Bay Area Radio Digest

"Radio Day By The Bay" Set For July 5

2008-06-26T06:50:00.000-07:00

The California Historical Radio Society (CHRS) will open the doors to its museum on Saturday, July 5, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. for its annual "Live! At KRE" celebration.

The event will take place at the historic KRE radio building in Berkeley, under the giant radio tower on Ashby Avenue near Highway 80.

CHRS has been refurbishing the KRE building into a world-class broadcasting museum, filled with classic radios and equipment, working studios and an authentic ham radio "shack," as well as the home of the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame.

The July 5 celebration is the perfect event for families seeking a day of entertainment close to home. "Live! At KRE" will feature a variety of entertainment -- including music and an old-time radio performance by the Broadcast Legends -- and a flea market and auction of great old radios, ham radio equipment, phonographs and test equipment.

Carter B. Smith, a member of the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame (Class of 2007), will serve as master of ceremonies for the event. Carter worked at KRE early in his radio career, before moving on to great success at KSFO, KNBR, Magic 61 and KABL.

Another special guest will be popular Oldies disc jockey Herbie Hancock (http://qmproductions.com), one of the most renowned Wolfman Jack impersonators in the industry. Herbie will spin 45s in the KRE studio -- the same studio used in the radio station scenes featuring Wolfman Jack in "American Graffiti."

Admission to the event is $5 for adults. Children are admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult.

For more information, please visit www.BayRadioDay.com.

"Night Of Radio Stars" On June 10

2008-05-15T07:30:00.000-07:00

Five of the Bay Area's greatest broadcasters -- Frank Dill, Al Hart, Jim Lange, Mike Cleary and Carter B. Smith (all members of the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame) -- will be on stage together on Tuesday, June 10, for a special evening of memories, sponsored by the San Francisco Museum & Historical Society.

The program is part of SFMHS's current series of lectures on the "Golden Age of Entertainment" in the Bay Area.

The June 10 program "will cover the radio years from the 1960s to 1990s and will feature radio stars who dominated the air waves in the intervening years, people who became daily companions, especially to commuters bogged down in traffic."

The SFMHS "Early Radio" event this past Tuesday was a near sell-out in the nearly 500-seat Kanbar Hall at the magnificent Jewish Community Center in San Francisco, and was a roaring success.

Admission is only $5 (free for members of SFMHS). There will be a "pre-show" reception at 7 p.m. Curtain is at 7:30 p.m.

Kanbar Hall at JCC/SF is located at 3200 California Street. (For detailed directions, please click here or view the Google Map of the location.)

For more information, please visit:
http://www.sfhistory.org/index.php?pageid=118

Gavin Newsom No-Show For KKGN Debut

2008-05-06T07:45:00.000-07:00

To the great disappointment of several, Gavin Newsom was a no-show for his much-ballyhooed debut on KKGN/960 last Saturday. In Mondays' Chronicle, Matier & Ross had the inside poop:

{snip}
Hair America: San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom was a no-show for his debut on Air America. ...late last week, the mayor's office put the whole thing on hold, saying Newsom's schedule was just too jammed with his trip to Israel and New York.

The mayor was slated to start his half-hour gabfest on KNEW-AM Saturday.

So the station had to pull back on its ads promoting the show and instead run a bunch of "Whoops, we're sorry" spots.

"I guess it just wasn't the best time for him to start," said KNEW's John Scott. "Hopefully, we'll regroup in a couple of weeks."
{/snip}

Note the errors in the M&R piece: readers should replace references to KNEW with KKGN. Also, the program wasn't scheduled to be carried on Air America; it is a Green 960 local production and presentation.

The Green 960 website, above a smiling photo of the San Francisco mayor, simply says "The Gavin Newsom Show: Postponed Due to Scheduling Conflicts."

Dude Martin Documentary On KTEH, KQED

2008-03-14T14:00:00.000-07:00

David S. Washburn's documentary on Berkeley's own "Broadcast Cowboy," Dude Martin, will air this Monday, March 17, on KTEH (Channel 54) at 11 p.m.

It will be rebroadcast on KQED Digital Channel 9.2 (Comcast Channel 189) on Saturday, March 22, at 11 p.m.

Dude, whose real name was Steve McSwain, was a hugely popular Western bandleader and radio show host from the 1930s through the 1950s on KLX, KGO, KYA and other local stations. He was part of the Bay Area's thriving Western Music scene during that era that included Black Jack Wayne, Cottonseed Clark, Cactus Jack, Longhorn Joe and Red Murrell, who appeared in nightclubs and on the air on a regular basis.

Oddball fact: late in his career, Dude moved to L.A. and hosted programs on KTTV (Channel 11) in the late 1950s as "Steve Martin."

More information on the documentary at BroadcastCowboy.com.

Jim Goggin has also written an interesting book, "The Dude Martin Band Story," which is available from Trafford Publishing.

