KFRC - My Side of the Story

[djj]

Celeste, my sentiments also as RadioStarOne's...
at least far as the first paragraph is concerned ;D

Welcome to the kraziness that is the R-I board and Happy Thanksgiving...

U say:
"I've been cautioned not to join the conversation..."

Not to worry...it's JUST a blog...
;D

Take good care!
--jay

 

[djj]

.... Happy Thanksgiving to all! May God Bless! Don't cha all just miss Red Skelton?

1. Happy Thanksgiving 2U2...
2. Yes, I miss Red Skelton...and in this era of avarice, we need MORE
Clem Kadiddlehoppers!
;D
--jay

 

[mikecroaro]

Hi John

I have listened to you at three different statuions - KYA, KBGG, and KMGG and those were good years. Hope you land a new gig soon.

Mike Croaro
Millbrae

 

[JEREMIAH]

CELESTE:


FOR MANY MONTHS WE WONDERED WHY THE CHRISTMAS CARD WE SENT YOU LAST YEAR CAME BACK. I FINALLY CHECKED WITH PRODUCTION BOY AND FOUND OUT WE MADE A MINOR MISTAKE IN ADDRESSING IT.

AFTER FINDING OUT
YOU WERE AT KFRC WE SENT YOU A LETTER THERE. I GUESS YOU DIDN'T GET IT.



I'M REALLY BUMMED FOR YOU AND THE OTHER FOLKS..I'VE BEEN THERE, DONE THAT GOT THE "I'VE BEEN FIRED" T-SHIRT.


I CAN'T COMMENT ON THE STATION, I NEVER HEARD IT(LIVING HERE IN VEGAS).
BUT I KNOW HOW GOOD YOU ARE. BEING GOOD DOESN'T MATTER ANYMORE.
I'LL KEEP MY FINGERS CROSSED FOR YOU ON SOMEONE PICKING YOU UP.


PHYLLIS SENDS HER LOVE.


JERRY GORD0N KNUU LAS VEGAS [email protected]

 

[Jeff McNeal]

Huh.

 

[BossJock1947]

Andreajesus, it goes without saying, legends in Bay Area radio ,, such as JMF and Bobby Ocean seem to to Consistintly overlooked! Im glad the Ron and Cammy era is gone! I never listen to Sirius/XM 70s channel when hes on, and in radio nothing is etched in stone, parker could be here today gone tommorow. Parker to me is like vanilla ice cream, sort of boring, take a guy like Lee baby Simms or Parker,, i would rather listen to Lee Baby! i will say Im past thriiled the bay Area had the privilage of having John mack Flanagan, Chris Edwards , Bobby Ocean for real entertainment! As I recollect , Those two tonsils may have had the #1 show, but it was silly. and zero mentioned about the music, those two constantly talked about eating, Boring! Its all over now, they are gone! Guys like Cousin Brucie connect with listeners, make you want to listen! Ocean always had something funny to say! Lee Baby is another one who does my style of Radio, Its all about preference, funny how Cammy hasnt surfaced anywhere, but then again, i listen to Sirius /XMs 50s and 60s channel, not like shes going to find a home there! Kenny in Concord

Kenny,

I'm sitting here enjoying a nice cup of Java with my Bagel. Hey have you ever tried Rice a Roni-It's the SF treat you know. I used to live in Jersey back in the 50/60s and they had these delicious ice scream stores called Carvell's. Oy Vey Fudgie the whale!!! Oh my G-D it was to die for. My wife Hilda of 42 years loves cooking for me but it's all Kosher you know. We keep a Kosher kitchen.

Have you tried the new Coke Zero, i swear it takes just like the old TAB, remember that Kenny? I'm watching the Jerry Lewis Show now.. My beautifil wife Hilda of 42 years is preparing my nite cap, a cold cheese sandwhich.

Have you ever tried Chicken steak smothered in underwear. Don't knock it until you have tried it. I must go, Hilda is calling me... she tells me Ron Parker is playing the 70s tonight. Great show great jock. He's a chocolate lover you know.

