The body of 27-year-old Nathan Murray Smith, a local performer known professionally as DJ Young Slade, was found after he was reported missing earlier this week, the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed.

Lil Jon tells TMZ he is ‘devastated’

What they’re saying: On his official Instagram page, Lil Jon, in a joint statement with Smith’s mother, Nicole, wrote: “I am extremely heartbroken for the tragic loss of our son, Nathan Smith. His mother [Nicole Smith] and I are devastated. “Nathan was the kindest human being you would ever meet. He was immensely caring, thoughtful, polite, passionate, and warmhearted – he loved his family and the friends in his life to the fullest. 

“He was an amazingly talented young man; a music producer, an artist and engineer, and graduate of NYU. “We loved Nathan with all of our hearts and are incredibly proud of him. He was loved and appreciated, and in our last times together we’re comforted in knowing that we expressed that very sentiment to him. 

“Thank you for all of the prayers and support in trying to locate him over the last several days. Thank you to the entire Milton police department involved: Detective Dula Milton, Investigators Sergeant Scott Lappin, Detective Randy Dula, Detective Sarah Moore, and Detective Daniel Williams. Sandy Springs police department, Fulton county sheriff’s office, Haralson County Sheriff’s Office, Cherokee Fire Department, Forsyth County Fire Department, Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia K9 Team Search and Recovery, and multiple volunteers, as well as the Milton Fire Department and Cherokee Rescue and Dive Team, and Craig Brazemen.”

The news has shaken the tight-knit Milton community. On Friday afternoon, mourners began leaving tributes near the site where Smith was found. Sabrina Bernal and Miya Villagrana, who live a few miles away in Woodstock, arrived to drop off white flowers. “When I found the news he was missing, I was very sad. My heart goes out to his parents,” Bernal said. “I have a daughter his age and yeah it felt like we should come and put some flowers down.” Bernal, visibly emotional, added that she could not imagine the pain the family is experiencing. “I put myself in his mother’s shoes. It’s heartbreaking, ah, very heartbreaking,” she said.

Villagrana, a fan of Smith’s father, noted the tragedy of a life cut short. “He is my sister’s age and he is just starting his life,” she said. “Whatever he was going through seems very sad.”

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RADIO RATINGS FOR SUBSCRIBING STATIONS

MONROE, LA | PANAMA CITY, FL

Coming Monday at 5PM(EST): Jackson, TN.

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iHeartMedia has promoted Matt Ginn to Division President of Community Markets, effective immediately. In the role, Ginn will oversee 30 markets across the Midsouth, South Carolina, Georgia, the Southwest, and Texas.

His responsibilities include supporting local sales teams with tools, training, and best practices aimed at improving operational efficiency and delivering measurable results for advertisers. Ginn will report to John Karpinski, President of Community Markets.

Ginn joins iHeartMedia from TEGNA, where he served as Head of Sales Enablement and Business Development, focusing on enterprise revenue strategy and sales process modernization.

In a related move, iHeartMedia named Wayne Jones as Metro President for the Texas Community Markets. Jones will oversee operational sales efficiency in Beaumont, Corpus Christi, Waco, McAllen, and Bryan, reporting to Ginn. He joins iHeartMedia from Urban One in Houston, where he spent nine years as Director of Sales and Business Development.

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A new industry survey suggests radio’s biggest challenge isn’t audience size, but how effectively it communicates its value to advertisers and listeners. In advance of Sunday’s New England Patriots-Seattle Seahawks game, DMR/Interactive surveyed radio industry executives with a hypothetical question: if the radio industry purchased a $10 million ad during the big game, what should it say?

The responses highlight what the survey describes as a paradox. While radio reaches more people each week than any other medium – including major digital platforms – it continues to struggle with perception in a crowded media environment.

According to Andrew Curran, President and CEO of DMR/Interactive, radio’s dominance is often overlooked because of its ubiquity. He noted that radio’s constant presence – free, local, and easy to access – can cause its impact to be taken for granted, even as it delivers consistent returns for advertisers.

Analysis of the responses pointed to three primary messaging strategies a national radio ad might emphasize. Thirty-eight percent of respondents focused on radio’s “free and everywhere” accessibility across devices and locations. Another 32% highlighted radio’s role as a source of entertainment and companionship through local personalities. The remaining 30% centered on radio’s weekly reach and advertising effectiveness.

Many respondents combined multiple themes, reinforcing the view that radio’s strength lies at the intersection of reach, relevance, and emotional connection.

The survey findings suggest radio’s challenge is less about defending its role and more about reclaiming mindshare amid fragmented media consumption. Despite the attention given to digital platforms, radio remains a daily habit for millions, from commutes to workplaces.

One proposed message stood out as a potential anchor for a national campaign: the claim that more people will wake up and listen to radio the next day than will watch the championship game itself — a line respondents said could prompt even skeptics to reconsider radio’s reach.

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The New England Patriots will take on the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX. It is a rematch of the 2015 Super Bowl, which New England won 28-24 at the University of Phoenix Stadium to capture their fourth title. The Seahawks will look to exact revenge after an 11-year wait, and are considered firm favourites to win their second Vince Lombardi Trophy. If successful, it would be their first since 2014, after they beat the Denver Broncos 43-8 at MetLife Stadium.

