Thursday's Top News Reports (Feb. 14, 2013)

'Wild Country 97.1' Debuts in Tucson Clear Channel Media and Entertainment's KNST-FM, Tucson, debuts "Wild Country 97.1" featuring music from "an array of hit Country artists." In March the station will welcome "The Bobby Bones Show" in mornings. The station made its debut at noon today (Feb. 14), launching with 10,000 commercial-free songs in a row, including the newest tracks from hit Country artists such as Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean, The Zac Brown Band and Carrie Underwood. "Wild Country provides an amazing opportunity to the Tucson community by offering a wider variety of music and entertainment," says CCME Tucson Market Manager Glynn Alan. "We couldn't be more excited to connect Tucson Country fans with hot Country artists' newest tracks. Now they'll have a station to call home and go Wild!" The new format on KNST-FM replaces a simulcast of News Talk KNST-AM. The new Country station is online at www.WildCountry971.com. WFUV-FM/New York Promotes Rita Houston to Program Director Fordham University's noncommercial Triple-A WFUV-FM, New York, promotes longtime Music Director Rita Houston to Program Director, replacing Chuck Singleton, who was was promoted to General Manager last June. Houston, who joined WFUV-FM in 1994 as midday host, has been recognized nationally for her work at the Triple-A station. "To all of us at WFUV, to our listeners and members, and to our colleagues in the industry, Rita doesn't need much of an introduction," says Singleton. "She’s always been more than just a music director. We're fortunate to have Rita's programming experience, smarts and wisdom, and I look forward to working closely with her in this new role, as WFUV moves forward to realize its potential." Houston tells us, "I couldn’t be more excited about taking on this bigger challenge. It’s a great time for the station. 'FUV artists like Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers, and Alabama Shakes are becoming stars, and our audience is growing. WFUV is loaded with creative talent, both on and off the air, and I know that working together we'll find more and more ways to connect ’FUV listeners with the artists we love." Maire Mason Named GSM at New York's 'Nash FM 94.7' Cumulus Media appoints New York sales and management pro Maire Mason as General Sales Manager for Country "Nash 94.7" WNSH-FM. Mason most recently was Director of Sales for Merlin Media New York until the demise of "FM News 101.9" and the subsequent sale of the station. She previously was a veteran of CBS Radio in the market. Cumulus New York Market Manager Kim Bryant tells us, "We are thrilled to have Maire join the Cumulus family in New York City. We look forward to seeing her expertise and proven success help make Nash FM 94.7 a leading FM station in the market. Cumulus is committed to excellence in NYC and hiring Maire is a true example of that." Says Mason, "I am enormously excited about building the ‘Nash’ sales team and developing long-lasting relationships with our advertising partners. The country format exudes fun, listener involvement and total backing by their artists, how can you not get involved?" Jen Toohey and Tim Richards Reunite at Cleveland's WDOK-FM CBS Radio AC "New 102" WDOK-FM, Cleveland, introduces Jen Toohey and Tim Richards as the new hosts of the station's morning show, effective immediately. "Jen and Tim in the Morning" made a Valentine's Day debut. Richards comes over to "New 102" from sister Hot AC "Q104" WQAL-FM, where he was midday host for the past seven years as well as serving as Music Director and Assistant Program Director. "I am very excited for this new opportunity to co-host the Morning Show on New 102," says Richards. "This is an exciting time, and I can't wait to see what the future holds for New 102." Jen and Tim dated seven years ago and are now back together as co-hosts. "Tim and I have a past – and now we have a future," says Toohey. "We’ve worked together for many years and have a mutual respect for each other's broadcasting skills. I'm excited – this is going to be fun." VP of Programming Dave Popovich tells us, "Tim brings a unique local flavor to the show having been born and raised in the area." Milwaukee's '94.5 The Lake' to Wake Up with Danny Clayton Journal Broadcast Group Adult Variety Hits "94.5 The Lake" WLWK-FM, Milwaukee, adds veteran market personality Danny Clayton to the station's morning show, starting February 18. Clayton will be joined by co-hosts Gretchen Bartlett, who has hosted the morning show since last April, news anchor Vince Vitrano, and Time-Saver Traffic's Andi Miller for "Mornings with Danny Clayton." Clayton, who brings 25 years of radio to the new program, previously was Program Director and morning host at "The Fish" WFZH-FM, Milwaukee, until 2008. "This building has always been home to me," says Clayton, who worked there in an earlier identity as WKTI-FM. "I have lots of stories about this place; I can't wait to create more. Being on-air on The Lake is like being on seven different stations because of all the variety. It's fun. It reminds me what my radio calling is all about -- the music!" Program Director John Roberts tells us, "The Lake is a unique radio station because of the variety of music and our commitment to always make sure that music is 'center stage.' Now that we’re evolving to a more full-fledged morning show, we need a larger, well-rounded morning show team. Danny definitely has the talent and experience to engage our audience every morning while also embracing The Lake's music-based concept. I can't wait to hear him leading the new morning team's entertainment and information presentation." Clayton has recently been hosting weekends on WLWK-FM while working fulltime in a non-radio position. Mike Rossi Promoted to Delaware WSTW-FM PD Longtime Adult Top 40 WSTW-FM, Wilimington, Delaware, Music Director and midday host Mike Rossi is promoted to Program Director. Rossi, a 25 year veteran of the station, had been Associate PD since 1997 prior to taking over programming responsibilities. "Mike has done a great job with WSTW’s presentation over the past 16 months," says General Manager Michael