This past year, in speaking with hosts and deejays, working and laid-off, as well as program directors and radio mavens, Ive heard an incessant drumbeat: With the corporatizing spread of voice-tracked programs and a dearth of innovative execs, creativity in Radio Land is kaput. I got hired in 83, right after they switched to alternative, says Thompson, who used the on-air name Wreckless Erik. network. Operations between the two companies were combined during this period of time, essentially creating a single larger cluster. Cantores core liked him because he shared their enthusiasms for the music. Everything you hear through mainstream radio someone is paying for it to be heard. And the perks? At Star 100.7, Cantore answered the a.m. phones. Question: Has your pet ever embarrassed you? PhilL, u want to know where progressive talk dominated the competition? Buy Tickets. Listening to Limbaugh or Hedgecock results in large IQ drops because the format itself requires the delivery of simplistic but satisfying non-truths or emotional bombast just to retain interest. Chewing a raisin muffin in between sips of a wild berry and green tea smoothie topped with whipped cream, the 38-year-old is wearing knee-length cargo shorts and flat leather slip-ons. 2023 LOCAL MEDIA SAN DIEGO. But overall, the radio industry is sluggish. Now that I think about it, I heard Randi Rhodes for an hour, and she wasn't half bad. Mistakes are one of my favorite things to hear on the air, and I still make them all the time. Not a chance, Decker says. Funny music artists are producing parodies of today's crap so that their "covers" would sound half as crappy as the original, but it's their fault that they're listening to uninspiring contemporary hit radio for parody ideas that don't appeal to most people in my age demographic. He keeps getting promoted. The B.S. Despite radios corporate ownership, what is on the airwaves, say radio critics, is the problem: graying hosts, ad clutter, right-wing talk, piped-in tunes, traffic reports every five minutes its all further fragmenting the audience and driving them, much like TV viewers with remotes, to drop their loyalties and roam the band. In some cities, his show did quite well. I knew what he wanted. Randi Rhodes was doing great in her PM drive slot. The Alternative format is not very alternative anymore. Being locally and independently owned has a lot to do with that, especially because our owners are a part of our team and they work hard to foster a creative, supportive environment. So, to me, if people think they are learning from those shows, they're crazy. I drive my own bus., Thompson, 54, says his voice-over career became a lot easier once he became established. For a small fee, it will give wireless Internet radio capabilities to almost any consumer electronic device, such as portable media players, hi-fi systems, set-top boxes, IPTV units, car-radio products, as well as iPhones. How do we use Cookies. NBC 7's Shandel Menezes reports from the scene of the shooting with the latest information. 2) The damage was done to the business when the 1996 Telecom act passed congress and was signed by President Clinton. But beyond that, people need to have something worth listening to. The reason you listen may be due to how engaging the host is rather than whether you agree with him. Rush Limbaugh used to do good radio. Second, The history of news in America is opinion as the means of dissemination. This site uses cookies. In some markets, radio advertising is doing well: As of 2007, San Diegos had grown 33 percent since 1999, according to the San Diego Radio Broadcasters Association. If you put local before good, youre making a big mistake. On September 11, 2001 -- we're told, American Airlines Flight 11, a Boeing 767 out of Boston for Los Angeles, crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York at 8:48 a.m. Eighteen minutes later, United Airlines Flight 175, a Boeing 767 . Medina was later replaced by Matt Stone. I was asked to talk about a car wash, some new sales program. Stone Temple Pilots. Simultaneously, the concession was transferred to a new company, Comunicacin XERSA, S.A. de C.V., owned 51% by silent Mexican investors and 49% by a Mexican company owned by Finest City (Controladora Finest City, S. de R.L. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Various - 91X Saint Doug - San Diego Local Music Soundtrack - Used CD - J7427A at the best online prices at eBay! On February 14, 2022, XETRA began running an "A to XYZ" alphabetical music marathon of the station's biggest hits from its nearly 40-year run. The Web version of the story has been corrected. Regarding your questions, to me, "learning about an issue" is something that you really can't take with much more than a grain of salt when listening to those shows. My understanding is that those plans are vague and, in the immortal words of the N.S.A., more aspirational than operational. As for me, Ill weigh my limited options and chill for a few days before moving forward. If Seacrest is successful here, the move may send a shockwave through such perennials as Jeff and Jer or Dave, Shelley, and Chainsaw. So it ended.. I spent all my free time with the rest of the 91X staff, going to concerts and the beach and making weekend trips to Puerto Nuevo for lobster lunches and all-around shenanigans. The leader in new music & artist discovery, based in San Diego, CA. Eric was a fellow classmate at KSM at Palomar College. Clear Channel operated 19 'progressive stations' (59 overall) were dumped. You just have to roll with it as a DJ. With all of our lofty analysis, the