News Notes – November 2009
andall Mays steps down from the CFO position at Clear Channel Communications but stays on as vice chairman of the company. The Wall Street Journal reports sources familiar with the deal say Mays’ salary will be significantly reduced as part of the change. Meanwhile, his brother Mark Mays remains CEO but adds president to his title. He will also assume the CFO role until a permanent replacement is named. The 
WSJ’s report indicates Randall Mays’ role has been much less significant since the buyout that put Bain Capital LLC and Thomas H. Lee Partners LP in charge of the company. Both Randall and Mark Mays are the sons of company founder Lowry Mays who suffered a stroke in 2005. He remains the chairman of Clear Channel Communications…..FCC chairman Julius Genachowski hires journalist and media business veteran Steven Waldman to analyze the media business and draft a report on the state of the industry and the FCC’s 
role in it. But the part that makes some broadcasters nervous is Waldman’s charge to “make recommendations designed to ensure a vibrant media landscape.” In announcing Waldman’s hiring, Genachowski stated, “A strong consensus has developed that we’re at a pivotal moment in the history of the media and communications, because of game-changing new technologies as well as the economic downturn. Highly respected entities have called on the FCC to assess these issues. At such a moment, it is important to ensure that our policies promote a vibrant media landscape that furthers long-standing goals of serving the information needs of communities. The initiative is intended to identify the best ideas for achieving those goals, while recognizing that government must be scrupulous in abiding by the First Amendment and never dictating or controlling the content of the news or other communications protected by the First Amendment.” Some conservative talk broadcasters who believe the Obama Administration is seeking a “back-door” method of squelching conservative talk on the radio understandably view this report as a 
threatening first step…..Meanwhile, at the recent FCC Media Ownership Workshop, Democratic commissioner Michael Copps said he believes deregulation has been bad for the consumer (and the industry which he says bit off more than it could chew in consolidation) and he took the opportunity to predict that there is more consolidation on the horizon. “These issues have been pending before this Commission since I got here and we have done almost nothing to stem the tide of media consolidation and lax government oversight. The consolidation was momentarily slowed by the current economic downturn — itself largely the result of the kind of policies in finance and other businesses that I’ve been complaining about in media for years. But consolidation is coming back, and once the economic indices start heading north, you’ll see media properties galore — all pining for those elusive “economies of scale” whose chase doomed so many companies over the past few years.” Copps pleads for fast action to solve these problems and says the focus should be on “minority and female ownership, localism, and public interest licensing.”…..Air America Media announces it is expanding its multimedia content with the re-launch of its website airamerica.com. AAM chief digital officer Michael Bassik tells TALKERS magazine, “The new airamerica.com features a redesigned look and mobile accessibility that will make it easy for listeners, viewers and readers to access our content anytime and anywhere. In addition to the upgraded features and functionality, this new site will facilitate our talent –– Rachel Maddow, Ron Reagan, Montel Williams, Lionel and Ana Marie Cox –– to post original content, as well as interact with their audience.” Some of the site’s new features include: around-the-clock breaking news coverage, original text, audio and video commentary, community-centric features and three live streaming audio 
channels…..WBT-AM/FM, Charlotte program director Bill White is named operations manager of the Greater Media talk outlet at its sister talk/Hot AC hybrid WLNK-FM. White has served as WBT’s PD since 2000 and with his promotion, APD Carl East moves up to the PD chair at WBT. Neal Sharpe continues as PD of WLNK-FM. White says, “I am thrilled at the opportunity to enhance my role at Greater Media Charlotte in working with some of the best talent in the market on WBT-AM/FM and WLNK. Having the opportunity to work with our outstanding staff on WBT, Bob & Sheri, Matt & Ramona and the entire team on The Link and The Link Radio Network is a programmer’s dream come true.”…..Curtis Media is dealing with the loss of Rush 
Limbaugh in two North Carolina markets by saying it will take the opportunity to provide more local talk and news. After Premiere Radio Networks exercised its option not to renew Rush Limbaugh at Curtis’ WPTF, Raleigh and WSJS, Winston-Salem (WPTF also loses Sean Hannity), Curtis Media president and COO Phil Zachary says, “For the first time since Ronald Reagan occupied the White House, our heritage news and talk stations have the chance to deliver locally-originated programming that serves the 94% of our market population who don’t listen to Rush Limbaugh. Our state and local news coverage is more comprehensive than ever before thanks to our acquisition of the North Carolina News Network in September, and our listeners will be afforded more occasions to discuss the day’s events with personalities who live right here in North Carolina.” Clear Channel has no news/talk outlets in those markets but that changes in the new year as CC flips two underperforming FM music stations to news/talk. Spanish music-formatted WGBT-FM (licensed to Eden, North Carolina) in the Triad market of Winston-Salem, Greensboro and High Point becomes “Rush Radio 94.5” with the trifecta of Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity anchoring the midday and PM drive. A local morning show is to be announced in the future. If you read the October print edition of TALKERS magazine you probably saw the article about CC’s “Rush Radio”-positioned station in New Orleans. We speculated it was possible the company would use that brand elsewhere and now it’s happening in North Carolina. In the Raleigh-Durham market, CC will flip country WRDU-FM to talk with the same trio. There’s no confirmation that the station will use the “Rush 
Radio” positioner there but it seems pretty likely…..United Stations Radio Networks signs Chicago-based talk radio host Roe Conn to handle distribution of his daily news and commentary feature. Conn hosts the afternoon drive program at WLS, Chicago and the reports are already heard on sister Citadel stations WABC, New York and KABC, Los Angeles. USRN says, “’The Roe Report’ is a short-form broadcast intended to be a glimpse at what’s happening in the world today via the unique perspective of Roe Conn. The piece is best described as a mix of news, commentary, pop culture and entertainment stories, and its brief and fast-paced format is accentuated by clips of music, raw sound and recognizable audio from popular movies, television shows and other audio sources.” Conn tells TALKERS, “The team at United Stations and I share a common vision about what both affiliates and their audiences want, and I’m looking forward to growing our national broadcasting footprint together.”…..Eddie Edwards, Sr.’s sudden health problems are causing him to scrap the plan to buy WPYT, Pittsburgh and bring African American-targeted talk to the market. Edwards originally announced the plan to purchase the station from Massachusetts-based Alex Langer after Sheridan Broadcasting sold its three Pittsburgh outlets to a religious broadcaster thus putting an end to the market’s urban radio stations…..KXL, Portland talk show host Lars Larson recently re-upped with the Alpha Broadcasting station for another five years. 
