Greater Media Detroit News

MAGIC 105.1 WMGC’S JIM HARPER AND HIS ‘SOLE PATROL’ GEAR UP TO WALK
Magic 105.1’s Jim Harper and his “Sole Patrol” are leading the march in the Michigan Brest Cancer 3 Day Walk. The 60 mile walk is happening again this year from September 26th until the 28th to help raise money for research on the prevention and cure of breast cancer. The Magic team currently has over 130 members ready to beat their feet toward eliminating breast cancer. Magic’s team has raised $156,000 for its cause, over half of its target goal of $250,000. Beverages and food will be provided to participants in the walk, as well as showers and entertainment at night during the long weekend walk. If you would like to join the “Sole Patrol” you can sign up through the Magic 105.1 website, www.detroitmagic.com, or if you just want to help out you can donate through the Magic site to a team member.

The Who & 94.7 WCSX Join Together
Rock legends The Who announced that all of their earnings from the October 21st concert at The Palace of Auburn Hills will benefit Detroit area charities.

Singer Roger Daltrey says “Pete and I are very aware of the problems people are having in Michigan and feel we should give something back for all the support we have had over the last 40 years.”

The Who have teamed up with 94.7 WCSX in selecting Gleaners Food Bank and Focus: HOPE as beneficiaries.

94.7 WCSX Operations Manager Doug Podell “For over 20 years, WCSX has been committed to the Motor City. We were proud to be called upon by The Who to help in their effort to raise awareness and funds for these two worthwhile organizations.”

94.7 WCSX invites Classic Rock fans to “Join Together With The Band” to help these great local organizations while experience a night of amazing Rock ‘n Roll.

WRIF’s 10th Annual HarleyFest
101 WRIF celebrated our 10th Annual “Motor City Harley-Davidson’s HarleyFest” on June 14th, 2008 at Freedom Hill County Park in Sterling Heights, Michigan. The day began with a ride from the Harley-Davidson dealership to the festival to benefit The Rainbow Connection, a local charity that grants wishes for children who have been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. Throughout the day, WRIF broadcasted live from the festival, which featured live music from a variety of local bands and headliner, Days of the New. Highlights included the “Miss HarleyFest” Bikini Contest, the Renewal of Vows and the HarleyFest giveaway, with listener Dennis Coldicott winning a 2 Year lease on a Dodge Ram pickup, a 2008 Harley-Davidson Sportster Nightster, a $500 gas card and a trip to Milwaukee for the 105th Anniversary. Overall, the charity raised $28,500 at the event.



MAGIC 105.1 WMGC CELEBRATES WITH A LISTENER APPRECIATION CONCERT
Magic 105.1 WMGC celebrated its seventh birthday with another ‘Listener Appreciation Concert’ to say Thank You to all our Magic Family Members! The event drew in listeners of all ages as it kicked off with high energy at the Freedom Hill Amphitheatre, as the Village People rolled in and opened the night. Following a enthusiastic and patriotic performance the event gave way to KC & The Sunshine Band who kept everyone “boogie’n” in their shoes all night long. The event may have stopped there but the appreciation of Magic to its listeners is an everyday thing!

'Hire It Done!' Premieres  WRIF and Magic 105.1
“Hire It Done!” with Adam Helfman will premier on Greater Media Detroit’s WRIF and Magic 105.1FM on Saturday, December 1st. It will air at 7am on both stations.

Helfman comes to Greater Media Detroit from CBS Radio. He is a construction consultant for the Emmy Award-winning television program “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.”

“I am truly excited to move my program to a much larger audience and being involved with the #1 station speaks volumes!”, said Helfman.

Helfman is a recognized expert in his field with certifications from the National Association of Remodeling Industry and the National Association of Home Builders.

Bender named Senior VP & GM of Greater Media Interactive
Greater Media, Inc has announced that Tom Bender, currently market manager for the company's Detroit cluster, has been named Senior Vice President & General Manager of Greater Media Interactive. He will continue to oversee WCSX 94.7, WRIF 101.1 and WMGC-FM 105.1 until a new Market Manager is named in the near future.

In his new role, Bender will be responsible for building on the foundation in place with Greater Media's interactive efforts and for coordinating and consulting individual station efforts, as well as creating company-wide systems and resources.

