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| Chili Peppers Cancel Weenie Roast Set
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The annual KROQ/Los Angeles Weenie Roast went out in a blaze medical drama on Saturday evening as the Red Hot Chili Peppers were forced to cancel their closing set -- lead singer Anthony Kiedis was stricken with severe abdominal pains and had to be transported by ambulance to a hospital shortly before the band was to close the show. It fell to bassist Flea to break the news to a venue full of concertgoers, as he announced, "Anthony is on his way to the hospital right now and we're unable to play this evening," Flea told the capacity crowd inside the Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre, which is scheduled to be torn down next year. "We are devastated about it. We're really sad. We love you so much," he said, standing on stage with his bandmates. "We live to rock. We live to f---ing dig deep into the depths of our hearts and rock. But unfortunately there's a medical thing that happened and he needed to deal with it."
At 10:30pm, KROQ tweeted the news of the cancellation, posting, "Unfortunately due to illness the @ChiliPeppers were forced to cancel their set tonight at #WeenieRoast. More details to come." Shortly after 11pm, Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith tweeted, "NO one's more disappointed than us that we couldn't perform tonight. Sending love and a speedy recovery to my brother Anthony."
Weezer was nice enough to extend their set, performing some extra songs to help fill in and close the show, sending fans off with "Buddy Holly" and "Say It Ain't So." It's worth mentioning that the 2016 Weenie Roast also included terrific performances from Garbage, Panic! At the Disco, The Lumineers, Cold Wars Kids, Fitz & The Tantrums, Miike Snow, Lukas Graham, The Strumbellas, Nothing But Thieves, Empire of the Sun, Bishop Briggs, Bear Hands and a surprise appearance from Blink-182.
• Epilog -- The Chili Peppers were also scheduled to perform at the iHeartRadio Theatre in Burbank tomorrow evening, but that show has now been postponed. Rolling Stone reports the band yesterday released a statement that read, "Due to Anthony Kiedis' hospitalization from complications from the intestinal flu on Saturday evening, the Red Hot Chili Peppers regretfully must postpone their upcoming concert for iHeartRadio on May 17th. They would like to extend their gratitude to the fans for the outpouring of well wishes. Anthony is expected to make a full recovery soon."
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• Wendy Williams' name recently started buzzing around in radio circles again after she announced her interest to return to the medium where she had enjoyed a successful 23-year run. Eight years ago Williams made the transition to television, and her Emmy-nominated show attracts some 2.4 million daily viewers, but she apparently harbors a desire to slap on the headphones once again. We spoke with Gary Bernstein, who is representing Wendy to radio and digital -- he told us she's wanted to come back for awhile, but that desire reached its peak last year when Wendy made the radio rounds to promote her 20-plus city Comedy Tour.
Bernstein tells us there are at least 10 companies right now that are seriously interested in being in the Wendy Williams business, via either a syndicated radio and or digital play -- a potential deal that could produce one of the largest media content deals in a while. Bernstein commented, "It's great for radio to have a real superstar coming back. I can think of at least two formats where Wendy can have an immediate seismic impact." You are advised to watch this space for further details.
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• RAMP has confirmed that promo pro Rob Harvey has resigned his position as VP of Top 40 for Republic & Island Records. We understand he has an exciting new job announcement coming soon.
Harvey (pictured, left) joined Republic in January of 2013 as Sr. Director of Top 40, relocating to Los Angeles following a 13-year run with Interscope Geffen A&M in New York. He was upped to VP of Top 40 in November of 2014. He will remain based in Los Angeles.
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• The Academy of Country Music® made some big news on Friday when it was announced that CEO Bob Romeo is stepping down after 12 years as the head of the organization. "Working at the Academy has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career in the music business," Romeo said. "We've accomplished more than I could have ever dreamed -- between our success celebrating the 50th anniversary in Texas and returning to our longtime home in Las Vegas, to the monies donated through ACM Lifting Lives -- the organization is recognized as a leader in the business, and that was my main goal when I joined the company. There is so much pride in how far we have moved the puck. That said, I'm looking forward to planning my next endeavor."
ACM EVP, Managing Director Tiffany Moon will serve as interim CEO. ACM Board Chairman Paul Barnabee said, "We are thankful for Bob's leadership and dedication to the organization, and wish him the best in the next phase of his career. The officers are committed to working closely with Tiffany and the ACM staff to continue the outstanding work of the ACM and ACM Lifting Lives."