Larson’s local program, also heard regionally on 18 affiliates in Oregon and Washington, airs live from 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm PT. Larson also does a nationally syndicated program through Compass Media Networks…..Renowned travel expert Peter Greenberg brings his “Peter Greenberg Worldwide” weekly talk radio program and daily 
feature to Westwood One for distribution, affiliate sales and ad sales. Greenberg had previously been with Syndicated Solutions, Inc. Greenberg’s program is heard on more than 150 affiliates. WW1 network division president Gary Schonfeld says, “Peter Greenberg is America’s most recognized, honored and respected front-line travel 
news journalist. He is also a great radio talent with a powerful brand. We are looking forward to working with Peter and his team.”…..Rosie O’Donnell is back doing talk but this time she’s on the radio with a 10:00 am to 12:00 noon ET radio talk show on Sirius XM. O’Donnell had been taking time off from the media since her departure from “The View” in 2007 where she ruffled feathers (especially Elisabeth Hasselbeck’s) but also garnered tons of viewers. How will she handle the daily grind of a talk show? Time will tell…..In honor of the one-year anniversary of Erich “Mancow” Muller’s return to the Chicago airwaves on October 27, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White dropped by the WLS, Chicago studios and surprised 
Mancow with an official proclamation from the state of Illinois declaring it “Mancow Day.” Mancow co-hosts the “Mancow & Cassidy” show with Pat Cassidy from 9:00 am to 11:00 am on the station. Mancow also hosts the successful nationally syndicated morning drive show that airs on TRN-FM. Mancow’s contract with Emmis at crosstown rock WKQX-FM was not renewed in the summer of 2006 and it wasn’t until October of 2008 that Mancow returned to the air in the city where he dominated in the ratings with young adults for so many years…..Nationally recognized talk show host Martha Zoller moves her Gainesville, Georgia-based talk show from Jacobs Media’s WDUN to Cox Radio’s new WXKT-FM. VP/GM Scott Smith tells 
TALKERS, “We are thrilled to have Martha Zoller’s unique perspective on local Gainesville, regional and national issues to the FM dial. Over the past decade Martha has served a large, loyal audience that tunes in for her well-reasoned and thoughtful approach to the social and political issues in Gainesville, North Georgia and our nation. Martha Zoller will point up our local service to Gainesville. We’re glad she’s made the switch. I’m sure her listeners will too.” Zoller’s regional syndicate is still handled by the Georgia News Network…..Mid-morning talk host Kevyn Burger has been let go by Hubbard’s female-targeted talk station WFMP-FM, Minneapolis. She had been with the station for six years and occupied the 9:00 am to 11:00 am slot. WFMP-FM GM Dan Seeman says the station has been moving toward lighter content and Burger’s newsy style was not fitting in with the rest of the shows…..Republican Texas State Senator Dan Patrick’s company buys the Houston talk station it’s been LMAing since 2001. Lieberman Broadcasting sells KSEV, Houston to Patrick Broadcasting for $6.5 million. Patrick actually owned the station once before and sold it to Clear Channel in the late 1990s. CC then sold it to Lieberman. Patrick himself hosts the 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm shift…..Dial Global progressive talk how hosts Stephanie Miller and Bill Press made a dual appearance at Madison, Wisconsin’s historic Barrymore Theatre on October 10 to a packed house for what was billed as “Uncensored: Taking America Back, One Morning at a Time.” Both riffed on current events and took questions from the sell-out crowd. Miller and Press are heard locally on Clear Channel’s progressive talk outlet WXXM-FM…..James Crystal’s WFTL, Ft. Lauderdale brings talk pro Jeff Katz aboard for the afternoon drive program. Katz has been doing fill-in work since exiting WBT, Charlotte in December of 2008. He has done highly rated programs in San Francisco, Boston and Las Vegas to name a few. WFTL promotes the fact that Katz is live and local and follows local host Joyce Kaufman…..Citadel Media announces “The Huckabee Report” is clearing on 
more than 450 affiliates –– a pretty impressive feat for a feature just 10 months old. Senior vice president of programming and distribution for Citadel Media Carl Anderson says, “In the 10 months since we first aired “The Huckabee Report” it has become one of the fastest-growing shows in our network’s history. It’s a strong testimony to Governor Huckabee’s ability to connect with his listeners and earn their trust.” Huckabee is also set release his next book titled, A Simple Christmas (Penguin 2009), just in time for the holiday season…..Emmis gives KLBJ, Austin an FM presence with a simulcast on FM translator K259AJ at 99.7 on the dial that had previously served its Hip Hop sister KDHT-FM…..Talk host Denny Schaffer returns 
