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Current Mailbag - Mailbag Archive Index - DCRTV Front Page - Support DCRTV DCRTV Mailbag - February 2 to February 5, 2007 Latest messages listed first..... \/ February 5 Messages \/ Thanks, Dave, for pointing out that the individual who is reported to be a "DC icon" is from rock radio. According to Arbitron, the various rock formats total approximately 11.1% of the current nationwide audience. wargod.arbitron.com... Assuming these numbers are the same for DC, the individual named in the earlier posts may be well known to roughly that segment of the population. In todays fragmented radio universe, its difficult for a personality to become an "icon" in his community. I think its fair to say a longtime personality, like the person named, could become an icon in their particularly genre, though. (2/5/07) I'm one of those who had Adelphia as a broadband provider and was recently switched to Comcast as a result of their takeover. I get my TV service from DirectTV. Last weekend I converted my e-mail accounts to Comcast. Well today I get a notice from Comcast that rates are going from $42.95 a month to $57.95 starting next month. That's a 35% increase overnight just for the privilege of being served by Comcast. What a bunch of bastards! What really torques me off is that cable is my only option for broadband so they really have me by the short hairs. If there was ever a case for the need of more competition in the telecommunications market, this is it. (2/5/07) regarding The Globe: Schelby and Steven's look to both be on board. Don't know what slots. Assuming Schelby will still be 10-2 and Steven's nights if Weasel is now mornings. Jocks should be back sometime this week. (2/5/07) The Green Station/The Globe – been there done that, Back in ’76-’77 – I can remember a Program Director taking a small daytime am station in Colorado Springs, Colorado and turning a negative into a huge positive. The station was called (KRYT) K-right Thee all “Nude” Solar-Powered radio station.The dj’s would do their show from the base of Pikes Peak in a glass store front studio window using only an LP cover to hide the obvious. They would play the hits and pass around the cool-aid go hug a couple of trees, staff sounded like they were all stoned however their sign-off nightly was way cool, ”When the sun goes down, we can’t be around this is solar-powered K-right, Join us tomorrow morning when again we rely on our solar cells to help us make it through another day in beautiful Colorado Springs, Color-radio - what have you done to conserve energy today? Good Night” (2/5/07) Dave's response: Back in 1974, during Nixon's energy crisis with long gas lines, WEAM, 1390 AM, had just dropped "top 40" for a more nostalgic, adult sound. And I recall that it actually touted the fact that it signed off at midnight to conserve energy. Perhaps The Globe could do that, too..... After reading your Rant about the Radio Wars , I gotta ask, why does Elliot Hate Don & Mike so much, I like and listen to both shows & I have never heard D&M even mention Elliot's name unless they are defending themselves. Is there some thing that went on between them behind closed doors that nobody knows about. As for O&A and there war against Howard, I know all the "Howie haters" hate to admit it but Howard's won, He's above O&A & looks down on them. He is gone from Regular radio(by his own choice) and it is useless for O&A to war with him. O&A need to stick to Radio wars with people on there own level like D&M or Elliot or the Junkies or even Wendy Williams, but Wendy has her show on VH1, so she might be to big for O&A. All of these Radio wars yet Russ Parr & Donnie Simpson live peacefully with no beef between each other. I say if there's gonna be a Radio War ,let all the radio DJ's get together & Crap on that Kane guy. (2/5/07) Okay... the following link has nothing what-so-ever to do with DC "R" or "TV". But... click and see a once ubiquitous DC name that has seemingly risen from the ashes: www.hechinger.com (2/5/07) Dave's response: As a kid, my dad and I made many Saturday morning trips to Hechinger. Ah, the memories..... Somebody wrote, "Cerphe is a DC icon and I challenge anyone who can argue otherwise". Okay. I lived in DC for 9 years. I never heard this individual on the air, nor did I ever see the name mentioned anywhere, other than in this mailbag. The individual you mention may be an "icon" within a relatively small universe, but hardly qualifies as a "DC icon". Perhaps the writer should rephrase his bold statement and more correctly indentify this individual as an icon within a certain genre in DC. (2/5/07) Dave's response: Cerphe is a DC rock radio institution. He worked at progressive rocker WHFS in the 1970s when it was on 102.3. He's also worked at DC101, then-rocker WAVA, New Age-ish WBMW (pre-WJFK-FM), and, for many years, at classic rock WARW, where he's been doing the afternoon show. If you have listened to rock radio in the DC market in the past three decades, you couldn't have missed hearing Cerphe (aka Don Colwell, I think that's his real name)..... RE; a prior post, Cerphe is a DC icon and I challenge anyone who can argue otherwise. Also, I like the change of Weasal doing "Morning Drive @ "The Globe" I don't envy his commute though. Rusty Gibson (2/5/07) From a previous post "Another site with cool pix of the WTOP (now WTWP) transmitter facility: www.mvarc.com" - If you happened to visit this site it says that WTOP is located in Alexandria, VA! Now that was true (actually Fairfax County near Mt. Vernon) at on time when the calls were WJSV but the transmitter has been in Wheaton, MD for many, many years. Looking at the pix it seems to me that this facility is becoming somewhat of a dump. I noticed that some of the fluorescent lights over the transmitter were out and that incandescent lights on a wire, like you would see at a construction site, had been hung. Now I have worked in broadcasting and I know that transmitter facilities usually aren’t designed to be beautiful, but this one which WAS designed with some architecture in mind looks like it is going to seed. Bill R. (2/5/07) Why will WaPo radio still stink? Because Tony K will be on it. The old curmudgeon is dragging down everything he touches these days, except for PTI, where Wilbon just plays straight man to his curmudgeonliness. Let us keep David Burd until most of us get to work, and put TK after Plotkin. (2/5/07) Regarding MASN 2 I read in the Baltimore Sun in an interview with Peter Angelos that al systems that currently carry MASN will carry MASN 2. Some nights both feeds will be shown and both feeds would be shown in both markets. (2/5/07) Hey Dave, Check out our Web site… Keep up the good work! Louis www.mddailyrecords.com (2/5/07) Heard today on WARW - Weasel will be the new morning DJ, according to a pre-recorded spot (done by Weasel himself). Also heard Cerphe talking about the new format in another spot. This confirms that both of these DJ's will be coming back. Clearly Stevens and Medley, as a morning program, did not survive - if Stevens is staying with the station, he will be in some other time slot. I believe that some of the spots about the station have included Shelby's voice but, unlike the other two, she has not been explicitly identified. The music mix is somewhat reminiscent of the old 'HFS, but is also similar to San Francisco's KFOG, which also plays "World Class Rock"...makes me wonder if they're using it, at least in part, as a model.... It will be interesting to see what happens when the DJs come back. (2/5/07) Thanks for the site! It's always informative, and it's generally the first place I go for information when a station suddenly changes or disappears, and once in a while just to see what's happening. Keep up the good work! (2/5/07) Thanks to the poster who pointed-out the photos of "WTOP Radio Station Alexandria Virginia" at www.mcarc.com... They sure do look (uncannily) like Bonneville's transmitter facility in Wheaton! (2/5/07) Tony the K is a shocker right? Boy Gary and midgets playing the piano with their knobs. WooHooo! Oy. m (2/5/07) Dave's response: F*ck the goddamn news talk format. Why not have WaPo Radio air Korny's bloviations in the morning and the best rock from J. Freedom du Lac the rest of the day. Music on 1500! That'd been kewl..... "I heard WTOPer Frank Herzog welcoming listeners from public radio's pledge breaks at 11 this morning. Yet, when I tuned to WAMU and WGMS, er, WETA, both were doing normal non-pledge programming." You didn't listen very long. WAMU has been doing Pledge Week since Saturday. And yes, when I heard it, I switched to TOP until it is over. I love my WAMU but I can't stand begging. (2/5/07) Dave's response: I would rather have public television and radio be allowed to run limited ads than to continue with the horrid pledge break beg-a-thons. The ones on public TV are practically infomercials..... Kipp Monroe has offered to give DCRTV his take on yesterday's Super Bowl ads. He's the chief creative officer at Herndon-based White And Partners, and the creative force behind previous Super Bowl ads from Budweiser and Miller Genuine Draft. You can read more of Kipp’s writing at the Blah, Blah, Blah Blog at whiteandpartners.blogspot.com..... In the wake of Super Bowl LXI I’m going to resist the urge to pile on regarding the creativity of yesterday’s spots. It’s all been said. However, I do want to ruminate a bit on courage. You know…balls...stones…cahones…intestinal fortitude. If there was a life lesson brand managers should take away from yesterday’s Super Bowl ad romp it was that it pays to take risks. In fact, I recommend all aspiring marketing folks carve “I Will Take Risks” directly into the back of their blackberry. Yesterday was just another reminder, if you want to play in the big game you’d better be prepared to wander way outside your comfort zone. Case in point: Doritos. At 2.6 million a spot (times two), they took a little stroll on the high board with their consumer generated campaign. They even let the amateurs produce their own spots. And considering it had never been done… they pulled it off rather smartly. The buzz prior to the game was worth every penny. I mean, whether you thought the spots were good or bad you were on the lookout for them, right? Doritos is still being talked about. I’m sure there are high-fives for everyone today in the Doritos marketing ranks. As well there should be. I’m going to the store tonight and buy some Doritos. Two bags in fact. One for each spot. Chevy? Let’s give them props as well. Enlisting college kids to do super bowl ads must have created a huge pucker factor in Detroit. Producing a spot featuring shirtless men over 40? That must have “concerned” a few GM execs. While not as viral as the Doritos work, the Chevy campaign did get the buzz machine crankin! Sorry, I’m not in a position to buy a Chevy tonight. Maybe next year when I trade in the Volvo. And we have to love the Emerald Nuts spot. “Let’s pour our entire budget into the Super Bowl and we’ll get Bob Goulet doing weird stuff?” That takes balls. Or, in this case, nuts. Emerald Nut Marketing Guy…you’re a real man of genius. I’m going to buy some Emerald Nuts tonight. The biggest risk taker by far was Anheuser-Busch. Buying 10 spots (producing probably 20 to get 10) shows huge stones by anyone’s measure. It turned out well for them as 7 entertained America’s fickle viewers enough to get bumped into USA Today’s top 10. As a result, AB was once again crowned King of The Super Bowl. But what if none had made it into the top 10? There’d be blood spilled in St. Louis. Trust me on that one. But a little thing like losing their jobs didn’t get in the way of the AB marketing folks. They’re used to risk. Maybe that’s why they dominate market share? I’m going out and by 10 cases of Bud Light. One for each spot. So here’s to the real champions. Those plucky companies who proved, once again, that taking risks pays dividends. I’d like to mention the advertisers that played it safe, but you see I’ve forgotten them already. American has a short attention span, as do I. (2/5/07) Today marked the debut of Triple X's Bram Weinstein show, which replaces Redskins Lunch in the noon hour until next football season (although a Skins related segment featuring Larry Michael will still be part of the daily mix). While a one hour program hardly seems adequate to cover the local sports scene, I guess the station's arrangement with ESPN Radio requires that the Dan Patrick show be carried in its entirety starting at 1 PM. With MASN scheduled to start simulcasting the John Riggins show this month, you wonder how the logistics of Riggo broadcasting from New York while his two sidekicks are in Silver Spring will be worked out. Last Friday's program included a hilarious bit with Jack Kent Cooke supposedly calling in from the great beyond (was Bram the one doing the voicing?). One thing the show can be criticized for is using too many of the same guests who've appeared on WTEM numerous times - Steve Buckhantz on the Wizards, Chris Knoche on Terps hoops, Joe Barber on movies, etc. Not that each isn't well qualified to address his or her area of expertise, but a bit more creativity in guest selection would make the program seem less like a ripoff. Also, would it kill them to have a Caps guest every now and then? On 980's Sports Reporters, I've noticed that Steve Czaban often plays a gratuitous, vulgar soundbyte containing a phallic reference (usually after an attractive female sports figure is mentioned) - he needs to put the kibosh on this right away because it's demeaning toward women and offensive to many listeners. Mike, Fairfax (2/5/07) "Even more so today, with the insidious and satanic message of Islam and other false religions relentlessly hammering away at this nation and world...there is a need to offer the powerful life-changing Word of God to searching souls."