Industry News Bits Friday 3-19-21

PAR has named John Long General Manager of Joy FM, their Southern Gospel Network of stations. Long has served as Joy FM’s Operations Manager for more than three years. He replaces Daniel Britt, who recently resigned to pursue other interests. Long has been with Positive Alternative Radio and Joy FM since November of 2014.

Here’s the complete story HERE.

KLRC/Siloam Springs PD Mark Michaels checks in regarding their Spring Fundraiser THIS WEEK. Mark says, It was fantastic… So many incredible stories, and such a generous outpouring of support that we finish the fundraiser two hours early and $40,000 above the goal!”  

Transaction Recap… 

Family Life Ministries purchases 92.5 W223CC Wilkes-Barre from GEOS Communications for $200,000. 

Toccoa Foundation donates 1150 WSNW Seneca SC to the Billy Graham Association’s Blue Ridge Broadcasting for $1. In a separate deal not yet filed, Blue Ridge will purchase WSNW’s translator 88.9 W205CU Clemson SC.

Calvary Radio Network/Valparaiso, IN has sold WMJC/Richland, MI (91.9) and W247AM Kalamazoo MI (97.3) to West Central Michigan Media Ministries (Strong Tower Radio/Mi & Il) for $150,000.

VCY America/Valparaiso, IN enters an LMA to operate KREV/Alameda/San Francisco (92.7), KRCK-FM Mecca/Palm Springs (97.7), and  KFRH/Las Vegas (104.3). The LMA is for 12 months.

KSGN/Riverside PD/mornings Bryan O’Neal did his last show today. Bryan announced his retirement in February. Bryan joined KSGN in 2006 as MD/afternoon personality, and one month later was promoted to Program Director. His previous Christian Radio stations included KSTL/Spokane, KLOVE, and others.

Bryan reflected on his long radio career for HisAir saying, “Well, the time has come… I’m going to retire from working. 48 years, 3 Months, 18 days, and 4 hours. That represents my entire radio career by the time I do my last shift (that’s the 4 hours). My retirement date is going to be March 19.”

Congratulations Bryan!

Radio Insight reports…  Educational Media Foundation’s 97.5 W248BB/97.9 WCKL-HD3 Chicago is currently running a loop stating “Coming soon to 97.5, something different, a boost if you will.” W248BB had been airing EMF’s “Air 1” network along with 94.3 WAWE Glendale Heights IL via WCKL-HD2. A listener who reached out to EMF was told that the translator will begin running a version of the Christian Rhythmic “Boost Radio” format based at Gateway Creative Broadcasting’s 95.5 KXBS Bethalto IL/St. Louis. A representative from that station was unable to confirm or deny publicly.

We’ll have to wait and see.

Milestones:
Joe Hunter celebrates 28 years at  Sound of Life Radio Network/New York State
Stu Epperson 23 years at Truth Broadcasting Network

Prayer List:
Roxanne Richardson
Steve Sunshine
Barry Landis