Indiana RadioWatch: May 6, 2008

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Northeast

Independence Media's AC/WNUY (100.1fm, Bluffton) segues to talk on 14 April, as "FM 100 Talks." Joining "FM 100 Talks" is former N-T/WOWO (1190am, Fort Wayne) afternoon producer "Queen" Diane Current. Current will co-host mornings. Here is the new on-air lineup:

6:00AM - 9:00AM - Rick Elwell, Rob Caylor and "Queen" Diane Current
9:00AM - 12:00PM - Laura Ingraham
12:00PM - 2:00PM - Bill O'Reilly
2:00PM - 5:00PM - Dave Ramsey
5:00PM - 8:00PM - Dennis Miller
8:00PM - 1:00AM - FOX Sports Radio
1:00AM - 6:00AM - The John and Jeff Show

"FM 100 Talks" uses CNN News, and over the weekend, the station features Leo Laporte, Garry Sullivan, Bob Costas, and various locally hosted talk shows. Finally, with Diane Current's arrival, GM Dayle Mentzer removes herself from co-hosting the morning show, and returns to full-time GM duties.

AllAccess reports that Russ Oasis' Country/WBTU (93.3fm, Kendallville) PD/afternoon host Scott Roddy ("Sam Adams") exits both duties, but remains with the company.

Phil "Shady" Spencer becomes PD at Summit City Radio Group's Rhythmic CHR/WNHT (96.3fm, Churubusco). Spencer was interim PD since Vince "Mojo" Wilson left "Wild 96.3" earlier this year.

Just over the state line, Kenneth E. McGraw will buy out Marcia L. McGraw's 50% interest in Impact Radio, LLC for $300,000. Impact radio owns an AM/FM combo in Three Rivers, Michigan, along with Oldies/WQCT (1520am, Bryan, Ohio) and Classic Hits/WBNO-FM (100.9fm, Bryan, Ohio).

Taylor University Broadcasting adds to its network, based at Contemporary Christian/WBCL (90.3fm, Fort Wayne) by purchasing WCVM (94.7fm, Bronson, Michigan) for $600,000 from CSN International.

Where Are They Now? Former Summit City Radio Group president/CEO Kristine Foate will become the Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce president and CEO on 15 May. Before Fort Wayne, she worked in Champaign/Urbana, Illinois (VP/GM at Illini Radio Group), Las Vegas, Nevada (VP/GM at KTNV-TV), and Milwaukee, Wisconsin (GM/WKTI-FM).

Northcentral

Fulmer Communications LLC is selling Regional Mexican/WKAM (1460am, Goshen) to Ignacio Zepeda and Benjamin Perez's I.B. Communications LTD for $320,000. WKAM began airing Regional Mexican music on 18 April 2005. I.B. Communications is now operating the station under a local marketing agreement until the sale closes.

After a five day stunt format with a loop of the Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton 1983 hit "Islands in the Stream," Artistic Media Partners' Classic Rock/WOZW (102.3fm, New Carlisle) flips format to AC, as "The Stream" on Monday 14 April under PD Karen Rite. Also, the WOZW call letters change to WSMM. We do note that similar call letters (WSMK, 99.1fm, Buchanan, Michigan) are already on in the market, and have some heritage, having been on the air since its 1991 signon.

Also at Artistic, AllAccess reports that Classic Rock/WZOW (97.7fm, Goshen) flips format to Active Rock under interim PD Cory Mann.

Talking Stick Communications' Country/WAWC (103.5fm, Syracuse) night jock Ken Knapp exits. Knapp has held down nights since the station signed on as "Willie 103.5" in November 2006.

A tip of the IRW hat to the "Male Call" show, heard on Citadel's Country/WWKI (100.5fm, Kokomo). On 30 April, Male Call co-hosts Charlie Cropper, Tammy Lively, and Bill Tandy hosted the show's 10,000th airing. The 9:30AM - 10:30AM show started with Cropper and Dick Bronson in 1969. Tammy Lively and Bill Tandy joined the show after Bronson passed away in 2002. For 10,000 shows, "Male Call" has served as Kokomo's "virtual public square" for listeners to discuss life and exchange ideas.

An unfortunate story from the "Radio with Pictures" file: Schurz Communications' CBS-affiliate WSBT-TV (Channel 22/DT30) News Anchor Debra Daniel was arrested early on 24 April and charged with drunk driving and leaving the scene of an accident. WSBT-TV reports that Daniel's blood alcohol level was 0.15. Police say that Daniel has a court appearance on 19 May. Also, Daniel has been suspended from WSBT-TV "pending further investigation." Finally, the 46 year old Daniel has worked at WSBT-TV for over 13 years.

Northwest

Educational Media Foundation closes on its $1.2 million purchase of KVB Broadcasting's WGLM (106.7fm, West Lafayette). Doug Ferber of Star Media Group in Dallas brokered the deal. EMF's contemporary Christian "K-Love" format began airing at Midnight on 29 February.

Eastcentral

Citadel Country/WMDH-FM (102.5fm, New Castle) promotes Cara Denis from weekends to morning co-host/Promotions Director. Denis has handled both roles since Kelly Stokes exited in March. In mornings (5:30am - 10am), she is paired up with PD Brian Sims.

