Florida Hosts Return To The Air Following Hoax Suspension

THE MOUTH, APRIL 3RD, 2013 –– Gator Country 101.9, Val St. John and Scott Fish's (shown) returned to the air this morning following their April Fools “dihydrogen monoxide,” hoax led to their suspension. “It is one thing when radio stations change their format or other crazy things they do,” said GM Tony Renda to the News-Press. “But you are messing with one of the big three, food, water or shelter. They just went too far; I just knew I didn’t like that.” As Jockline Daily reported yesterday, Fort Myers FL's county public utility began receiving calls from residents asking if their water was safe following the April Fool's water bit they heard on the air. This even led a public information officer to wonder if it was a felony to call in a false water quality issue. In the meantime, Val and Scott were back on the air this morning and noted on their Facebook Page: "It's been a rough few days, but your outpouring of support has been overwhelming and we can't thank you enough."

KVIL-FM Dallas Pairs Tony Zazza & Julie Fisk For Morning Drive

THE MOUTH, APRIL 3RD, 2013 –– 103.7 Lite FM Dallas has announced its new morning team of Tony Zazza and Julie Fisk. “Zazza and Julie” will premiere Monday, April 8th.
Zazza joined Lite FM in 2009 as midday host. Prior to that, he spent 11 years at Clear Channel Dallas’ KDMX-FM, most recently as morning show host and producer. Fisk joined CBS RADIO Dallas-Fort Worth in 2006, where she currently fills various roles, including morning traffic reporter and film critic for NewsRadio 1080 KRLD as well entertainment reporter for 100.3 Jack FM. A native of San Diego, Zazza came to Texas on a baseball scholarship at Hill College in Hillsboro and later at Tarleton State University. While in college, he was a local correspondent for MTV.com and also worked at Stephenville’s KCUB-FM. Fisk’s radio career began in Atlanta and later took her to South Carolina and New Mexico before she moved to Dallas in 1998 to become the nighttime host at KDGE-FM. The next year, she began co-hosting the station’s morning drive program.

STUDY: Outside Music Platforms Continue To Rise Among Younger Listeners

THE MOUTH, APRIL 3RD, 2013 –– Two new studies: one from the NPD Group, the other from Arbitron, are making it even clearer that platforms beyond terrestrial radio are continuing to gain steam. While AM/FM radio is still users top choice for music, Pandora and other free subscription-based Internet radio services are continuing to rise, especially by younger listeners according to a new study from NPD Group. During the fourth quarter of 2012, Internet radio accounted for 23 percent of the average weekly listening among those between 13 and 35, an increase of 17 percent over the previous year. AM/FM radio accounted for 24 percent of listening time during the same quarter, a 2% drop from last year. Terrestrial radio, however, is still way more popular among older listeners. In the 36+ group, AM/FM accounted for 41 percent of music listening, compared to just 13 percent for Internet radio. In yet another study from Arbitron/Edison, it reports that one in three Americans aged 12 and older now listen to all forms of online radio on a weekly basis. Among its other findings it says AM/FM radio is an "almost all of the times" or "most of the times" in-car choice for nearly six in ten adults aged 18 and over; dashboard AM/FM radio (58 percent). Among the nearly half of Americans (45 percent) who say it is important to learn about and keep up-to-date with new music, AM/FM Radio is the top source for new music discovery at 78 percent. "We are now seeing the highest levels of weekly online radio listening with the increasing strength of AM/FM streams and other online radio brands and the near ubiquity of devices in which consumers can listen," said Bill Rose, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Arbiter.

