Audacy: The Ultimate Super Bowl LIX Audio Destination

As the excitement builds for Super Bowl LIX, Audacy is proud to be the ultimate audio destination for football fans nationwide.

Audacy Sports is the flagship radio home of both Super Bowl representatives – the Kansas City Chiefs on 96.5 The Fan (KFNZ-FM) and the Philadelphia Eagles on Sports Radio 94WIP (WIP-FM). Whether you’re part of the Chiefs Kingdom or bleeding green with the Eagles, you can count on in-depth analysis and interviews in the days leading up to the game, live gameday play-by-play on February 9 and post-game reactions.

Additionally, six Audacy Sports stations and Audacy’s BetMGM Network will also broadcast live onsite at Radio Row throughout the week leading up to the big game. Stations include 105.3 The Fan (KRLD-FM) in Dallas, 610 Sports Radio (KILT-AM) in Houston, 96.5 The Fan in Kansas City, Sports Radio 94WIP in Philadelphia, 910 The Fan (WRNL-AM) in Richmond and 106.7 The Fan (WJFK-FM) in Washington D.C.

Super Bowl LIX is also available on 20 Audacy Sports stations across the country via a partnership with Westwood One. And if you prefer to listen on the go, the free Audacy app has you covered. Catch every moment live, from the first play to the final whistle, wherever you are.

How to listen to local broadcasts: Available nationwide via the Audacy app, 96.5 The Fan (KFNZ-FM) in Kansas City and Sports Radio 94WIP (WIP-FM) in Philadelphia.

How to listen to national Westwood One broadcasts: Available nationwide via the Audacy app and locally on 92.9 The Game (WZGC-FM) in Atlanta, 105.7 The Fan (WJZ-FM) in Baltimore, WEEI (WEEI-FM / WVEI-AM) in Boston, WGR 550 (WGR-AM) in Buffalo, 670 The Score (WSCR-AM) in Chicago, 92.3 The Fan (WKRK-FM) in Cleveland, 97.1 The Ticket (WXYT-FM) and The Bet Detroit (WXYT-AM) in Detroit, The Fan Upstate (WORD-AM / WYRD-AM) in Greenville, Sports Radio 610 (KILT-AM) in Houston, 560 Sports (WQAM-AM) in Miami, The Bet New Orleans (WWL-AM) in New Orleans, WFAN (WFAN-AM/FM) in New York, 93.7 The Fan (KDKA-FM) in Pittsburgh, WEEI (WVEI-FM) in Providence, The New Sports Radio 910 The Fan (WRNL-AM) in Richmond, 97.3 The Fan (KWFN-FM) in San Diego, 106.7 The Fan (WJFK-FM) and The Team 980 (WTEM-AM) in Washington D.C. and KFH Radio (KFH-FM) in Wichita.

The Audacy app and the above broadcast stations, except for 96.5 The Fan and Sports Radio 94WIP, will also carry Westwood One’s pre-game and post-game coverage.

Steve Dahl Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer

Steve Dahl

Over the weekend, 70-year-old Chicago radio icon Steve Dahl announced via social media that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. After undergoing an MRI and biopsy, his doctors have recommended radiation therapy as the initial treatment. "It's not a beach party, but it's not as scary and painful as it sounds or as one might imagine," Dahl shared with Axios.

The big picture: Dahl is celebrated as one of the most influential radio personalities in Chicago's history. He kicked off his career at age 23 as a music disc jockey at WDAI in 1978. Following his dismissal during a station format change, he moved to WLUP-FM. 

Dahl is known for pioneering the "shock jock" style, particularly highlighted by his infamous "Disco Demolition Night" at Comiskey Park in 1979. During this event, fans were invited to bring disco records to be destroyed between games, leading to such pandemonium that the White Sox had to forfeit the subsequent game. This event remains one of the most infamous in both baseball and Chicago's cultural history.

