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From Radio Online: In a display of community support, iHeartMedia's WRKO-AM (680), also known as The Voice of Boston, successfully raised over $67,000 in its ninth annual DAV Radiothon. The event, held on Friday, November 8, from 6am to 7pm, was dedicated to benefiting the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Department of More...

From Radio Online: iHeartMedia has announced that Jeff Littlejohn, who has held the position of Executive Vice President of Engineering, is set to retire. Steve George has been named as his successor, effective immediately. Littlejohn's tenure at iHeartMedia spanned 32 years. Beginning his career in 1992 as Chief Engineer for More...

From Radio Online: In a significant show of support for veterans and their families, Beasley Media Group has announced a month-long campaign to highlight veteran services, coinciding with Veterans Day. Throughout November, under its "Beasley Best Community of Caring" initiative, the company will More...

From Radio Online: iHeartMedia appoints Lisa DiMartini as Market President for the Allentown and Reading markets, effective immediately. She most recently served as the Vice President of Sales for iHeartMedia Allentown, where she played helped drive growth and foster innovation. Prior to that, Dimartini was an Account More...

From Radio Online: In a recent study commissioned by Cumulus Media | Westwood One Audio Active Group, significant strides have been observed in the recovery of the auto aftermarket sector. The study, carried out by MARU/Matchbox, surveyed 1,138 auto parts shoppers in August 2024, revealing a return to pre-pandemic levels of More...

From Radio Online: Former Wisconsin Badgers head coach and Director of Athletics Barry Alvarez joins WTLX-FM (ESPN Madison) and Good Karma Brands as an on-air host and brand ambassador. He will be featured across ESPN Wisconsin programming, including weekly appearances on "The Great Dane Huddle" on ESPN Madison with former More...

From Radio Online: Cumulus Media's WKQZ-FM (Z93) in Saginaw, MI, and Program Director Matt Bingham have set a new fundraising milestone in the annual Men Wear Pink campaign, amassing over $30,000 to aid the American Cancer Society's battle against breast cancer in Mid-Michigan. This achievement has More...

From Radio Insight: Former University of Wisconsin football coach Barry Alvarez is joining Good Karma Brands Madison as a brand ambassador and on-air host. Alvarez will contribute to multiple shows on “ESPN 100.5” WTLX including “The Great Dane Huddle” hosted by his former players Derek Engler and Tarek Saleh. He was coach of the University of Wisconsin’s football team from 1991 to 2005 and athletic director from 2004 until 2021 with the field at Camp Randall Stadium renamed ?Barry Alvarez Field? in his honor in 2022. Craig Karmazin, Good Karma Brands founder and CEO, commented: ?Barry?s significance to the Wisconsin sports landscape and to Good Karma Brands can?t be overstated. I would not have visited Wisconsin as a college student and eventually started a company here had it not been for the way he and Pat Richter transformed the Wisconsin football program. To add a teammate with his leadership skills, experience, knowledge and passion is a huge win for our fans, advertising partners, ESPN Madison, and all of GKB.? more

From Radio Online: iHeartMedia's WKTU-FM (The Beat of New York) adds market veteran Maxwell. Debuting November 14, "The Maxwell Show" will air live weekdays from 3-7pm. Maxwell is a industry veteran with over two decades of experience. For the past 10 years, he's been a voice on co-owned WHTZ (Z100). In addition to his work on More...

From Radio Insight: “Z100” WHTZ Newark/New York afternoon host Maxwell is moving to sister 103.5 WKTU Lake Success for the same daypart starting Thursday, November 15. Maxwell has spent the past decade at Z100 rising from late nights to nights and has co-hosted afternoons with Crystal Rosas since May 2021. He is also heard on 97.9 WNCI Columbus and as part of iHeartRadio?s national custom talent on-air team and digital video host. He commented, “I?m truly blessed to take this next step in my career, and honored to join another iconic New York station, KTU. Thank you to everyone who has supported me on this amazing journey. I?m excited to continue bringing my unique energy and passion for entertaining to the greatest city in the world!? Program Director Chris Conley said, “We are so excited to welcome Maxwell to the KTU family. Maxwell?s charisma, humor, and ability to connect with his audience make him the perfect addition to our lineup. We?re confident that listeners will love what he brings to the table in the afternoon time slot.? Maxwell’s move to WKTU completes its lineup changes following Hollywood Hamilton’s move to mornings in Septemer. more

