September 6 Radio History

Morgan Beatty

➦In 1902...radio newsman Morgan Beatty was born in Little Rock Arkansas.  He achieved fame as a correspondent for the National Broadcasting Company radio network for 25 years. He began his career as a newspaper reporter and worked for The Associated Press before and after his years with N.B.C.

For many years in the 1940′s & 50′s in particular, he was a senior news broadcaster for NBC Radio based in New York. “This is Morgan Beatty speaking for Alka Seltzer bringing you news of the world! and the news tonight is…”

When TV arrived he became news anchor for the short-lived Dumont Network.  A great radio presence with natural gravitas in his voice, he died July 4 1975 at age 72.

➦In 1920...WWJ Detroit became the first station to air a professional boxing match. The station is believed to be the first to broadcast news reports regularly, and the first to present regularly scheduled religious broadcasts and play-by-play sports reports.The bout was won by Jack Dempsey.

➦In 1942...The radio comedy the Mayor of the Town made its debut. It starred Lionel Barrymore and aired until July 3, 1949 on ABC, CBS, Mutual and NBC at various times.

➦In 1954...1010 WINS NYC begins playing rock n roll with Alan Freed Show

➦In 1959...the hit radio sitcom “Fibber McGee and Molly” ended after almost 25 years. The situation comedy, a staple of the NBC Red Network for the show's entire run and one of the most popular and enduring radio series of its time. The show ran as a stand-alone series from 1935 to 1956, and then continued as a short-form series as part of the weekend Monitor from 1957 to 1959. The title characters were created and portrayed by Jim and Marian Jordan, a real-life husband and wife team that had been working in radio since the 1920s.

➦In 1965...Chuck Leonard started at WABC 770 AM.

From 1968...

Chuck Leonard

His deep voice and smoothness resonated across 38 states for 14 years at ABC. During his over 40-year career in broadcasting, Leonard worked virtually every shift and played all styles of music at stations including WWRL, WABC, WXLO, WRKS, WBLS, WQEW, WNSW-AM and WJUX. He has been inducted in the Museum of Television & Radio and is known as the first African-American disc jockey to work on a mainstream radio station.

On WABC, Leonard began in the 11 p.m. to midnight slot, and continued working late nights and Sundays at the station until November 27, 1979. He did the 10:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. shift following “Cousin” Bruce Morrow and later George Michael. He also gladly handled weekend and fill-in work.

Leonard was the host of "Sneak Preview," a five-minute Monday-through-Saturday evening program on ABC's American Contemporary Radio Network, which featured newly released songs. He stayed at WABC until 1979, before moving to WXLO and WRKS.


➦In 1987...Pat St. John left WPLJ NYC, and returned to his rock roots on WNEW 102.7 FM, which had been WPLJ's rival during its AOR years. He became the station's program director in the early 1990s while continuing his mid-day show until moving to morning-drive from 1994 through 1996. and then moved to afternoons. St. John remained with the station until it switched to a hot talk format in 1998.

From 1984...



St. John is one of the U.S.'s preeminent and longest serving radio personalities and voice-over artists.

Pat St. John

Known as The Dee-Jay’s DJ, he began his radio career on Windsor, Ontario's CKLW 800 AM in 1969 and '70, followed by WKNR 1300 AM in late 1970 to early '72, followed by WRIF 101.1 FM to April 1973.

Pat is best known for his work in the New York City market on WPLJ 95.5 FM , WNEW 102.7 FM, WAXQ and WCBS 101.1 FM.  Pat has done extensive television voiceover work, including announcing for Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve from 2000 to 2010.

St. John was known for his conversational on-air style with interspersed bits of music trivia, along with "Collectible Cuts" from his extensive record library.

Today, Pat can be heard on SiriusXM's '60s on 6 Channel weekdays 3 to 7 pm (Eastern)

➦In 2013…Don Wade, a pillar of Chicago radio, died of a brain tumor, about a year after the condition forced the morning show host off the air. He was 72.

Wade spent 55 years in broadcasting, 27 of them at WLS 890 AM. From 1989 to 2012, he worked mornings co-hosting "The Don Wade & Roma Show" with his wife.

Colleagues said Mr. Wade was a relentless researcher who would wake up in the middle of the night to get ready for his 5 a.m. show. The "lovable curmudgeon" became a Chicago institution by knowing the topics he covered inside and out.

During his career he also worked in Seattle, Denver, Hartford, New Orleans, Buffalo, Boston, Dallas and Philadelphia.

➦In 2017...WFAN NYC sports radio talk show host Craig Carton and another man were arrested on charges of bilking millions of dollars from investors in a concert-ticket selling scheme.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY:

Deborah Joy Winans is 37

• Comedian JoAnne Worley is 84. 
• Country singer David Allan Coe is 81. 
• Singer-bassist Roger Waters (Pink Floyd) is 77. 
• Actor Swoosie Kurtz is 76. 
• Comedian-actor Jane Curtin is 73. 
• Country singer Buddy Miller is 68. 
• Actor James Martin Kelly (“Mob City,” ″Magic Mike”) is 66. 
• Drummer Joe Smyth of Sawyer Brown is 63. 
• Actor-comedian Jeff Foxworthy is 62. 
• Actor-comedian Michael Winslow (“Police Academy”) is 62. 
• Guitarist Pal Waaktaar of A-ha is 59. 
• News correspondent Elizabeth Vargas is 58. 
• Country singer Mark Chesnutt is 57. 
• Actor Betsy Russell (“Saw”) is 57. 
• Actor Rosie Perez is 56. 
• Singer Macy Gray is 53. 
• Singer CeCe Peniston is 51. 
• Singer Darryl Anthony (Az Yet) is 51. 
• Actor Daniele Gaither (“MADtv”) is 50. 
• Actor Dylan Bruno (“Numb3ers”) is 48. 
• Actor Idris Elba is 48. 
• Actor Justina Machado (Netflix’s “One Day At A Time,” “Jane the Virgin”) is 48. 
• Actor Anika Noni Rose (“The Princess and the Frog,” “Dreamgirls”) is 48. 
• Actor Justin Whalin (“Lois and Clark”) is 46. 
• Singer Nina Persson (The Cardigans) is 46. 
• Actor Naomie Harris (“Moonlight,” “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies) is 44. 
• Rapper Foxy Brown is 42. 
• Actor Deborah Joy Winans (“Greenleaf”) is 37. 
• Actor Lauren Lapkus (“Orange Is The New Black”) is 35. 
• Singer Max George of The Wanted is 32.

