Radio Waves Podcast #238

Radio: October 26, 2018

I’ve decided to branch out … I’m going to contact the judge involved in the Sears bankruptcy to convince him or her to let me run Sears. As part of my revival of the storied catalog and retail company, I will buy WLS/Chicago and return the station to the company that launched it more than 90 years ago.

I know what you’re thinking. Sears? WLS? What’s the connection?

Sears actually launched WLS — the calls stood for World’s Largest Store — on April 12, 1924 after a few days of experimental broadcasts that “lit up” the Sears switchboards at the company headquarters in Chicago with listeners calling in after hearing the broadcasts.

The idea for WLS was simple. Sears had been buying time on area stations to target the lucrative farming market in the Midwest. By the early 1920s, the company understood the potential of radio and decided to launch its own outlet; Sears president at the time Julius Rosenwald approved a plan to construct a station as the company set up the Sears-Roebuck Agricultural Foundation, a clearinghouse of farming information and assistance. The station and the Foundation would work together to help local farmers.

And of course sell stuff. A lot of stuff. Not only farm equipment, which was a major part of the catalog, but radios. Like RCA, Sears understood that it was easier to sell radios when there was compelling content. And it didn’t hurt that Sears sold a full line of radios … and the electronic tubes needed to keep them playing.

According to the website, WLShistory.com, “As stated in the 1925 Sears Catalogue, ‘WLS was conceived in your interests, is operated in your behalf and is dedicated to your service. It is your station.’

“Broadcasting several hours a day, the station's slogan becomes ‘Bringing The World To The Farm.’ According to accounts, in little more than four years, WLS went from being an obscure signal to a Midwestern powerhouse. It was even rumored to be heard as far away as New Zealand!

“The station aired speeches from President Calvin Coolidge, Ralph Stockton's sermons, the comedy of Pie Plant Pete and  the wit of Will Rogers. WLS hosted a 1925 Military Tournament as well as Chicago's reception of Colonel Charles Lindbergh.”

Of course none of this has anything to do with retailing or radio today. Except that it does. In fact, it has everything to do with today. Sears lost its way by not focussing on the customer. I worked for Sears years ago, and I can tell you, the customer was absolutely the focus back then. From training on how to help customers buy the best items for their needs — not just the item with the highest markup — to customer service backed by a true Satisfaction Guarantee that had no time limit, Sears was a company I was proud to be part of.

Similarly, radio lost its way by not focussing on the listener. Instead the focus became bean-counting. How much can we cut programming costs so we can increase the pay of upper management of the huge companies that bought up the majority of radio stations throughout the country?

Listeners are no longer the focus of most stations; I’d venture that listeners are not even mentioned in the Mission Statements of most major radio group owners. That is why so many listeners are no longer are loyal to the majority of stations and radio ad revenues are still down years after the end of the last recession.

By focusing on the consumer, whether in retail, catalog … or radio, you benefit all. So I see no conflict or problem with taking over Sears and WLS. Eventually, I will buy back other legendary stations such as KHJ (930 AM), KCBQ/San Diego, and relaunch KFRC/San Francisco where it should be at 610 on the AM dial. When my Sears dominates retail again and my network of stations — I think I’ll call it RKO — shows the big boys how radio can be done, then I’ll start looking to do things that are actually difficult.

November 2

My wife Jean and I were having an ‘80s flashback last weekend as we watched the movie “Valley Girl.” Some of the best elements of the movie are the songs chosen to represent the various parts of Los Angeles, particularly Hollywood and the Valley.

Of course, the oddball radio guy in me came out halfway through the movie: It reminded me too much of KIQQ (now KKLQ, 100.3 FM). Now keep in mind, I’m weird. Some people remember a song by the life event they associate with it. I remember music (sometimes artists) by which radio station I heard it or them on.

Bryan Adams’ “Cuts Like a Knife?” KFRC/San Francisco. REO Speedwagon’s “Take it on the Run?” K-West (now KPWR, 105.9 FM). Almost every song in Valley Girl? KIQQ.

That KIQQ could be so represented by music in a movie where music is an essential element of the storyline is a testament to what the station once was: a new music force the likes of which have not been seen since.

KIQQ is what most people think KROQ (106.7 FM) was … even if it didn’t get the credit. While KROQ at its FM inception under then programmer Rick Carroll was intended to be a more open top-40 format with an emphasis on new music, the station quickly found its niche and tended to focus on alternative bands.

On the other hand, KIQQ focussed on top-40, with an emphasis on breaking new bands and new songs before anyone else, including that new thing on cable television, MTV. The new wave of British bands were heard first on KIQQ, often months before they were heard on stations elsewhere. Sometimes the songs were played so long on KIQQ that by the time they made the playlist of KIIS-FM (102.7), they were already burnt.

Every song in Valley Girl was played on KIQQ, and that says a lot about the influence of the station. General Manager George Wilson (Crowell) wanted the station to take chances, and it did. And there was more: Most hits from Prince were heard first on KIQQ. Michael Jackson’s songs often hit KIQQ first. Eddie Grant’s “Electric Avenue” was a hit there long before anywhere else. Spandau Ballet, Culture Club, Rick Springfield… the list goes on.

I don’t even know if it was a hit or not, but “She Means Nothing to Me” by Phil Everly and Cliff Richard was so popular on the station that it must have made some mark – though I honestly cannot remember hearing it on any other station beside UCLA’s student station KLA. I know it was on KLA because I played it there, after hearing it first on KIQQ.

