Industry News Bits WED 2-1-23
Hope Media Group (HMG) launched its latest Christian Spanish format “Vida Unida” today on WLFE/Miami (90.9). HMG purchased WLFE from from Calvary Chapel of Kendall, FL., in Sept 2022 with plans for it to air flagship KHVU/Houston ((1/7) and serve as their South Florida outlet.
Vida Unida also airs on the following stations across the United States:
- 96.3 KKWA HD2 Portland, OR
- 89.7 KAWA HD2 Dallas/Fort Worth, TX
- 88.7 WAYM HD2 Nashville, TN
- 91.5 WJWA HD2 Evansville, IN
- 100.1 W261CW Evansville, IN
- 89.9 W210CA Birmingham, AL
“With over 1.5 million Spanish-speakers in the Houston region, we’ve had a heart to engage this group with a music format. But, we always believed Houston would serve as a launchpad to reach other cities in the same way,” said Joe Paulo, President/CEO of Hope Media Group. “Miami represents an exceptional opportunity for us to encourage this community to love Jesus, serve others and spread hope.”
Hope Media Group put the station Houston station (KHVU) on the air November 10, 2021 on the frequency (91.7) previously occupied NGEN Radio.
WNWC/Madison (Life 102.5) afternoon host Summer Shepherd has been nominated for Armed Forces Insurance’s Military Spouse of the Year, 2023. The nomination was announced as Shepherd’s husband begins to wrap up his 10-month long deployment in the Middle East, and came as a bit of a surprise.
“This year has been difficult for a myriad of reasons, but not the least of which was the disconnect we felt as a reservist family without a base community, and without any clear connections to military leadership or communication channels. As I sought to forge connection with other spouses within Adrian’s unit, I realized I was not alone in feeling overlooked and forgotten, and that’s when I started speaking more openly,” says Summer.
Speaking on air and through her podcast, “No Seriously, How Do I Do This?” Summer Shepherd has sought to share honestly about the struggle felt by those living with long-term stress and separation, and has connected with organizations like MilSpo Co., and MOPS in an effort to bring about richer community for reservist families.
“When I first received my nomination, my first instinct was to reject the notion that I might be honored as a military spouse. I felt so disconnected from the military community that I didn’t feel I even qualified. Yes my husband was enlisted. Yes he was deployed. Yes I cared deeply for those in a similar situation to mine, but I was carrying imposter syndrome in my backpack and all my pockets. My initial inability to connect to my role in the larger military community is the very reason I am so eager to move forward with this nomination. I want to ensure that no one feels unseen, overlooked, or forgotten. I seek to make connections that will allow me to use my voice to speak truth and hope into the lives of people who are hurting. I seek to use this platform to remind people that their service is valid, their sacrifice is noticed, and that they belong.”
The first stage in AFI’s Military Spouse of the Year program is a public vote that will take place February 6-10, to determine base winners.
In Touch Ministries, the ministry founded by Dr. Charles Stanley, has been announced as the title sponsor of the 2023 National Quartet Convention.
The announcement was made today by the National Quartet Convention’s (NQC) board of directors. NQC 2023 will be held September 24-30, 2023, in Pigeon Forge, TN, at the LeConte Center
“In Touch Ministries is excited to be a part of the 2023 National Quartet Convention,” said Seth Grey, Chief Communications Officer of In Touch Ministries. “Southern Gospel music has been vital to the encouragement and discipleship of Christians worldwide. As an organization that features many music artists on the In Touch television program, we look forward to a week of inspiring music and meeting In Touch friends from around the country.”
NQC 2023 will be held at the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge, TN, from September 24- September 30, 2023.
Steven Curtis Chapman, the most-awarded artist in Christian music history, has signed with one:eight entertainment for management representation. The news was exclusively shared courtesy of Billboard.
“I’m very blessed to have been surrounded and supported by great people throughout my career, and I couldn’t have hoped for a better team around me for this new season,” says Steven Curtis Chapman, a five-time GRAMMY Award winner and recipient of the BMI Icon Award.
one:eight entertainment is helmed by industry veteran Greg Ham. In his outstanding career, Ham has served as former President/CEO of ForeFront Records and most recently as a partner in the MWS Group, representing Michael W. Smith, CeCe Winans, and Olympian Scott Hamilton, among others. Ham and his team at one:eight entertainment will continue to represent these clients along with award-winning producer/director Robert Deaton and artist/worship leader Charity Gayle.
KOKS/Poplar Bluff, MO (King of Kings Christian Radio 89.5) had its broadcast License renewed after receiving a warning from the FCC regarding compliance issues. Calvary Educational Broadcasting Network Inc., (CEB) the licensee has been taking steps to remedy interference issues mostly brought on by financial difficulty. However, it must continue in compliance with parts of an earlier 2020 consent decree that remedied blanket interference complaints from neighbors, according to the FCC’s Media Bureau. The station’s most prominent repeated violation was a failure to correct extensive FM blanketing interference caused to surrounding homes.
Milestones:
Jon Hamilton celebrates 32 years at WSCF/Vero Beach (Christian FM)
Shadow 8 years at WPOZ/Orlando
The weekly program from Anne Graham Lotz, “Living in the Light” marks its 10th anniversary this month
Prayer List:
Monica Zachary
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