XPost: rec.radio.info

RadioInsight

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Robby Bridges & Rochelle Gagnon Join 107.1 The Boss

Posted: 13 Sep 2021 12:34 PM PDT https://radioinsight.com/headlines/212846/robby-bridges-rochelle-gagnon-join-107-1-the-boss/


Press Communications has announced the hiring of Robby Bridges as Program Director of Classic Rock 107.1 The Boss WWZY Long Branch/99.7 WBHX
Tuckerton NJ with Bridges and his wife Rochelle Gagnon hosting mornings.

Bridges will take over the programming of WWZY from VP/Programming Jeff
Rafter as he prepares to retire reporting first to Rafter and then Press
CEO Robert MacAllan. Gagnon will be involved in the social media strategy
and marketing of the show and podcast.

The couple recently announced their upcoming departure from MacDonald
Garber Broadcasting, which they had joined in March 2020 with Bridges also serving as Vice President of Programming for the company and Program
Director of WKHQ and Gagnon Director of Promotions and Marketing for the company. They previously worked together at Cumulus Media Detroit where
they co-hosted afternoons at Hot AC 96.3 WDVD in addition to he serving as Director of FM Programming and she Director of Marketing and Promotions and Townsquare Media Portsmouth NH where Bridges served as Operations Manager
from January-September 2019 and Gagnon co-hosted afternoons with him at
Classic Hits “The Shark” 102.1 WSAK Hampton NH/105.3 WSHK Kittery ME. Bridges has also worked at multiple stations in and around New York
including 95.5 WPLJ and Z100 WHTZ.

After announcing they were moving from morning drive at WKHQ/Traverse City
to a new flagship, Robby and Rochelle confirm they are headed to New Jersey
to anchor mornings at Press Communications Classic rock WWZY/WBHX (107-1
The Boss) The show will air weekday mornings from 6-10am with a Saturday
best of show.

Additionally, Robby Bridges will assume Program Director duties reporting
to VP of Programming Jeff Rafter until he exits to retirement (as
previously announced last May, Robby will then report directly to Press CEO
Bob McAllan). Rochelle Gagnon will take on an active role in the social
media strategy and marketing of the show including their podcast. The show
was previously based at WDVD Detroit and later WSHK/Portsmouth, NH.

VP of Programming Jeff Rafter said “Morning radio in Monmouth-Ocean is
highly competitive with great shows both in and outside the market. To have talent like Robby and Rochelle, along with market vet and 107.1 The Boss
news anchor Dianne DeOliveira, the Boss is positioned to move ahead of the pack. WWZY is a strong station and I have every confidence that as Robby Bridges becomes the Boss of the Boss, it will grow it even stronger. This
may be one of the last things I do in radio. It will be one of the best
things I’ve done.”

“We are thrilled to join a terrific media group in Press Communications and grow the unique brand of 107-1 The Boss with its killer signal reaching
from Atlantic City to the Lincoln Tunnel. It’s going to be fun entertaining classic rock fans in the land of Bruce, Bon Jovi and Bridgegate! Or should
I say Sinatra, Snooki and The Sopranos!? Thank you very much Bob McAllan
and Jeff Rafter for this special opportunity!”

In addition to their history hosting together, Robby Bridges is a veteran
air talent and programmer who is no stranger to area with Z100, WPLJ and
Q102 on his resume. Robby also worked in Providence, Boston, and elsewhere spending more than a decade at Cumulus Media. Robby will continue to serve
as exclusive guest host for Scott Shannon on the True Oldies Channel.

Rochelle Gagnon previously served as an air talent and promotions director
with Cumulus, Lakes Media and as Associate Producer of iHeart’s Mojo in The Morning based at WKQI/Detroit


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WIEZ Stunting With Wild Thing

Posted: 13 Sep 2021 11:07 AM PDT https://radioinsight.com/headlines/212834/wiez-stunting-with-wild-thing/


MKRadio1 Oldies 1490 WIEZ/94.7 W234DN Decatur AL has entered a stunt mode
ahead of a format change.

After playing the Beatles Abbey Road album in its entirety, WIEZ began
stunting at 9:47 this morning with a loop of The Troggs Wild Thing as a new
LMA of the station took effect.

The former Oldies format will continue streaming at WIEZRadio.com.


