LARP Factoids from 2000 Column
"I Did Not Know That!"
1
KFWB airborne traffic reporter
Jeff
Baugh was a club dj for 15 years, mostly at
Carlos ‘n Charlie's on the Sunset Strip. |
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2
Mark & Kim left KOST for a Florida
remote paid for by Cox; the hotel was paid for by AMFM; and
on the return flight they were working for Clear Channel.
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3
John Frost arrived at KROQ in 1987
from an Anchorage radio station.4
Bill Schubert worked as public
relations director for the Southern
California Edison Company before
starting his Southland radio career.
5
KABC’s Superfan, Ed Beiler,
was sentenced to a year in prison
for defrauding the federal government
in 1969, when he was in the
trucking business.
6
Gary Owens voted #1 dj by readers
of
Los Angeles Radio People for the
period between 1957 and 1997.
7
Rhonda Kramer has worked with
eight of the all-time Top 10 Los Angeles
personalities, as listed in
Los Angeles Radio People.
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8
LARP voted
M*A*S*H their
all-time favorite tv show in a
1998 survey.
60 Minutes
topped the list of "Must-See"
tv shows.9
KFAC's transmitter, with the
call letters affixed, stood
for years atop Cord's
automotive showroom
in downtown L.A.
10
Raechel Donahue spent
1990 working on an
offshore radio station
near the French Riviera.
11
Ken & Karen Beck's
first born son, Bryan, played
Jason the ABC soap
General
Hospital
from 1983-90.
He also was the little kid
with the dog on a
Doogie Howser episode.
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12
KROQ’s Adam Carolla is a former comedy
traffic schoolteacher. |
13
In the 1970's, Stephanie Edwards was a
regular on the sitcom The Girl with Something Extra
and the variety show The Hudson Brothers Show.
14
Wink Martindale made a cameo appearance as a quiz show
host on a short-lived ABC sitcom in 1983 called
Just Our
Luck (The show lasted only 3 months)
15
Jonathan Doll (KRTH, 1986-91) was a
Star
Search winner.
16
Reed Berry played Santa Claus in
The
Garbage Pail Kids Movie and a uniformed security agent in
the Clint Eastwood movie, In the Line of Fire.
17
KRLA’s
Michael Jackson is
married to actor Alan Ladd's daughter. |
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18
Bill Drake, during the '60s, was married to Jerry
Dunphy's daughter.
19
Reb Foster, during the
'60s, managed Three Dog Night, Steppenwolf and Hoyt Axton.
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20
Manon Hennesy's step-father is actor Clint
Walker. Her father, Tom Hennesy, played The Creature
(From The Black Lagoon), among other roles. |
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21
In the 1960's, KNX entertainment reporter
Tom
Hatten played Capt. Murdock on
Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.
22
KRLA newsman Adam J. Demaris appeared as an extra in
Rebel
Without a Cause and
Raintree County.
23
Mike Wagner's father
Jack Wagner not
only was a KHJ deejay prior to Boss Radio but also had a
recurring role on the tv show Ozzie & Harriet.
Mike's uncle was Roger Wagner of the famed Roger Wagner
Carole.
24
Don Elliot is the voice heard announcing the flight
on the '60s hit Next Plane to London by Rose Garden.
25
Charlie O'Donnell was the newscaster on Simon and
Garfunkel's '60s hit 7 O'clock News.
26
Wink Martindale had a country/pop hit in the early
'60s with Deck of Cards.
27
Wolfman Jack has been heard on several records,
including the '70s Guess Who hit,
Clap For the Wolfman.
28
M.G. Kelley appeared in an episode of
WKRP
in Cincinnati as a newspaper reporter. |
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29
The Regular Guys,
Eric Haessler and
Larry
Wachs were best friends working together in Hartford and
Rochester radio before joining KLSX "Real Radio" in
the summer of 1995.
30
Pat Boone plays weekend dj on the
"Music of Your Life’ satellite-delivered format.
31
Bob Morgan (KGBS) runs a passenger train.
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32
Premiere Radio Networks’
Tim Kelly
and
Evelyn Kelly met at KTLK-Denver.
They worked together in Chicago and
joined KFI as a team in 1978. |
33
When asked if Mark Wallengren was his real
name, KOST’s Mark replied: "Would I change my name
to Wallengren? You’ve got to be kidding."
34
People Magazine’s special double issue
on "Hollywood’s Happiest Couples" featured a
full-page story with three photos of KPWR’s Josefa
Salinas’ marriage to Coolio.
35
KNX financial editor Jere Laird
started at day one of the all-News
format and stayed until his retirement in 1998. |
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36
KABC’s Frank Hemingway was
remembered for his Folger’s Coffee
and White King commercials. |
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37
Joel Bellman was fired from KBIG on June
16, 1987, on the same day he won a Golden Mike.
38
Gil Henry, host of Private Line,
participated in numerous Pacific Island actions as part of
the U.S. Navy Amphibious Corps.
39
In the summer of 1998, LARPs voted
Saving
Private Ryan their favorite film. |
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40
Dick Heatherton was known as "Happy
Dick" while working at WPOP-Hartford.
41
Is
Shirley Strawberry’s brother-in-law
Darryl Strawberry?
42
KROQ’s
Sluggo was a 911 operator in
San Diego.
43
"Our mission is to be entertaining, first and
foremost. And second, shut up and play the hits." –
Steve Rivers
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44
Former flamboyant Los Angeles mayor
Sam
Yorty became a talk show host at KGBS. His
sidekick was Wally George. |
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45
Merrie Rich won a 1983 national KABC
contest to co-host SportsTalk and was fired a month later.
46
Fred Wallin grew up five minutes from KABC
and started as a go-fer. A decade later he had his own show.
47
Jim Wesley came to L.A. with the Cox
purchase of KFI in 1973 for $15.1 million. "Turning KFI
around is like changing the course of the Queen Elizabeth
– it will take time."
48
"We aren’t going to be a 2 and
half share radio station.
If we can’t do better than that, we’re
gonna blow it up."
– Bill Sommers, KABC gm, September 1998. |
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49
Lisa Boman’s husband directed many
episodes of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.
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50
When Charlie Van Dyke arrived for
his first day on August 31, 1998, 20
"K-Earth" staff members from sales,
engineering and programming were sporting a Van Dyke
beard, including gm Pat Duffy and pd Mike Phillips. |
51
In 1993, Randy Thomas was the first female
announcer of the Academy Awards broadcast.
52
Rick Dees’ grandfather was a renowned
surgeon in Myrtle Beach. He was also one of the founders of
the Mayo Clinic.
53
KRLA’s Richard Beebe was born in
Pasadena and worked for KRLA (Pasadena) over a five-decade
period.
54
Jim Meeker (KRLA/KEZY) is a real estate
appraiser in Seattle.
55
Sky Walker started the first campus radio
station at Mulholland Junior High in Van Nuys.
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56
"I used to listen to Casey Kasem
and
record ‘American Top 40’ on my
little cassette player and then talk
into the microphone between songs
and pretend to be the announcer.
Now I’m hosting the replacement show
for ‘AT40.’ Wild!" –
Adrienne
Walker |
57
Kenny Morse started out as an actor
appearing in Broadway companies of
Grease and
Jesus
Christ Superstar.
58
Johnny Gunn (KEZY/KBIG) started his
broadcast career in Alaska. He owns a cottage gift business
on the Central California Coast.
59
In 1996 and 1997, Paul Freeman and
Sylvia
Aimerito worked morning drive at KBIG.
60
Charlie Sergis worked at KFWB from 1971
until his retirement in 1998. He earned a master’s
degree from the University of Missouri School of Journalism
and was news director for part of his term.
61
"The Wild Itralian"
Dick
Biondi from KRLA in the 1960s is enshrined in the
Radio Hall of Fame in Chicago. |
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62
Channel 13 weatherman Danny Romero
started
in morning drive at "Mega 100" on August 17, 1998.
He was part of the successful "B-100" team in San
Diego that included Ellen K.
63
In the late 1960s, 103.5FM was known as KADS,
"K-Ads," the country’s first all-Classified
want ads radio station.
64
The Beaton Family, Fred with his father
William and brother Ronald, owned and operated KIEV from 1961
until selling the station in 1998 to Salem Communications.
65
KRLA’s Rhett Walker (1967) was born in
New Zealand.
66
"I find him to be Eddie Haskell with a South
African accent!" This is the way KABC’s Ronn
Owens responded to a listener when asked about Michael
Jackson.
67
KACD’s Nicole Sandler used to produce
the Bob Grant Show in New York.
68
Former KFWB dj Elliot Field was elected
twice to the Palm Springs City Council and he was elected
mayor pro-tem in 1981.
69
Chris Roberts played football, basketball
and baseball at Baldwin Park High and baseball at Cal Poly
Pomona.
70
Former vp/director of programming for RKO Radio
Network, Dave Roberts, holds a doctorate in research
from the University of Oregon.
71
Mike O’Neil appeared in numerous
episodes of Ozzie & Harriet,
Leave It to Beaver,
F-Troop and
Playhouse 90.
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72
According to the book
Can’t Get
Out of Here Alive,
Dave Diamond is
credited as the founder of The Doors. The former KHJ
"Boss Jock" teaches communication at Black
Hills State University. |
73
In 1993, KWIZ became "Little Saigon
Radio."
74
KTWV’s Sandy Kelley raises and trains
Golden Retrievers.
75
"Mega 100’s" Little Ricci is
a stone cold ChiPs trivia buff.
2016 Year in Review
by Alan Oda, LARadio Senior Correspondent
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Time for a recount?: And we’re not talking about the
recent election. Nielsen threw out the data from 35 families in the L.A.
market, claiming it was done “out of an abundance of caution” (a phrase
usually used for recalling contaminated food) and later stating it
didn’t affect the August report. Inside Radio said it
“highlights the complications involved when the ratings rely on humans.”
Then in December, the Media Research Council withholds accreditation of
the December ratings due to “connectivity disruption” of PPM units
reporting. There are millions of dollars riding on each month’s ratings.
Though Nielsen continues to defend the PPM methodology, it’s hard to
ignore the complaints about Nielsen (formerly Arbitron), with some now
calling for alternatives. But back to the election... |
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Everything got Trumped: Save for Sean Hannity,
it’s doubtful few could claim they were not surprised by the outcome of
Campaign 2016. But what was surprising was there was little change in
the ratings for information (news / talk) stations. KFI is now back in
the top 10, and KNX is pulling in higher numbers, yet neither station
dominated the ratings in what was arguably one of the most interesting –
and heated – elections in recent memory. Nor did “The Answer” (KRLA),
“The Patriot” (KEIB), and KABC (choose a nickname) see any appreciative
bump in listenership. Arguably, social media became the favored outlet
to share opinions and insults more than talk radio, and the latter
didn’t seem to gain substantial listenership. |
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Cumulus outlook still stormy?: While Cumulus management
continues to try to address a $2.4 billion debt and a stock price
hovering around a dollar, their local properties continue to address
their own challenges. KABC is still found toward the bottom of the local
ratings, even with live-and-local talent including some recognizable
names. Now the heritage AM station, along with FM sibling KLOS, move to
a smaller Culver City facility as they prepare to sell their long-time
transmitter site and custom-built studios on La Cienega Boulevard. The
AM station will now diplex from the KWKW transmitter site and increase
their power from 5,000 to 6,500 watts (and 6,800 watts at night),
hopefully making up the loss of their longtime antenna site with
arguably one of the greatest ground patters in Southern California (the
rumored oil underground definitely didn’t hurt). And now, KNBC/tv – not
KABC/tv – is KABC radio’s media partner. Yes, it’s a bit confusing. |
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Rock solid?: Neither KLOS nor competitor KSWD (The
Sound / 100.3) could claim total domination over the rock-n-roll
audience, though it’s easier to distinguish between the two stations.
The Sound has the mantle of “Classic Rock,” a collection of more
familiar tunes (think Eagles, Tom Petty, Credence Clearwater Revival,
Rolling Stones) largely drawn from the 70s and 80s. Claiming the title
“the Rock of Southern California” (what does KROQ think of this?), KLOS
moved to a less mainstream, harder-rocking playlist (consider AC / DC,
Metallica, Def Leppard, Foo Fighters, Guns’n’Roses). KLOS offers
“Jonesy’s Jukebox (hosted by the Sex Pistol’s Steve Jones),” “Whiplash
with Full Metal Jackie,” “Breakfast with the Beatles,” and
Frazer Smith, while The Sound offers “My Turn,” “Your
Turn,” and “Peace, Love and Sunday Mornings” (get well, Mimi
Chen!). Mornings continued to be challenging. The Sound
tried – then dropped – “Mark (Thompson) in the
Morning,” while KLOS reunited Frosty (Stillwell) with
Heidi (Hamilton) and Frank (Kramer) to
try to boost their AM drive numbers. And both stations are looking up in
the ratings at the jockless JACK/fm (KCBS/fm). |
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The CBS Spin (Off) Zone: A joking – and cynical –
comment was made that maybe all of the CBS Radio stations could achieve
JACK/fm’s success by dropping all of their talent. The comment didn’t
solicit a lot of laughs, and there wasn’t a lot to laugh about at their
Wilshire Boulevard and Venice Boulevard facilities. The budget axe did
its chopping, particularly among station veterans. The casualties over
the past year include Shotgun Tom Kelly (16 years),
Jim Carson (22 years), Linda Nunez (26
years), Steve Grad (23 years), Ed Mertz
(16 years including KFWB), and Tammy Heide (25 years),
among others. The budget cutbacks are in the shadow of the planned
spinoff of CBS Radio as a separate IPO, as CBS Chair Les Moonves
is convinced there’s no growth potential in radio. It’s also
rumored that Univision (locally KLVE [K-Love], KRCD [Recuerdo], KSCA
[Zona MX], KTNQ) is also planning an IPO next year. |
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Saying Adios: Spanish radio also saw some dramatic
changes. Super Estrella 107.1 (KSSE) did some major housecleaning,
dropping the longtime Spanish Classic Hits format and moving it to a
automated digital platform. A number of on-air and production staffers
were laid off, including Keven Ramirez, a 13-year
veteran with parent company Entravision. Now known as “La Suavecita
107.1,” the station airs regional Mexican music, but curiously the
station’s new website doesn’t list any information about personalities
or features. Entravision has economized in other markets, still the
former Super Estrella – though well known – was consistently in the
bottom third of the local ratings.
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Show me the…debt?: Besides the aforementioned financial
issues of Cumulus, iHeart continues to make the news, and it’s not good
news. Fitch Ratings was concerned iHeart was “burning through cash,”
while Moody cut the credit rating of the company. iHeart did win a
reprieve against some major creditors as more attempts are being made to
restructure the debt. Locally, many of their stations garner strong
ratings, with KOST, KBIG (104.3 / MyFM) and KIIS continuing to do well,
plus KFI re-emerging in the top ten. The local Burbank facility got a
facelift, the station continues to make advances with their digital
platforms, and iHeart’s Jingle Ball concert still gets a good size
crowd. One would almost forget the company is still saddled with $21
billion (!) in debt. |
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Anyone keeping score?: The sports stations lost one
outlet, The Beast s980 (KFWB), while the rumors kept flying that KSWD (The
Sound/100.3) would go all-sports. The Sound didn’t change format,
but you’d be excused if you thought so on Sundays when the station
simulcast all of the flagship ESPN L.A. (KSPN 710 AM) coverage of the
recently relocated L.A. Rams. Former afternoon drive host Fred
Roggin re-emerged middays at AM 570 (KLAC), though most of The
Beast staff has yet to find new local homes. Max Kellerman
left afternoons on 710 to do ESPN’s “First Take” back in Bristol,
Connecticut, while AM 570’s Petros (Papadakis) and
Money (Matt Smith) continue to drive people home. But
back to The Beast. The station continued offering the NBA’s Clippers
even after the format change, with their new Bollywood programming
nightly giving way to Brian Sieman’s play-by-play. It
was a bit odd. Eventually the Clippers relocated to KLAC where they
reside today. Also of note: The KFWB Asset Trust sold 980 AM (estimates
range from $8 - 11 million) to Universal Media Access, before the
station was resold to Lotus Communications at a profit of somewhere
between $3 - 5 million, all within the span of a year. Now that’s a
decent profit. |
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Vin Scully retires:
And Sports Illustrated
drops the ball when the magazine
had the opportunity to name him “Sportsman of the Year.” Did anyone do
more for baseball in Los Angeles? Baseball in general? And for 67 solid
years? |
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Passing Parade: It’s always difficult
when someone in the local radio community passes, but 2016 was
particularly painful. Charlie Tuna was a signature voice whose stood out
throughout the L.A. dial, Ron Jacobs will forever be associated with the
glory days of Boss Radio, and John Rook was behind-the-scenes guiding
some of the biggest stations in town. Then the holidays were disrupted
with the passing of Bob Coburn, whose Rockline syndicated program made
him about as legendary as the talent whose stories he shared.
