January 26 Radio History

➦In 1899...writer/producer Wyllis Cooper was born in Pekin Illinois. He was the creator of NBC Radio’s scary series “Lights Out.” Besides writing, producing and directing, he hosted the show from its start in 1934 to 1936, when Arch Oboler succeeded him. He also was creator/writer/producer of “Quiet, Please!” on Mutual (1947-1948 ) and ABC Radio (1948-1949), and producer/narrator of the early TV series Volume One.  He died June 29 1955 at age 56.

1936 group of breakfastclubbers "start the day with a smile, music and an extra cup of cawfee." L-R: Carl Fasshauer, Bill Short, Earl Roberts, Walter Blaufuss, Helen Jane Behlke, Don, Frank Papile, Clark Dennis, Bill Krenz and Eddie Ballantine

➦In 1907...bandleader Eddie Ballantine was born in Chicago. He was musical director of the Don McNeill Breakfast Club on NBC Blue/ABC Radio for almost thirty years.  When that program ended in 1968 he became a stock market reporter for a Chicago TV station.  He died Nov. 14 1995 at age 88.


➦In 1922...pianist Page Cavanaugh was born in Cherokee Kansas. He formed & led his own trio from 1943-1960, which was featured on NBC Radio’s Jack Paar Show in 1947.  They worked as backup to Mel Torme recordings, and also were featured repeatedly on CBS Radio’s Songs by Sinatra.  He died of kidney failure Dec. 19, 2008 at age 86.

This ad for KNOW appeared in a 1947 issue of Broadcasting

➦In 1932...KUT AM in Austin Texas changes call letters to KNOW 1490 AM.  Today, 1490 is Christian Talk KLGO.  KNOW for several years “was one of the best medium-market Top 40 stations anywhere…One thing that set KNOW apart from many other Top 40 stations was its dedication to news.  It had a top-flight news department that won tons of awards.  The calls live-on as KNOW-FM and are assigned to Minnesota Public Radio at 91.1 FM.


➦In 1947... “The Greatest Story Ever Told” began a 10-year run on ABC radio. It was the first radio program to dare to simulate the voice of Jesus Christ.


➦In 1969...The Beatles and Billy Preston recorded "The Long And Winding Road," a song Paul McCartney had written at his farm in Scotland the previous year, inspired by the growing tension within the group.



The Beatles re-recorded the song with different lyrics and structure on January 31 but that version (Take 18) was never issued. On April 1, 1970 at Abbey Road Studios in London, producer Phil Spector embellished the January 26 track using 18 violins, four violas, four cellos, three trumpets, three trombones, two guitars, and a choir of 14 women, completely contrary to the Beatles' stated intentions for a "real" recording when they began work on the "Get Back" project. While the released version of the song was successful, the post-production modifications by Spector angered McCartney to the point that when he made his case in court for breaking up the Beatles as a legal entity, he cited the treatment of "The Long and Winding Road" as one of six reasons for doing so.

Edward G./ Robinson

➦In 1973...actor & movie star Edward G Robinson died of bladder cancer at age 79.   Rising to stardom in Warner Bros. movies of the 30’s, his most important broadcast credit was the lead role of crusading newspaperman Steve Wilson in CBS radio’s “Big Town” for 5 years beginning in 1937.

➦In 1975...NBC’s “Monitor” broadcast for the last time (John Bartholomew Tucker host, right). Monitor spent its last 12 hours looking back on its 20-year history (approximately 20,000-plus hours) with hosts Big Wilson and John Bartholomew Tucker. Many clips were played, including Dave Garroway's interview with Marilyn Monroe on the show's first day, Frank McGee's talk with Martin Luther King Jr. in the early 1960s, Bob and Ray spoofing "Miss Monitor" and reporter Helen Hall riding on a roller-coaster.