to the Atlanta airwaves on Salem’s WGKA for a daily evening show airing from 9:00 pm to 11:00 pm. Schaffer worked at crosstown WGST until November of 2006. Prior to that he hosted a show at WSPD, Toledo and was part of “The Breakfast Club” morning show on music-formatted WVKS-FM, Toledo. Since exiting terrestrial radio, Schaffer has been producing an internet talk program…..Simmons Media brings KDXE, Little Rock back from the darkness as a news/talk outlet using Talk Radio Network programming. The station airs “America’s Morning News,” Laura Ingraham, Dr. Laura Schlessinger, Jerry Doyle, Michael Savage, Rusty Humphries and Phil Hendrie. Before going dark in late 2008, the station was a sports talker airing ESPN Radio programming…..Citadel’s WPRO, Providence (AM 630 and 99.7 FM) announces Edward R. Murrow Award-winning reporter Jim Hummel is producing an exclusive weekly report for the station’s website 630wpro.com. “The Hummel Report” will appear on the site every Thursday. WPRO program director Paul Giammarco tells TALKERS magazine, “Jim Hummel’s association with our award-winning news team and website 630wpro.com creates an outstanding opportunity for all Rhode Islanders to see and learn first hand about corruption and government mismanagement. Hopefully these reports will inspire Rhode Islanders to become more aware of government mismanagement and corruption so that we can begin to facilitate systemic change.”…..TRN-FM’s Phil Hendrie recently added some 23 new affiliates to his roster including: WZAN, Portland; KKAT, Salt Lake City; WMCR and WFBL, Syracuse; and KJZN, Fresno. Hendrie’s show airs live daily from 1:00 am to 4:00 am ET…..Steve Ray becomes the producer for Premiere Radio Networks’ Washington, DC-based Randi Rhodes program. Ray spent the previous six years at Bonneville’s cluster in Washington…..Todd Fisher recently exited his VP/ GM position at Hubbard’s talk KSTP, Minneapolis. There was no official explanation for his departure but KSTP’s ratings have not been stellar of late (both KSTP and Clear Channel’s KTLK-FM are being surpassed pretty handily by CBS Radio’s WCCO in the recent Arbitron PPM 6+ survey) and there’s speculation that may have had something to do with his leaving. It’s also being reported that Hubbard Radio president Ginny Hubbard Morris is expected to take a more hands-on management role at the station…..Rick Jackson exits the GM post at Greater Media Charlotte and heads to San Diego where he’ll 
be market manager for Lincoln Financial’s cluster of FM music formatted stations. Jackson has been the general manager at talk WBT-AM/FM and WLNK-FM, Charlotte since 1992 and remained with the stations after Lincoln Financial Media sold the duo to Greater Media in 2007…..Journal Broadcasting SVP and CFO Ron Kurtis is retiring from the Milwaukee-based operator in December. Kurtis has been with Journal for 36 years and says, “It’s been my privilege to work with extremely talented people over my career at Journal. I am proud to have helped our company grow from a Milwaukee-centric organization to a broadcast group with more than 40 stations across the country. We’ve focused on creating a strong team and worked to make each market more successful for the future.”…..With the Atlanta Braves gone from Clear Channel’s WGST, the station must have felt it didn’t need Mitch Evans anymore and he exits the station. Evans had been with the talk station for the last three Braves seasons. Evans tells the Atlanta Journal-Constitution he has no hard feelings toward WGST. Braves baseball moves across the street to 
Dickey’s sports WCNN beginning in 2010…..Matt Patrick prepares to leave Clear Channel Akron at the end of his contract in December. Patrick hosts the morning drive show at Hot AC WKDD-FM and then jumps across the hall to handle the 9:00 am to 12:00 noon show at talk WHLO. He’d hosted the morning show on WKDD-FM for the past 30 years. In making the announcement to his listeners he noted he was hopeful he could stay on at WHLO after giving up the WKDD-FM gig but CC didn’t make him an offer to stay. Speculation is the company is trying to eliminate some of its pricier talent 
contracts…..Talk host Tom Donahue is back on the radio in national syndication via the American Voice Radio Network. His “Free Thinker” program airs live from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm ET. Donahue was nationally syndicated from 1990 to 1995 on the old Talk America Radio Network, People’s Radio Network and Sun Radio Networks. However, a complex criminal case involving the IRS and his old Texas-based American Liberty Association saw Donahue do time in prison…..The House Republican Conference held a “virtual” radio row on October 4 to drive the Republican message on health care reform home to constituents via radio talk show hosts and bloggers. More than 40 Republican members of Congress spoke with some 20 talk radio hosts and 25 bloggers across the country. Talk hosts taking part included KOA, Denver’s Mike Rosen, Salem Radio Network’s Bill Bennett, WDUN, Gainesville, Georgia and the Georgia News Network’s Martha Zoller, and WZFG, Fargo’s Scott Hennen among others. This is the third such “virtual” radio row (so-called because the radio hosts aren’t physically gathered in one location) the House Republican Conference has organized this year and Indiana Congressman Mike Pence –– a former talk host himself –– tells TALKERS magazine, “Radio rows provide a vital opportunity for our members to hear from the American people about their concerns with what’s taking place in Washington.”