Rock’n’Roll Heaven has some amazing new residents.
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HearAche (the year-ender): KKGO still is in local
hands, an amazing feat by the Levine family, given the
value of that frequency…That being said, Paul Freeman –
one of the most amazing survivors of LARadio – sadly retired from his GO
Country shift…Mark Thompson (not “Mark in the Morning”)
is a good foil for KFI’s Tim Conway Jr.…The former STAR
98.7 (KYSR) has not only completed its evolution as an alt-rocker, it
now cracks the top ten in ratings with The Woody Show
now the number one show for listeners 18 – 34…REAL 92.3 (KRRL) is now
ahead of Power 106 (KPWR), Big Boy still popular with
his younger listeners…Andrew Jeffries continues to keep 104.3 / MyFM
(KBIG) a fun station to hear, with Valentine shining in
the morning light…Congrats to Kevin Weatherly, who
signed a new deal to continue overseeing JACK/fm (KCBS/fm) and KROQ…The
intelligence of Doug McIntyre notwithstanding,
Terri-Rae Elmer will be missed during KABC’s morning drive…Steve
Mason “comes out” at ESPN L.A. (KSPN), and his listeners hardly
react – and that’s the way it should be...Props to AMP Radio’s (KAMP)
Carson Daly for his tributes to Christina Grimmie, who died way too
early for the most tragic of reasons…Sending healing thoughts and
prayers to both Mimi Chen and Nicole Sander,
colleagues on the radio and now both sharing journeys as cancer
survivors. Both have GoFundMe pages, please check them out… Also
thinking of Chuck Martin and many others on that
journey…Vic “the Brick” Jacobs raises $30,000 for the
Paralyzed Veterans of America by allowing his massive beard get a good
trimming during a radiothon on AM 570 (KLAC) – worth every
whisker…K-EARTH’s amazing ratings notwithstanding, the station is still
playing too many shortened versions of songs (the edit on Phil Collins
and Phillip Bailey’s Easy Lover is way too obvious)…Glad to see KNX
veterans Diane Thompson, Dick Helton
and Frank Mottek survive the recent budget cuts. Helton
and co-anchor Vicky Moore do a great job, but I still
remember the glory days of Tom Haule and Linda
Nunez…Wondering if the current “Car Pros” shows get any better
ratings than reruns of NPR’s Car Talk?...With little fanfare,
94.7 / The WAVE (KTWV) keeps drawing a lot of listeners – lots and lots
of listeners…Nice to see Bryan Simmons, one of L.A.’s
most consistent and underrated talents, find a new opportunity as pd and
talent in New Mexico. Good luck and have fun with your new adventure!...American
Idol may be history, but the reincarnation of Dick Clark,
Ryan Seacrest of KIIS/fm, continues to roll on, but I
still blame him for the Kardashians…When will Saul Levine’s
KBOQ and its Standards again be heard in AM HD? Or am I the only one who
cares?...Will airborne traffic reports disappear in the new year?...KOST
continues to dominate the ratings, Ellen K is a joy to
hear every morning, and let’s see the holiday all-Christmas numbers next
month… Years ago, Jimi Fox tried to keep the commercial
load at Ten-Q down to eight (8) minutes an hour – now, at some stations
eight (8) minutes would be somewhat short for one of several stop sets
per hour. |
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Final thought (hey, it
works for Jerry Springer):
There’s little doubt 2016 was one of the craziest years in memory. For
some, a time of celebration, for others a time of fear. There were both
boasts and frustrations. While some believed their voices were finally
heard, others believed their voices were now lost. Allow me to reiterate
what I mentioned a few years ago. It’s times like this I wish I could
sit in the garden of the “tender young cypress” and have Dick
Whittington offer the perspective (and some needed laughs) that
would be so helpful in times like this. It’d be good to laugh with
someone instead of laughing at someone. At least radio survived another
year, and we’re thankful Don Barrett is still around to
keep us posted on what’s happening. Come to think of it, as cliché-ish
as it may sound, being thankful as 2017 begins is a good place to start.
As the late Jim Healy would say, “stay tuned.”
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Email Tuesday, 12.27
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We GET Email ...
**Lunch Guests
"Nice to be remembered. All is well in
Palm Springs. Good New Year wishes to all!! P.S. Bob Arbogast
is one of the funniest persons, hardly heard on radio." - Elliot
Field (photo center)
"Don, it's hard to express the joy I had reading LARadio today. It
was, let's see, how do I accurately articulate it, oh, I got
it, WOW!
Thank you." - Chuck Blore (photo right)
|
Krampf Quarters
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(December 26, 2016) Ed Krampf, former head of the CBS/LA cluster in
2009-10, had a fascinating tale to tell over the holidays. He lost his
wallet on the American River bike trail, near Sacramento. "I wasn't sure what mile marker
it was, or the possibility that I left it in the freezer or just
misplaced it somewhere in my house," wrote Ed. "I came home and tore the house apart
with no luck finding the wallet. I was then off to the bank to cancel my
credit cards, and go through the major hassle of going to the DMV, and
wondering what other cards of importance were in my wallet."
Ed
continued: "I got really
sad when I realized that the only thing of value to me was that I have
kept my father's dog tag from the Army with me in my wallet and every
other wallet in my life since he passed 31 years ago. Everything else
could be replaced except the dog tag.
"After I came home from the bank,
there was a knock on my door. A wonderful person named Gloria Ramos
found my wallet by mile marker 11, found my address inside and drove it
to my home. She lives 25 miles from me, but just happened to be walking
her dog on that same trail minutes after my wallet fell out of my
pocket. How beautiful and wonderful is Gloria Ramos, and what an act of
kindness. I'm planning on doing something special for her, and I'm blown
away by how lucky I am to be reunited with that dog tag." |
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Kerdoon's Car World
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(December 24, 2016) KNX's Randy Kerdoon
checked in: "See you are back doing LARadio! Nice! I wanted to pass
along a Happy Holidays to you and your family!
The year 2016
wasn't all bad. My 'Talking About Cars with Randy Kerdoon' podcast on
iTunes, Soundcloud (and brief segments Sundays on KNX 1070) won two
awards this year and was nominated for a Motor Press Guild award for
Best Audio podcast or program. We've also begun doing 'video' podcasts
that we are putting up on our YouTube and Facebook 'Talking About Cars'
channels.
Lots of great guests ...talking about cars." |
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Hear Ache
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(December 23, 2016)
Congratulations to Julia and KNX's Frank Mottek.
They are expecting a child early next year. This will be a first for
both ... NBC is developing a comedy starring and executive produced by Cheech
Marin, actor-comedian and former KKBT (the BEAT) morning man in 1989
Paul Rodriguez and his son, professional
skateboarder/actor Paul Rodriguez Jr.
It is described as an irreverent comedy about being Latino
in today’s America as seen through the different perspectives of three
generations of Latino males – a grandfather, father, and son ...
NBC sportscaster Al Michaels, KNBC weathercaster and
LARP Fritz Coleman will be special honorees at the 67th
Annual Golden Mike Awards next month, presented by the Radio &
Television News Association of Southern California ... KFI helped raise
$320,000 in its sixth annual Pastathon, an on-air event to benefit
Caterina’s Club, a charitable organization that helps feed, house and
educate the children of Orange County. In addition to a huge amount of
money raised in the 17-hour KFI Pastathon broadcast, the event resulted
in 90,000 lbs of food donated. Throughout KFI Pastathon, KFI on-air
personalities including Bill Handel, Aron
Bender, Jennifer Jones Lee, Gary
Hoffmann, Shannon Farren, John Kobylt,
Ken Chiampou and Tim Conway Jr. were
on-site and encouraged listeners to donate packaged pasta, jars of pasta
sauce and money to help feed underprivileged children that live in
motels without access to a kitchen to cook healthy meals ... May you
find peace in your heart as you celebrate the holidays. |
Christmas Music Good for Country?
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(December 22, 2016)
KOST has owned the LA holiday radio ears for years. Others have tried an
all-Christmas format (KTWV as an example) but in the end it has been
KOST's turf. Last month KKGO abandoned Country music in favor of wide
mix of traditional classics, contemporary artists and a sprinkle of
Christmas Country songs. AllAccess.com interviewed the program director,
Michael Levine, as to why the change.
"Our
audience is already pre-disposed to listening to Christmas music,
because we do see that they switch to the stations that play the
all-Christmas format over the years. So why why not provide the music?,"
said Levine.
As to the wide Christmas music format, Levine said
people enjoy the classics. He said, "90% of the music will be those
Classic hits."
Many stations use holiday music as a
bridge from one format to a New Year's change. Levine told AllAccess the
family is committed to Country. "We've been very happy with the Country
format, and we've been very fortunate that listeners have responded to
the format, as well. We have no desire to ever change from that format.
We love it, and we're here to stay with it." |
Morning Has Broken
(December 21, 2016) The morning
ratings were released with the December '16 PPM:
Persons 12+
1. Valentine (MY/fm)
2. Bill Handel (KFI)
3. Ellen K (KOST)
4. Pat Prescott (KTWV)
5. Omar y Argelia (KLVE) |
Persons 18-34
1. The Woody Show (KYSR)
2. Omar y Argelia (KLVE)
3. JACK/fm (KCBS/fm)
4.
El Show del Mandril (KXOS)
Ryan Seacrest (KIIS) |
Persons 25-54
1. Valentine (MY/fm)
2. JACK/fm (KCBS/fm)
3. Omar y Argelia (KLVE)
4. El Show del Mandril (KXOS)
The Woody Show (KYSR) |
Email Tuesday
 |
We GET Email ...
** LARadio Marches On
"After such a turbulent year on so many levels, it's comforting to know
that LARadio is still with us as we head into 2017. Don, your quality
website for and about a special community of talented people is truly
appreciated." - Ken Davis
** 1500
"Caught the mention of KBLA in Burbank. I worked there in early
'50s. Studio was where the 'new' tennis courts are now located." -
Bob Miller (KMPC) from 1957-83 |
KOST Continues at #1 as December (11.3-11.30) Survey is Released
 |
(December 19, 2016) The December PPM survey, which
covers the month of November, was released this afternoon and some
familar stations dominate the top 10 in 6+ Mon-Sun 12a-mid:
1. KOST (AC) 5.5 - 6.4
2. KBIG (MY/fm) 4.7 - 5.6
3. KTWV (the WAVE) 4.8 - 4.9
4. KRTH (Classic Hits) 4.9 - 4.8
5. KIIS (Top 40/M) 4.6 - 4.4
6. KLVE (Spanish Contemporary) 4.1 - 4.0
7. KFI (Talk) 3.5 - 3.8
8. KCBS (JACK/fm) 3.7 - 3.7
9. KYSR (ALT 98-7) 3.5 - 3.4
10. KRCD (Spanish Adult Hits) 3.3 - 3.3
KNX was up a notch and came in 11th ... In the Classic Rock fight, KLOS
was up two-tenths of a point, while KSWD (the Sound) was down
two-tenths of a point ... KKGO, the only Country station, seems to be
going in the wrong direction, coming in 18th ... In sports, perhaps it
was the end of the Dodgers season that prompted a drop of almost a point
and caused KLAC to drop behind KSPN. |
Rock Radio Legend Dies
 |
(December 18, 2016) Born in 1948, Bob Coburn was
nationally known for being the voice of "Rockline" for almost
two
decades and he owned the production company. He died Saturday afternoon
following a short battle with lung cancer, at the age of 68.
Billboard magazine
recognized "Rockline" as the best syndicated show for five years.
In
1972, Bob worked for Ron Jacobs at KGB-San Diego,
after starting his LA radio career at KPPC in 1969. Bob worked afternoon
drive at KMET from 1975-79, where he was also md. “This time was the highlight of my
career!” Bob said when he was interviewed for Los Angeles
Radio People in 1994.
Bob joined KLOS the first time in the summer of 1980, from WMET-Chicago, where
he was pd. In 1981, he was named assistant pd to Tommy Hadges. In 1985
Bob was the worldwide host for Live Aid, and in the 90s, anchored Roger
Waters’ The Wall in Berlin and The Freddy Mercury Aids Awareness Tribute
in London. Bob was the voice for NiteTrax on WTBS and he was heard on
Radio Luxembourg for four years. He also served as the Rock reporter
for KABC/Channel 7. |
Bob left KLOS as part of an overall housecleaning in
late 1994. Bob told the LA Times at the time: "In a nutshell, they wanted to take
the station in a different direction, and we were not part of that
direction. We were perceived as part of the past, part of the old. I'd
like people to know we're not dead and buried. After all, it's the only
thing I know how to do. I'm completely unqualified for anything else."
In 1994, Bob started afternoon drive at the "classic rock" station,
KLSX, and a few months later left with a format change to Talk and "Real
Radio." In the summer of 1996 he hosted "A Very Special Evening With
Crosby Stills & Nash" for the Global Network. At the same time he joined
KZLA for weekends and moved to afternoons in the summer of 1996. By the
end of 1996, Bob had joined “Arrow 93” in afternoon drive. In the spring
of 1997 he returned as host of “Rockline.” On June 19, 2001, Bob left
his afternoon drive slot at KCBS/fm and worked in San Francisco for a
year before taking ownership of “Rockline.” Most recently,
Bob was hosting middays at KLOS. (Bob pictured in the Rockline
studios on the 25th anniversary of the show) |
|
Email Saturday, 12.17
 |
We GET Email...
** KNX Changes
"I am devastated by the news of the cuts at KNX. I guess they are trying
to see just how low they can bring the station before anyone tunes in
anymore. My sincere prayers to Linda Nunez,
Steve Grad and Ed Mertz to
find a spot somewhere where their great talents will not be wasted. I
appreciate what all three of you have done to make my life more
meaningful all these years." - Bill Mann, South Pasadena
** News Broadcasting Under Attack
"Feeling so bad
for my colleagues Linda Nunez, Steve Grad
and Ed Mertz. Don Barrett reports they
have been let go at KNX. I get that when a sale is on the horizon the
biggest paychecks get cut, but, remember, they get paid well because
they are great at their job. I feel like crying that these top of the
line living breathing journalists with mortgages and kids in college are
collateral damage as the big pieces move around the board. News
broadcasting is under attack. And specifically radio news. And, to drill
down deeper, Radio. Sorry, it hurts." - Larry Van Nuys,
FB
** You Could Retire at KNX
"Geez, what's
going on at CBS Radio, especially KNX? They used to respect and reward
loyalty and it was the one place were you could retire with dignity." -
Tom Bernstein |
Bryan Simmons Starts New Life in New Mexico
 |
(December 16, 2016)
Former KOST, KBIG and KTWV personality Bryan Simmons
takes on a new challenge in Albuquerque where he will be pd and do
afternoons at 99.5 Magic FM. Good luck to one of the good
guys in LARadio ...
Premiere Networks and Cumulus Media have renewed and extended an
affiliation agreement that will keep The Rush Limbaugh Show on 33
Cumulus stations through 2019. The deal is being done on the heels of
the program’s 28th anniversary in national syndication … Former KLSX
Talker and former Brady Bunch star Susan Olsen has exited her online
show for LA Talk Radio after a social media firestorm exchange with a
listener … San Antonio Express-News reports that iHeart “is burning cash
as it approaches a wall of repayments over the next two years” … Nice
piece in the LA Times on Al Michaels’ return to
the Coliseum after his first
visit as a kid in 1958. He called the miserable Thursday Night Football contest
last night,
which was played in Seattle, but it was his first Rams call in 25
years … TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison describes
nationally-syndicated Fox Sports Radio host and former KLAC host Jay Mohr as a “remarkably
diverse and original multi-media communications artist” and welcomes him
as his guest this week on the award-winning PodcastOne series “Up Close
and Far Out.” … Rosemary Hernandez is out
at CBS/LA where she was vp of the Altitude Group ... In light of a
series of end-of-the year terminations, Jeff Pope
observed: "It's
these firings during the holiday season that makes me embarrassed to be
in this industry" ... Terri-Rae Elmer found herself
without a morning co-hosting job at KABC when her contract was not
renewed earlier this month. In a FB post she was asked if she regretted
leaving KFI where she worked with John & Ken for a
number of years. "Yes and no. I have missed all my friends there, but I
have learned a lot in the last five years." |
Doug McIntyre Re-Ups at KABC for Two More Years
 |
(December 15, 2016) KABC morning man and LARP favorite
Doug McIntyre has
signed a two-year contract extension to continue his long-running
McIntyre in the Morning show. He just completed his 20th year in radio,
having originated Red Eye Radio both locally in Los Angeles and the
syndicated national edition for powerhouse 77 WABC-New York City.
