Miss Monique Rejoins Power 107

Flint, Michigan native Miss Monique has returned to Clear Channel urban WPRW-FM (Power 107) in Augusta, Ga to take over APD/MD duties. Formerly with the station last year in promotions and on the air in the midday slot, Miss Monique departed due to budget cuts. Operations Manager Tim “Fatz” Snell, however, was happy to welcome her back. “We’re really excited about having Monique back. She knows the music and the market. She’s ready to take on the task and we’re looking forward to having her back.”

Barry Mayo Resigns from Radio One

With these words spoken on the company’s regular conference call recently–”We had an awful 4th quarter. We dropped millions of dollars in cash flow off our radio division and 60% of it came in Q4. It was shocking to me.”—Radio One CEO/President Alfred Liggins, III set the stage for the announcement that followed of the resignation of radio division president Barry Mayo.

Mayo, who joined the Radio One team in 2006 as a consultant, resigned effective March 16 to pursue other ventures. “Partnering with Alfred and helping to execute his vision has been a rewarding experience, and I am proud of what we have accomplished,” he said in a joint statement released from both. “I am grateful for the support shown me during my tenure. While I will miss the relationships forged, I am truly looking forward to the next phase of my career.”

Citing Clear Channel’s ‘Best Rate’ sales tactics as impacting the radio industry adversely, Liggins added, “Barry has been an integral member of Radio One’s executive management team for nearly five years, and he has served the Company with passion and distinction. I am grateful for Barry’s contributions to the success of the Company’s initiatives, particularly given the challenging economic environment. I understand, however, that there comes a time for change in a person’s career, and I fully respect Barry’s decision to undertake new challenges.  I truly wish him well.”

And, although chagrined by the poor performance of the radio division on which Liggins had always been bullish, he also delivered an upbeat report on TV One and the Internet divisions, saying, “We’re in a good space with these two businesses.” He also believes “the radio group is poised to rebound strongly in 2012, with mid to high single digit revenue growth in both the first and second quarters.”

Radio One’s Healing Power

The Radio One Family Comedy Tour’s stop at Howard University’s Cramton Auditorium showcased comedians Marcus Wiley from the Yolanda Adams Morning Show, Griff, Chinnita Morris, Veda Howard and Praise 104.1 Inspirational comedian contest winner E-Boogie. Radio personality Vickie Winans, host of “Sunday Morning Praise with Vickie Winans” on Radio One’s WDMK-FM (105.9 KISS) in Detroit where the next stop for the tour is on March 31 at the Millennium Centre, hosts the Radio One DVD, Volume 1, of the tour available at Walmart. Says Winans, “This is the healing power of laughter.” WPRS-FM (Praise 104.1) and WYCB-AM (1340) hosted the sold-out show.

Radio One DC Welcomes White House to New Studios

Radio One DC gave White House Senior Advisor Valeria Jarrett a tour of its new offices and studios.

Dothan’s New BEAT at 100.5

As Southeast Alabama Broadcasters took over the licensing of the Dothan, Alabama cluster of stations that include Talk WDBT (105.3 the Voice), Classic Hits WESP-FM (102.5 the Eagle), Rock WJRL-FM (Rock 104) and Adult Hits WLDA-FM (Star 100.5), change was the order of business with WLDA flipping its format to Urban. WLDA started the new year as 100.5 the Beat and boasting a new line-up that included “Casual Mornings” from 6am-10, “Marcus Kage at Middays” from 10am-2pm, “Jimmy Rush Afternoons” from 2pm-6pm, and “DJ Firestarter Primetime Show” from 6pm-10pm. Clif “Casual” Hawthorne, the new PD for the station, is asking for service from music labels be mailed to WLDA, 285 N Foster Street, 8^th Floor, Dothan, AL 36303 or e-mail MP3s to casualmusic@aol.com.

Egypt’s New Throne

Photos courtesy of SJO PR (Freddy.com) and WVEE

“I feel like a kid on the first day at a new school,” exclaimed Egypt as she began her new midday slot on WVEE-FM (V103) in Atlanta. Her new studio was decorated with an Egyptian sarcophagus and even her own throne, courtesy of her new boss Reggie Rouse, who also had a lunch catered for the former NY radio personality. “I have never had a welcome like this in my entire career!” she said on the air as she welcomed special guests like Keith Sweat, Chili, Musiq Soulchild, Jazze Pha, the Braxtons, Nelly and Marsha Ambrosius, among others. Also a host of HGTV’s “Property Virgins,” Egypt says she will continue to do that show on the weekends as production is moving from to NY to Atlanta to accommodate her new schedule.

 

Tempe, Arizona Ripe for Music and Education Projects

PVIPE’s David Pryce with Councilman Corey Woods–Photo by David Marshall
Tempe, Arizona councilman Corey Woods welcomes BRE’s David Pryce, who recently launched the first minority-owned pest control company in the area, saying he wants to develop more entertainment projects that reach his grass roots constituency, especially since he also serves as Director of College and Career Articulation for the Phoenix Union High School District. The University of Michigan graduate who once worked with music distributor Handleman sees a synergy between music, culture and education.

Boyz II Men Star

With more than 60 million records sold,Shawn Stockman, Wayna Morris, and Nathan Morris, aka Boyz II Men, received the 2,456th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame joined by such luminaries in their lives as Babyface, Michael Bivins, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.—Photo by Getty Images

Bo Money Tampa Bound

“I am very excited about this new venture. I have always looked at Clear Channel/Tampa as a ‘dream market’ in my years with the company,” exclaimed Bo Money about the new PD/midday show gig at the radio network’s Tampa market, urban WBTP-FM (95.7 the Beat), he started the end of the year. “I’m looking forward to executing great radio and upholding the Tampa standards while living the dream.” And he tweets about the new position, “I love my job! Always grateful; and giving all the thanks to GOD! Radio/Music Que Psi Phi til the day I die! Happiness can come from making others happy.”

Money, previously with Clear Channel in Columbia, SC, replaces the retiring Jomama Johnson, whom Market Manager Sam Nein described, “He will be missed by many people here.” But, “We won’t miss a beat,” adds OM Doug Hammand. “I’m extremely excited for Bo to come in and take over the successful reigns that Jo has left him.”

Bobby Holiday Joins Philly’s Heritage ‘DAS

Previously the afternoon host on Radio One’s first urban station in the Philadelphia market back in the ‘90s—WPHI-FM (Philly 103.9)—veteran air personality Bobby Holiday has taken over as the new morning host of the reborn WDAS-AM (1480 the Soul of Philadelphia). He joins with the legendary Joe “Butterball” Tamburro as the first air personalities named to the station.

Since the station’s announced revival last November, it went into Christmas music mode over the holidays and is now into the best of the ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s soul music and “ME!!” announced Holiday on his Facebook page. Known for his over-the-top antics from camping out in a truck to his recent trying to prove he’s not an alien, Holiday is sure to bring the fun back into the airwaves. A veteran to both AC urban and urban formats, Holiday made his name in his hometown of Chicago at WGCI and has also done shows in other major markets like Los Angeles, Dallas and Miami and was most recently at WDZZ-FM (Z92.7) in Flint, MI.        

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