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WBGL/Champaign has named PD Jeff Scott as the new General Manager replacing Chuck Pryor who recently joined KSBJ/Houston as PD. Scott, who also hosts the morning show has been with WBGL since 2002 and had this to say about the promotion “I am honored and humbled by this new opportunity, we have an awesome team and look forward to a great God centered future for our team.” (6/30)

EMF Broadcasting has named WQCK/Baton Rouge Sales Manager Chip Bailey as the Regional Manager overseeing it's stations in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and Alexandria, LA. Bailey says K-LOVE programming should be on the air in Baton Rouge on WQCK by Friday July 1st. EMF Purchased WQCK (92.7 The Bridge) from Touch Family Broadcasting in April for 3.2 mil. (6/29)

Spoken Word Images, Inc. signs on with Christian AC 107.5 FM CJFY /Blackville/Miramichi, New Brunswick for station imaging VO and promo work. Spoken Word Images is also providing VO for The Hot 20 Countdown with Keith Groves heard on a dozen Canadian affiliates! Check them out on the web by clicking here. (6/29)

WAY FM/Nashville Network Programmer Dave Senes was interviewed by "Hardball with Chris Matthews" on MSNBC. The program was titled "Selling The Spirit" and referred to Nashville as the belt buckle of the Bible Belt... with the highest number of houses of worship per capita in the U.S. Matthews called WAY FM" a powerhouse radio station in Nashville" that plays Christian music 24/7. Senes had the opportunity to mention WAY FM's mission to encourage youth and young adults through the music and introduce non-believers to Christ. (6/29)

EMI Music Reactive is being launched by EMI CMG in an effort to enlarge it's mainstream promotion and marketing. Tooth & Nail Records, Gotee Records and releases from EMI CMG Label Group will all be promoted by Reactive. EMI CMG has named Cheryl Broz as Reactive VP. Broz's career includes stints at Crave Records, Columbia Records and Arista Records. Broz's team will include Los Angeles-based director of national promotion and marketing Jeffrey Naumann; New York-based director of national promotion and marketing Michele Block-Rhoades; North Central regional Craig Diable; Midwest regional Sharon Doheny; Northeast regional Michael Fang; West Coast regional Holly McCormack; Southwest regional Kathie Romero; and Southeast regional Darrin Schnur. (6/22)

The Christian Radio and Record Community is mourning the loss of Ronald Winans who past away this past week at the age of 48. Ronald was a member of the quartet "The Winans" since being discovered by Andrae Crouch in 1981. The Winans family was with Ronald in Detroit at the time of his death. If you recall Winans had suffered then recovered from a masssive heart attack in 1997. (6/17)

New Chairman of the GMA Board Of Directors Charles Dorris will begin his 2 year term at the position at the board's meeting June 21. Dorris is currently VP/Head of Christian Music at The William Morris Agency in Nashville. Dorris was elected as board Chairman last year by the GMA Board of Directors and has been serving as Chair-elect. (6/17)

WQFL/Rockford PD Chris Carmichael says he will exit the station at the end of the month. Chris will be announcing his future plans soon. Taking his place as WQFL PD is MD/Afternoon jock Rick Hall. (6/16)

BITS: Laura Best exits her Promotion position at KCBI/Dallas next week to enter Dallas Baptist University... Mike Carter joins WTGN/Lima next month as the stations new Morning host coming from WDWG/rocky Mount. NC... Entercom is selling it's CCM station WOLI-WOLT/Greenville to Davidson Media for 6.7mil. (6/15)

The Moody Broadcasting Network (MBN) welcomes Kai Elmer as National Assistant Music Program Director. A 2005 graduate of the Moody Bible Institute (MBI), Kai was most recently station manager at Moody Campus Radio as well as part-time staff at WMBI/Chicago and promotions assistant for WTMX/Chicago. (6/14)

Focus on the Family and CRISTA Ministries have launched a new syndicated program for Christian radio called "Sharing Life Together". The program, now available, blends contemporary Christian music with compelling conversation and is hosted by KCMS/Seattle top-rated night-time personality Martha Hadley. (6/14)

