LARadio.com Archives, June 1998 compiled and written by Don Barrett db@thevine.net

Charlie Van Dyke Auditions for KRTH Morning Show

(June 1, 1998) Charlie Van Dyke kicked off his week-long KRTH morning drive show this morning with How Sweet It Is by Marvin Gaye and the Ronettes' Be My Baby. He came out of the record with: "K-Earth 101, it is 5:05 in Southern California. Good morning, I am Charlie Van Dyke and it is incredible to be on FM. Last time we spoke, it was on that puny little AM with one speaker. It is wonderful to be back to spend some time with you. But right off the top, I have to take a moment as we begin today's program and hope you'll allow me just a couple of personal thoughts as we get underway. For decades in Los Angeles, morning radio was enlivened and in many ways was defined by Robert W. Morgan. His creative influences permeate this radio station in particular. And so as I greet you today from the same studio that he used, surrounded by his very professional and supportive staff, I take just a moment to thank Robert W. Morgan for his contributions, both personal and professional. I enjoyed Robert W. as a performer and as a friend. I respected him. I liked him. He influenced me as he did many. And so it's an honor to spend this week here with you at K-Earth 101. And I dedicate our efforts this week to our friend Robert W. Morgan. His number is retired. It is truly pointless to try and find another player with his particular blend of skills and mastery. There will never be another Robert W. Morgan because he is unique and unrepeatable. So, Robert W., from your studio here at K-Earth, I, along with countless others, thank you for all the great 'Good Morgans' you gave us. And right about now, I imagine Robert W. saying something like, 'Thank you very much, now, will you just get on with it.' And so here we go."

KABC: "Bizarro World" - Ronn Owens

(June 2, 1998) Last weekend, the San Jose Mercury News devoted almost a full page column to KABC's Ronn Owens. Much of the column rehashes much of what has been at this Website for the last month and a half, however, the headline blared, "OWENS RIDES THE WAVE IN S.F.; LIMBAUGH FLATTENS HIM IN L.A." Highlights from Brad Kava's column: "Crush or be crushed. For KGO's Ronn Owens, it's been a bit of both. Owens is the only guy in the country who can say he's trounced Rush Limbaugh, but even he hasn't been able to do it in two cities...Trying to conquer both markets to become 'the voice of California,' Owens began doing the show from the north one week and the south the next. In the latest ratings, he is attracting twice the number of listeners in the Bay Area that Limbaugh does, but the big guy is returning the favor in L.A. 'It's been a rough nine months,' says Owens, who describes the southern station as a 'bizarro world' in contrast to its northern cousin. 'The numbers are not great, but don't give up on me'...A few factors come into play in the Bay Area. Owens says he speaks for the rational Everyman. He doesn't have a political agenda and makes decisions the way his listeners do - by hearing evidence and talking it out. 'People are comfortable with me,' says Owens. 'Rush doesn't make them comfortable'...If the bean counters in L.A. can sit tight for a while, I'd bet Owens will show up just as strong down there."

Holly Adams "Screwed UP!"

(June 3, 1998) Last month, Holly Adams reflected at this Web site about her tenure with KACD (103.1FM). She had joined the facility in 1989 when the station was known as KOCM, "MARSfm" and left a few years later for KEDG-Las Vegas, KOME-San Jose and "the Flash" in San Diego only to return to 103.1FM (now "Groove Radio") in 1996. After leaving the station earlier this year she expressed personal concerns about the fate of the facility. Just prior to leaving for a trip to England, she asked that I post the following:

"WELL DON, I SCREWED UP!!!! When I agreed to let you post my message to you on your Web site, I guess I should have realized that the content of this letter would be taken personally by some people who I have great respect and love for. [And in reading my delirious ramblings, I understand why.] When writing for publication purposes, I usually tend to be a bit more objective and less bitter.  And although I am still truly saddened over the fact that I am no longer able to be an official part of the 'Groove 103.1' team,  I think it is wrong to slander something I truly love, especially over the internet where the whole world can see.

During my last 10 years in the business, it seems that radio stations are always run in a very chaotic manner. It is unfair that I isolate 103.1 as a station that is 'destined for failure.'  Even though its signal is 'the lowest of them all' (as in wattage in L.A.), since I have resigned, their ratings have apparently gone up quite a bit, and I'm sure with an awesome new gsm in place, so has their revenue.  When I said 'we had glimmers of hope,' I was referring to a group of  musically very forward thinking people who just may still be a bit ahead of their time for the revenue-focused  radio world. The fact that 103.1 is such a small station with some signal problems makes it difficult to compete with the big guys, but the station still kicks some ass and enjoys limited success in the ratings and revenue game,  while they continue to play some of the best dance music in the whole country.

In speaking about 'evil radio spirits' and 'the ghosts of those who never made it,' it is perhaps just some sort of cheap rationalization of why I'm not still there reaping in the benefits of the L.A.entertainment industry after having broadcasted on that same frequency on five different formats. [K-Surf, K-Ocean, MARSfm, Groove Radio weekend overnights Oct-Dec.1994 and Groove Radio.]

Although I apologize for all of the slanderous accusations, I think that when a station changes their format so many times and retains key employees, it's only natural for the old staff to resent the new staff, making communication and synchronization of thought and vision very difficult.  Although I tried so hard to express my winning attitude and desires for success and teamwork within the organization, perhaps I failed, too.  It's so hard sometimes for professional communicators to successfully communicate.

So, Don Barrett, please post THIS message in hopes of conveying my apologies to the owner, Mr. Ken Roberts, who I will always have great respect for, and the Staff and Management and Programmers of Groove, 103.1. The musical vision I share with the Swedish Egil, and many others no longer affiliated with the station, lives on and will manifest itself in many other forms in the future.  To my friends [and now perhaps former friends] at 'Groove 103.1,' I wish you the best and am still always working on your team in some way or another behind the scenes.
Holly Adams, Peace and love and groove, baby!" ( hollyadams@earthlink.net )

Mega 100 HOT!

(June 4, 1998) If you believe in the ratings (and who doesn't?), "Mega 100" is THE hottest station in Southern California. Playing the numbers game, KCMG has had dramatic leaps in recent books. What the heck are they doing? Well, the personalities seem to be a perfect match for the target audience. The contesting is dramatic, upbeat, big $$'s and contemporary. The off-air promotions have integrated the station into the community with daily, highly visible events within shopping mall parking lots with their Wheel of Chance spin to win station prizes. The most important element is an ether that emanates from "Mega 100" - a magic blend of the powerful concoction called "word of mouth." And the music? A mix of Oldies with a heavy emphasis on r&b. Well, here are a couple of hours from last night and this morning:
10-11 p.m. (6/3) Rescue Me, Fontella Bass; Darling, Baby, Elgins; Let's Groove, Smokey; Still Waters, 4 Tops; I Belong To You; Together, Tierra; Show and Tell, Al Wilson; I'll Be Around, Spinners; The Bells, Originals; Ain't No Mt, Diana Ross; After The Love Has Gone, Earth, Wind and Fire; All Cried Out, Al Wilson; Love and Happiness, Al Green and You Make Me Feel Brand New, Stylistics
7-9 a.m. (6/4) Keep On Dancin'; Baby Do It Right; Why Can't We Be Friends, War; Bad Girls, Donna Summer; Let The Music Play, Shannon; My Girl, Temptations; Who's That Lady, Isley Bros.; Love Hangover, Supremes; I Do Love You, Billy Stewart; Boogie Wonderland, Earth, Wind and Fire; Como Yo La Va, Santana; Rock With You, Michael Jackson; If I Can't Have You, Yvonne Elliman; Shotgun, Jr. Walker; Love Come Down, Champagne; Don't Let It Bring You Down, War; I Want Your Love, Chic; I Love You For All Seasons, Fuzz; Lady, Commodores; Brickhouse, Commodores

(June 5, 1998) Lacking a stream of conscious, a potpourri of the day's news...A listener to KLOS' Mark and Brian this morning raved and raved about The Truman Show. They talked about the film being the BEST of 1998 so far...Andy Mars, corporate vp for Liberman Broadcasting representing KKHJ, KBUE, KBUA and KWIZ, named new Chairman of the Southern California Broadcasters Association...Thanks to Carol Rock of the Santa Clarita Signal for a marvelous two-page story (with photo) about my book, Los Angeles Radio People, in this morning's Escape section. Local boy makes good...All-Traffic, All the Time radio has returned to the Southland. Traffic reports 24 hours a day at 1650AM. Beep Beep...Minyard and Tilden at KABC morning drive now call themselves Ken and Peter. Wonder how that happened, or have I just not noticed...Speaking of KABC, the new pd, Drew Hayes, is due to start June 15.

See what your favorite KRTH djs look like. "K-Earth" is broadcasting their annual "Care For Kids" radiothon and KTLA/Channel 5's Mark Kriski is covering the event live for the morning show . "Shotgun Tom" Kelly is decked out in tux and familiar Smokey the Bear hat and Charlie Van Dyke is doing the KRTH morning show (Mark even talks up to the vocal on a Van Morrison song). Lots of energy on the simulcast TV/radio broadcast...ELO is the featured artist on "Uncle Joe" Benson's morning show at "Arrow 93." Joe certainly provides an alternative to the incessant morning talk with an incredible knowledge of AOR artists. His books are a wonderful resource...Kevin & Bean are promoting the 6th annual Weenie Roast and Fiesta. Incredible line-up of artists: Creed, Marcy Playground, Wallflowers, Everclear, Prodigy, Fastball, Third Eye Blind, Green Day, Cherry Poppin' Daddies, Madness and Blink 182...KPWR's Big Boy is promoting a big summer concert, "Hip Hop Summer School" at a "secret location" starring Silkie 5, Bones, Thugs and Harmony, Peter Guns and Laura Terese...PD of KZLA, John Sebastian, is out at the Country station.

(June 6, 1998) Former Los Angeles Mayor Sam Yorty died yesterday morning. Now, a good question would be what that has to do with a Website that deals with radio in Southern California. After 12 tumultuous years as mayor, Sam joined KGBS as a talk show host during a time when KGBS was airing all-Talk. His producer, Wally George (yes, the same one on KDOC's Hot Seat) told the LA Times at the time: "People see Yorty as filling the void of conservative commentary that has been left vacant since the death of Marv Gray." The ex-saxophone player from Nebraska, "Mayor Sam" started his show each morning with his theme, Sam's Song. Recently Mike Downey of the LA Times said the teaming of Yorty and George at KGBS made Rush Limbaugh seem like a meek little mouse. Sam was a character at City Hall and on Los Angeles radio. He was 88.

"World Famous" Tom Murphy Auditions at KRTH

(June 8, 1998) Quick, turn on KRTH this morning. The second of four very high profile auditions for the morning show this month features the "World Famous" Tom Murphy. When I talked with Tom yesterday about the opportunity, he replied, "I haven't been up at three in the morning since I went to a chili cook-off and forgot to take Zantac." Tom and KRTH pd Mike Phillips go back to, as Tom said, "when we were kids" at KISN-Portland. Tom will be surrounded by familiar people - he and newslady/sidekick Joni Caryl worked on a syndicated show together. Tom's a veteran of Los Angeles radio starting at KRLA in 1971. In addition to KRLA, he's worked at KGIL, KIIS, KPRZ, KFI, KJQI and KGRB. Where did the "World Famous" come from? "It happened while I was at KJR-Seattle. As a bit I called myself the Famous Tom Murphy. Then, I thought, what the heck, that wasn't big enough, so I called myself World Famous." Tom was born in Sioux City, Iowa, and grew up in Portland. Tom opened his show saying, "I'm not very nervous, because I have no central nervous system."

LARPs From All Over the Country to the R&R Convention

(June 9, 1998) Radio People from all over the world will be arriving in Los Angeles this week for the Radio & Records Convention. There are a ton of Los Angeles Radio People who have been nominated for R&R's first-ever Industry Achievement Awards. Check out this list of nominees: True Don Bleu, Chris Brodie, Jim DeCastro, Rick Dees, Patrick Duffy, John Duncan, Von Freeman, Richard Heftel, Gerry House, Jed the Fish, Casey Kasem, Jhani Kaye, Kevin & Bean, Dan Kieley, Jim Ladd, Pat Martin, John Monds, Robert W. Morgan, Mike Phillips, Dr. Laura Schlessinger, Peggy Schiavo, Karen Sharp, Greg Stevens, Talaya Trigueros and Kevin Weatherly. Is it out of the realm of possibility for a clean sweep?

