Home > Austin Music Source > Archives > 2010 > February > 09 > Entry
KGSR hires Jody’s replacement
It’s Mark Abuzzahab, an 18-year radio veteran who held the music director position at KBCO, Boulder, Colorado’s influential AAA station, until he was laid off in April 2009 by parent company, Clear Channel.
“Mark is pumped about moving to Austin,” says KGSR boss Scott Gillmore. “We did a nationwide search (for Jody Denberg’s replacement) and really loved Mark’s background.” Abuzzahab was also previously with WOXY in Cincinnati, when it was a “real” radio station and not just Internet-only. He was named music director of the year in the AAA format in 2008 by the FMQB trade publication.
Abuzzahab, a 1995 graduate of Ithaca College, will start his job as KGSR’s music director and afternoon drive DJ on Feb. 22.
“Jody was like an auteur director.” says Gillmore. “He had his own vision. There’s been a slight change in the direction at KGSR (since Denberg’s departure in December and move to 93.3 on the FM dial). Our commitment to local music is still strong. You’re still going to hear (Austin-centric singer-songwriters) Slaid Cleaves and Patty Griffin, but you’re also going to hear Phoenix and Spoon.”
And Alanis Morissette. Lots of Alanis Morissette.
In other KGSR news, the popular Blues On the Green free concert series will move back to Zilker Park this year after a season at Waterloo while work was being done on “improving” the Zilker lawn.
Update: Abuzzahab, who hasn’t yet relocated to Austin from Denver, said over the phone that he was looking forward to getting to work. “I’ve always been a huge fan of KGSR and Austin, and as a music lover there’s no better place to be,” said Abuzzahab. Abuzzahab added that though moving from Denver to Austin would be an adjustment, it was a better fit — “It’s very different; Denver’s a bigger city, with more arena shows, but as far as the music I like to see Austin’s club scene is better place.”
As far as not hiring locally is concerned, Emmis Austin programming director Chase Rupe said that though Austin-based candidates were considered, Abuzzahab was the most qualified. “Mark was the best choice based on his experience,” said Rupe. “We have a lot of people entrenched in the community and we’ll continue to lean on them.”
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By Sarah
February 9, 2010 10:49 AM | Link to this
The new KGSR format is getting worse and worse. It’s watered down, and no longer “sounds like Austin.”
By Scott Gilmore knows local?
February 9, 2010 11:01 AM | Link to this
It’s sad, the KGSR boss is so out of touch with local music that he doesn’t even know Spoon is local.
God bless you Jody Denberg, wherever you are. I had no idea you were the only thing keeping KGSR from becoming a generic Bob-FM format.
By gary brandenberger
February 9, 2010 11:30 AM | Link to this
k-g-s-r c-r-a-p
By Brittasaurus
February 9, 2010 11:42 AM | Link to this
Haven’t listened to KGSR since they switched frequencies. For some reason, my radio doesn’t like the 93.3 spot. Now that I hear they’ll be playing alot of Alanis Morissette, I don’t hink I want to receive their signal anymore!
By MP
February 9, 2010 11:49 AM | Link to this
Don’t know what is worse. The fact that the stronger signal was a lie, or that when I do get an unbroken signal I wish I hadn’t! Miss the old KGSR. Miss the old signal.
By Wanting Radio that Does NOT Suck
February 9, 2010 12:35 PM | Link to this
Oh, how I miss Jody, Susan, Bobby Ray, Big Jyl…PLEASE start a new station somewhere for us soon, you guys. K-POP, as it seems to be now, is no longer a treasure like it was for so many years, and that is VERY sad. Austin deserves better, not to be just like every other station. Looked up the station the new guy is coming from - has the virtually same playlist as the new KGSR has. OMG - Austin really has so little local talent now that we sound like every other station in the country except the rare few minutes they’ll play something “different” (not mainstream) now? Isn’t it extraordinarily ironic that KGSR is still giving away tickets to see artists in town that they almost never give air time to now? De-setting the pre-set…
By Girlstar24
February 9, 2010 1:26 PM | Link to this
KGSR has gone down-hill fast since the switch…..it’s depressing!
By Jason
February 9, 2010 1:49 PM | Link to this
The days of the truly eclectic KGSR are over. Gillmore basically tossed the listeners to the south of town (and from what I understand the east, as well) off of the bus with the 93.3 signal emanating from Leander. Then they “tweaked” their format and now play The Cars and The Doors. It’s sounds a lot like KPEZ 102— How sad—
By KGSR-less in Seattle
February 9, 2010 1:59 PM | Link to this
Yup, hating the new KGSR format. Jody, please find a new station and get back on the air!!
