LARadio Archives August 2014 Compiled by Don Barrett Edited by Alan Oda

Holiday Funnies

LARadio Archives from June 2002

Pucker Up  (June 7, 2002) Tim Conway, Jr. shared some wonderful stories about his father the other night on his KLSX Conway & Steckler show. “My dad was working his ass off doing the Carol Burnett Show, raising six kids and dealing with this woman who lived with us. This was almost impossible in this town. You could count on one hand how many successful actors had six kids and still made a living and raised six kids successfully.”  Tim talked about how his father turned the kids into hockey fans. “Nobody in this town liked hockey. My father would get up at 5:30 in the morning to take me to hockey practice in Burbank when I was 10 or 11 years old. He taught me how to skate when I was 7 in Topanga Plaza. He’s the greatest father in the world! Instead of being one of those typical actors who hung around the dancers and chicks after work, he came home to us.”    Tim talked about a moving experience when his father (Conway, Sr. pictured) took his sister Kelly, brother Pat and himself to a Kings game. “About 10 minutes into the game, all of a sudden a puck came flying towards us. My dad took a dive and dove across the three of us to protect us from this puck and the puck fell to the ground. I picked it up and was thrilled. I found out two days later that my dad had two bruised ribs from where the puck hit him. He never told us that he had bruised ribs. He was just very happy that one of his kids got the puck.”

Former KABC Talk Show Host Diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease

(August 29, 2014) After years of top ratings in the Bay Area, Ronn Owens of KGO -San Francisco started simulcasting his show on KABC “TalkRadio” in Los Angeles, replacing Michael Jackson who was moved to a weekend-only shift. The arrangement started on July 14, 1997 and lasted for just over a year. Ronn commuted between the two cities, one week in Southern California alternated with one week in the Bay Area. Ronn started as a Talk show host at age 23 in 1968. He worked in Atlanta, Miami, Cleveland and Philadelphia before joining KGO in 1975. Ronn graduated from Temple University where he studied sociology and communication. Earlier this week, Ronn made a startling revelation. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease 13 years ago, according to a story penned by David Wiegand this week at SFGate.com. Ronn says he’s made his peace with his condition. His family and close friends have known, but no one else, and until very recently, he was content to keep it that way as long as he could manage the symptoms with medication.

“The main reason that I didn’t want to come out, it’s twofold,” he said last week in an interview at the KGO studio. “One, I just cannot stand the thought of people feeling sorry for me. And the other, which is more of a factor with me, is that I don't want to be defined by Parkinson's.”

The revelation that Robin Williams had Parkinson’s finally pushed Owens to decide to go public.

“It's not a death sentence."

Owens signed a new two-year contract with KGO owner Cumulus a year and a half ago, with an option for a third year, if Cumulus wants to keep him around. Owens isn’t worried about that. He’s won two Marconi Awards (in 2003 and 2010) from the National Association of Broadcasters for major-market personality of the year, and is on Talkers Magazine's list of the 25 top radio talk show hosts of all time. In 2004, he wrote the book Voice of Reason: Why the Left and the Right Are Wrong.

Hear Ache. KLAC’s Tomm Looney is executive producer of the movie Avenues. How is the marketing of the film coming along? “Saturday night, Avenues took home the Audience Award for BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE FILM at the 15th Annual Sacramento Film & Music Festival. On now to the Urbanworld Film Festival in Manhattan, New York next month, where we’ve been accepted,” emailed a jubilant Looney … K-EARTH has come along through the decades from a primarily 50s and 60s music station. This long weekend, beginning this morning, the Classic Hits station will be ALL 80s music.

LARadio Rewind: August 29, 1998. Richard Beebe dies of lung cancer at 68. Born in Pasadena, Beebe attended Pasadena City College and Pasadena Playhouse and graduated with a degree in theater arts. He worked in radio in Arizona and New Mexico and at KRKD before joining KRLA as morning newsman in 1959. Beebe eventually became news director. In 1968 he co-founded the Credibility Gap, which produced satirical news sketches for KRLA and KPPC and released four albums before disbanding in 1975. Beebe also worked at KABC, KGIL, KMET and KMNY, did commercial voiceovers and recorded books on tape.

 

Last of KFWB 7 Swingin’ Gentlemen. Elliot Field, former afternoon drive at the launch of KFWB’s Channel 98/Color Radio Top 40 format in 1958, recently wrote a book about his experiences. This short story didn’t make his book, but it is a fun peek into his life.  “It's early 1950s. I'm backstage at the showroom of the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach. My assignment was to fill five minutes LIVE on the Mutual Network interviewing the evening’s star, Howard Keel. Maybe Howard had a tummy ache. Maybe he just found out his trifecta didn't win. Who knows? But he was monosyllabic for 5 minutes. He gave only one word answers. Ever do an interview that was a monologue? It's 60 years later and I'm still miffed with Howard.”

Angels on the Air. The LA Times has been running some pretty negative letters about the Angels broadcast team. Here are two that appeared recently:

"I am so glad to see there are others that are fed up with Victor Rojas and Mark Gubicza. I have been watching and listening to sports for over 60 years and they are the worst. They are the definition of laziness. Vin Scully works at his craft, these guys just coast. I loved Steve Physioc and Rex Hudler. Please bring them back or replace these guys with anybody." - Harold Courtney, Chino Hills *** "If you want fans to take a three-hour nap, by all means rehire Steve Physioc. If you want to hear an annoying sound like fingernails across a blackboard, by all means rehire Rex Hudler." - Julio R. Lopez, Glendale

Funnie. The late night disc jockey on New York’s hip hop station was shot thus increasing his street cred. Supposedly he was wearing a $20,000 gold and diamond necklace in Harlem. The defense will argue it wasn’t a homicide but a suicide attempt.  (Ken Levine) 

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** Trifecta

“Reading Who Wants to Dress Like Ryan Seacrest reminded me that back in 2006 I was grateful for a portion of a ‘unit’ of Ryan's time at Clear Channel in Burbank.

I caught him on the way to the rest room during the morning show. I asked him to sign my petition of members so I could run for the L.A. Board of Directors of AFTRA.

He did so…quickly.

Then I got Stephanie Miller to sign during her morning show at KTLK.

THEN, I ran to Bill Handel at KFI and got his ‘John Hancock.’

THREE MORNING RADIO MONSTERS signed my petition in a row!

I wish I could have kept that document.” – Mike Sakellarides, SAG-AFTRA L.A. Board Member, Broadcast/Entertainment

** Where Is Lisa Ann Walter?

“It's not unusual for radio stations to get rid of hosts and not tell the listeners. Back in 1992 KFI got rid of number 1 in the ratings Tom Leykis and didn't say a thing to the listeners. Commercial radio is about selling ads, not caring about listeners. Lisa Ann Walter was one of the few female hosts that could hold her own, blunt and very funny. I’m sorry to see her go.” - JP Myers, losangeleslistener.com 

John Ivey Voted #5 Best Off-Air LARP of 2014 

(August 28, 2014) John Ivey celebrates being voted #5 Best Off-Air LARP of 2014 while the KIIS/HOT 92.3 pd celebrates his 13 year anniversary in Los Angeles. “It’s just bizarre that I’ve more than doubled the time any previous KIIS pd has spent in the job,” reflected John. “I just assumed they were here for a long time. Before I got here there was a lot of fluidity in the industry and people just seemed to move around much more than they do today. It was good for me.”  John worked smaller markets before taking over the programming reins at "KISS 108" in Boston, where he successfully ran the Top 40 station for seven years. “I was talking with Bob Pittman recently and realized that Bob was programming WNBC-New York when he was 22. When I was 22, I was in Owensboro, Kentucky. Bob was good to go.”  How did John get the KIIS job? “The first person to approach me was Randy Michaels. We had some programming meetings in LA and it was a weekend of Wango Tango the year they did the two-day Dodger Stadium event. Dan Kieley was pd of KIIS at the time and it was really apparent at the meetings that Dan was having health issues. That night Randy came up to me and said, ‘What do you think about it?’”

“I asked, ‘Think about what?’ Randy asked if I had talked with Steve Smith. At the time there were two Steve Smiths in the company – one was head of programming for the company and the other was with the concert division. I barely knew the programming guy. It was not like he was calling me on a regular basis.” 

Ivey told Michaels that he was really happy working in Boston. “’I’m not looking for unhappy people,’ Randy told me.”  

The next morning Ivey flew back to Boston. The next morning - Sunday - he got a call from Steve Smith – the programmer - asking Ivey if he could get on the next plane back to Los Angeles and be prepared for some personal meetings on Monday. There was a cloak of secrecy to everything and the company put John up in the Beverly Garland Holiday Inn on Lankershim.  

“The room was like a cement cinder-block prison,” remembered John. “I thought this was very clandestine now but looking around the room I wondered, ‘Is this really how they do it in Hollywood?’” 

His first call Monday was from KIIS general manager, Roy Laughlin, who planned to pick Ivey up for lunch and Smith would be joining them. “Roy picked me up in his little Porsche. The first thing he said was, ‘Hey man, I’m a little unfocused so I don’t drive very well.’ He said they were going to a very private lunch so no one in the industry would see them. He took me to La Loggia on Ventura Boulevard and we got a table in the back. Within four minutes, people from the labels and trades came in for lunch. Roy commented, ‘Well, I guess that blows that,’ which was typical Roy.” 

John thought it was a great meeting and Tuesday morning flew back to Boston. The next day was John’s birthday and Steve Smith called offering him the programming job at KIIS. “I accepted on the spot,” said John. He gave his Boston people almost a month’s notice. “It is hard to believe I’ve been at KIIS for over ten years.” 

With a partly- functioning program director at KIIS and a changing demographic marketplace, John was greeted with a number of challenges. “It felt like KIIS was long in the tooth,” John recalled during those embryonic days on the job. “It just felt like it was on the down end of a cycle. The Britney-‘N Sync era was going by the wayside and Hip-Hop was starting to emerge and Power 106 overtook us in a second. It was difficult to wrangle that.” 

John described Boston as the most lily-white market in American and he was definitely feeling the challenge of coming to a market where within the target audience of 18-24, half the potential demographic was Hispanic.”) 

“My initial problem was learning the market, which always takes time,” confided John. “When a station is not lighting it up, every ass is under the hood, as well, because of the high image of the station. I had so many people in the building, everyone in the company, programmers that aren’t with us anymore, every consultant, and senior vp thinking they knew more than me. I was still trying to figure out what I was going to do.” 

Adding to Ivey’s challenges, he had a number of obstacles with existing contracts for programming people and services that the company was unwilling to buy-out the contracts. “I wouldn’t have made any major knee-jerk reactions anyway, but I realized some of the things I wanted to do, I couldn’t do.” 

Ivey claims it took him a year and a half to figure it all out and get his bearings. He feels it was worth the trouble. 

Music was a challenge because records that tested well for major Top 40 stations, like Z-100 in New York, wouldn’t play as well in Los Angeles. Ivey admits that he did play Three Doors Down, Creed, and Evanescence because they were really popular, but in retrospect he shouldn’t have. 

And then the perfect storm, as Ivey described it. “I got Julie Pilat to come in and handle the music. She grew up with Hip-Hop and Rock. Then I changed the morning show and brought in Ryan Seacrest. There comes a point when you have to make a decision so bold that there’s one of two outcomes – either you’re looked on as doing something smart or you get fired. You can tinker and tinker but that doesn’t do you any good, but once you make one of these decisions that has one of those two outcomes, to me that’s always the defining moment. Adding the right music and changing the morning show, changed the feel of the radio station. It was like a perfect storm with Julie, Ryan Seacrest, and a new imaging voice, Kelly Doherty."  

“We’ve missed records that are national hits because they’re not L.A. records,” John said. “That’s the beauty of being in the market as long as I have. I figured out what works and what doesn’t work here.” 

And KIIS has enjoyed the #1 position most months for a number of years. 

#5 Best Off-Air LARP of 2014

John Ivey

Some of those who voted for John, added the following comments: 

• "He has my total respect being able to fend off competition from AMP, KBIG, KOST, and keep KIIS/fm near or mostly at the top of the L.A. ratings heap."

• "Consistently programs the #1 radio station in the market. He books artists for Jingle Ball, Wango Tango, pool parties and countless other shows. He lives and breathes CHR and has a no bullsh*t way of handling business."

• "Why does L.A.'s biggest teenybopper pd look like Burl Ives?"

• "You have to give props to someone who helps keep KIIS/fm somewhere within the top three month after month after month. Go out of town, and you'll hear KIIS/fm 'wannabe' stations. After all, they say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."

• "He's legendary, humble and easy going. With decades of success, he still owns L.A."

• “Wow! One of a kind. He is KIIS.”

• “You can’t deny his imprint on LARadio. KIIS has been a top performer and biller for years. It is a very well programmed station that continues to perform in this highly competitive market.”

• “What an amazing winning streak. KIIS has the revenue and ratings to lead the pack.”

• “John programs the #1 station in L.A. – nuff said.”

Hear Ache. Even though Lisa Ann Walter no longer hosts a weekend show at KFI, her voice is still heard on the spots for dermatologist Dr. Jacob Rispler … KTWV’s Deborah Howell celebrated her birthday last night at Moonshadows in Malibu to experience the high surf. “Nature is a fierce and wild maven.  :)  Just such a privilege to behold its magnificence,” said Deborah … Condolences to the Insane Darrell Wayne on the passing of his mother, Carole Watkins. She died last Monday at the age of 80 of ovarian cancer. Mrs. Watkins had been living in her Norwalk home, the home Darrell’s parents bought 58 years ago. Services will be held at Rose Hills in Whittier on Tuesday, September 2nd at 11 a.m.

LARadio Rewind: August 28, 1978. KGBS/fm becomes KHTZ but will be known on the air as simply "FM 97."  In late 1959,George B. Storer had purchased KPOP-1020 and soon changed the call letters to KGBS. The station switched from beautiful music to country in 1965. Because KGBS was licensed to broadcast only from sunrise to sunset, Storer purchased KFMU, a full-time fm station, and changed call letters to KGBS/fm. The station was later home to Hudson & Landry, Bill Ballance, Dave Hull, and Bob Morgan as a Top 40 outlet. The two stations simulcast during the day. Each evening, before KGBS/am signed off, listeners were advised to tune to 97.1 to continue hearing KGBS programming. The station then became a talk station, featuring former L.A. Mayor Sam Yorty. In 1976, a year after becoming a full-time station, the am became Top 40 KTNQ and is now Spanish-language news and talk. In 1979, the fm switched to an adult contemporary format. The station later became KBZT, then KLSX, and is now "AMP Radio" KAMP. The airstaff includes Carson Daly, Michelle Boros,Chris Booker and Casey McCabe. (LARadio Rewind is meticulously prepared by Steve Thompson)

 

Sinatra Influences Seacrest. KIIS’ Ryan Seacrest has a new clothing line. He claims that Frank Sinatra’s Palm Springs home served as the fashion inspiration for the suit pants. “He had this house in Palm Springs and the house had great lines,” said Ryan in a Hollywood Reporter story. Ryan said he wanted his pant lines to have the same kind of architecture.

Overheard. 

• “Lions have their own version of JACK/fm’s no request policy and it usually involves eating your head.” (JACK/fm liner)

• "How about everybody stop being such a**holes?" (Stephanie Miller) 

• “I don’t think anybody is going to win four World Championships in seven years in any sport at any time going forward … ever again.” (Jim Rome, KFWB)

• "I'll be home this weekend sitting in the front yard drinking beers." (Frank Kramer, KLOS)

POB’s Book. Pat O’Brien was a big tv personality, first as a sportscaster with CBS Sports from 1981 to 1997, and then as the anchor and host of Access Hollywood from 1997 to 2004, and The Insider from 2004 to 2008. His prime assignments led him to cover six Olympic Games, two for CBS (1992 Winter and 1994) and four for NBC (2000, 2002, 2004 and 2012). He has also covered the World Series, Super Bowl, NBA Finals, and Final Four as a pregame host while at CBS.  Pat, most recently at Fox Sports KLAC, has written a book about his experiences, I’ll be Back Right After This. The book not only deals with his charmed life of wonderful experiences, but of his dark side with drugs and alcohol that took him down in 2005. He’s been clean and sober for six years and he admits that his last night before getting sober, he said he went through 14 bottles of wine.  “I wake up every morning now and I look in the mirror, and I say, ‘I want to be the person that I want to be today. Not who they want me to be,’” said O’Brien. “I work for that every day.  I was full of myself. A lot of people are like that. But, thank God I figured it out. I’m so grateful for all that.” (Click Pat's artwork to see his Today Show interview)

Funnie. For all of you with any money left, be aware of the next expected mergers so that you can get in on the ground floor and make some BIG bucks. Funnie from Joe Reiling.
Watch for these consolidations:

1. Hale Business Systems, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Fuller Brush, and W. R. Grace Co... Will merge and become: Hale, Mary, Fuller, Grace.

2. Polygram Records, Warner Bros., and Zesta Crackers join forces and become: Poly, Warner Cracker.

3. 3M will merge with Goodyear and become: MMMGood.

4. Zippo Manufacturing, Audi Motors, Dofasco, and Dakota Mining will merge and become: ZipAudiDoDa.

5. FedEx is expected to join its competitor, UPS, and become: FedUP.

6. Fairchild Electronics and Honeywell Computers will become: Fairwell Honeychild.

7. Grey Poupon and Docker Pants are expected to become: PouponPants.

8. Knotts Berry Farm and the National Organization of Women will become: Knott NOW!

And finally....

9. Victoria 's Secret and Smith & Wesson will merge under the new name: TittyTittyBangBang  

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** He Felt the Earth Move 

“On October 16, 1999, Ray Smithers and I were out with friends in Las Vegas, at 2:46 a.m. We were at the Hard Rock Casino, and suddenly the earth moved. It took a few seconds for it to set in, but it wasn’t long before people were leaving in droves, many of them Californians who from the safety of the parking lot called home to see if this was the big one. 

Radio in Las Vegas didn’t even burp. Even the news-talk station failed to acknowledge the event that everyone awake in the city was talking about. KFI, whose nighttime signal in Vegas is even better than some local ones, covered it from the news department and took calls from residents all over the desert, including Las Vegas. We mourned the end of local radio that day. 

Fifteen years later, the fourth ranked market is acting almost the same way the 32nd ranked did.” – Jerry Trowbridge 

** Quake Coverage  

“Amen, Fred Jacobs. I was on the air during several major earthquakes while Howard Stern was babbling away, unaware of the shaking and aftershocks that hit our 20 story glass building, and when the riots broke out all around us. 

They let me go home because a sniper was on the building next to us. I remember watching tv news for coverage of many disasters and there were so many syndicated shows running that nothing got covered except by the one newsman who might have been at the station, but couldn’t gather and decipher all the news coming in over the wires., Fred, you know radio and it’s infinite possibilities.” – Shana 

** Quakin’ 

“As usual KCBS-San Francisco did it right. Thanks to the CBS SF app for the iPad I listened to it almost all day Sunday. Before the morons at Cumulus got hold of KGO and blew it up it would probably have provided top notch coverage. 

At approximately 1:15 this morning in Santa Barbara, USC moved its Classical music format from KQSC on 88.7 to KDB on 93.7. A little after midnight the change in ownership was announced. A spokesperson thanked listeners for their loyalty and support over the years and encouraged them to support USC's operation of KDB. The last music played before ownership changed from the Santa Barbara Foundation to USC was The Star Spangled Banner. Santa Monica College's KCRW is now simulcast in Santa Barbara on 88.7 with the new call letters KDRW. At an unknown date Santa Barbara studios will be built to produce part time local programming."  – Dennis Gibson 

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Wango Tango Marketing Mavens in Miami

(August 27, 2014) During the Roy Laughlin regime at KIIS/fm, there were some very exciting sales promotions that made lots of money. Behind that success were the husband and wife team of Von and Amy Freeman (pictured when they were at KIIS). Von has received five Industry Achievement Awards from Radio & Records magazine and 6 Billboard magazine Marketing Director of the year awards. The married couple is now in Miami working their magic. Amy is the regional sales manager for 101.5 LITE/fm (WLYF/fm) and Magic 102.7 Classic Hits (WMXJ). Von is the director of marketing for 104.3 FM The Ticket (WAXY), 101.5 LITE/fm and Magic 102.7 Classic Hits. They’ve been there for the past two years.

The Freemans are once again owning the marketing of their radio stations. At the sports station The Ticket, Von had several “Don’t Go LeBron” poster contests at local venues. “We received press coverage from Channel 10, Channel 6, and some of our listeners posters made it on the national NBC Today Show,” said Von.

“Then our own Ticket Radio Superstar Dan LeBatard made national news by purchasing some well-placed billboards in the Cleveland / Akron Ohio area that said ‘You're welcome LeBron.’ This brilliant media stunt received press just about everywhere on the planet and got Dan and the show a couple of days of suspension, but still with plenty of publicity.”

