Hey everybody. I just discovered this website and it’s been fun reading about what has been happening in my real home town for the last few years. I was reading about the sad state of talk and news in town and was especially sad to hear that KFNC didn’t make it happen. As someone who tried that back in 1997 as a founding partner of KKTL, I know the pitfalls. Chuck Tiller, whose posts I am enjoying, was one of our stalwarts on the board. A comment though, that while our signal was a huge issue, we moved from nowhere to roughly mid-pack in a couple of years with zero publicity. There were internal personnel problems as well that weren’t apparent to most of us who started the station until it was too late. That said, the signal, as Chuck said, was a killer. I am a partner in a small chain here in Tyler, which is a much more amenable place to raise our daughter than Big H. But doing a political show in a small market is a difficult high wire act since, unlike Houston, you can’t piss off half the audience and still have decent numbers. Talk radio has painted itself into a corner and left NPR as the only alternative, unless you count the ill-conceived Air America. My old buddy Dan P. should remember that after Limbaugh, the most listened to syndicated program in America is Morning Edition. There is a market for good, funny, balanced talk. No has told the industry that, unfortunately, so we just syndicate ourselves into a bland echo-chamber. Too bad since as someone else noted, Houston used to have some of the most interesting radio in the country. I started at KTRH in 1970 and it sounds completely FUBAR thanks to CC. Sad.
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Roger Gray checking in
- Thread starter rogergray
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Mike O
Guest
Roger, welcome to the board. Hope we hear from you often as I know you have a wealth of information to add to the various subjects.
In the thread on Personality Radio and it's death in Houston, yours is one of the voices that is missed and would be a welcomed return to Houston, if the stations ever get smart enough to start running local programming for the city. I realize that it is at the Corporate level where these discissions are made, but it has made Houston radio a vast waste land.
Mike O
In the thread on Personality Radio and it's death in Houston, yours is one of the voices that is missed and would be a welcomed return to Houston, if the stations ever get smart enough to start running local programming for the city. I realize that it is at the Corporate level where these discissions are made, but it has made Houston radio a vast waste land.
Mike O
Roger, they've upgraded 610 in the Galleria twice since you left. It will comes no surprise that it hasn't helped all that much. I continue to avoid it. We had some good people on KKTL and we had a lot of fun, too. My experience at KKTL prepared me for what I'm doing on KNTH. (And not just because of the dreaded ENCO) I would have thought that someone would have picked up Imus, after KKTL's demise. I feel that if the "I-man" had been on a stronger signal, he would have done well.
It's good to see you again, Roger. Everyone can visit Roger's home at the following link:
http://www.ktbb.com
It's good to see you again, Roger. Everyone can visit Roger's home at the following link:
http://www.ktbb.com
Hey Roger, I enjoyed your show here in Houston. Pardon the term, but you were about the only "moderate" that I could listen to.
I'm a staunch conservative and it always goes to show that good radio talent, like you, can make a good program regardless of the political affiliation. You encouraged good discussion on both sides without resorting to the usual name-calling. It was one of the things AAR never seemed to realize. Talent always overcomes!
Glad to see you're still around!
I'm a staunch conservative and it always goes to show that good radio talent, like you, can make a good program regardless of the political affiliation. You encouraged good discussion on both sides without resorting to the usual name-calling. It was one of the things AAR never seemed to realize. Talent always overcomes!
Glad to see you're still around!
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snoman
Guest
I, too would like to hear Imus here. I watch his show on MSNBC, but they don't carry the fourth hour, which is the best one. He's cranky and cantankerous by that point and the show gets really funny. That's why Imus doesn't make it in a lot of markets, because weak stations tend to pick up his show and then they fade into the sunset. It's really a shame.
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PyThomasTX
Guest
Welcome to the Board, Roger! I remember when you did some stuff for KRIV 26. Or at least I remember seeing you in little promos between morning/afternoon cartoons.
