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DCRTV Mailbag - January 15 to January 19, 2007
Latest messages listed first.....
\/ January 19 Messages \/
Word is that if TK had gone to RZ or if RZ gets a new signal that TEM would pull out..... (1/19/07)
QUOTE: "Perhaps some of you find Imus irrelevant but he does pull in the politicos. The interview with Lieberman this morn was pretty good, imo". Yes, Imus is very good at that and also at getting media people on the show(David Gregory, Russert, Andrea Mitchell, etc.) -- so it's just so bizarre that his ratings are in the dump. I guess his constant Bush-bashing got a lot of people turned off... -Silvie- (1/19/07)
Rusty Gibson, I was not on Air Force One when LBJ was sworn in. But, Malcolm Kilduff was and I wrote in the mailbag what Mac told me: He said he looked all through the plane and the only thing to record with was the dictaphone; he told me he held it while LBJ was sworn in by the judge; he said the arm extending in the pic was his. I am not going to debate it any further. I wasn't there and I doubt you were there. There was only one photo taken of the swearing in. I haven't seen it for years but I recall the judge's back is to the camera; it's not the judge's arm protruding in the picture on the left, holding the dictaphone. Personally, I don't care who did the recording and if you care, that's your right. I'm done with it. Richard in Cambridge (1/19/07)
Dave's response: Yup, the judge who swore in Johnson after Kennedy was killed had the same name as my ma - Sarah Hughes. OK, my ma was Sara. But, close enough.....
Sorry Rusty, but Richard in Cambridge is right on the Kilduff call. photolab.lbjlib.utexas.edu... Mac crouches to the the left of LBJ and Judge Hughes as he records the ceremony. That aspect of the tragedy is noteworthy for a number of reasons. UPI reporter Merriman Smith became etched in the lore of that day when he dispatched the first reports of the assassination by commandeering the lone telephone in the press car seconds after the shooting, and was also on board Air Force One for the ceremony. He did a voicer on the swearing-in which is one of the most concise, perfectly enunciated, riveting, and yet conversational field reports I have ever heard. Jackie Kennedy was summoned from the back of the plane (seated next to her husband's casket) to stand next to LBJ as Hughes conducted the ceremony. The air conditioning inside the plane was off and temperatures were uncomfortably hot in the cabin. Kilduff was also noted for detailing at the press conference announcing the president's death, the extent of JFK's head wound in a manner that was inconsistent with many of the autopsy pictures and preliminary findings. - Bob Mathers (1/19/07)
Where else to find the Eddie Leonard Sandwich Shop lyrics but at the Joy Boys’ site? www.thejoyboys.com. There’s even an MP3 of the jingle you can listen to, with a little voiceover by Ed Walker at the end. (1/19/07)
Just to let you know, maybe the ice is beginning to thaw with Sinclair and Cable companies especially Time Warner. here is the link. I know its Maine but maybe it will give you hope. www.timewarnercable.com (1/19/07)
This is slightly off the beaten path, but since many local broadcast engineers are/were also ham radio operators, it warrants some mention: The FCC is on track to completely eliminate the requirement to know or be able to send Morse Code for all Amateur radio licenses, tentatively by February 23. Operators may continue to use the code after that date at their option or preference. But it has already been discontinued for maritime communications and a sizeable portion of ham radio has already dropped the code requirement. Like Top 40 music on AM radio, the practice of speaking through dots and dashes is about to pass into antiquity. -... ..- .... -... -.-- . (buh-bye) (1/19/07)
The Burger Chef in Annandale was where the Jerry's is now. It was an Arthur Treacherous once There was something about those Burger Chefs they all seemed to burn. The jingle went ' a nickel and a dime for a burger chef" I think that bought a burger, fries and a small coke. Someone mentioned that their dad used to take them to Burger Chef and the watch a train. My dad did too! Those were some of the best memories of stuff my dad did with me. We used to go down to where Burke Lake Road crossed the tracks. He would then take me and my brother to the Handy Dandy Market across from the Burke Fire House for a coke and a small bag of pretzels. Even if senility steals my memories, I will hold on to those forever. (1/19/07)
I remember the Burger Chef in Aspen Hill. I ate there several times. Does everyone remember the Hot Shoppes Cafeterias and the Hot Shoppes Jrs. JohnnyuinHanover,Pa. (1/19/07)
Yes the gentleman's name on the Imus show I keep forgetting is Larry Kenney. Perhaps somes of you find Imus irrelevant but he does pull in the politicos. The interview with Lieberman this morn was pretty good,imo imusblog.com too many Newsweek folks but I figure some relationship there there......and sad day today for me finding out Larry King don't do his column in USA Today no more, of course it shows I don't read USA Today much....I guess this is good for Larry now he can spend more time hanging out on the corner and eating at Duke Ziebert's....... and the White House Correspondents dinner comic this year will be Rich Little? and Mr. Little is being strongly encouraged to be gentle to el presidente shrub....quite a change from Stephen Colbert last year.....hey maybe they could make it a night of a 100 trickie dick's and get David Frye, John Byner, David Steinberg to join Rich Little.......I too have noticed the drop in signal strength at the once mighty 'JFK......is Mr. Hughes safe as long as 'PGC keeps the good ratings and 'JFK is a loss leader these days...... does Mr. Hughes still want to consolidate CBS Radio stations in D.C. area? Why don't he do it now that them guys in the afternoon have left the ham and egg headquarters in toothless Fairfax?........ and with all you Hot Shoppes fanciers maybe someone could ask Mr. Marriott on his blog what was the special sauce on Mighty Mo's and how is former channel 7er Kathleen Matthews settling in www.blogs.marriott.com and speaking of channel 7 I saw Arch on Robert Osborne entertainment show this afternoon on Newschannel8 ....I still say Shaun Yancy moves her head the same way when she reads the storys....... B. Smith........and will keep our eyes on it for yew (1/19/07)
To the poster inquiring about Adam Smasher. He is alive and well and is working afternoons in St Louis. There are worse places... See www.smashband.com. And while we are on the DC101 where are they now kick - does anyone know what ever happaned to Howard Stern? (1/19/07)
Richard in Cambridge: Mr. Kilduff did not record LBJ's swearing in. Texas Federal Court Judge Sara Hughes did (at LBJ's insistance).. Maclcolm "smply" announced to the world (&Press Corp) that JFK had died resulting from gunshot wounds to the brain. Press Secretary Pierre Sallinger was on a plane w/ the rest of the Presidential Cabinet headed to Hawaii. Rusty Gibson (1/19/07)
On Ray Frager’s spoonfed analysis from WBAL (who are obviously still whining over the Os departure to CBS…) Here’s the most obvious reason for the difference in listener-ship: 2005 Ravens’ record 6-10... 2006 Ravens’ record 12-4 (won the AFC north and had the best Defense in the entire NFL…) ... Helloooo…..! (1/19/07)
(Regarding Tony Kornheiser's return to WTEM:) If this comes true does this mean "The Brian Mitchel Show" will be cancelled? dcrtv fan (1/19/07)
If you look at FCC records on AM 1260 in Delaware, you'll find that it gets sold every couple years just around the time that their Special Temporary Authority permit from the FCC is about to run out. They get the maximum number of extensions and than sell. I haven't checked this time, but it's usually the same people buying and selling it back and forth. It's a time tested trick to keep getting STA extensions from the FCC so that the owners never have to actually build a transmission site or meet FCC regulations. Same story with Delaware's AM 1600, I believe it's the same people as well. Sales on paper to avoid FCC regs. These 2 frequencies are just being cleverly warehoused with no benefit to the general public. Seriously, who cares whether the station is flipping to Spanish or not? No one can hear either of these stations anyway. (1/19/07)
If you're a DC-area Child of the 60s, you'll be saddened to learn that Denny Doherty died today at age 66. Mama Cass Elliot and John Phillips, also late members of the Mamas & the Papas, both have local roots. www.sfgate.com (1/19/07)
In later 1968 and into 1969, WMAL’s John Lyon and I used to have lunch at the People’s Drug Store that was right next door to WMAL AM-FM-TV in the old Chevy Chase Ice Palace at 4461 Connecticut Ave NW. Across the street was a Hot Shoppe with their industrial-grade Salisbury Steak dinner with Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans dinner. Lunch at the People’s lunch counter always included their famous vanilla pudding. After the evening news block for both radio and television at the Evening Star Broadcast Center (1968 and 1969) we’d go across the street for dinner at the Hot Shoppes with Steve Gilmartin, Len Hathaway, Louis Allen and some of the crew. Sometimes this would be followed by drinks at Carmack’s which was right next door to People’s. Mother Carmack knew us all and would make sure that we were all able to stand up and do the 11pm news block. Louis Allen’ “Woodles” were always right on track and never showed that many of us were sucking up drinks earlier at Carmack’s. Those were the days before any kind of electronic weather maps. John Lyon and I were the designated subs if Louis was on vacation and Louie taught us how to draw his weather maps. John and I always filled in during the morning block on what was known as “Television Seven, Washington.” “Claire and Coco” were always John’s fill-in since he could play the banjo really well… I wound up with Barbara Collman’s shows later in the morning. Sorry to blather on so long, but all this talk about People’s, Burger Chef, Roy’s and other landmarks brought all this back. Tom Gauger (1/19/07)
Reading about places such as Drug Fair, Burger King and Dart Drug brings back memories of some silliness when I was a kid. Drug Fair’s biggest competitor at the time was People’s Drugs. There was a riddle going around that went, “Why does Drug Fair sell birth control pills?” The answer was, “They want to get rid of People’s.” As kids, we replaced the lyrics to “When you buy, better try Hoschild Kohn” (a Baltimore department store) with “When you die, better try William Cook.” William Cook was a well-known funeral parlor. The song went, “When you die, better try William Cook. He’s the greatest undertaker in the book. His prices are cheaper, he’ll bury you deeper. When you die, better try William Cook.” Then there was a second verse: “When you buy, better try William Cook. He’s the greatest undertaker in the book. He’s got caskets by the dozens, for your uncles, aunts and cousins. When you die, better try William Cook.” Roddy Freeman (1/19/07)
Re:Lynn of Haymarket in Fanwood, NJ: Guess you didn't buy any 'fresh' fish at the local A&P; smells like some of it was there when I moved to Fanwood 31 years ago. There was a Burger Chef about a mile west on South Avenue from the A&P. Was replaced by a pizza shop which mysteriously burned down after someone got a bad batch of anchovies on his pie. Oh, to be able to listen to an OTA country station as you can in the DC area. Frank-in-Fanwood (1/19/07)
Dave, I've just posted a page on the WJMA Alumni web site in recognition of our most famous alum, Ron Landry. He may not be remembered by many in Virginia, but in Connecticut and LA, he's still remembered. Perhaps some readers of DCRTV will have additional information on his time in Virginia www.wjma.radiohistory.net..... I talked to a long-time employee at WBTM in Danville and he had no knowledge of Ron ever having worked there. Many pages of the WJMA site are still under construction and don't have a lot of content. Ross (1/19/07)
We all know that Mike O'Meara doesn't have the best heart (from previous stories on the show), let's all hope he doesn't go into potentially fatal cadiac arythmia while getting dog collar electro shocked by Don Geronimo in today's contest. Take your pulse, Mike. If it's not regular, get thee to an ER. Stat! It might be more serious than a "Hispanic attack." - Doc J (1/19/07)
Dave, There was the Drug Fair in Langley Park where I hung out occasionally as a teenager with the Langley Park greaser crowd. We would also hang out at the Langley Park Hot Shoppes (loved those fries with gravy!). There was the Dart Drug in Langley Park too. At Dart Drug, I often saw working there an energenic man of small stature with a pure white pompedour. I never saw him standing still, always on the move. His name, Herbert Haft. Only a few years later, in 1975, as a young cop working part-time security at the Langley Park Drug Fair, I got to know the late Malcolm Kilduff who worked for the Drug Fair for about 6 months. As JFK's Assistant Press Secretary, Mr. Kilduff had gone to Dallas with JFK in Nov. '63. He announced to the world that the President had died and later held a dictaphone machine to record LBJ's swearing in aboard AF1. Mac told me they had nothing else to record the event with aboard the place at the time but the dictaphone. In the single photo of the swearing in of LBJ, with Lady Bird Johnson and Jackie Kennedy standing with LBJ, Mac Kilduff's arm is seen extending into the picture, holding the dictaphone mic. "Mac" Kilduff was a good guy, a very interesting gentleman. He died a few years ago, in Kentucky, I believe. Richard in Cambridge (1/19/07)
So is KROQ in LA. Go to KROQ.com and click on the ROQ of the 80's link. Don't know how similar it is to WHFS of the 80's but it sure takes me back to high school. -Sean in Harpers Ferry (1/19/07)
Rusty: Thanks for the memories. I remember Ameche's on Loch Raven and Taylor. Ordell Braase owned the "Flaming Pit", where they did "Braase, Donovan and Fans" broadcasts. How about "Bill Pellington's Iron Horse Resaturant"? Mike Curtis had a "Pappy's" franchise in Essex. Remember the Pappy's Pizza Restaurants? I think there were a few African-American players who had sub shops, too. Andy Nelson still has his BBQ place. Doug in Bel Air (1/19/07)
To poster for Adam Smasher -- Abraham Benrubi is the actor who played "Jerry, the tall medical receptionist" on ER for 11 yr. He's from Indianapolis. Lisa in Ashburn (1/19/07)
The Eddie Leonard's FULL SING jingle can be found here: www.98wrc.com (1/19/07)
That sucks sage is leaving, i really liked her on CSN, guess I'll have to watch ESPNews a little more now. Anyways, i found some billick interview but not sure it's the good one. news.search.aol.com (1/19/07)
Ah, Burger Chef! Quite a few in NJ when I was growing up. The one in Hightstown, NJ (Exit 8 on the Turnpike, halfway between Princeton and Freehold) used to be packed every Friday night. When the chain began to slip, the owner tried to keep up the business with hosting Fundamentalist "Tent Meetings" on Saturday nights with various travelling preachers and choirs. A little touch of Alabama in the Garden State. Genghis Cohen (1/19/07)
My Burger Chef memories..you could buy a plain burger for something like 29 or 39 cents, then waltz right over to the fixin's bar and make that mf 6 inches high! The Big Shef was also good. Regards Biff (1/19/07)
www.radioandrecords.com... It appears that the Bonneville sale to Red Zebra might be getting some help from Fidelity Investements in Boston. According to this article, Fidelity will not approve the price of the Clear Channel stock buy back. No buy back, no fire sale. No fire sale, no WBIG up for grabs. What's left, but warmed up left overs on 104.1 and 103.9? Get ready for John Riggins. (1/19/07)
Re: The Burger Chef's being converted in Roy Rogers and then to McDonalds. Its funny I remember some Saturdays as a kid in the late 80s, early 90s heading over with my dad in his blue Chrysler New Yorker to the Roy Rogers (now a McD's) at the intersection of Wilkins Ave and Southwest Blvd in SW Baltimore. We would order, then park in the back where I could watch the Amtrak and Marc Trains go by and we would listen to Maryland football on RADIO 11 WBAL with Johnny Holliday making the calls, I can hear it now: John Kaleo to Marcus Badget, 15 yards on the completion, good for a first down. Ahh the memories! -Michael Popovec (1/19/07)
When I first got into DC with WPGC there was a Hot Shoppes restaurant in Bladensburg. It was the local hang out for the "drag racing" crowd. I had a "vette" at the time and made a lot of $$$$$ with it. I used to finish my shift and head up to "hang-out" and find fools that wanted to make some money with their cars. There were even a few races where the one that lost, lost his ride. Someting like that TV show on Speed..."PINKS".PLB (1/19/07)
"Don't say drug store, say Drug Fair! There's a big difference! Your dollar makes more sense when you're shopping there, So don't say drug store, say Drug Fair!" Anyone out there know all the Eddie Leonard Sandwich Shop lyrics? (1/19/07)
Dave's response: Rememeber Dart Drug? They wouldn't let you simply enter the store. You had to walk down a long aisle full of sale merchandise before being dumped somewhere at the far side of the store.....
