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CHR/Top 40 stations in Little Rock
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todd and lucus split and both went different ways.. i only know that one of them is a PD at a decent market in cali but i forget which one....
and kevin cruise is still working in little rock youll hear him on KSSN every now and then on the Wolf every now and then...he's playing radio everynow and then for CC and has a REAL job weekdays....and just became a new daddy....great guy
by the way a long time ago there was a Zoo 98 thread that i never posted but as a younger listener growing up to Zoo man what a great look behind the curtins...with radiosaur and the rest...thanks for the history
kramer
and kevin cruise is still working in little rock youll hear him on KSSN every now and then on the Wolf every now and then...he's playing radio everynow and then for CC and has a REAL job weekdays....and just became a new daddy....great guy
by the way a long time ago there was a Zoo 98 thread that i never posted but as a younger listener growing up to Zoo man what a great look behind the curtins...with radiosaur and the rest...thanks for the history
kramer
Todd's in Santa Barbara. I forget where Lukas is...I'll check though.
Top-40's in LR that I remember:
KAAY "The Mighty 1090" - there's a thread in the Classic Radio section about it, and all kinds of history and blogs scattered about the web. A LOT of radio greats worked there at one time. Not just Arkansas radio greats, but people who went on to top-3 market and national acclaim.
KLAZ "Z98" - They went from an underground rock station to a huge hit of a Top-40; Craig O'Neal worked there...among MANY others.
KKYK "K-kick 104" - Craig worked there too.
I missed out on the Zoo98 era - I went to college and moved to Chicago, L.A. and NYC...this ain't about me though. There was a long spell that LR didn't have ANY Top-40 stations. Then the short-lived Star came about and went...then Q100, K-Hits and Alice...
Top-40's in LR that I remember:
KAAY "The Mighty 1090" - there's a thread in the Classic Radio section about it, and all kinds of history and blogs scattered about the web. A LOT of radio greats worked there at one time. Not just Arkansas radio greats, but people who went on to top-3 market and national acclaim.
KLAZ "Z98" - They went from an underground rock station to a huge hit of a Top-40; Craig O'Neal worked there...among MANY others.
KKYK "K-kick 104" - Craig worked there too.
I missed out on the Zoo98 era - I went to college and moved to Chicago, L.A. and NYC...this ain't about me though. There was a long spell that LR didn't have ANY Top-40 stations. Then the short-lived Star came about and went...then Q100, K-Hits and Alice...
There was about a 4 year span in LR in which there were not any Top 40 stations. After Zoo 98 became B-98.5, then the old KKYK started going downhill. There was some great Top 40 music that came out between the fall of 92 and the summer of 96 that we didn't get to hear in central Arkansas. Alice is doing well, but they talk too much in the morning and can get a little crude at times. I do think that their morning team has done well to stay together for over 7 years. I always thought Q-100 could've lasted had they had a morning show that could've stuck around. I think thats one of the reasons KSSN has been able to maintain their status, because of their stability as far as their morning show goes.
D
DIZ Guy
Guest
Way back when....when AM radio was FANTASTIC...there were three great stations that one could pick up almost all across the United States at night...
WABC New York....you could pick that sucker up in downtown Miami..
WLS Chicago....came in clear as a bell in Fayetteville.....still does....
KAAY Little Rock....strong as hell....
The Little Rock market definately has taken part in CHR history......
WABC New York....you could pick that sucker up in downtown Miami..
WLS Chicago....came in clear as a bell in Fayetteville.....still does....
KAAY Little Rock....strong as hell....
The Little Rock market definately has taken part in CHR history......
C
chota
Guest
I was the night guy at Star 102.1 and you talk about creative freedom...from a 3 to 12 in one book... first above Jaunitas with a Mackie Mixer and a computer...Tom said just do what you do...everybody's doing the Fish yeah, yeah, yeah...remotes every Friday and Saturday at The Edge and Joe's Big Bamboo...High atop the McKinley Plaza on the hill... how many girls did he have in the studio?... We're going to Smitty's!
Brought to you by Spudnuts... the affection connection... Fish has the van again? Dr. Dave and the weekly trip to Dixie Pig off MacCarthur.
Who was the diamond dealer?...Star Wars...7:05 and I'm still on 630...loved the furniture Dave... where did these Canary SFX come from?
and then off to KJ-103...
Brought to you by Spudnuts... the affection connection... Fish has the van again? Dr. Dave and the weekly trip to Dixie Pig off MacCarthur.