Von’s sports station does not have the broadcast rights to the Miami Dolphin football games, thus preventing his station from doing any tailgate promotions in the Dolphin stadium parking lot. But that didn’t stop Von. “We will be tailgating at all home Dolphin games at the Sonic Beach restaurant location, which is across the street on the south side of Sun Life Stadium and their tailgate party. They are going to love it,” said Von. At the Lite/fm station, he’s gearing up for the first annual 101.5 LITE FM 'Pink Masquerade Ball' to benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation at the Martini Bar, located in the Gulfstream Park in Aventura.  “This very cool event is happening the Saturday night before Halloween so we are expecting a lot of pink oriented Halloween costumes for sure. A portion of the proceeds to benefit Susan G. Komen, 101.5 LITE FM will be supplying pink masquerades to everyone at the door and the Martini Bar will be decorated in all pink lighting as well as serving pink martini’s.  This is going to be a huge night and it’s just one week after 20,000 people walk/run for Susan G. Komen at the ‘Race for the cure,’” said Von. The pair knows NTR events well. They maximized sponsorships for KIIS’ Wango Tango to the hilt. In Miami their big NTR money making project is the Kids Love & Family Expo, which is held at the Museum of Discovery & Science in Downtown Fort Lauderdale next month. “Lots of activities for kids of all ages and guests can meet Olympic Gold Medalist and Dancing with the Stars Champion, Kristi Yamaguchi brought to you by Goya Foods, *N'Sync founder Chris Kirkpatrick, Thomas The Train, The Mayors of Broward County Chess Challenge from FPL, and more.”

Von concluded: “And we are getting ready for our Magic and Music festival (M&M fest) featuring David Blaine doing street magic at everyone's table.  Plus, music from Doobie Brothers, The Romantics, Survivor, Sheena Easton, Little River Band, Rare Earth, Wilson Phillips, this is my new version of the very famous Wango Tango shows I started at KIIS in LA radio.”

LARadio Rewind: August 27, 2009. KGIL, owned by Saul Levine's Mount Wilson FM Broadcasters, drops syndicated talk and switches to a format of 1950s-60s oldies and adult standards as “Retro 1260.” Among the artists played are Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Sam Cooke, Nat "King" Cole, Diana Krall, Bobby Vinton, Dean Martin, Brenda Lee, Steve Tyrell and the Beach Boys. The airstaff includes John Regan, Gary Hollis, Kimber Murphy and Chuck Southcott. The station went on the air in 1947 and has had several different call letters and formats. For eight months in 2007, the station aired a classical music format as KMZT, “K-Mozart.”  On April 4, 2011, KGIL returned to the classical format and KMZT call letters. Anchored by Nick Tyler and John Santana, KMZT can be heard at 1260 am and online at http://kmozart.com

 

Photo ID. Bill Seward thinks he may have identified everyone in the 1989 KNX photo that Diane Thompson posted this week. “A great group at KNX,” wrote Seward. “If I misidentify anyone – apologies in advance.” Left to right: Harry Birrell, Tom Vacar, Steve Smith, Dave Zorn, Roger Nadel, Barry Rohde, Tom Sirmons, Diane Thompson, Bob Sims, Beach Rogers, Ronnie Bradford, Bob Scott, George Nicholaw, Fred Gallagher and Jack Salvatore.

State of the Site. LARadio.com continues to pay tribute to the men and women of LARadio, past and present. Since moving to Santa Barbara, all LARadio listening is done on dar.fm, a wonderful DVR-type service for radio.

While I no longer travel to functions, and there's no longer a subscription fee, of course there are still out-of-pocket-expenses. In response to suggestions from many readers, I hope to cover all expenses through volunteer contributions of $15 per year. To contribute, please use the PayPal link, or if you'd prefer to send a check, the address is: db Marketing Company, PO Box 50425, Santa Barbara, CA 93150 

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KFI Weekends. Lisa Ann Walter had been missing from her weekend show at KFI for the past two weeks. A deluge of emails asked what happened. Her name and photo has been scrubbed clean from the website. Neil Saavedra, assistant program director responded: "Lisa Ann Walter will no longer be doing her radio show here at KFI as she will now be focusing on her acting career and her family. Of course we wish her the best."

Funnie. A blonde pushes her BMW into a gas station. She tells the mechanic it died. After he works on it for a few minutes, it is idling smoothly. She says, “What's the story?”

He replies, “Just crap in the carburetor.”

She asks, “How often do I have to do that?” 

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** KFWB History

“My friend Randy West's essay today was brilliant - and spot on. All we need is yet another sports station. [And I happen to be a sports fan]. Back in the day I was proud to be a part of Color Radio/Channel 98. As the song says, ‘those were the days.’” – Wink Martindale

** Earthquake Coverage

“Wow, Don, you really took me back in time with the (Not a) Whole Lotta Coverage Goin’ On report.

I had only just started working in FM rock radio here in L.A. in the late 70s when the nauseating drumbeat began – about how they just simply HAD TO cut back on news and public affairs. I was at KLOS at the time. They previously had two Monday-through-Friday news shifts – helmed by our steady and brilliant news director David Heller in morning drive and the quirky and compelling Marshall Phillips in the afternoon.

I was the part-timer, with a regular news shift on the weekends and all the fill-in shifts when the one of the weekday news guys got sick or took a vacation. Then, one fine day, there came a change in program directors. The new guy immediately set out to cut-cut-cut. The afternoon drive news shift almost instantly disappeared, and there went 50% of my potential fill-in income. It was just play the hits on a newly-tightened playlist. I appealed to the new pd. No dice.

Then, Elvis Presley died – HUGE news even for non-oldies rock stations. Pathetically enough, it was left for the afternoon jock to make a brief, flimsy announcement at one moment during the back-announce between the previous song and the upcoming commercial cluster. And that was that until the following morning.

So KLOS listeners, who all regarded Elvis as a kind of revered Family Elder and a founding root of all subsequent rock, were thus rendered wretchedly poorly-served, and unable to rely on their favorite rock authority radio station for details until the following morning drive news shift. So I appealed to the new pd again, because here was proof that we needed at least some news presence in afternoon drive, just in case. But even my ‘Elvis died in the afternoon!’ argument fell on deaf ears. Not even the passing of the King himself – quite literally an EARTH-SHAKING news event in ALL popular music arenas – could save our afternoon news shift.” – Mary Lyon

** Local Pride

“Kudos to Larry Sharp and his engineer in Napa for their dedication in covering the recent earthquake. One of radio’s finest qualities has always been its immediacy, a trait that, lately, has been usurped by Twitter and other phone-based social media. But there is no excuse for a radio station not to have SOMEONE on hand to inform the public during emergencies.

When Ronald Reagan was shot, the staff at our DC radio station, WMZQ, were falling over themselves to rush to the scene, which happened to be just a few blocks away. We were extremely proud to be one of the first to cover that incident for our listeners.” – Gerry Downey

** Weekend Beatles Tribute

“A quick follow-up to the comments about The Beatles 50th at the Bowl: While there was definitely a lot of negativity concerning the show being much more about Dave Stewart and his family than celebrating the anniversary, there was also a great deal of love shown for Bob Eubanks and Dave Hull and what they both have done during their time in L.A. radio. I had the honor of working with both of them all three days of the event; helping with book and photo signings and meet-and-greets in the vendor area.

As the crowds arrived for each concert, so many people stopped by to say that they had been there in 1964. Many had their original ticket stubs, KRLA Beatles Fan Club cards, and other 1110 memorabilia. But it was during the intermissions and after each show when the real love was shown. Crowds of people gathered around both Bob and Dave to express such warm and sincere thanks – thanks to Bob for all the financial risks he took in bringing the Fab Four here in the first place, and thanks to 'The Hullabalooer' for being there with fun and wackiness as they grew up to the soundtrack of life supplied by KRLA. People may not have been enamored with Dave Stewart and his band of kids trying to do justice to the greatest songs ever made, but they truly loved—and remembered—these legends of Los Angeles radio.” – Bill Hayes

** LA Coverage of SF Quake

“We at KNX were all over this story and we owned it. I did my first live report 15 minutes before I began anchoring at 4:45. We had audio before 5 a.m. The quake hit at 3:20. We got the first Urgent at 3:30. We began monitoring KCBS, our San Francisco sister station, right away and they were taking calls. I began calling local NAPA businesses and while the phones rang no one picked up. I knew by experience one of two things because of this (1) the phone lines were down, or (2) the buildings were so unsafe no one was inside to answer the phones.

We had extra staff involved shortly thereafter and as soon as possible. Pete Demetriou was in Napa for the next two days.” – Bob Brill

** Iconoic Morning Pair for 25 Years "I thought you might enjoy this picture of my favorite morning duo of all time, Al Lohman, Jr and Roger Barkley (pictured at KFWB, 1968). When Lohman & Barkley were on their game, no morning show was ever better. No preaching, no politics, just pure innocent fun. So fortunate to have worked with both of them. RIP guys." - Bob K

** Passing of George Nicholaw

“Sorry to see another giant of KNX leave us. I had a pleasure of meeting George Nicholaw at a Saturday, June 6, 2009 luncheon which Don Barrett had organized.

My observations of Nicholaw and the sound of KNX are varied. My first full day living here in LA was January 16, 1978, the day of my political hero Hubert Humphrey's funeral. In a processing of moving from Jersey, I had an unpleasant surprise when I turned on the radio, as KNX did not run the CBS-Radio network coverage of his service. In growing up back east, it was more consistent that O&O's (network owned-and-operated) stations would almost always take special events from their network. The Los Angeles radio and TV stations’ policies of either not running network coverage of news or having a local anchor intro a speech, interrupting the network were (and still are) inconsistent.

Anyway, I did hear KSDO-San Diego running the funeral. Since KNX didn’t run the CBS network during the coverage of the Humphrey services, I wrote a rather angry letter to KNX. George did reply rather quickly, wondering how on one hand If Humphrey was a man of peace, how I could write such an angry letter? He never did explain his inconsistent policies of which events he would run from the network. Luckily over the years I was able to channel that energy and anger in putting up a website paying tribute to the late Vice-President, hubert-humphrey.com.

Well, as the holidays approached in 1978, I wanted to make peace with George. We did have some nice calls afterward. When I met him at the 2009 luncheon, George didn’t remember any of our previous conversations and letters.

While George Nicholaw was in charge, KNX had a quite oldline sound – a lot of sounders and an energetic teletype sound effect always playing in the background, which in my old-school view, KNX sounds empty without it. I also liked the consistent format clock during his tenure, where sports was at :15 and :45, stocks at :20 and :50, the way it should be done on an all-News station. However, I was never in favor of a lot of non-news programming as well as non-CBS sports which was also prevalent during the Nicholaw era, such as filling up Sundays with Mutual (Radio Network) Football. There was a Sunday afternoon of a space shot, when KNX didn't run the launch because of football coverage. Under George, KNX had these really corny promos, I think it was Beach Rogers who voiced these promos such as, ‘Policemen think our news is arresting – and you will too on KNX 1070.’

At least George saw an importance of accurate weather info. At :06 and :31 past each hour, KNX offered a complete city forecast from the wire. Many years later KNX had a marvelous contracted service from Seattle, then the Weather Channel. The weather reports back then were so much better than the current offering of the Channel 2 weathercasters improvising.” – Larry Hart, Sherman Oaks 

---

You Give Us 22 Minutes and We’ll Give You the Historical Perspective of KFWB
Essay by Randy West

(August 26, 2014) Gather round the computer kids, while Uncle Randy tries to explain how much RADIO was once a vibrant part of everybody's life. OK, busted. This is really just a rant. After tv took the stars and the individual programs, radio stations adopted programming they could afford to produce locally. Recorded music became the backbone, but since every station had access to the same records, the competitive edge went to those stations whose live and local presentation was most creative and compelling. What was between the records determined success – creative production, personalities, and promotions.

In Los Angeles, Chuck Blore transformed KFWB into Channel 98 Color Radio, one of the most exciting and most listened to stations in the nation. Then, in another era, KFWB was purchased by Westinghouse and on March 11, 1968 was relaunched as one of the very first all-News radio stations. Again, with a new innovative approach, KFWB enjoyed success that ran for decades. Nobody ever made excuses for failure – limited signal, lower power, increased competition, or AM is dead.

As was the case on a national level, when other media platforms created alternatives to terrestrial radio, instead of setting out to re-create KFWB with some new, creative, relevant, competitive and compelling approach, the station adopted what has seemed to be a mishmash of talk programs. Some of those shows and personalities were inspired and many were not, including a number of programs that were brokered – the radio equivalent of glorified infomercials – with the station operating on an FCC waiver of ownership rules while supposedly being marketed by CBS for sale now for the past several years.

KFWB changed formats Sunday night at midnight as CBS uses the station as a flagship for the new CBS Sports Radio Network, a primarily national programming service that instead of innovating with some new creative live and local service, will be another sports outlet in a city that seems to have adequate sports talk programming already. But I guess the fact that the format can be run at a low cost on the local level, may attract an advertiser-coveted young male audience, can point to the success of ESPN to suggest the potential for listenership, and can anchor CBS’ new network sports investment all adds up to sounding viable with stockholders. Maybe because I’m not sports-obsessed, it’s all a giant yawn to me. Or maybe it’s because I’ve been spoiled by KFWB's once glorious record of innovation. Good night radio. Last one out please turn off the lights and the transmitter. (Randy West is a veteran of KMGG (Magic 106 in the 1980s) and game show announcer)

Overheard.

• “Can you imagine if they scooped up the body right away what people would have said? Hiding and concealing the evidence.” (Larry Elder, KABC, on Ferguson, Missouri teen, Michael Brown)

• “At the VMAs Sunday night, Nicki Minaj suffered a wardrobe malfunction. Her clothes stayed on.” (Frank Kramer, KLOS)

• "What happens if a lifeguard has a double rescue? Do they take the good looking gal?" (Bill Handel, KFI, on big surf in Southland)

• "Why are pirate movies rated R? Because of the booty." (Dude, character on Gary Bryan morning show, K-EARTH)

Reservation on Fox Radio. For many years, John Fox was a familiar voice on Orange County radio. When those opportunities went away, John joined the world of automotive sales. Now he’s  back on the airwaves. “In 2011, I put Rez Radio 91.3 (KOPA, Pala) on the air,” emailed John. “This is the first new class A FM in SoCal in 20 years and the only Native American owned and operated full service class station within 500 miles. We’ve been on 24/7 continuously ever since – not even leaving the air during the big San Diego blackout in September of that year. This mostly volunteer station with 1 ½ employees had earned San Diego Press Club awards for news and talk programming every year since we signed on and is up for four more this year. I’m the chief cook and bottle washer including program director, news director, general manager, on site engineer and volunteer coordinator … and loving it.”

The station streams live 24/7 on iHeartRadio, TuneIn.com and in-house at http://208.70.75.109:8080/stream.m3u

Is there a way to monetize the station? “The tribe so far has chosen to fund everything themselves, treating it as another community utility,” said Fox. “We don't even take CPB money. The station was originally sought as an emergency information system after woefully inadequate evacuation efforts from the 2003 and 2007 fires.  But I believe it can be monetized.  I'm working towards that.”

Fox had some other thoughts on revenue. “Right now we're in a mode a little like an LPFM, of which I've seen several successful ones.  We’re extremely locally focused, but have the ability to reach further with streaming.  We’re also working on signal improvement to include five other local reservations while maintaining the local and Native American focus.  Four of the six reservations we hope to eventually serve have casinos, so it’s a desirable market for underwriters.  As long as we maintain a mostly volunteer staff with a few key paid people including commission-only sales, it should be possible to turn a profit.  Nobody’s going to get rich as long as the potential over the air audience is only a few thousand people, but as that grows with signal improvement, economies of scale will kick in.”

Music royalties pose a concern for Fox. “Probably my biggest concern until we begin underwriting is the future of performance royalties.  If new rates are established that don’t take into account the scale of a broadcaster, it’ll put all small stations out of the music-playing business.  Non-profit community stations need an exemption, or at the very least a freeze at current rates.  Granted, we play more hours of music than anything else, but even at today’s rates, royalties are the largest portion of our programming budget, exceeding even the cost of our four daily hours of network talk programming.”

LARadio Rewind: August 26, 1978. Casey Kasem debuts a new feature, the Long-Distance Dedication, on his syndicated American Top 40 countdown program. A young man named James, whose girlfriend, Desiree, was moving with her parents to an American military base in Germany, had asked Casey to play Neil Diamond’s Desiree and dedicate it to her. “Maybe my Desiree will hear it,” he wrote. In 2007, Casey’s staff members were able to locate James and Desiree and an interview with the couple was featured on Casey’s American Top 10 and American Top 20 countdown shows. Casey Kasem jocked at WJBK, WJW, KEWB and KRLA before co-founding American Top 40 in 1970. He hosted the program until 1988, when he launched a new countdown show,Casey’s Top 40. He returned to AT40 in 1998 and retired in 2004. He ended his AT10 and AT20 shows in 2009. Casey died June 15, 2014, at age 82.

Funnie.

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** Radio Response to SF Shaker

“God, that San Francisco AM Radio non-response to the earthquake was disgusting. So much for serving the needs of the people.” – Rich Brother Robbin

** 1110/KRLA Memories

“I grew up in a nowhere place, Palmdale, in the sixties. We had three radio stations which our battery powered ‘transistor radios’ could barely pickup. KRLA was our only link to the world then for Palmdaliens.

I was a real nerd in high school and did things that normal kids wouldn’t do. I toyed with early laser technology and in 1965 made noteworthy in the LA Times and the Herald Tribune.

I was contacted in the spring 1965 by one of KRLA's dj’s, Casey Kasem. They were looking for something different that they could exploit for PR for an up and coming concert visit of the Beatles.

To make a short story shorter I set up a continuous wave laser transmitting and receiving station in Palmdale and modulated a live 20 min segment of a Casey’s show on to a laser beam and bounced it off of the surface of the moon. It came off pretty well and various parts of the world got to hear it to. I got into a bunch of trouble with FCC. Apparently ships at sea encountered RF interference. It was a big hit because everyone knew what a laser was due to the movie Goldfinger.

Casey arranged to have me meet the Beatles for about 20 seconds on August 30, 1965 at the Hollywood Bowl. Greatest 20 seconds of my life.

I met Casey a couple of times over the years. The last time I tried to contact him I was informed that he was ill and would see no one. I later learned he was suffering from Parkinson's disease, which is ironic for me because I too have Parkinson’s.

Most of my memorabilia of that era was lost in a fire some years ago. I only have a couple of newspaper articles, and I recently found the CD I transferred the crumbling BASF tape from my old Roberts reel-to-reel on to with the return signal moon broadcast of 1965.” – Mark Q. Morgan

** Loss of  KFWB Broadcasters

“So sorry to see all those fine KFWB broadcasters let go, but happy for Ted Sobel that he somehow survived.  I was kidding him at Dodger Stadium on Sunday that it reminded me of the final episode of The Mary Tyler Moore Show where everyone was fired but ‘Ted.’ I wonder if everyone on the last day sang It’s a Long Way to Tipperary.” – Ken Levine

George Nicholaw Remembered at Forest Lawn Services

(August 25, 2014) The program from the memorial started with the sentence, “George Nicholaw rose from a television usher to become an all-News radio pioneer.” His family, colleagues, and friends gathered at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills to pay tribute to the late KNX general manager. His nephew, Dr. Euthym Kontaxis, officiated the Orthodox service. “George was everyone’s favorite Uncle,” said Kontaxis. “(George) was always there when you needed him, he was helpful when I was choosing my residency, asking me all of the important questions.” Kontaxis recently viewed his wedding video from 30 years ago. “There was George and (wife) Betty holding hands during the service, dancing and enjoying himself … he was always a positive person.” Kontaxis said the couple celebrated 50 years together.

Longtime friend Bud Meyers said “you can’t just count the years, you have to count what you did – and George did a lot. He put himself second and put his family first.” Meyers said Nicholaw “saw the chance to make Los Angeles a better place through the radio.” Meyers admired Nicholaw’s range of interests. “He was a voracious reader, reading two or three books a week…he liked sports, he loved the racetrack.”

“Witty, charming, handsome” was how Melissa Nicholaw recalled her Uncle George. “He was always active. If you spent time with him, you weren’t going to sit there for two hours drinking coffee. He took us to horse races, concerts, the theater, movies. He arranged for us to have a tour of Paramount Studios,” where Melissa Nicholaw met Elvis Presley, Lorne Green, Danny Thomas, and other famous actors. “Uncle George was excited about getting tickets to an upcoming concert. I was 16 years old. I was thinking it’d be the Rolling Stones, or some other group, yet it was for Neil Diamond,” which initially disappointed Melissa Nicholaw. It turned out the concert was the famous August 24, 1972 concert that became the best-selling album Hot August Night. “It turned out to be the best concert I ever attended,” she said.

“George was literally in the delivery room when KNX was born. He was a disciple of William Paley and CBS as the Tiffany network. He helped create traffic and the weather together, broadcast the stretch calls, provided continuous coverage of the Watergate hearings, and pitched the idea of simulcasting 60 Minutes on the radio,” said Mike Masterson, former KNX general sales manager. “His editorial board was made up of five people, yet since Nicholaw delivered the editorials…if there was a call or a letter, he took it upon himself to reply. Yet he preferred to stay in the background and let others take credit.”

(Photo left: Don Malloy, Ronnie Bradford, Frances Cogswell, Pat Smith, Debbie Wright, Linda Nunez, Frank Mottek - Photo #2: Roger Nadel;
Photo #3: City Councilman Tom LaBonge, Jack Salvatore, Howard Freshman; Photo right: Jere Laird and Frank Mottek)

Masterson recalled how Nicholaw enjoyed socializing. “George was a teetotaler – until it was cocktail hour.” He also alluded to Nicholaw’s enjoyment of horse racing, involved with more than broadcasting the stretch calls of races on KNX. Nicholaw was once the chair of the board of the California Horse Racing Commission. “George had arranged for me to meet Trevor Denman, the world famous voice of horse racing. Trevor said ‘when you get back to the station, tell George he’s doing an excellent job.’” Having said that, Masterson revealed that Nicholaw “never opened a racing form…he bet on the name of the jockey or the color of his silks.”  “One thing that George always did was bet on the 10-70 exacta, for obvious reasons,” said Masterson. “If you’re at the races and bet the 10-70 exacta, know that George will be looking at you from above with his steely blue eyes, with a smile on his face.” (All photos, including Dottie Sharkey, on left, provided, and story written by LARadio senior correspondent, Alan Oda)

You’re Hired. You’re Fired. KFWB  980 AM is all-Sports this morning. Line-up of programming, except for Jim Rome at 9 a.m., was not available and apparently the programming you hear today may or may not be part of the final sports programming when it launches next month.

