When Sky Daniels first took over the reins at KCSN, one of his first acts as PD was to hire Nic Harcourt to bring some much-needed name recognition to his tiny AAA public radio station. I expressed concern in this space (http://radiodiscussions.com/smf/index.php?topic=190446.10) that I wasn't a big fan of the move as it just seemed to reinforce the idea that KCSN was trying mightily to be "KCRW junior". Before the arrival of the new regime, KCSN had an Americana/AAA format that was really pleasant to listen to in that they did not talk down to their listeners nor give off the air of snobby arrogance that has always been a hallmark of KCRW and a big turn-off for me, while still providing a great variety and introducing me to music both new and old that I really liked, particularly on their great weekend shows. I expressed hope that this friendly presentation of KCSN's would continue. Sky has always maintained that they are their own station and that snobby musical elitism has no place at their station, in spite of their insistence on maintaining the insipid and arrogant "Smart Rock" moniker.
But today comes news that the KCRWization of KCSN continues, with the addition of Harry Shearer's Le Show on KCSN Sundays. As Harry says in a piece today at Don Barrett's www.laradio.com, Sky called him up right after he was let go by KCRW. With the addition of Le Show (in its same time slot as it had at KCRW no less), KCSN has added two of the biggest names that have been a part of the KCRW legacy over the last several years to the fold. The fact that KCSN jumped as fast as they could to get Shearer and his show tells you everything you need to know about KCSN's true intentions. Perhaps its just a matter of time before "All things Considered" gets added too. I'm sure Robert Hillburn and all of his friends down at the LA Times approve. Soon they will write a story saying so. Count on it.
BTW, It's now been well over a year since we got total "radio-silence" from Sky and the crew as to status of the signal upgrade. If it has happened, I wouldn't know it. I have 36 presets and 88.5 is my preset number one, but unfortunately I can't use it very often, even though I would like to hear much more of the station. Too much static, not enough music. It is frustrating not to hear the station, even more frustrating not to get an honest answer as to the status of the much-promised upgrade. Use the internet stream you say? I would love to. Except that it always starts cutting out about five minutes after it is launched. Refreshes don't remedy the problem. So I always end up back at SiriusXM's spectrum to get my AAA fix.
But today comes news that the KCRWization of KCSN continues, with the addition of Harry Shearer's Le Show on KCSN Sundays. As Harry says in a piece today at Don Barrett's www.laradio.com, Sky called him up right after he was let go by KCRW. With the addition of Le Show (in its same time slot as it had at KCRW no less), KCSN has added two of the biggest names that have been a part of the KCRW legacy over the last several years to the fold. The fact that KCSN jumped as fast as they could to get Shearer and his show tells you everything you need to know about KCSN's true intentions. Perhaps its just a matter of time before "All things Considered" gets added too. I'm sure Robert Hillburn and all of his friends down at the LA Times approve. Soon they will write a story saying so. Count on it.
BTW, It's now been well over a year since we got total "radio-silence" from Sky and the crew as to status of the signal upgrade. If it has happened, I wouldn't know it. I have 36 presets and 88.5 is my preset number one, but unfortunately I can't use it very often, even though I would like to hear much more of the station. Too much static, not enough music. It is frustrating not to hear the station, even more frustrating not to get an honest answer as to the status of the much-promised upgrade. Use the internet stream you say? I would love to. Except that it always starts cutting out about five minutes after it is launched. Refreshes don't remedy the problem. So I always end up back at SiriusXM's spectrum to get my AAA fix.
