Idaho Radio News Etc.

KQXR is doing a “throwback” weekend. Playing all the stuff “we used to play on the X before the stuff we play now.”

It’s pretty cool — it takes me back to the Pirate Radio / Power 100 days.

They are also launching a new Throwback Lunch each day during the noon-hour.

Awwww.

KTPZ’s back… and the long-time “fuzz” in the signal seems to be gone.

What the H is going on at KSAS? Misty Taylor is out… or so it appears.

Every good story has a twist, and this one is… well… twisted.

Misty has been replaced by Micky. And the new girl’s last name is Fox… like Erica… on Kiss’s chief competitor Magic. Magic… Erica… Fox… Kiss… Micky… Fox. Ouch, that’s my brain!

So let’s review… KSAS-FM has been kissing the Valley’s listeners for about 5 years now. In that time their morning has looked like this:

Jock free (while they waited out Rick Dees’ WT40 contract with KZMG)
Rick Dees & Ellen K
Mojo & Krista Lee
Mojo & Athena
Mojo & Misty
Hoss & Misty (oh, and Smooch too)
Brad & Misty
Brad & Micky

Can we get some traction?

OK – here’s the deal on Misty… I mean Micky. She’s a long-time member of the Salt Lake Radio market — and has been on the beach for a few months.

More information on Micky at MickyFox.com

I caught Dennis Miller’s new show on CNBC tonight. Not so impressed. Two segments with Ah-nold… talking California policy. Snooze. The daily Rorshach segment aimed to be like Miller’s stint on the Weekend Update desk – but it just didn’t work. Of all the wonderful hosts of the WU segment, Fey & Fallon may have to be the best… but what do I know, I liked Norm MacDonald too.

Anyway – the headline indicated a point, so I should actually get to one: Countdown with Keith Olbermann (airs at 6pm & 10pm on MSNBC, Boise cable channel 30, except for Tuesday when you’ll see it live only at 10pm due to NH primary coverage) is the best topical program on TV these days. It’s funny, witty, fast-paced, but doesn’t leave you feeling empty (I love the Daily Show, but it’s a little too Leno, and not quite enough Brokaw). Olbermann has a great show – if you get a chance, check it out.

Drop me a line – as always – boisemedia@hotmail.com. Your anonymity is assured (make sure you tell me if you want credit, or would rather not).

Ratings for the Boise and Spokane/CDA markets are on the horizon. We hope to have the “inside the numbers numbers,” who knows if we will. I also have an archive of about 2 years of numbers – so we might see a trend or two.

Here’s my idea of the day: One of the morning teams should send someone to the park during the vigil… talk to a few folks – maybe open up the phones. Remember when 10,000 people in this town marched to the Capitol in defense of the Table Rock Cross? This is a big issue – and you could score big with your listeners for striking the right chord with it.

I heard about 20 minutes of KTPZ in the Valley the other day… it was gone later in the evening.

Alas, I will hold vigil in front of the old studio store day and night until you come back on the air… just like the folks at the 10 commandments monument in the park.

Kyle Safely gave me the KTSY Family Trafic report on KZMG the other day… gotta say it was pretty funny hearing the wrong outq. The only way it would have been funnier if it was a Claire Day drop for 103.3 KISS FM…

Also have to love the VTed Eric O’Brien calling Crystal the “oh so hot traffic lady,” then triggering the report. It’s like two computerized ships passing in the night.

…I promise.
80’s lyric quiz

Does anyone else remember the days when Gary Stivers’ news reports from KECH 95 were available online in RealAudio? Wow… waxing sentimental like crazy lately…

Will Clear Channel every launch an FM country in the Boise market? KCIX has long been a target of speculation on that front. A new sheriff in the CC Boise building could mean changes after the February 5th Arb. release date.

http://www.j105.com/

Not much going on in KJOT land, judging from their website.

I listened to the old rocker for about an hour the other day… it takes me back to about 1989 – at the height of All Rock & Roll. It’s amazing how many of those old stickers you see still – not just the Idaho’s Best Rock version, but the orginial All Rock & Roll version.

The River’s morning show promos are nice. Calling Ken Bass & Teri Tate “an intelligent alternative to… something less intelligent, mornings on The River.” I just fell smarter listening to that station somehow.

