NBC To Air Toby Keith Legacy Concert

NBC will broadcast a two-hour network special honoring the life and legacy of country star Toby Keith in August and fans of the music icon can see the show live before it airs.

NBC announced that the “Toby Keith: American Icon” concert will be recorded at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, on Monday, July 29 at 7 p.m., according to a news release. Viewers can enjoy the show at home when it airs on Wednesday, Aug. 28 at 9 p.m.

The night is set to be a star-studded event with performances by some of the most popular artists in country music including Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Ashley McBryde, Parker McCollum, Jelly Roll, Darius Rucker, Carrie Underwood, Lainey Wilson, The War And Treaty and more. Keith’s greatest hits will be performed in addition to original songs from the entertainers.

NBC noted that the special will “feature an A-list lineup of musical performances and special guests who will come together to share their love for one of music’s most iconic artists.”

The Country Music Hall of Famer’s career highlights include 42 top-10 hits, 33 No.1’s, 44 million albums sold, 100 million BMI performances and more than 10 billion streams. He was a songwriter and producer whose hits “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” “How Do You Like Me Now?!” “Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue (The Angry American)” and “I Love This Bar” rocketed him to worldwide notoriety. Of all his accolades the New York-based all-genre Songwriters Hall of Fame (2015), the National Medal of Arts (2021), the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (2021) and BMI Icon (2022) were his most treasured.

Ticket prices range from $73 to more than $400 and are on sale at Ticketmaster. A portion of the ticket sales will benefit The Toby Keith Foundation’s OK Kids Korral, a cost-free home for families of children dealing with critical illnesses, and Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, one of the nation’s leading children’s hospitals and the top-rated in the Southeast.

HR Probe Led To Firing of CBS News President

CBS News president Ingrid Ciprian-Matthews – who was accused of sidelining white journalists and blocking an acclaimed correspondent’s reporting on the Hunter Biden laptop – is stepping down at the network, the company said Wednesday.

The NY Post reports the controversial news boss, who was named president just last August, is exiting after she made headlines in February over the firing of Catherine Herridge, a respected senior investigative reporter who had been doggedly covering the Hunter Biden laptop story for the network.

At the time, media insiders speculated that Herridge’s exit was linked to her reporting that President Biden may have kept evidence that he had foreign business dealings while in office.

Another reason, according to sources, may have been Herridge’s role in a 2021 human-resources probe of Ciprian-Matthews over favoritism and discriminatory hiring and management practices.

Ciprian-Matthews had racked up HR complaints from staffers over unfair hiring and management practices, particularly against white female journalists. Among those who complained was Herridge, according to sources.

Jeff Zucker

The shakeup comes during a tumultuous period for the network. CBS News parent company Paramount Global recently agreed to merge with Skydance, a deal which will enact a $2 billion cost cutting blitz. Ahead of the deal, Paramount’s co-CEOs are poised to slash $500 million from the budget. 

Still, one insider at the network said that Ciprian-Matthews’ exit comes under the “guise of cuts,” after a series of public embarrassments over her dealings with Herridge came to light.

Sources tell Showbiz 411.com that Wednersday’s announcement Ingrid Cipirian-Matthews is gone probably means one thing: the return of Jeff Zucker.

Zucker — who ran CNN and NBC and desperately wants to return to power — is partners in real life Jeff Shell, former NBC Universal chairman. Shell is also now partnered with Zucker in Red Bird Capital, a media capital firm that’s been trying to buy something big.

Shell is working hand in hand with David Ellison of Skydance. They just bought CBS in their Paramount deal. The deal won’t close until next year. According tro the report Ellison has purchased Paramount. And Shell is advising him. First project: give CBS some pizzazz with Zucker.

Cleveland Radio Jeff Miller New MM, Sales Director For Audacy

Jeff Miller

Audacy has named Jeff Miller Senior Vice President, Market Manager and Director of Sales of its Cleveland market. In this role, Miller will oversee the market’s portfolio of brands, including 92.3 The Fan (WKRK-FM), 98.5 WNCX (WNCX-FM), Star 102 (WDOK-FM), Q104 (WQAL-FM) and CHANNEL Q (WQAL-HD3).

