that he has been asked to perform for President-elect Trump, he has not been able to commit yet."

No celebrities have yet been announced as taking part in the Jan. 20 inauguration.

Brooks, a Country Hall of Famer with U.S. sales of more than 135 million albums, is currently in Hawaii as part of a world tour. He is due to perform in Cincinnati, Ohio on Jan. 21 - the day after the inauguration in Washington.

Asked on camera by celebrity website TMZ earlier this week if he would sing for Trump, Brooks replied "It's always about serving. It's what you do."

Brooks stayed silent during the divisive election in which most stars, including Beyonce, Katy Perry, Jay-Z and Jennifer Lopez, threw their support behind Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Boris Epshteyn

Hollywood trade publication Variety suggested on Friday that the inaugural committee would have its work cut out trying to match the celebrity turnout for Obama in 2009 given the opposition of much of Hollywood to Trump.

Elton John's spokeswoman last month denied a claim by one member of Trump's team that the British singer would perform.

Boris Epshteyn, communications director for Trump's inaugural committee, on Friday denied it was having problems assembling talent.

"We have world-class talent, world-class entertainers reaching out to us offering their help, offering their services so no struggle, whatsoever," Epshteyn told ABC television news.

The inaugural committee on Friday announced that the theme for the Jan. 20 celebrations would be "Make America Great Again" - the Republican businessman's campaign slogan.

The committee said Trump would attend two official inaugural balls on Jan. 20, down from the 10 attended by Obama.

"This is a workman-like inaugural. This is not a coronation," Epshteyn said. "And you've seen some inaugurals in the past that maybe did seem like a coronation. Again, it's every president's choice. This president wants to get to work."

Murdoch Makes New Pay-TV Bid For U-K's Sky

(Reuters) --  Rupert Murdoch's new takeover approach for British pay-TV firm Sky should be investigated by the UK's competition authorities, according to the former minister who referred the tycoon's previous bid.

Vince Cable, who was Britain's business secretary at the time of Murdoch's first bid in 2010-11 told BBC radio the media tycoon's new takeover attempt would not be in the public interest.

On Friday Murdoch's Twenty-First Century Fox said it had struck a preliminary deal to buy the 61 percent of Sky it does not already own for around $14 billion. It came five years after a political scandal wrecked his previous bid.

Rupert Murdoch

That attempt to buy Sky through his News Corp business provoked uproar among some UK politicians, who said it would give the billionaire owner of The Sun and The Times newspapers too much control over the country's media.

It collapsed in 2011 when Murdoch's UK newspaper business was engulfed in a phone-hacking scandal. It intensified political opposition , resulted in a criminal trial, and led to the closure of his News of the World tabloid.

Cable said the issue was the same five years on.

"This is yet again a threat to media plurality, choice, just as it was six years ago when I referred this to the competition authorities and it should be investigated," he said.

"The ownership of the media, whether you're looking at press, radio, television is very highly concentrated and this makes it even more concentrated."

However, analysts said Friday's proposal was likely to have an easier ride, partly because News Corp has now separated from Fox, which means the bidding firm no longer owns UK newspapers, and because there are little or no competition issues, with very material changes in the market for news in the UK since 2010.

They also said the British government was keen to promote investment in the wake of the Brexit vote and could present the deal as a sign of confidence in the economy.

“It’s very likely that even if there is a plurality investigation that this will go through," Clare Enders of Enders Analysis told BBC radio.

"It is a different situation and the entities have been structured differently."

It will be up to Karen Bradley, the culture, media and sport minister to decide whether the plurality situation has materially changed since 2010.

"Will the government really say he can’t own more than 39 percent of it? I don’t think so," David Yelland, a former editor of Murdoch’s Sun newspaper, told Reuters.

"It takes a lot of negative energy to block a deal like this and I just don’t see it happening this time around.”

Brian Williams Whines About Fake News

Brian Williams — who was bounced from his NBC anchor job for fabricating stories — is furious about the spread of “fake news.”

The talking head, who was forced to take a six-month vacation last year before being permanently relieved of his “Nightly News” duties on NBC, railed about the ­epidemic of “fake news” in his late-night MSNBC cable show this week.

“Fake news played a role in this election and continues to find a wide audience,” he whined Tuesday night on “The 11th Hour with Brian Williams.”

Specifically, Williams singled out President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for national security adviser, retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael T. Flynn, and the general’s son, Michael G. Flynn, for spreading falsehoods.

But Williams is hardly a model of honest journalism. He was punished in February 2015 for falsely claiming during a broadcast a month earlier to have been aboard a helicopter that was struck by enemy fire during a flight in Iraq.

Questions were also raised about Williams’ coverage in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans in 2005.

Williams claimed he could see bodies amid flooding from his hotel room in the French Quarter, but the New Orleans ­Advocate reported that the area had been largely spared in the catastrophe and ­experienced little flooding.

