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From Radio Insight: Nielsen begins its releases of the April 2024 diary surveys today. Today’s markets include monthly ratings for Baton Rouge, Louisville, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, and Puerto Rico. Other markets coming this week include: On Wednesday, May 22: Monthly ratings for Birmingham, Buffalo/Niagara Falls, , Greenville/Spartanburg, Richmond, and Rochester. On Thursday, May 23: Monthly ratings for Albany/Schenectady/Troy, and Syracuse. On Friday, May 24: Monthly ratings for Dayton, Fort Myers, Grand Rapids, Metro Fairfield County, Tucson, and Tulsa. more

From Radio Online: Compass Media Networks and Skratch N Sniff present the "Summer-Time Sublime Mix" for Memorial Day Weekend 2024 featuring guest host Jakob Nowell. He'll play the hits from Sublime and the new single "Feel Like That" with Figure Stick along with tunes from Jakob's Castle. Nowell will also keep your Memorial More...

From Radio Insight: Throwback Brands’ “Throwback Nation Radio” hosted by Tony Lorino has added eight new affiliates. Four stations are adding daily clearances of the show: Saga Communications’ 93.3 KIOA Des Moines IA, ST Radio’s “Classic Hits 101.7” WLDE Fort Wayne IN, Civic Media’s 105.7 WCFW Eau Claire WI, and Pamal Communication’s 1380/100.1 WSYB Rutland VT. Adding the show for weekends are Audacy’s “Star 102.1” WDOK Cleveland and 102.5 KEZK St. Louis, Griffin Media’s “92.9 The River” KRQV Tulsa, and Hall Communications’ “Kool 105.1” WKOL-fM Burlington VT. Lorino, Founder and CEO of Throwback Brands, stated, “We are thrilled to be serving great brands and companies in all sizes of markets, and most importantly, connecting with their listeners. Throwback Nation Radio is all about engaging with listeners, welcoming them onto your radio station, and giving them an outlet for the music they love. Our partners at Radio.Cloud and Skyview Networks are allowing us to do that better than ever, and the result is excellent content that keeps people coming back again and again!” WLDE Operations Manager/PD Captain Chris added, “Tony Lorino and TNR sound fantastic! It?s great Classic Hits, entertaining interactions with callers, and features that include your local content!” ?We are excited for Tony Lorino and Throwback Nation Radio on the continued growth into new markets nationwide,? added Ed Moloney, Director, Affiliate Syndication of Skyview Networks. ?The program generates a nostalgic energy with its audiences, and we are happy to bring those deep connections to new listeners.? more

From Radio Online: The nightly program "Throwback Nation Radio," through its syndication partner Skyview Networks, adds eight affiliates to expand the program's footprint across over 75 total stations. In recent months, Throwback Nation Radio has welcomed KEZK-FM/St. Louis, KRQV-FM/Tulsa, More...

From Radio Online: iHeartMedia appoints Marie Tolson-Overton as Sales Manager for WDAS-FM and WUSL-FM (Power 99) in Philadephia, effective immediately. Tolson-Overton is a 31-year veteran at iHeartMedia Philadephia where she most recently served as a senior account executive. Tolson-Overton previously served as Director of More...

