Porsche Foxx out at V-103

Midday host Porsche Foxx (nee Stephanie Calhoun) has been let go by V-103 Atlanta (WVEE) once again. In July 2007 Foxx returned to V-103 following her departure from the station in early 2005 as the afternoon host at the station. Back in December 2004 she was arrested for a DUI with marijuana possession and driving without a license. She served some jail time, entered rehab, and paid some fines. There was even a suspicious fire at her home during the time period she was off the air. The afternoon shift was eventually filled by Ryan Cameron in the summer of 2005, when he left rival Hot 107.9 (WHTA) as morning host and joined the station as afternoon host.

She returned to V-103 as midday host replacing Osei, The Dark Secret, who now holds down a weekend shift at the station. V-103 may look to part-timer Ramona Debreaux, Ryan Cameron co-host Elle Duncan or former Hot 107.9 host Maria More as her replacement.

New York's WBLS releases two popular personalities

Quiet Storm host Vaughn Harper and longtime overnight host Champaine have been released by 107.5 WBLS.

The station recently cut several people on the Wendy Williams show, including Charlamagne Tha God, and letting go Harper and Champaine, can be seen as nothing more than a cost cutting move, with each host being paid at the top of union scale on their shift. They were the two highest paid, non-syndicated personalities at the station.

Harper came to WBLS in 1976 and was one of the creators of the ultra-successful "Quiet Storm" format at the station. Ironically, Champaine worked with him on "The Quiet Storm" after she came to the station in 1983. Both were hired by the legendary Frankie Crocker.

Harper's low, soothing voice became a signature of WBLS, though he almost lost it after suffering a stroke in 1993. He battled his way back, spending some time at WBGO, WWRL and WTJM before returning to WBLS.

Champaine has also become a familiar voice of New York's overnight radio through the years. Champaine recently talked about here 25th year at WBLS Read more>> For now 92 year old Hal Jackson remains at the station with his "Sunday Classics" show.

Thanks to the New York Daily News for bio information.

Bob Johnson is back with Urban Television

Bob Johnson, the founder of Black Entertainment Television BET, has asked the Federal Communications Commission to approve plans for a new "urban" television network that would cater to a multicultural audience interested in health, lifestyle, education and other issues.

Johnson is joined in his application by Ion Media Networks, Inc., (the former PAX network)which describes itself as "a network television broadcasting company which owns and operates the largest broadcast television station group in the U.S., as measured by the number of television households ION's stations serve."

The new network is "not intended to compete with BET or TV One," Johnson spokeswoman Traci Blunt said. Plans are open and no staff members have been hired, awaiting FCC approval. The network might even produce news programming, she said. The FCC is not expected to act until winter or early spring, after a period of public comment. The new company is to be called Urban Television LLC. Read more in Journal-ism>>

If they aren't going to compete with BET or TV One, then who are you going to compete with... JC Watts' Black TV News Channel?

President Bush pardons a REAL turkey

In Thanksgiving Tradition, Bush Pardons Scooter Libby In Giant Turkey Costume

How much time should you get if...

you hacked into a co-worker's email account, leaked information to the local newspaper and cause the person to get fired. Well...

Former Philadelphia CBS3 anchor Larry Mendte, who was an anchor in Chicago and Los Angeles and the first host of Access Hollywood, will serve six months of house arrest for his guilty plea to reading the e-mails of former co-anchor Alycia Lane and feeding the details to newspaper gossip columnist Dan Gross of the Philadelphia Daily News. Federal guidelines called for as much as six months in prison for the felony.

U.S. District Judge Mary A. McLaughlin also sentenced Mendte, 51, to three years probation, a $5,000 fine and to perform 250 hours of community service. Before he was sentenced, Mendte told the court: "When I look back on the story of my life, I can't believe it brought me to this moment. I am ashamed." Mendte said he was grateful that Alycia Lane was present so that he could apologize to her. He turned to look at Lane, whose lower lip was quivering as if she was about to cry, and said: "I am also sorry that you did not believe my previous public apology was sincere."