Shalom my dear friend and pray for the peace of Jerusalem!

 

[andreajesus]

Andreajesus, it goes without saying, legends in Bay Area radio ,, such as JMF and Bobby Ocean seem to to Consistintly overlooked! Im glad the Ron and Cammy era is gone! I never listen to Sirius/XM 70s channel when hes on, and in radio nothing is etched in stone, parker could be here today gone tommorow. Parker to me is like vanilla ice cream, sort of boring, take a guy like Lee baby Simms or Parker,, i would rather listen to Lee Baby! i will say Im past thriiled the bay Area had the privilage of having John mack Flanagan, Chris Edwards , Bobby Ocean for real entertainment! As I recollect , Those two tonsils may have had the #1 show, but it was silly. and zero mentioned about the music, those two constantly talked about eating, Boring! Its all over now, they are gone! Guys like Cousin Brucie connect with listeners, make you want to listen! Ocean always had something funny to say! Lee Baby is another one who does my style of Radio, Its all about preference, funny how Cammy hasnt surfaced anywhere, but then again, i listen to Sirius /XMs 50s and 60s channel, not like shes going to find a home there! Kenny in Concord

Kenny,

I'm sitting here enjoying a nice cup of Java with my Bagel. Hey have you ever tried Rice a Roni-It's the SF treat you know. I used to live in Jersey back in the 50/60s and they had these delicious ice scream stores called Carvell's. Oy Vey Fudgie the whale!!! Oh my G-D it was to die for. My wife Hilda of 42 years loves cooking for me but it's all Kosher you know. We keep a Kosher kitchen.

Have you tried the new Coke Zero, i swear it takes just like the old TAB, remember that Kenny? I'm watching the Jerry Lewis Show now.. My beautifil wife Hilda of 42 years is preparing my nite cap, a cold cheese sandwhich.

Have you ever tried Chicken steak smothered in underwear. Don't knock it until you have tried it. I must go, Hilda is calling me... she tells me Ron Parker is playing the 70s tonight. Great show great jock. He's a chocolate lover you know.

Shalom my dear friend and pray for the peace of Jerusalem!

Shalom to you! got a GREAT kick out of your answer back to Kenny!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Andrea

 

[Hunkey Snarkey]

Andreajesus, enjoy your bagel, chocolate, and Ron Parker,, when i want to hear someone who knows music, i simply tune into Norm N Nite on Sirius/XM 50s channel. No nonsense, Im sure Norm N Nite has a huge audience Sat and Sun. Im not into bagels, or Coke Zero, or chocalates, i spend all my extra $ on satellite radio! And i dont like Rice a Roni !!!! What will you do if Parker gets the Axe?
4 XMs since 04
3 Sirius since 06,,,,

 

[BossJock1947]

Andreajesus, enjoy your bagel, chocolate, and Ron Parker,, when i want to hear someone who knows music, i simply tune into Norm N Nite on Sirius/XM 50s channel. No nonsense, Im sure Norm N Nite has a huge audience Sat and Sun. Im not into bagels, or Coke Zero, or chocalates, i spend all my extra $ on satellite radio! And i dont like Rice a Roni !!!! What will you do if Parker gets the Axe?
4 XMs since 04
3 Sirius since 06,,,,

Kenny,

If Parker loses his gig at XM i've been told he will buy a house next to yours and set up his 100watt fm transmitter and beam it through your car radio, portable house radios, your phone, computer and TV Ron and Cammy 24 hours a day at Kenny's house. HaHaHaHaHaHa

 

[Hunkey Snarkey]

Quick, i need a Dr.,,, Theres no way i would or could listen to those two ramblin on over nothing! Seriously, i will never understand how that show made it so long! One thing for sure, KFRC had the only oldies station back then, you either listened to them, or nothing, Unless you enjoyed KOIT or KIOI or the others who barely touched the 60s songs,, i doubt their show would have been such a long run if their was another rival station! On my block Dave, Cammys 1963 Ford Falcon wouldnt fit in here! Kenny in Concord

 

[LITTLEBOYBLUE]

What a great thread ... and started for the wrong reasons, unfortunately. JMF, hope you know now that you still have the respect of your peers and from those of us who learned much by listening to you.

