RAMP has confirmed that Entercom and CBS Radio are making some final, high profile pre-merger moves to satisfy ownership limits. According to multiple sources, CBS Radio is preparing to sell off or swap 11 stations in four markets:

Boston: News-Talk WBZ-AM, Sports-Talk WBZ-FM (98.5 The Sports Hub) and Classic Rock WZLX.

San Francisco: Top 40 KMVQ (99.7 NOW!).

Seattle: Classic Rock KZOK, Adult Hits KJAQ (96.5 Jack FM) and Sports-Talk KFNQ-AM (1090 The Fan).

Sacramento: Top 40 KZZO (Now 100.5), Country KNCI, AC KYMX (Mix 96) and Sports-Talk KHTK-AM.

We also understand that Entercom is putting up for sale or swap News-Talk WRKO-AM and Urban AC WKAF (The New 97.7)/Boston, Urban AC KBLX and AC KOIT/San Francisco and Classic Rock KUFX (98.5 K-FOX)/San Jose. No buyers for these prime properties have been publicly identified as of yet.

RAMP has also confirmed that Entercom yesterday filed amendments to its various merge applications with the FCC as the next step in its process of merging with CBS Radio. In an official statement, Entercom commented, "The amended FCC filings marks another step forward in the process to complete our combination with CBS Radio and we remain on track to close the transaction later this year. Given the ongoing regulatory review, we are unable to comment further at this time." You are advised to watch this space and RAMP247.com for updates.

We want to extend this laurel... and hearty handshake to our pal Scott Jameson, who just applied Sharpie to paper and inked a sweet three-year renewal with Cumulus Media to extend his Twin Cities' tenure as corporate VP of Classic Rock and Operations Manager/PD of Classic Rock KQRS and OM of Active Rock KXXR (93X) and Classic Hip Hop trimulcast WGVX-WRXP-WWWM (105 The Vibe)/Minneapolis-St. Paul.

In making the big announcement, Mike McVay, EVP of Content & Programming for Cumulus Media and Westwood One said of Jameson, "We are blessed to have programmers with the talent and programming experience the level of Scott Jameson. This renewal and extension is a huge vote of confidence for Scott." Shelly Wilkes, VP/Market Manager of Cumulus Media Minneapolis, remarked, "We are very happy to have signed Scott for the next three years."

Before joining Cumulus in December 2012, Jameson worked for CBS Radio as Corporate VP of Adult Rock Programming, PD of Triple A WZGC (92.9 Dave FM)/Atlanta and Executive Producer of the Atlanta Falcons Radio Network. Prior to that, he spent 15 years with Clear Channel Indianapolis as Director of FM Programming for Classic Rock WFBQ and Alternative WRZX.

Commenting on his awesome extension, Jameson said, "I have a great job in a city I love, a wonderful family and a dream team staff at KQRS who impress and inspire me daily. I'm a very lucky guy. Thanks to all who have helped me along the way, and special thanks to Mike McVay for his motivational leadership." Your notes of warm congratulations can be directed to Scott.Jameson@cumulus.com.

• Nice to see programming pro Laura St. James back in her natural habitat, as she's the newly named Program Director of Cumulus Hot AC WXLO/Worcester, MA. She will retain her weekend shifts on sister WNSH (NASH FM 94.7)/New York. Ms. St. James most recently spent six years programming Cumulus AC WLEV/Allentown, PA until July 2016, but she's probably best known for her 16 years at the helm of iHeartMedia's crosstown WAEB (B104) until 2009. Her extensive radio resume also includes stops at WNEW and WLTW (106.7 Lite FM)/New York and WBEB/Philadelphia.

When introducing St. James, Bob Goodell, Regional Vice President for Cumulus Media Worcester/Boston/Springfield, said, "We are pleased to have someone of Laura's experience and passion in our format to lead WXLO programming and to deliver great radio that Worcester and Boston Hot AC listeners love. I'm very happy to welcome her to our team."

St. James remarked, "I'm so honored to join the talented team at WXLO and help build upon the success of this great radio station. To get up every morning and do what you love, with people who share your passion, is a dream come true. I would like to express my thanks to Bob Goodell and everyone at Cumulus Worcester-Boston for this tremendous opportunity." St. James succeeds Lance Ballance, who left in late July.

• Flinn Broadcasting has established a beachhead in Jackson, MS with the launch of Classic Hip Hop WJXN (Hot 100.9). The station, which had been dark for the past two months, was a former Classic Country outlet owned by New South Radio, and is now operated under an LMA with Flinn Broadcasting.