From Radio Insight: One of the most attention-getting things about Hubbard?s WTOP Washington, D.C., yesterday was a promo that ran near the end of the hour. It was a testimonial from a listener who declared ?WTOP is better than WAZE when it comes to traffic.? Some stations have held on to traffic because it remains easily sponsored. Recently, a survey found that 33% of listeners still wanted traffic reports in the morning, despite their easy availability elsewhere. WTOP has clearly decided to fight for that franchise; the reports I heard in the 10 a.m. hour were usually around 1:15, exhaustive in a market where traffic is often exhausting. WTOP?s big story yesterday morning was the Maryland Primary and Angela Alsobrooks? decisive win over the better-financed David Trone. The breaking news was the assassination attempt against Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, a story I did not hear or receive alerts on elsewhere. But I wasn?t listening to WTOP for the news. * I was listening to WTOP on Wednesday, May 15 to hear the commercials, in anticipation of today?s BIA Top Billing Stations of the Year, a listing that WTOP again topped.* WTOP has not been immune from radio?s travails. Its 2023 revenue was $66.3 million, down from $69 million the year before. But it remains impressive.* I usually hear radio spots through the filter of a heavy streamer, meaning that I can?t always judge the quality of a station?s local spots. Sometimes, I tape the stations I want to hear, sparing myself the long-documented annoyances of spot-substitution issues and a streaming fill song that I just heard on the air 20 minutes ago. But in recent years, I?ve had an increased sense that even the over-the-air experience has a lot of the same unavoidable national advertisers and underbelly ads ? tax relief, injury attorneys, etc. I wondered how the ad experience on the nation?s top biller compared to other stations. Beyond that, I grew up listening to WTOP. When I lived in New York in the pre-streaming ?90s, its then-50,000-watt AM signal was often a connection to home. Its successful move to FM has prompted numerous other stations to do the same over the last two decades. (One of the ironies of the congressional debate over AM?s future is the availability of three major N/T FMs in the market.)* WTOP is currently No. 2 in DC only to NPR affiliate WAMU; it always rates a Fresh Listen. I listened to WTOP?s stream in the 10 a.m. hour, May 15. Here?s what I noticed: No injury lawyers. One tax-relief spot, a few others that sounded like network filler (e.g., the star registry), but no Lowe?s/Home Depot, Granger, etc. Only one insurance sponsor, but that was Progressive, which sponsored five of the hour?s six traffic reports and received a live tag. A lot of home-repair and realty spots ? probably the most-heard category during the hour. One of those ads was a testimonial from veteran D.C. morning man Jack Diamond. I also listened to WINS yesterday and heard three spots in that category vs. about 10 on WTOP. WINS is, it should be noted, the nation?s No. 3 biller and up from $32 million last year to $40 million, following its move to FM. Sister WCBS-AM, meanwhile, returned to the top 10. Two automotive spots. Not a ubiquitous category in this hour, but more than I sometimes hear on other major-market stations. (On the other hand, I still hear small-market stations with several hard-sell car spots in a stopset.) Some quirky local spots, including one encouraging drivers to use the toll express lanes on I-66 and another for a local church?s upcoming Greek Festival. (The champion for local-event and civic advertising in my recent listening, however, remains Adult R&B KJLH Los Angeles, where those ads are part of the appeal.) A promo for Hubbard?s Federal News Network, as well as another spot promoting both a sponsor (Red River Cybersecurity) and its podcast in conjunction with Federal News. Earlier this year, I monitored two major-market music FMs for both the quantity and quality of their commercials. As was the case then, ads on WTOP were mostly straightforward. One of the home-repair sponsors, the only one to appear twice during the hour, had a jingle. There was also a smile-inducing Barbasol spot I?ve heard elsewhere in recent days. The feel of the ads wasn?t hard-sell or sleazy, and the overall experience was fine. But they weren?t additive in that way. You might expect the ads on a major all-news outlet to be inherently sober. That wasn?t always the case. Growing up, the most drily comic ads were often the ones I heard on WTOP or all-news WCBS New York, something I figured must reflect the sophistication of the audience. In recent years, I?ve had the sense that radio spots were one more poorly tended area in which it felt like the industry was throwing its collective hands up, allowing little relief from tax relief. Listening to the spots a little more in recent months has made me feel better. (I have, in particular, noticed a lot less graphic medical advertising.) I hear more high-quality ads than I expected; I hear stations trying to minimize the impact of hard-sell legal. If the spots were to also entertain, they could contribute to an experience that sets broadcast radio apart from streaming. more

From Radio Online: iHeartMedia's KESZ (99.9 KEZ) in Phoenix elevates Andrew Babinski to co-host on the long running "Beth and Friends Morning Show," effective immediately. Babinski has been with iHeartMedia Phoenix for 24 years, where he has most recently served as the Executive Producer for 99.9 KEZ, a title he will retain. More...