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KKFN Resets Schedule With Addition Of Chad Brown & Nate Jackson

Posted: 13 Sep 2021 08:16 AM PDT https://radioinsight.com/headlines/212838/kkfn-resets-schedule-with-addition-of-chad-brown-nate-jackson/


Bonneville Sports 104.3 The Fan KKFN Longmont/Denver CO has announced a new lineup that will debut on Monday, September 20.

Chad Brown and Nate Jackson will join KKFN to host late mornings from
9-11am. A former NFL linebacker with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks and alumni of the University of Colorado, Brown also currently
serves as an NFL anaylyst for KUSA-TV Denver and college football analyst
for Compass Media Networks. Jackson spent six seasons with the Denver
Broncos as a wide receiver and tight end and is a best selling author.

Much of the rest of the stations show move up an hour. Brandon Stokley and
Zach Bye will now host from 11am-2pm. The Drive with Tyler Polumbus and
Darren McKee moves up to 2-6pm. Nick Ferguson and Cecil Lammey move to
6-9pm. Sandy Clough, who had been co-hosting the 9am-12pm slot, will now be paired with former 10pm-12am host Shawn Drotar from 9pm-12am. The lineup restructuring comes following the departure of Orlando Franklin from the 9am-12pm show to take a coaching position with the NFLs San Francisco 49ers.

Mark Schlereth and Mike Evans remain in the 6-9am morning drive slot.

Bonneville Denver announced today a new lineup on Denver’s Sports Station 104.3 The Fan (KKFN-FM) that includes the introduction of a new show: “Chad and Nate.” The new lineup will go into effect on Monday, Sept. 20. “Chad and Nate,” hosted by Chad Brown and Nate Jackson, will air weekdays from
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

“We’ve received incredible feedback from listeners on both Chad and Nate, hoping to hear them more regularly on the station,” said Denver’s Sports Station 104.3 The Fan Program Director Raj Sharan. “Chad and Nate’s contrasting personalities and insightful perspectives will create a unique
and entertaining program every day.”

Following “Chad and Nate,” the station’s lineup is tweaking, with “Stokley
and Zach;” “The Drive with Tyler Polumbus and DMac;” and “Nick and Cecil”
all beginning one hour earlier from their previous time slots. Sandy Clough will join Shawn Drotar in the evenings on a new program, “Sandy and Shawn,” that will keep the station live and local on weekdays until midnight.

“I’m excited we can bring Chad and Nate together; we’ve been looking for a
way to get them both involved in our lineup on a daily basis,” said Bonneville Denver SVP/Market Manager Bob Call. “In addition, teaming Sandy with Shawn in the evening will give Denver sports fans an objective,
unbiased and unaffiliated postgame show following Nuggets, Avalanche and Rockies games.”

Denver’s Sports Station 104.3 The Fan Weekday Lineup – Starting Sept. 20

6:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. “Schlereth and Evans” (Mark Schlereth and Mike Evans)

9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. “Chad and Nate” (Chad Brown and Nate Jackson)

11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. “Stokley and Zach” (Brandon Stokley and Zach Bye)

2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. “The Drive with Tyler Polumbus and DMac” (Tyler Polumbus and Darren McKee)

6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. “Nick and Cecil” (Nick Ferguson and Cecil Lammey)

9:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. “Sandy and Shawn” (Sandy Clough and Shawn Drotar)


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VSiN Sets New Daily Lineup As Stormy Buonantony Succeeds Brent Musburger As Host Of My Guys In The Desert

Posted: 13 Sep 2021 07:29 AM PDT https://radioinsight.com/headlines/212829/vsin-sets-new-daily-lineup-as-stormy-buonantony-succeeds-brent-musburger-as-host-of-my-guys-in-the-desert/




 VSiN announced today that Stormy Buonantony will join the only sports betting network dedicated to providing real-time news and analysis across
every major sport as the new host of My Guys in the Desert. In addition to covering college football for ESPN, Buonantony joins VSiN from AT&T
SportsNet, where she was the rinkside reporter for the Vegas Golden Knights over the past two seasons.

“I’m so excited to expand my role and join the incredibly talented and knowledgeable team at VSiN full time,” said Buonantony. “I’ve always joked
that I grew up in a household where it didn’t matter who won or lost the
game but rather by how many points they won or lost. This represents a
special opportunity for me to combine my personal and professional
backgrounds in my hometown of Las Vegas on a network committed to providing
the best sports betting analysis out there.”

