After almost 34 years as a major voice on KMOX 1120 AM, host Charlie Brennan is dropping the mic at the “News Voice of St. Louis,” reports The Post-Dispatch.
On his show Monday morning, Brennan told his audience that his last shift at the station would be May 12.
Brennan said he reached his decision to leave KMOX about two weeks ago, when he was set to start new contract talks with station general manager Becky Domyan and programing director Steve Moore.
He told the pair that “after 33½ years at KMOX, plus six years in Boston radio, that’s almost 40 years; it’s time,” to step away, Brennan said.
During his time on radio, Brennan has spearheaded numerous community-based efforts:
Promoting clean-up efforts in several communities; orchestrating drives to raise money for flood victims; pushing the Missouri Legislature to restore medical benefits to the blind; and raising more than $100,000 to erect a statue honoring STL rock ’n’ roll titan Chuck Berry.
Brennan has been the recipient of numerous awards for his radio and community work, including induction in 2009 into the St. Louis Media Hall of Fame.
➤CELEBRITIES DIVIDED OVER WILL SMITH SLAPPING CHRIS ROCK AT THE OSCARS, SMITH APOLOGIZES TO ROCK: Naturally, Will Smith unexpectedly slapping Chris Rock at the 94th annual Academy Awards was on a lot of people’s minds on Monday. Many celebrities spoke on the incident—and opinions landed all across the board
Tiffany Haddish told People at the Governors Ball following the event, "When I saw a Black man stand up for his wife. That meant so much to me. As a woman, who has been unprotected, for someone to say, 'Keep my wife's name out your mouth, leave my wife alone,' that's what your husband is supposed to do, right? Protect you. And that meant the world to me. And maybe the world might not like how it went down, but for me, it was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen because it made me believe that there are still men out there that love and care about their women, their wives."
Today host Craig Melvin said on Monday, “If you’re rearing a boy, especially in this country, you spend so much time talking to our kids about keeping your hands to yourself, controlling your emotions and then there’s also this long-held perception in this country that men of color, especially, can’t control their rage and their anger, and to see someone who’s been that beloved for decades — it was troubling on so many levels.”
Ex on the Beach contestant ZaraLena Jackson, who also suffers from alopecia, said, “I think it’s inappropriate to make any joke about someone with alopecia as it’s a condition that highly impacts mental health for that individual and isn’t a laughing matter. To be clear, I don’t condone violence, but him defending Jada showed strength in my eyes and was very comforting to see a man stand by his woman when she has alopecia.”
Rosie O’Donnell posted to Twitter, “so upsetting – on every level – bravo to Chris Rock – for not eviscerating will smith – which he could do any day of the week – he walked away – bravo from a sad display of toxic masculinity from a narcissistic madman #Oscars2022 #chrisROCK.”
Nicki Minaj wrote a series of tweets on Monday morning (March 28th). “Imagine what it must feel like to be losing your hair to the point where you have to shave it bald. You think that’s easy to deal with for anyone? You don’t think she’s cried about that many times? 2022 y’all gon have to see these men about those jokes you made about their wives,” she wrote, adding that Smith had “a front row seat to his wife’s pain… he’s the 1 consoling her… drying her tears behind closed doors when those cameras go off.”
Jodie Turner-Smith posted to Twitter Sunday (March 27th), “and as far as *that incident* goes….. i am still processing. i have second hand embarrassment for all involved.”
Kathy Griffin also posted to Twitter Sunday (March 27th), “Let me tell you something, it’s a very bad practice to walk up on stage and physically assault a Comedian. Now we all have to worry about who wants to be the next Will Smith in comedy clubs and theaters.”
Whoopi Goldberg said she feels Smith “overreacted.” On Monday’s episode of The View, she said, “I get it. Not everybody acts the way we would like them to under pressure. Some people just snap. He snapped. What I do want to say was that it was remarkable, wonderful, that Chris Rock did not take it to that other place it could’ve gone. I don’t know if they spoke or apologized or not. All I know is sometimes you get to a point where you behave badly. I myself have behaved badly on occasion.”
Sean “Diddy” Combs told Page Six on Sunday night that Smith and Rock had worked out their issues. “That’s not a problem. That’s over. I can confirm that … It’s all love. They’re brothers,” he said. It is reported that Rock will not be pressing charges against Smith.
➤THE ACADEMY OF MOTION PICTURE ARTS AND SCIENCES SAYS THEY’RE CONDUCTING A ‘FORMAL REVIEW’ The Academy posted a statement to Twitter following the event that read, “The Academy does not condone violence of any form … Tonight we are delighted to celebrate our 94th Academy Awards winners, who deserve this moment of recognition from their peers and movie lovers around the world.” On Monday, they released a statement saying they were conducting a formal review. “The Academy condemns the actions of Mr. Smith at last night’s show. We have officially started a formal review around the incident and will explore further action and consequences in accordance with our Bylaws, Standards of Conduct and California law,” the statement reads.