 

WMGC Broadcasts Live for Toys for Tots
For the 2007 holiday season, Jim Harper & The Magic Morning show mark their 29th season of making a little magic with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves and the Toys For Tots Campaign. The annual Toys For Tots Campaign tours area shopping malls collecting new, unwrapped toys for the U.S. Marine Corps program.

Magic Raises Record Amount
Magic 105.1 is leading the nation in pledges raised for a Breast Cancer 3-Day team. The “3 Days of Magic” team has raised over $407,000 for the annual walk, far surpassing the original $205,000 goal. The Magic team has since set a new and unprecedented team fundraising goal of $500,000.

Money raised will benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust. These organizations provide important breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment.

 

GMD's Bender Honored with Induction to Prestigious Broadcasting Hall of Fame
Greater Media Detroit Senior Vice President & Regional General Manager Tom Bender was officially inducted into the Michigan Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame during the MAB's annual conference on July 10th.

Bender has turned Greater Media's Detroit-based radio properties, including WRIF-FM, WCSX-FM and WMGC-FM into the top stations in Detroit and made Greater Media Detroit one of the most successful radio clusters in the country.

"We are very proud of Tom and all he has done for both Greater Media and the radio industry," said Greater Media President and CEO Peter Smyth. "It is an honor to have him on our team."

HD Radio Celebrates Major Milestone: Rollout in Top 100 Markets
The HD Digital Radio Alliance, a joint initiative of leading radio broadcasters to accelerate consumer adoption of HD Digital Radio, today celebrated a major milestone in the rollout of HD2 multicast formats with the addition of 15 new markets, completing the rollout in the top 100 markets. The achievement of such a significant number of markets underscores the vision and dedication that it took for HD Digital Radio to reach the nation’s top 100 markets in less than 18 months.

The momentum of the rollout has been unprecedented, making the achievement of the top 100 markets all the more significant. The top U.S. radio broadcasters came together in December 2005 to form the HD Digital Radio Alliance in part to oversee the market-by-market HD2 format selections in the top 100 markets. Since that time, radio has morphed into a digital music force propelling a massive infusion of new and eclectic content on local radio stations by Alliance-member broadcasters – all in crystal-clear digital sound with no subscription fee. The result has been a lifestyle transformation for consumers and a powerful spur to retailers, device manufacturers and automakers to catch the consumer phenom that is HD Digital Radio. Now, in a development representing no small feat, the milestone of the top 100 markets has been reached.

“The HD Radio Alliance came together sixteen months ago and has made significant strides in that time culminating with the achievement of the top 100 markets rollout,” said Peter Ferrara, president and CEO of the HD Digital Radio Alliance. “None of this would have been possible without the consistent support of America’s radio broadcasters, whose vision and leadership have brought us to this meaningful milestone. Also crucial to the effort have been our partners; including retailers, and device and auto manufacturers. This notable achievement resulted from a collaborative industry effort, giving the consumer the opportunity to discover HD Radio virtually anywhere in the country.”

“The HD Radio and HD2 multicast formats selections that the Alliance has helped to allocate will broaden the horizons of radio, enabling us to provide unique programming and compelling content, such as Deep Trax, Live Rock, Irish music and other new, exciting formats,” said Peter Smyth, president and CEO of Greater Media, Inc. “The additional channels will also give young artists the opportunity and ability to be heard on the airwaves.”

 

 

Classic Rock Art Show Opens November 27th
94.7 WCSX showcases a collection of 125 pieces of original art, lithographs, photographs, handwritten lyrics and animation cells from the greatest classic rock artists of all time at the 94.7 WCSX Classic Rock Art Show & Sale. The event will take place Monday, November 27th through Friday, December 15th in a specially designed space inside of the Oakland Mall in Troy. The show is open to the public during mall hours and every piece of art is available for purchase.
New this year look for…

• A series of new works from famed photographer James Fortune. The James Fortune photographs are incorporated into artistic borders and treatments. His works include Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, The Doors, Alice Cooper, Jimmy Buffett and more.

• Several "unseen" Beatles photos that are published in editions (of only 25) from The Mark Hayward Collection. Hayward is the author of the highly popular book, The Beatles Unseen.

• Jean Pierre Weill’s 3-D glass pieces of famous rockers called Vitreography. The creation of every vitreograph combines and integrates three processes: serigraphy, print lithography, and hand-painting.