Pittsburgh Radio: KDKA-AM Pulls Wendy Bell Off The Air

Wendy Bell

Entercom Pittsburgh announced Friday that talk show host Wendy Bell has been taken off the air at News-Talk KDKA 1020 AM in a statement released by Entercom Pittsburgh Senior Vice President Michael Spacciapolli.

"Entercom is the home to thousands of voices representing Americans of all races, ethnicities, gender identity, sexual orientation, beliefs and ability.  

We take very seriously our responsibility to provide a platform for our communities to engage in diverse and meaningful dialogue, debate and the right to freedom of speech, we do not condone the incitement of violence on any of our platforms.  

Members of our community have recently brought to our attention comments made by Wendy Bell that do not align with Entercom’s values. Wendy has been taken off air until further notice. 

Entercom Pittsburgh remains steadfast in our commitment to inclusive conversations that engage everyone in Pittsburgh while excluding any form of violence."

In a video recorded on June 26 during her live radio show, Bell looks into the camera and says: “My easy solution for the park rangers and hopefully snipers who are going to be watching for this is to shoot on sight.” Bell then mimics the sound of a gunshot. “Shoot! Done! No more messing with monuments. You want to mess with a monument? Done! Get out!”

Though the video was recorded over two months ago, a clip from it went viral this week, reports triblive.com.


In another video shot at night, Bell is seen standing on a dark street as she addresses Black Lives Matter protesters.

“Hey — news flash, protesters. Get out! Go somewhere else, OK? Because you’ve worn out your welcome,” Bell said. “And by the way, the silent majority is pissed and they are armed and they are ready. So, don’t muck with us.”

There has been negative reaction to Bell’s comments on social media and at least one advertiser has pulled its commercials from her show. Breadworks Bakery posted on Facebook Thursday that it was “shocked and saddened” by her comments.

“Breadworks does not condone violence. This is why we will not be advertising on her show any longer.”

Also KDKA-TV has been inundated with complaints about Bell, even though the television station and radio station are owned by separate companies.

Earlier this week KDKA-TV was compelled to issue a statement on its social media platforms.

“KDKA TV would like to remind our viewers and readers that Wendy Bell does not work for KDKA-TV, a ViacomCBS owned station,” the television station said. “Bell works for KDKA Radio, which is owned by Entercom Communications radio group. Please direct all comments and inquiries to KDKA Radio, 412-353-1300.”

Bell, an award-winning broadcaster for 18 years at WTAE-TV, was fired by the station in March 2016 for a post on her official Facebook page made after a mass shooting in Wilkinsburg. Before police had made any arrests in the case, Bell wrote, “You needn’t be a criminal profiler to draw a mental sketch of the killers who broke so many hearts two weeks ago Wednesday. … They are young black men, likely in their teens or early 20s. They have multiple siblings from multiple fathers and their mothers work multiple jobs.”

Bell’s show is not currently listed on KDKA’s website and the station is not saying when or if she will return to the airwaves.

Since April, KDKA Radio 1020 AM has dropped three spots in the Pittsburgh-area ratings and was the 5th most listened to station in the region in August, just narrowly beating out WESA 90.5 FM.

Chicago Radio: Shake-Up Reported At WGN 720 AM

Veteran Chicago radio personality John Records Landecker  reportedly is joing Nexstar Media Group's WGN 720 AM as fulltime host.

To make room for Landecker, Chicago Media Watcher Robert Feder reports afternoon personality Roe Conn is out, effective Friday. He was notified after he got off the air Friday that it was his last show.

Also out is overnight personality Nick Digilio, who also was notified Friday.

John Records Landecker

Landecker, who’s been a frequent fill-in host, will fill in during afternoons until September 28 when he’ll move permanently to a new evening show — airing from 7 to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Also starting September 28, longtime WGN Radio news anchor Steve Bertrand will host “Chicago’s Afternoon News” from 4 to 7 p.m. It’s being billed as a daily newsmagazine show.

“The importance of local news and information being shared by someone who is trusted by our audience is paramount during these challenging times,” Mary Boyle, general manager of WGN, said in a statement. “Steve Bertrand has always been committed to reporting the news in a fair and thoughtful way. This afternoon news-oriented program led by Steve is a welcome addition to our WGN Radio weekday lineup.”

The early afternoon show hosted by Anna Davlantes will expand to three hours — from 1 to 4 p.m.

Conn joined WGN as afternoon host in 2015 after 25 years at Cumulus Media news/talk WLS 890-AM.

Digilio, an inductee in the WGN Radio Walk of Fame who recently marked his 35th year at the station, moved up to full-time host in 2013.

NYC Radio: Bruce Morrow Returns To 77WABC

Legendary radio personality Bruce Morrow, known for introducing America to The Beatles, Motown, 60s soul and more, is back with Cousin Brucie’s Saturday Night Rock & Roll Party. Starting tonight, he'll air every Saturday night from 6 to 9 pm ET on www.wabcradio.com and on the radio station 77WABC in New York — the one that he helped build back in 1961.

In addition to hearing the show live around the country on the station’s website, listeners can also stream the show on the WABC App.

“Cousins, this is literally one of the most exciting projects of my life,” said Morrow. “It completes a circle … a career circle. It all started at WABC, and here we are all these years later, and the magic is still here. And what magic we’re going to make!”

The station and its digital platforms are owned by John Catsimatidis’ Red Apple Media.

“Brucie is a national treasure and talent. Listeners everywhere can now hear this radio icon and their favorite music from the early days of rock and roll on our radio stations and streaming on our digital platforms,” said Catsimatidis. “Red Apple Media is about bringing the best in information and entertainment to New York and all of America however they want to listen — on their phone, radio, smart speaker or computer.”

Most recently, Cousin Brucie was heard by paid subscribers on SiriusXM satellite radio, where he hosted his Wednesday and Saturday night programs since 2005.

