People in the News

ESPN continues on down the simulcast road, and on Monday, August 13, at 1 p.m. ET, ESPN Radio’s weekday The Stephen A. Smith Show will join Golic and Wingo, The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, and The Will Cain Show on ESPNEWS, making the network the TV home of all four of ESPN’s weekday national radio simulcasts.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal is reporting that former syndicated radio host Art Bell died of an accidental overdose from a cocktail of prescription drugs. Bell died April 13. He was 72. The coroner’s office, according to the paper, determined Bell had four prescription drugs in his system: oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, and a muscle-relaxant.

Carson Cooper was the voice of Public Media's WUSF in the morning in Tampa Bay. He also was part of the creation of WUSF’s public affairs show, “Florida Matters,” serving as its first host. And since 1999 Cooper was a host and programmer of Jimmy Buffett’s Radio Margaritaville on SiriusXM. Cooper was 58.

The board of directors of the New York State Broadcasters Association has announced its Hall of Fame Class of 2018. The class will be inducted at the New York Leadership and Hall of Fame Luncheon during the NAB Show NY. The luncheon will take place at 12 noon on Thursday, October 18 at the Jacob Javits Center in NYC. 

Westwood One is taking over syndication of The Baka Boyz two mix shows. For the past 17 years, The Baka Boyz have been serving up three hours of weekly mix programming customized for the mainstream Pop, Rhythmic, and Urban formats.

Chris “Fish” Shatek has returned to BUZ’N 102.9 (KMNB-FM) in Minneapolis. Shatek was named Creative Imaging Director and host of midday drive (10 a.m.–2 p.m. CT) effective August 1. He was most recently at sister station Kiss Country 99.9 (WKIS-FM) in Miami

One of Radio Ink’s “Most Influential Women In Radio,” the most listened-to woman on American radio, and a voice known to millions, Delilah, has a new book, One Heart At A Time, coming out October 16 from Rosetta Books.

Chairman Ajit Pai has appointed ShootingStar Broadcasting President Diane Sutter Chair of the FCC's Advisory Committee on Diversity and Digital Empowerment. Pai said Sutter is well known in the broadcast industry for her thought leadership on a range of issues pertaining to financing, ownership, and management training.

Debbi Calton is celebrating her 25th year on the midday shift (9a-2p) at Philadelphia’s Classic Rock station, 102.9 WMGK-FM. The station will mark the special occasion on Friday, August 17 with a live broadcast with Andre Gardner.

Bones hosts The Bobby Bones Morning Show and Country Top 30 for iHeart through Premiere. He'll continue with those two shows as well as his podcast BobbyCast. As part of the agreement, Bones will become VP/Creative Director of iHeartCountry and will work with iHeart on a variety of joint ventures and new programming initiatives.