Friday, May 09, 2008
Barry Burbank marks 30 years at WBZ....
It almost slipped by unnoticed, but...
Bary Burbank celebrates 30 Years at WBZ
Cute video. Mish Michaels takes us back to the days when meteorologist wrote with a big black marker on their maps!
(Now why they don't use their TV meteorologists on the radio side baffles me...)
There's a bio for Barry....here.
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
New WGBH Morning Show.....
WGBH Radio is adding a new show "The Takeaway" to complement Morning Edition.
John Hockenberry, (an alum from NPR and MSNBC) will host along with Adaora Udoji.
The show will be syndicated out to other public radio stations through PRI.
Here's the Globe's Clea Simon's article:
Hockenberry to cohost WGBH news show
"The Takeaway," will favor live reporting and discussion from around the world over prerecorded and produced segments. "Our liveness makes us far more nimble than the competition," says John Hockenberry, who will cohost the show with Adaora Udoji.
Nimble? That's what I always like in a radio show...nimbleness.... ;-)
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Let there be Ratings....!
The report card is in, and the Herald's Jessica Heslam did everyone a favor and posted the recently released Arbitron ratings for Winter 2008 on her blog.
(And the 25-54 numbers no less!)
Boston radio ratings: who’s hot and who’s not
The Herald also had this accompanying article in Wednesday's Herald.
Finneran’s station KO’d by WTKK in ratings drive
There's a headline for ya'!
I wonder how many new sales orders are coming into WRKO this morning?
(I imagine WTKK has this article on every advertisers desk!)
Radio and records had this quick synopsis of the 12+ #'s:
Boston: WBZ Closing In On WJMN
The race for ratings supremacy 12+ in Boston is as tight as you can get as CBS Radio news/talk WBZ went 6.5-6.9, just behind Clear Channel's market-leading rhythmic WJMN, which had an up (6.7-7.0) winter 2008 Arbitron book, too.
Rounding out the top five, Clear Channel CHR/top 40 WXKS moved up (5.7-6.1), as did Greater Media AC WMJX (5.0-5.6). However, Entercom sports WEEI was off 6.0-5.3.
CBS Radio oldies WODS struggled in the winter book, down 5.0-4.1, but Greater Media talk WTKK soared 2.8-4.1.
The rock format wars in Boston shook out like this: CBS Radio classic rock WZLX improved 2.8-3.1, while alternative clustermate WBCN went 2.2-2.1 and Entercom active rock WAAF was flat at 2.0. Also taking hits 12+ were Greater Media alternative WBOS (1.5-1.3), Northeast Broadcasting triple A WXRV (1.5-1.2) and Phoenix Media alternative WFNX (1.4-0.8).
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Dear WTKK.....
The Globe's Charlie Pierce pens a letter to 96.9 FM Talk WTKK.
Lend Me Your Earplugs
In talk radio, is WTKK really a sign of progress?
By Charles P. Pierce
April 27, 2008
Dear WTKK:
You appear to be "Boston's Talk Evolution." Or so say your advertising geniuses, anyway. I admit to being confused. Your typical broadcast day, which has you tied for 11th place in the market, according to the last Arbitron book*, consists of the following: the renovated Imus Wrinkle Farm in morning drive; a guy named Graham who is working to become a wit and, thus far, has made it only halfway; a pair of apologetic demi-liberals at midday; and Jay Severin, the Sage of Sag Harbor who thinks Hillary Clinton is a communist but is far more concerned about the size of her thighs, still on evening drive. He's followed by a woman who sounds like she's shouting her program off the back porch of a three-decker in Revere. Later at night, you run a recorded program by Laura Ingraham; in other words, it's a call-in show to which nobody in your audience can call in. Does this make any sense? And even if they could call, how is WTKK different from the festival of sniggering Caucasians over on the AM? If this is the evidence that talk radio is evolving, well, it pretty plainly hasn't yet developed opposable thumbs. More to the point, though, what is this completely conventional dreck doing on my FM dial? It's bad enough that this cheaply produced cheese eliminated AM Top 40. Now, it's beginning to filter over onto the frequencies through which Iron Butterfly once flitted. FM used to be the place where we all fled to get away from the likes of Bobby Goldsboro. Then it became the place we fled to get away from the likes of Jay Severin. Now there's no place to hide. Evolution isn't supposed to be this brutal.
Charles P. Pierce
* PS: You might be interested in looking at the most recent ratings that were released today. WTKK has soared upwards a more than a full point (12+).
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
WRKO/The Big 68 Remembered!
The post below about Harry Nelson's latest move brought us to an online scrapbook of WRKO (aka "The BIG 68!"). WRKO/The Big 68 Remembered is a fan site created and maintained by the hard work of Shel Swartz formerly of New England, and now of Florida.