After going dark for weeks WZRX-AM/Jackson has been re-launched as a Gospel station calling itself "Glory 1590". The staion owned by Clear Channel, will feature artist such as Edwin Hawkins, Andre Crouch, The Winans, and Aretha Franklin. (6/14)

Moody Broadcasting Network’s (MBN) 35th owned and operated station, WMFT/Tuscaloosa hit the air Monday June 13th. WMFT (88.9FM) is the first Christian radio station to serve Tuscaloosa. (6/14)

WFSH/Atlanta (104.7 The Fish) was honored by the Georgia Association of Broadcasters at the 2005 GABBY Awards by taking top honors in the large radio-market AAA category. 104.7 The Fish was named Station of the Year in the major market for the third time in the past four years, while the morning team of Kevin Avery and Taylor Scott (Kevin & Taylor in the Morning) won Best Radio Program and PM Drive host Dan Ratcliffe won Best On-Air Personality. The station was also awarded the Community Service Award and Best Produced Commercial. In all, the station swept the GABBY Awards with honors in five of the 11 categories. (6/13)

The Marketing Group/Impact Radio Networks today announced that it will be opening an expanded studio facility on Music Row, effective July 1, 2005. The new studios will be called Impact Media Studios. The new address will be: 1025 16^th Avenue S Ste 102, Nashville TN 37212. Impact Radio Networks serves more than 850 affiliates in all 50 US States and Canada, producing 11 syndicated programs and features for the Country and Christian formats. The Marketing Group was formed in 1998 by Jim Wood, its Chairman/CEO. (6/13)

WHIF/Palatka, Florida Manager Robin Toole checks in with HisAir.Net to say their station is now using the on air name "Hope FM". They've also got a new logo, are doing more station events and adding more voices on the air. Toole said, Hope FM revealed the new logo and name at a concert with Trevor Morgan. Since going on the air 9 years ago, WHIF has only been known by their call letters, which stand for Where Hope Is Found. (6/10)

BITS: HisAir.Net hears the flip at WQCK/Baton Rouge to K-LOVE is expected to happen around June 20 when EMF officially takes over the station... KCGN/Milbank, SD got knocked off the air when it's transmitter site was destroyed by a storm... Jayme Crawshaw joins KCWJ/Kansas City as Sports Producer... (6/9)

CCM Radio Magazine announces that Wade McShane and Elizabeth Grattan will be the show's cohosts. McShane currently is OM at Salem's "Today's Christian Music Network" and The World Praise Network". Grattan was with Salem at WFHM/Cleveland and most recently left WAY FM/Nashville. (6/8)

Chuck Pryor has been selected as the new PD at KSBJ/Houston succeeding John Hull who has recently been upped to VP/Operations. Pryor's career spans over 20 years including the last five as Station Manager at WBGL/Champaign. He's expected to start his new position in July. (6/8)

WONU/Chicago "Shine.FM" announces its new "Rise and Shine Chicago" morning show, debuting Monday June 6. Returning to head up the morning show is Johnny Rock (PD John Eltrevoog), along with Abbie Mantor, traffic, and "E," news, weather, and features. The show airs in Chicago weekdays from 6:00-9:00 a.m. on 89.7 FM, and is broadcast streaming on the station's website, http://www.shine.fm. Meanwhile Justin Knight moves to middays and Steven Reyes takes PM drive. (6/3)

BITS: "Amen 900" KPYN/Atlanta, TX drops Southern Gospel and hit the air with CCM on June 1st... Michele Childs exits afternoon drive at KCWJ/Kansas City, night guy Paul van cicle takes the open slot... WKWC/Owensboro, KY leaves the Christian format for bluegrass... WAWZ/New York (Star 99.1) PD/morning man Johnny Stone married his morning show co-host Stacey Austin in Central Park last Saturday... Prayers go out to WMBI/Chicago morning host Mark Elfstrand who is recuperating from a quintuple bypass on May 13th... And former WONU/Chicago GM/PD Bill Dewees is available to voice track for your station. Bill has 25 years of major market experience and is Scott Studios equipped. Contact Bill at bdewees1@comcast.net. (6/1)