Back Pain Puts Regular Guys' Tim Andrews On Gurney To Hospital

THE MOUTH, APRIL 3RD, 2013 –– Listeners of Rock 100.5 Atlanta's The Regular Guys' may have thought it was an April Fools joke this past Monday upon learning that cast member, Tim Andrews, was being wheeled out in a gurney because of a back pain. According to the AJC's Rodney Ho, he landed in a hospital after a back muscle strain became so debilitating, he couldn't move. "I giggle. I can't believe this is happening," Larry Wachs said Tuesday morning on Rock 100.5. "It's embarrassing. I felt more bad for his ego than his back problems. He had a muscle knot. He was in such pain, he couldn't walk. He tapped out of the show! I'm ashamed of him." Co-host Eric Von Haessler added "It seemed to be ridiculous to me. A gurney for a pulled muscle? You should have internal organ failure to be taken out on a gurney... Taken out like a 70 year old woman from a country club." Von Haessler said he watched Andrews drop to the ground at about 9:15 a.m. "I thought he had a heart attack," he said. "I have abject pity," Wachs said. "It's a confluence of all his financial and emotional and social and sexual problems... He was literally paralyzed with his problems." Both Larry and Eric kept repeating this wasn't April Fool's Day joke. And as any host of a radio show can appreciate, Andrews, thinking he was going to ridiculed, refused to go on the phone to discuss the matter with TRG while he recuperated.

Greg Clancy Upped To GM At TM Studios

THE MOUTH, APRIL 3RD, 2013 –– Dial Global announced today that Greg Clancy, Vice-President, Creative for TM Studios, has been named General Manager of TM Studios, the preeminent jingle, imaging, and music company based in Dallas. In addition to leading and directing the development of all jingles, imaging, and production music services marketed by the company, Clancy will add affiliate management and operations to his current role. These responsibilities are being transitioned from Chris Long, Executive Vice President of Advertising Sales for Dial Global. “Greg has been around TM Studios since the mid-80s, and in his recent role as VP, Creative, he has really shown us he’s got vision and a plan to move us forward,” commented Kirk Stirland, President of Programming. A first-call singer and producer in Dallas for more than 25 years, Clancy began at TM Studios as a Music Director in 2006 and has been a Creative Director there since 2010. He oversees TM’s offices and studios in Dallas, staff in Valencia, CA.

MOTION: Mary Walters Brings Relationship Advice To WTKU-FM, Sans Music; Jeffrey T. Mason Takes On Nights At WJMK/Chicago

THE MOUTH, APRIL 3RD, 2013 –– Longtime Jersey 101.5 relationship host, Mary Walter is bringing her advice to weekday nights on Longport Media's WTKU-FM 98.3.
According to pressofatlanticcity.com, Walters said her new show would follow a similar format, with listeners seeking - and offering - relationship advice. "Seeking out relationship advice is as old as the hills," Walter said. "We are going to let the audience call in and give the advice." Walter will provide an all-talk format on WTKU which normally plays music. Longport Media is partnering with WYD Media Management with plans to syndicate the show nationally. The show will be called "Life, With Mary Walters." ––––––– Chicago radio listeners will have a new choice for their night-time listening beginning this week, as Jeffrey T. Mason (shown right) hosts evenings on 104.3 K-HITS, weekdays from 7pm to 12am. “I’ve been circling the block for the last 10 years, looking for the perfect spot. I finally found it at 104.3 K-HITS”, enthused Jeffrey. “A BIG thanks to Rod Zimmerman SVP Market Manager, Todd Cavanah Program Director and Greg Strassell SVP Programming CBS Radio for saving it for me.

Stars Turn Out For Dennis Miller's 6th Anniversary Show [AUDIO]

THE MOUTH, APRIL 3RD, 2013 –– Dial Global talker Dennis Miller celebrated his sixth anniversary with the network on March 29 by sharing some laughs with old friends, including his SNL colleagues Dana Carvey and Kevin Nealon, current SNL Weekend Update anchor Seth Meyers and actor Tim Allen. Carvey and Nealon are joining Miller on several tour dates this spring and summer. For tour information, visit dennismillerradio.com. Special insight of life behind the scenes at SNL came up with Miller's chat with Seth Myers - LISTEN TO AUDIO HERE

