MAILBAG: [On the subject of receiving some sort of response when sending an aircheck & resume] "It would be great if we responded in person to every job app, resume and industry song inquiry. The reality is that in this day and age few of us have the time or manpower to process the volume of unsolicited material we receive. At a previous station, (where I was afforded an Assistant) we responded to ALL applications in writing and even sent along a follow-up letter to simplify our files and fulfill our EEO requirements. In the 1 year I was there we sent out nearly 300 such letters. My Assistant spent countless hours with this process and I hope people appreciated at least an acknowledgment of receipt. Budgets being what they are, few of us have that type of help available anymore.

Now, there is no way on Earth I can respond to every request made upon my time. Most PD's receive as many or more phone calls than I do (over 30 actual calls a day) and many of those are job seekers. I do not screen my calls and I answer my own phone. I encourage people to send T&R's, but usually preface it with the fact that we are not currently in need of new talent. Those of you with jobs might appreciate the idea that your boss isn't constantly shopping your gig.

The reality is, if I'm not in need of talent... I don't actively seek it out. We can all dream the dream that an aircheck tape dropped in the mail is going to cause a PD to fire someone to make room for your immense talents. In the meantime, spewing venom and threatening payback might not be the best course of action. I can't be the only one who appreciates persistence, and I usually like at least 2 "communication attempts" (from my Comm. 101 class) so I know the person is serious and not just blindly mailing to every station that starts with a "K".

Good luck in your job search!"

[Name withheld by request]

**** The issue boils down to common courtesy between professionals and [here] time & money. By the way, my immense talent caused an opening to occur in two cases I can recall. Though that was through "networking" rather than tape and resume, I believe it IS possible. I agree that persistence pays off and I trust/hope most jocks have done some research into each station they send a tape to.

On his inaugural weeknight KTAR broadcast, DAVID LIEBOWITZ took calls and kicked butt. As will happen, the audience for the JAY LAWRENCE show was offended and upset. Upset with change. LIEBOWITZ was unduly spit upon with all the venom these people could muster. Change happens! LIEBOWITZ, newspaper columnist, is new in the talkradio field. He is fresh, smart, opinionated and somewhat sarcastic. You get that from reading his newspaper column. He is also honest, thoughtful and caring. He is "the new blood." Sleepy, evening talkradio could be a thing of the past in Phoenix. Get used to change. It is here to stay! [I think that was Yogi Berra that said that.] DAVID LIEBOWITZ has opinions that may not be politically correct. He might keep you awake later in the evening. He might make you think about the issues. Change is good.

The blustery winter weather problems across the country caused many flight delays at national airports. In fact, Phoenix commuter Charlie Van Dyke recently missed his morning show on KRTH Los Angeles due to airline traffic delays elsewhere.

MAILBAG: Jack from Phoenix writes: "I was always under the assumption that those of us who decided on a career in broadcasting did so because we had something to say or in other words we are "Professional Communicators". Then why is it that when you send a tape and resume to a PD or OM they don't respond? No letter of acknowledgement, No call. Have they forgotten what it was like when they were looking for a job before they landed in the seat they are currently occupying. And if they think they'll be in that chair forever, they better think again. I hope they remember broadcasters like myself who try to communicate with them when they are back on the street, and they will be [you know radio]. When I have held positions of management I always tried to remember what it was like when I first started out. Hoping for the phone to ring, checking the mail box daily for any kind of response. Personally I think the current crop of Program Directors/Operations Managers need to take a course in in Communications 101. Every month for nearly the past 6 months I have sent a tape and resume to every station in town that I feel I would fit in comfortably (about 7 stations) I have haven't heard a word from any of them. They don't even return phone calls. I'll end here and thanks for letting me vent." *** I've experienced this, Jack. A couple years ago, I sent tapes to about 8 stations in Phoenix. I heard back from KCCF and KMLE. The usual "we don't have any positions open now, so until we do, hang by your thumbs." [I joke-- this is at least the response we want, even though we imagine all the PDs calling immediately with fabulous contracts and huge signing bonuses]. I got a call from KOOL, where I was eventually hired. The rest of the PDs didn't bother to write or call. I imagined them tossing my tape into a box 3/4 full of rejected airchecks from other jocks around the country. I appreciated the responses I did get, this was not only courteous, but I believe the professional response. As PD, I had always taken the time to respond. I was well aware of the need to stay in touch/respond. As you say, that PD that tosses your tape aside without a response, may someday be working for YOU! By the way, when you get into a PD gig, let me know, I'll send you a tape.

ABC's "REAL COUNTRY" network weeknight talent, Mark Andrews, shoots us a note from Tempe with a little bio: Top 40, Beautiful Music, A/C, Nostalgia, [over the course of his career] and landed in Country to stay in 1981 at KWJJ in Portland, Oregon. Moved to the late KEBC in Oklahoma City as PD for two years before coming to the Real Country Network in 1991. I've got 30 years in this business under my belt, and feel very blessed that I continue to work in a craft I dearly love." More about "REAL COUNTRY NETWORK" as I hear from Mark. They are still broadcasting to other parts of the nation from studios in Tempe.

MAILBAG "Thanks again for your continued listener ship of KXAM! I set up the interview with Eddie Albert and Bill Straus about two months ago, and it continues to be one of my favorite shows! A comment on an earlier comment of yours: I have been in love with Uncle Russell Shaw's voice and sense of humor since I came to the valley over ten years ago, and when we added Jones and Boze as our morning show I thought it appropriate to call up Unca Russ as well.

Talk radio can be at times a wee bit, uh, [dry], so I thought by breaking up my liners and promos with a snappy sense of warp factor humor we could at least get a chuckle out of folks!

..... we are adding MORE live, local, programming during the week and on the weekends starting this Saturday with "Choices" with Keith and Carol at 3 pm and "The Inner View - Adventures in Spirit" with Philip Burley at 4 pm. On Wednesday and Friday at noon, "The Well Tempered Investor" with David Sobol and Joe Scheid of Pollikov Financial will make all those confusing investment issues go away.

So thanks again to you Jason, my peers, and all those listeners out in Radio Land that support Independent 1310, KXAM! Regard for a Healthy and Successful New Year,

Tom Green

Director of Operations, KXAM

[January 1, 1999] EDDIE ALBERT was a guest on a "Best of Straus" broadcast interview today on KXAM. 90 year old ALBERT sounds just like the character he played on "GREEN ACRES". His topics, beside show-biz, were agriculture and his military career. Listeners shared conversation and some poetry with the great actor. This was a celebration of his 60 years in show business, from the mob movie "BROTHER RAT" to "GREEN ACRES".

It's starting to sound as though KESP 101.1 has the right mix of Oldies. There is some repitition, but there is more depth in the selections. DON HENLEY "SUNSET GRILL", NILLSON "JUMP INTO THE FIRE", SANTANA "OYE COMO VA". NICE STUFF! This along with the FOUR TOPS, SPINNERS, AND GLADYS KNIGHT.

FEBRUARY 1999

Fresno, California has a Z Spanish outlet that uses the calls, KHOT. The station is on the AM dial.

MAILBAG: Actually, somewhere in between KTYL and KZZP, 104.7 FM had the calls KIOG, playing a progressive mix, and calling itself "The Alternative"--circa 1979-80. I do have an aircheck of the last day of the format, with Jeff Parets. (it includes a message from KUPD PD John Sebastian asking listeners to make the switch to KUPD) -- JJJONES

"The Storm" or "new wave" format from KCAC to KDKB, KIOG, KSTM, KONC and KEYX ran for the better part of the 80's. Jeff Paret's KIOG format was tweaked a bit and moved over to 107.1 KSTM when KIOG became KZZP in 1981. 107.1 "The Storm" was replaced by the Spanish language programming of KVVA in June 1987.

In searching for KIOG, turns out those call letters have not been picked up by any other radio station. Nor have the calls KEYX or KONC. KSTM is in use in Indianola, Iowa and KCAC is a non-commercial FM in Camden, Arkansas.

KZZP 104.7 has altered it's playlist for certain day-parts, including more "dance" music in the evenings. This half-hearted attempt to attract some of the KPTY 103.9/KKFR 92.5 audience would be like KKFR adding an hourly 5-minute newscast in an attempt to lure the KTAR listeners. But then, bold moves are not the method of today's broadcast programmer.

The "NEW" KLNZ 103.5 is "La Zeta," a Spanish-language station. "Wild Country 103.5" was sold by OwensMAC to ZSpanish, which also owns KVVA 107.1. Programming on the two stations will remain seperate. Another Spanish language station is coming in March. HEFTEL takes over 105.9 which is now KHOT "Jammin' Oldies."

Whatever became of Phoenix's old radio call letters? SUNNY 97 KPSN rattled KOOL FM's cage a few years back, playing oldies before several format/call letter changes brought the frequency to the present Rock AC formatted KMXP. The call letters KPSN are now used in Payson for a TV station featuring the programming of COURT TV.

KCHT is being used in Astoria, Oregon. It was really a reach, but those call letters signified the word "Hits" when used in Phoenix, before management realized the calls were more similar to a 4-letter word we shall not repeat here. The calls were changed to KHTC and later dropped for KGLQ. No station has picked up KHTC or KGLQ.

When Phoenix (and the rest of the major markets) turned a deaf ear to the Beautiful music format, the KMEO call letters bounced to a place called Flower Mound, Texas. ABC owns that station. KOAZ lives on in Oro Valley, AZ.

Before there was KZZP, KTYL operated at 104.7. In fact, it was the first FM on the air in the Valley of the Sun (1950). The Mesa station switched from KTYL to KZZP and then to KVRY for a short period and finally reclaimed the KZZP calls. KTYL is now an AM/FM combo in Tyler, Texas. Oddly enough, the "Variety" calls KVRY haven't shown up anywhere (do you detect a bit of sarcasm here?)

