Atlanta Radio: CMG Makes Another Alternative Move

Cox Media Group has started an alternative format radio battle in Georgia with the launching of X107-1 at midnight this morning.

WTSH 107.1 FM (100Kw) 60dBu Coverage

Two weeks ago Atlanta-based Cox Media Group’s radio division announced a lease management agreement with Rome Radio Partners to take over WTSH 107.1 FM, in Aragon, GA near Rome. The deal also included a translator (W296BB) 107.1 FM signal in Atlanta.   RRP moved the country South 1071 from 107.1 to 93.5 FM.

W296BB 107.1 FM (250 watts) 60dBu Coverage

X107.1 will compete with CCM+E's WRDA Radio 105.7 FM, licanced to Canton, GA.

WRDA 105.7 FM (20Kw) 60dBu Coverage

The two stations will play some of the same artists, including Fitz and The Tantrums, Imagine Dragons, Passion Pit, Avicii, The Black Keys, The Lumineers and Vampire Weekend.

The move comes less than a week after Cox launched a translator 107.3 FM X107-3 in Orlando.

Chicago Radio: Joe Walsh Returns After Racially-Charged Show

Joe Walsh

Talk Show Host Joe Walsh was back on the air late Friday afternoon.

Walsh was pulled-off Salem's WIND 560 AM Thursday for talking about racial slurs on his show.

The Former Republican congressman used several racial slurs during Thursday’s program as he discussed the Washington Redskins name controversy.  He pointed out he was trying to make a point about how the media can use the team’s name on the air, but not other terms that degrade minorities.

His show was interrupted by commercials and later Walsh was completely pulled off mid-program by Salem managers.

Walsh was back on the air with no apparent punishment. Neither the station or Walsh have issued any type of apology ior explanation for purposely offensive content. Walshg went on the radio, blaming "the thought police" and "liberals" for being upset by the  racist remarks.

Talker Larry Elder Gets Star On Hollywood's WOF

Larry Elder

The Class of 2015 Star Honorees – the 30 people selected to receive a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame – includes TV, movie and music personalities as well as one unique selection: KABC 790 AM Talker Larry Elder, one of just a handful of celebrities in political talk-radio to get his own star.

Of the more than 2,500 people honored with a star, hundreds are from the radio industry, though few who focus on political talk. Rush Limbaugh, who pioneered conservative talk radio in the 1980s doesn’t have a star, nor do Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck or Michael Savage, all of whom have bigger audiences than Elder.

"My first thought was, 'I am happy and grateful for the appreciation. My second thought was, 'I hope they didn't confuse me with Samuel L. Jackson,'" Elder joked in an email to The Hollywood Reporter. "Maybe my induction might induce the committee to recognize the contributions of others in the field."

So far, the only other political talkers to have a star are Bill Cunningham, the late Dan Avey and the late Ray Briem, three conservatives, along with Bill Handel, a centrist, and no liberal talk-show hosts -- Ed Schultz, Rachel Maddow or Stephanie Miller, for example -- have a star.

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NYC Radio: WBAI Transmitter Facing Eviction

Financially-trouble WBAI 99.5 FM reportedly is facing eviction of its transmitting facility atop Manhattan's Empire State Building.

The reason:  paying the rent.

According to interim Executive Director Bernard Duncan the station faaces “imminent eviction” from its transmitter site atop the Empire State Building at the end of June.

“We are working on alternatives,” he tells Pacifica’s national board of directors.  

Top on that list would be a move to a transmitter facility in Times Square which Duncan says could cut costs to WBAI by nearly two-thirds.   The site is used by several other noncommercial stations.

WBAI 99.5 FM (4.3Kw) 54dBu Coverage

Meanwhile, the station is inviting supporters to its WBAI Rent Party on July 5th from 4 to 8PM at 388 Atlantic Ave!  The station promises performances from Spirtchild and tasty food!

