What's News? July 2009

Listen To WIXC On Any Cell Phone 7-2-09
"As the Space Coast's most innovative talk radio station, WIXC-AM 1060 is focused on the future, looking for ways to give our listeners access to our programming on their mobile phones," said Genesis CEO Bruce Maduri. News/Talk WIXC-AM/Melbourne, aka "The Space Coast's Big Talker," is now available on any mobile phone, as is co-owned News/Talk WWBA-AM/Tampa. Both deals are through partnerships with AudioNow. Mobile phone listeners simply call a pre-determined number. No smart phones, downloads, or data plans are required as any cell phone will work. "Listening to radio on mobile phones needs to be as simple and reliable as turning on a radio and that is what distinguishes our technology from the rest of the industry," said Elan Blutinger, a Managing Director of AudioNow. "Why download radio when you can dial it direct?"

Prayers and Positive Thoughts Needed 7-6-09
Bob Andrews of WLBE-AM 790, who recently celebrated his 81st birthday and 61st year in broadcasting is having major health problems. Bob's brother Bill let us know of Bob's condition.
"Brother Bob has had a very rough year....was diagnosed wrong for cancer in gland in side of neck....botched surgery resulted in paralysis of nerves and scar tissue taking over.....after many doctors not caring, finally went to Shands which turned out to be a disaster.....ended up getting MRSA and false promises of surgery to correct problems (sagging left side of face)...they gave him medicine for MRSA that almost killed him....was so weak last Friday, his wife Liz had him put in hospital in Leesburg....I was with him Friday when doctor told him X-rays showed mass on right lung,,,,biopsy was done yesterday and we're waiting for results....he's under different medication for the MRSA that is helping....will let you know results when I find out....thanks for your concern....prayers are welcome....Bill Andrews"

Earl Finkle Passes 7-6-09
Earl Finkle weather forecasts were part of WDBO-AM 580 for many years. His skills as a meteorologist were sharpened by years of hard work at his Central Weather Service out of the Palwaukee Airport in Chicago. Earl, 81, died of kidney and heart failure Friday, July 3, in Highland Park Hospital, West Highland Park, IL.

Birthdays This Week 7-6-09
Shadow, the afternoon guy at WWKA-FM 92.3 as well as the head honcho at Black Crow, Mike Linn celebrate on Thursday, July 9. On Friday, July 10, Drew Garabo celebrates the big 4-0. Happy Birthday guys!

WELE-AM Owner Arrested 7-10-09
Volusia County Sheriff’s office sex crimes investigators executed an arrest warrant and a search warrant at a home near Ormond Beach Friday morning. They took into custody a 56-year-old man accused of engaging is sex acts with a teenage boy multiple times. The case is still under investigation as the Sheriff’s Office looks further into F. Douglas Wilhite’s past activities with the possibility that there are additional victims. The investigation started when Wilhite was interviewed concerning the victim being reported missing in May. It was learned that Wilhite was a nudist and that the victim and the victim’s friends were allowed to be naked around Wilhite. Wilhite went on to claim that the victim had made sexual advances toward him, but that Wilhite never touched the boy sexually. However, Wilhite said he allowed the victim and his friends to come over to his house and have sex, including in his presence. He also said that he offered to provide video equipment to the victim and his friends if they wanted to film themselves naked. Investigators spoke to the victim in July and learned from him that Wilhite would provide alcohol to him if he would agree to be naked. The victim also said that Wilhite had engaged in sex acts with him about a dozen times. Wilhite was booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail in Daytona Beach with a $100,000 bond and is now out on that bond.

Follow Up On Bob Andrews 7-12-09
Thanks to Bill Andrews for keeping us updated on his brother Bob Andrews' heath problems. "Brother Bob found out today (Friday) the mass on his right lung is malignant....a petscan will be done Monday to see if it has spread....if not, the doctor said this type responds well to surgery.." Email with good wishes and positive comments can be sent to Bob's wife at; lizan352@yahoo.com. Cards and notes may also be sent to Bob at 205 Aspen Circle, Leesburg, Fl., 34748

Phyllis Hartmann Passes 7-12-09
Phyllis Hartmann who was an air personality at WDAT-AM 1590, WPUL-AM 1590, WGGG-AM 1230 and WZIP-AM 1590 in the 80's and 90's has passed away. She lost her battle with cancer on July 1, 2009. In Memory

Birthdays This Week 7-12-09
WFLF-AM 540's Bob Nyles celebrates on Monday, July 13. Clive Thomas turns 67 on Wednesday the 15th.

A Celebration for Mike Lyons 7-13-09
ZSHOWZ announces "A Celebration for Mike Lyons", long time Orlando resident and musical friend, recently diagnosed with both liver and pancreatic cancer. Mike Lyons moved to Orlando from Kittery, Maine at a young age, graduating from Edgewater High School in 1970. He began his career in Orlando back in 1971 by publishing the city's first underground newspaper and promoting the first rock show at the Citrus Bowl (Cactus, Bloodrock, Potliquor and Dr. John for $3). He was Music Director and announcer for WORJ-FM 107.7, WDIZ-FM 100.3 and WHTQ-FM 96.5 in Orlando, Program Director for 98 Rock (WXTB) in Tampa, and spent the last eight years of his radio career as mornings/Assistant Program Director at WZTA Miami. Mike entered the record business in the mid-90's. From 1995-2000 he was VP of AAA Promotions at Lee Arnold Marketing. Mike joined TripleARadio.com as columnist (The Forest) and contributing editor in 2001. A Celebration for Mike Lyons will be Sunday, July 19, 2009 at 4 p.m. at McWells, and include performances by Thomas Wynn & the Believers; Galloway-Kelliher, Beth McKee; Rick Birkbeck & Friends; Heather Lee & Jordan Wynn; Bob Carr; Dennis, Jeff & Bari; Wendy Benson, and others, with special appearances by many of radio's best and brightest. This is a fundraising event with all proceeds to go to Mike to help out with medical bills and other expenses. McWells is located in the Gatlin Center where Holden, Gatlin and Orange Avenue converge, at 4757 S. Orange Avenue in Orlando (407-855.4006) . McWells is a nonsmoking venue featuring a variety of good food and a full bar. Tickets are $10 at the door. The public is invited.
To make a donation to the Mike Lyons Medical Fund go to PayPal.com this link will take you to the SendMoney link At the page enter To:
MikeLyonsMedicalFund@gmail.com From: Your Email account

