What's News? April 2008

What’s News?

April 2008

John Tesh Now On Mid-days In Brevard 4-3-08
The satellite fed John Tesh program will move from overnights to mid-days on "Lite Rock 99.3" WLRQ-FM 99.3 . The host of "The Sunday Morning Lite Jazz Brunch", Eric Young was moved to the 3PM-7PM slot to fill the slot left vacant by the recently departed Brenda Matthews. Now that Clear Channel tried out Tesh in the mid day slot on WMGF-FM 107.7, and were happy with the results, they have moved his program to mid days at WLRQ.

Another Milestone For Bob Andrews 4-3-08
WLBE-AM 790 morning show host Bob Andrews has hit two major milestones in his broadcasting career. First, a belated Happy Birthday to Bob on his 80th! Secondly, and no small task, Bob celebrated his 60th year in broadcasting at a celebration in hosted by Miss Scottie, the owner of Furniture Country Galleries in Leesburg. Also in attendance were Bob's daughter Tina, son Bobby, and Brother Bill. About 400-500 people showed up with donations of canned goods for the Salvation Army. We have updated Bob's bio and added pics from the celebration here Biography

Imus Returns 4-3-08
Imus in the Morning can be heard once again in central Florida. WMEL-AM 1300 has begun to carry Imus from 6AM-9AM each morning.

New Morning Show For WJRR 4-4-08
Crash the former and current morning show host on WJRR-FM 101.1 is now the former host once again. Before Taco Bob and Pat Lynch the WJRR morning show was hosted by Crash & Dickerman. Crash was moved to mid-days, then with the termination of "The Fiasco", Crash was moved back to mornings this time with LT. The new morning show starting Monday, April 7, 2008 will be the syndicated Lex and Terry. Crash will move back to mid-days and Launa will become the board op and producer of the morning show. She will handle News, Traffic, and Weather as well.

Ed Tyll To Appear With Monsters 4-4-08
Former mid-day WTKS-FM 104.1 host Ed Tyll will make an appearance with the Monsters in the Morning on Monday morning (April 7, 2008). Ed will be in Orlando doing his standup at Bonkers Comedy Club, at the Why Not Lounge in Altamonte Springs on April 9, 2008.

WFBO Moves Up The Dial 4-4-08
WFBO-FM 97.7, Flagler Beach, has made the move this morning from their original frequency of 93.3.

Rerun of the Monsters Replace Lex and Terry 4-7-08
Now that Lex and Terry have moved to mornings on WJRR-FM 101.1, WTKS-FM 104.1 will rebroadcast Russ Rollins and the Monsters in the Morning from earlier in the day during the slot formerly held by L&T.

WDBO Takes Home 6 Associated Press 1st Place Awards 4-8-08
The WDBO-AM 580 News Team has won six Florida Associated Press Awards for Broadcast Excellence plus an individual achievement for Best of Show at the AP Awards. The winners from WDBO are; Gina Jordan-Best Newscast up to 5 Minutes. Gina Jordan, Bob Hazen and Dave Wahl-Best Spot News-"Sanford Plane Crash". Bob Hazen-Best Investigative Report: "Escort Services". Dave Wahl-Best Short Hard News Feature: "Hybrid Cars". Bob Hazen-Best Public Affairs; Individual Achievement and “Best of Show” for overall spot and investigative news. WDBO won Best Overall News Staff as well. The Associated Press Awards Banquet will be on Saturday, April 24, at Universal Orlando's Portofino Bay Hotel.

WLOQ Adds Syndicated Program To Weekends 4-9-08
WLOQ-FM 103.1 will be adding the Smooth Jazz Network's "The Smooth Jazz Top 20 Countdown with Allen Kepler" beginning this weekend.

One New Voice, One Voice Returns to WDBO 4-15-08
News man, Zach Stein, formerly of WNRP-AM 1620, Pensacola joins the WDBO-AM 580 news staff. Nikki Pierce returns to WDBO after a brief stint at WFLF-AM 540. Zach and Nikki replace Elizabeth Arenas who will become the Public Information Officer for the Dept of Children and Families and Gina Jordan who left WDBO to be closer to family in Tallahassee.