Seven new directors were elected to the GMA Board of Directors by the GMA membership and new vice presidents were named and announced by John W. Styll, president of the GMA. The newest directors of the GMA board will serve two-year terms, beginning with their first meeting in June. They are:

• Larry Blackwell, Jr., vice president of gospel music for EMI Gospel
• Karen Clark, manager of the Nashville Music Private Banking Division at SunTrust Bank
• David Crace, a senior vice president of EMI CMG
• Jim Cumbee, president of non-broadcast media for Salem Communications
• Tim Marshall, senior vice president of artist relations for Word Records
• Dale Mathews, president of Brentwood-Benson Publishing
• Don Moen, artist, songwriter, and worship leader, as well as Integrity Label Group President

Later, the Board of Directors elected four new vice presidents to join the board:

• Demmette Guidry, vice president/general manager of Urban Records Group Music World/Sanctuary Urban Group Inc.
• Cheryl Moore, director of Christian retail marketing of Verity/Zomba
• Luis R. Fernandez Jr., senior sales manager for Latin America for Integrity International Group
• Nina Williams, vice president of label operations for Provident Label Group

Founded in 1964, the 4,500-member Gospel Music Association is dedicated to exposing, promoting and celebrating the gospel through music. (6/1)

Industry veteran Lloyd Parker is leaving the EMF Broadcasting leadership to join WAY-FM Media Group in their corporate office as the new Chief Operating Officer; a position vacated by the recent promotion of Dusty Rhodes to Senior Vice President. “I am so excited about Lloyd joining the leadership team at WAY-FM,” says founder and CEO Bob Augsburg. “Dusty and I have known Lloyd for about 20 years and couldn’t be happier that he will soon be playing a strategic role in the future of WAY-FM Media Group. I feel so blessed to have industry leaders like Lloyd Parker on our team.”

“I have long admired Bob, Dusty and the WAY-FM radio ministry and I am really looking forward to joining the team. Their mission to reach youth and young adults, coupled with their effective listener interaction on a local level makes for very exciting radio.” Parker added.

Since 1996, Parker served at EMF as K-LOVE and Air1’s General Manager. In early 2004 he moved into the new role of EMF Director of Corporate Relations. In 2002 he founded Christian Music Planet magazine with a current circulation of 150,000 and since January of this year served exclusively as its Editor in Chief.

Prior to his time with EMF, Lloyd served for 16 years as Vice President and General Manager of WLIX/Long Island, NY. This is the second announcement of a Christian radio veteran joining WAY-FM in recent weeks. Recently Jim Marshall, chairman of CMB and General Manager of WMHK-FM accepted the GM position at WAY-FM/WAYF-FM in West Palm Beach, FL. (5/26)

Huntsville’s 88.1 WAY-FM held its annual Share-A-Thon the week of May 9th and for the first time in the stations two year history it was able to obtain 100% of its goal. General Manager Thom Ewing said “We are thankful for our friends all over the Valley helping us become fully-funded.” Monies received during Share-A-Thon will help the ministry operate during the 2005 fiscal year and will also help provide a new translator that will cover Cullman, Alabama. (5/23)

Changes: WFFH/Nashville programmer Vance Dillard takes on additional duties of Salem's "Solid Gospel Network"... Also at Solid Gospel PM personality Greg Goodman slides into middays shift in addition to production director plus weekender Jeremy Sweat takes afternoons while Suzanne Thunder grabs that midday shift, got all that... Family Worship Center headed by Evangelist Jimmy Swaggart is selling KPYN/Atlanta (AM 900) to Freed Am Corp.... (5/20)

As we reported first on HisAir.Net KSBJ/Houston morning co-host Dave Cruse will return as Morning Co-Host at The JOY FM network based in Sarasota, FL. Cruse will anchor and direct the morning show, renewing a partnership with current co-host Bill Martin. The JOY FM network has 5 full power FM stations in Florida and several translators.

“I can hardly wait to get back to the Sun Coast. Reuniting with Bill Martin to bring The Morning Cruise out of mothballs is going to be a huge kick”, Cruse remarked. “The first time around was one of the most enjoyable seasons of my radio career and I am confident that Bill and I will be able to pick right up where we left off. Save me a spot at the Hob Nob, I'm coming home."

