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DCRTV Mailbag - August 30 to September 2, 2007
Latest messages listed first.....
\/ September 2 Messages \/
Evidence from editions of The Washington Post of 1939 and 40 seems to support the viewpoint of "GAB in the Airless Cubicle" that the construction of National Airport required the removal of the U.S. Navy's radio towers. DCMemories.com... A 5/4/39 article about the new Coast Guard radio station on Old Telegraph Road states "Naval authorities hope to tear down (the Navy's) Arlington towers within a year and consolidate the station with the one at Annapolis. The high towers would present a serious hazard to operations from the new Gravelly Point airport." An article from 11/9/39 shows WJSV's new Wheaton towers being erected and states "Present site of the station's transmitter is on the Mount Vernon Memorial Boulevard, just this side of Alexandria." (You'll need to scroll DOWN to read it.) Perhaps the most amazing item is a (admittedly blurry) photo from the Washington Post of Monday, 3/11/40. The caption claims that 23,208 persons went to Wheaton on the previous day for the sole purpose of inspecting WJSV's new transmitter... the first day the facility was open to the public. I can't imagine twisty, two-lane Old Bladensburg Road handling those thousands of Sunday drivers, and how do you safely escort 23-thousand visitors through a working 50kw xmtr in one day? (The xmtr was brought on line full-time on the previous Thursday, March 8th.) Photos of the xmtr prior to opening day are here: DCMemories.com (9/2/07)
Dave, Amusing collection of Arthur Godfrey tidbits in the mailbag. The story I've heard from Loudoun County amateur historians is that Godfrey donated the land for the current Leesburg Airport, replacing the field located between Edwards Ferry Road and East Market Street where the Leesburg Plaza strip mall is now located. Godfrey Field was certainly longer than the old Leesburg airstrip, and, whether by design or accident, the runway aims toward Godfrey's Beacon Hill farm northwest of town off Rt. 7. Godfrey is buried at Union Cemetery in Leesburg. While a certified "difficult" guy (Talent difficult? Naaaah), he was also an early environmentalist and preservationist. No doubt he spins regularly in the grave as he sees the McMansions built on the land at Beacon Hill where he once raised and rode horses. I think his CBS radio half-hour lasted until 1972, though how many of the network's station cleared it at the end is a question. I have been told that WTOP quit when it went all-news. You Tube has some kinescope examples of "Arthur Godfrey Time" radio-tv simulcasts from the early 50's where he's wearing the headphones. His radio show lasted 27 years....which makes 10 years on the Internet a "signal" achievement--only 17 years till you pull even with the old warbler. Regards, John Hillis (9/2/07)
My congrats on 10 years of DCRTV. 10 years in a row with anything involved with radio is a huge accomplishment. Over those 10 years DCRTV has meant a great deal to me. It kept me connected with my industry and friends during some very difficult times and, it has always kept me up to date with many people I care about. Continued success! Bob Duckman (9/2/07)
Ahh Labor Day. The end of summer and the annoying children in my neighborhood. For the thirteenth consecutive Labor Day I will descend into my basement at 11am with a 30-pack of Milwaukee's Best, carry my huge pile of tapes with me, and watch endless replays of the Andy Griffith show until I pass out on the concrete floor. (9/2/07)
Dave's response: You forgot to mention your portable B&W TV set.....
10th Anniversary Limerick (not Doug): There once was a guy named Dave,
A DC radio fave.
For 10 years he's scooped,
While PD's have pooped,
--Mike from Silver Spring (9/2/07)
Dave's response: Awww schucks.....
Dave: Was nice to get to hear the voice that is behind the webmaster of "DCRTV Dot Com"..want to join all the others who have sent congrats and best wishes on ten years of DCRTV Dot Com..although I've only been coming here for just a few months! It's an enlightening and informative place to visit..and I know I've made..at least one new friend by coming here! Congratulations and keep up the good work! Also want to say to R"Rusty: although I'm not a huge fan of rock, I appreciate the fact that you are very knowledgeable; you seem to know what you're talking about! I also appreciate the fact that you include a "country" set in your show..and country music is really what is close to my heart..even if I'm not real knocked out by what is being called "country music" nowadays! Tom in Denton, MD (9/2/07)
As long as the Mailbag is commemorating broadcasters named "Red" and anniversaries that end in a zero... it was 20 years ago last week that GE put a stake through the heart of RCA's former Red network. Although kept somewhat alive in name, NBC Radio (launched on November 15th, 1926 as the world's very first broadcast network) passed from GE to Westwood One on August 26th, 1987, and was effectively reduced to a brand. Norman J. Pattiz, founder of WW1, took his company public in 1984, and with the money raised by the IPO, he purchased the Mutual Broadcasting System in September 1985 (for $39 million), and the NBC Radio Network two years later (for $50 million). Pure powerhouses back in their day, both pioneer networks are now Westwood GONE. (9/2/07)Dave...congrats on 10 years and a wish for at least 10 more! Even though I'm no longer in radio (Delmarva radio veteran and also Rock 103 vet) I still am like a "rat on crack" when it comes to DCRTV. Keep up the great work! G.E. (9/2/07)
I just finished reading the WAMU press release about its upcoming programming changes. Never before have so many words been used to say "we're pooping in our pants because Minnesota Public Radio is coming to town." (9/2/07)
Dave, don't know if you've mentioned which newscast you watch, but if you had to choose, which one do you think has the most comraderie?..I personally like FOX5's morning crew with Allison, Tony, & Julie. Bob seems to be coming along. For evening, I'd go with NBC4 Doreen & Jim, and Lindsey's starting to be part of that "family"..What say you? (9/2/07)
Dave's response: Surprise, surprise! I don't watch local TV news unless there's something really major happening. Most of what is called "local TV news" is just so awful. I get my fix of local news from the local rags and their websites (Post, Times, Sun, Examiner) and radio (WTOP, WMAL, WBAL), pretty much.....
Dave, sincere congratulations on 10 years of gaining well deserved recognition for a job well done and a career of passion. As one that knows the passion it takes to do what you love, I truly commend you on a great site, the opportunity to re-connect with some old and dear friends and the new friendships I have with you, Rusty…and others.DCRTV is truly a blessing to all of us “geezers”. LOL PLB (9/2/07)
DCRTV Dave and Rusty: It was a real treat hearing you on "Magical History Tour". Since Tom and I moved to SW Virginia, DCRTV has been a blessing because we still have a connection to what's happening in the Baltimore/DC market. I have made so many new friends because of DCRTV (Michael Popovec, Roddy Freeman, Tom and Burt in Denton, Rusty Gibson, etc.) and also renewed many friendships (Scott Fitzgerald, Alan Lee, etc.) because of the site. Also, there are so many fellow broadcasters that I admired and listened to (Ed Graham, Paul Bicknell, Jack Gale, Bill Worthington, etc.); however, we never had a chance to cross paths. DCRTV has made that possible. Dave, may you have another 10 years filled with success and most of all joy for following your heart and doing what you love. Blessings. Sister Joyce (WHFC). (9/2/07)
Noting John Warner's announced retirement from the senate, there are still a few seats available for the Wednesday, October 17, interview with former Virginia governor Mark Warner at The Q&A Cafe. What will Mark Warner do? Also, with the senate in the news, and in a not very positive light of late, keep in mind the appearance on Thursday, October 4, of Pulitzer-winning columnist Connie Schultz. Connie is also a senate wife. Her husband is democrat Sherrod Brown, the freshman from of Ohio. Connie chronicled her interesting experiences on the campaign trail in "...And His Lovely Wife." And for the complete political overview, we have Newsweek's Howard Fineman on Wednesday, October 10. (That is a date change.) Both lunches are must see Q&A Cafe. btw, Dan Rather is sold out with a wait list. For all reservations, please call Jon Moss at 202.338.2000, Mon-Fri between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. All reservations must be made with him. As usual, the fee is $35, all inclusive of food, soft beverages, tax and tip; the doors open at noon and the program begins at 12:30. Warm end of summer regards, Carol Joynt (9/2/07)
Hi Dave, I don't know if you caught this... The Washington Post has refused to publish the "Opus" strip in their Sunday comics section Aug. 26 and Sept. 2, instead running old reprints. This is straight from the author's website www.berkeleybreathed.com. There is more info at www.salon.com including the complete uncensored strips. I am finally canceling my Post subscription. The "Final Straw." Happy 10th Dave! Jeff (9/2/07)
I want to add my congratulations on 10 great years for DCRTV. And the get-together suggested by a poster below is a great idea. I’d get up to DCRTV country for that. It would be great to meet the people I listened to during my formative radio-listening years who post here—Johnny Dark, Jack Edwards, Ed Graham; and also Davy Jones, whose voice blared out nightly (95-and-a-half motorcycles) from the rooms of Cumberland Hall during my first year at U of MD. (We used to call it Cumbersome Hall.) I’d also love to talk shop with posters such as Ed Rodriquez, Tom & Joyce Conroy, Max C, Bob Duckman and others. And of course break bread with the inimitable Dave Hughes. Roddy Freeman (9/2/07)
I'm mad as hell about the WAMU HD changes, since I bought my HD radio specifically for TMD. We're overwhelmed with talk, but now there's more talk in place of AAA most of the time. And can someone explain how there's a bigger need for 24/7 bluegrass than for the much wider and completely unserved universe of AAA?? (9/2/07)
Dave's response: The Globe is sinking and now WTMD will be missing for a good portion of each day on WAMU's HD. Man, cool rock radio in the DC market stinks.....
Hey DCRTV Dave: Many Congrats on your 10 year anniv.! What an honour it's been for me and my "Magical History Tour" to have have been part of that celebration. Funny how it started because I was simply "goofing off" while at the bank one day, found your site, had my stroke within days and seemingly had my own Cable Access show within weeks. Strange how things turn out sometimes. So heres to 10 more years my Brother! Love and continued success, Rusty Gibson WEBR/Radio/Fairfax (9/2/07)
Dave's response: Awww shucks.....
Boy this one snuck up on me. Will Jerry Clarke be co-hosting the local D.C. edition of the Jerry Lewis MDA telethon? What's the spread in Vegas that this is last one for Jerry Lewis? And surely Don and Mike are away on their end o' summer vacation, aren't they?.....Wow 10 years of DCRTV, where's the anniversary party? Is the state of mass media better or worse from 10 years ago. Does dcrtv dave ever take a vacation? But seriously, congrats! I'm Forever Your Girl (9/2/07)
Dave's response: I was driving through Fairfax City yesterday and saw local firefighters at four or five busy intersections "panhandling" for MDA donations among the traffic. While my heart goes out to these public servants who are donating their time for such a good cause, I think no one should be allowed to do any fundraising at busy intersections. It's dangerous for drivers and for those collecting the funds. Maybe they should do their collections at busy parking lots at shopping centers but not on public highways. As for a DCRTV anniversary party, how about Dave Labrozzi's backyard? A certain cul de sac in Great Falls? The soccer fields near the old WOHN transmitter near Herndon? The six-car garage at Kane's mansion? But seriously, folks, I love doing DCRTV so much that every day seems like a "vacation." Even when I do "travel for pleasure," I stay in touch via a Wifi-ed laptop.....
