6/16/88-Doin’ the shuffle at KRPM

VICTOR STREDICKE — June 16, 1988 — Another shuffle at KRPM-AM-FM is designed to smooth the previous shuffles. Program director Bill Stairs has been reassigned within the corporate chain, and Jay Albright is interim program director. He’ll assist in selecting a new program director. Albright had been consulting KRPM the last few months, but more significant, he previously was program director at the competing country-music stations KMPS-AM-FM. Albright said his role is to bring reassurance and stability to the staff. Regular listeners should hear little change, Albright said. “They might see KRPM disc jockeys out and about, participating in civic events and remote broadcasts.”
Accenting accessibility, Albright will put himself on the air Monday morning “to talk with people.” Listener comments and perceptions will be broadcast. Albright said the big multi-car giveaways will be scrapped in favor of smaller promotions. “We had been perceived as the contest station,” he said. “KRPM has a strong South End allegiance,” Albright said. That will continue, but clearly he is thinking ahead to a new Tiger Mountain tower location for the FM, 106.1 mHz., and a big boost in power from towers in Carnation, for the AM, 770 kHz.

Ready for Wimbledon

The KOMO “Breakfast Table” show goes international again with “tailgate” parties at the Wimbledon tennis tournament in London, beginning Monday on KOMO, 1000 kHz.
The broadcasts will coincide with the first week of the tournament and will include interviews with fans and players. Larry Nelson, morning host, and Bill Swartz, sports director, will anchor the programs, from 5:30 to 10 a.m. Seattle time, on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. “Larry and Bill will supply a sense of what the village of Wimbledon is like,” said Rich Robertson, KOMO general manager. Next Thursday and Friday the morning show will originate in Harrods, the world’s largest department store, which will have big-screen TVs on during the Wimbledon matches. Swartz is already in England, leading a tour group of 20. He is reporting to Northwest radio listeners from various points of interest on the tour.

Twisting the dial

— Kelly Marshall, from South Dakota, is the new weekend announcer at KLSY-AM-FM, 1540 and 92.5. She will be the host of the weekend editions of the request program “Lights Out.”

— A correction from last week’s column: Ken Moultry has the 7 p.m.-to-midnight slot at KRPM-AM-FM; Ed Dunaway continues in the 10 a.m.-to-3 p.m. slot.

— Weekly unlimited-hydroplane coverage, already announced for KWZY, 1230 kHz., is also available on KTAC, 850 kHz. in Tacoma.

— Shirley Thom, sales manager at KOMO Radio, is leaving after 17 years in radio sales.

— Bob Parker, previously a reporter at KING-AM, has moved to KOMO for part-time reporting. Parker was KING’s last news reporter.