KLUV

[RADIO TRUTH]

That's pretty strong talk for a guy who is relegated to playing radio on the internet. I'll give you one thing, though:, you've got some balls!

Now it's time for more and bigger balls.....

I worked on the air in a number of markets including New York City and a 50,000 watt A. M. which we all know, among others. KLUV djs, you included, can only succeed in a world of non dj djs where no talent or personality is required. KLUV djs have enough talent to read liner cards and promos and that's about it. When radio djs had to be able to adlib and do humor, no KLUV dj could have survived. None of you have the talent. Was there ever one KLUV dj who could have worked at WCBS-FM along side of Dan Ingram, Ron Lundy, Harry Harrison or any of the other former WABC or WMCA djs who worked there?

I do give you all credit. You all do read well. That's all that's required in today's ever less important world of radio. None of you would cut it if some talent was actually required of you.

 

[RADIO TRUTH]

Forgoing political correctness, in all honesty I think there might be truth to this observation. Particularly in the Brinkman days and before (if there was a before). Even K*LUV's ownership was never though of as the best in this market. Consider one example, when Scott Ginsberg performed SWOT to identify the largest vulnerability in the market, he choose K*LUV. Suggests that the observation has some valadity. (Despite Ginsburg's inability to successfully exploit the weaknesses.)

For sure, prior to consolidation, K*LUV did not operate on par with it's current day CBS Top-10 Market counterparts WOGL-FM, Philadelphia or WCBS-FM across the scope of dimensions referenced above (talent, execution, music and technical performance).

But then again, Dallas is not New York, not Philadelphia. And conversely, I'm not sure that old Dallas standards (Ron Chapman) could have gone from Dallas and been competitive and successful in 1980's NY or Philly.

I do remember traveling to Houston one weekend in 1990 and being VERY impressed with the (now defunked) legacy oldies station. Was that KLDE? K-Oldie-FM?

Just out of curiosity, what's a guy doing in Dallas with obvious New Jersey roots? I know it's not for the pizza or deli food. Are you looking for Kennedy's killer?

 

[bigtom101]

I do remember traveling to Houston one weekend in 1990 and being VERY impressed with the (now defunked) legacy oldies station. Was that KLDE? K-Oldie-FM?

Oldies 94.5 KLDE, then became Oldies 107.5 KLDE was a very well executed oldies station. However, K*LUV got better as the 90's/00's wore on...KLDE got MUCH worse after getting sold to Cox.

PS - I worked at WJRZ when it was Oldies 100, and made its transition to Classic Hits (2005 to 2009). Much like KLDE, it failed due to ownership mistakes, not for lack of a need in the market.

 

[Rock Chalk]

No talent at KLUV? Oh, I dunno. Back in '85-88 we had the likes of Steve Eberhart, Paula Street, Hubcap Carter, Jonathon Hayes, et al. We damn sure weren't reading liner cards. And we had the best PD in the country in Dave Van Dyke. Here's a thought: since you're such a hotshot in the Big Apple, why not move back there and pull some great numbers.

Jason Walker

 

[JRZFM100]

Just out of curiosity, what's a guy doing in Dallas with obvious New Jersey roots? I know it's not for the pizza or deli food. Are you looking for Kennedy's killer?

Well, I came to Texas for a very special reason. And now she has 7 kids with 3 different husbands (and perhaps a couple more of each, I haven't checked today).... I was husband #0 (as in almost) thank god.

I went from Market #44 to Market ~ #200 in West Texas, by voluntary choice.

One of my peer jocks said going 44-200 would ruin my career. It almost did but didn't.

Another of my peers said in going to Texas that Christians would get a hold of me, convert me and I'd fall off the edge of a flat earth; A guy from Brooklyn, NY, we knew had gone Brooklyn-Brownwood, to work in Brownwood, Texas, converted faith, married, and switched to CCM in 1988, he was never heard from again in commercial radio or in Brooklyn. That almost happened.

And my mom said you can't go to Texas, THEY killed Kennedy... they'll do the same to you. (It hasn't happened yet)

So, yea, it's certainly not the food; it's the Kennedy thing.

