Industry News

Wayne Allyn Root to Launch New Show on Real America’s Voice TV

Nationally syndicated talk radio host Wayne Allyn Root is launching a new TV show to his hosting duties. The program “America Speaks with Wayne Allyn Root” debuts on Monday (6/1) on Real America’s Voice TV at 10:00 pm ET. Root has been hosting the weekend program “America’s Top Ten Countdown with imgWayne Allyn Root” Saturdays at 12:00 noon for the past four years. The new show will be caller-based, something that Root says has rarely been done on television. He tells TALKERS he tested the caller-based model on a special show last month and received 21,000 calls. Root comments, “The people of America are angry, disillusioned, motivated, and intensely focused on national politics. They want to have their say. They want their ‘15 minutes of fame.’ This is their soapbox. Anyone and everyone will now get to talk with Wayne Allyn Root and give their opinions live on national TV.”

Industry News

Andy Hooser Show Goes National Via Talk Media Network

Wichita-based talk radio host Andy Hooser announces that his radio program “The Voice of Reason with Andy Hooser” is going intoimg syndication via Talk Media Network. The program will be fed live weekdays from 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm ET. Hooser says his program is a “one-hour conservative talk program that focuses on recapping the day’s events and brings a fresh perspective on the big stories of the day with fun conversation and great daily guests.” The program is based at Steckline Communications’ KQAM, Wichita where he serves as operations manager.

Industry News

Dan Bongino to Resign from FBI Gig; Return to Media Considered Likely

Former Cumulus Media | Westwood One talk radio host and current FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino announced yesterday that he will resign from the in January. He made theimg announcement via a post on X, saying: “I will be leaving my position with the FBI in January. I want to thank President Trump, AG Bondi, and Director Patel for the opportunity to serve with purpose. Most importantly, I want to thank you, my fellow Americans, for the privilege to serve you. God bless America, and all those who defend Her.” President Trump commented on Bongino’s departure saying, “Dan did a great job. I think he wants to go back to his show.” Now, the speculation begins as most industry watchers expect Bongino to return to the conservative talk media ecosystem, where will he resume his media career?

Industry News

Curtis Sliwa to Guest Host on WOR, New York

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New York talk radio host (and Gurdian Angels founder) Curtis Sliwa is getting back behind the mic in NYC for the first time since his unsuccessful bid for mayor. Sliwa – who most recently was hosting a daily show on WABC – will sit in for Mark Simone on iHeartMedia’s WOR December 22 through January 2. Sliwa said he would never return to WABC after the station supported Democrat Andrew Cuomo in the recent mayoral race. Pictured above is WOR program director Tom Cuddy (right) with Sliwa (left). Cuddy says, “Curtis is a true New York original. His energy, knowledge of the city and ability to connect with listeners make him one of the most compelling voices in talk radio. We’re excited to have him on WOR for the holidays.” Sliwa comments, “I’m honored to fill in for Mark Simone. I have worked with him. I have competed against him. He has more connections to those in-the-know than anyone in New York City. I have been in talk radio for 36 years, but ironically it all began when I was a guest on the Arlene Francis show on WOR in 1971. I’ve been talking on the radio ever since, and it doesn’t get any better than to do it back on WOR, where it all started for me.”

Industry News

Talk Host David Gold Dies at 75

The details are few, but former longtime talk radio host David Gold has died at age 75. Goldimg launched his career in the late 1970s in Denver. He would go on to work at WPLP-AM, Tampa before moving to KLIF, Dallas where he was on air from 1986 to 1997. Dallas talk radio host Mark Davis posted the following to X: “A giant loss in the talk radio family.  My friend David Gold, a trailblazer in our format, a conservative warrior without peer, and the north star of the art form on KLIF when I arrived back in my native Texas in 1994.  David has passed at 75.  Rest in peace, my brother.”

Industry News

Todd Starnes Feeds 1,000 Federal Agents

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Pictured above is nationally syndicated talk radio host and owner of news/talk KWAM, Memphis Todd Starnes (left) with U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi (right) in Memphis where some 1,000 federal agents gathered as part of the Memphis Safe Task Force. Starnes tells TALKERS that he received a call from the White House asking if he would be interested in providing a meal to the agents. He agreed and provided a home-cooked meal to the 1,000-plus agents along with Bondi, HUD Secretary Scott Turner, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Senator Marsha Blackburn and Senator Bill Hagerty.