KCCF has a new home in Ferndale, Washington, near the Canadian border. There is also a TV station in Katy, Texas with those calls. It's legal to have two seperately owned stations in seperate markets share the same call letters. But, do you see some sort of Texas connection going on? Ponderous.

KRIZ is now an R&B station on the AM dial in Renton/Seattle, Washington. KRUX FM operates from Las Cruces, New Mexico. KTWC (remember "Twice 103.5"?) is not currently assigned to a radio station, nor is KBUQ. That "Young Country" format seems to be taking a hit in many markets anyway.

Prior to KTAR, we had KFCB at 620 AM. Those calls haven't been in use lately.

About KCCF: The old KCCF in Phoenix is getting it's own commemorative web page. When the web author notifies us, we'll tell you how to find it. It is under construction at this time.

KTAR's Pat McMahon was given the "Real McCoy", a lifetime achievement award. Also picking up awards during the evening were KTAR's Brad Cesmat, W. Steven Martin from KNIX for community service and Camelback Jack of KOOL for best afternoon show. Al McCoy from KTAR won for best play-by-play.

MAILBAG: On Friday, at 6:00 pm, KZZP began evolving from Modern AC to CHR! They are playing about 3 new CHR tracks per hour, in addition to the Modern AC tunes that they already have on their playlist.

It's now 7:54 pm...here is what I've heard since 6:00:

Cher "Believe" (Dance); Will Smith - can't recall which tune it was (R&B/borderline mainstream hip-hop); Brandy "Have You Ever?" (R&B); 'N Sync "I Want You Back" (Pop/Dance); Britney Spears "Baby One More Time" (Pop/Dance); Tone Loc "Wild Thing" ("retro" rap track from late 80's); Monica, "Angel of Mine" (R&B);

They are also running promos claiming that you can hear all the hits on ONE station. This promo features All Saints "Never Ever" (a Pop tune) with two Modern AC songs.

At this point, I would say KZZP is a Modern-intensive CHR, because they are in the process of evolving. I expect them to become even more like a true CHR as the weeks progress.

It's about time!!! I haven't been this excited about radio in this town in AGES!

Tanim (Phoenix Media MessageBoard)

Bruce Kelly's partner at KZZP 104.7, Lu Valentino is out the door. Sources say Valentino had been on thin ice since a late January incident at Disneyland. Dan Persigehl has moved market veteran Jackie West out of evenings to partner with him in morning drive, at least until Kelly's return in early March. General manager Dave Pugh says a search is beginning for a permanent replacement for Valentino.

The legendary HUMBLE HARVE starts at Westwood One's Oldies Channel this month. NOT available in Phoenix.

"It's not your mother's radio station anymore." ALICE COOPER liner heard on 620 Newsradio KTAR.

Premiere Networks' JIM ROME is in the middle of contract negotiations and will cut his sports radio show "The Jungle" [KGME 1360 in Phoenix] to three hours sometime in the next few months. The reason for dropping an hour? Rome is having to spend more time on his Fox Sports Television show.

Radio programmer John Sebastian will have a show on KXAM from 4-7 pm weekdays starting Monday, February 15.

ERIC STEIN writes: It looks like the controversial KPTY is bringing in the syndicated Mancow Muller radio program from Chicago for their new morning program. From what I've heard, his program is formatted like Howard Stern's (Stern calls Mancow an "imitator" - even though he's beating Stern in the Chicago ratings). This is not the first time a Phoenix station has tried a Chicago personality on the radio - KZZP failed to bring listeners to Jonathan Brandmeier's show back in 1996.

MAILBAG: The BIG station in San Jose (KBAY) several years ago, both from a coverage standpoint and its Arbitron ranking, was owned by a partnership of families whose ancestors founded the station. They had resisted all purchase offers, even though they had received some very attractive proposals from, among others, a Spanish language group owner.

Along came the new rules and a company called American Radio Systems. ARS personified the "new look and feel" of broadcasting. One of its favorite come-ons was that broadcasters, due to the might and clout of new mega-owners, were no longer going to have to settle for the "7% share" of advertising budgets allocated to electronic media.

ARS offered really big bucks for KBAY that the owners couldn't refuse. The Spanish folks offered even more, but the families declared that they did not want to see their fathers' life's work become a Spanish language outlet. ARS assured that it would keep the station just as it always was. "After all", they said, "we aren't buying loser stations to fix up--we want performers!"

After the sale was announced, there was a big rah-rah meeting with the heads of ARS and the staff of the station. The blarney flowed so thick and fast in that meeting as to cause numbness. "We aren't going to make any changes at these [there was an associated AM] stations. We know YOU FOLKS are the ones who made these stations great. The only difference you will see is that your job will be easier because you will have access to our corporate resources." And on and on and on.

After the meeting was over, salespeople and talent alike retired to offices to use the phones. I overheard such phrases as "we're really excited about this...", etc. Those few of us who had been around the block a few times shook our heads. "If these folks only knew!"

At closing, the ink wasn't dry on the contract before ARS immediately spun off both stations. The monster FM to the Spanish folks--making a nice profit in the instant transaction, and the AM to another foreign language outfit. What was the heart and soul of KBAY was transferred over to a facility one-tenth as powerful as before, and massive changes were made. Syndicated programs were put in at night. The rest of the time went from live assist to full voice-tracking. The image of the station was changed from a unique blend of new-age/jazz to "Lite Rock" (the first time the "R"-word had ever been used at the station) and the playlist cut from 3000 cuts to about 300.

In other words, ARS screwed everyone: the original owners, the station's personnel, the listeners. When what was left of the station was finally sold to CBS, ARS had made millions reducing a San Jose institution to formula crap. CBS, to its credit, is actually beginning a long, slow process of attempting to restore some of what-was, but the hatchet job done on the station ran wide and deep.

As ARS was acquiring stations with a vengeance right after the rules changes, it was laying down this line-o-crap about it being a "long-term player" whose "mission it is to improve the quality of radio by consolidating resources". As it turns out, the mission of ARS was to make the principals rich and to then ensure a steady income stream by stealing all the transmitter sites and leasing them back to the stations through the subsidiary, ATS.

But that's another story for later.

John Higdon

ATI.com

MAILBAG: Just happened to stumble on your page a couple of weeks ago. You do a great job and a great service to those of us who are in, or have been in radio. I am not currently working in radio, but spent 16 years working in markets other than Phoenix. Keep up the great work. You kick the crap out of the guy who does the newspaper version. --DAVE

Thanks, although we prefer a non-violent existence, the thought revs me up and fogs my glasses.

Longtime KMLE KAMEL KOUNTRY 108 afternoon personality STU EVANS, has signed on for an additional two years.

KNUU ("K-News") in Las Vegas is the ONLY news-talk format in the LAS VEGAS market. KNUU is a CBS/AP/Bloomberg affiliate and is owned and operated by entrepreneur Ron Cohen, who also owns KFNN Financial News Radio in Phoenix.

Is it KNIX "live" or tape delay? Sometimes it is KNIX sweepers and a seperate audio feed playing on the now defunct KWCY 103.5 FM. Simulcasts [fed via ISDN to KWCY from KNIX] cause a 7-10 second delay. KWCY IDs fire once each hour, but otherwise the KNIX programming is all you will hear until new owners Z Spanish take control with new programming soon.

MARCH 1999

NEW CENTURY ARIZONA is selling their Phoenix stations in a two-way split. Arizona's best sportstalk station 1360 KGME has been sold to SALEM BROADCASTING, owners of KPXQ 960. The second part of the sale involves the FM combo KEDJ/KDDJ to BIG CITY RADIO, Los Angeles. This probably won't affect the Howard Stern show since the stations have a contract good through 2005. Phoenix doesn't need another Religious station, but we shall see what SALEM does with 1360.

Some of the Chancellor stations will be relocating in town. The moves take KOOL FM from their 7th Street location to the facility at 840 North Central Avenue that houses KZON, KOY & KYOT. Moving into the unit at 7th Sreet are KMLE, KFYI, KISO along with HEFTEL's 105.9 which will "lease" studios from KMLE. Changes should occur within 6 weeks. KKFR will be moving to a location either at 840 North Central or possibly moving to a new location along with KZON. .... do I sniff a cluster of stations here for possible sale? What do YOU think?

Say "Adios" to 105.9 "Jammin' Oldies" KHOT. Changes are expected Thursday as HEFTEL will take control of the station with a new Spanish format.

Jerry Ryan, former general manager at 99.9 KESZ will manage the new Spanish station at 105.9 once Heftel Broadcasting takes ownership of the station in April. Ryan was displaced when KEZ management changes took place last June. Owens Broadcasting had taken control of KESZ operations in co-ownership of the station with MACAmerica. Ryan had been with KESZ for 12 years. RYAN oversaw the changes in format and on-air staff from soft rock 99.9 KLZI to KESZ, now the #1 station in the Valley.

93 KDKB needs a morning show producer for TIM & MARK. Send tapes and resume to TIM MARANVILLE, KDKB, 1167 West Javelina, MESA AZ 85210.

Monday through Friday, from 12:00 noon to 3:00pm, check out the new Art Laboe Weekday Special on Tucson's KOHT 98.3 FM. KOHT also broadcasts the ART LABOE SUNDAY SPECIAL live from Hollywood every Sunday night from 6:00pm to 12 midnight

Art Laboe played a big role in the American Rock 'n Roll movement of the 1950's. Art stimulated the development and acceptance of "Rock 'n Roll" by being the first to play Rock 'n Roll on the airwaves in 1955.

Art is currently working on a book about his life as a DJ.

