Recently, progressive-talk WDTW (AM 1310) added The Joey Reynolds overnight show 1 am-6 am. WDTW-AM (once the mighty WKNR Keener 13 in the 1960's) is one of a number of AM signals in Detroit (Dearborn technically) which is unknown to most local radio listeners. Joey was one of only a few programs that actually got this 5,000 watt station noticed. Sadly that is now coming to an end.

The radio station where Joey's program originates, WOR-AM (710) in New York City has decided that the bottom line is far more important than the all-night audience who listened in droves to the last overnight radio show that was actually entertaining! They will pull the plug on Joey's show on April 2nd. He did it for just over 14 years. Reynolds, often referred to as a "radio rebel" had 38 jobs prior to joining New York's oldest station, which has been doing talk for 88 years. He is considered to be the father of "shock radio" years before Howard Stern was ever heard from. His style today, however, is 180 degrees from those days. He also did the first simulcast on both radio and TV at KOA-AM (850) in Denver and KOA-TV Channel 4. It was innovative and wildly entertaining. He broke the first hit by the Four Seasons "Sherry" in 1962 while working in Hartford, CT. His opening theme song was a custom creation by Frankie Vallie and the Four Seasons as a token of appreciation.

So, now after nearly a decade and a half, WOR has decided to push fun radio out the door in exchange of George Noory's AM Coast-to-Coast. Interestingly George is a Detroiter, who has spent much of his career in St. Louis. Noory's show centers heavily on the paranormal and extraterrestrial topics. It is also carried on over 500 stations across the country. It was on in New York, opposite Joey's show, on WJR's sister station WABC-AM (770). Joey did very well. It was a national show that was VERY entertaining and very New York. The studio was often jammed with people even at 2 or 3 in the morning!

When WABC had a new overnight show called "The Red-Eye Radio Show" hosted by former KABC Los Angeles morning host Doug McIntyre, it pushed AM Coast-to-Coast off the powerful Citadel talker. That move sent shock-waves throughout the NYC radio community. Most figured it would only be a matter of time (and of course money) before Noory's show would resurface on another station. Sadly for fans of "fun radio" it was at the expense of losing Joey Reynolds. It's easier and cheaper for stations to plug in a syndicated national show than to do a live and local program. So, once again, the listeners are the losers. Radio keeps drinking the Kool-Aid and wonders why it has a stomach ache.

There should be enough room on the radio dial to do the big nationwide broadcasts AND a local show which, although Joey is nationally syndicated as well, was heavy on New York based stars and entertainment. The theatre-community, in particular, will be upset by this action, since Reynolds featured Broadway cast members, singers, musicians, comics and a plethora of big stars on his show every night. Rarely (if ever) were politics discussed and he very rarely used the phones. His was similar to TV legendary Ed Sullivan Show of the 1950's & 60's.

If you spin the AM dial overnight you will hear George Noory, who is a nice man and has a big audience, on literally dozens of stations, but now we won't hear one of the most creative and innovative broadcasters to ever grace the airwaves with the absence of Joey Reynolds. My personal hope is that some savvy radio company picks him up before he even hits the ground, but for now, the last FUN show on radio will broadcast for the final time on Friday April 2nd....and that's no post April Fool's Day joke. Good luck Joey...radio needs you.

Reach Art Vuolo at artvuolo@aol.com or visit his web site at vuolovideo.com

• The FCC has approved Synergy Medias acquisition of FM translator W254BL 98.7 Manistee from Horizon Christian Fellowship for $3,200 plus the forgiveness of unpaid tower rent. The application states the translator, which is currently silent, would rebroadcast Synergy's WMLQ FM 97.7 Manistee.

• Also approved by the FCC was the transaction between Heartland Communications, the company that owns WIKB-FM/AM 99.1/1230 Iron River, and NorthStar Properties, LLC worth $700,000 that involved a partial sale and also involved a number of stations in northern Wisconsin.

• No notable activity for March 8.

