As Entercom Classic Rock KSWD (100.3 The Sound)/Los Angeles mentally prepares for its impending sale to EMF (and subsequent demise), the station has embarked on a deliriously celebratory, open-ended farewell tour. To that end, The Sound is pulling out all the stops (what are they going to do.... fire us?) to pay tribute to its unique legacy and revisit some of its most cherished memories, right up until the day they finally pull the plug, whenever the hell that is...

This morning, The Sound will be visited by an old friend -- Larry Morgan, the station's original morning personality during the first 4 1/2 years of The Sound's existence, from its origin as a Triple A station through its transition to Classic Rock. Morgan (below), who is now APD/evening entertainer across the street on CBS Radio Classic Hits KRTH (K-Earth 101), will revisit his old stomping grounds and do one last morning show on 100.3 The Sound, plugging in with his former colleagues Andy Chanley and Gina Grad. (Special thanks to K-Earth for loaning out Larry for the morning!)

With its actual expiration date still unknown, The Sound management, lead by PD Dave Beasing, decided "WTF" and scheduled a bunch of ill-advised programming events: Monday, October 16 (6am-midnight): The last time they "Roll The Dice" -- the number of songs they play by each artist will be unscientifically determined by a roll of the dice. Wednesday, October 18 (6am-midnight): "Album Sides Wednesday" -- The Sound DJs share their favorite album sides from the original vinyl. Thursday, October 19 (8am-midnight): The final "Triple Play Thursday?" It could be... no one knows for sure. Sunday, October 22 (6-11pm): "My Turn" Marathon -- encore presentations of The Sound's most requested Guest DJs, including BB King, Joe Walsh, Jeff Lynne and Steve Perry.

Monday, October 23 (11am - ???) -- "The Songs We'll Miss, from A to Z" -- We're talking thousands of Classic Rock songs, played in alphabetical order. Not knowing when the station will actually sign off adds a decided element of excitement and mystery to the proceedings, which means this feature may end up as "The Songs We'll Miss, from A to L," or some other letter lower than Z. Stick around and see how far they get!

• The E. W. Scripps Company is looking for the best Country PD in America to take the reins at legendary Country brand 98.5 KVOO/Tulsa, OK. We're looking for a leader who loves, lives and breathes Country. We need a creative and driven PD who knows the difference between managing the "operating systems" of generic, corporately-owned, mostly voice-tracked stations and actually building, leading and driving a fun, live and local station with big personalities. Our PD will model the way by also hosting the midday show.

Scripps is famous for localism and our PD will work with the best in the business, using research tools and assets that include partnerships with our co-owned KJRH-2. This job also includes oversight of Classic Country KXBL. We'll invest in you through leadership training, career planning and personal development for future growth within our growing media company. Please send your materials and your track record of ratings wins to Operations Manager Steve Hunter at Steve.Hunter@Scripps.com and apply online (Job #13586) via the Scripps Career Tunnel Of Good Fortune™.

• Meanwhile, in Beer City, Scripps Country WKTI (94.5 KTI Country)/Milwaukee has launched an intergalactic search for a superstar morning show host to succeed Jake Kelly, who recently exited. WKTI's aggressive growth has created the opportunity to enhance its commitment to live and local radio, and as we recently reported, the station has enhanced its on-air lineup with the addition of Milwaukee radio icon and Country Radio Hall of Famer Karen Dalessandro in afternoon drive.

PD Ryan Wild said, "We're looking a fun, entertaining morning show that loves Country music. To help us complete the job of winning in Milwaukee, the right show will run for office with our listeners every day, and embrace living in Wisconsin. Very few people understand how to be a great local host... we are looking for someone that does!" To apply, visit scripps.com/careers. During the search, the KTI Country morning show will be hosted by Milwaukee radio veteran Carol Vonn.

Lisa Pike has joined TagStation, LLC as Senior Vice President for Revenue Development, effective October 17. In this newly created role, Ms. Pike "will drive business development initiatives with leading data attribution platforms, brands, agencies, automotive, media and technology companies to enhance NextRadio's relevance, reach and revenue."

