KZZQ/Des Moines (Q99.5) officially announces that Mike Schlote (The SchloMan) will be joining the station as it's new PD. KZZQ Station Manager David Nadler says of the move, “I can’t think of a better way to pursue our mission in Des Moines than by bringing in a guy with such execution, wit and passion for reaching our audience with the message of Hope. And besides . . .this guy fly’s a wicked sweet radio controlled helicopter. What more can you ask for?” Mike has been most recently morning personality at WMCU/Miami-Ft. Lauderdale and prior to that PD at WQFL/Rockford. The SchloMan will be taking over at KZZQ on January 2nd and replaces Dave St. John who left for the PD slot at KNWI/Des Moines last month.  (12/29)

Is WMCU/Miami morning personality Mike Schlote (TheSchloMan) headed to KZZQ/Des Moines for PD/ wake-up duties? Details should be released soon.   (12/27)

Clear Channel has changed another one of their stations to Urban gospel as KMSX/Little Rock (AC Mix 94.9) signs on as Hallelujah 94.9. No PD is in place... WCLQ/Wausau, WI PD Matt Deane and wife Jenny are proud parents of a new baby girl Dec 14th... WHCB/Bristol, TN GM Kenneth Hill has been nominated for a position on the FCC Commission.    (12/27)

New Life Media appoints Operations Manager Jeremiah Beck to Station Manager of WIBI/Carlinville, IL (Family Friendly 91.1) effective January 1, 2006.  In addition Jeremiah will co-host the live Morning Show along with Lori Brown starting January 2^nd. In addition to assuming his role at WIBI, Jeremiah will also take over as Station Manager for Today’s Solid Gospel 90.1 WTSG – New Life Media’s Salem Solid Gospel Affiliate.  Rob Regal who recently joined as Production Director for WIBI – remains as Program Director for WTSG. Rob will also host afternoons on WIBI from 3-7pm. Jeremiah had this to say on his promotion “The tradition of excellence here at WIBI and WTSG was established long before I ever thought of working in CCM or Southern Gospel Radio.  It is truly an honor to have the opportunity to serve at the station with an amazing staff in place and develop a plan to grow our audience and impact lives for Jesus Christ.  I can’t begin to say how thankful I am.”  (12/27)

Salem Music Network/The Fish  Nashville APD Scott Thunder checks in with HisAir.Net to let us know he is leaving December 23rd to become the new Media Specialist for The Bible League in Chicago. We wish him the best.  (12/19)

Word out of Austin is that the market will get a brand new CCM station on December 26th. Clear Channel Classic Rock KPEZ/Austin has been playing all Christmas music and will become "102.3 The River" after Christmas. No PD or staff has been named as of yet.  Click here for station site.  (12/16)

Salem Communications named Joe Gonzalez GM of it's Orlando cluster including stations WORL, WTLN and WHIM.  "Joe served Salem for 12 years in the Company's early days at four different stations and markets. Since then he has continued in radio with Bridge Broadcasting as well as pastoring a church in Oregon. Joe brings with him a unique and relevant understanding of our constituencies that will be of great benefit in Orlando," said Allen Power, vice president of operations. Since 2002, Gonzalez has served as pastor of Grace Baptist Church, in Hermiston, Ore. Before that, Gonzalez was president of Bridge Broadcasting in Walla Walla, Wash. His early career with Salem spanned two decades, serving in a variety of management roles at numerous California stations, including Oxnard and San Bernardino.  (12/13)

BITS: Former WBSN/New Orleans MD Libby Krimsier is now doing work for Tooth N Nail Records and plans to be based back in New Orleans after Christmas... WPTR/Albany PD Gary Mac says the station is streaming online now 967wptr.com...  WPOZ/Orlando grabbed four Christian Industry Achievement Awards at the R&R Summit last weekend in Nashville, KBSJ/Houston and KCMS/Seattle tied for Major Market station of the year... Jim Miller's "Positive Family News" welcomes Refuge Radio Network in Minneapolis as it's latest MP3 delivered news client.... (12/13)