As far as other personnel, the first news that came out of the format flip of KFWB to all-Sports was that the three sports guys – Bill Seward, Bob Harvey, and Ted Sobel – would be staying on with the station. They received word on Friday that there was a change of mind. Bill and Bob are out, but Ted Sobel will stay.

“It is a very bittersweet time for me learning that I am the lone survivor in the KFWB format change to all-Sports,” wrote Sobel on his Facebook page. “I am extremely fortunate to be able to continue during my 20th year with the station [surviving into my 3rd different format] and my dream to have wanted to work for one of the most storied radio stations ever carries on. But I must also tell you that it truly is quite uncomfortable knowing that I won't be working with so many special friends and colleagues any longer.”

Bill Seward was somewhat dismayed at the turnabout in his employment status, but quickly expressed gratitude for the 25 years with CBS News, 11 years with KNX and the last 14 years at KFWB.

“Two weeks ago I was told I had a job. Friday I was told I didn’t,” emailed Bob Harvey. “It was surprising and disappointing, but I enjoyed 30 wonderful years with KFWB. I don't plan on being on the sidelines for long.” Bob has a popular gaming website, www.BobHarveySports.com.

Overheard.

• “Mayor Eric Garcetti  just called and said AMs won’t be the same without me and Penny Griego on KFWB. He proclaimed today KFWB News Day in LA.” (Phil Hulett, KFWB)

• “Every time I hear a Pink song, I wonder if she recorded it standing up or hanging upside down from the ceiling." (Frank Murphy)

• “Bill Handel was on the air during the last drought in 1850, that’s amazing. He was also dominant number 1, also then.” (Mark Thompson, KFI)

• "VMA's - it's not a party until the shots are fired." (Gary Bryan, K-EARTH)

• "I saw a stretch Prius limo getting ready for the Emmys tonight. Only in Hollywood." (Jeff Baugh, KNX)

Shaking in the Bay Area. San Francisco experienced a 6.0 earthquake Sunday morning that caused enough damage for Governor Jerry Brown to declare a state of emergency. This kind of an emergency is when local radio really shines. So how did the Bay Area stations respond? Rich Lieberman, publisher of 415 Media, wrote: “While the earthquake rocked the Bay Area and Northern California, KGO Radio is still running canned programming from Bloomberg Radio. KCBS went on air about six minutes after with live coverage and actualities from reporters and listeners. ‘Nuff said. Oh, and as of 4: 23 a.m. KGO is still running Bloomberg. Too funny, really.

• UPDATE: 7: 01 a.m.

• *KNBR –business as usual, running horse-racing show while most of downtown Napa has suffered major damage and some infrastructure heavily damaged.

• *KSFO: Amazingly ignoring story –running live ‘Rabbi’ show. Only updates from ABC Net top of hour.

• *KGO: Finally halted religious show and has provided limited updates. (What a joke.)

• * KCBS: Wall-to-Wall coverage with non-stop information from anchors Janice Wright, Holly Quan, and reporters in field. KCBS also, to their credit, halted ALL commercials and ran with quake story.

• Kudos to the staff at the CBS/SF radio outlet.”

A KGO staffer told Lieberman, other than a minimum wage board op, there was no one in the building.

KNX staff 25 years ago On a recent Throwback Thursday, KNX afternooner Diane Thompson posted this photo from January 1989. "KNX was a little light when it came to women broadcasters in 1989, but our general manager, George Nicholaw, loved to win those Golden Mikes," wrote Diane (c). "KNX picked up 10 that year, including Spot News for the First Interstate Bank high-rise fire. Beach Rogers and I shared the award. That fire was straight out of Towering Inferno. George, who passed recently, is third from the right. RIP," conclued Diane.

 Hear Ache. Dan Mandis, who worked at KFI in news, traffic and production, is now the program director of the Cumulus Nashville talker WWTN “Super Talk 99.7 WTN.” He will continue his noon-3 p.m. talk show. Dan was also producer of Dr. Laura Schlessinger’s syndicated show for years … Nice piece on EXTRA featuring Pat Paraquat Kelley and Melody Rogers. Check it out at: http://www.extratv.com/videos/0_5306n4s5  … Ryan Fox was morning man at KKGO Go Country from 2011-12. He’s now with the Country outlet in Dallas. “Crazy thing happened over the weekend,” wrote Ryan. “My ALS Ice Bucket Challenge video ended up on ABC's Good Morning America! They featured a small clip in a larger story about celebrities pitching in for the cause.  I'm the 'Texas DJ'.  : )” You can watch it at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxlrlmLodlM … KRTH’s Dave Mason was playing Phil Collins’ You Can’t Hurry Love the other morning and came out of the song with, “What is that prayer you say in the morning, ‘Lord, give me patience … and I want it NOW.” … Q2’s top advertiser was wireless carrier AT&T … “I am tickled to report Dave Koz has recruited me to help host his ‘Dave and Friends at Sea Cruise to Alaska,’” emailed Keri Tombazian. “We set sail September 5th with a line-up as grand as the landscape we will visit.  Dave’s love of life, music, and fellowship fuel this Royal Caribbean ship with a line-up that includes Jonathan Butler, Oleta Adams, and the great Chris Botti.” More information at:  http://www.davekozcruise.com/  … KOLA, Classic Hits station in the Inland Empire, is apparently going to concentrate on the music, dropping news programming. News director David Wylie exits the Oldies station.

A Hard Day’s Night. KCSN, broadcasting from California State University, Northridge, is throwing an appreciation event later this month to thank its many contributing supporters and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the release of the iconic Beatles’ film A Hard Day’s Night. The outdoor screening on Saturday, August 30, also includes a performance by Ticket to Ride, a Beatles tribute band.

CBS Enlarges Ryan Seacrest’s World. KIIS’ Ryan Seacrest signed a new two-year development deal with CBS Television Studios. The contract’s for scripted shows, not reality shows like Keeping Up With the Kardashians or Idol-style competitions. Ryan Seacrest Productions has a project in the oven with Jennifer Lopez for NBC titled ‘Shades of Blue,’ according to Variety. Ryan has a possible dramatic project with musical artist Pitbull.

LARadio Rewind: August 25, 2000. Salem Communications completes its purchase of KXMX from Clear Channel. Known as Mix 95.9, the station had gone on the air in 1960 as KEZR, sister station to KEZY-1190, which broadcast from the Disneyland Hotel. KEZR later became KEZY/fm. In 1999, the station was purchased by Jacor Communications, which changed the call letters to KXMX. Later in 1999, Jacor owner Sam Zell decided to get out of the radio business. Clear Channel purchased Jacor and then sold KXMX to Salem. The station switched to a contemporary Christian format as KFSH, “The Fish.” Advertised as “Safe for the whole family,” KFSH plays such artists as Daughtry, Selah, Lifehouse, Newsboys, Chris Tomlin, Jason Gray, Matt Redman, Matthew West, Laura Story, Needtobreathe, Building 429 and Casting Crowns. Hosts of the “Family-Friendly Morning Show” are Bobby Shaw (ex-KKLA), Lara Scott (ex-KYSR) and Mary Hughes. (LARadio Rewind prepared by Steve Thompson)

ABC Ownership Issues. KSPN’s Max Kellerman is the third ESPN-connected personality to step into trouble in the last couple of months. ESPN is owned by Disney, which puts greater pressure on the talent to be family-friendly.

Previously, ESPN talent Stephen A. Smith got into trouble when he suggested that women should avoid provoking men, while WAXY-AM/FM Miami-based Dan Le Batard was suspended for two days after he was involved in the Cleveland billboard that makes fun of LeBron James.

The Hollywood Reporter wrote that Max Kellerman got a week’s suspension for revealing that he and his now-wife were drinking at a long-ago college party when she slapped him – and he slapped her back. Actually, several sources say that’s not really what got him the suspension, but rather that he was talking about the suspension of NFL star Ray Rice. And ESPN doesn’t want folks treading in that delicate area.

NASH Moving In. Cumulus’ Classic Hits station in the Ventura market has flipped to 106.3 NASH ICON. Cumulus already has a contemporary syndicated show, NASH/fm, but is now offering NASH ICON that features iconic Country artists from Reba McEntire, Rascal Flatts and the Dixie Chicks to Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Martina McBride and Kenny Chesney.

A press release from Cumulus describes the new format: “106.3 NASH ICON is one of the first 15 Cumulus stations in the U.S. to offer this brand new format to radio listeners and Country music lovers. NASH ICON is an important complement to the more contemporary artists that are heard on NASH, its sister brand.”

Sommer Frisk, Cumulus Ventura/Oxnard market manager, said: “We couldn't be more excited to bring listeners and advertisers 106.3 NASH ICON. There’s no question that Country is hugely popular in Ventura County and 106.3 Nash ICON will feature music of the 80s, 90s and early 2000s. These are the artists that plowed the road for today’s acts and helped make country the powerhouse format it is today. 106.3 Nash ICON will be a great compliment to big sister 100.7 KHAY/fm. Ventura County is a great country market, with the best audience and this move solidifies our position with our country music fans.”

Beatles at Hollywood Bowl. The weekend tribute to the Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl apparently didn’t go so well with the fans. Dave Stewart of the Eurymthics was the host. Some of the Facebook reaction:

• This was the worst concert I have ever seen at the Hollywood Bowl. Dave Stewart's Family night!! Bad tribute to The Beatles so disappointed!

• What a wasted opportunity. Dave Stewart embarrassed himself. The worst concert I've seen at the Bowl.

• The Hollywood Bowl owes a refund to everyone who purchased tickets for the 3-nights of this so-called “tribute.” It was an insult to the Beatles and Bowl fans alike. I hope that someone from Bowl management reads these comments and takes them seriously. Someone needs to take a hard look at how these types of concerts are produced.

• Our whole section was booing. Astoundingly bad.

Funnie. Golfer: "I'd move heaven and earth to break 100 on this course."
Caddy: "Try heaven, you've already moved most of the earth."

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** All-Sports

“Los Angeles is not known to be a sports talk station type of town. Although I only wish the best for KFWB, the history of sports talk in L.A. is not one with good results. Even if the NFL gives L.A. a franchise, will sports talk be a winner here?

History has told us something different. I wonder if Los Angeles needs another sports talk station to share the about two and a half points that sports talk gets en toto vis-a-vis the ratings. Consider that both the Dodgers and the Angels are in first place, and the ratings are still low for the sports stations.

Good luck to the Trust!” – Sterrett Harper, President, Harper Claims Service, Inc.

** CBS Programming

“Why is CBS still allowed to program KFWB? Remember all the promises during the mergers that KNX and KFWB would be separate? Slowly but surely CBS reneged, encouraging the station to rot and then letting it fall from the tree. Now we have a city with one news radio station and four sports stations.

The problem with Wall Street people running the radio business is that it’s always about how we can sell an audience, never about how can we serve them.” – Sandy Wells

** Green Beret Avey

“Just a note about Dan Avey. I never had the pleasure of meeting him, but after fulfilling a very small request he made of me, he repaid the favor with an ‘American Flag, which was authenticated to have flown over the United States Capitol on November 29, 2004, at the request of Henry A. Waxman, member of Congress. This flag was flown for Ann Beebe, in celebration of Christmas.’

I was totally surprised. I’d never owned a flag before. What a very nice thing he did, for someone he hardly knew.” – Ann Beebe

** KYMS Never the Same After Dave Armstrong Left

“Wishing Dave Armstrong a happy retirement. I met him when he was general manager at KWIZ-Santa Ana. I was able to work with him in the early 90's at KYMS-Santa Ana. He gave KYMS their most success. After he left, KYMS was never the same. Going through several mangers and pd’s before they were sold. Dave is one of the nicest people I've met in radio.” – Dale Berg

** Armstrong Touched So Many Lives

“I was both sad and happy to read that Dave Armstrong is going to retire soon.

Happy because he has had a stellar career, touched so many and it has been an honor to have known him for over 25 years. Sad because many of the younger people coming up through the ranks will miss a truly kind and gracious professional who knew how to lead and get results. 

Dave is truly one of the good guys in a business where sometimes kindness and support can be forgotten.

Dave will be missed by many of us who had the pleasure of working with and for him. His management style was inspirational.

Wishing happiness for he and Sarah as they venture onto this new chapter of their lives.” – Lynda Parets

** Robin Williams’ Valet

“During one of his early bookings as the headlining star at Harrah’s Tahoe, Robin Williams suited-up in Harrah’s official doorman's uniform early one evening and was opening car doors and greeting arriving patrons curbside at Harrah’s for nearly an hour before finally being ‘busted’ by an arriving fan!” – Bill Kingman, Lake Tahoe

** Radio Disney Takes Out Radio

“Disney was nuts to attempt to reach kids with crappy AM stations. The entire concept was crazy. It has nothing to do with radio. Disney also cancels tv shows that are lousy and don’t build audience but no one considers it a death knell for tv when shows are canceled.” – Bob Fox

** Keep One Disney Station

“I would say they kept KDIS to remain qualified to pay the broadcast radio rates for music licensing. See Pandora.” - Paul Sakrison

** Nicholaw Memory

“In all the tributes to George Nicholaw, the one word I have yet to see is, ‘CLASS.’ George Nicholaw was overflowing with Class.” – Greg Hardison

** Bright Shotgun

“Enjoyed the piece on Shotgun Tom Kelly.

Anything good regarding Shotgun Tom brightens my day.” – Chuck Southcott

** Overheard Mention

“’I never, ever, ever for a minute thought about quitting my day job.’ (Ryan Seacrest, KIIS)

‘Yeah, me, too.  I wanted to work in Radio until I died.’" (Laura Brodian, KUSC, KMZT, KCSN, KUSC)” – Laura Brodian

** Don Pardo

“I don’t know if I ever told you this but my first break in television was as a booth announcer at the ABC affiliate Channel 6 in Philadelphia.

The program director, Tom Jones, gave me my break. Unfortunately he died a few weeks later at a very young age.

My first two times in the booth were meant to be a one and done situation but I stayed on at the station and also worked in radio.

So when Don Pardo died the other day, I mourned.

I loved him.

I’ll never forget the ‘Saturday Night LIIIIVE’ introduction.” – Jerry Del Colliano 

Sunday Funnies (8.24.14)

LARadio Archives from June 2005

The Ticket to KMPC 1540 Success – Local, Local, Local  (June 13, 2005) Roger Nadel, new vp/gm at KMPC 1540/The Ticket, trotted out his first string sports talk show hosts and paraded them before 100 members of the ad community and press at a lunch last week. Roger, former gm at all-News KFWB, took over the Sporting News station last month and this was his first presentation to advertisers since taking over. (Photo: Roger Nadel, Jeanie Buss, John Ryan) He greeted those gathered upstairs at the Palm Restaurant downtown with a thanks for their past support and participation. He acknowledged John Ryan [former gm, now head of national sales for the station] for his contribution to KMPC 1540/The Ticket.   “We talk about local sports in a way that no one else is doing,” boasted Roger. “With Tony Bruno joining us, we are now the most local and most interesting line-up on the air talking about Los Angeles sports.”  Roger addressed a critical issue that has prevented the station from listing in the Arbitron ratings – the signal. “The signal is better and the signal is competitive, which is a big part of our changes,” revealed Roger. He detailed in technical terms what was going on with the signal and the continued improvements. “Jeanie Buss, who is with us today, told me before lunch that she hears the station more clearly than she has in the past.”  (Pictured: Tony Bruno; Fred Roggin, senior AE Julie Amon, promotions manager Danielle Litman; and pd Tim Parker) Tony was introduced to the group. “Tony is the most interesting, the most articulate, and the most entertaining sports talk show host in the country,” said Roger. Bruno was warmly greeted by the group. Tony said that you need a great team in place to win at anything. “For 35 years I have always been involved with great teams. When I came to KMPC 1540/The Ticket, I discovered this company is committed to winning. LA doesn’t have a morning sports radio program. You want to do it locally. They convinced me this is the way to go.”  Fred Roggin has been with KMPC 1540/The Ticket for three and a half years. He emphasized the local approach and philosophy of the station. “When I started, the only people who could hear us were in the room. Our signal is going to be booming very soon and we’re all very excited,” said the afternoon host from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. who also is the sports anchor at KNBC/Channel 4 at 5, 6, and 11. “The only way to succeed is through local coverage,” Roggin continued. “It talks to the audience you’re trying to attract. We’ve done that from the beginning at The Ticket and we’ll continue to do so.”  (Pictured: Daily News' Tom Hoffarth, Petros Papadakis; promotional van; afternooner Dave Smith) Since there are so many media choices, Roggin said you have to carve out your niche and hold on to it. “We talk L.A. stuff.” He then went on to praise noon – 2 p.m. host Petros Papadakis. “The P man is the most brilliant person you will ever hear in your life. He is the man who could pull off the perfect murder – he’s that smart.”  Petros was broadcasting live from the Palm and popped in during a break to talk with the group. Apparently Larry Stewart of the LA Times has been critical of Petros’ on-air manner of shouting. “Larry doesn’t like my yelling,” Petros said to Stewart, who was sitting nearby. “I don’t even notice it anymore.” Petros told the group that KMPC was a great place to work. He also emphasized the local approach to sports news. Petros was captain of the 1998 USC football team, where he was a running back before a career-ending injury.  USC football play by play announcer Pete Arbogast talked about how exciting USC football has been and will be for years. KMPC is the flagship station for the Trojans. “If you haven’t hooked up to the Trojan horse, this is the time to do it,” said the former Cincinnati Bengals announcer.  (Pictured: GM Roger Nadel making last minute preparations; morning show sidekick Mark Willard, Pete Arbogast; and sales assistant Lauren Rainey) Late afternooner Dave Smith said that KMPC was the single best line-up he’s ever been associated with. “Tony Bruno was the missing piece for 1540. We are local, local, local.”

(August 22, 2014) K-EARTH afternooner “Shotgun Tom” Kelly was voted the #5 Best On-Air LARP of 2014. The on-going summer rollout of the Top 10 On- and Off-Air continues this morning, with a dynamic entertainer in radio and tv for going on 40 years in both San Diego and Los Angeles.

His high-energy Top 40/Oldies career was etched in stone when he received a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame last year.

His first major success came in San Diego at Boss Radio/KGB, then at the legendary KCBQ in San Diego. At B-100/fm (KFMB/fm), Shotgun was honored with the Billboard Magazine “Air Personality of the Year” Award for Major Markets in the mid-1970’s. He also received two local Emmy Awards for his performance as host of the syndicated tv word game show for kids, Words-a-Poppin.

Shotgun was the morning and afternoon host for the KUSI/TV Kid’s Club for 12 years in San Diego and was the host of a tv dance show in the 70’s on KGTV in San Diego called Disco 10.

Seventeen years ago, Shotgun arrived at legendary L.A. Oldies station KRTH to fill the afternoon slot following the death of The Real Don Steele. In 2000, Shotgun won the Radio & Records “Oldies Personality of the Year” award, competing for that honor with radio personalities from New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and Detroit.  

In 2007, Shotgun won the Radio & Records Industry Achievement Awards Classic Hits Personality/Show of the Year.

#5

Shotgun Tom Kelly

Some of the comments from those who voted for Shotgun:

• "Tom is one of the very last bastions of that Bill Drake/The Real Don Steele 'Boss Radio' presentation. He loves his job more than anyone I know. A real star."

• "He's always sounding upbeat, fun, and friendly."

• "Doing good radio the way it should be. No one has more energy and is a true fundamental pro than Shotgun."

• "Have you heard that he's got a Star on the Walk of Fame?"

• "Tom is an LA radio legend. He manages to balance the old school with the new well."

• “His dream was to grow up and be ‘The Real Don Steele.’ Mission accomplished. He rocks the radio like nobody else. ‘You better believe it baby.’”

• “Shotgun is a gem in today’s radio world. He sounds like every day is his first day on the air. It’s refreshing to hear someone sound like they’re actually enjoying themselves while behind the board.”

• “I am voting for him because he is everything that radio should be – fun.”

• “Every show sounds like his first day in L.A. He loves what he’s doing and the audience loves hearing him have a great time!”

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All-Sports KFWB to Carry NFL and NCAA Action  

(August 21, 2014) KFWB is giving us another hint as to how the all-Sports station will sound when it launches in early September. The station will carry a full schedule of NFL and NCAA play-by-play in 2014-15 and the USC sports spotlight, “Trojan’s Live,” will return for another season. The announcement was made by newly-named KFWB program director Owen Murphy. KFWB, entering its fifth season as the flagship radio station of the Los Angeles Clippers, becomes the exclusive L.A. radio home for Westwood One’s coverage of all NFL Sunday night, Monday night and Thursday night games beginning on September 4 when Green Bay takes on reigning champion Seattle.  The weekly Sunday primetime game will be the culmination of KFWB’s triple-header coverage.

