Tidwell Joins SummitMedia Birmingham

• Lance Tidwell has come home to Alabama, hired by SummitMedia as the new Program Director of heritage Country 104.7 WZZK and Hot AC WPYA (Mix 97.3). WZZK is the home of The Rick and Bubba Show, and WPYA recently rebranded as Mix 97.3 and welcomed The Ace & TJ Show, which crossed the street after 18 years with iHeartMedia.

Tidwell most recently served as Director of FM Programming for Cumulus Media Detroit and programmed Hot AC WDVD and Country WDRQ (New Country 93.1). “Lance is one of the best programmers in the nation and I’m thrilled to have him join our fantastic team,” said John Walker, President of Summit’s Birmingham cluster. “He brings tremendous insight, skill, knowledge and forward-thinking, which makes him perfectly suited to lead these amazing brands and digital assets into the future.” Randy Chase, SummitMedia EVP of Programming, said, “Lance’s multi-format experience, strategic foundation and ability to drive ratings is exactly what WZZK and WPYA need to go to the next level.”

Tidwell’s extensive programming resume also includes a stint as OM for Townsquare’s Fort Collins, CO group and Cumulus Media’s Kansas City cluster. He also served as SVP of Programming for iHeartMedia in Tucson and San Antonio, and his prior Country programming stops include WWYZ/Hartford, KKWF (100.7 The Wolf)/Seattle, KQFC/Boise, ID and WGKX/Memphis. The move to Birmingham for this opportunity also brings Tidwell back to his roots, as he explains, “I grew up in 90 minutes from Birmingham in Alexander City, Alabama. I’m excited how SummitMedia is growing in the market and to join a top-notch team focused on the future.”