SF morning-drive radio sucks. I'm being kind.
You would think that an area that brought us Dr. Don Rose on KFRC, Stephen Kapen, Alex Bennett, Don Sherwood, etc., would have either a can't-miss show or a morning personality that possessed some degree of talent.
Nope.
Keep in mind I'm talking about a "personality" and I'm speaking specifically of morning drive, the time when a lot of commuters are in their car. Say, 5-9 AM territory. I listen to Ronn Owens and occasionally go to KQED to check out Michael Krasny every now and then. And yes, I'm still tuning in Raddy on knibber, but listen less frequently because, well, have you heard that show lately? I rest my case.
And while I subscribe to satellite radio, other than Howard Stern and a few other music and sports stations, I'm not gung-ho on satellite.
Which brings me back to local SF terrestrial radio during morning drive. There's no there there. Outside of KCBS and news and traffic, what is there? KSFO? Pass. "Family Radio?" Yeah, right. KNBR's morning show morons are unlistenable. "Armstrong and Getty" on KNEW, are you kidding me? They sound like a bunch of St. Louis/Midwest has-beens. Yawn.
Stephanie Miller on Green 960 used to be appointment radio, but Miller has become way too predictable and her show has clearly jumped the shark.
FM is helpless too. I'm not a big "Lamont and Tennelli" guy and KFOG without Dave Morey sounds like just another FM station searching for an identity. And speaking of identity, when's the last time you really stopped and made it a habit to LISTEN to any of these stations? They're all stale and generic and run by vanilla corporate companies who wouldn't know creative radio if they're life depended on it. They're a bunch of stiff, out-of-date consultants that haven't a clue.
No wonder Pandora and Ipods rule the land. I know--I'm damn naive to think that local radio is devoid of anything original or exciting. And that really sucks, just like 80% of SF morning radio. Pass the earplugs.
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Greg Kihn is a lot of fun for us ol classic rockers. Been listening to him for years.
ReplyDeleteI'm 36 and KCBS has been my morning wake up call since I was like 9- always has been always will be (I hope). Through the different stages of my years, when I left the house, I used to listen to "You'rrre Marrrrcos Gutierrez" and later Billy Ocean on 107.7 KSOL, (with KBLX or KDIA thrown in if I were with my parents. Later, I listened to Sway,Davey D and later(and lastly) Renel on KMEL. As good as a DJ Chuy Gomez CAN BE. Chuy is a throw back to old school DJ's -but unfortunately works for corporate radio (the worst radio corporation I might add) I just can't listen to today's rap and pop garbage (at least what radio plays- there's great listenable rap/hip-hop/R&B that corporate radio ignores. Is it because those artist aren't singing about riches, women, alcohol.drugs and violence ? I listened to KKSF mostly after that until they started the syndicated shows (Whoppi ??!?? and later the Ramsey Lewis Show). Now after I wake to KCBS, I MIGHT listen to KBLX at :35 to hear Hollywood Minute (that is comprised of yesterday's gossip from TMZ wanna be "Media Takeout)- then I turn it off.
ReplyDeleteSF Radio used to be something to brag about- whether you were into rock, soft rock, jazz (different types), R & B, Hip-hop, Club (energy), classical or talk... Everyone had at least two choices and good talent to boot. Now with corporate takeover of radio, There is no there there (to quote oft misquoted Gertude Stein). For me the ONLY SF FM music station worth listening to now is KCSM- hands down. Even KDFC has been banished to the hinterlands of public radio, over crowded low frequencies.
Most of my music listening now consists of radio.com stations where I can choose the type of (in this case jazz) that I'm in the mood for. The only thing is the sound quality isnt that great, Pandora, and online radio stations like WVAS 90.7 (What KBLX USED TO be back in the 80's and early 90's)- a good mix of smooth jazz, aand a little R & B.
Speaking of KBLX...I wish there PD would explain WHY after KKSF's demise they don't play smooth jazz instead of competing with KISS-FM where they both play old black folk music- I mean one can only listen to so much Teena Marie and the Gap Band in a given 3 hour period. It's like corporate radio just does not care what listeners want- instead opting to place in the markets what they think will sell. Why are they're like 6 classic/ album rock stations- aren't they basically the same ? WHy id there only one country station that recently came back online a few years ago ? Why is there no smooth jazz station in the ONE market where smooth jazz fits the landscape. Smooth jazz compliments the laid back wine and cheese stature of the bay Area perfectly.
That's my rambling rant on the state of a segment of SF radio these days...
You would think that an area that brought us Dr. Don Rose on KFRC, Stephen Kapen, Alex Bennett, Don Sherwood, etc., would have either a can't-miss show or a morning personality that possessed some degree of talent.
ReplyDeleteNope.
Keep in mind I'm talking about a "personality" and I'm speaking specifically of morning drive, the time when a lot of commuters are in their car. Say, 5-9 AM territory. I listen to Ronn Owens and occasionally go to KQED to check out Michael Krasny every now and then. And yes, I'm still tuning in Raddy on knibber, but listen less frequently because, well, have you heard that show lately? I rest my case.
Ah now Rich....you're showing your age! Personalities...done....too expensive and tempermental....too difficult to get rid of without roiling the market and drawing attention from guys like Rich Lieberman!
Ronn Owens...I wouldn't have belived it possible that a jewish guy could be so....bland. Michael Krasny.....I didn't know he was still alive. Stephanie Miller...suitable for little more than bridle and saddle.