Industry News

Dr. Daliah Wachs Show Supports Magical Forest Charity Event

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Pictured above is nationally syndicated talk radio host Dr. Daliah Wachs with her show’s Christmas tree at Opportunity Village’s Magical Forest event in Southern Nevada that runs from Thanksgiving through the New Year. Dr. Wachs tells TALKERS that Opportunity Village helps those with intellectual disabilities and their families through enrichment, empowerment, and employment programs and services. Sponsors like her decorate a tree that comprises a huge beautiful magical forest that serves as a major fundraiser for their programs and employment placement. She says, “It’s super cool and our show has helped support their mission for years. We create a ‘medical’ tree with an EKG sign and its one of our favorite local charities we support.”

Industry News

Ross Kaminsky Moves to AM Drive at KOA, Denver

Denver talk radio host Ross Kaminsky reveals changes coming to iHeartMedia’s news/talk KOA-AM/K231BQ effective November 10. Kaminsky will move from his late morning daypart toimg morning drive (6:00 am to 9:00 am). Sister KHOW talk host Michael Brown will take over the 9:00 am to 12:00 noon slot on KOA. Kaminsky says in a social media post, “This will be the first time in decades (or maybe ever, I really don’t know) that KOA has a talk show in ‘morning drive.’ We’ll keep bringing you plenty of news but now we’re doing it in a show that also talks about the news (and lots of other things…the show won’t be very different from my current show.) Psyched to be embarking on this project with @JeanaGondek who I always have so much fun bantering with. The show will be fun, informative, and entertaining…at least that’s the goal!” Kaminsky says the “Colorado’s Morning News” program featuring Gondek will air from 5:00 am to 6:00 am.

Industry News

Iowa Rep Announces Senate Bid on Conway Show

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Pictured above broadcasting live on WHO, Des Moines; WMT, Cedar Rapids; and WOC, Davenport from the Iowa State Fair is talk radio host Simon Conway (right) with U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA) (left) as she announces her bid for the U.S. Senate seat that current Senator Joni Ernst will leave at the end of her term in 2026. Conway says, “Quite the honor to be the exclusive home for such a major announcement.”

Industry News

Thomas Adds Saturday Show to TMN Offering

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Talk radio host Joe Thomas says his Talk Media Network-syndicated program “First Thing Today” is launching a live Saturday morning edition beginning August 2. Thomas says, “The workplace paradigm has changed. Most Americans work just as much on Saturday as they do Monday-Friday, so they need to be up on the news and need a chance to talk about it just as much then.” He notes that his first affiliate for this Saturday edition is JVC Broadcasting’s WRCN, Riverhead, New York (Long Island). Thomas says, “WRCN is where my career really took off. I learned so much there, met my wife there, had our first child while I was there so it was a thrill to hear that John Caracciolo and JVC were bringing me back to 103.9 FM on Long Island for the first time since 1995!” Stations interested in the show can inquire via: willis@talkmedianetwork.com.

Industry News

St. Louis Talk Host Witnesses Israel-Iran Conflict

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St. Louis talk radio host Chris Arps – co-host of the “Tim Jones & Chris Arps” show on News/Talk STL (KLJY-HD3/K270BW/KNBS-FM) – was witness to the violence in Israel during a trip to the region. FOX2 Now reports that Arps and his wife are among those who had been taking cover in underground bomb shelters in Israel during their trip. They were traveling with a group that was able to make it out of the region by taking a bus to Jordan. Arps tells FOX2 that he was on a “once-in-a-lifetime trip with a group called ‘Heroes to Heroes’ to see the holy sites in Israel with veterans suffering from PTSD. The trip’s overall goal was to promote spiritual healing.” See the FOX2 Now report here.

Industry News

Tom Sullivan Announces Semi-Retirement from Daily Radio Show

Nationally syndicated talk radio host Tom Sullivan announces that he is going to semi-retire from the business and his daily talk radio program distributed by Talk Media Network will end on May 30. Sullivanimg says, “I am going to hang up the microphone… not completely… this show will come to a screeching halt on May 30. After that going to dabble in world of podcasting… I feel fine, feel healthy, and want to go out on top. I’ve been doing radio for 45 years… how grateful I am for each and every one of you. It’s time to move down the road and take the microphone from radio to podcast.” Sullivan – a successful financial services advisor – began his radio career in 1980 on KFBK, Sacramento doing daily business news reports. He expanded to hosting a general topic talk show first as a fill-host before getting his own program. He would often fill in for Rush Limbaugh on his syndication show and Sullivan later became one of the original hosts on FOX Business Network.