Detroit Public Television mined little-known family foundations as part of its strategy to close out its recent $22 million capital campaign. "In addition to the larger foundations, we had to go to the indigenous population of family foundations, largely unknown," said WTVS-Channel 56 board Chairman Richard Rassel, who is director of global client relations at Detroit-based law firm Butzel Long P.C. Clover Technology L.L.C. founder George Riley, whose family foundation committed $5 million to Channel 56 and sold it its new, production-ready headquarters in Wixom, "is typical of that family foundation donor base that we all need to look at more closely as we go forward in these challenging times," Rassel said... Detroit Public Television tapped all sources for capital campaign (Tue, 3/9)

Detroit Free Press:

Oscar night was a big deal for ABC, whose telecast of the 82nd Annual Academy Awards drew some encouraging numbers. The biggest night in movies, hosted by Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin, drew 41.3 million total viewers to the Alphabet Network on Sunday. It was the largest audience since 2005, the year Clint Eastwood's "Million Dollar Baby" was the big winner, according to the Nielsen folks. Locally, WXYZ-TV (Channel 7) also had its biggest Oscar numbers in five years. About 927,000 metro Detroit viewers tuned in to watch Kathryn Bigelow become the first woman to win the best director prize... Oscars draw big ratings (Tue, 3/9)

Toledo radio watchers wait for changes to AM 1560, FM 100.9

In a story that's been excruciatingly slow to finalize, there have been some recent developments in a station swap between religious broadcaster CSN and Cumulus Media. Moving from Cumulus to CSN is AM daytimer WTOD 1560, which will replace CSN's FM translator that was heard on FM 100.7. That translator is now off the air, but is expected back on the air soon at FM 100.9. There's no certainty among radio watchers in Toledo as to what Cumulus will be airing on the translator ... speculation is either it will become part of 'The Ticket' (FM 106.5 / AM 1470) or rebroadcast 106.5's HD2 'The Zone' alternative rock format.

88.1 WBFH's Randy Carr recognized

The Board of Education of the Bloomfield Hills School District presented Randy Carr with the Support Staff Recognition Award at their regular meeting March 4 at the Gary M. Doyle Center in Bloomfield Hills. Carr is the Assistant Station Manager and Technical Director of the school district radio station WBFH 88.1 FM, also known as The Biff.

Candidates for this award must be nominated by at least two individuals, citing the exceptional personal qualities and work characteristics that make the person an outstanding employee who has made positive contributions to the District.

Carr has been the Assistant Station Manager at WBFH for 10 years. Before that, he worked in commercial radio for 30 years as an air personality and broadcast engineer at the following stations: WYCD, WKQI, WCZY, WAAM, WTKA, WCAR, WCXI and WVMO.

Carr supervises the station from 1-9 p.m. each school day. During that time, he assists the radio students as they perform on the air during their shows. He assists students when recording productions which air on the station. As Technical Director, he makes sure the hardware and software are working properly.

As a member of the WBFH management team with Station Manager Pete Bowers and Program Director/Remote Supervisor Ron Wittebols, Carr has helped make The Biff a well respected program in the state and the nation. WBFH was recently named the Michigan Association of Broadcasters 2010 High School Station of the Year, the sixth time in eight years receiving that honor. WBFH also has been named the Best High School Station in a national competition three times in the last four years.

Are format changes on the radar in the South Bend / Benton Harbor area with rumors that Premiere Radio Networks' programs from names like Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck might be moving from their area AM homes to an FM rocker which would then flip to talk?

Talk about these rumors by visiting the Michiguide.net Discussion Group forums.

Upper Midwest Broadcasting reports that Hot AC WIMI FM 99.7 Ironwood has "moved to a broader Adult Contemporary format positioned as 'The Best Variety; following its sale to J&J Broadcasting" and rehired Uncle Al Rice for afternoons. J&J recently closed on its purchase of WIMI and sister station WJMS AM 590 from Baracuda Broadcasting.