bottom line is the bottom line. But theres a lot of out-of-town influence. That's weak. If you start googling around, you'll discover that this was the same corporate "rationale" that was offered in many other cities. That's puzzling: rightie talkers constantly bash liberals, bash Democrats, and bash the supposedly liberal media but I guess that sort of bashing is okay. Alternative." Del Mar, CA. Cantore left X1FM in August. Once listeners understand that talk and music sources are virtually infinite, fewer of them will stay with the familiar geography of the AM and FM dials. I had a colleague at a prior employer who joked about sexual assault in our staff meetings. & Ed Schultz (delivered by Jones Networks) tend to do somewhat better than the Air-America shows. What the happened to 94.9? : r/sandiego - Reddit These are devoted to sports, talk, and music, the latter comprising several formats: adult contemporary, contemporary hits, smooth jazz, urban, country, rock, and alternative. This spring, 6 employees were laid off in the latest belt-tightening, not to mention the resignation of Myrland, whose $218,000 salaried position will no doubt be filled quickly. Behind Aguirres charge was the presumption that someone other than KPBS may have been directing the shows, and by extension, the stations editorial content. Ditto for the 25-54 numbers of Ed Schultz and Stephanie Miller-- very solid, ratings book after ratings book. Now Cantore is reinventing himself again with Cantore Creative. He cited an email from Kittle to the station, objecting that producers had invited Dave Rolland, editor of San Diego City Beat, to be on a televised episode with Kittle. Im very pleased. Yet Cliff Albert continues to offer right wing talking points about how progressive talk stations are failures because all they do is bash president Bush and bash corporations (not true, but never mind.) "Music In The Morning" was hosted by Oz Medina, who previously worked as 91X's Music Director and Afternoon Host from 1987 to 1993. [7] Under Lynch's management, 91X was one of the top-rated and most influential alternative stations in America throughout the 1980s and 1990s.[8]. Opinion: Lowriding brings the Filipino and Chicano communities together. [1] It is considered a border blaster, covering the majority of San Diego County, as well as southwestern Riverside County, from its tower located atop Mount San Antonio in Tijuana. After all, isnt taking a chance on shows like A Way with Words or These Days the way things get started? If you notice, KPRI relies heavily on much of that 91X heritage library form the 80s in its playlist today. The general manager for years sought great talent--everyone from Charlie & Harrigan to Bobby Rich, Hudson & Bauer, Bill Ballance and others were part of a very localized radio station. This has been proven when Howard Stern raked in the ratings that he did.. It really does. Asked why, he replied: No comment.. Listeners are turning off the long commercial interruptions on music radio in favor of iPods and podcasting. He loved the 91X buzz. For those (few) who believe that the government has no business regulating the airwaves and who want to dump the corporate model entirely, there is pirate radio, also known as Free Radio San Diego (96.9 FM). True-shows like Stephanie Miller San Diego radio veteran Chris Cantore plans to launch YEW! They wanted to leave Mexico out of it., John Lynch never liked me. Lynch, who was general manager and co-owner of 91X, now runs the UT media conglomerate. HUMAN LEAGUE. The reason why conservative talk radio is so successful is that the point of view has become the voice of AM radio, which has always sought to reach moderate Americans. Pursuit Ends on I-805 in San Diego, All Northbound Lanes Shut Down USDOT 2210821, MC-767176 with operating status Not Authorized. If youre working for Clear Channel now and survive the onslaught of belt-tightening to come, youve likely retained a job in a more stable setting. They'll justify the cost because most people will disconnect land lines and even fixed high speed connections and just use iPhone era devices. Cantore had a great run. Thompson was a DJ/newsman/production director (responsible for making commercials and station-identification spots). Cantore and Woods are now in joint discussions with other area broadcast companies. I take issue with your "internet trumping radio" sole explanation for Nov 4. XETRA-FM (91.1 MHz), branded as 91X, and sometimes identified as XTRA-FM, is an English-language radio station licensed to Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. re: your #2. Back in the day, 91X was San Diegos music citadel, built on grunge music and anything smelling like teen spirit. Cantore recalls the hallowed halls of the station on Pacific Highway, where he began working. Listeners are more brilliant than the people pushing the buttons.. And one other subject-- I also don't understand why owners haven't figured out that a station needs personality. Finest City Broadcasting, a new company under the direction of former Clear Channel San Diego VP/Market Manager Mike Glickenhaus, took over operations of three of the four Mexican stations; Clear Channel temporarily retained the fourth, XHOCL-FM, before selling it to MVS Radio. Sidebar 4: Differences between 91X and KROQZ: 91X played a lot more Roxy Music/Bryan Ferry. 