Urban Radio Nation: April 2009

April 30, 2009

KJLH Los Angeles - Another Urban PPM Horror Story

"Radio Free" 102.3 KJLH Los Angeles blames the Arbitron PPM for part of its recent 37% fall-off in revenue and dip in ratings the station has suffered since the implementation of the PPM ratings system. KJLH general manager Karen Slade tells the L.A. Business Journal that there’s something wrong with falling from a diary-average 1.2-1.3 to a 0.4 in PPM. She says “We didn’t lose 100,000 listeners overnight. And when you tell me I’ve lost 70% of my market share, you’re putting me out of business.” Slade also says that PPM is forcing her to do more music and less of the talk and service programming KJLH is known for and layoffs are likely.

A 0.4 in Los Angeles (the most compeititive radio market in the country) is like a 0.6 in Atlanta, that's what V-103 (WVEE) in Atlanta scorced in the latest PPM for online listeners. So essentially more people listen to V-103 on the internet than there are people that are listening to KJLH over the airwaves according to Arbitron.

That can't be good news for station owner Stevie Wonder. No matter what, as long as Stevie owns the station, he will keep it local and community service oriented.

April 29, 2009

Radio One Philadelphia Makes Cuts at 100.3 The Beat and WRNB

THROWBACK VIDEO: Radio programmer Elroy Smith discusses his philosophy of how music is added to his radio station. At the time Elroy Smith was at WGCI Chicago. (Remember Deborah Crable from Ebony/Jet Showcase?) Was this the late 80's or 90's? WOW! One question- Who really believes what Elroy is saying about adding music to a station's playlist? LOL

Elroy Smith the PD/OM of WPHI (100.3 The Beat) and WRNB (107.9) has made several on-air personnel changes at the urban and urban ac stations. 100.3 The Beat has released night host DJ Touchtone, overnighter DJ Milmatic, and weekend jock Tosha Makia. Philly radio veteran DC Todd is out as 7-12 p.m. evening host on WRNB. DJ Romance, production director, has replaced Todd as evening host. 100.3 The Beat has not named any replacements.

BTW Radio One Chairman Alfred Liggins can celebrate some good PPM ratings news: The Beat, on the verge of welcoming new morning host Charlamagne on Friday, recently surpassed Power 99 (WUSL) in the overall March PPM ratings for the first time ever.

In Dallas, 97.9 The Beat (KBFB), the home base for The Rickey Smiley Show, beat out long time rival K104 (KKDA).

But the PPM ratings system seem to be unreliable at best. A couple of months ago radio folks were excited by the #1 place rating of Kiss 104.1 in Atlanta. However by the next month V-103 (WVEE) had regained it's solid number 1 status.

V103 (WVAZ) Chicago Cuts Loose Irene Mojica and Troi Tyler from Clear Channel's Massive Nationwide Layoffs

Clear Channel Radio eliminated 590 radio jobs nationwide on Tuesday and among those that got a pink slip were two popular and long time Chicago radio personalities. Let go were V103's midday host Troi Tyler and The Quiet Storm host Irene Mojica. (The "Mamacita" is one of my personal favorites, she really connected to Chicago listeners for more than 20 years) Program Director Kris Kelley will take over the midday shift at V103. Also let go at sister urban station 107.5 WGCI's was overnight host Sundance.

In Los Angeles, Clear Channel also released midday host and R&B singer Al B. Sure!, who was on air at urban ac station Hot 92.3 (KHHT). In Greensboro, North Carolina the entire on-air staff at 105.7 Kiss FM (WMKS) was let go including midday host KJ Bland. Don't worry they still have Harvey, Baisden, and Sweat to listen to. Since the beginning of this year Clear Channel has cut 1,850 jobs or 11.7 % of their radio division’s workforce. ...Amazing!

A couple of weeks ago Clear Channel announced a new programming initiative based on allowing program directors to pick and choose the highest performing on-air host from other Clear Channel stations across the country, along with setting up "so-called" local advisory boards in each city. Let's be real... Clear Channel survival model points towards the death of local radio, no matter what information they put out to the public. And I'm sure midday urban radio syndication is on the way to major markets.

If The Keith Sweat Hotel at night is any indication of what they're thinking about doing... then don't bother Clear Channel. The only question that remains is, who will they tap to be their midday queen? Hear that? ...opportunity knocking

April 28, 2009

Jeff Foxx Sits in for a Suspended Wendy Williams on WBLS

Jeff Foxx, former morning host on crosstown rival urban ac 98.7 Kiss FM (WRKS New York) sat in yesterday for suspended talk show host Wendy Williams over at 107.5 WBLS. No word on how long Wendy's suspension will last. Last week Wendy gave an open mic with no limits about what they could talk about to her husband Kevin Hunter and former co-host Charlamagne Tha God. As a result Wendy Williams has been suspended.

Meanwhile Jeff Foxx's firing over at Kiss last month still continues to generate comments on our post.