The broadcast schedule will include post-season playoff action, the NFC and AFC Championship games, the Pro Bowl and the Super Bowl on February 1, 2015.

KFWB will also offer a full slate of Westwood One’s coverage of NCAA football, commencing on September 6 when Michigan State visits Oregon.

College basketball is also on tap, including the exclusive national feeds of the men’s and women’s Final Four in 2015. “With rumors swirling about the NFL draft coming to Los Angeles in 2015, and maybe an NFL team, as well, we could not be more excited to deliver great Westwood One football programming to a football hungry town so deserving of its own team,” said Murphy. “Additionally, there is no better product than Westwood One's March Madness play-by-play and we are proud to have the opportunity to present it to the most passionate and knowledgeable hoops fans in America.”

 “Trojans Live,” an hour-long program devoted to USC sports and featuring men’s head football coach Steve Sarkisian, will be back for its second season on KFWB. “Trojans Live” airs Tuesdays from 6 - 7 p.m. and is broadcast live from The Lab gastropub near the USC campus. The show is produced by USC Sports Properties, a division of Fox Sports. Other major events to be broadcast exclusively in Los Angeles on KFWB include major golf championships and the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil.

This busy schedule of airing so much weekend sports will undoubtedly be greeted with delight by those who are not pleased with the current slate of weekend infomercials. 

---

Early LARP Veteran Dies in His Swimming Pool (August 20, 2014) John Mellen, veteran jock at KNOB, KGLA, KLFM and KEZY in the fifties and sixties, passed away last month in Honolulu. He was 79. “I was drafted the day before Elvis,” John remembered when interviewed for Los Angeles Radio People in 1992. “He got to go to Europe. I got to go to Eniwetok and besides I’m still alive.” Johnny worked at Armed Forces Radio in the late 1950s and when he was discharged, he programmed KLFM (later became KNAC) in Long Beach. He sold time at KEZY until the station was sold for $950,000 in 1963. John reflected: “Even after thirty five years I still miss those good old days of starving, being unemployed, ownership changes, and management changes. Oh, do I miss it.” “I lost track of him in 1962 and had no contact with him until 1999,” emailed Paul Hill. “He hunted me down through LARadio. We've been visiting via phone and email regularly ever since. During the first part of that 37 year period, John was in a managerial/sales position with Pier One Imports, traveling the country with the responsibility of opening stores in new locations, which included much media contact. Later he was Catering Sales Manager for the Sundial Restaurant in Atlanta.

Paul does not know when Mellen moved to Hawaii, but probably in the late 70s. “John lent his voice and personality as a volunteer at the Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor. He was also a tour guide and announcer for various activities, including the shuttle boats carrying visitors to the Arizona exhibit,” Paul continued. “John also worked as a volunteer with the Pearl Harbor Survivors Organization and was granted an honorary membership. He also had a display stand at the U.S.S. Bowfin Museum selling patches, pins and other patriotic items.”

Hill said that John had suffered a stroke about a year-and-a-half ago and had recovered by about 80% to 90%. “In talking with a lady that is a longtime employee at the Bowfin Museum who gave me known details of his passing, she mentioned he was a bit unsteady on his feet, had balance problems at times and walked with a cane.”

John lived alone, apparently lost his balance and fell into his pool, where he was found by a neighbor. “The neighbor came to investigate John's dog who had been barking for several hours. It is believed this happened on July 30 and has been deemed accidental,” concluded Hill. 

JJ Smith Services. JJ Smith, radio news reporter at KNX, KABC, KPOL, and KFI, and winner of 3 Golden Mike's, died on July 28 in Burbank. Graveside services are this Friday (August 22) at 3 p.m. at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, 6300 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles.  Your remembrances of JJ may also be sent to Dave Sebastian Williams for family at: jjsmith.07282014@gmail.com.

 "JJ was one of the best news pros I ever worked with during my days at KFI. Great sound, great guy,” recalled Bob Shannon. More information on making donations in JJ's name benefiting the SAG Foundation's Don LaFontaine Voiceover Lab at: https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/sagfoundation.   

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Beatles, Breakfast, and Bob (August 19, 2014) Former 1110/KRLA personality and Beatles concert promoter Bob Eubanks appeared with Chris Carter on KLOS' Breakfast With the Beatles last week. "My time with Bob Eubanks was a BLAST," emailed Chris. "Not only did Mr. Eubanks explain how he booked the Beatles twice at the Hollywood Bowl (`64 & `65) and Dodgers Stadium in `66, he told some great stories about owning The Cinnamon Cinder teen clubs in the sixties, booking Bob Dylan in `65, The Newlywed Game, picked some of his fave Beatles songs and even plugged his current webpage!" Carter concluded: "Bob will be back on stage this weekend at the Hollywood Bowl along with his former KRLA mate Dave (The Hullabalooer) Hull to introduce the Beatles 50th celebration starring ringmaster Dave Stewart."

---

Owen Murphy to Program All-Sports KFWB (August 18, 2014) Sports radio veteran Owen Murphy has been named program director for KFWB and its new, all-sports programming lineup which will launch in September. Murphy programmed the ESPN outlet in Seattle from 2009-10. He previously worked in Bristol, Connecticut as a producer for ESPN Radio, notably on the Mike and Mike in the Morning and as executive producer of The Dan Patrick Show. More recently, Murphy has been working as a talent coach and sports radio consultant for several hosts across the country.                                 KFWB has slowly been making hiring announcements beginning with current sports broadcasters Bill Seward, Bob Harvey, and Ted Sobel will be staying on with the new format. Last week, the station announced that Jim Rome will be on from 9 a.m. to noon. And then today’s announcement of a new pd. “I cannot adequately express how excited I am to be part of a team that is going to serve the Los Angeles sports radio audience in a manner never before heard,” Murphy said.  “Having Jim Rome as a centerpiece of the station’s new lineup is a thrilling base to build upon for the passionate sports fans of Southern California." “Owen has built great relationships with some of America’s premiere sports talents,” said Diane Sutter, Trustee for KFWB Asset Trust. “He has a unique perspective and will provide a fresh approach for sports radio fans in L.A.” Owen, who resides in Seattle with his wife and two daughters, is in the process of relocating to Southern California.

Sunday Funnies (8.17)

LARadio Archives

No Time to Mourn Time in LARadio 

(August 15, 2014) One of the strangest stories in LARadio.com happened 13 years ago and is being resurrected because of the retirement of the principal  character in the debacle. In 2001, “Arrow 93” wanted a morning show it could syndicate. They looked to the Northwest and found a very successful morning personality, Bob Rivers. He was very popular, not only hosting the breakfast show, but he had a collection of twisted, successful Christmas albums. Bob was on the air for only 11 shows on "Arrow" and how it ended is one of those stories that became a legend. But first, comes the news that Bob Rivers retired this month from a very successful Seattle radio career in morning drive after 25 years.  (Bob Rivers, Spike O’Neill and Downtown Joe Bryant preparing to leave for the airport after their one and only day in Los Angeles radio)

“The one thing that has happened is that I am about to become a grandfather myself and I no longer want to be running from thing to thing so much,” Rivers explained. “I want to have time with my family, I want to have time with my friends, and I want to study music. My bees feel so neglected.”

“I did want to retire before I got stale,” the 58-year-old joked to his listeners during his announcement. “But that was 20 years ago.” Ba-dum-bump. Bob's on air career spanned 42 years, 33 of which he spent in morning drive in Boston, Baltimore and Seattle. Rivers' last show on KJR in Seattle was 8/8/2014, exactly 25 years to the day after his sign on at KISW in 1989. “It was just an accident, and a happy one,” Rivers said of the anniversary, “but I think it signifies that it was time. I didn’t want to be in a 12-by-12 room every day, five days a week, forever.”

Back to the bizarre story …

My lead story in July 2001: “Arrow 93” dropped a bomb with the shocking and unprecedented cancellation of the Bob Rivers Show after only two weeks and one day on the air. Joe Benson returned to the AM slot this morning. “After overwhelming response from listeners who have called, written and emailed the station, we are returning Joe Benson and music to the morning show,” said pd Tommy Edwards. “We think the world of Bob Rivers. His track record in Seattle speaks for itself.” 

 “We’re sorry we couldn’t get it done in 11 shows,” said a philosophical Bob Rivers, just hours after being informed by his agent that “Arrow” had canceled the show. “Arrow” asked Bob to originate the show from Los Angeles for a month (their broadcast home is Seattle where they have been enormously successful for a decade) and Bob, Spike O’Neill and Downtown Joe Bryant flew into town over the weekend. The station put each of the guys up in a two-bedroom apartment at the Promenade business complex in Burbank. The Infinity group was set to have the show originate at the “Arrow” studios in Hollywood when AFTRA made a stink when it was discovered that Bob and his team were non-union. “Arrow” worked all weekend to prepare studios at sister station KLSX in downtown Los Angeles, which is where they broadcast from yesterday. Over the weekend, the group had dinner with “Arrow 93” pd Tommy Edwards and his wife. “If Tommy knew anything Saturday night, he certainly was a good actor,” said Bob. “We had a lovely time.” 

After their one and it turned out to be only shift, the trio went to the “Arrow” studios and met with the staff and toured the station. After they left the station and were returning to their apartment, Bob got the call from his manager that the show had been cancelled. They started packing immediately for a return to Seattle because they still have a syndicated show in the morning. “It could be worse,” offered Joe over an iced tea at Gordon Biersch’s in Burbank.

“It was an epic failure,” said Rivers when we chatted by phone this week. “Everyone needs a few of these in their lives.”

That day in July following Bob’s one and only LA broadcast, I traveled from Valencia to Gordon Biersch in Burbank for a welcome interview. By the time we met at 5 p.m., it was an exit interview. Bob said to me, “You said something really cool when we met that I’ve never forgotten – Rejection is God’s protection. He was finished with me in L.A.” Rivers looks at the bright side of the experience. “For me, I had fifteen more years in Seattle, one of the greatest cities in the world. I got to marry that city, which I couldn’t have done if I had stayed in L.A. I got to be friends with the governor. I got to have a real involvement with World Vision, an organization that helps raise millions of dollars to keep children from dying in Africa and Bangladesh. I got to watch my son grow up in this city and last Thursday I got to be a grandfather for the first time.” (Photo: Bob talking with his agent as Spike and Joe toast their one-day in L.A. "Was it something we said?" asked Spike)

Bob acknowledged that he didn’t want to be in a place where they didn’t want him. He said his kind of show takes time to take hold and needs nurturing. “I didn’t want to be anybody’s unwanted guest, but I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything.”

Rivers concluded: “There just is no time to mourn.”

Rivers added: "My replacement at Classic Rock KZOK/fm in Seattle 4 years ago was none other than Danny Bonaduce. Danny works with Carey Curelop of KLOS fame. Danny is happily married, healthy and getting tremendous ratings. It's a great former LARP success story. Danny and Amy are a great couple."

Breakfast with Beatles at Hollywood Bowl. KLOS’ Chris Carter will be broadcasting Breakfast w/the Beatles LIVE from The Hollywood Bowl this Sunday. “Along with three hours of Beatles music, my guest will be Bob Eubanks who booked both of the Beatles Bowl appearances in 1964 and 1965,” email Chris. Show airs Sunday from 9 a.m. to noon at 95.5/fm.

Overheard.

• “If anyone asks you what five albums you would take to a deserted island, for me, one of those would be Elton John’s Yellow Brick Road. It’s got everything.” (Gary Moore, KLOS)

• “Dr. Robert Shaw found what we think could be the Hall of Records at the base of the Sphinx, as Edgar Cayce had predicted.” (George Noory, KFI)

• “I grew up in Detroit during World War II. I remember air raids and sitting on my mother’s lap.” (Mo Kelley, KFI)

• “I never, ever, ever for a minute thought about quitting my day job.” (Ryan Seacrest, KIIS)

• “Life is defined after you get hit with a whooping stick.” (Dennis Miller, KRLA)

Tuna Insight. Charlie Tuna, quintessential LARadio personality, is filling in for Gary Bryan at K-EARTH this week. Charlie recalled the time he was the announcer on Chuck Woolery’s Scrabble tv show for 7 seasons in the 1980s. “The only reason the show didn’t go longer is because NBC kept shuffling it around,” said Charlie. “We were the second highest rated daytime show behind The Price Is Right.”

 

LARadio Rewind: August 15, 2010. Dan Avey, winner of 15 Golden Mike awards, dies from complications of prostate cancer at 69. Born in Spokane, Avey spent seven years doing mornings at KXLY as "Danny Morrow" and briefly hosted a children's tv show, Mr. Wallaby & Dan. He served in Viet Nam as a captain of the Green Berets and in the 1970s managed the Forum for Jack Kent Cooke and worked as an analyst on Los Angeles Kings broadcasts. Avey's 25 years as a news anchor and sportscaster included a short stint at KWIZ, two lengthy stays at KFWB and three years at KFI.  From 2001 to 2007, he co-hosted mornings with Ken Minyard at KABC. Avey also taught sports broadcasting and public relations at USC and Cal State Northridge. He was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2006.

George Nicholaw Services. Services for George Nicholaw, former general manager at KNX, will be held Thursday, August 21, at 3 p.m. at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills in the Church of the Hills. 

Mobile AM Radio. After learning that BMW’s new electric model – the i3 – will not include an AM radio due to the engine’s causing interference with AM reception, the NAB’s Gordon Smith wrote a letter to BMW asking the company to reconsider the move and re-engineer the system to accommodate AM, as some other manufacturers have. 

“Well, AM radio had a great run for nearly 100 years,” remarked Roger Carroll. “But electric engines, increasing urban electronic interference, everything digital - and static from the likes of Limbaugh, Hannity and Levin - threaten to put our old friend on life support.”

Funnie.

Who's on first? 

Email Friday

We GET Email …

** Kudos to Armstrong

“All the best to Dave Armstrong.  A great pro as well as one of the most authentic broadcasters in leadership positions I've ever known.” – Chuck Southcott

** Armstrong Most Creative Person

"Dave Armstrong is by far and away one of the finest, most creative people I've ever worked with over my years in radio. He was the general manager at KYMS-Santa Ana when I was starting out back in '88. He made way for my first full-time slot on-air, and closely mentored me along the way.

We reconnected in the mid-90's at KKLA. I enjoyed many more years working together to make great radio. The Salem/LA cluster was all the better for it. A pure joy to be associated with Dave Armstrong." - Jim Governale, KKLA

** NPR Commercials “That NPR cartoon says it all. I think I have heard Shirley Jihad on KPCC more than the hosts and reporters on NPR proper. At 20 after the hour, bottom of the hour, 40 after the hour, our contributors include. I don't need live and local news, traffic weather, just give me NPR!” - JP Myers

** The New Millennium with George Nicholaw

“Great coverage on George Nicholaw. Thank you.

I worked with George for 10 years while managing KCBSfm/Arrow 93 from 1991 through 2001 and we had many a highlight reel of conversations, mutual station challenges and several personal situations I still hold close to my heart.

One of my favorite business stories revolves around Y2K - New Year’s Eve 1999 and it focuses on how classy George Nicholaw was.

That was the year, of course, many were nervous about with respect to computers and the impact the roll-over date would have on business. Mel Karmazin was our leader in those days and despite the nature of New Year’s Eve, Mel expected his general managers to be at the radio stations at midnight that night, ‘just to make sure there were no problems.’

My wife and I were on vacation in Cabo when final word came down of what Mel’s expectations were, so we cut our holiday short and returned to LA.

At 11:30 on 12.31.99, Denise and I walked into Columbia Square and, as previously discussed, we joined George in the KNX conference room to await the coming New Year and any potential computer catastrophe.

In the conference room, we were met by George and his lovely wife, Betty, and two of their close friends with whom they were sharing the holiday. George and Betty and guests were dressed in tuxedoes and they had set champagne and cookies out on the conference room table. What class.

We enjoyed conversation until 11:59, and at midnight when nothing happened, we laughed, drank a toast and went on our ways.

George was a guy I always looked up to, whether it was the way he ran KNX, treated his employees – even his way of dealing with ratings. The world and our business was so much richer for his life and we will all miss him.” - Dave Van Dyke

Cut Frosty’s Photograph

(August 14, 2014) Frosty Stilwell, formerly with Heidi Hamilton and Frank Kramer, who are doing very well at KLOS doing mornings, hates this publicity picture on the left. It seems to surface at all the wrong times. He recently left his two-year assignment at 910 AM in San Francisco. When the announcement was made, up came this photo … again. Same photo was used when he was hired two years ago. “That is the worst photo ever taken of me,” wrote Frosty. “The proofs came back from the station publicity photo shoot and they asked me to pick a couple of my favorites and they would use those for press releases, sales material, website, and promotions when I joined the station.” He hated all the photos of himself, especially this one. He wrote back a note carefully worded to the person in charge of the photo stuff from the station. “I wrote to the young, overworked, internish part-timer and told her to use any of those photos EXCEPT the two I marked out with big X's. Please do NOT use the pics with the X. Anything else is okay with me, but please NOT the particularly bad photos which I have drawn an X through.” You are probably two steps ahead of this story. The two photos of Frosty with his giant obliterating X's were the two used. "Obviously, it was a misunderstanding, but how?” Frosty asked rhetorically. “So off to the Internet went that photo dealing with my announcement of the new talk 910 gig in the station's press release. I saw it everywhere any time my name came up, agonizingly. I believe even your website had THAT f%#$ing photo up in the personalities archive, and that was why I asked you to please use another! Now, as I've left Talk 910, there is that damned photo online AGAIN. Thanks a lot, intern.” Now, a legitimate question would be why we are using it again when we know the agony that Frosty goes through whenever he sees it. Frosty is looking for a job and we thought it might be cute to tell the story and at the same time call attention to the fact that he is available. He has returned to Southern California and would like a job in Talk Radio. He was the one bright spot on KKSF and he has done part-time work at KFI. You can reach him at: fmtalkradio@aol.com

LARadio Rewind: August 14, 2008. KDAY in Redondo Beach and KWIE in Ontario, both at 93.5 fm, end their simulcast as KDAY upgrades its signal strength from 3.4 Kw to 4.2 Kw and begins targeting the Los Angeles listeners with a mix of urban and talk. KWIE switches to urban adult contemporary to target the Inland Empire. KDAY had gone on the air in 2004 with the call letters and rhythmic/hip-hop format of the original KDAY at 1580 AM (1974-91).

In 2009, KDAY would drop urban/talk and return to a hip-hop format. That same year, KWIE changed call letters to KDEY and resumed simulcasting with KDAY. Brandi Garcia does middays and PJ Butta does afternoons. In May 2014, both stations were purchased by Meruelo Media, which also owns KWHY-Channel 22 and tv stations in Houston and Santa Barbara.

Salem GM Retires. Dave Armstrong is retiring from Salem Communications at the end of September. He has managed the Los Angeles, New York and San Diego clusters during his 20 years with Salem. Dave started in radio while still in his teens as a part-time dj at a small station in Conneaut, Ohio and has gone on to hold positions as program director, sales manager and vp/general manager during his 50 years in radio. Although he's leaving Salem, Armstrong was quick to say: "This is the end of another chapter in my work book but it's not the final chapter and I'm excited to see what's next!" We can’t either. Dave understands programming, sales and how to manage a cluster. His next journey will be very exciting. Salem Radio Division President, Dave Santrella, had this to say about Armstrong's departure: "Dave has been a tremendous leader in our company and his creative contributions have created legacy attributes that Salem enjoys to this day and will enjoy well into the future. For that we are forever grateful."

Rome to KFWB. Jim Rome’s return to LA Radio took longer than expected, but KFWB finally confirmed that the sports broadcaster will return when 980 AM flips to an all-Sports line-up in early September. He will be heard from 9 a.m. to noon.

“I am so thrilled to be returning home to Los Angeles on KFWB,” Rome said. CBS Sports Radio has provided me with an incredible opportunity to communicate with our nationwide audience via various platforms but to reunite with our L.A. based fans is particularly meaningful to me, personally and professionally. I look forward to bringing the jungle back home to Los Angeles."

Since January 2013, Rome has been the cornerstone for CBS Sports Radio and his syndicated show appears in every major market except for Southern California. The KFWB Asset Trust is accommodating Rome and the CBS company with a move to an all-Sports format with Rome and an undisclosed line-up of sports figures.

“It’s been nearly two years since Southern Californians have been able to enjoy Jim’s show and he is just a hint of what listeners can expect from the new KFWB sports lineup,” said Diane Sutter, Trustee for KFWB Asset Trust. “We’re thrilled and excited to bring Jim back home to his many L.A. sports fans.”

Radio Disney Selling Radio Stations. Radio Disney is selling 23 of 24 stations, effective September 26. The lone station in the portfolio will be KDIS (1110 AM), however, most of the local employees, along with about 200 nationwide, will depart the station next month with corporate running the operation. Radio Disney’s general manager, Phil Guerini, issued the following note to Radio Disney staff:

Dear Colleagues,

Across all forms of media, digital technology continues to dramatically change consumer habits - from the iPad, mobile devices and the push of connected devices into the home - and these changes compel us to evaluate and evolve our businesses.  Today, we're announcing meaningful changes to our Radio Disney business.

Radio Disney will be increasing investment in both digital distribution platforms and music-centric programming.  These decisions will optimize Radio Disney for long-term growth and better reflect the habits of the consumers we serve -- a national audience of kids and families.  We are partnering with the most popular digital radio services including our distribution partner of over 12 years, SiriusXM, and the newly forged agreements with ShowMobile, Slacker and Harman's Aha Radio.  We also have our fast growing Radio Disney App for iPhone, iPad and Android, our WATCH Disney Channel partnership and our Top 30 syndication partnership that's building across the U.S.  We will also be exploring new digital extensions of Radio Disney's programming, including the Radio Disney Music Awards and Radio Disney's Next Big Thing (N.B.T.).