On January 26, Big Wilson (left) hosted from noon to 3pm while Tucker hosted from 3-6pm. The program's last guest was Hugh Downs, who talked about his earlier days on Monitor with Tucker. During the show's final minutes Sammy Cahn sang about the show's history ("Monitor: It's Been a Long, Long Time"), followed by Tucker thanking the viewers and staff, after which he said his last farewell. The final sound heard on Monitor was of the "Beacon", followed by the NBC chimes at 5:58:50pm.

 Click Here for Monitor's final six hours.



On June 12, 1955, the NBC Radio Network inaugurated an innovative new program called "Monitor". On the following Saturday, June 18, "Monitor" began broadcasting 40 consecutive hours each weekend, from 8:00 AM on Saturday to midnight on Sunday. The show aired from a mammoth NBC studio in New York City called Radio Central, created especially for the program, on the fifth floor of the RCA Building in midtown Manhattan.

"Monitor" offered a mix of news, sports, comedy, variety, music, celebrity interviews, and other short segments.

Click Here for the History of Monitor




➦In 2007...Former disc jockey (KFXM-San Bernardino, California)/ recording artist/songwriter (The Three Stars)/record producer/promoter Tommy Donaldson, who recorded his Buddy Holly-Ritchie Valens-Big Bopper tribute as Tommy Dee, died at age 73.

Bob Green and Anita Bryant at a 1977 press conference in Des Moines, Iowa, where she was famously "pied" on camera by a gay-rights activist.

➦In 2012...Former disc jockey (WINZ-Miami) Bob Green, who was married to singer Anita Bryant (1960-1980) and managed her career as an entertainer and Florida citrus spokeswoman, then led her into anti-gay activism which ultimately destroyed their careers and marriage, was found dead at the age of 80.

E W Scripps Puts All 34 Radio Stations On The Block

The E.W. Scripps Co. has announced it wants to create a stronger, more streamlined and higher-performing company through comprehensive restructuring and cost reductions expected to yield more than $30 million in annual cost savings.

The company also plans to sell its 34 radio stations and has retained Kalil & Co., Inc. to handle the process.

“Today, Scripps is a dynamic leader in the media industry through its strong local TV station portfolio, its growing multicast network, its national news network and its podcasting business,” Scripps President and CEO Adam Symson said. “The enterprise-wide restructuring positions us well for continued growth while maintaining high-quality journalism as our central focus.”

Adam Symson

During third-quarter 2017, the company began its restructuring work with a $2.4 million restructuring charge. The company will take a restructuring charge of $2 million in the fourth quarter, estimates a $4 million charge in the first quarter and expects to take smaller quarterly charges into 2019.

The annual cost savings are driven by reductions in head count and operating expenses over the next 12-18 months. These include centralization of services and technology; sharing of resources; elimination of redundant positions and services; and other expense reductions.

Another component of the company’s performance-improvement plan is its high priority on configuring a more durable TV station portfolio during this period of changing local market regulations.

“This plan is consistent with our goal to create both short-term and long-term value by improving margins and cash flow in our local media business and supporting the growth of our national businesses,” said Symson. “Our restructuring analysis also led us to determine the time is right to find a new owner for our radio group that can provide the focus and resources the stations and their creative, devoted employees deserve.”

Elton John To Make Lengthy Farewell Concert Tour

Elton John on Wednesday announced a three-year farewell world tour, saying he would quit traveling afterward to focus on life with his family.

Reuters reports the 70-year-old singer, one of the best-selling recording artists in the world over a 50-year career, told a news conference in New York that his priorities have changed after becoming a parent to two children with his husband David Furnish.

“I love them so much. I don’t want to miss them and I don’t want them to miss me,” he said. “I’ve had a good run.”

He said his last tour, called “Farewell Yellow Brick Road,” would start in September 2018 in the United States and would last through 2021, taking him all around the world.

“It will be a wonderful way to thank people,” he said. “It’s a way of going out with a bang. I’m not the kind of guy to go out with a whimper.”

John made the announcement after a live performance of his hits “Tiny Dancer” and “I‘m Still Standing.”

