Corey's Radio Blog

We often hear criticism that cell phones are distracting and lead to more automobile accidents. Thank goodness radios are safe...right? From Kennewick, Washington comes a story of a truck driver who was listening to a college football game.

According to kndo.com: "Kennewick police officers say a 60-year-old man was trying to make a left turn when he didn't yield to an oncoming semi traveling eastbound. The man admitted he was distracted by the football game."

The unidentified and unhurt man was ticketed for failing to yield.

Is Your Radio Out to Get You?
* Female Caller In Car Accident While Talking Live On WABC
* Car Radio Kills Driver
* Driver Fiddling With Radio Loses Control, Kills Other Motorist

Internet radio broadcasters have won a survival victory. According to The New York Times: "Internet radio services are breathing a sigh of relief after the Senate approved a bill on Tuesday that would allow them to renegotiate a royalty rate that Web broadcasters say is too high."

The law now goes to President Bush for his signature. The law gived webcasters legal breathing room to continue to negotiate with SoundExchange, the trade group which collects and disseminates royalties on behalf of artists and song copyright owners.

Many prominent webcasters contend the current proposed rates are so prohibitive they would force most Internet radio broadcasters to shut down.

Background: Independent Internet Radio Faces Extinction from Proposed Royalty Rates

More: Pandora Founder: New Webcasting Royalty Rates "Would Bankrupt Us"

"Thanks for nothing...Rot in Hell Cox Radio...I am gone."

And that's just a moment of this soon-to-be classic on-air resignation. I don't know the radio personality because the clip was sent to me without that information. But, the DJ confirms he's minutes away from being fired and proceeds to thank his audience for their support and lash out at the management "suits".

Whether you're in Radio or just a listener, you'll appreciate he honesty and emotion in this MP3 audio file.

Listen: Radio DJ Resigns On-Air

More: How One DJ Resigned On-Air: "I Quit This Bitch" (Audio)

RadioTracker 5.0 automatically rips music from Internet Radio station streams and separates it into mp3 files for your personal library. If you're looking for an inexpensive way to build up your music library, this will save you a lot in digital download costs. Plus, it will automatically download Podcasts and create ringtones from your MP3s. Read my review. (Right: Screenshot by Corey Deitz, Graphic © Audials)

Dallas radio talk show host, Russ Martin, now faces misdemeanor assault charges. According to dallasnews.com, a grand jury "...returned a three-count misdemeanor complaint against the Live 105.3 FM host but declined to indict him on more serious charges."

Martin's problems go back to July 18, 2008. He was arrested when his fiancé claimed he struck her and waved a gun around. At that time, he was taken in on aggravated assault charges - a second degree felony which has now been reduced.

If convicted, Martin faces up to one year in jail and a fine of $4,000.

Russ Martin has been part of Dallas radio for over 25 years. His show airs 3 - 7 p.m. on Live 105.3.

Online: Listen live to Live 105.3

More: Profile of Russ Martin

Owners of Internet radio stations have caught a break from lawmakers. According to a story at news.cnet.com: "The Webcaster Settlement Act, which would allow Internet radio stations to negotiate with the music industry for a royalty rate lower than what Congress mandated last year, passed the House by a voice vote on Saturday."

Other Highlights:

* Founder of Pandora elated
* National Association of Broadcasters will not oppose bill
* Senate still must pass bill
* Without passage, many webcaster will be forced to stop streaming

Background: Independent Internet Radio Faces Extinction from Proposed Royalty Rates

More: Pandora Founder: New Webcasting Royalty Rates "Would Bankrupt Us"

Hip-hop/R&B formatted X102.3 (WMBX-FM/West Palm Beach) sponsored a gas giveaway along with a local attorney. About 3,000 folks showed up and when it was all said and done, the cops had to contend with 4 accidents and arrested 1 person.

The radio station initially offered free gas to the first 102 listeners who go in line at a Wal-Mart gas station but as you can imagine, a lot more showed up than there was gasoline for.

Listen Online: X102.3 plays "18 Jamz in a Row"

More: Recent Radio Pranks, Stunts, and Hoaxes

Today, MySpace launched its new "MySpace Music" service. According to afp.google.com the new service, "...blends free online radio, community and ways to interact with bands and discover new tunes."

MySpace users will be able to listen to music for free if they are willing to put up with some ads. Additionally, users will be able to create personal playlists for custom streaming.

The AFP article also notes, "MySpace Music users can collect as much music as they like and store it 'in the cloud' on the News Corp-owned website's computer servers, meaning they can access the tunes from where ever they wish via the Internet."

MySpace users will have the option to download songs they like through a link to Amazon.com's download service and the downloads will carry no further copy protection.

AFP points out, "MySpace says that it is moving beyond Internet radio to create a place online where people can interact with bands and share discoveries with friends."

Related: What is MySpace? - What MySpace has to Offer

Radio personalities talk for a living. But, there's a time for talk and a time for action. I came across a video where one radio guy apparently couldn't discern when.

The video - caught on CCTV - shows an employee (maybe a newsman) from "City 99.5 FM", an Internet radio station reported to be in Athens, Greece, reading copy on-mike as a trash can behind him smolders without him noticing.

Suddenly, it erupts in flames and gets his attention. Without flinching too much, he continues to read as he tries to use his foot to put out the flame.

Then, the fire bursts into a roaring blaze and scatters throughout the studio - and he never seems to miss a beat. Finally, some co-workers dash in with fire extinguishers and put it out.

The radio personality continues to deliver his report as if nothing happened!

See it: Fire Breaks Out During Live Internet Radio

More Radio Video:
* The Crisco-Covered Human Bowling Ball
* The Duct Tape Escape
* Wheel of Gargle

Related: Radio Leveraged the Video Star (Opinion)

A few days ago I told you about a brutal attack on a Boston radio host visiting New York City. Pelagio De La Cruz, a co-host on the WESX-AM's "Connecion Hispanica" was repeatedly beaten with a baseball bat at a Bronx apartment building.

Good news: newsday.com reports "Two New York City men have been charged with attempted murder...in the attack on 52-year-old Pelagio De La Cruz..."

The report says De La Cruz has been left blind in one eye because of the attack.

Related: The Danger Of Being In The Public Eye - The List of Murdered DJs and Radio Hosts