--That is one of the most ignorant, offensive and hate-filled comments I've ever heard! Mr. Mathers, if that is your name this kind of garbage is not Christian in any way! At least not the Christianity I grew up with and passed on. Islam is NOT a satanic religion, nor are any of the other "false" religions you attack. I am disgusted that people like you and those that run the so-called "Christian" media today continually harangue listeners and viewers with your false message. Our pro-Christian-biased media goes right along with it. I recall that Christ did not say go about into the world and ram your faith down other people's throats. Christianity is a religion essentially stolen and co-opted from the Pagan religions and spiritualities of centuries past, then changed to fit their needs. Today, we see another version of the Burning Times, as Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Wiccans and those Mr. Mathers probably doesn't think are Christian enough for him are under attack. I think it is high time that true Christians and those with respect for other human beings should show the Christian media the gate, by not watching, listening to or buying into any of this stuff. Religion and faith are not for sale. They are not auctioned to the highest bidder, nor are they the exclusive property of one so-called religion. Faith and salvation are for those who seek it, and choose it of their own free will. The RCL (2/5/07) Dave's response: We're getting off-topic..... The Globe...LOL. The first "Green" radio station. Please. I love this stuff. It kills me. The only thing "green" the Infinity execs care about is money. Will the GM and GSM be driving hybrids too? Does Lexus even make one? Not based on 'research' and no 'corporate playlists'... Running sweepers saying you're NOT using these things only screams 'WE USE CORPORATE PLAYLISTS BASED ON RESEARCH!!" I mean, at least to anyone with a sliver of intelligence. The Globe....proof again that execs should leave programming creativity and originality to the creatives... oh wait, they've chased them all out the biz with their greedy penny pinching. Well, best of luck anyway. D (2/5/07) Dave. So, you go off all about Rush's illegal drug use, and how he should have been prosecuted. Yet, you have failed to cover a story in which the corrupt and dishonorable Se. Harry Reid, DEMOCRAT, NV, to quote 'pressured' the FCC to allow an illegal radio station to remain on the air in clear violation of all Congressionally approved rules. www.pahrumpvalleytimes.com... Pressure = coercion = corruption. We already knew he was corrupt from his land deals, and now we have further evidence of how the dishonorable senator Reid conducts business. I wonder what Ma'am P. has to say,,,and why this wasn't in the Washington Post,,,since they are interested in exposing corrupt politicians. I guess it wasn't a corrupt Republican, so no one sees corruption. If the Democrats really want to show they are the wind of change, they can start by retracting the FCC permit and tossing both it and Sen. Reid out the door. Legit radio is going to curse the day they backed the Democrats, and this is the first example. (2/5/07) WARW and The GLOBE (love the idea of wglb calls)...EASE up everybody. take a deep breath of globally warmed air. it is just day 3 or so..put aside the usual cynicism and negativism that permeates too much of this board, and remember your "bidness 101". the first rule of the game--generate some wind powered buzz.That appears to be working. Is it perfect? of course not. will it evolve and adjust to the unique qualities of the DC market? surely. but just RELAX people. cerphe and weasel have yet to hit the airwaves ...give it some time and enjoy the fact that one of the player commercial FM's took a chance and will hopefully take more! rather than whine and complain here--send an e-mail to the station and make your suggestions. thugh we all love the mailbag, sometimes it gets like a bunch of crying , snotty kids in a daycare center in here! LIGHTEN UP ! (2/5/07) To all you WTMD and WRNR listeners who are making comparisons to those stations and 'THE NEW ARROW" (Insert joke about where the arrow is pointed here) Welcome to large corporate radio, folks. DC ought to be used to it by now. Need I go through the history of rock and roll radio in DC since 1975? Yes, Cerphe had a history of being on the original WHFS, and his evening show was well put together. But Cerphe's history since he left WHFS in 77, or 78 ( anyone have a copy of the interview in the Unicorn Times?) hasn't been cutting edge. He was on WAVA after they established themselves, and was great there, he then went to DC 101, which must have hellish for him, then he was hired to programm 106.7. First as an eclectic AOR, then as New Age. When they became WJFK, with Howard Stern in the mornings, they went to a WNEWish AOR with a few former WNEW DJ's Bernie Bernard, and Mark Chernoff. With Mark Chernoff as PD, Cerphe, I believe was music director. It was 1989, Chernoff left, Cerphe took over again, and they went Classic rock, then All Talk. Cerphe is a good soul to have around, on The Globe, but Weasel is the one who is more inclined to take chances on the radio, but as far as cutting edge, I think that Michael Hughes ought to dump everyone else and search for proven AAA DJ's who are are walking musical encyclopedias, who always are in the clubs and who actually listen to roots, and alternative. Stop with the freaking compromises and double speak, Michael Hughes (2/5/07) Since you seem to be on top of this MASN thing, what is the deal with MASN 2? Saw it advertised in PressBox. Does this mean not every area will get both channels. Will MASN 2 (I'm guessing the one with Nats games) not be available to most people. I'm really confused. Let me know if you've heard anything. -Paul (2/5/07) Dave's response: I'm in the dark, like you. I don't think we've heard from any area cable companies - including giant Comcast - about how they'll be handling the MASN2 channel. Will it get a permament allotment or will its programming be carried "ad hoc" on another channel? With the Orioles and Nationals both on MASN this year, there are going to be many nights when both will be playing - and two MASN channels will be needed..... The Globe is an embarrassment! Good job CBS! The music is terrible, the production is so contrived and the board ops running the place can't even keep it going at 8am morning drive! All the more reason to be thankful for The Musically Diverse UNIVERSE of 103.1 WRNR! Now, if Nassau will only realize what a gold mine they have in RNR and put it out on 103.1 Fredrick, too. (2/5/07) "The Globe". I have to say I find their playlist refreshing in comparison to what is in the DC market. I plan on listening to this a couple of days to see where it goes with the exception of Don and Mike. Such arrogance and mediocrity should never be rewarded. A suggestion with the new diversity of music that the processing has to handle: More AGC with quicker release and attack times will give a warmer response (mid-bass) without over-modulation. And lighten up the hi end. JMO. Once again guys GL to the "Green Machine" (and I get dibs on that catch phrase). (2/5/07) The honeymoon is over after about 72 hours...INXS' "What You Need" followed by Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb"...sorry, 94.7; I gave you a chance to do something AND YOU BLEW IT...you blew it (apologies to Mr. DeNiro). (2/5/07) Dave's response: Complete with a pic of Mr. DeNiro (right). I know, wrong movie..... Speaking of Jewelry store ads, has any business in recent times had a longer run with the same commercial as Shaws? If you think the "Freezing" on some Comcast signals is interesting, you should have tried watching "Bravo" up in Harford Cnty. this weekend. On our older TV, all you could hear was the "background" music, and no dialogue, especially evident on "Top Chef". Was fine on the Stereo TV, though. Anyone notice subtle (or not so subtle) changes on JACK-FM? Yesterday was Elton John & "Saturday Night's..." (is there some unknown agreement that at least 3 Elton John songs be on every station's play list if there's any remote possibility that it can be incorporated into the format?), a rap song, something more suited to a Smooth Jazz Format, and today, Tom Jones' "Treat Her Like A Lady". Either way, it ain't the same "Jack". Doug in Bel Air (2/5/07) WARW's shift to "new oldies" rather than AAA, combined with obnoxious, patently false promos claiming to "not rely on research", is finally pushing me to get HD (it's a one-time $200 investment to update my HU) to get WTMD on WAMU HD2. This morning's 5-9AM block included Ben Kweller, Afghan Whigs, The Black Keys, Suzanne Vega, Beck, Cold War Kids, and The Flaming Lips amid good classics from George Harrison, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, and REM. This is world class rock...or sort of like AOR stations in the late 80s/early 90s sounded like when they played a mix of old and brand new rock, before the stratification between only-classic stations and new only-nu-metal-skate-punk-and-90s gold stations pushed good old fashioned new rock bands off the airwaves entirely. You can see the playlists at wtmd.org. This is no "timid/folkie" AAA as some report... (2/5/07) Admit it, (Baltimore fans) who didn't feel just a little superior during "Purple Rain" at halftime??? Thanks, Prince for that unintentional salve for some old wounds. Congratulations, Manning & Co., but screw the corporate office anyway... there, all better now! (2/5/07) Weirdness all around this morning at 94.7...the station kept going in and out, reception-wise, and there was no regular programming. And all anyone heard all weekend about "the globe" thing was laughs, put-downs, insults, and satire. The whole thing sound ridiculous from top to bottom. The question is, why the change? People who like rock and roll, and classic rock, liked the station. The morning show was pretty good. Weasel and Cerphe are literally two of the best, most-informed disc jockeys in Baltimore and D.C. The station was plugged in to community events, charities, concerts, etc. People actually liked the station--and listened to it. And it apparently made money. So why change it? It makes no sense. None at all. (2/5/07) I found it pretty ammusing watching the Super Bowl in HD only to have the rain take my HD and make it look like standard definition. The rain drops on the lens were pretty in HD. No matter what we humans do Mother Nature can slap us down pretty quick! (2/5/07) So sad to read about the passing of Cody Pfanstiehl. As a reporter, I had the opportunity to work with him on countless stories about Metro. He always returned phone calls, and was always a delight to work with. Always. Even when the news was bad, he found a way to be pleasant and upbeat, while at the same time being upfront and informative. I note that he passed while being treated at Holy Cross Hospital. Not far from there, up at Georgia Avenue and the Beltway, is one of the deepest Metrorail stops in the system. So deep, that it doesn't have escalators, and can only be reached via elevator. One of the last stories I worked on for WAMU's "Morning Edition" was about the construction of that subway stop, and Cody personally escorted me on the site. The original plan was for us to be lowered to the bottom of the huge excavation by a constructon crane, but that turned out not to be a option that day. Instead, we were to walk down the FIVE STORY deep pit on a narrow, foot-wide spiral stairway built on scaffolding! Assured that it was perfectly safe, I was handed a Metro hard hat, and Cody advised me not to look down. He had me put my hand on his shoulder as he preceeded me down the rickety stairs. He also told me to turn on my cassette recorder before the descent. I realized why when we finally got to the bottom: as we did the last few steps, Cody began counting out loud the number of stair steps we had just traversed, knowing that this was a piece of audio I'd be able to use in my story! Knowing that I had the opportunity to make more creative use of natural sound because I worked for public radio, he always tried to find opportunities for me to capture the sounds of an event to make a story more interesting, even stories as mundane as the bus drivers "rodeo" competition. In later years, after he retired, he went with his new wife Margaret, to work on the Washington Ear, and the interpretive audio project that is detailed in the Post obituary. I also got to know him through his friendship with WTOP's Howard Dicus, and his late wife, Marilyn; she worked for Cody as one of his affable 'good right hands', as he would call her, in the Metro Public Affairs office. Cody was a class act, and I think anyone who worked with him would understand why I feel that way. Thanks, Cody. - Max Cacas (2/5/07) RE: Comcast channels freezing. Happens frequently here on the Arlington system, on digitally-sourced analog channels (CNN, MSNBC, FauX news, TBS, Cartoon Network, Discovery). They seem to lose their sat signal (or just plain bad wiring or bad decoder?). It comes along every 10 minutes or so, freezing the pic for 3-5 seconds at a time. The problem's been going on for months. - Jim C. (2/5/07) So....did someone forget to wind 94.7's new "environmentally friendly" transmitter this morning (around 8-8:45A)? They sure had trouble keeping their programming on the air without huge gaps of dead air in between! Tech troubles or a flunky running the board? Great job of keeping your listening audience (all 1.9 share of it) intrigued to your exciting, new format! (2/5/07) Dave's response: Hey, I'm starting to hear the same songs two and three times since last Friday. And they're all oldish songs. And about a dozen or more airings of the Talking Heads. A great band, but how about some other cool stuff. That Globe playlist must not be all that massive. Oh, great minds think alike. See below..... I'm looking at the last two days worth of BDS for WARW. For those of you hoping for less repetition, you're out of luck. Lots of records spun 5-6 times over those two days. For those hoping for something resembling even a glimmer of a AAA, you are out of luck as well. The person who deemed it "newer generic oldies" is right on the money. They did a lot of raiding of the gold library currently playing on DC101 (even most of the songs a few 'baggers are excited to hear again are DC101 staples.) This mailbag meltdown will be fun to watch... (2/5/07) I heard WTOPer Frank Herzog welcoming listeners from public radio's pledge breaks at 11 this morning. Yet, when I tuned to WAMU and WGMS, er, WETA, both were doing normal non-pledge programming. (2/5/07) Contrary to the previous poster, how does having some fun in the Super Bowl, which is ALL ABOUT taking it up a notch in a fun, unique and memorable way, ruin a newscaster’s credibility? Tracey Neale wasn’t putting on the football makeup and then doing a special about an Iraqi bombing, it’s all about playing along with the feel of the Big Day. Look, these anchorpeople are HUMAN BEINGS, not rigid news robots, who should be able to have fun, be campy and self-effacing, and still remain totally legitimate and credible. Especially someone like Ms. Neale. Wouldn’t you rather see that the person who reports news is capable of campiness and fun occasionally, and is not an automaton? Or are they always supposed to sip tea with the pinky up and not wear jeans? The aforementioned ‘ID’ and the W*USA 9 Super Bowl promo that aired yesterday worked the way it was specifically intended to work, which was to showcase talent in a lighter vein, having some fun, feeding on an NFL tradition, and cutting through and playing along with all the other crazy SB advertising. Plus, do you think if W*USA 9 aired a straight up, serious, traditional news promo showing their anchors pushing “the best coverage” and “being there when news happens” that it would have made any impact at all amidst the other spots? Nope. It had to be unique and fun and dramatic, and it was. It’s all about entertainment, whether it’s Tracey, Wolf Blitzer, Brian Williams, K Fed or whomever. Man, get a clue…and a sense of humor! (2/5/07) Have all the DC area jewelry stores made some side bet to see who can produce the most over the top, assine commercials in history? Is anyone really thinking familes sit around the table gushing about the name on the box an engagement ring comes in? I feel like throwing up every time one of these simpy things comes on TV or radio. All these over-acting buffoons going orgasmic over the name of a store where they spent their life's savings on a ring. PLEASE: RONNIE MERVIS, JARROD and all the rest: STOP IT!!! JUST CUT IT OUT ALREADY!!! IT'S A ROCK ON A RING, NOT THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST!!!! (2/5/07) (RE: WARW) From 10:20AM to 10:30AM Monday February 5th. 10:20AM-10:24AM INXS New Sensation... 