Industry News

WFDF-AM, Detroit Flips Again – to News/Talk

A little more than two weeks after dropping its local urban talk format for syndicated sports talk, Kevin Adell-owned WFDF-AM, Detroit “910 AM Superstation” becomes a conservative news/talk outlet. Theim station features Michigan talk personality Justin Barclay in morning drive, followed by Premiere Networks’ daytime lineup of “The Glenn Beck Show,” “The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show,” Sean Hannity, and Jesse Kelly, supplemented by “Our American Stories” and some FOX News Radio content. Adell bought the former Radio Disney station in January of 2015 and launched “910 The Superstation” featuring Black talk hosts who were not on the payroll but were given the platform to get their message out. Ultimately, Adell says it wasn’t financially successful. He told the Detroit Metro News, “When you look at it, no one supported it. I couldn’t get the community to support it.”

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories for Week of August 28 – September 1

The numerous legal battles facing former President Donald Trump combined at the most-talked-about story in news/talk media this week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was the legal theory that Trump is disqualified from holding office under section 3 of the 14th Amendment, tied with the 2024 presidential race, followed by the criminal cases and legal strategies of former Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows and former Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani at #3. The Talkers TenTM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed in news/talk media during the week and is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS magazine. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. See this week’s complete chart here.

Industry News

Scalzo Promoted to Market Manager for Good Karma Milwaukee

Good Karma Brands announces the promotion of Greg Scalzo to market manager for the company’s Milwaukee station group that includes news/talk WTMJ, talk WGKB-AM/W269DL “101.7 The Truth,” and sports talk WKTI-FM “ESPN Milwaukee.” Interim market manager Emily Dillinger states, “Greg’s impressive leadership, deep knowledge of the media and advertising industry, and personal experience as a successful on-air host, makeim him the right person to lead this market and continue to raise the bar. I’m excited for our team to continue our commitment to serving our communities through local news, talk and sports with best-in-class brands in Wisconsin.” Scalzo comments, “I am honored and excited to take on the role of market manager with our GKB Milwaukee team. We are excited to work together to serve Milwaukee and the state of Wisconsin with quality, trusted content in news, sports, and talk while connecting fans with our partners and impacting the community. We are proud of the new content we will be creating on ‘ESPN Wisconsin’ and the amazing things to come across all of our brands.”

Industry News

Bendixen Named National Director of Talk for Corus

According to Broadcast Dialogue, programming pro Mike Bendixen joins Canada’s Corus Entertainment as national director of talk radio and director of talk and talent for CFIQ-FM, Toronto. Bendixen previously served with Bell Media as PD atim CFRB-AM, Toronto “Newstalk 1010” and as national format director, news & talk programming. Most recently he’s been a principal with RMR Media Strategies. Corus VP Ronnie Stanton comments, “Mike’s knowledge combined with Corus’s commitment to excellence sets the stage for a promising future for the world of talk radio.” The story indicates that Bendixen takes over for Amanda Cupido, who exits the company. Read the Broadcast Dialogue story here.

Industry News

FOX Business and Univision Hosts to Moderate Next GOP Debate

FOX BusinessStuart Varney and Dana Perino will be joined by Univision’s Ilia Calderón in co-moderating the second Republican presidential primary debate on September 27 from the Ronald Reaganim Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California. It will be broadcast live on FOX Business Network, FOX News Channel and Univision. It will also be livestreamed via FOX Nation. FOX News Media president and executive editor Jay Wallace says, “We are very proud to have Stuart Varney and Dana Perino co-moderating the second debate with Univision to provide Americans with a comprehensive view of the qualifying candidates vying for the Republican nomination for president.”

