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NEW TRIPLE A IN DELUTH AS KDAL-FM EVOLVES INTO "95.7 THE BRIDGE" (7/23/08)
As reported earlier here in Mike Lyons' column, The Forest, Midwest Communications' KDAL-FM (95.7 The Bridge) Deluth MN has evolved over the past few months from a Classic Hits format to Triple A. Veteran Midwest broadcaster and former KBXR Columbia OM/PD Jack Lawson is OM of "The Bridge" while Tim Roubik is PD/MD. Call Tim at 218.722.4321. KDAL-FM (95.7 The Bridge) has been added to our Triplearadio.com Panel of stations. Deluth-Superior MN-WI is Arbitron market-ranked #206 with a metro population of 175, 400. 

KSWD/THE SOUND LOS ANGELES PICKS LARRY MORGAN FOR MORNING DRIVE (7/18/08)
KSWD 100.3 The Sound Los Angeles PD Dave Beasing has announced that industry veteran Larry Morgan is morning drive host for the new Triple A station. Larry has been overseeing programming and services at Premiere Radio Networks for the past 14 years, most recently as Senior VP of Network Programs and Services. PD Dave Beasing said, "Larry is one of the most creative people in our industry, so we're glad to have his brain power at The Sound. He will be an excellent companion for Southern California's morning commuters and will be instrumental in helping drive this brand's potential far beyond the FM band." Larry's  background includes stints at CHR KIIS Los Angeles, mornings on former Hot AC KYSR Los Angeles, PD of CHR KWSS San Jose and mornings at Hot AC KHMX Houston. "I couldn't be more excited to be a part of The Sound and have the opportunity to share World Class Rock with early risers and morning commuters in Southern California. From the moment the station went on the air I have been a huge fan just as an everyday listener, and to now be a part of the team that Dave Beasing and company are building is a true honor." Larry will continue to have a role with Premiere Radio Networks.

LABEL MOVES: TOMBRINK REPLACES MATSUKI AT UNIVERSAL REPUBLIC, OSIS JOINS RED (7/17/08)
Risa Matsuki has left her national AAA promo gig at Universal Republic as New York-based label veteran Trina Tombrink is named Senior Director of AAA promotion at the label, effective now. Reach Trina at 212.841.8228.
Meanwhile, Ellena Osis has joined the RED promotion team, handling mostly non-comm radio. Ellena was most recently head of TVT Records National Adult/Rock Promotions and Director of Promotion at Mute Records. Reach Ellena at 212.404.0677.

FORSTER ANNOUNCES FUTURE GREEN "ETOWN HALL" (7/16/08)
eTown Founder/President and Co-Host Nick Forster has announced that the organization has struck a deal to buy and renovate an historic church building in downtown Boulder. Nick said, "This building will give eTown the chance to serve the Colorado community in all kinds of new ways while enabling us to record and distribute content worldwide for decades to come. We couldn’t have done this without the cooperation of the Planning Board, the Whittier Neighborhood and the generosity of the Tebo Family." eTown will announce the launch of a sizable capital campaign to offset the costs of creating what is tentatively called "eTown Hall," on the corner of 16th and Spruce Streets. By adding state of the art insulation, energy efficient heating and cooling, new windows and solar panels to generate hot water and electricity, eTown hopes to achieve Leeds Certification as a Green Building, making "eTown Hall" a physical manifestation of eTown's long-held values. While eTown plans to continue to use the Boulder Theater for its regular tapings, the acquisition and renovation of "etown Hall" will enable the syndicated weekly radio program to host smaller and more intimate acoustic performances.

WUMB BOSTON NAMES LAURENTI MD (7/16/08)
WUMB Boston has named veteran Boston air talent John Laurenti the new Music Director. He has been a fixture in the Boston and Providence radio scene (WBOS/WZLX/WHJY) for two decades, having served most recently as afternoon host on WBOS Boston. Effective this week, John's music call times are Wednesdays from 1-3pm and Thursdays from 11am-1pm at 617.287.6904. Brian Quinn returns to handling just PD duties.

PUBLIC RADIO DEVELOPMENT/MARKETING CONFERENCE SET FOR THIS WEEKEND IN ORLANDO (7/15/08)
The annual PRDMC, the Public Radio Development and Marketing Conference is set for this weekend, July 17-19 at the Omni Orlando Resort ChampionGate. Online registration is closed but on-site registration is available. The conference, one of public radio's most well-attended, features plenty of networking, workshops, and speakers.
Claire Gaudiani, author of The Greater Good: How Philanthropy Drives the American Economy and Can Save Capitalism, will deliver the conference Keynote Address on Thursday, July 17. 30-year-old Paul Jacobs, GM of Jacobs Media, will deliver the PRDMC Friday Leadership Address How Young Americans Use Media: "The Bedroom Project" July 18 "to help fundraising and marketing professionals understand how this generation perceives and uses media technology." Penelope Burk, President of Cygnus Research, will provide some answers to key membership/fund raising questions at the PRDMC 2008 Saturday Morning Leadership Address. Author of the best-selling book Donor-Centered Fund Raising: How to Hold on Your Donors and Raise Much More Money, she is now the nonprofit sector's authority on fundraising research, training, and strategic planning based on donor-centered principles.

BUDGET AXE FALLS ON NPR "BRYANT PARK PROJECT" AAA MORNING SHOW (7/15/08)
Alternative To Morning Edition Was Primarily Online
After less than a year, National Public Radio's Bryant Park Project with host Alison Stewart is set to cease production July 25. The Triple A-leaning two-hour conversational morning news program was developed as a younger-demo alternative to NPR's own Morning Edition. Although BPP was designed mainly as an interactive audio/video online concept, the show also is currently heard on five terestrial NPR stations, 19 HD2 stations and on Sirius Satellite Radio. NPR reportedly spent more than $2 million on the project. An NPR spokesperson said, "In a tough economy we have had to do a careful analysis of everything we're trying to accomplish."

