Tag: "Tony Rizzo"
Thursday, July 30, 2020
Herman Cain Dies After Battle with COVID-19. Business executive, talk radio host, and former Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain has died after an almost monthlong battle with COVID-19. Cain, 74, was admitted to the hospital around July 2. He’d
traveled from his home base of Atlanta, appearing at President Trump’s Tulsa rally (where he was photographed not wearing a mask) and also visited the Phoenix area. The Herman Cain website states, “We knew when he was first hospitalized with COVID-19 that this was going to be a rough fight. He had trouble breathing and was taken to the hospital by ambulance. We all prayed that the initial meds they gave him would get his breathing back to normal, but it became clear pretty quickly that he was in for a battle.” Cain had a history of cancer. For years, he hosted a radio talk show on Cox Media Group’s WSB-AM/WSBB-FM, Atlanta — taking over the late morning daypart previously occupied by Neal Boortz — and was in national syndication for a period of time. Recently, he’d been doing a talk show available via his website. TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison states, “We in the talk media industry have lost one of our own with the tragic passing of Herman Cain. He was not only a luminous example of the African American entrepreneurial spirit and largely unheralded conservative political influence, but he was also an accomplished, dedicated talk show host who rose to the heights of the Heavy Hundred for his successful work at WSB and presence in national syndication. He was on the verge of adding yet another chapter to his talk media career with a new show on Newsmax TV. It is a shame our industry has lost such an important voice and yet another stark example of why we must take this wretched virus seriously.”
Urban One Reports Second Quarter Net Revenue Down 37.5%. The first big radio company out of the gate with Q2 2020 financial data is Urban One, Inc. – parent of Radio One. The company reports that net revenue was approximately $76 million, a decrease of 37.5% from the same period in 2019. Broadcast and digital operating income was approximately $30.2 million, a decrease of 33.1%. Operating income was approximately $20.4 million compared to approximately $29.1 million for the same period in 2019. Urban One CEO and president Alfred C. Liggins, III says, “The
economic impact of Covid-19 is fully evident in our second quarter numbers: radio advertising was down 51%, and event revenues were -96% year over year. Our TV and digital businesses fared better, with TV advertising revenue down 4.4% and digital -20%, highlighting the benefits of our diversified media asset base. We had to make tough decisions to reduce costs, and I am proud of how our team, including on-air talent, made sacrifices and worked diligently to keep us operating smoothly through the pandemic. With the issue of racial equality featuring so prominently around the world, it is critical that diverse voices continue to be heard and I thank all our staff and talent for their exceptional work engaging with our audience and clients. The outlook for the rest of 2020 remains uncertain, but I anticipate a similar pattern of strong performance from our TV business offsetting some of the weakness in radio advertising and events. On a same station basis, our Q3 core radio business is currently pacing -41% and we continue to see sequential improvement. Our cost saving measures remain in place, liquidity is strong with $70 million of cash on the balance sheet, and I firmly believe that Urban One will continue to successfully navigate our way through these unprecedented times.”
Good Karma Brands Recognizes Mike Golic’s ESPN Radio Career. Tomorrow (7/31) is the last day of ESPN’s “Golic and Wingo” morning radio program as the company’s new radio programming schedule begins on Monday (8/3). While Trey Wingo’s future
with the company is unknown at this time, Mike Golic is transitioning to a position as a college football analyst with ESPN and in recognition of his radio work, Good Karma Brands’ ESPN radio stations are celebrating his 22 years in mornings on ESPN Radio with “22 hours of Golic.” Good Karma Brands’ ESPN stations in Chicago, Cleveland, Milwaukee, Madison, and West Palm Beach will be featuring memories, pictures, videos, and stories from his career. Additionally, Golic will also be interviewed on 850 ESPN Cleveland’s “The Really Big Show” with Tony Rizzo and Aaron Goldhammer today (7/30). Golic played football at St. Joseph’s High School in Cleveland before heading to Notre Dame and the NFL.
CBS Audio and Skyview Networks Renew Partnership. After two years of their network sales and distribution partnership, Viacom’s CBS Audio Network and Skyview Networks announce they are renewing to continue their relationship. In a press release, the companies say, “Since partnering in 2018, the CBS network’s
audience and revenue have grown through expanded programming and content integration campaigns that generate enthusiastic support and strong results from the advertising community. In the next phase of the partnership, the companies will further develop the CBS sales strategy that leverages its personalities and influencers in both long-form and short-form programming.” CBS Audio Network and CBS News Radio vice president and general manager Craig Swagler says, “Our CBS Audio Network partnership with Skyview Networks strengthens our ability to drive sales efforts. This collaboration continues to assure our 23 million weekly listeners that they will continue to get the highest level of quality journalism they are accustomed to, while also providing for new opportunities for growth.”