The JOY FM’s Program Director Steve Swanson added, “We're excited to welcome Dave back to Florida and The JOY FM staff. I'm sure our listeners will quickly embrace 'The Morning Cruise with Dave and Bill”.

Current JOY FM Morning Co-Host Laura Chase is transitioning to the newly created position of Ministry Relations Director. (5/19)

The Christian Hit Radio Satellite Network (CHRSN) announces that two more radio stations have added Total Axxess to their evening line-up. KWOF, (The New 89.1-The Spirit- Cedar Rapids, IA), and KYTT-FM (Southwestern Oregon’s Christian Music Station- Coos Bay, OR), both began airing Total Axxess on May 9.

“It’s exciting for us to have these two new affiliates of the show,” commented CHRSN Affiliate Manager, Faron Dice. “They are both great operators that are already doing a great job. We’re excited about the continued growth of Total Axxess!” (5/18)

After four years Dave Cruse will leave the morning co-host slot at KSBJ/Houston and head back to Sarasota in late June after KSBJ's shareathon. Click here to go jobs page to get details on the opening. (5/18)

Rocketown Records VP of radio promotion Derek Jones is moving to Word Label Group as VP of national promotion, effective June 1. The move comes as Lori Cline ends her four-year stint at the label as national promotion director. Jones, who has been at Rocketown since the independent label’s founding in 1996, will head an expanded four-person promotion team at Word, which will include current senior national promotion manager James Riley and two new staffers to be named later.

Cline, who made her exit on May 13, says she is starting her own company, offering services to labels, radio stations, artists and managers. “It’s an exciting time and I leave with an expectant heart of what God has for me personally and what God has for Word Label Group and the artists that make it what it is today,” Cline said. “So get ready for lots of great things coming from this camp!”

Jones officially leaves his Rocketown position May 24. Rocketown has not announced any plans to replace Jones. Andrew Greer will oversee Rocketown’s radio team, working with independent promoters Jill Tomalty and Shannon Becker. (5/16)

Johnathon Eltrevoog joins the staff of WONU/Chicago as Program Director. He leaves Moody Broadcasting Network in Chicago, where he served as the Network's Music Assistant. The move is effective immediately. WONU Interim GM Justin Knight will concentrate on management duties full-time. (5/16)

MOVEMENT: Lori Cline has resigned her promotion position at Word Entertainment effective immediately. Lori plans to start her own independent promotion and marketing company... AIR1 MD Bryan O'Neal is leaving the network and will join KTSL/Spokane as PD in June. (5/13)

Salem Communications announced that Carl Miller has been named to the newly-created post of director of national program placement reporting to Ron Walters, vice president of national programming and ministry development. Miller will work with Salem's Christian Teaching and Talk radio stations in meeting the ongoing demands of national ministries for air time.

WMHK/Columbia, SC GM Jim Marshall will join WAY-FM as General Manager at WAYF-FM in West Palm Beach, FL. Jim will continue his duties as Chairman of the Christian Music Broadcasters (CMB) Educational Track. “I’m thrilled to be joining WAY-FM,” Marshall remarked. “I have a real appreciation for their vision to reach our culture of youth and young adults.” WAY-FM Senior Vice President Dusty Rhodes added, “Jim is the right person to serve in the leadership of WAYF, and we are excited to welcome an industry leader of integrity into our ministry organization to help us reach out further to where we need to go!”

For the past 8 years Marshall served as Regional Manager overseeing WMHK as well as sister station WRCM/Charlotte. Previously Jim worked at Moody Broadcasting in Chicago, IL for 11 years in engineering, programming and management, and was a regular fill-in for the nationally syndicated program, “Prime Time America.” Jim just became the new Chairman for the CMB Educational Track, the radio division of the Gospel Music Association convention held annually in Nashville.

