CCM+E Makes C-C-Changes In Miami, San Antonio

CCM+E Corporate programmers were busy Friday.

Besides rebranding Seattle's KJR-FM To 95.7 The Jet (Click Here), changes were also made in Miami and San Antonio.

WMIA 93.9 FM (98Kw) 60dBu Coverage

First of all, it's HotAC WMIA 93.9 FM was rebranded at My93-9 featuring "More music, Better Variety'" and a new line-up. PD Joey Brooks moves from PM to AM Drive, Nataliz Jimenez in midday and PM drive with Ramiro Torres, nationally syndicated Mario Lopez evenings, followed by "The Rendezvous with Simon & Kim.  Each to feature a healthy dose od pop culuture and entertainment updates, a staple of today's voice tracked 'personalities'.

Market President Lonny Anger issued the typical "listeners have spoken" statement, "South Florida radio listeners shared with us what they were looking for in the quintessential radio station. After extensive research, including music library selections, promotions and talent, we are excited to debut the new MY 93.9. The MY 93.9 brand is perfect for our female listeners in Miami and Ft. Lauderdale -- it's really their station now.”

K227BH 93.3 FM (250 watts) 60dBu Coverage

Also in San Antonio, CCM+E San Antonio launched RhythmicAC Hot 104.5, "Today's Rhythm and All the Best Throwbacks."  Result:  heritage Classic Rock KZEP, which has relocated to a smokin' 250 watt blowtorch translator K227BH at 93.3 FM, which had been simulcasting Country 92.5 KBUC.

104.5 FM (100Kw) 60dBu Coverage

Hot 104-5 is kicking-off with 10,000 songs in a row, commercial-free, featuring artists like Drake, Iggy Azalea, 2Pac, Aaliyah, Notorious B.I.G., Dr. Dre, Eminem and more.

LISTEN-LIVE: Click Here.

"We're excited to introduce Hot 104.5 to our San Antonio listeners and provide them with another great music option on the radio," said Market President Marlene Trevino. A PD and personalities are promised.

ESPN Suspends Third Talker

Max Kellerman

ESPN has suspended Max Kellerman for an inappropriate conversation on ESPN-LA Radio surrounding Ray Rice and domestic abuse. Kellerman co-hosts a show on the station and is the co-anchor of ESPN TV's "SportsNation." He is also HBO Sports' lead boxing analyst.

On the "Mason & Ireland " show, which leads into his afternoon-drive program on KSPN 710 AM, Kellerman admitted to hitting his girlfriend many years ago.

The NY Daily News reports ESPN would neither confirm nor deny Kellerman's suspension. In a statement issued Friday afternoon and ESPN spokesman said: "Max Kellerman will return to ESPN-LA Radio and 'SportsNation' on Thursday."

The conversation in question took place last Monday afternoon, three days after Stephen A. Smith was suspended for saying women should be careful not to "provoke" any incident of abuse. On ESPN-LA, Kellerman told a story going back years when he and his then-girlfriend Erin, who now is his wife, attended a college party.

Kellerman said they both had to much too drink. He said when he tried getting things under control his then-girlfriend slapped him. Kellerman said he slapped her back. He was quick to tell listeners that the woman is now is his wife and they have been happily married for 20 years.

Industry sources said while the content of his story was disturbing, the suspension was all about Kellerman, who once worked for ESPN New York Radio, not adhering to ESPN brass' warning concerning the Rice topic being a highly sensitive one. "My understanding is that it was part of a larger conversation ESPN had with all its on-air people," a radio industry source said. "Kellerman obviously didn't pay attention."

Sharyl Attkisson: 'Journalism Has Gone Backwards'

Sharyl Attkisson

On Sunday’s broadcast of ABC’s “This Week with George Stephanopoulos,” fill-in moderator Martha Raddatz asked how journalism has evolved since the time of Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein’s role in the Watergate scandal that resulted in the downfall of then-President Richard Nixon.

According to Breitbart.com, Sharyl Attkisson, formerly an investigative reporter with CBS News, where she resigned after becoming disenfranchised with the editorial direction of CBS, suggested that had the Watergate scandal happened today, Nixon might have skated if he employed the tactics President Barack Obama’s is using in handling his controversies.