Industry Mourns Bob McCurdy. Radio sales and management pro Bob McCurdy died yesterday (7/29) after a long battle with cancer. The All-American basketball star at University of Richmond got into radio at WLEE, Richmond in 1976. He joined Katz
Radio in Chicago in 1980 and, several years later, moved to New York to lead that office for Katz. In 1990, he was named president of Katz Radio. In recent years McCurdy returned to his roots in local radio taking on a leadership position with Beasley Media Group. Beasley CEO Caroline Beasley says of McCurdy, “Bob was a trusted confidant, a valued advisor, and an incredible ambassador on behalf of the Beasley Media Group family and the radio industry. His love and passion for the business could be seen and heard in everything he did within our company as well as the industry. Bob will be greatly missed and will be forever remembered as a beloved member of our family.” In a recently completed book about leadership, culture, and sales, McCurdy wrote, “It has often been said that one can never tell where a teacher’s influence ends. The same is true with leaders. As leaders, we are teachers and as with teachers you can never tell where an effective leader’s influence ends. That makes for an amazing legacy.”
Gordon Hastings: McCurdy. Retired Katz Television/Radio president Gordon Hastings writes a tribute to the late Bob McCurdy. He says, “I am not exactly sure why but he was always simply, ‘McCurdy.’ Stu Olds would say, ‘Get McCurdy in here.’ Jim Greenwald, ‘Who’s this guy McCurdy everyone talks about?’ ‘McCurdy taught me,’ said many of the dozens of ‘survivors’ of McCurdy’s legendary sales training program.” Read the complete tribute here.
COVID-19 Statistics & Projections, School Opening Debate, GOP Stimulus Bill, Tech CEOs Before Congress, Presidential Race, BLM Protests/Federal Troops, and U.S. Pro Sports Leagues Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (7/29). The rising number of positive COVID-19 cases in numerous U.S. states and in other countries, plus the projections for future cases; the debate over opening schools in the fall; the wrangling over what will be in the final Republican stimulus bill; CEOs from Google, Facebook, Amazon and Apple appear before the House Judiciary Committee; the November presidential election; the Black Lives Matter protests and the controversial use of federal troops; and the issues pro sports leagues are facing playing games were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS magazine.
TALKERS News Notes. Sports talk personality Dan Sileo says he’s launching a new,
national program on Monday (8/3) via USA Radio Networks that will air 9:00 pm to 12:00 midnight ET. He says it’s debuting on stations in Dallas and Miami. Sileo says he’s also hosting a local show on Cielo Media Holdings’ WNMA, Miami “1210 The Man” from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm….. GCN-syndicated talk radio host Dr. Daliah Wachs tells TALKERS magazine 
she’s had a busy summer having just published her 7th and 8th books. She says, “Generation Alpha: They’re Alpha for a Reason is a book on the generation that follows Generation Z, temporarily called Generation Alpha. It describes how their generation may be the most challenged when it comes to identity, social interactions, education, and health. The Art of the BooBoo is a guide written by me, some former students who are now physicians, and my own kids, for parents on how to navigate through minor illnesses, or
booboos, their children may incur.”…..ESPN Audio says it is collaborating with voice-over artist and host Cayman Kelly “to bring his contemporary sound to the network.” Kelly will work with ESPN Audio on a variety of sound for the network’s programming including updates, promotions, and more. Kelly’s career has included work across ESPN and other TV networks, radio stations of all genres, video games, live concerts and events and corporate presentations.
Multi-talented Talk Personality Steve Trevelise Is This Week’s Guest on Harrison Podcast. He’s a news/talker heard weekday evenings on one of the most innovative radio stations in America – New Jersey 101.5. He’s also a sports/talk host heard weekends on one of the leading radio stations in that genre – WIP, Philadelphia. And he’s an established stand-up comic who’s opened for some of the greats for the past decade-plus at top clubs and venues all over the Delaware Valley. Steve Trevelise is this week’s guest on the award-winning PodcastOne series, “The Michael Harrison Interview.” Born and
raised in the Garden State, Trevelise is described by TALKERS founder Michael Harrison as being “a real Jersey boy who, although not a member of the Four Seasons, is a man for all seasons.” Harrison and Trevelise take the listener on an insightful tour of today’s politically polarized society, the mask debate, similarities and differences between 1968 and 2020, the long-lasting impact of John Lennon and the Beatles, the state of pandemic-era sports, and the challenges faced by humorists during an age of hyper-political correctness. To listen to the podcast in its entirety, please click here or click on the player box marked “The Michael Harrison Interview” located in the right-hand column on every page of Talkers.com.