As part of this investment shift, at the end of September, we will be selling 23 of our 24 local radio stations, retaining KDIS-AM Los Angeles to originate Radio Disney's national network programming.   The operations of the Los Angeles station will be picked up by the national team. These changes will result in the elimination of some positions, adjustments to other roles and the addition of some new positions.  Today and tomorrow, we will be talking individually to those directly affected.  Please know that we approached this decision with care and rigor and will provide transition support to those who will be departing the organization.

I have always been impressed with the dedication and camaraderie of the people at the Radio Disney network and local stations.  Thanks to that teamwork, Radio Disney leads the radio industry in delivering age-appropriate music and entertainment for kids and families.   As we wish our colleagues all the best, we remain committed to continuing the momentum.

Sincerely, Phil”

Van Dyke Rebuilds The Bridge. Dave Van Dyke, former general manager at “Arrow 93” from 1991-2001, announced his departure from his position as Vice President Broadcast Affiliations at Radiate Media. “As you may know, I have been managing the radio affiliations division of Radiate Media (formerly traffic.com) since 2010,” emailed Dave. “Radiate Media has 1300+ radio affiliates in addition to a number of tv affiliates. These stations carry Radiate traffic information through on-air traffic reporting, traffic data, traffic maps and digital traffic solutions. The company enjoys relationships with a variety of companies of all sizes including Cumulus, CBS, Entercom, Lincoln Financial, Hubbard, Salem and Entravision.”

Van Dyke will return to overseeing the operations of media consumption research company, Bridge Ratings. Bridge Ratings is about to release their annual analysis of the complete media landscape in “The Gauntlet: New Media’s Impact on Broadcast Radio Listening” portions of which will be available to view on Bridge Ratings’ Facebook page later this month (FB search:  “Bridge Ratings & Media Analysis”).

You can reach out to Dave at: 323.696.0967 or at: dvd@bridgeratings.com.

Funnie.

Email Thursday

We GET Email …

** Sick Humor

“What kind of a sick person wishes  a person dead in place of someone they esteem more ... even in jest, if such it was?

Why, too, would it be posted?” – John Hindsill

** McIntyre’s McCartney Experience

“Thanks for linking to Doug McIntyre's review of the McCartney concert. His great writing made me feel like I was in the stadium.” - Dawna Kaufmann, Los Angeles

** LARadio Support

“I just saw the Subscribe button today :). Your newsletter is a must for dedicated radio fans like me. I wish you much success with this new funding method.” – Janice Jacobson

** Terry Wedel’s Retirement

“Terry Wedel retiring from KSBR at Saddleback College is a good thing for Terry and his family but for those of us lingering in our final days of glory we miss him like crazy.

He knows every area of the station and has the wisdom of Moses and the mind of a genius, but most of all as a great teacher who can also be your best friend in need.

Enjoy your family and whatever else you choose. You are my mentor and everyone’s best friend.” -  Jack Naimo 

Beasing Sounds Off as #6 Best Off-Air LARP of 2014

(August 12, 2014) In the early summer of 2008, Dave Beasing joined the senior management team as program director of 100.3fm/The Sound, a Triple A station launched a year earlier. In 2009, Beasing made his first appearance on the list of the Best Off-Air LARP of the Year. This year he has moved up to #6 Best Off-Air LARP of 2014, from #9 last year. Last month, The Sound ranked #8 most popular station.

Dozens of working LA Radio People voted for their peer group, which resulted in the Top 10 Best list. Dave is no stranger to the programming ranks in Los Angeles, having been program director at KYSR and KXEZ in the 1990s. Before joining The Sound, he was a senior consultant with Jacobs Media for 13 years.  

When he was appointed pd at The Sound he said: “From the moment I first heard The Sound I knew whoever programmed this brand would experience the opportunity of a lifetime. Thanks to Greg [Solk, Bonneville vice president of programming] for including me in what is shaping up to be an unparalleled team of broadcast professionals. Thanks also to Fred Jacobs, his staff and clients for an incredible 13-year run. They have prepared me well for this assignment.”  

Before arriving in the Southland, Dave also programmed KMZU-Carrollton, Missouri, KLIN-Lincoln, KRMG-Tulsa and spent three years with WLTI-Detroit where he had been appointed pd in 1990.

Some of the comments about Dave from those who voted for him: 

• "Tries his best to program creatively in a PPM world."

• "A good guy getting good results."

• "One of the few programmers who seems to still understand radio. Answers letters from listeners personally."

• "Dave has been a successful programmer and consultant. Despite being up against demographics and having a standalone station, he has done something KMET was never able to do - beat KLOS.'

• "If I ever had the chance, I'd like to work for Dave Beasing. You get the feeling that Beasing actually trusts his on-air talent, something that is sadly rare in local radio."

• "He's made a commitment to the audience."

• “A steady programming hand. He understands the market.”

Hear Ache. Dr. Cyril H. Wecht, the world's best-known medical examiner, and his partner in crime (writing), Dawna Kaufmann, have released their latest exciting collaboration, Ann Rule Presents---Final Exams: True Crime Cases from Cyril Wecht … KSCA’s Good, Bad, and Ugly morning show has made impressive ratings. Who are the personalities? 'El Bueno' is Raul Molinar, Sylvia del Valle is 'La Mala' and Andres Maldonado is 'El Feo.' ... Bryan Simmons reports that the Coroner has given the go ahead and Minda's burial will happen tomorrow at Rose Hills Cemetery ... A publicist for Casey Kasem’s daughter says the late radio personality’s children are working with law enforcement following a report that Kasem’s wife is making arrangements to have Kasem’s body flown to Europe.

Overheard.

• “Robin Williams could make us all laugh and make us smile, but he was unable in this moment in time to make himself smile and get through to the next day.” (Elizabeth Espinosa, KFI)"

• "Do intergalatical space ship guys ever get afraid when it gets bumpy or tubulent or are they just cool with it?" (Dennis Miller, KRLA)

• "You know a marketing trick ... free-range chickens. What's the difference in a chicken that's raised inside a pen and one that's running around in the backyard? Nothing." (Rush Limbaugh, KEIB)

Terry Wedel Retires. It is the end of an era in Southern California broadcasting. Terry Wedel, Director of Broadcast Services of KSBR/fm (Saddleback College), has retired after 36 years of service to the college and more importantly KSBR. "He has been instrumental in assisting many LA Radio people achieve their dream of having a career in broadcasting, both on-air and behind the scenes," wrote Bob Goodman. Terry personally was responsible for me getting back into radio after a 25 year hiatus, and for almost 15 years he has handed me the keys to the mothership known as KSBR where I do my Whole 'Nuther Thing." Enjoy your time Terry, and rest with the satisfaction that you help so many young people and older people.

LARadio Rewind: August 13, 1959. Danny Bonaduce is born Dante Daniel Bonaduce in Broomall, Pennsylvania. He joined the Screen Actors Guild at age four and had small roles in episodes of Bewitched and The Andy Griffith Show. He co-starred on ABC/tv's The Partridge Family, 1970-74, playing a singer and bassist in a family band. He released a self-titled album in 1973 but later admitted that most of the vocals were provided by Bruce Roberts. (Roberts would record four albums of his own and write such hits as The Lucky One, No More Tears and The Main Event).

On radio, Danny worked at WEGX in Philadelphia, KKFR in Phoenix, WLUP in Chicago and WKQI in Detroit. He co-hosted mornings at KYSR, 1999-2005, and hosted a program on KLSX, 2007-09. He also spent a year as co-host on Adam Corolla's syndicated program. On television, Danny co-hosted NBC's daytime talk show, The Other Half, 2001-03, starred with his wife Gretchen in a VH1 reality series, Breaking Bonaduce, 2005-06, and hosted VH1's I Know My Kid's A Star in 2007. After a stint at WYSP in Philadelphia, Danny took over the morning show at KZOK in Seattle in 2011 and is now that city's highest-rated dj.

Funnie.

 Anyone lose a cat? 

Email Wednesday

We GET Email …

** George’s Admirable Career

“Mr. Nicholaw had a gift for being personable and inclusive regardless of your position at KNX. He visited the newsroom and side studios regularly. His office door was always open to you; and if you wanted privacy, there was a switch at his desk with which he could close that door quietly without drama.

Mr. Nicholaw met regularly with civic leaders and citywide volunteers to know their concerns and aspirations. I worked different shifts and it was not unusual for Mr. Nicholaw to show up in the middle of the night to tweak, rewrite and record his editorials as the news flow warranted.

When Mr. Nicholaw was running things, dress and comportment was corporate but somehow easy at the same time. Condolences, but what a life well lived and an admirable career.” - Pat Larsen (KNX 1981-2010)

** George Expected the Best from Everyone

“I was saddened to learn of George Nicholaw’s passing. For those of us who work there, you can’t think of KNX without thinking of George Nicholaw. The two were intertwined. George expected the best from everyone at KNX.

Back in the day, the CBS general managers had a foot switch under their desk to close their office door. If you were summoned to a meeting with George and the door closed behind you, you knew you were in trouble. If you did something wrong, best to own up to it right away.  If you didn’t, you stood your ground. George was tough, but fair.

George set the standard high. There will never be another George Nicholaw. It was indeed a privilege to work for George for 16 years.” - Michael P. Smith, Director of Engineering, CBS Radio

** News Legacy

“I never met George Nicholaw, but it's obvious that many of those that did really appreciated him as a person and as a broadcast leader. I always thought that KNX did a great job with the news and editorials. I still listen to KNX at night here in Northern California. Their 50,000 signal comes in real good at night. George laid the foundation for a great news legacy. It's great that many have so many good things to say.” – Dave Paulson

** Robin Williams’ Death

“Why couldn’t it have been Carrot Top?” – Don Elliot

** IE Format Change

“I've noticed that KFNY 1440 in the Inland Empire has again switched formats, this time from iHeart radio's 24/7 Comedy Channel, to a news/talk format. I think this happened on August 4th if I'm correct. Now, I'll have to go elsewhere on the web to get laughs … lol.” - Anthony Kardoes, Riverside 

LARPs Filled with Memories of George Nicholaw

(August 12, 2014) George Nicholaw died Saturday night at the age of 86 and the outpouring of memories about the iconic CBS Radio leader of KNX are still coming in. As you scroll down to the Email Tuesday section, you will read some wonderful stories from people who worked with George, who socialized with George and his wife Betty, and Dan Mason, president of CBS Radio. No word yet on funeral services, but information will be posted once it is announced.

O’Reilly Mention on The View. On her final day co-hosting The View, Sherri Shepherd gave an emotional farewell speech that included the mention of Bill O’Reilly, according to Newser.com. “Bill O’Reilly said I was a pinhead,” Shepherd said during her farewell episode. “I remember one time another talk show host said, ‘a potato sack could replace Sherri Shepherd,’ and I started crying, and they must have told Whoopi because Whoopi came in and she was like ‘look at me, look at me…if Barbara Walters didn’t think you could do this, she wouldn’t have asked you to be here.” 

Hear Ache. Tom Storey just returned from a week in Florida. They spent time in the Keys, staying at Hawks Kay resort on Duck Island … Dominic Garcia, veteran of 1110/KRLA, has been acting while waiting for his next radio gig. In a recent Ray Donovan, Dominic plays the cut man in the boxing ring. “Of course, I know that everyone is looking at the Ring Girl,” quipped Dominic … Mike Nolan celebrates 28 years with KFI and KOST this week. “It has been a career well beyond what I could have ever hoped to have, and I will leave proud of what I have accomplished,” emailed Mike … KABC’s John Phillips lost his identity last week when his debit card fell into the wrong hands … Howard Stern has expressed support for Israel in the conflict, according to The Hollywood Reporter … Sony didn’t make any friends when they decided to put out an ‘N Sync compilation album, reportedly without telling the band.

Overheard.

• “The lobster truck is huge here. They put it on a bun. People love that stuff.” (Jillian Barberie, KABC)

• “Abercrombie outspent his opponent 10 to 1 over this guy who beat him. Remember, he was endorsed by Hawaiian-born President, Barack Obama, and yet this incumbent governor got smashed. I ask you, do you feel this historic defeat in Hawaii is a statement against Obama and a harbinger of things to come in November?” (Michael Savage)

• “Guardians of the Galaxy was very fun.” (Lisa May, KROQ)

• “Mob-Con 2014 is coming to Las Vegas in September. Attendees will probably park in valet so somebody else can start their cars.” (Ira David Sternberg)

• “It is pretty rare that you come across someone who has a limit on their texts or pays per text. Overseas, text messages are a la carte. You might get 100 messages free with your plan but everything beyond that you pay five cents or ten cents per text message.” (Christian Wheel, Let’s Talk Tech, KFWB) 

• “The plot of the Hundred-Foot Journey is totally predictable. In the last 20 minutes it just goes over the top with cheese ball corniness that doesn’t deserve a Michelin rating.” (Michael Medved, KRLA) 

• “Did you know that a sweet potato is not a potato at all? (Melinda Lee, KNX)

Funnie. Two young boys walked into a pharmacy one day, picked out a box of tampons, and proceeded to the checkout counter.  The man at the counter asked the older boy, "Son, how old are you?"  "Eight," the boy replied.  The man continued, "Do you know what these are for?"

The boy answered, "Not exactly but they aren't for me.  They're for him.  He's my brother.  He's four.  We saw on TV that if you use these, you would be able to swim and ride a bike.  Right now, he can't do either."

Email Tuesday

We Got More Email about George Nicholaw …

**Thanks again for a superb job of assembling a tribute on the passing of a radio news giant. You never disappoint.” – Bob Sims

***

“George laid the groundwork for decades of first class journalism at KNX. His legacy will be shared by many for years to come.” - Dan Mason, President and CEO, CBS Radio

***

“George was a stellar man; admired, respected, and revered by everyone I ever met who knew him, inside and out of our business. His editorials were legendary, always aimed at making LA a better place and all of us better people. The SCBA created a scholarship in his name after he left his beloved KNX. It seemed only fitting that George be able to continue to influence directly people in LA radio. 

Here's to George for making KNX an icon, for making radio something everyone talked about and for making us proud to be associated with radio and with George.” - Mary Beth Garber, Katz Radio Group

***

“When I was working morning drive in the newsroom, I'd sometimes have a moment to look up when George walked through. I didn't really know him yet, but along with everyone else on staff, always received a Christmas gift with a personalized tag. I loved his handwriting.! When I moved down the hall to Community Services, I started out with ‘Mr. Nicholaw’ to which he replied, ‘Call me George.’ 

I called him George.

As a member of the editorial board, with Pat Smith, Bob Sims, Dottie Sharkey, Steve Smith and later, David Ysais, George could be intimidating. But he welcomed other points of view, took direction when recording the editorials and even read the ones I wrote with the certainty [and sometimes the wink] they required.

I'll miss him.” - Monica Jung McGarva

***

“What a wonderful man. Bill Stout and I used to talk to him every day over there. A real loss. He was always so nice and gentle to me and encouraging.” – Pat O’Brien

***

“A beautiful, comprehensive, and loving tribute for a giant of a man in our industry. Thank you, Don, for honoring George with such care and expanse.” - Keri Tombazian

***

“It was 2001 and I was filling in for Jim Thornton. Mr. Nicholaw came into the traffic booth and proceeded to tell me the story how he and Bill Keene came up with traffic and weather together. l was thinking this is the man who put the format on the air in 1968 and was talking to me. When he left, he turned to me and said you do a really good job. I thought to myself, ‘Wow.’” – Tommy Jaxson

***

“What a terrific story...really well done. I met George about 15 years ago at a CBS manager’s summit and really enjoyed our conversation. After moving to LA over 2 years ago I had the privilege of seeing him at Wilshire Country Club. He still had that spark. He lived a full life, but it's still a great loss.” - Peter  Bowen

***

“George was a one-of-a-kind type of person. He was the lifeblood of KNX for decades. He ran it with passion for the product, the people, the stories, the image and the listeners. This is a very rare commodity in today’s broadcast world.  George had a great sense of humor, a thirst for life and a passion for many things. He was a true friend, a mentor and a role-model for anyone in the radio business.

His desire to be the best and keep KNX top of mind was what drove him the most. He did his job, but his passion was making KNX the top news station in Los Angeles.

He will be missed, they don’t make a lot of George Nicholaw’s.” - Bob Moore

***

“Thanks for a great tribute piece on a legendary Los Angeles broadcaster. George Nicholaw was one we all dealt with in great fashion for many years.” – Chuck Southcott

***

“The news of George Nicholaw's passing is profoundly saddening to those of us who knew and worked with him. Bob Sims hired me at KNX, but it was George who gave the approval. Bill Paley picked George to go to Los Angeles and launch the KNX news format. It was a time when you didn't just go to work for CBS, you joined CBS.

George set a standard of class and elegance at KNX. Reporters wore office attire because they represented the station and maintained the image of the station when in the field.  Grammar was important.  George was a general manager who ran the radio station. He knew its different departments, what they each did, and how they interacted. When he found out that my daughter had been accepted to Cal, he sent her a dozen yellow roses with a blue ribbon. George was proud of his time at Berkeley and wanted to encourage her. You may remember ‘Traffic Every Six Minutes,’ it was George Nicholaw who put that in place. 

When I had an opportunity to move to a different market for what I thought would a better opportunity, George convinced me to stay. George was involved in all aspects of the station but in a way that was neither obvious nor intrusive.  Reporters and anchors rarely felt any direct influence from him but he was running the show. Somehow we all knew that and could even find some measure of comfort in that. George had our backs. When he was forced out of the station that he had built, I went to his office to express my regrets. We talked for about a half hour and he told me that he was fine, but felt concern for the uncertain times ahead for the rest of us. He hugged me and wished me and my family well. He and his committed and caring style of management are sorely missed.” - Tom Haule, KNX

***

“I have the utmost respect for George. He was very kind to me.” - Tommy Edwards

***

“Thanks so much for the story about George. 

My wife Mary and I became good friends with George and Betty , serving on  the NAB Board together in the early 2000's. He was a great old soul, and a Capital ‘B’ broadcaster. I used to enjoy drinking vodka with him and listen to all those old broadcasting stories.” - Jerry Zimmer, President, Zimmer Broadcasting, Cape Girardeau, MO 

---

George Nicholaw - A Giant Broadcaster

(August 11, 2014) Friday night I was alerted by a member of the Los Angeles Tennis Club, where George Nicholaw had been an active member for decades and where he was an avid tennis player, that George was under hospice care. Not good. Twenty four hours later he died on August 9. He was 86.

I was a big fan of George Nicholaw. I never worked for him so I never experienced what some called a very tough taskmaster. To me he was the ultimate radio guy. He loved the medium. When it came time to present the first LARadio Lifetime Achievement Award, there was overwhelming agreement that the honor should go to George. The luncheon was covered in detail at the time I thought a reprint of those stories might pay tribute to a true legendary broadcaster. 

(June 8, 2009) Last year I had lunch with George Nicholaw, the veteran KNX general manager. It was a fascinating few hours as we traipsed through his broadcast journey. I wrestled with the story for months and never seemed to be able to do justice to this LARadio icon and community stalwart. His contributions were just bigger than life. It dawned on me a month and a half ago that the LARadio community needed to pay tribute to him in a way that was never done when he left CBS in 2003. (Barrett interviewing Nicholaw)

When I called George to tell him that I wanted to put together a luncheon and present him with a LARadio Lifetime Achievement Award, his first reaction was “well, I don’t know if anyone would come.” 

Well, come they did. On Saturday afternoon his friends, former colleagues, and fans of LARadio.com packed the upstairs cabaret room at Vitello’s Restaurant in Studio City. One by one they arrived. Bob Sims, longtime news director, flew in from Dallas. Ed Pyle, George’s last news director came in from Florida. And the current KNX program and news directors, Andy Ludlum and Julie Chin were there, as well as former KNX chief David G. Hall, now program director at KABC.  

While munching on Pizzettis being passed around the room, others greeted each other during the light buffet luncheon. There was Pat Smith, George’s secretary for 30 years. KNX voices past and present, Gail Eichenthal, Bob McCormick, Larry Van Nuys, Frank Mottek, and John North warmly greeted the “behind the scenes” KNXers from the past, including Ronnie Bradford, Carol Shook, Monica McGarva, and Raul Moreno. (Photo: Bob Sims, Frank Mottek, and George Nicholaw)

Following the meet and greet and lunch, LA City Councilman Tom LaBonge was a surprise guest. The Fourth District Councilman presented George with a Congratulatory Commendation signed by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and all the members of the City Council, saluting his Lifetime Achievement Award. “You were the Wizard of Oz, George. You were the man behind the curtain. You brought a voice and a face to KNX 1070.” LaBonge continued: “No one will ever replace the impact that George had and his relationship with KNX and the city. You truly set the bar so high. On behalf of the people of Los Angeles and all the listeners from San Diego to Santa Barbara, congratulations!”