Note to Tony Pann; That new goatee makes you look like a porn star. (9/2/07)
Debbie Yow did not have the option to farm the live broadcast of the Maryland game out to channel 20, 50 or anyone else. Under the terms of the ACC/ESPN contract, ESPN picked up the Maryland/Villanova game to run exclusively live on its online ESPN360 service. The game will air via tape delay Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. on Comcast SportsNet. Everett W. (9/2/07)
Happy 10th anniversary, Big Dave!!! Great site, great information. Best wishes for 10 more great years! Tony Rome (9/2/07)
Dave's response: Thanks Tony!
Loved your "Rant", especially when you mentioned Johnny Dark and Johnny Holliday, Two of the Baltimore Washington areas legendary Broadcasters. Another poster has brought up the anniversary of Dark emceeing the Beatles concert 43 years ago. Well, in Holliday's book "From Rock to Jock" Johnny writes about emceeing the final concert by the Fab Four in San Francisco in 1966 when tickets were something like 5, 6, and 7 bucks. Both guys were terrific DJ's, both are featured on the "Cruisin" Series which can still be purchased at music stores, and most importantly, the nicest and most down to earth guys you could ever meet. At one time wasn't Johnny Dark the PA voice for the Baltimore Bullets? I think Holliday did the Bullets when they moved to Landover. Shawn, Bethesda (9/2/07)
I don't wanna pick a fight with a fellow "Mac friend" but 2.0.4 isn't the latest Safari. 3.0.3 (522.12.1) is. I only brought this up because Safari is now on the iPhone and now available for Windows XP/Vista, although oddly enough the glitch didn't happen on my iPhone. Strange. Ok, I'll get back to freaking people out at the beach by showing them Doug Hill's live SuperDoppler7 Radar loop while IN the Atlantic Ocean & telling them they're about to be struck by lightning! Last weekend I showed people the WMAR 2 Stormin' Norm Lewis "New & Bald-Improved Weather" promo, and that made everyone run out of the water too. :-) Anyway, thanks Dave for fixing the problem! You're officially a Mac-Genius in my book. Happy Labor Day everyone! :-) (9/2/07)
my point on Bram was, if youre going to hire someone and produce a promo promoting him for a new show w/ Larry Michaels then, I don't care how YOU pronounce his name, what matters is how HE pronounces it! (9/2/07)
I'm wondering if Rob Roblin had to do about 20 standups for different stations/networks yesterday morning. It wouldn't surprise me to learn he was completely pissed off because his liveshot schedule came to him piecemeal over his BlackBerry and IFB...also that CNN was a liveshot assigned with about two minutes' notice--AND that he wasn't getting any extra money for all that extra work! Nevertheless; it sure confirms what all good broadcasters already know--MAKE SURE YOU'VE BEEN TOLD YOU'RE CLEAR before you speak to those around you! The mic--is always live. sean hall (9/2/07)
"Ha Comcast Sportsnet just called Bram Weinstein "Weinsteen!" gotta love not knowing peoples names." Your point? Most people pronounce it "Winesteen" and not "Winestine". Perhaps I should mispell something to see if you notice. Get a life. Paul (9/2/07)
Johnny Dark and/or Beatles fans, jot down this date: Sunday September 9, a week from today. It's the 43rd anniversary of JD emceeing the Beatles show at the Baltimore Civic Center. To commemorate that event, he will MC a show by "Beatlemania Now" at the Reisterstown Festival, on the grounds of the Hannah More Center in Reisterstown, MD, easily accessible from DC via 95 to 695 to 795 to exit 7A. "Beatlemania Now" goes on at 3pm, the same time the Beatles how started in 1964. BN filled up the Lyric Opera House in Baltimore in January at about $40 a ticket, but this show is FREE. Parking is free at the Reisterstown Shopping Center, right next to Hannah More. The Festival opens at noon that day - it's also open Saturday 9/8 noon-9pm or thereabouts with continuous bands and fireworks at dusk. The Festival has a lot of other stuff: vendors, lots of different food, huge children's area. There's also a beer garden where they have giant screen TV's to watch the NFL. (9/2/07)
/\ September 2 Messages /\
\/ September 1 Messages \/
Just reading that you interviewed Johnny Dark... very much enjoyed listening to him on BIG... do you know if he is on the air waves any more..??? Linda, It's Five O'Clock Somewhere (9/1/07)
Dave's response: The good news is that Johnny does shows for the Worldspace satellite radio firm in Silver Spring. The bad news is that Worldspace can't be heard within the USA.....
That audio clip of Roblin and the CNN anchor sounds to me like he was upset she was doing the talking for a while. I mean, it's true, when there's a big win people spend time going underground before they step up to cash the ticket. Change the phone number, put up some insulation against just the kind of panhandlers the CNN anchor predicted. Maybe she was thinking faster than Roblin? She gave him a chance, and all he said was "that's right." So sure, she picked up the ball that he dropped. (9/1/07)
Congratulations on 10 great years DCRTV! I think it speaks volumes about the general disatisfaction level with most broadcasting companies SOPs that so many engineers, air talents, salespersons, and yes, even disgrunted employees and former employees, find a way to get information to you in advance of staff moves, formats changing, call letter swaps and stations being sold. If there were more open communications with employees, a larger sense of "team" rather than "survival", and some hope of spending a career in just one or two key stations, I believe that you'd find it much harder to scoop major outlets. Not to take anything away from your network of sources, or your continued efforts to find current stories from other news sites, but the corporate attitude towards the backbone workers in TV, radio and even in print, has declined over the past 10-15 years to the point of being laughable when they ask for the kind of loyalty to the brand that they themselves do not reciprocate to those who deliver the product. I wish you nothing but success over the next ten years, and if there was an opportunity for all of us regulars and lurkers to enjoy a DCRTV get together I'm sure you'd have an amazing turnout. Thanks for everything you do to make DCRTV a daily must-read! (9/1/07)
Again Maryland's first football game is not televised. How many years has this been going on? Maryland professes to their recruits and supporters that they are a big time player in the world of college football and they can't even get channel 20 or 50 to do the game? I lay this right at the feet of Debbie Yow. (9/1/07)
Hi, Dave. Re, the poster who wrote, To DCRTV Dave.... Just to let you know, the DCRTV.com website has a severe compatibility issue with Apple Mac computers running the latest SAFARI browser... T'isn't true with my Safari (v 2.0.4 (419.3), which I believe to be current. DCRTV and all the family of RTV's are coming in loud and clear, and undistorted. It's also fine on Firefox, and IE that play with Mac OS X -- and also on the Windoze versions of same, which I have on my Windoze partition. Everything is just fine! Regards, Arthur Laurent (9/1/07)
Dave's response: Actually, I got an e-mail this afternoon from a Mac guy who advised me to add two lines of HTML code to the Mailbag page which seems to solve the problem of Safari browsers distorting some text characters.....
mike in fairfax: no question that dc is more of a bball town that a hockey town? College bball yes. Pro Bball, nah. Depends whether the Caps or Wiz are the better team (9/1/07)
With all these interesting little tidbits about "Red" Godfrey on DC's CBS O&O... isn't about time we had a photo of the jolly Irish fellow? For instance, how 'bout this one with Arthur behind the WJSV mic? (9/1/07)Dave's response: Go buy or watch "The Glass Bottom Boat." Arthur Godfrey plays Doris Day's dad. By the way, that's a great comedy flick. Paul Lynde, Dick Martin, and Dom DeLuise, too.....
I'm not surprised to hear about WAMU's possible move to "News-Talk"..but I just wonder how many listeners they may lose by dropping their country and bluegrass programming? For myself, I may (once the change is made) take 88.5 out of my presets; it's too bad that the people who enjoyed their bluegrass and country programming will be forced to listen on line (HD just isn't going to cut it outside the D.C. area! Tom in Denton, MD (9/1/07)
Ha Comcast Sportsnet just called Bram Weinstein "Weinsteen!" gotta love not knowing peoples names. (9/1/07)
One thing to remember about WAMU: They have ALWAYS tended to steer a middle ground between WETA and WPFW, more mainstream than WPFW, but airing a lot of things that "just don't fit" on WETA. I have lived in reach of their signal since about 1972, and I was never sure whether they did this as a set policy, or did it simply because that's where they found an opening, or fhether it began as the latter, and evolved into the former. In any case, there were several reasons for the failure of WAPO radio, but one of those several major reasons was that they simply did not take into account the ability of WAMU to, as an NPR affiliate, pick up ANY npr program it wanted, whether that program was carried by WETA or not! I find this odd! Bonneville completely ignored the fact that WAMU is even in the market! Unless I"m hopelessly confused isn't the 103.5 antenna side mounted a little below the candlestick on the WAMU tower? (9/1/07)
When I called WINC-FM last night the person answering the phone said Dave Gunning is going to Frederick to do the morning show on Key 103.1. (9/1/07)
Does anyone have an aircheck from WRXS signing off the air? I would love to find the link for it or to get a copy of the tape. I never wish any station demise, but I do like to hear history like this? Thanks! Steve (9/1/07)
I'm a big fan of and at the same time feel sorry for WBAL TV's Rob Roblin regarding the CNN thing. Can you imagine all the shit this guy has been through at WBAL TV 11 going back to at LEAST the 1980s if not the 1970s, all the management changes, assignment changes, etc, etc, etc. And STILL he's STUCK by WBAL. Is he not the current longest running on-air person on WBAL TV and/or possibly EVER? And ONLY this past year did he get a part-time anchor deal! I thought he was doing a pretty good job too, he's very Baltimore, as in a very real person, no "persona". I seriously doubt this was the typical "Steve Davis/I'm PISSED cuz I'm BETTER than all of YOU!" type deal. I hope I'm right and it was just frustration with CNN's notoriously inept anchors at dealing with live shots from distant local stations. (9/1/07)
For those who missed it...and without the benefit of TIVO, Here is the last 30 seconds of Rob Roblin's liveshot. The audio does not do it justice. The look on Roblin's face was priceless, especially since the anchor was a babbling brook of happy talk. I didn't blame him for one second. roblin.mp3 (9/1/07)
As kids we rode our bikes to sleepy one-light Marlton N.J. Now they are blessed with a Jonestown mega church. These proselytizing predators will never leave innocent people the hell alone. If they are going to transmit outside their member's geographical area then shouldn't these freaks be taxed as advertising businesses for making us listen to their cult chants? So many lightening strikes wasted on beautiful trees when too many ugly megatransmitters abound. (9/1/07)
Dave's response: As a kid, my family lived in the NJ suburbs of Philadelphia. I remember getting driven through Marlton a lot. Never knew it would become so "infamous".....
A very blonde Alexandra Steele was on the CBS Saturday Early Show this morning doing the weather. She'll be on again next Saturday too. (9/1/07)
RE: "Just to let you know, the DCRTV.com website has a severe compatibility issue with Apple Mac computers running the latest SAFARI browser..." Out of curiosity, do DCRTV.com folks who also visit VARTV.com have a similar issue? FWIW, VARTV.com's traffic by browser is IE 81.4%, Firefox 13.7%, Safari 2.1%, Mozilla 1.3%, Netscape 0.7%, Opera 0.3%, and everything else 0.5%..... (9/1/07)
Dave's response: I pretty much design DCRTV's pages so they look OK in IE and Firefox. I simply don't have time to make sure the pages function with other browsers.....
