Co-Sponsored with Big Machine Label Group's BMLG Records
Country Radio Specialists Mike O’Malley, Becky Brenner, and Kenny Jay announce their 28th annual Pre-CRS seminar, Wednesday, February 23, 2022, at Nashville’s Omni Hotel from 8:30-11:30am.
The A&O&B team will present the first highlights from their 17th annual online perceptual study, “Roadmap 2022”. This is the largest study of Country P1's in the U.S. and Canada; with over 10,000 respondents giving their opinion on music tastes, radio usage, digital consumption, social networking, and more. The event will also feature sessions addressing the future of radio, important topics facing country radio, and personal growth.
“Over the past years our presenters have included branding experts, talent coaches, researchers, and even a politician,” said partner Mike O’Malley. “It’s a half-day of thought-provoking and actionable sessions that help set the stage for CRS.”
Guests will also enjoy a performance from BMLG Nashville newcomer Laci Kaye Booth.
Laci Kaye Booth
Since Laci Kaye Booth released her 8-track self-titled debut collection in August via BMLG Records, the Texas native has already made a name for herself and grown a dedicated fanbase as a season favorite competing on Season 17 of American Idol. After placing in the Top 5, Booth took the leap and moved to Nashville to fully immerse herself in writing and Country music. Laci’s current single Shuffle was released this past fall. Follow along with more of Laci’s journey via Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Brenner adds, “After a year of virtual meetings, we are excited to be face to face again at CRS. It is an opportunity to interact, brainstorm and network with our industry friends in a much more personal way. The addition of Kenny Jay gives us the chance to bring new and exciting ideas to the table.”
The agenda and list of presenters will be announced after the holidays.
The A&O&B Pre-CRS Seminar is free, open to all clients and music industry professionals, as well as to broadcasters in non-competitive situations. You can RSVP to Becky Brenner becky@aandoandb.com or Kenny Jay kenny@aandoandb.com.
CUMULUS MEDIA announces that it has appointed on-air personality Tyler Frye as On-Air Host, Middays on Kansas City Top 40 station, KCHZ 95.7 The Vibe.
Tyler Frye
Frye heads to Cumulus Kansas City from Cumulus Houston, where he was On-Air Host, Nights, on 104.1 KRBE. Frye hosted “H-Town Live with Tyler Frye” on KRBE for nearly 7 years. Prior to that, he was On-Air Host, Nights and Middays, on G105 (WDCG-FM) in Raleigh, NC. Frye also hosted Nights on HOT 107.1 (KFCO-FM) in Denver, CO.
Jagger, Program Director, 95.7 The Vibe, remarked: "I've been a fan of Tyler Frye's for a long time. He has great on-air energy and he does an amazing job connecting with his listeners. His creativity and personality will be an awesome addition to our team here in Kansas City on 95-7 The Vibe."
Tyler Frye commented: "I am extremely excited to be working side by side with Jagger who is one of the best in this industry. It was an easy choice to make the move over to middays on 95-7 The Vibe, I look forward to ditching the "night guy" lifestyle. What do people do on weeknights? Houston will forever be a second home for me but let's get to work in KC! Also, I need to buy a winter coat. I would like to thank Donna Baker, Jim Fox, Jagger and Doug Hamand for this opportunity."
Black News Channel, which is known as BNC, announced layoffs Friday just days before the Christmas holiday.
“I am reaching out to you today with some very unfortunate news about a reduction in our workforce,” said President and CEO Princell Hair in an internal memo obtained by TheWrap.
“As you know, throughout the course of this year, we have been expanding at a rapid rate. At the same time, the U.S. economy is facing some tough challenges, several of which are heavily impacting the media industry and the revenue streams that fuel our emerging enterprise. I am incredibly proud of this team and all that we have built and accomplished. Your work has been outstanding, but we have reached a point where a considerable adjustment is needed in order to protect the health of our business and keep BNC moving forward.”
It was not immediately clear how many staffers will be impacted by the cuts, but BNC employs roughly 300 people.