But this is cathartic if only from all the people who have contributed and still have so much to offer. It's easy for us who've been at it a while to shake our heads and say the "old days were better" ... but I think there is SOME truth to that if only because many of today's standards of how people are notified, treated, unrespected, etc. are considered so ... ACCEPTABLE.

While little shifts would often tip me off that things were on the downswing...PD's saying "don't do any 'bits'" ... automation and computer-controlled playlists appearing so PD's could take jocks out of the equation ... consolidation, etc. -- the one little thing that put me over the edge was a social one. That was seeing the shift from the interpersonal contact where talent would high-five each other because of some great "bit" or connection .... to going into a station and seeing nothing but doors slam as people pull each other into the office and whisper about "what's going on". Seems the aura of "will I still be here after lunch" had become FAR MORE significant than the concept of great product and connecting with the customers. THAT, above all, is when I knew things were going to be over.

JMF ... you have asssets that, thankfully, are still in demand in the social circles and can use those assets to make memories with family and friends. To me, that's the ultimate scorecard. After all, no one really "gets off" on standing in a convo with a cocktail in your hand and hearing some blowcheese talking about how he increased margins by 8% year-over-year and expecting THAT to bring great accolades. Chances are, for that person, it's going to be over within 3 more quarters anyway.

Good luck....and blessings to you. You've done a lot for all of us, and hopefully this thread helped you appreciate that.

 

[skyrocker]

Johnnie, you remember our phone conversation when this version of KFRC
was just starting up?

How I told you the corporate pod-people gave me the same sorry patter
(apologizing about the shabby way I was treated, let go after performing in
top rated fashion and replaced by a much lower paid jock who immediately sank
the station's numbers deep into the teens) but this time, they said, it would
be a positive experience for me, remember?

After three years in afternoons, remember how I stayed on as the voice of the
station, then suddenly, without being told, found out I was replaced by
hearing another voice on the air. Remember how I said, "They FEMA'd me..." as
I was not officially notified until 6 days later?

Remember how I wondered how positive our experience could be at this new KFRC
when phone calls by former alumnae jocks went unreturned? Unbelievable. The new
positive experience guys didn't even have time to respond to the soldiers that had put
those call letters on the map. Not a good sign.

Remember how I said I would not lend my name to something that couldn't live
up to the legend we had all participated in creating in earlier years? How I
reminded you any radio station without a priority for its listeners was doomed? How
any station without respect for its talent was hobbled?

So, it happened. People said no dice, lousy package. Most had been there to hear the
real thing and there was an obvious difference. Now -- no KFRC. Again. That's twice
this company sank a ship that didn't have to capsize.

So what now?

Now just remember the good times we all had and be happy for them. We earned
the prize for "number one station in the USA" 6 times in a row, you and I made them
redecorate the Venician Room at the Fairmont and together we terrified the DJs at KYA.
It was a marvelous experience, we really cared, gave from our hearts and reflected the
music and trends of the times. THAT, I think, is the reward itself.

As times change, our memories get richer and more rewarding. You have never been beaten.

 

[DavidKaye]

JMF ... you have asssets that, thankfully, are still in demand in the social circles and can use those assets to make memories with family and friends. To me, that's the ultimate scorecard. After all, no one really "gets off" on standing in a convo with a cocktail in your hand and hearing some blowcheese talking about how he increased margins by 8% year-over-year and expecting THAT to bring great accolades. Chances are, for that person, it's going to be over within 3 more quarters anyway.

But radio has always been a business, back to the days in the 1920s when companies such as RCA started stations in order to sell the radios they made.

