December 18, 2003
Seattle P-I/Bill Virgin
A longtime announcer and advocate of live classical music performances has left KING-FM, and listeners of the station are lamenting the loss and wondering what might be next to go in the station’s shake-up. George Shangrow had been with the station for 16 years and was the host of the “Live by George” show, which showcased local musical groups. But he departed after new program director Bob Goldfarb informed him he had no confidence in Shangrow to “reliably exercise good taste and judgment” in programming his show, and that a personal contract would not be renewed at the end of the year (although his employment would still be covered by the AFTRA contract), according to e-mails. Goldfarb and Jennifer Ridewood, KING’s general manager, have said they planned to change the presentation of live music, ending in-studio performances and instead taping groups for repeat use at other times of the day. But the changes, and Shangrow’s departure, have listeners questioning whether KING is losing the elements that made the station unique, turning it into what one critic termed “classical Muzak.”
