Some AM static, short takes, plus a quick Japan jaunt

 

For the longest time, I’ve wanted to see AM radio thrive. I grew up with Lohman and Barkley on KFI, (anyone else remember Jerry Bishop and Freeway Ed?), listened to Vin Scully bring home Dodger games on KABC, waited for Gary Owens to deliver another profound one-liner on KMPC, listen to Dave Hull toot his horn on KRLA, and listened to “1580 KDAY Great Weekends” with J. J. Johnson. Weekday mornings started with “what is Sweet Dick Whittington conspiring from the ‘Sin Fernando Valley’ on KGIL?” 

Lohman & Barkley, Jerry Bishop, Vin Scully, Gary Owens

Dave Hull, yours truly, J.J. Johnson

Dick Whittington

And of course, there was always the mighty 93 / KHJ. I had five different versions of AM stereo radios (my Sony SRF A-100 is still functional), I also have HD radios to hear what few local stations offer AM HD (KBRT and K-Mozart).

Yes, mine is still working!

Back in June, when I heard of the passing of Lakers legend Jerry West, I immediately tuned into AM 570 (KLAC) and 710 / ESPN (KSPN) at home. I could barely hear Dan Patrick over the noise, the reception was even more difficult with Travis and Sliwa. When I got in the car, I could hear both 570 and 710 much more clearly, nonetheless it led me to wonder that even a former AM enthusiast such as myself pondered the future of the medium-wave broadcast band.

To be fair, KFI continues to be a popular station. Even with their FM simulcast, it’s estimated 40 percent of KNX’s audience still tunes into AM 1070. 710 / ESPN LA just announced USC sports are returning, also the all-sports outlet will offer limited coverage of hockey’s LA Kings (the rest will stream on the station’s app). AM 570 continues as the flagship of the ever-popular Dodgers and the up-and-coming Clippers.

Most radio junkies (and our numbers are diminishing) are aware of legislation currently trying to mandate AM radios in new autos, noting cell phones and internet can be inaccessible during a major emergency. There is some argument shutting down AM stations would especially limit syndicated talk programming, which tends to feature conservative talk hosts (e.g. KABC / KRLA / KEIB). Spanish, Korean, and Farsi programming is also heard across the AM dial. Radio columnist Richard Wagoner proposed turning KABC into a full-service station which could revive AM 790. It’s also noted Saul Levine is considering turning K-Mozart (KMZT), currently offered in AM HD, into an all-digital outlet.

Someday an all digital AM 1260?

Yet around the world, AM is diminishing. The BBC is migrating all of their AM stations to FM (and perhaps migrate completely to online). Earlier this year, several major broadcasters in Japan are experimenting with temporarily turning off their AM stations to see if it will affect their overall listenership. Besides transmitter maintenance, it does cost money to power up the thousands of watts required, and tower property may be more lucrative as developed real estate (locally, KABC’s La Cienega Blvd. broadcast towers are gone, replaced by tall McBuildings somewhat ironically called the “Cumulus District”).

I am not ready to write the obituary for AM radio. But I’m not listening to the band as much as I once did. Apparently I’m not alone.

A Star Blade: Currently heard on Sirius XM’s “First Wave” (ch. 33), KROQ’s legendary Richard Blade received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in June. Blade was the morning man on the ROQer before Kevin & Bean premiered in 1990.  “The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is proud to honor radio personality Richard Blade with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame,” stated Ana Martinez, Walk of Fame Producer. “Richard has enriched many lives with his incredible talent and passion for music. This ceremony will bring back great memories and music from the 1980s when he was with the Los Angeles radio station, KROQ. What makes this award even more special for Richard is that he was nominated by his fans!”

The Super Mouth is stilled: Sorry to report Larry Huffman died on July 1. The L.A. Times once described his style as “It's a bird...It's a plane...It’s Supermouth!” Huffman once boasted “I can speak over 300 words per minute, clearly and distinctly.” Born in the Inland Empire, he spent most of his life in the OC, after stops in Elko, Nevada and Lewiston, Idaho, plus a stint at KGMB-Honolulu. He was heard in the late 60s on KWIZ and KEZY before announcing speedway motorcycle races. Dressed in a tuxedo, Huffman announced every type of off-road motorcycle race throughout North America, England, Belgium, France, and Japan. A sample “Huffmanisms”: "He went down faster than an Idaho thermometer in January.”

