BITS: We're headed to Nashville and GMA Week, check back to HisAir.Net for tons of pictures .... Dale Christopher is named APD at KKCM/Tulsa... The Creation Festival add Creation Southwest to it's 2007 Festival line-up with the dates of June 7-9 at Willowwood ranch, Tx... R&R Christian Summit dates will be November 9-11 in Nashville... Salem's KLFE/Seattle adds Dr. Laura from noon to 3PM...  (3/31)

Flicker Records announced it will be acquired by Provident Label Group. PLG will also take over Flickers children's label, Big House Kids and it's catalog. Flicker artists include T-Bone, Kids in the Way, Pillar, Fireflight, Until June, Flatfoot 56, and Eleventyseven.

Starting April 3, 2006 Flicker sales and catalog orders will be taken care of by Provudent-Integrity Distribution and Sony Red.  (3/27)

Word VP Promotions Derek Jones checks in with HisAir.Net "I am pleased to announce that effective immediately Mr. James Riley has officially been promoted to DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL PROMOTION for the Word Label Group. James has been serving the Radio Department faithfully for many years as Sr. Manager of National Promotion. Please join me in congratulating James on this well-deserved promotion!"  (3/24)

WONU/Chicago introduces Ohio native Zach "Z-Bo" Bohannon as its overnight host. Previous overnight host Matt Angell exit for full-time church work in Portage, IN.  (3/23) 

The GMA 2006 Radio Stations of the year have been announced. And the winners are....Major Market KSBJ/Houston TX, Large Market station is WPOZ/Orlando FL, Medium Market WMHK/Columbia SC, and Small Market KLRC/Fayetteville AR, The station of the year awards are presented to those Christian stations that meet the highest standards of quality, and have the strongest impact in their listening area. The categories include: community involvement, ratings, airchecks, and industry leadership. Each station will be acknowledged during the 37th annual GMA Music Awards on April 5th in Nashville.  (3/22)

Music Thru The Night, Moody Broadcasting Network's (MBN) overnight five hour nationally syndicated music program, introduces veteran announcer Roger Basick as the new weekend (Saturday and Sunday) host starting April 8, 2006. Mike Kellogg, current daily host for over 20 years, will continue the weekday hosting.  (3/21)

Kevin Hilley has been named PD and Morning Co-Host at KMFC/Centralia/Columbia/Jefferson City, MO, (Joy 92FM). Kevin was formerly with Cumulus Radio in Columbia/Jefferson City. Now part of "SonRise with Karen & Kevin" Weekday mornings with co-host Karen Dye.  (3/20)

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Gary Mac has announced he will be leaving the PD/mornings post at Crawford Broadcasting WPTR/Albany next week. Gary and his wife Sarah will be moving back to his home state of Missouri where he will be taking a position on the Republican State Auditor’s campaign.  Gary said on his departure "We are very excited for the challenges and rewards that this move and career will bring. At the same time, we are sad to leave our friends here in Upstate New York, and the powerhouse we have built at Pulse 96.7". Afternoon host Peter Kaye will be taking over the morning show, as well as the PD duties for WPTR and WDCD effective April 1st.  (3/17)

KZZQ/Des Moines welcomes Jennifer Wagoner Assistant PD/Promotions Director. She will also join PD Mike Schlote (SchloMan) on "Mike at the Mic in the Morning,".  Previously Jennifer was with WBGL/Champaign.  Schlote says, "I am excited to have a co-host.  I always felt a little stupid laughing by myself."  (3/16)

BITS: WJLZ/Virginia Beach brings in Jeremiah St. James for PM drive... Look for WCIC/Peoria PD Grayson Long to head to Integrity Music as Director of National Promotions starting April 1... KTSY/Boise is one of the finalists for the Crystal Award from the NAB... Marcus Brown has been chosen as PD for Salem's WIND/Chicago coming from WLS/Chicago... CMTA names WORD Distribution President Mark Funderburg as it's new Chairman of the Board.  (3/14)

Darren Ryder has been named GM of Salem's Orlando cluster including News Talk 660 WORL-AM, and Christian Teaching and Talk 950 WTLN-AM and 1520 WHIM-AM. Ryder has more than 15 years of experience managing television sales, marketing, operations, personnel and production. His most recent experience was with Time Warner Cable, Waco, Texas, as Local Advertising Sales Manager. He also spent five years as GM of WLFT TV and WQCK/Baton Rouge.

