Hubbard Radio's two-month-old KNUC (Country 98.9)/Seattle (Market 12) just hired its inaugural morning show -- Tim Leary (center), Karen "Red" Daiss (right) and Claire Beverly (left) will make the major leap upward from their current wake-up post at Alpha Media Country WUBB (Bob 106.9)/Savannah, GA (Market 146!). Commenting on the new show, Marc Kaye, Market Manager of Hubbard Radio Seattle, said, "I fell in love with Tim, Claire and Red in the first few minutes of meeting them. I know the Seattle radio audience will find them entertaining and refreshing, and we are in for one heck of a run."

Leary has been in Savannah since September 2012. His previous stops include WGAR/Cleveland, WCTK (Cat Country 98.1)/Providence and KUUB (Cub Country 94.5)/Reno, NV. "This is really so overwhelming and unbelievable... we're still trying to take this all in," he said. "To Ginny Morris, Drew Horowitz, Dave Bestler, Greg Strassell, Marc Kaye, [PD] Lisa Adams and Steve Reynolds -- we can't thank you enough for your support and believing in us! To our agent, Jim Robinson, you're the best in the industry! And I wouldn't have the show any other way than with the most talented co-hosts anywhere -- Claire and Red! (PS to my wife Karen: I promise not to break any more of your grandmother's china when we unpack it in Seattle!). We can't wait! This is going to be a blast!" As you read this the trio is busy working on their relocation plans and will be announcing their Seattle debut date shortly.

It's the end of one marvelous adventure --- and the beginning of a new one -- for the charming and talented Ms. Bethany Watson, who yesterday announced she is leaving her co-host position on the syndicated Elvis Duran and the Morning Show after 5 1/2 years. Watson joined the Z100/New York-based Elvis Duran and the Morning Show in August of 2012 after a five-year stint as co-host of the Dave Ryan in the Morning show on iHeartMedia Top 40 sister KDWB/Minneapolis.

The audio announcement of Watson's departure was posted on the show's website, accompanied by these sentiments, that read, "[Bethany] has an exciting journey ahead of her, pursuing so many incredible opportunities in the entertainment industry. It is with the heaviest of hearts that we bid her adieu, but we're also sure, without a doubt, that our girl is going to fly."

Watson shared the news of her decision in a lengthy Instagram post that read, in part, "As you may have heard this morning, I've made the difficult decision to leave the morning show. Elvis is always saying that we need to follow what we're passionate about, even if it's not a sure thing. And none of us are promised tomorrow. You all know that I love doing projects outside of work like writing, acting and producing, and those are things that I'm incredibly passionate about. So it's time for me to follow those other passions now. This is the scariest, riskiest decision I've ever made, but I'm more afraid of regret than I am of failure."

In conclusion, Watson said, "To clarify, I'm not going anywhere! I'm staying in New York, I'm staying on social media and I'm staying friends with everyone. I'll just be spending my mornings a little differently -- and maybe getting a little more sleep."

Lindsay Lazar is the newly named General Sales Manager for iHeartMedia Country WEBG (BIG 95.5) and AC WLIT (93.9 Lite FM)/Chicago.

Lazar (left) is a 20-year radio sales pro who was most recently the Cluster Sales Manager at Entercom/CBS Radio Chicago. She has also held sales and account management positions at Total Traffic and Weather Network and Premiere Networks. She will now report to Adam Kurtz, SVP of Sales for iHeartMedia's Chicago Region, who said, "Lindsay has an impeccable reputation in the Chicago market and a glowing track record of success. She is a proven leader with an exceptional ability to deliver solutions to the advertising community and I'm thrilled to welcome her to our team."

Lazar remarked, "This is such an exciting opportunity. iHeartMedia has a tremendous reputation coast to coast and particularly here in Chicago, so being asked to join its leadership team is a career high. The station group is strong and respected. Stewarding their continued success and growing their impact in the community is beyond thrilling."