With his return to 77WABC, Cousin Brucie’s shows are freely accessible to his loyal listeners across the country.

Bruce Morrow (Cousin Brucie) is an acclaimed and beloved broadcaster of over 50 years and was born in Brooklyn and grew up a true son of New York City.

After early jobs in Bermuda and various other markets, he joined 77WABC in 1961, just as rock and roll music was becoming popular and a few years ahead of the British Invasion that brought The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and more.

In the ’80s and ’90s, Cousin Brucie was heard on WCBS-FM, New York’s oldies station, at the time, where he hosted the Saturday Night Dance Party, The Top 15 Yesterday and Today Countdown and The Yearbook.

At the time, Cousin Brucie also hosted the nationally syndicated radio show, Cruisin’ America.

L-A Radio: KNX-AM To Celebrate 100-Years

Entercom will celebrate 100 years of News Radio KNX 1070 AM, Southern California’s only 24-hour news and traffic station.

Beginning September 8, the station will air “KNX: a Century of Covering Southern California,” a history-rich, eight-part on-air series to commemorate its centennial anniversary and pay tribute to former employees who helped grow KNX 1070 News Radio into one of the nation’s premiere all-news brands. On September 10, the station’s official anniversary, KNX will reimage itself for the day using memorable jingles, sounders and sound bites from the previous 100 years.

“The history of Southern California, this county and our world have been painted by so many legendary broadcasters over the years, which is a daily reminder of the historic brand that KNX is,” said Jeff Federman, Regional President, Entercom Southern California. “I am proud to be a small part of the history of KNX and am grateful of the team here today carrying the torch that our predecessors passed to us. I look forward to celebrating 100 years of this iconic brand.”

“KNX is a historic brand, and I’m in awe of being a part of its illustrious history,” said Ken Charles, Brand Manager, KNX 1070 News Radio. “This station is a local pillar, here before the Hollywood Sign, the Santa Monica Pier and the Rose Bowl. Just as iconic as any of our local treasures, KNX is a consistent part of the fabric of Southern California, serving as a breaking news resource for our communities, first responders and the nation.”

KNX 1070 News Radio launched on September 10, 1920 when Fred Christian started 6ADZ for the customers of his Electric Supply Company to listen to. 20 months later in May 1922, the electric supply company was issued the call sign, KNX. Today, KNX is still serving the people of Southern California, reaching the largest number of weekly listeners – over 1.24 million – compared to the market’s spoken word format radio stations, according to Nielsen.

Reports: Trey Wingo OUT At ESPN

Trey Wingo

Without a significant role to fill and with ESPN watching costs, Trey Wingo is being let go by the network, The NY Post is reporting.

Wingo, 56, has been with ESPN for more than two decades. His highest-profile TV job was hosting the NFL Draft. He was recently taken off ESPN Radio’s morning program, “Golic & Wingo.”

Wingo’s current contract expires at the end of the year.

Wingo started the radio removal process on his own by telling network executives he no longer wanted to rise early for the program. This was prior to the pandemic, when ESPN may have had more opportunities for someone like Wingo.

It is unclear what Wingo will do next, as overtures to join NFL Network, his preferred destination, have been unsuccessful thus far, according to sources. He has nearly 1 million followers on Twitter.

While there have been talks, no role has been found.

A move back to “NFL Live” for Wingo was blocked when ESPN chose Laura Rutledge as its new host. Beyond that, there was not much inventory left for Wingo.

Since 1997, Wingo has been a part of ESPN, moving up the ranks before finally becoming a lead guy on NFL Live, the draft and radio.

Charlotte Radio: NBA Hornets Cancel John Focke

John Focke

The NBA Charlotte Hornets have parted ways with the radio announcer who had claimed last month that his use of a racial slur on social media was accidental.

The NY Post reports John Focke was suspended by the Michael Jordan-owned NBA franchise on August 18, one day after he’d tweeted the N-word in a post about the playoff series involving the Utah Jazz and the Denver Nuggets.

“The Charlotte Hornets announced today that John Focke will not return as the team’s radio broadcaster due to a violation of the organization’s social media policy,” the Hornets said Thursday in a statement. “Since this is a personnel matter, the organization will not comment any further. The Hornets thank John for all of his efforts during the 2019-20 season.”

Focke’s original tweet Aug. 17 read: “Shot making in this Jazz-[N-word] game is awesome! [Jamal] Murray and [Donovan] Mitchell going back and forth what a game!”

Focke, who was in his first season as an announcer and podcast host for the Hornets, said the “horrific error” was a typo while he was attempting to type “Nuggets” and he didn’t reread it before sending the post.

“I don’t know how I mistyped, I had (and have) no intention of ever using that word,” Focke tweeted at the time. “I take full responsibility for my actions. I have been sick to my stomach about it ever since. I’m truly sorry that this happened and I apologize to those I offended.”

Columbia SC Radio: WLXC Adds Renee, Connors to Line-Up

CUMULUS MEDIA announces that it has added two new live and local personality-driven shows to WLXC-FM/Kiss 103.1’s weekday programming schedule.

Top Columbia, SC, radio personality, Dee Dee Renee, has joined WLXC-FM/Kiss 103.1 as Host of Middays. She can be heard Monday through Friday from 10:00am-3:00pm, followed by Chris Connors in Afternoon Drive from 3:00pm-7:00pm. Connors, who moves from Middays, is also Program Director of WLXC-FM/Kiss 103.1. The station’s popular morning show, Rick and Sasha, will continue to kick off each weekday from 6:00am-10:00am.

WLXC-FM/Kiss 103.1’s exciting new on-air lineup debuts on Tuesday, September 8th.

Dee Dee Renee joins Cumulus Columbia from WWDM-FM in Columbia, where she was a popular midday personality. Prior to that, she was Co-Host of the nationally syndicated The Doug Banks Radio Show for American Urban Radio Network.

Tammy O’Dell, Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus Columbia, SC, said: “Dee Dee Renee has captivated daytime audiences in Columbia for the past eight years. A single mother of four, including twin girls entering their second year of college, her story is that of working women everywhere. Dee Dee’s amazing energy, passion and dedication to her craft and to her audience is unmatched. She’s a winner and a welcomed addition to our growing staff.”