With a penchant for flamboyant stage costumes and an ear for piano rockers and ballads, John has dominated the pop industry for decades with hits like “Your Song” and “Candle in the Wind.”

On Wednesday, he denied British media reports that he was quitting touring because of ill health.

John and Furnish married in 2014 and the couple are raising two sons, Zachary, 7, and Elijah, 5, who were born through a surrogate mother.

“I never thought that I could love anything as much as I love my sons... I never thought I could be a father, I thought I’m too selfish, too set in my ways,” he said.

John is due to perform at the Grammy Awards in New York on Sunday. On Jan 30, musicians including Miley Cyrus, John Legend, Chris Martin and Sam Smith will pay tribute to his music and career at a previously announced concert in New York.

John, who has Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards for his work in film and theater including “The Lion King” and “Billy Elliott,” said he planned to remain creative but said that after the tour he would likely take 2 or 3 years off from writing music.

Atlanta Radio: WYAY Rebrands As Talk 106.7

Cumulus Media's WYAY has rebranded as the new Talk 106.7.

The station recently dropped its remaining all-news program, a morning show led by Rob Stadler, and is seeking a permanent talk-show host in that slot.

Shannon Burke

According to Rodney Ho at ajc.com, the station has effectively dropped any pretense to be a news station and at the same time wants to sound hipper, younger, more assertive than its news/talk rivals.

“We’re branding it as a talk station and pounding that home,” said Sean Shannon, market manager for Cumulus Atlanta. “It’s an attitude with board operations and productions and sales staff and marketing people. It’s an attitude in the building we have to have in order to go and do great radio.”

Kim Peterson

The 106.7 signal has gone through multiple lives. For many years, it was country, then went oldies in 2008. In 2012, Cumulus revamped it as All News 106.7 but the effort never caught fire. In 2014, it became NewsRadio 106.7. But that name became a misnomer as news programming was gradually stripped away.

“The whole concept is personality-driven radio,” said the new program director Tom Lee, who has been in sports and news talk radio for 25 years in different markets including Los Angeles and Dallas. “People can get news anywhere. They can’t get Shannon or the Kimmer. Our goal is to have four morning shows one after another.”

The station’s overall ratings are modest but it carries strong ratings from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. courtesy of hosts Shannon Burke and Kim “The Kimmer” Peterson.

The station in 2017 finished with its strongest ratings in its history in its news/talk incarnation, averaging a 1.725 rating with a 1.9 rating among 25 to 54 year olds. The first full year of Burke/Kimmer combo pulled in an average of 4.47 rating among 25 to 54 year olds from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., far better than previous years in that mid-day time frame.

Holiday PPMs Released For DC, Boston, Detroit, 9 Other Markets

Nielsen on Wednesday 1/24/18, released the second batch of Holiday PPM Data for the following markets:

  7  Washington DC

 10  Boston MA

 11  Miami-Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood

 12  Seattle-Tacoma

 13  Detroit

 14  Phoenix

 15  Minneapolis-St. Paul MN

 17  San Diego

 18  Denver-Boulder

 19  Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater

 21  Baltimore

 23  St. Louis

Click Here to View Topline Numbers for subscribing Nielsen stations. 

Alpha, Compass Media To Syndicate Markley & Van Camp Show

Alpha Media has announced the selection of Compass Media Networks to manage the syndication of The Markley and van Camp Show, beginning April 2, 2018.

The MVC Show, broadcasting live 9am – Noon PST, and is currently heard on WMBD-AM: Peoria, IL., WFTL-AM: West Palm Beach, FL., KFOR-AM: Lincoln, NE., KFQD-AM: Anchorage, AK., KOKC-AM: Oklahoma City, OK., WBRP-FM: Baton Rouge, LA., and most notably KXL-FM in Portland, OR. The show is an often-humorous collection of hot takes on the day’s top trending stories.

