Phoenix Airchecks

Valley radio legend Bill Heywood, wife found dead in Scottsdale

PhoenixAirchecks.com — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 04:45:00 +0000

Earlier this afternoon Valley radio legend Bill Heywood and his wife Susan were found dead in a Scottsdale hotel. The cleaning crew at Homewood Suites found a suicide note that lead them to call police. Police arrived and discovered the bodies shot to death.

Sources have discovered the Heywoods in financial trouble in recent years and Susan’s health taking a turn for the worse. Sources also describe the couple as very close, loving, and caring, even working together.

Heywood has been a big name on the radio in the Valley for nearly five decades, with time spent at KOY, KFYI, KTAR, and others. He retired from radio in 2005 and has been a Sales Executive with Cambridge Properties – Montelucia Resort & Spa in Paradise Valley.

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The Celebration of Life for Bill and Susan Heywood will be held on Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 4PM at the Arizona Biltmore Ballroom. Contributions to the “Heywood Memorial Fund” can be made through www.spiritandword.org. All contributions are tax deductible and Spirit & Word is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. 100% of contributions will be forwarded to the memorial fund.

Sludge leaving KDKB

PhoenixAirchecks.com — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 03:17:08 +0000

Brian “Sludge” Haddad is leaving Sandusky rock station 93.3 KDKB after holding down the morning shift since July 2010. His last day is tomorrow, Friday, and will be headed to Philadelphia.

Below is a montage of Sludge videos:

Sandusky AM daytimer KAZG getting new life with new equipment

PhoenixAirchecks.com — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 12:49:16 +0000

Yesterday, Sandusky capital budgets approved a brand-new Nautel transmitter for AM daytimer 1440 KAZG. Chief engineer Gary Jacques has been requesting one to no avail citing upcoming serious issues if and when problems arise with the old Harris Gates Five transmitter, such as getting ahold of the discontinued parts, and the delay it would cause while losing revenue from the paid programming that wouldn’t be airing.

“Arizona Gold” 1440 KAZG plays oldies throughout the day, “Culinary Confessions with Kim & Don” 11am-1pm, and “Radio Khushi” from 4-6pm. In the past, the station has had more paid programming, and is looking to add some more.

Jacques expects the new Nautel XR6-IP AM transmitter to arrive in January or February and the station will be cranking out the great oldies and more from sunrise to sunset with brand-new life. Merry Christmas!

99.9 KEZ launches into All-Christmas format

PhoenixAirchecks.com — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 07:24:43 +0000

Clear Channel AC station 99.9 KEZ does it again. KEZ is the first station to launch into the all-Christmas format this year starting yesterday, Monday. Morning show host Beth McDonald was with Fox 10′s Cory McCloskey at Kierland Commons to kick off the Christmas launch. The launch occurred in the 5pm hour.

Two longtime KSLX personalities leaving this month

PhoenixAirchecks.com — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 21:53:25 +0000

Sandusky classic rock station, 100.7 KSLX, is losing two longtime personalities this month in unrelated situations and both by personal choice. Mike Flatt (“Mic the Ghost”) is the first to depart, his last day being Friday overnight as he will be relocating to Idaho with his family. Flatt has held the overnight shift since joining the station in 1997.

Susan Stone, who is also Music Director, sent program director Jim Owen her letter of resignation last week. Stone is looking forward to new challenges and into completing Nursing school. Stone has been with KSLX for eleven years, and has been heard doing middays, afternoons, and currently on in the evenings from 7-11pm. Her last day is Wednesday November 30.

KTAR-FM replaces Glenn Beck with local “Karie & Chuck”; New home for Beck

PhoenixAirchecks.com — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 17:46:13 +0000

Bonneville news-talk 92.3 KTAR-FM has replaced Glenn Beck (Noon – 3pm) with local programming, introducing the “Karie & Chuck” show with Karie Dozier and Chuck Powell. Both Dozier and Powell are veterans in this market and are said to have excellent chemistry together.

Chuck Powell is near the end of his show “Chuck & Vince Live” on Sandusky sports AM 1060 The Fan.

“Karie & Chuck” debuts on Monday, October 31, and Glenn Beck’s last day is October 14. Clear Channel newstalk 550 KFYI will then be airing Glenn Beck’s show weekday evenings, replacing Michael Savage.

Tell us what you think! Please comment below.

Freddie Colon returns to KOOL

PhoenixAirchecks.com — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 17:17:20 +0000

Freddie Colon has returned to KOOL-FM after six years. Colon will be on weekday evenings, 7-midnight.

Eva is here

PhoenixAirchecks.com — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 17:14:51 +0000

In the long saga of the transformation of 95.5, the finished product has arrived: “Eva 95.5: The Valley’s Old School.”

After doing away with smooth jazz in December of last year, KYOT had called themselves “The New 95.5 KYOT” playing more of a smooth AC format with less jazz instrumentals.

“Eva is here and Eva wants to dance,” says KYOT.com. You will hear artists like Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, Madonna, and Prince. Tony Evans and Melissa Sharpe are still on the air.

Ken “Spanky” Moskowitz not returning to Bonneville Phoenix

PhoenixAirchecks.com — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 19:12:14 +0000

Ken “Spanky” Moskowitz is currently involved with the Data Doctors show airing on Bonneville Phoenix KTAR-FM and is the VP of Data Doctors Media Group, but last week it was said that Moskowitz would be returning to Bonneville Phoenix to pick up where he left off as Imaging Director. Moskowitz gave it more thought and recently decided to pass on the opportunity to return.

Moskowitz was the Production Director for KTAR from 1997 to 2001, and Imaging Director from 2001 to 2011, when he became involved with the Data Doctors show. The show, dealing with computer issues and other technology is going the syndication route, recently adding Minneapolis/St. Paul and Dallas/Ft. Worth.

106.7 KWSS-LP adds Lopsided World of L to lineup

PhoenixAirchecks.com — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 20:57:37 +0000

Jonathan L’s “The Lopsided World of Jonathan L” is returning to the Valley, and thus a personality that has spent over two of his three decades in radio here in Phoenix. Independent Low-Power FM 106.7 KWSS and consultant Shon White have been able to bring Jonathan L back.

Jonathan L and White agreed on a 10pm to midnight timeslot, Mondays through Wednesdays for the show.

“The Lopsided World” had previously been a part of Sandusky KUPD weekends since August 2005 until Jonathan L announced his retirement and the final show aired in mid-April of last year.

Though Jonathan L now lives in Berlin, Germany, he is no stranger to Arizona. He had begun, inexperienced but determined, in 1982 with his successful specialty show called “Virgin Vinyl” on KLPX Tucson.

In 1986, he was among the original staff (as APD) of the newly established Key 100.3 (KEYX-FM) in Phoenix, “Arizona’s Rock & Soul.” Jonathan L is also considered one of the pioneers of the format of AM 1060 KUKQ, Phoenix, and starter of the Q-Fest music festival.

Just a few years ago, he was voted Phoenix New Times’ “Best Rock Radio Personality,” 2008, and awarded as “Best Radio DJ,” several more years.

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