June 16 Radio History

➦In 1934...Radio pioneer Edwin H. Armstrong transmitted FM signal 70 miles from Empire State Building to Long Island.  Armstrong (1890–1954) was an American electrical engineer who invented wideband frequency modulation (FM) radio.  He patented the regenerative circuit in 1914, the superheterodyne receiver in 1918 and the super-regenerative circuit in 1922. Armstrong presented his paper, "A Method of Reducing Disturbances in Radio Signaling by a System of Frequency Modulation", (which first described FM radio) before the New York section of the Institute of Radio Engineers on November 6, 1935. The paper was published in 1936.

As the name implies, wideband FM (WFM) requires a wider signal bandwidth than amplitude modulation by an equivalent modulating signal; this also makes the signal more robust against noise and interference. Frequency modulation is also more robust against signal-amplitude-fading phenomena.


➦In 1941...Front Page Farrell, a radio serial,  first aired on Mutual.  from 1941 to March 13, 1942, and on NBC from September 14, 1942, to March 26, 1954. The episodes broadcast on Mutual originated at WOR, making the program the first live serial that Mutual broadcast from New York City.  It was produced by and starred Richard Widmark.

Charles Farrell, Gil Stratton Jr. "Freddie", and Gale Storm

➦In 1952...“My Little Margie” on CBS-TV debuted as a summer replacement for “I Love Lucy” in 1952. The series, starring Gale Storm and Charles Farrell, aired original episodes on CBS Radio concurrently with the TV broadcasts from December 1952 through August 1955.


➦In 1962...Bob Lewis aired his first show on WABC 770 AM, New York. He stayed on for about 8 years.



Lewis died in January 1987 at age 49.

Bob ‘Bobaloo’ Lewis was best known as one of the “All Americans” on 77 WABC. Lesser known was the fact that he was also heard on the FM side. WABC 95.5 FM was a Progressive Rock station.

The format was called “Love” and featured album cuts from Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, The Who, and many more similar artists which would become the staples of AOR and later, Classic Rock stations.

In 1970 he moved to WCBS FM and in `72 to WNEW-FM.


➦In 1968...Jackson Armstrong premiered on CHUM 1050 AM, Toronto.

Jack Armstrong

Big Jack Armstrong, born John Charles Larsh in Durham County, NC, began his radio career at WCHL in Chapel Hill, North Carolina in 1960 at the age of 14 as an after school and weekend job. He also worked at WCDJ in Edenton in the summer when his family would go back home during summer break. At some point, he worked for WSSB in Durham, but the time frame is unclear.

Upon graduating from high school in 1964, Larsh moved to Atlanta, where he got an FCC First Class engineer's license, while working on the radio at WDJK. His parents enrolled him in Guilford College in Greensboro in the pre-med course. Larsh dropped out almost immediately, having gotten a radio job at WCOG.

In early 1966, WAYS-AM in Charlotte had begun 24 hour operations.the FCC required that any station must have an engineer on duty at all times the station was on the air. When Larsh applied for a job there, the station quickly saw an opportunity to fill two sets of shoes with one person, since Larsh already had a First Class license. He was hired to fill the overnight shift.



At WAYS, Larsh met Jack Gale, a seasoned veteran of both the radio and music business who would become his mentor. Larsh later remarked, "Jack (Gale) has forgotten more about the radio business than I've ever known." When asked, he would always cite Gale as one of his major influences.

Larsh's first big break came later in 1966, when he landed a job at WIXY 1260 AM in Cleveland, Ohio. The evening disc jockey at this station was always called 'Jack Armstrong,' after the 1930s radio serial Jack Armstrong the All American Boy. With his fast talking, young, friendly approach, Larsh became a huge hit in Cleveland - so huge that floundering WKYC 1100 AM asked him to break his WIXY contract, and come to work for the 50,000 watt blowtorch in January 1967.

'Jack Armstrong' was a copyrighted moniker in the market, so Larsh adopted the alias 'Big Jack Your Leader', and went to work for WKYC. He also occasionally taunted WIXY by calling himself Jackson W. Armstrong.

Larsh moved on, working at other 50,000 watt stations like WMEX 1510 AM in Boston; CHUM 1050 AM in Toronto, Ontario, Canada; KFI 640 AM in Los Angeles, KTNQ 1020 AM in Los Angeles and WKBW 1520 AM in Buffalo, New York.  Larsh was one of the original disc jockeys hired for the all new 13-Q in Pittsburgh in the early 1970s. Larsh also worked at KFRC, The Big 610 in the early 1980s, dominating the mid-day, late night, and overnight shifts at the station.

Larsh was working for WWKB 1520 in Buffalo, New York when the sudden format change in 2006 to liberal talk put him in the unemployed ranks. He died on March 22, 2008 at High Point Regional Hospital in North Carolina. He died from injuries suffered in a fall down his very steep stairs at his home.

