Home > Austin Music Source > Archives > Radio category
Radio
August 4, 2011
Jody Denberg featured in Rock and Roll Hall of Fame exhibit
A revamp of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum includes a new exhibit featuring a well-known Austin deejay.
Jody Denberg, who spent 19 years at 93.3/102.7 KGSR-FM before leaving in 2009, is among the broadcasters featured in “On the Air: Rock and Roll and Radio,” an interactive kiosk with bios and airchecks from influential jocks nationwide who introduced listeners to rock and roll and related genres.
Denberg can now be heard on 90.5 KUT-FM.
Located in Cleveland, Ohio, the Hall of Fame opened in 1995.
Permalink | Comments (14) | Post your comment Categories: Radio
August 2, 2011
Spirit 105.9 plans daylong music fest
The lineup’s out for Spirit Fest, a daylong music festival put together by contemporary Christian radio station Spirit 105.9.
Performers for the event, set for 1 p.m. Nov. 13 at Dell Diamond, include Third Day, Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, Tenth Avenue North, Peter Furler and Trevor Morgan.
Tickets start at $25, but a number of discounts are available, including free admission for a child 16 or under with each general admission adult ticket purchased.
Discounts — and free tickets in some cases — are also available to current and former members of the military.
“Central Texas has been in need of a large-scale Christian event that brings together faith, family and fun,” Spirit 105.9 general manager Tim McCoy said. “We are also excited to be able to hold the event on Veterans Day weekend and use this as an opportunity to support our troops and make a spiritual connection with each person attending the event.”
FROM THE ARCHIVES
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Radio
August 1, 2011
Pitbull dips, Katy Perry sees big bump on Austin's airwaves
Is Austin tiring of Pitbull?
It’s sure starting to look that way.
“Give Me Everything,” the city’s most-played song for several consecutive weeks, took a tumble July 25-31, falling into second place with 218 spins, down from 235 the prior week.
LMFAO’s “Party Rock Anthem” clawed its way back into the top spot, with 232 plays, according to AllAccess.com.
96.7 KISS-FM has significantly reduced airtime for “Everything,” with week-to-week spins dipping from 114 to 100. Sister station 102.3 the Beat also dialed things back a bit: 118 last week versus 121 the previous week.
One to watch: Katy Perry’s “Last Friday Night” jumped from 88 plays on KISS-FM to 108 in just one week.
Here are the top five songs played on a random sampling of local stations:
93.3/102.7 KGSR
Foster the People, Pumped Up Kicks - 33 spins
Mumford and Sons, Roll Away Your Stone - 33
Adele, Rumour Has It - 32
Head and the Heart, Lost in My Mind - 32
Decemberists, This is Why We Fight - 31
93.7 KLBJ
Jonathan Tyler/Northern Lights, Gypsy Woman - 1 spin
Sails, Liar - 1
Red Hot Chili Peppers, Adventures of Rain Dance… - 1
Red Button, Caught in the Middle - 1
Moonlight Towers, Heat Lightning - 1
101X
Foster the People, Pumped Up Kicks - 48 spins
Coldplay, Every Teardrop is a Waterfall - 47
Red Hot Chili Peppers, Adventures of Rain Dance… - 45
Mumford and Sons, The Cave - 25
Black Keys, Howlin’ for You - 24
96.7 KISS-FM
LMFAO, Party Rock Anthem - 112 spins
Katy Perry, Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.) - 108
Pitbull, Give Me Everything - 100
Nicki Minaj, Super Bass - 85
Lady Gaga, The Edge of Glory - 83
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment Categories: Radio
July 25, 2011
101X settles FCC payola investigation
The owner of Austin radio station 101.5 KROX-FM will pay $12,000 to put an end to a five-year investigation by the Federal Communications Commission.
A complaint filed with the FCC in 2006 alleged the station, known on air as 101X, had engaged in a payola scheme that netted an unnamed host “valuable consideration” from a music store, a live music venue, a booking agent and a band manager.
Payola, according to the FCC, occurs when a station or one of its employees fails to report it has received some form of payment for airing material.
The same complaint also claimed 101X made it difficult for independent musicians to get airtime.
Emmis Austin Radio Broadcasting Co., the station’s owner, believes it did nothing wrong, market manager Scott Gillmore said, but opted to settle to end a costly, time-consuming legal battle.
“We basically consider this to have been a misunderstanding,” Gillmore said Monday. “We would never want anything to happen that would even cause the appearance of payola.”
In addition to paying $12,000, Emmis will also increase its training for staffers and strengthen its record-keeping procedures.
Indianapolis-based Emmis is Austin’s largest radio operator. In addition to KROX-FM, it also owns 93.3/102.7 KGSR-FM, 93.7 KLBJ-FM, 103.5 KBPA-FM, 107.1 KLZT-FM and 590 KLBJ-AM, as well as several HD2 stations.
Click here to read the agreement between the FCC and KROX-FM.
Permalink | Comments (8) | Post your comment Categories: Radio
Pitbull's 'Everything' is everywhere on Austin radio dial
Pitbull’s “Give Me Everything” has serious staying power, ranking — yet again — as the most-played song on Austin’s airwaves, according to AllAccess.com.
The song is in heavy rotation on both Beat 102.3 and 96.7 KISS-FM, racking up a total of 235 spins July 18-24. LMFAO’s “Party Rock Anthem” was a close second with 229 plays.
Here are the top five songs played on a random sampling of local stations:
Beat 102.3
Pitbull, Give Me Everything - 121 spins
Nicki Minaj, Super Bass - 119
LMFAO, Party Rock Anthem - 117
DJ Khaled, I’m on One - 108
Chris Brown, Look at Me Now - 75
Majic 95.5
Adele, Rolling in the Deep - 30 spins
Katy Perry, Firework - 29
Bruno Mars, Just the Way You Are - 29
Pink, F**kin’ Perfect (Perfect) - 28
Jason Aldean/Kelly Clarkson, Don’t You Wanna Stay - 27
Mix 94.7
Adele, Rolling in the Deep - 63 spins
Black Eyed Peas, Just Can’t Get Enough - 59
OneRepublic, Secrets - 54
The Script, For the First Time - 51
Bruno Mars, Lazy Song - 38
KASE 101
Jason Aldean, Dirt Road Anthem - 51 spins
Zac Brown Band, Knee Deep - 50
Chris Young, Tomorrow - 47
Justin Moore, If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away - 45
Brad Paisley/Carrie Underwood, Remind Me - 42
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment Categories: Radio
July 18, 2011
Bobby Bones inks new 3-year deal with KISS-FM
Bobby Bones, morning host at 96.7 KISS-FM, has signed a contract extension that will keep him in Austin for three more years.
The deal also puts Bones on the air in two additional cities — Waco and Tuscaloosa, Ala. — with plans to expand to other stations in the near future. He’s already heard in Amarillo, Lubbock, Wichita, Kan., and Augusta, Ga.
“It’s always been a dream to syndicate my show on a more national level,” Bones said. “Now I have the great opportunity to do that within a company I love and from Austin, a city that I love. This feels like the perfect scenario.”
KISS-FM is owned by San Antonio-based radio giant Clear Channel, which also operates Austin’s KASE 101, 98.1 KVET-FM, 1300 AM the Zone and 102.3 the Beat.
“Clear Channel is committed to continue to provide the most talented personalities and entertaining programming to our listeners,” said Susan Karis, Executive Vice President of Operations for the company’s Western Region, “and Bobby Bones is such a great part of KISS-FM Austin. Extending his time with the station and Austin was the obvious choice.”
Permalink | Comments (21) | Categories: Radio
LMFAO, Pitbull tie for Austin's most-played song
Ladies and gents, we have a tie.
LMFAO’s “Party Rock Anthem” and Pitbull’s “Give Me Everything” are the city’s most-played songs, getting 230 spins each July 11-17 on local radio stations, according to AllAccess.com.
Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” continues to do well, coming in third with 205.