Report: 50+ Reluctuant To Pay For Music Streaming

Although older, wealthier music fans raised in the age of record stores make up the demographic that is most comfortable with the idea of paying for music, they’ve been among the most reluctant groups to pay for monthly streaming subscriptions, which offer ad-free access to up to tens of millions of songs.

The Wall Street Journal reports, last year less than 2% of consumers above the age of 45 opted to pay for an on-demand music service such as Apple Inc.’s Apple Music or Spotify AB’s Premium, while 11% of 18- to 24-year-olds did so and 8% of 25- to 34-year-olds paid, according to a survey by research firm MusicWatch Inc.

While older consumers can generally be slower to adopt new technology, there are other factors at play. Streaming companies have been primarily built by young techies and generally use a “DJ model” to cater to a younger audience, promoting pop-heavy playlists that serve primarily as soundtracks for activities such as partying, exercising and “chilling.” Record companies, meantime, haven’t rushed to convert their album buyers to subscribers, since physical music sales are still highly profitable and accounted for nearly 40% of the recorded music industry’s global revenue last year.

The over-50 “demo is largely being ignored in the digital world even though these folks are the most passionate about music because they lived all of it the first time around,” said Fred Goldring, a 58-year-old veteran music lawyer who co-founded Music Aficionado with Mr. Penn and another partner: Greg Di Benedetto, the former publisher of Guitar World and Guitar Aficionado magazines.

Hooking older consumers—who tend to have more disposable income—on paid streaming is important for the music industry.

The industry is hoping that Pandora will help convert its older free listeners into paying subscribers when it launches its own $10-a-month, on-demand tier early next year. More than 50% of Pandora’s users are under the age of 34, while its most active users are 24 and younger. Amazon.com Inc.’s new Amazon Music Unlimited service could also appeal to the online retailer’s older customer base.

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Detroit Radio: WJR's Mitch Albom Raises $1M+ For Local Charities

The fifth annual Mitch Albom/S.A.Y. Detroit Radiothon was once again a major success, surpassing expectations by raising roughly $1,041,000 during Thursday's 15-hour event in the Grand Court of the Somerset Collection mall in Troy.

"Frankly shocked that we matched last year's $1 million total," Albom said on Friday. "The last year has been a tough one, depressing for many Americans, and so I wasn't sure the spirit of giving would shine through. ... Very thankful to everyone who participated."

The program, hosted by Albom and radio partner Ken Brown, ran from 6 a.m. to 9 p,m. on WJR 760 AM and auctioned off numerous items. It was live-streamed at freep.com, mitchalbom.com and on Albom's Facebook, reaching viewers from all over the world, including the Philippines, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.

The Detroit Free Press reports the event was boosted by countless celebrities, both in person and through call-ins.

Every dollar raised will go to one of S.A.Y. (Super All Year) Detroit's nine charities or affiliated charities in Detroit that it supports.

Detroit Radio: WYCD Radiothon Raises $551K+ For St. Jude's

WYCD 99.5 FM held its 16th Annual 99.5 WYCD Country Cares for St. Jude Kids Radiothon Thursday and Friday December 8th & 9th.

Over the course of the two days, 99.5 WYCD listeners called in with donations totaling $551,272 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Many of the listener donations were dedicated to 99.5 WYCD’s Linda Lee, a 20 year veteran of the WYCD airwaves, who was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer just a few months before the Radiothon.  Linda, a long time champion of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, called into the Radiothon while at the hospital receiving chemotherapy on Thursday and urged listeners to become Partners in Hope and pledge $20 a month to St. Jude so they can continue their mission of curing all childhood cancer.

Country superstar Kip Moore also made an appearance at the Radiothon.  Moore was in town playing the Fillmore Detroit Thursday night and took time before his show to come out and tell listeners about his connection with St. Jude and dedication to their cause.

The final total of $551,272 raised for the WYCD Country Cares for St. Jude Kids Radiothon is a near record total and more than Detroit has raised in many years.

R.I.P.: St. Louis Broadcasting Vet Cliff St. James

“Corky the Clown” is gone.

Clif St. James — known to countless St. Louis area baby boomers as the big-eared jovial clown who hosted a children’s cartoon show for three decades — died Friday of pneumonia.

Cliff St. James

He was 92-years-of-age, according to stltoday.com.

“I don’t think I ever heard him say a bad word about anyone,” said his son, Chip St. James. “And in the TV business, that’s saying something.”

Mr. St. James was born June 3, 1925, in Niagara Falls, N.Y., he joined the Army in 1943, serving with the 591st field artillery battalion of the 106th Infantry Division in northern France and Germany, including the Battle of the Bulge.

In Germany, he also helped put on shows for the troops and found that he loved performing. So when he was discharged in 1946, he enrolled at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y.

In the early 1950s, he came to St. Louis to work at KWK and KSD radio stations. Two years later, he took a job as a freelance announcer at KSD-TV, the only TV station in town at the time.

