Its a Fact. They Are Different & Wonderful.

I'm from the south...in fact from South Carolina.  Now, I have lived elsewhere at times, and traveled to 40 states and 7 foreign countries.  For me...this is the place to be.

There are many aspects of this region I prefer over everywhere else.  The largest among them has always been southern women.  They think, act and sound differently than say, northern women.  For me its the perfect combination of class, grace, humor, irony, and sex appeal.  Added to the obvious cosmetic superiority, its the sound of a southern woman.  From my mother, to my wife....the sound of the female southern accent is a  remarkable elixir of music, poetry, and earthiness. Please don't confuse redneck for southern.  Rednecks are everywhere......only the south has the southern woman.

Watch this little video and if you don't know someone that reminds you of this group....well as we like to say... you aint from around here.....bless your heart."

TV - WYFF and The Definition of Editorials

Even though the audience for this blog is nationwide, I wanted to focus on the southeast television market.

The Greenville – Spartanburg area is home to a number of fine outlets and one in particular is representative of a station that does many things well, while at the same time failing miserably in others.

WYFF-TV (channel 4) has been an NBC affiliate for decades and is currently owned by the Hearst Corporation.  Through many years of service to the the two Carolinas and Georgia, TV 4 has grown as a first class new organization while failing to maintain a local service fulfillment.

Back when it was known as WFBC-TV and owned by Multi-Media, it did a remarkable job going beyond the traditional areas, such as network clearance of programs, selling time, airing local news. 
No, back then it actually broadcast the annual Downtown Greenville Christmas parade, had local programming for kids with Monty’s Rascals, Romper Room, and believe it or not even aired the local Soapbox Derby LIVE for several hours each year.  That was then, and as they say, this is now.

While it has expanded its local news from a single 30 minute piece in the dinner hour and the 30 minutes prior to Jack Parr, then Carson, and now Leno to multiple hours each day, the LOCAL aspects of programming have disappeared.  Sitcoms and syndicated programming have filled the slots and programs like Telescope, Rascals, Romper Room, and others have long since replaced with higher margins and less LOCAL effort.

Now, I don’t want to present the impression that the local news programming is weak.  It was and still is the premier outlet with overall vastly superior staffing.  

A good example would be the early morning news  It begins at 4:30 am and wraps at 7 am as stellar lead in to the NBC Today show.  Jeff Hart , Beth Brotherton, Dale Gilbert with the  weather, Jimmy Watt with a very good traffic segment have shown that they can be counted on for a steady and consistent presentation of the news.  Added to the mix is Sean Muserallo who each day is in the field covering either a breaking story or worthwhile feature.  His growth alone is reason enough to watch each day .  No…..TV-4 does a fine job of news around the clock…particularly compared to the fraternity party that the local FOX affiliate (WHNS-21) burbs up each day.  The morning news presentation is not even worthy of a high school produced multi media attempt.  That show, for all of its mistakes, silliness, and giggling is a story for another time.  But before we leave WYFF-TV, we need to assess the pitiful attempt they make at airing what they call an “editorial.”

I have a vision that at some point during a Hearst corporate management meeting, an attorney stood up and reminded those in attendance that each of their properties would be up for FCC license renewal within the upcoming few years, so they needed to do something to bolster their local content programming.  Apparently the suggestion was “lets have a local manager do an editorial regarding a local issue.” Great concept……in the case of WYFF-TV poor execution.

For the last few years they have aired a series of “editorials” that were either self serving, promotional, or patently weak, lame, pointless, without merit……hell, choose any or all of the descriptors.  Recently the VP for WYFF has gone out on a limb and declared,

• Hurricanes are bad, 
• The Red Cross is good, 
• The downtown food festival is good, 
• Peaches are good for the economy, 
• People should vote, 
• Veterans deserve appreciate and 
• One of the best was what a great job THEY did covering primary elections.

Hearst VP - John Soapes

I grew up with an understanding that editorials, delivered by newspaper management, magazine editors, and television stations, were designed to make its audience think, to take a stand on something controversial, support one candidate over another, and then explain why those decisions were made.  Again, that was my perception of an editorial and WYFF seems to have a wholly different one.  I actually have laughed out loud when I have heard John Soapes  say “we believe that peaches are good for the economy.” Nothing like taking a stand, popular or not, and then offering up some sage words to support your position.

