Farewell Dallas ----

[rbrucecarter5]

I was a TI victim 7 weeks ago, so I am now going to be working in Houston, and full of opinions about radio down there. When I came here 9 years ago, I had visions of a weekend show on KTPW, now KVRK - visions that never were realized. So my parting shots at some Dallas radio stations:

KEOM 88.5 - a real treasure, but stuck in the 70's which may cause a decline. Robert Bass - I miss you!

KTCU 88.7 - amazing station. I wish they could get an upgrade because they represent the best of college radio. As forlorn KTXT Lubbock listeners discovered - this type of creativity is fragile.

KVRK 89.7 - another treasure, there aren't but a handful like this around the country.

KCBI 90.9, KVTT 91.7, KLTY 94.9 - music stuck in the past, needs to update to Hot AC CCM or die.

KZPS 92.5 - recovering nicely from the attempt to be countryfied.

KBDN 93.3 - could be a giant in the classic rock arena, but who selects some of those songs? Sheesh - throw the potential away and make DX'ers out of Collin county listeners who discovered KMAD.

KPMZ 96.7 - it was my distinct honor to have some email exchanges with Ron Chapman, and meet Debi Diaz. I'm not too much into some of the shower songs they play, but I'm glad they are there. Syndicate the format, guys!!!

KEGL 97.1 - a true Dallas legend, rising from the ashes of attempts to destroy it. We no longer have KZEW, KLIF (MUSIC), but this is one glimmer of Dallas's once great radio band. Cherish it, or lose it as Houstong lost KLOL forever. I have my silver KLOL death head bumper sticker , and my "no mega" homemade bumper sticker ready for Houston.

KLUV 98.7 - identity crisis as the oldies format is in transition. Still, I have had pleasant email exchanges with some of their personalities - and they will be on my streaming list.

KLOL 101.1 = proof that we actually have intelligent, educated people living in the area. That this is not just a wild west city. I hope the city remains resolutely determined to preserve this legacy Dallas station.

I'd write more, but radio-info slowdown is rearing its ugly head again.

 

[purpledevil]

You've got KLOL on the mind. I know you mean WRR. I welcome you to Houston, rbrucecarter. Look forward to seeing what you think of Houston radio compared to Dallas. I just hope you are bilingual. ;D

 

[BBontheRadio]

Best of luck in Houston.

 

[davideduardo]

... or lose it as Houstong lost KLOL forever. I have my silver KLOL death head bumper sticker , and my "no mega" homemade bumper sticker ready for Houston.

Why do you object to radio, in general, adapting to new demographic and lifesyle realities?

KLOL went away because the geezer rock demo was decreasing or ageing out of the demos advertisers want. Tastes in music change, and many listners had moved on, and the audience pool was diminished. The station was doing poorly, and approaching the end of its run.

At the same time, the Hispanic population had grown to nearly 30% of the Houston market.

There was no other logical decision.

 

[purpledevil]

... or lose it as Houstong lost KLOL forever. I have my silver KLOL death head bumper sticker , and my "no mega" homemade bumper sticker ready for Houston.

Why do you object to radio, in general, adapting to new demographic and lifesyle realities?

KLOL went away because the geezer rock demo was decreasing or ageing out of the demos advertisers want.

So, if this is true then...
The Arrow continues on because....
The Eagle returned to Dallas because....
Univision turned to a KISS clone rock format for KLTO in San Antonio because...

KLOL went away because Clear Channel saw an opportunity that Univision wasn't capitalizing on here and ran with it. What they didn't forsee is the public outcry that would soon follow because of KLOL's longstanding reputation within the community. Had they, we would be talking about Mega 93.7 right about now. Certainly you kid about listeners music tastes changing being a contributing factor to the demise of KLOL? If KLOL hadn't been stripped of its huge rotation, listeners wouldn't have went anywhere. KLOL outlasted every other rock station in this city until CC got a hold of it and stripped it to the bare bones.

Forgive me friends from Dallas, I certainly don't mean to hijack your board discussing Houston topics. I saw this and felt the need to respond.

 

[scrtr84]

I miss Bass on KEOM as well. Frankly that station has become unlistenable since his departure. Too many slow songs and stiffs. The music programming has lost direction as well. And it does seem like they are forever stuck in the 70s. I was really looking forward to hearing what Bass would do with some 80s tunes in the mix. I know he's a big fan of the 80s, and he did such a good job with the 70s. He also had some good banter moments with the sports guys, especially with those afternoon traffic updates during baseball and softball season. But sadly he's gone now and I have removed KEOM from my presets.

