John Summers

[oldmanradio]

John Summers is natural, energetic, in tune with his audience, excellent adlibber, knows what's happening in the DFW area ...

More?

Great rapport with his traffic reporter, Kym West.

You would have to wait eons to hear dead air on his shift.

John knows the music ... inside and out ... up and down ... and all around.

He comes across the air as a nice guy because ... he is.

And he is a pro's pro.

John may have lost his job, but KLUV lost much more.

Tony
Tony Lyndell Williams

 

[donicus]

Not only is KLUV losing alot, DFW radio in general is fast going downhill.

 

[transmitter_building]

And John also put together an awesome night of radio listening when he celebrated the life of Hubcap Carter. That was definitely some of the best radio that I've heard in a long time. Hubcap and I did a lot of email trading shortly before he passed away. So it was much appreciated to hear John's show that night.

 

[jodydean]

John Summers is truly one of the kindest, classiest, and most professional people I have ever had the pleasure of working with. He does things the right way, and has the respect and affection of everyone who knows him.

 

[thunderradio]

It's a damn shame CBS doesn't see it that way. It's a damn shame no one stood up to corporate as well.

 

[johnsummers]

Wow!! I haven't looked on this board in several days. Thank you all very much for the kind words. It really helps a lot.

 

[MikeShannon914]

And from what I've just heard, PD Peter Zolnowski/"Peter Z" will VOICETRACK John's old shift. Today, at least, I heard Kym West doing what sounded like live interaction with Peter, but I'd expect that to change. Wonder if they've already asked Kym if there's any way she could possibly voicetrack traffic..."And in Irving, there's likely a wreck by now along EB 183 at Carl Rd, and we're expecting an overturned semi somewhere on Loop 820 in Fort Worth before 5PM."

So we've got Jody live in the mornings, "Jenny Q" (who?) in the Debi Diaz slot, Peter "Z" voicetracking the old Summers slot, Tom Kent (syndicated evenings, replacing Sandi Sharp,) and Bob Gomez (who I believe is live, but is constantly running back and forth to Jack and Mega and KVIL to make sure the computers are doing their job with the overnight voicetracking.)

What the hell IS this? Sounds like a day inside the Clear Channel building. Bet Hubcap's spun in his grave a couple of times over this. Voicetracking of AFTERNOON DRIVE. Sheesh. Such a proud testament to the station in its 25th year as "K-L-U-V." And THIS is what Brinkman and Cresswell and Debi and John and Eberhart and Mike Wade and Johnny Michaels and Hubba and Bob DeCarlo and Johnny Stone and John McCarty and Paula Street and Al Forguson and Brian Pierce and Dave Van Dyke and Jason Walker and Catfish and even Chapman worked so hard to grow into a Top 5 station? Shame on CBS.

Wasn't there a request program John Summers did called the "Drive at 5"? Should listeners now call in a week in advance so Peter "Z" will have time to add it to his list?

Predictions for the next-to-be-cut: someone(s) from Jody's morning team. Now Mitch Carr just got transferred to KRLD, so that at least shows some "cost-cutting activity" to corporate...but it won't be long.

 

[jimbo]

Where is radio going to get future talent? Are there any kids today telling themselves that they can't wait to grow up and voicetrack afternoons in a Top 5 market?

 

[oldiesfan6479]

One has to wonder if the next round of C(BS) Classic Hits cuts will extend
to (gasp!) El Lay and New York, where currently both KRTH and WCBS-FM
still have live jocks in all weekday dayparts except overnights. And no
Tom Kent...yet.

 

[salemjedi54]

and Bob Gomez (who I believe is live, but is constantly running back and forth to Jack and Mega and KVIL to make sure the computers are doing their job with the overnight voicetracking.)

I thought the Jack FM studios were at the Metromedia Place Studios

 

[BBontheRadio]

I thought the Jack FM studios were at the Metromedia Place Studios

No, Jack moved into Fitzhugh a while back.

 

[SaveDFWRadio]

And from what I've just heard, PD Peter Zolnowski/"Peter Z" will VOICETRACK John's old shift. Today, at least, I heard Kym West doing what sounded like live interaction with Peter, but I'd expect that to change. Wonder if they've already asked Kym if there's any way she could possibly voicetrack traffic..."And in Irving, there's likely a wreck by now along EB 183 at Carl Rd, and we're expecting an overturned semi somewhere on Loop 820 in Fort Worth before 5PM."