Since iconic television stations like WYFF have abandoned local non-news programming for re-runs, doctors, and judges, is it too much to ask for 90 seconds of substance within the confines of its local editorial?  In recent months their have been ample opportunities to make an impact and actually serve the public more than car commercials, and half ass reality shows.  

• The removal of a huge number of candidates from ballots,
• The proposed voter ID law, 
• The remarkable arrest record of the local law enforcement following acts of violence, or 
• Support for a Sheriff like Chuck Wright that speaks his mind, answers questions honestly and enforces the law regardless of the popularity of his statements or actions.  
• Lets not forget  other issues such as closing businesses that are nusenses, 
• Tearing down abandoned homes that now serve as crack houses, etc.  

Each of these could stand scrutiny(support or condemnation) from a broadcast outlet licensed to serve the community. 

I understand that it is far easier to pick “safe” topics, those that won’t require lawyers, or reap threats of cancelling advertising….but “we believe the community, the audience, the overall population deserve better.”  What are your thoughts?  Does your local market mimic the weak offerings referenced here or do they lay it on the line?  Let us know. Give examples.  Its important to remember that I do not believe that Mr. Soapes is a bad person or doesn't care about the content of his editorials.  I've been told by numerous people is fair and open minded.  I only hope he considers reflecting the values put in place by his predecessors.  Men like Norvin Duncan, Dave Partridge, Charlie Newcomb and Dave Handy (both of WSPA-TV).  

We believe its time for local issues to be dealt with by local media leaders.

Showbiz - Two Giant Egos Collide

Mark Wahlberg

Michael Jackson

The world was reeling...New York was hurting...ari travel had been suspended for several days and then two ego collided.


Michael Jackson and Mark Wahlberg came to verbal blows over who could use the jet owned by Sony Records to escape the aftermath of 9/11 -- and MJ won.

According to a new book called "Untouchable" by Randall Sullivan ... Michael, his kids and several relatives hightailed it to White Plains, NY a few days after the Twin Towers were hit in order to catch a private plane back to L.A. 

But  when M.J. arrived he was confronted by Mark Wahlberg and HIS entourage ... who were also waiting to use Sony's ride.

Sullivan says the duo exchanged verbal blows over who got the plane ... until Sony honchos sent word down that M.J. (as the bigger celeb) was the victor.

Jackson eventually changed his mind at the last minute and wanted to get to L.A. by bus ... so his entourage flew without him.  Jackson then changed his mind again and sent his mother and some relatives on the bus -- and Sony was forced to send a second plane.

The moral of the story is to work for Sony ... they had TWO planes!!!

Music - Stupid Is As Stupid Does.

As if the level of "weird" couldn't get any higher with regard to the the Jackson family...one of the "dimmer" stars of the clan takes it up one more notch.



Lesser known, Jermaine Jackson has filed a request to legally CHANGE his last name ... trading out "Jackson" for "Jacksun."  TMZ reports the reason for the name change is to have a name with more "energy" and "positive feeling". LOL

Jermaine filed a petition for a change of name with L.A. County Superior Court yesterday asking for the change in nomenclature.

In the court documents, Jermaine says he wants to make the change for "artistic reasons" ... but he does not give any further details about the move. It is rumored that he feels he would be a bigger name in the industry with a different name.  Yea...thats his problem....his last name.  More specifically the SPELLING of his last name.  As Mrs. Gump observed...."Stupid is as stupid does."

The request has NOT yet been approved by a judge -- but a hearing has been scheduled.

Barring any crazy legal situations, Jermaine will be required to have his name change announced publicly several times in the next couple of months before it can be made official. A public announcement consists of having the name printed in a local publication ... just like Ron Artest had to do when he changed his name to Metta World Peace.

Music - Suicide Silence Lead Singer Dies

Mitch Lucker

Fans are in mourning over the death of Mitch Lucker, a vocalist for the heavy metal band Suicide Silence who was killed in a motorcycle accident in Huntington Beach.

The band posted a statement on its Facebook page Thursday morning reading, "There's no easy way to say this. Mitch passed away earlier this morning from injuries sustained during a motorcycle accident. This is completely devastating to all of us and we offer our deepest condolences to his family. He will be forever in our hearts."

Lucker, 28, who lived in Huntington Beach, was riding his black 2013 Harley-Davidson south on Main Street about 8:55 p.m. Wednesday when he hit a light pole near the intersection of 13th Street. According to a release from the department, Lucker apparently lost control of his vehicle and was thrown from it after hitting the pole.