Current WAYF General Manager Mike West is leaving July 1^st to accept a call from his local church to serve as Executive Pastor. (5/9)

Word Entertainment announces it will acquire Spirit-Led Records, including Fervent Records. Spirit-Led Records had been owned independently by Founder and President Susan Riley. (5/6)

Salem Communications Corporation announced today results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2005. Commenting on these results, Edward G. Atsinger III, President and CEO, said, "Our first quarter performance, which significantly exceeded that of the overall radio industry, was driven by revenue growth of 25.5% from our national advertising business as well as 15.7% same station revenue growth at our Contemporary Christian Music radio stations. We also were able to leverage our 11.0% same station revenue growth into 17.5% same station operating income growth." (5/5)

The UK syndicated show "U JAMZ" announces that the weekly program will now be hosted by Olga Kinsman on a solo basis. Former co-host Carl Kinsman will be focusing on his production duties full-time. Visit U JAMZ on line for more on the program. (5/3)

WHMX/Bangor, ME- “105.7” The X” officially switched over to “105.7 Solution FM” on today (5/2/05). Solution FM station Manager, Pencil Boone, said “The name change is a continuing progression in the growth of the station. The name “Solution FM” is really not a gimmick, but a statement of who were are and a life style we are trying to cultivate with today’s global youth culture. We are tired of the youth culture being labeled as a part of society’s problem. We want to reach out to them and tell them that they can be a part of the ultimate solution!” Solution FM also rolled out a new morning show with PD Tim Collins & Jolie Littlefield along with their new logo and a new website www.solutionfm.com. Solution FM has also announced that they will be adding two new frequencies later this year. 101.9 FM will be reaching Calais, ME and St. Stevens, New Brunswick sometime in mid summer. While 92.1 FM will be heard in Ellsworth, ME. (5/2)

Former WAY FM morning personality Elizabeth Grattan's "RadioElizabeth" announces new clients Sirius, Salem Communications, CCM Radio Magazine, Parent Talk On Call & Sonrise as well as WAKW/Cincinnati. Visit www.radioelizabeth.com. (5/2)

Congratulations to WRBS/Baltimore who scored a 3.0 rating in the ARB Winter ’05 Mon-Sun 6am-12am, persons 12+ AQH. WRBS’ listening audience has grown 66% since the Winter ’04 ratings period. “What we've tapped into is the power of encouragement,” notes Steve Lawhon, General Manager of WRBS. “Every person needs more of it, and the truth of the Gospel is its beginning and end. That's what we're about, and that's what people are responding to." WRBS i a 50,000 watt station on the air since 1964. (5/2)

Family Stations buys WBGR-AM and WBMD-AM/Baltimore from Infinity for an as yet undisclosed price. Family Stations already owns WFSI/Annapolis. Just two weeks ago Family sold it's San Francisco property KERN to Infinity and announced it will acquire KFRC AM/San Francisco from Infinity. (5/2)

WMKL/Miami (91.7 The Call) has upgraded their power to 50kw and improved their signal with a higher tower that will now enable them to reach more than 1.5 million potential listeners. An additional 1.9 million people live in the fringe coverage area of the new signal. WMKL made the boost on the air with a flip of the switch last Friday. Visit the station website at www.callfm.com to view pictures of the move. (4/25)

WFCM/Murfreesboro, TN has increased it's power to 2,500 watts and re-located it's tower as well. The improvements will enable WFCM to provide better coverage in the greater Nashville area. WFCM is a repeater station (97.1) of Moody Broadcasting and WMBW/Chattanooga. (4/24)

WAY-FM Media Group has upped COO Dusty Rhodes to SVP for the group. In That position he will direct donor development and overall group wide branding initiatives. In addition WAY-FM Station Managers including Matt Austin of WAYM/Nashville; Mike West of WAYF/West Palm Beach; Jeff Taylor of WAYJ/Ft. Myers; Thom Ewing of WAYH/Huntsville, AL; Steve Young of WAYT/Tallahassee, FL; Zach Cochran of KXWA/Denver; Danny Houle of KWYQ/Vancouver, WA; Bonnie Schwam-Munoz of KYWA/Wichita; and Faron Dice of CHRSN (Christian Hit Radio Satellite Network) are all now General Managers of their respective stations. WAY FM has tripled in size since 2003. A replacement for Rhodes is being sought. If interested contact Human Resource Director Tracy Cole at tracy@wayfm.com. (4/21)

John W. Styll, president of the GMA said today, that GMA Week 2005, experienced a record attendance of more than 3,600 people, including registrants, speakers, media, musicians, artists, exhibitors and sponsors. Paid registrations for GMA Week 2005 totaled 1,375, up more than 100 registrants from 2004 and the second highest registration number since 2000. “GMA Week 2005 was among the most memorable I’ve been associated with in my 25 years in gospel music,” said Styll.

