WHUR Gains With Payne

• Al Payne has returned to our Nation’s Capital as the newly named Program Director of heritage Urban AC WHUR, the flagship station of the Howard University Radio Network. In making the formal introduction, WHUR GM Sean Platersaid, “Al Payne is an innovative force in the radio industry and I am absolutely thrilled to welcome him to WHUR. Al has the energy, experience, passion, and creativity needed to lead our Programming team, with a fresh perspective for the future.”

Payne most recently programmed Cumulus Urban AC KMJK (Magic 107.3)/Kansas City. The move to WHUR marks a return to the DC market for Payne, who worked at Radio One rival WKYS a decade ago. Payne’s other notable programming stints include Beasley’s WMGC (105.1 The Bounce)/Detroit and Director of Urban Programming for Alpha Media in Louisville.

His lengthy career also includes an 11-year run with Radio One, the last six as OM of WERQ & WWIN/Baltimore. Other programming department stops include WDMK & WHTD/Detroit; WCDX & WKJS/Richmond, VA; KRNB/Dallas; WQMG/Greensboro and WMNX/Wilmington, NC.

Payne said, “Growing up as an I-95 ‘radio kid,’ there were a few iconic stations that you could only dream of one day having the opportunity to program and influence. 96.3 WHUR is at the pinnacle of my personal list, and to say that this is a blessing is a huge understatement.” He added, “I look forward to working with the incredible GM, Sean Plater, to help this amazing team of world class broadcasters continue to entertain and serve the DMV under the umbrella of Howard University.”