Urban Radio Nation - Urban Radio Stations, Internet Radio, New Media and Music Blog

Can you believe what Tom Joyner is doing on his morning show?

2010-03-10T18:52:00.005-05:00

Tom Joyner is playing one particular song almost every day on his radio show as if it was brand new.

The music you hear on nationally syndicated radio shows are pretty much the same; however at times those shows, dominated by the likes of Tom Joyner, Steve Harvey, and Michael Baisden, will occasionally go off chart or totally ignore the predetermined list of new songs available to radio called "adds." You will get more music variety on their shows versus what's played during the rest of the day on most Urban AC stations across the country.

Maybe because Joyner, Harvey, and Baisden remember the time before corporate playlists, when DJ's played what they liked or more importantly what they thought sounded good to their audience. The add list usually means songs that the labels have determined should be the first or next released song from a particular artist's album. Sometimes they're right, sometimes they're not.

So, what's being promoted now? Ludacris' My Chick Bad ft. Nicki Minaj or how about Erykah Badu's Window Seat, among others. But one song, Raheem DeVaughn's Bulletproof has obviously made a connection with Joyner. The song and vocal styling evokes the memory of Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" and even solo work from Curtis Mayfield. (Who? Google it.)

Now Tom, what has gotten into you? You're playing a song that is more than six months old and not being promoted by a label. Hey, it sounds like what radio use to be like. Go right to the DJ. (smile and wink)

Here's the video for the song. The Ludacris rap version is not the version played on the TJMS. IMO it adds nothing to the song anyway. Seems like the song should have been pushed towards Urban AC radio rather than Urban radio.

Radio station K-98 Jamz in Lawton burglarized: They Took EVERYTHING!!! (see VIDEO)

2010-03-09T21:26:00.006-05:00

Source: KSWO TV LAWTON, Okla. A bold burglary knocked a Lawton radio station off the air last Friday morning, as workers at Perry Broadcasting showed up to find about $10,000 worth of equipment stolen from their studio near East Lee Blvd. on Flowermound Rd.

The thief or thieves even swiped a computer that keeps K-98 Jamz on the air.

The following local TV news report states:

Computers and radio stations, just like most businesses nowadays, go hand in hand. So when someone stole not just one, but five, computers from the Perry studios Friday morning, it crippled their operations.

They were not off the air for long, but for a business that loses money on dead air, it was long enough.

"It was very shocking to come in this morning and for everything to be gone," said K-98 DJ, Joe Biggs. "We had to scramble to find other computers to find other things to get us back on the radio."

They needed music too, because the thieves took the computer with all of their songs on it.

"Our programming director had some music playing, but I actually had to hook up my laptop and played some music off of there," said Biggs.

"These are things we use for entertainment and to get messages and community service and people listen to the radio for information," said station General Manager Joy Chapman.

While the morning was frustrating enough, it was not the first hit Perry Broadcasting has taken this year.

"Our tower, which actually put us on the radio every day, had gone down during the ice storm. So we're basically bouncing back from that," said Chapman.

Police are investigating and Perry workers hope someone out there will start talking.

"No clue but it's going to pop up we're going to hear something soon I hope," said Biggs.

In addition to the computers and monitors that were stolen, some TV's and webcams were also stolen and so were two transmitter tubes the station had just gotten in to help get the tower back up to full speed.

Chapman says the thieves probably have no idea what they even are. Police are asking anyone with information on the stolen equipment to call Crimestoppers at 355-INFO. Tips could be worth a cash reward.

Click here for local TV report...

Ed Gordon Returns to BET

2010-03-09T20:47:00.005-05:00

Did we hear someone say, 'About Time!' "Serious issues will be covered and covered well," according to Ed Gordon, who came to national attention as the anchor-host of news and interview shows on Black Entertainment Television two decades ago, is returning to BET.

Under the arrangement, Gordon will do news specials and a regular show that is 'in development'. Gordon talked about his return to BET with Richard Prince's Journal-ism Click to read more . . .

Mo'Nique Wins Best Supporting Oscar for her role in 'Precious'

2010-03-08T06:44:00.005-05:00

Mo'Nique became the fifth Black woman to win an acting Oscar, 70 years after Hattie McDaniel became the first African American to do so for "Gone with the Wind." The 42-year-old stand-up comic portrayed an abusive mother in "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire."

Other African American women to win in the best supporting actress category were Jennifer Hudson for "Dreamgirls" (2006) and Whoopi Goldberg for "Ghost" (1990). Halle Berry was voted best actress for "Monster's Ball" in 2001.

Now is Mo'Nique ready to host mornings at WPGC? It all seems strange... stay tuned.

