~Los Angeles Radio People, Template

LARadio Archives
May 2015

Compiled and written by Don Barrett

Edited by Alan Oda

Imus No Longer Chasing the Fox

(May 29, 2015) Today is the last day that the Don Imus radio show will be simulcast on the Fox Business News channel. He’s been with Fox since 2009. “On June 1^st, I’ll be on the radio exclusively,” Imus told his syndicated radio audience, heard locally on KCAA-Inland Empire.

“There are a bunch of people around the country whining about me not being on television anymore. Well, first of all, get over it. Two, what we’re doing is a radio program and the Fox Business Network simply televised it. So that’s all it has ever been.”

Imus gave some instructions to viewers. “If you want to listen go listen to it, go to iHeart radio and get that app and download it and then click on WABC radio and you can hear this program anywhere.”

His relationship with Roger Ailes, head of Fox News, apparently is strong, and Imus was very complimentary in reflecting on that relationship. “I would encourage you to continue to watch the Fox Business Network because keep in mind how loyal Fox has been to me,” said Imus. “They have been above and beyond any employer with any employee and the loyalty of Roger Ailes is absolutely extraordinary. This has been an extraordinary place to work. Almost every person in this building has been extraordinary to work with. It has been so nice it has been ridiculous.”

Imus encouraged his listener/viewer to stay with Fox Business News for business news. “Watch it as long as you can stand it. Maybe you’ll like it.”

The 47-year radio veteran was dropped by MSNBC, where he began his first simulcast in 1996, because of the Rutgers women's basketball controversy in early 2007. He was picked up by RFD, a rural tv channel, before leaving 20 months later for Fox Business.

The New York Daily News reported that Imus went to Ailes in January to say he would be spending the summer at his recently purchased ranch in Texas which, unlike his previous ranch in New Mexico, has no remote television studio facilities. Imus and his wife Deirdre plan to spend more time in Texas, in part because of Imus’ respiratory problems and in part because their son Wyatt has a growing rodeo career based there.

It was not possible to work out tv arrangements. The 74-year-old’s radio contract with Cumulus runs until the end of the year.

Four Southland Radio Stations - KJLH, KRRL, KTWV, 97.9 Raza - got a great ad buy and promotion this weekend

Bach and Lox. Saul Levine runs a Classical format called “K-Mozart” on his stations in Monterey, Big Sur and Los Angeles (1260 AM). In early June, K-Mozart will bring back the light hearted Classical Program called Bach and Lox. The show’s motto is “Serious music and light hearted conversation.” The show will air daily between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. during the week.

Overhead.

“The only people that will survive a 9.8 earthquake in Southern California will be the Jehovah’s Witnesses because they are already in every doorway in America.” (Bill Handel, KFI)
“I couldn’t pick out Adam Carolla if he was in a line-up.” (Michael Wilbon, PTI)
“FIFA is an absolute culture of corruption. You only have to read a little bit to know that everybody is dirty. They’re all SO dirty.” (Mark Thompson, KFI)
“Dear Bob, we’re glad that Dolly Parton will always love you because after what you made us sit though, no one else ever will. Signed, everyone.’” (Jimmy Kimmel, joking at the ABC upfront about NBC president Bob Greenblatt doing a duet with the singer at his network’s presentation)
“There’s really only two tempos of music, it’s up or it’s not.” (George Johns, radio consultant)

LARadio Rewind: May 29, 2009. KDAY drops Steve Harvey’s syndicated morning show. Born Broderick Steven Harvey in 1957 in West Virginia, Harvey worked as a stand-up comic and starred in a self-titled tv sitcom from 1996 to 2002. He hosted mornings at KKBT from 2000 until 2005. His program was also heard on KBFB in Dallas. After growing tired of splitting his time between his Los Angeles Dallas studios, Harvey left KKBT and launched a new syndicated four-hour morning show based at WBLS/fm in New York. KDAY began carrying the program in 2006 but Harvey played r&b which was not compatible with KDAY's hip-hop format, and his ratings remained low. After KDAY dropped the program, it was picked up by KJLH. Harvey’s show is syndicated by Premiere Networks and is now heard on more than 50 stations nationwide. Since 2010, Harvey has hosted the syndicated tv game show Family Feud and since 2012 he has also hosted a syndicated afternoon tv talk show called simply Steve Harvey.

LARadio Archives

Hear Ache. Bill Handel is making a personal appearance at Cunning Dental tomorrow. You know the radio spots, “If you’ve got disgusting, rotted, discolored, broken missing teeth and bleeding gums?” If you read the Yelp reviews, the place is very controversial, including the ads aired by KFI. Almost as controversial as another heavy radio advertiser, Kars for Kids.

Lover’s Island. The Blue Jays had a huge hit, Lover’s Island, in the early sixties. KPFK’s Bill Gardner, host of Rhapsody in Black, caught up with the lead singer, Leon Peels, in the late 80s. Leon was a short order cook in Venice. “The Doo-Wop Society helped revive his career by arranging his appearance at Oldies shows to perform all of his old songs. Unfortunately, he passed away soon after that,” said Gardner.

Funnie.

Email Friday

We GET Email …

** Mentoring

“I saw Jerry Longden’s story on how Michael J. Bradley helped him start his career in broadcasting. If you have room, here’s my take on Michael J.

I was going to Orange Coast College in early l963 and working at Michael’s Supermarket in Orange when I first met Michael Bradley. He was making a personal appearance for a soft drink.

I approached him and told him I was interested in becoming a dj. He immediately invited me to join him on his all-night show on KEZY-1190. The KEZY transmitter was located in an orange grove in Placentia.

That was the beginning of me getting an E-Ticket ride into the crazy world of radio and, eventually, tv.

Mike was that rare on-air personality who gave generously in helping me and several other young kids get in to broadcasting. I’ve known many djs in my life and none, with the possible exception of Shotgun Tom Kelly, were so friendly, very down to earth and without an ego.

Mike would allow us to pull records, rip news and, eventually, actually read a spot or two on the air. Note that his airshift was from midnight to six a.m. but, when my ex-fellow Michael’s Market employees heard my voice on KEZY over their p.a. system at three a.m. while they were stocking shelves, would say, ‘Damn, that’s really Huffman on the radio!’

It didn’t make any difference to Mike that my voice was so terribly high back then that my only other listeners were Golden Retrievers – he encouraged me and was the reason I found myself enrolled at the William B. Ogden Radio Operational Engineering School in late l963 where I met a guy who would become a lifelong friend, Neil Ross.

I honestly don’t know where I would have ended up were it not for Michael Bradley. So thanks, Mike, for giving a kid a break. And you’ve still got that incredible golden voice.” – Larry “Supermouth” Huffman

** An Open Email to KNX News Director Julie Chin

“I have been fairly vocal when I heard things going wrong at my favorite radio station. It is only fair that I be as vocal when I hear things going right.