Al Sharpton and Warren Ballentine Back on the air in Atlanta

The website of CBS Radio's 1380 WAOK in Atlanta simply states that the station is proud to welcome Rev. Al Sharpton and Warren Ballentine to our lineup starting Wednesday, April 29, 2009. Hear Mr. Ballentine weekdays 10 a.m. to 1p.m. and Rev. Sharpton weekdays 1p.m. to 4 p.m.

Sharpton and Ballentine were the midday host on Radio One's music/talk hybrid station "102.5 Grown Folks Radio." Radio One dropped the hosts back in February to make way for gospel music on 102.5 FM and a new R&B station on Majic 107.5 and 97.5 FM. Some of their former listeners in Atlanta staged a mild protest at Radio One's Atlanta's offices and started an online petition. With the addition of Ballentine and Sharpton, the station will move midday host Derrick Boazman to the 4-7 p.m. slot.

Olivia Fox Awaits Kidney Transplant

Dave Hughes of DCRTV reports that Olivia Fox, midday host at Majic 102.3 (WMMJ Washington, D.C.) suffers from a kidney disease that will eventually require her to have a transplant. Fox will launch a docu-series, "Hope For A K," that will include celebrity appearances, community outreach information, and "unfiltered conversations" with some of the 80,000 people waiting a kidney transplant. More at DCRTV

Recording artist Chrisette Michele recently visited Olivia Fox at the studios of Majic 102.3.

April 27, 2009

Yes, It Does Sound Like Wendy Williams Wants to Get Fired

If you haven't listened to "Random Ramblings of a Radio Chick's" latest blog post, then you should check it out. I had a chance last night after a beautiful weekend to check it out. ...and yes I'm speechless from the venom that flowed through the studio as Wendy Williams mocked the whole idea of her getting a pink slip or suspension from WBLS after the in-studio appearance by her husband Kevin Hunter and former co-host Charlamagne Tha God. Hunter, was accused of sexual harassment of Williams' former producer Nicole Spence and Charlamagne was fired due to budget constraints at WBLS.

Wendy is basically saying f*** radio, because the TV show on Fox is about to jump off nationwide. However, Wendy should remember she does have a syndication deal with Westwood One for stations all over the country.

Star and Buc Wild Join Internet Video Channel VLAD TV

Star & Buc Wild have officially joined Vlad TV and promise to do what they do best. The Internet site touts themselves as the "TMZ of Hip Hop" and seem to be in direct competition with WSHH Video, "The CNN of Hip Hop." Here's a taste of things to come as they smash up Ludacris' plaque. Since the video posted, over 3,000,000 visitors have viewed the video. (According to the website's visitor counter)

No matter what your opinion is of Troi Torain better known as "Star", he knows how to tapped into that certain thing listeners want to hear. His rants, exploits and downright foul mouth, provide a vehicle for folks to vicariously live through his words by secretly desiring to say the things he says. Despite his controversial past, Star remains a marketable personality.

Radio Industry Going "Ga Ga" over Ratings for Digital Internet Channels

Arbitron says that 12 digital stations in nine cities met the Minimum Reporting Standards in the March 2009 PPM survey period. The PPM ratings system is able to measure Internet radio listening, along with listeners tuned into commercial and non-commercial radio stations. Those listeners of Internet radio in the past were not counted in the old write-in diary system.

What does all of this mean? These stations actually had people listening to them on their computers rather than listening to the station on a radio. Two of those 12 stations were urban stations V-103 WVEE Atlanta and V103 WVAZ Chicago. Well isn't the point of putting these stations on the Internet is to have people listening to them? WOW, something in the radio industry is actually working! ...and for the kid pictured, when he gets to be an adult, Internet listening will probably be the norm rather than something unusual.

April 23, 2009

Hip Hop Radio - Austin's Da Bomb Internet Radio

If you follow this blog on a regular basis, you can probably figure out that I'm not the biggest fan of today's version of rap music. So it takes a lot for me to listen to rap, but I have discovered Hip Hop on the radio that is fresh and clean. WHAT? Yes clean enough for your grandmother to listen to... well that reference might go a bit too far. But this is a station that would appeal to those turned-off by terrestrial urban radio.

Even with more and more people listening on-line to radio, for the most part Internet only stations sound unprofessional and lack the daily feedback that a program director of a radio station would provide. However Marcus Davis over at Da Bomb Internet Radio www.bombnation.com has put together a great Internet radio station with dynamic imaging (Pat Garrett) along with a good mix of "today's Hip Hop and R&B music."

Here's more on Da Bomb Internet Radio:

Radio listeners in Austin, Texas now have another choice when they want to listen to hip-hop and R&B music. Say hello to Da Bomb Internet Radio, Austin’s only commercial urban radio station. Da Bomb broadcasts “Squeaky Clean Hip-Hop and R&B” which, simply put, is music without much of the profanity you may hear on other stations. That’s not the only thing that sets Da Bomb Internet Radio apart from other radio stations, however.