Music Radio News and Career Moves. In Detroit, programming pro Scott Jameson is named director of programming for Beasley Media Group’s cluster there that includes: rock WRIF-FM, classic rock WCSX-FM, hip hop WMGC-FM, urban
contemporary WDMK-FM and the Praise Network. Jameson most recently was vice president of classic rock programming, program director of classic rock KQRS-FM and operations manager of KQRS-FM, KXXR-FM & WGVX-FM in Minneapolis for Cumulus Media. He says, “Joining Beasley Media Group in Detroit is a terrific opportunity. The Midwest is home for me, so it’s a natural fit. The legendary WRIF-FM and heritage WCSX-FM, joined with ‘The BOUNCE,’ ‘KISS,’ and ‘PRAISE’ boast exceptional talent across all five brands. Adding Beasley’s commitment to the community, along with an aggressive digital presence, turns listeners into fans. I’m thankful to Justin Chase for approaching me 
about the Detroit situation and grateful to Mac Edwards and Brian Beasley for their endorsement.”…..Also at Beasley Media Group, the company announces that Al Beck adds evening jock duties at WRXK-FM, Fort Myers “96 K-ROCK.” Beck currently serves as the producer of the “Dave and Chuck The Freak Morning Show” at WRIF-FM, Detroit, is co-host of the Nerd Radio podcast, and can also be heard evenings on WBOS-FM, Boston “ROCK 92.9.” Beasley Media Group Southwest Florida operations manager Adam Star says, “We are excited to add Al Beck to our on-air line up at WRXK. Al’s on-air rock presentation is stellar, plus his connection with our syndicated morning show, Dave and Chuck the Freak, doesn’t hurt either! We felt bringing him on the air made perfect sense to embrace the Fort Myers rock world.”
Friday, May 12, 2017
WKNR, Cleveland Cuts Sabrina Parr After She Accuses Browns Draft Pick of Substance Abuse. According to a story at Cleveland.com, part-time personality Sabrina Parr was let go by sports talk WKNR,
Cleveland after her comments on “The Really Big Show” that implied Cleveland Browns draft pick Jabrill Peppers would fail with the team because of drug abuse issues. Before the draft, Peppers tested positive for a “dilute sample” – too much water, not enough urine – which the NFL considers a failure because drinking lots of water can help beat a drug test, but it does not mean drugs were found in the sample. “The Really Big Show” co-hosts Tony Rizzo and Aaron Goldhammer challenged Parr but she insisted Peppers is “on the Lean and the Molly” and “high out of his mind,” and wouldn’t back down. Read the Cleveland.com story here.
Cumulus Announces Promotion, Contract Extension in Chicago. Programming pro Troy Hanson rises
to vice president, operations for Cumulus Media’s four-station cluster in the Windy City that includes 
news/talk WLS-AM, classic hits WLS-FM, alternative WKQX, and rock WLUP-FM. Hanson has been serving as PD for WKQX and is VP of programming, rock formats – positions he will maintain. At the same time, the company announces that WLS-FM programmer Brian Thomas is given a multi-year contract extension. Thomas also serves Cumulus as corporate program director for the country format and is VP, programming, classic hits.
Analysis: Moms & Media 2017. Radio consultant Holland Cooke sat in on yesterday’s webinar from Edison Research and Triton Digital, presented by Edison vice president Melissa DeCesare, titled, Moms & Media 2017. The study was the result of interviews with 248 moms – defined as a woman with at least one child living at home – and explores their media habits. As Cooke points out, moms are the Secretary of the (family) Treasury and that makes them desirable targets for marketers. To see how the media habits of moms are evolving, check out the story here.
