Y-95 vs 97.1 The Eagle: Retro CHR

[Kent]

And I do have a question since we are talking about KHYI, but was the whole Power 95 era nothing more but a smokescreen so that Oldies 94.9 could be launched about 6 months later?

I know just before the flip to Oldies, the Power 95 moniker was dropped for just plain 94.9 FM. During that time, several false announcements were sent out about what format 94.9 FM would adopt, including Heavy Metal and Classic Country (which I found very ironic since that was the exact same format that Oldies 94.9 would adopt after it was LMA'ed and became Sunny 95 in late 1992).

I remember either reading or hearing somewhere that KHYI's GM Scott Ginsberg (sp?) was quoted that "they needed to do a secret format change at Y95". This was mentioned right after Oldies 94.9 was born, so I assume that Power 95 was just a 6 or 7 month long stunt.

Anyway, though I'd would ask.

Robyn

I don't think Power 95 was a stunt. You don't go on such large marketing campaign for a product you're planning to ditch in 6 months. Those Power 95 billboards were everywhere! However, it was obvious pretty early that Power 95 was doomed to fail. It was simply that bad, and everybody knew it. Even the people who worked there had figured out what a disaster it was going to be.

I remember the short-lived "94.9 FM" format in the summer of '91. From what I was told years later, the station was planning to flip to what would get the name "active rock" a few years later. They had prepared a full-scale promotional campaign and hired a morning guy for the new format. However, KLUV was looking pretty weak at the time, and oldies was starting to become a hot format nationwide with additional oldies stations being launched in markets like Los Angeles, San Diego, and Phoenix. So, they decided to go with oldies at the last minute.

Ironically, Oldies 94.9 started to show life in its last book (especially among the 25-54 audience), but Evergreen signed the papers to LMA it to Alliance and Young Country after the book concluded but before the results were released. I've always heard Ginsburg regretted that decision for years.

 

[ken barnett]

POWER 95 was definitely not a stunt. A stupid idea, a miserable failure, an embarassment...but not a stunt.

 

[RobynWattsV2.0]

Thanks Ken & Kent for the information. Incidentally, I did manage to pull in KHYI twice in 1990 and in 1991 via DX from Columbia, SC (about 994 miles). Both times, the signal faded out in a short time as I was picking up a bunch of signals from Texas both times (KIXY/San Angelo and KQIZ/Amarilo are two that I remember).

Robyn

 

[MikeShannon914]

I remember the short-lived "94.9 FM" format in the summer of '91. From what I was told years later, the station was planning to flip to what would get the name "active rock" a few years later. They had prepared a full-scale promotional campaign and hired a morning guy for the new format. However, KLUV was looking pretty weak at the time, and oldies was starting to become a hot format nationwide with additional oldies stations being launched in markets like Los Angeles, San Diego, and Phoenix. So, they decided to go with oldies at the last minute decision for years.

Indeed, it was to be "KXRK," an AOR "Pirate Radio" station (probably along the lines of what Scott Shannon had started in LA in 1989,) but Ginsburg changed his mind at the last minute in favor of oldies. The idea got as far as creating billboards, designing bumper stickers and, yes, hiring a morning host.

 

[JRZFM100]

Such a great discussion is going here... I started it and haven't be able to add anything of value. Weird.

That is SO funny, that S.G. would want to copy "Pirate Radio"... As history has shown, Pirate Radio was a quick flop.

Hey, I seem to remember that Jimmy Steel from KEGL got a brief gig at Pirate in LA. I believe that he used (or was given by Scott Shannon) the on-air name "BATMAN", playing off the 1989 hit movie!

My wife just moved offices to Las Colinas Blvd, and I hadn't been there in years. So now I find myself in the neighborhood. Being up there, I remember the last time I rode in the elevator to visit Y-95 (at TCB), Scott Ginsberg rode up with me.

And I recall the last time I visited the Eagle at Xerox Building. It was a very high wind day and signs were posted on the outer doors saying "Please use revolving door ONLY". Yep, it's still there (the revolving door) too.

And another funny, I got a rejection letter from someone name "Stephanie Horka" at the Eagle for a tape I sent in, circa June 1989. And the rejection letter inside the envelope was addresses to a jock from Wichita Falls. So I promptly called Stephanie to tell her of the mistaken letter and claim my job. I asked her when I would be starting. (true)

Over on the Oklahoma board I asked the question if Leigh Ann was the regular Saturday nite jock at KEGL circa 1989. No answer there... does anybody remember who did Saturday 7-12mid on 97.1?

Funny the things I can remember about Y-95 and KEGL from 1989; visiting there was like the coolest thing in the world to me.