Moments after launch, OM Chris Taylor commented, "Jackson is a great city and we are excited to bring this format to the market." The company will soon begin the process of hiring sale people, an air staff and street team. 

Here is the complete itinerary for the 2017 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour Presented by Capital One: The action kicks off on Tuesday, November 28 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas as KHKS (106.1 Kiss FM) presents The Chainsmokers, Kesha, Charlie Puth, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Camila Cabello, Julia Michaels and Why Don't We.

• Thursday, November 30: KYLD (Wild 94.9)/San Francisco -- (SAP Center, San Jose) -- Demi Lovato, Nick Jonas, Charlie Puth, Camila Cabello, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Julia Michaels and Why Don't We.

• Friday, December 1: KIIS-FM/Los Angeles (The Forum) -- Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, The Chainsmokers, Sam Smith, Demi Lovato, Logic, Kesha, Niall Horan, Halsey, Charlie Puth and Liam Payne. KIIS-FM's Jingle Ball 2017 will video stream exclusively live on CWTV.com and The CW App and air as a 90-minute special on The CW Network on December 14 at 8pm ET/PT.

• Monday, December 4: KDWB/Minneapolis (Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul) -- Fall Out Boy, Kesha, Charlie Puth, Niall Horan, Camila Cabello, Liam Payne, Julia Michaels and Why Don't We.

• Wednesday, December 6: WIOQ (Q102)/Philadelphia (Wells Fargo Center) -- The Chainsmokers, Fall Out Boy, Kesha, Halsey, Logic, Niall Horan, Charlie Puth, Liam Payne, Julia Michaels and Why Don't We.

• Friday, December 8: Z100/New York (Madison Square Garden) -- Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, The Chainsmokers, Sam Smith, Halsey, Fall Out Boy, Demi Lovato, Logic, Charlie Puth, Niall Horan, Camila Cabello, Liam Payne, Julia Michaels and Why Don't We.

• Sunday, December 10: WXKS (Kiss 108)/Boston (TD Garden) -- Fall Out Boy, Kelly Clarkson, Fifth Harmony, Halsey, Charlie Puth, Camila Cabello and Why Don't We.

• Monday, December 11: WIHT (Hot 99.5)/Washington (Capital One Arena) -- Fall Out Boy, Kesha, Logic, Zedd, Charlie Puth, Camila Cabello, Liam Payne, Julia Michaels and Why Don't We.

• Wednesday, December 13: WKSC (103.5 Kiss FM)/Chicago (Allstate Arena) -- The Chainsmokers, Demi Lovato, Charlie Puth, Kesha, Camila Cabello, Liam Payne, Julia Michaels and Why Don't We.

• Friday, December 15: WWPW (Power 96.1)/Atlanta (Philips Arena) -- Demi Lovato, Logic, Zedd, Fifth Harmony, Nick Jonas, Charlie Puth, Camila Cabello, Liam Payne, Julia Michaels and Why Don't We.

• Saturday, December 16: WFLZ/Tampa (Amalie Arena) -- Zedd, Nick Jonas, Charlie Puth, Camila Cabello, Liam Payne and Why Don't We.

• Sunday, December 17: WHYI (Y100)/Miami -- (BB&T Center, Ft. Lauderdale) -- Demi Lovato, Logic, Fifth Harmony, Nick Jonas, Charlie Puth, Camila Cabello, Liam Payne, Julia Michaels and Why Don't We.

For the fifth consecutive year, 11 of the 12 cities of the 2017 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour Presented by Capital One will donate a portion of ticket sales to The Ryan Seacrest Foundation. The 106.1 Kiss FM's Jingle Ball in Dallas will work with the Kidd's Kids program of the Kraddick Foundation. 

You've probably seen some tantalizing hints on social media recently about a possible reunion of Atlanta's legendary Morning X show, and now, it's a done deal -- Leslie Fram, Steve Barnes and Jimmy Baron, who famously woke up Atlanta from 1993-2003 at the original WNNX (99X), will indeed reunite for one day only -- Monday, October 26 from 6-10am, as part of the 25th anniversary of 99X. Baron (seen here on the right in this vintage photo, with Fram and Barnes) recently told Rodney Ho of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the three of them have not been in the same room together since Barnes left the show on October 26, 2003.

Sean Shannon, VP/Market Manager of Cumulus Media Atlanta, said, "Twenty-five years ago this month, 99X signed on the air, giving Atlanta a radio station committed to new music discovery, the local music scene and to building community. That's the DNA for 99X today and we are proud to celebrate that heritage with, for one morning, the return of The Morning X." 99X PD Greg Ausham commented, "There is no better way to mark the anniversary of the birth of one of the most influential radio stations in the country."