Eshoo Bill Calls For Licensing In "Public Interest"

2008-03-11T16:05:00.000-07:00

From today's Radio Business Report:

H.R. 4882, the "Broadcast Licensing in the Public Interest Act," is in the hopper, introduced by Anna Eshoo (D-CA), with four co-sponsors. If enacted into law, the eight-year broadcast licensing term would be reduced to three, and civic affairs, news, and locally produced programming would become a blanket requirement.

Eshoo represents California's 14th District, covering the Peninsula down through Santa Cruz. The bill focuses on television, but includes specific provisions for:

a dedication to the civic affairs of its community;
a dedication to local news gathering;
local production of programming;
a commitment to providing the viewing public a presentation of the issues, candidates, and ballot items that are before voters during a local, statewide or national election, including coverage of candidate debates and forums, political conventions, and ongoing news coverage; and
presentation of quality educational programming for children.

How about going one step more: require radio stations to generate a minimum of eight hours of live, locally-originated programming?

I can just see the huge ownership conglomerates instantly wetting their slacks over that, and the NAB screaming bloody murder ... and getting out the checkbooks to buy off enough legislators to kill the bill. Why? Because radio isn't about programming in the public interest any more; it's about "economies of scale" and getting the most return for the least effort.

Pappas Adds Savage, Flips Modesto AM To "Patriot" Talk

2008-03-07T17:20:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately, it looks like Pappas Radio's attempt at a hybrid Adult Standards and Infomercials format on KMPH/840 in Modesto has ended. It was fun while it lasted — the music more so than the long-form ads for colon cleansers — but the sound was incongruous in Modesto, which is still very much a farm town (not that there's anything wrong with that).

Of course, I still think that they should have (1) kept the transplanted KTRB/860 call letters in Modesto, where they mean something, and (2) at least tried the Adult Standards on 860 in San Francisco, rather than fifth-rate talk. I reserve the right to repeat this line over and over again, if only because I believe I'm right.

I'm still hearing that Oakland A's baseball will be moving to 50,000-watt KTRB in 2009 after one more season on KFRC/106.9 and KYCY/1550.

KMPH is being repositioned with conservative talk as "The Patriot," starting this Monday (March 10). Here's the press release from Pappas, issued this afternoon:

New Talk Radio Station To Debut In Modesto
Michael Savage Returns To The Airwaves!

March 7, 2008—(Modesto, California) KMPH-AM 840, which went on the air on July 24, 2006 as the successor station to Modesto’s first radio station, KTRB-AM 860 (now in San Francisco) changes format to bring The Michael Savage Show and other great talk programs to the Modesto, Merced, and Stockton area starting on March 10, 2008.

Among its shows, the station will feature the fiery Laura Ingraham every weekday morning, nononsense personal advice from Dr. Laura, the passionate intellect of Michael Savage, and a unique mix of commentary with satire and comedy on The Phil Hendrie Show. Plus, AM 840 KMPH The Patriot features Modesto’s only talk show that focuses exclusively on local issues, The Morning Mayor with former Modesto Mayor Carmen Sabatino, traffic updates during the morning commute, and local news with Modesto’s most experienced radio news man, Tim St. Martin.

The Michael Savage Show is now the third largest radio talk show, according to TALKERS Magazine, and airs on well over 300 stations nationwide. Michael Savage is the author of four best selling books: The Savage Nation, The Enemy Within, and Liberalism is a Mental Disorder.

His most recent book is the irreverent Political Zoo. He attacks big government and liberal media bias, but champions the environment and animal rights. Trained as a scientist, he holds Master's degrees in medical botany and medical anthropology and earned his Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley in Epidemiology and Nutrition Science.

Jim P. Pappas, General Manager of AM 840 KMPH The Patriot said, “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to give Modesto area listeners a real choice with a Talk Radio station that is anchored by popular hosts like Michael Savage, Dr. Laura, Laura Ingraham, Jerry Doyle, Phil Hendrie, and successful weekend talkers like Bob Brinker, Clark Howard, Leo Laporte, and Bill Handel, not to mention great sports programming with Fox Sports Radio.”

AM 840 KMPH The Patriot is owned and operated by Pappas Radio of Modesto, LLC, and represents a Modesto broadcast tradition dating back to 1953.

Citadel Cuts Catch KSFO's Melanie Morgan

2008-03-03T22:33:00.000-08:00

The addition by subtraction mandated by Farid Suleman at Citadel Broadcasting ("How can we afford to pay me $17-million a year? Fire the talent!") has netted a major casualty at 560/KSFO.

Melanie Morgan, conservative firebrand and a genius at pushing all the right buttons, will not have her contract renewed and made her final KSFO broadcast on Monday morning.

Morgan had been the high-profile co-host to Lee Rodgers on the station's morning show, having worked her way up from sidekick/underling to being the co-star of the program. In many ways, she actually upstaged Rodgers, who performs his part of the show via remote hookup. (A television set in the KSFO studio helped keep Morgan and Officer Vic "face-to-face" with Rodgers.)

Morgan published the following press release on her personal website on Monday:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 3, 2008
Conservative Melanie Morgan Cut from KSFO Radio
* Vows to Continue Her Role as Conservative Activist *

(SAN FRANCISCO) – Renowned radio personality and national conservative leader, Melanie Morgan, delivered her final broadcast on talk radio powerhouse KSFO 560 AM today – Monday, March 3, 2008.