• An amazing work of art on canvas of the famous surfing beaches in Southern California. It was painted by Dan Mackin (inductee in the Surfing Hall of Fame) and it is hand signed by Beach Boys genius Brian Wilson.

The show also features works from Classic Rock artists such as Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, David Bowie, Ron Wood, Santana, Robby Kreiger, Jimi Hendrix, Jerry Garcia, Tico Torres (Bon Jovi), Tony Bennett, John Mellencamp, U2, John Entwistle, Bob Dylan, Jon Anderson, Nancy Sinatra, Lynyrd Skynyrd and more, plus famous photos, lyrics, album art, concert posters.

The 94.7 WCSX Classic Rock Art Show & Sale is sponsored in part by Oakland Mall, The Philips Norelco Bodygroom, Radisson Kingsley Hotel - Bloomfield Hills

Magic 105.1 listeners raise $94,000  for soup kitchen
Magic 105.1 (WMGC-FM) is pleased to announce the final figures from their Capuchin Soup Kitchen Radiothon, which took place on Friday, November 3, 2006 at Gordon Chevrolet in Garden City. Jim Harper & The Magic Morning Show broadcasted live from the dealership to collect clothing and raise money for the Capuchin Soup Kitchen.

At the end of the day the station raised $94,000 and filled four trucks with clothing! Last year the event raised $33,000.

The money collected will be used to feed hungry families, provide school supplies and clothing for children. It will also help keep the Capuchin Soup Kitchen’s library and computer center open! This center is staffed by volunteers who train children how to use computers.

“When great people come together for a great cause, you get great results! Our listeners are wonderful,” said Marcy Cyburt, WMGC General Sales Manager.

Money was collected through a phone bank, sales of the Magic Family Favorite Recipe Book and an auction. Auction items included: front row Pistons tickets, a two-night stay at the Great Wolf Lodge for four people and four Tigers tickets for the 2007 season!

WRIF’s Harleyfest rocks Freedom Hill
On Saturday, June 17th, WRIF hosted their 8th annual Motor City Harley Davidson Harleyfest at Freedom Hill in Sterling Heights, MI. Thousands of Bikers and non-bikers alike came from all over Metro Detroit to enjoy a day full of great live local music, vendor village, food, beer and more! Highlights of the event included the “Get Hitched at Harleyfest Wedding and the giveaway of the Harley-Davidson 1200R Roadster and the Ford F150 Truck! For more pictures, click on wrif.com.

'Women Who Make Magic' a big success
It was a night of cheers and tears as Magic 105.1FM paid tribute to 40 women “who make magic” in Metro Detroit.

The 5th Annual “Women Who Make Magic” Awards took place on June 12th at the Andiamo Italia Banquet Facility on 14 Mile Road in Warren.

From February-June, Magic listeners nominated women who made “magic” in the lives of their families, workplace, or the community. Each week, Jim Harper and the Magic Morning Show featured the story of a special woman who was nominated.

Each winner received a Magic Star award at the banquet, which was hosted by the Magic Morning Show’s Jim Harper, Linda Lanci, Cyndy Canty, Mike Bradley, and Fay Somona.

The event concluded with a special performance by former New Kids on The Block member, Jordan Knight.

Catholic Social Services honors Ken Calvert
Classic Rock WCSX-FM 94.7 afternoon host Ken Calvert has been making Detroiters laugh, on and off the air, for more than 25 years but he takes helping the community very seriously. In recognition of his public and personal support, Catholic Social Services of Oakland County honors Calvert with the Leonard R. Jagels Award at their annual meeting.

Over the past five years, Calvert has served as emcee and auctioneer at the agency’s Spring Gala fund raisers and hosted an event produced by WCSX, “KC’s Comedy for a Cause.” His efforts have raised over $50,000 for the agency.

A graduate of Brother Rice High School, Calvert has been a long supporter of Catholic Social Services. In his true comedic style, Calvert had many people to thank, “I would like to start by thanking all the nuns that made grade school fly by. I’ve often said, for example, that a meeting with my boss or a root canal often seems longer than the third grade. And the priests who recognized my talent as an altar boy and insisted I accompany them to Holy Sepulcher for a graveside service thus forcing me to miss precious classroom time. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank the Irish Christian Brothers of Brother Rice HS, especially Brother Kelly. The doctors are now confident that I will regain 100% use and feeling of the knuckles on both hands. In all seriousness, this is a great honor and I can assure you that my deceased parents are extremely proud as they look down and I accept this with great humility.”

