Indiana RadioWatch: March 2, 2008

Northeast

A brief correction from our last issue: After Lee Tobin becomes GM for Sarkes Tarzian Fort Wayne; Oldies/WLDE (101.7fm, Fort Wayne) APD/MD "Captain" Chris Didier will rise to PD for WLDE, while Barb Richards remains PD for Hot AC/WAJI (95.1fm, Fort Wayne).

Very sad news in last Thursday's passing of Harriet Magdalene Oyer Sievers, wife of "Mr. WOWO" Bob Sievers. Bob passed away last September at the age of 90. Mrs. Sievers was 88. Bob and Harriet married on 27 December 1941. Mrs. Sievers leaves a brother, two daughters, multiple grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be Monday (2 March 2008) at D.O. McComb and Sons on Fairfield Avenue in Fort Wayne.

Fallen Timber Communications' AC/WFGA (106.7fm, Hicksville, Ohio) afternoon guy Jim Irizarry ("Chris Cord") exits. Irizarry has been with the station since its 27 May 2005 signon. We hear he won't be "on the beach" long - more details, soon.

Northcentral

AllAccess reports that Steve Stewart becomes Regional Manager/Country Programming/Midwest for all Citadel stations. This means he will oversee programming for Country/WWKI (100.5fm, Kokomo) and Country/WMDH-FM (102.5fm, New Castle), in addition to Citadel stations in Michigan, Iowa, and Colorado. Stewart is also PD/mornings at WTNR in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Jim Roberts has been named Director of Programming for the Schurz Communications radio stations in South Bend, where he will oversee programming and operations of WNSN, WSBT, WHFB(AM)+FM, and WZOC; and Lafayette, where he will oversee programming and operations of WKOA, WASK(AM)+FM, WKHY, and WXXB. Roberts has been with Schurz since 1996 and will remain based in South Bend.

Rhythmic CHR/WSMK (99.1fm, Buchanan, Michigan) flips format to Rhythmic Oldies, using Waitt Radio Networks' "MOViN" satellite format. Their website ("Under Construction") remains http://www.wsmkradio.com/

Classic Hits/WXXC (106.9fm, Marion) morning host Brian Free and night host Steve Morris both exit.

Standards/WMRI (860, Marion) switches from JRN's "Music of Your Life" to JRN's "Standards" format. A JRN press release says the new format is "a fresh mix of classic songs performed by the great singers of yesterday and today's top vocalists, familiar instruments and top hits."

Northwest

After 16 years of local ownership, KVB Broadcasting's Hot AC/WGLM (106.7fm, West Lafayette) flipped the switch in the early morning hours of Friday 29 February to Christian music, with new owner Educational Media Foundation's "K-LOVE" format. WGLM is now operating under an LMA with Educational Media Foundation, until final sale.

Southeast

Where Are They Now? Former Cox/Louisville Market Manager Rolf Pepple is now Market Manager for the CBS stations in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Southcentral

After leaving Ad-Venture Media's Oldies/WQRK (105.5fm, Bedford) married morning duo Mike and Deb Shannon are now online with their morning show - 8:00AM - 12:00PM at http://www.theoldieschannel.com/

Southwest

From the "Radio with Pictures" department, Raycom's NBC affiliate WFIE (Channel 14/DT46, Evansville) welcomes CJ Hoyt as News Director, after four year tenure as News Director at KLFY-TV in Lafayette, Louisiana.

This Week in Indiana Radio History

March 3: In 1997, Chicago's Mancow Muller debuted at his first affiliate - Fort Wayne's WEJE (96.3fm, Churubusco). The show lasted 364 days, ending his affiliation March 2, 1998. Then owner Frank Kovas pulled the show without warning, and apparently Mancow erupted on-air about this after he found out WEJE was no longer airing his show.

March 4: In 1993, WFWI (92.3fm, Fort Wayne) signs on. In 2005, Dave Bailey, VP/GM of WTHI/WWVR television and radio in Terre Haute retires.

March 5: In 1984, 1180am signed on in Newburgh. Today, it's airing a gospel format as WGAB.

March 6: In 1998, Kurt Deffenbaugh joins WOWO (1190am, Fort Wayne) as a news person, and later adds the title of Farm Director. Deffenbaugh left WOWO in 2006 and is enjoying a successful career at a Fort Wayne network TV affiliate.

March 7: In 1997, John Boy & Billy debut at Classic Rock/WABX (107.5fm, Evansville) where they remain in mornings.

March 8: In 2002, "Elvis and Hammer" end their highly successful morning show at Fort Wayne's WBYR (98.9fm, Van Wert, Ohio). They have since reunited at WBYR sister station WFWI (92.3fm, Fort Wayne) where they have held down afternoons since the summer of 2005.

That's it for this issue.

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All pages Copyright Blaine Thompson. Articles, photos, corrections, and other contributions should be e-mailed to the editors.