The owner of KSFO radio, Citadel Broadcasting, decided not to renew Morgan’s contract as part of the company’s announced across-the-board financial cost cutting.
Melanie Morgan has been a fixture on KSFO for the past 14 years, enjoying a run from 1994-2008 that far exceeded industry standards for longevity. During that time, Morgan emerged as one of the nation’s most dynamic conservative activists, using the radio airwaves to motivate listeners who shared her passion to take action and fight for causes important to them.

Morgan’s on-air activism included an effort that removed the carcinogen MTBE from gasoline in California, launching of the historic Recall Gray Davis campaign that led to the election of Arnold Schwarzenegger as Governor of California, and co-founding the nation’s largest pro-troop organization, Move America Forward.

“It has truly been an honor for me to work at KSFO for the past 14 years. What I loved most about my time at KSFO was that it allowed me to connect with listeners and take action to make real changes in the world,” said Melanie Morgan.

“We never had a one-way dialogue with our listeners, and we never believed that we had to resolve ourselves to accept the status quo. We got out of our chairs, left our homes and offices, and circulated petitions, rallied for our troops and met with government leaders. “We did all this to make sure that we left an even better world for our children than the one we had inherited from generations before us,” Morgan said.

As part of her ongoing conservative activism, Morgan has traveled to the Middle East twice to interview U.S. Troops stationed in Iraq and Kuwait. Her broadcast efforts from Iraq resulted in her winning the Associated Press’s Mark Twain Journalism Award, and The Peninsula Press Club’s award for Best Interview or Talk Show.

“Meeting our troops who are on the frontlines of the war against terrorism stands as the most powerful experience in my broadcast career,” said Morgan.

Morgan’s career with ABC began in 1981 when she was a television reporter for KGO TV. In 1984, she became an on-air personality for KGO radio where she worked for six years before switching over to ABC-San Francisco sister-station, KSFO 560 AM, co-hosting the Lee Rodgers and Melanie Morgan show.

In 2006, Citadel Broadcasting acquired the ABC Radio group. She has reported on the scene from the Marine barracks bombing in Beirut, Lebanon; the Mexico City earthquake; and the Tiananmen Square massacre in China.

Melanie Morgan says her focus in the days ahead remains unchanged: She will remain a conservative activist leader. “My commitment and dedication to serve as a leader in the movement to support our military men and women continues to grow, and I am very proud to serve as Chairman of the pro-troop non-profit group, Move America Forward,” Morgan said. Melanie Morgan is not compensated for her work with Move America Forward, a fact since the group was first launched in 2004.

Morgan will also continue her weekly column for the news website WorldNetDaily.com and will continue to serve as a television analyst on news programs on cable and broadcast television stations and networks. “My passion and commitment to the troops who are fighting in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the world are foremost in my heart.

"While I will miss my good friends Lee Rodgers and Officer Vic, and our great producer Sheri Yee, I am excited to stay close to the conservative grassroots. And I'll always lead with my chin out," Morgan concluded.

Mindless Meanderings...

2008-02-25T10:55:00.000-08:00

Things that probably won't come true, but that are worth repeating fourth-hand...

If KGO Newstalk 810 is looking for a first-rate talent with local connections, they needn't look any farther than Alex Bennett. If Karel, Len Tillem and Dr. Dean Edell can do it by long-distance telephonic hookup, so can Alex. Of course, if Citadel has the money to pay Farid, but not enough to pay the talent, scratch that idea...
Dean Goss is back weekending on Classic Hits KFRC (106.9 FM). Dean is the prototypical morning man. A legendary voice of KFRC. Wonderfully, brilliantly talented guy. But KFRC already has a morning guy who fits all these qualifications, don't they?
Along the same lines, Clear Channel recently blew out my friend Charlie Tuna at KBIG/LA, and he landed a weekend gig at Oldies monster K-Earth 101. Charlie Tuna is not a weekend guy; he's a morning guy. One of the greatest in the history of broadcasting. But K-Earth already has a morning guy...
I hope that Clear Channel doesn't pull the same act on the great Don Bleu at Star 101.3 FM. (As Dr. Phil says, "The best indicator of future behavior is past behavior." Right Paul Robins?) But if they do, there would be no more perfect fit than "Bleu In The Morning" at KFRC. But KFRC already has a morning guy...
Michael Zwerling has had his family-owned KSCO/1080 and KOMY/1340 on the market for several months. Both have significant transmitter repair issues that must be addressed. Simple solution: KLIV's Bob Kieve does an LMA-to-buy of KSCO, diplexes it through 1590's towers in San Jose...
Oh, stop laughing, would ya.

Bummer: Tony Bruno Off KNBR/1050

2008-01-28T11:15:00.000-08:00

Sporting News Radio has parted ways with Tony Bruno (photo, right), which means that Bay Area radio has lost one of its better morning shows -- albeit one that was heard locally via syndication on a second-tier sports station.

