Tag: Jim Matthews

Front Page News Industry News

Tuesday, September 27, 2022

By Editor | by Editor

Salem Tampa Bay Prepares for Hurricane Ian. Pictured above is Salem Media Group Tampa chief engineer Robert Hailey (right) leading his engineering team installing plywood panels over doors and windows at the company’s Tampa radio stations – the home base for the Salem Radio Network nationally syndicated “Mike Gallagher Show” – as they prepare for the arrival of Hurricane Ian.

Deni Lang Named Promotions and Marketing Director for SummitMedia Richmond. Radio pro Denise “Deni” Lang is named promotions and marketing director for SummitMedia LLC’s Richmond station group that includes sports talk WURV-HD2 “ESPN Richmond” and four music brands. Summit VP of events and promotions Justin Ragland says. “We are fortunate that Deni is both a radio pro and has a proven track record of success in this market. Her relationships in Richmond run deep and her experience promises to bring an exciting future of innovative radio promotions for our team.” Lang joins SummitMedia from Audacy’s crosstown CHR WRVQ-FM where she served as brand manager. She says, “I’m excited to join SummitMedia and work with an incredible group of people that genuinely loves radio and has a passion to work hard. I plan to build upon the achievements of this team and help drive ratings and revenue for this amazing cluster.”

Paul Gallant Goes Solo on KFNC-FM, Houston. Houston sports talk personality Paul Gallant is now hosting the 10:00 am to 12:00 noon show on Gow Media’s KFNC-FM/K223CW “ESPN 97.5 & 92.5.” He’d been co-hosting the program with Vanessa Richardson since February of this year, but she exits KFNC to focus on her role with regional network AT&T SportsNet, where she’s been hosting pre- and post-game shows for Houston Astros broadcasts. KFNC general manger Todd Farquharson says, “We’re excited to have Paul host his own show. He’s super creative, energetic, and likeable. He’ll get the audience involved and have fun.” Gallant comments, “You know what I’ve always loved about sports/talk radio? That it’s interactive. Whether through a phone call, text message, tweet or on Twitch, it’s the best place for sports fans to come together and celebrate…or vent. And that’s what ‘The Paul Gallant Show’ is going to be… Houston’s platform to talk about its teams. THE most interactive sports talk show in Houston.”

Linsey Davis Anchoring ABC News Radio Newscast. Yesterday afternoon, “ABC News Live Prime” and “World News Tonight – Sunday” anchor Linsey Davis began delivering the top stories on ABC News Radio’s national 5:00 pm ET newscast. She’ll continue to anchor the newscast Mondays through Thursdays each week. The live newscast is available to affiliates across the ABC News Radio network and is distributed as a podcast updated hourly on all major podcast platforms. Davis anchors “ABC News Live Prime with Linsey Davis,” which is ABC News Live’s first-ever streaming evening newscast, and “World News Tonight – Sunday.” She also serves as a correspondent filing reports for “World News Tonight with David Muir,” “Good Morning America,” “20/20” and “Nightline.” ABC Audio VP Liz Alesse says, “Linsey is the triple threat of ABC News. She anchors the evening news on broadcast TV, ABC’s live streaming channel and now on radio. It’s a testament to her dedication to reaching audiences across the country on all platforms.”

Suspect in Death of WWJ, Detroit Anchor Jim Matthews Arraigned. According to a report by WJBK-TV, Detroit “FOX2 News,” the suspect in the murder of WWJ-AM, Detroit overnight news anchor Jim Matthews was arraigned on one count of first-degree homicide, homicide felony murder, two counts of intent to murder, and three counts of unlawful imprisonment. Although described as someone who was “welcomed in as a guest in the home” of Matthews, 55-year-old Arthur Williamson has a lengthy criminal record, including convictions for assaulting police, assault with intent to commit murder, and kidnapping. He was previously released from prison in 2018. In addition to Matthews’ death, a 10-year-old child is still in critical condition due to blunt force trauma and Matthews’ girlfriend Nichole Guertin is in stable condition after suffering stab wounds. The couple’s five-year-old daughter was unharmed. Authorities say they are “still piecing together the timeline,” and say there is “limited clarity” because the victims are still hospitalized.

WTOP and PodcastOne Announce Season 3 of ‘American Nightmare Series.’ Washington, DC all-news outlet WTOP-FM and PodcastOne announce the return of their award-winning podcast, “American Nightmare Series.” This season, the program is titled, “American Nightmare Series: Unknown Subject” as it focuses on a man who terrorized women across the D.C. area for nine years. It started with breaking into homes and raping his victims, then ended with the killing of a brilliant scientist near the gates of Georgetown University in 1998. Before the FBI would name him the infamous Potomac River Rapist, detectives simply called him their “unknown subject.” For nearly three decades, detectives had no idea who he was until a bike cop named Smugs began connecting the dots and finally cracked the case. Veteran D.C. crime reporter Paul Wagner hosts the program. WTOP director of news & programming Julia Ziegler says, “Paul has done it again. He is such a great storyteller. Listeners will be captivated from the first minute of episode 1.”