Mel Allen

➦In 1996...Mel Allen died at age 83 (Born Melvin Allen Israel; February 14, 1913). He was a radio, TV sportscaster, best known for his long tenure as the primary play-by-play announcer for the New York Yankees. During the peak of his career in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, Allen was arguably the most prominent member of his profession, his voice familiar to millions. Years after his death, he is still promoted as having been "The Voice of the Yankees."

In perhaps the most notable moment of his distinguished career, Allen called Game 7 of the 1960 World Series, in which Bill Mazeroski hit a walk-off home run off Ralph Terry to win the fall classic for the Pittsburgh Pirates. This is the only walk-off home run ever to occur in a Game 7 of a World Series.

Allen attended the University of Alabama, where he served as the public address announcer for Alabama Crimson Tide football games. In 1933, when the station manager or sports director of Birmingham's radio station WBRC asked Alabama coach Frank Thomas to recommend a new play-by-play announcer, he suggested Allen.

Shortly after graduating, auditioned for a staff announcer's position at the CBS Radio Network. CBS executives already knew of Allen; the network's top sportscaster, Ted Husing, had heard many of his Crimson Tide broadcasts. He was hired at $45 ($796 in 2019) a week.

Allen was used as a color commentator for CBS's radio broadcast of the 1938 World Series. This led Wheaties to tap him to replace Arch McDonald as the voice of the Washington Senators for the 1939 season.

In June 1939, Garnett Marks, McDonald's partner on Yankee broadcasts, twice mispronounced Ivory Soap, the Yankees' sponsor at the time, as "Ovary Soap." He was fired, and Allen was tapped to replace him. McDonald himself went back to Washington after only one season, and Allen became the Yankees' and Giants' lead announcer, doing double duty for both teams because only their home games were broadcast at that time.

He periodically recounted an anecdote that occurred during his first full season (1940) as Yankee play-by-play man. Hall of Fame first baseman Lou Gehrig had been forced to retire the year before after having been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a fatal illness. Speaking with Allen in the Yankee dugout, Gehrig told him "Mel, I never got a chance to listen to your games before because I was playing every day. But I want you to know they're the only thing that keeps me going." Allen broke down in tears.

➦In 2015…Longtime Detroit personality Alan Almond died from a heart attacked at age 67.  He was host of 'Pillow Talk' from the 1970’s to the ’90’s. Almond never allowed himself to be photographed to enhance the effect of Pillow Talk’s ‘theater of the mind.'

VSiN Sports Betting Net Launching August 1

The Vegas Stats and Information Network is betting big on terrestrial radio.

The company has announced plans to launch the nation’s first terrestrial radio network dedicated exclusively to sports betting news and information. The official launch will take place in August 2019.

The new network will provide radio stations across the country with access to select content from the Vegas Stats & Information Network (VSiN), creating a national sports talk alternative for affiliate stations. Houston-based Gow Media will manage the syndication of programming to radio stations across the country.

“We’re thrilled to provide Gow Media with select sports betting content for terrestrial radio syndication on this exciting new platform. Establishing itself as the leader in the sports gambling information industry, VSiN is differentiated not only by delivering the most credible, actionable sports betting news and insights, but also by adding the entertainment factor with a variety of personalities,” said Dan Mason, Chairman at VSiN and former CEO of CBS Radio. “Over the past ten years sports radio has exploded and now there’s a new, younger audience emerging that will use analytics to inform their wagers within the growing regulated betting markets. This new network fits perfectly in that space, combining great personalities and legendary odds makers with sophisticated analytics.”

“We think sports betting content is poised for unprecedented growth,” Gow Media Chief Executive Officer David Gow said. “We are excited about the opportunity to help this new network deliver this unique content to an audience hungry for information about the nation’s betting markets.”

The expansion into the terrestrial space doesn’t affect VSiN’s current partnership with SiriusXM. The sports betting brand does though plan to install a new name for the network. That will come at a later date.

For stations interested in information on VSiN’s available shows and how to sign up to carry their programming, click here.

D-C Radio: NFL Redskins To Air On WTEM, ESPN 630

ESPN 630′s launch on WMAL 630 AM will signal the end of WTEM The Team 980′s status as an ESPN Radio affiliate, but 980, owned by Silver Spring-based media conglomerate Urban One, will remain the flagship home of Redskins broadcasts on the Redskins Radio Network.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with the two biggest sports brands in D.C. — ESPN and the Washington Redskins,” Jake McCann, VP and market manager for Cumulus Media Washington, D.C., said in a statement. “We look forward to creating compelling content for our listeners and advertisers as a natural expansion of our relationship with the Redskins.”

ESPN 630 will launched on July 1.

The Redskins and WMAL have quite a history, according to The Washington Post.  The team’s games were broadcast on WMAL from 1942 to 1956 and from 1963 to 1991. The beloved trio of Sonny Jurgensen, Sam Huff and Frank Herzog shared the WMAL broadcast booth from 1981 to 1991, with Johnny Holliday and the late Ken Beatrice providing pregame and postgame coverage, respectively, during that time.

