This was a banner summer for BlogTalkRadio. We aquired funding to further promote our vision, we had some big name hosts and even bigger name guests and we’re making our presence known at the Democratic and Republican National Conventions. None of this would have been accomplished if not for the awesome work of the BlogTalkRadio Team, our talented hosts and loyal listeners.

This summer was BlogTalkRadio’s biggest season yet and I’m proud and honored to bring you the highlights.

BlogTalkRadio in the News

• BlogTalkRadio in the New York Times: We kicked off the summer with the New York Times announcing our $4.6 million in new funding, thanks to the Kraft Group (you know them as the owners of the New English Patriots.) Thanks to this new funding we get to upgrade and expand which means a more pleasant and user-friendly BlogTalkRadio experience for all involved.

• BlogTalkRadio founder and CEO Alan Levy was interviewed about BTR on the Social Networking Bible podcast on August 11th.

• BusinessWeek.com featured BlogTalkRadio in a two page article about our business model and services.

• Alan certainly gets around! He was also interviewed on Fox Business. Catch the video clip here . And while you’re here, check out Alan’s quote at Read/Write Web regarding Technorati.

• On August 11th we put in an appearance at the Publisher’s Weekly website when it was announced we’re attracting big name publishers such as Harper Collins.

• BlogTalkRadio even made an appearance on televised DNC coverage.

New Faces

• Marketing Whiz John Federico signed on as our BlogTalkRadio’s V.P. of Marketing
• Philip Recchia, who made a name for himself in print is our new Director of Programming.
• ProBlogger Deborah Ng (that’s me, folks) is BlogTalkRadio’s new Community Manager.

Daily Mix

This summer saw the launch of The Daily Mix. BlogTalkRadio’s nutshell week in review as hosted by Shaun Daily. Each fifteen minute segment features gossip, soundbites and news.

Channel & Station Launches

Further proof of our moving onward and upward is the launch of several new channels and stations.

• Heading Right featuring a daily dose of progressive politics.
• Heading Left for those preferring a more liberal focus.
• Our brand-spanking-new Fantasy Sports Channel launches tomorrow, Tuesday September 2nd!

Scandals!

Did we ever have some scandals! To run-ins caught on tape to the giant ape that never happened, check out some of the scandals that went down this summer at BlogTalkRadio:

• BlogTalkRadio was thick in the middle of the BigFoot scandal when Sasquatch Detective Steven Kulls went to examine a cadaver and found a costume!
• Tiffany Pollard, a/k/a “New York” to reality television fans, gave us the low down and dirty on her breakup with contestant “Tailor Made.”
• Liz Sheridan, who played Jerry Seinfeld’s mom on the beloved series told us she can’t get through Jerry’s people to speak with him. In fact,  she doesn’t even have his number!
• Astronaut Edgar Mitchell told us how he believed in aliens…and why!
• Sitcom star Darius McCrary was cleared of assault charges after talking with BlogTalkRadio and posting pictures on our blog proving his innocence.

Celebrity Hosts

While many of our talk show hosts aspire to become famous, some were famous before they strapped on the headphones. A few famous names debuted BlogTalkRadio segments this summer:

• Steven Baldwin
• Justin Guarini
• Becky Buckwild
• Asa Aarons

Celebrity Guests

Check out some of our segments featuring these noteworthy celebrity guests:

• Brad Pitt
• Tommy Chong
• Harry Shearer
• Kirk Cameron
• Coolio
• Matthew Fox
• Corey Feldman
• Olivia Newton John
• Carol Alt
• Marsha Mason
• Gilbert Gottfried
• Margaret Cho
• Ally Sheedy
• Finola Hughes
• D.B, Sweeney
• “Soup Nazi” Larry Thomas
• David and Nathan Osmond
• Judge Reinhold
• Dennis Kucinich
• Sheryl Lee Raplph

Milestones

Several of our hosts have milestones to report:

• Rico & Pauly of the Wildly popular Fruit Salad Show celebrated one year with BlogTalkRadio!
• Sports Heaven aired it’s 50h episode over the summer!
• Golf.com Radio made its debut!
• Dangerous Lee celebrated a year with BTR!
• Congratulations to Media Lizzy on her one year anniversary!
• Earth Frenzy Radio celebrated a year with BTR in July!

Did your show have an anniversary or milestone over the summer? Email the details and I’ll update this list to add you!

The Best is Yet to Come

This is all just a drop in the proverbial bucket. Stay tuned to this blog and to BlogTalkRadio for more of the same – and better!