2007-The Year In Review
January 2007
New Year - New Home For John Boy And Billy
1-2-07
John
Boy & Billy and The Big Show have turned up on WKRO-FM
93.1. Their show had been carried on WHTQ-FM
96.5.
The present morning crew of Kingbird
will move to afternoon drive and Stephanie
will take over from 10 AM-3 PM.
Pete
Michaels, will be joining John Boy & Billy in the mornings!
Don Gould To Join WINS-AM 1010 New York 1-2-07
CFLRadio
has heard from our radio friend Don
Gould. He writes; "I
just wanted you to know that I'm going back into the business after being
semi-retired for two years. The "semi" part was that we moved
from New York City to NE Pennsylvania, and there wasn't anything around here for
me to do other than play golf. However, despite still living here, I've
returned to New York radio anchoring the weekend morning sports for WINS
Radio.
New Year At O-Rock 1-2-07
At WOCL-FM
105.9, Jody
and Scott leave
their night slot to take the
afternoon drive slot. Former morning sidekick Mel
Taylor will slide from afternoons back to her night time position. Mel's
afternoon partner Bobby
Smith will be concentrating on his duties as program director.
WTIR Flips To R&B/Gospel
1-4-07
The
husband and wife team of
Cleo
"Primetime" Sears and B. B. Sears will head up the new
broadcast team at
WTIR-AM 1300. The new format will be Rhythm and Blues and Gospel.
New
Morning Show On WNDB 1-5-07
Dave
Laing will be taking a behind the scenes roll on the new morning show
coming to WNDB-AM 1150.
"Wake Up Daytona" begins
Monday morning, January 8, 2007, from 6AM until 9AM with new host Doug
Kosarek.
Format Change At WINT-AM 1-10-07
Clear
Channel
owned
WINT-AM
1560 is changing formats from "Music of Your Life"
to "Scott
Shannon's True Oldies Channel". Along with the new format, Larry
Brewer will join the morning show later this month.
CSB Coming To Orlando 1-15-07
Nationally
known hands-on broadcast education school Connecticut
School of Broadcasting will offer its first courses in Orlando on March
26, 2007. Chris Kampmeier, director of programming for Clear Channel
radio stations in Orlando and Melbourne says: "For a market of our size,
it's surprising that we don't have a full-time broadcasting school."
University
Of Florida Station GM Says By Bye Gators 1-18-07
WUFT-FM
89.1, WJUF-FM 90.1,
and WUFT-TV-DT General
Manager Rick Lehner has announced he will be leaving after thirty years.
Lehner will join the National Educational Television Association as
Vice President of Operations.
The Marc Bernier Show
Starts Year 17 1-19-07
It
was back on January 22, 1990 that Marc
Bernier came to WNDB-AM
1150 in Daytona Beach. CFLRadio offers our congratulations.
Mornings
Belong To WMGF 1-25-07
The
Orlando Sentinel's Scott Maxwell is reporting the number one morning
show in Orlando is WMGF-FM
107.7's "family friendly" duo of Dave
Collins and Leslye
Gayle. They have been number 1 in the mornings, 4 out of the last
5 ratings periods.
WDBO-AM
580's veteran Jim
Turner, Doc
and Johnny
with Grace
on WXXL-FM 106.7 follow
the "Magic 107.7" duo. "The Fiasco" on WJRR-FM
101.1 has made tremendous strides in the ratings. Pat
Lynch, Taco
Bob, Launa
and CJ have
jumped from 14th to fifth place. Read more on the ratings where we take a
closer look.
Mix Morning Team Ink New Deal 1-31-07
The
morning duo of Scott
and Erica on WOMX-FM
105.1 have signed a new contract that will keep them on the CBS owned
station until the year 2011.
A bit of history of Scott and Erica
October
29, 1990 Erica Lee joins the "MIX 105.1" morning show from Metro
Traffic Services.
January 3, 1991 Scott McKenzie is named the new morning show host. He is
first introduced to his newscaster, Erica Lee. This is the beginning of
the "Scott and Erica Show".
March 2007
Doc
Holliday Has Left the Building 3-5-07
Scott Maxwell
is reporting that half of the Doc and Johnny Morning Show on WXXL-FM
106.7 has decided it was time to move on. Doc
Holliday has submitted a letter of resignation to Clear Channel's
Chris Kampmeier. Here's the
link to Scott's column. Taking
Names with Scott Maxwell
You can read the full transcript of the Representative Rick Keller's
Salute
to the Doc and Johnny Show's 15th anniversary on June 07, 2005
Johnny
Magic Signs New Deal With WXXL 3-7-07
Johnny
Magic, former partner of Doc
Holliday, on WXXL-FM 106.7 signed
a new two year deal with Clear Channel on Monday.