• Michael Gottlieb, National Director of Sales and Marketing, Don-Lors Electronics, Livonia, Michigan

Michael Gottlieb grew up in Plymouth, MI where he graduated from Plymouth Canton High School. After attending Central Michigan University he went to work for E.F. Hutton as a Stockbroker and remained in investment business for over 15 years seeing several corporate mergers and acquisitions. He was promoted to several levels from Branch Manager to Vice President during that time before making the move to Don-Lors Electronics who specializes in all facets of commercial and residential satellite TV and communication, home and commercial theatre and A/V and Digital signage and advertising. As the National Director of Sales and Marketing, Michael is responsible for offices in 14 major markets throughout the country.

In 2008 Michael, and his company, teamed with the Michigan Association of Broadcasters (MAB) to bring the most comprehensive DTV transition plan in the country. Through his dedication to the cause and the people of Michigan, Michael and Don-Lors Electronics opened their facilities and dedicated their staff to the first-ever Live DTV Helpline, assisting Michigan citizens with every facet of the digital television transition.

"Michael Gottlieb was a key player in the massive success of the 2009 transition to digital television," said Karole White, MAB President and CEO. "Michael offered his company's assistance and resources to bring the people of Michigan the first live-operator DTV call center in the nation."

• Will Tieman, President of TBC Sports/ Spartan Sports Network, Holt, Michigan

Will Tieman is in his 4th decade of broadcasting college football and basketball games. Within the state of Michigan he is most recognized as the voice for Coach Tom Izzo's Michigan State Spartan basketball team. In addition to his broadcast work with MSU, Tieman has served as the voice of Miami University, the Big Ten Basketball Game of the Week and was lead announcer for Coach Eddie Robinson's Grambling State University Tigers national radio network.

His national network football bowl assignments have included The Citrus Bowl, The Motor City Bowl (now Little Caesars Pizza Bowl), the International Bowl and the Blue-Gray Game. He has anchored various television assignments and for 15 seasons in the month of May, Tieman provided national radio coverage from The Indianapolis Motor Speedway. During the course of a year over 250 radio stations around the nation air broadcasts he anchors.

For the past two years, Tieman and his crew received the Michigan Association of Broadcaster's "Best Network Play-By-Play" Award. Tieman is currently the President of the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association.

"Will Tieman has been an extremely active and supportive associate member of the MAB," said White. "Mr. Tieman has provided countless opportunities for the MAB to build key external relationships and has given back to the broadcasting community by sharing his depth of knowledge on sports broadcasting with new and experienced broadcasters alike, by serving as a speaker and panelist at MAB events and as a guest columnist for the MAB newsletter."

The Carl E. Lee Broadcast Engineering Excellence Award winners are:

• Radio Winner: Ed Trombley, Field Engineer/RF Expert, Munn-Reese, Inc., Coldwater, Michigan

Ed Trombley is the Field Engineer and RF Expert Extraordinaire at Munn-Reese, Inc. He began his broadcasting career as a student at Lake Superior State College in the Electronic Engineering Technology program. Upon graduating, Ed worked as a contract engineer for several years at numerous stations across Lower Michigan. In 1984 Ed took on the position of Chief Engineer and Technical Director of Telecommunications at WSAE/KTGG at Spring Arbor College. After a decade of service at Spring Arbor College, Ed made to the move to Munn-Reese, Inc. in Coldwater, MI to work as a field engineer conquering the most complex of radio engineering issues. Since his move to Munn-Reese, Ed has become quite the engineering celebrity throughout the state known for his problem solving and uncanny way of communicating with the finickiest of machinery.

In addition to his professional work, Ed is known for his garage full of old broadcast parts and equipment supplying the local theatre with period props not to mention the numerous engineers who have been helped in a pinch because of his garage full of goodies. Ed is married to his lovely wife Mary and the couple has four children.

