Radio AM to FM: September 9, 2005
Changes at Star
What's going on at Star 98.7? Morning co-host Danny Bonaduce? Gone. General
manager Brad Samuel? Gone. Programmer Angela Perelli? Gone. Last
weekend's programming was, well, weird to say the least. Now interim programmer Mike
Marino has let go of afternoon veteran of eight years Lisa Foxx and
partner Jason Pullman.
Is Star heading the way of Jack FM? Perhaps. Star has been underperforming for
years, and I have stated repeatedly that a refocussed Star would easily take
Jack's thunder. Playing the same music as Jack but using personalities instead
of bland recordings would do the trick.
But I'm not quite sure that's where Star is headed. Lisa Foxx was actually one
of the station's better personalities. And if the station really wants to improve,
they absolutely must drop Jamie White. As of press time, White was still
on the morning show (for lack of a better word). And musically, as of press time,
there has been no change.
One thing you can count on: The story will unfold over the next few weeks.
Swing Time
Chuck Cecil is still swingin' over on KKJZ (88.1 FM). Tomorrow
from 6 to 9 AM, Cecil's Swingin' Years program will feature Frankie Laine telling
about the recording of his million-selling 1949 hit, Cry of the Wild Goose; a
comparison of 1940's Cotton Tail by Duke Ellington versus 1997's Cotton Tail
by Eddie Reed; and On Location listens in on the Glenn Miller orchestra and singers
broadcasting on radio from New York City and Hollywood between December 1940
and May 1941.
Swingin' Years is heard every Saturday on KKJZ from 6 to 9 AM and on Sundays
from 1 to 5 PM.
Really Gone
San Francisco, which recently lost the legendary 610 KFRC (AM) to a bad
sale decision from former owner Infinity, now has essentially lost KFRC-FM.
Some call it KFRC-Lite, with typical oldies being replaced with sappy light rock
hit oldies that even KOST here in Los Angeles refuses to play.
Of course it doesn't matter: KFRC hasn't been worth listening to since it dropped
top-40 in 1986.
Reader's Choice
I'll admit, I get cynical. Compared with radio of the past, I feel today's programming
leaves much to be desired, for the most part. But am I looking at radio's past
through rose-colored glasses?
Time to let me know. Send a letter to the Breeze or send an email straight to
me and let me know what YOU think about radio. Good and bad. Let me know if I'm
off base or on track. As space permits, I'll print your comments unedited (or
as little editing as a family newspaper can do).
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Copyright © 2005 Richard Wagoner and The Copley Press.
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