Some Twitter users commented on the possibility of Smith losing his Oscar. “If we are talking about taking back Oscar’s let’s start with Roman Polanski,” one user wrote. Another commented, “The Academy spent decades ignoring rape by Harvey Weinstein before it was forced to remove him from its membership, and never once took action against violence by Roman Polanski who drugged and raped a 13 year old or Mel Gibson who continues to promote hate.”
➤SAG-AFTRA RELEASES STATEMENT, SAYS SMITH’S BEHAVIOR IS ‘UNACCAPTABLE’: In a statement released on Monday, SAG-AFTRA wrote, “As the union representing presenters and other performers working on the Oscars, SAG-AFTRA is focused on ensuring our members always work in a safe environment.”
The statement continued, “Violence or physical abuse in the workplace is never appropriate and the union condemns any such conduct. The incident involving Will Smith and Chris Rock at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable. We have been in contact with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and ABC about this incident and will work to ensure this behavior is appropriately addressed. SAG-AFTRA does not comment on any pending member disciplinary process.”
➤WILL SMITH APOLOGIZES TO CHRIS ROCK: On Monday night, Will Smith issued an apology to Chris Rock. In an Instagram post, Smith wrote, “Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable.”
➤CHRIS ROCK'S TEAM DENIES DIDDY'S CLAIMS THAT HE AND WILL SQUASHED THEIR ISSUES: Meanwhile, Chris Rock's team also denied Diddy's claims that he and Will squashed their beef, telling TMZ that Will and Chris have not spoken at all after the slap. A source said that Chris went straight to his dressing room after "the slap" and there hasn't been any communication between Will and Chris. A person in Chris' camp also said the comedian had "no intention of staying" initially.
The source also noted Chris Rock didn't have any idea Jada Pinkett-Smith had alopecia and that he "doesn't have a mean bone in his body."
➤CHRIS ROCK TOUR SALES SKYROCKET: In other news, Rock's tour ticket sales have skyrocketed after Will Smith's slap at the Oscars. According to sources, ticket sales for Rock's "Ego Death" tour has went from $46 per ticket on March 18th to a whopping $341.
Chris Rock praised for not hitting Will Smith back after Oscar slap: ‘We need to applaud his professionalism' https://t.co/ArslUVn1m0
📺WILL SMITH AND JADA PINKETT-SMITH TO DISCUSS CHRIS ROCK SLAP ON 'RED TABLE TALK': Reports also say that Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith are set to break their silence on the Chris Rock Oscars slap on an upcoming episode of Red Table Talk. According to RadarOnline, the couple will allegedly tape the episode as early as this week.
➤WORLD FOCUSES ON ALOPECIA, JADA'S HAIR LOSS DISORDER, AFTER OSCARS: 7 million people suffer from alopecia, the disorder Jada Pinkett Smith has struggled with since 2018. Since the Oscars, a renewed awareness regarding the disorder has surfaced. Alopecia is an autoimmune disorder which causes hair loss. The body's immune system attacks its own hair follicles. Often, hair falls out in patches, and in severe cases, patients lose eyebrows and eyelashes. Black and Hispanic women have a higher chance of developing alopecia.
➤NEW ROUND OF TALKS BETWEEN UKRAINE AND RUSSIA SET FOR TODAY: A new round of talks between Ukraine and Russia is set for today in Istanbul in hopes of ending the war. This comes as the fighting appears stalemated, according to AP, even as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his nightly address to the nation last night that Ukrainian forces had retaken control of Irpin, a suburb of the capital of Kyiv, from Russian forces. AP cited a senior U.S. defense official as saying it's believed Ukraine had also retaken control of the eatern town of Trostyanets, while Russian forces were making little progress.
Meanwhile, President Biden said Monday that he hadn't been calling for regime change in Russia when he said at the end of his speech in Poland Saturday that President Vladimir Putin, quote, "cannot remain in power." He said, "I was expressing the moral outrage that I felt toward this man. I wasn’t articulating a policy change." At the same time, Biden also said he wasn't, quote, "walking anything back," and would make "no apologies." Biden further said he was expressing a, quote, "aspiration," stating, "People like this shouldn’t be ruling countries. But they do. The fact they do doesn’t mean I can’t express my outrage about it."
The daily number of people fleeing Ukraine has fallen in recent days. Officials are wondering whether it’s just a temporary lull or a permanent drop-off. The total exodus since the war with Russia began now stands at some 3.87 million people. https://t.co/AWgzUZKKL9
Leading Russian Newspaper Suspends Operations: Russia’s leading independent newspaper, Novaya Gazeta, suspended operations Monday after coming under pressure from Russian authorities, saying it will be closed for the duration of the war in Ukraine, referring to it using, in quotations, the "special operation" term Russian authorities insist media use. The newspaper, whose editor, Dmitry Muratov, won the Nobel Peace Prize less than six months ago for the paper's courageous reporting in difficult circumstances, was the last major independent media outlet critical of Putin’s government after others either shut down or had their websites blocked since the invasion began.
"That's not right. That's not fair."
