KY/TN Radio: Tiffany Hill Joins WZZP For Mornings

Tiffany Hill

Rock WZZP 975 FM in Hopkinsville, KY Z97.5 FM has announced the addition of veteran radio personality Tiffany Hill for “Tiffany and Tyler in the Morning,” according to Clarksville Now.

Hill previously served for ten years as co-host of the WBEB 101.1 FM  morning show in Philadelphia and says she is thrilled to be on a show featuring her favorite music. “This is my music of choice,” Hill said. “Metallica, Queens of the Stone Age…that’s my kind of music.”

Hill is also a vocalist, who once fronted an Industrial band with her husband, drummer David, who looks forward to session work in Nashville and teaching.

WZZP 97.5 FM (6Kw) 60dBu Coverage

Hill said the opportunity to join Z Mornings was irresistible and was planning a move to the area even before she heard about the opening. “It’s a perfect match and I can’t wait to get out into the community, and meet listeners,” she said.

“Tiffany and Tyler have great chemistry. She’s funny and hyper local and is already making local connections to put on the show,” said Operations Manager Jared Mims.

DC Radio: Melony Torres Joins WRQX For Mid-Days/APD/MD

Melony Torres

Cumulus Media has announced that Melony Torres joins WRQX 107.3 FM in Washington, D.C., as Assistant Program Director/Music Director.  

Melony will also be on air weekdays from 10am-2pm. 

The announcement was made this morning, by WRQX Program Director Gillette, who said: “Melony is someone I’ve been trying to hire for more than two years. She’s passionate about music, a gifted student of programming and dynamic & engaging on the air—a true trifecta of talent. With apologies to FLOTUS, I’m sure it won’t be long until she’s the most powerful woman in Washington.”

Torres said: “I'm baaaack! I'm beyond excited for my return to radio and to work alongside Gillette. He is someone I look up to as one of the best programmers in the business. I'd also like to thank John Dickey and Mike McVay for giving me such a great opportunity to further my career with Cumulus in the phenomenal D.C. market.“

Torres began her radio career in Orlando in 2006 at Alternative station WOCL and later did nights down the hall at sister Hot AC WOMX. In 2009, she segued to Tampa as Music Director/nights at WSJT before heading back to Orlando in 2010 as APD/MD/middays at Top 40 WJHM. Most recently, she was at Epic Records as National Director of Rhythm Promotion in Los Angeles.

Teachers Threaten to Derail WiFi Push

Educators are threatening to derail the Obama administration’s proposals to boost wireless Internet in schools over fears districts could be left with inadequate funds or cuts to other services, according to TheHill.

A new plan from Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Tom Wheeler would funnel $5 billion for Wi-Fi over the next five years through the agency’s E-Rate program.

The FCC is set to vote on the plan at its monthly meeting on July 11, but sources now say it’s unclear if it has the votes to pass.

Democratic Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel and Republican Commissioner Ajit Pai have advocated for reforms to the E-Rate program, but it's unclear if either will support Wheeler's proposal as currently written.

Sources said the plan’s specifics are in flux as Wheeler works to rally support from other commissioners and advocacy groups ahead of Friday’s vote.

The Wi-Fi plan follows President Obama’s push to increase connectivity in schools, with wireless access a priority. The ConnectED initiative launched last year aims to get 99 percent of U.S. students “next-generation” Internet access by 2017.

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Brad&Britt: 'Talk Radio Is A Right-Wing Sewer'

Brad and Britt

Starting today, the former WBT 1110 AM / 99.3 FM duo Brad Krantz and Britt Whitmire take their act online.

Frustrated with the state of talk radio, they are launching The Brad & Britt Podcast. Click Here.

According to the news-record.com, listeners will be able to download a free podcast each weekday from BradandBritt.com and get the duo’s impersonations, skits, and takes on politics, current events, sports and life.

It will be available through subscription apps such as iTunes and Stitcher and can be played from any computer, smartphone or tablet.

“We don’t have to go through a program director, a general manager, a radio station or a transmitter,” Whitmire said. “We can just connect directly to our fans, which I am really excited about.”

He and Krantz decided to take to the Internet after WBT did not renew their 2-year contracts.

Before that, they had teamed up for eight years on WZTK 101.1 FM (101.1), the talk radio station that covered the Triad and Triangle.

At WBT, “Brad and Britt” had aired in afternoon drive-time for the first year, then moved to early evenings.

The show had good ratings, Krantz said, but station management stopped supporting them after apparently receiving a few complaint calls from legacy listeners.

“We are entertaining. We are funny,” Krantz said. “But we are not right-wing, and in the insane world of radio, if you are not a right-winger, then you are a Socialist, Marxist Commie.

“Right now, talk radio is a right-wing sewer. We refuse to swim in the sewer, therefore we pay the price.”

The Relm Network in Washington, which hosts podcasts of former radio personalities, will host their podcast and provide national advertising.