The site is dedicated to the archiving and preservation of WRKO in both audio aircheck and documentation. A thousand pages of intriguing information, photos, music surveys and airchecks.
Check it out at: WRKO/The Big 68 Remembered!
You may get lost in time!
Friday, April 18, 2008
Harry Nelson to Ride Records....
For those who keep track of Harry's Career (he never seems to be out of work long, does he?)...
Harry has been named National Director of Radio and Media promotion for Ride Records, a label just launched by singer/songwriter steve Azar.
Harry has worked at numerous places in Boston....WODS, WZOU, WBCS/WKLB....and of course at The Big 68 WRKO.
But will he leave his beloved Maine? ;-)
Check out Harry's personal website at: www.HarryNelson.net
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Unionizing at Ch 25
Here is the latest on the attempt to unionize at Ch 25.
IBEW Local 1228
Looks like Ch 9 in Manchester is getting their first union contract!
Now if only AFTRA would be this aggressive in signing up new shops!
IBEW Local 1228
Looks like Ch 9 in Manchester is getting their first union contract!
Now if only AFTRA would be this aggressive in signing up new shops!
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Matty is still there....
Over at The Boomer Chronicles, has a take on Matt Siegal, Kiss 108's longtime morning man.
Popular Boston Radio-Show Host Ages, and No One Has Fired Him Yet. What Gives?
Monday, March 31, 2008
Karlson and McKenzie...meet Sen. Specter.
Recently Karlson and McKenzie had Senator Arlen Spector on their morning WZLX program.
Strange combination? Apaprently Senator Spector did so to promote his new book. Callers to the show apparently had more on their mind than the book.
Strange combination? Apaprently Senator Spector did so to promote his new book. Callers to the show apparently had more on their mind than the book.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
More memories.....
We got such a good response to the video we posted about the beginings of Channel 56, that we found another vid to bring back some other memories of the area.
I believe the boy in the video is still in the area...someone said he works as a court officer in the Dedham Courthouse.
What is truly amazing, she calls "Anthony" in the North End and only ONE kid shows up? LOL!
I believe the boy in the video is still in the area...someone said he works as a court officer in the Dedham Courthouse.
What is truly amazing, she calls "Anthony" in the North End and only ONE kid shows up? LOL!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Update on Marjorie Clapprood
The Herald's Inside Track had the latest update on Marjorie Clapprood.
We hear:
That leukemia survivors Joe Andruzzi and Marjorie Clapprood will kick off the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Man and Woman of the Year fund-raiser tonight. The former New England Patriot and ex-WRKO yakker, who have been battling the disease since June, both got great medical news recently. Joe’s last scan showed his lymphoma is in remission and the prognosis is excellent. Marjorie’s latest bone marrow biopsy showed that her bone marrow transplant was a tremendous success. Congrats, guys!
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
OBIT: Phil Patrone WCRB
We hear that WCRB's overnight host Phil Patrone has passed away.
Here is the cached page from the WCRB website.
Phil had done work as a professional actor in the Boston area....as well as done some work at WPL prior to WCRB
Here is the funeral notice.
Here is the cached page from the WCRB website.
Phil had done work as a professional actor in the Boston area....as well as done some work at WPL prior to WCRB
Here is the funeral notice.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Talk hosts and their take on the candidates
The Globe's Jessica Heslam has a roundup on local talk hosts take on the candidates.
Critics dial it up on talk radio
"Barack Obama’s pointed speech on race relations may have moved some but it provided even more fodder for his toughest critics up and down the talk radio dial."
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Remembering Jerry Williams.....
Jerry Williams was one of the best known and probably the most sucessful talk show host in Boston. It seems like everyone has a Jerry Williams story!
I remember some of his lines: "I never got a dinner!", "They're out there!", "I've GOT to get OUT of the business!",
There is a tribute site with some cool stuff at: JerryWilliams.org
Now Steve Elman and Alan Tolz, a couple of Jerry's producers...have produced a book about the dean.
The Globe's Clea Simon had this write up.
Talking about Jerry Williams
Saturday, March 08, 2008
Will (Can) WBIX rise from the ashes...?
Some of us had high hopes for 1060AM WBIX when they signed on the air. They started out attempting to be another choice for talkradio in Boston.....then shifted to business and was bought (and then lost) by Brad Bleidt.WBIX is back in the hands of its original owner, Alex Langer.
It appears the station is staying alive by running inexpensive business programming. Although, I would think it's life as a business station is forever tarnished by it's former association with Brad Bleidt.
The Globe's Clea Simon had this article recently...and the notorious shenanigans of Brad Bleidt (albeit in the past) had to have a line in an otherwise positive article about the station.
Reenergized WBIX Gets Down to Business
I have to think that the only future for this radio station would be to change format.