I bring this up not to be nostalgic. I save that for my ongoing discussions about buying KHJ (930 AM) and proving top-40 music could make it in AM radio even today. What I am thinking is that we desperately need a station like KIQQ, now.

Don’t get me wrong – I do like KROQ and Alt 98.7. Both do a superb job of presenting new(er) music from some interesting bands. But it’s not the same thing as was done by KIQQ … KIQQ was truly mainstream, yet cutting edge. And even KROQ and Alt 98.7 suffer from nostalgia sickness: You can still hear songs in rotation that are many years old on stations that have reputations — often deserved, sometimes not — of focusing on new music. Under Wilson, supported by his wife, Paula, no song older than a year or two was played on KIQQ because they had so many new songs to play.

I’d like to hear new music that isn’t the typical bland pop heard on KIIS-FM or My FM (KBIG, 104.3 FM). That isn’t just typical alternative fare as on KROQ and Alt. I want a mixture of everything, from local bands to up and coming national talent to talent from other countries.

There is an amazing amount of good music that can’t get airplay in the overly formulated afraid-to-take-chances radio of today.

And that includes KROQ and Alt. If it doesn’t fit the niche, it’s not allowed.

Lack of new music is one reason kids shun radio. Even I get tired of the same songs I’ve heard forever. A KIQQ for today would be a breath of fresh air in a city stagnating in repetition and copycats. Of course, this is the same format I would put on my AM station just to prove it would work, but until then, perhaps someone else can try.

Radio: November 9, 2018

Power 106 (KPWR, 105.9 FM) is focussing on new music through a new program that made its debut recently: New at Night, which airs every Tuesday through Friday early morning, 12 Midnight to 2 a.m.

The first hour of each show is hosted by personalities Felli Fel and Justin Credible; the second hour by Mando Fresko. The show is programmed and mixed by Few and Credible as well.

“Over the years I have been able to watch artists like Kendrick, YG, Logic, J. Cole and Big Sean grow from our new music platforms to become superstars off their first airplay and discovery on Power 106!” Incredible told All Access Music Group (AllAccess.Com). “I’m excited to help bring two hours of new Hip Hop every night from Soundcloud to the streets! I look forward to breaking more new artists both in LA and around the world.”

While Hip Hop is most definitely not my style, I have to commend Power 106 for adding this show to the on-air lineup. And it is not the only way for new music to hit the station’s airwaves. The Power website, Power106.Com, has a link for artists to submit their songs for potential addition to the station playlist.

As I mentioned recently, it is imperative for at least some stations to focus on new music if young people are going to listen to traditional radio instead of alternatives like Soundcloud, Apple Music, or even discovering new bands on Facebook. Now if we can just get other formats on board …

Cancer Scare

Jillian Barberie, half of KABC’s (790 AM) afternoon (3-7 p.m.) The Drive Home alongside John Phillips, announced last week that she has breast cancer. She told of the diagnosis on Twitter, and her story has inspired other women to tell their own stories or simply have their annual mammograms.

"Results back. It’s cancer in my right breast but also it has spread to my lymph node,” she wrote November 1st. “Appointment at Bedford Breast to assess everything. I’m going to be super aggressive and do double mastectomy and they said I need chemo for the lymph. Thanks for coming on this journey with me!

“Meeting with team this morning to get a game plan,” she said the next day. “To be honest, I just want the boobs gone and the cancer outta me. Then tackle the lymph node. But hey I’m no expert. And all I can think is ....... damnit. I should have done Playboy while I had those beauties.”

Surfing with Allen

Yes, that is Laurie Allen playing the oldies weekday afternoons on K-Surf (1260 AM, 105.1 HD2). Allen has been doing weekends and fillips at sister station Go Country 105 (KKGO, 105.1 FM) for quite some time; it is nice to hear her daily again … I used to work with her as an intern when she did weeknights years ago on Magic 106 (now Power 106).

Speaking of K-Surf, the station will be adding recordings of Dick Clark’s Rock, Roll and Remember starting November 18th. The program will air Sundays from 8 a.m. to 12 Noon.

Write-Back
“I appreciate your articles in the daily breeze on radio, and I'm a fellow San Pedran. I like to listen to Jack-FM 93.1 in the morning. On some days, it is very clear. On others we can hardly hear it. I wondered if you could explain why that is happening.” — Lauren

Absolutely. It is caused by good weather.

What is happening is that the clear weather conditions have allowed stations from San Diego and possibly Northern Mexico to travel up the coast; the signals, which have a nice straight path over the ocean, can at times be quite strong, and they interfere with the signal from Jack-FM. Southern San Pedro is especially vulnerable to such interference as the hills tend to block out the signals from Los Angeles giving San Diego or even Santa Barbara stations to come in as strong or stronger than the locals.

I noticed it last week when KROQ (106.7 FM) was barely receivable on some radios. Interestingly, the digital HD stream was able to push through even when the analog signal was compromised, so I was able to hear it in my truck — I have an HD Radio — fairly consistently.
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Radio Waves Podcast #237

Radio: October 19, 2018

It still seems odd for me to say, but KBIG (104.3 FM) — aka My FM — earned the top spot once again in the Nielsen Ratings released earlier this month. My FM has led the ratings race for five of the last six months and was a full half-point (is that an oxymoron?) above second-place KRTH (101.1 FM): 5.5 vs. 5.0.

The regulars rounded out the top-five: KOST (103.5 FM) at 4.7; KTWV The Wave (94.7 FM) at 4.6, and KIIS-FM (102.7 FM) at 4.4.

Complicating matters just a little bit is a new rule from Intercom that their stations are now to be sold separately from the on-line streams, such that advertising differs. Since the programming is not 100 percent duplicative, the streams register separately from the stations.

While this makes little difference in the scheme of things, had streams been combined with the station’s main signal, The Wave would have had 0.1 more, and would have been tied with KOST. According to one programmer, the change could meant the difference between a financial bonus … or more likely not getting one … which is probably why it was done.

After going head to head for most of the past year, Power 106 (105.9 FM) pulled away from direct competitor KRRL - Real 92.3 FM, with a 3.2 share compared with Real’s 2.9. Likewise, KROQ (106.7 FM) pulled ahead of Alt 98.7, 2.8 to 2.3. Considering the lead Alt had for a long time, it is interesting to see the reversal. Add in the KROQ stream rating of 0.1 and the difference is more than a half point.

Speaking of KROQ, the rejuvenation of KROQ HD2 — the digital stream playing Roq of the Eighties on HD Radio — seems to be paying off. The HD2 earned a 0.1 share, the first time I’ve seen this in Los Angeles.

Go Country KKGO (105.1 FM) held stead with a 2.4 share — not bad for a format that can’t survive in los Angeles.

Poor KABC (790 AM). The originator of full-time talk programming in Los Angeles just cannot break out of the doldrums, and is being beaten by just about every talk station in town outside of the Communists at KPFK (90.7 FM). KFI (640 AM) was 6th at 3.7, KPCC (89.3 FM) was 16th at 2.5, KRLA (870 AM) was tied with sports-talk KLAC (570 AM) for 227th at 1.2, and KEIB (1150 AM) tied with sports talker KSPN (710 AM) for 32nd at 0.9. Where was KABC? Tied with regional Mexican music station KDLD (103.1 FM) for 41st at 0.4.

For its part, KPFK was tied with a group of others (including streams) at 47th with a 0.1 share of the listening audience.

The full story: Each rating is an estimate of the percentage of listeners aged 6 and over tuned to a station between the hours of 6 a.m. and 12 midnight.

1. KBIG (5.5) 2. KRTH (5.0) 3. KOST (4.7) 4. KTWV (4.6) 5. KIIS-FM (4.4) 6. KFI (3.7) 7. KCBS-FM, KLVE (3.6) 9. KPWR (3.2) 10. KXOL (3.1)

11. KNX (3.0) 12. KLOS, KRRL (2.9) 14. KROQ (2.8) 15. KRCD (2.6) 16. KPCC (2.5) 17. KBUE, KKGO, KLAX (2.4) 20. KAMP, KYSR (2.3)

22. KSCA (2.0) 23. KUSC (1.8) 24. KCRW, KDAY (1.5) 26. KXOS (1.3) 27. KLAC, KRLA, KSSE (1.2) 30. KJLH (1.1)

31. KLYY (1.1) 32. KEIB, KSPN (0.9) 34. KFSH, KFWB, KKJZ, KKLQ (0.8) 38. KKLA (0.7) 39. KWIZ, KYLA (0.6)

41. KABC, KDLD (0.4) 43. KIRN, KSUR, KTNQ, KWKW (0.3) 47. KAMP stream, KHJ, KPFK, KROQ HD2, KROQ Stream, KTWV Stream (0.1)

Contested contest

When is a contest not a contest? I would argue when it's Stay or Go on KLOS.

As a disclaimer, I have a personal stake in this item. Stay or Go is a segment on KLOS’ (95.5 FM) Frosty, Heidi and Frank morning show. It's an opportunity for local unsigned bands to get played on the air and critiqued by both the morning team and listeners. In addition to the on-air exposure, there's a chance to play at the show's Birthday Bash in October.

So here's where my role as a radio columnist and father collide: My son’s band, Divine Intervention, entered the contest, held weekly Fridays on the morning show. But in spite on-air announcements that the band with the highest Stay vs. Go rating would play the show’s annual Birthday Bash later this month, the bands chosen were both ranked below Divine Intervention and in one case below about several others as well.

I am told that programmer Keith Cunningham will make good. That would be nice. Every one of the bands involved is talented, and I’d hate to see a controversy like this overshadow the segment, which airs every Friday morning at 9 a.m. It's one of the best things on local radio.

Radio: October 12, 2018

Two weeks ago I wrote of Bob Goodman’s great Whole ‘Nuther Thing program on KCSN/KSBR’s (88.5 FM) HD2 signal. I used it as an example of programming you can find on the extra channels sent along with the main format of a station if you have an HD Radio tuner to pick up and decode those extra channels.

“I’m not sure why KCSN’s Sky Daniels hasn’t put it on the main signal for 88.5 FM,” I wrote, “but for now, it’s worth the trouble to find.”

Daniels — KCSN’s programmer — apparently read the column and thought the same thing. As of last weekend, Whole ‘Nuther Thing is available on the main signal of 88.5 FM, available on any FM tuner you own, every Sunday from 3:00-5:00 p.m., following Mimi Chen’s “Peace, Love & Sundays” show.