10:24AM-10:29AM 6 Beefy, redneck, testerone laden commercials.... 10:30AM-10:37AM David Bowie Changes... Still a classic rock station... "Meet the new Boss, same as the old boss"... You'll still hear those words here... (2/5/07) Re: Prince @ SuperBowl - Bob Lefsetz says it all ! - lefsetz.com - Bruce Kelly (2/5/07) Another site with cool pix of the WTOP/WTWP transmitter facility: www.mvarc.com (2/5/07) This morning during the 5:00 a.m. hour, I noticed WTOP was only using weather reports from WJLA's Brian Vandergraft (spelling?) instead of The Weather Channel's reporters. Is this a new change??? (2/5/07) Dave's response: Yes, we ran a newsblurb on Friday about the WTOP change to exclusive WJLA forecasts. DCRTV jestfully requests all Mailbagers to thoroughly familarize themselves with all the news items on DCRTV's Front Page before posting a query. Thank you for your patronage..... Interesting story you linked to about WJLA taking a five-fingered discount on a GWU student paper story. Is Seven On Your Side or just peeking over your shoulder? (2/5/07) Dave's response: It's funny to see the Post's Howie Kurtz taking Channel 7 to task for not crediting the GW Hatchet as a story source, when the Post does the exact same thing to DCRTV on a regular basis. Ha ha ha..... With all the hype, expense and pre-game preparation, one would have thought CBS might just use cameras with a longer hood cover to shield the lenses from the rain, use the technology to have the lenses rotate to be have a clear view or just plain out have someone with a towel or cloth wipe off the spots. Obviously they were not using and spot-free dishwasher detergent on their lenses. I also thought most all the ads were lame and boring. (2/5/07) Strange that story about Mr. O'Meara at the costco. Maybe he got caught up at one of the free food stations?.......Btws, I saw Mr. Geronimo at the Great Falls Safeway just last week. He was coming in with Dennis Murphy, Tom Gavin and heck, even, Carl Grossman. And they were laughing and seemed to be having a great old time. Mr. G. started handing out cigars and $100 bills to the folks in the store and kissed some babies. It was truly an amazing sight! Why after Mr. G. had bought his items he saw a little old lady having difficulty loading the groceries into the trunk of her Jag and Mr. G. ran over and helped her. Man that Mr. G. is a fine human being imo!..........any truth that cbs radio, in honor of the change to globe radio, has instructed all D.C. area stations to use recycled toilet paper and paper towels?..........my thought is lonnie of McClean Church is that he's got one big effing gawd complex....my sermon is a lot of these born agains are poopyheads and can getaway by still acting like poopyheads by hiding behind there born againism, and you know how bad them 'ism's is....whoops off topic... is it true what mrs. mathers told mr. mathers about not being so hard on the Beaver?......".this is the sound of my soul, this is the sound....i bought a ticket to the whirled".....say ain't Gary Kemp on that "Eastenders"show? I thought channel 26 was going to drop it? I'm not a fan but I understand many are fans , did they persuade channel 26 to change it's plans?......does the Globe play any of the New Romantic groups? What about the Specials and"A Message to Rudy"?Which reminds me I thought Mr. G said Rudy was going to be back on show after he retired from usa today? Wha' happened? Oh yeah, the Mr. G. factor, whoops.....Burt Mustin........you know it's getting so bad that every time i see that Donald Trump on the tv I throw a hammer at the screen, does anyone know where i can buy some old camera bulbs? (2/5/07) Just an FYI that Johnny Holliday will be on MPT's Direct Connection tonight at 7:30 live with host Jeff Salkin to discuss his new Hoop Tales Maryland Terps book, and take calls, e-mails etc. We can e-mail questions for show guests to: directconnection@mpt.org. or call 1-800-926-0629 during the show and ask questions. The show repeats at 11:00 tonight, and tomorrow at 6 am. (2/5/07) To the poster (McChurch / 'Electric' Church) who commented on mega churches, I've considered your sentiments and would like to add a few thoughts of my own. I'll try to keep my comments within the framework of Radio & TV discussion, but I'm compelled to address the issue of how the 'church' fits into all of that. The Good News Of Jesus Christ is not meant to be hid under a bushel, kept privately to oneself nor preached boldly and privately within the walls of a 'megachurch'. Christ Himself said to go into all the world and proclaim the glad tidings of Jesus' sinless sacrifice and offer of sins forgiven to the lost and hurting. Which includes all of us. We all need the Lord. America has today, more Christian radio stations, more TV networks/programming, and more available inspirational books on all subjects than at any time in the history of this country, The Christian music 'industry' even has its own exclusive chart these days on All Access & R&R. Yet, the country continues to rapidly drift away from the things of God. That would seem to be a dichotomy of sorts, but not really when you examine this in greater detail. While there are of course exceptions, many Christian media & local churches increasingly utilize the same things employed by their secular media counterparts - namely consultants, research, and a tendency to follow the flow and pander to the least common denominator in hopes of 'reaching' the masses. Those tools work for at best a limited time in conventional communications. They should NEVER be employed for God's work. Not surprisingly, this results in some (not all) large churches and inspirational media today running the risk of determing success by the number of weekly attendees or even promoting a prosperity gospel, whereby members and supporters are encouraged to become affluent, safe and comfortable by staying around those who are like-minded. Which is at complete odds with what God says. The Bible says that Christians are to be 'salt and light'. We need to do so in this day and age more than ever. Come out from inside the four walls and take a one on one interest in people...even if they despise the message of Christ. Once upon a time, every born-again believer in Christ was a despiser too. Pray for folks, even if they don't agree with you. Even more so today, with the insidious and satanic message of Islam and other false religions relentlessly hammering away at this nation and world...there is a need to offer the powerful life-changing Word of God to searching souls. The Lord is patient but He says He will not strive with man forever. With thousands of souls entering eternity each day either prepared or unprepared to meet the Lord (He is the judge, not I), it is essential that those blessed to be enlightened with the Gospel get off the sideline and get out in the street. Focus on others rather than building up self. It would be wonderful to see more Christians who operate media...be it radio, TV, print or cinema...seeking God's direction in how to use these influential avenues of communication to achieve more 'grass roots' relevance in healing hurting lives. The poster asked at what cost the MBC is bringing Christ to the previously unchurched? The cost to MBC and any other church, regardless of size, is nothing...because 'Jesus Paid It All'. The Bible is not called the 'Good News' for nuthin'. Share it! It will not return void. - Bob Mathers (2/5/07) Re: Super Bowl half-time show “featuring Prince…..: Lets see this RADIO/TV site has posts about HD TV, HD radio, Stereo TV, Stereo radio. Headbands/wraps and STEREO-types by some cowardly person taking a cheap shot and not signing. It. Yep, folks really ought to “get over it” alright. Ralph (2/5/07) "So CBS isn't moving a wire or changing an outlet...they're simply choosing to pay more green to be more green." Uh, OK in case you haven't noticed, CBS is owned by Westwood One, the cheapeast m*therf*ckers on the planet. Those bastards wouldn't pay an extra dime to save their own mothers. Every extra dollar they would have you believe they are paying to Pepco for "greener" power is a dollar they are actually paying to shareholders. Pull your naive little head out of the sand - or wherever else it may be - and get real: it's a scam. (2/5/07) Dave's response: I don't think "CBS is owned by Westwood One." They're both co-owned by Viacom. They're related or something like that. They're more-or-less corporate sisters..... Dear jazz fan, This week on www.jazzradiodc.com our featured artist will be as follows... February 5 to February 9... Monday - Frank Strozier, saxophonist... Tuesday - Red Garland, pianist... Wednesday - Dennis Rowland, vocalist... Thursday - Peggy Lee, vocalist... Friday - Lee Konitz, saxophonist... We're on the internet 24 hours a day at www.jazzradiodc.comand on the radio Monday through Friday from 4 pm to 5 pm in Washington DC on WMET AM 1160. On the internet you can download any of the archived show as podcast.... Listen daily and tell a friend... Thanks, Carl David (2/5/07) /\ February 5 Messages /\ \/ February 4 Messages \/ Rock out, you nostalgia freaks... cgi.ebay.com (2/4/07) Responding to: (WTMD in Towson, whose manager, Stephen Yasko, argues: "Public radio is the authentic green radio network and not the corporate hacks.) Bullszht ! This same guy has ruined their traffic and news breaks in the morning trying to sound like a big corporate FM chain station, with junk music underneath the traffic and news so "listeners can tell when we have transitioned." HUH ? Spoken word is distinct from music, give us a break. (2/4/07) "Dave's response: So, according your logic, Luther Vandross is "rock." Oooookay....." Actually your logic is incorrect. I stated what is excluded, not included. Luther Vandross was soul. Rock is based in rhythm and blues. The rhythm and blues progessin is gone for the most part. Rock and roll has always been about rebellion but more anarchist and libertarian then some progressive message that looks to establish more rules. Listen to Mojo Nixon's "You Can't Kill Me" sometime. Bryslock (2/4/07) Dave's response: Chill, dude. I was just joooooking..... In town for a Big Game Party....tuned in to BIG-FM for the first time ever at around 7pm, WoW - station has a great sound ZZZzzzzzz....Who is that programmer? Hitman McKay-Ocean Md. (2/4/07) Hey guys help me out - my husband said the half time guest during the Super Bowl was Prince and I said it was Aunt Jah Mama - Now to the real 1/2 time show on BIG-FM...now that's entertainment, Huh? (2/4/07) just saw a :03 promo for 9 News NOW, with Tracey Neale putting on her football makeup....WHAT A JOKE! Give me a break, promo department, you just took the credibility of a decent newscaster and threw it out the window...you still SUCK! (2/4/07) OK Dave, so WARW is "heavy AAA"? Then will it be playing at least the *rock* music that AAA stations play (i.e. Wilco, New Pornographers, Flaming Lips, Spoon, Magic Numbers, Yo La Tengo, Fountains of Wayne, Cat Power, new Neil Young, new Springsteen, new Dylan, etc. etc.?) If the answer is no, it seems like calling it AAA is just wrong. "Newer generic oldies" maybe? (2/4/07) "Rock was born with a political cry." Rock has nothing to do with politics. Save that for folk. Actually Rock and Roll was a slang term for sex. So if you can't bone to it, it ain't rock and roll. Bryslock (2/4/07) Dave's response: So, according your logic, Luther Vandross is "rock." Oooookay..... re: "94.7 The Globe, Powered by renewable souces of energy, what would be? and I would like to see pictures posted on their website of their wind, or solar powered transmitter." oh come on and think about the words. There are a bunch of ways to take that statement. If you want to be literal, well, pepco does sell green energy to both homes and business. It cost a bit more, but some of us find it to be a good idea. Or, consider the phrase this way: "humans" are renewable sources of energy. Everytime we sleep we're recharging. People power. As for KTAO, it does not go off the air when it rains. I've spent a couple of weeks a year in taos for the past 10 years and enjoy listening to it when I'm there. If you'd like to know what their solar system is really all about, go here: www.ktao.com... There is one solar thing in Taos that does shut down early: the annual Taos Solar Music Festival. Last set ends at 8pm. It's a good time, but only if you're open to eclectic music. As for "The Globe," it doesn't sound like any AAA station I've been listening to lately. I was hoping for something like WXPN. Or KGSR. (2/4/07) "George is a 44-year-old white guy who lives in the suburbs and likes Foreigner, Journey, Billy Idol, and David Bowie. When George was in high school, he loathed disco and the soft soul sounds of the '70s".....Replace Journey with Roth-era VH, and I’ll plead guilty as charged. LOL Eric in Alabamastan (2/4/07) Dave's response: I do like David Bowie and "White Wedding" is cool, but I can't stand Foreigner or Journey. Put Ian Dury and Public Image Limited on the list and you get me..... Always heard Damien took Weasel to Annapolis. That is why Bob here and Weasel had to change shifts. In Bethesda Bob came on before Weasel, in Annapolis Weasel came on after Damien and before Bob. (2/4/07) My thanks to those who corrected me on my post here I said the guy doing the ads was from WJMD (in the LazyBoy) he was from WGAY) Bob Chandler. Thanks ""Mail Baggers". Rusty Gibson (2/4/07) There's no mystery over how 94.7 is now "powered by renewable sources of energy." And, no matter how entertaining the image may be, the answer doesn't involve windmills in the transmitter yard. All of us (even a faceless corporate radio station) can choose renewable energy simply by paying more money to our regular electricity supplier, like Pepco. The company takes the extra cash and buys a greater share of its power from a greener--but more expensive--source, like a wind farm or a solar, biomass or hydroelectric plant. So CBS isn't moving a wire or changing an outlet...they're simply choosing to pay more green to be more green. (2/4/07) Yes, the other day almost every Comcast channel above 30 froze but local channels such as 4, 5, 7, and 9 did not freeze. (2/4/07) Dave's response: On most area Comcast systems, only the channels above 99 are transmitted digitally to your home. Channels below 99 can be digital in origination, but they're sent to subscribers in old-fashioned analog mode (a la snow, lines, ghosting, and whatnot). For example, my Comcast system receives TCM digitally off the satellite (and the signal will sometimes go black or freeze), but it's sent out on analog channel 51 to area homes..... Has anyone else with Comcast cable experienced their screen "freezing" in the middle of a scene, broadcast, etc.? Example was the other morning I was watching FOX news, Gurvir and Steve were talking and all of a sudden, the screen just froze as if I pushed the pause button on my remote and it stayed that way for at least 10 minutes. I ended up changing to channel 8 news (couldnt' stomach the other stations)..It's happened before when I was watching a basketball game, a movie and other programs, but only lasted a few seconds..Anyone know what's up??.. (2/4/07) Dave's response: Digital signals will freeze/pixilate/go black if the signal gets interrupted or is weak. If you were watching Channel 5 via its digital cable signal (Comcast 213), the problem might be on your end. You might want to have your signal levels checked by a Comcast tech if the problem continues and/or is also on other digital channels. If it happened via 5's analog signal on basic cable, the problem could be with the cable system, which is probably taking a digital feed of 5 at the "headend." It would be affecting everyone in your area. Call and complain..... I heard Glenn Beck on Super Bowl Sunday on 105.7 HFS. Is he part of their new rotation? (2/4/07) Two of XM Radio's channels are taking a road trip from DC to NC for the Duke-UNC game in Durham on Wednesday 2/7. Sports talker XM Sports Nation (XM channel 144) will broadcast live throughout the day outside of the Duke athletic center, starting with on-air host T.J. Rives at 6:00 am ET. Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski will host his weekly XMSN show from 2-3 pm ET. The indie-rock channel XMU (XM channel 43) will broadcast from the athletic center near "Krzyzewskiville," the tent city where Duke students camp for game tickets, starting at 4 pm ET. On-air host Tobi will talk with students and take song requests. XM will carry the two teams' game feeds starting at 9:00 pm ET. The Duke feed airs on XM channel 191; the UNC feed is on XM 192. (2/4/07) Heres a side note for you,we were in the Manassas costco yesterday and of all people we see the one and only Mike O'Meara,Carla(I assume)and his daughters(again I assume). My wife and I respected his privacy,and went on our way through the store,only to be beside Carla and the kids at the checkout,and Mike was no where to be found,they put everything on the conveyor,but it seems they were holding up the line for lack of Mike and maybe the credit card???Don't know,because we left but Carla was looking none too pleased,as well as all the pissed off people in line waiting for the "Great O'Meara to appear.Being a fan of the show,I think the "Great O'Meara acts the same in public as he does on the show,arrogant!!! Regards,John (2/4/07) Good grief! My grandfather (a Southern Baptist Deacon) in his lifetime (1884-1973) used to raise bloody hell about what he used to call "the electric church" and "McChurch" which he said (my) generation would be confronted with. Well, he was right. And, Dave, God Bless you for bringing this latest apparition to our attention. As a former United Methodist missionary and lay minister, all I can say is bravo in showing what these people are up to. Yes, I've heard Lon Solomon's "Not a sermon -Just a thought" series, and they remind me so much of the sugarcoated drivel used by cults. While I applaud MBC's efforts at bringing Christ to the previously unchurched, few ask what the cost is. If you're old enough to remember the chain, Little Tavern had better hamburgers than McD's, but couldn't beat Mc! D's on price or convenience. Of course, as with so many other local chains, McD's eventually killed-off Little Tavern. Trouble is, the megachurches are secretly unabashed at the members they more-or-less openly steal from "traditional/denominational" churches. The megachurches are great at giving people what they want. But, are they giving what God commands of the church? Likewise, the cult of Pastor as personality in the megachurches I also find troubling. Are these preachers truly possessed of the servant's heart, as commanded by Christ? My grandfather used to get really upset at Pat Robertson's "700 Club" and Jim & Tammy Faye Bakker on "PTL Club". When I see these megachurches, I can't help but to think of the power Reverend Jim Jones had over his flock with "The People's Temple" in Guyana. That's not to say that the traditional denominational churches haven't run into problems when their preachers were made larger than life by radio or TV. I remember one ! such minister on TV for may years in the D.C. area, whose empire (incl uding offices and studio on Lee Highway in Falls Church) crumbled when his sexual indiscretions were revealed. (My grandfather liked to talk about the “disappearance” of Aimee Semple McPherson!) In an era and area where so many -especially young adults- are seeking God's will in their lives, it is unfortunate that there are so many who are willing to capitalize on this hunger and use it for their own self-aggrandizement, rather than the glory of God. As an example, MBC's annual budget is 93 times that of my church. Imagine how many poor people that extra $92M could feed, clothe, or provide housing for! But, then again, our church doesn't openly court the high and mighty. (We do provide five reserved parking spaces in our lot for visitors, though...) And, we eschew partisan political involvement. I'm thankful that the church I worship with is the way it is. What I find troubling is how many eventually become dissatisfied with a megachurch, and fall away entirely ! from the body of Christ's church? (2/4/07) Dave's response: I made the mistake of taking Route 7 west of Tysons one Sunday when the McLean Bible Church was in action. Man, it was like a rush hour traffic jam. Amazing..... So WBIG 100.3 is going to go silent during the Super Bowl? Will anyone notice the difference in programming? Probably not. Well now they will be mute as well as deaf. LOL (2/4/07) Dave's response: Call it a community service. Do you think DC can survive four-ish hours with no old Elton John tunes? Hmmm..... Duh the staff doesn't drive hybrids. This is just a format flip, not a lifestyle change for it's employees. The hybrids will be station vehicles for their promotions department. Weasel doesn't drive, everyone knows that. And come on, we all know that radio isn't glamorous. "We" all don't drive BMW's and Hummers. Also, why do people keep refering the old 94.7 as "The Arrow?" That "brand" has been dropped for a while like over one year. It was "Classic Rock 94.7. The Capital of Classic Rock." As far as the musical content, it will be great. I mean right now Pearl Jam's "Jeremy" is playing and you will still get a lot of you classic rock artist mixed in with basicly HFS's old library before they flipped to LZL. Keep your fingers crossed for the HFS calls or maybe even GLB or something along those lines. Man you can't hate on this "Bob Marley Get Up Stand Up--->Tom Petty Saving Grace. This is like HFS and ARW combinded..... (2/4/07) Dave's response: Weasel doesn't drive? I never knew that. When HFS was in Annapolis in the mid-1980s on 99.1, you mean he took the bus? Or did he hitchhike? 94.7 The Globe, Powered by renewable souces of energy, what would be? and I would like to see pictures posted on their website of their wind, or solar powered transmitter. KTAO in Taos NM is, or was solar powered, and has to off the air every time it rains... 94.7 The Globe, is a gold based adult rocker. As of today, 2 days after the format change, you can go an hour and only hear one new and current alternative cut WHFS circa 1985?! programmed by David Einstein before Duchossois communications took over. Oh really? Let's hear them play some The The, and Depeche Mode's Blasphemous Rumours, next to some real delta blues, and classic rock, not the popular classic rock, but the obscure cuts and let Weasel play his Friday set. CBS Co-owned WXRT is still programmed by Norm Winer, however they don't sound the same as in 1985, when they weren't owned by CBS... Michael Hughes, I hope you read this column, and be willing to listen to some of the older WHFS listeners... Please don't blow smoke up our asses, Michael Hughes... Usually when a AAA goes on the air it is automated, yes, but the music starts with a gigantic playlist and with a keen eye to the arbitrons, and an ear to the ground, it tightens up the playlist and compromises everything else. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a naysayer, but a motivator. Please be as independent musically as possible, and REALLY FOLLOW THROUGH BEING ADVENTUROUS, AND GREEN... (2/4/07) Dave's response: Here's a pic (right) of the CBS techs installing the power-generating windmill at the top of 94.7's transmission tower in Bethesda..... According to the WP, Cody Pfanstiehl died. A long-time flack for MetroRail in its infancy… and admired by us media folk. Always honest and quick to return calls. (2/4/07) RE: "Somewhere in DC's CC offices someone is jumping out of a window screaming, WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THIS FIRST!" Ummm because there isnt a creative mind at CC. Clear Channel is run by fear and destruction. No one will take any risks here without being able to blame it on a "Focus Group" for fear of losing their jobs if it doesnt work. This whole complex should be considered a "Hostile Work" environment. I am just really surprised that WARW could pull this of given their militant style of management as well. Good Luck Guys I hope it stays! (2/4/07) It was indeed Bob Chandler who leaned back in the recliner to urge folks to R-E-L-A-X...and enjoy WGAY 99.5-FM Stereo. Jules once worked for Bob at WGAY, first mornings (which he hated) and later evenings, before going to WJMD 94.7, and later WEZR 106.7, all beautiful music stations at the time, and combining for probably 10-15% of the audience at one time. Jules Henry Festog passed away some years ago in Pennsylvania. As for Chandler, who's also gone now, those TV commercials were quite funny to all who knew and worked with him. There were few more driven, frenetic people in radio than "relaxed" Bob. (2/4/07) It's pretty funny to me that there seem to be people out there who actually believe 94.7 The Globe is literally running on alternative energy, a la solar power, windmills, or perhaps more appropriately, buffalo chips. It's just a play on words, buckaroos. You'll have to look elsewhere for your environmental saviors. As for "George," he may have hated disco and soul in high school, but the real rockers still beat his ass and broke his glasses on a regular basis. Fizz (2/4/07) Rusty Gibson asked, "Forgive my memory Dave. But wasn't it Jules Henry that personally did the TV ads for WJMD. I can still remember him "relaxing" in a "Lazy Boy" (I think just prior to his death)" You're probably thinking of Bob Chandler in ads for WGAY 99.5. (2/4/07) /\ February 4 Messages /\ \/ February 3 Messages \/ Thsi "the day the music died." Weasel always remembered it, when he was on WHFS en.wikipedia.org... en.wikipedia.org... www.lyrics007.com... (2/3/07) Regarding your rant about the switch at 94.7.... why do you give WMAL such a hard time? After all, it seems all the station did was take your advice and provided an outlet for non far left wingers. Right leaning talk radio was started to counter the liberal bias in other media outlets, and has served a very important role in American politics. (2/3/07) Dave's response: It's just fun to joke about a station (WMAL) which brags about delivering "the truth." Whatever that is..... All this slobbering over 'the globe' reminds me of that South Park episode, where everyone was stroking themselves for driving hybrids. How pathetic. You all have been had by the CBS Eichmanns. (2/3/07) ("Dave's response: Is it true that Weasel drives a Mini Cooper?") Don't know about that, Dave, but he does Metro to work. I see him regularly scooting through the Silver Spring station when I'm on my way home. Mother Hubbard (2/3/07) Glad to see that CBS has finally come out of it's coma per say when it comes to WARW. I do agree with you about trying to move the WHFS letters back to DC, but I am also hope they play deeper songs such as Stop Me If You Heard This Song Before by The Smiths, Blackbird by The Beatles and other tracks that rarely get airplay. Diverse music for a diverse community, 94.7 The Globe. Somewhere in DC's CC offices someone is jumping out of a window screaming, WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THIS FIRST! Okay, probably not jumping out of the window per say, but I think heads will roll in the next year at Big 100.3 also known as Solitary Bullshit 100.3 Dan (2/3/07) Dave...Re: "we lefties have taken over Arlington and Fairfax...Now the rest of Virginia awaits..." how could you have left out my Alexandria...much further left than Arlington and Fairfax. God bless us! -- Bobbie (2/3/07) I’m amazed that anyone is worked up about The Globe regardless of your political ideology. It’s a parody. It’s actually poking fun of hippy environmentalism. Obviously, the staff doesn’t drive hybrids. The station doesn’t run on anything other than the transmitter that ran Arrow. I’ll be the parking lot at the station is still full of SUV’s and Beamers. I’m a conservative, but even I can see what a joke it is. It will really succeed if people take it seriously…if you do, you are pathetic indeed. (2/3/07) Dave's response: Is it true that Weasel drives a Mini Cooper? OK, so I flipped off my XM for a day and gave "94.7 The Globe" a chance. I'd read here and elsewhere that the station (which I admire for its environmental stance) was going to carry a "AAA" format that has eluded the DC area for decades, or a "deep tracks" format where one would hear, well, "deep" tracks. Clearly I'm spoiled by satellite radio because "94.7 The Globe" is neither of these things, and I'd wager it will never come close. Face it, the only way to get the breadth and depth of music we all on Mailbag long for is to pay for it. And trust me, if you can afford it, it's SO worth the $10 or $12/month. You wanna hear "Rain Fall Down" by the Stones or "Blind Eye" by Wishbone Ash? Tune in XM's Deep Tracks. Wanna hear "The Blower's Daughter" by Damien Rice or "The Trouble With Normal" by Bruce Cockburn"? It's on the XM Cafe or XM's The Loft. Itching for "Straight to Hell" by The Clash or "This Charming Man" by The Smiths? XM's Fred has it. And these stations play these tunes and thousands like them 24/7/365 commercial free! I'd like to give a new terresterial station in DC chance, I just can't see myself waiting through a few mainstream Chili Peppers and Bob Seger tunes and a few dozen ads on "The Globe" just in hopes of hearing one deep track or AAA standard. (And no I'm not a shill for XM, I don't work for them or have a financial stake or even know anybody there -- I'm just an avid listener who's moved on from terrestrial to satellite and can't go back). -- Mark in D.C. (2/3/07) I have to say that I'm liking "The Globe". I agree that the "green' stuff is a little bit too much, but that will go away in time. I like the harder edge of what they play compared to the (for me) boring folksy stuff on WTMD