“Jeff has been one of our key sales management leaders for nearly three decades, leading robust sales teams and managing salespeople of all experience levels,” said Mark Hannon, Regional President, Audacy. “He has also been an integral player in making 92.3 The Fan one of the market's dominant revenue leaders while managing the relationship with our key partner, the Cleveland Browns. I know that Jeff will advance the legacy of Tom Herschel as Audacy Cleveland's new leader, and I look forward to working with him to set the path forward.”

“I am humbled, motivated and very excited to accept this fantastic opportunity to lead Audacy Cleveland,” said Miller. “I look forward to working with our team and the entire organization to build on the success we experienced under Tom Herschel's guidance. Many thanks to David Field, Susan Larkin and Mark Hannon for allowing me the privilege to guide these iconic brands.”

Miller previously served as General Sales Manager for 92.3 The Fan, the Cleveland Browns' flagship radio station, while also supporting sister stations 98.5 WNCX, Star 102 and Q104. Miller joined the Company in 1996 and has held additional roles, including local seller, National Sales Manager, and Local Sales Manager. His career began in 1990, including stops at WZIP and WQMX in Akron and Audacy’s WGGY-FM in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. He succeeds Tom Herschel, who recently retired.

Philly Radio: WIP's Glen Macnow Signs-Off This Weekend

This weekend, longtime Sports Radio 94WIP host Glen Macnow is retiring after more than three decades on the air. 

"I'm at the point of life where time is the most important currency," said Macnow, who started at WIP in 1993. 

Macnow said while he knows it's the right time to leave, but it's also bittersweet.  "I'm kind of wistful because I really do enjoy the work, I really enjoy the people I work with," Macnow said. 

CBS Philadelphia reports The former Inquirer writer turned mainstay host has been a fixture for fans through wins, losses and what-ifs. But he admits he wasn't sure this career path would stick.

"When the opportunity came up to work at WIP, I said to my wife, 'I don't know if 24-hour sports is really going to last,'" Macnow said. 

Longtime WIP host Glen Macnow prepares for final show this weekend after more than 3 decades on air https://t.co/CjJZ62MbFY via @CBSPhiladelphia

— Tom Benson (@Tombenson1) July 11, 2024

Over the years, Macnow has interviewed some of the greatest players to ever wear a Philly uniform. 

"Reggie White was just a great human being and a real gentleman," Macnow said. 

"I got to host the two championship parades … and stand there as the floats went by and scream with excitement along with those millions of fans on the streets," Macnow said.  

Macnow said it's that relationship with the fans that he will especially miss. 

"Radio is a very personal medium and even if they don't know you, by allowing you to be in your house, in their car, you become their friend," Macnow said.

Radio History: July 11

➦In 1906...Harry Von Zell born in Indianapolis (Died of cancer at age 75 – November 21, 1981), He was an announcer of radio programs and an actor in films and television shows. He is best remembered for his work on The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, and for once mispronouncing President Herbert Hoover's name on the air, a slip that was exaggerated on a later comedy record album.

Von Zell broke into show business as a singer and announcer at radio station KMIC in Inglewood, California in the mid-1920s. Later, auditioning for Paul Whiteman's radio show in 1929, he was chosen from a field of 250 announcers. When that series came to an end in 1930, he headed for New York and became a CBS staff announcer, working with Fred Allen, Phil Baker, Eddy Duchin and Ed Wynn. He also announced for The Aldrich Family, The Amazing Mr. Smith, and The March of Time. During the 1920s and 1930s von Zell served as announcer on some 20 shows a week.

His longest-running radio partnership was his nine seasons with veteran comedian Eddie Cantor. From October 1940 to June 1949 von Zell served as Cantor's commercial spokesperson and straight man. As Cantor cast member Dinah Shore's solo career began to blossom, she brought von Zell in as announcer on her Birds Eye Open House program.

As a young announcer, von Zell made a memorable verbal slip in 1931 when he referred to U.S. President Herbert Hoover as "Hoobert Heever" during a live tribute on Hoover's birthday. Hoover was not present at this tribute. Zell's blooper came at the end of a lengthy coverage of Hoover's career, in which Zell had pronounced the President's name correctly several times.

