Brian Jones (Rolling Stones) 1943-1969 Birthday's today: Bernadette Peters, John Turturro, Mario Andretti, Gilbert Gottfried, Bubba Smith, Zero Mostel 1915-1977, Ben Hecht 1893-1964 February 29 (born on leap year) Dennis Farina, Tempest Storm, Dinah Shore 1916-1994
Question of the week: GUILTY or NOT GUILTY? 3 high profile cases. Michael Jackson, Robert Blake, Phil Spector. YOU be the judge.
They're all guilty. Even Michael's monkey, Bubbles, is guilty. So was
Marie Antoinette. Vive le France! Corey O' Brien KXRK X-96 Salt Lake City UT
I would agree to be the judge, but I'd need to hear and see all the evidence first and none of
these cases interests me very much. But if I were getting paid a judge's salary, I'd force
myself to pay attention. I'd much rather be the judge in a treason trial against George W Bush. Howie Klein Former President Reprise Records, Los Angeles CA
With songs like PYT (Pretty Young Thing), Monkey Business, Smooth
Criminal,
In the Back, I JustCan't Stop Loving You, and Beat It, we should have
seen
the warning signs with Michael Jackson. Mark Rudkin Houston TX
All guilty...but all suffering from mental defect. Cheers! Kat Corbett Middays KROQ Los Angeles CA
I think they are all three guilty.
Michael Jackson will get off.
Phil Spector could get some jail time
Robert Blake will die in prison.
Three talented but very distrubed people.
Have a great week,
Marcie Robinson PD KACV Amarillo TX
More Responses all week. Cast your feelings. Your thoughts count!
The JL recap of Oscars
The 77th annual Academy Awards have come and now is history. I always watch the Oscars…but know that this recap is coming from someone…me…who
never goes to a movie theatre. At least not in years, I can’t take the
noise, interruptions, and the high cost of going to the movies. For two
people it can be expensive, especially if you throw in the cost of one
large drink and popcorn. I figure, and those who really know me, I’d
prefer to wait and buy the DVD on sale day, or watch it on cable. So I
have not seen any of the contender’s films or performances. I do have “Ray” on DVD. I will get around to watching it soon.
Ok…having said that here is my recap of last night’s event. First, let me say Chris Rock was an awful host. His rhythm of humor was off. He almost bordered on annoying at times. Not that I care about Jude Law,
but Rock’s going off on Law was …a waste of time and came across less
as humor than and more as a pot shot. Of course I wouldn’t know what he
meant to achieve by his remarks?
Maybe next year get Robin Williams who is always on or Mike Meyers.
Rock’s black/white jokes weren’t funny, and came across, as blacks are
still second-class citizens. Not in Hollywood Chris. We have some
incredible talents that are African Americans. Enough of trying to make
it seem as if you and all blacks are still persecuted, especially in
Hollywood, or music for that matter. That’s bullshit. When Sean Penn came out and shot a remark to you that Law was a fine actor in his defense…you didn’t have to come out and state your lame "my accountants will be in touch” joke. It wasn’t funny. Or was it a joke?
I thought Jamie Foxx’s speech as he accepted “best actor”
was very natural and touching. I thought he was very good in Collateral
too. The end about his grandmother almost made my cry. It was the “best” acceptance speech of the whole night. The most beautiful woman of the entire evening was Salma Hayek. She was gorgeous. Bad hair day awards go to Rene Zellweger, Prince, Drew Barrymore, Charlize Theron, and Natalie Portman. Runner-up as most beautiful of the evening was Gwyneth Paltrow.
How awkward is it every year when they do the “in memoriam” segment? People cheer, whistle and clap…but only for certain entertainers. As Yo Yo Ma performed a morbid piece on cello, people were cheering off and on. It seems weird. It just always does.
Carlos Santana and Antonio Banderas, and Beyonce with Josh Groban were terrific duets. True gentlemen were Morgan Freeman and Clint Eastwood in their acceptance speeches. I still don’t get what’s so special about Hillary Swank, but hey that’s me.
I
did like the idea what they did with the lesser awards by having in
many categories all the nominees on stage so we didn’t have to sit
through the walking down the isle, hugging and high fiving people which
eats up time. Overall I would give the show B+. It began at 5:30 PM PST
and ended at 8:40…so 3 hours. Not bad.
Your thought's are welcome
February 27
Elizabeth Taylor Birthday's today: Ralph Nader, James Worthy, Joanne Woodward, Wendy Liebman, John Steinbeck 1902-1968, Marian Anderson 1897-1993, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow 1807-1882
I wasn't...but for you...sure..why not.
Still doin bits?
April Fool's, late 90s. KROQ LA helped open "The new mall in Orange
County"...Just off the 5 freeway...Didn't exist. If you've ever lived
in
SOCAL and were trying to find ANYTHING off the 5 and couldn't you'd
honestly start losing your mind. For KROQ to send people to a mall that
didn't even exist...BRILLIANT. They kept ending all phone calls with
"You can't miss it!" Then they'd hang up. I was a van driver there and
luckily had the day off.
In 2001 we (Channel 93.3/KTCL-FM Denver)had U2 play a free roof-top
show
(they didn't play) on top of the Cheeseman Park Pub (which didn't
exist)
@ the intersection of Broadway & Logan (they don't intersect).
We had people coming from UTAH, NEBRASKA, WYOMING, NEW MEXICO, KANSAS,AND EVEN MONTANA! Unreal. As soon as I got off the air that morning I
took a promo dude with me and we parked near Cheeseman Park (the park
exists, not the Pub) and watched people drive around looking at all the
roof-tops. We played "Under The Blood Red Sky" tracks in the order they
were on the cd. Didn't edit shit. Looped 1 minute of crowd noise for 12
HOURS!
Then the complaints came in...Some REALLY pissed off Boulder hippies
threatening legal action. Out of towners wanted gas money compensation.
But the best part was the listeners who respected the gag, called and
told anyone who was pissed that they should lighten up.
A crowning moment!
Rubin Channel 93.3/KTCL-FM APD/Morning Jerk
I haven't seen Amy Simon in 9 years! The last time was at an improv club in Santa Monica. We first met in 1989 when she was my rep for EMI. Yesterday at a baby shower for Felicia (Swerling) Suslow, Amy showed up with her two daughters. She has done improv and comedy, in addition to writing. You can see her original play that she wrote and performs at The Empty Stage Theater, 2372 Veteran Ave. at Pico in West LA. on Sunday March 13 at 3 PM. Other dates are all Sundays at 3PM; April 10, 24, May 8 * a special Mothers day performance, May 22, and every other Sunday after. For reservations call 310.308.0947. www.emptystage.com
Amy is awesome. She hasn't changed a bit. I can't promise...but I am going to make an effort to see the show. Richard Kuhlman directs.
February 26
Johnny Cash 1932-2003 Birthday's today: Antoine "Fats" Domino. Marshall Faulk, Jackie Gleason 1916-1987, Betty Hutton, Tony Randall 1920-2004
February 25, 2005
Dear Friend,
I am writing to inform you that I no longer work for Philadelphia’s New Rock, Y100, 100.3 FM.
Wednesday February 24, 2005 at 11:59 Radio One Inc.
changed the format from modern rock to hip-hop and r+b. 100.3’s
frequency will now be playing the music previously heard on 103.9 FM.
Countless memories of FEZtivals, FEASTivals, Sonic Sessions, Tuesday Night Music Clubs,
Sunday night air shifts and crazy contests are flashing in front of my
face right now. I cherish the fact that I was able to work at Y100 on
both the music and marketing side. I came to Y100 in 1997 to host Y-Not
the new and local music show. I had know idea that I’d become a part of
the programming department that took Y100’s music from playing Melissa Ethridge next to Nirvana in 1997 to its current state of playing Modest Mouse next to Nirvana in 2005.
On
the marketing side I cherished the ability to let you know about the
new avenues we were exploring, the contests we were conducting (many of
them insane – can you say, “eating sheep testicles for Eagles
tickets?”), and the charity events we were taking part in (we raised
over 400 tons of food with our annual Camp Out For Hunger). I received
the most joy from bringing both the music world and marketing world
together booking over 150 Y100 Sonic Sessions, producing 8 Y100 Sonic
Sessions CDs that raised over $300,000 for charity, and experiencing
the thrill of bringing 25,000 people together every summer to watch the
best modern rock bands in the world rock the Tweeter Center.
The
staff at Y100 gladly poured their heart and soul into making Y100 one
of the most respected modern rock stations in America. One of the
things that drove me every day was my desire to bring all of these
wonderful experiences to my hometown of Philadelphia. Thank you for
supporting and experiencing Y100 with me. I would not have done any of
these things without one man. He started as my boss and became one of
my closest friends and one of my most significant role models, behind
my father. I want to thank Jim McGuinn,
Program Director/heart and soul of Y100. Jim instilled the spirit of
the alternative music lifestyle in all of us. The Philadelphia airwaves
were blessed with his vision for the past ten years.
Let’s hope that vision doesn’t end with Y100. Please feel free to contact him atjim@y100rocks.com .
I truly hope we can work together again in the near future. Feel free to contact me at danfein@comcast.net.
Rock,
Dan Fein
Dan...we all wish you and Jim the best. If you need anything, just call.
Hi JL, was thinking with Academy Awards on Sunday, a cool upcoming "Question Of
The
Week" might be (if you're taking suggestions....of course just noticed
you just sent one out late last night anyway-doh, oh well, maybe for
the next one?!:)
What song, when you hear it, brings to mind instantly an image from a
movie that will forever be linked to the song in your mind? For
instance, my wife always knew very well and enjoyed Elton John's "Tiny
Dancer", but now every time she hears it she immediately thinks of the
"bus scene" from the film "Almost Famous". For me it's The Creation's
"Making Time", during the opening sequence from "Rushmore", and in
the
same film the "elevator scene" linked forever now to The Who's "A Quick
One (While He's Away").
Maybe that could be worded better, but you get the gist and am sure
with it being Oscar Season, it certainly might spark some
conversation.
Alright bro, gonna be a brutally busy one for me today (aren't they
all?!), so let's shoot for a catch up next week, okay?
Otherwise some new projects of mine that should be (if they haven't
already) arrived in your mailbox:
Acceptance, Wakefield, Stereophonics, Plain White T's, Open Hand, Mae,Bloc Party....but before that you should've also received the Buck 65
and new single from The Fever called "Ladyfingers"?
Check 'em all out, as there's some good stuff there!
Have a good (dry?!) weekend bro,
Get the idea? Chris Stowers
HARD BOILED
Office: 708.763.0761
Cell: 773.259.8935 clstowers@comcast.net
Chris, that's not a bad idea. I might have to reword as you said, make it shorter...but I like it. The Acceptance is not bad. Wakefield is cool, and I dig Mae. I haven't seen the others yet...but I'm sure they will show up. Love The Fever, so I can't wait to hear it. As for the Stereophonics, it would be hard to find a bigger fan...they are golden, so even though V2 hasn't sent it...if you did...tres cool bro.
February 25
John Doe Birthday's today: Mike Peters, Tea Leoni, Lisa Kirk, Larry Gelbart, Sean Astin, Paul O' Neill Ron Santo, Jim Backus 1913-1989, Bobby Riggs, Enrico Caruso 1873-1921
JL Radio Exclusive! The weird beard is back!
Dear Jonathan,
Brooks Brown, announces he found a wayward soul standing on side of a
CT
country lane and decided that the poor fellow named "Willobee" might as
"well be" the new WEQX Program Director. Willobee met his new crew at
WEQX Friday and the ship was off and sailing. We, (Brooks & his wife
Mimi who's the station's GeneralManager) are really excited to find
such a nice and qualified chap like Willobee to keep the tradition and
heritage of WEQX going. Did someone say reinvention....Details to
follow....
My bud Will. I am very happy for Brooks and Mimi, and the staff of 'EQX. Willobee, is a great addition!
And the... "bits" finally bite the dust
JL, sorry to call during Lost, hope you didn't miss cliffhanger, sorry
so
late and lame, probably not worth the wait:
these may not be the funniest but definetly the most memorable bits:
Steaklegs: Aug 98 during hummergate, KBPI
made international headlines for goofy
lifestyle bit: rumor starts that there is a
dangerous caymen (alligator) in the city's only lake (in a yuppie
park), I
conspiracize (word?) this is just a ploy to keep us stoners out of
Snotty Park, my bullshit meter was high, so we duct taped steaks to my
scabby fat
legs and sent me into the lake live on the air baiting him "here
leezard,
leezard", after 2 hours of waiting for croc to make me lunch, finally I
hear
and feel something, freak out in front of live tv news coverage, cops
wanting permit and tons of curious residents. I dropped the microphone
as I
said "shit", I run out of lake, scared. They evacuate everyone,
authorities
drain lake, find nothing but my steaks, some duct tape and portable mic I
had to pay for by working weekend shifts ($2500 at $5 an hour took and
hate
long time to pay off, but you can't put a price on exposure, value and
mileage).
The next day, George Michael gets busted in men's room park
with
a "glory ole" so I go out to Cheeseman Park, a homo hangout, wearing
boa,
playing Striesand and took hotdogs in glory hole, so we went from
searching
for gayman in Wash Park to gayman in Cheeseman Park in 20 hours, we
were #1
that book.
Once we posed as valet and parked competitor's car, but hijacked it on
air,
changed all the presets and took top off and drove convertible thru car
wash
live on air, we were almost arrested for fraud, auto theft,
larceny, property
damage, tresspassing , etc.
At 'KOA in Denver, Broncos choked in 96 and needed Sunday fill ins, so I
fill
in at conservative Rush Limbau station, talkin' same sex benefits, "god
hates
fags" wacko calls up spewing hate, I lose it, had a meltdown, I say
"jesus
can suck my ass", smoke bible and get handcuffed and evicted from
building,
next day, I get promoted but had to walk in every gay pride parade for
a
year.
That's not as bad as Easter 2000 when Mancow had parents nail kids to a
cross.
April fool's scams
98 Denver edited archived audio to hold radio theatre fake press
confrence
of Elway retiring, got credible media to ask questions, while old Elway
cuts
were placed as answers, media, team and fan went nuts, burned a bridge
but
it was worth it.
4/1/92 WEQX co host Mary Brace fakes a quality concert spot for Dead, Phish
and other hippie bands uses 1-800-you-fool as # and a fake venue,
hippies
bought it and poor business in Michigan owns # and is pissed on $ from
calls. Thanks KG.
4/1/02: I wasn't there but Shredd n' Ragan were hosting pet euthenasia
on the
air, causing a fart that still lingers in SPCA's hallways, but not as
bad as KBPI's Willie B Hung getting a motard to put his cat in the microwave
to get
hot pussy.
'HTZ FM's screw over your ex-valentine's day thing was cool.
2 chics
makin
out in plane while they dump their boyfriends
below them on air KPOI 93 Hawaii.
Doin' play by play of an armed crackhead breaking into
my car
in front of window, as I'm giving address on air calling out for help
(cops), it occurs to me, I have a bag of chronic in glove box, so I say
never mind, play track and chase the guy away, you can take the kid out
of Detroilet but you can't take the Detoit out of the kid
there's a lot of other shit, but gotta go.
Kerry Gray PD WEDG, Buffalo NY
Hey Jon - sorry, been under the weather with a nasty case of the flu
this week. Just getting around to the email stuff.
To answer the question du jour: Far and away, anything that Phil
Hendrie does blows me away. Anything else doesn't even qualify.
Matt Sledge PD WOXY-FM, Cincinnati OH
Hangin at The Canal Club in Richmond VA (L-R) Saliva's Josey, Y101 (WDYL) MD Dustin Matthews and Saliva's Chris.
The Indie controversy rages on
In this weeks edition of "The Sands Report",
there was coverage. Jeffrey Naumann had some very good points, and
Richard will have part two for you next Wednesday. In the meantime, you
just knew that Mike Jacobs, who was one the earliest alternative Indie's, now retired and has no qualms about telling you how he feels, would eventually show up on the "The L Files". So spew, Mikey, spew.
List of Artists that Infinity would not be able to claim credit for , if they did not talk to Indies (in my era), labels that did not have an in house promo staff:
No Doubt-Trauma
Bush-Trauma
Offspring-Epitaph
Rancid-Epitaph
Nine Inch Nails -TVT
Moby-White Label
House of Pain-Tommy Boy
Nirvana-Sub-Pop
AFI-Nitro
Maybe Infinity has the most to hide, so they over-react the most. "New Music First" ,...BULLSHIT...the best ones are on an Indie 70-80% of the time........Good luck takin' credit now Kevin, and I am SURE KCRW,who
plays most of them first anyway, is very happy with this decision to
cover your slimey tracks. Of course, when a Major picks it up, you will
be there with your hand out first, and deepest. Of course, this is just
off the top of my head. Any of these in your Gold category? Did they
work out for you???
Next weeks "Question of the week" is a little headier, but worthy of your input. For all of you in Pop, Rock, Hot AC, Modern, Alternative, and Active, and other viewers of this site...three high profile cases are going on right now. Michael Jackson, Robert Blake, and Phil Spector. You be the judge. Guilty, or not guilty. Tell us all what your thoughts are. Just reply on the e-mail you've been sent. It will be facinating to see what you truly think.