From Radio Insight: Following the recent restructuring of its regional leadership and last week’s layoffs, iHeartMedia has begun refilling its leadership ranks. Lisa DiMartini has been promoted to Market President for its Allentown and Reading PA clusters. DiMartini is on her second stint with the company serving as VP/Sales for Allentown since September 2021. She had been a senior account executive from 2014 until earlier in 2021 and also spent eight years in that role for the Morning Call newspaper. She will report to iHeartMedia Mid-Atlantic Area President Brit Goldstein, who had been directly overseeing the cluster as well. DiMartini commented, “I am honored to expand my role to lead both the Allentown and Reading markets. I look forward to working with the talented teams in both locations to drive continued success and growth while delivering value to our partners and listeners.” Goldstein added, “Lisa is the consummate professional ? unflappable, positive, and centered. She has rejuvenated the Allentown market with her unique approach to fostering culture and partnerships. I?m very excited to see Lisa apply her business principles to the Reading market and beyond.? Tampa market SVP/Sales Russell Robertson rises to Metro President for West Central Florida overseeing the Tampa and Sarasota markets. Robertson has served as SVP/Sales in Tampa since 2018 after previously spending three years in the same role for the Seattle cluster, and seventeen years as General Sales Manager for the company’s Rock stations in San Diego. Robertson shared, “I’m excited to announce that I’m now the Metro President for Tampa and Sarasota. I’ve had the pleasure of working with this incredible team at iHeartMedia West Central Florida for the past 6.5 years. Coming off our Metro Market of the Year win in 2023, we expect to be again in 2024. Our team is fired up for an attempt of back-to-back-to-back in 2025! I’m thankful to our leadership team who are laser focused on our plan and our sellers who have done all the heavy lifting. I’m humbled to be able to lead such a great team. Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the past 23 years at iHeart.” Jason Wilson has joined iHeartMedia as Area President for OK/AR/KS/MO. Wilson joins iHeart from Cox Media where he was Vice President of its Oklahoma/Arkansas Region and has also held multiple sales roles in the Wichita market including at LIN TV, Sinclair, and Journal Broadcast Group. more

From Radio Insight: Mountain Radio Group has flipped Red Dirt Country “Mountain Country 107.3” 1530 KQSC/107.3 K294CH Colorado Springs CO to a simulcast of 60s-80s Classic Hits 1230 KDZA/K270CM Pueblo. Following its launch in May 2023, KDZA surged to the market lead in Pueblo generating an 8.0 share in the Spring 2024 Nielsen Audio ratings placing it just ahead of iHeartMedia’s similarly formatted 95.5 KPHT. Colorado Springs did not have an Oldies or Classic Hits station. Nick Donovan continues in mornings but moves up an hour to 5-9am. Midday host ‘Charlie’ cuts down to 12-2pm, while Guy Girtin’s afternoon show is also cut back from 2-6pm to 2-4pm. Joining the lineup from the former “Mountain Country” are Coba Hoban who will host 9am-12pm and Operations Manager Kevin Hayes will be heard from 4-7pm. more

From Radio Online: WDZD-LP (Fun One Radio), a community station in Monroe, NC, has once again been awarded "Radio Station of the Year" at the 30th Annual Carolina Beach Music Awards, held at the Alabama Theatre in North Myrtle Beach, SC. This notable achievement marks the fourth victory in five years for the station, More...