Since my first post on KNX, I have not heard a commercial break where either a spot was run twice back to back or a break where competing ads were run in the same break. This is as it should be and has removed a real sore point for me.

With one glaring exception, I have not heard bad copy read on air. This has removed another real sore point for me. I want what I hear to be accurate. I think I deserve that.

This should not be a reason for congratulations as this is the way it should be.

I did want to mention that the humanity that KNX was known for seems to be back in vogue. The banter yesterday morning about the spelling bee really made my day and set the chipper mood that made my workload much easier. I would have been in a much happier mood if I had won the lottery the night before, but the spelling bee banter was my consolation prize.

One little thing still bothers me every now and then. Tommy Jaxson was the first traffic reporter to realize that the Pasadena Freeway lost its designation as a freeway and was downgraded to a parkway. The Arroyo Seco 110 Parkway has been its designation for quite a few years now. All of your regular reporters know that and no one refers to it as the Pasadena Freeway any longer. However, when there is a new reporter on the weekend overnight shifts, the Pasadena Freeway designation often shows up. You should impress upon Total Traffic that when they are on 1070 they represent KNX, and their reporters should act accordingly. They should know the names of the different roadways they are reporting on. That accuracy is what sets Traffic and Weather on the fives apart from the reports on other stations.

Lastly, I would like to address the four level interchange downtown. KNX owns that interchange. Howard Freshman should make it so that every time one drives through that interchange people should think KNX. That was the first four level interchange ever built. It is appropriate that it should be named after the first man to air traffic reports. That is the Bill Keene Memorial Interchange. Chuck Rowe and Tommy Jaxson are the only two reporters that I ever heard use that term. Although I am sorry that the Keeneisms, Malfunction Junction, Orange Crush and cars catawampus to the freeway are rarely heard since Jim Thornton left the traffic booth, I think that you should keep the Bill Keene name alive and have problems near the four level referred to as the 101 at the Bill Keene four level rather than the 101 at the four level.

I wish you well and want you to know that KUSC is again my secondary station rather than my primary station. I love the new programs you have instituted and their emphasis on Southern California.” – Bill Mann, South Pasadena

** Blue-Eyed Soul

“To answer Tom Bernstein, Hunter Hancock was on KPOP. My older brother used to listen to him and tape recorded him. He called himself ‘Ol H. H.’” – John Newton St. John

** Hunter Hancock Huntin’

“What a talent was Hunter Hancock. And, the opening of the show? ‘Lett’s gooo Huntin’ with Hunter!’

My fondest memories of r&b and Soul was The Johnnie Otis Show on KFOX in the 50s. KFOX was in Long Beach, and I was raised there. He did the show though from a record store on PCH on the fringes of Signal Hill. I used to bicycle over there once in a while and sneak a peek at him through the front window. He used to do little on air contests and give away records.

I called in once and won. I went to the record store and THE Johnny Otis handed me the record. Now, that was radio. And, ’course he went on to do local tv dance party type shows. What a talent, and a great piano player and band leader, as well.” - Alan F. Ross

** Hi-Fi Club

“Art Laboe used to do a show on Saturday mornings on KPOP in 1958, called the Hi-Fi Club. It was sponsored by Coca-Cola, and each week Art gave away a transistor radio to a club member. I was 13, and wanted more than anything to win a radio, but I never did.

In 1971 I was working at KPPC/fm in Pasadena. We also had KPPC-AM, which was the lowest powered AM station in the country – 100 watts from downtown Pasadena. The station was on from 7-11 Wednesday nights, and 6 a.m. to 12 midnight on Sundays. Art Laboe did an Oldies show on the AM Wednesday nights from the A&W Root Beer stand at the corner of Rosemead and Del Mar in Pasadena, and when it was on, KPPC-AM had higher ratings than KFI, even though they had 500 times the power. The show ran about six months, until the Mormon owner of the A&W found an empty wine bottle in the trash. Instantly, we were history.” – Mike Callaghan

From Boss Radio to Top 40 Hit Clock
Essay by Commander Chuck Street

(May 28, 2015) Recently we were reminded that it was 50 years ago this month that the Boss Radio format was introduced on 93/KHJ in Los Angeles. The format and its skillful execution was a "game changer" in the broadcast world. The streamlined clutter-free presentation of Top 40 hits was enhanced by disc jockeys who were able to captivate the attention of the listener with bright energy, attitude, and minimal talk. The format as it was presented on KHJ started a revolution in radio that reverberated across the U.S. and even around the world. Legendary radio programmer Bill Drake was the architect of the format.

Shortly after the phenomenal success at KHJ Drake was asked to work the same "magic" at the other RKO radio stations situated in San Francisco, Detroit, Boston, New York, and Memphis. Drake knew he needed help with the transformation of the other RKO properties so he hired the capable Bill Watson as his national program director. Watson hit the road and implemented the format at KFRC, CKLW, WRKO, WOR-FM, and WHBQ. Bill Watson guided newly hired simpatico program directors in perfecting the format. These stations soon generated huge ratings in their respective markets.

In 1970 KHJ had dropped to number three in the Los Angeles radio ratings. Bill Drake asked Watson to take the helm at KHJ as program director. Within six months Watson turned the station around and grew the ratings from a 3.8 to a 6.2 share. KHJ was once again number one in Los Angeles in a time when fm radio was quickly edging out AM radio stations.

Eventually Bill Drake retired and Bill Watson went on to program other radio stations notably Los Angeles radio station KMPC 710 AM in the early 80's. Along with his staff of iconic music radio personalities Watson took KMPC and his version of a Big Band music presentation to a number three position in a market where fm was dominant and 86 radio signals could be heard on the dial.

Several years later Drake and Watson came up with a new idea for a radio presentation. It's called Top 40 Hit Clock. Top 40 Hit Clock is a radio Special which features a riveting history of American pop and rock music without the stories and the talk about the artists and the songs.

The music speaks for itself and the music is the STAR. There is no host dj talk to break the spell of the music flow. Bill Watson is convinced that listeners will be glued to their radios by the biggest pop and rock hits of five decades. The fifty years of songs were carefully researched and make up the background music of American life.

Top 40 Hit Clock starts ticking at the birth of rock and roll in the mid-fifties and the hits roll on through the sixties, seventies, eighties, and the nineties, all the way through the millennium without a repeated song.

The great hits are presented in a special way, in the chronological order of the dates of their popularity and appearance on the record sales charts of the nation. The songs are heard in order, month by month, year by year as Top 40 Hit Clock becomes a musical calendar, recalling the hits from the times of the listener's lives.