Where do LARPs Go to R&R  (Rest & Relax)

(June 10, 1998) School is almost out and that means summertime (although you wouldn't know it by the absence of the sun in Southern California this year) and vacations. Where do Los Angeles Radio People go to R&R (rest and relax)? Part One:
Myles Cameron (Cameron Wood Productions): "What timing! I'm off to England this Friday for three weeks to visit a number of friends there. The vacation culminates with an East Sussex barbecue. It's thrown in my honor, by a friend of mine who worked for Reuters in L.A. when I was at KHTZ. I'm bringing new golf clubs, which in my case, comes in handy for turning charcoals!"
Ace Young (former Mighty Met'er): "Not planning any major trips at this time. Summer is my busy season creating new Websites for the many potential clients here in Yosemite/Gold Country. I like nothing better than taking the recorder, camera and video recorder [all digital these days] and capture what I see and post it for anyone to view." http://www.yosemitegold.com/yosemite/index.html
Roger Nadel (KFWB gm): "I'm going to concentrate on doing things that make me healthier and better able to cope with the stress that goes along with these types of jobs. Hopefully that will include eating better, playing tennis at least once a week and golf once a week [each of those things would mean changing my current habits]. I may even try to spend a little more time with my kids. Sorry it's not too exciting...but it's the truth."
Jason Jeffries (KKLA): "I am planning on taking a cruise to Mexico. I visited Mexico for the first time last year and really enjoyed it. I plan on hitting most of the resort towns along the coast."
Chris Ames (formerly with KNX/FM): "Work, actually [and thank God]. We're finishing a project for HBO and rewriting what's turning into a remake of Journey to the Center of the Earth. May drive to Yellowstone in August. It sounds like a death march, but Carolyn wants to do it before Sam decides we're complete idiots...teendom is just around the corner."
Andy Barber (KHT-Tulsa): "I'm going to Houston to watch my friend at his stripping school...Really...!!!"
Andy Park (former KMPC and KFWB newsman): "I'm in San Francisco until Thursday [My love lives here]. Then a road trip back to North Carolina in August to do a bit part in a movie, then in mid-September my love and I go to Italy and Croatia [Puglia on the SE Coast and then to Island of Korcula, city of Lumbarda, where her parents grew up]. After that, I'll be so far in debt I can't go anywhere."
John Leader (formerly with KHJ): "Believe it or not...I'm not taking a vacation this Summer. This time of year is pretty busy VO-wise with lots of Fall movie campaigns starting to blossom, not to mention all the kick-off stuff for the new tv season. I always vacation in January and/or March and hit the slopes of some far-flung ski resort. Miss a lot less business that way. Whoever said 'make hay while the sun shines' must have been a voice-over dude...maybe Ernie Anderson."
Levi Booker (KJLH): "No plans to go anywhere, just stay home and count my money!"
Bobby Ocean (former dj with KHJ and KWST) and his wife Elizabeth Salazar (formerly with KWST): "Summer vacation plans actually include working vacations, beginning this Friday. The R&R Convention's "Perennial Power Players" session will feature Bobby among about 33 other legendary jocks in the biz. And since we'll be in the Southland, we're stretching it into a mini-vacation and will visit my folks in Whittier and a couple of friends in Valinda over the course of next week. On August 1, Bobby will be participating in the Dan O'Day - Dick Orkin annual seminar in Bel Air. We don't do exotic vacations nor do we do much domestic air travel - our preference, especially mine, is to find our way down to L.A. as often as opportunity allows."
Ric Lippincott (KHTZ pd 1983-84): "I plan to visit Bali for surfing and lots of fresh fruit sometime in October."
Ronn Owens (KABC): "Next week I'm on a week's vacation at Seascape. Seascape is in Aptos, just south of Santa Cruz. Each year, the family [my wife, two daughters and I] rent the same house which is literally ON the beach. It's totally laid back...nothing but t-shirts, cutoffs and relaxation. I am counting the days."

Spanish Outdoor Outrages

(June 11, 1998) In the LA Weekly last week, KTNQ's billboard campaign was put to the test with complaints from Supervisor Gloria Molina and the National Hispanic Media Coalition. The Weekly wrote: "In a world inured to shock-jocks and Jerry Springer, it's hard to imagine something new stirring outrage. But that is more or less what KTNQ 1020AM managed to do with its new billboard campaign. Promoting the station's talk-radio format, the ads feature such images as a gang member pointing a gun at his head [and one where the gun is on a Taco Bell-style Chihuahua], young Latino men climbing over a wall marked 'Welcome to the United States,' and a corpse on the ground, all next to the phrase 'Que Paso?' [i.e. 'What's happening?']" In the article KTNQ pd David Gleason relayed a nasty telephone conversation, wherein Molina delivered her demands. David said, "She said we should have put a fucking white man in the billboard." The billboards are being replaced. Dave Gleason responds: "Actually, there were some horrendous misquotes and attributions in the article. KTNQ did not 'agree to pull the boards' under the pressure of certain persons. We decided that the non-Spanish speaking Hispanic segment of the community did not understand the goal: to make people notice and talk about problems. So, we moved up by several weeks that second phase of the campaign, which, interestingly, focused on the premise that many people want to hide from reality and do not talk about our community problems!"

Where Are You Going for Summer Vacation

Mr. KABC (KABC) "I don't plan on taking too much time off but in July, I'm planning to go with my wife [sans kids] to Nashville. After that tornado struck downtown Nashville, I watched the TV news coverage and was really impressed with what a nice looking city it was. I figure the tornado news will keep the tourists away.  It'll also be our 6th anniversary."
Tommy Edwards ("Arrow 93" pd): "I honestly don’t have vacation plans for this summer as of this date. I love Europe and would love to go back when I can get the time, but with training of new Music Director and some other projects, I just don’t see a window of opportunity."
John Majhor (KLAC/KZLA 1989-91 and KCBS, 1991): "I plan to take my lovely wife of eleven years to Paris. It’s a trip I promised her a few years ago, and events conspired to prevent it until now. We’ll be flying out of either Toronto or NYC to Paris the first week of August. We plan to spend a few days in the City of Lights and then drive south toward Nice and the Riviera, staying in Bed and Breakfasts along the way. It should be quite an adventure, since August is still the high season and there may be some fun finding accommodations as we drive. I’m dieting right now so I will be able to eat those creamy French sauces and return weighing about the same as I do now! Anyone know of any inexpensive business class seats?"
Joe Benson ("Arrow 93" mornings): "In addition to hanging with my 2.5-year-old daughter, I have five things planned for the summer: (1) Finish updating the Uncle Joe’s Record Guides on the Beatles and Progressive Rock for their October release. (2) Keep the morning show rolling and growing the same as it has since last August [#19 25-54 adults to #8 so far] and break the 125 market mark for "Off The Record," the Westwood One syndicated show I've been hosting/co-writing since mid-May [started with 60 stations, currently on 105]. (3) MC the NASCAR Craftsmen Truck & Busch Series races at California Speedway, and drive my Nissan 300ZX in the mid-July SCCA road race up north at Buttonwillow. (4) See Pearl Jam in at least a couple of cities. (5) Attend my 30th high school reunion back in Stockton, Illinois, just to see how many of my classmates [there were 69 of us] have grandkids."
Larry Boxer (formerly with KGFJ, KDAY and KHJ, now with WW1): "We’ll take our annual week in Vegas where, for the past few years, we’ve met up with a bunch of other people from around the country. We all met originally through an on-line gambling forum, so there are some heavy-duty sessions at the craps tables. We’ll also spend several weekends in Monterey, as we do every year, and we hope to get to Sedona to visit family around the holidays."
Jeffrey Leonard (KHTZ/KBZT/KRLA, 1985-87): "This summer we are headed to Cooperstown, New York, to visit the Baseball Hall of Fame. Denise and the kids have never been there...and it is soooo incredible. I was last there in 1979...so lots of new stuff to see. After that, we plan on driving south into New York City and then to stay at some very close friends’ house in Princeton, New Jersey. All of that will be packed into TEN very tight days. I can’t wait."
Andy Ludlum (KABC/KTZN/KMPC, pd 1996-97): "Sorry to say I have no plans...I’ve spent enough time goofing around recently, so I guess it’s a summer of all work."
Jerry Longden (former KEZY, KNAC, KLOS, KWST, KROQ and KGIL/FM dj): "Will be flying to Maui for week in July to visit Damion my old roommate/airbud and former KLOS pd/jock.  Plan to basically take it easy and tell each other big lies after not visiting in almost ten years.  Then its back to work in Santa Rosa and finish restoration of my Alfa Romeo Spider."
Tom Leykis (KLSX+syndication): "My wife Susan and I have just completed a wine cellar as part of our growing interest in serious wine collecting. We are planning a trip to the Napa Valley the end of this month to do some serious wine shopping. Later this summer, we may even make a second trip there, as well as a couple of requisite weekends in San Francisco. We are confirmed Californians and we generally spend our summer vacation time somewhere in the state. We love it!"
Brian Cowan (KIKF): "I leave on July 4th for ten days in Maui. I try to make the trip every year. This will be my 15th time in the Islands and my 9th on Maui. It is heaven on earth."
Leslie Pam & Ann Christie (KMPC, 1994-96): "This summer we will be heading up to Alaska to cruise the inner passage on a 90-foot research vessel built in the 1930s. We will sea kayak into those inland waterways where ‘no man dares to tread,’ and experience the pristine wilderness with our researcher guides. Then off to Vietnam in the fall."
Steve Jay/Jay Stevens (KRTH): " I plan to spend some time in my hometown of Pittsburgh, PA this summer, and hopefully listen to Porky Chedwick.".
Jack Armstrong (formerly with KTNQ, KFI and KNX/FM/KKHR): "No place special...but, I’m going to finally get my private flying license. Gonna’ compress a couple of months training into about 10 days. It’s the best way to learn and gives me something challenging to do with my mind while I’m away from the studio. I’ve got a home on the coast of North Carolina in Edenton, so, I may spend some time there eating seafood and fishing."
Steve Marshall (KNX/FM, pd, 70s): "I have absolutely NO plans for the summer. I want to pitch some ideas for the new season and summer is the prime pitching season. Consequently, I’ll probably be around for most of the season."
Bob Morgan (formerly with KGBS): "Most likely, I’ll spend my vacation exploring the old railroads of Colorado. I really enjoy discovering the abandoned rights-of-way of the old narrow-gage lines that ran throughout Colorado, Utah and New Mexico. I usually start in Durango and work my way north and east from there. For the last ten years or so, I’ve just been getting in my car and taking off without any planned itinerary. I try to ride the old steam operated lines that still exist, like The Durango & Silverton, Cumbres & Toltec, Colorado & Southern and the Georgetown Loop."
Stephanie Miller (KABC): "I’m thinking Yosemite."

Radio & Records Convention Begins

(June 12, 1998) Big Radio & Records weekend convention is off and running. Hope to see many of you at the Century Plaza Hotel during the festivities...End of the week ramblings...KFWB will debut an incredible NEWS & INFORMATION SEMINAR SERIES tomorrow with the topic of "Stocks & Investments" hosted by KFWB business editor Jim Newman. It’s free and you can learn more about investment strategies and planning for the future. Even though the event is free, guarantee a seat by calling Pam Baker at 213.871.4676... New weekender at KBIG, Scott Thrower. He’s done morning drive in Philadelphia, Phoenix and San Diego...Many Los Angeles Radio People went through Fresno on their way to the Southland and may remember KMAK, KYNO, KLOK engineer Dave Evans. I received an email from Rich Hulston saying that Dave had been hit be a vehicle in San Francisco while trying to cross a street. He spent some time in a coma before dying earlier this year...Poorman has returned and his new show is "Anti Radio" on KPLS (formerly Radio Aahs). He’s on in the afternoon playing unsigned artists with a variety of music from surf to punk to country to rap to house....When Charlie Van Dyke auditioned at KRTH, I made mention that during a simulcast with KTLA/Channel 5’s Mark Kriski that Mark intro’ed a song and talked perfectly up to the vocal. Mike Hardy at "Power 97"-Winnipeg emails: "It’s no wonder KTLA weatherman Mark Kriski can talk over a song intro as he did during the KRTH ‘Care For Kids Weekend.’ Mark is a transplanted Canadian, who use to do radio in Montreal. Mark was at 70s and 80s Top 40 giant CKGM, a radio station very much like KHJ use to be. Mark also use to anchor a slot on Canada’s Weather Network"

New numbers will be out soon. If any of the morning drive figures don’t live up to expectations, there is a morning team available that has all the right ingredients for a pairing to enter the new millenium. The husband/wife team teamed together at KABC during summer relief a season ago and sounded great. Pat "Paraquat" Kelley and his wife Melody Rogers, who, no matter what tv show she was involved with, always achieved terrific Q ratings. Pat and Melody could tune up your ratings!...Mother Love, most recently at KBIG, hosts a new tv show on UPN/Channel 13. The show received rave reviews in the Hollywood Reporter. She plays therapist and host to various guests who want to confront or be forgiven by a loved one for a transgression...Sports guy at "Arrow 93," Scott St. James, continues an active acting career. He's a "promo guy" in Ron Howard's Ed TV. In another production called G's Trippin', scheduled for spring of 1999, Scott plays the president of the United States. Scott said, "It must be a comedy."