In a ratings ranking of all 124 cable channels in 2021, BNC tied with Comedy.tv for second-to-last place with an average of 4,000 viewers throughout the year, beating only BeIN Sports. In comparison, the highest-rated cable channel out of all 124 is Fox News, which averaged 2.36 million primetime viewers each evening in 2021.
“Many employees agree the ratings could have been better had the network spent money on promotions. People don’t watch when they don’t know a network exits,” the BNC staffer said.
The channel offers 24/7 news, sports and entertainment coverage. The Tallahassee, Florida-based network is available in more than 50 million U.S. homes via linear systems, the network says on its website.
Former Oklahoma Republican congressman J.C. Watts and veteran broadcast executive Bob Brillante launched the network in February 2020, after over a decade of planning. Shad Khan, who owns the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars, has invested a reported $50 million in the channel and now holds a majority stake.
iHeartMedia New York’s AC 106.7 LITE FM, New York’s fourth annual “Hope for the Holidays Radiothon” raised over $1,321,058 to benefit Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone.
During “Hope for the Holidays Radiothon” on Thursday, December 16, 106.7 LITE FM’s on-air personalities including Paul ‘Cubby’ Bryant, Christine Nagy, Helen Little, Rich Kaminski, Nina Del Rio, and Jack Kratoville hosted a live broadcast from iHeartRadio headquarters and encouraged listeners to donate in support of the hospital and the children undergoing treatment.
“This year’s radiothon was extraordinary. Our team along with our dedicated listeners made it a great day,” said Chris Conley, Program Director for 106.7 LITE FM. “We always look forward to the event and partnering with Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital to support the children and their families in the New York metro area.” For the past four years, “Hope for the Holidays” has raised over $3,500,000 to benefit Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone.
PHOTO/ L-R: Jill Shelhorse, Paul ‘Cubby’ Bryant, Rich Kaminski, Jon Zellner, Chris Conley, Christine Nagy, Danielle Dellilo
Beasley Media Group’s WBEN 95.7 FM held its station’s 10th annual Adopt A Family Radio-thon to benefit local families in need this holiday season. The broadcast took place from 6am to 6pm on Friday, December 3, 2021 at the Beasley Media Group Philadelphia studios.
Station Morning Host and Program Director Kristen Herrmann was joined by celebrity guests from 6ABC as they encouraged listeners to make a donation to assist Volunteers of America Delaware Valley’s Adopt A Family Program in purchasing meals, clothing, and gifts for less fortunate families in their shelters and in the surrounding community.
Funds collected during this year’s event assisted more than 1000 local families, the largest number in most in its decade-long run!
“Our 10th Annual 95.7 BEN FM Adopt A Family Radiothon! As cheesy as it sounds, the day completely warmed my heart… again,” said Morning Host and Program Director, Kristen Herrmann. “The generosity of our listening audience continues to amaze me. Thanks so much to Volunteers of America Delaware Valley and 6ABC for partnering with us again this year. I’m already looking forward to the Adopt A Family Radiothon 2022.”
“From the bottom of my heart and on behalf of the entire Volunteers of America Delaware Valley family, I want to say thank you to 95.7 Ben FM and especially to Kristen Herrmann who is second to none,” said Daniel L. Lombardo, President and CEO of Volunteers of America Delaware Valley. “The generosity of this station and of the listeners in the Greater Philadelphia region has been transformative for the last ten years. We could not do what we do in bringing holiday gifts to those less fortunate without the Ben FM Adopt A Family Radiothon. We had such a rocking good time listening to the show, and the wonderful guests you brought on – especially Karen Rogers and the 6ABC team. Thank you, happy holidays, and we look forward to being with you again for another ten years!”
Beasley Media Group Tampa announces WiLD 94.1 FM’s Freak Show Personality and Program Director, Orlando Davis’ station’s 10thAnnual Toy Drive Tower event to benefit The Children’s Home Network in Tampa, Florida collected 658 bikes, $81,219 in gift card donations, and 4 pods filled with toys!