February 24
George Harrison 1943-2001 Birthday's today: Michelle Shocked, Rupert Holmes, Eddie Murray, Zachery Scott 1914-1965
BREAKING NEWS! 8:45AM PST Wow...WPLY (Y-100) Philadelphia flips to Urban. I recieved an instant message from Brooks Brown moments ago. I called the station and they answer "home of R&B". Brooks (WEQX-one of the last "real" alternative stations in the country) is long time friends with PD Jim McGuinn. Jim was PD of 'EQX back in the early 90's. He spoke with Jim yesterday and according to Brooks, Jim had already taken a job as a bartender (something he has always wanted to do) at a downtown Irish Pub. Jim and a former member of their band Cordalene have joined another band, and Jim for now just wants to have fun. I and many others wish Jim nothing but the best. He's one of the "good" guys in the biz. The station flipped today.
Here is something that appeared in this morning's L.A. Times. Indie 103 owner Entrovision has been told by the FCC that they will have to sever ties with Clear Channel as of April 1. Indie 103 put CC one station over the limit of 8 stations in one market. As of this writing it's unclear whether it will remain alternative. The article does allude to a possible change in format. Guess we'll see on April 1. Interesting the date is April fools day. The station has been like a tick in Weatherly's (KROQ) side since they debuted back in December of 2003. I stopped listening to Indie 103 when I started hearing those "wow" songs like "Is Vic There" 6+ times a week, and frankly wasn't wowed by the disjointed programming. Kevin & Bean, and CD's suit me just fine.
The big man responds
The IM actually reads quite funny....love the "WFNX is in Lynn, right?" Hilarious. Fucker.
Max Tolkoff
Program Director/Operations Manager
WFNX
781.595.6200
A little bit 'o bits
Phil Hendrie – funniest
man on the radio. He has a call in talk show, with very controversial
subjects and guests, and callers, only thing is, he voices all of them
live! The show is its best when the stray real caller calls in who
isn’t in on the joke (how this can continue to happen day after day is
a testament to radios shrinking tsl) and Phil and his crazy cast of
characters let them have it.
KROQ April fools day fistfight with Thom Yorke. What sold me was the mild interview and two acoustic numbers that preceded the on air fisticuffs. Call me gullable.
Two
bits I did on college radio (yes I have to go back that far to find
something amusing) the first was adding a fumble and touchdown when I
announced the StanfordCal
football game so Stanford won at the last second. My color commentator
just stared at me and didn’t say a thing, priceless. A bunch of people
who were leaving the game early, but who were listening to the
broadcast, came running back into the stadium to help celebrate our
“win”.
The second was when I played a sound effects record of
machine guns going off and people screaming under the live broadcast of
the Palo Alto city council meeting I was forced to air in the middle of
my show once a month. Unfortunately, the police didn’t find it as
amusing as I did, and neither did the city council when the cops burst
in with guns drawn. That was my last shift at KZSU
Stanford. When you do the piece on out of control interviews let me
know, I got half a dozen of those, the best was an interview with Roky
Erickson.
Oh lets hope Richard Sands doesn't trot out his KGAY April fools bit from KITS, cause it wasn’t as funny as he seems to think it was. (*He did Ted...scroll down the page...just kidding, it was actually Paul Kriegler, so still scroll down the page)
Ted Taylor, Author, TV personality Los Angeles CA
Ted already has one book to his credit "Cook Your Way Into Her Pants! His second is in pre-order now titled "Cook Your Way Into Her Stocking" (a holiday version), and he just finished a pilot for the E Channel, based on his books. He was the former PD at KPOI Honolulu, WLIR Long Island, and lugged Camper Van Beethoven's equipment around the country at one time.
I've
heard many great bits & have been a part of few. There isn't one
that I can say is better than all the rest. A great bit is a great bit.
But I'll share one story with you. It concerns the "Furby" craze of a few years back. Considering a supposed, new & improved Furby is coming out this year.
Lee Daniels
was doing afternoons, I was doing nights & came in early. We were
talking about how crazy the christmas shopping season was & how
parents bought into the hype of the latest toys. We singled out the
"Furby" as being a true spawn of Satan. We said we would like to
destroy a "Furby". A listener called in & said that he had 2 &
would give us one. An intern went & got a table saw. For his entire
show we hyped the fact that we were going to kill the "Furby." The
strange thing was that this was a brand new "Furby", just out of the
box., & the entire time leading up to his demise, he would
periodically stand on his toes & say "uhoh".
It was truly freaky...But we did...finally...killed...the..."Furby."
There was absolute evil in that room.
Lance Hale
PD WRQC,
Ft. Myers FL
I still
stand by the “best” bit I ever heard…or at least the one that has stuck
with me all these years…is the Arnold impersonator as Clark
Kent/Superman changing his clothes in a public phone booth on Scott Shannon’s
show from the mid 80’s on WABC-FM, New York. I can’t even truly
remember the whole thing, but I do remember the “bit”, so that’s the
important thing.
As far as my personal favorite that I did
wasn’t meant to be funny, although I’m sure many thought so…it actually
was something that drew lots of calls for months while I was doing it.
This was when I was doing midday’s, and there wasn’t such a thing as “Flashback Lunch”. I tried things like the “LunchBunch Hunch”
where I asked a question or played a song and then gave the winners
prizes. It was fun and popular with listeners…but nothing real special.
But my favorite was, one day I wanted to say something in Spanish to
my audience. I called our receptionist who was of Mexican decent. I
decided that she should teach me the few words I wanted to say…live
on-air. So we did this short bit which came out pretty much as a
Spanish lesson. When it was done…we both were so amused by it…I said
“let’s do this every day at noon”. She agreed to, so for a few months
every day at noon she taught me something new in Spanish live on-air
from the front of the building. It went over huge with listeners. Doing
it live on the telephone from her desk is what gave it the natural charm.
She was real good on-air and eventually left KUPD/KUKQ
to do sports broadcasting, which she had been going to school for while
working at the station. So that was the end of that long running “bit”.
Speaking of Spanish, the day before Troy Hanson was let go when WZTA
in Miami flipped from active rock/alternative to Spanish…he called me,
and we got into a discussion about the possibility of the station
switching, although until I can reach him, I still don’t have any idea
if he really knew the flip was coming the next day or not.
I
know another signal has flipped to take up the void that ‘Zeta left.
But I had said to Troy that rock radio has never really done that well
in the market. Its predecessor WSHE as far I can remember never was a ratings giant.
He
brought up that Miami is 60% + Hispanic, Latino, etc. I agreed and said
that so is Los Angeles. His take on it was that out here in Los Angeles
where I live, the majority of Mexicans want to be Americanized. I
said…yes, that’s true. He said the majority of the Spanish-speaking
people that live in Miami that came from various countries don’t. They
want to keep their culture, hence the strong Latin presence in Miami.
Hmm…yes…point well taken. Moral is…rock and Miami don’t mix well.
After
our conversation…I began to think that maybe more radio peeps should
learn Spanish…not trying to be funny…but serious. Maybe it’s better to
be bilingual nowadays.
Another weapon in your arsenal?
JL
February 23
Johnny Winter Birthday's today: Peter Fonda, Veronica Webb, Flip Saunders, Bobby Bonilla
Bits O' Bits (send yours...a couple of days to go)
I don't think I would exactly call this a radio "bit"...but let's just say any communication with Max Tolkoff, the Grand Poobah of Boston radio is always an exercise in, somewhere between heaven and hell. With his permission, we are friends after all, I decided to print this instant message conversation from yesterday, because I couldn't get him on the damn phone! Oh...right...he's back in radio. Duh...I forgot. Wait a second...WFNX is in Lynn, right?
JL: jeeesh-you are hard to get a hold of Max: I'm in radio...what do you expect? Avoidance at all times JL: I just called-getting tired of hearing your message Max: just got back to my office from three hours of meetings...fuck off JL: ugg...you in Boston? Max: now we are off the air...so fuck off again JL: lol-no--you fuck off, you fucking radio geek Max: fuck off you fucking fuck...fucker JL: lol-I got the point-fuck off Max: now we are back on the air and I have to yell at engineering who threw us off the air during the 5PM hour. See? JL: go ahead--I think I'll run this IM Max: you forget all the shit you have to do in radio JL: no I didn't Max: it's not just fucking telemarketing... JL: go ahead and ream him Harry Max: ...where all you promo goobers sit around thinking PD's are just WAITING for your call cuz their just sitting around doing nothing like you...print that JL: I don't even have a record (for you) other than the MP3 I sent...I was just calling as a friend-but-nooooo-u don't have time for friends. I'm gonna print the whole thing Max: What MP3, I don't read your e-mails...print that too JL: "Red Bull and Vodka" by Sunny Ledfurd--sent it twice already...putz Max: I heard it before...you're kidding, right? JL: what did you hear before--putz? Max: that song...it's not for us JL: well...nice talking to you Max: really? JL: no...makes me want to go and punch a hole in the wall Max: relax Max: signed off at 2:43:41 PM
Not one word has been changed. So kids, here's a lesson...when dealing with a person who might be in a cranky mood...just roll with it. Luv ya Maxie. "Jeanette, please pass me the caulking. Thanks"
I listen to lots of other stations driving in the morning as I have quite a long commute. I get a huge kick out of Z-100(WHTZ) Phone Tapsin the morning. They are cruel, mean
and everything that makes me laugh. They had one the other day where a
young man called his father for money because he was grossly
overcharged for a tattoo and had not the cash to pay for it so they
told the father that they had handcuffed him to the chair and then
offered a deal where he could do certain "favors" to make up for the cash. It was outrageous. I loved it! Harlan Friedman PD WLIR, Long Island NY
Around 1985-ish, I was living in Houston and the new night guy at 93Q debuted. His name was Jammer. (Real name: Jay Kelly.. have no idea where he is now)...Anyway, his first night on the air he played "Pump Up the Jam" by Technotronic for 4 straight hours; his entire show from 6p -10p. The Top 8 at 8 countdown was "Pump Up the Jam" every song.. The cage match was "Pump Up the Jam" against "Pump Up the Jam".. He would put phoners on the air requesting another song and he played those into "Pump Up the Jam"... Just a funny bit that has always stuck in my mind. Johnny Maze
PD
Rock 93.9 / WRXW
222 Beasley Rd
Jackson, MS 39206
601.957.3000
I
know this has been done by various people and in different ways, but I
remember working for a station that was trying to fill a Salvation Army
truck for some relief effort. Steve Ocean was the afternoon guy and he kept playing "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer"
on repeat (this was nowhere near christmas) unitl the truck was filled
with supplies. Of course, when you do something like this, you have to
get the message across and Steve really sold it between airings of the
song, using multiple phone calls to keep the momentum going and
challenging people to fill the truck if they wanted the song to stop.
Still one of the best examples I have seen of mobilizing people and
creating a buzz out of what easily could have have been another subdued
charity drive. Kevin Jackson PD
WTGZ "The Tiger" 95.9/104.9
2514 S. College St. Suite 104
Auburn AL 36832
334.887.9999
THE FUNNIEST BIT EVER ON RADIO COULDbe.................................. from a guy who called himself Mountain Man. Don't remember the station but
his bit was about breakfast and how important it was to feed your children in the morning.
He suggested
"SUGAR 'LUDES!!! MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE YOU JUST GOT UP". All day long,
"Feed them to your kids every day!.Makes all yourpains go away!".
They won't be able to cause trouble he performed it as a real cereal
commercial very well produced and I believe that may have been one of
his last bits on that station. But it made you Rolllllllllllllllllllllllll;) Summer James Gruvegirl Los Angeles CA
You can read the adventures of Gruvegirl on the streets by clicking on the "Always Summer" button on left.
The Reverend Billy Griffin and Cergio and Eastview Mall during the
holiday shopping season, heard on WBER.
Joey Gusto PD WBER, Rochester NY
The "Iceman cometh" in Gainesville at WHHZ (L-R) Mojo, CoCo, Ice T, and Leigh Scott
* by the way, Mojo spiked in Sunny Ledfurd 5 times this past week. Thanks Mojo
February 22
Drew Barrymore Birthday's today: George Washington 1732-1799, Vijay Singh, Sparky Anderson, Steve Irwin, Ishmael Reed, Edward M. Kennedy, Michael Chang, Julius Irving
BITS, BITS, and more BITS
Not an intentionally funny bit, but in the long run, it kinda sorta
ended up that way. With the Superbowl coming up, I worked my ass off
for two weeks to get an actual eagle in studio to make my official
Super Bowl pick. It was a real eagle vs. a Patriot intern to see who
could identify more players from their respective teams. Unfortunately,
things didn't go quite as planned...
Jay Wulff, Afternoons, MD 96.1 KISS FM Poughkeepsie NY
JL -
I grew up listening to WLUP in Chicago! And by far the most memorable jock is Jonathan Brandmeir!
When he'd have kids sing Metallica in the morning... fantastic! But the
hardest I've laughed at radio was when he signed off the air in
Chicago. It was one of the funniest speeches I've heard - followed
quickly by a very sad moment. Brandmeir needs to be on everywhere!
You're lucky to have him in L.A. Good Question.
Mike @ Night
APD/ID/Nights
WKXJ 98-1 Kiss FM
Clear Channel, Chattanooga TN
I had a Eminem look a like and sent him out, and had interns fake calls on
it. Had a night club set up a fake VIP room with bouncers, everyone was
in on it. It made the paper.
These are two of my favorite bits from a guy I'm lucky enough to
work with here in Fort Wayne, Travis "Buster" Meyer....The 1st is the
spoof of Devil Went Down To Georgia, called The Devil Went to Jamaica.
The song is tied with Weird Al's "Eat It" for the most weeks at #1 on
the Dr. Demento countdown. It has been played on radio stations all
over
the world, and country singer David Allen Coe has even leaked that it
is
him doing the song (TOTAL lie).
The second bit is a parody of Mel
Gibson's Passion of the Christ. Funnier than a spear in the side!
JJ Fabini
Assistant Director of Programming
X102 - WXTW; Z94.1 - WCKZ; FOX SPORTS 1250 - WGL;
MY103.9 - WYLT; WILD96.3 -WNHT; 102.9 The River - WXKE
Summit City Radio Group
2000 Lower Huntington Road
Ft. Wayne, IN, 46819
260.747.1511 (Office)
260.747.3999
Two come to mind. First, about ten years ago, during the height of a
controversy at Denny's restaurants concerning alleged racial
discrimination toward its
customers, Kevin and Bean sent out their (black) morning stunt guy with
a
bullhorn to a local Denny's. He then proceeded to go inside and shout
out, "Hey,
what's a black guy gotta do to get a cup of coffee around here?"
Second, when I was first PD at KITS-San Francisco, London and Engleman,
the KMEL morning duo, did a fake bit where they'd supposedly dropped a
microphone
in the KITS GM's office, and mocked a fake conversation between my GM
and me.
it was actually quite amusing. I had the occasion to hear it again a
few years
ago because it lives on in immorality/infamy in an aircheck at
http://www.reelradio.com/.
Richard Sands, The Sands Report
Mill Valley CA
Hey JL....
Heard lots of great bits over the years. One being while I was
interning
with "Weasel", who's now the anchor (and he's a big fat anchor I might
add)
of the "Half Assed Morning Show" at KXXR, at the time though it was
KEGE/93.7 The Edge. He did a bit while the Conclave was in town that
year
stickin all the radio peeps that were at the nudie bar rather than at
their
seminars and etc. Without actually just playin it, don't think it's as
funny. Probably my favorite, ever though, was on an FMQB sampler awhile
back. It was Mikey from KIOZ. Some of you have probably even heard it.
He
did a bogus commercial for "Sesame Street outtakes". It was absolutely
hilarious, Ernie in the tub cussin out the production staff and etc. I
was
further impressed by the bit later when I actually spoke to Mikey and
found
out he did the entire bit himself. ALL the voices, writing and etc. Try
to
dig out your FMQB's and find it if you still have'em, but maybe have
diapers
on for when you piss yourself.
Polychronopolis
MD/Afternooner
Waitt Radio Networks
1000 N. 90th St. Suite 105
Omaha, NE 68114
Direct: 402.952.7611
AOL: toxirocker
Walter with Kasabian at XM *The following came in late Monday evening
Hey Jonathan, sorry I couldn't get back to you today. It's a busy week here and today's a holiday so I am kinda by myself in getting things done. I had the Futureheads in today. They're kicking off their tour here in DC tonight. They were great and sang me a liner. I had Kasabian hanging with me on the air last Friday, Le Tigre tomorrow. I have a Tegan & Sara special featuring an acoustic performance airing on Thursday.
Starting a new feature tonight, Album Liberation! Listeners vote as to which new album they want me to unwrap and I'll play a cut from the winner all week long. In the first match, The Mars Volta handled Doves without much problem. So it's a new track from Frances The Mute every night this week.
I think my records ending... gotta go (lol). I'll try to call tomorrow.
Walter Flakus
Music Director / On Air
Fred 44 / Ethel 47
XM Satellite Radio
1500 Eckington Place NE
Washington DC, 20002-2194
202.380.4285
walter.flakus@xmradio.com
Send in your bits today! If you send an MP3...include the Http://..... code also please so I can put it up so people can just click on it to hear.
