What’s News? 

June 2011


Happy Birthday!    6-6-11
Happy birthday to WTKS-FM 104.1 mid day host, Jason "Buckethead" Bailey who celebrates on Tuesday, June 7. Happy birthday Jason!


SOLD: WVLG-AM     6-7-11
WVLG-AM 640, Wildwood, has been sold for $750,000 to Villages Communications by Senior Broadcasting. Villages Communications will pay Senior Broadcasting the purchase price in five equal payments over the next five years. 


Silent WOGF Sold    6-8-11
"Sab" Cupelli's Nature Coast Broadcasting, Inc. has sold WOGF-FM 104.3, Inglis to the Citrus County Association For Retarded Citizens, Inc. The sale price was set at $200,000. The CCARC has until December to put the station back on the air or the license will be cancelled. WOGF has been silent since December 16, 2010.


Happy Birthday!    6-12-11
WTKS-FM 104.1 Monster member Daniel Dennis celebrates number 35 today. The WDVH-AM 980 Diva Jinx Miller does the happy dance tomorrow. Happy birthday to you both!


Bob Church Passes    6-15-11
 From Mick Dolan's blog 
"...Bobby passed quietly at Florida Hospital Tuesday night June 14th, 2011. Thanks to Susie Martin-Rott, author of the forthcoming book Playin’ The Peninsula: Garage and Teen Center Bands of the I-4 Corridor for more about Bob.  Bob Church was born in Owensboro, Kentucky. When he was two, he contracted polio, which affected his legs. At age 2-1/2 he was fitted with his first set of braces, and over the course of his youth had multiple surgeries, alternating from walking with braces and crutches to having to use a wheelchair to get around. He never let it stop him from pursuing his music. After he quit playing in bands like Central Florida favorites, The Undertakers, he worked at several Orlando area radio stations (WLOQ, WDBO, WORJ, Y106 and WDIZ) as an on-air personality.  I knew Bobby as my program director (he hired me at WDIZ in 1980) and later as part of the Bob and Bob morning show on WLOQ in the 90s. Like most people I know in radio, Bobby was crazy and we loved him!!  There is a benefit for Bob tentatively planned for Sat July 9th at McWells in Orlando on South Orange Ave–more details soon."


Wilhite House Arrest Lifted     6-16-11
It's been a bit over a year since WELE-AM 1380 owner Doug Wilhite was sentenced to two years of house arrest and 13 years' probation for child abuse and neglect. On Wednesday, Wilhite, 58, appeared before Circuit Judge R. Michael Hutcheson, once again. Wilhite explained to the court that he has suffered a stroke and seizures since he was sentenced. Wilhite's Daytona Beach attorney, David Damore successfully argued to end the house arrest portion of Wilhite's sentence. Wilhite has completed all requirements of house arrest, and has been in full compliance, probation officials said. Wilhite will remain on probation for 13 years. 

Still #1    6-16-11
Congratulations to WPOZ-FM 88.3 for maintaining the #1 position in the latest PPM ratings. This is the second consecutive period.

Happy Birthday!    6-17-11
Former WOCL-FM 105.9 morning host Downtown Billy Brown celebrates his birthday tomorrow, June 18. On Monday, Brian Thomas, and Russ Allen, the Program Director at WTMG-FM 101.3, celebrate. Happy Birthday to you all.

WMMV Knocked Off The Air...Copper Thief Collared    6-18-11
WMMV-AM 1350, Cocoa was knocked off the air last Saturday when a copper thief entered the building and cut the power cords from the UPS units and tripped the breaker that powered the equipment rack. Andy McDonald, chief engineer for Clear Channel Radio Brevard called Brevard County Sheriff’s Deputies. The station had no audio for approximately two hours. The station did have web cams installed. On Wednesday, Brent Gene Williamson was arrested for the theft and all of the stolen equipment was recovered.

Casey Anthony Trial On WMEL     6-20-11
WMEL-AM 1300 has coverage of the Casey Anthony murder trial, daily. "The Talk To Me Station" owner, John Harper is joined by Brevard Law Firm Attorney Ernie Chang for commentary on the case. The broadcast can also be heard at http://www.1300wmel.com.

SOLD: WPGS, Mims    6-20-11
Lou Josephs lets us know that WPGS, Inc., owners of WPGS-AM 840 has sold the station to Caribbean Broadcasting, LLC. The sale price is $220,000 plus a time brokerage agreement before closing. 

City Of License Change Requested    6-21-11
Black Crow Media, LLC, (Debtor In Possession) has applied to the FCC to change the city of license of WKRO-FM 93.1 from Edgewater to Port Orange. The application was accepted by the FCC on 6/13.

Happy Birthday!     6-22-11
Cox Orlando's Operations Manager Steve Holbrook will blow out the candles today. Happy birthday Steve!

Birthdays This Week    6-26-11
Former WXXL-FM 106.7 assistant program director and music director, Pete De Graff celebrates a birthday along with Scott "Scooter" Sherwood on Monday. Tony Downes turns 50 on Friday. Happy birthday, gentlemen!

Bye, Bye Bison     6-28-11
After the sale of WPGS-AM 840 to Caribbean Broadcasting LLC, "Ron Bisson's Real Country USA" has lost their morning home. The sounds of  Ethnic Creole can now be heard on the Mims station.


Garabo Gets A New Gig      6-28-11
Drew Garabo will return to the airwaves as co-host of "The Morning X" with Drew and Seth" on Tampa/St. Pete's 97X (WSUN-FM 97.1). Current morning co-host Fisher is moving to afternoons to replace Program Director Shark (formerly of Orlando's WSHE-FM 100.3 and WJRR-FM 101.1) who is getting more off-air responsibilities. Drew joins Seth and Producer Danielle starting on Tuesday, July 5.


Lady Laura Diaz    6-30-11
Laura Diaz, former WKMG-TV morning news anchor, looks like she will join the WXXL-FM 106.7 morning show along side Johnny Magic and Brian Grimes. Laura has been "auditioning" on the air. 


Bobby Church Memorial Benefit     6-30-11
A benefit to remember and celebrate the life of WLOQ-FM 103.1's Bob Church who passed on June 14th, 2011 will be held at McWells in Orlando on July 9, from 7PM until Midnight. There will be 5 hours packed full of great music & fellowship. A $10 donation at the door will also help the family with expenses. If you have anything you would like to donate for auction please contact Zaida at 407.340.2318 or by email at: Zaida@ZShowz.com.

What's New

 Biographies In Memory Sounds
AM / FM 		 Misc. Chronology What's News?