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7.1.09
WE'RE TEN! On this date in 1999, Chuck69.com was born
The date was July 1st, 1999. Bill Clinton was our president, the economy was awesome and northern Michigan radio sucked with way too much country and classic rock on top of more classic rock. My only escape at the time was a weak excuse for modern rock station, which shoved old lesbians with acoustic guitars down their listeners throats.
Even worse, the area's CBS affiliate canned my only non-internet link to Howard Stern, his Saturday night TV show, for infomercials.
At the time, my only source for the web was (barf) WebTV. Thankfully, they launched a service where their subscribers could have their own personal website.
It was on that day that Bring Howard Stern to Northern Michigan Radio and TV was born. Shortly thereafter, we were given the chance to have our own URL, and Chuck69.com was chosen.
In the beginning, that very website didn't hold anything back. As a matter of fact, I'll admit that my sweet little 18-year-old heart was a little more combative at the time than I am now. Maybe because since I started the website, Howard's show is now available to all of northern Michigan via Howard TV on Charter Cable and of course, Sirius. I'll admit that thanks to downsizing, automation and other sorts of technologies that ALL radio - not just in northern Michigan - has gotten worse. But thanks to Sirius, I don't have as much of a license to bitch about terrestrial radio as I once have.
In ten years, we've seen a lot: The replacing of a half-way decent president with a chimp and the unseating that dipshit with a true leader raised by a single mother was one. We've also seen CDs get replaced wth iPods, the uprising of the MySpaces, Twitters and Facebooks of the world and a whole world changed forever thanks to 9/11. I've changed myself, going from a high school senior to another working shmoe in the real world. This site has had its good days with lots of hits and big stories - like the fiasco with KLQ in 2003 to its recent downfall - and its basement-deep downfalls and embarrassments (remember "The Dating Page"? I hope you don't).
However, there's one reason keeping this website alive, and it's you. Thank you. Today, despite the lack of word of mouth I put out regarding this site, we still get over a thousand hits a week. Plus, I do get feedback about my site's features, especially my "Save Our Strip Clubs" section. Sadly, there's no word on what the owners want to do now, but at least there's clubs elsewhere.
So, the next ten years are ahead of us. Let's keep rockin'!
-C.
6.24.09
DETROIT: DREW AND MIKE ARE BACK
*After almost a year apart, Greater Media Active Rocker WRIF 101.1 Detroit's Drew and Mike are reuniting. The company announced Tuesday that Drew Lane will be returning to the station July 13th to reunite with Mike Clark - who, flying solo has maintained the station's ratings in the morning.
Lane originally left The Riff due to creative control of the show, and because his girlfriend had been battling cancer.
In a statement, both Drew and Mike said that they're excited to be working with each other again; Drew: "After having worked with a great team like this, it would have been hard to do anything else." Mike: "After nearly 17 years together, the sequel should be a lot of fun and wildly enjoyable for both of us and the listeners."
6.1.09
GRAND RAPIDS: MORE ON THE DEATH OF KLQ
*Rumors are flying all over the internet regarding the true reason why long-time Citadel Active Rocker WKLQ 107.3 succumbed to Sports WBBL last Thursday. Rumor has it that recently, WBBL lost all of their ESPN show because ESPN signed a big deal with Clear Channel to air their programming on some of their FM signals, and Detroit and Grand Rapids might be two of the markets. Not wanting the original WBBL to end up being the also-ran in the market with its limited 1KW signal, Citadel immediately started to simulcast WBBL on the old 50KW WKLQ signal. Only time will tell if the statement is true. As for KLQ's former jocks, we know some of their fates: Warren Kluck (former morning co-host) is heading to WLAV, Darcy (middays/APD/MD) is doing imaging for CHR WJIM Lansing and afternooner Jay Deacon continues to do that role for fellow active rocker WKQZ/Z93 Saginaw. No word on nighttimer/Clambake host Steve "The Rat" Aldrich, who, alongside weekend/fill-in Brian Downs was one of the last remaining jocks from the station's 'glory days'.
5.29.09
IT'S OFFICIAL: KLQ IS DEAD! 107.3 is now simulcasting WBBL, station still exists on web only
The final coffin nail has been nailed shut.
It also makes for a late birthday gift (I turned 28 on Monday).
Thursday morning just before 6 a.m., Citadel Active Rocker WKLQ 107.3 played "Walk" by Pantera. Little to the three listeners they had left, it would be the final song played on KLQ as a terrestrial rock station.
(Personally, they should have played the more-suitable "Cemetery Gates".)
After several hours of stunting, at 2:30 in the afternoon, the WKLQ call letters were retired after 25 years of usage in west Michigan and 107.3 Greenville became WBBL-FM, simulcasting their AM Sports sister at 1340. WBBL will continue to air Jim Rome's daily talk show, along with the Huge jackass known as Bill Simonson.
As for KLQ, the station still lives, um, kinda. The station is now web-only at wklq.com.
Michael Grey, the co-host of KLQ's old morning show is so far the only survivor in the melee; he's now Bret Bakita's morning co-host. Jay Deacon's still got a job as the afternoon host at KLQ's Saginaw sister Z93 while it appears, AFAWK, that morning co-host Warren Kluck, middayer/MD Darcy, nighttimer/Clambake host Steve "The Rat" Aldrich and all other jocks have been handed their walking papers.
I, for one, have mixed emotions about the death of KLQ. It was seven years ago this week that I moved to Grand Rapids full-time after I started my first real job. It was scary, not knowing too many people and learning a whole new city to live in. Thankfully, there was KLQ, with Howard Stern, Mark "The Head" Feurie, Cristi Cantle, Bill Walters and Nick Dorsey to keep me company.
I think one of the best moments regarding KLQ was meeting their staff, especially Walters. He invited me over to one of their "Friday Night Live" events at Stooge's (now Rumors) and he let me squirt one of the girls during their wet t-shirt contests. It was one of the FNL events where he also announced that Hanlon fired Feurie, who was also the PD at the time.
Sadly, GM Matt Hanlon was the cancer that killed KLQ. He was a man who put profits in front of people and egomaniacal dipshits like Grey in front of actual talent. In six years, KLQ has suffered through four failed morning shows, countless clueless PDs and watching crosstown Modern Rocker WGRD laughing all the way to the bank and high atop the Arbitron ratings. Hell, not even a frequency flip from 94.5 to 107.3 (which was STUPID, since it cut off listeners in Kalamazoo, the Lakeshore and Battle Creek, plus the fact that they're in the boonies doesn't help) could keep up listenership.And oh, yes, let's not forget that little thing called SIRIUS, which now has Stern, plus several kick-ass rock stations that put KLQ to shame. Plus, I'd rather invest in Sirius stock (32 cents) over Citadel's pink sheet abortion (8 cents).
Will KLQ be missed? Let's put it to you this way: therock@ninetyfourdotfive - yes. Pure Rock 107-3 - a resounding hell no. Then again, all good radio stations must come to an end. The days of CKLW, WLS, Super CFL and more recently, pre-Rush WJR and (since I'm from northern Michigan) WKPK-106.7 The Peak are long gone and may never come back. Same with KLQ. Stern's on Sirius, Cristi Cantle's in Sacramento, Nick Dorsey's in Omaha and Bill Walters, Mark Feurie and Tom "The Wiz" Stavrou are no longer in radio. They're in a happier place now and darn proud of it.
But, one thing's fo' shizzle: Thank God KLQ's dead.
5.14.09
DETROIT: TWO STATIONS SOLD TO BIRACH
*Michigan Catholic Radio has just announced that they're selling WCAR-AM 1090 Livonia/Detroit and WOAP 1080 Waverly/Lansing to Detroit-based Birach Broadcasting for over a million bucks. Appearently, MCR's having some major money problems since 1080's been silent for a while now. The deal is yet to be approved by the FCC; but here's something to think about: Birach already owns two AM stations - WNZK and WPON - in the Detroit area, and it's the FCC limit. It's up to the FCC to decide this one...
GRAND RAPIDS: MICHELLE MCKORMICK TO OFFICIALLY REPLACE RICK BECKETT AT WOOD
*After spending some time on the beach, Michelle McKormick is coming back to Grand Rapids. The former WVTI/I96 (now WMAX/Radio X 9-6-1) morning host - who co-hosted a midday show on Detroit's WKRK/97.1 (now WXYT) - has been named Scott Winters' co-host on WOOD/1300. The newly-named show is "Mouth to Mouth", and it debuted on Monday. McKormick replaces Rick Beckett, who died suddenly of a heart attack last February.
5.6.09
KLQ BACK DOWN IN THE TWO-SHARE RANGE; WOOD-AM ON TOP Grand Rapids Winter 12+ radio ratings released Tuesday
Looks like the great Grey and Kluck are once again dragging down a once-great rock station.
The Winter Arbitron ratings were released on Tuesday, and poor 'ol WKLQ/107.3 got pushed back down in the ratings where they belong, down from a 3.5 to a 2.9, tired with Citadel sister CHR 105.3 Hot FM for 10th place. Of course, the 3.5 the station had last Fall was probably due in part to their new morning show, but as usualy, the hype has died off and fast.
However, KLQ and Citadel can have some solace knowing that they're not the lowest-rated rocker in town. That honor goes to Clear Channel's foray into the "everything alternative" arena, Radio X 9-6-1. That station now has its lowest share since flipping from Variety Hits "Max FM" last year: 1.1, good for 18th place. To add more insult to injury, Radio X is tied with Holland Full-Server WHTC 1450. Lord only knows how long Clear Channel will pull the plug, either to the format or the station itself.
This time around, the top dog in the market is none other than Nazi-leaning hate talker WOOD 1300 with an 8.9, a full 2.1 share higher than its 2nd place sister, Country B93.
WHOOPS! I almost forgot to mention that the station KLQ is bitch to, WGRD, skyrocketed to a 5.9, up from a 4.6, good for third. LAV and SNX round out the top five.
4.29.09
DETROIT: ANOTHER CLEAR CHANNEL ROLLBACK, 89X NEW PD
*Clear Channel has canned 590 more jobs nationwide - almost the same amount of affiliates Rush Limbaugh has - and Detroit has been hit hard. All of Country 106.7 The Fox's jocks have been let go, creating rumors that the station will flip formats again. Once again, Sports WDFN 1130 has been hit with a layoff with reporter Rob Otto being let go and the biggest layoff had to happen to AC WNIC where morning man Chris Edmonds was pink slipped. Meanwhile, over at CTV Alternative 89X, morning man Dave Hunter is now station PD.
4.23.09
DETROIT: WOMC HIBERNATES RICHARDS
*Some people in Detroit are wondering if CBS Oldies 104.3 WOMC is long for this world. The station has just bought out the contract of afternoon talent Ted "The Bear" Richards and fired him immediately. The station has moved into the digs of sister country station WYCD 99.5 and consolidating staff.
MARQUETTE: $100,000
*So, how many Fox affiliates can you buy at $100,000? Not many, but the Fox affiliate in Marquette, WMQF Fox 19 has been sold for a whopping $100,000 to the unknown company MMMC. $100,000 may make sense since the station has no studio (their hub's in Little Rock, AR) and their signal sucks. The station used to be part of Equity Media Holdings, which filed for chapter 7 earlier this year. The sale will be finalized by the bankruptcy courts and the FCC.
4.16.09
DETROIT: X'D
*Once again, the sharpened ax of radio has claimed two more victims. This time, it's CTV Alternative CIMX/89X Detroit/Windsor, who have let go middayer Holly Hutton and afternoon/PD Vince Cannova. Cannova has been with 89X since the days of Nirvana and Soundgarden and has been the PD for two years.
4.15.09
GRAND RAPIDS: THE AXE SWINGS AT REGENT
*On Tuesday, the rough economy once again screwed over local radio. Regent Communications announced that two jocks - WLHT/W-Lite 95.7 afternooner Denis Prior and WFGR/Oldies 98.7 morning co-host Bruce Parrott - were cut due to budget cuts. On LHT, John Tesh moves to middays while PD Jerry Tarrents voicetracks nights (he'll continue middays at sister GRD).
