Cumulus Atlanta is merging its two Rock stations on the frequency of "Rock 100.5" WNNX-FM. The Active Rock format of "98.9 The Bone" on FM translator W255CJ and WWWQ-FM's HD2 multicast channel is merging with "Rock 100.5" with a new format on 98.9 FM expected after the weekend. "Rock 100.5" morning hosts The Regular Guys will remain, with midday host Lyndsay Marie following. "The Bone" Program Director Axel Lowe becomes PD on 100.5 and will also host afternoons. Lewis moves from 98.9 to 100.5 for nights. Lowe was on with The Regular Guys Friday morning to talk about the changes. The merged format launched after the morning show with Metallica's "Enter Sandman" just after 10am. On "The Bone" Facebook page Lowe has posted: "Make sure you lock it to 100.5, this simulcast ends Monday. A BIGGER - BETTER Bone, now on Rock 100.5! I can't wait for you to hear the music." The simulcast of the merged formats will continue through the weekend. The revamped Rock format is online at www.atlantasrockstation.com. Posted on that website: "Welcome Bone Family! Now you can have your FooFighters, Volbeat and The Regular Guys. Rock 100.5 and 98.9 The Bone have become one! Now you can find all the best rock in Atlanta on one station." There is speculation that the new format on 98.9 will be something using the name "98.9 The Walk" based on domain registrations, but exactly what format that might indicate remains a mystery to most speculators. And some point out that is not necessarily what will actually be used. Some reports indicate the new format on 98.9 will launch at noon on Monday, and not first thing in the morning.
Boise Radio Personality Buys His Own Station,
Launching His Own Format!
Longtime Boise radio personality "Big Jack" Armstrong has acquired Country "1380 The Bull" KSRV-AM, Ontario, Oregon, which also serves the Boise market, from Impact Radio Group of Nampa, Idaho, and will flip the station to "Oldies 1380" February 15, the 39th anniversary of Armstrong's radio career, under an LMA. "Oldies 1380" will compete with Armstrong's former station "Kool Oldies 99.5" KKOO-FM, and, says Armstrong, will bring back "the magic of the legendary Kool 104.3" that he directed for 14 years. Joining him will be Dale Jefferies, a 28 year radio veteran who ran KSRV-AM for eight years, and also worked for Armstrong in the early days of "Kool 104.3" in Boise, Idaho. Armstrong’s daughter, Cortni, will also be an important part of the team. With her business degree and her love for the Oldies music, she will manage the business and promotional departments for the new Armstrong Radio Group, which already is seeking to acquire a second station. In advance of the launch of "Oldies 1380" there's a splash screen with the logo (and "coming soon") online at Oldies1380am.com.
Ron Kramer Files Suit Over Jefferson Public Radio Firing
Former Southern Oregon University noncommercial Jefferson Public Radio Executive Director Ron Kramer, who ran JPR for 37 years, is suing the college and the Oregon University System over his firing, alleging they engaged in blacklisting and civil rights violations. Kramer specifically accuses SOU President Mary Cullinan and George Pernsteiner, outgoing chancellor with the Office of Higher Education, with violating his rights in the manner in which they terminated his employment contract. The lawsuit was filed in Jackson County Circuit Court and seeks $1,375,000 in damages. "They kicked Ron to the curb," says Richard Yugler, a Portland attorney representing Kramer. "The community has lost someone who has delivered from year to year for the citizens of Southern Oregon." Kramer was terminated as executive director of JPR and the JPR Foundation on June 30, 2012, after the university system determined it was a conflict for him to hold both positions. The lawsuit maintains Kramer's dual roles were part of a contractual obligation related to his employment with the university that had been previously approved by the university system, SOU and the chancellor's office, reports www.MailTribune.com. After terminating Kramer, SOU named Paul Westhelle to take on the same dual roles that the university objected to in the first place, according to the lawsuit. Westhelle continues to be executive director of both the foundation and JPR.
'Q92' Host Mo Now Apologizes for Mocking Caller with Down Syndrome, Announces Suspension
CHR-Top40 "Q92" WDJQ-FM, Canton, Ohio, afternoon host Mo has now offered a formal apology, and announced he's "accepting a suspension" for comments which set off a furor when he mocked a caller who it was discovered has Down Syndrome. As we previously reported, the station had issued its own apology earlier. Mo offered his apology Thursday afternoon for making fun of the woman he thought was a prank caller, but turned out to be Kellie Baker, a woman with Down syndrome who accidentally called the station while trying to reach someone else. "At this time, I would like to apologize myself. I would like to apologize to the woman who called, her family, her friends and everyone else who has been outraged by what transpired last Monday. I am truly sorry. At the time of the call, I honestly believed it was a prank. However, that doesn't excuse what happened -- or what I did." The radio host said he plans to meet with Baker and her family, and announced he would "take a suspension and would be off the air" for an unspecified period of time. The full apology is available here from the station.
Veteran Bay Area Radio Talk Host Lee Rodgers Dies
Longtime KSFO-AM/KGO-AM, San Francisco, radio personality Lee Rodgers has died. The veteran Bay Area radio host passed away after 13 hours of heart surgery. His wife of 35 years, Susan, wrote in a blog post, "After extensive heroic surgery performed by seven wonderful surgeons and 13 hours, Lee decided to leave the bounds of earth and soar with the eagles. At 12:32 a.m. on January 31, Lee died. However, he died like he lived. He was brave to take the chances of a risky surgery and thanked his surgeons prior to beginning to try to find a way to extend his 'used-by' date. I loved this man with all my heart and it has been a privilege to share 35 years with him. He had integrity, he was responsible and he was honest to the core." His former KSFO-AM morning co-host Melanie Morgan says Rodgers was "wickedly funny and one of the industry's most exceptional entertainers." Rodgers and Morgan hosted a conservative talk show until they were ousted in February 2010. In 2009, the Bay Area Radio Museum & Hall of Fame in San Francisco inducted Rodgers as part of its Class of 2009.
Arbitron Brings Simulcasting to PPM TLR
Arbitron says that starting the February 2013 PPM report period, stations that begin simulcasting after the start of a quarter will be eligible for Total Line Reporting (TLR) in the local PPM Radio Market Report and PPM Weeklies for any PPM report month during which the stations simulcast 100%. A combo that simulcasts throughout a PPM report month will be eligible for TLR that month in the local PPM Radio Market Report service regardless of whether the combo began simulcasting by the start of the quarter. Previously, stations had to simulcast for the entire quarter in order to be eligible to receive TLR. For quarterly services, such as Standard Diary Radio Market Reports, because the report period covers three months, stations will need to simulcast for the three-month quarter to be eligible for the combined TLR
Behind the Microphone: The Ins and Outs of Radio
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