The motorcycle continued moving forward after Lucker was ejected and collided with a pickup truck that was traveling north on Main. The driver of the truck was not injured.

Lucker, who was treated at the scene by paramedics, died shortly after 6 a.m. at UC Irvine Medical Center, according to the Orange County coroner's office.

The band has released three albums — 2007's "The Cleansing," 2009's "No Time to Bleed" and last year's "The Black Crown" — and is described on the website of its record label, Century Media, as "the defining modern death metal band for a new generation."

Deep Thoughts from Shallow Minds

There are times in ones life when instead of searching for something to write about......it just falls into your lap.  Instead of researching examples of the extreme stupid you only have to read the news from "hollyweird."   Sooooo, without further ado, I give you "Deep Thoughts from Shallow Minds."  Todays contributions are from a pair gas bags...........


 Lindsay Lohan offered her unique perspective on the massive hurricane wreaking havoc across the Eastern seaboard.
"WHY is everyone in SUCH a panic about hurricane (i'm calling it Sally)..? Stop projecting negativity! Think positive and pray for peace," she posted on her Twitter page.






Actress Mindy Kaling was also less than impressed with the storm, which has taken dozens of lives.

"9 months from now hopefully we will have some cool Hurricane Sandy babies! On the west coast we never get to bond over weather panic. We're like oh no an earthquake for 2 seconds, then go to spin class or whatever, she wrote.

Music: Madonna Blows It Over Obama

Madonna drew boos and triggered a walkout by several concertgoers after she touted President Barack Obama on her "MDNA Tour" in New Orleans.


The Material Girl asked during Saturday night's performance: "Who's registered to vote?" She added: "I don't care who you vote for as long as you vote for Obama." Drawing boos in touting Obama over Republican Mitt Romney, Madonna followed: "Seriously, I don't care who you vote for ... Do not take this privilege for granted. Go vote."

Madonna is often outspoken. Some Colorado fans, mindful of a mass shooting there, complained she used a fake gun to shoot a masked gunman in a recent concert act in Denver. A Madonna concert in Paris in July drew ire when a video showed a swastika on a politician's forehead.

Music - Uncle Ted and Jessie's Girl

Some folks think Ted Nugent is "bat shit" crazy, while others embrace his positions on Guns, God & Country.  Where you are and what you identify with is as they say "your business."  One thing that can never be said is he is boring.  So it comes as no surprise that he now has a "reality" show on the Discovery Channel.

Like the man himself, the program content is loud, frenetic, philosophical, funny and frustrating...again based on your perspective.

On a TOTALLY different "note", Rick Springfield decided to do an impromptu concert withing the NYC Subway system.  He performed a series of songs, including his monster hit "Jessie's Girl."  As you watch the video, note how many people, total strangers, stop and sing along.  

Music - 2013 Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Nominations

The nominations are in, now all that is left now to do is vote. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced the list of hopeful inductees for the Class of 2013.

True to tradition, the list is a diverse group of artists who have all made an impact in the world of music. This years nominees are Rush, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Public Enemy, Randy Newman, Procol Harum, Blues Band, Paul Butterfield, N.W.A, the Meters, Kraftwerk, the Marvelettes, Donna Summer, Heart, Deep Purple, Chic and Albert King.

Here a musical montage representing the nominees and representative work.  

For the first time ever, fans will be able to vote for their favorite performers to get inducted. In the past only artists, historians and music industry insiders of the Rock Hall have been allowed to vote. All the votes from fans will comprise the “fan’s ballot,” which will count as one in the more than 600 ballots counted to determine the Class of 2013.

A performer only becomes eligible for a nomination after 25 years of their first release. Rush has been eligible for nomination since 1998, but this is the first year that they have appeared on the ballot. This is the first year that both N.W.A and Public Enemy have been eligible for nomination.

The winners will be announced in mid-December, with a ceremony honoring all the inductees on April 18, 2013. In the past the ceremony was held at the Waldforf Astoria in New York, but this year it will be at the Nokia Theater in L.A.

Fans have until Dec. 5 to cast their vote so be sure to cast your vote for the 2013 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees at Rollingstone.

Music - Brawl at the BET Awards Show

It'a always interesting to hear part of our society profess "love and brotherhood" especially when trying to put forth a united front...against "the man."