Pres. Biden announces fiscal year 2023 budget, says wealthiest Americans should pay their "fair share" in taxes: "A firefighter and a teacher pay more than double the tax rate that a billionaire pays." https://t.co/ShPhmSDYQMpic.twitter.com/8H4kvTEnOW
➤HOUSE JAN. 6TH COMMITTEE VOTES TO HOLD NAVARRO, SCAVINO IN CONTEMPT: The House committee investigating the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol voted unanimously last night to hold Peter Navarro and Dan Scavino, former advisers to Donald Trump, in contempt for Congress for refusing to comply with the committee's subpoenas. The recommendation for criminal charges for Navarro, who was a trade adviser to then-President Trump, and Scavino, who was a Trump White House communications aide, now goes to the full House, where it's likely to be approved by the Democratic-led chamber. After that, it would go to the Justice Department, which would make the final decision on prosecution. Members last night also appealed again to Attorney General Merrick Garland for action, as he hasn't yet decided whether to pursue contempt charges sent by the House in December for former Trump White House chief of staff Mark Meadows.
Meanwhile, a federal judge yesterday ordered the release to the committee of more than 100 emails from former Trump lawyer John Eastman. Eastman has claimed attorney-client privilege. In his ruling, U.S. District Court Judge David Carter said it is, quote, "more likely than not" that Trump committed crimes in his attempt to stop the certification of Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 presidential election.
(Photo: Pottsville Republican-Herald, AP)
🌨AT LEAST THREE KILLED IN PA HIGHWAY COLLISION INVOLVING DOZENS OF VEHICLES AMID SNOW SQUALL: At least three people were killed and more than a dozen injured yesterday in a collision on a Pennsylvania highway during a snow squall involving dozens of vehicles, including tractor trailers. The Schuylkill County Office of Emergency Management said the pile-up on Interstate 81 in northeast Pennsylvania happened around 10:30 a.m., with officials believing a snow squall affected visibility. Estimates of the number of vehicles involved ranged between 40 and 60, and some of the vehicles caught on fire, including three tractor trailers.
➤STUDY...30% OF ADOLESCENTS IN THE UNITED STATES ARE PREDIABETIC: A study by JAMA Pediatrics has discovered that nearly 30% of adolescents and teens in the USA have prediabetes. The study analyzed data from nearly 6,600 people. Between 1999 and 2002, this number had been around 12%, meaning there has been a significant increase of prevalence in the 12 to 19 age group. Prediabetes is an elevated blood sugar level that falls below the threshold for diabetes. Those who live in poverty are especially at risk.
➤POLL...MAJORITY OF AMERICANS SAY THEY'VE HAD COVID: More than half of Americans now say they've had Covid-19, according to a new poll from Monmouth University. According the Washington Post, 52 percent said they'd had Covid in the poll, up from 40 percent in January, with the Post saying this appears to be the first poll to show a majority of Americans have had Covid at some point. However, the poll does say that just over 40 percent said they'd tested positive or been definitively diagnosed, while 10 percent said they weren't diagnosed, but know they had Covid. There was a partisan difference, with some 57 percent of Republicans saying they'd have Covid, compared to 38 percent of Democrats, according to the Post.
➤LOUISIANA IS MOST STRESSED STATE: Louisiana came out on top as the most stressed state in a measure by WalletHub that looked at more than three dozen metrics in four categories: stress related to work, money, family, and health and safety. Following Louisiana in the top 10 were Nevada, New Mexico, West Virginia, Mississippi, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Alabama, Texas and Tennessee. The least stressed state was Utah, followed by Minnesota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, New Hampshire, Hawaii, North Dakota, Massachusetts, Nebraska and New Jersey.
🏈NY TAXPAPERS TO LAY OUT RECORD $850M FOR NEW BUFFALO BILLS STADIUM: New York taxpayers will be laying out a record $850 milion for a new $1.4 billion stadium for the Buffalo Bills, including $600 million from the state and $250 million from Erie County, Governor Kathy Hochul announced yesterday. The previous record for public money spent on an NFL stadium was $750 million for the Las Vegas Raiders. Under the deal, the Bills are committed to staying in Western New York for 30 years, and Hochul says the cost of the stadium will be paid back in the 22nd year because of the $27 million a year in taxes the team will generate. She also said the deal is, quote, "ironclad" because of a provision requiring the Bills to pay the entire stadium construction cost if they move. While, as with other similar deals around the country, there are complaints about so much public money going to build a stadium for a sports team owned by billionaires, Hochul said the public financing component will be 61 percent, which she claimed is, quote, "well below other recent NFL stadium deals in comparable markets."
🏀UCONN, LOUISVILLE REACH FINAL FOUR IN WOMEN'S NCAA TOURNAMENT: Louisville and the University of Connecticut both won their Elite Eight games yesterday in the women's NCAA basketball tournament. Number 1 Lousiville topped Number 3 Michigan 62-50, and will play fellow Number 1 South Carolina in the Final Four. Number 2 UConn needed two overtimes to oust Number 1 NC State 91-87 and reach its 14th straight Final Four. UConn will be playing Number 1 Stanford to try to make it to the championship game.