Paul Brenner, President of TagStation/ NextRadio commented, "We are ecstatic to have someone with Lisa's background and successes join our team. All of the investment we have put into building up NextRadio, our mobile app, and TagStation, our broadcaster network, have revealed that the market sees our media-centric data attribution capabilities as the highest asset value. I expect that Lisa will immediately bring new perspective and energy to highly impact our data monetization strategy and industry elevating revenue."                           

Pike most recently worked at Canonical as Director of Business Development for Cloud Channels. Prior to Canonical, Pike spent 13 years with IBM in various roles. TagStation, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Emmis Communications Corporation.

• Cumulus News-Talk WJR-AM/Detroit has an immediate opening for an Executive Producer for The Frank Beckmann Show, which runs weekdays from 9am-noon. Candidates must 1) Be proficient in video recording and editing for social media posting; 2) Book guests and prepare one-sheets for talent to use during interview; 3) Manage guest and caller flow during the show; 4) Develop creative/topical ideas; 5) Research show topics; 6) Use imaging/editing skills to produce Morning Show Promos/"Best Of" features; 7) Organize daily prep; 8) Website and Facebook development/Social media management and 9) demonstrate proficiency in operating broadcast equipment and software.

For immediate consideration for this EOE position, please complete the online application process at cumulus.com/careers and hit up Operations Manager Mike Wheeler at Mike.Wheeler@cumulus.com.

• John Garabedian's CodComm Inc. of Hyannis, MA has a rare opportunity for its next fulltime cluster Production Director who can also do a fulltime on-air shift on Light AC WKFY (Koffee-FM). As Production Director, you would be responsible for every commercial airing on Mainstream Rock WPXC (Pixy 103), Top 40 WHYA (Y101), Classic Hits WFRQ (Frank 93.5) & WKFY, from the creative process to on-air execution.

As a personality on "Classic Cape Style" Koffee 98.7/100.5, you would voicetrack the noon-6pm shift daily. Koffee-FM is a unique station that serves the 55+ demo on Cape Cod, dishing up a wide variety of artists from Sinatra to Adele. Knowledge and proximity to Cape Cod will enhance your qualification. Interested candidates should e-mail their aircheck and production demo to VP/Station Manager Steve "McVie" Solomon at stevemcvie@capecodradio.com.

Much more than just a snappy slogan, the Big Jim's House morning show on Beasley Classic Rock WCSX/Detroit truly wants to help the men and women who serve our country find gainful employment when they come home -- and that's why the station launched its terrific "Employment after Deployment" initiative.

Members of the military who have returned home from a recent deployment and are looking for a job are encouraged to go to "Employment after Deployment" information at WCSX.com or send an email to BigJim@wcsx.com and share their job experience, skillset and type of position they're looking for. The Big Jim's House show will feature a veteran selected from all submissions received each week and will work to match that individual up with employers located throughout the Metro Detroit area.

"As a proud veteran of the US Naval Submarine Service, I've always wanted to find ways to give back and support fellow veterans," said "Big Jim" O'Brien, host of Big Jim's House. "'Employment after Deployment' is yet another great example of the people of Detroit helping each other and supporting our veterans with jobs."

• iHeartMedia Top 40 KOSY (Y95.7)/Cedar Rapids, IA has rebranded as "Hot 95.7, Cedar Rapids' #1 Hit Music Station." To accompany this new name, we understand the music mix is now leaning a bit more Pop/Rhythmic, and PD Sean Strife has moved from middays to afternoons and added the syndicated swagger of Ryan Seacrest in middays. Fun Fact: Before Strife was named PD of KOSY in February, he was the Producer for On Air With Ryan Seacrest at KIIS-FM/Los Angeles.

The revised Hot 95.7 line-up now looks like this -- 5-9am: Elvis Duran and the Morning Show; 10am-2pm: On Air with Ryan Seacrest; 2-7pm: Sean Strife, and 7-midnight: Brady At Night. Thank you for listening!

iHeartMedia Philadelphia and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) have joined forces to launch Breakthrough Radio, a station dedicated to kids and their families, while also promoting a healthy lifestyle. Breakthrough Radio will feature health tips and interviews with doctors, patients and members of the CHOP staff. Listeners will learn how CHOP delivers breakthroughs every day, while providing the highest quality, compassionate, family-centered care available. Breakthrough Radio is hosted by a couple of familiar Philly voices -- Loraine Ballard Morrill, Director of News and Community Affairs for iHeartMedia Philadelphia and Michael Tozzi, PD of Smooth Jazz WJJZ.

