A broadcasting career that began on Mobile radio in 2001 is headed to Music City. Cherish Lombard, co-host of the morning lifestyle show “Studio 10,” is leaving Mobile for Nashville, where she will host a morning show and report and anchor for ABC affiliate WKRN. Her final day in Mobile is Friday, Oct. 17; her first day at WKRN is Nov. 10.
From WABB to Studio 10 to Nashville
Lombard got her start at hit-radio station WABB-FM in 2001 and stayed through 2008, part of a era that included owner Bernie Dittman’s old-school promotional stunts — among them a memorable on-air “suspension” hoax involving the morning show. She moved into television reporting and by 2010 was hosting “Studio 10.”
Lombard described the Nashville hiring process as a whirlwind, capped by an interview and audition trip. Her fiancé, Glen “Qtip” Johnson — host of WABD’s morning show — has put in for a transfer with Cumulus Media and hopes to join her in Nashville eventually.
“I’m talking over multiple options with Cumulus right now, but nothing is definite yet. As of right now I’ll be here through the end of the year,” Johnson said at the time of the announcement.
Joe Emer is set to rejoin “Studio 10” as Lombard’s replacement, co-hosting alongside Chasity Byrd.
Also making moves: Mobile’s media landscape shifts
Lombard’s departure lands during a busy stretch for local media. The Press-Register has completed its move into the rebuilt historic Kress building at Royal and Dauphin streets downtown, leaving its massive Water Street building housing little more than printing operations. Staffers describe the new downtown quarters as feeling more like a community than the old office, which dated from a time when the newsroom was far larger.
The Fairhope Courier — increasingly an Eastern Shore-wide paper — has also left its longtime home in the old post office on Fairhope Avenue for new offices in Daphne. Gulf Coast Newspapers sold the former Daphne Bulletin office years ago, and the paper’s name and location have both since changed.
Downtown Mobile’s airwaves are set to get more interesting as well: a group calling itself Radio Free Mauvilla announced it has obtained the license and frequency to launch a low-power nonprofit station at 104.7 FM as WHEX, working in association with the Mobile Arts Council. The station plans commercial-free programming showcasing music not heard elsewhere locally while keeping listeners engaged with area arts organizations and nonprofits. Emily Hayes and Trey Lane of ModMobilian.com are known to be involved, and the group is seeking volunteers and underwriters.