From Radio Insight: iHeartMedia AC “99.9 KEZ” KESZ Phoenix has announced that Andrew Babinski has been promoted to co-host of its “Beth & Friends” morning show. Babinski has been with iHeartMedia Phoenix since 2000 and most recently served as Executive Producer for the KESZ morning show. He has also held producer roles for 550 KFYI and “Fox Sports 910” KGME during his tenure. He becomes the first titled co-host alongside Beth McDonald since the passing of Bill Austin in 2010. McDonald stated, “I?m so happy to have Andrew as my co-host. This show has a storied history since we debuted in 1990 with ?Beth and Bill? and transitioned to ?Beth and Friends? after Bill Austin?s passing in 2010. Andrew is my first co-host since then, and he?s the perfect guy to take over such a meaningful role on our team. The show is now the best it has been since the Beth and Bill days. I?m looking forward to many years of fun ahead with Andrew!” Program Director Paul Kelley commented, “He?s funny, the listeners and advertisers love him, and he?s a pretty darn good employee. ?The Beth and Friends Show? is better with Andrew sitting across from Beth.” Babinski added, “I am honored and excited to continue working with Beth each morning. She?s an absolute legend. I couldn?t have found a better home than iHeartRadio and 99.9 KEZ.” more

From Radio Insight: iHeartMedia Country “B93” 93.7 WBCT has announced the addition of Mike Aguilar to its morning show alongside Ally Mac. Aguilar has been with iHeartMedia Grand Rapids since 2006 mostly at at CHR 104.5 WSNX in a variety of roles including morning show co-host/producer, mixer, on-air in every daypart and APD/MD since 2012. He is also currently part of the WKQI Detroit based “Mojo In The Morning” that airs on WSNX, but will depart that at the end of the week, although he will continue to host middays on WSNX. Aguilar shared, ” I am truly excited to take on the this new venture and build this show with her. I?m feel like I?m going back to my roots. I?m excited to meet all of the b93 listener family and will still be doing Middays on 1045 SNX. I?m not leaving I?m just going down the hall. As I finish my final week on Mojo In The Morning I want to thank everyone who gave a guy from West Michigan a chance on the show. I want to thank my family on the show who has been there in good and bad times. My family and I appreciate and love you more than you know. This isn?t good bye. I am sure I will be popping in to say hi.” He takes the morning slot at WBCT that had been held by Matt Gilcheck until his exit in iHeart’s March layoffs. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mike Aguilar (@onairmike) more

From Radio Online: SiriusXM will air the 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500. Listeners will have access to the live call of the race from Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 26. Pre-race coverage begins at 11am ET on SiriusXM INDYCAR Nation and NBC Sports Audio. Both channels are available to More...

From Radio Online: "Inheriting," a new narrative podcast from LAist Studios launching May 23, is a journey through the lives of seven families reckoning with major moments in Asian American and Pacific Islander history. Through these stories, the show explores how the past is personal and how to live with the legacies we're More...

From Radio Online: In a new partnership, Podcast Radio is collaborating with Alpha Media to bring a unique radio experience to Missouri. Podcast Radio Missouri will launch on KREI-AM in Farmington, MO on May 27 and KWIX-AM andamp; FM in Moberly, MO on June 17. Podcast Radio Missouri will be featured across More...

