By Steve Kabelowsky Contributing Columnist Published May 16, 2014 at 3:06 PM Photography: shutterstock.com

When looking at radio ratings in the Milwaukee Market, you can see where the powerhouse stations are and also the seasonality of when we tend to listen more. The harsh, longer winter conditions probably kept us listening longer into the year, but the spring to summer drop was still evident.

Country station WMIL-FM 106.1 maintained its hold on the market, despite seeing a drop in overall listeners from March until April. The 9.5 was still more than a full point ahead of the next runner up, WTMJ-AM 620 with an 8.3, according to the numbers gathered by Nielsen Audio and reported by the Tom Taylor Now newsletter.

The rankings only account for the stations that subscribe to Nielsen Audio. There are a number of stations in the Milwaukee market that do not subscribe, and that’s why they are not on this list.

April Nielsen Audio results:

WMIL-FM, County - 9.5
WTMJ-AM, News/Talk – 8.3
WRIT-FM, Oldies – 6.3
WMYX-FM, Adult Contemporary – 5.7
WISN-AM, News/Talk – 4.9

WLWK-FM, Adult Hits – 4.7
WXSS-FM, Pop/Contemporary Hits – 4.6
WLUM-FM, Alternative – 4.5
WKKV-FM, Urban – 4.3
WRNW-FM, Pop/Contemporary Hits – 3.8

WLDB-FM, Adult Contemporary  - 3.7
WHAD-FM, Talk – 1.5
WYMS-FM, Adult – 0.9
WSSP-AM, Sports – 0.7
WZTI-AM, Adult Standards – 0.7

WMSE-FM, Alternative - 0.4
WOKY-AM, Sports – 0.4

SIGNING OFF: This week wrapped up a 5-decade career for Barbara Walters who retired from her various roles at ABC. The long-time journalist and producer of "The View" is well known for being a trailblazer in the industry and the stars and former co-hosts bid her farewell on this morning’s edition of her daytime talk show.

Even though her retirement announcement was made last year, ABC did a good job of planning her departure near the end of the May ratings sweeps period.

MAKEUP EVENT: Want to look like the Hollywood stars? Here’s your chance.

Alex Sanchez, the national makeup artist for Lancome, will be offering customized lessons from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 29, at the Boston Store at Mayfair Mall.

Sanchez has worked with television stars and is known for his runway looks in the modeling world. He’s worked with Liya Kebede, Alek Wek, Eva Herzigova, Karen Elson  and Ivanka Trump.

There is a $50 reservation fee and customers will get a $50 Boston Store gift card at the appointment.

Reservations can be made at Boston Store, or by calling 414-453-7500, ext. 3235.

SPECIAL TAPING: "Black Men in Prison: Solutions," a production of WUWM-FM’s "Lake Effect" and MPTV’s "Black Nouveau," will have a special TV and radio taping at 6 p.m. on Tuesday at Centennial Hall of the Milwaukee Public Library.

As part of a special collaboration, Milwaukee Public Television (MPTV) and WUWM-FM 89.7 -- Milwaukee Public Radio will examine why Wisconsin has such a high rate of African American male incarceration.

"Community members are invited to add their voices to the conversation, and a panel of experts from local organizations, elected officials, law enforcement, and the business community will discuss possible solutions," the stations reported in a release. "Also, community organizations will be available with information on re-entry programs and other resources."

Joanne Williams, host of MPTV's "Black Nouveau," and Mitch Teich, executive producer of WUWM's "Lake Effect," will moderate a panel discussion of experts and take questions.

Excerpts from the event will air on a special edition of "Lake Effect" on May 23 at 10 a.m. on WUWM-FM, and the "Black Nouveau" episode is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on June 11 on MPTV Ch. 10. 

To reserve a seat at the taping, call (414) 270-1224.

Steve Kabelowsky Contributing Columnist

Media is bombarding us everywhere.

Instead of sheltering his brain from the onslaught, Steve embraces the news stories, entertainment, billboards, blogs, talk shows and everything in between.

The former writer, editor and producer in TV, radio, Web and newspapers, will be talking about what media does in our community and how it shapes who we are and what we do.