and generic flash in the pan female vocalists (Gem?) that WRNR frequently plays. It's definately worlds better than the extremely tired classic rock that they were plaing before. I may get my wish to never hear "Freebird" and "bennie & The Jets" ever again. Oh wait, there's still 100.3 and 100.7 for that. Yawn. (2/3/07) What ever Ed Rodriguez is on, can I get some please???? (2/3/07) Like a previous poster, I am also a conservative listening to 94.7 Gang Green "Rock with a Lecture". What's next? "Stem Cell 107.3"? I like the music, but I don't find it too too different from the old 94...yet I'll keep listening, though. I like the format idea. It seems they listened to Don Geronimo when he was bashing radio listener surveys last week. But I can do w/out hearing Al Gore every 4th song warning that the world is coming to an end. That could cause me to drive my gas guzzling Chevy Tahoe off the road ;) And some of their handy tips are laughable, like taking your lunch in Tupperware instead of plastic baggies -- thanks, Mom. Also, I enjoy reading DCRTV despite your constant digs at the right - that's ok, what's good for the goose... (2/3/07) Dave's response: If George doesn't fly, how about War 104? "You dropped a bomb on me"..... And now, another missive from "When Radio Was." Look, I know I sound 100 years old when I write some of this stuff, but I've watched countless industries reduce thenselves to insignificance (network television and commercial radio for two) and a smaller handful cost-cut themselves to the doorstep of oblivion (the American steel and auto makers). And, I'm not THAT old, fer cryin' out loud. There was a time when broadcast promotions and marketing knew that the size and strength of their crop would be based on the strength and potency of their seed. In 1961, my family went to an event in Chicago called, "The World Trade Show and Fair." It was held in the "brand new" McCormick Place (Yep. The one that burned down about a decade later.). One highlight of the trip was that we would get to see the "WGN Little Theatre" complete with WGN's new "Satellite Radio Studio." Basically, it was a typical television studio, but Chennel 9 was doing 15-30 minutes of LIVE games and introductions to the new studios every hour, with their entire air staff in attendance. It was so thrilling to see Uncle Bucky playing his guitar and singing right before my eyes. On the way out, I got my first glimpse of a radio studio. There was the "the guy" on WGN, talking LIVE on the... RADIO! We never forgot that outing! In 1962, the Storer company bought the radio station at 1050 in New York, restored the WHN call letters and unveiled a full service Middle of the Road (MOR) format. They did not make that introduction by producing a forty-second announcement for the GM to read. They held a soiree in the ballroom at a grand hotel (I think it was the Waldorf). City officials, everyone in retail and advertising and assorted other New York glitterati were there. It was an event covered by ALL of the newspapers and some television! Fast forward to 2007. If you want your station to be automated wallpaper with a For Sale sign on it, Bonneville probably did the right thing with George 104.1. Although, it is HORRIBLE branding. Silly and forgettable. But, I believe that CBS intends to keep and operate 94.7. Do you realize that they are touting a "live/local" air staff that they did not take the opportunity to introduce? Heck, they did not take the opportunity to "invite" anyone to the unveiling of their new product ("Be listening for a special announcement today at noon."). They are not just moving a few jocks' airshifts. This was a full-blown product introduction. These guys were introducing Campbell's Soup that is fruit flavored and packed in blue plastic can. It's COMPLETELY different. NEW... for a NEW generation. They are killing Old Coke and introducing New Coke! And, it was all reduced to a lousy 45 second radio commercial, voiced by (with apologies to Michael Hughes) a suit. What if? What if... the introduction to the product had been held until the very beginning of the ratings period (better weather)? What if a clever teaser campaign had been executed to build suspense among advertisers and even listeners (flashing backpacks come to mind). Let's say that, in the waning month of the Arrow, in the middle of a song or disc jockey's monologue, a burst of authentic static was followed by a slightly off-mike conversation, with young, intense people, planning some sort of guerilla mission. It lasts for 20-30 seconds then, more static and we hear the Arrow programming continue, as though another station had just drifted in for a moment. As the time went on, the listener is getting a little more from these conversations. It's some sort of planning meeting for some kind of ecology demonstration, maybe for Earth Day. But it involves radio, too. Then, for one weekend, the Arrow stops. In it's place are LYRICAL hints at the new product ("The End of the World As We Know It," etc.). A non-professional voice (female) reads (somewhat poorly, a la Patty Hearst during her captivity) in an obviously scripted announcement, inviting everyone to a pre-determined location for the introduction of a special "green" initiative. Ads are placed ALL OVER the City Paper, announcing the event, expaining the entire "green" thrust of attitude, as well as what the new radio station will sound like and symbolize. The ads feature core artist profiles and air staff bios (Yes! You will introduce the air staff to host the show. Not, "someday, we'll have dee-jays.") Then, in Potomac Park, at Great Falls, along a reclaimed area of the Anacostia, wherever... the event takes place. There is food, bottled water and other soft "green" drinks (think Odwalla... vendor/advertiser provided) and performances by some of the core artists. It is broadcast live. The place is blessed by several denominations of religion, including Wiccan and an Inuit Shaman. And, the advertisers are simultaneously being entertained at a special concert/party (indoors with adult beverages). All that takes time and ingenuity, but don't you think that maybe... just maybe... you'd create enough of a buzz, and positive feeling among your target audience, that you'd get a great introductory bump for, at least, one book? Hey, if the product is rotten, it will shrivel, shrink and fall off the tree. But, give the baby a chance to walk and a kiss for luck. Or, you could grab the GM and record something real fast in an empty production studio. - Ed. Rodriguez (2/3/07) Dave, you must have the stupidest f***ing readers in the world on your website. Case in point: this new Globe station and what it plays. Why you ask? A) People (including yourself) bitch about no stations playing 'deep cuts' or songs that honestly only probably 1% of the population wants to hear. B) A new station comes on and plays some of these songs, or at least songs that you haven't heard in a long time. C) The bitching immediately begins about how they are playing too many 'safe' songs that 'everyone else' plays. Of course, each person who has done this has cited ONE SONG. A station typically plays a few hundred songs a day people!!! Even if the station plays 95% songs that are 'safe' and that are 'tested,' that still means you are getting 5% of the songs that are eclectic or whatever the **** you want to call them. If you put a true 'deep cuts' station that played nothing but 'out there' stuff on the air, it would last one book, TOPS. Unless of course it was owned by the government or by people who just like pissing money out the station windows. Wake up you whinebags and get into the real world. Dave, this excludes you, because even though you love the 'out there' songs, you have repeatedly recognized the reality that they need to be mixed in, not the ONLY songs a station plays. A final note: I love most of the eclectic, deep cuts, out there stuff too, but be realistic people, OR get a few million together and put your own f***ing LPFM station on the air. Thanks - please sign me, Realistic. P.S. Global warming is real, you right-wing whackjobs... yes, scientists were talking about a cooling period in the 1970s and 1980s, b/c WE ARE IN AN INTERGLACIAL PERIOD (go study some basic geology, even if you have to skip the first 450 million years to fit into your wacky theory of history), and they had yet developed the technology to properly assess how much of an impact human industrialization has had on planet earth. Now we are starting to really understand how much impact we have had, and it may already be too late to save civilization as we know it. So thanks to Al Gore and to the Globe too, even if they are doing this for the purposes of crass consumerism. Get the word out and scrap your SVUs and two-person 3000 sq ft McMansions! (2/3/07) Dave's response: Evolution and global warming - certainties, as far as I'm concerned. I don't care what Rush Limbaugh, Sam Brownback, and Fox News say..... With regards to The Globe. I'm glad someone started it. It has a long way to go! Hopefully it will grow into a true progressive AAA with everything from Bluegrass to Jazz. (Like the old HFS on 102.3 or WEER on 107.7). It is all the hype that turns me off. I am so glad that my FM roof top antenna pulls in WTMD and that WXPN has a high speed stream. I listen to WTMD, WXPN, WPFW, Sirius Disorder 24 and my ipod. I'm also a lefty. Bob, Fairfax (2/3/07) Dave's response: We lefties have taken over Arlington and Fairfax. Now, the rest of Virginia awaits..... Yorktown HS in Arlington VA was originally used as a studio for WETA-TV 26. See: www.weta.org "1964 ... WETA moves from a classroom in Yorktown High School in Arlington, Virginia, to Howard University in Washington, D.C., where a renovated gym provides a complete production and broadcast facility." (2/3/07) Just heard "Lust For Life" by Iggy Pop on 94.7... great. (2/3/07) Dave's response: Now, how about "Pumpin' For Jill"..... "If CBS Radio really wanted to make a difference "globally", they would address the problem of tower lights killing migratory birds,...Ask any engineer, and she'll tell you that they find hundreds of dead birds every year at the base of broadcast towers. " Given how few female engineers there are, it is highly unlikely that you could find one to ask this question of in the first place. However, given that I am a broadcast engineer, and I visit towers daily, I can tell you that the poster is wrong on so many, many points. Forget for a minute that I have never found dead birds at my towers. What is important here is that the liberal minded poster has forgotten a few details. 1. Neither Mike Hughes nor CBS has any control of tower lighting for at least three reasons. First, they are tenants on many towers, so they have no say in the tower management. Second, tower lighting requirements are specified by the FCC, upon direction from the FAA. The FAA bases their requirements on the safety of air transport. The FAA is required by Congress to ensure the safety of transport. AND THAT issue is far more important than your birds!!! I should hope, though I doubt it, that the Pelosi regime will not take this pseudo-science to heart and make random changes to tower lighting requirements that could impact the safety of air travel. Montgomery County, which never shies away from embracing liberal causes, is in fact one place that has regularly rejected white strobes...so how about you start there locally before you preach about embracing anything globally. Given how few planes hit towers or other tall structures, I think what we have in place works just fine. I invite any doubting liberal to go for a ride with me around the towers of the greater Washington area and lets count the pigeons in the park. Tom Lehrer sure would have fun with this one. Oh, and I have read the reports, several of them, so unless you want to be publicly embarrassed, you should really apologize for your tirade and go back to reading about some other pseudo-science like global warming. (2/3/07) Interesting feedback in the Mailbag about "The Globe," 94.7. I'm a conservative who has "warmed" to a mild form of environmentalism in recent years, but the station's sloganeering does strike me as a form of grandstanding, we-know-what's-good-for-you liberalism. Nevertheless, WHO CARES? I love WPFW for its jazz programming, while retaining a begrudging respect for its looney Left talk programs, which no other station will touch with a 10-foot pole. If "Globe" environmentalism is what it took to give the moldy "classic rock" sound of 94.7 a major face-lift, then that's a good thing. Unfortunately, the first song I heard when I turned on the station yesterday was "Save Tonight" by Eagle Eye Cherry -- still in regular rotation on MIX 107.3! C'mon, guys. Steer clear of stuff that's SO familiar, and stick to some of the cool tracks you played yesterday -- a few of which, I must confess, I'd never heard of! What a concept: Unfamiliar music on CBS-owned station. One last thing: I do wonder how much input into the format Cerphe had. He's the best deejay in the area, and he's paid his dues playing "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" every day for the past decade. But wasn't he also the brains behind WBMW, 106.7 -- the "New Age" station that graced D.C.'s airwaves 20 years ago? I liked that change, too, at the time -- daring, even though it never took off. Maybe it took two decades for CBS to give Cerphe and his Left Coast ideas another chance? Whatever the case, more power to him. I can stomach the "green" political speechifying as long the station plays cool music. Christian (2/3/07) Am I the only one who has noticed that MASN is in a hiring mode while Comcast Sports Net is letting people go like there is no tomorrow?!? If ever you wanted proof of who won the Comcast vs. MASN/Angelos/MLB/Nats et al battle, I think you finally have it now. It's painfully obvious from the pink slips that Comcast lost. (2/3/07) So now 94.7 is a station for bubbleheaded tree huggers? Well, I guess we need radio for everyone. But they just lost me, a long time listener. (2/3/07) Dave's response: Hey, maybe you should hug a tree. If it wasn't for them, and their putting oxygen into the air, you wouldn't be here. No joke..... I never saw Sage Steele on Comcast..I'm assuming she did a pretty good job if she's going to ESPN..Comments? (2/3/07) The closest to The Globe is TMD? Not even close. That is a slap in the face to the fine folks in Towson. As for R&R, the article reads "what looks like AAA." They must not be looking very close. The only thing it has in common with AAA is 'green' grandstanding. As an early 40s white guy, I like the music but let's be real. They are not breaking any new ground here...and they won't. As I stated a few days ago, it won't be long until the 'repetition' chant/whine raises its ugly head here in the 'bag. Besides, what has CBS done in the last few years that would lead you to believe they will do this correctly. The last astute radio mind at CBS-Washington, Jay Stevens, left that building last month. (2/3/07) No, we won't hear weather forecasts from a meterologist named Christina on WTOP. My problem is that we