From this morning's AllAccess:CBS RADIO Classic Hits KFRC/SAN FRANCISCO appoints former sister Oldies KRTH (K-EARTH)/L.A. afternooner JOJO "COOKIN'" KINCAID to afternoons, and nabs crosshall sister Hot AC KLLC (ALICE @ 97.3) personality KATIE MASON for nights.Additionally, ALICE veteran GRETCHEN LANCOUR and former KEZR/SAN JOSE personality TOM GOMEZ join the KFRC crew for weekend/fill-in duties.ADD: By the way -- good get for KFRC. Cookin's terrific, and I'll definitely listen. I was wondering what was up, especially after JoJo Cookin posted here...
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KFRC Gets Cookin!
- Thread starter BossRadioDJ
- Start date
Not familiar with "Cookin" - but KFRC has vastly improved already. A very good effort, so far - I think - by the new PD. I hope it pays off for them in improved ratings.
I don't think Cookin has started yet at KFRC - Katie Mason is doing afternoon drive now, but according to the reports, she will be doing nights once he arrives. When the station flipped from traditional Oldies, they concentrated on soft rock music, but the style of the jocks who stayed (Cammy & Dean, Sue Hall, etc.) never changed. The PD at that time even said that the KOIT audience was his target. Obviously, that didn't work...the ratings dipped, so they've decided to be more mainstream on the music - and the imaging has become a lot more high energy. So it makes sense to me to add a high energy afternoon drive jock.
I never quite got the style of KFRC-FM over the years. I found them to be kind of sloppy sounding in the 90's and the use of phones sounded weird too. Not that they used the phones, but how they executed them. It only sounded like KFRC when jocks like Bobby Ocean and a few of the other old line Boss Jocks were on. I heard that Eric Chase pulled a few weekend shifts a year or so back around the same time he did weekends at KRTH. Sadly I never caught him on K-Earth and was wondering if anyone has any airchecks of El Chasero on 99.7? Chase was one of my favorites from old 610. Jo Jo was REALLY up on KRTH and that was okay because so is Shotgun Tom, but Kincaid always reminded me more of a jock from one of the old Bartell "Q" stations rather than a boss jock. He sort of has that Rich Brother Robbin sound. The other thing that KFRC-FM could use is a decent jingle package. Something that celebrates it's heritage.Lkeller said:
F
FluxCapacitor
Guest
Yeah like CBS Radio celebrates its heritage stations! If that were true they never would have let the 610 frequency go. Itll never happen as long as so-called TV guys run the radio division.
A couple of comments on the previous comments by others:It only sounded like KFRC when jocks like Bobby Ocean and a few of the other old line Boss Jocks were on. I'll take that as support for my point of view. I took a reaming recently from another contributor for suggesting that KFRC would sound better if they brought back Ocean, and other jocks from the 70s era. They implied that bringing back "old guys" signified death, or something of that sort. I should probably be a purist and point out that KFRC never had "Boss Jocks." I heard that Eric Chase pulled a few weekend shifts a year or so back around the same time he did weekends at KRTH. Sadly I never caught him on K-Earth and was wondering if anyone has any airchecks of El Chasero on 99.7? Chase was one of my favorites from old 610. Sadly, I missed Chase's brief return to KFRC. Too bad...Jo Jo was REALLY up on KRTH and that was okay because so is Shotgun Tom, but Kincaid always reminded me more of a jock from one of the old Bartell "Q" stations rather than a boss jock. He sort of has that Rich Brother Robbin sound. I heard Jo Jo this weekend for the first time, and liked the energy. A check into his background suggests he's another "old guy" from the 70s Top 40 era, but since he's never been on in the Bay Area, I guess he gets a pass.The other thing that KFRC-FM could use is a decent jingle package. Something that celebrates it's heritage.That sounds like the jingle package they used for a number of years and dumped with the new emphasis on 70s and 80s. Again...condemned as "old," I would imagine....like CBS Radio celebrates its heritage stations! If that were true they never would have let the 610 frequency go. Itll never happen as long as so-called TV guys run the radio division.OK - I'll take my old-foginess only so far. I agree that radio would be better if CBS, Clear Channel and their ilk celebrated its heritage stations, but c'mon.."610" was just a number. Even nostalgia freaks don't listen to music on lo-fi monaural when they can hear it in FM stereo. If I were CBS and had the chance to swap 610 for 106.9, I would have done the same thing.
Besides that, they were forced to sell 610 because of the signal overlap with the Sacramento TV station they bought. That put them over the ownership limits in Sacramento, so 610 had to go whether they swapped it for something or not.Lkeller said:
Besides that, they were forced to sell 610 because of the signal overlap with the Sacramento TV station they bought. That put them over the ownership limits in Sacramento, so 610 had to go whether they swapped it for something or not.[/quote]I know why they had to let a signal go, that's a given. But I think that you can celebrate the heritage of your call letters without still owning the frequency that those calls came from. If KFRC is truly an extension of 610, then you can do it with your imaging and content.For instance, KRTH had at one time been KHJ-FM and their new PD was using Bill Drake's "The Beat Goes On" sweeper with Drake himself on it once an hour as well as having the deejays use the term "Boss Angeles". I heard Jim Carson (Former KFRC Jock) on the air with a caller mentioning the Boss terms and Jim went on to explain the station's heritage as the sister to KHJ and it's former KHJ-FM call letters to the audience. Of course in the 60's they used to simulcast and later ran Drake's Hit Parade format before becoming KRTH, so it all fits. KFRC could still do this without sounding old. It just has to be handled correctly and that's something that few of today's young PD's know how to do...