UCONN WINS A THRILLER ‼️
The No. 2 Huskies beat No. 1 NC State in 2OT and have advanced to the Final Four for the 14th straight time 🤯
🏈NFL MAKES CHANGES TO ROONEY RULE: The NFL is making some changes to the Rooney Rule announced Monday to try to ensure more opportunities for diverse candidates. Among them, starting this season, all teams must have a woman or a member of an ethnic or racial minority as an offensive assistant coach, who will receive a one-year contract and work closely with the head coach and offensive staff to gain experience. Dasha Smith, the NFL’s chief administrative officer, also said virtual interviews will no longer be acceptable for head coach and general manager positions, and there will be specific requirements for candidates to become offensive assistants, including at least three years of experience on the college or pro level.
⚾PUJOLS, BACK WITH CARDINALS, SAYS THIS IS 'LAST RUN': Albert Pujols, who is returning to the St. Louis Cardinals, where he played his first 11 seasons, confirmed yesterday that this will be his final season, saying, "This is it for me. This is my last run." The 42-year-old future Hall of Famer agreed to a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Cardinals.
➤COWBOYS OWNER JONES ASKED JUDGE TO DISMISS PATERNITY CASE, ALLEGES EXTORTION: Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones asked a judge yesterday to dismiss a paternity case against him, alleging the 25-year-old woman who claims she's his daughter is involved in an extortion attempt against him and the Cowboys. Jones said Alexandra Davis had delivered a draft of her lawsuit to him and asked if he would, quote, "make a deal" to ensure he wouldn't be identified as her father. Jones is alleged to have paid $375,000 to Davis' mother, whom the lawsuit says was courted by him in 1995 when she was working at the American Airlines ticket counter in Little Rock, Arkansas. The complaint also says two trusts were established in 1995 that have paid an undisclosed amount to Davis and her mother and remain in effect.
When Edison Research started the Infinite Dial Study in 1998, the goal was to understand how Americans use emerging forms of audio and new media. Twenty-four years later, the Infinite Dial is the longest-running survey of consumer behavior with digital media in America.
This week's Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group® blog outlines six surprising findings from Edison’s recently released study of 1,502 Americans, 12 years and older, surveyed in January 2022.
The explosive growth of TikTok means audio content creators must prioritize the platform for audience engagement and marketing
Smart speakers are more important than ever as an at-home distribution platform for radio broadcasters: 40% of smart speaker owners do not have a radio at home
AM/FM radio buys should allocate 14% of budgets to the AM/FM steam and 84% to over-the-air AM/FM radio; after four years of stability, online audio experiences a significant listening surge
Number of Americans who have ever tried podcasting soars to a record 62% while monthly/weekly audiences dip slightly as younger demos reengage with away-from-home activities
Podcasts’ tale of two cities: Persons 12-34 podcast audiences are down as the post-pandemic outdoors beckons, while persons 35-54 audiences grow strongly
The changing podcast audience profile: More female, older, and more diverse
Click here to view an 11-minute video of Pierre Bouvard, President of the Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group®, presenting the key findings.
Nearly 20 years ago, Kevin Burkhardt was in New Jersey selling Chevys, trying to make ends meet with his sportscasting career in neutral.
He eventually got a break with WCBS and WFAN Radio before ending up as the Mets’ sideline reporter for SNY. This led to Fox Sports, where he has been the host of the World Series and its No. 2 NFL play-by-player.
Now, Burkhardt will be named the No. 1 voice on Fox’s NFL games, The NY Post has learned. Burkhardt and Fox are finalizing a new long-term contract, according to sources, that will make him the voice of the network’s Super Bowls.
This means Burkhardt will be on the call for two of the next three Super Bowls, including Super Bowl LVII next Feb. 12 in Glendale, Arizona
Burkhardt is replacing Joe Buck. After nearly three decades, which included 24 World Series and six Super Bowls, Buck left Fox to join Troy Aikman on ESPN’s “Monday Night Football.” While Fox wanted to keep Buck — it offered him a new $12 million a year deal — the network felt confident that Burkhardt could be its answer. Now, he will be.
Whom Burkhardt will team with on the network’s No. 1 NFL team remains to be seen. A leading candidate is Greg Olsen. In a well-received rookie year, Olsen partnered with Burkhardt on Fox’s No. 2 team behind Buck and Aikman.
Burkhardt, 48, graduated from William Paterson University in 1997 with the hopes of being a sportscaster. He spent four years calling minor league baseball and eight years working at 1,000-watt WGHT 1500 AM in northern New Jersey.
Around 2004-05, he received his first big break doing updates as a part-timer on WCBS-Radio. At that time, he needed to make more money and picked up the side gig selling cars. His boss in Pine Belt, New Jersey’s Chevy dealership, Mike Trebino, allowed him to have flexible hours to continue on WCBS.
Roughly 15.36 million people watched Sunday's live Academy Awards broadcast on Walt Disney Co's ABC network, a major jump from last year but the second-lowest audience ever, according to Reuters citing preliminary Nielsen ratings data.
