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DENNIS CONSTANTINE EXITS KFOG SAN FRANCISCO, BILL PUGH NAMED PD
(5/21/13) KFOG (K-FOG 104.5/97.7) San Francisco-San Jose PD Dennis Constantine is suddenly out after two years at the Cumulus station. The veteran Triple A programmer (KBCO Boulder), who enjoyed an 11-year run as PD at KINK Portland before joining KFOG, is being replaced by San Diego radio vet Bill Pugh who will serve as Operations Manager for KFOG and sister station Classic Rock KSAN/107.7 The Bone. He was most recently OM at Clear Channel San Diego and PD of Sporting News Radio prior to CC. 

In a statement, Bill said "I am very excited to join the Cumulus team and looking forward to all the opportunities to expand the brand in San Francisco." Bill begins effective immediately.

Dennis told TripleARadio.com, "I celebrate change. It is a constant in life. It leads to growth. I'm excited to see where the path takes me next." Contact Dennis via email.

NON-COMM 2013: STAYING RELEVANT IN A DIGITAL WORLD
By Dave Chaney

(5/20/13) Beautiful Spring weather here on the banks of the Schuylkill River where the 13th Annual NON-COMMvention just wrapped up a two and a half day hang at Philadelphia's WXPN and World Café Live. 30+ bands played morning to late night showcases with attendance up - particularly with radio - according to founder/producer Dan Reed. Whether you were a grizzled veteran of NON-COMM's past or a newbie, there was plenty to take away this year from public radio's favorite convention.

Growing from about a dozen radio stations at its inception when Dan was at WFPK and TripleARadio.com helped launch the conference in Louisville, the NON-COMM has been instrumental in expanding the number of radio stations that have adopted the music format. Public stations continue to increase their amount of music programming. New Triple A KXT Dallas under PD Mark Abuzzahab has vaulted in the ratings to become one of the fastest rising public music stations. KCSN in suburban Los Angeles, programmed by radio and label veteran Sky Daniels, has garnered major press for high profile artist concert benefits and weekend specialty music shows, not to mention the snagging of former KCRW staffer Nic Harcourt for KCSN's wake-up duties. And it is public music radio that is rolling out impressive new facilities, including state-of-the-art performance lounges. Stations like Radio Milwaukee, KVMR Nevada City-Sacramento, KTBG Kansas City, and WTMD Baltimore have announced multi-million dollar capital campaigns as they firmly invest in the future. Meanwhile, commercial programmers continue to defect to "the light side"; Veteran KFOG San Francisco PD Dave Benson took the GM post at adventurous non-comm WNRN Charlottesville and former WXRV Boston PD Catie Wilbur recently segued to non-comm WUMB Boston.  

Have we mentioned the music? Triple A radio has been way out in front of the explosion of modern "bluegrass rock" by groups such as Mumford & Sons, the Avett Brothers, and The Lumineers... all launched at this format.

So with all this positive mojo, the NON-COMM was certainly up for tackling the big issues of the day, like the digital music revolution and the breathless pace of new subscription-based online music services. 

Community Engagement
WXPN GM Roger LaMay hosted the opening session Thursday morning, "Community Engagement: Connecting Artists With Audience." The panel discussed the ways stations can strategize to connect with their local audience beyond radio and how to work with artists to maximize that experience. We learned about the workings of KUTX's curated Austin Music Map, The Current Minneapolis' robust branding as a local music resource, and WXPN's strong community initiatives such as mega local music platform The Key, the annual XPN Music Film Festival, and XPN's "Musicians on Call" where the station brings live and recorded music to the bedsides of hospital patients. Roger stressed the value of stations building significance as local cultural institutions and urged us to leverage our strength and work with people with common goals. Roger put it succinctly, "prioritize and partner". Panelist WYEP Pittsburgh GM Abby Goldstein added, "Authenticity and honesty are important."  

Mobile Devices Make Video Hot Again
TheTop22 blogger, consultant, and former VH1 PD Paul Marsalek moderated a panel titled "Can Video Save The Radio Star?" Paul broke it down, from production and affordable quality equipment to the sometimes squishy details of video and podcast rights and how to monetize video (WFUV sold SXSW video sponsorships). NPR Music's Anya Grundman talked about the success of their "Tiny Desk Concerts" and "Field Recordings" and how they're even experimenting with documentaries. KXT's Mark Abuzzahab said, "Think of your video (with station banner prominently displayed) as one big ad for the radio station" and said he "wasn't obsessing over views any more than ratings" but did caution about clutter. KXT Dallas, KEXP Seattle and WNRN Charlottesville all do well by their own YouTube channels but be aware that once that video goes up, your station has little control over YouTube's pop-up ads. Some stations like KXT are blessed with their own video production staffs thanks to sister public TV stations. WFUV New York PD Rita Houston praised her Fordham University video department. Everyone agreed videos that "stand out" and uniquely brand the station are crucial.   