More On Doc Holliday's Exit 3-7-07
Doc
Holliday who resigned from the Doc and Johnny Morning Show on WXXL-FM
106.7 has told Scott Maxwell of the Orlando Sentinel that
he plans to stay in Orlando. He will call the games for the Orlando Predators
and will likely do some work for Orlando's new indoor soccer league, as well as
doing voice-over work. He even mused that radio may, again be part of his
future.
From
Rhythmic to Mainstream CHR - WBVD-FM 95.1 Flips 3-13-07
Central
Florida Radio legend and program director at WLRQ-FM
99.3, Michael W. Lowe has
let us know that WBVD-FM
95.1, known as "95-1, The Beat,” will flip from its Rhythmic CHR
to Mainstream CHR at 6am Wednesday, March 14th.
The new “Kiss 95.1” will see only one staff change. M.J.
Kelli (coming over from WFLZ-FM,
Alex
Diaz Wins Ugly Betty Contest 3-14-07
WXXL
FM 106.7 morning show producer Alex
Diaz has won the "Ugly Betty, a Face Made for Radio Deejay
Contest." Alex beat contestants from 22 competing radio stations
nationwide. Alex will get a trip to Hollywood to visit the set of
"Ugly Betty."
For all the "Ugly details" visit WFTV.com.
New
PD For XL 106.7 3-17-07
Michael Bryan
will take over as Program Director at WXXL-FM
106.7 beginning April 10. Michael comes to Orlando by way of
Norfolk, VA and WNVZ-FM, where he was PD and afternoon personality.
Michael Baisden Joins Star 94.5 3-20-07
WCFB-FM
94.5 has welcomed syndicated Michael
Baisden to the 3PM-7PM slot. Eric
"Hollywood" Davis moves to Fridays from 7pm to midnight
and Sundays 4pm-7pm.
Ms. B Is Back 3-20-07
Ms.
B, (Leslie Brewington), is back on the air at
WCFB-FM
94.5, Saturdays from 11AM to 4PM. Ms. B was part of the
"102 Jamz" Wake-Up Posse at WJHM-FM 101.9 with
Paco Lopez and Brandi Shannon from 1996 to 2000.
Carole
Nelson Changes Time Slots 3-21-07
WMEL-AM
920 has moved the Carole Nelson
show from the 10AM slot to the 2PM to 3PM. Carole and her former WFTV partner Danny
Treanor will be together on Carole's program this Friday at 2PM. If
you don't live within the broadcast reach of WMEL, they do stream their
broadcast. Here's the link; http://www.920wmel.com
Dennis Miller Debut Today 3-26-07
Comedian/Political
Commentator/Author Dennis Miller joins the lineup on WORL-AM
660 today at 10AM.
New
PD For WKTK 3-26-07
WKTK-FM
98.5, Gainesville-Ocala
program director, Bruce Cherry
is gone. He will be replaced by Greg
Southard who will also take over afternoons.
.
Michael
Saunders Named Program Director At 102 Jamz 3-30-07
Michael Saunders, a
veteran programmer will become the new Program Director, effective April 2 at WJHM-FM
101.9. He replaces Stevie
DeMann, who left in February. Saunders was the PD of Clear
Channel's Urban WWPR-FM 105.1 "Power 105.1" in New
York.
WKTO Moves To 88.9 3-31-07
Randy Henry
lets us know that WKTO-FM has moved to
88.9 from 88.7. This will allow them to broadcast at full power of 29,000 watts.
Eddie
Hubbard Dies After Car Accident 3-31-07
Eddie
Hubbard died March 26 after he and wife, were involved in an accident.
Eddie was a veteran Chicago broadcaster eventually moving to Dallas and joining
the ABC Radio Satellite Music Network. The "Stardust"
format was carried by WHOO-AM 990 from
1993 until Disney took over in 2001.
April 2007
WDBO
Wins Another Murrow Award 4-2-07
WDBO-AM
580 has
won the 2007 Radio and Television News Directors Association Edward R.
Murrow Regional Award for spot news. The station won for team coverage of
the fire at Gatorland Nov. 6.
The Imus Issue Sparks Hard Feelings In Orlando
4-12-07
WTKS-FM
104.1's Shannon Burke
Show ended early Wednesday after Soul
Brother Kevin stormed out of the studio during a debate on the Don
Imus issue. After the argument Burke continued the show before he left the
studio thirty minutes early. As of this morning Shannon and Kevin are back on
the air. Scott Maxwell has the
full story here.