Chris Connors, Program Director and Host, Afternoon Drive, WLXC-FM, noted: “We're still putting the pieces of this puzzle together. Dee Dee is going to be an integral part of our plan to captivate and entertain the Columbia audience for years to come. I’d much rather compete with her than against her, so needless to say, I’m excited to have her on our team. I look forward to reaching our goals together and to accomplishing even more amazing things in the future.”

Dee Dee Renee commented: “Radio has been my passion for 30 years. Covid has taken a toll on a lot of people. Knowing that, I realize people need some joy and laughter at least a few hours out of the day. Even I need that. I’m looking forward to talking and reconnecting with my radio family. Radio is my love, my passion, and after God and my family... It’s my LIFE!”

Lexington Radio: Cumulus Rebrands WVLK As Country K-92.9

CUMULUS MEDIA announces that its Country radio station in Lexington, KY, has a new name, K92.9 WVLK-FM. The station, previously branded as NASH FM 92.9, has re-launched as K92.9, Lexington’s New Country Leader.

As part of the new moniker, the station, formerly tagged with the call letters WLXX-FM, has swapped call letters with sister station, Classic Hits station 101.5 Jack FM.

Scott Frazier, General Manager, Cumulus Lexington, said: “WVLK-FM was and again soon will be the most popular Country music radio station in the Bluegrass. K92.9 is our return to Kentucky’s Heritage Country Station, playing the most and best New Country Music in Lexington.”

Tony “Twitch” Longo, Operations Manager, Cumulus Lexington, said: “I am beyond excited to help bring this heritage Country brand back to the Bluegrass. The WVLK-FM call letters historically have been the standard bearer of what Country radio is in Kentucky, and I’m glad to say they are once again where they belong!”

Deidre Ransdell, Program Director, WVLK-FM and WLXX-FM, said: "I am thrilled to be part of the exciting changes for K92.9 as we re-establish this heritage brand in Central Kentucky. This will not be a change to the music or the eras played on K92.9, simply MORE Country music than any other station and staking a claim to the title of Lexington's NEW Country Leader! From the Phoenix Hotel in 1961 to the Central Bank Building in downtown Lexington today, K92.9 WVLK FM continues to be a live and local station Lexington can count on."

IBA Officially Opens Membership Website

The Independent Broadcasters Association (IBA) announced Friday that the IBA Membership website is officially “open for business!” Also announced today is a network radio ad sales partnership with New York City-based AdLarge Media to create two new independent radio station networks. 

Ron Stone

The IBA Board approved the membership offering on August 17. The membership fee is designed so that every radio station can afford to participate and benefit from all the deliverables underway. The cost of membership is $100 per station annually plus one :60 unit of advertising per week, Monday – Friday 6a-7p. Plans are set for an additional network that will deliver network revenue directly to member stations. Broadcasters can go to www.IBA.media to sign up. Stations that have signed up by September 30 will be included on the upfront national network avails for 2021.

There are currently 2,766 stations that have expressed interest in joining the IBA. Ron Stone, President of the IBA said, “We anticipate many more stations to sign up beyond those that have already expressed interest. With the launch of the AdLarge partnership, any station in need of new revenue should be signing up. If you are not a member, your stations will not be able to participate. I honestly cannot imagine any independent station not wanting to see new revenue flow their way. Independent radio will finally have a seat at the table for network revenue.” 

Gary Schonfeld

AdLarge Co-Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer Gary Schonfeld commented on the partnership, “We are thrilled to work with Ron and the independent radio stations across the country that are joining the IBA. This partnership comes at a most opportune time, giving independent radio groups and stations more power and prominence in network radio advertising. Ron’s industry leadership in creating the IBA will help thousands of radio stations nationwide generate additional revenue, and we are honored to be a part of it.”

“Radio is a powerful reach medium that can influence consumers because it touches their lives in their local communities,” observed AdLarge Co-Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer, Cathy Csukas. “We look forward to bringing these new opportunities to our network radio advertisers and their agencies, who are looking to connect with consumers on Main Street.”

Stone also made note of several additional deliverables that will be announced soon. Stone said, “We have been working very hard to deliver on many opportunities. One of the big ones that will be rolled out by December 31 is a multi-layered traffic product, currently being tested in multiple markets. This system combines traffic, CRM, yield management and analytic tools to eliminate the redundancy and cost of multiple systems. What will be delivered is a system that will not only handle the back of the house duties, it will help sellers create new revenue and reduce attrition. This system will be available in 2021 at a significant savings to what independent broadcasters now pay for similar services.”

Houston Radio: KILT-AM To Air 'Biggest Pre-Game' Show

Entercom Houston station Sports Radio KILT 610 AM, the flagship radio home of the Houston Texans, presents “The World’s Biggest Pre-Game Show: 100 Hours of Texans-Chiefs Coverage,” a five-day on-air countdown to the Texans season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday, September 10 at 7:20 p.m. CT.

“The World’s Biggest Pre-Game Show” will include over 100 hours of Texans-Chiefs insider information and analysis from on-air hosts, former Texans players and NFL and team insiders. For the first time ever, listeners will hear Texans Radio special presentations of commercial-free replays for four classic 2019 Texans games.

Programming will also feature an exclusive interview with head coach Bill O’Brien; appearances by NFL Hall of Famer and Texans Insider John McClain; special shows with Texans radio voice Marc Vandermeer and sideline reporter John Harris live from NRG Stadium; an hourly countdown to kickoff; “Celebrity Key to the Game” programming with local stars; and on-air giveaways including autographed Texans memorabilia.

Regularly scheduled team on-air content, including “Texans Kickoff Special presented by Xfinity,” “The Players Show,” and “Texans Replay” will also be part of the programming schedule.

Stars and Stripes Newspaper Will Continue

President Donald Trump on Friday reversed a decision to cut funding to Stars and Stripes, a newspaper that has served American soldiers since the Civil War, in an announcement that came hours after the outlet's demise was revealed.

“The United States of America will NOT be cutting funding to @starsandstripes magazine under my watch,” Trump tweeted Friday. “It will continue to be a wonderful source of information to our Great Military!”

In a previously unpublicized memo cited by USAToday on Friday, the Pentagon delivered an order to shutter the newspaper and cease publication after Sept. 30.