Could happen! Without leaving Phoenix, KEZ's popular morning duo, Beth & Bill, could be the next #1 morning show in Denver. When JACOR takes control of KESZ & KNIX, some of the personalities from those stations might be tapped for use on the PROPHET system JACOR uses around the country. This computerized method of programming allows JACOR to put some of their noted talent in more cities. The down-side of that for Phoenix is that we may lose some of our "live & local" talent when the same system replaces them with talent from other cities. The programs [comments, quips and LINERS] are recorded in advance and sent to the network computers for airplay the next day or later.

KRXS 97.3 FM is about to get a power increase. KRXS is the only FM station with top of the hour news covering the Valley of the Sun. Check out the website for more information on the station: www.krxs.com

Heard on the street: MIKE REAGAN's 1 year contract is not being renewed at KXAM. Will they hang onto the G. GORDON LIDDY program?

Sometimes callers to radio talk shows make quite an impression on the audience. It may be an outrageous opinion expressed or, in rare instances, literate, thoughtful insight into issues. Now, BILL STRAUS has developed "listener roundtables".

Jason

I've been experimenting with "listener roundtables" for a few weeks. I put together a trio of listener/callers and we just bounce from subject to subject. It's been terrific. And on Friday, April 9th, we'll enjoy a one-on-one faceoff between two of the most well-known, prolific, passionate and totally polarized callers in Valley talk radio: "Bob from Peoria" vs. "Seth from Scottsdale." It's something a little different in talk radio."

- Straus

(Bill Straus 1310 KXAM)

Brian Lee keeps the morning drive slot despite KIXD Tucson switching formats from Country to Oldies. KIIM is now the only country station on Tucson FM [Update from the Mailbag: KAVV 97.7 markets Tucson with Country music from Benson.]

Former KPTY 103.9 afternooner SUPERSNAKE just signed with WTJM "JAMMIN' OLDIES 105.1" New York for afternoons there.

Would you consider TOM LEYKIS to be a talk show host or a "shock jock"? For the number of times LEYKIS and his callers say the words "tits", "ass", "nipples", etc. it almost sounds like the HOWARD STERN show. Some have referred to DON IMUS as a "shock jock" but the IMUS program is "tame" compared to the TOM LEYKIS show.

Station Ownership clusters

BRENTLINGER BROADCASTING

101.1 KESP Oldies - 104.3 KBZG Oldies - 106.5 KBZR Oldies

CHANCELLOR

550 KOY Nostalgia - 910 KFYI Newstalk - 1230 KISO Country Oldies - 92.5 KKFR Hip Hop - 94.5 KOOL Oldies - 95.5 KYOT Smooth Jazz - 101.5 KZON Alternative - 107.9 KMLE Country

HEARST-ARGYLE

620 KTAR Newstalk - 860 KMVP Sportstalk - 98.7 KKLT Adult Contemporary

JACOR

96.9 KMXP Rock AC - [Purchase pending: 99.9 KESZ Adult Contemporary & 102.5 KNIX Country] - 104.7 KZZP Rock AC/CHR

NEW CENTURY/ARIZONA

1360 KGME Sportstalk - 100.3 KDDJ Alternative - [Pending sale to HEFTEL: 105.9 KHOT R&B Oldies] - 106.3 KEDJ Alternative

SANDUSKY

1060 KDUS Sportstalk - 1440 KSLX Classic Rock - 93.3 KDKB AOR - 97.9 KUPD AOR - 100.7 KSLX Classic Rock

Z SPANISH

103.5 KLNZ Spanish - 107.1 KVVA Spanish

We've heard the rumors that JACOR may purchase KTAR/KKLT/KMVP. That would give them their limit of 5 FM stations and they could still grab another AM. They could buy one of the other sports stations or KXAM and become the dominant sportstalk player on AM. They might move KMVP to 620 AM. JACOR could then take their syndicated talk shows like RUSH LIMBAUGH & DR. LAURA from KFYI, moving the KTAR talk format to FM using the KKLT frequency, 98.7 FM. These seem like the right choices. KRXS is running ART BELL in their nighttime line-up and it sounds great. Talkradio without the fading or static. Of course you know what happens next. JACOR builds the stations up, in preparation for sale to another mega corporation. CHANCELLOR stations in Phoenix can also take their syndicated programs, like CASEY KASEM's TOP 40 from the competition. But currently, their is not a good fit for the program considering the formats of the CHANCELLOR stations in Phoenix.

What's up with the SANDUSKY rock stations? Could they be the next to topple?

The Deuce will have live local programing from 9a-1p M-F with Jeff Kennedy. Also the entire staff did not get canned, damn close, but Russ Bliss, Ed Swanner and Jeff will still be there.

MAILBAG: Hi, Gosh I miss all the great folks in Phoenix. Beth and Bill, Perry, Marty and the rest of the gang were always top notch. That's why they are number 1. I've since worked in Atlanta programming a sports/talk station, and I've been program director and morning show co-host on WGAN in Portland Maine for the last 2 plus years. Things are going very well.

I check in with your site quite often. My jaw dropped with I read that KNIX and KEZ were sold.

Have fun in the Valley of the Sun.

Dave "Duke" Winsor

Former KEZ PD

[March 18, 1999]

Country giant KNIX FM 102.5 & Valley favorite adult contemporary 99.9 KESZ have been sold to broadcasting conglomerate JACOR in a deal worth $142 million. Owens Broadcasting announced the sale Wednesday to the staff of both stations in a meeting at the Tempe studios of KNIX. Staff changes are not expected at the #1 and #2 Valley stations. Owens Broadcasting had recently sold KWCY FM to Z Spanish and KCWW AM to Disney. Owens was one of the few local station owners left in a city where most of the broadcast revenue goes to corporate owners such as Chancellor, Sandusky and now Jacor. Jacor also owns 96.9 KMXP and 104.7 KZZP.

[March 17, 1999] Stopping by to chat during the JONES & BOZE remote broadcast on 1310 KXAM this morning was KESZ's MARTY MANNING. MANNING wore green socks for the occasion. RUSS SHAW filled in for DAVID K. JONES, I didn't hear why he was absent. Is RUSS a supersalesman or what? After he admitted he knew nothing about a sponsor and without copy, SHAW laid down the best line of B*S* and produced one of the best spots that customer may ever have had.

It is unlikely that Interstate Broadcasting of Arizona, the owners of KMYL 1190 will program a 24 hour LOCAL news station IF the rumored format changes take place. The question is, if the station does go to an all-news format, which satellite-fed national news service will it broadcast? The most recent such AM station in Phoenix was KOPA 1440 [now KSLX AM]. KOPA ran CNN Radio News. There are a couple such news providers to choose from, including the Associated Press Radio News. KMYL FM 105.3 is rumored to be changing to another music format, both KMYL AM & FM are currently broadcasting the Music Of Your Life format.

John Cannon's last day at SportsRadio 1060 KDUS was Friday. He chose not to stay with the station until the April 2nd date, at that time all staff members would be let go. KDUS will fill the programming gap with the satellite feed from One On One Sports, which moves over from KMVP 860. Will KMVP hire some of the ex-KDUS airstaff?

[March 16, 1999] Chancellor Media Corp., is ending its quest for a merger partner after just two months, with no takers emerging for its $20-billion price tag.

The first TV station in Phoenix was KPHO-5, back in November of 1949.

Channel 12 call letters were originally KTYL-TV in Mesa from 1953 to around 1955, KVAR (owned by KTAR but still located in Mesa) until around 1959 or 1960, KTAR-TV after their move to Phoenix until 1979, and KPNX since then. They've always been the local NBC station.

In 1954, KOY-TV & KOOL-TV shared Channel 10. The stations alternated days. KOY-TV lasted for about 6 months. KOOL-TV was the ABC affiliate. KOOL-TV later became KTSP-TV and now KSAZ-TV.

KTVK-3 signed on in 1955, the ABC affiliation switched to 3TV sometime later and KOOL Channel 10 became CBS.

KAET-8 signed on the air in 1961 with programming from NET - National Educational Television.

It wasn't until the late 70s that KPAZ-21 (TBN) signed on, followed by KTVW-33 and KNXV-15, both in 1979, KUTP in 1985, KASW in 1995, and KPPX in March 1999.

Many TV stations across the nation were hit by a wave of network changes in 1996.

In Phoenix, 3TV KTVK lost the ABC Network to KNXV-15. The Fox affiliation went from KNXV-15 to KSAZ-10. Channel 10 had just lost it's CBS affiliation, that went to longtime Independent KPHO 5. When KASW 61 signed on in 1995, it took the WB programming which had run for a short time on TV3 KTVK. The new United Paramount Network joined KUTP 45 in 1997.

Is there a possible format change planned at the "Music of Your Life" stations, KMYL AM & FM? Sources say the AM would go to an All-News format while the FM would change to another music format. Gone from Valley airwaves would be the voices behind the Music of Your Life, Gary Owens [pictured], Wink Martindale, PD Chuck Southcott, Scott St. James, Teresa Payerle and Pete Smith. Unfortunately, the MOYL format had terribly low ratings at KMYL and is also being dropped at the Los Angeles affiliate KGIL.

