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Good Riddance
- Thread starter rgb_gamer
- Start date
T
teximexi
Guest
Albq Tribune
Radio host Ahrens says `See you later'
By J.A. Montalbano Friday, September 29, 2006
Veteran radio host Larry Ahrens ended his latest on-air phase today as the plug was pulled on the city's first FM talk experiment.
KAGM-FM (106.3) was planning to switch to a Spanish-language format at 6 p.m. today, according to Peter St. Cyr, the producer of Ahrens' "Wake Up, New Mexico" show that hit the airwaves in March 2005.
Ahrens was told Thursday that he had one more morning show left at KAGM.
"The general manager called me and said the ownership has decided they don't want to pursue this anymore and the commitment was more than they wanted to make and they were making a change."
St. Cyr called today's farewell "a public outpouring of kind wishes and long memories" from listeners.
"It was really gratifying," Ahrens said of the send-off. "It really was. It was more than I expected."
Ahrens and TV veteran Dianne Anderson were the big guns hired by American General Media to launch the Albuquerque market's first foray into FM talk, Ahrens in the mornings and Anderson in afternoon drive. Months of "Where's Larry?" and "Where's Dianne?" billboards built up their arrival.
At the time, the station's general manager, Scott Hutton, said KAGM was committed to the format for five years. It lasted about 18 months. Anderson left the station last month to return to TV.
Hutton did not return a phone call this morning.
St. Cyr and Ahrens said FM talk can succeed in Albuquerque.
"It's going to happen in this town," Ahrens said. "There's no doubt in my mind."
St. Cyr said FM talk has worked in other cities but stations "take a lot of time to build, and we've turned a corner. There is definitely a niche here, and somebody's going to make it work."
Ahrens said his team "set the table" for the next FM talk station to succeed.
"Maybe the second one will succeed," he told his listeners. "I think we blazed a path here. We got a start here."
Ahrens said American General Media didn't market the station well enough and didn't realize how expensive the format can be with its emphasis on manpower.
"The information format requires a lot of human beings to put this out, so it's a staff commitment," Ahrens said. "And we were never able to get the ratings high enough to get advertiser support. The thing just imploded."
Ahrens came to Albuquerque in March 1980, and he was a fixture at KKOB-AM (770) for two decades.
Ahrens got a portion of the rest of his five-year contract as a settlement. He said he will turn his focus to the public relations firm he started this year with Tom Garrity. They represent authors, experts and organizations seeking access to the media, including talk shows like the one he just gave up.
Ahrens said he's interested in exploring options on the Web.
"Maybe I'll start an Internet station," he said. "I'm really interested in podcasting. I think that's the next big thing."
"This isn't Larry's last day on the air," St. Cyr said. "He'll land elsewhere."
St. Cyr wasn't surprised at the reaction of listeners today.
"Larry was never an in-your-face kind of host," St. Cyr said. "He's very balanced and he allowed people from all over the spectrum to contribute to the dialogue. That's why there was such an outpouring this morning."
Ahrens' final caller was his son, Ryan. He then signed off with "See you later" as the Knack's "My Sharona" played him out the door.
Radio host Ahrens says `See you later'
By J.A. Montalbano Friday, September 29, 2006
Veteran radio host Larry Ahrens ended his latest on-air phase today as the plug was pulled on the city's first FM talk experiment.
KAGM-FM (106.3) was planning to switch to a Spanish-language format at 6 p.m. today, according to Peter St. Cyr, the producer of Ahrens' "Wake Up, New Mexico" show that hit the airwaves in March 2005.
Ahrens was told Thursday that he had one more morning show left at KAGM.
"The general manager called me and said the ownership has decided they don't want to pursue this anymore and the commitment was more than they wanted to make and they were making a change."
St. Cyr called today's farewell "a public outpouring of kind wishes and long memories" from listeners.
"It was really gratifying," Ahrens said of the send-off. "It really was. It was more than I expected."
Ahrens and TV veteran Dianne Anderson were the big guns hired by American General Media to launch the Albuquerque market's first foray into FM talk, Ahrens in the mornings and Anderson in afternoon drive. Months of "Where's Larry?" and "Where's Dianne?" billboards built up their arrival.
At the time, the station's general manager, Scott Hutton, said KAGM was committed to the format for five years. It lasted about 18 months. Anderson left the station last month to return to TV.
Hutton did not return a phone call this morning.
St. Cyr and Ahrens said FM talk can succeed in Albuquerque.
"It's going to happen in this town," Ahrens said. "There's no doubt in my mind."
St. Cyr said FM talk has worked in other cities but stations "take a lot of time to build, and we've turned a corner. There is definitely a niche here, and somebody's going to make it work."
Ahrens said his team "set the table" for the next FM talk station to succeed.
"Maybe the second one will succeed," he told his listeners. "I think we blazed a path here. We got a start here."
Ahrens said American General Media didn't market the station well enough and didn't realize how expensive the format can be with its emphasis on manpower.