• Television Winner: John Grover, Chief Engineer, WADL-TV, Mount Clemens/Detroit, Michigan

John Grover is the Chief Engineer for Adell Broadcasting Corporation's WADL-TV. He has over 46 years of experience in broadcast engineering, 33 of which has been as a television station chief engineer. John began his broadcasting career in 1963 at WJIM as a staff engineer before a brief two-year stint as an engineer for World Wide Sports in Williamston, MI. He then became the Chief Engineer for WGPR, a radio and television licensee, in 1977 where he assemble a U-Matic auto logging sequencer for interstitial and program playback.

In 1988, John joined the Sinclair Broadcast Group in Flint as Chief Engineer at WSMH starting a local news operation. In addition, in 1992 John took on the extra duties of Chief Engineer at WADL-TV where he managed the operations and staffing of Master Control. In 2006, John opted to lighten his heavy work load retiring from WSMH-TV. John is still Chief Engineer at WADL-TV and is known for his positive, can-do sprit and outstanding work ethic.

Emily Pearce, former morning-show co-host on WHTS-FM (105.3), is the new director of marketing for Clear Channel Radio in Grand Rapids and Muskegon. Pearce, who also worked with Regent Broadcasting, took over for Christy Mack on Jan. 14. Pearce earned a communications degree at Central Michigan University and has worked in local radio for several years... Broadcast notes: Job changes for Emily Pearce, Rob Brandt (Fri, 3/5)

Carl Nielbock was a stranger in a new land. Listening to legendary radio personality Martha Jean "The Queen" Steinberg helped him persevere. The 24-year-old moved from Germany in 1984 to meet his father and connect with his African-American roots. Nielbock, whose mother is white and father is black, settled on the east side with his father. Their day began, like so many others in Detroit, by listening to Steinberg's radio show. "She was very inspirational. She eloquently explained the situation we find ourselves in," said Nielbock, 50. "She talked about how you can overcome problems and that you can make it despite all the adversity." Nielbock, an ironworks artisan, has worked since Steinberg's death in 2000 to honor her with a 16-foot statue on Belle Isle. He met with her daughters, Sandra and Trienere, last week to discuss efforts to raise $300,000 to complete the project... Building on legacy of Martha Jean 'The Queen' (Sat, 3/6)

AllAccess.com:

CLEAR CHANNEL Rhythmic AC WDTW (106.7 THE BEAT)/DETROIT has announced its 2010 SPRING BEATRAVE. The APRIL 24th show features STEVIE B., LISA LISA, C+C MUSIC FACTORY featuring FREEDOM WILLIAMS, ROB BASE, THE COVER GIRLS and SHANNON... BeatRave Set At 106.7 The Beat Of Detroit (Fri, 3/5)

• Larlen Communications was granted its license to cover for WDPW FM 91.9 Greenville. The station has reportedly been on the air with religious programming.

Michigan Radio, the public radio service from the University of Michigan, has been named Public Radio Station of the Year for 2009 by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters (MAB). The award was announced Wednesday evening at the MAB's annual Great Lakes Broadcasting Conference in Lansing. This is the eighth time in nine years that Michigan Radio has been named Public Radio Station of the Year.

The Station of the Year recognition is based on total points that a station receives in various judging categories. Michigan Radio was recognized as Station of the Year in Group 2, which is for public radio stations with more than $2 million budget.

In addition to the Station of the Year award, Michigan Radio received a total of fourteen Broadcast Excellence Awards, including eight Best in Category awards and six Merit awards.

• WRAX FM 98.9 was granted its license to cover; the station has remain silent through August, 2010. It is now licensed to Lake Isabella, having previously moved its construction permit from Walhalla in Mason County. It is licensed for 250 watts @ 49 feet. Should the station begin operations, it will cause a crowded frequency on 98.9 in the area as there is already a licensed LPFM (WQOS) on 98.9 in Mt. Pleasant, just miles east of the location of what would be WRAX in Isabella County.

Local 4 News at 5 p.m. garnered an 8.3 household rating (RTG) and a 17 share (SHR) in the 5-6 p.m. time period (compared to WXYZ 6.7 RTG, 14 SHR and WJBK 5.2 RTG, 11 SHR). Local 4 News at 5 p.m. registered a significant growth of nearly 20% in household ratings over the previous year.