February 21 President's Day
Jennifer Love Hewitt Birthday's today: Jilly Cooper, Alan Trammell, Steve Francis, Nina Simone 1933-2003, Erma Bombeck 1927-1996, Sam Peckinpah 1925-1984, Andres Segovia 1893-1987, Ann Sheridan 1915-1967, Anais Nin 1903-1977
QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What is the best/funniest "bit" you've ever heard or done on the radio?
The best radio bit for me was when Mark Sebastian of
Q92 in Cincinnati "locked" himself in the studios and
played "The Stroke" by Billy Squier for 13+ times.
Over and over and over...all night long. This was when
the tune was just released as a single back in 1982.
Buzz Fitzgerald Nights WBNS Columbus OH
1) K-GAY...when Live 105 in SF turned K-GAY for April Fool's Day...favorite slogan ever on the radio: "it's here, it's queer...it's in your ear...105.3 K-GAY"
2) The Regular Guys
in Atlanta getting an Arnold Schwarzenegger soundalike to call a Los
Angeles TV station, get through the switchboard...and this guy actually
got on the air live in Los Angeles.
Paul Kriegler
General Manager
WCDD / WBYS
1000 E. Linn St.
Canton, IL 61520
(309)647-1560
It was 1986 on the Jersey shore. I was programming an AOR (that's what
we
called it back in the old days) with the calls Y017. I was friends
with
the guys from a band out of Philly called Bricklin, who were signed to
A&M
Records at the time. They were Beatles fanatics. Back around the time
they were shopping their demo, they had a little fun in the studio.
Each
member of the band picked one of the Beatles to imitate in both singing
and
playing style. Then they wrote an original song in the exact style of
early Beatles.
They recorded it with the same precision, engineering
and
nuances as if it had been produced by George Martin. The song was
uncanny. The first time I heard the track, I could not tell this was
not
the Beatles. So I decided to use the track to pull an April Fool's
prank
on the air. For several weeks in March, we ran promos advertising a
missing Beatles tape had been discovered and that we had secured the
rights
to the world premiere of "The Lost Liverpool Demo." The promos
included
Beatles music, drops from Paul & Ringo and record company experts
excited
with this new find. On the afternoon of April 1st, I did a special
show
playing all Beatles music, focusing on the early days.
I invited a
well
renowned Beatles expert Capitol Records executive Dave Dexter, who
initially rejected the Beatles for Capitol, to join me on the air. It
was
really a Capitol promo guy playing the part. We talked up the back
story
and how the tape was discovered during a renovation of the attic where
John
Lennon had lived with his Aunt Mimi on Menlove Street in Liverpool.
Then
as advertised, at exactly 3 PM, we went "live" via satellite to the BBC
in
London. A British announcer came on with a brief intro claiming that
this
"never before heard song" fell into their possession and was
authenticated
by EMI Records.
With permission from the three surviving Beatles, the
BBC
had secured the rights to air the song. We then played the 3 and a
half
minute song "There's A Girl." The phones went nuts. People were dying
to
find out where to purchase a copy of the track. Dave and I talked it
up
some more and did a wrap up announcing that this track would be
included in
a forthcoming Beatles box set.
Later that afternoon, I was contacted
by a
writer for one of the Jersey newspapers who did a small piece in the
next
day's edition on how "local radio station lands Beatles exclusive due
to
Program Director's relationship with the BBC." We continued to get
phone
calls for a few weeks after that. We never went on the air and
announced
that our song was an April Fool's hoax.
Willobee On the beach in
Stamford CT
My personal favorite is from the Morning X at 99X/Atlanta and features
Barnes posing as Jimmy Barron and ordering a large African-American
male
prostitute to Jimmy Barron's hotel room at the Morning Show Bootcamp in
New Orleans. Of course Barnes told the person on the phone that, "I
like
being dominated, so be prepared for me to pretend to be surprised and
not happy."
That's just the set-up. The execution of the bit had Jimmy Barron
answering the door in a towel and wet from being in the shower and
then,
after finally convincing the prostitute that it was all a mistake,
opening the door to send him on his way only to find the party he was
to
meet for breakfast standing outside the door with their jaws dropped.
It was, of course, all pre-planned and done via Jimmy Barron "after the
fact" narration, but it was executive flawlessly. Brilliant. I was late
for an appointment with Kevin Weatherly because I couldn't pull myself
away from listening to the bit on a CD in my car. It's on one of the
Morning X best-of CDs. Harass Leslie Fram and maybe she'll send you a
copy!
Jim Kerr
Director of Talent & Creative Services
Pollack Media Group/Dallas
1121 Beachview Street #2214
Dallas, Texas 75218
Phone: (214) 324-9060
It was the morning of April Fools Day. I was driving from Glendora to Graybar Electric Co in downtown LA, listening to KROQ's Kevin & Bean, when the dynamic duo announced the opening of what they dubbed the "largest mall in the world"
now open in Orange County. After mapping out the directions and talking
with "folks at the mall," I too became more interested in darting down
to the 57 freeway and spending the day at what was sure to become a
historical opening. Instead though, I continued on to work. My
coworkers and I shared our thoughts on the new mall, listening to the
radio and daydreaming about the weekend to come. We later came to learn
that our shopping plans were foiled and we had been fooled, although
not as extreme as the hundreds of listeners who ended up driving in
circles looking for the mall that never was.
Melyssa Harmon Seattle WA
Maybe not exactly a "bit"...but a clever promotion
AM 1510 KCUV, Denver are presenting Paul Westerberg and his Only Friends at the Ogden Theatre on March 3. So, due to Paul not being able to come by the station, those fun guys, Zak Phillips, PD John Hayes, and Benjie McPhail are looking for a Westerberg "Replacement". Listeners are invited to submit either a solo song or with their band. The winner will then come into the station the day of Westerberg's show and perform their rendition of a Replacements song live on-air. Pretty cool idea guys! By the way...the station is a blend of "Jack", "Alice", "Bob", and elements of pop/alternative. Check out their website www.kcuvradio.com
Send in your "bits" today!
February 20 Kurt Cobain 1967-1994 Birthday's today: Sidney Poitier, Gloria Vanderbilt, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Stephon Marbury, Walter Becker, Ian St, John, "Poison Ivy" Rorschach, Cindy Crawford, Charles Barkley Robert Altman, Livan Hernandez
Question of the week begins tomorrow: What is the best radio "bit" you have ever heard, or done, on the air? There will be some doozies I'm sure.
February 19
Benicio del Toro Birthday's today: Amy Tan, Jackie Moore, Dave Stewart, Lee Marvin 1924-1987
UPDATE: 2:35 PM (It's pouring rain...nothing better to do)
I'm really having fun with The Velvet Rope stuff. Just a little investigating, and walla... it's amazing. First let me say I have no interest in joining, nor posting anything on there. I feel after looking at it, it's sad that the majority are persons who say either ridiculous or harmful things about people, while hiding behind their computer. At least I say what's on my mind and name names if need be.
To DevilsAdvocate...I know exactly who you are, and I feel that you posted my Cagle thing not to belittle me in any way. I read all about you and I wish you well. I hope things are getting better for you too. I won't mention your name because you seem to be on "the Rope" a lot and are quite intelligent on your posts. We were pretty friendly as I recall.
Todd Everett, self described "disgruntled former employee" and his hobbies are "finding music related errors in movies and TV shows". Todd, adjusting my article was fine with me...but calling me an "idiot" wasn't good. You live in the same neighborhood as me, so I feel the chances of me running into you are pretty high. Then, call me an "idiot" you sorry sack of shit. Here's his website, enjoy http://www.toddeverett.net
As for you Maxx...the post about me was the first post you've made since 2003. You are located in Century City, hmm, Radio & Records territory. You posted about the passing of of Jan Basham, which was very sad about a fine person who was taken too young. But, in your post mentioning only about less than two dozen persons from the industry showed up, including Lenny B and Kenny Ryback, pretty much leads me to you. Throw in the Riccki Rachtman post and I'm almost there. I'm 99% sure who you are. If you were using the Cagle piece to actually vent about Farber, referring to me as "one bitter, hollier than thou, ex-Cagle employee. Boo Hoo"...why didn't you just step up to the plate and send me an e-mail for post here on this site where it belongs...not on "The Rope". There is still that 1% so I won't say who you are until I'm 100% sure. How sad...I thought we were "friends". I can handle anything you want to say to me. Next time don't do it on the "The Rope" where so many losers reside. That is of course if you are indeed who I think you are?
Wow...Cagle...you have a couple of friends out there.
Well...maybe? I was checking out the stats for today for this site, and I noticed a viewer was referred by The Velvet Rope. I've never been on it...never seen it, and find it curious that someone posted my piece from Monday about Cagle. That would be DevilsAdvocate/Diamond member/Tinseltown. Then some scumbag named teverett/ Diamond member/Los Feliz-adjacent decides to call me an idiot and restructure the piece. That is followed by Maxx/member/Century City says "poor JL radio" (it's Radio), I come across as "one bitter, hollier than thou, ex-Cagle employee. Boo Hoo".
First, let me say thanks to DevilsAdvocate for spreading the JL Radio website. To you teverett, you can call me an idiot behind your computer. You wouldn't to my face. You obviously sucked Cagle's dick...I saw you under his desk one day. Oh...and Maxx... you took it up the ass. Ok...now that we have all the name calling out of the way...you have my url and you can find my e-mail address. Be a man/woman and directly tell me and my readers what you really think. I almost can figure out who you are...really.
Welcome Hot AC panel to the community. Look around the site and you will find info that is useful regardless of format. Lots of search things such as lyrics, Mojam's live concert listings, even the above world clock. Click on it and it will give you real time in over a hundred or so countries. There is plenty more...so please explore. Feel free to participate whether it is a question of the week or open forum. Next week I will be adding the entire Top 40 panel also. Music is music...the way I look at it. Have fun...JL
Number One of the year! The award goes to...WOXY.com
That's INTERNET radio station of the year, according to PLUG
Independent Music Awards! ( Winners list here:
http://www.plugawards.com/award_winners.php )
In doing so, we won over some pretty recognizable stations; KCRW.org,
KEXP.org, 3WK, etc.. Here we are barely 6 months into cranking this
baby back up, and now this. We would have even went to the awards had
we known we were gonna win, but that's only part of the good news here:
Let me give you a quick update of what's happening at The Future Of
Rock And Roll:
- SIDE CHANNEL: THE HISTORY OF MODERN ROCKWOXY.COM is this close to rolling out a side channel to compliment our
(can I say 'award-winning'?) main webcast. We're flexing the muscle of
our music library to unleash a comprehensive channel of nearly anything
and everything "Modern Rock" from the late 60's through the mid 90's
with a heavy emphasis to '77 - '91: VU, Pistols, Clash, Heads, Cure,
REM, Femmes, Replacements, and so on. I'm heading up this project
myself and I can tell you, it's gonna be Huuuge! (final name still
pending, btw)
- WOXY.COM @ SXSW
we're partnering with Karma Download to throw a Texas-size bash at the
Blind Pig Pub on St. Patty's Day, March 17th in Austin. In the spirit
of the day, an Irish band will headline...check it:
The Frames (anti-)
The National (beggars banquet)
Earlimart (palm)
Feist (interscope)
Giant Drag (wichita)
Nicholai Dunger (overcoat)
The Cribs (wichita)
So OK, we're having a party...us and a ton of others...but we'll be
WEBCASTING THE WHOLE EVENT LIVE ! Embracing the new technology, we
are. It won't matter if you're in Anchorage, Anaheim or
Aberdeen...it'll seem like you're in Austin for a great day of music.
Yee-haw Go Braugh!
WOXY.COM LOUNGE ACTS
blessed are we to have had some outstanding performances in our studio,
most recently: Low, Mosquitos, Shesus, and soon The Kills, Heartless
Bastards. It's been gratifying to have labels reach out to us & trying
to arrange to get their bands in here, aside from our own wish list.
If YOU have an act coming anywhere near our Cincinnati studios & would
be interested in having your band play to a worldwide audience of
upwards of 3000 listeners at once, please holla.
SO MUCHMORE....
to say, but that's enough for now. Our audience has never been bigger
& has been growing daily. Internet radio is happening, my friend.
Don't get left behind.
I no longer send out regular, weekly e-mails of our new adds & playlist
info. Our MD Matt Shiv handles that so if you'd like to get on that
list, let me know.
Yours In Great Radio Mike Taylor
Program Director
WOXY.COM
Cincinnati, Ohio 513.621.0012
Phoenix institution is closed!
http://www.masonjarlive.com I was checking to see if
they added New Model Army to the calendar and found
this unfortunate news. I'm not sure of the details
yet, but am greatly saddened to hear this news.
Anyone that has been part of the Phoenix music scene,
and even beyond knows of the Mason Jar. For decades
it has been a stable provider of live music, local
music support, and even more importantly doing
everything in their power to offer "ALL AGES" events
in a safe environment. I have been to several
memorable shows there, so many I can't even remember
what the first show I saw there was... Well, I am
sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Kristoffer in Phoenix
P.S. Looks like NMA has been moved to the Big Fish Pub.
This is an update from last week. Very sad news. For my 9 years in Phoenix and even before I moved up from Tucson...The "Jar" was always the place to be, regardless of how scuzzy of a club it was. The LA date Kristoffer mentioned last weekend still stands. That is two music landmarks that have closed in recent weeks. Club Rio just a few weeks ago closed their doors.
February 18
Yoko Ono Birthday's today: Matt Dillon, Helen Gurly Brown, Milos Foreman, Shawn Estes, Toni Morrison, Sholom Aleichem 1859-1916, Wendell Wilke 1892-1944
End...so it goes...the forum is closed.
Here you go. I think it's fairly provocative for a "consultant piece."
Jim Kerr
Contemporary Rock Radio Formats in Crisis
Legendary
rock radio stations are falling by the wayside. In the last three
months, major market stations like KSJO, KLOL, WHFS, and this week WZTA
have all changed formats. According to the New York Daily News, rock is
“wheezing.” The Washington Post recently chimed in and stated that rock
radio is “crumbling.” It is tempting to dismiss these proclamations as
just one more round of the “Is rock dead?” debate, a refrain we’ve all
heard numerous times in the past. But this time things seem different.
Rarely has the underlying framework of the rock genre and radio formats
that rely on it been in such a precarious position. The recently
released fall Arbitron ratings paint a bleak picture for rock radio. A
vast majority of stations saw their ratings slide, and, in many cases,
the slide was significant. The best rock format in the fall was Classic
Rock, and even that format saw 47% of its stations drop in the ratings.
Classic Rock and classic hits had their troubles, but it’s a far cry
from the devastation seen at contemporary rock formats: well over half
the Alternative and Active Rock stations were down. Certainly there are
plenty of excuses that can be thrown around to explain away the fall
book: “It was a ‘news/talk’ book with the election and hurricanes in
Florida.” “Rock formats never do well in fall.” “The Christmas music
formats just kill rock radio.” And so on. These are, indeed, factors
that affected all radio in the fall book, but it isn’t quite so easy to
explain why they are affecting rock radio much more significantly than
other formats. There is something else going on. You can put part of
the blame on Arbitron having difficulty reaching 18-24 year old and
25-34 year old men. There are also questions about whether stations are
defining their music research parameters too narrowly. Certainly, some
of the decline is due to an evolving media landscape that affects
contemporary rock formats first. You can also blame the music. But the
most significant reasons for the rock radio’s decline are self
inflicted.
Alternative Radio
Alternative
radio, the darling format of the nineties, may now be the poster child
for rock’s decline. The format book-ended the nineties with two
powerful and galvanizing music trends: grunge from 1991 to 1996 and
harder rhythmic rock that first hit in 1999. But ever since Kid Rock
and Fred Durst became better known for who they’re dating than the
music they have released, the Alternative format has seen its relevance
decline every year. In the past, the Alternative format was able to
ride one musical trend to another, turning on a dime as it leveraged
its currents to maximum effect. Alternative radio may see swing music
as a somewhat embarrassing legacy of its recent past, but swing music
kept Alternative relevant and fun for the summer of 1999.
The seeds of Alternative’s decline were planted in 2000-2001, when hard
rock became a true music trend of real power. This trend, however, was
one that Alternative radio had to battle another format for: Active
Rock. The result was that Alternative stations across the country gave
up any semblance of balance and became de facto Active Rock stations.
As harder rock music started to lose steam, Alternative radio found
itself without the anchor that sustained it since the ‘90s: A
mass-appeal center of pop-based rock songs. This led directly to many
Alternative radio stations fleeing the hard rock position entirely and
moving into a much more Alternative and indie music base, a reactionary
movement that represented everything the format shed in the early
‘90s—deep tracks by unfamiliar bands, a reliance on gold, uninspired
production, and jocks that are musicologists and not entertainers.
