WVKL-FM reigns at top of local radio rankings

The spring Arbitron ratings were released this week, and, for the fourth consecutive quarter, urban-adult-contemporary radio station WVKL-FM, known to listeners as 95-7 R&B, is top among listeners 12 and older in Hampton Roads. Hot on its heels was Z-104 (WNVZ-FM), which airs a top-40 and hip-hop format. The stations are among four locally that are owned by Pennsylvania-based Entercom Communications.

Bob FM (WPYA), WNIS-AM and The Wave (WVBW-FM) each jumped a full point or more in the 12+ category. Country station Eagle 97.3 (WGH-FM) was ranked third overall, improving nearly a full point.

Below are the top 10 radio stations for listeners 12 and older. The numbers represent the percentage of people who are listening in an average 15-minute period.

1. WVKL-FM, 7.4

2. WNVZ-FM, 7.2

3. WGH-FM, 6.8

4. WOWI-FM, 6.0

5. WKUS-FM, 5.2

6. WNIS-AM, 4.9

7. WXEZ-FM, 4.9

8. WVBW-FM, 4.7

9. WPYA-FM, 3.9

10. WWDE-FM, 3.7

Seacrest on The Wave

"American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest can now be heard Sundays from 7 a.m. to noon on 92.9 The Wave. Seacrest's nationally syndicated "American Top 40" features the best current hits.

"We couldn't be happier to have a personality like Ryan on The Wave," said Program Director Mike Allen. "He is the Dick Clark of today or the Dick Lamb of Los Angeles."

Speaking of Dick Lamb...

Legendary on-air personality Dick Lamb is celebrating two milestones this year: 50 years in the Hampton Roads market as a disc jockey and 30 years as a morning-drive host. Lamb made his debut at top-hits radio station WGH-AM in 1958. In '78 he veered over to the coveted morning slot at WWDE-FM (2WD) before joining Max Media's 92.9 The Wave in 2005. He is heard there with co-hosts Jennifer Roberts and Paul Richardson weekday mornings between 5:30 and 9.

Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera Oberndorf acknowledged his career accomplishments by declaring July 31 Dick Lamb Day in her city. Lamb doesn't look a day older than 40.

Who was that band?

The mystery band that performed a mix of gothlike cover tunes at Barnes & Noble at MacArthur Center on Aug. 1 was Star Thirty-Three. The event was dubbed Breaking Dawn Vampire Engagement Party and celebrated the release of Stephenie Meyer's phantasmagorical new book, "Breaking Dawn."

Hot tracks

Pop music artist Nikkole will release her third full-length CD, "Creolepatra," Aug. 12 on SE Entertainment Records. The singer, known for her five-octave vocal range and often compared to Mariah Carey, was raised in Ahoskie, N.C. The first single from the record is "E-X-OTIC."

Christian screamo

On Aug. 5, nationally touring Norma Jean released its new album, "The Anti Mother," on Solid State Records. The Atlanta-based hard-edged band includes Virginia Beach-born drummer Chris Raines, who once owned Volume CD Exchange in Chesapeake.

Jeff Maisey, (757) 222-3934, jmaisey@pilotonline.com