If the Hope Christian Church of Marlton New Jersey isn't actually putting all of these 3000 translators on the air (they are notifying the FCC they're on the air by the way), then aren't they in a SERIOUS BREACH OF FCC RULES, possibly causing them to have to forfeit some, many, or ALL of these translators? Inquiring minds want to know. (9/1/07)
WBAL-TV's Rob Roblin did a live segment for CNN just after 9:00am this morning. He was at the liquor store in Nottingham that sold one of last night's winning Mega Millions tickets. At the end of his segment, Roblin gave the standard signoff but when CNN's Melissa Long went to follow up with a question, Roblin was seen yanking his earpiece out of his ear and muttering to someone to his side off-camera, "This is the last time I do this...." He obviously didn't realize he was on the air. I wasn't recording but it'll probably pop up on YouTube soon. (9/1/07)
With all due respect, the towers that were demolished for National Airport's construction were not WJSV's; they were the original towers for NAA, the U.S. Navy station, which was also used for time broadcasts. -- GAB in the Airless Cubicle (9/1/07)
Would WAMU's shifting of bluegrass to its HD station in order to focus on news and talk affect any other weekend programming? I'm specifically speaking of "Hot Jazz Saturday Night" and "The Big Broadcast," both of which are D.C.-area radio institutions. -- Vincent in Triangle (9/1/07)
Dave's response: I have several sources who've told me about the "big changes" at WAMU. One just mentioned "bluegrass," but moving all music-based programming to HD would make sense. Anyone know more?
To DCRTV Dave.... Just to let you know, the DCRTV.com website has a severe compatibility issue with Apple Mac computers running the latest SAFARI browser. This is why all the garbage international characters are showing up on Apple Mac users' screens in the mailbag text instead of what's actually written. I've confirmed this using several browsers on the Mac and ONLY in Safari does this happen. Keep in mind this is the standard browser shipped on ALL Macs so you might want to investigate on how to fix this. And by the way, I've never seen this issue on any other website with Apple's Safari browser nor interestingly, does this issue seem to affect Apple's iPhone which also uses Apple's Safari browser (but possibly an earlier version). Hope this info helps you out Dave. (9/1/07)
Dave's response: You're the only person who's complained about it.....
Hope Christian Church is licensed to, or have applied for about 3,000 translators if you check the FCC FM database. But I can't hear any of their outlets here in Central Delaware, so things aren't THAT bad yet. But the Reach-FM network from Priority Radio (really Faith City in Christiana, Delaware) is developing quite a FM footprint over here. I can hear them on about 4 frequencies. John, Smyrna DE (9/1/07)
Just heard that WAMU is moving all their bluegrass to HD. They’re giving away 1000 HD radios to help move the audience over. (9/1/07)
Forgot to mention that the WJSV transmitter, where Gorfrey did his program in program in the mid-1930s, was located near what in now the south end of National Airport. They had to move because of the airport being constructed. Power was 10kW nondirectional (I'm sure). Directional protecting KSTP came with the move to Wheaton but they'd have had to go directional in any case. (9/1/07)
Burt in Denton, the Redskins were on Comcast SportsNet last night. Check out 7:30 PM: midatlantic.comcastsportsnet.com (9/1/07)
Back in the mid-1930s very few stations stayed on the air overnight. Godfrey, being the morning man, was both engineer and air talent and signed WJSV on the air each weekday (and Saturday??). Bonneville still has the transmitter logs for WJSV with Godfrey's signature as operator on duty. (9/1/07)
Re: “Why was Jennifer Ryan anchoring with McGinty today at 7PM? I thought it was HIS show. Is this a test that could change the 7PM to dual anchors?” She’s been anchoring with him all week. It looks like WUSA may thinking about making some changes. I personally like having local news at 7pm, so I hope they don’t screw it up. Jennifer has also been with Derek at 5pm (in Tracey’s place), while Lesli Foster has taken Tracey’s place with Todd McDermott at 6 and 11. I find it kind of odd that they’re using two different people to fill in for her. It’ll be interesting to see if there are indeed any changes, especially when Tracey returns in a few weeks. (9/1/07)
SR….hey I’m game….funny how egos can get in the way…just let me know…DCRTV dave will give you my business email address…This is nice….PLB (9/1/07)
Now just an effing minute DCRTV dave I thought folks thought radio was way better back in the days of yore when you could hear all kinds of music on the same station, the Top 40 format, but you quote some dude named Confucious who say -" A station that tries to be all things to everybody will ultimately appeal to no one....." One reason I don't mind JACK Radio is you hear stuff from all time periods, maybe I don't like one song but I'll wait and hear whats coming next...hell i thought the sh9tty thing about statuions that play one specific format is after a week you pretty much have heard all the songs on their playlist....i wouldn't mind entertaining dj's but i think those days are gone for good ...and i'm appalled at what i read as a prejudice against farm folks, for shame....and want to send a belated happy birthday shout out to g. marconi (9/1/07)
Here's a thought to fuel some hopefully intelligent discussion/speculation... Suppose Howaed University were to face a situation not unlike Columbia Union College, and decided to sell WHUR-FM. How much so you think it would take to make a successful sale? And, who do you think would be the successful bidder? Now, if WHUR-FM were to be sold, what do you think the new owner would do with it? Yes, this is all speculation, not unlike those who consider alternative histories and like to discuss such. Now, while I'd be surprised if WHUR-FM were ever to be sold, I'd be equally surprised if Howard had never been approached with an offer to sell WHUR-FM! My gut instinct? Every group owner to come along since the 1970's has probably at least put out feelers! The price if it were to ve sold today? Probably >20X gross or around $150 million. I might be erring low because of potential format change(s) and the competitive dilution (Satrad, iPods, CD's, etc.) that we have more of today as a competitive threat than, say 25 years ago when Howard University could've become incredibly rich had they sold off the FM back in the 1980's. Unsigned Corporate Suit... (9/1/07)
It's interesting to read that 104.3 may flip formats, finally something to shake up the Baltimore Market. I'm not too sure what CC is thinking but there are a lot of possiblities. Classic Hits, "Fresh", Movin', Kiss-FM/Hot. It's just my 2 cent's but Jack-FM adding the O's for 10 games sounds like a mixture of Terps and Ravens shows on 105.7 and a last attempt to save Jack. The O's seem to help stations get ratings and Jack is in dire need of it. CBS Baltimore does need to look out because if the Oldies / Classic hits format is great for PPM's, they might want to think about getting to it first before Clear Channel does. Because if they don't they'll be stuck with failing Jack. Then again it wouldn't be nothing new for Labrozzi and Philips to miss the boat. If CC goes Fresh, they could make a huge impact and take some ratings from 101.9 Lite-FM the same way CBS's Fresh in NY did to Clear Channel's Lite 106.7. No one has yet to do the Movin' Rythmic AC format in Baltimore, I don't think. Maybe I'm wrong on that one. Chris in Hanover, PA (9/1/07)
Dave says, incorrectly, in relation to the donation of WTOP-FM to Howard University: "...And since Maryland already had 88.1..." Dave, its always a distinct pleasure to point out when you're WRONG, WRONG, WRONG. WMUC-FM didn't come along until 1979, and that was only after the station abandoned its application for an experimental licence on 89.7 in the mid-70s. To add to what my pals Ed Jones & Rich, and also Roddy Freeman, and others have had to say about the possible donation of 96.3 to Maryland: from what I was able to glean from my own reading of the station files, the overtures from Post-Newsweek to the University of Maryland were of a very informal nature only. Along with all the theories about placating the FCC, and adjusting P-N's portfolio to the changing ownership rules of the day (thanks to those public enemies # 1 of journalism and the First Amendment, "Tricky" Dick Nixon and Spiral Askew...you heard me), I would add this: another reason why the University of Maryland was reluctant to take on a full-power station like this was the politics of the day. This was the late 60s, the era of student anti-war protests on campuses across the country.College Park was no different. The University administration certainly did not want the responsibility of programming a metro-wide radio station, and they certainly didn't want to hand over a resource like that to students. Also, WMUC itself was in the midst of changing from a primarily top-40 music station that was nearly semi-pro in the way it trained students to be broadcasters, to becoming something more like the free-form progressive rock station that is on 88.1 today. (When WMUC got the FM, the 650 AM carrier current moved back to a CHR Top 40 until a change in the wiring of the campus telephone network forced WMUC to abandon the carrier current transmitters, some of which are still in dorms across campus, just no reasonable means to provide them with audio signal.) Those years between '68-'72 were tumultuous for WMUC as different factions tried to wrest control of the station. Given that, the University was even more reluctant to consider taking on a broadcast licence like that, much less giving it to students. The same thinking drives the fact that today, the University would be highly unlikely to support any substantial power increase for WMUC, even if it was possible. At 10 watts, the station's over-the-air signal is just enough to serve campus with student run programming....and that's just the way the University, which is the station's licencee, wants it. Anyone else, there's the web stream. Elsewhere in today's news: good to welcome back "The Stinger" Steve Ray to the Nats total control center after a trip to the hospital. Happy birthday to PLB! To the malcontent slamming Joel Achenbach for lusting after the Post Radio studio: hey, bubba, he's talking about the soon-to-be-unneeded studio built in the Post *newspaper* newsroom on 15th Street! The Post Radio studios at 3400 Idaho will become the studios of the new "Talk Radio 3WT". Get your facts straight before you start slamming people, willya? Finally in this hour's news: a chipmunk, Mark Foley, Tom DeLay and Larry Craig in the U.S. Capitol men's room, that "little old right hander", an armadillo, Hudson and Landry, a bassett hound, Baker and Burd, two mules and a plow, Jack and Burt, and bigtime changes afoot at the barn in Greater Metropolitan Fred-Neck? Nahhhhhhhh... (put that in your rumorama and smoke it, Dave). And so it goes... - Max in Mild West Arlingtron (9/1/07)
Dave's response: Max, I accept your condemnation.....