4.10.09
COLORADO SPRINGS: ARRIENS NOW FREEZING IN COLORADO
*Thank God I'm not in radio. After two years in Tucson, Former KLQ PS Darren Arriens is now running two more Citadel stations (into the ground): Classic Rock KKFM and CHR KKMG. He'll be out of that town in less than two years.
4.9.09
DETROIT: SUZY COLE MOVES UP
*Greater Media Active Rock WRIF 101.1 Detroit has moved up Suzy Cole to APD/MD. Station PD Mark Pennington told All Access "Suzy's experience, energy and passion for the music made her the most obvious choice for this position, especially given the integral role she has played in the development of RIFF 2. We're thrilled to be able to promote from within and have her take on a more substantial role at WRIF." Cole, 29, has been in radio since high school here in Grand Rapids, first at WKLQ and then WGRD. She left GRD in the mid-naughties to go to WRIF's HD sister, Riff 2, which is kinda like Sirius's Faction with an emphasis on local artists. She also handles weekends on The Riff. We here at Chuck69.com congratulate Suzy on her promotion; she's clearly one of the nicest in the business.
4.6.09
NORTHERN MICHIGAN: BUH-BYE TOM AND NIKKI, HELLO BIG D AND BUBBA
*Northern Star Broadcasting's WMKC/Big Country Hits 102.9 in northern Michigan has replaced the low-rated local morning show with the Clear Channel-syndicated Big D and Bubba out of Nashville. Former morning host (and the asshole who took all credibility away from me on the Buzzboard) Tom Devitt moves over to news while his wife/co-host Nikki moves to weekends. With the move, Northern Star will only have one local morning show in northern Michigan: The Rock 'n Roll Freak Show on Modern Rock 95.5 The Zone.
4.2.09
DETROIT: IT'S OFFICIAL
*After 39 years on the air, Arthur Penhallow is no longer an employee at WRIF. The station dumped all references to him on their website. Meltdown moves from nights to his old slot while Screamin' Scott moves from overnights to nights.
TRAVERSE CITY: FOX GETS 'GRUMPY'
*Northern Broadcast Classic Hits WFCX-94.3/92.5 The Fox has a new morning show. "The Grumpy Old Men" features Rich Nadeau, who moves from afternoons. Former morning man Larry Vaughn is out.
4.1.09
BREAKING NEWS: RUSH CANNED IN TRAVERSE CITY WTCM-AM 580 owner: "it was going to be either Rush or one of our local hosts"
After over 20 years on NewsTalk 580 WTCM in Traverse City, Rush Limbaugh's radio show has been canceled.
The right-winged dittohead's radio program's run on northern Michigan's oldest radio station will end this Friday. According to the station's owner Ross Biederman, his show was beginning to be too expensive to carry.
Biederman told a reporter for the Traverse City Record-Eagle newspaper "we enjoyed Rush's success on WTCM, but every year, it was getting more and more expensive to carry him, and it got to the point where we were barely breaking even. We had to choose between keeping Rush or letting one of our local hosts go. It was going to be either Rush or one of our local hosts."
The station - which is live and local from 7 a.m. until noon while it is mostly-syndicated talk the rest of the time - has three local hosts: Ron Jolly (7-10a), Norm Jones (10-11:45a) and the indefatigable Merlin Dumbrille and his Farm and Orchard Time (11:45a-noon), which has been on the station for almost 70 years. Dumbrille has been at WTCM since 1951 and was even a former weatherman at WPBN-TV 7 & 4, which the Biedermans founded.
"We understand that some of our listeners will complain and our ratings will take a hit, but in the long run, we'll see more profit," Biederman explained. "We hope our listeners will enjoy our new midday host."
And that host is Grand Rapids-born Thom Hartmann, who, to the dismay to many of the station's loyalists who enjoy the station's daily serving of Sean Hannity, Mark Levin and Dennis Miller, is a liberal.
Biederman explained, "we're looking into the present and future. During the 90's when Clinton was popular, Rush's career declined. Now, he's the image of the Republicans and the Republicans just aren't that popular right now. Hartmann, on the other hand, just recently signed a major broadcasting deal and we're excited to be a charter affiliate for his show." He continued, "with Traverse City becoming more and more liberal, it's the right time to make a change."
Right now, the closest affiliate to Traverse City carrying Rush is Cadillac's WATT-1240 (another former Biederman station), whose 1kW signal barely reaches Traverse City. However, rumor has it that WATT's parent, MacDonald-Garber, may be in negotations to carry Rush on their sister station, WMKT-1270 out of Charlevoix, whose 50kW signal booms into TC. However, there's no official word from their camp.
Please check your calendar.
3.29.09
IS ARTHUR P. DONE? Facebook page: "I shall return"
Has Arthur Penhallow decided to call it a career?
The iconic Detroit radio jock - who has carried the 3p-7p slot at Greater Media AOR 101 WRIF since 1970 - told his listeners via his Facebook page that his career at The Riff may be over.
"It appears that my days in Detroit radio are over for now. Thanks for your support over the last 39 years....I shall return," said the message scribed by the 66-year-old Penhallow, who had been without a contract with the rock station he helped build since February. It's unclear if the news is indeed official, especially since his profile's still on the WRIF website.
Penhallow's run on The Riff was nothing short of remarkable. After a stint in Ann Arbor, he went to what was then WXYZ-FM in Detroit, which aired an "underground rock" format known as Love FM. Penhallow was the only live jock WXYZ had since the rest of the format was fed from ABC. A year later, ABC canned the ill-fated format and went with a more-straightforward rock format with local jocks. The newly-rebranded WRIF was born, and Arthur P.'s "BABY!" became one of Detroit radio's most-famous rally calls.
However, in recent years, The Riff had become victim of multiple changes caused by contractual spats and moving and shaking in the station's lineup. Morning co-host Drew Lane left the station last year due to a similar reason and midday jock Doug Podell was bumped up to management, allowing longtime weekender Ann Carlini to take his shift.
More to come...
3.9.09
CHUCK69.COM: FYI For those who need to know
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3.2.09
TWO WELL-KNOWN RADIO VOICES FALL SILENT Grand Rapids' Rick Beckett and Paul Harvey die two days apart
Two birds with one stone.
First off, long-time Grand Rapids radio personality Rick Beckett died Thursday night from a heart attack. He was 54. This would have been Beckett's 40th year in radio, starting as a high schooler. In the 1980's, he teamed with longtime partner Scott Winters and Darla Jaye to host the Q Morning Zoo on then-Top 40 outlet WKLQ, formerly at 94.5. In the mid-90's, the trio were hired away by cross-town WGRD - which had flipped to Alternative - and KLQ piped in Howard Stern from New York. GRD and KLQ duked it out in the ratings with their morning talents throughout the late 90's and into the Milennium.
However, Rick's trouble with drugs and alcohol caught up with him, and WGRD fired him along with Winters. But, he cleaned up and five years ago, WOOD-AM 1300 hired in him and Winters to host mid-mornings. Listeners re-welcomed the duo, and throughout most of the time, WOOD-AM was at or near the top of the ratings.
Just when people thought that Beckett's health was the best it had been in years, he had a relapse. On Thursday night, Beckett suddenly suffered a heart attack and died. WOOD-AM will have a tribute to its fallen star today from 9a-12 noon with Winters hosting.
Beckett's passing comes two days before the passing of a man who might have been radio's best friend ever. Paul Harvey, whose daily commentaries and The Rest of the Story graced 1,200 radio stations and 25 million weekly listeners died Saturday night at the age of 90. Harvey's death was shocking, yet many knew it would happen one day or another. His wife, Lynne, aka "Angel" died nine months ago at92 from Leukemia.
Harvey's career was almost as old as terrestrial radio itself. Born two years before the first-ever commercial radio license was issued, Paul Harvey Aurandt used the medium as his escape. His father, a policeman died when little Paul was a toddler when he was shot by robbers. In 1933, while still in high school, Harvey started working at Tulsa's KVOO radio. He would work at a few more stations - including WKZO in Kalamazoo during World War II - before working at ABC Radio, where he launched his daily news show in 1951. In 1976, he launched The Rest of the Story, where he told short, little-known stories of famous people and things.
The passing of Mr. Harvey has has an impact on millions of people, including myself. Growing up in northern Michigan in the late 1990's, I didn't have Howard Stern or kick-ass rock stations. However, my father turned me on to Paul. I used to listen to his broadcasts while driving to school and back. It was 15 minutes where I didn't have to reach for the seek button. Even though I didn't agree with all of his opinions, he was just like another grandfather to me. Although I haven't listened to him almost at all since I moved to Grand Rapids several years ago, his impact left his mark on me.
As for Rick Beckett, true, I might have used the imfamous Chuckism "Stern clone" a time or two on him, and I've never listened to any of his broadcasts, I do feel bad for him and his friends and family. He was a man with a lot of demons and tried to overcome them. Although Rick Beckett never achieved the success Paul Harvey had, he left his mark in Grand Rapids Americana.
Maybe up in Heaven right now, Rick and Paul are comparing notes.
2.26.09
CHUCK69.COM'S "WHERE ARE THEY NOW?": DARREN ARRIENS Ex-KLQ-er gets canned in Tucson
He was one of Matt Hanlon's first hires after he destroyed WKLQ here in Grand Rapids. Now, finally, in another market, he's been canned.
Darren Arriens was the douchebag responsible for turning what used to be The Rock at 94dot5 into the heap of shit that it is today. Under his PD-ship at the now-struggling active rocker, Arriens cut back on new rock and 90's tracks and upped the station's spins of Aerosmith, Tesla, Van Hagar, Poison and other hair bands.
After several bad books, Arriens knew that the writing was on the wall, so he skidattled to Tucson where he transformed KLQ sister station KHYT from a kickass classic rocker "Rock 107.5" to a bland classic hits station "K-HIT" (God, what a dumb name for a station). The result was golden: KHYT's now one of the lowest-rated FMs in the market, with a 2.2.
Now, thanks to budget cuts, Darren Arriens got the old heave-ho. He was canned from K-Hit earlier this week.
Congratulations, Darren! Don't let the door smack your mullet.
2.3.09
WTCM KICKS ASS AGAIN All rock stations and The Breeze rise, The Fox and You-FM worthless
Ya gotta love Ross Biederman.
Once again, his WTCM-FM ruled the Arbitron 12+ ratings roost with a 12.5. The Country station had a 12.5, more than twice that of competitors WLDR (Sunny Country 101.9) and WMKC (Big Country 102.9).
This was also a great book for all three Rock stations in the market, especially for geezer rocker WKLT 97.5/98.9, which went back into 2nd place with a 9.8, up from 5th. Another Classic Rocker, The Bear, also gained a notch to number six with a 4.1. Modern Rock 95.5 The Zone re-entered the top ten at #7 with a 3.5, not bad for a station that doesn't cover all of the Traverse City area.
The other big winner this time around was Biederman's Hot AC WJZQ (92.9 The Breeze), which gained a notch to number 12 with a 2.1, up from a 1.5. The station can do better if they got rid of all the oldness associated with their Smooth Jazz/Soft AC days.
And get this: even Detroit's WJR showed up with a .3, tied for 20th place with Frankfort AC WBNZ 99.3 and Houghton Lake Classic Hits WUPS 98.5.
The big losers in the rankings this time were WKLT's sister stations, WFDX (92.5/94.3 The Fox) and WSRT (the re-branded You-FM 106.7). The Fox crashed to 11th place with a 2.7 while You-FM fell to 13th place with a paltry 1.7. Sadly, The Fox was at 5th place some years back while 106.7 had awesome ratings in the 90's when they were flame-throwing CHR WKPK 106.7 The Peak.