VA Radio: Sandton Closes On F-L-S Stations

Sandton Capital Partners has closed on its $30.2 million purchase of The Free Lance–Star Publishing Co. and installed veteran newspaperman Gene M. Carr as interim publisher and chief executive officer, according to fredericksburg.com.

The sale ended the Rowe family’s 130-year tenure as owners of the media company. But Sandton said it would continue “business as usual” in operating the newspaper, radio stations, websites and commercial printing plant.

“We are excited to be part of the everyday life of these vibrant communities and we will continue to strive to be the best source for local news,” Tom Wood, a founding partner of Sandton, said in a prepared statement. “We believe that there is a bright future in community newspapers and the hyper-local digital approach to delivering news and information.”

Sandton purchased a loan from BB&T last summer that had been made to the FLS in 2007 to build Print Innovators, a commercial printing plant on Belman Road in Fredericksburg. The outstanding balance was about $38 million.

The FLS then filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and Sandton was the winning bidder in a May 15 auction. The firm was allowed to submit a credit bid of $13.9 million and added $16.3 million in cash to top other bidders.

As part of the purchase agreement, Sandton offered employment to all current FLS employees last week. The FLS’ publications, websites, radio stations and commercial printing plant will continue to operate without interruption.

The FLS’ assets included WFLS, WVBX, WWUZ, WNTX.

To lead the transition, Sandton announced the hiring of Carr, who had been involved with the FLS as an adviser and consultant last year.

Howard Stern Birthday Bash Trailer Released

To celebrate the upcoming premiere of the complete and uncensored video of "Howard Stern's Birthday Bash," Howard Stern and SiriusXM have released a two-minute trailer giving fans a look inside an unforgettable radio broadcast featuring many of the world's top celebrities, celebrated entertainers, and performances by comedians and musicians.

Starting today through July, fans will have free-access to the "Howard Stern's Birthday Bash" video directed by Emmy Award-winning director and producer Joel Gallen at SiriusXM.com and HowardStern.com.  Fans can also watch the celebration in its entirety at any time on smartphones, tablets, and online. Viewers will be able to pause, rewind, and jump to favorite performances, as well as share their favorite scenes with friends.


"Howard Stern's Birthday Bash," the live four-hour radio event, was broadcast on both of Howard Stern's exclusive SiriusXM channels, Howard 100 and Howard 101, on January 31, 2014, from New York City's Hammerstein Ballroom. The broadcast was hosted by Jimmy Kimmel and attracted a top-level lineup of celebrities, stars, and performers for a truly unique night of live comedy, music and entertainment. The celebration featured live music performances by Rob Zombie, The Black Keys, John Mayer, Jon Bon Jovi, Adam Levine, Train, Jewel, John Fogerty, Dave Grohl, Steven Tyler and Slash; a rare sit-down interview with David Letterman; appearances by George Takei, Jeff Probst, Joan Rivers, Jeffrey Ross, Kathy Griffin, Governor Chris Christie, Louis C.K., Katie Couric, Whoopi Goldberg, Bryan Cranston, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, Fred Armisen, Lena Dunham, Sarah Silverman and Natalie Maines, Rosie O'Donnell, John Stamos, Maria Menounos, Heidi Klum and Johnny Knoxville, and an audience of Howard Stern fans ranging from Robert Downey Jr. and Barbara Walters to Howard Stern's "Wack Pack" members.

Another Seacrest Hospital Studio Opens

American Idol host Ryan Seacrest brought lots of excitement to Children’s Hospital Colorado Friday along with an incredible gift for the courageous kids there, according to Fox31/Denver.

A Hollywood style red carpet event kicked off the grand opening of Seacrest Studios.

The 1,000 square-foot television and radio studio is located on the first floor of the hospital near the main entrance.

The idea is to bring entertainment to the hospital’s young patients and their families.

It was all made possible by a partnership between the Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation and the Ryan Seacrest Foundation.  Medical experts say keeping spirits high is an important part of the healing process.