Zoom out: Post-Demolition, Dahl co-hosted "The Steve & Garry Show," which was a ratings juggernaut until a contentious split in 1993. He continued his broadcasting career with solo shows on WCKG-FM and WLS-AM, retiring from traditional radio in 2018.

The bottom line: Known for his candidness, Dahl plans to share his cancer journey on his daily podcast, "The Steve Dahl Podcast," even introducing a new promotional offer for subscribers. "If I can encourage men to keep an eye on their own PSA and take some of the mystery and macho shame out of it by sharing my odyssey, then I am happy to do it," he told Axios, humorously adding, "I might see about getting a groovy pillow to sit on while yapping, however."

Backstage Country Adds Elaina Smith As New Host

Beasley Media Group, LLC, a leading multi-platform media company, and Key Networks, a next generation radio syndication company, announce that award-winning Country radio personality Elaina Smith joins Backstage Country, Country’s fastest-growing nationally syndicated Country music program, as the show’s new Co-Host. Elaina, based in Nashville, will host Backstage Country alongside an all-star lineup of today’s hottest Country artists as weekly hosts. Elaina takes the Backstage Country hosting reins with Country star Riley Green on Monday, February 17, 2025.

Over the last decade, Elaina has become one of the biggest presences in Country radio, bringing Nashville to her audiences across the country and internationally. As host of the Westwood One nationally syndicated Country radio program, Nights With Elaina, she was heard in markets across the U.S. and was honored for her work with four Gracie Awards and an ACM Award. She was also nominated for a CMA Award. Elaina is also widely known as the voice of the ACM Awards, People’s Choice Country Awards, ACM Honors, and the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation’s Gracie Awards and works closely with the Country Radio Seminar moderating panels and hosting.

Getting her start in entertainment at the iconic Entertainment Tonight and The Insider in Los Angeles, Elaina found her true passion, radio, by joining a morning show in San Diego. Later, she moved across the country to host a morning show in Florida and then on to Nashville and into Country music. Very quickly she was in love with the community, the artists, and the passionate listeners. She’s now come full circle with her voice heard on both coasts, as well as by a welcoming audience internationally on Absolute Radio in the UK. Elaina also played herself on episodes of the hit television show, Nashville.

Elaina Smith

Elaina commented: “Backstage Country’s vision is one that I have admired for some time now. Getting to be a part of it in 2025 is so incredibly exciting. My love of radio, Country music, Country listeners, and interviewing are just a few reasons I knew this was the perfect partnership! It’s also a fun full circle moment being able to work with two of my favorite guys in the industry again, John Shomby and Dennis Green. Grateful to everyone at Backstage Country and Beasley for trusting me with the future of this show. Can’t wait to bring listeners across the country even closer to Nashville and their favorite artists!

Green added: “I also want to thank Kelly Ford for the amazing job she did as our co-host of Backstage Country. Her talents helped take this show to another level and we wish her all the best with her work as afternoon drive host and Music Director at “The Wolf” on Long Island.”

Now heard on over 80 U.S. radio stations and in 27 of the top 50 DMA markets, Backstage Country is hosted each week by today’s hottest Country artists, sharing exclusive backstage insights and giving listeners a VIP all-access pass to today’s most exciting Country music and entertainment

Backstage Country is available in multiple dayparts on a market-exclusive basis from Key Networks. The four-hour localized Country music entertainment program offers Country stations and their listeners unmatched access to Nashville’s biggest Country music stars, rising stars, and new artists, and showcases the best of Country music in a highly entertaining and PPM-friendly format. Backstage Country is available to stations Monday-Friday via FTP delivery. The show is customized to air anywhere in a station’s lineup between 6am-Midnight – Mornings, Middays, Afternoons or Nights. In addition, fans can get the latest news, interviews, music and more on-air and through the show’s website, https://backstagecountry.com/.