Of course, you can see the ratings here, but here's my thoughts: *Like I said earlier, 92.9 The Breeze could do better in the ratings if the imaging wasn't so old and stale. They should be KHQ-lite, not what The Breeze used to be. *Oldies 107.5 WCCW (which fell to 5th place with a 7.3) needs to can the overnight Oldies Classic Hits Radio satellite feed and maybe go either with ABC's TrueOldies format or even with Tom Kent's TKO Network. *Naturally, I need to bitch about WSRT. It's pathetic that the fuckers at Northern Broadcast killed off one of the greatest radio stations in the history of northern Michigan to create this unlistenable dreck. Lite 96.3 and WSRT's ratings combined are only a 5.2. Even worse, The Fox's ratings have been torrid since Mark Elliot left. If I were Northern, I'd fire PD Dennis Winslow - who programs the two stations - and start from a fresh slate. I'd love to say that they should try Active Rock, but it would hurt KLT. Then again, there would be little overlap playlist-wise. How about CHR on 94.3/92.5 and Active Rock on 106.7/105.5? Wouldn't hurt to try.
The next book should be out in August.
1.29.09
THE UPRISING OF KLQ? Active Rock station back in the top 10 Arbitrons for the first time in a while
Thank God Opie and Anthony are gone.
Then again, instead of letting KLQ die a sad, painful death, Citadel has allowed KLQ to live, unfortunately.
The Fall '08 Arbitron ratings came out this past Monday, and KLQ moved up .4 of a ratings point to a 3.5, good for 8th place. However, they are still WGRD (97.9)'s bitch; that station fell to a 4.6, but they're still in 4th place. Mind you, KLQ was a top 5 station when they had Stern in the morning. If they get any higher than 8th place, especially with a lame morning show like Gay and Buttfu - er, Grey and Kluck in the morning, I'll be surprised.
Elsewhere...
*Thanks to their election coverage, WOOD-AM 1300 remained at #1 with a strong 9.0. *B93 and LAV rounded out the top three. *GR's other new rock station, Radio X 9-6-1 is a joke with a 1.5. *WFUR remains craptastic with a paltry .8. Now that the old man's dead, will the younger Kuipers sell?
1.2.09
THE FINAL WORD ON 2008
Personally, I'm somewhat superstitious. Now, I'm not knocking my favorite watering hole, Juke's, but for the past few years, I went there on New Years, had a good time and end up having a bad year. This time around, I went to the Clutch concert at The Orbit Room. I had a good time, except that guess who was there... The idiots at KLQ. I showed my love by yelling "STERN CLONES!", "BABA BOOEY!", "SIRIUS!" and other anti-KLQ phrases.
At least I could tell that Darcy wasn't wearing a bra. ;)
You know, 2008 sucked for the most part. The economy sucked, everybody's jobs sucked, the gas prices sucked... I could go on. But, guess what? We should be thankful.
If you have a job, you should be thankful. My job sucks, but I'm thankful that I'm not making $8 an hour at Walmart with no bennies. If you don't have a job, I do hope your unemployment doesn't run out before you get a job.
A few days ago, I was on a message board talking about my Bee-otch of the Year. One of the posters said that I should have a Bee-otch of the Decade this year. Oddly enough, he didn't choose Bush as the Bee-otch.
It's us.
In his words, WE should get the Bee-otch of the Decade. We voted for Bush both times, we bought homes we couldn't afford, we overused our credit cards and that we need to look in the mirror. I tend to agree, although Bush was chosen as the president for his first term because of the shit in Florida. Plus, the reason why our credit is shot is because we work for companies that don't believe in raises or supporting their workers. The take-it-or-leave-it attitude of corporate America has caused us to enter a state of near depression. I think both us and Bush should share the honors of Bee-otch of the Decade.
As we all know, the end is the beginning. When Bush leaves the White House later this month, it'll be a new beginning for the country. Right now, I see a lot of hope for him since he relates a lot better to the average American instead of Bush. I predict that 2009 will be tough in the beginning but will end up getting better in the end.
As for this website, 2009 will be our 10th Anniversary. I can't believe that it's been this long since we begin, but once again, we're getting started.
In closing, to the 60,000 people who came here this past year, thank you. I never fail to piss people off. :)
Here's my personal theme for this year:
THE GOOD, BAD AND UGLY: 2008
The Good: *Charleton "Fuck Columbine" Heston dying, *Jesse Helms dying, *Barack Obama being voted in as the nation's 44th president, *Bill O'Reilly's "WE'LL DO IT LIVE!" *The Sirius/XM merger completed *"The Dark Knight" *Howard Stern marrying *Grand Rapids getting a Chipolte *the owners of WION-1430 Ionia *The Detroit Red Wings
The Bad: *Eliot Spitzer *Kwame Kilpatrick *Rod Blagojevich *"An American Carol" *Studio 28 closing *Joe the Plumber *O.J. Simpson *Grey and Kluck *KLQ *Losing Edmund Hillary, Suzanne Pleshette, John Stewart, Mariarishi Mahesh Yogi, Roy Schieder, Mike Smith, Buddy Miles, Jeff Healey, Hurricane Smith, Arthur C. Clarke, Ollie Johnson, Kenneth Keith Kallenbach, Al Wilson, Lynne Harvey, Dick Martin, Harvey Korman, Jack Hanrahan, Bo Diddley, Will Elder, Tim Russert, George Carlin, Heath Ledger, Estelle Getty, Isaac Hayes, Bernie Mac, Don La Fontaine, Wilbur Hardee, Killer Kowalski, Jerry Reed, Bill Melendez, Richard Wright, Paul Newman, Jack Narz, Edie Adams, Levi Stubbs, Gerald Damano, Studs Terkel, Michael Crichton, Mitch Mitchell, Les Crane, Dave Walker, Bill Drake, Dennis Yost, Bettie Page, Mark Felt and Eartha Kitt
The Ugly: *Gas prices *4,000 dead in Iraq *Ted Kennedy with cancer *Sarah Palin *The economy *The Detroit Lions *Bush *McCain *The Rapewhore and Barney Fife *The past eight years
12.30.08
2008: THE BEST AND WORST IN MUSIC
For the past several years, Chuck69.com has been the experts when it comes to music. We blow past the shit that loves to smack you in the ears and look at the great stuff you may or may not have heard of. Then again, we also look at the bad stuff as well.
Enough with the jibba jabba, time for my reviews of the good and bad in music, 2008.
THE GOOD:
Apocolyptica "I Don't Care"
This has to be one of the most-impressive metal bands out there. Nobody in this Finnish group plays a guitar or bass; instead, it's three celloists and a drummer. Their previous single, "I'm Not Jesus" with Corey Taylor of Slipknot and Stone Sour fame, is quite awesome, too.
Bauhaus - "Too Much 21st Century"
If you enjoy Dark Wave on Sirius/XM's 1st Wave channel, this was one of the only places where you can hear Bauhaus's new stuff. True, it's not as innovative as "Bela Lugosi's Dead", IMO, but hey, the godfathers of goth rock came back in 2008 with Go Away White, their first album in 25 years. Sadly, they claim that it's their final album. Too bad it didn't get the promotion it deserved, but I guess they wanted it that way...
Beck - "Gamma Ray"
I'll admit, I'm a Beck freak. As a matter of fact, his latest album, Modern Guilt was the first album I purchased in years, only because it's on vinyl. "Gamma Ray" is upbeat and reminds you somewhat of the 60's. It makes you want to crank up your stereo.
Ya know, I was kinda skeptical when this tune came out since they're pretty much a hybrid of ICP and Slipknot, but this song has grown on me. As the world of Active Rock keeps getting more bland and melodic, Hollywood Undead is a wake-up call.
The Lonely Island - "Jizz in My Pants"
When I saw this video on Saturday Night Live, I thought to myself, "you can say 'jizz' on TV?" It's true, this hilarious song aired at 12:40 in the morning on NBC. Fortunately, it never got the attention Janet Jackson and her tit received. Nonetheless, I think that Andy Samberg will end up as the next big thing from SNL.
M.I.A. - "Paper Planes"
Ya know, I love any song with crossover appeal. The hip-hop crowd digs it and so does the rock crowd as well, especially since it was the unofficial theme of "Pineapple Express". Even if this song becomes her only hit (and she's already crying retirement), M.I.A. will go down in history as somebody who could sample The Clash's "Straight to Hell", give it a funky beat, add some gunshot sound effects and create a hit.
When I was young, I didn't think highly of lesbians, especially during the Lillith Fair era. But, ever since that musical period died, lesbos are doing what God intended them to do: kiss and do shit in front of us horny guys. Leave it to Katy Perry to do a song about falling in love for the first time... With another woman. Oh, here's a little-known fact about the song: it was co-written by Cathy Dennis, who had numerous pop hits in the early 90's such as "Too Many Walls", "Just Another Dream" and "C'mon and Get My Love".
Pete Seeger - "Take It From Dr. King"
When I saw Pete Seeger perform this song on Late Show With David Letterman several months ago, it made me appreciate this 89-year-old folk legend even more. Long blacklisted because of his beliefs, he sings this song about how we all can live better lives just by sticking together.
Sarah Silverman - "I'm Fucking Matt Damon"
Any fan of Jimmy Kimmel Live knows that he loves to insult Damon nightly by claiming that he ran out of time to interview him, so now-former galpal Sarah Silverman decided to insult her then-boyfriend by writing a song designed to give him sweet, sweet revenge. Of course, Kimmel himself insulted Silverman by doing "I'm Fucking Ben Affleck".
Weezer - "Pork and Beans"
If you spend your life on Ebaumsworld or YouTube, you're familiar with this video. The video touches on everything from the Japanese chipmunk to one of the best songs of 2007, Tay Zonday's classic "Chocolate Rain".
THE BAD:
Chris Brown - "Forever"
Wow. A four-and-a-half minute Doublemint jingle. It's songs like this that make Top 40 radio absolutely shitty.
Coconut Records - "Nighttiming"
I would have loved this tune if the idiot who did this song (d/b/a Jason Schwartzman) wasn't eating Natilie Portman's snatch while her ass was in front of the camera in "The Dajeerling Limited" or whatever the fuck it's called. As a vagina man, I am appalled. May Coconut Records have a shorter shelf life than the record store chain it was named after.
Coldplay - "Viva La Vida"
Many years ago, Coldplay was a band full of ideas and great music. Then, they came out with this dreck that was ripped off from other artists. All to sell a few iPods...
Scarlet Johansson - "Anywhere I Lay My Head"
What is it with chicks and Tom Waits? The dude never had a hit single and yet, chicks dig him, especially Scarlet. Sadly, she released an album of his covers that's deemed to hit the bargain bin at your local record store and fast.
Anything by Miley Cyrus or the Jonas Brothers
Ya know, these schmucks are just tools for Disney to make money. By the time they're 20, they're going to probably be broke and Miley will be forced into maybe doing Playboy. Just my two cents.
Kid Rock - "All Summer Long"
I loved this song... The first 246,845,246 times I've heard it. Yeah, Kid Rock found his first love in northern Michigan. Well, I lived in northern Michigan, and the only women that seemed to care about me were all ugly fat abortions. Then again, when your dad's a rich car dealer, you get all the pussy you can fuck.
Saving Abel - "18 Days"
Another bland chick rock band for sluts high on meth. Yawn.
Secondhand Serenade - "Fall For You"
Anybody got a knife? I want to slash my wrists.
Ashlee Simpson - "Outta My Head"
When she was pregnant, it was my big wish to have her fall down a flight of stairs. I still want her to fall down the stairs because it would be cool.
Britney Spears - "Womanizer"
Oooooh! She's nekkid in this video! Sadly, she's the mother of two kids (probably has a shitload of stetchmarks) and we've seen her twat. Plus, she has cellulite. Barf. I hope she'll be dead in a year. She's more useless than an 8-track.
----
So, there you have it. Some songs are good, but A LOT suck ass. Expect more in 2009.