In addition Salem names Tony Calatayud GM at their News Talk 1360 WKAT/Miami. Calatayud has been operations manager for News Talk Radio 1360 WKAT since last year and takes on the general manager role this month

And long-time Colorado Springs media executive Henry Tippie has been named general manager of Salem's Colorado Springs radio stations. The cluster includes Q102.7 FM KBIQ, Life Changing Radio 100.7 FM KGFT and News Talk 1460 AM KZNT. Tippie joins Salem from KKCS FM in Colorado Springs where he was as general manager.  (3/13)

Longtime Christian station WBYN/Boyertown, PA has changed format to Classic Hits as "Frank 107.5".  (3/13)

Salem Communications today announced results for the three month and twelve month periods ended December 31, 2005. Commenting on the company's results, Edward G. Atsinger III, president and CEO, said, "The fourth quarter was a challenging quarter for the radio broadcast industry, including Salem. While the radio industry experienced a 3% decline in revenue for the quarter, we posted same station revenue growth of 1% and same station operating income growth of 3%. Our results reflect the absence of almost $1.0 million of political revenue in the fourth quarter of 2005 that we had in the fourth quarter of 2004. Positives for the quarter include the performance of our News Talk stations, which posted 16% same station revenue growth, and our consistent local and national block programming business, which grew revenue by 8% over last year on a same station basis."

Atsinger continued, "The challenging environment for radio at the end of 2005 has continued into the first quarter of 2006 and is reflected in our first quarter guidance; looking further into 2006 and longer term, we are optimistic. Nearly half of our radio stations are in a start-up or early development stage and we are focused on developing these stations to maturity. We successfully finished our national block programming renewal process with a 5% increase in programming rates. Additionally, we continue to build and solidify our position as the leader in Christian content on the Internet."  (3/8)

Salem Communications today named Tom Holiday general manager of their Sacramento radio stations. The Sacramento cluster includes News Talk KTKZ-105.5 FM and 1380 AM, KKFS 103.9-FM The Fish(R), and KFIA-710 AM. Michael Reichert, who served as the cluster's interim general manager, becomes Regional Manager of Salem radio stations in San Diego, San Francisco and Seattle. Jon Horton, vice president of operations, remarked, "We are pleased to welcome Tom Holiday to Salem. His expertise and breadth of experience will further strengthen Sacramento's impact for listeners and advertisers." Holiday joins Salem from The Media Audit, a 34-year-old company specializing in data and consulting where he has been southeast territory manager since April, 2003. Before that, Holiday served as GM for WNNX/Atlanta.

Previously, he worked with Cox Radio Tulsa, Okla., which included stations KWEN-FM, KJSR-FM and KRTQ FM, where he eventually was named VP/GM of KJSR/KRTQ. Holiday also has served in various sales and management positions for Astor Broadcasting, Sconnix Broadcasting and GCC Communications.  (3/7)

Moody Broadcasting Network's (MBN) New Day Florida morning show heard on WKES/ WSOR/ WKZM and WHGN in Central and Southwest Florida welcomes Mike Daniele as co-host with Kate Bruington. Daniele, is a Moody Bible Institute alumnus, and has worked for MBN for six years. (3/6)

The Weekend Top 25 Countdown and The Weekend 22 pick up more affiliates and cross the 200 market threshold! With the recent addition of over a dozen new affiliates, The Weekend Top 25 Countdown and The Weekend 22 are now airing in over 200 markets across the country.  Ken Farley, Owner/President of AmpedCreative says “It’s been exciting to see more stations around the country adding The Weekend Top 25 Countdown and The Weekend 22 to their programming schedule. We consider it an honor that they would entrust us with some of their valuable air-time every week, and we don’t take that lightly. It’s our goal to provide quality programming that’s compliments what local Christian radio stations are already doing across the country.” 

The Weekend Top 25 Countdown is hosted by award-winning morning show personality Scott Smith (WPOZ/Orlando) and is based on Radio & Record’s AC Monitored charts. The Weekend 22 is hosted by CHR veteran Jeremy Gonzalez (aka Jgonzo) and is based on Radio & Record’s CHR charts.  (3/6)

BITS: Gospel WRMLPageland S.C. is sold by Robert Broadcasting to Norsan Consulting and Management for $975.000...  Micele Nipp is leaving the CMTA for a new position at Every Nation Ministries... Rebecca St. James will be this years musical ambassador and spokesperson for the 2006 National Day of Prayer held on May 4th.  (3/6)