Who was the diamond dealer?...Star Wars...7:05 and I'm still on 630...loved the furniture Dave... where did these Canary SFX come from?
and then off to KJ-103...
hey is it time for the pager race yet on star? 
and i think the razorback fight song is in the top 5 again on network 40
by the way it was mentioned that in the early 90's no chr...and yep lord was my last few years at wilbur D mills crapy for radio...
no more zoo no more kkyk all of a sudden it was no rap no hard rock.. on B98 and kkyk went through 30 different names in a few years all i had was power 92 but for some reason all i remember was the quiet storm was every time i got behind the wheel of my 68 chevy stepside heading down to work at bonanza on geyer (hard to cruise when your bumping the quiet storm something really sad about that)...hey chota im still green with envy your there
holler at a playa
and i quote "god bless all the best"
kramer
and i think the razorback fight song is in the top 5 again on network 40 by the way it was mentioned that in the early 90's no chr...and yep lord was my last few years at wilbur D mills crapy for radio...
no more zoo no more kkyk all of a sudden it was no rap no hard rock.. on B98 and kkyk went through 30 different names in a few years
all i had was power 92 but for some reason all i remember was the quiet storm was every time i got behind the wheel of my 68 chevy stepside heading down to work at bonanza on geyer (hard to cruise when your bumping the quiet storm something really sad about that)...hey chota im still green with envy your there holler at a playa
and i quote "god bless all the best"
kramer
Alice launched sometime in '99 after the failed attempt at Modern AC....NB was right, Q100 did have success and, and yes it had adults. The station started turning south when they started laying off talent, in favor of Voice Tracking.
Kramer was the #1 night jock non ethnic, they cut him loos to save a few $$$ and import some short lived show from Tampa if my memory is correct. Q100 was a good CHR, until the higher ups at CC started tinkering with it, in favor of their cookie cutter CC CHR format.
As far as mornings go...Again had they left Tanner alone, he would have been fine, but he too was a budget cut in favor of another imported show.
Hopefully someone will go head to head with Alice soon!
Kramer was the #1 night jock non ethnic, they cut him loos to save a few $$$ and import some short lived show from Tampa if my memory is correct. Q100 was a good CHR, until the higher ups at CC started tinkering with it, in favor of their cookie cutter CC CHR format.
As far as mornings go...Again had they left Tanner alone, he would have been fine, but he too was a budget cut in favor of another imported show.
Hopefully someone will go head to head with Alice soon!
So what is the recipe for a Top 40 station to be successful in LR?
Being a successful CHR in Little Rock isn't much different than being a successful CHR anywhere else. Stay on top of the music and keep focused on your listeners. That's really all you have to do, though it's definitely easier said than done.
I remember the Zoo 98 and KKYK CHR battle in the late 80's/early 90's. Both were excellent stations, and a lot of markets would have been happy to have either one of them. I remember thinking I would've had either one over Y-95 and KEGL in Dallas. Little Rock was lucky to have both; plus, KLAZ wasn't a bad choice after it moved from 106.3 to 105.9 and upgraded its signal in the process. Unfortunately, both also got caught up in being CHR's when no one wanted to be a CHR. Despite its success, Zoo 98 bowed out first after Encore Broadcasting sold it to George Buck's GHB Broadcasting. KKYK tried like mad to get the Zoo 98 listeners, but maybe they tried too hard. They had constant name and image changes, and their musical direction seemed to change with the wind. I'm thinking they also lost Craig O'Neill during that time, which was the nail in the coffin. So, they bowed out and went full-blown rock.
I was in Little Rock for several months in 1994, which was during those few years when there was no CHR in the market, unless you count KLAZ 105.9. At the time, I was pretty disgusted with that type of music in general. So, it didn't bother me. I seem to remember my dial being glued to the recently-launched 94.1 The Point, Magic 105, Cool 95 and KLPQ/KOUN. I had my clock radio alarm set to KEZQ 102.9, but, aside from the 40 minutes or so it took me to get up and out the door, that was about the only time I ever listened to 102.9. B-98.5 got a sample or two from me here and there, but it didn't really do much for me. However, I guess it didn't need me as a listener as it's done just fine with those 25-54 females!
I remember the Zoo 98 and KKYK CHR battle in the late 80's/early 90's. Both were excellent stations, and a lot of markets would have been happy to have either one of them. I remember thinking I would've had either one over Y-95 and KEGL in Dallas. Little Rock was lucky to have both; plus, KLAZ wasn't a bad choice after it moved from 106.3 to 105.9 and upgraded its signal in the process. Unfortunately, both also got caught up in being CHR's when no one wanted to be a CHR. Despite its success, Zoo 98 bowed out first after Encore Broadcasting sold it to George Buck's GHB Broadcasting. KKYK tried like mad to get the Zoo 98 listeners, but maybe they tried too hard. They had constant name and image changes, and their musical direction seemed to change with the wind. I'm thinking they also lost Craig O'Neill during that time, which was the nail in the coffin. So, they bowed out and went full-blown rock.