MILLER EXITS WTYD WILLIAMSBURG (7/15/08)
WTYD (The Tide) Williamsburg VA PD Amy Miller has exited. Amy was with the Bruce Hornsby co-owned station since sign-on in 2005. Look for her to announce her future plans soon. For WTYD music, your temporary contact is GM Tom Davis.

WRXP NEW YORK ANNOUNCES STEVE CRAIG MIDDAY HOST, FRAM CO-HOSTS MORNINGS (7/14/08)
WRXP 1019RXP New York has announced that veteran 99X Atlanta air talent Steve Craig will be joining the station for middays, 10am-3pm. "Steve Craig is one of America's most credible talents," said WRXP PD Leslie Fram. "His history as a musicologist has solidified his great reputation with artists and listeners…he's the perfect choice to round out the 101.9 RXP airstaff!" "This is a dream come true!" said Steve Craig. "To be able to bring my passion for rock music to the greatest city in the world is unbelievable. I'm honored to be part of the RXP family and help with the creation of such an incredible music source!" Steve begins effective July 28th. WRXP also announced that PD Leslie Fram will be joining morning host Matt Pinfield on-air mornings, 6am-10am. 

KUT AUSTIN PD MENDENHALL TO ASSOC. DIR. OF CONTENT/BROADCAST, EVANS NAMED PD (7/11/08)
KUT Austin longtime PD Hawk Mendenhall switches job titles as he is set to become KUT's new Associate Director of Content/Broadcast. Vermont Public Radio PD Jody Evans has been chosen as the new KUT PD. Jody begins in Austin in late August. Jeff McCord remains KUT MD.

LABEL MOVES: TALLMAN TO RYKODISC, JAY LEWIS TO YEP ROC (7/3/08)
Label veteran Beth Tallman has joined Rykodisc as VP of Label Operations. Reach Beth at 212.287.6131. Beth replaces Billy Fields who moves over to WEA to handle vinyl.

Yep Roc Records has named former WUTK Knoxville MD Jay Lewis new AAA/Americana radio Promo Rep, replacing Joe Swank who recently joined Bloodshot Records. Welcome Jay at 877.733.3931 x223. He begins July 18th. Hank Stockard continues to rep Alt. specialty radio for Yep Roc.

R&R AAA SUMMIT AUGUST 6-9 ANNOUNCES EVENING ARTIST LINEUP (7/2/08)
The band performances are coming together for the annual R&R AAA Summit in Boulder CO August 6-9 as R&R AAA Editor John Schoenberger and Publisher Erica Farber announce the artist lineup for the three nights at the Fox Theatre. The lineup for daytime performances and the full Agenda will be forthcoming.

R&R AAA SUMMIT EVENING LINEUP:

Wed. Aug. 6, Fox Theatre/Fox Second Stage: Michael Franti & Spearhead, Pictures And Sound (Lucas Reynolds from Blue Merle), Amy MacDonald, Break and Repair Method (drummer from Matchbox 20), Danielia Cotton
 
Thurs. Aug. 7, Fox Theatre/Fox Second Stage: Augustana, Donavon Frankenreiter, Erin McCarley, JJ Grey & Mofro, Justin Nozuka

Fri. Aug. 8, Fox Theatre/Fox Second Stage: Calexico, Newton Faulkner, Eric Hutchinson, Wild Sweet Orange, Astrid Williamson

Registration is $399 until August 1. On-site registration is $450. The Summit begins Wednesday afternoon, August 6 and wraps up after the lunchtime R&R Industry Achievement Awards presentation on Saturday, August 9. The host hotel, again this year, is the St. Julien Hotel & Spa, located in downtown Boulder at 900 Walnut St. The Triple A Summit room rate of $209 per night is available at 1.877.303.0900. There are numerous off-site hotel options available in Boulder as well.

POWERS TO NIGHTS AT KSWD/THE SOUND LOS ANGELES (7/2/08)
KSWD 100.3 the Sound Los Angeles PD Dave Beasing has announced that KFOG San Francisco air-staffer Mike Powers has joined the new AAA station for nights. Mike, host of the Sunday Night Jam specialty show, was on KFOG weekends and fill-in. He also served as PD at Radio Bonnaroo, the on-site festival station.

HAVEL EXITS WBSD BURLINGTON WI; EPPING NAMED PD, STRONG RETURNS AS MD (7/2/08)
WBSD Burlington WI founder and PD Terry Havel has exited. Dylan Epping now assumes PD responsibilities while Nick Strong returns to the MD position.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AAA STATIONS COVER WILDFIRES (7/1/08)
Northern California Triple A stations have stepped up local news coverage and community involvement, and are playing less music, in the wake of the largest concentration of wildfires to hit the region in modern times. Over 570 square miles have burned so far, an area equal to ten times that of Washington, DC. Although some of the hundreds of lightening-sparked blazes have been contained, thick smoke continues to darken North State skies from the Central Valley to the Oregon border. Community-oriented Triple A stations have responded to the disaster, keeping long hours providing constant updates on road closures and detours, evacuation warnings and orders, and related emergency info on-air and on station web sites. To date, there have been homes lost but no deaths directly reported from the fires. No station towers or structures have been damaged. The following Triple A stations have substantial numbers of listeners that are currently impacted from the wildfires:

KOZT (The Coast) Fort Bragg-Mendocino County
KNTI (The Tee) Lakeport-Lake County/Ukiah
KHUM (K-HUM) Ferndale-Eureka-Humboldt County
KMUD Garberville-Humboldt County
KPIG (K-PIG) Freedom-Monterey-Salinas/San Luis Obispo/Chico/Redding/San Francisco
KVMR Nevada City-Sacramento-Truckee-Lake Tahoe
KRSH (The Krush) Santa Rosa
KFOG (K-FOG) San Francisco-San Jose
KTHX (The X) Reno-Carson City-Lake Tahoe NV/CA

COLEMAN EXITS RADIO MILWAUKEE; J. MIKEL ELLCESSOR NAMED TEMP PD, MULLINS TO HANDLE MUSIC (7/1/08)
WYMS/88NINE RADIO MILWAUKEE Executive Director J. Mikel Ellcessor is temporarily assuming programming duties after the departure of PD/Content Director Kedar Coleman. Meanwhile, effective immediately and until further notice, afternoon host Scott Mullins is Radio Milwaukee acting MD and liaison with the record community. Reach Scott at 414.475.8137 during his music call times on Thursdays from 10-noon (Central).