➦In 1934...the first appointments to the newly created Federal Communications Commission were made. The governing body was first served by seven men named as commissioners.

➦In 1938...Orson Welles brought his Mercury Theatre Players to CBS radio network for a critically-acclaimed 60-minute weekly series that Campbell’s Soups sponsored.

➦In 1951...Alan Freed debuted his "Moondog Rock 'n' Roll Party," playing mostly rhythm & blues records, on WJW 850 AM in Cleveland.  

Freed had been inspired by an offbeat instrumental called "Moondog Symphony" that had been recorded by New York street musician Louis T. Hardin, aka "Moondog". Freed adopted the record as his show's theme music. His on-air manner was energetic, in contrast to many contemporary radio presenters of traditional pop music, who tended to sound more subdued and low-key in manner. He addressed his listeners as if they were all part of a make-believe kingdom of hipsters, united in their love for black music.He also began popularizing the phrase "rock and roll" to describe the music he played.

➦In 1970...Dandy Dan Daniel did his final show on WMCA 570 AM, NYC.

Roger Christian

➦In 1991...Los Angeles radio personality/lyricist Roger Christian died of kidney and liver failure at age 57.

Christian worked as a radio personality in Los Angeles in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. He was one of the original "Boss Jocks" when 93KHJ debuted in 1965. His radio career started in Buffalo, New York in the mid-1950s.

He moved to the west coast and worked for other radio stations in Los Angeles, including KFWB, KGBS (AM-FM), KBLA, KDAY, KRTH-FM, KRLA, and KIQQ-FM.  Christian was also one of the writer/narrators on the 1964 Capitol Records documentary LP The Beatles' Story.

Christian suffered from periodic depression.  He was the only original KHJ "Boss Jock" not to appear at the 25th reunion on May 9, 1990.

D/FW Radio: Joe Kelley Lands Mornings At KRLD-AM

Joe Kelley

Audacy has announced lineup changes on NewsRadio 1080 KRLD in Dallas. The station welcomes Joe Kelley as the new host of “The KRLD Morning News,” which airs weekdays from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. CT.

Station veteran Mike Rogers will be heard weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. CT and host a long-form news-oriented talk show. Rogers will be joined by many familiar voices on KRLD as he provides a unique and in-depth look at the top stories of the day and speaks directly with KRLD's listeners about how those stories impact them. Both moves are effective July 22.

Mike Rogers

“We’re proud to unveil the next phase of KRLD’s new-look lineup by adding Joe Kelley and moving local favorite Mike Rogers to middays,” Drew Anderssen, News & Talk Format Vice President, Audacy, and Brand Manager, NewsRadio 1080 KRLD and Texas State Networks. “Mike has resonated with our listeners for over three decades, and we have no doubt he will continue to provide informative, relevant content to them in middays. We’re equally excited to welcome Joe Kelley, who, with his rich background in news and multi-platform content distribution, will bring a wealth of experience and passion to our morning news.”

“I am honored to join the esteemed KRLD brand and embrace the responsibility of upholding the legacy crafted by generations of broadcasters,” said Kelley. “Returning to Texas—a place that resonates with familiarity and warmth—fills me with great enthusiasm. I look forward to further elevating KRLD’s prominence in the North Texas community.”

Kelley joins KRLD from Orlando, where he held a similar position at WDBO. Kelley returns to Dallas after serving in on-air roles for KLIF and later WBAP in the early 2000s. The National Association of Broadcasters named him Large Market Personality of the Year in 2018, and he has raised over $3 million for Make-A-Wish through an annual fundraiser launched nearly 20 years ago.

A 32-year veteran of KRLD, Rogers previously served as the co-anchor of “The KRLD Morning News” and produces his award-winning daily feature “The Other Side of the News.” Born and raised in Dallas, Rogers took a tape recorder to the first White Rock Marathon in 1971, interviewing runners as they crossed the finish line. Following graduation from the University of Colorado in Boulder, Rogers held various on-air roles in Grand Junction, CO and Beaumont, TX, before returning to Dallas in 1987 to work at Magic 102.9 and later KRLD.

📻Listeners can tune in to NewsRadio 1080 KRLD (KRLD-AM) in Dallas on-air and nationwide on the Audacy app and website. Fans can also connect with the station via X, Facebook and Instagram.

