I'll be guesting today, (Saturday) from 10 AM to Noon on KSCO.
Gene Burns, John Rothmann and a few others are scheduled to appear on the program.
I'll be taking a few days off--I will post anything on the KGO situation if I hear of anything newsworthy...and yes, I'm exhausted.
Thanks for all the e-mails.
*Follow me on Twitter
Looking forward to hearing you. Enjoyed the show last night too! Have a fabulous break. You've definately earned it!
ReplyDeleteThank you do much for all of your work on this unethical and MEAN destruction of a space for civil discourse that was the former, now massacred KGO. I, for one, really appreciate all the postings you shared and work you've put in o bear witness to and shine a light on KGO's demise.
ReplyDeleteWow! Richie! You certainly are the Belle of the Ball for the past week.
ReplyDeleteBut you know what? This is the time that you really shine!! Keep up the good work!!
I hope you get on the air. I am listening to KCSO right now and neither you nor any of the KGO hosts are on Instead there the station owner and some other guy named Michael Harrison are waxing on and on about the state of terrestrial radio. Joanie Greggins apparently tried to call in about 10:15 am, but the host/KCSO owner refused to take the call and she hung up! He has a potentially a hugh audience but he is pissing it all way talking to Michael Harrison and taking calls from local callers.
ReplyDeleteThanks for listenining Julie...we got our podcast up faster than usual...it's available now at:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.leftcoastclassics.com/radio/?p=archive&cat=all
-Jason
G5Radio
Hey Rich,
ReplyDeletei don't agree with your politics but you did a nice job on this KGO thing. i listen to a ton of different radio stations online via apps like RadioTray on Ubuntu and Tapin Radio on Windows but i had never even heard of KSCO and now i'll be adding them to my presets.
BTW, i see you rip on that "jarhead marine" or whatever you call him on KNBR but i think he mentioned this morning that he lost a little brother in Iraq this past year. I'm not positive that i heard this correctly but you may want to look into that and maybe consider that in the future. He seems like a decent human being to me.
I tuned in a 30 min. late. Did Gene Burns, John Rothmann and a few others that were scheduled to appear on the program actually appear on the program? I did not hear them.
ReplyDeleteCaught that second hour with you on KSCO.... somewhat painful bit of radio, but that guy's intentions are good....
ReplyDeletethey killed my radio.
ReplyDeleteI check your site like I used to automatically turn on KGO radio. Enjoy your very well deserved time off! And thank you for giving us alternative place to "talk" and share.
ReplyDeleteI applaud your coverage of the KGO story, and your insights have created an interest for me in this saga that goes beyond a sentimental longing for the "good old days of KGO" and radio in general. Your coverage of how new media and corporate monopolies are changing terrestrial broadcast media are excellent, so my question is, will a podcast of your KSCO show be available any time soon?
ReplyDeleteI was driving to SF from Pebble Beach for a while but no Burns or Rothman. Can anyone summarize the show? The owner did not impress me. There is something about the guy that rubs me the wrong way.
ReplyDeleteI don't think any of the former KGO hosts showed up this morning, except for Joanie Greggins's attempt. Was great hearing Rich Lieberman's call though.
ReplyDeleteHey, Rich, nice job on KSCO today, even if you were bouncing around in your usual manic way! Zwerling, though, has not ceased to be an idiot. The guy has been in radio since high school and has owned the station for 25 years but still can't go more than a minute without some technical screw-up. And let's not even think about his mother's inane commentaries. Even being the money person for your kid's toy has its limits. Zwerling is downright delusional if he thinks he can attract listeners from KGO. But what the heck. It's that or more infomercials, so good luck to him.
ReplyDeleteThe owner of KSCO seemed to take umbrage that Len Tillum did not accept a gig with his station. I have to believe Rothman and Burns have something in the works somewhere else and therefore decided against appearing on KSCO. For now I am happy to hear Dr. Bill while the others hopefully find another station PRONTO
ReplyDeleteI heard most of the program. I didn't hear Rothman or Burns.
ReplyDeleteThey covered the changing face of radio, and the host / owner said that the way they tabulated ratings had changed, and that had affected KGO's ratings (drop).
The owner / host seemed very well intentioned, open minded, and seemed genuinely interested in acquiring KGO's listeners. Some folks balked at a station that carries "Rushbo" (Len Tillem?, and one liberal caller), but he said that he'd love to add several of the former KGO talk hosts.
There was a long, painful opinion piece by someone on the station staff. It needed to be severely edited.
There were lots of first-time listeners to this station. At least three callers asked whether KSCO could add a "repeater" to extend it's signal strength to The City and East Bay. He said they are looking into that. They are looking into adding wattage (now 10,000 watts), and also would like to partner with another station (to simulcast their programs?) to reach farther geographic regions. So it looks like lots of options are on the table.
Dr. Bill will host the 6-9 AM drive time slot this week.
Michel Savage is also reportedly aching to get back onto a Bay Area radio station.
I listened painfully for two hours for Burns or Rothmann or both, where were they? If this guy knew that they were not going to be on why didn't he say something about it. He did say that Len Tillam told him in 'no uncertain terms' that he wouldn't be coming to KSCO,after what I heard today I doubt that the others will be either with the exception of Wattenburg.
ReplyDeleteI wish KSCO good luck and hope the management can pull something off but I wouldn't bet the mortgage on it.