From Radio Insight: Upon the closing of its $200,000 sale from Brendan Doran?s PMJ Communications to Dawn Ichikawa?s GRI Telecom Inc, News/Talk 1480 WLEA/106.9 W295CW and CHR ?Fun 92.1? WCKR Hornell NY will cease operation on Monday, November 11. The acquisition had been planned by Ichikawa?s late husband Gordon Ichikawa’s Tower Broadcasting prior to his death in December 2023 to join the company’s two stations in Bath NY: AC ?V98.3? WVIN-FM, Classic Country 1380 WABH/100.3 W262CX/106.5 W293CE. Ichikawa had sold their properties in Elmira NY in late 2022/early 2023 in a pair of deals to Family Like Broadcasting and Radigan Media. Dawn Ichikawa shared the following statement: As we assume possession of WCKR and WLEA on November 11, 2024, we must reorganize and restructure the business and go silent for a period of time. The acquisition was a dream of the former owner of Tower Broadcasting, Gordon Ichikawa. After his unexpected and tragic passing, our family has been faced with the heart-wrenching decision to temporarily silence the radio stations, WCKR and WLEA. Gordon devoted his life to the telecommunications industry. His parents were heavily involved in communications and instilled this passion in Gordon. This led him to start his own communications business, and eventually he acquired multiple radio stations. His mission was to create a hometown radio station that would give back to the community?a dream he held dear throughout his life. In light of this tragic loss, the family must now turn our focus and resources toward managing the other aspects of his estate. While this decision is painful, we are hopeful that this silence will only be temporary, and that, in the future, Gordon?s dream will continue to resonate with the community he loved. We deeply appreciate your support and understanding during this time, and we look forward to the day when we can once again bring the station back to life. more

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From Radio Online: Brian Wheeler, the longtime radio play-by-play broadcaster for the Portland Trail Blazers, has passed away at the age of 62 after battling a prolonged illness, confirmed sports columnist John Canzano and media member Kerry Eggers. Known affectionately as "Wheels," Wheeler was the voice of the Blazers for 21 More...

From Radio Online: As the winter holiday shopping season approaches, advertisers are gearing up for a pivotal period characterized by significant economic challenges, including inflation and fewer shopping days due to a late Thanksgiving. Retailers and brands are under pressure to capture consumer More...

From Radio Insight: Compass Media Networks’ syndicated Conservative Talker ‘Joe Pags‘ Pagliarulo has exited his longtime flagship station as part of iHeartMedia’s ongoing layoffs. Pagliarulo had been based at iHeart News/Talk 1200 WOAI San Antonio since 2005 where he had been heard from 5-8pm. Prior to San Antonio, he mainly served as a television news anchor with time in Flint, Grand Rapids, and Lansing MI and Albany NY, but began his career in radio in West Palm Beach FL and later worked at WXDX Detroit, WHAM Rochester and WGY Albany. After first being carried by a handful of other iHeart stations including KPRC Houston, KHOW Denver, KTLK Minneapolis, and KEX Portland, his show entered national syndication in 2014 as a temporary replacement for Premiere Networks’ “America Now” in 2014 before launching his own show with Compass Media Networks in 2015. That show is unaffected by his exit from WOAI and will continue on the remainder of his affiliates. Pagliarulo had signed a contract extension with WOAI through 2026 earlier this year. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Joe Pags (@joetalkshow) more

From Radio Online: Midday host Erick Erickson teamed up with KRMG-FM to host a special listener event at the We Street Ice Center in Tulsa, OK, on Thursday afternoon. The event attracted approximately 300 fans and KRMG listeners for a meet and greet with Erickson, reflecting his significant impact in the area. During the More...

From Radio Insight: Educational Media Foundation made a pair of acquisitions today with acquisitions in Columbus OH and Pittsburgh PA. In Columbus, EMF will acquire 102.5 WKVR Baltimore OH from Southeastern Ohio Broadcasting System for $2,060,000. EMF began operating the former WWLG on November 1 following the end of its LMA to Radio-One introducing the “K-Love” Christian AC network to the market. In the Pittsburgh area, EMF is adding a second full-market signal with the purchase of 104.3 WOGH Burgettstown PA from Forever Media for $800,000. The station covers the western half of the Pittsburgh market as well as well as the Wheeling/Steubenville WV market. It currently is part of the Country “Froggy” trimulcast with 94.9 WOGG Oliver and 104.3 WOGI Moon Township, the latter of which has significant overlap with WOGH. EMF already owns “K-Love” 98.3 WPKV Duquesne and “Air 1” 88.7 W204CT Pittsburgh/WPKV-HD2, and Gateway Creative Broadcasting’s Christian Hip Hop “Boost Radio” on 97.9 W250CY Pittsburgh/WPKV-HD3. more

From Radio Online: WLEV-FM in Allentown, known as the Lehigh Valley's Christmas Station, has announced a holiday event featuring actor Daniel Roebuck, who will help usher in the station's seasonal transition to all Christmas music. The event is scheduled for Friday, November 15 at 8am at the WLEV Studios. Roebuck, More...