Mendte, married to another news anchor in town (Fox 29 Dawn Stensland) had, as he described, a "flirtatious, unprofessional and improper" relationship with Alycia Lane. Now don't think Ms. Lane is totally innocent here. She has a history also. The relationship began when Stensland was pregnant. Go back into our archives to read up on these wacky news reporters in Philly>>

New reports suggest that Mendte hacked into the email of TV weather man Doug Kammerer as well. Stay tuned.

Mikaeel Jackson is now a Muslim

Michael Jackson has converted to Islam. He officially converted to Islam at a ceremony in Los Angeles attended by Yousef Islam, the singer formerly known as Cat Stevens, sources say. Michael was allegedly encouraged to convert by his friends Canadian songwriter David Wharnsby and producer Phillilp Bubal. His brother Jermaine, who is Muslim, has long spoken out about Jackson’s interest in the religion. Jackson, is said to have changed his name to Mikaeel and taken the shahada — or made a declaration of belief — as part of his conversion to Islam.

Come on Mike... he converted hours before he was due in court on Friday, where he was being sued by Arab Sheikh Abdulla Al-Kalifa. Jackson was facing allegations of failing to repay nearly $15 million to the Arab sheikh before making a deal.

Can't you hear Mike say, "I'm one of you. We're brothers in Mohammed. Call me Mikaeel. A-salaam A-fake-um my brotha."

"The Angie Martinez Show" debuts on BET

BET will add a new program to its late night line-up with "The Angie Martnez Show." Martinez is the afternoon host on New York's Hot 97 (WQHT). Tonight's premiere show at 11:30 PM will feature interviews with Jay-Z, LL Cool J and Marc Anthony.

Woman sues radio station after being set up on a date

Woman who was set up with a date by WXLC 102.3 FM sues after she was drugged and raped. A 24-year-old woman claims suburban-Chicago WXLC, Waukegan, IL (102.3) should've known that 46-year-old Travis Henry not only wasn't "a single father too busy for the dating scene" - he'd been convicted of violating a domestic battery order of protection.

Last week, Harvey admitted to sexually assaulting the woman and was sentenced to two years probation and what the Lake County News-Sun calls 12 months of periodic imprisonment. The woman's attorney claims the NextMedia station should've conducted a criminal background check before touting Harvey as a "great guy." He assaulted her on their second date. Read more>>

American Music Awards

Which is worse?

Frank and Wanda in the Morning celebrate 10 years together

Wanda Smith, producer Nina Brown, and Frank Ski

V-103 Atlanta morning duo Frank Ski and Wanda Smith announce their own version of Oprah’s “Favorite Things” Friday morning featuring their own favorite things. Those 10 items, yet to be announced, will also be awarded to 10 lucky V-103 fans who sign up online. The live party from 6 to 10 a.m. will be at the Diddy owned restaurant Justin’s located in Buckhead.

V103 Chicago Celebrate 20 years; Still "Hits and Dusties"

Two decades ago, Barry Mayo reconfigured America's radio landscape when he introduced the adult urban contemporary format to the dial. He took WBMX-FM 102.7 and transformed it into WVAZ-V103.

The rest, as they say, is history. On the recent occasion of the station's 20th anniversary, some of those responsible for the station's success—on-air personalities Herb Kent, Troi Tyler and Ramonski Luv, program director Derrick Brown and Scott "Smokin' " Silz, production and imaging director—gathered in a studio and talked about life at V103, then, now and down the road. Read more>>

Dirt Law Radio New Home of Charlamagne tha God

Charlamagne tha God, former co-host of the Wendy Williams Experience, will be joining DJ Judge Mental and Dirt Law Radio, a two hour syndicated mix-show based out of Atlanta, GA. Joining Dirt Law Radio allows Charlamagne to return to the airwaves in his original home market of Columbia, SC at 100.1 The Beat (WXBT).