Trump’s Firing of Comey/Russia Investigation Top News/Talk Story for Week of May 8-12. The firing of FBI Director James Comey and the related investigation into possible connections between Russian agents and Trump campaign officials were the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio this week, landing atop the Talkers TenTM. At #2 this week was the GOP plan to replace the Affordable Care Act. Coming in at #3 was North Korea’s nuclear program and threats against the U.S., followed by the controversial removal of Confederate memorials in New Orleans at #4. The Talkers TenTM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed on news/talk radio during the week and is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS magazine. It is published every Friday at Talkers.com. View this week’s entire chart here.
The Fourth Annual Unite IE Conservative Conference in Riverside. Pictured above are some of the participants in the recent KTIE, San Bernardino-produced Unite IE Conservative Conference – this year recognizing the first 100 days of the Trump Administration – at the Riverside Convention Center. From l-r are: Jen & Don show co-host Don Dix, Jen & Don show and KRLA/KTIE’s The Morning Answer co-host Jennifer Horn, Breitbart senior editor Joel Pollack, Salem Los Angeles GM Terry Fahy, Salem Radio Network hosts Larry Elder, Dennis Prager, and Hugh Hewitt.
TALKERS News Notes. On-demand audio creator DGital Media announces its partnership with “entrepreneur, online education guru and world class lacrosse champion” Paul Rabil to launch his “Suiting Up” podcast. The
program will consist of conversations with “many of the biggest names in sports, business and entertainment talking about how they create, balance and tackle the issues and opportunities of success on the field, in the board room and in the business world.” New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick and tennis great Venus Williams are among the first guests when it launches on May 15…..Spotify listeners can now hear CBS Radio News programs including “World News Roundup,” “Face the Nation,” “Tech Talk,” “The Takeout,” “The CBS Evening News with Scott Pelley,” and “CBS This Morning” on the service. CBS Radio News general manager Constance Lloyd says, “CBS Radio News is committed to bringing our content to as many people as possible. This agreement allows us to expand our reach to a whole new group of listeners who may not have considered listening to our podcasts previously.”…..At SiriusXM, two shows are added to the SiriusXM Progress channel. “The Young Turks” – featuring Cenk Uygur and Ana Kasparian – will air from 9:00 pm to 11:00 pm ET, following the new, three-hour Dean Obeidallah show. Obeidallah previously hosted a one-hour program on the SiriusXM Insight channel…..Also at SiriusXM, CNN legal analyst, former federal prosecutor, and bestselling author Laura Coates will begin hosting a live, two-hour talk show on the 
satcaster’s Urban View channel. This comes at the same time as SiriusXM announces that Karen Hunter, who is an award-winning journalist and hosts a SiriusXM program, is taking on an expanded role as a programming consultant to the Urban View channel. Hunter will oversee the direction of the channel, “further positioning it as the radio home of diverse African American programming and elevating the national conversation to be reflective of the complexity of the African American community.” Hunter states, “Laura Coates joins SiriusXM’s Urban View as we expand the channel’s range and add fresh voices to its already compelling talk programming. Laura’s gift for translating complex issues and ideas, and demystifying legal issues, is remarkable and we can’t wait for her to engage with our growing family of listeners.”
Covering the Symetra Tour in Greenwood, South Carolina. WCRS, Greenwood, South Carolina owner and talk personality Anne Eller (right) is pictured here with 22-year-old Danish golfer Nanna Madsen (left) at the Symetra Tour at the Links of Stoney Point Golf Course. Eller says the young golfer has already won one tournament on the tour and hopes this will be a launch into the LPGA.
Music Radio News and Career Moves. On tonight’s edition of the Westwood One-syndicated Zach Sang show, recording star Miley Cyrus will sit in as guest host. WW1 says in addition to talking with Sang’s crew and her fans, she’ll play her new single, “Malibu,” and talk about the record…..Also from Westwood One, the syndicator is celebrating the 30th anniversary of U2’s timeless fifth album, The Joshua Tree, by presenting a two-hour program airing this weekend on more than 100 radio stations. KFOG, San Francisco personality Matt Pinfield (who also hosts the syndicated “2Hours with Matt Pinfield” program) interviewed U2’s Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton,
and Larry Mullen, Jr. for the special…..Longtime New York and SiriusXM rock radio personality Dan Neer is launching his new website DanNeer.com. He says, “After 40 years on radio, I am unshackled from restrictions and am creating a weekly podcast featuring the best new music I can find mixed in with other songs from various times and genres. Podcast #27 is ready for your listening pleasure! Also find my latest National Interview Shows like the new Paul McCartney interview, and coming soon, Roger Waters, as well as all past shows.”…..Spanish Broadcasting System announces that Donny Hudson is named general manager and vice president of SBS Miami, supervising all operations at WXDJ-FM “EL NUEVO ZOL 106.7FM,” WRMA-FM “RITMO 
95.7FM,” WCMQ-FM “ZETA 92.3FM,” and the LaMusica app…..The Tom Kent Radio Network brings radio pro Harve Alan aboard to oversee its digital initiative. Kent says, “Here’s a little secret just between us girls. Other than our website and our request lines, we have never used social media. We’ve purposely waited and studied our audience for the best ways to engage them. Harve’s wealth of experience in this arena makes him uniquely qualified to deliver the results that will drive our digital presence into the stratosphere and beyond! Also, did I mention…he’ really smart which doesn’t hurt.”