They produce the show each weekday afternoon, and upload it by 3 p.m. They will work from Whitmire’s home in McLeansville, where they had produced their WBT show remotely for the past year.

The show will keep characters such as ‘Lil Rush, who mocks the popular talk-show host; Satan; and Brad Harvey, who sounds like the late radio broadcaster Paul Harvey.

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Chicago Radio: Eddie&Jobo Address Radio Show Breakup

As you probably heard, Eddie and Jobo were offered a contract to return to the radio.

Read WLS-FN, Eddie&Jobo Deal Falls Apart: Click Here.

Eddie was ready, but Jobo was a no-go. The following video bit aired on WGN-TV: Click Here.

Report: 'Anthony' To Launch Podcast Content

Anthony Cumia

Anthony Cumia, after two decades and three firings, is going off the airwaves for good, a source indicated to the NY Daily News.

Cumia — canned Friday by SiriusXM Satellite Radio for a series of racially charged tweets — instead plans a live podcast-style broadcast from his Long Island home studio, the source said.

The 53-year-old Cumia, 53, would likely recruit many of the comics regularly featured on the “Opie and Anthony” show — Jim Norton, Bill Burr, Jim Florentine, Nick DiPaolo and others.

As Cumia looked to turn the dial on his career, rabid fans of the fired shock jock launched an online petition demanding that SiriusXM return Anthony to the airwaves.

Anthony's Home Sweet Home

Nearly 4,000 supporters, many threatening to cancel their subscriptions, backed Cumia after he was axed for the Twitter rants deemed “hate-filled” by his former employer.

“We are hereby pledging to boycott your service until you reinstate Anthony Cumia,” read the petition. “A member of your staff should not lose their job for exercising their First Amendment right to free speech.

Cumia, along with partner Gregg “Opie” Hughes, was previously fired in Boston and at WNEW-FM.
The $3 million-a-year co-host launched his Twitter offensive early Wednesday after asserting he was punched in the face by a black woman in Times Square.

SEE ORIGINAL POSTING: Click Here

Just spent a glorious day photographing the Wood Covered Bridges of Vermont. Did I miss anything?
— opie radio (@OpieRadio) July 3, 2014

Meanwhile, SiriusXM has not announced what happens to Gregg 'Opie' Hughes, or Sirius XM’s dedicated “Opie & Anthony Channel.”

Yes, I'm devastated. Yes, I'm meeting with @SIRIUSXM on tuesday.
— opie radio (@OpieRadio) July 6, 2014

Raleigh Radio: The Gates Are New AM Hosts At WRAL-FM

Gene and Julie Gates

Husband-wife team Gene and Julie Gates will take over July 28 as morning hosts on WRAL 101.5 FM MIX.

“'The Gene and Julie Show' is smart, funny and real, elements we believe relate to the core MIX listener,” station general manager Ardie Gregory said.

“This is a proven morning show with great chemistry and a successful track record. We know that personalities are a powerful asset for traditional radio and are very excited that Gene and Julie are joining us.”

Gene and Julie Gates met in 1995 and have lived and worked in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta and, most recently, Dallas on KVIL, where they were the first show in thirteen years to return mornings to #1 in the ratings.

“We have learned so much and have so many great stories to tell,” said Gene Gates. “We can’t wait to start our new show in Raleigh!”

WRAL 101.5 FM (96Kw) 60dBu Coverage

When The Gene & Julie Show beings, MIX 101.5 listeners will have a familiar voice in Vanna Fox, who will continue to provide traffic reports. WRAL news and weather updates will be a part of the new morning format as well.

NYC Radio: Angie Martinez Reportedly Doubles Pay With CCM+E

Angie Martinez

Insiders are buzzing that when popular disc jockey Angie Martinez jumped ship to WWPR 105.1 FM Power 105. 1 two weeks ago, after 15 years at Hot 97, has doubled her pay.

Sources tell Page Six at the NY Post that Clear Channel, which owns Power 105.1, offered Martinez a figure in the “high six figures.” Martinez, who was a co-host of WQHT 97.1 FM Hot 97’s “Afternoon Drive” broadcast with DJ Enuff, will be hosting two four-hour shows in New York and Miami.

She previously told The Breakfast Club her new job opportunity was about growth and new experiences, explaining: "It was time for me to grow and to do things... I’m sure you all know, this company offers so much opportunity for growth. I want to be on in different cities. I want to be able to grow. I want to be able to have new challenges and see new things. I want to know how this studio works. And it was time. I’ve done what I can do in that company. I think my friendships remain."

Martinez's first show is slated to air on the second or third week of July while Cipha Sounds has replaced Angie's slot at Hot 97.

The Post also speculates Hot 97 may pick up comedian Rickey Smiley’s radio show, which is syndicated in 70 markets.

Smiley is considered a protégé of Steve Harvey.