Paid registration by tracks was up in three of the four convention tracks. Christian Music Broadcasters (CMB) had the largest increase and largest overall attendance with 519 registrants, compared to 460 in 2004. Following was the Industry & Associates Track which had 342 paid registrants in 2005 compared to 333 last year. Managers, Agents and Promoters (MAPS) track had the second largest increase in number of registrants with 49 more paid registrants attending GMA Week 2005 for a total of 292, compared to 243 in 2004. The Christian Music Retailer Conference (CMRC) Track had a decline of 11 paid registrants to 222 attendees this year.

"GMA was a true buffet of Christian music. From hard rock and worship to pop and hip hop, this year’s conference provided a healthy opportunity to see the state of the Christian music industry. GMA is breaking down the implied walls within Christian music with an awesome conference that is educational, profitable and a rich blessing to the body of Christ.” Richard Picart, Chief Operating Officer for GospelCity.com/AG Media Group

“GMA week is an amazing opportunity to connect with the best Christian music has to offer: radio, industry, artists and retail. I have been attending for over 10 years and each year I look forward to gaining new knowledge that will impact my station, staff and listeners. I always budget for GMA - it's worth it!” Marcy Rinehart, Station Manager for WNZR, Mount Vernon, Ohio

“This was my first time at GMA Week and I was blessed. God was there and He was glorified. I was educated at the classes, inspired and encouraged by my peers, entertained by the artists and most importantly I grew closer to the Lord at GMA Week 2005.” Ramzy Blanch, DJ/Promotions Director/Hip Hop Programmer for M88/KLYT in Albuquerque

“This year was one of the best of the 20 conventions I've attended. The CMB track will have a hard time topping it next year. Almost every seminar I attending gave me solid action points that will create measurable improvements in my stations.” Jim McDermott Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri President and GM, Spirit FM-KCVO

Next year’s GMA Week is scheduled for April 1-5, 2006 in Nashville. (4/21)

UPDATES: Former WAYM/Nashville morning host Elizabeth Grattan checks in with HisAir.Net to let us know she is concentrating on RadioElizabeth, (www.radioelizabeth.com) her company for voice work, imaging, tracking, consulting, copywriting, and speaking. She left WAY FM and CHRSN just a little over a month from taking the MD slot in March. According to Grattan, the departure was “a mutual decision to go in different directions.” Grattan previously spent time in Cleveland at WFHM and WCRF... As reported on HIsAir.Net first WQCK/Baton Rouge has been sold to EMF Broadcasting for 3.2mil. EMF will reportedly take over the station sometime this summer with their K-LOVE format... Alan Riggs is the new PD for the Atlanta-based “Holy 106.3 FM,” Riggs replaces DJ Lace. Lace will still be involved at "Holy 106.3", but will now focus more exclusively on his own company. (4/21)

A new online Christian radio station for homeschool students, hoping to provide an added value to families involved in homeschooling their children, has been launched. Learning By Grace, a national online homeschooling group, calls the station Radio Grace (www.RadioGrace.org) and provides four distinct channels of Christian music: praise and worship, gospel, rock and contemporary. Homeschool students and parents program the channels by e-mailing their comments to the station. “There’s a lot of music out there, Christian and secular, being delivered in a lot of traditional ways,” said Ralf Augstroze, VP of solutions development for Learning by Grace. “Our purpose is to develop a very different, convenient and attractive delivery method for the best Christian music available to the largest audience worldwide.” RadioGrace.org is available to all Internet users at no cost. (4/21)

WAY-FM/Nashville and the Christian Hit Radio Satellite Network (CHRSN) announce the addition of Nate Thomas to CHRSN. Thomas began hosting afternoons on April 11^th, and comes to the network from KDUV/Visalia, CA. “I love Nate’s energy on the air,” comments Dave Senes, network PD, “It’s all about connecting, and Nate knows how to connect with 18-34 year olds.” (4/20)

