Mark Christopher back on Seattle radio!

[SeattleObserver]

I was pleasantly shocked to hear Mark on "Warm 106.9" this afternoon. I'm assuming he'll be on at least another hour or two (it's almost 1 pm).

He sounds kind of 'tired' but maybe that's demanded of DJ's on AC stations vs. upbeat oldies/classic hits ones.

I guess it's only temporary, though: http://markchristopherradio.com/

 

[Lonely Summer]

This is good news! Mark is one of the good guys. Had the pleasure of talking with him at various events through the years. He struck me as a guy that genuinely loved the music he played. If KMCQ was to be anything other than a placeholder station, it would be a great place for Mark to go, but I suspect he'd like a little more to do than just programmming the ipod.

 

[SeattleRadioPro]

Mark is one of the gems of Seattle Radio. I've had the opportunity to work with him and I've never met anyone else who's more down to earth and totally devoid of ego.

So glad to hear him back on the air and let's hope he can get a FT gig again (Jay Kelly, are you listening - Mark would be a perfect fit for the "More Music Mornings").

 

[the brakes]

Mark is one of the gems of Seattle Radio. I've had the opportunity to work with him and I've never met anyone else who's more down to earth and totally devoid of ego.

I couldn't agree more...great talent/great guy. I also noticed on his web page that he'll be on a segment of "Diners...Drive-ins and Dives" on the Food Network..the dude is keeping busy. And I agree...he'd be a nice addition to KJR.

 

[radioprofessor]

I always thought KBSG was one of the better "Oldies" "Greatest Hits" stations in the country. Fastlane in the morning, Mark and Randy were among the best personalities in that format parameter as I travel the country. All had energy and the "sound" of this format from mornings to afternoons. One has to wonder given the success of this format in the PPM if it will return in Seattle. Should that happen I presuppose this staff will be reunited. A likely move in my humble opinion. There are several likely signals that could make the move after the meter numbers are released. I refrain from mentioning the signals but most on this site have a good idea what they might be.

 

[TakeItFromMe]

Yep. Them oldies cowboys had it dialed in before Boneaville pulled the ole plug :-\
Fastlane and his partner (marini I think) had one of the better Oldies morning shows and the rest of the staff fit
the station sound damn perfect. Shame they pulled the plug

Who are the likely candidates for a flip after PPM arrives: END, MOVIN, JAZZ, (Either STAR or WARM withever is left standin), (Jack or KJR-FM whichever is left standin). Those are your odds on favs. Would be nice to see these oldies cowboys back behind a hot mic ;D

 

[Radio-Schmoozer]

Are you guys for real? Any of you ever listen to Mark's "content"? He's as nutty as they come and no longer makes sense on the air. Just because he was on the air a long time, doesn't mean he's any good. He's Koo Koo. Can't believe the folks at Warm took him on.
You can change the frequency...but not the scatter-brained-ness!

 

[BurntOutRadio]

Well Radio-SNOOZER, I guess you were asleep at the radio dial.

 

[Lonely Summer]

I loved the morning show when it was Fastlane and Burns. Not so much afterwards. I never did read or hear a believable explanation of why Burns was let go. Loved their bits together - Fud Oldies Friday, Dumb Criminals, etc. Always enjoyed Mark's show. If this guy is koo-koo, well, I'd like to be as koo-koo as he is. It was crummy the way the KBSG staff were dumped, to this day I refuse to listen to KIRO-FM. Keep the news/talk/sports over on the AM band where it belongs!

 

[AQH]

(Jay Kelly, are you listening - Mark would be a perfect fit for the "More Music Mornings").

I doubt Christopher would move the needle with a midday show in the morning.

Besides, CC isn't hiring anybody anyway. That's not Jay Kelly's call.

 

[LITTLEBOYBLUE]

Besides, CC isn't hiring anybody anyway. That's not Jay Kelly's call.

Mark aside...gotta love any version of the industry where a PD no longer has hiring/firing authority. Remember when the Apd used to be the one whose task list was "weekend jock schedule". Whoops...wait...there aren't any weekend jocks. So a PD who can't hire or fire, can't conrol the music, can't schedule people and is banished from strategy now gets to ...... order coffee supplies for the kitchenette?

Private Note to UW/WSU Communications Schools: Ya'al need to update your curriculum.

 

[AQH]

Besides, CC isn't hiring anybody anyway. That's not Jay Kelly's call.

Mark aside...gotta love any version of the industry where a PD no longer has hiring/firing authority. Remember when the Apd used to be the one whose task list was "weekend jock schedule". Whoops...wait...there aren't any weekend jocks. So a PD who can't hire or fire, can't conrol the music, can't schedule people and is banished from strategy now gets to ...... order coffee supplies for the kitchenette?