A separate concurrent "Community Radio Roundtable" moderated by WMNF Tampa PD Randy Wynne took place during the video session. 

Next up on Friday morning was the "NON-COMMversation With Don Was" with Dan Reed. The crowd enjoyed the music biz stories by the veteran producer and current Blue Note Records president, his wild tales of working with Keith Richards and Bob Dylan, among others.   

Digital Music Mania
WXPN GM Bruce Warren hosted "The New Art of The Add" in the afternoon, a session that reviewed the usefulness of old school "Going For Adds" dates in this "horse-outta-the-gate" hyper digital music era. Consensus opinion in the room was that the add dates had merit as project guidelines for in-synch proper artist rollout and label "diplomacy". The panel included WNRN PD Dave Benson and introduced us to Kendall Stewart, who just graduated from Emerson College and WERS Boston and has joined WXRV (The River) Boston. With all the multi-platforms and separate moving parts, PD Jim McGuinn of The Current wrestled with the question, "How much should the station Web site be congruent with what goes on the radio?" The session also discussed label hype and leveraging points, music delivery preference (CD barely over digital file because "I can find it easier"), and agreed on the need to work together to break artists for the benefit of the station and, ultimately, the listeners. Bruce reminded us to "build more hits with the records we add" and to "listen to the market".

The final session of the NON-COMM, the annual Music Meeting, was hosted by Sean Coakley and Melanie Shrawder of Songlines in front of the typical rowdy Music Meeting crowd. The audience voted on new advance songs, giving the new Mavis Staples (again produced by Jeff Tweedy) and the new Preservation Hall Jazz Band album (produced by Jim James) a thumbs-up, and the same for the new one by Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings. The crowd wasn't so sure, however, on the new John Murry (William Faulkner's grandson); Dan Reed called it his favorite album of the year so far. The room dug a new Buddy Miller-produced Wood Brothers song with mostly positive but split reaction to new tracks by Daughn Gibson, Mayer Hawthorne, Camera Obscura, French artist Lou Doillon, JohnnySwim (live performance!), Kelis, The Unlikely Candidates, and Bell X 1.  

NON-COMM live music favorites: Mavis Staples, Kurt Vile (acoustic), Steve Martin & Edie Brickell, Phoenix, David Wax Museum, The Lone Bellow, Kopecky Family Band, Laura Mvula, Robert Randolph, Wild Belle, Della Mae, and The Olms, to namecheck but a few. Many of the showcases aired live on WXPN and NPR.

We all have an idea of what it takes to pull off a production like the NON-COMM. And how easy it is for things to go south! Hats off, again to Dan, Roger LaMay, Bruce Warren, Mike Vasillkos, Tess Coffey, Ellen Oplinger, Paul Severin and the professional WXPN crew and the many volunteers for making us all feel so welcome - and for fostering goodwill and creativity at lucky NON-COMMvention number 13!

Watch videos of music showcases from 2013 NON-COMM at TheTop22 and WXPN.
    

KETR COMMERCE TX ADDS TRIPLE A/ROOTS MUSIC PROGRAMMING
(5/15/13) KETR (88.9) Commerce TX is about to add midday Triple A programming to the public radio station. Meanwhile, Matt Meinke has been hosting a nightly singer-songwriter/Texas music show on KETR, Notably Texan for nine years.

Commerce is located on I-30, an hour N.E. of Dallas. KETR's 100, 000 watt signal coverage area includes the communities of Greenville, Bonham, Paris, and Sulphur Springs.

KETR has been added to our extensive TripleARadio.com Panel of stations.

Contact:
Jerrod Knight, General Manager
Mark Haslett, News Director
email or call 903.246.1498

Labels, please send music to:
KETR
P.O. Box 4504
Commerce TX 75429

KETR is a service of Texas A&M University, Commerce.
(Note: Founded back in 1974 when the school was known as East Texas State University)

WTMD BALTIMORE MD TYLER LAPORTE EXITS, POSITION OPEN
(5/10/13) WTMD (89.7) Baltimore MD/PM Drive Host Tyler LaPorte has left the station, effective today. Tyler, who worked his way up from an intern, is looking for his next opportunity. WTMD PD Scott Mullins praised Tyler, "He has developed a loyal following here at WTMD and he leaves us with the large task of filling his shoes. I know that Tyler has a bright future in the format if that is the career path he chooses, and I wish him nothing but the best." Look for Tyler to be attending the upcoming NON-COMMvention in Philadelphia.