Struggling CNN Turnaround Plans: Videos, Layoffs

CNN CEO Mark Thompson revealed to staffers Wednesday a drastic new plan to push the cable news network into the digital age — and signaled that job cuts are coming.

The NY Post reports the media boss called the incoming changes — which will include a new subscription service and structural changes to the newsroom — a “key milestone in the transformation of CNN” in his memo to company employees.

Thompson said he plans to lay off 100 employees – about three percent of the workforce – as well as build a new digital subscription service that he hopes will generate more than $1 billion in revenue. 

The CEO was brought on last summer to help push the television news network into the future, after pulling off a turnaround at The New York Times. Thompson acquired tech review company Wirecutter and launched the cooking vertical during his nearly decade-long tenure at The Times.

Originally founded by Ted Turner in 1980 as a 24-hour cable news network – a revolutionary concept at the time – CNN has long relied on distribution fees from cable companies. 

While CNN and parent company Warner Bros Discovery remain profitable, the cable TV business model is becoming defunct as Netflix and other popular streaming services have reinvented the television industry.

A definitive CNN subscription business has been a long-time coming. While streaming service CNN+ was launched in March 2022, it was nearly immediately canceled when parent company WarnerMedia merged with Discovery the following month.

Now, budget-friendly streaming service CNN Max can be found within the parent company’s Max umbrella. But Thompson said he plans to create a subscription that will generate more than $1 billion for the company.

Another proposed shift is a reimagining of the CNN newsroom. While currently split into three divisions – US television, international television and digital – Thompson wants to combine the three sections under one umbrella.

Another Network News Chief Bites The Dust

Ingrid Ciprián-Matthews, who has served as president of CBS News since August, resigned Wednesday morning, just three days after the network’s parent company, Paramount, agreed to merge with the production company Skydance Media.

The Washington Post reports the announcement was sudden, if not unexpected, considering the many changes that are expected to come throughout CBS in the wake of the merger, including significant expected cost-cutting.

“We all know our industry and company are going through a transformation and a number of short- and long-term decisions need to be made,” Ciprián-Matthews wrote in a memo to CBS News employees. “I do not want to be disingenuous with any of you about who should drive these decisions. I’ve always leaned into my integrity and my values and I felt it was important to be transparent at this juncture about my plans.”

Ciprián-Matthews will remain with the network through the election as a senior editorial adviser, “given the historical significance of this election and the current political moment.”

One of the network’s chief rivals, ABC News, is also in a state of extreme flux with just four months to go before the presidential election. Kim Godwin resigned as president of the network in May, and her deputy, Stacia Deshishku, followed her out the door last month.

Ciprián-Matthews has worked at CBS News since 1993. In her memo, she said she plans to “write [her] next chapter,” but did not share further details.

NPR To Expand Collaborative Journalism Network

NPR announced today that it has received a $5.5 million grant from philanthropists Eric and Wendy Schmidt to further expand public media’s collaborative journalism efforts. The grant will enable NPR and its partners to create a regional newsroom in Appalachia and the neighboring area; bolster an existing public media collaboration, the Mountain West News Bureau; conduct a multistation visual journalism pilot in New England, and support the continued growth of the California and Midwest newsrooms.

This grant follows a $4.7 million gift from Eric and Wendy Schmidt in 2020, which created two regional newsrooms in the Collaborative Journalism Network. This additional investment of $5.5 million over three years will enable public radio stations to reach and serve more communities with local, multi-platform public service journalism.

“Local news organizations are essential to our communities, providing not only a sense of identity and connection but also a spotlight on local challenges like land rights, voting abuses, the impact of extractive industries and air and water quality,” said Wendy Schmidt, co-founder and president of the Schmidt Family Foundation. “Eric and I believe deeply in investing in NPR’s work to strengthen our democracy, protect human rights, expose wrongs and uplift voices that deserve to be heard.”

The creation of additional regional newsrooms will provide needed resources to boost coverage and investigative journalism in communities with limited access to local reporting. In the greater Appalachia region, the newsroom will bring together six public media outlets in Kentucky and Tennessee, with the possibility of adding more. The Mountain West News Bureau, an existing 14-station collaboration serving Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming, will become a regional newsroom under the Collaborative Journalism Network. NPR’s collaboration with the newsrooms will help strengthen reporting on issues impacting Indigenous and Native communities, develop a talent pipeline and provide opportunities for professional development and training, and create a shared services model that will provide support for small stations.