Backstage Country affiliates include Beasley Media Group stations WKLB-FM, Boston, MA; WXTU-FM in Philadelphia, PA; WQYK-FM in Tampa, FL; KCYE-FM, Las Vegas, NV; WSOC-FM, Charlotte, NC; WKXC-FM, Augusta, GA; and WKML-FM, Fayetteville, NC.

To bring Backstage Country and Nashville’s hottest Country stars to your market, visit: www.keynetworks.com or contact Dennis Green, Chief Operating Officer, Key Networks, at 844.KEY.NETS or dennis@keynetworks.com. For advertisers and sponsors, contact Ron Russo, President of Sales, Key-United, at rrusso@key-united.com.

The Biggest Grammys Moments

Beyonce and daughter

Beyoncé won album of the year at the 2025 Grammy Awards Sunday night for her kaleidoscopic reimagining of country music, “Cowboy Carter,” becoming only the fourth Black woman in history to take home the trophy.

The Wall Street Journal reports despite her towering stature as the most awarded and nominated artist in Grammy history—she has 35 wins and 99 nominations—Beyoncé until now had not earned the ceremony’s most prestigious prize, best album, having lost four times previously to Taylor Swift, Beck, Adele and, most recently, Harry Styles.

“It’s been many, many years,” Beyoncé said in her acceptance speech. “I hope we just keep pushing forward, opening doors.” After her win, Taylor Swift clinked glasses with Jay-Z, Beyoncé’s husband, who had criticized the Grammys a year earlier for its treatment of his wife.

At the 67th annual awards show, which took place at the Crypto.com Arena in fire-ravaged Los Angeles, Trevor Noah, in his fifth year hosting, sauntered around the Grammys floor, roasting assorted celebrities. Referencing President Trump’s new tariffs, he told Beyoncé, who overnight had teased a 2025 concert tour: “We can’t afford a new tour. Maple syrup is about to be $50.” He told Lady Gaga that the title of her upcoming album, “Mayhem,” seemed like a prescient descriptor of 2025. And he joked that AI might bring a new album from Rihanna, who hasn’t released a new record in nearly a decade.

Here, highlights from the night: Click Here

U-S Senator Wants FCC To Look Into 'Listener Appreciation Shows'

Listener Appreciation Shows may face scrutiny

U-S Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) sent a letter Friday alerting the FCC chairman to what she calls a "forced quid pro quo" being used to exploit Tennessee songwriters.

According to WBIR-TV in Knoxville, the Tennessee lawmaker claims radio stations and other networks are offering songwriters more air time if they perform "listener appreciation shows" or "charitable concert events." 

Federal law prohibits TV and radio stations from accepting payment for airtime without disclosing the transaction. The practice of doing so is called "payola," which is considered a violation of the Federal Communications Act.

"From what we have learned, it appears that to sidestep these restrictions, radio stations and networks have adopted a troubling new tactic," Blackburn wrote. "Instead of demanding cash or lavish perks from record labels in exchange for airplay, they now pressure artists to perform 'free radio shows'— also referred to as 'listener appreciation shows' or 'charitable concert events.' We have heard the new scheme works in this manner: radio stations and networks offer more airtime for an artist’s songs if the artist performs a free show.”  

Listen Appreciations Shows may face scrutiny

Blackburn further claimed there is an implication that if the artist declines doing a performance, their airplay would be reduced.

"This forced quid pro quo applies to essentially all artists, regardless of their level of success," she explained. "Artists in the industry have told me that it is not unusual for them to perform anywhere from 10 to 50 such shows in any given year. Those just starting out in their career will often perform more, while those that have had more success will have to perform fewer, but they will still be expected to do them."

Blackburn told FCC Chairman Brendan Carr the practice is "exploitative" and "should not be tolerated." She asked the chairman to take "swift action" to end the practice.

FCC Probes 'Paid Commercials' On Non-Comms

The  newly appointed chairman of the FCC has ordered an investigation into NPR and PBS over their alleged “airing of commercials,” and suggested that the public broadcasters could be at risk of losing their federal funding, reports The Washington Post.