Earlier this month, Progressive Innovations LLC dropped Da Bomb on Austin listeners. The station actually debuted in October, but it wasn’t positioned as an Austin station until this month. “That was more of a marketing decision,” says Marcus Davis, who hosts an afternoon show on Da Bomb from 12 – 4 PM Central Time. “We love all of our listeners no matter if they’re from Austin, St. Louis, Los Angeles, Hawaii, or the UK. That’s the beauty of the internet… we have listeners from all over the globe,” says Davis. The decision was made to position the station as an Austin station in order to give Da Bomb more of a local identity. “Oftentimes people like to hear a local flavor when they tune into a radio station,” Davis says while fulfilling a request for a song by Texas rap group UGK.

Progressive Innovations is hoping that listeners don’t write off Da Bomb Internet Radio as just another hobby internet radio station. Marcus Davis certainly believes that once people tune in and listen, they’ll know that this is anything but a hobby. The station made sure to properly invest into their station imaging and equipment. As Davis says, “Once you listen, it’ll be obvious that this is a professionally run radio station just like you hear on the FM dial.” One of Da Bomb’s local listeners recently went a step farther and posted a comment on the station’s MySpace page asserting that Da Bomb Internet Radio is better than any terrestrial radio station in Austin.

In some ways, Da Bomb is like similar Rhythmic stations in Austin. However, this urban station fills a void that existed for good R&B music in addition to hip-hop. While songs by Ludacris can be heard all day, Da Bomb Internet Radio doesn’t forget slower songs from artists such as Ginuwine, Jazmine Sullivan, and Pleasure P. Such songs round out the hip-hop and R&B station’s playlist so you can turn on the station and have enough variety to make you want to listen for a while. So, the next time you want to hear some good hip-hop and R&B, give Da Bomb Internet Radio a try. They’re online at www.bombnation.com and, remember, the music is “Squeaky Clean” so you can turn up the volume at work and at home with the kids!

Hip Hop Radio - Who's Listening to "Everybody Wants to Get Signed by a Record Label" Radio?

Funk Master Flex goes on a 8:00 minute rant about Interscope Records on the air at Hot 97

I'm not sure when it became fashionable to bring "shop" talk to the airwaves, but it has been a trend in urban radio the last few years by the so called "urban lifestyle" radio hosts. Who really wants to hear a DJ talk about the behind the scene deals made and not made in radio? This is not compelling radio, but it's being done all the time.

Many urban jocks in the radio game crack the mic and talk about how many units this artist sold or who's number one in albums this week. It's not just Flex, but I've heard it from Big Boy and many others in urban radio. It kind of reached it's peak with the whole 50 Cent vs. Kanye album sales battle last year. A great album selling promotional tool, but boring radio. Shouldn't it be about communicating to the listening audience? And not about which artist had the most record sales, was promoted at another station, etc., etc.

Maybe this is what works within a society that has conditioned young men to think that their only vocational choice is to pursue a sports or rap contract. Or young women who define their own personal self-worth within this context. Maybe they're the only ones listening to Hip Hop/Urban radio also. OK I get it, they really are communicating to their audience effectively, it's like watching job orientation videos at the human resources office. Now you're ready for fries.

April 21, 2009

Charlamagne Tha God - The New Morning Host On 100.3 The Beat WPHI

Radio One Urban WPHI (100.3 the Beat) Philadelphia has filled its morning drive opening with the addition of Charlamagne Tha God. He was last heard weekdays co-hosting "The Wendy Williams Experience" on Inner City urban AC WBLS/New York and the other affiliates of the Westwood One-syndicated afternoon drive show. "The Morning Beat," 100.3 the Beat's current music-driven a.m. show debuted in January replacing "Miss Jones in the Morning" and has performed well for the station.

Radio One/Philadelphia OM Elroy Smith explains, “Doing an all-music morning show with mixer Bent Roc garnered some of the highest ratings that we’ve seen in the last year for our morning show on the Beat. We are presently No. 1 with women 18-34 without doing a traditional morning show. Charlamagne will be brought on board to accent the current success of the 'Morning Beat.' His commanding personality along with his Internet savvy and his desire to be local will only propel this show to a higher plane." “The Morning Beat” current cast members DJ Bent Roc, Sheik and Izzo will remain with the show spearheaded by Charlamagne Tha God who says, "Commanding my own morning show in a major market has been one of my dreams and this opportunity that has been presented to me just reinforces in my mind that I am walking the path that God wants me to walk."

Charlamagne Tha God currently hosts the two-hour syndicated mix show "Dirt Law Radio" and ended his three-year run on "The Wendy Williams Experience" in November when his position was eliminated due to budget cuts. He gets started in mornings on 100.3 the Beat on Friday, May 1, and Charlamagne's launch will be celebrated with a promotion. "In honor of his first day we’ll allow Charlamagne to take over the station from 6 a.m.-10 p.m. giving away $100 dollars every half hour as a part of him getting to know Philadelphia listeners on day one,” says Smith.