LARP: Where Are You Going This Summer?

Los Angeles Radio People lead a VERY active life if their choice of vacation spots is any indication. Those who are staying home, seem to be staying home for a very good reason...like work! Part Three of "Where are Los Angeles Radio People (past and present) going for summer vacation?"
Tom Rivers (KIQQ, 1975-76): "As for my plans for the vacation, I'm spending my 2 weeks at my 200 acres located one hour north of Toronto that has a private lake. I have an old three-room log cabin on the property and rely on a well and a wood stove for my comfort. There's nothing better than sitting on the porch at night listening to the frogs and loons and getting away from the city. Did I mention that there are 6-pound Bass in the lake?"
Nicole Sandler (now with "91X"-San Diego): "Actually, my sister in South Florida just had a baby, so I'll be taking a few long weekends to bond with my only niece! [Kind of boring I know, but it's the first and only baby in my family.... I'm living vicariously through her....]"
Howard Hoffman (KABC): "For my summer vacation, we were going to go to Seascape in Aptos, just south of Santa Cruz. But that rat Ronn Owens grabbed the rental before we could, so I have to go to Plan B: Getting married to the beautiful and talented Bonnie Bollinger July 26th followed by a honeymoon near Negril, Jamaica. Then it's back to making more of the promos America never asked for at KABC for a few weeks, and I'm off again in September to attend the Ottawa International Animation Festival. Love, romance, and cartoons - it's gonna be a great summer."
Raul Moreno (KNX): "I am heading to Chicago for a week of Baseball at Wrigley, and the "Taste of Chicago." I just plan to eat, eat, and eat pizza and hot dogs. Then walk it off with a stroll along the lake every day. I may even visit the 8 CBS radio stations that are in the city. This is the first vacation that I have had in years, and I have never been happier. And the main reason that I am going to the Windy city, the love of my life is in Phantom of the Opera which is playing at the Lyric Opera house. So I will spend time with her, if she can get the pizza away from me!!!"
Jeff Gehringer ("Groove 103.1FM): "The family [I have two small children] and I are headed for Las Vegas. It is such a great family city now, and the kids have a lot to do. Plus, it's a great radio town. I love to roam the dial. You can even hear Sinatra on FM there. Amazing!"
Ken Minyard (KABC): "Actually, we have a couple of plans. At the end of this month we're doing a big family get together in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. We'll be hosting all the little Minyards for a week in a place we have rented there...all 14 of us. Really looking forward to that! Then in late August my wife, Jackie, and I are going to spend a week on a biking trip up in Canada in the Banff/Lake Louise area. I'm not sure whether I'm looking forward to that or not."
Bernie Alan (KCET): "As for my summer plans there is nothing spectacular planned. I will be in New York City on AFTRA business in June and again in July and I will try to add a few days in July to reacquaint myself with the homeland...but as I said nothing spectacular."
Gary McKenzie (KIIS, 1977-79, nd): "We're flying to Chicago then retracing and rebonding with Route 66 [what's left of it] back to L.A. Will keep you posted on Martin Milner or Elvis sightings."
Art Kevin (newsman/nd extraordinaire at KEZY, KFAC, KFI, KHJ and KMPC): "Actually, Jodi and I will be doing what we always do: Vacation on the beaches of Southern California which is what you miss most here in the middle of the desert! Our favorite stomping grounds are Newport-Balboa and San Diego. We most enjoy stopping at marina's and seeking out their fresh fish shops that usually have accompanying small restaurants. Between that and cappuccino’s and biscotti and walking barefoot on the sand, we are indeed blessed!"
Joe Crummey (KABC): "Great to hear from you and interesting to read of Ronn Owens' vacation as I'll be filling in for him @ KABC the week of 6/15. And I don't know where Minyard & Tilden are spending their vacation but I'll be filling in for them @ KABC the week of 6/22! Between other people's vacations I'd like to visit my Mom & Dad in Albany, N.Y. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year. In a perfect world I'd be snorkeling off of some Hawaiian Island."
Frank Murphy (KLOS): "I'm headed back to the Washington D.C. area [Northern Virginia] for a week in July to visit family. I also want to take my kids to see all the sights in D.C. that I took for granted during the 12 years I lived there. We already have reservations for the FBI tour. We're also thinking about the White House, the Smithsonian and my favorite monument: the Jefferson Memorial."
Merrill Shindler (KLSX): "Get real dude! My show is on Saturdays and Sundays. I've got words to write for Casey Kasem. The Zagat Survey is due. There's a baby on the way. My idea of a vacation is 20 minutes shopping at Trader Joe's. Heck, my idea of a vacation is driving to a restaurant in West Covina without getting stuck in traffic. As Warren Zevon used to sing, ‘I'll sleep when I'm dead.’"
Jack Silver (KLSX, pd): "Vacation plans for the summer include a surf vacation to Indonesia...hitting the South of France on the way back. Then, before the start of the fall book, a weeklong excursion thru the fjords of Norway...brushing up on my mastery of the Nordic dialects."
Bill Pearl (formerly with a dozen L.A. stations) and Sharon Katchen (KFWB Orange County reporter): "No vacation this year and haven’t taken one for several years. Since late ‘95, Bill’s mom has had a worsening chronic illness requiring daily care. Last getaway was in the early 90s, late April in the Rockies. It snowed."
Ken Kohl (KFI, pd 1987-88): "Weekend trips to Monterey and Napa Valley. Put in a pool last year and hope to float a lot this summer. Working up to a big two-weeker to Maui during Winter Book though."
Jason Bowers ("Y107"): "I’ll be working while everyone else is on vacation, hence my pasty white skin."
Gary Lycan (Orange County Register): "No vacation plans. I have 6 weeks of accumulated time, but little time to take it. I only take a day here or a day there. Of course, when I reach the 8 weeks max, I will have to take some time off since it stops accumulating at that point."
Kenny Noble (now with WFLC-Miami): "Kay and I are visiting our daughter Mandi who lives near Chicago. Mandi was born in San Antonio when I worked at KTFM in 1975. Shari, our other daughter, who moved to Seattle when I worked for KRWM, will be flying in. Of course, we all lived in Chicago as a family in 1977-78 when I did mornings for WLUP. Radio both separates and unites. Wouldn’t trade the experience for anything in the world. We are a closer family in many ways because of our comings and goings."
Kiris Coburn (KKLA): "With Salem’s acquisition of KIEV, we’ve been told that the next month or so will be ‘difficult’ as far as getting vacation time. Not impossible, but difficult. Frankly, I don’t know how anyone takes a vacation in this industry. You never know what’s goin’ on and what will be there when you get back."
Bill Nesbitt (formerly with KWIZ, KEZY, KYSR and KACD): "No vacation planned. I have constant deadlines."
Bob K (KABC/KMPC, pd 1994-96): "I’ve moved to Redwood City and will spend the summer working on a top secret project. But, I’ll be sneaking into my favorite Southern Bay beach city on weekends."
Jeff Davis: (KNX/FM, KRTH and KYSR dj, late 80s, early 90s): "Vacation? Who gets a real vacation in radio? Actually, we’re probably going to take a few 3 or 4 day jaunts up to Napa or someplace we haven’t been, like Sedona. We absolutely love Vancouver, BC and, of course, San Francisco is great. We just got back from a couple of days in the San Fran area, took a little dinner cruise with Steve Forbes on the Highlander [the Forbes 151 yacht]. The problem with vacations in radio is that unless you are big enough [or you negotiated it in your contract] you get one week at a time. Hardly enough time to go to France, if you catch my meaning."
Bill Rice (KNOB, KYMS, KNAC, KWIZ during 60s): "Funny you should ask. I am leaving for Maui on Monday. Got to have my sun fix. I don’t get as much as I used to when I was in L.A."
Ken Levine (Beaver Cleaver): "Three weeks in Hawaii for family vacation and to write a screenplay without distractions."
Ken Beck: (KMPC and KFWB, nd, 1988-92): "Nothing fancy...looks like some time in the Bay Area to help my son find a place to live when he goes to San Francisco State this fall."
Dave Van Dyke ("Arrow 93" vp/gm): "My wife Denise and I are taking a few long weekends between now and the end of August. Then around Labor Day, we’ll be heading to Australia for two weeks to check out kangaroos and radio down-under."
Guy Zapoleon (1995 and 1996 Billboard Consultant of the Year): "Vacation??? Last year at this time, I worked thru the summer, with consolidation starting last year, radio became 24-7 (although I had just come back from a consulting trip for Austreo in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide. This year resting my back, so I’m off the road for a few and am missing the R&R Convention this year."
Al Brady Law (KLAC, gm, 1983-84; KABC/KMPC, 1994-96): "We are planning a visit to New Hampshire/Boston to visit my wife’s family, but the real kicker is that I already know I’m not going to be able to make the trip. [My wife doesn’t know, yet.] I’m in the middle of launching a new programming service at the end of summer, so it looks like I’ll be in lovely Redwood City working the phones and talking the talk."
Sean Lynch (KIIS, 90s): "I’m going to Alaska for my summer vacation!"
Les Beigel (KFWB, 1967; KBIG, 1968; KLAC, 1969; XPRS, 1973; KGBS, 1974-78): "Unfortunately, I didn’t pack away any loot, so I’ll be doing news inserts on the weekend Money Talk program on KABC. It’s torture listening to all the callers who invested wisely in the stock market and quandary about what to do with the profits. I’d like to visit the relatives in Seattle, maybe next year."
Bill Jenkins (formerly with KGBS, KFWB and KABC): "This will be a busy working summer for Carole and I as we spend time in Palm Desert opening our new home there and our new vineyard home near Healsburg. A lot of work, but a lot of fun as well. Both of these moves are business related, as well as developing a new highly scientific tv offering, much in the vein of my "Open Mind" radio show on KABC during the 80s. We haven’t decided on whether it will be a Greek cruise or a cruise in and around the tropical islands of Bora Bora."
Jim Governale (KKLA): "I’ll be in Philadelphia next week to participate in a radio convention with Catholic Media. Should be interesting. Come September 10th, I’ll be on my way back to China and Cambodia with the ministry of the Bible League. It’s a 10-day trip with fellow broadcasters nationwide - a bout a dozen of us - to meet and greet fellow believers in that persecuted part of the world. When we come back, we’ll share our experiences on-air and raise support to send 10,000 Bibles overseas."
Steve Casey (KHJ, 1977): "Montana...at a dude ranch, Australia, and at my second home in Maui [but, I have to do some work...but NICE settings]."
Joe Montione (formerly with KHJ, KUTE and KIIS): "This year we’re just going to spend a week at the local beach in Ft. Myers. We’ve found a cute little hideaway that’s right on the water with great sunsets! Perhaps a three or four-day trip to Nassau Bahamas might be in order for later this summer.
Joe Ferguson (KFOX, 1972-73): "We are trying to get away to Hawaii during the summer. Lots of demands at work this year due to recent takeover by CBS, so I am unsure if we will be able to make it or not."
Todd Parker (formerly with KKHR, KNX/FM and KPWR): "Since the voice-over biz can be tenuous...and often is...I’ll be spending most of my summer around town. There’s a possibility I may even be doing some fill-in for other vacating jocks! Since building my house, it’s been a little more difficult to get away - a mortgage is a little more serious than rent on an apartment! Nevertheless, we’ll get some day trips in to Palm Springs, Newport Beach or San Diego."
Johnny Chiang (KOST): "I’m going to spend a couple of weeks in Italy...attending the Italian Grand Prix automobile race in the city of Monaco. Of course, I’ll also be spending some time visiting Rome, Venice and Portofino."
Gary Marshall (KRTH + Westwood One): "I’m working around the yard, painting the house, cleaning out the garage and working on the car. I’ll be spending a day or so on the sand in Laguna. Not very glamorous, but that’s why jocks always say...’Bobby Jimmy away on ‘Special Assignment all week!"

