Egypt Claims WBLS Middays
Egypt
Egypt Sherrod is the new midday host for Inner City Broadcasting urban AC WBLS-FM (107.5) in NY. The multi-media do it all tried out with other celebrities for the 10am-3pm slot previously occupied by Wendy Williams in September with an impressive performance and guest list that included Idris Elba, Michael Strahan, Toni Braxton, and Tommy Davidson, among others. This is her second stint with WBLS, having left in 2003 to pursue her television and syndication options. Prior to that she was co-host in NYC for WWPR-FM (Power 105)’s morning show and has a following from her stints at WPHI-FM (100.3 the Beat) in Philadelphia and WERQ-FM (92Q) in Baltimore.
She will continue with her multiple roles as host of Fine Living Network’s “Bartender Wars,” correspondent for NBC Universal’s “The Maury Show,” and co-host of the syndicated daytime TV hit “Home Delivery” currently re-airing on the ION Network, as well as being the voice of Premiere Radio Networks “Synopsis” entertainment report on “Live In The Den With Big Tigger” which is broadcast in more than 72 cities across three continents and her blogsite www.EgyptSaidSo.com,
Change Comes To WRNB
Radio One urban AC WRNB-FM (107.9) in Philadelphia launched a new format on January 20 tilted more towards the R&B gold from the ‘90s and old school hip hop. The station will continue to play current R&B titles, but the playlist will now be proliferated with such artists as Boyz II Men, Mint Condition, Maxwell, Keith Sweat and Jodeci.
“While America is experiencing change in our nation with President Barack Obama, Philadelphia and WRNB are experiencing a change as well,” explains Radio One/Philly OM Elroy Smith. “Tailoring this format and unveiling a new attitude exclusively for WRNB and Philadelphia is an exciting undertaking. This market knows what they want and our job at WRNB is to respond to their request. We are now positioned in a lane all by ourselves and the fans of the ’90s and today’s R&B will not have to sit through a number of eras to hear the sound they have asked for. Philadelphia now has a radio station that they are helping to build.”
The new lineup promoting the new sound is: “The Tom Joyner Morning Show,” APD/MD Mo’Shay LaRen at middays, Lady B in afternoons and DJ Todd takes nights.
WRNB’s new position in the marketplace is “The New sound of 107.9 WRNB, R&B of the 90’s and Today.
WPHI Speeds Up Nights
Going against the grain of traditionally slowing down the night programming, Radio One urban WPHI-FM (100.3 the Beat) is now stepping to a faster beat, says OM Elroy Smith. With a mission is to be younger, more vibrant, interactive, and up beat without ignoring the strong R&B ballads, Smith has switched the night programming with host Kendra G and DJ Touchstone. “Live With Kendra G” featuring a daily mix from DJ Mil Matik now airs at 6pm on weekdays, while DJ Touchstone hosts his own show, “The Touchdown with DJ Touchstone,” on Sundays at 10pm. The nightly R&B based show “Loveland” will no longer air.
“This is a very exciting and competitive time for 100.3 The Beat. Both Kendra G and Touchtone did an incredible job as a team from 6p-10p. Allowing them to shine individually will give this station a huge injection,” explains Smith. “Since every urban station in Philly is slow at 10P, we wanted to be different. We believe this move allows us to be hip, vibrant, young and fun; we are destined to raise the bar”.
Bev Smith Honored
American Urban Radio Network (AURN)’s Bev Smith receives the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Allegheny County Council of Pennsylvania at the Council’s regular meeting on February 17. Host of the only syndicated radio African American nightly talk show, Smith will join CNN television’s host Larry King where she will be on the other side of the table—being interviewed instead of interviewing.
Anji Corley Makes WAMO Middays an Experience
Sheridan Broadcasting urban WAMO-FM (106) in Pittsburgh has named Anji Corley to fill the midday slot left open with the departure of KiKi last July. This marks a return for the radio personality who once covered morning drive for the station prior to its replacement of her with the syndicated “The Steve Harvey Morning Show.” Corley now hosts “The Midday Experience with Anji.”