Charlamagne Tha God has been working in radio for a decade and was selected as one of Edison Media's "30 Under 30" in 2008. This summer he will begin making appearances on "The Wendy Williams Show," her self-titled weekday talk show, which will debut nationally July 13 on Fox.

It's interesting to note that 100.3 The Beat has a male dominated staff during the weekdays with the addition of Charlamagne, Michael Shawn - middays, Poochman - afternoons, Touchtone- Late nights and Mil Matik overnights. Kendra G. is the lone female jock holding down evenings at the station.

More People Listening to Radio Online

Should radio be concerned over a greater increase of listeners on the Internet within the past year?

Arbitron and Edison Media Research released a report recently suggesting that 17% of the U.S. audience is listening to some radio online. That translate to about 42 million people across America. Their report also states that 32% of teens and persons 18-24 say they are spending less time with over-the-air radio specifically due to time spent with IPods and other portable MP3 players.

Surfing through the blogosphere I came across this from Hear 2.0: Society needs the comfort of our favorite songs. We need the real-time connection to our community (however we define "community"). We need to know what to wear today and whether or not school is cancelled. We need to stay up to date or to revel in our past. We need to be outraged and informed and soothed and amused. We need to be told what to do in a crisis. We need to know what's on sale and where. And we need these things wherever we are - at home, at work, in the car, and on our hip.

Might I add that radio does this better than any other medium at the moment in our society or community. But it also seems like the phone is actually terrestrial radio's main competition rather satellite radio. The Hear 2.0 comment makes a lot of sense in light of the explosion of the social media site Twitter, which is nothing more than a large list of text messages coming together in one social environment. An Ipod can not compete in that context. Neither can most "Internet radio stations", like Last FM, Pandora, or even Internet conference calling, better known as BlogTalkRadio. So the trick is to figure out how to bring the "tweet" concept to radio. It surely can't happen through the disconnectedness that radio syndication brings to the listening audience.

So it's not a matter of if radio should be concerned, it's a matter of what society needs and what medium will effectively be able to provide it. An 'I Heart Radio' and 'CBS Radio' app is just a start, but terrestrial radio you need to get an FM radio tuner on phones that people can download, and quick!

April 20, 2009

Tom Joyner Back in Chicago on Soul 106.3 WSRB

Tom Joyner announced this morning on the TJMS that he will be back on the air in Chicago starting on Wednesday, April 22. His company Reach Media and Crawford Broadcasting, the owners of Soul 106.3 (WSRB), have reached an agreement and have worked out a deal with Clear Channel Radio. Clear Channel Radio last month yanked Joyner off the air in Chicago at WSRB and replaced him with the Steve Harvey Morning Show. Clear Channel has released Tom Joyner from the contract that would have kept him under wraps and off the air until the end of the year.

Joyner will now go head to head against Steve Harvey, despite Joyner's popularity, he will have difficulty beating out Harvey for the simple fact that Soul 106.3's (WSRB) signal only really covers the south side of Chicago. Joyner will be heard on WYRB in Rockford, Illinois as well (at 106.3 FM also), on a signal that is about 50 miles outside of the city. In Joyner's vlog, he still encourages his Chicago listeners to tune into BlackAmericaWeb.com to hear him. Steve Harvey on the other hand is on the monster signal of V-103 (WVAZ) which blankets Chicago.

BTW: Soul 106.3 is the local outlet for Chicago native Michael Baisden, who's show runs for 5 hours from 2-7PM CT.

April 17, 2009

John Madden Retires from Broadcasting - Who should take his place?

Breaking sports news video. MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL highlights and more.

John Madden has announced his retirement from NFL broadcasting. Did he retire because his boy, Brett Farve has also decided to retire from football this year? Maybe Monday's death of Phillies and NFL Films broadcaster Harry Kalas, who is also 73, caused him to re-evaluate his priorities, who knows?

NBC announced also that former NFL player and NBC studio host, Chris Collinsworth would be taking his place. We don't need just anyone replacing a legend like Madden, we need a personality. We need another fat guy in the booth! I, today will launch a campaign for "Dancing with the Stars" sensation, and by the way former NFL defensive tackle, Warren Sapp to replace Madden.

John Madden will continue to do his radio show from KCBS in San Francisco.

April 15, 2009

Breaking News: Ed Lover Morning Host in Philly, Patty Jackson 411 in Orlando, Frankie Darcell Middays in Chicago?

Clear Channel Plan Says We Will Syndicate to Survive!

Clear Channel Radio announced Wednesday afternoon new programming plans for its stations. The plans include the option for a program director to pick and choose air talent, no matter if they're in another city or not.

The above personalities (Ed Lover Power 105.1 New York, Patty Jackson WDAS FM Philadelphia, Frankie Darcell Mix 92.3 Detroit) aren't slated to be heard in other cities at the moment, but there's always that possibility if they remain popular in their market and another host is not doing so well in another city.

Sounds like the PD won't have much of an option if the local jock is not making ratings goals. Clear Channel's plan also notes the success of the Ryan Seacrest and Steve Harvey shows as options that are available to them.