Scott is currently "exploring all options to fill the void." Send resumes and air checks to Scott via email.

The current WTMD airstaff lineup is: Erik Deatherage 5-9am, Matt Galler 9-12noon, Scott Mullins 12-3pm, and Roe Sellers 3-7pm.

WTMD is a service of Towson University.

WERS BOSTON NAMES ANTHONY HEINZE MD
(5/7/13) WERS (88.9) Boston has appointed Anthony Heinze new Music Director. Anthony replaces Kendall Stewart who is graduating. Reach Anthony via email or during his music call times on Wednesdays from noon-2pm at 617.824.8084.

WERS is a service of Emerson College.

AMERICANA MUSIC FESTIVAL & CONFERENCE SEPT. 18-22
(5/6/13) The Americana Music Assoc. presents the Annual Americana Music Festival & Conference Sept. 18-22 in Nashville. Registration includes access to all daytime conference activities, evening festival showcases, and one ticket to the Americana Honors & Awards show on opening night. Tickets to the Americana Honors & Awards are only available with a purchase of full Festival and Conference registration at this time.

Each year, the Americana Music Festival & Conference features over 100 new and established artists in front of thousands of fans and music biz types and radio/digital media from the world over. Nearly 50 panels and daytime events are set. For more registration, hotel, and general info, visit AmericanaConference.

WDST WOODSTOCK NAMES KATIE DeMARTILE NEW MD/PROMO DIRECTOR
Promotions Director Drew Frankel to leave after Mountain Jam Festival
(4/30/13) WDST (100.1) Woodstock-Poughkeepsie PD Jimmy Buff has announced that former WXRV (92.5 The River) Boston APD Katie DeMartile is the new Promotions/Music Director. Katie will take over from current Promotions Director Drew Frankel who will leave the station in June after he wraps up work on the Mountain Jam Festival.

Prior to joining WDST, Katie was PD/MD at WERS, the Emerson College station. Katie said, "I'm very excited about this new opportunity at Radio Woodstock. It's one of the few places where music is integral in the community and I'm honored to join the team that celebrates that everyday." Jimmy was equally enthusiastic about the move. "We feel like we just got a great number one draft choice and think Katie has all the qualities to be great in the format and here."

As MD, Katie replaces Carmel Holt who was recently upped to AMD/middays on WFUV New York. Katie starts on Tuesday, May 28. Her music call times will be announced soon. Reach Katie via email.

KTBG KANSAS CITY TO SELL TO KCPT-TV, WILL REMAIN TRIPLE A
Transfer will result in boosted coverage throughout metro area, studio renovation
(4/22/13) KTBG (90.9 The Bridge) Warrensburg MO-Kansas City is set to transfer ownership to Public KCPT-TV (Channel 19) Kansas City pending F.C.C. approval, possibly by September.

KCPT plans to move the station's radio tower closer to Kansas City and increase coverage to effectively serve the entire Kansas City metro area. The new company will also renovate and upgrade the existing KTBG studios.

KCPT President Kliff Kuehl told the Kansas City Star that longtime PD Jon Hart will remain, "We'll just going to let Jon do what he does: Run a great, triple-A radio station." Look for KTBG to cut back on talk and news programming and university sports coverage. The focus will remain on the music.

Kliff added that the station intends to promote in other cultural areas besides music. "The TV station does a lot of community engagement and we'll do that with the radio station, too. We'll make it about music with some coverage of arts and culture and nonprofits. It's another way for us to tell more local stories and engage a younger audience and try to get them out to more arts and cultural events, maybe volunteer for nonprofits. So it's about music and local music first, but information on other cultural events as well."

KTBG (90.9 The Bridge) is a service of the University of Central Missouri.

KCRW SANTA MONICA WEEKEND PROGRAMMING SWITCH-UP: HARRY SHEARER'S "LE SHOW" DROPPED AFTER THREE DECADES
(4/17/13) KCRW (89.9) Santa Monica-Los Angeles has adjusted its weekend programming lineup resulting in Harry Shearer's Le Show being dropped after three decades. KCRW is replacing the program with NPR's TED Radio Hour. NPR's Weekend All Things Considered is also gone from KCRW's weekend programming schedule.