Gene & Julie Still Cookin' In Dallas

THE MOUTH, APRIL 3RD, 2013 –– It's been awhile since longtime morning hosts, Gene and Julie, have been away from the mic, but make no mistake about it, they're still very much cooking. Cooking from their own Dallas restaurant, that is. The former KVIL-FM morning show reached out to bring us up to speed on their new eatery. Gene Gates tells Jockline Daily that he owned a restaurant and was Director of Operations for a chain of restaurants before The Gene & Julie Show, so this has been in the works for awhile to complement our radio career. Battuto Italian Kitchen (shown) is a rustic, farm-to-table concept inspired by the Slow Food Movement.  We are definitely not done with radio, but are taking time right now to get this concept off the ground properly.  We are finding this has been incredible for our creativity so we can't wait to harness that new creative energy into a radio program. There have been a few set-backs along the restaurant journey.  Like when our expensive, 2,000-pound Woodstone Pizza oven arrived to the restaurant... and it wouldn't fit through the kitchen doors so we had to park it in the DINING ROOM for three months while we devised a way to fit it in the kitchen," says Gene. You can watch the progression at www.facebook.com/BattutoDallas Nice write up in local paper, too - READ HERE

REPORT: Idol Doesn't Want Minaj Back For Second Season - [HOLLYWOOD LIFE]

French 'Survivor' Doctor Commits Suicide Following Contestant's Death - [CAFE MOM]

Hilary Duff To Star In 'Two And A Half Men' Finale - [TV LINE]

Jay Z Launches Sports Agency - [NY POST]

Chris Brown Can Relate To Bieber's Situation - [VIBE]

MTV's Buckwild Died From Carbon Monoxide Poisoning - [NEWS SKY]

Beyonce Covers Amy Winehouse' Back To Black For 'Great Gatsby' - [E]

Lifetime To Air Cher Family Documentary On May 6th - [EW]

NBC Loading Up Celebrities For 'Hollywood Game Night' - [DEADLINE]

Beyonce Covers Cosmo Australia - [WARDAHSEMPA]

Audrey Hepburn Never Thought She Was Beautiful - [VANITY FAIR]

TRAILERS WE LOVE: James Wan's 'The Conguring' - [CINEMA BLEND]

X96's Radio From Hell Returns To Air Following Mysterious No-Show

THE MOUTH, APRIL 2ND, 2013 –– As most every show in the country was in stunt mode yesterday, the highly popular "Radio From Hell," X96 Utah's morning show was missing from action and, by all signs, it wasn't a joke. Kerry Jackson, Bill Allred and Gina Barberi (shown) aired live this morning following reports that their contract had expired on Sunday. Sources tell Jockline Daily a new contract was worked out last night and and the show returned to the air this morning." Producer Richie T tweeted "I love contract negotiations." We'll keep an ear on this one.

April Fool's Hoax Draws Indefinite Suspension For Florida Morning Show

THE MOUTH, APRIL 2ND, 2013 –– It was a classic April Fool's bit, but local officials weren't amused and apparently neither was Gator Country 101.9/Ft. Myers, FL GM Tony Rendra. Longtime Gator morning hosts, Val St. John & Scott Fish (shown) joked that “dihydrogen monoxide” (water) was coming out of county resident’s taps. This immediately got the attention of Patty DiPiero from Lee County Utilities who reported residents calling the company saying they heard on the radio that county water was unsafe and should not be used for drinking, showering or for any use. Renda immediately pulled the duo off the air and began airing apologies during station breaks. According to a local paper, Renda said the suspension is indefinite for now. “We take this very seriously. We take our FCC license very seriously,” he said.

Leaked Taylor Swift Cell Phone Prank Drives Over A 1,000 Calls To Recording [AUDIO]

THE MOUTH, APRIL 2ND,2013 –– With a take on the former 99X/Atlanta - Jimmy Baron's classic "leaked celebrity phone number bit," yesterday's syndicated Johnjay & Rich Show pulled their own routine courtesy of Taylor Swift. For most of the morning, they promoted an exclusive "interview" with Swift, but when the time came for her to phone in, they pretended they were having difficulty getting her on the ISDN. So they went to a song and then (FORGOT) to turn off their mics. Listeners were then treated to a behind-the-scenes discussion on how to get in touch with Taylor, including the her cell phone number! Rich Berra tells Jockline Daily "We stopped counting the number of phone calls we received at about 1000, and we're still getting calls! The messages left are hilarious and we hope to to play some of those back today. LISTEN TO AUDIO HERE