From Radio Insight: Alpha Media will launch “Podcast Radio” on a pair of signals in Missouri. News/Talk 800 KREI Farmington will launch the Podcast Radio programming and on May 27 and 1230 KWIX Moberly/92.5 KWIX-FM Cairo on June 17. The changes follow Alpha’s mass cuts in the markets early this month. Podcast Radio Missouri will be featured across dayparts on the two stations, prominently acting as the Morning Show in both markets, offering a fresh and dynamic start to the day. This partnership marks a significant expansion of Podcast Radio’s format into the American radio landscape, promising to offer Missouri listeners a novel way to explore podcasting content through traditional radio. Listeners will hear top-quality podcast content from across North America and the world, while also giving airtime to local Missouri podcast content. Localized imaging and station IDs will feature across Podcast Radio Missouri broadcast hours, which also include original interviews with podcasters. Gene ?Bean? Baxter acts as lead interviewer, delving deep into the methodology and personality of both local and national podcasts and their creators. Gerry Edwards, CEO of Podcast Radio, notes, ?We are thrilled to be partnering with Alpha. The team has been great to work with in the build-up to launch, and we cannot wait to hear more Missouri-based podcasters on these stations.? Phil Becker, Executive Vice President of Content at Alpha, said, ?We’re excited to partner with Podcast Radio to bring this innovative format to our listeners in Missouri. This partnership underscores our commitment to delivering fresh, engaging content that resonates with our communities. While we are launching on one station in two Missouri markets, our goal is to expand the format to our other two Missouri markets?. Gary Krantz, CEO of Krantz Media Group (KMG) who is overseeing syndication of Podcast Radio, adds, ?We are excited to expand Podcast Radio’s presence into Missouri with Alpha Media. Together, we’re creating a new gateway for listeners to discover and enjoy the best in podcast content through the familiar and trusted medium of radio. Podcast Radio, adapts podcast content into a radio-friendly format, was first established in the UK in 2020. It broadcasts 24/7 online, via smart speakers, apps, and on both FM and AM radio, leveraging the familiarity and trust people have in traditional radio to help listeners discover and select from millions of podcasts. The format includes live ?Podjocks? who provide engaging transitions, interviews, and commentary, enhancing the radio listening experience with high-quality podcast content from around the globe. more

From Radio Online: KDAY-FM/Los Angeles promotes Matthew "DJ ECTO1" Hernandez to Assistant Program Director. He'll also continue to closely collaborate with sister KPWR-FM (Power 106). Hernandez was previously the head of Hip-Hop and EDM programming for Dash Radio in Hollywood, American General Media's PD/MD for CHR andamp; Rhythmic More...

From Radio Online: Marketers and agencies are increasing their commutes and spending more days at the office, according to a new Advertiser Perceptions study of 305 media agencies and brands commissioned by the Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group. Interviews took place April 2-12 and the results were compared to More...

From Radio Insight: Meruelo Media has promoted Matthew ‘DJ ECTO1’ Hernandez to Assistan Program Director of Classic Hip Hop 93.5 KDAY Santa Monica/93.5 KDEY Ontario CA. Hernandez has been with Meruleo Media since 2018 first as a part-time mixer for KDAY and Hip Hop “Power 106” KPWR. He went full-time in 2021 as a music scheduler for KPWR and mixer for both station. He previously served as head of Hip Hop and EDM programming for Dash Radio from 2018-23, Program Director for American General Media Albuquerque in 2016-17, and spent a decoade at Point Broadcasting Oxnard/Ventura CA in multiple roles including hosting mornings at “Q104.7” KCAQ and Assistant Program Director. Hernandez said, “I grew up listening to KDAY and always dreamed of working here. It’s an honor and a huge responsibility to lead the first Hip-Hop radio station in America. I am a huge fan of the original West Coast sound that was born on KDAY. I am proud to work with this amazing team and KDAY’s strong legacy and vision.” Meruelo Media Senior Vice President of Brands, Pio Ferro added, “Matthew is the leader that KDAY needs today. He has a refreshing perspective on our legendary music brand while simultaneously bringing a vigorous vibe, solid work ethic, and execution skills.” more