WJFK does have a back-up transmitter on channel 66's tower at the intersection of 123 and the Fairfax County Parkway, so they must be having to use it lately if you notice WWMX and WWEG in and around Fairfax. (1/19/07)
There was a Burger Chef near the intersection of Connecticut and Georgia Avenues in Aspen Hill back in the '70's. When it was shuttered, it became a Bob's Big Boy before eventually sometime in the late 90's/early 2000's becoming some sort of Hunan Buffett if my memory serves. Burger Chef ruled when I was a kid. :) (1/19/07)
Following your string of defunct retailers, I attended a funeral of a family friend earlier this month in Fanwood, NJ. The trip was like a journey back in time. Someone else pumped my gas (you're not allowed to pump your own gas in NJ) and as I drove to the funeral home, I saw a Drug Fair and an A&P. So of course I had to stop and shop in each store. What a flood of memories!.. I thought those chains had been gone for years. Didn't spot a Burger Chef though.. Keep up the great work Dave!... Lynn in Haymarket (1/19/07)
Dave's response: Yeah, as a kid in the suburbs of Philly, it was either A&P or Acme for groceries. Except, you can't buy beer in a grocery store in NJ. You had to go to a liquor store for that. But the liquor stores up there aren't state-run and some are as big as grocery stores. Of course, as a kid, it was only a beer or two per week. Ah, the memories.....
Redskins broadcasts may have come in clearer on WJFK-FM than the rest of its broadcast day because either 1) there is a stereo signal all the time, but it may have been turned off for Redskins games to increase the clarity (the stereo signal gets a radio to check for amplitude modulation which contains the Left minus Right signal (the freq. mod. being L+R which mono radios understand completely), which can increase the hissing sound and clarity, unecessary during the game); or 2) they blast the game sound to always be pushing the needle right up to the red zone, so the frequency modulation is always high, so that the Automatic Frequency Control circuitry that always tries to get the strongest signal at a given frequency range won't shift around. (I am not an engineer, so this is the Classics Illustrated version.) Also, there used to be a Burger Chef in Baltimore on Reisterstown Road just north of Slade Avenue, the first place my wife used to go after Passove r ended during her teenage years. Alas, it's now a garden nursery. Also, young "Jeff" was always at "Burger Chef's" side in the TV and radio commercials... was BC a pedophile? Though, to me, too, nothing beats a Gino Giant for a mere 55 cents, except maybe a Jumbo Gino (the first similar to a Big Mac, the second a tastier dead ringer for the Whopper). -- Carl in Olney (1/19/07)
Dave's response: Continuing the "something is wrong" with WJFK-FM's signal thread. I was in the City Of Fairfax this morning (about a half mile from JFK's studios) and was able on my car radio to clearly (!) receive Baltimore's 106.5 WWMX and Hagerstown's 106.9 WWEG on either side of 106.7 WJFK. This didn't used to be the case. Usually, JFK's signal was so strong in downtown Fairfax that it obliterated stations on the adjacent channels. As I've said before, in Reston (which is home to the DCRTV World HQ), which is about five or six miles from the JFK tower, both 106.5 and 106.9 often now bleed into 106.7. That didn't used to happen.....
Re: There were several Burger Chef locations in Northern Virginia.../// There was a location or two out in the Springfield/Annandale area, but I'll be damned if I can remember exactly where. Ahh..the old Funburger, who could forget! More disturbing in today's current environment is the potential relationship between Burger Chef and Jeff, the two mascots. I see a photo of those two and I am one inguinal hair away from punching up an Amber Alert. Up until the early 1970s Burger Chef was second to McDonalds in terms of overall size. By early 1980s almost all Burger Chef's had been converted to Hardees, as General Foods the corporate owner sold the chain to Hardees in 1982. So, they were long gone in most places by 1996. And of course, Genos...which I believe all morphed into Roy Rogers, an improvement IMHO. On Drug Fair: "Folk who know have always found, the DF label is the best in town"...their jingle was something like that. Memories.. (1/19/07)
Coast to Coast is also carried nightly on WCBM. Larry (1/19/07)
The Burger Chefs in the metro DC area were sold to the Marriott Corp. in the mid-80s, and converted to Roy Rogers. In the '90s, when Marriott sold Roy Rogers to McDonald's, many of the locations were converted to Mickie D's. Others were shuttered or sold to mom and pops who continue to operate as RR, such as the one in Frederick. (1/19/07)
Who writes the fiction for “BAL” radio…you’re telling me 120,000 more people were listening to the Ravens game? Come on…then there’s Ray Frazier buying into this…maybe he’ll get his own radio show following Schmuck (1/19/07)
RE: Ravens ratings on WBAL and 98-Rock.. Can we all say a collective, "DUH!!". The Ravens were 6-10 in 2005. Of course nobody was listening! A solid 13-3 season and a division title will generally lead to a few more listeners tuning in, don't you think? (1/19/07)
RE: XM or Sirius coverage in VietNam? That a big fat NO.. If you want to read and in depth explanation on how the satellites operate and a good idea of what the actual coverage map looks like, take a peak at this site - www.dogstarradios.com (1/19/07)
("According to Arbitron figures released by WBAL, Ravens game broadcasts for the 2006 season - not counting pre- and post-game shows - averaged 166,300 Baltimore-area listeners ages 18 and older. In 2005, when games were carried on JACK-FM (WQSR 102.7 FM) and ESPN Radio 1300 (WJFK-AM), the average was about one-quarter that amount - 43,000".....) Hmmmmmmmmm...any mention in your blurb, Dave, (or in the Sun article) that the Ravens went 13-3 this year, and that may have as much to do (if not all) of the 123,300 avg. increase?? -Barney in Annapolis (1/19/07)
Actually, I always enjoy Andy Pollie when he appears on CN8. JohnnyuinHanover,Pa. (1/19/07)
I read on the Delaware Board at Radio-Info that 1260 AM in Newark, Delaware has been sold. Calls have been chaged to WNWK and they will flip to Spanish as Rumba 1260 around March 1. The new owners are planning on building a new tower site near an oil refinery, though no CP has been filed yet. The once historic WAMS calls are now parked on 1600 in Dover. (1/19/07)
QUOTE: "I also enjoy the comedy stylings of Rob Bartlett and the other guy, who's name I keep forgetting." On Imus? Is it Bernard?" - The other guy's name is Larry Kinney. (1/19/07)
Re; former Colts players w/ restaurants (like "Gino's). Anyone remember "Ameche's" in Severna Park? And who could ever forget Johny U's "Golden Arm Restaurant" as well?!?. Years ago, Brooks Robinson had the Gorsouch House Restaurant on Green Mount Ave. (not far from Mem. Stadium). Rusty Gibson (1/19/07)
Seems like everyone has a Burger Chef story. There was one in my hometown and it was a regular place after high school basketball games. A bunch of piled in one night and when one of the girls in our group opened her styrofoam burger box, her burger had a gigantic bite take out of it. We could not stop laughing. She calmly takes it to the counter and tells the manager, "I think I was shortchanged." signed, the Dim-Witted Poster. (1/19/07)
To Walt: Thanks for the info on 100.1; I first noticed this while sitting in a waiting room at a dentist office in Easton (I had my little "Sony headset" radio along..and was trying to listen to 99.9 (WWFG)..and noticed this station interfering with it; guess..now I know why..if it's right around Easton! Tom in Denton, MD (1/19/07)
A poster queries “Does anyone remember the old Burger Chef chain?” Yeah, check www.lostindiana.net for a pretty good history. In brief: during the sixties & seventies Burger Chef grew into the second largest chain in the country behind only McDonalds. Reached 1,200 stores eventually. The company changed hands several times; many of the stores were converted to Hardees. The original Burger Chef in Hagerstown on Pennsylvania Avenue is still a restaurant—great pizza & Italian food! The original franchisee—a guy named Smed Lynn—owns a tour bus company in the Hub City, at last report. They were a great radio account in the seventies and helped keep me alive for a number of years. (1/19/07)
Burger Chef is one thing (remember their ad characters Burger Chef & Jeff?), but who remembers Carrol's Drive Inn. There was one in Annandale on Columbia Pike, They launched a sandwich in 1964 called the "Beatleburger." It was just a regular burger with shredded lettuce sticking out the sides of the bun, topped with a jellybean on a toothpick stuck in the top of the bun. I recall going there for the "introduction" of the sandwich on a Friday night. Local band "The Roaches" played and a DJ from WEEL was there. On another Friday night at Carrol's, Jimmy Jones ("Handyman") performed on the back of a flatbed truck, lipsynching his hits, also intro'd by a WEEL jock. I think the Carrol's building is still there, though I'm not sure what it is now. (1/19/07)
Hey Dave.........Good Morning! Just curious...how come you almost always refer to WMET Radio as "Gaithersburg's" ? You never refer to other station's licensed cities i.e. Bethesda's, Arlington's, Wheaton's, etc. etc. This is the Washington DC Metro Market. Keep up your good work and have a fine weekend. My Best, Dennis (1/19/07)
Dave's response: Well, the station is licensed to Gaithersburg. A lot of the smaller AMers, especially daytimers and those with lowish night powers, are often noted here by their city of license. We often refer to Alexandria or Mount Vernon as Triple X 730's location, or Fairfax's WDCT (the old WEEL), Arlington's WAVA-AM, or WFAX in Falls Church. Look, at night, where else are you going to hear WMET? OK, maybe northern Rockville.....
First, it's nice to see some station in the region which might actually broadcast JAZZ, if only for an hour. I hope it is not just another compilation of urban music, e.g.. Smooth Jazz. We already have a nice selection of urban stations here, so I hope 1160 can find a way to dig a bit deeper into the incredibly diverse jazz library. But perhaps that's just wishful thinking on my part, considering the way music stations are programmed these days! By the way Dave, I'm sure it was just a slip of the finger on the keyboard, but it's Count Basie, not Count Basis. (1/19/07)
Dave's response: Typo schmypo.....