Press advocates decried the move, arguing it was the latest in a series of decisions by the Trump administration to undermine independent reporting. The initial order followed Trump's appointment of an ally to Steve Bannon, his former top adviser, to head the agency that oversees Voice of America.

The appointee, Michael Pack, has drawn criticism for firing top staff.

"We are disgusted at this latest attempt by this administration to destroy the free press in this country," said Society of Professional Journalists President Patricia Gallagher Newberry.

"Stars and Stripes has been a lifeline and the source of much needed information, inspiration and support for troops all over the world, including places where communication with the outside world is at a minimum or nonexistent," she said.

September 5 Radio History

➦In 1910...Kenneth Howard Delmar born in Boston (Died at age 73 - July 14, 1984, Stamford, Connecticut). He was an actor active in radio, films, and animation. An announcer on the pioneering radio news series The March of Time, he became a national radio sensation in 1945 as Senator Beauregard Claghorn on the running "Allen's Alley" sketch on The Fred Allen Show.

The character Delmar created was a primary inspiration for the Warner Bros. cartoon character Foghorn Leghorn.

By the late 1930s, Delmar was an announcer on such major radio series as The March of Time and Your Hit Parade. He played multiple roles in The Mercury Theatre on the Air's October 1938 radio drama The War of the Worlds.

Delmar is notable for creating the character Senator Beauregard Claghorn on Fred Allen's radio program Allen's Alley, which he did while also serving as the show's regular announcer. Senator Claghorn made his radio debut October 7, 1945, and six months later was called "unquestionably the most quoted man in the nation" by Life magazine. The role inspired the Warner Bros. animated character Foghorn Leghorn, first seen in the Oscar-nominated cartoon Walky Talky Hawky (1946).

"During the late 1940s, Mr. Delmar captivated 20 million radio listeners every Sunday night with his burlesque of a bombastic, super-chauvinistic legislator who drank only from Dixie cups and refused to drive through the Lincoln Tunnel," wrote The New York Times. "His stock expression, 'That's a joke, son,' was for many years one of the nation's pet phrases, mimicked by children and businessmen alike.

Delmar was also announcer and voice performer on The Alan Young Show in 1944. In 1953 he returned to radio replacing Hans Conried's character on My Friend Irma, as the Professor's cousin, Maestro Wanderkin and as Conried's Schultz on Life with Luigi.

➦In 1938…'Life Can Be Beautiful' began airing.  It was a daytime drama broadcast on NBC and CBS during its 16-year run. The program was billed as "an inspiring message of faith drawn from life" and remained one of the leading soap operas through the 1940s. Sponsored by Procter & Gamble and Spic and Span, it premiered September 5, 1938 on NBC and moved two months later to CBS, where it was heard from November 7, 1938 to June 21, 1946. Concurrently, it was also airing on NBC from 1939 to 1941. The final run was on NBC from 1946 to 1954.


➦In 1957...WPOW 1330 AM became one of the first NYC stations to air Rock & Roll regularly. Today the station airs a Spanish Christian music and teaching format and is owned by Radio Vision Cristiana Management.



➦In 1966...The Monkees released their first single--"Last Train to Clarksville".



➦In 1987...“American Bandstand,” hosted by Dick Clark on ABC, was cancelled after 30 years on network television, largely due to MTV's influence. The show limped along on the USA cable channel and in syndication for another three years, with a different host.

➦In 1989...Mike and the Mad Dog debuted on Emmis' WFAN 660 AM in NYC. The station was looking for hosts to repleace Pete Franklin during PM drive time and program director  Mark Mason, floated the idea of teaming Mike Francesa with Chris Russo. At first, the station management thought the idea was crazy because they were no-names at that time.  However, because of Francesa and Russo's popularity on the weekends and on Imus in the Morning individually, the station management decided to pair the two together.

The show aired WFAN from September 1989 to August 2008 and featured Francesa and Russo talking about sports and taking phone calls from listeners. From 2002 the show was simulcast on television on the YES Network. On the radio, the show was simulcast beginning 2007 on WQYK in Tampa, Florida and from 2004 until 2007 on WROW in Albany, New York.

➦In 2002...John Daly "Jackie" Kelk died at age 79 from a lung infection (Born - August 6, 1923). He was a stage, radio, film, and television actor and stand-up comedian. Kelk was best known for portraying the role of Homer Brown on the radio series The Aldrich Family and as the original voice of Jimmy Olsen on The Adventures of Superman.



➦In 2012...Joe South, singer, songwriter and guitarist who did "Games People Play" and "Walk a Mile in My Shoes", died of heart failure in Buford, Georgia at age 72.  South also wrote songs for Elivs Presley, Deep Purple, the Osmonds, Gene Vincent, Lynn Anderson ("Rose Garden") and Billy Joe Royal and worked with Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, Tommy Roe and others.

➦In 2015…MLB Baseball broadcaster Gene Elston died at age 93. He called Colt .45s/Houston Astros games for 25 years starting in 1962 and the CBS Radio Game of the Week from 1987 until 1995, and also called postseason NLDS games on CBS Radio in 1995, 1996, and 1997.

In 2006, Elston was awarded the Ford C. Frick Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame. The award is given annually to a baseball announcer who has given major contributions to the game. Elston was healthy enough, at the age of 84, to accept the award in person at Cooperstown.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY:

Racquel Welch is 80

• Comedian-actor Bob Newhart is 91. 
• Actor Lucille Soong (“Fresh Off the Boat”) is 85.
•  Actor William Devane (“Jessie Stone,” ″24″) is 81. 
• Actor George Lazenby is 81. 
• Actor Raquel Welch is 80. 
• Singer Al Stewart is 75. 
• Actor-director Dennis Dugan (“Big Daddy,” “Happy Gilmore”) is 74.
• Singer Loudon Wainwright III is 74. 
• Saxophonist Mel Collins of King Crimson and of Kokomo is 73. 
• Cartoonist Cathy Guisewite (“Cathy”) is 70. 
• Actor Michael Keaton is 69. 
• Drummer Jamie Oldaker of The Tractors is 69. 
• Actor Debbie Turner-Larson (“The Sound of Music”) 64. 
• Actor Kristian Alfonso (“Days of Our Lives”) is 57. 
• Singer Terry Ellis of En Vogue is 57. 
• Drummer Brad Wilk of Rage Against the Machine (and of Audioslave) is 52. 
• TV personality-musician Dweezil Zappa is 51. 
• Actor Rose McGowan is 47. 
• Actor Carice Van Houten (“Game of Thrones”) is 44. 
• Keyboardist Kyle O’Quin of Portugal. The Man is 35. 
• Actor Andrew Ducote (“Dave’s World”) is 34. 
• Actor Skandar Keynes (“The Chronicles of Narnia”) is 29.

