An ayoda on radio

To be one of the KHJ Boss Jocks is a great legacy. To be the internationally known voice of Disney Productions for a quarter century is truly amazing. Mark Elliot  claimed both distinctions. The familiar voice to so many in Los Angeles and beyond has died, leaving an impact far beyond the local radio dial. He was 81. Courtesy 93khj.blogspot.com Born John Frick Jr. in Des Moines, Iowa, he was known by the monikers Sandy Shore, Buddy Harrison, Ed Mitchell, before he became Mark Elliott (he eventually changed his name legally). He arrived at KHJ via RKO's CKLW-Detroit and KFRC-San Francisco. Elliott actually made two stops at KHJ, from 1970 -1973 and 1975 - 1977. Known for his smooth delivery, it seemed natural Elliott would eventually find himself in the world of voiceover, but it wasn't easy. Ken Levine  described Elliott's tenacity in getting started in the business (read it here ). After studying the craft, it took a year before Elliott got his first gig, voicing the trail

When a company does a rebrand, there’s always suspicions as to why. Sometimes a new name is adopted because their product has evolved into something that’s truly different. Other times, the rebrand is to distance the company from their past. In 2014, Clear Channel rebranded itself as iHeartMedia. Its previous moniker was associated with some derogatory titles (remember “Cheap Channel?”), plus the corporation was carrying over $21 billion (!) in debt. But to claim the name change was just to distract the critics is – at least in my humble opinion – a bit limited. Almost simultaneously, Premiere Radio Networks – an iHeart subsidiary – dropped “radio” from their name even though their 60+ personalities (some with local roots include Rush Limbaugh , Ryan Seacrest , JoJo Wright , Bill Handel , Leo Laporte , Big Boy , Colin Cowherd , Jason Smith , Hollywood Hamilton , not a comprehensive list) provide programming for thousands of radio stations across the country. But there’s also the iHeart

Sending healing thoughts and strength to Andy Chanley , music director and afternoon drive host at 88.5 FM (KCSN / KSBR). He recently shared an update about his health with his friends and listeners: Hey, friends.  I have something to share.  Yesterday, I was diagnosed with cancer.  Stage II Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) with Germinal Center Subtype, to be specific.  It’s very aggressive, but also very treatable — and I’m gonna treat the shit out of it.  Six three-week cycles of a chemotherapy regimen they call R-CHOP begin Monday, along with anything else my excellent oncologist from UCLA comes up with.  You have no idea how eager I am to start — and win — this fight. Rush Limbaugh, Dan Bongino Who will replace Rush Limbaugh ? “There is no clear-cut favorite at this time,” said Michael Harrison, publisher of Talkers Magazine. “It is generally accepted that no one can replace Rush Limbaugh, even Rush Limbaugh as a posthumous performer.” Premier Networks announced they’ll conti

  These are the names of the eight victims of the shooting spree in Atlanta. Their names are also posted in their native language as noted. I've been asked several times about my reaction to this tragedy. I kept trying unsuccessfully to come up with the right words, until I realized whatever I'm feeling, as an Asian male, is exponentially worse for my Asian sisters. So I asked two prominent on-air Asian American Pacific Islanders to share their perspective about what happened this past Tuesday. Mimi Chen  is a Julliard-trained musician who now offers "Peace, Love and Sundays" on 88.5 FM (KCSN / KSBR). She's also a veteran of FM 101.9 (KSCA) and The Sound 100.3 (KSWD): The recent spate of attacks against the elderly had already raised my hackles but the murders in Atlanta, were obviously based in racism no matter how you spin it. What especially sickens me are the folks who try to twist it into something it’s not, simply dismissing it saying, “it’s not racist, he h

  Former KNX sportscaster Steve Grad  has passed. For 23 years, Grad offered sports updates in the afternoon and into the evening on the all-news station. He also did sports on weekends for KTLA/tv. He started his career while attending Southern Illinois University. Grad called baseball, football, basketball, hockey and boxing. After graduating in 1972, he was a TV sports anchor in San Antonio and Portland. In 1981, he moved to Kansas City working for KBEQ and KBEA. Grad landed on the west coast to work for K101 (KIOI) San Francisco.  He arrived at KNX in 1993. Despite once being referred to as "gravelly-voiced" by an unimpressed  Jim Healy , Grad continued his updates until 2016 when the station eliminated the afternoon sports anchor position. Grad interviewing Mickey Bly, GM’s Directory of Electrical Systems, at the LA Auto Show in 2010. (CBS Los Angeles) He was a two-time Golden Mike winner for his KNX sports segments. His daughter, Gina Grad , followed in his footsteps an

  I just finished my spring break from teaching, like everyone else at my school I could have used another week. I was productive, a bit more than usual, as my wife and I continue to clean out the garage. I found a box filled with newspaper clippings about local radio. It’s now somewhat organized, I’ll generate some stories from these files in the weeks ahead.   Gene “Bean” Baxter made an appearance Monday on KLOS, briefly reuniting him with former partner Kevin Ryder , now doing afternoons with Doug “Sluggo” Roberts . My correspondent Jodi-San listened in: “To hear that these three legendary DJs, Kevin Ryder, Sluggo & Bean were going to reunite over a small chat (and perhaps a cup of tea?) really made my day. And to top it off, they spoke of Bean’s disdain for people who say ‘Daylight SavingS” when it should be ‘Daylight Saving.’ Classic Bean.’”   This is not a contest, but I am curious to see who might know the answer. Which local radio station has had the most call lett