Beginning on Friday, December 3rd at 5pm through Saturday, December 11th at 5pm, Orlando climbed the Toy Drive Tower, an outdoor constructed platform that was elevated 30 feet in the air overlooking the City of Tampa and Metro by T-Mobile (2907 North Dale Mabry), where he remained for eight days.
Proceeds benefited The Children’s Home Network, a non-profit organization dedicated to serving as a sanctuary for abused, neglected or abandoned children.
“This year marks yet another amazing turnout for this year’s Toy Drive,” said Davis. “WiLD is proud to be a Tampa Bay radio station that continues to help the incredible kids and families of The Children’s Home Network, said Davis. “With our 10th year upon us, listeners have now made this drive a welcomed part of their holiday routine, which is something I love to see!”
Beasley Media Group’s 92.5 XTU, Philadelphia’s Country station, raised $261,339 during their annual St. Jude’s Radiothon last Thursday and Friday. The station’s on-air personalities broadcasted live from 6am to 7pm to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer research that directly benefit the hospital.
In addition, country artists, including Jimmie Allen, Luke Bryan, Justin Moore, and Kelsea Ballerini called into the station to share their support and thoughts about what St. Jude Children’s Hospital means to them.
Tommy Smith, the self-styled radio “Outlaw” for 40 years at KMJX-FM and KABZ 103.7 The Buzz, could hardly speak above a whisper Wednesday when he called to discuss retirement plans after a long, irreverent career that made him both famous and infamous in Arkansas.
“My myasthenia gravis is making it hard to talk, and I’m about to be called in to the doctor’s office,” he told Arkansas Business last week. “Maybe my voice will hold out for my last nine or 10 shifts on the air.”
A morning drive-time attraction for most of his career, Smith is scheduled to make his last appearance with co-host David Bazzel on The Buzz’s “Show With No Name” on Wednesday, Dec. 29. Smith had already been scheduled to retire in April 2022.
It looks to be the final sign-off for a provocative figure who ruled the local ratings for almost two decades but also ran afoul of station owners, decency monitors and the FCC.
The retirement also signals the end of a golden era of central Arkansas radio in which Smith worked and competed with stars like Craig O’Neill, now a television anchor at THV-11; Bob Robbins, the KSSN Country favorite; longtime KMJX Program Director and announcer Tom Wood; and Ray Lincoln of KKYK-FM and KAAY.
At 67, Smith says age was starting to tell on him even before his symptoms worsened from myasthenia gravis, a condition marked by a breakdown in communication between nerves and muscles. Common effects include weakness, drooping eyelids and trouble speaking and chewing.
In a statement released by The Buzz on Tuesday, Smith said station owner Signal Media had “gone above and beyond to take care of me” over 17 years, including stints of rehabilitation after an on-air collapse in 2010 and a driving while intoxicated conviction in 2011.
“But my speaking problems have become overwhelming, and I think it's time to pass the torch. Radio has been very, very good to me, I am deeply saddened that it had to end this way, but I want to thank the listeners, advertisers and all my co-workers for their support over many years on the air," the statement said.
An Arkansas native, Smith worked for KMJX, a rock station known as Magic 105, for more than 20 years before moving to Signal Media's Buzz in 2004.
The Broadcasters Foundation of America has announced Hilton H. Howell, Jr., Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Gray Television and Atlantic American Corporation, as the recipient of the 2022 Golden Mike Award.
Presented during a black-tie gala on Monday, March 14, 2022, at the famed Plaza Hotel in New York City, this year’s event marks the return of the Foundation’s biggest fundraiser, which did not take place in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Broadcasters Foundation is the only charity devoted exclusively to providing financial assistance to colleagues in broadcasting who are in dire need. Even with the loss of major fundraising events during COVID, more than $1.8 million in monthly and one-time emergency grants will be awarded this year.
Hilton Howell
“It’s been a challenging year-and-a-half, and we are thrilled to honor Hilton and once again present the Golden Mike Award live and in-person,” said Scott Herman, Chairman of the Broadcasters Foundation. “Looking ahead, our goal remains to provide financial aid for every broadcaster who qualifies.”