"I had been considering the move with Bob and your article closed the deal,” Daniels told me. Perhaps he’s stretching the truth, but I am running with it … I like to think that I had an influence on making Los Angeles radio just a little better. Makes the column worthwhile. But I digress.

Goodman told me that the program will continue to air in the 88.5 HD2 stream as well. “Both versions will have original content,” he explained, and the recordings will still be available as before on TuneIn, MixCloud, and podomatic.Com.

Shocking Talent Raid

That’s not the only new program on KCSN. Daniels announced that he was able to convince Gary Calamar to move down the dial from KCRW (89.9 FM) to host the Sunday 5-7 p.m. slot. Calamar had been with KCRW for 25 years.

“Gary established a singular reputation at KCRW (and as a music supervisor) with this keen sensibility curating a powerful blend of new artists with critically acclaimed legends, Daniels said through a press release and an email. “His instincts for melody make him a wonderful addition to the 88.5 FM staff.”

Calamar said he is excited to be a part of his new station with its passion for music. “I am also thrilled to work with Sky Daniels and share the airwaves with my former colleague Nic Harcourt and the amazing music people at 88.5 FM,” he added.

Coffee With Wink

It may be too late to get tickets, but Saturday, October 13th, longtime radio and television personality Wink Martindale will sit down for a couple hours with Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters President Shotgun Tom Kelly for coffee and a chat.

Martindale will talk about his long career including hosting television’s Tic Tac Dough, High Rollers, Gambit, and Trivial Pursuit; his radio shows on such stations as KHJ, KRLA, KGIL and the Station of the Stars: the original KMPC; his friendship with Elvis Presley; and much more. Rumor has it that he will even explain how he got the name Wink…

Martindale is genuinely one of the nicest people you will ever meet, and the program should be a good one. He’ll have on hand copies of his book, Winking at Life, which I hope to review here soon.

The coffee will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Airtel Plaza Hotel, 7277 Valjean Avenue in Van Nuys. Tickets are $20 and include coffee and a danish; seating is limited to 50 people. For information, call the PPB at 323-461-2121.


Radio: October 5, 2018
KRTH (101.1 FM) got some good news last Thursday (9/27) when the members of the National Association of Broadcasters got together for their annual Marconi Radio Awards dinner gala in Orlando. The celebration for broadcasting excellence singled out the station as the Classic Hits Station of the Year.

Classic hits? Yes, as the term “oldies” has taken on a negative connotation in the radio world even though the entire non-broadcast world still calls the music they play “oldies.” Purists of course say that oldies has to come from the 1950s, ‘60s, or perhaps even ‘70s … and of course KRTH plays music from as recently as the ‘90s.

But consider: KRTH in 1972 played music only as old as 1955, or a maximum of 17 years old. Today, 17 years ago would be 2001. Kind of makes you feel old, doesn’t it? That movement of music into the 1980s and (gasp!) 1990s on the KRTH playlist has allowed the station to remain relevant as well as extremely popular. Indeed, KRTH has been toward the top of the ratings for years.

New Face

That's not all the KRTH news … local boy Kevin Schatz - formerly heard on sister station Amp Radio (97.1 FM) - has moved down the hall to handle weekends at the classic rock station. He can be heard Saturdays from 6 - 11 p.m. and Sundays 3 - 8 p.m.

Schatz is a South Bay native who has been working at the Entercom - formerly CBS - cluster of stations for a few years. Previous experience includes background work at KROQ (106.7 FM) as well as his on-air work at Amp.

“It’s surreal to join a station as historic and beloved as this one, Schatz wrote on his Facebook page. “K-Earth is the first station I can remember listening to as a kid; my mom always had it on when she drove me and my siblings to school in the morning. It was also the favorite station of my late Uncle George who I know would’ve been beyond thrilled for me.”

PPB Luncheon

Patrick Duffy will be the guest of honor at the next Pacific Pioneer Broadcaster Luncheon October 5 at the Sportsman’s Lodge in Studio City. On the dais will be Linda Gray, Suzanne Summers, James Duff, Conor Duffy, Pedraic Duffy, Mike Robin and Bill Bickley.

None of those are radio guys, of course. Patrick Duffy is best known for his portrayal of Bobby Ewing on the popular 1980s CBS television program Dallas. What makes this luncheon special is that it marks the first luncheon under the direction of new PPB president Shotgun Tom Kelly.

Kelly is radio. He was heard locally on KRTH (what … is this KRTH Day?) for over 20 years, spent much of his career in San Diego at legendary stations such as KCBQ, KGB and B-100, and is currently hosting afternoons (3 - 7 p.m.) on SiriusXM satellite radio’s Sixties on Six, Channel 6. He knows radio’s history and is personal friends with numerous personalities and managers. Consider him a walking radio encyclopedia.

“We’re making a lot of changes,” Kelly told me about the luncheons. I want the program to move faster and put increased focus on the guests of honor.” This will be a good year.

Have ten years experience in the broadcasting industry (radio, television, or an allied field)? You should join. Hey, they let me in due to this very column and of course my extensive on-air experience at UCLA’s campus station, KLA … as well as the amazing announcing I do in my car. 47 new members joined the PPB as Summer began.