12.23.08
NFL 2008 SEASON FINAL Last year's season total: 164-92.
WEEK 17 RESULTS:
STL@ATL - ATL - W NE@BUF - NE - W KC@CIN - CIN< - W DET@GB - GB - W TEN@IND - IND - W NYG@MIN - NYG - L CAR@NO - CAR - W MIA@NYJ - NYJ - L DAL@PHI - PHI - W CLE@PIT - PIT - W OAK@TB - TB - L JAX@BAL - BAL - W CHI@HOU - HOU - W WAS@SF - WAS - L SEA@ARZ - ARZ - W DEN@SD - DEN - L
WEEK TOTAL: 11-5 SEASON FINAL TOTAL: 163-94-1
12.23.08
GRAND RAPIDS: DAVE RAMSEY GETS WOOD, SAVAGE DEMOTED
*With financial termoil hitting Grand Rapids like a sack of bricks, Clear Channel News/Talker WOOD-1300 has decided to open the 6p-9p slot to Christian financial gabber Dave Ramsey. Ramsey moves from sister WTKG 1230, who is still carrying his show in the interim in his live timeslot 2p-5p. As a result, Michael Savage has been demoted from his live 6p-9p slot to tape-delayed 9p-11p, with the final hour of the show dropped. Neal Boortz has been dropped and Jerry Doyle stays 11p-1a.
12.23.08
NORTHERN MICHIGAN: MYNETWORKTV COMES TO TOWN
*Traverse City is no longer the largest city in America without a MyNetworkTV affiliate. Low-powered WLLZ-LP 12 started airing the new home of WWE Smack Down recently. The station, owned by former DJ Bob Naismith is also an affiliate of the America One Network, which the station airs in most other dayparts. The station even has local programming, sharing the morning show of MacDonald-Garber Talk station WMKT 1270.
NFL 2008 SEASON WEEK SIXTEEN TOTAL/WEEK SEVENTEEN PICKS Last year's season total: 164-92.
WEEK 16 RESULTS:
IND@JAX - IND - W BAL@DAL - DAL - L CIN@CLE - CLE - L NO@DET - NO - W PIT@TEN - TEN - W MIA@KC - MIA - W SF@STL - SF - W ARZ@NE - NE - W SO@TB - TB - L NYJ@SEA - NYJ - L HOU@OAK - HOU - L BUF@DEN - DEN - L PHI@WAS - PHI - L ATL@MIN - MIN - L CAR@NYG - NYG - W GB@CHI - CHI - W
WEEK TOTAL: 8-8 SEASON TOTAL: 152-89-1
WEEK 17 PICKS:
STL@ATL - ATL NE@BUF - NE KC@CIN - CIN DET@GB - GB TEN@IND - IND NYG@MIN - NYG CAR@NO - CAR MIA@NYJ - NYJ DAL@PHI - PHI CLE@PIT - PIT OAK@TB - TB JAX@BAL - BAL CHI@HOU - HOU WAS@SF - WAS SEA@ARZ - ARZ DEN@SD - DEN
12.10.08
GRAND RAPIDS: ALOHA, ALOHA STATION TRUST
*Looks like Clear Channel has changed its mind. The company has reaquired the stations it dumped into a trust as a requirment since the company went private this year. One of the stations is faltering Alternative WMAX/Radio X 9-6-1. The company lifted WMAX from the Aloha Station Trust after they reassigned WSNX 104.5 from Grand Rapids to its city of license, Muskegon. No word on if Clear Channel will maintain the station's format, which is one of Grand Rapids' lowest-rated stations.
12.8.08
KEVIN MATTHEWS IS BATTLING MS WLAV morning man will work for as long as he can
Yesterday, the radio world was in a state of shock when it was announced that legendary Chicago radio personality and current 97 LAV morning man Kevin Matthews is battling Multiple Sclerosis.
Matthews came back on the air Monday after taking two weeks off to undergo tests in Chicago for muscle aches. According to Matthews, it was either a brain tumor or MS, and it was MS.
Matthews addressed the media at 10 a.m. Monday regarding his condition and plans to work for as long as he can. MS is a disorder that attacks the body's central nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord. About 300,000 people in the U.S. have MS; some treat their disease through a strict diet and exercise, but for some, it's totally disabiling. Well-known sufferers of MS, past and present include blaxploitation actress Tamara Dobson, Lola Falana, Annette Funicello, Teri Garr and comic Richard Pryor.
Now, in the past, I've made fun of Matthews for being a has-been and an ass-kisser to Satan (aka Matt Hanlon), but MS is no laughing matter. It is a serious disease that currently has no cure. Right now, Kevin's in an OK state, but down the road, he could be a vegetable. I had a great aunt that battled MS herself and could no longer walk or talk in her latter years. In a sense, I think most of us have been touched with MS in one way, shape or form.
We here at Chuck69.com send our thoughts and prayers to Mr. Matthews and his family in hope that he'll live long enough that MS can be cured. I feel that voting Barack Obama into the White House is a step in the right direction. I think legalizing all stem cell research will unlock more doors in hope that many of our most-nightmarish diseases and ills will be cured forever.
WFUR OWNER DEAD AT 82 Bill Kuiper and family have owned WFUR since 1950
A pioneer in Christian broadcasting has passed on.
William Kuiper, the longtime owner of Grand Rapids Christian stations WFUR-FM 102.9 and AM 1570 died last week at the age of 82. Alongside his father, Kuiper helped transform WFUR from a faltering secular station into a Christian powerhouse.
However, in recent years, WFUR has been the laughing stock of Grand Rapids radio. The station's music library consists of chior music that sounds like it was recorded 40 years ago. It's even well-rumored that WFUR is currently the #1 station in Grand Rapids amongst senior citizens. It's well-rumored that Kuiper wanted $20 million for the station, and that he wouldn't sell to just anybody since he felt that he was doing 'the Lord's work'. Now with the elder Kuiper gone, will the kids sell and put Whiffer out of its misery?
With the way radio and the economy is, only time will tell...
NFL 2008 SEASON WEEK FOURTEEN TOTAL/WEEK FIFTEEN PICKS Last year's season total: 164-92.
WEEK 14 RESULTS:
OAK@SD - SD - W JAX@CHI - CHI - W MIN@DET - MIN - W HOU@GB - GB - L CLE@TEN - TEN - W ATL@NO - NO - L PHI@NYG - NYG - L KC@DEN - DEN - W MIA@BUF - BUF - W NYJ@SF - NYJ - L NE@SEA - NE - W STL@ARZ - ARZ - W DAL@PIT - PIT - W WAS@BAL - BAL - W TB@CAR - CAR - W
WEEK TOTAL: 12-4 SEASON TOTAL: 134-75-1
WEEK 15 PICKS:
NO@CHI - CHI TB@ATL - ATL WAS@CIN - WAS SEA@STL - STL SF@MIA - MIA BUF@NYJ - NYJ DET@IND SD@KC - SD GB@JAX - GB TEN@HOU - TEN MIN@ARZ - ARZ DEN@CAR - CAR PIT@BAL - PIT NE@OAK - NE NYG@DAL - NYG CLE@PHI - PHI
12.3.08
LANSING: 92.1 FLIPS AGAIN
*Gee, why did they have to flip from Alternative as The Edge? Well, the station that's now WQTX/92.1 has flipped from Oldies to an Alternative-sounding name: 92X. But, it ain't Alternative. The station is now playing Classic Hits of the 60's, 70's and 80's. The station is still satellite-fed most of the day, but now using ABC's Classic Hits format.
12.2.08
NFL 2008 SEASON WEEK THIRTEEN TOTAL/WEEK FOURTEEN PICKS Last year's season total: 164-92.
WEEK 13 RESULTS:
TEN@DET - TEN - W SEA@DAL - DAL - W ARZ@PHI - ARZ - L SF@BUF - BUF - L BAL@CIN - BAL - W IND@CLE - IND - W CAR@GB - CAR - W MIA@STL - MIA - W NO@TB - TB - W NYG@WAS - NYG - W ATL@SD - ATL - W PHI@NE - PHI - W DEN@NYJ - NYJ - L KC@OAK - OAK - L CHI@MIN - CHI - L JAX@HOU - HOU - W
WEEK TOTAL: 11-5 SEASON TOTAL: 122-71-1
WEEK 14 PICKS:
OAK@SD - SD JAX@CHI - CHI MIN@DET - MIN HOU@GB - GB CLE@TEN - TEN ATL@NO - NO PHI@NYG - NYG KC@DEN - DEN MIA@BUF - BUF NYJ@SF - NYJ NE@SEA - NE STL@ARZ - ARZ DAL@PIT - PIT WAS@BAL - BAL TB@CAR - CAR
12.1.08
SAYING GOOD-BYE TO DAVE WALKER Longtime northern Michigan newsman died Thanksgiving morning at 63
Peter Jennings, Chet Huntley, Walter Winchell and others, meet Dave.
For over four decades, Dave Walker was a man who gave his life to entertain and inform others. The longtime anchor at northern Michigan NBC station WPBN-TV 7&4 passed away Thanksgiving morning at the age of 63. Walker had a strong and courageous battle with esophageal cancer and continued to work while fighting the disease.
Born Eugene Telma in 1945 in Ludington, Walker's first gig came in high school when he worked as a DJ at WKLA-1450, hosting a show aimed at teenagers, playing Top 40 music. Telma graduated from high school and attended Michigan State University; he then served in Vietnam and jump-started his radio career in the 1970's, working in markets large and small.
After a stint in Los Angeles, Walker came to 7&4 in February 1984. In a market notorious for being a stomping ground for those straight out of college, waiting for their big break, Walker and his family chose to stay in northern Michigan. Walker went through numerous owners, anchors and other various employees at 7&4.
On a personal note, I had the pleasure of meeting Walker several times. My most-rememberable time came in 1988 when I was just seven. My Mom and I went to a church that was also attended by one of 7&4's popular reporters and anchors. He invited Mom and I to come to the station to check it out. It was neat visiting 7&4, checking out their various rooms (especially the one where their old, outdated equipment was stored) and even their studio, where I got to check out their 6 p.m. newscast. I even got my picture taken with 7&4's anchors, Dave being one of them. Being the youngin' I was, the crew was quite nice to me. And from what I've heard, Walker was quite nice to everybody else as well.
In these past several days, a lot of great things have been said about Dave. Many of them made me proud to have grown up watching him as a kid in the 80's and 90's. Dave was a true rarety in the business; a man who never gave up, even though the door constantly revolved 'up north'. He could have gone into the hustle and bustle of bigger markets, but he loved northern Michigan. He was born there, and he died there.
In a day and age where the news is given to us by right-winged hate mongerers like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity and Bill O'Reilly, Walker was straight and to-the-point. It's a shame that these idiots are still alive and yet Walker had to die. Walker - like Walter Cronkite and Dan Rather were to CBS and Peter Jennings was to ABC - was a leader. Under Walker, 7&4 was neck-and-neck with crosstown competitor WWTV 9&10 in the ratings.
Our thoughts and heart go out to Walker's family, friends and staff at 7&4. He will truely be missed.
11.17.08
NFL 2008 SEASON WEEK TWELVE TOTAL/WEEK THIRTEEN PICKS Last year's season total: 164-92.
WEEK 12 RESULTS:
CIN@PIT - PIT - W HOU@CLE - CLE - L SF@DAL - DAL - W TB@DET - TB - W NYJ@TEN - TEN - L BUF@KC - BUF - W CHI@STL - CHI - W NE@MIA - MIA - L MIN@JAX - MIN - W PHI@BAL - BAL - W OAK@DEN - DEN - L CAR@ATL - CAR - L NYG@ARZ - ARZ - L WAS@SEA - WAS - W IND@SD - IND - W GB@NO - NO - W
WEEK TOTAL: 9-6 SEASON TOTAL: 111-66-1
WEEK 13 PICKS:
TEN@DET - TEN SEA@DAL - DAL ARZ@PHI - ARZ SF@BUF - BUF BAL@CIN - BAL IND@CLE - IND CAR@GB - CAR MIA@STL - MIA NO@TB - TB NYG@WAS - NYG ATL@SD - ATL PHI@NE - PHI DEN@NYJ - NYJ KC@OAK - OAK CHI@MIN - CHI JAX@HOU - HOU
11.19.08
DETROIT: DEMINSKI AND DOYLE RETURN TO THE AIRWAVES
*It's official: on January 5th, Jeff Deminski and Bill Doyle will be back on the air in Detroit as the morning hosts at Greater Media Classic Rock WCSX 94.7. Currently, the duo has a non-compete with CBS, which employed them on what is now WXYT 97.1.
