December 31.cwk

Airwaves: December 31, 2010

Wishes and Predictions for 2011

Happy new year! A lot of ideas for the 2011 radio predictions and wish list have come in already. Some more realistic than others, I suppose, far more wishes than predictions ... and some very close to my weird radio heart:

“I'd love for KCBS-FM to get rid of that cocky arrogant "Jack" imaging voice and obtain the KHJ call letters. We could have a new 93/KHJ on FM, playing all the 1950s - 60s oldies that other FM stations have long since dropped from the playlist. I'd also love to see KFWB return to a music format for the first time in 43 years. They could use all their old jingles, play 1950s - 60s MOR hits -- no adult standards, just songs that were hit singles -- and put Gary Owens, Elliot Field, Jack Hayes, Bill Taylor, Ted Quillin and Wink Martindale back on the air.” -- Steve Thompson, La Cresenta

“Number one on my wish list would be the return of Rock and Roll on 94.7, the once great KMET. "The Wave" was all right but has turned into a predictable medley of Anita Baker non-hits. Bill Drake once said, ‘Its not what you play , but what you don't play that's important.’ More programmers should take that to heart.

“How about a return of Boss Radio? I would have to think carefully for a good line up. The concept of more music, less talk, fewer commercials, great jingles mixed with a killer signal could go a long way. Give listeners what they want, make it exciting, and charge the Hell out of it to the advertisers” -- Gary Chenault

(Gary is the nephew of the late, great Gene Chenault and for a time worked at Drake-Chenault, the legendary consulting and programming company)

“For music stations that play a lot of new music, it would be great if the name of the artist was stated right as the song starts and the artist and song name stated right as the song is ending. It wouldn't have to be the DJ saying it into the microphone. It could be a digital techno sound (a consistent sound listeners could get used to and appreciate). It would be quick and it would be information that is useful.

“On sports talk radio, my wish is that the vast majority of their talking be about the current sports seasons. It's frustrating when the hosts are talking about their private lives, station personnel tidbits, or not discussing the in-season sports.” -- Sean Broderick, Sherman Oaks

“I wish that Brad Chambers was back on the radio! I miss him and his music!!” -- P. Brouss

“Voice lessons and better grammar. I am finding it difficult to listen to the terrible voices that dominate radio today, along with very poor grammar: ‘gonna,’ ‘gotta,” “yeah,’ and “you know’ every three or four words” -- Barbara Lane, Woodland Hills

(I “gotta” agree on this one. Seriously, what happened to broadcast standards where correct grammar and pronunciation was part of an announcer’s professionalism?)

“Here's what I'd wish for for local radio. An opportunity for fresh talent to get a shot. Yes there are internships but some sort of talent development like the old studio system. Might give more opportunity to new young exciting voices. Give a shot of adrenaline to the old boys club roster that we have now. Why let pay radio do all the innovation??? Let's have "So YOU Want to be a Broadcaster" type competitions. Who knows ... maybe you discover the next great personality!” -- Joey Levin

And finally ... an actual prediction: “KFWB gets new ownership (how many stations is one network allowed?) -- but probably not Clear Channel. I'd like it to be a local group. Nothing wrong with having national-based commentators, but state and local issues should not be neglected.” -- Katherine Koelker, Hawthorne

To be continued ...

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