Fransesa Re-ups With The Fan; Duncan Payton Tapped As PD Of Cumulus' All-New Classic Hits 106.3 Ventura; Elisha Krauss Takes Mornings At L.A.'s 870 The Answer

THE MOUTH, APRIL 2ND, 2013 –– Sports Radio WFAN (660AM/101.9FM) announced today it has signed a long term agreement with Mike Francesa, keeping the venerable personality as host of PM drive (weekdays, 1:00-6:30PM, ET) on the award-winning station for several years to come. Francesa joined WFAN in 1987, the same year the station launched as the country’s first all-sports station, and boasts more listeners than any other local sports radio host. ––– Cumulus Media has launched Classic Hits 106.3 in Ventura County, CA. with award winning programmer, Duncan Payton, at the programming helm. He will also serve as Program Director for CBS Sports Radio – AM 1450 KVEN/Ventura. Duncan’s extensive experience includes positions in Los Angeles (KOST/KPWR), Atlanta (WWVA), San Diego (KMYI/XHRM), Las Vegas (KMXB/KMZQ/KOAS/KVGS), Santa Barbara (KRUZ) and more. Duncan said “It’s an absolute pleasure to help bring Classic Hits 106.3 to Ventura County and to join the impressive company the Dickeys have built with Cumulus. Reuniting with Mike McVay and getting to work with Dick Stadlen, Sommer Frisk, Chris Cox and the great team at Cumulus Ventura is a true pleasure, especially in such a beautiful place to live!” –––––––– Salem Communications and KRLA, it's NewsTalker in Los Angeles, AM 870 The Answer, announced the addition of Elisha Krauss (shown) to the morning team to follow Heidi Harris. Krauss will join Brian Whitman and Ben Shapiro in the new morning show they are calling "The Morning Answer." Krauss is best known for her years as senior producer on the Sean Hannity show. Whitman and Shapiro joined the morning team at KRLA last summer and will continue to perform wake-up duties with this new team. "Elisha impressed me from the day we first met when she applied to be an intern," said Salem VP/Programming Phil Boyce. "She had been home schooled in Oklahoma, but here she was in Manhattan making a name for herself as a freshman and I was immediately impressed with her character, integrity and maturity."

New FM Sports/Talk Combo Comes In Twin Cities

THE MOUTH, APRIL 2ND, 2013 –– Beginning yesterday, the trimulcast of 105.1, 105.3 and 105.7 will become “Sports Radio 105 The Ticket”. Cumulus Corporate Programmer/Sports, Jim Mahanay, said “Minneapolis/St. Paul is an amazing sports market. We’re excited to enter the competition with an all-star line-up of talent and to partner with CBS Sports Radio at Sports Radio105 The Ticket.” Operations Manager Scott Jameson (shown)adds, “The passion for sports combined with the power and credibility of the CBS brand makes for engaging and entertaining content. Sports fans in the Twin Cities now have a choice for their daily fix of news and conversation delivered by the best in the business, Jim Rome, John Feinstein, Boomer Esiason, Doug Gottlieb and the entire team on SportsRadio 105 The Ticket”

CCME And Big Machine Team For Promo Campaign Around Band Perry's New Album

New York, N.Y. – April 1, 2013 – Clear Channel Media and Entertainment announced a partnership with Big Machine Label Group to launch The Band Perry's sophomore album, PIONEER. The sibling trio's second album is set to release April 2, 2013 when Clear Channel will launch a two-week-long on-air and online Artist Integration Program using Clear Channel's powerful platforms to introduce PIONEER to fans and listeners. To celebrate the release of PIONEER, the multiplatform program will also feature an intimate performance by The Band Perry for iHeartRadio Live at the iHeartRadio Theater presented by P.C. Richard & Son in New York City on April 3, 2013.

