Industry News Bits WED 5/13/26

Fundraisers this week ..  New Life Radio/Griffin, GA .. WGTS/Wash DC .. WayFM .. WCLC/Jamestown, TN ..  WGSN/Newport, TN .. Vision Christian Radio/Queensland ..  Let us know when your Station Fundraiser takes place… news@hisair.net

Christian Radio Ratings on HisAir.Net are sponsored by Dunham+Company.

The MARCH Nielsen PPM release is complete. The APRIL PPM starts 5/18 …. Go HERE for latest PPM ratings.

KRLY/Siloam Springs (100.3 Real FM) is making a few lineup adjustments. Midday host, Isaac Weaver, is taking a step back to focus on his non-radio pursuits, evenings host Zoe Moody will be moving into the midday slot. The evenings spot will be helmed by Josh Skaggs, a John Brown University student who has previously helped out with some nights and weekends. The Brant Hansen Show remains morning hosts and KRLY PD Ansen Bayer will continue to host afternoons.

Bayer tells HisAir Real FM is launching its second signal later in 2026. Sister station KLRC has acquired 94.5 KFPW-FM in Fort Smith, and Real FM will be broadcast on 94.5-HD2 and 101.1 FM (K266BS). We’ll be doing a special one-day fundraising event on both stations on June 11th to help fund the project.

And KLRC/Siloam Springs just added a new team member this week. After previously interning at KLRC and working as a part-time on-air host, Ross Martin will join the team full-time to help develop business partnerships, and as a Morning Show producer.

Pillar Media Chief Programming Officer Matt Stockman will exit the organization on Aug. 31, 2026, following more than six years of leadership in programming strategy and content development. Stockman is stepping away to focus full-time on expanding his consulting work serving nonprofit and Christian radio organizations nationwide.

Stockman joined Pillar Media at WAWZ/New York (Star 99.1) in Jan 2020 as Director of Programming.

“Matt’s leadership and expertise have made a lasting impact on our organization,” Executive Director Art Garza said. “While we never enjoy losing great talent, we’ve long known this entrepreneurial path was something he felt called toward. We’re grateful for his contributions and excited for his new consulting venture. Matt will always be part of our family, and we know this won’t be the last chapter we share together.”

Matt launched his radio career as on air talent and general manager of WZND Radio at Illinois State. After graduating, Matt made stops at several stations before coming to know Jesus as Savior in the early 1990’s. Matt’s Christian Radio experience includes J103/Chattanooga, Spirit FM/Lynchburg, VA., 101.1/Nashville, WMIT/Charlotte, KCMS/Seattle, and most recently PD at KLOVE. Matt also served as a missionary for a year at Christian radio station Onda Paz 93.2 FM in Barcelona, Spain.

“I’ve loved every moment of my time with Pillar Media,” Stockman said. “At every level, this team has been an absolute dream to work with, and I thank God for the privilege it has been to serve alongside each of them. I believe God has opened the door for this next chapter, and I look forward to using my experience and gifts to help other organizations make an impact for the Kingdom.”

HisAir Job Alert – sponsored by FaithSearch Partners

Pillar Media, home to STAR 99.1 NYC/NJ, STAR 93.3 Cincinnati, STAR 101.5, FLO 107.1, and KPOF in Denver, is seeking a Chief Programming Officer to architect, lead, and strengthen the on-air and content strategy across our family of stations and streaming offerings. This is a senior executive position with direct influence on audience growth, brand impact, and ministry reach.

If interested in this opening go HERE.

After 44 years in the radio industry, Family Life Radio/Tucson (FLR) longtime music director and on-air host, Bill Ronning, is set to retire in August 2026. Ronning has served FLR for 21 years.

“Family Life Radio has been my dream job,” Ronning said. “I have been given the opportunity of a lifetime which has allowed me to thrive in what God has called me to do. I am verry grateful and honored to have worked alongside so many talented people for the cause of Christ.”

“Bill has been a trusted colleague and dear friend for more than 30 years,” said Adam Bidell, chief broadcast officer for FLR. “His dedication has made a lasting impact, and he will be greatly missed. As he retires, we pray God blesses him and his family with joy and purpose in this next season.”