Following the presentation from Councilman LaBonge, George sat for an hour and took us through his life. He grew up in Salinas and originally wanted to pursue a career in television but he was told that he needed to get some experience in radio first. He joined KDON-Monterey, doing everything including his own show called “Real George George,” playing r&b hits by the Crows and the Robins. (City Councilman Tom LaBonge presenting George with a Congratulatory Commendation)

George would take his family dog, Troy, to the station. “It seemed like every time I opened the microphone he started barking,” remembered George. “Finally what I did was pretend that the dog was making the announcements and I was translating it.” George eventually got a sponsor for the show, Dr. Ross Dog Food, and billboards would promote the dog food with pictures of Troy plastered all over the Monterey Bay Area. Dr. Ross became the biggest seller in the area. Don Elliot yelled out the jingle from the audience, which a number of people sang along with Don: “Dr. Ross Dog Food is doggone good. Woof.”

In 1955, George arrived in Los Angeles without a job and five months later went to work at CBS Center as a page for $39 a week. “That meant a lot of bologna sandwiches.” George went to work at KNXT in the publicity department, then on to WBBM/TV-Chicago and WCBS/TV-New York. He met his wife-to-be, Betty, at WCBS/TV. (Photo: KUSC pd Gail Eichenthal, longtime KNX apd Ronnie Bradford, and KNX midday anchor Linda Nunez)

Around 1967, William S. Paley, chief architect of CBS, wanted his seven AM stations to go all-News. George had a cursory experience with an all-News station when he worked in Chicago. He went by WNUS to visit Gordon McLendon’s all-News operation. “I was so shocked when I saw the news anchor introduce the reporter at the scene of the story and the reporter was just in the next room on the other side of the glass. I thought McLendon really knows what he’s doing, this format doesn’t cost all that much.” 

When Paley announced his decision to pursue all-News formats for his AM stations, George actively went after the job at KNX, despite the fact his friends thought he was crazy to even think of leaving tv and go into radio. “Plus Betty loved New York so she wasn’t packing any bags. I went through all the interviews and eventually got the job. I was so excited to come back to Los Angeles and to work in the building where I worked for three years.” (Photo: Former KNX news director Ed Pyle and retired KNXer John North)

George announced in January 1968 that KNX was going all-News on April 15. The next day, Westinghouse, owner of KFWB and already experienced in all-News radio, announced that 980 AM was also going all-News on March 15, getting a 30-day jump on George and KNX. The following day, Gordon McLendon announced that he was abandoning the all-News format at XTRA 690. “It was one of those kinds of trains that happen sometimes. I was encouraged to go sooner to beat KFWB but I figured we already made the announcement and I was already extremely confident of our being extremely successful. So we launched on tax day,” said George. 

Some anxiety was created before the launch of KNX. “Frank Georg was the news director and Bob Irvine was the assistant news director. Two weeks before KFWB was to go on the air and after I spent a great deal of time with Frank, he came in and quit and went over to KFWB. They offered him so much more money and off he went. Bob came to me and said that he was going with Frank if I didn’t make him news director. I told him to go downstairs and play news director.” When Irvine went into tv, George brought in Jim Zaillian as news director. “It all worked out very well.” 

1. Brent Seltzer, Meg McDonald, George Nicholaw, Mary Beth Garber;
2. KABC pd David G. Hall and KNX news director Julie Chin

When KNX was launched, the conventional thinking would be that the all-News station would be all-news. “It was hardly the case,” said George. “The network had ten minutes of news on the hour with a five-minute news program within the hour. At 9 a.m. we had Arthur Godfrey for an hour, followed by Art Linkletter for an hour and then Bob Crosby for an hour. On top of all that they had sports events that we were carrying like the World Series and the NFL. During the all-night show I had Music ‘Til Dawn. I’m sitting there saying I’m going to be an all-News station? Oh boy, this was a tough one, believe you me.” 

To counter these obstacles, George created an instant perception of KNX. In a stroke of genius, George bought billboards all over town with the faces of the very popular KNXT/Channel 2 Big News personalities: Jerry Dunphy, Bill Keene, Bill Stout, Ralph Story and Gil Stratton with the promotional line – KNX Newsradio 1070. “Everybody thought we were in the news business and it worked extremely well for us,” said George. “It took some time before we were able to release ourselves from the network shows and into a full schedule of news radio.” 

Shortly after launching KNX, the station had three newsmen following Bobby Kennedy’s visit to the Southland and they all ended up at the Ambassador Hotel. “I was at the station that evening because it was election night and on election night you were always at the station. I was in the process of deciding when we were going to return to regular programming. I passed the studios just as the actual shots were broadcast over KNX. You could hear people screaming. At first we didn’t know what had transpired. It was a real tragic situation. Everything else had stopped for the evening and Bobby Kennedy’s speech was the last thing we were going to cover. We had one reporter with Kennedy and two other reporters had finished their assignments and had gone to the Ambassador to help cover the Kennedy speech. That’s why our coverage was so complete down in the kitchen as we followed Kennedy.” 

LARadio continues the coverage of George Nicholaw’s day of celebration on receiving his Lifetime Achievement Award. George talks about critical decisions in covering Watergate, OJ and his feelings when his time with KNX came to an end in 2003. (Thanks to Alan Oda for all the photos from the Nicholaw event)

(June 9, 2009) George Nicholaw, longtime KNX general manager, was honored Saturday with a LARadio Lifetime Achievement Award. Yesterday in part one of our story, George recalled his beginnings in Salinas radio at KDON up until the time he launched KNX Newsradio 1070 on April 15, 1968. Within months, KNX was there live when Bobby Kennedy was shot.  Now, part two of the story.  Despite the change to the new format, KNX still had a number of shows from the network – Arthur Godfrey, Bob Crosby, Art Linkletter, Music ‘Til Dawn – which George was able to dismantle over the course of the first year. With the hour blocks gone it seemed strange that George would be adding locally produced programs to the all-News station. (Don Barrett presenting LA Radio Lifetime Achievement Award to George Nicholaw)

“I formatted the station in my own mind to follow a newspaper. A food section was part of a newspaper and there was a drama section. You name it and I tried to do it. I even had a horoscope. We were journalists and I figured that whatever a newspaper was doing we ought to be doing the same damn thing. That’s how that started. The food news hour started with Mike Roy and Denny Bracken.” 

Left: Linda Nunez, Dottie Sharkey, Donna Page
Right: Betty Nicholaw seems to be asking Bob Sims where the heck he went the day after 9-11

News events will define a station. Two major events happened during Nicholaw’s reign and how he covered them made local radio history – Watergate and the OJ Trial. “Watergate was quite interesting. The actual case was going from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., which was morning drive and there were no commercial breaks. And then it came back at 11 a.m. and went to 2 p.m. You were giving up all your commercial time. The news director, Jim Zaillian, wanted to know if we were going to cover Watergate. I said of course we’re going to cover Watergate because they are going to kick the President of the United States out of office. I can’t think of a more major news story. You know, we were the only station in the nation that carried that thing. The first person in my office was Ray Barnett [sales manager] asking, ‘What are we doing here?’ I told Ray to go to the advertisers and tell them we’re going to give them two spots for one and you won’t lose a single advertiser. And we didn’t. We were #1 in the ratings during that period of time.”

 KNX anchor Larry Van Nuys, traffic maven Lisa Osborne, OC Register's Gary Lycan,
and HOT 92.3's Ron Shapiro

George explained why KNX was so successful with their wall-to-wall Watergate coverage. He said that employers wouldn’t allow workers to sit around and watch the Watergate hearings but they could listen on the radio while they were working. “That was a very exciting time down in our newsroom. And it really worked.” 

More than two decades later, it was former NFL running back Orenthal James (OJ) Simpson on trial for the murder of his former wife and another acquaintance. During the O.J. trial, everyone thought George was nuts for carrying it live. “It was our time and Judge Ito had enough talks at the bench. The minute prosecuting attorney Marsha Clark was walking up to the judge, we just shoveled those commercials in there.” Audience roared and loved the references.

Was George ever second guessed from corporate on his programming or revenue ideas? “No! All they cared about basically that you did something and that you were going to serve the community and you were also going to make money. KNX was the only CBS station to make a profit in its very first year. Some of the stations took eight years, ten years. The first budget I had said I was going to lose $2 million the first year and I thought, oh my God, I’ll get fired. They didn’t teach us that at Berkeley.” (Nicholaw with KNX/KCAL's Bob McCormick)

 Over the years sports franchises wanted to broadcast on KNX because of its incredible coverage with 50,000 watts. “The first person to come see me was Jack Kent Cooke. It was the first year the Kings were in town and he told me they had a 10-year contract. I said, ‘hockey on radio? You’ve got to be kidding.’ The deal was for one year and they were trying to get me to sign for 10 years even before they opened here. In one of the early years we had six different sports events going on with Kings, Lakers, USC football and basketball, the Rams, and network sports. We had to purchase additional tape machines to play back sports when they overlapped.”

 Reed Berry, Andy Ludlum, Gary Heller, George Nicholaw

George recounted his first meeting with Al Davis. “I went up to Oakland to talk with him about bringing the Raiders down to Los Angeles. I walked into his office and everything was silver and black. And then he walked in. He had a black jacket and gray trousers. I’m standing there in an olive suit and the first thing said was, ‘I wore the wrong suit.’ We made a deal but they didn’t come down. But we broadcast the Raiders for two years, which was a very good deal for us. After that he wanted $1 million per season and we didn’t do it. He went over to KRLA and called him and told him I thought it was the wrong station. Then he wanted out of it and I called me up and invited me down to El Segundo [Raiders training camp] for lunch. We talked and talked and finally I said why don’t we go to lunch. And he said, ‘no lunch,’ so I left and stopped at McDonald’s on the way back to the station.” 

“Al Davis was a very dedicated individual,” said George. “It’s too bad he didn’t make it down here. We should have a National Football League team.” 

Jackye Shaun, Rick Sietsema, Gail Eichenthal, Mike Adachi and Ronnie Bradford

To talk about the beginning of his journey with KNX would not be complete without talking about how it ended in 2003. “There’s not too much to say. They sent out a press release announcing that I wasn’t going to be there any longer without telling me. They made it very difficult from my standpoint to accept that situation. When I was informed, I was quite surprised. The station was doing very well. All of a sudden I’m in my 49^th year with this company and you might think they would have let me stick around to 50. It is a round number that resonates with a lot of people.” 

Mark Pennington, Fred Taylor, Allen Latter, Alfred Archuleta, Don Elliot, and Richard Rudman

George said he holds no animosity towards anyone at CBS. “I had a great career from my standpoint that was very successful. I really enjoyed my job and going from television to radio, my God, I was the luckiest guy in the world.” 

When I asked about his recent issues with cancer, he paused for a moment and said, “I’m still here!” Audience broke out in spontaneous applause. 

How does George spend his days in retirement? “You have to figure out ways to get out of someone else’s way during the course of the day.  And I do it quite nicely.” He plays bridge twice a week and tennis four days a week and the seventh day is a holiday for him and his wife Betty. They moved into a condo recently on the Wilshire Country Club grounds. 

At the conclusion of the question & answer period, George was presented with the LARadio Lifetime Achievement Award. The group at the sold-out venue in the cabaret room at Vitello’s stood spontaneously and gave George a rousing standing ovation. Whotta' career and whotta' man!

The technical part of the event was handled spectacularly by Richard Rudman. He recorded the afternoon festivities. Rick Sietsema provided just the right amount of sounders from KNX. 

Email Monday

We GOT Email about George Nicholaw...

***

“George was a class act. He was an icon in the radio business achieving success and longevity second to none. 

He loved his tennis and KNX all-News radio with a passion. We enjoyed visiting with he and Betty many times over the years at various industry functions, such as the WSAAA, NBA and SCBA. 

George and his wife Betty were always genuine and kind to my wife, Sandy and I. 

He was a standard bearer akin to Ben Hoberman and Stan Spero, a great friend to the Radio Industry. He was a good listener and open to new ideas. 

You will be missed George.” – Norm Epstein 

*** 

“Very sad, George was a one of a kind, great broadcaster.” – Bob Koontz 

*** 

“This is truly sad at any age. George was such a kind, and gracious person. It was a privilege to have known him.” – Lynda Parets 

*** 

“So sorry to hear about George Nicholaw, another of the people who made radio great and made great radio is gone.  George was the general manager when I worked at KNX in the early 90s.  I was between on-air gigs here in L.A. and Ed Pyle and Bob Sims were wonderful, bringing me on as a fill-in writer.   

George made sure to personally say hello to me and welcome me to KNX.  I was so impressed that Christmas when a box of candies or cookies was delivered to each and every person in the newsroom, even someone like me at the time, who was just filling in.  That was the way it should be done.   

So many general managers and program directors should take a page out of George's book concerning his passion for his station, his air sound and his personnel. I am so honored as I look back on my career and recall all of the amazing people that I have had the honor and privilege of working with. It is so sad that 'they don't make them like George anymore.'” – Tammy Trujillo    

*** 

“What a great loss. The man really understood radio and what our responsibility is to our community.” – Mike Sakellarides 

*** 

“This is sad to hear.  

When I would work in the KNX building at Columbia Square, he would always make time to come into my studio to say hello or give me a wave as he passed by the studio. Nice man.  

Sometime later my friend Alicia and I did a weekend show on KIEV and interviewed him. He was a great guest. Articulate, intelligent, and a real passion for radio.” – Dominick Garcia 

*** 

“My condolences to the family on the passing of one of the greatest people in the history of Los Angeles radio. 

Mr. Nicholaw did more to foster an understanding of what was transpiring in Los Angeles, the State of California and the world than any other person I can think of. 

To lose him so closely to the loss of Jess Marlow is a difficult thing for anyone who appreciates the power of news disseminators to absorb.   

Rest in peace, Mr. Nicholaw.” - Bill Mann 

*** 

“George Nicholaw has died and with him, much creative thought, many concepts, and outstanding management ability and techniques. He will be missed - personally and professionally. 

May those fortunate enough to have been mentored by him prosper, as they cherish his memory and flourish in what he passed forward to them. 

The flag might be raised half-mast. Oh, but the bar has been lowered. He truly set standards.” – Don Elliot 

***

 “George was a longtime friend and someone I got to know close up and personal. George was someone who constantly strove for excellence.  His editorials on KNX were compelling words of wisdom spoken from the heart with passion and sincerity. I had two great luncheons with George, one at the Brown Derby in Hollywood, his treat. And one at the Jonathan Club, my treat. Spending this one on one with George was something I all always remember. 

He was a very well-grounded person with a passion for honesty and serving the public. Serving his fellow man was his greatest joy.” - Joe Cosgrove 

*** 

“I met George Nicholaw in February 1976, when I joined the KNX news department. I was there 13 years [under 3 outstanding news/program directors], the last 7 of which were spent as executive producer/assistant program director. I later spent 11 years as George’s counterpart, four as gm of two CBS stations in Detroit and then 7 as gm of KFWB, competing for the news audience with KNX in the CBS radio cluster. It was eleven years ago next month that George and I were let go from CBS within 30 minutes of one another by the then-president of the radio division [who thought he had a better idea for running the stations]. He, after 47 years, and I after 27 years. So I knew him pretty well.   

George was fiercely protective of his radio station. And he was a fierce competitor [both in business and on the tennis court]. Both attributes served KNX well. He was also a pioneer—the first, for example, to bring Sixty Minutes to the radio on Sunday evenings. He ran a first-class radio station, and a first-class business. His believed in his people. He believed in diversity. He believed in a radio station’s obligation to serve its community. He believed in the slogan, ‘Get it first; get it right.’  

We didn’t always see eye-to-eye [I nearly quit the day of the Whittier earthquake when KNX dropped out of wall-to-wall quake coverage to do the Food News Hour at 10 a.m.], and there were times that I felt his competitive nature getting the best of him even as KNX and KFWB were under the same corporate umbrella. But never for one second did I question his love for [and dedication to] KNX, its staff, and its mission. KNX’s reputation as a news station is what it is because of George Nicholaw, and the people he entrusted with managing it. George allowed his managers to shine, any of them [including me] went on to become general managers in CBS as a result of his mentoring. His legacy is assured.” – Roger Nadel 

***

“Very  sorry to hear about the passing of George Nicholaw. George understood news and how it should be presented. He also understood the value of having KNX be a voice in the community through his editorials and Citizen of the Week in addition to the many things that added value and meaning to KNX. George had integrity and was unbending in his dedication to making KNX a powerful and well thought of station. George was also dedicated to the Los Angeles radio market. He was from a school of broadcasters that had understanding of localism.” – Bob Fox

***

"When I met George Nicholaw, there was no reason except his basic decency for him to have treated me with courtesy and respect.

I was freelance radio reporting in Los Angeles from 1996 to 1998, and loved it. I worked for Mutual/NBC and then went over to ABC's LA bureau. During that time, I also worked KNX. I hadn't been doing that long when George sought me out in the newsroom to compliment my work. Most radio GM's of my experience would never do that, for fear [I assume] that it might cause me to agitate for higher pay. As a part-timer, I'd have expected George to ignore my appearance on his air. Instead, he came to see me.

George turned out excellent on-air commentaries, also a rarity among broadcast executives who usually limit themselves to platitudes promoting their stations and themselves. George stayed in touch with community issues and made thoughtful contributions to the debates.

I always had the impression that George Nicholaw was a sincere and generous man who greatly enjoyed his job and who made his enthusiasms clear. He made Los Angeles better. Let that be his epitaph." - Steve Taylor, Fox News Radio, Washington

---

George Nicholaw Has Died 

(August 10, 2014) George Nicholaw was there on Day One when KNX flipped to all-News in 1968. The former general manager of the iconic all-News station passed away last night. He was 86. George was at the vortex of an unparalleled news standard set for three and a half decades. During his stewardship, KNX won more awards year after year than any other station in the market. Under his leadership the station won the coveted Peabody Award, the Alfred I. DuPont Award, the NAB Crystal Award, and more than 170 Golden Mike Awards. His career with CBS spanned over six decades, from 1955 to 2003.   George Nicholaw was one of the smartest and nicest Los Angeles Radio People ever.   Tomorrow’s LARadio will be dedicated to George, the recipient of the first LARadio Lifetime Achievement Award.

Sunday Funnies (8.10)

LARadio Archives from July 2011

Elliot Field in Hard Cover. In his eBook, Elliot Field, one of KFWB/Color Radio's original Seven Swingin' Gentleman, writes about the time when that legendary station achieved ratings not seen before or since. He tells other behind-the-scenes stories from his long career in entertainment. In response to many requests (including emails sent to this column) he's now released a print version of the book. Click the new book cover on the left.  Elliot worked with LARP, Anita Garner, and designer, Steve Bradford, to develop the book. For several years, Anita has been helping people develop their story ideas. She says, "Sometimes we begin with just a sentence or two, sometimes it's an email with a few notes, and sometimes it's an entire box of manuscript pages, waiting to be fleshed out and turned into a narrative. Elliot began writing his book years ago, and recently decided it was time to complete it." If you would like to talk with Anita about turning your ideas into a book, contact me and I'll put you in touch with her.

 

Hear Ache. KFI’s Tim Conway, Jr. broadcast from the Orange County Fair last night … Mike Baird won the eBay auction for Bill Earl’s book Dream House. “I bid a whole $11. What a deal,” emailed Mike … Versatile news anchor Larry Van Nuys, his wife Marsha, and lovely daughter Amanda, vacationed at the Bacara Resort & Spa in Santa Barbara recently and invited us to join them for lunch one day on the patio overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Great radio stories and experiences were shared. Amanda is a marketing exec in San Francisco and lives in a building on the site of the old Ernie’s restaurant, arguably the best dining experience in San Francisco for decades … Katie Clark is back as a freelancer, flying for KNX and doing some Total Traffic fill in. “I JUST got hired at Go Country for weekends,” she emailed. “Just did one shift so far and so exciting.”

LARadio Rewind: August 8, 1998. Sam Balter, KLAC sports director from 1946 to 1962, dies of complications from abdominal surgery at 88. Born in 1909 in Detroit, Balter was signed by the Chicago White Sox after graduating from Roosevelt High School but chose to attend UCLA, where he played guard on the basketball team. Balter was one of five UCLA Bruins to play on the U.S. team that won a gold medal in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. In 1950 he did commentary for a USC-Utah football game on local tv. He was the radio announcer for UCLA basketball and football and did television play-by-play for the Los Angeles Stars of the American Basketball Association and the Los Angeles Angels of the Pacific Coast League. Balter was a charter member of the Southern California Sports Broadcasters Association and was elected to the SCSBA Hall of Fame and the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame. He also worked at KABC, wrote a sports column for the Los Angeles Herald Express, and had a recurring role as a radio announcer on the 1952-58 Adventures of Superman tv series. (LARadio Rewind is meticulously prepared by Steve Thompson)

ABC News Moving. ABC News Radio is leaving the Cumulus syndication operation and will begin the New Year with Skyview Networks for distribution. “Today we’re announcing the beginning of a new era at ABC Radio,” said James Goldston, ABC News president. “We’re going to expand our operations to invest in new programming, take control of distributing and marketing our content and deepen our affiliate relationships.  A new relationship with Skyview Networks will help us deliver our content and bolster our sales efforts as our distribution agreement with Cumulus Media comes to an end.  These changes will help us invest in premium programming and continue to lead the industry in new ways to reach our loyal audience of over 50 million listeners a week.”  

Overheard.

• “She gets insulted by more right-wingers before 6 a.m. than most people do all day.” (Stephanie Miller promo)

• “Please, everyone, simmer down, Bill Handel returns Monday. Daddy is back on Monday. Your cheese will be put back on Monday.” (Wayne Resnick, subbing for Bill Handel, KFI)

• "Every year me and my crew get together with some snacks - one of those five-level bean dips - and watch Shark Week and about half way through wondering if we should kill ourselves." (Dennis Miller, KRLA)

 Funnie.