A guest host on VSiN for two years, Buonantony will now helm The Sports
Betting Network’s flagship afternoon drive show airing weekdays from 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. ET. Buonantony will take over hosting duties for one of VSiN’s original programs, which was developed for veteran sportscaster Brent
Musburger to bring fans behind the counter to learn from the industry’s legendary line originators.

Prior to her role with the Golden Knights, Buonantony spent the 2017- 2019 seasons as an in-stadium emcee and team reporter for the NFL’s Carolina Panthers. Her portfolio also includes ESPNs SEC Network, Raycom Sports, NBC News Channel, and the Mountain West Network in Colorado.

“Stormy is a rising sports media star who quickly established herself on
our air and secured a well-deserved spot on the most robust and experienced team of sports betting experts in the industry,” said Brian Musburger,
Chief Executive Officer, VSiN. “As we continue to expand our team and
enhance our unique sports betting product, we understand that we’re
following markets that dont sleep. This dynamic space cannot be covered in
one segment or even an hour on weekday afternoons, so we’re excited to introduce our expanded lineup to better serve the growing number of sports bettors across the country.”

Buonantony joins as VSiN is adding new hosts and new shows to deliver 21
live hours daily for its 24/7 linear programming channel, which launched in February 2017 as the first and only network focused exclusively on sports betting. The announcement comes on the heels of VSiN’s content distribution deal with YouTube

In addition to Buonantony and the recent addition of former Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback, Shaun King, VSiN continues to strengthen its  team of sports betting experts with new hosts, including:

Femi Abebefe will host Point Spread Saturday, Point Spread Sunday and The Pre-Game Show on weekend mornings with programming aimed to arm both new
and experienced football bettors with actionable insights ahead of game
time. Abebefe joins The Sports Betting Network following more than seven
years in sports media as a local sports anchor, most recently at KOMO 4 TV
in Seattle.


Dave Ross will host Betting Across America on Saturday and The Green Zone on Sunday. Ross and a team of experts will provide bettors with
real-time info so they can exploit the new opportunities available for the emerging area of in-game wagering. Most recently, Ross was at Stadium in Chicago where he hosted multiple NFL, MLB and UFC shows for the
multi-platform sports network. Before that he spent 18 years at FOX 5 in Washington DC, covering each of the city’s professional sports teams.


Scott Seidenberg will host The Lookahead overnights from Circa Resort and Casino, home to one of the few 24/7 sports books in Las Vegas. The sports betting markets never close and Seidenberg will be in position to get
bettors ready for a new menu of games with the freshest betting lines. He previously hosted nationally syndicated shows on ESPN Radio and NBC Sports Radio, as well as local shows on ESPN 98.7 in New York City. Seidenberg has hosted sports betting podcasts and digital programs for a variety of
outlets.


For the full schedule, visit www.vsin.com/watch-and-listen/show-schedule/.

“VSiN has assembled a powerhouse of betting experts that will continue to deliver entertaining and authentic content across every major sport 24/7
and will solidify VSiN’s standing as the trusted authority in sports
betting news, information and analysis,” said Brian Angiolet, Chief Media Officer, DraftKings. “I believe that this new lineup will quickly connect with our millions of customers by providing unique and diverse perspectives
as we continue to expand our broadcasting footprint.”

VSiN was acquired by DraftKings Inc. (Nasdaq: DKNG) in March and continues
to deliver the news, analysis and insights sports bettors need to make
informed wagering decisions. Featuring some of the industry’s most knowledgeable sports betting experts and legendary book makers, VSiN
informs and entertains the growing number of Americans betting on sports – whether they’re sharp bettors or brand new to the action. The unique
content sets the stage for the day’s biggest sports betting events and
shares expert tips and predictions across the college and pro football,
college and pro basketball, hockey, baseball, golf, tennis and more.


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Cat Country Is On The Prowl In Topeka

Posted: 13 Sep 2021 07:15 AM PDT https://radioinsight.com/headlines/212826/cat-country-is-on-the-prowl-in-topeka/


Cumulus Media has relaunched Country 102.9 Nash Icon KTOP-FM St.
Marys/Topeka KS as 102.9 Cat Country.

The move comes with a shift to a current based Country presentation
launching with Chris Young and Kane Brown Famous Friends, Dan Shay Nothing Like You, and Parmalee and Blanco Browns Just The Way at 9am today
following a weekend of patriotic music.