"I guess people don't realize I had been doing radio six years prior to connecting with Wendy. She heard me doing my own show in Columbia, SC, that's what made her snatch me in the first place. I always wanted to maintain my own show in Columbia, SC as well as do the Wendy situation; however I couldn’t due to contractual reasons. Dirt Law Radio allows me to express my politically incorrect views and potentially dangerous rhetoric.”

Dirt Law Radio can be heard via podcast and online at www.dirtlawradio.com. Charlamagne was released from WBLS New York and The Wendy Williams Experience radio show two weeks ago.

Al-Qaida Calls Obama a House Negro

Wait a minute I thought only ""we" can call each other names like that...

Al Qaeda's #2 in command, Ayman al-Zawahiri, surfaced today with the release of an audio tape that harshly criticizes U.S. President-elect Barack Obama, calling him a "House Negro" who represents "the direct opposite of honorable black Americans" like Malcolm X.

"You were born to a Muslim father, but you chose to stand in the ranks of the enemies of the Muslims," Zawahiri says to Obama in the tape, which was posted with English subtitles.
He called Colin Powell and Condoleeza Rice house Negroes also. The literal translation from Arabic means "House Slaves."

New Weekend Show for Fatman Scoop

Fatman Scoop has been tapped to host a new weekend show in 2009 for Superadio syndication called Full Throttle Radio. The new show is a three hour Hip Hop weekend mix featuring DJ Mr. Vince.

Meanwhile Fatman is still maintaining his reality show "Man & Wife" on MTV.

Stuff you shouldn't be laughing at

Wanda Sykes feels personally attacked

Her spouse was at this California rally also

Hip Hop still creative, innovative and relevant

Going out to the hardcore hip hop...

Kanye West - De La Soul - Mos Def - Nas - Will.I.Am - Kid Cudi - Consequense

Coldplay, Jay-Z - Lost

Rickey Smiley is the new morning show at 92Q

Radio One station 92Q (WERQ) Baltimore has signed on with "The Rickey Smiley Morning Show" to replace "Marc Clarke & The Big Phat Morning Show."

Syndication One president of programming Gary Bernstein said in a statement, "The demand for this ratings-proven and very talented and versatile morning program is at an all-time high. What's even more exciting is that the Rickey Smiley Morning Show is just starting to hit its stride and there will be significant enhancements that will make the program even more of a must have for any urban station looking for dominating ratings both 18-34 and 18-49."

I wonder how the listeners in Baltimore feel about this move. Care to add a comment...

The question remains, will Radio One add Rickey Smiley to 100.3 The Beat in Philly? All of Radio One's urban stations have either Russ Parr or Rickey Smiley except WPHI. (Russ Parr and Olivia Fox had their shot in Philly years ago when The Beat was Philly 103.9.)

I must admit it's a nice change of pace not to hear a lot of talking in the morning and just hear DJ Jay-Ski do his mixing on "The Morning Beat" morning show.

Albie Dee new morning host in D.C.

Former WPGC jock and Washington, DC radio veteran Albie Dee has a new gig at DC area station 94.7 The Globe (WTGB) as morning host on the rock/world music/alternative station. They're green friendly!

The hugely popular radio vet is credited while at 95.5 WPGC of giving intern-at-the-time Big Tigger his first break into radio, while Tigger was a student at the University of Maryland.

Cornel West

A thought from the book "Hope on a Tightrope"

You're made in the image of God. You're a featherless, two-legged, linguistically conscious creature born between urine and feces. That's us. One day your body will be the culinary delight of terrestrial worms. You know that. Be honest. Put on your three-suit if you want to, but that's not armor against death.

The question is: Who are you going to be in the meantime, in this time and space? You don't get out of time and space alive.

Barack Obama: 60 Minutes Interview

Watch CBS Videos Online

What is it about COMEDY... Katt Williams Hospitalized

We've all read about the mental stress that being a comedian obviously has on a person's life off stage. We all know the pain experienced by the legendary Richard Pryor and most recently the challenges faced by both Martin Lawrence and Dave Chappelle.