“I am concerned that NPR and PBS broadcasts could be violating federal law by airing commercials,” Brendan Carr wrote to the heads of both organizations Wednesday. “In particular, it is possible that NPR and PBS member stations are broadcasting underwriting announcements that cross the line into prohibited commercial advertisements.”

In the letter, Carr said Congress is “actively considering whether to stop” funding NPR and PBS programming, which it has done since the 1967 passage of the Public Broadcasting Act. The query into the broadcasters could be relevant to such funding considerations, he said.

According to NPR, the broadcasting organization receives about 1 percent of its annual budget directly from the federal government; its member stations on average get 10 percent of their funds from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which stewards congressional money. PBS told The Washington Post that 16 percent of its budget comes from the government.

An “underwriting announcement” is an acknowledgment by broadcasting stations of who their sponsors are. Under FCC guidelines, a station can share a sponsor’s name, a general description of what they do and where they’re located. Unlike a typical commercial spot, these announcements are supposed to stop short of a “call to action” telling or trying to entice audiences to buy a product or service.

Anna Gomez

In a public statement shared Thursday, NPR chief executive Katherine Maher defended the organization’s practices, saying they comply with federal regulations. “We are confident any review of our programming and underwriting practices will confirm NPR’s adherence to these rules,” she said.

As of Friday afternoon, the office of FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez, a Democrat, had yet to receive a copy of Carr’s letter, despite multiple requests to the chairman’s office.

“This appears to be yet another Administration effort to weaponize the power of the FCC,” Gomez said in an X post Thursday. “The FCC has no business intimidating and silencing broadcast media.”

CBS Agrees to Release '60 Minutes' Harris Interview

CBS has announced it will provide the Federal Communications Commission with an unedited transcript of an October interview conducted with Kamala Harris. The decision comes amidst ongoing tensions with President Donald Trump, who claims the network manipulated the interview to favor his political opponent.

Trump initiated a $10 billion lawsuit against CBS, alleging that the "60 Minutes" segment was deceptively edited to portray Harris in a positive light. Reports indicate that Paramount, CBS's parent company, has been in settlement discussions with Trump’s legal team.

The network disclosed on Friday that they were compelled by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, appointed by Trump, to surrender both the transcripts and camera footage from the interview for an additional inquiry by the commission. Historically, "60 Minutes" has resisted such disclosures to prevent scrutiny of their editorial decisions.

This legal battle has attracted significant attention from press freedom advocates and CBS journalists alike, with CBS lawyers dismissing Trump's lawsuit as "completely without merit" and committing to a robust defense.

Should Paramount settle, it would mark another in a series of notable legal resolutions involving Trump. Recently, ABC News settled a defamation lawsuit with Trump for $16 million, and Meta settled for $25 million due to Trump’s removal from their platform following the January 6 events.

The controversy surrounding the Harris interview arose when CBS aired different answers to the same question from Harris on "Face the Nation" and "60 Minutes." The question involved Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with Harris initially offering a verbose response on "Face the Nation" but a much shorter, clearer one on "60 Minutes."

Trump's lawsuit claims this editing was deceitful, crossing from editorial discretion into manipulation, with the intent to obscure Harris's perceived weaknesses. CBS counters that the edits were made for brevity, fitting content into the time allotted for each segment.

Trump's legal action, filed in Texas, accuses CBS of "partisan and unlawful acts of voter interference" through its editing practices. Despite declining an interview with "60 Minutes" during his campaign, Trump has pursued this case even after his election victory.

Atlanta Radio: 104.7 FM The Fish Signs-Off

Kevin Avery and Taylor Scott

At 6:50 a.m. on a Friday morning in the WFSH Fish 104.7 studios on Peachtree Road in Buckhead, host Taylor Scott read a social media post from a former Atlanta radio host, who praised her and co-host Kevin Avery for their gracious, rather than bitter, farewell to the station's nearly 25-year run. 