Does anyone have a link to the Sage Steele/Brian Billick throwdown? Is one available? I’ve never seen it but have read several items referencing the interview. (1/19/07)
The Burger Chef in Fairfax is now a Farrish Jeep joint now, BUT the old building remains! Also, great Burger Chef Page! Enjoy! members.aol.com (1/19/07)
I stand corrected. it was Bill Bartlett (not "Bob"). Rusty Gibson (1/19/07)
A few years ago I needed a guest for a Christmas Day show and Pookie Hudson volunteered. If their was a doo wop show in the area, he was either on the bill or giving his support in the audience. He was not only a great artist but a good friend who would do any thing to keep the vocal group harmony sound alive. He will be greatly missed. Charlie Stinchcomb (WNAV 1430/WKHS 90.5) (1/19/07)
Most people do not know this, but technically the very first minority owned African American TV station ownership group was started in Baltimore with the help of Sinclair Broadcasting (source: Broadcasting Yearbook). Sinclair wanted to gain control of a 2nd station in the Baltimore and Pittsburgh markets (and several others). Hence the creation of Cunningham Broadcasting, Inc, the very 1st majority owned African American TV station ownership group ever in the U.S. Ok, history lesson over. But, with the recent FCC filing from Sinclair Broadcasting concerning several of it's MINORITY OWNED TV stations (including Baltimore's WNUV 54), it looks to me like they are no longer MINORITY OWNED anymore. Yep, say goodbye to the first African American TV ownership group, Cunningham Broadcasting. If memory serves me correct, even the Rev. Jesse Jackson supported Sinclair's original creation of minority owned Pittsburgh based Cunningham Broadcasting and it was the beginning of Sinclair getting pseudo-duopolies in quite a few markets, Baltimore & Pittsburgh being the 1st & largest (+also Columbus OH, Dayton, OH, Charleston WV & SC). Sinclair now owns the Pittsburgh stations outright and poor little ol' Cunningham Broadcasting has been whittled down little by little to now almost NOTHING! The new FCC Transfer of Control grant to Sinclair Broadcasting gives 100% control of all formerly MINORITY OWNED Cunningham Broadcasting assets to......... [ drum roll please ]....... Carolyn C. Smith & a "Cunningham Trust". What does that mean? Well let's cut to the chase. Basically, it means that the VERY FIRST African American U.S. TV station ownership group is no more and the stations are now owned & operated by the mother of the Sinclair, Inc. Smith sons that pretty much completely own/control Sinclair Broadcasting. And a trust fund has been set up for the Cunningham kids to compensate their family for no longer owning any TV stations at all (Did they ever really own any of the stations to begin with?). So, with the help of the FCC, you can now officially say goodbye to the very 1st African American TV ownership group ever in the United States of America. Where is the NAACP on this one? Where is The Washington Post or The Baltimore Sun? Geez, just when you thought Sinclair couldn't sink any lower than taking away your NFL games, yep, they outdid themselves on this one. This should be news somewhere, but you'd be hard pressed to find this story anywhere but DCRTV.com (1/19/07)
Good news for WWRC AM 1260, the FCC application for an AM 1250 on Maryland's eastern shore has been dismissed, so the only interference WWRC 1260 will get in the future is solely from its own crumbling towers and that clothes line pole behind a chicken shack in Newark Delaware called WAMS 1260. [ I know, I'm behind on the December and January NON-TRANSMITTER SITE OF THE MONTH Google Earth pic, but hint hint... you now know December at least ] :-) (1/19/07)
Sylvie: There was a "Bob Bartlett" that was the lead singer for "The Lemon Pipers" and later "Ram Jam" ("Black Betty"). Is that the guy you're thinking of? Rusty Gibson (1/19/07)
Info for Tom in Denton. The translator on 100.1. It is owned by EASTON WOLC SUPPORT GROUP. The translator is running 100 watts at about 90 feet. It located on a tower just west of rt. 50, and a coverage map at the FCC website shows in covers Easton and the surrounding area very well. Private groups are allowed to own translators in the commercial band, and run "their" favorite station. The same the is happening in Ocean City with a translator there. However, there is a proposal for a Class A station in Newark, Md. which if approved will probably require them to change frequency or go off the air. Walt (1/19/07)
After watching the steady decline of radio over 40 years, I propose a radical change in the market. I propose that the FCC jerk all the radio licenses in the U.S. and make the current owners justify going back on the air again. Furthermore, I would insist the older programming standards be adhered to, with community affairs and cultural programs as part of the mix. No one company could own more than 12 radio stations in the U.S. and none in the same area. Daytimers would QRT at sunset. Clear channels would be reintroduced. Alas, it's only a fantasy. GAB in the Airless Cubicle (1/19/07)
Hey Dave, I just thought you might find it interesting that CBS has updated whfs2.com and is FINALLY offering a stream of their HD-2 content. And guess what. It's decent. Definatly a nice playlist full of new music and classics. So even though it's rumoured that WHFS may be losing their regular nights and weekends music broadcasts, the format is still alive online and on HD Radio. Maybe once they lose the music on regular FM come february they'll start advertising HFS2's existence (something they havn't really done a whole lot of since it launched early last year). I'll still be listening to Ethel on XM in the car, but when I'm home I'm definatly checking into HFS2 more often. KeninEaston (1/19/07)
The other day someone posted to LET IT GO regarding The Colts and Baltimore radio and TV media hype, today people are reminiscing about the Gino Giant, created by a Baltimore Colt! DOH! Too funny. By the way, some fast food updates..... Believe it or not, Arthur Treachers, Kenny Rogers, and Roy Rogers are ALL STILL AROUND. The 1st 2 were bought and relaunched recently (but not in this area), and Bethesda based Marriot still owns the Roy Rogers brand and there are still a few independent franchises floating around. Now for a REAL Fast Food trivia question, who knows the only place on the east coast where you can find Colonel Sanders Original recipe Kentucky Nuggets??? :-) Answer: www.roadfood.com (1/19/07)
How about this scenario? (1) Dan buys an FMer in Virginia Beach.. (2) Dan launches a private equity partnership in the last few days (3) City of Norfolk just gave up on using property nextdoor to the "Scope" for a new downtown sports arena. (4) Dan swoops into the Hampton Roads area and proposes a new arena to support an NBA franchise for the Tidewater area. That equity fund will come in handy. (5) Add a few arena dates in Richmond and everyone is happy. Quick facts : We're #34 TV market in the country. Virginia Beach is the largest city in the state. Bring back those Virginia Squires! (We can only hope.) TW in Tidewater... (1/19/07)
"I also enjoy the comedy stylings of Rob Bartlett and the other guy, who's name I keep forgetting." On Imus? Is it Bernard? -Silvie" - The older guy, who does Nixon and Jack Nicholson and Walter Cronkite is Larry Kenny. Been with Imus for years, and a very, very good voices guy. (1/19/07)
Say that is Adam Smasher in that picture ain't it? Last I heard the Smasher was working in Chicago? And I've heard that Adam Smasher's real honest to goodness son was on ER. The big fella who worked reception. Is that true?...... and the Grease don't look so happy in that picture...malfunctioning hydraulics? (1/19/07)
Dave, did you know that 98 Rock was doing HD multicasting ? HD-2 is Classic 98 Rock, and the bigger surprise is HD-3's indie97.9 ! Checkemout at www.classic98rock.com and www.indie979.com. It seems that the HD Radio gloves are officially off in BMore. I wish DC's rock stations were more interesting ! KeninEaston (1/19/07)
Dave's response: Yes, we reported several months ago that 98 Rock was launching several digital/internet streams.....
Dave... Please allow me to set the record straight in response to the cheap-shot artist whose latest display of intelligence (NOT) begins: "Message to Farley Poster: blah, blah, blah...". When Steve Swensen came to Washington, his first hire was indeed Jim Farley. It is precisely because of his success at places like ABC Radio News, the now-defunct NBC News and Information Service, 1010 WINS, and many other organizations that Jim was asked to help rescue the rather sad little radio station that the once proud WTOP had become. Remember that this is the station that was mired in a network news feed the night of the big train derailment in Silver Spring, and didn't have reporters to send to the crash; and whose efforts to present important local news was often stymied by the inflexible Orioles. Anyone who knows, or who has worked with Jim knows he is the first to credit his hard-working staff for any success he's enjoyed. Jim's "genius", if you wish to call it that, is in hiring talented, hard-working people who share his work ethic, and his enthusiasm for radio news. There are legions of people throughout the news business who are loyal to this man. He was also one of the first to recognize the potential of the Internet, recognizing, as he has said in the past, that wtopnews.com was another "transmitter" that extended WTOP's reach worldwide. Federal News Radio, which started out as a solely Internet station, became so successful it spawned a broadcast outlet. Washington Post Radio is very much a work in progress, and it seems rather silly for people to be judging it a failure after less than one year on the air. And as for Z104 and WGMS, well, those stations had/have their own programming staffs conversant in music programming. I happen to believe the Z failed precisely because popular music is so fractured these days, its impossible to come up with anything close to mass appeal. Jim's portfolio is news and news talk. Not only does he oversee Bonneville's D.C. news and talk properties, he's also a national PD, whose purview will likely soon include the Seattle stations they just acquired from Entercom. I've worked for Jim, as have many others who check out this mailbag, and I consider him a good friend. Its why I take pleasure in coming back from time to time to put in a good word for a good man who is periodically accused of being a 'know-it-all' by cheap shot artists who "know-nothing", and really and truly need to get a life. And so it goes... - Max in Mild West Arlington (1/19/07)
Did I hear Isaac Hayes call Donnie G., "Rockfish" during that interview on yesterday's show? From the sounds of things the speculation of Mr. Hayes having had some health problems recently are true. Now who's pushing him out on the road before he's ready.....Btws, maybe some speculation about Donnie G. is in order, how many times did he ask Isaac Hayes about writing "Soul Man"?. did Don ask Mr. Hayes if maybe he could help straighten things out with Lisa Remedy?....sounds like the show is just treading water till the finish line. Gee, maybe the idear of O'Meara carrying on without you know who, weren't such a bad one. (1/19/07)
/\ January 19 Messages /\
\/ January 18 Messages \/
Just wondering if you heard anything about KMS on HFS beginning in Feb 2007? Up until last week 105.7 had KMS advertised on their web site and now KMS is nowhere to be found. (1/18/07)
Dave's response: As far as I know, Kirk and Mark debut on WHFS during the first week of February.....
I also remember Burger Chef. There was one not far from me in Baltimore, across the street from the Parkville Shopping Center. After that, it was an Arthur Treacher's for many years, and is now a KFC. Also- will we ever see the return of the Gino Giant? You'd be amazed how many people I talk to who remember the Gino Giant, and wish it was still around. (1/18/07)
There were several Burger Chef locations in Northern Virginia. I think one was on Richmond Hwy., south of Alexandria. Another was on Glebe Road not far from Rinaldi's Bowling Lanes. Also, a Burger Chef was just down the street from George Washington High School on Mt. Vernon Ave. (near Braddock Road). That one caught fire when one of the employees was using a highly flammable solvent to clean the floor. Apparently, he used it too close a water heater and the flame caused an ignition. The young man was badly burned and died soon after the accident. As I recall, there was a lawsuit and that location never did re-open. This happened in '66 or '67. I also remember that "GO Magazine" from WPGC was distributed at that Burger Chef. I always preferred Burger Chef to McDonalds, but Ollie's Trolley burgers and Roy Rogers burgers were better than Burger Chef and McDonalds. (1/18/07)
Hoo Hoo....I invented ham...Tell 'em Robin.... (1/18/07)
(Dave's response: Me? It's XM's Lucy, Fred, Ethel, and XMU when I'm in need of an "HFS fix".....) For serious Dave, could you be more lame? - Sean Flaherty (1/18/07)
I know it was mentioned here that Arch was going to WJLA, but just saw the commercial for his arrival a few minutes ago..Loved him on NBC4, so guess I'll have to find out exactly what time he will be on WJLA and switch over at that time..Also, since that Keith guy always says each weekend that he's in for Eun Yang, I would assume that she's eventually coming back..Any word as to when? (1/18/07)
QUOTE: "I also enjoy the comedy stylings of Rob Bartlett and the other guy, who's name I keep forgetting." On Imus? Is it Bernard? -Silvie- (1/18/07)
Don and mike are ripping the shock collar bit from Bubba the love sponge.Bubba has been doing that bit for years shockn the balls shockn the puss .............. to bad don and mike will do this bit no justice. to bad they are years behind the curve (1/18/07)
I have a tech question I hope someone can answer. A co-worker of mine is going to Viet Nam on vacation. He wanted to know if he took his XM reciever with him would it work in that country? Thanks for any info Mark (1/18/07)
Dave's response: No. I believe the XM satellite "footprint" covers only North America. Worldspace's satellite radio service might work down there.....
I had CN8 on. Man, Andy Pollin, looks out of place! Doug (1/18/07)
Does anyone remember the old Burger Chef chain? Who bought the D.C. area Burger Chef's, looks like the chain itself lasted till 1996 but seems to me the one's in this area shuttered a long time before that. Maybe my imagination but sure seems like a lot less variety these days in your fast food eating options. www.freewebs.com. I'm hungry. Is the Drug Fair chain that use to be in this area any relation to the one's in New Jersey? And is my mind right and the Rite Aid chain bought out Drug Fair in these parts? (1/18/07)
Dave's response: Yes, the Drug Fair at Hunters Woods Center in Reston is now a Rite Aid. Although, the shopping got torn down and rebuilt in the meantime. Yes, as kids in NJ, we often stopped at Burger Chef. You got your food at the walk-up window and ate in the car. Or on outside benches. No inside eating. My dad was a big fan of the Hiers Root Beer stands, where you could get a frosty "brew" and a couple of burgers. Lots of 'em up in Jersey. Don't know if there were any down here.....