Now comes word that comedian Katt Williams has been committed to a mental hospital by family members. Williams plans to officially retire from standup after a New Year’s Eve performance in Detroit on December 31, citing mental and physical strain from road life and the desire to strengthen his family. Read more>>

Former Legendary Radio Station Makes Changes to its Imaging

WHAT AM the former Philadelphia heritage African American radio station that was sold by Inner City Broadcasting (WBLS) to new owners in December of 2006, has tweaked the station once again. They have stopped calling themselves "Martini Lounge Radio" and are now simply known as "AM 1340 WHAT."

The station was the home to legendary Black DJ's and on-air talk show host at one time or another like Jocko, Georgie Woods, Mary Mason, Sonny Hopson, Perri Johnson and also E. Steven Collins and Lady B currently with 107.9 WRNB.

The new owners have tried a Alt. Rock format called Skin Radio and now feature a standards music format. Here's some classic sounds from WHAT Listen Here>> Courtesy Aircheck WFMU New York

Check out our Black Radio History page >>

103.5 The Beat drops "The Grown and Sexy" for straight up Urban

103.5 The Beat (WMIB) Miami has dropped its Urban AC format in favor of a younger urban hip-hop and R&B format. The station had been playing Urban AC music, aimed at the 25-54 listener for the last two years. The station lineup will remain the same with the Steve Harvey Morning Show, Vanessa James, Prince Markie Dee (former member of the rap group The Fat Boys), the Keith Sweat Hotel and JayB.

Speaking of Steve Harvey, I wonder... what program directors from Adult Urban Contemporary stations like WBLS, WDAS, WHUR, WAMJ around the country think about Steve playing T.I. "What Ever You Like" every morning the last two weeks on his radio show...? Anyway what do they think about Zaria. She's all grown up now...

The President Elect Obama will use YouTube to talk to the nation

Here's Barack Obama's address to the nation from Saturday.

President Elect Barack Obama will continue the practice of addressing the nation on Saturday morning by using the services of YouTube and other well known sites after he becomes President. The now traditional Saturday morning presidential radio address will go a step further with online video. President Ronald Reagan started the weekly radio address in the 1980s and the idea was adopted by Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Reagan - who did radio in the Midwest as a young man, before his Hollywood career took off - found the radio address to be a valuable (and free) way to get one focused message out each week, when the news cycle was often very quiet. Barack Obama will also post his videos on his transition website and is also available on AOL, Yahoo, and MSN.

The Roots will retire from touring and become a house band

The Roots announced that they will be retiring from touring effective March 2009. The move is being made to accommodate their new night gig as the house band for Jimmy Fallon when he replaces Conan O’Brien as the host of Late Night in March of 2009. Conan will be moved to the Tonight Show to replace Jay Leno, who is retiring from the show.

The Roots will serve as the new house band for former Saturday Night Live actor Jimmy Fallon, when he replaces Conan O’Brien as host of Late Night on NBC in March of 2009.

Michael Baisden extends deal with ABC Radio Networks

"The Michael Baisden Show" has extended its deal with ABC Radio Networks. The multi-year deal includes websites, podcasts, a mobile channel and live events. The afternoon drive program currently has 68 affiliates.

Baisden says, "Our show has come so far in such a brief period of time, yet I know the best days are still ahead of us. Connecting with my listeners and providing them a forum is what drives me each and every day. I'm thrilled to know I'll be taking the program to the next level and reaching even more listeners with the same phenomenal team."

"Michael's show has developed one of the most loyal audiences in radio today, and his consistently strong ratings have made him a brand of choice for key advertisers," says ABC Radio Networks president Jim Robinson. "Renewing our original agreement was a priority and positions us for substantial success in the years ahead."