There's certainly nothing wrong with referring back to your heritage, like K-Earth has done over the years. Robert W. Morgan and the Real Don Steele would probably still be doing drive times there if they weren't groovin' in disc jockey heaven. If I'm not mistaken, Bill Drake consulted to K-Earth for a long while well after the RKO-KHJ era, so that may explain their awareness of the KHJ heritage. Star 101.3 traffic reports still refer occasionally to traffic on the "K-101 Freeway," and I think that's a nice touch. The Big 610 was never "Boss" because competitor KYA was the "Boss of the Bay." And they can't use "610 Men" because 610 is gone, and it would sound sexist in any case. I guess you could bring back the "Big 30." I assume that modern PDs ignore heritage because: (1) they probably just blew into town and don't know the history; and (2) they're all seeking a younger demographic who won't know the heritage in any case. KFRC's current target audience grew up with FM radio.
True, KYA stole the Boss slogan as soon as they heard what KHJ was doing. But Drake did previously program 1260AM so I guess it wasn't a stretch. But KFRC was Boss Radio at least in spirit. They could evoke their heritage by going back to older jingle packages, maybe even re-sings that combine the flavor of the old with the new. It might help to usher some of the new talent over to the Reel Radio site to listen to what KFRC sounded like all those years ago so they could gain an understanding of just how good a station those legendary call letter fronted... Perhaps getting someone like John Mack Flanagan to voice promos wouldn't hurt. Mark McKay has a voice over service as well and knows what KFRC should sound like. These two were a tandem for promo's back in the mid to late 70's. Might work especially since Bobby Ocean is on a rival now and couldn't do it... As for those younger demos that grew up with FM radio, who were they listening to when they were growing up, and why would they even bother with KRFC then? If they're that young, shouldn't KFRC be programming 80's and 90's music instead of what they're doing now?Lkeller said:
Perhaps getting someone like John Mack Flanagan to voice promos wouldn't hurt. Mark McKay has a voice over service as well and knows what KFRC should sound like. These two were a tandem for promo's back in the mid to late 70's. - Sounds good to me. I'm all for it..As for those younger demos that grew up with FM radio, who were they listening to when they were growing up, and why would they even bother with KRFC then? If they're that young, shouldn't KFRC be programming 80's and 90's music instead of what they're doing now? From what I understand, the reason KFRC moved from 60s-early 70s Oldies to 70s-80s "Classic Hits" was to: (1) Stop programming to people who grew up in the 1960s and are now in their 50s - past the desirable demographic for advertisers; and (2) pick up people in their 30s and 40s who want to hear the music they grew up with in the late 70s thru the 80s. If you're 45 now, you were 15 in 1976. 610/KFRC was still a hot station then, but no longer number 1 - kids were also listening to album rock on KSAN and KMEL ("Camel 106"), or CHR on K-101. Disco was also hot then, and KSFX 104 (103.7) was a popular station. On the other hand, if you're 35 now, you were 15 in 1986. By 86, 610 was "Magic 61" playing standards, so kids were not listening to AM. Some of the popular stations by that time were KSAN, K-101, KMEL (All Hits by then), KITS ("Hot Hits"), KYUU, KWSS in the South Bay, and probably a couple of others I'm forgetting. Urban music was getting more mainstream at the time - KSOL (107.7) got big numvers during this period for until KMEL morphed into Hip-Hop and squished them like a bug. I don't think KFRC is trying to attract listeners in their 20s, so 90s music is unnecessary. But after a few more years, that will probably happen. But, to agree with your point - at least some of KFRC's new demographic should have some fond memories of 610.
Yeah I agree. But I haven't heard KFRC in several months so I don't know exactly "what" they're playing from the 70's and 80's, but that would be the right era for those in they're 30's and 40's. Myself, I was a teenager in the late 70's, but I'm also a radio person, so I look at KFRC a little differently, perhaps not with the same objective view as a regular listener. As a radio guy who grew up in Northern California I have a soft spot for the old Big 610 and like those other NorCal Radio people I wanted desperately to someday work on air at KFRC. So I guess I hate to see it change so much. AM or FM, I still think those call-letters are special and wish the current owners felt that way too. But as a radio pro, I all too well understand what's happening and why. The GM in my head understands, the teenage deejay doesn't want to understand. I listen to all formats and enjoy many forms of music, but at home I still listen to rock, album rock & classic rock, plus the newer stuff as well. But I must admit, the Top 40 style of the 60's, 70's and 80's was the most fun to do on the air...Back on point, it's nice to hear someone who still cares and like you I think that it would be nice for those newer demo's to feel a little of the KFRC history...Lkeller said:
Congratulations JOJO!!!!