Scott's voice began to waver as she spoke, "We wanted to do right by our listeners because you guys have been the best in the world."

Avery chimed in, "They trusted us to say goodbye."

According to Rodney Ho at ajc.com, the staff at Fish 104.7, owned by Salem Media, had the rare opportunity to bid farewell over an entire month, with this Friday marking the end of Atlanta's first significant FM Christian pop station. Over the years, Fish had built a loyal audience, achieved high ratings, and attracted content advertisers.

However, Salem's financial burdens led to the sale of its seven Fish stations for $80 million to The Education Media Foundation from Franklin, Tennessee. From Saturday, 104.7 would transition to Air1, a Nashville-based worship music format.

Avery and Scott, the initial duo when Fish started broadcasting in October 2000, were grateful for the chance to give their listeners a proper send-off, including a farewell event at Mount Paran Church where they spent over four hours with fans sharing memories and snapping pictures.

With the station's closure, over 40 employees are jobless. Many gathered for one last time at the Atlanta Fish Market, a significant venue since their first client event in 2000. Allen Power, who hired Avery and Scott and now president of Salem’s broadcast media division, reminisced about the station's legacy, "If someone were to write a book on Atlanta radio history, the Fish would be a major chapter."

Power also noted the initial challenge of changing perceptions about professionalism in Christian radio, aiming for Fish to match the quality of secular stations like B98.5 and Star 94.

The extended goodbye from Salem was unusual in the radio industry where stations like 96 Rock and Fox 97 ended without any farewell. Spiff Carner, with experience across various Atlanta stations, highlighted this contrast.

The shift in listener habits towards podcasts and streaming has impacted traditional radio, with Roddy Freeman, a long-time media buyer, noting the decline in radio revenue due to digital advertising and debt.

In their final broadcast, Avery and Scott took calls from listeners, including Scott's best friend, Cindy Simmons, and featured segments like "Junior Joker" and "World of Food." Despite the media landscape's challenges, both hosts expressed optimism about continuing their partnership on another station, potentially in a different music format.

NJ Star-Ledger Final Print Edition

The Star-Ledger, New Jersey's long-standing paper of record, concluded its nearly century-long print run on Sunday by printing its final edition and transitioning to an exclusively online format. With this shift, its editorial board, along with traditional elements like clippable sports photos and printed obituaries, will cease to exist, reports the NY Times.

Its sister publication, The Jersey Journal, a key asset in the Newhouse media family's expansive portfolio, will no longer be available in print or online, leaving Hudson County, N.J. — known for its political corruption — without a daily newspaper. Similarly, three other related newspapers, The Times of Trenton, The South Jersey Times, and The Hunterdon County Democrat, will stop their print editions to focus solely on digital content.

This closure aligns with a significant drop in newspaper readership across the U.S., which has led to the closure of over 3,200 newspapers since 2005, as reported by the Local News Initiative at Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism. The Jersey Journal, which has served New Jersey's most densely populated county for 157 years, was only selling 2,600 copies daily at the time of its closure.

The Star-Ledger's move to an online-only platform makes New Jersey the second state in the U.S. to lose its primary print newspaper, following a similar transition in Alabama by the same parent company in 2023, which focused on enhancing its Pulitzer Prize-winning digital site.

Since 2005, New Jersey has seen a 58% reduction in its print newspapers, losing 129 papers, the highest count except for Maryland, according to Zachary Metzger of Medill’s State of Local News Project. Over the last decade, approximately 3,650 newspaper jobs in the state have vanished.

Leaders at NJ Advance Media, which manages The Ledger's online platform NJ.com, assert that this shift to digital will allow for greater investment in online journalism. Steve Alessi, president of NJ Advance Media, acknowledges the nostalgia and upset among readers but emphasizes the industry's evolution. He claims they are leading this change for the right reasons, aiming to uphold high journalistic standards.