may not hear weather forecasts from a meterologist named Susan or Debra or Elizabeth either. Unless something has changed or will change, the local Allbritton weather operation is a parade of males. Everett W. (2/3/07) "Green Radio" - that's got to be the stupidest fucking thing I've ever heard. "Using renewable sources of power for its transmitter and the station's hybrid vehicles." WTF does THAT mean? " 94.7 has long been about gimmicks. This is just another albeit the dumbest fucking thing I've heard too. (2/3/07) I've been reading the site for a while, just had to throw in my two cents. George 104 sucks, 94.7 has potential and today's Don and Mike Show (I was able to listen from 3 to 5), was some of the best radio in ages. Patrick in Gaithersburg (2/3/07) Dave's response: Yeah, they should do the show drunk everyday..... "Dave's response: At 5 PM today they didn't play "Party Weekend." Come on!!!!!" All dressed up and nowhere to go, we just want to da-yance. (2/3/07) I’ve been hearing Doug Hill on WTOP in the mornings for awhile now, in the 8:00 hour. If he’s on in the afternoons it must be before I leave work. (2/3/07) Dave's response: I usually hear Doug's reports in the 3 PM or 4 PM hours on TOP..... It was nice to hear my friend and colleague Mark Levin spend an hour last night bashing Keith Olbermann about a bad one night stand. As we all know, Mr. Olbermann should not have criticized Mark Levin over the now phony Limbaugh nomination for a Nobel Peace Prize. After listening to Mark Levin, I can only conclude the liberal Mr. Olbermann over at MSNBC is a sexual deviant. Conservatives are better than that. Signed Bill O'Reilly, FNC. (2/3/07) Forgive my memory Dave. But wasn't it Jules Henry that personally did the TV ads for WJMD. I can still remember him "relaxing" in a "Lazy Boy" (I think just prior to his death) My main concern @ "Arrow is the potential loss of the great Cerphe Now losing S&M is no great loss to me. I always enjoyed "Shelby". I was never a big fan of WHFS. So I suppose Dial flipping now for a new station. I go (or 'MZQ here I come!). Or old "MHT tapes while home! Am hoping everyone is well, Rusty Gibson (2/3/07) when i can get a signal from 94.7 i have to say i like the variety. if they could only get more power out of those cow farts to get the signal clearly to annapolis. in a perfect world, 94.7 would get the HFS calls, stay the eclectic mix of old and new rock, add the HFS2 alt/indie/punk subchannel, add a HFS3 techno/electronic subchannel, boost its signal to hit dc, norva, md, and baltimore like HFS used to, and bring the HFStival back to its former glory. on a side note dave you will have your work cut out for you trying to keep track of and update all the flips and changes to the fm station list! tony - annapolis (2/3/07) I hate to be the ones to piss on a good parade, but DC hasn't had a good AAA station until now, and with the Kinks " You really got me" streaming out of my computer I'll have to say that it's still a classic rock station, with alternative classics thrown in. Although it's nice to hear Everclear and The Racontueurs. By the way that's Nik Carter ( formerly of WFNX/WBCN and now weekends at NYC's K Rock) doing the " Green Voiceovers" funny... (2/3/07) Dave's response: It's a "hard AAA" as opposed to a "folksie AAA" or a "progressive AAA"..... (1)"Imagine the stink had the suits changed the call sign back to WJMD-FM and played "51 minutes of beautiful music in every hour." Pictured: The late Jules Henry at WJMD sometime in the 1970s. " Yeah..would have loved that. In fact, it was when 94.7 had 51 minutes of beautiful music every hour that I last had any radio in my home at 94.7. Maybe the 94.7 call letters should be WQRM. (2) As to 100.3 going silent during superbowl--they should let Mary Cliff put 4 hours of folk music on during that time. Last time I had 100.3 tuned in was when it had that brief spell of real jazz. It should go Spanish language, just as it was nearly half a century ago. (3) Good ole values oriented Bonneville to kick classical off its bevy of stations and put on some rock 'n' roll. Maybe if that durned rock gets me boned up for some un-values sex and drugs, maybe I can go to the Bonneville International Trick and Crack House (B.I.T.C.H.) to satisfy those cravings. Thank God for satellite to satisfy my lust for beautiful music, folk music, real jazz, and classical music--as well as drive-time bluegrass as we once had on 88.5. (2/3/07) Geez, WRNR is worlds better tnat WARW. Todd rungren "Bang on the drum", puh-leeze! It's like your dad picking 'safe' music. Absolutely horrible. Hey, the suits in Chicago said this is what's hot...! (2/3/07) Point 1: Well my only quick experience with 94.7 coming home, I got my Steely Dan "Reelin' in the Years", so not much really did change huh? Oh wait, then they followed it up with 311's All Mixed Up. That is an interesting mix that I would get off my iTunes. It sounds like they'll be the station for folks that relate very well to the classic rock, yet also like good 90s rock. Still, that is a f-in weird mix going from Steely Dan to 311. Jury's still out on the flip as far as I'm concerned. I'm in agreement with an earlier poster today that said all the station had to do was play different/deeper cuts from the "money-classic" artists. I mean when's the last time you heard "She's Like a Rainbow" from the Stones. Stuff like that more often from 94.7 and you wouldn't have had the switch you got today. Point 2: As long as Kelli Johnson is still on CSN, who the hell cares that it was Sage Steele's last night. No offense, but if ESPN was really smart Kelli should've been going to Bristol instead of Sage. Kelli is pro compared to Sage's still amateur delivery of local sports. Too much of a Ravens cheerleader in comparison to Kelli's straight-up Skins reports. So I guess I should thank ESPN for not taking my goddess of local sports reporting. (geez, I wonder if people can tell I have the serious hots for Kelli) Point 3: Even Don and Mike haters who listen to the show have to admit that the Absynth (i know I didn't spell it right, you're lucky you're getting this much from someone who's drinking bone-dry martinis) show was funny as hell today. Everybody drunk just makes for a funny as hell show. I'm just saddened that we didn't get Nancy on the air with the drunk trio. Go Colts for SB XLI - Tony (2/3/07) Here's a webpage giving more info than you'll ever need regarding the music rights and WKRP but I found it interesting tinyurl.com ...... Thanks for the info on WTMD I did not know they had a format of new folk, acoustic, alt. country. I thought they might be playing all them 897+ /- best songs list but this is just fine with me. I'd be leery of associating with that 'AMU though they are the Borg you know . Does 'AMU have an HD channel devoted to bluegrass or that's strictly online? Has Jerry Gray started yet?.......... maybe the new 'ARW could change to call letters of WKRP, or WNEW ain't being used anymore is it? Come on Paul and Mother Hubbard loosen up the 1970's started out fine with the rock and rolla but towards the end the dinosores was getting quite stale and then came along the punk nd new wave, a lot of great music in late 70's and 80's that rarely sees the light anymore.......i'm a member of the blank generation....was Barbaro's last meal beefaroni? good day to you fellow babies, eric swann (2/3/07) Haven't heard the "REVERB" on the Don & Mike Show lately. (SIGH)....maybe I am just dreaming. I enjoy the Ed Noriss Show...but that "Sports Chick" doing her start-and-stop-" method of speaking...has...made...me think...I may...want to find another station, when...SheTalksVeryFast....and....says something,VeryFastAgain...ArGGG! Puleeeesse! MK B... Ed, Great Show!, Take notice. MK (2/3/07) Why do you insert (left) or (right) when you include a picture in your items? Especially if there is only ONE pic. For example; Doug Hill (left). Do you really think it’s possible for anyone to NOT realize its Doug Hill on the left? BUT…with an item, your recent rant, with 5 pictures you don’t even mention who they are…or where they’re positioned…(left) or (right). What’s the deal with that?? (2/3/07) Dave's response: Take a chill pill dude. Let's see, the pics included Howard Stern, the Junkies, Opie and Anthony, Elliot Segal, and Don and Mike..... "Green Radio" - that's got to be the stupidest fucking thing I've ever heard. "Using renewable sources of power for its transmitter and the station's hybrid vehicles." WTF does THAT mean? Newsflash: Hybrid vehicles run on electricity that you get out of a wall socket. Transmitters run on electricity (and a LOT of it) that you get from the power company. WTF is so "renewable" about that?? What about the lights and all the electrical gizmos and gadgets in their studios that are sucking tons of watts of power? If CBS Radio really wanted to make a difference "globally", they would address the problem of tower lights killing migratory birds, an industry disgrace which is only now beginning to come to light, no pun intended. It's estimated that as many as a Billion (with a "B") migratory birds are killed every year - 70% of all unnatural bird kills - because their flight patterns are disrupted by the red flashing lights from American TV and radio towers, yet the industry continues to turn a blind eye to it. Nobody cares. Ask any engineer, and she'll tell you that they find hundreds of dead birds every year at the base of broadcast towers. Europe has it right - they've outlawed red beacons and switched to white strobes, which do not harm birds. Why not do something worthwhile like that, Michael Hughes? -DB (2/3/07) /\ February 3 Messages /\ \/ February 2 Messages \/ The Wikipedia entry for Yorktown HS in Arlington VA points out that the building was originally used as a studio for a public broadcasting station. Who knows more about this? tinyurl.com (2/2/07) WARW-FM has just switched format to "The Globe" (whatever that is) -- and, my oh my, how people are complaining. Imagine the stink had the suits changed the call sign back to WJMD-FM and played "51 minutes of beautiful music in every hour." Pictured: The late Jules Henry at WJMD sometime in the 1970s. (2/2/07) Ditching the Weather Channel for Doug Hill on WTOP is a great idea. I make a lot of outdoors plans around the weather, as I am outdoorsy type, and the superficial drivel the Weather Channel dishes out is useless. I love Doug because he actually tells me what is happening up there in the air and what that means for the weather I will see. I like knowing exactly when the front will come through, and that what everyone is predicting may not happen if it goes a little south of us, or north of us, or whatever. Doug gives me details. I can plan my life based on him. It seems many broadcasters assume we are all too stupid to understand anything more than “it will rain sometime tomorrow.” Many of us crave more. And those that don’t understand the extra info won’t be upset if they hear it. Thank you Doug and the WTOP brain trust. Detailed traffic & weather reports may not seem to be an innovative idea, but it is exactly why I listen to WTOP over any other news talker. TC from CC (2/2/07) hollander roast joy lol baylissfoundation.org (2/2/07) Looking forward to hear the new 94.7 -- like old times again with Weasel. Let's hope they don't forget to play lots of Nick Lowe, Dave Edmunds and Marshall Crenshaw along with Elvis Costello. Gotta have my "Cynical Girl." -- Vincent in Triangle (2/2/07) WBIG is doing transmitter work. They have had a new transmitter sitting dormant for some time. Clear Channel would never let a station go Dark for any promotional reason. Sunday is always the night PD's want engineering to take a station down. They are just leaving themselves a safety net for Monday with added time. And just to add some more controversy. Tom Shedlick Red Zebra's new number one man in engineering was pivotal in the old transmitter site and new transmitter site set ups at WBIG before he left CC.Hmmmmmmm. (2/2/07) ‘Just like WHFS back in 1985’ (CBS market manager Michael Hughes). Why not ‘just like WHFS should sound in 2007’?? There is a ton of radio-ready new rock out there today that isn’t getting played, except in a handful of markets and on satellite, due to mindless programming strategies. Any station that plays Coldplay every 45 minutes (The Globe) ain’t that great in my book but I’m really getting a chuckle out of the pseudo-earnest promos featuring Hughes and Cerphe. I have tapped my toes a bit when the Stray Cats and Ramones came on, but much of it is more reminiscent of WCXR circa 1985. Anyway, it sure beats the Arrow or ‘BIG or George. Mark O. (2/2/07) Dave's response: Two theories - 1) In the conservative (business-wise) DC radio market, maybe this is the best that commercial rock radio can get. Or, 2) Maybe Cerphe and Weasel are "easing us" into a bolder, more experimental format. Doing it gradually, by playing a good number of familiar alt rock standards at first. Let's see how the station sounds in a month or so. Maybe more like DC's version of Chicago's WXRT (another CBS station) than a resurrection of our old WHFS. We'll see..... A very smart move by WTOP to drop the Weather Channel and replace it with WJLA and Doug Hill's forecasts. TWC has turned into a weather related Discovery Channel type operation with very little focus on real weather and a lot of focus on drama and sob stories from people who have survived various storms. The very naive believe that TWC can actually forecast the weather for their area. (2/2/07) Dave's response: Yesterday, TWC's cable TV forecast here in Wild West Fairfax was saying "snow ending." Heck, the snow never started..... This is Sage's last night on the air!!! Jim (2/2/07) Dave: Regarding your rant about the current state of the “love fest” amongst DC Radio personalities, my mind harkens back to the lilting lyrics of the Merry Minuet by the Kingston Trio. The whole world is festering with unhappy souls. The French hate the Germans. The Germans hate the Poles. Italians hate Yugoslavs. South Africans hate the Dutch And I don't like anybody very much! Peace Out. Haymarket Joe (2/2/07) I'm confused and disappointed with The Globe after a few hours of listening. I thought they were flipping to AAA, but all I'm hearing is a mix of the old 94.7, 107.3 and DC101 - lots of overplayed 90s altrock mixed in with the 94.7 usual. NO new music. NO folk-rock or alt-country or adult-indie type stuff. NO deeper classics. NO new-wave save for one Ramones song (which I think 94.7 played already). Take a look at www.triplearadio.com and see their artists of week, emerging artists, adds...how on earth is this AAA? And what new are they playing that another station in DC doesn't already play? (2/2/07) Dave's response: I did hear Jack Johnson. Look, I didn't call it AAA in today's newsblurb. R&R did. I wasn't about to go out on that limb just yet..... You, yes you, can power your house from renewable resources. You can buy your electricity from such sources - of course it will reach you over PEPCO's wires. So you aren't actually getting renewable energy electricity, but you've paid for an equal amount to be