Mo'Nique Says Sex Outside of Marriage is "Not a Deal Breaker" and is ready to takeover the morning show on 95-5 WPGC

2010-03-04T19:37:00.013-05:00

Oscar nomination and BET talk show apparently is not enough for Mo'Nique. She is set to be morning host at 95.5 WPGC in Washington, D.C.

Actress Monique Imes opens up about her marriage to her childhood friend Sidney Hicks on the 29th and final "Barbara Walters Oscars Special". The couple has been married since May 2006.

Mo'Nique said it is an open marriage, which she defined for Walters as "no secrets." "Open means, you know what, let me tell you my every secret, my fantasies, my thoughts, so that way, there are no surprises," Mo'Nique said.

When asked by Walters if the couple had sex outside of the marriage, Mo'Nique said: "Let me say this: I have not had sex outside of my marriage with Sidney. Could I have sex outside of my marriage with Sidney? Yes. Could Sid have sex outside of his marriage with me? Yes. That's not a deal-breaker."

Walters pressed: What if it happened more than once? For the answer watch "The Barbara Walters Oscar Special." Source: ABC Entertainment

Meanwhile, Mo'Nique is said to be on her way to host next week at WPGC in conjunction with her comedy show at Constitution Hall in D.C. What gives here? You think Mo'Nique has a point to prove? Especially with Radio One, who axed her nationally syndicated radio show a year ago. This seems like a long way to go to prove you're worthy of radio. I'd take my Oscar and run.

Mo'Nique would be replacing D.C. legend and longtime morning host Donnie Simpson, who left the station last month. Donnie's former co-hosts Angie Corley, Mike Brooks, and Bootsy Vegas have been filling in since his departure, but all three were let go last week. Mo'Nique is not expected to be the permananent solution at WPGC. Afternoon host Big Tigger is expected to takeover mornings after the Mo'Nique guest host run is over. Which in reality makes the most sense on the hip hop and r&b station.

Guru of Gangstarr is in a Coma

2010-03-01T22:27:00.001-05:00

There were multiple reports today that rapper Guru (Keith Elam) from the legendary hip hop group Gangstarr, has suffered cardiac arrest and is in a coma. Sources from various hip hop websites have only confirmed that Guru is in a New York-area hospital after cardiac arrest. His friends, family and a generation of fans are praying for the best. Posted here are some classic videos from Guru.

Al Sharpton the New Talk Show King; Picked up in New York and Philadelphia

2010-03-01T17:17:00.003-05:00

What is the aftermath of last week's Al Sharpton and Tavis Smiley spat. Let's not simply call it a spat, it was more like a verbal butt-whupping by Sharpton on Smiley's behind worthy of a call to child protective services or 911. The consensus around the country from social-critic commentators and listeners alike was that Smiley deserved the whipping he took from Sharpton. How dare he suggest that Rev. Al was not living up to his title as African American leader? Maybe Tavis touched a nerve that trigger such a lashing out in the reactionary diatribe by Sharpton. Who knows? Didn't anyone tell them that you don't air your dirty laundry out in the streets? In any event it made for good radio.

Meanwhile Al Sharpton seems poised to take over the throne of talk show king in America. Watch out Rush Limbaugh? Well not quite yet!

Al Sharpton has added two stations to his list of affiliates recently. In New York "Keeping It Real" can be heard on 1600 WWRL in New York City from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. The station only airs two hours of the program on a delayed basis. WWRL has had to revamp their line-up due to the demised of the liberal leaning talk radio network Air America back in January.

Last week Sharpton was added to the programming line-up at 900 AM WURD a day before the "spat". Sharpton will be heard live at the Philadelphia talk station from 1p.m. to 4 p.m. Sharpton replaces local talk show host Reggie Bryant, who has been missing from the airwaves in recent weeks due to undisclosed health issues. Both stations can be heard online.

Black Radio in Trouble; Black Public Radio is in Even Bigger Trouble

2010-02-27T06:00:00.001-05:00

Source: Richard Prince's Journal-ism Veteran journalist Tony Cox says the African American-oriented daily talk show he hosts on about 15 public radio stations is in financial trouble and might not last much longer. But social critic Michael Eric Dyson, whom Cox replaced on many of those stations, is set to return with his own show in March.

"We're victims of the economy," Cox told Journal-isms. "Public radio is suffering across the board, and black public radio is even worse.

"We knew it was a gamble and a risk even from the beginning. We were anticipating that the quality of the show would generate that support, and it hasn't happened.

"We're not dead yet, but there is no point in looking at it any other way: We're in trouble."