 

[JRZFM100]

Oldies 94.5 KLDE, then became Oldies 107.5 KLDE was a very well executed oldies station. However, K*LUV got better as the 90's/00's wore on...KLDE got MUCH worse after getting sold to Cox.

PS - I worked at WJRZ when it was Oldies 100, and made its transition to Classic Hits (2005 to 2009). Much like KLDE, it failed due to ownership mistakes, not for lack of a need in the market.

Agree on KLDE and KLUV; when I was in Houston, early 2000's, Alan B.B. from WNBC New York was on KLDE 107.5 under Cox. .. (I think it was BB, it was one of the big time wNbc personalities from the 70's)

On WJRZ, Manahawkin, NJ, ... the fate of that station is kind of a shame. It faced a huge technical obstacle when Malrite moved the 100.3 from Newark to Empire State Building, WJRZ on 100.1 got wiped out by 1st adjacent channel interference. Z-100 was a monster, with monster modulation, and JRZ became almost unusable above South Toms River, taking away most of it's population coverage.

I was there when the new tower was built about 8 miles north of the studios, which took back Toms River and Brick; technically, JRZ never reclaimed its interference free coverage in the direction of Z-100 in the way it existed before Z-100 moved to Empire State.

Management was iffy (small market/we're small town broadcasters thinking) under it's first licensee, they never really thought big, or like broadcasters. Very local. Ran it like a cross between a salt water taffy stand and a pizza shop. I have joked that original wjrz was an example of what you get when a bunch of novices get their hands on an FCC license and some cart machines.

Very much a shame that Greater Media has done nothing with the station. (Hold on, I feel a comment from Big Jay coming). It's a great little Class A with population growth in it's very limited 15 mile coverage radius.

 

[RADIO TRUTH]

No talent at KLUV? Oh, I dunno. Back in '85-88 we had the likes of Steve Eberhart, Paula Street, Hubcap Carter, Jonathon Hayes, et al. We damn sure weren't reading liner cards. And we had the best PD in the country in Dave Van Dyke. Here's a thought: since you're such a hotshot in the Big Apple, why not move back there and pull some great numbers.

Jason Walker

Compared to the talent at WCBS-FM, WOGL-FM, WJMK-FM and KRTH-FM at the same time in history, you have made my point for me.

 

[RADIO TRUTH]

Well, I came to Texas for a very special reason. And now she has 7 kids with 3 different husbands (and perhaps a couple more of each, I haven't checked today).... I was husband #0 (as in almost) thank god.

I went from Market #44 to Market ~ #200 in West Texas, by voluntary choice.

One of my peer jocks said going 44-200 would ruin my career. It almost did but didn't.

Another of my peers said in going to Texas that Christians would get a hold of me, convert me and I'd fall off the edge of a flat earth; A guy from Brooklyn, NY, we knew had gone Brooklyn-Brownwood, to work in Brownwood, Texas, converted faith, married, and switched to CCM in 1988, he was never heard from again in commercial radio or in Brooklyn. That almost happened.

And my mom said you can't go to Texas, THEY killed Kennedy... they'll do the same to you. (It hasn't happened yet)

So, yea, it's certainly not the food; it's the Kennedy thing.

I enjoyed what you wrote. You don't take yourself so seriously and that is appreciated. You also don't have the inherent insecurity and paranoia that goes with the local Dallasites in or around broadcasting. You mentioned Brownwood, Texas. The only thing that I know about Brownwood is that Paul And Paula of Hey Paula fame were from there. I remember when WJRZ, Manahawkin, went on the air. My first thought was they copied the former call letters of WWDJ, Hackensack. Were they going to hire Bwana Johnny? If you ever find a pizza around Dallas that compares to a North Jersey, Manhattan or Brooklyn pizza, let me know. If you know of a Dallas deli that compares to the Carnegie Deli, I'd also be interested.

 

[Steve Eberhart]

okay, Radio Truth. One question: Who are you?

Post your name for all of us to see, as many of us do. If you're so adamant about your opinions - own them....or...are you a coward that likes to spew this garbage behind a facade so you aren't held accountable?

