Actors Available
BENZTOWN is now offering paid phone actors for radio station bits. The "Role Callers" program, with a roster of over 100 voice actors, is available for cash or barter, with the company introducing the product with a special of one free call with up to two phone actors for the first 10 stations to redeem the offer.
Pres. DAVE "CHACHI" DENES said, “We live in a digitally overloaded world, and human interaction and connectivity have become increasingly crucial. Role Callers serves as an invaluable tool, effectively sparking live listener engagement on some of the nation's most prominent morning shows.”
ROOSTER and AMERICOUNTRY show prep services Founder MIKE MARINO added, “We're excited to team with BENZTOWN on Role Callers. This offers yet another element to our well-rounded content service. Combined with our compelling lifestyle topics and stories, Role Callers and ROOSTER give stations a winning edge over their competitors."
Reach BENZTOWN's MASA PATTERSON at mp@benztown.com or (818) 842-4600.
Ruland
Voiceover/production talent “BIGG” MATT RULAND has joined the roster of HOSS MANAGEMENT GROUP for representation.
RULAND said, "This has been a long time coming. I’m a journeyman imaging director, so voicework and production has always been in my wheelhouse. Now, I truly feel like I've stepped into the majors. JACK HOSSENLOPP (HOSS) has signed and developed so many of the greats in our industry that I've had the pleasure to work with over the past 20+ years. It is an absolute honor to now be part of the HOSS MANAGEMENT GROUP team of talent."
You can see RULAND’s new HOSS MANAGEMENT GROUP page here.
Condolences to the family and friends of radio and production veteran JEFF MARK GOLDBERG. GOLDBERG died SATURDAY (8/5) at the age of 71 in PHOENIX.
GOLDBERG got his radio start in 1972 at WJOR-A/SOUTH HAVEN, MI. His resume included stops at WKMI/KALAMAZOO and KINT/EL PASO. GOLDBERG also worked at MARTIN RECORDING and started his own company, BALLYHOO! STUDIOS.
GOLDBERG is survived by his wife, RUTH, daughter AMANDA, and son ANDREW. Memorial arrangements are pending.
Condolence and memorial notes can be sent to J.R. RUSS at jrrussprogramming@gmail.com.
The Benz Boat
BENZTOWN debuted a parody video yesterday starring many of its voiceover talent as guests on what appeared to be "The Love Boat," but it was actually the BENZ BOAT.
The BENZTOWN VO talent participating in the video were not hand-picked to appear, but were cast in the video on a first-come, first-served basis.
VO guests on the BENZ BOAT include: GENEVIEVE BAER, SEAN CALDWELL, JOE CIPRIANO, CHAD ERICKSON, MATT FOGARTY, HEATHER FOSTER, DONNA FRANK, ERIC GORDON, HOWARD HOFFMAN, DAN KELLY, TODD LENTZ, NAOMO MERCER McKELL, SAMMI MORELLI, DREW PATTERSON, ALLAN PECK, LOREN RAYE, CHRIS ROLLINS, ERIN SETCH, ALYSON STEEL, DAVE STEELE, SHELLEY WADE, NEIL WILSON and SUSAN WISE.
"The BENZ BOAT" video was produced by BENZTOWN Marketing Coordinator ROBBY GESSEL Lyrics for "The BENZ BOAT" song were written by BENZTOWN President DAVE "CHADHI" DENES with vocals by BENZTOWN composer SHANE DRASIN.
AI Searches
BENZTOWN has added artificial intelligence search features to its BENZTOWN BRANDING audio imaging libraries. The new features let users search suggestions by top user searches, perform "contains exactly" searches, use autocomplete and autocorrect, get suggestions and result previews, and access 24 bit 48 kHz audio.
CEO ANDREAS SANNEMANN said, “The BENZTOWN libraries have always been on the cutting edge of AI development in sync with music and practical application for imaging directors and audio content creators. We keep pushing the standards to create the best possible product for our clients.”
Cohn (Photo: LinkedIn)
Affiliate research and maintenance software company ARC SOFTWARE has been tapped by BENZTOWN to provide its CRM software.
BENZTOWN VP/Sales and Operations MASA PATTERSON said, “For years, we have been dealing with CRM programs with inferior functionality designed for other industries. With ARC, JASON has created the PORSCHE of CRM/database software specific to the network radio space, and you know how BENZTOWN appreciates a good performance vehicle. We love the product and partnership.”
ARC CEO JASON BAILEY added, “(DAVE) CHACHI (BENES), MASA and the BENZTOWN crew have been such wonderful friends since my early days at SUN. I’m ecstatic to finally welcome them to the ARC family. It’s such an honor to have our software become part of the day-to-day at such an incredible company!”