…..WPFT, Raleigh talk host Bill LuMaye recently hosted a screening of Michael Moore’s new film, “Capitalism: A Love Story,” and then invited the crowd to comment on the film. He used audio from the event on his program the following day…..Meridian Broadcasting announces Ft. Myers-Naples market pro Gentry Thomas is the new program director at its news/talk trimulcast WINK-AM/WNOG-AM/WFSX-FM, positioned as Fox News 92.5. Thomas previously worked at crosstown sports WWCN…..Border Media Business Trust, the company operating the reorganizing Border Media Partners stations, changes formats in Austin. First, KHHL-FM, licensed to Bee Cave, Texas and KXXS-FM, Elgin, Texas flip from Spanish music formats and simulcast sports with ESPN Radio providing programming. Then, KXBT-FM flips from Spanish music to news/talk with well-known Austin personality Sammy Allred doing a midday talk show and former KOA, Denver host Sean Rima doing a local show. Syndicated content includes WSJRN’s “The Wall Street Journal This Morning,” independent Dave Ramsey and Premiere Radio Networks’ Glenn Beck, Bob & Tom, Bill Handel and Jason Lewis. Joining to program the station is former WINK and WNOG, Ft. Myers-Naples program director Jeff Wolf…..“Free Talk Live” adds a couple of new affiliates to its growing roster. WGMD-FM, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware and WDNG, Anniston, Alabama pick up the Saturday 
evening program…..Radio news pro Brent Seltzer is syndicating his “Still At Large” commentaries from his radio home at KSRO, Santa Rosa, California. Seltzer’s well-produced, irreverent shorts are delivered twice a week on Wednesday and Friday. You can hear samples of his work at the KSRO website on Seltzer’s audio blog page. Contact him at brent@stillatlarge.com…..DayBreak USA talk host Scott West reports he’s pleased with the re-tooled show’s progress since it’s morphed into a magazine-style show with lots of interviews 
and features. West says some of the recent celebrities they’ve interviewed include: Candy Spelling, author Sandra Brown, Alan Alda, Carl Reiner, Dee Snyder and Jeff Foxworthy……WJIM, Lansing, Michigan morning drive host Michael Patrick Shiels is being simulcast on Lansing’s WSYM-TV during the 6:00 am and 7:00 am hours. Cameras were installed in the WJIM studios and the simulcast began November 3…..“The Money Pit Home Improvement Show” celebrates its 10th year on the radio. Host and founder Tom Kraeutler says 
it’s gratifying to be entertaining his audience and pleasing his more than 200 affiliates after all these years…..Clear Channel takes the FM simulcast for its country WRWD-FM away and gives sister AM news/talk WKIP, Poughkeepsie (licensed to Ellenville, New York) some FM juice with WKIP-FM at 99.3…..WFBL, Syracuse is now a news/talk outlet as part of a move by new owner Leatherstocking. WFBL and sisters WESN AM and FM were recently purchased from Buckley Broadcasting. The oldies format moves to WESN AM and WFBL picks up programming from Talk Radio Network including “America’s Morning News,” Laura Ingraham and Phil Hendrie plus several from Westwood One including Dennis Miller and Jim Bohannon…..Mark Schwab leaves his position as sports talk host and reporter at Clear Channel’s WTAM, Cleveland to move to a similar post at Cleveland’s WOIO-TV and WUAB-TV. Schwab was the Indians beat reporter for the station, hosted sports talk programming and maintained the sports section of WTAM’s website…..CRN Digital Talk adds an Hispanic female talk channel. The company that puts audio content on some of the nation’s major cable television carriers including Cox, Time-Warner and Comcast, adds a new Spanish-language channel targeted to women. Produced in Guadalajara, Mexico, Radio Mujer caters to a very powerful demo in many parts of the country, especially the Southwest. CRN Digital Talk Radio president and CEO Michael Horn says, “In the U.S., Spanish radio tends to highlight music. When you do hear Spanish talk radio, it tends to be very male centric. We are excited to be able to offer unique programming that is exclusive to CRN as complement to our current audio lineup.” Programming includes topics important to women, including parenting, finance, relationships, food and wine, health and more…..Congratulations to Radio America assistant engineer and production director Alan Peterson who recently qualified for his Certified Broadcast Technologist (CBT) and Certified Audio Engineer (CEA) credentials from the Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE). Peterson is a 30-year veteran of the radio biz…..TALKERS magazine sends condolences to the family and friends of Soupy Sales, who passed away on October 23 at age 83. The comedian, TV star and radio personality at the old WNBC, New York died after suffering from a number of age-related ailments…..E-mail your news and photos to info@talkers.com.