The Drake format and its evolution into the KHJ and KFRC styles we know and love only got its chance in the first place because it had been demonstrated first on KSTN and KYNO. By the time they were ready to launch KHJ and KFRC, the Drake format had already been proven. It wasn't creative radio; it wasn't seat of the pants radio; it was tested radio. Think of the audiences of KSTN and KYNO as focus groups because that's what they were.

While it's true that KHJ and KFRC evolved into different animals, they were evolutions based on success. You can bet that if KFRC's numbers had slipped, management would have told the DJs to curb the chatter and stick to the liners per the original Drake framework. There would have been no Bo Weaver, no JMF, and most certainly no Don Rose.

Well, two stabs at bringing back some semblance of KFRC during its 70s golden years have failed. I think it's a safe bet to say that if the personality format really worked today that everybody would be doing it, not just KFRC.

But personality doesn't work today except in talkradio.

And then there's the naked truth nobody wants to talk about: If a KFRC-type station is going to get under-50 demo numbers, it's not going to do it with 60+ year old voices. Sorry to say that, but age does figure into the equation. People prefer to hear people their own age, especially when they're in their 20s to 40s.

 

[SFStatic]

The truth nobody wants to talk about. Sounds right at first reading, but how do you square it with all the 40 year old morning dudes that have had top numbers with teens and 18-35's over the years? Sometimes when you're dealing with art & talent, everything doesn't always fit neatly into a box.

 

[Hunkey Snarkey]

Wrong.... its the 60 and over that recreates 60s and 70s radio! Since John Mack Flanagan owns this post, its safe to say his voice is one people here in this area reckognize,, and Bobby " Americas Favorite Disc Jockey " Ocean , is, and will always be KFRC! What does age have to do with anything, Don Bleu,, still at it! Cousin Brucie, what a following of listeners going back to the 60s! Gary Bryan is 56, and hes doing what Hollywood Hamilton couldnt do! Then you have Charley Tuna,, hes got to be in his late 50s, and then Charley Van Dyke, got to be 60 or so! i just dont see what age has to do with it ,,,only DavidKaye could answer this! After reading Bobby Oceans post, its plain to see Mike Preston hasnt made alot of friends,, i wonder how many christmas cards he will be recieving... I would find it next to immposible to listen to someone who knows nothing about the music hes playing ,,, young jocks, no thanks Ill pass! Its got to be the money, take XM,, they got rid of Bobby Ocean,, i e mailed John Clay PD at the 70s channel about not having Ocean, never acknowledeged my mail, So they bring in Mike Kelly, wow! Then they merge and they give us Ron Parker,,, Ocean should be there, but thats just my opinion! Sirius/XM got rid of Pat Clarke,, 6 years @ XM, 30 years in radio, and poof,, hes gone with the merger. ZERO loyalty,, to this guy, like its really going to be easy for him to find another job in radio! And i thought satelite radio was bullet-proof! Kenny in Concord

 

[RadioStarOne]

DavidKaye: You forgot KGB San Diego. And to Skyrocker: You Hit A Grand Slam!

 

[DavidKaye]

The truth nobody wants to talk about. Sounds right at first reading, but how do you square it with all the 40 year old morning dudes that have had top numbers with teens and 18-35's over the years? Sometimes when you're dealing with art & talent, everything doesn't always fit neatly into a box.

You'll note that I specifically said "a KFRC-type station". The older guys get ratings with younger music, for instance, Don Bleu on KIOI who does nicely in morning drive.

 

[DavidKaye]

DavidKaye: You forgot KGB San Diego. And to Skyrocker: You Hit A Grand Slam!

Yeah, thanks. I realized it a couple hours after I posted it that the Drake format was tried on KGB before RKO risked it on KHJ. So, the markets go from Stockton to Fresno to San Diego, and THEN Los Angeles, being thoroughly tested by then. Again, no seat of the pants intuition or anything, but cold, hard proof of performance for the format.

And the original Drake format was not the personality format that people remember as KFRC. That came largely from Paul Drew, post-Drake, but again, only after the ratings showed that it was workable.