The show is a fabulous presentation of the best of the pop and rock hits from five decades. It can be aired in its entirety or can be presented as weekend specials featuring chosen decades. For more information visit www.topfortyhitclock.com (photo of Bill Watson and Bill Drake)

LARadio Rewind: May 28, 2012 (Memorial Day). Bob McCormick (pictured with his wife Ellen), host of Money 101 on KFWB, interviews Bob Kurkjian, executive director of the southern California chapter of Bob Hope USO. Kurkjian is also an officer in the US Navy Reserve and a former assistant to Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan. Formed in 1941 as United Service Organizations, the non-profit Bob Hope USO operates in 14 countries and provides meals, telephone calls, entertainment and recreational services to millions of military members and their families. It is named in honor of British-born comedian/actor Bob Hope, who made 57 USO tours, 1941-91, and was declared an "honorary veteran" by Congress in 1997. (LARadio Rewind meticulously prepared by Steve Thompson)

Johnson Anniversary. ”It was on May 27, 1990 that I first reported for duty at KKGO/fm, then known as ‘The Concert Station,’” Mike Johnson wrote on his Facebook page. “KKGO had just flipped to all-Classical music programming on 12/31/89. My job that first day was to board op the Sunday morning public affairs programming. I have been very fortunate to have had such a long run working for one company, because that just doesn't happen in the radio biz. Later on today, I will be working in what is now known as studio 1 doing some work for KJAZZ...the exact studio where it all began for me 25 years ago today.”

Hear Ache. For an hour this morning at 10 a.m., KNX puts the spotlight on “GMOs: Food For Thought.” A KNX press release states: “Most corn and many other crops are genetically engineered to make them produce more, but some people wonder if they're safe to eat. KNX will take a comprehensive look at the controversy over what some people describe as 'Frankenfood,' and whether these genetically engineered foods should be labeled as GMO.” … On Saturday night, HBO airs the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony narrated by Randy Thomas. ... Does anyone have a photo of Bruce Vidal that we could use in the Where Are They Now section?

Plum Assignment. This is a huge week for Nancy Plum. “I have been named program director of Passport Radio AM/FM simulcasting in Frankfort, Kentucky,” emailed Nancy, one of the long-time female Rock voices in Southern California. “Our fm will be launched in the next two weeks. The format is ‘Vintage & Eclectic’ music from the 1950s, 60s & 70s.”

In addition to her new assignment, Nancy will continue her afternoon drive show that streams at: www.mypassportradio.com

“There is also a phone app with our station for smart phones,” Nancy continued with more good news. “Today I am doing the closing on a house I just bought in Frankfort. I am a home owner.”

Last month Nancy was filmed in Huntsville, Alabama for a documentary that will air later this year on cable about man's walk on the moon. It's called Leap of Faith. “I am one of twenty persons interviewed about growing up in the 1960s. When I know the date it will air I will let you know. Life in Kentucky is wonderful and I am excited about what the future holds for me.”

Funnie.

Thanks to Charlie Van Dyke for spotting this funnie.

Email Thursday

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** SAG-AFTRA Merger

“Perhaps Michael Benner wasn't paying close attention when the Screen Actors' Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists merged in 2012, but the name has been SAG-AFTRA ever since.

It is the credit union which is now changing its name to match that of the union whose members are its members.

As for his questions about who is superior, I think those were already answered three years ago when the decision was made as to what to call the merged entity.” - K.M. Richards

** Early Black/White Music

“To answer Jeffrey Freedman's Question: Wasn't Hunter Hancock the first white dj/air personality to play African American music on LA's radio waves? He went by the handle ‘Ole H.H."’ – Dave Paulson

** Early Black/White Music, Part 2

“I would have said Hunter Hancock, but only heard him on KGFJ. Don’t know if he was ever on KPOP, but that reminded me, Art Laboe was and I’m sure he played lots of r&b.” – Tom Bernstein

Pat Prescott Answers the Proust Questionnaire

(May 27, 2015) Pat Prescott hosts the morning show at KTWV, “The WAVE.’ She started at the station as Dave Koz’s co-host on April 15, 2001. Over the years she has been teamed with Brian McKnight and Kim Amidon.

This morning we gain some insight into the LARP veteran as Pat Prescott answers the Proust Questionnaire:

What is your idea of perfect happiness? Sleeping every night without an alarm clock and not waking up until my eyes just won’t stay closed any longer

What is your greatest fear? After seeing the trailer for San Andreas, earthquakes!

Which living person do you most admire? My Mom.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? Procrastination.

What is the trait you most deplore in others? Selfishness.

What is your greatest extravagance? Le Labo Candles; they’re $65 each!

What is your greatest regret? That I didn’t save more money.

What or who is the greatest love of your life? Reggie Jackson (not the baseball player).

On what occasion do you lie? To keep from hurting someone’s feelings.

When and where were you happiest? Right here, right now.

What is your current state of mind? Gratitude.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I would be taller and drop dead gorgeous.

Which book had the most influence on you? Skill With People by Les Giblin.

How would you like to die? Peacefully in my sleep.

Where would you like to live? Southern California.

What is your most treasured possession? My Grandfather’s gold pocket watch.

What do you consider your greatest accomplishment? Working for nearly 40 continuous years in radio, most of that time in the top 2 US markets.

What do you like most about yourself? That I honestly care about other people.

If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be? Myself; wouldn’t change a thing.

What is your motto? More hugging, less mugging.

60 Minutes Lunch. Les Moonves, president/ceo of CBS, told The Hollywood Reporter a fun story about having lunch at Michael’s in New York City with 60 Minutes correspondent Mike Wallace.

He was 89 or 90 at the time. I wanted to thank him for all he had done for CBS. We’re having a nice talk, and I’m about to pay the bill, and he said, ‘Don’t you have something you want to tell me.’

And I said, ‘No.’

He said, ‘I thought you were calling me here to fire me.’

I said, ‘Mike! You were at CBS for your entire life. You’re here for as long as you want to be.’

Overheard.

“I haven’t heard the word ‘genius’ used to describe anybody in radio for a long long time.” (George Johns, radio consultant)
"Do you know why the English never built a computer? They could never figure out how to leak oil." (Leon Kaplan, KABC)
"Dick Van Dyke is getting a little long in the tooth." (Bill Handel, KFI)

What’s Your Name? AFTRA-SAG is changing its name to SAG-AFTRA effective June 1st. “Do you think there’s a story in that?” wondered Michael Benner.

“Are screen actors superior to TV & Radio people now? If not, why bother with the name change affecting credit union accounts, credit and debit cards, health insurance policies, retirement and pension accounts, webpages, email addresses, business cards, stationary, etc.

Really? Seems odd to me.”

LARadio Rewind: May 27, 1948. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios puts KMGM on the air at 98.7 fm. The station went off the air in 1953. Arthur and Jean Crawford, owners of Crawford’s of Beverly Hills Record & Hi-Fi Store, purchased the transmitter and studio, then in 1954 launched KCBH, which initially operated for eight hours a day with announcer/engineer Marvin Collins playing records obtained from the Crawfords’ store. He would later work at KPOL, KRLA and KFI/KOST. Crawford eventually erected a new transmitter and studio and converted the original KMGM studio into a home. After a brief time as KJOK, the station became beautiful music KJOI in 1970. By 1990, the instrumentals had been dropped in favor of adult contemporary vocalists and the call letters were changed to KXEZ. Two years later, the station became modern adult contemporary Star 98.7 KYSR. In 2008, the format changed to alternative rock and KYSR is now known as ALT 98.7. The morning show is hosted by Jeff “Woody” Fife, Renae Ravey, Greg Gory and Jason “Menace” McMurray, who had worked together at Live 105 KITS in San Francisco from 2006 to 2009.