Alternative looked to the future and saw 1988. Today, the situation is
so bad that Alternative radio has become more and more gold-based,
sadly trying to recapture the past more than evoke the excitement of
the future. But, with a gold library that only goes back fourteen
years, a reliance on gold is a tenuous long-term strategy. Even worse
than a reliance on tenuous gold, however, is the inability of
Alternative radio to learn from its mistakes. Alternative programmers
were burnt so badly by the Active Rock crossover music that they have
reacted too far in the other direction, ignoring the kind of
mass-appeal hits that defined Alternative for over ten years. When
programmers proudly state that they won’t play Staind on their radio
station, when Staind has the number one song in the country, the only
word that is applicable is “overreaction.” For all that, the
Alternative format isn’t dead. Simply remembering the lessons of the
past rather than just playing the music of the past would be a huge
first step. Here are some other keys to the revival: 1) Musically,
restoring a sense of balance to the Alternative format is a must.
Focusing solely on indie music is simply the same mistake that the
format made in 2000, only from the opposite direction. The question
shouldn’t be what is and what isn’t Alternative. It should be what is
the great new music that 21-34 year-old listeners want to hear. For
instance, when the new Coldplay CD comes out shortly, will Alternative
programmers concede it to Hot AC stations? Why impose an arbitrary
litmus test on what is considered real Alternative music rather than
letting the audience decide? In essence, this means that Alternative
has to return to its nineties mass-appeal roots. Alternative radio has
to be a big tent, welcoming a wide range of mass-appeal styles and
sounds. It’s the only way to maintain and grow the format’s dwindling
cume while also best preparing the format for the next big thing. 2) At
the same time, Alternative radio has to be aware that its core sound
has always been mass-appeal pop rock. If not enough great new music
exists today, then it certainly makes sense to embrace more gold, but
these decisions need to be made within the context of a longer term
strategy. Alternative is a contemporary format, and a gold-based
approach is a short-term band-aid, not a long-term solution. 3)
Alternative has dramatically changed its music since 2000, but the
production is the same. Now, some stations that have tried to make a
change have overreacted and stripped out all of the entertainment
value. There is no excitement, no pizzazz, and very little of what this
approach is purportedly trying to sell: “sincerity”. Ironically, the
real lesson to be learned is from the Jack stations, where humor and
the ability to poke fun at one’s self have created the most compelling
imaging of the past few years. The cutting edge of imaging used to be
the sole possession of Alternative radio. How sad is it that a
gold-based Hot AC format has replaced rock’s most daring practitioners?
Active Rock Radio
Active Rock, which faces many of the same problems as Alternative, can
at least say that it has been consistent. Throughout the nineties,
Active Rock struggled with how to deal with a dizzying array of
Alternative sounds that just didn’t seem to fit the narrow Active Rock
world. From ska to lilith to swing, Active Rock could never find itself
comfortable enough to play in the Alternative radio sandbox. This
strategy paid off in 2000 when Active Rock took advantage of a new
music style that was right in the middle of its musical sweet spot. The
trouble is that being successful in this focus covered up the long-term
problem that had been nagging the format throughout the nineties: its
inability to broaden its sound enough to remain mass-appeal outside of
its gold. While the gold library gives Active Rock radio more tried and
true classics to lean on, the new music typically worked by labels to
Active Rock radio has been, and continues to be, too narrowly defined.
This format will not be around in 3 or 4 years if it doesn’t quickly
get away from the narrowly defined parameters of the Active Rock
formula. The prescription for Active Rock is simple, embrace the big
tent:
1)
First of all, we need to abandon the fake boundaries that are limiting
Active Rock radio’s ratings growth. This myopic view has become so
damaging that many think that a name change for the format is in order.
“Active” Rock has a connotation of a format that is too hard and too
narrow for its own good. “Active Rock” should just be rock. Play the
genre not the format. 2) In this regard, just as we recommend a big
tent music philosophy for Alternative radio, we suggest the same for
Active Rock radio. Every competitive market situation is different. If
you have a large number of rock stations in your market the “Law of
Category” still applies—if you can’t be first in a category create a
new category to be first in. But this has two important subtleties:
* If everyone is narrow, being broad is a legitimate category. Once
again the Jack stations have illustrated this all too well. This is not
to say you should be broad, but know that it is a legitimate choice.
* Similarly, if your market gives you a wider playing field
than elsewhere, why not take what you can? If your competitive
situation is more wide open there is no need to be narrowly confined by
label and industry format boundaries.
3) Look beyond the
standard fare. To prove our point that the industry definition of
Active Rock is just too narrow, we went back over the past year and
found only 10 really essential songs among all the songs that were
label priorities at Active Rock in 2004. This pales by comparison to
Hip/Hop formats, where sometimes four or five great new tracks appear
in one week. This state-of-affairs requires Active Rock programmers to
throw off the artificial boundaries, think Big Tent, and when a band
like The White Stripes, Muse or the Killers releases an excellent
track, irrespective of whether or not it’s being “worked” at Active
Rock, give it a shot. Otherwise, you may only get 10, 12 or maybe 15
essential tracks again this year.
4)
Big tent does not mean play everything or to be the same as everyone
else but all successful Active Rock stations share a wider Big Tent
philosophy. These stations look for big cume and are not niche players.
Rock radio is in critical shape, but its condition isn’t terminal.
Contemporary rock stations just have to remember to shed their
self-imposed limitations and build the big tent.
I agree...I disagree...I agree...I disagree...I don't know, this is a lot of words :)-LOL
IS INDY A FUCKING FOUR LETTER WORD...OR A SEVEN LETTER WORD?
It
was as always a pleasure speaking to you today. As we were discussing
the new rules put forth by some broadcast companies about not speaking
to indies, all I want from them right now is some answers to some very
basic questions.
However I have yet to speak to anyone at these companies that can give me clear answers.
As
a business person, self employed, I am certainly concerned that they
are hindering my chance to make an honest living. Yes I do mean honest.
I know that if a major radio advertiser , such as a McDonalds or Pepsi
suddenly decided to not do business with one of these radio companies,
without any explanation, there would be a lot of noise and most likely
a lot of lawsuits taking place.
I don’t want to sue anyone…I just want an explanation.
I represent for the most part independent artists and small independent
labels. They do not have a staff to promote themselves or their artist.
I am their voice. All I am asking is for the opportunity to speak to
the Programmers and Music directors of the stations and tell them about
the artist and the music. I am not offering promotions for adds, I am
not offering any incentive other than the chance to be involved in
furthering a talented artist career by playing their record. If you
don’t like the record or it doesn’t fit, tell me that. But at least
give me the outlet to do that. The silence is deafening.
I thank my lucky stars every day that I have been able to work with
great AAA stations, commercial and non comm., who I speak to every week
and show such great passion for music. They make it great to get up
every day and head to the basement and work.
But
I am also disappointed that every week, there are people I have known
for years and that I can no longer speak to.
What also is sad, is that many of these people are friends. We talk
about more than just music. We talk about family, sports, getting fat,
the same things anyone talks about. I have hired many independents over
the years and the vast majority are hard working, passionate people.
Now that I am one, I have not only a new found respect for what they/
we do, but it has also rejuvenated me. I get to be involved with music
and artists I love and want to work with.
There
are many artists that owe a certain amount of their success to
independent promotion people. Because, lets be honest, how many times
was the label ready to write the artist off had it not been for the
hard work of these people
So why banish a very important part of the music industry without a
real explanation or at least some guidelines.
So answer me this someone,
How does the artist on a label with no promotion staff get their record
promoted to the decision makers?
How does the label with no promotion staff get a fair shake from the
radio stations?
How does the artist with no label promotion staff get radio involved
when he/she is on tour?
Hmmm, if I wanted to buy a flight of spots for one of the artists I am
working, are you going to refuse to talk to me or take my money because
I am an independent?
If I wanted to buy a banner on your website, is that not allowed
because I am an independent?
Is it just independent record promoters or is it all independents?
What
about independent or contract engineers for the station? What about
other outsourced people that you work with/ Or for that matter that you
hire?
Are you still dealing with ad agencies that represent a number of
clients or are you now only speaking directly with the advertiser.
Because having been a programmer at radio I remember a lot of favors
going back and forth with the agencies to get buys from specific
advertisers. ( but I admit to having been in radio for awhile so maybe
those practices don’t exist anymore) Are you represented by an ad
agency who promotes your station/ company to a variety of potential
advertisers? Hmm sounds like an indie to me?
What if one of the artist I am working is coming to town and the
station wants involvement. I am the person they need to speak to… are
they going to call me? Is that the plan…don’t call us , we’ll call you?
I could go on and on, but my guess is that no one is going to answer
these questions any time soon.
I
would like to ask all of these programmers and music directors how many
times did an independent record promoter help you out in getting
tickets to shows for your station, help solve problems with the labels,
assist in getting bands for your shows, even something as simple as
getting you cd’s for the station when the label had decided your market
was too small to get involved with? They were your voice to the major
labels. Ok , I have gone on long enough. I love what I do, and I love
speaking to radio every week. Yes you can make me frustrated, but
mostly I enjoy just talking to you about anything. I like the laughs. I
like hearing about what new records you have heard.
I just want to be able to keep doing what I love to do. I am not
pointing fingers. You may have a very legitimate reason for this
policy. If so, I respect your decision. But I can’t respect it under
the “No questions asked…no questions answered “ policy. This is my
livelihood. This is what supports my family and my children. I will
fight for that.
In
the end I just want someone at any of these companies to answer my
questions. Then I will leave you alone…until I have a record you need
to be playing… then I will find away to get to you…even if I have to
stand outside of your station in a thong and with a sign…( and you really don’t want that now do you) Jeff Appleton
Marathon Entertainment
3043 Herd Rd
Metamora, MI 48455
jeffappleton@marathonentertainment.biz
810.797.2287
810.797.2288
IM-jammedup3
What's pissing me off all about this is that small to mid size labels are being shut out. So company's only want to deal with major labels? That's complete bullshit. Yep, restraint of trade! Not allowing people hired to do the job they were hired to do. I smell some lawsuits coming if this doesn't blow over soon. Many more people are going to be out of work. I understand the the broadcast companys cowering down to the FCC investigations...but regrow some balls...will ya! Jeff, I remember back in the mid-nintie's when I took off a year of full-time radio and did promotion and KROQ's Gene Sandbloom said to me nicely..."Jon, if you have a record on MCA...please don't bring it up, I already have 3 others from the label talking to me...but...if you have a smaller label, by all means let's talk about it." I said sure...no problem. Now..that was fair...but what's going on now is unjust and warrants an upheavel! The programmers, at least some, are embaressed that they can't speak with people such as you and I...and many others trying to make a living the honest way! The most important thing to remember...small labels don't have a staff, that's why they hire subcontracters to help them...you knuckleheads! I wonder if Mel was still there if there would have been a better defination as opposed to a complete shutout?
A good lead in... so I think I'll pimp the artist I'm working to radio right now.
Sunny Ledfurd
I have a great morning show/afternoon drive show song for you. I'm not pushing for "adds"...all I want you to do is play it and see the reaction. Remember Rupert Holmes song "Pina Coloda"? Well, Sunny does "Red Bull & Vodka". It's from the album "Imported Sounds From North Carolina". I'm only sending MP3's...so ask for me for your copy, and also check out the website at www.sunnyledfurd.com If you do play it...please e-mail me when you did and how many times. That's not asking very much...right? Stations dabbling as of this writing; WPBZ West Palm Beach, KRAB Bakersfield, and KUCD Honolulu. More to come.
Her Two Cents!
Well here goes...my two cents is the sad state of 1) Programmers who
don't
trust their seasoned jocks to put on a great show within the parameters
of
the format..
Margie, some still do...you wanna find out who they are? Naw...it would take up years trying to find them all.
2) As someone else on this site mentioned, the lack of
drive/sleep/motivation of the "up and coming talent" to give all they
have
to get started in this business.
Back to number 1...O.K., granted in the "old days" many of us abused
the old
card file method of picking songs for our shows..we saw a song we
hated, we
dug a few cards back for the particular category. For the "hot"
formats,
where new songs MUST be played every 2-3-4 hours, digging is not
acceptable.
Same goes for recurrents. BUT my beef is with Rock radio..I mean COME
ON...
we are gonna be in the "golden oldies" AM radio dust pile if we don't
do
something to make it more interesting than Stairway to Heaven.
Programmers
are SO freaked out by corporate that they won't take chances with
anything.
Let's face it, any station that plays music that the 30+ audience will
listen to CAN take some chances...be it current music or a "oh WOW"
tune.
The MAJOR exception...jocks without a proven ratings/research track
record.
Programming HAS to start coming up with more promotions that sound
GREAT on
the radio, not just for a client.
And #2..Those of us in the biz 15+ years know, as my first P.D. Jim Ray
put
it.."radio isn't a job, it's a lifestyle." I could write a book,
suffice to
say my 1st 3 years in radio I NEVER had a day off; when I wasn't on the
clock I was watching someone else on the air, in the production studio,
helping with research..ad naseum. Anyone that wants to get on the air
and
be SUCCESSFUL must be ready to deal with the reality, or go work at
Circle K
or get a degree in Quantum Physics.
I feel much better now.... Margie Rye
KLPX Tucson
margierye@worldnet.att.net
Note to Name witheld for fear of reprecussions...someone noticed your plight.
February 17
Denise Lee Richards Birthday's today: Michael Jorden, Luc Robitaille, Mary Frances Berry, Sir Alan Bates 1934-2003
Yes, the open forum is still...open
The Public defender
I must reply to your comments about Jacqueline Saturn.
She is an awesome person. I don't know what your relationship with her
is like, but based on the series of events you described, I can only
say that if she ever said bad things about you to Gerry Cagle you
probably deserved it because she's not one to throw around things
lightly. Perhaps you got under her skin or something once. It happens
sometimes between people, no big deal. Just let it go and move on. That
said, whatever was in that "file" on you, I sincerely doubt that
anything she said was out of line or classless. It's not her style.
It's also not like her to hold a grudge. I am sure she probably doesn't
even give it much thought. If you want to call out the actions of bad
people, that's one thing. But Jacquie is one of the good ones. Lenny LaSalandra Combat Rock Promotions, Los Angeles CA
I admire you sticking up for a friend Lenny. Saying I "probably deserved it" wants me to smack you upside your head bro. But...again...you are a "nice" guy, and I fully understand your response...after
one read. I suggest you should read it again. *And...so he did. What
follows an instant message back and forth after this e-mail.
Lenny: ok, I re-read it. So it went like this: Farber: a couple of labels raised a red flag with me about hiring you. Do you have any idea whom? Want to give me a name? JL: Jacqueline Lenny: ok, now I see what you were saying. You weren't slagging Jacquie per say, you just thought she might be the one who raised a red flag to Farber? JL: correct Lenny: well, with that in mind, what I meant to say was, whatever your issues with Jacq in the past, I don't see her being the kind of person who would take it even further & take those issues & keep you from getting a job. What did Farber say when you brought up Jacq's name? (I tried to find that in the re-read,but couldn't) JL: she just smiled at me, and then asked why-and I said that thing about selling all those years. Lenny: well...this is where it gets a little muddy. Did Farber confirm it was Jacquie? A smile is not admissable in court! JL: lol-ok Lenny: and that said...did Jacquie call her personally or was Farber going off Cagles' "file"? JL: I'll never know-unless someone shows or confirms it. Lenny: if there was more specific info, I'd say ok...but there's a lot of heresay in this situation JL: what-are you Perry Mason? Lenny: nah...I'd make a terrible lawyer. I'm too honest JL: lol Lenny: you were the one who asked me to re-read the situation, so YOU opened the door for me to ask questions. You gave me the greenlight to be Perry Mason JL: yep Lenny: glad we got that settled JL: good-me too
So..ok...after being grilled like a cheese sandwich...it still stands what I wrote...nothing changes on my end...Lenny can sleep tight knowing he defended Jacqueline's honor. I suggest to anyone..when you read something...always read it again and again until you really come to a firm conclusion before reacting. That goes for anything you read anywhere anytime.
Why would I want to piss anyone off? Really?
Hi,
I have two suggestions on topics....and I'm sure you can really piss
people off by this.
1. Ratings.....have they truly gotten better since the format quit
playing
so much current music? (would love to hear feedback on that)
This question is for all you programmers out there, not me. My humble answer would be that radio has created it's own robotic listening habits where only X amount of songs exist to listeners. They don't know all the other music available to their ears that they will most likely never hear. I am not talking about people that don't just rely on radio...they find other music from many other sources. If anyone has an intellegent answer to this please come forward.
2. Kinda goes hand in hand with.......why do we pass up so many
talented
worthy young bands now a days? Relationships with labels? Promotions?
Corporate PD's?
I honestly do not want to participate in this....( I don't believe I
think
like most of them), would just love to see where some PD's are coming
from
when it comes to music and why they play what they play and leave some
bands
alone when it's clearly a hit. Next thing ya know the band is touring
successfully from hard work and then we all want a piece of it. Name witheld by request (major market programmer)
I think I will stay away from this question, I'll withold my feelings by request.
The real Brian Jones still lives on, and rolling stoned
Here's something I thought you would be interested in checking out on my site:
http://www.shala.com/brian_jones.htm Robert Allen Shala Music , New Jersey
Very cool stuff Robert.
Yeah..and take that!