Rama
Communications Fined $15,000 4-12-07
After
a yearlong review,
Orlando-based Rama Communications Inc., owners of WTIR-AM
1300 in Cocoa Beach has lost an appeal to the Federal Communications
Commission to reduce a $15,000 fine. The company was fined for failing to
maintain emergency alert system equipment and failing to maintain security
around its antenna on the radio station property. Inspectors visited the studios
in January of 2006 after two complaints. They discovered an entrance gate
to the station's antenna field was torn down and the required additional fencing
around the antenna itself had not been installed. It was also noted that
the emergency alert system had been installed, but the wiring had been removed.
The FCC also found that the
logbook for the equipment had not been maintained.
PD
Goes To Work For PD
4-13-07
Brian Scott, the Program Director for WLKF-AM
1340 Lakeland and
WONN-AM 1230
in Winter Haven is leaving
broadcasting after 15 years, for a career in law enforcement.
"The Voice of Deland"
Passes On
4-23-07
Donald
V. Ammon, died April 9, 2007, in Port Orange. Mr. Ammon retired as a program
manager for radio stations
WOOO-AM 1310, WJBF, WDLF-AM 1490
and WETO-AM 1490 all in Deland.
He
was 80 years old. Born
in Donora, Pa., he moved to this area in 1955 from Pittsburgh. He attended
Ashland University and the University of Akron, both in Ohio, and Stetson
University.
was also a past president of The Shoestring Theater in Lake Helen was
also the person who wrote the theater's newsletter and frequently worked as an
actor and director.
New
Local Voice Takes Over For Imus 4-23-07
WAMT-AM
1190 has replaced the fired Don Imus and "Imus In The
Morning " with a local voice. "No Kidding" with Scott Kid
will air from 7AM until 9AM on WAMT after Mancow which starts at 6AM.
Remember
WORJ? 4-30-07
Lee
Arnold of WORJ-FM 107.7, has announced he now has an Internet radio
station at www.worj.com. Lee
states "It's my idea of what the station would sound like musically if it
was still on the air in Orlando." He's looking for feedback as well.
May 2007
WXXL
Morning Show Looses Another Host 5-3-07
Scott
Maxwell is reporting in the Orlando Sentinel that the morning show at
WXXL-FM 106.7 has lost another co host of
the morning show. Grace Vasquez is
the second member of the troop to say see ya! to XL106.7. Scott is hinting
something is in the works for Doc and Grace, together again. Stay tuned...
WHOO Gets Approval For Power Increase 5-9-07
Genesis
Communications received the go ahead from the FCC for Program Test
Authority to increase the daytime power to 19KW for WHOO-AM
1080. "With this upgrade, WHOO paired with our 50KW WIXC
1060 in
WLOQ-FM
103.1 has let go the veteran overnight man Joe Francis. Joe had
been holding down the overnights from midnight until 5:30AM starting back in
1986. Word is the overnights now will be automated.
NAACP Calls For Talk Host Firing 5-31-07
Big
John, the former Volusia County Council member, now afternoon talk host
at WELE-AM 1380 has been accused of making
a racist comment about Daytona Beach mayoral hopeful Dwayne Taylor. WELE
owner Doug Wilhite issued a statement saying "Big
John's statement about mayoral candidate Commissioner Dwayne Taylor was in poor
taste, but it was not racist." Cynthia
Slater, president of the Volusia County-Daytona Beach Branch of the
National Association of Colored People said; "He
(John) used a comment which is hurtful and inappropriate," said .
"Monkey, history shows, has been directed as a disparaging remark toward
African-Americans."
June 2007
WELE
Demands Apology 6-1-07
Doug
Wilhite, the president of Wings Communications, said in an on-air
statement on WELE-AM 1380
that NAACP spokeswoman Cynthia Slater misspoke by calling Big
John a racist. "In our society, to label someone as a racist
is serious business," Wilhite said. "It should be reserved
for the Imuses of the world who truly do have a racist mindset. Big
John clearly does not." Ms.
Slater refused to apologize, saying there was no need. "I do know
what he said on the radio, and what he said was racist," she said Thursday
night. "I don't need to apologize to Big John."
More
On Big John 6-2-07
The
Daytona Beach NAACP leaders have been joined by the Daytona Beach
Black Clergy Alliance to pressure sponsors of "Big Talk with Big
John" to have radio host Big John fired. The groups also plans to
contact the Federal Communications Commission. Big John (his legal
name) appeared Friday night on the "Hannity and Colmes" Fox
News show to talk about his remarks. John said he's received many messages of
support. Doug
Wilhite, president of Wings Communications, which owns WELE-AM
1380 is continuing efforts to get either the Rev. Al Sharpton or Rev.
Jesse Jackson here to mediate the situation. Wilhite issued an apology
to anyone who was offended, calling John's remark "in poor taste," but
"not racist."
Changes
At O-Rock?
