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Neil Portnow is the CEO of the Recording Academy, the trade organization that represents music creators, including artists, songwriters, producers, and studio professionals. Portnow knows radio's biggest decision-makers are in Austin this week and he took that opportunity to write an op-ed piece asking the radio industry to "reassess its relationship with artists and listeners, both of whom have many other ways to connect."

This goes back to the claims made by SAG-AFTRA on August 29 regarding alleged anti-union actions in Los Angeles. SBS Chairman Raúl Alarcón says, "The recent allegations trumpeted by the Union against our company are not only totally false and malicious, they are, in fact, an insult to the talented and professional on-air personnel the Union claims to represent."

FCC Chairman Ajit Pai gave the radio industry an update on long-standing rules radio has to follow that are outdated and need to be changed or eliminated. Pai spoke about several specific rules that are on their way out and gave an indication on when they might be gone.

The FCC Chairman also updated the radio industry on his progress to shut down pirate radio operators. He says, thanks in part to the vocal support of Commissioner O’Rielly, the FCC has substantially stepped up its enforcement efforts against pirate radio stations. And here are the numbers...

The alleged concert-ticket scam involved ripping off investors to the tune of millions of dollars, and Carton has been charged for his alleged involvement. It is believed that the sports show host was using the money to pay off huge gambling debts.

This time it will be across from each other in the WFAN studio and not on the football field trying to win games for their respective teams. As the CBS Radio and WFAN management deal with the arrest of Craig Carton, he's been suspended from the station while the company does an investigation. Simms will co-host with Boomer on Thursday and the station will announce future co-hosts "as needed."

The company continues to support Hurricane Harvey relief efforts through the American Red Cross, with local stations setting up additional donation drives, radiothons, and fundraisers. Amarillo’s The Eagle (KXGL) and KGNC-FM partnered with Street Volkswagen to get pet food and supplies to families and animal shelters in Dallas and Houston.

More Hurricane Harvey relief from the radio industry. Cat Country 98.1 will host the concert starring Lindsay Ell, whose newest album The Project debuted at #1 in the country, Wednesday, September 20. Tickets are $10 each, and 100% of the ticket proceeds will benefit the American Red Cross.

In a show of industry unity, 25 Houston radio stations will simultaneously air a fundraiser to support the Houston Food Bank in order to feed those affected by Hurricane Harvey, Friday, September 8 through Sunday, September 10.

The atmosphere is upbeat and the setting is spectacular as the 2017 Radio Show began Tuesday afternoon in downtown Austin with a cocktail reception and several afternoon sessions.