Here's all I have to say. Death Cab For Cutie's cover of "World Shut Your Mouth" on the b-side of the radio single "Title And Registration" is AWESOME! 3 night champ of our 9:00 Cockfight so far. Austin Davis WUBZ
1884 Port Matilda Highway
Radio Park
Philipsburg, PA 16866
Call times: Wednesdays 10am-Noon EST at 814.342.2300
An excited programmer. Good to know there are still some out there discovering new stuff on their own. Of course...the original was done by Julian Cope.
Arizona Bound
OK, here's my question: My girlfriend and I are planning a vacation.
A lot of people we know have been vacationing in southern Arizona. So,
we're considering doing the same in the next few weeks. Not looking to
play any golf, just a place where it is warm, go for a swim and be in a
reasonable driving proximity to explore other areas. Can you suggest
any resorts that we should check out?
Scott Lowe
B104 Allentown, PA
Yes I can Scott. In the Tucson area you might try the well known Westward Look Resort at www.westwardlook.com and in the Phoenix area it would have to be the Arizona Biltmore. You also might want to check into the Sedona area. A pretty magical place. Just do a web search on Sedona.
Tired of speaking to lousy tech support??? Of course you are.
You have to check this out. Another funny look at the tech support world. Thanks to Victor Lentini for sending this. http://crapshoot.tv/sd2.html
First off,
will relocate and work for food!! Now that that is over with, but still
on the subject ... for crying out loud call back those who sent you a
package when you posted a job. At least send an e-mail. Most of us can
handle a rejection letter, and we won't bother you any more.
Professional courtesy. Cops do it all the time. Don Kelley New Mexico
Don, I think we all can handle rejection...but the unprofessional part I totally agree with. Simple logic would be for that person to respond...but many don't live by logic.
Now
to prove I am not-one dimensional, if not given the funds for research,
what would you do to make sure the music you were playing was right on
for your market? Where would you go? What would you do (Scarlett)?
Aside from looking at soundscan after the fact? Peace. Don Kelley New Mexico
I can tell you where to go...straight to your gut feeling. Oh, wait...owners/GM's don't trust that...do they? And that was when radio was cool...and...blah...blah...blah. Anyone out there care to answer that question?
Is rejection a touchy subject?
Here's a touchy subject.
Since I have been in the job search mode, I would like to vent about
something relevant. Aside from spending time and money sending out
packages, we go through an elaborate interview process in which we are
asked to jump through many hoops. The process includes the basic
application, answering involved questionnaires, submitting format
specific
research and programming philosophies, writing station specific
programming
and marketing proposals, several oral interviews and finally the time
consuming fly-in for a face to face meeting and tour of the
facilities.
The process which could be spread over a few weeks, has
consumed quite a bit of time, energy and effort. At the end of the
day,
you wait in anticipation for a well deserved answer. No matter if the
answer is favorable or not, at this point you at least expect to hear
some
word one way or another. And you wait, and wait, and then you read in
the
trades that the job has been filled. When someone has busted their ass
to
show their sincerity and talents in seeking employment, not getting a
simple letter or personal phone call to let you know the outcome is
annoying, rude, unprofessional and just plain discourteous. People in
positions of power who exhibit this behavior don't deserve to be called
professionals. Willobee Hartford CT
Wow...what
a lead in for me to tell my story. I handle rejection maybe more than
most. Most of my career has incorporated rejection, so I'm kind of
hardened by it. What I don't accept are unprofessional decision makers.
Soooo...I'll give a blow by blow description of my recent
rejection...which was totally unprofessional.
I
feel for ya Will. I’m sure many of you out there have undergone the
same painful process of both Will and Don. You out there can respond to
this. Because you can relate to it.
This past Sunday I was raving about Scott Lowe’s package. It was magnificent…yet I wonder if
all the people he sent it to was looked at and listened to?
I
recently had an experience with unprofessional-ism. It had been years
that I had to undergo the interview process. The last in 1995, although
that company wanted me…so it was just a formality. But prior to that it
would be 1988 at KUPD. So I am not really a pro at going for
interviews. When Max Tolkoff
announced to me back in September of last year he was going back to
radio, he said I should go after the Alt editor gig at R&R. I
thought about it and decided I would. He told me to put my ego on the
shelf and lobby hard for it. There was something about she “likes
persistence”.
I was called in for an interview almost
immediately. I felt the interview went very well. It lasted an hour.
There were some curious questions she raised with me though. One was,
did I know how to read Arbitron? Excuse me Ms. Farber…you
have my resume right in front of you…duh…yeah, I had 14 years of radio
programming. (I didn’t say it out loud…I was thinking it.) I said
nicely, yes I had 14 years of programming and I know Arbitron inside
and out. To recover, she asked me about some software that Arbitron
uses. Did I know how to operate it? I replied, no…but I’m sure if
someone shows me the software I would pick it up quickly. Another was
whether I had any relationship with Jacobs Media? I replied, yes…Bill
had tried to hire me back in 1993 at The Edge in Phoenix …I had spoken
with Paul a couple of times and I know Dave Beasing pretty well and
have the highest respect for him. That wasn’t a bad question on her
part…it was actually a good one.
The one that really comes off
bad, depending on what way you want to look at it, was a couple of
labels” raised a red flag with me about hiring you”. Wow…a bazooka.
(Make an explosion sound!) I looked her in the eyes, didn’t get
nervous, and just responded naturally, “well I’m sorry to hear that”.
She then slid another bomb inside the bazooka and fired away again. “Do
you have any idea whom? Want to give me a name? I quickly
popped out that maybe...Jacqueline Saturn? See…Saturn had said bad things about me to Cagle, according to him
3 years ago that went into my file. To this day I don’t know the
content of what she said or why she and I never jived…although in
defense of both of us…we did try. I only know she tried to hurt me
because they told me so. I really don’t know if it was her coming back
to haunt me again with Ms. Farber? If she did…then she has a major
problem. I haven’t seen nor spoken with this person in 3 years. I take
that back, maybe at a convention or show where we gave each other the
obligatory “phony” hug. I summed up Farber’s question with…”I’ve sold
millions of dollars for my past company…and I’m sure there has to be
some out there that were getting tired of me selling them each week for
years. Hey…I don’t blame them. My last year I was bullied into
“stepping it up”, as well as any of us selling the different formats”.
I still think the question was bullshit, but I suppose she had to ask
it anyway.
Okay, that was the interview process. Next up was the
near month long wait, until she finished the interview process. I knew
most of the names, and I’m sure there were many I didn’t. In the
meantime I’m speaking with Kevin Weatherly,Sean Demery, Dave Beasing, and e-mailing Leslie Fram, Jim McGuinn, Phil Costello and many others lobbying for the gig, as Max had warned me to. In the end it was a friend who got the gig. Kevin Stapleford,
who is a nice guy, writes well and had one thing I didn’t. He wasn’t a threat to Ms. Farber.
I
mean lets face it (now my ego is back off the shelf), I was. I have so
much experience and background, I could do her job standing on my head!
Not getting the job did not get me upset at all. It was the complete
act of unprofessional-ism on her part that did. The day Max left on
October 8th; I e-mailed her to remind her I was still very much
interested. She had already made her decision anyway. What really set
me off was getting an instant message from a label person the following
Monday afternoon that Kevin had got the gig, which by this time I had
figured he would. Did I intimidate her? I don’t care who applied…none
had the background to handle it more than me.
Okay…so maybe I
was overqualified, but do the right thing and at least inform me
personally. That was politically incorrect on her part not to…and to
compound things worse, two weeks later I get the standard Human
Resources letter. “Thanks for…blah…blah..blah”. In the end…I thank you
Ms. Farber. You woke up the creative bear in me that had lain dormant.
Hence…JL Radio on the Internet,
where I actually feel more comfortable anyway. I like to help people,
and I also like to have the freedom of speech, to not run amok, but to
explain to all the readers on how some things really work or go down in
the industry I love.
Kevin…I am happy for you…for real. But I do have a question for you. I saw Cyndee, Ken, and Farber at The Prom Kings shindig a couple of weeks ago. Where were you? The band is going at both rock and alternative. These are things you need to be at. For real. A friend giving a friend advice.
Jeff...I think they disagree with you about your Grammy post.
Hey Jon... Was reading Jeff from WZNE's take on this years
Grammys....and would like to add a couple of quick things...first....if
you didn't see Melissa Etheridge's
performance.....which was to me, hands down, by far, both one of the
ballsiest, breathtaking and, in way, heartbreaking (the ravages of
chemo are really ugly) things I've ever seen.....you can watch it
here... ....http://www.cincheetah.com/melissaetheridge.html
-- and if you don't feel it...hell, if you can't feel that, I can't
help you....also...Green Day did indeed rock, big time, and watching
Jack White be so humbled to be in the presence of Loretta Lynn was
great...and his comment about country radio not playing anything off of
Van Lear Rose was a nice little shot as well....and finally....Mavis
Staples can pretty much wipe the floor with anyone around her...it was
great seeing her, but in my opinion...she didn't need to be trading
lines with anyone...you can't improve upon perfection. Nan Fisher, Nan Fisher Promotions, Atlanta GA
We all have our little gripes about the Grammy's over the years, most
of which I think are silly gripes. Seems most of the time it's just
"harshed personal opinions" I seem to enjoy the show and awards each and
every year, watching on TV. (One day before I pass on, perhaps I'll make
it in person).
Responding to what Jeff Sottolano at The Zone said in a
previous post, I actually thought this year's show was pretty damn
impressive, all around. Was nice to see and hear more of a "rock" presence
than has been there the past 3 - 4 years. I thought the opening
performance was pretty cool. Strange that Maroon 5, a good "new band" who
made quite an impact over the years, (key word, YEARS). This Best New Band
winner released the album they were praised for almost 3 years ago,
(following the change of direction from their days known as Kara's
Flowers). Last I checked, this award goes to an artist who RELEASES, during
the eligibility year, the first recording which establishes the public
identity of that artist. REPEAT, the album came out in 2002. I did have
to scratch my head at Jeff's U2 quote, "(performing a song that hasn't
hit the radio yet)." Well, Jeff that song HAS hit the radio, looking at
BDS, it's all over the country, and I've been hearing it here in NYC
for a few weeks now. As I sat there, I said to my wife, I KNOW they
won't do "Vertigo" or "All Because Of You." It was kinda silly that the
Lifetime Achievement Awards were given out "like they came in the goodie
bags." For it, Page & Jones Of Led Zep got about 6 seconds of
screentime the whole night. At least Janis had her "honor" acknowledged, via
Joss & Melissa's performance.
*Note to you all: The CMJ / Rock Hall Of Fame Music Fest takes place in
Cleveland June 9-11. Next week, CMJ will unleash all the details on
this year's annual Marathon in NYC, the 25th anniversary of the event!
Jerry Rubino CMJ/WCHR-FM
GO Hang with Lenny tomorrow night!
You guys know me and you know I only work QUALITY. I wouldn't waste your time otherwise.
That's why I am inviting you out this THURSDAY night FEB 17 to see an awesome local band called The Lift at the King King.
here are the details:
Thursday Feb. 17th
King King
6555 Hollywood Blvd.
9pm the Melismatics (from mnpls)
10pm THE LIFT
11pm Collision
12pm The Sacred Dicehttp://www.kingkinghollywood.com
free parking & entrance behind club off Whitley Ave.
If you want to go, just hit me back & I can get you on the band's guest list.
I'll be there, come say hi!
your friend,
Lenny LaSalandra
Combat Rock Promotion
www.combatrockpromotion.com
February 15
Matt Groening Birthday's today: Jane Seymour, Ugeth Urbina, John Barrymore 1882-1942, Susan B. Anthony 1820-1906, Galileo Galilei 1564-1642
Open Forum week continues:
Let's all bow down to WKRL (K-ROCK) Syracuse PD Scott Petibone. Maybe it's been done before...but I've never heard of giving away a "Divorce" on the air for a Valentine's Day promotion. CNN evidentally thought it was unusual having our creative bud on the TV. Coming up with that idea, I hope Scotty, who lives up to his nickname "Bone at work" at least discussed it with his wife Lori first?
One viewpoint on The Grammy's...they suck!
The Grammys suck.
They've sucked for a long time, and they will continue to suck, but last night was a particularly sucky night.
Who
decided Queen Latifah would be a good host? She's not even a good
actress (see: Taxi), and her monologue sure wasn't a good sign of
things to come. The performances were, to say the least, lackluster.
The artist collaborations and tributes were for the most part,
uninspired and far too long. Has anyone experienced a more brutally
boring live performance than J Lo and Marc Anthony's Spanish love fest.
U2 (performing a song that hasn't hit the radio yet), Green Day, and
Kanye stood out as highlights. Speaking of Kanye. Shutup man. Great album, great songs, but shutup.
Guy gets up on stage at his first Grammy awards and acts like the world
owes him something. And then he has the nerve to look noticeably miffed
when he lost Best New Artist to Maroon 5. Billie Joe, will you please
have a sit down with future winners and school them in proper
acceptance speeches? "Rock N Roll can be dangerous and fun at the same time."
The headlines today will read "Ray's Night At The Grammys" or "Everybody Loves Ray,"
but it really should be something like, "The Academy loves artists who
have been underappreciated in their lifetime and bestows honors on them
only when they've perished." (see Warren Zevon in 2004 and many before
him). Do we really think this was Ray's best work? a duet album? Record
of the year for a song that I nor anyone I've spoken to this morning
has even heard. The Grammys might do better by awarding top honors to
artists who deserve them NOW so they don't have to give Green Day 9 awards in 2041. Ick, I hate the Grammys.
P.S. Someone tell Alex Kapranos of Franz Ferdinand that the new look ain'tdoing him any favors. Put the suit back on and ditch the flattop man.
Jeff Sottolano
Music Director
94.1 The Zone
1700 HSBC Plaza
Infinity Broadcasting
Rochester, NY 14604
I dunno Jeff...I think we were watching two different shows. Was it the glitz of LA? I thought Queeny was fine, not great...but fine. My take on the opening of the show with the Black Eyed Peas, Gwen & Eve, and the others was quite spontanious and a spectacular musical display. I did leave for an hour to watch the "best damn show on TV" right now...Carnivale on HBO. I'm sorry I missed the incredible Melissa Etheridge Janis Joplin tribute (I did catch it on the news later). As for Franz Ferdinand...I actually got off on the look, which was quite "New Wave". I do agree that we seem to bestow all the praise on an artist after he/she are gone. Even though he's an arrogant person...we should honor "The hardest working man in show business...Mr. Please Please himself"...James Brown while he's still alive. Ya think?
Kylie checks in
Okay, I lied. Open Forum is a bit to scary for my first time on your site but I will share this:
One of my favorite director/photographers and my longtime friend Red Ezra just finished directing the new video "Hollow" for the band Submersed.
Here is the link:
Submersed - HOLLOW Music Video
http://www.submersed.com/video.html
This was my first exposure to Submersed and I was so impressed I
posted in the band’s forum (congratulating them and Red on their kick
ass new vid) and bought the CD. For more on Red Ezra please visit www.redezra.com – he is an amazing photographer! Kylie Ireland Los Angeles CA
www.kylieireland.com
Thanks for finally checking in Kylie, and the tip on both.
A Racial issue
Yeah,
man, I got an issue. Every freakin' winter rock radio suddenly decides
it's cool to be openly racist on the radio. I can't tell you how many
freaking times I hear some smart-assed morning punk DJ warning all the
white people in the audience to "watch out for black guys on your way to work thismorning".
And I take that mess personally, cuz, as some of you may know, I am one
of those black guys. Are we suddenly deciding as a race of people to
mug white people only in the morning, cuz I didnt get the memo!! I had
this same problem with the morning team at my own station in Boston,
WFNX. EVERY MORNING, on the ride in, my dj is going "jeez, there's black guys EVERYWHERE, so BECAREFUL
when your walking or driving this morning".........wait a
minute.........black guys..........black ........guys........black
guys......black ICE........BLACK ICE........."watch out for the black ice on your way to work this morning".........OOOHHHHHHHHHHHHH.......now I get it.
Never mind. Boy Troy
ex-FNX-Boston
Wow!
This is heavy stuff Troy. This really happened in Boston? In all my
years of radio in Arizona,where rednecks breed like sewer rats...I've
never heard any dispariging remarks on the air aimed towards blacks. If
this is for real...freaky stuff man!
Laguna TV tonight
For those in the New York City area, Kenny Laguna was interviewed for the show "Profiles" on NYC TV CH. 74 (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island.. see below for times:
Premieres: TUESDAY - 2/15 7:30 PM
WEDNESDAY - 2/16 7:00 AM
FRIDAY - 2/18 5:30 AM
SUNDAY - 2/20 7:30 AM & 10:00 PM
MONDAY - 2/21 7:30 PM 585.399.5809
Thanks to Julie Rader and the good people at Blackheart Records for the tip. Good friend Kenny, was the keyboardist for Tommy James & The Shondells, and is the guiding force and manager/producer for Joan Jett since the days after she left The Runaways.
February 14 Happy Valentines Day!