"UpFront With Tony Cox" began Oct. 1 as an offering of the African American Public Radio Consortium, which in 2002 created National Public Radio's "The Tavis Smiley Show" and in 2005 the "News & Notes" program first with Ed Gordon, then Farai Chideya hosting. Cox worked on all three of those shows, and hosted the latter in its final days. The consortium continues to produce "Tell Me More" with Michel Martin on NPR, which is carried by 77 stations.

The consortium's members are primarily stations at historically black colleges and universities. They launched "The Michael Eric Dyson Show" in April — with Oprah Winfrey by telephone as his first guest — but that program lasted only four months when the Georgetown University professor took a break and never returned. Cox filled in amid the bad feelings some harbored toward Dyson's departure. >>Read more from Journal-isms

This blog was a big fan of the NPR show "News and Notes." The show had a pretty large following, but not enough to keep it on NPR stations across the country. It's hard to believe it's been almost a year since it has been cancelled.

We were hopeful that former host Tony Cox would be able pick up where News and Notes left off. But without the promotion of NPR, the future for UpFront does not look good. We are still hopeful that it survives.

Visit the UpFront website and check out their podcast from the program featuring the book "The Denzel Principle: Why Black Women Can’t Find A Good Black Man" by social critic Jimi Izrael, who says some women set their standards too high, while others, are hypnotized by the idea that a Denzel Washington-type of perfect man actually exists. Interesting stuff...

Howard Stern to Host $100,000 Beauty Contest for Tiger Woods' Mistresses

2010-02-26T10:34:00.007-05:00

Source: FOX News.com and The Times of London As if Tiger Woods’s apology last week for his serial philandering wasn’t enough of a public humiliation, several of his former mistresses have agreed to take part in a beauty pageant in which they will compete for a $100,000 prize.

The Tiger Woods Mistress Beauty Pageant, organized by shock jock Howard Stern, will be held on March 10.

So far, only four of the golfer’s former mistresses — out of the 13 identified in the press — have agreed to take part.

They will compete in categories such as “Swimsuit,” “Personality” and “Talent” to earn the judges’ votes.

When Stern first announced the idea of the pageant, he said that it would take place only if more than three women responded. All of them had to have been named in news publications as lovers of the golfer.

Just imagine if Howard Stern was back on terrestrial radio; How huge of a media star would he be? As it stands now Stern can generate interest from his perch in New York City on radio that most people don't receive or are willing to pay for. From a Tiger Woods Beauty Contest to being considered as a possible replacement for Simon Cowell on American Idol; Stern must be the king of all media. Right? One of his comedic sidekicks, Artie Lang tires to commit suicide, and that becomes a top story on mainstream news outlets. That's an amazing and astounding feat considering the fact he hasn't been heard on free radio for five years. And supposedly he doesn't have that many listeners...

Arbitron has released data in the past that shows in an average week 1,225,000 listeners tune in to hear Stern. So Stern has maybe a few hundred thousand listeners at any given point during his show each day. When compared to syndicated radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh (he can boast a weekly rating of 14.75 million listeners), the numbers are minuscule. One thing can be said, his listeners are devoted and passionate about their allegiance to Stern.

Howard Stern's five year $500 million contract with Sirius XM radio ends at the end of the year. Will Sirius be able to re-sign him? Can they afford not to?

Arbitron Promotes the Value of Black Radio

2010-02-26T09:51:00.008-05:00

The latest report from Arbitron dispels stereotypes of African American radio listenership. About time...

COLUMBIA, Md., PRNewswire-FirstCall Arbitron Inc. (NYSE: ARB) announced that the "Black Radio Today 2009, How America Listens to Radio" and "Hispanic Radio Today 2009, How America Listens to Radio" have been released and are available on Arbitron.com. Both of these studies feature Portable People Meter™ (PPM™) data information for the first time.

"Ethnic formatted stations reach millions of listeners everyday," said Alton Adams. "These studies show the strength of radio as a media companion to ethnic consumers. Radio's relationship with ethnic listeners has been consistent over time; year over year, more than 90 percent of black and Hispanic listeners tune in to radio for news, culture and sounds of the community."

Black Radio Today 2009, How America Listens to Radio shows:

For the first time, Urban Contemporary formatted stations had higher weekend ratings in Fall 08 than in weekday afternoons.

African-American Urban Adult Contemporary listeners spent more time each week with the format (8 hours, 30 minutes) than any other format in the study.

More than half of Urban Contemporary's 18+ consumers attended or graduated from college, and one in seven had advanced degrees or beyond.