KISS Debuts Syndicated Brian McKnight Show
Emmis urban AC WRKS-FM (98.7 Kiss) in New York City has signed on as the flagship station for the five-hour syndicated ABC Radio Network show, “The Brian McKnight Show.” Replacing “Kissing After Dark” with Lenny Green, the new show debuted on January 26 at 7pm with Green joining Brian McKnight as co-host of the show.
“Brian is a phenomenal music personality who has quickly established himself as a broadcaster with a knack for touching his audience in a deeply personal way,” says ABC Radio Networks VP of urban programming and distribution Ed Pearson. “Adding this new show to our urban portfolio is a win for us and R&B music fans across the country. The live studio performances will be a hit on the air and online, and there’s no question they will create traffic and become a destination point for both consumers and advertisers.”
Jo Gamble Exits WDAS
Clear Channel urban AC heritage station WDAS-FM (105.3) loses one of its veteran programmers as APD/MD Jo Gamble exits after almost 10 years with the WDAS/-AM/FM combo.
From a Planet Called Harlem
Producer/artist Pharrell introduced his latest protégé, Teyana Taylor, at the Kush Lounge in NYC. The event served as her 18th birthday bash as well. Her first single, “I Feel Alive (Spinnin’)” featuring Pharrell impacts this January, with the album, From A Planet Called Harlem, scheduled for a March release. Bangladesh, Hit Boy and Pharrell join in the production for the birthday girl.
Emmis NY Promotes Alexandra Cameron
Alexandra Cameron has been promoted to SVP/GM of Emmis Radio’s New York cluster that includes Top 40/rhythmic WQHT-FM (Hot 97) and urban WRKS-FM (98.7). Previously Director of Sales, and prior to that GSM of Hot 97, Cameron is “a high-energy, passionate believer in radio, who also serves as a leading voice of change and creativity in our industry,” commented Emmis Radio President Rick Cummings. “I’m certain she’ll take Emmis New York to even greater levels of performance.”
“It blows my mind that our medium continues to be so clearly undervalued and misunderstood,” Cameron responded. “My greatest passion is to be instrumental in changing that and leave some small legacy for the medium I love and find infinitely cool, including the people that are part of it. The #1 priority is to ensure Emmis NY is a benefactor of that and I am privileged to be entrusted with such an opportunity in such uncertain times. This will be a very challenging role with challenging expectations and I welcome it with vigor.”
BLS Beat Goes On Staying Focused on Community
WBLS, all decked out in holiday décor with falling snowflakes on its website, will be taking 107 winners in its “Yes We Can Holiday Jam” contest to the MGM at Foxwoods on December 19 for a show featuring Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick. Steve Harvey and Wendy Williams will be leading the celebration for the Inner City Broadcasting heritage urban AC station WBLS-FM (107.5).
Unfortunately some of its staffers will not be joining in the celebration. Two veteran broadcasters, virtual icons at WBLS, were let go just before Thanksgiving. “Quiet Storm” night show host Vaughn Harper with more than 20 years at the station and overnight personality Champaine, who just celebrated her 25th anniversary with the station this year, were among those cut as the station looks to economize and lower its overhead. No replacements have been named as the station goes to an all-music playlist, still airing a Quiet Storm format in Harper’s timeslot. The station and listeners were sorry to lose two friends that had helped establish the WBLS legacy.
ICBC is even more focused on its community involvement, especially in these critical times and recently headed a major food drive along with sister station gospel WLIB-AM (1190) that Capitol artist Avant joined to gather food supplies for the needy.
WLIB’s midday personality/PD Denise Hill, aka Gospel Lady, who recently hosted an after Thanksgiving gospel concert—she called it a church party—has given up her programming duties to focus more on her air show, reports Inner City OM Skip Dillard, who will handle programming for the gospel station in the interim.
The station recently signed with Katz Media, upon Interep’s demise. “We are excited to enter into this long-term relationship with the Katz Radio Group,” said ICBC president Charles Warfield. “We expect this partnership to result in significant new revenue opportunities through stronger advertising relationships and an increased number of multiplatform marketing opportunities.”