Some lady called in and mentioned Lee Rodger's name as a possible candidate, good luck on that one too, I heard from him the other day and he indicated that he was glad to out of radio.
Too bad, the ideal line up of hosts for a great talk show station would be Lee Rodgers, Gene Burns, John Rothmann and Bernie Ward (in a couple of years in his case). Talk about diversity!!!
Kind of have to agree with the "something about that guy rubs me the wrong way." Like that he's a small biz owner running an independent station; but maybe there's a little of Tolkein's "Gollum" there...rubbing his hands together hoping to get his paws on the talent from KGO..."my precious." The right home for Gil, Gene, John and co. will come along.
ReplyDeleteKarel started his show by going on the offensive against Dr. Bill and the audience who criticized him (Karel). You can say whatever you want about him but that queen got balls!!!
ReplyDelete@ 7:33 pm Who has the guts to cut it off?
ReplyDeleteI certainly hope to hear intellectual openminded discussion on the radio again; as we heard from Gene Burns, Jon Rothman, etc... I hate extreme radio, which most right wing radio is.. And so is KAREL.. Just acting extreme to rile people up. God I just want to discuss topics and be openminded. Karel is a nut! low self esteem, selfish, and a blow hard!
ReplyDeleteKarel and Dr. Bill have had a little tiff going for years. Karel even apparently mooned Dr. Bill at a KGO company party, in view of many! hahha Somehow, somewhere, Karel insulted Dr. Bill, and after that, one night, Dr. Bill spent several hours nashing his teeth over Karel's slights, what was done to his reputation, etc. Karel was also dishing dirt on Dr. Bill on his website (back then). Thoese 2 hours by Dr. Bill were by far his worst hours in 20 odd years. I'm sure GM Mickey Luckoff put an end to it that next Monday morning.
ReplyDeleteI guess it's back on?
@8:03pm, no one is left, however he claimed that Dr. Bill refused to go on his show to confront him. I'd certainly tune in for a Karel vs Wattenberg showdown! Gosh darn how far we've fallen in Bay Area radio. You know you're in trouble when you covet a cage match between an old queen and an even older nuclear lovin' good ol' boy....
ReplyDeleteI really think KSCO has the best of intentions but I really get a total amateur hour impression from them.
ReplyDeleteNo Rich? No Lowell?..while the Raddys and Beanes and Dickeys, STILL are out there? Why???!!
ReplyDeleteIf Karel really wants a confrontation with Dr Bill on the air, it sounds like Dr Bill is on the air on other stations, and Karel could easily contact him. If I were Dr Bill, I sure wouldn't go on the air with KGO and give them any publicity.
ReplyDeleteOh boo.
ReplyDeleteI live in San Luis Obispo. Rich was on KVEC with Dave Congalton a week ago and it was interesting. Good job on the KGO coverage, Rich.
ReplyDeleteHowever, facts and truth need not stand in the way of information for this story and people need to be less passionate and more informed.
Rothman and Burns are possibly "represented" talent with an agent and, definately, a union contract with AFTRA. They may not be allowed to be on due to union rules on an independent, non-union station, without syndication approval from the union. The rules are different for part-time "fill in" hosts.
Next, Burns and Rothman, if they listened online, might have just bowed out rather than risk reputation and credibility. The owner of the station not taking Joannie Greggains cal and disconnecting her? Burns and Rothman wouldn't play that game. Mike Harrison is a long-time broadcaster and liberal talk show host. The station's owner / manager at KSCO may have owned it with his mom for 25 years, but still has no clue as to "production value" or "technical expertise" on his incredibly small-town AM blowtorch of 10,000 watts day, 500 watts night.
On the subject of repeaters and translators ... this doesn't happen by stopping by Radio Shack and buying a kit. Acquisitions or modifications of power, signal coverage (pattern) and increase in power at night are long time processes and very very expensive and competive that would be held up in courts for years and year. Zwerling may look into it all he wants ... but the "big boys" in San Jose and San Francico / Oakland will not tolerate any such modifications to either 1080 or a translater that hasn't already been bought up by Clear Channel, Cumulus or others.
It's a business ... and a competitive one about Money. Sorry. A 10,000 watt transmitter costs a lot of money to run every month. A 50kw ... lots more. Hiring Civil Engineers is not cheap nor is the permits required by the FCC to modify a license.
Karel doesn't want a confrontation with Dr. Bill. Karel would be too emotional and could not survive more than a minute with Dr. Bill. Karel is strictly about Karel ... he doesn't listen and he's a narcistic "all about me" person.
Rothman and Burns would probably have reservations about being on a station with Limbaugh, which KSCO carries ... and the small town locals that serve only that particular area in Santa Cruz. Some of those locals, incidentally, are "volunteers" and "buy" the time in order to broadcast. Burns and Rothman won't make any money ... and Dr. Bill is in it to have some fun once in awhile. He already has a one hour a week national deal that will pay him some money.
Sorry ... it's a business. KSCO is not enough business unless these guys get a national syndication deal. Burns did for a few years on WOR in New York and "Dining Around" as well. Gene also has plenty of 50kw experience in Boston, Orlando and San Francisco.
With the technical difficulties at KSCO, it is at best a stretch for hope for them to join KSCO.
Sorry ... but true.