Bob & Brian Auction Off Calls For Kids Charity

THE MOUTH, APRIL 2ND, 2013 –– As part of 102.9 The HOG's annual Bob & Brian Radiothon for the MACC Fund, which takes place through today, the naming rights for the radio station itself will be up for auction! For one 24-hour period, the radio station's moniker will be changed to reflect the highest bidder's name of choice (some rules and restrictions apply). It won't just be a name change in theory—the on-air broadcasts, the website, the logos, and most features which identify the station as "102.9 The HOG – Everything That Rocks" will be updated to reflect the new name. The team at 102.9 The HOG is excited for the challenge of a one-day name change in order to help find a cure for childhood cancer. Bob & Brian have been steadfast in their long-time support of kids and families battling cancer and in trying raising the cure rate to 100%. Fundraising events and programs held throughout the year by 102.9 The HOG raise approximately $125,000 annually. Great auction items will be up for bid—including autographed sports memorabilia, private behind the scenes, tours, premium concert tickets and more. Special guests scheduled to appear during the Radiothon include: Aaron Rodgers, Robin Yount, Andy North, Bart Starr, Bo Ryan, and Jon McGlocklin (in studio for the final 2 hours) …plus a few other surprise guests will also join Bob & Brian!

NBC Sports Radio Goes Live; Debuts Revamped Website & Mobile App

THE MOUTH, APRIL 2ND 2013 –– NBC Sports Radio Network went live yesterday with fully-amped, 24/7 sports talk programming. In addition to a starting lineup of 257 affiliated stations, the network introduces a newly designed, revamped website at NBCSportsRadio.com and a customized NBC Sports Radio mobile app for Android and Apple devices. Chris Corcoran, Executive Vice President, General Manager, NBC Sports Radio, said, “Game on! We are pumped and ready to take the field. When you combine our unmatched talent with our stations, our digital assets and our social media presence, it all adds up to an amazing listening and interactive experience for sports fans everywhere."

IN THE MOUTH: Stephanie Winans' Do’s And Don’t's of Social Media Teasing, Final Part

THE MOUTH, APRIL 1ST, 2013 –– In The Mouth, Digital Media Specialist, Stephanie Winans, of The Randy Lane Company, says "You spend time each day crafting on-air teases for your show to give listeners that “I have to hear this” feeling, to keep them listening through commercials or music breaks. in today's conclusion Winans says • Craft appointment listening teases differently for each platform. Keep in mind that each social media platform is different, and post your information regarding the ‘appointment’ accordingly. For example, if you post “listen at 7:35am” on Twitter, the immediacy of the ‘real time’ platform may elicit a response, encouraging followers to listen to the show. By the time 7:35 has passed, the tweet will be buried by other tweets. On Facebook, though, the post may be visible in your listeners’ news feeds long after 7:35. The way Facebook’s algorithm EdgeRank works makes it impossible to gauge how long this post will be visible. It would be smarter to say, “Listen at 7:35am each day this week” so the post is relevant in newsfeeds after that time passes. • Do keep it short. You’ll lose their attention with wordy posts. • Don’t include irrelevant links to the station website in every post. The social media relationship between you and a listener is based on trust. When you attach a link that is irrelevant to the post content, you send your listeners on a wild goose chase to look for content that doesn’t exist. That goose chase might get a listener to click through once, but it probably won’t happen twice. You’ve broken their trust and next time they will know the link leads to nowhere. • Do include a call to action (CTA). What do you want to listener to do? Tune in? Click the link to read more? Make sure you direct the action you want. Happy teasing!

Lilo To Guest On Letterman - [EW]

'Buckwild's' Shanin Gandee & Unidentified Other Person Found Dead In Submerged Car - [MTV]

Isla Fisher Is Definitely In 'Fashion' - [FASHION]

Heidi Klum Rescues Son From Drowning - [US]

UH OH: Nicki Minaj & Ousted Idol Contestant Go At It On Twitter - [ZAP 2 IT]

'Glees' Cory Monteith Enters Rehab - [THE WRAP]

Maroon 5 To Tour With Kelly Clarkson - [THE INQUISITR]

UH OH: Ryan Gosling Launches On Photog' After Calling Eva Mendes 'Baby' - [NY POST]

SURPRISE: Trump Drops Charity Lawsuit Against Bill Maher - [DEADLINE]

Bieber Banned From Austria Club Over Smashed Cameras And Groped Fan Claims - [AUSTRIAN TIMES]

UH OH: Taylor Swift Has Sights Set On Prince Harry - [THE SUN]