Happy Monday, and thanks for checking out another Weekly Radio Recap here at BroadcastKC.com! We have more than a dozen items for you to check out this week, so let's get to it...
RUSS JOHNSON PASSES -- Sad news from Colorado this past week, as Hearne Christopher broke the news that former KCMO-A/KMBZ talker Russ Johnson passed away on Tuesday (October 6th) at his home in Aurora, CO. KC Confidential reports that the death was likely suicide, however the official determination will not be known for a few weeks. Johnson, who joined KCMO-AM in the mid-90s when they were still located at 710AM, eventually hosted mornings alongside Mike Murphy before being let go in 1999. After a successful run at Denver's KOA-AM, Johnson would return to Kansas City with an afternoon program on KMBZ from 2004-2005. For KC Confidential's complete reports on Johnson's death, CLICK HERE and HERE.
VIBE NOW PLAYING "ALL THE HITS" -- As we noted on Twitter Saturday morning, changes in music and positioning have come to KCHZ, as 95-7 the Vibe began playing "All the Hits" on Saturday. The station not only jettisoned their original "The Beat of Kansas City" positioner, but also has segued from Rhythmic CHR to straight-ahead CHR, adding artists such as Jason Mraz, Kings of Leon, and Taylor Swift in heavy rotation. Long-time listeners may recall that prior to the station's November 2005 launch as "The Vibe," the station (then Z95.7) regularly transitioned between Rhythmic and CHR - even using the "All the Hits" positioner for its final few months.
NIVENS CLAIMS KQRC AFTERNOONS -- As we first reported Monday afternoon, former KQRC night jock Jason Nivens has returned to the station, taking over the late afternoon position left vacant when Paul Marshall was let go last week. Since leaving The Rock in the spring Nivens had landed at KC web rocker Black Sky Radio, co-hosting afternoons.
NIGHTMARE & CO. LAUNCHES -- With the departure of Nivens as he returns to KQRC, Kansas City online rock station Black Sky Radio rolls out a revamped lineup. Incumbent afternoon host Nightmare will now be joined by new co-host Jenna, who will bring the female perspective to the newly unveilled Nightmare & Company program. Other personalities to occasionally join the pair include a voice known only as Thumb.
RADIO GEORGE REVAMPED -- Former KCMO-AM morning host George Woods has launched a series of enhancements to his oldies & smooth jazz stations at www.RadioGeorge.com. Check out the site for additional music channels, music news, and more.
J.J. WALKER TAKES WOMC NIGHTS -- If you think back to the 80s, you may recall a Top 40 jock on KBEQ by the name of J.J. Walker. All these years later, he's still in the business, doing work at Sirius XM (both under his name and as Spyder Harrison), plus he's just picked up a night gig in Detroit. Walker can now be heard hosting nights on Oldies outlet WOMC there in the Motor City.
CHANGES FOR COOK; NOW -- Friday afternoon RadioInsight.com reported that WNUW-Philadelphia (Hot AC "Now FM") has flipped to FM sports as "97.5 the Fanatic." Impacted by the change will be former KKSN/WDAF PD John Cook who had recently joined Now FM as Program Director. We'll let you know how the move shakes out for Cook.
MIX 93.3 LOOKING FOR INTERNS -- According to ye olde Facebook, KMXV is on the lookout for interns. If you're interested, or would like more info, hit up Steve Serrano at
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KTBG COMPLETES PLEDGE DRIVE -- This week marked the annual fall pledge drive for University of Central Missouri Triple A 90.9 the Bridge. If you haven't yet made a pledge of support to KTBG and would like to do so, just CLICK HERE.
MARLAR VOICING FROSTY -- Ya know, eventually I'm just going to add a feature to the recap every week called the "Marlar Minute" since he gets a new project rolling every week... Former KCNW/KFKF/KCWJ personality Darren Marlar is at it again, this week picking up another audio drama role as the voice of Frosty the Snowman in an upcoming production. We'll let you know when it's available for you to listen.
LIMBAUGH PART OF RAMS BID -- From Royals employee, to radio, to... Rams owner? Perhaps so, as Rush Limbaugh (aka KUDL's Jeff Christie in the 1970s) was announced as part of a group vying to purchase the NFL's St. Louis Rams from heirs of former owner Georgia Frontiere. Limbaugh would be a minority stakeholder in a group headed by St. Louis Blues owner Dave Checketts.
RUSH JUDGING MISS AMERICA -- Inside Radio reported this past week that in addition to bidding on the Rams, Limbaugh will also be a judge for the 2010 Miss America Pageant. Limbaugh and six other judges will preside at the competition in Las Vegas on January 30.
TOPEKA'S KMXN GOES COUNTRY -- As we reported this past week, Great Plains rocker X92-9 flipped to country as 92.9 the Bull this week, after a brief stop playing TV theme songs. For the complete story, CLICK HERE.
Thanks again for reading! Have a great week!
