On his Dial-Global/CBS Radio syndicated radio show this morning, WPHT/Philadelphia-based Michael Smerconish nabbed an exclusive interview with Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter who announced yesterday that he was switching from the GOP to the Democratic Party. Specter told Smerconish that he thinks Americans need to become “more politically active” because “both parties are being controlled by the extremes on both sides.” Specter added that “if more people would participate on both sides, the parties would be controlled more by the center and that would be good for America, and good for both Democrats and Republicans.” When Smerconish asked Specter what he thought about the response his move to the Democratic party evoked from many conservative Talk radio hosts and GOP leaders the Senator replied, “I’m not going to comment because I’m not going to be critical. I’m only going to state what I want to do.”

“Oooooh, that stings!” So said ESPN Radio Mike & Mike In The Morning co-host Mike Golic as certified esthetician Beth Good waxed the former NFL star’s legs and forearms to pay off for losing this year’s annual NCAA tournament “bracket wager” to co-host Mike Greenberg. “It feels like a lot of little bee stings,” said Golic as the 83-minute procedure began. “It doesn’t really hurt, but it stings like the Dickens!” Also in studio to witness this morning’s wax-’n-rip event were ESPN SVP Traug Keller and SportsCenter anchors Hannah Storm and Michael Kim.

Brian Jennings kicks off his tour in support of his new book, Censorship: The Threat To Silence Talk Radio, on May 6th in Harrisburg, PA. Jennings will crisscross the nation throughout the month of May, signing copies of the book at local bookstore events and chatting with local Talk radio hosts about it. Tour dates and stops are available at www.censorshipbook.com … Smooth Jazz outlet KJZN/Fresno is currently pumping out the Christmas hits and also airing not-so-subtle references to “The Truth” about the stunt being unveiled this Friday (5/1) … Along with firing nearly 600 more employees yesterday, Clear Channel Radio also suspended its corporate match for employee 401(k) plans through at least the end of this year as part of the company’s latest restructuring moves. If you were one of those caught up in yesterday’s CC budget cuts and would like us to publish your contact info so that you may stay in touch with industry friends and colleagues, send it to me at al@ntsmediaonline.com.

The mobile audio provider hooks up with the third-party ad serving and audience measurement platform to provide Foneshow content publishers with a fully integrated mobile media platform. “With the addition of Ando Media’s Ad Injector, Foneshow will be able to provide cellular content publishers with a full-service product that enables them to publish and monetize their programming to any cellular phone,” said Foneshow CEO Erik Schwartz. “This is part of our continuing effort to provide the radio industry with a mobile application that boosts their non-traditional revenue, as well as adding an additional level of service.” Ando Media’s Ad Injector enables clients to inject and evaluate ad data for mobile applications in real time through web streaming, as well as through Foneshow.

According to the newspaper industry’s Audit Bureau of Circulations, the daily Wall Street Journal is the only newspaper of the nation’s Top 25 print publications to show growth in individually paid circulation over the past six months. Concurrently, Dow Jones reports its WSJ Radio Network has also seen major growth, adding some 55 new affiliates during the past year. Over 350 stations nationwide now air the network’s programs including The Wall Street Journal This Morning, The Wall Street Journal Report, The Wall Street Journal This Weekend, and the recently launched feature Watching Your Wallet feature. “As radio listeners try to make sense of the turmoil in the economy the demand for high-quality, authoritative business news and information from the Journal continues to grow,” commented WSJRN Executive Director Nancy Abramson.

Salem Radio Network’s “Obama: The First 100 Days Tour” is tearing across Texas like a tornado this week, with stops in Dallas on Monday night (4/27), Houston tonight, and San Antonio tomorrow night. Pausing for this souvenir moment after Monday night’s event are (l-r); SRN hosts Hugh Hewitt and Michael Medved, Texas Governor Rick Perry — who moderated Monday night’s show — and SRN host Mike Gallagher.