Industry News Bits MON 11-21-22

WCLQ/Wausau (89Q) Operations Manager Ryan Bair tells HisAir 89Q surpassed it’s highest Sharathon goal…early. WCLQ reached their goal early enough to raise money for a back-up generator system. This will be their first backup power in the station’s 34-year history.

“We are thrilled that our listeners continue to support us with record giving each sharathon,” stated General Manager Coy Sawyer. He added “especially when we are dealing with record inflation. Not only did they help us reach our 0,000 goal early but giving continued for an additional hour covering the costs for the generator backup expenses.” 

Multi-Grammy® Award winning duo and Curb | Word Entertainment recording artist FOR KING + COUNTRY garnered the 2022 American Music Award for “Favorite Inspirational Artist.” The annual awards ceremony is entirely fan-voted each year and nominees are based on key fan interactions — as reflected on the Billboard charts — including streaming, album and song sales, radio airplay and tour grosses. The 2022 American Music Awards aired at 8 p.m. on ABC live from Los Angeles’ Microsoft Theater on Sunday, Nov. 20.

“As two Australian chaps from the southern hemisphere, never did we think we’d see the day we would win an American Music Award,” says FOR KING + COUNTRY. “This award represents all who were born in another land, who took a leap of faith and moved to make a new life for your family and loved ones. Sharing these stories with you for you for the last decade and watching them become your own has been the honor of our lifetime. Thank you for your votes, and for your consistent kindness to us.”

Also Favorite Gospel artist winner was Tamela Mann. 

Capitol Christian Music Group (CCMG) has announced multiple staff promotions in Business Affairs, Operations and Publishing. Karrie Dawley has moved up to SVP, A&R and David Gutekunst to SVP, Publishing, while Joe Brazil has been named SVP, Business Affairs, with David Sylvester now serving as SVP, Operations.

For Giving Tuesday on November 29th, KBMQ/Monroe, LA (88.7 The Cross) is inviting listeners to join the station for a special day on the air. KBMQ will be dedicating air time to raise funds for local children to have a Christmas present to open this year.

Audience demand for the premiere of The Chosen’s Season 3 first two episodes is driving an extension of the original five-day run in cinemas all the way through Dec. 1.  With $8.75 million in sales opening weekend, The Chosen Season 3, Episodes 1 and 2 was on 2091 screens. Fans of the TV show came out in droves and made The Chosen #3 at the domestic box office, with a strong showing in 300+ theaters internationally, as well.  The Chosen was 45% ahead of its last appearance in theaters for the first three days of Christmas with The Chosen in 2021, and was neck and neck with THE MENU this weekend even though it opened on more than 1000 fewer screens.