Cindy May Johnson will rejoin the ranks as one of many women who lead radio broadcasting companies across the U.S., taking the reins again at the company founded by her father, a broadcasting legend in Kentucky who passed away in November 2018.
Under new ownership, Johnson is continuing the legacy of Walter E. May with renewed vigor and access to capital from local partners.
“We’re growing this business, and that means good things for our community,” says Johnson.
As RBR+TVBR first reported on March 29, the Johnson-led Mountain Top Media agreed to purchase EKB — comprised of 14 radio stations (including FM translators) collectively under licensees East Kentucky Broadcasting Corp. and East Kentucky Radio Network (EKB/EKRN) — for $2.85 million.
Closing occurred on Friday (5/31).
This gives the newly formed Mountain Top control of the following stations:
- WLSI-AM, WPKE-AM, WDHR-FM, W251AI and W240CL in Pikeville, Kentucky
- WPKE-FM in Coal Run, Kentucky
- WEKB-AM and W282BZ in Elkhorn City, Kentucky
- WPRT-AM & W283AP in Prestonsburg, Kentucky
- WZLK-FM in Virgie, Kentucky
- WBTH-AM & WXCC-FM and W273BC in Williamson, West Virginia
Mountain Top also operates Mountain Top TV, a cable station, and multiple digital properties and social media accounts.
The Asset Purchase Agreement was filed with the FCC in late March. It shows Mountain Top Media, a locally based operation, organized with four member owners. This includes M. Lynn Parish, who founded Knott Floyd Land Co. and Coal-Mac LLC and is currently President of Marwood Land Co.
But, he’s not overseeing the day-to-day activities of Mountain Top. That’s been left to Johnson, who was President of EKB/EKRN and will will now serve as Managing Member of Mountain Top.
Thus, there will be no change in the leadership of the stations and translators that were led by Johnson under her father’s ownership.
Walter E. May had a rich broadcasting career, and was hired at the age of 16 as the first rock ‘n’ roll DJ at WPKE-AM in Pikeville, Ky., a station that would later serve as the foundation for May-owned EKB. The opportunity came after the death of Jack Hatcher, with May taking one-third ownership and the GM position for EKB. By 1965, May had majority interest in EKB.
A second station, today’s WDHR-FM in Pikeville, Ky., was purchased in 1966.
May served as president of the Kentucky Broadcasters Association in 1971, and NAB Chairman in 1975. He was the recipient of many awards and honors, including the Golden Mic Award.
On the evening of November 1, 2018, May passed away at the age of 81.
Rather than sell off the stations and say goodbye to them, Johnson brought together a group of local investors and will take the lead on growing business in its next era of ownership.
Johnson grew up in the business under the tutelage of her father; she managed her first station, WNVL-AM in Nicholasville, Ky., at the age of 18. She once held the coveted (and now defunct) FCC first class radio-engineer telephone license, has been a member of the exclusive International Broadcasters Idea Bank. Johnson is also a former member of the Board of Directors of the Kentucky Broadcasters Association, and is a member of the NAB.
Johnson plans to optimize local multimedia delivery for both consumers and clients.
“We focus on digital delivery in addition to traditional radio and television, so our content can also be experienced on social media, mobile apps, and websites,” Johnson said. “Our team is invested in this area and is excited to help grow the local economy. We’re growing this business, and that means good things for our community. There’s a great professional broadcasting tradition already in place; we’ll be improving and building on it as we go.”