Family, Friends Attend Casey Kasem Memorial

Casey Kasem (LATimes)

About 100 Family members and close friends attended a memorial service Saturday in Los Angeles for Casey Kasem.

Those attending heard audio clips of  'American Top40' shows when he inroduced Jimi Hendrix, the Bee Gees and Joni Mitchell.

Pop music arranger David Campbell played a violin version of Stephen Sondheim's "Send in the Clowns," one of Kasem's favorite songs.

Kasem died June 15 in Gig Harbor, Washington.

Grand Rapids Radio: WCSG's John Balyo Busted

John Balyo

Radio personality John Balyo is no longer associated with Christian station WCSG 91.3 FM in Grand Rapids, MI. after he was arrested on a sex assault charge.

Police arrested the 35-year-old Balyo, of Caledonia, on charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct.

He was arrested after an investigation involving Homeland Security Investigations. Balyo "allegedly paid a defendant, who is the subject of a separate HSI child-exploitation investigation, to arrange sexual encounters with minor victims."

WOOD TV8 reports the man Balyo allegedly paid is Ronald Moser, according to police.

“They would meet in hotels in areas around Grand Rapids and Balyo would have sex with the children,” according to the HIS agent.

According to court documents, Moser had a profile on a foreign child porn web site. He went by the user name “JAYBOY33.”

WCSG is operated by Cornerstone University. In statement from WCSG Radio, Balyo is no longer affiliated with the radio station and Chris Lemke, the general manager will address the issue on-air at 7:30 during Monday’s WCSG morning show.

WCSG, issued the following statement Friday afternoon:

“We are shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the arrest and allegations against John Balyo, WCSG morning radio host. He has been put on indefinite paid administrative leave pending further investigation and the legal process. Our thoughts and prayers are with those involved in the investigation.” 

R.I.P.: WBAG Talk Host Bill Huff In North Carolina

Bill Huff

Longtime Burlington-Graham, NC radio host and sports announcer William “Bill” Huff died Friday after an extended battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

He was 79, according to thetimesnews.com.

The former WBAG 1150 AM Talk Line host was an “interesting old cogder” who’d give you the shirt of his back, according to friends and coworkers.

“Most either loved him or loved to hate him,” said Harry Myers, who co-hosted Talk Line, a morning talk show, with Huff. “… The thing about Bill was his personality out front (on air) was different from him as a real person. He was as kind and as caring as you would ever meet.”

He enjoyed getting people fired up over local issues, Myers said, adding Huff affectionately called himself an “old southern redneck.”

Gailes Stuckey, former Talk Line co-host and WBAG general manager, said it was always a pleasure working with Huff.

June 23 In Radio History

In 1891...Nikola Tesla granted patent 454,622 for the coupled tuned circuit radio-frequency oscillator.

Nikola Tesla

Tesla gained experience in telephony and electrical engineering before emigrating to the United States in 1884 to work for Thomas Edison in New York City. He soon struck out on his own with financial backers, setting up laboratories and companies to develop a range of electrical devices. His patented AC induction motor and transformer were licensed by George Westinghouse, who also hired Tesla for a short time as a consultant. His work in the formative years of electric power development was also involved in the corporate struggle between making alternating current or direct current the power transmission standard, referred to as the war of currents.

Tesla went on to pursue his ideas of wireless lighting and electricity distribution in his high-voltage, high-frequency power experiments in New York and Colorado Springs and made early (1893) pronouncements on the possibility of wireless communication with his devices. He tried to put these ideas to practical use in his ill-fated attempt at intercontinental wireless transmission; his unfinished Wardenclyffe Tower project.

In his lab he also conducted a range of experiments with mechanical oscillator/generators, electrical discharge tubes, and early X-ray imaging. He even built a wireless controlled boat which may have been the first such device ever exhibited.

Tesla was renowned for his achievements and showmanship, eventually earning him a reputation in popular culture as an archetypal "mad scientist." His patents earned him a considerable amount of money, much of which was used to finance his own projects with varying degrees of success.  He lived most of his life in a series of New York hotels, through his retirement. He died on 7 January 1943.

