November 06, 2017 [Monday] Issue #1666

ALL THE NEWS THAT IS NEWS

HAPPY 97TH BIRTHDAY KDKA-1020 On November 2, 1920, the Westinghouse Electric Company of East Pittsburgh, PA launches the world’s first broadcast of the 1920 election results to listeners on KDKA-1020. Happy 97th Birthday to The Pioneer Broadcasting Station of The World Newsradio KDKA-1020 The Voice of Pittsburgh. Frank Conrad Assistant Chief Engineer of Westinghouse Electric builds a transmitter on the second floor of his Wilkinsburg garage with license 8-X-K which becomes KDKA-1020.

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CUMULUS FAILS TO MAKE $24M INTEREST PAYMENT As Cumulus Media’s restructuring talks intensify, Cumulus board of directors forgo scheduled interest payment of $23.6 million due November 1, 2017. In its 8-K filing with the SEC, Cumulus acknowledges its private discussions with lenders and note holders. If Cumulus fails to make the interest payment by December 1, it matures into an Event of Default. Cumulus hopes that progress on its restructuring can be made in this month of November.

ENTERCOM Q3 NET REVENUE IS UP 1% Inside Radio reports before closing its merger with CBS Radio, for the third quarter of 2017, Entercom’s net revenue is $122.3 million, which is an increase of 1% over 2016’s $121.6 million. Entercom operating income is $13.5 million, after $8.8 million in merger and acquisition costs, compares to $25.7 million in the third quarter of 2016. On Wednesday, November ‎1, ‎2017 the pending Entercom-CBS Radio merger takes a giant leap forward with Justice Department approval.

CBS RADIO BECOMES ENTERCOM During my second time as a DJ on KILT FM Houston, TX from 1991-96, its owner Westinghouse buys CBS Radio. Westinghouse scoops up all of its radio stations under their new CBS Radio umbrella. Lots of other drastic changes occur. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 drains radio of its life. This causes 1996 to be my final year in radio. With its purchase of CBS Radio, Entercom creates a bigger footprint that contains a nationwide spoor of 235 radio stations, that includes radio stations in 22 of the top 25 markets.

TRIVIA QUESTION: What is the first full time radio Sports Talk station? The answer appears below.

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

•MARV NYREN Chicago native former VP of corporate sponsorships of Chicago Public Media WBEZ FM (91.5) is new Chicago VP/Market Manager of Cumulus Media News/Talk WLS-890, Classic Hits WLS FM (94.7), Alternative WKQX FM (101.1) and Classic Rock WLUP FM (97.9). •JOANNA CAMPBELL moves on up from weekends on Times-Shamrock Classic Rock WZBA FM (100.7 The Bay) Baltimore, MD to middays fulltime. •WXNR FM Curtis Media Group CHR (99X) Greenville-New Bern-Jacksonville, NC flips to Rhythmic CHR as HOT 99.5.

ENTERTAINMENT AND NEWS MILESTONES

•1952 MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM writer born on November 6th. •1960 JOHNNY HORTON (Battle of New Orleans #1 – 6 weeks-1959) dies in car crash on November 5th near Milano, TX. Former Elkins Radio classmate Jimmy Tomlinson’s brother guitarist Tommy suffers broken leg. ‎•1979 AYATOLLA KHOMEINI takes over Iran on November 6th. •1985 ALABAMA wins two American Music Awards on January 28th. •1991 YELTSIN outlaws Communist Party on November 6th. •2004 PHIL VASSAR’s In A Real Love is #1 in Billboard Country on November 6th. ‎

EMAILS YES WE HAVE EMAIL

WINK MARTINDALE [Host of over 20 TV game shows-ex DJ on WHBQ-560/KHJ-930/KMPC-1540] (Los Angeles/Calabasas, CA) Jim: I thoroughly enjoy your columns. I keep saying, “Wink, you must write a word of thanks to Jim!” Just as our dear friend and colleague Jack Parnell does from time to time. Finally, here I am with a good reason for writing. Radio is, and always will be, my first love. It’s so sad to see radio in a somewhat downward spiral. In far too many markets (large and small), radio has become a background activity rather than foreground. Now this: I’m sure you’re aware of the FCC saying goodbye, so long to the MAIN STUDIO RULE. Another death knell for local radio, in my view. “A politically divided FCC” voted to eliminate the 80-year-old main studio rule that required radio and TV broadcasters maintain a main studio in or near their community of license. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said the requirement had become OUTDATED in the digital age, which allows the community to engage with stations via social media or email without having a physical studio nearby. He also said maintaining a physical address is an expense better put to other uses, like adding more local programming. (That I like). Stations are still required to have a local, toll-free telephone number, and to maintain any portion of their public files that is not online at a publicly accessible location within their community of license. Democrat Mignon Clyburn remarked, “Today is a solemn one in the history of radio and television broadcasting. By eliminating the main studio rule in its entirety for all broadcast stations – regardless of size or location – the FCC signals that it no longer believes, those awarded a license to use the public airwaves, should have a local presence in their community.” Clyburn also said a toll-free number just didn’t cut it. I totally agree. The thinking of an inept, impotent Federal Communications Commission and Dept. of Justice allowed companies to expand far above their ability to operate profitably. An owner with offices in New York cannot run a radio station in Jackson, Tennessee! Bring back ownership caps and give preference to local control. Let iHeart, CBS, Cumulus and EMF die a deserved death and let local owners bring listeners back to radio with localized, compelling programming that makes people WANT to listen. That’s my opinion and I’m stickin’ to it. Best blessings, Wink Martindale Calabasas, CA

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BILL CHERRY [Realtor, In late 1950s Music ’til Dawn host on WWL-870] (Dallas, TX) Subject: Jim Rose Remembers Radio (#1665) November 03, 2017 [Friday] Jim, loved the mention of Gene Nobles (sponsored by Randy’s Record Shop). Bill Cherry

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CHUCK DUNAWAY [ex WABC-770, KILT-610, KLIF-1190, KBOX-1480, WKY-930 & WIXY-1260] (Houston-Katy, TX) Yes, Dave (Jarrott) worked for me at (KHFI FM) K-98…he did mornings. I did quite (well) in Austin (a)t K-98 and later at KLBJ (590) am and fm never got involved in the local politics at all…the best thing about Austin is that I met Kendall while there…the best thing in my life…Take care pal…chuck

TRIVIA ANSWER: In 1987, WFAN-770 New York City debuts as the first full-time Sports Talk radio station.

CHARLES GEORGE [KC5RAI, ex KCHU FM] (Dallas, TX) My right shoulder was hurting now it has shifted to my left shoulder. So I limit my Guitar playing and play my Soprano Recorder and Record Player more. I just got a new LP from The Sound Of Vinyl of Big Bill Broonzy, I Love My Whiskey. I think it interesting how many Copy a Cover when the original is available. My father said he often had people ask about getting a book from the Library but they could only tell him about the Front Cover and maybe the Subject matter. My father and mother often had views about Book Value. Like a song I learned as a child in church, In Times Like These. 73, Charles, KC5RAI

BIG BILL BROONZY (June 26, 1893 – August 14, 1958) St. Peter don’t you call me ’cause I can’t go. I owe my soul to the company store.

Jim Rose and Suzie
Houston, Texas – Laus Deo