By Shirley
February 9, 2010 2:21 PM | Link to this
Long time KGSR listener from Temple. I like the 93.3 setting because now it finally comes in clear, but I definately know that there is a difference in the music. Please stay true to Austin music lovers, and appreciate the difference between every other bland station and what you started out as. We are not a bland audiance! KLBJ used to be a good station, now they sound like every other rock staion..blah blah blah
By Kurt
February 9, 2010 2:47 PM | Link to this
KGSR was the hook that caught me when I first visited here from Atlanta years ago. I streamed via internet until I took the leap and moved the family west. Once here, I cancelled SIRIUS, stopped lugging around cd’s or my ipod in the car and DEDICATED my #1 preset to 107.1. KGSR was incredible and the best station I had ever heard. I was informed with “the sound of our town” and made purchasing decisions (advertisers, venues, weekend trips) based on how the music made me feel. With the format change I feel betrayed. KGSR has sold its’ soul and is equivalent to the “major market” mainstream crap that I dispised back in Atlanta. Shame on the decision makers at KGSR for selling out and for bringing in a carpetbagger to run the show.
By mcmm04
February 9, 2010 3:13 PM | Link to this
I remember the days when I was in high school and hated having to listen to “K-geeser”, as I called it when my mother and father listened to it. But then I grew up and realized that KGSR was REAL radio. And just when it was becoming the only thing I listened to, along with KUT, KGSR turned ugly! Real ugly! Bring back the old KGSR!! I only hear the good stuff about 14% of the time :(
By Mpowered
February 9, 2010 3:51 PM | Link to this
Why not just go hip-hop on KGSR and the Cactus Cafe too? Next we could replace Magnolia Cafe and put in a Denny’s. While we are at it let’s play all UT games in Arlington. Really, why have tradition and character when we have this golden opportunity to be like Plano or Sugar Land?
By We've been duped!
February 9, 2010 4:00 PM | Link to this
I want to scream every time I have to listen to THE POLICE! on the poorest frequency ever! I have bragged to the world about KGSR…no more! There is NOTHING unique left to Austin radio, and most certainly not to KGSR. It’s a dirty, despicable, downright shame. Music Capitol of Nowhere…this is what Austin is fast becoming.
By M3
February 9, 2010 4:14 PM | Link to this
KGSR is dead to me.
By brad
February 9, 2010 4:53 PM | Link to this
“And Alanis Morissette. Lots of Alanis Morissette.” This frightens me. Alot. I mean, her music is OK, but what it means is that we’re going to be hearing more of the junk that’s found it’s way into regular rotation: Spin Doctors, Weezer, RHCP, etc etc.
By Deborah
February 9, 2010 5:24 PM | Link to this
Thanks, folks, for confirming that I haven’t lost my mind—I’ve apparently only lost the station I’ve been listening to daily for the last 10 years. Haven’t been able to tune in KGSR on any of the 5 radios in my Zilker home since the frequency change. And when I’m listening in my car, I keep finding myself looking down to see if someone’s tuned into some other station since I no longer like what I’m hearing most of the time. What a major disappointment. Who is the target audience for the new music mix? Clearly not me. Ick.
By UNCLE WILBER
February 9, 2010 6:06 PM | Link to this
alanis morissette is a one hit wonder…one album wonder from the mid 90’s….puhleeeeez….they play techno and the carrrrrrrs…..gimme me a break….what is next phil collins…oops….i just gave them an idea….sorry
By JD
February 10, 2010 7:22 AM | Link to this
The crown jewel of Texas radio is gone. I can’t tell it apart from all the other stations on the dial. NEW KGSR: Please be sure to tell your new sponsers that this college educated, hard working, hard consuming, music lover is taking my $67,000/year income and going elsewhere to listen to commercials and buy their products/services. NEW KGSR did you hear that sound?? It’s of my hard earned money leaving your new generic radio station !
By John ***
February 10, 2010 9:00 AM | Link to this
I first listened to KGSR in 1980 when I was the Columbia Records Promotion person for the State of Texas, and would come to Austin once a week. Like everyone I miss the Austin of that era along with the iconic stores, restaurants, joints etc… that have passed. But that happens. My job was listening to radio, knowing the music they played, and bringing them the songs from my artists that fit the station. No person or station had a better grasp of their audience and what they would like than Jody Denberg. Sure he was wrong on occasion, but when you proved him wrong, he admitted it and played the artist that he originally that was wrong for KGSR. I subsequently became the Sr. VP of promotion for Columbia and then Capitol Records and visited every city in the Country and listened to every contemporary radio station in the Country. KGSR was the best station in the U.S. I always told people this when they asked me about what station I liked the best. A large part of that opinion was based on Jody Denberg’s work. The change in KGSR since he left are negative with the canned ID’s, tightening of the playlist, and de-emphasis on local talent and local events. Consolidation of radio by corporations is one of the reasons that radio has suyffered in the past decade, and one of the last bastions of independent, enjoyable radio is gone. When all o fthe music people come into town for SXSW there will be a collective howl when they get in their rental car and immediately tune into 106.7 and then realize that not only did KGSR get moved to 93.3, but really no longer exists.