Ice T Birthday's today: Meg Tilly, Teller, Steve McNair, Drew Bledsoe, Jack Benny 1894-1974 Gregory Hines 1946-2003, Thelma Ritter 1905-1969, Jimmy Hoffa 1913-1975
Open Forum week begins: There is a common thread with these 3..."Boss"
Thanks Alex
I figure there's enough negativity out there that I would send out a heartfelt "thank you" to the person that launched my radio & record industry career--Alex Miller.
Alex hired me, a nobody PD at an A.M. station in Monroeville,
Pennsylvania, to do Dallas regional promotion for Imago Records in
1991. It was a huge risk on his part, since this was his first Senior
executive position.
Suffice to say that Alex believed in me, and I doubt I would have had
any kind of radio or record or trade career without him. Thanks, Alex.
I'll never forget your belief in me, and, thanks in part to your
inspiration, I continue to do my best to help as many young people in
this industry as I can.
Jim Kerr
Director of Talent & Creative Services
Pollack Media Group/Dallas
1121 Beachview Street #2214
Dallas, Texas 75218
Phone: (214) 324-9060
Although what could seem hokey...I think you are a great guy Jim for giving credit where credit is due. I might add...don't mistake negativity for constructive criticism. At least, I'd like to think that is the direction where this forum will go the rest of the week.
I'm a good PD
Is it me or are today's radio employees getting lazier and lazier and
wanting more for doing nothing.
I got into radio in the late 80's and for many years BUSTED my ass and
did
everything and anything I could do to be a part of the station I was
working. I did overnights, dressed as the station mascot, ran the
syndicated shows when they were still on vinyl. I never said "no" to
my
program director and when he asked me to do something, I said "yes sir"
and
did it at 110%.
Fast forward to today, and I am now a PD. I worked hard to get to
where I
am and enjoy my job. As PD, I work a weekend airshift, and usually come
in
both Saturday and Sunday for a few hours to do some work. 7 days a
week and
I am the PD. I still bust my ass and am paying dues.
Then there are is the rest of the staff. Many of them are "rookies" in
that
this is their first full time job. Most came from a communication
department from a good university and worked at their college radio
station.
My main question is... WHAT THE FUCK ARE THEY TEACHING THEM?
My employees bitch about working more than their airshift. They bitch
that
they have to work on the weekend. They bitch about not making enough
money
and also the talent fee isnt enough for them. They bitch about the
equipment and the many things out of my control. All they care about
is
getting laid and drinking beer all night and then showing up late and
hung
over. They want all the concert tickets that we get and its more
important
for them to go to the shows then giving those tickets to our listeners.
This new breed of radio employee has no idea of what "paying their due"
means.
Don't get me wrong. I like to have fun and enjoy the perks that we
get, but
I think I have earned it....
These colleges and universities need to add a course in their
schedule...
they should call it:
RADIO: THE REAL WORLD. "ITS A JOB AND A CAREER.. IT'S NOT A PARTY OR A
GAME" Name withheld for fear of reprecussions
*Dear PD...you sound like you really truly care. You sound like a good "boss" who needs to somehow
get your peeps to realize that it isn't a party or game as you say. I
know you and do understand that like many other PD's...your staff has
probably been at the station longer than you. You will figure it out. Below is not the way a boss should not try and motivate.
The Boss
The more I watch “The Apprentice”; it automatically makes me think of someone.
Look, I really believe that Donald Trump is a tough guy when it comes to business. Charming…yes…but tough. “Your Fired” has become a national joke so to speak. A catch phrase.
I
think we have all had our share of good bosses (hopefully), and some
real horrible ones. I had a horrible one that I don’t mind sharing with
you.
I’m amused when the The Donald says “Your Fired”,
like mostly everyone who watches the show for that precise moment…but
never was amused in the least when my last boss continually used that
phrase over and over for one solid year. Not just to me…but anyone in
his employ.
So, this is where after three years I can open up and maybe try and understand how one individual such as Gerry Cagle could possibly have the gall to berate his employees over and over.
I
feel for anyone who worked with or for him, save maybe a small few…in
the year of 2001 given the lofty title of president of a company that
had been in existence for 25 years. The company had close to one
hundred employees when his reign began. The company was gone a year and
three quarters later with about 30-40 workers left at the end.
He
could be a charming person when he really wanted to. I had seen that
side of him, granted many times. He is also a very good writer. Ask
him…he’ll tell you about his books that have been published. One thing
he is not shy on is ego. He has an ample supply of it. Arrogance was
another one of his suits he wore well… ( at this point, because I’mactually speaking up for all of you that were mistreated too…you can say you…fill in the......... blank)…about him…he can’t hurt you anymore.
Having
had all this time to figure out how a guy who had some power in the
company prior to be given the crown jewel…the Presidency…went from a
minor terror to as major one, I’ll chalk it up to human error. I recall
a couple of years earlier than 2001 that he blew out an entire art
staff because of one person who screwed up.
Because I didn’t
work in his department at that time…all I did was hear the stories, and
on occasion actually saw first hand how he would use the “scream and threaten” method.
In my last year at the “company”,
as I said he was given the power of President, and he immediately began
on me in January of that year. To this day I will never understand why?
My salary?…maybe. But the way he went about it was low...real low.
Coinciding with his all out effort to rid me of his presence…he would
yell and scream, and utter the “Your Fired” phrase so much it seemed like it was every day to everyone.
No
one escaped the wrath of his drunken quench of power. Power was his
drug. I wonder to this day if it really gave him the high he either
needed or just simply wanted?
Monday mornings were an affair to
remember. You had to be in a specific area at 9AM prompt. Plus, you had
to sign in on a clipboard. If you were late…you risked what by mid-year
became an empty threat of “Your Fired”…and
be shamed in front of everyone. Suffice to say, I outlasted this person
for one solid year…forcing him to fire me. He wanted me to cave in and
quit all year long, and when he told me that I was no longer needed,
I’m sure he was disappointed. LOL- I’m proud of that.
I was boss
on many occasions in my career…and would never treat someone with so
much inbred jealousy, or whatever his trip was. But…hey…that was then
and this is now. I’ll still wait for “The Donald”
to utter his now famous catch phrase…even though I think to myself,
man… I used to beat up guys like the two of them when I was younger.
See
guys like him are only tough when given the power over your job/career.
Take that away from them and they are scared sorry people.
Cagle.
.. you’re just an ordinary citizen. I imagine one day we will run into
each other. When we do I will reach out and shake your hand and lean in
and whisper in your ear…”Your Fired, hot stuff”…and smile as I retract from you.:)-JL
Feel free to resond to any of these posts...as well as all week long.
Observations from Mojoland
I wanna know why people with jesus stickers or jesus fish drive so poorly?
I wanna know how Bush convinced people he had a domestic policy?
I wanna know how you look at Flavor Flav and come up with Foofie Foofie?
I am spent......Let the open forum roll on. MOJO PD WHHZ, Gainesville FL
February 13
Peter Gabriel Birthday's today:Peter Tork, Mike Krzyzewski, Chuck Yeager, Randy Moss, Tennessee Ernie Ford 1919-1991
Valentine's Day Top Love Song Searches
1. Let Me Love You - Mario
2. What is Love? - Haddaway
3. Tainted Love - Soft Cell
4. This is Love - Maroon 5
5. Shake Your Love - Debbie Gibson
6. Part Time Lover - Stevie Wonder
7. Waiting for Love - Pink
8. I Can't Make You Love Me - BritneySpears
9. Dangerously in Love - Beyonce
10. I Will Always Love You - Whitney Houston (According toLycos)
Hi Jonathan. I enjoyed your short film "This Is Not Golf." I've been dabbling a little with video and on the enclosed DVD is a quirky short piece (5 minutes) about me that I've been using as part of my resume. It allows the viewer to meet me and hear some of my basic programming philosophies. Since you're also a filmaker, I'd welcome any feedback. Also for your review is the rest of my resume package, including: CD audio, resume, and written philosophy. I'm looking for a PD posistion in a small to medium market, and APD or MD position in a major market. My format preference is Alternative, but i would consider an aggresive Modern AC or AAA. I like how your site seems to bring the community together, and I appreciate the oppotunity to participate with your questions each week. Scott Lowe, 267.261.3291, loweknows@aol.com
Scott, I must say...I was VERY impressed with your package. I am not patronizing you one iota. I'd hire you in a New York minute. The DVD is truly fun and marlvelous to watch. Your personality really is natural and comes across the way you wanted it to my friend. Your philosophy is fine, and with the calls of WPLY, WXPN, WPST (all Philly), LA's Y107, KCXX, Riverside, and KFSD San Diego...doesn't hurt at all. My concern is that you have spent a great deal of time and thought, and expense to put together something that I would think any GM/Owner/PD/OM would be impressed...if they took the time to listen, watch and read. That would be my only concern. This works very well into the coming week with the second "Open Forum" beginning tomorrow. Already a couple of radio persons have sent e-mails about the subject I just mentioned in the last few sentences. By the way...shooting in LA and New York was awesome...and neat getting the "Naked Cowboy" in there!
February 12
Christina Ricci Birthday's today: Joe Garagiola, Abraham Lincoln 1809-1865, R. Buckminister Fuller 1895-1983
Hi Jonathan,
I wanted to thank you so much for the great review you did on my
son
Justin's band Intangible. Look forward to working with you in the
future.
Gary Wright,
Larkio Music LLC Palos Verdes Estates, CA
Thank you Gary. Man...I saw you live when "Dreamweaver" was a current hit record. Thanks for all the great memories. Hopefully we will meet one day. Justin's band rocks, and I wish them well.
Hey Jonathan,
you probably know already, but wanted make sure you
heard. After 12 years NMA will be back as a full
band! March 21 Phoenix, AZ Mason Jar
March 23 Los Angeles, CA Spaceland
more info at: http://www.newmodelarmy.org/FHOME.HTM
I guess time for my bro and I to hit the Phoenix scene
again with flyers and make sure all us oldtimers know.
Should be a great show! I Caught Justin on his
semi-acoustic tours last couple of years, and he is
still filled with energy. Really cool time at the
Mason Jar 2003. Preshow my bro brought some his 3rd
graders to meet Justin, he played some songs for them
and gave them a geography lesson. I would like to
thank you for all the work you did to get them here
back in 1993, one of my most memorable Q shows and
fullfiled dream of my teenage years.
Take Care,
Kristoffer Phoenix AZ
Kris...thanks for the heads up. NMA still one of my all-time favorite bands. Justin Sullivan rules!
February 11
Sheryl Crow Birthday's today: Burt Reynolds, Tina Louise, Mary Quant, Brian Daubach, Eva Gabor 1921-1995, Joseph L. Mankiewicz 1909-1993
UPDATES: Black hair, lots of tattoos, and a smile that would melt you...former Epitaph promo person Christina Whitetrash communicated today. She and friend Russell are living in the UK and working for a small company handling promotion and publicity for a number of American labels over there. You can say hello by e-mailing her at trashytango@hotmail.com
Marty Oehlhof has left KDJE, Little Rock for MD duties and nights at WBYR in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. It is a Federated Media station. Contact Marty by e-mail at stiller@FederatedMedia.com
This ends the week of your favorite funny people
It's old school like Laurel & Hardy and Charlie Chaplin. These were
masters of very broad but personal humor. The old timers like Abbott
& Costello, Marx Bros., WC Fields, etc. looked funny as people. It
would be impossible to imagine them being anything but comedians. Very
different from today in that respect. If you look at the comedians I've
named here, you'll find on closer look that they really don't look
"funny" as much as "unique"...know what I mean? They don't look like
"normal" people, do they? But you want to laugh just looking at
them...something very "quirky" about them and all are very good at
"physical" humor. But that's the one thing I've noticed thru the years,
is that somewhere around the 70's the look from old school to new
school took over. While I gravitate to new comedians like Lewis Black,
David Cross and his partner Bob or Seinfeld reruns, I find what makes
me laugh are the nods to the Vaudville era comics and their "bits" that
the new breed still incorporates. Robert Allen/Sha-La Music, Inc. NJ
You know who was truley funny in his day? Johnny Carson.
Current day, Ellen.
Love ya. Jackie Selby KOOL FM, Denver CO
On TV the person who makes me laugh every time is Jerry Seinfeld, and
on
radio without a doubt, the only choice is Phil Hendrie.
Scott Lowe
B104 Allentown PA
Lewis Black, hands down. His mannerisms and jokes/commentaries on even
the smallest things in life are downright hysterical.
Matt Sledge WOXY-FM Cincinnati OH
Ellen...straight up. Pun intended. She is just so freaking consistently
funny. Mostly because she's wacky, but also because she's totally
herself out there & it doesn't seem put on.
I'd say a great runner up is Dave Chapelle. That dude just cracks me up.
Him & Jon Stewart. Unless Trey & Matt who created South Park count...
L.I.Z.
Notorious Radio, Queens NY
The Marx Brothers.
Pee your pants funny. Jack DeVoss MD CD101, Columbus OH
I would have to say the comedian I work with, Mr. Stephen Lynch and RIP
Chris Farley. Watching them makes me laugh so hard I almost pee my
pants. Jillian Reitsma What Are Records? Denver CO
Jon,
it has been and always will be George Carlin. he is brilliant, edgy,
and 99.9 percent of the time says what I am thinking. He is the only
comedian to come from the 60s that hasn't been reduced to knockin' em
dead with quick one liners down at the elks lodge. George can still
sell out huge arenas and will until the day before he croaks. 2nd on
the list is Louis Black. He once said I was crazy. That is the pot
calling the kettle black, no pun..... Matt Foley APD KMRQ, Modesto CA
Chris Rock is the man.When he doesn't make me laugh, which is seldom,
he makes me think. His commentary is so spot on that I dare use the
word genius. His insight and humor increases the quality of my life.
Mike Mena Redondo Beach CA
Eddie Murphy Raw CD.
Joey Gusto PD WBER, Rochester NY
Dave Attell. After any shitty day, Dave can always make me feel good! Jerry Rubino
Account Executive
The CMJ Network, NY
*Has anyone noticed that the word "pee" comes up a lot all week long?
This weekend: New Model Army News. Plus reviewing a package sent by to me by Scott Lowe. A great presentation. Boy...things have come a long way baby!
This coming Monday: Kicks off Open Forum #2. You ask the questions, you rant, vent, I rant, vent...whatever. Ms. Farber...I will address you.
February 10
Lance Berkman Birthday's today: Mark Spitz, Leontyne Price, Lenny Dykstra, Peter Allen 1944-1992, Jerry Goldsmith 1929-2004, Jimmy Durante 1893-1980, Boris Pasternak 1890-1960
Fair Warning! Next week will be open forum week #2. Giving you time to think of whatever you want to spew, ask a question, whatever. As for me, after 3 years of silence...watch out Cagle, Saturn, and others.
More Yucks...your favorite comedians:
LENO: A fan since the 70s the first time I was home sick from school
and saw him on Mike Douglas talking about LA residents hosing instead
of sweeping. KINNISON: A genius that made me laugh till it hurt.
Fantastic LIVE. DON RICKLES: Still the king of insults. NEWHART: The
dryness of his earlier comedy is epic. TRIUMPH THE INSULT COMIC DOG:
Ballsy. Kenny Allen PD KMBY, Monterey/Santa Cruz CA
Hey
Jonathan, I'm obviously going to have to clear out more time in my
schedule to explore every corner of the website. I love it all! For
your question about who makes you laugh, I'd have to say the Monty
Python boys never seem to fail. 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail' will
always make me laugh.
I'm so jazzed about all this great music coming out! LCD Soundsystem,
Kasabian, Trail of Dead, The Bravery, Louis XIV (love the EP), The
Futureheads, the New Order track is great and check out "Oh My God" by
the Kaiser Chiefs, it's really good. Man... And it's only February.
It's so great to have the national platform Ethel provides to turn
people on to this great music. More rants later... Walter Flakus
Music Director
Fred 44 / Ethel 47
XM Satellite Radio
1500 Eckington Place NE
Washington DC, 20002-2194
202.380.4285
walter.flakus@xmradio.com
Hands down Dave Attel. I'm not a fan of his show Insomniac but I love
his stand up. I can listen to it over and over again and still laugh my
ass off. MJ APD/MD WXSR, Tallahassee FL
I know he has already been mentioned a few times but the person who
makes me laugh consistenly would definitely be Bill Hicks. While I don't
necessarily agree with every single word that came out of his mouth, he
expressed his point in such a literate yet humorous way that you still
couldn't help laughing. To me, that is the sign of a good comedian. I
still can't hear the words "goldfish and lincoln logs" without a smile
coming to my face. Also amazing how relevant a lot of it still is (10
years after his death) since he does a lot on Bush Sr or Iraq that
could easily be apllied to the current situation.
Kevin Jackson
WTGZ Tiger Communications
Program Director
2514 South College Street Suite 104 Auburn AL 36832 334.887.9999
One Word : RICKLES
no explanation needed.
PLEASE NOTE NEW ADDRESS PHONE NUMBER: Marc Algini Come On! Management/Aurora Music Group
27 Ludlow Street
Suite 4
New York NY 10002
ph: 646.862.4800
I like Bill Maher, Jon Stewart, David Cross and George Carlin for stand
up type stuff.
