Radio Waves Podcast #321

 Special guest on this week's show:  The Poorman

Radio: December 31, 2021

Looking for something to do on New Years Eve? How about joining low-power community station KOCI’s (101.5 FM) Jim “Poorman” Trenton for a 29-hour New Years Party Marathon!

“Poorman? The same one I used to listen to on KROQ (106.7 FM)?” I hear you ask. Yes, the very same. Poorman — who got his name writing The Poor Man’s Guides to inexpensive dining in the early 1980s — has been with KOCI for a few years playing classic rock and roll along with seldom heard cuts every weekday from 6-11 a.m. 

This is the second year for the New Years radio marathon party, which will begin at 6 a.m. December 31st and run through 11 a.m. on January 1st.

Poorman says the inspiration for the marathon came from what he calls the mythical DJ - “the DJ who locks himself in the studio, won’t let anyone in, and won’t get off the air,” he says. The covid shutdown gave him the chance to actually do it … and considering that all the guests will arrive via Skype, the show is covid-safe,

The first five hours will be his normal show … “normal” being a strange description for what is one of the most unusual shows on the radio. “We - either me or listeners - choose and theme, and then listeners call in to suggest songs that match the theme.” The show last Thursday, for example, was on holiday food. After that, “it’s an all-instant request morning,” he explains.

At 11 a.m. New Years Eve, Poorman turns the program over to his guests — leaders in the community, artists, CEOs — who are allowed to do basically anything they want. Poorman essentially acts as the Master of Ceremonies and stays on hand to handle any issues or problems that come up. 

Which means that, while Poorman is partying, he can’t really “party” … staying on the air so long and needing to remain sharp and  alert means lots of coffee, and no drinking or other mind-altering substances allowed for him. Not that the rule necessarily applies to his guests …

Each hour will also be dedicated to a charity, either one chosen by Poorman, listeners, or guests; each one will be given on-air recognition with listeners being directed to the designated charity’s website.

“This is so exciting, as in addition to being a fun show to do, it benefits a lot of good causes.” It also harkens back to the type of radio Poorman and others were doing in the studios of KROQ. Or KMET (now KTWV, 94.7 FM) … radio that helped bond listeners to stations and created lifelong, almost rabid fans.

Want to hear it but don’t live near Costa Mesa, the low-powered station’s area of coverage? They have you covered as well: “tune in” through KOCI.com, www.poorman.net, and via Alexa, TuneIn and the Smart Radio app available for Android and iPhones.

The Poorman will also live stream the event on video through his Facebook page at Facebook.com/jim.p.trenton.

KNX-FM Returns

Not the Mellow Sound, unfortunately. For that, you have to go online. But as expected once the simulcast with KNX (1070 AM) began, on December 21st, owner Audacy changed the call letters of KNOU to KNX-FM (97.1) to better reflect the ties with the all-news format.

It still remains to be seen what will happen to the AM signal … my sources tell me that Audacy would love to switch all the listeners to FM. However, the AM signal is actually better, with longer reach and — if you can find a decent radio — fidelity that comes darn close. KNX engineering has long been a high point of the station; perhaps they could lead a charge to bring stereo sound back to the AM band if, as seems to be happening, most AM stations are giving up on digital HD broadcasts.

New Year Wishes

2022 will be the 35th Anniversary of this little radio column, which got its start in the old San Pedro News Pilot and Torrance Daily Breeze “Entertainer” section when former editor Don Lechman gave me the chance to write about my love: radio. 

In the early days, I was a caustic, cynical young man longing for radio the way I like it, hoping to stay in touch with radio program directors and and a job playing the hits. Much has changed since then … now I’m a caustic, cynical old man longing for radio the way I like it, having given up on program directors and planning ways to buy my own AM station for peanuts so I can play the hits.

I have always written this column from the perspective of someone who loves radio and wants it to be as good as it can be. I still love radio, and obviously you do as well, otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this right now. I appreciate that you do, I love reading your letters and emails; as we begin a new year together, I wish you the best for 2022, and hope you will continue to stay in touch.