 

[bucwhyl]

Holla! Don't let the door hit ya..... Well, you know the rest.....

 

[JayDavis]

Okay, please someone help me, what happened to Robert Bass at KEOM?

 

[scrtr84]

Okay, please someone help me, what happened to Robert Bass at KEOM?

From what I read on another board, they changed his job description after Dr. Griffin retired, and he wasn't happy about it. I don't know if he has admitted it or not, but I wonder if one of those changes included taking him off the air? I think there's an earlier post on this board that claims Bass was fired, but as far as I know Bass has never revealed any more details. Has anyone else on here heard from him directly?

 

[TexasTom]

I was a TI victim 7 weeks ago, so I am now going to be working in Houston

Sorry to hear that -- even though I haven't worked for TI since 1997, I still use the Texins gym near my house, so I know several other folks who got nailed in the downsizing.

Hope all goes well for you in Houston.

 

[rbrucecarter5]

Thanks for the best wishes from most of you. First time I've driven to Houston with a Pioneer Supertuner 3D in the dash:

Platinum 96.7 to South of Fairfield, almost Buffalo, spotty reception to South of Centerville, mixed with a Spanish language station and a "Kiss FM" from somewhere.

KLUV to halfway between Madisonville and Huntsville

And --- amazing - KLTY never did go out completely. Spotty to dependable reception to Cypress where I am staying. Amazing! Maybe they juice that transmitter with God power or something, I measure it close to 240 miles! The other Dallas stations ought to go out there and see what they are doing different, because there was no skip on it. Just ordinary reception from what I can tell. Or - is it because they aren't fooling with HD?!

Most of the rest - pretty good to Centerville, spotty to Madisonville.

And yes - I had KLOL on my mind. I meant WRR.

 

[davideduardo]

The Arrow continues on because....
The Eagle returned to Dallas because....

KLOL went away because the other rock or rock leaning stations were enough. A lot of buys look for format diversity to enhance reach and frequency. Having two rock stations, even if different varieties, did not suit them.

Univision turned to a KISS clone rock format for KLTO in San Antonio because...

The result turned out very nicely... KISS is down and The Beat is #1.

KLOL went away because Clear Channel saw an opportunity that Univision wasn't capitalizing on here and ran with it.

Clear had set up an Hispanic initiative, and they switched stations in dozens of markets based on identifying stations that were performing badly and declining.

KLOL outlasted every other rock station in this city until CC got a hold of it and stripped it to the bare bones.

All the more reason for changing it...

 

[Holstead]

So Bruce:

Does this mean you are going to work for TI in Houston? If so, you'll be out my way in 'fashionable Ft. Bend County' at the Stafford site! Drop me a line, I'd love to meet you, and show you my favorite whistle stops and eat 'em up joints.

At this time, my wife would also like to let you know she is a top producing Real Estate agent in the area, and is eager to meet you too. Though I am certain it is not to talk about radio

 

[salemjedi54]

Thanks for the best wishes from most of you. First time I've driven to Houston with a Pioneer Supertuner 3D in the dash:

Platinum 96.7 to South of Fairfield, almost Buffalo, spotty reception to South of Centerville, mixed with a Spanish language station and a "Kiss FM" from somewhere.

KLUV to halfway between Madisonville and Huntsville

And --- amazing - KLTY never did go out completely. Spotty to dependable reception to Cypress where I am staying. Amazing! Maybe they juice that transmitter with God power or something, I measure it close to 240 miles! The other Dallas stations ought to go out there and see what they are doing different, because there was no skip on it. Just ordinary reception from what I can tell. Or - is it because they aren't fooling with HD?!

Most of the rest - pretty good to Centerville, spotty to Madisonville.

And yes - I had KLOL on my mind. I meant WRR.

Holla!!!!

 

[rbrucecarter5]

Holla!!!!

Same today. West Little York appears to be about the Southern limit for KLTY. I'll have to put up a Yagi for that one and see what is possible. Amazing signal! I've had 200 mile plus with Pioneer Supertuners before, even a couple of dependable 300 mile - but only in a small area. But repeatable. KLTY seems to be one of those rare powerhouses.

 

[board monkey]

so I am now going to be working in Houston, and full of opinions about radio down there.

TYA!! I just recently drove the Houston to Dallas, Dallas to Houston drive and wasn't impressed with what I heard. Good Luck.

 

[Robert Bass]

Okay, please someone help me, what happened to Robert Bass at KEOM?

Incompetent management after Dr. G. retired...They unexpectedly changed my job description without consultation and with a lack of knowledge about my disabilities. Sorry for the delayed response, but I just now saw your post. Thanks for inquiring.