R.I.P.: Singer Patti Page Was 85

The famous voice of the "Tennessee Waltz," Patti Page, died on Tuesday (January 1st) in Encinitas, California at the age of 85. According to the AP, Page was the most successful female singer of the 1950s, selling 100 million records.

Page is also known for her hits "(How Much Is) That Doggie in the Window," "With My Eyes Wide Open I'm Dreaming," "Would I Love You" and "Mockingbird Hill."

Born Clara Ann Fowler, Page was a Grammy-winner and received a Pioneer award from the Academy of Country Music. She was also a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame and was set to be honored with the Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award next month.

George Jones issued a statement saying, "I just loved singing with Patti and she hit notes I never dreamed of! We cut some songs together and it was a great time. She'll be missed by lots of folks and everybody needs to know how great she was. Patti was a wonderful singer with a real special voice."

Dallas Radio Legend Ron Chapman Recovering From A Stroke

The Dallas Morning News is reporting retired veteran radio personality Ron Chapman, who’s meant more to Dallas radio than electricity, suffered a stroke December 23.

But the longtime voice of the old top-of-the-pops KLIF and then KVIL will have you know: “This is not the worst thing that has ever happened to me. It’s a setback to my retirement — whenever that was. But I didn’t have to cancel very much.” Always a kidder — even when plugged into hospital machines going beep-beep-beep.

Chapman, who was inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters’ Radio Hall of Fame in 2010, has been in the hospital since the night before Christmas Eve and expects to remain there for at least two more weeks. After that, he says, “The rehab will continue for several months.”

He was at home, he says, when his wife Nance immediately noticed something was wrong.

“I began speaking in a foreign tongue,” says Chapman. “My wife was very alert to stroke signs, and the moment she heard my speech change she was on the phone with 911. When Nance called the ambulance, they were there in three minutes.

Read More Now.



According tohia bio posted at the Radio HOF website, Ron Chapman’s radio career began in 1953—the day he graduated from high school—when he became a disc jockey at station WHAV/Haverhill, MA.

After working for two years with the Voice of the United Nations Command in Korea, Chapman moved to Connecticut and station WHNC/New Haven.

In 1959, as “Irving Harrigan” he joined the staff KLIF/Dallas, where he teamed up with Jack Woods (a.k.a. Charlie Brown), playing records and providing character voices as stars of the popular Charlie and Harrigan Show.

In 1969, Chapman joined the staff of KVIL-FM/Dallas-Fort Worth as morning disc jockey, music director, and program director, bringing the “adult contemporary” format to FM radio. During his 31 years at KVIL, Chapman became famous for his upbeat humor and his participation in outrageous stunts and giveaways. At one point, Chapman broadcast live while skydiving from a plane. In one infamous stunt, Chapman told his listeners to each send $20 to the station; within three days, the station had received $200,000. (The money was donated to charity.)

In 2000, Chapman moved to KLUV/Dallas, an “oldies” station where he stayed until announcing his retirement from radio in 2005.

Utica Radio: N/T WIBX Taps Keeler For Mornings

Townsquare Media of Utica announced today that Central NY radio and television personality, Bill Keeler has been named the new morning show host on WIBX 950 AM.  The program called, ‘WIBX First News with Keeler In the Morning’ will debut at 6am on Monday, January 14th.

“I am so excited about doing mornings on WIBX,” said Keeler.  “This is a heritage radio station that’s been around for 87 years and it remains one of the top stations in the market.  I can’t wait to get on the air and get started,” he said.

The new gig ends a 2 year absence from the Utica airwaves. Keeler will broadcast from 6 until 9 a.m. weekdays along side news anchor and Townsquare Bureau Chief, Kristine Bellino.

“We are so excited to bring Keeler’s energy to WIBX in the morning,” said Karen Carey, Vice President and General Manager of Town Square Media Utica.  “The station already leads the way with radio news in the market and I feel the addition of Bill in the morning is going to add a whole new dynamic to the morning commute.”

“I love this city and feel we’re on the verge of a reinvention,” said Keeler.  “This is home for me and my family and I’m just thrilled to not have to take a job outside the area.”