11.17.08
NFL 2008 SEASON WEEK ELEVEN TOTAL/WEEK TWELVE PICKS Last year's season total: 164-92.
WEEK 11 RESULTS:
NYJ@NE - NE - L DEN@ATL - ATL - L PHI@CIN - PHI - T CHI@GB - GB - W HOU@IND - IND - W NO@KC - NO - W OAK@MIA - MIA - W BAL@NYG - NYG - W MIN@TB - TB - W DET@CAR - CAR - W STL@SF - SF - W ARZ@SEA - SEA - W TEN@JAX - TEN - W SD@PIT - PIT - W DAL@WAS - WAS - L CLE@BUF - BUF - L
WEEK TOTAL: 11-4-1 SEASON TOTAL: 102-58-1
WEEK 12 PICKS:
CIN@PIT - PIT HOU@CLE - CLE SF@DAL - DAL TB@DET - TB NYJ@TEN - TEN BUF@KC - BUF CHI@STL - CHI NE@MIA - MIA MIN@JAX - MIN PHI@BAL - BAL OAK@DEN - DEN CAR@ATL - CAR NYG@ARZ - ARZ WAS@SEA - WAS IND@SD - IND GB@NO - NO
11.13.08
OUR TWO CENTS REGARDING THE CHANGES AT SIRIUS The pluses and minuses of the new lineup
Looks like everything's finalized... Or is it?
As us Sirius fans know by now, we have a new lineup. Several channels are gone, and there's also new ones as well. And yes, because of the merger, XM and Sirius now share some popular channels like Octane, Deep Tracks, Lithium and XM's 40's-90's decade channels. The addition of especially the 40's channel and Escape really broadens Sirius's audience well into, well, death.
But, of course, the new channels and consolidation in the beeswax does come at a cost. The two satcasters got rid of a lot of their jocks, and rumor has it that there's more usage of the ax to come.
So without further adieu, the pluses and minuses of the satcaster marriage:
PLUS: Octane and Lithium have slightly more-diverse playlists. It's kinda cool hearing some oddball song you haven't heard in years. Last night, I heard Jude's "Rick James" for the first time in years on Lithium. I also heard Green Day's "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" on Octane for the first time ever. It appears that Squizz and whatever the 90's Alternative channel at XM was called's PD is programming both stations now.
MINUS: No changes at 1st Wave. Since the changes took effect, 1st Wave hasn't really changed. In all honesty, I liked Fred better because their playlist was a little wider. I mean, how many times do we need to hear Roxy Music in a day? Plus, Sirius's rude editing of Sisters of Mercy's "This Corrosion" and ESPECIALLY Tears For Fears' "Sowing the Seeds of Love" kinda pisses me off. Also, I hear no liners on 1st Wave so far. Weird.
PLUS: The addition of numerous channels from XM. The 40's on 4, The 90's on 9, Willie's Place and Escape are all welcome additions on Sirius.
MINUS: Saying goodbye to Boombox and Backspin, plus the addition of Pop 2K. I loved listening to old-skool rap and electronic music, and it's a shame that they've been thrown to the wayside. At least Sirius claims that they have some type of replacement for both. But, I'm scratching my head in regard to why we need Pop 2K. Sirius already has Hits 1, which is pretty much the same thing. It's like replacing butter with margarine: the same thing.
Of course, the biggest minus is that multiple jocks and programmers are now without jobs. I've even read that one of Sirius's most-innovative jocks and programmers, Christopher the Minister was one of the casualties. In this time and age, that's life. Computers and consolidation win and people lose. But, Sirius and XM needed the merger to happen because they're losing money. Their stock price is at 25 cents and they had to take a nearly $5 billion charge. Now that Obama's the president-elect, one can hope that the middle class will resurge so they can buy more Sirius radio and their stock will grow.
Overall, it's like buying a Sirius all over again, checking out the new channels and putting your life on hold just to check 'em out. This is a great move on both sides' parts since it's nice to have both worlds and still have services exclusive to each service (i.e. Hits 1's still on Sirius only while Flight 26 is XM only). Overall, I give the switchover a B grade.
11.12.08
DETROIT: JJ AND LYNNE CANNED!
*Longtime WCSX 94.7 morning hosts J.J. Johnson and Lynne Woodison have been canned from the Greater Media Classic Rocker. The two's last show was Monday and were told after that day's show that their contract wouldn't be renewed. Rumors are now flying that former WKRK (now WXYT) afternooners Deminski and Doyle may take over J.J. and Lynne's spot, but nothing's confirmed as of yet. Johnson has been a part of Detroit radio for over three decades, including a long-running stint at sister WRIF 101.1.
11.10.08
NFL 2008 SEASON WEEK TEN TOTAL/WEEK ELEVEN PICKS Last year's season total: 164-92.
WEEK 10 RESULTS:
DEN@CLE - DEN - W NO@ATL - ATL - W TEN@CHI - TEN - W JAX@DET - JAX - W SEA@MIA - MIA - W GB@MIN - MIN - W BUF@NE - NE - W STL@NYJ - NYJ - W BAL@HOU - BAL - W CAR@OAK - CAR - W IND@PIT - PIT - L KC@SD - SD - W NYG@PHI - NYG - W SF@ARZ - ARZ - W
WEEK TOTAL: 13-1 SEASON TOTAL: 91-54
WEEK 11 PICKS:
NYJ@NE - NE DEN@ATL - ATL PHI@CIN - PHI CHI@GB - GB HOU@IND - IND NO@KC - NO OAK@MIA - MIA BAL@NYG - NYG MIN@TB - TB DET@CAR - CAR STL@SF - SF ARZ@SEA - SEA TEN@JAX - TEN SD@PIT - PIT DAL@WAS - WAS CLE@BUF - BUF
GRAND RAPIDS: BUH-BYE, TYRONE!
*It's official. Birach Broadcasting's WMFN-AM 640 has flipped from Urban AC to Regional Mexican, leaving Grand Rapids, the 2nd-largest city in Michigan with two full-time Spanish stations and no full-time Urban channel. Station manager Tyrone Bynum opted not to renew his contract with Birach and is now focusing on his TV ventures. The new format for 640 comes from daytime only 810 WMJH, which is now Spanish AC.
11.4.08
NFL 2008 SEASON WEEK NINE TOTAL/WEEK TEN PICKS Last year's season total: 164-92.
WEEK 9 RESULTS:
NYJ@BUF - BUF - L DET@CHI - CHI - W JAX@CIN - JAX - L BAL@CLE - CLE - L GB@TEN - TEN - W TB@KC - TB - W ARZ@STL - STL - L HOU@MIN - MIN - W MIA@DEN - DEN - L ATL@OAK - ATL - W DAL@NYG - NYG - W PHI@SEA - PHI - W NE@IND - NE - L PIT@WAS - WAS - L
WEEK TOTAL: 7-7 SEASON TOTAL: 78-53
WEEK 10 PICKS:
DEN@CLE - DEN NO@ATL - ATL TEN@CHI - TEN JAX@DET - JAX SEA@MIA - MIA GB@MIN - MIN BUF@NE - NE STL@NYJ - NYJ BAL@HOU - BAL CAR@OAK - CAR IND@PIT - PIT KC@SD - SD NYG@PHI - NYG SF@ARZ - ARZ
11.3.08
HARRISON: THE COUNTRY KING WILL RETURN!
*An organization called "The Country King, Inc." was handed a construction permit to build a new 100-watt station at 90.7 in Harrison with the call letters WKKM. TCK just happens to be headed by David Carmine, the longtime owner of WKKM 92.1 which graced the radio dial from 1975 to 2002. According to Carmine, TCK's purpose is "to educate, preserve, promote, and create an appreciation for the musical art form known as country music." The original WKKM was notorious for its cheap production value, never broadcasting in stereo and using vinyl exclusively until its 2002 demise instead of CDs. It's unknown at this time if the new WKKM will be like the old WKKM, which is now a contemporary Country station WTWS/92.1 The Twister.
TRI-CITIES: MANCOW GONE FROM 'TKQ
*We're unsure when this happened, but Mancow has disappeared from the airwaves at WTKQ/FM Talk 100.5 in Saginaw. He is now replaced with a local show, "The Morning Ticket". In the Spring '08 Arbitrons, the station only had a 1.8.
10.29.08
GRAND RAPIDS: IS TYRONE QUITTING?
*Rumors are flying all over the Grand Rapids radio industry that Tyrone Bynum is stepping down as the operator of Birach Broadcasting-owned WMFN-AM 640. On Monday's show, Bynum supposedly said that he wants to put his full focus on his Community's Choice TV show, which is syndicated to all of the MyNetworkTV affiliates in Michigan. Bynum has run WMFN since 2005; it is Grand Rapids' sole full-time urban station.
10.28.08
NFL 2008 SEASON WEEK EIGHT TOTAL/WEEK NINE PICKS Last year's season total: 164-92.
WEEK 8 RESULTS:
BUF@MIA - BUF - L STL@NE - NE - W SD@NO - NO - W KC@NYJ - NYJ - L ATL@PHI - ATL - L ARZ@CAR - CAR - W OAK@BAL - BAL - W TB@DAL - DAL - W WAS@DET - WAS - W CIN@HOU - HOU - W CLE@JAX - JAX - L NYG@PIT - PIT - L SEA@SF - SF - L IND@TEN - TEN - W
WEEK TOTAL: 8-6 SEASON TOTAL: 71-46
WEEK 9 PICKS:
NYJ@BUF - BUF DET@CHI - CHI JAX@CIN - JAX BAL@CLE - CLE GB@TEN - TEN TB@KC - TB ARZ@STL - STL HOU@MIN - MIN MIA@DEN - DEN ATL@OAK - ATL DAL@NYG - NYG PHI@SEA - PHI NE@IND - NE PIT@WAS - WAS
10.13.08
NFL 2008 SEASON WEEK SEVEN TOTAL/WEEK EIGHT PICKS Last year's season total: 164-92.
WEEK 7 RESULTS:
SD @ BUF - BUF - W MIN@CHI - CHI - W PIT @CIN - PIT - W TEN@KC - TEN - W DAL@STL - DAL - L BAL@MIA - BAL - W SF@NYG - NYG - W NO@CAR - CAR - W DET@HOU - HOU - W NYJ@OAK - NYJ - L IND@GB - IND - L CLE@WAS - WAS - W SEA@TB - TB - W DEN@NE - DEN - L
WEEK TOTAL: 10-4 SEASON TOTAL: 63-38
WEEK 8 PICKS:
BUF@MIA - BUF STL@NE - NE SD@NO - NO KC@NYJ - NYJ ATL@PHI - ATL ARZ@CAR - CAR OAK@BAL - BAL TB@DAL - DAL WAS@DET - WAS CIN@HOU - HOU CLE@JAX - JAX NYG@PIT - PIT SEA@SF - SF IND@TEN - TEN
10.17.08
IONIA: WION OWNERS BUY WSCG
*Packer Radio, the company that owns Ionia full-serve WION/I1430 is buying WSCG-FM 106.3 (country)/AM 1380 (talk) Greenville/Lakeview From Stafford Communications for $195,000. Coincidentally, it was Stafford who bought WION several years ago when its previous owner died, but since they own Greenville's newspaper, the FCC ordered WION to shut down. Of course, Packer, headed by Jim "Carlyle" Angus put WION back on the air four years ago to great success. The station is currently re-aligning their signal to give it better coverage to both Grand Rapids and Lansing. As for the WSCG stations, no word yet on what their futures will be like.