Through the grant, a new pilot in partnership with the 10 station New England News Collaborative will expand short-form video news coverage. This pilot will build on existing infrastructure and expertise at NPR and stations. It will also provide training and mentorship to build visual storytelling capacity and knowledge of best practices for digital platforms.

Fox News Leads Cable During Primetime, Total Day

During the week of July 1-7, FOX News Channel (FNC) led all of cable television with both primetime and total day viewers during the holiday week. 

In terms of the cable news competition, FNC led CNN and MSNBC combined across primetime and total day with viewers and A25-54. 

In primetime (8-11 PM/ET), FNC earned 2.1 million viewers and 242,000 in the 25-54 demo, commanding all of cable with viewers. In total day (6 AM-6 AM/ET), FNC posted 1,379,000 viewers and 174,000 in the 25-54 demo, outpacing all of cable with viewers. 

Following the debate the week prior, CNN was down the most in cable news seeing drop offs of 61% with primetime viewers and 76% with primetime A25-54, seeing just 542,000 viewers and 99,000 in the 25-54 demo. 

In terms of cable news share, FNC commanded 59% of total day and primetime viewers for the week, its best week with total day share since 2022 and best week with weekday daytime share since 2021. MSNBC also saw yearly lows across total day (569,000 P2+; 56,000 A25-54) and primetime (77,000 A25-54). CNN had weekend total lows with total day A25-54 going back to 1997.

The Five averaged 3.3 million viewers and 298,000 in the 25-54 demo, making it the most-watched show in cable news. At 6 PM/ET, Special Report with Bret Baier drew 2.3 million viewers and 239,000 in the 25-54 demo. At 8 PM/ET, Jesse Watters Primetime delivered 2.7 million viewers and 295,000 in the 25-54 demo. At 9 PM/ET, Hannity posted 2.5 million viewers and 289,000 with A25-54. At 11 PM/ET, FOX News @ Night secured 1.4 million viewers and 212,000 in the 25-54 demo. At 10 PM/ET, FNC’s late-night offering Gutfeld! saw its most-watched week since launch with 2,554,000 viewers and 371,000 in the 25-54 demo. 

Gutfeld! also topped a number of broadcast programs as the late-night shows took the week off. The show outpaced ABC’s Good Morning America (2,553,000 P2+), NBC’s The Today Show (2,524,000 P2+) and ESPN’s airing of the Yankees vs. Red Sox game on MLB Sunday Night (2,359,000 P2+).

FNC also saw several programming highs for the year with Outnumbered (1,957,000 P2+), The Story (1,822,000 P2+), America’s Newsroom (219,000 A25-54) and America Reports (207,000 A25-54) each seeing its best weeks in each respective category.

On Saturday, Life, Liberty & Levin (weekends, 8 PM/ET) was the most-watched show in primetime with 1,410,000 viewers. FOX & Friends Weekend (weekends, 6-10 AM/ET) was the top show in the 25-54 demo with 158,000 viewers. The Big Weekend Show (Saturday, 7 PM/ET) posted 1.3 million viewers and 144,000 in the 25-54 demo. One Nation with Brian Kilmeade (Saturday, 9 PM/ET) secured 1.3 million viewers.

On Sunday, Sunday Night in America (Sunday, 9 PM/ET) was the most-watched show of the entire weekend with 1,602,000 viewers. Sunday Morning Futures secured 1,537,000 viewers and 190,000 in the 25-54 demo.

Source: Nielsen. Live+SD. Week of 7-1-24 ratings data. Average audience for cable news networks Monday-Sunday based on Total Day and Prime (6a-6a, 8P-11P), P2+, P25-54, P18-49. Cable News/Broadcast Program averages exclude repeats and include the corresponding program name.