  June gloom looms outside the Century Plaza Hotel. The time is 10:15. It’s Friday morning and inside the hotel in the Century Ballroom, some of the biggest names in radio and records are packed SRO watching Lionel Richie perform live. The room is alive with sunshine and anticipation. Lionel finishes his four songs to a rousing standing ovation and the curtain on the stage opens and sitting on a three-level dais are the Top 40/CHR Perennial Power Players of all time. There is truly electricity in the air. The power players include many Los Angeles Radio People and they have come to discuss the state of Top 40 radio, reminisce with stories and to share their experiences at the R&R Convention.
Legendary KFWB program director, Chuck Blore, who kicked off the Top 40 revolution in January 1958, was there. In his introduction, a sage saying was attributed to him: "Good ideas come from the people thinking out of the box. Great ideas come from the people who don’t even know there is a box." When legendary Top 40 genius Gordon McLendon made a reluctant Chuck pd for one his Texas stations, Chuck asked for some advice. He said Gordon said: "You’re going to be going down a hall marked with the names of great pds and it’s going to be difficult to do anything they haven’t done. If you want to be a success, really stand out, you are going to have to open a few doors marked NO ADMITTANCE." Chuck said that that has been his philosophy – when everyone is following in one door, to find the other door and when you come out, that’s how you get noticed.
Steve Rivers, KIIS pd from 1986-89, talked about the best way to improve CHR/Top 40 today. "It’s not so much a case of improving Top 40, we really have to remember what our mission is. Our mission is to be entertaining, first and foremost. And second, shut up and play the hits."
Former KHJ pd Paul Drew, decked out in his signature hat, told a story about growing up "almost" next door to Bill Drake in Atlanta and the two of them being the ONLY vp’s of programming for RKO.
Gary Owens was asked if a format can get too tight. GO responded: "So many of the disc jockeys can get too tight. [Much laughter] Many of them are here today to prove it."
Formerly with KHJ, Charlie Van Dyke, was asked about his experience at WLS-Chicago, a station with a very powerful signal. He told a great story when one morning the tower at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport wanted to patch in a phone call from a pilot. The chartered flight was filled with people from Chicago and the pilot wanted Charlie to dedicate a song to those on board. Charlie agreed and asked the pilot where he was listening to WLS. The pilot said he was up 32,000 feet over Iceland. Now that’s powerful.
Architect of KHJ/Boss Radio Bill Drake was asked how important are the basics (play the hits, keep up-tempo, talk less with less interruptions) today. Bill said: "A lot of the basics are still valid but wouldn’t work for Howard Stern and Don Imus. Basics have all changed, but there are basics in everything. I think pretty much what we did is pretty consistent today."
Charlie Tuna talked about his experience at KTNQ: "I got to ‘10-Q’ after it was underway. I got there because KHJ, where I had gone back a second time, had a pd come in who didn’t like personalities. So I left and went across the street. Mike McVay was there and he offered me a job. Mike said, ‘I know you’re a Drake jock. Go in and do what you do. Have fun.’ And basically we put KHJ out of business and put it from ‘boss’ to ‘hoss.’ At that point KHJ went into Country."
Former KFI pd, John Rook, talked about the role of a CHR pd: "A program director should be in charge of ALL programming at the radio station. Anything – commercials, jingles, talent, music – every single element. [Audience clapping] At no time should anyone else be involved and if they didn’t like what the hell I did, get rid of me."
Bobby Ocean, formerly with KHJ and KWST, told a wonderful story about how Van Morrison had knighted him with a butter knife. You had to be there.
KRTH pd Mike Phillips talked about niche formats: "Top 40 stations should take off all gold and promote the fact that you should listen to Oldies, K-Earth 101. Take off all recurrents. That’s the way to get rid of the niching of Top 40 and hire Mike Joseph, who is the guy who doesn’t believe in recurrent or any gold on Top 40 stations."
Bill Tanner is head of programming for Heftel Broadcasting (KTNQ and KLVE) and he told a delightful story when he was running "Y-100" in Miami. In promoting a Peter Frampton concert, they dropped specially marked Ping-Pong balls from a helicopter all along the beaches of South Miami. The promotion resulted in a FCC fine when kids jammed highways near the beaches as "Y-100" spread Peter Frampton’s balls all over South Florida.
Engaging Casey Kasem relayed a story of his first countdown show, which occurred on Armed Forces Radio in Korea. When he got to the #1 song, Vaya Con Dios, he called it "Going Bya Dos." As he told the conventioneers the story, Casey couldn’t remember that Les Paul and Mary Ford did the song, which prompted Casey to say: "The first countdown I ever did I screwed up, just like I did now." The audience loved it. Casey was asked to do the voice of Shaggy from Scooby Doo, which he did to the delight of the group.
Humble Harv acknowledged the passing of three Top 40 giants in the past year: Wolfman Jack, Robert W. Morgan and The Real Don Steele. Harv asked Don’s widow, Shaune, to stand and the audience warmly received her.
Also on the stellar panel: Buzz Bennett, Ken Benson, Gary Burbank, Marc Chase, Dick Clark, Dale Dorman (when asked how he survived for 34 years, Dale responded: "I just kept going in each day"), BJ Harris, Bill Hennes, Mike Joseph, Bill Lee, Mark McKay, Kal Rudman, Rick Shaw, Dave Sholin (who told a moving story about interviewing John Lennon just hours before he was killed), and Terry Young. Dave Robbins was the emcee.
R&R is putting on a first-class, first-rate convention for the radio and record industry. They are to be commended for having the foresight to capture a major part of Top 40 history with the assemblage of such an incredible array of talent. The session could have gone on all day (and could have with Mike Joseph) and I venture to guess that no one would have left. Hats off to R&R! When I left the Century Plaza Hotel, the sun was shining. For two hours, the Top 40 legends truly brightened the CHR heavens.

Orange County Stations Up for Sale

(June 13, 1998) Orange County outlets, KEZY and KORG, are up for grabs. As soon as the For Sale went up this week, five major players put in bids. Leaders appear to be Jacor, Cox and ABC/Disney. Jacor is still attempting to patch their abysmal LA Dodgers radio coverage. Since KXTA (1150AM) does not cover the market, they added KBET to fill-in the void in the Santa Clarita Valley. They desperately need an outlet in Orange County and the acquisition of KORG would fill in a major hole.

Convention Gossip

(June 14, 1998) With all industry conventions, the hallways are flush with rumors about, well, just about everything. This weekend, the R&R Convention had its share of rumors (KZLA going Top 40, Jacor buying KLAC, Jacor buying KEZY/KORG) in connection with Los Angeles news. However, there was a press announcement that was heralded with much fanfare following the session with the Legends of Top40/CHR.
Many of the all-stars who participated in the CHR session, may be participating in an Oldies Superstation from south of the border. The owners of 150,000 watt XEROK-AM 800 are planning a switch from Spanish to English later this summer and have enlisted the help of Steve Ray (WW1 Oldies Channel, KRLA, KMPC/KLIT, KGRB) to put together a stellar line-up to match the flame throwing power of X/ROCK 80. Subject to final negotiations, the line-up includes Charlie Tuna, Humble Harv and Bobby Ocean. Ken Levine ("Ten-Q's" Beaver Cleaver), has agreed to be part of an on-going guest dj rotation. The station is schedule to air a great jingle package of the era, and what is promised to be a deep playlist and full personality presentation. The project is awaiting a facilities and signal upgrade, and will be sent via satellite to 2/3rds of North America from the tower in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Charlie Tuna was quick to point out that he is excited about the Oldies Superstation but his involvement will not prevent him from closing a deal with a Southern California station to do mornings. Charlie said: "I should be able to announce my new affiliation soon."

LARP: Where are You Headed for Summer Vacation?

