WLAB/Ft. Wayne (STAR 883) is growing as they just expanded into new areas for the first time with translators in Orland at 91.3 and a fill in signal for Fort Wayne at 88.7. As a part of that growth, a much needed prayer request was answered as Shelby Lynn joins the team to fill the Co-host role with Ace McKay. Lynn joins the WLAB team Sept. 13th.

STAR 883 also received honors being voted Best Station in Ft. Wayne for the 2nd year in a row by the News-Sentinel Newspaper. Readers voted for their favorites which also saw Afternoon Host Melissa Montana voted Best Personality in Ft. Wayne with Morning Show Co-Host Ace McKay in 3rd place for a second year in a row.

This fall a new signal will be launched in Auburn, In.

Pictured above:  (front row: Morning Co-Host Ace McKay, Tyler Boss and PD Don Buettner. Back row, new morning co-host Shelby Lynn and GM Melissa Montana)

Bill Scott's "Xtreme Talk Live" 3 year run and "Sound of Light's" 14 year run comes to an end with the Sunday 8/28 programs being the last, affiliates totaled about 180... Today's Family host Beth Warden checks in with HisAir.Net reporting the latest ratings from affiliate station KDNW/Duluth (Life 97.3) where the program airs weeknights 7-12 mid and pulled a #2 ranking Women 25-54 AQH & Adults 25-54 AQH... WLAB/Ft Wayne (STAR 88.3) morning host Ace McKay has been picked up by Family Christian Stores this week in a partnership to carry his new marriage resource called "The Marriage Playbook"... 

and WHIF/Palatka (Hope FM) spearheaded a community pep rally for teachers.  The almost-200 teachers in attendance were treated to breakfast, a motivational speaker, games, prizes and they all left with bags filled with supplies they'll need in their classrooms.

Pictured left: WHIF Station Development Director, Craig Beckler, watching where the prize wheel will land for this teacher. (8/27)
 

The House FM has expanded again!  KTHF/Hammon, OK (26.5kw @ 89.9 FM) has signed on the air in Western Oklahoma and a translator was added at 100.1 in Wichita. These new additions bring The House FM network to 10 frequencies and it can now be heard from the Texas Panhandle to Wichita, KS.   

Pictured L-R (standing in front of the House banner) Darcey Christianson - Chief Engineer, Doyle Brewer - CEO & Founder, Don Burns – Station Manager from The House FM Radio Network surrounded by local leaders and ministers for the KTHF ribbon cutting and dedication.  (8/26)

Arbitron Summer 2010 Phase 1 AQH 12+: KBIQ/Colorado Springs 3.3... WJQK/Grand Rapids 1.9... (8/24)

Worship-FM has expanded it’s coverage area, by adding an additional six frequencies to it’s network. Six of those frequencies are translator frequencies, which were operational under it’s sister station, WMDR/Augusta. An additional frequency, WFYB/Fryeburg, ME (91.5FM) will be added this fall.

With the addition of seven frequencies, WORSHIP-FM will cover all four Arbitron® markets in the state, which include Bangor, ME (#223), Augusta/Waterville, ME (#271), Lewiston/Auburn, ME (#283) and now Portland, ME (#167, the state’s largest market). The new Fryeburg, ME station will cover the Southern
Western portion of the state, as well as the Mt. Washington Valley region in New Hampshire. “We are very excited with this new opportunity for WORSHIP-FM to reach a whole new area that we were never able to reach before”, says Ryan Gagne, Operations Manager. “This will allow the ministry to reach thousands more with encouraging music & programming that many in Central Maine now enjoy.” Ryan was promoted from Program Director to Operations Manager in August 2010. He has served at Worship-FM for 12 years.

Worship-FM has other construction permits granted by the Federal Communications Commission for new transmitter sites in New Hampshire, as well as the North Shore of Massachusetts. Combined population areas of these two new station area exceed one-million residents. (8/24)

The SOS Radio Network has hired Rick Hall as its new Music Director. Rick joins SOS from mainstream AC WCFS/Chicago (Fresh 105.9). Previously he has worked in Christian radio at WFZH/Milwaukee (The former Fish in Milwaukee) and programmed WQFL/Rockford. In addition to MD duties Rick will be on the air from 1pm-4pm at SOS Radio. Rick says, "My wife and I have been praying for God to reveal the next chapter in our life, so we're thrilled to be able to call SOS Radio and the city of Las Vegas home."  Rick will start at SOS on September 2. SOS Radio Program Director, Scott Herrold says, “Rick’s going to be a great leader on our team!  I’m excited his wife isn’t fearful of raising their new baby girl in Vegas!”
 