Disagree about A&G though.....they are pretty middle America but I find them a decent listen.
The only "personality" on terrestrial that I'm still aware of is "Don Geronimo" late of WJFK in DC and now in a "retirement gig" at 1140 in Sacramento. Maybe the last equal opportunity offender out there!
Hard to say you are wrong Rich, but the real question is WHY does Bay Area morning radio suck? Is it a fear to take chances? The living with the devil the listeners/advertisers know vs the one they don't know yet? And why have shows you used to like, grown old? Is it that the managers have told the talents not to try anything new? Maybe too many are programming from a position of fear, or too borrow from sports, playing not to lose, instead of programming to win. Let me sign off my asking, what would make a good morning show for you. I'll take my answer on the air.
ReplyDeleteRich, I agree with the first post about Greg Kihn, he's really good, L&T @ the Bone are so old! The A.M. Is filled with traffic and hang ups. Again you nailed it right on the head! Nice read.
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In my opinion the last good, local morning show was the morning zoo with John London on KMEL. I still laugh when I remember the “cigar man” character. Everything seemed to go to hell when Mancow Muller appeared on the scene. I agree with Rich regarding Radnich. The show is just not worth listening to anymore. He’s become an absolute shill for the station. There’s no edge to it or spontaneity. Everything he does is predictable and dull. He’s become repetitive with his shtick. I haven’t even listened to the Bruno segment in months (didn’t it used to be the best half hour in radio?). I bet the numbers for the Bruno segment have dropped off significantly in 2011.
ReplyDeleteI see I got beat to Greg Kihn. But,Alice's song rotation is too limited.The guy on KFRC is ok for a syndicated show. Don Bleu still has it..but I can't take the endless Diva disco music,Mick Booblay(whatever) Kenny Chesney.So,if I can catch Don for a few minutes..
ReplyDeleteKNBR...morning show only because Im forced if I want to hear local sports talk..they get tiring with their forced humor,same predictable views. Radnich from 9-10~..after that he's killing time. On TV, you catch him looking at the clock after 10:30!
You talk a big game, fella. Always remember that you have to face some of the people you insult or dismiss here. There is plenty of talent in the morning, people that are doing things that are beyond your scope. See you at the ballpark.
ReplyDeleteKNBR morning is a joke. i used to want to listen to Krukow or Kuiper in the 7:35 slot but its just not worth putting up with those d-bags and now they extended dribley's hours to 11:30 or 12 noon so i can't even listen to the Bruno show any more. KNBR has gone so far downhill in the last few years, ever since Krueger got the boot.
ReplyDeleteas for the rest, Armstrong + Getty is okay but "Getty" is a little too full of himself. the rest aren't even worth mentioning.
Morning radio hasn't been good since the Matthew in the Morning show on KXFX in Santa Rosa abruptly left the airwaves about 8 years ago.
ReplyDeleteThe migration to iPod, internet, satellite, and CDs has chipped away at radio but doesn't it seem like there are less stations out there on the dial or more with weaker signals? Rather than having what few stations exist dish out bland corporate radio, perhaps the bar needs to be lowered for smaller businesspeople who will take chances to get an FCC license and one of these empty dial positions and see what they can do.
ReplyDeleteThis might be one of those cases where more competition would be healthier for the industry. Certainly internet radio has exploded over the last half decade with choices because the startup bar was lower. Maybe terrestial radio needs to get back to that rather that corporate radio monopolizing and limiting our choices?
Anthony hit it right on the nose kcbs has always been #1 in my book. Kblx was cool haven't listened for quite a while those two would be my choice. Knibber I agree to much dribley he's cool every now and then but nerve wracking after while. Bruno segment would be better if the did kblx style Hollywood min with sports mixed in it has gotten some stale. Raddick still likes them sistas black women I mean lol only if he had enough game to catch a sista like Pam Moore Not!!!!!! feeling me
ReplyDeleteThe morning program (5:00-9:00) on KNBR is excuciatingly painful to listen to.
ReplyDeleteThey have easily set the radio indrustry back some 30 years.
Please pass the asprin bottle.
I love Armstrong and Getty! I think they are hilarious and give a good spin to the world affairs in a humorous manner. I've been listening to them for over 6 years now and it has changed my mornings. I hope you give them another chance. Check out their podcasts sometime.
ReplyDeleteWhat the morning show needs is for Pauly to be replaced by Dan Dibley..Dibs is smart,is quick,and can toss a zinger...but for a man who takes his craft seriously,why doesnt he take speach lessons? How does he hope to get ahead as an announcer with that lisp?..its curable,not a disease. I like the guy..and would like to see him do well.
ReplyDeleteWHO is Pauley? where did he come from to get a morning show?? WHY cant he pay his mortgage/rent and taxes???...
Corporate ownership killed local radio. All around. Agreed, radio is irrelevant anymore. So sad. Having grown up with DDR and KGO in its heyday. PD's and GM's need to take a chance. But that is doubtful.
ReplyDeleteI listen to A&G, The Sussman and flip back to KDOW to find how my money is doing.
ReplyDeleteI know I'm late but I've got a question: How do you know Paulie Mac is not in studio? You wait for Murph to tell you at the top of the next hour! Nothing personal but what does he contribute to the show other that song parodies that went out in the 70's. He is supposed to be the pop culture guy but he doesn't have a reference or drop that isnt more than 25 years old. Charles Grodin? Really? Wake up Paulie - as soon as management realizes that sound boards don't require health insurance you are out of there!
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