Here are the top five songs played on a random sampling of local stations:
93.7 KLBJ-FM
Vallejo, Now What - 1
Bob Schneider, Hand Me Back My Life - 1
Red Hot Chili Peppers, Adventures of Rain Dance… - 1
Moonlight Towers, Black River - 1
Meat Puppets, Damn Thing - 1
103.5 BOB-FM
Adele, Rolling in the Deep - 10
Pink, Raise Your Glass - 10
Jason Aldean/Kelly Clarkson, Don’t You Wanna Stay - 9
Cee Lo Green, F**k You (Forget You) - 9
Bruno Mars, Just the Way You Are - 9
101X
Foster The People, Pumped Up Kicks - 46
Incubus, Adolescents - 46
Coldplay, Every Teardrop is a Waterfall - 39
Airborne Toxic Event, Changing - 27
Naked And Famous, Young Blood - 23
96.7 KISS-FM
LMFAO, Party Rock Anthem - 114
Pitbull, Give Me Everything - 110
Adele, Rolling in the Deep - 105
Lady Gaga, The Edge of Glory - 82
Katy Perry, Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.) - 82
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Radio
KISS-FM remains Austin's No. 1 radio station
Austin has been KISSed yet again.
Pop-friendly 96.7 KISS-FM continues to be the city’s No. 1 radio station, according to newly released June ratings.
KASE was second, while KLBJ-AM broke into the Top 3 for the first time in recent months, tying KUT.
Average quarter-hour ratings as of June 22, courtesy of radio-info.com (numbers in parentheses indicate rank as of May 26):
1.) 96.7 KHFI-FM (1)
2.) 100.7 KASE-FM (2)
3.) 590 KLBJ-AM (4)
3.) 90.5 KUT-FM (3)
4.) 95.5 KKMJ-FM (7)
5.) 102.3 KPEZ-FM (5)
6.) 103.5 KBPA-FM (6)
7.) 107.1 KLZT-FM (10)
8.) 94.7 KAMX-FM (8)
9.) 93.7 KLBJ-FM (11)
10.) 98.1 KVET-FM (9)
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Radio
July 13, 2011
KUT news team adds staff for latest project
KUT and Houston NPR station KUHF are teaming up for “StateImpact Texas: Power, Policy and the Planet,” a project that will focus on state government’s impact on energy and environmental policy.
KUT will hire two journalists to compile on-air and online reports, while KUHF will add one staffer to its news team.
NPR affiliates across Texas will air StateImpact stories beginning this fall, and a StateImpact website is expected to launch in September. Texas Monthly magazine and the Texas Tribune are also involved.
“Texas is one of the largest carbon emitters in the world, and is also a leader in the green energy revolution,” Stewart Vanderwilt, KUT’s director and general manager, said. “The scale of the state’s energy production — both traditional and green — is enormous. Consequently, there is no better place to lead the conversation on this vitally important topic.”
Other states planning similar projects as part of the two-year NPR pilot program are Florida, Idaho, Indiana, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania. Ultimately, NPR expects to add a total of 100 journalists in all 50 states.
Permalink | | Categories: Radio
July 11, 2011
LMFAO new No. 1 on Austin's airwaves
LMFAO’s “Party Rock Anthem” has — just barely — become the most-played song on Austin radio stations, according to AllAccess.com.
The song had a combined 235 plays last week on 96.7 KISS-FM and 102.3 the Beat, bumping Pitbull’s “Give Me Everything” into the No. 2 spot, with 233 spins. Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” came in third at 212.
Here are the top five songs played on a random sampling of local stations:
Beat 102.3
LMFAO, Party Rock Anthem - 121
Pitbull, Give Me Everything - 120
Chris Brown, Look at Me Now - 118
Nicki Minaj, Super Bass - 118
Big Sean, My Last - 66
93.3/102.7 KGSR
Eddie Vedder, Longing to Belong - 34
Adele, Rumour Has It - 33
Coldplay, Every Teardrop is a Waterfall - 31
Death Cab For Cutie, You are a Tourist - 31
Head And The Heart, Lost in My Mind - 28
KASE 101
Blake Shelton, Honey Bee - 51
Justin Moore, If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away - 50
Chris Young, Tomorrow - 49
Zac Brown Band, Knee Deep - 45
The Band Perry, You Lie - 45
Mix 94.7
Adele, Rolling in the Deep - 68
Pink, F**kin’ Perfect (Perfect) - 60
Christina Perri, Jar of Hearts - 58
Black Eyed Peas, Just Can’t Get Enough - 57
OneRepublic, Secrets - 52
Permalink | | Categories: Radio
July 5, 2011
Pitbull is No. 1 on Austin radio for second week
Pitbull’s “Give Me Everything” is, once again, the most-played song on Austin’s airwaves, according to AllAccess.com.
The song, which features Ne-Yo, Afrojack and Nayer, overtook Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” last week to take the No. 1 spot.
Pitbull had a combined 231 spins on 96.7 KISS-FM and 102.3 the Beat June 28 through July 4, unchanged from the previous week.
Adele, meanwhile, dropped from 226 plays to 211. Five local stations — 96.7 KISS-FM, Mix 94.7, Majic 95.5, 103.5 BOB-FM and 93.3/102.7 KGSR — have playlists that include “Rolling in the Deep.”
Here are the top five songs played on a random sampling of local stations:
101X
Airborne Toxic Event, Changing - 47
Foster the People, Pumped Up Kicks - 46
Incubus, Adolescents - 43
Death Cab for Cutie, You Are a Tourist - 27
Naked And Famous, Young Blood - 25
93.7 KLBJ
Spanking Charlene, Dismissed With a Kiss - 1
Sails, Liar - 1
Robert Plant, Angel Dance - 1
Make Out, I Don’t Want Anybody That … - 1
Garland Jeffreys, Roller Coaster Town - 1
Majic 95.5
Pink, F**kin’ Perfect (Perfect) - 15
Katy Perry, Firework - 14
Christina Perri, Jar of Hearts - 13
Bruno Mars, Just the Way You Are - 13
Adele, Rolling in the Deep - 13
103.5 BOB-FM
Neon Trees, Animal - 10
Adele, Rolling in the Deep - 9
Jason Aldean/Kelly Clarkson, Don’t You Wanna Stay - 9
Cee Lo Green, F**k You (Forget You) - 9
Bruno Mars, Just the Way You Are - 9
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Radio
July 1, 2011
New HD radio station debuts, featuring nothing but metal
Metalheads rejoice!
Folks with HD radios have a new station to check out that’s playing nothing but metal 24/7/365.
No Control Radio launched today on 107.1 FM HD2.
Owner Emmis Austin Radio claims the new signal, which is an expansion of the 11-year-old “No Control” program on 101X, is the nation’s only round-the-clock commercial metal station.
“The beauty of this new channel is that it’s local, it’s unafraid to play lots of hard-hitting metal; to promote the metal scene and to ignore everything else,” said Scott Gillmore, vice president and market manager for Emmis. “Lovingly put together by Chuck Loesch, No Control Radio is growing fast.”
Tune in to hear established bands such as Metallica, modern faves such as As I Lay Dying and new and unsigned talent.
Get more details at NoControlRadio.com.
Permalink | Comments (10) | Categories: Radio
June 23, 2011
KUT debuts redesign of website, new logo
KUT has rolled out a redesign of its website, along with a new logo.
Along with the new look, there’s an enhanced media player designed to make it easier to hear popular programs, as well as a number of new features meant to encourage listener interaction.
Tweaks to the design of kut.org and its logo are the work of Austin-based Creative Suitcase, and Go9Media, another Austin firm, served as developer for the NPR affiliate’s website.
“The new kut.org reflects our desire to engage with our audience in a meaningful way that deepens understanding and connects citizens with each other,” Stewart Vanderwilt, KUT’s director and general manager, said in the station’s announcement.
The station reports visitors to kut.org come from 131 countries/territories, with Canada, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Mexico and Germany topping the list, following the U.S.
Permalink | | Categories: Radio
June 22, 2011
4 more awards for Austin's KUT
A “Texas Music Matters” documentary focusing on legendary musician Janis Joplin took top honors at the New York Festivals 2011 International Radio Programs and Promotion Awards, one of four wins by KUT, Austin’s NPR affiliate.
“Piece of My Heart: The Story of Janis Joplin” received the Grand Trophy and a gold award in the Culture and the Arts category. It first aired in October 2010, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the Port Arthur native’s death, and featured interviews with Kris Kristofferson, Tracy Nelson and Powell St. John, among others.
To celebrate, KUT will re-air the documentary at noon and again at 11 p.m. this Friday.
“Home with the Armadillo,” another “Texas Music Matters” documentary and a component of the station’s “Armadillo Oral History Project,” received a silver award in the History category.