From Radio Insight: Ten months after relaunching as as “Planet 106.3” last July, the Alternative format on 106.3 WJSE North Cape May NJ is gone. Regional Media flipped WJSE to Country this morning as “Coast Country 106.3” under new/old WKOE call letters. The WKOE calls and a Country format were first paired together on the former 106.3 in Ocean City NJ from 1992 until 1998. That station would keep the calls under multiple formats until 2006 when they move to the current station (at the time on 106.7) from 2008 until 2010 as the first iteration of “Coast Country“. The flip to Country makes it the third Country signal in the Atlantic City/Cape May market joining ownsquare Media’s “Cat Country 107.3” WPUR Atlantic City and Rick Brancandora’s “Hot Country 101” 1020 WWAC Ocean City-Somers Point and three translators. The station creates a “Coast” branding combo with sister AC “98.7 An unrelated “Coast Country 103.9/106.3” is operated by Draper Media right across the Delaware Bay on WRDE-FM Berlin/WCEM-FM Cambridge MD. more

From Radio Insight: Holly Williams has retired as midday host at Sinclair Communications Variety Hits “93.7 Bob-FM” WNOB Chesapeake/Norfolk VA to relocate closer to her family in her native Philadelphia. Williams began her career at 106.9 WAFX in 1990 before joining Sinclair in December 1993 and spent time at Alternative “96X” WROX and AAA “93.7 The Coast” WKOC including a tenure as Program Director of both stations through 2002. She would return to the company to host middays on WNOB in 2007 and also had roles in sales. more

From Radio Insight: Eagle Communications signed on 104.9 KBCT Maryville MO as Classic Hits “104.9 The Cat” on May 15. The station will emphasize music from the 1980s and 90s, with the exception of a 70s show on Saturday nights. Gregg Lynn, PD for co-owned Classic Hits “Joe Town 107.5” 1550 KESJ/K298DA St. Joseph MO, will add those duties for KBCT as well as host mornings. Lynn told the Maryville Record, ?We want to be a part of the community. We?ll be running contests and games on-air, we?ll be in the community at events, and we?ll offer another choice for radio listeners in Maryville to listen at home, at work, and in the car.? more

From Radio Insight: Audacy Classic Hits 94.9 WOLX-FM Baraboo/Madison morning host Jim McGaw passed away over the weekend. McGaw has been a staple in the Madison market since 1987. He joined WOLX in 2013 and has been hosting mornings since November 2016. He previously had a long stint at AC “Magic 98” WMGN including eleven years in afternoons from 2002-13. more

