Radio Waves Podcast #66

Rick Dees is set to be honored by the Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters January 23rd. PPB President Chuck Street -- who happens to be Dees’ longtime traffic reporter from his days at KIIS-FM (102.7) -- will present the Art Gilmore Career Achievement Award at the PPB luncheon at the Sportsman’s Lodge in Studio City.

Now you may be thinking ... Dees a pioneer? He’s so young! How can a guy who just got started be a pioneer?

Easy. It was 1979 when Dees landed in Los Angeles, first at KHJ (930 AM) and then for almost a quarter century at KIIS-FM. 1979 is 36 years ago, even if it seems like yesterday to those of us who still live in the past.

Dees defined top-40 morning radio in Los Angeles for a generation of listeners, in an era when many thought the format was dead. His impact at KHJ was minimal due to owner RKO’s decision to change the format to country just when master programmer Chick Martin was hitting his stride (though ironically earning ratings the station would never see so high ever again).

But at KIIS, surrounded by a supportive General Manager Wally Clark, programmer Gerry DeFrancisco, a “Cast of idiots” that included the talented Liz Fultan, Dees’ own wife Julie, Danny Lemus and more, and an airstaff of talent seldom seen in the same building -- including Big Ron O’Brien, Paul Freeman, Bruce Vidal among others -- Dees helped lead a revolution.

 

Dees was the face of the station, literally, his face plastered on billboards and bus boards everywhere. The morning show would be the cornerstone of the entire format. And it worked: the “dead” top-40 format became so popular that like KHJ before it, KIIS-FM started setting ratings records and having copycat stations spring up across the nation.

Those ratings records, by the way, still stand: No FM station in Los Angeles has earned the ratings KIIS-FM had in the early to mid 1980s; only the AM stations of the 1960s and ‘70s commanded a higher rating than KIIS’s 10+ shares in the Arbitron ratings, and that was before the popularity -- and extra competition of FM.

In addition to radio, Dees could be found on television, and he has some music to his credit including the famous (infamous?) hit “Disco Duck” that sold more than six million copies. He received the Billboard Radio Personality of the Year award for ten consecutive years and has won numerous other prestigious awards including the Marconi Award and a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He was even inducted into numerous Halls of Fame: The National Association of Broadcasters, National Radio, North Carolina Music, and Tennessee Radio. And this is just a partial list.

Dees still hosts syndicated countdown shows including the “Rick Dees Weekly Top-40” that can be heard throughout the United States and overseas. Just not here in Los Angeles, which I find quite strange considering his long history here. You can hear it online and through apps such as TuneIn, though. You can check out everything he’s up to at his website, www.rick.com.

Yes, I’d say he is most certainly a pioneer and absolutely deserving of this PPB honor. On the dais at the luncheon will be Channel 4 weatherman Fritz Coleman, David Sheehan, and Scott St. James. But my hunch is that he’ll have some catching up to do with his old friend Clark, who will be there as well. 

Mark and (Not) Brian

The Sound’s (100.3 FM) Dave Beasing told me that Mark Thompson makes his return to the Los Angeles airwaves on February 2nd. I’ll have some more information on the show next week.

Radio Waves Podcast #65

After years of trying unsuccessfully to attract an audience worthy of mentioning, KABC (790 AM) -- the onetime king of talk locally and nationally -- is making some changes. Beginning January 20th, the station will feature two new shows and move one of the current programs to a new time slot.

The first of the new hosts is a household name to some television viewers. Cristina Perez has been on local television stations with her court-oriented programs “Justice for All” (KCAL Channel 9), “Cristina’s Court” (Fox Channel 11) and “La Corte de Familia” (Telemundo Channel 52). Her KABC show, called “Judge Cristina Live @9” will air weekdays 9 a.m. to 12 noon and focus on topical news throughout the region.

The second new program I’ve already mentioned in a previous column. “Dr. Drew Midday live with Mike Catherwood” will air weekdays from noon the 3 p.m. and feature the Dr. Drew Pinsky and show partner “Phycho” Mike giving thoughts on the news of the day and according to a station spokesman, give “comprehensive insights on a broad range of topics.” Of course, those topics will most likely be medical or human-behavior oriented given Pinsky’s background as a physician and host of KROQ’s (106.7 FM) dating/sex program, “Love Line.”