added to PEPCO's mix. Good, sort of meaningless, PR. (2/2/07) See what it's like behind the scenes at the Super Bowl in a golf cart tour of the Miami Media Village... on Brett Haber's videoblog: www.wusa9.com (2/2/07) In response to The Scorecard Rant..... Who's on first? Very funny stuff.... As the FM Dial turns...... (2/2/07) How do you get a transmitter to run on renewable resources? I've seen one in New York state that runs on hydropower, and an Arizona property that uses a solarvoltaic panel. But WARW's sparkbox eats a ton of current and I thought they were on the grid. Did they book their own reactor? (2/2/07) Dave's response: WARW now has the rear end of a cow attached to its transmitter building. The cow's frequent farts warm the building and reduce the need for Pepco power. Of course, WARW's engineers are instructed to hold their noses while performing transmitter maintenance..... It’s about time that DC, Maryland, and Virginia had a cool radio station like the 99.1 WHFS that I grew up with--- The new 94.7 The Globe “World Class Rock for a World Class City” (2/2/07) Dave's response: At 5 PM today they didn't play "Party Weekend." Come on!!!!! Hey Dave, WARW's "flip" made me laugh out loud! Nothing like aging hippies trying to save the world (again!) Wasn't it in 1970 that they said we'd be in a global freeze about now? That didn't stick, so now it's global warming. Of course, they have no idea if it will rain next Tuesday -- but they know we're going to hell in a handbasket in 20 years. What a joke. (2/2/07) Dave's response: Ahhh, nice to hear from an Exxon stockholder..... Dave – you mentioned in your rant that, “Howard and Don and Mike never much liked each other, but they reached an on-air truce.” When was this truce you speak of? I’m pretty sure last time Don and Mike were mentioned on Stern’s show, Artie made reference to how he hated them so much he wanted to “drive by the studio and punch them in the face.” Please refresh my memory as to this on-air truce so I can look it up in the Stern/D&M audio archives… Josh in St. Pete, FL (2/2/07) Dave's response: I was just under that assumption..... I'm sorry to read that The Weather Channel will no longer be heard on WTOP. I loved listening to Christina Meeks describe the day's upcoming weather as "warm and moist." Just won't be the same coming from Doug Hill. Al McGilvray (2/2/07) Holly Morris is Satan! Paul (2/2/07) Dave's response: No, but her boss Rupert Murdoch is..... Check out “Dean's Anti-Corporate Radio”, my antidote to Clear Channel and CBS Radio. Pandora is a free music service that helps you listen to and discover new music. Your friend thought you would be interested in the station: “Dean's Anti- Corporate Radio" www.pandora.com... Enjoy! (2/2/07) Dave, do you think the WARW flop is in reaction to George 104? (2/2/07) Dave's response: I think WARW's "flip" is more of a reaction to Big 100.3's classic rock hits format than to George 104's eclectic rock and pop. DC has long had a format "hole" for an adult-oriented rock "AAA" station. One that doesn't just play moldy oldie well-worn stuff from 20 and 30 years ago. "The Globe" sounds really great to me. You've got to think that the George format is merely a placeholder until the station can be sold to Red Zebra (sports talk) or to Radio One (gospel)..... "Why can't the stations just post the listings on their websites and not clutter up the air/screen with what looks like a never-ending list of private schools?" In the case of radio, it because people already in their cars cannot access the web. Stations like WTOP have their largest audience in their cars. (2/2/07) Follow me down the rabbit hole Alice! 94.7 better keep up this blend or I really will jump to satellite or HD radio. Once HFS left my life I have been stuck on the fence. If they can keep this up AND provide sustainable public venues such as concerts and promotions I'll gladly support them and their stakeholders. There is no room for those that treat important matters such as the environment, human rights, community and progress for publicity reasons. The Globe's sponsors better take note as well! This is your chance 94.7 to go and support the activities of Co-op America, 7th Generation, Mother Jones, Whole Foods, Clif Bar, Austin Grill and other sustainable minded companies and organizations. Become a Cultural Creative minded consumer and put your green $$$$ where on the terra. There is a new level in Hell for those that are flippant about the environment! Watch your ass Globe or you'll fall flat! - Father Nature (2/2/07) I chose the WHFS call letters for 102.3 FM forty-some years ago and I demand they come back to the DC area. So there........ (2/2/07) It's funny that Clear Channel (the owners of WBIG) who helped make voice tracking common place in radio chose not to do JUST THAT on the night of the Super Bowl! I can't believe their GM bought into that lame idea! (2/2/07) Check out the new WARW website. In mission #3it says “we live here too” and then at the bottom we are invited to learn about our California Privacy Rights! I didn’t know we had those in DC. (2/2/07) To Paul. Because Alt. Music is not your cup of tea, that does not mean that other people do not enjoy it. Rap is not my thing, but I am not saying "Stop all radio stations that play Rap Music." (2/2/07) I have no clue what radio station these positive posts are talking about….in 15 minutes I heard Barenaked Ladies "One Week" that can be heard on 107.3 or 97.1 then a "the Cars" song that doesn’t get airtime for a reason, although it didn’t matter cause the song got cut off for 30 seconds of dead air then super cheesy and low production value promos….this makes me sick that they would ruin such a great station musically. Gilligan in fairfax (2/2/07) Haven’t gotten out of the office to hear the ‘new’ 94.7 yet, but it sounds like the right move. And, if they can really even approach what the OLD ‘HFS was like, they’ll have at least one very dedicated listener. One thing that jumped out at me from your front page, Dave: “…midday gal Schelby, the wife of recently canned Program Director Max Dugan…” I always figured Schelby had some kind of connection to management—there’s no other explanation why such a talentless hack remained on the air all this time. Go Colts! (2/2/07) Well Cerphe is still around, just heard him do a promo for the station. (2/2/07) Dave, The scorecard rant is the funniest thing you've ever written. (2/2/07) WTMD is in the middle of their 897 Greatest Songs of All Time Countdown. It's amazing! From Leonard Cohen to Oingo Boingo to the Temptations. I have to say, this is really fun to listen to. And they are posting the list on too on their blog. wtmd.blogspot.com (2/2/07) "As if some set of private organizations in Norway were the actual arbiters of what's prestigious and what they can require of the rest of the world." Ah, excuse me, I am sorry you feel that way, but, for nominating for a Nobel Peace Prize, Yes they can-it is their prize (and, by the way, the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in Norway, all other Nobel Prizes are awarded and administered in Sweden). Also, I see you don't understand the difference between the meaning of the words "publish" and the word "mentioned." (2/2/07) 94.7 becomes The Globe, powered by alternative energy, the same day global warming is declared man-made, Al Gore gets a Nobel nomination for global environmental efforts and a mid-winter super-twister flattens Florida. (2/2/07) Dave's response: Nowhere near Rush Limbaugh's Palm Beach mansion, though..... Having personal experience in the field I know for a fact that some very small private schools and day care places, having telephone tree's in place, still insist on their school cancellations being read over every radio station possible for publicity reasons only. And the radio and tv stations don't have the b.... to say no. (2/2/07) Finally, Bram Weinstein is getting his own show in midday on 3X ESPN. He's not everyone's favorite, but he is easily tops over the Sports Retards and just about everything else at that other "sports" station. I'm done with Sportscrap 980 for good and it's unfortunate that B-Mitch, who's got talent, has to be on a station that is so awful. (2/2/07) To all of the WHFS whiners from DC...now do you understand why we are upset about the Colts leaving Baltimore? You are making the exact same arguments as to why the call letters "WHFS" should be returned to DC. It was a radio station that had it's hay-day years ago and only got support after it folded and left town...wait, that's what you're always telling us about the Colts...oops. (2/2/07) I am very much enjoying the first 2 hours of "The Globe". If 94.7 continues to play this kind of eclectic mix, then they will be filling a sorely missed niche. I am hoping that what I am hearing is not just another ploy to reel in listeners. (2/2/07) Dave's response: No KC And The Sunshine Band. Yay! Great move by 94.7, and it would be nice to think they’ll play their cards right and a) shift the HFS calls from B’more—why do we need to be the ones to tell them this?—and b) lean heavily to the Triple A side of the musical spectrum. Yeah, a No Brainer—but it’s been a long time coming! Beyond Seattle, and maybe SF, is there a better major market in the country for this approach on a full-power FM? Probably not. Should make a pile of money… (2/2/07) Dave's response: I'll have to revise my impression of Michael Hughes. Up until now, I thought he was a company gasbag. If The Globe is, at least in part, his doing, then maybe there's a cool guy deep beneath that mindless corporate radio "suit" exterior..... Rush Limbaugh, a college dropout and 1970s draft avoider who thinks he's an expert is EVERYTHING, today delved into religion. Apparently, humans are wired to be religious. And that god will protect us despite the lies of the global warming libs. Blah blah blah. The "Reverend Rush" really ought to be hauled away by "the men in the white coats" and re-programmed. This guy is absolutely nuts, people. He's f-ing crazy. Jerome (2/2/07) Joyce, try ultimateoldiesradio.com that will take you to Bob's great site. Ed Graham (2/2/07) In re: the Nobel Peace Prize, someone wrote about the "lucid procedures set up by the prestigious nominating Assembly". I could hardly stop laughing. The only thing funnier was the later mailbag comment, “The nominators are strongly requested not to publish their proposals.” As if some set of private organizations in Norway were the actual arbiters of what's prestigious and what they can require of the rest of the world. Then again, maybe Albert Gore, Jr. really is as much a contributor to peace in the world as Yassir Arafat was. Uh, oh, I'm starting to laugh uncontrollably again. Dy-no-mite (as Mr. Nobel might say). By the way, if all those people who ever mentioned Jimmy Carter or Bill Clinton as deserving the Nobel Peace Prize do it again, I'll ask the Norwegian nomination proposal police to arrest them for publishing their proposals! You know, if Mr. Nobel's cow sat on dynamite, it would be an udder dis-assed-her. And if everyone just had a good laugh with that joke, we would all be friends and there would be no war. (2/2/07) Dave... I haven’t had a chance to hear “The Globe” yet, but if its what I think it is, then retrieving the WHFS calls from Baltimore needs to be priority # 1 for CBS/DC, especially if Cerphe and Weasel are going to be a big part of the air staff. Such a station has great potential to do well in D.C. (if its done well), and bringing those “heritage” calls down here, where they actually *mean* something, would be a welcome change indeed. They can slap any set of calls on 105.7 (hey, why not send the WARW calls to Baltimore, since they’re likely to be heard at the top of the hour only anyway), and that mish-mash they’re concocting up there, and it really, truly wouldn’t matter. And so it goes... – Max in Mild West Arlington (2/2/07) WARW changing was a no-brainer. The real hidden question is what is WBIG up to? In 20 years of working in radio and just about all of the large conglomerations Not One has ever gone "Dark" voluntarily, except for maintenance. Listen for "Dead Air" or "Off the Air" and you'll know. (2/2/07) Dave's response: My Rockville Pike sources tell me that WBIG is going "dark" to hype its new "Rock From The Dark Side" format that will feature only solo rock artists who are dead, or rock bands that are at least 50 percent dead - a la the Beatles, the Ramones, and the Pretenders. Just jooooooking. I think..... Ok I gave the morning dullards a second try today. Maybe they were just rusty from the hiatus. OH DEAR GOD. Did they really think ragging on the Timberland shoes was funny. Please WHFS, If we have learned nothing else from GW Bush we should have learned to accept that we have made a mistake. Admit that we have made a mistake. Apologize for the mistake and then fix the mistake. As inhumane as it is, please make Kirk and Mark listen to their own show. This should have the desired effect of putting them to sleep. Then apologize to all the people you have put to sleep on their way to work. Finally; put the Junkies back on. The Junks may not be the best but at they had humor and an edge. I could listen to them without slipping into a coma behind the wheel. I still hold to the Barbaro thing. If you listen to the footage of the Preakness race last year and replace the name Barbaro with Kirk and Mark you will have just what I mean, “They are off. Kirk and Mark get bumped to the rear. Something has happened to Kirk and Mark. Kirk and Mark are off the pace. Kirk and Mark are pulling up LAME. Elkridge Steve (2/2/07) Dear Joyce, the Ultimate Oldies website has a new url. It is www.ultimateoldiesradio.com. Please add the radio to the url. By the way Joyce, starting Monday…anyone interested in the racial issues surrounding the end of the Buddy Deane Show will have an opportunity to go to his web page and listen to a segment of a November 2000 interview with Buddy where he comments at length on the reasons behind the show’s end. Buddy laid it out very well. It is pretty fascinating stuff. We’ll also have an aircheck of Buddy there as well. For those who may not know, Joyce Conroy, Madison James Dewald, Frank Lidinsky, and I are working to see Buddy posthumously elected to the DJ wing of the National Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. Buddy loved you Joyce. He enjoyed working with you at Oldies 97 WAMD in Aberdeen and always talked about how much passion you had for radio and the oldies. Sincerely, Bob Mathers (2/2/07) (RE: WARW) They now officially suck. This alternative crap wasn't worth listening to when it was released, much less 20 years later. If they wanted to improve the station, they could have expanded their play list. Springsteen, the STones and the Who have tons of material alone, but the most they played was 5-6 songs from each. Now, unrecognizable stuff, plus that gas bad Weasle rambling on for 10 minutes between songs about some deep track that should never have seen the light of day. Time for satellite radio. Paul (2/2/07) Now…how about shifting those WHFS call letters to 94.7?? A move that would certainly add some extra promotional momentum. They’ve certainly become irrelevant at 105.7. Mark O. (2/2/07) Dave's response: Yeah, being able to bring back the WHFS calls to DC would have added a nice momentum to the birth of The Globe on 94.7. I wonder why CBS insists on keeping them on Baltimore's 105.7, which should become WKMS..... To Mother Hubbard: Rock doesn't have an age - and neither should the station. By setting limits such as "oldies" and "classic" you alienate audience members. There are plenty of people under the age of 30 who enjoy Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin, they also happen to enjoy Green Day and the Raconteurs, too. If you gave it a chance, maybe you would, too. Besides, the 55+ crowd can afford satellite, for the most part. (2/2/07) To my former WQSR associate who responded starting with 'Dear FM Signal Expert'. Seems to me, the 'Expert' you admonish is commenting on the SIGNAL, not the PROGRAMMING (present or past) on Baltimore's 105.7. Since you injected the latter into the issue, let me respond to your response. Regarding your comments on the former WQSR oldies format, yes indeedy...all of the personalities were and are excellent and you're right on the mid to late 90's ratings too. What has led me to respond is your somewhat caustic putdown of the writer's 'lack of knowledge' coupled with your 'spin' on the PD's 'passion' for the WQSR audience and music. 