Rumors in the industry a year ago had Baisden leaving ABC Radio and heading over to Syndication One/Radio One in a deal similar to the one Tom Joyner made with the African-American owned company, however in the end Baisden stays with ABC Radio.

Reality TV: The Fashionless Fashion Show

Real Housewives of Atlanta is a show that is typical of the status seeking, bourgeoise mentality that is the ATL and it's surrounding counties. That was some bull**** to try and pretend that party/fashion show was HAWT was ridiculous. No models just pictures of dresses. This episode was hilarious.

Don't they know if they told that dress maker that Frank Ski or Ryan Cameron were gonna be there those dresses would've been done right!

Ed Lover Talks Radio and More

Ed discusses past feuds with Funkmaster Flex and Miss Jones and concludes at the end of the day he doesn't own Power 105.1 so what's the point of having a radio war with other stations DJs. He also mentions that he wouldn't let his daughters anywhere near R. Kelly and he still respects LL Cool J.

Here's Ed Lover's interview with Kim Osorio, formerly of the Source Magazine.

Changes at Radio One syndicated shows

Co-host and sidekick Marcel has left the The Russ Parr Morning Show. The show is syndicated by Radio One to several markets and is based out of Washington, DC at station 93.9 WKYS.

Sonny Andre has been replaced at the Mo'Nique Show with comedian Rodney Jenkins.

PPM sucks for Urban Radio in the Chocolate City

Arbitron's PPM rating system seems to mean doom for some Washington, DC area radio stations. Let's look at the first ratings book under the PPM system for DC.

Keep in mind that the city itself is about 90% African American and the following stations have traditionally finished in the top 5 in ratings despite the fact that suburban Washington is mostly white.

Howard University's 96.3 WHUR is listed at #5 and usually comes in close to #1 in DC.

CBS Radio's WPGC fell to #15 from #7. This station is home to Donnie Simpson and Big Tigger.

Radio One's 93.9 WKYS dropped from #6 to #10. However Magic 102.3 WMMJ actually went up to #7 and Praise 104 WPRS went up also from #13 to #12. It should be noted that Radio One's CEO Alfred Liggins is fully on board with the PPM rating system.

Meanwhile Vinnie Brown has landed at Stevie Wonder's Los Angeles station 102.3 KJLH as Program Director. Brown left Inner City Broadcasting and stations WBLS and WLIB as Program Director and Operations Manager after 10 years of service in January and can take responsibility for bringing in the successful Steve Harvey and Wendy Williams shows. Brown was one of the first radio people that became outspoken about the PPM rating system "calling it a rating system that threaten the very survival of Black Radio".

At the time Brown said in a New York Daily News article from November 2007, "These numbers could put us out of business. And it's not just us. Listeners need to know this could threaten the future of black and Hispanic radio across the board." Read more on Vinnie Brown's career in the New York Daily News from January 2008.

Which album cover gets the Airbrush of the Year Award?

The Nominees are: Whitney Houston for "Undefeated"

Jennifer Hudson for "Spotlight"

or Ester "Don't Call Me Florida" Rolle for "Let the Good Times Roll"

Don't you think it's time for a "Good Times" Reunion show? Maybe Michael Evans is really Barack Obama? From the Cabrini Green projects to the White House!?! Michael should at least get a cabinet position. I think Janet Jackson is available, too. The tour's not doing so well. How about LL Cool J, couldn't he play Penny's husband?

Your DirecTV guide has the new line-up on XM radio

...or you must really be a radio geek if you watch a YouTube Video of DirecTV's menu guide. Who recorded this anyway?...

So it looks like XM Suite 62 will be replaced by Sirius Heart and Soul; Hip Hop Nation replaces XM The City; XM The Groove stays; and both The Rhyme and Raw channels are gone from the satellite service and replaced by The Heat and Emenim's 45 Shade.

View full line-up here>>

Despite Internet Rumors: Charlamagne fired because of budget cuts at WBLS

Channel 9 in New York interviews Wendy Williams over rumors that she fired Charlamagne from her radio show.