10.15.08
DETROIT: WMXD RATINGS KING, 'RIFF DOWN
*Clear Channel urban AC WMXD/Mix 92.3 is the #1 radio station in Detroit once again with a 5.9, up from a 4.3 in the Spring 08 Arbitrons. WJR was #2 while #3 belonged to smooth jazz WVMV. WRIF lost a full share this time around - a 4.4 at 10th place, down from a 3.4 - probably due to the continued demise of the Drew and Mike show.
NORTHERN MICHIGAN: BEAR ADDS COOPER, TWO JOCKS MOVE
Northern Star classic rockers 98.1/105.1/107.1/and a gazillion other frequencies The Bear, along with their Marquette namesake has added Alice Cooper for nights, Monday thru Saturday. As a result, longtime midday jock Greg Fletcher - who had been at the station since its "W-Gold" days - and overnighter Jack Reynolds have moved over to NSB's Big Country stations. middays and afternoons at The Bear are now handled by Ryan and Nate Smitty.
10.13.08
NFL 2008 SEASON WEEK SIX TOTAL/WEEK SEVEN PICKS Last year's season total: 164-92.
WEEK 6 RESULTS:
BAL@IND - IND - W DET@MIN -MIN - W OAK@NO - NO - W CIN@NYJ - NYJ - W CHI@ATL - ATL - W CAR@TB - CAR - L STL@WAS - WAS - L MIA@HOU - MIA - L JAX@DEN - DEN - L PHI@SF - SF - L GB@SEA - GB - W DAL@ARZ - DAL - L NE@SD - NE - L NYG@CLE - NYG - L
WEEK TOTAL: 6-8 SEASON TOTAL: 53-344
WEEK 7 PICKS:
SD @ BUF - BUF MIN@CHI - CHI PIT @CIN - PIT TEN@KC - TEN DAL@STL - DAL BAL@MIA - BAL SF@NYG - NYG NO@CAR - CAR DET@HOU - HOU NYJ@OAK - NYJ IND@GB - IND CLE@WAS - WAS SEA@TB - TB DEN@NE - DEN
10.6.08
NFL 2008 SEASON WEEK FIVE TOTAL/WEEK SIX PICKS Last year's season total: 164-92.
WEEK 5 RESULTS:
CHI@DET - CHI - W ATL@GB - GB - L SD@MIA - SD - L SEA@NYG - NYG - W WAS@PHI - PHI - L KC@CAR - CAR - W TEN@BAL - TEN - W IND@HOU - IND - W TB@DEN - DEN - W CIN@DAL - DAL - W BUF@ARZ - BUF - L NE@SF - SF - L PIT@JAX - PIT - W MIN@NO - NO
WEEK TOTAL: 8-6 SEASON TOTAL: 47-26
WEEK 6 PICKS:
BAL@IND - IND DET@MIN -MIN OAK@NO - NO CIN@NYJ - NYJ CHI@ATL - ATL CAR@TB - CAR STL@WAS - WAS MIA@HOU - MIA JAX@DEN - DEN PHI@SF - SF GB@SEA - GB DAL@ARZ - DAL NE@SD - NE NYG@CLE - NYG
10.6.08
DETROIT: MARK PENNINGTON NOW 'RIFF PD
*Greater Media rocker WRIF 101.1 Detroit has upped long-time music director Mark Pennington to program director. The move comes after their previous PD, Doug Podell became the director of rock programming for their Detroit cluster, which also includes classic rocker WCSX 94.7.
FLINT: BANANA PEELS B&T; ADDS FB&HW
*Bob and Tom are one less affiliate here in Michigan thanks to their dismissal from Regent active rocker WWBN Banana 101.5. The station has added Free Beer and Hot Wings, syndied from sister station WGRD 97.9 Grand Rapids. According to sources, WWBN had been wanting to can Bob and Tom for a while.
10.2.08
POLISHING A TURD IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN 106.7 WSRT now "You FM"; same format, same jocks, same bullshit
Ladies and gentlemen: I present to you the radio station that won't die.
Northern Broadcast's 106.7 WSRT Gaylord and 105.5 WSRJ Honor unveiled their new format yesterday morning. Sadly, it's hardly a change.
The station is now known as "106.7 You FM" and their slogan is "It's All About You!" However, all of their jocks, including Mary in the Morning, Ryan Dobry and syndied overnighter Delilah remain and the music is still bland AC.
Right now, the troubled station is giving away $500 per day to any listener that calls in at a certain time during Mary in the Morning. You know, instead of paying $500 to listeners forced to listen to their shitty-assed station, they should have used the money to rebuild the station from the ground up. Since they flipped from the highly-successful 106.7 The Peak to WSRT this Millennium, the station has been worthless. Even ex-PD Todd Martin's infamous book-cooking only made things worse.
106.7's name change shows how STUPID the station's owners, the Gokey family of Minot, ND are. They have no true connection to northern Michigan, so they run their stations like any station in Minot. As a matter of fact, their GM, Charlie Ferguson, is from Minot. I've even looked at You FM's playlist: shallow and repetitive.
You know, they make it sound like the station is designed around "you". Judging by their pathetic ratings, their slogan, "It's All About You" is aimed for their advertisers. With their lame ratings, it's probably a dollar per holler over there. The Peak might have been a hard sell since they did play some rap and hip-hop, yet, AC is an easier-to-sell format, especially in these hard economic times. This mentality shows how STUPID NBI and all of terrestrial radio is. It's not about YOU, the listener, it's about THEM.
I understand that the Gokeys are trying to sell their stations. Good luck. With Michigan's sad economical state and radio stocks lower than ever, they might as well just give their licenses back to the FCC. When you have something good, like The Peak and replace it with unlistenable crap, and you want to pay your listeners $500 just to listen to two old ladies blabbering about their varicose vaginas, good luck. You might as well file for bankruptcy also.
9.30.08
NORTHERN MICHIGAN: THE END OF WSRT?
*Is 106.7 WSRT going bye-bye? The failing AC station's website has gone blank with a graphic reading "THIS PAGE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION STAY TUNED". The Northern Broadcast station has been a complete disaster since replacing legendary CHR WKPK - 106.7 The Peak in the early milennium. The station is probably most-famous for its disasterous Arbitron ratings scandal where former PD Todd Martin sent in fake diaries to the ratings service, resulting in falsely-inflated ratings. In its last book released in August the station only got a 1.9 all around. Its website is also one of the lowest-visited amongst all northern Michigan radio stations per Alexa. WSRT debuted three years ago this past month.
NFL 2008 SEASON WEEK FOUR TOTAL/WEEK FIVE PICKS Last year's season total: 164-92.
WEEK 5 RESULTS:
MIN@TEN - TEN - W DEN@KC - DEN - L SF@NO - NO - W ARZ@NYJ - NYJ - W GB@TB - TB - W ATL@CAR - CAR - W HOU@JAX - JAX - W CLE@CIN - CIN - L SD@OAK - OAK - L BUF@STL - BUF - W WAS@DAL - DAL - L PHI@CHI - CHI - W BAL@PIT - PIT - W
WEEK 5 TOTAL: 9-4 SEASON TOTAL: 39-20
WEEK 6 PICKS:
CHI@DET - CHI ATL@GB - GB SD@MIA - SD SEA@NYG - NYG WAS@PHI - PHI KC@CAR - CAR TEN@BAL - TEN IND@HOU - IND TB@DEN - DEN CIN@DAL - DAL BUF@ARZ - BUF NE@SF - SF PIT@JAX - PIT MIN@NO - NO
9.24.08
GRAND RAPIDS: LYNAE FIRED, PUBLIC REALITY IN
*Once again, Regent alt-rocker WGRD is without a full-time night jock. Lynae Cuddy was let go from the station this week; according to internet rumors, she was on the air, constantly using the f-word while intoxicated with drunk people all around her also using the f-word and other profanities. The station is using part-timers for the time being. Cuddy replaced long-time night jock David Fox, who was canned a year or two ago for making sexist comments after playing Prodigy's "Smack My Bitch Up".
*After over a month of stunting, Public Reality Radio is a reality for WPRR 1680. The station debuted Monday carrying a non-profit public radio format that leans heavily towards the left. The station carries programming from Pacifica Radio and is rumored to also carry The Randi Rhodes Show from Nova M Radio. Although they claim to be a non-profit, the station is owned by movie theatre mogul Bob Goodrich. The station replaces the Radio Disney format the station had since 2003. Disney recently cut ties with Goodrich; it's not known at this time if PRR is Goodrich's idea or if he's leading the station out to another group.
NORTHERN MICHIGAN: CARTMAN SUSPENDED
*According to their website, Northern Star modern rock WJZJ/95-5 The Zone Stern clones Cartman, Homeless Jake and Mizz Christal, aka "The Rock 'n Roll Freak Show" have been suspended. No reason has been given.
9.22.08
NFL 2008 SEASON WEEK THREE TOTAL/WEEK FOUR PICKS Last year's season total: 164-92.
WEEK THREE RESULTS: KC@ATL - ATL - W OAK@BUF - BUF - W TB@CHI - CHI - L CAR@MIN - MIN - W MIA@NE - NE - L CIN@NYG -NYG - W HOU@TEN - TEN - W ARZ@WAS -ARZ - L DET@SF - SF - W STL@SEA - SEA - W NO@DEN - DEN - W PIT@PHI -PHI - W JAX@IND - IND - L CLE@BAL - BAL - W DAL@GB - GB - L NYJ@SD - NYJ - L
WEEK THREE TOTAL: 10-6 SEASON TOTAL: 30-16
WEEK 4 PICKS:
MIN@TEN - TEN DEN@KC - DEN SF@NO - NO ARZ@CAR - CAR GB@TB - TB ATL@CAR - CAR HOU@JAX - JAX CLE@CIN SD@OAK - OAK BUF@STL - BUF WAS@DAL - DAL PHI@CHI - CHI BAL@PIT - PIT
9.15.08
NFL 2008 SEASON WEEK TWO TOTAL/WEEK THREE PICKS Last year's season total: 164-92.
WEEK TWO RESULTS:
GB@DET - GB - W OAK@KC - KC - L NYG@STL - NYG - W IND@MIN - IND - W TEN@CIN - TEN - W NO@WAS - WAS - W CHI@CAR - CAR - W BUF@JAX - JAX - L SF@SEA - SEA - L ATL@TB -TB - W NE@NYJ - NE - W MIA@ARZ - ARZ - W SD@DEN - DEN - W PHI@CLE - CLE - L PHI@DAL - PHI
SEASON TWO RESULTS: 10-5 SEASON RECORD: 20-10
WEEK THREE PICKS: KC@ATL - ATL OAK@BUF - BUF TB@CHI - CHI CAR@MIN - MIN MIA@NE - NE CIN@NYG -NYG HOU@TEN - TEN ARZ@WAS -ARZ DET@SF - SF STL@SEA - SEA NO@DEN - DEN PIT@PHI -PHI JAX@IND - IND CLE@BAL - BAL DAL@GB - GB NYJ@SD - NYJ
9.9.08
NFL 2008 SEASON WEEK ONE TOTAL/WEEK TWO PICKS Last year's season total: 164-92.