"Great, another two years of no sleep!” said McIntyre who gets up at
3:45 every morning to prep for his show. “It’s been a crazy year between
the election and pop music icons dropping like flies”, continued
McIntyre. “I think we’ve found success by evolving talk radio away from
stridency; by striking the right balance between today’s headlines and
laughs without beating people over the head with ginned up outrage and
demoralizing partisanship."
In other news, while KABC was
keeping McIntyre for two more years, multiple sources report that KNX
has let go news anchor Linda Nunez, sports anchor
Steve Grad, and reporter Ed Mertz. The
three had over 56 years of service with KNX ...
Services for Art Astor will be held Friday, December 23, at 10 a.m. at Trinity United
Presbyterian Church, 13922 Prospect Avenue, Santa Ana. |
Email Wednesday, 12.14
 |
We GET Email ...
** Down LARP Memory Lane
"I just stumbled across your great
history of Hollywood radio celebrities. Talk about a trip down memory
lane. I worked as a news and sports writer and KFWB and KMPC from
1970-73, and I've never forgotten so many of those celebrities I worked
with:
KFWB: Hal Goodwin, Bill Angel,
Cleve Hermann, Charlie Sergis,
Mark Savan, John Swaney, Leo McElroy
[he left from the new KROQ], Vince Campagna,
Bill Herbert, and so many, many more. We had a reunion once 25
years after they went all-news, and so many people from the early years
were there. I flew down for the party. So many have died since then -
pretty much all of them. Lots of lung cancer from the ciggies. How sad.
I was the kid.
KMPC: Whittinghill in the
Morning, Geoff Edwards, Wink Martindale,
Gary Owens, and the Prince of Darkness Johnny
Magnus, Dave Niehaus, and so many others. I
still email with Wink, and he recorded an opening segment for the
benefit concert for homeless kids that I run each year here in Olympia,
Washington. In 2018, I'm bringing in Bob Flick and the Brothers Four to
perform. (Photo: Gary Owens, Bob Arbogast, and Roger Carroll)
And as I kid I remember so many of the names - B. Mitchel
Reed, I Winked Awake in the Morning with the Deck of Cards
man [I remember when he changed his name to Win], Rick Dees
[88 deesgrees today], and on and on. I went to school with KRLA sports
guy Rich Marotta [I got him his first job, as a writer
at KFWB].
I still remember recording the sports wire:
This
is R. Scott Schoengarth with your KMPC Busch Beer Sports Wire. Next time
you're in the market for a beer get Busch, the best popular-priced beer
in America. Today in sports. I also learned the bad side of radio -
union vs. management, and lack of job security. My dad was a television
film and sound editor [Telephone Time, Steve Canyon,
Lassie, Ben Casey,
Barbara Stanwyck, Star Trek, Mork and Mindy, and so many more] and I
observed him always going through the uncertainty of his next show vs.
unemployment.
There once was a station located in McCambridge
Park in Burbank called KBLA. Loved the name. About the same time KFWB
left rock and roll for all-News, another station that was rock and roll
- KHJ -went Country Western: We all grew up to be cowboys the
jingle went.
So thanks for all of your research and the time it
took to compile this. I think I'll keep strolling through the alphabet
and seeing who else I remember. What a trip!" - Scott Schoengarth,
scott.schoengarth@aol.com
|
** Old La Cienega KABC/KLOS Site
"I started at KABC in ’96. One reason I was able to get the job was that
I worked for the company in Carlsbad, Pacific Recorders & Engineering,
that made all the cart machines, consoles, furniture and inter-room
wiring for the place. I helped ring out and test all the Studio gear
before it was installed in ’91/‘92.
The place was designed as a
radio facility from the ground up by Norm Avery, not as
a office space conversion as is the case or most stations these days.
Needless to say it has seen better times." - Tim Ahern |
 |
 |
** Astor's Car Collection
"A
legend in broadcasting. Art Astor did it his way and was always successful.
One of the true entrepreneurs of radio. His memory will live on through
his car and radio collection, and the incredible staff of talent and
people who were associated with him over the years. I will miss my
friend. My condolences to his family, friends and staff." -
Michael Horn
** More on Astor's Collection
"Sorry to hear about
the passing of Art Astor, though at 91 he’d lived quite
a long and colorful life.
While his car collection was mentioned
briefly in the obit, I’m hoping your readers had a chance to visit the
Astor Collection in Anaheim when it was in full-swing in the early
2000s. I was fortunate enough to have been there several times,
including covering the auction when he pared it down quite a bit. In
addition to the eclectic variety of automobiles [many winning awards at
major car shows], the other section of the museum was also a great look
at the past. He had vintage radios, televisions, and even telephones
that chronicled the progress of their respective technologies. Talk
about a look at the good [and not so good] old days! And the best part
was that, like his cars, most of them were still fully functional. Rest
In Peace, Art." - Dave Kunz, Automotive Reporter,
KABC-TV /Co-Host, The Car Show, KPFK/fm
|
 |
** Jeff Fisher Dilemma
"How delightfully ironic that
you should ask, 'I wonder why radio keeps program directors way beyond
their disastrous performances?' on the same day you show us a peek into
the presumably sad-looking 'new' KABC studio. Just sayin' ...." -
Greg Hardison |
**Brill Book
"My new
book, Tales of My Baseball Youth: A Child of the 60's, is now
available in paperback form as well as digital [Kindle]. If you would
like to purchase a paperback copy you can do so through Amazon, my
website
http://www.bobbrillbooks.com/
or you can order directly from me, check, MO or credit card. PayPal and
credit cards should go through the website as it will be easier for you
and faster.
Tales of My Baseball Youth; A Child of the 60's
is a book about relationships, growing up in the turbulent 1960's with
baseball as the common thread. I think you will enjoy it." - Bob
Brill, KNX |
 |
Hoppy Great News for Kids
 |
(December 13, 2016) KFRG (K-Frog)-Riverside staff and
volunteers celebrating (photo) the total raised of $338,378 from the
15th Annual Stater Bros. Charities K-FROGGERS for Kids Radiothon on
December 7th. The funds benefit pediatric cancer patients at Loma Linda
University Children’s Hospital. Donations did come in after the tote
board photo so the final number was $340,001 ... No sooner had we complained about the losingest NFL
coach of all time (tied with Dan Reeves), the owner of the LA Rams ups and fires Jeff Fisher.
I wondered outloud, “Is that St. Louis breathing a sigh of relief?” Jim
Shannon of St. Louis fired off an email, "No, that's us saying, 'we told
you so!'” ... On a related note, I wonder why radio keeps program
directors way beyond their disasterous performances? ... Sounds like a
fun book for the holidays about Talk Radio - Yappy Days: Behind the
Scenes with Newsers, Schmoozers, Boozers and Losers by veteran WABC
talk radio producer Bernadette Duncan. She worked with Larry
King, Sally Jessy Raphael, Lou Dobbs,
Tom Snyder, Gil Gross, Charles
Osgood and many more during modern talk radio’s pre- and
post-9/11 “golden era.” ... Wonder if Laura Ingraham is
still being considered for a positition as Trump's press secretary? It
seems like yesterday when I interviewed her at Orange County's 830AM
when it was a Talker ... KROQ got some LA Times love in its
review of Acoustic Christmas concert over the weekend. |
Hear Ache
 |
(December 12, 2016) After decades broadcasting from
studios on La Cienega, KABC and KLOS moved to Culver City over the
weekend. KABC morning man Doug McIntyre (left) didn't
want to miss his wake-up call and took a ride in the moving truck ...
Bob Klopfenstein spent four years at KABC. He wrote:
"Many would agree that the KABC address was the birth of the Talkradio
format. I spent many very happy years there, and was involved in studio
design, which became the model for the NBC Frasier radio set.
Heartbreaking for some of us!" ... KUSC morning man Dennis
Bartel emailed to say that he was in his 10th year doing
mornings at the Classical station. His second book was published last
year, High'd Up. "Put me on your mailing list," wrote Dennis.
"Your news about radio figures in L.A. can be had nowhere else." ...
Whotta' treat for r&b fans on Saturday as Tom Reed, the
Master Blaster from KGFJ, KPFK, XPRS, KMET, and KDAY in the 60s and 70s,
guested with Bill Gardner on Rhapsody in Black.
"You do it every Saturday," said Reed. "Without you we would be dead in
the head ... gone with the wind ... without Bill Gardner at the helm, we
would have no r&b, no soul. We would have nothing." Tom wrote a tasty
book in 1993 called The Black Music History of Los Angeles -
Its Roots. ... David G. Hall was on a flight last
week with a Pearl Harbor survivor who was going home after the 75th
anniversary memorial in Honolulu. "How do you give a standing ovation
when the seatbelt sign is on?" wondered Hall ... KSPN's Steve
Mason wondered about the "real" attendance in the Coliseum for
the awful LA Rams game against Atlanta. One reader guessed half-filled.
Is that St. Louis breathing a sigh of relief? |
Merry Christmas from
LARadio.com
What Did 2010 Sound Like?
|
 |
(December 24, 2010)
With a deep breath … Merry
Christmas.
Another challenging year for
so many of us. My sincere
hope is that you surround
yourself with family and
friends this weekend and
begin the process for
anticipating a New Year to
be filled with love and work
that you love to do. |
My daughter,
Alexandra, graduated from UCSB in
June and secured a job with a
reality tv production house in the
South Bay, with the kind help of a
LARP. She’s already home visiting
friends. My 23-year-old son is due
from San Diego on Christmas Day. My
older son bought his first home in
Naples, Florida, thanks to the Obama
first-time buyer incentive package.
He will enjoy the holiday in the
Florida sun with his two dogs and
girlfriend. We have much to be thankful for.
I experienced
two losses this year that make me
very sad. My best friend from my
radio days in Detroit, Jack
Danahy (he ran K-ADS, Gordon
McLendon’s brief attempt at
Los Angeles' all-Classified radio at 103.5/fm and
I replaced Jack at W4), passed away
last month. And my best friend for
the last decade, Dan Avey,
died this fall. I will treasure my
time with them. As philosopher
Joseph Campbell once said, “To have
lived in our heart, is not to die.”
LARadio will be
here most days next week. Alan Oda,
our senior correspondent, has put
together the big LARadio stories of
2011. That piece will run early next
week. We are also working on the
Passing Parade, which begins with
good guy Rory Markas.
Enjoy your
holiday weekend!
2010 in Review
By Alan Oda, LARadio Senior
Correspondent
|
 |
(December 27, 2010)
Rush to
judgment: Whatever
a listener’s political
leanings, one must greatly
admire Rush Limbaugh,
for not just holding onto
his daily audience, but also
infuriating those who claim
to dismiss him. Case in
point – Limbaugh suggested
that the
earthquake-devastated Haiti
shouldn’t need any donations
and charity – “we already
donate to Haiti, it’s called
the U.S. income tax!” –
causing an avalanche of
outrage. Limbaugh himself
later stated he was quoted
out of context, his concern
being his mortal enemy, the
Obama Administration, was
taking political and
financial advantage of the
tragedy. The talk show
giant continues his love of
“tweak(ing) the Liberal
Media.” Rightly or wrongly,
the head of the EIB Network
once again demonstrated the
power that he holds on both
the local airwaves and radio
dials across the country. |
|
Bill Handel being eaten
alive!:
Though pd
Robin Bertolucci
continues to do an amazing
job with her news / talk
outlet, even the best can’t
bat 1.000. With
Dr.
Laura moving up the dial
to KFWB, it left an open
time slot which quickly
allowed Bill Handel
to become a two-timer – his
local morning show remained
intact, while he launched a
syndicated midday
effort. After six months,
the midday effort was
shelved and Bill Carroll
arrived from Canada. “The
numbers absolutely sucked,”
said the KFI host. But
there was more to consider –
Handel speculated that the
second show, even with its
limited audience, was
drawing listeners away from
the morning offering, which
he described as “ratings
cannibalization.” Speaking
of KFI’s former on-air
therapist… |
 |
|
 |
Dr. Laura relocates her
practice:
Apparently
fending off her critics
upset at her use of the
infamous “N-word” with a
caller this past summer was
the proverbial “last
straw.” So Dr. Laura
Schlesinger has decided
she was “reclaiming her
First Amendment rights” and
shutting down her nationally
syndicated radio show after
16 years (and that’s not
counting her exclusive L.A.
gigs, starting with Bill
Ballance back in 1975).
She’s not disappearing, of
course – her next endeavor
will be via Sirius XM
Satellite Radio. Though
Sirius XM may potentially
reach 30 million listeners,
the question is how many of
her current 8 million
listeners will subscribe to
hear the doctor. Meanwhile,
Dr. Laura’s soon-to-be
former station, KFWB, has so
far avoided receivership,
offering veterans Penny
Griego, Phil Hulett, Michael
Shappee, and Maggie
McKay anchoring
morning and afternoon news
blocks that deserve bigger
audiences. Come January,
the multitalented Bob
McCormick will join
Dave Ramsey and life
coach Les Brown to
occupy the middays of
“NewsTalk 980.” |
|
Then there’s news
(outlets) making news:
Juan Williams
now calls
FOX News his home after
being dismissed by NPR for
perceived anti-Muslim
remarks. The resulting
brouhaha led to calls for
NPR to lose its federal
funding, though the network
claims that public dollars
are a small part of its
operating revenue and wasn’t
all that concerned, at least
for now. And some along the
NPR network keep moving
forward. With its new 35,000
square-foot off-campus
facility boasting 13
studios, local affiliate
KPCC makes its bid to be the
primary local news outlet,
with the ambition of having
a news department with as
many as 100 reporters. |
 |
“And the
countdown continues…”:
The
words once offered by Casey Kasem
on his weekly American Top 40
took on a whole new meaning in the
local market, when KABC gm Bob
Moore asked Don Barrett,
the purveyor of LARadio, to give him
90 days and see what’s going to be
“new and improved” on the heritage
talk station. And change did happen
during the three-months and beyond –
Teresa Strasser joined
Peter Tilden in the mornings,
John Phillips offers quality
evening talk when he’s not
pre-empted by the Dodgers, and “The
Sage from South Central,”
Larry
Elder returned back to the
talkradio outlet, taking the
timeslot from KLSX refugees Frosty, Heidi
& Frank. He
may not be doing morning drive at
the station, but the eloquent
Doug McIntyre and his “Red-Eye
Radio” program lands on his feet via
syndication from New York. KFWB
veteran Steve Kindred joined
Mark Austin Thomas keeping
news a priority at the station,
though veterans Dave Williams
and Michael Linder were
dismissed. The station is still not
yet live-and-local in the afternoon,
though neither Sean Hannity
nor Mark Levin are strangers
to their local and national
audiences.
|
 |
Radio’s version of “Break
the Bank?”:
Why was
Ryan Seacrest putting
up for sale his 10,000
square foot Mediterranean
bachelor pad in the
Hollywood Hills last
summer? Were contract
negotiations with Clear
Channel not going well? Was
Dick Clark reclaiming
New Year’s Rockin’ Eve?
