Benztown has released its ninth annual Benztown 50 List of Radio’s Biggest Imaging Voices, its annual release of the top 50 voiceover artists in the U.S. and Canada, based on industry data compiled from more than 300 radio groups by P1 Media Group. Among the Canadians on this year’s list are David Kaye, Amanda Madi, Lisa Keys and Erin Setch, with Matt Fogarty named one of the “Ones to Watch in Voiceover” for a second year in a row. Legendary Canadian voice talent Earl Mann is the recipient of this year’s Chris Corley Lifetime Achievement Award. Mann started his career as a singer for 1960’s folk act, The Gaslight Singers, before becoming an all-night disc jockey on CKEY and CHFI Toronto. Sports fans will recognize Mann as the voice of NFL Films as well as several college football programs. He’s also served as the imaging voice for numerous Sports, Classic Rock, Classic Hits, Country, Pop, and Rock stations throughout North America, in addition to 20 years as the voice of the CTV network. Read more here.
Randy Bachman’s Vinyl Tap has come to an end on Corus Radio with the April 30 show. Following a 16-year run on CBC Radio and its subsequent cancellation in 2021, Vinyl Tap got a second life in March 2022 when it re-launched across Corus Entertainment’s Rock and Classic Hits stations. “Randy wants to thank all of his Canadian affiliates and fans for their tremendous support over the years as he winds down his show,” wrote Orbyt Media, the show’s distributor, in a notice to stations. “I’ve always loved playing music and telling stories,” added Bachman. “Sharing these stories with my fans for so many years has truly been a dream come true.” Vinyl Tap is still available as a podcast.
630 CHED Edmonton has renewed its broadcast partnership with the Edmonton Oilers, which is marking 28 consecutive years. For the next three years, Oilers fans will once again experience each home, away game and the action in between on 630 CHED, with its Oilers coverage including play-by-play announcers Jack Michaels and Cam Moon, and colour commentator Bob Stauffer. Adding to the game day lineup will be Reid Wilkins and Rob Brown with the Oilers Face Off Show and Overtime Open Line. Oilers Now featuring Stauffer will continue to be part of the hockey lineup every weekday. The partnership also includes community and promotional support from Corus radio stations CISN Country 103.9, Chuck 92.5 (CKNG-FM) and 880 (CHQT-FM) Edmonton.
CBC Podcasts’ Let’s Make A Sci-Fi has won a Webby Award in the Limited Series category. Produced by Vancouver’s Kelly&Kelly, the eight-part adventure explores the creative process as three comedians (Maddy Kelly, Ryan Bell and Mark Chavez) try writing a successful sci-fi pilot.
CBC Podcasts has introduced Let’s Not Be Kidding with Gavin Crawford — part memoir, part stand-up, part meditation on grief and loss. In the seven-part series, Crawford tells the story of losing his mother — his best friend and the inspiration for a lot of his comedy — to Alzheimer’s, a disease that can be as hilarious as it is heartbreaking. He’s joined by fellow performers along the way who share their own experiences caring for family members with dementia. You can binge all seven episodes via CBC Listen or by subscribing to the CBC Stories Premium channel on Apple Podcasts.
The Sound Off Podcast Network has signed its first true crime podcast as Buried Motives joins the network. Creators and hosts Christie Halvorson and Melissa Nielsen, who launched the show in Aug. 2021 and have grown a loyal following, are taking the next step in moving to monetize the show. Based in Alberta, the true crime enthusiasts dive into the lives of notorious killers.
SiriusXM Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA), is inviting Canadians to help choose the 2023 SiriusXM Top of the Country champion. The voting phase is now open through May 10, featuring eight semi-finalists: Hailey Benedict (St. Albert, AB); Noah Derksen (Winnipeg); Teigen Gayse (Kelowna, BC); Amanda Jordan (Smith Falls, ON); Mark Ledlin (Vancouver); The Prairie States (Edmonton); Dayna Reid (Elmvale, ON); and Lydia Sutherland (Montréal). Fans can watch studio sessions of each semi-finalist at topcountry.siriusxm.ca, where votes can be cast daily.
SiriusXM Canada has announced that eight-time Grammy winner Carrie Underwood will launch an exclusive year-round channel, Carrie’s Country, in June. Curated by Underwood, the channel will be available to subscribers across North America as she highlights her friends, favourites, and influences spanning new and classic country, gospel, and beyond from Dolly Parton to AC/DC and Guns N’ Roses. Original programming will include monthly themed shows, morning workout and late-night hard-rock blocks, as well as Saviour Sunday – a full day of inspirational music including Carrie’s own gospel catalogue.
Tom Webster will be joining Radiodays North America as a speaker on Thursday, June 8. With over 25 years of experience in the audio business, Webster is known for having led audience research projects over six continents, and as a co-author and driver behind influential audio studies like the Infinite Dial series, Share of Ear, and the Podcast Consumer Tracker. Webster will be on the panel, The Truth About Podcasting, alongside Dan Misener of Bumper, on the current state of podcasting.
LISTEN: Jeff Smulyan, the founder and CEO of Emmis Communications, creator of all sports radio, one time owner of the Seattle Mariners, and now an author, is on the Sound Off Podcast. Smulyan’s new book, Never Ride a Roller Coaster Upside Down, chronicles his career in broadcasting, including managing talent like David Letterman, Ken Griffey and Don Imus, the creation of the all-sports radio format that morphed into the legendary WFAN, and what the future for radio and podcasting looks like.