This weekend the "black community" had yet another opportunity to see their icons in apparently a more natural habitat.  This time the BET Music Awards in Atlanta.  In an all too common demonstration by all too common people, a fight breaks out backstage at an event where "everyone is just honored to be nominated."    The majority of the winner "praise God" at the podium while packing a .45 and looking for some to "disrespect."

The video is from TMZ who is one of the few major outlets willing to show what really happens when aspects of the worst america has, get together for a friendly little award show. Peace brother.

Music - Andy Williams Passes Away

Howard Andrew "Andy" Williams (December 3, 1927 – September 25, 2012) was an American singer who recorded eighteen Gold- and three Platinum-certified albums. He hosted The Andy Williams Show, a TV variety show, from 1962 to 1971, as well as numerous television specials, and owned the Moon River Theatre[3] in Branson, Missouri, named after the song "Moon River", with which he is closely identified.

During the 1960s, Williams became one of the most popular vocalists in the country and was signed to what was at that time the biggest recording contract in history. He was primarily an album artist, and at one time he had earned more gold albums than any solo performer except Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis and Elvis Presley.

By 1973 he had earned as many as 18 gold album awards. Among his hit albums from this period were Moon River, Days of Wine and Roses (number one for 16 weeks in mid-1963), The Andy Williams Christmas Album, Dear Heart, The Shadow of Your Smile, Love, Andy, Get Together with Andy Williams, and Love Story. These recordings, along with his natural affinity for the music of the 1960s and early 1970s, combined to make him one of the premier easy listening singers of that era.

In the UK, Williams continued to reach high chart status until 1978. The albums Can't Help Falling In Love (1970), Andy Williams Show (1970) Home Lovin Man ( #1 1971), Solitaire (1973), The Way We Were (1974) and Reflections (1978) all reached the Top 10.

Williams forged an indirect collaborative relationship with Henry Mancini, although they never recorded together. Williams was asked to sing Mancini and Johnny Mercer's song "Moon River" at the 1962 Oscar Awards (where it won), and it quickly became Williams' theme song; however, because it was never released as a single, "Moon River" was never actually a chart hit for Williams.

The next year Williams sang "Days of Wine and Roses" which was written by Mancini and Mercer (this song also won). Two years later, he sang Mancini's "Dear Heart" at the 1965 awards and "The Sweetheart Tree" (also written with Mercer) at the 1966 awards.

Radio - High Energy Translates to FUN!!!

As you skate around the dial, have you ever asked yourself "where are the high energy jocks that used to get you fired up?"  The guys that always seemed to be having a great time and thus made you have a good time? The guys that seemed to actually "feel" the music and sounded as if they wanted to be there?

For the next few posts we will look at those jocks that brought radio ALIVE.  As our first offering...JoJo "Cooking" Kincad.  

Working hard and having a ball. Radio....the way I wish it still was.

Radio Legend - The Real Don Steele

Previous installments of "Radio Legends" have looked at both local and national voices.  From the Carolinas to Chicago, to California the contributions made over the decades are the baseline for most, if not all of what occurs on the air today.  

If you have a personality you would like us to profile, please drop us line.

Don Steele, born Donald Steele Revert (April 1, 1936 – August 5, 1997), was one of the most popular disc jockeys in the United States, from the middle of the 1960s until his retirement (for health reasons) in May 1997. 

He was known as "The Real Don Steele," a name given to him by his program director in Omaha, Nebraska, who hoped the moniker would click with listeners and make him stand out from other radio personalities.

Steele became nationally-known as a DJ on radio station KHJ in Los Angeles, where he helped to promote the "ultrahip" top-40 Boss Radio format which began on April 27, 1965. 

He also appeared on TV as host Boss City and The Real Don Steele TV Show, a show which ran from 1965 to 1975 on KHJ-TV channel 9 in Los Angeles. 

When the popularity of AM radio gave way to FM stereo in the 1970s, Steele continued to remain a popular personality at the station. Following the years at 93/KHJ, The Real Don Steele continued to be heard on Los Angeles radio stations, including KIQQ (K-100), 

KRLA, KCBS-FM and KRTH-FM (K-Earth 101), until his death in August 1997.

In the book Los Angeles Radio People, Steele recalled the beginnings of Boss Radio in 1965: "We were standing literally at ground zero, then (the radio format) became a huge giant. It was like a mushroom cloud that went up -- heavy on the mushroom."