Bruno's show was heard on KNBR/1050 (and Sirius Sports 123) and was simply a fun, entertaining, smart show, whether you're into sports or not. I'm one of many who believe that Bruno's daily 10 AM segment with Gary Radnich on mothership KNBR/680 was the best half-hour on radio, day in and day out, bar none.

Sporting News Radio and Bruno had been involved in negotiations for a contract extension, but could not reach an agreement. Bruno will remain with company -- "working with management on other initiatives," according to AllAccess.com -- while under contract for two more months.

Read the Sporting News' press release on the Bruno situation.

Quick aside to Tony Salvadore and Lee Hammer: how tough would it be to set Bruno up with an ISDN line from his home studio in Venice Beach, and pay him (and ace sidekick Mark Willard, a Bay Area product) to do the KNBR/680 morning show by wire? Heck, you can even handle his national syndication, and it would pay for the investment. Not to mention that it would be a significant upgrade over the seat warmers you're currently paying.

Bruno was always smart enough to include enough Bay Area references to keep his show's feeling "local," and he has a sizeable, dedicated and loyal audience here.

Lee Hammer should say yes.

UPDATE (1/29): John Ryan blogs in today's Morning Buzz that KNBR is working on getting the Bruno-Radnich segment back on the air.

UPDATED UPDATE (2/4): From deep inside Tony Bruno World Headquarters comes this news via Mark Willard:

Tony Bruno returns tomorrow Tues Feb. 5 for his daily segment with Gary Radnich on KNBR, "The Sports Leader", from 10 to 10:30 PST. Catch up with Bruno and give him a call. We are all very excited to hear what's up in the near future and find out when Tony will be returning to a morning show near you. If you're calling the Radnich Show from outside the Bay Area use the following number (415) 808-KNBR and listen online at http://www.knbr.com/listenNow.html

Peter Laufer Fired By KPFA

2007-11-17T22:55:00.000-08:00

Snipped from the Jive 95 newsgroup:

On Nov 16, 2007, at 12:44 PM, Peter Laufer wrote:

Welcome to mob rule at KPFA, and the wild and weird world of radio.

KPFA just fired me as host of their Sunday morning current affairs program (example shows can be heard at www.peterlaufer.com).

Reason?

"Intangible," says (interim, as she is always identified) program director Sasha Lilley, adding, "it's just not right for Sunday." She cited "overwhelming negative audience feedback."

There has been an active campaign against me by a group of KPFA activists who were miffed from the day I was hired because I am not a "person of color" and because of my "mainstream" credentials.

"I really like what you do on the air," she told me when she fired me via telephone. "You are certainly a team player and I have really admired that during your tenure here, as I have admired what you have brought to the airwaves."

The firing came two days after I moderated a benefit for KPFA in Berkeley that raised thousands of dollars, where the hundreds in the audience broke into hoots and hollers of applause when I introduced myself from the stage as the anchor of the KPFA Sunday show.

Incredibly, Lilley offered to tell the public that I was leaving "to go on to bigger and better things." I told her she better tell the public she fired me, because that was what I was telling the public.

"Free speech radio," the KPFA bumper sticker says. I guess that means the freedom to lie to the audience about why a staff employee is no longer on the air. And that's the way it is. What's the frequency Kenneth? Onward.

UPDATE: Laufer was profiled by Ben Fong-Torres in "Radio Waves" this past weekend in the Chronicle's Sunday Datebook. Ben is occasionally victimized by the early deadline (a week-and-a-half before the paper lands on your doorstep)...

KOIT Goes All Christmas, All The Time

2007-11-16T14:59:00.000-08:00

The snow is on the ground, the presents are under the tree ... well, they aren't, but that ain't going to stop 96.5 KOIT from breaking out the Christmas music and going all festive on us.

...You have done all your shopping, haven't you?

Here's the announcement from the station:

We're pleased to announce that KOIT will begin All Christmas programming at 3pm this afternoon, Friday, November 16. You'll hear us play continuous Christmas favorites until 11:59pm on Christmas Day, Tuesday, December 25, so you can set 96.5 KOIT on your radio at home, in your car, or at work and enjoy all your Christmas favorites.
This will be our 6th year of special Christmas programming, and based on the calls and emails we have already received, this may be the best year ever! We appreciate you as a listener and a supporter of KOIT Christmas programming in the past, and we hope to be a part of your holiday celebrations again this year.
We have some special contests just for the holidays, such as Celine Dion tickets, family ticket 4-packs to Raggs Holiday Jam, the Brian Boitano Skating Spectacular, and some HoneyBaked Ham certificates. And, kick off your holiday today with the Embarcadero Building Lighting Ceremony and Winter Carnival.
All of us at 96.5 KOIT wanted to be the first to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We hope you celebrate the season with us.
All the best.
Jack, Sherry, Larry, Laurie, Julie, Mark, and Linda
Your friends at KOIT

Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame Names Class of 2007

2007-11-16T11:00:00.000-08:00

The Bay Area Radio Museum has announced the sixteen newest members of the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame.