“The Broadcasters Foundation is often a lifeline for our colleagues,” stated Howell, who also serves on the Foundation’s Board of Directors. “I am honored to be recognized by the Broadcasters Foundation and ask everyone in our business who has made a good living from broadcasting, to consider donating any amount to help our colleagues who have been hit by shattering circumstances.”
Howell is a highly respected broadcaster with over 25 years of experience in broadcasting.
The Broadcasters Foundation of America Golden Mike Award dinner attracts a who’s who of broadcast media executives and celebrities. The presenters and performers for this year’s event will be announced shortly. Previous recipients include Dave Lougee, Perry Sook, Emily Barr, David Barrett, Michael Bloomberg, Bob Pittman, Gordon Smith, Jeff Smulyan, and more. For information, or to reserve a seat or table, please contact the Broadcasters Foundation at 212-373-8250 or info@thebfoa.org.
The Broadcasters Foundation has distributed millions of dollars in aid to broadcasters who have lost their livelihood through a catastrophic event, debilitating disease or unforeseen tragedy. Personal donations can be made to the Foundation’s Guardian Fund. Corporate contributions are accepted through the Angel Initiative, and bequests can be made through the Foundation’s Legacy Society. For more information, please visit www.broadcastersfoundation.org, call 212-373-8250, or email info@thebfoa.org.
Beasley Media Group Fayetteville’s Country WKML 95.7 FM and Top40 WAZZ Sunny 94.3 raised a market record breaking $208,751 during the 35th Annual 2021 St. Jude Country Cares Event. The two-day radiothon wrapped up on December 16th with record breaking donations from listeners.
Chase and Sarah kicked things off Wednesday morning, December 15th on WKML-FM, followed by Minda Lou and Gunner Jackson. In addition, Sunny 94.3 Personality Paul Johnson remained on the air throughout the two-day radiothon.
“Our team showed just how much they care for these amazing children and families this year, and I couldn’t be prouder of them,” said Beasley Media Group Regional Operations Manager Tee Gentry. “The mission of St. Jude is near and dear to all our hearts, and it’s an honor to be able to give a record amount on behalf of our amazing listening family.”
“We are so thankful for a longtime partner like WKML and for the Fayetteville community for their dedication to the kids of St. Jude,” said Anastasia Bowden, a representative on behalf of St. Jude.
Photo: (Left to Right): Paul Johnson 9Sunny 94.3 PD/DJ), Vince Espinosa (Promotions Asst), Dashawn Byron (Promotions/Announcer), Don Chase (WKML DJ), Gunner Jackson (WKML DJ), Minda-Lou (WKML DJ), Sarah Weaver (WKML DJ), Brandon Plotnick (Digital PD) and Jessica Tadeo (Promotions Asst).
Beasley Media Group’s CHR WXKB-FM B103.9 collected 1,150 new bikes and $6,500 to benefit the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation of Lee County during Big Mama’s Annual Bike Drive in Southwest Florida!
Big Mama’s Bike Drive accepted donations at the Wal-Mart in Estero, FL from 6:00am – 10:00am on Friday, December 3, 2021. The station broadcast live on location, encouraging listeners and businesses to stop by and donate a bike to benefit children residing throughout the local community.
“It takes events and moments like this to take the values and principals we all share and bring us together”, said Beasley Media Group Morning Show Host, Big Mama. “We are truly one community looking out for one another.”
➦In 1920..English-born comedian Leslie Townes Hope became an American citizen. He had lived in the U-S since 1908 and became one of that nation’s true ambassadors for show business and charity. We say, “Thanks for the memory,” to Bob Hope.
Hope's career in broadcasting began on radio in 1934. His first regular series for NBC Radio was the Woodbury Soap Hour in 1937, a 26-week contract. A year later, The Pepsodent Show Starring Bob Hope began, and Hope signed a ten-year contract with the show's sponsor, Lever Brothers. Hope hired eight writers and paid them out of his salary of $2,500 a week. The original staff included Mel Shavelson, Norman Panama, Jack Rose, Sherwood Schwartz, and Schwartz's brother Al. The writing staff eventually grew to fifteen. The show became the top radio program in the country. Regulars on the series included Jerry Colonna and Barbara Jo Allen as spinster Vera Vague.
