Indiana RadioWatch: March 2, 2002

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Northeast

After stunting most of Friday with construction noises, "If you build it, they will come", TV theme songs, and movie trailer audio, Travis Broadcasting's Country/WWWD (96.3fm, Churubusco) flipped formats at 5pm to CHR, as "Hits 96." New calls are WHTD. PD & mornings is "Big" Dave Eubanks, formerly PD at WZJM in Cleveland, Ohio.

Billy Elvis, half of the "Elvis & Hammer" morning show on Rock/WBYR (98.9fm, Van Wert, Ohio) exits, this Friday (8 March). Jack Hammer, the other half of the show, will remain with WBYR, and will announce his involvement soon. Starting next week, "The Best of Elvis & Hammer" will air on "The Bear." For details on the opening, see "Employment Opportunities" below.

Condolences to the family & friends of Howard D. "Tommy" Longsworth. Longsworth, 93, passed away on Tuesday. He retired in 1972 as General Sales Manager of WOWO (1190am, Fort Wayne). Also, "Jack" Carmen Bovio, 82, passed away on Thursday. He was a radio personality for 50 years with Nancy Lee & The Hilltoppers on the "Little Red Barn" morning show on WOWO.

Northcentral

As the time-brokerage agreement concerning WGTC (102.3fm, New Carlisle) ends, Artistic Media Partners flipped the station to oldies for now. According to an article in The South Bend Tribune, no decision has been made on a permanent format. Artistic Media Partners is in the process of purchasing the station from LeSea Broadcasting. The time-brokerage agreement allowed LeSea to broadcast its Religious/WHPZ (96.9fm, Bremen) on WGTC. New call letters (WZUW) are applied for, but aren't yet heard on-air.

AC/WAWC (103.5fm, Syracuse) flips to more of a classic hits feel as "Hoosier 103.5" Also, they have a new website at http://www.hoosier1035.com (Oh yeah, and if you listen in afternoons, that's owner Bill Dixon on the air.)

Jason White returns to WVPE (88.1fm, Elkhart) as local host of NPR's Morning Edition. He replaces Tony Krabill. He's no stranger to WVPE as he was news director there for a year, before he left in August 2001.

A former South Bend GM has passed on. Vincent Fasolo, 72, passed away on Tuesday February 12. Fasolo, known in broadcasting circles as Vince Ford, was GM of WRBR (and its various incarnations as WXMG, and WZZP) under Booth American. He's survived by a stepson. He was preceded in death by his wife Judith.

Central

Condolences to the family & friends of Country/WFMS (95.5fm, Indianapolis) afternoon man Kevin Tincher, who passed away suddenly, last week Saturday. Tincher, 37, was known on-air as C.K. Webb or "The Duck Man." He joined WFMS in 1994.

Before we leave Shadeland Avenue, one more WFMS note. The Country Radio Broadcasters will induct WFMS PM Drive guy J.D. Cannon into its Country Music DJ Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will take place on June 27th in Nashville, Tennessee. Congratulations, J.D.!

Richard S. (Dick) Rice passed away on February 22. Starting in 1961, he hosted a daily talk show on WOWO (1190am, Fort Wayne), later moving into television. After moving to Indianapolis, and a stint outside of radio & TV, he returned to radio, as a classical music announcer at WICR (88.7fm) and WSYW (107.1fm, Danville). In 1990, he joined WFYI (90.1fm) and became the station's weeknight classical music announcer and host of the widely popular "Listening Room" series.

Speaking of WFYI, The Indianapolis Star's Marc Allan reports that they will pick up Tavis Smiley's show beginning April 1. Smiley will be heard starting at 3pm. "The World" moves to 7pm. Also, they recently picked up The Motley Fool Radio Show.

A shakeup at Emmis' Indianapolis properties: Nigel Laskowski, formerly nights at Clear Channel's Alternative/WRZX (103.3fm, Indianapolis) lands at Emmis' CHR/WNOU (93.1fm, Indianapolis) handling afternoons. Laskowski replaces Chris Ott, who segues to afternoons at Hot AC/WENS (97.1fm, Shelbyville). Ott replaces Scott Wheeler who heads to Soft AC/WYXB (105.7fm, Indianapolis). Wheeler replaces Scott Fischer who remains with Emmis in their production department, along with some part-time on-air work.

Rob Blackman is the new local host on Sports/WNDE (1260am, Indianapolis) during the "Mike & Mike" morning show. Also, Tony Bruno replaces Tony Kornheiser. Bruno will be on from 10am - 12pm, weekdays (EST) and 9am - 12pm, weekdays (EDT).

Doug Housemeyer joins The University of Indianapolis' WICR (88.7fm, Indianapolis) as Director of Underwriting.

A brief Bob & Tom update as KTGL-FM replaces KRKR-FM in Lincoln, Nebraska.

A quick check of the TV dial shows Andrea Morehead now anchoring the 11pm newscast on NBC affiliate WTHR (Channel 13, Indianapolis). According to ShopTalk, she's the first African-American to anchor a primary newscast in Indianapolis.

Where Are They Now? Former then-Alternative/WEDJ (107.1fm, Danville) night lady Lisa Biello was promoted, last week, to PD at WHRL in Albany, New York.

Westcentral

Where Are They Now? Former CHR/WMGI (100.7fm, Terre Haute) PD Rich O'Brien is now doing nights at CHR/WAOA in Melbourne, Florida.

Southeast

Phil Smith, GM at Vincennes University's WVUB (91.1fm, Vincennes), is looking for Indiana broadcasters who are graduates of the broadcasting program at Vincennes University.

Southwest

We received a few e-mails this week, concerning our Brill Media story from last issue. It seems The Evansville Courier & Press had a few facts wrong. Alan Brill is running the stations, not the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Also, not all of the Brill Companies are involved; not even every radio station Brill owns is affected. Both these facts were obtained in a discussion with company officials. They indicated a strong intention of continued profit & success; not the demise/end of the company. IRW apologies and regrets the error.

Employment Opportunities

WBYR, Fort Wayne's Rock Station, currently has full & part time on-air openings including a Music Director opening. All candidates must be prepared to help protect this station's ratings dominance. We'll provide all of the tools necessary. Strong on-air skills are a must. Music Director candidates must have Selector experience. Minimum 3-years worth of on-air experience preferred. Rush T&R to Jim Fox, Operations Manager, Federated Media North, 1005 Production Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46808. Applications are available at 1005 Production Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46808. Federated Media is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The DLC Media, Inc. stations: The New "Memories 107.9" WAMW-FM and "Sold Gospel 1580am" WAMW(AM) in Washington are looking for an additional sales person. Resumes may be sent to wamw at charter dot net.

The Federated Media News Room has an immediate opening for a News Person. Duties include writing and delivering newscasts, news audio production, and news maker interviews. Basic radio production and computer skills a must. Tapes and Resumes to Michael O'Shea, Federated Media, 2915 Maples Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46816. Federated Media is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Federated Media South has immediate part-time openings for board operators for WONO and WOWO and part-time air talent on WMEE. Responsibilities include operating broadcast equipment, on-air format execution and call screening for live talk shows. Hours may include weekends, overnights, and holiday's. Complete an application at our facility or forward your resume and tape to Tommy Allen, Operations Manager, WOWO/WMEE, 2915 Maples Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46816 - or e-mail him at tallen at federatedmedia dot com. Federated Media is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

That's it for this issue. See you in a week!

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All pages Copyright Blaine Thompson. Articles, photos, corrections, and other contributions should be e-mailed to the editors.