Indiana RadioWatch: April 14, 2012

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On Sunday, IRW heads to the NAB Show in Las Vegas. Will you or your colleagues be there? If so, please let IRW know and we'll meet up.

Northeast

Larko Communications sells its WBZQ for $75,000 to Rafael Aguilar's Fifty Seven Media LLC. Ed Roehling's Roehling Broadcast Services brokered the deal.

After 27 years, WAJI PD Barb Richards leaves the PD chair, but remains on "Majic 95.1" in middays.

At 4:30PM on 28 March, engineers flipped the switch on at WQHK-FM's new tower site (the WOWO-FM and WMEE tower on Hillegas Road). With the tower move, WQHK-FM's new city of license is Huntertown.

WJFX drops the syndicated Ryan Seacrest show in middays and adds Brooke Taylor who arrives in the studio from nights at WYKS in Gainesville, Florida. Commenting on the 'local talent replaces syndicated' change, WJFX GM Phil Becker says in a press release, "Our company preaches, believes and proves that we more than heart radio."

Where Are They Now? Both Matt Demczyk and Dan Watson exit Columbus, Ohio's WTVN. While in Fort Wayne, Mr. Demczyk was a news anchor at WOWO and Mr. Watson was the Radio Broadcast Manager for the Fort Wayne TinCaps.

Northcentral

Last year, Friends of Christian Radio sold translator W241AD for $135,000 to Schurz Communications. On 30 March, W241AD became a simulcast of their WSBT(AM) which now rebrands as "96.1 WSBT." PD Bob Montgomery told The South Bend Tribune they're trying an all-news block in morning drive with host J.T.

However, there's much more from Schurz's Mishawaka facility: There's a newly named player in the South Bend market. First, in a $2.225 million deal, Douglas Road Radio Inc. (that's Mike Leep and his daughter Kristen) buys WZOC and that deal now closed. Second, Douglas Road filed to purchase WHFB-FM (purchase price: $20,000). Third, in a reverse LMA, Schurz has LMA'ed WSBT(AM) and WNSN to Douglas (for years, Schurz had an LMA with WHFB-FM, then owned by G. Woodward Stover II's WHFB Broadcast Associates LP).

On 30 March, WZOC's studios moved to the Schurz Mishawaka facility (on Douglas Road). A final note: Down in Plymouth, Jim Kunze still owns WTCA and up in Benton Harbor, Mr. Stover II still owns WHFB(AM).

Mid-West Family's WCSY(AM) (940am, South Haven, Michigan) signs off the air and removes its two towers.

Northwest

Mark down WTGB (106.1fm, Fowler) as the new call letters for Attica-based Harvest Chapel Attica, Inc.'s CP. As proposed, WTGB will have space on the new WIBN tower, west of US-41 between the Indiana-Illinois border.

Eastcentral

The FCC fines Hoosier Public Radio Corporation $8000 for their WRFM as FCC agents found the WRFM transmitter site a few miles away from the legal licensed location. After this discovery, Hoosier filed an STA which was granted a day later by the FCC.

Central

If you're in Indianapolis on Thursday evening, do check out the revised "Naptown Rock Radio Wars" (with new interview content and an added spotlight on WTLC-FM). The documentary airs on WFYI-TV at 9:00PM.

Indianapolis broadcasting veteran Chuck Workman passed away at age 79. The radio bug bit Workman in high school (Cathedral) and he started at WIRE(AM) (now WXNT). After the Korean War, he started with a new FM station WTLC-FM in 1967 and onto WATI(AM) (today's WSYW). The TV bug bit in 1969 (WTTV-TV) where he became the first African American sports director in Indiana. He then hosted a jazz show on WIAN (now WFYI) from 1970 until 1990. Mr. Workman also did a Sunday morning jazz show at what was then WTPI (now WNTR). After WTPI changed formats in 2005, the University of Indianapolis' WICR hired him for a Saturday evening jazz show.

Tony Lamont exits WTLC-FM where he did middays. Khris Raye takes middays while WTLC-FM APD/MD Karen Vaughn takes afternoons.

Where Are They Now (Part 1)? Former WNOU PD Tim "Rayne" Rainey" now sits in the PD chair at WDZH in Detroit, Michigan.

Where Are They Now (Part 2)? Former WISH-TV investigative reporter Brad Edwards resurfaces in Chicago as a reporter at WBBM-TV.

Where Are They Now (Part 3)? Former WXIN anchor/reporter Dan Shadwell now anchors and reports for KSBY in San Luis Obispo, California.

Westcentral

Barry Kent exits the PD and MD chair, but remains in mornings at WTHI-FM. Replacing Mr. Kent as both PD and MD is Afternoon drive host Eric Michaels.

Southcentral

Where Are They Now? Former 1970s WTTS(AM)/WGTC-FM/WWWY-FM/WWHC-FM news reporter (and sometimes DJ on some of those stations) Brian Trauring becomes the Executive News Director for SJL Broadcasting while maintaining News Director duties at SJL's WTVG-TV in Toledo, Ohio.

Southwest

Wayne County Broadcasting sells its WFIW(AM), WFIW-FM and WOKZ to The Original Company.

WGBF(AM) adds a weekly Wednesday morning (8:30am until 9:00am) conversation with Evansville mayor Lloyd Winnecke. Mayor Winnecke answers listeners questions and talks with guests.

From the TV screen, Doug Kufner exits the sports anchor desk at WTVW-TV and joins the sports department at WCNC-TV in Charlotte, North Carolina where he will produce, report, shoot video and anchor.

WBTO-FM, WRCY and WYFX become the radio homes for the inaugural season of Evansville Rage indoor football.

