RAMP has confirmed that Steve DiNardo has exited as VP/Market Manager for Entercom's San Francisco cluster. DiNardo's departure comes as the countdown to the pending Entercom/CBS Radio merger continues to tick down toward its inevitable conclusion.

DiNardo (pictured) has more than two decades of San Francisco radio management experience and had been ensconced in his Entercom SF corner office since February of 2014. He joined Entercom San Francisco in 2012 as GSM of AC KOIT and later rose to VP of Sales for the cluster. DiNardo previously spent 17 years as VP/GM of CBS Radio San Francisco.

This mega-merger is expected to significantly impact the Bay Area radio landscape -- as was recently announced, Entercom is spinning off KOIT and Urban AC KBLX/San Francisco and Classic Rock KUFX (98.5 K-Fox)/San Jose, while CBS Radio has put Top 40 KMVQ (99.7 NOW!)/San Francisco on the block. Stay tuned, as we expect further dramatic developments as this merger draws ever closer.

Bruno Mars leads the 2017 American Music Awards class with eight nominations, including Artist of the Year, Video of the Year and Favorite Male Artist -- Pop/Rock. The Chainsmokers, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Ed Sheeran and The Weeknd are tied with five nominations each. Justin Bieber, Daddy Yankee and Luis Fonsi received four nominations each and Keith Urban earned three nominations. Joining Bruno as Artist of the Year nominees are The Chainsmokers, Drake, Kendrick Lamar and Ed Sheeran. Fan voting for Artist of the Year is now running through Thursday, November 16 at 8:59:59pm PT. Voting for all other editorial categories closes on Monday, November 13 at 8:59:59am PT.

Westwood One and Cumulus Media are the official national radio partners for the 2017 American Music Awards and will offer a comprehensive array of special programming and exclusive companion content. Westwood One will welcome more than 25 local radio stations and national programs to its Westwood One Backstage at the AMAs, which is scheduled for Friday, November 17 and Saturday, November 18 from noon-4pm PT at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

Westwood One, through its partnership with the American Music Awards and dick clark productions will also create exclusive AMA-branded long and short-form content leading up to -- and following the awards, including • Tune-In Highlights -- :30-second branded highlights, airing November 6-19 -- Hot AC, AC and Top 40 versions will be hosted by Jayde Donovan of WPLJ/New York and an Urban/Urban AC version hosted by La Loca from WNBM (Radio 103.9)/New York. • Two-Hour Nomination Special, airing the weekend of November 11. Hot AC, AC and Top 40 version hosted by Jayde Donovan; Urban/Urban AC version hosted by La Loca along with Kenny Smoov from WQQK/Nashville.

• Five-Hour Red Carpet Broadcast Companion/Wrap Up Show airing Sunday, November 19 -- Hot AC/AC version hosted by Adam Bomb and The Bert Show's Kristin Klingshirn, Top 40 version hosted by the Zach Sang Show, and Urban/Urban AC hosted by La Loca and Kenny Smoov. There is also a one-hour Red Carpet Special, hosted by Jayde Donovan, a three-Hour Broadcast Companion and one-hour Awards Wrap-Up. For more information, contact our pal Neal Bird at nbird@westwoodone.com or 310-840-4207.

• Nia Marciante has been named as the new Marketing Director for iHeartMedia's eight-station Richmond cluster, effective October 30. Marciante (left) earns the big transfer after four years with the promotions department at iHeartMedia Philadelphia. "Nia has proven herself in Philadelphia over the last four years," said Zac Davis, SVP of Programming for iHeartMedia Richmond. "She is the right choice to champion our marketing efforts with our very diverse and creative team in RVA."

Marciante commented, "iHeart has been my passion since I started in 2013. I'm excited to bring what I have learned in Philadelphia to lead the marketing efforts in collaboration with the team in Richmond. I look forward to being part of the iHeart Richmond family." Marciante replaces Promotions Director Nikki Corl, who was recently promoted to Director of Marketing for the Carolinas based in Charlotte, and Promotions Director Jasmine Snead, who resigned to start her own business.

• It's moving day at Townsquare Media's Boise, ID broadcast complex, as Chris Cruise unplugs as morning co-host on Top 40 KSAS (103.5 Kiss FM) and rolls his air chair across the hall to assume the afternoon drive throne at Country clustermate KAWO (WOW Country 104.3). Cruise will fill the oversized shoes of market legend Rich Summers, who steps down to focus on his PD stuff, but will still cover weekends and vacations.

Prior to landing in Boise in February 2016, Cruise did nights on CBS Radio Country KMPS/Seattle. In a farewell Kiss FM blog post, Cruise explained how comfortable this move will be, as he commented, "Before I came to Boise, I spent a lot of time in the Country music world, so it'll be just like putting on your favorite cozy sweater for me. I could not be any more ecstatic to be moving next door (literally, their studio shares a wall with the Kiss studio) and dive headfirst back into Country music. Heck, maybe I'll even buy me a boat."