Moving to the coveted 3 to 6 p.m. afternoon drive slot is
former “Mid Day LA” hosts John Phillips and Jillian Barberie. The move changes the name of the show to “The Drive Home,” but the program content -- as well as the hosts -- will remain the same.

Also remaining the same are the other programs on the station, including Doug McIntyre in the morning, Mark Levin and Peter Tilden back to back at night, and “Red-Eye Radio” overnights until 5 a.m.

My take? I doubt that Cristina Perez will do much. I always thought the television judge shows were on the air because they were cheap schlock trying to live on the reputation of the old “People’s Court,” and hardly the basis for a radio station to make a comeback. I’m not sure why KABC management thinks this will be better than Bryan Suits, who will no longer be with the station.

I’m split on Dr. Drew. He is well-known, does a good program on KROQ, and could be interesting. I think it’s too close to call, but he has the potential to do something, especially since KFI (640 AM) has its weakest program on at the same time.

Levin will continue to take the station down, as will Peter Tilden, who has his talents totally wasted on his current program that seems to be a way to hock advertiser goods more than being a respectable program. Personally, I’d move Tilden to 6 p.m., tell him to run wild, and figure out a way to get rid of Levin. Nothing personal, nor am I giving an opinion about his politics. But his ratings are low enough that KABC should just shut off the transmitter for three hours. Six if you count Tilden’s wasted talent program ...

Then there’s the paid programs that KABC runs all weekend long. Programs that bring in money, but keep ratings down ... way down. So my gut feeling on KABC is ... flat. They have the potential to do something. This is not the way. Something tells me that programmer Drew Hayes is being held back.

Savage Nation

I know I will get at least one inquiry about syndicated host Michael Savage, and it is an interesting question - why doesn’t KABC carry “The Godfather of talk radio” when he is on numerous Cumulus stations across the country? Cumulus, of course, also owns KABC.

Well, it appears Savage is not the powerhouse he claims to be. I don’t have the resent numbers, but an article from last year on NewsBusters.Org by Jeffrey Lord showed that where Savage replaced other hosts on stations across the country, ratings declined. As much as 50 percent in New York; 59 percent in Chicago. No, I don’t see Savage making a comeback here after failing to attract an audience in Los Angeles years ago.

Host Your Own Show

Always thought you could do a better job than the current host? Even if that host is Tom Leykis, who moved his program to the internet (www.blowmeuptom.com)?

With a starting bid of $9.99 and an end time of Friday January 16 at 9:23 p.m., Leykis wants to give you a chance to prove it. If you read this in time and want to give it a shot, head over to http://tinyurl.com/HostLeykisShow and place a bid. All profits go to the show.

“As the producers of this show, our hope is that, by doing this, we'll find the next fresh talk show talent and that we would want to actually use you as a fill-in some time after this appearance,” Leykis wrote on the eBay auction page. “But for that, you'd have to be really, really good, and frankly, we have our doubts.”

Radio Waves Podcast #64

Martindale on KHJ

Recent mentions of KHJ (930 AM) and the format change to religious talk brought in some amazing emails and letters. radio and television personality Wink Martindale was among the senders, and I share his story here. This is the first time I have ever heard of rock music being played in KHJ prior to the well-known game-changing Boss Radio format launched in April, 1965.

“The year was 1959. KHJ's  EARLIEST rock year!” Martindale began. “I was morning man at RKO's WHBQ/Memphis during the fifties. The RKO stations, with WHBQ leading the way, were preparing to make the programming switch from network radio to this trendy new format termed  ‘rock 'n roll.’” 

 

KHJ -- until 1950 a part of the Don Lee Broadcasting System until the chain was bought by what would later become RKO Radio -- had for many years been the West Coast feed for the Mutual Radio Network, Martindale explained. “Many of radio's most popular dramatic shows had originated from its studios at the corner of Fountain

and Vine. Thus a move from drama to music was considered a pivotal event. Rightly so.

“As a 21 year old kid from Memphis I just happened to fall into the mix.” But it wouldn’t be easy, especially for a chain that had no experience in the format. “The station had its work cut out for it...big time!

 

It was rock and roll radio’s infancy. “Just a year earlier KFWB (980 AM) had ushered in rock in Los Angeles with Chuck Blore at the helm introducing ‘The Seven Swingin' Gentlemen.’ Almost overnight ‘Color Radio Channel 98’ took the city by storm with ratings never before imagined ... on AM no less.” Of course this was years prior to the rise and dominance of FM music radio.