andall Mays steps down from the CFO position at Clear Channel Communications but stays on as vice chairman of the company. The Wall Street Journal reports sources familiar with the deal say Mays’ salary will be significantly reduced as part of the change. Meanwhile, his brother Mark Mays remains CEO but adds president to his title. He will also assume the CFO role until a permanent replacement is named. The WSJ’s report indicates Randall Mays’ role has been much less significant since the buyout that put Bain Capital LLC and Thomas H. Lee Partners LP in charge of the company. Both Randall and Mark Mays are the sons of company founder Lowry Mays who suffered a stroke in 2005. He remains the chairman of Clear Channel Communications…..FCC chairman Julius Genachowski hires journalist and media business veteran Steven Waldman to analyze the media business and draft a report on the state of the industry and the FCC’s role in it. But the part that makes some broadcasters nervous is Waldman’s charge to “make recommendations designed to ensure a vibrant media landscape.” In announcing Waldman’s hiring, Genachowski stated, “A strong consensus has developed that we’re at a pivotal moment in the history of the media and communications, because of game-changing new technologies as well as the economic downturn. Highly respected entities have called on the FCC to assess these issues. At such a moment, it is important to ensure that our policies promote a vibrant media landscape that furthers long-standing goals of serving the information needs of communities. The initiative is intended to identify the best ideas for achieving those goals, while recognizing that government must be scrupulous in abiding by the First Amendment and never dictating or controlling the content of the news or other communications protected by the First Amendment.” Some conservative talk broadcasters who believe the Obama Administration is seeking a “back-door” method of squelching conservative talk on the radio understandably view this report as a threatening first step…..Meanwhile, at the recent FCC Media Ownership Workshop, Democratic commissioner Michael Copps said he believes deregulation has been bad for the consumer (and the industry which he says bit off more than it could chew in consolidation) and he took the opportunity to predict that there is more consolidation on the horizon. “These issues have been pending before this Commission since I got here and we have done almost nothing to stem the tide of media consolidation and lax government oversight. The consolidation was momentarily slowed by the current economic downturn — itself largely the result of the kind of policies in finance and other businesses that I’ve been complaining about in media for years. But consolidation is coming back, and once the economic indices start heading north, you’ll see media properties galore — all pining for those elusive “economies of scale” whose chase doomed so many companies over the past few years.” Copps pleads for fast action to solve these problems and says the focus should be on “minority and female ownership, localism, and public interest licensing.”…..Air America Media announces it is expanding its multimedia content with the re-launch of its website airamerica.com. AAM chief digital officer Michael Bassik tells TALKERS magazine, “The new airamerica.com features a redesigned look and mobile accessibility that will make it easy for listeners, viewers and readers to access our content anytime and anywhere. In addition to the upgraded features and functionality, this new site will facilitate our talent –– Rachel Maddow, Ron Reagan, Montel Williams, Lionel and Ana Marie Cox –– to post original content, as well as interact with their audience.” Some of the site’s new features include: around-the-clock breaking news coverage, original text, audio and video commentary, community-centric features and three live streaming audio channels…..WBT-AM/FM, Charlotte program director Bill White is named operations manager of the Greater Media talk outlet at its sister talk/Hot AC hybrid WLNK-FM. White has served as WBT’s PD since 2000 and with his promotion, APD Carl East moves up to the PD chair at WBT. Neal Sharpe continues as PD of WLNK-FM. White says, “I am thrilled at the opportunity to enhance my role at Greater Media Charlotte in working with some of the best talent in the market on WBT-AM/FM and WLNK. Having the opportunity to work with our outstanding staff on WBT, Bob & Sheri, Matt & Ramona and the entire team on The Link and The Link Radio Network is a programmer’s dream come true.”…..Curtis Media is dealing with the loss of Rush Limbaugh in two North Carolina markets by saying it will take the opportunity to provide more local talk and news. After Premiere Radio Networks exercised its option not to renew Rush Limbaugh at Curtis’ WPTF, Raleigh and WSJS, Winston-Salem (WPTF also loses Sean Hannity), Curtis Media president and COO Phil Zachary says, “For the first time since Ronald Reagan occupied the White House, our heritage news and talk stations have the chance to deliver locally-originated programming that serves the 94% of our market population who don’t listen to Rush Limbaugh. Our state and local news coverage is more comprehensive than ever before thanks to our acquisition of the North Carolina News Network in September, and our listeners will be afforded more occasions to discuss the day’s events with personalities who live right here in North Carolina.” Clear Channel has no news/talk outlets in those markets but that changes in the new year as CC flips two underperforming FM music stations to news/talk. Spanish music-formatted WGBT-FM (licensed to Eden, North Carolina) in the Triad market of Winston-Salem, Greensboro and High Point becomes “Rush Radio 94.5” with the trifecta of Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity anchoring the midday and PM drive. A local morning show is to be announced in the future. If you read the October print edition of TALKERS magazine you probably saw the article about CC’s “Rush Radio”-positioned station in New Orleans. We speculated it was possible the company would use that brand elsewhere and now it’s happening in North Carolina. In the Raleigh-Durham market, CC will flip country WRDU-FM to talk with the same trio. There’s no confirmation that the station will use the “Rush Radio” positioner there but it seems pretty likely…..United Stations Radio Networks signs Chicago-based talk radio host Roe Conn to handle distribution of his daily news and commentary feature. Conn hosts the afternoon drive program at WLS, Chicago and the reports are already heard on sister Citadel stations WABC, New York and KABC, Los Angeles. USRN says, “’The Roe Report’ is a short-form broadcast intended to be a glimpse at what’s happening in the world today via the unique perspective of Roe Conn. The piece is best described as a mix of news, commentary, pop culture and entertainment stories, and its brief and fast-paced format is accentuated by clips of music, raw sound and recognizable audio from popular movies, television shows and other audio sources.” Conn tells TALKERS, “The team at United Stations and I share a common vision about what both affiliates and their audiences want, and I’m looking forward to growing our national broadcasting footprint together.”…..Eddie Edwards, Sr.’s sudden health problems are causing him to scrap the plan to buy WPYT, Pittsburgh and bring African American-targeted talk to the market. Edwards originally announced the plan to purchase the station from Massachusetts-based Alex Langer after Sheridan Broadcasting sold its three Pittsburgh outlets to a religious broadcaster thus putting an end to the market’s urban radio stations…..KXL, Portland talk show host Lars Larson recently re-upped with the Alpha Broadcasting station for another five years. Larson’s local program, also heard regionally on 18 affiliates in Oregon and Washington, airs live from 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm PT. Larson also does a nationally syndicated program through Compass Media Networks…..Renowned travel expert Peter Greenberg brings his “Peter Greenberg Worldwide” weekly talk radio program and daily feature to Westwood One for distribution, affiliate sales and ad sales. Greenberg had previously been with Syndicated Solutions, Inc. Greenberg’s program is heard on more than 150 affiliates. WW1 network division president Gary Schonfeld says, “Peter Greenberg is America’s most recognized, honored and respected front-line travel news journalist. He is also a great radio talent with a powerful brand. We are looking forward to working with Peter and his team.”…..Rosie O’Donnell is back doing talk but this time she’s on the radio with a 10:00 am to 12:00 noon ET radio talk show on Sirius XM. O’Donnell had been taking time off from the media since her departure from “The View” in 2007 where she ruffled feathers (especially Elisabeth Hasselbeck’s) but also garnered tons of viewers. How will she handle the daily grind of a talk show? Time will tell…..In honor of the one-year anniversary of Erich “Mancow” Muller’s return to the Chicago airwaves on October 27, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White dropped by the WLS, Chicago studios and surprised Mancow with an official proclamation from the state of Illinois declaring it “Mancow Day.” Mancow co-hosts the “Mancow & Cassidy” show with Pat Cassidy from 9:00 am to 11:00 am on the station. Mancow also hosts the successful nationally syndicated morning drive show that airs on TRN-FM. Mancow’s contract with Emmis at crosstown rock WKQX-FM was not renewed in the summer of 2006 and it wasn’t until October of 2008 that Mancow returned to the air in the city where he dominated in the ratings with young adults for so many years…..Nationally recognized talk show host Martha Zoller moves her Gainesville, Georgia-based talk show from Jacobs Media’s WDUN to Cox Radio’s new WXKT-FM. VP/GM Scott Smith tells TALKERS, “We are thrilled to have Martha Zoller’s unique perspective on local Gainesville, regional and national issues to the FM dial. Over the past decade Martha has served a large, loyal audience that tunes in for her well-reasoned and thoughtful approach to the social and political issues in Gainesville, North Georgia and our nation. Martha Zoller will point up our local service to Gainesville. We’re glad she’s made the switch. I’m sure her listeners will too.” Zoller’s regional syndicate is still handled by the Georgia News Network…..Mid-morning talk host Kevyn Burger has been let go by Hubbard’s female-targeted talk station WFMP-FM, Minneapolis. She had been with the station for six years and occupied the 9:00 am to 11:00 am slot. WFMP-FM GM Dan Seeman says the station has been moving toward lighter content and Burger’s newsy style was not fitting in with the rest of the shows…..Republican Texas State Senator Dan Patrick’s company buys the Houston talk station it’s been LMAing since 2001. Lieberman Broadcasting sells KSEV, Houston to Patrick Broadcasting for $6.5 million. Patrick actually owned the station once before and sold it to Clear Channel in the late 1990s. CC then sold it to Lieberman. Patrick himself hosts the 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm shift…..Dial Global progressive talk how hosts Stephanie Miller and Bill Press made a dual appearance at Madison, Wisconsin’s historic Barrymore Theatre on October 10 to a packed house for what was billed as “Uncensored: Taking America Back, One Morning at a Time.” Both riffed on current events and took questions from the sell-out crowd. Miller and