 

[317C50KW]

Unrelated yet related to this thread, Scott Ginsburg sold his 3 area Volkswagen dealerships plus Audi and Porsche franchises to the car dealer version of a consolidator (Auto Nation). He still holds a couple of uber luxury dealerships, according to the DMN.

 

[Kent]

Over on the Oklahoma board I asked the question if Leigh Ann was the regular Saturday nite jock at KEGL circa 1989. No answer there... does anybody remember who did Saturday 7-12mid on 97.1?

Leigh Ann was middays on KEGL in '89. I think they had another female midday personality at the beginning of '89, but she didn't last long.

I suppose it's possible Leigh Ann was also doing Saturday evenings on KEGL. Though I always remember a male voice on Saturday nights, even as a teenager I rarely listened to radio on Saturday nights.

 

[Jay Walker]

Over on the Oklahoma board I asked the question if Leigh Ann was the regular Saturday nite jock at KEGL circa 1989. No answer there... does anybody remember who did Saturday 7-12mid on 97.1?

Leigh Ann was middays on KEGL in '89. I think they had another female midday personality at the beginning of '89, but she didn't last long.

I suppose it's possible Leigh Ann was also doing Saturday evenings on KEGL. Though I always remember a male voice on Saturday nights, even as a teenager I rarely listened to radio on Saturday nights.

Julie Patterson did mid-days from the time of my arrival in 1987 until she left for WZPL Indianapolis in 1989 (I believe her husband had an employment transfer to Indy). Leigh Ann came to Dallas in 1989 from 99 KSKG Salina, Kansas (a nice jump).

 

[Robert Bass]

Y95 did indeed have a spacious, beautiful studio. I got to see it while Wendi was on duty. Wish I had a chance to see KEGL back then. I did see a picture in the paper of KISS-FM during their run in the early to mid 80s. Still have that picture here somewhere along with Y95's studio.

R

 

[OKCRadioGuy]

I visited the Eagle as a kid to claim 197 dollars back around 86-87ish. I didn't get to see the studio. From what I heard it was pretty small. Jay, was that correct?

 

[Steve Eberhart]

I worked there part time for a few months in the late 80's in Las Colinas.
It had a two part control room then with the main console and set up to the left with a BMX board and cart machines to the left, all in the same room. In the right side of the room was a sub control area with a small console and a few cart machines and two mic setup. I understand it was originally designed for Stevens & Pruett.
While I was there Kraddick used the side setup and had a board op over at the main board. A newsroom was through the window to the right.

 

[Robert Bass]

I was going to scan and upload the picture of Y95 but blast it I can't find it right now. I think I e-mailed it to Mike Shannon several years ago. Perhaps he still has it?

R

 

[Robert Bass]

Found it! 8)

Wendi @ Y95

http://www.keepandshare.com/userpic.../wendi_at_y95_studio-246939.jpg?ts=1354951580

R

 

[Huff]

Julie Patterson did mid-days from the time of my arrival in 1987 until she left for WZPL Indianapolis in 1989 (I believe her husband had an employment transfer to Indy). Leigh Ann came to Dallas in 1989 from 99 KSKG Salina, Kansas (a nice jump).

This is what the basic personality lineups were for most of 1989:
KEGL
Weekdays
5:30-10a Kraddick & Company
10a-3p Julie Patterson
3p-7p "Fast" Eddie Coyle
7p-Mid Michael Blake
Mid-5:30 Leigh Ann
Saturdays
6a-10a "Casey's Top 40" (upstart show after Shadoe Stevens replaced Casey on AT40)
10a-5p "Fast" Eddie Coyle
5p-9p Evan Mitchell
9p-Mid Leigh Ann
Sundays
Mid-4a "Club A Live"
4a-8a "Weekly Top 40" (Rick Dees)
8a-Noon "American Top 40" (Shadoe Stevens)
Noon-4p Michael Blake
4p-8p Evan Mitchell
8p-10p Leigh Ann
10p-11p "Future Hits" (Joel Denver)
11p-Mid "On The Radio"


KHYI
Weekdays
6a-10a The Morning Guys: Trey & Bill
10a-2p Wendi
2p-6p Billy Burke
6p-10p The Jammer
10p-2a J.D. Ryan
Saturdays
6a-10a Texas Top 30
10a-3p Wendi
3p-8p J.D. Ryan
8p-Mid Scotty West
(Sundays varied wildly)

 

[Robert Bass]

KHYI
Weekdays
6a-10a The Morning Guys: Trey & Bill

It was Sonny Fox & the Breakfast Club when I was listening. This would have been the fall of 1989.