South African legend Miriam Makeba dies at age 76

Miriam Makeba, or 'Mama Africa', the South African singer who wooed the world with her sultry voice, has died at the age of 76, leaving a great legacy behind.

The Hot Topic on Black Talk Radio: Gay Marriage

Yes on Proposition 8 legislation that voters in Californians approved that called for the ban of gay marriages in that state. Many African American voters are being blamed by gays for the legislation being passed.

Here's one of the television commercials that ran in California before election day.

Meanwhile Keith Olbermann gives his views on the controversy on "Countdown" on MSNBC.

Adding to the controversy is comedienne Roseanne Barr who says on her blog that Black Voters Are “Bigoted And Ignorant” because they voted against gay marriage

First of all, there is such a thing as separation of church and state in this country. Now if gay people want to marry, then let them have their freedom. Just don't bring it near me. For the religious folk, they probably voted YES on Prop 8 so that they think they will get themselves right with God. Well, "newsflash", it's your actions that will convince others to follow your lifestyle. You can't beat it out or legislate it out of them. There will still be gay people if they can marry or not. Isn't that what got George W. Bush elected four years ago? Did it work? Maybe there should be a proposition against fornication. That's something else church pastors that's in the Bible that people should not do also.

Former Station Owner arrested for operating an illegal radio station

From NewsChief.com The former owner of a Winter Haven radio station was arrested Friday after authorities discovered illegal broadcasts coming from a Lakeland motel.

Frankie Jerome Grover, 53, of 1017 N. Lake Parker Ave. in Lakeland, was charged by the Polk County Sheriff's Office with one count of unauthorized transmission of a radio frequency. He was booked into the Polk County Jail and later released on a $1,000 bond.
Glover, the one-time owner of WHNR AM-1360 on Dundee Road in Winter Haven, is accused of operating an illegal radio station from three rooms at the Kingston Lakeside Inn motel at 910 E. Memorial Blvd. in Lakeland.

According to the arrest report, an investigation into the radio broadcasts began Sept. 13 when a Sheriff's Office detective saw a flier advertising a party sponsored by Blazin' 87.9 Da Biz. With the help of the Federal Communications Commission FCC, the transmission source for 87.9 FM was located at 910 E. Memorial Blvd. in Lakeland, but the FCC showed no broadcasting license for that radio station or that frequency.

Throughout September and October, according to the report, detectives observed and listened to Grover while he ran live Web camera Internet broadcasts of 87.9 FM simultaneously with radio broadcasts. The broadcasts featured morning talk shows, live interviews and R&B, soul, gospel and blues music. Sheriff's Office detectives, working in conjunction with the FCC, the Lakeland Police Department and the State Attorney's Office, served search warrants on rooms 1377, 1378 and 1379 at the Kingston Lakeside Inn motel on Friday.

Glover was arrested, and all of his equipment was seized. According to the Sheriff's Office, Glover had been renting the rooms for $450 per month and using them for his radio station business. Broadcasting without an FCC license is a third-degree felony under Florida law. Grover has one prior arrest in Polk County, according to Polk County Jail records. In 1991, he was charged with one count of assault and one count of battery.

Sharpton and Simmons disagree on Obama-mania's effect on Hip Hop

Barack Obama, the first president to come of age in hip-hop era has sparked a debate between the Rev. Al Sharpton and Russell Simmons. The topic: How will the election of Barack Obama effect Hip Hop?

An article in the Chicago Tribune points out Barack Obama’s relationship with the Hip Hop culture. "There are times, even on the artists I've named, the artists that I love, that there is a message that's sometimes degrading to women, uses the 'n' word a little too frequently," Obama told BET after citing Kanye West, Jay-Z and Common among some of his favorite artists. "But also something that I'm really concerned about is [they're] always talking about material things, about how I can get something; more money, more cars."