The figure for the film industry's highest awards rose 56% from last year's record-low ratings, ABC said on Monday. Early estimates for the 2021 show, which was scaled down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, came in at 9.85 million viewers.
An updated tally that will include viewership via live stream and at out-of-home locations such as bars and restaurants will be released on Tuesday.
TV viewership of many awards ceremonies has dropped in recent years. Oscars producers tried a new format this year with three hosts and less time allotted to awards for sound mixing and other film craft categories.
But the most talked-about moment of the night occurred when Will Smith slapped presenter Chris Rock's face on stage shortly before Smith was named best actor read more .
The audio from the show, broadcast on a time-delay of a few seconds in the United States, appeared to have been cut from the live transmission for many viewers because of the language. But it was audible in some broadcasts, for example in Japan and Australia.
Howard Stern was “disturbed” by Will Smith’s assault on Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars, and argues that the “King Richard” actor must suffer from mental illness, reports Page Six At The NY Post.
“This is a sign of great mental illness when you can’t control your impulse. Not only that, it was hardly an insulting joke. It was not even a good joke,” Stern, 68, said on his SiriusXM Show on Monday, referring to Rock’s jab at Jada Pinkett Smith’s bald head.
“The joke, quite frankly, was beneath Chris Rock. It was a throwaway. ‘You look like G.I. Jane.’”
Stern argued that what fans saw on TV was “a guy who’s got real issues.”
“He didn’t think twice about what he was about to do,” he said. “Now that’s crazy, when you can’t contain yourself like that.”
Stern claimed that 57-year-old Rock — whom he described as a “gentle soul” and “not a fighter” — was just trying to do his job and 53-year-old Smith is “clearly insane.”
“Poor Chris Rock is a comedian and just trying to get through the day to make the f–king people laugh at that horrible ceremony,” Stern said. “[Rock is] so fast comedy wise, he actually covered and made a joke and said, ‘Gee, best Oscars yet.’”
Stern continued to defend Rock’s comments, saying that the joke wasn’t even that offensive.
“He got up and he compared Jada Pinkett Smith to one of the most beautiful women in the world, Demi Moore,” Stern said. “You don’t hit people over speech, certainly not at the Academy Awards, and Will Smith’s got to contain himself.”
Stern also argued that it was unacceptable that no one did anything to contain the situation, and just allowed Smith to continue sitting in the audience.
“Here’s Hollywood that’s so outraged by every little thing. Not one person got up and said, ‘Hold on, we got an out-of-control situation here,’” he said.
Cumulus Media’s Westwood One and the National Football League have announced they have extended and expanded their partnership with a new multi-year agreement.
Westwood One has been the official network audio broadcast partner of the NFL for more than 35 consecutive seasons and 50 years overall. Westwood One will continue to provide play-by-play coverage for Monday Night Football; Sunday Night Football; Thursday Night Football plus Thanksgiving Day; select international games; the entire postseason including the Wild Card and Divisional Playoffs, AFC and NFC Championship games; and the Super Bowl. The NFL on Westwood One reaches more than 56 million listeners each season.
Under the terms of the new deal, Westwood One retains exclusive national broadcast radio distribution rights to the aforementioned games, and adds the following new elements to the partnership:
Westwood One’s NFL primetime game broadcasts will be available free to fans on affiliated stations’ primary digital platforms and on the NFL App. Westwood One will offer expanded coverage of NFL tentpole events throughout the year, including NFL Honors, NFL Combine, NFL Draft, and NFL Schedule Release. Westwood One and the NFL will explore creating new alternate game broadcasts in addition to the traditional Westwood One play-by-play.
“What an honor it is for Westwood One to continue our multi-decade programming relationship with our iconic NFL partners by extending our exclusive network audio broadcast rights,” said Suzanne Grimes, President, Westwood One and EVP Corporate Marketing, Cumulus Media. “Equally exciting is the opportunity to further grow our NFL fan base by expanding our relationship to include digital distribution rights as well as innovative, new content opportunities.”
“We’re pleased to continue our valued, long-term partnership with Westwood One,” said Brent Lawton, VP Media Strategy and Business Development. “Audio is an important platform for the NFL, and Westwood One has a long history of delivering excellent game broadcasts and other content. We’re excited to expand with Westwood One on to digital platforms, providing our fans even more ways to follow the sport they love.”
Westwood One’s broadcast coverage of the NFL includes an all-star line-up of talent featuring some of the biggest names in football, including Emmy-nominated broadcaster Rich Eisen, two-time NSMA Sportscaster of the Year Kevin Harlan, and a host of former players, “Hall of Famers”, and coaches providing in-game analysis.
In addition to live game coverage and pregame and halftime shows, Westwood One Sports also offers feature programming including NFL Insider, NFL Preview, NFL101, and NFL Fantasy Forecast.
Compass Media Networks has announced the promotion of Nancy Abramson to the position of Senior Vice President of Affiliate Sales and Content.
Nancy Abramson, who joined the Company in 2014, will continue to be based out of the Company’s New York office and shall continue to spearhead the Company’s affiliate sales and affiliate marketing for select entertainment programming, including DeDe in the Morning, Anna & Raven, as well as services, including the Yamanair platform.