WUIN WILMINGTON NAMES CZORNIJ NEW AMD (7/1/08)
WUIN (The Carolina Penguin) Wilmington PD Beau Gunn has announced a new AMD, Kim Czornij (pronounced Zor-nick). The North Carolina native takes over some of the music duties from Michelle Daniel who recently exited the MD position. Effective July 8th, music call times for Kim will be Tuesdays from 2pm-4pm (EST) at 910.772.6343. Also effective on the 8th, Beau will resume his music call times on Tuesdays from noon-1pm. 
 
KNTI DENVER NAMES "WHIP" MD (6/27/08)
KTNI/101.5 FM Denver's Independent Alternative has announced that veteran Denver air talent "Whip" (KTCL, KBPI) has joined as new MD and 3-7 afternoon host. Whip was most recently mornings at former alternative WBZY (the Buzz) Atlanta and also was on air at KEDJ Phoenix, KTBZ Houston, KROQ Los Angeles and WXRK New York. He replaces Jackie Selby who was appointed KNTI MD/afternoons in February.

WFUV NEW YORK PICKS JEFF KUPRYCZ AS TECH DIRECTOR FOR FUTURE INDIE ROCK HD CHANNEL, "THE ALTERNATE SIDE" (6/24/08)
WFUV New York has announced the appointment of Jeff Kuprycz as Technical Director for The Alternate Side, the non-comm station's forthcoming HD Radio music channel and web stream. Jeff is responsible for operational aspects of the channel, as well as hosting, blogging and other duties. He comes to WFUV most recently from his PD post at breakthruradio.com. Jeff joins newly-hired The Alternate Side Content Director Rich McLaughlin in building the new channel. "Jeff and Rich coming on board to launch Alternate Side gives us a powerful 1-2 punch. We're all looking forward to hearing the results," said WFUV PD Chuck Singleton. The new channel will be available at wfuv.org and on HD Radio at 90.7 FM in the New York City area beginning in Fall 2008. The Alternate Side is supported in part by The New York State Music Fund, established by the New York State Attorney General at Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. It will also feature a unique social networking website, created with support from the Public Media Innovation Fund of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

DUNSWORTH JOINS KSWD/THE SOUND LOS ANGELES AS PRODUCTION DIRECTOR (6/24/08)
KSWD 100.3 the Sound Los Angeles PD Dave Beasing has named veteran national voiceover talent Bob Dunsworth as Production Director. Formerly with Bonneville Chicago, Bob's background includes more than two decades of on-air and production, with stints at WLUP and WKQX in Chicago.

FRAM NAMED PD AT WRXP NEW YORK (6/16/08)
WRXP 1019RXP New York has announced that former longtime WNNX (99X) Atlanta PD Leslie Fram has been appointed Program Director. She replaces former WRXP PD Blake Lawrence who exited recently. "We're excited to bring a true rock innovator and radio brand builder into the programming seat of 101.9 RXP," said Emmis New York Market Manager Dan Halyburton. "RXP is breaking new ground in the radio industry and she is the perfect person to lead this unique brand to success."

Leslie said, "RXP truly reflects New York's vast musical heritage, while at the same time embracing new music and the evolving New York rock scene. I can't think of a better place to take my experience and passion than this great rock brand and amazing city." She spent the last 17 years at former Alternative powerhouse 99X Atlanta as PD/co-host of the morning show and as one of the programming architects of Susquehanna's unique branding that became a success story as the format took off in the early 90's. "Speaking for morning host Matt Pinfield and the rest of our airstaff, our on-air team is stoked to have a visionary and experienced leader in Leslie," said WRXP MD/afternoon host Bryan Schock, who served as interim PD during the search. "Leslie becoming our PD speaks volumes about our progressive mission at RXP and the incredible opportunity the station has in front of us…our great team just got greater!" Leslie begins in the new job effective Thursday, June 19.

According to the RXP release, "101.9 RXP features a variety of rock from artists like Raconteurs, Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Coldplay, U2, Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews, The Police, Beck, Radiohead, Jimi Hendrix, Oasis, The Kooks, My Morning Jacket and REM…a playlist not determined by era, but rather by the acoustic quality of each song, as determined directly by on-air personalities and staff." WRXP flipped from Smooth Jazz to an AAA/rock hybrid format, "The New York Rock Experience," January 5.

LABEL MOVES: ULANOFF JOINS CONCORD, SWANK TO BLOODSHOT, MORRELL TO 429 (6/16/08)
Label veteran Matt Ulanoff has joined Concord Music Group as Director of National Promotion. Reach Matt via email or 248.794.0587.

After over four years at Yep Roc Records, Promotion Coordinator Joe Swank has been named Radio/Tour Publicist for Bloodshot Records, taking over from Bloodshot Radio/New Media Publicist Jenny Pfafflin who moves into dealing exclusively with the label's new media initiatives (web development, digital distribution, blogs, podcasts). Joe begins work at Bloodshot's Chicago offices effective June 30. He will be available via email or at 773.604.5300. Your contact for radio promotion at Yep Roc remains Hank Sockard at 877.733.3931. 

Meanwhile, label vet and former Concord Music Group Director of National Promotions Dave Morrell has resurfaced at 429 Records Promotion. Reach Dave via email or at 310.451.0141 ext.#229.  
 