Steele was never one to analyze the evolution of rock radio. In a 1995 interview, he insisted, "Look, you take the Motown sound and the British Invasion and you throw in Elvis and Roy Orbison, and you have a music mix that's hard to beat at any time or any place."
"Robert W. Morgan was the first one hired for Boss Radio," KHJ program director Bill Drake said. "He recommended Steele. He flew down from San Francisco. I was a little leery because I had heard he was kind of a crazy man, but it turned out he was very dedicated to his work."

Steel had a unique delivery that may sound out of place in today's, vanilla on-air sound.  Back then the personality was the difference. The songs may have been the same.....but what happened between the tunes was what made radio, well, entertaining.

Media - Kate Wins in French Court

The French magazine Closer, which published topless photos of the Duchess of Cambridge, must hand over the original pictures and pay a 10,000-euro ($13,000) fine each time the images are published again, a French court ruled.

Judge Jean- Michel Hayat said in the ruling today in Nanterre, France the duchess, Kate, and husband Prince William had a legitimate expectation of privacy when the photos were taken during their vacation because they were “surrounded by gardens and several hundred meters from a public road,”

The tabloid was ordered to pay Kate 2,000 euros in expenses and an additional 10,000 euros each day it fails to turn over the images.

The royal family has also asked for a criminal case to be started against the unidentified photographer.

The dispute comes three weeks after News Corp. Sun tabloid in Britain broke with traditional practice by publishing images of Prince Harry, William’s brother, naked at a party in Las Vegas. Those photos, initially published online by the U.S. website TMZ.com, may have inspired Closer.

The princes’ mother, Diana Princess of Wales, died in a Paris car crash 15 years ago while being pursued by French tabloid paparazzi on motorbikes.

Radio - Hunter Herring - Columbia, SC Legend

Several days ago we profiled Monty Dupuy, an Upstate South Carolina radio legend.  In this edition we take a quick look an the Midlands Madman.....Hunter Herring.

Hunter is a longtime Columbia/Charlotte radio personality who has spent his 44 year career at great radio stations like WCOS, WNOK, WZLD, WEZC, WMIX, WWMG, and WOMG.  I first ran across him when I was programming an AM stick in Gaffney, SC as well as another pair in Beaufort - Hilton Head & Allendale.  Yes....back in the AM days of Top 40 radio. (sigh)

He was a machine gun on air personality on WCOS and seemed to catch the Capitol City on fire each and every day.  His career in broadcasting has given him experience in music formats ranging from beach to boogie, rock to disco, and top 40 to country.

Currently is working weekends at Magic98.5

Saturday: 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Sunday: 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Here is some bio info on radio veteran Hunter Herring

Favorite Sport: Football

Favorite Movie: Pet Detective / Dumb and Dumber /Naked Gun

Favorite Drink: Margarita on the rocks w/salt

Favorite Music: All Music All Genres

Birthday: February 28

On air at WOMG:  Since: August, 1990

High School:  Dreher, Columbia

First big break in radio: WCOS in Columbia

Nicest celebrity I've ever met: Alice Cooper

Biggest influence: Boss Radio of the 60's

Favorite weekend activity: Hanging By The Pool

Favorite Beatle: George

Favorite sandwich: Turkey Club and New Orleans Shrimp Po Boy

Favorite book: Rockin’ America by Rick Sklar

Deceased person I wish I'd met:   Johnny Carson

Fun Fact about Hunter: Holds Columbia’s On Air Marathon Record...1974 Heart Fund Radiothon...73 Hrs

 One of the things he and I have in common, is our love and respect for Boss Radio, its creator the late Bill Drake, and many of the jocks who found fame within the format.  Since that time there have been many variations of the "Drake"sound and the jingles he employed at KHJ were no execption. 

Giants were born in the Boss Radio days..... notable among them Robert W. Morgan.  Here is profiled on KABC Channel 7 Eyewitness News in 1999.  



Then there was Charlie Tuna.

KHTZ K-Hits Los Angeles Charlie Tuna 1985 California Aircheck Video

KRLA Los Angeles Humble Harve 1990 California Aircheck Video.

He is still rockin the Midlands and hopefully Hunter will continue for many years to come.

Robyn Watts was kind enough to add to a prior post and as always, we encourage your comments and suggestions.

Music - The Who Ride Again!!

A few month ago legendary rock band The Who announced a 37 city tour including Greenvillle, SC.

The stop at the Bi-Lo Center is the first time the band has ever appeared in South Carolina.  The date is November 8th and to say the buzz is strong would be an understatement.