Press are heard locally on Clear Channel’s progressive talk outlet WXXM-FM…..James Crystal’s WFTL, Ft. Lauderdale brings talk pro Jeff Katz aboard for the afternoon drive program. Katz has been doing fill-in work since exiting WBT, Charlotte in December of 2008. He has done highly rated programs in San Francisco, Boston and Las Vegas to name a few. WFTL promotes the fact that Katz is live and local and follows local host Joyce Kaufman…..Citadel Media announces “The Huckabee Report” is clearing on more than 450 affiliates –– a pretty impressive feat for a feature just 10 months old. Senior vice president of programming and distribution for Citadel Media Carl Anderson says, “In the 10 months since we first aired “The Huckabee Report” it has become one of the fastest-growing shows in our network’s history. It’s a strong testimony to Governor Huckabee’s ability to connect with his listeners and earn their trust.” Huckabee is also set release his next book titled, A Simple Christmas (Penguin 2009), just in time for the holiday season…..Emmis gives KLBJ, Austin an FM presence with a simulcast on FM translator K259AJ at 99.7 on the dial that had previously served its Hip Hop sister KDHT-FM…..Talk host Denny Schaffer returns to the Atlanta airwaves on Salem’s WGKA for a daily evening show airing from 9:00 pm to 11:00 pm. Schaffer worked at crosstown WGST until November of 2006. Prior to that he hosted a show at WSPD, Toledo and was part of “The Breakfast Club” morning show on music-formatted WVKS-FM, Toledo. Since exiting terrestrial radio, Schaffer has been producing an internet talk program…..Simmons Media brings KDXE, Little Rock back from the darkness as a news/talk outlet using Talk Radio Network programming. The station airs “America’s Morning News,” Laura Ingraham, Dr. Laura Schlessinger, Jerry Doyle, Michael Savage, Rusty Humphries and Phil Hendrie. Before going dark in late 2008, the station was a sports talker airing ESPN Radio programming…..Citadel’s WPRO, Providence (AM 630 and 99.7 FM) announces Edward R. Murrow Award-winning reporter Jim Hummel is producing an exclusive weekly report for the station’s website 630wpro.com. “The Hummel Report” will appear on the site every Thursday. WPRO program director Paul Giammarco tells TALKERS magazine, “Jim Hummel’s association with our award-winning news team and website 630wpro.com creates an outstanding opportunity for all Rhode Islanders to see and learn first hand about corruption and government mismanagement. Hopefully these reports will inspire Rhode Islanders to become more aware of government mismanagement and corruption so that we can begin to facilitate systemic change.”…..TRN-FM’s Phil Hendrie recently added some 23 new affiliates to his roster including: WZAN, Portland; KKAT, Salt Lake City; WMCR and WFBL, Syracuse; and KJZN, Fresno. Hendrie’s show airs live daily from 1:00 am to 4:00 am ET…..Steve Ray becomes the producer for Premiere Radio Networks’ Washington, DC-based Randi Rhodes program. Ray spent the previous six years at Bonneville’s cluster in Washington…..Todd Fisher recently exited his VP/ GM position at Hubbard’s talk KSTP, Minneapolis. There was no official explanation for his departure but KSTP’s ratings have not been stellar of late (both KSTP and Clear Channel’s KTLK-FM are being surpassed pretty handily by CBS Radio’s WCCO in the recent Arbitron PPM 6+ survey) and there’s speculation that may have had something to do with his leaving. It’s also being reported that Hubbard Radio president Ginny Hubbard Morris is expected to take a more hands-on management role at the station…..Rick Jackson exits the GM post at Greater Media Charlotte and heads to San Diego where he’ll be market manager for Lincoln Financial’s cluster of FM music formatted stations. Jackson has been the general manager at talk WBT-AM/FM and WLNK-FM, Charlotte since 1992 and remained with the stations after Lincoln Financial Media sold the duo to Greater Media in 2007…..Journal Broadcasting SVP and CFO Ron Kurtis is retiring from the Milwaukee-based operator in December. Kurtis has been with Journal for 36 years and says, “It’s been my privilege to work with extremely talented people over my career at Journal. I am proud to have helped our company grow from a Milwaukee-centric organization to a broadcast group with more than 40 stations across the country. We’ve focused on creating a strong team and worked to make each market more successful for the future.”…..With the Atlanta Braves gone from Clear Channel’s WGST, the station must have felt it didn’t need Mitch Evans anymore and he exits the station. Evans had been with the talk station for the last three Braves seasons. Evans tells the Atlanta Journal-Constitution he has no hard feelings toward WGST. Braves baseball moves across the street to Dickey’s sports WCNN beginning in 2010…..Matt Patrick prepares to leave Clear Channel Akron at the end of his contract in December. Patrick hosts the morning drive show at Hot AC WKDD-FM and then jumps across the hall to handle the 9:00 am to 12:00 noon show at talk WHLO. He’d hosted the morning show on WKDD-FM for the past 30 years. In making the announcement to his listeners he noted he was hopeful he could stay on at WHLO after giving up the WKDD-FM gig but CC didn’t make him an offer to stay. Speculation is the company is trying to eliminate some of its pricier talent contracts…..Talk host Tom Donahue is back on the radio in national syndication via the American Voice Radio Network. His “Free Thinker” program airs live from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm ET. Donahue was nationally syndicated from 1990 to 1995 on the old Talk America Radio Network, People’s Radio Network and Sun Radio Networks. However, a complex criminal case involving the IRS and his old Texas-based American Liberty Association