Mark Giles has been named the new VP/National Promotion for the Provident Label Group replacing Andrew Patton, who left earlier this fall to form his own company. Giles is relocating from Florida to Nashville at he start f 2006. Giles was previously with the Integrity Label Group promotion department and was also with WPSM/Ft. Walton Beach. (12/12)

The eight-year-old positive music Internet property of acaza.com, owned and operated by Oasis Digital Media, debuts a brand new free Internet music stream of Christmas music for listeners around the globe. The music channel features an eclectic mix of 24/7 Christmas music from Christian and positive music artists with no commercial interruption. The addition of the fourth free all music stream has boosted the Internet property's consumer hit mark to well over 15 million for the month of November 2005, and rising. "The combination of some of the top Internet-only music channels on the planet, and the addition of the Christmas channel has helped acaza attract a very diverse and loyal consumer base," states acaza.com General Manager Rick Welke. Acaza.com has plans to introduce a "progressive praise" channel in early 2006, along with other relevant music streams and innovative additions to the music property that will be announced early next year. (12/12)

Salem has completed the acquisition of KHLP/Omaha (1420 AM) and has launched the station as News Talk 1420 KOTK. KOTK joins KGBI (100.7) and KCRO (660 AM) in Salem's Omaha cluster. General Manager Johnny Andrews serves as market manager for the Salem cluster in Omaha. (12/7)

Moody Broadcasting Network (MBN) and WGNR/Indianapolis (97.9FM/AM1470) are pleased to announce the addition of WFOF/Covington (90.3FM) to their Indiana family of stations which also includes WIWC 91.7 FM (Kokomo) and WHPL 89.9 FM (West Lafayette).  WFOF was started  21 years ago by DOXA Inc., a local ministry that wanted to broadcast distinctively Christian radio to the people of West Central Indiana and East Central Illinois, and was recently donated to MBN. (12/6)

AmpedCreative's two nationally syndicated countdown shows, "The Weekend 22"  (CHR) and "The Weekend Top 25 Countdown" (AC) are offering holiday specials.  Both are featuring a two-hour Christmas special spotlighting Christmas music as well as special Christmas memories and stories from various popular Christian artists. The Christmas specials are available to air anytime December 18th through the remainder of the year. In addition to the Christmas specials, the countdown shows will also offer a "Top 22 of 2005" and "Top 25 of 2005"  counting down the biggest hits of the year for both formats. The year-end countdown specials are available to air December 30th through January 8th. The Weekend 22 is hosted by Jeremy Gonzalez (aka Jgonzo) and The Weekend Top 25 Countdown is hosted by award-winning WPOZ (Orlando) morning show host, Scott Smith. 

One of the original founders of Inpop Records, Dale Bray, has returned to the label as President. Bray who departed the label five years ago started Inpop with CEO Wes Campbell and Newsboys' Peter Furler. Brays that Inpop will launch three new artists in early 2006, and will also widen it's focus to become a multigenre label  (12/5)

CHANGES: EMF is purchasing WHTS/Rock Island, IL from Mercury Broadcasting for 3.5mil and plans to flip format from mainstream CHR to Christian by March 2006... Redeemer Radio Group has closed on the purchaseof WLYV/Fort Wayne from Christian Broadcasting System for $657,000. cash and a $15,000. tax receipt... Faith Christian Music Broadcast Ministries has been fined $500 by the FCC for failure to maintain the public file's quarterly issues and programs list at WYRV/Cedar Bluff, VA... And EMF is also buying KCOO/Coolidge, AZ (Phoenix) from Living Proof, INC. for $2.6 million.KCOO is already programming AIR1 under an LMA. (12/2)

Brian Thiele is the new Manager National Promotion at EMI/CMG. Thiele comes from Vivaton Records. Reach Brian at 615-371-6589.  (12/2)