Local classic rock station WROQ-FM (Rock101) announced the tour, the performance in Greenville, and offered tickets  to listeners.  We hear response was strong, and demand for tickets continues to be equally strong.

Here is a interview that answers some of the burning qustions regarding
this tour...such as "why now"?

Music - Guitarist Mark Abrahamian dead at 46

Guitarist Mark Abrahamian, who performed with Starship featuring Mickey Thomas, is dead at age 46, the band announced on Monday. He reportedly died due to a heart attack following a performance on September 2.

 

Radio - Local Legend Monty Dupuy

A few days ago several of us were discussing legendary radio personalities.  Names like Charlie Tuna and Robert W. Morgan from L.A. Then we talked about John Records Landekker  at WLS and Don Imus.

During the conversation we got into local voices.  People, that while not major market, were considered "gods" in their respective cities.  Additionally, the stations that hosted these on-air greats came up.  One of those outlets was WFBC and Monty Dupuy.

WFBC-AM/FM
In 1962, Monty Dupuy became the long running host of the simulcast morning show which was one of the most popular shows in Greenville Radio History garnering more than 50% of the audience for more than 15 years. Dupuy was the morning host on WFBC-FM from 1962 to 1977.

In 1965, WFBC-FM began independent programming of "light music" and "Music with McMasters" only simulcasting during the Dupuy morning show and special events.


WFBC-FM started programming Drake Chenaults (Hit Parade) format in early 1971 becoming one of the most popular radio stations in the upstate.

Past on-air staff during the 1960s and 1970s on WFBC-FM include: Norvin Duncan, Johnny Wright, Bob Poole, Bob Shelley, Monty Dupuy, Stowe Hoyle, Ben Greer, Bill Kregar, Verner Tate, Alice Wyman, Claude Freeman, Wilfred Walker, Billy Powell, Lee Kanipe, Max Mace, Jeff Fields, Ray Clune, Johnny Batson, Andy Scott, Ken Rogers, Dan Kelly, Jerry Haynes, Jim Burnside, Eston Johnson, Scott Shannon, Bill Love, Dale Gilbert, Jim Phillips, Rick Driver and Patty Snow.

WFBC-FM was an adult contemporary station during the 1970s and 1980s, and an oldies station in the early 1990s, with the name "Oldies B 93.7" and then just "Oldies 93.7".

Announcers in that time frame included; Ken Rogers, Steve Chris, Lee Alexander, Russ Cassell, "Rockin Robin" Keith, Chris Scott, Eric Rogers, Lisa Rollins, Jan Meng, Dan Stevens, "Spanky" Jim Miller, Lee Nolan, "Brother Bill" Prather, Joe Fletcher, Lou Simon and many more. As an Oldies outlet, WFBC featured the popular weeknight Oldies Request show "Into The Night" with Jan Ming. They also played Dick Clark, Mike Harvey and Dick Bartley National Oldies Shows on the weekends. The station also produced and networked several award winning Carolina Beach Music shows with Ken Rogers and Leighton Grantham. The format was 1950's- early 1970's Rock and Roll Oldies and was successful for many years.

During this period, the station was known for doing live remotes and broadcast Memorial Day Weekends live from "Freedom Weekend Aloft". WYFF-TV Weatherman Dale Gilbert did Mid-Mornings on WFBC-FM during part of this period as well as doing the Morning Weather Broadcasts on "Your Friend" 4. WFBC/(WYFF-TV 4) and WFBC AM/FM shared the same building from 1955 till 1977 when a new radio facility was built adjacent to the TV station on Rutherford Street.

In April 1994, WFBC/AM/FM was sold and switched to a CHR format, and stunted by having a disc jockey read the local phone book. This outraged many local Oldies listeners and soon 103.3 and 103.9 (WOLT and WOLI-FM) picked up the Oldies format and dumped Howard Stern's morning Show which had just signed 103.3 and 103.9 before the format change to Oldies.

[Thanks to Wikipedia for much of the detail therein]

We would love to hear from you on your favorite stations and DJs.  All across the country BEFORE the consoldation of brands by Clear Channel, Entercom, Citidal, etc.... there were truly local stations..

Music - A Tough Birthday for LeAnn Rimes

LeAnn Rimes has voluntarily checked into an in-patient treatment facility for anxiety and stress, according to Us Weekly .
Reportedly entering the undisclosed facility on Wednesday -- the day after her 30th birthday -- Eddie Cibrian's wife will seek treatment for 30 days.