 Email Friday

We GET Email …

** Applaud Hannity

“I think we should all applaud Sean Hannity this week for incredible coverage in Israel. No one else in media is doing this. And using social media to post photos of the terror tunnels. I say bravo.” - JP Myers, Losangeleslistener.com

** Kudos for Resnick

“Wayne Resnick is getting the exposure he deserves this week on KFI, filling in for Bill Handel in the morning. He has the kind of personality that is very rare in radio. He's funny without trying to be. What a talent!  I love listening to him. 

I don't know why he isn't full time unless he just doesn't have the desire to be. Perhaps he’s too busy doing other things during the week, but KUDOS to Wayne!

Great to hear him in the mornings.” – Bruce Chandler

** Freberg and Friends “Always great to see Stan Freberg celebrated on his birthday. Stan was a genius at the medium of radio. He could create things in your mind that could never be done on television.  Have you ever heard his routine where he drains Lake Michigan and fills it up with hot chocolate? Stan was a genius at using your imagination.   On my desk at home, I only have two pictures. One of my family, and this one with Stan, Gary Owens and Al Lohman. My three radio inspirations. This was taken at KFI in 1988 when Stan came out with his autobiography. Happy birthday Stan! And thank you for showing all of us the ‘movies in our mind.’ ‘Wun'erfull ... wun'erfull.’"- Jeff Gehringer, the Astor Group

** Comeback for Joe McDonnell

“With the news that KFWB is going all-sports, I really hope we get to hear the return of Joe McDonnell.

I have been blessed by awesome mentors in my career, and two of the most important were Randy Kerdoon, and Big Joe, who has been off the air waaaaayyyy too long! It would be great to have him back on KFWB!” - Jeff Biggs

** Enjoyed Rich Bro in K-100 Days

“Just a grateful listener, congrats to Rich ‘Brother’ Robbin on a radio life, well-lived. I was a listener to K-100, back when fm was pretty new. I recall my dad taking my brothers and me to the first Federated Stereo [located in half of a duplex off Overland Blvd.] to get a Marantz receiver, and him being amused at our trying to sell him on the value of being able to find that K-100 frequency so easily. 

We loved that station, I'm remembering the songs Come Monday by Jimmy Buffett, My Maria by B.W. Stevenson, The Streak by Ray Stevens and My Girl, Bill by Jim Stafford. Interesting 40 years ago those were pop acts, but today they would all be classic country. The jocks were such a big part of making K-100 ‘our station’ too. 

Thanks for the great radio, Rich Brother Robbin, and enjoy your next chapter!” - The Crowley Boys, John, Bill, and Joe

** Many Brother Names

"As Rich 'Brother' Robbin ends his radio career, I should note that he used the names Rich Robbin, Rock Robbin and Richard W. Robbin early in his career. While at KRUX in Phoenix in the early 1970s, he called himself Rich "Mutha" Robbin after Gary 'Mutha' Withem, the keyboardist with Gary Puckett & the Union Gap. When Robbin came to KCBQ in 1973, program director Buzz Bennett thought the name sounded crude. Deciding to be 'everybody's brother,' Robbin changed 'Mutha' to 'Brother.' Now, however, after 56 years in radio, he is probably a 'rich mutha.'" – Steve Thompson

** Thom Tran Hosts

"Just a note. I was invited to, and went to the taping of the pilot for a new Thom Tran show Comedy Stirfry where Tom was the host for the taping of three episodes. Each episode, about four comics were introduced and it was one of the most hilarious nights I ever spent.

Taped at the HaHa Club on Lankershim in the Valley, a good time was had by all. Thom did a wonderful job hosting and putting it all together and the comics, many of whom have done big stuff in the past, were just way too funny.

Jimmy O. Yang, who has been on several shows including three episodes of Silicon Valley and Two Broke Girls, just killed it. I actually heard some funny stuff I've never heard before in my life. Danny Cho, really does look like Kim Jong-Un and did a really funny bit about it.

Kudo's to KNX traffic reporter and US Army veteran, Sgt. Thom Tran for putting this thing on and I hope it gets picked up very quickly. It was just too funny.” - Bob Brill 

“56 years on the radio is enough, thank you very much” – Rich “Brother” Robbin

(August 7, 2014) Rich “Brother” Robbin is ending his radio career tomorrow. And it has been quite the journey. He said, “56 years is enough, thank you very much. It’s been a great run (and great fun) and I'm ready to hang up the ol' earphones and get on with the rest of my life.”  And Rich is doing it on his own terms, stepping down tomorrow from afternoons at the Walrus (XHPRS/fm) in San Diego. Rich has had much success over the decades. He spent time in Los Angeles in the 1970s at KIQQ (K-100), KKDJ, KGFJ, and KTNQ (10-Q). He’s been the quintessential afternoon Top 40 jock, a program director, general manager and station owner. Some might argue that his biggest success was in San Diego during the heady days at KCBQ and K-Best. Rich might argue that his biggest success has been in helping other men in a 12-Step program and being their mentor, something he’s done for almost 40 years.

“It's been a long, strange trip with lotsa ups and a few downs (especially the discrimination just 'cause I happen to be gay),” said a reflective Rich this week. “It's been 95% fun and rewarding, but the time has come. I'm 100% ready to step away and get on with the rest of my life.  I couldn't be happier if I were twins!”

My life and Rich’s have intersected professionally and personally since 1966. I was working my first job in Lompoc (KNEZ) and I answered an ad in Broadcasting. It was Rich who placed the ad. He was program director of KUSN in St. Joseph, Missouri. He offered mornings and I thought going from a market of 25,000 to 100,000 was a logical step and took the job.

I flew into St. Joseph and saw my first airport windsock over the main building. There was Rich, a fiery redhead with a white 1958 Chrysler New Yorker convertible, to pick me up. On his radio were Dymo Label stickers with L.A. radio stations at the appropriate dial positions. He had one for KHJ at 930 AM. I had barely gotten out of the St. Joseph parking lot when I realized that Rich and I had similar goals – to make it to Los Angeles radio. And we did. My first hire at K-100 was Rich as program director and he did a GREAT job. The station achieved a 4.3 in the first book.

Rich was born in Rice Lake, Wisconsin and grew up under the shadow of WCCO's giant tower in Minneapolis. His love for radio and being a Top 40 jock took him on the nomadic journey to Portland, Phoenix, San Francisco, Detroit, Kansas City, Tucson (ownership), San Diego, Nashville, and Memphis.

He arrived at KIQQ from KCBQ-San Diego and originated the idea of using dial position as a station identifier, named the station at 100.3 "K-100-FM." After K-100 was sold to Drake/Chenault, he was also a part of the line-up. He later became one of the original jocks on "the new Ten-Q."

As this amazing career winds down, you have two more chances to hear him at The Walrus. If you are out of reach of San Diego radio, you can log on and listen this afternoon and tomorrow afternoon at: www.walrusfm.com and click listen live. And you can always reach Rich at: rich@richbroradio.com .

Godspeed, young man, in your next exciting journey and thanks for everything you have done for me. Rich often quotes Jerry Garcia … “what a long strange trip it’s been…” Amen.

Kelli Gates to Sonoma County. Kelli Gates, formerly part of the KLOS morning show with Mark & Brian for a dozen years, has joined 97.7 The River in Santa Rosa. She will be teamed with local personality, Big Jon Snyder. She has been working on a project in Sonoma County with Michal O’Shea called the River Rock Book.  For fans of Kelli Gates, this is great news and she will bring so much fun to mornings on the Classic Rock station. Her love for the music and classic stories with the artists who make the music will be a refreshing addition to Sonoma County listeners.  “I'm so excited to be working with such pure and talented people who truly appreciate and are passionate about the power of radio, and in one of the most beautiful and laid back places in the country,” said Kelli. (Photo: Kelli with Daniel from Mark & Brian days)

Funeral Services for Minda Simmons. Bryan Simmons’ wife Minda died in a freak accident recently. Her services will be held this Saturday, August 9th, at 10 a.m.

Glendale Community Church of God
545 W. California Ave
Glendale Ca 91203

Donations to offset the funeral costs can be made to Glendale Community Church of God and write Minda Simmons on the memo line. All funds will be given to the family in one check.

Overheard.

• "When I was a kid I played really good by myself. I was very entertaining. I love me because I am so entertaining." (Steve Harvey, KJLH)

• "How does a farmer mend his pants? Cabbage patches." (Dude, character on Gary Bryan Show, KRTH)

• "Yesterday, a lot of people thought we were talking to a Russian hacker. We should feel like Orson Welles must have felt after the War of the Worlds broadcast where we weren't trying to fool anybody. We didn't want anybody to think it was real. There were a lot of things to actually really make sure how obvious it was." (Wayne Resnick, KFI, subbing for Bill Handel)

LARadio Rewind: August 7, 1926. Stan Freberg is born Stanley Friberg in Pasadena. He performed comedy on Cliffie Stone's Dinner Bell Round-Up program on KPAS in 1943, and then began providing voices for Warner Bros. cartoons. In 1953 Freberg starred in the movie Geraldine as "sobbing songster" Billy Weber, a satire of vocalist Johnnie Ray. Freberg recorded many song parodies for Capitol, including Banana Boat, Sh-Boom, Heartbreak Hotel, C'est Si Bon and I've Got You Under My Skin. With June Foray and Daws Butler, he had a number-one hit in 1953 with a Dragnet parody, St. George & The Dragonet. He starred in a 1954 CBS tv series, That's Rich, and in 1957 was the summer replacement for Jack Benny on CBS Radio. He also made comedy albums and satirical tv commercials, worked with Bob Clampett on the 1949-54 Time For Beany children's tv show, and since 2008 has provided voices for Garfield cartoons. Freberg was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 1995. His 1957 Lawrence Welk parody, Wun'erful Wun'erful---the source of a popular Jim Healy sound bite---can be heard by clicking Stan's photo.

Funnie.  Barb was lying in bed one night. Art was falling asleep but Barb was in a romantic mood and wanted to talk.

She said: "You used to hold my hand when we were courting." Wearily he reached across, held her hand for a second and tried to get back to sleep.

A few moments later she said: "Then you used to kiss me."

Mildly irritated, he reached across, gave her a peck on the cheek and settled down to sleep.

Thirty seconds later she said: "Then you used to bite my neck..."

Angrily, Art threw back the bed clothes and got out of bed.

"Where are you going?" Barb asked.

"To get my teeth!"

Email Thursday

We GET Email …

** Chuck Randall Early Encouragement

“I enjoyed reading the article on Chuck Randall and learning what he has been up to. I owe a lot of my radio career to Chuck.

When I was a young guy working the graveyard shift at the supermarket, I wrote Chuck a letter asking how to break into radio. Imagine my surprise when one morning after work, my phone rings and its CHUCK RANDALL calling ME! He gave me some good advice, namely to do college radio and eschew the big broadcast schools. I did what he suggested and so a 30-year career was born.

Thank you, Chuck!” - Rob Frazier, www.robfraziercreative.com

** Hugh Williams Remembered

“It was nice to see a Rewind feature about Hugh Williams.  Hugh was an early influence of mine.  When I was a high school senior, I took a radio broadcasting class which he taught at Santa Monica College.

I have three distinct and fond memories from that experience. One was Hugh's booming basso profundo voice. A second was the warmth and caring I felt from him. This was important to a high school kid taking a class with a bunch of college students. And the third was during an assignment to present a 15 minute sportscast in front of the class. While I was doing my report, I saw Hugh frantically giving me a sign which I could not comprehend. Later, I learned that it was the famous ‘stretch it out’ sign. My 15 minute cast came in at 14 minutes and 45 seconds.

Rest well, Hugh.” - Jared Charles Kliger

** Looking for Ernest Underwood

"I'm wondering if there might be someone out there who may have worked with Ernest G. Underwood in the '60s or early-'70s, when he was on the engineering staff of KGBS and KFAC? He was one of the early LARP, as he began his work as a broadcast engineer with KHJ in 1925 and was chief engineer at KHJ until 1937, when he went to KFRC in San Francisco. The picture I have attached shows Ernest G. Underwood in front of the KHJ transmitter and related equipment inside the Los Angeles Times Building, when the newspaper owned the station. KHJ was sold to KFRC owner and Cadillac dealer Don Lee in November of 1927. The photo appeared in the LA Times as part of a Sunday feature on KHJ's technical director, Ernest Underwood on June 12, 1927. The story said he gained early radio experience operating ship-to-shore stations on ships at sea.  He had the amateur call sing of 6ES, which was later changed to W6ES.

He served in the U.S. Navy for 5 1/2 years during World War II, as chief of Navy radio stations in Hawaii and Imperial Beach, California. He went back to KFRC as chief engineer from 1946 to 1961.He returned to L.A. with KGBS in 1961 and by 1971, was on the engineering staff of KFAC.

In August of 1971, Mr. Underwood, then 72, was the subject of newspaper headlines.  Newspapers reported that he was stabbed 7 times and shot at twice by masked assailants outside his South Pasadena apartment. Police said the attackers turned out to be Underwood's 52-year-old daughter and his 71-year-old wife. The attack stemmed from marital problems. The Underwood’s had recently separated and the wife had moved in with the daughter. The case went to trial about one year later and Underwood testified during the trial. Ernest Underwood's daughter, Mildred Underwood of Beverly Hills, was convicted and was given 3 years probation, but received no jail time for the knife and gun attack on her father.  In a separate trial, Mrs. Underwood was found not guilty of being an accessory to the crime.  The judge in the trial said the state had not proven its case against her.

The two soon divorced and Ernest Underwood got married again in 1982 to a 58-year old woman, when he was 83.   He died in 1987 at the age of 88. I have not been able to determine yet when he retired from the radio business. If anyone has more information on Ernest Underwood's radio career in the 1960s and '70s in L.A. or possibly knew him through ham radio (he got his ham radio license in 1915), please contact me at jimhilliker@sbcglobal.net.” - Jim Hilliker, Monterey 

---

John & Ken Voted #6 Best On-Air LARP of 2014

(August 6 2014) KFI’s John & Ken were voted #6 Best On-Air LARPs of 2014. No one catches the local lightning-in-a-bottle better than John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou. The afternoon duo has been at KFI since 1992, save for a year doing morning drive at KABC in 1999.  

Their ability to loudly create headlines from their afternoon show was acknowledged and admired in our annual poll, drawing from dozens of active and working Los Angeles Radio People (managers, talent, engineering, traffic, and marketing/promotion people) who voted this year. A cross section of station groups and independents each nominated five LARP currently on the air, plus five off-air people presently working for a Southland radio station.    

John & Ken capture the flavor of the day with almost meticulous precision, skewering politicians and their policies and practices.

John & Ken first teamed up in 1988 at WOND-Atlantic City. Ken, born in 1956, graduated from State University of New York at Buffalo. After graduation he worked as a C.P.A. for a health company. John spent a year of college at Seton Hall and then worked as a sportswriter. His first radio job was at WKAD in Canton, Pennsylvania in 1983. He met Ken at WKAD, and eventually the two moved on to Elmira, New York. John did mornings at WENY, while Ken was part of a competing morning team at WELM. The pair teamed up at WKXW-Trenton before arriving at KFI. In 1995, their relentless coverage made the pair synonymous with the O.J. Simpson trial. 

#6

KFI's John & Ken

Here are some of the comments from those who voted for John & Ken:

• “Keeping us all in awe of the political power of radio while being entertaining, too.”

• “They are the true anchors of this radio station.”

• “Informed and provocative radio. The closest we have to classic news/talk, although occasionally too in-your-face for my tastes.”

• “Seems as though corporate has ordered them to lower the calories, but they still can’t help doing really good radio.”

• “They hit a home run every day.”

•  “Two guys who aren’t afraid of anything and are not afraid to show it. They continuously stand up for what they believe in and don’t back down. They are perfect for compelling radio.”

• “Consistently compelling. Always intense.”

•  “They are at their best when exposing liars, crooks, and thieves.”

Inland Empire Ratings. The July ’14 Nielsen PPM ratings for San Bernardino/Riverside have been released:

1. KOLA (Classic Hits) 6.6 - 6.9

2. KGGI (Top 40/R) 4.7 - 5.1

3. KFRG (Country) 3.6 - 3.5

4. KCAL (Classic Rock) 2.1 - 2.4

5. KSGN (Religious) 3.1 - 2.3

JACK/fm’s 9th Show. On September 20, JACK/fm presents its 9th Show at the Honda Center. This year the show features: Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Collective Soul, Billy Squier, Violent Femmes, Bow Wow Wow, and Naked Eyes. Proceeds from the concert go to: TACA (talk about curing autism). More info at 931jackfm.com

LARadio Rewind: August 6, 1994. Hugh Williams dies at 63. Born in Ohio, Williams moved his family to Los Angeles in 1964 and worked at KFWB and KGFJ before moving to KABC/Channel 7, where he became the first black man to anchor an evening newscast. In the mid-1970s he worked at KCOP-Channel 13 as noontime news anchor and one of the hosts of The Big Question. (Michael Jackson was another.) Williams' first child was singer Vesta Williams, who had six top-ten r&b hits, 1986-90. She died of an enlarged heart in 2011. (LARadio Rewind meticulously prepared by Steve Thompson)

Funnie.

Chuck Randall is On the Road Again and Paying It Forward

(August 5, 2014) Chuck Randall is one of those colorful characters from KMET and KROQ in the late 70s and survived it all. He continues to tour with major rock bands and just returned from a European road trip with Alice in Chains, Metallica and Black Sabbath. He recently got a change of clothes and is off to Canada. During his time at "the Mighty Met," Chuck recalled in a 1990 Billboard magazine interview that "every night on my way to KMET, I stopped at the liquor store and bought a little bottle of cognac to go with my little container full of blow.”  At KMET, he worked with Mary Turner, Jim Ladd, Ace Young, and Paraquat Kelley.  Chuck eventually ballooned to 250 pounds and suffered a heart condition before quitting drugs and alcohol. He reflected, "Here I was working the all-night shift and what did I have - four breaks an hour times four? Sixteen times I had to talk and I had to get loaded to take on that immense pressure! What a waste." After leaving KMET, he joined KNAC. He loved radio then and he still does.

Born in Los Angeles, Chuck is a 3rd generation Californian who grew up in West Covina. "Every time they conducted one of those school-job surveys, it always came back that entertainment was for me.

For his school paper he interviewed KMPC’s Dick Whittinghill (at the time the #1 dj in Southern California) and was impressed with how accessible the dj was. After graduating from Mt. San Antonio College with a business management degree, he joined Mattel in the industrial engineering department and hated every minute of it. So in the early 1970s, he went to the Don Martin School of Broadcasting and worked overnights at KPFK. He received his 1st Class FCC license and joined KCAL-Riverside. "In addition to being a dj, they wanted me to sell radio time, which I hated and went to KVRE-Santa Rosa." In late 1977 Chuck went to KROQ, working various shifts. "We had no studios. When Shadoe Stevens was there, they worked out of a room at the Hilton Hotel in Pasadena. We had one cart machine, which played Leo’s Stereo spots and the trade-outs. I got there just as the studios moved across the street to the now famous 117 S. Los Robles." Chuck has now turned his life around, giving up the substances that fueled him. He’s worked with Huey Lewis, Aaron Neville, Little Feat, Kenny Loggins, Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead, Garbage, Duran Duran, Goo Goo Dolls, and others as a tour manager. I’ve been to the Academy Awards, the White House and around the world. My life was spared.”

I have been in touch recently with Jeff Gonzer, Dusty Street and Jack Snyder, all co-jocks from the Golden Days on LA Radio. What a gift.”

Chuck pays his gift forward. He loves helping others in the entertainment industry who are struggling with substance abuse. Chuck works with Road Recovery and Map-MusiCares.

Minda Simmons Passes. Minda Simmons, the wife of long-time KOST personality, Bryan Simmons, has died. A week ago, Minda was visiting a 101-year-old man from her church and she missed a step, fell and hit her head. She was in a coma all week, but doctors felt she would wake up. Stella Prado Kuipers, former pd at KOST, has been keeping the broadcast community informed on Facebook. She received a note from Bryan on Sunday saying "Stella, we are all saying goodbye to Minda tonight." Minda’s parents arrived from up north.  Once they all said their goodbyes, Minda was taken off life support. She died shortly before midnight Sunday night. She was 54. Bryan has some challenges with the funeral expenses and besides your prayers you could really help out by sending a donation to Glendale Community Church of God, 545 W. California Avenue, Glendale, CA 91203. Please make checks payable to Glendale Community Church of God.  Please write Minda Simmons on the memo line.  Your deductions are tax deductible.