And KUT’s news department won the silver award in the News Documentary/Special category for “Where I’m From,” which featured “famous and not-so-famous Texans sharing their thoughts on how where you come from defines who you are.”
The station says it has won a total of 11 New York Festivals awards since 2002.
Permalink | | Categories: Radio
June 20, 2011
Adele still No. 1 on Austin radio; Pitbull sees big bump
It was the same ol’, same ol’ last week on Austin’s airwaves, with Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” remaining the city’s most-played song.
It got a total of 228 spins last week, falling just a bit from the prior week’s 231. It’s also the No. 1 song nationwide, getting 14,002 plays on Top 40 stations, down from 14,263.
Pitbull’s “Give Me Everything” saw the biggest gain locally, bumping Adele from the top spot on 96.7 KISS-FM. It continues to lead the list on Beat 102.3.
Here are the top five songs played on a random sampling of local stations, courtesy of AllAccess.com:
KASE 101
Blake Shelton, Honey Bee - 50
Justin Moore, If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away - 49
Taylor Swift, Mean - 49
Keith Urban, Without You - 48
Chris Young, Tomorrow - 47
93.3 KGSR
Death Cab for Cutie, You Are a Tourist - 32
Foster the People, Pumped Up Kicks - 32
Adele, Rumour Has It - 30
Coldplay, Every Teardrop is a Waterfall - 29
Eddie Vedder, Longing to Belong - 29
Beat 102.3
Pitbull, Give Me Everything - 121
Wiz Khalifa, Roll Up - 120
Chris Brown, Look at Me Now - 117
Lupe Fiasco, The Show Goes On - 115
Big Sean, My Last - 68
96.7 KISS-FM
Pitbull, Give Me Everything - 111
Adele, Rolling in the Deep - 109
Black Eyed Peas, Just Can’t Get Enough - 106
Britney Spears, Till the World Ends - 84
Jennifer Lopez, On the Floor - 76
Permalink | | Categories: Radio
KHFI sits atop ratings for a 2nd month
Pop-friendly KHFI is — for a second straight month — Austin’s No. 1 radio station, according to May ratings figures from Arbitron.
The win puts an end to months of flip-flopping for the top spot, with KUT, KASE and KHFI all claiming victories in recent months. KUT sat atop the list for several consecutive months last year.
The top six stations remain unchanged from April but, further down the list, a few stations traded places. KLZT, for instance, returns to the list after an absence of a few months, bumping sister station KLBJ-FM out of the Top 10.
Average quarter-hour ratings as of May 25, courtesy of radio-info.com (numbers in parentheses indicate rank as of April 27):
1.) KHFI (1)
2.) KASE (2)
3.) KUT (3)
4.) KLBJ-AM (4)
5.) KPEZ (5)
6.) KBPA (6)
7.) KKMJ (8)
8.) KAMX (9)
9.) KVET-FM (7)
10.) KLZT-FM (11)
Permalink | | Categories: Radio
June 14, 2011
2 national Edward R. Murrow Awards for KUT
Austin NPR affiliate KUT has — for the first time ever — won a pair of prestigious national Edward R. Murrow Awards.
The awards, presented by the Radio Television Digital News Association, recognize excellence in electronic journalism.
Competing against radio stations from across the U.S., KUT took top honors in the Audio Reporting: Hard News category for a piece on health care by reporter Nathan Bernier and in the Audio News Series category for a look at the end of the space shuttle program.
Nathan Bernier CONTRIBUTED ITEM
Emily Donahue served as producer for the NASA series, which featured reporters Nathan Bernier, Mose Buchele, Matt Largey, Ben Philpott and Jennifer Stayton.
Both pieces advanced to the national competition after winning regional Murrow awards earlier this year. Four other KUT entries also won at the regional level. The station competes in Region 6, which includes Oklahoma and Texas.
Permalink | | Categories: Radio
June 13, 2011
'Rolling in the Deep' still Austin's No. 1 song
Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” is, for yet another week, the most-played song on Austin-area radio stations, according to data from AllAccess.com.
The song got 231 spins June 6-12: 10 on BOB-FM, 16 on KGSR, 27 on Majic 95.5, 68 on Mix 94.7 and 110 on KISS-FM.
It got more airtime week-to-week on four out of five stations. KGSR was the lone exception, where it dropped from 31 to 16 spins.
Here are the top five songs played on a random sampling of local stations:
KLBJ-FM
Rush, BU2B - 10 spins
Whitesnake, Love Will Set You Free - 7
Santana, Whole Lotta Love - 7
Ozzy Osbourne, Life Won’t Wait - 7
Lenny Kravitz, Come On Get It - 7
Beat 102.3
Wiz Khalifa, Roll Up - 120 spins
Chris Brown, Look At Me Now - 119
Pitbull, Give Me Everything - 118
Lupe Fiasco, The Show Goes On - 114
Kanye West, All of the Lights - 68
Mix 94.7
Adele, Rolling In the Deep - 68 spins
Andy Grammer, Keep Your Head Up - 58
Pink, F**kin’ Perfect - 57
Christina Perri, Jar of Hearts - 54
Mumford & Sons, Little Lion Man - 50
Majic 95.5
Katy Perry, Firework - 30 spins
Bruno Mars, Just the Way You Are - 28
Pink, F**kin’ Perfect - 27
Christina Perri, Jar of Hearts - 27
Adele, Rolling In the Deep - 27
Permalink | | Categories: Radio
June 10, 2011
12,000 attend year's first Blues on the Green show
If Wednesday’s Blues on the Green show seemed more crowded than usual, that’s because it was.
Radio station KGSR reports an estimated 12,000 people showed up at Zilker Park to catch a free performance by Bob Schneider. Attendance typically hovers around 8,000.
Host Andy Langer polled the audience at one point during the show, asking who was attending their first Blues on the Green — and about half the crowd raised their hands.
The next free show is June 22, and the series continues through Aug. 17.
Permalink | Comments (4) | Categories: Radio
June 7, 2011
Adele's 'Rolling in the Deep' is Austin's most-played song
Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” was Austin’s most-played song last week, according to data from AllAccess.com.
The song got 206 spins on radio stations here: 109 on KISS-FM, 66 on Mix 94.7, 30 on KGSR and 1 on BOB-FM.
Here are the top five songs played on a random sampling of Austin-area stations:
KGSR
Ryan Bingham and the Dead Horses, Hallelujah - 32 spins
Death Cab for Cutie, You are a Tourist - 32
Foster the People, Pumped Up Kicks - 31
Adele, Rolling in the Deep - 30
Eddie Vedder, Longing to Belong - 30
101X
Young the Giant, My Body - 47 spins
Foo Fighters, Rope - 46
Mumford & Sons, The Cave - 39
Foster the People, Pumped Up Kicks - 28
Awolnation, Sail - 24
KISS-FM
Adele, Rolling in the Deep - 109 spins
Black Eyed Peas, Just Can’t Get Enough - 109
Britney Spears, Till the World Ends - 107
Jennifer Lopez with Pitbull, On the Floor - 83
Pitbull with Ne-Yo, Give Me Everything - 67
KASE 101
Taylor Swift, Mean - 49 spins
Keith Urban, Without You - 48
Brad Paisley with Alabama, Old Alabama - 45
Blake Shelton, Honey Bee - 43
The Band Perry, You Lie - 41
Permalink | | Categories: Radio
June 3, 2011
KGSR music director Mark Abuzzahab bound for Dallas
2:45 p.m. update: KGSR program director Chris Edge says the search for Mark Abuzzahab’s replacement will get under way next week.
“There is already a lot of interest from around the country, as well as some exciting options here in Austin,” Edge said. “Along with finding someone with the skills to schedule the music, I’ll need someone who’s knowledgeable about what we play. Storytellers wanted.”
Earlier: Music director and afternoon host Mark Abuzzahab is departing KGSR after just a year and a half on the air.
His next gig is program director at 91.7 FM KKXT in Dallas, a station run by North Texas Public Broadcasting. He begins there June 22.
KGSR and KKXT share the same format: adult album alternative, or AAA.
“Mark’s impressive career accomplishments and his understanding of Triple A programming make him a terrific addition to our staff,” North Texas Public Broadcasting president and CEO Mary Anne Alhadeff said in the station’s announcement.
“I am excited to join an organization that is dedicated to bringing a diverse lineup of music to North Texas,” Abuzzahab said in the same announcement. “As a music lover, there is no better place than KKXT, which is among the fastest-growing Triple A music stations in the country.”
No word just yet on how KGSR will fill Abuzzahab’s 2 to 7 p.m. weekday shift.
From our archives
May 6, 2010: Meet Mark Abuzzahab, the new guy on the dial
Sept. 26, 2010: Changes at KGSR sounding good to more listeners
Photo courtesy of North Texas Public Broadcasting
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Radio
May 24, 2011
KUT's Andy Uhler to co-host coverage of Sasquatch! Music Festival
KUT’s Andy Uhler will co-host NPR Music’s coverage of the sold-out Sasquatch! Music Festival in Quincy, Wash., this weekend.
Head to KUT.org or use the NPR Music iPhone app Saturday through Monday from 1:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. to hear full sets from four different stages, including Bright Eyes, Death Cab for Cutie, Deerhunter, Foo Fighters, Flying Lotus, J Mascis, Major Lazer, Old 97′s, Robyn, Smith Westerns, Surfer Blood, The Thermals, Twin Shadow, Washed Out and Wilco.
Uhler will be joined by NPR Music’s Ann Powers, “All Songs Considered” host Bob Boilen, Cheryl Waters and Kevin Cole from Seattle’s KEXP, Jeremy Peterson from Oregon Public Broadcasting in Portland, and Jill Riley from the Current in Minneapolis.
Permalink | | Categories: Radio
KASE 101 celebrates 30th birthday with Little Big Town show
KASE 101 — consistently one of Austin’s top-rated stations — celebrates its 30th birthday Wednesday with a concert featuring country act Little Big Town.
The show will air live on KASE at noon. Before the concert, fans can chat with the band on Facebook beginning at 11:30 a.m.
Since January, a number of other artists have helped celebrate the Clear Channel-owned station’s 30th birthday, including Steel Magnolia, Lee Brice, Josh Thompson and the Eli Young Band.
For more information, visit KASE101.com or check out facebook.com/KASE101.
Permalink | | Categories: Radio
May 20, 2011
KHFI leads the pack in April ratings race
Yet again, there’s a new No. 1 on Austin’s radio dial.
Clear Channel-owned KHFI, home of the ‘Bobby Bones Show,’ was the city’s top-rated station in April, knocking corporate cousin KASE into second place.
NPR affiliate KUT, which spent several months in the No. 1 spot last year and earlier this year, remained in third for a second straight month.
Average quarter-hour ratings as of April 27, courtesy of radio-info.com (numbers in parentheses indicate rank as of March 30):
1.) KHFI (2)
2.) KASE (1)
3.) KUT (3)
4.) KLBJ-AM (5)
5.) KPEZ (4)
6.) KBPA (6)
7.) KVET-FM (7)
8.) KKMJ (8)
9.) KAMX (9)
10.) KLBJ-FM (11)
Permalink | | Categories: Radio
May 16, 2011
Lineup out for KNBT's Americana Music Jam
New Braunfels-based 92.1 FM KNBT has released the lineup for its annual Americana Music Jam.
Now in its 15th year, the event happens May 22 at Gruene Hall, benefiting the Comal Cops for Kids Foundation.
Tickets are $50 and are available at gruenehall.com or by calling (830) 606-1601.
The lineup:
12:25 p.m.: Walt Wilkins & the Mystiqueros
1:10 p.m.: Ted Russell Kamp
1:35 p.m.: Jason Eady
1:50 p.m.: The Trishas
2:35 p.m.: Matt King
3:15 p.m.: Emory Quinn
4 p.m.: Bleu Edmondson
4:40 p.m.: Tom Gillam
5:25 p.m.: Zack Walther Band
6:05 p.m.: Monty Byrom (of Big House)
6:55 p.m.: Sean McConnell
7:40 p.m.: Jason Boland & the Stragglers
8:25 p.m.: Wade Bowen
9:10 p.m.: Randy Rogers Band
9:55 p.m.: Stoney LaRue
10:40 p.m.: Cody Canada & the Departed
Permalink | | Categories: Radio
Toby Ryan back on 101X following Saturday's election
Toby Ryan is back on the air at 101X following an unsuccessful run for Austin City Council.
Program director Lynn Barstow reports Ryan popped up on the station shortly after polls closed Saturday, and will return to his regular 2 to 6 p.m. shift today.
The deejay worked behind the scenes during his campaign to unseat Place 4 incumbent Laura Morrison, with night jock Trevin Smith handling Ryan’s afternoon drive shift and a variety of guest hosts — including … And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead’s Jason Reece — working from 6 to 10 p.m. in Smith’s usual spot.
Ryan, a 15-year 101X veteran, focused his campaign on preserving the city’s live music scene, singling out “ever-stricter sound ordinances, restrictive zoning that makes it nearly impossible to open new live music venues, (and) parking proposals” in particular.
Morrison was re-elected with 73 percent of the vote, Eric Rangel was second with 19 percent, and Ryan placed third with 8 percent. A total of 30,264 votes were cast in the race, according to figures from the Travis County Clerk’s Office.
Permalink | | Categories: Radio
April 26, 2011
Another new a.m. addition at KVET-FM
“The KVET Morning Show,” helmed by veteran Austin broadcaster Bob Cole, morphs into “Bob & Bender in the Morning” next week with the addition of new sidekick Chris Bender.
Bender, a native Houstonian, brings a “comical take on pop culture and sense of adventure” to the show, according to the station’s announcement. He arrives from Reno, Nev., and has also spent time in Lubbock and Jackson, Miss.
On KVET-FM, he’ll join Cole and Jamie Ivey, who recently landed a gig on the show after winning an online competition.
“Bob & Bender in the Morning” debuts Monday, running from 6 to 10 a.m. on KVET, 98.1 FM.
Permalink | | Categories: Radio
April 21, 2011
KUT wins 6 prestigious Murrow awards
KUT, Austin’s NPR affiliate, is the recipient of six Edward R. Murrow Awards — more than any other radio station in Texas.
The awards, announced today, are presented annually by the Radio Television Digital News Association and honor excellence in broadcast journalism.
KUT’s six awards:
Continuing Coverage and Hard News: “Doctors on Healthcare,” Nathan Bernier. Listen
Documentary: “Where I’m From, a KUT News Special Report with Texas Monthly,” Emily Donahue. Listen
News Series: “NASA: End of the Space Shuttle,” KUT News. Listen
Use of Sound: “NASA Shuttle Montage,” Nathan Bernier. Listen
Writing: “Texas Topics Writing Samples 2010,” Matt Largey. Listen
The Murrows also are presented to TV news outlets, but Austin stations were shut out this year in Region 6, which includes Oklahoma and Texas.
View the full list of winners here.
Permalink | | Categories: Radio
April 8, 2011
Austin's Top 3 stations: KUT, KASE, KHFI
If the latest radio rankings from Arbitron look familiar, there’s a very good reason for that.
The current Top 10 list features the same stations as last time, although a few of the market’s main players have moved up or down a spot or two.
UT-operated NPR affiliate KUT remained No. 1 during the February ratings period, which ran Feb. 3 through March 2, followed by country station KASE 101 and pop-friendly 96.7 KISS-FM, both owned by San Antonio-based Clear Channel.
Average quarter-hour ratings as of March 2, courtesy of radio-info.com (numbers in parentheses indicate rank as of Feb. 2):
1.) KUT (1)
2.) KASE (2)
3.) KHFI (3)
4.) KLBJ-AM (4)
5.) KBPA (5)
6.) KPEZ (8)
7.) KVET-FM (9)
8.) KKMJ (7)
9.) KLZT (6)
10.) KAMX (10)
Permalink | | Categories: Radio
March 23, 2011
KVET Free Texas Music Series moves to Nutty Brown Cafe
Nutty Brown Cafe, 12225 U.S. 290 W., is the new home of KVET-FM’s Free Texas Music Series.
Now in its 10th year, the concert series kicks off April 6 with Reckless Kelly and continues for 26 weeks, wrapping up in September.
Doors open each Wednesday at 5 p.m., with opening acts taking the stage at 6:30 p.m. Headliners follow from 8 to 10 p.m. The 8 p.m. hour will air live on 98.1 FM and will also be streamed at kvet.com.
For folks who can’t attend, the station promises to post photos, streaming video and audio, and behind-the-scenes interviews all summer long at texasmusicseries.com.