More than 6,000 votes were cast during the public voting, and a stellar group of legendary broadcasters has been chosen for induction as the Class of 2007:

Don Barksdale (KROW, KWBR, KDIA)
Don Bleu (KYUU, KIOI)
Mike Cleary (KYA, KNBR)
Frank Cope (KJBS)
Belva Davis (KSAN, KWBR, KDIA)
Jerry Dean (KJAZ)
Jim Eason (KNEW, KGO, KSFO)
Aaron Edwards (KSFO)
Bud Foster (KLX, Oakland Oaks, San Francisco 49ers)
Bob Kieve (owner of KLIV, KARA, KRTY)
Ron Lyons (KEWB, KNEW, KNBR, KCBS)
Franklin Mieuli (KHIP, Warriors, Giants and 49ers)
Don Mozley (KCBS)
Ronn Owens (KGO)
Carter B. Smith (KRE, KSFO, KNBR, Magic 61, KABL)
Ernie Smith (pioneer sportscaster, KYA, KFRC)

This year's honorees join the 37 members of the Hall that were inducted last year.

The Class of 2007 will be inducted into the Hall of Fame during a special ceremony that will take place on Wednesday, December 12, at the Doubletree Inn on the Berkeley Marina in conjunction with Broadcast Legends. The event is open to the public, but advance reservations are required.

Please click here to make your reservation.

KTRB Puts Lieberman "On The Beat"

2007-11-14T14:55:00.000-08:00

This press release is just in from the friendly confines of KTRB at 1700 Montgomery Street in the City By The Bay:

RADIO STATION GOES BIG - “BIG VINNY,” THAT IS!
Rich “Big Vinny” Lieberman to Become AM 860 KTRB’s “Man On The Beat”

San Francisco (November 14, 2007) -- Starting this week, “KTRB’s Man On The Beat, Rich ‘Big Vinny’ Lieberman,” is going to be unleashed on an unsuspecting public via a series of weekly updated radio features that take a satirical and irreverent look at Bay Area life.

Rich Lieberman is a veteran of the Bay Area media scene, having worked at K-101 Radio in the 1980s as Sports Director, covering local sports and events including 3 Super Bowls, 2 World Series, and the 1984 Democratic National Convention. He then worked as a San Francisco correspondent for ABC radio, and spent 3 years doing work for the “Larry King Show” on Mutual Radio. Rich also achieved notoriety by playing the “Big Vinny” character in a prominent series of TV commercials from 2001 - 2003.

“Big Vinny” haunts the cool clubs within the San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas scenes, and has the inside on Larry King's favorite breakfast hangout, “Nate and Al” in Beverly Hills. His little black book reads like a Who’s Who of Bay Area entertainers, athletes, media people, and politicians.

Rich “Big Vinny” Lieberman will be KTRB’s local “Man On The Beat” and will report all of the good local gossip when it comes to the hot clubs, the singles scene, and the latest Pam Dawber sightings, not to mention deliver a healthy dose of politically incorrect opinions!

Rich “Big Vinny” Lieberman said, “I believe that in order to make your case, you have to be passionate about what you believe in. I have some strong opinions and ideas that won't always be popular, but most definitely will strike a chord in your consciousness.”

KTRB Program Director Kevin Barrett said, “Rich is a throwback. He appreciates the greats like Herb Caen and Mike Royko. San Francisco is his beat, and we’re excited to have him on KTRB.”

Jim P. Pappas, KTRB Vice President and General Manager said, “Rich bleeds creative energy. He is a Bay Area native with a definite feel for what’s hot and what’s not. His feature will add to the entertainment value and diversity of our program line-up.”

RIP: Former KYA Jocks Stagg and Hawthorne

2007-11-07T13:53:00.000-08:00

All Access reports today that Jim Stagg and Jim Hawthorne, both of whom were popular personalities on 1260/KYA in the late 1950s and early 1960s but went on to greater success elsewhere, have passed away.

Stagg, 72, who was also credited simply as "Stag" at KYA — his real name was Jimmy P. Staggs — went on to become a huge star at Chicago's WCFL. A popular morning personality at KYA, he was also part of a local novelty hit that parodied the 1960 presidential campaign. More about Stagg on the Radio-Info.com Chicago board.

Hawthorne reached the heights in L.A., where he sandwiched his work at KYA around stops at KXLA, KECA, KNX, KDAY, KIEV and KFWB. According to his website (www.JimHawthorne.com), "I went up there [KYA] for a year or so and re-formatted the station, created a gimmick called ‘voice your choice,’ and returned to So-Cal to KFWB (Color Radio) when it went on the air."

RIP: George Carl

2007-10-27T16:09:00.000-07:00

Jay Arnold sends along word that George Carl, considered by many to be the voice of Napa Valley radio, has passed away from leukemia.

Mr. Carl had worked at KVON/1440 and KVYN/99.3 from 1968 to 1996, serving for many years as morning show host, before being moved aside by new ownership. He was also the longtime outdoors columnist for the Napa Valley Register.