More Los Angeles Radio People check in with their summer vacation plans, Part Four:
Ed Scarborough (KKHR, 1983-86, pd): "Let's see...its summer visitation with the kids....(1) Treasure Island Resort-The Cayman Islands; (2) Walt Disney World; (3) Tallahassee to visit my kid's college campus at Florida State; and, (4) Parrot Jungle [Miami], IMAX [Ft. Lauderdale] and The Beach!"
Bob Gowa (AOR stations during the 1970s): "I suspect you'll get the same response from many of us, but...I'M GONNA WORK!!! Actually...I have the pleasure of working in one of the most beautiful places on the planet..the California Wine Country, so a simple day off is like a vacation [what's that smell!?]...I'll be spending several long weekends at Konocti Resort in Lake County and a week in Los Angeles with family and friends."
Rich "Brother" Robbin (KIQQ, KTNQ, KKDJ and KGFJ): "People in the desert go to the ocean, so mine are spent in San Diego."
Bob Koontz (KLOS, gsm): "My family spends a week every year on the beach in Newport.....both my wife and I have other family members who all rent beach houses during the same week....July 6th.....the house we rent is this beautiful 2-story house on the water......we got married there 6 years ago."
Joe Huser (Westwood One) "VACATION...I'm in radio. Who can afford vacation? Actually my wife and I enjoy traveling as much as possible and have taken many trips aboard and stateside. This year we are traveling through the Southwest, then North to Colorado to enjoy the Rockies. From there to Wyoming, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, .into Montana and then over to Coeur d' Alene for a few days seclusion in the mountain cabin. We will take a week sometime after summer to visit old friends on Kauai. That's about it for now, but you never know, plans change and we always keep a bag packed for weekenders."
Lance Ballance (KBIG): "I'm gonna try to see my folks up in Sacramento and also visit my lost money in Vegas sometime in August. Other than that, it's biz as usual."
Chuck Southcott ("Music of Your Life"): "In late August, I'll be on an Alaskan cruise with my son [also Chuck Southcott] and "Music of Your Life" listeners from around the country. The last ‘MYL’ cruise was with my older son, Karl, and that one through the Caribbean. Our secret way of always knowing which side of the ship we were on below decks, namely ours, was ‘turn left at the wheelchair.’ Yes, the ‘venerables’ make up the major percentage of cruise line travelers. We'll be sailing the inside passage, and my son and I [both avid fishermen] plan to fish for salmon and halibut at two of the ports of call."
Rich Buhler (KFWB, KNX and KBRT): "1. Mammoth for a week with the family and close friends. 2. To the Yukon to conduct a ministry of deliverance on fish from a lake." The Yukon is one of my favorite spots and this will be my tenth trip.
Joe Cipriano (KHTZ, KKHR and KIIS during the 1980s): "My wife [Ann] and I are going to Italy and Monte Carlo. We'll be in Venice, staying at the Cipriani Hotel and then on to Monaco where we'll board Seaborne Cruise Line for a week. The ship will cruise the Riviera with stops in St. Tropez, Corsica, Portofino, and we'll end up in Rome for a couple of days. Other than that, we're doing family trips with the kids to Alisal Ranch in Solvang in June, Lake Tahoe in July, and the eastern shore of Maryland and Delaware in August."
Jeff Wyatt ("Mega 100" mornings): "My family and I [3 kids and the wife] go to Upper Michigan the same week every year to meet my sisters family, dad and other members of my family. It's a place on Lake Michigan and a bordering small lake that 80% of the families there go to the same week every year so the families grow up together. No TV's and only one phone in the Inn, we have formal dinners every night in the Inn dining room. It's really very special and seems like it's from a time outa the past. There's a bunch of large homes and some smaller ones that act as our rooms for the week. No locks on doors so no keys to lose. Lots of hiking through the woods and dunes, swimming, tennis, shuffleboard, volleyball, some golf, reading, a square dancing night, a barbecue night, a bingo nite, and even a ghost story night under the stars. It's great, and I can't wait."
Bobby Rich (KHJ, KHTZ and KFI): "We'll be spending family time in Cannon Beach, Oregon.  My parents were going there before I was born and I'm continuing the tradition. This year, 31 of my family members from Washington and California will be there for a reunion."
Neil Saavedra (KFI): "My girlfriend Melissa and I are planing to do some island hopping on the Hawaiian islands for as long as KFI will let me take off. I know it's a little pedestrian, but it's still a vacation right?"
"Scorchin" Scotty Wilson (KNAC and KIIS) "Looks like I'll be spending a week in Las Vegas then it’s off to the beaches of Southern California."
Randy Thomas (KMET, KMPC, KLIT, KTWV): "I just finished packing and we head to Ft. Myers, Florida to check on our property and to stick my body in the Gulf of Mexico. It will be Rachel’s first time in the ocean. Then we're onto Toronto for the Promax convention. My Mom is meeting us there and my Grandmother is there in a home. She is 97. So, I plan on taking the picture of my grandmother, my mom my daughter [who just turns one] and me."
Rod Morrison (KEZY): "I think I might be going to San Diego and Las Vegas over a weekend this summer. Other than that I will be working at KEZY!"
Gene Thayer (KRLA, 1971-72): "In October [is that summer?], we are taking the great silver jet bird to La Paz, BCS, thence to Todos Antos, home of the infamous Hotel California, to kick back in a more tropical venue. We will eschew Los Do Cabos as it naught but more Gringolandia. I plan on some diving at Punta Coyote, and elsewhere along the Sea of Cortez. Pulmo is the only true coral reef in the Sea of Cortez and, I think, the only coral reef this side of wherever the coral reefs crop up further south. In the meantime, I’m just runnin’ the old cow rancho, riding the range in Baja, Arizona, and actin’ strange."
Wayne "Wankus" Lewis (formerly KACD): "Next week my girlfriend and I are taking a Carnival Cruise to Ensenada. It’s a five-day, four-night kind of thing…pure relaxation and fun. Can’t wait. Come fall, I’m off to Miami for the season opener of my favorite football team, the Miami Dolphins."
Jim Conlee (KTNQ and KHTZ): "I’m planning a trip to Cancun, staying at Iberostar Kehtsal, a new all-inclusive resort at the end of July. The balance of my summer will include fine-tuning KLDE’s rotations for the fall book, juggling the vacation jock schedule and dealing with Houston’s heat and humidity."
Rex Moore (KGRB): "I don’t have any plans for my summer vacation. I will probably spend a week or two in Arizona visiting some family and friends. A great many of my relatives have retired to Sun City, Arizona and I owe them a visit."
Bill Earl (KRLA historian): "Rosemary and I will be making a pilgrimage to legendary tower sites at WHK Seven Hills, Ohio, WKBW Hamburg, NY, CKLW Malden [Harrow], Canada, WLS Tinley Park, Illinois and WCFL Downers Grove, Illinois. In between we will be downing White Castle Double Cheeseburgers along the way."
David Gleason (KTNQ and KLVE pd): "Only plans are to work on the new program lineups of WQBA in Miami and WIND in Chicago; through July 12th am coordinating World Cup coverage for all of the Heftel stations. Vacation? What vacation!!!!"
Gary Mack (ex KRLA, KHJ and KLAC): "July 1 will be the first year anniversary date of my retiring from WSB. We're going to celebrate that night for sure. We're also planning a trip to Florida this summer, to scout out possible retirement sites, and in September, we're going celebrate our 10th anniversary with a week in Tahoe. Other than that, my wife has put together the following list for the rest of my summer: Repair upstairs tub drain control, Replace toilet flapper [upstairs], install new exterior dryer vent, weather strip windows - bathroom, den, Caulk cracks at foundation, repair wood trim outside glass door, repair basement door / garage windows, replace light switches on stairway, washers - faucet extension on front outlet, faucet washers downstairs bathtub, clean roof - bleach roof stains & gutters, correct drainage in backyard, dig out drain pit, patch driveway, repair brickwork, cut and install shelves for basement, add mesh to chimney cap, clean chimney, clean garage & attic, paint interior - downstairs, wallpaper downstairs bath, carpet upstairs & living room, paint front porch pots, organize fishing gear, clean out closets & drawers, garage sale. Sounds like fun?"
Brad Messer (KMET, 1975-77, nd): "Pathetically enough, I'm going to be spending the summer trying to get connected with a good News/Talk station, because I have just become one of those ‘philosophical differences’ orphans after doing 6 years hosting drive times at KTSA in San Antonio. Maybe it'll work out for the best and I'll hook up with a good station in the Southwest or West before too long. Or, there's always my backup plan, which is to become a homeless person."
Mr. Traffic (KFI): "Sticking around town as we are working on the syndicated show."
Mike Butts (KIQQ, 1972-73): "We will be working on our new money pit [a house] on the east side of Providence. We’ll be awed whenever we take in its beautiful New England neighborhood following extensive repairs. Next year, however, we would like to go to Paris. I love Europe. We went to Rome for a week two years ago. Europe is a very cool feeling."
Craig Powers (KUTE, KIIS, KFXM, KKHR, KEZY and KIKF, pd): "Taking the kids to Orlando to DisneyWorld and Epcot Center. Going jet skiing at Lake Mead. Going to Hawaii in September. And the big news…getting married to Tamara Boulton. WO-Whoooooooo!!!!!!!"
Beau Weaver (KHJ and KRTH): "Okay, this is gonna sound strange, but hey, I was born in Oklahoma. I have Indian blood, so, in the summertime, during ‘the moon when the cherries ripen,’ I go to the Rosebud Reservation [Lakota, or 'Sioux'] to help out with a weeklong ceremony out in the sticks, about 40 miles from the nearest phone. Have been doing this for years. Definitely, NOT ClubMed. Well, you asked."
Brian Perez (KKLA): "It doesn't look like I'm doing anything this year, at least not yet. I was planning on taking a week off in late July or early August, but because of our acquisition of KIEV, plans have been put on hold. This is fine, cuz I really didn't have anything planned anyway. I was just gonna stay home and relax!"
Lane Quigley (KUSC, 1969-73): "Just got back from a week in Chicago. I went there primarily for my stepson's graduation, but the real highlight of the trip was seeing the Cubs-Sox game at Wrigley. The only other plans this summer are for my bride and I to celebrate our first anniversary in August in San Francisco. Nothing fancy this year."
Charlie Huero (KPWR, 1993-96, now Charlie Brown): "I am planning on staying in San Diego for summer. How can you leave this climate!"
Steve Parker ("Car Dude"): "Summer vacation? HAH! I am moving at the end of this month [always a fun event], but at least it is into a place I really love! And, it is with my fiancée', too, so I guess that counts for a lot! We'll finally see how our 4 cats get along. I'll be doing a LOT of remotes for XTRA SPORTS 1150 and establishing myself at KCBS/Channel 2 News. In August we'll be going to the Monterey Peninsula to do a radio remote from the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the world's greatest classic car show. That will be a nice weekend! And we generally try to go to Palm Springs and/or Las Vegas for one or two quickie 2-3 day trips during the summer. We both like the heat, and as long as the AC in the room is working and a pool and a margarita are nearby, I say take advantage of the summer rates! Then, end of summer: September 3 is our wedding in Hawaii and a week or so on Maui. Then home for a reception the third week of that month in our new place!"
Earl McDaniel (KPOP, KDAY and KFWB): "Do I have plans? Is a pig's pecker pork? (1) play golf at least three times a week [if the sun shines], (2) cruise for at least two weeks in the San Juan Islands and Desolation Sound. If my standby reservations come through, a two-week cruise from Istanbul to Lisbon on the Grand Princess and one month in September visiting relatives in Switzerland. If there is any time left I am offering my body to Pfizer, Inc for continuing research and improvement on Viagra."
Gary Moore (KLOS): "'m returning to God's basketball country--Kentucky--for a family reunion. I haven't had one of these in years so it's always nice to see which cousins have eloped in the interim. I did some live Oscars stuff for my friends at Capital Radio/London & they're offering all the Stella Artois [the best Belgian beer you'll never find in the U.S.] I can ingest, so England's the usual go. Probably go hiking in the Cotswolds, heckle some sheep and rustle up ideas for novel #2. Aside from that, I'll do lots of summer beach reading with my Weekly Readers at Zuma."
Ira Sternberg (KWIZ and KOST): "Summer will be interesting. I have some PR business that may prevent me from taking too long of a vacation this summer. Still working it out. Also, my daughter’s bat mitzvah and orthodontics may strain the vacation budget. We'll see."
Dred Scott (formerly KACD): "I'm going to San Francisco next week, as a matter of fact. That's all I have planned for now."
Daniel Thomas (KKLA): "I'm hoping to head with a couple of buddies from KKLA/K-Light to Vegas and maybe San Diego later this summer. Other than that, it will probably be a busy summer because of the KIEV acquisition."

KRTH Auditions in the Diamond Mine

(June 15, 1998) If the sun being out for one entire weekend is any indication, summer has arrived in the Southland…If you don’t read this Website over the weekend, I suggest you scroll down. There you will find a late posting on Friday from the incredible Top 40/CHR Perennial Power Players of all-time session at the equally incredible R&R Convention. Saturday is a story on KEZY/KORG being up for sale and yesterday the announcement of an Oldies Superstation blasting from Mexico with many Los Angeles Radio People. Also, the fourth and final installment of where LARP go on their summer vacations.

Dave Diamond started his week-long "audition" at KRTH this morning to fill the vacate morning drive slot. At 5 a.m., prior to the ID, he played a series of KHJ airchecks. At his first opportunity to talk over a vocal, Dave said: "Hey, how you doing, good morning, this is Dave Diamond and as I was saying before I took that wrong turn in Burbank one night and disappeared into the Diamond mine, rock and roll is my life." Dave was one of the original KHJ "Boss Jocks" in 1965. A few months after the launch of KHJ, Dave went to KBLA followed by KFWB, KRLA, KIIS and KFI. In between Los Angeles assignments, Dave worked at KFRC-San Francisco for a couple of years in the late 1960s. According to the book Can’t Get Out of Here Alive, Dave is credited as the founder of The Doors. He appeared in a number of tv shows and published Incense & Peppermint by the Strawberry Alarm Clock, which reached #1 in 1967. Since 1982 Dave has been manager of KBHU/FM in Spearfish, South Dakota and teaches communication at Black Hills State University.

Orange County Stations for Sale

(June 16, 1998) KORG/1190 AM and KEZY/95.9 FM are for sale, reports Gary Lycan, radio columnist of the Orange County Register. Concerning reports Jacor, ABC and Cox are bidders, Miles Sexton, vp/gm of KORG/KEZY, said, "All or some of those people are potential buyers. Our position is anyone other than CBS is a potential buyer. CBS has maxed itself out in the LA market.'' No asking price was set. KORG is brokered (primarily ethnic) programming; KEZY is hot AC. KORG recently went from 10w to 20w in daytime, KEZY is awaiting FCC ok to go to a full 6kw from its current 2.4kw.

Bon Appetite. KIEV's Steve Knight grew up in the San Gabriel Valley. He started his radio career at KWUN-Concord and KKAR-Pomona. Steve joined KIEV in 1972 and when the station went to Talk in the spring of 1976, Steve co-hosted a show with Paul Wallach who was then dining critic for Westways Magazine. He was so fascinated by cooking he took classes at Ma Maison restaurant's Ma Cuisine school and wine classes with Robert Lawrence Balzer. Steve emails: "As of June 6th both of KIEV's dining programs are now aired on the weekends. My program, 'Steve Knight's Broadcast Bistro,' is now heard on Saturday afternoons from 3 to 5, while Elmer Dill's 'Good Life Report' continues at its regular time of 4 to 6 on Sunday afternoons. In addition, my show also airs on Thursday evenings from 7 to 8 unless preempted by sports. Elmer Dills returned to his program on June 14th for the first time since having surgery to replace a heart valve in late April. I hosted the program during his recuperation." ( dinewithsteve@apc.net )

LARP Meanderings

(June 17, 1998) Wednesday wanderings…Lotsa Los Angeles Radio People won Outstanding Industry Achievement awards at the recent R&R Convention. KRTH made a clean sweep in the Oldies division as station of the year; Pat Duffy won as gm; Mike Phillips named pd; and, Robert W. Morgan won posthumously personality of the year. Kudos to KIIS winners: Tracy Austin, winner of CHR md of the year and Von Freeman as promotion/marketing director of the year. In the NAC category, KTWV’s Christine Brodie won as pd and Talaya Trigueros as personality of the year. The AC personality of the year went to The True Don Bleu (formerly of KHJ). The Country personality of the Year was awarded to Gerry House (formerly at KLAC). In the Alternative category, Kevin Weatherly won as pd of the year while morning duo Kevin & Bean took the personality award…For two years the Krazy Kids worked at KPWR (1995-96). They moved on to KHYS-Houston for mornings. They left earlier this month…Former KLAC/KZLA gm, Bruce Raven-Stark, has been appointed head of five stations in the Quad Cities…Off-air management changes at KLOS/KABC/KDIS are coming.