He later became the voice of the Grant Boys, a Costa Mesa outdoor goods store that Huffman helped make legendary. Huffman also did voiceover work, including over two dozen national Dodge spots.

The Big Bear resident died of a heart attack while visiting Palm Springs. He was 82 years of age. No services have been announced.

Bills, bills, bills: Radio Insight has published the top billing stations across the US. Number one is all-news WTOP-FM, Washington DC. In fact, four of the top ten billing stations are all-news, including WINS and WCBS-New York, plus WBBM-Chicago. Locally, iHeart stations KIIS-FM and KBIG (104.3 MyFM) are number two and number seven respectively.

A new LAist leader: We’d noted the impending retirement of Herb Scannell, who served as President / CEO of Southern California Public Radio (SCPR), which operates LAist 89.3 (KPCC) for the past three-and-a-half years.

The NPR station has announced Alejandra (Alex) Santamaria will now helm the SCPR operation. She’ll oversee the radio station, the LAist.com website, and LAist Studios podcasts. Santamaria arrives at LAist after serving as interim President / GM and VP / Director of Sales for Univision Los Angeles.

From the station’s press release: “Alex is the leader LAist needs today and for the future,” SCPR Board Chair Drew Murphy said. “Public radio remains a vital, important part of the Los Angeles media ecosystem and we are confident that her experience and talent is ideal to shepherd us forward, helping us to deliver on our mission, while remaining financially sound, in order to continue our role as an essential resource for our community.”

For her part, Santamaria said “Los Angeles is my home and I am thrilled to lead one of the premier mission-driven organizations serving my community. My career has been aligned with a media organization that has meant a lot to me because of their mission to empower, educate, and inform Latinos like my own family. I am ready to bring those skills and passion to LAist. The reporting LAist is doing is some of the best in the world. Now it’s our job to shine a brighter light on great reporting and continue to be a resource for Angelenos.”

Larry Mantle

Though LAist 89.3 continues to maintain their listener support, corporate underwriting has dropped. Earlier this month, LAist accepted 21 buyouts and eliminated seven positions to address a $4 -5 million projected budget shortfall over the past two years. The station recently revamped their daily program schedule “based on both the show performance and our current budget challenges.” Afternoons are now dominated by NPR’s “All Things Considered,” with Larry Mantle’s “Airtalk” and “Filmweek” currently the only locally-produced offerings.

A bit less Wood(y): Renae Ravey has been part of the ALT 98.7 (KYSR) / Premiere Networks syndicated morning prgram “The Woody Show“ for the past decade. Ravey departed the show in late June.

For 22 years, Ravey has been partnered with Jeff “Woody” Fife, starting at Q101 (WXQX)-Chicago, KITS-San Francisco, and 105.7 / The Point (KPNT)-St. Louis before arriving at ALT 98.7 in 2014. The show shared on social media a statement from Ravey:

I know this is a tough day for long time fans of the show. It’s a tough time for me as well. I know everyone wants more information or “the truth”. But for right now — all I will say — is that I will miss the Woody Show fans like crazy. 95% of you have been the kindest most loyal friends a gal could have — and love you all – even the haters. I take comfort in 10 great years — and I wouldn’t give those up for anything. I promise that I am okay and this will end up being a good thing for me – ME LOVE ALWAYS – Ravey

For his part, Woody has not offered any comments besides his announcement about Ravey’s departure on his morning show, stating “loves Ravey like a sister and wishes her the best and thanks her for all the years she has been part of the show.”

Noto Peninsula, January 1, 2024

Japan and other personal stuff: I’ll be returning to the classroom which will make my schedule a bit more flexible and allow me to pay attention to this blog a bit more in the future. That being said, breaking news notwithstanding, I’ll be offline from July 28 – August 8, we’ll be doing our (sorta) annual volunteer work participating in Japan’s post-disaster recovery efforts. 

Currently, the focus is on the Noto Peninsula, where an earthquake caused significant damage on New Year’s Day. I’m offering details for anyone interested in more information and supporting our work.

My son and I are off to Japan to be part of the recovery work this summer.

Finally, a former LA radio veteran is recovering from successful colon cancer surgery. As part of offering my best wishes, I was once again able to share the wisdom of Gary Owens, who once remarked “it was a wise man or gastroenterologist who said ‘this too shall pass.’” I thought it was fitting. Maybe not.

ayodaradio@gmail.com