Alpha Media Executive VP of Content, Scott Mahalick commented on the announcement, “Jamie Markley and Dave van Camp are rock stars. They are different from other News-Talk shows. Our goal was to end up as the new face of NT Radio to give the format something fresh and different, and MVC bring it every day!”

Compass Media Networks Founder/CEO, Peter Kosann added, “Thank you Alpha Media for developing MVC! Markley & van Camp bring a unique mix of humor and fun to current events that will retain core talk-radio listeners while gaining the hearts and minds of millennials searching for compelling daytime entertainment.”

“We are thrilled and appreciative for the opportunity to go national. Thank you in advance to our affiliates and advertisers for their faith in us,” remarked Markley.

Jamie Markley is about 20 years older and has 20 times less hair than his co-host. The age brings experience, while the hair loss is just a symptom of being a former program director. A Mid-Westerner and family man, the former rock DJ dazzles with his wit and uncanny ability to remember the length of nearly every 1980’s rock song. He’s a massive Dallas Cowboys fan, of which he has no problem constantly reminding you in the off-chance you think he’s an America-hating communist.

David van Camp is a Texan, but that isn’t held against him. DVC conveys a no-bull attitude and then hits you with a curveball joke. The (last) Houston Texans fan is also a former news director who somehow made it out of Mexico, Missouri alive, even if a little less sober.

Portland OR Radio: Sheila Hamilton OUT AT KXL-FM

Sheila Hamilton

Well-known political talk show host Sheila Hamilton is no longer working for Portland news talk News/Talk  KXL FM 101.1 FM.

Hamilton confirmed she is no longer employed by the radio station, but said she is waiting until final negotiations have been resolved to issue a statement explaining what happened.

Hamilton has been an on-air personality for over a decade. In 2015, she also published a book—All the Things We Never Knew—about her husband's struggles with mental illness.

Hamilton joined Alpha Media in July 2016.

Sheila Hamilton is a five-time Emmy Award winning journalist and the author of “All the Things We Never Knew.” Sheila’s resume includes film, commercial television, radio and print. She began her career as an Associate Producer for public broadcasting, and then anchored and reported commercial television news for KTVX in Salt Lake City, Utah and KATU in Portland, Oregon.

Bakersfield Radio: Jaz McKay, Inga Barks OUT At KNZR

Talk KNZR 1560 AM / 97.7 FM personalities Jaz McKay and Inga Barks have confirmed they are no longer employed by the station, according to bakersfield.com.

McKay's separation comes just days after controversy exploded over a Facebook Live video in which he used the racial epithet "spic."

According to the report, McKay and Barks told KGETTV they are no longer working for Alpha Media and KNZR after being fired Tuesday.

McKay said his show will be replaced by "The Sean Hannity Show."

The station’s general manager, the president of Alpha Media and McKay did not respond to inquiries.

Inga Barks

McKay has been at the station going on 11 years, and has a history of getting himself into hot water.

It all started at about 9:50 p.m. last Thursday. McKay was shooting a Facebook Live video from inside his parked car, pointing out in dismay the large number of Spanish radio stations crowding the radio dial. He occasionally described them as "Messican."

He was scanning the radio dial, pointing out one station after another. Then he paused.

"Am I, am I getting to you?" he said. Then he dropped the S-bomb.

Barks' three to six time slot was filled by Terry Maxwell, former city councilman and restaurant owner. Chad Garcia, former KNZR employee confirmed Barks was no longer with the station. The reason for Barks' departure is unknown at this time.

Detroit Radio: Doug Podell Lands At Country WDRQ

Doug Podell

Longtime Detroit radio personality Doug "The Doc" Podell has landed a new gig with WDRQ 93.1 Nash FM.

Podell's first show on the contemporary country station will be at 7 p.m. Saturday live from the Chevrolet display at the North American International Auto Show, according to a news release. He is set to host for the station on Saturdays and Sundays from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., according to Crains Detroit.