Industry News

Triton Digital Releases July Streaming Ranker

Triton Digital publishes its Streaming Ranker for the July 2023 period that lists the top performing digital audio publishers based on Average Active Sessions. For the United States (6am-12mid, Mon-Sun), iHeartMediaim remains ranked #1 with 281,120 Average Active Sessions. Following at #2 is NPR Member Stations (69,006 AAS) and Audacy at #3 (62,853 AAS). Cumulus Streaming Network is #4 (36,554 AAS), Beasley Broadcasting Corporate comes in at #7 (15,728 AAS), followed by Hubbard Broadcasting at #8 (13,478 AAS), and Urban One at #9 (9,131 AAS). See the complete ranker here.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (8/30) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The legal battles facing former President Donald Trump and his co-defendants; the New Hampshire GOP debates the legal theory that Trump cannot run for office under the 14th Amendment; the 2023 presidential race; the Hunter Biden investigation; concern about Mitch McConnell’s health as he freezes during a press conference; and Hurricane Idalia slams Florida, Georgia and South Carolina were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

Southeast U.S. Radio Stations Prepare to Keep Public Informed

Radio stations in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina are working to keep citizens informed as Hurricane Idalia makes landfall. The effects of the Category 3 hurricane are likely to cause widespread power outages that will cut power to millions, leaving them with battery-powered AM/FM radios as the sole source of information. This emergency situation – on the heels of radio’s outstanding performance in Maui – will certainly give timely support and ammunition to those in Congress pushing the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act.

Industry News

Emmis Shareholders Support Stock Redemption Needed to Go Private

At its recent shareholders meeting, Emmis Corporation received “overwhelming support” to amend its articles of incorporation that permit it to offer redemption of its “Class A Common Stock at the price of $6.00 per share during the first year following August 29, 2023, $6.50 per share during the second year, and $7.25 per shareim during the third year, with each price subject to adjustment as specified in the Third A/R Articles.” The redemption of the Class A Common Stock will allow founder and chairman Jeff Smulyan to ultimately take Emmis Corporation private. He comments, “I am grateful to the Emmis shareholders for their tremendous support of our proposal to amend our articles of incorporation, which will give us the opportunity to return significant capital, invest in our current businesses and seek new ventures.” Emmis’ sole radio properties are WEPN-FM, New York “ESPN New York” – currently leased to Good Karma Brands – and Gospel WLIB-AM, New York. The sale of those signals would help fund the stock redemption.

Industry News

MIW and McVay Media Announce “Behind the Mic” Mentoring Program

Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio, Inc and McVay Media announce the “Behind the Mic Mentorship”im program designed specifically to support the growth and evolution of women on-the-air. The “Behind The Mic Mentorship” program is a year-long experience exclusively for female personalities that have been in an on-air position for at least three to five years in local or national radio programming and have demonstrated a desire to grow their on-air career. The selected mentee will receive personalized conversations and advice from a wide range of industry professionals including two of radio’s top stars – national radio and television personality and Gracie Award winner Elaina D. Smith of “Nights with Elaina,” and WLTW, New York morning personality Christine Nagy. The mentorship is available to one female on-air personality from any U.S. based music format. Applications can be found here.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (8/29) Top News/Talk Media Stories

Former President Donald Trump’s various legal battles; New Hampshire’s AG is reviewing whether Donald Trump can appear on the ballot under 14th Amendment grounds; the move by former Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows to have his Georgia case moved to federal court; the special counsel Hunter Biden investigation; tensions between Black Floridians and Governor Ron DeSantis over Jacksonville shootings; Hurricane Idalia strengthens and heads toward Florida; and U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo meets with her Chinese counterpart were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

Texas Longhorns Voice Craig Way to Host Show on “The Zone” in Austin

iHeartMedia announces that Craig Way – the voice of University of Texas Longhorns athletics and play-by-play – joins KVET-AM, Austin “AM 1300 The Zone” as host of the 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm show. iHeartMedia SVP of programming for Austin and San Antonio Jason McCollim says, “We’re thrilled to share that Craig Way, theim iconic voice of the Texas Longhorns, is now part of our team. Every day from 2:00 to 4:00 pm, he’ll be diving deep into UT sports, sharing insights only he can offer. It’s a new era for afternoon radio, and we couldn’t be prouder to bring this experience to our listeners.” Way joins iHeartMedia Austin from Austin Radio Network, where he most recently served as the sports director. He comments, “I was honored to be a part of the launch of ‘AM 1300 The Zone’ as Austin’s first all-sports station in October of 1998, and am thrilled to return as host of a daily show on ‘The Zone’ once again at a station that I called home from 1997-2017.”