WMAL’s contract to broadcast Redskins games ended after the 1991 season. WTEM, which was preparing to relaunch as D.C.’s first all-sports station Sportsradio 570 in April 1992, outbid WMAL for the rights to Redskins broadcasts. The Redskins returned to WMAL’s airwaves — both on 630 AM and 105.9 FM — in the 2017 season.

The Team 980 was known as ESPN 980 from 2008, when Daniel Snyder-owned Red Zebra Broadcasting acquired the station, until its rebranding in February of last year. The station has remained an ESPN Radio affiliate since then, airing ESPN Radio programming overnight and on weekends to complement its all-local daytime lineup. Entercom’s 106.7 the Fan, the flagship home of the Capitals and Nationals, launched its all-sports format on WJFK-FM in 2009.

In August, Urban One assumed operational control of The Team 980 from Red Zebra, two months after Snyder sold his final radio property. The changeover led to a shake-up of the station’s programming lineup, including the end of the weekday morning drive-time show that Kevin Sheehan and Chris Cooley had hosted together since 2016. Sheehan has recorded his own daily podcast since leaving the station.

Houston Radio: Sports KILT-AM Adds Matthew Jarecki For Late Night

Matthew Jarecki

Entercom has announced Matthew Jarecki as night drive host for SportsRadio KILT 610 AM, Houston’s Leader in Local Sports Coverage and the flagship station of the Houston Texans. Jarecki will be on air weeknights from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. CT, effective immediately.

“Matt’s a natural when it comes to sports radio,” said Sarah Frazier, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Entercom Houston. “He has an innate ability to create unique and passionate opinions around Houston sports. His relentless work ethic will shine through and has helped him earn this opportunity.”

“I’m so excited to be joining Entercom Houston,” said Jarecki. “There’s no better role to be in than on a station that is a heritage brand and the home of the Houston Texans. Houston sports in general provide ample opportunities for great sports talk radio. I can’t wait to help the team at SportsRadio 610 to get to where we want to be.”

Prior to joining Entercom, Jarecki was a morning show host on KLJX-LP in Flagstaff, AZ. He also served as a sideline reporter for KAFF-FM and play by play and sideline reporter for NAU-TV in Flagstaff.

Listeners can tune in to SportsRadio 610 (KILT-AM) in Houston on air, as well as nationwide on the RADIO.COM app and website. Fans can also connect with the station on social media via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

NYC Radio: Craig Carton Heads To Jail Monday

Former WFAN radio host Craig Carton released a statement on Friday — just days before he heads to the slammer — saying he believes in “redemption and earning second chances,” reports The NY Post.

“I made mistakes,” the statement says. “Mistakes in judgments, decisions and how I was living my life. I was wrong. I have, will and should continue to pay a dear price for those mistakes.”

Carton will be serving a 42-month sentence — set to begin Monday — for running an elaborate, $7 million ticket-resale Ponzi scheme. The former WFAN shock jock was convicted in April on charges of conspiracy and fraud.

“[I] believe in redemption and earning second chances,” Carton added in his statement, which was posted on Twitter. “I am keenly aware that my life doesn’t end when I go to prison, to the contrary it actually begins. I plan on making the most of the positive and life growing opportunities that the prison offers. I will work tirelessly to repay those whom I have hurt and to regain the trust that you all had in me. I look forward to the day when you accept that I have lived up to these promises and allow me the opportunity to once again be a part of your lives. I know when that day comes you will see and hear the best version of me.”

D-C Radio: WTEM Names Stephen Lieberman As GSM

Stephen Lieberman

Radio One has named Stephen Lieberman as General Sales Manager of Sports WTEM The Team 980, effective July 8.

The veteran sports media exec has spent more than 23 years in sales and marketing, most recently serving as General Sales Manager of NBC Sports Washington. Prior to that Lieberman was the Local Sales Manager for ABC's WMVP ESPN Radio 1000 Chicago for five years.

"I'm truly excited to return to the place where I started my sports radio career," said Lieberman. "I'm humbled to have an opportunity to build on the great work that my colleagues have devoted to The Team 980, and I'm looking forward to collaborating with this talented group to strengthen our ties to the community while building deeper partnerships in the marketplace."

"From his experience as an Adjunct Professor of sports sales at Georgetown University to sports radio management in Chicago and DC, Stephen brings a level of leadership and vision worthy of the great brand that is The Team 980," added Senior Regional VP Jeff Wilson.

"We are excited to welcome Stephen Lieberman to the Radio One family," said Director of Sales Samuel Tatum. "Steve brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, creativity, and passion for sports marketing that will surely deliver winning, customer-focused solutions for our clients, and partners."