St. James began hosting “Corky the Clown” in 1954 and stayed until 1980. It was one of the highest-rated local children’s shows in the U.S. In 1966, it became “Corky’s Colorama” and was the first show in St. Louis to be broadcast in color, which is why Corky sometimes had a green or blue face.

After leaving KSDK in 1981, he worked in promotions and community relations for Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. until 1989.

He also continued doing TV and radio appearances, and was one of the most in-demand voice talents in the St. Louis market.

In 2014, Mr. St. James was inducted into the St. Louis Media Hall of Fame.

December 10 Radio History

In 1889...actor Ray Collins was born in Sacramento.  Although best remembered as Lt. Tragg in 86 episodes of TV’s Perry Mason, he was a prominent member of Orson Welles Mercury Players beginning in radio.  He played 3 roles in CBS Radio’s legendary 1938 War of the Worlds. For several seasons he played Commissioner Weston on Mutual Radio’s The Shadow.   He died of emphysema July 11 1965 at age 75.

David Brinkley, Chet Huntley

In 1911...Chet (Chester Robert) Huntley was born in Cardwell Montana.  His radio career began at KIRO Seattle & continued in radio newsrooms in Spokane & Portland, before joining first CBS Radio in Los Angeles, then ABC, as well as narrating Movietone Newsreels.  He was viewed as “another Ed Murrow” when he was hired by NBC Radio.  After teaming successfully with David Brinkley to cover the 1956 political conventions on television, the pair were assigned to co-anchor the TV Nightly News for the next 14 years as The Huntley-Brinkley Report.   

He succumbed to lung cancer March 20 1975 at the age of 63.  “Good night Chet .. Good night David ..And Good night for NBC News.”

In 1913...pianist, composer, conductor, and arranger Morton Gould was born at Richmond Hill NY.  In the 1930’s & 40’s he was musical director for national programs originating at WOR Mutual, and CBS Radio.  He moved on to composing Broadway & Hollywood film scores, winning a Grammy & Pulitzer Award along the way.   Gould died Feb 21, 1996 at age 82.

In 1914...actress/singer Dorothy Lamour was born in New Orleans.  In the early 30’s she had her own quarter-hour NBC radio show out of Chicago, and in the late 40’s she was singing hostess of NBC’s weekly Sealtest Variety Theatre from Hollywood. Besides her movie career, which included the “Road” series with Bob Hope & Bing Crosby, she made guest appearances on numerous TV series, including Damon Runyon Theatre, the Steve Allen Show, Burke’s Law, I Spy, Name of the Game, Marcus Welby MD, Hart to Hart, & Murder She Wrote.  She died of a heart attack Sep 22, 1996 at age 81.

DeFord Bailey, the Opry's First Star

In 1927...The Grand Ole Opry originated its first radio broadcast from Nashville, Tennessee.


In 1955...Johnny Cash met his future wife June Carter while in Shreveport for his first appearance on the KWKH's "Louisiana Hayride" radio show.


In 1961...One week after first meeting with Brian Epstein to discuss his taking over as the Beatles' manager, John, Paul, George and Pete Best were back in Epstein's office for a second interview. The band was now eager to listen to Epstein's proposal following a booking the night before where they played to only 18 people. After being assured that they were not expected to change their musical style, John spoke for the others, saying, "Right then, Brian, manage us!"



Beatles' Manager Brian Epstein is interviewed in New York City by Murray the K for WOR-FM Radio in March 1967.


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In 1963..."The CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite" featured a story about the new British pop music sensations, the Beatles. The report originally had been scheduled to air November 22 but was delayed because of extended news coverage of the presidential assassination.




In 1963...Donny Osmond made his debut with the Osmonds on The Andy Williams Show on NBC.


In 1967...26-year-old Otis Redding and four members of his band, the Bar-Kays, are killed when their tour plane crashes into a frozen near Madison, WI. Three days earlier, Redding had recorded what was to be his breakthough pop hit, "Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay.


In 1980...The body of John Lennon was cremated at the Ferncliff Mortuary in Hartsdale, New York and his ashes were given to his widow Yoko Ono, who reportedly took them back to her Dakota apartment.

Gosden and Correll

In 1982...Freeman Gosden, the U.S. radio actor who portrayed "Amos" in the radio hit, "Amos 'n' Andy", died at age 83.

Gosden was born in Richmond, Virginia. During World War I he served in the United States Navy as a wireless operator, which prompted his great interest in the young medium of radio.

Freeman Gosden, Charles Correll

In 1921, Gosden first teamed up with Charles Correll to do radio work, presenting comedy acts, sketches, and hosting variety shows. They met in Durham, North Carolina, both working for the Joe Bren Producing Company. Their first regular show came in 1925 with their WEBH Chicago show Correll and Gosden, the Life of the Party. On this show the two told jokes, sang, and played music.