News/Talk/Information has 2,634 stations and attracts 2.7 million African-American listeners weekly. In our opinion: This figure is vastly under reported when considering Arbitron's measuring method. Syndicated urban radio (i.e. Tom Joyner, occasionally Michael Baisden and rarely Steve Harvey) does provide informational programming at times. Which makes urban radio different from other mainstream formats that are more segmented in their music playlists and programming choices. It would be interesting to find out if Arbitron makes that distinction in their report.

The report is available for viewing here from Arbitron.com

Radio One Backs Out of Deal to Move to D.C.'s Shaw Neighborhood

2010-02-26T08:20:00.010-05:00

Radio One Inc. has backed out of plans to relocate from Lanham (Maryland) to Washington D.C.’s Shaw neighborhood, dealing a major blow to an already long-delayed mixed-used project backed by the city.

The company, owner of 53 urban radio stations in 16 markets nationwide, had planned to return to the city where it was founded by Catherine Hughes more than 20 years ago, with Hughes herself testifying before the D.C. Council about her desire to return to D.C.

Radio One would have been the anchor tenant in Broadcast Center One, a project that was slated to bring 103,000 square feet of office space, close to 25,000 square feet of retail, 180 apartments for rent (45 of which would be reserved as affordable housing) and a 195-spot underground parking garage to the northeast corner of Seventh and S streets NW. D.C. had committed to providing the land — which sits directly atop an entrance to the Shaw-Howard University Metro station — and $23 million in subsidies for the deal in 2008, a package worth an estimated $30 million.

The development team, comprising D.C.-based companies Four Points LLC, Ellis Development Group and the Jarvis Co., said the development, also known as Media Center One, would still take place.

“The project still is moving forward,” said Ernie Jarvis, principal of the Jarvis Co. and managing director in the D.C. office of CB Richard Ellis. “We are marketing the excess space to fill the spot for Radio One.”

Radio One (NASDAQ: ROIA) did not immediately return calls for comment.
Cathy Hughes, now chairwoman, made an emotional plea...

read more from Washington Business Journal

Hannah Storm Go Go Boots and Red Plaid Skirt Leads to ESPN's Tony Kornheiser suspension

2010-02-25T08:22:00.008-05:00

What makes YouTube so great is that anyone, and I mean anyone can post their opinion on any topic. Sometimes it's a good thing and sometimes it's a bad thing.

Tony Kornheiser in case you didn't know you have a supporter out there! Not sure if you need this kind of support but here it is.

We can't post it here because of the language, but this YouTube video is FUNNY. This guy has some other issues with his church also. What that has to do with ESPN's sexual harrassment issues in the workplace I'll never know. Does he talk like this at church? Click on picture or here to watch the kaveack's video.

Source: FOX Sports.com ESPN has suspended host Tony Kornheiser from his television talk show "Pardon the Interruption" for two weeks for comments he made on the radio last week about Sports Center anchor Hannah Storm's clothing.

"Hannah Storm in a horrifying, horrifying outfit today," Kornheiser said. "She’s got on red go-go boots and a catholic school plaid skirt … way too short for somebody in her 40s or maybe early 50s by now.

Kornheiser opened his Washington, D.C. area radio show the next day by apologizing, saying, "I apologize, unequivocally ... I'm a sarcastic, subversive guy ... I'm a troll, look at me. I have no right to insult what anybody looks like or what anybody wears. That, I think, should go without saying."

Kornheiser announced the suspension on his ESPN 980 (WTEM) radio show Tuesday morning, calling his remarks about Storm intemperate and stupid.

"As the result of this, I have been sent to the sidelines of PTI for a while," Kornheiser said.

Al Sharpton and Tavis Smiley: Fighting and Arguing on the Radio about... Barack Obama and A Black Agenda

2010-02-23T19:16:00.014-05:00

Why are Negroes fighting during Black History Month anyway?

How did all of this start? Tavis talked about singing in a choir for Jesus and for Dr. King this morning on the Tom Joyner Show. He said something about choir rehearsal and not getting all the lyrics to a new tune. He also called out America's Black leaders like the Rev. Al Sharpton. Tavis said that Sharpton and others are saying (say it with me now in your best Sharpton voice --->)"President Obama don't need no Black Agenda".

Tavis was on the show to basically promote his latest gabfest called "We Count! The Black Agenda is the American Agenda", on Saturday, March 20 at Chicago State University (i.e. The State of the Black Union will not be held in February this year, but it's going to be held in 2010 but we will call it something else) Listen Here to Tavis' TJMS segment

Well, Rev. Al Sharpton caught wind of this and tried as he might to put Tavis on blast on his radio show this afternoon. Sharpton was put in a position to defend himself from quotes from a couple of New York Times article: Was Rev. Al misquoted?

full article from NY Times before the meeting from Feb. 9, 2009

"Many black leaders view this as wise. The Rev. Al Sharpton, who is working with Mr. Obama to close the achievement gap in education, says the president is smart not to ballyhoo “a black agenda.”

full article from NY Times after the meeting from Feb. 10, 2009

"But Mr. Obama and the three other black men who met with him for more than an hour in the Oval Office did not focus on programs for African-Americans or limit their talks to issues of concern primarily to blacks, participants said.

