Beasley Media Group’s Detroit Praise Network (98.3 FM/99.9 FM / 105.9 HD2) hosted the 2023 National Urban Radio Cares for St. Jude Kid’s Radiothon to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The daylong event took place from 6am-11pm on Thursday March 2, 2023 at the PRASIE Network Studio in the Motor City. Donation requests were also encouraged on air over the weekend to help raise additional funds for the organization.
Detroit Praise Network Midday Personality Randi Myles hosted the radiothon and shared the story of St. Jude and services the hospital provides to families whose children are diagnosed with cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Listeners were asked to become a “Partner In Hope” by calling 800-411-9898 and pledging $19 per month by credit card. Callers who contributed as a “Partner in Hope” also received a “This Shirt Saves Lives” t-shirt.
“I am always amazed by the generosity of our Detroit listeners,” said Myles. “They hear the message, they see the vision and they respond with love. I am also thankful to our amazing team here at BBGI Detroit, who have wrapped their arms around my passion and have made it theirs too.”
Thanks to the support of generous donors, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. The final total raised through the Detroit Praise Network Radiothon was $68,727.
The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) announced today Beasley Media Group’s WMMR-FM and WJBR were both named among the finalists for the 36th annual NAB Crystal Radio Awards.
Since 1987, the NAB Crystal Radio Awards have recognized radio stations for their year-round commitment to community service.
The finalists will be celebrated, and the winners announced during the We Are Broadcasters Awards ceremony held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, April 18 on the Main Stage at NAB Show in Las Vegas.
It was a milestone day at Beasley Media Group as the company paid tribute to recently retired Regional Vice President Danny Highsmith by officially naming the WKML-FM broadcast studio in his honor on Friday, March 3, 2023.
The dedication, hosted by Vice President and Market Manager Kent Dunn, also included a special presentation by Mayor Mitch Colvin, who officially proclaimed it “Danny Highsmith Day” in the City of Fayetteville.
The ribbon cutting ceremony also featured remarks from Chief Executive Officer Caroline Beasley, Chief Operations Officer and Executive Vice President Brian Beasley and former cluster Market Manager Mac Edwards, who currently serves as the Vice President and Market Manager of the company’s Charlotte and Detroit operations.
Highsmith worked at Beasley Media Group for 51 years in a variety of capacities- many of which included serving as the Market Manager of the Fayetteville cluster. The media veteran’s legacy continues to be felt around the studios, along with his famous sentiment, “Remember, if you see someone today without a smile, given them one of yours”, which is now permanently etched, along with his image, on the WKML studio window at the station.
Photo: L-R: Caroline Beasley, Brian Beasley, Faye Highsmith (Danny’s wife) and Danny Highsmith in front of the studio named in his honor
Broadcasters Foundation of America, the charity devoted exclusively to helping broadcasters in need, will honor Heidi Raphael, BMG’s Chief Communications Officer with their 2023 Leadership Award.
The Leadership Awards are given annually in recognition of career contributions to the broadcast industry and the community at-large. The Awards will be presented at the Broadcasters Foundation Annual Breakfast, 7:00AM, Wednesday, April 19 in Room Bandol Two, at the Wynn Las Vegas, during the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show.
Heidi Raphael serves as the Company’s Chief Communications Officer. In her role, she is responsible for providing leadership in overseeing all aspects of communications, branding, and marketing on behalf of the Company. Ms. Raphael has been recognized among the “Most Influential Women in Radio” by Radio Ink magazine, a leading national industry publication, on an annual basis since 2006.
Ms. Raphael currently serves Co-chair of the Board of Directors of the Library of American Broadcasting and is a member of the Florida Association of Broadcasters Board of Directors. In addition, she volunteers on the Southwest Florida Advisory Board of Home Base, an organization dedicated to helping veterans and their families. She also serves on the National Association of Broadcasters’ Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) Board Committee and is a member of the Southwest Florida Press Club.
The radio veteran is a past elected member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and the Alliance for Women in Media (AWM). Additionally, she is a former spokesperson and past Executive Committee member of the Mentoring & Inspiring Women in Radio Group (MIW) and a past Chair and President of the Buffalo Broadcasters Association. She also served on the Board of Trustees of Medaille College and the Buffalo History Museum Board of Directors.