In 1926, Gosden and Correll had a hit with their radio show Sam & Henry on Chicago radio station WGN. Sam & Henry is considered by some historians to have been the first situation comedy.

From 1928 to 1960, Gosden and Correll broadcast their Amos 'n' Andy show, which was one of the most famous and popular shows on radio in the 1930s. Gosden voiced the characters "Amos", "George 'Kingfish' Stevens", "Lightning", "Brother Crawford", and some dozen other characters.

In 1969, Gosden was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his work in radio.

In 2004...One of three RCA microphones, used during 50 mid-1950s performances by Elvis Presley for the "Louisiana Hayride" radio show on KWKH in Shreveport, was sold for $37,500.

Mika Brzezinski: Clinton Camp Wanted Her Off-Air

Mika Brzezinski

Hillary Clinton’s campaign tried to remove an MSNBC personality from the air after she aired criticisms of the Democratic presidential candidate, the host revealed Friday.

According to The NY Post, Mika Brzezinski, a co-host of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” said NBC was pressured to get her pulled during the campaign.

“I was concerned the campaign was not understanding that perhaps there was an arrogance. They needed to sort of get off their high horse and understand that this isn’t over,” Brzezinski said on her show Friday, recalling the criticism she expressed frequently during the campaign.

“I’ll just say it: NBC got a call from the [Clinton] campaign. Like I had done something that was journalistically inappropriate or something and needed to be pulled off the air,” she added.

Past Clinton campaigns, however, have been successful at muscling NBC to remove talent after on-air criticisms.

David Shuster was suspended for two weeks for airing criticism of the Clinton campaign’s handling of Chelsea Clinton in 2008. Shuster eventually left the network

Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, Among Stars Donating to Wildfire Relief

Taylor Swift, Kenny Chesney, Dolly Parton and other country artists are donating thousands of dollars to provide relief for those affected by the devastating wildfires in East Tennessee.

Officials behind Dolly Parton's "My People Fund" have confirmed that Swift and the Academy of Country music have each donated $100,000 to the help families who lost everything in the fires. The fund was announced last week as a pledge to donate $1,000 each month to victims of the fire.

"As you may know by now, there have been terrible wildfires in the Great Smoky Mountains, the same mountains where I grew up and where my people call home," Dolly Parton wrote in an earlier statement. "I have always believed that charity begins at home, and my home is someplace special. That's why I've asked my Dollywood companies ... to help me establish the 'My People Fund.' "

“Growing up in East Tennessee, the only thing greater than the beauty of the region is the heart of the people who live there,” said Chesney in a statement. “It is devastating to think of what’s been lost in terms of the fire, but overwhelming for the families facing rebuilding their lives – in many cases – from scratch. I’m appreciative that CMA shares my hope that these families can feel our love at a time of such tragedy.”

More country artists will join Parton for the "Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund" telethon, which will be livestreamed on The Tennessean and USAToday on Tuesday, Dec. 13.

Thursday night, Chris Stapleton, Chris Young and Amy Grant were added to a list of performers that already included Reba McEntire, Kenny Rogers and Alison Krauss as well as Big & Rich, Michael W. Smith, LOCASH, Chris Janson, Montgomery Gentry and others.

“I’m truly honored that these artists are giving their time and energy to help us raise money for everyone affected by the wildfires,” Parton said in a statement. “I’ve got so many great friends in the industry, and I’m so proud that they were so ready to step up and help me help my people in the Smoky Mountains through this telethon and the My People Fund.”

The Dollywood Foundation is accepting donations to contribute to the My People fund. To donate, visit www.dollywoodfoundation.org.

A Republican FCC Aims To Repeal Net Neutrality

Ajit Pai

The two Republicans on the Federal Communications Commission say they aim to overturn the net neutrality rules after President-elect Donald Trump takes office, according to MediaPost.

The rules, passed by a 3-2 vote last year, reclassified broadband as a utility service and imposed some common carrier rules on broadband providers. The regulations prohibit providers from blocking or throttling service and from charging content companies higher fees for faster delivery. The rules also prohibit providers from hindering Web users and content companies from connecting with each other online.

Commissioner Ajit Pai, an outspoken critic of the net neutrality order, said this week that he believes its "days are numbered."

"I’m optimistic that last month’s election will prove to be an inflection point -- and that during the Trump Administration, we will shift from playing defense at the FCC to going on offense," Pai said in a speech delivered to the anti-regulatory group Free State Foundation.

Michael O'Rielly

"On the day that the [net neutrality order] was adopted, I said that 'I don’t know whether this plan will be vacated by a court, reversed by Congress, or overturned by a future Commission. But I do believe that its days are numbered.' Today, I am more confident than ever that this prediction will come true."

Michael O'Rielly, the other Republican on the FCC, also criticized the agency's "harmful policies," including the net neutrality rules.