Reath. "His efforts to focus our music and develop our programming team both on and off the air have generated measurable results. We’re looking forward to even more success for WSTW with Mike at the helm." WSTW-FM has been recognized by the NAB with the 2006 Marconi Award for CHR Station of the Year, and the 2011 Crystal Award for community service. ACM Radio Award Nominees Announced The Academy of Country Music has announced the nominees in the ACM's radio categories. The radio awards will be presented during a special ceremony in Las Vegas on April 6. The main ACM Awards show airs April 7 on CBS. Cody Alan, host of CMT Radio Live With Cody Alan, is one of five nominees for the Academy of Country Music's national on-air radio personality of the year. Others nominated for the national on-air personality honor are Blair Garner (After MidNite With Blair Garner), Kix Brooks (American Country Countdown With Kix Brooks), Shawn Parr (The Country's Hotlist With Shawn Parr) and Whitney Allen (The Big Time With Whitney Allen). Nominations were also announced for on-air personality of the year honors in major, large, medium and small markets. Radio station of the year nominees were also confirmed, including major market stations KNIX-FM/Phoenix, KUPL-FM/Portland, Oregon, WDSY-FM/Pittsburgh, WQYK-FM/St. Petersburg, Florida, and WYCD-FM/Detroit. The large market nominees are KAJA-FM/San Antonio, WFMS-FM/Indianapolis, WLHK-FM/Indianapolis, WSM-AM/Nashville and WUBE-FM/Cincinnati. Contenders in the medium market category include KUZZ-AM-FM/Bakersfield, California, WBBS-FM/Syracuse, NY, WGNA-FM/Schenectady, NY, WKMK-FM/Monmouth-Ocean, NJ, and WMYL-FM/Knoxville, Tennessee. KCLR-FM/Columbia, Missouri, WXFL-FM/Florence, Alabama, and WYCT-FM/Pensacola, Florida, are nominated in the small market division. The full listing of all nominees in all categories is available from the ACM website. Adelante Media Group Launches 'The New Latino' Format Adelante Media Group has re-tooled its Spanish CHR Latino Network -- offering "The New Latino" format, "a fusion of Latin American and American music, culture, language and lifestyle." It features a popular-based music mix of Spanish and English hits. Artists range from Wisin Y Yandel, Prince Royce, Shakira, Aventura and Pitbull, to Rihanna, Bruno Mars, Ke$ha, Swedish House Mafia and others. Says Adelante Media Group Director of Programming Juan Gonzalez, "Entertaining and talking to Latinos in their language with our New Latino brand -- be it Spanish or English -- is the way to reach the growing Latino population. The New Latino listener is digitally savvy, bilingual and lives daily in both cultures. They are engaged with our digital assets and social media platforms and enjoy all of today's hits without regard to the language of the lyrics." Adelante COO Ed Krampf adds, "Someday soon, all radio stations in America, especially in the State of California, will sound like the New Latino. Some may say we are ahead of the curve in what we're doing, but judging by the recent election and the subsequent public discussion, we believe that all political parties, all businesses and all radio stations will soon be following our path. Today's Latinos may claim that English is their primary language, but when it comes to consuming their media, they prefer to maintain their culture." The New Latino network will be available for network affiliation starting in March. It can currently be heard online at www.latinosoloexitos.com. News Briefs Warren Ballentine Pleads Not Guilty. Former syndicated talk show host and lawyer Warren Ballentine has entered "not guilty" pleas to multiple charges of fraud in U.S. District Court in Chicago. A federal grand jury last month charged him with two counts of bank fraud, two counts of making false statements to lenders, and one count each of mail fraud and wire fraud in a six-count indictment. That indictment also calls for forfeiture of about $9,775,000 proceeds. Ballentine's radio show was dropped by Radio One's syndication division after his indictment. Ballentine now lives in North Carolina, but maintains a law practice in Chicago. Len Klatt Exits Premiere Networks. After almost 16 years at Premiere Networks, SVP/Director of Research Len Klatt has exited. Klatt joined Premiere in 1997 after 11 years at Westwood One as Director of Research. He was promoted to SVP in 2003. Premiere has not named Klatt's replacement. Mark Sanford Moving from Dallas to Cleveland to Jump into 'The Lake'. Clear Channel Cleveland names Mark Sanford to be the Executive Producer of Adult Variety Hits "106.5 The Lake" WHLK-FM. He moves to Cleveland from Dallas where he's been the Assistant PD at CBS Radio's "100.3 Jack FM" for the past six-plus years. Sanford starts in Cleveland March 4. Program Director Charley Connolly tells us he worked with Sanford at KOAI in Dallas in 2005-2006, and personally knows his abilities. "Mark brings an invaluable amount of direct format experience and programming expertise to The Lake," says Connolly. "We're very excited to have him joining our team." Dallas' 'K104' Dallas Signs DeDe McGuire to Contract Extension. Morning host DeDe McGuire signs a new contract extension with Urban "K104" KKDA-FM, Dallas. The host of "DeDe in the Morning" is the first woman to host mornings on the station. She officially joined the morning team at "K104" in 2009, as the co-host for two other personalities before claiming the lead position. McGuire currently works with Lady Jade and comedian Michael Shawn, who recently joined the morning show cast. She tells us, "I'm trying to be the hardest working woman in radio. I'm ready to take the throne as the new king of mornings." McGuire is also the co-host of the nationally syndicated Doug Banks show that airs in afternoons. WENU-AM Moving to CBS Sports Radio. WENU-AM, South Glen Falls, NY, will flip from Classic Country to Sports Talk featuring programming from the CBS Sports Radio network, February 23. According to General Manager Mike Thompson, WENU-AM will also be adding the Masters golf tournament, the NCAA Final Four and NCAA Frozen Four. Jim Rome's move to the CBS Sports Radio, we're told, also played a part in the decision to change formats.