Idaho Radio News Etc.

Here’s another one from the vault. Shannon Ellis was nice enough to share this audio file with me… three years ago. I forgot about it until now.

This is a little trick KCIX/then-K-106 liked to play when it was trying to take on KZMG/then-Magic 93.1 about ten years ago.

Listen here.

At today’s best music mix, K-106, we know radio stations need to play commercials. I mean that’s how they pay their bills.

But geez, enough is enough already. Here at K-106, we never stop the music for commercials more than twice an hour during the work day. But the guys at 93 must be getting rich at your expense. They stop for commercials three, even four times an hour.

In fact, I bet they’re playing a commercial right now. I bet they are. Go on. Go check. We’ll wait. (Jeopardy music).

Hey, we’ve all got to pay the bills, but at K-106, your favorite songs come first. So, back to what we do best. Today’s best music mix… K… 106.

KCIX/Mix 106 hosts Mike & Kate are selling a cookbook featuring listener and celebrity recipes. Each copy goes for $10, with proceeds benefiting the Idaho Foodbank. Buy one here.

KAWO/Wow Country 104.3 morning host Don Jarret has been parked out at the Wal-Mart on Fairview near Eagle since midnight Sunday – and plans to stay there until 8am 12/18 – 104 in a row (hours, not minutes).  They are taking donations as part of “Hope for the Holidays,” benefiting the Boise Rescue Mission.  Fiberpipe has the live webcam up here

KSAS/103.3 Kiss FM and its team are broadcasting live from Krispy Kreme for Hooker’s House for the Holidays.  They hope to raise enough cash to feed 1,033 people for the holidays. A meal costs $12.50, so the station is aiming for $12,912.50.  As of about 5pm this evening, they had made it more than a quarter of the way to their goal. Online donations here

KXLT/107.9 Lite FM has the latest edition of Christmas Wish up and going. The decades-old program started on sister station KCIX/then-K106 and is an annual tradition.  The station takes nominations, and grants a wide variety of wishes, including heating oil and other simple life needs.

I’m noticing a new trend: dropping the obiligatory “Boise” from the FCC-required hourly call-letter shout outs.  Both KZMG/93.1 Hit Music Now and KCIX/Mix 106 have shortened their legal IDs to “KZMG New Plymouth” and “KCIX Garden City” respectively — both dropping the long-heard Boise.

KCIX/Mix 106 has a series of billboards around town for Mike & Kate.  The thrust of the ads are that the show is “12 listeners strong.”  While that’s a (common) inside joke on many radio shows… is telling people that no one listens the best way to… gain new listeners? Thoughts?

Peak SVP Kevin Godwin helped shed a little light on Lisa Adams and her new duties with Peak – and what it will mean for other stations in the cluster.

Adams will take on on-air shift at KXLT/107.9 Lite FM – but they have not decided where she will land quite yet. She interviewed for the KAWO/WOW Country 104.3 job when it was posted, and Godwin says it made sense to give her oversight for Lite too.

Jason Wilmot will still be in the mix for Lite – and keep his other duties.

“This gives Jason more time to concentrate on the KIDO and KCIX brands and work with the talent on each station,” Godwin said. “Jason will work with Lisa more as an OM on KXLT, and focus on the KIDO, KCIX, the BSU brand and our talent, which he is terrific at.”

Does this mean Lite will be movin’ toward Movin’ – or something else? No.

“Lisa was hired because she is a talented broadcaster that has a winning track record,” he said. “Great PD’s can win in any format. We have no plans to change formats.”

- Bumper on the KCIX/Mix 106 morning show featuring the ‘head’ of the fast food chain

The results are in – and readers of the Idaho Statesman have named their picks for the best radio station and talent in the valley.

KCIX/Mix 106 takes top honors for top station — while morning hosts Mike & Kate grab the prize for best DJ. Even Tommy gets a mention in the write-up…

“Honorable mentions” go to about half the market:

• KBOI/News Talk 670
• KSRV/96.1 Bob FM
• KTSY/89.5
• Boise State Radio
• KRVB/Idaho’s 94.9 The River

And talent:

• Tracy & Margo, KTHI/107.1 K-Hits
• “Big” Jack Armstrong, KQLZ/99.1 Idaho’s True Oldies Channel
• KeKe Luv, KSAS/103.3 Kiss FM
• Pete & Joe, KJOT/J-105
• MISSED ONE! Brenda and Kevin Mee, KIZN/Kissin’ 92.3

While it is hard to get a full fix on the state of Peak Broadcasting — we have little ways to judge the health of the company. Things like employee morale, programming — and usually the most telling aspect: staffing.

In March, 2005 – just before Peak took over the operations of six Boise Clear Channel stations, I noted here how many on-air staffers each station in the group. CC had been derided for its staffing practices in markets like Boise. Stations that used to be live 24/7 had been cut, cut and cut again. Across the group, just nine shifts had live and local talent.

Here’s how it broke down:

KCIX: Two shifts, three personalities
KSAS: Two shifts, three personalities
KTMY (now KAWO): One shift, one personality
KXLT: Three shifts, four personalities
KFXD: One shift, one personality *
KIDO: One shift, three personalities

That’s fourteen staffers total (KFXD laid off Mitch Pruitte just before Peak took over and switched the shift to a VTer).

The picture now?

KCIX: One shift, two personalities (-1)
KSAS: Three shifts, four personalities (+1)
KAWO: Four shifts, four personalities (+3)
KXLT: One shift, one personality (-3)
KFXD: None. (-1)
KIDO: One shift, two personalities (-1)

Old total – 14. New total – 13. Neither total includes part-timers, news anchors or production personnel who don’t hold air shifts.

This weekend, Peak Broadcasting has been using its airwaves to promote a member of a competing group’s on air staff. