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Friday, Oct. 10, 2008

Ponder to co-host local radio show

Former Macon City Council President Anita Ponder is teaming up with a radio partner for a morning talk show that's scheduled to begin Monday morning.

It's part of big changes at WIBB-AM, 1280 on the dial, in what Clear Channel is billing as the Macon market's first ever "black talk" radio station.

Todd Haygood, Clear Channel's director of urban programming, will join Ponder on the show from 6-9 a.m. They will discuss "the issues and news of the day and how they will affect the African-American community in Macon," according to a release from Bill Clark, a Clear Channel vice president and market manager.

"The introduction of this programming is historic," Clark said.

"The Voice of Macon," the updated WIBB-AM, will feature the early morning show and four nationally syndicated black talk radio programs throughout the day, replacing a mostly classic R&B music format.

The syndicated hosts will be Michael Baisden, Warren Balentine, the Rev. Al Sharpton and Bev Smith.

Haygood said the programs draw on notable figures to touch on the gamut of news topics - from family issues to money matters.

Smith "is one of the first black female national talk show hosts, and she pretty much covers it all. Warren Balentine will be the legal and money issues segment of the programming," he said.

In a city with a majority-black population, Ponder said the station hopes to draw in new black listeners.

"I'm sure we'll talk about the economy," she said. "We'll talk about the presidential election, I-16 and I-75 here locally, all of the issues that you hear on any news program. It just so happens that the people that tend to tune in tend to be a majority black audience. Nationally, we've had our syndicated shows. In terms of localization, there is a huge void in that market."

This latest addition would open up a full-blown talk-show battle for early morning listeners. In the last two months, two other talk radio shows have launched in Macon.

The Telegraph's Charles Richardson and Kenny Burgamy reteamed on WPGA-FM 100.9 for "Kenny B and Charles E, Your Mix in the Morning," reviving their stint on WMAC-AM from 1997 to 2000.

Chris Krok, a former late-night conservative radio talk-show host from Atlanta, took over the morning gig on WMAC, replacing former host Shayne McBride, who was fired in late June after police charged him with possession of marijuana.

Ponder, who was approached by Clear Channel last month, said the company likely viewed her experience doing guest spots on radio shows while in office as a draw.

"Oftentimes, when various issues came up in the community, I would go on the (WIBB) FM station or be a guest or a co-host," she said. "There was a time when Kenny B was on the station where Chris Krok is now, and I'd guest host for him."

Ponder served on City Council from 1998 to the end of last year. She is the education director at the Tubman African American Museum.

To contact writer Ashley Tusan Joyner, call 744-4347.