Is anyone picking up the Hope Christian Church of Marlton New Jersey yet? They should be all over the FM dial in central Maryland and Maryland's eastern shore as well as Delaware. So far I've only picked up the 106.1 signal near BWI Marshall Airport rebroadcasting the soon to be sold WGTS. It looks like approval for most of their translators has gone through meaning they would have to be transmitting or be in violation of FCC regulations, and they have to be translating the signal of a pre-existing in-state station correct? (9/1/07)
/\ September 1 Messages /\
\/ August 31 Messages \/
Back in 1971, the Nixon administration expressed some concern about media concentration by one owner in a market. Post-Newsweek, owner of WTOP-AM, WTOP-FM, WTOP-TV and the Post, overreacted, apparently wanting to remain in good stead with the government and anticipating a possible forced breakup of its DC media empire. Post-Newsweek traded WTOP-TV for a Detroit station and donated WHUR-FM to Howard University, supposedly for use by the students. At the time, the story generated tons of press in broadcast trade publications, and I’ve always had the impression that WHUR was given to Howard because doing so was politically expedient. I was attending the U. of MD at the time and working at WMUC, and I never read or heard anything about Maryland being approached about WHUR (not that I necessarily would have heard about it). Of course, in retrospect, Post-Newsweek could have kept all of its DC media properties for many years. Roddy Freeman (8/31/07)
Why was Jennifer Ryan anchoring with McGinty today at 7PM? I thought it was HIS show. Is this a test that could change the 7PM to dual anchors? (8/31/07)
Re: Arthur Godfrey - the "Little Godfrey" who was so infamously fired on the air was Julius LaRosa, an extremely talented singer and quite a hearthrob back then. Later in his career, he jocked at Metromedia's WNEW/ NYC (when I was at MM's WASH/ DC) and was the voice of the "All Aboard Amtrak" jingle in the 1970's/80's. Another "Little Godfrey" was my 2nd cousin, Elsa Miranda, who was actually a United Fruit employee. She would do the whole show in her costume, singing the "Chiquita Banana" commercial jingles live, as a solo vocalist. My sister and I knew we had to leave for school as soon as Elsa sang! Elsa, fast approaching 90, now lives in a Roselle, NJ nursing home and is, in my eyes, as lovely as ever. - Ed. Rodriguez (8/31/07)
www.youtube.com -- Peter Rosenberg, Hot 97 WQHT New York (8/31/07)
Re: I wouldn't expect Tony Kornheiser to help out with that if and when he returns to the station - he's been a major hockey naysayer over the years and barely paid any attention to the Nationals on his show earlier this year. ... Actually, I think Tony is a hockey on TV (and maybe by extension radio) naysayer, but he does talk from time to time about how good a hockey game is when you’re in the arena. Charles in Winchester (8/31/07)
Last night another Redskins pre-season game and no coverage here on Comcast. If you go to the Redskins site it clearly shows that we are in the market area to see the games. Someone find out the answer to this, the only Redskins game shown here was the abbreviated game against the Ravens(on MASN). Since when is the mid-shore not in the Redskins market? Burt in Denton (8/31/07)
Dave, I saw your rant regarding 94.7. I couldn’t disagree more, that station is nowhere back to a classic rock format. Quite the opposite, it continually has unrecognizable music, much of which I hope to never hear again. When they started, at least they were 50% classic rock. Now, we’re lucky if they play 1 in 5. If your into Alt music fine, but while the old 94.7 was weak, it was a classic rock station for those who want one. 100.3 is not and doesn’t appear that it ever will be. If the old 94.7 had a problem, it was not playing deep enough tracks and enough classic rock artists. I’d wish they’d take a road trip to Raleigh, NC and listen to the River 100.7, a great classic rock station with a lot of variety. Paul in Waldorf (8/31/07)
It has been speculated that Arthur Godfrey got into a perpetual bad mood because he was in constant pain from a serious auto wreck he was in at Chillum, Maryland, of all places. Putting his bones back together must have been quite primitive at the time. He invented the laid back wake-up morning drivetime radio show. Floating around is an electronic transcription made at WJSV -- all day -- on September 21, 1939, that includes the Arthur Godfrey Sundial show. Eventually, Godfrey went to the CBS Network, which WJSV was an O&O of back in 1939. He got huge ratings when his CBS radio show was simulcast on CBS television. (As a 3-year-old, I remember watching him on TV and wondering why he was wearing headphones.) He was an extremely important revenue producer for CBS. CBS executives were willing to put up with his crap. He pioneered the "kidding the sponsor" kind of commercial. Sales shot up as he denigrated the product. He had some extracorporeal talent on stage that he called his "Little Godfreys," Arthur himself being the "Big Godfrey." He made his talent toe the line (or is it tow the line?). A certain singer failed to show up for dance lessons and got fired in public on the air because Arthur felt he was being dissed. Arthur embraced Conservative Values and acted as God's good Right Arm when speaking to the public. The Andy Griffith movie about a folksy hick media star, who turns out to be not at all what he seems to be, supposedly is based partially on Arthur. The American public ate up what he was selling. I seem to remember his radio show persisting well into the 1960s. After he retired, he lamented how much he missed the action. (8/31/07)
No disrespect intended to Team Bonneville but the broadcast of a post-sunset sports event on 44 watt WFED is virtually meaningless. Such dislodged broadcasts should be shopped to other stations in the market, even if they are not owned by Bonneville. Everett W. (8/31/07)
Al McGilvray says of Harrisonburg’s 550/WSVA “Virtually their entire schedule consists of "live and local" talk shows.” That’s true, Al, except for the 13 hours a day when they’re running network shows off the bird. The calculator says that 54% of every day ain’t “live and local.” But, hey, I’m just fact-checking. Truth is that I’m also a fan of WSVA. Frank Wilt, Jim Britt & the rest of the crew do a great job. John V. should be very proud. Isn’t it funny, though, how we’ve gotten used to accepting so much less from our radio stations. Now if a radio station puts in a good half-day, we’re satisfied. (8/31/07)
DCRTV.com Dave's comment that "the smallish Harrisonburg radio market and the big DC radio market are not the same 'cow'" brought back a real "déjà moo" moment of the PAMS Dallas "Punk Country" demo making the rounds in the '70s. For a limited time only, hear Skip McCloskey's extended mp3 of "I Wanna Whip Your Cow!" (updated to 2007 in full glorious stereo) at dcmemories.com (MP3). Both Elsie and Bessie will thank you. (8/31/07)
WINC-FM in Winchester is looking for a 2pm - 7pm jock, even though Dave Gunning is still listed on the web site. In addition, it looks like WINC-AM is planning to launch a local morning talk show. (8/31/07)
Dear Joel A from the Washington Post. Do you people at the Washington Post sniff each others underwear all day? You are either a moron or a fool. Post radio as we know it today will not be Post radio by September 20Th. It will not sign off the air like your brother butt sniffer Paul Fairy thinks (he got it wrong as well, including the frequencies--and this idiot is the media guy) The radio station will go on with different call letters. And by the way Joel, if you really spent any time at the station as you claim, you'd know this already. So get a another office ready you're not going to be using any studios on Idaho Ave as an office. I don't know where you would get the idea that you'd be bringing your lard ass into a radio station and have an office. The Post relationship is over Skippy. Maybe you should help your buddy Paul Fairy learn how to do some research on how to write correct radio columns. Have your wife or boyfriend clear you a space at the dining room table for an office. Nice try butt-head. As Dave Hughes would say: "geesh! Where do you people get this stuff from?" (8/31/07)
Dave's response: I don't say "geesh." I say "sheesh".....
DCRTV Dave - Harrisonburg, Virginia (aka "The JMU campus") has an AM radio station (WSVA AM 550) that is consistantly the number one station in town. Virtually their entire schedule consists of "live and local" talk shows. If a one-horse town like Harrisonburg can have a number one "local-talk" radio station, why can't the Capital City of the Free World make local talk work? Al McGilvray (8/31/07)
Dave's response: Well, WSVA still sports what some call a "full service farm" talk format that is heavily-geared to the agricultural community in the Shenandoah Valley. The smallish Harrisonburg radio market and the big DC radio market are not the same "cow".....
Hey RB...thx for the good words on the quip about September being right around the corner..."so we must be about three days away from WASH starting Christmas music" LOL Yes I'm home from the hospital & although thinner of voice for a while told Buddy Rizer I really needed to get back into the swing of things after being laid up for five days. Not fun. Repeat after me..."Doctor, I usually get dinner and a movie before something like that!" Will be comparing oral endoscopy video with Katie Couric's "other end" video and see if we met anywhere in the middle. Oooch. On another note that's absolutely radio related...tonight Bonneville will be airing two sporting events at the same time on sister stations. The Navy Football voices of Pete Medhurst, Joe Miller, Omar Nelson, John Feinstein and, of course the great P-B-P voice of Bob Socci, return at 7 PM on WFED as they take on Temple from Philadelphia, while Charlie & Dave are back at RFK with the Nats against SF starting at 6:35 on 1500AM & 107.7 FM. And don't forget to mark your calendars for October 5th for the first broadcast of Capitals hockey on the new station. This is going to be one very busy winter for sports fans. To YDB - "Pipes" will be back Saturday & Sunday, to PLB - lunch in a few weeks sounds like a plan, to the Bossman GT - happy birthday pal. Have a great Labor Day weekend guys. - SR (8/31/07)
Better Allman Bros Band at 11:30 than the vast majority of the atonal monotonous dreck 94.7 has been trying to pass off as music...but I will pass on Skynyrd..... KJ, Laurel MD (8/31/07)
Dave's response: Confucious say - A station that tries to be all things to everybody will ultimately appeal to no one.....
(Will Stephanie Miller going to WWWT effect her show on WWRC?) -- Uh...YEAH! She'll finally be on a REAL radio station! Brian/Reston (8/31/07)
Looking at the 09/10/07 TV listings online for the Baltimore commercial TV stations, it appears that WBAL-TV 11 will not air the upcoming fourth hour of "The Today Show" (probably a good thing!) at either 10am or 11am. They still list "Live With Regis and Kelly" at 10am, "The Insider" at 11am, and "Inside Edition" at 11:30am that week. Later at 2pm, instead of "Passions", which moves to Directv's new channel 101, they air two episodes of the new game show "Merv Griffith's Crosswords". WMAR-TV ABC2 and WJZ-TV 13 appear to have the same weekday sked as last season with no new syndicated shows, although I believe there are still a few shows left to premiere the week of 09/17. WUTB-TV MY24 has back-to-back episodes of the new game show "Temptation" at 12noon, followed by an encore of the previous night's "TMZ on TV" at 1pm. New episodes of "TMZ on TV" appear at 6pm, then after "Seinfeld at 6:30pm, it's one of my favorite sitcoms currently airing on network TV, "Two and a Half Men", airing at 7pm. Another episode airs at 11pm. The only new show on WBFF-TV FOX45 appears to be reruns of Comedy Central's "Reno 411!" at 4am! Finally, WNUV-TV 54 has two episodes of the new "Judge David Young" at 11am, new talkshow "The Steve Wilkos Show" at 1pm, reruns of "George Lopez" at 2:30pm, and another personal favorite, "Family Guy", at 6:30pm and 7:30pm. -Greg in Perry Hall (8/31/07)
A Rumor: Could we see either "My 104.3" or "Fresh 104.3"? Possibly as early as today.... www.radioinsight.com (8/31/07)
mike wise does a long q&a with some random blogger about the usual stuff (the future of the printed word, sports columnists doing espn, etc) svpstyle.blogspot.com: "I blame the sports editors of America for the decline of their own sections. They all allowed their writers to cut side deals with ESPN and other outlets. In the beginning, ESPN needed a Peter Gammons from the Boston Globe or a Michael Wilbon from the Washington Post to give it name recognition, credibility. Now, they?ve flipped the script. According to most sports editors, ESPN somehow gives the newspaper guy credibility now. They got scared their big dogs would leave, so they all brokered deals with the TV devil instead of using their imaginations to develop another young talent. Memo to sports editors: People don?t buy the Miami Herald for Dan LeBatard or the Daily News for Mike Lupica or the Washington Post for Wilbon, Sally Jenkins or, hell, even me. They buy the institution. We just happen to be fortunate enough to be part of it. If Maureen Dowd and Frank Rich left The New York Times tomorrow, the republic would still survive." (8/31/07)
Is Steve Ray back from the hospital? Whoever was on VEGAS RADIO 1520 AM WTRI about half-past lunch today unloaded a funny one-liner: "...September's just around the corner...almost time for WASH-FM to start playing Christmas music!" HaHaHaHaHa! --RB (8/31/07)
Dave's response: That sounds like something Steve would say.....