CONCLAVE LEARNING CONFERENCE PRESENTS AAA PANEL JUNE 26: SAVAGE, MURRAY, RATNER, GROVES, NELSON, GROUWS (6/11/08)
The Annual Conclave Learning Conference is set for June 26-29 at Marriott City Center in Minneapolis. The lone Triple A panel is 9am Friday morning, June 26th in the Minnesota Room, 6th Floor. The panel is titled, The Formatics Track: Triple A Symposium – The Proper Relationship.
"In 2008, things are changing. Artist Management people are starting to develop relationships with radio. Some songs are becoming hits at other mediums first, and going to radio later. Small labels and the majors are at a more 'even' level for the first time. Delivery methods are dramatically different than the old means. How does it all factor into running and programming a radio station? How do you maximize your connection with the artists, concerts, and touring? An esteemed faculty will address these questions."

Moderator/Host is Brad Savage, PD WCNR (106-1 The Corner) Charlottesville. Faculty are Drew Murray, Bluhammock, Marc Ratner, Mishara Music and Sarathan Records, Susan Groves, PD WLCE Springfield IL/Midwest Family Springfield Cluster OM, Steve Nelson, PD KCMP/The Current Minneapolis, Jeni Grouws, Manager, KDEC-FM Decorah IA.

For additional details on the conference and to register, visit The Conclave.

9TH ANNUAL AMERICANA CONFERENCE SET FOR SEPT. 17-20 IN NASHVILLE; NOMINEES ANNOUNCED FOR ANNUAL HONORS/AWARDS SHOW (6/11/08)
The Americana Music Association announced the nominees today for the organization's 7th annual 2008 Honors and Awards ceremony, set for September 18 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville during the 9th Annual Americana Festival and Conference Sept 17-20. Roots artists Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn read the list of awards candidates to a crowd of industry executives, artists and tastemakers gathered in BMI's Music Row lobby in Nashville. The Honors and Awards ceremony, to again be hosted by Jim Lauderdale and feature a band led by Buddy Miller, will recognize John Hiatt with the Lifetime Achievement Award in Songwriting and Jason and the Scorchers with a Lifetime Achievement Award in Performance. Additional honorees and performers will be announced in the coming months. The 2008 Americana Music Association Honors and Awards Nominees include:

ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Alison Krauss & Robert Plant Raising Sand, Hayes Carll Trouble in Mind, James McMurtry Just Us Kids, Levon Helm Dirt Farmer

ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Steve Earle, Levon Helm, Jim Lauderdale, James McMurtry

INSTUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR: Buddy Miller, Chris Thile, Gurf Morlix, Sam Bush

NEW EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Justin Townes Earle, Mike Farris, Ryan Bingham, The Steeldrivers

SONG OF THE YEAR: "Broken" Tift Merritt, "Cheney's Toy" James McMurtry, "Gone Gone Gone" Alison Krauss & Robert Plant, "Poor Old Dirt Farmer" Levon Helm, "She Left Me for Jesus" Hayes Carll

DUO/GROUP OF THE YEAR: Alison Krauss & Robert Plant, Drive By Truckers, Kane Welch Kaplin, The Avett Brothers

Slated for Wednesday, September 17 through Saturday, September 20, the 9th Annual Americana Festival and Conference will offer daily seminars, panels and networking opportunities at the Nashville Convention Center. Each evening brings more than 80 Americana showcases to key venues throughout Nashville. Approximately 2,000 industry executives, artists and fans are expected this year. A limited number of Americana Honors and Awards pre-sale tickets are now available through the AMA office for $45; call 615.386.6936 to purchase tickets and obtain more information. Showcase wristbands granting admission to all three evenings of invigorating live music showcases are also now available for only $35 via americanamusic.org and will be attainable at Nashville music retailers and other locations in early August. Conference registration includes access to all panels and presentations, the trade show, select meals, invitations to all sanctioned parties, a conference program guide, goody bag, a ticket to the Honors & Awards ceremony, showcase wristband and more. Registration through June 17 is only $300 for AMA members and $400 for non-members. On June 18, registration becomes $350 and $450, respectively.
The two-hour Americana Music Association Honors and Awards event will be broadcast live on XM Satellite Radio, and rebroadcast on Sirius Satellite Radio and BBC2 Radio.

BARSTOW UPPED TO KGSR AUSTIN PD (6/9/08)
KGSR Austin has named Emmis/Austin alternative KROX (101X) PD Lynn Barstow to program KGSR as well. He fills the KGSR PD vacancy created when KGSR/KLBJ/KDHT PD Chris Edge was promoted to the new position of Emmis/Austin Digital Media Account Manager. Chris had replaced longtime KGSR PD Jody Denberg who became KGSR's on-air Content Manager. Lynn begins as KGSR PD effective today (6/9).

LAWRENCE STEPS DOWN AT WRXP NEW YORK (6/3/08)
WRXP 1019RXP New York PD Blake Lawrence is leaving. The veteran programmer was with the station in its prior incarnation as longtime Smooth Jazz outlet WQCD before it flipped to AAA/rock hybrid WRXP "The New York Rock Experience" January 5. 


PODCASTING, STREAMING DOMINATE TOPICS AT EIGHTH ANNUAL NON-COMM (6/2/08)
The Eighth Annual NON-COMMvention wrapped up late Saturday night (5/31) in Philadelphia, capping off a three day and night left-of-the-dial radio love fest hosted and produced by local Pennsylvania non-comm powerhouse WXPN. This year marked the return of the convention to Philly where it was held back in 2005. Roughly 400 attendees, including about 50 non-commercial and commercial stations, took in the extended weekend of networking, meetings, and music showcases featuring emerging and established artists. The venues were split between the host hotel The Inn At Penn, World Café Live/WXPN studios, and The Electric Factory. Spectre Music and Triplearadio.com presented a rousing Opening Late-Night Soiree Thursday downstairs at World Café Live with Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings and Jim White. A total of nearly 30 acts performed during the convention along with Jones & the Dap-Kings and White, including Jakob Dylan, Carney (buzz!), Dr. Dog, Phil Roy, The Watson Twins, BellX1, Back Door Slam, Ryan Bingham, Hayes Carll, Paddy Casey, Melody Gardot, Hoots & Hellmouth, What Made Milwaukee Famous, Yoav, Nicole Atkins, Dead Confederate, Ani DiFranco, Kathleen Edwards, Alejandro Escovido, Jackie Greene, the Hold Steady, the Hooters, Dr. John, James McMurtry, Wild Street Orange, Mutlu, Carrie Rodriguez, and Astrid Williamson.
 
