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On Thursday, Radio Ink Chairman Eric Rhoads wrote THIS commentary about the Bubba The Love Sponge situation. It was called "Why Managing Your Talent Is Key To Revenue Growth." Apparently Bubba didn't appreciate Eric's commentary and ranted on about it for about 15 minutes on his show Thursday morning (AUDIO HERE). He also fired off a letter to Eric that he has given us permission to print. Here it is...

And apparently due to Michaels falling ill, both Bubba and Nielsen are asking to push back the deadline to complete discovery, which was supposed to be today. Two days ago Nielsen took the deposition of Rhody Bosley and Nielsen expert David Haas. Michaels is being called a rebuttal witness. His deposition was scheduled for today.

(by Tony Coloff) Radio Ink asked me for a commentary on what concerns me regarding this GMR situation. My view is from a small, independent, community-service radio station in a micro market in Northern Iowa. My answer to that question is nothing concerns me. Here are the reasons why...

It's a $15,000 fine for Vasco Oburoni for operating a pirate radio station at 102.3-FM in Worcester, Massachusetts. That is the full amount the FCC's enforcement bureau is allowed to give and includes a base fine plus an upward adjustment. The Commission says Oburoni decided to continue running his illegal operation after being warned, and that's the reason for the max amount.

iHeartMedia unveiled the new Rumba format in Jacksonville on a translator broadcasting on 106.9 and WQIK-HD2. Rumba is a variety of Spanish Tropical music, including songs from artists such as Marc Anthony, Romeo Santos, Nicky Jam, and Victor Manuelle.

It was a big night at 3rd and Lindsley in Nashville on January 17 when Ty, Kelly and Chuck from NASH FM 103.3 and 95.5 NASH ICON hosted the Rhythm & Boots show. Held to benefit Musicians On Call, the show featured Jason Aldean and special guest Michael Tyler. Hit songs, Q&As, and autograph opps were the order of the night.

This time of year is particularly hard on the homeless and Mix 106.9 (WSWT) Program Director and Morning Mix co-host Randy Rundle, and 104.9 The Wolf (WXCL) afternoon talent Joe Greenwood, did their bit to help. The pair spent 12 hours, overnight in cardboard boxes in 25 degree weather on January 13 to call attention to the homelessness problem in Peoria.

One of Radio's well-known sales consultants died this week. Irwin Pollack could light up a room with his enthusiasm for selling and selling radio. Pollack was a regular at the RAB conferences and traveled the country consulting groups or coming into markets to teach multiple groups. He became an attorney after his career consulting radio stations.

With the changing of American power set for tomorrow, radio's networks are ready to feed you all the action from DC. ABC News Radio, Fox New Radio and Westwood One will all have extensive coverage of the crowning of the 45th President. Here's what you can plan on hearing from them.

(By Deborah Parenti) One of the most critical economic issues facing radio broadcasters has become the licensing fees battle between RMLC, GMR, radio operators, and, now, other licensing organizations. It has caught thousands of radio stations, artists, and, at the end of the day, listeners across the dial in the crosshairs. Is there a workable solution?