BITS: HisAir.Net hears KAMY/Lubbock Station Manager Rob Regal is headed to WIBI/Springfield for PM Drive and Production director duties... The David Allen Show moves from 9-Midnight on Salem's WJGR/Jacksonville "1320AM The Patriot" crosstown to mornings on Word Broadcasting's WYMM "The Mighty 1530',  airing 9-Noon... Congratulations to WQME/Anderson, IN Station Manger Matt Rust and wife Melissa and the birth of twins Jacob & Chloe November 28th... (12/1)

KLTY/Dallas hires Mike Prendergast as APD/MD replacing William Ryan. Prendergast was previously with KVIL/Dallas. Prendergrast starts at KLTY on Dec. 8.  (11/30)

KSBJ/Houston welcomes Mike Kankelfritz to the morning show starting December 19th. Mike comes to KSBJ from KXOJ in Tulsa.  Kankelfritz replaces former KSBJ Morning Show Co-Host, Dave Cruse who left in June to return to The JOY FM in Sarasota, Florida. “I’m excited about Mike coming to KSBJ.  He’s a real pro that’s fun, witty, and has a big heart. Kankelfritz is going to be a great addition to our Morning Show. ” says KSBJ Program Director Chuck Pryor.   (11/23)

Changes: KRTQ/Tulsa (Cox Owned) has switched to CCM calling itself "Spirit 102.3" and using the slogan Today's Christian Music. PD is Chris Kelly website is at spirit1023.com...  CVCO, Inc based in Columbus/Ohio and operates WCVO/Columbus "The New 104.9 The River", WVXG/Mt Giliead, "The New 95.1 The River" and WCVZ/Zanesville "The New 92.7 Joy FM has promoted Matt Hahn to Vice President of Operations... WIND/Chicago PD Brian Kovacs has left the Salem talk station...  (11/23)

WFFI & WFFH/Nashville (94 FM The FISH) continues the tradition it started two years ago with all Christmas music. The big switch occurs Tuesday, November 22nd at 5:00 PM live from the Entertainment Stage at Opry Mills. Doug & Kim from the “Doug & Kim Family Friendly Morning Show” will be broadcasting live from 5:00 –7:00 PM inside Opry Mills. Guests will include: “ The world-famous Rockettes, Holly Thompson from NewsChannel4, David Phelps, Erin O’Donnell, and special guest MC, Denise Jones from Point Of Grace. Doug, Kim and Denise will lead the countdown to Continuous Christmas Music at 7:00 PM.  After the flipping of the switch, David Phelps and Erin O’Donnell will sing Christmas songs, then everyone will join in Christmas Carols, followed by a balloon drop. (11/21)

Two more stations add "The John Tesh Show" to the programming schedule. KFSH/Los Angeles and WFHM/Cleveland (both Salem owned) will begin airing the show on weeknights Monday November 21st.

"The people who listen to The Fish(R) are interested in living a life of significance. We share the same mission on our program and I personally look forward to a long and purposeful relationship," says John. "Our program is packed with enriching advice, informative guidance and encouraging instruction on how to make your life work to its fullest potential. We combine that with The Fish's great play lists -- and you have 'The John Tesh Radio Show.'"  (11/18)

WAY-FM Media Group (WMG) President Bob Augsburg has announced that the audience for the entire WAY-FM Media Group has increased 42% since Spring 2004. The numbers are based on Arbitron figures for each owned and operated station in the group, plus the audience of the Christian Hit Radio Satellite Network (CHRSN) available on affiliate stations who air CHRSN at least 50% of their broadcast day. The total CUME audience for WMG as of the Spring 2004 ratings period was 424,000. The figures just released for the Spring 2005 ratings period is 606,060.  WAY-FM signals currently cover 15,064,500 people.

Augsburg noted that the audience increase is lining up perfectly with the goals of the ministry. He commented, “Our Vision 20:1 is to cover 20 million people with WAY-FM signals and to impact 1 million people weekly as listeners by the fall of 2007. We are well on our way to accomplishing this goal.”