91X is 91X again, unlike any other station anywhere. [9] The acquisition was completed later the same year; simultaneously, the Mexican concession was transferred to XETRA Comunicaciones, S.A. de C.V. Jerry Springer, who hosted the "Jerry Springer Show" for 27 years, died on April 27 from cancer, his rep and friend Jean Galvin confirmed to NBC News. On the other hand, when it comes to news and public affairs, radio fills a niche. Cantore went to high school in Los Angeles, but he later graduated from San Diego State, and the areas coastal vibe and small-town feel convinced him to stay. To expand the local focus is a conundrum, Decker says. The wordsmiths, though, created a local production company and kept the show going in San Diego and in syndication. John Lynch at 1700 AM signed Larson to do the 5:009:00 morning show and to be the stations program director. Doneux is music director and midday DJ at 91X. Think Blue and Get Your Free Ticket to SoCal Taco Fest, Tower X West Coast IPA Now Available Everywhere. September 11 attacks: Wetin happun dat day and di next day (877) 572-1919 Doneux is music director and midday DJ at 91X. Alternative. On September 5, 1978, XETRA-FM moved to 91.1MHz and began broadcasting with 100,000 watts from a new transmitter site atop Mount San Antonio. I would never swear on the radio. Because I had already been listening to Howard via KLSX-FM from L.A. I was writing for the Escondido Times-Advocate at the time. crew was here taping that "press conference". One of my most unforgettable moments was when my husband Chris and I were invited to join Bono and The Edge in a trailer beneath the Rose Bowl to listen to some new U2 songs with them before they went on stage. The . All these opinions on "talk radio" formats make valid points. Since talk delivers audiences to advertisers (in Neil Postmans immortal phrase) so well, ratings-rabid managers want more: its cheap to produce, its high-profile personalities are news magnets, and its an ideal way to create a market where one may not have existed. Its like a big love fest., And yet, underscoring the volatility of local media, the love ended almost as quickly as it began. We havent done a Lounge lately the local arts and culture show, sacked four years ago, whose OK ratings did not equal the expense. KLSD (with a lousy signal, bad engineering and almost no marketing) had risen to #17 in the ratings. I thought, silly me, I could walk out of 15 years radio experience and pick my [next] job. I think not. and our Initially, programming was recorded at the downtown San Diego studios in the Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich Building and driven across the border to the transmitter site several times a day. That will, Tanny says, put terrestrial radio in a heap of trouble. iRoamer, billed as the worlds first universal Internet radio platform, has been launched in Australia, according to Computerworld Australia. Independent. As we celebrate mediocrity 2023 San Diego Reader. Editorials, Commentary, Reader Reaction and a touch of Steve Breen delivered every Sunday. Radiological. We havent debuted a new show in a long time. We recommend to enable all cookies to guarantee the website properly work. To get to the studio you had to drive up this hill to get to this dingy, cinder-block building. All rights reserved. is a term of excitement popular with surfers. Curated stories, fun places to hang out and top events. Clear Channel purchased Jacor in 1999, then, using loopholes in leasing agreements to own and operate stations in Mexico, bought another 13. They treated me with respect. I doubt there is an eager audience out there for more of the same. Radio needs to seek out independent average joes for ideas and pay them to try out new ideas. My kids who are not old enough to drive yet build lowrider bicycles and cant wait until they have a car to work on. In early 2019, XETRA-FM changed their slogan to "Local. Even if you have these guys on every other week, people respond positively to them, and thats a public service.. To record his work he uses his home studio in Leucadia or the one in his cabin on Palomar Mountain. In December 2009, Finest City, faced with considerable debt and foreclosure, was forced to put the entire cluster up for sale after defaulting on a loan. One producer refers you to another producer. He says its theoretically easier to get into the voice-over business than it was when he started 20 years ago: All you really need is a home studio and the Internet. But boy, that's a hard show to listen to. Roger Hedgecock and Stacy Taylor, another local favorite, following a five-minute news update, often open with 25-minute monologues. EBTG FOR SAN DIEGO RADIO on Twitter: "@olscurfybastard @91X Some other notes of interest re: KLSD.revenue-wise, it was certainly doing better financially than it's predecessor format of adult oldies music. I was real phone-heavy with terrestrial radio; now its all computers. | San Diego, CA And some progressive talkers are even turning a profit-- for example, Ed Schultz, whose syndicated show was on KLSD, is about to celebrate his 5th anniversary;his show has been profitable for the past 3 years, and is heard on about 100 stations nationwide. Chris Cantore who was doing mornings on 91X (he replaced Stern) was interviewed by the U-T at the time and Cantore had this big dramatic rap (paraphrasing) "We have to be so careful with the FCC,etc." 91X, ALT 949 and ROCK 105.3 all seem to be sitting in the same neighborhood in the radio ratings, at least in short term trends. That's why they ought to be back on the air in San Diego. I have to take issue with your negative brush-off all the left-leaning programs. The stations Web traffic, Cantore says, rose 44 percent over the summer. 2 talking about this. San Diego Screaming Bring back old memories, when I was living in Pacific Beach.