The Rundown: Biden Meets With Blake

Chicago Tribune 9/4/20

TRUMP MAINTAINS LAW AND ORDER MESSAGE IN PENNSYLVANIA: Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden traveled to Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Thursday, where he met with Jacob Blake, the 29-year-old Black man who was shot seven times in the back by police, and his family, as well as with community leaders later at a church. There has been at-times violent unrest in Kenosha since Blake's August 23rd shooting.

The former vice president said at the church meeting that the turmoil around the incident and other recent similar ones could help Americans confront centuries of systemic racism, saying, "We’re finally now getting to the point where we’re going to be addressing the original sin of this country, 400 years old . . . slavery and all the vestiges of it." Biden, who doesn't support defunding police, said yesterday, however, that policing needs to be overhauled, and has promised a national commission on policing if he's elected. President Trump, meanwhile, kept pushing the same law and order message during an appearance in Pennsylvania yesterday that he had when he went to Kenosha himself two days earlier, where he praised police and condemned violence at the protests as "domestic terrorism." Appearing at an outdoor rally in Latrobe, Trump declared, "Biden's plan is to appease the domestic terrorists and my plan is to arrest them and prosecute them."

Community member at Biden meeting in Kenosha appears to have been given a scripted question:

“I’m gonna be honest, Mr. Biden. I was told to go off this paper but I can’t.” pic.twitter.com/5daVBKK5PX

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) September 3, 2020

➤AP: SUSPECT IN FATAL SHOOTING AT PORTLAND CLASHES KILLED AS INVESTIGATORS MOVED IN: A 48-year-old man suspected of fatally shooting Aaron "Jay" Danielson, a supporter of the right-wing group Patriot Prayer, during clashes with anti-racism protesters in Portland, Oregon, last weekend was killed yesterday as investigators moved in to arrest him, the Associated Press reported last night. AP cited a senior Justice Department official as saying Michael Reinoehl was killed by a law enforcement officer working on the federal task force that tried to take him into custody in Lacey, Washington. The official said Reinoehl was killed after he pulled a gun. The killing of Danielson, who was 39, took place after a caravan of supporters of President Trump rode through downtown clashing with the protesters last Saturday. Reinoehl had regularly been at the anti-racism protests in Portland.

BREAKING: The mayor of Rochester, N.Y., says the police officers involved in March suffocation death of a Black man have been suspended. Police body camera video released this week shows officers putting a “spit hood” over the head of Daniel Prude. https://t.co/avA9fAdkRA

— The Associated Press (@AP) September 3, 2020

➤ROCHESTER, N.Y., OFFICERS INVOLVED IN MAN'S SUFFOCATION DEATH SUSPENDED: Rochester, New York, Mayor Lovely Warren yesterday suspended seven police officers involved in the March suffocation death of Daniel Prude, a 41-year-old Black man, who died after police put a hood over his head to stop him from spitting and then held his head down on the pavement for two minutes until he stopped breathing. Warren said she'd been misled for months about the incident, saying the police chief initially described it as a drug overdose. There was outrage after Prude's family released police bodycam video a day earlier of the incident, which previously hadn't been publicly known. Police found Prude running naked through the street after his brother called 911 early in the morning of March 23rd when he realized Prude had left his home, hours after getting a mental health evaluation at a hospital. Prude obeyed police orders to get on the ground and they handcuffed him, but then he became agitated and police put the hood on him because he'd been spitting, before pressing his face into the pavement for two minutes. Prude begged to be let go, and eventually stopped moving and became quiet, and officers noticed water coming out of his mouth. Waiting medics gave him CPR, but he was taken off life support a week later. A medical examiner ruled the death a homicide caused by "complications of asphyxia in the setting of physical restraint." The state attorney general's office has been investigating the case since April.

➤REPORT: TRUMP CALLED U.S. MILITARY DEAD 'LOSERS' AND 'SUCKERS,' HE DENIES: A report out yesterday in The Atlantic details several instances in which it says President Trump said disparaging things about members of the U.S. military who were killed or captured. In one reported incident, Trump in 2018 referred to the U.S. war dead at France's Aisne-Marne American Cemetery as "losers" and "suckers." Trump blasted the story, calling it "totally false" and a "disgraceful situation." He told reporters, "I would be willing to swear on anything that I never said that about our fallen heroes." The Associated Press reported that a senior Defense Department official with firsthand knowledge of the events and a senior U.S. Marines officer who was told about Trump’s comments confirmed some of the remarks, including the 2018 cemetary comments.

President Trump responded to the Atlantic report pic.twitter.com/D89d7orZ1L

— PoliticsVideoChannel (@politvidchannel) September 4, 2020

In another reported incident in the Atlantic's story, which AP said the Defense officials also confirmed, Trump went on Memorial Day in 2017 with his then-chief of staff John Kelly to visit the Arlington Cemetery grave of Kelly's son, Robert Kelly, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2010. Trump reportedly told Kelly, "I don’t get it. What was in it for them?" The Atlantic report further said that Trump got angry that flags were flown at half-staff for Senator John McCain after his 2018 death, saying, "What the f*** are we doing that for? Guy was a f***ng loser." Trump had disparaged McCain, who was a prisoner of war in Vietnam, in 2015 soon after launching his presidential campaign, saying, "He's not a war hero. I like people who weren’t captured." The magazine said Trump also referred to former President George H.W. Bush as a "loser" because he was shot down by the Japanese when he was a Navy pilot during World War Two.