Permalink | Comments (10) | Categories: Radio
March 4, 2011
KUT plans moment of silence Sunday for Bob Schenkkan
Listeners who tune to KUT Sunday afternoon at 2 will be greeted by silence — silence to honor station founder Robert F. Schenkkan, who passed away Feb. 9.
The moment of silence will coincide with a 2 p.m. memorial service for Schenkkan in the College of Communication auditorium.
Here’s what you’ll hear leading into …
Today is the memorial service for Bob Schenkkan, the founder of KUT — who passed away on February 9 at the age of 93. Bob Schenkkan believed in the power of broadcasting and the human voice, in all its forms. That a few, distinct voices, committed to speaking the truth, in an articulate and civil manner, could make the world a better place. Please join us in a moment of silence, to honor Bob Schenkkan, and to experience, for just moment, what would be, if not for him.
… and out of the moment of silence, courtesy of station spokeswoman Erin Geisler.
Thank you. We pledge to work hard every day at KUT, to ensure that what Bob Schenkkan built and inspired, continues to be an agent for good in our community and state.
KUT broadcasts at 90.5 FM and online at kut.org.
Permalink | | Categories: Radio
March 2, 2011
Lineups out for KGSR's live SXSW shows
KGSR’s annual SXSW concert series returns this year, giving Austinites and visitors alike four straight mornings of live music at the Four Seasons Wednesday, March 16, through Saturday, March 19.
The Saturday broadcast, happening from 8 a.m. to noon, is new this year. It replaces shows on Monday and Tuesday. Also, to accommodate large crowds, the station has moved the Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances to the hotel’s ballroom. Wednesday’s show will be held in the lobby, as in past years.
“We thought we could get more acts we wouldn’t normally be able to get by adding a Saturday show,” says program director Chris Edge.
The always-popular performances routinely draw capacity crowds, with many folks showing up well before dawn.
“Last year there were people showing up at 3 in the morning to get a good seat,” Edge says. “I think the hotel even had to ask some people to move so they could finish their nightly cleaning.”
Admission is a $5 donation to the Seton-Shivers Center, which offers a variety of services to area cancer patients.
The lineups:
February 27, 2011
Latest radio ratings released; KUT back on top
After a one-month absence, KUT is once again the city’s top-rated radio station.
Non-stop holiday tunes helped Majic 95.5 bump Austin’s NPR affiliate from the No. 1 spot during the holiday ratings period, which ran Dec. 9 through Jan. 5. But, after returning to its regular soft-rock playlist, newly released numbers show Majic tumbled to seventh place in January.
New to the Top 10 list is Mix 94.7. KVET-FM also moved up a few notches, from 11th to ninth place. Univision’s La Que Buena, meanwhile, saw its ratings dip a bit and fell out of the Top 10, along with KLBJ-FM.
Average quarter-hour ratings as of Feb. 2, courtesy of radio-info.com (numbers in parentheses indicate rank as of Jan. 5):
1.) KUT (2)
2.) KASE (3)
3.) KHFI (6)
4.) KLBJ-AM (7)
5.) KBPA (4)
6.) KLZT (8)
7.) KKMJ (1)
8.) KPEZ (5)
9.) KVET-FM (11)
10.) KAMX (12)
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Radio
February 24, 2011
KUT celebrates Women's History Month
March is Women’s History Month, and the folks at KUT are planning daily profiles of women who have made a difference in Texas history to mark the occasion.
The NPR affiliate has partnered with the Ruthe Winegarten Foundation for Texas Women’s History to produce a series of 90-second profiles on Aviation Hall of Famer Bessie Coleman; Oveta Culp Hobby, first secretary of the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare; journalist and political activist Jovita Idar and others. The spots will air all month long.
A number of well-known Austinites are lending their voices to the project, including singer-songwriter Sara Hickman, Austin American-Statesman editorial cartoonist Ben Sargent, and author Angela Shelf Medearis.
Weekdays, the spots will air during:
“Morning Edition,” 5 to 9 a.m.
“Music with Jay Trachtenberg,” 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“All Things Considered,” 4 to 6 p.m.
“Music with Matt Reilly,” 8 p.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday, and “Left of the Dial with Jeff McCord,” 8 to 11 p.m. Friday
On weekends, tune in during:
“Weekend Edition,” 7 to 9 a.m.
“Folkways,” 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday
“A Prairie Home Companion,” 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday and “Across the Water with Ed Miller,” 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday
“Twine Time with Paul Ray,” 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday and “Global Grooves,” 10 p.m. to midnight Sunday
You can also listen online at kut.org and, after March, at the Winegarten Foundation’s site, womenintexashistory.org.
Permalink | | Categories: Radio
February 23, 2011
KMFA, KOOP win Gracie Awards
The winners of this year’s Gracie Awards have been announced, and Austin broadcasters are well represented.
Two local stations — KMFA and KOOP — have been honored by the Alliance for Women in Media for their “programming created for women, by women and about women.”
In the Outstanding Portrait/Biography category, KMFA 89.5 FM is being recognized for “Michael Nyman: Motion and Emotion.” And “Idea Lounge with Khotan Shahbazi-Harmon” on KOOP 91.7 FM has been named Outstanding Interview Program or Feature.
The awards will be presented during a ceremony May 25 in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Permalink | | Categories: Radio
February 22, 2011
Catch ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead's Jason Reece on 101X
With 101X deejay Toby Ryan temporarily off the air after announcing he’s running for Austin City Council, the station has lined up an impressive array of guest hosts to help fill in.
Night jock Trevin has moved into Ryan’s 2 to 6 pm. slot until after the May 14 election, leaving the 6 to 10 p.m. shift up for grabs. Starting tonight — and continuing through Friday — tune in to catch …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead’s Jason Reece, pictured at right.
“It’ll be a chance for me to play some tracks that aren’t normally heard on 101X,” says Reece, who has been friends with Ryan for a number of years. “Hopefully they’ll give me some leeway.”
Reece, who’s been busy promoting the group’s newly released “Tao of the Dead” CD, says he’s a tad light on radio experience — just a bit of it back in college — but he’s not too worried.
“It’s not that hard, really,” he says. “Basically you just yap about stuff and play music.”
With Ryan’s campaign focused heavily on preserving the local music scene, expect to see Reece and other local musicians campaigning around town for the well-known deejay.
“They’re trying to change the whole downtown landscape,” Reece says about the current council. “Toby just wants to be the voice of the minority.
“Austin’s special. Without live music, it would be like any other city.”
101X program director Lynn Barstow says a number of other local musicians have signed on to appear in the coming weeks, including Jim Ward from Sleepercar, Sparta and At The Drive In; Rise Against’s Zach Blair; and Joe Sib, host of “Complete Control,” the station’s punk-rock program.
Ryan, who is doing behind-the-scenes work right now, will be on hand to help the artists and produce the shows.
Permalink | | Categories: Radio
February 10, 2011
Mega goes gaga for Gaga
Because we can never, EVER get enough Lady Gaga, radio station Mega HD2 will play the singer’s new single for three straight hours Friday morning.
Tune in from 6 to 9 a.m. to hear “Born This Way” over and over and over again.
“It will be heard on Mega HD2 a full two hours before the single is released for sale to the public at 8 a.m.,” says station marketing director Gary Weaver.
If you’ve got an HD radio, you’ll find Mega at 103.5 HD2. Folks who aren’t as technologically advanced can find the station’s live stream at megahd2.com.
Weaver also passes along that sister station KGSR has officially sold out of its “Broadcasts Volume 18” CD. Released each year during the holidays, “Broadcasts” helps raise funds for SIMS.
Permalink | | Categories: Radio
January 27, 2011
Listeners invited to compete for KVET-FM co-host gig
If you’ve always dreamed of being a radio deejay, now’s your chance.
KVET-FM is hosting an open casting call to replace morning show co-host Bucky Godbolt, who recently returned to 1300 AM the Zone (KVET-AM) to revive his “Buck on Sports” program.
Interested? Submit a 60-second audio demo at kvet.com through Feb. 11 at noon. The station will let listeners determine the Top 10 finalists, then staffers will pick five lucky souls who will get to co-host KVET-FM’s morning show alongside veteran Austin broadcaster Bob Cole Feb. 21-25.