Instead, the group — which included Benjamin T. Jealous, president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; Marc H. Morial, president of the National Urban League; and the Rev. Al Sharpton, president of the National Action Network — discussed how the economic crisis was affecting all manner of poor people."

Click on the player and listen to the sparks fly

Remember this is all in love. You be the judge.

Source: Your Black World.com Dr. Boyce Watkins

Earvin 'Magic' Johnson Acknowledges Johnson Publishing Company; Unable to Make an Agreement to Buy Ebony, Jet and Johnson Publishing Company

2010-02-22T17:29:00.002-05:00

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 22 PRNewswire USNewswire - The following is a statement from Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Chairman and CEO, Magic Johnson Enterprises:

"I would like to salute Linda Johnson Rice and the Johnson family for pioneering the iconic brand of the Johnson Publishing Company, which we have all come to love and respect. Ebony and Jet have been permanent fixtures on coffee tables in African-American homes for many years.

Recently, an affiliate of Magic Johnson Enterprises and Johnson Publishing Company were in advanced discussions to do business together, but unfortunately we were unable to reach a definitive agreement. We will continue to look for opportunities to invest in African-American media."

Judge Rules Against Rickey Smiley and Radio One

2010-02-22T16:48:00.004-05:00

OK, wasn't Rickey just making a joke? But in Texas, calling someone homosexual imputes the crime of sodomy "...Oh."

Syndicated radio host Rickey Smiley may have defamed an airport security guard by calling him gay on his show, a federal judge has ruled. U.S. District Judge Reed O'Connor refused to dismiss the guard's defamation claims against the Dallas radio personality reports Courthouse News Service. He claims Smiley made the remark at the airport, and again on the air, after the guard asked to take a photo of himself with Smiley at Love Field.

Not long after, Smiley spoke of the "the gay security guard" at Dallas Love Field Airport on his show airing on local affiliate Rhythmic CHR KBFB-FM (97.9 The Beat)/Dallas. According to the ruling, the broadcast included a poem, off-color humor about conducting personal searches, and an admonition to 'Henry' to stop taking pictures.

Rickey Smiley and Radio One, owner of KBFB moved to dismiss the defamation claim, saying the show was not defamatory because it was satire and could not be taken as fact. Judge O'Connor disagreed with the satire argument, ruling that a reasonable person could take Smiley's comments at face value and assume Robinson was gay."

Read more from RadioOnline

Is it time for these Kobe, LeBron Commercials from Nike to end?

2010-02-21T06:38:00.004-05:00

"Cut Kobe, LeBron Puppets' Strings"
by Terence Moore of FanHouse.com and Atlanta Journal Constitution

OK, I'll admit it. In the beginning, I had no problem with the buffoonery of the Kobe and LeBron puppets.

They were puppets. They also were hilarious.

Now one of three things has happened: (1) Nike has slowly turned what was a clever marketing idea into a modern-day version of Amos and Andy, (2) I've just come to my senses, or (3) it is a combination of both.

Whatever the case, these commercials have to go. Either that, or they need an extreme makeover. They are the anti-Barack Obamas when it comes to helping society rid itself of tired images of African-Americans -- and the Nike folks couldn't care less. The same goes for Kobe and LeBron. Otherwise, you wouldn't have storylines in each of these commercials that clearly are designed to entice as many black youngsters as possible to buy sneakers they can't afford.

Stereotyping. Exploitation. It's all here.

I mean, you have the two most famous players in the NBA -- Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, both heroes among many youth in the black community -- depicted by a couple of sports-obsessed, egomaniacal puppets.

Worse, these puppets mostly lounge around their apartment as they live in a world filled with rapping and folks speaking broken English.

Let's pause for a moment of silence. This being Black History Month and all, that groaning you now hear is coming from the graves of W.E.B., Booker T., Martin, Malcolm and the rest, wondering if this is the 21st century or 19th century.

Read more at Fanhouse.com

WNYC Radio Unearths a Rare Interview With Malcolm X

2010-02-19T15:21:00.004-05:00

Sunday, February 21st is the 45th anniversary of the assassination of Malcolm X.

WNYC, the largest public radio station in the country, has unearthed a rare, 30-minute Malcolm X interview, from his days in the Nation of Islam, from its archives, conducted by reporter Eleanor Fischer.