Barry Martin, who worked with Mr. Carl at KVON and KVYN, posted this tribute on the Register's website: "I worked with George for many years at the radio stations and as many would attest, we didn't always see eye to eye on how to do things. Nevertheless, we had a lot of fun (one his favorite words) and I learned so much from George about caring about people and caring about the community, being involved and engaged. His passion for the things he loved to do was always inspiring. George always tried to make Napa a better place."

Born and raised in Chicago, Mr. Carl began his radio career while in the Army, and later worked at stations in Chicago and Kalamazoo before arriving in Napa.

A complete obituary appears in the Napa Valley Register.

RIP: Frank Knight

2007-10-26T15:30:00.000-07:00

Longtime KCBS/740 news anchor Frank Knight passed away on October 15, following a brave battle with cancer. He was 72 years old.

Born Frank Dale Leber in 1935, he served for 29 years as a newsman at KCBS Newsradio 740, and was an original member of the anchor team when the station switched to all-news in 1968. He had also worked at the pioneering Southern California all-news station, XETRA ("Extra News") in the early 1960s.

According to his son, Lance Leber, he took the air name "Frank Knight" because "it just sounded cool."

An avid collector of radio memorabilia, Frank was widely considered to be a leading expert on classic radio programs, as well as a devoted motion picture enthusiast.

A member of the Broadcast Legends' executive board, Frank spearheaded the Legends' production of "Sam Spade: The One-Hour Caper," which was the centerpiece of the group's Summer luncheon. Frank had previously presented retrospectives on "Gunsmoke," "The Lone Ranger," "Pat Novak For Hire," "I Love A Mystery" and "Calling All Cars" for Broadcast Legends gatherings.

Frank is survived by his wife, Rosemarie Leber, his son, Lance, and step son, Mike, as well as five grandchildren.

A public memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 3, at the First Congregational Church, 1912 Central Ave., in Alameda.

KFRC Gets "Backstage" With Ben Fong-Torres

2007-10-22T12:40:00.000-07:00

Bulking up its weekend bill of fare, Classic Hits KFRC (106.9) is debuting "Backstage," a new two-hour program starring everybody's favorite "Radio Waves" columnist, Ben Fong-Torres.

Ben tells me "I'll recount past interviews and adventures, play some excloo sound bites from my chats with the likes of Marvin Gaye, Paul McCartney and Jim Morrison, come up with themes and sub-themes for each show, toss in some short subjects, and shout 'K-F-R-C!' at every opportunity. Gonna be fun."

"Backstage" runs each Sunday morning from 7 to 9 a.m., and again from 7 to 9 p.m.

"If we do it right, it'll sound pretty much like a KFRC show, only with more music info between records," Ben says. "I'm kicking off with ‘Light My Fire,’ but, before that, I have Ray Manzarek explaining how the intro came into his head — from his classical music lessons as a kid — and with music not usually heard on the station, like ‘Joltin' Joe DiMaggio’ by Les Brown and his orchestra, or ‘Memo from Turner’ by Mick Jagger."

And yes, rest assured that "Radio Waves" will continue under B-FT's able stewardship.

Zwerling Puts KSCO, KOMY On The Market

2007-09-22T12:05:00.000-07:00

Michael Zwerling mentioned during his "Saturday Special" on KSCO/1080 this morning that he is putting both KSCO and KOMY/1340 up for sale. He says that he hopes the new owners will keep KSCO programming Talk, but he understands that radio has been heading more towards ethnic listeners (and particularly Hispanic and Asian listeners).

No announcement on the KSCO.com website, but there was this on the station's news update page:

KSCO/KOMY UP FOR SALE - S.S.

Friday, September 21, 2007 5:45 AM --- 2 OUT OF 3 OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY'S COMMERCIAL RADIO STATIONS WILL SOON BE UP FOR SALE. MICHAEL ZWERLING, THE CEO OF ZWERLING BROADCASTING SYSTEMS, SAYS HE'S READY TO RETIRE FROM THE BROADCASTING BUSINESS.

HE AND HIS FAMILY HAVE OWNED KSCO AM-1080 FOR 17 YEARS, AND KOMY AM-1340 FOR 10 YEARS. UNDER THIS OWNERSHIP KSCO HAS CONTINUOUSLY BEEN A NEWSTALK STATION, WHILE KOMY WAS A NEWSTALK STATION UNTIL THIS PAST WINTER, WHEN IT WAS CHANGED TO AN OLDIES MUSIC FORMAT.

ZWERLING WENT ON TO SAY THAT IT IS HIS SINCERE HOPE THAT THE WHOMEVER BUYS THIS STATION WILL DO SO WITH THE INTENT TO SERVE THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.

UPDATE: I spoke with MZ on November 19 and — despite rumors that he was seeking $15-million for KSCO and KOMY — he told me that his price for both stations is $6-million as a package deal, not including the land KSCO's classic studio building stands on. (KOMY is essentially a "virtual" radio station, with programming fed in via satellite and out through one of KSCO's transmitter towers.)

