Hurricane Hits Atlanta
June 21, 2009 by Susan Miller
Filed under Mid South, Regions, Southeast
Veteran radio programmer and air personality David Glenn “Hurricane Dave” Smith will relocate to Atlanta from Dallas in July to take over the vacant spot at Radio One Atlanta operations for Urban WHTA-FM (Hot 107.9). Previously the executive producer for syndicated ABC Radio Networks—now Citadel Media– “The Ride with Doug and DeDe,” Hurricane Dave is currently already part of the Radio One team as Director of Operations for its Syndication One arm—a position he will resign.
Having programmed or served as OM for at least seven number one radio stations in various formats from hip hop to classic rock, Hurricane Dave has proven his versatility again and again. He oversaw the five station Cumulus Tallahassee group that included not only Hip Hop and R&B and Urban AC formats, but also Hot AC, ESPN Sports and Classic Rock.
He began his career and adopted his moniker of Hurricane Dave in Texas, where, as the winner of Service Broadcasting KKDA-FM (K104)’s nationwide best air-personality talent search, he won first place prize, which included a job at the Dallas station. Later at Radio One KMJQ-FM (Magic 102) in Houston, his moniker was born his first day on the air, which also marked the first day of the hurricane season.
Touting “I keep the mic hot!” Dave has proven to be successful no matter what daypart, region or format—even syndication—whether in the studio or boardroom. The list of Hurricane hits includes: WOWI-FM, Norfolk (highest rankings in its history); Album Rock WOMP-FM, Bellair, Ohio; Top 40 WXGT-FM (92X) Columbus; KMJQ-FM, Houston, Texas; WBLK-FM, Buffalo, NY; WAMO-FM/WYJZ-FM; Radio One Cleveland cluster WIZF-FM/ WENZ-FM/WWLD-FM.
His website lists such accolades as “Best numbers in five years” from Pittsburgh’s two stations; best numbers in WOWI-FM history during which time WOWI became the #1 12+ 18-34 demo and #1 mornings demo 25-54 under then PD Dave; #1 highest 12+ shares ever reports WIZF-FM in Cincinnati; #1 for 3 1/2 years at Top 40 WXGT-FM in Columbus, Ohio; #1 highest shares ever at Album Rock WOMP-FM in Bellaire, Ohio; #1 highest nighttime shares at Urban KMJQ-FM in Houston; 11 up books out of 14 at WAMO-FM in Pittsburgh.
Also president of his own pre-paid bankcard company, the ECS-Financial Network, Dave is actively involved in supporting the urban communities. Just ask the ‘Canes Kids he rewarded for improving their grades in Cleveland when he was OM/PD/MD or view the video he participated in for the Texas Department of Education Student Job Search program available in every Texas high school.
Bowling With Jamie
Service Broadcasting urban KKDA-FM (K104) in Dallas gave listeners a chance to win passes to go bowling with J Records artist Jamie Foxx. Originally from Terrell, Texas, Foxx came home not only to promote his latest LP, Intuition, but also to celebrate his birthday. He signed autographs, took pictures and had fun with the fans. Later that evening, KKDA PD Skip Cheatham hosted Jamie Foxx’s Birthday/CD Release Party.
David Banner Joins USO Tour
“I am honored to travel with the USO and feel privileged to do what I do everyday,” said Mississippi native David Banner upon the announcement of heading overseas to participate in the USO tour in the Persian Gulf. “Regardless of your political affiliation or viewpoint on the war, our soldiers work hard and have paved the way to where we are today. There’s nothing I enjoy more than giving back and expressing my thanks to those serving our nation,” he commented, saying the USO had been servicing American troops for more than 67 years.
WJWZ Names White MD
Blue Water Broadcasting urban WJWZ-FM (97.9 Jamz) in Montgomery, Alabama reports its late night show host Frank White was named assistant PD/MD, the position previously held by PD Doughboy.
Mahalia Jackson Tribute
New Orleans’ Armstrong Park welcomed gospel artist Yolanda Adams and trumpet virtuoso and founder of the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, Irvin Mayfield, to a special musical tribute to Mahalia Jackson. Backed by her band, Adams performed some of her greatest hits as well as Jackson’s, joined by the gospel ensemble, One New Orleans Chorus. She also joined Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra.
Held at the Mahalia Jackson Theatre of the Performing Arts, the show was preceded by a special video presentation on the life of Mahalia Jackson and the presentation by New Orleans Mayor, C. Ray Nagin, of the first annual Mahalia Jackson “Gospel Pioneer Award” to a local citizen who has championed gospel music in the New Orleans community. Nagin and the New Orleans City Council officially re-opened the theatre, announcing a new line-up for the facility recently brought up to date since its Katrina storm damages with state-of-the-art features at an estimated cost of $22 million.
“The re-opening of the Mahalia Jackson Theatre will demonstrate to the world that New Orleans is back – our culture is back, our city is rebuilding and we will be even better than before,” said Mayor Nagin.