Rodney Bingenheimer has been a mainstay at KROQ since the mid-1970s. He has been a fixture on the local rock scene who always seemed a step ahead of various trends from the English invasion to glitter to punk rock. He plays music you can’t hear anywhere else. For some reason, Keven McAlester in the current New Times Los Angeles goes after Rodney: "He really does hate the ‘90s; his program is all old dogs and old tricks, a chameleon stuck on last year’s colors. Such sentiments hardly seem ideal qualifications for a guy hosting a show supposedly devoted to new music…Bingenheimer sounds content going through the motions. You’d expect that from commercial radio, but not from a show that could actually be – and reportedly once was – quite good."…A slick new service for radio and the online sports fan is based in Orange County. The SportsVoice Radio Network is a national sports stringer service. They provide live in-game sports updates to radio stations across the country, including KXTA (XTRA Sports 1150 locally). Check them out WWW.SPORTSVOICENEWS.COM…Marie Kordus joined the KPWR sales department in 1985 and rose through the ranks to become gm in the spring of 1996. With not-so-powerful ratings and a revenue slide at "Power 106," Marie stepped down last month. Her replacement comes from Emmis owned sister station WKQX-Chicago. Val Maki will become the newest member of the elite Los Angeles Radio People…Drew Hayes, new pd of KABC, is in and out of town for the rest of the month looking for a house. He starts on LaCienega July 1…More summer vacations plans are still coming in from Los Angeles Radio People, so there will be another posting in a few days. If you haven’t emailed your activities, do it today!

Teddy Fregoso - Godfather of Spanish Radio

(June 18, 1998) It would not be wrong to call Teddy Fregoso the "godfather" of Spanish radio (KALI, 1950-53; KWKW, 1953-75; XPRS, 1975-98, president). So many owe their beginnings in Los Angeles to him. The former bullfighter, who was born on Christmas day in the Mexican state of Jalisco, has been on the ground floor of three Spanish-speaking stations beginning in 1950 at KALI where he was an announcer and account executive. Over the decades he helped launch the U.S. careers of major personalities such as Jaime Jarrin, Humberto Luna, Pepe Barreto, Amalia Gonzalez, Pepe Rolon, Antonio Gonzalez and most recently, Carlos Magana. In 1975, Teddy bought the broadcast rights to XPRS and today he is president and the station plays mostly Mexican regional music and broadcasts the Anaheim Angels games. Teddy enjoys songwriting and one of his songs is performed by Placido Domingo on his latest album.

KABC's Drew Hayes' Honeymoon

(June 19, 1998) Friday stuff…Happy Birthday to the new pd of KABC, Drew Hayes. He’s 40. Drew made Judith Michaelson’s weekly radio column in the LA Times before he even started the job. Birthday and honeymoon at the same time. I would imagine that his actions will be under a microscope for at least a year. Good luck, Drew…Tom Dixon has officially retired from the world of Classical music radio. A fixture at KFAC for four decades and KKGO since 1990, Tom is calling it quits at age 82. When I interviewed Tom over lunch a few years ago, he told me a wonderful story on how he began his love affair with Classical music and, in particular, Mozart. Tom grew up near the Hollywood Bowl and each Sunday his father would take the family to free concerts. Tom, as a young boy, went reluctantly but what made it tolerable was that he was able to climb in the nearby trees. Before long he found a favorite perch from where he could be in his own world. He listened and watched the Classics. And in the process, fell in love with the music.

Kudos to Pam Baker at KFWB for launching a very successful new series of station seminars last weekend. Every station is looking for off-air revenue and Pam knows how to attract the dollars better than anyone in town…Speaking of revenues, Los Angeles radio ad revenues are up 20% for the past two months forcing stations to increase their spot units…Synergy at KABC/KLOS this week. For a half-hour Brian Wilson chatted with Ken and Peter at KABC and then walked across the hall and spent a half-hour on KLOS with Mark and Brian. An ear feast for Beach Boys fans! Brian mentioned the perfect writing partner, the late Roger Christian (dj at KFWB, KRLA, KHJ, KBLA, et.al) who penned Little Deuce Coupe…Yesterday, KBIG gave away $104,000 to a lucky listener in their Big Hawaiian Contest. The station also awarded 60 trips to Hawaii.

Steven Smith Avails

(June 20, 1998) Twenty-year veteran of the marketing department at KLOS, Steven Smith, is now available. Steven will be leaving the ABC/Disney facility next month and take with him an incredible track record of accomplishments over a two-decade period, an unheard of period for longevity in the radio business. For three consecutive years (1991-93), Steven was named Billboard Magazine Rock Promotion Director of the Year. Steven said, "The timing on leaving my 'home of rock ‘n roll' is that my wife left her job this week and we are moving out of our home. I am taking this convergence of circumstances to mean that something incredible is about to happen."

Memories of Dear Old Dad

(June 21, 1998) A father’s influence on ones life is sometimes not realized until we become a father or parent ourselves. For others, the memories are rich from an early age. Some memories are painful. Los Angeles Radio People recount their Dad on this day.
Merrill Shindler: "It's funny you should ask. When it comes to my father, there's one memory that stands out, and it involves radio. It's the image of him sitting in a folding chair in front of our apartment house in the Bronx, with a Japanese transistor radio pressed to his ear, listening to the New York Yankees play. Listening, in fact, to Roger Maris hitting his 60th homerun. To me, that's what my dad -- and radio -- were and are all about."
Bobby Ocean: "My father was a hero. Not only for this kid [one of seven--you can see he was a hero to my mom as well] but to anyone who understands our human values. As an Air Force pilot around the middle of this century, he flew 100 successful missions in the war. He wrote textbooks on air rescue, he taught young pilots their craft, he helped keep America free. But, what made him a REAL hero to me was his huge capacity for enjoying and sharing people. Like Will Rogers, it seemed dad never met a man he didn't like. His hearty laugh and love of storytelling are ingrained in me. In my own way, when I'm ON the air wherever it is on the planet, I like to think I'm IN the air, soaring with the same spirit of my father."
Andy Park: "I lost my Father when I was seven. The overriding result is that I appreciate all the more today that I have children who seem to value that I was around when they were growing up. [Not ALL of them, maybe!] With their Mother gone [she died in 1984] I am the recipient of a great deal of undeserved love today. For a journalist who was not there for many events of my kids [I missed a lot of recitals, trips to Disneyland, etc.] it is kind of overwhelming."
Rich Buhler: "On this Father's Day, I honor the memory of my father, Dr. Henry R. Buhler. Now that I can reflect on the beginning and the end of my life with him, I can see things more clearly. I can see that his love was a priceless gift that helped form and shape my life and my own understanding of love. I can see that he was a man of character who finished well. I can see that he was a man of faithfulness. It was only after growing older and becoming a father myself that I realized the significance and the value of how much he gave to me of himself. I miss him."
Tom Leykis: "My dad died in 1995. We hardly knew each other. Even though we lived at the same address, my dad worked countless hours and commuted five hours roundtrip to work each day. I almost never saw him, and when I DID see him, I usually got the worst of him after a long day or week of work. I never felt that he understood me. I left home at 16. Last week, a listener of mine in Tampa, Florida wrote to me and asked if I was the same Tom Leykis who played on his Little League team. I was. His letter reminded me how my dad never saw the home run that I'd hit that a complete stranger recounted to me almost 30 years later. I had to hitchhike up to 10 miles to get to play because my mom couldn't drive and my dad was rarely home at a reasonable hour. It is hard to hate my dad because he worked hard and there is no manual to teach people how to be good and loving parents without being controlling or domineering. Yet, I didn't attend his funeral 3000 miles away because I was busy, and I felt justified because I always felt that he was too busy for the important things in my own life. It may seem petty, but it is all part of having conflicted feelings. On Father's Day, I am sure that most people when asked about their dads remember the good stuff and try to forget the rest. To this day, people ask me why I sometimes wear a Mets baseball cap even though I am an Angeleno. It is NOT a Mets cap. It is a New York Giants cap. My dad was a Giants fan until they were yanked from him and moved to San Francisco. I wear it as a symbol of my complex relationship with my dad. He loved the Giants. Sometimes, I wish he had known me as well as he had known his favorite team."
Charlie Tuna: "My Dad died earlier this year [March 19] back in my home state of Nebraska. My mom finally got her lifelong wish of 55 years of marriage and had him baptized a Catholic just a week before he passed away. And the priest who baptized him and then officiated at the funeral service was, at one time, our morning paperboy when he was a teenager. Going back and seeing everyone on this sad occasion just reconnected me again with my small town Midwest roots and values, and some great memories of my dad who made that first request of a radio friend to audition me when I was 15 because my dad believed in my talent. Without him doing that, this very shy teenager back then might not even be in radio today. My dad had been a Top 10-ranked boxer fighting out of Madison Square Garden in New York when he was drafted for World War II service. His promoter and backer died while he was overseas and my dad missed his dream. He didn't want to see me miss mine. Thanks, Dad. I love you!"
Jack Armstrong: "I really miss him. He was the best friend I ever had. He had a great philosophy of life, "Do your best every day and no one can ask more of you."
Art Kevin: "Dad, Gus, was a gem. He taught me about tough and gentle at the same time. He left his ethnic qualities and foods for me to one day share with my children who now share it with their families and friends. I'm so proud that I was a part of his world. And that is why the future is secure. There are so many great dads out there."
Mr. Traffic: "My dad was one of the rarest of individuals.......a man who was as comfortable with Presidents as teamsters. A movie producer who did not get a swelled head, even after one of his pictures won an Oscar [Midnight Cowboy]. He would call me every day just to tell me a joke. He put his kids before anything and if it wasn't for him, my brother and myself wouldn't have the great lives we do. He died in 1993 and I miss him every day."
Gary Moore: "When I was around 8 or 9 dad asked how my Atlanta Braves were doing. ‘All they do is lose. I'm gonna find a team that wins,’ I said. He sat next to me & opened the paper to the baseball standings. Pointing at the word Atlanta, wallowing in the national league cellar, he said, ‘Son it doesn't matter if your team is here or up here--they're YOUR team and you stick with them through thick and thin.’ He was such a St. Louis fan himself that he made a pen mark by every Cardinal in the Sunday averages and e.r.a. columns -- even the Cards who'd been traded. Dad taught me loyalty, not blind devotion; self-respect, not ego massage; ambition, not greed; understanding, not pity. He was a marine, a POW, a Sunday school teacher, flawed, a businessman, a devout husband and a damn good backyard Dizzy Dean to my attempt at Henry Aaron. John Clement Moore was the real deal dad."
Bill Earl: "Right before my dad passed away [of pancreatitus, he was a ‘bathtub bootlegger’ in the 20s] he joined me for a hike up Beaudry fire road. We hiked to the top of the Verdugo Mountains in Glendale. I wanted to show him the ‘flagpole- style’ towers of the KBBQ [formerly KBLA, later, KROQ/AM] transmitter site. He had been an athlete, boxer, and lifeguard during his life and even at almost 70 he still had the ‘right stuff’ to accompany me on a long climb to the top of the Verdugo Mountains."
Mike Butts: "Bob Butts died when I was a sophomore in high school. I hope that he is glad that I turned my life around to change from being a crazy high school kid who was always getting into trouble Top things I remember from dad..dad-isms: #10. Do you want me to get my belt?; #9 Go ask your mother; #8 Do you kids want me to come in there?; #7 Close the door, I'm not paying to air condition the outdoors; #6 You're grounded. Yes, all summer, and I mean it too; #5 If Sandy jumped off the empire state building, would you do that too?; #4 I'll turn this car around!!; #3 How many times are you going to open that refrigerator door?; #2 As long as you live under my roof, you do what I say!; and #1 I brought you into this world, and I can take you out!"
Bob Morgan: "My dad was a welding supplier, with a very successful business in Vernon. He was also an expert welder. When he retired, he opened a little fix-it shop at our home in Glendale.  Anyone who lived there probably remembers the big sign on the house at 621 East Colorado, across from Chicken Delight, with the silly jeep in the driveway, declaring 'Bob Morgan's FixIt Shop.' One day a man walked in and asked him to make a branding iron with the initials 'RB'. My dad did his usual expert work, but the guy never picked it up. That branding iron sat around for weeks. Finally dad said, 'maybe that guy Red Blanchard on the radio would like it.' Dad took me to KFWB that night, and when he went on the air at midnight, Red told everybody about dad's fix it shop. From the time I was three, dad put a microphone in my hand and recorded me on our old Packard Bell console. Dad told everyone I was going to 'be on the air' someday. He even used to take me to work at KHOF/FM every morning to sign the station on at six, before school [I was only 13].  He never lived long enough to see or hear my success in L.A. But when I was on the air at KGBS/KHTZ/KTNQ, I was always aware that he was listening. He was my best friend and would have been proud of me no matter what I did. Happy Father's Day dad!"
Ken Beck: "Dad passed away in 1996 after a six year battle with Alzheimer's disease. I don't think I'll ever come to terms with that happening to the guy who taught me how to work calculus and physics problems. He was a guy who was totally dedicated to his family...always home after work to take us to the pool. One time he took us on a five-week vacation across the country and he drove the whole way. He got a chance to have fun with his first grandson...but the second one arrived too late for him to enjoy."
"Sweet Dick" Whittington: "Unfortunately I never knew my father, except for one brief moment on the phone. I can still hear his firm ‘hello, who is this?’ When I identified myself, he swore and hung up. Evidently, he had misdialed. Needless to say, he was a huge influence in my convoluted life. I was actually raised by my grandfather who to me was the single greatest man I've ever known. When being teased by cruel playmates as a ‘bastard,’ my grandfather would gently say to me: ‘Yes, but you're my bastard,’ then look me in the eye and spit in it. Wise beyond his fourth grade education, and revered in a small town in Delaware, where he was Mayor in perpetuity, he was also honored with a wing of a Methodist church dedicated in his name. This rural icon with seemingly an endless amount of sagacity, wit and grace was nevertheless a humble man. His dying words to me were barely audible, yet I can still hear that hoarse whisper whistling through his dentures: ‘I was even more humble than Humble Harve, wasn't I?’ I was frozen in grief and didn't immediately reply, so he repeated the question: ‘Wasn't I? - you little bastard!’ I return to that little town in Delaware occasionally to visit his gravesite and gleefully kick dirt on it. My best to you Don- you bastard!"
Art Roberts: "I was visiting my Mom & Dad over the weekend. It was not only fathers day for our clan, it was also my Mom's 90th birthday."