Industry News

Yesterday’s (8/28) Top News/Talk Media Stories

Judge Tanya Chutkan sets former President Donald Trump’s Washington, DC trial for March 4 and Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows testifies during a hearing to move his Georgia election interference trial to federal court; the special counsel Hunter Biden investigation; a UNC Chapel Hill faculty member is killed by gunfire; the racially motivated killing of three in a Jacksonville store; the migrant crisis; the rash of retail thefts and the closing of urban retail outlets in response; evacuations are ordered as Hurricane Idalia heads for Florida; American Airlines is fined over lengthy tarmac delays; and U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo meets with her Chinese counterpart among top news/talk media stories yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

Push to “Save AM Radio” Intensifies

There’s been an increase in media attention recently about the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act making its way through Congress and the future of the AM band. That legislation would direct the “National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to issue a rule requiring automakers to maintain AM broadcast radio in their vehicles without a separate or additional payment, fee, or surcharge.” With each recent natural disaster, we’ve seen broadcasters and politicians point to them as times upon which AM radio is relied. Newsday recently published an in-depth story examining the state of AM radio in which a number of AM personalities are featured. TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison is also quoted in the piece. Read the story here.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories Over the Weekend

Today’s Donald Trump trial-related hearings in which Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows argues to move his Georgia trial to federal court and Washington DC judge Tanya Chutkan hears arguments about trial dates for Trump’s January 6 case; the racially motivated deadly shooting in Jacksonville; House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s plans to begin an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden; the confirmed death of Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin and the Russia-Ukraine war; the 60th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr’s march on Washington; and tropical storm Idalia makes its way toward Florida were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

Michael Harrison Says AI is One of the Most Important Talk Topics of Our Times

TALKERS founder Michael Harrison has kicked off a nationwide guesting tour of talk shows promoting discussion of the upside and downside of AI in conjunction with the release of the new song, “I Got a Line in New York City,” by the long-established classic rock group, Gunhill Road. Harrison performs lead vocals on the track performed with band members Steve GoldrichPaul Reisch and Brian Koonin. The music video of the song (produced by Harrison’s son and TALKERS associate publisher Matthew B. Harrison) has been described as a computer’s “fever dream about the Big Apple.” Although the music is totally organic, all of the visual graphics on the video have been assisted in their creation by generative artificial intelligence. Harrison says, “There’s huge interest in the topic of AI including the existential issues of its potential impact on our species. In the art community, debate is raging over whether AI enhances originality and creativity or if it is ushering in the death of individual artists and the role they play in the humanities.” See that video here.

Harrison launched the tour late last week appearing on the Rich Valdes show on Westwood One and has subsequently appeared on network programs hosted by Doug Stephan, Dr. Daliah Wachs, and WABC’s Frank Morano, as well as Harry Hurley on WPG, Atlantic City,  Todd Feinburg on WTIC-AM, Hartford and Michael Zwerling on KSCO, Santa Cruz.  WOR, New York has posted the video and an  accompanying story here.

To book Michael Harrison please call Barbara Kurland at 413-565-5413 or email info@talkers.com

Industry News

Clay Travis Wraps Book Tour at WISN, Milwaukee

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Premiere Networks radio personality Clay Travis – co-host of “The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show” and founder of Outkick Media – is pictured above (left) with U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) (right) in the studios of iHeartMedia’s news/talk WISN, Milwaukee. Travis broadcast his show from the station during his visit to Milwaukee as the final stop on the tour promoting his new book, American Playbook: A Guide to Winning Back the Country from the Democrats (Threshold Editions 2023). Travis hosted Johnson on his program as a preview of the first GOP debate. He closed out the book tour at the city’s historic Pabst Theater, where he discussed the book on stage with WISN personality Dan O’Donnell.

