Conservative radio host Thayrone and business partner acquire WAAM 1600
A corporate entity controlled by conservative radio host Thayrone and his wife, Linda Hughes, has reached a deal to acquire Ann Arbor's WAAM Talk 1600-AM, according to a news release.
Thayrone speaks during a tea party rally in October.
The firm, Ann Arbor-based Coolarity A2 LLC, is purchasing WAAM from Dallas, Texas-based Ann Arbor First Ventures LP. The Federal Communications Commission has to approve the deal before it's finalized.
Linda Hughes, Coolarity's president, has served as WAAM's general manager since 2008. Thayrone hosts WAAM's "On The Edge With Thayrone," which airs weekdays from 4-6 p.m.
WAAM's syndicated programming includes conservatives Glenn Beck, Laura Ingraham and Michael Savage. WAAM's ratings ranked the station as the 19th most popular radio station among Ann Arbor listeners in fall 2010, according to Arbitron.
"Ownership of WAAM is an exciting next step for me personally and for the station," Linda Hughes said in a statement. "I am proud of the show lineup and features we've been able to bring to WAAM and I am thrilled about the future possibilities for WAAM to better serve our local communities and local advertisers."
She said she plans to pursue "new show partnerships with a local focus" and suggested that the company's advertisers would "benefit from local ownership with no corporate involvement, which can sometimes restrict pricing and creative advertising promotions."
Contact AnnArbor.com's Nathan Bomey at (734) 623-2587 or nathanbomey@annarbor.com. You can also follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's newsletters.
Comments
a2baggagehandler
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : 1:49 a.m.
I saw bozo once
Wystan Stevens
Wed, Mar 16, 2011 : midnight
Alan, I remember Ollie's Caravan: I listened regularly in the 1950s, and I even joined his "Scooby Do" club. I also saw Ollie a few times -- one time, I remember, was at the Food & Drug Mart. He was a snappy, dapper dresser, and he had a real charisma.
Alan Goldsmith
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 6:19 p.m.
Additional information from Radio and Television Business website: <a href="http://www.rbr.com/radio/radio_deals/ann-arbor-am-headed-for-new-owner.html?print?print" rel='nofollow'>http://www.rbr.com/radio/radio_deals/ann-arbor-am-headed-for-new-owner.html?print?print</a>
Alan Goldsmith
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 6:11 p.m.
3. I'm a long time radio junkie and I collect air checks of classic, twisted music radio DJ's. Mr. Thayone, even though I think his politics are idiotic, as a music guy fills neatly into the historic continuum that started with Alan Freed, continued with Detroit Radio giants like Famous Coachman and Ernie Durham, to other pioneers like The Electrifying Mojo and the jocks of the Big 8 and underground aces of WKNR and WABX back in the day. Wish AnnArbor.com even had a clue who DJ Ollie McLaughlin was (HINT: a rock and roll record producing legend (google it…) who was a DJ on WAAM back in the 1960s, but it's great to see this legendary station back in the hands of a real rocker. 4. Which doesn't mean I'm going to listen to crap like Glen Beck and Michael Savage. But overall, this change in ownership from an out-of-towner to local is good news so kudos to everyone involved.
Moscow On The Huron
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 8:51 p.m.
Alan, check one of the Detroit station, up high on the dial, Saturday nights. I can't remember which station, but a few weeks ago I heard a woman DJ, who's also a Mojo fan from back when, playing a lot of what he played. It was sweet.
Alan Goldsmith
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 6:10 p.m.
1. While Mr. Thayrone and his station are not my political cup of tea, it's a great thing the station is back in the hands, pending FCC approval, of local owners. Wish some local liberal backyard chicken green shirts would have the business and financial guts to put their money where their mouths are. 2. The 19th in the ratings was a dig at AnnArbor.com for not explaining what they even mean, how they compare to other outlets and how stations use those numbers or can't use them. In the past, WAAM was so low on the food chain, they didn't even pay to have a company like Arbitron rank them. Apparently they are now, which is a sign of financial strength and good news for the business.
MichGirl
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 5:55 p.m.
PULEEEEEZE bring back the Bone Conduction Music Show. I sorely miss it. And best of luck.
cinnabar7071
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 4:41 p.m.
Shadowmanager do you suggest Africian Americans keep voting democrat? Thats hasn't been working out so well for the Africian Americans in Detroit.
Alan Goldsmith
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 3:21 p.m.
$1,050,000 was the reported price. More details at media/radio blog site listed: <a href="http://www.michiguide.com/" rel='nofollow'>http://www.michiguide.com/</a> They posted their story March 12.
ShadowManager
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 2:26 p.m.
It is it ironic to just me that Thayrone has made a career out of playing the music of a minority group (Africian American blues) at the same time as he promotes an extreme conservative and Republican political agenda that largely is hostile to the interests of that very same minority group? Ah, irony.
Moscow On The Huron
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 7:42 p.m.
Disagreeing = "hate speech." This is why the concept of "hate speech" is dangerous and needs to be buried under a ton cement. It allows people to demonize and - even criminalize - somebody just because they express an opinion that differs from the official, sanctioned group-think.
ShadowManager
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 4:44 p.m.
You could start with "Savage Inequalities" by Johnathan Kozol, and perhaps see what something really "ugly" looks like, comrade.
ShadowManager
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 4:43 p.m.
History and politics are an ugly business....just like much of the borderline hatespeech that comes out of Thayrone's mouth anytime he gets on the topic of liberals, welfare, and following his archetype of Rush Limbaugh's tiptoing around racial inflamation by making fun of Michelle Obama's butt. I defy you to do any real investigation (historical research...not reading internet blogs and listening to Rush...) into how the impact of what Republican trickledown economics and the cuts in social spending and programs advocated by them have had and will have on America's inner cities and on the poor.