SOS Radio is currently heard on 43 frequencies in 9 different states. 

MORE MOVEMENT: Scott Saunders joins WVMC/Mansfield as GM replacing Josh Hooper who is exits for afternoons/production at WCVO/Columbus (104.9 The River)... Al Gross joins 50,000 watt blow torch KXEN/St Louis for Christian talk weekday afternoons at 1pm... EMF is selling KRLJ/Jackson, MO to Pure Word Communications for 220k...  (8/23)

WPOZ/Orlando (Z88.3) increases it's coverage with the addition of WHYZ/Palm Coast (9200 watts at 91.1) WPOZ VP/GM/PD Dean O'Neal says "It has been a long journey. We filed an application for the signal in 1999. It took 10 years to wind its way through the halls of the FCC and almost a year to get all the necessary paperwork and permits in place from the county in which it is built. 91.1-WHYZ now provides a crystal clear signal of the Z to Palm Coast, Flagler Beach, Bunnell, Beverly Beach (all of Flagler County) and Ormond Beach, Holly Hill and Daytona Beach (northeast Volusia County)". (8/23)

WAY-FM/Christian Hit Radio Satellite Network's Mornings with Brant host, Brant Hansen, interviewed Actor, Director, Filmmaker, and  “well-known-liberal” Rob Reiner last week about his new family movie, Flipped.  Who would have thought they would ever hear Rob on Christian radio?  You check out the podcast on the Mornings with Brant Facebook page, or at www.morningswithbrant.com.  (8/23)

Arbitron Spring 2010 AQH 12+: KGNZ/Abilene 2.4... WEMI/Appleton 2.1... WMIT/Asheville 4.5... WAFJ/Augusta 2.6... KTSY/Boise 3.7... WAYR/Brunswick, GA 5.9... KNWS/Cedar Rapids 3.9... WBGL/Champaign 2.8... WRCM/Charlotte 2.0... WMBW/Chattanooga 3.1... KRWA/Colorado Springs 1.0... WMHK/Columbia 4.7... KNWI/Des Moines 4.2... KDNW/Duluth 3.6... KFNW/Fargo 2.9... KLRC/Fayetteville 5.8... KGCB/Flagstaff 6.5... WAYJ/Ft Myers 1.4... WBCL/Ft Wayne 5.2... WCSG/Grand Rapids 4.8... WAYG/Grand Rapids 1.4... WLFJ/Greenville 4.5... WAYH/Huntsville 2.7... WGNR/Indianapolis 1.2... WJTL/Lancaster 3.9... KAVX/Lufkin 3.9... WNWC/Madison 2.1... KVMV/McAllen 3.8... KDOV/Medford 4.5... KAMB/Merced 1.4... WBHY/Mobile 2.3... WAYM/Nashville 1.3... WPOZ/Orlando 4.5... WCIC/Peoria 4.7... WDLM/Quad Cities 1.9... WUGN/Saginaw 1.4... WJIS/Sarasota 2.0... KWND/Springfield 2.5... WAYT/Tallahassee 1.0... KGTS/Tri Cities 1.3... KTFY/Twin Falls 2.1... KVNE/Tyler 4.4... KDUV/Visalia 2.4... KNWS/Waterloo 4.5... WGNV/Wausau 2.1... KPLW/Wenatchee 2.3... WAYF/W Palm Beach 1.8... WRMB/W Palm Beach 3.4...  (8/19)

WXRI/Winston Salem (Joy FM) unveiled the “World’s Largest Get Well Card” to benefit & encourage the Bowling Family, as they recover
from a tour bus crash earlier this summer. The over-sized greeting card measures 7 feet in height and 8 feet wide, with the purpose of receiving well wishes, prayers, and signatures of Joy FM listeners and Gospel music artists. Brian Sanders, GM of Joy FM, said “the creativity of the Joy FM staff is paired with the generosity of Joy FM listeners to assist a family that is struggling. We are called to love God and people. This is an effort to give back to a talented family that has given
so much to us.”  Joy FM will embark on a multi-city tour, holding rallies & live broadcasts to attain signatures on the giant Get Well card, and encouraging donations. The final stop on the tour will be the National Quartet Convention in Louisville, Kentucky in mid-September, before making the official presentation to the Bowling Family. The tour dates and locations will be posted at www.joyfm.org. The first public appearance took place on August 13, 2010 in Winston-Salem, NC at a sold out Booth Brothers concert. Video of that unveiling is available at: http://www.vimeo.com/14298961  (8/19)