How Much is That Doggie in the Window? Five years ago we launched an enormously successful series, You and Your Dog.

Mike Butts, former morning man at KIQQ (K-100) in the 1970s, lives near Boston now and shares his two dogs, Nikki and Bella. Mike is a big animal lover and you can check out his website by clicking his photo.

You are welcome to send a photo of You and Your Dog.

Hear Ache. After 41 great years in California and one of the earliest Top 40 women jocks, Shana has decided to move back to Detroit. You can still reach her at: BareFootEnt@hotmail.com ... About 6 months ago, doctors found a tumor on Brian Roberts' right kidney. "It's grown since then and I'm having it removed tomorrow morning. I should be down for a few days," Brian said on his Facebook page.

Funnie.

Email Wednesday

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** Sports Radio

“In Tuesday’s column, David Alpern points out that KFWB’s digital display comes up as ‘KWFB.’ He then goes on to speculate that this mistake might impact awareness and recall and may contribute to their poor ratings. While this would have been true under the diary system, PPM's have eliminated the need for listeners to be aware of call letters. As long as they know to tune in 980 AM, the meter will record their listening.

KFWB’s rating challenge comes from the fact that the L.A. market cannot support three sports stations. Since they were last to the market and have talent mostly unknown to L.A. listeners (except for Fred Roggin and Jim Rome), it’s hard for them to win listeners from KLAC and ESPN.

In addition, their two competitors have the rights to LA’s marque franchises, with the Dodgers on KLAC and the Lakers on ESPN. While the Clippers are certainly on the rise, 29 years of mediocrity cannot be overcome in a couple of years. The fan base for Clippers basketball is still just a fraction of the base that the Lakers and Dodgers attract. This was clearly exhibited when the Clippers were advertising special ticket offers for playoff games! Since both the Dodgers and Lakers both have long term deals with their radio stations, I don’t anticipate any change in the fortunes of KFWB in the foreseeable future.” – Bob Scott

** Spell Check

“The transposition of the ‘F’ in the HD radio screen display story of KFWB this morning reminds me of Paul Drew at KHJ ordering his personalized plate. It arrived fresh from the prison stamper as ‘KHF.’

One of the jocks put a note on his windshield suggesting that he keep it as a monument to his mediocrity.

Anybody know ‘the rest of the story?’

Maybe it just died right there.” – Don Elliot

** KCSN Memories

“How wonderful of you to honor Wolfgang Schneider on the anniversary of his passing. I was Wolfgang’s program director for about five years [1993-97], and I would like to say first-hand what an honor he was to work with. He had a natural sense of programming, timing, and loyalty to his listeners. He was ever-humble about his success, and ever-gracious to everyone around him. This was returned many times over by his listeners, who consistently lit up the phones during The American Continental Hour’s pledge drives.

His program was by far the most successful show on the station from a financial point of view. But that’s not the point – the real story is in the enthusiastic comments of the listeners who called in and wrote to the station, year after year after year. A true tale of listener loyalty. I won’t deny that among Wolfie’s playlist was some of the corniest music I’ve heard on the radio, certainly by today’s standards. I mean, how many polkas does it TAKE? But the overall package that was Wolfgang Schneider and his KCSN radio show exuded class.” – Jared Charles Kliger

** First White L.A. dj to Play Black Music On a White Station?

“It was before my time and place, but was it not Hunter Hancock on the old KPOP?” – Greg Hardison

** Captain Buffoon

“It might be interesting to find out the whereabouts of Captain Buffoon. He was one of the best jocks I’ve ever heard and was stiff competition for us when Randy Kerdoon and I worked at KPGA in Pismo Beach in 1978.

I think his real name is Harry May and he may be in Bakersfield.” – Ken Jeffries

Former KPOL Newsman Dies

(May 26, 2015) In 1961, Edmonde Haddad began a 12-year run as a newsman at KPOL. He also worked at KUSC and KNX. Edmonde later became an executive of the World Affairs Council. He died May 7, 2015, at the age of 83.

He was born in Los Angeles on July 25, 1931 and attended Hollywood High School. In a diverse career journey, Edmonde served in the Air Force, performed light opera, and graduated with a B.A. in Telecommunications from USC. He was awarded a CBS News Fellowship by a selection committee that included Edward R. Murrow. He worked at CBS Radio while earning an M.A. in Public Law and Government from Columbia University.

During his time at KPOL, Edmonde was honored by the American Political Science Association for distinguished reporting of public affairs receiving two Golden Mike awards.

As President of the Los Angeles World Affairs Council, Emonde welcomed distinguished speakers from around the world – politicians, diplomats, writers, heads of state, and royalty – and moderated lively question-and-answer sessions. He led the Council’s diplomatic tours throughout Europe and Asia, and was one of the first Americans to visit China after diplomatic relations were restored, developing a lasting affection for the country. He loved attending conferences on international relations at Wilton Park, England.

From 1987-88, Edmonde functioned as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Diplomacy in the U.S. Department of State. He was appointed by then-governor Gray Davis to the Commission on Hate Crimes, a nine-member panel chaired by former Secretary of State Warren Christopher and former California governor George Deukmejian. Emonde was a member of PEN, the organization for writers, and the author of Look to the Rainbow, a book of poetry and political and social commentary.

A memorial service will be held at St. Bede’s Episcopal Church, 3590 Grand View Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90066, on Saturday, June 6, at 11 a.m.

LARadio Rewind: May 26, 1997. KIEV (now KRLA) begins carrying Doug Stephan’s syndicated weekday morning show. Born in 1946 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Stephan studied broadcasting at Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio, and worked at campus fm station WHEI. He later hosted programs at WJAR in Providence and at WBZ, WJIB and WXOK in Boston. In the 1980s, Stephan managed Boston’s all-News station WEEI. In 1988, he began hosting Good Day USA for American Radio Network. He eventually took over ownership of the program and renamed it Doug Stephan’s Good Day. In the 1990s, Stephan promoted the program by working airshifts at several stations, including KABC, KMOX in St. Louis and WCKY in Cincinnati. He produces Good Day USA at his home studio on his dairy farm in Massachusetts. It is now heard on more than 300 stations nationwide. One of Stephan’s frequent co-hosts is Molly Paige, formerly heard on KCBS/fm, KPFK and KABC. Stephan also hosts the Saturday-Sunday Good Morning Weekend program and the weekly Talk Radio Countdown show which features the week’s ten most-discussed topics. Locally, Stephan is now heard on Newstalk 920 KSPI in Palm Springs.