WMG Senior Vice President Dusty Rhodes believes that the highly successful “Total Axxess” program, which airs live from Nashville each weekday at 7PM (Central) has had a major impact on the audience. Rhodes stated, “In the last 12 months, Total Axxess has grown into a very significant part of our programming. With daily visits by Christian artists the show is always topical, exciting and spontaneous. The WAY-FM audience loves this show!”

The WAY-FM Media Group was founded in 1987 by Augsburg and his wife Felice as a single station, WAYJ, in Fort Myers, FL. Today WMG, including CHRSN, has 71 signals in 26 states. Markets served by WMG include Denver, CO; Nashville, TN; West Palm Beach, FL and Wichita, KS. The WAY-FM website is accessed at www.wayfm.com  (11/17)

At KCMS/Seattle afternoon co-host Sarah Taylor will now also act as MD. That means current MD Tom Pettijohn will focus on his PM drive show and imaging for the station. (11/17) 

BITS: Salem Radio Director Network Programming Tom Tradup is being elevated to VP/News & Talk Programming and will stay in Dallas... Bill Bennett's Morning in America moves the show in San Francisco from KNEW to KNTS... All Christmas Music: KFIS/Portland this morning at 6am, KPYN/Atlanta, TX this Sunday 11/20.  (11/15)

Congratulations to The WBCL/Ft Wayne Radio Network who has been recognized by being named National Finalists for the Silver Microphone Award for excellence in spot production for 3 different entries for the 2005 awards. Being recognized for best copywriting was Ross McCampbell for writing a spot about WBCL’s monthly Window Sticker Contest.  Also recognized was Scott Tsuleff for Best Media Promotion for writing a piece that was used on the air to promote the radio network. Jim Barron and Phil Reaser were named for their promotional spot, “Groundhog Day.” The Silver Microphone Award competition was open to the more than 40,000 advertising agencies, production studios and radio stations across the country. (11/15)

A reminder that GMA Music Week 2006 Preferred Registration ends Monday, Nov. 14. More than 3000 people are expected  to converge on Nashville April 1-5, 2006 for the premiere annual Christian music industry conference and showcase! Go here for details. (11/11)

SRN's interim bureau chief Ken Lormand has been named chief of Salem Radio Network's Washington, D.C., news bureau. He replaces Phil Fleischman. Lormand has been with Salem Radio news since1999 as an anchor and reporter.  (11/11)

KLTY/Dallas APD William Ryan III announced he is leaving the station after 8 years to join a local TV production company. He will exit at the end of November. PD Chuck Finney has started a search for a replacement. Check the HisAir.Net jobs page for details.  (11/10)

WPTR/Albany morning personality Gary Mac adds PD/MD duties. Programming was previously being handled at Crawford sister station WRCI/Rochester. Gary joined the station in January this year. Also at WPTR, Peter Kaye joins in afternoon drive replacing Matt Hubbell who recently left for Air1. Kaye was doing PM drive at WZMR/Albany, and also spent some time at WQCK/Baton Rouge.    (11/10)

RadioElizabeth (Elizabeth Grattan) adds WBGB/JACKSONVILLE, Crowne Financial and GSF & Associates to client roster... Jim Miller's "Positive Family News" service adds another affiliate for morning news...KVMV 969 McAllen, Tx... Mike Gallagher is moving to News Talk 660 KSKY (660 AM) in Dallas, TX from KRLD-AM (1080 AM) airing from 6-9am starting January 3rd.  (11/8)

KNWI/Des Moines, IA (Life 107.1) hires Dave St. John as program director/morning show host effective Monday, November 28^th.  “We are thrilled to have Dave join our staff. We feel St. John is an excellent communicator and his programming skills will enable KNWI to grow and serve our listeners in central Iowa” said KNWI station manager Dick Whitworth. St. John’s background includes stints as PD of WAY-FM/West Palm Beach, the Refuge Network/Duluth, MN and most recently 7 years as program director/morning host at KZZQ/Des Moines. Current KNWI PD Paul Perrault has accepted a position as assistant network music director at the headquarters of Northwestern College & Radio in St. Paul, Minnesota.  (11/4)

