MRS Ventures - Pine Bluff

[lfuss]

I stopped by the Pine Bluff studios a couple weeks ago and asked to see the Public File. The only thing in it was an LMA contract. No ownership report, no employment report, no copies of licenses, no issues & programs lists, no renewal applications, no Public & Broadcasting manual, etc. The guy at the front desk says MRS Ventures no longer owns the station. And there's no management level employee there who works for MRS (required for an LMA). And funny thing... there was never a transfer application filed with the FCC. Sounds like a premature transfer of control to me. Anyone who makes it to Pine Bluff should stop in and ask to see the file. Then do like I did and file a complaint with the FCC. Companies like should be driven out of radio.

LF

 

[LABreeze]

> I stopped by the Pine Bluff studios a couple weeks ago and
> asked to see the Public File. The only thing in it was an
> LMA contract. No ownership report, no employment report, no
> copies of licenses, no issues & programs lists, no renewal
> applications, no Public & Broadcasting manual, etc. The guy
> at the front desk says MRS Ventures no longer owns the
> station. And there's no management level employee there who
> works for MRS (required for an LMA). And funny thing...
> there was never a transfer application filed with the FCC.
> Sounds like a premature transfer of control to me. Anyone
> who makes it to Pine Bluff should stop in and ask to see the
> file. Then do like I did and file a complaint with the FCC.
> Companies like should be driven out of radio.
>
> LF
>

I couldn't agree with you more.<P ID="signature">______________
MRS Ventures: Wasted broadcast radio technology since 1993.</P>

 

[thedougpound]

I'l stop by Pine Bluff on my way to SCAMrock texas...

 

[rwells2265]

> I'l stop by Pine Bluff on my way to SCAMrock texas...

I was passing through PB Saturday morning .... first time there in some 15 years.

KOTN, KCLA and KPBQ were all airing noise which sounded like badly overmodulated bleedover from KZYP, the only station in that group actually broadcasting something audible. 1400 and 1490 were also very weak - both couldn't be picked up more than a mile from their respective locations.

Apple Street looked completely empty and abandoned ... and Commerce Road was unlocked and nobody in the building! As my wife was waiting outside (she wasn't brave enough to venture in there with me), I went inside.

The first thing I noticed were the plaques along the hallway - Arkansas AP award to KOTN for best radio newscast in 1986, and some other plaques for KOTN and KCLA (a few from my time there) ... all from the '80s. Sad.

On the lobby monitor I heard KZYP's satellite feed -- a gospel talk program out of NY, I believe. KOTN's old master control was empty and looked like it was being used as storage. I'm told KOTN's old record library room is where KZYP's CR is nowadays. But I didn't go any further ... truth be told, I was a bit spooked.

I walked back outside. The guy who was working there had come back to the station and was chatting with my wife. Very nice guy. I hate that he's working in such a terrible situation.

My impression of Pine Bluff is that it's the same decrepit rathole it was when I lived there (1988-90). But there are some good people in PB, and they don't deserve the kind of radio this MRS outfit is giving 'em.

--Russell Wells
Survivor of Pine Bluff Radio - KCLA/KZYP, KPBA, KOTN

 

[C414]

> > I stopped by the Pine Bluff studios a couple weeks ago and
>
> > asked to see the Public File. The only thing in it was an
>
> > LMA contract. No ownership report, no employment report,
> no
> > copies of licenses, no issues & programs lists, no renewal
>
> > applications, no Public & Broadcasting manual, etc. The
> guy
> > at the front desk says MRS Ventures no longer owns the
> > station. And there's no management level employee there
> who
> > works for MRS (required for an LMA). And funny thing...
> > there was never a transfer application filed with the FCC.
>
> > Sounds like a premature transfer of control to me. Anyone
>
> > who makes it to Pine Bluff should stop in and ask to see
> the
> > file. Then do like I did and file a complaint with the
> FCC.
> > Companies like should be driven out of radio.
> >
> > LF
> >
>
> I couldn't agree with you more.
>