Transposing Call Letters. David Alpern turned on his car radio and was offered the opportunity to listen to the Beast at KWFB. “Radio station marketing, as in any form of branding, requires attention to detail,” wrote Alpern. “Here is how someone at KFWB (The Beast 980) has input their digital display identity. It’s a small typo (flipping the F and the W), but does potentially impact ever so slightly awareness and recall. With enough additional mis-steps like this, it is not a far leap in understanding how the station has not yet managed to climb out of the cellar of LARadio’s ratings.”

Overheard.

“My career high point was raising millions of dollars for vets by having the five living presidents sign 10 photos of themselves at the opening of George W. Bush’s library.” (Bill O’Reilly)
“That two-year run at Pirate Radio was the longest eleven years of my life.” (Bill Thomas)
“David Duchovny is my favorite actor.” (Wayne Resnick, KFI)
“I enjoyed the movie Tomorrowland. It made me nostalgic for vintage Disneyland attractions – like the Skyway, Flying Dumbo and the old submarine ride before it was Nemo.” (Cindy Dole, from her FB page)
“Mariah Carey has added February dates to her Vegas residency at Caesars Palace with tickets priced from $55 to $250. Shorthand version: Cash and Carey.” (Ira David Sternberg)

Kasem Case. While Casey Kasem was the question on Friday’s Jeopardy, a Los Angeles judge ruled there was insufficient evidence to charge Casey’s wife with elder abuse or neglect in connection with the death of the radio personality.

Casey died last year after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease and dementia as his children and wife of 30 years, Jean, battled for control of his medical treatment and life, according to a story at KABC/TV.

Kasem’s children from his first marriage had accused his wife of neglecting and abusing their father. But the Deputy District Attorney concluded that Jean Kasem had made “continuous efforts to ensure that Mr. Kasem was medically supervised.”

The prosecutor noted that Casey had longstanding health issues that made it impossible to prove neglect or abuse played a role in his death. To be criminally negligent, the prosecutor noted, there needed to be evidence of more than ordinary carelessness or inattention.

Casey’s daughter Kerri Kasem said in a statement, "My family is very sad to learn the Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey has decided not to file charges against Jean Kasem. We did everything we could to save my dad at the end of his life, including getting an emergency court order for conservatorship. But we were too late. My father’s second wife Jean had done everything she could to keep our father from us while not providing the quality care that he – and every other senior in our society – deserves."

Elliot Field's Writing Again. Elliot Field’s first book, published last year, was Last Of The Seven Swingin’ Gentlemen. He’s just released a second book, called Purely Palm Springs.

After his heady days as one of KFWB’s original Seven Swingin’ Gentlemen, Elliot then had a successful stint at WJR-Detroit, where the flame-thrower signal reached listeners up and down the East Coast. Elliot says he was still anxious to return to California. He accepted an offer to launch a new station in Palm Springs. Not only did he complete the task, but he also moved into public service and politics, enjoying full immersion in Palm Springs’ colorful social life.

In his new book, he shares gossip about colorful people and fascinating times. Anita Garner edited, with design by Steve Bradford (www.developyourbook.com) Print and eBook versions available at Amazon by clicking the artwork.

Funnie.

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** Morgan Star

“Robert W. Morgan, simply the best.

The segment with Rams coach Ray Malavasi will never be forgotten.” – Fred Wallin, Sports Byline

** Casey Kasem Court Ruling

“HEADLINE: [tmz 5/22/15] ‘Casey Kasem’s Widow Won’t Face Elder Abuse Charges’

It was expected really, but what a blow for Kerri and Casey's other children. It makes my heart ache and my eyes tear up. There’s no way in HELL Casey’s life should have ended this way. It adds a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘Gold Bricker!’

How in the whole world could anyone who loved their husband put his dead body through months in a funeral home in Norway, let alone not having it embalmed? I know I’m rehashing old news, but this is probably the latest class offering in GBU [Gold Bricker University].

Casey was such a nice guy. We crossed paths with him a couple of times and he was always friendly, grateful, helpful ... a real gentleman.

God bless Casey, God bless!” – Alan F. Ross

** Branding/Imaging Voice of K-EARTH Exits After 26 Years

“I was really bummed out to hear that Charlie Van Dyke was NOT renewed by KRTH-101. But then again, I don’t consider that station an Oldies station to me anymore. I guess now, they can go ahead and become a 90s, 2000s, and today station! To those in their 40s, the 90s WERE oldies! HAHA!” – Randy Tivens

** Motown History

“A question for you LARP historians …

We saw the Motown the Musical at the L.A. Pantages yesterday. It was great fun and brought back quite a few memories. Here’s the question: who was the first white L.A. dj to play African-American music on a white radio station? I was guessing B. Mitchell Reed on KFWB when it became Color Radio in the ’50s, but then I seem to recall hearing Sam Cooke tunes on the old daytimer KDAY 1580. I think the dj was Tom Clay.” – Jeffrey Freedman

** Long Live (Central) Coasters

“Your recent note regarding Santa Barbara inspired me to share a few thoughts about Central Coast radio in California between 1976 to 1984.Perhaps I sound dated, but to me it’s the power contained in history. And with gratitude I’ve a narrative to share.

I know you worked at KNEZ radio in Lompoc. I did too. My first on air job was at a Country music station, KKOK-Lompoc. Allow me to digress momentarily. I was 20-years old when I was hired. Months later when I turned 21 at midnight I drove to the mini-mart to buy my first beer six pack. And of course I was carded by the clerk. What a cheap thrill, huh?

Back to KKOK. We didn’t say the call letters on the radio, instead we would say, ‘Good Country.’ There I worked with Todd Thayer, Jack’s son. Jack was the head of one of the NBC radio network divisions.

I also worked at KATY-San Luis Obispo, and KUHL-Santa Maria. And these were all AM stations. What a magnificent time to be a young dj, a news and/or sportscaster, just to name a few station jobs. It gave many of us the opportunity to be live, on the air, learning our craft. Most station’s there were on the air for 18 or 24 hours. KKOK was a daytimer. The dominant on air talent was KSLY-San Luis Obispo’s Captain Buffoon A talented morning dj who was not only was fabulously entertaining, but he was an extraordinarily creative, analog, multitrack production man and voiceover talent.

Living and working on the Central Coast was a major part of my life. I’m grateful for that experience.” – Bob Smith, Vaughn, New Mexico

I live in Santa Barbara and in the last 24 hours the news has not only been consumed with a massive oil spill along the beaches in Goleta, but remembering a tragedy one year ago near the University of California Santa Barbara where six students were killed. One of the students who lost her life in the Isla Vista massacre was Veronika Weiss, the daughter of KABC AE Bob Weiss (now with the Cumulus cluster in Oxnard/Ventura).

We remember the tragedy from one year ago.