Keeler hinted at the possible return to radio in a Tuesday night Tweet...

New Year...new opportunities. I'm hoping to start off 2013 in a good way tomorrow afternoon by sealing the deal!... fb.me/2z9nY7I5f
— Bill Keeler (@BillKeeler1) January 1, 2013

Keeler currently hosts a restaurant television program called Plate Night, which airs Saturday nights at 7 on WKTV.  He’s also been instrumental in many community events including annual toy drives and the recent collection for Hurricane Sandy victims on Staten Island.

Townsquare Media Group other properties in Utica/Rome, NY include WFRG, WLZW and WODZ.

Ann Curry To NBC: “Let Me Go”

Former Today Show co-anchor Ann Curry has formally asked her NBC bosses to let her out of her contract with the Peacock network so she can formally accept a position at CNN, where her old boss, Jeff Zucker, will officially take over the fledgling news channel in February, RadarOnline.com is exclusively reporting.

"Ann wants out of her contract, big time. She has formally asked her attorney to explore exit options from the network. However, NBC bosses have indicated they are unwilling to release Ann from the contract. If Ann were to just quit, there is a non-compete clause, which would prohibit her from working for another news outlet for two years,” a source close to the situation exclusively tells Radar.

“Ann's lawyer feels that there is a very strong case to be made that NBC has breached terms of the deal because Curry was demoted from Today. Furthermore, Ann has basically been sequestered from appearing on the network. Yes, she has been doing some work that has been assigned to her, but it hasn't been steady," the insider added.

Read More Now.

Philly Radio: Buzz Bissinger Gone At WPHT

Talk Radio "Fundamentally Trivial"

Less than six months after launching a new career in talk radio with an afternoon-drive show on WPHT 1210-AM in Philadelphia, outspoken Friday Night Lights author and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Buzz Bissinger has left the building.

“While I enjoyed doing talk radio, I had increasingly come to the conclusion that it is fundamentally trivial,” Bissinger told Victor Fiorillo at phillymag.com.

He explained that he is contractually forbidden from discussing the specifics of his employment with or departure from the station.

But he did say that he resigned in December, a fact confirmed by Andy Bloom, WPHT’s operations manager. “He had great talent and tremendous potential in talk radio,” added Bloom.

Although both sides maintain that the split was amicable, stories of a tumultuous six-month tenure have emerged from WPHT’s Bala Cynwyd headquarters.

Thanks to Bissinger’s frequent invocation of the F-bomb and other FCC-banned utterances, the station had to employ at least one additional “dump button”, the technology used to make sure that said utterances don’t wind up on the radio. “They had to be certain that there were a number of people who could hit the button when necessary,” says one WPHT employee. “He had multiple outbursts.”

There were also problems off-air. According to one well-placed source, Bissinger was involved in two separate F-bomb-filled office confrontations that resulted in him being charged with “creating a hostile work environment."

Read More Now.

Boston Radio: 96.9 FM Flips To Urban Contemporary

WTKK-FM Boston made its anticipated switch from talk to music Wednesday morning , rebranding as Power 96.9 with an urban contemporary format.

The format was flipped at the conclusion of the final “Jim & Margery” morning show, hosted by Jim Braude and Margery Eagan.

A format change by WTKK, a talk radio station since 1999, had been reported for weeks but owner Greater Media Inc. did not make an official announcement until Tuesday and kept the music genre a secret until it unveiled the new name and slogan -- “Jamz for Boston” -- for the station on Wednesday. 

The first song played under the new format was Rihanna’s “Diamonds.”

WTKK posted a low, 2.3 share in the Arbitron ratings book in December. The station’s switch to music leaves former rival WRKO-AM as the only non-sports radio station in the Boston market dedicated to an all-talk format.

A news site, Power969.com, was launched with splash page and a link to live streaming of the station’s new music. 

LISTEN LINE! Click Here.

Shortly after the flip, Greater Media issued the following news release:

"Get ready for an exciting week of music on the air at 96.9 FM in Boston. Live and local, the new 96.9 promises to bring a fun new sound to the Boston community! 