Ronning’s broadcast career began in 1981 at Drake-Chenault Enterprises, a pioneering radio syndication company. After a brief stint at WRYO in Crystal River, Florida, he joined KAMB in Merced, CA, where he spent 21 formative years rising from part-time on-air talent to morning show co-host and ultimately program director, honing his expertise and passion for music programming.

Ronning has long been part of the heart of Family Life Radio, both on and off the air. “Bill will be sorely missed, not only by Family Life Radio, but by the CCM industry,” said Chuck Tyler, program director for FLR. “We’ll miss him, but we know his Kingdom work will continue for many years to come.”

As he looks forward to his next chapter, Ronning reflected on the decision to retire. “After 44 years of programming Christian music and watching it mature into what it is today, it is with mixed feelings that I will be leaving it behind. At the same time, I have peace that I am following God’s direction. At this stage of life, it is time for me to spend more time with my wife Diane, our three kids and seven grandkids.”

Ronning’s last day with FLR will be August 28, 2026.

Stay up to date with Christian Radio & Records Industry news with HisAir.Net.
Sign up for HisAir.Net email industry updates.
Go HERE to get email updates.

FaithSearch Partners announces Michael Knecht joined the firm as Senior Vice President and Healthcare Practice Leader, effective Friday, May 1.

Michael brings more than two decades of senior healthcare leadership experience, including executive roles across nonprofit hospitals, faith-based health systems, operational transformation, service-line growth, culture development, and strategic expansion.

The REAL Southern Gospel Radio Spring Shareathon was a huge success! Listeners called in from all over the world to tell what REAL Southern Gospel Radio means to them, and thanks to their support, we well exceeded one of our two goals.

Owner, Les Butler states, “I am humbled and honored to receive the support that our listener base blessed us with during the shareathon. We had 2 goals. The first goal was for one-time donations. We met and exceeded that goal. The 2nd goal was to increase our monthly donations. We made progress on that goal, but fell short of the need. I am certain that between now and the fall shareathon, the need will be met as well. God has been and continues to be faithful. My prayer is that we make every attempt to be as faithful to Him as he has been to us. I want to give a special thank you to Isaac Hughes and Cheri Taylor for their diligent work those three days.”

HisAir Christian Radio & Records Industry News TIMELINE – May 13, 2025

Capitol Music Group announced today that it will bring Capitol Christian Music Group (CCMG) and its country division Capitol Records Nashville, under the Capitol Music Group Nashville banner. Candice Watkins joins the company to serve as President of Capitol Records Nashville. Additionally, Watkins will serve as Executive Vice President of Capitol Christian Music Group, bringing her years of experience to bear for the company’s deep roster of artists. Watkins is perhaps best known for her leadership role at Big Loud Records, where she most recently served as Senior Vice President of Marketing, overseeing the label’s Marketing, Digital, Creative, PR and Streaming departments. Prior to joining Big Loud, Watkins worked in Marketing and Artist Development at Universal Music Group Nashville, and held positions at Red Light Management, Mozes Inc., Borman Entertainment and Cross Point Church. She serves on the boards of CMA and ACM.

“This reorganization reflects our commitment to growing our Nashville operations as a core creative hub in Christian, gospel and country music,” said Capitol Music Group CEO, Tom March. “We’re looking forward to signing and developing the next generation of country artists on Capitol Records Nashville and are thrilled to have an executive of the caliber of Candice Watkins to lead our ambitious plans in country music while also bringing her expertise to our gospel and Christian music operations.”

Milestones:
Jim Galipeau celebrates 36 years at WJIE/Louisville
Will Eason 5 years at The Heart Share Group
Corey Bridges 5 years at The Heart Share Group
Paul Cameron celebrates 45 years at The Family/Appleton, WI
Chad Whiteside 9 years at Awakening Events
Dr. Julie Armstrong 2 years at Moody Radio

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.

Submit news items HERE

Or email Station and Label Promotional pictures (events, appearances, remotes, etc) with captions to news@hisair.net