There is a catch though. (And isn’t there always?) The station is simultaneously conducting a nationwide co-host search and the job’s been posted on several industry websites. So, while the winners will get some serious consideration, there’s no guarantee one of them will get the gig permanently.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Radio
January 21, 2011
KGSR rolls out new show Monday night
“The Music Meeting” debuts Monday night on KGSR with the world premiere of Bob Schneider’s new song “Let The Light In” from his upcoming “A Perfect Day” album, due out April 19.
The show, airing at 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday on 93.3 FM, promises “a solid hour of brand new music — from the week’s big releases, from albums not out for months and from Austin’s best artists,” according to Andy Langer, who will host Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Mark Abuzzahab will helm the show Mondays and Wednesdays.
“As South By Southwest gets closer, ‘Music Meeting’ will help you narrow down your schedule by sampling dozens and dozens of bands that’ll be making the trip into town,” Langer promises.
The station will continue airing “Lonestar State of Mind,” a show focused on Texas music, in the 10 p.m. slot Friday nights.
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: Radio
January 19, 2011
Bucky Godbolt heading back to 1300 the Zone
After an absence of almost three years, Bucky Godbolt is heading back to sports talk station 1300 the Zone.
Godbolt, who has been co-hosting the morning show on KVET alongside veteran broadcaster Bob Cole, announced his impending departure this morning.
“The Zone needs me,” he told listeners. “That’s where my strengths are.”
At the Zone, Godbolt will revive his “Buck on Sports” program, which will air from 6 to 9 a.m. starting Monday, replacing “Wake-Up Call.” He’ll also briefly pop in on KVET’s morning show weekdays at 7:30 a.m.
Both KVET and the Zone are owned by San Antonio-based Clear Channel.
Godbolt’s move is one of several changes at KVET in recent months. Other departures include program director and operations manager Mac Daniels, meteorologist Troy Kimmel and “Saturday Gold” host Tom Allen.
Click here to listen to Godbolt’s announcement.
Permalink | Comments (22) | Categories: Radio
January 11, 2011
KISS-FM's Bobby Bones has a shot at filling in for Regis Philbin
Listeners across Central Texas already know — and love — 96.7 KISS-FM’s Bobby Bones.
Now, with a little help from his loyal fan base, the highly rated morning host could get some national exposure.
Bones, a familiar voice on Austin’s airwaves for the past seven years, has made it to the Top 10 in the “Live! with Regis and Kelly” Men of Radio contest. The five top vote-getters will each fill in for Regis Philbin for a day, sitting alongside co-host Kelly Ripa on an upcoming show.
Voting ends Sunday at 5 p.m.
“The other shows are big time,” Bones writes in his blog on Austin360.com. “Nationally syndicated. Hosts of ESPN ‘Sportscenter.’ Guys from New York City. And then there is me. Representing Austin.”
To help win over voters, Bones submitted a short video, which you can watch below.
“I wrote a dorky 30-second song about why it would be neat if I got on … so my mom could see me on TV,” he says.
Click here to see all 10 finalists, and to cast a vote.
On TV
“Live! with Regis and Kelly” airs weekdays at 9 a.m. on KXAN.
Permalink | | Categories: Radio
January 5, 2011
Iron and Wine to perform new album on webcast
NPR will stream the performance of “Kiss Each Other Clean” (out 1/25 on Warner Bros.), which will take place at New York’s The Greene Space at 7 p.m. CST. Here it live at NPR’s First Listen site.
“Kiss Each Other Clean” is the first new release from the Dripping Springs-based band since 2007’s “The Shepherd’s Dog.” The album picks up where the last left off, with the band pushing deeper into jam/pop territory without losing the charm of Sam Beam’s early folk material.
Listen to the first single from the album, “Walking Far From Home,” over at the Iron and Wine website.
Permalink | | Categories: Radio
December 20, 2010
No more Troy Kimmel weather updates on KASE, KVET
The changes keep on coming at country radio siblings KASE and KVET, where meteorologist Troy Kimmel is off the air after a run of more than 13 years.
A victim of budget cuts, his departure comes just weeks after Tom Allen ended his “Country Gold” hosting duties at KVET. Operations manager/program director Mac Daniels also exited the Clear Channel-owned stations recently.
In addition to forecasting the weather on air and online, Kimmel was a regular on KVET’s “Bucky and Bob: the Talk of Austin,” featuring hosts Bucky Godbolt and Bob Cole.
“I’m going to miss all the people there, especially Bucky and Bob,” Kimmel said. “They’re my buds and pals.”
Kimmel remains chief meteorologist at KEYE, Austin’s CBS affiliate, where he can be seen weeknights at 4, 6 and 10 p.m. He’s also a senior lecturer and manages the Weather and Climate Resource Center at the University of Texas. And he runs KimCo Meteorological Services. With so much else on his plate, the well-known weatherman says he’s not actively looking for a new radio gig.
“I’m the luckiest guy in the world to have 13 — almost 14 — years on the radio with Clear Channel,” Kimmel said. “They’re a good company.”
On the web: Listen to Troy Kimmel’s forecasts at troykimmelweather.com.
Permalink | Comments (24) | Categories: Radio
December 15, 2010
Schedule changes coming to KUT2
KUT, Austin’s NPR station, is doing some schedule shuffling on its all-news HD subchannel.
The changes to KUT2 start this week, and include:
“Snap Judgment” with Glynn Washington moves to 9 p.m. Thursdays, replacing reruns of “The Moth Radio Hour” and “RadioLab.”
“The Sound of Young America” with Jesse Thorne relocates to 9 p.m. Fridays, followed by a fifth night of CBC’s “Q” at 10 p.m.
New times for Saturday shows include “Travel with Rick Steves” at 10 a.m.; environmental news mag “Living on Earth,” 1 p.m.; “The State We’re In,” a look at human rights around the world, 2 p.m.; KUT’s indie radio sampler “O’Dark 30,” 4 p.m.; “Bookworm,” 9 p.m.; and “The Treatment” with film critic Elvis Mitchell, 9:30 p.m.
Sundays, “The Tavis Smiley Show” settles into its new home at 5 p.m.; KUT2 newcomer “This American Life,” 9 p.m.; and Jonathan Goldstein’s “Wiretap,” 10 p.m.
Don’t have an HD radio? You can listen to KUT, KUT2 and jazz-heavy KUT3 at kut.org, where you’ll also find full schedules.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Radio
December 1, 2010
No HD radio? Now you, too, can hear Mega's mix of dance music
Austin’s hottest dance party is happening right now in your car. Or your house. Or wherever you’ve got a radio handy.
Mega, which airs on BOB-FM’s HD2 signal, can now also be heard by folks without an HD radio. Tune to 102.7 FM for a mix of dance tracks, electronica, instrumentals and pop remixes from familiar artists such as Enrique Iglesias, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and more.
Not near a radio? Listen online at megahd2.com.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: Radio
September 17, 2010
Spirit 105.9 debuts Monday
Austin’s 105.9 the River ends it run on the radio dial after this weekend, when new owners are set to take control and rebrand the station.
Seattle-based CRISTA Broadcasting, which is acquiring KFMK-FM from a Clear Channel-managed trust, will debut Spirit 105.9, featuring contemporary Christian music, on Monday. The frequency is CRISTA’s first in the Austin area.
As announced earlier this month, Tim McCoy, former general manager for Univision’s Central Texas stations, will head Spirit 105.9 for CRISTA.
“We have done extensive research to ensure we are programming the type of local station that Austinites have been asking for,” McCoy said in a news release this week.
Permalink | Comments (29) | Categories: Radio
September 1, 2010
KVET, KASE snag CMA nominations
Stop by the Clear Channel studios on South Congress Avenue this week and you’re likely to be greeted with a hearty yeehaw.
Folks there are understandably excited after learning two of the company’s Austin stations — KVET 98.1 FM and KASE 100.7 FM — have been nominated for Large Market Station of the Year at the 44th annual Country Music Association Awards.
They’re up against stations in San Antonio, Greensboro, N.C., and Raleigh, N.C.
Bucky Godbolt and Bob Cole, hosts of KVET’s “Bucky & Bob: The Talk of Austin,” also snagged a nomination in the Large Market Personality of the Year category. Their show airs weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m.
Shows from Cincinnati and Milwaukee, plus two that originate in Nashville, got nods, as well.
Winners will be announced during the CMA Awards ceremony, which will air at 7 p.m. Nov. 10 on KVUE, Austin’s ABC affiliate.
