SYRACUSE -- After a few weeks off, The Irish Power Hour has a new radio home in Syracuse... and a chance to pick up some new fans in the Utica market. Starting this Sunday, co-hosts Sean Johnston and Cabrina Gilbert bring their weekly hour-long show to Galaxy's TK99/105 (WTKW/WTKV). It'll be simulcast on Utica's 96.9 WOUR.
That's the word from Mark Bialczak on syracuse.com. He reports IPH had been absent from the local airwaves since Cumulus Media chose not to renew its contract with Johnston and Gilbert at the end of 2011.
The program had been airing on rocker 95X (WAQX) since last February, and before that, on sister station 105.9 The Big Talker (WXTL). When it debuted on March 15, 2009, you may recall that station was running an AC format as Lite Rock 105.9 (WLTI).
Bialzcak's story didn't include specifics behind the split with Cumulus, but he reports the hosts are pleased that their new arrangement with Galaxy will expand the show's reach into the Utica-Rome market. Galaxy's Mimi Griswold says WOUR's float in the Utica St. Patrick's Day parade will feature an Irish band and a banner to promote the show.
By keeping the same Sunday 9pm timeslot it had at 95X, the "Irish Power Hour" will take the TK99 timeslot formerly occupied by Dave Frisina's long-running Soundcheck, a weekly show devoted entirely to music by local artists.
Frisina was dismissed by Galaxy near the end of December. He has since resurfaced on afternoons at Cumulus' 105.9 The Rebel, and Soundcheck continues in the same timeslot there -- meaning the two specialty shows will once again be airing opposite each other every weekend.
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