Friday, March 28, 2014
Congressman Mike Rogers to Join Cumulus Media in Unnamed Role. The mysterious press release from Cumulus Media states that when his current term in Congress is up at the end of this year, Republican Mike Rogers will “bring his unique perspective as a leading intelligence expert and former FBI agent to Cumulus, the national media company that operates the nation’s largest talk radio platform.” The company isn’t specific whether Rogers will host a
daily show, produce daily commentary or fill some other role. Rogers is chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and is hard to miss if you watch cable news/talk TV or the Sunday morning news shows, as Cumulus points out when it states, “As a media-savvy politician who last year appeared on more Sunday public affairs shows than any other elected official in the nation, Chairman Rogers will play an important role helping Americans understand critical issues that impact their lives.” Cumulus CEO Lew Dickey is quoted saying, “We are thrilled to have Chairman Rogers join our team. He has been instrumental helping to shape many of the most important issues and events of our time and will play a significant role in our expanding content platform.”
WKNR, Cleveland’s Rizzo Pleads ‘No Contest’ in Domestic Case. The host of the afternoon drive “The Really Big Show” on Good Karma-owned WKNR, Cleveland – Tony Rizzo – pleaded “no contest” to a reduced “persistent disorderly conduct” charge in connection with a December incident during which his wife Catherine reported Rizzo struck her. According to Cleveland.com, an assistant district attorney says the reduced charge was leveled after Catherine Rizzo admitted she initiated the argument by striking Tony Rizzo with a glass. Rizzo’s attorney says his client accepted the reduced charge to avoid a trial though he believes Rizzo would have been acquitted. The probation department will review the case before sentencing. WKNR has stuck by Rizzo throughout, calling his status with the station “unaffected” by the case.
NAB Show Features ‘Net Neutrality’ Debate; Ex-Commish McDowell to Take Part. At the NAB Show in Las Vegas next month, the issue of net neutrality is being addressed during the Super Session titled, “World Without Rules: Is This the End of the Open Internet?” On Tuesday, April 8, NAB says “top opinion leaders and experts on the issue of net neutrality will address how proposed regulations governing access to the internet will affect content providers, ISPs and content creators.” Tech Policy for Re/code senior editor Amy Schatz will moderate the panel consisting of: Jessica Gonzalez, EVP and general counsel of the National Hispanic Media Coalition; Robert McDowell, former FCC commissioner; Pantelis Michalopoulos, head of the Telecom, Internet & Media Group at Steptoe & Johnson LLP; and Berin Szoka, president and founder of TechFreedom.
Sports Talker Dino Costa Profiled; Adds Staff to New Digital Venture. Mercurial sports talk personality Dino Costa, after years with SiriusXM, recently announced the start-up of his new, eponymous digital sports talk venture. Now he’s reporting that Bob Robinson is joining Dino Costa World Wide LLC to serve as executive producer for the program that will debut on May 5. Costa says that the 25-year broadcast pro will be in charge of all production and engineering for the program and will work from its Cheyenne, Wyoming headquarters beginning March 31. Robinson spent 19 years in the Raleigh-Durham market working at stations including WRDU and “96 Rock.” Costa also received a bit of love from Forbes recently when Tom Van Riper profiled him. In the piece, Costa basically admits his argumentative nature, especially with regard to his dismissal from SiriusXM, saying, “I bitched one too many times.” But Van Riper writes that quality can be a good one for a sports talk host. Read the entire piece here.