Thought this might be of interest. I'm linking to the Texas board and the thread begun by KZQX. Likewise, I post with no comment.


http://www.radio-info.com/mods/board?Post=680408&Board=texas

<P ID="signature">______________
Failure to plan on your part doesn't constitute an emergency on my part.</P>

 

[netman_14]

i started off my radio career in pine bluff close to five years ago as the intern on the local sports talk show at the time. grant it at the time the station had its fair share of problems, but over all it was a great place to work. i am now living in jonesboro and i dont get to pine bluff very often but i get on here from time to time and read up on what is happening. all i have to say is i wish we could bring back the days of hearing ray taylor in the mornings on KPBQ and marinelle howard doing the afternoon news. i recently heard that marinelle had passed away. i wish that someone could do something with those stations and really turn them around. ahh the good old days...

 

[radiosaur]

On the lobby monitor I heard KZYP's satellite feed -- a gospel talk program out of NY, I believe. KOTN's old master control was empty and looked like it was being used as storage. I'm told KOTN's old record library room is where KZYP's CR is nowadays. But I didn't go any further ... truth be told, I was a bit spooked.

Abandoned / deserted radio stations are creepy, Aren't they? Not sure why. Maybe it's the history of everything that's gone on before...or that radio stations aren't supposed to be quiet and still...

 

[Media Mogul]

I still contend that after about a five year rebuilding process, someone could do well with that Pine Bluff cluster. There is no reason a town of nearly 60,000 can't support at least one hometown cluster. There are some creepy old radio studios around this state... I absolutely agree with the 'saur on that. I found the old KDDA in Dumas one time when I was out driving around. Right there next to the airport, and the old building is completely gutted. If you're ever in Dardenelle, the old KCAB building on Second Street is the same way. I mean the places have been just totally trashed. Hey Netman... holler at me... [email protected]

 

[PaulBWalkerJr]

The WQMA building in Marks will look really creepy pretty soon....

 

[rwells2265]

Abandoned / deserted radio stations are creepy, Aren't they? Not sure why. Maybe it's the history of everything that's gone on before...or that radio stations aren't supposed to be quiet and still...

What added to the creepiness for me was seeing the plaques on the wall, mostly from the time period prior to and including the time I worked there. I saw not a one for later than 1989. It was as if the rest of the staff had walked away at the same time I did (1990), leaving everything on the wall as it was. I agree with MediaMogul ... there's potential with that cluster, but it'll probably have to be all bulldozed and redone from the ground up. Would anyone with money to invest have enough faith in Pine Bluff to help make that happen? I don't have the answer to that one.--Russell

 

[lifeinthehills]

Hey there Russell, hope all is well in Georgia with you and yours. One of those plaques on the wall was from Buzz Bennett to Buddy Deane. I beleive another was from or to Mike Nail. They should be anywhere but still on the wall at 920 Commerce Rd as long as it's under current ownership.I went by the old KCLA studios about a 2 months ago. Not much left on the inside, but a lot of equipment including the automation system from KZYP was crammed in a storage building out back. The doors were broke off the windows were out, no protection from the elements at all. I know the equipment is outdated, but sad to see it neglected that way, made me long for the old days when I learn radio on that big ass antique board. KTRN is doing a fair job of keeping some kinda of radio going in PB. aleast they have a live morning show and cover local sports with Floyd Donald doing play by play. Best wishes Russell, LA

 

[radiosaur]

OK, here's a test for all you REAL old timers...There was a Twilight Zone episode (black and white, no less) about a creepy posessed radio station that killed DJ's. Anyone remember it? Bonus points if you can name the actor who played the DJ.

 

[artmorris]

I thought it was an episode of "Night Gallery", with Arte Johnson playing the DJ.Whatever the case, it was VERY creepy. He ended up getting electrocute while trying to shut off the transmitter. Only saw it once, but it made quite an impression.Art MorrisAurora, MOwww.artmorris.com

 

[radiosaur]

You're right on the actor, and it WAS Night Gallery!