Hartford Radio: Connoisseur To Close On WDRC AM/FM

Connecticut's oldest radio station, the place for "Radio Fun," home of the "Oldies But Goodies," and where listeners expected to have "More Fun With No. 1," has seen nearly a century's worth of progress and change.

N/T WDRC 1360 AM was once the "Home of the Hits," with a stable of celebrity disc jockeys including "The Friendly Five" and "The Swinging Six".  The station expects to start a new chapter today, with its longtime owners, Buckley Broadcasting, selling all its stations to Westport-based Connoisseur Media.

The Hartford Courant reports the company's flagship, WDRC and Classic Hits WDRC 102.9 FM, is one one of the nation's oldest, a longtime family-owned business that had loyal fans around Connecticut and Massachusetts.

WDRC 102.9 FM (19.5Kw) 54dBu Coverage

Connoisseur, which also owns WPLR, WYBC, the Fox and Star in Milford, has not announced what, if any, program and staff changes will be made when the sale is finalized for WDRC and stations WMMW AM in Meriden, WWCO AM in Waterbury and WSNG AM in Torrington. The purchase price has not been disclosed.

For many who grew up with "The Big D," the sale is a cause for nostalgia.

The Bloomfield-based station has moved as often as it switched owners. Founded as WFMQ in New Haven in 1922 by Franklin M. Doolittle — Doolittle Radio Corporation changed to WDRC in 1955 — the state's oldest radio station was sold to Richard Buckley and John Jaeger in 1957, with the Buckley Family taking full control in 1959. Initially part of the CBS Radio network, the station was considered a trailblazer, becoming one of the first to add an FM station. Both the AM and FM sides built a solid reputation over the years for newscasts, including two a day from The Courant newsroom in the 1940s, as well as cultural programs and music dominated by Top 40, album rock, classic hits and oldies.

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R.I.P. Jackson MS Radio Personality, PD Jennell Roberts

Jenell Roberts

The Jackson MS radio community is mourning the death of air personality Jenell Roberts.

She was 49-years-old.

According to CCM+E's Gospel WHLH 96.5 FM Hallelujah Roberts died last Thursday.

Jenell was the very first on air personality at 95.5 Hallelujah FM and was Program Director for several years.

Before that, she hosted a very successful program on sister station, Miss 103, called Cryin’ Lovin’ Laughin’ or Leavin’.

After that, Jenell jumped across the hall and hosted the midday show on Q105.1 for several years before
95.5 Hallelujah FM, Jackson’s first 100,000 watt FM Gospel station.

Jenell suffered a stroke a couple of weeks ago.

July 7 In Radio History

In 1944...legendary DJ, Bobby Ocean, was born. He worked primarily on the West Coast. As you might expect Bobby Ocean is not his real name.  His real is...Johnny! Johnny Ocean!

However, his first radio job was WDLP, Panama City, FL in 1963 using the name Ray Farrell.

He also used the on-air handles of 'Radio Ray' and 'Captain Turntable'.  He first used the name Bobby Ocean at KGB 1360 AM, in San Diego, CA in 1968.

Best known for his work at KFRC 610 AM San Fransisco and KHJ 930 AM Los Angeles.


In 1949...the program "Dragnet" debuted on the NBC Radio Network.


In 1989...Compact discs began to outsell vinyl records for the first time. The dominance of CDs practically wiped out the 45 RPM single format since nothing came along to replace it. The 3½-inch CD single failed to gain favor with the public partly because record companies refused to offer them at a reasonable price.


In 2009…After an earlier private funeral, Michael Jackson's family and fans said farewell to the King of Pop at a memorial service at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Berry Gordy, who signed the Jackson 5 to Motown Records in 1968, closed his eulogy by saying "Michael, thank you for the joy, thank you for the love. You will live in my heart forever."

Paul McCartney Bounces Back In Albany

Times-Union photo

McCartney (Times-Union)

After a viral infection sidelined him in Japan, forcing him to postpone a dozen Asian and U.S. concerts, Paul McCartney launched the current U.S. leg of his Out There tour at the relatively intimate confines of the 17,000-seat Times Union Center in albany, NY on Saturday night in front of a jam-packed house, according to the Times-Union.

Having celebrated his 72nd birthday just last month, the cute Beatle exhibited no health concerns at all during his three-hour performance that found him mesmerizing the adoring fans with a sprawling set of more than three dozen songs from the most influential songwriter of the rock era - culled primarily from his Beatles catalog, but also from his tenure with Wings and his solo career.

The show ran the gamut from heavy rockers like "Let Me Roll It" to a solo rendition of "Blackbird" to a varied batch of love songs – from the claves 'n bongos samba of "And I Love Her" to the raw-throated roar of "Maybe I'm Amazed."

McCartney dutifully served up the requisite blockbuster hits "Hey Jude," "The Long and Winding Road" and "Let It Be" and never down-shifted into auto-pilot. And the crowd kept the energy up all night long, eagerly singing and clapping along.

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 The show even included an onstage marriage proposal by a Rochester, NY couple.