R.I.P Bob Spradlin

It is with great sadness that the family of Bob Spradlin announces his death on Monday, Sept 17, 2018 in Houston, Texas. Bob was in Houston receiving a genetically engineered immunotherapy cancer treatment called CAR-T cell infusion for treatment of Lymphoma.

Bob grew up in Prestonsburg, KY, and was a graduate of University of Kentucky, Broadcasting and Journalism major. He started his career in radio broadcasting in Hopkinsville and subsequently took a position at WEKY in Richmond. After getting married they moved their young family to Mt Sterling in 1965 where he became General Manager at WMST.

He served the community for 30+ years calling high school sports games, reporting weather emergencies and doing programming such as the Man on the Street programs. He later purchased his own stations in Berea and Richmond where he was owner-operator until he sold them and retired in 2002. He was an avid golfer and an Elder at the First Christian church and a member of the Mt Sterling Kiwanis club for years.

He was proceeded in death by his son Steve Spradlin and is survived by his wife Peggy, daughter Leslie Barrilleaux, 3 grandchildren, Jordan, Bailee and Garrett Barrilleaux, a brother Bill Charles Spradlin of Clearwater FL, and several dearly loved nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 4 PM, Sunday, September 23, 2018 at Taul Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Scott Holley and Tim Holley, burial will follow at St. Thomas Cemetery. Visitation will be 2-4 PM, Sunday, September 23, 2018 at Taul Funeral Home Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations to the First Christian Church Community Outreach, 222 W. Main Street, Mt Sterling, KY 40353.

Counting Down the Days Until We See You in Bowling Green!

        

Along with new additions this year, like the Broadcasters Cup golf scramble, we have planned a fun conference jam-packed with intensive training sessions for MANAGERS, MARKETING REPS, ENGINEERS and PROGRAMMERS, lots of great food, live entertainment, honored awards and numerous special guests. We are looking forward to seeing all of you there!

As a friendly reminder, if you registered but decided that you need to cancel; you have 72 hours prior to your check-in date to cancel without penalty. Just email kba@kba.org to cancel your reservation.

HAPPY LABOR DAY WEEKEND!

Over the past week the KBA hosted two Active Shooter trainings for our members, and district congressional meetings with Congressman Hal Rogers and Congressman James Comer.

Bob Thorton speaks to KBA members during the Active Shooter training in Owensboro.

Bob Thorton Training KBA Members in Frankfort.

Active Shooter training at the KBA Headquarters in Frankfort.

KBA Members meeting with Congressman Hal Rogers.

KBA Members meeting with Congressman James Comer.

Wish your station could offer paid engineering/media technology internship but don’t have the budget for it?

PILOT, in partnership with the NAB Educational Foundations (NABEF), will award a limited number of NAB member stations a Technology Internship Grant to provide paid engineering or media technology internships to undergraduate students interested in pursuing tech careers in our industry. The goal is to attract, train and retain tech talent in the broadcast industry, while helping stations create a sustainable internship program.

Interested stations must complete an online application for a part-time Summer 2019 internship to be considered. (Interns need not be selected by the station prior to application, but the internship’s duties will need to be described.)

The application window for Spring 2019 internships is open now, and closes August 15, 2018.

APPLY NOW

2019 KBA Board of Director Nominations

Deadline is Thursday, September 6, 2018!

Nominations are now open for six (6) seats on the KBA Board of Directors beginning January 1, 2019. All district directors are elected to serve a two-year term. According to KBA bylaws, no director may serve more than two consecutive terms. KBA directors must be from the ownership or managerial level of a station(s) located in the district. Self-nominations are acceptable. The deadline for nominations is Thursday, September 6, 2018.

If you have never served as a District Director, KBA President/CEO, Chris Winkle, would like to encourage you to submit a self-nomination. Should you have any questions about the duties and responsibilities of a District Director, please call or email Chris.

A stipend and travel expenses are offered for board members that attend in person KBA Board Meetings. Meetings are held quarterly.

Following the deadline of nominations, weighted links to ballots will be sent to management emails for stations in districts where there is a contested race.

