A new KIISer, anniversaries, and other short takes

 

A new KIIS: Kayla Thomas is now doing middays at KIIS-FM. The Maryland native hosted PopCrush Nights, nationally syndicated by Compass Media, and did nights at WPST-Trenton NJ. “I’ve been dreaming of living in Los Angeles since I was a little girl, and to be able to do what I love at the legendary KIIS-FM is an indescribable feeling,” said Thomas who was quoted at ramp247.com. “Words cannot express how thankful I am to John Ivey and (KIIS pd) Beata Murphy for this exciting opportunity. Being a world away from home is bittersweet, but it’s still surreal to be living my childhood dream. I’m ready to bring my east coast flavor to this L.A. heat!”

On her Instagram account, Thomas shared fond memories of her time at “94.5 PST” as she prepared to move west:

 

I got to mentor dozens of college students who inspired me each and every day. I got the courage to tell my testimony about having Lupus. And as a result, I got to hear the stories of so many people who silently battle different diseases that they don’t talk about. I got to help my community and share Black stories, LGBTQ+ stories, discuss mental health, and give voice to the ones who often feel unnoticed.

 

Thomas replaces Gabby Diaz, who continues afternoon drive at San Francisco’s WILD 94.9 (KYLD).

Has it really been 25 years?: The station known as “L.A.’s finest rock” left the airwaves in 1997. Nicole Sander invited her former KSCA colleagues and artists, including Dennis Constantine, Mimi Chen, Anita Gevinson, Dan Navarro, Angela McCluskey & Paul Cantelon of Wild Colonials, Rami Jaffe of The Wallflowers and now Foo Fighters and Peter Himmelman. See the reunion, recorded on February 5, here.

More anniversary congratulations: Meanwhile a couple of other stations also celebrate some landmark achievements:

KPBK is the radio station broadcasting from Fullerton College. Diana Kelly, former KWIZ personality, noted the first broadcast was on February 7,1972. “I was a radio student at Fullerton College (and KBPK) in 1975-76.  After working in radio for a few years, I came back to Fullerton College to teach in the radio program full-time from 1980-1993. It was a great program to prepare students for successful careers in radio,” said Kelly.

Kelly doing a remote broadcast in 1976 from Anaheim Convention Center. Jim Hilliker is standing to the left of Kelly (left of the guy with the striped shirt). (Photo credit - Diana Kelly)

Some of the station’s alums include Casey Bartholomew, Dale Berg, Ed Berger, Rick Clapper (KWIZ), Terry Driscoll, Julio Flores, Rob Frazier, Jim Governale, Martha Hermann, Stew Herrera, Jim Hilliker, Christina Kelley, Shari Lipman (KWIZ), Lisa Osborn, Kay Poland, Randy Skretvedt (KSPC), Bill Thomas, Pat Veling, Cynthia Walton, and Rita Wilde.

1983 photo of Don DePuy (one of the founders of KPBK) with Paul Kelly (Communications Dean and former radio faculty) and Diana Kelly (radio faculty) - all Fullerton College. (Fullerton College Hornet Newspaper)

“It should also be mentioned that this is an on-air educational FM station (90.1 FM) -- because so many college ‘radio stations’ are streaming online, but are not FM educational stations.  Many college radio stations are student-run stations – not a part of a radio program like KBPK is,” said Kelly.  “KBPK is completely focused on giving radio students the opportunity to practice what they are learning in the radio program.”

REZ Radio 91.3 (KPRI) marks 11 years on the air. The 100 watt station is a non-commercial FM station owned and operated by the Pala Band of Mission Indians of Pala, California.

John Fox, KEZY and KOLA veteran, serves as the station’s general manager. “We developed news and other local programming that has earned more than 20 San Diego Press Club awards for Excellence in Journalism as well as recognition from the Southern California News Association for Best Small Station Newscast,” said Fox. “That includes stations in LA, San Diego, the Inland Empire, upper and lower deserts, and the Central Valley all the way to Fresno.   Rez Radio news is the ONLY locally-based broadcast news outlet anywhere between San Diego, LA and Riverside. There’s also a number of music programs, plus live broadcasts of local government and religious gatherings.” The station is streamed live via the iHeartRadio platform. 

The San Diego “X” factor: Long time alternative 91X (XETRA-FM) revamped their playlist to now offer “classic alternative,” music from primarily before 2000. A press release stated the station “taps into the variety of the station’s massive music library, embraces the discovery of music new and old and strives to be anti-corporate and different.” Added PD Michael Garrett: “When 91X launched in 1983, it was a category of one, which ignored convention and blazed a new trail. With that spirit in mind, we are re-launching 91X in a new presentation that has no current industry definition, so we are calling the format what we are: 91X. 91X is 91X again, unlike any other station anywhere. And isn’t that what local radio should be?”

The battle for the San Diego alternative audience pitted 91X against modern rock ALT 94.9 (KBZT), an Audacy outlet. It’s not the same challenge between Audacy’s KROQ and ALT 98.7 locally, but the “buzz” continues about changes to the heritage 106.7 FM frequency. At one time, 91X followed KROQ’s lead with Rick Carroll’s “Rock of the ‘80s” modern rock format, this time is it 91X leading the future of KROQ?

Bowled over: I promised some comment about the Super Bowl, it turns out it was rather awesome for Rams flagship station 710 ESPN (KSPN), and not just because the L.A. team emerged victorious. It's reported the station's ratings increased 633%, with J.B. Long and Maurice Jones-Drew calling the game, while D'Marco Farr serving as sideline reporter. 

 

Jo Kwon, Nataly Tavidian

HearAche: The news and information stations have offered comprehensive coverage of the Russian occupation of Ukraine, KNX blending in CBS network updates, KPCC utilizing NPR and the BBC, while KFI uses their local news department integrated with their live and local show hosts…Condolences to Jo Kwon, KFI and Spectrum News 1 reporter / anchor on the loss of her father…

Jennifer York, Jim Svedja

Nataly Tavidian joins KNX as a field reporter. The UC Riverside graduate worked at different central coast TV stations as a reporter / anchor before becoming a host at AfterBuzz TV. She continues her own podcast at HeyHeart143…Speaking of KNX, we’ve received some inquiries about Jennifer York missing from the traffic center weekday mornings. We’ve been assured she’ll be back soon…Jim Svejda, long time KUSC evening host, has retired from the classical music outlet after 43 years. He also did film reviews for KNX and CBS Radio.

A quick personal note: My younger son celebrated his 18th birthday last week. The day before his momentous celebration, he learned he’s been accepted to Oregon State, his first (and only) choice. He’s hoping to be part of the school’s marching band. I guess orange becomes our family’s new favorite color.

If you’re not on our mailing list to learn about blog updates, please send your email – never to be shared or sold – to ayodaradio@gmail.com. Please stay safe and sane.

Click on the artwork for ways to support Ukraine.