ESPN Attracts Largest SNB Audience in Two and a Half Years

Sunday Night Baseball Viewership Up Six Percent From Last Year Entering MLB All-Star Break

ESPN generated its largest Sunday Night Baseball audience in two and a half years with the Boston Red Sox 3-0 victory over the New York Yankees on July 7. The broadcast averaged 2,359,000 viewers and peaked with nearly three million viewers (2,952,000) at 8:45 p.m. ET, according to Nielsen.

The July 7 broadcast was also the most-watched edition of Sunday Night Baseball since 2019 when excluding opening weekend games. Entering the MLB All-Star break, Sunday Night Baseball is averaging 1,620,000 viewers, up six percent from last season. Sunday Night Baseball Presented by Capital One resumes on July 21 when the Red Sox visit the Los Angeles Dodgers at 7 p.m.

Chicago Radio: PD Jimmy Steal Exiting WTMX, WTBC

Jimmy Steal

Hubbard Chicago announced Tuesday that after 6 years, veteran programmer Jimmy Steal has decided he will be stepping down as Vice President of Brand and Content for WTMX and WTBC at the end of the year.  

“When I arrived in Chicago, I signed a 3-year deal, and this December, it’ll be 6 years! What a blessing to work with our amazing Hubbard Chicago teams! I couldn’t be prouder of all we’ve achieved: Marconi Awards, #1 books, and the discovery and nurturing of market-dominating talent! A very special thanks to our amazing VP/MM Keith Lawless, our awesome Hubbard EVP of Programming Greg Strassell, and our incredible CEO Ginny Hubbard! I’m forever grateful to them for this wonderful experience, all we accomplished, and will continue to accomplish through 2024, and together in 2025 in my new Hubbard consulting role.” 

Hubbard Radio Chicago Vice President and Market Manager Keith Lawless added “Jimmy is an exceptional content leader that makes everyone around him better.  His leadership has impacted our entire team at Hubbard Chicago. I’m grateful Jimmy agreed to stay an additional year before returning to Austin to start his new consulting business. Jimmy will continue through 2024 in his current leadership role. While he will be missed in our day-to-day in 2025, I’m happy and proud that Hubbard Chicago will be Jimmy’s newest talent consulting customer as we transition to new leadership on 101.9 The Mix and Throwback 100.3.”   

Greg Strassell, Hubbard's SVP of Programming, added, “We will miss Jimmy’s outstanding leadership for The Mix and Throwback 100.3.  His eye on the future and talent have made him a great partner.  I look forward to working with Keith Lawless to identify our next Brand and Content Director for the legendary 101.9 The Mix and the new Throwback 100.3.” 

A nationwide search is currently underway to find the next content leader for these iconic brands.  More information can be found by clicking the following link: https://bit.ly/HubbardChicago 

YouTube Music Experiments With AI Generated Radio

After Spotify embraced its AI DJ, YouTube Music is experimenting with ways to allow users to use AI to generate new playlists. A prompt for users says “ask for music any way you like” with suggested prompts based on previous listening history. YouTube Music indicates that the new feature is experimental—so it may not be available to everyone yet, reports Digital Music News.

Users can enter a prompt either by text or using their voice, while the app itself will provide a list of suggested prompts to get you started. Some of the suggested prompts include ‘catchy pop choruses,’ ‘epic soundtracks,’ ‘upbeat pop anthems,’ and ‘Moscow rock scene.’ YouTube Music will generate a playlist from the prompt inside the app, with the prompt used as the station name.

The feature isn’t dissimilar to YouTube Music’s playlist generation for specific genres like ‘90s Sing-A-Long’ but the ability to specify specific aspects is new. A prompt like ‘90s feel good tunes from movies’ would theoretically only play songs from 90s movies (if the AI gets it right).

So who is this for? Some insight into Spotify’s AI DJ statistics lend some clues. 87% of people who use the Spotify AI DJ belong to the Gen Z and Millennial age groups—or people under 40. Users who spent time with the AI DJ spent 25% of their time engaging with the AI DJ directly and 50% of those returned the next day to do the same.

While YouTube Music does not have an AI generated DJ to provide music information yet, it does seem like something the company is trending towards. Meanwhile, will.i.am is turning AI-assisted radio on its head with his new service that aims to make radio a truly interactive experience for users, rather than just passive listening.