From Radio Online: In a display of community spirit and generosity, KRBE-FM in Houston successfully orchestrated the 2nd Annual Turkey Tour with hosts Kevin andamp; Audrey, garnering a substantial donation of 873 Hunger Bags totaling 3,000 pounds of food for the Houston Food Bank. The event, held from More...

From Radio Online: iHeartMedia Executive Vice President of Sports Don Martin, who is also Senior Vice President of KLAC-AM in Los Angeles, is stepping down from his roles within the cluster. Martin, who has also been a key figure at FOX Sports Radio as SVP of Programming, is expected to continue his involvement with Premiere More...

From Radio Insight: After stunting for multiple weeks with all-Drake, Major Keystone launched Rhythmic CHR “Loud 103.7” on W279EM/WWRR-HD3 Scranton PA at 4pm today. Marking the first Hip Hop station in the market, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre becomes the fourth market for the “Loud” brand in Pennsylvania joining “Loud 99.5/106.9” 1600 WHOL/W295CR Allentown and 1400 WEST/W258DV Easton, “Loud 98.5” 1240 WRLD/W253CK Reading, and “Loud 101.5” W268BB State College/WBUS-HD3 Centre Hall. The “Loud” brand is also licensed to Over/Under LLC’s “Loud 102.3” 1470 WLOA Farrell PA/W272EI Youngstown OH and Adams Radio Group’s “Loud 103.3” WJFX-HD2/W277AK Fort Wayne IN. The station will feature the lineup heard across the Pennsylvania markets with Superadio’s “Ebro In The Morning with Laura Stylez and Rosenberg” based at WQHT New York in mornings, DJ H Vidal in middays, Owner/PD Pat ‘DJ Grooves’ Cerullo and APD/MD Vijay Das splitting afternoons, and Bez Musiq at night. Cerullo, who also runs the syndicated “The Loud Mix with DJ Grooves“, launched “Loud Radio” in Reading in 2017. He previously served as Program Director for Alpha Media’s trio of CHR ?Energy 94.1? KTFM, Variety Hits ?102.7 Jack-FM? KJXK and Classic Hip-Hop ?G103.3? KTFM-HD2 San Antonio from 2014-19, and was previously APD/MD at ?Wired 96.5? WRDW-FM Philadelphia and ?Amp Radio 98.7? WDZH Detroit as hosted nights at ?Hot 99.5? WIHT Washington DC. The first hour of “Loud 103.7” featured: Meek Mill – Dreams and Nightmares Glorilla – TGIF Cash Cobain – Problem Rema – Calm Down Bossman Dlow – Shake That Ass (Twerk Song) Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us Cardi B – Bodak Yellow Glorilla & Sexyy Red – Whatchu Kno About Me Fetty Wap – 679 Tommy Richman – Million Dollar Baby Lil Uzi Vert – Just Wanna Rock Chris Brown – Residuals Pop Smoke – For The Night Jorand Adetunji – Kehlani Metro Boomin ft. The Weeknd & 21 Savage – Creepin’ Tems – Love Me Jeje Jack Harlow – Lovin On Me Fabolous – You Be Killin Em more

From Radio Insight: Nielsen continues its releases of the October 2024 diary surveys today. Today’s markets include monthly ratings for Dayton, Fort Myers, Grand Rapids, Metro Fairfield County, Tucson, and Tulsa. The next three releases will feature: On Tuesday, November 12: Monthly ratings for Albuquerque, Allentown/Bethlehem, El Paso, Fresno, Honolulu, Knoxville, and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. On Wednesday, November 13: Monthly ratings for Akron, Bakersfield, Charleston SC, Harrisburg/Lebanon/Carlisle, and Omaha/Council Bluffs. On Thursday, November 14: Monthly ratings for Columbia SC, Des Moines, Little Rock, Monterey/Salinas/Santa Cruz, Spokane, and Springfield MA. more

From Radio Online: Salem Media Group reported third quarter total revenue of $58.7 million, marking a decrease of 7.5% compared to $63.5 million in 2023. This reduction was primarily due to a 6% decline in net broadcast revenue, which fell from $48.9 million to $46 million in the current period. More...