Joe Biden tried to rewrite history today: “A black man invented the light bulb, not a white guy named Edison” pic.twitter.com/JzgrffMjrU

— TV News HQ (@TVNewsHQ) September 3, 2020

➤U.S. TRADE DEFICIT HIGHEST IN 12 YEARS: The U.S. trade deficit rose in July to $63.6 billion, its highest in 12 years, driven by a record increase in imports. The Commerce Department said the July deficit, which is the difference between what America buys and what it sells to foreigners, was 18.9 percent higher than June's, and was the largest monthly deficit since July 2008 during the Great Recession.

Salon owner responds to Nancy Pelosi's "setup" claim after video of her salon visit surfaces https://t.co/uC7FKHPb9R

— CBS News (@CBSNews) September 4, 2020

➤FACEBOOK TO RESTRICT POLITICAL ADS WEEK BEFORE ELECTION:  Facebook on Thursday announced several new measures related to the upcoming presidential election meant to prevent it from being used to spread misinformation or sow chaos amid the contentious atmosphere surrounding the election and the potential for not having a final result on election night due to expanded mail-in voting amid the coronavirus pandemic. Under the new measures, politicians and campaigns won't be able to run new election ads during the week before the November 3rd election. However, they can still run existing ads and change how they're targeted. Posts with misinformation about voting policies and the pandemic will be removed. Additionally, Facebook will attach links with the official election results to any posts by candidates or campaigns that prematurely declare victory.

Newsday 9/4/2020

➤RAPTORS TOP CELTICS IN GAME 3 WITH THREE-POINTER AT THE BUZZER: The Toronto Raptors took Game 3 of their Eastern Conference semifinals against the Boston Celtics last night (September 3rd) with a three-pointer at the buzzer by OG Anunoby, getting on the board in the series to avoid going down 3 games to 0, with Boston now having a 2 games to 1 lead. Anunoby caught a cross-court pass from Kyle Lowry and drained the three-pointer as time expired for the 104-103 win.

NBA PLAYOFFS: Results from playoff games yesterday:

Conference Semifinals:

• Toronto Raptors 104, Boston Celtics 103 -- Boston leads series 2 games to 1 (East)
• L.A. Clippers 120, Denver Nuggets 97 -- Los Angeles leads 1 game to 0 (West)

➤NHL PLAYOFFS: Results from second-round playoff games yesterday:

• Philadelphia Flyers 5, New York Islanders 4 (2OT) -- Series tied at 3-3
• Vancouver Canucks 4, Vegas Golden Knights 0 -- Series tied at 3-3

➤SERENA WILLIAMS WINS IN SECOND ROUND AT U.S. OPEN: Serena Williams won her second-round match at the U.S. Open on Thursday, beating Margarita Gasparyan in straight sets. She'll play fellow American Sloane Stephens in the next round on Saturday, after Stephens downed Olga Govortsova, also in straight sets. The day's other winners included Dominic Thiem, Daniil Medvedev, Sofia Kenin and Madison Keys.

Cam Newton

➤REPORTS: NEWTON TO BE PATRIOTS' STARTING QUARTERBACK: Cam Newtown will be the New England Patriots' new starting quarterback, according to media reports yesterday. ESPN cited a source as saying coach Bill Belichick told players the news in a meeting yesterday, and that he was also elected team captain, a position long been held by Tom Brady, who he's replacing as QB after Brady left after 20 years for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

➤STEVE NASH IS NETS' NEW HEAD COACH: The Brooklyn Nets hired Steve Nash as their new head coach yesterday (September 3rd), giving the Hall of Fame point guard his first job coaching an NBA team. Nash said in a statement, "Coaching is something I knew I wanted to pursue when the time was right, and I am humbled to be able to work with the outstanding group of players and staff we have here in Brooklyn."

➤DODGERS' KERSHAW GETS 2,500TH STRIKEOUT: Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw got his 2,500th career strikeout in the Dodgers' 5-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks last night (September 3rd). Kershaw finished with eight strikeouts to move his career total to 2,505, passing Christy Mathewson (2,502) for 38th on the career list. Kershaw is the third-youngest pitcher to reach the milestone, and one of just five active pitchers with 2,500 strikeouts.

Chicago Radio: Rocks Again As iHM Drops Country On WEBG

iHeartMedia Chicago announced Thursday it was dropping the country format on WEBG 95.5 FM and was introducing the new ROCK 95 FIVE, Chicago’s Rock Station. The new station launched at 5 p.m. this afternoon playing Rock favorites including Metallica, Nirvana, Guns N’ Roses, Linkin Park, AC/DC, Pearl Jam, Green Day, Def Leppard, Foo Fighters, Mötley Crüe and more.

“Our goal with ROCK 95 FIVE is to provide the music Chicagoland has been missing, a key soundtrack for a large lifestyle group,” said James Howard, Regional Senior Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia Chicago. “Our purpose is to be a driving force and a companion in the lives of millions of Rock music fans for years to come.”

“I am thrilled to bring Rock music back to Chicago,” said Matt Scarano, President of iHeartMedia Chicago. “These songs haven’t been played on the air for years. I am looking forward to hearing the soundtrack of our lives on ROCK 95 FIVE.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rock 95.5 Chicago (@rock955chi) on Sep 3, 2020 at 3:01pm PDT

The programming line-up will be announced later.

Survey: Radio News On Tenuous Financial Footing

The RTDNA has released the first installment in the 2020 edition of the annual local TV and radio news survey. Additional reports will be released each week in September.

Highlights:

• In 2019, more stations aired more hours of local TV news than ever recorded in the annual newsroom survey.
• One fewer station originated news, but 30 additional stations began airing local news.
• Increases of about 20 minutes each day on average in weekend news brought the average hours of weekly news aired to a record high. Average weekday news remained at last year’s record high levels.
• The increase came primarily from smaller markets and smaller newsrooms.
• Fewer stations ran local radio news in 2019, and close to a record high percentage of stations report running local news from other sources rather than originating it. While the amount of local news aired on radio in minutes increased slightly, fewer stations increased their news programming.
• 68.2% of radio stations surveyed report running local news, including 70.8% of AM stations (down slightly) and 69.6% of FM stations (up slightly).
• Fewer radio news directors report plans to increase news, though public radio news directors were more likely to expect to increase news.
• More local radio stations, especially non-commercial stations, reported decreasing budgets in 2019. Of radio news directors who were able to report on their website’s profitability, more reported losses.