Fun Facts: Leslie Fram was the original PD of 99X in addition to co-hosting The Morning X with Barnes and Baron. She is now SVP of Music Strategy at CMT in Nashville. Barnes is President of Atlanta-based video production company, Barnes Creative Studios, and Baron is a successful Realtor for Keller Williams Realty in Atlanta.

Fun Facts, Part Deux: 99X originally launched on October 26, 1992 as an Alternative station, and later dabbled in hard rock and Country. The Alternative format and the 99X branding were revived on Jan. 1, 2016 via translator at 98.9, while the station's former WNNX call letters now reside on Classic Rock clustermate Rock 100.5.

In addition to the big reunion special on The Morning X, 99X will mark its 25th anniversary with other on-air surprises, guests and giveaways throughout the day on October 26. 

Nothing cooler than receiving an unexpected phone call from 10-time CMA Awards winner and four-time 2017 nominee, Keith Urban personally informing you that you or your station just won a 2017 Broadcast Award! That was the scene yesterday across the industry, as Urban broke the happy news to the 2017 winners!

CMA Broadcast Personality Of The Year: National: iHeartMedia's The Bobby Bones Show (Bobby Bones, Amy Brown, Dan "Lunchbox" Chappell and Eddie Garcia); Major Market: Mike & Amy (Mike Chase and Amy Faust), Entercom's KWJJ (99.5 The Wolf)/Portland, OR (Entercom); Large Market: Amanda & Jesse (Amanda Valentine and Jesse Tack), WUBE B105)/Cincinnati (iHeartMedia); Medium Market: Cash and Bradley (Natalie Cash and Matt Bradley), KWEN (K95.5)/Tulsa, OK (Cox Media Group); Small Market: Officer Don and DeAnn (Don Evans and DeAnn Stephens), WBUL (98.1 The Bull)/Lexington, KY.

CMA Radio Station Of The Year: Major Market: WIL-FM/St. Louis (Hubbard Broadcasting); Large Market: WQDR/Raleigh, NC (Curtis Media Group); Medium Market: WIVK/Knoxville, TN (Cumulus Media); Small Market: WYCT (Cat Country 98.7)/Pensacola, FL (ADX Communications)

These broadcast winners will be publicly honored during the 51st Annual CMA Awards on Wednesday, November 8 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The show will roll live at 8pm ET on ABC. Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood return once again to host "Country Music's Biggest Night.™"

Atlantic Records and Artist Partner Group announced the launch of EMERGE, described as "a groundbreaking nationwide, social media-driven search for exceptional teen Pop/R&B talent." The companies have partnered with AEG Presents, Deckstar, Deutsch and Spotify in an effort to find young artists with star potential, wherever they exist. This marks the first time that a music company, live concert organization, management company, marketing agency and digital music service have joined forces to both discover and provide world-class opportunities to emerging talent.

"EMERGE is all about breaking the barrier to entry for outstanding young artists," said Mike Caren, Founder & CEO of Artist Partner Group. "Getting heard in this business shouldn't be about who you know, but who you are as an artist. This campaign isn't about industry relationships or market research, but about creating a new channel from performer to label, combined with the expertise of our friends at AEG Presents, Deckstar, Deutsch and Spotify. We're all looking forward to uncovering amazing talent in unexpected places, and creating once-in-a-lifetime shots at superstardom."

In a joint statement, Atlantic Records' Chairman & COO Julie Greenwald and Chairman & CEO Craig Kallman said, "We're super excited to partner with all of these amazing companies that together embrace all aspects of an artist's career. This is a talent search for the digital age, designed to find distinctive voices with huge potential."

EMERGE is accepting submissions from artists and musicians between the ages of 13 and 19, who are residents of the U.S. or Canada (excluding Quebec), through Sunday, November 12. Complete details and instructions on how to enter can be found at atlanticrecords.com/emerge. The search will receive support from AEG Presents, Deckstar, Deutsch and Spotify. All entries will be reviewed by Atlantic A&R reps, who will select the extraordinary artist or artists deserving of a major label contract.

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is shipping 10,000 battery-operated radios to Puerto Rico for distribution to residents who have been adversely affected by Hurricane Maria. NAB, the National Alliance of State Broadcasters Associations (NASBA) and multiple U.S. broadcasters are funding this initiative. NAB is working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and local Puerto Rican authorities to ensure that the radios are properly distributed to those most in need. Sens. Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL) were instrumental in coordinating this effort.