Industry News

Talk Radio Host Joe Pags Swatted; Armed Police Swarm His Home

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Nationally syndicated talk radio host Joe “Pags” Pagliarulo’s home was swatted last week, bringing heavily armed police officers to his home at 2:35 in the morning. Pags recounted the events for his listeners and posted video of the segment to X. In it, says that he’s usually up until 5:00 am and therefore was awake when his cameras app told him there was something outside his house. Hisimg camera app showed the image you see in the photo here – a man who appears dressed as a cop with an AR-15 outside his house. Pags says he quickly called 911, identified himself, told the operator he thought he was being swatted and asked if the police were at his house. After confirming that it was the police, Pags was able to get the officers to stand down and they were assured there was no reason to be there. Pags tells his listeners that the goal of the swatters was to get him to grab his gun and go outside, in which case he likely would have been killed. You can listen to the show segment here.

Industry News

Dr. Asa Featured in Ongoing TNA Wrestling Storyline

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Nationally syndicated talk radio and talk TV star Dr. Asa (Asa Andrew, MD) has been developing a side career in the professional wrestling business in which he plays the roles of a ringside physician. You can see him in this current developing storyline at TNA Wrestling in which he’s confronted by female wrestling star Tessa Blanchard. See the video here.

Industry News

Chris Krok Exits WBAP, Dallas

Talk radio host Chris Krok has exited Cumulus Media’s WBAP, Dallas-Fort Worth where he’s been the evening host for the past 13 years. Prior to that, Krok hosted the afternoon show at sister KLIF-AM. He alsoimg did editorials on WFAA-TV, Dallas for six years. Krok shared the following message via his social media: “It’s been an amazing 15-year run at the biggest news/talk station in America’s 4th largest market. We’ve gotten to know each other so well, and I can’t wait to share the airwaves again, doing what God made me to do – tell stories, react to life, and have fun together.” Krok tells TALKERS that he has a nice home studio where he fills in on network and local shows. He says he’s available for fill-in work and is ready to talk about his next opportunity. Reach him at: kroktalk@protonmail.com.

Industry News

Mississippi Talk Host Paul Gallo Dies at 77

According to a report in Mississippi Today, longtime talk radio host Paul Gallo died on Sunday (1/19). Theimg cause of death is not revealed in the story. Gallo’s program, “The Gallo Radio Show,” aired on the SuperTalk network of talk stations across the state. The network issued a statement saying, “For over five decades, Paul didn’t just talk about Mississippi — he helped shape its story. Paul dedicated his life to his listeners, his state, and the pursuit of the truth. From DJ to program director, from sales and management to ownership, Paul mastered every facet of the industry.”

Industry News

Trump-Backing Talker John Fredericks Dubs Project 2025 a “Grifter Sh*t Show”

On the heels of the resignation of Paul Dans, who served as the director of the Heritage Foundation’s controversial Project 2025, talk radio host and broadcasting entrepreneur John Fredericks is calling Project 2025 “an unauthorized grifter sh*t show that was generated by The Heritage Foundation for the sole purpose of raising money.” Fredericks is a dyed-in-the-wool Donald Trump supporter and operator of 10 conservativeim news/talk stations plus the John Fredericks Radio Network. He adds, “This undertaking was never authorized, sanctioned, or endorsed by President Trump or his campaign. Despite several very direct public communications disavowing any affiliation by Trump campaign senior staff, the fake news continued to propagate phony stories, which The Heritage Foundation and their Project 2025 leaders were willing and happy to substantiate. Sources say President Trump made the decision to shut it down himself. Good riddance to yet another grift charade using Trump to raise money.” TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison commented on Fredericks’ statement saying, “It has been disturbing watching the once-honored think tank known for its even-handed academic fastidiousness devolve into what is now perceived as just another fund-raising propaganda machine in the mud-slinging political wars. This is the kind of credibility squandering that damages the true American conservative moment and people’s confidence in all political organizations.”