In it he discusses the difference between separation and segregation, Black Muslim philosophy, and why “what Martin Luther King is doing is disarming the black people of America of their natural right.” He goes on to say: “If a man puts his arms around me voluntarily, that’s brotherhood, but if you hold a gun on him and make him embrace me and pretend to be friendly or brotherly toward me, then that’s not brotherhood, that’s hypocrisy.”

It’s a fascinating snapshot of a moment in time in Malcolm’s X’s political evolution.

The full 1960 interview with Malcolm X from WNYC Radio Listen here

Tiger Woods' Statement: " I brought this shame on myself" ; "I'm Deeply Sorry"

2010-02-19T11:06:00.005-05:00

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -Tiger Woods told his family, friends and fans that he is "deeply sorry'' for his selfish and irresponsible behavior.

Woods spoke from the clubhouse at the TPC Sawgrass, home of the PGA Tour. About 40 people were in the room, including his mother. His wife Elin was not present.

The world's No. 1 golfer had not talked in public since his traffic accident Nov. 27 triggered shocking revelations about Woods' infidelity.

Friday's event was tightly controlled, with only a few journalists allowed to watch Woods live.

According to the PGA commissioner, Woods will return to therapy after Friday's events.

African American Relationships and Therapy Talk on Black Radio

2010-02-19T08:43:00.011-05:00

It seems nowadays everybody wants to know why so many Black women are single?

Saturday mornings are a good time to check out that topic on radio stations across the country. Social healing and relationships between men and women are some of the core issues that have never really been addressed in the African American community. Talk radio is a good place to address those issues. The Audrey Chapman Show is by far the best therapy/relationship show in the country.

Audrey is a family therapist, author, trainer, and nationally-known relationship expert. She has developed a "tough love" approach to helping men and women develop loving, interdependent relationships, build communication, and take responsibility for their happiness. She has appeared on dozens of national and television programs. She hosts "The Audrey Chapman Show" on Washington, D.C.'s WHUR-FM 96.3, Saturdays from 8:00-10:00 A.M. EST. The mix of guest and callers with the local D.C. flavor makes this show exceptional. We only wish it was available on a podcast.

But after the Audrey Chapman Show goes off the air there's that feeling that you get that you just need to hear more. Well, my next stop is Motown to Detroit's AM 1500 WLQV and the Kim Bettie Show. The Kim Bettie Show is an up and coming radio program that addresses issues that mainly affect African American women. Kim Bettie is a life coach, motivational speaker and multi-media personality. Her thought provoking style challenges her audiences to develop the right mindset to breakthrough their roadblocks to success. For the past twenty years she has been in the business of encouraging others.

You can catch the show on http://www.faithtalk1500.com/ Saturday mornings 10 - 11 A.M. EST. There are times that both shows hit upon the same subjects and it makes for interesting radio on a Saturday morning.

The Kim Bettie Show is featuring "The Single and The City" Radio Blog series beginning this week on-air and online. Three single women who work and live in metropolitan Detroit complete a love experiment. Rian, Lisa and Sandra Dee blog about their experience on a reality radio show and starting a love experiment. Alton Gunn will talk with a panel of single men during "What men want: The Male Perspective" on The Kim Bettie Show. If you missed the show, listen to the podcast in the Media Room at http://www.kimbettieshow.com/.

Sandra Dee Johnson, Lisa Mills, Kim Bettie, Alton Gunn, and Rian English

Citadel Media to Drop ''Big Boy's Neighborhood''

2010-02-17T14:17:00.004-05:00

The company that was once known as ABC Radio Networks has given Big Boy notice: Lose weight or... wait he already did that!

Citadel Media is dropping its syndication of the Los Angeles-based Big Boy's Neighborhood, effective March 26. The show originates from Emmis Radio's KPWR Power 106 in L.A. Executive producer Jason Ryan told LARadio.com, "With all the changes Citadel is going through, both Citadel and "BBN" mutually decided that to further grow Big Boy's 25 successful affiliates, a re-energized effort from a new syndicator would be the best next step for everyone." ...and to think Big Boy broadcast his morning show live to east coast at 2:30 A.M. West Coast time every morning, then continues on the air until 10:00 AM in Los Angeles. SMH That's insane.

In recent months the financial strapped company has dropped the Doug Banks Show and the Brian McKnight's Show from it's roster. Citadel also syndicates The Michael Baisden show.

Could Michael Baisden be on the chopping block next?; If so.. how long would it take for Cathy Hughes and Radio One to make him an offer? Or will they sign D.L. Hughley (who does mornings on the same station in NYC, WRKS 98.7 Kiss FM) to a syndication contract?