"The information format requires a lot of human beings to put this out, so it's a staff commitment," Ahrens said. "And we were never able to get the ratings high enough to get advertiser support. The thing just imploded."
Ahrens came to Albuquerque in March 1980, and he was a fixture at KKOB-AM (770) for two decades.
Ahrens got a portion of the rest of his five-year contract as a settlement. He said he will turn his focus to the public relations firm he started this year with Tom Garrity. They represent authors, experts and organizations seeking access to the media, including talk shows like the one he just gave up.
Ahrens said he's interested in exploring options on the Web.
"Maybe I'll start an Internet station," he said. "I'm really interested in podcasting. I think that's the next big thing."
"This isn't Larry's last day on the air," St. Cyr said. "He'll land elsewhere."
St. Cyr wasn't surprised at the reaction of listeners today.
"Larry was never an in-your-face kind of host," St. Cyr said. "He's very balanced and he allowed people from all over the spectrum to contribute to the dialogue. That's why there was such an outpouring this morning."
Ahrens' final caller was his son, Ryan. He then signed off with "See you later" as the Knack's "My Sharona" played him out the door.
B
bobeeboxer
Guest
That's right Larry if you were on AM the numbers would be higher!!!! ooops I have to pick myself up off the floor from laughing so much. Without KAGM to kick around what will I do......I know I can compare the Smooth Jazz stations or I can go watch the grass grow
G
Gnarlodious
Guest
Glad Larry is off-air. Wonder how long his mug will be gracing the website?
Now maybe they can run Doug Stephan until 8AM, if AGM survives at all.
In fact I turned KAGM on right now and it is some Mexican music station. Bring on the next format already!
Now maybe they can run Doug Stephan until 8AM, if AGM survives at all.
In fact I turned KAGM on right now and it is some Mexican music station. Bring on the next format already!
teximexi said:St. Cyr called today's farewell "a public outpouring of kind wishes and long memories" from listeners.
"It was really gratifying," Ahrens said of the send-off. "It really was. It was more than I expected."
For the few listeners left who did call!
teximexi said:Scott Hutton, said KAGM was committed to the format for five years. It lasted about 18 months.
Best quote from "Animal House": "hey..you f*cked up, you trusted me"
teximexi said:St. Cyr said FM talk has worked in other cities but stations "take a lot of time to build, and we've turned a corner. There is definitely a niche here, and somebody's going to make it work."
Ahrens said his team "set the table" for the next FM talk station to succeed.
"Maybe the second one will succeed," he told his listeners. "I think we blazed a path here. We got a start here."
Yeah..."maybe". Didn't KZIA try this on FM (101.7) years ago? KAGM was the second, really...
teximexi said:Ahrens said American General Media didn't market the station well enough and didn't realize how expensive the format can be with its emphasis on manpower.
Yeah...they bought billboards everywhere...
teximexi said:"The information format requires a lot of human beings to put this out, so it's a staff commitment," Ahrens said. "And we were never able to get the ratings high enough to get advertiser support. The thing just imploded."
So I guess it just never had a good ROI. But hey, it really set the path for the next FM talker, huh? This could happen to them too! Wowsers!
teximexi said:Ahrens said he's interested in exploring options on the Web.
"Maybe I'll start an Internet station," he said. "I'm really interested in podcasting. I think that's the next big thing."
Translation: I don't have a clue what I'm doing next!
I'll stop short of saying "Good Riddance" for a simple reason: a lot of great talent got screwed in the process of euthanizing KAGM 106.3. Love him or hate him, Larry is a great talent; two years of disaster does not undo 24+ years of success. Chris and the Bean are great talents, too. Glad to see the Bean managed to get a government job after being shafted at KAGM. Enjoy the benefits! It's always a shame to see good people lured away from, if nothing else, stable situations only to be out of work completely a few years later. Having been on the receiving end of that situation a few times myself, I can't say I rejoice in seeing this, even if the destruction of KAGM seems more like a mercy killing than anything else.
Kent said:I'll stop short of saying "Good Riddance" for a simple reason: a lot of great talent got screwed in the process of euthanizing KAGM 106.3. Love him or hate him, Larry is a great talent; two years of disaster does not undo 24+ years of success. Chris and the Bean are great talents, too. Glad to see the Bean managed to get a government job after being shafted at KAGM. Enjoy the benefits! It's always a shame to see good people lured away from, if nothing else, stable situations only to be out of work completely a few years later. Having been on the receiving end of that situation a few times myself, I can't say I rejoice in seeing this, even if the destruction of KAGM seems more like a mercy killing than anything else.
Agree also. Good talent. Bad situation.
Kent said:I'll stop short of saying "Good Riddance" for a simple reason: a lot of great talent got screwed in the process of euthanizing KAGM 106.3. Love him or hate him, Larry is a great talent; two years of disaster does not undo 24+ years of success. Chris and the Bean are great talents, too. Glad to see the Bean managed to get a government job after being shafted at KAGM. Enjoy the benefits! It's always a shame to see good people lured away from, if nothing else, stable situations only to be out of work completely a few years later. Having been on the receiving end of that situation a few times myself, I can't say I rejoice in seeing this, even if the destruction of KAGM seems more like a mercy killing than anything else.
btw, Kent...you an old Fidonet person?
