WBCL/Ft Wayne is gearing up for the Indianapolis 500.  WBCL is conducting a promotion that involves an enormous amount of cars—Matchbox Cars, that is.  During the month of May, men will be able to sign up on the WBCL website for a chance to win 4 tickets to the Indianapolis 500. Kelley Automotive Group of Fort Wayne has donated hundreds of  Matchbox Cars for this contest.  To enter, men will need to guess how many cars are actually in the trunk of a car. The winner will receive the tickets, with a personal visit from the WBCL Race Team, Scott Tsuleff, Ken Church and Jill Johnston, on May 20^th.  But there’s more to this giveaway.  Once the tickets have been delivered and the winner is off to the races, WBCL and Kelley Automotive Group will donate the cars to Lutheran Hospital Pediatrics of Fort Wayne, IN.  Those Matchbox Cars will brighten little faces that are fighting a race of a different kind. (4/29)

WVFJ/Atlanta (J93.3)/ Production Director/midday talent Michael Stuart exits after nearly four years with the station. The 24-year radio vet was previously APD/Creative Services Director and Afternoons at WMEZ/Pensacola, PD of KKMG/Colorado Springs, and WABB/Mobile. He is also the producer of the nationally syndicated Christian music program, "Sonrise".  Reach him at 678-386-6941 or michael@audiomsp.com. (4/26)

Jon Rivers, host of 20 the Countdown Magazine, joins the daily 1-minute Parenting Todays Teens production team as the feature's announcer. The program is hosted by teen expert Mark Gregston.  Rivers previously voiced his recommendation of the feature, and is now putting his voice to work within it as well.  Due to its unique ministry content, many stations have been successful at finding local churches, youth groups or counseling services to sponsor it. Others are running it as a ministry, non-sponsored filler, or as a public service.  Stations can register to pick it up at www.parentingtodaysteens.org.  (4/25)

KRNG/Reno (Renegade Radio) William E. Bauer checks in with HisAir.Net and says the station adds JJ Tom to an early morning shift $am-6am). Completing the on air line-up is Robert Alou, Stace Cupples and the Notorious V.I.C in mornings. Dan Graf handles Monday evenings, and Chairlie Firus on Wednesday evenings,  and Ashley Clements handles CDs on Thursday evenings. Bauer says music at night after 9:00 becomes hard with the Nighwatch.  (4/24)

Winners in the GMA Dove Awards included: Male Vocalist of the Year - Chris Tomlin, Female Vocalist of the Year - Natalie Grant, New Artist of the Year - Brandon Heath, Group of the Year - Casting Crowns, Songwriter of the Year - Cindy Morgan. Click here to get complete list of winners.  (4/24)

KSBJ/Houston’s President and General Manager, Tim McDermott, and Vice President of Programming, Jon Hull, have both been elected to serve as chairmen of two leading Christian music broadcasting associations. McDermott was elected as National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) Radio Chairman and Jon Hull was elected as Educational Track Chairman to the Christian Music Broadcasters (CMB) for a second term.  (4/23)

GMA Week Update: 2008 Radio Echo Awards were presented at GMA this week, The winners were:

Station Of The Year: Small Market KLRC Fayetteville, Medium Market KTSY Boise, Large WPOZ Orlando, Major KSBJ Houston.

PD of the year: Small Tom Greene WMIT Asheville, Med Chris Lemke Grand Rapids, Large Chuck Pryor KSBJ Houston.

Music Director of the year: Small Mike Couchman WAYK Kalamazoo, Med Jeff Cruz WPOZ Orlando, Large Sarah Taylor KCMS Seattle.

Air Personality of the year: Small Mike & Stacy WAYK KALAMAZOO, Med Brant Hansen WAY FM W. Palm Beach, Large Kevin & Taylor WFSH Atlanta.

Promoter Of the Year: Michael Johnson Top 5 Promotions.

Rob Gregory Award: Jeff McFarlane The Joy Network.

Scott Campbell Award: Bob Augsburg WAY FM.

