Radio Wrap: Jon Stevens headlines Pure Gold Live, how Hamish & Andy rejected triple j

Hamish & Andy almost joined triple j

Hamish Blake has revealed a ‘sliding doors’ moment that could very well have changed the Australian radio landscape.

On the most recent episode of The Betoota Advocate Podcast, Blake has revealed that someone tried to convince he and Andy Lee to ditch Austereo to join triple j.

“They were like, ‘This is the moment. This is the moment where you define your legacy. You shred that contract and you come to triple j,'” said Hamish.

WSFM announces Pure Gold Live lineup

WSFM‘s Presents Pure Gold Live returns for its fourth edition this year, with music legend Jon Stevens to headline.

Joining Stevens on the lineup include 1927, GANGgajang, Glenn Shorrock, Pseudo Echo, Thirsty Merc and more.

The event will go down at Sydney’s Enmore Theatre on Saturday, October 27.

ABC Radio faces sweeping cuts

Reports have emerged that the ABC is considering changes to several of its radio stations, in light of the recent Federal Budget which saw $84.7 million cut from the national broadcaster.

Among changes being considered include dropping ABC Classic FM altogether, as well as the possibility of merging Radio National and ABC News Radio.

NOVA’s Mark Downes passes away

NOVA Entertainment’s chief technology officer Mark Downes tragically and suddenly passed away on Monday, May 28.

Downes died of sudden heart failure, and Nova expressed its condolences in a statement.

“Mark will be sorely missed and our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to Mark’s wife Brenda and his two children Lincoln and Ainsley, at this most difficult time.”

Melbourne’s Radio Training Institute final broadcast.

The final class of RTI students is undertaking its final ever ‘live broadcast week’, with the institute set to close for good.

RTI FM: The Sound of Melbourne showcases the talent of eight ‘up and coming’ stars: Jessica Window, Adam Roche, Victor Mims, Keely Rooney, Georgina Hacon, Amy Hegedus, Simon Kelesidis and Steven Hagiliassis.

RTI FM can be streamed from 7am-7pm Wednesday, May 30 and 7am-8pm Sunday, June 3.

Former KIIS nights duo call sacking a “gender issue”

In November last year Radio Today broke the story that The Thinkergirls had been unceremoniously axed from their night slot on the KIIS Network.

Now Kristie Mercer and Stacey June have now revealed they believe their sacking was “100% a gender issue.”

“You’re in denial a bit, because you don’t want the answer to be the one that’s in your gut, which is that they couldn’t handle two women,” they said in an interview with Mamamia.

Want more Australian radio news? Head over to TMN‘s sister site Radio Today for all the latest.