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RadioInsight

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Fresh Listen: WBLS and WDIA

Posted: 26 Aug 2021 12:00 PM PDT https://radioinsight.com/ross/211886/fresh-listen-wbls-and-wdia/


When I wrote about radio during the first week of COVID-19 last year, two
of the stations I listened to first were two pioneering Adult R&B outlets,
WDIA Memphis and WBLS New York. Both were stations that listeners had
recently cited when I asked which radio stations were doing things right,
even at a time of consolidation and challenge. 

In a market hit early by COVID, serving a Black audience disproportionately impacted, WBLS was one of the few Adult R&B outlets that was actually down
in the early months of the pandemic. As an AM music survivor that never
added an FM simulcast, WDIA has had ratings ups and downs over the last
decade with a hybrid format — community talk in mornings and middays, gold-based R&B afternoons/evenings, blues and gospel on weekends — that didn’t always translate in PPM ratings measurement.

But in the recently released July PPM Nielsen ratings, WBLS was up 6.5-6.9 under new PD Cynthia Smith. Ratings Expert Chris Huff notes it was the station’s highest topline rating since the era of legendary PD/afternoon
host Frankie Crocker in 1981, and the first time the station had been No. 1
in the market outright since 1982.

WDIA was fifth in Memphis, behind Adult R&B KJMS (V101.1) and WRBO and
Gospel WHAL (Hallelujah 95.7), as well as AC WRVR (the River). But the
station was up significantly, rising 6.0-7.1 in July and having grown from
a 3.1 share over the course of six months. I took a Fresh Listen to both stations. 

Last Friday, June 13, WBLS p.m. driver Déjà Vu was talking to listeners
about the need to stay hydrated during the week’s heatwave. Her celebrity news was about the Aretha Franklin biopic Respect opening that weekend,
about singer Monica’s planned country album, and about Erykah Badu apologizing for posting pictures from Barack Obama’s birthday party. Later, there was a break about the cries to return the Mario Cuomo Bridge to its previous Tappan Zee name, following Andrew Cuomo’s resignation, with Deja bemoaning the notion that “our tax dollars might be spent” on the controversy. 

WBLS was also promoting its weekend presence as part of Harlem Week, which
it has partnered with for over 45 years. Performers this year included
After 7, Tower of Power’s Lenny Williams, J Brown, and Caribbean artists Bunji Garlin & Fay Ann. The station also hosts a fashion show and other
events.

Here’s WBLS at 3:55 p.m.: 

Al B. Sure!, “Night and Day”
Adina Howard, “Freak Like Me”
Tank, “Can’t Let It Show”
Bobby Brown, “Every Little Step”
Wale f/Jeremih, “On Chill”
Giveon, “Heartbreak Anniversary”
Jennifer Lopez f/Ja Rule, “I’m Real”
Ne-Yo, “When You’re Mad”
Eugene Wilde, “Gotta Get You Home Tonight”
Hi-Five, “I Like the Way (The Kissing Game)”
Robin Thicke, “Look Easy”
Michael Jackson, “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough”
Teena Marie, “I Need Your Lovin’”


One thing about WBLS that was noticeable in this listen, as has been the
case for the last several months, was the number of ads encouraging the audience to be vaccinated against COVID-19. During one stopset, there were
four different ads from the New York City health department — one with
health commissioner Dr. Dave Chokshi, one with testimonials from people who
had been vaccinated, and another Chokshi ad that ran twice about the responsibility to protect kids.

As you would expect, COVID took up much of the discussion on WDIA
PD/morning man Bobby O’Jay’s and longtime middayer Bev Johnson’s shows. Johnson began a break by talking about her alma mater, Mississippi’s Rust College, forgiving $150,000 in 2020-21, but it quickly spread to the
children in that state affected by COVID and a plea to stay masked, as well
as a discussion with a caller of whether Memphis schools should stay open. 

O’Jay’s COVID discussion included the need for overall wellness: “People are taking the shot but keep putting the same things in their body.” O’Jay’s Monday topics included COVID, President Biden, and Afghanistan, and whether public gatherings were appropriate. They also included Lizzo’s social-media battles, a controversial cover charge on Beale Street, and a discussion with a listener looking to sell her collection of blues records. 

Legendary Stax/Volt Memphis songwriter David Porter came up in a
discussion, also prompted by the Obama party, of which celebrities were
still cool. (Richard Roundtree was in his company, but not Lionel Richie.) Harold “Scotty” Scott, of ‘70s R&B legends the Temprees, got a shout-out on
Johnson’s show; the trio had a street named after them in July. 

