Midnight Radio Network

Infobox Radio Show
show_name=Midnight Radio Network
imagesize=
caption=Midnight Radio Network
format=Talk show
runtime=5 hours, Monday-Friday
creator=Bill Mack
write=
executive_producer=
starring=Eric Harley, Gary McNamara
opentheme=
endtheme=
country=flagicon|United States United States
first_aired=1969
last_aired=present
num_episodes=
website=http://www.schnittshow.com
home_station=WBAP News/Talk 820 in Fort Worth, TX
syndicates=Dial Global
(formerly Jones Radio Networks)
podcast= [http://www.midnighttrucking.com/sectionalRSS.aspx?id=25018 Midnight Radio Network Podcasts]
language=English
website= [http://www.midnighttrucking.com Official show website]

The Midnight Radio Network (alternately titled "Midnight Trucking Radio Network") is a talk radio program currently hosted by Eric Harley and Gary McNamara. The program is syndicated nationwide by Jones Radio Networks and originates from WBAP in Dallas, Texas.

History

Bill Mack

Bill Mack was the founder of WBAP's overnight program, the "U.S. 1 Trucking Show" (an ironic title since U.S. Route 1 does not go anywhere near Dallas). Mack started the show in 1969. The show, as the name implied, was geared toward the American truck driver and featured a lot of country music. The show briefly attempted an excursion into Mexico on border blaster XERF, but that arrangement ended after it was clear that Mack would not be able to host the show from his home in Fort Worth.

Eventually, the show's name would change to the "Midnight Cowboy Radio Network" and be syndicated by ABC Radio, who carefully selected the affiliates to give maximum coverage of the country.

Mack left the show to join the Open Road channel on XM Satellite Radio.

Midnight Trucking (ABC)

After Mack's departure, ABC changed the name of the show to "Midnight Trucking Radio Network". The network tapped WBAP producer Eric Harley, along with Joe Kelley, to host the show. In addition to Mack's old network, MTRN absorbed Dave Nemo's old "The Road Gang" network when Nemo left for XM as well.

Midnight Radio Network (Jones/Dial Global)

ABC turned over syndication of the program to Jones Radio Networks in 2005, and Kelley left the show. Jones turned to Gary McNamara, a conservative talk radio host, to fill Kelley's seat. With the change in focus from solely truckers to a more general purpose program, the show changed its name yet again, to its current name, the "Midnight Radio Network". Under Jones, the number of affiliates grew from about a dozen stations, mostly 50-kilowatt flamethrowers, to 38. The show is heard, via the 50,000 watt stations, in all 48 contiguous states and on an affiliate in Hawaii.

The show now also broadcasts on XM Satellite Radio (channel 171) after a long run on Sirius Satellite Radio ended in 2007. With the change, the Midnight Radio Network joins former host Bill Mack along with Dale Sommers and Dave Nemo on the channel.

By 2007, many references to "Midnight Trucking" have returned to the show.

In April 2008, parent syndicator Jones Radio Networks was sold to Triton Media Group, which will integrate Jones into Triton's Dial Global network. It is unknown what changes, if any, will be made when the merger takes effect September 30, 2008.

Format

The show runs five hours each night, from 12 Midnight to 5 AM Central Time. Eric Harley talks mostly about issues pertaining to truckers, while Gary McNamara talks political issues. The show is available 7 days a week, but usually a "best of" program airs on weekends.

External links

* [http://www.midnighttrucking.com/ Official Midnight Radio Network site] (still reads Midnight Trucking)
* [http://www.jonesradio.com/NewsTalk/MidnightTrucking/ Midnight Radio Network] on Jones Radio Networks's site