Also, this is the last weekend to get your votes in for the Best LARP of 2015.

One Year Ago

LARP Connection to Isla Vista Tragedy

(May 28, 2014) Veronika Weiss, 19, of Westlake Village, was one of the six students killed Friday night near the UCSB campus. Her father, Bob Weiss, is an account executive at KABC. No one can imagine the grief he and his family are going through. My daughter Alexandra graduated from UCSB four years ago. It is unthinkable to imagine what Weiss is experiencing.

When his daughter was not answering her cell phone Friday night, Bob Weiss quickly drove to Santa Barbara. She usually checked in when there was anything going on which might cause worry. The couple went online to determine her iPhone’s location and saw it was within the crime scene area and was moving, Bob Weiss said. “We actually were looking at her phone while they were moving her body,” he said. “Probably to take her to the morgue."

They arrived at the edge of the crime scene after midnight.

“A sheriff didn’t have any information, Weiss told Doug McIntyre during yesterday’s morning show at KABC. “We were told to wait there and we sat in the car for three hours. As time wore on, everyone knew what was coming. At sunrise the sheriff said to follow him to another parking lot around the corner from a church. We went into the pastor’s office and sat down at a table with two officers and two clergy. They said, ‘We can officially confirm that Veronika was lost.’”

Weiss’ parents described Veronika as a tomboy, who played four sports while she was in high school and was a standout water polo player who managed to get straight A’s, according to the LA Times. She was good at math and her father said she aspired to be a “financial wizard.” Bob Weiss told McIntyre that his daughter played on the high school water polo team for four years. Bonding with the other girls was very important to her. “She was all about water polo and somehow managed to pull a 4.3 GPA, after spending eight hours playing water polo.”

Her mother and grandmother belonged to the Tri Delta sorority, so she went ahead and also joined when she arrived at UCSB. The killings took place on the lawn of the sorority.

During his conversation with Weiss, McIntyre said to the grieving father that the experience must feel unworldly. “It’s really about mental health. My heart goes out to Rodgers’ family and the struggles they have gone through over the years and not successfully getting the help he needed.”

“She will be an inspiration to me every day of my life,” said Weiss. “There was never a day I wasn’t proud of her. Never a single day.”

God bless you Bob and your family.

View Radio Hall of Fame Kevin & Bean Induction

(May 22, 2015) This past April, the National Association of Broadcasters inducted KROQ’s Kevin & Bean into the NAB Broadcasting Hall Of Fame. There is a video of the ceremony, along with many of their friends, Jimmy Kimmel and Adam Carolla. Click the artwork and watch the fun.

In the video, former KROQ sports guy Jimmy Kimmel said the decision went “against every reasonable expectation of what might have happened.”

Another former KROQer, Adam Carolla, described Kevin & Bean as “fire and ice, coming together to create lukewarm water.”

Others appearing include: Ralph Garman, Dr. Drew, Dave Sanchez, Chris Hardwick, Mike Catherwood, and Lightning.

Click artwork to view the video.

Overheard.

“It appears there are more Frank Sinatra impressionists in Las Vegas than Cirque du Soleil shows.” (Ira David Sternberg)
“You don’t need a morning show unless you actually need somebody to show up somewhere and buy something.” (George Johns, radio consultant)
"Why did the tofu cross the road? To prove it wasn't chicken." (Lisa Stanley, K-EARTH)

Hear Ache. Sales executive Bob Scott (Clear Channel and ESPN) retired to Santa Barbara last year. Within months he got bored and started selling for Rincon Broadcasting. He loved being in small market radio and brought in a ton of new business, but living and working in paradise will come to an end. “My mother in law is suffering from Alzheimer’s and my wife feels that she must help in caring for her mom,” wrote Bob. “As a result, we will be moving to Atlanta where she can be close enough to help on a regular basis.” ... Charlie Van Dyke (l) worked at CKLW in 1968-69, writes Steve Thompson. “The Motor City Radio Flashbacks site has a nice biography of Charlie plus the audio of his recording of The Flag and a CKLW survey showing a barefoot pajama-clad Charlie pouring himself a cup of coffee so he can be awake for his morning show.” Click Charlie to visit the site.

Astor’s Empire. In February, Astor Broadcast Group chairman Art Astor installed the syndicated “Nash” Country format on his two remaining stations. KSPA in Ontario dropped soft hits and became “Kik Country” and KFSD in San Diego dropped business news and talk and became “Kow Country.”

The new format was short-lived as Astor has now leased the stations to a Spanish-language Catholic broadcaster. KSFV/Channel 6 is a low-power San Fernando Valley television station owned by Venture Technologies and leased to Hombre Nuevo, a ministry of the Roman Catholic “Regnum Christi” movement. Hombre Nuevo provides programming for Channel 6 and broadcasts the audio at 87.75 mHz, which is known as Guadalupe Radio.

On May 17, KSPA and KFSD began carrying the same audio. Hombre Nuevo has filed an application to increase KSFV’s power to 3000 watts and move KSFV to Channel 22 as a full-power digital station. If that happens, the audio will likely be moved to a subchannel and continue to air on the three radio stations.

Astor was a KHJ sales manager in the 1960s and was general manager of KDAY in the 1970s. In 1971, after Wolfman Jack left XERF in Ciudad Acuña, Mexico, Astor talked him into joining KDAY. At one time, Astor owned KIKF in Garden Grove and KCEO in Oceanside. He possesses a collection of 275 cars, including vehicles once owned by John Wayne, Tom Mix, Howard Hughes, Gary Cooper and Rita Hayworth. The cars were housed at his Astor Events Center & Museum in Anaheim along with more than 1000 old radio, televisions, telephones, victrolas and slot machines. Among the rarest items are an 1882 telephone and a 1939 television with a six-inch round screen. Astor auctioned off 200 cars and hundreds of other items in 2008, netting $15 million. (Story written by Steve Thompson)

LARadio Rewind: May 22, 1998. Robert W. Morgan dies of cancer at Encino-Tarzana Regional Medical Center. He was 60.

Robert Wilbur Morgan, nicknamed “The Rooster From Wooster,” was born in Mansfield, Ohio, and began in radio at age 17 at Wooster College station WWST. He jocked in Port Hueneme, Carmel, Monterey and Watsonville before joining KMAK in Fresno in 1962 and working with program director Ron Jacobs. Morgan later worked at KROY in Sacramento and KEWB in Oakland.

In 1965, Jacobs became program director of KHJ, which was switching from adult contemporary to Top 40 as Boss Radio. Morgan and The Real Don Steele, who had also worked at KEWB, were among the original Boss Jocks. Morgan briefly jocked at WIND-Chicago in 1971 before returning to KHJ. He and Steele moved to KIQQ in 1973. Two years later, Morgan began doing weekends and fill-in at KMPC.

In 1979, he replaced Dick Whittinghill on the morning show. Morgan worked at Magic 106 KMGG from 1984 to 1986 and then returned to KMPC. In August of 1992, he began hosting mornings at KRTH, two weeks after Steele had begun doing afternoons.