As the recipient of the Leonard R. Jagels Award, Calvert is being recognized for his commitment to Catholic Social Services’ mission: Through its professional services and outreach programs, Catholic Social Services of Oakland County strengthens families, protects children and cares for the elderly, serving all regardless of race or creed. In its 60 year history, the agency has provided counseling services, adoption and foster care, adult day care, programs for pregnant and parenting teens, and outreach to Hispanic families. Len Jagels, for whom the award is named, was the executive director of Catholic Social Services from 1957 to 1983.
 

94.7 WCSX takes classic rock to a new level with new billboards
94.7 WCSX, The Motor City’s Classic Rock Station, is excited to announce the “Rock & Roll” out of our new outdoor campaign highlighting vintage shots of our Classic Jocks and some Classic Rock legends.

The campaign, a series of four photographs from our personalities’ personal collections, launched throughout the Metro Detroit area on May 1st and runs into the summer.

Here are the stories behind the photos:

Lynne Woodison, Paul McCartney & Jim Johnson (aka JJ & Lynne 5am-9am weekdays on 94.7 WCSX) This shot was taken backstage at the Palace after a rare exclusive interview with Paul on a Wings tour in the late 80’s.

Karen Savelly & Bob Seger (Karen Savelly weekdays 9am-2pm on 94.7 WCSX) This was one of those backstage moments that you’re glad happened with a camera nearby. We think this was in the Summer of ’75 during Bob’s “Beautiful Loser” tour backstage at Cobo. This photo was taken by well-known Rock Photographer Thomas Weschler.

Steve Kostan & Robert Plant (Steve Kostan weekdays 6-10pm, just before “Nights With Alice Cooper” on 94.7 WCSX) Steve was waiting in the wings to get a guitar autographed by Robert Plant during a solo tour stop at The Fox Theatre in the Fall of 1990 and the moment was captured on film.

Ken Calvert, Bob Seger and Bruce Springsteen (Ken Calvert weekdays from 2-6pm on 94.7 WCSX) During a brief hiatus from radio, Ken Calvert was on the road with Bruce Springsteen as a Regional Album Promotions Manager for Bruce’s label, Columbia Records. Ken’s longtime pal Bob Seger was doing a show at Pine Knob. Coincidentally, Springsteen had the night off and wanted to meet Bob, so they rolled up to Pine Knob in the tour bus for the concert and got together backstage after the show. This photo of future Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Bruce & Bob has hung in a place of honor in Ken’s den since it was taken in the Summer of ‘78. Thomas Weschler was on hand that night to snap this photo.
 

Greater Media Detroit partners in HD Digital Media Alliance
Greater Media joined six of the top U.S. radio companies to accelerate the rollout of HD Digital Radio. Member companies will devote more than $200 million in commercial inventory on their own stations in 2006 to promote HD digital radio and the new HD2 multicast channels.

Called the HD Digital Radio Alliance, the group expects to announce its first market-specific HD2 multicast programming line-up early in the new year with a nationwide consumer marketing campaign.

Greater Media's president and CEO Peter Smyth will serve on the Alliance's oversight management community. Member companies have agreed to coordinate the use of all multicast HD2 channels to create the greatest diversity of programming, which will initially be commercial-free. No subscription is required to hear HD digital radio broadcasts. HD digital radio technology is enjoying strong momentum.

Greater Media Detroit launched three new HD2 multicast stations in July, 2005, and broadcasts all of its programming in HD.
details

Classic Rock Riders Get Ready To Roll Into 2006
Say hello to The WCSX Classic Rock Riders…a group of WCSX listeners who love the feel of the road under our wheels, the wind in our faces, and, of course, Classic Rock!

Anyone who loves motorcycles can join! The WCSX Classic Rock Riders also believe that while we’re having fun, we can help out our community. That’s why we have a $9.47 membership fee which benefits The Children’s Leukemia Foundation of Michigan.

For details, visit WCSX.com

 

FMQB names WRIF's  Drew & Mike 'Best Local Morning Show'
101 WRIF is proud to announce that the readers of the radio/music publication Friday Morning Quarterback have voted 101 WRIF morning show hosts Drew & Mike Best Local Morning Show/Active Rock for 2004. Drew & Mike’s win is featured in FMQB’s special 2004 Year End Issue on December 3.