Overall, the newsroom survey indicates that local radio began 2020 on tenuous financial footing – and its challenges have only increased this year.

Similar to local TV managers, radio managers also report fragmented audience (25.2%) followed by staffing (11.9%), corporate cuts/consolidation (7.2%), declining news appetite/trust (4.9%) and technology and media landscape changes (4.6% and 2.9%) as key threats.

While just over half of TV managers report local newspapers are competitors, 71.5% of radio news managers say local newspapers are not competition, including two thirds of commercial radio managers and 80% of public radio managers.

Norfolk Radio: WVBW Launches New Morning Show

92.9 The Wave welcomes Kristina & Brian for weekday mornings 5am-10am, starting Monday, September 21 . It’s “The Wave Wake-up with Kristina & Brian.”

Brian

Kristina

“I’m very excited for Kristina & Brian to join Max Media and The Wave. They’re a perfect fit and will wake-up Hampton Roads with a healthy dose of pop-culture, wit, fun and music from the 80’s to now,” exclaimed Eddie Haskell, VP Operations and Programming of Max Media Hampton Roads.

Jay West, WVBW Brand Manager added, “After reaching out to established duos, we kept coming back to the sound we got from pairing Kristina & Brian. They’ll bring fresh voices to live & local morning radio plus relatable content and listener interaction missing in the 757.”

Kristina (Carlyle) served in the United States Navy and was in the Navy Reserves for 7 years as a hospital corpsman. Radio adventures have included stops in Albuquerque, Tulsa and Albany.

Brian (Chesworth) has worked as a dog trainer, tugboat deckhand and dabbled on-air in Jazz & Country radio in Virginia.

92.9 The WAVE’s Weekday Lineup:

• 5am-10am Kristina & Brian
• 10am-3pm Jen Lewis
• 3pm-7pm Jay West
• 7pm-12am Storm Avery

Syndicated B-Dub Radio Show Expanding To Weeknights

B-Dub’s popular and newly rebranded show, B-Dub Radio Saturday Night, is expanding to weeknights beginning September 21, 2020 in partnership with its syndicator, Skyview Networks. 

Bryan “B-Dub” Washington, will bring high-energy content and fresh interviews with country music’s established and rising superstars Monday through Friday, reaching country listeners across the US. The new show, B-Dub Radio, will be offered in two versions, including a fully produced night show and a content-only version, which will provide program directors the flexibility to choose the music for their station, as well as daypart flexibility.

“On the sixth anniversary of our Saturday night show, we are excited to announce the addition of a Monday through Friday program! B-Dub Radio will continue to deliver dynamic, fun and interactive content that cuts through the speakers. Program Directors will have the freedom to control their own music and localize the show to match their station brand, making B-Dub Radio the premier choice for country music entertainment six nights a week,” commented Bryan “B-Dub” Washington, Host and Executive Producer of B-Dub Radio.

B-Dub Radio features five hours of upbeat fun and the latest country lifestyle news. With fresh content every day, the show offers program directors several advantages, including local customization and digital and social assets catered to their market for a truly local feel. “Program directors are looking for winning weekday content, and B-Dub Radio delivers, attracting younger country listeners with new interviews featuring today’s country stars and a variety of benchmarks,” said Steve Jones, President and COO of Skyview Networks.

For affiliate sales information, email affiliation@skyviewsat.com.

Miami Radio: Jason Taylor Added To Dolphins' Radio Team

One Miami Dolphins legend will be replacing another in the team’s radio broadcast as an analyst, reports The Sun-Sentinel.

Jason Taylor, a six-time Pro Bowler who was named to the Hall of Fame in 2017, will be replacing former Dolphins quarterback Bob Griese for Miami’s radio broadcast of the Dolphins’ 16 regular-season games.

Griese, who is 75, has decided to step away from broadcasting games.

Jason Taylor

Taylor joins Jimmy Cefalo, the play-by-play guy, and former Dolphins tight end Joe Rose, an analyst who has hosted a local morning show for more than two decades, and former Dolphins linebacker Kim Bokamper, who will serve as the on-field reporter.

The move comes after Taylor spent last year’s preseason in the television booth working for CBS4, broadcasting games with Griese and working alongside Dick Stockton.

He’s previously attended training camps working as a volunteer coach for the Dolphins, helping out with the pass rushers. He’s spent the past few years working as an assistant coach with St. Thomas Aquinas High, the school his children attend.

Taylor has previously worked as a studio analyst for NBC Sports and ESPN, and he spent the 2018 season working as a Sunday Night Football analyst on Westwood One’s radio broadcasts.

During his 15-year NFL career, Taylor accounted for 775 tackles, 139.5 sacks 46 forced fumbles, 29 fumble recoveries, pulled down eight interceptions and scored three touchdowns.

All Dolphins games will air on WQAM 560 The Joe and on WKIS KISS 99.9 FM.

Univision Deportes Radio  1140AM is the Dolphins official Spanish radio broadcasting partner and Roly Martin and Eduardo Martell will return for those broadcasts.

KY Radio: WMSK Launches News-Talk In Owensboro

Owensboro has a new radio station with a 24-hour news format. In addition to some local news, WMSK K-News 101.3 was launched this week by Cromwell Media.

The station provides local and Kentucky state news every hour in addition to national and world news from Fox News Network. The station programs some national talk shows including consumer advisor Clark Howard, political commentary by Ben Shapiro, Bill O‘Reilly, Brian Kilmeade and Tom Sullivan.

K-News 101.3 starts its broadcast day with a half-hour of agriculture business news by Jeff Nalley from the local Cromwell Ag Network at 5:30 a.m.

Brian Jackson presents a two-hour local news and talk program daily from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. featuring interviews with community leaders about issues that affect Owensboro.

“We felt that our community was in need of a platform for our local community that brings businesses, people and organizations together and helps to build up our community with local information that is greatly needed,” said Taunya Iverson, Cromwell Media General Manager.

“After 37 years in Owensboro broadcasting I am honored to have a role in this new Cromwell effort to serve the people of this area,” Jackson said. ‘It’s empowering our neighbors to take part in healthy dialog — to listen, to engage and to reach common ground. That’s progress, and that’s what Cromwell Media is all about.”