“To its credit RKO bigwigs had recognized rock as the force it had become early on” Martindale said. “They simply didn't know how to successfully implement it at KHJ. As one who had played rock in Memphis I was brought in to be the ‘morning man.’ But with several of its Mutual network voices still under contract they foolishly elected to have these dulcet toned voices become rock jocks. It was almost comical.”

 

Proving that management in radio could be as bad then as it can be now, Martindale showed how RKO messed it up: “The station's playlist would include ‘Venus’ by Frankie Avalon ... But not ‘Stagger Lee’ by Lloyd Price. Their rationale? Far too 'loud!’” All the while attempting to compete with KFWB. “Needless to say this ‘chicken rock’ format never got to first base.”

His tenure at KHJ was short-lived. “Thankfully within a year I was offered the morning show at Pasadena's KRLA (now KDIS, 1110 AM), which by now was in competition for KFWB's vast audience. I felt I had been given a get-out-of-jail reprieve! In a note of irony, by late '62 Gary Owens departed KFWB for afternoons at KMPC (now KSPN, 710 AM). Program Director by then, Jim Hawthorne offered me the slot. Finally I felt the joy of hosting my dream job, the coveted morning show at KFWB. 

“By 1966 I had left the station to further my career in game shows, though I continued in radio doing middays for 12 years at Gene Autry's KMPC.

As to KHJ itself ... “History shows the introduction of Boss Radio by programmer Ron Jacobs and consultants Bill Drake and Gene Chenault made mince-meat of the powerhouse we once knew as Color Radio, KFWB.”

So, as the late, great Paul Harvey used to say, “now you know ... the rest ... of the story.”

Marketing 101

While I’m on the topic, I cannot believe that Immaculate Heart Radio is totally blowing the marketing for their new religious talk format on KHJ. Instead of using the legendary call letters, they use the lame “AM 930” moniker with some generic words to “sell” the format. Same thing with their on-air ID ... so devoid of the stations’ rich history that could be used to help promote the format, even if it is a long way removed from top-40.

If I were Immaculate Heart, I’d take the history of the station and hype it. In years past, the call letters were said to connote Kindness Happiness and Joy. The billboard and on-air IDs should say something to the effect of:

“Kindness, Happiness and Joy ... Immaculate Heart Catholic Radio on 93/KHJ Los Angeles.” The billboard could mention “AM radio” or “on your AM dial” if management is worried about potential listeners who never venture off of FM. But that’s an easy addition.

 

The KHJ calls have a long history in Los Angeles, dating back to 1922. I tune in periodically because of that, and I’m not even Catholic. The owners should use that to their advantage. Few stations have such a history; even fewer have the same call letters they had at inception.

Radio Waves Podcast #63

This edition of LA Radio Waves http://laradiowaves.com is our first "live" version of the show.  We cover the column and a lot of different radio topics, leading up to our marathon of our "career spanning" radio personality interviews, which can be heard until January 6th on the LARadioStudio.com "stream".......

------------------------------------------

It was almost two years in the making, but it finally happened. Dave Beasing, programmer of The Sound (100.3 FM) was (with the help of general manager Peter Burton) able to convince Mark Thompson -- aka “Mark” of Mark and Brian fame -- to return to radio. He’ll be paired with Andy Chanley in the morning shift beginning some time in February. Current morning man Joe Benson will take over Chanley’s mid-day shift at that time as well.

“Mark in the Morning” (I sincerely hope they come up with a better name for the show by the time it hits the airwaves) will air 6-10 every weekday morning, promising, according to the press release, “a rich mix of music and fun conversation, celebrity interviews, comedy, and the type of spontaneous moments that happen naturally when Mark Thompson and a radio microphone are in close proximity.”

I know what you’re thinking. It’s either “I can’t wait to hear him.” Or “I hate that he’s coming because I like hearing music.”

And I understand both sides. Mark and Brian (Phelps) were a staple in Los Angeles for a quarter century on KLOS (95.5 FM). They were very popular. But they played almost no music, which gave competitors like The Sound itself, ironically, a chance to gain listeners by playing the songs that KLOS to this day still does not in the morning. 

Which begs the question: Why do this? The Sound is currently the top-rated classic rock station in town ... why startle the audience by turning off the morning music?