I would love to see it as a secondary talk station....with some specialty shows on the weekend. While I love to see "live & local"...I understand it has to be run "on the cheap". There are a lot of syndicated talkers out there that are not cleared in Boston. (Glen Beck, Dr. Laura, Ed Shultz...and Hannity now too. Not to mention O'Reilly, Alan Colmes as well as some of the Progressive talkers and Air America.)
Thursday, March 06, 2008
WTKK hosts Kiss Me I'm Imus Again
The
Herald has details about the St. Patrick's Day broadcast Don Imus will host in the Hub. It takes place from 6 to 10 am on March 17 at the Ritz Carlton Boston Common.
Had Howie Carr won his legal battle, and had Imus not found a way to get back on air,
the airwaves of 96.9 would have instead had Howie joking about the solons gathering
at "Halitosis Hall". Instead, the I-man and his crew will hold court before a live
studio audience. WTKK is giving away tickets and will have its local talk show hosts
make appearances.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
WRKO lets Moe Lauzier go
Longtime WRKO talk host Moe Lauzier has been
let go by the station, after
25 years at the local talker. Many a weekend morning was spent by WRKO's
listeners with Moe, discussing "the issues of the day". But now, due to
cost-cutting (perhaps he'll be replaced with an informercial about colon
cleansers), he is off the air. And Lauzier says on his blog that he wasn't
even fired personally by program director Jason Wolfe--they told a producer
to give him the news.
WRKO still has Howie Carr (last week, a voice from the past, Avi Nelson,
filled in for him) and some local content but from now on, listeners
tuning in to expect live-and-local talk radio on the weekends will get
an informercial instead (or perhaps a replay of another talk show).
As Dapper O'Neill once put it, it's enough to make you want to throw
up on television.
Whats next for WCRB...?
Rumors swirl around 99.5FM WCRB.
Will classical music survive on the radio in Boston?
Will Sportradio make it's way to 99.5?
The Globe's Clea Simon recently had this article....
Air of uncertainty about format and future of WCRB
Will classical music survive on the radio in Boston?
Will Sportradio make it's way to 99.5?
The Globe's Clea Simon recently had this article....
Air of uncertainty about format and future of WCRB
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Radio on TV! Remembering V66....
Lots of great memories...!
If nothing else, memories of 80's video tape!
If nothing else, memories of 80's video tape!
Friday, February 15, 2008
Jess Cain passes away at 81
Jess Cain has lost his battle with cancer. The
Globe has details about the life of WHDH's legendary morning man, who was
also active in local theatre--and a class act. Cain died at 5 a.m. today
according to his son Michael. "There will be no wake or funeral", said Michael Cain. A memorial service will be announced at a later date.
He had a Red Sox connection, singing "The Yaz Song" which can be heard in the film
"Fever Pitch" (and here). When Yastrzemski retired, he sang "Yaz's Day" to the tune of "Yesterday"
at Fenway.
Cain was part of a time when innuendo and shouting were not part of AM radio
entertainment.
UPDATE According to the Herald:
"A public memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Feb. 23 at Glastonbury Abbey in Hingham.
Cards and condolences can be sent to the Cain Family c/o 54 Bluff Road, North Weymouth, MA 02191."
Saturday, February 09, 2008
XM-Sirius...What up with that....?
We haven't heard anything about the proposed merger between XM & Sirius.
Figured it might be a good time to revisit Farmer Mel....
Figured it might be a good time to revisit Farmer Mel....
Friday, February 08, 2008
WCRB Celebrates 60 Years
WCRB Started out as an AM station in Waltham in 1948.
Then became one of the countries most sucessful Classical stations on 102.5FM.
Many we dissappointed with their move to the lesser signal 99.5...but many were happy the station is still on the air in some incarnation.
WCRB now Celebrates 60 years of broadcasting
Dave MacNeill has been there all along. Quite a feat!Although Dave Macneill has decided to give up his position as host of the Boston Symphony Orchestra broadcasts, he will still be contributing to the station in other capacities.
Happy Birthday WCRB and congratulations to Dave Macneill on a great career!
Here's the Globe's writeup:
A Classical Survivor Celebrates a Milestone
Saturday, February 02, 2008
The New Sound of WBOS: "Radio 92.9" Classic Alternative
WBOS FM 92.9 has changed format from “adult album” to “classic alternative”.
Happened at 6 pm yesterday...The staff (other than George Knight) has been
let go (including Holly Harris, host of the long-running "Blues On Sunday").
“Radio 92.9.Want more music and less talk?
Then 92.9 is the only place on the dial to get exactly that!
radio 92.9 brings you the best music from artists you love...
Like Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Green Day, Pearl Jam, The Dave Matthews Band and many more.”