From Radio Insight: The ongoing iHeartMedia layoffs have brought the end of the Len Berman and Michael Riedel morning show at Conservative Talk 710 WOR New York. Berman had joined WOR in January 2015 first paired with Todd Schnitt. Best known for his decades-long run as lead sportscaster at WNBC-TV, Berman also hosted NBC’s NFL pregame show in the early 1980s and his “Spanning The World” segment of Sports highlights and bloopers aired on the Today Show from 1989 until 2016. He also had a very brief run in 1993 co-hosting middays on Sports 660 WFAN. Riedel joined Berman in February 2018. He previously spent over two decades as a theater columnist for the New York Post, co-hosted ?Theater Talk? on PBS from 1992-2017, and hosted a weekly show for Salem Media Conservative Talk ?970 The Answer? WNYM. Riedel was also a frequent guest on Imus In The Morning and WOR?s Mark Simone Show. Some other support staff members have also exited along with some promotions staffers at iHeart New York. more

From Radio Insight: iHeartMedia has made big leadership changes within its Los Angeles cluster. On the programming side Robin Bertolucci and Don Martin are departing. In an internal memo from Division President Paul Corvino, he shared, “It is with immense respect and gratitude that I share that after two decades of hard work, dedication, creativity and leadership at iHeartMedia Los Angeles, Robin Bertolucci and Don Martin will be leaving their positions at KFI and KLAC. Both Don and Robin wanted me to share these messages with you.” Bertolucci has programmed News/Talk 640 KFI since 2002 and Conservative Talk ?1150 The Patriot? KEIB since 2005. She also programmed Sports ?Xtra 690/1150? XETRA/KXTA in her first year in Los Angeles until the arrival of Martin to take over that station in 2003. Prior to Los Angeles, Bertolucci began her career at KGO San Francisco and KOA Denver. She commented, “Thank you for an incredible 24 years. You have made me so proud, and I am honored to have been able to work with each and every one of you. When I came here my son was in pre-school, he’s now 27 years old. This station is exceptional and unique because of you and the KFI way. It’s not news and it’s not talk*it’s a true outlier filled with talented people both on air and behind the scenes. There are too many people and accolades to list. Just know, I am proud of our award-winning news team, our talented talk lineup and our producers, and technical folks who make it all happen on air, online and everywhere our listeners are. This AM radio station has been a dominant force, and I am deeply grateful for my time here.” Bertolucci can be reached at . While Martin is exiting as head of “AM 570 Sports” KLAC after leading iHeart’s Los Angeles Sports brands since 2003, he will continue in his role as SVP/Sports Programming for Premiere Networks. He shared in the memo, “Folks we had one hell of a great ride! I have accumulated enough memories to last a lifetime thanks to you! We?ve seen a lot, we?ve done a lot, and we?ve won more than our share!! We ?rocked? this market and you personally made it all worthwhile! God bless you! I want to send each one of you a heartfelt hug and huge THANK YOU for changing my life, all for the better. It would take too long to mention everyone by name, just know if you are reading this, I am talking to you! What a way to go out, champions on and off the field! When KLAC is #1 in billing again for the month of October, raise a glass and celebrate US! The GREATEST FAMILY ever assembled! You can stay in touch with me at donmartinam570@gmail.com and you know the phone number! Until we meet again, and yes, we will meet again, too much fire in my belly.? iHeartMedia EVP/News Chris Berry will serve as interim PD for the stations. On the sales side, iHeart has announced the promotions of Jeff Thomas to EVP/Sales and Business Development in addition to his roles leading sales for the cluster’s local News Talk Endorsement Network and its iHeartCX in-store radio network, Adam Wolfson to SVP/Sales, Tracy Barrios to SVP/Operations, and Julie Martzke to SVP/National and Event Sales. Corvino said, “We?ve seamlessly linked the top News-Talk hosts in the country into one easy-to-buy network, offering network scale in local markets. In addition, iHeart CX gives retailers best-in-class music programming along with ad campaigns that will make their in-store media budgets even more efficient. Jeff has an impressive track record in the LA market, and I can?t think of a better person to lead this effort and create new revenue opportunities.” He added, “Tracy is one of the best problem solvers I have ever worked with and understands our brands, day-to-day market operations and the sales process inside and out.” Thomas followed, “I?m grateful for the opportunity to lead two additional growth areas for iHeart while continuing my leadership role within the market. With Adam and our veteran sales leadership team at the helm, I expect to provide even more innovation and high-level service for our advertisers. Adam is a true people leader and has the forward-thinking mindset to grow our business and build success for marketers. Julie has an unprecedented track record for leading teams to success and has a passion for experiential partnerships, and we?re excited to see her thrive in this new role.? more