As the New York Mets gear up for their first Spring training games of 2018, iHeartMedia radio flagship 710 WOR/New York announces Ray Martel has been named as the new Executive Producer of the WOR Mets game broadcasts and The Sports Zone with Pete McCarthy, effective March 1. The promotion makes perfect sense, as Martell (left) is already a loyal member of the WOR family -- for the past two years he has been as Associate Producer of Len Berman in the Morning, and he's also done work with the Sports Zone. And prior to joining WOR, Martel was a producer at crosstown WFAN for 13 years, when the station was the Mets' flagship, so you can clearly see how this is a match made in baseball heaven.

WOR PD Tom Cuddy said, "We were overwhelmed by the large volume of highly-qualified individuals who expressed interest in this position, but the best man for the job was already on our team. We look forward to this exciting new era of Mets broadcasts with Ray piloting our coverage." Martel said, "I'm extremely honored to be the next producer of the Mets broadcasts on 710 WOR. When I began in broadcasting 20 years ago, one of my first positions was as a board-op working on the Mets broadcasts. It's amazing to think it's come full-circle two decades later... I can't wait for the season to start!"

Martel succeeds Joe Curci, who is leaving on February 28 after four years to begin a new career path managing a kid's camp in New Jersey.

• E. W. Scripps Tulsa has filled the lengthy morning show vacancy on Country 98.5 KVOO with the hire of Marty Young as the new host of The Voo Crew. He starts on Monday, March 5 and will team up with current co-host Sunny Leigh. He succeeds Rowdy Yates, who left last September.

Young (pictured) segues from Curtis Media Country WQDR/Raleigh, where he is a member of the station's No. 1-rated Q Morning Crew. Young joined WQDR in 2002 and was promoted from nights to morning drive in 2006.

KVOO PD Brian Jennings said, "This is the kind of high-profile talent we've been looking for. Marty brings enormous passion for country, faith and family. He identifies deeply with our audience. And he brings an enthusiasm to win that has made KVOO a legendary station. I'm thrilled to have him on the team."

Young commented, "I've been with the same company in Raleigh since 2002 so I knew if I was ever going to leave, it would have to be something extremely special. Tulsa is a Country music town! That was a must for me! I knew from my first conversation with Brian that this is where I wanted to be. The team they've assembled in that building is insane, and that's from the top to the bottom, which is rare. I can't wait to hit the air with Sunny and see what Tulsa's all about!"

• To the many friends and fans of our pal (and "Radio's Best Friend"), Art Vuolo --you are cordially invited to hear Art's dulcet tones in action as he was recently honored to be the special guest of Winnipeg-based Matt Cundill, host of the Sound Off Podcast. To the surprise of no one who knows him, Art was so fascinating as a guest that the interview broke the mythical 60-minute podcast barrier, a record that scientists once thought was impossible.

Later, an exhausted Cundill commented, "At 67 minutes, it's the second longest podcast I've ever done and it's already trending large."

• And since we have devoted pretty much every waking (and partially awake) moment to watching the Winter Olympics on "the networks of NBC" since last Friday's Opening Ceremonies, we want to take this moment to praise "Voiceover's Best Friend," Steve Kamer.

We can confidently state that in life, three things are inevitable -- death, taxes, and hearing Mr. Kamer's dulcet tones every two years powering NBC's Winter and Summer Olympics coverage. Even at 3:20am (yes, we've been there) he sounds amazing. On behalf of the totally impartial panel of RAMP judges, we hereby award Steve a "Perfect 10" for his Gold Medal performance. Learn more at SteveKamer.com.

In a groundbreaking new partnership, AXS TV and KMG Networks, a division of Krantz Media Group, will now bring AXS TV's popular original series The Big Interview with Dan Rather to radio stations across this great land. Affiliates already on board include WABC/New York, KQRS/Minneapolis, KZEL/Eugene, OR, WXTL/Syracuse and WGWE/Buffalo. Stations will get an audio version of the archived AXS TV show, as well as the corresponding video segment to play on their websites, mobile apps, and other social media channels, along with custom liners and promos from your host, legendary newsman Dan Rather. Ad sales will be handled by Westwood One.