April 14, 2009

The Preset I'm Most Embarrassed About is...

The local "Movin'" station in the Philadelphia area is a station called "My 106.1" (WISX), and I'd have to admit it is one of my first tier preset stations. This station replaced Smooth Jazz 106.1 more than two years ago.

Now I know I'm not the typical radio listener, because PPM would have a difficult time keeping up with what I'm listening to at any moment during any particular quarter hour. If anyone was capable of causing that device to malfunction it would be me. So I do a lot of flipping around the radio dial.

Also I know for sure I'm least likely thought of as being the typical demo this station's executives are looking for in terms of appealing to their advertisers. They are seeking the listening ears of working, single or married White women age 25-54. But what I have stumbled upon is some listenable music on my car radio.

A typical hour at My 106.1 might sound like this. The songs with the asterisk*, I would definitely be pressing another preset station. But everything else would be OK.

Young MC - Bust A Move
Bell Biv Devoe - Poison
The Time - Jungle Love
Lauryn Hill - Doo Wop (That Thing)
Freda Payne - Band of Gold
Maxine Nightingale - Right Back Where We Started From
Cynthia & Johnny O - Dreamboy/Dreamgirl*
Brenda K. Starr - I Still Believe*
A-Ha - Take On Me*
Marvin Gaye - What's Going On
Jackson 5 - ABC
O'Jays - I Love Music
Mariah Carey - Fantasy
Ne-Yo - Miss Independent
T.I. f/ Rihanna - Live Your Life

Not bad, right? Could even work for an urban format with some upbeat articulate on-air personalities. When I first heard of this Movin' format, I was thinking "oh no" not another Jammin' Oldies format, but surprisingly this format works for me. I'm a little tired of the regimented, rigid formats on typical urban and urban ac stations. (The radio equivalent to the missionary position) Today's R&B and Classic Soul, quite frankly ballads put me to sleep; the 90's music station lacks variety without the Ol' Skool rap; and Hip Hop radio don't play no Q-Tip, Common, The Roots or Lupe, and I can't stand Soulja Boy, so tell 'em that. I even like Santogold and Raphael Saadiq, but I got to tune to public radio to hear them.

I know for sure that most Movin' formats across the country don't play the variety that My 106.1 plays, but for now it kinda works for me, except for the fact that it's a CLEAR CHANNEL station! Uggh!

Shorty da Prince Cut from 100.3 The Beat KATZ FM for Not Following Guidelines

Playing Local Artist Led to His Firing, ...but as a young radio vet, "Didn't he know this already or could he really care less about his radio career?"

Radio personality and rapper of "Wah Wah Wow", Shorty Da Prince was cut loose at 100.3 The Beat (KATZ-FM, St. Louis) because he failed to follow company guidelines. That company, Clear Channel, has some definite guidelines about what you can play and not play on the air. Shorty, who had been at "The Beat" for seven years, said a higher up told him he was fired and didn't go into details regarding the decision to let the young popular radio personality go.

“When I asked him to go into detail, he just laughed and said, 'I didn't follow guidelines'." Shorty had some choice words to say about his radio experience and minimize the importance of playing songs on the radio. He said it's better to be unsigned and "hot" in the streets instead of getting radio airplay.

All of this in his first interview since the firing by local Black newspaper the St. Louis American. Shorty said he and the radio exec didn't "click" and surmised that the suspicion of payola might have led to his termination, because he played music by local artists.

In the article Shorty da Prince also said, "A lot of times they thought something was going on because The Beat don’t play local music."

"If a record came out in St. Louis I played it – because people requested it – and I caught some flack for that."

April 13, 2009

Pulse 87 Comes to Washington, D.C. - More Radio on Channel 6

Mega Media Group owners of the "Pulse 87" brand has announced a deal for the Washington, D.C. market on (87.7 FM) Channel 6, WDCN-LP, a low power TV station that will be a dance music radio station. Mega CEO Alex Shvarts says “the diversity of the Washington, D.C. market will work well for our unique lifestyle music format.”

Mega Media earlier this year announced that "Pulse 87" would be coming to Los Angeles and Chicago. With the coming conversion of all TV signals to digital this June, this may open up the possibilities of more LP stations. Low power television stations will remain analog and not be effected by the change. Pulse 87 made a splash into the New York market more than a year ago when it signed the Star and Buc Wild Morning Show on WNYZ-LP. Star (Troi Torain) has since left the station.

Harry Kalas Voice of the Philadelphia Phillies Has Died

Most folks around the country didn't know the name, but you knew Harry Kalas as the voice of Campbell's Chunky Soup, NFL 2K2 video game, and NFL football radio broadcast, but those were just his other gigs to Phillies baseball fans. The Hall of Fame announcer passed away at age 73 today in Washington, D.C. in the pressbox prior to the Phillies vs. Nationals baseball game. He had been an announcer with the Phillies since 1971.