In the 6-6:30 p.m. time period, Local 4 News at 6 p.m. finished #1 in household ratings scoring a 10.1 household rating and an 19 share (compared to WXYZ 6.3 RTG, 12 SHR and WJBK 4.5 RTG, 9 SHR). In addition, Local 4 News at 6 p.m. won in the key demo market of adults ages 25-54. This signifies a 25% ratings growth over the previous year, while competitor WXYZ is down 6% household ratings year to year.

Local 4 News at 11 p.m., the perennial powerhouse of late news anchored by Carmen Harlan, Devin Scillian, Chuck Gaidica and Bernie Smilovitz, dominated all local newscasts with the highest ratings of news on any station, in any time-period. In February 2010, Local 4 News at 11 p.m. garnered a 10.3 household rating and a 19 share. (compared to WXYZ 7.4 RTG, 14 SHR, WJBK 10pm 7.8 RTG, 12 SHR, and WJBK 11pm M-F 4.9 RTG, 9 SHR). Local 4 News at 11 p.m. was the only late news to demonstrate growth, up another 17% in household ratings over the previous year. In addition, Local 4 News at 11 p.m. beat the late newscast of all NBC affiliates in the top 10 markets nationwide.

From the Opening Ceremony of 2010 Winter Olympics and throughout the 16 days of intense competition in Vancouver, WDIV averaged a 15.7 in household ratings and a 25 share (compared head-to-head to primetime programming on WXYZ 7.0 RTG, 11 SHR and WJBK 5.3 RTG, 8 SHR), up 35% in primetime household ratings and 39% in share over the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.

On Friday, February 12, WDIV's broadcast of the 2010 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony garnered a 21.1 household rating (RTG) and an 34 share (SHR) in the 7:30 p.m.-12:15 a.m. time period, up 34% from the 2008 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony in Beijing (15.7 HH RTG, 30 SHR), and up 76% in household rating from the 2006 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony in Turin (12.0 HH RTG, 20 SHR).

On Wednesday, February 17, as snowboarder Shaun White, speed skater Shani Davis and downhill skier Lindsey Vonn brought home Gold Medals for the U.S. team, WDIV garnered a 20.6 household rating and a 32 share, ranking #1 for household ratings over all NBC affiliates in the top ten markets nationwide.

In addition, on Sunday, February 28, while Team USA battled Team Canada, WDIV's broadcast of the Men's Hockey Gold Medal game finished just shy of Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins.

The WDIV programming lineup in other dayparts also fared well. The Ellen Degeneres Show (10-11 a.m.) was #1 and continues to lead in all key demographics. In the 4-5 p.m. time period, Local 4 News at 4 p.m. followed by Inside Edition with Deborah Norville virtually tied WXYZ's Oprah in households. And in the time period of 7-8 p.m., Wheel Of Fortune (11.2 HH RTG, 20 SHR) and Jeopardy (9.9 HH RTG, 17 SHR) are the top-rated shows, and continue to experience growth, up 14% in household ratings from the previous year.

Also in February, ClickOnDetroit.com, WDIV's local and national news, weather, sports and entertainment website, scored over 22.4 million page views, setting an all time record for page views in the month of February.

Market 1 (Detroit):

• Television: WJBK-TV
• Radio: WJR AM

Market 2:

• Television: WOOD-TV Grand Rapids
• Radio: WKZO AM Kalamazoo

Market 3:

• Television: WILX-TV Lansing
• Radio: WLEN-FM Adrian

Market 4:

• Television: WLUC-TV Marquette
• Radio: WSJM-FM/AM Benton Harbor

Public Broadcasting Group 1:

• Television: WGVU-TV Grand Rapids
• Radio: WICA-FM Interlochen

Public Broadcasting Group 2:

• Television: WTVS-TV Detroit
• Radio: Michigan Radio/Ann Arbor (WUOM-FM/WFUM-FM/WVGR-FM)

High School Radio Station of the Year: Bloomfield Andover/Lahser High School, WBFH-FM

College Radio Station of the Year: Michigan State University, WDBM-FM

High School Television Station of the Year: Davison High School, DTV

College Television Station of the Year: Central Michigan University, MHTV

The MAB also announced the winners of its Broadcast Excellence Award competition. For a complete list of all winners, click here. The MAB Broadcast Excellence Awards is one of the largest state awards programs in the nation and continues to set broadcast excellence standards.