"AXS TV is proud to announce this exciting first-of-its-kind audio partnership with KMG Networks," said Jeff Cuban, Chief Operating Officer of AXS TV. "Giving listeners with a love for rock and roll an opportunity to hear some of Dan Rather's best interviews over the years will act as a perfect promotional launching pad as we gear up for the season premiere of The Big Interview on March 13. Stations around the country now have access to an impressive roster of unique, insightful, and candid conversations Dan had with some of the most influential figures in rock, including Crosby, Stills & Nash, Gene Simmons, Carlos Santana, Pat Benatar, Heart, Gregg Allman, Bryan Adams, John Fogerty, Sammy Hagar, Neil Young, Billy Gibbons and Roger Waters."

Gary Krantz, Founder & CEO of KMG said, "The minute this series launched in 2013, I knew we could eventually bring it to radio. Those who listen to the classic rock-based formats grew up watching Dan on television every night. He has the ability to reach deep within the artists he is talking to, making them more willing to be quite revealing. These are unique conversations that show a different side of the biggest artists and musicians in the world." Stations interested in The Big Interview with Dan Rather may contact KMG Networks at 201-400-3682 or email programming@krantzmediagroup.com.

Veteran TV personality Deborah Norville will host the Broadcasters Foundation of America's 2018 Golden Mike Award event on Monday, March 5 at New York's Plaza Hotel. The black-tie fundraiser will honor Emily Barr, President and CEO of Graham Media. Barr, who leads the seven-station TV division of Graham Media Holdings, will be recognized by prominent leaders in media, including three colleagues: Peggy Allen, former TV production and programming exec (and current Vermont sheep farmer); Don Graham, Chairman of Graham Holdings Co; and Hank Price, President/GM of WVTM 13 in Birmingham, AL.

Pat McLaughlin will accept the Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of her late husband, Ed McLaughlin. McLaughlin, the founder of EFM Media Management, who was credited with discovering Rush Limbaugh, was Chairman Emeritus of the Broadcasters Foundation when he passed away last month. Singer/songwriter Darrian Ford will provide entertainment for the evening. Ford is currently touring his concept concert, The Cooke Book -- The Music of Sam Cooke.

This annual event is one of the biggest fundraisers in support of the mission of the Broadcasters Foundation to provide aid to broadcasters in acute need. For more information, or to reserve a seat or table, please contact the Broadcasters Foundation at 212-373-8250 or info@thebfoa.org.

Thanks to the generosity of its listeners, Cumulus Media's hard-rocking KLOS/Los Angeles just raised $725,218 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital!

The two-day live broadcast, held Thursday, February 8 and Friday, February 9 capped off Cumulus Media's inaugural "St. Jude Rocks" fundraising partnership across 14 of its Rock-formatted stations in markets across America. The KLOS event included on-air, online and text-to-donate promotions and drove donations from listeners in Southern California that set a U.S. Rock radio fundraising record for St. Jude. The funds generated by the 95.5 KLOS St. Jude Rocks Radiothon brought the total dollars raised for St. Jude by Cumulus radio stations in 2017-2018 to a record-breaking $2,099,518!

Dawn Girocco, VP/Market Manager of Cumulus Media Los Angeles, said, "We thank our big-hearted and generous listeners, customers, and team members who stepped up to make a difference for children all over the world who suffer from life-threatening illnesses. Cumulus Media Los Angeles and 95.5 KLOS are proud to raise awareness and bring people together for such a great cause."

The cast of the station's Frosty, Heidi & Frank morning show is pictured here knee-deep in the Radiothon -- (l-r): Patrick Wesson (KLOS Programming Assistant); hosts Frosty Stilwell, Heidi Hamilton and Frank Kramer; Sammi Marino (Associate Producer); Erik Scott Smith (Executive Producer); Lisa May (Entertainment Reporter, co-host) and Anthony Annese (Frosty, Heidi & Frank Social Media).

Q: How do you get four Hall of Famers to appear in one room at the same time -- all of whom are now working for the same company? A: It helps if you provide free food and drink.

At the recent NASH Campus soiree thrown by Westwood One, the company's four reigning Country Radio Hall of Famers managed to squeeze into one shot suitable for framing.

Pictured, (l-r): Blair Garner, host of The Blair Garner Show; Lon Helton, host of Country Countdown USA and Publisher of Country Aircheck; Charlie Cook, VP of Country Programming, Cumulus/Nashville & Tim Closson; Affiliate Sales Manager, WW1.