Economy/Inflation, Trump Legal Issues, Midterms/2024 Presidential Race, Immigration, Hurricane Ian Aims for Tampa, Russia-Ukraine War, European Politics, and NASA’s DART Mission Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (9/26). Inflation, the sell-off on the world’s financial markets, and threats of a recession; former President Donald Trump’s New York civil suit and the DOJ’s documents investigation; the November midterm elections and the potential nominees for president in 2024; the Biden administration’s immigration policy and the transporting of migrants; Hurricane Ian hits western Cuba and threatens the Tampa Bay area; Vladimir Putin’s threat of nuclear force in the Ukraine war; concerns about a neo-fascist trend in European politics after Giorgia Meloni leads the conservative alliance to victory in Italian elections; and NASA’s DART mission hits an asteroid in an attempt to change its course were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.

Front Page News Industry News

Monday, September 26, 2022

By Editor | by Editor

Monday Memo: You Don’t Say. Are you speaking the way listeners hear? In this week’s column, consultant Holland Cooke – a “recovering English teacher” – flags five common faux pas. Read it here.

 

Pending Business: The Assumptive Renewal. Radio sales pro Steve Lapa says the client you currently have is the most efficient next sale you will make. So, don’t assume you’ll get that renewal and work to make it more beneficial for the client and for the station. He offers eight steps to servicing that relationship here.

Report: KEGL-FM, Dallas to Flip to Sports Talk as ‘The Freak.’ As reported by Richie Whitt at SI’s Cowboys Country site, iHeartMedia’s classic rock KEGL-FM, Dallas “97.1 The Eagle” will flip to sports talk as “97.1 The Freak” and former crosstown KTCK personality Mike Rhyner is coming out of retirement to host a show on the station. The story indicates that “Ben and Skin” – Ben Rogers and Jeff “Skin” Wade – will remain on the new station and will be joined by Dallas sports talk personalities including Jeff Cavanaugh, Julie Dobbs, and Mike Sirois. Whitt says the station should debut this week. Rhyner retired from KTCK “The Ticket” in January of 2020. It also notes that iHeartMedia acquired the domain 971TheFreak.com on September 9.

Report: Changes at Miami Sports Talkers WQAM and WAXY. The Miami Herald reports that Audacy is making lineup changes at its Miami sports talkers WQAM and WAXY “790 The Ticket.” The company dropped Jonathan Zaslow’s “Zaslow Show” on Friday (9/23) and moved WAXY morning personalities Brendan Tobin and Leroy Hoard to the 10:00 am to 12:00 noon daypart. Zaslow tweeted: “Today was the last day for the ‘Zaslow Show’ on local Miami radio. 18 years, very good run. Thanks to all my listeners!!!” The story also indicates that “The Joe Rose Show” morning show on WQAM will now be simulcast on “790 The Ticket” to replace the Tobin and Hoard show. Changes are expected to take place on October 3.

WWJ, Detroit’s Jim Matthews Victim of Attempted Murder-Suicide. According to a report by NBC News, WWJ-AM, Detroit overnight news anchor Jim Matthews died at his home in Chesterfield Township, Michigan on Friday in what is being described as an attempted murder-suicide. The report says that three other victims, including Matthews’ two children, were involved and have been hospitalized. The authorities say a 35-year-old woman escaped the scene with her 5-year-old daughter, flagged down a driver who called police. The police found Matthews and a 10-year old boy who was bound and in a closet. The boy is in critical condition. The police also found the 54-year-old suspect who was suffering from a self-inflicted wound and is in stable condition. Police say the suspect was known to the victims and frequently visited the home. The Audacy all-news station tweeted: “He would often speak with his co-workers about his love for his two children, and their adventures at school. He loved delivering the latest news to his listeners, and was incredibly dedicated to WWJ and the broadcasting industry. There have been many tears shed in our newsroom today and Jim will be greatly missed.”

TALKERS News Notes. Numerous media outlets, including Midwest Communications’ news/talk WSAU-AM, Wausau, Wisconsin are reporting that Brett Favre’s sports talk appearances are being suspended as the investigation into a welfare scandal in Mississippi that allegedly involves him has come to light. SiriusXM announced that Favre’s program on the satellite service is “on hold” as are Favre’s appearances on Good Karma Brands’ WKTI-FM “ESPN Milwaukee.” As the story unfolds, it appears Favre was aware that the money he was paid for speeches was actually meant for low-income families. Favre’s attorney has said that Favre did not knowingly take money meant for welfare recipients…..Former WHO, Des Moines personality Justin Brady launches “The Iowa Podcast.” The new, weekly show includes a 30-minute discussion with “Iowans who are at the forefront of business, culture or news.”

The Economy/Fed Raises Rates, Trump Legal Issues, Immigration, Russia-Ukraine War, Urban Crime, Midterms/2024 Presidential Race, Italy Elections, Iran Protests, and Hurricanes Fiona and Ian Among Top News/Talk Stories Over the Weekend. The record high inflation in the U.S. and abroad, the sell-off on the world’s financial markets, and the Fed’s raising interest rates; former President Donald Trump’s New York civil suit and the DOJ’s documents investigation; the Biden administration’s immigration policy and the transporting of migrants; Vladimir Putin’s threat of nuclear force in the Ukraine war; the rate of violent crime in America’s urban centers; the November midterm elections and the potential nominees for president in 2024; Giorgia Meloni leads the conservative alliance to victory in Italian elections; Iranians continue protests after death of Mahsa Amini while in custody of the morality police; and Hurricane Fiona hits Canada as Hurricane Ian threatens Cuba and Florida were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio over the weekend, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.