 

[skyrocker]

DavidKaye: "...Well, two stabs at bringing back some semblance of KFRC ...
have failed. I think it's a safe bet to say that if the personality format
really worked today that everybody would be doing it...But personality doesn't
work today except in talk radio..."

Love your insight on these posts, DavidKaye, but disagree with that "personality" remark.

Because CBS failed in it's misguided attempt at making KFRC viable has nothing
whatsoever to do with personality on the radio [let alone "personality format"
on radio, which, BTW, is a new one to me. --"Hey Claudia, let's tune in
Kay-Corp to hear the very latest charisma and character the air personalities
are delivering!"]

Please don't base that "personality is dead" assumption on what you heard the
past few years on San Francisco radio. Or Los Angeles. Or any cluster of stations,
or any stockholder-focused stations, or... actually, any station populated by those who
are unaware of how, or simply afraid to entertain their listeners.

San Francisco in, say, a 20-year spread from mid-50s to mid-70s, had
some of the most entertaining and enthralling radio entertainers and
DJs in the world. A truly diverse group of individuals
<http://www.bayarearadio.org/> who managed to captivate their
audiences mostly on the sheer strength of their nature and disposition.

Any 8-year old can put together a playlist of her favorite songs. Any
contemporary person can string hits together, occasionally puctuated by
award-winning jingles, and have a snappy sounding playlist. But not everyone
enter an established brand name, direct DJs, nurure talent, focus on marketing
while keeping communication open, get their message across in easily
understood relatables, make a profit -- or even love the people they work with.

For that matter, not everyone gets the chance. Many, many talented people were
carried out to the trash to make way for what you've been hearing on your radio receivers.

And I certainly wouldn't call that personality.

 

[LKellerIII]

DavidKaye: "...Well, two stabs at bringing back some semblance of KFRC ...
have failed. I think it's a safe bet to say that if the personality format
really worked today that everybody would be doing it...But personality doesn't
work today except in talk radio..."

Love your insight on these posts, DavidKaye, but disagree with that "personality" remark.

Because CBS failed in it's misguided attempt at making KFRC viable has nothing
whatsoever to do with personality on the radio [let alone "personality format"
on radio, which, BTW, is a new one to me. --"Hey Claudia, let's tune in
Kay-Corp to hear the very latest charisma and character the air personalities
are delivering!"]

Please don't base that "personality is dead" assumption on what you heard the
past few years on San Francisco radio. Or Los Angeles. Or any cluster of stations,
or any stockholder-focused stations, or... actually, any station populated by those who
are unaware of how, or simply afraid to entertain their listeners.

San Francisco in, say, a 20-year spread from mid-50s to mid-70s, had
some of the most entertaining and enthralling radio entertainers and
DJs in the world. A truly diverse group of individuals
<http://www.bayarearadio.org/> who managed to captivate their
audiences mostly on the sheer strength of their nature and disposition.

Any 8-year old can put together a playlist of her favorite songs. Any
contemporary person can string hits together, occasionally puctuated by
award-winning jingles, and have a snappy sounding playlist. But not everyone
enter an established brand name, direct DJs, nurure talent, focus on marketing
while keeping communication open, get their message across in easily
understood relatables, make a profit -- or even love the people they work with.

For that matter, not everyone gets the chance. Many, many talented people were
carried out to the trash to make way for what you've been hearing on your radio receivers.

And I certainly wouldn't call that personality.

Agreed. Outside of morning drive, and a very occasional afternoon drive show (Big Rick on K-Fog for example), there hasn't been anything approaching "personality" radio on Bay Area FM since the late 70s or early 80s.

Even in the hey-dey of Top 40 on 610/KFRC or KYA, it really wasn't personality based - but jocks with personality were able to entertain and amuse listeners during the few seconds they had between songs and going into stop-sets.

But 106.9 only allowed one song intro for the jocks to talk-up in a 4 or 5 song set. You can't possibly show any personality if you only have 20 seconds to talk every 15 minutes.