Mega de Nueva del la silenciada 4-15-08
WNUE-FM 98.1 lost its signal Monday afternoon due to a thief cutting off valuable copper tubing from their tower in Oak Hill. As soon as Volusia County Sheriff's Deputies got the call they responded to the scene and with the help of an Oak Hill Police Department officer stopped a man driving away from the tower. He didn't have the copper in his truck, but tools, gloves and a paint smear on his arm eventually did him in. Brian Benson admitted to taking the tubing and told deputies where the stolen metal could be found. Benson was arrested and booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail in Daytona Beach. Thieves had targeted that site twice before this year, once in January and once in March.

WFBO-(LP)FM Fined By FCC 4-15-08
WFBO-FM 97.7 (then licensed to 93.3) has been fined by the FCC for numerous violations dating back to 2007. Halifax Christian Community Church, Inc., the licensee has been fined $24,000 for willful and repeated violations.

Pat Campbell New Morning Host At KFAQ-AM 1170 4-16-08
Former WFLF-AM 540 morning host Pat Campbell has signed a 3 year deal to host the morning show at Tulsa's KFAQ-AM 1170. Pat will begin on April 22, 2008.

We're back In The Saddle Again 4-25-08
We have returned after a short hiatus to take care of some health problems. it's good to be back!

Gregg Lake Leaves WELE 4-25-08
Greg Lake did his last "Radio Free Volusia" show this morning after seven years on WELE-AM 1380. No word on where Greg is headed. Stay tuned...

Brenda Mathews Checks In 4-25-08
Longtime WMGF-FM 107.7 personality Brenda Matthews checks in and fills us in on what she's up to.
"I resigned my position at Magic 107.7 on 2/29, to take a full-time live air shift at a competing radio station, after being one of many downsized in 2008. Two weeks later on March 15th, my boyfriend Kenny and I were involved in a motorcycle accident in north Orange County. I was treated and released later on that evening, but Kenny was hospitalized for 3 ½ weeks - first in ORMC in ICU, the Trauma floor, then in the equally wonderful BIRC Rehab unit at Lucerne Hospital. He’s at home, now recuperating, and waiting for more rehabilitation, but we’re expecting nothing less than a 100% recovery. Lots of prayers were answered. During the same period, too, I was working with Clear Channel to be released from my non-compete from 1997. In spite of everyone’s efforts, however, things just weren’t meant to be, the timing just didn’t work out, and at the moment, I’m not in the radio business. Yes, I still have a home studio, but I’m considering other avenues, possibly something in media relations here in town, so Kenny can continue with Rehab here in Orlando. With over 20 years in the business, I have a lot of transferable skills to take into other areas. I’m hoping to be back to work soon! Thank you all for your interest and support, and e-mails. It’s time to move on.

Former WLOF DJ Pat O'Day On The Mend 4-25-08
Jerry Thompson aka Pat O'Day is back home in Pensacola recovering after serious surgery to remove Cancer. Our prayers and positive thoughts are with him.

Happy Birthday! 4-27-08
Happy 47th Birthday to WWKA-FM 92.3's Doc, of Doc and Grace in the morning. Hey Doc, we are still waiting for your bio. Happy Birthday!

Another Birthday Wish 4-28-08
Best known as sportscaster with WESH-TV 2 for almost 30 years, Buddy Pittman will celebrate his 56th birthday on May 2. Buddy worked in Central Florida Radio before moving to TV. Happy birthday Buddy!

New Digs For WSBB 4-30-08
WSBB-AM 1230 is broadcasting from new studios on Canal Street in the Historic Downtown District of New Smyrna Beach. They broadcast live during the Classic Car Cruise-In held the second Saturday of each month in Downtown New Smyrna Beach. The City has erected speakers up-and-down the street which play the radio station live.

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