Radio Waves Podcast #236

Radio: September 28, 2018

You probably don’t know the name Bob Goodman. But you should ... he is the host of a program called Whole “Nuther Thing, a program you might call a flashback to the early days of FM radio heard locally on KCSN’s (88.5 FM) HD2 digital stream as well as on line at ksbr.org, via the TuneIn app, on iTunes, Mixcloud, and at Podomatic.Com.

Goodman hails from New York City and cut his teeth on early FM. His program aired on the former KSBR since 1984; last year when Saddleback College’s KSBR merged with Cal State Northridge’s KCSN, the program was moved - along with the rest of KSBR’s programming - to the simulcast’s digital HD2 stream, which means you have to have a special HD radio to hear t over the air. Indeed, it is one of the reasons to buy an HD radio.

But as with so much of radio today, online is where its at, and Goodman says that he’s averaging 2000 downloads and plays each week on Podomatic alone, placing the program in the top-200 out of the service’s tens of thousands of available programs. In the category of “freeform,” he is often number one.

“My show is true ‘free-form’ radio,” Goodman explained to me recently. “All genres of music are featured in hand-mixed sets. I refer to it as ‘radio the way it ought to be.’”

A recent show featured songs from William Devaughn, War, Earth Wind & Fire, Dave Brubeck, Steely Dan, Doobie Brothers, Graham Parker, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Ram Jam, ZZ Top, Billy Squire, Mark Knopfler, Chris Isaak, Garland Jeffreys, Procol Harum, Rod Stewart & The Faces, The Eagles, Pat Metheny, Neil Young, George Harrison, Lovin' Spoonful, and many more. Eclectic? Absolutely.

Goodman’s voice is reminiscent of early FM freeform or underground radio as well. In fact, he sounds like he could be found on any of the stations that set the stage for FM’s success: KMPX and KSAN in San Francisco, KPPC and KMET here in Los Angeles.

His early radio work was in New York City as General Manager of Hunter College’s campus station. From there he moved to Long Island’s WCRN as Music Director, eventually making the trip out West to the former KSRF (now KDLD, 103.1 FM), back to New York and then finally Philadelphia ... all during the 1960s when FM radio was experimenting with formats trying to attract an audience in the days of AM dominance.

The program is a wonderful mix of musical styles that is thoroughly enjoyable to hear. You can listen to each show live every Saturday from 3-7 p.m. or download/stream the podcasts at your leisure; Goodman says that archives go back six months on TuneIn and MixCloud; three years at https://bobksbr.podomatic.com.

“I've got listeners all over the world with an especially large following in UK,” Goodman told me. If you haven’t listened yet, give it a whirl and let me know what you think. I think it’s great. I’m not sure why KCSN’s Sky Daniels hasn’t put it on the main signal for 88.5 FM, but for now, it’s worth the trouble to find.

Ring of Honor

Longtime (Spanish) voice of the Los Angeles Dodgers Jaime Jarrin has been inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor, the 12th person to be inducted and the second broadcaster as he joins Vin Scully in the Ring.

Jarrin will have his name permanently affixed to Dodger Stadium.

The longtime broadcaster has been with the Dodgers since 1959, and will be with them at least through 2020 ... his contract was just renewed last week. He is as beloved by his audience as is Vin Scully, who retired in 2016.

Radio: September 21, 2018

Real 92.3 (KRRL) morning man Big Boy -- aka Kurt Alexander -- and a friend escaped serious injury due to the effectiveness of their seatbelts when they were hit from behind at a red light.

"I heard a screech, but not long ... and everything from the back of the car went to the front," Big Boy told KABC-TV’s Eyewitness News.

At first Big Boy suspected that the driver of the car that hit them was using a cell phone. He was shocked to discover that the driver was drunk ... and still drinking.

"As we were sitting here talking to him, he gets his bottle of vodka and he's just sitting there. Just dazing, just drinking," he said.

While the seatbelts helped save their lives, being hit may have saved the lives of others, as the area they were stopped at was near a school, and the accident could have been far worse had a pedestrian been hit.

The other driver was identified as an on-leave employee with the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. Video shows him drinking from his vodka bottle while still in the car after the accident.

That story caused me to flash back to my own high school days when my friend Dean and I were waiting at a light in my super-cool 1974 Chevy Vega GT hatchback. We heard a screech and suddenly - bam - a motorcycle hit the back of my car and the driver landed on my hood. No damage to the Vega, though the front forks of the motorcycle were bent.

The driver of the motorcycle -- a student at my school -- said later that it had to be our fault, even though we were stopped for a red light. “I wasn’t drunk of stoned or anything” he told us, “that morning.”

Mr. October Radio

Reggie Jackson -- yes, that Reggie Jackson -- has returned to SiriusXM to host a new show on Mad Dog Sports Radio, Channel 82. Called “Swing Away with Reggie Jackson,” the show made its debut on September 15th in time for the 10th anniversary of the channel and will air Saturdays from 8 to 9 a.m. local time.

A member of the baseball Hall of Fame, Jackson says his show will cover more than baseball, as he is a lover of all things sport. “Like many fans out there, I’ve had a passion for all sports my entire life. I’ve also had a lot of great experiences in college and professional sports. So I’m excited to dive in each week and drive a discussion on anything and everything from around the sports landscape, share my thoughts on things, and talk to many of the great sports figures I’ve met along the way,” he said in a press release.