KCRW has also cancelled Cafe L.A. hosted by Tom Schnabel, however, he will remain at KCRW via podcast where he'll produce and host a new jazz and world music show, Rhythm Planet, which will contribute a monthly segment to Jason Bentley's Morning Becomes Eclectic. Tom started the signature program Morning Becomes Eclectic as KCRW's first Music Director in the early '80s.

In a statement, KCRW GM Jennifer Ferro said, "Program changes are something I've wrestled with for the three years I've held this post and, inevitably, as we grow, we will and must change." 

Meanwhile, Le Show - the popular weekly hour-long mix of music, media, politics, sports and show biz - will continue to be distributed by KCRW for syndication and as a podcast but Harry is "seeking an alternative broadcast outlet in Los Angeles." Look for the multi-platform comedian/actor to continue in his "day job" as voice on The Simpsons TV series set to run its 25th season on Fox.

Listen to the latest edition of Le Show.  

KCRW is a service of Santa Monica Community College.

NEW INTERNET STATION "NEW FOLK RADIO" FROM PORTLAND
(4/8/13) NewFolkRadio.com has launched in Portland, Oregon. The "Pacific Northwest's Folk & Bluegrass Station" is programmed by film/TV industry production veteran John Hart, a musician and radio host early on in his career. Hear the station streaming live on various platforms - including iTunes, TuneIn, Live365 - and at NewFolkRadio. Look for the station to ultimately host a live performance desktop concert series from a new studio performance space.

New Folk Radio has been added to our extensive TripleARadio.com Panel of stations.

Contact:
John Hart
email
Phone 503.946.8890 (8-6pm PT)

Labels, please service:

New Folk Radio
14222 S.E. Division St. Unit #19
Portland, OR 97236

TRIPLE A/MODERN AC HYBRID "LITTLE CITY 97.3" LAUNCHES IN RENO
(3/27/13) Americom Broadcasting has launched (3/25) a new Triple A/Modern AC hybrid, KOLC/Little City 97.3 Carson City-Reno. Veteran programmer Mike Bushy is PD. The powerful signal (Class C-HAAT 644 meters/87,000 watts) is positioned to compete with heritage Triple A KTHX (100.1 The X) and Alternative KRZQ, recently re-launched late last year at 104.1. 

Contact Mike via email or phone 775.829.1964.

RADIO MILWAUKEE PURCHASES BUILDING FOR NEW STUDIOS
(3/20/13) 88Nine RadioMilwaukee has made the announcement official. As reported here earlier, the station has purchased a two-story, 14,000 square foot building in Milwaukee's historic Fifth Ward near downtown. The high-visibilty building will house its studios, offices and a new 100-seat broadcast performance space. The move to the new location - expected later this year after the building is renovated - will allow the six-year-old station to build state-of-the-art studios with ample workspace, according to Radio Milwaukee Executive Director Mary Louise Mussoline.

"Our new facility will enable RadioMilwaukee to enhance our programs and develop a greater physical presence in the community by bringing people together under one roof for events, live performances, broadcasts, student internships and discussions," Mary said. Our new home will allow RadioMilwaukee to further our mission of helping to improve Milwaukee and creating a more inclusive and engaged city."

The brick building, at 158 S. Barclay St., was constructed in 1953 and has been vacant for several years. Most recently, it housed the Barclay Gallery & Garden Café. The Barclay facility would unite the station’s program, production and administrative staff in a single location and double its total space to 12,500 sq. ft. A new ground-floor Stone Creek Coffee café will be located in the facility in about 1,500 square feet that the station will lease.

The cost of the building purchase, finalized last week, was $1.175 million. The station has kicked off a $2.8 million capital campaign, "Sound Foundation: Building a Better Milwaukee," that has so far raised $1.2 million. It has secured lead gifts from philanthropists Peter and Jennifer Buffett, major longtime financial supporters of the station, the Astor Street Foundation and 25 other early donors to the project. A public phase of the campaign will seek funds from the community, being careful to maintain listener support for operating the station as it has for the past six years. As funds are raised, the project will be supported in part through a $1.5 million loan from IFF, a community financial institution that works with non-profits.

MVYRADIO CONTINUES TERRESTRIAL COVERAGE OF NEWPORT VIA PARTNERSHIP WITH RHODE ISLAND PUBLIC RADIO   
"The passion and concern of our Newport listeners during the Save mvyradio campaign was very evident." - PJ Finn
(3/12/13) For nearly a decade now, residents and visitors in and around Newport, RI have been able to hear Cape Cod's mvyradio on 96.5. Mvyradio's quirky local, island-flavored music and information service has been a natural fit for listeners in the Newport and Narragansett Bay area. In a unique arrangement with Rhode Island Public Radio and the owner of the frequency, mvyradio will continue on the air in Newport.   