I'm a little surprised Imus wasn't picked up, too. He has lost a step or two over the years. MSNBC makes the mistake of running some stuff that's 10 or so years old sometimes when he's off and the difference in the energy level is pretty stark. It's still better than half the stuff out there, though. Thanks for all the kind words, but there are days I confess I wonder how even-handed most talk listeners want their radio to be. Are you an Olbermann guy or an O'Reilly guy would seem to sum it up and never the twain shall meet. It's a shame, really because I learn stuff from both. Good to hear from Chuck, one of the best on-air producers around. What's really happening with KTRH and KPRC these days? I know Dan has continued to make KSEV even more of a niche player with a lot of semi-amateur on-air folks. But looking at the overall numbers on Radio & Records, it seems like CC really have let these two stations slide tremendously. Why can WBAP kick ass in Dallas consistantly and KTRH slides to top-20 status? What's the talent like? Are they all just Hannity clones or is there anything vaguely clever going on?
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Andrew_in_Houston
Guest
I listened to 97 talk for most of its life. In my opinion, it was the only decent talk in Houston during the 12 year period that I have lived here. I grew up in Chicago with WGN which seems to be able to blend news, issue oriented and fun talk into a very natural mix. The stuff here in Houston is just hard to listen to. It seems too contrived. I gave up on it. I listen to what I want to listen to over the internet these days.
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Mike O
Guest
rogergray said:
I'm only going to comment on KTRH 740. The more news they drop from their schedule the further KTRH's ratings appear to decrease. The people I have talked to and many are in and out of their vehicles throughout the day, "is where can I find news on the radio?" There are approximately 70 full power stations in the Houston market and not all are strong signals or can be received in all of metro Houston, but a good many can. Yet the only news sources are KTRH and KUHF from their NPR programming. There is also the HD2 siganl of 101.1, which I am not familiar with. In fact if StevenNOLA or anyone else that has a HD radio could comment on the content of KLOL HD2, it would be appreciated. Is it just a simulcast of KTRH 740 or separate News reporting? There is the problem that few in Houston have HD radio.
If KTRH would be straight forward News, Traffic, Weather and quick Business and Sports updates from 4am to 8pm, I believe that KTRH could find themselves with very decent ratings again. In fact any station that has good metro coverage was news during those hours I believe they would be a major player in the radio market. I know 4am sounds very early to start with local all News, but judging from the traffic already on the freeways by 5am, a good amount of people must be up by 4am. Generally News is the first thing most people want to hear in the AM. On the other side 8pm may seem late, but again considering the heavy traffic that can often still be found on the freeways at that hour, there is still a considerable amount of people that are homeward bound. Ideally the 4th largest city in the US and 6th largest metropolition area in the US would have a 24/7 all News station that was fully staffed 24/7. Houston will continue to grow at a rate that is much faster than most of the US as Houston is listed by CNN MOney as the 3rd fastest growing job market and also in the top three in new residental building and is believed that the downturn in housing starts will not affect three cities; Phoenix, Houston and Charlotte. Houston could support an All News operation and it would be profitable for whoever went All News, provided they programmed the station properly, even though it is a very expensive format to run.
Salem's KNTH 1070 would be a fairly good station for the format. Salem is an organization with the capital and also a company that from what I have heard that does not program a format in any manner but very good. The 1070 signal is a bit ragged at night in the suburbs, but possibly adjustments could be made to the nighttime pattern to increase the coverage. I realize they have to protect Class A KNX 1070 Los Angeles and KOPY in the Corpus Christi area for starters, but maybe an arrary move to the northwest of Houston would allow them to achieve that goal. They might be able to get away from having an eleven tower daytime array also. Mr. Tiller you could lend a clear picture of that possiblility.
I don't see it happening unfortunately.
Mike O
KNX is not as much the prorection problem as is WDIA 1070 in Memphis and KOPY 1070 in Alice, as you have suggested. There other problems as CW has pointed out. Those being 1090 KNUZ Bellville and 1050 KCHN Brookshire. These close adjacencies prevent us from spreading our 10KW signal down the coast much like KILT-610 and KTRH-740. There is a 1070 in the Midland area as well. KNTH is on the old US-Canadian clear channel designation.