Nancy Abramson states “The most important part of any job is that you are in a position where you admire, learn, and are stimulated by the people you work with – executives, colleagues, and clients. And if you are in sales, having great products to sell makes the job even more rewarding. I have all that at Compass Media Networks.”
Nancy Abramson
Prior to joining Compass Media Networks, Nancy Abramson served as Executive Director of the Dow Jones/Wall Street Journal Radio Networks, which was the dominant business-news audio platform in the country under her management. In addition, Ms. Abramson held various executive roles at ABC Radio Network and was a prominent DJ on the legendary WLIR Radio in Long Island.
Mrs. Abramson serves on the Radio Hall of Fame Nominating Committee and as a judge for the 2022 Gracie Awards. In addition, Nancy has been recognized by Radio Ink as one of the Most Influential Woman in Radio in from 2009 through 2013. Contact Nancy Abramson: nabramson@compassmedianetworks.com
➦In 1888...Radio, film actor Earle Ross born (Died of cancer at age 73 – May 21, 1961).
While in school he became interested in dramatics and was usually cast as a villain or an old man because of his unusual voice characteristics. In 1908 he worked with Colonel Bill Selig in his first 5-reel movie film The Holy Cross. In 1912, he ventured to the East Coast and worked on Broadway in such shows as Where the Trail Divides and Cost of Living. From there, he started his own chain of theaters but went broke in the Wall Street Crash of 1929.
Ross became a radio broadcast pioneer and had his own show, The Earle Ross Theater of the Air and also starred in Inspector Post, a continuing radio drama. Ross's most memorable roles were on radio: that of Judge Horace Hooker on The Great Gildersleeve and Howie MacBrayer on Point Sublime.
Jack Benny
➦In 1932...Jack Benny first appeared on radio as a guest of Ed Sullivan. He was then given his own show later that year, with Canada Dry Ginger Ale as a sponsor —The Canada Dry Ginger Ale Program, beginning May 2, 1932, on the NBC Blue Network and continuing there for six months until October 26, moving the show to CBS on October 30. With Ted Weems leading the band, Benny stayed on CBS until January 26, 1933.
Arriving at NBC on March 17, Benny did The Chevrolet Program until April 1, 1934 with Frank Black leading the band. He continued with The General Tire Revue for the rest of that season, and in the fall of 1934, for General Foods as The Jell-O Program Starring Jack Benny (1934–42) and, when sales of Jell-O were affected by sugar rationing during World War II, The Grape Nuts Flakes Program Starring Jack Benny (later the Grape Nuts and Grape Nuts Flakes Program) (1942–44).
On October 1, 1944, the show became The Lucky Strike Program Starring Jack Benny, when American Tobacco's Lucky Strike cigarettes took over as his radio sponsor, through the mid-1950s. By that time, the practice of using the sponsor's name as the title began to fade.
The show returned to CBS on January 2, 1949, as part of CBS president William S. Paley's "raid" of NBC talent in 1948-49. There it stayed for the remainder of its radio run, which ended on May 22, 1955. CBS aired repeats of previous 1953-55 radio episodes from 1956 to 1958 as The Best of Benny for State Farm Insurance, who later sponsored his television program from 1960 through 1965.
➦In 1937...The radio soap opera Our Gal Sunday made its first national broadcast on CBS. It continued until January 2, 1959. The origin of this radio series was a 1904 Broadway production, Sunday, which starred Ethel Barrymore. This play was the source of the catchphrase, "That's all there is, there isn't any more."
➦In 1941...WPAT AM NYC Market signed-on.
For many years, the station (along with its FM counterpart) would broadcast a beautiful music format under the slogan "Easy 93".
The WPAT stations were purchased by Capital Cities Communications in 1961. In the 1970s, WPAT began integrating some baby boomer soft vocals such as the Carpenters, Neil Diamond, Dionne Warwick, and others, still playing one vocal per 15 minutes. In 1982, the stations began playing soft rock songs mixed into the format a couple times an hour and cut back on pop standards artists and songs.
In 1985, Capital Cities announced that it would buy ABC. As a result of Federal Communications Commission regulations at the time, the company decided to sell WPAT and WPAT-FM because ABC already owned WABC and WPLJ in New York City. The WPAT stations would be sold to Park Communications.
In January 1996, WPAT-FM was sold to Spanish Broadcasting System and switched to a Spanish-language adult contemporary format. Around the same time, WPAT was sold to Heftel Broadcasting and switched to an automated Classic Salsa/Tropical music format on March 26. Heftel tried buying the FM station but was narrowly outbid by SBS. Heftel bought WPAT with plans to sell it to Multicultural Broadcasting and buying an FM station.
Weeks later, the station would start adding ethnic and paid programming. By the next year, the station's ownership would change finally when its current owners, Multicultural Broadcasting, would buy the station in exchange for WNWK plus Multicultural was paid some cash for WNWK as well. (WNWK subsequently would become WCAA, then in 2009 would switch frequencies with WQXR-FM, New York. It is now known as WXNY-FM and broadcasts at 96.3 FM.) The new owners of WPAT would soon modify the station to its current paid ethnic programming format, moving Radio Korea to WZRC.
