Good Morning:
Let's break from our usual region by region look:
In a story you'll first read here, iHeartMedia adds a new PD for their Urban/WZRL (98.3fm, Plainfield): Bo Money. Mr. Money will also be regional Urban PD along with afternoons on "Real 983." Mr. Money last worked for iHeart, programming KQBT in the Houston, Texas market.
Northeast
Where Are They Now? Former Country/WBTU GM J.R. Greeley now serves as GM and Director of Sales for the Cherry Creek Media radio stations in Williston, North Dakota and Sidney, Montana.
Northcentral
Our best wishes to Mark Parren, southwest Michigan stringer at Sinclair's CBS affiliate WSBT-TV (Channel 22, South Bend). Mr. Parren lost his home after it caught fire over the weekend.
Northwest
Update: For $608,000, Woof Boom Radio will purchase WKHL (106.7fm, West Lafayette) from Educational Media Foundation. Woof Boom owns a cluster in the Muncie/Anderson market, and recently entered a TBA with a Lima, Ohio cluster. Once the sale closes, Woof Boom Radio Lafayette will own 90% with managing partner Jim Ducey ("Jim Stone") owning 10%. Mr. Ducey will become GM of WKHL. Woof Boom president J Chapman and Mr. Ducey worked together at Maverick Media in Rockford, Illinois. Mr. Chapman was GM and Mr. Ducey was OM. Finally, the broker on the sale of WKHL to Woof Boom: Jon Yinger of Broadcast Properties LLC.
The FCC denies a second application by Indiana Community Radio Corp. application for WCNB (91.5fm, Dayton) to move their tower site. This application proposed a tower site near IN-28, southeast of Lafayette. The FCC denied this application because of contour overlap with Fountain Warren Community Radio's Variety/WFWR (91.5fm, Attica).
Central
In the 1980s, WFBQ (94.7fm, Indianapolis) routinely lead ratings and revenue, largely based on the success of The Bob and Tom Show, hosted by Bob Kevoian and Tom Griswold. Among many people Bob and Tom could thank for their success would be their GM through much of the 1980s: Chris Wheat.
Mr. Wheat passed away last Friday at age 66. After graduating from The University of Cincinnati, Mr. Wheat worked in Cincinnati radio for Taft Broadcasting, becoming Sales Manager. After leaving the Queen City, Mr. Wheat worked also for Taft in Tampa, Florida, and an over two decade run at Clear Channel in Indianapolis. While at Clear Channel, his stations won 9 Marconi awards. Mr. Wheat also was president of Radio Broadcasters of Indianapolis. After leaving Clear Channel, Mr. Wheat ran the Entercom/Norfolk, Virginia cluster, then back to Indianapolis at Cumulus' cluster on North Shadeland Avenue for nearly five years, and then became GM for Saga's cluster in Asheville, North Carolina. Mr. Wheat retired in 2015.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00pm on Monday October 23 at Madeira-Silverwood Presbyterian Church, 8000 Miami Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45243. Burial will be private.
This Week in Indiana Radio History
Sign-on dates seem to be a prickly matter, subject to great debate, and mostly impossible to confirm. If there's something we need to add to the "calendar," please let us know. Please e-mail us if you have updated information.
October 15: In 1942, WOWO-FM signed on at 44.9 megacycles with 1000 watts. WOWO-FM broadcast with a limited schedule, not 24 hours a day/7 days a week. In 1960, both 89.5fm in Franklin (WFCI) and 96.1fm in Richmond sign on (WGLM). WFCI remains so today, while 96.1fm, Richmond became WQLK. In 1968, 102.3fm in Martinsville signed on as WCBK-FM, and remains so today. In 1983, both 98.3fm in Earl Park (WIBN) (and later moved to 98.1fm), and Channel 19 in Madisonville, Kentucky sign on (WLCN). In 1984, both 102.3fm in New Carlisle (WLPZ) and 107.9fm in Indianapolis sign on (WTPI). 102.3fm, New Carlisle is now WYET, while 107.9fm, Indianapolis is now WNTR.