"Breakthrough Radio is sure to make you smile and put you in a good mood," said Brian Check, VP of Programming for iHeartMedia Philadelphia. "We play fun music from many decades, from Motown, the '70s, and '80s, to today's pop artists that families love." Lisa Biggs, MD, Associate Chief Medical Officer of the CHOP Care Network added, "We are very excited to be partnering with iHeartMedia Philadelphia to launch Breakthrough Radio," said "We are always looking for innovative ways to reach families, and Breakthrough Radio gives us the opportunity to engage with our community while providing vital health information."

Breakthrough Radio is available on iHeartRadio.com and on your actual radio at 1480 AM and 105.3 HD2. 

Beasley Media Group's WBQT (Hot 96.9)/Boston presented a free concert featuring the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Boston Pops, all while collecting donations for the people of hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico. The event took place on October 1 at Franklin Park in Dorchester, MA. Hot 96.9 personalities Ramiro, Pebbles, Melissa & Wiggy were all on-hand to help fill up four trucks with vitally needed items like water, flashlights with batteries, first aid kits, baby formula, food, clothing, pet supplies and more!

The station collaborated with Bridgewatter, MA-based BRS Transportation on this local relief effort. That's Ramiro (3rd from left) and Pebbles (2nd from right) pictured with a bunch of Hot 96.9 fans.

• After a stellar 43-year radio career, all of it spent in his hometown of Yakima, WA, market legend Lou "The Professor" Bartelli retired on September 15, hanging up his cans and stepping down from mornings on Ingstad Classic Hits KARY-FM (100.9 Cherry FM). Stepping up to fill The Professor's sizeable shoes in the morning is KARY PD Steve Rocha, a longtime market vet himself. Rocha will continue to track afternoons on Top 40 sister KHHK (Hot 99-7), as he has for the past five years.

Rocha commented, "I grew up listening to Lou, so when he announced his retirement, I figured at my age -- why not be THE ONE to step in and challenge myself to the Classic Hits format. Getting Lou's blessing was huge, and it's an honor to be on the receiving end of the passing of the torch (or the mic, as you will) Lou had a great 43-year run, and my 24 years pales in comparison to what he's accomplished in this market. I'm excited for my new journey!"

• Yesterday we shared the sad news of the sudden passing of Bakersfield radio fixture Chris Conner, who had done afternoon drive on Buck Owens' Country KUZZ-FM & AM since 1979. The legendary "Shotgun Tom" Kelly worked with Conner at the late, legendary KAFY (The Big 55)/Bakersfield back in 1970-71.

That's Conner (left) and Shotgun, in a photo taken last year, tastefully sandwiched alongside a giant bronze statue of the legendary Buck Owens in the lobby of Owens' iconic Bakersfield concert venue, The Crystal Palace, which is located right next door to KUZZ.

Shotgun has many fond memories of his longtime friend and former radio colleague, as he told RAMP, "I believe Chris was one of the best Country jocks ever. I will miss him." Shotgun also wanted us to share this video he shot of Conner in action at KUZZ, as he told us, "I would like radio people to see just how good Chris was on the air."

Damien Buck, who for the past 30 years served as Production Director for Delmarva Broadcasting's WSTW and WDEL/Wilmington, DE, died Tuesday, October 9, 2017, after a long illness. He was 58 years old. Buck, who lived in Townsend, DE, began working for Delmarva Broadcasting Company in 1987, following a stint at the late WAPI (I-95)/Birmingham, AL.

General Manager Mike Reath remarked, "Damien worked for 30 years at WDEL and WSTW, helping our customers come up with great commercials and many, many people here are familiar with his voice. It's a voice that everyone in town would recognize. He was a creative genius." Indeed, Buck, who ran his own production company, "Buck Productions," also did voice work for Disney, and his voice was all over the Disney Channel when it launched in the 1990s. 

Longtime WSTW PD Mike Rossi, who actually started there as a part-timer 30 years ago today, said of his longtime friend and colleague, "Damien was a cornerstone of our success. As humble as he was richly talented, Damien Buck was the ideal team player." Buck is survived by three siblings and his eight-year-old daughter, Lacy. Check out the additional local coverage -- and a link to Damien's amazing demo -- at WDEL.com.