So, You Want to Be Syndicated. Why? That’s the question syndication business veteran Tony Garcia, founder of Global Media Services, asks radio broadcasters that approach him about a program they want to syndicate or a concept they think would be perfect as a syndicated program or service. Everyone wants to play on a bigger stage. It’s natural. It drives us to be better at what we do. In a new piece posted today (3/28), Garcia writes, “Moving from a local show to a syndicated show requires much more than passion. It requires determination, perseverance, internal strength, patience and the ability to judge oneself dispassionately. Ask anyone who is syndicated and they are likely to tell you about the highs of signing the first affiliate and the frustration of losing affiliates. As a good friend of mine once said, ‘Syndication will break your heart.’” Still want to be syndicated? If so, read Garcia’s entire column by clicking here.
CBS Radio News Honored by the National Headliner Awards. Four years running CBS Radio News is recognized by the National Headliner Awards, nabbing first place in both the Network Newscast and Breaking News or Continuing Coverage categories, this year for reporting on the Boston Marathon Bombing. In the network newscast category “CBS World News Roundup” anchor Steve Kathan and producer Paul Farry won for their reporting on that chaotic morning when police shut down an entire suburban Boston neighborhood to search for one of the marathon bombing suspects just hours after his brother died in a confrontation with police. Vice president for radio Harvey Nagler comments, “From the moment the two bombs went off in Boston, CBS Radio News was on the air immediately with continuous coverage and special reports every 10 minutes. The hourly newscasts contained vivid and dramatic descriptions of the events.” CBS News correspondent Barry Bagnato won in the News Series category for his five part series on “Drones, Invading Our Skies and Our Personal Space.”
‘Late Night Health’ Approaches Milestone Episode. The syndicated program will air its 100th show this weekend. Host/producer Mark Alyn (right) remarks, “We can’t believe we have done so many shows while featuring information designed to help listeners.” Colleague “The Insane” Darrell Wayne (left) jokes, “Sitting across from each other for all these hours with our bellybuttons almost touching has been an amazing experience.” The program is a holistic look at health, blending traditional medicine with alternative approaches. Alyn is the only radio host to be invited by the Natural Products Association to speak with elected officials in Washington, D.C. one week from Tuesday (4/8) as part of Natural Products Day. He will discuss GMO labeling and concerns about Food & Drug Administration-proposed supplement legislation.
Growing ‘Daren Streblow Comedy Show’ Adds Daily Feature. The weekly “Daren Streblow Comedy Show” is heard largely on news/talk stations across the country but also has some Christian radio affiliates. Now, the program will expand with the creation of a daily feature culled from some of the best bits of the full-length program. Executive producer Corey Irish comments, “We have received constant requests from our affiliates asking us to add a short feature on the weekdays. We believe some of these station groups will also add this vignette to the music stations in their clusters.” Irish also reports that the program recently added personality Riley Armstrong – an established comedic musician – to the program. As far as the content is concerned, Streblow describes the show as “night club tested and family approved.”
Aisha Tyler Named Gracie Awards Host. Daytime television audiences, of course, know Aisha Tyler as one of the panel members on CBS-TV’s “The Talk.” The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (AWMF) has tapped the Dartmouth College alum to host the 39th annual Gracie Awards in two months (5/20) in Los Angeles. According to AWMF chair Kay Olin, “The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation advances the influence and impact of women in all forms of media, and Aisha Tyler embodies this goal perfectly. From network television to cable, from actor to author, from podcasts to best-selling books, Aisha showcases her talents in an impressive variety of media. We are delighted that Aisha is hosting this year’s Gracie Awards Gala.” Tyler – who formerly hosted “Talk Soup” – comments, “It has truly been an impressive year for women in all media. I am very much looking forward to celebrating all that women have accomplished.” However, she jokes, “No one is getting an award for that Kimye [Kim Kardashian-Kanye West] Vogue cover if I have anything to say about it.” The Gracie Awards (or “Gracies”) recognize consummate programming created for women, by women, and about women in radio, television, cable, and digital media. The awards program also encourages the realistic and multifaceted portrayal of women in entertainment, news, features and other programs. “The Talk” was recently renewed for a fifth season. In addition to her role there and as a regular Stephanie Miller show contributor, Tyler voices Lana Kane on “Archer.” Last summer, she replaced Drew Carey as host of “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”
