Report: Donnie Simpson Should Be WHUR’s Next Big Voice

Simpson (WaPo Photo)

Donnie Simpson is nothing short of a D.C. radio legend, writes Clinton Yates at The Washington Post.

The longtime radio and television personality is one of the few characters in media who is almost universally adored, without having ever had to beat any controversies — almost unheard of in a business with as much turnover as broadcasting.

So it comes as welcome news that Simpson posted a message on his Facebook page Tuesday morning,  indicating his desire to get back on the air.  

“I’ve been out for 3 1/2 years now and that time off has rekindled a creative fire in me,” Simpson wrote on his confirmed Facebook page. “I’m ready. I’ve got some things I want to say and some things I want to play. I look forward to hooking up with you again. I miss you.” Referring to his wife he added:  “Plus Pam wants me out of the house.”

Aussie Prankster Named ‘Best DJ’

Michael Christian

An Australian radio DJ whose prank targeting Prince William's pregnant wife led to the suicide of a nurse has been voted the best DJ in the land by his employer, according to CNN.

Michael Christian, along with Mel Greig, were suspended after the December 2012 prank in which they called a nurse at King Edward VII's Hospital pretending to be Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles to gain information about the condition of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.

After the pair played the prank on air, the nurse who transferred the call through to the ward, Jacintha Saldanha, committed suicide. In a note she left, she blamed the DJs.

On Tuesday, Christian was crowned "Top Jock" in a contest conducted by his radio network, Southern Cross Austereo.

The internal contest pitted DJs who submitted their best bits every week.  Christian was the joint winner. A trip to Los Angeles awaits.

"From the start I felt like I had something to prove to myself," he said in a statement. "That regardless of all that's happened in the past few months I'm still at the top of my game."

Australia's Communications Minister Stephen Conroy said it was too soon for Christian to be honored this way. "I think there's a bit of bad taste involved there," Conroy told news radio station, 3AW.

"There was some very serious consequences of what was a prank and to be seen to be rewarding people so soon after such an event, I think is just in bad taste," he said.

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‘Loudmouth’: WFAN’s Craig Carton On Life, Career, Book

Most people know Craig Carton as the co-host of Boomer & Carton in the Morning on WFAN in New York.

Most people don’t know what Carton went through and the places he worked and the people he worked for over the years to get him to where he is now.

But with the release of Carton’s book, Loudmouth everyone can find out how Carton went from living in a retirement home so he could work at a radio station in Buffalo to eventually becoming part of a No. 1 show in New York City.

Carton talks with CBS Local Sports about his book and his career path to becoming co-host of the morning show on WFAN.

Podcasts: Adam Corolla Sued By 30-Year Friend

Carolla, Misraje

Adam Carolla is now embroiled in another lawsuit being brought against him by a 30-year friend who previously brought a lawsuit against the Internet and radio personality.

According to WebPro News, TheWrap.com  is reporting that Donny Misraje is suing Carolla for a few pictures included in his memoir “Not Taco Bell Material.” The pictures of Carolla were allegedly taken by Misraje back in the 80s, and he is claiming copyright on the photos.

The lawsuit is calling for Carolla and his publisher, Crown Publishing, to pay compensation for the books sold thus far. He’s also asking for compensatory and punitive damages as a result of copyright infringement. Finally, he asks that all unsold copies of the memoir be destroyed.

A previous lawsuit brought against Carolla claims that he misled Misraje into quitting his job. The two were to partner up on Carolla’s successful podcast, but Miraje claims that Carolla never paid him for his work. 

The ACE Broadcasting Network podcast is incredibly popular and reportedly is listened to by millions of people. In fact, it has earned the distinction of being the “most downloaded podcast” according to the Guinness World Records.

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MJ's Mother Accused Of Extortion During Trial

The head of concert promoters AEG Live has admitted in court in Los Angeles he believes a legal action filed by Michael Jackson's mother Katherine is a "baseless extortion" attempt.

Katherine Jackson claims the concert promoters failed to investigate the doctor who was later convicted of causing her son's death in 2009.

AEG Live are being sued for $40 billion.

Randy Phillips says AEG bears no responsibility for Jackson's death.

The BBC is reporting when asked on Tuesday by Katherine Jackson's lawyer whether he thought the case was a "baseless extortion, a shakedown of AEG Live", Phillips answered: "Yes."