One thing is being left out, though: Who says music won’t be part of the morning? Beasing says that music will indeed be part of the morning show, though he did not get specific. My hunch is that Chanley -- a music expert -- will handle those duties while also acting as a sidekick. At least I hope so.

Some of the most entertaining morning shows have been a combination of music and entertainment. Lohman and Barkley, London and Engelman, Robert W Morgan and the like graced the airwaves of Los Angeles in the past. Currently Kevin and Bean on KROQ (106.7 FM) are music intensive AND have entertaining talk. In my opinion, music helps make the bits better, since they are a transition and buffer. Frankly, I’ve never cared much for most all-talk morning shows.

Plus, Beasing is not stupid. If listeners want music, he’ll give it to them. In the meantime, he freely admits that in a year he’ll either be thought of as a genius or a moron. 

I’m just wondering what confusion will result from the fact that another Mark Thompson can be heard on KFI (640 AM) afternoons 1-3 p.m. as half of Thompson and Espinoza? 

Sounds of the Season

Ken Borgers and David Grudt are once again presenting Sounds of the Season on Borgers’ internet tribute to the original KNOB (now KLAX, 97.9 FM). You can find it at www.JazzKnob.org.

It’s a 36-hour program that starts at noon on Christmas Eve. A highlight of the annual program is a reading of the classic “Twas the Night Before Christmas” by the late, great LA Jazz DJ Chuck Niles, to be heard this year six times: noon and 6 p.m. December 24th; and at midnight, 6 a.m., noon, and 6 p.m. December 25th.

Then on December 31st, hear A Big Band New Years Eve from 4 p.m. to 1 p.m. This program features recording of Big Band concerts including Duke Ellington and many more. 

JazzKnob.org harkens back to Sleepy Stein’s KNOB/Long Beach, playing straight-ahead jazz 24 hours a day. Stein was the owner of the original KNOB, launched in 1957 with 320 watts at its original frequency of 103.1 FM. One year later, he was able to increase power just a bit ... to 79,000 watts ... by moving to 97.9. He sold the station in 1966.

Radio Waves Podcast #62

The Sage from South Central is no longer gracing the airwaves of KABC (790 AM): Larry Elder was let go from the talk station he called home for most of the last 20+ years. He was informed of the move after what turned out to be his last show on December 2nd.

 

Rumors of Elder being replaced have actually been around for a while. He’s been working on a month-to-month contract for the last year or two, according to sources familiar with Elder and the station. Why he was let go so suddenly and without an obvious replacement is unknown, but those same sources hinted that salary may have played an issue.

 

Former local talk host and current internet host Tom Leykis (www.blowmeuptom.com) was the man who broke the story; I asked him -- halfway joking -- if he would be Elder’s replacement. “No,” came the immediate reply, “but you’re not the first to ask me,” he said. 

 

Regardless, for now at least, no replacement has been named.

 

I personally think Leykis would be a good choice, if anyone could talk him into it. There are a few issues, though, for anyone who gets the shift. Primary problem: The Kings. KABC is the Los Angeles flagship for the LA Kings hockey games, and many of the games begin during the late-afternoon/early-evening shift vacated by Elder.

 

While I would be hesitant to say that “no one” listens to the Kings on the radio, that statement would not be far off. Any host hoping to build ratings would be at a huge disadvantage compared with competing stations. At least during hockey season.

 

So who are the potential candidates? Names thrown around include Leykis and Joe Crummey, who took Elder’s place and did a stellar job last week. Rumor had the station courting John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou from competitor KFI (640 AM).

 

On the other hand, the station could do some switching around of the current programs. 

Here’s what is definitely true: For the first time in years, KABC has a chance to make a play against perennial talk leader KFI. KFI is vulnerable. Ratings have been off for various reasons (including questionable methodology on the past of ratings company Nielsen), and some of the shows have gotten a little too predictable.

 

Personally, I would have kept Elder on, but tightened up his format. Elder is an intelligent host who covers issues from a totally different angle than most. Regardless, if KABC makes the right changes, they could start making headway. They already have strong shows in the morning with Doug McIntyre, the vastly improved (compared to his early days on the station) Bryan Suits, and Mid-Day LA with John Phillips and Jillian Barberie. Get a decent show in the evening and dump the weekend infomercials and KABC could make a comeback.

 

Not that I am necessarily counting on them actually doing all that ...