"Time and again, broadcast radio has served as a lifeline to communities desperate for information and support," said Gordon Smith, NAB President & CEO. "Our fellow Americans in the Caribbean now face a once-in-a-generation humanitarian crisis, and radio is one of the only communications resources available. We admire the resolve of our friends in Puerto Rico and are proud to undertake this effort with help from FEMA to keep citizens safe and informed."

Florida Association of Broadcasters President and CEO Pat Roberts spearheaded this initiative on the ground and successfully secured transportation of the radios from Miami to Puerto Rico. Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine, who is helping secure a staging ground in Miami for the radios prior to their shipment to Puerto Rico, said this crisis "requires our ongoing support and commitment, which is why I'm thankful to the NAB for stepping up to provide critical communications infrastructure. I saw firsthand how the local leadership and residents are eager to restore normal order and the efforts by the NAB and a number of companies in the private sector are what's making a big difference. I look forward to the continued efforts to aid the great people of Puerto Rico because right now, todos somos Puertorriqueños ('We are all Puerto Ricans)." 

• We were saddened to learn that Rhode Island Radio Hall of Famer Jimmy Gray, best known and loved for his stops at WPRO-AM & 92 PRO-FM, WTCK (Cat Country 98.1) and WHJJ/Providence, as well as WEBE 108/Bridgeport, CT, died on Monday, October 9 at the Evergreen Nursing Home in E. Providence. He was 72 years old. Gray, whose real name was James W. Hargraves, leaves behind two daughters, Katie Hargraves and her husband, Matthew Sojka of New Hampshire, Kara Hargraves and her husband, Howard Brennan of East Providence, two grandchildren, Charlotte and Noah Sojka and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

As Gray's obituary reads, "He was an intelligent and generous person who enjoyed traveling and dining out. He had a passion for music and loved his dogs, Angus and Ernie." Gray was inducted into the Rhode Island Radio Hall of Fame in 2009.

Calling hours are scheduled for tomorrow, October 12 from 4-8pm at the Perry-McStay Funeral Home, 2555 Pawtucket Avenue, East Providence, RI. Funeral services will be held Friday, October 13 at 11am at the Perry-McStay Funeral Home. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Lung Association, 260 West Exchange Street, Suite 102 B, Providence, RI 02903.

• The close-knit community of Bakersfield, CA is mourning the sudden passing of Chris Conner, the longtime afternoon personality on Buck Owens' Country KUZZ-AM/FM. Connor started with the company back in June of 1979 and has been one of the top-rated personalities the market for decades.

The station issued the following statement, which read, "It is with great sadness and broken hearts that we announce the passing of longtime KUZZ personality, Chris Conner. His high energy and thoughtful spirit will be missed by his family, his colleagues and the thousands of listeners whom he entertained daily. Chris was, in many ways 'The Voice of Bakersfield.' He was on countless commercials for local and national companies and a trusted voice in the community. He was a father, a grandfather, a great grandfather and a colleague who will be forever missed." Chris Conner was 70 years old. Memorial services are pending.

Longtime Los Angeles radio personality Joe Reiling passed away on Saturday, October 7. Reiling first caught the radio bug at the University of Dayton's radio station, WVUD. He began his professional radio career in 1974 at KFIG/Fresno, CA, where he did middays, served as news director and eventually rose to PD.

In 1977, Reiling was hired as a jock at KLOS/Los Angeles, and later introduced The KLOS Local Music Show. Reiling ended up doing two tours of duty at KLOS -- the first one until 1981, and the second from 2003-2009. From 1982-1990, Reiling worked for several other prominent L.A. radio stations, including the mighty KMET, KNX and KLSX.

In 1984, Reiling joined Armed Forces Radio, hosting an Alternative rock show for an estimated daily audience of 400 million. He later worked in the airline industry, interviewing musicians and hosting music channels for various airlines when he joined AEI in 1992, and was named VP of Inflight Productions in 2000. In 2012, Reiling was among the first group to be featured in the new archival library annex for "Radio Personalities That Delivered The Music" at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.

Thirty-six years ago, Reiling was the best man at the wedding of his longtime friend Kevin Carroll, who posted a heartfelt remebmbrance on his Facebook page. Carroll said of Reiling, "Those of us who had the opportunity to be near his giant personality are forever changed. His laugh, humor and warmth made all in his orbit better for it." Reiling is survived by his daughter, Krista Ribbons, son-in-law Brad Ribbons, and their two children, Kaylee and Shane. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, October 29 at 10am at Eternal Valley Memorial Park, 23287 N. Sierra Highway, Newhall, CA 91321.