Permalink | | Categories: Radio
May 22, 2010
Radio news: Beat, River swapping frequencies; Sammy Allred, Fred Cantu out at the Big Talker
Get ready to reprogram the presets on your car radio.
The Beat and the River, both operated by broadcast giant Clear Channel, are set to swap frequencies on Memorial Day. The Beat, the city’s only full-time hip-hop station, will move to 102.3 FM, while the River, which serves up “positive” music that’s “safe for the entire family,” lands on 105.9 FM.
The stations are heavily promoting the move on air and on their websites, where visitors find this explanation: “The change results from a proactive business move to feature the mainstream, advertiser-friendly hip-hop format on a stronger signal that can better serve its larger audience at 102.3 FM, which broadcasts at 25,000 watts.”
Changes are also in the works at 98.9 FM, the Big Talker.
The midday duo of Sammy Allred and Fred Cantu is out, replaced by weekend host Robert Rees.
“Robert’s growth and popularity made him a natural fit for this new local talk program,” program director Jeff Wolf told industry website All Access.
Rees’ show airs from noon to 1 p.m. weekdays starting Monday.
On his Facebook page, Cantu told listeners the station wanted to go a “different direction.”
“No hard feelings,” he wrote. “I wish them well. And I am thankful I got to work with Sammy again. I was living the dream.”
Listeners will also find changes later in the day, where syndicated host Mark Levin is replacing repeats of Glenn Beck and Dave Ramsey that ran from 7 to 10 weeknights. Beck will continue to air from 9 a.m. to noon, while Ramsey’s show keeps its 1 to 4 p.m. slot.
The Big Talker is one of several local stations owned by Border Media that flipped from a Spanish to English format last year. The Austin American-Statesman provides local news updates for the station weekdays.
Permalink | Comments (6) | Categories: Radio
May 5, 2010
KGSR adds new listener feedback features
As part of a larger overhaul of their website, KGSR has added two new features designed to give listeners more input. KGSRDiscovery offers visitors to the website a chance to hear and vote (thumbs up or down) on new songs. It’s a nice feature, and probably can’t hurt any efforts to reach out to the audience, but it allows users to vote repeatedly after refreshing the screen and the bands currently featured — Freelance Whales, Local Natives and Mumford & Sons — aren’t exactly cutting edge musical finds. Local Natives recently played a soldout show at Antone’s and have been getting fairly consistent air time on KUT.
The other addition, Rate the Music, is a Clear Channel-owned company that collects information on listener preferences from radio stations. It offers people who sign up the chance to become part of the “KGSR Music Advisory Panel.” According to the website, the service is available “on a barter basis only to commercial terrestrial radio stations.” Listeners that want to take part in semi-monthly surveys about KGSR’s playlist will have to go through a registration that asks questions on music preferences and radio/internet usage. It’s not clear how much weight the new features will have in determining the playlist, and whether they come in response to complaints about changes at the station. A representative from the station wasn’t immediately available for comment.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Radio
March 23, 2010
Woxy.com goes 'off the air'
From woxy.com:
WOXY Listeners, Fans and Friends…
Due to current economic realities and the lack of ongoing funding for WOXY’s operations, we’ve been forced to suspend our live broadcasts as of March 23rd. We’re continuing to explore options to keep The Future of Rock and Roll alive. For business inquiries, please contact Bryan Jay (bryan@woxy.com) or John at Future Sounds (john@futuresounds.com).
Thanks for your years of dedicated support.
- Mike, Shiv, Joe, Paige, Brian and Bryan Jay
More on this story here, here and here.
UPDATE: We talked with Future Sounds partner John Mascarenhas, who said Future Sounds Inc. has independently funded WOXY since acquiring the station from online music service lala.com in 2009. Mascarenhas said that they have been unsuccessful in finding underwriting during the last year. “There are a lot of people fighting for a little bit of money,” he said Tuesday. The company had been exploring different options up through last week’s South by Southwest music festival, but was unable to secure a deal that would keep the station on the air. “We’ve been looking at partnerships and the possibly of a sale, and had an eleventh hour deal that fell through on Sunday,” Mascarenhas said.
The shutdown was not related to the station’s audience size. “WOXY’s problem has always been from the financial and business side,” said general manager Bryan Jay Miller. “On the programming side we’ve always done really well.”
Mascarenhas added that he received several inquiries about the station this morning, and needed to sort through their options. “Right now our goal is for WOXY to remain in Austin and have it turned on, whether if that is with us as owners or selling it completely,” he said.
Permalink | Comments (14) | Categories: Radio
January 6, 2010
New Internet radio station focuses on R&B
Power 92 JAMZ will play newer R&B music, with “a few sprinklings of hip-hop in the mix,” according to a press release. We’re not exactly sure what the ‘92’ means, except that they promise to play 92 minutes of uninterrupted music. The station, owned by Austin-based Progressive Innovations LLC, plans to target Austin, San Antonio, Killeen and Waco. We tuned in for a few minutes and heard songs by Aalliyah, Mariah Carey and Faith Evans. Access the stream at power92texas.com.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Radio
December 8, 2009
KGSR update: what's next for Denberg's slot and what about that signal strength?
KGSR parent company Emmis Austin will conduct a local and national search to find a replacement for recently departed afternoon host Jody Denberg, station manager Scott Gillmore said Tuesday. KGSR program director Lynn Barstow (he goes by Lynn Lawless on the air) will fill Denberg’s afternoon spot temporarily, with other people contributing as well. GIllmore added that Emmis is not in a hurry to fill the position and that Denberg’s position as content manager will not be filled for now.
Denberg presided over his last broadcast during KGSR’s 19th anniversary party last weekend at the Texas Union ballroom (Michael Corcoran talked to Denberg about his departure last week). In case you missed the live broadcast, musical guests included the Gourds, Ian MacLagan, Rosanne Cash and Bob Schneider. With most of the audience — made up of employees and friends of KGSR and some lucky listeners — seated, the atmosphere was more of a mellow concert than a party, and it was weird to see a banner proclaiming the station’s new frequency, 93.3, rather than the old 107.1.
Speaking of that new frequency, several readers have complained that the new signal is weak in parts of Austin. Gillmore said he has heard complaints as well, and attributes problems, particularly in South Austin, to the moving of the station’s broadcast tower from Southeast of Austin to the Cedar Park area. “For everybody that has problems,” Gillmore said, “we’re confident there are many more people getting better reception.” Areas getting better reception include Williamson County.
Finally, in response to suggestions that KGSR’s playlist has changed, Gillmore said that while the station has added 300 more titles to its library, the changes have been only additive; no previous content, including local music, was removed. The new songs fit into the mix of “gold” the station has always played, he said. You can read playlist archives on the station’s web site.
Permalink | Comments (31) | Categories: Radio
November 3, 2009
'The Horn' makes debut on Austin FM radio
After a few stutter steps and perhaps a fake reverse, sports talk in Austin made its debut on FM radio Monday.
Listeners were able to hear local sports talk, including popular morning host Erin Hogan, on the FM dial at 104.9. That station, which has previously featured Spanish language music, has been renamed “The Horn.”
“We’re trying to build on what the Longhorns are doing,” Hogan said.
The local sports talk programming will be simulcast for awhile on its previous station, 1530 AM.
That station will now be devoted to ESPN’s national programming. ESPN Deportes will remain on 1260 AM.
Hogan, who’s also programming director for the new station, said, “FM brings some cache. It sounds better to the ear with the stereo.”
He added that the biggest advantage would be reach, as signal strength at 1530 AM has always been an issue.
Although the move had been touted on air for several days, late last week managers at both 104.9 and 1530 weren’t sure that the deal was going to get done.
On Friday, Steve Wilder, general manager at 1530 ESPN, said, “All I can say is that there’s been a small conflict in the legal agreement to operate our stations together.”
FM 104.9 is one of four Austin radio stations owned by Border Media. This past summer Border Media, in a liquidity crisis, transferred its assets to Border Media Business Trust, with the plan to sell about 30 stations, including those in Austin, to pay off debts to investors. The media broker overseeing the trust is Larry Patrick, whose Patrick Communications is based in Maryland. Patrick could not be reached for comment.
On Friday, there was even talk that it would be ESPN’s national programming moving to the FM station, not the local content. Since January, ESPN has added about 30 FM stations to its national network.
Some of ESPN’s national programming, including Colin Cowherd’s show, will be heard on both Austin stations.