 

As to Elder, if management of KEIB (1150 AM) was smart, they’d hire him. Yesterday. Not only would Elder better complement morning host Rush Limbaugh better than anyone currently on the station, he’d actually be a breath of fresh air on the station. 

 

Elder is more intelligent than the vast majority of talk hosts. He has a BA in political science from Brown University, received a law degree from the University of Michigan in 1977, was recruited by the 9th largest law firm just out of law school, and worked as a commercial trial lawyer in Cleveland before starting his own company and eventually switching to radio.

 

The combination of Limbaugh-Elder on KEIB could really pull some ratings ... IF -- and that is a big if -- KEIB management and owner Clear Channel actually want KEIB to succeed. You see, KEIB is sister to KFI. And if KEIB succeeds at the expense of KFI ... let’s just say that will never be allowed to happen. 

 

For now, Elder can be heard on the internet at LarryElder.Com

 

Career Spanning Radio

 

Michael Stark and I have been doing interviews with some of radio’s recent greats. Fun, career-spanning interviews, in fact, recorded at the LA Radio Studio in San Pedro. 

 

Beginning at 7 PM on Wednesday, December 17th, Stark will be running a marathon of these interviews played randomly. Podcasts on Shuffle, you might call it, repeated continually for about three weeks.

 

You’ll want to hear them too. The list includes Dave Hull, Lee Marshall (recorded fairly shortly before his death), Jeff Gonzer, Darrell Wayne, Mo’ Kelly, Gino Michelini, Dr. Demento, Cynthia Fox, JJ Johnson, Dave Beasing, Elliot Mintz, Ace Young, Jim “Poorman” Trenton, a tribute to Liz Fulton, and the just-completed super-high-energy interview that will start off the marathon: Shotgun Tom Kelly!

 

For information, head over to www.LARadioWaves.com.

Radio Waves Podcast #61

KMET Alumni and other friends planning benefit concert for Paraquat Kelley.

 

Most people remember Patrick “Paraquat” Kelley from his work as a newsman at the legendary KMET (now KTWV, 94.7 FM). His years there included the glory days of the station under master programmer Sam Bellamy, and he is certainly one of the reasons for the station’s success.

 

Kelley’s training began in his younger years when he landed a job as a delivery boy at the original KMPC (now KSPN, 710 AM). He got to hang out with the likes of Gary Owens, Geoff Edwards, Jack Angel, Ira Cook, Dick Whittinghill and Roger Carroll. He later worked at stations in Palm Springs, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and West Covina.

 

But it was at KMET where he shined. Perhaps it was a match made in heaven, but the time was right for his style of news on a station that took news seriously. Or at least the type of news that would appeal to the type of person who would listen to KMET.

 

Most stations felt that the FCC news requirement was a drag. Interestingly, successful stations such as KHJ (930 AM) and KFRC/San Francisco didn’t. Their idea was to make news as interesting as it could be. KMET followed suit.

 

“We decided to make the news a tune in feature rather than tune out,” Kelley told LARadio.Com’s Don Barrett. “So we’d start off the news with something that was so bizarre you’d go, ‘What?’ How could you turn that off? My lead story might be about a guy that makes jewelry out of quail dung. Nobody was doing this kind of news in the seventies. If you were in your car, you’d have to stop, pull off the side of the road and listen to this guy. That’s how we did it.”

 

The Paraquat nickname actually came from a news story about the herbicide of the same name that was being sprayed on marijuana plants in Mexico by the US Drug Enforcement Agency in an attempt to kill the “weed.” Turns out that remnants of the chemical were left on plants and traces were found on marijuana confiscated at the US/Mexico border. Smokers of the tainted weed, doctors were finding, could suffer irreparable lung damage. Kelley was reporting on the story when he quipped “What? Somebody smokes pot that listens to KMET?”

 

After that he became Paraquat Kelley, which meant that every time the news on the issue was reported, Kelley got free press. Including on competing KLOS (95.5 FM). Ironically, my understanding is that Kelley himself never did illegal drugs, including marijuana.

 

In 2003, Kelley was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, is a disease in which someone’s immune system attacks the protective sheath (myelin) that covers nerves. Myelin damage disrupts communication between the brain and the rest of the body, causing problems with movement and speech. Another irony: marijuana may have a beneficial affect on MS sufferers.