Loved the posts mentioning Jack Gale. 'Big Guns' Gale? (As 'Babycakes' referred to him) What a hoot! DCRTV'ers might find this story humorous. It actually happened. In September of 1957, Jack Gale was flown into Baltimore to interview with station manager Jake Embry at WITH for the vacant morning drive slot. The opening occurred when Buddy Deane left to do the TV show on channel 13. When Gale got to the station on 7 East Lexington Street in downtown Baltimore, he was met by then PD Les Alexander. The 'Beard' had a hand in tossing Gale's name in the hat for the gig. Les saw how casually Jack was attired for the meeting and realized that would not suffice for Embry and the very staid WITH station owner Tom Tinsley. Therefore, Alexander took off his suit jacket and told Gale to put it on. Then the meeting began. Shortly thereafter, Gale asked Messrs. Embry & Tinsley if there was a dress code at WITH and if so...why was Les Alexander not wearing a suit jacket? Long story short, Gale was hired and the rest was history. There has never been and will likely never be a more remarkably achieving radio station in local broadcast history than the 'Big' (first 250 watts, later1000 watts) 1230 AM WITH. I'm grateful to have worked there, and even more grateful to know legendary personalities like Jack Gale who have become more importantly...cherished friends. - Bob Mathers (1/18/07)
Jack, (Gale)...Got some spare tubes from the Collins if you can use them. Larry-in-Leonardtown (1/18/07)
I want to add to the WJFK-FM signal strength thread. I always thought their signal was much stronger during the Redskins broadcasts. At my house in north Silver Spring the signal was/is very bad – even on my Bose radio, which has a very good front-end. Yet on game day it was “wall to wall and ten feet tall” as the CB people used to say. The next day the weak fading sibilant sounding signal was back. Lately, as Dave noted the other day, it’s been really poor. During my daily commute to NoVa the signal isn’t clear until I get west of the Mormon temple. My question to the engineer/tech types out there is this: Can stations legally vary their radiated power at will? I always thought that if an FM station license said it could broadcast 10,000 watts or whatever, that was what they were obligated to do. Aren’t power readings taken and recorded in a log – for the FCC to check and review? PS – Given the WJKF-FM content lately the bad signal matters less and less. TC in SS (1/18/07)
Is WWRC wavering on progressive talk? They sold off the first hour of Rachel Maddow's show in the heart of evening drive time (6-8 p.m.) to something called the Business Shrink. And it seems as if the newsbreak at 7 p.m. is a lot longer than before. rgds, Art (1/18/07)
From TV Newser: Bill O'Reilly is America's favorite television personality among men, conservatives, and "mature" viewers over the age of 60, according to an annual Harris Poll. So, when will WJFK be changing to WOLD? (1/18/07)
www.thestar.com... This story is about the CBC in Canada, but it directly relates to Bonneville's decision to drop classcial in San Francisco and Washington, D.C. I'm sure both are doing it for the same reason. It's amazing that the dates of each story are only one day apart. (1/18/07)
Joyce, you are soooo right. "Everyone's Laughing" is Pookie's absolute best. It used to get significant airplay back in the 70's on WMOD. Still sends shivers when I hear it. (1/18/07)
Hi Dave. I have been following with interest the conversations on your site concerning Washington Post Radio. By way of background, I am in sales with a local station not owned by Bonneville, and while we are benefiting by their blunders, we DO have to wonder how such a competent manager as Jim Farley could let it happen. Comparing Fall to Fall, WTOP has lost a full share of the market. That has to cost them revenue, and it lets us compete better against them. Same thing for WGMS which has lost a share and a half since its change to the new frequency. And as for that "traction in morning drive" remark, WTWP morning drive numbers barely show up in the ratings at all...and that's where of we, who do what I do, make our money. I suspect the commercials on WaPo radio are what we call "value-added", meaning they are free add-ons to sweeten the money they can get for the rates on WTOP. Do you have any ideas on why Bonneville is doing this? Just sign me, Charlie (1/18/07)
The Baltimore Sun reports that Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley actually had the state's Welcome to Maryland signs changed to his name 2 hours BEFORE he was actually innaugurated. Is that a tail-chasin prick who enjoys seeing his name in lights or what? (1/18/07)
If Snyder doesn't buy 104, they should take it all sports right up against him. It would serve him right for weaseling out of the deal. (1/18/07)
Is it just me, or have Don & Mike gotten boring lately? John in Stafford (1/18/07)
I don't get it...Sirius pays Poodle Hat Howie $50,000,000 a year and just gave him another $40,000,000 bonus, and they cut corners by canning some ham-and-egger? Dontcha think Howie could have shown some loyalty and, I don't know, only taken a $39,900,000 bonus and spared a guy his livelihood? Actually, sing as how he couldn't even be bothered to attend to his long-tome producer's father's funeral, it makes sense. Take the money and run, Howie! (1/18/07)
Does anyone know if the rumor is true about former wjfk PD Cameron Gray being "let go" by Red Zebra? (1/18/07)
Dave's response: We ran a blurb confirming it a few weeks ago.....
("..We are currently not accepting new subscriptions. If you have already subscribed, you may click here:..") At least we know now why Viva La Voce won't take new subscribers and the website keeps going down. It appears that Bonneville may be negotiating with Entrecom instead of Red Zebra. Or maybe both. It looks like Utah is hungry for talkers. My guess is that their main concern is trying to influence public opinion rather than to actually do the public any good. There was a movie about a similar company that starred Paul Newman as a DJ in "WUSA". It was a very good film and made a very good warning about big corporations trying to shape public policy. (1/18/07)
I was being facetious about Howard's losing a newsperson...but as usual, people go right overboard and miss the joke! Well, in any case it is true that businesses, regardless of size do go through a bit of belt-tightening even in the best of times. This occurred at my company last year, certainly not the end of the world. Now, with the FCC getting in on the debate, it appears that there will be no merger. Someone a while back brought up that both companies deliver on different and likely incompatible systems. They could possibly work under an umbrella, but remain separate entities...even so, that could still smack of a monopoly or a trust. With a Democratic Congress running the committees, it appears that a merger of this sort would get the hairy eyeball. Whatever the case, both companies have work to do and competition is supposed to be what is good for business. Let's see where it goes in the coming two to three years. (1/18/07)
Jack, (Gale) Glad to hear your into a new/old venture. Is there an actual AM signal? Where's Dothan Alabama? How much wattage..is it a daytimer? Are you getting any advertising dollars? Sorry just curious!. ANG (1/18/07)
To Jack Gale: Jack, the Oldies700.Net website looks great. One of the things that I regret is not having the opportunity to work with you during the Baltimore days. You are one of the best. I laughing because my work at WHFC is volunteer. The oldies are a labor of love and to do radio with personality is a true gift. I wish you and your staff all the best. Very sad to read that Art Buchwald and James "Pookie" Hudson of the Spaniels are no longer with us. Tommy Vann (of the Echoes and Professionals fame) performed along with Pookie some time ago in the D.C. area. I love "Goodnight Sweetheart", but "Everyone's Laughing" is a real favorite. I promise to honor him on "Oldies Block Party" in the weeks ahead. Blessings. Joyce Conroy (WHFC/WYTI) (1/18/07)
One has to wonder at the valuation of the Bonneville/Entercom swap. Bonneville sold those properties to Entercom in 1997. That valuation was applied toward the purchase from Evergreen of WTOP/WGMS. So how much did it 'cost' Bonneville to buy back those properties in Seattle? (1/18/07)
Just wanted to point out that the Post's story yesterday is already out of date (you reference it in your Tribune post). The AP is reporting that a bid has been made in the sale of Tribune. Read the AP story here: www.nytimes.com (1/18/07)
Where has Joe Krebs been? I note that is has been an awfully long time since I've seen him in the morning newscasts. I know he is still employed as his photo is still on the NBC4 website and the individuals that fill in for him still say "I'm Keith Garvin in for Joe Krebs." So where is Joe? Any Ideas? Thanks for your time. (1/18/07)
Dave's response: We're told that Joe is taking time off because of the death of a family member. All our best wishes to him.....
("I have a funny feeling that the sale of Bonneville stations to Red Zebra in Washington, might be the tip of the iceberg for commercial classical. The ratings for KDFC in San Francisco plunged in the latest report. I don't think they have ever been this low. I predict that Bonneville will abandon the format entirely.") Hey Dave. Do you remember this post made a week ago on your message board? I find that amazing timing. Clearly your site has the inside info on radio. It also puts another nail in the coffins of 104.1 and 103.9. Bring on the Zebra! Bring on the Skins! Let there be dancing in the streets and touchdowns on the field. (1/18/07)
To ANG and BABYCAKES... Beginning March 1, Oldies will be back with a vengence like you say. My station, WEEL, THE BIG WHEEL, OLDIES700 will sign on March 1. 50s and 60s music only and all personality radio like it used to be. We'll be the familiar GOOD GUYS. Kevin Larkin, Chris Morgan and myself will do the hosting. Even though we're in Dothan, Alabama, we'll be streaming on OLDIES700.NET. Mailbaggers are invited to log on now, as the site is up. Would love to have Jack Edwards, Bob Mathers, Johnny Dark, Les Alexander,Joyce Conroy, and Ed graham to join us, but they want actual dollars. Check us out. Jack Gale (1/18/07)
Mike in Fairfax: given all the mean-spirited invective Ali heaped upon Joe Frazier back in the day, about which Frazier is still bitter, Ali deserves no sympathy for shots taken at him by the likes of Kindred. (1/18/07)
Someone mentioned the Dodge Charger. I always thought the '66 model (the "fastback" style) was one of the coolest cars ever made. I'd love to have one someday. I had a '71 when I was a teen. Rusty Gibson (1/18/07)
Let's seeeee..."Post To Print & Sell Onion...jumping into bed with the publisher of a rag that runs fake news...The Onion will be distributed free in DC...beginning in April..." The Post?...The Onion?...free in DC?...in April? April Fool! --RB (1/18/07)
I am still baffled by the number of pre-pubes (or at least 20-somethings) that throw phrases around like Dave in Fredericksburg's "Sure, the older crowd may have more money, but by then they've developed brand loyalty. Advertisement is primarily aimed for those who haven't yet developed brand loyalty - hence the desire to attract theyoung 18 to 34 crowd. By the time you've started collecting those SocialSecurity checks, you've pretty much decided what kind of car to drive,what food to eat, what TV shows to watch, where to live, etc. Moreadvertisement won't change your mind by that time. Spend it on thecollege age folks who are getting their first real paying jobs and havemoney burning a hole in their pocket and can't wait to spend it." I HAVE NEVER READ ANYTHING DUMBER THAN THAT! Ever! In 54 years of living. Sure, Dave! I'm smoking a pipe, wearing a porkpie hat and driving the kids over to Indian Guides right now in the Olds Vista Cruiser Wagon. We just finished our Swanson TV Dinners and watched "Lassie," too! Idiots like "Dayyyy-eve" should be placed in a room with Dennis Hopper's "Redefining Retirement" spots running continuously! How can anyone of any age be so blindly stupid and myopic? Let me guess... are you sitting there in your Carter overalls and Jumping Jacks, Dave? People change. People evolve. Society has changed and evolved, too. It's too bad you missed the bus! Brand Loyalty is a myth that died with solid state circuitry. The playing field is now level! Once we hit 50, we did not forget how to read. We don't smoke. We eat healthy. We exercise. We live younger and live longer than any previous generation. And, so will you if you ever get your head out of that 1961 Time Warp. Today's 50 year old has much, much more in common with 1977's 30 year old than 1987's 50 year old. Time moves quickly. Try to keep up. What a maroon - J. Kenneth Galbraith (1/18/07)
Hi there - we've got a great blog post up about yesterday's Bob Woodward appearance in Georgetown, where he answers several interesting questions about his next book and Watergate.... see it here: www.washingtonian.com... Thanks! (1/18/07)
Hey, has anyone seen Joe Krebs (News 4) lately? He’s been absent for about a week or more and I think the first week they mentioned he was out sick. Does anybody know? Joan (1/18/07)
Have a question..especially for all you mailbaggers on the eastern shore (and maybe some of you who aren't..but know what station this may be: I've noticed for a time that..on 100.1, I'm hearing a simulcast of 102.5 (I believe they call it "Joy 102)..but I don't know where this station at 100.1 is coming from! Does anybody know? Tom in Denton, MD (1/18/07)
Had to laugh at your front page notation about Post reporters not being allowed on WMAL. When was the last time you heard one on WTOP? There's word the paper's reporters haven't been allowed on WaPo Radio's sister station since the bottom dweller signed on the air. The paper loses exposure for its writers, at the same time as it flounders trying to find a way to market this loser, and stop the bleeding on subscriber numbers. And now the Post gets in bed with a fake news website. Is there a sign somewhere we can put up at both the Post and Bonneville which reads "Genius At Work"? (1/18/07)
Dave's response: According to the e-mail address provided, the above poster is IDed as "Edward Murrow"......
Dave Bonneville listened to your advice when you told them they should put David Burd on WaPo Radio Monday through Friday. Will they take your advice and go all-sports FM on one of their stations? (1/18/07)
Dave's response: Nobody takes my advice. You mean a lowly nerd who runs a geeky local radio website could "do better" than highly-paid, skilled radio industry professionals? Ha ha ha.....
