Audacy Realigns Top 40 Programming Dept.
• UPDATED: In a corporate move that calls to mind Audacy’s “reimagining” of its Country and Alternative formats last September, the company just announced similarly realignment of its Top 40 programming structure. A staff memo, titled “Top 40 Programming Investment & Innovation,” announced that the Top 40 programming team will be lead by Audacy Top 40 Format Captain, Brian Kelly, longtime VP of Operations for Audacy Milwaukee.
The new structure also names Regional Vice Presidents of Programming: DJ Buck (WZMX/Hartford); Tom “Jammer” Naylor (WEZB/New Orleans); Nathan Graham (WTDY/Philadelphia); Sue O’Neil (WKSE/Buffalo) and Todd Cavanah (B96/Chicago). Your newly named Regional Top 40 Brand Managers are: Erik Bradley (B96/Chicago); Michael “Big Mic” Buhrman (KSFM/Sacramento); Mike Danger (WPXY/Rochester); Mike “OD” O’Donnell (WKRZ/Wilkes Barre-Scranton) and Molly Cruz (WXSS/Milwaukee).
Audacy is also rolling out two Top 40 shows nationally — a midday show, hosted by Julia Lepidi, afternoon talent on WBBM-FM (B96)/Chicago, while Josh “Bru” Brubaker, afternoon drive personality at KNOU (97.1 NOW!)/Los Angeles will make his talents available for afternoons and evenings.
Lepidi (left) is a Detroit native who joined B96 to do nights in Jan. 2019, coming off a three-year stint at former Top 40 sister WDZH (98.7 AMP Radio)/Detroit — starting in nights, later adding Promotions Coordinator duties, and in June 2018 was upped morning co-host… which lasted until November 2018 when the station flipped to Soft AC as 98.7 The Breeze. Earlier in her career Lepidi was on the air at WBTI/Port Huron, MI.
Julia will be carried in middays on WKSE/Buffalo; WKXJ/Chattanooga, TN; WFBC/Greenville, SC, KLUC/Las Vegas; KNOU/Los Angeles; WPOW/Miami; WXSS/Milwaukee; WEZB/New Orleans; WNVZ/Norfolk; WTDY/Philadelphia; KALV/Phoenix; WRVQ/Richmond; WPXY/Rochester and KUDL/Sacramento.
Brubaker (right) made his Los Angeles debut in March of this year, arriving from Cumulus Detroit, where he was Creative Services Director and air talent on Country WDRQ and Hot AC WDVD. Earlier on-air stops include WQQO/Toledo, OH and WLEW/Bad Axe, MI. Bru will henceforth be heard in afternoon drive on: WKSE/Buffalo; WKXJ/Chattanooga, TN; WFBC/Greenville, SC, KLUC/Las Vegas; KNOU/Los Angeles; WXSS/Milwaukee; WNVZ/Norfolk and WRVQ/Richmond. His show will also be carried from 7-11pm on WBBM/Chicago; WPOW/Miami; WEZB/New Orleans; WTDY/Philadelphia; KALV/Phoenix; WPXY/Rochester and KUDL/Sacramento.
• If history is any indicator, as in the case of recent realignments, we unfortunately expect to see some local downsizing:
• Sean “Shorty” McGroarty, afternoons on WFBC (B93.7)/Greenville, SC. Previous stops include crosstown WHZT (Hot 98.1) and WECQ (Q92)/Destin, FL. He can be reached at 864-386-5876 or shortyontheradio@gmail.com.
• Tyler Foxx, afternoon drive, KLUC/Las Vegas; previously swing over on sister KXQQ. Previous stops at WKQI/Detroit, KORQ/Abilene, WIOG/Saginaw, WWCK/Flint, more. Call 702-689-1842 or email him at thebookershow@yahoo.com. If you were also adversely affected by any of these changes, please email your info to Kevin@RAMP247.com.
