Rising Stars & Kraddick Awards Announced; Brandmeier Wows Crowd At Chicago At MSBC
Kraddick Show Honored With 2nd Annual MSBC Kidd Award
THE MOUTH, AUGUST 10TH, 2015 –– Saying Kidd Kraddick's show members not only persevered following the untimely death of its beloved host Kidd Kraddick in 2013 but took its show to new heights, The Bert Show's Jeff Dauler awarded The Kraddick show with this year's second annual Kidd Kraddick award.
'Kelly, Al, Jenna, and J-Si represent everything the Kidd Kraddick Award stands for, and they have done so in the most tragic of circumstances. Kidd would certainly be proud of his team, who have continued to succeed both in Dallas and in all of their markets in the two years since we lost Kidd. They have excelLed in both on and off-air excellence, continued to embrace the communities they serve, and are certainly are an inspiration to others. At first thought, it seemed odd to give the award back to Kidd's show ... but it didn't take us long to realize that there is no group of people more deserving than those four. It was an easy decision, ' said Dauler.
The recipient of each year's Kidd Kraddick Award is selected by the previous year's winner. Last year's recipient was The Bert Show.
ReelWorld/MSBC 'Rising Star Awards' Class Of 2015 Revealed
THE MOUTH, AUGUST 10TH, 2015 –– Recipients of ReelWorld's inaugural "Rising Stars Awards' for 2015 were revealed during Friday afternoon's 'Branding' session, sponsored by Reelworld - Being selected from numerous nominees throughout the U.S., from from various markets and formats were Brendan Croghan - WARQ/Columbia, SC (top row, right center) - Dominique 103 Jamz/Norfolk (bottom left) - Brittani Fish WPLW-FM/Raleigh (middle row, left center) - Miguel Fuller Hot 101 Tampa, FL (top row, right center)- Brian Joyce WGOW/Chattanooga - Brian Moote KIRO/Seattle - Christian Morgan Dick Broadcasting/Greensboro (bottom row, center) - Pavlina Osta Genesis Comm./iHeart 360 (top row, left) - Shelley Rome Z100/New York (top right)- Joanna Ryan KORN/Franklin, ID (not shown) - The ReelWorld Risin Stars Awards were done in conjunction with MSBC 27.
[LISTEN] Jonathon Brandmeier Wows 'Em At MSBC 27 Chicago
THE MOUTH, AUGUST 10TH, 2015 –– We would be hard pressed to find another MSBC with a more exuberant ending than this year's one-on-one between Cumulus Media's Mike McVay and Westwood One's Jonathon Brandmeier. Seated before a spectacular stage setup, courtesy of The Mix Group, McVay began with a line of questions only to have an energetic Brandmeier pop up from his seat and go into a lengthy and thoroughly entertaining speech on his life and times as a radio host. Eventually, he returned to his chair only to pop up again later and head to the audience to engage with a ecstatic crowd. We should soon have video from unforgettable segment in the near future.
In a separate interview with our own international columnist, Graham Mack, Brandmeier spoke frankly about his true secret to success - go to about the 10 min. mark and LISTEN HERE
Meanwhile, Wise Brother Media, sponsor of Brandmeier's MSBC session, have made available a variety of photos (like the one above) from this year's event - Go here to https://wisebro.smugmug.com/Morning-Show-Boot-Camp-2015/
Radio's Scott McKenzie Prepares To Say Goodbye Following Long Battle With Cancer
THE MOUTH, AUGUST 10TH, 2015 –– MIX 105.1/Orlando's Scott McKenzie told his listeners: 'As you may have noticed, I’ve been off the air for over a month lately, while attempting to be accepted into a clinical trial in Philadelphia. The process has been the ultimate roller coaster as one day my blood cells have cooperated, and the next day, they haven’t. It’s literally been day to day, with my last stay extending 30 days during which I became quite sick.
What I haven’t told anybody until this moment, is that the reason I was in the hospital for so long is that this was our final viable attempt. With my body so beaten up by cancer and chemo, it had to work, or we had to face a hard reality.