Jackson’s baseball career spanned over 21 seasons, and he was an All-Star for four different teams: Athletics, Orioles, Yankees and Angels. At an early age he excelled in baseball, as one would suspect, but he also was known for his accomplishments in football, basketball and track & field as well. 

He was recruited by numerous colleges for football and he accepted a scholarship to play at Arizona State University. While there he was asked to join the baseball team and the rest, as they say, is history. 

Sold

Reports have surfaced that Entercom has sold the property at 5901 Venice Blvd in Los Angeles that once served as the transmitter site for the legendary KHJ (930 AM) and later, the studios for KHJ, KRTH (101.1 FM), and most recently, Jack-FM (KCBS-FM, 93.1) and KROQ (106.7 FM). The part of the property where the old KHJ broadcast towers were located was sold in 2013 and now features single-family houses in the area where Boss Radio once made its way into the airwaves.

Jack and KROQ will now join the rest of the former CBS-owned cluster on Wilshire.

Radio Waves Podcast #235

Radio: September 14, 2018

As the suits at CBS Radio were falling over themselves three years ago trying to cut costs (i.e. talent) from their radio stations in an ill-fated attempt to make the financials look better to a potential buyer, one of the victims was Freddy Snakeskin, who had been (among other things) programming and doing on-air work for KROQ (106.7 FM) HD2, the digital “Roq of the ‘80s” that you could hear on line and with a special radio. More on that later.

The format technically continued, but it wasn’t the same without the personalities. Snakeskin had put together a small staff of DJs who helped make the station as close as possible to the original KROQ (106.7 FM); when the cutbacks came everyone was forced off, and the station ran jockless.

Now things have come full-circle. As of last week, “Roq of the ‘80s” has relaunched on KROQ HD2 and Snakeskin is back on the air from 6 a.m. to 12 noon weekdays, followed by Tami Heide from noon to 6 p.m. Heide was with KROQ from 1991 to 2004.

The station is being programmed by Gene Sandbloom, former Operations Director for KROQ who left on 2017 to move to, as I recall, France. I’m not sure what convinced him to come back or if he ever actually moved to France, but the move is part of a refresh of station owner Entercom’s HD2 streams planned nationwide.

Snakeskin broke the news on Facebook, writing “Yes it's official, after a 3 year vacation (at their request), I'm thrilled to be invited back to relaunch Entercom's KROQ-HD2 The Roq of the 80s, doing some kinda daily morning show, woo hoo!

“Tell everybody ... join yours truly, Freddy Snakeskin, at 6 a.m., followed by my longtime un-indicted co-conspirator Tami Heide daily at 12 noon. Listen everyday for all the great Klassick KROQ music you grew up with, via Radio.com and/or free HD radio @ 106.7-HD2. Thanks for your unwavering support all these years; apparently someone was listening!!”

HD What?

Digital HD Radio was officially approved as a broadcasting standard by the FCC in 2002, but many people still do not understand it. What sets it apart from AM, FM or even satellite radio is that --  while like the others you need the right tuner to hear the broadcasts -- these are special digital streams sent alongside the regular analog channel. Think of it as an internet computer stream sent along with the same carrier that your old radio uses to tune in a station. Your old radio hears it as noise; an HD tuner decodes it and plays music. Or talk. Whatever.

In fact that internet stream idea is not far off. If you have an older AM radio that doesn’t use a digital tuner, you can actually hear the digital stream if you tune just above or just below the regular station. Locally, KNX (1070 AM), KBRT (740 AM) and KSUR (1260 AM) broadcast HD. That sound is the same sound you sued to hear when your modem connected to online services like AOL or GEnie in the days of dial up internet.

Sangean makes three home and portable HD radios, and you can also find many OEM or aftermarket radio brands for your car that receive HD. Good online sources include Amazon and Crutchfield.

The way it works on a typical radio is that you tune in your favorite regular station and wait for it to capture and buffer the HD stream. On AM you’re done - the sound will change and background noise you don’t even know you’re hearing suddenly disappears, while the high end missing from most AM radios suddenly appears. On FM, the sound may or may not change much but extra channels suddenly become available. Tuning up one or more times, depending on how many extra HD channels are carried, tunes in new stations.

It’s actually a very impressive system, notwithstanding the problems that can occur with interference to other stations, especially on the AM band -- I’ll discuss that another day. Purists will also note that the sound can sound a bit off due to digital “artifacts” that you may know from bad internet listening.

But it is impressive in the sense that it works, and works fairly well. Even on AM; I still believe KFI made a mistake  (640 AM) and KABC (790 AM) made a mistake removing their AM HD signals, as the simulcasts they run on KLOS (95.5 FM) HD3 and KOST (103.5) HD2 don’t sound as good as did the AM HD signal, in my opinion. Currently, if you can pick it up (in the Valley), K-SURF sounds much better in AM HD than it does on it’s simulcast on KKGO (105.1 FM) HD2.

In any event, there are so many extra signals that you might just consider trying out an HD radio the next time you need a new radio or car stereo. It certainly is not a perfect system, but then neither is AM, FM or satellite.

Songbook Returns

KKGO owner Saul Levine has been a proponent and supporter if HD radio since it was approved, and he runs extra formats not to make extra money ... he does it because he still believes radio is a public service.

Not long ago he tried playing light rock as an HD channel on KKGO; now he’s reverted and returned the American Songbook to the airwaves. Heard on KKGO HD3 and online, the format of one of three extra channels there. The K-Surf oldies format os on KKGO HD2, while classical music can be heard on KKGO-HD4.