From Radio Insight: Silent NotificationsMonte Spearman’s High Plains Radio Network and associated companies’ Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding brought upon by their tower lease dispute with Vertical Bridge has caused the company to take nine stations silent as they’ve been evicted from their sites. The stations filing Silent STAs are: 690 KAFN Benton AR, 1240 KVRC Arkadelphia AR, 1310 KZYP Malvern AR, 1450 KVBV Buena Vista CO, 1490 KVWC Vernon TX, 1490 KZZN Littefield TX, 99.7 KWPS-FM Caddo Valley AR, 100.9 KDEL-FM Arkadelphia AR and 106.9 KYXK Gurdon AR. In a letter to the FCC shared with each filing, Spearman wrote: This letter is the latest information update and filing date information, as to the progress or lack of progress with Vertical Bridge Tower Company concerning the ongoing tower lease issues. After attempting for approximately a year to obtain any or all of the tower lease related issues resolved, and trying meet the needs of the lawsuit filed in the Florida court and simply because nothing had been resolved, including HPRN making numerous offers to settle and to rework the tower site leases for the future, only to have Vertical Bridge decide to not respond with any type of solution or account adjustments or even to attempt to fully review and fully discus the various open issues, it was decided that the best direction for HPRN to go, was to file a form of bankruptcy. HPRN was originally formed in the State of Texas, so the filing for Bankruptcy Sub-Chapter Five, was filed and processed in Texas on March 26 of this year. We had the first creditors? meeting on May 02nd which only involved two other creditors and the Vertical Bridge attorneys. Again, HPRN detailed all the issues that needed to be addressed and there was a verbal statement from the VB attorneys that the issues would be reviewed by Vertical Bridge and that they would reply to us. Since the creditors meeting, there has been continuous back and forth information between our attorney and through a new attorney for Vertical Bridge, causing constant issues to get the attorney up to speed with the issues, which as of this date, has resulted in no reply to properly resolve the issues and VB additionally has filed numerous motions that would force HPRN to be moved to a Chapter Seven Bankruptcy status. HPRN has now been advised that we need to vacate all Vertical Bridge sites, causing the reasoning for the filing for temporary STAs that we will voluntarily turn Off-Air some stations temporarily and for the stations that we feel need to remain on the air but need to relocate to a temporary tower site. We will look at options for the silent stations and we will look to relocate the on-air stations to new tower site locations in the near future. We want to be fully transparent with the FCC and we want to keep everything properly filed as required. While trying to work with Vertical Bridge over this last year, we have delayed in making these hard decisions and accept now that we should have acted sooner but need to make the changes now. Our hopes are to continue to serve the local small communities so that we can continue to be a true broadcaster that works directly with the FCC and to meet all the requirements. Please process the STA filings as needed so that all the stations are operating in proper order status. SummitMedia’s 1320 WENN Birmingham AL (Colling system failure)Southern Stone Communication’s 1550 WLOR Huntsville AL (Loss of tower site) CRC Media West’s 1200 KPSF Cathedral City CA (Generator failure) CRC Media West’s 1010 KXPS Thousand Palms CA (Gernator failure) Mount San Antonio Community College’s 90.1 KSAK Walnut CA (Move to new site) Duvall Media Group’s 1340 WROD Daytona Beach FL (Tower structural damage) Lifestyle Education Academy International’s 98.5 WLSB Augusta IL (Financial difficulties/pending sale) Aleluya Broadcasting Network’s 90.3 KABA Louise TX (Transmitter damage) FCC ActionsThe rulemaking allowing FM Boosters to originate up to three minutes of programming per hour took effect on May 16 following its publication in the Federal Register. License CancellationsThe FCC has rejected the license renewal application of Forsythe Broadcasting’s 1360 WNJC Washington Township NJ and cancelled its license deeming that its license automatically expired in March after failing to operate for one year. The Commission notes that its renewal application was untimely filed and failed to comply with its Online Public Inspection Rule but efforts to contact the licensee via email were unsuccessful and its telphone number did not function. Another inquiry about its operational status was answered earlier this month in which the licensee admitted it ceased operations around March 2023 after its tower lease was terminated, but that it failed to notify the FCC ?due to inadvertent errors of counsel.” They said they has unsuccessfully attempted to find a new transmitter site, but because its community of license is developed and densely populated it is difficult to find a site that could accomodate it and asked the FCC to allow it to resume operations when “it is technically and economically feasible”. American Family Association has turned in the license for 88.1 KARH Forrest City AR. FM ChangesAlcon Media’s Regional Mexican “La Ranchera 104.5” KZJJ Mesa WA proposes to downgrade from a Class C3 to Class A with a change of COL This content is for Premium Annual and Premium Monthly members only. Visit the site and log in/register to read. more

From Radio Insight: As Champaign Multimedia Group has closed on its $2 million purchase of Neuhoff Media’s Danville and Decatur IL, it will next trigger a realignment of the company’s existing Champaign IL holdings. Plus ESPN Radio appears on its way back to Harrisburg PA. This content is for Premium Annual and Premium Monthly members only. Visit the site and log in/register to read. more