You see my name with every post I make. Go ahead, tell us your name.

 

[Robert Bass]

okay, Radio Truth. One question: Who are you?

Post your name for all of us to see, as many of us do. If you're so adamant about your opinions - own them....or...are you a coward that likes to spew this garbage behind a facade so you aren't held accountable?

You see my name with every post I make. Go ahead, tell us your name.

Another instance where I wish we had a"like" button around here...

R

 

[JRZFM100]

You mentioned Brownwood, Texas. The only thing that I know about Brownwood is that Paul And Paula of Hey Paula fame were from there.

I remember when WJRZ, Manahawkin, went on the air. My first thought was they copied the former call letters of WWDJ, Hackensack. Were they going to hire Bwana Johnny?

If you ever find a pizza around Dallas that compares to a North Jersey, Manhattan or Brooklyn pizza, let me know. If you know of a Dallas deli that compares to the Carnegie Deli, I'd also be interested.

Several thoughts..

I believe that Paul and Paula were both students from Howard Payne University in Brownwood, but seem to remember a story that the song "Hey Paula" was recorded in the basement studio of the original KFJZ (downtown) here in Ft Worth, Texas.

According to legend and WJRZ ownership, Big Jay Sorenson of wNbc fame is credited with the idea of having the new Manahawkin station adopt the WJRZ calls from the former WWDJ. Big Jay did mornings at WJRZ teamed with Anita Bonita of Z-100 fame during Greater Media's 2000's attempt at oldies on WJRZ.

I'm from Bergen County, "North Jersey", (like "WDHA North Jersey" used to ID) so I can't tell you where to find a Lodi or Garfield quality pizza; Brooklyn's Best Pizza in Arlington comes kinda close.

Please feel free to use the secure feature of the website to contact me via email.

 

[JRZFM100]

PS - I worked at WJRZ when it was Oldies 100, and made its transition to Classic Hits (2005 to 2009). Much like KLDE, it failed due to ownership mistakes, not for lack of a need in the market.

Hey Turnpike.... now I NEED to figure this out. You were at 'JRZ in the late 2000's? Amazing!
Love that little (lower) interior room, lower than the prod studio which was elevated for below floor wiring.

Could you tell at least what shift(s) you did...

I tried to contact you to hear more about post-modern JRZ, but your secure email feature is turned off in R-D.

 

[bigtom101]

PS - I worked at WJRZ when it was Oldies 100, and made its transition to Classic Hits (2005 to 2009). Much like KLDE, it failed due to ownership mistakes, not for lack of a need in the market.

Hey Turnpike.... now I NEED to figure this out. You were at 'JRZ in the late 2000's? Amazing!
Love that little (lower) interior room, lower than the prod studio which was elevated for below floor wiring.

Could you tell at least what shift(s) you did...

I tried to contact you to hear more about post-modern JRZ, but your secure email feature is turned off in R-D.

Just sent you an email. I was behind the scenes with part time on air and I worked at other GMNJ stations in M/S/U and in North Jersey (WMTR...hosted one of the oldies shows).

Allen Bebe lasted a short time at 107.5 KLDE from what I remember...Dennis Winslow was PD for a short time when Cox owned it, and after he left is when it went downhill (the Cox way of "this is the Strategic Action Plan...follow it or be fired, no exceptions!!!" makes it hard to run a station, no matter who the PD is).

 

[Robert Bass]

Allen Bebe lasted a short time at 107.5 KLDE from what I remember...Dennis Winslow was PD for a short time when Cox owned it, and after he left is when it went downhill (the Cox way of "this is the Strategic Action Plan...follow it or be fired, no exceptions!!!" makes it hard to run a station, no matter who the PD is).

The exact same thing happened at KEOM after Griffin retired.

R

 

[frbob]

Since I once worked in Brownwood I'm interested in hearing when you were there and who you worked for. I worked for KXYL from 1980 to 83 as operations director and morning announcer. Since identifying one's self seems important I'm Bob Tomlinson and a priest in the Anglican church now hence the id of FrBob.

 

[andydallas]

okay, Radio Truth. One question: Who are you?