6-18-07
WOCL-FM 105.9's
Scott of
the Jody
and Scott Show is now solo on O-Rock in the afternoon. We'll be updating
this info as it becomes available.
News
From The Beach
6-21-07
WSBB-AM
1230,
now known as "1230 The Beach" playing oldies has named George
Winslow as General
Manager after Tony Welch exits. In other
station news Cadillac
Jack Stevens
will join the line-up at WSBB. Beginning July 9, Jack will be
manning the afternoon drive slot from 4-7PM. Kris
Earl Philips is the morning man heard from 6-10AM.
Dick
Sollom Passes 6-29-07
Rick
(Saylor) Morgan let me know about Dick
Sollom's passing.
Richard G.
"Dick" Sollom passed away June 1, 2007 at age 67. Dick was born
April 3, 1940 in Grand Forks, ND. He moved to Orlando in 1974. He served in the
U.S. Army, worked in radio as part of the team of Rick and Dick. Dick is
survived by his sister, Shirley Foster and, her husband Porter L. Foster, Jr. of
North Dakota.
July 2007
Carole Nelson Returns To WMEL 7-4-07
After
re-negotiations with WMEL-AM
920,
Carole Nelson will be returning to
the air waves from noon to 1PM each week day. The new time slot will allow
Carole to do more remote broadcasts.
Johnny Magic Gets A New Partner 7-5-07
Jayde
joins the Johnny Magic Morning show on WXXL-FM
106.7
Jill
Strada Exits Power 95.3 7-6-07
WPYO-FM
95.3 Program Director/Music Director Jill Strada is on the move to the
Big Apple and "Hot 97" WQHT-FM New York City as Assistant Program
Director/Music Director
Follow-up
File: Big John Seeks To Reconcile 7-9-07
Jerry Kenney
sent a note to remind me that Big John made a statement of reconciliation
to end the controversy back in June. In a statement Big said; "While
I do not apologize for my views of the mayoral candidate, have now been
enlightened and seek to reconcile with all African-Americans who may have been
offended by my remarks." John said that, at the time, he was unaware
of the history of degrading comments comparing black people with primates and
how it would be especially hurtful to older blacks. He learned this lesson in
recent private discussion with Bethune-Cookman University President Trudie
Kibbe Reed and Harry Burney, an entertainer who grew up in
Daytona Beach. "We didn't ask him
to make an apology," Burney said. "But we asked for statement of
reconciliation to the people in our community, who are just stunned by the
'monkey' metaphor. It's just not something we're comfortable with. It's driving
wedge in the community that doesn't need to be there."
Stronger
Signals For Two Genesis Stations 7-25-07
WHOO-AM 1080 recently received a power
increase to 19,000 watts and WIXC-AM 1060
recently received a power upgrade to 50,000 watts. Both stations are owned and
operated by Genesis Communications, Inc. Genesis also owns WHBO-1470
AM "SportsRadio 1470AM" and WWBA-AM 1040 "NewsTalk
1040AM" in Tampa, and "TalkRadio" WAMT-AM
1190 in Orlando.
Jim
Turner Celebrates 35 Years At WDBO 7-26-07
WDBO-AM
580's morning man Jim Turner
will be celebrating his 35th year with the station. Jim began at WDBO as the
afternoon personality and moved to mornings after Perry
Moore left the station. The anniversary show begins at 5AM and audio and
video will be broadcast on wdbo.com.
Brady Ackerman Goes Solo 7-26-07
Brady has served as
co-host to the "Terry Bowden-Brady Ackerman Show" since this
past December and will now host the show himself. The program airs form 3 to 6PM
Monday through Friday on both WHOO-AM
1080 and WIXC-AM 1060. Terry
Bowden is leaving the area to join FSU as an observer to the football
program. Terry will still be heard on WHOO-WIXC twice weekly as college
football commentator during the Ackerman Show. Terry also will continue as a
radio analyst for Westwood One college football games.
Brady is a former Gator running back and is a college football analyst for Sun
Sports Television Network. Brady also co-hosts Arena Football League games
for the Sun Sports Network. Brady brings many years of experience in
radio to the ESPN affiliated stations.
K92
Drops Moore 7-28-07
Thanks to John
Knott for this info.
Fred
Klein Passes 7-29-07
Barbara
Barri has informed us of the death of Fred
Klein. Fred has
supplied loads of information, pictures and great stories to this website. Read
about his day as a "nude model" at WLOF-AM
950, as Sean King, his very funny tale of his time at WCKS-FM
101.1 as well as great photos from "CK101" and
photos and memories of WKKO-AM 860.
We will have more details as they become available. To hear airchecks of Fred
you can got o ReelRadio.