The following districts are up for election this year. If you are unsure of your district, please click here. Four radio director members are up for election or re-election in the districts listed below, along with the positions of Lexington Market Television Director, Other Market Television Director, Public Television Director and Associate Member Director.

District 2 – Ed Henson, Henson Media, Inc., Henderson, KY (eligible for re-election)
District 4 – Mark Buckles, Heritage Media of Kentucky, Leitchfield, KY (eligible for re-election)
District 6 – Mike Tarter, Forcht Broadcasting, Somerset, KY (eligible for re-election)
District 8 – Randy Thompson, WKCB FM & AM, Hindman, KY (eligible for re-election)
Louisville Market Television Director – Ken Selvaggi, WAVE News, Louisville, KY (eligible for re-election)
Public Radio Director – Chad Lampe, Murray State University, Murray, KY (eligible for re-election)

Links to nomination ballots were distributed to stations via listed management emails at noon on August 17, 2018. If your management/company has not received the link to your nomination ballots and you are a member of one of the above districts or would like to make a nomination, please contact Liza Livers at kba@kba.org or (502) 848-0426. Nominations must be received by close of business on Thursday, September 6, 2018.

Districts with more than one candidate will be sent an election ballot on Monday, September 10, 2018. Only one vote per station is permitted.

2019 Board of Directors Election Results

Congratulations to our 2019 Kentucky Broadcasters Association Board Members!

In Radio District 2, Ed Henson of Henson Media, Inc. was nominated unopposed and will begin serving his second term.

In Radio District 4, Mark Buckles of Heritage Media Of Kentucky was nominated unopposed and will begin serving his second term.

In Radio District 6, Mike Tarter of Forcht Broadcasting was elected and will begin serving his 2nd term.

In Radio District 8, Randy Thompson of WKCB AM & FM was nominated unopposed and will begin serving his second term.

Public Radio Director, election winner Chad Lampe of WKMS / Murray State University will begin serving his 2nd term.

Additionally, Ken Selvaggi of WAVE News was unopposed and will serve another term as Television Director – Louisville Market.

KBA Award Nominations Now Open!

The KBA is now accepting nominations for the 2018 KBA Awards to be presented during the KBA Annual Conference, Tuesday, October 9, Holiday Inn University Plaza, Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Deadline for submissions is Friday, August 10, 2018.

To submit a nominee; state the award that you are nominating the person(s) for and give a brief overview of the accomplishments of the individual(s). Your contact information must be included. Nominations can be emailed to Karen@KBA.org, faxed to (502) 848-5710, or mailed to 101 Enterprise Drive, Frankfort KY 40601.

Winners will be announced October 9th at the KBA Annual Conference in Bowling Green.

The Kentucky Broadcasters Association award winners are selected by a committee appointed by the organization’s Chairman and shall be comprised of three representatives of member stations and the sitting executive committee. Nominations for awards may be made by employees of any member station or by members of the awards committee.

Al Temple Award

Presented to those individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Kentucky Broadcasters Association over an extended period of time. Their volunteer service is an invaluable part of this organizations success and ability to serve its members. The award is named in honor of the extraordinary service of Al Temple a pioneer secretary-treasurer of the KBA.

Kentucky MIC Hall of Fame Award

Presented to those individuals who have made outstanding personal contributions to the broadcasting profession in Kentucky. Since this award is considered to be the highest award given by the KBA to recognize accomplishments in Kentucky broadcasting, recipients are hereby inducted into the KBA Hall of Fame.

J.T. Whitlock Life Service Award

Presented to members retiring or leaving the profession who have earned perpetual membership and recognition as a result of their contributions to Kentucky broadcasting. Participation in conferences shall be at no cost to recipients of the Life Service Award and their spouse. The award is in honor of a life of service by J.T. Whitlock, longtime KBA Executive Director / Secretary-Treasurer.

Ralph Gabbard Distinguished Kentuckian Award

Given to present or former Kentuckians who have earned fame or acclaim in their field of endeavor and presented in recognition of the value of those achievements and accomplishments to the state and nation. This award is in honor of distinguished television broadcaster and former Kentucky Broadcasters Association Chairman Ralph Gabbard.

To review past award recipients, click here.