WEEK ONE: WAS@NYG - NYG - W DET@ATL - ATL - W SEA@BUF - BUF - W JAX@TEN - JAX - L NYJ@MIA - NYJ - W KC@NE - NE - W TB@NO - TB - L STL@PHI - STL - L HOU@PIT - PIT - W CIN@BAL - BAL - W CAR@SD - SD - L ARZ@SF - SF - W DAL@CLE - DAL - W CHI@IND - IND - L MIN@GB - GB - W DEN@OAK -DEN - W
WEEK ONE TOTAL: 10-5
WEEK TWO PICKS:
GB@DET - GB OAK@KC - KC NYG@STL - NYG IND@MIN - IND TEN@CIN - TEN NO@WAS - WAS CHI@CAR - CAR BUF@JAX - JAX SF@SEA - SEA ATL@TB -TB NE@NYJ - NE MIA@ARZ - ARZ BAL@HOU - HOU SD@DEN - DEN PHI@CLE - CLE PHI@DAL - PHI
9.5.08
WIDG ST. IGNACE SOLD, TO BECOME CATHOLIC Is NSB selling more stations?
The Widge By the Bridge is going to get lifted, in more ways than one.
It was just announced that Northern Star Broadcasting will be selling WIDG-AM 940 St. Ignace to Catholic broadcaster Baraga Broadcasting for a meager $100,000. At the close of the sale, the all-sports station known as "The Fan" will be flipping to a probable simulcast of Catholic talker WTCK 90.9 Charlevoix.
The buyout of WIDG will give Baraga - named after a Slavak priest who roamed Michigan in the 1800's - its biggest signal. WIDG has a clear 5,000-watt daytime signal hearable from Sault Ste. Marie down south to Petoskey. However, the station dips to a torrid four watts for the overnight hours, barely enough to cover St. Ignace proper.
Baraga is only the 4th owner in WIDG's 41-year history. The station was started by Lansing dentist Donald Benson in 1967 and has had a history of format changes and was even silent for a period in the early 80's because it was losing money. Over the years, WIDG played MOR, top 40, oldies and country. They adopted their sports format in 1999. They were northern Michigan's sole sports station until WCCW-AM Traverse City flipped from standards to ESPN in 2001.
WIDG's flip to Catholic will no doubt leave the Straits area without a sports station. Even WCCW will barely touch the area when they boost their power to 50,000 watts in the near future.
One good reason for the spin-off of WIDG could be because Northern Star is re-aligning their stations. Former sister station WMKC/Big Country 102.9 - currently on a tower near Harbor Springs - is moving its tower near Boyne City. Already, its Community of License has moved from St. Ignace to Indian River. The station has a simulcast partner - WAVC 93.9 in Mio - which is partially in 102.9's new broadcast area. There's no word on the future on that station. Same thing for classic rocker WGFM 105.1 The Bear; that station's moving from the heart of Cheboygan County to that same site, giving better coverage to the Grand Traverse area.
So, is NSB going to sell more stations? Both 102.9 and 93.9 will share some land when the move is made. As for The Bear, I doubt if anything will change since their 98.1 stick in Glen Arbor covers TC's west side much better.
I am, however, stratching my head about their alt-rocker, WJZJ 95.5 The Zone, which shares 98.1's stick in Glen Arbor. That station is undoubtedly NSB's weakest station, programming and signal-wise. Not to mention the fact that their ratings have tumbled since they dropped their signal on 94.5 in Mackinaw City and canned most of their jocks for a satellite service from Omaha. Part of me thinks that NSB's kinda sick of that station, but, 1) with their lack of coverage comparing to The Bear and Big Country, 2) the fact that northern Michigan has one of the lowest year-round 20-something populations in the state and 3) the fact that most 20-somethings don't even listen to the radio, it almost makes perfect sense for NSB to spin off the 95.5 signal to Baraga or another company to make extra capital.
Radio still can be exciting...
9.2.08
NFL 2008 SEASON WEEK ONE PICKS Last year's season total: 164-92.
WEEK ONE: WAS@NYG - NYG DET@ATL - ATL SEA@BUF - BUF JAX@TEN - JAX NYJ@MIA - NYJ KC@NE - NE TB@NO - TB STL@PHI - STL HOU@PIT - PIT CIN@BAL - BAL CAR@SD - SD ARZ@SF - SF DAL@CLE - DAL CHI@IND - IND MIN@GB - GB DEN@OAK -DEN
8.18.08
NORTHERN MICHIGAN RADIO ARBITRONS: WTCM STILL KING, KHQ SKYROCKETS, KLT DOWN WSRT, Breeze still underperforming
For as long as I've had the internet, WTCM has been the tops of the Arbitrons for Traverse City-Petoskey.
The heritage country station is still atop the Arbs, which came out last Thursday with a 12.2, up from an 11.2 from last Fall. As a matter of fact, two of 'TCM's sisters, WTCM-AM NewsTalk 580 and Oldies 107.5 WCCW are also in the top 5 at numbers 3 and 4, respectively.
The big surprise, though went to another heritage, CHR 106 KHQ, which zoomed to #2 with a 9.6, up a full two shares. The MacDonald-Garber station should be laughing at now-former crosstown rival 106.7 WSRT (that's the old WKPK 106.7 The Peak, ya know), which has become a massive abortion with a 1.9, good for only 12th place.
Mac-Gar should also be happy at Lite 96.3, the ruler of the AC roost with a 4.1/6th place. The two other ACs, the aforementioned WSRT and hot AC WJZQ 92.9 The Breeze didn't fare as well.
The Breeze is still northern Michigan's lowest-rated 100,000-watter with a 1.5, good for only 13th place, tied with sports sister WCCW-AM 1310. Even though the station recently flipped from smooth jazz/soft AC to hot AC and got some new imaging, the station still has an identity crisis with their name, imaging and even their voice-tracked jocks, who all sound like they're over the age of 50.
Many stations fell in the new Arbs: KLT fell 1.5 shares to #5, Classic Hits 94.3/92.5 The Fox fell 1.6 shares to #8 and two country stations, 101.9 WLDR and Big Coutnry 102.9 fell to a 3.3 tie for #9. Another falling station is alt-rocker 95.5 The Zone, which has lost a third of their listeners in a year.
Another station to worry about is classic rocker The Bear, which has gained three spots to #7, but only gained .1 of a ratings share with a 3.7. However, with owner Northern Star planning to move their 105.1 stick further south toward Gaylord, it could mean bigger changes for the once-2nd placed rocker.
Also on the "HA! HA! FAILURE!" list are talkers WJML 1110/1210 and WMKT 1270, whose ratings are still under a one share despite 50,000-watt power increases.
Now, here's where I throw in my armchair PD experience and try to help some of these guys out...
*92.9 The Breeze: Get rid of the geezer jocks, do some marketing and research and get rid of the imaging that sounds too local. Sadly, Ross Biederman is notorious for spending very little on good-sounding liners. Also, it would be nice if they canned some of the obscure crap ("Talk It Over" by Grayson Hughes and that other song Everything But the Girl did other than "Wrong" or "Missing"). I know this will never happen, but maybe if they were a REAL hit music station, they can suck some of KHQ's ratings.
94.3/92.5 The Fox: I miss the old Casey Kasem countdowns on Sunday.
95.5 The Zone, 98.1/105.1/107.1 The Bear: You know, it was a bad move to can all of the local jocks and go with a bunch of airheads from Omaha. Sadly, Cartman is the only thing the station has anymore, and he's carrying the station on his shoulders. Even worse, there's a good reason for The Zone's new-found failure: there's hardly any 20-somethings who listen to the radio anymore thanks to Sirius and MP3 players and there's hardly any 20-somethings in northern Michigan as-is. Not only that, but their signal sucks, especially for a stand-alone with no simulcasts. You just won't get anywhere marketing Vampire Weekend and The Kooks to the NMC crowd. As for The Bear, the fact that they scared listeners away to KLT by "omptimizing" their format with A Flock of Seagulls and Depeche Mode hasn't brought them back, either. The only reason why people still listen to them is because of Bob and Tom and even their show has seen better days thanks to the FCC's crackdown on indecency, plus Omelette and Finster on KLT.
How about this: NSB kills 95.5 The Zone and they replace that with Big Country, giving them a better signal in the area? As for The Bear, they should try active rock to suck listeners away from KLT. They should keep the edgier classic rockers (Pink Floyd, Metallica, Guns 'N Roses and Led Zeppelin) and mix it in with new rock (Disturbed, Shinedown, Slipknot, Foo Fighters and Saving Abel).
106.7 WSRT: Please, Northern Broadcast, kill this abortion already. It will never cross a three share airing a morning show for old rich hos and 11 straight hours of Delilah. I'd like to say "bring back The Peak", but the WKPK call letters are now used in the U.P. on a Christian station. Plus, the station's heritage as a CHR's tarnished for good; just look at K-Rock in New York. In WXRK's case, they flipped to an underperforming format, Free FM, and came back to K-Rock with no ratings. If The Peak were to come back, it'll be a 2nd tier at best.
Oldies 107.5: Please get rid of Oldies Classic Hits Radio. It's not even a real oldies format anymore. Plus, it might confuse your listeners with The Fox. If you need to use the bird that bad, use Scott Shannon's True Oldies Channel.
The next book, if not embargoed, will be out in February.
8.8.08
MICKEY OFF OF 1680 WDSS now stunting
At least the mouse is still on Sirius.
On Thursday, WDSS 1680 dropped Radio Disney programming; the station is now airing a repeated, recorded message that the station is no longer carrying the mouse net, and is going to start airing a new format in September called "Public Reality Radio" with details to come.
1680 is owned by Goodrich Radio, but was being leased to Disney. They've aired Radio Disney since 2003, and is one of the city's lowest-rated stations.
7.7.08
THE STATE OF NORTHERN MICHIGAN RADIO In short, it sucks
As some of you know, this very website started nine years ago in northern Michigan.
Back then, there was no Stern, no REAL rock station, LOTS of country stations, and so much depression to mention.
As shocking as it is, radio 'up north' has improved for a few reasons: 1) The Zone, in it's sat-fed glory, airs a ton of modern rock songs that ratings stalwart WKLT still refuses to touch after all these years, and 2) there's a little something called Sirius that makes radio listening up north a hell of a lot more bearable.
Without further adieu...
Oh, and mind you, when I went up north a few weeks ago, I only listened during the overnight hours since I was showing my Sirius off to my cousin, who went with me. Needless to say, he's interested in buying one...
92.9 The Breeze: The good news: the music's a billion percent better. The bad news: the jocks and imaging suck. It's a shame that Ross Biederman won't put more money into this station, such as hiring more DJs instead of piecemealing voicetrackers from his other stations. Otherwise, this station could be mid-range in the Arbitrons.
94.3/92.5 The Fox: It's still not too bad, except that it's practically "KLT Lite". It's the same butt rock crap you hear on KLT, except with 70's and 80's pop mixed in. I miss the classic AT40 shows they had Sunday mornings.
95.5 The Zone: No real improvement or degration from last time I've listened. After all, when all of your jocks and music are from the city that gave us the people you can count on when the going's rough...
Lite 96.3: I've noticed that they're mixing the typical standard AC fare with oldies. A reaction to WCCW, maybe?
97.5/98.9 KLT: I'm still scatching my head why they dumped almost all their currents and went with an almost-total butt rock feel. Everytime my radio landed on this frequency, I changed it because their playlist is as dry as it gets. Why people love this station is beyond me. They should take a clue from Bill Curtis of WSUE in Sault Ste. Marie and do research instead of listening to some assholes who think that everybody in northern Michigan lives in double wides and beat their wives.
98.1/105.1 The Bear: I've noticed that these two stations don't simulcast anymore. Huh. Probably an automation thing.
101.9 Sunny Country: Country music sucks. Period.
Big Country 102.9/93.9: See 101.9.
103.5/93.5 WTCM: "" "".
106 KHQ: This station's too similar to WKFR in K'zoo or 105.3 Hot FM here in GR. Lots of recurrents and not a whole lot of groundbreaking new music. This station is notorious for adding new music late and skipping on rap songs (i.e. "Lollipop" by Lil' Wayne) because they want to stay on the safe side. Sad. It makes me miss 106.7 The Peak, which became...
106.7 WSRT: If you want to fall asleep, this is your station. After all, they air Delilah 7p-6a daily. Why won't Northern Broadcasting kill this piece of shit already? They're under a two share, and they'll remain that way.