We've got MAIL: An earlier message noted that "Crazy" Dave Otto did AM drive on KQXE in the 70's. I'm not sure if that's true, unless it's taken in the context that KQXE simulcasted 100.7 FM (KOPA at the time). KOPA was a top-40 station in the late 1970's, and Crazy Dave was the AM drive host. He was pretty huge among the 18-34 demo. (I know, I was in high school from 1976-80, and Dave was pretty big in '79-'80). In early 1980, 104.7 KIOG switched to KZZP in direct competition with KOPA. They lured Dave away to do AM drive. Through some contractual snafu, the owners of KOPA lured Dave back to 100.7 (even played the old "Welcom Back Kotter" theme over and over to mark the occasion). That lasted a few days until KZZP snagged Dave yet again. I hope he got rich off this. This time he stuck for a few years until Houston beckoned, and Jonathon Brandmeier was brought in by KZZP. Interestingly, Dave came back to KZZP a few years later to do weekends and eventually a short stint in PM drive while Brandmeier did AM drive. I have a friend who works in Minneapolis radio, and he says Dave was recently doing AM drive there as the much-less-frantic "Mark Otto" (his actual name.) He's not in the Twin Cities any more, however.--- Doug

106.3 KIX Country has changed to MEGA 106.3, with a mix of Motown, Cruisin Oldies, and Retro Jams from the 70's. "MEGA OLDIES 106.3" The format bit the big one in Phoenix and many other markets, will the MEGA format survive in Tucson?

LOOP 101 is airing a series of liners that toss in a word or phrase from the 60's or 70's. "Loop 101. Playing the hits from the 60's and 70's. Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll." "You're on the LOOP. FM 101, playing the hits of the 60's and 70's. Power to the people." Those are examples. It gets worse. Some liners end with just one word. The taped liners are read by a female, very little enthusiasm, no music or production behind it. It just lays there. Perhaps a live jock with a bit about the 60's such as an event that occurred on this date? No. Maybe a produced spot put in the rotation with sound bites from that era? No. LINERS, read 'em and shut up. Better yet, read them, record them, and rotate them around the clock. Now, you're on THE LOOP, 101.1 FM. Where is the exit?

On KXAM-- BILL STRAUS was talking about HATE CRIMES and the HOCKEY STADIUM issue. Also on the table, an issue we can all relate to: marking your territory at the check-out with the rubber divider. Why do some have a compulsion to lay that rubber divider down? My groceries need their space.

MAILBAG:

Jason,

I think 1510 AM (Mesa) used the calls KDJQ at one time. 1980s maybe. 1310 AM (Mesa) used KQXE for a while in-between KBUZ and KZZP; this during the time when their FM--104.7 (Mesa)--was KIOG. "Crazy" Dave Otto did AM drive on KQXE with a more-or-less Top 40 format. 1440 AM (Scottsdale) used KXAM at one point in-between KOPA and KOPA (again). I recall it being R&B of some sort.

On the subject of 1440, does anyone remember the period in the '80s where they did sort of a delayed simulcast of KOPA-FM...the same songs (and spots too, I think) aired about 7 minutes later on the AM. I can't remember the AM calls at the time. I believe it was either jockless or else taped liners only by Tony Evans and possibly the other FM jocks.

John Adkins

Phoenix

Just a quick switcheroo below to the call letter list for Phoenix AM stations. KOY, as BUD WILKINSON notes, was originally KFCB. KTAR started out as KFAD. KFAD -- that's what some people thought radio was in the beginning, a FAD. Although at the time, KFAD was just part of the letter series handed out by the Federal Radio Commission, so no real significance to those calls.

[March 10, 1999] BUD WILKINSON sent this note: KOY's original call letters were KFCB, which stood for "Kind Friends Come Back." --- BUD WILKINSON was the local media columnist for the AZ REPUBLIC a few years back, we miss his radio columns. BUD now produces and hosts SUNDAY SHOWTUNES on KOY and several other stations across the country.

KAMEL KOUNTRY 108 celebrates H.G. LISTIAK's 10th year with the station. The decade mark is March 18th. Afternooner STU EVANS celebrates his 10th year at KMLE in June.

Sportsradio 1060 KDUS has fired most of it's local personalities due to low ratings. The station will cover the program gaps with the syndicated programming of One On One Sports. Chuck Artigue, Sandusky Arizona president and general manager, said the changeover will occur April 2. Phoenix has 2 other full-time sports stations, 1360 KGME and 860 KMVP. 620 KTAR runs several sports programs in addition to it's news-talk format.

MAILBAG: There have been so many call letter changes here over the years, like everywhere else, it's impossible to list them all in an e-mail, especially the FMs. AMs aren't so bad, so I'll try (I'm guessing on some of the dates):

550 - KOY since around 1927 (on other frequencies before 1941), KFCB before that. **Updated info

620 - KTAR since around 1928, KFAD before that (also on other frequencies before 1928). **Updated info

710 - KUET (off the air)

740 - KMEO, KIDR

860 - KIFN, KVVA, KMVP since 1996.

910 - KPHO (moved from 1230 around '49), KJJJ (1971-1986), KFYI

960 - KOOL, KARZ, KOOL again, KPXQ

1010 - KCAC, KXEG (1972?)

1060 - KUPD, KKKQ, KUKQ, KDUS.

1100 - KCCF, KFNX

1190 - KRDS, KMYL since 1997.

1230 - KPHO (1940-1949), KRIZ (came on around 1950), KFLR, KAMJ, KISO

1280 - KHEP

1310 - KTYL, KBUZ, KZZP, KXAM

1360 - KRUX (moved from 1340 around '57), KLFF, KNNS, KGME (since 1994)

1400 - KONI, KXIV, KSUN

1440 - KDOT [KDOT original calls according to old AZ Republic article I read. -Jason], KOPA, KSGR, KOPA again, KSLX

1480 - KHAT, KPHX

1510 - KALF, KMND, KDKB, KFNN

1540 - KASA

1580 - KTUF, KNIX, KCWW, KMIK

There was also a KDYW in the early '20s on 833 kHz (360 meters as it was called then), which was the only broadcasting frequency allowed at the time. It was off the air by 1924.

If anyone can add to this or wants to try to come up with the FM list for us, email us.

MAILBAG

Has any station scored higher than a 7 in recent history (see KESZ)? That's a pretty high 12+ for this size market.

Tom

KESZ is a personality-oriented Adult Contemporary FM with "local" talent. Morning team, Beth & Bill also have a Saturday cooking show on 3TV in Phoenix. The afternoon team, Maggie & Marty keep the friendly conversation, contests and music flowing for the afternoon commute. The airstaff at 99.9 FM have been with the station for "years", there is not much turn-over. The only syndicated airshift is the 7-midnight Delilah show. The airstaff doesn't just read liners. The station is family friendly and the sound is consistent 24 hours. Seems with such great results, other stations might try the KESZ formula for success.

New to Valley radio, The MICHAEL MEDVED show on KHEP 1280. MICHAEL MEDVED has written eight books covering subjects as varied as the White House staff (The Shadow Presidents, 1979), growing up in the '60's (What Really Happened to the Class of '65", 1976), the psychological pressures of the medical profession ( Hospital, 1983), and the excesses of the entertainment industry (Hollywood vs. America, 1992 and The Golden Turkey Awards, 1980). Over the years he has worked as an advertising executive, a Hollywood screenwriter, a junior high school teacher, and a political speechwriter for Senators, Congressman and Presidential candidates.

Since 1980 he has also been one of America's best known movie critics, first on CNN and, since 1985, as co-host of "Sneak Previews" broadcast on more than 200 stations on PBS. MICHAEL MEDVED is also chief movie critic for the New York Post, and a frequent contributor to the Wall Street Journal and the Sunday Times of London.

The MICHAEL MEDVED program airs 3-6pm weekdays on 1280 KHEP.

Station formats as of March 1999 (from Valley Media MessageBoard--

Talk (5): KTAR, KFYI, KFNX, KHEP, KXAM

Spanish - all formats (5): KIDR, KCKY, KSUN, KPHX, KASA

Sports (3): KMVP, KDUS, KGME

MOR/Adult Standards (2): KOY, KMYL

Religion (2): KPXQ, KXEG

Financial News (1): KFNN

Country (1): KISO

Rock (1): KSLX (daytime only)

Kids (1): KMIK

FM Rock/Urban (definitions as listed in the Republic) - Total 16

Album Rock (3): KDKB, KRXS, KUPD

Adult Contemporary (2): KKLT, KESZ

Modern Rock (2): KDDJ/KEDJ (simulcast)

Oldies (2): KOOL, KBZG

Classic Rock (1): KSLX

Hot Adult Contemporary (1): KZZP

R & B Classics (1): KHOT (until April - not counted in total above)

Rock Adult Contemporary (1): KMXP

Rock Alternative (1): KZON

Top 40 (1): KPTY

Urban Adult Contemporary (1): KMJK

Urban Top 40 (1): KKFR

FM Other - Total 16

Religion (5): KPHF, KEAR, KFLR, KGCB, KLVA

Spanish (4): KNAI, KZPZ (ex-KWCY), KHOT (April), KVVA

Country (3): KSWG, KNIX, KMLE

Classical (1): KBAQ

MOR/Adult Standards (1): KMYL

Public Radio/Jazz (1): KJZZ

Smooth Jazz (1): KYOT

We definitely have too many talk stations, no all-news station (I don't care what KTAR calls itself), at least one sports station too many, and too many FM rock stations that sound too much alike (I must be getting old :-) ).

I realize that radio stations are in business to make money, like any other business, but with 53 stations in this market, we can do better than this. With 16 stations carrying one form of rock/urban/AC and formats overlapping all over the place, there could be a lot more diversity. Why not have a "true" top-40/CHR station? Why not a dance format for those who like it? Why do so many of the stations seem to sound exactly alike? What really is the difference between KKFR and KPTY? KMXP & KZZP? KFYI, KXAM, and KHEP? KGME & KMVP? Need I go on?

I'd sure love to hear an intelligent explanation (not Power vs Party vs Edge juvenille stuff) for why Phoenix radio is in the shape it's in.

Just some ranting and raving from a frustrated radio listener.