Radio Dots & Dashes (July 23 Edition)

2007-07-23T11:20:00.000-07:00

Included in today's Daily Digest, but showing as approved on July 16, is the FCC's granting of the "Voluntary Assignment of License" for KOIT/1260 from Bonneville International to IHR Educational Broadcasting.

As of a few moments ago, 1260 is still simulcasting the KOIT programming from 96.5 FM.

No word on when Immaculate Heart will take over operation of 1260, and no assignment of new call letters has been published by the FCC...

KTRB/860 has added Bob Gowa as news anchor, via Metro Networks. Bob had been a KGO airborne traffic reporter, also via Metro Networks, from 1990 to 1997, and has worked at several local stations — including KSAN and KMEL — since 1980.

KTRB major domo Jim Pappas also recently hired Chris Edwards to head up the station's marketing effort. Yes, that's the same Chris Edwards who was a popular KYA and K-101 personality. He was most recently in charge of sales for Clear Channel's KKSF, KNEW and KQKE...

(...And, just moments after posting this nugget, I'm being beat down by people telling me that Chris is no longer at KTRB, but was introduced at the end of last week as a new salesman at the new Classic Hits KFRC/106.9. That makes the KTRB business card that he handed me a few weeks ago at the Broadcast Legends lunch a collector's item. I'll have it on Ebay shortly...)

Speaking of Broadcast Legends (watch this smooth segue...), they'll be celebrating the life and times of James Gabbert at their next luncheon on Thursday, September 20, at the DoubleTree Inn on the Berkeley Marina.

It promises to be a rollicking afternoon of memories, recounting Gabbert's fifty years in radio and TV, from humble beginnings at KPEN through K-101, KOFY (AM, FM and TV) and KDIA, on through his present work as a fill-in host at KGO/810.

The event is open to the public, but reservations are required. You can find out more and save a seat for yourself by clicking here...

In the past few weeks, KNBR's Gary Radnich has mentioned the presence of Cumulus Media executives wandering the halls of the station's headquarters on Hawthorne Street in the City. This morning, the word is out that Cumulus chief Lew Dickey has secured a partner — no less than Merrill Lynch Global Private Equity — to secure a buyout of his company, taking it private in a deal reportedly valued at $1.3-billion.

Cumulus acquired the former Susquehanna Radio group of 33 stations, including San Francisco-based KNBR, KFOG and KSAN, as part of a $1.2-billion deal in October 2005...

Radio & Records reports today that Ron Engelman is battling inoperable lung cancer. Engelman was John London's longtime companion on the air here at KMEL, as well as at Power 106 in Los Angeles and elsewhere across the radio map. Positive thoughts may be sent to Ron by way of his family via email...

KGO's Pete Wilson Dies

2007-07-21T16:48:00.000-07:00

Into what was otherwise a very festive morning at the KRE open house came the news that KGO-TV (Channel 7) and KGO/810 afternoon talk show host Pete Wilson had died. Considering the large contingent of KGO people there — including Steve Kushman (KGO news editor and CHRS president), Peter Cleaveland, John Catchings, Alan Bowker, former anchors Fred Lacosse and Terry Lowry, plus Noel Cisneros and a news crew from Channel 7 covering the event — there was an awful lot of sadness tempering the joy.

No announcement was made during the event; reportedly, Pete Wilson's mother was flying in from Wisconsin to help out during his recuperation, and had not been advised of his death yet. It was my understanding that the KGO people were asked not to say anything until the family was prepared to allow the news to be made public.

Confusion over a rumor that former California governor Pete Wilson had died apparently caused a sensation among several news organizations, including CNN, on Friday evening, but KGO employees were uniform in making certain that silence was maintained regarding the actual situation.

Rather than expending more electronic ink here covering the highlights of his career, you will find more coverage of Pete Wilson's life and career through these sources:

KGO Radio 810

San Francisco Chronicle

San Jose Mercury News

KGO has also set up a page on Blogspot for listener comments about Pete Wilson.

KFRC: Flanagan To Begin Again

2007-07-13T15:00:00.000-07:00

The jubilant cheers heard from the second floor of 865 Battery Street in the city today were prompted by the presence of one John Mack Flanagan, who will be jumping back into radio with both feet -- although only ankle-deep (for now) -- in the cozy confines of the station that made him a local legend, KFRC (106.9).

Already having added Dave Sholin (mornings) and Celeste Perry (middays) to their roster, KFRC major domos Tim Jordan and Mike Preston invited longtime Big 610 star Flanagan back, and he accepted. This afternoon's not-for-broadcast test drive was a chance for John Mack to get back behind the mike in advance of his re-debut as host of KFRC's Sunday morning "Beatles Brunch" show, and the reviews were glowing.

Due to other commitments, Flanagan's Fab Four foray back into the broadcast booth at KFRC will begin with the one-hour Sunday program, but the door has been left open by station management to an expanded role in the future.

John Mack was a vital cog in KFRC's success in the 1970s as part of the all-star lineup that included Dr. Don Rose, Marvelous Mark McKay, Don Sainte-Johnn, Bobby Ocean, Chuck Buell and Rick Shaw.

"Beatles Brunch" debuts this Sunday (July 15) at 9 a.m.