Relive
Those Golden Days Of WORJ 7-31-07
Join
Orlando's WORJ-FM 107.7's original
Program Director and DJ, Lee Arnold
this Thursday (August 2, 2007) at 3:00 PM EDT for Gary Wright on The
Southern Progressive Radio Network Live from BeeJay Recording Studios.
Originally broadcast on WORJ on August 5th, 1975. 32 years ago
almost to the day! Listen here www.worj.com.
August 2007
Richard
Ryan has been "Comin' Home" For 5 Years 8-1-07
WLBE-AM
790 in Leesburg will celebrate another anniversary on Saturday.
"Comin' Home" with Richard
Ryan which airs at
1PM, will be celebrating his 5th year on the air. Ryan
interviews local as well as national celebrities. The
anniversary show, airing Saturday, will include a montage of some of his
past interviews. Ryan's
wife Marianne is the executive producer of the program.
Bye Bye Black Bean 8-13-07
I really wish I had some
insight in the parting of company between Clear Channel's WTKS-FM
104.1 and "Blackbean"
(Carlos Navarro), but I don't. The folks at CC and the Monsters are all very
tight lipped. As soon as we know you'll know. Stay tuned...
Gene
Burns Celebrates 40 Years As A Talk Show Host 8-14-07
Gene Burns,
who spent over 14 years in Orlando, will celebrate forty years as a talk show
host. This is in fact his 45th year in the broadcast industry, today at KGO-AM
810 in San Francisco. KGO will present a special broadcast this
afternoon from 2 pm until 4 pm (PDT) honoring the man and his accomplishment.
Gene started in news at WWHG-FM 105.3 in Hornell, New York.
For more on Gene read an Interview with Radio Phenomenon Gene Burns.
WMMB Drops Duncan 8-15-07
Clear Channel owned WMMB-AM
1240 has let morning show host Scott
Duncan go. CC says they want to take the morning show in a different
direction. That direction looks back to their previous morning host. WMMB
has announced that Bill Mick who hosted mornings before leaving for
California two years ago will take over the mornings once again. Before starting
at WMMB-AM, Mick hosted a morning show on WMEL-AM
920.
WWBC
To Increase Power 8-15-07
Thanks to Paul
Walker for letting us know that WWBC-AM
1510 in Cocoa will be increasing power. From Paul's email; "I heard
from their owner, and they tested their 50KW for a month while doing a proof of
performance on their 50KW Directional Antenna Pattern. The FCC has given them Program
Test Authority to go to 23KW until final approval for 50KW is made. From 750W on
one tower to 50KW on two towers, not bad.. the two tower pattern is very tight,
to protect 1520 WHIM in Apopka."
Rick
Weinkauf Retires 8-20-07
WLOQ
Radio, Orlando Leisure Magazine, and CEO Magazine announced
the retirement of Vice President/General Manager, Rick Weinkauf.
Rick has spent 40 years in the broadcasting field, 29 of those years here in
Central Florida at WBJW-FM 105.1
(BJ105), WOMX-FM 105.1 (MIX 105.1) and
the last 7 years at WLOQ-FM 103.1 (Smooth
Jazz 103.1), and the magazine division of Gross Communications Corporation.
Rick is in the process of searching for his next challenge, and improving his
golf handicap. Rick has been married for 43 years and has two grown
children and one grandson living in Orlando.
Ellis
B. Feaster Leaves the Morning Show 8-23-07
Ellis
B. Feaster is the latest casualty at WWKA-FM
92.3. What direction will K92 go? We'll have to wait and see.
Stay tuned...
The
Gator Country Radio Show Is Back 8-27-07
ESPN
Radio 900, WMOP-AM 900 Ocala and ESPN Radio
1230 WGGG-AM 1230 Gainesville, will be
broadcasting sports talk with a decidedly Gator slant. Beginning
Wednesday, Aug 29, 2007 Gator Country Radio will be heard from 8AM-10AM
Monday through Friday. The
show will be hosted by Mark McLeod.
Drew
And Crew Collecting
CDs and DVDs 8-31-07
To
show support to our men and women serving in Iraq, starting at 11:00am this
morning Drew Garabo of The
Morning After Show
on WOCL-FM 105.9 will be at Daytona
Mitsubishi collecting CDs and DVDs to be taken to Iraq and hand
delivered to our men and women in uniform by the one and only Bret Michaels
of the band Poison! Bret is going to do a special concert in a few weeks
for our troops in Iraq and he wants to deliver as many CDs and DVDs as he can to
our soldiers.
September 2007
Doc
Turns Country Jock 9-6-07
"K92FM" WWKA-FM
92.3 has found a new morning show host. Doc
Holliday (Jeff
Duncan) former morning co-host of the Doc and Johnny Morning Show
on WXXL-FM 106.7 will take over the
morning hosting duties on Monday, September 10.