Remembering Earl McDaniel. Writing in the Honolulu Star Advertiser, reporter Erika Engle describes Earl McDaniel as “the longtime charismatic general manager” of Honolulu’s KSSK-AM and KSSK-FM. The 85-year-old McDaniel died this past Wednesday (3/26) in Arizona. McDaniel formulated the idea for a $1 million giveaway that helped solidify the morning drive success of Michael W. Perry and Larry Price (“Perry & Price”), following the 1983 death of J. Akuhead Pupule. KUMU production director Michael Shishido programmed KSSK years ago and tells us that McDaniel was, “the best GM I’ve ever worked with.” Elaborating on his Facebook page, Shishido comments, “If you had the great opportunity to work for KSSK prior to 1991, you got to work for one of the greats, Earl McDaniel. He was larger than life. He was tough and demanding, but he was a radio and marketing genius – and he had a huge, compassionate heart. I could fill up Facebook for days with Earl stories as could many of my radio colleagues. Radio has lost a giant. Aloha, Earl.” As a Los Angeles on-air talent, Earl “The Pearl” McDaniel worked for KFVD and KPOP (1953 – 1958); KLAC (1958); KDAY (1958 – 1961, where he was its program director); and KFWB (1961 – 1963). Renowned voiceover talent and longtime programmer Charlie Van Dyke notes on his Facebook page that McDaniel was, “a great guy with the most wonderful stories and a very quick sense of humor. I was so happy that I had the chance to meet with him even briefly.” The most touching tribute though to McDaniel can be found on laradio.com, where publisher Don Barrett opens up his homage by stating, “The most important man in my life died [Wednesday] night.” In the heartfelt printed eulogy, Barrett details how he met McDaniel while Barrett attended Santa Monica High School in the 1950s. “He was the biggest deal on the radio dial in the 1950s,” Barrett writes of McDaniel. “He was the early Rick Dees or Ryan Seacrest.” The two instantly became friends and Barrett points out, “Earl was never more than a phone call away. I went to him first for advice whenever there was a stumbling block in my journey. He would help me see a way to roll the boulder out of the pathway. He provided life tools to be a success – personally and professionally. Earl was the first to pair Robert W. Morgan and The Real Don Steele long before they arrived in Southern California for ‘Boss Radio.'” According to Barrett, “Earl broke the Chipmunks Christmas Song and lost his job over it. On Thanksgiving weekend, he played it twice an hour and the station owner threatened to fire Earl if he played it one more time. Earl did and was fired, however, by Monday it was the hottest record at Wallichs Music City. Earl was always figuring out a way to make things better, bigger and more spectacular. He not only coined the phrase, ‘If you don’t promote a funny thing happens – nothing,’ he lived by it. When Earl was running Honolulu’s KGMB, one year the station took in 60% of the revenues in the 18-station market. I remember remarking to him what a stunning statistic that was. He dismissed it and said he would not be happy until he got 100% of all advertising dollars. Earl was the personification of what it is to be a mentor. There is no one I have trusted more. I will forever be grateful for every act of kindness he gave to me and my family – I will forever be grateful for Earl McDaniel.” That only scratches the surface of Barrett’s piece, which also contains this condensed message from McDaniel himself, who anticipated his death. “I am an agnostic. I will be taken to the Neptune Society for cremation. I have told my heirs that I do not care where they let the ashes fly. When it is over, it is over. To that end, there will be no funeral, no casket, and no flowers. I have celebrated life for 85 years, and that celebration has been a wonderful, wonderful ride. I have been contemplating all the good times, and the good times were fantabulous. If I have borrowed something I haven’t returned or money I haven’t repaid, contact my daughter, Kathy. Do not sing me any sad songs. If I were to have an epitaph, it would be, ‘Earl McDaniel … from 1928 to 2014, he lived.'” Pictured here are (from l-r): Charlie Van Dyke, Earl McDaniel, and Don Barrett.
TALKERS Weekly Affiliate Roundup. The GCN-syndicated “Michael Dean After Dark” joins the lineup at WKRO, Cairo, Illinois…..“Armed American Radio” Mark Walters is added to the program schedule at KVOC, Casper, Wyoming and WRGA, Rome, Georgia…..The “Daren Streblow Comedy Show” is now heard on KKNW, Seattle; KDIS, Little Rock; and KVOP, Lubbock, Texas.
ObamaCare Criticism Returns to Top of Talkers TenTM. The scrutiny of the rollout and effects of the Affordable Care Act was again the most-talked-about story on news/talk radio during the week of March 24-28. At #2 this week was the Supreme Court’s hearing of the Hobby Lobby case which debates the question whether employer-provided health care services that conflict with the employer’s religious beliefs should be required to be offered. Following at #3 was President Obama’s relationship with Vladimir Putin tied with the aggression of Russia into Eastern Europe and, at #4 was talk about the prospects for political power change after the mid-term elections and the looming 2016 presidential race. The Talkers TenTM is a weekly chart of the top stories and people discussed on news/talk radio during the week and is the result of ongoing research from TALKERS. View this week’s entire chart here.