Oldies 107.5: This station has used the same "OldiesRadio" jingles for over a decade and their processing blows as well. I wish they could use something like TKO Radio Networks instead of jocks that pretend to sound local.
Overall, northern Michigan radio is nothing more than satellite-fed crap and a huge lack of selection. I feel bad for those who don't have Sirius up north. It only comes to show that even small-timers like Biederman and Trish MacDonald-Garber only care about the almighty dollar and not the listener, who doesn't listen to the radio as much as they used to. Innovation and radio just don't want to mix anymore.
'Nuff said...
7.2.08
BILL SIMONSON IS STILL A DOUCHEBAG So sayeth OKC blogger
See/know of any news happening? E-mail me @ chuck69dotcom@gmail.com and tell us. If you represent a radio station, let us know. If we like your story, we'll publish it. Got it? Good.
*Rumors are flying all over the internet regarding the true reason why long-time Citadel Active Rocker WKLQ 107.3 succumbed to Sports WBBL last Thursday. Rumor has it that recently, WBBL lost all of their ESPN show because ESPN signed a big deal with Clear Channel to air their programming on some of their FM signals, and Detroit and Grand Rapids might be two of the markets. Not wanting the original WBBL to end up being the also-ran in the market with its limited 1KW signal, Citadel immediately started to simulcast WBBL on the old 50KW WKLQ signal. Only time will tell if the statement is true. As for KLQ's former jocks, we know some of their fates: Warren Kluck (former morning co-host) is heading to WLAV, Darcy (middays/APD/MD) is doing imaging for CHR WJIM Lansing and afternooner Jay Deacon continues to do that role for fellow active rocker WKQZ/Z93 Saginaw. No word on nighttimer/Clambake host Steve "The Rat" Aldrich, who, alongside weekend/fill-in Brian Downs was one of the last remaining jocks from the station's 'glory days'.
*Michigan Catholic Radio has just announced that they're selling WCAR-AM 1090 Livonia/Detroit and WOAP 1080 Waverly/Lansing to Detroit-based Birach Broadcasting for over a million bucks. Appearently, MCR's having some major money problems since 1080's been silent for a while now. The deal is yet to be approved by the FCC; but here's something to think about: Birach already owns two AM stations - WNZK and WPON - in the Detroit area, and it's the FCC limit. It's up to the FCC to decide this one...
*After spending some time on the beach, Michelle McKormick is coming back to Grand Rapids. The former WVTI/I96 (now WMAX/Radio X 9-6-1) morning host - who co-hosted a midday show on Detroit's WKRK/97.1 (now WXYT) - has been named Scott Winters' co-host on WOOD/1300. The newly-named show is "Mouth to Mouth", and it debuted on Monday. McKormick replaces Rick Beckett, who died suddenly of a heart attack last February.
*Clear Channel has canned 590 more jobs nationwide - almost the same amount of affiliates Rush Limbaugh has - and Detroit has been hit hard. All of Country 106.7 The Fox's jocks have been let go, creating rumors that the station will flip formats again. Once again, Sports WDFN 1130 has been hit with a layoff with reporter Rob Otto being let go and the biggest layoff had to happen to AC WNIC where morning man Chris Edmonds was pink slipped. Meanwhile, over at CTV Alternative 89X, morning man Dave Hunter is now station PD.
*Some people in Detroit are wondering if CBS Oldies 104.3 WOMC is long for this world. The station has just bought out the contract of afternoon talent Ted "The Bear" Richards and fired him immediately. The station has moved into the digs of sister country station WYCD 99.5 and consolidating staff.
*So, how many Fox affiliates can you buy at $100,000? Not many, but the Fox affiliate in Marquette, WMQF Fox 19 has been sold for a whopping $100,000 to the unknown company MMMC. $100,000 may make sense since the station has no studio (their hub's in Little Rock, AR) and their signal sucks. The station used to be part of Equity Media Holdings, which filed for chapter 7 earlier this year. The sale will be finalized by the bankruptcy courts and the FCC.
*Once again, the sharpened ax of radio has claimed two more victims. This time, it's CTV Alternative CIMX/89X Detroit/Windsor, who have let go middayer Holly Hutton and afternoon/PD Vince Cannova. Cannova has been with 89X since the days of Nirvana and Soundgarden and has been the PD for two years.
*On Tuesday, the rough economy once again screwed over local radio. Regent Communications announced that two jocks - WLHT/W-Lite 95.7 afternooner Denis Prior and WFGR/Oldies 98.7 morning co-host Bruce Parrott - were cut due to budget cuts. On LHT, John Tesh moves to middays while PD Jerry Tarrents voicetracks nights (he'll continue middays at sister GRD). 
*Thank God I'm not in radio. After two years in Tucson, Former KLQ PS Darren Arriens is now running two more Citadel stations (into the ground): Classic Rock KKFM and CHR KKMG. He'll be out of that town in less than two years. 
*Greater Media Active Rock WRIF 101.1 Detroit has moved up Suzy Cole to APD/MD. Station PD Mark Pennington told All Access "Suzy's experience, energy and passion for the music made her the most obvious choice for this position, especially given the integral role she has played in the development of RIFF 2. We're thrilled to be able to promote from within and have her take on a more substantial role at WRIF." Cole, 29, has been in radio since high school here in Grand Rapids, first at WKLQ and then WGRD. She left GRD in the mid-naughties to go to WRIF's HD sister, Riff 2, which is kinda like Sirius's Faction with an emphasis on local artists. She also handles weekends on The Riff. We here at Chuck69.com congratulate Suzy on her promotion; she's clearly one of the nicest in the business.
*Northern Star Broadcasting's WMKC/Big Country Hits 102.9 in northern Michigan has replaced the low-rated local morning show with the Clear Channel-syndicated Big D and Bubba out of Nashville. Former morning host (and the asshole who took all credibility away from me on the Buzzboard) Tom Devitt moves over to news while his wife/co-host Nikki moves to weekends. With the move, Northern Star will only have one local morning show in northern Michigan: The Rock 'n Roll Freak Show on Modern Rock 95.5 The Zone.
*After 39 years on the air, Arthur Penhallow is no longer an employee at WRIF. The station dumped all references to him on their website. Meltdown moves from nights to his old slot while Screamin' Scott moves from overnights to nights.
*Northern Broadcast Classic Hits WFCX-94.3/92.5 The Fox has a new morning show. "The Grumpy Old Men" features Rich Nadeau, who moves from afternoons. Former morning man Larry Vaughn is out.
*With financial termoil hitting Grand Rapids like a sack of bricks, Clear Channel News/Talker WOOD-1300 has decided to open the 6p-9p slot to Christian financial gabber Dave Ramsey. Ramsey moves from sister WTKG 1230, who is still carrying his show in the interim in his live timeslot 2p-5p. As a result, Michael Savage has been demoted from his live 6p-9p slot to tape-delayed 9p-11p, with the final hour of the show dropped. Neal Boortz has been dropped and Jerry Doyle stays 11p-1a.
*Traverse City is no longer the largest city in America without a MyNetworkTV affiliate. Low-powered WLLZ-LP 12 started airing the new home of WWE Smack Down recently. The station, owned by former DJ Bob Naismith is also an affiliate of the America One Network, which the station airs in most other dayparts. The station even has local programming, sharing the morning show of MacDonald-Garber Talk station WMKT 1270.
*Looks like Clear Channel has changed its mind. The company has reaquired the stations it dumped into a trust as a requirment since the company went private this year. One of the stations is faltering Alternative WMAX/Radio X 9-6-1. The company lifted WMAX from the Aloha Station Trust after they reassigned WSNX 104.5 from Grand Rapids to its city of license, Muskegon. No word on if Clear Channel will maintain the station's format, which is one of Grand Rapids' lowest-rated stations.
*Gee, why did they have to flip from Alternative as The Edge? Well, the station that's now WQTX/92.1 has flipped from Oldies to an Alternative-sounding name: 92X. But, it ain't Alternative. The station is now playing Classic Hits of the 60's, 70's and 80's. The station is still satellite-fed most of the day, but now using ABC's Classic Hits format.
*It's official: on January 5th, Jeff Deminski and Bill Doyle will be back on the air in Detroit as the morning hosts at Greater Media Classic Rock WCSX 94.7. Currently, the duo has a non-compete with CBS, which employed them on what is now WXYT 97.1.
*It's official. Birach Broadcasting's WMFN-AM 640 has flipped from Urban AC to Regional Mexican, leaving Grand Rapids, the 2nd-largest city in Michigan with two full-time Spanish stations and no full-time Urban channel. Station manager Tyrone Bynum opted not to renew his contract with Birach and is now focusing on his TV ventures. The new format for 640 comes from daytime only 810 WMJH, which is now Spanish AC.
*We're unsure when this happened, but Mancow has disappeared from the airwaves at WTKQ/FM Talk 100.5 in Saginaw. He is now replaced with a local show, "The Morning Ticket". In the Spring '08 Arbitrons, the station only had a 1.8.
*Packer Radio, the company that owns Ionia full-serve WION/I1430 is buying WSCG-FM 106.3 (country)/AM 1380 (talk) Greenville/Lakeview From Stafford Communications for $195,000. Coincidentally, it was Stafford who bought WION several years ago when its previous owner died, but since they own Greenville's newspaper, the FCC ordered WION to shut down. Of course, Packer, headed by Jim "Carlyle" Angus put WION back on the air four years ago to great success. The station is currently re-aligning their signal to give it better coverage to both Grand Rapids and Lansing. As for the WSCG stations, no word yet on what their futures will be like.
*Clear Channel urban AC WMXD/Mix 92.3 is the #1 radio station in Detroit once again with a 5.9, up from a 4.3 in the Spring 08 Arbitrons. WJR was #2 while #3 belonged to smooth jazz WVMV. WRIF lost a full share this time around - a 4.4 at 10th place, down from a 3.4 - probably due to the continued demise of the Drew and Mike show.
Northern Star classic rockers 98.1/105.1/107.1/and a gazillion other frequencies The Bear, along with their Marquette namesake has added Alice Cooper for nights, Monday thru Saturday. As a result, longtime midday jock Greg Fletcher - who had been at the station since its "W-Gold" days - and overnighter Jack Reynolds have moved over to NSB's Big Country stations. middays and afternoons at The Bear are now handled by Ryan and Nate Smitty.
*Greater Media rocker WRIF 101.1 Detroit has upped long-time music director Mark Pennington to program director. The move comes after their previous PD, Doug Podell became the director of rock programming for their Detroit cluster, which also includes classic rocker WCSX 94.7.
*Bob and Tom are one less affiliate here in Michigan thanks to their dismissal from Regent active rocker WWBN Banana 101.5. The station has added Free Beer and Hot Wings, syndied from sister station WGRD 97.9 Grand Rapids. According to sources, WWBN had been wanting to can Bob and Tom for a while.
*Is 106.7 WSRT going bye-bye? The failing AC station's 
*Once again, Regent alt-rocker WGRD is without a full-time night jock. Lynae Cuddy was let go from the station this week; according to internet rumors, she was on the air, constantly using the f-word while intoxicated with drunk people all around her also using the f-word and other profanities. The station is using part-timers for the time being. Cuddy replaced long-time night jock David Fox, who was canned a year or two ago for making sexist comments after playing Prodigy's "Smack My Bitch Up".
*After over a month of stunting, Public Reality Radio is a reality for WPRR 1680. The station debuted Monday carrying a non-profit public radio format that leans heavily towards the left. The station carries programming from Pacifica Radio and is rumored to also carry The Randi Rhodes Show from Nova M Radio. Although they claim to be a non-profit, the station is owned by movie theatre mogul Bob Goodrich. The station replaces the Radio Disney format the station had since 2003. Disney recently cut ties with Goodrich; it's not known at this time if PRR is Goodrich's idea or if he's leading the station out to another group.
*According to their 