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| Sharks/Blues Battle Getting Hot In Herre
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It's been an informal tradition for many years that radio stations representing rival cities involved in pro sports championship playoff battles take good-natured shots at the opposing market by using the one powerful tool they can control -- music. Stations have been known to create huge amounts of publicity for themselves by temporarily "banning" certain songs because they might contain positive references to the "enemy" team, or else they might decide to loudly "ban" specific artists because said artists are closely associated with [insert opposing city here]. Such is the case with the NHL Western Conference Finals battle that got underway last night between the San Jose Sharks and the St. Louis Blues.
As we speak, the Bay Area is buzzing after Entercom Classic Hip Hop KRBQ (Q102)/San Francisco decided to follow that tried-and-true playbook and issue a very public "ban" on all music from St. Louis native Nelly, as OM/PD Elroy Smith (pictured) explains to RAMP, "I've been with Entercom San Francisco for only three weeks, and I'm having a blast with such a passionate, committed and courageous group of people. Brian Figula, who programs KUFX (98.5 K-Fox)/San Jose and KOIT/San Francisco shared with me how KOIT had banned Lorde's 'Royals' when the Giants played the Kansas City Royals in the 2014 World Series and suggested that maybe Q102 could do it with Nelly. Immediately, there was an all-points bulletin for my co-workers to coordinate a video of us banning all Nelly product from Nelly's most supportive station in the Bay Area."
The resulting video, which features some award-winning performances by Elroy and the entire Q102 staff, is now posted on the Q102 Facebook page for your enjoyment. Smith added, "As long as it takes for our Teal and Black to win their series against St Louis, we won't be playing any Nelly records. Go Sharks!" [Ed. Note: Bad news for Bay Area Nelly fans -- the Blues beat the Sharks 2-1 in last night's Best Of Seven series opener]
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| Non-Luck Enforcing Non-Compete
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A judge in Muncie, IN has dealt a blow to Cumulus Media's hopes to enforce a non-compete clause to prevent a former employee from crossing a crowded and apparently very dangerous Muncie radio street. You may recall that back in March, Cumulus Country WMDH (NASH FM 102.5)/New Castle-Muncie, IN filed suit against former morning co-host Amanda Rollen (photo via Facebook) when she left to accept a position with Hoosier AM/FM LLC as Production Director for its nine radio stations in Marion and Kokomo, IN.
As the Muncie Star Press reviews details of the suit, Cumulus attorneys claimed Rollen had violated a non-compete clause in a contract signed in December 2012 that reportedly prohibited her from engaging in "essentially the same job" for any radio station within 50 miles of WMDH for six months. The suit said Rollen left her job at WMDH on Oct. 2, 2015 and she started work for Hoosier AM/FM on Oct. 20.
However, in a ruling last week, Delaware Country Circuit Court 4 Judge John Feick denied Cumulus Media's request for an injunction to keep Rollen off the air. Judge Feick noted that attorneys for WMDH produced no evidence of any monetary losses, or an impact on ratings, as a result of Rollen's move to Hoosier AM/FM. Feick further noted that, "any proposed harm perceived [by WMDH] by Amanda Rollen operating at her current location is speculative at best."
Judge Feick also noted Rollen's former boss, WMDH PD Chris Carter -- told her he was "not concerned with any production activities carried on by (Rollen)," although "it was his desire she not have any on-air activity for the six-month period." Last Friday RAMP reached out to Rollen's attorney for a comment. Yes, we're still waiting.
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• Townsquare Media of Augusta, ME is making preparations to welcome Cooper Fox into the family as the newly named OM of Top 40 WMME (92 Moose) and Country WEBB (B98.5). Fox will also serve as Brand Manager of Oldies duo WJZN-AM & WTVL-AM (Kool 1400/1490). Mac Dickson will now focus on his role as morning co-host on The Moose.
Fox will relocate to Maine from his PD post at Erie Radio Company Adult Top 40 WEHP (Happi 92.7)/Erie, PA and starts his new adventure on June 1.
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| • Which brings us back to a programming position we initially advertised on May 5... and here it is again! WEHP (Happi 92-7)/Erie, PA, consulted by Mark St. John of Zapoleon Media Strategies is looking for a Program Director to build the Happi product and brand -- and do afternoon drive. Candidates must have a minimum of three years of programming experience and have strong attention to detail, team building and leadership abilities. You should also be proficient with GSelector/Selector, Microsoft Word, Excel, and with digital studio systems like Wide Orbit and audio production software like Adobe Audition. Applicants should also be social media ninjas and have the requisite skillset to write and produce fresh imaging.