From Radio Insight: Alpha Media made another round of cuts at its stations in suburban Chicago. Leslie Harris exits as midday host at Classic Rock “95.9 The River” WERV Aurora. She was on her second stint at the station as she returned in 2017 following a previous tenure in middays and nights from 2007 to 2014. Harris has been a stalwart in the Chicago market since the 1980s with time at 99.5 WUSN, 105.9 WCKG, 890 WLS, 103.5 WWBZ, 107.9 WYSY, 103.5 WRCX, and 94.7 WXCD between 1982 and 1998 before leaving radio for a decade to raise her kids. Maura Myles is out as midday host at Country 98.3 WCCQ Crest Hill/Joliet. Myles joined WCCQ in June 2019 after eight years in the same daypart at sister Hot AC “Star 96.7” WSSR Joliet. Myles previously co-hosted mornings on Classic Hits 94.7 WLS-FM Chicago and has spent time as a news anchor/traffic reporter at 890 WLS and 670 WMAQ and morning host at Christian AC “106.7 The Fish” WZFS among other Chicago stations. Their exits follow the departures of WCCQ afternoon host Chris Miles and Chief Engineer/air talent Scott Childers at the end of February. While nothing is confirmed, the rumor mill is swirling that Alpha will soon be making programming changes to expand at least one of its brands to an additional signal similiar to how it combined all three of its Chicago area Hot AC’s as “Star” in March 2023. That move followed a previous layoff in the region. more

From Radio Online: Podcasts have established themselves as a mainstream media platform, attracting an ever-growing and highly engaged audience, as highlighted in The Podcast Consumer 2024 report by Edison Research. Vice President Megan Lazovick presented insights in a webinar, offering benchmark data on weekly and monthly U.S. More...

From Radio Online: "KMJ: 100 Years in the Valley," a documentary film detailing the origins and century of success of iconic Fresno, CA News/Talk outlet KMJ-AM andamp; FM, has been nominated for a regional Emmy Award. Valley PBS CEO and filmmaker Jeff Aiello produced, directed and narrated the film. KMJ More...

From Radio Online: Podbean, a podcast hosting platform, has announced its latest feature: YouTube Video to Podcast functionality. This innovation empowers users to effortlessly convert their YouTube videos into podcasts, offering creators opportunities to extend their content's reach to diverse podcast More...

From Radio Insight: “103.5 Kiss-FM” WKSC Chicago APD/afternoon host is adding extra duties as evening host at Country “The Big 98” WSIX Nashville. Brady has been based in Chicago since 2013 first serving as MD/night host at WKSC before rising to APD/afternoon host in June 2015. He also is heard on many iHeartMedia CHRs and Hot ACs across the country. Prior to arriving in Chicago, Brady worked at multiple stations in his native Connecticut including “I98” WILI Willimantic, 98.3 WDAQ Danbury, Music Director at “KC 101” WKCI New Haven, and APD of “Kiss 95.7” WKSS-FM Hartford. Brady shared, “Nashville was looking for a Post Malone to their Morgan Wallen so they called your boy. I have officially added party host/nights in Nashville to my list of on air duties. I couldn?t be more honored to join the WSIX team and add country music to my brand. Let?s have some fun friends and you catch my show weeknights 7p-10p! Thanks (WSIX PD) Gator Harrison for this exciting opportunity to join this legendary station.” He succeeds the WKSF Asheville NC based Eddie Foxx in the 7-10pm timeslot on WSIX. more

From Radio Insight: After nearly a decade at Cumulus Media Sports “104.5 The Zone” WGFX Nashville, Mickey Ryan has departed as co-host of the 1-3pm show he co-hosted with Blaine Bishop. Ryan wrote on LinkedIn, “After almost ten years, my time at 1045 the Zone has come to an end. It has been an absolute privilege to work here and I?m beyond thankful for all the opportunities I?ve had. To all our great sponsors and listeners: You have been so supportive to me and I will be forever grateful. Thank you. To the amazing people I got to work with: Thank you for your friendship and support. You are the best! While an offer was extended and wishes expressed for me to stay, I have prayerfully made the decision to seek out my next opportunity, whatever that may be. I?m truly not sure what is next but I know God is with me and will lead me to the right thing.” Ryan had joined WGFX as afternoon co-host in 2014 after serving as Associate Director of Athletics for Arkansas State University. He and Bishop have been teamed in the early afternoon slot since August 2020. He has also been a member of the Tennesse Titans gameday broadcasts for the station since 2016 anchoring their pre and post-game shows. more