Skid the Producer will join Doc. Can Grace
be far behind?
95.3
Names New PD 9-7-07
CBS owned WPYO-FM
95.3 has named Stevie
DeMann as Program Director, effective September 10. He will replace
Jill
Strada, who moved to New York's WQHT-FM in July as Assistant Program
Director/Music Director. Stevie had been Program Director at Cox owned
WJHM-FM 101.9 since
May, 2001.
Silent
Rob Heads To Philly 9-10-07
"The Morning After
Show" on WOCL-FM 105.9 is shy
one co-host today as Silent
Rob (Rob Calvert) will be leaving O-Rock 105.9 to take a position
at WMGK-FM 102.9 with
the John DeBella Morning Show starting on October 1.
WFIT
Equipment Damaged 9-12-07
WFIT-FM
89.5
suffered
equipment damage after
a backup caused three inches of diluted sewage to spill onto the radio station's
floor on Tuesday. They may need to find a new home, away from the freshman dorms
where the problem occurred.
Olsen
On Law On The Air For 20 Years 9-15-07
Attorney
Tom Olsen began in 1986 as a guest on the Lynn
Levine hosted program on WKIS-AM 740 called
"At Your Service".
Tom made many appearances with Lynn and was soon offered his own program.
"Olsen on Law" moved from WKIS to WDBO-AM
580 in 1994. Tom is heard Saturdays and Sundays from Noon-1pm on WDBO.
Bobby
Mitchell Celebrates 15 Years At K92FM 9-21-07
On
September 23 Bobby Mitchell
will celebrate his 15th anniversary at the same station, which is no small feat
in the radio business. Bobby joined WWKA-FM 92.3
in 1992.
Shadow
In His 17th Year at K92FM 9-21-07
Not to take away anything from Bobby Mitchell, but another K92 host, Shadow
is now in his 16th year at K92. His first stint was in 1982-1983, as Rod
Grant and then returning in 1992. Shadow has been on
Orlando radio since 1982 making him one of the few personalities to still be
heard on Central Florida air waves.
October 2007
Rozzie
Franco Joins WDBO 10-1-07
As
I was listening to WDBO-AM 580
over the weekend, I heard a familiar voice. The "cub reporter" from WNDB-AM
1150
Rozzie Franco has
joined the staff of WDBO as a part-timer. Good luck Roz.
George
Crossley Is Back 10-12-07
George
Crossley has returned to the Orlando air waves as host of "The
People Power Hour" Saturdays, 2PM-3PM on WAMT-AM
1190.
George is the current president of the Central Florida chapter of the American
Civil Liberties Union. I remember he and Clive Thomas having some of
the most heated arguments over the Central Florida showing of the movie
"The Last Temptation of Christ'.
Radio
Voice Of High School Football Dead At 47 10-15-07
WIXC-AM 1060 broadcaster Keith
Lippert, died of a heart attack on Friday night just hours before he was
to broadcast a high school football game. Lippert was known as "the radio
voice of high school football in Brevard County." The game featured Space
Coast High at Melbourne High. Lippert, was 47. He also hosted "Friday
Night Locker Room with Keith Lippert". He was treated at the
scene and then transported to Holmes Regional Medical Center where he was
pronounced dead. A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday at a location to
be announced. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations toward a
scholarship it is creating for aspiring sports radio broadcasters. Funeral
arrangements are being handed by Wiley-Baxley Funeral Home in Rockledge. There
will be a service for Keith on Saturday, October 20, at Wylie-Baxley Funeral
Home (1200 S. U.S. 1) in Rockledge at 10:00 a.m.
Melissa
Missing No Moore 10-16-07
Scott
Maxwell of the Orlando Sentinel reports that former WWKA-FM
92.3 morning co-host Melissa
Moore has taken an
offer from Hubbard Broadcasting's KSTP-FM
94.5 "KS95" in
Minneapolis.
She will be co-host of the morning show with their morning man Greg Thunder.
She will be introduced to Minnesota on November 5.
Dunaway
Departs WJHM 10-16-07
DJ
Kaye Dunaway of WJHM-FM
101.9 is no longer with the station. She joined WJHM-FM 101.9 in
May of 2006.
Bob
Mervine Passes 10-18-07
Orlando Business Journal
Staff Writer Bob Mervine died Wednesday October 17, 2007, after a brief
hospitalization at Florida Hospital Altamonte. Mervine, 60, covered hospitality
and tourism and media for OBJ since joining the staff full time in August 2001.