A new CHR Christian countdown program is airing in Canada. The "Hot 20 Countdown" hosted by CHRI/Ottawa afternoon drive personality Keith Groves wil be the first nationally syndicated Christian countdown originating in Canada. “The Christian format is one of the fastest growing formats in radio. We started with one station in 1997, now there are close to 30 across Canada.” explains Groves, host and producer of The Hot 20 Countdown. “The Christian format is the only one that has to appeal to every demographic. ” The Hot 20 Countdown will air initially on; Alive 99.5 in Medicene Hat AB, New Song FM in Saint John NB, KAOS in Peterbough ON, Hope FM in Woodstock ON, CHRI 99.1/ 88.1FM Ottawa / Cornwall ON, Grace FM London ON, Life 107.5 / 101.1 Blackville / Miramichi NB, Joy FM Fredericton NB, 98.5 Hope FM Truro NS, CVCR FM Aylesford NS. The Hot 20 Countdown is free for mp3 download. Contact Keith Groves to find out more, 613-247-1440 ext 13 or visit the website www.thehot20countdown.com (4/20)

After a 9 month search WAY-FM/West Palm Beach has filled it's afternoon drive opening (Drive South Florida Home), with Randy Haze. Randy has 16 years of radio experience, mostly in mainstream CHR. “I just want to do good radio that has purpose and meaning”, says Randy. WAY-FM Program Director Donna Cruz adds, “We are thrilled to have Randy here. He is very talented and brings a unique style to afternoons!” Randy will join WAY-FM June 1^st. (4/20)

Southwest National Religious Broadcasters (SWNRB) 2005 has been awarded seven scholarships from Grace to You, Hope for the Heart, The Christian Law Association, Love Worth Finding, and Focus on the Family to host Hispanic broadcasters who would like to participate in the July 21-23, 2005 convention in Dallas/Fort Worth, TX. SWNRB 2005 will offer simultaneous translation and workshops with a Hispanic emphasis. For scholarship qualifications or to apply contact Dolly Martin at 877-772-6446. For more information on SWNRB 2005 go to www.swnrb.com. (4/20)

HisAir.Net sends prayers out to Ben and Hannah Stacy of the new Southern Signal Records group KAINOS who are recovering from a serious hit & run car accident that occured Monday night in Nashville. They were returning from dinner at a local restaurant with their publicist Brian Mayes of Nashville Publicity Group when Mayes' Ford Explorer was struck by another vehicle that ran a red light at a high rate of speed. The heavy impact caused the Explorer to spin and roll over, totaling the vehicle. "God was with us, and I could feel His hand keeping us from continuing to roll over," comments Hannah. "It was a reminder that we are mortal, and at any time we can go home." To the surprise of rescue workers, there were no serious injuries, but a lot of bumps and bruises. The driver fled the scene but was caught by police moments later and deemed to be under the influence. Mayes and the Stacy's are recuperating at home. (4/20)

BITS: HisAir.Net hears Elizabeth Grattan has left the morning show at WAYM/Nashville and CHRSN... Paul Ladd joins World Christian Broadcasting as Director of Follow-Up... Salem is projecting net broadcasting revenue growth of approximately 10% and same station net broadcasting revenue growth of approximately 10% for the first quarter of 2005 compared to the same period in 2004. (4/15)

WORD/Pittsburgh talk show host Marty Minto has been fired after three years with the station for comments he made on his show last week in which he discussed Catholicism and took a call from a listener asking whether the Pope would go to heaven. Minto, 39, a senior pastor at a Pittsburgh area church, said he was told that he was alienating listeners. "As far as I'm concerned, I was doing what I've always done on the radio — look at events around the world from a biblical perspective. I've always been willing to talk about controversial subjects," said Minto, who has also had shows in Albany, N.Y., Denver and Phoenix. Last week, Minto questioned some of the Catholic church's beliefs, such as purgatory, and fielded a question from a caller who asked whether the pope would go to heaven. Minto said he told the caller that whether someone was born-again was personal and "between an individual and the Creator." Chuck Gratner, WORD GM, didn't dispute Minto's description and said he was let go because of differences in how he conducted his show. "WORD-FM needs to function in this city in support of the entire church — that means everybody — and not focus on denominational issues," Gratner said. (4/14)