Chattanooga Radio: WUSY-FM Awarded 'SpotLight Award'

Left to Right: Tyler Stansell, Entercom; Nichole Hartman, Entercom; Allison Buchignani, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; Justin Cole, Entercom; Will and Kristen Miller, Miller Family Foundation; Cheryl and Dickie Hutsell, Miller Family Foundation; and Haley Cameron, St. Jude

Entercom and its Country WUSY US-101 in Chattanooga have been honored by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital with the 2019 Spotlight Award.

The award recognized the fundraising efforts of country station U.S. 101’s annual “Heart Strings for Hope” event which has raised over $1 million for St. Jude over the course of a decade. U.S. 101 was honored at the charity’s annual “Volunteer Awards Dinner” in Memphis, TN on June 12.

“‘Heart Strings for Hope’ has become one of the most prestigious events in Chattanooga, TN,” said Nichole Hartman, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Entercom Chattanooga.

“It holds a special place in the heart of our community and Chattanooga has proven year after year its support for the kids of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Along with our partners, Will Miller and the Miller Family Foundation, we’re truly honored to be the voice of such a fantastic and worthy cause. St. Jude won’t stop until no child dies from childhood cancer and neither will we.”

U.S. 101 has supported St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital since 1994 and has raised over $8 million through various initiatives.  Annual events include the “St. Jude Rodeo,” “Country Cares for St. Jude Radiothon,” the “Tony O’Rear Bowl for Life Tournament” and the aforementioned “Heart Strings for Hope” event.

Listeners can tune in to U.S. 101 (WUSY-FM) in Chattanooga on air, as well as nationwide on the RADIO.COM app and website. Fans can also connect with the station on social media via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Rockford Radio: WYRB Importing The Breakfast Club

WYRB-FM Power 106.3 in Rockford, IL has announced the addition of The Breakfast Club to the station’s weekday morning lineup, effective Friday June 21, 2019. 

The top-rated morning show starring DJ Envy, Angela Yee and Charlamagne Tha God will join WYRB-FM in the Monday through Friday, 4:30am-9am timeslot.

The Breakfast Club stars Charlamagne Tha God, author of the New York Times bestseller Black Privilege and television personality, Angela Yee, creator and host of Angel Yee’s Lip Service; and DJ Envy, legendary mixtape master and world-renowned DJ.  Each morning, fans ofThe Breakfast Club tune in to hear DJ Envy, Angela Yee and Charlamagne Tha God’s unrivaled interviews and conversations with celebrities, hip-hop artists, and newsmakers such as Kanye West, Hillary Clinton, Jay Z, and Kevin Hart, plus entertainment news and fresh music mixes, along with their signature blend of honesty and humor. 

Launched in December 2010, The Breakfast Club was named the No. 1 radio program in the nation by “The Source” magazine.  It’s also widely regarded as one of the most informative and entertaining morning shows today.

“The Breakfast Club’s impact on music and entertainment can be seen online and social media daily,” said Esko, Program Director of WYRB-FM.  “We are thrilled to bring The Breakfast Club’s incredible listening experience to our audience weekday mornings in Rockford, IL starting June 21st.”

Report: Trump Looking To CableTV For Sanders' Successor

President Trump is looking to cable news to find his new press secretary, and he is hoping to have a woman fill the role, Yahoo News reports, citing multiple sources.

The president announced on Thursday that Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders would be leaving her post at the end of the month, but didn’t name her replacement.

“What Trump ultimately wants as the press secretary is someone who’s going to be a loyalist and an attack dog to go out there and defend him,” one source was quoted as saying.

According to Yahoo News, Trump likes the “imagery” of a female press secretary—making it unlikely that Deputy Secretary Hogan Gidley or former Treasury spokesman Tony Sayegh would get the post. Multiple sources said First Lady Melania Trump’s spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, is in the running for the job because she has “inside support” and “understands how to work with Trump and the media.”

Other names that have reportedly been floated for the role were Justice Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec, Fox News contributor Katie Pavlich, and former State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert, among others. Kupec was reportedly offered a job as a leading spokesperson for the Trump campaign and declined the role, opting to stay at DOJ. Nauert was thought to be the next Ambassador to the U.N., but she withdrew herself from the role.

Dish Net Makes Pitch for Sprint, T-Mobile Assets

Dish Network Corp. is leading the race to scoop up assets that the Justice Department says Sprint Corp. and T-Mobile US Inc. must sell to save their $26 billion merger, according to The Wall Street Journal citing people familiar with the matter.

Dish Executive Chairman Charlie Ergen has been trying to convince antitrust enforcers the wireless merger is bad for competition. Now he is arguing the best way to remedy that is to force the wireless operators to cast off more of the business to Dish.

His satellite-TV operator is in talks to buy prepaid subscribers and wireless spectrum licenses from the merger partners, the people said. Discussions are expected to continue over the weekend and Dish may not reach a deal. Other suitors include cable operators Charter Communications Inc. and Altice USA Inc., the people said.

