Difference Between SF and LA DJs

[DavidKaye]

Michael Hagerty and others have echoed what I have felt all along: SF and LA DJs were very different animals, as their markets were very different.

MH brought up the differences between KFRC and KHJ, between KSFO and KMPC, between KNBR and KFI. I concur. When KFRC took on the Drake format it was very much like KHJ's style. But it didn't take very long to evolve into its own sound. As time went on and I visited LA, KHJ got faster and harder sell, and KFRC felt like a comfortable pair of tennies -- fun to play in, but comfortable, too.

KFRC's approach was highlighted by the stuff coming out of their superb public affairs department ("God Squad", "Dupont Gai", "Mustard Seed", etc). In the meanwhile, KHJ became almost a caricature of Top 40 radio, just as the East Coast screamer Top 40s had become caricatures.

But in retrospect MH was also right about the difference between KSFO and KMPC. KMPC was very "announcerish" whereas KSFO was dripping with warm, quirky personalities. Gary Owens belonged on KMPC with his hand cupped to his ear. Jazzbeaux Collins was pure KSFO, and so it goes.

I can only think that the difference between SF and LA is probably LA's concentration on style before substance. You're probably not going to go far in the biz in LA unless you sound hotter and have the bell-shaped tones.

 

[LKellerIII]

I think it's true to this day for the old-line DJs. Check out Shotgun Tom Kelly on K-Earth 101 for example - very theatrical old-line Top 40 delivery - somewhat like the Real Don Steele.

On the other hand - say what you will about Ryan Seacrest - nobody is more conversational in the morning. He doesn't depend on a big voice at all. In fact, he used the same style in the Bay Area on K-101 for awhile in the late 90s, but didn't stay long. If I remember correctly, he took the afternoon drive slot when Rick Shaw died. Kind of like Morgan and Steele, Los Angeles beckoned soon afterward.

 

[SFStatic]

Rick Shaw did middays at K101 before he passed. He generally moved to mornings when Don Bleu was on vacation. I believe Teri King was in the PMD slot for a lot of that time. I know this, as I covered the midday after Rick died for 3 months. Rick O'Bryan was brought in, and took over the midday slot for a couple years. Seacrest did afternoon drive for a short while, but frequently flew back to L.A. even during that time.

 

[crguy]

But now it could be argued that there is little difference between Star DJs in SF and KBIG DJs in LA. I'm just sayin'.

 

[DavidKaye]

But now it could be argued that there is little difference between Star DJs in SF and KBIG DJs in LA. I'm just sayin'.

Yeah, times have changed and DJ tracks are pretty much interchangeable now. What amazed me was last year or whenever it was that Bobby Ocean was doing an afternoon slot on KOIT. He was live! Who knew that any DJs were live on KOIT? Well, now I know and I notice that they do mention temperatures and other "live" things, but oh how I wish they'd inject more pesonality into the format. Of course, who am I to say? KOIT consistently leads the ratings.

 

[calguy]

Haven't heard KOIT in a while, but the delivery seems to me to be almost a beautiful Music style of delivery. Reminds me of KOST in the early 90's. As for Star and MyFm deejays sounding the same, that's because both stations share the same PD and 2 of the jocks from LA, track for SF. Kari Steele and Lisa Foxx both pull double duty.Oh yeah, almost forgot to remind you, these are Clear Channel stations, so sounding the same is the norm.

 

[crguy]

both stations share the same PD and 2 of the jocks from LA, track for SF. Kari Steele and Lisa Foxx both pull double duty.

You mean the same PD and 3 of the jocks from LA.

Alice is all live and local. Star is neither.

 

[SFStatic]

Exception: the Star morning show. Don Bleu has been on live in the mornings since before Alice was born. Wait, what? Yes, Don's a Grandpa.

 

[calguy]

both stations share the same PD and 2 of the jocks from LA, track for SF. Kari Steele and Lisa Foxx both pull double duty.

You mean the same PD and 3 of the jocks from LA.

Alice is all live and local. Star is neither.

Okay there's Kari Steele and Lisa Foxx. Who is the 3rd jock they share? I'm unaware.