Prior to that time, Mervine worked as a publicist for Walt Disney World
and for The Villages. He previously worked as a broadcast journalist as
well. In the years he was with OBJ, Mervine won a number of regional and state
awards, including a Society of Professional Journalists Green Eyeshade award, as
well as being part of the OBJ team that won a Society of American
Business Editors and Writers award for the 2004 hurricane coverage and its
impact on local businesses. "We are greatly saddened at the news of Bob's
death, but want to thank all those in the community who phoned or e-mailed
during his hospitalization," says Editor Cindy Barth. "We always knew
Bob was a well-known figure about town, and we know he will be sorely missed by
all those who had the opportunity to meet and to know him." A memorial
service and tribute to Mervine will be held Sunday, Oct. 21, from 2-4 p.m. at
The Peabody Hotel, 9801 International Drive. Attendees are
asked to remember him by wearing Hawaiian shirts to the service.
Ken Marks Moved To Vice President/General Manager
10-19-07
Gross
Communications owners of WLOQ-FM 103.1
announce 12 year veteran Ken Marks has assumed the position of VP/GM.
Marks succeeds Rick Weinkauf, who
announced his retirement after 40 years in broadcasting. Beginning November 1,
Marks will oversee WLOQ-FM 103.1 as well as the company's publications Orlando
Leisure Magazine and CEO Magazine. During Marks' 12 years with
the company, he has served as a Marketing Consultant, National Sales Manager,
Local Sales Manager and Director of Sales.
More
Moves At WLOQ 10-19-07
Jennifer
Rabaja, who has recently carried the title of Local Sales Manager, will
now assume all local sales management responsibilities for WLOQ-FM
103.1.
Changes,
Changes and More Changes 10-23-07
Damon
Free, Music Director and night time jock at WAOA-FM
107.1 has left the Melbourne station.
WBVD-FM
95.1, Melbourne, Program Director Michael
Bryan, who also programs WXXL-FM 106.7
Orlando, takes on an oversight role as brand manager.
Program Director Nick Sanders
is leaving WPOI-FM 101.5 "The
Point" in Tampa as on October 31, after Cox Radio eliminated his
position. He joined the station in 1999 as Program Director/Morning host when it was
Rhythmic Oldies WFJO-FM 101.5. You might remember Nick
from his time at WOMX-FM 105.1.
Doc
and Grace Together Again 10-25-07
Looks
like the "K92 Morning Crew" is complete
now. Grace (Vasquez) has joined Doc
and Skid on the morning show at WWKA-FM
92.3.
Matthew Bronson Named GM 10-25-07
WMEL-AM
920
President has announced Matthew
Bronson will become the General Manager for "The Talk To Me
Station."
In making the announcement WMEL founder John
Harper said; "Matthew has the experience, drive and knowledge of
the local market that we are looking for at WMEL to take us to the next level in
broadcasting talk, news and sports along the Space and Treasure Coasts."
Here Come The Ratings 10-26-07
Orlando
1. WPYO-FM 95.3
2. WDBO-AM 580 (t) WMGF-FM
107.7 (t) WPOZ-FM 88.3
5. WCFB-FM 94.5 6. WJHM-FM 101.9 (t)
WWKA-FM
92.3 8. WMMO-FM 98.9
9. WRUM-FM
100.3 10. WLOQ-FM 103.1
(t) WXXL-FM 106.7 12. WTKS-FM
104.1
13. WOMX-FM 105.1 14. WJRR-FM 101.1
15. WMFE-FM 90.7 16. WHTQ-FM
96.5 17. WFLF-AM 540
18. WNUE-FM 98.1 19. WPCV-FM
97.5 20. WOCL-FM 105.9
21. WQTM-AM 740 22. WEUS-AM
810 23. WRLZ-AM 1270
24. WTLN-AM 950 25. WRMQ-AM
1140 (t) WUCF-FM 89.9
27. WOKB-AM 1600 28. WHOO-AM 1080 (t) WLAA-AM
1680 (t)
(Tampa's) WPOI-FM 101.5 31. WDYZ-AM 990
Gainesville-Ocala
1. WOGK-FM
93.7 2. WSKY-FM 97.3
3. WNDD-FM 95.5 4. WTMG-FM
101.3 5. WKTK-FM 98.5
(t) WTRS-FM 102.3
7. WRUF-FM 103.7 8. WMFQ-FM
92.9 9. WYKS-FM 105.3
10. WJHM-FM 101.9 11. WCFB-FM
94.5 12. WRZN-AM 720
13. WOCL-FM 105.9
14. WXXL-FM 106.7 15. WKZY-FM
106.9 16. WMGF-FM
107.7 17. WTMN-AM 1430
(t) WXJZ-FM 100.9 19. WBXY-FM
99.5 (t) WDUV-FM 105.5 (t) WDVH-AM
980 (t) WRUF-AM 850 23.