Was even his three-year $45
million deal for hosting
American Idol not enough
to cover the monthly
payments? Would he need to
downsize? Uh, no. Not
after the KIIS/fm morning
man signed a three-year deal
to continue his radio gig
for…gasp…$60 million. Maybe
he wants something a bit
flashier for his abode…is
the Taj Mahal on the
market? And Howard Stern
could be in a bidding war
for anything Seacrest
purchases – the “King of All
Media” is now armed with a
new Sirius-XM deal
purportedly
worth…double-gasp…$400
million. |
Top 40
still tops:
So what about
KIIS/fm, Seacrest’s home
base? Things are going well, thank
you – the station continues to be
the #1 station, so far maintaining a
lead over Carson Daly and his
station, the still relatively new
AMP Radio (KAMP). The two
mass-appeal (I think that’s what
they call “top 40” nowadays)
stations continue to offer the hits
to stellar ratings. Stryker
moved from KROQ to AMP Radio, only
to return back to the alternative
rocker at the beginning of the
year. KROQ and AMP Radio pd Kevin Weatherly continues to be
one of the market’s most amazing
programmers, but he’s not the only
success story among the CBS / Los
Angeles radio family…
A WAVE of
success, indeed: Already
given credit for helping K-EARTH
return to the top of the ratings,
Jhani Kaye performed another
ratings revival, this time for
sister station KTWV, a.k.a. “94.7
The WAVE.” The station is no longer
“smooth jazz,” but its soft AC sound
provides listeners who listen to
KOST an alternative. It should also
be even more familiar with former
KOSTer Kim Amidon bringing
her friendly talents to morning
drive. Oh wait…Jhani also
programmed KOST earlier in his
career. Still, current KOST pd
Stella Prado has to be given
credit for keeping her station
consistently in the top 5 of the
Arbitrons.
|
The Coffey’s not brewing
at GO Country:
The
return – and then quick
dismissal – of KIQQ and
K-EARTH veteran Jay
Coffey was just one of
the changes at Saul
Levine’s Country
outlet. The owner of “GO
Country 105” says the
shuffling will soon settle
as he anticipates a bright
2011. Charlie Cook
finished his consulting gig
there, succeeded by the
Pollack Media Group. Former
morning man and now
mid-morning host Shawn
Parr, was
relocated from mornings to
mid-mornings, “and
so far is pulling the
highest 25-54 ratings we
have achieved in that
day-part,” said Levine.
Ginny
Harman and Ashley
Paige are “nicely
maintain the morning show,
(while)
KKGO is conducting its
nationwide search for the
morning show person.”
Acknowledging some earlier
audience downturn, Levine
stated “KKGO has regained
its One Million Plus Cume,
and is on its way to once
again being The Number One
Country Cume in the USA.”
|
 |
Now,
one-line (non)sports flashes to
fight the clock (we miss you Jim
Healy!):
Art Laboe
received a well-deserved LARadio
Lifetime Achievement Award –
whatever our ages, we’d envy being
nearly as active and healthy as the
85-year-old father of “Oldies but
Goodies”…Rory Markas and
Dan Avey did more than just
sports, and more than just news –
both were amazing human beings
who’ll be missed…Joe McDonnell
may be one of the strongest men
alive…Will someone please give back
Mimi Chen her last hour for
the enjoyable “Peace, Love and
Sunday Morning” broadcasts?...I
don’t think Meg Whitman sent a
thank-you card to KFI after the
unsuccessful gubernatorial candidate
appeared with the skeptical John
& Ken…Continued prayers for
Rich Buhler…Will L.A. get
another shot at an FM talk
outlet?...Anyone else notice there’s
still a “star” in the billboards for
98.7/fm?...People guaranteed to make
me smile on the drive home include
Steve Mason,
John Ireland,
and Petros Papadakis...Worth
mentioning – Univision’s KLVE/fm and
KSCA/fm are both in the top ten...My
9-year-old and 6-year-old plead
daily for Radio Disney in the car –
so I’ve heard Willow Smith’s Whip
My Hair about 500 times over the
last two days…There’s a
reason why Tom Haule and
Linda Nunez are multiple
award-winning news anchors…How much
talent is there at K-EARTH? Charlie Tuna
and Bruce
Chandler are weekenders
at the oldies – er, I mean “Greatest
Hits” outlet…I hear 104.3 / MY/fm
(KBIG) at a number of retail
outlets…Though it was all taking
place back in Chicago, the departure
of Randy Michaels was well
noted here, 1700+ miles away from
Tribune Headquarters.
Last but
not least: How he does this
day-in and day-out is truly amazing
– once again, Don Barrett
deserves kudos for another year as
THE source for the stories about
radio. Gary Owens once said
Mr. Barrett is truly the one who
keeps the Los Angeles radio
community together, as well as
“being a mighty fine dancer, too.”
And thank you, Don Barrett, for
giving me opportunities to celebrate
my heroes, the talented folks who’ve
kept me entertained on the airwaves
throughout this journey. Merry
Christmas to all, and to all a good
PPM! (You can reach Alan at:
ayoda@dslextreme.com )
|
|
Drake Wake
8 Years Ago This Month
|
(December 5, 2008)
New Jersey may claim they have the Boss, but on
a Wednesday afternoon in Southern California, it
was time to pay tribute to the Boss of Boss
Radio. Some of the biggest names and
personalities in Top 40 radio caused a seismic
shift in Studio City, as they gathered to
remember the ultimate Boss, Bill Drake.
The main auditorium at
the Little Brown Church on Coldwater Canyon in
Studio City on Wednesday was overflowing with
friends, family and colleagues of Bill Drake.
Bill was the architect of the enormously
successfully 93/KHJ “Boss Radio,” a format so
successful it became the most copied format ever
in contemporary radio. (Reverend Charlie Van
Dyke during the Bill Drake Celebration of Life) |
 |
Charlie Van Dyke,
an ordained minister and a former Drake jock and pd at
KHJ from 1972-77 and on-air at other Drake stations in
San Francisco, Boston and the Detroit market was chosen
by Drake’s longtime partner, Carol Scott, to officiate
the services. Charlie addressed his Lutheran clothing
complete with clerical collar and stole early in his
opening remarks. “And about now, I can see Bill looking
at all of us and me dressed this way and saying, ‘Watson
what happened to Van Dyke? I always thought he was one
of us!’”
Charlie created a tight format
for the afternoon’s proceedings that most of the
participants adhered to. “And I can hear Bill again
saying, ‘That’s fine…just keep it moving…remember
forward momentum!’ So, we have chosen a few people to
share reflections today. And I think they represent a
good variety of Goldens, Boss 30 hits, and Boss
hitbounds and just a taste of a rockumentary. So,
moving past the Top Of The Hour ID, and sweeping the :03
continuing sign-on, we pause at the :07 promo set for a
prayer.” After some laughs, Charlie brought in a spirit
of spirituality to the proceedings with a couple of
readings from the Bible.
(KIIS and KTLA/Channel 5
airborne reporter Commander Chuck Street, Bill Watson;
former Drake program director Sean Conrad; and K-EARTH'sCharlie Tuna)
Charlie continued: “So, we
share the confidence that there was a room waiting in
the Father’s house for Bill. Well, not really. In
Drake’s case, it would be a suite. It would have a well
stocked bar. Shelves of audio equipment, of course. And
just beside his favorite chair, there is the batphone.
And we can have pretty good confidence that he will put
his talents to work up there. Many have talked about the
Righteous Brothers song, ‘Rock and Roll Heaven,’ when
I’ve talked with them about Drake. So, we can predict
that as he takes over consulting K-GOD, he is pleased to
know that some of the finest talent to ever grace the
airwaves is waiting for him. Talent that he selected and
groomed welcomed him to the jock lounge and helped him
get up to speed. And after experiencing the early
examples of Boss Radio on earth, he’ll dazzle the
galaxies with his next project. And can you begin to
imagine what the jingle singers sound like up there? One
day, we will be able to hear it to…because, Ladies and
Gentlemen, in faith we know…the beat goes on!”
Bill Watson
was Drake’s national program director. Watson now lives
in North San Diego County. He hitched a ride to the
Celebration of Life with KIIS’ Commander Chuck Street.
Chuck met Watson as a youngster hanging outside the
K/men studios in the Inland Empire, where Watson was pd.
That’s where Drake and Watson first met. “Drake told me
to sit tight, I have something in mind for you when the
time is right. It was mysterious and I had no idea what
he meant,” said Watson.
(Drake's
partner of 11 years Carole Scott and Drake's daughter
Kristie flank Kristie's husband; Lisa Osborn;
and record promo guru Don Graham and former K-EARTH
personality Johnny Hayes)
Watson went on to consult r&b
KDIA-Oakland. During a San Francisco visit, Drake and
Watson met for the first time. “Obviously I can’t be
everywhere at once so I need someone to be where I am
not. And that’s you.” And that’s how the magical
relationship began.
Ken Levine
was another of the half-dozen speakers. “Bill Drake
fired me,” opened Ken. “It was 1974 at K100. I was on
the air as Beaver Cleaver. No, he fired me for another
reason. Actually, he had Watson do it. Anyway, you’d
think I would be resentful. And usually I am. But I owe
so much to Bill Drake. The impact he had on my life is
immeasurable.”
(Gary Owens, Ken Levine;
former KOST midday host Mike Sakellarides;
and former Boss Jock Humble Harve, Bill Mouzis, and Charlie Tuna)
Ken talked about being
“mesmerized” when hearing KHJ for the first time in
1965. “If Tom Cruise had discovered Boss Radio before
Scientology he’d have that same profound feeling but be
far less nuts today. Bill set the course for my life’s
work and I am forever in his debt."
“It was always amazing to me
how Drake had such a keen understanding of people and
the world around him,” continued Levine. “He never got
out. When your sample size of America’s taste and
teenage behavior is a 65 year-old waiter at Martoni’s
named Nunzio, how do you program so insightfully, so
pinpoint perfectly to an entire generation? Bill Drake
did. He had this uncanny knack of knowing what we wanted
before we did. Even Sonny & Cher. Boy, how did
he make that call?”
Levine continued: “But from
his fortress in Bel Air – where only Bernie Torres
and the delivery boy from Vendome Liquor were allowed to
enter – Bill Drake created a format that forever changed
an entire medium and shaped the lives of millions of
young people – all for the better. We baby boomers felt
energized, optimistic, excited about a future that held
endless possibilities. How much of that is because we
also had Fractious Fridays and Million Dollar Weekends
and a Big Kahuna handing out money at junior highs
(although that one was a little dicey)? My entire
generation owes a debt to Bill Drake and his vision,
even if they have no idea who he was.”
(Two-time Drake music guru
Annie Van Bebber, Bernie Torres;
former KTWV personality Amy Hiatt; and Charlie Van Dyke)
Jhani Kaye
is having enormous success as program director at
K-EARTH. In the early 1990s, Bill put his programming
stamp on the station playing the “Greatest Hits on
Earth.” Jhani talked about growing up in Hemet, and
remembering the exact moment he was introduced to
‘93/KHJ’ and the Drake formatics for the first time.
“The presentation we heard on the air was something new
and exciting and far surpassed the programming we heard
on the two Top 40 radio stations in nearby San
Bernardino. That was the beginning of Bill Drake’s
influence in my life. And little did I know then that he
would become so influential in my role as a
programmer.”
While studying for a 1st
Class Radio License at Bill Ogden’s Radio Operational
Engineering School in Huntington Beach, Jhani remembers
that he along with some classmates would listen to KHJ
and airchecks of KFRC, ‘The Big 6-10’ in San Francisco.
“We would take turns at talking up the songs along with
The Real Don Steele and Sam Riddle, and all the rest.
Bill Drake stations were the ‘Gold Standard’ and our
goal was to perhaps one day sound good enough to work on
a Drake station.’
“Bill Drake was the ‘ultimate
programmer’ and perhaps the greatest teacher of radio in
the country,” said Jhani. “It was a challenge for us
younger programmers to listen to Bill’s stations and
analyze why Bill would play two jingles with the
weather, or only allow the jock to speak on the second
record of a two-song sweep, and so many other
intricacies of his formats.”
(Shaune McNamara Steele,
K-EARTH's Shotgun Tom Kelly; K-EARTH morning man Gary
Bryan,
K-EARTH middayer Jim Carson, Gary Owens, Ken Levine; and
Radio & Records founder Bob Wilson)
When Jhani was appointed
program director at K-EARTH a few years ago, Bill Drake
was the first to call and offer his congratulations. “He
reminded me how much he loved K-EARTH and that the
station is a ‘grand lady’ and I should use all the
programming instincts I had learned from him in order to
honor the heritage that came along with the position.
What a thrill that was. And on behalf of all the
programmers that followed in your footstep, ‘Thank you
Bill. It’s been a real privilege to learn from the best
and thank you for being our mentor, our friend, and a
stellar example of what a radio programmer should be.”
Jhani concluded with: “Before
20/20 News, there was news on the hour. Before ‘forward
momentum,’ there was ‘This is and that was.’ Before ‘hot
clocks’ there were no clocks. Before Johnny Mann’s a
capella jingles, there were station ‘songs’ that lasted
almost as long as records. And before ‘all others’ there
was Bill Drake. God bless you, Bill.”
Bill Mouzis
was a production engineer at KHJ for 14 years before he
met Drake in 1965. “You know, I am fully convinced that
one of the reasons I survived World War II was that I
was destined to work with the likes of a Bill Drake. It
appears FATE insisted upon it,” said Mouzis.
(Former KHJ newsman Roger
Aldi, 20/20 newsman Lyle Kilgore; Gary Owens; and Jhani
Kaye and Charlie Van Dyke)
Mouzis provided some of the
history of KHJ just before Drake came on the scene. “A
format was emerging which would make KHJ ‘the
Personality station,’” said Mouzis. “Gypsy Rose Lee and
comedian Morey Amsterdam were in the process of being
signed, and Steve Allen was already on the air
daily with a show from his home in the Valley, in fact I
was his producer / engineer. At the very same time, and
unbeknownst to practically everyone, the change of
all changes was being discussed with President Tom
O’Neil behind closed doors at RKO headquarters in New
York.”
Shortly thereafter, it was
announced that KHJ would be abandoning its current
programming plans and go rock ‘n roll. “The news was
shocking and it caught everyone by surprise,” remembered
Mouzis.
Bill Drake and Gene
Chenault took complete control of the RKO Radio
division in the Spring of 1965. Mouzis thanked Clancy
Imislund, who was the promotion director at the
time, for coming up with the actual term “Boss Radio.”
(Engineer Ken Orchard,
former Boss Jock Mark Elliott; K-EARTH's Bruce Chandler
and Keith Smith;
and former Robert W. Morgan producer Kevin Gershan and
KHJ Boss Jock Dave Sebastian Williams)
“Subsequently and on a more
personal note, a working relationship between Drake and
I evolved that was magic,” continued Mouzis. “It was
creatively instinctive, it was warm and it forged a bond
of respect and friendship between us that was never to
be broken. With the advent of ‘Boss Radio,’ America
heard radio as it never had before. It was simply a
smash.”
Over the years Mouzis and
Drake lost track of each other. A few years ago, Mouzis
ran into Drake and his partner Carole Scott at Monte’s
in Woodland Hills. “I cannot begin to tell you how
emotional it was getting together with him after all
this time, and we did it a number of times after that,
the latest being only a few month ago. Never did I have
an inkling though that he might be sick.”
Mouzis concluded: “Bill Drake
was not only a great talent, but a wonderful
down-to-earth human being who knew how to treat you with
the genuine and gracious smile of a southern gentleman
which he truly was. I have already shed my tears, and in
closing I would refer you to Frank Sinatra’s version
of ‘Thanks for the Memories,’ introduced by Bob Hope as
his theme song many years ago. I think this particular
lyric relates somewhat to Mr. Drake’s untimely passing.
It reads: ‘I had my bed of roses, but forgot that roses
die.’ Carol, I too thought he would live forever.”
(KNX & KCAL/Channel 9
Money 101 host and former KFRC newsman Bob McCormick,
KFWB's Bill Nesbitt;
Bill Watson at podium; Julio Flores and Lee Chambers)
Les Garland,
former pd at Drake-stations KFRC-San Francisco and CKLW-Detroit,
flew from Florida to attend the services on Wednesday.
He read the moving letter that he wrote to his two sons
about Bill Drake. The letter and Drake’s response
appeared in Wednesday’s LARadio.com.
In introducing Charlie Tuna,
Van Dyke said: “He wasn’t there on Day One of Boss
Jockdom but he got there as fast as he could and he
holds the record for Boss Jock longest on the air in Los
Angeles who is just about out of call letters.”
Tuna remembered that it was on
Thanksgiving Day 41 years ago that he joined KHJ. “Bill
Drake to me was someone was immortal. You never thought
Bill would leave. You always thought he would be there
for you,” said Tuna.
|
Tuna was first
introduced to the Drake format at KOMA-Oklahoma
City in the summer of 1966 where he was working.