I am kind of old school when it comes to funny actors. I love Lucy,
Dick Van Dyke, Bill Murray even John Ritter. Then of course there is
Chris Farley in Tommy Boy, one of the finest comic perfomances ever. Marcie Robinson PD KACV, Amarillo TX
I am my favorite comedian. Because I can amuse myself
when everybody else in my life is busy. I love to
laugh and hear everyone else I love laugh with me.
I Love You Forever, Your wife,
Jeanette L.
Who really makes me laugh... Kevin James as Doug Heffernan on King of
Queens... his loveable dumb ass makes me laugh every time. Dave
Chappelle is
one of the funniest people alive, hands down. Chevy Chase is another
person
who makes me laugh just looking at him. I also don't think you can
really
beat the team of Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon... superb! Monk
Music Director/Production Director
WANZ, Z100.5
142 Skyland Blvd.
Tuscaloosa, AL 35405
p: 205.247.4805
I'll tell you what. right now, for me, I think Chris rock is the
funniest. He's fucking hilarious. Ed Hale Transcendence, now in New York City, baby!
You make me laugh! Victor Caballero thetopdeal.com, Pasadena CA *Hmm...I'm glad I make you laugh V...but couldn't you have been more original?
A bunch more tomorrow!
February 9 Ash Wednesday
Carole King BIrthday's today: Mia Farrow, Vladimir Guerrero, Alice Walker, Dean Rusk 1909-1994 Gypsy Rose Lee 1914-1970, Bill Veeck 1914-1986, Brenden Behan 1923-1964
Dem bones...dem funny bones...continues
J, only ONE?! NOT FAIR. Pryor. Kinison. MITCH HEDBERG! Carlos Mencia
is
brilliant...Pablo Francisco and Frank Caliendo are both incredible
impressionists, and should tour together. Ever heard of JOHN VALBY?? He
plays piano and sings the dirtiest drinking songs, and his audience is
the kind of drunk and rowdy that you'd only normally see in a movie
when
they portray biker bars. I'm predicting latino comedians will do very
very well in the near future....their audiences are very enhthusiastic,
and the stories and relatability that these guys deliver...latino
comedy
is very very funny shit.
Ayo
MD/APD/Internet PD/Bake Sale Coordinator
KDGE
Clear Channel Dallas
14001 N. Dallas Pkwy, Suite 300
Dallas,TX 75240
www.kdge.com
Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle and any episode of South Park. Lenny LaSalandra Combat Rock Promotions, Los Angeles CA
Hmmmm......that's tough. There are so many. I love Letterman, Lewis
Black
makes me wanna piss myself, Eddie Murphy is just a legend and, hell, I
got
my radio guy name (Polychronopolis) from an Adam Sandler song....so I
guess
I don't really need to write how I feel about his comedy. However, when
I
lived in Minneapolis I would frequently go check out the stand-up acts
at
ACME Comedy Company. I'm in Omaha now and while here I worked at the
Funnybone Omaha and along the way I met this guy Mark Gross. He is
absolutely an amazing stand-up. Simply one of the funniest people I've
ever
met. He's one of those that is just funny. He's just naturally funny,
but it
also translates to the stage. (Sometimes it doesn't). So, I'm gonna go
with
Mark Gross. You can catch his humor on Comedy Central every now and
then
with re-runs of their various stand up specials. You can also hear his
humor, through other people, on the ABC sitcom 'Rodney', as he writes
and
produces for that show. AND, I just found out he has signed a record
contract with Capitol and just recorded his first album, so hopefully
you'll
have access to that as well, soon. DEFINITELY worth checking out. He is
hysterical.
Thanks JL!
Polychronopolis
MD/Afternooner
Waitt Radio Networks
1000 N. 90th St. Suite 105
Omaha, NE 68114 Direct:402.952.7611 AOL: toxirocker
Love Chris Rock...he says all the things we really want to say and gets paid for it...lucky guy! Gina Juliano Cincinnati OH
Jonathan L makes me laugh- lol.......in an old-school punk way baby!!!!!
on a more serious note, Robin Williams, Billy Crystal, Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, Ellen, Rosanne, Letterman, etc, etc, etc
if I
had to pick someone old school, here's a shocker and name from the
past, Jonathan Winters.....one of the funniest human beings on the
planet,
by the way is that s.o.b. still alive?, where in the hell has he been?
Love comedy and laughter is a way to stay healthy, forget the prozac
and
the rest of that anti-funk stuff, tune to Comedy Central, that'll lift
the
spirits!!!! Oh shit I almost forgot, the cast of South Park, now thats
some damn funny
shit.- lol Frank Wells
APD/MD
99-3 WYSK, Fredericksburg VA
O.K. JL..I'm here!! When I think of comedy, I think Steve Martin,
George
Carlin and wonderful..or not so wonderful local acts coming through
Tucson.
Comedic entertainment..well, slightly different beast, but I LOVE Conan
O-BRY-ANN..but as a side note, due to recent events..the best comedic
INTERVIEWER that the world has seen, so far, is the Late, Great Johnny
Carson. No one could turn straw into gold, or gold into platinum quite
like
him.
Margie Rye KLPX Tucson
margierye@worldnet.att.net
More funny bones tomorrow! I have numerous more...but if you haven't sent yours and would like to...please do. I only e-mailed over 700 of you-lol
February 8
Jack Lemmon 1925-2001 Birthday's today: Nick Nolte, Ted Koppel, Alonzo Mourning, James Dean 1931-1955 Lana Turner 1921-1995, Dame Edith Evans 1888-1976, Jules Verne 1828-1905
FOX TV...you fuckin' wimp ass hypocrites!!!
Two days removed from the Superbowl, The happiest man alive has to be Bob Parsons, President of Phoenix based GoDaddy.com...afterall he has gotten more juice from his TV commercial than anyone...because all the news shows and entertainment shows keep showing the spot over and over...hence giving the domain company much more than the paid for two spots during the game. The spot features a beauty having a problem with her t-shirt, that one strap keeps falling down, never exposing breast, just the illusion. The real charm of the spot is that it's a spoof of her appearing before a committee hearing on censorship. After a few phone calls-FOX decided to not air the second spot after the first one ran in the first quarter. So Parsons, I assume gets back half his
money back, and Go Daddy will now be more known than ever. Fact: the
spot was approved two weeks ago. We are now entering a new chapter in
our history. All of this moral judgement because of Janet's boob.
There are still Senators and Congressmen having young boys suck their
dicks, and the hetero one's are still seeing hookers...yet they can
impose such fear in broadcasters to censor a harmless commercial.
The camera panning to cheerleaders during games are just as enticing,
yet they are shown all the time. It's bullshit I tell you! The FCC is
now the boss of all and anything entertaining. But not the internet...fokkers!
By the way...the FED-EX and Mustang commercials were great!
More yucks from your favorite comedians
Bill Hicks and Mitch Hedburg.
Bill Hicks did a dangerous brand of comedy that challenged people to
think. He wasn't just a joke teller. He wasn't working the room, he was
working past the room. Comedians like Jon Stewart are heavily
influenced
by Bill Hicks.
Mitch Hedburg gets compared to Steven Wright a lot. He is a deadpan
one-liner kind of guy. He is not trying to change the world. His
observations are pretty twisted.
Jacent Jackson
APD/MD Q101, Chicago IL
Larry, Moe, and Curly, The Three Stooges
are my favorite comedians of all time. On the surface, it is total
slapstick. In depth, they were making fun of the times. A social
comment of WW 2 making fun of the Nazi's. Prohibition with their
apparent imbibing with their own potent mixers. The depression, making
fun of the rich. The sound effects were priceless. Jeffrey Naumann
phone: 818.706.3864
cell: 310.989.4074
email: yeepahs@aol.com
Jack Black and Will Farrell could read an obituary and make me laugh until i pissed my pants. Scott Perrin PD KFTE, Lafayette LA
Denis Leary cuz he doesn't give a shit about what you think. Bill
Maher's "New Rules" on Real Time always makes me laugh. Bobcat
Goldthwait is the BEST radio interview because he doesn't have
anything planned. Bobby Slayton- the king of base humor, John Frost
makes the best production in the country still.
Rubin
Channel 93.3/KTCL-FM
apd/morning jock, Denver CO
David Cross, Dave Chappelle. Both are intelligent and funny.
That lady on Saturday Night Live, Amy Pohler... the blonde lady. She's funny.
Jason
Fat Wreck Chords, San Francisco CA
The yucks continue tomorrow.
February 7
Chris Rock Birthday's today: Garth Brooks, Emo Phillips, Juwan Howard, Charles Dickens 1812-1870
Question of the week: Who really makes you laugh over and over? Who is your favorite comedian ( TV, Film)?
Who makes me laugh everytime? Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, Bill Hicks,
Richard Pryor, and Conan O'Brien. Miles Montgomery KQBZ 100.7 "The Buzz" Seattle WA
For me it was Dudley Moore (did you ever see Derek and Clive?)
Mark Hamilton, Station Manager/Program Director
KNRK 94/7 FM Alternative Portland
0700 SW Bancroft Street
Portland, OR 97239
p) 503.535.0395
mhamilton@knrk.com & www.947.fm
Fave comedian? I have many....Lately I've been re-visiting Bill
Hicks, as a new DVD has just been put out with 3 performances recorded
in the early to mid 90's before he passed away. I've been really
enjoying Mitch Hedberg's stuff lately as well.
Fave funny TV shows? Arrested Development and Curb Your
Enthusiasm.
Both brilliant in their own way. Of course, Family Guy is fantastic,
and
I will probably never tire of Seinfeld.
Fave funny movie? I always come back to Raising Arizona, surely
one
of my favorite movies of all time.
JJ Fabini
Assistant Director of Programming
X102 - WXTW; Z94.1 - WCKZ; FOX SPORTS 1250 - WGL;
MY103.9 - WYLT; WILD96.3 -WNHT; 102.9 The River - WXKE
Summit City Radio Group
2000 Lower Huntington Road
Ft. Wayne, IN, 46819
260.747.1511 (Office)
jj@summitcityradio.com
jj@X102fm.com
Ralph Kramden and Ed Norton ... The Honeymooners is the funniest show
ever!
Go get all 39 episodes on DVD. It's a must have!
Shawn Alexander Alternative Editor, allaccess.com
Makes me laugh EVERY time....
*Peter Cook & Dudley Moore
(Derek & Clive "What's The Worst Job You Ever Had?"...regarding the
extraction of lobsters from Jayne Mansfield's anus, emptying Winston
Churchill's spittoon, et al)
*Monty Python (In "Life Of Brian", Michael Palin as Pontius Pilate and
John Cleese as Roman Centurion discussing Pilate's "friend from Rome
(Wome)...Biggus Dickus".
*Dave Chappelle
*Tunc Erim "The King Of Hookey Dookey" (real life hilarity...God bless
him, one of my all time favorite people)
Sam Kaiser
MVP Entertainment, Inc.
tel 805.969.7095
Many more to come this week!
February 6 SUPER BOWL SUNDAY
Bob Marley 1945-1981 Birthday's today: Ronald Regan 1911-2004, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Mamie Van Doren, Axl Rose, Tom Brokaw, Babe Ruth 1895-1948, Francois Truffaut 1932-1984, Bob Wickman
I came to a few revelations last night
As
we layed there hugging each other, in the after play of being
intimate...I transcended into thoughts about all the people I've ever
known. Not all literally...just the thoughts of having recently spoken
to a number of people from my past. Lets take a break for a moment and
go back an hour or so earlier. I had requested that we listen to the
new Chemical Brothers album "Push The Button",
as I've heard it numerous times but Jeanette had not. As she got ready
for me (primping), she popped in the album. She always puts the
speakers on the floor so when cranked up...it gives the effect of a
minor quake, or let's just say a tremor. I dig that. Mid-way through as
she layed on top of me...I am now in a complete zone. In a hazy
way...not an immediate realization...I hear a voice that surely is not
The Chemical Brothers. I whisper in her ear softly "wow, Placebo...nice
choice baby". She whispers back with a soft giggle..."no...Cyclefly".
I smile and again whisper softly in her ear..."oh my
God...yeah...Declan". Ok, now back to earlier. We are laying there and
listen to the music even more carefully now. The lyrics are sensual,
and at times biting. Two things are going on we stare at the
ceiling...well, maybe not the ceiling..but into space. One, is me
thinking how much I loved the album "Generation Sap" from 1999. I'm saying to myself in my head, not out loud...HOW THE FUCK DIDRADIO MISS THIS??? I really sincerly, positively, with out a doubt, just wanted to scream it as loud as I could...but NOT
in the moment as I was in.This makes me wonder after as I wash my face.
How could such an excellent recording just slip by the radio ears of
1999. I wrote about them...well let's say RAVED about
them in virtuallyalternative back then. The Irish band with the O'Shea
brothers should have been a smash back then. I remember them
live...what a teriffic band. I don't even know if they still exist? As
I write this, I am now thinking of all the people that have been
reunited through the medium of this web site. Especially for me. I
don't care if it's one conversation...a good one...but nonethelessat
least one, it very well be the last time I speak with them again. NO,
it's not because I don't want to...it's just the way life is. People
have their lives and it's cool to them and you and me to have that
update in their lives. I would imagine though that some of these recent
calls might turn out be a keeper. Who knows? I mean in the sense, that
whether it only be by phone or the occasional e-mail. It's all good. *My wife is good...slipping in the CD changer the extra CD. Nice seque baby!
Let's check in on Corey O' Brien shall we?
KXRK, X96 – Salt Lake City, Utah Specialty: Grapes Into Wine #2005-006
Hey,
I am sendingthis a bit early because I'm taking a couple days for some R & R in San Francisco. Here are the lists ending the week of Sunday, Feb. 6, 2005:
Xposed
Louis XIV Finding Out True Love is Blind" Atlantic
Halifax "A Writer's Reference" Drive Thru
Gratitude “You’re Invited” Atlantic
The Kaiser Chiefs “I Predict a Riot” Universal
Low “Monkey” Sub Pop
Tegan and Sara “Walking with a Ghost” Sanctuary
Seth Swirsky “Instant Pleasure” Julian’s Dad
I Am Kloot "Proof" Echo
LCD Soundsystem "Daft Punk is Playing at My House" DFA
Pepper “Ashes” Volcom
Keane “Everybody’s Changing” Interscope
And YouWill Know Us by the Trail of Dead “The Rest Will Follow” Interscope
Underoath “Reinventing Your Exit” Tooth and Nail Xpanded 02.05.04 The X96 Music Mix Tape Vol.21
The Fiery Furnaces "Single Again" Rough Trade
Louis XIV "Illegal Tender" Atlantic
Social Distortion "Highway 101"
TheSoundtrack of Our Lives "Big Time" Universal
The Golden Republic "You Almost Had It" Astralwerks
M83 "Don't Save Us From the Flames" Mute
The Fight "Revolution Calling" Ashley
Halifax "The Next Two Weeks" Drive Thru
The Comas "Tonight on the WB" Yep Roc
Tailgunner "Drink Yourself Dead" Audioracket
Autolux "Here Comes Everybody" Columbia
Mudvayne "Happy?" Epic
Bright Eyes "Take It Easy" Saddle Creek
Adam Green "Emily" Rough Trade
My call time is Wednesday from 1 – 2 p.m. Mountain Time at 801.325.3193.
Corey O'Brien
KXRK-X96
On-Air
Assistant Music Director
Imaging Director
515 S 700 E 1C
Salt Lake City, UT 84102
direct line: 801.325.3193
email: coreyx96@hotmail.com
* Every once in a while I will publish someone's specialty show playlist
February 5
Christopher Guest (Think "Spinal Tap") Birthday's today: Barbara Hershey, Charlotte Rampling, Hank Aaron, Darrell Waltrip, Roberto Alomar, Red Buttons, Alex Harvey 1935-1982, William S. Burroughs 1914-1997,
Roger Staubach, John Carradine 1906-1988, Adlai Stevenson 1900-1965
One last dreamer...or is he?
If I could be the owner/program director of my own radio
station...hmm...let
me think.
I've got it, it would be a radio station where you can see all the disc
jockeys and they would all be topless girls! And these topless girls
would
play too-hot-for-MTV videos. And this station would stream into every
T1
wired dormitory, every DSL connected office cubicle and every broadband
connected home all over the world!! And, with new wireless technology,
this
station will be available on cell phones and PDA's around the globe!!
And I
would name this station ToplessRadio.com.
And guess what.....it's real and on the air right now at
www.toplessradio.comWho-hoo!
Rich Schmidt Los Angeles CA
Maybe this is your bag...get involved
If you're like most people in business, you are always seeking to get
your product in the hands of the right people. The right exposure can
help move a product.
Here is your opportunity to get your product into the hands of
celebrities at a prestigious Hollywood event. The news coverage of this event
can also provide your product with limelight opportunities!
Each VIP attending this event will receive a goody bag. Your company
will have the opportunity to place your product in the goody bag that the
VIP's will receive.
VIP's include renowned actor Martin Sheen (who is receiving the 2005
Artist of Conscience Award this evening), Terry George (writer and
director of the feature film Hotel Rwanda. He'll be receiving the Artistic
Freedom Honor award), Ed Asner, Julie Delpy, Jake Gyllenhal, EdHarris,
Amy Madigan, Sally Kirkland, Martin Landau, Esai Morales, Mira Sorvino,
Ozzy, Sharon, Kelly and Jack Osborne, Congressman Henry Waxman, State
Senator Sheila Kuehl and many more. This is a terrific list of high
profile celebrities!