(From DCRTV's Classified Ads:) WFED (Federal News Radio) is looking for an Anchor/Talk Show host with a minimum of 5 years federal government/federal contracting reporting experience. Ability to frame stories for the federal manager/understanding of radio production/ability to find & develop news sources. Excellent writing skills a must. Download application at www.wtopnews.com link “inside wtop”..email jhenson@wtopnews.com, fax: 202-895-5015, or mail to 3400 Idaho Ave., NW. Washington, DC. EOE (8/31/07)
Will Stephanie Miller going to WWWT effect her show on WWRC? (8/31/07)
I understood that Godfrey paid some money to have the Leesburg airport improved so he cold pilot his DC-3 from there when commuting to New York. The Job Boys did skits based on Godfrey "Arthur Codfish". (8/31/07)
Dave - Thanks for posting John Geddie's obit on the DCRTV front page. Geddie and I worked together for eight years at two different newspapers, and I can testify that he was a smart newsman, a great story teller and a helluva good guy. He understood his audience in a way few writers do; he knew how to look out for the underdog and he poured a mean Jim Beam once the paper was put to bed. He was a pure newspaper man (when I was a panelist on some televised political debates a few years ago, he ragged me for "going Hollywood") in an age when newspaper men are harder and harder to find. For those of us on DC's outer edge, his editorials were a voice of reason in the wilderness. I'll miss him. David Bradley (8/31/07)
Yo Dave -- "And since Maryland already had 88.1," NO WE DIDN'T, that was the kick in the pants when the Board of Regents said they weren't interested in the WTOP-FM offer. I agree with Rich who suggested maybe the school suits didn't want to handle the programming. WGTB was already in trouble with the Jesuit administration for pro-choice activism. In College Park, we were modulating the wiring in the dorms and feeding ceiling speakers in the dining halls. To go from 650kHz carrier current AM to the 10 watts on FM was a big deal, sure, but nothing like a big time mid-band FM frequency would have been. (8/31/07)
"I would imagine that when the Washington Post was planning to donate then WTOP-FM 96.3 in the early 1970s, it would have contacted a number of area colleges. Back then, American had 88.5, Georgetown 90.1, and GMU and UDC probably didn't even exist. So the Post probably approached Maryland, GW, and Howard about it. And since Maryland already had 88.1, Howard got it....." WMUC was strictly carrier-current (650 AM) in the 1970s, and wouldn't have an FM signal, weak as it was (and is), for another decade. -- Vincent in Triangle (8/31/07)
Surprised no one has chimed in yet on brett haber's fuck up last night on the postgame show. He was so sure he got the "scoop" on brunell getting traded, boy he was excited, only later to backtrack and say "We were wrong" WHOOPS. Nice source brett !!! (8/31/07)
My My, our "unsigned corporate suit" sure is full of himself...he could talk a dog off a meat wagon. Geeesus, make it simple...typical overtalk, overstate, overdue, overkill....over BORE. BOBB (8/31/07)
Hi Dave, WTOP only considered giving this station to HU. At the time the FCC was proposing to take licenses away because the industry had virtually no minorities in any way. When I started at WTOP in 1968 we had only 3 African Americans in the entire station! Mrs. Graham felt that giving the station would keep her in good stead with the FCC and it would be a good thing to do. The funny thing is that no one at Post-Newsweek had any clue of the real value of the station. Steve (8/31/07)
"... to the hockey naysayers, it wasn't all that long ago that the Caps routinely outdrew the Wizards. That could well happen again soon since the team has the most dominant pro player in DC in Ovechkin and is clearly a team on the rise." That must have been back when the Capitals were making the playoffs every year and the Wizards were a perennial NBA doormat. There's no question that DC's more of a basketball town than a hockey town, but it doesn't mean the Caps couldn't fill their building on a consistent basis if they started winning big time. Ted Leonsis showed a lot of patience putting up with the slights and insults directed at his team's fan base and hockey in general by certain WTEM personalities over the years when Clear Channel held the radio rights, not to mention having his games nearly always moved to lower power AM-570 when there was a conflict with the Wizards or some other sporting event. While a few hosts like Al Koken, Doc Walker and Bram Weinstein (now with Red Zebra) seemed open to giving the Caps some run on the air, it was clear that 980's management regarded extended hockey discussions as a turnoff to most of its listeners. Hopefully 3WT will promote the team a lot better than WTEM did despite not being a sports talker. I wouldn't expect Tony Kornheiser to help out with that if and when he returns to the station - he's been a major hockey naysayer over the years and barely paid any attention to the Nationals on his show earlier this year. Mike, Fairfax (8/31/07)
Speaking of Birthdays, a happy one is extended to Paul (Davy Jones) Bicknell! Enjoy your day my friend from all of us here on "Mailbag". Rusty Gibson (8/31/07)
For me, WTOP does a great job in covering the news. But who bugs me? Mike Moss! Hey Mike, we listeners just want the news, not your opinions and alleged jokes. You ARE NOT a comedian so STOP trying to be one. As the M & M, the ESPN guys say, "Just Shut Up!" Maybe Moss should go back on 1500 AM and 107.7 FM then no one has to hear him. (8/31/07)
JERRY (RYAN) BOOTH...now there's a name I haven't heard in awhile. We used to do mornings at WCEI "back when". Hey Jerry, I ran into Chris Moore at our class reunion and the first thing he mentioned was the interview we did with him and my obsession with Minnie Driver...he he he. E-mail me when you get a chance.."my name" at hotmail.com G.E. (8/31/07)
What's with all the " Ö "s in the mailbag lately? Is Öprah paying you promo money Dave? :-) PS: Seriously, why do the trademark characters and other international symbols fail to make the mailbag correctly? It is very annoying to read gibberish. Can't you fix this constant problem? (8/31/07)
Dave's response: I dunno. Everything just gets posted in plain vanilla HTML here on the Mailbag. Maybe something gets lost when text gets "cut and pasted" from more-formatted messages.....
When I was at WMUC from 1975-1978 I heard the WTOP-FM rumor. The way it was told to me, the University was happy with the students having carrier current AM (no FM yet) and didn't want to deal with our programming a powerful FM signal, nor were they interested in taking direct responsibility (like some University stations which use student labor but are administration run). I heard this while we were fighting to get our 10 Watts on FM. Urban legend or truth? I don't know, but I did hear it while I was there. ++rich (8/31/07)
Dave's response: I would imagine that when the Washington Post was planning to donate then WTOP-FM 96.3 in the early 1970s, it would have contacted a number of area colleges. Back then, American had 88.5, Georgetown 90.1, and GMU and UDC probably didn't even exist. So the Post probably approached Maryland, GW, and Howard about it. And since Maryland already had 88.1, Howard got it.....
Okay Wobin ... thif ivn't funny anymoah ... you bedduh fhow me where you and Va-Va-Vooey hid my ftinkin' teef. -- How'ud Ftern (8/31/07)
I'm sure that the one line reference in the Post to the Nats not having a TV deal for '08 referred only to the over the air contract with channel 20. Technically I guess they don't have a deal with MASN until the rights fee is calculated and the money changes hands, but they aren't leaving MASN. Howie (8/31/07)
Anxiously awaiting Oprah's season premiere next week, if for no other reason, just so WBAL can stop playing her promo: "The...wait...is.... OOOVVAAAAAAA!!!!" (8/31/07)
Once again my hatred of Dan Snyder outweighs my lifetime love of the ‘Skins. So allow me to say “Bwa ha ha! Skins lose! Suck it, Danny!” I wish that guy would get out of town or [deleted by DCRTV's good taste police]. Boo! You stink! (8/31/07)
Happy Birthday, Arthur. Born on this date in 1903, Arthur "Red" Godfrey. Give a listen to how he did the morning show, "Sundial" on WJSV-AM (which later became WTOP-AM 1500) here xroads.virginia.edu... (8/31/07)
Dave's response: I've heard that Arthur was not the nicest guy in the world. Imagine a 1950s version of a Rush Limbaugh who could sing and play the ukulele. Check out the film "A Face In The Crowd" - imdb.com - which was loosely based on Godfrey's career. Both he and Rush had a big love of aviation, as Leesburg's airport is named after Godfrey.....
where did we go? Chris Hoff asked in an earlier post. well, I Gary Michaels after 40 years in the boobcasting business needed some time off to sleep in, fix up my home, take care of my garden and spirit this summer. I will be back on the air someplace, sometime soon as I am beginning to get bored. any offers? Ron Baker is doing some spots on the side and has gone into another business. Selena is still at Prettyman broadcasting as the production director. oh yes, Tanner is in Denver. I dare not think what he may be doing! (8/31/07)
WMAL's Chris Plante will be subbing nationally for Mark Levin on Friday, 8/31/07 from 6-8 p.m., followed by his own local show from 8-10 p.m. (8/31/07)
Hey…SR…Methinks the invite is bogus..But, would entertain Lunch, Dinner anytime..as for getting older..NAH, just living life…and living large….from this point on PEACE…PLB (8/31/07)
Unsigned corporate suit here once again… Although I don’t usually talk about Cable TV, an earlier post about Digital Cable and Digital TV merited some comment. The reason a cable system goes “all digital” is usually to recover bandwidth. A conventional TV signal eats up six MHz of bandwidth, while a cable system running 64-QAM or 256-QAM can shove up to eight signals into that same six MHz. IIRC, a system in Long Beach (Charter?) has already gone all-digital. Now, this is not to be confused with broadcast Digital TV that’s the subject of the 2009 analog switch-off. Totally different protocols. Now, there are digital TV’s out there that will demodulate the QAM systems without using a box. And, when you equip one of these sets with a “CableCard” (If it has a socket…), it can a! lso receive the pay channels like HBO, Showtime, etc., without a box but can’t do impulse pay-per-view as the “CableCard” sockets to date are not 2-way devices. The cable companies love cable cards because they have a much lower unit cost than a digital decoder. Here’s something to think about: Even in the quantities the big cable companies buy the digital boxes in, they can still have a unit cost on the order of $150.00 to $300.00… Now, take an average individual system around here that can have upwards of 250,000 of these things installed with subscribers at any one time (Plus, another 1% to 5% DOA, in trucks, on the shelf, stolen, lost, etc.) and do the math! You’ve got one helluva investment in people's houses that’s attracting cockroaches, getting spilled on, dropped, thrown, shot at, etc.! Now, before you rush out to vuy a digital TV with a “CableCard” socket, here’s something to think about: One thing about Cable TV as opposed to broadcast TV! is that when a technological improvement comes along, the Cable indus try jumps on it and figures out a way to quickly sell it to the greatest number of people. That means “backwards compatability” is the rule in the cable biz so you don’t render a potential customer’s current TV obsolete. So, whether you’re using a 60 year old RCA table top set or just bought a 60” Pioneer plasma screen, your cable company can still serve you. (One other thing: Unlike the newcomers to cable TV, the legacy cable systems have rarely had the option of bypassing any part of their service area as being “uneconomic” to wire. Thus, they’ve had to provide services and equipment to basically try and please everyone!) And, right now there are technologies being tested that’ll make the current “CableCards” look as sophisticated as a crystal set with its tuning coil wound on a Quaker Oats box! Why the new technologies? More channels, not to mention more HDTV. All that requires more bandwidth! So, I wouldn’t rush out right now and pay ! the extra bucks for a set with a “CableCard” socket, lest it become… obsolete and still need a box! (8/31/07)
An earlier post mentioned WQCM in Hagerstown and the "Round Mound of Sound." That was Randy Mitchell who did afternoons at 'QCM for years. I worked with him from 95-97. I left to program WCEI in Easton and he was let go a couple of years later. I heard he was selling cars at a Toyota dealership in Hagerstown. I ran into him a couple of years ago at a South Carroll/North Hagerstown high school football game I did color commentary for, for WTTR. He mentioned that he was doing voicework at NBC25 in Hagerstown. Commercials, promos, that sort of thing. Someone would be smart to grab him. Great prod guy and good jock. I hope Big Mitch, as Will Kauffman & I used to call him, is doing well. Jerry(Ryan)Booth (8/31/07)