Neo Soul Radio Comes to Birmingham

2010-02-17T13:24:00.006-05:00

Will they play Corrine Bailey Rae? Rememeber she doesn't know what Neo-Soul is.

Cox has dropped the Black talk format in favor of “Birmingham’s Neo Soul” WENN 1320 AM. However it will be known as WENN 101.9 as the AM signal will be rebroadcasted on a translator station (W270BW ) at 101.9.

Cox Birmingham Operations Manager Kori White will serve as PD and midday personality while B. Brian will do afternoon drive. White says the artist roster on air will include: Maxwell, Erykah Badu, D’Angelo, Eric Roberson, Jill Scott, Angie Stone, among others.

You can take a listen online.

The way we see it: We published a post on the viability of a Neo-Soul format and Corrine Bailey Rae's definition of Neo-soul music. She said she didn't know what it was. Sounds like she wanted no parts of Neo-Soul.

Overall Neo-soul playlists simply do not have broad based appeal. At best Neo-Soul should be incorporated into an Urban AC playlist. So in attempt to blend in this genre of music; we created our own Pandora station. We do give credit to Cox Radio for thinking outside the box and for trying something different. At any rate you'll hear Corrine Bailey Rae on our Pandora station if she likes it or not!

Miami Radio and TV Personality Bo Griffin Dies

2010-02-17T13:03:00.005-05:00

Source: SUN-SENTINEL/ MIAMI HERALD Bontia "Bo" Griffin, a former South Florida radio host who also worked in local and cable television, died Tuesday from intestinal cancer, WFOR-CBS 4 reports. Griffin was 51.

Griffin turned the "Mindy and Bo Morning Show" on dance-pop and R&B station Power 96 (WPOW, 96.5 FM) into one of the most popular morning programs in South Florida in the 1980s and '90s.

She was also on Hot 105 (WHQT, FM 105.1) and did entertainment reporting for a local TV station.

"The world has lost an amazing talent today," Power 96 personality DJ Laz said. "Bo, you were my friend, my co-worker and my mentor for many years. You inspired everyone that was fortunate enough to hear your voice."

Griffin, who moved to her native South Carolina and until recently owned a successful boutique in Greenville, was diagnosed with cancer in January.

Her career as a TV personality blossomed after she left South Florida, appearing on "Good Day Live" and guest-hosting the Game Show Network's "GSN Live."

Griffin hosted the travel series "Blue Ribbon" on Turner South and the home makeover show "The Big Reveal" for HGTV as well.

Griffin recently sold her boutique because she planned to move back to Los Angeles full-time.

BV Buzz online reports that she had apparently just signed on to work as a correspondent for the news magazine show "Extra," where she had done previous stints.

Griffin was working as a waitress in New York City when her acting coach told her she had a great voice for radio.

Her first job was at WSRC in Durham, N.C., in 1983.

In September 1984, she went to work at WEDR in Miami, moved to HOT-105, and then Power 96 in 1988.

Griffin is survived by several family members, including her father, the Rev. David L. Hellams, and two sisters, Polly Peterson and Cindy Griffin.

Have you gotten your Black Card yet from your local Black Radio Station?

2010-02-15T10:13:00.006-05:00

Why not it's Black History Month!

Two radio stations across the country are promoting a Black Card. (That's all we found so far...) Yes a Black Card. I'm sure this card is available to any red-blooded American willing to sign up. Anyway the two stations are Urban AC station 107.9 WRNB in Philadelphia and talk station 1690 WVON in Chicago.

At WRNB this is all you have to do:

Become an RNB Black Card Member!

RNB Black Card Members can tell us what to play! Win Concert Tickets! Win VIP Club Passes and exclusive Meet and Greets!

AND IF YOU SIGN UP NOW YOU COULD WIN 500 DOLLARS, JUST BY SIGNING UP!!! YOU HAVE UNTIL MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22ND TO BECOME AN RNB BLACK CARD MEMBER…..AND YOU’LL AUTOMATICALLY QUALIFY FOR IT……YOU’LL FIND OUT IF YOU WON ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23RD WITH MO’SHAY LAREN! All you have to do is JOIN NOW!

Sounds easy enough... I might just sign up for the opportunity to be program director.

I was a little disappointed with the WVON Black Card... I couldn't figure out why I have to pay for my Black Card in Chicago... But I will admit the WVON Black Card is a nicer looking card. Sign up here

If you know of any other radio stations offering a Black Card, leave a comment. Let the world know. Hopefully you don't have to pay for it and can win more than $500. But think about it, if you ever have to play the race card, now you have one!