Industry News

Mike Church Show to Give Away a New Car

Nationally syndicated talk radio host Mike Church says his program will give away a brand-new 2024im Kia Sportage on July 4, 2024. Church explains, “We want to provide our listeners with a good, old-fashioned, fun on-air radio contest with the kind of grand prize that Makes Radio Contests Great Again. Listeners can compete each day during the contest to win a free sweepstakes ticket, or they can purchase discounted tickets in our Founders Tradin’ Post Store by using a special code that we’ll announce each day.” Church’s program airs live daily from 7:00 am to 10:00 am ET on his CRUSADE Radio Network.

Industry News

Former OK City Talk Host Carole Arnold Dies at 85

The Oklahoman reports that former Oklahoma City talk radio host Carole Arnold died last Friday at age 85 after a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Arnold worked for then-Clear Channel Communications for about 20 years, including eight as a host at news/talk KTOK. She left KTOK in 1996 and later worked at KNOR, Norman and KOMA, Oklahoma City (now KOKC). Read the full obit here.

Industry News

Todd Starnes Speaks at Reagan Ranch

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Pictured above is nationally syndicated talk radio host Todd Starnes delivering the keynote address at the Young America’s Foundation’s National High School Conference at the Reagan Ranch in Santa Barbara, California. All students received a copy of Starnes’ newest book, Twilight’s Last Gleaming: Can America Be Saved? (Post Hill Press 2023), based on a speech delivered by President Ronald Reagan.

Industry News

Larry Young Returns to Air on WOLB, Baltimore

Baltimore talk radio host Larry Young returns to Urban One’s WOLB-AM, Baltimore as host of the 4:00im pm to 6:00 pm show. Young served for years as the station’s morning drive host and retired from that position at the end of 2022. Young has been producing a weekly podcast that drops Wednesday mornings, a project he will continue.

Industry News

Wayne Allyn Root, “We Did This!”

Las Vegas-based, nationally syndicated talk radio host Wayne Allyn Root celebrates the 8th anniversary of his talk radio show (2/7). The anniversary coincides with the Nevada GOP primary that saw GOPim candidate Nikki Haley come in behind “None of the Above Candidates.” (“None of the Above Candidates” is choice that has been on Nevada ballots since 1975.)  Root tells TALKERS that he came up with the strategy of convincing his audience to vote “None of the Above” to support Donald Trump and claims, “This is Exhibit A for the power of talk radio. Look at the vote totals. The number of ‘None of the Above’ voters almost exactly matches the number of listeners to my Vegas and statewide Nevada radio show. We did this. My Nevada audience almost single-handedly ended Nikki’s presidential ambitions.”

Industry News

Industry and Nation Mourn Death of Joe Madison

Talk radio host Joe Madison – also known for much of his career as The Black Eagle – died on Thursday (2/1) at 74 after a battle with cancer. His family released the following statement: “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our beloved husband and father, Joe Madison. He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family. Joe dedicated his life to fighting for all those who are undervalued, underestimated, and marginalized. On air he often posed the question, ‘What are you going to do about it?’ Although he is no longer with us, we hope you will join us in answering that call by continuing to be proactive in the fight against injustice. The outpouring of prayers and support over the last few months lifted Joe’s spirits and strengthened us as a family. We continue to ask for privacy as we gather together to support each other through this difficult time.” Madison had been hosting the morning drive program on SiriusXM’s Urban View channel since 2008. Before he went into radio, Madison had become the youngest Detroit NAACP chapter leader at 24 years old. While Madison dabbled in radio while at Washington University in St. Louis, he first worked in commercial radio at Detroit’s WXYZ. From there he hosted a show on WWDB-FM, Philadelphia before moving to Washington, DC for a long stint at WWRC. He moved across town to Radio One-owned WOL, Washington where he hosted the afternoon drive show and served as program director. At this time, Radio One began syndicating his show nationally and it was simultaneously added to the lineup at SiriusXM. TALKERS founder Michael Harrison issued the following statement: “Joe Madison was one of the greatest of the greats among radio talk show hosts of the modern era. He transcended the role of ‘talent’ to rise among the ranks of America’s most influential civil rights thought leaders. His devoted following crossed the boundaries of race, age, gender, and politics. During his illustrious career, in addition to receiving countless awards in the fields of broadcasting and activism, he was a recipient of TALKERS magazine’s two most important honors, the Freedom of Speech Award and the Humanitarian of the Year Award. I am humbled to have had the privilege of this great man’s friendship for more than three decades and will treasure his inspiring memory for the rest of my days.”