The GMA Awards are history and in case you missed it the big winners include Switchfoot, The Crabb Family, Casting Crowns, Jeremy Camp. and Nicole C. Mullen. Click here for a recap from the GMA on the evening and click here for a list of all winners in all categories. Or go here for GMA pics. (4/14)

CHANGES: Desmond Pringle has left his Director of Urban Gospel A&R slot at Word Entertainment... WCCD AM/Cleveland has been purchased by New Spirit Revival Center Ministries from Salem for 2.1mil... Adam Winkler will join KNEO/Neosho, MO. as station Manager when he graduates from college in May. (4/14)

Salem has announced that Jon Horton is now VP of operations reporting to Joe D. Davis, executive vice president and chief operating officer. In addition to his management responsibilities with certain Salem radio stations in the northwest and Great Lakes regions, Horton will continue to advise Salem's Contemporary Christian Music-formatted stations in the area of programming. Davis commented, "Jon has proved himself over the years as a seasoned broadcaster and as a consultant to our music stations. He'll make a solid addition to our senior management team and we are glad to have him aboard. His unique perspectives, combined with his broadcast experience, will bring added value to each of our strategic formats."

The Gospel Music Channel Director/Promotion & Affinity Marketing Alvin Williams has been promoted to Director/Music Industry Development. Williams primary role will be the contact for record labels, artist management, artists, booking agents, promoters and the film industry, and he will work towards securing artist participation in Gospel Music Channel programming and events. Williams was previously Director of Music World Gospel in Houston. (4/11)

WYLL/Chicago has upped its power to 50,000 watts day and night. Previously, the radio station's signal strength was limited at night. WYLL's 50,000-watt daytime signal covers an area with a population count of more than 9.0 million people. The new nighttime signal closely mirrors the daytime coverage, reaching an area that includes nearly 8.7 million residents. The nighttime coverage area for the radio station travels north to Racine, Wis. and south to well past Kankakee, Ill.

David Santrella, general manager of WYLL (1160 AM) and WIND (560 AM), said, "The implications of this for our listeners, programmers and advertisers are tremendous. We now will be able to offer consistent service to our listener base 24-hours a day, seven days a week, and our advertisers and program clients also will benefit from our increased reach." (4/10)

CHANGES: John Butler has been promoted to VP/Promotion at Curb Records. John has been with the label since 2001... HisAir.Net hears that EMF Broadcasting has agreed to purchase WQCK/Baton Rouge (The Bridge)... WKNZ/Hattiesburg will become the next K-Love affiliate... (4/5)

The Weekend Top 25 Countdown (AC) announces the following new affiliates: KMOC/Wichita Falls, TX, KGCB/Phoenix, AZ, KBMQ/Monroe, LA, WMSJ/Freeport, Maine, and WAYR/Brunswick, GA

In addition The Weekend 22 (CHR) announces the following new affiliates: WAYK/Grand Rapids, WHMX/Bangor, KJIL/Meade, KS, WEWT/Bloomington, IL, WZFI/Bridgeton, NJ, and at Faithrock.org. The Weekend 22 currently airs in over 150 markets across the country, including stations in Canada and Guatemala, Central America.

The Weekend Top 25 Countdown and The Weekend 22 are an AmpedCreative production. (4/3)

The Christian Hit Radio Satellite Network announces three new affiliates for it's syndicated "Total Axxess". "The Point" KTPT/Rapid City, SD, "Truth 103" WEWT/Bloomington, IL, and KKJD/Borrego Springs, CA, have recently added Total Axxess to their weekday evening line-up. “We believe that Total Axxess is the right show for us because it provides us with something way beyond what we could do for ourselves,” according to Joe Standish, KTPT PD. “We love the fun, the phones, and the chance to bring our audience closer to the artists.” Total Axxess broadcasts live, coast-to-coast from Nashville each weeknight, offering listeners and radio stations “access” to their favorite Christian artists. (4/3)