Here are the finalists for Station of the Year Award fron the GMA. Winners to be announced during GMA week in Nashville.........and the stations are......... Major Market: KLTY / Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX, KSBJ / Houston-Galveston, TX, WFSH / Atlanta, GA... Large Market: KXOJ / Tulsa, OK, WPOZ / Orlando, FL, WRCM / Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill, NC... Medium Market: KBIQ / Colorado Springs, CO, KTSY / Boise, ID, WMHK / Columbia, SC... Small Market: KJIL / Dodge City, KS, KLRC / Fayetteville, AR, KSWP / Lufkin-Nacogdoches, TX  Winners will be announced two weeks prior to GMA and will receive their awards during GMA week.  (3/3)

Movement: HisAir.Net net hears that WBGB/Jacksonville station vet Gary Walsh is leaving to join Clear Channels new CCM KPEZ/Austin in morning drive... Matt Hubbell has left nights at AIR1 and is available, contact Matt at matter282@yahoo.com..  There's quite a few choice openings right now at Christian radio check the HisAir.Net jobs page for details.  (2/27)  

AmpedCreative and The Vibe Radio Network announce the formation of a marketing and promotions partnership.  “We believe our partnership will allow The Vibe Radio Network to further solidify itself as a serious contender in the world of quality syndicated programming.” Says Ken Farley, Owner/President of AmpedCreative. “In my mind, the show is already a huge success, yet has the potential to be heard on a lot more outlets across the country. We’re looking forward to seeing what develops out of this partnership.”

“I am super excited to join up with AmpedCreative!” said Chris Chicago, host of The Vibe Radio Network. “With great shows like Weekend 22 and The Z Rock Radio Revolution, the Vibe adds some nice flavor to their already strong arsenal! Look for a stellar '06 for that "Little Show That Could" The Vibe Radio Network!”  (2/27)

BRIEFS: WAY FM Media Group COO Lloyd Parker has been given the Scott Campbell Award for outstanding contributions to the growth of Christian Music Radio, meanwhile KSBJ/Houston gets the Rob Gregory Award... WMBI/Chicago GM Wayne Pederson is upped to VP at Moody (MBN)... Joey Krol joins WVNI/Bloomington, IN for Morning Drive... KATZ/St Louis has been re-imaged by Clear Channel as The New 1600, Hallelujah AM"...  Salem has acquired Crossdaily.com for 2.3mil.  (2/22)

 Positive Alternative Radio has purchased the former CSN Virginia and will expand its coverage of WPER/Wash DC (89.9) from Richmond to Winchester. In addition to 90.5 in Fredericksburg, six translators covering key Virginia locations will carry the format of contemporary Christian music. Flint Hill 96.5, Alexandria 97.7, and Leesburg 93.5 and signing on in the very near future are Front Royal 88.1, Winchester 106.3, and Stanardsville 88.1. In addition the reach of WPER for Virginia will also be aided by a new antenna and tower project for scheduled to be completed by March 1. Also as part of the purchase of 90.5 WJYJ, Positive Alternative Radio acquired WPVA 90.1 in Charlottesville, bringing Christian music to that area through WPER’s sister station, Spirit FM.  (2/21)

At the National Religious Broadcasters annual convention in Dallas Salem's Christian Teaching and Talk station, WFIL/Philadelphia won the award for Radio Station of the Year in the Talk category . Meanwhile SRN News, Salem's national radio news network was awarded Best Radio News Format. Russ Whitnah, vice president and general manager of WFIL (AM 560) accepted the award on behalf of WFIL-AM 560. Tom Tradup, vice president, news and talk programming of SRN accepted the award on behalf of SRN News, which is headquartered in Washington D.C.

Joe D. Davis, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Salem noted, "The NRB awards recognize the professionalism and dedication of our colleagues at WFIL and SRN who are working diligently to deliver excellence everyday. Their passion is matched by our longtime ministry partners who create programming that reaches people with solid Biblical teaching and the message of hope.  (2/21)

Congratulations to WMIT /Asheville, NC (106.9 The Light) PD Carol Davis and staff for being awarded the 2006  Media Award for Radio Station of the Year in the music format category by The National Religious Broadcasters.  have named  as the winner of  The award is scheduled to presented at the NRB's 63rd annual Convention in Dallas this weekend.  (2/16)

EMF does a little station swap in Louisiana with NWLA Broadcasting as they pick up KYLA/Shreveport in exchange for KWDF/Alexandria. In the deal with NWLA Broadcasting, EMF is also paying NWLA $2.85 million in order to obtain the KYLA, in addition to other agreements. (2/16)

KWOF/ Cedar Rapids (89.1 The Spirit) has hired Jack Davis as Program Director and AM host. Davis was most recently the AM host at Adonai Broadcasting’s KCXR/ Tulsa (The Kross) and has worked at a number of mainstream and Christian stations, including KSBJ/ Houston and KOBC/ Joplin.