At a jock meeting the program director played
tapes of KHJ and explained that this station had
gone rocketing to the top in L.A. and that’s the
sound he wanted for KOMA. “After listening to
the KHJ tapes, we walked out of that room so
jacked up it left our heads spinning because we
couldn’t believe the momentum, the pace and just
the sheer excellence of this radio station. It
got us all excited about radio.” (Ken Levine,
Shotgun Tom Kelly, Jhani Kaye, and Charlie Van
Dyke) |
 |
A year later Tuna was in
Boston when Drake was in town and invited him to join
KHJ. “On my first day I walked into Bill Mouzis’
production room. The first thing I saw was the blinding
jewelry that Bill Watson wore in those days. Then I saw
the towering presence of this man, Bill Drake, and it
was one of those larger-than-life moments. I had never
met the man yet but I knew he was responsible for
getting me to KHJ. I stood there in absolute awe and I
can’t tell you the details of that meeting because it
was like you met God. I remember that he had a quick
smile and he was very warm – a real southern gentleman
and he made me feel like I belonged.”
“The Drake format could make a
good jock sound great. It could take a pretty good jock
who had great content and make him a super star,” said
Tuna. “And that happened time and time again with Bill
Drake. With Robert W. Morgan and The Real Don
Steele in heaven, that’s a party.”
Gary Owens
recounted meeting Bill Drake when he still used his
birth name Phil Yarbrough. “I was the morning man at
WNOE in Louisiana for Gordon McLendon. A good
friend of ours, formerly from KIMN in Denver, Jimmy
Neil, became Scotty Day with the Bartell
organization. My wife and I drove up to Birmingham and
that’s when I met Phil Yarbrough. My name at the time
was Lucille Ball.”
“From 1957 until today, I’ve
always liked Bill Drake. He did such a great job with
the broadcast industry and was one of the great
innovative people.”
Owens left the packed house
with a laugh. “There was a KHJ Boss Jock who will remain
nameless. Just last week this jock was probably not
quite as vivid as he used to be. He went to proctologist
for a check-up and accidentally yelled out the name of
another proctologist.”
I was able to share a
historical perspective about the importance of Bill to
not only Los Angeles radio but to the entire radio
community. “To have lived in our hearts and minds, is
not to die.”
In conclusion, Ken Levine
said: “Wherever you are up there, Bill, just know that
we love you, we miss you, and the kid from Vendome
Liquor needs your new address.”
|
The Berner, Mary Berner, One of the Hot 100
 |
(December 9, 2016) Mary Berner, present and ceo of
Cumulus Media (KLOS and KABC), has landed on the The Hollywood
Reporter’s 2016 Women in Entertainment Power 100 list. She is the
only radio executive to make this year’s list and one of 26 new faces.
From the Reporter story: "When Berner, 57, was named
ceo in October 2015, the radio company had suffered four straight years
of ratings declines, its 18-month employee turnover rate was near 50
percent and its stock was in danger of delisting from NASDAQ. After
surveying her 6,000 employees, she launched a turnaround effort that
included handing over control of content to local programmers. The
result: 12 consecutive months of ratings increases.
Cumulus owns
447 stations, including KLOS and KABC in Los Angeles and WPLJ in New
York, where Berner lives. Its Westwood One segment produces and
syndicates shows starring John Tesh and Don
Imus, and it has exclusive radio rights to NFL games. Berner's
focus now is on ad sales. 'Ninety-three percent of Americans listen to
radio each week, which makes it the largest medium in the U.S. in terms
of reach, but it's under-appreciated by advertisers.'" |
Hear Ache
 |
(December 8, 2016) Rich Capparela’s (l) radio life in
LA has been Classical, three times at KUSC (1980-83, 1993-96, 2007-16).
He is now in the final days of afternoon drive at KUSC. “The end of
December marks the end of my time as a formal KUSC employee,” Rich wrote
on his FB page. “The plan is that sometime in January I'll return to
KUSC as a contractor to host the Friday beach show from my home studio,
host weekend shifts and take on other duties TBD. It is not retirement
in any way. I still have a thriving studio business and I'll be looking
for new clients and projects. Kinda fun, actually.” … Author and
original Master Blaster Tom Reed spends Saturday
afternoon with Bill Gardner on KPFK during the tasty
Rhapsody in Black. If you have been into the r&b music scene
during the last half century, don’t miss this show … … Comedy Central’s
@midnight with Chris Hardwick landed an
unexpected time slot upgrade in August when the network canceled The
Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore, temporarily moving @midnight to
11:30 p.m. in the final stretch of one of the most compelling
presidential campaigns ever … Delilah, syndicated and
heard on the “Fish,” has joined the American Forces Network (AFN). The
announcement comes on the heels of Delilah’s induction into the National
Radio Hall of Fame on November 17 ... Many responded to my FB posting on
the passing of Art Astor: "My first boss in Cali in 1986 at KTIM in San
Rafael. He introduced so many of us to this wild ride we call RADIO!
Thank you and RIP Art Astor." (Diana Steele); "He took
a chance on me in 1973 & hired me at KDAY as a lowly receptionist but we
all start somewhere! R.I.P." (Nancy Plum); "There
are a lot of people who Art gave opportunities to so they could further
their careers. Lots of stories that I will never forget. He was one of a
kind to say the least. One of the few remaining WWII veterans and ironic
that he passed today on the same day WWII began. He has answered his
final muster roll call." (Michael Means); "Art was a
real, dedicated broadcaster. I learned a lot in my 18 years with him
plus his Astorisms and some crude Armenian words. We all remember his
Christmas jacket! Some things really worked out for him such as being
the sales manager at KHJ in the Boss Radio days and buying KIKF for
$1.4M and selling for $35M. My condolences to Laura Astor Dame, Kevin
and Susan." (Paul Sakrison) ... Some of you have asked
to be on a mailing list for radio stories. Send your request to me at:
db@thevine.net . |
Art Astor Dies
 |
(December 7, 2016) Art Astor, veteran Southern
California broadcaster and owner, died this morning, following a
short illness due to cancer. He was 91.
Born in Fresno to
Armenian-immigrant parents who came to this country to escape the
genocide, Art lived in Southern California since he was five.
Following a tour of duty with the Air Force, he graduated from USC
with a degree in communications.
Over a long and
distinguished career, he has held management positions with two
national rep companies, RKO (gsm of KHJ and KRTH), Rollins Radio (gm
at KDAY), and evp and gm of Drake-Chenault Enterprises.
Art
became an owner in 1983 when he purchased KIK/fm (later COOL 94.3)
and an AM/FM combo in San Francisco. In 1987, he added two more
stations to the group by purchasing an AM and fm in San Diego.
Later, he purchased KSPA in Ontario.
Art's automobiles are
his second passion in life. He owned over 200 classic cars.
"In broadcasting, two years employment at the same station is a
miracle," emailed Jeff Gehringer. "I was lucky to
work with Art for 18 years. He was a class act. He is one of the
last independent owners in Southern California."
|
Future of AM Radio
 |
(December 7, 2016) The lead story in Tom Taylor's tasty
daily NOW website deals with the future of AM radio and
thinking from Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council (MMTC).
“Time to start thinking about a future without AM radio,” the MMTC tells
Trump team. AM “may disappear in 30 years or less,” says the public
interest group. It’s formed its own “AM Glide Path Task Force,” and
proposes an effort comparable to “government programs transitioning
tobacco farmers to other crops and transitioning coal mining to other
energy sources.” The MMTC, focused on multicultural issues, takes its
shot with “12 imperatives” about telecom policy - addressing the Trump
transition team and the two Republican FCC Commissioners. The MMTC says
AM is still important, especially to the minority community.
(“Approximately 60% of all minority-owned stations are AM facilities.”)
And it reminds policymakers that “The great majority of multilingual
radio service today is found on the AM band.” But despite its
near-century of usage and some “modest engineering reforms” from the
FCC, AM has big issues. There’s declining listenership and “a lack of
capital flowing in.”
Saul Levine responded in a
letter to Taylor's site: AM Radio is not a problem, and terminating it
is not a solution,” says L.A. owner Saul Levine. Levine’s company may be
titled “Mt. Wilson FM Broadcasters,” and he owns “Go Country 105” KKGO.
But he also operates an AM station. Here’s his “Soap Box” opinion – “I
read the news about a group that wants the FCC to do away with AM radio.
AM radio is not a problem, and terminating it is not a solution but the
creation of a new obstacle that we do not need. I have a 20 KW AM
station in Los Angeles that I am very happy with, and I get frequent
attempts to purchase it. It is not for sale.
The group claims
the AM band can be used for other things. Nonsense. Digital TV and
digital devices do not work on the AM Band (not very well). I suspect
that there are people who want money from the FCC thinking they can make
more money that way than the old fashioned way of creating an audience.
I am perfectly happy for the government to pay people who do not want to
continue in AM radio, thereby clearing away interference. But leave the
rest of us alone. They don't need to dismantle the band to ask for a
pay-off for themselves to get out. “I have a simple formula for the
success of AM radio,” says Saul Levine - 1. Step up to new AM
technology. Discard the old wrecks of equipment and install state of the
art new equipment. Install HD Radio technology. 2. Program material that
people want, and they will listen. 3. Get off your behinds and make AM
radio exciting - again.” |
Lara Scott New Middayer at K-EARTH
 |
(December 6, 2016) Lara Scott has been promoted from
weekends and fill-in at K-EARTH to middays. "I am beyond honored and thrilled,"
enthused Lara. "I love K-EARTH so much. Chris [Ebbott] and
Dan [Kearney] and the whole team here are just phenomenal."
PD Ebbott made the announcement today in a memo sent to the staff.
Lara joined K-EARTH in late 2015 as
weekends and fill-in from a long run at KFSH (2006-15), "The FISH."
She co-hosted the "Family Friendly Morning Show" at the "FISH,"
as as well as afternoons from 3-7 p.m. Lara is also the host of
The World Chart Show, an internationally syndicated countdown,
and her voice has been heard on programs for Bravo, VH-1, the
Olympic Encore on Universal Sports, and in-flight programming
for Delta Radio and Air Force 1.
Born in Southwest Florida, Lara headed west
after high school. She got into radio in Bend, Oregon, after
randomly calling a local station, and then continued her
broadcasting career in Portland. After graduating with a B.S.
in philosophy from Portland State University, she moved to San
Francisco to become the music director and nighttime air personality
at KZQZ. She then spent almost 7 years as the midday host at
KYSR/Star 98.7.
Lara was a 2008 President’s Volunteer
Service Award winner, which was presented by recording artist
Michael W. Smith on behalf of President George W. Bush for her
charity work. In her free time, she can be found hanging out
with her husband and sons, snowboarding, biking, hitting thrift
stores and flea markets, and attending lots of concerts and movies.
|
Kimmel to Oscars
 |
(December 6, 2016)
Jimmy Kimmel opened his late-night show last
night: “A lot of things happened to me … "I got a tummy tuck ... had my
eyes done and I think they look great, I also went to Dry Bar and had an
updo. I had my whole body done. But I also read online today that, in
February I’ll be hosting the Oscars.” It's official. The former KROQ-er
will
host the 2017 Oscar telecast.
Kimmel also hosted this
year’s Emmys on ABC, Jimmy Fallon hosted the Golden Globes on NBC, James
Corden hosted the Tonys and will host the Grammys. “The producer and the
Academy went through a long list of names and, in the end, they decided
that, since I’m already right across the street from where they produce
the show, I was the closest person to host,” he added, self
deprecatingly. “I guess I have to get a tux now – or maybe I’ll wear
jean shorts!" He went on to say: “I had a very nice call of
congratulations this morning from the president of Taiwan. Just to be
clear, she called me, not the other way around.”
Kimmel next
announced his wife is “hosting a baby inside her body,” triggering even
bigger applause. “So there’s a lot exciting stuff going on.
Congratulations to me. I’m hosting the Oscars – and I had sex. Two
things, as a teenage boy, I never thought would be possible.”
(Source: Deadline.com) |
Hear Ache
 |
(December 5, 2016) For the first time ever,
Dick Clark’s
New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest
will include a Central Time Zone countdown, as the New Year’s Eve
2016-17 edition of the annual broadcast will include live coverage from
New Orleans … With KABC’s Terri-Rae Elmer exiting the
Doug McIntyre morning show, veteran Lori Kelman
will be anchoring morning news thoughout December … Jeffrey
Leonard reports that the LARadio Reunion over the weekend at
Fuddrucker’s was another huge success. “Prayers go out to former KHJ and
K-WEST pd, Chuck Martin who is battling cancer. He's
one of the good guys,” wrote Leonard … Al Peterson is
ending his NTS MediaOnline column this month. He says it was not an
economic decision since “it has been a profitable venture since the
first day we launched.” ... Sports guy Eric Tracy
reports on FB that his cancer has moved into his chest and lungs. “I’m
only the 4th patient at City of Hope that my kind of cancer moved,”
writes Eric. “Began immunotherapy in November, which is designed to have
your own immune system fight the effects of cancer growth." ... 25 years
ago Russell Allen Lee moved from the NYC area to
Southern California after accepting a job transfer to report traffic on
Los Angeles radio. “I've lived in Orange County the entire time, and the
last quarter century has brought many God given blessings,” wrote Russ
on his FB page. “Among them a great job, good friends, two beautiful
daughters, Katie Lee and Jessie Lee, a conversion to Catholicism, and
the most wonderful fiancé in the world, Anna-Lisa George. To quote Jerry
Garcia, ‘What a long strange trip it's been.’" … Condolences to former
KABC morning man Ken Minyard on the passing of his son,
Kevin Scott. “He was born on July 4th, 1960. He was so precious to us.
He fought hard for 15 months but cancer finally won, as it so often
does. We are heartbroken. Please hug your kids and don't let them grow
up to be smokers,” wrote Ken.
|
After 22 Years, Jim Carson Signs Off at K-EARTH
 |
(December 5, 2016) Jim Carson had his
final midday show at KRTH last week. He had been at the Oldies/Classic
Hits station for 22 years.
His last words: “K-EARTH 101 and
nothing evil going on here. This is Jim Carson and I didn’t mention this
earlier but this is my last get-together with you here on K-EARTH
101. The reason I didn’t mention it is I’d be on the phone all day. But
for those of you that I’ve met in person at supermarkets, phone store
openings, home shows, whatever … As well as though of you who I’ve
talked with on the phone and even those of you who listen but never
call, thanks for being a friend. And thank you K-EARTH 101 for the
greatest hits on earth.” |
89.3 KPCC/fm Boosts Signal Coverage
 |
(December 4, 2016)
Southern California Public Radio (SCPR) station 89.3 KPCC/fm has added a
signal booster to improve its coverage of the west side of Los Angeles.
Listeners west of the 405 Freeway, including those in Santa Monica,
Pacific Palisades, Sawtelle, and Brentwood, should now experience a
stronger signal with less static interference from other stations on the
same or adjacent radio frequencies.
The project began nearly two
years ago in an effort to enhance the KPCC listening experience for
their west side audience, who live and work in that area. The signal
improvement will also benefit commuters who cross the Sepulveda Pass and
travel along Pacific Coast Highway between Santa Monica and Malibu.
The state-of-the-art engineering required to boost the signal was a
joint effort of the KPCC staff and talent from National Public Radio
Labs. Doug Johnson, SCPR vice president operations,
noted, “Our engineering staff insists on premium sound quality and
continuously strives to make improvements. We expect to apply the
advances we gained on the Westside to improve our signal for listeners
in other parts of the Los Angeles area.” According to Bill Davis,
SCPR president and chief executive officer, “This important project was
funded by a gift from members of our Board of Trustees. As the most
listened- to public radio news service in Southern California, we have a
responsibility to provide the best possible service to our listeners.
Our board and membership help make this all possible.”
For more
information on KPCC’s, broadcast schedules, membership, and donation
support, go to www.KPCC.org. Listeners can also access programming with
the KPCC iPhone app, MP3/iTunes app, and Windows Media. Southern
California Public Radio (SCPR) is a member-supported public radio
network that operates 89.3 KPCC/fm in Los Angeles and Orange County,
89.1 KUOR/fm in the Inland Empire and 90.3 KVLA/fm in the Coachella
Valley, 89.9/fm in Santa Barbara, and 89.5 KJAI-Ojai in Ventura County.
|
Email Saturday, 12.3
 |
We GET Email ...
** Photo Shoot
"This week's pic of Johnny
Magnus, Jerry F. Sharell, Pat Boone,
Calabria Foti, Peter Marshall, and Marc Angel was
taken in Dave & Dave Recording Studios' Studio A, when we were fortunate
to host these legends weekly as they came in to record their Voice
Tracks for the Music Of Your Life syndicated Music & Personality 24 hour
radio format." - Dave Sebastian Williams
** Schrack Beginnings
"I noticed your story about Don Schrack starting his radio
career in 1966 at KOAD in Lemoore, CA. I started my radio career at KOAD
in 1975. Small world." - Mike Baird, Hanford
|
Morning Drive Change at KABC
 |
(December 2, 2016) Terri-Rae
Elmer has left the morning show at KABC.