AEG Live claims it was not responsible for the hire or supervision of the doctor and has called the legal action "preposterous".  AEG denies hiring Murray and agreeing to pay his fee as an advance to Michael Jackson.

Murray agreed to serve as the pop star's doctor for $150,000 a month while he performed shows at London's 02 Arena in 2009 and early 2010.

He was convicted in 2011 of involuntary manslaughter.

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Glenn Beck Talks Tim Tebow Job Offer

Glenn Beck

Tim Tebow might be done in the NFL, but the wayward quarterback could have a job with Glenn Beck soon, according to The Inquisitr.

On his radio show, Beck and his co-hosts got into a discussion about Robert Griffin III’s new home in Northern Virginia. As the discussion progressed, they somehow end up talking about Tim Tebow and how he’s still out of work.

“You can be a good guy — look at Tebow. You can be a good guy, clean life, and be on the wrong side politically, and you’re doomed,” Beck said. “Hopefully when he no longer has a job and he’s out of football, we’ll have enough money to hire him at this network to do sports.”

Beck’s co-hosts laughed, but Glenn seemed to be serious about hiring Tim Tebow.

“Who else would hire him to do even sports? ESPN probably wouldn’t hire him,” Beck said. “Nobody’s going to hire him, he’s too controversial. And think of that. No one’s going to hire him because he’s religious? It’s unbelievable.”

Tebow comments at about 4:46 into the video.

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Tweets about "#glennbeck"

Sacramento Radio: KKDO Hires 'Voice' Semi-Finalist

Lindsey Pavao

Entercom Sacramento has hired Lindsey Pavao, a semi-finalist on the second season of NBC’s reality show “The Voice,” to work at KKDO 94.7 FM.

Pavao will introduce new music and artists on the air and at station events and concerts, such as at the Friday night concerts at Cesar Chavez Plaza, according to a news release.

She also will take a lead role in discovering new music for the station, known as Radio 94.7. In addition, she’ll manage the station’s social media presence.

Pavao, who attended the University of California Davis, has continued to pursue a career as a singer and performer since appearing on “The Voice,” according to the radio station.

“I’ve always been fascinated with the thought of working in radio and was already a fan of Radio 94.7,” Pavao said in a news release.

Boise Radio: KIDO’s Kevin Miller Gets Caged

KIDO 580 AM radio host Kevin Miller is off-leash this week, but he can’t get too far. Miller has caged himself inside a kennel at Canyon County Animal Shelter in Caldwell, ID part of a week-long radiothon to raise pet adoption awareness.

Miller told Boise Weekly broadcasting from his makeshift studio, “Allows me to observe the adoptions, so I get the chance to give the play-by-play of what’s really going on here on a day-to-day basis.”

Miller is hosting his four hour morning broadcast from inside a kennel until Friday, June 7th to assist the animal shelter in its 4th annual $100,000 Challenge, a national campaign sponsored by the ASPCA.

“The goal is obviously to win,” said Miller. “And not to be cliché, but the truth here from the staff and volunteers is when you rescue and adopt a four-legged, furry family member, you already win.”

Miller added the desire to win is ultimately fueled by the desire to help shelter animals find good homes.

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Lightning Cripples Cabool, MO KZGM Radio

A radio station in Texas County, MO is crippled by Mother Nature and has lost the ability to broadcast live.  And KY3 TV reports KZGM KZ88, a listener-supported community radio station, now asks the community for help.  Some believe the station's current lack of live coverage could even affect safety.

"So many times, when we're out here in the rural area that we're in, basically our towns get lost as far as events that go on, activities that go on.  The talent of the people, there's musicians, just all kinds of things, and we wanted to be able to cover them," said KZ88 program director Myron Jackson.

Right now, they're experiencing technical difficulties.

Myron Jackson

"You're listening to KZ88 KZGM.  Early Saturday morning, lightning damaged some of our transmitting equipment," says the message playing on the air at 88.1 FM.

"We found that some data cables that go up to the top of the tower that send our signal basically from our studio to the transmitter either got hit by lightning or it was a near miss by lightning," Jackson said.

Until KZ88 can get the cables on the tower repaired, they won't be able to broadcast live, and that's actually a safety concern for some people in the area.

"We have less to cover than for instance, TV stations, that have a huge area to cover, and when there's multiple warnings going on if a huge front comes through," said Jackson.

He does live weather coverage at all hours, keeping an eye out for his neighbors.