Industry News

Talk Host Mark Simone Inks New Deal with WOR, New York

New York City talk radio personality Mark Simone signs a new, three-year deal with iHeartMedia’s news/talk 710 WOR to continue hosting the 10:00 am to 12:00 noon show. Simone says, “There’s no betterim place to be in the radio world than iHeartRadio. Thanks to the finest broadcasting executives around, Tom Cuddy, Thea Mitchem and Bernie Weiss for making it all happen. Walking to work every day is like walking through the Radio Hall of Fame. Just to get to my studio, I pass Elvis Duran, Jim Kerr, Charlamagne tha God, Angela Yee and other all-stars.” WOR program director Tom Cuddy adds, “When I joined WOR almost 11 years ago, Mark was my first hire. Since then, it’s been a blast watching Mark grow into becoming the highest-rated radio talk host in his time slot, along with digital numbers that are among the highest in the country.”

EDITOR’S APOLOGY:  The above story about Mark Simone’s new contract at WOR originally ran yesterday (9/5) in TALKERS.  Unfortunately, our art department utilized a combination of hand-rendered illustration, CGI and AI in creating a headline banner image that apparently missed its mark.  The premise was to depict Simone as the proverbial “800 pound gorilla” of New York radio in which his avatar – a Simone lookalike – inspired by the legend of King Kong, was depicted as a determined figure climbing the Empire State Building.  As it turned out, the King Kong reference was not clear to our readers because there was no actual ape depicted and Simone received a large number of emails telling him that TALKERS ran a photo of the wrong guy.  We meant it to be a caricature but our creative plan backfired.  Simone was upset by the image telling TALKERS, “I have had dozens of caricatures done of me in the past. They are usually somewhat cute.  Never had a problem with them. Yours looked hideous and really cheap. When radio people try to do it, they have no skill at it… no one thought it was a caricature and no one thought it was me. The 13 emails I got from radio execs asked me why you used a picture of someone else, so they never thought for a second it was supposed to be a caricature and no one noticed anything to do with the Empire State Building.”  TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison issued the following statement, “Simone is right.  Looking back at it now, with the increased objectivity of having a full day to think it over, I can understand why he was upset, although there was nothing specifically disparaging about the image. It just wasn’t clear that it was meant to be him and that he was supposed to be climbing a building in an iconic scenario.  After all, a media personality’s sound and image are their brand and they must be protective of its depiction.  We have subsequently pulled the banner from the website and replaced it with a more standard format with the same copy but a different graphic (see above).  The irony is Mark Simone and I have been friendly for more than three decades and I’ve often stated that he is one of the greatest and most successful radio personalities in New York and the nation, not to mention a top notch human being. I still think that.  All of us at TALKERS deeply regret this mistake which was the result of an overly-zealous attempt at being creative. In the world of publicity there’s the old saying ‘as long as they spell your name correctly.’ Well, I guess in this case we spelled Mark Simone’s face wrong.”

Industry News

Karen Knotts is This Week’s Guest on Harrison Podcast

Author/actress/stand-up comic and aspiring talk radio host Karen Knotts is this week’s guest on the PodcastOne series “The Michael Harrison Interview.” According to Harrison, “You never know who you are going to meet at the TALKERS conference. I had the good fortune of crossing paths with the delightful, articulate and notably talented daughter of one of the 20th century’s most beloved show business icons and immediately booked her for the podcast. We had a great conversation!” Karen Knotts is the daughter of the legendary actor/comedian Don Knotts of the Andy Griffith Show and Three’s Company fame who passed away in 2006 at the age of 81. Karen Knotts is an actress, author, stand-up comic, former librarian and, as Harrison describes, “an all-around positive, fun person with lots to say about lots of things.” During the pandemic, Knotts finally had the opportunity to pen the book everyone’s been telling her to write about her memories of life growing up in California as the daughter of one of America’s funniest and most iconic entertainers – Tied Up in Knotts: My Dad and Me (Chicago Review Press, 2021). She’s been touring the country with an informative and funny one-woman show based on the book and her experiences growing up with a famous father. Harrison and Knotts discuss her life with a show biz dad, along with anecdotes about her encounters with celebrities and her interest in talk radio, covering topics such as the evolution of public libraries in the digital era, changes in TV over the years and dealing with the present-day cultural abuse of the name “Karen.” Listen to the podcast in its entirety here.