Speaking to the Free State Foundation, he characterized the open Internet order as "wrongheaded, harmful to consumers and the industry, costly, and ultimately unworthy of continuation."

Those rules, passed in October, prohibit Internet service providers from drawing on information about subscribers' Web activity and app usage for ad targeting, without consumers' explicit consent. The privacy regulations apply only to companies that provide consumers with access to broadband, like Comcast, Time Warner and Verizon. Web publishers, search engines, social networks and other so-called "edge providers" aren't bound by the new rules and need not obtain users' explicit permission to draw on data about their Web use for ad purposes.

Thune Throws in Towel on Rosenworcel Vote

Jessica Rosenworcel

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune has essentially given up on a floor vote for Democratic FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel’s confirmation for a second term.

The South Dakota Republican told Morning Consult on Thursday that a vote before her term ends on Dec. 31 is extremely unlikely despite FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler’s conditional pledge to step down if it would expedite her reconfirmation.

“My sense is that we’re kind of up against the clock now,” Thune said. “And it’s going to be very hard, even if Wheeler was agreeable to stepping down, to be able to get all this done between now and the time we go out.”

Stopgap funding for the government expires on Friday, and lawmakers are aiming to pass another spending bill, to last through April 28, before the end of the week.

Without Senate confirmation for a second term, Rosenworcel’s tenure at the agency will conclude at the end of the month.

Thune’s pronouncement comes amid a last-ditch effort from Wheeler to help confirm his fellow Democratic commissioner. Wheeler committed to Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) this week that he would to step down immediately if it would ensure Rosenworcel’s confirmation.

Wheeler is required by law to step down as chairman of the commission when President-elect Donald Trump takes office on Jan. 20, but his term as a commissioner doesn’t end until June 2018.

But his promise to stop down is being viewed as too little, too late. “If in fact he has made those representations, we’re just finding out about them now,” Thune told Morning Consult, adding that it seems Wheeler “wasn’t in any hurry to get out of there.”

Thune said it’s still possible Rosenworcel could be nominated again next year, perhaps as a part of a deal to reconfirm Republican Commissioner Ajit Pai.

Appeals Court Reviewing Turtles, Pandora Litigation

Flo & Eddie of The Turtles may have settled their royalties row with SiriusXM — but their fight with Pandora wages on and is currently being reviewed by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman, also known as Flo & Eddie, sued Pandora in 2014, claiming the site's operation infringes on their rights in sound recordings like "Happy Together" by essentially paying for only one CD and broadcasting it to scores of its users for a profit.

In February 2015, U.S. District Judge Philip Gutierrez denied Pandora's motion to dismiss the suit under California's anti-SLAPP statute. Gutierrez found that "[a]lthough the conduct underlying the claims in this case constitutes 'protected activity' under the anti-SLAPP statute, Flo & Eddie has demonstrated that its claims are meritorious enough to withstand the anti-SLAPP motion."

Pandora appealed. A two-judge panel of Circuit Judge Richard Paez and D.C. District Judge Paul Friedman heard arguments Thursday. The third circuit judge, Stephen Reinhardt, was unable to make it and will watch a video recording of the arguments later.

Sound recordings fixed prior to 1972 aren't protected by federal copyright law, and Pandora's attorney Gergory Garre argues that The Turtles' lost state law protection for their hits in the 1960s when they "published" them by selling them to the public.

Flo & Eddie attorney Henry Gradstein argues the second part of the statute was never intended to apply to sound recordings and, even if it was, selling records or playing them on the radio don't constitute "publishing."

Another point emphasized by Pandora is that rights holders of sound recordings have never been paid royalties by terrestrial radio stations; only the owners to rights in the underlying musical compositions are paid.

Report: Nielsen Looking To Acquire Gracenote

Nielsen is in advanced talks to acquire Emeryville, Calif.-based media data specialist Gracenote from Tribune Media, Variety has learned from multiple sources.

There’s no definitive word on how much Nielsen will be paying for Gracenote, but one source pegged the deal size at between $450 million and $500 million. Spokespeople for Gracenote and Tribune Media declined to comment. Nielsen didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Gracenote started out as a database for CD metadata some 18 years ago, and has since grown to offer a variety of media data services, including audio and video content recommendations, TV guide data and sports data. Some of its customers include Apple, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, DirecTV, Sony, Amazon, Ford, and Toyota.

Nielsen is primarily interested in Gracenote’s automatic content recognition technology, which has been integrated into TVs from major manufacturers. This technology would allow Nielsen to more accurately measure what consumers are watching, and possibly even offer a window into measuring the performance of online video services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

Tribune Media acquired Gracenote from Sony in 2013 for $170 million, and subsequently merged it with its own TMS subsidiary, which had been selling TV guide data to operators for decades. Tribune went on to significantly invest into Gracenote in 2014, acquiring film data provider Baseline for $50 million, and in 2015 following up with the acquisition of sports data specialist SportsDirect for $54 million.