 

[Michael Rivers Kramer]

Haven't heard KOIT in a while, but the delivery seems to me to be almost a beautiful Music style of delivery. Reminds me of KOST in the early 90's. As for Star and MyFm deejays sounding the same, that's because both stations share the same PD and 2 of the jocks from LA, track for SF. Kari Steele and Lisa Foxx both pull double duty.Oh yeah, almost forgot to remind you, these are Clear Channel stations, so sounding the same is the norm.

KOIT's delivery sounds to me like a brightly delivered easy listening station. They don't talk over the music or over music beds or jingle ramps. You won't hear contests or cheesy jock jingles.

KOST on the other hand you will hear music beds, listeners on air and jocks talking over jingle ramps that sing out the jock name. The talent sounds warm for the most part. Some of the formatics include weather forecasts full of old radio cliches like "Right now...Newport Beach 'checks in' with 75 degrees :'( ....it's 80 degrees along the................................................. "Coast!" Their old top of the hour used to have a silly tag line provided by Dick Clark that said something like "Southern California's Soft Rock". I think they pulled it from their TV ad. KOST really sounds like "LA" and it took me a couple of years to get used to the station and (the area) aflter living in the Bay Area for a good chunk of my life. They are QUITE SUCCESSFUL and their airstaff has been stable force for years. They recently changed their jungle package.


KOIT's delivery is warm, friendly and simple with lots and lots of liners. They sound community driven although that may have changed "post Bonneville".

 

[crguy]

Okay there's Kari Steele and Lisa Foxx. Who is the 3rd jock they share? I'm unaware.

Kari, Lisa and Ryan.

 

[SFStatic]

The PD "from LA" was also sent there from here. Actually, Andrew Jeffries is from New Zealand, programmed in London, came to Star in SF, then was given LA and forced to move there by CC from where he now also programs Star by remote control. The man must have a REALLY understanding wife, even by radio widow standards! BTW, he's smart as hell and a decent guy.

 

[calguy]

The PD "from LA" was also sent there from here. Actually, Andrew Jeffries is from New Zealand, programmed in London, came to Star in SF, then was given LA and forced to move there by CC from where he now also programs Star by remote control. The man must have a REALLY understanding wife, even by radio widow standards! BTW, he's smart as hell and a decent guy.

I don't know that I would count Ryan since he doesn't actually track for Star 101. It's a show that has the same content for the most part on lots of stations.

As for Mr. Jeffries, well that's not the complete story from what I've heard, and I've heard a lot. However, I don't want to burn bridges with my CC contacts, so I'll just say that he's quite ambitious. Smart, yeah, but so are a lot of people at CC Burbank.

But smart doesn't always translate to having good taste or creativity. I wish I could say more, but I was asked not to. Lets just say that things aren't all what they seem and decency isn't always at the top of the list either. By the way, I've heard a lot of the same things about this subject from the CC SF cluster, the armor has cracks...

 

[SFStatic]

A board op spends an hour and a half or 2 hours a day customizing Ryan's stuff for Star, but you are correct, they aren't really done "for" Star. As for your opinion of Andrew, I worked with him, not for him. I know people who share your veiled opinion.

 

[calguy]

A board op spends an hour and a half or 2 hours a day customizing Ryan's stuff for Star, but you are correct, they aren't really done "for" Star. As for your opinion of Andrew, I worked with him, not for him. I know people who share your veiled opinion.

Many successful people feel the need to manipulate their subordinates in sneaky ways. It's sad really. It seems that the want or need to put your stamp on something means that you're trying to fix something that isn't broken. In the process that thing, or in this case readio station gets ripped apart and staff gets ripped apart with it all becase of someone's ego needing to be fed. The question is really, how many radio station's does one prgrammer need to control and in the process ruin lives to do it? It's all so unnessesary and in most cases the station sounds worse. Someone gets fired for no good reason and it impacts the lives of that person's family. Children get hurt, not just their father or mother all because of someone's stupid ego. Doesn't matter what country you come from either, it's a universal problem.

 

[DavidKaye]

Many successful people feel the need to manipulate their subordinates in sneaky ways. It's sad really. It seems that the want or need to put your stamp on something means that you're trying to fix something that isn't broken. In the process that thing, or in this case readio station gets ripped apart and staff gets ripped apart with it all becase of someone's ego needing to be fed.

This is true in all industries, not just broadcasting. Whenever someone is hired they're hired because management wants change. They don't want same. If they wanted same they wouldn't have fired/laid off the previous employee. Thus, it's a mandate to change something.