You know, I think Bonneville is in generally a decent, well-run company. WTOP is a great example of a successful, all-news radio station and Jim Farley has to be one of the best news managers in radio. But... this "3WT" looks like a train wreck waiting to happen. Why can't Bonneville build, for example, a solid lineup of intelligent, interesting LOCAL talk radio that dominates that market as much as 'TOP does on the news end? Neal Boortz, Glenn Beck and Stephanie Miller, for crying out loud? And I have listened to all three hosts. They are talented at what they do, and Ms. Miller especially has been hampered by her platform on an incredibly weak AM station. But that mix...along with TK, whenever he comes back from MNF early next year (if he does, to "3WT" at least). Along with whatever they end up having David Burd do. Pat Goss. It's almost as bad a mix as WJFK's attempt to shoe horn Mr. O'Reilly into a "guy talk" FM lineup, painting him as the modern version of the "G Man"! It's no surprise you and others think it's a warmup for an all-sports station (Bonneville launched a big one in Phoenix on KTAR/620, when they moved news/talk to an FM frequency). So, in our dream world here for the future of 1500/107.7, TK comes back, they keep the Nats and just added the Capitals, probably go after one other big sports franchise...maybe pulling the Skins from what would be the remains of "Triple X"...surround it with at least one or two decent sports talk hosts locally, and WTEM may just be forced to flip to syndie conservative talk, with castoffs from "3WT" and from their own WTNT/570... (8/31/07)
AH DAVE, finally some radio aggravation from "DELMARVA HON" I thought murph sucked years ago. The guy who fantasizes about the old days needs to get a life. Murph and almost every morning show in this town could use some help. I saw murph's new T.V.spot WHAT A JOKE "back in the saddle" blaring and a tired and haggard looking murph standing there like he's still the sh8*+. He isn't. He was once maybe but he won't be again w/out some help. Hook him up w/ SAM CHASE at least she's cool and good to look at. OH YEAH and the last I heard john allen was in florida still in radio so STFU to the clown who can't follow along in this here mailbag......AMF FROM DELMARVA.................... (8/31/07)
Ref: Wouldn’t it be nice…with those assholes back on the air it would be the return of air pollution…If you want to go back to the good radio daze on the shore go back to 100KHI with the Hitman and Company in the morning the first edition. JJ Hitman McKay, Al Lavie and Craig Heist on sports, then the 2nd edition Hitman Craig Heist and Captain Jim or maybe Brian K. Hall was there at the time who knows….now that was some fun stuff I don’t know how many times I almost pissed my pants on the way to work in the mornings…..It was like Hitman, Captain Jim, Brian K. Hall and Heist would do the show then join up with JJ at an afternoon and then a night live broadcast and then the party would continue right on through the morning show…great fun, (I know they at least Hitman was still buzzed or at least feeling great. Good times 4 sure and nobody loved it more than the late Harry Shriver. Those guys made a lot of money for Baltimore Radio Shows Inc. and helped to keep WFBR on the air back in Baltimore, Harry called them the boys of summer good call Huh? (8/31/07)
/\ August 31 Messages /\
\/ August 30 Messages \/
In late 1971 the Washington Post Company gave their FM station, WTOP-FM, to Howard University. It was a time of great racial tension in Washington and FM radio had yet to become a dominating factor. It was also a time when the FCC wanted to bring a halt the duplication of programming on AM & FM properties owned by the same company. It was also a time of “ascertainment” (of what the city of license needed to have on the air) by broadcast station owners. WHUR-FM went on the air in early December of 1971 and became the city’s first Black-managed radio station. The Quiet Storm, created by the silky-smooth Mel Lindsey put the station on the map. I don’t believe the Washington Post ever considered donating or selling the property to the University of Maryland., but that’s spec. Tom Gauger (8/30/07)
I was in Hagerstown in early March and Ron Baker was still on the air at Hagerstown/Williamsport's WICL so I am sure the "rumor" about his death is just that. Wen I returned to Hagerstown about a month later, not only Ron was gone but with the exception of Gary Michales who was doing mornings the station dropped all local content in favor of Scott Shannon's True Oldies Channel. Oh about Ron Baker if he had died considering how well known he is in the Hagerstown market I am sure it would have made the newspaper there much less DCRTV. Not sure of Ron's whereabouts now but for those who really want to know, I suggest contacting Cindy Maguire at Mix 107.3 since afterall she is his wife. Gary Michaels I have heard as well has retired from the biz. Speaking of the former staff at WICL, what happened to Selena? She was very good. Wonder what happened to her? According to WICL's sister WEPM's website Jay Young is still there doing mornings at WEPM. WICL weekender Pam Matthews I heardawhile back was actually WLTF's Casey Brooks, if that is true then she is still on the air doing the midday shift at WLTF as I heard her recently. WICL Overnighter/weekender Tanner Miller, according to my former website partner Kim Leach ( we both ran Btvonlinemedia.com for a time a few years back ), last she heard Tanner is working in Denver, Colorado. Chris Hoff (8/30/07)
Wonderful....Just what the DC area needed...More exposure for that backstabbing blowhard Larry Michael....geesh (8/30/07)
"This market needs a hard NEWS MAN and although Jim Farley may be fat and loveable, Edward R. Murrow he ain't" And to think that he's sat back in his chair over the last six years with a big pile of potato chips on his belly while 9/11, the Sniper, Saddam and Obama took WTOP up to only a 6 share in the nation's capital, and there it has stagenated for the last 3+ years. But hey, it sounds like everyone over there is happy, even despite the world crashing down around them, I guess that must count for something? Good for them! (8/30/07)
Geez. Another round of Bonneville-bashing. FTR: There are far worse GMs in this business than Joel Oxley. There are many, many GMs who'd give body parts to have his billing and a building with as little strife as 3400 Idaho has had. Having worked with Joel for a while at one point; I always thought he was a stand-up guy and completely unafraid to make a decision. Which may, at least partially, explain the cluster's overall success. sean hall (8/30/07)
It would be nice if 93.5 The Beach and other radio stations could somehow go back to the old glory days from the late 80's/early 90's when radio was real and not so "corporate" with a line-up like John Powell and company in the morning, Tara Powell mid-days, Cepth Michaels afternoon, BBW nights, and GE overnights, as well as hella p/t talent like Josh Clendaniel doing the Sunday Morning Tangent...ahhh memories! (8/30/07)
What ever happened to WICL-Hagerstown morning man Ron Baker? He was last heard on the air in February. He spent the majority of his time in the Hagerstown market. In trying to find him, I heard that he died a horrible death in his home around Valentines day. The timing of this rumor would seem to be right. I always thought Ron to be a talented announcer and often wondered why he never made the leap to the Washington DC or Baltimore area's. He surely had the talent. Also, looking for another WICL announcer...Gary Michaels. Can anyone shed some light? Gary began his career in the Baltimore area and I can recall listening to him on WQCM during their top 40 days. I have heard rumors that Gary is in retirement living in the hills of WV. If God talked, I know he would sound like Gary Michaels. Still one more. Looking for WQCM annoucer as well. He used to be known as "The Round Mound of Sound". Please shed some light on these much missed voices of the Hagerstown, Md market. (8/30/07)
Murph sucks on ZBH! He left (or was fired) for a reason...he sucked! I cannot believe that someone in the Mitch Scott organization even thought of re-hiring him...uuugh! And John Allen...where the hell are you? You always seem to stick up for Murph, but what are you doing for a job? That's what I thought... (8/30/07)
Hey PLB: Here's wishing you a happy birthday my friend. Like Rusty, you are a true survivor and a real professional. Really enjoying the podcasts on ultimateoldiesradio.com from Bob Mathers. It was very touching to hear about Buddy Deane's friendship with Hot Rod. A website is currently under construction regarding the Committee to Honor Buddy Deane. Also, Frank Lidinisky has informed us that the Charles Theatre is allowing us to put up the bulletin board and petitions (for Buddy's induction into the the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame) in their lobby. Bob and I will continue to pass along more information as we receive it. Of course, when Ed Graham reaches his 100th birthday another committee will be formed to get him nominated and inducted. However, Mathers and I will be in Rock and Roll Heaven or is it Radio Heaven by then. Blessings. Joyce Conroy (WHFC) (8/30/07)
"Face it, Jim Farley is one of the best, he's a dedicated NEWS MAN. He is loved my his staff and management. He treats the group like family and he KNOWS What he's doing. His boss knows that and runs a happy organization. Let's face it, there is no place in the industry that's perfect, but WTOP is close" Anybody over 50 will remember the "Odd Couple" episode where Felix sings "happy and peppy and bursting with love, singing and dancing to heaven above" and Oscar comments that "he sounds like a frog with a hernia". That is exactly how Farley has programmed WTOP vs WKYW or WINS. Its like reading "US Magazine" vs "U.S. News and World Report" that only a mid to low-brow audience will NEED to continue to listen to after the traffic report. This market needs a hard NEWS MAN and although Jim Farley may be fat and loveable, Edward R. Murrow he ain't. (8/30/07)
Dave's response: It's KYW.....
Vincent in Triangle asserted that the University of Maryland was offered WTOP-FM and declined it. Can Vincent, or anyone else, cite any verifiable information that this offer actually took place? Both this story and a similar one about the donation of WRC-FM have been told for years. I was affiliated with campus station WMUC at the time and the management of the campus station never heard about any such offer. Of course, neither station management nor UMCP officials would have had any obligation to contact the campus station about such an offer, but the story of the offer would have made its way through the grapevine to the campus station. Is this just another Washington urban legend? (The other) Ed Jones, Columbia, MD (8/30/07)
This is comic was ban the Washington Post, some support of free of speech and freedom of the press www.salon.com (8/30/07)
was the guy below actually serious... did anyone actually miss murph on ZBH? i tuned in for a little while this morning, tried to roll with the redneck crap, but it's tired. boring boring boring. miki and cowboy carried that show. far as i can tell the bulldog show on WOCM ocean 98's the only real morning drive show in the salisbury/oc market (oh, did i forget dan HACKney on GMD? yeah, i did)... big market level guests and good production, i thought it was syndicated when i first tuned in. talk about big fish little pond. tucker carlson... gotta be kidding me, if you're going to axe imus then you've got to get rid of this clown. that's why they should never have set that precedent... it squashes free speech, even ugly speech. --Jack V. in Delmar (8/30/07)
Oh my God...I'm in tears listening to D&M's annual fantasy football/drinking show. I don't care what anyone says...D&M forever!!! GE (8/30/07)
born of a virgin, literal son of god, walks on water, turns water into wine? SOUNDS FICTIONAL TO ME. (8/30/07)
So the Caps leave WTEM and now the station is down to the Wizards, an occasional Gtown game and the BALTIMORE Orioles. Pretty pathetic for "Washington's sports leader." Oh, and to the hockey naysayers, it wasn't all that long ago that the Caps routinely outdrew the Wizards. That could well happen again soon since the team has the most dominant pro player in DC in Ovechkin and is clearly a team on the rise. A good move for both the Caps and Bonneville. (8/30/07)
Dave, these constant Google ads that say "Jesus never existed" or "The God Who Wasn't There" make people like the late Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson look credible in their slams against the left. Please remove these ads for the sake of your website's credibility. Stop making your website look like a place for crazy people. Christianity might not be everyone's cup of tea, but for your website to profess that Jesus Christ is a "fictional character" is beyond acceptable. (8/30/07)
Dave's response: As I've said before, I have no control over the specific ads that Google "feeds" us.....
