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.

Showing Too Much Boob To Fly?

Airlines give many reasons for refusing to let you board, but none stir as much debate as this: How you’re dressed. A woman flying from Las Vegas on Southwest this spring says she was confronted by an airline employee for showing too much cleavage. 



In another recent case, an American Airlines pilot lectured a passenger because her T-shirt bore a four-letter expletive. She was allowed to keep flying after draping a shawl over the shirt.

Both women told their stories to sympathetic bloggers, and the debate over what you can wear in the air went viral. It’s not always clear what’s appropriate. Airlines don’t publish dress codes. There are no rules that spell out the highest hemline or the lowest neckline allowed. That can leave passengers guessing how far to push fashion boundaries. Every once in a while the airline says: Not that far.

Kenneth Quinn, an aviation lawyer and former chief counsel at the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration says, "since airlines and their planes are private property and not a public space like the courthouse steps, crews can tell you what to wear."

 If passengers don’t follow crew instructions, they could be accused of interfering with a flight crew — a federal crime. He says passengers should wait until they’re off the plane to file complaints with the airline, the U.S. Department of Transportation or in small-claims court.
“They have this omnipotent power,”  “You shouldn’t argue your case while you’re on the airplane. You’re in a no-win scenario — you will be arrested."

Showbiz: Hardbodies Push New hardware for Samsung

This month it’s become apparent that the folks at Samsung brought on a couple of celebrity models to their recent NYC event for the Galaxy Note 10.1. 

Galaxy Note 10.1.

Irina Shayk

Kate Upton

Both models Irina Shayk and Kate Upton of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue fame were in attendance for what must have been Samsung-payed gigs. You’ll also see Upton carrying an iPhone – certainly not scoring her any brownie points with the company whose biggest rival is Apple.

Radio - Entercom Partners with CMN Again in 2012

Get ready for the 2012 Children's Hospital Radiothon: from Sept. 13-14, 2012, folks around the Upstate will tune in to New Rock 93.3, B93.7, Magic 98.9, Rock 101, or WORD 106.3 to hear on-air personalities interview members of the community about their experiences with Children's Hospital, and make sure miracles continue by giving to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN Hospitals). Presenting partner Entercom Upstate even temporarily moves in at Greenville Memorial Hospital, taking over the hospital lobby during the three-day event. Children's Hospital is grateful to have a supportive community that makes miracles for our children!   Special thanks to Entercom Upstate and New Rock 93.3, B93.7, Magic 98.9, Rock 101, and NewsRadio 106.3 for sharing stories of Children's Hospital patients and their families with the community.

Children's Miracle Network Hospitals is a national non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds and awareness for hospitalized children in more than 170 children's hospitals. Countless individuals, organizations and media partners unite with CMN Hospitals to help sick and injured kids in local communities. Donations to CMN Hospitals create miracles by funding medical care, research and education that save and improve the lives of 17 million children each year. The local CMN Hospital affiliate is Children's Hospital at Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center (GHS), which serves upstate South Carolina, western North Carolina, and northeastern Georgia.

Through continuous efforts to help kids, CMN Hospitals has raised more than $3.4 billion since 1983, most of which was donated a few dollars at a time by caring individuals.

Radio: Spring Ratings for Greenville - Spartanburg

The most current Arbitron radio rating for the Greenville - Spartanburg market are out.
This market is number 60 is ranked size.  Stations with little or no returns are not shown.
Source material for these ranking from www.radio-info.com

Station	SU11	FA11	WI12	SP12	May-Jun-July	Format	Owner
WJMZ-FM	9.6	9.3	9.1	11.2	10.2	Urban	Cox
WESC-FM	7.4	6.8	7.3	7.7	7.4	Country	Clear Channel
WSSL-FM	8.2	8	9.2	7.5	7	Country	Clear Channel
WROQ-FM	5	5.3	6.7	5.6	–	Classic Rock	Entercom
WORD-AM	5.2	5.7	6.9	5.3	–	Talk	Entercom
WFBC-FM	5.2	6.1	5	5.2	–	CHR	Entercom
WHZT-FM	4.9	5.7	5.1	5.1	5.6	Rhythmic CHR	Cox
WMYI-FM	6.5	4.6	4.3	5	4.6	Hot AC	Clear Channel
WSPA-FM	5.6	5.3	4.6	4.7	–	AC	Entercom
WTPT-FM	3.9	4.2	4.7	4.1	–	Rock	Entercom

Music: Lady Gaga Open Up to Fans.

Lady Gaga - Photo Shoot

Lady Gaga posted a very personal open letter on her Little Monsters social networking site, in which she touched on herdifficult past year. The singer never calls anyone out by name in the letter when she talks about her troubles, but fans can assume that she is probably referring to her split from longtime creative director Laurieann Gibson, and the controversy over her single, "Born This Way," being likened to Madonna's "Express Yourself."

Lady Gaga - Lollapalooza

"Today is a really happy day for me. The past year was a challenge, and I'm so happy to have my spirit back," Gaga wrote. "I felt in chains at times. Whether it be the record label disagreeing with me on single choices, or directors who could only create an idea of 'Gaga' or what i've 'done before' and not able to move forward, and there was also of course the incessant dragging of the most important single of my career in dead-beaten-horse-mud. Then there were all the personal moments. Betrayed by lifelong friends, mentors I've had for years suddenly taking advantage of me, and a massive struggle with my body image. I've grown and left most of these things behind, the monsters of fame are very real. But I wanted to thank you for baring with me a little bit."

