Airwaves: March 27, 2009
New Jocks
Amp Radio (KLSX, 97.1 FM) has announced the first of its new on-air
lineup. Coming from sister station KROQ (106.7 FM) is Stryker for
the afternoon drive (3-7) shift, and Casey McCabe for nights, 7 to midnight.
Who’s next? Totally unknown. But I know at least a few people who are
interested. Stay tuned.
Larson’s Compass
Syndicated talk host Lars Larson is being dropped by syndicator Westwood
One, but he’s already been picked up by competitor Compass Media and
plans are to work out details enabling him to stay on most, if not al, of his
150+ stations nationwide. Larson is heard locally from 5 to 7 PM on KGIL (1260
and 540 AM, 105.1 FM HD-3); his program originates from Portland, Oregon.
As the transition moves forward, stations still with Westwood One are hearing
Best of Lars shows; KGIL, meanwhile, is airing new programs ... a testament
to the respect Larson has for Southern California. Compass’ deal begins
March 30th.
Movement
Continued internal staff changes at Citadel’s KLOS (95.5 FM) and KABC (790
AM) have rekindled speculation as to the future direction of both stations.
Marketing, sales, promotions and traffic were all affected. What is going to
happen is unknown outside the minds of management, but I would be prepared
for almost anything.
Celebrating Motown
Former KGFJ (now KYPA, 1230 AM) personality Spider Harrison is
celebrating Motown Record’s 50th anniversary on his syndicated program “Whatever
Happened To ...” He hopes to have a local station cleared to carry the
show in time for three one-hour specials later this year featuring Martha Reeves,
The Contours and The Originals. Besides radio, Harrison was also part of Sugar
Hill Records’ marketing and promotions in the 1980s.
Smartest Jock
KIIS-FM’s (102.7) morning star Ryan Seacrest was named one
of the 25 smartest people in television by Entertainment Weekly in a
recent edition of the magazine. Television? Oh, yeah, he hosts that little
show on Fox. American Idol, right?
You would have to extend that ranking to radio, or maybe just media in general.
Seacrest is everywhere, and he hasn’t worn out his welcome one bit. A
modern-day Dick Clark, Seacrest did what many thought impossible: replace Rick
Dees on KIIS-FM ... and do well.
Birthday
Next Wednesday, April 1st, would have been The Real Don Steele’s
73rd birthday, had he not passed away from lung cancer in 1997. The legendary
top-40 DJ was hugely popular on such stations as KHJ (930 AM), Ten-Q (KTNQ,
1020 AM), the original KRLA (1110 AM) and KRTH (101.1 FM). Reelradio.com
will have a special feature honoring his birthday all next week.
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Copyright © 2009 Richard Wagoner and Los Angeles Newspaper Group.
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