Post your name for all of us to see, as many of us do. If you're so adamant about your opinions - own them....or...are you a coward that likes to spew this garbage behind a facade so you aren't held accountable?

You see my name with every post I make. Go ahead, tell us your name.

Steve, to no surprise he missed telling us his name. These message boards have some very talented people, such as yourself, but they seem to have a large number of "I was #1 in a top 20 market,,then started driving a dump truck because it was my calling" types,,,,they are probable on the NJ area message board telling them they were morning drive on KLUV 15 years ago...

I've owned and managed small market stations years ago, and know the type, sometimes they actually have some talent, of course they disappear after a few months then the FBI comes by looking for them (yes, I've really had that happen)

 

[JRZFM100]

Since I once worked in Brownwood I'm interested in hearing when you were there and who you worked for. I worked for KXYL from 1980 to 83 as operations director and morning announcer. Since identifying one's self seems important I'm Bob Tomlinson and a priest in the Anglican church now hence the id of FrBob.

Father Bob!! Thanks for showing up, and just in time. Somehow this discussion has gotten more divisive than folks from opposing denominations arguing over biblical-literal scripture interpretation!

The answer is KXYL-FM at 1 Texas Avenue with new (1986) calls KISJ branded as KISS-FM (circa 88-89) Black BE slide board with unusually square 'leggo' like fader knobs. Technically I worked there for free, as the station was in receivership from Lewellen Communications back to Mary Scott Neighbors, and so I never did get paid. Did it for fun!

Coolest little station in the world. The local funeral director would show up in the middle of the nite to put death notices in the mailbox; KXYL as you probably remember had an old mercury type thermometer inside a properly insulated box, like NOAA professional grade for determining official and accurate temps.

Kinda funny, when Madonna "Like a Prayer" came out, the PD held a special meeting to tell us it was okay to play it in Brownwood because there were "only one or two" Roman Catholics in town, and thus not offensive to the masses in Brownwood! (No kidding)

PS, you must know Stealers Wheel, "Stuck in the Middle With You"? The lyrics say "clowns on the left of me, jokers on the right"... always makes me think of "Amillennialists on the left of me, Premillennialists on the right"...slugging it out over their differing views. And here I am stuck in the middle with you!

 

[JRZFM100]

And now a serious question about K*LUV's history, circa 1990's, early to mid-

(1) What was the name of the overnite jock who made the jump to K*LUV from community station KNON?

(2) Does anyone know the story surrounding Mike Wade being named PD for a very short time?

-I seem to remember Chuck went on vacation and Mike was named PD; then just a few weeks later, Chuck was reinstated as PD and everything got reversed.

I never heard the complete story and would love to know the behind the scenes detail on that-

 

[frbob]

JRZFM100, I'll pvt message you and talk more about KXYL, I'm sure no one here on a Dallas?Fort Worth board wants to hear details about a fun little station in Central Texas.

Talking about KLUV from years ago I could never figure out why they sounded duller on the air than an oldies station I heard in Houston and one in Austin sounded when I traveled through those cities. Don't remember anyone from that era on KLUV except HubCap who I once had a blast talking to at a remote he was doing. My wife enjoyed Mike Wade and of course we were long time listeners of Ron Chapman. Ron was gracious to listen to some of my early airchecks and give me pointers on how to improve. MY biggest complaint about KLUV was the too tight playlist.

I'm now in east Texas kinda retired and wishing I had better stations to listen too. I was driving down the road today thinking satellite maybe in my future.

 

[JRZFM100]

JRZFM100, I'll pvt message you and talk more about KXYL, I'm sure no one here on a Dallas?Fort Worth board wants to hear details about a fun little station in Central Texas.

Fr. Bob:

Please do contact for detailed discussion of KXYL. Hope you didn't take offense to my light hearted statements, I am a believer, and worked in Brownwood during the critical 1st six months of new salvation while attending ACU. Jerry the news director at KXYL was a great contributor and investor in my new faith.

I always wanted to use that Stealers Wheel 'metaphor' on the air but never did... some arguments have no clear answer and are counterproductive to progress.

Look forward to seeing you off-air.