By TrueInfo
February 10, 2010 9:31 AM | Link to this
Don’t know the new guy, but Andy Langer is driving KGSR over a cliff. Good luck with that.
By Susan
February 10, 2010 9:39 AM | Link to this
I too used to brag about KGSR to the rest of the world - but no more! I hate the direction the station has taken. I can’t tune it in at home but then who cares! I wouldn’t listen to it anyway. It’s a tragedy!!!
By Geno
February 10, 2010 10:56 AM | Link to this
What about Barbara Jo? She is the best radio personality there ever was, is, or will be !!! She KNOWS Austin music!
By Ellen
February 10, 2010 11:54 AM | Link to this
When it moved to 93.3, was it also bought by Clear Channel? I used to leave the radio on 107 most of the time. Even through commercials. Not anymore. It’s as flip-worthy as any other station now.
By Kurt
February 10, 2010 1:30 PM | Link to this
I agree with most of what I’ve read so far on these comments. KGSR has gone from a great station to a mediocre station. I’ve known and listened to Jody’s music selection for years, even when he was on KLBJ. His vision for KGSR was what made it a great Austin-centric station. Why change something that got KGSR nationwide praise??? I lived in Oregon for 5 years during grad school and really missed being able to listen to KGSR and its great mix of national (but often non-mainstream) acts and local music. I’ve been back for almost 2 years now and with the change, I not only don’t get decent reception in my Zilker area home, but I also rarely listen to the station anymore when out in my car or truck. I noticed that when Ennis took over, the ratio of commercials to music increased dramatically. Because of this change and attitude of the directors, which obviously didn’t consider the loyal long-time listeners, I plan on making it a point to avoid listening to any Ennis stations. It’s mostly KUT for me from here on out and Ennis will be losing any chance of me responding to their advertising dollars. I’m really sorry and sad to lose another thing that made Austin special. Goodnight Austin, Texas, wherever you are!!!
By J@BHR
February 10, 2010 2:44 PM | Link to this
Isn’t it funny … (as Alanis Morrisette might sing) that the more KGSR dilutes itself with 1990s and ’80s pop tunes since its dial swap-out from 107.1 to 93.3, the more I absolutely CRAVE listening to KUT-FM 90.5 —- and especially, when former KGSR mainstay Kevin Connor is on the air Saturdays. How Kevin Connor segues from one song to another and handles the back-stories and sidebars is classic on-air symmetry with Austin relevancy. And I’ve noticed KUT has opened its play list on the weekdays, spread its wingsa bit more. …and isn’t KGSR owned by the same company that owns that ‘Bob-FM’ station? If that’s true, doesn’t that explain a whole helluva lot about KGSR’s tilt-a-whirl descent into mediocrity?
By RIP 107.1 KGSR
February 10, 2010 4:16 PM | Link to this
I hope they current staff at 93.3 reads these comments and realizes that they have lost their listener base. They may not care working for Ennis Radio (a Clear Channel) of a different color. Its all about target demographics and advertising sales. The signal no longer reaches 78704 with clarity and the music is mainstream pop from the late 90’s. Shoot me in the face.
By Bob
February 10, 2010 8:13 PM | Link to this
John *, I’m confused. KGSR began in 1989. Also, the former frequency was 107.1, not 106.7. What station was it that you were listening to in 1980? I’d like to give it a listen.
By agree2
February 10, 2010 9:29 PM | Link to this
Just chimin’ in to say I agree too, with most of what’s been said above. It’s tragic. Goodbye KGSR, goodbye Cactus?? There’s less and less to love about Austin. How about ACL kick in some bucks and buy back the cactus and start a real rebel radio station. Austin is losing its soul. I for one music lover, would be willing to direct charity dollars to this cause. “This is radio nowhere… is there anybody alive out there? I just want to hear some rhythm”!! (Springsteen) Some Austin rhythm, please.
By norm
February 10, 2010 11:09 PM | Link to this
I listened to KGSR less as the years went by because I was tired of hearing the same artists and songs over and over and over. Don’t know if that was because the original staff was burned out or Emmis was forcing them. KGSR needed rejuvenation, but not the kind of thing they’ve done since moving to 93.3. Emmis has turned “K-Geezer” into “Bobette”. Lose the pop music, especially the British stuff, please. And send Andy Langer back to 101X. I still can’t pick up the signal at home or at my office. Only in the car.
By amy
February 15, 2010 3:20 PM | Link to this
the new KGSR is horrible. such a shame - it was the only radio station i listened to. i hope you FLOP. what a tragic move. this was an austin staple and the heartbeat of the city. the new format is horrible - it’s like the BobFM leftovers now. I miss you, KGSR. lots. :(