She started at KFI in 1989 where she
anchored news in afternoon drive at all-Talker until leaving 12.7.11 to
join Doug McIntyre in morning drive at KABC in January
2012.
She came to L.A. with her husband and weatherman
Gerry Wallace and news anchor Dave Grosby -
all from KFBK-Sacramento. The three were brought to L.A. by then-new
program director David G. Hall, also from KFBK. Grosby
left fairly quickly. Wallace stayed around for awhile. |
Don Schrack, Early KFWB News Director, Dies
 |
(December 1, 2016) Don Schrack, part of the embryonic
decade of all-News KFWB and later news director, died November 15, at
the age of 73.
A third generation native of the Fresno County
community of Selma, he majored in journalism at UCLA. After graduate
work at New Mexico Highland University, he started his radio career in
1966 at KOAD-Lemoore. For the next three years he broadcast news at
KBCH-Lincoln City, Oregon, KSLM-Salem and KEX-Portland. "He was the news
director at KXRX in San Jose, and Don hired me into my first position as
a pilot reporter," emailed Mike Nolan. "He also hired
Ron Kilgore."
Don started at KNX in 1969 and
spent five years at all-News KFWB from 1974-79.
Don was in
general management and/or station ownership since leaving Los Angeles.
He was retired and had been living in Yakima. (Thanks to John
Brooks for the photos)
|
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KFI Helps Feed the Motel Kids
 |
(November 30, 2106) KFI
and Caterina’s Club, a charitable organization that helps feed, house
and educate the children of Orange County, announced the sixth annual
KFI PastaThon, an on-air fundraising event to help feed local children
in need.
KFI PastaThon will take place on Thursday, December 1
from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Bruno Serato’s White House Restaurant in
Anaheim. Money raised from the event will benefit Caterina’s Club, which
provides a balanced meal every night to more than 1,800 low-income
children in over 15 cities in Los Angeles and Orange County.
All
KFI on-air personalities including Bill Handel,
Aron Bender, Jennifer Jones Lee, Gary
Hoffmann, Shannon Farren, John Kobylt,
Ken Chiampou and Tim Conway Jr. will
be on site encouraging listeners to donate packaged pasta, jars of pasta
sauce and money to help feed underprivileged children that live in
motels without access to a kitchen to cook healthy meals.
"In
the past five years, KFI PastaThon has raised over $1 million and more
than 151,000 pounds of food," said Robin Bertolucci, pd
for KFI. “This year, KFI AM 640 aims to raise $325,000 in one day. We
are honored to join our listeners in support of Bruno Serato and his
outstanding organization, Caterina's Club." To donate online or learn
more about the event listeners can go to
kfiam640.com and use the
keyword PastaThon. |
Email Tuesday, 11.29
 |
We Get Email ...
** Country Christmas
"What was KKGO thinking -- abandoning its Country music format for
six weeks to go all Christmas music? Several stations play music similar
to what KOST plays, so it’s no big deal if they switch to holiday tunes.
But KKGO supposedly prides itself on being L.A.’s only source of Country
music.
I predict that dumping that format will antagonize
listeners and likely will be a ratings flop. Didn’t KTWV try it a few
years ago without success?" - Tom Burfield
** Gillian
Harris Found
"So, tell that person Gillian
Harris went on to become an entrepreneur. She is ceo of Valet
Of The Dolls, LLC as well as Bless & Clear Sacred Ceremonies where she
is also an ordained minister. She is also now a published author and
speaker specializing in topics found in her book, The Secrets of
Lost: The Validity of Multi-Dimensional Existence and the subject
of Conscious Creation! : ) xoxo!" - Gillian Harris
|
Hear Ache
 |
(November 28, 2016)
Roger Nadel (photo), former gm at KFWB, has been
promoted to svp of affiliate operations at Total Traffic & Weather
Network ...
Jim Carson, who is leaving K-EARTH after 22 years,
was asked for his highlights in working at the Oldies/Classic Hits
outlet. “Putting numbers on the board and getting paid for it,” he
succinctly responded … Bob Shaw, after 16 years with
KFSH (the FISH), joins afternoons at KWVE (K-WAVE 107.9/fm) …
Charese Fruge, former pd at “Star 98.7” from 2006-07, exits the
Houston CBS cluster … Leah Brandon, former KFI news
anchor, quit her podcast/syndicated show with John Ziegler.
“I quit on the air and have never done that in more than 25 years in
this business. You will hear all kinds of crap about me on social media.
That's fine. The only statement I am going to make about the whole thing
is that it's sad it turned out this way but I could no longer continue,”
wrote Leah. John responded, “ I said nothing bad about you after you
quit on the air and left me to do 3 hours alone with no notice, and said
nothing bad about you today after it was clear you had no interest in
trying to end this more appropriately. I am very sad and I wish you the
best of luck for your future … Cathy Hughes, founder
and chairperson of Radio One, was honored earlier this month, with a
lifetime leadership achievement award at the Radio Ink Forecast
Conference at the Harvard Club in New York City … Larry Van Nuys
announced on his FB page that he was leaving his position as news and
traffic anchor at KSFO … … Randy Tivens was watching a
Charlie Tuna
aircheck from
KRLA in 1986 and saw Gillian Harris doing the news and
wonders what became of her. Do you know? ... Steve Harvey
(KJLH) gave away 8,000 turkeys last week. More than 80 affiliates of the
top-rated syndicated morning show gave the turkeys away to help those
less fortunate celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. Since the Turkey
Give was launched in 2009, more than 50,000 turkeys have been provided
to those in need. |
A Thankful FB Message from Randy Kerdoon
 |
(November 27, 2016) Up until this year,
Thanksgiving has simply been a time to gather with family and friends,
stuff ourselves silly with great food and pay lip service to being
grateful for what makes up our lives.
My heart attack on Super
Bowl Sunday in February changed that. Nothing like a close brush with
not being around anymore to open your eyes. No more taking things for
granted.
I'm grateful for my wife Marta who loves me more than I
deserve, my cardiologist Dr. Uri Ben-Zur and my previous cardiologist Dr
Ben Cohen for helping me in my path to recovery, the LAFD EMT team that
came to my home and kept me alive en route to the hospital, my kids
Kelcie, Amy and Stan, my sisters and mom for their support, my best
friend Ken, my exercise pals at the West Hills cardiac rehab and so many
of you who have shared not only your words of encouragement, but your
experiences with similar cardiac events, that have really helped me out
more than you know.
Thanks to my bosses and co-workers at KNX
for being incredibly supportive and understanding. I wake up every day
grateful to be alive. Now I know what the real meaning of being thankful
is all about. |
Florence Henderson Dies
 |
(November 26, 2016) Florence Henderson, best known for
her role as Carol Brady on the popular sitcom The Brady Bunch,
which ran from 1969 to 1974, worked at Pop Standards KGIL during the
Broadway and Hollywood show tunes format from 1997-98. She left KGIL in
early 1998 following a format change. She died November 24, at the age
of 82.
According to statements released by her manager and her publicist,
she had been hospitalized Thursday night in Los Angeles for heart
failure.
Born On Valentines day in 1934 in Dale, Nebraska,
she was the youngest of 10 siblings growing up in poverty. By the age of
2, Florence's mother had taught her fifty songs. Her acting career began
at 17, when Florence entered New York's prestigious American Academy of
Dramatic Arts. Following a number of touring company roles, Florence
starred in Fanny on Broadway in the mid-1950s and ran for 888
performances. She has since appeared in numerous nightclub gigs and
toured in all the high-profile musicals.
From her dancing she
was diagnosed with a deformed vertebrae and later almost went deaf. She
learned that she had a hereditary condition called otosclerosis, which
was corrected through surgery.
Her big break came while still a
drama student in New York City at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts,
where after a one-line role in Wish You Were Here, she was cast
in the touring production of Oklahoma! in 1952. Henderson worked
steadily as a Broadway star over the 50s and 60s and moved into
television. Among her most notable accomplishments, she was the first
woman to guest-host The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
She also was a regular during the 1960s on NBC’s Today. She
landed her most famous role in 1969, starring for five years on The
Brady Bunch. Despite its relentlessly cheerful tone and
aggressively unthreatening aesthetic despite the tumultuous period in
which it aired, the show was groundbreaking for being among the earliest
examples of a blended family on television in the United States. Though
The Brady Bunch ended after a relatively short run, it became a
staple of syndicated reruns for decades after becoming something of a
hyrid between generation X cultural touchstone, camp classic, and
example of the quintessential family sitcom. |
Morning Has Broken
(November 25, 2016) Morning drive in LARadio for November '16 PPM
has a little bit for everyone:
Persons 12+
1. Bill Handel (KFI)
2. Omar y Argelia (KLVE)
3. Valentine (MY/fm)
Ellen K (KOST)
5. Gary Bryan (KRTH) |
Persons 18-34
1. The Woody Show (Alt-98.7)
2. Omar y Argelia (KLVE)
3. Don Cheto (KBUE)
4. Ryan Seacrest (KIIS)
5. Big Boy (KRRL) |
Persons 25-54
1. Omar y Argelia (KLVE)
Valentine (MY/fm)
El Bueno, La Mala, y El Feo (KSCA)
4. Ryan Seacrest (KIIS)
El Show del Mandril (KXOS) |
Disturbing Trend at CBS/LA Cluster?
 |
(November 23, 2016) Tami Heide, an incredible talent at
CBS' KROQ and JACK/fm for 25 years, is out. She joined the iconic KROQ
in 1991 from her start at WBCN-Boston, while attending Emerson College.
At KROQ, she worked middays for many years and at JACK/fm Tami was a
creative writer of much of what you heard.
Tami is the latest exit
in a disturbing movement to eliminate long-term employees. Last week the
station eliminated the position held by Shotgun Tom Kelly.
He had been with the Classic Hits station for 18 years. Then midday
K-EARTHer Jim Carson, veteran of 22 years, learned that
he's gone. CBS Radio is preparing for an IPO in a complicated move that
will separate it from the rest of the company.
Tami was born in New Kensington, Pennsylvania
and she graduated from Framingham
North High School in Massachusetts. Tami had an extensive history in
Boston College radio at Emerson's WERS and M.I.T.'s WMBR, where she was
music director. She managed and was the record buyer for Newbury Comics,
Boston's alternative record store. Tami did the evening shift at 'BCN
and was assistant music director.
Perhaps somewhat prophetic,
Tami said in a 2011 Laguna Niguel Patch interview: "I've always said radio is like a shark, it just keeps moving forward." |
KOST Enjoying Best Year Ever!
 |
(November 22, 2016) Christmas music. No Christmas
music. KOST has got the ratings thing figured out. Every month this
year, the Adult Contemporary station has been #1. And again in the
November '16 PPM Nielsen, Mon-Sun, 6a-12mid. KFI jumped with all the
election talk, but the all-News outlet, KNX, didn't budge month-to-month
at 13th. Country KKGO fell a few tenths of a month and now that they are
all-Christmas music (and not just Country Christmas music) we'll see if
that helps them. All-Sports KLAC made a nice increase with Dodger
playoff hopes still alive during the survey period.
1. KOST (AC) 5.4 - 5.5
2. KRTH (Classic Hits) 4.5 - 4.9
3. KTWV (the WAVE) 4.7 - 4.8
4. KBIG (Hot AC) 4.4 - 4.7
5. KIIS (Top 40/M) 4.5 - 4.6
6. KLVE (Spanish Contemporary) 4.5 - 4.1
7. KCBS (JACK/fm) 3.3 - 3.7
8. KFI (Talk) 3.1 - 3.5
KYSR (Alternative) 3.2 - 3.5
10. KRCD (Spanish Adult Hits) 3.3 - 3.3
KSCA (Regional Mexican) 3.5 - 3.3 |
No Bull - Frank Was the Bomb in Sports Broadcasting
by Jim Hilliker, Early LARadio Historian
 |
(November 22, 2016) I haven't felt like doing any
writing this year, since my wife died last December 8th, nearly one year
ago. I've been feeling better lately, and wanted to finish an article
I had nearly completed two years ago.
With the 88th edition of
the USC vs. Notre Dame football classic this Saturday, November 26th, I
wanted to post my radio history piece on the life of Los Angeles
sportscasting pioneer Frank Bull (1897-1975).
A random email I received in 2014 sparked this article. A man in the
midwest told me he had a reel-to-reel tape containing the entire radio
broadcast of the 1953 USC-Notre Dame game from Los Angeles, with Frank
Bull calling the action. He wanted to know who was Frank Bull, and why
was a west coast announcer on this tape, which was recorded off the air
in Elkhart, Indiana from station WSBT-960 in South Bend, Indiana?
Solving this mystery and digging into the life and career of Frank
Bull take up most of this article. I found out that Frank Bull got into
sports announcing on radio by accident, but he paved the way for later
sportscasters in Los Angeles. It is interesting to me that he made his
living primarily as a radio executive who sold air time and later owned
his own advertising agency for many years. He considered sportscasting
his "hobby."
So, while this early L.A. radio sportscaster is
long forgotten today, I felt it was time to give him some recognition.
I also wish to thank Diana Kirchen Kelly for her help
in finding several newspaper stories for me on Frank Bull, plus
information on his family, because it helped me locate a granddaughter
of Frank Bull's in California, who also had some old record
transcriptions of his broadcasts in the 1930s and '40s. My new article
on pioneer Los Angeles sportscaster Frank Bull can be found at this link
on Jeff Miller's American Radio History Website. -
Jim Hilliker
Frank Bull - Los Angeles Sportscasting Pioneer
|
Personality Departures at K-EARTH
 |
(November 21, 2016) Jim Carson, middays at K-EARTH and
a fixture at the Oldies/Classic Hits station since 1994, will be leaving
the station at the end of the month, according to a number of sources.
Jim started at KBLA in 1965 and worked at KBBQ, KIIS, KHJ, KIQQ,
KEDG/KLIT, as well as over two decades at KRTH. Born Vic Gruppie in
LaCanada, Jim is one of those strong, solid personalities who fits
nicely with a number of formats. The native Southern Californian was a
journalism and radio/tv major at Pasadena City College. Jim also went to
the Don Martin Broadcast School.
He served in Panama and Korea twice as
part of American Forces Radio, Korean Network and Southern Command
Network in Panama. Jim had a very successful run in morning drive at
KFRC-San Francisco and KGB-San Diego. At KBLA he was known as Vic Gee,
then at KBBQ as Vic Grayson, working the Country format noon to three
shift. Jim's time on KHJ was limited to one week in the mornings before
Charlie Van Dyke arrived. He did mornings at "K-Lite." Jim's done
voiceover work on a number of tv shows. He left Gene Autry's "K-Lite"
when the sister station, KMPC, was sold to ABC/Capital Cities.
In other K-EARTH news, Shotgun Tom Kelly is no longer
the "ambassador" for the station and no longer does weekends. He has
left the station.
|
Email Sunday
 |
** Receiving Radio
"At $99, this receiver is what people want for the beach, or whatever
activity. It's just entering production.
The broadcasters in
this country did themselves a disservice by embracing proprietary
formats for taking broadcasting digital. They want receivers to cost
more for the consumer? How does that translate into more listeners? My
assumption is that this receiver includes DRM+ only. Since the receiver
accepts software-plugins it may be possible for someone to
write/reverse-engineer a decoder for Ibiquity
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBiquity
or Ibiquity themselves could write it and release it into the public
domain.
One can dream." - Best Regards, Keith Frick
www.regardpro.com |
|
LARP
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(seen at the
Convention)
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Ron Rodrigues
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Bob Hamilton
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Scott Lowe
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David G. Hall
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John Duncan
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Cyndee Maxwell
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Dave Beasing
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Don Benson
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George Burns and Ed Shane
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LARP
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Convention)
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Ralph
Stewart
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Ken
Levine
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Randy
Lane
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RJ
Curtis
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Lisa
Worden
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Max
Tolkoff
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Rick
Cummings
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Phil
Hall
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Frank
Murphy
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Gabriel
Wisdom
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Kelli
Gates
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Sky
Daniels
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Tim
Pohlman and Frank Cody
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Walt
"Baby" Love
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Kim
Amidon and Joni Caryl
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LARP
Photo Gallery
(seen at the
Convention)
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Bob Coburn
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Gary Owens
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Lon Helton
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Gene Gates
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Johnny Chiang
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Mike Savage
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Charles Laszlo
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Jeff Barnes
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Joe McDonnell
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"Melrose" Larry Green
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LARP
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(seen at the
Convention)
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Mucho Morales
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"Shotgun Tom" Kelly
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Wally Clark
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Gary McCartie
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Delilah
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Gene & Julie
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Jessie Duran
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Bob Koontz
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Mike McVay
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He's a Rebel
 |
(November 17, 2016) Reb
Foster was a huge voice in early Top 40 LARadio at KFWB, but mainly
KRLA where he worked in the 60s, 70s and 80s.