Keith Elster

KZZP night DJ, JACKIE WEST, does the morning wake up show with BRUCE KELLY starting Monday. WEST replaces LU VALENTINO who was dumped by the station a couple weeks ago. BRUCE KELLY is expected to return from leave taken after he recently made public an addiction to alcohol. KZZP management allowed KELLY time out for rehab and in that time, VALENTINO was blown out, due in part to an incident at DisneyLand which occurred just prior to KELLY's entering rehab. KZZP has an opening for a night DJ now. KZZP sent out a request for tapes and resumes weeks ago, they may already have someone standing in the wings for that evening position.

Former KOOL PD/morning guy Brian Casey gets mornings at WRMF (Palm Beach, Broward, Martin, Dade). Joining him will be Jo Myers, from mornings at KIMN. --Tom Norwood

MAILBAG: Hi Jason....

Just love the page. I am a Phoenix native working in Chattanooga, TN. and it really keeps me up on what's going on in my hometown. I used to work at KLITE back in the Mid 1980's and KLITE used to be KBBC. Before KBBC I think it was KTAR FM for a short time.

I also worked at KMZK under PD Jon Town when it was country. Then owner Larry Mazurski dropped the bomb on us that it was then becoming KONC and going classical. Before it was KMZK, the station was a Sun City MOR as KWAO.

Before KFYI was news talk it was 91 Country KJ...KJJJ Phoenix. Had some good talent on that radio station in the 1970's but it never could beat the KTUF/KNIX combo in Tempe. Also, KJ's FM which is now Power 92 was KXTC...It was disco, early urban and at one time KC 92, an FM country station.

Long before KZZP was KVRY or KIOG it was KBUZ...a classical station. And I cannot remember what frequency it was on, but another Beautiful Music format was KDOT.I think KDOT became KOPA, and KOPA's AM was KSGR "K-Sugar" an oldies format.

Before KDKB and KCAC was on the air, it was a very LOUSY country combo called "Kommand Country...KMND."

And the origins of KUPD was a beautiful music format called, what else, Kupid. Also, KUKQ, was once top 40 KKKQ, and I remember when they once flipped format to Urban...trying to attract a black audiance. It was brought to their attention that KKK-Q might not be an approptiate call sign for a black station. That is when the calls were changed to KUKQ. That is what was in R&R at the time anyway.

KSUN used to be MOR KXIV, including jocks like George Scott, Jack Dey, Jim Hutton, Jeff Munt, and morning staple Jim Spero. The long time PD at KXIV was Frank Pollack. I cut my radio teeth doing traffic reports and weekend overnights at KXIV in 1976-77 when I was in high school. Those are my memories to add to the list of call letters. I hope the memories are accurate. Just one more comment. If you think about all the talent that came through Phoenix in the 1970's...Buzz Bennett, Todd Wallace, Jay Stone, Dennis King, John Sebastian, Tony Evans, W. Steven Martin, Art Webb, Crazy Dave Otto, Phil Gardner, Bill Heywood, Alan Chilcoat, Rich Brother Robbin, CC McCartney, Bobby Christian, Tony Mann, Shotgun Tom Kelly, Toad Hall, Bill & John, the list goes on and on. It's no wonder kids like me were inspired to do what they love. I left Phoenix for Tucson in 1986 and then Atlanta, and now here in Chattanooga. I prefer my life in the south but will never ever forget the great radio that came out of KRUX, KRIZ, KUPD, KOPA, KDKB, KBBC, KJ, KNIX it's mind boggling. Keep up the good work.

Best,

Mike Lee

KXIV, KSUN, KMZK and KKLT alumnus.

[March 1, 1999] Following up on the calls listed in Mike's note above: KSGR, great calls for SOLID GOLD RADIO or for use in Sugarland, Texas, are not currently in use. KDOT FM is in Reno, Nevada. KBUZ is a non-commercial FM in Topeka, Kansas, KXTC FM, Thoreau, New Mexico, and KBBC migrated to Lake Havasu City, Arizona. KMZK is an AM in Billings, Montana, KMND is in Midland, Texas and the call letters KXIV were not found.

APRIL 1999

The FCC approved the deal for CLEAR CHANNEL's $3.8 billion acquisition of JACOR, provided the companies sell 18 radio stations in four cities to preserve competition.

KFYI positions themselves now as Talkradio 910. This is similar to sister station Sportsradio 550.

It seems CHANCELLOR is putting "JAMMIN' OLDIES" in every major market, can Phoenix be next? Will money, more promotion and hotter on-air presentation make the difference this time?

103.9 "Party Radio" KPTY has quietly removed most of the Hip-Hop and moved to a CHR/Alternative product.

We've Got Mail!-- Hello, For the guy looking to locate John Dorame, I heard him Tuesday evening doing a newscast on 910 KFYI. Monica Reid, KNIX.

Until the FCC approves the moves Chancellor is making with KGME and KOY, all stations involved continue to legally ID themselves with their original call letters. 550 makes only rare references to KGME. Legal IDs still identify the station as KOY. 1230 is legally KISO, even though all references are KOY outside the hourly station identification.

BRYAN ALLEN has returned to KZZP after an absence due to a year-long bout with cancer. ALLEN was a part of the original KZZP in the '80s.

LISA MALAY exits KMLE for family reasons.

HOWARD STERN and the "Edge" programming is being simulcast on 1360 until SALEM takes over the frequency. KGME has officially moved to 550 AM with sportstalk.

Let me take a moment to mention that JOHN GIBSON took time out his busy news announcing schedule to drop us a note. GIBSON is now the only "original" member left of the KOOL morning show. He has been there for over six years and lasted through five versions of KOOL mornings. In updating the RADIO DIAL page, I inadvertently left out a few notable members of the broadcast community and I hope someone will let me know when an error has been made.

CHANCELLOR places MARV NYREN as VP/GM of "Power 92" KKFR & "The Zone" KZON.

The volatile Phoenix radio market is experiencing something it hasn't seen, to this degree, in possibly 60 years, "frequency swapping." Call letter swaps have occured recently, but completely moving calls and formats as Chancellor is doing this week, is very rare. In losing the Country Oldies format of KCWW last year and now KISO, that audience is left wanting. The Nostalgia format of KOY will not serve the audience that listened on 550 AM. The 1230 signal will not reach certain retirement communities by day and fewer after the sunset power decrease. The clear winner is Sportsradio. This is a format that will have an audience for many years to come. Although the Phoenix sportsradio audience is split among 3 stations today, KGME at 550 AM will have an advantage over the other two. KGME will have a clearer, more powerful signal at 550 day and night. There will have to be major changes at the other stations to compete with the new Sportsradio 55 KGME.

(4/15/99) RICK STEPHENSON checked in after signing off the KISO Country Oldies format: "I'm impressed...I checked the web at 9:30 and you had it there!" In my humble opinion, if the best choice were made, RICK STEPHENSON should be doing the wake-up show at KOOL FM. I'll save that commentary for later. Let me just say, if I want to read the Arizona Republic, I'll buy a copy. I don't need BILL GARDINER to read it to me. What ever happened to "show prep"? I'll shut up.

MAY 1999

Channel 3 sports anchor TIM HEALY has announced his resignation from 3TV. Healy will become ASU's director of sports broadcasting and also the play-by-play voice for all ASU games. SportsRadio 550 has just snagged a 3-year contract with Arizona State U, to broadcast Sun Devil football, basketball and baseball. These broadcasts formerly broadcast on KTAR/KMVP.

SHELLIE HART has resigned the PD post at KEDJ and is headed back to KUBE/Seattle, as OM/midday personality. HART remains in place for another month. No replacement named at KEDJ but it's anticipated that MD CHRIS PADDOCK could be named Interim PD.--All Access News

Independent 1310 KXAM imported it's afternoon host from Flagstaff. He is BOB WITKOWSKI. "Kaleidoscope with Bob Witkowski" replaces TOM LEYKIS, who blew off too many KXAM listeners with his sex and shock talk.

KDKB afternooner J. DAVID HOLMES resigned after three years. PD TIM MARANVILLE wants a person who can't be replaced by AUDIO VAULT or the PROPHET SYSTEM. Does that mean they felt HOLMES could have been replaced by automation/satellite feed? Ouch! That hurts. Or did HOLMES jump for a better offer?

The FCC has granted Conditional Authorization to KRXS to upgrade from a class C-2 to a class C-3 FM station. "Our E.R.P. will go from 25,000 watts to 50,000 watts. What this means is that our power will increase from 160 watts horizontal & vertical to 640 watts horizontal & vertical. The reason why the power output seems so small is because of the height factor that come into play. Our antenna is located on Signal Peak in the Pinal Mountains. As you know, height means everything when it comes to FM. KRXS will continue to program to our local coverage area with a full service format. We are also planning to superserve our listeners in the East Valley."

KGME 1360 is now KFDJ 1360, the FCC has approved the KGME calls moving to 550.

Former KHOT midday air talent LISA TRYGG has been named APD/MD at Chancellor's KIOI (K101) in San Francisco.

KOOL FM afternoon driver CAMELBACK JACK needs a day off just like everyone else. So, when he recently took an extended weekend breather, KOOL weekender SAMMY SHERWOOD filled in for two days. There was not a mention that this was SHERWOOD subbing for CAMELBACK. Listeners might have thought CAMELBACK JACK had been replaced. For the sake of continuity and to keep the listener informed, the name of the regular host should be mentioned often and an explanation that he will soon return will let the listener know what is happening. It was a case of one jock's ego vs. good programming sense.

MICHAEL HAGERTY's RadioDigest has learned that there will be no programming change at AM 1190 KMYL. The "Music of Your Life" station will stay the course, also hoping to pick up listeners from nearby KOY 1230. For those who worried about losing WINK MARTINDALE and GARY OWENS, relax.

