Radio AM to FM: April 23, 2004
B Debut
Jonathon Brandmeier -- Johnny B to his fans -- made his debut
on Arrow 93 this week, marking his return to the Los Angeles
airwaves more than three years after leaving KLSX. Brandmeier
had been the midday host on KLSX for almost three years when he was replaced
by Heidi, Frosty and Frank.
A legend in Chicago from his time at WLUP-FM in the 1980s and early 1990s, Brandmeier
is known as being one of the Windy City's wackiest DJs. He made his name doing
comedy bits including covers and spoofs of popular songs, as well as original
tunes, with his band The Leisure Suits. The Leisure Suits even played in venues
around Chicago.
Chicago certainly has its share of legendary radio personalities. Larry
Lujack from WLS and "Super CFL" comes to mind. If the fine
people of Chicago want to place Brandmeier in that category, I'm fine with it.
But in listening to Johnny B's first week, I have to ask, what's the big deal?
Sure, he's pleasant enough. Yes, he's more professional than many of his competitors,
which is a nice change considering the many lightweights that have been given
air time in town. And I am happy to report that I was wrong: Arrow does still
play music in the morning, even if it is less than before.
Yet one thing stood out in my mind the entire time I listened, as when I heard
him on KLSX: he's really not that funny.
Perhaps he's an acquired taste. It takes time to develop a feel for the audience
and for the audience to develop a relationship with the DJ. It would not be
the first time I was wrong about a new personality, and I would not be a bit
surprised if he gets better over the next few weeks and months. I wish him well,
and welcome him back to Southern California.
But he needs to lay off trying to do bits in the middle of the news, and I already
miss Scott St. James' sports reports. The old show with Joe
Benson was filled with music and information the adult audience of
Arrow craved, and I would hate to think Arrow pushed Uncle Joe out just to have
another morning zoo. I expect that Brandmeier is better than that, if his fans
in Chicago are even close to being correct.
Still Off
Air America is still off the air in Los Angeles, due to problems
with their local affiliate. The liberal talk network was on the air only two
weeks before being pulled.
The reason is in dispute. Air America claims that the affiliate, KBLA,
was reselling air time that they had already purchased, and thus stopped payment
on a check. KBLA claims that the check bounced, thus forcing them to stop the
broadcasts.
In the meantime, Air America is apparently looking for a new station with which
to purchase air time. Some observers are making wild predictions such as KTNQ
and KHJ, both of which I doubt, considering that neither station's
owner has ever leased out time on their major properties. Unless the dispute
with KBLA is resolved soon, it may be a while before Air America in back on
the air locally.
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Copyright © 2004 Richard Wagoner and The Copley Press.
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