Private Note to UW/WSU Communications Schools: Ya'al need to update your curriculum.

What I said has nothing to do with authority, it has everything to do with money.

 

[Grindlfan]

(Jay Kelly, are you listening - Mark would be a perfect fit for the "More Music Mornings").

I doubt Christopher would move the needle with a midday show in the morning.

Besides, CC isn't hiring anybody anyway. That's not Jay Kelly's call.

I agree. While I liked Mark Christopher on KBSG like the rest of you, it isn't the on air talent that would bring me back to KJR FM as a listener, it would be a better playlist. I like Heidi May as a DJ but I won't listen to her either.

 

[Lonely Summer]

I listened to Heidi when she was weekends on KBSG circa 1992. I still hear her occasionally on KJR, but agree the playlist is far too limited.

 

[Bongwater]

Besides, CC isn't hiring anybody anyway. That's not Jay Kelly's call.

Mark aside...gotta love any version of the industry where a PD no longer has hiring/firing authority. Remember when the Apd used to be the one whose task list was "weekend jock schedule". Whoops...wait...there aren't any weekend jocks. So a PD who can't hire or fire, can't conrol the music, can't schedule people and is banished from strategy now gets to ...... order coffee supplies for the kitchenette?

Private Note to UW/WSU Communications Schools: Ya'al need to update your curriculum.

Problem: You are a radio program director in this biz. You were once the captain of a mighty ship of sound. But thanks to corporate cutbacks, voicetracked automation replacing your weekend line-up, the music and format being selected by another computer, and the only strategies left, as LBB says, are picking out the coffee ("OH GROSS DUDE!....DID YOU HAVE TO GO AND ORDER ANOTHER BLEEPING CAN OF THAT RECONSTITUTED MOOSE PEE THEY CALL CHASE & SANBORN AGAIN??!! BLECCH!!"), what's a PD to do?

I mean you're still on the payroll. And your hackeysack skills have slowly improved over time and it shows. But isn't there something more to life?......

Solution: BE THE STATION MASCOT!! With all this free time, you can also improve your dancing skills! The dance moves are REAL SIMPLE, just get your Rock 'Em - Sock 'Em Robots jiggy on!....oh and here's your costume. The Wolf's been taken, they didn't have any bear outfits, nobody wants to see a dancing clam again, and wait......no, that eagle costume scares kids now ever since somebody at KTTH wore it.....so here you are: The (insert station calls or moniker here) Lamprey!....Yes, it contradicts nature and the Puget Sound has no lampreys. But that's all they got.....Have fun!.....

 

[LITTLEBOYBLUE]

What I said has nothing to do with authority, it has everything to do with money.

I stand by my rant ... if you're going to develop a leadership team you let them do their jobs. If you're going to take away the resources (and not because of something THAT PERSON did to cause the situation), then it's really time to take another look at whether you need ANYONE in the management chain besides the people who are left calling the shots. Either you empower middle management or don't bother having them.

Meanwhile...to BW's comment about mascot....back in the PLZ/KUBE war days, we (KPLZ) put together a costume that was similar to a mascot KUBE had for a short period of time. Sent a guy out to the Kingdome in the costume ... head of the mascot was in his hands...and he stood there chain-smoking and offering the cig's to kids who were walking by with their families on the way to the game. As a result, outraged parents were calling O'Shea @ KUBE to unleash their anger.... One of the better inside-radio stunts that I remember!

 

[RRTM]

I worked with Mark Christopher at KBSG until I retired in 98. He is a class act and he was number one in his demo more often than any other staffer. He's a hard working individual. My best of luck to him.
[email protected]

 

[AQH]

I stand by my rant ... if you're going to develop a leadership team you let them do their jobs. If you're going to take away the resources (and not because of something THAT PERSON did to cause the situation), then it's really time to take another look at whether you need ANYONE in the management chain besides the people who are left calling the shots. Either you empower middle management or don't bother having them.

Your point is well-taken, and I appreciate the reply.

But take a look at this unique situation. Where else in CC's chain is a station like KJR-FM? Sure, there are some Classic Rock and Oldies stations that might be part of what KJR-FM is all about musically, but it's pretty safe to say that no other CC station does what they do.

With that in mind, that tells me that Jay is the guy calling the shots on the station (with the exception of budget not allowing to hire more people).

 

[Lonely Summer]

I worked with Mark Christopher at KBSG until I retired in 98. He is a class act and he was number one in his demo more often than any other staffer. He's a hard working individual. My best of luck to him.
[email protected]

Right on, Danny. Glad that Mark is back on the air, and I'm sure a full time gig will turn up eventually. There's gotta be somebody....SOMEBODY..with the brains to hire a hard working guy like Mark. I haven't given up on local radio yet....not completely, anyway...call me an optimist.