Nikki Sixx yesterday announced he's ending production of his nationally syndicated Premiere Networks/iHeartRadio rock radio shows: Sixx Sense with Nikki Sixx, The Side Show Countdown with Nikki Sixx and The Side Show Classic with Nikki Sixx, effective December 31, 2017. Sixx will now focus on a bunch of new endeavors in 2018, including his burgeoning photography career and several television projects -- he's joined the Canadian talent show The Launch, where he will mentor unsigned talent alongside Boy George, Shania Twain, Fergie, Alessia Cara, Julia Michaels and Jennifer Nettles. And then there's the planned Broadway adaptation of Sixx's 2007 New York Times bestselling memoir, The Heroin Diaries: A Year In The Life of a Shattered Rockstar.

Julie Talbott, President of Premiere Networks, stated, "When we first partnered with Nikki in 2010, we set out to create a unique program from the perspective of true rock star, and that's exactly what we did. We're proud of the work we did together to make Sixx Sense one of the most-widely-syndicated Rock radio programs in the country, while establishing the ultimate platforms for rock music fans, as well as new and established artists. It's been a pleasure working with Nikki, and we wish him all the best."

Sixx commented, "I grew up discovering music on the radio, so to host my own show over the nearly eight years of Sixx Sense was beyond my wildest dreams. I could not have done it without my amazing team in the studio, or the guests, musicians, and listeners that brought the show to life. It's been an inspirational journey and I'll always be a fan of the medium, but it's time to shift gears outside the realm of solely radio. I'm in the process of developing new and unique programming and ventures across multiple platforms. But I'm really gonna miss Sixx Sense."

City of Hope's Music, Film and Entertainment Industry Group (MFEI) announced the slate of artists scheduled to perform at the upcoming Spirit of Life® Award celebration -- Dave Matthews, Trey Anastasio, Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Joseph will take the stage during the gala event/dinner on November 2, 2017 at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, CA.

The Spirit of Life® Award is City of Hope's highest honor, and each year recognizes a leader whose work has fundamentally impacted the music, film or entertainment industries. This year's Spirit of Life® honoree is Coran Capshaw (pictured), founder of Red Light Management, Dave Matthews' longtime manager and one of the music industry's most influential and innovative executives.

For more information on the 2017 Spirit of Life campaign and to purchase tickets for the gala dinner, please visit cityofhope.org.

Tonight, in collaboration with the Recording Academy™, the PBS series Great Performances proudly presents Grammy Salute To Music Legends™, the second annual all-star concert saluting the Academy's 2017 Special Merit Awards recipients. The show features rare performances by the honorees and renditions by those they have inspired. This year's Lifetime Achievement Award honorees are Shirley Caesar, Ahmad Jamal, Charley Pride, Jimmie Rodgers, Nina Simone, Sly Stone and the Velvet Underground.

Additional Special Merit Awards honorees celebrated include Trustees Awards recipients: producer, arranger and songwriter Thom Bell; record executive Mo Ostin, recording exec, A&R rep and music publisher Ralph S. Peer and audio inventor Alan Dower Blumlein, who is the Technical Grammy Award recipient. Another honoree is Keith Hancock, this year's recipient of the Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum®’s Music Educator Award™.

Along with never-before-seen video packages, the event features performances by Lifetime Achievement Award honorees John Cale and Maureen "Moe" Tucker of the Velvet Underground, Lifetime Achievement Award honoree Shirley Caesar, Stanley Cowell, Andra Day, Kirk Franklin, Le'Andria Johnson, Neal McCoy, Randy Newman, Living Colour founder & songwriter Vernon Reid, Catherine Russell, Lifetime Achievement Award honoree Charley Pride, Valerie Simpson, Russell Thompkins Jr. of the Stylistics, Dionne Warwick, Charlie Wilson, and Dwight Yoakam. There is also a special appearance by Whoopi Goldberg, who accepts for the late Nina Simone.

The celebration, led by musical director Paul Shaffer, was recorded in July at New York's Beacon Theatre and will air tonight from 9-11pm on PBS. (Check local listings.) Historically held during Grammy® Week, this is the second time the Recording Academy has celebrated the Special Merit Awards with a standalone event and musical tribute.

Sometimes, despite your best-laid plans, life throws you a curveball... we recently reported that longtime Louisville radio pro Chris Randolph had accepted the open afternoon drive position at Cumulus Country WFMS/Indianapolis.

However, RAMP learned that Randolph had to withdraw from the gig at the 11th hour due to family reasons back home, leaving the position open once again. The station also has middays open, so you have some interesting choices to make.

WFMS OM/PD Steve Giuttari is eager to hear the level of talent that is currently available. Qualified candidates for either of these two prime shifts are invited to email resumes, killer audio and photos to stephen.giuttari@cumulus.com. And remember, kids, Cumulus Media is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

When Ed Sheeran's tour stopped in Nashville last weekend, the enterprising crew at iHeartMedia Top 40 WRVW (107.5 The River) asked him to design and sign a T-shirt, and he readily obliged. The station is now auctioning this collectors-edition shirt off, with 100% of the proceeds going to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. Check out the video of Ed designing this one-of-a-kind shirt while chatting with The River's charming and talented MD/morning show co-host Savannah Grimm.