From Radio Insight: KHKS (Kiss 106.1) Dallashas been a bellwether for Top 40 radio. Driven by the Kidd Kraddick morning show, Kiss was the first success story in CHR?s mid-?90s comeback. It was one of the first stations to recover from an early-?00s doldrums, a few years ahead of Top 40?s PPM explosion. In 2013, it survived Kraddick?s death and remained a market powerhouse as the show continued with its remaining members.* Under PD Patrick Davis, SVP of programming for iHR Dallas, Kiss was also a station that could be counted on at least one or two times a year to go off the menu for songs not being promoted to CHR radio, a rarity in most formats now. Davis was part of sweeping cutbacks at iHeartMedia this week, along with numerous veteran PDs, managers, and air talent. We talked to him about his tenure at a legendary radio station.* Sean Ross: You’d been a program director before, but you came to the station first as PD of the Kidd Kraddick Morning Show in 2002, before becoming PD in 2004. What was that like? Patrick Davis: It was the perfect route for me, because I was blessed to learn from Kidd and Brian Bridgman and Todd Shannon. Kidd allowed me to truly be involved with the show to provide insight but learn what not only Kidd but Al Mack and Kellie Rasberry go through mentally to prepare. Brian and Todd didn?t have to but included me in meetings and made me feel comfortable, which is always a great learning environment. One final note on that is that I made it clear from day 1 that I was PD of the entire station and that every daypart, break, and personality mattered. Ross: How was Kiss doing when you became PD? It was one of the first success stories in CHR?s rebound in 1994-95, but how was it doing a year later? Davis: Honestly, it wasn?t great or I wouldn?t have gotten the opportunity. The first trend ? remember those ? that came out right as I took the job, Kiss was 12th, and there were some questions about the format?s viability. In fairness, it was a tough time for CHR because the available product was not very pop-friendly. Kiss was experiencing its first slump. I don?t keep many memorabilia, but when the station went from worst to first again, Kidd gave me a plaque . Ross: What are some of the things that made the difference between the No. 12 station and the No. 1 radio station? Davis: I was blessed to have Kidd Kraddick in the morning, who believed in me and I in them. I was looking for talent and drive to be the best, and found it in JJ Kincaid, Billy the Kidd, Jeff Miles, Fernando, Jackson Blue, Atom Smasher, Gina Lee Fuentes, Candice Lopez, Toby Knapp, Raven, and Priscilla, who is a success story all by herself. They wanted to not just be good but accomplish something truly unique. All I had to do was lead them. I pushed them hard, and they all responded better than I could have hoped for. And it continues now with Celina Martinez and Colt. Ross: Tell me about shepherding the morning team through the loss of Kidd Kraddick. I’ve seen a few times how a death is the most devastating thing can happen to a station. Davis: That was personally devastating, because that show and Kidd in particular changed the course of my life. Everyone needs a break at some point to get a chance to show what they can do, and gave me that. The first issue was fighting off temptation by some to . That was a bad brand message in my opinion: Kidd passed away and we fired his talented friends. I actually remember someone screaming at me, ?We?re not paying for sidekicks!? And I yelled back, ?Then you haven?t heard the show!!!? Cooler heads prevailed, and KKMS has been our anchor since.* Then there was the messaging: We treated it like a death in the family. Billy the Kidd, Cruz, and Toby did a terrific job of being vulnerable and real. There were no formatics at that moment. It was about raw emotion. Play callers. Share. No production. Kellie?s break the following Monday may have been the most-listened-to moment in DFW radio history. It was filled with emotion, honesty and vulnerability.