Congratulations to all the winning stations and their employees!

WBFH Bloomfield Hills named 2010 High School Radio Station of the Year

Eight WBFH students win 14 awards from MAB

Bloomfield Hills School District radio broadcasting students won five first place awards, three second place awards and six third place awards from the Michigan Association of Broadcasters (MAB) at their annual Great Lakes Broadcasting Conference held March 3, 2010 at the Lansing Center in Lansing. WBFH received the most cumulative points in all categories entered and was awarded the 2010 High School Radio Station of the Year.

The MAB received 458 entries from 33 schools for their annual High School and College Broadcasting Awards competition. WBFH students won 14 of the 26 awards given out in the high school radio division.

Lahser senior Chad Shepard won five awards: 1st Place, MHSAA Sports PSA; 1st Place, Sportscast/Sports Play-by-Play; 2nd Place, Promotional Announcement; 3rd Place, Talk Show (with Bobby Brandon); 3rd Place, Air Check (with Drake Deitch).

Andover senior Josh Loney won four awards: 1st Place, Talk Show; 2nd Place, Air Check; 3rd Place, Daily Newscast/News Feature; 3rd Place (tie), Promotional Announcement.

Andover senior Josh Gordon won two awards: 2nd Place, Public Service Announcement; 3rd Place (tie), Promotional Announcement.

Andover senior Kevin Furlong won one award: 1st Place, Daily Newscast/News Feature.

Lahser senior Patrick Garretson won one award: 1st Place, Promotional Announcement.

Andover senior Ryan Bloom won one award: 3rd Place, Station Activities Report.

Andover senior Drake Deitch won one award: 3rd Place, Air Check (with Chad Shepard).

Lahser junior Bobby Brandon won one award: 3rd Place, Talk Show (with Chad Shepard).

The WBFH management team of Station Manager Pete Bowers, Assistant Manager/Technical Director Randy Carr and Remote Supervisor/Program Director Ron Wittebols were present to congratulate the award winning students and accept the Station of the Year Award on their behalf. This was the sixth Station of the Year Award WBFH has won in the last eight years.

WBFH, also known as The Biff, is a non-commercial, educational radio station broadcasting at 88.1 on the FM dial or online at www.wbfh.fm.

MSU News:

The Michigan Association of Broadcasters and Broadcast Music Inc. have named Michigan State University's WDBM - or Impact 89 FM, as it is commonly known - the college radio station of the year. The Gold Record Award was presented at the Great Lakes Broadcasting Conference in Lansing on March 3. This is the 10th time in a row that WDBM-FM has won the award. "To be named College Station of the Year for the 10th year in a row is an unprecedented accomplishment." said Gary Reid, professional general manager of the station. "I am extremely proud of our staff, and honored to be able to work with such talented and motivated young people." Impact staffers took first place in four of the seven categories, including Ed Glazer for talk show, Ben Rickert for promotional announcement and public service announcement, and Jeremy Whiting for the station activities report. The staff earned 10 awards in all and amassed nearly twice the number of points than the next nearest competitor... MSU's Impact 89 FM named College Station of the Year for the 10th time (Thu, 3/4)

• WOCR FM 89.7 Olivet was granted a construction permit to change frequency to 89.1 and increase power from 125 watts @ 75 feet to 500 watts @ 82 feet.

• FM translator W230BI 93.9 was granted it license to cover to change community of license from Lapeer to Metamora and change its broadcast location further south in Lapeer county. It also increased power from 10 to 250 watts.

• No notable activity for March 1-2.