We returned from Philly on Wednesday, August 5th. Upon our return, my first call was to my doctor, and after a lot of thinking, my 2nd call was to hospice. That evening they were at our door talking about their wonderful services. I just couldn’t believe they were talking to me. Final healthcare arrangements have been made, and now we begin the focus on my comfort as I say my goodbyes. ... "
Scott thanked his listeners for their 20+ years of support: 'Most of all, thank you for the privilege of waking you up all these years. I am so grateful to call you my Orlando family. I’m currently hooked up to an oxygen tank to help me take full breaths, but it’s my dream to be able to make it back in the studio with the other corny goofballs for a brief goodbye, and to hold down that microphone “on” switch one more time. READ COMPLETE STORY HERE
PROGRAMMING: John Laurenti And Matt Leonard Join iHeartMedia New Hampshire
iHeartMedia New Hampshire announced that John Laurenti has been named Program Director for WHEB-FM and WGIR-FM, effective August 17. Matt Leonard has been named Production Director and Afternoon Host on WHEB-FM, effective September 2015. Laurenti is a veteran New England Broadcaster who most recently was heard on WZLX in Boston. He also held previous roles with CBS at WODS in Boston and WHJY in Providence.
Leonard joins iHeartMedia New Hampshire from Entercom in Boston and has also been an instructor at the Connecticut teaching audio production. He is also a noted expert on the band Pink Floyd, producing a podcast called floydpodcast.com. “We are thrilled to have John Laurenti join the team. Our search lasted awhile and we had pretty strict criteria on what type of personality would be a great fit. John has the format knowledge we were looking for—and we feel he will be a dynamic leader in our cluster,” said Tim Moore, Senior Vice President of Programming, iHeartMedia New Hampshire.
Alpha Media Become 4th Largest Broadcast Company
THE MOUTH, AUGUST 10TH, 2015 –– Alpha Media headquartered in Portland, Oregon announces with the acquisition of Digity, LLC, they have become the 4 th largest broadcast company in the country in terms of station count and the 3rd largest in terms of markets count.” When all pending deals are completed, it will bring the total number of stations owned by Alpha Media to 251 in 54 markets across the United States.
Commenting on the acquisition, Larry Wilson, Chairman of Alpha Media said, “We are extremely pleased to acquire fr from exceptional operators and management who truly understand radio. Dean and his team have done a tremendous job with these stations. They will be a great addition to our live and local vision across the country.”
Dean Goodman, Chief Executive Officer of Digity Companies, LLC said, “Larry Wilson and I have a shared vision for the radio renaissance in progress now. Radio is live, local media enhanced by digital delivery and community focused events. Our success is the result of an employee environment of collaboration, transparency and innovation. I am honored to have worked with the great broadcasters at Digity and the dynamic growth they've created. Digity and Alpha are a perfect match.”This transaction is subject to approval by the Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Justice.
[LISTEN] Philly Host Picked For Special Papal Choir
THE MOUTH, AUGUST 10TH, 2015 –– As Philadelphia prepares for Pope Francis arrival next month, according to CBS/Philly, The papal mass in Philadelphia will be celebrated with no fewer than four choirs, including one specially selected just for the occasion.
Among the 250 voices in the special Papal Choir will be a CBS Radio host, WXTU's Brian McKay. “I really didn’t know if I was going to make it and I’ll be honest with you, I didn’t know if it was for me,” McKay said, “because we’re hearing all these stories about what it’s going to be like when the Pope does come, rumors of a wall being built around Philadelphia.” Fortunately, he got the nod, but he says he may have been helped with a sometimes fatal birth defect. His esophagus was connected to his windpipe instead of his stomach. As an infant, he had surgery on the very pipes that now will fill out the papal choir. And the doctor who saved his life? Former surgeon general C. Everett Koop, then (in 1965) a surgeon at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. LISTEN HERE
[LISTEN] Bobby Bones Trademarks Donald Trump Campaign Mantra; Will Sell It Back To Him For Charity
THE MOUTH, AUGUST 10TH, 2015 –– How did Donald Trump let his now popular campaign mantra “Make America Great Again” get by without trademarking it? Jumping in was Premiere syndicated host Bobby Bones of The Bobby Bones Show who's now in the process of using the name on his clothing line with hopes that 'The Donald' will try getting it back, along with a nice donation to St. Jude. Listen HERE to his interview with fellow iHeart host, Joe Pags.
