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Revision as of 19:09, 13 January 2007 by 64.80.222.82 (talk) (→Show Information)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)America's Trucking Network is a syndicated nightly radio broadcast heard across the United States. The show contains information and discussion of issues pertaining to truck driving and the trucking industry.
History
The show was launched in 1981 by Dale Sommers, under the name "The Truckin' Bozo." The show built a network of approximately a dozen affiliates at any given time; however, almost all of these were clear channel stations that had very large coverage areas during the show's air time.
Due to health problems, Dale Sommers was forced to retire in 2003. His son, Steve Sommers, had been hosting the weekend edition of the program and was the natural successor to the weekday show. Dale Sommers would shortly thereafter take a daytime position at XM Satellite Radio, which had carried the program since 2001, taking the "Truckin' Bozo" title with him after several months of discussion with WLW.
To fill in Steve Sommers's former weekend position, flagship station WLW hired Eric Boulanger, more commonly known by his alias of Bubba Bo. Boulanger was fired for launching a barbeque indoors during his first stint, but would be later reinstated only to be eliminated in the first week of 2007 because of budget cuts across all Clear Channel stations.
The weekend position is currently being filled by "Best of" programs. At this time, it appears that only shows hosted by Steve Sommers will air during these time slots.
Show Information
America's Trucking Network airs five hours per night, live from 12 midnight to 5 AM Eastern Time. Steve Sommers hosts the show from early Monday through early Friday, while "best of" programs air on weekends.
The show is down to three affiliates.
- WLW 700, in Cincinnati, Ohio, is and has been the flagship of the network. WLW is the only station to carry all five hours of the program.
- WWVA 1170, in Wheeling, West Virginia, carries the last four hours of the program.
- KWKH 1130, in Shreveport, Louisiana, carries the last four hours of the program.
Most other stations that once carried the "Truckin' Bozo" program have switched to Coast to Coast AM.
The show can also be heard via WLW's Internet stream and satellite radio channel on XM.
Confusion
The show is often spelled "America's Truckin' Network" as an allusion to the former Truckin' Bozo title.
America's Trucking Network is not to be confused with the Midnight Radio Network with Eric Harley, formerly the "Midnight Trucking Radio Network." That show is a rival of America's Trucking Network.
Sources and Links
- Cincinnati Enquirer story on the Truckin' Bozo's departure
- Article from the Cincinnati Post (via Black Cincinnati blog) on Bubba Bo's initial firing.
- Airtime information from WLW's Web site and program schedule