Idaho Radio News Etc.

OK – we have to admit – any time any station does something interactive and cool – we’ll probably post it here for the world to see.

The River’s “River Replacement Tour” was previously discussed. The station is posting a photo and description of the co-host candidates.

It’s only day 2 – but they seem to really like today’s candidate. More gushing on riverinteractive.com at a later time…

Is Lackey live on KSAS-FM 103.3 KISS FM? You’ll hear him throw in a “call 384-1033″ every once in a while. Call, and you’ll get a busy signal.

Oh and Cabana Boy Geoff Alan. He was part of a major Wall Street Journal article (which is still online…)on Clear Channel’s deceptiveness. He admitted that he makes things seem a little more local than they are (This song’s going out to Jenny in Boise… just generic enough to be plausible). Even making an interview with Evan & Jaron sound like they were in the CoT. He still does it.

A gem from about a month ago: He was doing a bit on the top kinds of fast food, and trying so very hard to tie it to the sponsors of the lunch time show. He got two out of three right (“Barbecue, like they have at the Texas Roadhouse) – then said “Mexican food – like they have at Delsa’s.” Ummm… Delsa’s is a Boise institution… but I’m pretty sure they’ve never served Mexican food. They are pretty much burgers and ice cream – and always have been.

Gotta’ love voice tracking. Oh wait, no.

Oh, and I’d just like to remind everyone that Smooch’s real name is Troy Devries (what, it was in the Wall Street Journal).

We’ll revisit this topic again at a later time.

Journal Broadcast Group’s 94.9 FM “The River” is on the hunt for a new morning lackey to share duties with Teri Tate.

Mark Robertson has left the station (last seen floating down the river…) leaving a gap to fill (is it just me, or is the chair next to Ms. Tate more of a revolving stool?)

The station Monday will launch the “River Replacement Tour” – featuring a rotating cast of characters. Anyone can apply to try out… yes, including people with “past experience.”

Be warned: The questions asked on the non-application-application are pretty personal (they want to know the last book I read?)

You may remember KSAS-FM did this about three co-hosts ago – but gave it more of an American Idol feel (wasn’t it called Radio Idol? And Claudia Weathermon from KTRV was a judge… hey, Claudia’s leaving KTRV - maybe she needs a job.)

American General Media’s KTPZ-FM has flip-flopped formats yet again. Before we get to the new sound – let’s take a look back.

KTPZ boosted their signal to better cover the Treasure Valley under the ownership of Impact Radio of Twin Falls. The station was known as The Music Monster, and played a pretty poppy CHR mix. The station hired Boise DJs and built a studio at the Boise Spectrum. After about 8 months, Impact Radio sold their holdings to the Horizon Broadcast Group (owner of the Boise Hawks). The owner, an Ackerly scion, didn’t like the Music Monster format, name or growly “Muuuusic Monnnnnster” jingle. The jingle went first, then the splashy Spectrum studio, then the format all together.

The station regrouped as 99.1 The Point – playing 80’s pop. It then realigned to 80’s rock (a niche now being served in the Boise valley by the venerable J-105). After the sale early this year to American General, the station went Hot AC and was renamed 99.1 The Peak (with, IMHO, a really baaaad imaging package). Then, within the past few weeks – new liners (with surprisingly GOOD imaging) announced “Rumors of the monster’s death are premature… The Music Monster, 99-point-1, K-T-P-Z.” The station kept the same jocks (which don’t really cut it in the Boise market, but are typical of Twin Falls) – and started pumping an urban-based CHR (similar in flava to KZMG-FM – with a much larger 90’s gold library – and some other strange picks).

Update: Even the logo is recycled

Since there has been quite a bit of news in the last few months (and since this site is new) – here’s an item that’s not new, but may be news to some:

According to this story, Boise-based Creative Communications is set to launch a Spanish radio service in January. The service will be syndicated to about 50 radio stations – and provide topical news content affecting the Spanish audience.

“Scooter B Macray”, formerly MD and night guy at KZMG is doing something weird on the website of his new employer – CKEY-FM in Buffalo, New York.

Here’s the reason I bring it up: Scoot’s voice has been popping up on local spots of late. One for the Diggy Bass Room, and the other for Payday loans (with Matt Steel, also formerly with Magic, and also now with CKEY.) The Payday spot could have been sitting in the vault – but the Diggy Bass spot has to be new. Any ideas, tipsters?

KQXR’s xrock.com website has been taken down – replaced with a temporary placeholder. If you have seen the site in the last 4 months or so, you’ve noticed the site had “This website blows” all over it… For now it’s gone.

If you are tuning in to classic WKRP in Cincinnati reruns (weekend nights at 10pm on TV Land) – you might have noticed some strange changes to the classic radio sit-com.

Most of the popular rock music has been erased – and some references and voice overs redubbed to boot. Pretty interesting – details here.

This posting for an account manager at Journal Broadcast’s KTHI/KRVB has been open for more than a year now… if they aren’t going to fill it, why not pull it?

I was challenged to put together a better Idaho Radio News website than another one out there – so this is the begining of a work in progress. Enjoy.

A word of warning: This will focus primarly on the Boise market – but I’m not a snob. Any suggestions or tips can be sent to boisemedia@hotmail.com

Yeah… you heard me. See it here

J105 is cranking out what may be the oldest radio promotion in Boise for another year. Rocktober will take off next week – featuring the 31 greatest rock albums of all time (or at least what’s en vogue that year…)

For the first time, you can submit your picks online (yes, J105 finally has a website…)

Here’s to heritage! (All Rock & Roll anyone?)

On a parallel topic: China Blue in downtown Boise has dumped it’s dress code. Sorta…

The club that put pretention back in downtown Boise decided that Boiseans just love their blue jeans too much – and is relaxing their dress code. The website still says the Levi’s are banned – but you should be able to get in with them on.

Aside from the change at KRVB – two other morning shows are getting a remodel.

KSAS-FM 103.3 Kiss FM morning slammer MoJo has had more female co-hosts than I can possibly count. Athena is out – and Misty Taylor is in. Misty is the former Miss Idaho 2002 (deservedly so, from the photos…)

Rival KZMG is also facing changes. Matt Wilcox “exits” like AllAccess is so found of saying. Erica Fox (also a former beauty queen if memory serves…) will host with former intern Bambi for now.

You might remember that Matt was half of the much-publicized new Scott (Lander) & Matt morning show (which replaced Mike and Kate, who are now at KCIX). Does new PD Jim Allen have something up his sleeve???

Update: Why does the Magic 93.1 website still have Matt Wilcox’s name and bio up?