NPR's Jackie Nixon kicked off the first of the meetings on Thursday morning as she presented demographic and psychographic data on the Triple A listener, busting out terrestrial and online listening stats, and outlining the commonalities and differences AAA listeners share with NPR news listeners. Bruce Warren next moderated "Programming the Format" with panelists Rita Houston of WFUV New York, KUT Austin's Jeff McCord and KCMP/The Current Minneapolis' Steve Nelson discussing how they make creative decisions for their particular unique stations. Concurrent meetings covered fund drives (record-setting short this spring!), events and community-building. Radio Research Consortium's Dave Sullivan revealed Portable People Meter (PPM) findings on Triple A (increased Cume but Time Exposed, the new term for TSL, is down some). Friday's "Future of Radio" session with net radio guru Kurt Hanson and Wharton School Marketing Prof Peter Fader zeroed in on the ever-crucial elements of Podcasting and Streaming, deemed essential for terrestrial radio to compete with new media. Dan Reed hosted Saturday's "The Differences Between Us," where records and radio had another fun but over-heated opportunity to discuss mutual priorities and match up often separate realities. Panelists included Red's Crissy Zagami, WFUV New York's Russ Borris, WTMD Baltimore's Mike Vasilikos, and Jesse Barnett of Right Arm Resource. 
Favorites at the annual convention "Music Meeting" - gauged by audience applause in lieu of official results - included the mystery track "Thank You Too" by My Morning Jacket along with new tracks by Calexico, The Duhks, Willie & Wynton, the Hold Steady, and Fleet Foxes. WXPN listeners were in the room to voice their musical opinions right alongside convention attendees. See Music Meeting results below.

WXPN MD/Ops Manager and NON-COMM Producer Dan Reed started the NON-COMMvention in Louisville in 2001 as an alternative convention to the (mostly commercial oriented) annual Boulder AAA Summit for the rapidly growing AAA non-comm community.

Read Mike Lyons' interview with Dan Reed on this year's NON-COMM in Programming.
Read Mike Lyons annual 2008 State Of The Format in The Forest.

2008 NON-COMMVENTION MUSIC MEETING RESULTS (posted 6/4/08)
Music Meeting host Sean Coakley thanks everyone who came to and participated in the NON-COMMvention Music Meeting in Philadelphia, "The Music Meeting is a fun way for us to listen to and talk about our musical similarities and differences. One person's delight is another's depression. We asked everyone to score each song we played from 0 – 10. Please take these numbers with a grain of salt: respondents only heard about one-half of each song and most for the first time." The results are broken down in 4 ways: (1) Everyone in the room (2) Radio voters only (3) All others [labels, management, promoters, etc.]  (4) WXPN listeners

ALL VOTERS (106)
  
CALEXICO "Two Silver Trees" 7.79
 
WILLIE NELSON & WYNTON MARSALIS "Rainy Day Blues" 7.73
 
THE DUHKS "Mighty Storm" 7.17
 
THE HOLD STEADY "Sequestered in Memphis" 7
 
FLEET FOXES "Winter White Hymnal" 6.74
 
BLITZEN TRAPPER "Furr" 6.64
 
PASSENGER "Night Vision Binoculars" 6.35
 
AMY MACDONALD "Mr. Rock & Roll" 6.25
 
JANIVA MAGNESS "That's What Love Will Make You Do" 6.14
 
RY COODER "Johnny Cash" 6.01
 
RADIO ONLY (65)
  
CALEXICO "Two Silver Trees" 7.86
 
WILLIE NELSON & WYNTON MARSALIS "Rainy Day Blues" 7.69
 
THE DUHKS "Mighty Storm" 7.18
 
THE HOLD STEADY "Sequestered in Memphis" 7.18
 
PASSENGER "Night Vision Binoculars" 6.75
 
FLEET FOXES "Winter White Hymnal" 6.69
 
BLITZEN TRAPPER "Furr" 6.63
 
JANIVA MAGNESS "That's What Love Will Make You Do" 6.28
 
AMY MACDONALD "Mr. Rock & Roll" 6.14
 
RY COODER "Johnny Cash" 6.11
 
OTHER (31)
  
CALEXICO  "Two Silver Trees" 7.68
 
WILLIE NELSON & WYNTON MARSALIS "Rainy Day Blues" 7.35
 
FLEET FOXES "Winter White Hymnal" 7.29
 
THE HOLD STEADY "Sequestered in Memphis" 6.94
 
BLITZEN TRAPPER "Furr" 6.77
 
THE DUHKS "Mighty Storm" 6.48
 
AMY MACDONALD "Mr. Rock & Roll" 6.26
 
RY COODER "Johnny Cash" 5.77
 
PASSENGER "Night Vision Binoculars" 5.77
 
JANIVA MAGNESS "That's What Love Will Make You Do" 5.23
 
WXPN LISTENERS (10)
  
THE DUHKS "Mighty Storm" 9.2
 
WILLIE NELSON & WYNTON MARSALIS "Rainy Day Blues" 9.2
 
JANIVA MAGNESS "That's What Love Will Make You Do" 8.33
 
CALEXICO "Two Silver Trees" 7.7
 
AMY MACDONALD "Mr. Rock & Roll" 6.9
 
BLITZEN TRAPPER "Furr" 6.3
 
RY COODER "Johnny Cash" 6.1
 
THE HOLD STEADY "Sequestered in Memphis" 6
 
PASSENGER "Night Vision Binoculars" 5.6
 
FLEET FOXES "Winter White Hymnal" 5.3

NEW TRIPLE A TO LAUNCH IN VANCOUVER NEXT YEAR (5/30/08)
The Canadian Radio-TV and Telecommunications Commission has granted a commercial license (5/30) for a new FM signal in Vancouver BC at 104.1 that plans to become the city's first Triple A music station by early next year. Local music impresario Sam Feldmalong is heading up the ownership group that includes veteran local radio programmers Bob Mackowycz and Roy Hennessy. According to the station application, the format is set to be Triple A with an emphasis on new music and recurrents with 15% devoted to roots, folk, jazz, blues and world music. Canadian publication The Globe and Mail reports that the ownership group, tentatively calling itself Shore FM, plans to launch the station in the first half of 2009. The population of the Vancouver metro region is over two and a quarter million residents.