You know, after all these years of going back & forth in earlier mailbag spats, dinner with PLB might be a damned fine thing. We've both got a lot of great stories to share about people we both know on both coasts, we're both doing well with independent VO work, and we both have life after Clear Channel. Unfortunately, as Paul is getting his teeth worked on, I'm also busy producing Friday's Nats game. If Mike keeps the invite open after Labor Day maybe we can take that ride out to Manassas for dinner. PLB Happy Birthday. We're not getting older, we're just getting replacement parts. - SR (8/30/07)
Gays call on Carlson to apologize or face firing bigheaddc.com (8/30/07)
have you got anything on changes at Wamu? check into your sources... it is pretty major... (8/30/07)
I haven't posted in a while, but my gums are getting a rest from my teeth, so here goes. What is it with the WTOP haters? Face it, Jim Farley is one of the best, he's a dedicated NEWS MAN. He is loved my his staff and management. He treats the group like family and he KNOWS What he's doing. His boss knows that and runs a happy organization. Let's face it, there is no place in the industry that's perfect, but WTOP is close. There, I've said it. DAMMIT-PLB (8/30/07)
Dave's response: I like to think of Jim as "Bill," and his three stations as "Barb" (WTOP), "Nicolette" (3WT), and "Margene" (WFED). No hate mail, please. Just a jooooooke. OK, a rather wicked one. But a joke, none the less.....
Mike, what a nice thoughtful thing to offer.(Dinner at your Manassas Restaurant on the house to celebrate my birthday) I surely wish I could take you up on it, but, I'm having my teeth worked on. As for Steve Ray...that too sounds like a great addition to the meal. Again, thanks for the thought. Getting old is not for the weak, you're living proof....LOL-PLB (8/30/07)
So....a local team from a league nobody pays any attention to is moving from one radio station nobody listens to over to another station nobody listens to. That's news? I'm much more interested in learning how much money Daniel Snyder has pumped into WTEM's coffers to convert what was once a decent local sports radio station into an All-Redskins Ass Kissing Fest. Seriously, how is it possible that Danny Boy has made the Skins nameplate one of the most valuable in all of sports, while simultaneously making the actual football team such a boring mediocrity? He may run what is nothing more than a gas-filled hype machine, but it's one that works (mysteriously) well. I know from personal experience that Snyder's a jackass, and he obviously knows nothing whatsoever about football, but the guy can sure squeeze every nickel possible out of what is, in the end, a very lame product. Dave In Sterling (8/30/07)
Nice to see Jim Farley comes out of mailbag hibernation to defend his boss. It is not a surprise that he wants to distance himself from the triad of failures. People in this market do not have a “hard on” for Bonneville. Every company has had their turn in the grinder. Through the years Clear Channel, CBS and ABC have been skewered. People in this market are tired of the smug and arrogant attitude projected by WTOP employees. Bonneville is no different that any other company. They lay people off, cut commissions and screw up radio stations just like everyone else. It is easy to think that just because you had success at WTOP you must be smarter than the rest of the room. Now we know the truth. Now you know how hard it is to build and rebuild music or talk radio stations. The listeners could care less about your WTOP resume and bogus industry awards when you launch a new station. Bonneville is a one trick pony. Everything else has failed. Now it is time to shut up, and take care of that one trick pony. (8/30/07)
Dave's response: One Trick Pony, OTP, TOP. Oh, nevermind.....
"Just saw your post on the Caps move to 3WT, and noticed the "retro-ish" logo resembling the one from the good old days in Landover. Anyone know if the Caps will be going back to the old uniforms (the good ones). The uniforms they had since they moved to MCI/Verizon are horrible. I started losing interest in them when they changed to those uniforms because they stopped looking like the Capitals. And the all black ones they wear for home games are horrible. Here's hoping they bring back the original uniforms (or something very similar). (8/30/07)" Um... yes.. they debuted the new colors, logo and uniform back in June. www.onfrozenblog.com (8/30/07)
to previous poster...the Caps changed uniforms this summer to look more like their old unis. (8/30/07)
Now the stooges Pollin and Czaban can spend more time talking about the toe nail lengths of the starting linebackers. (8/30/07)
"The one Bonneville success in this market has been WTOP and, other than writing some checks for frequency changes, Oxley has let Jim Farley run that show." Patently untrue. Joel Oxley is the hands-on team leader. Just ask anybody you know who works at 3400 Idaho. People including me would follow the guy anywhere. His bosses in Salt Lake like and respect him as well, and he's been honored time and again by the Board of Directors for consistently contributing an out-sized percentage of yearly profits. A lot of people in radio in this market have a hard-on for Bonneville because so many of their people have moved or are now trying to move to 3400 Idaho. It's the best place to work in radio in DC and that's because of Joel. Jim Farley. (8/30/07)
Big announcement by the Caps, huh. Leonsis clearly was foreshadowing his dissatisfaction with WTEM with his recent blast at Czaban and Pollin and now he acts on it. Good for him. Why be on a station where your sport is constantly ridiculed by some of the hosts? Judging from the Caps message board at washingtoncaps.com, the Caps faithful are thrilled with the move. (8/30/07)
Just saw your post on the Caps move to 3WT, and noticed the “retro-ish” logo resembling the one from the good old days in Landover. Anyone know if the Caps will be going back to the old uniforms (the good ones). The uniforms they had since they moved to MCI/Verizon are horrible. I started losing interest in them when they changed to those uniforms because they stopped looking like the Capitals. And the all black ones they wear for home games are horrible. Here’s hoping they bring back the original uniforms (or something very similar). (8/30/07)
hey great the Caps will be on a different station. Whoop de doo. Just because 980 had the Caps on doesn't mean they have to be its biggest fans. For some reason the Caps and fans have a massive chip on their shoulder about the lack of support from the media. Hey Caps and caps fans start getting some wins and then people won't be so negative, Not a sermon just a thought. Steve (8/30/07)
Wow! The Washington Caps games will be heard on 3WT. Now I need to update my original prediction of 3 listeners. Make it 5. Make it 4 if you don’t include Ted Leonsis. (8/30/07)
I would like to wish my good friend Paul Bicknell a happy birthday tomorrow, and extend to him an invitation to dine at my fine Manassas establishment as my guest! Bring along Steve Ray. We'll have a party! - Mike (8/30/07)
Re: "...haven't received one positive comment regarding the upcoming 3WT." That's because we all know that the format (live morning show then syndicated talk) is what low budget, low power AM stations run because they have no money. It can get a 1 share in the right market, one where there is no other talk. A very profitable owner who puts that format on two FM stations in a top 10 market with several talk stations is delusional, lying, or really stupid. I have trouble believing Bonneville is making that move. If they really are - - they need help. Ed Graham (8/30/07)
Thank you Ted Leonsis for getting the Caps off of a station (WTEM) where your franchise is regularly mocked and ridiculed. It's about time. DAVE in Rockville (8/30/07)
Dave's response: If Clear Channel wants to keep WTEM alive it's going to have to move it to FM.....
"But the lethal injection given to classical WGMS will go down as one of the worst blunders in Washington radio history. Right up there with the sale of powerhouse hit/rocker WAVA to Salem, Georgetown U's abandonment of progressive WGTB, and the mismanagement of legendary alt rocker WHFS 99.1, resulting in its tragic downfall..." One more blunder -- in 1970, the Washington Post Co. decided to sell WTOP-FM. That in itself isn't a blunder; changes in FCC regulations probably would have forced its sale anyway. No, the blunder came when the University of Maryland, which was offered the station, declined. Howard University accepted the offer, and we've had WHUR-FM since 1971, whereas College Park is next to invisible on radio (aside from Terrapin sports). -- Vincent in Triangle (8/30/07)
Dave's response: The Post "sold" then WTOP-FM, 96.3, to Howard University. In retrospect, that was a brilliant move because it created the market's remaining and only locally-owned and stand-alone independent commercial FMer - WHUR.....
Someone was looking for positive comments about 3WT...here is one. for 2 years all we did in the mailbag was trash WaPo Radio...and Bonneville must have listened (except not to Dave because they didn't go sports), because the got out of their horrible deal with the Post and put something new on. You can have your opinion on how good 3WT will be, but at least Bonneville did what everyone was asking for...and change! JC (8/30/07)
Dave's response: The syndicated talkers are just the "filler" for what's looking more and more like Bonneville's sports talk 3WT. It'll siphon the remaining few dozen male listeners from WJFK-FM, just before 106.7 flips to "Breezy FM," with-it tunes for cool chicks. "I'm Robb Spewak. Kicking off another five in a row, here's Maroon 5".....
The suits at Clear Channel can't be happy with Bonneville...and probably a little embarassed...first they lose Korny and now they lose, Beck, Miller and the Caps. Not that any of these (except TK) are the single foundation for a successful station, but this many losses (and I hear probably more to come) are tough to handle. TT (8/30/07)
Hello Dave, You ran a story starting :-8/29 - So, Bonneville will be re-launching local talker Washington Post Radio as largely syndicated talker 3WT. Will the calls WTOP return to 1500? Can you explain the "3WT" indicator? 1500 WTWP 9ex WTOP) is a regular visitor to our dials on this side of the Atlantic. Regards, Barry (8/30/07)
Dave's response: I assume that the WWWT calls will get put on 1500 AM. The WTOP calls will remain on 103.5 FM.....
Is it possible that WWWT's use of syndicated talkers is to fill the schedule while they develop their own? Sure, it's nice to start with one's best offerings, but realism says that they take time to develop. (8/30/07)
"Seems to me you haven't reveived one positive comment regarding the upcoming 3WT." Here's one -- maybe. Although local, Burd/Doyle, Goss, and Korny aren't Washington-specific. Neither are the calls or slogan. Could WWWT be an attempt to create a national talker that Bonneville could simulcast in other markets where they have frequencies? Clearance of some of the syndicated hosts could be an issue, but access to live Washington guests might make Idaho Avenue a logical hub if Salt Lake wants to build a real network out of its scattered stations. Oh, and 3WT? "Whatever We Want Talk." You're welcome. -- Jaybird (8/30/07)
Dave's response: You must mean "whenever." How about 3WT - triple the White Talk? Oh, nevermind.....