Tesla's work fell into relative obscurity after his death, but has experienced a resurgence in interest in popular culture since the 1990s.


In 1933...Don McNeill debuted as host of The Breakfast Club.



The Breakfast Club is a long-run morning variety show on NBC Blue Network/ABC radio (and briefly on television) originating in Chicago, Illinois. Hosted by Don McNeill, the radio program ran from June 23, 1933 through December 27, 1968. McNeil's 35½-year run as host remains the longest tenure for an M.C. of a network entertainment program, surpassing Johnny Carson (29½ years) on The Tonight Show and Bob Barker (34⅔ years) on The Price is Right.

From 1993...


McNeill Breakfast Club combined music with informal talk and jokes often based on topical events, initially scripted by McNeill but later ad-libbed. In addition to recurring comedy performers, various vocal groups and soloists, listeners heard sentimental verse, conversations with members of the studio audience and a silent moment of prayer. The series eventually gained a sponsor in the Chicago-based meat packer Swift and Company. McNeill is credited as the first performer to make morning talk and variety a viable radio format.

Dick Summer

In 1968...Dick Summer did his last show on WBZ 1030 AM, Boston. Summer was a pioneer in the evening "romance" style programming.

He manned the overnight shift at what was then a 50,000 watt powerhouse in Top 40 music, WBZ. His show was heard in 38 states and up in parts of Canada, too. You may find his voice familiar due to his commercial voice over work on radio and television for such clients as Resolve Carpet Cleaner and Binder & Binder.

Summer resume includes stops at  Indianapolis (WIBC and WISH), St. Louis (WIL) and New York (WNEW, WPLJ).



In 1986..This week's Street Talk From Radio&Records...

In 1995…Radio and television news anchor (ABC Radio Network, KUSI-TV San Diego, WABC-TV and WNBC-TV New York, KGO-TV San Francisco, KMOX-TV St. Louis, WXIX-TV Milwaukee) Roger Grimsby, who won six Emmy Awards during his 18-year tenure at WABC-TV, died of lung cancer at 66.


In 2006...Phil Hendrie did his last syndicated radio program and turned his attention to a full-time acting career.


In 2009…Radio/Television announcer/sidekick Ed McMahon died of bone cancer and pneumonia at age 86.


In 2009…Journalist/radio-TV host (WBBM-AM, WBBM-TV, WTTW-TV all in Chicago)/documentarian John Callaway, who hosted "Chicago Tonight"on WTTW for fifteen years, winning 16 Emmys and a Peabody Award, died after a heart attack at 72.

Ex-TV Anchor Rob Morrison Arrested..Again

Rob Morrison 2013 Mugshot

Former CBS Channel 2/NYC news anchor Rob Morrison was rearrested by Darien, CT police last week after allegedly violating a protective order and calling his estranged wife more than 100 times over a three-day period last month, according to ctnews.com.

Morrison posted a $50,000 bond on the new charges of violating the protective order and second-degree harassment.

Past threatening and breach of peace charges against Morrison were dropped in April after he completed a 26-week program for people involved in family violence.

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Morrison is married to fellow television journalist Ashley Morrison and the couple has one young son.

According to court records, Ashley Morrison showed up at Darien police headquarters on May 25 “physically shaking” and “in a very fragile state” to report that her husband had been continually violating the protective order issued by a state Superior Court judge in 2013.

A subsequent search of Rob Morrison’s cell phone records indicated that over the course of the Memorial Day weekend, he placed 121 calls to Ashley’s cell phone and home phone. Most of the calls were made on May 25 when he allegedly called 109 times and “would hang up and call right back for approximately 14 hours,” police said.

Ashley Morrison told Darien police Sgt. Keri Isaac she was scared and “she thinks Rob Morrison could kill her if she has him arrested.” She said Rob Morrison told her that “she will never get rid of him” and she had fled to a friend’s house with her son because she was afraid that he would show up at her home.