“I think we have gone backwards since that time where we felt empowered as journalists. And I’d like to think what would happen today during a Nixon-type scandal,” Attkisson said. “Nixon would basically refuse to turn over tapes to Congress. His aides would refuse to testify to Congress or would take the Fifth [Amendment] or lie to Congress with a fair amount of impunity. Woodward and Bernstein would be controversial-ized on social media by special and political interests … then, at the end, Nixon would go on a popular late-night comedy show, during which time, he would humorously refer to his attackers as people that were political witch hunters who believe in Area 51-type of conspiracies.”

Cleveland Radio: Nick Camino Is WTAM's NKOB

Nick Camino

Although  Nick Camino is not a new radio voice in Cleveland, but at age 26 he's stepping into a big time slot and big shoes, succeeding the likes of Bob Frantz, Mike Trivisonno and local radio god Pete Franklin on the night shift at WTAM 1100 AM.

Camino took some time off the air for a Q&A, via telephone and email, with The Plain Dealer's Michael Heaton.

He hegan working at Newsradio WTAM 1100 as a part-time producer/board operator in 2006 mostly nights and weekends while still in college at Cleveland State.  Camino Got hired on a full-time basis in 2010 as Cleveland Indians beat reporter and weekend talk show host at WTAM 1100.

Camino was asked how he felt stepping into some big shoes following Bob Frantz?

A. Well, not just Bob Frantz, but the night slot in general on Newsradio WTAM 1100. Sure, I like and respect Bob Frantz, it's very humbling when you begin to think about some of the hosts who have been in that same night slot in my same chair like Pete Franklin, Mike Trivisonno and even Kevin Keane, as well as Bob. So yeah, I've definitely got big shoes to fill. 

But to be honest, I'm ready for this opportunity. I've always dreamed of having my own talk show where we can have fun, and be interactive while also informative. We're going to push the envelope, have fun and be entertaining. That's what talk radio is about. I've learned so much already in my time working at Newsradio WTAM 1100 and I'm excited to showcase that with my own program whether it's sports, news or even politics. I realize this is a great opportunity for a young guy like myself. I hope to be a success and validate the confidence shown in me by my bosses.

One of Camino's pet peeves with talk radio is not taking calls. "It's talk radio! The listener wants to have a say, and without them or advertisers, you're not employed. But you also have to keep in mind, even if you don't have calls, you can still have an informative talk show. It doesn't have to be 24/7 Browns. There are so many stories both sports and non-sports related that people would love to hear about and talk about."

Chicago Radio: Pandora Seeks Local Ad Revenue

Advertising on Pandora example

Internet radio giant Pandora has more listeners in Chicago than most local radio stations, according to The Chicago Tribune.

Gabe Tartaglia

Veteran radio executive Gabe Tartaglia is working hard to make sure the fast-growing streaming music service gets its fair share of local radio advertising revenue, a sales pitch that seems to be gaining traction.

Chicago-based Tartaglia, 42, serves as vice president of sales for Pandora's central region, overseeing 13 markets from the company's North Michigan Avenue offices. The 2-year-old office includes 20 salespeople beating the streets to compete with Chicago's AM and FM stations, a market projected to generate nearly $478 million in over-the-air revenue this year, according to BIA/Kelsey.

Pandora had total revenue of nearly $638 million last year, with 82 percent from advertising. The balance came from a small subscription base, which receives the service commercial-free. The company lost $41 million last year, due in part to a higher royalty rate it pays compared with traditional radio stations, executives said.

Pandora has 1.7 million active monthly listeners in Chicago, which would rank it near the top of local radio stations. While Tartaglia would not disclose Chicago ad revenue, he said it is up 50 percent year over year.

A number of local advertisers have bought into Pandora as an alternative to traditional radio, including Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana Honda Dealers, Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, and Village Cycle Center in Chicago.

Before joining Pandora in 2011, Tartaglia spent 17 years with CBS Radio, most recently as general sales manager for WUSN 99.5 FM and WCFS 105.9 FM.