October 16: In 1989, 103.7fm in Royal Center signed on as WHZR, and remains so today. In 2000, WRSW(AM) (1480am, Warsaw) flips format from Rock to ESPN Sports.
October 17: In 2016, WSMM (102.3fm, New Carlisle) flipped formats from Classic Hits to all 1980s music at Noon.
October 19: In 2011, former then-WIAN(FM) (90.1fm, Indianapolis) GM (1958 until 1986) Art Van Allen dies (Age 81).
October 20: In 2014, WKUZ (95.9fm, Wabash) dropped its AC format and flipped to a country music format.
October 21: In 1962, 100.5fm in Kokomo signed on as WFKO. Today, it's WWKI. In 2016, WBAA (920am, West Lafayette) added an FM translator (W290CM) at 105.9fm.
Employment Opportunities
Wish you could work at your favorite radio station? Here’s your chance! Our Marion, IN, radio group is currently on the search for our next sales superstar. This person will work with current clients, and look for new business. While media experience isn’t necessary, drive, ambition, and creativity are. Follow-up and organizational skills are also key. We offer a competitive salary plus commission, plus benefits and extras. Hoosier AM/FM, LLC., maintains a drug-free workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. Please send resume to jpyle@star1069fm.com.
WNIT, South Bend’s PBS station, is seeking an MMJ for its Education Counts – Michiana weekly program. Details are at www.wnit.org/jobs.
Adams Radio Group - Fort Wayne, IN is seeking an experienced Director of Sales to lead an accomplished team of Account Executives. Adams operates a cluster of 8 radio stations in market #113 and the DOS will be responsible for driving revenue for the cluster. This is not a stay behind the desk position as the DOS will be out in front of customers each week training and presenting ideas that drive business revenues for all. This individual will be in charge motivating and leading our team in the attainment of budgets, presenting a full menu of products including digital and events. This person must have a proven track record of success in selling, recruiting, training and a full understanding of marketing trends prevalent to our business and customer base. Attractive Salary plus Bonus Structure and Full Benefit Package including matching 401K plan
The DOS will also be active in the community and represent the interests of our company and our customers always.
WZBD in Berne is looking for an individual to be the voice and face of the radio station mainly in Wells County with some work in Adams County. This would include on air reporting, sales, and news and sports coverage from Wells County. Interested individuals should send resumes to Rob Weaver at rob.weaver@wpgwradio.us. Adams County Radio, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
WITZ Radio has a very rare full time mid-day opening for an announcer to join our family. Duties include a live air shift from 9AM-2PM Monday through Friday and 7AM-12N on Sunday. Strong interview, writing and production skills are key to this position. Knowledge of website design and social media is also important. This individual needs to get involved in the local community. Minorities especially females are encouraged to apply. WITZ is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Please send air check and resume to:
Gene Kuntz
General Manager
WITZ Radio
1978 S. WITZ Rd.
Jasper, IN 47546
Take a pleasurable trip up US-31 to Ludington, Michigan. We are looking for a morning show for our CHR station. It’s locally owned and operated. We cover area news, sports, promotions, and have a unique music mix. Send demo and resume to patrick@wmom.fm. EOE/M/F
That's all for this issue. Thank you for your continued support.
=============== Indiana RadioWatch ===============
Indiana RadioWatch is (c) 2017, Blaine E. Thompson
Indiana RadioWatch may not be reproduced, transmitted, or distributed in any way, shape, or form without the permission of the copyright holder (Thompson, above)
Indiana RadioWatch subscriptions are free. To subscribe, send an e-mail to irw@well.com and we'll add you. After publication, we archive Indiana RadioWatch on the Indiana Radio Archive at http://www.indianaradio.net. Please e-mail us your news stories and employment opportunities.
=============== Indiana RadioWatch ===============