Industry News

Top News/Talk Media Stories for Week of August 21-25

The booking and bond hearings for former President Donald Trump and is numerous co-defendants in the Georgia election case was the most-talked-about story in news/talk media this week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was Wednesday’s GOP debate and the presidential race, followed by the special counsel Hunter Biden investigation at #3. The Talkers TenTM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed in news/talk media during the week and is the result on ongoing research from TALKERS magazine. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. See this week’s complete chart here.

Industry News

Salem Media Group to Sell Greenville-Spartanburg Signals

Salem Media Group announces it is entering into an agreement to transfer the ownership of Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina stations news/talk WGTK-FM, classic hits duo WRTH-FM and WLTE-FM toim
Educational Media Foundation for $6,775,000. Salem Media CEO David Santrella states, “We have enjoyed our years in the Greenville-Spartanburg market but have made the strategic decision to divest our interests there. As we do, we are grateful to be able to place these signals in the hands of Educational Media Foundation who share a like-minded mission with Salem through their music programming. We are also thankful to our Greenville-Spartanburg staff for their many years of service.”
Industry News

Michael Harrison Discusses AI as Used to Create Stunning Images on New Gunhill Road Video

The historic rock band Gunhill Road, of which TALKERS founder Michael Harrison is a member, has just released a new advance track from its forthcoming fifth album. The song, “I Got a Line in New York City,” is a genre-bending combination of jazz, rock, and blues with a Broadway flair. Harrison serves as lead vocalist on the song which he co-wrote with his bandmates Steve GoldrichPaul Reisch and Brian Koonin. Further energized by its provocative music video, “I Got a Line in New York City” is slightly abstract and even mystical – while, simultaneously, heart-tugging and down-to-earth. The engaging narrative puts an ultra-modern-but-somewhat-retro twist on the classic story of a young person (Brando Young) whose lifelong dream of making it on the stage is dashed by the cold, harsh reality of the big time. HERE’S THE HOOK: The visual images that bring stunning dimension to the video were created by human artists – under the direction of the video’s producer, TALKERS associate publisher Matthew B. Harrison – tapping into the assistance of leading-edge generative AI on every panel. Michael Harrison states, “The experience of employing the assistance of ‘generative artificial intelligence’ to render these images of an ‘alternate universe’ version of the Big Apple, sprinkled with bizarre characters and weird technology, has been one of the most exciting, challenging, and educational experiences of my media career. I’m thrilled to be able to go out there now and talk about life-changing AI with this knowledge under my belt.” Harrison is embarking on a mini-media tour to discuss the AI aspect of the video and the sociological implications of this game changer.  To arrange a phone interview with Michael Harrison please call Barbara Kurland at 413-565-5413 or email info@talkers.com.  To view the video, please click here: www.igotaline.com

Industry News

WRNL, Richmond to Launch New Commanders Postgame Show

Audacy announces that sports talk WRNL, Richmond “SportsRadio 910 The Fan” will air the new program “The Postgame Gutcheck,” hosted by station Commanders insider Howard Gutman and his son Collin Gutman after each Commanders game this season. Howard Gutman – who served as Ambassador to Belgium duringim the Obama Administration – is also the host of the programs “As I See It” and “Take My Word for It” on sister news/talk WRVA-AM. Collin Gutman hosts “The Gutcheck” on WRNL. Audacy Richmond SVP and market manager Bennett Zier states, “We’re thrilled to introduce ‘The Postgame Gutcheck’ and give Commanders fans a dedicated space to dissect and digest each game this season. Hosted by the dynamic duo of Ambassador Howard Gutman and his son Collin, this show will be a must-listen for anyone seeking in-depth analysis, insider insights and a passionate breakdown of all things Commanders.”