Famed Sportscaster Frank Gifford Passes; Bill Murray Appearing In 'Ghostbusters' Reboot
Prince Compares Record Contracts To Slavery - [ROLLING STONE]
Bill Murray To Appear In 'Ghostbusters' Reboot - [EW]
Famed Sportscaster Frank Gifford Passes Away - [US]
'Empire' Named Program of The Year At TCA Awards - [THE WRAP]
Wendy Williams Falls Off Stage, But Bounces Back - [DAILY MAIL]
'Amy' Set To Become Highest Grossing British Documentary - [NME]
Anne Hathaway Felt 'Hunted' In Hollywood - [E ONLINE]
Johnny Depp Reels In McCartney & Grohl For New Album - [ET]
Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner Out Wearing Wedding Rings Again - [JUST JARED]
Nicki Minaj Pregnant - [HIPHOPWIRED]
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[WATCH] KGO's Ronn Owens Recovering Following Brain Surgery
THE MOUTH, AUGUST 7TH, 2015 –– KGO/San Francisco's Radio's Ronn Owens is recovering after having brain surgery Thursday at UCSF in San Francisco to ease symptoms of Parkinson's disease. According to ABC7 News, when asked what he was having done, Owens replied: "Just the normal thing, go in and have a couple of holes drilled into your head and have some wires put in," he said. Owens has been coping with Parkinson's disease for 13 years and went public with it in 2014.
ABC7 says he didn't want the surgery then, but needs it now. "This last year, it's gotten worse," he said. "This year, I'm bumping into things," says Owens, "falling, a little harder to get up from a restaurant table, things like that and this is the time to do it," he said. Owens hopes, "If it works, I'll get back five to seven years. In other words it takes me back to five to seven years ago when I had Parkinson's and nobody had it, could see it then and I wasn't really shaking," he said. WATCH HERE
[WATCH] The Bert Show Grants Wish For Two Girls To Meet Taylor Swift Following Untimely Death Of Their Mother
THE MOUTH, AUTGUST 7TH, 2015 –– The Atlanta community banded together on Wednesday afternoon, taking to social media to solicit the help of many including nationally syndicated The Bert Show to grant a very special wish for the two young daughters of Stefanie Ballard, who recently passed away due to a mysterious illness. Daughters Riley, 6, and Reese, 4, have always idolized Taylor Swift and before Ballard’s passing, she had hoped to take her daughters to the Taylor Swift concert as a way to celebrate Riley’s upcoming 7th birthday. With Taylor Swift’s tour coming to Atlanta in late October, Ballard’s dear friend Stephanie Houghton took to social media to rally the community to help her make the young girls’ dreams come true by not only attending the concert but also the opportunity to meet Taylor Swift.
Enter The Bert Show who wasted no time in making this dream Stefanie had for her daughters a reality and announced on the morning of Thursday, August 6th, that they have teamed up with the singer-songwriter superstar to provide a meet-and-greet for the family on Saturday, October 24 during her concert in Atlanta. The radio show also revealed that the girls will receive a day of pampering before the show, featuring a shopping spree to help pick out the perfect outfits for their night out, blowouts courtesy of DryBar, dinner before the show and limo service to and from the concert. WATCH HERE
MOTION: Chuck Edwards Moves To Mornings At WYCD Detroit; Cliff Bennett Takes Nights At WBBQ Augusta
THE MOUTH, AUGUST 7TH, 2015 ––Chuck Edwards will be waking up earlier starting Monday, Aug. 17. That’s when he’ll be taking over his new role as host of the 99.5 WYCD morning show. There he'll join Rachel Hunter and Steve Grunwald, veterans of the WYCD morning team for the past 10 years, as well as Jason the 200 lb. cowboy.
Edwards has been with WYCD for 16 years as co-host of the station’s afternoon drive program “Edwards and Lee” with Linda Lee. He came to WYCD in 1999. Prior to Detroit, he was with KSCS in Dallas for 15 years. “What’s not to be excited about?!” asked Edwards. “A premier morning show foundation is in place - I'm ready to build on that with Rachel, Grunwald and Jason and looking forward to this opportunity to evolve my career. However, gotta admit, I will miss those enticing late night infomercials!”
iHeartMedia Augusta announced today that longtime talent Cliff Bennett (R) has been named evening drive host for Mainstream AC 104.3 WBBQ-FM, effective August 10. Bennett, who was recently promoted to Program Director of WBBQ-FM, also programs the classic rocker WEKL-FM. He serves as Digital Content Director for the Augusta, GA market and will take over evening drive duties on WBBQ. Bennett’s 22 years in radio began in 1993, with a brief exit in 2002, he returned to iHeartMedia as APD/Midday host of WEKL-FM in 2007.
MOTION: Logan Adds N/T PD Stripes For Cumulus Ft. Walton Beach; Billy Garland Named Promo Dir. For Alpha Louisville Cluster
THE MOUTH, AUGUST 7TH, 2015 –– Cumulus Fort Walton/Destin announces that Logan, WNCV/COAST 93.3 Program Director and Morning personality, has been named Program Director of News Talk 1260 WFTW-AM. Logan retains his programming responsibilities for AC-formatted WNCV/COAST 93.3.
