News

Benztown has launched the Classic Country format’s “Behind the Song” series -- 30-second audio documentaries that give Country radio listeners a look at the stories behind the biggest Classic Country songs of all time. The company released a “Behind the Song” series for the Classic Rock format earlier this fall.

Joe Bell will be the new Market Manager for Beasley’s Philadelphia cluster. Beasley picked up four FMs in its $240 million deal with Greater Media: WPEN 97.5 FM — Sports, WMGK 102.9 FM — Classic Rock, WMMR 93.3 FM — Rock, and WBEN-FM 95.7 FM — Adult Hits. Bell worked for Beasley from 1998 to 2014, where he successfully ran radio stations in Ft. Myers and Miami, Florida. Bell replaces John Fullam.

Salem Media Group announced on Wednesday that Gregg Stiansen will become the GM for its Philadelphia stations, WFIL-AM and WNTP-AM, on January 1. Stiansen succeeds Russ Whitnah, who's retiring. Stiansen has been in radio management for over 34 years with Nassau Media, Nassau Broadcasting, Connoisseur, and Keystone Broadcasting.

Lazer Broadcasting has named Gerardo Martinez GM for its Sacramento, Modesto, and Merced markets. Prior to joining Lazer, Martinez was the V.P. of Sales and Marketing for EMC Advertising, a law firm marketing advertising agency. Prior to that, he was GM for radio and television stations in several different markets. Lazer owns 29 stations in 13 markets in California and one in Nevada.

Highdive Advertising Founder and Creative Director has been named the chief judge for the 26th Annual Radio Mercury Awards Competition. This past fall, Gross, along with fellow DDB Chicago colleague and Radio Mercury Award winner Chad Broude, founded Highdive Advertising, a new boutique agency in Chicago.

Mitch Galvin (left) is promoted to VP/GM for Radio One Cincinnati and David Glenn Smith. also known as Hurricane Dave. is elevated to Vice President, Programming for Radio One Atlanta.

Doug McIntyre is the host of McIntyre In The Morning on KABC in L.A. He'll continue in that capacity for at least another two years.

Longtime WBAL Baltimore talk show host Allan Prell has passed away at the age of 79. Prell, a two-time Edward R. Murrow award winner, had undergone surgery several months ago. He worked at WBAL from 1982 to the early 2000s.

Cox Media Group in Atlanta has hired Michael Baisden as afternoon drive host on KISS 104.1 FM. He starts January 16. SupeRadio is syndicating the program starting in January. KISS in Atlanta will be the flagship station. An earlier version of this story incorretly stated that Cox would be syndicating the show.

Yesterday's flurry of financial activity and lawsuits all has to do with legacy notes and a disagreement over a Springing Lien. On Tuesday, iHeart announced an independent special committee decided not to repay $57.1 million in legacy notes due on Thursday that are being held by Clear Channel Holdings. iHeart has $725 million in legacy notes.