Ratings Winners. The top 40 stations in the Los Angeles Nielsen July '14 PPM 6+ Mon-Sun, 6a-mid: 

1. KBIG (MY/fm) 4.9 - 5.0 

2. KRTH (Classic Hits) 5.5 - 4.7 

3. KIIS (Top 40/M) 5.2 - 4.6 

4. KPWR (Top 40/R) 4.8 - 4.4 

5. KOST (AC) 4.1 - 4.2 

6. KAMP (Top 40/M) 4.0 - 3.9 

7. KLVE (Spanish Contemporary) 3.6 - 3.5 

8. KSWD (100.3 /The Sound) 2.9 - 3.2 

9. KHHT (HOT 92.3) 2.7 - 3.1

10. KSCA (Regional Mexican) 3.1 - 3.0

11. KCBS (JACK/fm) 3.0 - 2.9

       KFI (Talk) 2.8 - 2.9

       KROQ (Alternative) 2.9 - 2.9

14. KLYY (Spanish Adult Hits) 1.9 - 2.6

15. KNX (News) 2.4 - 2.5

       KYSR (Alternative) 2.3 - 2.5

17. KKGO (Country) 2.4 - 2.4

       KLAX (Regional Mexican) 2.4 - 2.4

19. KRCD (Spanish Adult Hits) 2.4 - 2.3

       KTWV (Smooth AC) 2.5 - 2.3

21. KBUE (Regional Mexican) 2.2 - 2.2

      KLOS (Classic Rock) 2.1 - 2.2

23. KDLD (Regional Mexican) 1.2 - 1.8

       KPCC (News/Talk) 1.9 - 1.8

25. KXOL (Spanish AC) 1.9 - 1.6

26. KUSC (Classical) 1.6 - 1.5

27. KDAY (Rhythmic AC) 1.5 - 1.3

28. KSPN (Sports) 1.1 - 1.2

29. KCRW (Variety) 1.1 - 1.1

       KFSH (Christian Contemporary) 0.8 - 1.1

       KKJZ (Jazz) 0.8 - 1.1

32. KHJ (Regional Mexican) 1.0 - 0.9

       KJLH (Urban AC) 0.9 - 0.9

       KLAC (Sports) 0.9 - 0.9

35. KSSE (Spanish Contemporary) 1.0 - 0.8

36. KABC (Talk) 0.5 - 0.7

       KEIB (Talk) 0.8 - 0.7

       KWIZ (Spanish Variety) 0.9 - 0.7

39. KRLA (Talk) 0.5 - 0.6

40. KLAA (Sports) 0.4 - 0.3

       KTNQ (Spanish Talk) 0.2 - 0.3

 

TV Anchors Gone. Longtime KCBS/KCAL anchor Kent Shocknek is planning to retire at the end of next month. He has been a fixture in Los Angeles for 31 years and is believed to have anchored more hours of news on local television than anyone else in the history of the market. Shocknek was the original anchor of Today in L.A., which debuted in 1986. He joined CBS 2 in 2001 and anchored morning and evening newscasts for the station until November 2013, when he became co-anchor of sister station KCAL 9’s top-rated 8 and 10 p.m. newscasts. While the industry is adjusting to the loss of Shocknek, longtime news anchor Jess Marlow has died at the age of 84 from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. He was a fixture in tv local news for four decades. Tom Brokaw said: "Jess Marlow was a first-rate journalist and a beloved figure in the newsroom. He was an important part of the team that inaugurated the two-hour local news on KNBC and served as anchor of every broadcast at one time or another.

LARadio Rewind: August 5 

• 2002 - Chick Hearn, Lakers radio/tv announcer since 1960, dies of complications after a fall at 85.

• 1999 - Gene Weed (KFWB), producer/director for dick clark productions, dies of lung cancer at 64.

• 1997 - The Real Don Steele (KHJ, KIQQ, KRLA, KCBS/fm, KRTH) dies of lung cancer at 61.

• 1987 - Bob Purcell, former stage actor, KFI announcer and KFWB general manager, dies at 70.

• 1969 - Don Drysdale pitches his final game with the Dodgers; will become a broadcaster in 1970.

• 1968 - Bob Elliot & Ray Goulding, radio comedy team since 1946, appear on The Dick Cavett Show.

• 1958 - Eric Olsen, dj, music critic and founder of Blogcritics online magazine, born in San Pedro.

• 1957 - Bandstand, a Philadelphia music program, goes national on ABC as American Bandstand.

Funnie.

Email Tuesday

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** Cyndee Maxwell Does It All

"You are right, Don, Cyndee Maxwell can do it all! She built my Traffic411.com website, and I have never worked with a web person as easily as I worked with Cyndee. Her writing and editorial skills combined with her knowledge of websites, social media and WordPress make her very valuable. Anyone who hires Cyndee will be very happy that they did." – Lisa Osborne 

“Executive Producers are Most Important People on a Radio Station” 

(August 4, 2014) Mark Ramsey, one of the brightest strategists when it comes to radio and audio, recently interviewed Craig Bruce of Australia. Mark called Craig “flat out, one of the smartest broadcasters I have encountered anywhere.” Craig was a guest at the San Diego hivio Audio Future Festival. Craig Bruce is the Head of Content for Southern Cross Austereo, and is ultimately responsible for programming on the Today network, the Triple M network, and all the regional stations. He is in charge of 30 radio stations down under. The Hamish & Andy Show is the #1 media brand in Australia. The leading brand is not tv or any other media, but radio. It is the highest rated show in the history of Australian radio. Bruce told Ramsey there are three elements for their success. “We seriously invest in our brands and our shows with above-line marketing,” said Bruce. “We put our talent on billboards, tv commercials – everywhere – and we believe in digital innovation.” Bruce believes the best radio in the last ten years has come out of Australia. “We used to come to America and listen to the radio and come home with files thick with ideas. We don’t come anymore for ideas.” He doesn’t believe there is anything new happening between the records in America.

Craig believes what really separates his Australian radio from American radio is their focus on talent. Their biggest show, Hamish & Andy, achieved a 10% national cume. “In 2001, they had just come out of college. We developed them for five years on the weekends and in an all-night slot.” Within five years, they had a huge national network drive-time show.

Hamish & Andy redefined radio in Australia and set a new benchmark. Now comes the challenge. “The next generation of radio stars is listening to the radio right now. I wonder what they’re hearing and I wonder what we’re telling them about ourselves in terms of the people on the air. We’ve got a whole generation of people coming in because of that show.”

Executive producers are the most important people on a radio station outside of the content director, according to Craig. “We get together with all our producers once a year. We also have one-on-one sessions with our key talent and up-and-coming talent to understand their brand and how we exploit their brands across all sorts of platforms.” Craig has up to four producers on each show.

Finding the next generation of talent is the challenge for all broadcasters. How does Craig do it? “We look under every rock. We’re in a race to find the next Hamish & Andy. We know how a Hamish & Andy can transform a business and the category. We have to get to them first and we have to be prepared to invest our time and every thought coaching them. We take every YouTube star or start-up comedian or writer and bring them into the business and see what we can do with them.”

Craig believes there are no excuses for not developing talent. He uses weekends and overnights for development. “Money shouldn’t be a barrier,” said Craig. “There are plenty of young performers coming through who are desperate to do radio. We need to get in front of them and help them get to where they need to go.”

Ramsey asked Craig Bruce about American radio. “Top 40 radio has always been about relevance,” he stated. “It is at its best when it talks to and on behalf of a generation of listeners. Madonna is no longer on the radio because she’s been replaced by the next generation’s new heroine or hero.”

Craig wondered if there is a Plan B when it comes to ‘Z-100,’ the New York Top 40 station. “Elvis Duran, who is in his 50s, is talking to an audience in their 20s. He's also brilliant and talented. Is that a good thing? I wonder what the strategy looks like for that show.”

CBS recently launched AMP Radio in New York and kicked off with 10,000 songs in a row. “I wonder if they came into the market with a new, fresh show and are talking to and on behalf of the 25 year-old. In Australia we invest all of our time into talent. I wish I had your talent pool. You’ve a country filled with loudmouths with no place to say it.”

Craig said that once you develop a successful breakfast show it is time to start planning their replacement. “To launch a successful breakfast show, you have three years to plan it, three years to develop it and you have five years of success and then they start losing audience. What does a replacement show look like? Maybe ‘Z-100’ has been thinking about that for a long time. If they haven’t, they’re missing an opportunity.”

You can watch the fascinating interview by clicking the artwork above.

Dreamhouse. If you love the history of LARadio and don’t have Bill Earl’s history of 1110/KRLA, the station that brought the Beatles to the Southland, you should. Click the artwork to get Bill’s book: Dreamhouse

BJ Memorial. KFWB staffer BJ Kindred died suddenly recently and there has been an outpouring of love for her and her husband, Steve Kindred. “Steve was touched by the large turnout at the memorial service at the Whitnall Off-Leash Dog Park in North Hollywood & dinner at Coral Cafe in Burbank,” wrote friend and colleague Kaci Christian. “Several attendees ventured from ‘beyond the Orange curtain,’ driving up from Orange County, including KSBR news director & anchor, Dawn Kamber, former KFWB anchor, Vicki Cox and me. Former KFWB anchor, Susanne Whatley, former KFWB news director, Andy Ludlum, former KFI news director, Mark Austin Thomas, former KFWB sports anchor, Joe Cala, former KFWB anchor, Cindy Lou Dole, KNX & KFWB traffic anchor, Donna Page, and many more recognizable voices united to remember BJ. Several people shared impromptu memories of BJ, including BJ's excitement when Steve first asked her out, and BJ's shock when she found that a treasured photo of a favorite actor she'd hung on the wall in the KFWB production studio had been replaced with Steve's 8x10 headshot! (Steve commented, ‘I wanted to see if she'd notice!’) BJ united so many people tonight and I was honored to be with such a group of compassionate friends and talented colleagues. Rest in peace, dear BJ. You live on in our hearts," concluded Kaci.

KLOS Blood Drive. The 33rd Annual KLOS Blood Drive wrapped up in Southern California collecting nearly 7,900 units of blood. The five-day, 20-location event gave donors the opportunity to prevent a serious shortage for local hospitals this summer. KLOS on-air personalities were on-hand at several locations throughout the drive to thank donors, pose for photos and sign autographs.

Ubiquitous Maxwell Available. Cyndee Maxwell is in charge of the KFWB website, well, at least for another month and then she leaves with all other employees of the News-Talk station as 980 AM adopts an all-Sports format. She was with Radio & Records for 16 years as associate publisher, editorial director and Rock editor. Not only is she a great writer, but worked at KLOS and “Pirate Radio” in the early 1990s as talent. She also worked in San Diego at KIOZ as well as KWHL and Rock 102 in Anchorage, Alaska. In our world of multi-tasking, Cyndee can do it all. You can reach Cyndee at: Maxwell.Cyndee@gmail.com

LARadio Rewind: August 4, 2004. Hunter Hancock, the first white disc jockey in the western United States to play r&b, dies at 88 in a Claremont retirement home. Born in Uvalde, Texas, Hancock worked at KMAC in San Antonio and KPAB in Laredo before coming to Los Angeles. He joined KFVD in 1947 as an announcer and host of Harlem Holiday, a Sunday jazz show which slowly evolved into an all-r&b program. In 1951 he moved to KFOX, and then returned to KFVD (later KPOP) in 1954. He also hosted a KGER gospel program, Songs Of Soul & Spirit, and a short-lived Friday-night program on KNXT-Channel 2, Rhythm 'n' Bluesville.

In 1959 he co-founded Swingin' Records, which had a top-5 r&b hit with Big Jay McNeely's There Is Something On Your Mind. In 1957 Hancock moved to KGFJ and began hosting a nightly top-20 countdown show, Huntin' With Hunter. For many years he was the most popular Los Angeles disc jockey among black listeners. In the '60s, Hancock was working 9 am to noon and growing increasingly frustrated over being told what to play. He quit radio in 1968 and went to work for Western Outdoor News. Hunter Hancock hosted his own memorial service at Claremont United Methodist Church. A recording of "Ol' H.H." led guests in the singing of hymns and the recitation of the 23rd Psalm. (LARadio Rewind meticulously prepared by Steve Thompson)

Funnie. A man asked an American Indian what was his wife's name. He replied, "She called Five Horses."

The man said, "That's an unusual name for your wife. What does it mean?"

The old Indian answered, "It old Indian Name. It mean, 'nag, nag, nag, nag, nag'." (Dave Anthony)

Email Monday

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** Early KROQer

“I was on KROQ AM 1500 in 1973 when it was located on what is now a Sears store in Burbank.  At that time the engineers were preparing to simulcast the AM with the FM.  However the FCC rule at the time - according to our engineers - was that one could not simulcast a signal with a station in a city of license over 25,000 population.  Well, in those days FM's were typically simulcasting the more popular AM signal.  KROQ management and engineering were clever, however, and made the argument to the FCC that the FM would not be simulcasting the AM.  Rather, the AM would be simulcasting the FM!  And, because Burbank then had a population just under 25,000... the rules preventing simulcasting did not apply.  Very smart!” – Jhani Kaye

** Neil Saavedra Promoted to APD

“As you probably know, I deeply love KFI [and have for decades] and working with Robin Bertolucci has changed me for the better in too many ways to count. I'm a lucky dude!” – Neil Saavedra 

Sunday Funnies (8.3) from Chris Bury

LARadio Archives from June 2010

Bill Denton Voted #7 Best Off-Air LARP of 2014

(August 1, 2014) The 2014 countdown of the Best On- and Off-Air LARP continues for this year. Bill Denton, general sales manager at KFI, KEIB, and KLAC, was voted #7 Best Off-Air LARP of 2014. Prior to joining Clear Channel a year ago, Bill spent almost nine years as gsm at KROQ. He joined CBS/Radio following a stint as vp/director of operations at Quigley-Simpson Advertising. He then spent  four years as director of client services at Newmark Advertising, where he helped build their radio personality endorsement business. For almost two decades, he was with Christal Radio (1979-98), first as a seller, then as vp/LA manager for 15 years.

“All in all, 35 years in the business, and I’ve loved every minute of it,” emailed Bill. “I’ve hired/worked with great people, witnessed it from the last days of the Mad Men era of full-service ad agencies, to buying services, regionalization, consolidation, to the dawn and evolution of Digital, and the decline of ad budgets and rise of marketing budgets.  Radio is remarkably resilient and as relevant as ever, and still the best, most credible local and national mass medium. Having the opportunity to work for the two largest broadcasters in LA underscores my belief that our industry attracts some of the best and brightest in American business. It’s a terrific family of exceptional individuals.”

He’s a past president of the GSM Council of the Southern California Broadcasters Association. Bill is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley.

#7

Clear Channel's Bill Denton

Comments from some of those who voted for Bill:

• “Undisputedly the most loved person in the radio business by both co-workers and media buying community. Selfless, kind and man of his word – truly an enigma in today’s business.”

• “My vocab has been extended from my conversations with this man. He is incredibly smart and has a huge heart.”

• “Bill is the most patient, smart and loving person in radio.”

• “A true gentleman and an amazing manager and a wonderful human being.”

• “He still deserves to be recognized as one of the smartest sales executives in the business.”

Carson to Seth: “I’m so busy I guess I’m Steve Harvey. I’m not afraid to work,” AMP Radio morning man Carson Daly said the other night on Late Night with Seth Meyers. “It’s not a sexy answer, because to me, it's just work. I’m a father first but I also operate a lot out of fear, and I don't come from any money. I never wanted to be in the entertainment business. I’m also aware of what it’s like to not have work, so while the getting’s good, you gotta get it! I just don’t know how to say no. Some of these shows don’t last forever, so you just do what you’ve got to do.”

Early Radio. Randy Kerdoon has been an active voice at KFWB and now KNX since 1990. He got his start at KPGA/fm, a soft rock radio station in a Pismo Beach mall off the 101 freeway. “The station was owned by former KPOL newsman Tony Kent and his wife, who installed a soft rock format,” said Randy. “At one point during my brief stay there the on-air talent was Ken Jeffries (KFWB) 6 a.m. to 12 noon, I worked from noon to 6 p.m., and Al Yankovic 6 p.m. – 12 midnight.

Randy said that all on-air personalities had to read everything from index cards. “There was NO AD-LIBBING,” said Kerdoon. “As you could imagine, Al didn’t last long there. And I didn’t last much longer either."

KFWB Sports. There are a number of job openings at KFWB as the station prepares for a format flip to all-Sports. Here is a link for job openings: http://kfwbam.com/job-openings-at-kfwb/

Saul Levine Thinks Sports on KFWB Good for LARadio

"In response to your question, I do not have an agenda against CBS or KFWB.  I only became involved a few years back because it was the belief of my sales department that KFWB was being offered as part of a package with other CBS stations which placed my company at a disadvantage.  In fact, agencies told us that that KFWB was being offered as a bonus to get buys for the cluster. Based on these opinions, and the fact that KFWB should have been divested more than a decade ago, my company merely asked the FCC to enforce its policy placing a limit on the number of stations any single entity could own in the Los Angeles Metro, and require that KFWB be divested. In fairness to CBS and KFWB, on my way to the NAB Convention in Las Vegas last April, its Trustee, Ms. Valerie Blackburn, was seated on the plane one seat removed, and we started a conversation, leading to having lunch together, in which she flatly denied that KFWB had engaged in such practices.  My opinion, at this time, is that the failure of CBS to divest KFWB is a matter between CBS and the FCC. I have heard excellent reports about the CBS Sports Network, and there is a possibility that the format might do well in Los Angeles. And, this development might assist CBS in finding a buyer for the station.

I have deep respect for Dan Mason, and people are making a mistake if they underestimate the potential for the proposed format change. As to any issue as to compliance with FCC Rules if KFWB is sold and continues to carry the CBS Sports Network, it is premature to speculate.” – Saul Levine, President, Mount Wilson FM Broadcasters, Inc. 

Overheard.

• “Ebola is likely to come here. It can kill up to 90% of the people who catch it, so it is a deadly, deadly illness.” (Mark Thompson, KFI)

• “Sharknado 2 is every bit as craptastic as the first.” (Kevin Ryder, KROQ)

• “Will Israel exist in ten years? I know it is a shocking question because you assume they are winning this war, which on the face of it they are. They are winning the battle but I don’t know if they are winning the war against radical Islam. With friends like us I don’t know that anyone can win this war against radical Islam.” (Michael Savage)

• “The Oakland Raiders are considering a move to San Antonio. They have to make sure the crime rate is high enough to accommodate the fans.” (Frank Kramer, KLOS)

KFI Promotion

When K-EARTH’s afternoon star “Shotgun Tom” Kelly heard Neil Saavedra, host of “The Jesus Show” and “The Fork Report,” was given a promotion as assistant program director
to KFI’s Robin Bertolucci, he stopped everything he was doing and ran to KFI to congratulate Neil and Robin.  (Actually, he was there to see his friend of more than 40 years,
the man he started his radio career with in San Diego:  director of production Jim Duncan.)  A good time was had by ALL!!

LARadio Rewind: August 1 

• 2011 – Triton Media Group/Dial Global announces plans to purchase Westwood One for $2.5 million.

• 2000 – Rosko (William Roscoe Mercer) dies of cancer at 73; he jocked at KGFJ, KBLA, KMET.

• 1972 – Joel Siegel, former KPPC/KMET newsman/program host, moves to WCBS-2 in New York.

• 1959 – Danny Kaye's The Five Pennies opens in theaters; KMPC's Dick Whittinghill has small role.

• 1959 – KFWB's Fabulous 40 folder lists Art Laboe's first Oldies But Goodies LP as L.A.'s #1 album.

• 1950 – Doug “Greaseman” Tracht born in the Bronx; KLOS aired his syndicated show, 1993-94.

• 1945 – RKO releases Radio Stars On Parade with Ralph Edwards, Don Wilson, Frances Langford.

Get On Up. Entertainment Weekly gives the James Brown biopic, Get On Up, a B-. Why do we have to suffer through one lame attempt after another to capture great singers. Ray was a homerun, the Frankie Valli movie, The Jersey Boys, was a disaster. From EW: "How on earth is a movie about James Brown rated PG-13? The Godfather of Soul not only oozed sin and raw sexuality from the stage, but his life off it was one long rap sheet of domestic-violence charges, blackout drug benders, and indiscriminate gunplay. Get On Up too often plays it safe when it needs to be dangerous.  The best thing the movie has going for it is Chadwick Boseman's live-wire channeling of Brown. With his gravity-defying pompadour, raspy jive patter, and quicksilver shimmy-slide dance steps, the 42 star sweats through a two-hour funk workout, belting Caledonia, Night Train, and It's a Man's Man's Man's World. In the most poignant scene, Viola Davis, as the mother who abandoned Brown, shows up backstage to leech off his wealth and fame. Both she and Boseman are devastating. And for that brief moment, Get On Up shows us the kind of movie it could have — and should have — been."

Funnie.  How do you fix a broken tuba?
With a tuba glue!

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** Power to KFWB

“I love reading LARadio. It’s an incredible website.

Concerning KFWB trying to increase power, there is an old FCC record that shows KFWB trying to become a 50,000 watt station.

On KFWB’s History Card on the FCC site:  https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=38060   If you go to Page 26, KFWB filed for a construction permit in 1947 to move from 980 to 830 and increase power from 5,000 watts to 50,00 watts.  The application was apparently denied by the FCC, according to the note on the record.

Also, on the FCC site, there is a record of a Construction Permit that was granted in June of 1996 with an expiration date of August 2000.  http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_det.pl?Application_id=185476   If I remember correctly, that may have been a CP for KFWB to finally move to 50,000 watts (around the same time Clear Channel boosted 1150 KXTA, now KEIB).  Unfortunately, there is no Application Record with the 1996 CP and it was dismissed in February 1999 because it somehow expired:  http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/app_det.pl?Application_id=259446

Someone with better knowledge of the LA market probably knows the ins-and-outs of the late 1990s CP for KFWB.

Finally, on a similar note, the station that I am News & Program Director for, KFYO (Lubbock) has its own storied history.  I’ve conducted a lot a research over the past decade and you can read it here: http://kfyo.com/kfyo-history-part-1/ and here:http://kfyo.com/kfyo-history-part-2/ .  KFYO is the only set of call letters in the station’s history, dating all the way back to 1926.” – Rob Snyder, News & Sports Operations Manager, Townsquare Media Lubbock | Abilene 

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