R.I.P.: Joe Eagan, Co-Founder of Group Stealer's Wheel

Joe Eagan

Joe Egan, a key member of Stealers Wheel and co-creator of the band’s biggest hit, has died at age 77.

Egan, a Scottish folk-rocker, co-wrote the 1970s radio hit “Stuck in the Middle with You” with Gerry Rafferty and shared vocals on the song with Rafferty. The two musicians founded Stealers Wheel in 1972, charting with “Stuck in the Middle with You” in the UK and parlaying the single into a top 10 success on the Billboard charts in the United States. “Stuck in the Middle With You” also was featured in the 1992 Quentin Tarantino movie “Reservoir Dogs,” prompting a major resurgence of the song and another wave of fame.

Egan’s death was confirmed via a July 7 post on the official Facebook page for Rafferty, who died in 2011 at age 63. The page is run by Rafferty’s daughter, Martha Rafferty.

“Very sad news that the other half of Stealers Wheel, Joe Egan, passed away peacefully yesterday afternoon with his nearest and dearest around him,” the Facebook post said. “I will always remember him as a sweet and gentle soul. May he rest in peace.”

No other details were provided, including the cause of death.

Atlanta Radio: WAEC-AM Signs-Off After 76 Years

An AM radio signal once home to the first African American owned radio station is no more: 860 WAEC-AM has gone dark after 76 years on the air.

Beasley Media has sold its 17.2-acre tower site in Atlanta to a housing developer Toll Brothers to construct townhomes. As a result, the 860 signal has gone dark after 76 years.

860′s most recent format, which began in late 2023, was Spanish language salsa music called Playa 860. Before that, it was Love 860, a longtime Christian talk format.

AJC.com reports Richard Warner, who used to work at 11Alive, WSB radio and Georgia Radio News Service, said the signal going silent is yet another sign of how few people actually listen to AM radio, the dominant radio option in the 1920s through the 1960s until FM took over. AM survived more as a talk format in the 1990s and 2000s.

In Atlanta, when popular news/talk station WSB in 2010 added an FM simulcast at 95.5, that gave listeners very little reason to flip over to AM. Today, WSB doesn’t even promote its AM signal anymore calling itself 95.5 WSB.

AM is now dominated by religious and niche formats. And many new electric vehicles don’t even offer AM as an option.

Streaming music, podcasts and YouTube now represent 45% of all audio listening with AM/FM at 36% in 2024, down from 52% in 2014, according to Edison Research earlier this year.

The 860 signal began in 1948 and was purchased in 1949 by Jesse B. Blayton Sr., a Black bank president and Atlanta University professor, for $50,000. He called it WERD-AM.

TuneIn New Home For Big 12 Conference Audio

TuneIn, the world’s leader in live audio, and the Big 12 Conference announced Tuesday that TuneIn is the new audio home of the Big 12. As part of the new partnership, they will launch a 24/7 Conference-branded audio station on TuneIn ahead of the Big 12’s college football season kickoff on Aug. 29.

TuneIn is home to live sports from the top leagues and conferences with comprehensive access to local and national sports talk content. TuneIn Premium offers listeners coverage of football and men’s & women’s basketball games from 100+ Division 1 NCAA programs.

“I’m thrilled to partner with the entire TuneIn team,” said Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark. “TuneIn will be an incredible resource and platform for the Big 12 as we continue to advance our narrative and extend our reach.”

“TuneIn allows us to connect across a variety of platforms, delivering around-the-clock commentary and coverage of Big 12 sporting events,” said Tyrel Kirkham, Chief Marketing Officer of the Big 12 Conference. “TuneIn is a leader in sports audio coverage, making them an ideal partner to expand our content offerings and reach to sports fans whether they’re at home, at a tailgate or on the road.”

In addition to the launch of the 24/7 station, TuneIn Premium will be home to live game commentary for football and men’s & women’s basketball from Big 12 schools.

“The Big 12 is a dominant force in college sports, drawing loyal fans and alumni to each event from around the world,” said Rich Stern, CEO of TuneIn. “We’re glad to make TuneIn the home for Big 12 sports coverage, underscoring our dedication to being the premier destination for sports audio coverage of the largest leagues and events. This commitment ensures that fans stay deeply connected to the teams and games they are passionate about, no matter where they are.”