Rev. Al Shaprton, a frequent critic of Hip Hop believes that the Obama victory will “force” Hip Hop artists to behave better. Sharpton predicts that the Obama administration will force a decline in the more violent and misogynistic elements of the culture. "You can't be using the 'b' word, the 'n' word, the 'h' word when you have Barack Obama redefining overnight the image that black people want to have. Here's the greatest political victory in the history of black America, and the thug rappers can't come near it. They will have to change or become irrelevant."

Simmons says that's hogwash. "Young people will use their language the way they want," he said. "If it's in their heart, they will express it." In the wake of racially charged remarks by talk show host Don Imus last year, Obama said rap wasn't blameless because it too contained derogatory language. Russell Simmons called Obama "a mouse, too, like everyone else," and urged him to take a closer look at the social conditions that made such lyrics commonplace. In the wake of Obama's victory, Simmons struck a more conciliatory tone, calling it a "glorious" affirmation of "the hip-hop generation and its young people." "I was just defending hip-hop," he told the Tribune of his earlier criticism of Obama. "It's good for politicians to say they're against hip-hop. But hip-hop's job is to tell the truth, and the truth can be shocking. "Though many older activists didn't believe Obama could win the presidency, convinced that his race was too big of a barrier, the "hip-hop generation said, 'Why not?'" Simmons said. "Hip-hop's attitude has always been, 'Why not?'"

Rev. Jesse Jackson explains his tears on NPR's "Tell Me More"

Despite his well publicized dispute with Obama, it was very clear how happy and proud Rev. Jesse Jackson was to see Obama claim the presidency. He recently spoke to National Public Radio on why he was crying. Listen Here >>

“Well, on the one hand, I saw President Barack Obama standing there looking so majestic. And I knew that people in the villages of Kenya and Haiti, and mansions and palaces in Europe and China, were all watching this young African-American male assume the leadership to take our nation out of a pit to a higher place.

“And then, I thought of who was not there,” Jackson said on NPR News’ Tell Me More. “As mentioned, Medgar Evers, the husband of Sister Myrlie. …So the martyrs and murdered whose blood made last night possible. I could not help think that this was their night.
“And if I had one wish: if Medgar, or if Dr. King could have just been there for a second in time, would have made my heart rejoice. And so it was kind of duo-fold - his ascension into leadership and the price that was paid to get him there.”

XM and Sirius Programming Merger expected to go down on Wednesday

Here's Sirius XM Satellite radio latest promotion:



"Now for the first time, you can add XM channels to your SIRIUS subscription. Add "The Best of XM" on SIRIUS and get Oprah & Friends, Opie & Anthony, NHL and NBA games, the 24/7 NHL Home Ice Channel, The PGA TOUR Network, college sports, and XM Public Radio. The Best Radio on Radio™ just got better."



It remains to be seen which XM channels will survive this week's programming merger. It just seems that Sirius XM will only keep the above channels from XM and just a few others.

KDAY wakes up and drops another syndicated show

Shhh! Don't say KDAY, ...say "the Heart and Soul of LA, 93.5 The Beat". On Friday The Wendy Williams Experience was dropped from KDAY's line-up. This announcement accompanies station owner Magic Broadcasting's decision to drop the Mo'Nique show less than two weeks ago. We must be in a recession when a radio station can't afford to pay for a syndicated show. The shows will be replaced by local all music shows. The Steve Harvey Morning Show, The Michael Baisden Show and The Keith Sweat Hotel will continue on the station's line-up.

KDAY GM Karla Santos says, "We needed to get back to serving the needs of our listeners, and the fastest way to do that was a music intensive format."

We say congratulations to KDAY for ending a line-up of all syndication, or should we say thank you to the listeners of Los Angeles who have proven that the best way to serve the community is with local programming or else they're not going to listen to syndication radio all day long.

You can even grow up to be...