Born James Bruton on March 18, 1936,
he started in
Texas
radio in the mid-1950s working in
Ft. Worth
and
Amarillo.
Before
Los Angeles
he was heard at KYW-Cleveland, KCIN-Denver and at KISN-Portland,
where he was known as Dennis James. He arrived in
Los Angeles
from KYA-San Francisco. Reb was pd for a time at KRLA.
One of his famous characters was
Maude Skidmore. He put on dances at the Retail Clerks Union Hall
Auditorium in Buena Park
with the cry "Let's Wail at the Retail." Reb had his own nightclub
in Redondo Beach
imploring the kids to "Be There or Be Square." In 1967
Billboard
listed Rebel as the best midday dj.
Reb quit KFWB to affiliate with
Ted Randal in consulting radio
stations. He made a third return to KRLA
in 1973, when the
Pasadena station went to an MOR format from contemporary music and
experimented with teams in every time period. Rebel worked the
afternoon drive shift with
Bob Dayton.
In the '70s Reb managed Three Dog Night, the Turtles and
Steppenwolf.
He’s
now living in
Amarillo where a local tv stations
profiled the Rebel. Click his picture to watch the short piece. |
We Get Email ... 11.16
 |
** Potpourri
"I attended the Ad Relief lunch honoring
three true legends in Los
Angeles Radio, George Green, Bob Fox and the king of ad agencies Dennis
Holt. I spent a fair amount of time catching up with all three of them. I
thought it was a great idea honoring these pioneers, but I guess you had
to be over 55 and had worked in the markets for the last 20-plus years
to really understand the impact these guys had on radio.
As the MC was
speaking , no one was listening or paying any attention. The audience
was just a bunch of
rude, self- absorbed people, it’s sad. I’m just grateful that I did work
during the era that people cared and made it a fun business.
Sad to
hear about Bill Shearer.
I went to the EJ
Jackson (Jackson Limousine) services
yesterday. There must have been 2,000 plus people, lots of politicians, Sydney
Poitier, and Lee Baca. EJ's loss will really be felt in South Central.
He did so much for that community. There was story after story of guys who he
hired despite not having any experience or just getting out of prison,
and feeding the homeless all year long. He was one of a kind! For all the years I have known him he always called me Koontzie. I’m going to miss hearing
his call: 'Koontzie…EJ here, how you doing baby, is there anything I can do for
you?'" - Bob Koontz, KSWD (100.3/The Sound)
|
Bill Shearer, Radio Pioneer, Dies
 |
(November 15, 2016) Bill Shearer, a longtime,
successful radio executive and former owner of KGFJ, passed away
November 1, after a lengthy illness.
Originally from Columbus,
Ohio, Shearer was a graduate of the University of San Francisco. He was
a Korean War veteran who served for over 20 years in the United States
Army and held the rank of Colonel, according to colleague Bob
Fox.
In the early 1960s, Bill entered the radio
industry and worked as a sales executive for Willie Davis and then KLOS.
He then put together some financing and purchased KGFJ and operated the
station for several years until he sold the station.
During his
nearly four decades tenure in the radio industry, he also served as an
officer of the Southern California Broadcasters Association, held sales,
executive, and ownership positions at several radio stations, including:
KLOS, KAGB, KACE, KGFJ/KUTE, and KGFJ. He also worked with the National
Association of Market Developers (NAMD), and American Urban Radio
Networks, until his retirement.
His memorial services will be
held this morning at 11 a.m. at the AME Church, 2270. So. Harvard
Street. |
Hear Ache
 |
(November 14, 2016) The
Tonight show continues to far outpace the competition on ABC (Jimmy
Kimmel) and CBS (Stephen Colbert) in Adults 18-49 and total
viewers …Cumulus stock opened at $1.06 this morning and re-entered the
danger zone last week when it closed at $1 a share. The stock did touch
99 cents in very active trading, and if does close below $1 for ten
straight days, then Cumulus is back where it was before the 8-for-1
reverse stock split, which occurred on October 13 … The Steve
Harvey tv show will be coming to an end with his current
production deal in May and he will move to a new producer,
NBCUniversal Domestic Television. He will also be moving his show from
Chicago to Los Angeles, in order to take advantage of a deeper well of
available talent as guests. His tv show ranks #4 behind Dr. Phil,
Ellen and Live With Kelly. During the most recent week
reporting, it averaged 2.3 million viewers and a 1.7 in adults 18-49 ...
Gary Campbell wonders if anyone knows whatever happened
to Cal Campbell? "He was in my First Phone class at the
Don Martin School in 1972, and he was on KNX/fm in the late 70s or early
80s," emailed Gary. "I lost track of him after that." ... Services for
4-decade KIIS chief engineer Mike Callaghan will be
this Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. Bede Catholic Church, 215 Foothill
Blvd., La Canada. You can RSVP to his Celebration of Life by clicking
his photo ... Ad Relief (formerly AIEF) held their annual fund raising
luncheon and honored past presidents. Also, special honors were
provided to the two founders George Green and
Dennis Holt as well as Bob Fox, also a
founder. There were over 200 people at the luncheon. AIEF was founded in
1972 and over the years has provided over three million dollars to media
people in need. |
Email Sunday, 11.13
 |
** Saddened by Bob Nelson's Passing
"We
radio rats never forget our first general manager and Bob Nelson
was mine. He was an enigma to many [putting it mildly] but always a
class act, always thoughtful, and always in control of his emotions, his
look, and his demeanor. And he was a very smart guy. Like George
Nicholaw at KNX, Bob also recorded regular editorials and they
were brilliant. How many fm gm’s would ever attempt that today?
Most of all he cherished the purity of what was The Mellow Sound. Many a
time a commercial I’d brought in was rejected for being too strident or
too loud or just not a fit for the station. Imagine a gm turning down
business today because the commercial didn’t fit the format. He loved
commissioning the musical images that people still recall to this day.
Were there any better station jingles than KNX/fm? I don’t think so.
Etched in my memory is my job interview with Bob. Having already
gotten news that I was Hal Bedsole’s first choice as
his next sales guy, the final step was to meet with Bob and get his
stamp of approval. Upon entering Bob’s office [a smaller but similar
version of George Nicholaw’s downstairs at KNX], without assistance, the
door to the office closed. Magic. Later, I learned Bob had a button
under his desk that released the door without him having to walk all the
way across the office to do it. Even armed with The Button, his door
was always open to this radio sales rookie. I am eternally grateful for
my time at KNX/fm and Bob was the one who nurtured it, held it together,
and honestly tried to help it survive." - Keith Samuels,
LA |
Close Cut for Vic the Brick
 |
(November 12, 2016) “For all those people wondering if
there’s any love or any hope out there, there’s still a lot of beautiful
people,” said Don Martin¸ senior vice president of
Sports programming for iHeart Media and AM 570 L.A. Sports (KLAC). His
comments followed his station’s very successful radiothon for the
Paralyzed Veterans of America. The goal of the seven hour effort was
$185,000, yet by the end of the evening, the final total was over
$235,000.
“It’s a true testament – the love that permeated that
building came from an incredible city, an incredible group of athletes,
and an incredible radio family,” said Martin. This was the station’s
tenth year raising money for the Veteran’s group, amassing just under
$1.5 million over the decade. The highlight of this year’s program was
the $30,000 raised for update reporter Vic “the Brick” Jacobs
to shave his beard on the air. KLAC sponsor James Bergener (“the sweet
beard of justice”) did the honors of significantly shortening a beard
“that’s been around for a generation,” said Jacobs. |
Two LARP Join Passing Parade
 |
(November 11, 2016) Bob Nelson (l), a very well-liked
general manager at CBS' KKHR and the mellow KNX/fm from 1973-88, died
last weekend. He was 88.
The other LARP who died this week was
born John Schultz, he entertained us in LARadio at KRLA, KDAY, KHJ, and
KROQ, as Red Mountain. He served his country in the US
Army where he was in Armed Forves Radio. Red worked for Bob
Wilson at KDAY during the Wolfman Jack days
doing the all night show after Wolf went off at midnight. "They were
very close friends," wrote Jim Duncan.
"We
caught up when I was doing mornings and programming in San Diego and Bob
was consulting for Dan Mc Kinnon's Rocker KSEA. We had an opening for an
evening jock on KSON. When I moved to LA to work with Wilson at R&R,
Red and I stayed in touch. He went on to program a station in Reno for
awhile and when 93-KHJ tried their hand at Country he spent two years on
that station. One day I got a call from Red saying he wanted to
disappear. He took a gig in Brownsville, Texas as pd and morning man,
calling himself Sunny Laguna.
He worked until he had a minor
stoke about 10 years ago that caused his speech to slur. He retired and
got married to a lovely lady named Linda, who called me with the
terrible news. He was 74. Red was a TALL Red-Headed Strange Funny
Man...thus RED MOUNTAIN. Loved the guy," concluded Duncan.
|
Jim Rondeau's New Job at KNX
 |
(November 10, 2016) Jim Rondeau is the newest addition
to the KNX news team.
"I anchored mornings at KCLU for 12 years
and grew up wanting to be on KIRO in Seattle, so it's really a kick to
do KNX," wrote Jim. "It's unbelievable how many people in L.A. depend on
that station. They've got an A-team in place, so I just fill in some
holes once or twice a week. They're real pros when news starts to break!
There are great things happening at KSBR that I'm sticking
around for. New radio and tv studios being built, fundraising is up and
working on an interference mitigation plan with KCSN to clean up 88.5.
I love public radio and working with future broadcasters at
Saddleback College, so it's the best of both worlds. Yes, it sounds like
one of those phony press release quotes, but I'm incredibly thankful for
all the opportunity." |
 |
(November 9, 2016) The
political landscape wasn't the only thing that seismically changed this
morning, KOST 103.5 returned to their annual holiday music programming a
month and a half before Christmas. At 7 a.m., Ellen K,
donned a holiday hat and made the transistion from AC programming to
Christmas classics by Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and
more.
“This is the 15th consecutive year that KOST 103.5 has
provided the soundtrack for the season to Southern California. We’re
humbled that millions of listeners make KOST 103.5 a part of their
families’ holiday traditions each year,” says pd Michael R. La
Crosse. “Last year alone, KOST 103.5 averaged more than 5
million listeners weekly during the holidays, making KOST one of the
most listened to radio stations in the country during that period.”
(Click the KOST artwork to watch the announcement) |
REMEMBERING FRED WOSTBROCK (AKA: Agent Fred)
by Shelley Herman
 |
(November
8, 2016) For the past 18
months, I protected my quirky, brilliant, innovated and charming friend,
Fred Wostbrock by keeping a heartbreaking secret. Some of you may know
him as Fred Westbrook, a name he often used as it was easier to spell
and remember for those he did business with as an agent at
Kazarian/Measures/Ruskin & Associates (KMR). Fred succumbed last week,
at the age of 56, to the ravages of inoperable lung cancer which, as his
doctor told him, was 100% tobacco related. Fred was a cigar smoker for
30-years. (Photo
by Roger Karnbad)
|
Fred was an original. He spent his childhood in Waldwick,
New Jersey in front of his television, absorbing vital information that
would become the foundation of his career. He wrote fan letters and
collected autographs. He scoured the streets of New York looking for
entertainment memorabilia stores, collecting game show photos. He
presented a pile of his photos to Bob Clayton the announcer one of the
many versions of the Dick Clark's Pyramid game shows. Impressed by
Fred's collection, Clayton introduced Fred to Dick Clark and was invited
backstage by producer Francine Bergman where he met his childhood idol,
Bill Cullen (far right).
Once graduated from Syracuse University, Fred took the
money he earned as a waiter, packed his bags, and with his father, drove
to Hollywood with the dream of working in the game show industry. In
1983, Jay Wolpert gave him is first break as a production assistant on
the game show Hit Man. He credited Jay with keeping him going in the
lean times, often giving him Lucky Market food gift cards as a bonus for
all his hard work. He also worked as a contestant coordinator for Barry
& Enright along with numerous production companies and on pilots and
television shows including the game show Trump Card.
Fred was
introduced to the legendary voice over agent Don Pitts and was given the
opportunity by Cindy Kazarian to begin what would become his career at
her agency. Fred knew nothing about being an agent, but under their
guidance, he amassed a roster of talent inspired by the radio giants at
KMPC 710 and began signing clients including Wink Martindale,
Gary
Owens, Geoff Edwards and Jim Lange. His client base continued to expand
with talent including Bob Eubanks, Gene Rayburn, and with the advent of
The Game Show Network, Fred cultivated relationship with the classic
hosts and game show stars helping them and their heirs receive payment
for re-runs of classic game shows. He often booked theme shows with his
iconic game shows hosts with the crown jewel being the return of Peter
Marshall hosting a special game show host-packed panel on “Hollywood
Squares.”
|
 |
 |
Along the way, Fred's life began to mirror the film
My
Favorite Year, when he began a representing Adam West for many varied
projects and live appearances. Fred would hop a plane (he hated flying)
to accompany Adam all over the world for speaking engagements and
autograph shows. Fred once told me he had to go to Argentina for the
weekend with Adam. I questioned the necessity of such a long trip, but
he said, “In Argentina, Adam is bigger than The Beatles.” I thought he
had set his expectations a bit too high, but sure enough, 20,000 fans
were waiting to greet their classic Batman hero at the airport! (Fred
is bottom right along with some legendary game show hosts and
executives) |
The Fred stories could go on forever, but here a few quick stories that
make me smile. A few years ago, Fred was called for
jury duty. When asked the title the last book he read, he answered
honestly he just completed his late client's autobiography “Like a
Lampshade in a Whorehouse” by Phyllis Diller. He was excused from
duty. Fred was loyal, amazing discrete and a man who
went way beyond the traditional client/agent relationship. A germ phobic
person his entire life, Fred dreaded visiting hospitals. When his
dear friend, actor Frank Gorshin, was dying at St Joseph's in Burbank,
he was at his side and helped Frank with a request. Unable to
speak, Frank formed the letter “C” with his hand. Fred asked
Frank, “Do you mean cash?” Frank shook his head no. “Do you
mean cancer?” Frank shook his head no. Fred racked his brain
trying to guess what Frank needed and finally said “Cigarette?”
Frank nodded his head yes. So Fred, who never liked cigarettes,
went to a nearby store, bought a pack of cigarettes, lit one up
outdoors, filled his mouth with smoke, held his breath, went to Frank's
bedside, lifted his oxygen mask, and blew the smoke for Frank to inhale.
Fred said Frank smiled for the first time in a long time.
Fred did not want his family, friends or clients to know he was
ill. He thought he could beat it. He didn't want people to
worry. He didn't want to see their concerned faces. He
wanted to keep his dignity during a very undignified time. He loved all
his clients and worked on their behalf up until the end. He still
wanted to do so much more. He had a wonderful team of doctors who
used all the resources available and received constant updates regarding
new medicines and clinical trials through StandUp2Cancer. And, he
had the team at KMR who provided unwavering support to him at his
office. Fred wanted to do it his way. And, Fred would
want everyone to know that he never lost his hair!