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
WTTT changes to Spanish language religion
In Dec. of 2006, fans of "Boston's Progressive Talk" on WXKS (AM) and WKOX tuned in to hear their favorite hosts but instead got "La Nueva Rumba". Now another
Spanish language format has replaced a talk station in town, as Salem
Communications has replaced "Boston's Conservative Talk" on WTTT AM 1150 (Bill Bennett,
Sean Hannity, Dennis Praeger, Mike Gallagher, Dr. Laura) with "Radio Luz". The
station's website reflects the change.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
New PD for Mix 98.5 and Oldies 103.3...
Jones Takes Over Boston's Mix & Oldies
Jay Beau Jones' destination is now revealed: He's the newly anointed PD of CBS Radio/Boston's hot AC WBMX (Mix 98.5) and oldies WODS (Oldies 103.3). Last week, Jones left the OM/PD chair just down the Mass Pike at Citadel/Worcester, Mass., after five years, where he ran hot AC WXLO, classic hits WWFX (the Pike) and oldies WORC-FM. Jones replaces Oldies 103.3 PD Pete Falconi and Mix PD Jerry McKenna, who have both left the building. (from R&R)
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Saturday, January 19, 2008
Geffner leaves Sox for Marlins
Red Sox radio broadcaster Glenn Geffner is leaving the 2007 World
Champions to become the number two radio announcer for the
Florida Marlins. Geffner, a Florida native who was brought aboard by Sox bigwig Larry Lucchino,
has drawn criticism from listeners and such blogs as 38cliches.com for various reasons (among them
talking too fast and too much). Geffner did have some nice home run/game
winning hit moments, though.
The Red Sox radio team will now be Joe Castiglione and a full-time Dave O'Brien.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Looking for guest blogger...!
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We are on the lookout for someone who wants to guest-contribute here on the BostonRadioBlog.
RaccoonRadio, seems to follow the news/talk format pretty well. And I believe I have some insight into the business side and history of Boston radio. We would like to find someone who has insight into the CHR/Rock formats in Boston.
If you or someone you know has a good handle on whats happening in the CHR/Rock stations here in Boston and would like to try your hand at blogging about Boston radio, drop us a note at the email address at the top of the left hand column:
BostonRadio | at | gmail | dot | com
We would like to cover all aspects of Boston radio, and include a varienty of views.
And, as always your comments are always welcome!
Keith
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
McPhee to debut on WTKK
Tonight, former Boston Herald columnist Michele McPhee will debut her new nightly live-and-local show on WTKK FM 96.9. It will air 7 to 10 pm,
replacing Bill O'Reilly and pushing Laura Ingraham (13 hour delay) back to 10 pm until 1 am. The new show debuts just in time to analyze Jan. 8th's New Hampshire Primary.
The station used to have local talk in this slot with Michael Graham, but mostly
has been syndicated.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Up and down the dial...
New Year's celebrations
What's doin' on the dial this New Year's?
The Globe's Clea Simon has a rundown.....
Up and down the dial, New Year's celebrations
Monday, December 31, 2007
Double-ya Vee as in Victah - See - Ay
...Glawstah!
One of the legends of New England radio is the one man station and curmudgeon Simon Geller. Geller, of Gloucester, was a retired radio engineer, that applied for, built and ran FM station WVCA out of his small apartment.Why? Because he enjoyed radio....and enjoyed classical music.
He hung onto the station thru legal challenges up until shortly before his death when he sold it to the Tanger family...who promised to keep it classical. (The Tangers had run a few other classical formated station, so it appeared to be a good bet.)
Not sure what the legal bounds of "keeping it classical" were, but the small station had a hard time competing commercially with the giant signal of WCRB. (Geller didn't run any commercials.) It has since flipped to an oldies format...and is now branded as a purely local station for the North Shore of Boston...."North Shore 104.9". (They also carry the Red Sox and the Celtics.)
Sadly, the day when an individual can start and run their own radio station is over.
I came across this old 1986 aricle about Simon Geller, the man and his station, from Time magazine. I thought some might like to revisit the story.
In Massachusetts: Giving Music
The website for the current incarnation of this station is here: NorthShore1049.com
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Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Drop Jess Cain a card
Steve Buckley writes in the
Herald about veteran WHDH morning man Jess Cain, who is at a hospice for the terminally ill in Cambridge these days. Cain recalled radio bits from the past, and welcomed visitors and friends, many of them from the radio biz. Buckley also gives an address where you can drop Cain a card: Jess Cain, Chilton House, 65 Chilton Street, Cambridge, Mass., 02138.
UPDATE: Jess' son Michael
writes "as a family we decided to bring dad home this friday 12/28/07. Obvioulsy his condition is still terminal, but he is feeling better and he wants to come home, so we have granted his wish. Thank you for all of your kind words. I am sure all of the letters and visitors had a lot to due with him "feeling better." "