”Needless to say, we are excited to welcome an outstanding talent like Jack to our team,” said The Spirit’s station manager, Michael James.  “At the same time, we want to recognize the contributions of Mike Kapler, KWOF’s first PD.  It is my belief the years of service Mike gave selflessly to The Spirit has laid the foundation for the growth we anticipate under Jack’s leadership and vision for the future.”

Davis added, “The Christian CHR format is poised for growth.  It is our plan to have the station strategically positioned in the market to capture the attention of Cedar Rapids’ echo boom generation as they develop their personal station loyalties.”  (2/16)

RadioU, announced today that its programming will be made available at no cost to broadcasters interested in adopting the format for their FM stations or HD Radio™ multicast channels. The RadioU network’s programming is geared toward a “huge, untapped audience of music lovers in their twenties and younger that much of radio seems to have lost the ability to reach,” says the network’s vice president, Michael Buckingham. “RadioU was created on a single FM station in Columbus, Ohio nearly ten years ago to be a format that actively embraces these bands that radio seems to ignore,” he says. “Now, with HD-ready digital satellite delivery, we want to give these bands a voice to be heard on FM stations or their new HD multicast channels all across the nation. Maybe at the same time, we can help radio to reclaim some of its appeal among younger audiences becoming distracted by shiny objects like their iPods, MySpace, and satellite radio.”

Programming is available for both commercial and commercial-free outlets. More information about RadioU and its programming options for radio stations (including HD Radio multicast and Website “side channels”) is available at network.radiou.com and by contacting Michael Buckingham directly at 614-839-7137 or via e-mail to michael@radiou.com.  (2/15)

TRANSACTIONS: Airwaves for Jesus, headed by President/Treasurer Art Ramos sells WBIY-FM/La Belle, FL (88.3 MHz/3kw at 161 feet) for $900,000 to Oscar Aguero Ministry, headed by President Oscar Aguero... University of Massachusetts, headed by General Manager Patricia Monteith sells WSMU-FM/North Dartmouth (New Bedford, MA) (89.3 MHz 10kw at 305 feet) for $725,000 to Educational Media Foundation, headed by President Richard Jenkins. Deal brokered by Public Radio Capital... Horizon Christian Fellowship (San Diego), headed by President Michael MacIntosh picks a the CP for KHFD/Hereford, TX  (88.7 MHz 28kw at 230 feet) from Radio Assist Ministry, headed by President Clark Parrish for $150,000.  Entertainment Media Trust, headed by Trustee Dennis Watkins buys WDID-AM/Highland, Il (St. Louis)  (1510 kHz/1kw)  from  New Life Evangelistic Center, headed by President Larry Rice ... and WLNL-AM/Horseheads, NY (Elmira-Corning) (1000 kHz/5kw)  is sold to Trinity Media, headed by Member James Pierce, for an undisclosed amount by Lighthouse Media, headed by President James Pierce.  (2/14)

SHORTS: EMF is purchasing KOKF/Oklahoma City for $4mil... Neal Fishers internet only "Faith Rock Radio" has entered into an agreement with Mobile Broadcast Network to provide wireless audio streaming of the station... KJTH/Ponca City "89.7 The House" and sister station KLVV "Praise 88.7" PD Tony Weir was the recipient of Community Service Awards from the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters for the fourth year in a row... Top 40 WHTS/Rock Island, Il is purchased by EMF and switched to K-LOVE programming.  (2/9)

Salem has named Craig Edwards PD for KRLA and KTIE/Los Angeles, effective March 6, 2006. Salem Los Angeles GM Terry Fahy said "We are extremely pleased to have Craig Edwards join our growing News-Talk operation, Craig brings a wealth of News, Talk and Traffic programming experience that will greatly enhance our competitive positions in both Los Angeles and Inland Empire talk radio."

Edwards recently served as vice president, regional director of operations for Metro Networks/Westwood One and previously as director of operations, Los Angeles and as news bureau chief, Los Angeles. In addition to stops at WTAM/Cleveland, WGR/Buffalo, and KHOW/Denver.  (2/8)