Mike Jones Endorses Bobbé Cognac
Houston rapper Mike Jones has kicked off his new venture with ProConcept Marketing Group, Inc with a Super Bowl promotion where he is endorsing an exclusive new line of Cognac liquor from the “House of Dobbé.” Jones will also be introducing songs from his upcoming Asylum/Warner Bros. album, Voice of the Streets, expected in April. Lil Wayne, Akon, Twista, Mya, Plies, T.I. and Bobby Brown are reportedly among the artists featured on the new project for the artist whose debut album, Who Is Mike Jones (2005), scored platinum.
“The line of Dobbé cognac is a perfect fit for Mike Jones,” says CEO Joel Stohlman. “He is a terrific self-promoter and will do whatever is required to make sure this product launch is a success. We will give him the support he needs throughout the U.S., and continue marketing and promoting the products in conjunction with the record launch.”
The deal, reportedly worth $2.1 million, was originally signed last August with Jones, Christopher “DJ Kutz” White and tastemaker Derrick Banes. With stock and residuals, the value reportedly could possibly top $26 million. And, according to Jones, a percentage of every sale is donated to his charity, Mike Jones Foundation, which helps out the Houston community.
As the honored guest of 15th Annual MLK Day Grande Parade honoree, Council Member Peter Brown, with whom Trae often performs acts of community service, the two rode in the red drop-top custom owned by the late Pimp C, courtesy of Chamillionaire’s custom car shop, Fly Rydes, who had provided all of the transportation for that parade’s dignitaries. The two wore matching “Peter Brown for H-Town” T-shirts and Brown made this comment: “It feels like a spiritual awakening taking place all over the country, making us all brothers and sisters with the same common cause: to improve the lives of everyone in our society. It is really fitting to the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that we can all experience like brothers and sisters. It is exactly what MLK would have wanted.”
Trae tha Truth Leads Houston MLK Parade
Houston’s Martin Luther King Jr. celebration has grown into the nation’s largest celebration of the now-official holiday attracting some 250,000 spectators who viewed 36,000 parade participants in the three-hour long parade. In recognition of his many contributions to the community and to the young people in his city, Houston rap artist Trae Tha Truth was chosen as Co-Grand Marshal of this year’s MLK Day Youth Parade, along with Praise 92.1 FM talk show host, Brother Larry Jones.
Trae’s service to the city of Houston has included everything from an inspirational prison tour, to free concerts, donations and relief work alongside Mayor Bill White and Council Member Peter Brown with whom Trae rode in the MLK Day Grande Parade. The city itself has been so impressed with Trae’s commitment to his city that he was honored this past July 22nd with his own day by Proclamation of the Mayor and Peter Brown, the first time this honor was given to a rap artist.
During the recent MLK celebrations, Trae tha Truth was also honored with a Humanitarian Award for all his community service at a surprise appearance he made at the 8th Annual MLK High School Battle of the Bands. He performed his hit “Swang” with the winning Willowridge High School “Mighty Eagle” Band.
TJMS Gets Lighter
Comedians George Wallace, Sinbad, Gary Owen and Kim Whitley guest host the Tom Joyner Morning Show from the ‘red velvet cake’ Dallas studios the week beginning December 15th. Reviewing the best and worst in Black America, they bring a note of levity to lighten up the holidays. The regular crew returns after the holidays with its “Sail Away Song of the Day” contest promoting its 10th anniversary Fantastic Voyage, embarking in 2009 from Long Beach, California. The show will broadcast live from Obama’s inauguration on the MLK Day holiday.
Trin-I-tee 5:7 Christmas for New Orleans
Music World/Spirit Rising gospel artist Trin-I-tee 5:7 have a special Christmas treat planned with their December 21st concert in New Orleans. “This is our gift to the people of New Orleans,” says Trin-i-tee 5:7. “We want to share from our hearts the celebration of what Christmas is about, the birth of Christ…love, joy and giving. Caring for one another and sharing in the love of a city that has so very much loved us.” The trio selected a church in New Orleans East for the concert specifically to bring focus back to one of the hardest areas of the Crescent City. A portion of the proceeds from the concert will be funneled back into the local community. This is just another way, the ladies say, of continuously giving back to their community as Ambassadors of the Hope & Triumph Campaign through the group’s non-profit organization, Passionately Inspiring Humanity.
They also perform “Get Away,” backed by a Ray Chew-led 24-piece orchestra for BET’s Celebration of Gospel, which airs on January 25.
New Venom at Chamillitary
The city of Houston will host its 15th Annual MLK Grande Parade on January 19, 2009, and, for the first time, the Co-Grand Marshall will be a hip-hop artist. Houston’s own platinum Grammy-award winning rapper Chamillionaire will lead the parade, one of the nation’s largest MLK celebrations with more than 30 marching bands, emphasizing 2009’s theme, “The Color of Unity.” And not only will he lead, but also it’s his custom car shop Fly Rydes that will be driving the dignitaries and celebrities.
Formerly on Motown, Chamillionaire has announced his new album, his third major label release, will impact in early 2009 on his own imprint, Chamillitary, now distributed through Universal Republic Records. Ludacris is featured on his newest song from the project, “Creepin’” (Solo).
Additionally, as the first multi-platinum Mastertone artist in history, Chamillionaire has retooled his website. www.chamillionaire.com with new contests, official merchandise, performance footage, video blogs, merchandise, and giveaways.