Electronic Applications Radio Service Inc. is transferring control of Religious/WRFM (990am, Muncie) to Jennifer Cox-Hensley's Indiana Community Radio Corporation. WRFM last aired Southern Gospel music with call letters WLHN. It was reportedly recently silent for several months, but has returned on the air. WRFM also has a pending FCC application to move the city of license to Princeton (30 miles north of Evansville), move frequencies to 1030AM, and become a daytimer with 350 watts. We also noticed Marty Hensley's name as contact for Electronic Applications Radio Service. Marty and Jennifer run Religious/WJCF (88.1, Morristown) - "Where Jesus Comes First"

In our next issue, we will have information about a newly filled area PD chair.

Central

Entercom Adult Hits/WNTR (107.9fm, Indianapolis) promotes afternoon host "Willie B." to APD under OM/PD Scott Sands.

Radio One's CHR/WNOU (100.9fm, Speedway) weekender Chris Sutter exits and will become a TV reporter for WILX-TV in Lansing, Michigan.

Laura Gonzo exits as Director of Affiliate Marketing (or, as her LinkedIn profile says "Media Darling/Cog") at the Indianapolis-based Bob and Tom Show. She becomes the new director of communications and PR for the National Canine Research Council.

Horizon Christian Fellowship's CP - WWDL (91.5fm, Lebanon) changes city of license to Plainfield.

Where Are They Now? Former Hoosier DJ Mike Carter ("Mike James") is now handling afternoons at Country/WCYO in Richmond, Kentucky. James is a veteran of Indianapolis' WXTZ, along with other stations around Indiana: WSHW, WIMC, WILO, WGLM, WCVL, and WCBK.

Westcentral

Crossroads Communications' Hot AC/WBOW-FM (102.7fm, Terre Haute) promotes Creative Services Director/morning host Adam Michaels to PD/MD, replacing Chad "Sketch" Brumfield. Michaels' Creative Services duties are now handled by weekender Dusty Anderson. Also at "B-102.7," former MD Matt Luecking returns for afternoons. Luecking also manages a local music store and does weekend duty in Indianapolis at Entercom Hot AC/WZPL (99.5fm, Greenfield).

A tip of the IRW hat to Crossroads Communications' Hot AC/WBOW-FM (102.7fm, Terre Haute). Last month, WBOW sent local resident Adam Cook (who is the brother of American Idol finalist David Cook) and his wife to California to see David perform. Adam was recently diagnosed with brain cancer, so WBOW and Clarian/Lifeline used special medical transportation to make the long trip to California. Both WBOW listeners and local businesses donated to this special cause.

At Crossroads Communications' Sports simulcast WSDX/WBOW (1130am, Brazil/1300am, Terre Haute), PD Brent Holl exits from "The Drive" afternoon show. "The Drive" co-host Brian Dorsett now anchors the show with guest co-hosts.

Southeast

Marty Pieratt's Pieratt Communications, Inc. has sold the majority interest of Country/WIKI (95.3fm, Carrollton, Kentucky), WXCH (will be 102.9fm, Hope), and Country/WSCH (99.3fm, Aurora) to Mobile, Alabama-based Wagon Wheel Broadcasting. Pieratt retains ownership of the studio buildings and some of the transmitter sites. The sale closed in January and was brokered by Roehling Broadcasting Services, LTD. and Van Huss Media Services.

Wagon Wheel Broadcasting WXCH (103.1fm, Versailles) signed off at 1:25PM on 14 April. 103.1fm signed on in November, 1984. WXCH will move to 102.9FM, licensed to Hope (between Columbus and Greensburg).

Good Samaritan Education Radio's CP on 91.1fm, licensed to Madison, takes call letters WHMO.

Southwest

WSJD (100.5fm, Princeton) segues to TKO Radio Network's "Classic Top 40" satellite format.

Regent's CHR/WDKS (106.1fm, Newburgh) welcomes Austin Henry ("Rooster") back to "106.1 Kiss FM." Henry started voicetracking afternoons (2pm - 6pm) on Monday. Henry is currently handling nights at KZSN and overnights/imaging at KZCH (both in Wichita, Kansas). Austin is no stranger to "106.1 Kiss FM" - he was once on air in late nights as "TicTak."

Employment Opportunities

A pair of country format station openings, but in different areas of Indiana:

If you'd truly like to be part of one of the Midwest's best country radio stations, then this could be the opening you've been looking for. Indiana Country 101.5 WKKG, with 35-years of heritage under its belt, is searching for its next afternoon superstar. If you can deliver an upbeat, relatable, music-driven show then send me your best stuff. Local is how we win, so you'll be expected to seek out ways to get involved in the community. In addition to afternoons, this opening could include additional responsibilities for the right person. We offer a competitive salary, great benefits including 401(K), excellent work environment and exceptional community. E-mail your resume and demo to John Foster, Director of Programming at jfoster at wcsiradio dot com. White River Broadcasting is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Federated Media station Country/K-105 needs weekenders. Please forward your resume and MP3 to K-105 OM Rob Kelley at rkelley at federatedmedia dot com. Or mail it to:

Rob Kelley
WQHK-FM
2915 Maples Road
Fort Wayne IN 46816

No calls please. Federated Media is an EOE.

That's all for this issue. Thank you for your continued support.


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All pages Copyright Blaine Thompson. Articles, photos, corrections, and other contributions should be e-mailed to the editors.