Headlines

Former Greater Media CEO Peter Smyth was honored with the Tom Rivers Humanitarian Award Wednesday at the Country Radio Seminar in Nashville. While accepting the award, Smyth quoted a Boston philanthropist who told him, "You will not be judged by what you did or how much you made. You will be judged on what you gave."

In the radio category, Tim Closson, Charlie Ochs, and Mel Owens are headed to the Hall. And, in the on-air category, Joe Wade Formicola, Linda Lee, Jim Mantel, and The Good Morning Guys (KUAD/Ft. Collins, CO) receive the honor. The 2017 class was announced Wednesday at the Country Radio Seminar in Nashville by Lady Antebellum.

The Lubbock, TX, station raised $104,240 during their 19th Annual Children’s Miracle Network 36 Hours of Miracles Radiothon, which took place February 15-16. The KLLL team broadcasted live from the University Medical Center Children’s Hospital Playroom.

On Tuesday Cox Media Group Atlanta Radio named Jaleigh Long as its new Director of Sales. CMG has five stations in Atlanta (News 95.5 AM 750 WSB, B98.5 FM, 97.1 FM The River, KISS 104.1 FM, and Country 106.1/107.1). We spoke at length with Long about how she advanced to such an important position with CMG.

Valerie Sickles is in her 16th year in radio. She says radio was her destiny. "I never intended radio as a career path. As a matter of fact, my career path has included TV, public affairs, event planning, and even working for a theatre company. Little did I know, I was being prepared for this beast we call radio and I wouldn’t have it any other way."

Country radio’s biggest event of the year, the Country Radio Seminar, kicks off today in downtown Nashville and Radio Ink will be there bringing you all the action. The three-day event kicks off with an opening ceremony at 3PM. Radio Ink and SONY will present the 2017 Best Country PD awards Thursday night at 6PM at SONY Nashville headquarters.

This is certainly out-of-the-box thinking at one of the country's coolest radio stations. KROQ, perhaps one of the most recognized Alternative Rock station in America, and DTS (the company that purchased HD Radio) have partnered, in a multi-year agreement, to create a series of intimate live shows featuring the biggest names in alternative rock.

Tonight iHeartMedia L.A. is launching The KFI Online Museum with Tim Conway Jr. in 3D, an interactive online 3D studio tour and scavenger hunt that provides a behind-the-scenes look at The Tim Conway Jr. Show (weeknights 6 – 10 p.m.).

KIAI-FM (Mason City, IA) raised $60,435 during their 11th Annual Country Moose Cares for St. Jude Kids Radiothon, which took place February 16-17. The staff broadcast live for 12 hours each day. The Country Moose has raised over $450,000 for St. Jude over the past 11 years.

CBS Radio Philadelphia Market Manager David Yadgaroff told Radio Ink, “Shelly has earned an important place in the country music industry, similar to the level of respect of a top artist." And we couldn't agree more. Shelly Easton has been chosen as Radio Ink's top Country Program Director for 2017.