KBZG identifies itself as "ARIZONA JAMS" these days. This move may be in anticipation of CHANCELLOR bringing JAMMIN' OLDIES to one of the Phoenix stations.

BRIDGET VENTURA is new Music Director at 98 KUPD.

KESP "The Loop" 101.1 is now rebroadcasting it's signal via a translator at 103.1 for folks in the Mesa-Globe area.

BIG CITY RADIO announced it will acquire four stations in the Phoenix area. KEDJ 106.3 [Sun City] KBZR 106.5 [Arizona City] KMYL [Wickenburg] and possibly Christian KLVA 105.5 [Casa Grande) BIG CITY plans to employ its Synchronized Total Market Coverage technology to combine four signals into two stations that will provide full coverage of the Phoenix market.

Urban KMJK "Magic 107" is now also broadcasting through a translator at 92.7 FM. Their 106.9 signal is not effective in reaching the East and South portions of the valley.

MICHAEL OWENS has announced that he will resign effective the transfer of KNIX to Jacor/Clear Channel. Citing differences in management style between the old regime and Jacor, OWENS management will vacate the Tempe offices sometime in the next few weeks. They take with them plenty of "walking around money" from the largest radio station sale in the history of Phoenix radio, $142 Million. This was not just the sale of KNIX, but also 99.9 KESZ. Understand, it's all business and that the stations could not have survived in this climate of corporate monopoly, according to OWENS management. These are two of the Valley's most popular radio stations. They are about to given over to suits from out-of-town. It's all business, and that means changes WILL occur. "Have tape and resume, will travel." That's radio, folks!

JUNE 1999

BRUCE KELLY resigned from KZZP 6/30. With new PD MARC SUMMERS and Clear Channel management taking over, there were bound to be changes at the station. Clear Channel also owns KNIX, KMXP and KESZ. JACKIE WEST will host the show with swingman PHIL STEINER and newsperson BRYAN ALLEN for the time being.

Mar/Apr/May Arbitrends show KNIX at the top of the heap. Out of 30 stations in the survey, the three sports stations KGME, KMVP and KDUS come in near the bottom at #21, #27 and #30 respectively. Newsradio KTAR is right behind KNIX at #2. Otherwise the remaining Top 8 are Rhythmic KKFR, AC KESZ, Smooth Jazz KYOT, Newstalk KFYI, Oldies KOOL FM, Country KMLE, Soft Rock KKLT and AOR KUPD, in that order.

LINDSEY CIPSIC (formerly of HOT 105.9 FM) has been hired for mornings, 5:30-10am at AMFM {Chancellor) Hot AC WDRV (MIX 96.1) Pittsburgh. The station is changing call letters to WPHH. The station moniker remains "MIX 96.1 THE BEST MIX OF THE 80'S & 90'S." CIPSIC is originally from Pitt and starts JUNE 28th.

Clear Channel Communications has announced that MARC SUMMERS has been named as the new Program Director at KZZP 104.7 FM. SUMMERS moves over from Clear Channel KZHT FM in Salt Lake City. HELEN JORDAN will be the new Promotions Director. JORDAN held the same position in Salt Lake City. DAVE COOPER handles programming duties at KMXP "Mix 96.9." COOPER has been with the stations since 1987. KZZP and KMXP Operations Manager DAN PERSIGEHL has left the company. PERSIGEHL joined KZZP in March of 1996. All changes are effective as of today. Clear Channel also owns KESZ FM and KNIX FM.

Chancellor execs were in town last week. Speculation has been Phoenix will soon see JAMMIN' OLDIES as the next big format to hit town. All sources say KZON is the most likely station to take the hit. The change was rumored to take place Monday, June 21.

KXEG 1010 has applied for power change to 15,000 watts daytime. KXEG is licensed to Tolleson and broadcasts religious programming.

Former AZ Attorney General GRANT WOODS will have a talk show which will be scheduled between the BARRY YOUNG and BOB MOHAN shows on KFYI soon.

KISO PD RICK STEPHENSON has accepted the Program Director's job at Gulfstar's KRMD AM/FM, Shreveport replacing John Swan who is leaving for Lexington, KY. He will start there June 21. "I was at KRMD from 1993-1997, and look forward to returning! I'll give you an update once I get there!" We wish him the best!

Sunday Showtunes is back on the air in Phoenix – the market where it all started in December 1997 – at 1190 Memory Lane. KMYL (1190 AM) re-launches the show on June 13 in the nation's 15th largest market, airing "Broadway's Biggest Hits" from 5 to 7 p.m. The nationally-syndicated Sunday Showtunes program airs in 15 markets coast-to-coast, including Boston (WPLM), Denver (KEZW) and Milwauke (WOKY), and is hosted by Bud Wilkinson. From December 1997 through January 1998, Sunday Showtunes aired on 55-KOY, ranking No. 1 in the 9 to 11 a.m. Sunday time slot throughout 1998 in its Adults 45+ target audience. It pulled an 11.7 percent share of the audience and reached 52,000 listeners, compared to the 8.6 share and 35,300 listeners recorded by runner-up KNIX-FM. The program entered syndication in October 1998 on a lineup of six stations. It can also be heard in Arizona on Tucson's KCEE from 8 to 10 a.m. and on Sedona's KAZM from 9 to 11 p.m. "I'm pleased that Sunday Showtunes fans in the Phoenix area will be able to hear the show again," says Wilkinson. "Fortunately, we maintained an extensive data base of listeners and winners when the show was on 55-KOY, and we're sending out hundreds of e-mails and letters to alert them of our new home." For more information, contact Bud Wilkinson: (602) 493-1886 or budw@sundayshowtunes.com

The FUN OLDIES are a thing of the past at KOOL 94.5. Now it's, "GOOD TIMES, GREAT OLDIES." I guess GOOD TIMES can be FUN and some GREAT OLDIES might be FUN to listen to. Don't expect this to cause a change in the playlist.

As Radio Phoenix 1280 KHEP moves toward a more Conservative talk format, new call letters come into play. The station is now Radio Phoenix 1280 KTKP, TK as in "talk" and P for Phoenix, I guess.

JULY 1999

The AZ Republic mentioned Bruce Kelly as one being considered to replace Pat McMahon as mid-day talk host at 620 KTAR.

KMXP PD Dave Cooper will take over PD and morning host responsibilities at 100.7 KSLX, filling those positions left vacant since Rich Creeger was let go from the Classic Rock station. Cooper starts August 9th.

We've Got Mail!-- The Cave Creek guys, David K. Jones & Bob Boze Bell, are taking their show to Apache Junction on Friday August 6, 1999. They are hoping to meet with more of their East Valley listeners as the transmitter for 1310 KXAM is in the Mesa area.

Arrangements have been made with The Grand Hotel, at 201 West Apache Trail, to have their show there for that Friday morning. Breakfast will be available, just like at their present location, Tara's Mine Shaft in Cave Creek. They have invited the Apache Junction Mayor and other locals in that area to join in the fun. There is a special 99 cent breakfast offer that morning only. Jones & Boze can be heard from 5:30 to 9:00 AM Monday thru Friday on 1310 KXAM. Welcome to the Jones and Boze Home Page!

Best regards,

Stanley A. Vorce

PS - I drove out to Cave Creek early on Wednesday morning to enjoy their show. Jones & Boze are even more fun in person. (plus the Cave Creek area locals are great to visit with...)

The month of August brings a new beginning for KTAR's Pat McMahon. The Valley talk show host will take on new responsibilities at Newsradio 620. McMahon will become the new voice for KTAR editorial opinions, which will be broadcast on a regular basis.

The rumor making the rounds lately: CBS is interested in the Phoenix Sandusky & Hearst-Argyle properties. Or would Clear Channel grab a piece of that pie first?

Salem is running promos on KPXQ's pending move from 960 AM to 1360 AM. For the time being, 1360 AM is identifying as KCTK and simulcasting the programming of 960 AM.

Long-time Sportsradio KGME "First Teamer" Bruce Jacobs is taking his talk show to Chicago as a morning host for One-On-One Sports Radio Network.

Alan Cook, formerly of SUNNY 97 KPSN and KHTC, returns to AZ to replace legendary Rich Brother Robbin as PD of Oldies KWFM Tucson. Cook was most recently PD at KRNO Reno.

The FCC has approved the frequency swap of Big City's 100.3 FM and Educational Media Foundation's 105.5 FM.

1360 KFDJ is now simulcasting Salem Broadcasting's KPXQ 960. When the transition is complete, the programming and call letters KPXQ will move to 1360 while 960 becomes KCTK "Compelling Talk Radio".

From the Valley Media Message Board: A radiowatcher comments on KZZP and Valley radio in general:

......... with the transitory nature of this community. Does it really matter where jocks are from? Half the people in this town weren't here a decade ago. I find Phoenix a comfortable place to live. But this metro has no real personality. The people with money that matter to advertisers, all live in cookie-cutter houses deep in the heart of suburbia. What essence of their lives is an Arizona native or a long time valley resident going to tune into that an out-of-towner can't?

Is the fact that they can't remember what was on some street corner before the Albertson's and the Home Depot went up going to prevent them from having success. Face it folks we live in a plastic community with zero sense of history and no sense of place. Metro Phoenix continues to grow at a rate only matched by Las Vegas.

New residents arrive in droves. This isn't Boston or Chicago or Philly, where there is a vibe and a culture to disseminate and dissect. It's an endless sea of Suburban Sprawl.

I have immense respect for those that made their careers here and chose to stay, people like Dave Pratt and Pat McMahon. But I guarantee you that 28 year old female who just moved here from Omaha, and commutes every day from her Ahwatukee apartment to her job at some bland Tempe office park, couldn't give a s**t whether or not the new ZZP afternoon jock has ever lived in Phoenix before.