Monday Potpourri

(June 22, 1998) Monday morning and not everyone is working…Joe Crummey is subbing for Ken and Peter at KABC; while KYSR has managed to create a new oxymoron as they air "The Best of Frosty, Jamie and Frank"…Fans of Top 40 radio who grew up in Los Angeles listening to KFWB, KRLA and KHJ can get a taste of what Top 40 musta sounded like in New York in the 1960s by listening to KRTH. All this week Dan Ingram is sitting in the morning drive chair. Dan is busting up KRTH’s rigid format with energy and wit. He uses song titles for his humor, witness: playing the Viagra song (She’s Got A) Ticket to Ride; a song for the British monarchy, Chain of Fools; and, a description of J. Edgar Hoover’s wardrobe with the song Kind of a Drag. Dan opened his show at 5 with a series of WABC aircheck/jingles and over his first song he asked, "Why do I smell tuna fish?" Traffic man Mark Wheeler was missing for his first report, but Dan moved on with news/sidekick Joni Caryl. Early in the morning Dan saluted his friend Robert W. with a "Good Morgan"…Joe Benson is featuring Van Halen this morning at "Arrow 93" which prompts a question. Why is KLOS sponsoring a Van Halen appearance and the station doesn’t play Van Halen music? Huh?

Rick Dees had a great bit last week when he married two people who had never met. The bit topped itself the following morning when he had on the new husband and wife who announced the marriage was over. Wonderful radio…KFI continues its aggressive weekend adjustments. First, the Best of Dr. Laura Schlessinger was dropped for Dr. Dean Edell. This past weekend, the Best of Rush Limbaugh is gone and replaced by a financial advice show, "Motley Fool"…Mr. KABC was talking about cross-dressing on a recent KABC evening when a Los Angeles police officer called to tell of his own personal experiences with cross-dressing. Turns out that earlier in the day the officer had given Mr. KABC a traffic ticket for running a red light. Mr. KABC was aghast. Even though his license states his given name, Marc Germain, the officer recognized the picture from one he saw on the Internet. Turns out he’s a big fan and the subject matter prompted the call. Very strange coincidence!…The LA Times was not very kind to KROQ’s sixth annual Weenie Roast & Fiesta over the weekend at Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre. The opening line of the review: "There can be no joy in modern-rockville when the mighty KROQ has struck out, and that was the outcome"...Research Group's Dick Springfield died Friday from complications from heart surgery. He was in his early fifties and lived in San Luis Obispo. Super consultant Guy Zapoleon said: "Dick was a great broadcaster and a great human being!"

KCRW GM Profiled

(June 23, 1998) Radio activist Ruth Seymour, gm of KCRW is profiled in the July issue of Los Angeles Magazine. The author of the piece, Melba Newsome, paints a picture of a very tough broadcaster. Highlights from the article: "Through sheer will, blind ambition, dogged fundraising and an eerily accurate programming sense, she has turned a nothing station into one of the most imitated, listened to and talked about public radio stations in the country…She is genuinely passionate about public radio, frequently preaching to the choir about its crucial role in society…[She] has managed to outsmart, outlast and, in some cases, elbow out the competition, capitalizing on a bigger operating budget and savvy self-promotion…Former KCRW staffer, Larry Josephson, claims that people are embraced when they are hot and discarded when they have outlived their usefulness. ‘If you work for Ruth, it usually doesn’t last,’ says Josephson. ‘She can be very generous and supportive of talent and can also bash your brains out with no notice’…Despite having been fired by her twice, Josephson would gladly work with her again. He doubts he will ever get the chance, however. ‘The station operates in a culture of fear because when Ruth loses it and starts yelling and screaming, it’s frightening. She scares the shit out of people.’" When asked what she wants from the station, Ruth told the writer, "I want KCRW to matter, to be important. I want to be important."

Tuna Move?

(June 24, 1998) Is Charlie Tuna returning to mornings at Country KIKF? Stay tunaed!

Overheard.  Did you hear what Los Angeles Radio People said last night and this morning?
Phil Hendrie (KFI): "He was eating lamb testicles and had a smile on his face."
Tom Leykis (KLSX): "That Jennifer Lopez has quite a rack on her."
Evan Luck (KCMG): "Breaking up is always a hard thing to do. Hey, you young’ens out there, we know it hurts, but only for a little while and life only gets better, as long as you keep praying, ok?"
Ryan Seacrest (KYSR): "I have one hair between my breasts and can I show my breasts on this show?"
"Shotgun Tom" Kelly (KRTH): "[Make noise while whipping tongue back and forth between lips.]"
Krickett Davis (KCBS): "This year is the 29th anniversary of Woodstock and August 14 and 15, there is going to be a performance at the original Woodstock site. They’re saying don’t call it a Woodstock reunion, because I don’t think there will be a lot of the original folks like Jimi Hendrix."
"Big Boy" (KPWR): "Now, six oh one on the clock/Big Boy’s Neighborhood is ready to rock."
Dan Ingram (KRTH): "That’s Respect by Aretha Franklin and the entire Spect family. There was Prospect, the unmarried daughter; Suspect, the detective; Inspect, the dermatologist; Expect, the divorcee; Aspect, the proctologist; and, Circumspect, the moyle."
Jamie, Frosty and Frank (KYSR): [Jamie] "Can I tell you one thing? I have hit a dog and not turned around because I have a squeamish stomach and I know I would throw up. So I have hit a dog and just kinda kept driving."
Mark and Brian (KLOS): "Macaulay Culkin is now married. Seventeen years of age and he’s grabbed himself a wife. Also a seventeen-year-old named Rachel Miner. He’s no longer available, ladies. He’s off the market. We could get a pool going to see how long the marriage will last. Or until he’s Home Alone."
Carolyn Gracie and Rick Diego (KBIG): "We’re going to have a disco party on the Queen Mary. This whole package is a blast, great prize. You know what they brought in? A Russian submarine. Cool. Can you imagine? So, they are catering to all of us."
Jeff Wyatt and Monica Brooks (KCMG): "Which is the fake tabloid Mega headline teaser? 1. COPS GO ON LOW SPEED CHASE TO STOP STOLEN STEAMROLLER. 2. STUDENT DIES AFTER TEACHER TERRIFIES CLASS WITH MASK. 3. GALS GROW BIGGER BREASTS WITH HYPNOSIS. The answer: #2."
Joe Benson (KCBS): "Featuring Fleetwood Mac this morning. Mick Fleetwood’s birthday. 1987 was an interesting year for the band. Actually following the release of Mirage, the members weren’t getting along, which has pretty much been their M.O. throughout their entire career. Finally in 1985, the band members talked Lindsey Buckingham into setting aside his third solo album to come back and record what became his last Fleetwood Mac album. He quit the band after that, but the result was one of their finest albums, Tango in the Night."
Joe Crummey (KABC): "How are you going to remember the President? Are you going to remember him with his pants zipped and his wick dry or what?"
Bill Handel (KFI): "Mark Fuhrman, one of the better cops the LAPD had, and that’s pretty universally accepted by a lot of people."
Paul Crosswhite (KTWV): "The morning has just flown by. Had so much fun here, but, time for me, Paul Crosswhite, and crew to scamper on out and make way for the lovely Talaya."
Kevin & Bean (KROQ): "Filling out a time sheet is a colossal waste of time cuz we get paid the same amount every single week. It doesn’t matter how many hours we work. We’ve been here 9 years. They know what hours we work."
Mark and Kim (KOST): "We’re Mark and Kim, it’s 8:54. Now, we’re beginning another hour full of Southern California’s soft rock, with less talk."

LARP Vacation Plans

(June 25, 1998) Earlier this month we asked where Los Angeles Radio People were going on vacation. If you missed any of the interesting adventures, scroll down. The last posting, I think, of our series, "Where are the radio people going?"
Paul Freeman (KEZY, KHJ, KIIS, KODJ, KCBS, KZLA, KLAC, KYSR, KBIG): "Just got back from spending the last 16 days in Europe. I stayed with my friend Mike Wagner [formerly of KRLA] and his wife in Paris. Had the time of my life. Got to see all the great attractions in Paris & other parts of France. Also spent some time in England seeing the wonderful sights of London and enjoying a few pints in the pubs. Mike has lived in France for the last 3 years working for Disneyland Paris, so it was nice to have a tour guide who speaks the language. Drank great French wine & enjoyed the wonderful food everyday. Looking forward to my next visit, as we will go to the south of France and maybe Spain next time."
Mark and Kim (KOST): "Kim--Nashville, Colorado River, New England...and her partner is having a baby. Mark—Sedona, water skiing at Lake Powell, Disney Cruise Ship in the Caribbean. I just re-modeled our backyard so we'll be pooling it a lot this summer too!!!"
Roger Carroll (KABC, 1948-58; KMPC 1959-79): "August will be ‘Family Fun Time/ annual Family Reunion.’ This year on the beach in Exciting Long Beach, California, next year, Genk, Belgium. Our four sons and their families [only two grandchildren 4 &6] will be attending their baby sister's wedding August 30. Then to rest up Beverly and I will spend the month of September touring the former Eastern Bloc countries of Europe."
Dave Dabbah (The SportsVoice Radio Network): "Its been over 2 years since I've been on vacation and this summer I will be traveling to Orlando to be with the pot hole version of Mickey and Minnie. In addition, I will be in Portland, Vegas, Denver [all-star weekend] and Phoenix. Dabbah Out."
Evan Hanning (KRLA, 1973-74): "This year I would like to go to New Orleans again, having fallen in love with that city several years ago. But money, time and convenience will dictate Dewey Beach/Rehoboth Beach/Assateague etc., which is the Ocean City area."
Holly Adams (formerly with "Groove Radio"): "I'm spending my summer vacation dancing like a maniac! I'm hosting a club on Wednesday nights called ‘Bump!’ at the Pink on Main Street in Santa Monica. Features experimental house, speed garage, hard dub and cool tracks, ya know, the kind of music that makes you "bump!"
Steve LaBeau (KFI, 1982-87, pd; KLAC, 1987-89, pd): "Believe it or not, I'm looking forward to staying home this summer. My job keeps me on the road so I'm looking forward to relaxing in the Scottsdale sunshine and staying cool in the pool. We'll do a few camping trips in the Arizona mountains and take the kids to see the family in LA. Nothing much else exciting. Next summer though---we're going to visit friends in Switzerland and see Europe."
Jeff March (KVFM, KIEV, KBBQ): "Vacation? What’s that? It’s difficult to take vacation when you’re in business for yourself, as I am with a partner in EditPros marketing communications. However, because I’ve enjoyed my work so much since I resigned from my last job in 1994, in a sense I’ve been on vacation for the past four years. This summer my wife and I probably will get out of town for a few days, coming to L.A., of all places, to visit my wife’s folks, who live in Friendly Valley (Newhall/Santa Clarita). I’ll probably visit with a few of the L.A. based ‘60s rock performers who are included in the book."
Ray Hoffman (KABC): "Being stuck, by professional circumstances in New York, my vacation plans are a little different. I’m going to spend ten days in L.A. in early June for the American Jazz Institute's ‘California Cool Festival.’ I will return to L.A. for ten more days in late August. If I could squeeze a little more vacation time from ABC Radio and Business Week, I'd be back in Southern California for ten or twenty more days in the fall! I'm more than a little envious of all the Los Angeles Radio People who really, truly, actually are in Los Angeles. Sure saves a lot on airline tickets!"
Tommy Vance (KHJ, 1965-66): "I just go and sit on the beach in the Seychelles and chill."
Kris Erik Stevens (KKDJ, KIQQ, KGBS, KIIS, KCBS): "I did a solo journey & just got off the plane following some 231/2 hours to return from Rome following an 11 day vacation in Italy. I did the back-pack...catch the train-type trip through Milan, Lake Como/Lugarno Switzerland, Venice, Bologna, Florence & Rome. If there was a sight, I saw it. It was Magnificent!"
Kevin McKeown (KROQ, 1976-78, gm): "I think I'll be running for Santa Monica City Council. Does that count <grin>?"