➦In 1941...Under the provisions of the North American Regional Broadcasting Agreement, stations assigned to 760 kHz were shifted to 770 kHz, which has been WJZ / WABC's dial position ever since. WABC started off as WJZ when it signed on October 1, 1921.
➦In 1967...AFTRA members called the union’s first national strike, after negotiations broke down over staff announcer contracts at owned-and-operated stations in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles and over first-time contracts for “Newsmen” at networks and owned-and-operated stations.
The 13-day strike involved all 18,000 members in more than 100 locations across the country. Many familiar faces were absent from the TV screen, including that of Walter Cronkite of CBS News whose temporary replacement was Arnold Zenker, formerly a radio announcer in Wilmington, Delaware.
From March 29 to April 10, 1967 there was a strike called by AFTRA (the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists). This meant that all the union talent, including the WABC airstaff, was taken off the air and replaced by management personnel. It was all very strange. But, according to the tribute site, musicradio77.com, PD Rick Sklar could turn anything into a promotion, and the strike was no exception.
Listen to an aircheck which features a brief montage compiled from hours of tape. It includes:
The "strikebound sound" jingle that Rick Sklar ordered from PAMS (Series 31).
Hal Neal, president of ABC Radio, filling in as a newsman giving background on the strike.
The "super pickets" promo. This was, of course, a take-off on the station's weekly "superhit sounds" promo which featured excerpts from the week's top 5 songs. It's a promotion masterpiece and it worked. Whenever one of the All Americans tried to take part in the picket line outside the ABC building, they'd be mobbed by autograph seekers!
Rick Sklar worked as the booth announcer in the evening.
Finally the strike ended. And within 30 minutes of the announcement, Cousin Bruce was back on the air.
Gene Klavan, Dee Finch
➦In 1983...Dee Finch, who for 16 years was the straight-man partner of Gene Klavan on WNEW Radio's ''Klavan and Finch'' early morning show, died at age 65 of a heart attack after attending his mother's funeral in Binghamton NY.
From 1947 to 1952, he teamed up with Gene Rayburn in a zany disk-jockey show known for an irreverence toward commercials and a penchant for inserting incongruous material in the music being broadcast. He retired in 1968.
Klavan commented on Dee Finch in 1984: “He was spectacular. He was more than a straight man. People say a straight man, but he had a marvelous sense of humor. A great voice and a fetching laugh. I mean if he laughed even I couldn’t help it, I would break up, basically he was a really good actor. He adlibbed, we never prepared anything, even though I used to hope we would sometimes. He had a great understanding of what we were doing. We were two minds without any.”
➦In 2003…Longtime radio personality Bob Anderson died after a heart attack in Portland, ME at age 59.
Don Rose
➦In 2005...Don Rose died in his sleep at age 70 (Born -Donald Duane Rosenberg; July 5, 1934). He was one of American's best radio personalities. He worked at legendary stations like KFRC, San Francisco; WFIL, Philadelphia and other markets.
Rose was born Donald Duane Rosenberg in North Platte, Nebraska, and got his first experience in broadcasting at age 15 while reporting on his trip to the Boy Scout National Jamboree in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, for KODY in his hometown.
He began his career in 1955 at KWBE in Beatrice, Nebraska, while majoring in accounting at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. He moved to KLMN/Lincoln shortly thereafter, and then was hired by KOIL/Omaha, a job that appeared to be so promising that he dropped out of college in his senior year. He was fired by the station four weeks later.
His next job, at KTSA/San Antonio, also lasted only four weeks. Returning to Nebraska, he held an announcing position at KRNY/Kearney for about 15 months before being terminated again. His next employer, the Union Pacific Railroad, offered only manual labor — pounding spikes into the railbed — but he continued to pursue work in radio, and acquired a job at KTUL/Tulsa.
His next broadcasting position was in KWMT/Fort Dodge, Iowa, where he first complemented his jokes with cowbells and other barnyard sounds. His stay in Fort Dodge wasn't lengthy, but it was there that he met his future wife, Kae, to whom he remained married for the next 45 years of his life.
From Iowa it was on to WEBC/Duluth, Minn., followed by his first taste of big-market success, as morning host at WQXI/Atlanta ("Quixie In Dixie"), his fame made ever-lasting by his inclusion as the 1967 entry in the popular series of "Cruisin’" LP records. Originally hired for the nine-to-noon slot, he was shifted to morning drive shortly after his arrival, and soon became the number one deejay in town.
With Dr. Don as morning anchor, KFRC was voted "Station of the Year" four times by Billboard Magazine.
He was considered by many to be the king of radio in the Bay Area during the final decade of AM's musical dominance.