BITS: 2006 GMA Week details announced click here... WJLZ/Norfolk is now CHR from INSPO calling itself "Positive Hit Radio, The Current" click here for website... (10/21)

---

Salem will acquire WTLN (950 AM) and WHIM (1520 AM), which serve the greater Orlando, Fla. market, from Alton Rainbow Corporation and TM2, Inc., for approximately $10 million. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2006. Last month, Salem announced that it would acquire Orlando station WORL (660 AM), which will be programmed in its News Talk format. Edward G. Atsinger III, president and CEO of Salem Communications, commented, "These are two heritage stations that have been in the Christian teaching and talk format for many years. The Moffits are respected broadcasters who have provided a platform in Orlando to some of the best national ministries and speakers, a tradition we plan to continue. This transaction strengthens Salem's position in one of the nation's top markets allowing us to broadcast two of our three strategic formats in Orlando."  (10/21)

---

MOVEMENT: EMF Broadcasting has announced it will purchase WWJS/Watertown, NY (a class non com) from Liberty Communications Family Broadcasting Network for 300K... Horizon Christian Fellowship picks up 14 construction permits from World Radio Link... WILD AM/Boston flips from Urban to Gospel calling itself "Praise 1090".  (1020)

---

WPTR/Albany PM drive personality Matt Hubbell has landed to night slot at Air 1. Matt told HisAir.Net "Yeah. I'm siked!  7 to Midnites on Air1. Nothin like learning from the best in the business. David Pierce is like the voice of silk.  All the other guys there are extremely gifted too.  I'm like is this really happening to lil ole me?  (10/18)

---

Salem Publishing, a division of Salem Communications Corporation announced today that it signed a definitive agreement to acquire The Singing News Magazine and its related Internet properties. The acquisition is expected to close in January of 2006. Founded in 1969 by gospel music legend J.G. Whitfield, The Singing News Magazine is known as "the printed voice of southern gospel music" and is regarded as the most widely read monthly magazine in Christian music. Jim Cumbee, president of Salem Publishing, said "The acquisition of The Singing News strengthens Salem's position as the nation's preeminent publisher of Christian music magazines. The Singing News fits perfectly into our family of titles, including Homecoming Magazine and CCM Magazine."  (10/18)

---

Congratulations to WBCL/Ft. Wayne as The WBCL Radio Network was recognized by the Indiana Broadcasters Association for excellence in broadcasting in 3 different categories in the 2005 Spectrum awards. Top honors went to WBCL in recognition of Rise & Shine for the Best Morning Show. Honorable mention also goes to WBCL News Director Larry Bower in two categories, “Best News Story” and “Outstanding News Operation” as well.  (10/18)

---

Promo Only today announced they will provide exclusive promotional digital distribution for Christian music label, Provident Label Group. The Promo Only MPE System will provide Provident Label Group with a complete internal and external digital distribution solution for new singles as well as full albums, music videos and other promotional material.

Provident Label Group anticipates distributing an expanded number of new singles through Promo Only MPE in the coming year as well as increasing the annual number of mixes they currently release by almost 20%.

Provident Label Group, which has used Promo Only MPE to distribute tracks to radio stations throughout North America since April 2005, will now exclusively release all singles, re-mixes and alternate mixes through the Promo Only MPE system to domestic and international stations.  (10/18)

---

WBSN/New Orleans Update: The station remains off the air since hurricane Katrina hit August 29th but is streaming on the internet at lifesongs.com. The station hopes to be back on the air at low power in about 60 days. Word is at that time the station will drop CCM and air an all ministry and paid program format due to changes in the New Orleans market. In addition the WBSN staff with the exception of Adam and Josh were all laid off this past week. WBSN PD Tom Krimsier can be reached at 404-754-2531or tomkrim@comcast.net    (10/14)

