Talk radio host Andy Dean joins the Big Talker's weeknight lineup

One Red Bull energy drink just isn't enough for Andy Dean.

No, the talk radio host needs four or five — maybe even six — to get through the day.

But he's trying to cut back. Really, he is.

Dean, whose nationally syndicated "America Now" program debuted Monday, brings a unique point of view — and a tremendous amount of energy — to Austin's 98.9 the Big Talker.

The hyperkinetic host says he's excited to be on the air in Central Texas and expects he'll have no problem picking up listeners here who are "young, independent thinkers."

"The people in Austin are very weird and strange, and that's my demo," he said. "I hope they like me because I don't want to get a new job."

"We decided to pick up Andy's show because he seems — and our hopes are — that he is different," said Jeff Wolf, the Big Talker's operations manager. "Andy is younger than your typical talk radio show host. He's informed, witty and kind of a jerk ... but in a good way."

Dean enters syndication after a stint at Atlanta's WSB-AM. He's also filled in for Neal Boortz, a radio host heard coast to coast. Dean is based in Los Angeles.

He's best known, though, for his appearance on "The Apprentice." Dean was fired by Donald Trump on national TV, but later ended up working for Trump personally.

"He's actually a very hands-on manager," Dean said. "If you've got a problem, he wants to hear about it."

"America Now's" discussion topics each day will vary, including everything from politics to entertainment. The 30-year-old host leans conservative, and isn't afraid to admit it. But he thinks liberals will tune in, too.

"At first it may be painful, but in the end the entertainment value of the show is going to be such that it will draw liberals," Dean said. "I have the intellectual horsepower to pull this off."

'America Now with Andy Dean'

8 to 11 p.m. weekdays

98.9 the Big Talker, 
 KXBT-FM

Spirit Fest on Nov. 13

The lineup's out for Spirit Fest, a daylong music festival put together by contemporary Christian radio station Spirit 105.9.

Performers for the event, set for 1 p.m. Nov. 13 at Dell Diamond, include Third Day, Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, Tenth Avenue North, Peter Furler and Trevor Morgan.

Tickets start at $25, but a number of discounts are available, including free admission for a child 16 or younger with each general admission adult ticket purchased.

Discounts — and free tickets in some cases — are also available to current and former members of the military.

"Central Texas has been in need of a large-scale Christian event that brings together faith, family and fun," Spirit 105.9 general manager Tim McCoy said. "We are also excited to be able to hold the event on Veterans Day weekend and use this as an opportunity to support our troops and make a spiritual connection with each person attending the event."

Around the dial ...

Anne Hudson has shifted from traffic reporter for Clear Channel's Austin stations to nighttime host on KASE 101, one of the San Antonio-based broadcast giant's five local stations. Listen for her weeknights from 7 p.m. to midnight.

gdinges@statesman.com; 912-5987

Look out, LMFAO! Here comes Nicki Minaj

Hate to sound like a broken record – ha! – but LMFAO's ‘Party Rock Anthem' is STILL the city's most-played song, according to AllAccess.com.

Nicki Minaj isn't far behind. Her ‘Super Bass' had 225 spins on Austin radio stations Aug. 1-7, just one less than the 226 for our city's reigning champ.

Meanwhile Pitbull's ‘Give Me Everything' continues its plunge, dropping by double digits for the second straight week. The song was played 164 times, down from 218 July 25-31 and 239 July 18-24.

Here are the top five songs played on a random sampling of local stations:

Mix 94.7

Adele, ‘Rolling in the Deep' — 63

Black Eyed Peas, ‘Just Can't Get Enough' — 61

OneRepublic, ‘Secrets' — 56