I was in Little Rock for several months in 1994, which was during those few years when there was no CHR in the market, unless you count KLAZ 105.9. At the time, I was pretty disgusted with that type of music in general. So, it didn't bother me. I seem to remember my dial being glued to the recently-launched 94.1 The Point, Magic 105, Cool 95 and KLPQ/KOUN. I had my clock radio alarm set to KEZQ 102.9, but, aside from the 40 minutes or so it took me to get up and out the door, that was about the only time I ever listened to 102.9. B-98.5 got a sample or two from me here and there, but it didn't really do much for me. However, I guess it didn't need me as a listener as it's done just fine with those 25-54 females!
ANYTHING is possible.
Lukas and Manny lost their jobs in Sacramento after a girl died doing a hold your pee to win a car contest.
It was all over FMQB, Allaccess a year ago.
And if you guys remember, LICK forced Alice to change top 40 to go head to head with Q100, a battle they eventually wound up winning. (then q flipped to the edge taking out lick!!) Another CHR is for sure needed in this market. Alice is too safe, there is nothing at all exciting about it. Its pretty sad to see what happened to radio in this town in the seven years I was gone playing radio in other markets.
Can I get a HELL YEAH for archway finally folding???
Man, I have never seen a group run two succesfull stations in the ground so quick!
It was all over FMQB, Allaccess a year ago.
And if you guys remember, LICK forced Alice to change top 40 to go head to head with Q100, a battle they eventually wound up winning. (then q flipped to the edge taking out lick!!) Another CHR is for sure needed in this market. Alice is too safe, there is nothing at all exciting about it. Its pretty sad to see what happened to radio in this town in the seven years I was gone playing radio in other markets.
Can I get a HELL YEAH for archway finally folding???
Man, I have never seen a group run two succesfull stations in the ground so quick!
i think...a top-40 should be on 93.3 since it's xmtr is on the mountain at the antenna farm.
OR if CC sells 106.7 - a top-40 there.
because we know that the big signals aren't changing any time soon. (unless magic or hallelujah do...)
and, btw -
girl = mother of 3
car = a Wii gaming console
and the woman knew what she was doing, not assigning any blame or anything...
just to get the facts proper, 'ya know. i think there is still a civil court case pending, but can't remember at this moment.
OR if CC sells 106.7 - a top-40 there.
because we know that the big signals aren't changing any time soon. (unless magic or hallelujah do...)
and, btw -
girl = mother of 3
car = a Wii gaming console
and the woman knew what she was doing, not assigning any blame or anything...
just to get the facts proper, 'ya know. i think there is still a civil court case pending, but can't remember at this moment.
B
BobSacamano
Guest
I think we should bring back the old Zoo-98..'saur what'ya think it would take to make that happen??
BobSacamano said:
Well, I gotta correct something first. There was no "battle" between KKYK and Zoo in the mid-80's. KZOU dropped the big one on KKYK within 1 book in the summer of 1986. ;D
Now:
Zoo 98 was the right combination of people at the right time in the right place. Not sure it could happen again. I DO wonder what the radio world would have been like if Encore hadn't gone bankrupt, and if the morning show and PD who replaced Jerry had maintained the "zoo" image and attitude. With all due respect to Peter Stewart, KZOU lost whatever it was that made it "The Zoo" when he came on board. That's not a shot at Peter, it's a hat tip to Jerry Lousteau's programming skills.
I don't know if Encore had the financial means to do what it took to get Craig over to ZOO 98 to replace Jerry....or even if they tried but THAT plus some continuity in programming philosophy after Jerry left I think would have cemeted the station's standing in LR for many more years.
That said, a 2007 Zoo would be a whole heck of a lot more entertaining than some of the voice tracked crap we have now.
Funny this thread pops up again. I've been listening to the IT - the XM History of Pop music lately. A few days ago they were up to the mid-80's. It sure did bring back some memories of LR and my days at KZOU!
Oh, yeah...and I most certainly could not survive another round of the lifestyle we all led back then...
B
BobSacamano
Guest
Well, I was half-kidding when I asked,..but you're right the Zoo was a VERY entertaining radio station. and althought I've worked in bigger markets, Zoo 98 is still a highlight in my career.
'Saur's right about the lifestyle..there were quite a few nights I didn't get home til' around sunrise..
'Saur's right about the lifestyle..there were quite a few nights I didn't get home til' around sunrise..
Alice needs competition. Some real fun exciting competition. It would help out both stations (alice and ???) in the ratings. Alice is safe with the music and promotions because of the big hole they are sitting in right now. they can be.
I'd like to see 94.9 go head to head with KLAL, just because of the signal strenght. KLAL beat Q100 with half the power and now that they have a true 100KW station, I'd like to see if the station can hold onto the top CHR spot. THAT's FUN RADIO.
I'd like to see 94.9 go head to head with KLAL, just because of the signal strenght. KLAL beat Q100 with half the power and now that they have a true 100KW station, I'd like to see if the station can hold onto the top CHR spot. THAT's FUN RADIO.
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