---

Nikki Nite has resigned the PD slot at WGVC/Greenville, SC. The station has started a search for her replacement. If interested contact GM Tom Durney here tjdurney@entercom.com.  (10/14)

---

WAY-FM will kick off its 14^th annual Sharathon fundraiser on Monday, October 17^th at the WAY-FM studios in Franklin, Tennessee continuing through Thursday, October 20^th.  WAY-FM General Manager, Matt Austin says, “We’ve been blessed to have the generous support of our listeners for almost 14 years now, and I’m hopeful that many more will join us with their tax-deductible gifts as we continue to expand throughout the Southeast United States.”   (10/14)

---

WSAE/Spring Arbor, MI has re-launched the station as "Home.FM" , a family friendly hybrid featuring a mix of CCM and mainstream AC music. Joining the staff in PM drive is former WONU/Chicago GM Bill Dewees. Their website is located here.  (10/12)

---

WAY FM Media Group COO Lloyd Parker checks in with HisAir.Net to make some clarifications. WAYJ/Ft Myers Station Manager Jeff Taylor is running the day to day operations there, while Steve Young is managing all the local operations at WAYT/Tallahassee. Jim Marshall has general oversight of the two stations. In addition Matt Austin manages the CHRSN hub in Nashville, but Faron Dice, as General Manager, actually “runs” CHRSN.  (10/12)

---

Host of Relevant Radio's Saturday morning program "Lifeworks" Dick Lyles, has been named CEO at Relevant Radio replacing Mark Follett. Follett remains with the network as Chaiman. (10/11)

---

Jennifer York, the 13-year airborne news reporter on the "KTLA TV Morning News," joins "The Family Friendly Morning Show" with Billy Burke on KFSH/Los Angeles. Jennifer will make her debut on the Fish Tuesday (10/11) at 7:00 a.m. "We're very pleased to have such a well-known personality join the 95.9 The Fish family," said Terry Fahy, Salem Los Angeles vice president/general manager. "Jennifer's passionate persona and sense of humor will play well with Billy Burke's energetic, easy-going style. We look forward to seeing the morning show's popularity expand even further." Jennifer's radio experience includes KFWB/L.A. and joined the KTLA Morning News team in 1991.  (10/10)

---

QUICKIES Pete Bunch of Spoken Word Images Christian Voiceovers checks in with HisAir with new client stations including KDIA AM 1640 - San Francisco CA, Christian Talk 660 WLFJ - Greenville SC, and JOY FM 97.7 KHZR - St. Louis MO... Floodgate records has announces it is forming Found Records, which will be a division of Floodgate and focus on "Worship"... and a sad note as longtime Gospel radio host, promoter, and newsman Bruce Payne passed away 10/5 in Jackson, MS at the age of 75.  (10/6)

---

WAYM/Nashville GM Matt Austin and WAYF/West Palm Beach GM Jim Marshall have been promoted to Regional Managers for WAY FM. Marshall will also run WAYJ/Ft Myers and WAYT/Tallahassee, FL. And Austin will oversee WAYQ/Clarksville, TN; WAYW/New Johnsonville, TN; and WAYD/Bowling Green, KY; in addition to the Christian Hit Radio Satellite Network.  (10/5)

---

Family Life Communications has promoted KAMY/Lubbock Production Director/PM Drive Personality Rob Regal to West Texas Station Manager overseeing KAMY/Lubbock, KFLB/Odessa/Midland, and KRGN/Amarillo. In addition rob will stay on the air at KAMY and move to morning drive.  (10/3) 

---

BITS: EMF Broadcasting is purchasing KKHI/Honolulu from Kona Coast Radio for $2mil...  Nominations are being accepted until Oct. 7th for the R&R Christian Industry Achievement Awards which will be presented Dec. 10th in Nashville... Ron St. John joins WSIR/Winter Haven, FL as midday announcer and promotions director... Matt Gentry has been named PD at KLYT/Albuquerque while Joey Belville becomes MD... (10/3)

Newschannel History