Logan joined Cumulus last year as Program Director for COAST 93.3, after 14 years with IHEARTMEDIA where, for eight years, he was Morning Host/Assistant Program Director and Music Director for WISX/Mix106.1 in Philadelphia. Logan’s previous tours of duty include: Z100 in New York City, Q102 in Philadelphia, KDMX in Dallas, and The Beat in Chicago.
Billy Garland has joins Alpha Media Louisville, KY as Promotions Director for Top 40, 99-7 DJX and Hot A/C, 102.3 The Max. Originally from Georgia, Billy Garland attended and graduated from the University of Louisville in 2011 with a BA in communications. Since then Billy has had the opportunity to work as a Sales and Marketing professional for two of the most well - known brands in the Hospitality Industry; Planet Hollywood and Hard Rock International. Billy remarked, "I am so excited for this opportunity, to not only begin my career within the radio industry which I am extremely passionate about, but to begin this journey with Alpha Media
106.1 KISS/Seattle Becomes Swift FM In Honor Of Sellout
THE MOUTH, AUGUST 7TH, 2015 ––106.1 KISS FM, Seattle’s #1 Hit Music Station, announced today that in honor of Taylor Swift’s sold out concert at CenturyLink Field on Saturday, August 8th, 2015, it will become 106.1 Swift FM. Launching at 10:00am/PST on Saturday, August 8th, 2015, the radio station will play all Taylor Swift music, all day, until the early hours of Sunday, August 9th, 2015 to ensure concertgoers and listeners celebrate this huge concert all day and all night.
In addition to the music programming, all station imaging, the website, jingles and DJ's will showcase 106.1 Swift FM all day. “There is no bigger artist in the world for radio in 2015 than Taylor Swift and I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate her sold out show in Seattle than by changing the name of our station and showcasing her amazing music all day,” said Rich Davis, 106.1 Swift FM, Program Director and Seattle Senior Vice President of Programming.
Radio Disney Comes To iHeartRadio
THE MOUTH, AUGUST 7TH, 2015 –– Starting now, you can now catch all the hottest Disney kids’ music, DJs and shows wherever you go, thanks to Radio Disney’s new partnership with iHeartRadio. From Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift to Shawn Mendes and Austin Mahone, Radio Disney is playing today’s most popular young artists, and its new integration into the iHeartRadio app means you can now listen in more ways than ever before.
Radio Disney programming will now be accessible on more than 60+ device platforms, streaming to the millions of iHeartRadio listeners across the U.S. From wearables and mobile devices to cars and gaming consoles, iHeartRadio is on a mission to bring listeners the very best content in as many ways as possible. Now, Radio Disney shows such as “Insider,” “Take Over,” “Top 30,” “Saturday Night Party,” “The Alli Simpson Show” and more will all be available through iHeartRadio. Radio Disney is joining Nick Radio and other existing partners on iHeartRadio, as part of our commitment to expanding our programming for fans of all ages. So grab the family and prepare to get Disney-fied with Radio Disney on iHeartRadio.
iHeart Music Summit Rocks Los Angeles From Radio Theatre
THE MOUTH, AUGUST 7TH, 2015 ––iHeart Radio's Music Summit took place this week in Los Angeles. The event which kicked off on Tuesday, August 4, at the iHeartRadio Theater Los Angeles, featured presentations by labels and both established and up-and-coming artists about their new music projects for iHeartMedia programmers from across the country. The Summit as well as iHeartMedia's various artist programs such as iHeartRadio's On The Verge Artists, Artist Integration Programs, World Premieres, iHeartRadio Album Release Parties and other events further supports the music industry and breaks new music.
Jennifer Aniston Gets Married, Jon Stewart Set Headed To Newseum
Jennifer Aniston And Justin Theroux Get Married - [PEOPLE]
Jon Stewart Set Heading To Newseum - [CNN]
Gordon Ramsey Extends With Fox - [THR]
John Stamos Admits He Tried To Get Olsen Twins Fired From 'Full House' - [GOSSIP COP]
Apple Confirms 11 Million Users Since Launch Of Free Trial - [NME]
Is 'Empire' Getting A Spinoff? - [E ONLINE]
Ed Sheeran Replacing The 'Bieb At UK Festival - [BBC]
Priscilla Presley Celebrates New Elvis Album - [ET]
[WATCH] John Travolta Cuts Woman's Hair Following Her Donation At Charity Event - [MIRROR]
[WATCH] Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie Have Marriage Woes In 'By The Sea' - [SLASH FILM]
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