In 1997, Morgan revealed that he had lung cancer and was taking a leave of absence, adding, “Don’t smoke, okay?” He died in May of 1998. Steele had died of lung cancer the previous year. Morgan is a member of the National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. (LARadio Rewind is meticulously prepared by Steve Thompson)

5-Year Sheena Metal. "Sheena Metal” radio show, heard on LA Talk Radio, recently celebrated its five-year anniversary. “As you may remember, I joined the Board Of Directors for Ensemble Studio Theatre Los Angeles in 2012. This year, they have made me an artistic director and I, of course, I offered to direct a production of “The Vagina Monologues” as a special charity event: May 23, May 29, June 5 and June 13, featuring over 100 actresses that have been guests on my daily radio show. More information about Sheena’s activities, contact her at: http://www.latalkradio.com/Sheena.php.

Time is running out to vote for Best LARP of 2015. Get your ballots in today!

Funnie. Good place for lunch... there won't be any dogs around here (Don Elliot)

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** KNX Observations

“George Nicholaw, Bob Simms and Ed Pyle are all former KNX radio stalwarts. What would they say about today’s 1070 radio product?” – Bob Smith, Vaughn, New Mexico

** Bloomberg Reports on KNX

“The afternoon Bloomberg Business reports by Jeff Bellinger contain content that says such things like ‘…when that report is issued later this morning,’ clearly indicating that this recorded report is meant to air after midnight but it airs during the late afternoon and evening hours.

Also, Jeff’s own sign-off at the end of his report identifies him on ‘KNX 1070 Newsradio.’ but this sign-off portion has background talking that is never part of the earlier portion of his report. Can’t KNX pay him to re-record his sign-off without the background voices?” – Steve Nieto, Yorba Linda

** Heidi & Frank Website

“Heidi & Frank seemed to have cleaned up their site, although a few of those negative picture posts remain.

Seems very strange to me that they would allow those to be put on their site.

Seeing those will definitely give a new listener a poor pre-disposition as to what they are going to be listening to.

With all this bru-ha-ha going on re: the addition of Lisa May and all those negative comments pertaining to the format change it would seem to me they would want a site that is clean and professional looking?

I guess I’m wrong.” – Steve Fischler

** Changes at K-EARTH

"K-EARTH doesn't renew Charlie Van Dyke? The best voice on the planet? Where on K-EEARTH are you going to find someone better than Charlie? First no Jhani Kaye, one of THE best pd's ever, and now this? Wow, talk about C--BS." - Mike Butts

Charlie Van Dyke, Voice of K-EARTH, Ends Quarter of a Century with Classic Hits Station

(May 21, 2015) Putting together a successful radio station is made of a number of major ingredients, not the least is the imaging voice. He or she is part of the audio tapestry that weaves between content, commercials, promotions, music, and show talent.

Charlie Van Dyke’s enormously successful run as the voice at K-EARTH has come to an end. For decades, his was the voice you heard at the beginning of a show at the top of the hour … “From the entertainment capital of the world … Gary Bryan,” then a jingle and then the opening of the show. It varied over the years but Charlie was the guy who was the consistent deep – no, very deep – voice that you heard every day, every hour for a quarter of a century.

“To everything, there is a season,” said Charlie after learning the news that his contract was not being renewed. “Mike Phillips brought me on board 26 years ago. I’d call that a good run. I’m grateful to Keith Smith for producing such excellent product over the years and the talented program directors I’ve had the pleasure to know. I think of the air staff as long-term friends.”

Charlie concluded with: “K-Earth will always be a special station for me and I wish them success as they continue to evolve.”

When Charlie ended his very successful run as jock that started in the 1960s in Dallas and continued at classic Top 40 stations like KFRC-San Francisco, CKLW-Detroit, WLS-Chicago, KHJ and K-EARTH, and WRKO-Boston, he made a great segue into voiceover work, currently based from his home in Phoenix. He has been the imaging voice to hundreds of television and radio stations. Locally, he continues to be the voice of KABC/Channel 7. Great run, Charlie.

Overheard.

“In order to conserve in this time of drought, KFI will only use dry humor." (KFI liner)

LARadio Archives: 7.14.97

Nuhn Grounded at Concorde. Rick Nuhn worked at HOT 92.3 and its different incarnations since 2003. He also worked at Concorde Records. “Monday was my last day at Concord Music Group and it was a fantastic run,” Rick posted on his FB page. “I have never worked for a company like Concord, a progressive and multi-layered company that, even at this stage of my career taught me a lot and while I’m eager to move on, the decision does come with a few regrets. I first cracked a microphone in the 70’s, started promoting great records in the 80’s and have combined the two ever since!

Rick is involved with Ron Shapiro in a nationally syndicated radio show, Top 10 Now & Then. “We had a 10-year run in Los Angeles, however, a recent format change took us out of market #2 and I want to get back on in LA and 100 other markets as well! I am dedicating the next phase of this journey to continue to develop Top 10 Now & Then.”

Who Owns What? Heidi & Frank host a Facebook page. It is a combination of bits from their morning show at KLOS, funny artwork, and listener contributions. Not all of them are complimentary, but apparently Heidi & Frank think they are okay to stay on their site. Last week this artwork appeared and has stayed up ever since.

Keith Cunningham, program director at KLOS, has no control over the Heidi & Frank website. “It's not my page to edit, it belongs to H&F,” responded Cunningham when asked about the policy for administering the site. “They clearly think it’s funny, they and KLOS deeply care about the listeners.”

LARadio Rewind: May 21, 2001. Former KFI afternoon co-host Andrew Howard dies from a pulmonary embolism at 34. Born in Big Bear City, Howard was working as a waiter in 1989 when he met Charles Karel Bouley at a music club. Karel was working as a free-lance movie / music reviewer for various newspapers and magazines. In 1995, Karel recorded two singles and an album, Dance...Or Else. He began hosting a weekend program on KYPA, Different After Dark. Andrew soon became his co-host. In 1998, Karel and Andrew began doing fill-in work at KFI. A year later, they replaced afternoon hosts John Kobylt and Ken Chiampou, who had moved to the KABC morning show. In May of 2001, John and Ken returned to the KFI afternoon show but Karel and Andrew remained under contract. Program director David G. Hall had been trying to find another time slot for them when Andrew died suddenly. Karel worked at KGO from 2004 to 2008. He now does stand-up comedy and hosts a daily podcast, “The Karel Cast.” His weekend podcasts were heard on KGO until February 2015, when the station began running paid programming on weekends.

Hear Ache. Jimmy Kimmel paid a heartfelt tribute to David Letterman. You can see this moving tribute by clicking the artwork … Rob Archer has joined KNX as a part-time anchor. He was most recently with KFI News ... Steve Weed, former personality at KIIS and KHTZ, is now the Senior VP of Programming for iHeartMedia/Fresno.