KTOP-FM ranked fourteenth in the Topeka market with a 2.1 share in the
Spring 2021 Nielsen Audio ratings. Alpha Medias duo of Classic Country
Country 106.9 KTPK and Big 94.5 Country WIBW-FM currently hold the top two spots with an 11.6 and 8.5 share respectively.

CUMULUS MEDIA announces that it has launched 102.9 Cat Country/KTOP-FM, a
new radio station for Country music fans in Topeka and Northeast Kansas.
102.9 Cat Country, formerly programmed and branded as 102.9 NASH Icon, now plays the newest music from Country’s superstars and Nashville’s new Country artists. The new station debuted today at 9:00am Central/10:00am Eastern with its first song, “Famous Friends” by Chris Young and Kane Brown. Cumulus Topeka concurrently launched a new website for 102.9 Cat
Country at: www.TopekaCatCountry.com. 

Nic Merenda, Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus Topeka, said: “Cat Country is the perfect addition to our already outstanding portfolio of stations. Listeners will love the upbeat energy and fresh music mix on Cat Country.”

Amber Lee, Operations Manager, Cumulus Topeka, commented: “Fans of Country radio in Topeka and Northeast Kansas asked for a station that plays the
newest songs from Country’s superstars and Nashville’s new voices, in addition to their favorite artists. We listened! From Thomas Rhett and Luke Combs to Maren Morris and Kane Brown, Cat Country is Topeka’s NEW favorite!”


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Leslie Gray Rises To Mornings At WNCV As Lisa Curry Retires

Posted: 13 Sep 2021 06:49 AM PDT https://radioinsight.com/headlines/212823/leslie-gray-rises-to-mornings-at-wncv-as-lisa-curry-retires/


Cumulus Media AC Coast 93.3 WNCV Shalimar/Fort Walton Beach FL has made a change in mornings following the retirement of Lisa (Captain) Curry last
month.

Leslie Gray, who has spent the past seven years as a sales and promotions assistant for Cumulus Fort Walton Beach has risen into Currys role as
morning co-host alongside Chris Kellogg as well as Promotions Director for
the cluster.

Curry had been with the Cumulus Fort Walton Beach cluster as Promotions and Marketing Director since 2001. She co-hosted mornings on Country 105.5 WYZB from 2008 to 2013 before moving to WNCV. Prior to joining the cluster, she
held Promotions Director duties for stations including KZEP San Antonio,
WWSF Fort Walton Beach and KKYY/KBZT San Diego.

CUMULUS MEDIA announces that Lisa (Captain) Curry, known as Lisa Kay,
co-host of the “Lisa Chris Morning Show” on Coast 93.3/WNCV-FM with Chris Kellogg, has retired from radio broadcasting after a nearly 40-year career. Curry’s last day on-air was Friday, August 3, 2021. On-air personality
Leslie Gray steps into the Coast 93.3 morning co-host role, joining co-host Chris Kellogg for the station’s new morning show, “Leslie Chris in the Morning,” which airs from 6:00am-10:00am Monday through Friday. Gray has
been Sales and Promotions Assistant for Cumulus Fort Walton Beach for the
past seven years and will also assume the role of Promotions Director for
the five-station group.

Chris Kellogg, Operations Manager, Cumulus Fort Walton Beach, and Co-Host, “Leslie Chris in the Morning,” said: “Lisa was terrific on-air and off-air, a great teacher and a wonderful morning show partner. While Lisa
will be missed, we wish her much happiness in her retirement.” Kellogg
added: “We’re excited to welcome Leslie Gray to mornings on Coast 93.3. She brings all those experiences of having worked alongside Lisa in Promotions,
as well as her own likeable personality to the morning show. We’re going to have some fun!”

 

Prior to hosting the “Lisa Chris Morning Show” since 2015, Curry was co-host of the “Logan Lisa Morning Show” on WNCV for over two years and co-host of the “Big Average Radio Program” (Big Nic and Average Lisa) on WYZB in Fort Walton Beach for more than five years starting in 2008. In addition to her morning show stints, Curry was the Promotions Marketing Director for Cumulus Fort Walton Beach since 2002 and under The Radio People/Holladay Broadcasting during the previous year. She served in Promotions Director roles for Classic Rock station KZEP 104 in San Antonio,
TX, in the late 90s, for WWSF-98Surf/Fort Walton Beach in the mid-90s and
for KBZT (K-Best 95)/KWLT (K-Lite 94.9) and KKYY (Y95) in San Diego, CA,
during the late 80s/early 90s with the “Jeff and Jer” Showgram. Curry began
her radio career in 1982 at Miami University working at college station
WMUB and local commercial station WOXY. 