Industry Impact Award: Linda Myers Christian Music Broadcasters (CMB)   

(4/21)

WAWZ/New York (Star 99.1) was awarded the National Association of Broadcasters Crystal Radio Award at the NAB show going on this week in Las Vegas. In his acceptance speech Station Manager Scott Taylor stated “We’ve got a dedicated team that is passionate about doing great radio and considers it a privilege to serve the New York Metro area audience and are really great at serving their listeners.” PD/Morning Show Host Johnny Stone chimed in “It is a blessing to win the Crystal Radio Award but the real reason the staff at STAR 99.1 super-serves the local New York Metropolitan community is because it is the right thing to do.” Since 1987, the NAB Crystal Radio Awards have recognized radio stations for their outstanding year-round commitment to community service.  (4/16)

STUFF: The GMA announced that XM Satellite radio will air the Dove Awards Thursday live on "The Message" (XM32)... WNWC/Madison PD Brian Christopher will transfer at the end of May to Northwestern Media's WSMR/Sarasota for same duties...  (4/16)

Linda Myers checks in with HisAir.Net with an alert for those headed to GMA Week... "Due to circumstances beyond CMB’s and Play MPE’s control, the DARTS session will NOT be digital this year!  So, bring your recording equipment and get your liners from your favorite artists. DARTS IS NOT CANCELLED.  It’s simply gone retro.  So, PACK YOUR RECORDING EQUIPMENT and your typed liners." See you in Nashville!  (4/15)

As first reported on HisAir.Net (Newsroom 4/10) KSBJ/Houston PD Chuck Pryor will exit the station at the end of April and today KSBJ has promoted Jon Hull to Vice President of Programming. In this new role, Hull will take on day-to-day decision making in programming, as well as crafting concepts for two additional Christian HD formats to be launched in the next 12 months in KSBJ’s current coverage area. These new duties will be in addition to his current responsibilities including spearheading KSBJ’s worldwide mentoring and outreach efforts to other Christian radio stations and leading the station’s annual fundraising team.  (4/15) 

KXOJ/Tulsa welcomes David Waggoner to the staff starting on May 5th. David takes over as Promotions Director for Cody Joiner, who left the station to pursue a management position in retail promotions. Waggoner served in the KXOJ building once before, as an intern in the summer of 2004 for sister rocker KCXR (The Kross). Waggoner was previously in a similar position at Salem's KGBI/Omaha.  (4/14)

STUFF: Former WFZH/Milwaukee (The Fish) MD Rick Hall lands at secular AC WCFS/Chicago for PM drive... WBCL/Ft Wayne Radio Network has won 2nd place for "Best News Series" in Indiana AP awards... (4/11)

KSBJ/Houston PD Chuck Pryor is stepping down from the position and will exit the station at the end of April. Chuck tells His Air.Net the decision to leave was a personal one made by him and his wife. At this time he has no definite plans but is trusting the Lord to lead and he will follow.  Chuck joined KSBJ in June 2005 coming from WBGL/Champaign. (4/10)

WPRJ/Saginaw (101.7 The Fuse) has elevated PD Aaron Dicer to Operations Manager affective April 15th. also, overnight personality Josh Thompson becomes WPRJ Music Director and IT Manager. In Addition WPRJ owners Come Together Ministries enters an LMA agreement with Passion Communications a company headed by President Rick Welke who has consulted the station for the past three years.  “I’ve been honored to work with the great staff at The Fuse and have watched them transition into a strong team that is passionate about impacting mid-Michigan and beyond for the sake of sharing the Gospel through music,” states Welke. “The way that this has transpired has been no less than a miracle and something that the new management team will not take lightly. Our intentions are not only to make a larger dent in the Midland-Bay City-Saginaw, MI tri-city area, but to develop a new format in the Top 40 mindset that will position us distinctly in the pursuit of touching individual lives.”  (4/10)

KPSM/Brownwood, Texas (The Rock) welcomes back Angie Schum as the GM.  She had taken a two year leave of absence.  Also the station also welcomes morning air duo "John and Don In The Morning".  (4/10)

WAY-FM Media Group COO Lloyd Parker has announced the appointment of Bret Bremberg as GM of the new WPAL/Charleston, SC.  Bremberg comes to WAY-FM after stints at WRFJ/Duluth (The Refuge) as Ministry Development Director and KJIA/Spirit Lake, IA where he was GM.  He also worked at KMBI/Spokane as well as KTSL/Spokane. In bringing Bremberg to WAY-FM, Parker stated, “I am excited that Bret is joining our team. He brings a lot of experience to the table in management, operations, sales and marketing. Bret has a passion to reach youth and young adults with the message of Christ. He is a perfect fit to lead our efforts in Charleston.”  