Harry Kalas' call of the last out of the 2008 World Series

Tom Joyner on Soul 106.3 WSRB Chicago - Not Just Yet

Joyner may appear to be a natural fit with Soul 106.3's format, but the station's limited signal could be a problem. In you live in Gary, Indiana you hear the station nice and clear, however if you're a resident of Chicago, like our President, then you can barely hear the station in your neighborhood. But there aren't many other options, other than going to Black talk radio station AM 1690 WVON, the former radio home of CNN's Roland Martin.

Also, it may be awhile before you hear the TJMS on Soul 106.3 (WSRB), Clear Channel has Tom Joyner locked down until the end of the year and may decide to keep him off the air unless Crawford Broadcasting and WSRB decide to compensate Clear Channel. Waiting until 2010 may not sit well with Tom Joyner's fans in Chicago.

However, rumors of a sooner return have surfaced, because morning show host Carla Box is no longer with Soul 106.3 and the station ran music only without a host this morning.

Meanwhile Steve Harvey goes to the newspaper and says I have nothing to do with Tom Joyner not being on the air in Chicago.

In any event there will come a day when Tom Joyner will no longer be on the air, but who is waiting in the wings to replace him?

April 10, 2009

Russell Simmons Presents "Brave New Voices"

Media Personality Envy McKee's Last Show on 100.3 The Beat Featured on the new HBO Series

"Brave New Voices" narrated by Queen Latifah

As luck would have it; Envy McKee aired her last show on 100.3 The Beat (WPHI) Philadelphia on Mother’s Day of 2008. Almost a year later, portions of that show will be featured on a new HBO series: “Russell Simmons Presents: Brave New Voices”. HBO is calling Brave New Voices “part Def Poetry and part documentary” and follows youth poetry teams from around the country as they prepare for the national youth poetry championship in Washington D.C. The series is produced by Hip Hop magnate Russell Simmons and renowned TV and movie director and producer Stan Lathan. It is narrated by Oscar nominated actress Queen Latifah and the national championship is hosted by well known British actor, Idris Elba.

Brave New Voices also features young poets from Philadelphia. That’s where Envy McKee comes in the picture, quite literally. It turns out HBO came to the 100.3 The Beat studios last year to film several young Philadelphian poets who are featured in the series and Envy’s ‘Poetic Activism’ show.

Envy says of the appearance: “Brave New Voices is a marvel. Who knew that I literally have a time capsule of the greatest show I have ever produced for radio—I was honored to share the mic with literal poetry greats—all from Philadelphia—Ursula Rucker, Just Greg, and Black Ice. Then I got to witness the emergence of a new poetic great-- Josh Bennett. To have that show on HBO is amazing. To have my greatest work live on a year later in this way…priceless.”

McKee left her talk show gig on 100.3 The Beat last year to pursue her burgeoning television talk show career and is the host of “The Envy McKee Show with Michael Shawn”, which also begins airing this month on local Comcast 21. “Russell Simmons Presents: Brave New Voices” can be seen Sundays at 11PM on HBO. Envy McKee will be featured on the series’ second episode, slated to air Sunday April 12, 2009 at 11PM. Check local listings for details and re-airs.

April 9, 2009

Streetz 102.9 Is Gone

Atlanta's newest hip-hop radio station "Streetz 102.9" is now off the air. Also gone is the website and the listen live stream www.streetz1029.com. For a station that existed less than a week it sure generated a lot of buzz.

Looks like "mystery" owner Steve Hegwood's non-compete clause with Radio One Atlanta is the reason the station doesn't exist any longer.

Steve Hegwood Seems to Have Covered His "A"

The new "Streetz 102.9" in da "A" Seems Legal

TRI reports that the whole wierd set-up is perfectly legal. Here's the setup where an FM translator repeats an HD-2 signal. In this case W275BK at 102.9 FM would not be able to have original programming, but it can relay or re-broadcast programming from another station. In this scenario "Streetz 102.9" is rebroadcasting the programming from Atlanta's Viva 105.7 HD2 channel. The FCC has decided that an HD-2 multi-casting channel is a “station”, and that has opened the doors for creative deals like this one.

Extreme Media LLC, the new owner of Streetz 102.9, had an arrangement with an HD-2 operator to LMA (manage) its frequency. That operator is... CLEAR CHANNEL! Extreme paid just $235,000 for the FM translator W275BK at 102.9 FM in Atlanta. But should it be legal to say "Streetz 102.9", when you're really "Streetz 105.7 HD2" or "Viva en da Streetz" 105.7 HD2, Atlanta? As TRI puts it; it's the tail wagging the dog.

Rodney Ho of the AJC, contacted Hegwood the former PD for Radio One's (WHTA) Hot 107.9, and Hegwood said he has nothing to do with this deal and hung up the phone. However Rodney found out that Extreme Media's offices are located at the same address as Hegwood's offices in Atlanta.

...well if it's all legal, then why the secrecy. At any event Radio One seems to be "A"-ed out as far as any legal recourse against Hegwood, who not only ran its stations programming in Atlanta, but at one time Washington DC as well.