This award marks the second win for Detroit’s #1 morning show hosts,  who also nabbed the award for Air Personality/Show of the Year at the 2004 Radio & Records Awards this past June.

WCSX's 'Stone Soup' raises $250k for charity
WCSX’s morning duo of JJ & Lynne recently drew the winning raffle ticket for a restored 1970 Plymouth Road Runner. The live & local CSX winner of the 2004 Stone Soup Hemi was Dan Slane of Shelby Township.

JJ & Lynne’s Stone Soup Hemi, named after the old French tale that teaches the importance of pooling resources for the greater good. With the help of WCSX listeners with car backgrounds, they were able to put together in months what it would take most people years to do.

The car, which was been rebuilt from the ground up, raised $250,000 for Children’s Leukemia Foundation of Michigan (CLF). Tickets were $25 a piece and all 10,000 were sold.

This was the second installment of the Stone Soup Project. Last year, JJ & Lynne and their listeners rebuilt at 1967 Mustang, raising $100,000 for CLF, through the sale of 4,000 tickets.

WMGC celebrates Woodward Cruisin'
Magic 105.1FM commemorated the 10th Anniversary of the 2004 “Cruise on Woodward Avenue” with a live broadcast at the Avenue Family Restaurant in Royal Oak, Michigan. Magic 105.1 also had a “Cruise Party” location at Nationwide Insurance in Berkley, Michigan. More than 1.5 million people attended this annual summer Motor City event! Jim Harper & The Magic Morning Show, as well as afternoon personality Jim Paolucci, traffic report Kim Schmitz and weekend personality Chuck Santoni were on hand for the festivities.   Pictures are available at detroitmagic.com

GMD VP, Director receive high honors
Greater Media Detroit General Manager Tom Bender and WRIF program Director Doug Podell received major honors from Radio Ink and Friday Morning Quarterback. Bender was named one of the fifty best managers in radio; Podell was named program director of the year.

WCSX listeners raise over $350,000 for charity
JJ & Lynne’s 28-Hour Radiothon Sets Fundraising Record

JJ & Lynne’s 28-Hour Radiothon to benefit Children’s Leukemia Foundation of Michigan was held on October 2-3 and set an all-time fundraising record for the annual event.

At 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 3 in Center Court of Oakland Mall, JJ & Lynne announced the final tally - $357,000 for CLF! This year’s amazing Radiothon total was the result of one-of-a-kind auction packages, celebrity call-ins, the Stone Soup Mustang raffle, and thousands and thousands of generous pledges from WCSX listeners.

Some of the top auction packages included:

• A LIVE broadcast of JJ & Lynne’s morning show from the winner’s home or business that went for $6,500. The package also includes a catered brunch for 20.

• Hunting Russian wild boar with Ted Nugent on his Sunrize Safaris property during the annual Pork Slam in March 2004 fetched $5,000. The package also includes a wild game dinner.

• An opportunity for you and WCSX’s Ken Calvert to join Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson on stage for an evening of storytelling and musical performance, November 4 at the State Theatre brought $3,500.

• A one-year lease on a BMW X5 3.0 from Bavarian Motor Village in Eastpointe went for $5,000.

Other packages up for bid included a weeklong trip for two to Puerta Vallarta, Mexico with WCSX’s Ken Calvert, and a Saturday Morning Over Easy Backyard Concert & Broadcast with Pam Rossi. Fans of Detroit’s own Bob Seger that made a $300 donation received the Capitol Records Seger Catalog – 10 CDs in all.

JJ & Lynne’s masterpiece – the Stone Soup Mustang – was won by Craig Long of West Bloomfield. Craig was the lucky winner out of 4,000 entries. He’ll cruise around town in the custom 1967 Mustang Coupe that JJ & Lynne and their listeners built from the ground up.

Throughout this year’s radiothon, JJ & Lynne were joined by a long list of celebrity well-wishers including Bob Seger, Kid Rock, Nancy Wilson of Heart, Ian Anderson, Bill Ford Jr., Grace Slick, Henry Winkler, George Foreman, Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top, Tim Allen, Richard Jeni, Joe Dumars, Rick Mahorn, Elmore Leonard, Gov. Jennifer Granholm and many more.

JJ & Lynne are already working on plans to make the next radiothon bigger and better!

  © Copyright Greater Media Detroit
privacy policy