EDwalker said:btw, Kent...you an old Fidonet person?
Actually, yes. That goes back a long ways, my friend! I posted on FIDONet until 1993. I believe I started posting there in 1990, but it may have been '91. You weren't in San Antonio (my birthplace before moving to Albuquerque when my father was transferred) at that time, were you? I seem to remember talking to an Ed Walker in San Antonio at that time.
B
bobeeboxer
Guest
KAGM website is gone. Wow if they had updated it as fast as they took it down, which was still slower than Mega's going down. Poor Big Benny at Mega, he and a couple of others at Mega hold the distinction of being on Mega 95.5 when it went bye bye and now at Mega 104.1 when it went bye bye. SO if you put on a station called Mega hire diffrent people!
I belive Benny is still VT on 95.1
I belive Benny is still VT on 95.1
G
Gnarlodious
Guest
A natural result of bad management
It's true KAGM got off to a roaring start, with plenty of promotion and sponsors. But the fatal mistake was to compete with KKOB on their own turf. There just wasn't room in Albuquerque for two KKOBs. Apparently the only local talent they had was not politically far-right enough, both Larry and The Bean were entertaining without being overly political, except both were doomed from the start by being partnered with nontalent. Who knows why those decisions were made.
KAGM could have done very well as the booming voice of liberal programming in Albuquerque, there is a fine selection of west-coast liberal talk shows out there that could have gone over real well in New Mexico.
If KAGM gets back up and running maybe they will think a little more about listeners than competing with their age-old rival.
It's true KAGM got off to a roaring start, with plenty of promotion and sponsors. But the fatal mistake was to compete with KKOB on their own turf. There just wasn't room in Albuquerque for two KKOBs. Apparently the only local talent they had was not politically far-right enough, both Larry and The Bean were entertaining without being overly political, except both were doomed from the start by being partnered with nontalent. Who knows why those decisions were made.
KAGM could have done very well as the booming voice of liberal programming in Albuquerque, there is a fine selection of west-coast liberal talk shows out there that could have gone over real well in New Mexico.
If KAGM gets back up and running maybe they will think a little more about listeners than competing with their age-old rival.
FM talk radio shouldn't be really political IMHO... It should be all entertainment with light political, light sports, light news... etc. etc. etc.
FM radio is for music fun- The Bean was good/ Jackson was good... the sports guys menace something... the movie show was good... The mistake was to get Larry and Dianne as both were old school. That was compounded when Logan the moron got rid of the menace? Jackson and Bean. They were fresh.
Really sad as I don't think anyone else will try to compete with 770 again. Really though old mexican music :'( Oh well I've got sat. radio and a happy man
FM radio is for music fun- The Bean was good/ Jackson was good... the sports guys menace something... the movie show was good... The mistake was to get Larry and Dianne as both were old school. That was compounded when Logan the moron got rid of the menace? Jackson and Bean. They were fresh.
Really sad as I don't think anyone else will try to compete with 770 again. Really though old mexican music :'( Oh well I've got sat. radio and a happy man
G
Gnarlodious
Guest
Unbelievably fast website updating...
Incredible! The server is entirely offline. What it takes to get appropriately fast updates...
Incredible! The server is entirely offline. What it takes to get appropriately fast updates...
"I'm surprised it turned out as well"... how much worse could it have been? ??? Did ANYONE in the market, from day one, think anything else would come of this experiment? No one at KKOB was worried for a second. As to Larry's consulting firm, isn't that an excellent coincidence of timing.
Why should libtalk be on FM? It does perfectly fine on AM. This new movement to put spoken word all over FM has some merits, but it can easily get out of control. While there's only one 770, there are a number of good AM sticks in Abq. Why waste an FM when you don't have to; since music (save standards and oldies) doesn't go on AM, putting all spoken word on FM will turn the AM band into a wasteland with nothing to program on it. Yes, I know that's what everyone is predicting, but as to why station owners want to kill the value of properties that paid millions for, is beyond me.
Wonder if Glenn Beck (unlikely) or Dave Ramsey (who's now claiming to be #1 on the station.... whoo!) will wind up on KTBL.
Why should libtalk be on FM? It does perfectly fine on AM. This new movement to put spoken word all over FM has some merits, but it can easily get out of control. While there's only one 770, there are a number of good AM sticks in Abq. Why waste an FM when you don't have to; since music (save standards and oldies) doesn't go on AM, putting all spoken word on FM will turn the AM band into a wasteland with nothing to program on it. Yes, I know that's what everyone is predicting, but as to why station owners want to kill the value of properties that paid millions for, is beyond me.
Wonder if Glenn Beck (unlikely) or Dave Ramsey (who's now claiming to be #1 on the station.... whoo!) will wind up on KTBL.
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