Joining Heidi Raphael as a 2023 Leadership Awards honoree are
Jim Doyle, Founder, JDA Media Steven Lanzano, President, Television Bureau of Advertising Rush Limbaugh, Radio Host and Political Commentator, Deceased, Award accepted by his widow Kathryn Limbaugh Debra O’Connell, President, Networks, The Walt Disney Company Deborah Parenti, President & Publisher, Radio Ink/RBR+TVBR
Beasley Media Group, LLC, a leading multi-platform media company, Key Networks, a next generation radio syndication company, and Shawn Parr Productions announce the launch today of Shawn Parr’s Backstage Country, a new nationally syndicated Country music show hosted by Shawn Parr, on 75 U.S. radio stations and in 27 of the top 50 DMA markets.
Parr, one of Country radio’s most familiar and beloved personalities and “The Ambassador of Country Music,” kicks off today’s inaugural program in a big way as he goes backstage with special guest, Country superstar Ashley McBryde. Shawn Parr’s Backstage Country will also take Country fans backstage with guests scheduled to appear in the coming weeks including Country superstars Carly Pearce, Jason Aldean, and Luke Combs. The show’s new website also launched today at: backstagecountry.net.
Shawn Parr’s Backstage Country affiliates include Beasley Media Group stations WKLB-FM, Boston, MA; WXTU-FM in Philadelphia, PA; WQYK-FM in Tampa, FL; KCYE-FM, Las Vegas, NV; WSOC-FM, Charlotte, NC; WKXC-FM, Augusta, GA; and WKML-FM, Fayetteville, AR.
Shawn Parr, Host, Shawn Parr’s Backstage Country, added: “We are so blessed to launch Shawn Parr’s Backstage Country with these 75 incredible affiliates, and I am overwhelmed with gratitude. We are getting off to a great start with AMAZING stars. Thrilled to welcome Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce, Jason Aldean, and Luke Combs in the first few weeks, with some incredible BACKSTAGE stories you will only find HERE!”
Shawn Parr’s Backstage Country is available in multiple dayparts on a market-exclusive basis from Key Networks. The four-hour localized Country music entertainment program offers Country stations and their listeners unmatched access to Nashville’s biggest Country music stars, rising stars, and new artists, and showcases the best of Country music in a highly entertaining and PPM-friendly format. Paired with Parr’s trademark warmth, wit, and love for Country music, Shawn Parr’s Backstage Country is available to stations Monday-Friday via FTP delivery. The show is customized to air anywhere in a station’s lineup between 6am-Midnight – Mornings, Middays, Afternoons or Nights. In addition, fans will be able to get the latest news, interviews, music and more on-air and through the new backstagecountry.net website.
Based in Music City, Parr has been one of Country radio’s brightest personalities for over 35 years and is widely known for his work as the voice of The Academy of Country Music Awards, The Golden Globes, American Music Awards, and many other national television specials.
To bring Shawn Parr’s Backstage Country and Nashville’s hottest Country stars to your market, visit: www.keynetworks.com or contact Dennis Green, Chief Operating Officer, Key Networks, at 844.KEY.NETS or [email protected] For advertisers and sponsors, contact Jason Wilberding, President of Sales, Key Networks, at [email protected]
About Beasley Media Group
Beasley Media Group (BMG), LLC, a subsidiary of Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc., is a multiplatform media company providing advertising and digital marketing solutions across the United States. BMG owns 61 radio properties located in large and medium markets across the country, as well as offers capabilities in audio technology, esports, podcasting, ecommerce and events. Beasley Media Group reaches more than 20 million consumers on a weekly basis. For more information, please visit www.bbgi.com.
About Key Networks
Key Networks is a next generation syndication company serving the radio industry. Key Networks brings to radio an independent and dedicated team with more than 75 years of collective experience in radio programming, syndication, and marketing. By committing to a small and carefully crafted roster, Key Networks gives every show and partner the attention, service, and innovation they deserve. Our focus may be radio, but we are in the relationship business. Key Networks is a Sun & Fun Media affiliated company and is based in Orlando, FL. For more information, visit: www.keynetworks.com.