So 2 employees of a company that employs hundreds get laid off and it means what? Anyone who follows Sirius knows that the "Howard News" department has been downsized twice now. There were several people laid off in mid-2006 and now two more in early-2007. So what? Does it take away from the dominance Sirius has in the addition of new subscribers? No. Does it take away from the woeful performance, the twice lowered guidance by XM (which it still didn't meet)? No. Does it take away from the huge surge in new subscribers Howard has brought over? No. Tempest in a teapot. Wall Street is looking to both Sirius and XM to show lean business models that will make each profitable. Unlike XM, which had a Board of Directors member resign and warn of a looming disaster, two people get laid off and it's a newsstory? I don't buy it. (1/18/07)
According to USA Today, NBCU's Jeff Zucker confirmed that NBC owned stations will air the fourth "Today" hour this fall without a delay. WRC/4's 10 a.m. local newscast must move or die. Other NBC affiliates can (and some will) delay the fourth hour. Meredith Vieira is not a factor in any of this as she can't work "Today" past hour two by contract anyway due to timeslot conflicts with her "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" game show. Everett W. www.usatoday.com (1/18/07)
Sage Steele is moving on, adding another letter to her place of work as she leaves CSN. (You figure it out) Who will Brian Billick have to spar with now? Oh wait, he doesn't fight, he talks down to you. What's going on at CSN, they've lost a bunch of sportscasters recently. If they lose their number one guy Chick H.(heard he's looking around), where do I find MASN? (1/18/07)
"Must be bad blood between TK and the suits over at Red Zebra though since they seem to have dropped out of the running completely despite the fact that they have the deepest pockets." Not necessarily - the potential conflicts of interest associated with Kornheiser continuing to be part of ESPN's Monday Night Football booth and write for the Washington Post while accepting a paycheck from an NFL owner (Dan Snyder) could explain why RZ's no longer in the picture. Meanwhile, his former Post colleague Dave Kindred (now with Sporting News) was a guest on WTEM's John Thompson show yesterday regarding the 65th birthday observances for boxing legend Muhammad Ali. While I can't quote Kindred exactly, he said something like 'the good thing about Ali having Parkinson's disease is that it keeps him from doing something stupid like criticizing the Iraq war as he did Vietnam forty years ago'. Of course Ali was an outspoken opponent of US involvement in Vietnam who went to jail for refusing to enlist after being drafted. Kindred's a respected sports columnist and author who recently wrote a book about Ali and Howard Cosell, but I'm sorry - that's an incredibly stupid, insensitive and condescending remark under any circumstances. Perhaps someone should send him a copy of this little document known as the Bill of Rights, because it sure seems like he was absent from school the day the lesson about freedom of speech was taught. Mike, Fairfax (1/18/07)
Good news that the FCC put the kibosh on a Sirius+XM merger. Look what "consolidation" has done to FM and AM. And with the Sirius CEO using words like "synergies"... *shudder*. A merger couldn't possibly benefit the subscribers. (BTW: I got bored with XM, love Sirius, and I never even consider turning to the Stern channels.) (1/18/07)
Silvie, I think you're a very small, possibly ageist, voice in the wilderness if you believe that Meredith Viera is "done." She's one of the more genuine looking and sounding TV newspeople currently on-air. Think that's an easy job? As for a lack of chemistry with Matt Lauer, I certainly see some, but on-air chemistry is rarely automatic, and Matt still pines for Bryant Gumbel. On another topic raised recently, citing AARP as a source of information makes it no less credible. Any amount of research on that topic shows the same thing: most of the wealth in this country is controlled by the boomers. Period. Hell, the research people at XM will tell you that their surveys indicate that their 60's channel is the most popular decades channel, followed by the 70's channel. Someone in terrestrial radio locally will grasp that sooner or later. As for Mark Levin, whoever thought this guy was good? The Limbaugh School of "Rewrite history and fabricate facts to suit yourself" is alive and well. This is the kind of guy who stands on street corners with a cardboard sign, yapping about imaginary demons. Hope that show has a short shelf life. (1/18/07)
1) QUOTE: "The "Today" expansion stirs up several points." The fact that anyone would be giving this any thought sends shivers down my spine. Meredith Vieira is a disaster and she and Lauer have no chemistry whatsoever. She's also one of those people with trouble in reading teleprompters. She may have been a star decades ago when hired by "60 Minutes", but she's done. 2) QUOTE: "With FOX's Morning Show that will launch Monday being at 9am... Will ABC and CBS respond?" I think Regis & Kelly will be fine -- as long as it remains "Regis & Kelly". Kelly tanks when Regis is not there. -Silvie- (1/18/07)
In reading the WashPost obituary of 'Pookie' Hudson, composer of "Goodnight Sweetheart Goodnight", I was surprised to see he was a Capitol Heights resident. Other recent deaths with local twists have been getting my attention as well and got me thinking: How many notable actors, singers, entertainers from an earlier time are now retired and are part of our local landscape, and is there some way (or some website) where we are able to say, "Thanks for all the great memories" while we still have the time? (1/18/07)
Message to Farley Poster: Actually the "visionary" behind WTOP before Farley was Steve Swenson who actually hired Farley. The WTOP success goes way back with the exception of 1993 through 1997. WTOP was always in the top three in revenue in the 80's through the early 90's and that success was with the old 1500 am signal with 60% of the current coverage. People take shots at Farley because he is a "know it all" and likes to consider that he is a radio expert. Well, he had his chance for input with Z104 which is out of business. He had his chance with WGMS which is almost out of business. He had his chance with WAPO radio which is a complete failure. Most people get fired for that track record. (1/18/07)
Sirius cuts....If you listen to Stern on Sirius that was definitely not a budget cut. She has been having problems getting along with other people on the staff for probably 6 months. Everything from screaming and crying to cussing out the other staff members on and off the air. She really came across as an unstable person. Every time Stern would say anything on the air about the "news" department and compliment anyone but her she would completely lose her mind. (1/18/07)
Just noticed, according the FCC, Baltimore's WNUV WB 54 was just SOLD again!........ Well, not really, evidently one of the Smith brothers just passed the mashed potatoes across the dinner table (translated: there's been a "Transfer of Control"). I wonder what happened, did Sinclair Broadcasting have to put another family member in a nursing home?!? (1/18/07)
Yes, WMAL...for the hip, young fascisti. -- Vincent in Triangle. (P.S. Has anyone here read Marc Fisher's book yet? How well does it complement Pete Fornatale's quarter-century-old "Radio In The Television Age"?) (1/18/07)
What does it take these days for a radio station to lose its license? A very good question, even if rhetorical. I believe the fix is in. The revised Communications Act of 1934 pretty much relieved broadcasters of any responsibility to fulfill certain obligations to the listening and viewing public, as long as they keep the programming relatively free of sex and excrement. Back in the 1960s, stations were all over themselves putting on "public affairs" and "religious" programming and stuff for the kids to fill their public inspection file with do-gooder acts to sustain a decision to continue licensure. Nowadays, a major corporation buys 8-12 stations in a market, some of which nobody listens to, and use the signals as a means to sell national ads in bulk covering major markets. Some stations get null ratings because nobody is listening, but it doesn't matter because it all averages out. Radio stations that don't have actual listeners are a waste of publicly-owned spectrum space. I wouldn't say that a radio station license should be pulled because nobody listens to it. But, the public property the station has exclusive use of should not go to waste for the sake of corporate convenience. -- Some Poster (1/18/07)
I watch Imus on MSNBC cause I wait for that day when Charles finally, totally loses it and climbs over the desk punches Imus and the I-man turns to dust and blows away. I also enjoy the comedy stylings of Rob Bartlett and the other guy, who's name I keep forgetting. Is the Greaseman beating the I-man in the mornings?...........Stern has to pay for production and personnel costs for the Hooknosed radio network out of his $100 million a year, don't he? And I recently saw Artie Lange on one of them late night talk shows. Holy carp, the boys days are numbered ain't they? The front page of New York Post will probably read Stern Sidekick Esplodes in his Sleep, Real Good! And is Jackay the Jokemun on the Hooknosed radio network these days? And if so, how's he doing?........and I see Steve Wilkos(and Cal Ripken lookalike) of the Jerry Springer show is getting his own syndicated show but on a sad note Megan Mullally talk show is cancelled, another victim of Don and Mike curse, the devil made me say that......and Rusty Gibson here's something and all you baseball fans might dig. www.baseballsbest2007.com... Looks like an event that a good time will be had by all. And Mr. Gibson, if you go, could you ask the Earl of Baltimore how Alice Sweet is doing?....B. Smith......doesn't Shaun Yancy move her head in pretty much the same pattern as she reads the news? (1/18/07)
Gee, Dave, you know, you sure do like to dump on Bonneville, more so than any of the other big companies that run radio stations in D.C. Let's see: they're supposedly breaking this unexplainable ethical code that is yours and yours alone, simply because they run promotional announcements from a church that hapens to own their parent company. Every little personnel move they make is scrutinized, fantasized, theorized, and sanforized through your own set of towering expectations. They're (supposedly) wrong because they don't bow down to your contention that they "need" to open up a sports-talk station on one of their FM frequencies...even though the existing sports-talk station in Washington is barely surviving in the format; sure, that's what we need *another* sports-talk station.You sure do like to speculate on station sales that haven't happened yet, or worse yet, deliver towering rants for deals and changes that may still be in progress. You (and the other small-and-like-minded wannabes who you give 'voice' to, sadly) love to take potshots at Jim Farley, even though I have high doubts that you, or any of your little friends could even hope to hold a candle to the success he's had at REAL radio stations and networks. (Based on past experience here, I know that there are a lot more people in the business who would agree; see, I tend to listen more to real people who have actually worked at, and been successful at radio stations, as opposed to those whose only role is to throw stones, like all too many people who post to this Mailbag.). Increasingly, the front page of DCRTV is about the only really useful part of this site, at least on a daily basis. When you report what's happening, you perform a valuable service to the radio and TV community here in D.C. and Baltmore. . There are days, however, when the mailbag is about as useful as an episode of 'American Idol'...the difference is you're not nearly as nice to look at as Paula Abdul; you do, however, bring to mind Simon when he's on the rag.... And, yes, you can... - Call Me 'Legs' (1/18/07)
While I will concede that Jim Farley's statement about WTWP getting "traction" is total marketing bullshit I find the post about him sitting on his hands to be incredibly naive. Who was the "visionary" that proceeded him at the station? Michael Douglas? Before Farley came on board WTOP was lucky to tie for 17th with the old WHFS. Jim Farley is a large part of the reason that the station is where it is... always in one of the top two or three slots of the drives. He has succeeded despite the bottom-line-based meddling of former salesman Joel Oxley and his band of "programming" sychophants. (1/18/07)
The "Today" expansion stirs up several points. First off, I believe NBC4 will almost HAVE to have Krebs and Harrison do a Noon Newscast. With FOX's Morning Show that will launch Monday being at 9am... Will ABC and CBS respond? That would throw Regis and Kelly, as well as 9 News at 9, into limbo. Would these have massive changes across all 4 major networks? Chase, Luray (1/18/07)
Bloomberg is on Comcast channel 106 in Richmond also. Bob Bradford, Richmond (1/18/07)
The "very clever Mr. Farley" used the word traction, but he did not say whether WTWP was poised up or down. I'm guessing he would rather get some traction of his own to move away from WTWP just as Mike Moss moved back to WTOP. (1/18/07)
Ok....let's see, recreation of the Mustang...Recreation of the Hemi Dodge Charger;...recreation of the Challenger...the Camaro..Gee, look who's buying them. Now, let's look at the overall re-locations..North Carolina, South Carolina, still Florida...now, let's look at ballroom dancing...gee 55 to What? I think you're about to see a change of trends. The "geezers" will soon be a MAJOR player in the broadcast industry..by the way...brand loyalty...GMC...Ford and Chrysler. Not a bad start huh! ANG (1/18/07)
/\ January 18 Messages /\
\/ January 17 Messages \/
Funny to see you say that TK was at 980 "a few years back." It hasn't even been a year yet since he left the station. He was there through the end of March 06. (1/17/07)
Dave's response: Gawd, it seems so much longer.....