Gaga is now focusing on the future, and on Tuesday, she dropped a new trailer for her Fame perfume, which brought her back together with her "Alejandro" music video director, Steven Klein

Radio: COX Radio Sheds Smaller Market Station

Cox Media made a huge announcement that it would be selling off several radio and television properties, including its Birmingham and Greenville, SC clusters, which have high profile, well performingUrban outlets. Since then, there’s been a lot of talk among Urban broadcasters, asking, “Are there anyAfrican American broadcasters, or entrepreneurs, who could step up and buy these properties?” And if not, should we be concerned?

Cox Media made the announcement, that it will focus on larger markets and "cross-media collaboration,” meaning it’s selling off its radio and TV-only markets, including radio clusters in Birmingham, Greenville-Spartanburg SC, Hawaii, Louisville, Richmond and Southern Connecticut.

Showbiz Legend Phyllis Diller Passes away at 95

CNN reports Comedian Phyllis Diller, known for her self-deprecating humor, died "peacefully in her sleep" at her Los Angeles home Monday morning. Diller was 95.

Her son, Perry, "found her with a smile on her face."

Diller's career as a stand-up comic, which she started at age 37, skyrocketed in the 1960s, partly because of her many appearances with Bob Hope on his television specials, USO tours and three movies.

She became a pop culture icon for her disparaging jokes about her looks, her cooking and her fictitious husband "Fang." She wore a blonde fright wig, held a long cigarette holder as a prop and laughed with a loud cackle.

One line attributed to her demonstrates how Diller got laughs: "Burt Reynolds once asked me out. I was in his room."

Radio: Howard Stern to Sue Sirius Over Stock

Howard Stern's lawsuit against his employerSiriusXM over unpaidbonuses is back in the legal system, as the New York Daily News reports new paperwork was filed on Monday with the New York Supreme Court Appellate Division. 

According to the paper, the new filing will put an appeal into motion against an April court ruling that dismissed the charges from Stern and his production company.

Stern's camp originally filed suit in March of 2011, claiming the satcaster owed Stern a series of bonuses that were tied to certain subscriber numbers. Stern believed that the merger of Sirius and XM, which boosted the company's subscriber totals, should have caused the bonus clauses to kick in. Stern had said on-air that these bonuses could have been worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

Music: It's Possible Randy Travis Has a Drinking Problem

Randy Travis is on a roll.
The troubled country singer was involved in a fight in a Plano, Texas, church parking lot early this morning.
But, on the bright side, it sounds like he wasn't naked this time.
Law enforcement sources police were called to the church about 1 a.m., responding to a call concerning two men fighting. TMZ reports Travis was allegedly "extremely intoxicated" and was taken to the hospital after the brawl, which was supposedly over a female.



Travis was arrested for DWI earlier this month after cops say they found the singer naked at the scene of a car crash. And in February, Travis was busted for public intoxication after police said he was discovered hammered in a different church parking lot.


The Plano Police Department said he was cited for simple assault. A source told the website Travis was the primary aggressor, which for some reason is not hard to believe. Police said there was a "family argument" taking place between a husband and a wife and Travis got involved. Another man was involved in the fight, but apparently it wasn't the husband.

TV: Farwell Horshack

Ron Palillo -- the actor who played Horshack on "Welcome Back, Kotter" -- died earlier this week at his home near Palm Beach, FL from an apparent heart attack ... this according to someone close to the actor.

Palillo was found by his partner of many years Joseph Gramm around 4:00 AM. Gramm called an ambulance and Palillo was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

We're told the heart attack was very unexpected. Palillo was 63.

Radio: Entercom Shuns iHeartRadio

Having just announced a new deal withTuneIn, Entercom CEO David Field appears to be one of the few industry holdouts not ready to jump on the iHeartRadiobandwagon. Field said, "sharing our content is a good thing, if the business arrangement makes sense." Field did say he's open to continue the discussions withClear Channel so the door is not completely closed.

In other Entercom news, Field says he has no interest in the Cox radio stations recently put up for sale noting the stations are in smaller markets that Entercom is not focused on. He said the current focus of the company is bringing down the debt. As of June 30th, Entercom had $6.7 million in cash and $610.8 million in senior debt.

Rumor: Chicago Radio Legend to return to Windy City

Is Chicago radio legend Fred Winston about to make a comeback?

It’s too soon to say for sure, but fans should look for the legendary radio personality to turn up August 26 on WLS-FM (94.7), theCumulus Media oldies station. The company also owns news/talk WLS-AM (890), the former Top 40 powerhouse where Winston began his Chicago radio career in 1971. 

If all goes well, the three-hour guest shot (from 9pm to midnight) could lead to regular work on the station, where Winston would be reunited with longtime friends and colleagues Dick Biondi, John Records Landecker and Greg Brown.

“The plan is to blow the carbon and dust balls out of the pipes that Sunday night and see how it feels and then go from there,” Winston, 66, said from his farm in southwest Michigan.  I’ve still got a lot of gas in the tank.”

Except for occasional appearances, he’s been off the air since June 2005 when CBS Radio switched WJMK-FM (104.3) from oldies to Jack FM, shifting Winston and his colleagues to HD Radio and online for a year. “I’ve never been off the air as a performer full time for over five years,” he said. “You would think that in all this time someone would say hmm, Fred Winston, what a marketable brand name.”

“I’ve still got a great passion for radio,” he said. “I love to make people laugh, to entertain. I’m bringing a brand name to the table for WLS. I get to indulge in my passion and they get to benefit from my brand name. It’s a win/win situation.”

Rumor: Love & Hudson to Return to Radio

Rumors have been on the street in the Greenville - Spartanburg market that legendary morning team "Love & Hudson" were reuniting.

Credence was given recently during a TV interview with Bill Love, Howard Hudson and former radio sales executive Bob Nations.

Click to see the entire interview

Love and Hudson were the top rated show in the number 60 market for years on WMYI (MY102.5).

Here is a sample of the former Love & Hudson" show

Research indicates the trio have bought WRIX-FM (103.1)