Moscow On The Huron
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 2:49 p.m.
"Republican political agenda that largely is hostile to the interests of that very same minority group?" Bogus premise. Try again. And why do liberals always have to introduce racial politics into everything? It's time to stop dividing people and pitting people against one another. They're always working to get people to take sides on race, class, sex, etc. It's really ugly.
Top Cat
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 1:59 p.m.
I wish WAAM would bring back Sounds of Sinatra on Saturday evenings.
ShadowManager
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 4:47 p.m.
Doubt it. Sinatra was a big supported of FDR, Truman, and JFK...lol. Not exactly Thayrone heros...lol.
Moscow On The Huron
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 1:54 p.m.
Congrats, Thayrone and Linda! You two and your staff have done a great job with the station over the past couple years. Before you got involved the production quality (other than during your own and Lucy Ann Lance's, when she was there) made it sound like the station was being run by a couple kids in a dorm basement. Countless time I heard multiple commercials playing at once, commercials on top of a show, studio conversation top of a show, dead air, and other production mistakes. Lately, these annoyances have disappeared, across the board, during the whole day. Great job, and keep it up!
clownfish
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 1:50 p.m.
"Dallas, Texas-based Ann Arbor First Ventures LP. "? Sounds like it is Dallas First. Up is down, left is oak, Beck is fair and balanced, Laura IS Family Values incarnate. Will we finally get the lowdown on Graylings FEMA concentration camp? The liberal media just will not cover this subject!
EyeHeartA2
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 7:37 p.m.
"Will we finally get the lowdown on Graylings FEMA concentration camp?" Seriously? Now, no more talk of right wing tinfoil hats. Not after that gem.
Alan Benard
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 12:29 p.m.
Journalism 101 time, Nathan, since there don't seem to be any copy editors left to tell you. How much did Thayrone pay for the station? You at least have to let us know he wouldn't tell you. Protip: The sale price will be public information when the FCC approves the sale. Also, if you learned about this from another online source, it would be simple courtesy to source them. Is this all your original reporting?
notnecessary
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 5:04 a.m.
For all you guys looking for the Bone Conduction Music Show...Thayrone still hosts it on Sunday nights from 7pm-11pm...good old music on the AM dial...not bad blues :) check it out.... <a href="http://www.waamannarbor.com/Bone_Conduction_Music.html">http://www.waamannarbor.com/Bone_Conduction_Music.html</a>
ShadowManager
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 2:52 a.m.
They have a print handout that comes with The Courant...formerly "NorthField Courant"...a free newspaper distributed around Livingston County too. I can't stand their (WAAM, thayrone, and the Courant...) political views, but I respect their right to speak them. Their preoccupation with Obama's birth certificate and "socialist agenda" is laughably obsessive and misguided, but humorous as a clown trainwreck.
Audion Man
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 2:39 p.m.
I'm really torn. It is awesome to have a local station locally owned. But my God, as far as conservative voices go, I don't think we are well served by a cut-rate birther. And those of you applauding an antidote to the leftiness of Ann Arbor... is it really hard to find your Glenn Beck and Michael Savage on the radio dial?
leaguebus
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 12:33 a.m.
I listened to Thayrone for years on WEMU. His beliefs are about as far right as mine are left, so we leave the Universe in balance and we both love the blues. Good luck to Thayrone and Linda. By the way, if you ever decide to do a Bone Conduction show or two, spread the word, would love to shake a tail feather or two.
Craig Lounsbury
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 11:42 a.m.
but who would know? they have "no" listeners
TripleVSix
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 6:09 a.m.
leaguebus - he still does it, every Sunday night on WAAM.
Huron74
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 12:23 a.m.
Awright Thayrone!
Old Salt
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 12:20 a.m.
Great now please bring back a few local personalities like Lucy Ann Lance
Moscow On The Huron
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 1:46 p.m.
Agree. The morning show she had on WAAM was a giant dose of useful local information.
Jim Pryce
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 12:19 a.m.
I hope that being owned locally, will bring more local info & news. I remember the day when WAAM was the pulse of the area. They had High School Sports Coverage, Local Talkshows all day. I may begin to listen again if this were to return to the airwaves.
jcj
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 1:42 p.m.
I agree we could use more local news. While I tend to agree with most of the conservative talk show views. I am tiring of all the rhetoric from the left and the right! Both sides have turned into nothing more than self promoters. The only thing THEY truly care about is ratings.
JPLewis
Mon, Mar 14, 2011 : 11:03 p.m.
Excellent! Way to go Thayrone and Linda! A welcome voice in this lefty town.
Alan Goldsmith
Mon, Mar 14, 2011 : 10:25 p.m.
"WAAM's syndicated programming includes conservatives Glenn Beck, Laura Ingraham and Michael Savage. WAAM's ratings ranked the station as the 19th most popular radio station among Ann Arbor listeners in fall 2010, according to Arbitron." The station is not authorized to use this information in their advertising or in any public way because they don't subscribe to the service or pay for it. 19th? WOW...Where does WEMU and WUOM fit in with audience size? Just curious.
EyeHeartA2
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 7:29 p.m.
I was just thinking that. Maybe....short term memory issues?
TripleVSix
Tue, Mar 15, 2011 : 6:15 a.m.
Hasn't the above comment (from Gorc) shown up in the comments of several articles in the last week?
Alan Goldsmith
Mon, Mar 14, 2011 : 10:16 p.m.
Wow, glad you read the A2Politico.com blog. Lol.