What:Celebration of Artistic Freedom- Academy Awards Viewing
Dinner and After Party
When: Sunday, February 27, 2005
4:30PM Cocktails and Red Carpet
5:30PM Dinner and Viewing
9:00PM Party & Awards Program
Where: Ago, 8478 Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood
Presented By: City of West Hollywood
The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute
Benefiting: Amnesty International USA
ACLU Foundation of Southern California
The Lee Strasberg Creative Center
The insertion fee to place an item in the VIP goody bag is $1000 plus a
quantity of 300 pieces of your product. Most of your insertion fee (70%
of it) is tax deductible as proceeds go to benefit the above mentioned
organizations.
Reserve your opportunity today by contacting:
Mike Mena
mikemena@adelphia.net
310.316.9892
Up in Canada...it's freakin' cold...and...
Matt Smallwood joins Maplecore's distribution arm MapleNationwide as
Director, Sales and Acquisitions. With deep roots in the independent
community most recently as Marketing Manger for respected New York
indie
Rainbow Quartz, Matt's mandate will be to build on MapleNationwide's
successful launch in 2004. He will report directly to Maplecore's
President
& CEO, Grant Dexter.
The Maple name has quickly become a well known and trusted brand in
Canada
by consumers and industry folk alike, and is associated with many top
selling acts including; The Dears, KathleenEdwards, Pilate, Joel
Plaskett,
The Wilkinsons, Doc Walker and more.
Matt can be reached at the information below.
Matt Smallwood
MapleNationwide
P - 416.961.4332 x.273
E -mail matt.smallwood@maplenationwide.com
February 4
Alice Cooper (Loves Golf and owns over 500 watches) Birthday's today: Dan Quayle, Lawrence Taylor, David Brenner, Betty Friedan, Oscar De La Hoya, Charles Lindbergh 1902-1974
Last of the "dream stations"?
For me, the answer is simple and obvious: I would do what I heard
promised as "the future of radio" back in music school. A format known
as 'full-spectrum radio.' Something always talked about but never yet
pulled off.
Who the hell has only one style of music in their CD collection? Why is
it so common for people to complain about the radio in their local
area?
Why is it so common for people to stop listening to commercial rock and
pop radio entirely once they reach a certain age (30?) Why is satellite
radio the big bad dog in the neighborhood ready to chew the hell out of
the little commercial stations? Why are people paying their own money
now to listen to Internet radio and Satellite radio when they can get
commercial radio for free???!!! Why do these commercial pop/rock
stations depend so heavily on their "goofy funny morning shows?"
The answer to all of these questions and more is simple... sad but
true... but for the most part, and this isn't every station in every
market, but for the most part, modern commercial rock and pop radio
sucks ass because it is too formatted. So most people grow up,
eventually tune it out, and turn it off and move on to more expressive
methods of getting their music fix.
The best radio station in the entire fucking universe will be the one
that plays the best music in the entire fucking universe without
attention to format or style. They'll jump from the Butthole Surfers to
the Beatles to bread to Limp Bizkit to Beethoven in an hour and you
will
fucking love them for it. You will kiss the ground they walk on because
for once you won't feel like someone is insulting your intelligence by
catering to the lowest common denominator who can only stomach one
style
of music at a time. Good music is good music. Drop the effing formats
already and just play great music of all kinds. The first person or
station to do this right will become a God and slowly force the rest of
the industry to follow with their tail between their legs. Ed Hale Transcendence, Miami FL (Editor: Nice rant Ed)
Ha ha ha. I love this question, Jonathan!
My dream radio station-- 70's and 80's Alternative! Mod, punk, tons of British, lots of f-word songs. Fuck the FCC!
Love ya Jon. Jackie Selby Air personality KOOL, Denver CO
I was doing it, on three different stations at Sirius Satellite Radio.
Had a great, knowledgable air-staff. Strong music flow on each, all
perfectly distinguishable, and combined represented "alternative music"
old & new. All in the Top 20 for customer satisfaction at the time
outta 50 music channels. (Including Alt-Nation at #7) But the "dream" was
halted and crushed. American music fans loss. Sad. Jerry Rubino CMJ Network, WCHR, Monmouth NJ
I'm living my dream...working in internet radio setting trends & not
following them. not only am I a programmer, I'm also part owner.
I'm very lucky. Mike Taylor PD/Part Owner WOXY.Com, Cincinnati OH
Don't have to win the lottery. WBER is the best a station can be.
I am being 100% honest. Joey Gusto PD WBER, Rochester NY
I would take the money and buy SIRIUS STOCK SIRI.
Radio Stations will be a thing of the past SOON!
Minister Sirius Satellite, Left Of Center, New York NY
February 3 Birthday's today: Fran Tarkenton, Bob Griese, Casey Weldon, Gertrude Stein 1874-1946 James Michener 1907-1997, Horace Greeley 1811-1872
Hey...it was a blast! Last night new label Three Kings Records had maybe the showcase of the year. It was held at the hoity toity legendary Friars Club home of many famous "roasts" for big name celebs. This is in Beverly Hills...not exactly my favorite part of the city. I always get lost driving around there. Hey...I'm an Eastsider, what can I say. The main attraction was a performance from The Prom Kings. Fantastic band! Thanks to Stu Cohen and all the staff and owners of the label
for jamming over two hundred people in the room that Dean Martin, Frank
Sinatra, and many others walked and sat in. Someone mentioned to me
that more than 50% of the young people there were from the West LA, Beverly Hills...Paris Hilton scene. I'm not surprised. The only people I did run into were Joel Denver, Shawn Alexander, and Doug Lagambina from All Access, Kenny Ryback, Ken
Anthony (R&R), Bob Divney, and Todd Seivers...and...that was it.
Just lots of beautiful people and lots of servers walking around with
all those yummy little treats on a platter..."have one sir"... "sure why not...what is it? The coolest thing was meeting Roger Lodge (I'm a sucka for "Blind Date", the
TV show), and getting a photo taken and meeting Laker Luke Walton. I'm
a Lakers fan (don't say a word Perrone), and a life long supporter of
the Arizona Wildcats, and saw Luke play all four years at the U of
A. Man...he is tall. I look dwarfed...just like when I was in a photo
with Howie Long. Go to page 10 on the gallery page for more photos. (Audio/visual picture: I'm walking around...constantly moving...and the Marilyn Manson song "Beautiful People" is thumping in my head!)
Ok...time for more of your dream stations, 'cause you won the lottery!
Reggae and Ska, and American-tinged reggae/ska vibe stuff...like The
Police, Skindred, old No Doubt and Kravitz maybe, lots of Madness and
Squirrel Nut, mon....
I'd run it all by myself in a one room NexGen studio, naked, from the
middle of a pot field, in the middle of an island hidden somewhere near
the Bath Isles in the BVI.....I'd let a full live album track every day
at 8AM while I wade out into the water and spear my food.
On a quiet day, if you listen closley, they say you can hear me laughing at
all you suckers back in the states. Haha
Ayo
MD/APD/Internet PD/Bake Sale Coordinator
KDGE
Clear Channel, Dallas TX
My dream station would be exactly like the now-defunct KBLT. KBLT was
a pirate station operated out of a woman's walk-in closet in her Silver
Lake (Los Angeles) apartment. There was a different DJ every two
hours-- so if you didn't like what was on right now, odds are you'd
like what was on next (I did the sleepy Wednesday 2-4am shift). I
believe it was in 1998 that the LA Weekly voted KBLT as the best radio
station in LA. Packing a whopping 40-watt punch, the station barely
reached the middle of Hollywood, but it was so much fun to listen to.
When John Frusciante re-joined the Red Hot Chili Peppers, their first
public gig was an on-air acoustic set in the living room adjacent to
the tiny on-air booth. You can read about the station in the great
non-fiction novel "40 Watts from Nowhere" by Susan Carpenter. Chris Wagganer Film Maker, Los Angeles CA
I already have my dream radio station. It's in my iPod, every day! Dave Lombardi Astralwerks Records, New York NY
More dreamers tomorrow
Huge congrats to Deanne Safferen, who takes over APD/MD duties at KYSR in LA
February 2
Graham Nash Birthday's today: Christie Brinkley, Farrah Fawcett, Vlade Divac, Sean Elliot, Jane Wagner, George Halas 1895-1983
OK...so what's next? WXYZ (Live 105.7) Baltimore changed it's call letters to WHFS. They will still be a gesture playing music only at night and on the weekend. Oh...did anybody tell ya that Tim Virgin and Pat Ferrise are still involved? I didn't read that in FMQB. Or did I?
Hi Jonathan-
Got turned on to your site by Zak and Benji who are here at our maverick AAA KCUV.
We are having a great time, just like the early WHFS, from Zappa to
Tyrone Davis, and plenty of Prine, Beck, and Marshall Tucker in
between. Really taking off.
I also program an Indie station on AM here in Denver… Sahara Hotnights,
Early 80’s through now, electronica and the whole works. Really
popular. Hope to catch up soon. John Hayes Denver CO
John...great to hear from you...can't wait to catch up
Hi Jonathan-
I checked out the site and loved it! I liked Jeanettes section
too....Please tell her I said hello. JL Radio is now a bookmark and a
new staple for keeping up on all the cool stuff. Way to go! Kristen Guarino Los Angeles CA
Thanks Kristen...I'm happy you bookmarked!
Dream Stations continue:
99 Spice!
All Hot Chick Pop. Spice Girls, J-Lo, Cathy Dennis, Xtina, etc. They
have to be hot chicks and the songs have to bleed pop smash at one time
or another. No down tempo songs. All songs must be empowering. Girl
Power! All my jocks would of homosexual orientation. My street team
would be male dancers. The whole idea is to present a station built for
the fun in women. "Spice UpYour Life ... 99 Spice!"
... Once a month, for 4 days the station goes commercialless and plays
nothing but hardcore metal like American Headcharge. Guess why? OR!
100.9 The Meat! Taking the menstrual cycle
from 99 Spice, 24/7 Hardcore Metal, The meanest station ever. I'll hire
the biggest assholes known and they need to yell in the mic. Anyone who
believes in the goodness of humans need not apply. I would run
promotions where we'd put bounty's on the heads of people we didn't
like, regardless of profession, like the Pope ... because we're just
that mean. The audience is called "The Meat Eaters" and the station
positioning statement is "Nobody Can Beat ... The Meat!" Scott Petibone PD WKRL, Syracuse NY
I would put these stations up in Fantasyland USA!
Catalina Island is where. Over looking the beach and crystal clear
water. I would play the hardest blistering new metal to the best old
school rock (lots of Van Halen, Pantera, Judas Priest, Maiden, Crue
etc.) Korn would replace Mandatory Metallica as a nightly block
feature. Although Metallica would play a heavy part in my play list old
school only (first five CDs) Megadeth, Anthrax, AC/DC, only the hardest
from these bands and more. To listen would be exhausting....NO FUCKING
BALLADS! Rock on! Matt Foley APD KMRQ, Modesto CA
It
would be right here in Lafayette, in an underground bunker. It would
sound like my i-Pod - but not really an anything goes type thing, but
close to it. A very anti-industry, punk kinda vibe( not that I have
anything against the industry, I swear). dangerous, but not cheesy.
We'll run the wires and start the fires. It would look somewhat like my
control looks like now - tons of black lights and stuff. Almost like a
rock club vibe. A studio for live performances as well.
mornings - Henry Rollins
mid-day - me, and have a REAL
all request show 12-2. afternoon drive - Jed The Fish
nights - Mike Patton...and, we would support the hell out of all the
great, local bands down here - New Dead Radio (relocated to Hollywood
now, check em out!) Greyline, Gloryhole, Bimora...
Scott Perrin PD KFTE, Lafayette LA
YES...more to come tomorrow!
February 1
Lisa Marie Presley Birthday's today: Exene Cervenka, Terry Jones, Boris Yeltsen, Malik Sealy Clark Gable 1901-1960, John Ford 1895-1973
Listen up Joan Jett Fans: Tonight her song "I Love Rock n' Roll" will open up American Idol with the contestants in Cleveland at the R&R Hall Of Fame.
You won the lottery and are building your dream radio station!
Good
question - and good that you threw in the limitless cash to do it - I
think we all feel we could put on the killer station; but I hope we all
know how nearly impossible it really is to reach the unwashed masses.
To find common ground. Some folks, like you, Jon, have earned the right
at times in history to really program a station - and KUKQ was very,
very entertaining. Anyone who thinks it's easy and they could certainly
do it better than what they're hearing should see how hard people like
Kevin Weatherly work each and every bloody day of their lives. They
would pass out. In 1989 I had the chance to program an hour long
alternative show (POST MODERN,
then), on top 40 powerhouse KZZP/Phoenix. We called it THE EDGE; it was
long before THE EDGE was a regular station in Phoenix, and I was told
they used a lot of my old production when they first signed on; I
thought that was crazy cool, though I've always wondered how they got
it - Bob? (I spent HOURS on
that shit!) I gotta say, when folks who really knew what they were
doing were scheduling the music (mostly Michelle Santosuosso and Guy
Zapoleon, as well as then PD Bob Case), and I stuck to doing the
imaging for the show - it was huge. The ratings were sick! Then they
turned it over to me, and I couldn't see past playing what I liked -
and BOOM! Away she went. I learned a LOT
from that experience (and overall, it was awesome!). Now, though, I
would set about hiring people I know love music and who can talk on the
radio. Rather like KCRW in approach, I would want to line up several
music lovers who could present new and old sounds in an interesting and
relevant way, with the expectation that the job may not last long -
play the music you love til you clear the floor, then the next kid is
up - but trust the jocks with the music! That's what's missing from all
radio (satellite and terrestrial) now - management that understand it's
J's (as my friend Darcy Fulmer calls us) love and care about what music
we're playing. I even have ways to hire them in mind... but I'll keep
that to myself for now. I would handle the station imaging (hiring
super talent John Frost if it was the SuperBallCrazyAssLottery it was
that I won) and...well...since that's what I would need to do it, I
guess I'll stop there...
Thanks fer asking, Mr. L!
CYA!
Doug
KROQ/L.A. / Sirius Satellite Radio - AlNation/21
Damn, Jonathan, why you wanna mess with our heads like
that? First, there is no format on my dream station. Program whatever
the hell I want, no "insultants" can call at all. Only Jonathan Lev cuz
he has a tight bankroll and who couldnt use free food? and a weekend
stay at the four seasons? No djs - just sweepers/legals voiced by Kat
Corbett of KROQ. No contests, no requests, just shut up and listen and
enjoy. Oh yeah, and Jon Cohen can call once in a while if he keeps
mailing me the Cornerstone Player. playlist, page one - Liz Phair,
Pixies, Beastie Boys, Sly Stone, Rage Against the Machine, Captain
Beefheart, PJ Harvey, Esthero, Jane's Addiction, Fatboy Slim,
Chameleons UK, Lee Perry, Bjork, Radiohead, Consolidated, Zappa, Zero
Seven, Archers of Loaf, Sebadoh , Public Enemy, Curtis Mayfield, Paul
Weller, Jeff Buckley, The Felt, Superchunk, April March, Beth Orton,
Teenage Fan Club, Portishead, the Freestylers, Friends of Distinction,
Morecheeba, Babes in Toyland, Mission of Burma and The Replacements.
Page two - I think you get the idea. The man formerly known as Boy Troy
ex-FNX, Boston
co-author, Nirvana: The Chosen Rejects
I
would love to let you know what I would do to build a station if I won
the lottery, but at this point I still have issues. Maybe a policy of
no matter how bad sales are we won't fire you if you have great
ratings. Sounds silly, I know. Imagine that ... A station that has
wonderful ratings and a hard working TEAM
and they are safe from the axe. Combined salary of the entire staff,
including promotions director, doesn't cover what the GM makes in a
year and if the station does well in ratings and the GM can't find a
sales staff that can sell, then the station staff is still safe. Damn
crazy talk!! GM can't get it done? Fire the airstaff!! Why does that
make sense?? You know Jonathan, I am a single father that never took a
day off because of sickness on my part in over three years at my latest
station. I didn't take full vacation in two of the three years and I
didn't get compensated for lost vacation on one of my years. Only
compensated on the latter when I was fired at the end of the year.
Merry Christmas! (Note to upper management: watch "It's A Wonderful
Life"?) Yet when it comes down to who is let go the people that are
fired are my type. All we want is to be given the opportunity to do our
jobs as described by those above us. I was top three of the last four
books three times 18-34 men and persons and #1 in each as well. We
succeed according to their definition and still get a foot in the ass
on the way out the door. WE are fired!? They tell us that is the way radio is. Bullshit. That is the way BAD
radio is. My Hands are in the air. It's a good thing that I have an
unemployment check to fall back on. I'm tired. I've been networking all
day. Yes radio. I didn't win the lottery, but I am damned good at the
programming side of radio. Peace,
Don Kelley
Walter with Kasabian at XM