The Programming Dept.
• Sinclair Communications (Wine Country Radio) Top 40 KSXY (Y101)/Santa Rosa, CA has completed its gradual transition to Alternative and has now rebranded as “The 101, Modern Alternative.” This transaction formally returns the Alt format to the market after a five-month gap — Sinclair previously operated Alternative (96X) on crosstown KNOB — programmed by KSXY PD Dray Lopez — via a time brokerage agreement, from 2013 until April of this year, when the lease was terminated and the signal went dark. Since that time, Lopez says KSXY had begun to filter more Alternative titles into the mix. “We still play some of the Top 40 songs, which is why we are calling it ‘Modern Alternative,'” Lopez tells RAMP. “I’ll pick the songs that can cross over from Alternative to Top 40.”
Lopez and Ms. Ashlee Sleek will entertain you from 6-10am, and then Ashlee flies solo from 10am-noon. Lopez makes his triumphant return from noon-2pm, followed by Natalie in afternoon drive and Will Styles from 7-11pm.
• Industry vet Jim Dorman has been named as the new Operations Manager of iHeartMedia’s four-station Wichita, KS cluster — Top 40 KZCH (Channel 96.3), AC KRBB (B98), Country KZSN (102.1 The Bull) and Alternative KTHR (ALT 107.3). Dorman also be the day-to-day PD of KZSN. The appointment marks a return to radio for Dorman, who has spent the past decade working on the label side, most recently with Big Spark. His last radio gig was as PD of Cumulus Country WSJR (now NASH FM 93.7)/Wilkes Barre-Scranton, PA until early 2007. His other radio stops include KNCI/Sacramento and KTOM/Monterey, CA.
Dorman succeeds Brian Jennings, who exits the post after five years. Jennings is a 25-year radio pro, the last 18 spent with Clear Channel/iHeartMedia. This had been his second tour of duty with KZSN. Jennings arrived in Wichita in early 2012, coming in from the OM post at the former Morris Communications cluster in Salina, KS. He also programmed iHeartMedia Country WGAR/Cleveland. Jennings is now seeking his next opportunity and can be reached at 316-883-2325 or brianjennings.bj@gmail.com.
• Earlier this week we told you Jason “Tyler” Leucht had exited afternoon drive on iHeartMedia Hot AC KJMY (My 99-5)/Salt Lake City as his six-month-old position was eliminated. We are pleased to announce that Tyler has already landed safely — this time in scenic Dothan, AL, as the new PD of Gulf South Communications/The Radio People Top 40 WKMX.
As Tyler told RAMP, “Leaving SLC so soon was a tough pill to swallow, but KMX came through and gave me the position I’ve been working hard to get. I can’t wait to get started next Monday!” Leucht previously worked in Panama City Beach, FL, doing afternoons on Magic Broadcasting Top 40 WILN (Island 106), and nights and weekends on Powell Broadcasting rival WPFM (Hot 107.9).