Beginning today, 96.9 FM returns to music with Power 96.9, Boston’s Hip Hop and R&B station with more surprises to take place during the upcoming week. 

Stay tuned!"

THE RADIO DISCUSSION BOARD IS HUMMING, Click Here. 

Earlier Posting....

Earlier Wednesday Greater Media acknowledged a format flip was coming and issued this release:

Morning Personalities Jim Braude and Margery Eagan will take calls from listeners and past on-air contributors from 7am-10am during the final day of broadcast for the News/Talk format on 96.9 WTKK-FM in Boston on Wednesday, January 2, 2013. 

The station, which launched back in 1999, has served as an FM alternative to the traditional talk radio format for nearly 13 years. Greater Media has always been on the cutting edge of the responding end of marketplace considerations and listener needs. The change comes after much careful consideration of the direction of the station’s format and overall ratings over the past several years. 

“We would like to thank Jim Braude, Margery Eagan, Michael Graham and the entire News Talk 96.9 WTKK-FM staff for their many contributions to the station and Talk Radio format over the years in Boston,” said Greater Media Boston Market Manager Rob Williams. “They are true professionals and we are very grateful to them.”

What’s next for the dial position in Boston? Stay tuned!

Dallas' Longest-Running Radio Show Silenced

Dallas Morning News photo

Soul 730 Sold, Now Korean Format

For 36 years, listeners have been able to tune in to the Willis Johnson Good Morning Show, but Tuesday, it went off the air.

“It’s gone," said Dallas City Councilman Dwaine Caraway told WFAA.com in Dallas.

Johnson's show was the longest-running talk radio show in Dallas and gave a voice to people who wanted to reach the African American community.

But the owner, Hyman Childs, sold the 500 watt KKDA, known as Soul 730.

"Soul 730 is no longer broadcasting on the radio," the station's website reads. "The frequency has been sold to another company. We thank you for listening and for all your support."

Listeners tuning in heard a Korean station instead, and that has angered some black leaders, like Caraway.

Big-time radio personalities like Tom Joyner and Steve Harvey have been on Soul 730's airwaves over the years. Listeners are feeling the loss.

Among the postings on the stations' Facebook page, one read, "Can't believe y'all don't exist anymore" and "RIP Soul 730 KKDA-AM, you will be missed."

Read More Now

Happy New Year! Here's Your Holiday Recap

Tuesday 01/01/2013

R.I.P.: Bob Jones WNEW-AM NYC Personality

R.I.P.: Bob Jones Cincinnati Radio Personality Was 85

Monday 12/31/2012

Philly Radio: Shila Nathan Out At Wired 96.5 FM

New Era Starts For Tribune Company

Opinion: Detroit Radio Voice Muted

Things That Happened in 2012: The Wreck of the FM News

10 Years Later: The Internet 2002-2012

Sunday 12/30/2012

R.I.P.: St. Louis Broadcaster Richard J. Miller Was 81

Saturday 12/29/2012

BostonRadio: WRKO’s Howie Carr On Talk Radio

Saturday Aircheck: Remembering Dr. Don Rose

Redding, CA Radio: R.I.P. DJ Jose OchoaDead

Friday 12/28/2012

WBAP Radio Issues False President Bush Report

Boston ST:Cadillac Jack To Program 96.9 FM

BostonRatings: The Sports Hub Tops In Sports

Ex-WTKK Talker Doug Meehan Lands Phoenix TV Gig

Radio Ratings: Reds, WLW Tops In Baseball

Philly Radio: AM Sports Changes Include New CBS Sport

It's The First 'Rockin' Eve' With Just Ryan Seacrest

TV's Best News Bloopers 2012

NBC Hopin’ for a Nicely-Nice Public Lunch

WGN’s Brian Noonan No Longer A Heavyweight

Elvis, Beatles Top List of Most-forged Autographs

Kars4Kids: Radio Commercial Drives Some Crazy

R.I.P.: Radio Personality Wild Bill Cody Was 62

Remembering Lives Lost in 2012

Thursday 12/27/2012

For Your Ears, The Music They Made

Charges Against 2DAY FM Personalities 'Unlikely'