"LeAnn has voluntarily entered a 30 day in-patient treatment facility to cope with anxiety and stress," her rep Marcel Pariseau says. "She has a lot of mental anguish," the source explains.  "She's incredibly hard on herself . . . She really does have a lot of anxiety."

Prior to checking into treatment, Rimes was feted by her husband of 16 months during a romantic Tuesday night birthday dinner at posh sushi spot Nobu in Malibu, Calif. 

Turning 30 led Rimes to reflect fondly on the support system she has in her family and friends. "If there's one thing I know, it's that I'm loved," she tweeted. "Thank you all my family, friends and fans for all the birthday wishes!"

Hard at work on her latest album, Spitfire, Rimes is expected to perform concert dates in September during breaks from treatment.

Concerts - Stones Hit the Road in Late 2012

The Rolling Stones will play a small handful of shows in 2012 during the 50th anniversary year of the group’s founding, Billboard is reporting.

The trade publication says Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Ron Wood, Charlie Watts and company will do a pair of shows in London, and another double-header in Brooklyn in November, countering band members’ previous assertions that the band wouldn’t be hitting the road this year.


But the group's official website has no information about any such dates, and the Stones' U.S. spokeswoman did not respond immediately to The Times' request to confirm the report.

The London shows, will be at the O2 Arena, and the Brooklyn dates will be at the Barclays Center.  Richard Branson and Australian promoter Paul Dainty will promote these shows, rather than Michael Cohl, who has been promoting the Stones’ tours for decades.

Richards started to change his tune in July about the band not being ready to tour in 2012, telling the BBC: “There’s things in the works. Things are definitely happening. But when? I can’t say yet.”

Radio - The Legendary Don Imus

Writing for the Media Zone has its perks.  Part of the job is thinking. Thinking about those things that are both entertaining and and interesting.  A case is point......radio.

My fascination with radio began over 50 years ago and is just as strong today.  It spans a wide range of formats, music and personalities.  That's right the personalities. From locals to those of national stature. In the next few weeks I plan on taking a look at both groups with an initial peek at Don Imus.

He is a legend in radio.  Starting in Sacramento, moving to Cleveland, to New York...back to Cleveland and once again landing in the Big Apple.  He has climbed the ladder to the number one market, and thanks to booze and drugs, taken a well documented slide, only to return a bit more humble and self-aware.

In the spirit of full candor, I met Don Imus many years ago.  It was during a Billboard Radio Conference in Atlanta.  He was already the talk of the industry and I was a small time program director for an equally small group of stations in the two Carolinas.  I served on a panel discussion and afterwards we were in the "speakers" room when I turned around and there was the I-Man.  We were standing less the 3 feet apart. I was feeling pretty good about my contributions during the panel discussion and hoped he had possibly seen some of it.  He looked right in my eyes and I will never forget what the legendary Don Imus said to me "Can you get me a beer?"  LOL

 That was then, and this is now.  From then to now I have admired Imus. I did then and I do now.  

Here is a two part profile by ABC News on Imus that shows the level of change from Rock Jock to Shock Jock to Politico Jock. Followed by a vintage I-Man doing a VH1 segment AND not caring.

Music - Wynonna Back on Tour Following Motorcycle Crash

Wynonna Judd is going back on tour after her husband lost his left leg in a motorcycle crash.

She says in a statement that husband Michael Scott "Cactus" Moser "continues to improve every day as he begins his road to rehabilitation."

Moser was also her drummer. Judd says they are looking forward to the day when they will be together again on stage.

Moser was injured Aug. 18 in South Dakota. He was airlifted to a hospital, and doctors amputated his leg.

Instead of gifts, the couple is asking people to donate in Moser's name to Homes For Our Troops. The organization helps members of the military with serious disabilities.

Judd's tour resumes Thursday in Michigan

Tampa Invaded by Giant Pink Vaginas. Seriously.

There are two points I would like  you to ponder.

1.  Attendees at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida were greeted by a group of protesters dressed in giant vagina costumes. 

2.  Somewhere in America, there is a place where you can buy a giant vagina costume. 

What an incredible time to be alive.


The dubiously effective protest was put on by members of a group called Code Pink, who, according to their website, encouraged women to "Bring your vagina to the RNC!" Per Code Pink,


Code Pink has several protests and marches planned for the duration of the RNC, although I'm not sure how many Republicans will be convinced to change their minds by a group of women dressed like genitalia. 

I love this country.