John Corby, afternoon host at iHeartMedia News/Talk 610 WTVN Columbus OH died over the weekend at the age of 61. Corby spent two stints at WTVN, first from 1984-1997 and then returning as afternoon host in 1997 until now. In between he spent three years at 1020 KDKA Pittsburgh hosting an evening Sports show. Corby was off the air last week with an undisclosed illness and his cause of death has not been revealed.
WTVN has compiled some of Corby’s best bits on its website.
The NAB has announced that John David will step down from his role as Executive Vice President of the NAB Radio Department on February 1. David has been with the NAB since 1989 and has overseen the Radio Department since 1992.
NAB announced today that John David, executive vice president of NAB Radio, will move from his day-to-day role as head of the NAB Radio Department on February 1. NAB has retained David to serve as Senior Advisor to NAB, according to NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith.
“John David has been an ambassador without peer for radio broadcasting, and we’re delighted he’s taking on new duties for NAB,” said NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith. “Our affection for John is matched only by the value that he brings as a unifying voice for all radio broadcasters.”
David said he is “pleased to refocus my advocacy for radio on new directions and projects that NAB has asked me to pursue. I’ll be using my experience and background at NAB to work closely with our impressive staff to help us to continue to win in Washington.”
David joined NAB in 1989 as vice president of NAB Broadcaster Congressional Relations, where he was responsible for state broadcaster associations, the NAB political action committee and the legislative liaison committee for grass roots lobbying.
In 1992, he became senior vice president of NAB Radio and was promoted in 1998 to executive vice president, where he has been NAB’s radio liaison for membership and service to NAB member radio stations. He also has overseen radio sessions at the NAB Show in Las Vegas and the Radio Show, and radio awards programs including the National Radio Award, the NAB Crystal Radio Awards and the NAB Marconi Radio Awards. David has been executive producer of the Marconi Radio Awards dinner and show for 27 years.
Prior to joining NAB, David had a distinguished career in radio management at stations in Oklahoma, Missouri, and Kansas. From 1971-1988, he was executive vice president of J. R. Broadcasting Company as owner and general manager of radio stations in Missouri and Kansas.
From 1984-1988, David represented Kansas and Missouri as a member of the NAB Radio Board. He is a past president of the Missouri Broadcasters Association, a recipient of Missouri’s Distinguished Broadcaster Award, and is a member of both the Oklahoma and Missouri broadcasters’ Hall of Fame. Radio Ink magazine has named David to their list of the Top 40 Most Powerful People in Radio since 2000, and he was a recipient of the Ward Quaal Leadership Award from the Broadcasters Foundation of America at the NAB Show in 2017.
David has a degree in Radio/Television Communications from Oklahoma State University.
Entercom Hot AC “Mix 94.1” KMXB Las Vegas has signed multiyear contract extensions with its “Mercedes in the Morning” hosts Mercedes Martinez and JC Fernandez.
“‘Mercedes in the Morning” is an integral part of the Las Vegas community’s mornings and we are proud to continue our partnership with the iconic Mercedes and JC for the years to come,” said Dan Kearney, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Entercom. “Both bring an exciting energy to Mix 94.1 and we are looking forward to seeing them take the show to new heights.”
“I’m thrilled to continue waking up Las Vegas on Mix 94.1.When you love what you do, it doesn’t feel like a job,” said Martinez. “It truly has been the honor of a lifetime and I’m so grateful to continue working with a great company, station and my incredible co-host JC.”
“I am beyond excited to be able to continue to work at the radio station I love and in the city I call home,” added Fernandez. “I have the best job in the world! I get to work with my best friend every day and talk to listeners I consider family.”
The Dayton Daily News reports that Mark Neal has exited Alpha Media Sports “ESPN 1410” WING Dayton after 15 years with the station and eight years hosting “Dayton Sports Scene” in afternoons from 4-6pm.
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Sadly, John Corby’s death may be used as an excuse by iHeart to clear Sean Hannity live on WTVN-610 and further cut costs.
They won’t. WTVN is one of the few iHeart talkers that still features local programming in morning and afternoon drive, just like WSPD in Toledo, WTAM in Cleveland and WKBN in Youngstown.
Someone local will be brought aboard to fill Corby’s shoes, but it sure won’t be an easy task.