NY Ratings: Another Good One For WLTW

R.I.P.: Singer Fontella Bass Was 72

BostonRadio: Michael Graham Out At WTKK

San Diego:CC Flips FM 95.7 To Rhythmic Oldies

YorkRadio: WARM-FM 103.3 FM Is Back

Behind the Scenes: ABC News NYC

First Song Recorded On ISS

Cops Investigate Use Of Gun Magazine On NBC’s MTP

The Biggest Pop Culture Moments of 2012

BakersfieldRadio: CC’s Jim Bell Set To Retire

R.I.P.: Twin Cities Broadcaster Jack Moore Was 89

R.I.P.: Former Barnstable COO David Gingold Was 62

R.I.P.: MemphisBroadcaster John Powell Was 83

Wednesday 12/26/2012

ToledoRadio: Andrew Z Fired At Star 105

St. LouisRadio: PPM Changes Landscape

Roanoke:Robynn Jaymes Humbled By Support From Fans

Marty Riemer talks about his exit from The Mountain

New Haven Radio: Chaz &AJ Sandy Hook Sounding Board

St. LouisRadio: Dana Loesch Files Suit Against Breitbart.com

Study: Election, Tragedies Dominate Top Stories of 2012

Accuweather Angered By TWC Storm Names

Sunday 12/23/2012

Charges Considered For 2Day FM Personalities

Big Radio Wants FCC To Eliminate On-Air Contesting Rules

CC-NYC Staff Celebrate With Bowling Party

R.I.P.: Bob Jones WNEW-AM NYC Personality

UPDATE 01/06/2013:  NYTimes Obit, Click Here.

Original Posting....

Bob Jones, who hosted overnight on the legendary WNEW 1130AM NYC, passed away over the weekend.  He reportedly had been battling non-hodgkins lymphoma.

Jones who was the host of WNEW-AM's Milkman's Matinee from the mid 1970s to mid 1980s.  He also hosted an evening version of “The Make-Believe Ballroom”.

In early 1988, WQXR-AM added Bob Jones to its line-up for afternoons. He also worked for WHN and WQEW.

He was last in the tradition of all the great Milkmen, which it should also be noted was the first all night radio program ‘when the day begins, the music begins’.



WNEW pioneered playing records (instead of live bands) as filler in between coverage of the Lindbergh kidnapping trial which morphed into the Ballroom when Martin Block moved it and himself from California to New York.

In 1984, Jones was part of a concert celebrating the 50th anniversary of radio station WNEW will be held at the Felt Forum. The concert showcased the influence of WNEW-AM and performers included Mel Torme, Vic Damone, Rosemary Clooney, Margaret Whiting, Peggy Lee, Les Paul, Joe Williams, Woody Herman, George Shearing, Tony Bennett, Jerry Orbach, Jerry Herman, Sammy Cahn and Carol Channing along with the station disk jockeys, Ted Brown, Jonathan Schwartz, Jim Lowe and William B. Williams.

In August 1986, Bob hosted an on-air tribute to radio personality William B. Williams. Williams died that month after a long illness. 

This recording, courtesy of airchexx.com,  begins sometime at the start of Bob Jones’ fill-in show in the “Morning Report with the Chairman of the Board”. The whole program is a tribute to William B. Williams, and features recordings of Williams’ best shows, with guests like Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole.

The segment starts with a fascinating clip of Nat “King” Cole singing the WNEW calls.

R.I.P.: Bob Jones Cincinnati Radio Personality Was 85

Bob Jones, former WKRC-TV new anchor and movie host, and a popular WKRC-AM/WCKY-AM radio personality, died Sunday in Lewisburg, PA, according to Jerry Kiesewetter at Cincinnati.com.

He was 85.

He grew up in Mount Lookout and graduated from Walnut Hills High School. According to Kiewsetter, Long-time Cincinnati residents may remember him more from his days at WKRC-AM in the 1960s, along with Stan Matlock and  Jerry Thomas, when he hosted his “Kaleidescope” show (1963-68).  He move down the hall to Channel  12 as news director and anchor in 1968-72, then did a morning TV ”Kaleidoscope” interview show for a month before hosting a 3:30 p.m. movie in fall 1972.