The Tribune recently sat down with Tartaglia for an interview.

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Aussie Radio: Jackie O Walks After Fight With Co-Host Kyle

They were knocked off the top of Sydney's covetted radio ratings after seven consecutive years in the number one spot.

And now according to 9news.com.au, Jackie O has stormed off the set of her 106.5 KiisFM breakfast show Monday morning after having a fight with co-host Kyle Sandilands.

Producers were left to scramble for time, airing 40 minutes of pre-recorded segments before Sandilands returned on air to host the rest of the show solo.

The on-air argument started just after 6am when Jackie O criticised Sandilands for calling in sick last week.

“You left everyone high and dry on Friday,” Jackie O said.

“If you vomited in the car I don’t think you’d come to work either,” Sandilands said, before asking his co-host, “Have you got the sh**s or something?”

“A little bit,” Jackie O said.

“You’re always sick on a Friday. I’m putting it out there”.

The show then cut to the news, after which several pre-recorded segments were played before Sandilands eventually came back on air.

“In the spirit of transparency I’d like to let everyone know that Jackie and I, during the news, have had an argument and Jackie’s left,” he said.

A spokeswoman for the station confirmed Jackie O had left the Kiis FM building and said a statement about the incident would be issued later today.

Being under fire for his sick days is nothing new for the shock-jock with Sandilands previously crowned the “King of the sickies” by newspapers for his tendency to call in unwell.

But more recently the radio personality sparked headlines of a different nature when he vomited live on air midway through July.



The famed hosts, who defected to KiisFM from rival network 2DayFM in late 2013, snapped at each other first thing Monday morning with a disgruntled Jackie walking off set live on-air.

Since their ratings fall, the broadcaster has been vocal about his various health related issues and has missed a number of shows as a result.

Last month he revealed he is suffering from a hernia vomiting live on radio, casting yet more concern over his ballooning weight.

Pittsburgh Radio: Iconic Bill Cardille Out, But Not Down

Bill Cardille

Bill Cardille isn't used to being out of work.

“I've been in the business for more than 60 years, and I've never been unemployed before,” the Western Pennsylvania broadcast legend told triblive.com.

That changed on last Wednesday when Cardille, a fixture on Pittsburgh TV and radio stations for more than a half-century, lost his job at WJAS 1320 AM, where he had worked since 1995 playing nostalgic soft-rock standards. Another local radio icon, Jack Bogut, also departed when the station's format flipped from music to talk.

The 85-year-old Cardille said new station owner Frank Iorio had discussed a role for him at the station after the format switch.

“He asked if I'd be interested in talk, and I said no,” he said. “I tried talk a long time ago, and the same 20 people call all the time. It's like the people who write letters to the newspaper.”

Since hosting his first radio show at WDAD-AM in Indiana County in 1951, Cardille has been an omnipresent force on Western Pennsylvania radio and TV stations. Following a stint at WICU-TV in Erie, he started in Pittsburgh at WIIC-TV (now WPXI) in 1957.

During his more than 30 years at the station, he was best known as host of Saturday night's “Chiller Theater” and the station's studio wrestling show, and the anchor of the annual Muscular Dystrophy telethon on Labor Day weekend.
“I outlasted Jerry Lewis,” he said, chuckling. “I did the telethon for two years after he stopped.”
Unemployment doesn't mean Cardille will be inactive.

Cardille won't rule out returning to radio, though he acknowledged the chances aren't great.

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NYC Radio: Hot97's Ebro Delivers His Baby Daughter

Radio personality Ebro from WQHT 97.1 FM called the Hot 97 morning show, Friday August 8, to announce the birth of his daughter in which he announced he helped deliver in his bathroom at 3:30am in the morning.

Ebro's GF went into labor Thursday night, and the contractions came along quick. His girlfriend sat down on the toilet to rest, and the baby decided it was time! So Ebro helped coach her through it . . . and the baby popped out while she was on the toilet.

He said he cleaned the nose and mouth of the newborn to make sure the baby breathes and then called 911 for help.