'Passion'? Please tell the minions why near the end of 'QSR's oldies run, the station programmed Bill Haley's 'Rock Around The Clock' as a WQSR 'forgotten oldie', ignored the huge numbers on Alan Lee's show, frustrated the Music Director's efforts to play more of the hits, referred to top 5 classics like 'Slow Twistin' by Chubby Checker & Dee Dee Sharp as 'obscure', and blamed the ratings decline on research 'snapshots' such as 'Dundalk is skewing more urban and these quadrant changes are affecting our AQH and cumes'? As one who was present during the sad and self-inflicted demise of a great radio station, I take no joy in pointing these things out, but you gotta tell the whole story. 'Cos when you serve up a commentary like that on the breakfast table, you must place the coffee and orange juice out there to help wash down all the ham, eggs and fried potatoes. Or an unbuttered English Muffin if you're cholesterol conscious. Not Dave From Perry Hall (2/2/07) I really don't think O&A hate D&M and vice versa... they indeed had a nasty fight on air a few years back, but after Freid'a death, Opie specifically said that was the past and there is no need to carry on with that. I think D&M probably feel the same way. Now, that being said, I'm pretty sure neither show actually likes the content of the other show... your moms box (2/2/07) So I saw the blurb about Mancow starting up some bogus 'responsible radio' foundation because of the 'Wii' stunt gone wrong... Wait, I was one of the people he de-facto held hostage back in the early 90's (1994 if memory serves) when he purposely blocked traffic on the Bay Bridge in San Francisco (he blocked the upper span which is where the majority of the traffic was- that is, coming into San Francisco from the East Bay) while he got a haircut (as a spoof of when Pres. Clinton got a haircut on the LAX runway, holding up hundreds of airplanes). Think him blocking both sides of the Wilson bridge at rush hour and you get the picture. Keep in mind this was less than five years after the 1989 earthquake; he got sued and frankly shouldn't have been allowed within 100 miles of a radio station (he should have been doing about 10-20 years in San Quentin). Stuck on a double-decker bridge for hours with no way to get out...now this jackass wants to be Mister Reponsibility? Maybe he's just bitter he didn't think of the 'Wii' idea. (2/22/07) Further proof Mark R. Levin is an idiot; From the Nobel Assembly website,“The nominators are strongly requested not to publish their proposals.” What words did Mr. Levin NOT understand when he wrote and distributed this copyrighted press release; sev.prnewswire.com ???????? (2/2/07) Dave consider yourself nominated! - February 1, 2007, Professor Ole Danbolt Mjos, Chairman, Norwegian Nobel Institute, Henrik Ibsens Gate 51, NO-0255, Oslo, Norway..... Dear Dr. Mjos: Members of the Washington DC Radio and TV community herewith submits the name of DCRTV Dave as an unsolicited nomination for the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. We are offering this nomination for Dave's years of tireless efforts to promote liberty, equality and opportunity and opinion sharing for all mankind and womankind especially those in the DC radio and television markets - which he even expanded his scope somewhat to include the Eastern Shore of MD and rural Virginia and sometimes West Virginia,, Regardless of race, creed, economic stratum, employment, love or dis-like of Don and Mike, cable or satellite preference, or national origin. We fervently believe that these are the only real cornerstones of just and lasting peace throughout the world of radio and TV. Presently, Dave is instrumental and working tirelessly to keep talks open and fair in an effort to avoid a all out war between 106.7, DC101, and Arrow 94.7 which may result in casualties numbering in the middle teens. It is fitting the Nobel Committee recognize the power of these ideals ands accomplishments to build a truly peaceful world for future generations. Thank you for your thoughtful and serious consideration of this nomination. Should you require additional information, please don't hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, All of us in the DCRTV community. (2/2/07) Dave's response: Even Don Geronimo? Golly. I'm humbled..... To PLB: Paul, thanks for the kind words. Tom and I hold you and Renee in high regard too. Let me also send out good luck to Keith Thompson. When broadcasting is in your blood, it is an extremely painful experience to be away from the microphone. Keith was also very knowledgeable when it came to programming the music and would be an asset to another station or organization. It's that in-between job time when you need the most support. It was very courageous of him to share his experience on DCRTV. Regarding radio as an art form, I agree with ANG's assessment. ANG is right in that radio is the theatre of the mind and all you have to do is listen to guys like Jack Gale and the point is proven. Even if a jock isn't adept with characters, just hearing someone relate to the artists being played on a particular format and relating to the listeners (in an allotted amount of time) makes one respect the craft. Also, I have been trying to log onto Bob Mathers' ultimate oldies and the site has been down. Miss ya unc. Have a great weekend and can't wait for the return of Rusty Gibson on WEBR. Blessings. Joyce Conroy (WHFC/WYTI) (2/2/07) Well, this is it. WARW is officially dead to me. No one wants my demographic any more (55, raise on rock). My WHFS was active in the early 1970s and introduced me to Jethro Tull among other great bands. The mid-‘80s mean nothing to me. If I’m lucky, WBIG will pick up the slack, but somehow, I doubt it. Mother Hubbard (2/2/07) Dave's response: I'm changing ALL of my radio presets over to 94.7. Let's hope there's lots of Cerphe and Weasel..... The question was: Why do they put vertical bars on TV screens shrunk because of school closing listing on the bottom of the screen? Answer: To maintain the 4:3 ratio of the picture put out by the network or even by the local TV cameras. You're welcome. -- Carl in Olney (2/2/07) RE: Whitney on DC 101, she is probably on leave squeezing out puppy # 2. (2/2/07) Dave's response: You're not hinting that she's a "bitch" - a la a female dog - are you? Hmmm..... I have it on good authority that Jack Diamond likes Jack Diamond. Nobobdy ever talks about the Lisa Baden - Kojo Namdi feud. It's brutal, what with the signing and the mentions of political diaspora from inner city communities. (2/2/07) To the poster who wrote "Now, let me ask, what the heck has Al Gore done to deserve being nominated either?" you missed the point, completely. Al Gore WAS nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. Rush was not. What time does Rush come on the radio? I cant wait to hear him say "it is such an honor just to be nominated". The press release was worded very carefully to mis-lead. The word "unsolicited" was used only once and nearly at the end, and LFF drew a picture of the process of winning the prize that left out one critical detail: he has to be nominated by someone who has the privilege to do so. Rush has not been nominated. Again, the LFF sent an unsolicited letter to the Nobel Committee suggesting they consider Rush for the prize. That does not equal a nomination. I hope this is clear now. (2/2/07) More for the rant. I believe Howard likes Elliott. And I believe Opie And Anthony like Elliott. But, does Russ Parr like Donnie Simpson? And does anyone like Jack Diamond? -- Brett (2/2/07) The Nobel Assembly does the nominating from peer recommendations. According to the process posted on the Nobel Prize website, the Nobel Assembly sends out invitations to approximately 3,000 people who are allowed to propose candidates. The 3,000 are "mainly members of the Nobel Assembly, previous prize winners, and a selection of professors at universities around the world." So, this "nomination" by Mr. Levin is most likely meaningless unless Mr. Levin has been selected by the Assembly to propose. I sincerely doubt it because Mr. Levin does not state his authority in his letter to the Assembly. As you can tell, this action by Mr. Levin is a slap in the face to the lucid procedures set up by the prestigious nominating Assembly. It doesn't surprise me that Mr. Levin would be so deceptive and deceitful, or that he would simply ignore, or not even research, the clear rules to try and get his own way. Remember when fellow ABC Radio schmuck Sean Hannity paraded around Dr. Hammesfahr during the Terry Schiavo fiasco? Hammesfahr kept saying Ms. Schiavo can be rehabilitated and Sean pounded at every step the Doctor had been nominated for a Nobel Prize in Medicine. It turned out the Doctor wrote his own recommendation and had his congressman, a Republican from Florida, sign the letter; this circumvention was a violation of the procedures for submitting for the medicine prize, so, Hammesfahr was not nominated. Even after hundreds of emails and letters to Mr. Hannity trying to let him know Dr. Hammesfahr was not legitimately nominated or recommended, Mr. Hannity continued stating the false credential. Of course the Doctor was wrong-she had been brain dead-and Hannity never revealed the discredited doctor was not "nominated" for the coveted prize. Listen to Mark Levin on WMAL- your news and misinformation station. Dave, you are a "Great American." (2/2/07) Rush Limbaugh told NPR: "I always say my real purpose is to attract the largest audience I can, and hold it for as long as I can, so I can charge confiscatory advertising rates... Getting along is not the objective. When it comes to the war on terror, when it comes to tax policy, to me, defeating, politically, people I disagree with is the order of the day, and I don't think I defeat them by compromising with them." Apparently this is the new standard for being nominated as a peacemaker. The entire transcipt and audio is here www.npr.org (2/2/07) RE: Rant 2/2....Its clear...the only way to settle this whole thing is to have a "20 man over the top Battle Royal".....I counted 19 jocks...Its really 18, but you have to throw Jimmy Norton in on the O & A team..My money is on Fez Marie Whatley to win the whole thing....WB Centreville, VA (2/2/07) After reading today’s Rant it seemed as if it should ended with the following line: “Confused? You won’t be, after this episode of..…”Soap!” (2/2/07) I listened for the first hour and a half of yesterday's Kirk and Mark show. What a load of garbage. Tons of "we missed you" and "welcome back" calls...no show content at all. Today they went back to their "normal" style of show, at least what I heard on my drive into work. WOW! Mark reading another list and Kirk laughing at his own jokes. I'll keep saying this as I'm the target audience they are trying NOT to get to listen to the station. If I didn't listen to them on the other station why would I want to listen to them here? Their show is slow, dull, boaring, tired, and quite frankly just plain horrible. They were never syndicated while at Hearst as they were told many times "their show is to local sounding". If you think about it, both Kirk and Mark and The Junkies have been on the air for about the same amount of time - 10 years. Yet the Junkies seem to be able to keep the show moring in a forward motion while Kirk and Mark are stuck in the past. Yes the Junks talk over each other way too many times and yeah, the poker/black jack/gambling talk got old real fast, but they at least were able to put on a show that was listenable on my drive to work compaired to KMS. Kirk and Mark just have zero chemistry after being together for 10 years and still don't always seem to be on the same page with each other. (2/2/07) Let's see, Rush's prescence has done much to encourage freedom of speech, which in itself promotes peace. Prior to Rush, there was no mass market presence of conservative thought in the marketplace of open political dialog. Now, let me ask, what the heck has Al Gore done to deserve being nominated either? His whole thing seems to be division, putting as many divides between any two groups as he can, and certainly trying to undermine all the progress that man has made since history began. Gore certainly is not building any consensus, bridges or any other peace engaging achievements. Oh, on another note. Nice WKYS Graphic. Wow, in Stereo. Isn't that the only Urban station not yet running HD? Guess it will be while before we see a bumper sticker with WKYS HD. (2/2/07) (Regarding today's Rant:) When did Don and Mike and Howard reach an "on-air truce"? Also: 1) It's probably safe to assume Elliot likes Ron and Fez, since he's never taken the time to trash them. Flounder does a really funny impression of Fez saying, "Heeeeeyyyy!" whenever the word fez is mentioned, so we at least know Elliot's familiar with the show. 2) Elliot apparently likes the Hideout and vice-versa, since Elliot hooked them up with tickets to something when the Hideout was in DC, and El Jefe expressed amazement at the idea that a jock from another station might actually be cool. 3) Two omissions from an otherwise great summary: Opie and Anthony still hate Don and Mike; and Don and Mike still hate Elliot. (2/2/07) (RE: "Plotkin worked with Nnamdi before jumping to WTOP and then to WTWP.....") Plotkin is a WTOP guy, His hour-long show is on sister station WPR, but his day job is commentator and political analyst on WTOP. WTOP shifted all long-form programs to WPR (Newsweek On Air, Of Consuming Interest, CBs Weekend World News Roundup) so WTOP can do traffic & weather together 24/7. (2/2/07) Keith Thompson: Hope your interview goes well today. For those who are not familiar with Keith, he was at WCXY in Havre de Grace for many, many years