The show is very topical – and not afraid of promoting a chat with Dr. James Weatherby (of channel 7 fame). It’s a good mix.

Something I just thought of – Ken Bass may be on a new format with a new employer… but he’s back working in the same building — the KCIX & KXLT studios were both where the KRVB studio now is, in Plaza 7 on Fairview.

Sadly, I still wish they were out in the boonies (remember the Boise Weekly illustration of “the last indepdendent radio station on earth” with the KFXD/J building on Amity on top of the world?)

As Edith & Archie would say… those were the days.

Jayar, Big Boy & The Fox (oh, and by the way – ‘The Fox’ doesn’t annoy me anymore… i’m strange) are getting some serious promo play at ‘ZMG right now. The first spot of every break promotes the show right now. KZMG is an A-B Clock station (a break, followed by roughly 3 songs, with another break, then 10 songs), so if you happen to get the shallow end of that rotation you get hit twice. They are alternating between a “coming up tomorrow” and a “you missed this today” promo.

KSAS is producing some TIGHT morning show promos right now. Brad Rowen has a knack for producing (he used to work in promotions at KTRV – and at KNIN, so he ought to). They sound pretty hot.

Dan Rather (et al) have moved if you are a CableOne subscriber.

KBCI is now channel 8 on cable… but channel 2 if you have an antenna (and Lord knows what if you have DishNetwork local).

Claire Day (Crystal Faught) is back in town. As the Idaho Radio blog repotered a few months ago, she had checked out to the cheese state. Our source tells us she’s back, and doing traffic reports once again for CC stations.

Smooch seems to have seen the light: Kiss It or Diss It is now ala cagematch, with an established champion, and a challenger.

Bravo.

KTPZ-FM is an incredibly quiet little Monster.

It’s still off the air in the Treasure Valley. What gives?

KEZQ & KWYS are again off the air. My guess would be that Alpine had to put something there long enough to keep the lisences active.

Also, KSKI now has a stronger signal in the Magic Valley, and may be looking to be less of a Ketchum station, and more of a TF station.

Thoughts?

KSAS-FM has launched a new night show.

After years of voicetracked junk passed off for local radio – they’ve decided to give Troy Devries something to do.

RANT: It’s pathetic. KISS has conditioned the audience to think the relatively high quality “Lackey” was local. Now they have a local voice, but his show doesn’t have the production value of what was there before.

In 10 minutes, he told me what the clock said 3 separate times. Honestly, I don’t care that it’s 8:14. Yes, I know, you are trying to emphasize that you are live – but it’s not working. Knock off the time checks.

The show has a new feature “Kiss It or Diss It.” Good idea, terrible execution. They gave out two songs, then asked people which they liked. Play ONE SONG, and ask people to Kiss It or Diss It. It’s less confusing. If you really want to spin two songs, do it ala Cagematch on the X.

Now for the KZMG-FM night show (which has been live and local for more than a decade). Night guy Bambi does a pretty solid job – but I have to laugh at the Magic Mystery Bag. Not because it’s funny — it’s just bizarre. They gave away hand soap last night. Wooooo…

Bambi could use someone to bounce off of – another voice in the studio would be a big help to the show.

We are going to be adding some content to this site (on the left and right rails), so a first few steps have been taken to change up the design. More to come.

If you’re ears are tuned to the dial in Eastern Idaho, you’re hearing a pair of identical new stations.

KEZQ (92.9 West Yellowstone) & KWYS (102.9 Island Park) are pumping out 24 hour country music.

Alpine Broadcasting’s Scott Parker was required to get both stations on the air by January 10th of this year – or risk losing the licenses.

Those stations, as well as KSKI and it’s two sister stations in the Wood River Valley are up for sale.

Beau Richards (currently PD at “WA1A” the Cumulus in Brevard County Florida) dropped us a line – he says he misses the area – and says hello to everyone back here in Idaho.

Listened to KMCL/McCall this past week.

It’s strange. They use a syndicated service called Hits and Favorites. I heard no hits – and some stuff very few people would call favorites

I also heard spots/1 song/spots. I gave up.

In the Spokane market about 3 weeks ago I had a chance to listen to KZZU-FM “the Zoo.” Great pop station. KXLY-AM also has a great format – with some actualy LOCAL talk.