Funnie.

Email Thursday

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** Michael Savage Overheard

“You provided this quote from Michael Savage : ‘B.B. King grew up a sharecropper’s son. The government didn’t help him learn to play the guitar. There were no government lessons. There were no government guitars. No government teachers. No affirmative action.’ (Michael Savage)

If I had B.B. King’s talent I would not have needed much help either. Sadly, most of us need public education [government], instructors [paid for with taxes], instruments [my school band had extras for those without] and yes, children whose ancestors were slaves sometimes needed an affirmative boost to catch up with the kids whose relatives were slave owners.

What is it about the community [government] extending a helping hand to those not in the dominant culture that annoys right wingers so much? Is the Golden Rule too complex for their understanding?” – John Brooks, KNX-KFWB retired

** Priorities at KNX

“Three p.m. Wednesday 5/20 – CBS Radio hourly news lead story: ‘We've now learned the oil spill off the California coast may be much larger than originally thought...’ They then proceed to give an update on the Santa Barbara area oil spill.

KNX Radio immediately following the above from their network: ‘Here’s what happening at 3:04. The Rolling Stones are giving a small concert tonight for a lucky few...’ followed by a tease of two other non-consequential stories that will forgotten by tomorrow. We’re then treated to a lengthy story by a reporter who won’t be attending the concert but she doesn't mind, since she’s a bigger fan of the Beatles than the Stones. No mention of a possible environmental disaster that could affect their listeners for decades [oil still washes up in the Santa Barbara area from the 1969 spill].

Come on KNX. I was a news assignment editor for years – it’s not that hard. Cover the stories that impact lives, or your listeners will go elsewhere. As for the argument stating that the network just covered the story, two words come to mind; lazy and ignorant. Your job is to localize it and bring it home. As I said, it’s not that hard.” – Ken Davis

** More on KNX

“Thanks for including my email to you yesterday. KNX is a topic about which I've actually given some thought. This is a symptom of spending too much time in the car with no ball game on the radio and no stomach for NPR’s endless left wing propaganda – though I forgive Melissa Block of All Things Considered of all sins for having the greatest voice in human history. Or, at least the greatest voice in English-speaking history.

It’s not that the communities that comprise Southern California are devoid of personality. Pasadena, Laguna Beach, Santa Monica, and Los Angeles are endlessly interesting. It’s just that KNX cannot seem to discern and broadcast interesting items, in a captivating manner, from this area. I’ve no idea why this is so.” – Mike Norton, Berkeley + Aliso Viejo

** Rush Limbaugh Dropped by WRKO in Boston

“Justice has been a long time in coming, but Rush Limbaugh is at last getting what he has long deserved.” – Steve (Fredericks) Liddick, former K-Earth News Director

Help for LARPs Behind the Eight-Ball
Essay by Claudia Peschiutta

(May 20, 2015) I recently joined the board of the 8-Ball Welfare Foundation to help journalists in need. The name says it all. The nonprofit provides grants to professionals in the Southern California area who find themselves temporarily “behind the eight-ball.”

Financial aid is also available for deserving college students. At a time when journalism jobs can be hard to come by, it’s especially important to do what we can to keep people in the business and provide a boost to aspiring journalists.

The funds awarded can be used to cover the cost of food, medical care and other basic needs.

While requests are kept confidential, these comments from past recipients show how much a grant can mean:

“But for the help from 8-Ball, I shudder to think of the horrible position I would be in now. I will continue my quest for re-employment and when I am back on my feet I will definitely remember the 8-Ball Foundation. I thank you again for the lifeline.”
"The grant you awarded me gave me the much-needed space to recover and get back on my feet – without having to live in my car. As long as I live, I will never forget your kindness and generosity.”
“We wanted to take the time to thank the 8-Ball Welfare Foundation for the funds you have donated to Santa Monica College’s Journalism Program this semester. A scholarship like this can make the difference between staying in school and having to drop out.”

What we do matters. Cutbacks, layoffs and public opinion can make us all feel otherwise, but journalists are an essential part of our democracy. We can’t expect others to support us if we don’t uphold each other.

If you’re doing well and can spare some money to help a journalist in need, please consider donating to the 8-Ball Welfare Foundation. You can find out more by clicking artwork.

Claudia has been a reporter for all-News KNX since 2008. Prior to that she was at all-News KFWB for five years.

LARadio Rewind: May 20, 2007. KCSN host Wolfgang Schneider dies at 81. From 1977 until shortly before his death, he hosted The American Continental Hours featuring European music, especially German schlager, volksmusik, oompah, marches, polkas and operettas. The three-hour program was initially heard at midday on Saturdays and later moved to Sunday evenings. Schneider, who volunteered his time and broadcast in German as well as English, also gave scores of soccer games throughout the world. He was sports editor of the German-language newspaper California Staats-Zeitung and helped establish the Youth Soccer Exchange program between the United States and Germany. In 1994, Schneider was an honoree at a ball and dinner hosted by the German-American League at the Marriott Hotel in Torrance. He was awarded the Honor of Merit by the Federal Republic of Germany.

Locks of Love. K-EARTH teams up with the Girls Scouts of Los Angeles and Orange County for its 5^th annual Locks of Love week, June 1-7.

There will be a free haircut at Supercuts with hair donation of 10 inches or more. This annual campaign was inspired by an email from a nine-year old K-EARTH 101 listener (Jo Jo Lopez) who wanted to donate her hair to Locks of Love to help provide hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children with medical hair loss. Every person who meets the Locks of Love guidelines will receive a FREE haircut from an expert stylist at participating Supercuts locations in Southern California, plus they will receive a Paul Mitchell 413 Sculpting Brush (while supplies last). Girl Scouts who make a donation will earn a limited-edition patch created especially for this campaign.

Last year, more than 1,125 people participated with more than 12,000 inches of hair being donated to the Locks of Love organization!

Locks of Love, a not-for-profit organization, utilizes donated hair to provide hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under age 21 with medical hair loss. The basic guideline for hair donation is that the hair’s longest layer should be 10” or longer. Colored or permed hair is acceptable, as long as the hair is not bleached; and gray hair will be accepted.

The K-EARTH morning team of Gary Bryan and Lisa Stanley have been big supporters of Locks of Love.

Reason for Harvey No Show. Steve Harvey and his wife were set to attend the fifth annual gala for the Steve &Marjorie Foundation in Chicago when they learned their daughter Lori was involved in a horse-riding accident that same day in Lexington, Kentucky.

Steve jumped on Twitter: “Due to a family emergency my wife & I are unable to attend tonight’s #SMHFGala! We love & appreciate you all. God Bless.”

The spokesperson for the gala said Lori is expected to make a full recovery.

The benefit raised $1 million for the Steve and Marjorie Harvey Foundation, which provides assistance to fatherless children and young adults.

Funnie. Thanks to Sterrett Harper for today’s funnie.