Indiana RadioWatch: April 7, 2008
At the bottom of this issue, we added another entry into the 2008 "April Fools" category from a Fort Wayne radio station.
Northeast
Let's start this issue with the announcement of a group sale. Lake Cities Broadcasting, with stations in northeast Indiana, northwest Ohio, and south-central Michigan, will sell all five of its stations for $3.8 million to Coldwater,
Michigan businessman Steve Swick, under the corporate name Swick Broadcasting Corp. The five stations are AC/WLKI (100.3fm, Angola), Country/WTHD (105.5fm, LaGrange), Country/WLZZ (104.5fm, Montpelier, Ohio), and the AM (Sports)/FM
(oldies) combo WMSH (1230am, 99.3fm; both Sturgis, Michigan). Lake Cities President Tom Andrews will remain as a part-time engineer, but will also enjoy retirement. The Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette reports that the $3.8 million
sale price does not include real estate, which will be sold in a separate deal to Swick.
There is a change in the "corner office" at a Fort Wayne TV station. Bob Blacher retired on Wednesday 2 April from FOX affiliate WFFT (Channel 55/DT36, Fort Wayne), after five years as GM. Replacing Blacher is Bill Ritchhart, who
was last GSM with WFFT.
A most unique break in format Sunday afternoon, as Oldies/WAWK (1140am, Kendallville) aired a live wedding at the radio station's East Avenue studios. Two Kendallville residents were married on Terry Thacker's "Terry's Bluegrass
Corner" in the 2:00pm hour.
IRW congratulates Blue Funk Broadcasting and one of its syndicated shows - "This Week in America" - as they hit the 100 affiliate mark last month, adding KQMG(AM)/KQMG-FM in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Where Are They Now (Part 1)? Updating last week's mention of Sean Compton, he is now SVP for Programming and Entertainment at Tribune Broadcasting.
Where Are They Now (Part 2)? Former Rhythmic CHR/WNHT (96.3fm, Churubusco) PD/morning co-host Aaron Seller ("Goose") is now handling morning co-host duties at KKMG in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Northcentral
After ten and a half months as Market Manager for Artistic Media Partners' stations in South Bend, Jack Swart exits. Replacing him is John Friend.
Also at Artistic, the Classic Rock "WZOW" simulcast (WZOW, 102.3fm, New Carlisle/WOZW, 97.7fm, Goshen) moves Cory Mann to afternoon drive. For now, mornings, middays, and nights are jockless.
Northwest
The Main Street Tattler reports that Lafayette's WASK Radio Group promotes Liz Hahn to Promotions/Marketing Director for the five station cluster. Hahn has worked in the Promotions/Marketing department under former
Promotions/Marketing Director Lindsay Reinert, who exited in January for Promotions Director duties at KIOA/KLTI in Des Moines, Iowa.
Allaccess reports that after a little over two years as morning co-host, Kendra G. exits Crawford Broadcasting's Urban/WPWX (92.3fm, Hammond).
The Michigan City News-Dispatch newspaper reported that AC-Oldies hybrid/WEFM (95.9fm, Michigan City) added a cross promotion with the website "WeAreMC" (http://wearemc.us/) which targets both present and former Michigan City
residents. This cross promotion also adds the possibility of both organizations sharing news and happenings in Michigan City with each other.
Eastcentral
Jon Sipes exits as PD of Citadel's WMDH-FM (102.5fm, New Castle). Replacing Sipes is Brian Sims, last APD/MD/Afternoons at WTNR in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Also, Sims takes mornings at WMDH, and promotes MD/Afternoon host Shane Goad
to APD.
Central
Last Monday, Entercom Hot AC/WZPL (99.5fm, Greenfield) began airing the new syndicated show "Your Time with Kim Iverson" in nights (7pm - 12am). Iverson's show is based at Entercom sister station KAMX in Austin, Texas. Former night
DJ "Hunter" is still with Entercom as Director of Imaging for WZPL and Adult Hits/WNTR (107.9fm, Indianapolis)
Southcentral
Kevin Keith, News Director for the four station White River Broadcasting group in Columbus exits.
Southwest
Dave Crooks' DLC Media now airs Cincinnati Reds baseball on its Standards/WAMW (1580am, Washington) with night games over on sister Classic Hits/WAMW-FM (107.9fm, Washington). Also, Country/WFML (96.7fm, Vincennes) drops St. Louis
Cardinals baseball.
The CHR/WDKS (106.1fm, Newburgh) PD chair has a new occupant. After a year and a half, PD/afternoon guy Keith Curry exits. Replacing him is "Max Power". Power also maintains his Promotions Director role, and a midday air shift on
"Kiss 106.1".
April Fools
Federated Media's Hot AC/WMEE (97.3fm, Fort Wayne) began promoting a "very special guest" on Tuesday morning. Throughout the morning, co-hosts Scott Woodman, Shelly K., and Brady Garrison kept their microphones on over the music,
while a Chicago telephone number, purported to be Barack Obama's personal phone number, was repeated over the air. WMEE had hundreds of people calling and emailing, telling them they could hear the phone number, and they were
concerned that WMEE was giving away a very important and private cell phone number over the air.
This Week in Indiana Radio History
Sunday 6 April: A pair of Sports Director changes as in 1998, Vince Welch began as Sports Director at Indianapolis' WIBC, then on 1070am. However, in 2006, Dan Egierski exited as Sports Director at Evansville's WGBF and WYNG. While
in 2005, David B. Goode began his eleven month tenure as PD at Fort Wayne's WNHT.
Monday 7 April: In 1998, 104.3fm, Charlestown signed on - today it is WAYI.
Tuesday 8 April: In 2002, Dave Eubanks began in afternoons at Fort Wayne's WNHT. Today he is doing afternoons for Fort Wayne's WAJI.
Wednesday 9 April: In 2001, Mark DePrez became GM at Federated Media's WOWO/WQHK-FM/WMEE/WONO (All are the same now, except WONO is now WKJG).
Thursday 10 April: A pair of stations began in 1967. First, 105.5fm, Auburn signed on. After a frequency swap, the allocation is now on 102.3fm and today it is WGBJ. Second, 99.3fm, Aurora signed on. Today it is WSCH.
Friday 11 April: In 2003, WKRY began airing a Southern Gospel format, after a few months off the air.
Saturday 12 April: In 1968, 95.3fm, Carrollton, Kentucky signed on. Today, it targets Madison, Indiana with a country format, as WIKI. In 2006, lightning struck South Whitley's WLZQ, damaging its main transmitter, and forcing the
station to significantly reduce its power until 2 May.
That's all for this issue. Until later this week...
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All pages Copyright Blaine Thompson. Articles, photos, corrections, and
other contributions should be e-mailed to the editors.