Cumulus Media named radio programming professional and on-air personality BigMMike as program director and on-air host for WYNN(FM) in Florence, S.C., Lance Tidwell as cluster operations manager for Kansas City stations and Chiefs Radio Network in Kansas, and Ashley Nickels as music director and midday personality at WRQX(FM) in Washington.
“The BigMMike Show” airs weekdays on urban-formatted WYNN(FM)/106.3 from 3–7 p.m. in Florence, S.C. According to a Cumulus Media announcement, BigMMike joins WYNN from WFXE(FM) in Columbus, Ga., where he was program director and afternoon drive host. BigMMike also worked at Alpha Media’s KBTT(FM) in Shreveport, La.; Reynolds Radio’s KBLZ(FM) in Tyler-Longview, Texas; and Entercom’s WXSS(FM) in Milwaukee, Wis., the release stated.
“I’m so geeked about this great opportunity!” said BigMMike. “I’m looking forward to being the PD of such a legendary station. … I’m ready to start WYNN’ing in Florence!”
According to the announcement, WYNN(FM) Operations Manager Matt Scurry said they searched nationwide for the perfect candidate. “BigMMike has a proven record of connecting with listeners on and off the air … and he brings leadership qualities that we’re excited to cultivate.”
In Kansas City, Lance Tidwell will be the program director for KCMO(AM/FM)/Talk Radio 710/103.7, as well as being operations manager for Cumulus’ seven-station cluster and the Chiefs Radio Network, the official radio network for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Ashley Nickels
Tidwell, a 21-year radio programming professional, was previously SVP of programming at iHeartMedia in San Antonio and in Tucson, said the announcement. He was also program director for Clear Channel’s WWYZ(FM) in Hartford/New Haven, Conn., and served as program director of KQFC(FM), Boise, Idaho, and WGKX(FM), Memphis, Tenn., for Citadel Broadcasting. Earlier in his career, Tidwell was operations manager for Clear Channel stations KTOM(FM), Monterey/Salinas, Calif., and for WCOS(FM) in Columbia, S.C.
“As Cumulus CEO Mary Berner has said, ‘Programming is the oxygen of Cumulus.’ With his vast experience and success record, Lance is the ideal choice to lead our outstanding local programming teams and partner with me in Cumulus KC as operations manager,” said Cumulus Media Midwest Regional Vice President and Kansas City Market Manager Donna Baker.
In the nation’s capital, Cumulus re-signed on-air host Ashley Nickels as midday personality of WRQX(FM)/MIX 107.3, and has also promotedher to music director.
The announcement said that Nickels joined the station in 2014 as on-air personality, nights. She grew up in Las Vegas and began her radio career at her hometown station, KLUC(FM)/Top 40 98.5. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Media Studies from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nickels moved to Sacramento, Calif., to do nights at KDND(FM)/107.9 The End.
WRQX(FM)/MIX 107.3 Program Director Louie Diaz said Nickels’ experience and work ethic make her a perfect fit for the station.
“I am beyond excited and honored to be part of this next phase with such a wonderful team at the new MIX 107.3,” said Nickels.