As reported here previously, the recent purchase of mvyradio's broadcast outlet on 92.7 in Martha's Vineyard to Boston NPR station WRUR led mvyradio into a successful fundraising campaign that resulted in WMVY living on as an internet station. A new agreement between Friends of mvyradio and Rhode Island Public Radio will enable listeners in the greater Newport area to listen to mvyradio on 96.5. RIPR will also add an HD Radio channel that carries mvyradio. Rhode Island Public Radio will continue to broadcast its regular local public radio programming from its Narragansett station on 102.7. 
 
"Rhode Island Public Radio is delighted to assist mvyradio to keep its unique and quality music programming on-the-air on Aquidneck Island," said Rhode Island Public Radio GM Joe O'Connor. Mvyradio PD PJ Finn said, "The passion and concern of our Newport listeners during the Save mvyradio campaign was very evident. In just a few short years on 96.5, we have made a strong connection to Aquidneck Island, and are thrilled that this connection will remain strong."

David Maxson, owner of Newport's 96.5, added, "It has been an honor and a pleasure to offer mvyradio's unparalleled programming to Aquidneck Island and Narragansett Bay area listeners for many years. I am thrilled to be part of the cooperative effort of Rhode Island Public Radio and mvyradio to maintain this public service that is cherished by many."

Rhode Island Public Radio, the NPR member station for Rhode Island, has studios and offices in Providence. RIPR transmits on three frequencies: WELH 88.1 for greater Providence, WRNI 102.7 for South County and Aquidneck Island, and WCVY 91.5 in Coventry. In addition to programming from NPR and other sources, Rhode Island Public Radio has a substantial news organization dedicated to covering important Rhode Island issues, including education, health care, arts, environment and local politics.

WUMB BOSTON NAMES CATIE WILBER PD
Plans to "build even stronger presence in Boston and beyond" for heritage folk and roots station
(3/6/13) WUMB (91.9) Boston has officially named market veteran Catie Wilber to the position of Program Director. Catie's two-decade radio background includes ten years at WXRV (92.5 The River) Boston in a variety of roles, including PD. Prior to that, she was AMD at WFNX Boston. Catie is already in place in her new role at WUMB. Jason Moberg remains WUMB Music Director.
 
"WUMB boasts such a passionate core of listeners and staff," Catie said. "It's an honor to come aboard and be surrounded by like-minded folks so knowledgeable and inspired by music. I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to help preserve WUMB's 30-year legacy, and to look to the future in building an even stronger presence in Boston and beyond."

"We're thrilled to have Catie on board with WUMB," said Interim Station Manager Patty Domeniconi. "Not only has she grown up in the Boston area, but her roots are in Boston and New England radio. She knows our music and has supported many of the artists we play on our station today."

WUMB Radio is a service of UMass Boston.

WFUV NEW YORK NEW AIRSTAFF LINEUP, RUSS BORRIS UPPED TO MD
Corny O'Connell officially anchors mornings, Carmel Holt to middays/AMD, Darren DeVivo in evenings
(3/4/13) WFUV (90.7) Bronx-New York GM Chuck Singleton has announced that AMD Russ Borris has been promoted to Music Director in the wake of Rita Houston's recent promotion to PD. Chuck also named Corny O’Connell WFUV's permanent morning show host. Corny, the station's longtime evening host, has been hosting mornings from 6-10 on an interim basis since last October. In addition, WDST Woodstock MD/Host Carmel Holt will take over AMD and 10am-2pm middays, while veteran Darren DeVivo moves to 6-10 evenings.

Russ Borris joined WFUV in 2001 from WBJB Lincroft NJ where he was AMD. He is heard nightly from 10-midnight on The Alternate Side on WFUV, as well as 9-11am on The Alternate Side on 91.5 FM WNYE and daily on TheAlternateSide. Rita said, "Russ has a great ear, and he's been instrumental in shaping our music mix on both FUV and The Alternate Side. I have total confidence in his being the go-to guy at FUV for musicians and people in the music business."

Rita added, "Corny has really grown into the demanding role of morning show host. He's got a friendly and often funny way to convey all the music and information listeners need to get their day started, including a very creative approach to the Question of the Day. As for Carmel, she's a very welcome addition to the FUV staff. She's always said working at FUV was her dream job, and as a fill-in host she's instantly connected with listeners with her vibrant personality and passion for music."

WFUV is a service of Fordham University.