CLICK FOR LARGER IMAGE

From Callie Shell / Aurora for Time- These two boys waited as a long line of adults greeted Senator Obama before a rally on Martin Luther King Day in Columbia, S.C. They never took their eyes off of him. Their grandmother told me, "Our young men have waited a long time to have someone to look up to, to make them believe Dr. King's words can be true for them." Jan. 21, 2008.

Sarah Palin, Are you smarter than a FIRST grader?

Sarah Palin didn't know Africa was a continent and NOT a country. She couldn't name the countries in North America! WTF!

Sarah Palin is done politically. If you're a Republican and FOX News throws you under the bus, then you're D-O-N-E --Done. She started to crack, met McCain's staff in her bathrobe, and threw temper tantrums.

92Q Gives Marc Clarke and the Big Phat Morning Show the AXE

Marc Clarke the morning host of Radio One's (WERQ) 92Q's "Big Phat Morning Show," have been let go by the station. This also includes co-host Sonjay and Porkchop. Clarke came to Baltimore and 92Q in 1999 to do the morning show with Troy Johnson, who was let go in 2006. The show reportedly will be replaced by the Rickey Smiley Morning Show. Last week Johnson lost his gig as midday talk show host at Baltimore's 105.7 (WHFS). The entire station flipped to sports talks as (WJZ FM) 105.7 The Fan.

By the way, up the road at Radio One's urban station in Philadelphia, (WPHI) 100.3 The Beat, there has been no sign of the Rickey Smiley Show turning up there any time soon. "The Morning Beat", a mostly all music show had been slowly introducing morning host into the mix. They have been using on the street reports from Izzo and former Miss Jones co-host, Michael Shawn with call-in segments to the show.

Keyshia Cole's Interview on the Big Phat Morning Show

Barack Obama Reveals His True Identity

BREAKING NEWS!!! I'm Chris Rock Dammit! Y'all said y'all wanted CHANGE!

Obama also says "I don't know Hill Harper."

Austin Culmer, one of the first African Americans to host a call-in show has died

Austin W. Culmer Jr., 82, one of the first African Americans to host a call-in show on a big-signal radio station in Philadelphia, died of natural causes Thursday.

Culmer, who grew up in Philadelphia, was a postal worker in the mid-1960s when the radio bug bit, said his son, Austin W.K. Culmer.

Mr. Culmer's first show in 1965, was Teen Talks on African American heritage station WHAT-AM (1340). For the next 35 years, off and on, he "did everything on radio," his son said. Broadcasting was always something of a hobby. He would conduct his show, usually between midnight and 5 a.m., taking calls from insomniacs and night workers, and discussing the events of the day. Then he would be off to work at the main post office, where his office was next to the postmaster's.

Although broadcasting was a part-time enterprise, he loved the medium. Altogether, he worked as a disc jockey at nine stations, playing everything from classical music to country-and-western. But he really became well-known in the city after 1984, when he began his talk format at WCAU.
His motto was, "Heavy on the light stuff and light on the heavy stuff."

In 1968, while hosting a country show on WRCP-AM (then at 1540), Mr. Culmer was recruited to handle weekend and overnight talk shows at 50,000-watt WCAU-AM, now WPHT (1210). He also worked for talk station WWDB-FM until its format change in 2000.He retired from the Postal Service as a public information officer in 1985. He was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia's Hall of Fame in 2000 and served for a decade on its board.

Change Has Come to America

Wendy Williams' Staff Gets Cut by WBLS

R&R reports- In a cost-cutting move, Inner City Broadcasting urban AC WBLS/New York has released most of the behind-the-scenes team of syndicated afternoon show "The Wendy Williams Experience." Executive producer Tarin Donatien, production director Trev Hollywood and co-host Charlamagne Tha God have all been let go. Goose will remain with the "Experience" and continue to run the boards. Talent booker and publicist Nicole Spence has also exited WBLS. On Monday, July 13, 2009, "The Wendy Williams Show" will return to television on Fox affiliates around the country.

I wonder what Buffie the Body is thinking about Charlamagne NOW, "Hi Hater"