Radio is pretty homogenized from coast to coast with a few wonderful and special exceptions. You won't find those exceptions here in Phoenix. Radio here for the most part really blows. Summers and his act have as good a chance as any at being a winner. The old ZZP was pathetic and it nearly had a 6 share. There may have been a time when it was different, but in 1999 with the available CHR audience it's only about the music.

Rich Creeger was fired from his morning gig at Classic Rock 100.7 KSLX. No word on a replacement or whether this signals a change in direction for the Sandusky rocker.

"Ex-EDGE PD" SHELLIE HART returned to her old digs in Seattle and now says she "hated" Phoenix. Does she want some cheese with that whine?

New morning talk host at KTKP 1280 is Austin Hill. Hill formerly of KYMS, KKLA, KZLA Los Angeles.

KZZP 104.7's new afternoon drive jock will be WRVW Nashville's Imaging Dir. & afternooner KATO.

KZZP 104.7's new PD MARC SUMMERS let three and a half year afternoon veteran CAREY EDWARDS loose to pursue new challenges.

Valley broadcast veteran Larry Daniels exits KNIX. Replacing him as PD will be Alan Sledge from WUSN Chicago. Sledge was once PD at competitor KMLE 108 Phoenix.

Rick Shockley has been replaced as PD at KOOL FM. Shockley has been pushed out in favor of market veteran Shawn Holly. Holly is a former PD at KOOL. HOLLY was also PD at "Eagle 96.9", now KMXP.

Bud Wilkinson sent us the latest press release for his highly popular program:

The nationally syndicated radio program Sunday Showtunes has landed four new affiliates in the Top 20 markets: Boston, Atlanta, Phoenix and San Diego.

With the show's premiere July 11 on WGKA in Atlanta, Sunday Showtunes can now be heard in 13 markets from coast-to-coast offering two hours of "Broadway's Biggest Hits" each weekend.

WGKA joins KSPA in San Diego, which introduced the show to its listeners on July 4, as well as recent newcomers KMYL in Phoenix and WPLM in Boston – giving Sunday Showtunes four outlets in the Top 20 markets.

WGKA and KSPA air Sunday Showtunes between noon and 2 p.m. each Sunday.

"1190 WGKA is very proud of our role in promoting arts-oriented programming. One of the most popular parts of our musical mix is music from Broadway plays and showtunes," says WGKA general manager Mike Rose.

"When I heard about a national program dedicated to showtunes, I thought it would be a natural fit for The Voice of the Arts, 1190 WGKA."

The same is true in San Diego. Sunday Showtunes began as a local show in Phoenix in late December 1997 and debuted in syndication in October 1998 on a lineup of six stations.

"The success and growth of the show demonstrates the broad appeal of music from musicals," says host Bud Wilkinson, who notes that touring Broadway productions attracted some 26.5 million theatergoers during the 1998-99 season.

Besides receiving kudos from listeners, Sunday Showtunes has also demonstrated ratings success.

In its first full book on Milwaukee's WOKY, Sunday Showtunes pulled a 7.2 percent share of the 12+ audience – a whopping 227 percent gain from the 2.2 share the station earned between 5 and 7 p.m. when regular programming aired a year earlier. It ranked No. 3 in the time period. In Tucson, where Sunday Showtunes airs between 8 and 10 a.m. on KCEE, the show pulled a 4.6 percent share of the 12+ audience, good for a No. 5 finish. Among Women 45+, Sunday Showtunes ranked No. 1 with a 12.9 share.

Sunday Showtunes mixes songs with giveaways and occasional interviews. "We present a wide variety of music -- from old favorites such as Camelot, My Fair Lady and The Music Man to new shows and revivals such as Rent, Annie Get Your Gun and Chicago," Wilkinson says.

"We encourage listeners to send us requests – and reward them if their request gets played. We also invite them to visit our www.sundayshowtunes.com web site to get theater news and to find out more about the show."

Recently, Wilkinson has taken Sunday Showtunes on the road for live, local broadcasts on WNAM in Appleton/Oshkosh/Green Bay and WOKY in Wisconsin as well as on WBYM in Norfolk, VA.

While originally designed for adult standards stations, Sunday Showtunes has expanded into the news/talk, easy listening/AC and full service arenas. "No matter a station's format, Sunday Showtunes provides an attractive respite from regular programming – guaranteed to bring new listeners while satisfying current ones," Wilkinson says.

Sunday Showtunes is available on a barter basis by calling (602) 493-1886.

In FCC filings of late, Educational Media Foundation's CP for KBIE 89.1 FM in Fountain Hills is being transferred to a company called American Family Association.

Also, Salem Media of Arizona is transferring ownership of 1360 KFDJ, Glendale, to Common Ground Broadcasting. This may be a subsidiary of Salem Media.

The sale of KMYL-FM 105.3 Wickenburg, has been approved. Ownership now transfers to Big City Radio.

Radio's "revolving door" spins again as Sherry Knight leaves the morning show at POWER 92 KKFR, destination unknown at this time.

KKFR's Mark Medina also exits to return to KRQQ Tucson as Assistant Program Director and afternoon drive duties.

620 KTAR was the only local radio station covering the Clinton visit Wednesday (7/7). Reporters in the air were prohibited from flying close enough to give accurate reports on the motorcade.

TV's INSIDE EDITION ran a story Thursday about the dust storm that swept through the Valley on Tuesday (7/6). They reported that President Clinton was in town at the time having dinner at a Mexican restaurant. Clinton did not arrive until Wednesday, a day after the season's first monsoon storm.

96.1 KLPX FM is into it's 20th year of rock radio in Tucson! KLPX targets adults 25 to 54 years of age with a blend of classic rock, 80's rock, and current songs and bands that are adult-appeal artists.

A.H. Belo Corporation is buying independent KTVK-TV Channel 3 from MAC America Communications Inc. for $315 million in cash. The agreement includes rights to run KASW-TV, Channel 61, and 50 percent ownership of the Arizona NewsChannel cable operation.

Seven KZZP listeners were arrested because of a stupid stunt by the new evening dj, "Naughty Boy". They were competing to win backstage passes to a contest. A skinny-dipping contest turned ugly when police arrived. The event, at Tempe Town Lake, involved two underage teen girls and five adult males. "NaughtyBoy" is part of the NEW "ZZP, a station which seems to be evolving and has recently dropped veteran broadcaster BRUCE KELLY from mornings.

August 1999

Carey Edwards joins 101.5 KZON in afternoon drive. Slight format changes are to take place. Edwards will also be helping Paul Peterson as Assistant P.D. Previously, Carey Edwards was afternoon drive on KZZP from March '96 up until about a month ago.

With the FM about to change format under new ownership, it's a shame KMYL AM has had so many transmitter problems lately. The FM has returned to simulcasting the "Music of Your Life", but the AM was off the air most of this past weekend. AM 1190 is back on the air (Monday morning). Former KCCF personality Guy King hosts the local morning show on the MOYL station.

ESPN's Dan Patrick adds a new radio gig to his resume. Patrick will host a sports talkshow starting September 13th. It will be heard locally on 860 KMVP 10am - 1pm. The change in format at KZON, an uptempo, brighter sound should appeal to women, according to station personnel.

Tony Femino may replace Pat McMahon at 620 KTAR. A final decision has not been made. McMahon is vacating the morning talk show slot. McMahon will do editorial commentaries at the news/talk station.

1480 KPHX "La Mexicana Super X" drops it's regional Hispanic format, bringing a blend of rock, hip-hop and reggae to the market instead.

Bruce Kelly is staying in Washington DC at WJMO. He was reportedly in talks with KTAR to replace Pat McMahon, but has decided to stay in DC. WJMO plays "Jammin' Oldies." The PD position at Clear Channel's KMXP has been filled. Dave Cooper moved over to Sandusky's KSLX and Ron "Geronimo" Price takes over at MIX 96.9 September 7th. Price comes from KXMX, Anaheim. At AMFM's KKFR, the new GSM is Mark Waters. Waters held the GM position at New Planet's KPTY.

MAILBAG: [Todd Wallace writes] "Tom Dillon joined 910 KFYI as Sports Director. He'll be featured in sportscasts at :15 and :45 each hour of The New Sound Of Wake-Up Arizona. Tom continues as the voice of the Cardinals, the TV voice of ASU, and has been named Sportscaster Of The Year for the last 16 years!"

-- CORRECTION

KFYI will be carrying U of A sports, not ASU. KGME has the sole rights to ASU

KPPX PAX 51 begins it's new fall season. Among the new programs will be a "Star Search" type of program and a remake of the classic TV series "Flipper".

Jeannie Sedello (formerly with "Jones & Boze" at KSLX) can be heard weekends on 94.5 FM KOOL.

AOR KDKB PD Tim Maranville exits the station. Fired after disappointing ratings show the station at 17th in the market. Sandusky also fired Rich Creeger of sister station KSLX last month.

Gil Tyree is off the Cardinals broadcast team this year. The games are broadcast on Sandusky's 1060 KDUS and 100.7 KSLX. Tyree's bosses at 3TV (KTVK) have said this presents a conflict of interest, Tyree working for the Cards. Tyree has been replaced by Barry Buetel who works for Fox Sports Net Arizona on Diamondbacks and Coyotes broadcasts.

Bud Wilkinson's SUNDAY SHOWTUNES gained another affiliate. Wilkinson was the AZ Republic radio columnist a few years ago.