Radio Waves Podcast #320

 Radio: December 24, 2024

Seasoned Sounds

Just like my annual watching of It’s a Wonderful Life, one of the “must-dos” this time of year is to tune in to Sounds of the Season, which will once again be heard on Ken Borgers’ internet tribute to the original KNOB (now KLAX, 97.9 FM). You can find it at www.JazzKnob.org. 

The program is a 36-hour program that starts at noon Christmas Eve and runs continuously through midnight on Christmas day. It features some excellent jazz instrumental and vocal interpretations of holiday music favorites; along with what many consider a highlight of the season: a reading of the classic “Twas the Night Before Christmas” by the late, great LA Jazz DJ Chuck Niles. This reading will be heard six times throughout the program: 12 noon and 6 p.m. December 24th; and at 12 midnight, 6 a.m., 12 noon, and 6 p.m. on December 25th.

The program will also feature holiday favorites by Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, Marcus Roberts, Ramsey Lewis, Wynton Marsalis, Vince Guaraldi and many more.

If you happen to be in the San Diego area and want to hear it on the radio, you can also find it on KSDS/San Diego (88.3 FM or www.jazz88.org) during the same hours as a simulcast with the internet version. In past years, the netcast and broadcast were slightly different; show producer David Grudt tells me that this year only the hourly station ID will differ.

Niles was on heard on a variety of jazz-formatted stations including KLON (now KKJZ, 88.1 FM), KBCA (now KKGO, 105.1 FM), KFOX  (now KFRN, 1280 AM), and of course KNOB.

JazzKnob.org is an online tribute to Sleepy Stein’s KNOB/Long Beach, which played mainstream jazz. Stein was the owner of the station in 1957 when he launched the jazz format with just 320 watts at its original frequency of 103.1 FM. One year later, he was able to increase power to 79,000 watts by moving to a new frequency, 97.9 FM.

Stein sold the station in 1966 and the new owners changed the format to MOR (Middle of the Road) music … think standards and lighter fare … then Beautiful Music and eventually soft rock. Today the station is known as “La Raza,” playing Regional Mexican music, which it has been playing since 1988.

Now at JazzKnob.org, you can tune in any time 24/7 and hear mainstream jazz from artists both past and present.

KNX Response

One of the letters below highlights something I had thought of after writing the column last week: there anew so few AM stations worth tuning in, KNX (1070 AM) gets a prominent preset. On my FM tuner, I already filled all the presets with stations that play music … so while the sound may be better on most FM radios, it may or may not be good enough to be “preset worthy” on the 97.1 FM simulcast. 

Here’s a sample of the letters I received on the subject:

“My car has 3 radio ‘bands' that I can access with the press of just one button - one AM and two sets of FM stations that I have preset. The only AM station that I have set is KNX 1070, so I can conveniently get there, and the reception is almost always perfect … but my primary means of access to KNX will continue to be through 1070 AM due to its clear signal and quick access.” — Richard Berenson

“I’ve been a KNX 1070 listener for probably 60 years. Growing up in Torrance we didn’t watch much TV but there was always a radio in the kitchen set to KNX (or KFWB if my sister and I were hand washing the dishes). 

“That’s where I first heard old radio shows late in the evening, listened to Bob Crane, horse races live from Hollywood Park and heard the news about countless world and national events like Alan Shepherd’s blast into space and the first heart transplant. 

“When I was commuting to work for 32 years, it was KNX 1070 that rode along with me. Oh, who can forget all the good traffic reports you got from Bill Keene?! It was only on the weekends that I turned to FM for music rather than news, traffic and weather. 

“I still listen to KNX in the car as I run errands around town and have always been amazed that I can still pick them up as I head over the Grapevine. 

I’m sticking with AM 1070 as long as they’re there live.” — Debbie Musser

“I switched to KNX FM. I’ve always enjoyed KNX, but even more now because of the sound clarity.” — Hector 

“I'm an older listener who remembers the old jingle ‘KNX 11070 Newsradio.’  I'll listen to 1070 for as long as it's available, and if I have to eventually switch, I will, but grudgingly.” `— Judy Browning

One unrelated question … with KNX now found on FM, and the possibility of the KNX-FM call sign returning to the band — on 97.1 instead of its old home of 93.1 — will owner Audacy be bothered by the KNX-FM tribute station found at knxfm93.com? Hopefully not.

