Industry News Bits MON 7/20/26

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WBCL Radio Network/Ft Wayne announces the addition of Ryan Long as Afternoon Co-Host along with the subsequent promotion to the role of Podcast Director, expanding the network’s commitment to creating meaningful, Christ-centered content that reaches listeners wherever they are.

Ryan joined the WBCL Radio Network team with a passion for storytelling, digital media, and sharing hope through compelling content. Since joining the ministry, she has demonstrated exceptional creativity, technical expertise, and a heart for serving both listeners and ministry partners.

In her new role as Podcast Director, Ryan will oversee the development, production, and growth of WBCL’s expanding podcast platform. She will work alongside on-air personalities, ministry leaders, and community partners to create engaging podcasts that inspire faith, encourage authentic conversations, and extend the ministry of WBCL, and sister station: WRNP/Ft Wayne (Rhythm & Praise) beyond the airwaves.

“Ryan has embraced our mission from day one,” said Glenn Goodwin, Program Director for the WBCL Radio Network. “Her passion for excellence, innovative thinking, and desire to share stories that point people to Christ make her the ideal leader for this growing area of our ministry, which already consists of the “Here’s The Takeaway” podcast. We’re excited to see how God uses Ryan and our podcast initiatives to reach audiences in new and meaningful ways.”

“I’m honored to step into this role,” said Ryan. “WBCL has a rich history of pointing people toward Jesus, and I’m excited to help expand that mission through podcasts that inform, encourage, and inspire. I look forward to working with our incredible team as we continue creating content that impacts lives.”

Ryan’s addition, and promotion into the podcast role, reflects WBCL’s ongoing vision to reach future generations through multiple platforms while remaining faithful to its mission of communicating the hope of Jesus Christ.

Salem Media Group has appointed Chris Kligora as interim Vice President and General Manager of Salem Surround as the company moves into its next phase following the Jon Latzer retitement.

Kligora, who serves as Senior Director of Multimedia Sales at Salem, possesses extensive expertise in digital marketing, multimedia sales, business development, customer success, and sales leadership. Prior to joining Salem, he held executive leadership positions at Marketron, with a focus on business development, and spent more than a decade at Gannett’s LocaliQ and its predecessor, ReachLocal.

William Cosey and Jonathan Greer will continue to lead Salem Surround’s operations, fulfillment, and client execution, providing continuity for customers, vendors, sales teams, and internal stakeholders. Latzer will remain with the organization to assist the leadership team during the transition period.

Salem Media Chief Digital Officer Jamie Cohen said, “Jon has been a tremendous leader and trusted partner throughout his time at Salem. He has helped shape Salem Surround into the business it is today through his commitment to our people, our clients, and our local markets. We’re incredibly grateful for everything he’s contributed and wish him the very best in his retirement.”

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ReZurrection Radio President and General Manager Ron Diaz gave HisAir an update on what’s happening at the Spotify channel. 

“We are still going strong. Spotify recently has provided mixing capabilities. We are in progress of editing certain playlist mixes with the right transitions and seques to make playlists our own sound all together. We’ve started with our flagship ReZurrection Radio playlist channel. Since we’ve last chatted we’ve launched a faith based Blues channel “ReZurrection Blues Redemption” curated by Thomas Augustus who came to us from Sirius XM and Prazor. He handles our Blues, Worship, Rock, Rap, Genres playlists and our Jesus Revolution Music Channel.

“We’ve been doing our best to think outside of the standard CCM radio box. Leaning into how we can we serve the broader Christian community tastes better by either genre or a conceptual based programming idea. When Christian Music is thought of, its usually one dimensional in many people’s minds. We’re trying to change that perception. Christian music is in fact multidimensional in terms of music diversity. Spotify programming allows us to cater to a wider audience affordably. We’ve have also launched the following faith based playlist channels *ReZ Yacht Rock. (70s and 80s jazzy hit radio influences) *ReZ Kids Pop *ReZ 70’s and Beyond Christian HitZ *ReZ Ageless Rock (Classic Christian Rock) *ReZapalooza (CCM live music cuts) *ReZ Acoustic Cafe *REV! by ReZ (Faith based radio for Men) *DJ Electronics (faith based DJ electronic music) *ReZ Let’s Dance (CCM electronic Dance mixes) *Jesus Revolution Reborn (Best of Christian Music after the Jesus Music era) *Signature CCM HitZ *Jesus Revolution Worship (Maranatha! music and More) *80s Hot TraxZ (CCM Pop) *90’s Hot TraxZ (CCM Pop).”

A new nationally syndicated one-hour weekly show aimed at introducing listeners to the Christian alternative rock genre has been launched by Radio Workflow co-founder Fletcher Ford. The show “ALTered”  is available on a barter basis is hosted by Ford and produced by Dave Levora.

Ford says, “I’ve always believed some of the most talented musicians in rock are creating Christian music, yet many listeners have never heard them.”

Daywind Radio has released Gerald Wolfe’s “Christmas in July” special for Southern Gospel radio. The special includes southern gospel Christmas songs, including a few new ones. If you air it let Greg Goodman know. ggoodman@daywind.com

Download program HERE

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Canadian Christian worship artist Brian Doerksen has been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, his family announced in a social media update Friday evening.  The update comes one week after supporters were first asked to pray for Doerksen as doctors investigated a serious medical condition following months of severe pain.

“We have just been informed that Brian has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer,” the statement said. “The doctors are still working to determine the specific type of cancer it is. The medical team is moving forward with treatment, as well as pain management.”

HisAir Christian Radio & Records Industry News TIMELINE – July 20, 2023

WGTS/Wash DC afternoon co-host Stacey Stone went to the National Association of Broadcasters Studio this past week. She was joined by Guy Lambert from WPGC/Wash DC, and they recorded on-camera segments for the Marconi Radio Awards Finalist broadcast.

Stacey tells HisAir, “This is the first time the NAB is using on-air talent to announce the finalists and it was an incredible honor.”

WGTS won two NAB Marconi Radio Awards in 2021 for Religious Station of the Year and Best Radio Podcast of the Year for “We Need To Talk.” You can watch the announcements live on Tuesday, July 25th at 1 p.m. ET at nab.org/Marconis. And share your reactions on social media using #MarconiAwards.

Milestones:
Justin Brown celebrating 23 years at WDJC/Birmingham
Wayne Reichert 9 years at Sound of Life Radio/Lake Katrine, NY
Emma Whittredge 5 years at WNFR/Port Huron

7/19
Tristi Hendrick 9 years at KTSY/Boise
Libby Oswald 6 years at WTGN/Lima, OH

The HisAir Prayer group is a place where the Christian Radio & Records industry can post prayer requests, and pray for others. Go HERE to join the private HisAir Prayer Group group.

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