Sales/Possible Sales: EMF is buying KKAT/Salt Lake City from Wasatch Radio for $5.75 million ($2 mi cash, rest in a promissory note; if EMF pays the entire amount in cash, it gets a $250,000 discount), KLOVE has been on KKAT since March... Trevecca Nazarene University has received an offer to purchase WNAZ/Nashville (89.1 FM). As it has with previous offers, the University will evaluate and consider that offer within the context of current market values and the University’s overall programs. (8/19)

Arbitron Summer 2010 Phase 1 AQH 12+: WDJC/Birmingham 3.7... KGBI/Omaha 1.5... WDCX/Buffalo 0.5... WFHM/Cleveland (Akron) 2.1... (8/18)

WMIT/Black Mountain (106.9 the Light) will broadcast live for it's "Day Of Hope" tomorrow. “It’s our second annual Day of Hope,” according to Executive Director Jim Kirkland said. “Last year we were in Rutherford County. It gives us the opportunity to let people know Cleveland County is important to us. We are here for them, here to provide encouragement through Christian music and teaching and to reach out to people one-on-one.”

The day begins at 6 a.m. with a morning show live broadcast with show hosts Matt Stockman and Heather Shelley. Overnight host Louis Grant will join Stockman and Shelley at the morning event, and afternoon host Jerry Woods will also be involved during the day. Next the crew moves to Chick-fil-A at Cleveland Mall in Shelby for the lunchtime show from noon to 3 p.m. with host Carol Davis.  (8/18)

WFSH/Atlanta (104.7 The Fish) announced the line-up of their Celebrate Freedom® concert-festival event. The event is an all-day free family event featuring artists, fireworks, children’s entertainment, rides and exhibits. 104.7 The Fish has teamed up with Atlanta based WinShape Foundation for the first time to provide this event to the public for free. This year’s concert lineup will feature Switchfoot, Natalie Grant, Big Daddy Weave, Point of Grace, Jonny Diaz, Echoing Angels, Anthony Evans, Seabird, KJ-52, Chris August, Byron “Mr. Talkbox” Chambers, and The Oswald Brothers Band.

Along with this, 104.7 The Fish is teaming up with Safe America Foundation to give five local artists the opportunity to compete to be the Opening Act. The grand prize winner of this competition will perform in the evening on the main stage, receive a $10,000 cash prize, $1,500 worth of merchandise from Ken Stanton Music, and have $10,000 donated to the church, ministry, or organization of their choice. “This is the 3rd Celebrate Freedom® event we have had the privilege of bringing to the Atlanta area. Our 2010 event features some of the world’s finest artists and groups in the Adult Contemporary Christian format. Celebrate Freedom® is a place where people can bring their families to enjoy a vast multitude of fun activities along with the absolute best free concert from these world-renowned artists.”  says Mike Moran, VP of Operations, Salem Media of Georgia. (8/17)

WAY-FM Media has closed on the $2,325,000 sale of KKHI/Denver (Centennial, Colorado). Smooth jazz programming was replaced in early May, as part of an LMA with seller Bustos Media. (8/17)

Arbitron July 2010 PPM P 6+ Weekly Cume: KZLV/San Antonio 167,400... KMLR/San Antonio 21,800... KLRX/Kansas City 217,000... KLJC/Kansas City 98,500... KKFS/Sacramento 99,800... KLRS/Sacramento 52,800... KARA/Sacramento 38,200... WAKW/Cincinnati 177,500... WNLT/Cincinnati 76,100... WORI/Cincinnati 41,800... KSOS/Las Vegas 112,200... KKAT/Salt Lake City 84,600... WFHM/Cleveland 203,800... WCRF/Cleveland 95,800... WJMO/Cleveland 48,200... KFIS/Portland 258,600... KPDQ/Portland 57,600... KLVP/Portland 51,100... KZRI/Portland 62,900... KHPE/Portland 48,100... (8/13)

Arbitron July 2010 PPM P 6+ Weekly Cume: WCIE/Tampa 150,900... WBVM/Tampa 106,400... WKES/Tampa 45,1000... WJIS/Tampa 30,900... WMUZ/Detroit 226,900... KLVJ/San Diego 47,500... KPRZ/San Diego 65,200... WRBS/Baltimore 292,400... KCMS/Seattle 451,100... KWPZ/Seattle 31,200... WEZE/Boston 59,800... WROL/Boston 29,300... KLVA/Phoenix 252,200... KFLR/Phoenix 98,900...  KZAI/Phoenix 112,100...  KGCB/Phoenix 29,200... KLJY/St Louis 206,900... KHZR/St Louis 48,100... KSIV/St Louis 87,300... KLDV/Denver 293,100... KXWA/Denver 106,300... KRKS//Denver 52,200... WPKV/Pittsburgh 142,200... WORD/Pittsburgh 91,500... KTIS/Minneapolis 429,600... (8/12)