KSPN sold

Disney has agreed to sell KSPN (710 AM) to Good Karma Broadcasting, which will retain the ESPN sports format currently found on the station as well as on KRDC (1110 AM). KRDC itself is not part of the deal, and it is unknown what Disney will do with it in the interim as it continues to look for a buyer; Disney previously announced plans to exit radio broadcasting completely.

Radio Waves Podcast #319

Former PD of "The Sound" in LA Dave Beasing helps sort out the move of KNX Newsradio to the FM dial.

Radio: December 10, 2021

KROQ (106.7 FM) has ended its “two minute promise” of short commercial breaks, under the direction of owner Audacy, which discontinued the idea on all of its owned and operated alternative music stations. According to AllAccess.com, the move was made due to higher demand for commercial time.

Doubtful, but we’ll pretend it’s true, at least for now.

Unfortunately, this brings back the long commercial breaks that have been the bane of radio for a long time, and one of the reasons listeners search out other entertainment sources such as Spotify and Apple Music. In reality, the idea was sound: fewer commercials per break makes each spot worth more to an advertiser, due to the fact that the message isn’t buried among so many others, and the obvious tune-out that long breaks almost force on listeners.

Once again, stations miss the message that was sent by KHJ (930 AM) during the Boss Radio days of the late 1960s: shorter commercial sets and shorter commercials — especially interesting ads or those read by the personalities themselves — create a situation where listeners stay tuned in, they  gain marketing information, and the advertiser gets a new customer. Long blocks destroy all that.

New Mornings

Mornings on the Beach, an award-winning show airing on Cal State Long Beach’s student-run 22-West Media Radio (formerly K-Beach, www.22westmedia.com and 88.1 HD3)  Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Essentially, the current “non-student” hosts — Danny Lemos, Charley Sharp, and Michael Stark — fired themselves. The last new show aired on December 3rd, and “best of” programs will air through December and likely until at least the end of the university’s winter break. 

But the show is not going away. Lemos, who also acts as the station’s advisor, explained that the decision was made to turn the show over completely to students. In that spirit, the station has launched an all-out search for the next hosts, involving CSULB’s Associated Students organization, the Daily 49er campus newspaper, on-air announcements and more. Current students who are part of the roundtable, including news reporter Nick James, are expected to return. Lemos will stay on as the show’s producer.

“Us leaving is not important,” said Stark. “The search for some new personalities who will carry on the show’s tradition is the real story.” The show will feature all student-hosts when it returns.

Needing a Doctor

While they originally said the 1:00 p.m. Doctor Hour — primarily starring Dr. Kelly Victory — would return to KABC’s (790 AM) John Phillips program, it appears that it will not be happening. Now at 1:00 on Phillips’ show is the Saving California Hour, and Victory says that neither Phillips nor station manager Drew Hayes have seriously discussed her return.

It was an all-volunteer position for Victory and the other doctors involved, so it’s not a true loss for her or them, but it is a huge loss for listeners. The Hour was the best hour on KABC, and was a calming, informative hour giving not just advice on all things Covid, but any medical issues important to callers.

Hopefully another station will take the initiative and bring it back. In the meantime, Victory still makes appearances on various radio and television stations across the country, as well as podcasts.

Future Tease

Is the future of radio here? Will AM and FM merge to become IP Radio? Or perhaps IM Radio for Internet Modulation? Regardless, it’s an intriguing question that many observers believe will indeed happen. The idea is that the new protocols can make the internet a viable medium for radio content, paving the way for an entirely new version of radio.

In a future column, I’ll present some opinions from trendsetters who are on the forefront of what could possible be a radio revolution. In the meantime, would you be willing to transition to a new type of radio if the content you want was available?