Hope continued his lucrative career in radio through to the 1950s, when radio's popularity was overshadowed by television.
➦In 1922...radio/TV actress Charita Bauer was born in Newark. Bauer first appeared on radio on WPAP in New York City as a child. She was active throughout the 1930s and 1940s on numerous radio dramas of the day, including Let's Pretend, Mr. Keen, Tracer of Lost Persons. The March of Time, The FBI in Peace and War, Suspense and other programs.
She played Sarah O'Brien in Rose of My Dreams, Mary Aldrich in The Aldrich Family (a role she also played on the television version of the program. On November 11, 1944, Bauer made her 2,000th radio broadcast when she appeared on Grand Central Station.
Her most memorable TV role was as the soap opera Guiding Light. She died of complications from diabetes Feb. 28 1985 at age 62.
➦In 1957... Elvis Presley received his US Army draft notice he applied for a 60-day deferment, which he was granted so he could finish filming a movie.
➦In 1971...Talk show host Larry King was arrested in Miamifor allegedly taking money from a business partner. Larry eventually pleaded guilty to passing a bad check, and the scandal kept him out of radio for three years.
Foster Brooks
➦In 2001...Comedian Foster Brooks, known for his “Lovable Lush” fake drunk act, died in Encino, Calif. of heart failure at age 89.
He had been a regular on the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts, Match Game PM, and just about every TV talk show. His career started in radio, notably with WHAS-AM in Louisville. He was a staff announcer, and his deep baritone voice was also well-suited for singing.
Brooks gained fame for his reporting of the Ohio River flood of 1937, where he was featured on emergency broadcasts by WHAS and also WSM-AM from Nashville, Tennessee. In 1952, Brooks appeared on local TV in a short-lived spoof of Gene Autry and his "Singing Cowboys". He later worked in local broadcasting as a radio and TV personality in Buffalo and Rochester, New York, before moving to the West Coast to launch a career as a stand-up comic and character actor.
➦In 2014…Longtime Nashville radio and television personality Teddy Bart died at age 78.
Teddy Bart
Bart was the personality on several shows during his career, including long-running hits such as the "Waking Crew" on WSM 650 AM radio, the "Noon Show" and "Teddy Bart's Nashville" on WSM-TV, and "Teddy Bart's Round Table" with co-host Karlen Evins on a number of radio stations. He was also a news anchor for WKRN-TV.
"It was like Johnny Carson asking you to be on his show," said David Ewing, a lawyer and Nashville historian who was on "Round Table" several times. Local politicians and business leaders tuned into the show, and guests would often have messages waiting for them when they got back to work after an appearance, Ewing said.
Bart's legacy in Nashville loomed large in the broadcast community even after he retired, and he was inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame in May 2014.
Tommy Cole is 80
🎂HAPPY BIRTHDAYS:
Actor Tommy Cole (“The Mickey Mouse Club”) is 80.
Drummer Bobby Colomby of Blood, Sweat and Tears is 77.
Jojo is 31
Former Kiss drummer Peter Criss is 76.
Illusionist Uri Geller is 75.
Musician Alan Parsons is 73.
Actor Jenny Agutter (“Call the Midwife”) is 69.
Actor Michael Badalucco (“The Practice”) is 67.
Actor Blanche Baker (“Shakedown,” ″Holocaust”) is 65.
Singer Billy Bragg is 64.
Singer-bassist Mike Watt (The Minutemen, fIREHOSE) is 64. A
ctor Joel Gretsch (“V″) is 58.
Country singer Kris Tyler is 57.
Singer Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes is 55.
Actor Nicole deBoer (“The Dead Zone”) is 51.
Singer David Cook (“American Idol”) is 39.
Actor Jonah Hill is 38. Actor Bob Morley (“The 100”) is 37.