Justice Department officials want the buyer to keep together assets it purchases, people familiar with the matter said. Dish, meanwhile, has amassed vast amounts of wireless spectrum over the years that it needs to put to use or risk losing its licenses. New Street Research analysts estimate at least $35 billion of spectrum is at risk.

Mr. Ergen met jointly with Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai and Justice Department antitrust chief Makan Delrahim this week and “explained the need for a minimum of four nationwide mobile network operators,” according to an FCC filing posted Friday.

The T-Mobile-Sprint deal earned the FCC chairman’s blessing last month after the merger partners agreed to divest of Sprint’s Boost Mobile prepaid brand and to invest in rural broadband. But the Justice Department is still pushing the companies to shed more assets, such as wireless spectrum licenses, and make other commitments that would preserve competition in the cellular market, according to people familiar with the talks.

Survey: Summer Readers Hope To Put Down Their Phones

A large majority of American readers (80%) plan to put away their cell phones to focus on reading this summer, according to an independent survey of 1,500 reading adults commissioned by Barnes & Noble, Inc.

Of those expressing the desire to make reading a priority, many have vowed not to look at their phones for between 30 minutes and two hours during each reading session.

The survey, conducted in early May by the market research company Atomik Research, also showed nearly 90% of parents with children between six- and 17-years old plan to ask their youngsters not to use electronic devices like cell phones and video games during certain periods of time during the summer. Of those, 44% said they want their kids to be device-free for more than three hours; 21% would be happy if their kids were off phones and videos for one-to-two hours a day.

“Parents have high hopes for themselves and their kids when it comes to reading habits this summer,” said Tim Mantel, Executive Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer for Barnes & Noble. “The desire to impose device-free time on themselves and their children was very strong among survey respondents, an indication of the importance of reading across generations.”

In fact, 61% of parents surveyed said summer reading is very important to their families, and 70% said summer reading for their kids is just as important as reading during the school year. In a sign that reading is a shared activity in many households, 69% of parents said their families read together during the summer, with more than half of parents (55%) planning to read the same books as their children this summer so they can have a bonding experience.

Parents also have high expectations of the number of books their children should read this summer, compared with the broader sample. Of the 1,500 readers surveyed, 38% hope to read one to three books this summer, while 37% hope to read four to six books. Among parents, 35% want their child/children to read four to six books this summer, 26% want them to read 10 or more books, and 25% want them to read one to three books.

June 15 Radio History

➦In 1910...David Rose born in London (Died at age 80 – August 23, 1990). He was a songwriter, composer, arranger, pianist, and orchestra leader. His best known compositions were "The Stripper", "Holiday for Strings", and "Calypso Melody".

David Rose

He also wrote music for many television series, including It's a Great Life, The Tony Martin Show, Little House on the Prairie, Highway to Heaven, Bonanza, and Highway Patrol under the pseudonym "Ray Llewellyn." Rose's work as a composer for television programs earned him four Emmys.  In addition, he was musical director for The Red Skelton Show during its 21-year run on the CBS and NBC networks.

In Hollywood, Rose formed his orchestra, doing a twice-weekly radio show for Mutual Broadcasting System called California Melodies, writing all the broadcast arrangements. He worked his way up to becoming music director of the Mutual network. Rose's first try at composing was his hit song "Holiday for Strings". During World War II, Rose entered the Army first meeting Red Skelton while both were enlisted. Skelton asked Rose to become the conductor for his Raleigh Cigarette Program. Rose joined the cast in 1948 and worked with Skelton on his television show for over 20 years.

➦In 1917...Blind Country musician and songwriter Leon Payne was born in Alba Texas.

Leon Payne

He is perhaps best known for his hits “I Love You Because,” and “You’ve Still Got A Place In My Heart.”   He began his music career in the mid-1930s, playing a variety of musical instruments in public, and later performing on KWET radio in Palestine, Texas, starting in 1935.

He also had a stint playing with Bob Wills' Texas Playboys in 1938. Payne was a regular working musician at Jerry Irby’s nightclub in Houston, Texas. He joined his stepbrother, famed songwriter Jack Rhodes, and formed Jack Rhodes and The Lone Star Buddies in 1949. They performed regularly on the Louisiana Hayride show in Shreveport, Louisiana. He was later on the Grand Ole Opry.

He died from a heart attack Sep 11, 1969 at age 52.

➦In 1923...Erroll Garner born (Died at age 53 – January 2, 1977) He was a jazz pianist and composer known for his swing playing and ballads. His best-known composition, the ballad "Misty", has become a jazz standard. Scott Yanow of Allmusic calls him "one of the most distinctive of all pianists" and a "brilliant virtuoso."  He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6363 Hollywood Blvd.