A poster wrote, "I have seen research from AARP that Americans over the age of 55 hold something like 70% of all disposable income. Despite that and similar research, you might as well be talking to a stone. Advertisers will only pay for 25-54 or 18-49." This is no doubt correct, but the amount of disposable income isn't the issue. The issue is how effective the advertising is likely to be in that demo...the "persuade-ability" of those people, so to speak. Advertisers believe that once people reach their mid-fifties, they are less likely to be persuaded by advertising to change their (possibly lifelong) buying habits. Right or wrong, that's the reality. Also, consider this: at most ad agencies, the "entry level" buyer is usually assigned to either radio or Internet. This means you have kids in their 20s or at best early 30s placing the radio buys. When these kids think of folks in their 50s and 60s, they think their parents. 'Nuff said. (1/17/07)
Re: Now, let's move on with how troubling it is that Don Imus is not even on the map in the a.m.... -Silvie/// Hell, the problem is that Imus was there when they were drawing the map ! When was the last time that guy pulled more than a 1 share? While I never listen to him on the radio, every once in awhile I catch that mush mouth, mumbling, turkey neck, fake cowboy on the telly in the morning. After 30 seconds, I ruefully shake my head and move on. I guess the cache of 1000 Hamburgers To Go, and those other hilarious "bits" from his early 70s comedy LP's keep him in the business? Or it the fact that well placed spinners, nabobs, pundits amongst others still find time grace his radio show and pontificate over his non sequitur mumbles ? (1/17/07)
"The very clever Mr. Farley did not say improved ratings. He said ratings "traction." That very carefully chosen word does not mean improvement or even movement. It means poised to move" Mr. Farley's hands are probably so numb after sitting on them for the last ten years that he either accidentally turned the traction control buttton off, or knocked the shifter into reverse...he's obviously got plenty of traction there. He should be thankful that he was preceded by some real visionaries, otherwise he would have been unmasked long before now. (1/17/07)
Whatever you say about WMAL, the fact is that it is #1 in news/talk (I don't include WTOP in the news/talk equation, just "news"), according to Maynard's chart. Considering that the station is shit on every single day or thereabouts on this web site and across the Washington media establishment, I think that's great news for the station. Now, let's move on with how troubling it is that Don Imus is not even on the map in the a.m.... -Silvie- (1/17/07)
Its not the amount of disposable income that's the issue, but brand loyalty. Sure, the older crowd may have more money, but by then they've developed brand loyalty. Advertisement is primarily aimed for those who haven't yet developed brand loyalty - hence the desire to attract the young 18 to 34 crowd. By the time you've started collecting those Social Security checks, you've pretty much decided what kind of car to drive, what food to eat, what TV shows to watch, where to live, etc. More advertisement won't change your mind by that time. Spend it on the college age folks who are getting their first real paying jobs and have money burning a hole in their pocket and can't wait to spend it. Not a sermon, just a thought. Dave in Fredericksburg (1/17/07)
RE:"Oldies will be back on radio and with a vengence. Dream line-up(s) Johnny Holliday---Ken Merson--Pat Murphy--Davy Jones--Bob Worthington...Tiger Bob Raleigh, Harve Moore, just for starters...Oops forgot about Jack Edwards and Johnny Dark...man, that would be radio heaven" - ANG's Dream Team will sadly have to do without Ken Merson for now. The word is The Merson Person has sealed a rather unique broadcast deal. (1/17/07)
The person that posted the AARP as the source was using the same information I did. The suggested dream team was DUMB. I've only heard of your utility guy and Alan Lee. Face it, Lee might have been one helluva book of knowledge, but as a jock rocker he was AWFUL. I'll stick with my original "TEAM" ...wait...Jack Gale...absolutely. By the way to the statement that only 25-54 or 18-49 is pitched. TRUE for the moment. That 70% is through playing Shuffle Board...they wanna identify with their youth and will start spending the 70% disposable. JUST WATCH.-ANG (1/17/07)
Comcast of Prince Georges Co., MD will begin carrying the National Geographic Channel in HD on Channel 224 as of February 12. (1/17/07)
"Latest research is now showing the most "bang for the buck". is in the 55 to 62 year old." Source? I didn't post this, but I have seen research from AARP that Americans over the age of 55 hold something like 70% of all disposable income. Despite that and similar research, you might as well be talking to a stone. Advertisers will only pay for 25-54 or 18-49. (1/17/07)
If WRC/4 cancels (as opposed to moves) its 10 a.m. newscast, the station would still have to make up an hour gap in its schedule. The morning time lost to NBC this fall for the fourth hour of "Today" will be exchanged for afternoon time gained from the cancellation of the "Passions" soap opera. Everett W. (1/17/07)
"I laughed today when I read Jim Farley quoted in the Washington Times (washingtontimes.com) saying that he was able to move Mike Moss back to WTOP because WTWP is now getting improved ratings." Go back and read the article. The very clever Mr. Farley did not say improved ratings. He said ratings "traction." That very carefully chosen word does not mean improvement or even movement. It means poised to move. Look it up. (1/17/07)
re: "Latest research is now showing the most "bang for the buck". is in the 55 to 62 year old." Source? (1/17/07)
(RE: "Dave-- Didn't know whether you'd seen this yet... radio station stunt kills woman, firings ensue (in Sacramento) www.msnbc.msn.com... Chris Long, Middletown, MD... Dave's response: I haven't run it on the Front Page because I didn't see a local angle in it.....") Local angle: Morning Rave staff now well within hiring budget for DC based ThereIsNoRadio. (1/17/07)
RE: "Wow. Just read Marc Fisher's misinformation for kids. Up til the early 70s we had the same couple of stations playing the same hits over and over?" Actually, I believe he's refering strictly to Top 40 radio. It's true there were stations out there trying to break out new hits, but many Top 40 stations, (like the classic WABC) had a one hour rotation, where the number one song would get played after news at the top of every hour, and the number two song would be played at the bottom of the hour. (That's the only reason I can still remember all the lyrics to "Billy Don't Be Hero." phewey. ick.) (1/17/07)
In respone to ANG's post about an oldies 'Dream Team' radio DJ lineup...try THIS one on for size! Dave Arlington, Paul Rodgers (Rothfuss), Captain Jim McMahan from up Harford County way, Willie 'Moon Man' Bacote, Dick Lillard, Jack 'Big Guns' Gale, Alan Lee & Dennis Murray. Stellar stalwarts, every one! For weekends, throw in the likes of Jay Harrison (formerly WLIF in the 70's) and Jay Cleaver with Leonard Roberts and Ted Beinert on the news mic. Of all the ones ANG mentioned, maybe Tiger Bob Raleigh for utility/fill-in...and he can run the model train exhibit in the lobby, too! Signed, Babycakes (1/17/07)
WMAL will no longer be flat in the "money demo." Attention, all Washingtonians, ages 25-54 we need you now more than ever; There are several wars going on and you need to listen to WMAL for all the information. Every night you can hear Mark Levin, a really hip guy that will educate you on Hillary "her royal thighness" Rotten Clinton, Osama Hussein Obama, and the rest of the Demoncrats who want to force gay sex down your throat! Did you know the Washington ComPost is misinforming you about the successes of the war on terror-a war, that in fact, that is going so well we sticking around longer than we did in WWII. To all you 20 to 30 somethings; listen to Sean Hannity while jogging; listening to Sean brings your heart rate up higher than any music on an iPod ever will! Those of you ages 25-54, don't listen to the funny juvenile antics of Don and Mike or the educational features of NPR on your way home from a hard day at work or after a hard day with the kids; listen to Sean Hannity and then Mark Levin from three to eight every week night. By listening to Sean and Mark you also benefit with appearances and insight by great Americans like Ollie North, and Dick Morris every afternoon- and don't forget, party animal "MARTY" checks in with Sean at about 5:55 pm everyday! You know what they say, "Everyone wants to 'Party with Marty!'" He is one cool dude. WMAL also throws out gems throughout the day including Paul Harvey with whatever you need to know about eye, bone, or lung diseases. WMAL is hip, young, and it is what everyone is talking about from the halls of Capital Hill to the singles bars in Georgetown to the gyms in Tyson's Corner and Reston. A special hint to all those 20 something gals that are members of match.com or "it's just lunch"; if you don't listen to WMAL you will not have good conversation starters for your next date. Parents of young children or people starting new jobs, listen to Sean Hannity and Mark Levin to learn how to graciously handle disagreements at home or at the workplace- and just think of what your children can glean listening to these men while you drive them to their soccer practices or piano lessons! Husbands and boyfriends, listen to Rush on WMAL for the best relationship advice. Newlyweds, by listening to WMAL you will pick up effective communication skills and topicality you can use at the dinner table every night! Ten hours a day, that is all WMAL asks. This is not you father's WMAL. We need you now more than ever! WMAL, so hip, hip needs replacing! (1/17/07)
RE: "Well, well, well...budget cuts at Sirius" You've obviously never worked at a major company. Budget cuts happen for numerous reasons and during good and bad times. I work for a company with about 1200 employees and our company results and stock have never been stronger...yet we're experiencing the same budget cuts. It's called pulling in the reigns. (1/17/07)
I find it absolutely amazing that a radio station fires 10-ten-TEN people over a contest gone wrong. You'd think maybe the coroner could find more than just death from consumption of water. You'd think that the woman that died might have had symptoms that would have come to the attention of not only her but the judges. This type of action by station management shows me just how fearful they are about keeping their ass out of the ringer. This type of stuff just keeps the industry on the edge of insanity, management insanity. I'm sorry for the death, but c'mon. ANG (1/17/07)
Fourth hour of NBC's TODAY official (from 7-11 a.m.) nbcumv.com... Talk is that NBC O&Os won't have much of a choice in the matter. Will NBC4 ax Harrison & Krebs at 10 a.m.? lh (1/17/07)
For all the peeps in Baltimore getting ready to miss ‘HFS music, tune ur dial to 89.7 WTMD! It’s a great alt-rawk station! Today I spent a pleasant ½ hour-or-so listening to the following songs: Arcade Fire’s Black Mirror, LCD Soundsystem’s Daft Punk is Playing at My House, Yo La Tengo’s Mr. Tough, Beck’s Lonesome Tears, Emily Hanes & The Soft Skeleton’s The Lottery, Lewis Taylor’s Stoned Pt. 1, and Tori Amos’ Cornflake Girl ... It’s an awesome station! DC listeners with a digital radio can also pick it up on one of the NPR stations digital sub-channels. (1/17/07)
Dave's response: Me? It's XM's Lucy, Fred, Ethel, and XMU when I'm in need of an "HFS fix".....
Well, well, well...budget cuts at Sirius...Howard's losing a news person...hm...well, where's the Sirius cheerleader to spin the alleged truth about the "LIES" that he claims are being spread about his God? How ever will he spin these budget cuts that the "News" is talking about? Oh, and how many tired cracks and namecalls will he trot out? I won't give you my over/under because it'll be a number he can try for. (1/17/07)
I laughed today when I read Jim Farley quoted in the Washington Times (washingtontimes.com) saying that he was able to move Mike Moss back to WTOP because WTWP is now getting inproved ratings. (1/17/07)
You know, no matter how much you don't think it will happen, it will. Oldies will be back on radio and with a vengence. Latest research is now showing the most "bang for the buck". is in the 55 to 62 year old. Fast Cars, rock n' roll.....travel...yes even "meds". With all of this in mind and the big push by the auto-makers for more horsepower...attractive seniors...daily exercise...travel..just watch! Dream line-up(s) Johnny Holliday---Ken Merson--Pat Murphy--Davy Jones--Bob Worthington...Tiger Bob Raleigh, Harve Moore, just for starters...dream team...I can hear them now and see the old farts scarfing up the cars, the foods, the music...the "meds"...BIG BUCKS being spent. Come on sales guys dream the dream...Oops forgot about Jack Edwards and Johnny Dark...man, that would be radio heaven...I can see management now.....SCREAMING.."NO, NO, NO"-ANG (1/17/07)
"Shut the hell up and play some cool music," damn straight, Dave. If I had the bucks I'd buy WHFS and put it back in Bethesda as an independent station. I'd hire Weasel, et al, from the old station, as well as some cool new music oriented jocks, play very "cool music" and groove. Fuck the lame talk radio in D.C. None of those lame brains are going to solve the Iraq problem. Why listen to them? It's all shit. (1/17/07)
Dave: Your item on the Washington Post publishing fiction for the first time reminds me that way back in the 1970s Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin was published chapter by chapter in installments in the San Francisco Chronicle. It was published as a book and later became a TV series on PBS, and the dialogue was 100% as it was in the book. Then the right wing Republicans took control of Congress and refused to allow sequels to the PBS show because it had references to marijauna and homosexuals, so Tales moved to pay cable - Showtime, I believe. - Michael Collins (1/17/07)
Dave's response: I believe the same thing happened to PBS and the hilarious British comedy "Absolutely Fabulous." PBS politically passed on it because of its frequent references to booze, drugs, and sex, and the show was carried, instead, on Comedy Central - with loads of commercials.....
"Grow some balls B'ville and tell Ben Bradlee to shove it and resurrect Z104." VERY funny line! I love it. (1/17/07)
An interesting set of visitors over at 1801 recently. Last week is was John Chester, who spent over an hour chatting it up with many of the station sales managers and Dave Pugh. Is Pugh looking to pull Chester over to one of his 11 stations in the D.C. or Baltimore markets? POC perhaps? WASH maybe? Seems the most likely format options for Chester since GMS and the classical format in general are an endangered species in the metro area. But then the question is, who are Pugh and Kapugi looking to replace? I don't believe there are any openings at either station at the moment. Hmmmm Then this week its TK, who was seen visiting with the 980 folk yesterday before he sat down with Pugh and his agent for over an hour. Negotiating a deal? Clearly, Tony has not made his mind up yet about where he will land when the dust settles though its looking like 980 is in the front of the pack. Must be bad blood between TK and the suits over at Red Zebra though since they seem to have dropped out of the running completely despite the fact that they have the deepest pockets. Tony worked with Zier and Castleberry for years at 980 before jumping to his Monday Night Football gig. One has to imagine that something horrendous had to have gone down back in the day for TK to look the other way when being offered what we can reasonably assume was an unbeatable dollar amount. (1/17/07)
"Washingtonpost.com is publishing fiction for the first time..." Wasn't Janet Cooke the first time? (1/17/07)
Dave's response: Or how about Bob Woodward interviewing the comatose William Casey, former CIA chief.....
Dave-- Didn't know whether you'd seen this yet... radio station stunt kills woman, firings ensue (in Sacramento) www.msnbc.msn.com... Chris Long, Middletown, MD (1/17/07)
Dave's response: I haven't run it on the Front Page because I didn't see a local angle in it.....