However, Tribune Media has seen its losses mount in 2015, forcing the company to explore a number of strategic alternatives at the beginning of 2016. Tribune first floated the idea of selling off Gracenote in February, and started a formal sales process in the following months.

Fox Is Close To Selling Out Super Bowl

Fox is about 90% sold out of commercial time for Super Bowl LI, according to adage.com.

While some marketers have raised concerns over the slump in NFL ratings this season, the prospect of a Cowboys-Patriots Super Bowl is also generating buzz as Super Bowl Sunday on Feb. 5 approaches. A matchup between the two teams, with huge followings and arguably just as passionate legions of haters, could trounce existing ratings records.

Fox is nonetheless pacing behind where CBS was last year, when network CEO Les Moonves said on Nov. 3 that ad time in Super Bowl 50 was nearly sold out.

More marketers seem to be delaying decisions to buy, partly in an effort to ensure that they have creative that will be worthy of such a big stage -- and big price tag. The network is likely to average over $5 million for 30-second spots in Super Bowl LI, the person said. Of course, as has been the case with other networks in recent Super Bowls, Fox is pushing buyers to purchase other inventory along with Super Bowl ad time.

According to some buyers, as of last week Fox still had about 17 units left in the game.

Report: Country Music's Women Poised For "Explosion'

Brandy Clark

When Grammy nominations for the 59th Grammy Awards were revealed Tuesday morning, country singer Brandy Clark knew what they meant for her and other women in her position.

“It says, to me, country females are kicking ass,” Clark told The Tennessean, whose “Big Day in a Small Town” is nominated for best country album.

Female country singers were included or were the sole recipients of 15 out of 20 nominations in four country categories. New country hit-makers Kelsea Ballerini and Maren Morris were also recognized in the all-genre best new artist category — a feat that Recording Academy President Neil Portnow said brought a smile to his face.

For female country artists, the recognition from the Recording Academy signals progress toward and end to the male dominance that has persisted in the genre for years. But there's still a long way to go.

Just three of the Top 30 most played acts on country radio this year are solo females — Carrie Underwood, Kelsea Ballerini and Miranda Lambert, according to Mediabase. Maren Morris sits at 31. For comparison, in 2015 Billboard ranked “Fly” by Maddie & Tae as the only song by a female artist(s) among its Top 30 most heard songs of the year.  In 2014, women had three songs in country radio’s most heard 60 songs of the year and in 2013, there were six.

“I would love to say in 2016 the needle at country radio moved, but it only moved by a hair,” said Senior Vice President of Music Strategy for CMT Leslie Fram. “I feel like the industry voted and moved the needle with Grammy nominations. But I’m hopeful that will open the door for more slots for female artists and female songs on country radio. Obviously, it’s always let the best song win.”

Grammy nominations and inclusion on terrestrial country radio’s ever shrinking playlists can be mutually exclusive. Chairman and CEO of Sony Music Nashville Randy Goodman explained Grammy voters might not be from Nashville, thus lacking complete knowledge of the genre's mainstream and sometimes make critical selections based on personal perceptions of country music.

Country radio programmers, meanwhile, are catering to the genre’s rabid fans. When an artist manages to capture both audiences —a tightrope Lambert and Underwood walk regularly — it’s rare.

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Hillary Clinton Blames 'Fake News'

(Reuters) -- Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called "fake news" a danger that must be addressed quickly, in a rare public appearance on Thursday, a month after she lost the presidential election in a campaign marked by a flood of such propaganda.

"We must stand up for our democracy," Clinton said during a tribute to retiring Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid, referring to what she called "the epidemic of malicious fake news and false propaganda that flooded social media over the past year."

Clinton urged action from both the private and public sectors to combat the false reports.

"It's now clear that so-called 'fake news' can have real-world consequences. This isn't about politics or partisanship. Lives are at risk. Lives of ordinary people just trying to go about their days, to do their jobs, contribute to their communities," she said.

Clinton herself has been a target of fake news, with internet postings claiming that a pizza restaurant in Washington was fronting a child sex ring run by Clinton.

On Sunday, a North Carolina man wielding an assault rifle fired a gun inside the restaurant, located in northwest Washington just a few miles from Thursday's ceremony, according to police, who said the suspect told them he had come to "investigate" a fake news report.

Clinton's appearance at the Thursday event, packed with mostly Democratic elected officials including Vice President Joe Biden, was greeted with a standing ovation and raucous applause.

Clinton, also a former senator who served with Reid, made a wry reference to the relatively low profile she has kept since Republican Donald Trump won the Nov. 8 presidential election, referring to "a few weeks of taking selfies in the woods."

She indirectly acknowledged her defeat as she began her tribute to Reid: "This is not exactly the speech at the Capitol I hoped to be making after the election."