Erroll Garner

Garner began playing piano at the age of three. His elder siblings were taught piano by Miss Bowman. From an early age, Erroll would sit down and play anything she had demonstrated, just like Miss Bowman, his eldest sister Martha said.  Garner was self-taught and remained an "ear player" all his life, never learning to read music.

At age seven, he began appearing on the radio station KDKA in Pittsburgh with a group called the Candy Kids. By age 11, he was playing on the Allegheny riverboats. At 14 in 1937, he joined local saxophonist Leroy Brown.

He played locally in the shadow of his older pianist brother Linton Garner. Garner moved to New York City in 1944.

➦In 1945...NBC Blue Network becomes the American Broadcasting Company.

The company’s history traces to 1926, when the Radio Corporation of America (now RCA Corporation) and two other firms founded the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) to operate a nationwide radio broadcasting network.

NBC expanded so rapidly that by 1927 it found itself with an excess of affiliates in the same cities, so it split its programming into two separate networks, called the Red and the Blue networks.

After the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) declared in 1941 that no company could own more than one radio network, NBC in 1943 sold the less-lucrative Blue Network to Edward J. Noble, the millionaire maker of Life Savers candy, who initially renamed it the American Broadcasting System before settling on the name the American Broadcasting Company, Inc. (ABC).

1947 Advertisement

ABC was the smallest of the major radio networks and distinguished itself by hiring popular singer Bing Crosby to perform on a weekly variety series. As a precondition for his employment, Crosby required that he be allowed to prerecord the program for later broadcast; as a result, ABC became a pioneer in the field of magnetic recording.

➦In 1966...Capitol released the Beatles' newest US album, a compilation of sorts entitled Yesterday and Today, featuring a bizarre cover by arty photographer Robert Whitaker where the group, dressed in butcher smocks, is surrounded by decapitated baby dolls and raw meat.

For the shoot, Whitaker took a series of pictures of the group dressed in butcher smocks and draped with pieces of meat and body parts from plastic baby dolls. The group played along, as they were tired of the usual photo shoots; Lennon recalled the band's "boredom and resentment at having to do another photo session and another Beatles thing". Although not originally intended as an album cover, the Beatles submitted photographs from the session for their promotional materials. According to a 2002 interview published in Mojo, former Capitol president Alan W. Livingston stated that it was Paul McCartney who pushed strongly for the photo's inclusion as the album cover, and that McCartney reportedly described it as "our comment on the [Vietnam] war".

In the United States, Capitol Records printed approximately 750,000 copies of Yesterday and Today with this so-called 'butcher cover'.  Reaction was immediate, as Capitol received complaints from some dealers. The record was immediately recalled under orders from Sir Joseph Lockwood, chairman of Capitol's parent company EMI, and all copies were ordered shipped back to the record label, leading to its rarity and popularity among collectors.  The cover photo was replaced with a picture of the four band members posed around an open trunk.

At the time, some of the Beatles defended the use of the 'butcher' photograph. Lennon said that it was "as relevant as Vietnam" and McCartney said that their critics were "soft". However, this opinion was not shared by all band members. George Harrison said in The Beatles Anthology that he thought the whole idea "was gross, and I also thought it was stupid. Sometimes we all did stupid things thinking it was cool and hip when it was naïve and dumb; and that was one of them." In 2007 George Martin, the Beatles' producer, recalled that the cover had been the cause of his first strong disagreement with the band. He added: "I thought it was disgusting and in poor taste … It suggested that they were madmen. Which they were, but not in that way."

A youthful Sandy Beach

➦In 1968...Sandy Beach did his last show on WDRC, Hartford, Connecticut before moving to WKBW, Buffalo, New York.  Today, Beach does the 9a-12n show on N/T WBEN 930 AM.

Sandy Beach

Sandy Beach is a WKBW Radio legend and one of the most recognized names in Buffalo Radio history. Throughout his career he has worked in Buffalo, Hartford, Dallas, San Francisco, and Milwaukee as an on-air talent.

He was also program director for NBC and Capital Cities/ABC. His most recent success has been the #1 PM Drive personality on Newsradio 930 WBEN.

Beach is a three time nominee for Billboard Magazine Personality of the Year. In May of 2003, Sandy was inducted into the Buffalo Broadcasters Hall of Fame.

➦In 2014...Iconic radio personality (American Top 40)/cartoon voicist Casey Kasem died of complications from Lewy body dementia at the age of 82. His remains were laid to rest six months later in Oslo, Norway. (See original posting: Click Here)

L-A Radio: KPWR Snags Nick Cannon For Wake-Up Duty

Nick Cannon

Meruelo Media has officially announced that TV/Radio host, comedian, actor, producer, rapper, writer, philanthropist, children’s book author ,and activist, Nick Cannon, will join KPWR Power 106, LA’s #1 hip hop station, as the morning show’s main host and producer.