KSWD/THE SOUND LOS ANGELES NAMES ANDY CHANLEY AFTERNOON HOST (5/28/08)
KSWD 100.3 The Sound Los Angeles PD Dave Beasing has announced that Andy Chanley is the station's new afternoon host and the first airstaff hire at the new Bonneville Triple A. Andy is a Los Angeles commercial voiceover veteran with on-air stints at former AAA KACD (Channel 103.1) Los Angeles from '99-2001 and suburban L.A. Alternative station Y-107 in '97. The Indiana native begins at KSWD on June 2. 

REILLY TO LEAVE WXPN PHILADELPHIA AMD/EVENINGS, POSITION OPENS (5/28/08)
WXPN Philadelphia has announced that WXPN AMD/evening host Matt Reilly is set to leave the station to move back to his hometown of Austin. Matt will work through the XPoNential Music Festival July 10-13. Interested in the gig? Contact WXPN OM/MD Dan Reed.

HALEY JONES LANDS AT KSWD (THE SOUND) LOS ANGELES AS MD/APD (5/19/08)
KSWD 100.3 The Sound Los Angeles has named veteran AAA programmer Haley Jones as MD/APD. Haley will be working alongside newly appointed KSWD/The Sound PD Dave Beasing. She exits her post at Sony BMG/RED as Sr. Director/Artist Development where she worked with Sr. VP/Promotion & Artist Development Danny Buch and Promotion Coordinator Chrissy Zagami. Prior to her label work, Haley was MD/APD at KMTT (The Mountain) Seattle and longtime MD/APD at KFOG San Francisco. The Bay Area native began her two-decade programming career at KAEP (The Peak) Spokane. In a statement she said, "What, turn down a chance to do adult rock in Los Angeles with Bonneville? I don't think so. I am thrilled and honored to join the Sound team with Greg Solk, Dave Beasing and everyone at Bonneville. I'd also like to extend my deep appreciation to Danny Buch for his belief in me, his mentoring me and his unique set of amazing abilities." Haley begins on the new job June 2. Bonneville's KRBV (V-100) Los Angeles flipped formats April 8 from Urban AC to Triple A KSWD 100.3 The Sound Los Angeles playing "World Class Rock For Southern California".

WRXP NEW YORK NAMES MATT PINFIELD MORNING HOST (5/19/08)
WRXP 1019RXP New York has announced the addition of rock veteran and former MTV host Matt Pinfield as 6-10am morning show host. Matt was most recently VP of A&R and Artist Development for Columbia Records, host of VH1's VSpot top 20 Countdown, host on HDNet's Soundoff, host of Myspace's first long-form live concert Projekt Revolution in 2007, and host of the SXSW on Direct TV. He also helped pioneer and host the interview and performance show Farmclub.com on USA Networks. Matt has been regularly featured as a rock expert and guest on CNN, MSNBC, PBS's Charlie Rose, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Late Show with Craig Kilborn, Live with Regis and Kelly, Rolling Stone, USA Today, TV Guide, Spin, The New York Times, Post, Daily News and Details Magazine. "Matt is a kindred spirit in the rock world and a perfect match for the culture and authenticity at 101.9 RXP" said Emmis VP of Programming Jimmy Steal. "Matt started his career in radio and his rock passion has always embraced all elements of the genre - so this addition is not only a perfect fit for 101.9 RXP, it is also a homecoming for Matt and his core passions." Prior to his years in TV, Matt began his career in radio as a deejay at Jersey Shore legendary alternative station WHTG Asbury Park (where he worked with folks like Mike Marrone and Rich Robinson). After 10 years, ultimately serving as MD and PD at WHTG, Matt joined MTV as rock ambassador. He is being recognized this week by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his vast rock knowledge and career as host of MTV programs such as 120 Minutes, MattRock, Pinfield Suite, Pinfield presents, Rocks Off, Say What, MTV Live and hundreds of MTV specials and appearances like TRL's "Stump Matt" segment. Matt also was a rock host on Sirius Satellite radio. He begins at WRXP effective Wednesday morning, May 28.

GOULD TO LEAVE WAPS AKRON, MD POSITION OPENS (5/14/08)
WAPS (The Summit) Akron Music Director Cornelius "CG" Gould is departing the station for a "job-of-a-lifetime" as R&D Engineer for Omnia Audio in Cleveland. Prior to joining WAPS six months ago, Cornelius helped sign on new Cleveland AAA WJCU. WAPS PD Bill Gruber is currently on the hunt for a new on-air MD. WAPS is preparing to launch both an HD-1 and HD-2 program service and is also anticipating a move to a new community broadcast facility within 2-5 years. See the official WAPS job posting in our Jobs section. Cornelius' last day at WAPS is Friday, May 16.