Radio Waves Podcast #318

 Radio: December 3, 2021

The announcement was intriguing: Accuradio goes for the record by adding 100 holiday music channels to its online service. “We’re highlighting the upstart, competitive nature of AccuRadio by launching 100 holiday season channels at a pace of one at least one a day,” says company spokesman Michael Lev.  “Dozens more than Pandora is offering. Last time I looked we were at 68 channels; last year we did 81 stations.:

OK, I think they have the record already, though to be honest I haven’t verified the numbers of either Accuradio or Pandora. It’s barely past Thanksgiving … I just started thinking about Christmas. But Accuradio is new to me, so I began my quest to find out more.

You can listen to Accuradio through the company website (AccuRadio.com) or via smartphone apps available for the iPhone or Android. Audio quality is superb, with full fidelity as I listened in my truck.

One killer feature I found almost accidentally is station blending … if you find a channel you like and want to add to it, you can combine the two. Or three. Or more. I combined top-40 HitKast with Alternative Now and Today’s New Country to create a channel I haven’t named yet. Maybe K-WAG would work.

The app is “compatible” with Apple Car Play and Android Auto in the sense that you can stream through your phone into your car stereo, but it is not “native,” meaning you cannot access the app directly and make selections or changes on your car stereo’s main screen, but you can use the “now playing” screen to pause music or skips songs.

Likewise, there is no native support for smart speakers, but you can send audio from your phone or computer to your speakers as long as you have the right set-up.

Unlike Pandora’s and Spotify’s free versions, Accuradio — which has no paid versions — allows unlimited skips, so if you don’t like a song or just don’t want to hear Maggie May right now, you can just skip on to the next. Or the next, without running out of skips and being stuck with Modern Love.

Here’s what caught me off-guard: the service isn’t new! It launched back in the early days of radio streaming in 2000. Originally called RAIN radio due to its connection to founder Kurt Hanson’s RAIN newsletter - Radio and Internet News — Hanson later changed the name to Accuradio. The original three channels — pop standards, modern rock classics, and piano jazz — have evolved into roughly 1000 channels covering more than 50 musical genres. All of therm curated by actual people who are said to love music; many of whom have backgrounds in music, radio, or television.

What inspired Hanson to develop an internet music service after a successful career in and around radio itself? Besides RAIN, he founded Strategic Media Research where, among other things, he launched an alternative ratings service to Arbitron (now Nielsen) called AccuRatings. He’s worked in radio since high school and has advised stations throughout the country.

“I haven't thought about this for a long time --  it was actually when I was in high school in 1972 in Milwaukee, listening to one of the first FM top 40 stations (WZUU-AM/FM), he explained. “It was a great summer for music -- Jackson Browne, the Stylistics, Badfinger, America, the Chi-Lites, Don McLean, Paul Simon, etc. Except every 70 minutes the station wrecked the music flow by playing Sammy Davis, Jr.'s  "The Candy Man" because 8-year-olds were buying and requesting it!   ARRRGHGH!!!!  I dreamed of the day when radio programmers would have a better handle on what their listeners wanted to hear -- and even better if listeners could control what they heard."

That led Hanson to found Strategic Media Research and eventually launch Accuradio.

What sets Accuradio apart from other streaming services? Hanson says it’s the personalization and customization. “We have a lot more variety and personalization options than AM/FM streams, and unlike Pandora (which is programmed primarily by computer algorithms using their Music Genome Project), our channels are curated by real human beings who love music

We also have, unlike Pandora and and its ilk,” he says, “some actual station voices to give us "stationality," but they're mainly brief sweepers that don't draw attention away from the music.”

Treasures for Troops

The little AM station I wrote about recently in Michigan — WION/Ionia (i1430.com) recently completed its Treasures for Troops event, in which the station collects donations to be sent to U.S. service men and women around the world. This is the eighth year for the event.

Boxes are packed with donations including letters, cards, and notes from Saranac, Ionia, Lowell students, Ionia area residents, and others. Each box  also contains three “staple” items of Peanut Butter, Chunky soup, and some beef jerky, along with a variety of items from the needs list published locally each year.

“186 boxes were mailed to active military members deployed far from home,” according to station manager Jim Carlyle. “The boxes will be a surprise to most recipients, however some addresses were provided to the Blue Star Mothers by families and friends of the deployed.”