The show, “Nick Cannon Mornings – Power 106 #1 for Hip Hop,” launches this Monday, June 17, and will air daily from 5AM — 10AM.

“Nick is the quintessential entertainer and content creator who will take our media game to the next level,” said Otto Padron, President and COO of Meruelo Media, “His tremendous success across television, film and music is testimony of his unique talent, work ethic and impeccable reputation.” Otto concluded, “Nick is the absolute right talent to start our mornings on Power 106 – this is an incredible match and we’re fortunate to have him on our family!”

Cannon said, “Power 106 is one of the most substantial fixtures in our Hip Hop culture that has proven time and time again that they are #1 and not going anywhere! Los Angeles is used to star players joining star franchises! I’m just honored for the opportunity to make our community and Culture proud. All I can say is it’s Ncredible!”

Power 106 Program Director, E-Man said, “Nick Cannon is that fresh sound we were looking for on Power 106. Nick is an incredible entertainer who embodies Hip Hop, pop culture, comedy, and community all in one! We are very excited to have him on our team.”

Buffalo Radio: WBEN's David Bellavia To Receive Medal of Honor

Entercom proudly congratulates on-air host David Bellavia for his upcoming receipt of the prestigious Medal of Honor.

Bellavia, who co-hosts “Bauerle and Bellavia” on WBEN 930 AM in Buffalo, will be recognized by President Donald Trump for conspicuous gallantry while serving as Staff Sergeant in the United States Army during a ceremony at the White House on June 25.

Bellavia is credited for rescuing an entire squad, clearing an insurgent strongpoint and saving many members of his platoon as a part of Operation Phantom Fury in Fallujah, Iraq on November 10, 2004.

 “Hearing David’s story in his own words gives you a real understanding of what patriotism truly means,” said Greg Ried, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Entercom Buffalo. “We are extremely proud to work side by side with a true American hero.”

“To me, it gives a lot of credibility to our unit. This award is our award,” said Bellavia. “You care for your hometown, you care for your country, you care for your friends, but that’s something that separates us from all the other enemies we fight…we love what we do and we love who we are protecting.”

David Bellavia enlisted in the United States Army in 1999. Bellavia was previously awarded the Silver Star for his actions during the Second Battle of Fallujah. He has also received the Bronze Star, three Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals and the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross. Bellavia joined WBEN as an on-air host in 2013.

 For more information on David Bellavia and his heroic story, please click here.

 The Medal of Honor is awarded to members of the Armed Forces who distinguish themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their own lives above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States; engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

D-C Radio: WMAL Splits for Sports July 1

Cumulus Media and ESPN Audio will launch a new sports/talk radio station for the nation’s capital on July 1 - ESPN 630 on WMAL-AM.

The WMAL 630 AM / 105.9 FM simulcast will split with the successful news/talk format continuing on WMAL-FM and its digital platforms.

The new sports/talk station will be the home for ESPN Radio weekday talk programming in Washington, D.C., including Golic and Wingo (6-10 a.m. ET) hosted by Mike Golic and Trey Wingo, The Stephen A. Smith Show (1-3 p.m.) and the exclusive national radio outlet for the NBA (including playoffs and Finals) and MLB (including postseason and World Series). The station will also carry Washington Redskins NFL games as part of an expanded content partnership with the team and sports/talk shows hosted by local personalities.

Jake McCann, Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus Washington, D.C., said: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with the two biggest sports brands in D.C. – ESPN and the Washington Redskins. We look forward to creating compelling content for our listeners and advertisers as a natural expansion of our relationship with the Redskins.”

Traug Keller, Senior Vice President, ESPN Audio, said: “It has been a great experience working with Cumulus to launch our new ESPN Radio station in D.C. Now sports fans in the nation’s capital will be able to listen to ESPN’s big personalities including Mike, Trey and Stephen A. with expert opinions, reactions and analysis to the top stories and ESPN’s championship events.”

Golic said: “Washington D.C. is a great sports destination with a passionate and involved fan base. We can’t wait to bring the unique style of Golic and Wingo to the nation’s capital next month on the new ESPN 630.” 

Wingo said: “I’m happy we’ll be heard in our nation’s capital. My first job out of school was there and my son played football at Georgetown so I’m excited for Golic and Wingo to be part of the D.C. scene. Also, little-known fact, I was the one who told Alex Ovechkin to scream like a caveman during the Capitals Stanley Cup parade,” Wingo added jokingly.

WMAL 630 AM (10 Kw-D, 2.7 Kw-N, DA2)

The station will announce its full line-up in advance of the July 1st start date.

Philly Radio: Paris Nicole Promoted To PD At WPHI

Radio One Philadelphia has announced the promotion of Paris Nicole to Program Director of WPHI-FM Boom 103.9. The promotion makes Nicole the youngest Program Director at Radio One, one of the largest radio broadcasting companies in the nation.