After reading some of the posts of the Rangers. Does anyone remember how the team name was lettered across the home jerseys? ( RangerS) The " &"S" were capitalized to "honor" Robert Short. I still remember their 1st appearance at Memorial Stadium in '72 when an old lady dumped a cup of beer on top of Short's head while he was seated behind the Texas 1st Base dugout. Anyone remember "Baseball Bill Danforth"? Rusty Gibson (1/17/07)
Some poster wrote, "What does it take these days for a radio station to lose its license?" What is your point, that radio stations should lose their licenses because they get low ratings? Call Kevin Martin! Strip the license of every station that doesn't get at least a 3-share! (1/17/07)
I called the Texas Rangers PR office last year and was told that the name Washington Senators is now the property of Major League Baseball. If the Nationals wanted to use it, it's theirs for nothing. Also, knowing how radio finances work, I can't fathom CC paying Kornheiser "$600-700K" for a 6-month show. It's a nice story, but just rings hollow in the truthiness department. $100K maybe, but much more than that would financially cripple the station, unless Coach, Doc, Al, Andy, Steve, etc., opted to forego salary for awhile. (1/17/07)
I am trying to get info on the current power levels used by the digital transmissions of the DC and Baltimore stations and which stations might be increasing their powerr after the cutover. Does anyone havea good source? And does anyone know when WHUT will actually have a digital signal? (1/17/07)
Re: Stern Cuts "News" Staff - 1/17 - FTVLive tells us that there have been some budget cuts among Howard Stern's Sirius staff../// Why bother posting a newblurb linking to a pay site, where one has to open the wallet to find out about a nothing story ? Why not give us the story if you have it ? (1/17/07)
Dave's response: Scott Jones, who runs FTV, always credits DCRTV when he uses our stuff. So I do the same with him. If you don't want to pay, then don't pay. What we listed was pretty much the whole story.....
"Compare it to the Texas Rangers still owning Washingon Senators even after all these years." I did not know Jack Abramoff was a Ranger... Learn something new everday, I guess. (1/17/07)
No MASN on Dish means no Nationals as well as Orioles … and as a season ticket holder for both teams, I find Dish’s attitude rather selfish. I am a Dish subscriber, and if Dish doesn’t dish up MASN by Opening Day, it will be a direct call to DirecTV. (1/17/07)
Well well well, WHFS is going to ALL TALK and ALL SPORTS. Well. CBS (and Kirk and Mark) can take that station and the HFStival (if there ever will be another) and shove it up their ASSES !!! We'll miss ya HFS !!! If you want music, you gotta get XM. KeninEaston (1/17/07)
Am keeping my fingers crossed over MASN..possibly coming to Dish Network! In response to what you're saying, Dave..about MASN running a negative add campaign against Dish...if MASN does go that route, couldn't that have an adverse affect..I mean..if I'm understanding this right, MASN is trying to sell Dish Network on carrying their channel; if they were to start trashing Dish Network, the folks at Dish Network may just say, "Hell with you; we'll never carry your channel!" Speaking for myself..I wouldn't want to see that happen! Tom in Denton, MD (1/17/07)
If we really want to break the will of suspected terrorists we’re holding – and Jack Bauer’s not available – how about making them listen to the 9:00 hour on Sportstalk980? Andy Polley reads from out-of-town newspapers. Presumably, this is a feature for the legions (OK, small legions) of Sportstalk980 listeners who don’t have internet access. It’s unbearably tedious. I’m no Steve Czaban fan, but the Sports Reporters takes a huge leap in energy when Steve comes off his FSR show, and it’s better still when the guest shows up at 10:00 a.m. It’s now 9:13 a.m., and the iPod is cranking out the Pernice Brothers. Come home, Mister Tony. Please come home. Sincerely, TMU (1/17/06)
Dave, you wrote about Maynard's article in the post: "He tells us....how righty talker WMAL was back up again..." Yeah, Dave, but he also put in in perspective which you rarely do. They did great with really old people but went nowhere with the 25-54 audience that advertisers will actually pay for. 12+ ratings mean squat. A radio station cannot make real money unless it scores in 25-54. You are such a WMAL P1 (even though you complain about them all the time) that you can't seem to put the story in perspective. Maynard's analysis was pretty good. (1/17/07)
Wow. Just read Marc Fisher's misinformation for kids. Up til the early 70s we had the same couple of stations playing the same hits over and over? Which version of history is he working from? I remember stations competing to break new songs. I remember making a point to listen to the new releases as they were announced. And what about all the regional hits? Fisher seems to be extrapolating back from radio's current state. I hope our kids are smart enough to not believe everything they read. (1/17/07)
Two observations: If TK returns to radio for 6 months for the rumored 600 to 700 K, how do you get the money back? Tony will get ratings, but by the time the numbers are published the sales staff will be selling ratings to buyers for a show that isn't on the air. This would be like selling the ratings for the Redskins games in April! It is kind of interesting that since the failure of Z104, WGMS and now Washington Post radio, we are not hearing much about the "genius" of Jim Farley and the rest of the Bonneville suits. It is funny how much WTOP makes you smart and successful. (1/17/07)
Dave's response: Well, let's look at the State Of Bonneville-DC. All-news WTOP is going great, as usual. But classical WGMS is suffering with the weaker signals - and the news of its demise can't help with listener and advertiser confidence. Even though now defunct hit music Z104 wasn't a ratings-topper, it did pull lots of highly-demanded "younger ears" into the advertising mix for Bonneville. And then there's WaPo Radio. It sucks up the money - as a live and all-local news talk format would - and has shown almost no ratings traction in the nine months it's been around. I have long said that, despite all the Post plugs, WaPo features some great talent. Still, it's going to take a lot more than Saint Tony to get the ratings numbers up to a "don't laugh at us" level - not to mention anything respectable. Look, people get the Post on their doorstep and on their computer screen every morning - it's a great newspaper (except for the Style section) - but there's still no hint that they want it on their radio, too.....
I try not to listen to radio much. It is too, too depressing. All the music stations are playing music I don't like. All the talk stations are discussing things I don't care about. I was listening to WGMS, because, at least, they played music I like, but they are going away. I do listen to WTOP for traffic and weather together on the 8s and the compelling news-on-the-go format, plus CBS news on the hour and an update on the half hour. I have heard some intelligent interviews on WTWP, but I may have been the only listener. Stations program to get the best ratings in the best demo. And that would be, what(?), males 12-to-25? So males 12-to-25 like dreck? What about the rest of the population who pay taxes and license these stations through the FCC? Is that population underserved by these public trustees? What does it take these days for a radio station to lose its license? (1/17/07)
(I now have a HD DVR and plan to record “24” and watch at a later time so I can FF thru all the American Idol CRAP!) I think I saw all four hours of "24" during endless promos for the show during NFL football over the weekend. I expected Jack Bauer to come crashing into the booth at Soldier Field and make it part of the storyline. Enough already, FOX. (1/17/07)
Hey here's an old picture of Henry Tanenbaum admiring the piano stylings of Eubie Blake. tinyurl.com... Eubie Blake was a Baltimoron was he not? I remember Mr. Blake appearing on the Mike Douglas show quite a bit. And you know what they say about Mike Douglas......... and here's were Mr. Tenenbaum is these day's with a pretty good bio tinyurl.com he appears to have aged well, dang him! ......... perhaps not directly rated to today's radio but the D.C. area recently lost a long time area musician, Joe Stanley, here's a bio at Right On Rhythm tinyurl.com and this coming Sunday Jan. 22 a benefit is being held at JV's in Falls Church. Here's link to JV's for the scheduled line up www.jvsrestaurant.com... If your of a certain age I'll bet lot of these musicians are familiar. Say Mr. Augenstein with your recent series on this era of D.C. music tinyurl.com maybe could somehow mention this benefit? BTWS, if your a fan of the bluegrass/old string band music I see Speedy Tolliver is at JV's Saturday early eve!...and thanks to mailbaggers about info on John Goldsmith on Riggo show. I really enjoyed that ,I think, Sunday morning show Mr. Goldsmith did, it coupled nicely with Charles Karult's show, now that show hosted by Mr. Osgood seems to have a lot product placement pieces. Wonder if WaPo did anything regarding the Air Florida crash? ...... And I thought Jeff Bostic was pretty good in his analysis of Redskin's, certainly not like his fellow Hawg who really shovels the b.s. no matter how bad the Dreadskin's play. Wonder if Bostic does any analysis for college ball,like his alma mater Clemson?.....was listening to the Grease yesterday morning and he had on Examiner movie reviewer Sally Kline, she was long time reviewer with the local now defunkct Journal, to discuss the Golden Globes and the Grease got very nervous when she started talking about that Borat's acceptance speech....why she said testicles and Grease got squeamish, geez don't she know the Highness of Hydraulics speak? DOODADS (1/17/07)
Whoa! Don Imus on WTNT's morning drive is doing baaaadly... and Michael Savage in afternoon drive also on WTNT is worse... what's going on up at their Rockville headquarters? Has Laura Ingraham taken over the place yet? -Silvie in Waldorf- (1/17/07)
Dave's response: Too much blabbin' on the DC radio bands. Givin' me a headache. Particularly FM. Shut the hell up and play some cool music. And that doesn't mean more old Elton John or stale Kansas. Grow some balls B'ville and tell Ben Bradlee to shove it and resurrect Z104. Keep classical alive. Get with it Clear Channel and give us some techno/dance. Show some spine CBS and bring back the WHFS calls to 94.7 and flower it to AAA. WETA-FM plug into world music, jazz, and blues. WCSP back to WGTB. Real rock oldies on WMAL, ABC, er Citadel! Radio Disney. Music Of Your Life. Shut up all your talkin' and plug into the new vibe of tunes in the Nations Capital. And watch us dawn into a new era of peace, a new age of Aquarius, man - and woman. Peace, love, and souuuuuul. People will start smiling at each other on the Beltway and on Metro. A thousand years of loooooove. Legalize pot. "America's not a super power, it's a higher power." Oh, Barack Obama: That phrase has been copyrighted by me. If you want to use it, contact DCRTV.....
WHSV-3 in Harrisonville and Sinclair's Baltimore station, WBFF-45, made the list! The Center for Media and Democracy (CMD) has documented television 111 television stations -- from those in the largest to the smallest markets -- that aired video news releases (VNRs) or related satellite media tours (SMTs) without disclosure to viewers. Collectively, these 111 stations reach more than half of the U.S. population. The VNRs and SMTs were produced by broadcast PR firms for clients, including General Motors, Intel, ExxonMobil, Pfizer and Capital One. In almost every case, these television stations actively disguised the sponsored content to make it appear to be their own reporting. Stations routinely failed to balance the clients' messages with independently gathered footage or basic journalistic research. www.freepress.net (1/17/07)
Dave's response: Sinclair - what a great company!
You're probably aware of the radio contest that ended in tragedy at Sacramento CA Entercom station, KDND. One of the contestants, a 28-year-old mother of three, died. She was one of about 18 contestants who tried to win a Nintendo Wii gaming console early Friday by seeing how much water they could drink without going to the bathroom. The show's DJs called the contest ''Hold your Wee for a Wii.'' According the this article in the Los Angeles Times www.latimes.com the station fired ten employess in connection with the fiasco. What's your take on this? Ha ha ha..... (1/17/07)
Dave's response: What's my take? Stupid listeners. Stupid station.....
/\ January 17 Messages /\
\/ January 16 Messages \/
Re; Tony K. and juggling the schedule now and in 6 months. Tony IS worth it. He was getting better rating than anyone else when he was on the air. He was winning the time slot. I think I know this from reading it here. (1/16/07)
Dude, Albie. Seriously. August 2nd happened long time ago. That is a lot of Cayman sand you got in your vazheeeen. What is it these days with people cowardly hiding behind emails, myspace posts and all this other bullshit. You got Jeff Kapugi`s number - call him. Hi Jeff, here is why I hate you and outline it for him. That way you can hear the feedback too and it will be fair. I am not here to defend Hot 99.5, I`ll be the first person to say that except for the afternoon drive (see thats where you used to be booboo) it sucks. However for the someone who claims his greatness by being the Don of DC - it so petty and low to be PMSing each time the ratings come out. Stop being bitter, Bally`s has a special going on right now, maybe that will help. RESPECT yourself, you are a man for crying outloud. Are you, the grown ass dude, seriously going to attack a woman with your little anonymous messages? No one is here to say that what Clear Channel doing is right, but come on dude, you can do better than throwing up your anger every three months, like its your job. I mean XM can`t be that bad? Anyways, let me know if you need a hug. There is also a group on myspace now - EX1801PEEPS, you can join that. There are ways to work around it, but so far you get an F for getting over your canning from CC. I think KT should have stayed, I think the Mess should have stayed, I think DC got the point that you are italian and that you rocking the mic so viciously, so I am not sure how many people got heartbroken about you leaving Hot. Oh and seriously, Toby sounds better than you, I am sorry dude. I mean last time someone got fired from Hot, it was all over TV and when you got fired...nothing happened. See, you weren`t really as big of a deal as you thought were, huh? I go by Misha by the way nice to meet you. (1/16/07)
"Well, I turned out to be a pretty good prognosticator after all! In the morning and afternoon drivetimes, at least, "TripleX ESPN" With three horrible signals has passed "Washington Post Radio" with two not very good signals." Geez, imagine if the signal situations were reversed. It just goes to show you that, despite the 2006 season, the hearts and minds of Redskin fans are exponentially stronger than the combined marketing efforts of WTOP and the Washington Post, as evidence after just one full book versus three. Sure, a lot of us may criticize Dan Snyder, but he just got into it. As an outsider looking in, the mega distaster going on over at Bonneville, with one failed format on the books and two on deck, is about as dire as it gets. (1/16/07)
[What no ratings mentions on the don and mike show?] 7th place was pretty damned impressive considering that D&M worked for only half the ratings book. 12th for the Junkies still makes them the highest rated Stern replacements. (1/16/07)
Dave's response: Still, come February, getting yanked off of Baltimore's WHFS - their only station other than WJFK-FM - has got to be so utterly, totally, and completely humiliating for the Junkies. Man.....