As with any truly local station, both O’Jay and Johnson had a lot of
regular callers and ongoing topics not immediately recognizable if you
hadn’t been listening every day. Promos running throughout the day ask, “Did you hear what Bobby O’Jay said this morning?” You may not have heard that liner in a while, but O’Jay, recently inducted to the Tennessee Broadcasters Hall of Fame, still lives up to it.  

O’Jay plays some music in mornings. WDIA is primarily music in afternoons (hosted by sister KJMS morning co-host Earle Augustus) and evenings. During those shifts, it’s an R&B counterpart to ROR reader fave KDRI (The Drive) Tuscon, Ariz. — heavy on ‘70s and ‘80s titles no longer heard on Adult R&B
radio, but with a handful of recent titles from heritage artists. Here’s
the station at 3 p.m.:

A Taste of Honey, “Boogie Oogie Oogie”
Michael Jackson f/Siedah Garrett, “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You”
Isley Brothers f/Snoop Dogg, “Friends and Family”
Gladys Knight & Pips, “Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye)”
Stevie Wonder, “Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday”
Ben E. King, “Supernatural Thing”
Billy Ocean, “There’ll Be Sad Songs (To Make You Cry)”
Whitney Houston, “I Have Nothing”
Four Tops, “Ain’t No Woman (Like the One I’ve Got)”
Sam Smith, “Stay With Me”
Michael McDonald, “I Keep Forgettin’”
Aretha Franklin, “I’m in Love”
Curtis Mayfield, “So in Love”


And here’s WDIA at 3 p.m. on Saturday during its mix of blues and Southern R&B:

Little Milton, “The Blues Is Alright”
Sir Charles Jones, “On My Own Again”
Jackie Moore, “Precious, Precious”
Ronnie Bell, “I’ll Pay the Shipping Cost”
Johnnie Taylor, “Everything’s Out in the Open”
Stephanie Pickett, “Love on Loan”
Wilson Pickett, “Land of 1000 Dances”
Albert King, “I’ll Play the Blues for You”
Tyrone Davis, “Are You Serious”
Terry Wright f/Vick Allen, “It’s Over”



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Jubal Show Debuts In Denver

Posted: 26 Aug 2021 08:46 AM PDT https://radioinsight.com/headlines/212156/jubal-show-debuts-in-denver/


After relaunching as Hits 95.7 last month, iHeartMedias 95.7 KPTT Denver
has debuted the syndicated Jubal Show in mornings.

Based at iHearts 106.1 KBKS Seattle, the Jubal Show features Jubal Fresh,
his wife Alex Fresh, and English Evan Omelia. The Jubal Show fills the
morning show opening created by the firing of David ‘Duece’ Jacobson, Nina Blanco, and Robert ‘Dubz’ Trigilio in early July.

Currently heard in 28 markets, the Jubal Show debuted in August 2020
following host Jubal Freshs departure from the syndicated Brooke Jubal
Show (now Brooke Jeffrey) in April 2020.












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Amanda Daughtry Joins WQDR As Morning Co-Host

Posted: 26 Aug 2021 07:02 AM PDT https://radioinsight.com/headlines/212153/amanda-daughtry-joins-wqdr-as-morning-co-host/


Curtis Media Group Country 94.7 WQDR-FM Raleigh NC has announced the
addition of Amanda Daughtry as their new morning co-host.

Daughtry, who previously worked as a Nashville based singer/songwriter and
real estate agent before moving back home to North Carolina earlier this
year, joins incumbent host Mike Wheless. She fills the opening created by
the departure of Janie Caruthers in March for a non-industry job.












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Curtis Media Groups 94.7 WQDR-FM has named Amanda Daughtry as morning
co-host working alongside veteran morning host Mike Wheless as part of the
Q Morning Crew. Originally from Johnston County, NC, Daughtry spent the
last ten years as a working singer-songwriter in Nashville. She was a
featured performer at some of the most famous honky tonks in Nashville as
well as opening for Alan Jackson on his stadium tour in 2019.

She moved back to North Carolina in March to be closer to family and
recently tried out for the position alongside Mike Wheless. The Q Morning
Crew has been recognized by the Country Music Association Personalities of
the Year multiple times, most recently winning in 2019, as well the Academy
of Country Music, most recently in 2017. WQDR has been recognized as
Station of the Year in 2011, 2014 and 2017 by the CMA, as well as ACM
Station of the Year in 2009, 2011 and 2020.

Amanda has natural talent, said WQDR Program Director Mike Biddle. She and
Mike had instant chemistry which we could not deny. Together they are a
winning combination.

I was raised on QDR and I am thrilled to be a part of such a legendary
station and to get to work with Mike Wheless, said Daughtry.

Amandas personality and energy will surely catapult this show to new highs, added Wheless. She has an amazing gift with people.

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