He was named by Billboard Magazine as Disc Jockey of the Year on both the East Coast (while with WFIL Philadelphia) and on the West Coast (while with KFRC San Francisco). One of Rose's characteristic "sound bite" mannerisms when he was at KFRC was to state the words "that's right" in a continuous fashion that was intended to sound "crazy" or funny, which also served to represent the overall morning zoo radio format, style and "feel" of his show.
"I'm married to radio," he told The Chronicle (San Francisco) in 1975, "and I'm thinking about suing it for nonsupport. I would describe my show as therapy, for myself."
Dr. Don Rose raised a total of over $10 million by hosting March of Dimes Superwalks for 20 years. As well, he emceed many golf tourneys, including his own, with proceeds going toward Special Olympics and special education.
Despite his cheerful persona, Rose suffered over three decades of debilitating pain from assorted medical problems. In 1972, he underwent a botched heart surgery, which caused chronic knee infections that required 11 more operations and led to his losing his kneecap. He broadcast his daily radio show flat on his back from his home hospital bed for months. In 1984, after a fall made the knee problems worse, one leg was amputated.
Dr. Don Rose last Top40 Show On KFRC-AM:
Rose had to alter his on-air act in 1986 when KFRC changed its format to Big Band Music and its imaging to Magic 61. He left KFRC permanently by the end of the year.
His departure from KFRC was followed by a short stint at KKIS/Concord-Walnut Creek beginning in 1987, where his son, Jay, was chief engineer. After a failed attempt at buying the station, Dr. Don moved to mornings at San Francisco's K101 (KIOI); four months later, he suffered a heart attack while on the air. He never returned to broadcasting on a full-time basis.
🎂HAPPY BIRTHDAYS:
Comedian Eric Idle is 79.
Composer Vangelis (“Chariots of Fire”) is 79.
Megan Hilty is 41
Singer Bobby Kimball of Toto is 75.
Actor Bud Cort (“Harold and Maude”) is 74.
Actor Brendan Gleeson (“Harry Potter”) is 67.
Actor Marina Sirtis (“Star Trek: The Next Generation”) is 67.
Actor Christopher Lambert (“Highlander”) is 65.
Singer Perry Farrell of Porno for Pyros and Jane’s Addiction is 63.
Comedian Amy Sedaris is 61. Model Elle Macpherson is 59.
Actor Annabella Sciorra (“Law and Order: Criminal Intent”) is 58.
Director Michel Hazanavicius (“The Artist”) is 55.
Singer-harmonica player John Popper of Blues Traveler is 55.
Actor Lucy Lawless (“Xena: Warrior Princess”) is 54.
Country singer Regina Leigh of Regina Regina is 54.
Country singer Brady Seals is 53. Actor Megan Hilty is 41.
Hubbard Radio Chicago’s WTMX 101.9 THE MIX & 100.3 WSHE Vice President of Brand and Content, Jimmy Steal, announced today on Monday, April 18th, Casey McCabe joins MIX Midday host Jenny Valliere in Afternoon drive as the new hosts of The Afternoon MIX with McCabe & Jenny!
McCabe comes to The MIX from Los Angeles with on air stops at CHR 97.1 AMP Radio and Alternative Rocker KROQ in addition to hosting his syndicated “Alternative Soundcheck” show. Prior to LA Casey worked on air at KXTE Las Vegas and KRZQ Reno.
Lisa
A native of Lake Tahoe, Nevada, McCabe graduated with a Film degree from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Casey said, “Really looking forward to being a part of The Mix team and beyond excited to be working alongside Jenny V every afternoon!".” “I'm thrilled to make the move to afternoons and can't wait to get started with Casey.” added Valliere.
The new MIX daytime line-up has Lisa Allen moving back to her longtime midday slot, a position Lisa held for 7 years, prior to moving to Afternoons. “I'm very excited to be returning to my longtime home in MIX Middays, where I'm happiest!” said Allen.
Vice President Market Manager Jeff England stated “Adding a great new talent like Casey compliments our entire MIX daytime lineup, with Jenny as Casey’s Afternoon cohost and Lisa Allen now in Middays.”
Audacy announced the addition of Mai Martinez as morning co-anchor and reporter for WBBM Newsradio (WCFS-FM/WBBM-AM), effective April 4. In this role, Martinez will spend much of her time in the field, covering the diverse communities of Chicago, while also teaming with Cisco Cotto each morning from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. CT.
Mai Martinez
“This is a dream team of two experienced, talented journalists,” said Rachel Williamson, Regional President and Market Manager, Audacy Chicago. “Mai has a knack for uncovering the details that resonate with the people of this city. Together, she and Cisco have a passion for news plus warm and inviting voices that will greet our listeners each and every morning.”
“Like so many Chicagoans, WBBM Newsradio has been a constant in my home and car for years,” said Martinez. “I’m honored to join such a talented team of hardworking and trusted journalists and continue the important work of informing and serving our community.”
Prior to this role, Martinez spent 14 years as a general assignment reporter and weekend anchor at WBBM-TV in Chicago. Before arriving in Chicago in 2006, Martinez previously worked as a reporter for WBRC-TV in Birmingham, AL and WDSI-TV in Chattanooga, TN.