Say didn't Ba-Ba-Boey have bad teeth? Maybe he left them over at the Boss's house from last time he did some arse kissing. Fa-Fa-Foey. Man I sure miss Stern on regular radio. Grease just don't cut it, eeewww that smell, and say speaking of Grease I 'member that picture of his studio in his house and he plays bits that have an audience involved...you know laughing at the Hilarity...does Grease invite folks over to the humble abode to see him do show or is he rerunning old bits from days of yore?...and say Regis and Kelly show ain't really live is it? How could it be with all the edits that take place on the program. What time do they start taping Live with Regis and Kelly? And whats in Regis's three cups on the table? And Reege stop coloring the hair you look a little silly. (8/30/07)
Some Eastern Shore news. Looks like WRDX-94.7 and WDSD-92.9, both in Dover DE, flipped frequencies. WDSD is back on its old 94.7 with country and WRDX "The River" is on 92.9 with rock. First noticed on August 29 and both stations' websites confirm the flip. John, Smyrna DE (8/30/07)
Is it so much to ask that when you are recording a radio spot that you please speak normally? I absolutly detest this Hair Cuttery spot running on a few stations....The "founder" and his inability to speak is mind boggling....When he says "Word Sho-She-A-Shin"...Jesus...pathetic....not once....but twice....Ughhhhh.... (8/30/07)
Seems to me you haven't reveived one positive comment regarding the upcoming 3WT. (8/30/07)
Thanks for the update on Brooke Stevens. Very sad indeed. I remember when she was an airborne traffic reporter and was one of the best. Then she teamed with Chris Core for the afternoon drive time show and brought a refreshing irreverance to the show. She's in my prayers for sure. Bill (8/30/07)
DCRTV asked a DC CBS Radioer about patches of static we've been hearing on 106.7 WJFK, which uses a tower in Merrifield (at I-495 and I-66) also used by 105.9 WJZW and Channel 56. Here's what we heard.....
Tower work is being done and the intermittent static is a result of the temporary rigging to handle the weight of a new antenna, (as one comes down and another goes up) not ours, is being installed on our shared tower. The rigging is "blowing in the wind and sometimes blocks the signal to our STL dish. Actually, it's common that such work is done during midday hours, if not overnights. In this case it's being done during the day so they can see. The work has been completed and today they will be removing the rigging so such interruptions should be minimal today as we switch to our AUX and back to normal tomorrow. That is probably why you're hearing the same thing on the 105.9 signal too. (8/30/07)
"Good grief, what a non-story" [Stern] - give us a break. That's the funniest GD thing I've heard in months! (8/30/07)
3WT’s new slogan…You put your left foot in, you put your left foot out, you put your right foot in, you put your right foot out…you do the Hokey Pokey and you shake it all around…that’s what it’s all about. I can see all three listeners dancing the “3WT Hokey Pokey” right now. (8/30/07)
Dave's response: 3WT - a Triple (3) Waste of Time?
How could anyone think the Nationals have a snowballs' chance of being on CSN next year? The Nationals are part owners of MASN. You'll see President Bush speak before the DNC or Dan Snyder get inducted into the Dallas Cowboys' Ring of Honor before that happens. (8/30/07)
I was reading a computer tech website the other day about a new small-size iMac-like Sony PC/HDTV combo TV+Computer and was amazed at how many people (and let me say again, this is a computer tech website) who posted things like "Who'll want it? Every station is still going to continue broadcasting SD/Analog anyway along with their digital. Why get rid of your old PC or old TV for this?" Just comment after comment trashing the device as not being necessary for broadcast or cable/satellite AFTER '09! Let me repeat AGAIN, THESE ARE TECH GEEKS who are confusing SD digital with standard analog! SO EVEN THEY DON'T GET IT! Can you imagine what level of understanding John Q Public has on the big HDTV switch? By the way this website mentioned that Chicago and Delmarva in our area are going to be the first all-digital test markets (it wasn't mentioned but I'm guessing this is Comcast?) where you soon will not be able to access cable TV directly without a converter box. It should be noted that Comcast of Delmarva recently sent out STERN WARNINGS to customers telling them they were going to lose their cable if they didn't turn in old analog converter boxes for newer digital ones so I guess that was step 1. As of now you can still receive analog signals via Comcast Delmarva to your analog TV, but I'm guessing taking them away is Step 2 (& Comcast has decided to keep quiet about that apparently). If you add that to the '09 HDTV switch deadline, those markets are going to contain the angriest & confused of all people. Anyone know more about this quiet all digital cable switch that isn't being publicized very widely? (8/30/07)
I had the same question about Joel Oxley. He should probably have one of his minions start his car for a while. He has made such a mess of the Bonneville cluster in DC that it's amazing he's still employed. The one Bonneville success in this market has been WTOP and, other than writing some checks for frequency changes, Oxley has let Jim Farley run that show. Oxley is yet another GSM promoted to programming management without the benefit of a clue. When will the higher-ups learn their lesson? Speaking of Brooke Stevens... there were always rumblings that she was less than honest about some of her medical problems and that she would invent or exagerate them to get sympathy and favors from co-workers and/or listeners. It would be a shame if a real illness, and a serious one at that, was not taken seriously because of her history. (8/30/07)
As far as is known, the Washington Nationals are tied to MASN indefinitely whether the team likes it or not. There is no known provision that would allow the Nats to jump to CSN. I don't know why the Post believes otherwise. Everett W. (8/30/07)
Dear Dave, I gave Washington Post Radio the benefit of the doubt in the beginning, only to be disappointed. Now, I don't think this WWWT or whatever it's called (can I buy a vowel?) is going to find "traction." Joel Oxley screwed up Z104. He screwed up WGMS. He screwed up George. He screwed up Post Radio. Most people get just three strikes. He's had four. Nothing personal, just business - but with all due respect, don't you think Bonneville can do better than Joel Oxley? - LK (8/30/07)
Dave's response: I do think that Bonneville is down to one viable "signal" - WTOP - from the three it had three or so years ago. The implosion of Z104 can be understood as the station was always an under-performer. But the lethal injection given to classical WGMS will go down as one of the worst blunders in Washington radio history. Right up there with the sale of powerhouse hit/rocker WAVA to Salem, Georgetown U's abandonment of progressive WGTB, and the mismanagement of legendary alt rocker WHFS 99.1, resulting in its tragic downfall.....
Allegany County, not Alleghany. (8/30/07)
Howard Stern's dentures make the news page... Well, they always said August is a slow month for news; the 29th must be the slooooooowest day of the month. Good grief, what a non-story. (8/30/07)
Very sad to hear about Brooke Stevens. I remember when she did traffic on the old “Trumbull & Core” show on WMAL. I also recall that she sung in a band at nightclubs and such, and was a “presenter” at conventions and trade shows in the Baltimore/D.C. area… Let's all keep her in our prayers and thoughts at this time... (8/30/07)
Unsigned corporate suit once again… Very true about channels 2-6 often not being the best for DTV in many cases. But, it’s not universal! Out in the “heartland” of the U.S., DTV will work quite well on channels 2-6 where the terrain is relatively flat with few tall structures and multipath is less of a problem. Multipath is such a bugaboo with VSB-8 that Sinclair petitioned the FCC (ultimately unsuccessfully) to have COFDM added to the protocols acceptable for DTV, as COFDM is more robust as opposed to the fragile VSB-8. In addition to the sticking points of the conversion I mentioned earlier, there are some other factors waiting in the wings to ruin an “orderly” DTV conversion! First off, let’s talk about cable carriage! No, I’m not talking about the “lawyers delight” th! at conditions of DTV carriage has become. I’m talking about the mere availability of a reliable DTV signal! From what I’m seeing today, the consistent coverage areas of DTV stations is reminiscent of the early TV stations such as WNBT-1, WCBW-2, W2XWV-4, W3XWT-5, W6XAO-2, W6XYZ-5, etc. There are more than a few rural (and not-so-rural) cable systems that have several HDTV signals, but no broadcast HDTV simply because the signals aren’t reaching their receive point. And, fiber-optic or terrestrial microwave feeds are often financially out of the question. This will be an interesting puzzle for the bureaucrats, politicians, and the few remaining real engineers to solve. A second problem to surmount is what about translators? A sizeable number of homes in rural America depend on translators for TV reception. Has anyone figured out things like who is going to pay for the necessary digital translators? Not to mention how to get the signal(s) there in the first pla! ce? Finally in this go-round, politicians who like to call themselves “conservative” love to scream bloody murder about the scourge of “unfunded federal mandates”. Well, the whole DTV plan sure falls into that category! While it’s true that some federal and private dollars are out there to help PBS stations with the costs (averaging $6 million - $10 million per station) of DTV, what about the commercial broadcasters? They have to either raise cash in the capital markets or borrow the funds. And, contrary to popular belief, there are rural small market network VHF’s that have a tough time always making ends meet. (We won’t even talk about the UHF’s!) In some cases, they have an associated second or even a third station to consider in the conversion. Places like Hawaii, Alaska, Nebraska, Kansas, and the Dakotas immediately come to mind. As for why some of the costs of conversion are so high, entirely new towers have had to be built in some cases as the “analog tower” was unable to accommodate an additional antenna us! ually because of either age or design. (Remember the abortive Tenleytown Tower in D.C.? That was supposed to replace towers approaching 50 years of age and replace others unable to accommodate DTV!) In some cases where structural engineers said a DTV antenna could be accommodated on an existing tower, “something” happened along the way and a previously sound tower came crashing down, often with tragic results for the crewmembers involved. Of course, this situation also knocks the station off the air, often for months. Not only does this affect the station (and its stockholders, employees, and advertisers) but also the viewers. Fourth, while most TV’s now have a DTV on-air, how many are flea-power things on STA’s just to meet the letter of the FCC rules? For that matter, there are still major markets where a station or two still doesn’t have any DTV signal on-air. I really think the politicians are in for a very (deservedly) rude awakening come February 200! 9 as to how dependent their constituents are (either directly or indir ectly) on reliable broadcast TV reception. Dave, sorry for the long rant. I seriously think there are some aspects of the DTV conversion that are not being discussed in D.C. (8/30/07)
In the middle of the Post article, which has the debut of WWWT on Thursday, 9/20/07, the Washington Nationals will be on WTWP/WWWT for the rest of the season. At this time, they do not have a radio nor a TV deal lined up for next season. There's a possibility that the Nats may wind up on Comcast SportsNet next season. Currently, Nats games are seen on MASN (or MASN 2). If the Nats do land a TV deal with CSN, the Bethesda-based RSN would be back in the game. We do not know if the Nats will remain on MASN or move to CSN. (8/30/07)
MASN-HD was spotted on a DirecTV engineering feed along with other big names like Comedy Central and MTV. Some info on the engineering mode: "Regular customers cannot access the engineering mode. At this point there is no programming on these channels - they are just placeholders for the time that actual feeds are available. The primary significance of this info is it is one more significant step closer to getting all the new HD channels. Of lesser importance is the actual channels that have these assignments since there is no way to know at what stage any of them are at at this point in time" Progress.....slow, slow, progress. --Stephen in Ashburn (8/30/07)
Speaking of this ain't no party...or CBGB's....Hilly Kristal has passed on... gothamist.com ...i didn't care for the idear of opening a new CBGB's in Vegas.......rock n' roll on life support baby, it's burnt out, i guess it's better that way (8/30/07)
Its been a while since I have visited your site. Noticed that you now cover Philadelphia, Boston and New York. Why? Why not some of the localmarkets that lost their websites like Maryland's Eastern Shore when ESRTV went defunct. Or Winchester when they lost Btvonline and even Frederick/Hagerstown since WMRTV is hardly ever updated. What happened to those sites? Those markets are a lot closer to DC than say Manchester, NH is. (8/30/07)
Dave's response: I do cover news in Winchester, Hagerstown, Frederick, and Salisbury as part of DCRTV. But I need to raise ad revenue to keep DCRTV largely "free for all" and it just seemed that targeting big places like NYC, Philadelphia, and Boston made more financial sense.....
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