Christopher Kelly, vice president of content for NJ Advance Media, noted that moving online is a strategic response to where readers are increasingly accessing news. He also mentioned that NJ.com currently employs more journalists than it did a year ago and is actively hiring.

Columbus OH Radio: Goose Joins The WRKZ Morning Blitz

Aaron "Goose" Seller is slated to join "The Morning Blitz" on WRKZ 99.7 The Blitz, bringing his 25 years of radio expertise to the Columbus airwaves starting today. Goose will co-host with Kelly Quinn and Thick Rick on the weekday morning show from 6 to 10 a.m.

Goose has established himself as a seasoned and charismatic figure in morning radio, with experience in markets like Michigan, Colorado, Indiana, and Maryland.

"We were fortunate to find someone with Midwestern roots, even with his recent stint in 'that state up north.' His unique sense of humor and ability to correctly pronounce Olentangy and Scioto make him an ideal fit for The Morning Blitz," said John Crenshaw, Operations Manager at North American Broadcasting.

"I’m thrilled to join Kelly and Thick Rick on The Morning Blitz! I fell in love with Columbus the first time I visited. A big thanks to Matt Mnich, Hal Fish, Brian Dytko, and John Crenshaw for this opportunity. I now have two goals in life: to make Columbus laugh every morning and to finish an entire Thurmanator," Seller remarked.

ABQ Radio: Kiki Garcia Moves To Mornings On Magic 99.5

Kiki Garcia

Cumulus Media has announced that it has appointed veteran Albuquerque radio personality Kiki Garcia as On-Air Host, Mornings, on Cumulus Albuquerque Adult Contemporary station Magic 99.5 (KMGA-FM). 

Garcia has been entertaining audiences for more than 16 years on the successful “Carlos & Kiki Show” on Cumulus Media’s 93.3 The Q (KKOB-FM). She moves to Magic 99.5 to host her own show, “Magic Mornings With Kiki Garcia,” airing Monday through Friday from 6:00am-9:00am.

Jeff Berry, Market Manager Cumulus Albuquerque said “I have worked with Kiki since 2006, and she is a total pro. Her smile and positive attitude are contagious in the building, and perfect for Magic. I am so excited to see her take on this new role and help Magic regain its dominance in Albuquerque”.

Chris Hoffman, Program Director, KMGA-FM commented: “Kiki Garcia is absolutely the ideal choice for Mornings on Magic 99.5. Listening to Kiki is like waking up with your bestie. Her feel- good energy coming out of the speakers makes everyone’s day better.”

Kiki Garcia remarked: "I'm beyond excited to be part of such a heritage station as Magic 99.5. My goal is to inspire, uplift, and bring people together. Whether listening for the great music, meaningful conversation, or just a little laughter, I want everyone to feel a part of the Magic family, making every morning a little brighter...together!"

For more information or to stream Magic 99.5, visit https://www.magic995abq.com/,

Cowboy Carter To Tour In 2025

On Sunday, Feb. 2, the "16 Carriages" singer, 43, dropped the announcement that she is embarking on her Cowboy Carter Tour following the release of her eponymous country-themed album.

In a video posted on Beyoncé's Instagram revealing the news, a sign hanging over a desert floor in the night sky lights up repeatedly with the words 'COWBOY CARTER TOUR' in big bright block letters as an electrical hum and wind is heard in the background.

Beyoncé followed up the video with a second post showing a close-up photo of her rocking bleached eyebrows and white-blonde braids with a bold red lip while surrounded by a black background, as portrayed in the promotional images for her Cowboy Carter album.

"COWBOY CARTER TOUR 2025," the caption read, confirming the news. Beyoncé also changed her Instagram profile photo to the same image following the announcement. No other details surrounding the upcoming tour have been shared at this time.

Beyoncé's tour announcement comes after her foot-stomping Christmas Day Halftime performance during the NFL game streamed on Netflix. The show served as a homecoming for the Houston native where she performed songs from Cowboy Carter for the first time since its release in March 2024.