Radio: September 7, 2018

Longtime readers of this column know: I’m a bit crazy when it comes to AM radio. Unlike many ... seemingly most ... owners managers or programmers, I believe that an AM station can compete if it pays the right format. And in my opinion that usually means music ... music that can’t be found on FM. Do that and you can attract new listeners, including young people who have not had an AM station program to them since the 1970s.

As I said a few weeks ago, I’ve been writing this column since 1987, and not once has anyone ever told me that they don’t listen to AM because of issues with audio quality. People tell me they don’t listen because with rare exception, the programming just isn’t appealing.

But don’t take my word for it. Here are some of the responses you sent to me in answer to the question: would you listen to an AM station if it played something you wanted to hear?

“What would it take to lure listeners back to AM radio? The answer is quite simple. Give them what they want to hear!” -- Tom Murphy

“To me the most important thing about me is the radio content/format, not necessarily the broadcast quality.  As long as KSRF plays 60's and 70's music, I'll be listening” -- Randy Ouchi

“You can’t hear new music or certain styles on any station; I’d definitely listen to AM if they played new music, metal or Prog. So would my friends in school.” -- Sean Rogers

“I agree with you, the AM band should have better formats.  Since we already have an oldies format, I think it would be great if we had a format on the band that would play music from the Classic Rock Era (1964-1990). We really need to have more music formats on the AM radio band.” -- Russell Cinque, Jr.

“AM has nothing that would interest anyone my age. My friends don’t even listen to FM stations either. We get our music online. If an AM station played new songs and new bands, I’d definitely tune in.” -- Kayleigh Marcus

“Up until 6 months ago, the only things I listened to on AM radio were broadcasts of Kings and Ducks games. Then when my favorite FM station went off the air, I discovered K-SURF. While I love their format, I would be thrilled if there were an AM station that played songs from the 60s, 70s and some 80s that were not so pop, but more folk oriented. Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Judy Collins, Joan Baez and some of the lesser-known artists like Bob Lind, Hedge & Donna, Eric Andersen etc.” -- Susanne Gilmore

“I haven't listened to an AM station for years until you told us about K-SURF. I haven't listened to KRTH since.  I love, love, love this oldies station! I have it on all day at home and in my car. What a wonderful change from all the FM stations playing songs I'm sick of. I only wish it had better reception.” -- Pat Games

“There are way to many commercials and very little content. What I believe would make for better programming is a mixture of local news, interviews of people with interesting stories or new books, with various music intertwined.” -- Bill Fisher

“How about a station that blends classic country with new country? Done right, this could fill a big void, as great artists like Alan Jackson and Toby Keith no longer can get played on the current FM channel.” -- Steve Keller

“I would listen to AM if they played something I liked. Maybe give exposure to some artists that aren’t played anywhere else, especially if they play real instruments. There are lots of good songs you can’t hear on the radio” -- Antonio A.

“Offer something that isn't already on the radio. ‘50s music. ‘60s music. How about a comedy station? Something new can just be something old, made new again.” -- Veronica Ross

There you have it. Programming will bring people of all ages back to AM radio, especially in an era when the FMs are all too scared to take chances. AM stations -- like FM stations in the 1960s -- have nothing to lose ... and everything to gain.

Once programming is in place, we can tackle the technical issues and find that in spite of its reputation, AM can provide good, perhaps excellent, audio quality. That topic will be covered in a future column.

Radio Waves Podcast #234

Radio: August 31, 2018

My oldest son committed to attend Lake Forest College in Illinois, about 30 miles North of Chicago, so I spent part of last week with him in the city of Lake Forest as well as a couple quick tours of Chicagoland itself. I discovered two interesting things in particular:

1. The stations I heard in the educational portion of the FM band are lightyears ahead of Southern California in terms of using their licenses as originally intended by the FCC. Stations  heard were (gasp!) actually run by students and volunteers, including one located on the campus of a local high school and Lake Forest’s own WMXM.

2. The software that controls iPhones in our Dodge rental car, and presumably all Dodge, Chrysler, Ram and Fiat vehicles, is the worst I have ever encountered and must be a secret way for radio to maintain dominance. In plain English, it just doesn’t work, and the people responsible for the design of the radios should be fired, tarred and feathered. Yes, it is that bad.

Getting back to the local educational stations I was able to hear, WGBK stuck out as an amazing example of student radio. Located at the campus of Glenbrook South High School in the town of Glenview, the station uses advisors and students from both Glenbrook South and Glenbrook North. The format is an alternative format that my younger son says puts Los Angeles radio to shame, along with news and high school sports.

 

I am told that Fall Out Boy lead singer Patrick Stump is an alumnus of WGBK, having worked there as a student until he graduated in 2002. Called Chicago’s North Shore alternative, you can hear it on the net at GBSradio.com.

I didn’t get a chance to hear too  much of WMXM, as the station was operating on auto mode as students moved into their dorms to start the semester. But it too is a prime example of what real educational radio is supposed to be. 

Te station has a freeform  format of indie rock, hip-hop, and more, along with news updates for the local community. On the air since 1975, the station is run by volunteers and can be heard at WMXM.org.