It's great to know you're still alive and kicking up in east Texas, although your last posting here indicated you're looking around for something new. Ken Hoffman is right. Houston radio is dead, except for Morning Edition on NPR, which is where I work. I do the local hosting on ME here on KUHF every day, and it's awesome -- and a little scary -- to think about the number of people who're abandoning commercial radio for NPR every morning.
I think the single worst development in radio history -- aside from the rise of Clear Channel -- has been the compartmentalization of talk radio. These days you have to either be a screaming wild-eyed Code Pink Move On dot Org liberal or a screaming reactionary NRA Rush Limbaugh Ann Coulter Pat Buchanan conservative, and judging from the current lay of the land, conservative and outrageous have pretty much taken over the commercial airwaves.
Whatever happened to the middle of the road talk show? A show that appealed to people of all political stripes, who could call and talk about whatever was in the news or on their minds. Where callers knew their views would be respected and discussed, and they wouldn't be insulted or shouted down.
You did a show like that in Houston once upon a time Roger, and I think there's still a market for it out there -- somewhere. Hope you can find a station that will let you do it again, and I hope it's within earshot of my radio.
I think the single worst development in radio history -- aside from the rise of Clear Channel -- has been the compartmentalization of talk radio. These days you have to either be a screaming wild-eyed Code Pink Move On dot Org liberal or a screaming reactionary NRA Rush Limbaugh Ann Coulter Pat Buchanan conservative, and judging from the current lay of the land, conservative and outrageous have pretty much taken over the commercial airwaves.
Whatever happened to the middle of the road talk show? A show that appealed to people of all political stripes, who could call and talk about whatever was in the news or on their minds. Where callers knew their views would be respected and discussed, and they wouldn't be insulted or shouted down.
You did a show like that in Houston once upon a time Roger, and I think there's still a market for it out there -- somewhere. Hope you can find a station that will let you do it again, and I hope it's within earshot of my radio.
Very kind comments. I appreciate it. I am looking in Houston and within the market here. It's a tough choice. There are things at work that I can't talk about, but I agree wholeheartedly with the sentiments on talk radio. We'll see if a sensible approach that's still fun can work. Frankly, I think the right and left are no longer the hot ticket. I think Lou Dobbs is onto something. The middle class is screwed and both parties have done it. It is a very good hook and has the benefit of being true. At any rate, anyone hear's of anything, I am looking while I decide whether to settle for a couple of things offered here.
Roger, best wishes to you on your search and/or decision. You are a class act. I'll never forget the day at KSEV when you let a "nobody" interview you.
I didn't hear it much recently at KTBB but I always thought you did the best character voices (usually in commerical parodies).
I hope you wind up within listening range of Houston, but hopefully we can still stream any show you do!
God bless.
BTW, KTBB has removed all links to you from their website, but the magic URLs to listen to your last week of shows are: (Example Friday's show) This still works as of this posting.
http://www.ktbb.com/audio/rgfri1.mp3
http://www.ktbb.com/audio/rgfri2.mp3
http://www.ktbb.com/audio/rgfri3.mp3
I didn't hear it much recently at KTBB but I always thought you did the best character voices (usually in commerical parodies).
I hope you wind up within listening range of Houston, but hopefully we can still stream any show you do!
God bless.
BTW, KTBB has removed all links to you from their website, but the magic URLs to listen to your last week of shows are: (Example Friday's show) This still works as of this posting.
http://www.ktbb.com/audio/rgfri1.mp3
http://www.ktbb.com/audio/rgfri2.mp3
http://www.ktbb.com/audio/rgfri3.mp3
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Seansvoice
Guest
Hi Roger!
When I first arrived in Houston in 1979, you were doing some work on Channel 26. One of the first things I saw you do was a step-by-step breakdown on the then-new concept of emissions testing. You did a lot of interesting, entertaining and informative things!