WPAL 100.9 FM in Charleston, SC, (soon to be WAYX, pending FCC approval), will launch with the WAY-FM format in June 2008. This marks the second new station for WAY-FM in 2008 following the launch of WAYI/Louisville. (4/9)

KJIL/Abilene, KS announcer and indie artist, Gabriel Peter and his band, will be featured doing two songs as well as sharing a testimony on the Christian Television Network on the program Bridges this Friday (4/11) at 9:30 am and 6:30 pm.  The flagship station for the Christian Television Network is WHTN in Nashville.  Bridges is hosted by Monica Schmelter who is the WHTN station manager.  Gabriel Peter has three albums to his credit as well as the book "East from West."  Gabriel has also been name Air Personality of the Year twice by the Kansas Association of Broadcasters. (4/9)

Jan Markowitz from Moody Radio's WCRF/Cleveland checks in with HisAir.Net to say the station had a record breaking SHARE 2008 that wrapped up last week. Listeners contributed 100.7% of their goal which was $ 1,550,000.00.  (4/8)

David Bolthouse, producer of Parenting Today's Teens, announces two production improvements to its daily 1-minute feature.  First, beginning April 11 the program will be offered with 3 background music options, to better fit with all station formats. The three versions will be voice only (no music bed), Inspirational music bed, and Contemporary music bed. All 3 versions are available by monthly CD or via FTP, but only the inspirational music version is available via the SRN satellite feeds. Secondly, the feature's closing few seconds will now be voiced by veteran voice talent, Bob Allen. To hear the new demos, or to add your station to the over 1,500 radio outlets that now air the 1-minute feature, visit www.ParentingTodaysTeens.org.  (4/7)

Amid changes at EMI CMG Manager National Promotion Josh Lauritch checks in with HisAir.Net to say "Grant Hubbard, Betsy Jones, Brian Thiele and myself are still in place, and radio needs to add our records"  (4/4)

STUFF: Three staffers at WJTL/Lancaster have received awards from the Pennsylvania Association Of Broadcasters... Congratulations to WRCM/Charlotte PD Dwight Harrison on the birth of his new baby daughter... (4/4)

Kris Love has been promoted to Music Director at WYLV/Knoxville (Love 89). Kris has also joined the morning show team "The Breakfast Bunch" with Marisa Lykins, and will also continue to host Love 89's regional artist showcase program on Sunday nights called The Detour. Former MD Jonathon Unthank remains with the station as afternoon personality. As first reported by HisAir.Net on March 4 Marshall Stewart has been hired as WYLV PD.  (4/1)

GMA/CMB 2008 Radio Station of the Year winners have been announced. Small Market: KLRC/Fayetteville, Medium Market: KTSY/Boise, Large Market: WPOZ/Orlando, Major Market:
KSBJ/Houston.  (4/1)

SONICFLOOd headlined WIBI/Springield's Opening Act Finale/Concert on Sunday, March 30th. This American Idol-like competition saw winning contestant Andy Whitten (a youth pastor from nearby Vandalia, IL) win the right to open the evening with Myrrh recording artist Mark Roach. "This promotion was both a huge undertaking and a huge success." said WIBI PD Rob Regal.  "The idea came from Alan Mason's suggestion that we hold a church praise band competition.  However, the idea morphed into what has now become a WIBI franchise, and would never have been possible without the tireless efforts of our good friend Mark Roach".  (4/1)

Mike Scott joins WMSJ/Freeport, ME (Positive 89.3) as morning show co-host from WRFJ/Duluth...  (3/31)

STUFF: Jennifer James moves from morning to afternoon news at AIR1... SOS Radio listeners sponsored 609 children through Compassion International during a 2 day SOS Radio's Days of Compassion... WQFL/Rockford PD Johnny V now taking music calls Wednesday 10:30am-noon CT... (3/31)