Magic Johnson May Buy Ebony Magazine, Jet Magazine and Johnson Publishing

2010-02-14T11:32:00.010-05:00

Basketball legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson may soon take over a legend in the publishing world -- Chicago-based Johnson Publishing Co.

Retired NBA star Earvin Magic Johnson is in talks to purchase Johnson Publishing Co., home to Ebony Magazine and Jet Magazine and an archive of iconic photographs documenting U.S. black life for more than half a century.

“There have been discussions,” Eric Holoman, president of Los Angeles-based Magic Johnson Enterprises, said in an interview. “There’s no definitive agreement.” He declined to comment further.

Johnson, 50, would fold the publisher into Magic Johnson Enterprises, said a person with knowledge of the discussions. The company he founded while a player with the Los Angeles Lakers has partnerships with Starbucks Corp., 24 Hour Fitness Worldwide Inc. and T.G.I. Friday’s Inc. Ad revenue at Ebony declined 38 percent to $35.5 million last year on a 39 percent drop in ad pages, according to Publishers Information Bureau.

Johnson Publishing’s Chicago headquarters would be included in the sale, said the person, who declined to be identified because talks are private. A purchase may require satisfying liens placed on the building by a creditor, the person said.

Linda Johnson Rice, chairman and chief executive officer of Johnson Publishing, declined a request for an interview, said Wendy Parks, a spokeswoman. Johnson Rice “has never talked to Magic Johnson with respect to his interest in buying” the company, Parks said.

Johnson Publishing was founded in 1942 by John H. Johnson, Linda Johnson Rice’s father. Ebony, the monthly magazine of features, the newsweekly Jet and the long-defunct Negro Digest chronicled African-American life when mainstream media paid little attention.

During the Civil-Rights Era, photographer Moneta Sleet Jr. was working for Ebony when he shot the Pulitzer Prize-winning image of Coretta Scott King and her young daughter at Martin Luther King Jr.’s funeral in 1968. Jet stirred controversy in 1964, when it ran photos of 14-year- old Emmett Till in his coffin, beaten beyond recognition in a racially-motivated attack.

Ebony’s resonance was underscored when president-elect Barack Obama granted the magazine his first print interview following the 2008 campaign.
John H. Johnson died in 2005. His wife, Eunice Johnson, who ran the Ebony Fashion Fair Business, died last month. The traveling fashion show’s spring edition was canceled, the Tampa Tribune reported last month.

Magic Johnson led the Lakers to five National Basketball Association championships in the 1980s and is a co-owner of the team. He won the league’s Most Valuable Player award three times and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002.

Source: Brett Pulley Bloomberg.com

Stephen A. Smith returns to Sports Columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer

2010-02-12T10:44:00.007-05:00

Stephen A., the man known as "SAS" in this report, has returned to his position as sports columnist with the Philadelphia Inquirer. At what cost? Stephen A. must agree to squash his political views at other media outlets. (mainly Fox News, MSNBC and the TODAY Show) WHAT???

Source: Richard Prince Journalisms Stephen A. Smith's sports column appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer on Monday for the first time in more than two years after Smith agreed to the Inquirer's demand that he remove political opinions from his Web site and agree to stop espousing them on cable news shows.

Smith's agreement to the Inquirer's ethics policy — which he contends has not been applied to other news employees — applies "until the dispute is resolved by an arbitrator," Bill Ross, executive director of the Newspaper Guild-Communications Workers Association of America Local 38010, told Journal-isms.

While the capitulation, however temporary, silences Smith's views on politics, it also removes the Inquirer's rationale for not running his column.

"I'm glad the employer has done the right thing and published SAS column," Ross said via e-mail. Smith "continues to scan the sports landscape, and will continue to produce top notch columns for the Philadelphia Inquirer, that no doubt will attract readers back, who have stopped reading due to SAS long absence."

In today's column Stephen A. writes about the possible retirement of Philadelphia Seventy-Sixer Allen Iverson. Iverson voted to start by the fans in Sunday's NBA All-Star in Dallas will not be attending the game due to the illness of his daughter.

-Now that Allen Iverson has elected to skip Sunday's NBA All-Star Game, reports circulating throughout the league have him retiring soon. According to those close to the Answer, there's no truth to that. But considering the personal issues that Iverson has endured of late, combined with how they have affected his willingness to play, we have to wonder: Is it time for Iverson to call it a career? It's a legitimate question, now more than ever. >> Read more of the column

Stephen A. Smith continues to host his own daily sports talk show on Fox Sports Radio. He will pick up another affiliate on March 5 at WHEN-AM in Syracuse, NY. The station will drop Don Imus and replace him with Smith.