R

 

[Jay Walker]

Julie Patterson did mid-days from the time of my arrival in 1987 until she left for WZPL Indianapolis in 1989 (I believe her husband had an employment transfer to Indy). Leigh Ann came to Dallas in 1989 from 99 KSKG Salina, Kansas (a nice jump).

This is what the basic personality lineups were for most of 1989:
KEGL
Weekdays
5:30-10a Kraddick & Company
10a-3p Julie Patterson
3p-7p "Fast" Eddie Coyle
7p-Mid Michael Blake
Mid-5:30 Leigh Ann
Saturdays
6a-10a "Casey's Top 40" (upstart show after Shadoe Stevens replaced Casey on AT40)
10a-5p "Fast" Eddie Coyle
5p-9p Evan Mitchell
9p-Mid Leigh Ann
Sundays
Mid-4a "Club A Live"
4a-8a "Weekly Top 40" (Rick Dees)
8a-Noon "American Top 40" (Shadoe Stevens)
Noon-4p Michael Blake
4p-8p Evan Mitchell
8p-10p Leigh Ann
10p-11p "Future Hits" (Joel Denver)
11p-Mid "On The Radio"


KHYI
Weekdays
6a-10a The Morning Guys: Trey & Bill
10a-2p Wendi
2p-6p Billy Burke
6p-10p The Jammer
10p-2a J.D. Ryan
Saturdays
6a-10a Texas Top 30
10a-3p Wendi
3p-8p J.D. Ryan
8p-Mid Scotty West
(Sundays varied wildly)

When I hit Dallas from Chicago in 1987, In addition to Creative Services (imaging/production director) I hosted the "Best of Moby" on Saturday morning where I'd introduce the "bits" and music. Did fill-in for Moby when he was on vacation and vacation swing for the rest of the 6a-12m shifts.

After Moby left I did Saturday Nights (If I remember correctly) 6p-10p & 6p-12a (again this is from memory from 20 years ago) until I left for Sunny 95 morning drive... I've slept since then so my memory is a bit foggy...

I remember when Steve was on-board as well. Back then my hair was black instead of today's white

Fun times...

Jay Walker

 

[Huff]

KHYI
Weekdays
6a-10a The Morning Guys: Trey & Bill

It was Sonny Fox & the Breakfast Club when I was listening. This would have been the fall of 1989.

R

Trey & Bill left in August '89 and were replaced by Sonny Fox.

 

[RobynWattsV2.0]

Here's a video of Kidd Kraddick in the KEGL's studios from 1989 (from the vaults of California Aircheck)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-epAg3FnXVw

I had a composite of both KHYI and KEGL (along with KJMZ) from the Spring of 1990. On it was:

KHYI:

Sonny Fox & The Breakfast Club (Mornings)
JJ McKay (Middays)
Billy Burke (Afternoons)
Shadow Hayes (Nights)

KEGL:

Bubba Stewart-The Love Sponge (NOT THE Bubba The Love Sponge from WFLZ fame. Stewart was filling in for Kidd Kraddick) (Mornings)
Leigh Ann (Middays)
"Fast" Eddie Coyle (Afternoons)
Michael Blake (Nights)

The KJMZ segment was incomplete as it was missing afternoon drive. Mornings were Russ Parr, Middays were Sammi Gonzales, and Nights were MC Jammer (AKA Kevan 'Smokin B" Browning)

IIRC Sonny Fox left for mornings at WMXJ/Miami in mid or late 1990 and was replaced by Jack Murphy (former co-host of Scott Shannon at Z100 in 1985-87, more recently spent 20+ years doing mornings at WKZL/Winston-Salem, NC before being let go this year).

BTW: Does anyone remember a night show on Y95 around the early part of 1991 that was 2 jocks that were both named Mike? What was very unusual was that they both sounded the same on-air. They were replaced by March by a night jock from WCKZ/Charlotte, NC called Hollywood. Since there was already a Hollywood doing traffic for KEGL, IIRC, the new jock changed his name to JoJo Wright.

Robyn

 

[Robert Bass]

KHYI:

Sonny Fox & The Breakfast Club (Mornings)
JJ McKay (Middays)
Billy Burke (Afternoons)
Shadow Hayes (Nights)

Was this before or after Wendi's run? Because I seem to recall it was Sonny Fox mornings and Wendi middays.

R

 

[RobynWattsV2.0]

KHYI:

Sonny Fox & The Breakfast Club (Mornings)
JJ McKay (Middays)
Billy Burke (Afternoons)
Shadow Hayes (Nights)

Was this before or after Wendi's run? Because I seem to recall it was Sonny Fox mornings and Wendi middays.

R

It would have been afterwards. AFAIK, It was recorded sometime in April or May of 1990. Unfortunately, I don't have the composite anymore (I've submitted it to Airchexx.com years ago).

Robyn