 Arbitron July 2010 PPM P 6+ Weekly Cume: WGTS/Wash DC 304,100... WAVA/Wash DC 179,300... WJYJ/Wash DC 43,400... KSBJ/Houston 524,200... KROI/Houston 321,400... WAWZ/New York 283,900... WMCA/New York 181,800... WFME/New York 164,000... WFSH/Atlanta 547,200... WVFJ/Atlanta 177,100... WPZE/Atlanta 664,200... KFSH/Los Angeles 460,600... KKLA/Los Angeles 270,300... KWVE/Los Angeles 185,000... WJKL/Chicago 322,600... WMBI/Chicago 235,400... WCFL/Chicago 75,000... WONU/Chicago 58,800... KSGN/Riverside 170,100... KLRD/Riverside 151,100... KLVS/San Francisco 131,500... KNDL/San Francisco 39,400... WPPZ/Philadelphia 322,600... WKVP/Philadelphia 46,800... WFIL/Philadelphia 44,600... WBYO/Philadelphia 53,800... KLTY/Dallas 919,900... KCBI/Dallas 269,100... (8/11)

WNLR/Churchville, VA (1150 AM) is building a house in hopes of selling it to raise money for the station. "The only way we are able to stay on the air is through donations by Christian people and some advertising from local businesses. We've been running month to month," said Bill Garvey, president of New Life Ministries. Garvey said he worked for a building company for years and knows the business, believes the station stands to bring in a large amount of money. "This is a house for Jesus Christ, so we'll let him take care of the sale," he said. The two-story house when finished in the fall, will measure 1,800 square feet with three bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms. It sits on 2.3 acres and is surrounded by farmland. "We just think we can do it really inexpensively and having it financed by a foundation, it doesn't put us at any risk," Garvey said, speculating that his ministry could make between $20,000 and $30,000 after expenses. "We can't sell enough advertising in one year to generate that kind of money for the ministry." (8/11)

BITS: Paul Easter joins Houston Christian Broadcasters, Inc. (HCB) as Technical Director, Easter previously was the Technical Manager for Salem Radio/Chicago...WDYN/Chattanooga sold to Bible Broadcasting Network for 2.5 mil... Sarasota's WUSF Public Media buys WSMR/Sarasota for $1.28 million and has changed the format to all classical music..... Congratulations to KXWA/Denver (101.9 WAY-FM) PD Mike Couchman and wife Jennifer on birth of new son Ezra Thomas (8/10)

Salem Communications announced a profit for the second quarter, reversing a loss seen in the same period last year. Reported net income was $799,000 million, compared to a loss of $5 million in the same period last year. Operating income from continued operations increased to $10.1 million from a loss of $6.5 million last year. Salem cut operating expenses by more than 24 percent, lowering costs to $43 million from $57 million last year. Net broadcast revenue was up 3.5 percent, to $45.5 million. Station operating income advanced 4 percent, to $16.5 million, while same station net broadcast revenue was up 3.3 percent. (8/10)

Word Records Point of Grace member Denise Jones is co-hosting the morning show at WFFH/Nashville (94.1 The Fish) this week for Kim Ford who is out on maternity leave. “The Fish is a part of our morning drive to school and I’m really looking forward to hanging out with Doug this next week and chatting about all kinds of things!” says Denise. “Also, my boys think it’s really cool that I’m going to be on the radio!” Denise is working alongside Doug Griffin from 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM for the “Doug and Kim” morning show. Shelley Breen from the group was on The Fish last week to help fill in the co-host spot. (8/10)

WSAE/Spring Arbor (Home FM) makes additions/changes to its staff. Tonya Hernandez has joined as the  new PD shifting Rachel Buchanan over to Promotions Coordinator. Hernandez was previously at WLEN/Adrian, Mi. Home FM also hires Kaitlyn Tracy as Underwriting Coordinator. According to Executive Director of SAU Radio Malachi Crane "The additions of Tonya and Kaitlyn are a positive sign of growth for our stations. They will help further our mission and reach of HOME.fm and SAU Radio."  (8/9)

Integrity Label Group Director National Promotions Grayson Long and wife Cori welcomed a new baby boy (their fifth child) Curtis David Long born Friday morning. (8/6)

