Tom Joyner Added To NYC’s KISS

Starting on February 7, Emmis urban AC WRKS-FM (Kiss 98.7) welcomed a new morning crew to the New York airwaves, welcoming The Tom Joyner Morning Show back to the #1 rated market. To kick off his return to the Big Apple, Joyner led by giving a “Trip A Day” away to listeners to his annual Tom Joyner Fantastic Voyage Cruise that sets sail this year from Galveston, March 20-27. Bob Slade joins the team locally.

Says KISS PD Jill Strada, “Tom’s a radio veteran whose work ethic and dedication to empowering the Black community is a perfect fit with Kiss-FM’s culture. Together we are going to do some big things in the big apple.”

Added Alex Cameron, Emmis Communications SVP/Market Manager: “2011 marks 30 years for KISS FM as a dominant and trusted voice reflecting the tri-state’s African American adult community. In celebrating that, we are happy to welcome Tom Joyner to KISS FM with a show that shares the values of family and community.”

Kelly Mac Relocates to Philly CC Cluster

The 2010 Marconi Radio Award-winning midday air personality at WJMZ-FM (107.3) in Greenville, South Carolina as well as its APD/MD, Kelly Mac, has accepted the APD/MD position in Philadelphia at Clear Channel’s Hip Hop WUSL-FM (Power 99) and heritage urban AC WDAS-FM (105.3), according to Ken Johnson, Clear Channel Philadelphia Director of Urban Programming. She replaces Kashon Powell, who moved to Virginia to cover Clear Channel’s urban programming there last November.

Egypt Claims WBLS Middays

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.

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