Industry News

Yesterday’s (8/23) Top News/Talk Media Stories

The 2024 GOP presidential candidates’ debate; former President Donald Trump’s “counterprogramming” interview with Tucker Carlson; the 2020 Georgia election co-conspirators surrender in Fulton County; the special counsel Hunter Biden investigation; Kevin McCarthy’s promise of an impeachment inquiry of President Joe Biden; Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin reportedly dies in a plane crash in Russia; the BRICS summit and U.S.-China relations; Japan begins releasing Fukushima wastewater into the sea were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

Jake Kemp and Dan McDowell Agree to Cease Podcasts Until Mediation with Cumulus

The latest chapter in the disagreement between Cumulus Media’s KTCK-AM/FM, Dallas-Fort Worth and former midday air personalities Jake Kemp and Dan McDowell includes the duo agreeing to not produce any newim podcasts, including “The Dumb Zone,” before they and Cumulus go into mediation over Cumulus’ charge that the two have violate their non-compete and other clauses in their contracts with the company. The court-ordered mediation was moved from yesterday (8/22) to next Tuesday (8/29).

Industry News

Stoney to Exit WXYT-FM, Detroit After the Super Bowl

Longtime Detroit sports talk personality Mike Stone, a.k.a. Stoney, announced to listeners this morning (8/23) that he will leave Audacy’s WXYT-FM “97.1 The Ticket” after the Super Bowl in February. He co-hosts the morning drive show with Jon Jansen. Stoney told his audience he hopes theim Super Bowl will include the Lions, “There is nothing like an NFL run and nothing like knowing your team has a legitimate chance to get to the Super Bowl. I don’t know if they do, but I think it could be the start of a yearly thing. Them getting to the Super Bowl in my last year of doing the morning show, it would be unbelievable. I’d consider myself the lucky charm.” The 64-year-old Stone has been on Detroit sports radio since helping launch the format on WDFN-AM, Detroit in the early 1990s. Stone says he’ll stay with the station as a fill-in host for two more years.

Industry News

Dominick Milano Returns to Katz Media Group in SVP Role

Katz Media Group names Dominick Milano SVP, sales director and programmatic audio lead, effective immediately. He will report to Scott Porretti, president of Katz Digital Audio. Katz says, “Milano is an industry frontrunner at the intersection of audio and technology, with an extensive background in programmatic digitalim audio solutions, audio sales, and industry AdTech.  In his new role, Milano will lead one of Katz’s dedicated digital sales teams and drive Katz’s fast-growing programmatic audio offering, Audiology, the largest programmatic audio marketplace delivering precision data-driven audiences at scale.  Milano says, “The timing of my return could not be any better. Digital audio has grown monumentally through industry innovation and programmatic execution becoming more commonplace. Under Scott Porretti’s leadership, Katz’s digital position is well-established and ready to expand. I’m excited to play a role in its current success and new growth.”

Industry News

Benztown Offers Free Labor Day AudioPack

Radio imaging, voiceover, programming, podcasting, and jingles company Benztown is offering radio stations a free Labor Day Weekend AudioPack. Available now through September 1, the Benztown Labor Day Weekendim AudioPack has 20 pieces of audio available to download including SFX and musicbeds. It includes party ambiance, sunny musicbeds, Labor Day listener drops, glass clinking, beer-drinking, BBQ sizzlin’, pool splashing SFX. Find out more here.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (8/22) Top News/Talk Media Stories

Former President Donald Trump’s co-defendants begin setting bond in Fulton County, Georgia case; Trump’s skipping tonight’s GOP debate and his plans to release a sit-down interview with Tucker Carlson; the 2024 presidential race; the Hunter Biden special counsel investigation; President Joe Biden’s visit to Maui; Vladimir Putin missing from the BRICS summit & the related U.S.-China relations; the Russia-Ukraine war; and the heat dome bringing sweltering conditions to the South and Midwest were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry News

Larry Elder Plans to Sue RNC

Appearing on “The Joe Piscopo Show” on WNYM-AM, New York “AM 970 The Answer” this morning (8/22), former Salem Radio Network host, attorney, and Republican presidential candidate Larry Elder announced hisim plans to sue the Republican National Committee over “their alleged attempt to keep him from participating in Thursday’s debate.” On the program, Elder explained the criteria he has met and why he should be allowed on the debate stage. The AP reports that the RNC qualifications require: polling “at least 1% in three high-quality national polls or a mix of national and early-state polls, between July 1 and Aug. 21, and a minimum of 40,000 donors, with 200 in 20 or more states.”