R.I.P.: T-K Records Founder Henry Stone

James Brown, Henry Stone

Henry Stone, a fixture on the R&B and disco scene who was instrumental in the careers of Ray Charles, James Brown and KC & the Sunshine Band, has died.

He was 93, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Stone, a co-founder of the famed TK Records, died Thursday of natural causes at a Miami-area hospital, the funeral home Riverside Gordon Memorial Chapels confirmed.

Stone opened up a record-distribution business and recording studio in South Florida in 1948 and within a few years recorded his first artist, a pianist-singer from the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind who would later become the legendary Ray Charles.

Stone's hits were on TK Records, which he co-founded with Steve Alaimo in 1972, and similar labels he founded. They included: "Get Down Tonight," "That's the Way (I Like It)", "Shake, Shake, Shake (Shake Your Booty)", "I'm Your Boogie Man" for KC & the Sunshine Band and "Ring My Bell" for Anita Ward, The Miami Herald reported.

Stone released Otis Williams and the Charms' No. 1 R&B hit, "Heart of Stone", in 1954. He was also instrumental in signing James Brown and the Famous Flames, earning the hit, "Please, Please, Please," which topped the R&B in 1956.

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R.I.P.: Former KNX L-A GM George Nicholaw Has Died

George Nicholaw

George Nicholaw, the former general manager of Newsradio KNX 1070 AM died Saturday.

He was 86.

Nicholaw’s longtime secretary, Pat Smith, confirmed his death.

Nicholaw’s career started at a radio station in Salinas, longtime colleague and KNX 1070 Business Anchor Frank Mottek recalled.

“Nicholaw was there on day one, when KNX flipped to all-news in 1968,” said Don Barrett, editor at LARadio.com. News of Nicholaw’s death was first reported on the site.

From 1968 to 2003, Nicholaw served as general manager of KNX 1070.

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August 11 In Radio History

In 1942...Actress Hedy Lamarr (Hedy Kiesler Markey) and composer George Anthiel receive U.S. patent for Frequency-hopping spread spectrum (FHSS), a method of transmitting radio signals by rapidly switching a carrier among many frequency channels, using a pseudorandom sequence known to both transmitter and receiver. It is used as a multiple access method in the frequency-hopping code division multiple access (FH-CDMA) scheme.

Spread-spectrum signals are highly resistant to deliberate jamming, unless the adversary has knowledge of the spreading characteristics. Military radios use cryptographic techniques to generate the channel sequence under the control of a secret Transmission Security Key (TRANSEC) that the sender and receiver share in advance.

By itself, frequency hopping provides only limited protection against eavesdropping and jamming. Most modern military frequency hopping radios also employ separate encryption devices such as the KY-57. U.S. military radios that use frequency hopping include the JTIDS/MIDS family, HAVE QUICK and SINCGARS.

In the US, since the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) amended rules to allow frequency hopping spread spectrum systems in the unregulated 2.4 GHz band, many consumer devices in that band have employed various spread-spectrum modes.

Some walkie-talkies that employ frequency-hopping spread spectrum technology have been developed for unlicensed use on the 900 MHz band.

In 1966…The Beatles arrived at Chicago's O'Hare Airport to start their last tour of the U.S. They held a press conference at the Astor Towers Hotel where John Lennon apologized for his remarks that the Beatles were "more popular than Jesus now."

John explained, "If I had said television is more popular than Jesus, I might have got away with it, but I just happened to be talking to a friend and I used the words "Beatles" as a remote thing, not as what I think - as Beatles, as those other Beatles like other people see us ... I'm not saying that we're better or greater, or comparing us with Jesus Christ as a person or God as a thing or whatever it is. I just said what I said and it was wrong. Or it was taken wrong. And now it's all this ... I never meant it to be a lousy anti-religious thing. I apologize if that will make you happy. I still don't know quite what I've done. I've tried to tell you what I did do but if you want me to apologize, if that will make you happy, then okay, I'm sorry.


In 1984...President Ronald Reagan, during a Radio voice test, joked that he "signed legislation that would outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in 5 minutes".


In 2010…Former Pittsburgh Pirates announcer/former Pirates pitcher Nellie King died of Parkinson's disease at 82.