 

Kelley is now battling advanced stages of the disease. He is confined to a wheelchair, and the mounting medical bills are putting a lot of pressure on him and his wife, Melody Rogers. So some friends, including musicians and KMET alumni, are putting together a one-night (December 14th) special event at the Canyon Club, 28912 Roadside Drive in Agoura Hills to help raise funds for his treatments.

 

It’s called The Mighty Met Acoustic Flashback Honoring Paraquat Kelley. Confirmed performers include George Thorogood, Little Feat's Paul Barrere and Fred Tackett and more, but the real treats are the hosts of the event: KMET alumni Jeff Gonzer, Jim Ladd and Cynthia Fox. I’d expect more to arrive as well. Gonzer is retired, but Fox can be heard evenings on The Sound (KSWD 100.3 FM) which is one of the event’s sponsors, and Ladd is playing freeform rock on Sirius/XM satellite radio Channel 27.

 

Tickets for the benefit concert can be purchased through Ticketmaster (or pay with cash at the box office and save on processing fees) and range from $29 to $58. Go to www.canyonclub.net or call 818-879-5016 for information and to and reserve dinner. Doors open at 6 p.m.; show starts at 7:30.

Radio Waves Podcast #60

Every year, Don Barrett has taken a poll of subscribers and visitors of his radio “watercooler,” LARadio.Com. The results have been trickling out over the past week or so, and as it turns out, they are a list of the heavy-hitters in Los Angeles radio. Barrett says that over 200 people participated in the poll this year.

 

The morning favorite was Doug McIntyre of KABC (790 AM) followed by Bill Handel of KFI (640 AM), KROQ’s (106.7 FM) Kevin and Bean, KNX’s (1070 AM) morning duo of Vicky Moore and Dick Helton, Joe Benson of The Sound (KSWD, 100.3 FM), Colin Cowherd on KSPN (710 AM), KPWR’s (105.9 FM) Big Boy, KRLA’s (870 AM) Brian Whitman, Ben Shapiro and Elisha Kraus, and Sirius/XM Satellite Radio’s Howard Stern (Channel 100).

 

Favorites from 9 am to 12 noon were, in order, favorite Dennis Prager (KRLA), Jim Carson (KRTH 101.1 FM), Rush Limbaugh (KEIB, 1150 AM), KABC’s Bryan Suits, KFI’s Bill Carroll, Linda Nunez and Tom Haule of KNX, Andy Chanley of The Sound, KFWB’s (980 AM) Jim Rome, Kat Corbett (KROQ) and Kychal Thompson (KSPN).

 

From Noon to 3 the winners were John Phillips and Jillian Barberie (KABC), Mason and Ireland (KSPN), Jim Carson (KRTH) Sean Hannity (KEIB), the wild mixture of people on KNX, Andy Chanley again (his shift overlaps), Michael Medved (KRLA), Larry Mantle (KPCC, 89.3 FM), Jack on KCBS-FM (93.1), and KFI’s Thompson and Espinosa.

 

And finally, just this week, afternoons came out with the winner being John and Ken (KFI) followed by Diane Thomson and Jim Thornton (KNX), “Shotgun” Tom Kelly (KRTH), Larry Elder (KABC), Julie Slater (The Sound), Hugh Hewitt (KRLA), Rich Capperela (KUSC, 91.5 FM), Gary Moore (KLOS, 95.5 FM), Deborah Howell (The Wave, 94.7 FM), and Petros Papadakis and Matt “Money” Smith (KLAC, 570 AM).

 

Heavy hitters, yes. But did you notice something interesting? If you go by this list, AM radio is on par with FM in popularity, and talk and sports dominated. Obviously there is a little skewing going on.

And of course, there is. The responses came from readers and subscribers of LARadio.Com, a website that tends to attract radio fans (fanatics?), probably (read: definitely) skews older than the average radio listener and in general attracts people like me. Would my votes be the same as the results? In some cases yes, but for the most part, interestingly, no. But that is because of my aversion to political talk radio.

 

Yet without exception (or perhaps more accurately with few exceptions), I respect and admire every broadcaster on the list. And it does make you realize that radio is still a powerful medium that reaches the hearts and minds of listeners. As we celebrate Thanksgiving this week and spend time with our families, I, for one, am thankful that I can still hear my “radio family” on the air. No other medium is so intimate, so personal. 

 

Happy thanksgiving, and I hope you enjoy the start of the holiday season.