Curry currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Greater Fort
Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce and is a member of 100+ Women Who Care
Emerald Coast. She has a son, Derek Captain, who resides in Tallahassee,
FL, and a daughter, Katie Captain, who lives in Raleigh, NC, as well as a stepdaughter, Natalie, and a stepson, Taylor. Lisa is happily retiring to share her life in pursuit of a better golf game and lots of travel with her husband Jim Curry, former Okaloosa County, FL, Administrator. 



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Christmas Comes To Northern Michigan

Posted: 13 Sep 2021 05:00 AM PDT https://radioinsight.com/headlines/212818/christmas-comes-to-northern-michigan/


MacDonald Garber Broadcasting has relaunched 106.7 WSRT Gaylord/Traverse
City MI after the station had been off the air for much of the past 20
months.

WSRT is currently running a three hour loop of Christmas music as it
prepares to shortly launch a new format. We have reported on domain registrations connected to the station in our 9/2 and 9/9 Domain Insight reports.

WSRT and former simulcaster 105.5 WSRJ Honor ceased operations in December
2019 due to ongoing financial issues which have made continued operation at this time unsustainable. Northern Broadcasting then sold the former ESPN Northern Michigan to MacDonald Garber Broadcasting in March 2020 for
$215,000.

I have a feeling Christmas is coming early this year

- 106.7 WSRT (@1067WSRT) September 9, 2021




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Ricky Mitchell Rejoins Alpha Media As Jackson Market Manager

Posted: 13 Sep 2021 04:00 AM PDT https://radioinsight.com/headlines/212810/ricky-mitchell-rejoins-alpha-media-as-jackson-market-manager/


Alpha Media has announced the return of Ricky Mitchell to the company to
serve as Market Manager of their Jackson MS stations starting Thursday, September 16.

Mitchell served as Market Manager for Alphas Biloxi cluster from 2013
through its sale to TeleSouth before leaving in June 2020. He has been
serving as Director of Sales for El Dorado Communications Yuma AZ.

Mitchell fills the Jackson leadership slot that had been held by Kevin Webb
for the past 32 years until his recent retirement.

Ricky Mitchell has been named Market Manager of Alpha Media’s Jackson, MS stations. Mitchell previously worked with Alpha as Market Manager of the company’s stations in Gulfport-Biloxi. He returns to Alpha after a stint at El Dorado Broadcasters in Yuma, AZ

Alpha Media Regional President and Chief Compliance Officer Bill McElveen commented on the announcement, “Our Alpha – Jackson team was led by radio icon Kevin Webb for the past 32 years, so when Kevin announced his
retirement, we began a nationwide search for our next Market Manager. After interviewing dozens of candidates, we were thrilled to be able to bring
back to the Alpha Media family a true son of Mississippi in Ricky Mitchell.”

Ricky Mitchell stated, “I am thrilled to come home to Mississippi and to
join the terrific team at Alpha Media – Jackson. It’s a tremendous honor to be able to live, work and serve the local Jackson community with such a talented and dedicated team and I can’t wait to get started!”

Mitchell’s first day back with Alpha will be September 16th.



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Heaven Lands In New Orleans

Posted: 12 Sep 2021 03:00 PM PDT https://radioinsight.com/headlines/212804/heaven-lands-in-new-orleans/


Cumulus Media flipped Hot AC 106.7 The Krewe KKND Port Sulphur/New Orleans
LA to Gospel Heaven 106.7 on Friday evening.

As first indicated in our 9/9 Domain Insight report, the flip gives a full-powered FM Gospel signal to compete against the multiple AM stations
in the format including iHeartMedias Hallelujah 940 WYLD, which currently
holds a 1.6 share of the New Orleans market.

JMichael Francois, who currently serves in the dual role of Program
Director of Cumulus Adult RB 102.9 KMEZ Belle Chasse/New Orleans and
Operations Manager/Director of Urban Programming of the companys Baton
Rouge cluster, will add programming oversight of Heaven 106.7.

KKND shifted from Classic Hits to Hot AC in September 2020, but registered
a mere 0.3 share in the July Nielsen Audio ratings.

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