Podell's radio career in the Motor City dates back to 1976, with his most recent stint being at WCSX 94.7 FM. He worked as the program director and a host for the classic rock station before exiting in November, according to a Detroit News report. He is a resident of Shelby Township and studied broadcast journalism at Wayne State University

Podell replaces DJ Lisa Lisa Orlando's time slot, while Orlando is slated to pick her show back up at sister station 96.3 WDVD.

Boston Radio: WEEI, Patriots Ink New Broadcast Deal

The New England Patriots and Entercom have announced a multi-year partnership extension.

The agreement includes broadcasting rights of “Patriots Monday” and “Patriots Friday,” headlined by five-time Super Bowl champion and four-time Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady, as well as the Patriots’ five-time Super Bowl champion Head Coach Bill Belichick, on WEEI Sports Radio Network which airs on 93.7 FM in Boston. The weekly features give Patriots fans access to top players via exclusive interviews on the top-rated sports radio network on Mondays and Fridays. WEEI is a part of Entercom, the #1 creator of live, original, local audio content in the United States.

“As the voice of New England sports, we’re proud to extend our partnership with the New England Patriots, an elite organization that like Entercom, is committed to bringing WEEI listeners and Patriots fans the compelling sports content they seek,” said Mark Hannon, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Entercom Boston.

“Entercom is enthusiastic of and committed to its role as the nation’s premiere sports audio producer,” said Chris Oliviero, Executive Vice President of Programming, Entercom. “Continuing this winning combination of WEEI and the Patriots, one of Entercom’s over 40 professional team partnerships, is a strong sign of that commitment and passion to our listeners.”

“Continuity is one of the keys to the Kraft family’s success, and we are proud to have partnered with WEEI for more than two decades to broadcast Patriots Monday and more recently the addition of Patriots Friday,” said New England Patriots Vice President of Corporate Sales Murray Kohl. “We are happy to extend our agreement with WEEI and look forward to many more years of success together.”

Brady will kick off “Patriots Monday” with a weekly appearance on WEEI’s top rated morning show, “The Kirk and Callahan Show,” which airs from 5:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. ET. Belichick will wrap up “Patriots Monday” with his weekly appearance on “The Dale and Holley with Keefe show,” airing from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. In between, “Ordway, Merloni and Fauria” hosted by Glenn Ordway, Lou Merloni, and two-time Super Bowl champion and former Patriots tight end Christian Fauria, will continue to feature Patriots captains and veteran leaders who will be available to discuss the most recent game. The show airs from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The “Patriots Friday” lineup will feature additional Patriots players to preview the upcoming game.

The partnership between the Patriots and WEEI began in 1995 with “Patriots Monday” and expanded to include “Patriots Friday” during the 2008 season. The fan-favorite Patriots programming ensures Tom Brady’s appearance on WEEI for years to come. Fans can tune in to WEEI Sports Radio Network on Radio.com and can also participate in the sports conversation via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

CBS Orders 'Murphy Brown' Reboot

Candice Bergen will return as her iconic namesake character, who famously jousted with real-life Vice President Dan Quayle, in a revival of the popular comedy, with CBS on Wednesday ordering 13 episodes for the 2018-19 TV season.

According to USAToday, creator, writer and executive producer Diane English, who gave the series its distinctive voice, will return as writer and executive producer, with Bergen serving as an executive producer, too.

Brown, which ran from 1988 to 1998, was set at FYI, a fictional TV newsmagazine that featured the characters talking about current-day political events.

When Brown launched, Murphy was a strong-willed, sharp-tongued, 40-year-old journalist, who had just returned from the Betty Ford Center after giving up drinking and smoking.

As it hits the 30th anniversary of its initial launch, Brown returns during the presidency of Donald Trump to a much-changed media landscape, where the characters will play in a world of cable news, social media, "fake news" and a different political and cultural climate.

During its run, Brown was critically acclaimed and won 18 Emmys, including five for Bergen.