saw Donahue do time in prison…..The House Republican Conference held a “virtual” radio row on October 4 to drive the Republican message on health care reform home to constituents via radio talk show hosts and bloggers. More than 40 Republican members of Congress spoke with some 20 talk radio hosts and 25 bloggers across the country. Talk hosts taking part included KOA, Denver’s Mike Rosen, Salem Radio Network’s Bill Bennett, WDUN, Gainesville, Georgia and the Georgia News Network’s Martha Zoller, and WZFG, Fargo’s Scott Hennen among others. This is the third such “virtual” radio row (so-called because the radio hosts aren’t physically gathered in one location) the House Republican Conference has organized this year and Indiana Congressman Mike Pence –– a former talk host himself –– tells TALKERS magazine, “Radio rows provide a vital opportunity for our members to hear from the American people about their concerns with what’s taking place in Washington.”…..WPFT, Raleigh talk host Bill LuMaye recently hosted a screening of Michael Moore’s new film, “Capitalism: A Love Story,” and then invited the crowd to comment on the film. He used audio from the event on his program the following day…..Meridian Broadcasting announces Ft. Myers-Naples market pro Gentry Thomas is the new program director at its news/talk trimulcast WINK-AM/WNOG-AM/WFSX-FM, positioned as Fox News 92.5. Thomas previously worked at crosstown sports WWCN…..Border Media Business Trust, the company operating the reorganizing Border Media Partners stations, changes formats in Austin. First, KHHL-FM, licensed to Bee Cave, Texas and KXXS-FM, Elgin, Texas flip from Spanish music formats and simulcast sports with ESPN Radio providing programming. Then, KXBT-FM flips from Spanish music to news/talk with well-known Austin personality Sammy Allred doing a midday talk show and former KOA, Denver host Sean Rima doing a local show. Syndicated content includes WSJRN’s “The Wall Street Journal This Morning,” independent Dave Ramsey and Premiere Radio Networks’ Glenn Beck, Bob & Tom, Bill Handel and Jason Lewis. Joining to program the station is former WINK and WNOG, Ft. Myers-Naples program director Jeff Wolf…..“Free Talk Live” adds a couple of new affiliates to its growing roster. WGMD-FM, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware and WDNG, Anniston, Alabama pick up the Saturday evening program…..Radio news pro Brent Seltzer is syndicating his “Still At Large” commentaries from his radio home at KSRO, Santa Rosa, California. Seltzer’s well-produced, irreverent shorts are delivered twice a week on Wednesday and Friday. You can hear samples of his work at the KSRO website on Seltzer’s audio blog page. Contact him at brent@stillatlarge.com…..DayBreak USA talk host Scott West reports he’s pleased with the re-tooled show’s progress since it’s morphed into a magazine-style show with lots of interviews and features. West says some of the recent celebrities they’ve interviewed include: Candy Spelling, author Sandra Brown, Alan Alda, Carl Reiner, Dee Snyder and Jeff Foxworthy……WJIM, Lansing, Michigan morning drive host Michael Patrick Shiels is being simulcast on Lansing’s WSYM-TV during the 6:00 am and 7:00 am hours. Cameras were installed in the WJIM studios and the simulcast began November 3…..“The Money Pit Home Improvement Show” celebrates its 10th year on the radio. Host and founder Tom Kraeutler says it’s gratifying to be entertaining his audience and pleasing his more than 200 affiliates after all these years…..Clear Channel takes the FM simulcast for its country WRWD-FM away and gives sister AM news/talk WKIP, Poughkeepsie (licensed to Ellenville, New York) some FM juice with WKIP-FM at 99.3…..WFBL, Syracuse is now a news/talk outlet as part of a move by new owner Leatherstocking. WFBL and sisters WESN AM and FM were recently purchased from Buckley Broadcasting. The oldies format moves to WESN AM and WFBL picks up programming from Talk Radio Network including “America’s Morning News,” Laura Ingraham and Phil Hendrie plus several from Westwood One including Dennis Miller and Jim Bohannon…..Mark Schwab leaves his position as sports talk host and reporter at Clear Channel’s WTAM, Cleveland to move to a similar post at Cleveland’s WOIO-TV and WUAB-TV. Schwab was the Indians beat reporter for the station, hosted sports talk programming and maintained the sports section of WTAM’s website…..CRN Digital Talk adds an Hispanic female talk channel. The company that puts audio content on some of the nation’s major cable television carriers including Cox, Time-Warner and Comcast, adds a new Spanish-language channel targeted to women. Produced in Guadalajara, Mexico, Radio Mujer caters to a very powerful demo in many parts of the country, especially the Southwest. CRN Digital Talk Radio president and CEO Michael Horn says, “In the U.S., Spanish radio tends to highlight music. When you do hear Spanish talk radio, it tends to be very male centric. We are excited to be able to offer unique programming that is exclusive to CRN as complement to our current audio lineup.” Programming includes topics important to women, including parenting, finance, relationships, food and wine, health and more…..Congratulations to Radio America assistant engineer and production director Alan Peterson who recently qualified for his Certified Broadcast Technologist (CBT) and Certified Audio Engineer (CEA) credentials from the Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE). Peterson is a 30-year veteran of the radio biz…..TALKERS magazine sends condolences to the family and friends of Soupy Sales, who passed away on October 23 at age 83. The comedian, TV star and radio personality at the old WNBC, New York died after suffering from a number of age-related ailments…..E-mail your news and photos to info@talkers.com.