I always wanted to say "thanks for Imus" -- I never missed a morning when you had him on 97.1!
Take care,
Sean O'Neel
When I first arrived in Houston in 1979, you were doing some work on Channel 26. One of the first things I saw you do was a step-by-step breakdown on the then-new concept of emissions testing. You did a lot of interesting, entertaining and informative things!
I always wanted to say "thanks for Imus" -- I never missed a morning when you had him on 97.1!
Take care,
Sean O'Neel
richardsright said:
No longer accessible. Worse still, Roger's final segment in the last hour was not in the mp3 file. Cuts into "Paul Harvey" so you don't get Roger's last words....
Seriously, if anyone has a transcript or copy of that last segment, let me know.
Wow
I was just thinking about you. Even though you were "left" of me I listened to you on KSEV.
Last I heard you work for Chrysler. I was thinking maybe Dan could have you on sometime to talk the car bidness.
I guess that's out. LOL
Nice to hear your doing well.
Didn't you also do the all night movies on the old KDOG TV station? I think that is where I first saw you. ;D
I was just thinking about you. Even though you were "left" of me I listened to you on KSEV.
Last I heard you work for Chrysler. I was thinking maybe Dan could have you on sometime to talk the car bidness.
I guess that's out. LOL
Nice to hear your doing well.
Didn't you also do the all night movies on the old KDOG TV station? I think that is where I first saw you. ;D
Yeah, that was me on KDOG. I wanted to do both that show and the evening program at KQUE. I even had a new TR6 picked out I could buy with cash working two gigs. But Dave Morris and Leroy Gloger were not friends and Dave made me choose. That led to 10 years in TV, and a used MG. I appreciate all the kind words from everyone, and I would love to come back to Houston. I'm working on it, and who knows?
Roger: I've been trying to talk several programmers into a committed, informative "Middle Of the Road"-styled talk show but so far no takers. One PD questioned such a show's ability to build "audience loyalty." Still trying. I hope you prevail.
Just an observation here, that I've made elsewhere. NPR is the number two syndicator of talk in the US. Limbaugh is still the number one program, but in terms of national listenership, Morning Edition and All Things Considered are ahead of any of the other commercial entries. In fact, NPR is rolling in cash and that is fodder for many who want it to go completely private. Actually, they make a fairly good case. But the bigger issue is that audience. They obviously have been abandoned by commercial talk and that makes the argument a circular one. No one listens to more balanced talk on commercial radio because they've gone somewhere else. It's silly and shortsighted, but there you are. Look at the numbers for the Houston stations and even a powerhouse like WBAP in Dallas. They are all trending down because we've ridden the same horse for 20 years now. Limbaugh is obviously the franchise, but even he is going through the motions. People are more than who they vote for and sooner or later the industry will have to catch on to the fact that it isn't all about politics. No one is having any fun, no one is really funny anymore, and we all think we're on the air curing cancer of establishing world peace. We have forgotten it's just radio and the prime directive here is to be entertaining. Too many PD's see their job as shuffling the same old names and shows in the hopes of finding some lineup that no one has thought of. And as for local talent, it amounts to trying to create a clone of the national shows you're running. Is that as good as we can do? Is that the level of creativity we aspire to? Seems to me we have set the bar fairly low. Lou Dobbs is the hottest commodity on CNN because he has figured out what most voters know. Both parties are in on the fix and the middle class is taking it in the shorts. The host who figures that out and sells it well will be leading the next wave politically. If he or she can sell it entertainingly, without taking themselves too seriously, they will draw a crowd. We have painted ourselves into a corner and it is shrinking. You can't stay mad all day and focus on the rest of your life. I know I have said this elsewhere, but it seems so obvious and yet we can't seem to see outside our little talk radio echo-chamber. Air America is usually cited as the template for failure. It was a stupid idea to start with a whole network populated with big name amateurs. You do it one show at a time. It was humorless, unwieldy and of spotty quality. Of course it flopped. The answer to the question "what's next?" isn't on the right or left. Sooner or later someone will figure that one out.
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