ADLARGE LABS, a digital accelerator program to market, monetize, and maximize opportunities for podcast creators, has just been launched. The program offers partners a full suite of marketing tools to grow their podcasts, and expand the reach of their voices and engagement.
The LABS team works hands on with podcast creators to develop custom strategies and content, including working with additional partners; including FLIGHTPATH, PODROLL, BAROMETER and YOUTUBE, among others.
Commented ADLARGE Head Of Podcast Growth & Strategy MATT TURCK, “The LABS team supports creators and networks to bring their podcasts to new audiences by expanding ... more »
James
Voiceover and station branding talent JENNA JAMES has three new affiliates on her station roster. New to JAMES' roster are AD ASTRA PER ASPERA BROADCASTING Country KXKU (KIX 106.1)/HUTCHINSON, KS; NORTHEAST COLORADO Hot AC KPMX/STERLING, CO; and KXEO INC. Country KWWR (MIX COUNTRY 96)/MEXICO, MO.
JENNA JAMES is represented by JACK "HOSS" HOSSENLOPP and HOSS MANAGEMENT GROUP at (646) 300-0037, hoss@hossmgmt.com. You can sample JAMES' voiceover demo here.
August
After going into semi-retirement while caring for his aging parents, JOHN AUGUST returns to radio. With his mother's cancer in remission, AUGUST launches "The All New SATURDAY Night Dance Party" on NEVADA COUNTY BROADCASTERS Hot AC KNCO (STAR 94.1)/GRASS-VALLEY, CA. SATURDAY nights from 8p-midnight, AUGUST hosts the show, complete with a DJ JUANITO mini-mix in the 10p hour.
AUGUST also has a new home studio built for voicetracking, imaging and voiceovers. Hear demos at www.augprod.com.
Rider
AUDACY Country KILT-F (100.3 THE BULL)/HOUSTON has tapped RIDER as its new male imaging voice.
VP/Programming MELISSA CHASE said, "We are excited about RIDER bringing an authentic TEXAS Country sound to 100.3 THE BULL. He and ANN DEWIG make a perfect pairing for our station to sound to show off our musical heritage with the undeniable message that 100.3 THE BULL is TEXAS proud!"
Imaging Dir. RANDY MARX added, “Love RIDER’s swagger. I've been the imaging producer for KILT for over 20 years, and this is by far gonna the best sounding 'era' yet!”
RIDER is represented for radio imaging by CESD TALENT AGENCY AND HOSS MANAGEMENT. Hear samples of RIDER's work for THE BULL by clicking here.
THE MIX GROUP has produced and made available a tribute to the late TINA TURNER. TURNER died yesterday at the age of 83. (NET NEWS 5/24)
You can access and download THE MIX GROUP's TINA TURNER tribute here using the password "proudmary".
West
Voiceover vet HEIDI WEST is taking on voiceover duties at BEASLEY Classic Hits WROR/BOSTON.
WEST commented, "Not only is it an honor to voice such an iconic brand, it's even more special because it's my home market! It's truly a dream come true. I can't thank (VP Strategy & Analytics and Dir./BOSTON Programming) CADILLAC JACK and APD SCOTT MORELLO enough!"
WEST is represented by THE MIX GROUP and her demo is available here.
Frye And Griffith
COMMONWEALTH BROADCASTING Hot AC WOVO/BOWLING GREEN, KY has named JAMIE FRYE and CAMERON GRIFFITH as its new imaging voices.
FRYE is represented by BENZTOWN and CESD TALENT AGENCY. GRIFFITH is repped by BENZTOWN and HOSS MANAGEMENT.
Offering Free Memorial Day Audio Content
SUITERADIO is offering a full complement of audio content for use over the MEMORIAL DAY weekend holiday. Specifically designed for Pop, AC, Classic Hits, Country and Rock radio, it can seamlessly integrate into any programming with ease. The totally produced, completely turn-key and inventory-free content is offered with no obligation.
Available now are personalities ROWDY YATES, TODD NEWTON, DAN GALLO and introducing "OUTLAW DAVE."
Contact JIM JONES for digital download instructions and instant access at jim@suiteradio.net.
WARNER CHAPPELL PRODUCTION MUSIC (WCPM) has launched a new production music resource for film and television music, SCOREMONGERS. The service includes a premium underscore label and custom music-to-picture services and is launching with over 60 albums in more than ten film genres, and music created by composers including MICHAEL BROOK, LISBETH SCOTT, GREG TRIPI, TONY MORALES, and JOHN KAEFER.
“We’re in the golden era of production music,” said WCPM Head of Production PAT WEAVER. “Libraries now have the ability to create music on par with record labels and film scores with a reach that travels the globe. The library stigma has lifted for those in the know – and with the amount of premium content being created, it’s only a matter of time until scripted TV and film will look to high quality libraries and custom music teams for scoring solutions.”