Industry News Bits WED 6-21-23
Fundraisers this week .. WCSG/Grand Rapids (Compassion)
Nielsen AQH Share for Persons 12+, Mon-Sun 6AM-Mid – MAY 23
WXOK/Baton Rouge – 2.8
WLVV/Louisville – 0.5
WSDF HD2/Louisville – 0.4
KKND/New Orleans – 1.7
WYLD AM/New Orleans – 1.0
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As part of the deal to sell its WTSS/Buffalo and WLFP/Memphis to EMF, Audacy agreed to also transfer the KLUV/Dallas IP rights to EMF. Last week Audacy re-branded KLUV from K-LUV to “98.7 The Spot.” The KLUV station name pre-dated the national K-LOVE.
EMF has parked the KLUV call letters on a CP for KLHU/Huron SD (89.7).
Leroy Brown has Been appointed content director at 96three FM/Victoria, AUS. He’ll start the new role in early August.
96three CEO David Day says, “In my opinion Leroy is without peer, bringing to the role knowledge and experience in both commercial and community radio.” “His creative and imaginative mind will certainly bring a new energetic focus right across all our media platforms.”
Leroy who has more than 25 years in Australian radio, has won many awards for his creativity in radio with the most notably being an ACRA (Australian Commercial Radio Award) for his work with the K-Rock Geelong Breakfast show for his documentary on homelessness.
Capitol Music Group and Capitol Christian Music Group have collaborated to relaunch the renowned label Tamla Records as a mainstream imprint, focusing on positive hip-hop and R&B. EJ Gaines, the current SVP of Marketing for Capitol CMG, has been appointed to oversee the operations of the label. Tamla Records, originally founded by music visionary Berry Gordy nearly 65 years ago, was later renamed to the iconic Motown Records.
Gaines expresses his enthusiasm for the relaunch, stating, “Tamla has always been a hub for incredible music that has influenced culture. I’m thrilled to carry forward its illustrious legacy by producing groundbreaking mainstream music that combines faith-inspired values with contemporary cultural relevance. I am grateful to Hudson, Brad, and Michelle for entrusting me with this great honor.”
The Tamla roster of artists will receive extensive support from the parent company Capitol Records, emphasizing the company’s commitment to innovation across all genres and addressing the disparities faced by BIPOC creatives and executives within the music industry. The first partnership announced under the revived imprint is with Thomas “Tillie” Mann, Quality Control’s long-time mix engineer and collaborator, and his label, Encouragement Music, further solidifying Tamla’s return to the music scene.
Online station Clear Hits Radio is relocating its headquarters to Milwaukee. Clear Hits Radio launched in Aug 2020 by former WEMI/Appleton (The Family) APD Caleb Williams programming Christian Hip Hop. AT the time of the launch Caleb told HisAir, “God used Christian Hip Hop to save me” Williams said, “And I believe that God created this genre to reach a generation looking for music that reflects their lives, thoughts and struggles. I believe that there is no other genre out there that highlights that, and the hope there is in Jesus, better than Christian Hip Hop.”
On Saturday, August 5, 2023, the Moody Radio-1 music hours 3:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. CT will transition to the name and format clock of The Praise & Worship Channel. Donna Leland will host from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Effie Rolfe from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. With this program name change comes an operational shift as well. These live hours will have floating breaks around the :20 and :40-minute marks and music will continue to :57.
BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.) hosted the 2023 BMI Christian Awards celebrating its top Christian songwriters and music publishers.
Throughout the ceremony, BMI named the top 25 most-performed Christian songs which went to “Because He Lives,” “Child of Love,” “Fires,” “Goodness of God,” “House of the Lord,” “I Choose Joy,” “My Jesus,” “Promised Land,” “What If” and more.
“Jireh” was named the 2023 Song of the Year. Written by BMI songwriters Chris Brown, Steven Furtick, Chandler Moore and Naomi Raine, the critically acclaimed track performed by contemporary worship bands, Elevation Worship and Maverick City, was the most-performed Christian Song of the Year. The Gold certified hit reached the top spot on the Hot Gospel Songs Chart and garnered multiple nominations from the Grammy Awards, Billboard Music Awards and GMA Dove Awards.
Leading into the Songwriter of the Year category, the BMI Christian Awards celebrated 15 first-time honorees including Dante Bowe, Carrington Gaines, Tasha Layton, Carrie Moeller, Chandler Moore, Aaron Moses, Naomi Raine, Redimi2 and Don West.
The coveted Songwriter of the Year award was presented to Jeff Pardo, who had a hand in writing five of this year’s award-winning songs. Pardo’s credits include “Come What May,” “In Jesus Name (God of Possible),” “My Jesus,” “Yes He Can” and “Gospel Song,” which he serves as the sole writer.
Capitol CMG Publishing took home the accolade for Publisher of the Year, as they are responsible for 11 of the 25 most-performed songs of the year including “Because He Lives,” “Child of Love,” “Come What May,” “Goodness of God,” “Gospel Song,” “In Jesus Name (God of Possible),” “In the House,” “My Jesus,” “Promised Land,” “Promises” and “Yes He Can.”
Milestones:
Brian Yeager 13 years at KTSY/Boise
Abbey Steele 2 years at The JOY FM/Tampa
WVYN/Wayne City, IL (The Vine) celebrates 14 years on the air
Ashton Lee 13 years at Air1
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