Jere Laird Retires

(June 26, 1998) The financial editor of "KNXNewsradio," Jere Laird, retires today. He has been at KNX since the station went all-News in 1968. This November, Jere and his wife of 41 years, Alexandra, will embark on a six-month voyage to Mexico on their 38-foot trawler. His wife said, "This trip has been a lifelong dream of Jere’s. Our only firm destination is Puerto Vallarta and we’ll go wherever the boat takes us." They have been boaters for 30 years and he has been dreaming of this trip for 20 years. Born in Topeka on August 8, 1933, he graduated from the University of Nevada with a journalism degree in 1960. It was in the Hawaiian Islands where Jere got his radio start at KHBC-Hilo when he was 15. While in the U.S. Army, he was attached to the American Armed Forces Radio Network in Germany. Before arriving in the Southland, he worked at KOLO radio and tv in Reno during the 1950s. He joined KRLA in 1962 from KCRA-Sacramento. After two years at KRLA, Jere became a reporter for Channel 2, which led to his assignment at KNX. Jere said, "Talking on the radio has been great all these years. It sure beat working for a living." Congratulations and Bon Voyage, Jere.

Hear Ache. Dan Ingram is retiring this morning from his weeklong stay in the KRTH a.m. drive chair. Jim Carson will be back in morning drive at KRTH come Monday following a month-long "auditioning" process with Charlie Van Dyke, "World Famous" Tom Murphy, Dave Diamond and Ingram. Charlie Tuna served his time in the audition chair in February. I wonder if Joni Caryl will like having only one man back in her life as opposed to the revolving weekly guest dj door? Is this the strangest set of circumstances in filling the coveted morning drive slot? Somehow you can hear Robert W. Morgan and The Real Don Steele shouting to KRTH management over a heavenly song intro, "C’mon guys, Let’s Get It On"…While on the subject of retiring, what the heck is happening to the Los Angeles Radio Guide. The current issue of "L.A. County’s Only Radio Magazine" is an anemic 16 pages with no color. It’s a shame that a publication dedicated to news of Southern California radio was never supported by Southern California radio. It may be a case of radio news being so outdated by the time a monthly comes out that there is no new news. The Internet has changed the way we all get information.

Radio Stuff. The sixth annual KROQ Weenie Roast got roasted in the LA Times last week, however, two trade publications were much kinder. Daily Variety said: "These sorts of shows are never as strong musically as they should be, but this Weenie lineup boasted a few strong moments." The Hollywood Reporter reported: "Despite the lineup, weakest since its inception six years ago, KROQ’s annual Weenie Roast was still an enormous success."…The LA Times took a swipe at "Arrow 93" yesterday following the appointment of a music director. The Times asked, "What does a music director at an oldies station actually do? After all, it’s not as if he or she has to decide whether to play an untested act or track. Isn’t it just a matter of deciding in what order to play all the old favorites?" "Arrow" pd Tommy Edwards responded very smartly…KLOS is doing a MAJOR promotion in conjunction with the movie, Armageddon (which received a rave review in The Hollywood Reporter and mixed in Daily Variety). The movie soundtrack is chock a block with music by Aerosmith. With KLOS making a heavy-duty commitment to promote the movie, does this mean that the station will start playing Aerosmith music? Just askin’…Vanity Fair is interviewing a number of local radio people for a MAJOR piece on Dr. Laura Schlessinger. Wonder if the writer has an agenda?… Jimmy Rabbit and Reb Foster have been found (they didn’t know they were missing). Look for updates on both of them on my WHERE ARE THEY NOW page at this Website in the next few weeks…Steve Parker, the "Car Dude" is everywhere. Besides his weekend radio show on "XTRA 1150 Sports," he writes a monthly column in the LA Times (yesterday was the "Myth of the 100,000 Mile Tune-Up") and appears on KCBS/Channel 2 with automotive reports…KFWB has scheduled its second business breakfast seminar for July 18. The topic is "Marketing Your Business" with speakers from the Postal Service, Earthlink, Larry "Sit ‘N Sleep" Miller and the creator of "Breath-Asure." Call Pam Baker at KFWB for further info.

The Forbidden World

(June 27, 1998) The current edition of New Times Los Angeles has a tasty feature called "The Forbidden World." You’ll learn "The Best Hike That Won’t Give You a Heart Attack," "Best Football Fan," "Best Escape Hatch for Newsroom Pricks," "Best Hot Dog" (and it’s not Pink’s), "Best White-Trash Breakfast" and even the "Best Place To Get A Blowjob." Los Angeles radio is part of this feature. You’ll have to pick up a copy to enjoy the complete picture. Some highlights follow:
BEST OUTDATED RADIO SHOW: "Head Sets," KLOS. Every Wednesday from 9 to 10 p.m., this brain-cell barbecue revives a transitional era – oh, 1975 or ’76 or so – when the idealism of peace and love was giving way to the self-indulgence of bong hits and the so-bright but too-brief promise of quadraphonic speakers. The show is hosted by Jim Ladd, a dj whose mind-bending sense of musical juxtaposition once qualified him as a trailblazer of free-form radio. Now Ladd comes off as a caricature of a bygone good time, clinging to a style as stone-aged as Fred Flintstone and as stoned as Homer Simpson.
BEST MUSIC-AND-INTEVIEW RADIO SHOW: "Westside Radio," KKBT. Every Friday from 8 to 10 p.m., hip-hop’s biggest names and phattest beats kick off the weekend during this special segment of Julio G’s regular weeknight radio show. Rather than lob softball questions disguised in rap’s hardcore vernacular, Julio G employs a low-key and thoughtful approach to pose tough questions about issues ranging from artistic direction to lyric content to social responsibility. It's nice to see an interviewer think for a change
BEST RADIO CAMP: KGIL. The fuzzy AM signal melts over an irony-free assortment of Broadway tunes, lounge fare, and exotica. The show takes you back, even if you weren’t around the first time.
BEST RADIO STATION. KBLT. This little station (104.7FM) is so cool you can barely receive it anywhere except Silver Lake, and its all-volunteer dj staff is amazing because they’ll play anything. It’s the way radio was meant to be, which means it’s probably too good to last.
BEST JAZZ DJ. Ken Poston. Although KLON calls itself "America’s jazz station," its programming is annoyingly hit-or-miss – especially if your definition of jazz is any broader than "the jazz Top 40." But for a straight, no chaser concentration of the best music, Ken Poston’s Saturday morning show is an oasis. Poston gives the dates, the personnel, and a little commentary, leaving the bulk of his airtime for the music: hit, git, and split – the way it should be.
BEST CLASSICAL DJ. Rich Capparella. Classical djs generally come in two flavors: the sprightly, dumb-it-down-to-attract-the-masses type (Bonnie Grice), and the high-culture/screw-the-masses type (Jim Svejda). The former sounds like fingernails on a chalk board; the latter enunciate with a lofty precision that can only be achieved by keeping their noses someplace in the stratosphere. Rich Capparella is smack-dab in between the two or, more accurately, some place off on his own parallel track.
BEST REASON FOR THE DODGERS TO CHANGE ANNOUNCERS. Rick "Uh" Monday. Dodgers broadcaster Rick Monday’s bassso-buffoondo delivery has been bad enough for far too long, all by itself. This former Dodger outfielder, whose most famous athletic achievement was snatching an American flag away from a couple of left-field protesters in 1976, comes across like Ted Baxter with a box of Crackerjacks. But in the last couple of years Monday has developed the tormenting habit of inserting a moronic "uh" between some players’ first and last names – running it right in there as if it were part of the name. As in Raul-Uh-Mondesi, Todd-Uh-Hollandsworth, and most unfortunately, Eric-Uh-Young, which has a gender-bending quality when he says it quickly. His broadcasts are a collection of obtuse non-sequiturs, moldy platitudes, and insipid observations.
BEST PUBLIC AFFIAR SHOW, "Which Way L.A." It’s not easy trying to find out what’s happening in L.A. But there’s one radio show that consistently illuminates the most important issues facing the city – Warren Olney’s "Which Way L.A.?" While much of L.A. broadcasting is preoccupied with car chases and on-air suicides, Olney is fighting back, helping to keep some sense of civic life alive.

Start of LARadio

(June 28, 1998) This Web site was created in the fall of 1997, shortly after the publication of my book, Los Angeles Radio People. Quite frankly, it was thought to be a marketing tool to help sell my book. However, over the months the site has become, according to many Los Angeles Radio People, a rich resource of current news, nostalgia and other information. I value your feedback on the content and format of LARP. If you have any suggestions on what you’d like to see or how I can improve this site, please email me at: db@thevine.net.  The site has grown steadily since its inception. You are one of over 3,000 "hits" a day in the month of June. Thank for you for being a part of this rich history that gets played out every day on radios all over the Southland. Thanks, Don Barrett.

Radio Potpourri

(June 29, 1998) Good morning! Summer may have arrived in the Southland if this past weekend’s weather is any indication….Monday meanderings…Jim Carson is back in morning drive at KRTH following a four-dj audition during June. He started his opening 5 a.m. intro ID with John Sebastian’s Welcome Back. Jim told his news/sidekick, Joni Caryl, that his return is like learning how to get up on a bicycle again…Speaking of KRTH, have you heard Len Barry’s 1-2-3 enough? This promotion sounds like it will last all summer?…People Magazine’s special double issue on "Hollywood’s Happiest Couples" features a full-page story with three photos of KPWR’s Josefa Salinas marriage to Coolio. Since Josefa’s family is from Mexico and Coolio’s is from the South, at the wedding they performed the Mexican lasso ritual. People described it: "They intertwined themselves with a handmade, flower-decorated rope. Later they jumped the broom, an Africa-American custom from slave days." Josefa explained, "It signifies jumping over to the union of the family"…How come KFWB now identifies itself as "nine eight O (the letter)" instead of "nine eighty" on the AM dial?….XTRA Sports has announced that Paul Mahan and Paul McDonald as the radio people for USC football this year. Didn’t Tom Kelly do play-by-play for decades on radio when KNX carried the Trojans? Tom will be doing the games for Fox Sports West 2 (replays or live) with Craig Fertig…Melinda Lee is doing "Foodtalk" at KLSX every Sunday from 1 – 3 p.m. She hosted the "Food News Hour" on KNX for over eight years and then at KABC/KTZN for the past two. A native Angeleno, Melinda attended UCLA and Columbia University. She was a caterer in Malibu for a decade before starting at KNX in 1985.

LARP On-Air

(June 30, 1998) Would you like to talk about Los Angeles radio? I will be on KIEV (870AM) at 7 p.m. tonight with Steve Knight. Join us!

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