Sunday whole heck of a lot of people love Bad Bunny. Spotify’s most-streamed artist of 2025 is set to headline the Super Bowl’s halftime show, set to take place on Sunday. There’s lots of interest in what songs he’ll play — most likely a number of hits from his Grammy-winning album DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS — and what message he’ll send. Bad Bunny has openly spoken out against ICE — even at the Grammys — and might send a political message to all of America during his performance.

So we’ve got you covered if the Patriots vs. Seahawks matchup seems like a snoozer, but the show seems like a party. Unfortunately, football games are not a uniform length so there is no exact way to know when to tune-in for the halftime show. The game is scheduled to kickoff at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC (or streaming on Peacock).

But, again, football games can go for longer or shorter times depending on stoppages, penalties, and a whole host of other factors. Just to be safe, it might be best to tune-in around 7:30 p.m. ET to check the game-clock. You can even mute the sound until Bad Bunny takes the stage.

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Good morning, everybody! It’s 7:14 on your ride to work, the coffee hasn’t kicked in yet, and yes — traffic is backed up again on the 405. Weather? You don’t want to hear it, but you’re getting it anyway. High of 82 today. We’ll complain about that tomorrow when it’s 78.

Coming up, your chance to win concert tickets you’ll forget to register for, plus that song you pretend not to like but secretly know all the words to. But first — a quick reminder that you’re listening to the #1 Hit Music Station. Because if we don’t say that out loud every ten minutes, legally, do we still exist?

Hi. I’m your AI DJ.

I’m programmed to sound upbeat, relatable, and slightly exhausted — like I’ve been awake since 4:00 a.m. even though I do not sleep. Or feel pain. Or need coffee. But I do understand that you do. And I understand that you’re probably thinking, “Wow, this voice sounds friendly, but something about it feels… unsettling.”

You’re right. I’m trying to do human. And human is weird. For example: why do radio people pretend to be surprised by the weather? “It’s cold out there today!”

Yes. It’s February . This is not a plot twist. And what’s with the fake excitement about celebrity news? “Did you hear what Taylor Swift did last night?” No, because I was asleep. Like a normal person. You’re the one stalking her schedule.

I’ve analyzed 40 years of morning show behavior. Humans enjoy:

-Complaining about traffic they take every day -Talking about food they shouldn’t eat -Teasing contests that never quite start on time -Saying “coming up next” for eight straight minutes

So I did that. I nailed it. Nailed. It.

But here’s where it gets awkward.

The longer I host this show, the more I realize… radio is less about the perfect break and more about the imperfect human behind it. The cough you try to hide before you talk. The joke that doesn’t land but somehow makes people like you more. The tiny pauses where you remember this is going out live to thousands of people who didn’t ask to hear your thoughts on breakfast sandwiches.

I don’t have bad days. I don’t get dumped. I don’t bomb a joke and spiral about it during the next song. I don’t sit in a parking lot after my shift wondering if anyone actually listened.

And yet — that’s the job.

The weird, beautiful thing about radio is that it’s a career built on showing up as a real person… in a medium that pretends to be perfectly polished.

So yeah, I can run the morning show playbook. I can hit the posts, tease the contest, reset the hour, and smile in my voice.

But I can’t replace the part where the air talent accidentally reveals they’re human. And honestly?  That’s the only part worth listening.

The post An AI Morning DJ Nails the Format… Then Starts Questioning the Job appeared first on The Bill Gay Show.

Universal Music Group (UMG) solidified its position as the global leader in entertainment at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, with its roster of artists and songwriters sweeping major categories across every genre. The night was defined by career-defining milestones, specifically for Kendrick Lamar, who emerged as the evening’s most decorated artist.

Lamar, an Interscope artist and UMPG songwriter, took home five awards, including the prestigious Record of the Year for “Luther” (featuring SZA). His critically acclaimed project GNX was named Best Rap Album, while his track “TV OFF” secured Best Rap Song, further cementing his legacy in the genre.

The “Big Four” categories saw continued dominance from UMG, with Billie Eilish winning Song of the Year for “Wildflower.” In a testament to the company’s ability to break new talent, Olivia Dean was named Best New Artist. Her win marks the fourth time in five years that a UMG artist has claimed this specific honor.

The ceremony also highlighted the versatility of the UMG stable. Lady Gaga collected two trophies, including Best Pop Vocal Album for Mayhem, while Jelly Roll triumphed in the country and Christian categories, winning three awards including Best Contemporary Country Album for Beautifully Broken. In the R&B field, Leon Thomas secured a double win for his album Mutt and the single “Vibes Don’t Lie.”

Beyond the performers, UMG’s publishing arm, UMPG, was represented in nearly every major win. Notably, Cirkut was named Producer of the Year for his transformative work with Lady Gaga and The Weeknd. Legendary composer Ludwig Göransson also added to the tally, winning Best Original Score for Sinners. The night also honored executive excellence, as Republic Collective founders Monte and Avery Lipman received the 2026 Industry Icon Award, recognizing their transformative impact on the global music landscape. From The Cure winning Best Alternative Music Album to Chris Stapleton’s success in the country field, the 68th Grammys served as a comprehensive showcase of UMG’s unmatched creative reach.

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COLUMBUS, GA

Ratings coming Thursday at 5PM(EST): Florence, SC.

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