A Richmond, VA native, Nicole began her career in 2006 and with Radio One in 2010.  She started as an intern in Richmond and worked her way up to become a top-rated on-air personality at Philly’s Boom 103.9 where she hosts her daily midday show from 9am-2pm.

Paris Nicole

She assumed the position of Assistant Program Director in 2016 and her promotion marks a new era for Radio One’s Philadelphia cluster.  “Paris earned this promotion by stepping into a void at our station months before the position was created,” said Ezio Torres, Station Manager of Radio One Philadelphia.

“From managing and scheduling the staff, to orchestrating Boom Class of 2019 flawlessly, she proved what we already knew – Paris Nicole is a natural leader.  With that skill and her incredible relationships, she will take Boom 103.9 to the next level.”

Colby Tyner, Vice President of Programming, said, “Paris took the reins of WPHI in the last six months, increased ratings, and pulled off a major event. She earned these stripes, and we are so proud of her.”

Kashon Powell, Vice President of Programming, stated, “I’m ecstatic to have Paris take on this role. She’s demonstrated an unquestionable ability to lead the team and her passion for radio is incomparable. I have no doubt that her future is bright.”

In addition to Nicole’s new responsibilities, she will continue as an on-air personality on middays with such popular features as Hip-Hop Jeopardy and Fly Chick Friday.

“I’m truly honored and grateful for the opportunity,” Nicole stated. “I’d like to thank Colby Tyner, Kashon Powell, Ezio Torres, and the entire Radio One family for believing in me. Boom 103.9 has always done amazing things in Philadelphia, and I’m excited to lead our station to new heights! Boom is poised to represent the hip-hop and R&B culture as no other outlet can.

Day 4: Nielsen Releases Final Batch Of May 2019 PPMs

Nielsen on Thursday, June 13, 2019 released the final batch of May 2019 PPM data for the following markets:

  33   Austin

  38   Raleigh-Durham NC

  39   Indianapolis

  41   Milwaukee-Racine

  43   Nashville

  44   Providence-Warwick-Pawtucket RI 

  45   Norfolk-Virginia Beach-Newport News

  46   Jacksonville FL

  47   West Palm Beach-Boca Raton

  48   Greensboro-Winston-Salem-High Point NC

  51   Memphis

  52   Hartford-New Britain-Middletown CT

Click Here to view topline numbers for subscribing Nielsen stations.

NOLA Radio: Robby Bowen New DOS For Entercom

Robby Bowen

Entercom has announced Robby Bowen as Vice President and Director of Sales for Entercom New Orleans, effective June 19.

In this role, Bowen will oversee sales efforts for B97 (WEZB-FM), Bayou 95.7 (WKBU-FM), Magic 101.9 (WLMG-FM), The New Hot 92.9 FM (WWWL-AM) and WWL 870 AM – 105.3 FM (WWL-AM/FM).

“Robby has an exceptional track record of leading sales team and programs for clients,” said Kevin Cassidy, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Entercom New Orleans. “We are pleased to keep his talents within Entercom and welcome him to the bayou.”

“I am really looking forward to this next phase of my career with Entercom New Orleans,” said Bowen. “With the support of our great teams, I’m sure we’ll be able to provide successful solutions for our partners.”

Bowen is an industry veteran with over 14 years of experience, most recently serving as General Sales Manager for Entercom Dallas. Previously, Bowen served as Market President and Chief Revenue Officer for Townsquare Media Buffalo. Prior to that, he was General Sales Manager for CBS Radio station 105.3 The Fan.

NYC Radio: WABC's John Batchelor On The Road Again

John Batchelor

77 WABC Radio announces that it will broadcast The John Batchelor Show live from Central Asia at Tashkent, the capital of the Uzbekistan Republic, beginning this week.

The John Batchelor Show airs on 77 WABC Monday-Friday from 9:00pm-1:00am, and Sunday from 12:00am-1:00am.

Scala Inc. is sponsoring Batchelor’s live broadcast, in conjunction with the Central Asia, Mongolia, Caucasus and Afghanistan Forum and the Rumsfeld Foundation.

Uzbekistan is deep into the heart of the legendary Silk Road, and host John Batchelor and co-host Christopher Nixon Cox will interview young entrepreneurs who are striving to transform a region of 80 million people into an economic engine to bring prosperity to a civilization that was ignored by the Russian Empire and abused by the Soviet Empire.

Batchelor said: "Tashkent is part of a chain of ancient city-states of traders and farmers that created cultures of wealth and art more than 2000 years ago, attracting conquerors from Alexander the Great to Tamerlane and Genghis Khan. In between this dusty game of thrones, the city states achieved breakthroughs in geometry, astronomy, medicine and mathematics that Western Europe would not see until the Enlightenment. Today, the Central Asian states are starting to recover their own history and with it a sense of pride. And Uzbekistan, the most populous state of Central Asia, is looking to America for a guide on how to awaken and enhance its pioneering ambitions."