WFIE-TV sports anchor Mark Lericos exits after about six months at the Raycom NBC affiliate.

Where Are They Now (Part 1)? Former WFIE-TV anchor and reporter Nicole DiDonato is now a reporter at WXMI in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Where Are They Now (Part 2)? Former WEVV-TV chief meteorologist Michael Schlesinger is now a weekend meteorologist at WDJT in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Where Are They Now (Part 3)? Former WTVW-TV anchor Brad Byrd is now an executive producer at WISH-TV in Indianapolis.

This week in Indiana Radio History

Monday 16 April - In 1967, 95.3FM/Brookston (then-Monticello) signs on. It's now WBPE.

Wednesday 18 April - In 1967, 1540AM/Martinsville signs on. It's now WMYJ(AM). Also, in 2005, Goshen's WKAM 1460am flipped formats from Soft AC to Regional Mexican.

Sunday 22 April - In 1996, Tommy Allen becomes OM/PD at WOWO(AM) and then-WHWD (1380am). At WOWO, he helped launch the news-talk format.

Radio Spotlight

This week, we sit down with Race Ashlyn.

Name: Race Ashlyn
Job Title(s): General Manager
Station(s): WXXC/WCJC/WBAT/WMRI
Market(s): Muncie-Marion, IN
Owner: Hoosier AM/FM

If you had such a thing as a "typical day," please tell us about yours?

No such thing...my advice is always "don't make any plans!"

Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without?

Coffee.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

All of it...I love managing multiple departments and being involved in everything. I'm a geek for transmitters, processing, and the technical end. I love selling, working with our Acct. Reps, creating Marketing Campaigns, etc. and occasionally do a show or cut a spot - I just dig radio.

What makes Hoosier AM/FM Marion unique and successful?

We have an extremely dedicated staff that is genuinely committed to our local community & advertisers and serving their best interests.

What makes you a unique GM?

Probably the fact that I have to have my hands in everything...I came from the Programming world so I've spent a lot of time on both 'ends' of the building.

How do you think being a smaller market GM differs you from medium to large market GM's?

You get to focus more on the things that actually matter: My staff, our clients, and our listeners.

What makes your radio market unique?

Isolation from most other media - we really have a responsibility to be the hub of information for Grant and surrounding counties.

What was your last radio gig?

GM for sister group in Harrisonburg, VA.

What's the best advice you'd give to those wanting to get into radio?

Ask a million questions and learn EVERYTHING you can about this business. There are fewer jobs and only those most qualified are going to get them.

What's the most important issue in radio today?

Adapting to the digital world - embracing the new and understanding that we're never going back to reel to reels and cart decks so we need to let go of the past and figure out how to compete in the future (and present for that matter).

What's your biggest pet peeve in radio?

Cliché sounding jocks that haven't figured out that the days of "Ricky Radio" are gone and that people want to and need to hear REAL people on the radio.

What's your philosophy about radio ratings?

Necessary evil. I like them to track trends on the Programming decisions we make. I just wish it wasn't still such a flawed system.

Where do you see the radio industry five years from now?

Much more focused on Digital and streaming, AM will be close to dead, and we'll be working even harder than today for every dollar we make (and still having a good time doing it!)

Employment Opportunities

Sarkes Tarzian Hot AC/WAJI (Majic 95.1)/Fort Wayne is searching for an experienced PD and air talent. The ideal candidate will know MusicMaster, have Hot AC format experience and be able to manage an on-air staff. You must be great on-air, excellent in promotions and be able to help develop and follow a strategy. Send your aircheck, resume and cover letter to WAJI GM Lee Tobin at ltobin at stfortwayne dot com, or via mail: WAJI, 347 W. Berry Street, Suite 600, Fort Wayne, IN 46802-2241.

WCJC/WXXC/WMRI/WBAT radio group in Marion, Indiana is seeking an experienced media Account Executive to join our local sales team. You will be responsible for prospecting and developing new business as well as growing and maintaining existing accounts. A positive attitude and excellent verbal and written communications skills are a must. Ideas sell: bring yours and be rewarded! We offer a competitive compensation package including Medical, Dental, Paid Vacations. We need to fill this position quickly so rush your resume and letter of introduction to John Clark, Sales Manager at jclark at 1069wxxc dot com. Hoosier AM/FM is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

White River Broadcasting seeks someone who eats, sleeps and dreams news! We need an experienced News Director for our news/talk AM and 3 music-intensive FM's. YOU NEED TO BE INTERNET SAVY! You'll be responsible for the morning news duties, cover key meetings, and work with our afternoon news editor to provide a contemporary news product for both on-air and on-line. Our news director will enjoy as competitive salary and a great benefits package including 401(k). Did I say YOU NEED TO BE INTERNET SAVVY? Send your news philosophy, resume and demos to John Foster, Director of Programming, P.O. Box 1789, Columbus, IN 47202-1789 or better yet, e-mail everything to jobs at wcsiradio dot com. White River Broadcasting is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

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

=============== Indiana RadioWatch ===============

(c) 2012, Blaine E. Thompson

Indiana RadioWatch may not be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any way, shape, or form without the permission of the copyright holder (Thompson, above)

Indiana RadioWatch is produced weekly. Subscriptions are free. To subscribe, send an e-mail to irw@well.com asking to be added. Indiana RadioWatch is archived after publication on the Indiana Radio Archive at http://www.indianaradio.net. Submissions of any nature are welcomed by e-mail, FAX, or postal mail. Employment opportunities are posted as is, so please proofread. Employment opportunities are only posted when received from a credible source (usually the owner, GM, or PD of a station).

Finally, we thank you for your continued support.

=============== Indiana RadioWatch ===============

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