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Short Ideas for a Short Week. As the industry returns from a holiday weekend, digital media consultant Chris Miller offers some quick thoughts regarding your digital efforts. If you’re still wondering about the changes Facebook made that affect the way content lines up on your news feed, Miller has three items to consider. Also check out his thoughts on the type of content you put on your station website and whether that content lines up with your brand’s “message.” Plus, Chris has a final word about attitude. Check it all out here.
Promotions Conflict at Philly Eatery Brings Abrupt End to Live Broadcast. The Philadelphia Daily News is reporting that the quick shutdown of a WIP, Philadelphia remote broadcast with afternoon hosts Anthony Gargano and Rob Ellis at Chickie’s & Pete’s may not have been the result of an ISDN
breakdown but the fact that rival Greater Media sports talker WPEN personality Jon Marks was also at the establishment for a personal appearance. The paper reports that about 30 minutes into Gargano’s and Ellis’ broadcast, WPEN’s Marks arrived along with rock WMMR jock Matt Cord for a $1,000 MetroPCS giveaway in another part of the pub. The Daily News goes on to write that Chickie’s & Pete’s management tried to move Marks and Cord to a different part of the restaurant but Greater Media refused. CBS tells the paper the ISDN problem was the issue and while no one else is commenting, it appears it could have been nothing more than a scheduling snafu that ruffled the feathers of the stations involved.
Linder Joins WMEN, West Palm Beach for Afternoons. The JCE Licenses-owned sports talk station names Jon Linder host of the 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm show, replacing Andy Slater who left for Clear Channel’s sports talk WINZ, Miami “The Sports Animal” in December. Linder joined WMEN as a fill-in host last year. He’s worked at Beasley’s WQAM, Miami serving as a sports reporter and studio host during Miami Hurricanes football broadcasts from 2010 through 2012.
Cleveland Host Faces Jury Trial in Domestic Violence Charge. WKNR, Cleveland sports talk host Tony Rizzo will appear in Medina Municipal Court on February 27 for a jury trial after being accused of domestic assault by his wife Catherine Rizzo in December. Rizzo remains on the air at Good Karma-owned WKNR. The company issued a statement after the incident leading to the charge calling Rizzo “an exemplary teammate and member of the community and his status with us is unaffected.” Police were called to Rizzo’s home after his wife called them saying she had locked herself in the bathroom after Rizzo choked her and hit her in the face. Rizzo pleaded not guilty on December 9.
KCAA, Lorma Linda, California First to Accept Bitcoins for Airtime. The Fred Lundgren-owned news/talk station that serves the Riverside/San Bernardino market is claiming it’s the first radio station in North America to Bitcoins as payment for advertising and airtime. The station says it signed its first programming agreement purchased with Bitcoin on January 17. KCAA utilized a service called “Coinbase” to process the payment. Lundgren comments, “Our first transaction paid us 9.4 Bitcoins, which Coinbase displayed as approximately $7,200.00 USD. These funds will appear in our bank account in two to three business days.” Lundgren adds, “The value of Bitcoin as a digital currency will grow as more businesses accept it. I predict it will become a viable alternative to ever increasing bank charges.”
Houston Talk Host Michael Berry Emcees Senate Campaign Fundraiser. KTRH, Houston-based talk show host Michael Berry is headlining a fundraiser for U.S. Senate candidate Col. Rob Maness (USAF, Ret.) on Friday, January 24, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Berry’s program is heard on stations across the U.S. including on WJBO, Baton Rouge from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Maness is running for the Senate seat currently held by Democrat Mary Landrieu.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Sochi Olympics Terror Threats, Syria Torture Allegations, ObamaCare Criticism, Wendy Davis Bio Questioned and Chris Christie Sandy Aid Charge Among Top News/Talk Stories Yesterday (1/20). The Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday; concerns over security at the Sochi Winter Games; new allegations of the Assad regime’s use of torture in Syria’s civil conflict; criticism of the rollout of the Affordable Care Act; Texas gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis’ life story disputed by critics; and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie faces charges of misappropriating Hurricane Sandy aid were some of the most-talked-about stories on news/talk radio yesterday, according to ongoing research from TALKERS.
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