He was replaced as afternoon movie host by Nick Clooney in 1974, and went to WCKY-AM. He was a popular afternoon host until leaving the station in 1981.

According to hi obituary prepared by his daguther:  Robert J. Jones served in the navy for three years during WWII aboard the aircraft carrier Suwannee in the Pacific where he saw action in several battles including the Battle of Leyte Gulf.

He graduated from George Washington University in 1949 with a degree in English literature and embarked upon a long and varied career as a broadcaster. In the 1950s he worked in radio at WEAM in Arlington , VA and in television at WBAL-TV in Baltimore . He moved back to Cincinnati in 1963 where he worked at WKRC radio and then served as news anchor and news director for WKRC-TV in the early 1970s. He retired to Baltimore in 1984 where he returned to his first love, writing.

Read More Now. 

R.I.P.: Radio Personality Jon ‘Rock’n’Roll Anthony Dies

Radio veteran Jon Anthony has died.  He passed-away Saturday at his home in Brandon, FL.  He had been battling illness for quite sometime.

He was 57.

Anthony orginally got his start at WDAL in Meridian, MS in 1973 and had many career stops, including WSGN [Birmingham] 1974, WOKY [Milwaukee] 1975, WMPS [Memphis] 1976, WWKX [Nashville] 1978, WAVA [Washington, DC] 1983, WZOU [Boston] 1984, WRBQ-FM [Tampa] 1985, WFLZ [Tampa] 1989, WRBQ-FM [Tampa] 1994, WFLZ [Tampa] 1998, (Voicetracking) KLOU [St. Louis] 2002, Cool 105.7 [Atlanta] 2004.

He was also Production Director at WFLZ-FM "933 FLZ" and News-Talk 970 WFLA Tampa from 2000-2003 and recently owned and operated Jon Anthony Productions, Tampa, Florida.



In an interview in 2009 with the Tampa Tribune, Anthony talked about his collection of photos with music artists.

"If my house were to catch on fire, I would grab my wife, my son and that picture of Michael Jackson, and we would hit the door," Anthony said. "That's how big that picture is to me."

Anthony had lunch with Jackson in 1981. He spent an hour and a half with the pop star, who was cutting tracks for the album "Thriller" at a Nashville studio next door.

He met Jackson after he was called over by a record executive pal who noticed Jackson outside the studio. The two men approached Jackson and asked him if he'd like to join them for lunch in the record exec's office.

Anthony calls it an experience he will never forget. He says the three of them ordered sub sandwiches and talked about everyday topics like sports and the weather. They were trying to steer away from subjects like celebrity that might make Jackson feel uncomfortable.

"I could not believe how friendly he was, how nice he was, and how relaxed he was, "Anthony said. "It was almost like he had escaped out of that world that he was so used to and got to come into the real world with some real people and eat a sub sandwich."

The photo of Anthony and Jackson was snapped before their lunch. "I didn't realize I was going to be having my picture made with one of the biggest entertainers in the world!"

Philly Radio: Shila Nathan Out At Wired 96.5 FM

Two weeks after Chio was let go from the morning show at WRDW Wired 96.5 in Philly, the other shoe has dropped.

The party is over for morning co-host Shila Nathan at Beasley Broadcasting's Wired. She let her listeners know via Facebook and Twitter.

The change follows the mid-December departure of Chio from Wired. See Original Posting, Click Here.

Hey Philly! I had a great time with you on Wired, but I've been let go. Thanks for letting me into ur lives. On to the next one ;)
— Shila Nathan (@shilawired) December 29, 2012

The Scranton area native arrived in Philly a few years ago when she worked as a morning co-host on the former 94 WYSP Morning Show with Danny Bonaduce from late 2008 to October 2009.

She also worked previously at WKRK Detroit in 2007.

The 30-year-old Nathan  joined WRDW November 2010.

Flashback to March 2012.