WHHZ-FM 100.5 (t)
WOCA-AM 1370 (t) WRGO-FM
102.7 26. WMOP-AM 900
(t) WRUM-FM 100.3 (t) WVLG-AM
640 29. WIFL-FM 104.3
(t) WOMX-FM
105.1
Happy
Anniversary! 10-27-07
Erica
Lee celebrates her 17th year on the air at WOMX-FM
105.1 on Monday, October 29. Congratulations Ms. Lee.
"O-Rock
105.9" Celebrates Seven Years 10-31-07
Today
marks the seventh anniversary of WOCL-FM 105.9
as "O-Rock". 105.9 has a long history in Central Florida Radio
history. The station originated as WDLF-FM 105.9.
We have the entire history of the frequency beginning here.
November 2007
Erica
Lee
and "Locks of Love"
11-3-07
MyFox
Orlando has a great story about Erica
Lee from the Scott and Erica Show on WOMX-FM
105.1. Erica is grieving the loss of her best friend Emily Berry
who died Nov. 1, 2007 of ovarian cancer. See the story here. MyFox
Orlando
Look Up In The Sky...
11-9-07
Ron Bison former
WWKA-FM 92.3 morning
host was heard this morning doing the traffic reports on WDBO-AM
580's Central Florida's Morning News with Jim
Turner.
Changes
at the Hit Kicker
11-10-07
Veteran air personality and
program director Ted
Turner at WHKR-FM 102.7 has
signed off for the last time. According
to Breuse Hickman at Florida Today Ted will turn his attention to
a Palm Bay business he owns with another WHKR personality,
Doc Holiday (not the Doc
at WWKA-FM 92.3).
One
Less Pirate
11-10-07
Eric
DeNiro has
been let go by Cumulus and "The Pirate" WSJZ-FM
95.9. DeNiro began with Cumulus 13 years ago at
WAOA-FM
107.1.
Two
Produce No More
11-13-07
Clear
Channel has said it was due to budget cuts when they let Shannon
Burke Show producer "Steadman"
go from
WTKS-FM 104.1. Now Zack
Skyler is the latest casualty of the producer purge. CBS Radio
and Zack couldn't come to terms on a new contract. Zack was a producer for the WOMX-FM
105.1 "Scott
and Erica Morning Show".
More
changes at Clear Channel
11-15-07
Afternoon
host at WMGF-FM 107.7, Brenda
Matthews explains what happened to her in the latest moves at CC
Orlando.
"After 11 years working for this company, 3 radio stations - WSHE/Cool
100/Magic 107, and 8 years at Magic alone, and great numbers - not to
toot my own horn, but what the heck - I've more often than not, been the #1
Mid-day personality in Orlando, and often with the largest share in Orlando no
matter the day part, Clear Channel is doing some serious downsizing, and
yes...I'm one of the cuts. Across the country the company is 'reducing the
body count', I was told. I'm
clearly a poster girl for working hard and doing more than what's been asked.
I've done the above, well represented my 'family' station, did what was asked of
me and more. I voicetrack 3 other Clear Channel stations too.
(Melbourne and Tallahassee, FL, and El Paso, TX) and my situation clearly shows
you that nothing is sacred now days...no job is safe, not only in radio, but in
the current business climate in this country. Great numbers, great track
record, etc., really doesn't mean a thing anymore - it doesn't make your job
'secure.' You used to get a gold watch for good service. I had the choice
of being severanced, or staying on to voice track my mid day shift Magic at a
greatly reduced rate. I also was under a time limit pressure to make my
decision. I've decided, for now, to stay. The company is now going to set
me up in my home studio, so I won't have to be in the office daily, and I'll be
able to pursue other 'avenues' now, since I'll have more time on my hands.
Change is the only consistency in life...and maybe this will be a good thing in
the long run...I'll be working for myself...sorta. Disappointing?
Extremely. Devastating? No - I have my 'big girl panties' on. If
anyone would like to be in touch, I'm at BMVoicetracking@aol.com.
It's
Beginning To Sound A Lot Like Christmas
11-23-07
Looking
for Christmas music? WMGF-FM 107.7
and WLRQ-FM 99.3 as well as WROD-AM 1340
are
all broadcasting Christmas music through Christmas day.
More Shake Ups At Clear Channel 11-27-07
Clear
Channel Radio's Total Traffic Network (CCTTN) while
expanding in some markets, it's Orlando division is being consolidated in to the
Tampa office. What does this mean? Well it means more lay-offs at CC Orlando.
Those affected include; Robin
Cole, Doug Stewart, Brian Fritz, Greg Cain,
Rebecca Gifford, Doug
Stewart, Graig
Cain as
well as part-timers
Michelle
Betancourt,
Natashia
Betancourt,
Russ
Ross,
Jacqueline
Vaituulala,
David
Buffa