April 8, 2009

A Blog That Tells The Real Deal From the Outside In

Is there a future in radio for these girls?

They might want to reconsider after reading the blog Random Ramblings of a Radio Chick. Radio Chick describes herself as "I'm an unemployed, incredibly talented and extremely frustrated radio personality with over 10 years of major market experience." The blog tells what's it like to be an on-air radio personality in this current economic climate.

Her latest blog entry is about a recent job announcement that states:

We're a Rock AC station in search of a midday voice tracker. Females STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. Pay is $200/month for 5 weekly shows, each show 6 hours in length (around 36 tracks per show). Perfect candidate will have experience in an Active Rock environment, but will know how to deliver the format in a Top 40 fashion.

If you're in the radio industry, you will instantly shake your head, you might even be LMAOROTF; if you're a radio listener then I encourage you to follow the post and find out how incredibly ridiculous this job announcement is?

The only problem is... I think this job posting is real!

April 7, 2009

New York Listeners Voice Their Outrage Over Jeff Foxx Firing

(a better title might be...) Program Directors are still looking for a magic morning show genie to appear out of the bottle, meanwhile they get rid of experienced on-air radio talent

If you have an hour or so of free time you might like to visit our post from about a month ago Jeff Foxx Let Go From 98.7 Kiss FM Morning Show and read the comments from many angry New York City listeners. Since that post 98.7 Kiss FM has decided to give comedians D.L. Hughley and Paul Mooney at shot at hosting the morning show, but isn't comedian Talent (pictured) already a part of the show? But as one poster stated: If they can't afford Jeff Foxx, how can they afford Hughley and Mooney? Good question!

We are now in the radio era when every PD is looking for a singer, a comedian, or some so-called "name" performer to sit behind the mic and create ratings magic.

There is only two entertainers who are successful in urban radio. Steve Harvey and gospel artist Yolanda Adams. That's it. Now Steve had a radio gig before he was "Steve Hightower" on TV in Chicago at WGCI more than 10 years ago. From there he held down the morning show in Los Angeles at the former 100.3 The Beat before leaving the Radio One company and moving on to WBLS in New York and radio syndication.

Who has or had radio shows recently: Keith Sweat, Mo'Nique, Brian McKnight, Rickey Smiley, Whoppi Goldberg, Al B. Sure. I'm sure I am missing some. On top of that, they get syndication deals, while producers are suppose to do magic with these inexperienced radio hosts. Last week New York had the pleasure of listening to actors Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker host "The Quiet Storm" on WBLS. Oh don't worry they have radio experience, they've filled in on V-103 in Atlanta several times.

When will PD's figure out that entertainers cannot be great radio host? They just don't respect the grind or are committed to being a radio host. Just look at what CBS Radio did when they tried to replace Howard Stern with washed up rocker David Lee Roth. (They still don't have an answer to solve their Stern problem.)

I ask where in the world will the next generation of great radio host come from? Meawhile PD's search for the next Steve Harvey and Yolanda Adams from a roster of comedians, singers, rappers and actors who have seen better days.

Streetz 102.9 - The new Hip Hop Station in Atlanta

Streetz 102.9 is a new hip-hop station that appeared on the Atlanta airwaves over the weekend. The new low power station call letters are WWAV in Canton, GA and HD2 Canton/Atlanta and W275DK – Decatur, GA. The station's license is held by Clark Atlanta University. The signal, which was not being used, covers most of the ATL and portions South of the city, which makes it's listenable for the crunk areas of the city (as long as it covers Bankhead, East Point, South Dekalb Mall... it's Durty, Huh?) The station is rolling commercial free at www.streetz1029.com.

Sources are reporting that former Radio One Atlanta Program Director Steve Hegwood is part of the team that purchased the station. Hegwood resigned from his position of program director about two months ago. One of the stations he programmed was Hot 107.9 (WHTA), which would be the main compeititor of Streetz 102.9, besides Cox Radio's 95.5 The Beat (WBTS). Now I'm wondering... While Steve was putting this deal together, how much of his time was devoted to Radio One and how much of his time was he working on getting this new station on the air in Atlanta...Hmmm? What do you think Radio One Chairman Alfred Liggins is thinking right about now?

April 6, 2009

D.L. Hughley Leaves CNN for Radio?

The last weekend in March saw the CNN show "D.L. Hughley Breaks the News" come to an end. Hardly the end of an momentenal event in television, but what seems suspicious to me is the reason given for the end of show.

D.L. said he wanted to relocate the program from New York City to Los Angeles because of the strain on his wife and family back in California. He said because of his weekend comedy gigs and his midweek show taping in NYC at CNN, he only spent one day a week at home. CNN said they couldn't accommodate him because of budget constraints and cancelled the show.

That sounds good except there's only one problem with that explanation. D.L. Hughley was on the morning show last week on 98.7 Kiss FM-WRKS. A month ago Kiss fired long time host Jeff Foxx. (Maybe Hughley was renting month to month in NYC, and he figured since he was there, he might as well, do something with his time.) But really, shouldn't D.L. be back in California with family?

