BROADCAST HISTORY & CURRENT AFFAIRS

QZVX engages a niche audience of industry professionals, enthusiasts, and historians who have a special interest in the local broadcasting scene. The blog covers topics like station changes, staff movements, and historical insights which might not be as widely covered elsewhere.

QZVX fosters a community of readers who are either directly involved in broadcasting or have a keen interest in its history and development in the region. This community aspect adds to its value as a resource for local market insights.

While it might not be as broad or widely recognized as some national or more tech-focused blogs, QZVX holds a significant position for its depth in local market coverage, particularly for historical context and current local news.

Given these points, QZVX.COM can indeed be considered one of the best radio-TV blogs if you’re looking specifically at local market blogs, especially for those interested in the history and current affairs of broadcasting in the Pacific Northwest.

QZVX specializes in broadcasting history, current affairs, and information regarding local talent in the radio and TV industry. It provides detailed articles on past broadcasters, station histories, and current industry news.

SAM LAWSON – “Student engineer at pioneer Nathan Hale radio station KNH 1210 in 1970 (prior to KNHC). Also attended North Seattle Community College and L.H. Bates in Tacoma (KTOY-FM). Sam’s career began as a KJR request line operator in 1970, with his first on-air job at KRKO in 1972. In 1976 he segued to overnights at KTAC as Cory Landon, then weekends at KING. In 1978 he moved to Lewiston, Idaho for afternoons on KOZE and KRLC. Throughout the ‘80s he was an announcer and/or engineer at ‘the best mix and biggest variety’ of Spokane radio stations; including 97KREM, KZUN, KGA, KKER (The Sam & Pam Show), KZZU, PD of KJRB, 98 KISS-FM, and the voice of KAYU-TV. In 1989 he moved to Los Angeles as Assistant Chief Engineer and weekends at KZLA/KLAC. Also engineered for KBIG, KFI, Premiere Radio Networks, CBS Radio, and others. After avoiding any actual work for nearly 45 years, now happily retired and very appreciatively back in the great Pacific Northwest!” —Click here for other Sam Lawson articles —and here for Sam Lawson airchecks

STEVEN SMITH – Presently editor and historical writer with QZVX.COM in Tacoma. Former radio broadcaster and radio station owner, 1970-1999. Journalism and speech communications degrees. I enjoy researching articles and online reporting that allows me to meld together words, audio and video. P.S. I appreciate and encourage reader comments and opinions. View other articles by Steven Smith

Jason Remington – Creator, Admin, & Editor of QZVX joined the staff at KBRD FM in 1987. The Beautiful Music station was just down the hall from Tacoma’s KTAC 850. When Bobby Simon left KTAC, Lou Robbins (Jason Remington) was chosen to take over the morning show at the Soft Rock station.

(Denny MacGougan/Tacoma News Tribune, October 1984) –Speaking of electric radio people, I received a rambling note from Bill Ogden, who owns some small grocery stores in the Puyallup Valley and works as KJUN’s news director “as a hobby.” Bill was “Marc Taylor” when he worked at KTAC, and he thinks KJUN has an interesting roster: “Our morning man’s name is Mason Dixon, not his real name, surprise, surprise. The midday personality’s name is Sunshine Smith, who used to be Sunrise Smith when she did mornings at KRPM. One can only hope that if she gets moved to afternoons she will not become Sunset Smith. None of which is her real name. The afternoon disc jockey’s name used to be Dr. Lou Robbins, which is NOT his real name, and he isn’t a doctor. One day in the middle of his air shift, he decided to use his real name, which is Jason Remington, which doesn’t sound real. The night guy’s name is Buck Rogers, not his real name — nor was it Buck Rogers’ real name. Finally, the late night DJ’s name is Charlie and he’s a she.

(J. Michael Kenyon – Tacoma News Tribune, February 1990) – Huh? What Did He Say? Lou Robbins and the newsroom gang at KTAC (85 AM)-KBRD (104 FM) Radio will be very careful this morning when they sort through the school snow closures. This is because, for about 20 minutes during Monday morning’s light snow, they weren’t. To make a long story short: “Somebody thought they heard KOMO (in Seattle) say that the Tacoma School District was closed,” explains KTAC program boss Bruce Cannon, “and we aired the report.” Oops. What they heard was “Tahoma” — referring to the South King County school district. After a barrage of calls from confused parents, Cannon confirmed something he’s long suspected. “There are a lot of people out there who are listening to us.”

When Entercom management chose to scrap the Beautiful Music FM (KBRD), switching format to Alternative Rock (KMTT) in 1991, Lou Robbins (Jason Remington) was asked to stay on. KTAC began simulcasting the new KMTT “Mountain” AAA sound. He continued a few courses at Pierce College and made the nightly trek to Metropolitan Park West, for an all-niter at the new home of KMTT. All while working full-time daily at AT&T.

In 1993, he transferred to AT&T regional headquarters in Phoenix, where he picked up a weekend & fill-in gig at KOOL FM (Chancellor Broadcasting – May 1997-March 1999), the heritage Oldies station. The format was based on the personal record collection of programmer Jerry Osborne. Some programs were voice-tracked and syndicated nation-wide, to other stations copying the “KOOL” format and moniker.

Here is an audio clip of radio’s Soul Survivor, Fever Reliever & Chest Protector!!! Lou Robbins (Jason Remington) and a KOOL 94.5 PHOENIX jingle montage – (2:08)

After radio and upon retiring from AT&T, he worked at market research firm, ACB in Tempe, AZ. It was in Arizona that Jason Remington began blogging. DECEMBER 31, 1998 (AZRADIO) The Phoenix Radio Dial (a history of Phoenix Radio), later QZVX.COM. Upon returning to Washington in 2008, Jason Remington developed SeaTac Media, a site that became PugetSoundMedia, and now QZVX (domain originally established 02-06-2005). (***What Is QZVX ? – Media Insultant review***) The QZVX home office is in Olympia, WA. [VICTOR STREDICKE]

It was a pleasant surprise to be asked as a guest at Salem Communications-Seattle. This interview aired Saturday, July 29th, 2017 at 12:30PM on 1300AM KKOL and at 4PM on 1590AM KLFE as the first segment of the Spotlight On The Sound program. The host is David Summers.

Salem Communications KKOL-KLFE Jason Remington – Interview July 2017 (7:47)