* Finally, we adhered to ?reduce the invitation for change.? We changed nothing on the station, so that it didn?t give people a chance to reevaluate their choice. Dennis Clark came in to help with the show, and he is not only a great coach but has the perfect personality for this situation. George Laughlin at Yea Networks was the steady hand in their building holding things together. After that the show evolved into what that cast does best. Be real. I remember asking my wife why I was the one having to plan a weeklong tribute when I was hurting so much. She said, ?Because you care for him like no one.? That week: I have never been prouder of what a staff did than those people. It?s clich? now and done for other reasons, but we had a girl, Laura, who was dying of cystic fibrosis, and her wish was to call attention to the disease so that her little brother wouldn?t have to face the pain she did. We changed the name of the station to Laura FM for a day and solicited donations and gave information on how to help.* New jingles were cut. All-new sweepers were made. Commercials were recut. Jock execution was perfect. Cousin Deke and Priscilla combed through the log and made sure it was all uniform. I felt like we made a difference. Later, right before Laura passed away, our staff went to see her in the hospital. It wasn?t a show ? they cared. that, I was proud of every moment I was the PD of Kiss-FM. Ross:* How hard is it to still do those things in today?s radio? We read a lot about the changing role of the PD. To what extent should the role of the PD be different, and what should be protected? How hard is it to still focus on the product? Davis: There are fewer resources, to be sure, but to me radio is about emotion and evoking feelings in others. You don?t have to do those things, but I don?t know that you can truly be great if you?re not making a difference. As for role of the PD, it can become solely a manager unless you keep priorities in mind. Listeners want to love you ? give them a reason. Talent want a leader ? give them a reason to believe you?re in a real genuine way. And corporate wants to know you have a plan ? share with them. Ross: How are you feeling about the state of Top 40 radio now? Davis: Our target age when I started was a 24-year-old female. I would worry when ratings came back and it had inched up to 26. We would target 18-24 even the upper end comes to you to feel young. Now the average age of a CHR listener is 40-plus. The way out is original content. Under-30 can get music in a lot of places. They will give you repeat occasions vertically and horizontally for unique compelling content. Variety in texture, tempo and genre make the format exciting. Rock, pop, dance, hip-hop, country ? we?ve played them all. Our goal is always to fill the largest available hole. That said, we are still searching for a regular rhythm of new hits, and when we do get them it feels at times like a different slice of the same pie. But it?s improving * Oh, and I love Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter. Ross: How are you feeling about the relationship with the labels now? From here, it sometimes looks like labels and radio are out of business. Davis: This one makes me LOL, because I wasn?t always the best at label relations early in my career.* I can only speak from what I see at iHeart. Labels and companies still work very closely together, just in a different way. Mark Adams, Dylan Sprague, Tom Poleman and Allisa Pollack do a tremendous job of working with labels to expose new music that?s right for our brands. The days of cattle call visits are over, but the cooperation isn?t. Ross: What are your thoughts on what you’d like to do next and where? Davis: For the first time in forever, I?m not sure what?s next and that?s OK with me. I feel I have a lot to offer when I find a match, and that comes with no regrets, no hard feelings and a lot that I?m proud of.* * I was still programming KISS day to day and providing oversight for Mix, Star, Eagle, Lonestar and our AM, KFXR. Davis can be reached here. A list of all those affected by the iHeart layoffs can be found here. Radioinsight is committed to helping those caught up in industry consolidation with its recently launched job board. more

From Radio Online: In a special broadcast for Country music enthusiasts, Nashville's very own Kelly Sutton is hosting "Y'all Access," a three-hour radio special dedicated to the upcoming 2024 CMA Awards. Slated to give fans an exclusive glimpse behind Country Music's Biggest Night, the show features an engaging mix of More...