Following her performance, the "Texas Hold 'Em" singer dropped a 15-second video that cut to black with the date 1.14.25 with the caption, "Look at that horse," referring to her song "Sweet Honey Buckiin'.

S-F Radio: Bona Hill Exits The Game For TV Gig

KGMZ-FM Bonta Hill is transitioning from his role on 95.7 The Game’s morning show to a full-time position at NBC Sports Bay Area.

Since 2020, Hill has been the host of pregame and postgame shows for Golden State Warriors games on NBC Sports Bay Area. His new role will expand to include similar duties for San Francisco Giants games and additional contributions to 49ers coverage, which was announced on Friday by both Hill and the network.

To make this transition, Hill is stepping away from “The Morning Roast” on 95.7 The Game. He shared the news during the last hour of Friday's broadcast, explaining in an emotional segment with co-host Joe Shasky that the move is for "his family and health." Hill highlighted the strain of managing both roles, saying, “There’s three days a week where I don’t even see [my daughter] or my finance — and I’m not even traveling to New York or Philadelphia, I’m going down to Chase Center. Something had to give. Burning the midnight oil at both ends, I’ve done it for four, four-and-a-half years, and it got to me.”

Originally from San Francisco, Hill began his career in sports radio at KNBR before joining 95.7 The Game in 2016 to co-host with Greg Papa in the afternoons. He continued in this role even after Papa's departure back to KNBR without prior notice to Hill. Hill then shifted to the morning show in 2020, partnering with Kate Scott and Joe Shasky. After Scott moved to Philadelphia to become a play-by-play announcer for the 76ers, Hill and Shasky continued to host, gaining ground against KNBR's established morning show, "Murph and Mac."

Following Hill's departure, Joe Shasky will be joined by Joe Spadoni to host from 6-10 a.m., although it's not yet confirmed if this arrangement is permanent or interim.

Performance Racing Network Launches New Country Countdown

The Performance Racing Network (PRN) has announced the launch of “Kyle Petty’s Back Then Again Country Countdown with Charlie and Debbie.” The show features third-generation race car driver, philanthropist, and musician Kyle Petty, along with the hosts of one of the nation's top-rated afternoon country radio shows, Charlie and Debbie of Country 103.7 (WSOC) in Charlotte, N.C.

“Kyle Petty’s Back Then Again Country Countdown with Charlie and Debbie” will feature a weekly look back at the top 20 Country songs of the current week from years past, intertwined with Pop Culture history from that week and great stories from the show's three hosts.

While Petty is most known for his life in NASCAR, he has a deep-rooted passion for country music and has made a name for himself as a musician.

Growing up at the racetrack, a traveling preacher gifted Petty his first guitar at age 12. He soon began writing his own music in high school and, through the years, found creative influences in artists and songwriters such as Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Carole King, James Taylor, Harry Chapin, and Jim Croce. A seasoned performer, Petty has played for audiences big and small and recently performed on the legendary Grand Ole Opry stage.

Charlie & Debbie

“I am as excited for this new chapter as I ever was at the start of every new NASCAR season,” said Petty. “Everyone knows I love racing, but I have loved country music for just as long. Watching Marty Robbins sing at the Opry and drive a race car opened up a world of possibilities for a 12-year-old from Level Cross, N.C. I have been blessed to do both in my life.

Charlie and Debbie have spent decades entertaining audiences on Country 103.7 (WSOC) in Charlotte, N.C. The married couple’s award-winning career in country radio has earned them many accolades, but they find the most joy in storytelling and connecting with fans.

“We are beyond thrilled to team up with PRN and Kyle Petty for this exciting new project,” said Charlie and Debbie. “NASCAR and country music have always shared a loyal fan base, so this collaboration makes perfect sense. And you can’t mention NASCAR without immediately thinking of the Petty name. So, having the opportunity to partner with Kyle Petty is truly an honor. We’re already having so much fun working together, and we can’t wait to share it with everyone.”