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TV Promo: ‘Breaking News” Broken

WDRB TV41 in Louisville is airing a news promo debunking “Breaking News” as a

marketing ploy.

WDRB’s promo states the term “Breaking News” is used  to convince you that a television station is better at bringing you news first, as it happens. The problem is, according to the promo, it's just not true.

Anchorman: The Exhibit' Opens Nov. 14 at the Newseum

The Newseum, in partnership with Paramount Pictures, will open "Anchorman: The Exhibit," featuring props, costumes and footage from the 2004 hit comedy "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy."

The exhibit will open on Nov. 14, 2013, prior to the release of the highly anticipated sequel "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues." It will be on display through Aug. 31, 2014.

"I'm literally trapped in a glass case of emotion," said Burgundy, commenting on his inclusion in the museum's exhibit.

The original film, written by Will Ferrell & Adam McKay, directed by McKay, and starring Ferrell, Christina Applegate, Paul Rudd, Steve Carell and David Koechner, takes a comic look at a 1970s-era television newsroom and the legendary local anchorman who ruled it until a female reporter arrived to challenge the all-male news team. "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues" reunites Ferrell and McKay with the original cast and hits theaters Dec. 20, 2013.

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R.I.P.: WDGG Radio Personality Chuck Black

Chuck Black

Chuck Black, morning show personality on WDGG 93.7 theDawg in Ashland, KY, died Tuesday afternoon while on vacation, according to a news release from the station.

He was 56.

Mike Kirtner, Kindred Communications president, said Black was more than just an on-air personality.

"Tri-State radio has lost a dear friend," Kirtner said. "Chuck is truly what radio is meant to be. Through the years he had worked with numerous individuals to further their careers. Most recently, he had introduced us to Julie Reeves …The two of them had worked together for less than two months and had already created an enormous morning show following."

During his career Black had the honor of retaining the highest morning show ratings in the history of Tri-State radio.

"His loss is felt in so many ways. His co-workers, the radio community and the Tri-State radio audience have lost someone they have known for over 30 years," Kirtner said.

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Chicago Radio: PD Bill White Fired From WGN AM

Bill White

On his first day on the job, newly appointed GM Jimmy De Castro fired WGN 720 AM Program & News Director Bill White. He had been with the radio station since February 2011.

According to CR&M, White himself made the announcement in an email to the WGN Radio staff. In it, the memo reads, "Today is my last day as Director of Programming & News of WGN Radio. Having the opportunity to work with such a tremendous team at one of America's legendary radio station has been a privilege and an honor. I wish you and WGN Radio much success in the future."

Tribune Broadcasting and former WGN Radio Vice President and General Manager Tom Langmyer hired White to replace the controversial Program Director Kevin Metheny.

CR&M reports White had the difficult job of undoing some of the public and internal damage done by his predecessor, as well as trying to grow a radio station, while burdened with heavy contracts created by the previous regime. To make matters worse, for most of the time Bill White worked for the station, its parent company was in bankruptcy and demanding every possible corner be cut.

Prior to coming to Chicago, White was the Operations Director of WBT-AM, WBT-FM and WLNK-FM in Charlotte, NC. Before his successful time in Charlotte, the news/talk radio programming vet had worked at KMBZ-AM/KCMO-AM Kansas City, KDKA-AM Pittsburgh, WTVN-AM Columbus, WEZN-FM Bridgeport, and WTIC-AM in Hartford.

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Denver Radio: Peter Boyles OUT At KHOW

Peter Boyles

KHOW 630 AM Peter Boyles has been fired by the station following a "heated physical exchange" with his producer.

"Peter Boyles is no longer with the company," Dan Mandis, KHOW Program Director said in an emailed statement Monday. "The KHOW morning show will continue to provide quality news talk programming and serve our loyal listeners."

Mandis said he could not provide any other information.

A confrontation May 23 with his longtime producer led to the dismissal.  The producer Greg Hollenback was left with red marks on his neck after Boyles pulled Hollenback’s station ID lanyard around his neck. (See earlier posting, Click Here.)

The incident happened during the show's morning broadcast of the Peter Boyles Show.

Hollenback is known on-air as the "Sheik of Cherry Creek".

Boyles and Hollenback have worked together for about two decades.  It's unclear exactly what led to the exchange.

Jon Caldera and Ross Kaminsky has been fill-in hosts on Boyles' morning talk show radio since the incident.