So we've got Jody live in the mornings, "Jenny Q" (who?) in the Debi Diaz slot, Peter "Z" voicetracking the old Summers slot, Tom Kent (syndicated evenings, replacing Sandi Sharp,) and Bob Gomez (who I believe is live, but is constantly running back and forth to Jack and Mega and KVIL to make sure the computers are doing their job with the overnight voicetracking.)

What the hell IS this? Sounds like a day inside the Clear Channel building. Bet Hubcap's spun in his grave a couple of times over this. Voicetracking of AFTERNOON DRIVE. Sheesh. Such a proud testament to the station in its 25th year as "K-L-U-V." And THIS is what Brinkman and Cresswell and Debi and John and Eberhart and Mike Wade and Johnny Michaels and Hubba and Bob DeCarlo and Johnny Stone and John McCarty and Paula Street and Al Forguson and Brian Pierce and Dave Van Dyke and Jason Walker and Catfish and even Chapman worked so hard to grow into a Top 5 station? Shame on CBS.

Wasn't there a request program John Summers did called the "Drive at 5"? Should listeners now call in a week in advance so Peter "Z" will have time to add it to his list?

Predictions for the next-to-be-cut: someone(s) from Jody's morning team. Now Mitch Carr just got transferred to KRLD, so that at least shows some "cost-cutting activity" to corporate...but it won't be long.

Thatta boy Mike. I love the rage. You sound as pissy as I do.

 

[BBontheRadio]

Thatta boy Mike. I love the rage. You sound as pissy as I do.

Yeah, Mike is on it today!!!

 

[DFWPT]

And from what I've just heard, PD Peter Zolnowski/"Peter Z" will VOICETRACK John's old shift. Today, at least, I heard Kym West doing what sounded like live interaction with Peter, but I'd expect that to change. Wonder if they've already asked Kym if there's any way she could possibly voicetrack traffic..."And in Irving, there's likely a wreck by now along EB 183 at Carl Rd, and we're expecting an overturned semi somewhere on Loop 820 in Fort Worth before 5PM."

So we've got Jody live in the mornings, "Jenny Q" (who?) in the Debi Diaz slot, Peter "Z" voicetracking the old Summers slot, Tom Kent (syndicated evenings, replacing Sandi Sharp,) and Bob Gomez (who I believe is live, but is constantly running back and forth to Jack and Mega and KVIL to make sure the computers are doing their job with the overnight voicetracking.)

What the hell IS this? Sounds like a day inside the Clear Channel building. Bet Hubcap's spun in his grave a couple of times over this. Voicetracking of AFTERNOON DRIVE. Sheesh. Such a proud testament to the station in its 25th year as "K-L-U-V." And THIS is what Brinkman and Cresswell and Debi and John and Eberhart and Mike Wade and Johnny Michaels and Hubba and Bob DeCarlo and Johnny Stone and John McCarty and Paula Street and Al Forguson and Brian Pierce and Dave Van Dyke and Jason Walker and Catfish and even Chapman worked so hard to grow into a Top 5 station? Shame on CBS.

Wasn't there a request program John Summers did called the "Drive at 5"? Should listeners now call in a week in advance so Peter "Z" will have time to add it to his list?

Predictions for the next-to-be-cut: someone(s) from Jody's morning team. Now Mitch Carr just got transferred to KRLD, so that at least shows some "cost-cutting activity" to corporate...but it won't be long.

Bravo Mike!! Nicely put!

 

[idiggraves]

Wasn't there a request program John Summers did called the "Drive at 5"? Should listeners now call in a week in advance so Peter "Z" will have time to add it to his list?

I'm laughin' my a** off, Mike. So glad you've got the balls...

 

[PeterZ]

Wow...I better get the hell out of this studio. Someone on Radio-Info reported that I'm supposed to be voicetracked.

But seriously, folks. The plan is to be live and local in the afternoon for all but one hour.

With regard to the change, this reporter publicly admits that when it comes to air talent for this format, I can't carry John's jockstrap. He's the quintessential Classic Hits guy and I miss him. Unfortunately, that doesn't change the realities of today.

Don't forget, John was also the guy running KLUV's HD-2 Oldies Radio, which streamed 8 million minutes of listening last week...more minutes than most of the regular Classic Hits stations in the world. For a 24/7 jukebox, it's a helluva radio station.

John and I talk almost daily and I'm diligently trying to find a gig for one of the best talents and nicest guys I've ever worked with.

 

[MikeShannon914]

I'm laughin' my a** off, Mike. So glad you've got the balls...