Often the changes are merely cosmetic because the employee (a DJ, a manager, an architect) knows that there's not really much they can do to change the fortunes of the company, so they go about rearranging the Titanic's deck chairs to make things look nicer. They probably figure that they'll be there long enough to collect some hefty paychecks and then go elsewhere.

In most companies, be they radio stations, iron foundries, or bus systems, the company culture is what determines success, and the individuals usually don't have enough power to steer the company culture. I once bought a restaurant that already had a toxic company culture so ingrained that short of firing everybody and starting over there was no way to overcome the thefts. Unfortunately, I didn't fire everybody and I eventually lost a lot of money on the venture.

 

[calguy]

Many successful people feel the need to manipulate their subordinates in sneaky ways. It's sad really. It seems that the want or need to put your stamp on something means that you're trying to fix something that isn't broken. In the process that thing, or in this case readio station gets ripped apart and staff gets ripped apart with it all becase of someone's ego needing to be fed.

This is true in all industries, not just broadcasting. Whenever someone is hired they're hired because management wants change. They don't want same. If they wanted same they wouldn't have fired/laid off the previous employee. Thus, it's a mandate to change something.

Often the changes are merely cosmetic because the employee (a DJ, a manager, an architect) knows that there's not really much they can do to change the fortunes of the company, so they go about rearranging the Titanic's deck chairs to make things look nicer. They probably figure that they'll be there long enough to collect some hefty paychecks and then go elsewhere.

In most companies, be they radio stations, iron foundries, or bus systems, the company culture is what determines success, and the individuals usually don't have enough power to steer the company culture. I once bought a restaurant that already had a toxic company culture so ingrained that short of firing everybody and starting over there was no way to overcome the thefts. Unfortunately, I didn't fire everybody and I eventually lost a lot of money on the venture.

Well I can tell you for a fact that at one LA station someone decided to get back at a programmer for not doing something that they wanted by telling lies to the higher ups. They then felt the need for oversight by bringing in another programmer to supervise the PD. This new person who knows little or nothing about the format, station or market. This a very successful property that has been torn asunder with changes that make no sense. Some are cosmetic, but only serve to make the station sound bad. Morale at that property is now in the dumps. Bad morale is not good for any business. It breeds discontent and like dominoes the station begins to fall apart. The real villain is the first supervisor who by looking for revenge because he wanted something he had no right to, puts an entire staff at risk. At least that bozo has moved on to another city. I know all the names, but will refrain from identifying anyone for the sake of the innocent.

 

[DavidKaye]

Bad morale is not good for any business.

If Ed Stolz made any mistakes taking over KNGY 92.7 it was in the company morale situation. However, since he's apparently using 92.7 as a relay for a little network he's building, it would have been hard for him to lay off most of the staff and just keep a couple. It was probably better to start afresh.

When Entercom took over KOIT from Bonneville I noticed that they left things intact. And wonder of wonders, KOIT continues to do very well. I've heard from people who have worked at KOIT at various times and was told that people have been treated well there. It seems that if you have good company morale, the rest falls into place.

Certainly that was the case with KNGY. Even though there was a huge debt service, there was positive cash flow. This is very good for 92.7, which hadn't made a profit in 20 years.

 

[calguy]

Ed Stolz is not the kind of owner that will care about morale. I know many people who have worked for him in the past and he's a real nightmare. Lock up your daughters around this guy as well.

Entercom knew enough to leave KOIT pretty much as is. Would have been dumb to acquire a top rated money-maker and change anything really, not that others haven't done that. But it always blows up in your face. Good example of fixing something that isn't broke is KOST in LA. Newer, horrible jingles from Reel World, firing a popular morning co-host as well as their long time midday man has forced the rest of the staff to step up. They saw some wobble and with no head to head competitor have been able to keep the ratings up, but I've heard that listeners are still upset almost two years after the firings.
But that's Clear Channel for ya, all to save a buck or two. But hey, they only bill like 40 to 50 million or more there. Matter of fact, most CC stations are running with skeleton staffs now and it's hard on those that are still there.

 

[punkdj]

Alice is all live and local. Star is neither.


-not on the weekends....and i do believe nights as well... alice is tracked tracked tracked