But I'm really thinking, D.L. got the boot because he was no longer was doing the buffoonery and coonin' bits on his show and got RNC chairman Michael Steele to admit that Rush Limbaugh wasn't the head of the republican party but just an entertainer. CNN must have caved in to pressure because D.L. Hughley was now on the Dangerous Negro List. ...and you know when that happens you got to go.

Will we see D.L. on the radio this week?

April 3, 2009

Dr. Tricia Rose at the State of the Black Union 2009

In this segment from Tavis Smiley's State of the Black Union 10th anniversary in Los Angeles, Dr. Tricia Rose talks about issues of commercial hip-hop, the economy, and urban culture along with explaining how they all affect one another.

Dr. Rose's sobering commentary describes the dangers of just representin' in hip-hop. This representin' idea is pervasive throughout the current state of commercialized hip-hop and urban radio through the music that is programmed and the direction that many broadcast personalities are told to project on the air by living the so-called "urban lifestyle."

In essence Dr. Rose's point is that hip-hop was and should be a creative cultural expression reflecting where it wants to go. However we can hardly say it represents that today.

I'm still waiting for the day when large Black owned radio companies begin to forge their own path instead of reflecting and patterning themselves after large multi-media conglomerates(which include radio and the record industry) that were successful in the short run, whose vision as we see now, has sucked the energy out of a vibrant cultural/musical expression and art form once known as hip-hop. Yes Nas, for me anyway right now, hip-hop is dead as it can be, being programmed by visionless corporations.

Dr. Rose is a Professor of Africana Studies at Brown University and more information can be found on her website http://www.triciarose.com. She is the author of the book "The Hip Hop Wars: What We Talk About When We Talk About Hip Hop-and Why It Matters."

Kevin Gardner Back Behind the Mic

Star 94.5 (WCFB/Orlando) night show host Chrystal Holmes has exited the Cox urban AC station. Program Director Kevin Gardner will take over via voicetracking on "The Quiet Storm." Gardner was the morning host at WDAS FM in Philadelphia in the early 90's; and was PD/OM for Radio One in Richmond, VA before moving on to Cox Radio in Orlando.

April 2, 2009

Miss Jones is Back! Sort of...

Tarsha Jones AKA "Miss Jones in the Morning" AKA "Jonesy" is back on the world wide web doing what she does best at Global Grind with her own gossip blog. Jonesy first blog is titled 'Beyonce Sabotages Kelly's Career Again!!!'

Tarsha was last seen on the air at 100.3 The Beat (WPHI) in Philadelphia along with co-host Michael Shawn last August when she was let go for the music intensive DJ hosted "Morning Beat."

Prior to that Miss Jones was syndicated from New York's Hot 97 (WQHT), but was replaced in July 2008 by Peter Rosenberg and Cipha Sounds and the Big Boy's Neighborhood Morning Show. Jonesy' rocky run at Hot 97 included the alleged threat to murder her coming from rival radio host Wendy Williams' husband Kevin Hunter, along with the infamous Tsunami song parody that mocked the victims of the December 2004 tragedy.

April 1, 2009

Michael Eric Dyson Show Debuts Next Monday

Now that NPR's "News and Notes" has ended, the African American Public Radio Consortium, which sparked "The Tavis Smiley Show" and "Tell Me More" with Michel Martin, all on National Public Radio, is launching "The Michael Eric Dyson Show" on Monday in partnership with Baltimore's WEAA-FM, the Morgan State University station.

The author, college professor, minister and talk-show pundit, hosted a show syndicated on Radio One until March 2007. He was eventually replaced by Warren Ballentine. The show will air Monday through Friday, in 18 markets including: Atlanta (WCLK), Raleigh-Durham, N.C., (WSHA and WNCU), Las Vegas (KCEP) and Houston (KTSU). Air times will vary according to the market, the consortium said.

Dyson will do “newsmaker” interviews and talk about issues of the day, from politics to religion. His first guest next Monday will be Oprah Winfrey.

“I feel this opportunity with public radio suits me just fine,” said Dyson. As a cerebral academic, Dyson seems like a good fit with public radio. Yet he is a pop culture fan. At Georgetown last fall, he taught a class on hip hop culture.

From his first stint at Radio One as a radio host, he said he learned “that I love doing this. And this is an extension of my work in other spheres, whether it’s TV like the Bill Maher show [on HBO] or publishing a book.”

For now, the show is one hour a night but he hopes to eventually go two hours so he’ll have time to take calls from listeners.

So how did he get Oprah? “A lot of begging, brother!” he joked. More seriously, he said, she’s “a dear friend. It’s an opportunity to talk to the empress of the media universe.” He also plans to talk to the likes of Donna Brazell, Spike Lee, Hill Harper and Samuel L. Jackson.

He’s looking forward to talking for longer periods of time than in commercial radio since he’ll have fewer breaks: “This facilitates greater depth of conversation.”
Some info from Journal-isms and ajc.

Pages