Fred is survived by his parents, Irene and Fred, brother, Steve,
sister-in-law, Heidi, along with a niece, nephew and numerous cousins he
adored. He is also survived by his close, loving friends who
supported him with kindness and heartfelt joy, Mae, Zaire and Amor
Hampton. Goodbye, my dear friend. I hope they have
cable in heaven so you can watch game shows and the sun is always
shining so you can work on your tan.
|
Hear Ache
 |
(November 7, 2016) Jim Rondeau
has joined KNX as a weekender and fill-in news anchor. Jim arrived in
the Southland in 1993 as a dj at KOST and went on to work at “Arrow 93,”
“Star 98.7,” and KBIG. Before arriving in the Southland, Jim worked at
KJQY/KRMX-San Diego and KUBE-Seattle. He’s also been pd at KRUZ-Santa
Barbara … Johnny Gunn and his wife are now living at
the Motion Picture Home. “I got on the list in 2008, but when my name
came up in 2010 we elected to not give up our independence. They took
all of our Social Security, AFTRA and SAG (tiny) pensions, which didn't
leave enough even to keep a car. When Jo-Ann's Alzheimer's began to
"show," we did it. She has private, lovely quarters in 'Harry's
Haven' [endowed by Kirk Douglas], the end-all in unbelievable care and I
live in cottage 28 [alone] about 150 feet from her. We visit each other
freely, have breakfast or lunch or dinner as often as we like. The food
is gourmet, plentiful, I love it here.” … Johnny Helms
died over the weekend, at the age of 72. He was one of the early Top 40 jocks at KMEN in
the Inland Empire. “It was very sudden,” said his daughter, Amber …
China’s Dalian Wanda Group has purchased legendary entertainment empire
dick clark Productions for $1 billion … Bill
A. Jones is set to appear today on Days of Our Lives.
“And I'll be on Tuesday and Thursday as well - unless NBC preempts the
show for election coverage on the 8th, in which case those appearances
will be pushed back a day,” said Jones … Jimmy Rabbitt
is resigning from his two radio gigs. “I am physically and financially
unable at this time to continue to volunteer whatever time I may or may
not have at this time, if you know what I mean,” wrote Jimmy on his
Facebook page. “Maybe someday if I hit the lottery, find a rich uncle
somewhere and a miracle cure or two I can return to help out in some
way. It's been a good run."
... Ryan Seacrest served as sister Meredith's "Man of
Honor" in her Mexico wedding over the weekend.
|
Mike Callaghan, Chief Enginner at
KIIS for Almost 40 Years, Has Died
 |
(November 6, 2016) Mike
Callaghan, veteran
engineer for KIIS, KPPC, KWST, KKDJ and KXTA, has died. He was 72.
For a
decade from 1975-85, he was teacher of telecommunications at Pasadena
City College. In 1995 Mike designed the KIIS Megacruiser, a 46 foot long
remote semi-trailer with two fully functional on-air studios, one of
which rolls out of the side of the trailer. In 1998 he upgraded KXTA
from 5,000 to 50,000 watts.
Paul
McLane of Radio World interviewed Mike when he retired in 2013. "It has been an incredible amount of fun.
“We developed a tremendous amount of new technology over the years, and
met new challenges with new ideas and answers. And we had managers of
vision who gave us the tools and money to try new concepts.”
I
asked Mike how he got started in the business. He recalls taking the
electronic curriculum at Pasadena City College right out of the Army. “One of the classes was to
prep you for the First Phone. If you passed the exam before the class
ended, you got an automatic ‘A’ and didn’t have to come to class
anymore. That made a lot of sense to me, so I studied like mad and
passed the exam. Two weeks later, I found that KPPC(AM/FM) in
Pasadena was looking for an engineer. I applied and was hired. It was a
baptism by fire, believe me!” He says he left the station when new
owners ran out of money to pay anyone.
“From there I went to
KWST. Beautiful music, and beautifully boring. That lasted one year.
Then to KKDJ, which became KIIS.” Mike also worked as the transmitter
engineer for station KEZY/fm in Anaheim, and he continued as the chief
for KPPC (AM) after it was spun off from the fm.
Reflecting on what he’d say to
others now, Mike says: “Radio is not getting any easier. You
have to stay current with technology and keep learning as much as
possible. Retiring for me means staying active and continuing to learn.”
|
Two Years Ago
Car Talk Brother Dies
 |
(November 5,
2014)
Tom Magliozzi (l) was
best known as half of “Click and Clack, the Tappet
Brothers,” the hosts of
Car Talk on
National Public Radio. He died of complications
from Alzheimer’s disease. Magliozzi was 77.
As a pair, the
Magliozzi brothers were appointment listening on NPR radio.
“Tom’s been such a dominant, positive personality amongst us
for so long that all of us in the public radio family – and
I include our millions of listeners – will find this news
very difficult to receive,” said Doug Berman, the
executive producer of
Car Talk in a statement reported by NPR.
“Click and
Clack, the Tappet Brothers” were the personas Tom Magliozzi
and his younger brother Ray created. They were two mechanics
offering advice about autos back in 1977 for Boston’s NPR
affiliate, WBUR. Ten years later, the program was syndicated
nationally.
The
notoriously self-deprecating duo retired from radio in 2012,
after 35 years on air. NPR continues to rerun their popular
shows.
|
KFWB is the Best of the Best
 |
(November 4, 2016)
KFWB (980AM) has quite the history this year. After a decade + of
CBS/Infinity owning the station exceeding the FCC limit in station
market cap, CBS sold the station to Principle Broadcasting earlier
this year for $8 million. For seven months KFWB aired a South
Asian-language "Bollywood" format as "Desi 980." KFWB was purchased
by Lotus Communications on October 4 for $11.2 million and switched
to regional Mexican music on October 31. KFWB is now "La Mera Mera
980" ("The Best of the Best"). That slogan is also used by
KUTY-Palmdale and WBQH in Silver Spring, Maryland. |
Hear Ache, 11.3.16
 |
(November 3, 2016)
Norm Pattiz, founder
of Westwood One, current University of California Regent, and
husband to KMET's "Burner" Mary Turner, got his
"tit in the wringer," so to speak. He is the "Prince of Podcasts,"
founder of PodcastOne. Norm
recently apologized after a woman said that, when she was taping a
bra commercial at his PodcastOne studio, he asked if he could hold
her breasts. Heather
McDonald aired an audiotape of his comments on her “Juicy Scoop”
podcast last week. She said she was inspired to speak out by other
women who came forward to describe their experiences with Republican
presidential nominee Donald Trump and former Fox News chairman Roger
Ailes. She did not accept Pattiz’s apology
or excuse that he was trying to be funny. “Sexual harassment is not
a joke,” she said in an interview with the LA Times. Several other former employees
and independent contractors of PodcastOne also say that Pattiz’s
remarks about women’s bodies or looks sometimes made them
uncomfortable. Pattiz, 73, told the Times he “deeply
regrets” the comments to McDonald and vowed not to repeat such
behavior. There is no excuse for any such comments or making anyone
feel uncomfortable...I sincerely apologize, and it will be a
valuable learning experience." ...
Cumulus Media (KLOS/KABC) stock
started the month of November with
a new 52-week low. After opening at $1.39, Cumulus Media Inc. dropped to $1.26
for a new 52-week low. The stock opened this morning at $1.13. Stock
observers opined that the new low can be either a buy or a sell signal. Someone bearish on the
stock might see it reaching its lowest price in a year as a sign of
growing downward momentum and make sure they sell their shares.
Bulls, though, are more likely to see a new 52-week low as the stock
hitting its low point and anticipate a bounce in the share price ...
The Sound's Bob Koontz writes that his good friend
of 35 years EJ, the owner of Jackson Limousine, died this week of a
massive heart attack. "The reason I tell you this, 35 years ago when
I was at KRLA I put a trade deal together with Jackson Limousine and
since then I don’t think there was a radio station that didn’t do
business with EJ," emailed Koontz. "For the past 32 years EJ put
together a massive food drive that feeds 10,000 families a full
Thanksgiving dinner, families who would go without if it wasn’t for
EJ's dedication every year to make this happen." ... Remember audio
cassettes? If so, you will enjoy this very quick
YouTube on the retro style cassette tape coffee table that was
sent to me by Kevin Gershan ... Jim Ladd
checked in recently. He's still hosting Classic Rock Deep Tracks on
SiriusXM ... KBBY in Ventura has a treasure trove of LARP, including
Lance Ballance, Bill Michaels, and
Dave Randall. And the program director is
Chris Cox ... SAG-AFTRA video game strike could last
months. "Don’t expect the two-week-old SAG-AFTRA strike against the
video game industry to end any time soon," according to Deadline.
com. "Not unless the companies are willing to compromise on the key
strike issue: residuals." ... CBS' quarterly call may be very
insightful today on what the company will say about its “separation”
from CBS Radio. |
ALT 98-7 PRESENTS
THE ANNUAL
"ALTIMATE DECEMBER 2 REMEMBER"
HOLIDAY CONCERT SERIES
 |
(November 2, 2016)
Alt 98-7, L.A.’s New
Alternative radio station, today announced the lineup for the 2nd
Annual ALTIMATE December 2
Remember Holiday Concert
Series. The ALTIMATE
December 2 Remember
series will feature live performances from some of the biggest
alternative artists at iconic, intimate Los Angeles venues,
providing a unique experience for the lucky few fans who get a
coveted ticket to one of the shows.
The
ALTIMATE December 2 Remember Series 2016:
·
Kaleo at The Roxy on December 5
·
Miike Snow at El Rey Theatre on December 6
·
Cold War Kids at El Rey Theatre
on December 7
·
The Lumineers at Fonda Theatre on December 7
·
Empire of the
Sun
at The Novo on December 8
·
Fitz and the
Tantrums and Arkells
at The Roxy on December 12
·
Glass Animals
and Judah and the Lion
at El Rey Theatre on December 12
Tickets
to all the ALTIMATE
December 2 Remember
series shows go on sale to the public on Friday, November 4 at 10
a.m. PT. Tickets for
The Roxy concerts are sold via
ticketfly.com.
Tickets for The
Novo, El Rey Theatre, and
Fonda Theatre concerts will be available via AXS.com.
Members of the ALT 98-7 “The List” Rewards Club will have a chance
to purchase tickets during an exclusive pre-sale on Thursday,
November 3 at 10 a.m. PT (the pre-sale link and password will be
emailed to membership on November 2). To join the ALT 98.7
“The List” Rewards Club for the chance to participate in the
exclusive pre-sale, log on
alt987fm.com.
|
Universal Story
 |
(November 1, 2016) Over the weekend I read a fascinating
book on the history of the Universal Tour and Theme Park and its
spark plug, Jay Stein. Having worked at Universal Pictures in the
'80s, so many of the names were familiar and I learned so much
behind the back story of decisions and how they were made.
After the launch of the Hollywood
and Florida Universal parks, Jay Stein was obsessed with creating
another theme park, Cartoon World. Stein was confident that a
cartoon-based theme park had the strongest and broadest appeal of
any theme park ever conceived. The key to his concept was obtaining
the rights to the cartoon characters owned by Warner Bros. Without
WB, the available second-tier cartoon characters would not be strong
enough to attract patrons. Negotiations took place at the highest
levels between WB and Universal execs and ultimately an agreement
could not be reached.
How
does this apply to LA Radio? The mention of Bob Pittman,
the current chairman and ceo of iHeart Media. From Stein's book:
"Ultimately, Jay felt that the greatest impediment [to securing the
WB rights] may have Robert Pittman, an aggressive, young executive
who supposedly could figure out what would appeal to young people.
At the time, Warner Bros. owned the Six Flags chain of amusement
parks. Pittman was put in charge in 1991. Six Flags was a poor
investment, run poorly. For the most part, Six Flags would put
character names on rides without any serious theming and have
costumed characters walk around. An ambitious Pittman convinced his
bosses that Warner Bros. could do so much more with the characters
and suggested that they not make a deal so that he could use them in
building a theme park empire. Unfortunately, he did nothing and left
the company. Warner Bros. sold Six Flags in 1995. Jay felt Warner's
has no clue how to exploit their characters in movies or in the
theme parks. He added it is shameful that they are unable to
leverage their world-class characters and their current management
is no more talented than the people he was dealing with many years
before."
|
 |
Boo! It's Elvira
(October 31, 2016) Elvira, the Mistress of the
Night, is synonymous with Halloween and when I was in the marketing
department at Universal Pictures, we hired Cassandra Peterson
(Elvira) to help us promote John Carpenter's The Thing. We
staged an event at a theatre on Hollywood Blvd and wearing my
executive marketing costume, escorted Elvira to the stage.
She had a very successful career presenting a weekly horror movie on
KHJ/Channel 9, wearing a cleavage-enhancing gown. Elvira also was
frequently on KROQ. |
Legends in the
Fall of 2001
(October
2001) On Saturday, a jammed
packed audience at the LARADIO.com Day
seminar at the Museum of Television & Radio was
treated to a quick-witted three hours of memories, anecdotes, laughs, and
insight into the early days of Top 40/Rock radio in Southern California. The
early pioneers were in top form. I thought the best way for you to relive what
happened on Saturday would be to hear from those who were there:
|
Swingin' Gentlemen
Ted Quillin, Wink Martindale, Elliot
Field, Jim Hawthorne, Perry Allen, Gary Owens, Casey Kasem, Art Laboe,
and Don Barrett moderating (not pictured but participants in the
seminar: Hunter Hancock and Chuck Blore) |
 |
*Jerry
Lewine: “I am awed by how incredibly
talented these people are. What great storytellers! I had to wipe my eyes
from laughing so hard over some of those stories - conversations with the boss
who had an accent so thick he couldn't be understood, Art
Laboe's story of how he was on a couch with a girl - and the stack of
sticking 45's on the record player as the explanation of how the Oldies but Goodies albums came to be, Perry Allen's story of throwing up on camera during the early days
of live tv and of course, the story of the glass knife that sliced Jim
Hawthorne's finger on live tv. I found it particularly interesting that
the only personality mentioned as listened to by the panelists was Phil Hendrie."
*
Scott St. James: "With the stories
told, everyone one of those guys showed that what helped them be successful was
their not being afraid to fail. CLASSIC stories. And while being impressed by
all the panelists, I left the museum feeling sorry that I'd never had the
opportunity to work with Chuck Blore during the Color Radio days. I mean,
the stories he told and the stunts he pulled...what a MIND! Jim Hawthorne was
someone I wasn't familiar with and he left quite an impression. Every guy on the
panel showed he "still has it" and I am big time happy I made the
extra effort to find a parking space. It was a flat out WONDERFUL 3 hours! Take
a bow, panel. And take a bow, Don Barrett."
*Randy
West:
Absolutely magical! I was immediately moved by the camaraderie and mutual
respect among these legendary personalities, and of course their glib,
easy-going senses of humor.
 |
While I've worked with Wink,
I'd never heard the full story of the genesis of his hit record, Deck
of Cards. From Ted Quillin,
I learned that the payola investigations included an L.A.
component where djs were not only summoned to Washington, but that
testimony was also taken by ‘G-men’ locally at the Hollywood
Roosevelt. The origin of the long-disputed ‘Make Believe Ballroom’
was finally clarified for me in learning that Martin Block had worked
for Al Jarvis before
instituting the show in New York.
(Left
to right: Art Laboe, Wink Martindale, Gary Owens) |
Hunter
Hancock detailing the birth of his groundbreaking r&b program was
fascinating, and at the ‘meet and greet’ I learned that he'd never known or
spoken to his East Coast counterpart, Alan
Freed. I'd known of Perry Allen
from his WKBW work, but wasn't aware that he too had a resume akin to a
coast-to-coast train ticket.
|
Gary
Owens always has humorous and insightful comments to share about the
true golden age of Top 40 radio, and I was again amazed at his
encyclopedic knowledge of who worked where, and with whom. And when it
comes to call letters, he's a walking Broadcasting Yearbook! And I could listen to Chuck Blore (r) for days on
end recount tales of imaginative radio promotions, advertising
campaigns, and the psychology of electronic communication. |
 |
I've always been
fascinated by the larger-than-life likes of Todd
Storz, Gordon McLendon and Bill
Randle; I sure got a good dose of anecdotes and insight into the
personalities of our founding fathers. And from a story about suspected payola,
I also learned about a dark side of one of the indie record promoters with whom
I had a relationship throughout the 1970s.
Finally and perhaps most profoundly, I realized that having the courage to risk
and reach for personal goals in the first half of your life can create a sense
of accomplishment, pride, and a cache of great memories that can sustain you
into your 80s and beyond. I became truly aware that some of the veterans of the
radio wars are reaching advance ages, but couldn't help but notice that once
seated and in the spotlight, each of these legends were young at heart, glib and
still have the all the magic that made them great. Thanks for a magical moment."
*
Bob Pond: "The airchecks
unclouded my memory regarding the golden days of Top 40 radio. The transition
over 45 years has been so gradual that I had forgotten how it really sounded. I
was fascinated about the stories about great innovations that happened by
accident like Art Laboe's Oldies but Goodies albums, and how [anglo]
Hunter Hancock played Jazz for two years in order to cater to the black
community until he found out that they prefer r&b and only THEN attracted
that demographic!
The three hours went by faster than a Friday drive-time shift
and they were just getting started when we had to clear the hall. You could
write a book about these guys. Oh, that's right - you already have!"