Big Changes At WUFT-FM 7-21-09
WUFT-FM 89.1 will be dropping classical music on Aug. 3. The University of Florida's College of Journalism and Communications announced that the university-owned station will broadcast National Public Radio shows in place of music. WUFT will expand local news reported by students. Journalism Dean John Wright told the Gainesville Sun that the station will no longer play classical music and little if any other music. That programming, will move music to its web site and high-definition HD2 signal. The station's nickname, Classic 89, also is being dropped. The changes also apply to affiliate station WJUF-FM 90.1 in Citrus County. The student produced news program "Front Page on the Air," which airs on WRUF-AM 850, will move to WUFT and WJUF weekdays at 4 p.m.

WIYD Sold 7-23-09
WIYD-AM 1260 has changed hands. The station has sold for $300,000. The buyer is Natkim Radio (Charles E. Alford, Jr.). This is the first radio property for Natkim. The seller, Radio Palatka, will retain adult standards WPLK-AM 800.

Birthdays This Week 7-26-09
Celebrants this week include; on Thursday, frequent contributor Pete Simonson and CBS News reporter Peter King. On Friday; Rick Padilla celebrates his 54th.
7-29-09 Morning legend Russ Wheeler turns 74 on Saturday and Elvis Gorbechev (Jack Dyer) turns 64. Happy Birthday gentleman!

More on Bob Andrews 7-26-09
Here's the latest on Bob Andrews, the host of the WLBE-AM 790 "Breakfast Club". Doctors have found a spot on his colon and on his prostate gland. The pulmonary specialist feels that the lung tumor is operable and he is seeing a chest surgeon tomorrow. He has already seen a Gastroenterologist and will see a urologist on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Bob is still being treated for MRSA. The family is hopeful that the lung tumor can be removed and then they will be able to go back to Gainesville to take up where we left off with the facial surgery to correct pain in his ear and face. The pain developed after scar tissue invaded his jaw joint which makes it difficult for him to eat, after removal of a tumor from a saliva gland, in April of 2008. Keep Bob and family in your prayers and positive thoughts.

Annie Sommers Passes 7-28-09
Annie Sommers (Mari Ann Sollom) has lost her hard fought battle with ovarian cancer on Sunday, July 26. Annie worked in Orlando at WHTQ-FM 96.5, WOCL-FM 105.9, WHVE-FM 104.1, "Star 94.5" WCFB-FM 94.5 and WMMO-FM 98.9. After leaving Orlando she became Program Director for WBBY-FM 107.3, "The Bay", a Cox station in St. Petersburg. She was working for the Clear Channel cluster in Sarasota, WSRZ-FM 92.1 "Lite 92.1", when she became ill.

7-29-09 More about Annie from Clear Channel Sarasota via Ric Russo. Annie Sommers (Mari Ann Sollom) is that enthusiastic, warm and familiar voice heard on the air in many cities over the last 32 years. Annie has worked in almost every capacity in radio, from music director to program director and of course on-air talent. She started her long successful career in Minneapolis in 1977, and has been entertaining listeners in Atlanta, Orlando, Tampa Bay, Pensacola and Sarasota. One of her signature shows was the widely popular "Sunday Acoustic Brunch", which she created and aired in Orlando, Tampa Bay and Sarasota. In the course of her career, she worked with many famous artists and was a big supporter of local music artists. She also was a firm believer in giving back to the community and could be seen lending a hand and voice at various community charitable events. Annie Sommers lost her battle with Ovarian Cancer, July 26th, 2009. Donations may made to the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition in Annie's name via the Internet at https://www.ovarian.org/donation/donate.aspx In Memory

Congratulations To WUCF 7-29-09
WUCF-FM 89.9 begins their 31st year of broadcasts. The station licensed in January of 1978, took to the air as WFTU-FM 89.9 in July of the same year. Congratulations to UCF.

James “Jay Baby” Robinson Passes 7-30-09
James "Jay Baby" Robinson passed away peacefully at his home in Winter Park on July 27, 2009 at the age of 69. Robinson was born in Perry, FL. "Jay Baby" grew up in an era historically known as “race music” and throughout his life he was a key figure in promoting R&B music artists throughout the state of Florida. He began promoting music as the owner of Jay's Records in Orlando that serviced the African-American communities in the entire central Florida area for over 20 years. Jay provided many live events for the community to meet recording acts and view performances of some of the greatest artists of that era including Aretha Franklin, Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder, Issac Hayes, Nancy Wilson, 4 Tops, Dionne Warwick, Spinners, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, The Temptations, Freda Payne, and many more. He joined "Tiger Radio" WOKB-AM 1600 in the 1960's along with Joe Bullard, Marvin Zanders, Nick Mickels, Guy Rozier and Melvin Grace. In Memory

Fishing Florida Radio Joins Line-up on WYGM 7-31-09
WYGM-AM 740 "The Game" has picked up Fishing Florida Radio. Steve Chapman co-hosts with Boudreaux Saturday mornings form 6AM-9AM.