To apply for this EOE position, please email your resume, aircheck and programming philosophy to TJ Anzivino at jobs@Happi927.com or mail your package to: The Erie Radio Company, 1229 State Street, Erie, PA 16501. No calls, please.
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| Wonderful Honor For Wonder Woman
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The ever-spectacular Lynda Carter will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 41st Annual Gracie Awards Gala on May 24 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, brought to you by the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (AWMF). The Gracie Awards honor outstanding individual achievement and programming by, for and about women. "Lynda is the definition of a trailblazer as she has paved the way for women in media, carrying a national television show as Wonder Woman, and producing and starring in five highly rated network television specials," said Kristen Welch, AWMF Chair and SVP of Global Content Operations at Discovery Communications. "Her success on screen, on the music charts and on stage showcases her talent and drive to break down barriers. We're proud to honor Lynda with the Gracies Lifetime Achievement Award."
Carter (no relation) said, "I'm deeply honored to have been chosen to receive this special award. The fact that it is being given by my peers in the industry makes it particularly special and meaningful. In the course of my career, I've watched so many talented women fight for their rightful place in this wonderful industry, and today it's highly gratifying to see the widespread success so many have achieved. I'm grateful to the fabulous women who came before me and built the foundation for my career, and I salute those who will be leading us in the future. I look forward to celebrating all women in media at the Gracie Awards as I accept this award."
Gracie Awards Gala tickets are available via the AWMF website, allwomeninmedia.org. National Gracies winners are recognized at the Gracies Gala in May while local, public and student winners will be recognized at the Gracies Luncheon on June 21 at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.
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| Radio Talent Institute Now In Session
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The Georgia Association of Broadcasters (GAB) Radio Talent Institute returns to the campus of the University of Georgia today. Students have been accepted into the Institute from UGA and many other schools across the state. Attendees will be immersed in all things radio for the next 10 days, with 40 broadcasters leading the sessions, including on-air, programming, news, sports, digital/social media, production, promotions and sales, with each student becoming certified as a Radio Marketing Professional by the RAB. The mission of the Institute is to create a radio talent farm system -- a talent incubator -- on campuses in every state or region across the country. Cox Media Group EVP of Radio Bill Hendrich will keynote the opening session, "Now Is The Time To Start Thinking Like A Pro." On Wednesday, the students will enjoy sessions with the Atlanta Hawks and the Atlanta Braves, and on Friday, they will be the live studio audience as morning duo Ryan Cameron and Wanda Smith from CBS Radio Urban WVEE (V103)/Atlanta broadcasts live from the Institute.
The GAB Radio Talent Institute is the first of five radio talent institutes this summer from the National Radio Talent System, followed by the Kellar Radio Talent Institute at Appalachian State University in North Carolina; the inaugural Hubbard Radio Talent Institute at Central Washington University; the Confer Radio Talent Institute at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania and the KBA WKU Radio Talent Institute at Western Kentucky University. To date, nearly 70% of students completing an Institute have begun their career in radio or a related field and have gone on to work for CBS, iHeartMedia, Alpha Media, Beasley, Entercom, Cumulus, Greater Media, Curtis Media, CNN and other companies.
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The University of Florida's College of Journalism and Communications recently welcomed a very special guest -- the multi-talented Paul Finebaum, ESPN/SEC Network personality and host of the cleverly named Paul Finebaum Show, which just happens to air weeknights from 6-10pm on WRUF (ESPN Gainesville 95.3)/Gainesville. Operations Coordinator Brett Holcomb tells RAMP that Finebaum spoke to the students about a career in sports journalism. He later joined midday host Steve Russell on the air to talk about the Gators, and later did his show live from Alfred McKethan Stadium prior to Friday night's Florida/Vanderbilt game.
Pictured, during Finebaum's visit, (l-r): Jack Kramer, Senior SEC Technical Coordinator for the University of Florida; Eric Esterline, Sports Journalism Instructor; Randy Wright (Executive Director of the UF Multimedia Properties at the College of Journalism & Communication), Fernando Juncadella, ESPN Gainesville Producer; Paul Finebaum; Steve Russell, WRUF Sports Director; Lauren Bromfield, ESPN Gainesville Producer; Nicole Thompson, Student Sports Reporter; Rob Harder, Brand Manager & Director of Programming for WRUF-FM & AM; Neil Zimmerman, Broadcast Engineer; Dylan Kasheta, ESPN Gainesville Producer and Brett Holcomb, Operations Coordinator for WRUF-FM & AM.
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