 

[artmorris]

I can think of several old radio buildings that might fit that description.KOTN's old building is such a sad situation.In Springfield, MO. the old KICK building is the same way. You can just smell the history (and the smell of old money) when you walk through the door.It's odd that both of those stations (and many others) were 1kw full-timers that were powerhouse stations in the 60's & 70's. With the advent of 80-90, and the influx of FM stations (with much better signals), those old "Class IV's" (to use the old vernacular) just don't have the strength to stay with it.Of course, you can improve them. 5/8ths wave antenna, solid state transmitter, new ground system, modern audio processing all make a WORLD of difference.Pine BLuff isn't so big that a good sounding, locally programmed AM station couldn't make some money and have some fun.But you have to BELIEVE in AM radio!Art Morris

 

[Musicradio]

I remember the "Night Gallery" show about the radio station....that was an interesting show.

 

[u-j]

In Pine Bluff the problem is that the region is depressed economically and, too many times, we as radio folks forget that we're in competition with every other medium. A good example of that is that morning shows, even on successful radio stations, are losing listeners to AM TV shows. It's more critical in all market sizes to keep it local than ever. Buddy did a great job of that but I wonder how many of the folks who have followed in his footsteps have done the same thing.

 

[Media Mogul]

I don't really ever think about this station, but you know KCAT 1340 has a HUGE following in the African-American community. At least they are on the air and consistent!There is a new allocation for a 25,000 watt FM on 98.1... I am curious to see who goes after that.

 

[rwells2265]

In Pine Bluff the problem is that the region is depressed economically and, too many times, we as radio folks forget that we're in competition with every other medium. A good example of that is that morning shows, even on successful radio stations, are losing listeners to AM TV shows. It's more critical in all market sizes to keep it local than ever.

Economics doesn't have to translate to what I heard on the dial in PB back in March (or, to be more precise, what I DIDN'T hear). My wife is from Albany, Ga. - a city with a similiar white/black ratio, only slightly larger than PB, and with all the economic blight of southwest Georgia. Yet, in spite of Albany (pronounced "all-BINNY" by the old-timers) being what amounts to a very dank and gloomy place, radio manages to thrive and turn out a few pennies. Oh, and there's also Forrest City, in what always struck me as an impoverished area of the delta. They have KXJK/KBFC, a beacon of community service, run by a local family who believe in FC and it shows on-air. And KXJK-AM 950 has what in all of my radio listening is the best audio I've ever heard on an AM station. It's an AM music station, paying the bills in a very depressed city. And they sound very tight, clean and almost Memphis-esque in their presentation. Not too shabby. With enough money invested (as I said, by now it's probably gonna take no less than a gutting and complete replacement of all facilities), and committment to a long uphill climb, KOTN could be a great station again. Yes, even on AM. Local talk in the morning (if Duane Hamann is still kickin' around, he'd be the man to do it) -- geez, even bring back that godawful pink flamingo gag. And a very community-centric music and information format throughout. I like to think many folks in PB are, like Linus, sitting in the pumpkin patch waiting for KOTN to return. They crave what it used to be and what it could be again. --Russell

 

[rwells2265]

Hey there Russell, hope all is well in Georgia with you and yours.

Larry -- good to hear from you, as well. Things in Savannah are going very nicely, we're waterlogged from Alberto dropping 4-5" of rain and a couple of tornadoes in the area (one of 'em about a mile from our station ... yipe!). Gettin' ready for another exciting hurricane season, and hoping we can dodge yet another bullet.

I went by the old KCLA studios about a 2 months ago. Not much left on the inside, but a lot of equipment including the automation system from KZYP was crammed in a storage building out back. The doors were broke off the windows were out, no protection from the elements at all. I know the equipment is outdated, but sad to see it neglected that way, made me long for the old days when I learn radio on that big ass antique board.

I saw the old shed and how it was just crammed full of old gear. Same with the old KOTN booth. Sad how they just dumped everything like that. And, from the experience I've had with these newer boards, I'd trade 'em for a "big ass antique board" any day. Those puppies were built to last. --Russell