“Kyle Petty’s Back Then Again Country Countdown with Charlie and Debbie” has launched on over 180 stations nationwide. For a list of stations, visit GoPRN.com.

Radio History: Feb 3

➦In 1927...a forerunner of the FCC, the Federal Radio Commission, was created by a law signed into effect by U.S. President Calvin Coolidge.The FRC was a government body that regulated radio use in the United States from its creation in 1926 until its replacement by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 1934. The Commission was created to regulate radio use "as the public interest, convenience, or necessity" requires. The Radio Act of 1927 superseded the Radio Act of 1912, which had given regulatory powers over radio communication to the Secretary of Commerce and Labor. The Radio Act of 1912 did not mention broadcasting and limited all private radio communications to what is now the AM band.

WEAV 960 AM (5Kw DA-2)

➦In 1935...WEAV-AM, Plattsburgh NY signed-on as WMFF (1935-1948), owned by Plattsburgh Broadcasting Corporation (in turn controlled by the Bissell family), and operating on 1310 kHz. The North American Radio Broadcasting Agreement in 1941 moved the station to 1340 kHz.

On October 23, 1948,  the station changed its call letters to WEAV and relocated again, this time to the current 960 kHz. At one time an affiliate of ABC Radio  and its predecessor, the Blue Network, WEAV switched to CBS Radio in the late 1950s.

The station inaugurated FM service on February 3, 1960, with the launch of WEAV 99.9. FM (now WBTZ-FM) as a simulcast of the AM station.

WEAV-AM currently airs Sports Talk as 960 AM The Zone.

➦In 1935...Martin Block started at WNEW-AM (now WBBR 1130 AM) in NYC at a salary of $20 per week. In 1935, while listeners to New York's WNEW in New York were awaiting developments in the Lindbergh kidnapping, Block built his audience by playing records between the Lindbergh news bulletins.

This led to his Make Believe Ballroom, which began February 3, 1935 with Block borrowing both the concept and the title from West Coast disc jockey Al Jarvis, creating the illusion that he was broadcasting from a ballroom with the nation’s top dance bands performing live. He bought some records from a local music shop for the program as the radio station had none. Block purchased five Clyde McCoy records, selecting his "Sugar Blues" for the radio show's initial theme song.

Because Block was told by the station's sales staff that nobody would sponsor a radio show playing music, he had to find himself a sponsor. Block lined up a producer of reducing pills called "Retardo"; within a week, the sponsor had over 3,000 responses to the ads on Block's radio show. Martin Block's style of announcing was considerably different than the usual manner of delivery at the time. Instead of speaking in a voice loud enough to be heard in a theater, Block spoke in a normal voice, as if he was having a one-on-one conversation with a listener.

Abbott & Costello

When one of Block's sponsors offered a sale on refrigerators during a New York snowstorm, 109 people braved the elements for the bargain Block advertised; by 1941 potential sponsors for his show had to be put on a waiting list for availabilities.

➦In 1938... the kids radio adventure drama Challenge of the Yukon (about Sgt. Preston & his ‘wonder dog’ Yukon King) debuted in a 15 minute format on WXYZ Detroit.  It completed George W. Trendle’s trilogy of juvenile adventures preceded by The Lone Ranger and The Green Hornet.  

The show went to the networks (ABC, then Mutual) in 30 minute form 1947 to ’55, and was retitled as Sgt. Preston of the Yukon beginning in 1951.

➦In 1938...the comedy team of Abbott & Costello made their debut as cast members on CBS Radio’s “The Kate Smith Hour.” Their routine "Who's on First?" is one of the best-known comedy routines of all time in the world, and set the framework for many of their best-known comedy bits.

➦In 1959… it was “the day the music died,”  as Don McLean named it in his 1972 hit, “American Pie.”  22-year-old Buddy Holly, 28-year-old J.P. Richardson (The Big Bopper) and 17-year-old Ritchie Valens died in a chartered plane crash near Mason City, Iowa.