Page 10 - Florida Sentinel 9-29-15 Edition

Local
WTMP Radio Station Will Be Auctioned Wednesday
Ragan Park, which has become home to the Sizzling Seniors, was the scene of an “Old School Dance.”
(PHOTOS BY SYLVESTER HARRIS)
Party staff and dance Diva: Zalayia Brown, Lisa Bryant, Willie Gardner, and Sara Rowe.
Enjoying the dance were Beatrice Walker, Nina Crews, and Mrs. Betty Burnett.
CYNTHIA FEW
Glamour girls, Sunday Bivens-Reese and Betty Bell.
Special guests attending the dance were: Cleo Stinyard, Jackie Pickner, Nedra Thompkins, Evangeline Best, Clarence Thomas, and Steve Scott.
Attending the dance were (sitting): Verdell Vickers, Sandra Rosson, and Carrie Rhanes. Standing: Beatrice Walker, Paulette Andrews, Carolyn Williams, Carolyn Brooks, Lavern Hooper, and Brenda Gatlin.
Sizzling Seniors
On May 5, 2014, the pop- ular radio station WTMP 1150 AM 0fficially returned to the airwaves with music that catered to the African American population. How- ever, rumors once again cir- culated that the station was in danger of being sold.
Unfortunately, this time, rumors have been confirmed as the station is slated for auction on Wednesday.
In 1997, two brothers,
Dr. Glenn and Attorney Charles Cherry, II, bought WTMP. Dr. Cherry Glenn became General Manager.
In April 2004, the broth- ers borrowed $20 million from Hedge Fund, D. B. Zwirn Special Opportunities Fund to pay debts and buy three FM stations in Savan- nah, bringing their TAMA Broadcasting holdings to nine radio stations.
In 2007, when it was time to repay Zwirn, the Cherrys couldn’t do it. Zwirn took control of the nine radio stations and fired Glenn Cherry, as CEO.
In January 2009, the
Cherry brothers sued Zwirn, claiming predatory lending. However, the court sided with Zwirn. Zwirn hired LMA a Dallas—based Management Company to oversee operations.
The Company, LMA con- verted WTMP to a country station.
Chris McMurray, of LMA, was the lead person in setting up a lease-to-buy op- tion with local banker Cur- tis Stokes, in May 2014.
In December 2014, Stokes relinquished his op- tion and walked away. Lawrence Hires was serv- ing as the station’s General Manager at the time.
Hires was fired after McMurray came in and took control. In August, the Management Company brought in a new General Sales Manager, Ms. Betty Sanders, who said the sta- tion would continue to serve the community.
Six of TAMA’s 9 stations have been sold. WTMP, which is being auctioned on Wednesday, is among the last 3.
PAGE 10 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015