The new U.S. president delivers an inaugural address on Jan. 20, standing on a large platform erected every four years on the west front of the Capitol building.

On Friday, Donald Trump’s former campaign manager has a message to Hillary Clinton: Fake news is not the reason you lost.

Kellyanne Conway — who now acts as an adviser to the president-elect — appeared on Fox News and said that the Democratic candidate and her team need to acknowledge it wasn’t “fake news” that propelled Trump to a surprise victory.

"I don’t know what her message was to America other than ‘I’m not Donald Trump and you shouldn’t vote for him,' " Conway said. “A little self-awareness would do for a team that is blaming everybody but themselves for this."

Sheryl Sandberg On Facebook And Fake News

Facebook No. 2 Sheryl Sandberg on Thursday repeated the company line that the social network — which unwittingly distributed truckloads of fake news to its 1.8 billion users — shouldn’t be blamed for swaying the US presidential election.

But, reports The NY Post,  Sandberg admitted fake news is a thorn in Facebook’s side and hinted the company is going to take some action against insidious posts.

“There have been claims that it [fake news] swayed the election and we don’t think it swayed the election,” the Facebook chief operating officer said in an interview with NBC’s “Today” show.

Sandberg appeared on the popular morning talk show to discuss a softball topic — Facebook’s most popular content of 2016 — but was asked about the election and the issue of fake news.

While talking down any possible great effect Facebook had on the election, Sandberg said, “We take that responsibility really seriously. And we’re looking at things like working with third parties, helping to label false news, doing the things we can do to make it clearer what’s a hoax on Facebook.”

One of the weapons Facebook is looking to use, sources told The Post, involves having users flag suspicious content or rate news content.

In addition, Facebook has filed a patent for an automated technology that can identify fake news, the tech site Engadget noted this week.

The AI would eliminate hate speech, porn and other material that Facebook has objected to, the site said. “The approach would supplement user-based content flagging with machine learning,” Engadget reported.

Big Brands Funding Fake-News Sites

“Yoko Ono: ‘I Had An Affair With Hillary Clinton In The ’70s,’” read the headline in World News Daily Report, a website that peddles made-up stories.

Next to the story? An ad for the 2017 Ram 1500 truck, made by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV.

According to The Wall Street Journal, big brands, often inadvertently, are helping fund the websites at the center of a growing controversy over misinformation on the internet.

Ads from companies such as Choice Hotels, SoundCloud and Bose Corp. appear on sites with false or misleading news. Those companies are among thousands of brands that could appear on such sites based on a user’s browsing history or demographics.

Industry executives say some fake-news sites can generate tens of thousands of dollars in monthly revenue from online ads.

Well-known brands’ appearance on fake-news sites reflects the complexity of online advertising, where computers can place a different ad each time a user clicks on a webpage. Multiple middlemen are often involved, leaving both publishers and advertisers uncertain about which ads will appear where.

Google, the biggest player in digital advertising, said it would stop placing ads on sites with “deceptive or misrepresentative” content. But so far, enforcement appears spotty: Many Google-placed ads, including those for big brands, continue to appear on the sites, even including ads for Google’s new Pixel smartphones.

AppNexus Inc., which runs an online-ad exchange, said it also tries to not place ads on fake-news sites. Last month, AppNexus pulled its ads from the right-wing news site Breitbart because of what it said was hate speech on the site. Some big brands, including food company Kellogg Co. and insurer Allstate Corp., have blocked their ads from appearing on Breitbart.

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Ft. Wayne Radio: WWFW To Rebrand As 103.9 Sunny FM

AC WWFW 103.9 FM has announced a new name for the station, starting December 26th. The station will be known as “103.9 SUNNY FM.” Previously, the station was known as “Soft Rock 103.9.”

“We are simply changing our brand name to better match the playlist of the station”, says 103.9 SUNNY FM Director of Programming, Rob Mackenzie. “We will continue to play an upbeat variety of songs from the 80’s til Now, just with a fresh name for 2017!”

“103.9 will continue to be involved with the Fort Wayne community and with our advertisers. Our personalities are excited to continue the partnerships we’ve created over the last several years, particularly around the Holiday’s. This is a great opportunity for us to re-brand this solid station”, states Chris Monk, Market Manager for 103.9 SUNNY FM, owned by the Adams Radio Group.

Mackenzie says no changes in on-air personalities are planned, nor is a music adjustment. Popular features like the All 80’s Lunch and All 80’s Weekend will be retained as well. “As we surveyed radio listeners, and specifically, pop music listeners in Fort Wayne, we know that they enjoy our music and radio station, but they didn’t necessarily see our previous name as a ‘fit’ for that music.”

Core artists of 103.9 SUNNY FM include: Katy Perry, Bon Jovi, Matchbox 20, Adele, Michael Jackson, Maroon 5, Alanis Morissette, Justin Timberlake, Pink, Journey, Kelly Clarkson.