From Radio Insight: As Joe Thomas’ Thomas Media prepares to close on the $275,000 purchase 1240 WTON Staunton VA and translators 98.9 W255DS Harrisonburg and 101.1 W266BQ Crozet from Stu-comm Inc, he has set a launch date of Saturday, May 25 for his new Conservative Talk format. Thomas, who spent seventeen years as Program Director and morning host at Monticello Media?s ?C-Ville 107.5? WCHV-FM Charlottesville until being fired after the acquisition was filed, will host mornings. He told the Staunton News-Leader that he’s waiting to hear from some other potential local hosts before announcing the rest of the lineup other than former WTON staffers Leland McCray and Joe Deck will broadcast high school football games this fall. more

From Radio Insight: Ryman Hospitality Classic Country/Talk 650 WSM Nashville has announced the launch of two new shows to its lineup. Eryn Cooper, who joined WSM last October as part of the ?Coffee, Country and Cody? morning show hosted by Bill Cody, Charlie Mattos, and Kelly Sutton, will become afternoon host from 3-7pm for “On Air with Eryn”. Cooper will also host WSM’s “The Opry Warm Up Show? ahead of Grand Ole Opry performances. Before joining WSM, Cooper worked at Midwest Communications’ 106.7 WNFN starting as a weekend host for the then CHR “Hot 106.7” in 2021 before rising to nights. Following its flip to Classic Country “Y’all 106.7” last June she was Assistant Brand Manager and local station voice until departing for WSM. She has also served as an anchor/reporter for WTVC-TV Chattanooga, sideline reporter for SEC Network, and digital reporter for the Washington Commanders. She stated, ?I?m absolutely over the moon to take this next step with WSM. This is an opportunity to carry on the prestigious history of country music?s most famed platform and combine it with the stories of the genre?s newest faces. Country music is meant to make folks feel at home, and I intend to make you feel that way every day during ?On Air with Eryn.?? Cooper succeeds Lexi Carter in afternoons as she moved to overnights from 12-5am for “Late Nights with Lexi”. Carter joined WSM in 2017 as producer and later co-host of the talk show “Nashville Today”. Following its cancellation in 2020, she moved to the dual role of Music Director and afternoon host. The New Jersey native also hosted afternoons at “Cat Country 107.3” WPUR Atlantic City from 2004-09 and was APD/midday host at “Thunder 106” WKMK Eatontown/WTNJ Bass River Township from 2009-11. Carter commented, I’m thrilled to embark on this new chapter with WSM Radio. ?Late Nights with Lexi? is not just a radio show; it is a platform for celebrating the rich tapestry of country music and the Grand Ole Opry while connecting with a new audience in the overnight hours.? WSM General Manager Eric Marcum stated, “It is an honor to oversee the expansion of the WSM On-Air team as more exciting announcements are on the horizon, coinciding with the 100-year celebration in 2025. In a short time, Eryn has proven she can shine with the brightest stars in Nashville. Her talents, skills and work ethic are already proving successful both on air and in our digital outlets. Lexi is such a valued member of the WSM family, not only curating a music catalog synonymous with the sound of WSM but also providing a familiar and friendly voice on the air, with more programming opportunities on the way.? Annie Ney will succeed Cooper on the morning show assisting in the day-to-day production of the morning show simulcast on the Circle Country television network and content distribution across various digital platforms in addition to her role as WSM Digital Content Coordinator. more