Later, River PD Jonathan Shuford told RAMP, "Having the opportunity to unite music and community is part of why we all got into this business. Vanderbilt Children's Hospital is so near and dear to our hearts and we're so thankful that one of music's biggest stars agreed to help us give back to them for all that they do." At press time the high bid was a totally affordable $500... the bidding continues for a few more days, so let's push this number way up and help Vanderbilt Children's Hospital!

• Reach Media has extended The Rickey Smiley Morning Show in a multi-year agreement. The Rickey Smiley Morning Show has over 65 affiliates and broadcasts weekdays from 6-10am ET. David Kantor, CEO of Urban One's Radio Division and Reach Media, remarked, "We are delighted to extend our relationship with Rickey Smiley. He has established himself as a leader and entertaining communicator in his 10 years of syndication. He continues to grow in audience, followers, affiliates, but most importantly, with an affinity with his listeners that's unparalleled."

Smiley, who recently took home the 2017 Marconi Award for Network/Syndicated Personality of the Year, commented, "You know we keep it real every morning. So, get ready everybody, I'm going to continue keeping it live with the rest of my crew. Thanks to Reach Media, Radio One and to all my listeners and followers for letting me be a part of your morning routine." Smiley shares his morning show platform with co-hosts Da Brat, Gary Wit Da Tea, Headkrack, Juicy, Rock T and Special K, along with producers, Hollywood and Beyoncé Alowishus.

• The Premiere-syndicated The Rendezvous with Simon and Angi has added a bunch of awesome new affiliates to its growing roster -- please welcome WNIC/Detroit; WRSW/Grand Rapids, MI; WRVF/Toledo, OH; KMXP/Phoenix; KMIY/Tucson; WRVE/Albany, NY; KVUU/Colorado Springs; KZBB/Ft. Smith, AR and KJMY/Salt Lake City.

Hosted by the lovely and talented Angi Taylor, morning co-host on iHeartMedia's WKSC (Kiss 103.5)/Chicago, and "French romantic" Simon Marcel (no, seriously), The Rendezvous is breathlessly described as "a nightly radio experience filled with insightful love and relationship advice, coupled with radio station music playlists."

Nationally syndicated by Premiere Networks on nearly 30 stations nationwide, the two-hour show is available weeknights between 7-midnight. Interested stations should contact Premiere at 818-377-5300.

Movers and shakers from all walks of life gathered in Palm Desert, CA this week to attend the 2017 Inc. 5000 Conference at the beautiful JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa. Among the esteemed attendees were Benztown President/co-Founder Dave "Chachi" Denes (left) and CEO/co-founder Andreas Sannemann (right).

Benztown, recognized as a global leader in radio imaging, voiceover, programming and jingles -- and an Inc. 5000 Honor Roll member, was named by Inc. magazine this summer as one of America's Fastest-Growing Private Companies for the fifth consecutive year. Fewer than 1/10 of all Inc. 5000 honorees -- an already select group -- ever achieve this milestone through a consistent growth trajectory that places them on the elite list for five consecutive years.

The Inc. 5000 is an exclusive annual ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States, ranked according to percentage revenue growth rate over a three-year period. Companies must have generated at least $100,000 in revenue in 2013 and at least $2 million in 2016 to qualify for the listing. They must also be U.S. based, privately held, independent and for-profit. Companies such as Microsoft, Zappos, Intuit, Under Armour, Timberland, Jamba Juice, Zipcar, Clif Bar, Vizio, Oracle and many other well-known companies gained early exposure as members of the Inc. 5000.

We were saddened to learn of the passing of former longtime Clear Channel executive Mark Kopelman, who died on Monday, October 9. Kopelman, who was 58 years old, notably spent nearly 20 years with Clear Channel, worked his way up from RVP/Market Manager in Raleigh and Houston to SVP of Operations, and eventually rising to corporate Executive Vice President of Operations. After a stint with Paul B. Anderson, Kopelman had served as President of Houston-based Ironstone Media Management since 2013.

In a beautifully candid and heartfelt Facebook post, Chris Edge, SVP of Programming for iHeartMedia Raleigh credits Kopelman for convincing him to take on his first managerial role as Marketing Director and later, offered him his first PD job. "I'm supposed to feel sad now that he's gone, sorry that he passed, but instead I feel lucky," Edge wrote. "Lucky to have known him, lucky I had someone in my life that had pushed me to be better, that believed in me. Lucky to have worked for someone who knew how to treat people right and inspired myself and others to be the best persons we could be. He impacted me in ways in which I am unable to express at this moment. I am left with gratitude."

Kopelman is survived by his two children, Riley and Sloan; his brother Steve and sister Brenda and a niece, Briejenn. A memorial service will be held today at 2pm at the Hardin Family Funeral Home, 9034 Long Point Road, Houston, TX 77055.