Got something to say? Post your comments here...

CHRS "Radio Day By The Bay" Coming July 21

2007-07-07T22:30:00.000-07:00

We're only two weeks away from "Live! At KRE," the big annual open house and celebration of local radio thrown by the great people of the California Historical Radio Society.

You may have driven past KRE thousands of times over the years, but never had the opportunity to stop by for a visit — so here's your chance. I'll be hanging out at the radio museum table all day, so if you go, stop by and say hello.

Here's the details:

WHERE: The Historic KRE Radio Station Building, 601 Ashby Ave., Berkeley
WHEN: Saturday, July 21, 2007, from 10 AM - 2 PM. (Gates open at 9:30 AM)
ADMISSION: $5 (Children under 12: free)

The California Historical Radio Society is proud to present its annual open house with a celebration of local radio history on the grounds of the famous KRE Radio Station Building, located under the huge radio tower on Ashby Avenue near Highway 80 in Berkeley.

The KRE building, which stood as an abandoned eyesore for many years, has been lovingly restored by the volunteer members of CHRS and converted into a world-class museum of radio and television, including vintage broadcast and production studios, displays of classic radios and television sets, a research library, a working ham radio shack (W6CF), electronic theory school and repair shop, plus a museum store and archival audio transfer and restoration service.

The open house will include tours of the facility, live music, and performances by the Bay Area’s own Broadcast Legends, as well as an auction of rare and unusual radios to help raise funds for CHRS’ continuing effort to preserve the rich history of broadcasting in the region.

Popular Bay Area radio personality Carter B. Smith will once again be on hand to host the festivities.

The historic KRE radio station building is one of the first structures built specifically for broadcasting in the Bay Area, and has been transmitting for seventy years from this location; it currently houses the transmitters for stations KVTO/1400 and KEAR/610 (formerly KFRC).

In the early 1970s, George Lucas used this location to film the Wolfman Jack and Richard Dreyfuss scenes in his film, “American Graffiti.” CHRS is believed to be one of the only vintage radio societies to have an historical AM radio station building as its headquarters.

The building will also serve as home to the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame, with a “wall of honor” to celebrate the great men and women that have entertained local listeners on our airwaves for nearly a century.

Additional information, directions and photos of some of the items up for auction are online at http://www.californiahistoricalradio.com/photos72.html

KSFO Sends 4th Of July Greetings...

2007-07-03T13:35:00.000-07:00

Members of the KSFO Listeners Club received personal greetings from Melanie Morgan via email this morning, excerpted here:

Dear {FIRST NAME}

There's nothing I love better than the Fourth of July - the fireworks, the backyard barbecues, the time I spend with my liberal, dysfunctional family members and of course, Marin County's parade, where I get to heckle Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey for her anti-war, anti-troop positions in the swampland that passes for our nation's capitol.

I'm also very enamored of catcalls, hoots of derision and other un-becoming behavior in which I engage towards to the International A.N.S.W.E.R. and Code Pink crowd who show up to try and wreck our patriotic parade with our excited Little Leaguers and their fabulous floats every year.

My husband and son - not so much.

But seriously, I really do get pumped up when I see the American flags flying in the most unlikely of places, Marin County. It reminds me that despite the many differences I have with my neighbors over politics, at least once a year, the Grand Old Flag comes out and we can celebrate together what makes this nation great. ...

I am also thankful that KSFO Radio gives me the opportunity to exercise my Constitutional right of free speech that our forefathers brilliantly included in their efforts to make us a land of opportunity and inclusion.

Don't forget to fly your flag. And take a moment between the festivities, parades, and family re-unions to remember that we are 'One nation, UNDER GOD, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.'

Melanie Morgan

Comments? Post them right here...

Sholin's KFRC Debut Moved Back

2007-06-29T15:15:00.000-07:00

Contrary to previous reports, the debut date for Dave Sholin and the rest of the new KFRC-FM (106.9) air team has been moved to Monday, July 9.

The original press release from KFRC, excerpted elsewhere here in ye Digest, announced the start date for Sholin as this coming Monday, July 2.

The new midday personality at KFRC will be scintillating Celeste Perry (ex-KSFO/KYA, KYCY), who won't join in the fun until later in the week of July 9; she's reportedly vacationing in Hawaii.

No confirmation from KFRC World Headquarters, but I'm supposing that having the Fourth of July holiday falling in the middle of Sholin's original debut week made moving the start date back a smart move.

McArdle Out At KKIQ; Goss, Friday In?

2007-06-27T09:40:00.000-07:00

I heard this week that among those possibly lined up to replace Carolyn McArdle (quit? fired?) at Hometown Station KKIQ/101.7 over in Pleasanton are Dean Goss and Jack Friday, along with current KKIQ midday funny girl Faith Alpher.

Other names were mentioned as potential candidates, but these three are reportedly the strongest candidates.

...Which means I just guaranteed that somebody else will get the job.

Jim Hampton, who was KKIQ's morning man forever and ever, is filling in on the A.M. shift until a permanent morning host is brought on board.

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