News

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 Kicks 101.5 (Atlanta) morning host had surgery to install three stents to clear a blockage to one side of his heart, and is reportedly resting comfortably. The prognosis is good.

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.

Hundreds of podcast hosts will be combining their powers in March to convert more listeners to the world of podcasts. According to Edison Research, one in five Americans listened to podcasts every month as of early 2016 – a number that has grown by double-digits for five years. But there are still plenty of folks who don’t know how to listen in.

She comes to Q100 from KDND in Sacramento, to take over the 7 p.m. to midnight slot from Adam Bomb, who moves to afternoons. Ashley Z (aka Ashley Elzinga) has also worked with Ryan Seacrest Productions in Los Angeles as part of the digital media team, and was night personality at WKHQ in Traverse City, MI.

Former Denver Bronco Tyler Polumbus and Fan Broncos Insider Cecil Lammey (pictured left) will huddle up for a 9-10 a.m. weekday show on Sports Radio 104.3 The Fan (KKFN-FM). Polumbus is a Denver native and Super Bowl winner, while Lammey is a respected football analyst.

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.