I was listening to loveline the other day in Charlotte, NC. Someone called in from Baltimore and they asked her what station she was listening on because they are going to be on HFS again. It was on Thursday or Sunday. Patrick McDonough (1/16/07)
Let's see it's been a year since kapugi came to DC. I'm glad to see you were right Booger....you wanted to beat WPGC 18-34.You must have been talking about WPGC am. It looks to me like the only thing you know how to program..... is an IPOD! It's only a matter of time when the grim reaper comes knocking on your corner office door. Oh Gullian have you updated your resume'? Make sure you include that you do everything at Clear Channel. With your experience and track record you can be hired at mmmm wait...will anyone hire you? (1/16/07)
RE: [ " The past is the past GET OVER IT everyone else did.Baltimore's team is the RAVENS not the COLTS. " ]..... That should be easy for people in Cleveland and anywhere else in the country. The local media in Baltimore hyped The Colts moving for the same reason (possibly an even a better reason) that The Browns move is hyped in Cleveland, it gets ratings and they know people still want ot hear it. However, Cleveland got its team history, Hall of Fame exhibits, team name, and a brand new stadium out of that fiasco. Baltimore is an exception in that it has a large role in NFL history with The Colts. Baltimore Colts season ticket holders are still alive. None of the historic Colts players still alive want to have anything to do with Indianapolis or Peyton Manning. Even the great Johnny Unitas refused to do anything for The Colts after they left Baltimore, probably at a HUGE financial cost to himself. Baltimoreans will never give up until they can go to Canton and see a Baltimore Colts section or have the Baltmore Colts history alongside The Ravens. The Indy Colts have no history, only today, and lots of Peyton Manning credit card commercials that Johnny U would have turned down for any amount of money. (1/16/07)
What no ratings mentions on the don and mike show? (1/16/07)
I'm not a big Ravens fan but all that B.S. last week about revenge of the Colts leaveing town was brought on by all the media.T.V. Local T.V. news is ssssooo horrible. They missed a good chance to hype a good football team Instead they go to the past and dredge all this moveing stuff up. They just don't get it. The past is the past GET OVER IT everyone else did.Baltimore's team is the RAVENS not the COLTS. (1/16/07)
Well, I turned out to be a pretty good prognosticator after all! In the morning and afternoon drivetimes, at least, "TripleX ESPN" With three horrible signals has passed "Washington Post Radio" with two not very good signals. I think the midday will catch up in another few months. Remember the station is newer!! (1/16/07)
Yet, another season of the keroke contest is upon us which means I’ll be avoiding FOX5 as much as possible. I now have a HD DVR and plan to record “24” and watch at a later time so I can FF thru all the American Idol CRAP! And I must state once again for the producres at FOX5 News…. American Idol is not news. Now… time for my meds…. Paula in L.A. (1/16/07)
Assuming that Kornheiser IS coming back to radio and the stories about him accepting a second year of ESPN games are correct, then all we are talking about is a roughly six month return, at which point he's off again. So any station has to juggle their lineup both NOW and six months from now? Give me a break. He ain't worth it. (1/16/07)
Parent Television Counsel Launches Campaign Against Fox Sports - It used to be that you could sit down and watch an evening football game with your children without fear of them being exposed to inappropriate material. Sadly, that's no longer the case as was proven Saturday night during the Fox broadcast of the NFL playoff game between the New Orleans Saints and the Philadelphia Eagles. During a cutaway shot to the stadium spectators, the camera focused directly on a woman wearing a t-shirt clearly inscribed with the words "F--k Da Eagles" (without the dashes). The shot stayed focused on the woman and her shirt for several seconds. There can be no doubt that this was an intentional airing of patently offensive language on the public airwaves, as the person wearing the profane t-shirt was culled by Fox Network's broadcast crew from more than 70,000 spectators in the stadium. The camera operator selected that particular woman and the director and/or producers of the event made an affirmative and conscious decision to air the shot from that particular camera, forcing the f-word into millions of homes. Furthermore, the v-chip would not and could not have protected children and families from the type of content evidenced here. Fans on the East Coast saw this obscenity televised during the Family Hour (8:30 p.m. ET) -- but it aired at 5:30 in the evening on the West Coast. If you believe that a national television broadcast of a football game containing the word "F--k" is patently offensive, then we need you to take action today!! We urgently need your help to send a loud and clear message to broadcasters that their willful violation of the law will not be tolerated. Please go to www.parentstv.org to file your official complaint with the FCC today. (1/16/07)
Rusty Gibson asked about Shannon Beam. I believe she is from central Virginia and is a graduate of Liberty University. (1/16/07)
CLASSICAL1035.COM may be considered intellectual property, even if they have no intention of using it. Compare it to the Texas Rangers still owning Washingon Senators even after all these years. (1/16/07)
There is no question that Bonneville is up to its old tricks and working behind people's backs again. If you type in www.vivalavoce.com you get underconstruction.networksolutions.com. Something funny is going on. I guess Danny doesn't like opera. (1/16/07)
While watching the coverage of the train derailment on CNN, I heard the familiar (and fabulous) voice of Tony Harris, formerly of Channel 45. There is an article in the wikipedia on Tony and it mentions that he was on the air in Baltimore at age 19. Was it WSID? Also, had a chance to speak with the one and only Robert C. Allen, III. He's doing great, but I sure miss him on the Legends. He's one of them for sure. Blessings. Joyce Conroy (WHFC/WYTI). (1/16/07)
www.washingtonpost.com - Did you see Marc Fischer's article about radio in today's Kids Post? (1/16/07)
John Goldsmith and Chris Gordon were interviewed on Riggo's show on Friday because Riggo took about 45 minutes to deviate from sports and talk about the Air Florida crash into the 14th street bridge, given that last weekend was the 25th anniversary of that event. Goldsmith and Gordon both were involved in covering the crash when it happened. It was compelling radio and it was a good programming decision. (1/16/07)
Couple points... Must say that it was great to watch Baltimore media on Sunday morning and read the Sun for all those egg-in-the-face stories after all the work-up they did about that game. Do you Balti-MORON fans not appreciate the team that you already have (never mind the short memory you all have that you stole a team yourselves, it’s fascinating in all the Colts venom that fans and media seem to forget that tiny little fact!), that has already won a Super Bowl and was working towards possibly another, that you had to dig up all the old Colts resentment. Do you think the current crop of players even care about that?? They don’t, Ed Reed basically said all of that crap wasn’t important. How bout next year just worry about rooting your team to victory and get over the revenge BS. Worry about the great team you currently have and quit adding unwanted pressure. Getting a win to move you one game of the Super Bowl is pressure enough. Also, was anyone else at least partially offended by the package run on the front of Sports in the Washington Post basically comparing Baltimore losing a football team to all that the city of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana have had to go through since Katrina and how the Saints have at least brought back some good times to the city? I’m sorry, but I found that comparison just a tad insulting to the people of New Orleans and a poorly thought way by the Post to package those two playoff games. Last time I checked, the Colts moving wasn’t a natural disaster that resulted in many deaths and areas of the state being essentially destroyed. I just think the Post was in bad taste in that instance. - Tony (1/16/07)
"Snooping around on 980 site and found www.sportstalk980.com which has a banner (and that’s all) starting that Mr. Tony returns on Wednesday from 9am-1pm." Could be a web relic from Kornheiser's last return to WTEM's airwaves on Nov. 10, 2004 (which just happened to be a Wednesday). Why would news of this magnitude be buried within the website instead of trumpeted all over the main page? There certainly hasn't been any on-air announcement by the station as of yet. Hopefully, none of the current local shows would be cancelled in order to make way for T.K. If he gets his old 9 AM to 1 PM timeslot back, 980 could air Brian Mitchell from 1-3 PM, John Thompson 3-5 and Sports Reporters 5-7. I noticed that CBS's pregame show for Saturday's Ravens playoff game made no mention of the fact that the Indianapolis Colts used to play in Baltimore, the angle that dominated sports conversation in that town all week long. For quite some time I've thought Charm City residents were overly sensitive to perceived slights to their city and teams by the national media, but perhaps they have a point. An earlier poster suggested that Baltimore TV and radio stations were acting unprofressionally in their shameless homerism for the Ravens, but I don't think it's all that different here in Washington during years when the Redskins are winning. Entire news anchor teams have followed the Skins to past Super Bowl appearances, even if they didn't go quite so far as to don burgundy and gold jackets. Mike, Fairfax (1/16/07)
I believe your flashback photo today is that of Henry Tennebaum. If I recall he started on channel 9 and used the name Henry Lawrence, but used Tennebaum after Gordon Peterson (or maybe it was Glenn Brenner) said it was OK to use his real last name instead of ‘Lawrence’. (1/16/07)
"They just renewed CLASSICAL1035.COM for one year: Registrant: Bonneville International Corporation..." Interesting that Bonneville would choose to maintain 1035 in the url as opposed to 1041 considering they moved from that frequency over a year ago...oversight on their part or what? (1/16/07)
They just renewed CLASSICAL1035.COM for one year: Registrant: Bonneville International Corporation... Database last updated on 16-Jan-2007 09:17:33 EST. (1/16/07)
Not knowing where she is from, but both my wife and I were watching NBC4's Shannon Bream yesterday and noticed a distinct southern "twang" accent in her delivery that she had never displayed before. Anyone else pick up on this? Rusty Gibson (1/16/07)
From the Sun article yesterday about the Orioles and WBAL: "They are very sensitive about criticism, and they let it be known that they were not happy with certain voices on our air," Beauchamp said." So is WBAL now still sticking by the story that the Orioles had no input on removing Gerry Sandusky from the 6:00 Sport Talk program? Now is a great opportunity to bring Gerry back to sports/talk. He was by far the best host WBAL ever had. Doug in Bel Air (1/16/07)
Unless Bonneville has taken some action this morning, the domain site for streaming WGMS on-line has expired. Several times this morning I've tried to stream WGMS, and each time I've received a Network Solutions page that tells me that the domain has expired and that I can renew the domain, if I wish... How's that for commitment to maintaining classical music in DC? (1/16/07)
Dave's response: If you go to classical1035.com, you get "classical1035.com expired on 01/10/2007 and is pending renewal or deletion." But, WGMS got moved off the 103.5 frequency a year ago. However, wgms.com still works. For now, anyway.....
In the Net Center on 9 News NOW this morning, Andrea Roane showed us PerezHilton.com, complete with the uncensored S-word on the screen for no less than ten seconds (as well as a rather provocative ad for gay.com, not that there's anything wrong with that). I knew it was only a matter of time before either an inappropriate ad and/or some foul language made its way onto the airwaves from these live web browsing sessions on the news. Let me guess, no FCC involvement here, either? (1/16/07)
Was watching channel 9 the other night when they ran Steve Gendel's(WEHT) piece on the Air Florida crash from 25 year's ago. One of those moments in time I guess we all remember. Remember sitting in front of the tv with my father watching the horrid scene evolve all those year's ago. Here's the wikipedia entry on the crash. en.wikipedia.org ............. Johnny Holiday and Kevin Grevey did the announcing on the Loyola vs.Towson mbb game last night on masn. I'd been thinking of breaking down and finally going to a game at Comcast center. Just thought a lot of us long time fans treated like carp when they moved over from Cole Field House. But then I see tickets are $40 plus $10 more service charge when done online. Holy Crap! Maybe I'll be a fan of Loyola now. (1/16/07)
The Eagles-Saints game was indeed on WBIG/100.3 last Saturday night. Clear Channel's 980 and its usual AM alternates were all full up with broadcast obligations to local teams. Clear Channel would be better off switching 100.3 to sports talk before Triple X upgrades or Bonneville gets in the sports talk business. Unfortunately, with the Redskins radio and preseason television produced in-house, Jeff Bostic would have to play the political games to work there again. Everett W. (1/16/07)
FYI all you broadcasting junkies: David Rehr (pronounced "rare"), president of the National Association of Broadcasters, will appear on Westwood One's Jim Bohannon Show Tuesday evening, 1/16, from 10:06-11PM. That's heard locally on Washington Post Radio, 107.7-FM and 1500-AM. The call-in number is 1-866-50-JIMBO. (1/16/07)
Sorry dave b in white marsh, but the sinking sound you hear is KMS without any rock music to back them up. By securing the Ravens, Hearst's 98 ROCK has avoided a disaster. WHFS and KMS without any music will be a much BIGGER disaster. More proof that Labrozzi and Phillips have no clue about Baltimore. As for the DC criticism of the Ravens broadcast team, obviously the person shows his lack of knowledge. The Ravens stadium reportedly only officially holds 69,084 MAX. The only reason they mention the attendance is because it was the largest ever at over 71,000 (as reported in The Baltimore Sun also) and far beyond the capacity of the stadium itself. I don't know what its like to see 91,000+ people because I've never been to a Toilet Bowl like Fedex Field, well at least not outside of college level sports. Washingtonians should visit the other side of the fence (Baltimore) where the grass is so much greener. :-) (1/16/07)
I don't care whether WHFS drops music or not. The call letters WHFS should be dropped in respect for the late, great independent radio station from many years ago. (1/16/07)
Snooping around on 980 site and found www.sportstalk980.com which has a banner (and that’s all) starting that Mr. Tony returns on Wednesday from 9am-1pm. (1/16/07)
Dave's response: Well, Wednesday could mean this Wednesday (tomorrow) or a Wednesday in mid-February. Anyhoo, there's no way WaPo would