“This is a move for the long term,” Hogan said of the switch. “Everyone is excited.”
Permalink | Comments (3) | Categories: Radio
88.7 KAZI FM now broadcasting online
Now it’s possible to access KAZI online through their new Live365 station. The interface is a little clunky and it took me three tries to actually get on the stream because it was full (and I’m not a Live365 premium member), but it’s definitely a step forward for “The Voice of Austin.” Welcome to the Web, KAZI.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Radio
October 30, 2009
4 Spanish radio stations switching to English this weekend
Border Media, formerly BMP Radio, is ending Spanish-language broadcasts on four Austin stations as of 1 a.m. Sunday.
“We were not sufficiently profitable in the Spanish market,” said Jerry Del Core, general manager of Border Media in Austin.
The stations — La Ley 98.9 FM, Digital 92.5 and 104.9 FM, and Juan 1490 AM — notified their listeners Friday of the coming change.
Simmons Media Group said on its Web site Friday that 104.9 — currently Austin’s only Spanish-language pop music station — would become an English-language ESPN station.
The change is a blow to the Hispanic community of Central Texas, said Federico Subveri, a journalism profesor at Texas State University in San Marcos.
“What Austin is waiting for, what it needs, is someone who will give them local political and cultural news that are relevant to its community” he said.
The Border Media stations “were the only ones that provided the service, although very limited, in the morning. Now, nobody will. “
The stations had aired local news briefs in the morning.
However, Tim McCoy, general manager of Univision radio, said in an email that local Univision stations air news headlines throughout the day.
With the closure of Border Media stations, the options for Spanish programming are limited to those offered by Univision Radio (104.3 FM and 107.7 FM) and Encino Broadcasting (1560 AM, 1600 AM and 95.1 FM), said Alicia Zetuche, local expert on Latin music.
“Now we only have Tejano and regional Mexican music formats, and we lose a younger demographic group that is assimilated or acculturated,” said Zertuche, who is a coordinator of the SXSW musical festival.
Permalink | Comments (55) | Categories: Radio
October 14, 2009
101X's morning show hosts 'Jason and Deb' suspended
From Somos Austin on statesman.com:
Jason Alvarez and Deb O’Keefe, hosts of the “Jason and Deb” morning show on 101.5 FM, have been suspended for one week without pay after repeatedly using the words “wet vacs,” “in suggestive and insulting ways,” on Monday, said Scott Gillmore, Emmis Austin Radio vice president and market manager.
In the wake of the comments, all on-air employees of Emmis will be required to take cultural sensitivity and diversity training, Gillmore said.
Some listeners said they mistook the words for the slur “wetbacks.”
On her twitter page @Deb101x writes (a bit flippantly):
“YA’LL!! (love sayin’ that!) Thanks so much for your comments. We’ll be back soon, with a little soap taste still lingering maybe… xoxo”
Permalink | Comments (12) | Categories: Radio
September 16, 2009
Format flip for Jammin' 105.9
The Beat is back. Again.
Clear Channel’s Jammin’ 105.9 has morphed into Beat 105.9, playing round-the-clock hip-hop hits. The station is the third on the Austin radio dial to brand itself as The Beat in recent years. It will do battle with Emmis-owned Hot 93.3, which plays a similar music mix.
“We are thrilled to bring this full-fledged, music-intensive hip-hop station to the airwaves,” Clear Channel market manager Pamela McKay told Radio Ink magazine. “The lifespan of the hip-hop format has evolved to represent today’s modern radio consumer. As the makeup of Austin’s population grows in diversity, we know this mass-appeal format will super serve our growing community as well as the needs of our advertisers.”
As part of the changes, “Kidd Kraddick in the Morning” has been dropped, leaving the Dallas-based show, which airs in cities across the nation, without an Austin affiliate. “On Air with Ryan Seacrest,” another syndicated program, is still a part of the station’s afternoon lineup.
Permalink | Comments (33) | Categories: Radio
July 16, 2009
WOXY moving to Austin
Internet radio station WOXY is moving to Austin.
The Ohio station started in 1983 on the FM band, went off the air in 2004, and then reinvented itself as Web station dedicated to underground/independent/alternative music. Bands such as Wolf Parade, Sonic Youth and Spoon are featured, while Jack White’s new outfit the Dead Weather recently contributed two DJ sets.
“The artists and music scene brought us to Austin,” WOXY general manager Bryan Jay Miller said Thursday. “We do live sessions that we archive online and that whole series is based on whatever artists might be touring through the area. Everyone comes to Austin.”
Miller says no Austin sessions have been set up yet: “We still have to see who is coming through town.”
All three formerly Cincinnati-based WOXY DJs - program director Mike Taylor, music director Matt Shiv and DJ Joe Long - are making the move to River City.
“The plan is to be broadcasting from the new studio on Sept. 8, the day after Labor Day,” Shiv said.
WOXY’s new studios will be in the Austin Theater at 2130 South Congress Ave., currently the home of ME-TV. The two companies will share office space, video equipment and the stage. For example, WOXY will use ME-TV equipment to videotape and archive live performances.
“We’re gonna be in there with them, I’m not sure if you would call it subletting or not,” Miller said. “We’ll have our own offices and our broadcast studio, but there will be common space that we both use.”
While the 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Monday-Friday shows are live, overnight and weekend hours are preprogrammed. Many of the shows are taped elsewhere and sent in to the station.
“Are we going to change that to 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Central Time? We don’t know yet, actually,” Miller said.
Permalink | Comments (12) | Categories: Radio
March 6, 2009
Emmis layoffs hit KGSR, 101X
Emmis Radio, which owns KGSR, KLBJ, 101X and other radio stations nationwide, announced the elimination of 60 positions and another round of salary reductions in a company memo Thursday. Among those being laid off are KGSR music director and radio host Susan Castle, a veteran of two decades with the station, plus 101X midday host Elliott Garstin.
Emmis Publishing, which owns Texas Monthly, eliminated 29 positions, though none of them were at Texas Monthly, according to Evan Smith, the magazine’s president and editor in chief.
Permalink | Comments (70) | Categories: Radio
December 31, 2008
Man charged with KLBJ threat
Austin police have arrested a man they say walked into KLBJ studios Tuesday afternoon, displayed a gun and threatened to “go postal,” police Lt. Cedric Hudson said.
Police have charged Rocky Perez Lopez, 51, with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Bail had not been set late Tuesday.
Lopez, who Hudson said was a former Department of Public Safety officer, is accused of walking into KLBJ’s offices, at 8309 N. Interstate 35, about 2:30 p.m. and displaying a gun while speaking with a producer there, Hudson said.
The gun was in his waistband, Hudson said.
After threatening the producer, Lopez walked out, Hudson said. On his way out, he left his name and papers with his name on them, Hudson said.
Hudson said police later tracked Lopez down to a home in the 9300 block of Queenswood Drive in South Austin and arrested him.
Permalink | | Categories: Radio
September 26, 2008
Beat 104.9 goes off the air ... for good
Local hip-hop station The Beat 104.9 is now just a memory to Central Texans.
At 5:30 p.m. today, the station signed off and its predecessor, Digital 104.9, returned.
Border Media Partners acquired The Beat’s format and Univision Radio bought the 104.3 FM frequency from Entercom, owner of Mix 94.7 and Majic 95.5, in February of last year. Univision’s La Que Buena can now be found at 104.3 on the FM dial.
The sale spurred BMP to make a series of moves, placing The Beat on its 104.9 frequency; moving Digital, the Spanish-language contemporary pop station that had been broadcasting there, to 92.5 FM; and shuffling La Lupe, a Mexican oldies station that had been parked on the 92.5 frequency, to 1560 AM.
Tonight, The Beat’s Web site has already been set to redirect to GoHispano.com, a Web site affiliated with Digital 92.5.
Permalink | Comments (15) | Categories: Radio
January 7, 2008
KOOP off the air following weekend fire
A weekend fire has knocked radio station KOOP 91.7 FM off the air.
The station expects to resume broadcasts in a couple weeks, according to an e-mail sent this morning by executive director Kim McCarson.
An investigation into the blaze, which started either late Saturday or early Sunday, is under way, McCarson said.
KOOP moved to new studios at 3823-B Airport Blvd. in December 2006 following a devastating fire on Feb. 4, 2006, that destroyed the station’s previous Fifth Street home and two adjacent buildings.
Permalink | Comments (31) | Categories: Radio