Here in Los Angeles, the vast majority of educational-band licensed stations are run by paid adults. My personal belief is that operators of stations without students as the primary “employees” should give up their licenses, especially if the stations are physically located on or licensed to a college or other educational institution.

Now for the Dodge radio: If you want to hear your iPhone songs alphabetical, it might work. or it might not, depending on its mood. Want to select a song or play it in random order ... you’re out of luck. It may play for a while, then it just stops. You can use Bluetooth, but if you need to charge it, you’re out of luck - you can’t use Bluetooth when the lightening cable. With the cable it might play for a while, skip songs, play a small segment of songs randomly, then lock up. It is by far the worst interface I have ever used and must have been developed by an engineer of a radio station hoping to keep listeners off of alternatives to radio.

Saving AM (Continued)

Your comments regarding AM radio are fascinating; most of them so far state that you already listen to AM radio, and (while I promised comments this week) I will present them next week just to give more time for others to respond.

I do want to ask one more time though ... as most of the responses so far mentioned AM stations that you already listen to. What I would really like to know is -- especially if you never listen to AM -- would you tune to an AM station if it played the format you liked? If so, or if not, please state your age as well.

I’ll also be presenting technical challenges and potential solutions in the coming weeks.

They delayed it AGAIN … Labor Day, September 3rd is supposedly the new date for the launch date of Shotgun Tom on Sirius. I have a call into SiriusXM’s Lou Simon, who seems to be playing games because he’s ticked off that info got out before he did an official press release. I changed the paragraph as follows (first is the only change):

Radio: August 24, 2018

He was supposed to start August 20, but it got delayed ... listen for “Shotgun” Tom Kelly starting “sometime soon,” perhaps around Labor Day if the word on the street is correct. Kelly says he doesn’t know; I have a call into the executive offices of SiriusXM for an official date.

No explanation was given for the delay but it may have been related to a week of multiple tribute channels dedicated to Aretha Franklin, who passed away last week from pancreatic cancer. The tributes included music, interviews, and remembrances on as many as eight channels at various times per day.

Supporting Local Music

Terrestrial radio may have essentially abandoned the local music scene, but online “radio” stations - in quotes because it isn’t radio in the traditional sense, even though apps can make it seem that way on your transistor radio, er, smart phone - has taken up the challenge.

One example is C4OC Radio, available at www.C4OCRadio.Com. That’s an O (oh), not a zero, by the way. C4OC was netcasting live from Malone’s Bar and Grill in Santa Ana last Saturday night. On hand for their second annual Independence Bash were American Animal, Betrayed By Faith, Resurrection (all the way from the U.K.), Da Vang, White Hot Red, and Divine Intervention.

Online radio and podcasting has the potential to majorly disrupt traditional AM and FM radio, as people get used to on-demand entertainment. How traditional radio responds to the challenge will determine if the current owners and managers stay in power in the coming years. So far the outlook is not promising...

The Future of AM

Last week I teased you a little, stating: “Is AM radio dead? Absolutely. The problem is with the owners and programmers, though, not listeners. Before I expand on this, however I am curious what you think … can an AM station attract you as a listener if it played the right format? What would that format be?”

This topic came up, ironically, through a discussion on a Facebook page called “I Love AM Radio” in which any call for change to bring in new listeners was met with responses that can best be described as depressing. Basically, don’t bother trying to program anything of interest on an AM station, listeners left for FM years ago. Makes you wonder what the “I hate AM Radio” page would have.

One post in particular caught my eye. Among multiple reasons to run tired talk or sports programming that has, in my opinion, driven listeners to FM, satellite or online listening was the comment, “younger-leaning formats will obviously not work, since few under the age of 30 even know AM exists.”

My position: the reason few under the age of 30 - more accurately few under the age of 50 - know AM exists is because the last time AM stations programmed to them was in the 1970s. Back when AM music giants like KFI (640 AM), KHJ (930 AM) Ten-Q (KTNQ, 1020 AM) and The Mighty 690 could still be found in the top half of the ratings.

Yes, I know FM has a technical advantage. Though AM can sound excellent, it is generally easier to get good sound from an FM station than AM. Yet in the three decades I have been writing this column, I have never once received an email or letter stating that someone refused to listen to AM due to sound quality. I have received hundreds of letters and emails over the years stating that no/few AM stations offer the type of programming that appeals to them.

So I asked my 16-year old radio-shunning son, Sean, the essential question: If an AM station played music he liked, especially music you can’t find elsewhere (such as his favorite artist Plini), would he listen? “Yes,” he said without hesitation, “especially if they had things like interviews.”

Remember, he’s 16 ... the age that “doesn’t know about AM.” The truth is he knows all about AM ... he knows it’s awful.

As I see it, there are two pathways AM owners and managers can take: first is the path of least resistance taken since 1979, in which they run syndicated talk, sports, or brokered programming. They can use excuses that AM doesn’t sound as good, that AM stereo died due to the FCC, that HD on AM won’t work, or any other excuse to hide their utter failures as programmers ... therefore why bother trying. This is what has led to the lowest level of AM listenership in the history of the band.

Or they can think outside the box and find formats that appeal to those disenfranchised from FM. Appeal to younger listeners who have no station to call their own, and would love to be different than their parents who all listen to FM or satellite.

 

AM radio needs someone to take the reigns and program without the tired excuses of today’s programmers. If no one will step up, then the future of the oldest broadcast band is dismal indeed. Your comments - next week.