Short-takes, the mid-October edition

 

(After a bout of food poisoning, norovirus, or being sick to my stomach after the Dodgers' loss on Saturday, I was out of commission this weekend but have hopefully now reached the end. I think there's an unintended pun. Sorry once again for the delay.)

Cambiar: Univision’s top rated KLVE (K-LOVE 107.5 FM, again not to be confused with 100.3 FM) debuted a new morning show on Monday, October 1. Afternoon host Ysaac Álvarez moves to AM drive with co-host Fernanda Kelly. The new program, “Levántate con Ysaac  Álvarez” replaces “El Show de Omar y Argelia,” the very successful long running program hosted by the husband and wife team of Omar Velasco and Angelia Atilano. 

Velasco said the morning program became more wearing over time, but denied rumors the couple was separating, saying “they are more united than ever” and are “ready to face the future together.”

As a preamble to his first show, Alvarez offered the following:

This child, now a man, left home at the age of 19 for the United States, only thinking about getting ahead and how to help his family that he left in Peru. He worked doing a bit of everything, but determined to fulfill his dream, the dream of working in radio. And you know, he did it. He always believed in himself and that if he did not know something, he would learn it quickly. He started from the bottom, nobody gave him anything, he worked in the morning, in the afternoon, at night and even in the early morning shift. Yes, from 12 to 6 in the morning. He knew that it was necessary to take those steps to gain experience, that experience that would one day lead him to work at the most important Spanish-speaking radio station in the United States. After several years he's done it one more time. And that effort, that sacrifice, that determination led him humbly to sit in front of the microphone at station number one in Los Angeles. That young man who had to cross several borders to reach a new life far from his family, now fulfills one of the most important dreams for any radio fan. And you know he's grateful, so grateful for this new opportunity and this new challenge. That young man and now man, it's me. My name is Ysaac Álvarez and I have the pleasure of accompanying you from 5 to 10 in the morning in the new KLOVE 107.5 show.

Changing teams: Former L.A. sports host Mark Willard has left evenings San Francisco’s KNBR to join cross-town rival “95.7 The Game” (KGMZ-FM) to co-host a midday show with Dan Dibley. Willard was the sports anchor for Roger Lodge at “1540 The Ticket” (KMPC), later working for 710 ESPN (KSPN) and FOX Sport Radio. Willard also is the cohost of “The Pregame” on PAC-12 networks.

Pet Sounds: The author of Memoirs of a Pet Therapist: A Tail All Book is celebrating 40 years on the air. Warren Eckstein, the international pet and animal expert, is currently heard on “The Answer 870” (KRLA). We’re hoping to interview him as he celebrates his four decades of providing pet owners reassuring advice and counsel.

Jazzed about a new talent: Long Beach’s K-Jazz (KKJZ) has added Rhonda Hamilton to their lineup. Hamilton is now heard from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. She arrives at K-Jazz via WBGO-Newark, New Jersey. The New York native started her career at WBUR-Boston, where she was both music director and on-air talent. Hamilton has also been heard on NPR via syndication. She’s won numerous honors, including the Jazz Journalists Association Willis Conover-Marian McPartland Excellence in Broadcasting Award, The Amazing Women in Jazz Award from International Women in Jazz and two consecutive New York Jazz Awards for Best Jazz DJ. Saul Levine, KJAZZ General Manager, stated that “We are thrilled to have Ms. Hamilton to join the K-Jazz family, bringing with her decades of extensive experience producing and hosting jazz programs.”

 “I am now proud to call Los Angeles home and look forward to creating lasting bonds within the Southern California jazz community as part of the K-Jazz family. Our shared love of the music unites us all,” said Hamilton.

"Staying in the biz": Claudia Peschiutta is “moving on” from her City Hall beat and leaving KNX. The 15-year veteran has served as the LA City Hall bureau chief for the past four years. The UCLA graduate previously served as a general assignment reporter for KFWB and west coast correspondent for Fox News Radio. “I'll miss my friends at the station but I'm looking forward to the next chapter in my career,” tweeted Peschuitta. She did hint she’ll be “staying in the biz” on her Twitter account.

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