the Top 40 style of the 60's, 70's and 80's was the most fun to do on the air...I totally agree - it was fun to listen to. I'm 54, and grew up in LA -and started college in late 69. By then, "underground" FM stations (KMET, KPPC) were getting hot, and most hip (ie.: "hippie") teens or young adults would never admit to liking Top 40. The FM tuner at home was always tuned to one of these early album rock stations, and in LA, they did a lot of great programming that I miss. On the other hand - cars came equiped with AM only in those days, and few of us poor students could afford an FM tuner...though a couple of my wealthier friends (probably the ones with jobs) had 8 track tape players. But it was always a pleasure for me to get into the car and tune in KHJ (KFRC's LA flagship, which WAS "Boss Radio"), KRLA, or KDAY. The energy was exciting, and the music variety - from hard rock to country to pop to bubblegum was great too...even if I wouldn't admit it to my friends...
It's a funny thing. I enjoyed listening to both Top 40 and Rock. I grew up on KFRC but spent summers in LA and got to listen to KHJ. But I also had an appreciation for KSAN and KMET, B. Mitchell Reed was THE BEST. KMET in the 70's was just too good. But like you mentioned about KHJ, you could listen to KFRC and get your fill of Rock as well. I have a friend who worked on air at KFRC in 1979 and at that time they played a higher ratio of Rock than they ever did and sounded great! I worked AOR radio at that time and left to do Top 40, and although I greatly enjoy Album Oriented Rock and still do, Top 40 was a lot more fun, even exhilarating to do! Listen to MG Kelly on KHJ in 1976 or Bobby Ocean or Eric Chase in 1973 on KFRC and you could just feel the energy pouring from the speakers! Where I grew up most kids listened to Top 40 but told everyone they listen to FM Rock just to sound cool...Lkeller said:
OK - now I have to get nostalgic again...KMET was great of course - but probably the best station was KPPC (106.7) out of Pasadena, which has been KROQ for many years now. KPPC broadcast from the basement of the Pasadena Presbyterian Churh - hence the call letters, and should not be confused with the excellent NPR station KPCC (Pasadena City College). The crew at KPPC in 69-70 put a lot of thought and effort into their programming, and there was rarely a dull moment. The station had a lot of production elements usually lacking in "underground" radio - including great jingles by the Persuasions a capella singers... if you can imagine jingles on alternative FM. Tom Donahue (KYA, KSAN) consulted to both KPPC, then later to KMET. BMR was great, but only connected to KPPC at the very start, though he was certainly one of the people in charge at KMET. Les Carter was the PD at KPPC, and the Obscene Steven Clean (later of KMET) was one of their DJs. The Credibility Gap (Harry Shearer,Michael McKean, etc.) worked there, though they actually started at Top 40 KRLA doing "alternative" news. The Firesign Theatre also did great material occasionally for KPPC. Unfortunately, like most great things in radio - it couldn't last. The owners (National Science Foundation) fired the entire staff one day for reasons I've never understood. They kept the same alt format, but actually doomed the station, since most of the station's fans were loyal to the former regime. Some of the staff , and the Persuasions' jingles ended up at KMET, also a great station, without a doubt.
See, this is what's so great about Radio-Info, that people can share their memories and thoughts about radio and what it's meant to them. I must say that moderator interference is minimal now and I don't see anyone breaking the rules, at least not much. Anyway, I'm really enjoying this. I was only in LA for a month or so at a time every summer as a kid, so I did't get to hear every station, but this thread has brought back a lot of memories, and to think we actually started this thread about Jo Jo and KFRC and it's snaked it's way to the great stations of the past from both SF and LA. When driving by the old site of Metromedia Square on the Hollywood freeway I get to thinking about the great Metromedia stations like WNEW, KMET and KSAN even WMET in Chicago. It's truly sad that San Francisco lost KSAN all those years ago. Luckily it still has KFRC, at least the 99.7 incarnation. I remember listening to the old KFRC-FM, also known at the time as K106. Back then it simulcast from 10pm to 9am with KFRC AM, but when separate it was automated as America's Only Top 20 Research Station with Charlie Van Dyke on the ID's and the KFRC AM Jocks on production, PSA's and such. As I recall RKO sold the station in order to buy an FM in Denver only to have the FCC void the sale because of General Tire's government problems. But by then the sale of KFRC-FM was final and it became AOR KMEL "The Beast Of The Bay", another one of SF's great rock stations. Remember when KSFX was an ABC O&O doing the old Rock N' Stereo AOR format? Several of the ABC FM's did it at the time, KLOS, WPLJ and if I remember correctly they tried it in most of their markets... Ahh memories...Lkeller said:
Just for old times sake, I'm reporting your post to the moderator! Ain't nobody gettin' away with nothin'! ;DAs far as still having KFRC (at least the 99.7 incarnation), we still do have KSAN ... at least the 107.7 "The Bone" incarnation.DJcalguy said:
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