Streaming services provider ChristianNetcast.com announces the company will show growth in profits and earnings for the eleventh consecutive year. "When you consider the state of the current economy, seeing a company continue to grow is amazing." states David Palmer VP of Sales and Marketing for ChristianNetcast. "What's even better to hear is that the slump of the economy seems to be changing and more radio stations and organizations are once again looking to add more on line services."  In June of this year ChristianNetcast and MainstreamNetwork launched its own iPhone app on the Apple iStore. The app can be used to listen to the streaming companies stations on an iPhone, iPod Touch or the new iPad. In April of 2009 ChristianNetcast completed the acquisition of NWR Network of Colorado Springs. This past week ChristianNetcast.com announced it will launch a TV network in 2011. Set top boxes will be used for viewers and cable companies to receive the programming via the internet. (8/4)

Joe Polek moves to mornings at WHMX/Bangor (105.7 Solution FM) ... Focus On The Family is laying off 110 people, including 15 managers... Curb artist Natalie Grant is hosting an online listening party for her upcoming album "Love Revolution" on Aug 17 starting at 9pm ET at www.nataliegrant.com... (8/4)

Wayne Shepherd Communications has announced the launch of the new weekly program "First Person With Wayne Shepherd" debuting October 1, 2010. “I constantly run into people and ideas and think to myself that I wish I had an outlet to talk to that person and share the conversation with others,” says Wayne. “There are so many interesting people and stories that my life intersects with on a weekly basis.  Whether I'm traveling on a freelance assignment somewhere here in the U.S., or even overseas, I often have to walk away from interview opportunities because, until now, I've had no outlet to turn to for general interviews.  First Person With Wayne Shepherd will be made available to radio stations via an Internet ftp site and archived on the program’s website which is under development.  A demo program will be available soon at www.wayneshepherd.net  (8/4)

Available: Steve Tuzeneu (formerly with WAY FM) looking for management or engineering contact stuzeneu@gmail.com... Julie Belcher looking for on air, production in the DC, MD area contact juliab1stborn@aol.com...  Larry Hild seeking sales position at a station central Florida (near Lakeland, FL) contact hild7@yahoo.com .   (8/2)

Prayer Request: For KBRT/Costa Mesa Rich Buhler (Dean of Christian Talk Radio) host of "Talk From the Heart" who has been diagnosed with an inoperable "mass on his pancreas".  Buhler is also an ordained minister with a 40-years-plus career in broadcasting.  (8/2)

Shelley Breen from Word Vocal Group Point of Grace will be filling in on WFFH/Nashville's  “Doug and Kim” morning show the week of Monday 8/2.    “I am absolutely thrilled for the opportunity to work with Doug and the team at The Fish. They always do such a great job with the morning show and I know we will have a great time,” says Shelley. “I’m going to impress Doug by actually dressing up, wearing make-up and bringing Starbucks on Monday. However, Tuesday through Friday – he will see the real me!”  (8/2)

Patton House Entertainment President Andrew Patton annouces the company will expand its operations and launch two new divisions, Patton House Booking and Patton House Music Publishing. Patton House Booking will focus on providing unique opportunities in non-traditional venues for established and independent clients.  Launching Patton House Music Publishing will be Adam Edelstein, who was recently promoted to Director of Business and Strategic Development.  “It’s an exciting time at Patton House Entertainment as we expand our operations with two new divisions,” says Andrew Patton.  “By developing these new opportunities for our artists, we’ll be able to offer them a well-rounded approach to their careers that will expand their opportunities.  Of course none of this expansion would be possible without the incredible talents of the Patton House Entertainment team, which includes: Adam Edelstein, Tiffany Rockhold, Michael Hare and Matt Ingle.  Matt has done an incredible job with our promotion and marketing division and in one short year has achieved five Top 10 singles, seven different songs being the most-added record for eleven weeks and working with Michael W. Smith to promote the Music City Haiti relief effort for Come Together Now.”  (8/2)

New websites: International Christian media ministry TWR announces the launch of a newly revitalized website to increase engagement and awareness of its global outreach, the site (www.twr.org) offers an intuitive design and integration of the newest media platforms... and  Curb recording artist Natalie Grant recently unveiled a redesign of her official website (http://www.NatalieGrant.com)... in addition, Grant has also launched another website focusing on the message and movement behind the music of Love Revolution—StartALoveRevolution.com (http://www.StartALoveRevolution.com).  (8/2)

WSMR/Sarasota (Life 89.1) has been sold and is going off the air this Wednesday Aug 4th at 5pm. "The proceeds from the sale of WSMR will be sown back into the ministry of Northwestern Media and the parent organization, Northwestern College. In a letter to listeners Station Manager Douglas Poll stated that "most of the staff has made transitions to new employment. And while Northwestern Media generously offered me a position in the network, God was clear to me that He wants the Poll family to remain in the Sarasota area." To read the entire letter click here. (7/30)

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