WWFW 103.9 FM (1.6 Kw) Red=Local Coverage Area

Currently, 103.9 is “Fort Wayne’s Christmas Music Station”, and known as “Christmas 103.9” for the holiday season. Mackenzie says the station will continue that tradition next year of playing all Christmas music.

December 9 Radio History

In 1902...announcer/actor Brace Beemer, the voice of radio’s Lone Ranger for more than 13 years, was born in Mount Carmel Illinois.

He had been the announcer on the WXYZ Detroit production from early in the series (1933), and assumed the title role when the program’s early star, Earle Graser, was killed in a car accident in 1941.  Beemer starred in more than 3,000 episodes of the youth-oriented western radio adventure.

He died after a heart attack March 1 1965 at age 62.

In 1933...Talk show host Morton Downey Jr. was born in Los Angeles.  Unsuccessful as a pop & country singer, in the 1960’s he turned to deejaying at radio stations in Bakersfield, San Diego, and Miami as “Doc Downey the DJ.”

He perfected the abrasive, right-wing populist style of talk radio at Sacramento’s KFBK before transferring it to TV out of New York. (He was replaced at KFBK by Rush Limbaugh.)

Downey died from lung cancer Mar 12, 2001 at age 67.


In 1940...the radio panel show that originated with joke-telling sessions at the Friar’s Club, Can You Top This debuted on WOR New York.  It would hit the networks 22 months later, and run on first NBC, then Mutual, ABC, and then NBC again, until 1954.


In 1940...The Longines Watch Company became the first FM radio advertiser when it signed a contract with W2XOR in New York City, an experimental station.

In 1968...Douglas Engelbart demonstrates the computer mouse

In 1977...Gene Klavan last show at WNEW 1130 AM NYC.

Klavan is most known for his time as half of the morning program "Klavan and Finch." The program ran from 1952 to 1968; prior to 1952, Dee Finch had co-hosted the show with Gene Rayburn. Co-host Finch departed and Klavan continued solo until 1977.



He wrote a biography in 1964, "We Die at Dawn", that largely focused on the morning show. He followed it up in 1972 with "Turn That Damned Thing Off", a book about the news media industry. In 1977 he moved to 710 WOR and left radio in 1980. He later became a commentator at WCBS-TV, a host for the AMC channel, and a columnist for Newsday.


In 1998...CBS Corp. raised $2.9 billion by selling a 17 percent stake in Infinity Broadcasting Corp., its radio and outdoor advertising business. The initial public offering of stock was the largest ever in the media industry.

In 2004...Boston radio listeners lost one of that city's most listened to and respected talk show hosts, David Brudnoy, who succumbed to cancer. During his career, he worked at WBZ 1030 AM, WHDH-AM, and WRKO-AM. He was 64.

David Brudnoy

Brudnoy began a career in broadcast commentary in 1971 on Boston's local PBS television station, WGBH-TV.

In 1976, David Brudnoy took over as host of his friend Avi Nelson's radio show on WHDH, in the midst of the city's unrest over forced busing and desegregation in schools. He took to the job with ease, and increasingly gained popularity. From 1981 to 1986, he appeared on former Top 40 WRKO, which was now news and talk, before moving to local stalwart WBZ. The top-rated talk radio host in New England, he appeared in a regular weekday evening slot until his retirement. At the end of his career, Brudnoy was among the most-listened-to evening talk hosts in the United States.

Over the years, Brudnoy also appeared as a news commentator and host on local TV stations besides WGBH, including WCVB-TV (ABC), WNAC-TV, and WBZ-TV (CBS). He also appeared nationally on the CBS Morning News. He wrote movie reviews for Boston magazine and local community newspapers. During the 1970s he wrote articles for the National Review, and befriended its editor William F. Buckley.  He also wrote for The Alternative (later known as The American Prospect) in the early 1970s, but quit because of the editor's unwillingness to adopt a more liberal position on gay rights.   His articles have appeared in The New York Times, The New Republic, and the Saturday Evening Post.

In 1990, his WBZ show was canceled, but a mass public response, including a letter writing campaign sponsored by The Boston Globe, helped lead to his quick return to the station's lineup.

Brudnoy's popularity escalated him into the Boston media elite, and he was the host of numerous social gatherings at his upscale Back Bay apartment, mixing students, media personalities, and politicians. After his bout with AIDS, Brudnoy began broadcasting from his apartment four nights out of five, welcoming his radio guests into his home.

His popularity in Boston was so great that when he returned to the air in early January 1995, after his first battle with HIV/AIDS kept him off the air for ten weeks, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino formally declared January 5 as "David Brudnoy Day."

Brudnoy was awarded the Freedom of Speech Award from the National Association of Radio Talk Show Hosts, and nominated for the "Personality of the Year" Marconi Award, both in 1997.

In 2001, he celebrated his 25th anniversary on the air.