"Good news came in two forms this past week for Sunday Showtunes. First, Seattle's KIXI (AM 880) committed to carrying the show beginning Sept. 19. It'll air between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and be followed by "The Sounds of Sinatra." The addition of KIXI gives Sunday Showtunes five affiliates in the Top 20 markets. The other good news came in the form of great ratings from news/talk WAAM (AM 1600) in Ann Arbor, MI. Arbitron reports that Sunday Showtunes was No. 1 in its Sunday morning time slot with a 5.8 percent share of the total audience. The show received a larger 8.2 percent share of adult listeners 35-64-years-old, which also ranked the show No. 1."

We've Got Mail!

Jason ...Loved reading about KRIZ! God what a flow of memories...I was the PD and morning guy there for Doubleday in the start of the 70's. Andy Mcullough(sp) was the news director...Lee Marshall (of WWF announcing fame) was the other news anchor. I hired Gerry Peterson to do afternoons after John Harding left....Hell we even had a "Gorilla" for our station mascot at all the charity basketball games starring the KRIZ DIRTY DRIBBLERS.

I could take you back even further when Todd Wallace and I worked for KIMN in Denver Co....but the visual of Todd in his "daily blazer & turtleneck" makes me want to stop! Thanks for the memories and "the caring" that all this legacy stuff even happened. That alone makes it all worth it!

Danny Davis

PD/Morning Guy

KOY

The FCC announced new radio and TV ownership rules which allow six radio stations and two TV stations in one market with at least 20 media outlets, including newspapers and cable. Owners will still have the option of eight radio stations per market or seven stations and one TV station. In markets with less than 20 media outlets, the ownership restrictions are four radio stations and two TV stations. Radio groups that exceed these limits will be grandfathered for five years.

Still no word on what the new format might be once Big City Radio acquires 105.5 in a trade with Educational Media Foundation. Big City will swap 100.3 for the 105.5 frequency. The new format will simulcast on both 105.5 and 105.3 (KMYL), which it is buying from Interstate Broadcasting of Arizona. Target audience for the new format is women 25-54. Might that new format be an "Eighties Channel" with music from artists such as John Mellencamp, Bruce Springsteen, Janet Jackson, U2, Peter Gabriel, Madonna, Culture Club, INXS and Duran Duran? Big City Radio debuted this format this week in Chicago, replacing a Motown/Disco format.

With Shawn Holly returning as PD at KOOL FM, what changes can we expect? My money is on a new morning team, possibly the return of Danny Davis and Skippy.

We've Got Mail!

Dear Jason,

I was the Operations Manager at KCKY in Coolidge in the early 90's. I was told that either Waylen Jennings or Merle Haggard was a former jock at the station in the 50's. Also Steve Allen was one of the early broadcasters on the station.

Still enjoy checking out your site. You still are way on top of what's going on in Phoenix radio.

Dave

After being off the air with transmitter problems, 1190 KMYL is back on the air with "Music of Your Life" programming.

Speaking of KMYL, the legendary Charlie Tuna will join the other great voices behind the microphone at "Music of Your Life" in September.

Todd Wallace [KTAR/KKLT, KUPD, KRUX, KRIZ, L.A., Dallas, Denver...] has joined AMFM as Dir./AM Operations overseeing News Talk KFYI and Sports Talk KGME as well as acting as Programming Consultant for Oldies KOOL-FM. [All Access News]

On Tuesday, August 2, KMYL 105.3 began music programming seperate from 1190 AM. Announcements aired saying the FM was changing formats soon. "Music of Your Life" programming will continue on AM 1190 KMYL. KMYL FM is off the air at this writing (Wednesday).

106.9 KMJK has flipped to Satellite Music Network's "The Touch". That format was called "Heart and Soul", when heard on 1230 KISO. KMJK "Majik" is still running Tom Joyner in morning drive.

First Pat McMahon leaves his talk show and now the news director quits. What's up at KTAR? NewsRadio 620 news director Andy Friedman is leaving for WBBM Chicago.

910 KFYI shuffles the schedule August 23rd. Barry Young will host a two-hour show from 3-5pm, former Arizona attorney general Grant Woods debuts his new talk show 5-7pm. Bob Mohan moves to nights at that time hosting from 7-9pm.

September 30, 1999

Independent 1310 KXAM has a website now. K X A M 1 3 1 0 A M Thanks to Stanley Vorce for the "heads up" on this. Also, check this link for the Bill Straus page ... Strausplace Boze and company as well as Witkowski should also have their own www addresses, soon, according to Stanley's sources.

September 29, 1999

A. H. Belo has announced that it will purchase KASW [WB 61 ] in Phoenix, as soon as permitted under applicable FCC rules. As earlier announced, Belo also plans to purchase KTVK [3TV] Phoenix, which currently operates KASW under a local marketing agreement with Brooks Broadcasting Company, L.L.P..

The Phoenix & Tucson Phase II Summer Arbitrends:

[Persons 12+, Mon-Sun, 6a-midnite, quarter-hour shares for the metro survey areas]

KTAR-AM 5.7-6.1 (News-Talk)

KNIX-FM 6.4-5.9 (Country)

KOOL-FM 5.5-5.6 (60s Oldies)

KMLE-FM 5.9-5.5 (Country)

KYOT-FM 4.8-5.2 (Smooth Jazz)

KZZP-FM 4.7-4.9 (CHR)

KKFR-FM 5.0-4.8 (Rhythmic CHR)

KFYI-AM 4.8-4.6 (News-Talk)

KESZ-FM 4.7-4.2 (AC)

KUPD-FM 4.3-4.2 (Rock)

KZON-FM 4.0-4.1 (Modern AC)

KMXP-FM 3.4-3.7 (Rock Hot AC)

KKLT-FM 3.6-3.4 (Lite AC)

KDDJ-FM & KEDJ-FM 3.1-3.3 (Modern Rock)

KSLX-AM & FM 3.4-3.2 (Classic Rock)

KDKB-FM 2.2-2.6 (Rock)

KLNZ-FM 2.0-2.5 (Regional Mexican)

KOY-AM 2.3-2.3 (Nostalgia)

KPTY-FM 1.9-1.8 (Modern Rock)

KHOT-FM 1.5-1.4 (Regional Mexican)

KAHM-FM 0.6-0.7 (Beautiful)

KBZG-FM 0.6-0.7 (Rhythmic Oldies)

KGME-AM 0.7-0.7 (Sports)

KIDR-AM 0.7-0.7 (Spanish News-Talk)

KMYL-AM & FM 1.0-0.7 (Nostalgia)

KMVP-AM 0.5-0.5 (Sports)

KVVA-FM 0.5-0.5 (Spanish Contemporary)

KASA-AM 0.4-0.4 (Spanish)

KFNN-AM 0.5-0.4 (Financial News-Talk)

KSAZ-AM 0.3-0.4 (Nostalgia)

KESP-FM 0.0-0.3 (Classic Hits)

KMIK-AM 0.0-0.3 (Disney Kid's)

TUCSON

KIIM-FM 11.3-10.2 (Country)

KRQQ-FM 9.4-8.9 (CHR)

KMXZ-FM 7.3-8.7 (AC)

KLPX-FM 6.8-7.3 (Rock)

KNST-AM 5.4-5.3 (News-Talk)

KFMA-FM 4.9-5.0 (Modern Rock)

KZPT-FM 4.3-4.5 (Modern AC)

KWFM-FM 4.0-4.3 (Oldies)

KHYT-FM 4.8-4.0 (Classic Rock)

KOHT-FM 4.6-4.0 (Rhythmic CHR)

KGMG-FM 4.0-3.6 (Rhythmic Oldies)

KQTL-AM 2.3-2.6 (Mexican)

KOAZ-FM 2.7-2.4 (Smooth Jazz)

KCEE-AM 2.3-2.1 (Nostalgia)

KXEW-AM 1.6-2.1 (Tejano)

KSAZ-AM 1.2-1.6 (Nostalgia)

KTUC-AM 1.2-1.5 (Nostalgia)

KCUB-AM 1.3-1.4 (Country)

KTZR-FM 1.1-1.3 (Spanish AC)

KZLZ-FM 1.1-1.1 (Mexican)

KGVY-AM 1.2-1.0 (Nostalgia)

KFFN-AM 0.7-0.9 (Sports)

KGMS-FM 0.7-0.7 (Religious)

KJLL-AM 0.8-0.7 (News-Talk)

KYOT-FM 0.8-0.7 (Smooth Jazz)

KDDJ-FM & KEDJ FM 0.5-0.6 (Modern Rock)

KVOI-AM 0.4-0.6 (Religious)

KTKT-AM 0.5-0.5 (Sports)

KLNZ-FM 0.0-0.4 (Regional Mexican)

Copyright © 1999 Arbitron Ratings Company.

September 26, 1999

Jim Sharpe did an excellent job substituting for the Sunday afternoon host on 910 KFYI. He was sitting in for Fred Goldman.

MAILBAG:

As a longtime Philadelphia resident and loyal listener of WMMR. I'm pretty thrilled to have Joe Bonadonna programming KDKB. Do you have any idea if this will signal a change in direction at KDKB?? It seemed that WMMR's greatest success in the '90's has been it's attempt (while still CBS-owned) to go after a more older-skewed AOR audience (Bonnie Raitt, Billy Joel, Steve Winwood, Beatles, the Who, Van Morrison, etc.) as opposed to KDKB's (and KSLX for that matter) more harder-edged rock(Aerosmith, Van Halen, REO Speedwagon, Journey, Boston). Would Phoenix support this kind of station?? It seems KDKB, KSLX, and KUPD share too much of the same music. Anyway, Joe is indeed a rock radio legend in Philadelphia, and it should be great to have him here. (I wish KDKB would put him on-air though).

Jack Jones

Scottsdale

WMMR LISTEN LIVE!