Industry News

Radio’s Reliance on Power Companies and Internet Impact Ability to Serve

KSCO, Santa Cruz owner Michael Zwerling says as his station prepared to present a program on preparing forim the next big earthquake, ironically, the station lost power numerous times causing continuous off-and-on power situations that impacted the station’s broadcasts. Zwerling says each time the power went out and the generator kicked on – something that happened numerous times – it put stress on the transmitter and the generator. Complicating matters was that the station’s infrastructure – as well as the phone company’s and PG&E’s — is dependent on the internet and that requires consistent power. This puts stations’ abilities to serve at a disadvantage. Zwerling talks about this problem in an audio clip here.

Industry News

Yesterday’s (8/21) Top News/Talk Media Stories

Former President Donald Trump’s legal battles; the 2024 presidential race and Wednesday’s GOP debate in Milwaukee; President Joe Biden visits Maui; the Hunter Biden special counsel investigation; tropical storm Hilary hits California & the Southwest as tropical storm Harold threatens Texas; immigration and border security; and the South and Midwest hit with brutal heat dome were some of the most-talked-about stories in news/talk media yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Industry Views

Radio to the Rescue: Maui KAOI Radio Stations Air 24/7 Disaster Coverage

As Southern California radio is currently diving into the process of serving its communities with supportive coverage of Hurricane Hilary’s devastating floods and wind damage, Hawaiian radio stations have stepped up the plate and offering vital support to its listeners. Once again, the medium of radio provides reliable and accurate information to populations under the threat of natural disasters.

The KAOI Radio Group on Maui consists of six legacy Maui County stations, four FMs – KAOI-FM, KDLX-FM, KNUQ-FM, KHEI-FM, and two AM stations, Maui’s only news/talk station KAOI-AM, and Hawaiian music KEWE-AM. The group has translators further solidifying its coverage all of Maui County.  The group is locally owned by Visionary Related Entertainment, based on Maui since 1988.

Coverage of the fires began when the first alert was issued for the Lahaina fire and later confirmed as “contained” only to have it restart later. Local coverage of the “up country” fire in the Kula area continued non-stop with intensive service to Lahaina as soon as the fire was confirmed as having restarted. The stations relied on coverage by AM station morning newsman Jack Gist, afternoon and evening host Garry Forsberg, and group president/GM/owner John Detz. Live reports around the Island were supplied by local talk show hosts including head of the Maui Chamber of CommerceMaui Humane Society, local attorney David Cain, Maui Mayor Richard Bissen, and many others. All stations have remained on the air 24/7 reporting breaking news and community resource information.

TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison obtained an exclusive interview with group owner John Detz conducted yesterday (Sunday 8/20). Listen to their conversation here.

Industry News

Erick Erickson’s Gathering Draws Almost 1,000 to Atlanta

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WSB-AM/WSBB-FM, Atlanta-based, nationally syndicated talk radio host Erick Erickson presented “The Erick Erickson Show Gathering” in Atlanta last Thursday through Saturday (8/17-19) that drew almost 1,000 of Erickson’s listeners from his markets across the country. During the event, Erickson conducted 16 hours of interviews with GOP presidential candidates including Chris Christie, Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Mike Pence, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Tim Scott, and Senators Tom Cotton (AR) and Joni Ernst (IA) plus Congressman Rich McCormick (GA); and Governors Brian Kemp (GA) and Glenn Youngkin (VA). Press from six countries covered the event and more than 90 local television and radio markets ran stories about the event. Erickson says, “Bringing my audience from across America together to be up close with presidential contenders and conservative leaders is something no one else does. This was my tenth time since starting my show on WSB. Since going into syndication with Compass Media earlier this year, it just made sense to expand the footprint of the Gathering to all my listeners and online readers nationwide. We kept the ticket price very low and relied on sponsors because we didn’t want to burden the audience. The conference isn’t intended to be a profit center. It’s to build lasting relationships with affiliates, listeners, and readers.” Pictured above is Erickson (left) interviewing Governor Youngkin (center) and Governor Kemp (right).