Telling it like it is has gotten my a$$ in a sling more times than I can count, but that's just me. I don't post anything here I wouldn't put my "good" name next to. On the other side of that coin, I do take criticism of me to heart, when it's deserved. I've taken my share of licks, too.

I also know that I'll never work for CBS again, at my behest (and I'm sure at theirs, too!) And it's not just a pick-on-CBS thing; it's that part of me that's ashamed, disappointed, disgusted, frustrated and pissed off at what radio's turned into. CBS is merely following the herd. To their credit, they were one of the last holdouts with voicetracking.

But seriously, folks. The plan is to be live and local in the afternoon for all but one hour.

Thanks for setting the record straight. Radio management types are usually the last to dispel rumors...it's always denial, denial, denial until after an "event" has passed. Sounds like you already know who you had in John Summers, so no need to sing any more of his praises...but suffice it to say from the listeners' side, he'll be greatly missed.

 

[oldiesfan6479]

The plan is to be live and local in the afternoon for all but one hour.

Which is the planned VT hour? 3-4 or 6-7? Either way you "lose" some of
your early or late PMD commuters, that is, you give them a canned hour.
In afternoon drive.

With regard to the change, this reporter publicly admits that when it comes to air talent for this format, I can't carry John's jockstrap. He's the quintessential Classic Hits guy and I miss him. Unfortunately, that doesn't change the realities of today...(snip)...John and I talk almost daily and I'm diligently trying to find a gig for one of the best talents and nicest guys I've ever worked with.

So why'd you cut him back to part-time? (Sorry, I know that's a cheap shot.)

Late last week I was ready to really rip into you and the market manager on this
board as I did on the PHX board last year when KOOL-FM dumped their excellent
PM driver (since 1996!) and several others, resulting in no live jocks other than
AMD and PMD.

But I knew that what happened here--and with Debi and Sandi--came from above
you guys. It's the @#$% CBS bean counters in NYC. So you're off the hook,
Z-Dude. But it still sucks.


On a completely unrelated note, last Friday I listened to you on the stream for
about an hour (5-6 CT, IIRC), and the TOH ID I heard at 5 and 6 was, let's say,
a little iffy in the legal department.

You always used to bury it in the :50 stopset, but Charlie's track was pretty much
good to go: "KLUV, KLUV HD1, Dallas/Fort Worth, a CBS Radio station." Not quite
"totally" legal, but "good enough for government work." It really should have had
the COL stated separately for each service (analog and HD1).

The ID I heard last Friday went: "KLUV FM and HD1, Dallas/Fort Worth." First off,
there is no "FM" in the KLUV callsign. There was a couple years ago but a change
was requested and made with the FCC to drop the FM suffix so it's now--you can
look it up in the FCC FM Query--"KLUV Dallas." Then there's the question about
the placement of the COL.

Probably acceptable: "KLUV, KLUV HD1, Dallas/Fort Worth" (as used previously).

Totally legal: "KLUV Dallas/Fort Worth, KLUV HD1 Dallas/Fort Worth."

I've left the "Fort Worth" in there since "Dallas" is first per the COL rules, and as
a Metroplex courtesy--you wouldn't want the ghost of Amon Carter visiting you
at 2:00am. (insert "wink" emoticon)

 

[Steve Eberhart]

I'm not "necessarily" defending voicetracking....BUT, the standard to measure by, in my mind, is in listening and deciding which break you are hearing on "live/local" stations could not be voicetracked....
All too often that answer is none. THUS, the reason the economical voicetracking exists in ANY daypart!

 

[MikeShannon914]

Steve, I know voicetracking was (is?) your bread and butter, and I "get" the concept...BUT...request shows should never be faked, the jock SHOULD be bantering some with the traffic gal/dude, and severe weather that often dredges up quickly during hot DFW summer afternoons SHOULD be addressed with more than a canned weather warning imported from WBAP/EAS (often, the weather sits well west of the metro, but will affect folks long before a "warning" is issued, if one is.) Friday afternoons, I like to hear a little 'nightlife' rundown or a weekend heads-up if things are going on of interest. Canned generic chatter about American Idol just can't beat what (insert jock name here) saw on a billboard on North Central Expwy coming to work this afternoon, or what some caller in Wilmer just told the jock on the phone. You especially should know the value of that kind of thing...it's a page out of the Chapman textbook.

It's STILL a shame what's happened to radio, but they WON'T afford to do it (the right way) anymore.

Your phone not working these days?