WINTER ARB AAA RATINGS RESULTS  (Updated 5/13/08)
Revealing numerous "up" books for the format, Winter '08 final Arbitron (12+) ratings results are in:
KENZ (The End) Salt Lake City 2.6-2.7
KXLY-FM (Spokane's River) Spokane 4.0-2.8
KBLV (The Boulevard) Kansas City 2.3-2.2
KZPS (Lonestar 92.5) Dallas-Ft. Worth 1.8-2.0
WXRT Chicago 1.8-2.3
WRLT Nashville 1.2-1.4
WDOD Chattanooga 3.4-4.4
WCOO (The Bridge) Charleston 1.3-1.4
WMMM (Triple M) Madison 4.3-4.2
WFIV Knoxville 0.0-1.1
KPTL (Capital 1063) Des Moines 2.0-2.8
KBAC Albuquerque 0.0-0.4
KGSR Austin 2.0-3.0
KFOG San Francisco 3.0-3.0
KFOG San Jose 2.0-2.5
WZGC (Dave FM) Atlanta 2.3-1.9
WTGB (The Globe) Washington DC 1.5-1.5
WXRV (The River) Boston 1.5-1.2
CIDR (The River) Detroit 0.8-0.6
KMTT (The Mountain) Seattle 2.1-2.5
KTCZ (Cities 97) Minneapolis 4.3-4.2
KPRI San Diego 1.4-1.1
WRNR Baltimore 1.0-0.8
KBCO Denver 4.7-4.4, KCUV Denver 0.7-0.7, KTNI Denver 0.8-0.7
KINK Portland OR 4.0-4.3
WTTS Indianapolis 2.0-2.0
KWMT (The Mountain) Tucson 3.3-2.9
KPIG (K-PIG) Monterey-Salinas 3.5-4.2

BURTON NAMED GM, BEASING PD AT KRBV (THE SOUND) LOS ANGELES (5/9/08)
KRBV 100.3 The Sound Los Angeles has named a new GM and PD for the new Triple A launch in the nation's second-largest media market. Bonneville International has announced that Peter Burton is VP/GM after having serving the past seven years as Director of Sales for Lincoln Financial in San Diego. Veteran programmer and former Jacobs Media Senior Consultant Dave Beasing has been appointed Program Director for The Sound. Prior to his 13-year run with Jacobs Media, Dave was PD for KYSR Los Angeles and the former KXEZ Los Angeles in the early '90s. Bonneville VP/Programming Greg Solk said, "I'm truly thrilled to have one of the most respected programming minds and strategic thinkers in our industry as Program Director of the Sound. We are attempting to build a special station in L.A. that will break from the norm in today's radio landscape, and Dave is the guy to lead that charge." Greg has also announced that the station will be using the advising and side channel services of SBR Creative Media/CustomChannels. Bonneville's KRBV (V-100) Los Angeles flipped formats on 4/8 from Urban AC to Triple A KRBV 100.3 The Sound Los Angeles playing "World Class Rock For Southern California".

KRCL SALT LAKE CITY RE-LAUNCHES AAA FORMAT (5/5/08)
KRCL Salt Lake City, a longtime community non-comm station, re-launched Monday (5/5) with a paid fulltime airstaff from 6am-6pm and a new consistent but eclectic Triple A format. The new KRCL, sans all-block programming, is modeled largely after successful music-intensive stations KEXP Seattle, WXPN Philadelphia, Radio Milwaukee, and Minnesota Public Radio's The Current in Minneapolis. 

The decision to make the change did not come easy. KRCL GM Donna Land Maldonado told the Salt Lake City Tribune, "This is the progressive community, and they were trying to tear down the station because it was going to change." Donna credited the KRCL Board for standing solidly behind the changes and the staff for enduring angry complaints. KRCL PD is Ryan Tronier. The new KRCL Music Director is Ebay J. Hamilton. Reach Ebay during his music call time on Fridays 2-5pm (Mountain) via the KRCL main station number at 801.363.1818. New weekday air shifts on KRCL will be hosted by veteran volunteer staffers David Perschon and Brad Wheeler.
 
In a statement on the station site, Donna said, "The Wasatch Front population has grown by nearly one-half million in the past ten years, but KRCL has not grown with it - only 1.4% of people using radio in the Wasatch Front listen to KRCL. Our goal is to reach more listeners who want to be challenged, experimental, and independent, and invite them to be part of the KRCL Community." KRCL, like a number of community radio stations, was at risk of losing their annual Corporation For Public Broadcasting Community Service Grants if they didn't meet the CPB's audience service criteria of minimum audience or fundraising figures for their area populations. KRCL is receiving help from CPB's Station Renewal Project, a service created by CPB to assist in addressing the problem of underperforming public radio stations. The project is managed by Public Radio Capital, a Denver-based nonprofit that works with stations to acquire new frequencies and expand services.
Salt Lake City is Arbitron-ranked market #31 (12+ population: 1,621,900).

Meanwhile, Salt Lake City and Utah will have a new online station launched by a group of former KRCL staffers and volunteers, including ex-KRCL Ops Director Troy Mumm called Utah Free Media. The service also begins this week.

CAPITOL MUSIC GROUP RESTRUCTURES: FISHER, SPERANDEO OUT
Gmeiner And Connelly Head Up Triple A Promotion (4/24/08)
EMI has restructured as the Capitol Music Group, cutting two key promotion positions as the group consolidates staff. Manhattan/Back Porch National Director of Promotion Jason Fisher has exited as has Astralwerks/Caroline National AAA Promotion Director Jenni Sperandeo. Before joining the Blue Note Label Group and Manhattan a year ago, Jason was National Promotion Director at New York-based Cooking Vinyl U.S.A and Or Music. Reach Jason via email. Jenni's promo background includes two stints as National AAA Promotion Director for Astralwerks, National Promotion Director at Shout! Factory, and Virgin West Coast Promotion Director. Reach Jenni via email. Capitol Music Group AAA promotional duties will now be handled by Capitol Music Group VP, Promotion Ray Gmeiner and Capitol Music Group Sr. Director, Promotion Dan Connelly. Please note new email address for Ray and Dan; office phone numbers remain the same. 

EMMIS/AUSTIN PROMOTES CHRIS EDGE, PD POSITION OPENS AT KGSR (4/18/08)
KGSR Austin, part of the Emmis/Austin cluster, has upped KGSR/KLBJ/KDHT PD Chris Edge to the newly created position of Digital Media Account Manager, effective May 1. Chris came to Austin from Emmis' WNOU Indianapolis one year ago to replace longtime KGSR PD Jody Denberg, who earlier had moved into the newly created position of KGSR Content Manager. Jody remains on-air afternoons. The stations are currently looking for a PD. No calls. Email resume (no mp3s please) to Emmis/Austin OM Chase.

WINER LEADS HD CHANNEL/ONLINE INTERACTIVE RESURRECTION OF WNEW NEW YORK (4/14/08)
Legendary New York progessive rocker WNEW-FM has returned at 102.7 HD in New York and online at WNEW.com. Heading up the project is longtime WXRT Chicago PD Norm Winer, also VP Adult Rock Programming for CBS radio, and a native New Yorker. The new incarnation of WNEW features classic programming from the late '60s and early '70s through today, mixed with new music as well. The station airs archival interviews by former WNEW air personalities Scott Muni, Dave Herman, and Richard Neer, among others, together with vintage exclusive live artist performances. Utilizing the resources of WNEW.com and CBS' Last.fm, the new station also offers interactive and social networking where fans can listen on demand for free, share feedback about the former and current station, join dedicated groups, meet fellow WNEW listeners and even become a part of the station's "staff." Staff members will have the chance to program and participate in the presentation of the station and its Web site through a series of on-air and online initiatives including blogs, concert reviews, music forums, and artist profiles.

In a statement, Winer said, "As a music fan and radio geek who grew up in Brooklyn listening to the original WNEW, I'm excited to help recapture the spirit and philosophy of progressive radio, using tools we never dreamed of back in the early days. With the foundation of a timeless and totally one-of-a-kind archive, we will provide rock devotees of all generations the chance to hear incredible moments from our collective past and enable them to connect the dots to rock's most compelling artists of the present and future."

In January, Emmis Communications launched WRXP (1019 RXP) New York, "The New York Rock Experience," an AAA/Rock hybrid that leans heavy on local heritage artists and celebrates New York's "great rock radio legacy".

BONNEVILLE FLIPS KRBV LOS ANGELES TO TRIPLE A "100.3 THE SOUND" (4/8/08)
"World Class Rock For Southern California"
In a stunner of an industry move, KRBV (V-100) Los Angeles flipped formats at 10am (PDT) today (4/8) from Urban AC to Triple A KRBV 100.3 The Sound Los Angeles playing "World Class Rock For Southern California". The Bonneville station made the format switch after stunting as "Radio Bruce" over the weekend to honor the local return of Bruce Springsteen in concert.

Bonneville VP of Programming Greg Solk and EVP Operations Drew Horowitz are heading up the station launch. Greg is hiring an airstaff. Bonneville President/CEO Bruce Reese said, "It's great to be back in L.A. and we are truly excited about our new station. 100.3 The Sound will be a music station that has absolute respect for the music and that features a broad playlist." According to the station site, "On The Sound you'll hear everything from the geniuses that gave birth to the seminal rock of the '60s and '70s to the ever evolving offspring of that music, including great stuff that came out last year...or even last week."

The nation's second largest media market has not hosted a commercial AAA format on the air since the demise of Clear Channel's KACD Santa Monica/Channel 103.1 in 2000 and KSCA Los Angeles (now Spanish) - then owned by Gene Autry's Golden West Broadcasters - from 1994 until 1997. The KRBV format switch comes just three months after New York City Smooth Jazz outlet WQCD flipped to Triple A/Rock hybrid WRXP "The New York Rock Experience" on January 5. 100.3 The Sound is currently applying for new call letters. Listen to the station currently streaming at 100.3 The Sound. KRBV 100.3 The Sound Los Angeles has been added to our Triplearadio.com Panel of stations.

KEXP SEATTLE SITE NOMINATED IN "WEBBY AWARDS" (4/8/08)
KEXP Seattle is the only US terrestrial station to be nominated for an international Webby Award for Best Radio Site. The prestigious 12th annual Webby Awards will be presented June 10 in New York. The awards honor excellence on the Internet, including Web sites, online film and video, interactive advertising, and mobile content. Last year's winner for Best Radio Site was BBC Radio 1. The 2008 Best Radio Site nominees: KEXP Seattle, Virgin Radio International, CBC Radio 3, BBC World Service, AccuRadio.

MICHAELS UPPED TO PD AT KPND SANDPOINT-SPOKANE (4/3/08)
KPND Sandpoint ID/Spokane Co-PD Jonny Knight will step down as Co-PD but remain on the air. Effective April 22, Co-PD Diane Michaels will be upped to Program Director.

KPIG NETWORK EXPANDS INTO REDDING, CA (4/3/08)
As the popular rootsy Triple A celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, Mapleton Communications' KPIG Freedom-Monterey is expanding its Northern California network of stations with the addition of KNRO-AM 1670 Redding, CA. Effective April 18, KNRO will flip from ESPN sports to simulcast KPIG programming. Along with the flagship KPIG in Monterey/Salinas/Santa Cruz, KPIG airs on KPYG Cayucos-San Luis Obispo, CA.; KPIG-AM 1510 ("The City Pig") Piedmont-San Francisco; and KZAP Paradise-Chico, CA. KPIG's terrestrial signal can now be heard from the Central Coast of California to the Oregon border.

 
STONE ON LEAVE, MD WAREING ACTING PD AT WEHM THE HAMPTONS (3/28/08)
Congrats to WEHM Amagansett-Riverhead-Hamptons NY Program Director Lauren Stone on her adoption of a baby girl from China! So as of Monday (3/31), Lauren is officially on maternity leave. MD Harry Wareing will be handling day-to-day duties in her absence. Lauren will be checking email periodically. She told Triplearadio.com that she will return as PD but "am giving up my midday slot to have more time with my new family."

MO LOUIS EXITS KBXR COLUMBIA MO, MORNING CO-HOST OPENS (3/26/08)
After thirteen years on the KBXR Colombia MO morning show, co-host Mo Louis is moving on. PD Liz Mozzocco will be handling morning show duties by herself while the search is on for the next co-host. Qualified candidates who know the music and have a passion for the listeners' lifestyle should send a resume and mp3s to Liz Mozzocco. Applications accepted through Tuesday, April 1st.

In other 'BXR news, congrats to afternoon host Simon Rose and wife Jenna on their first child, Liam Thomas Michael Rose born on March 7th!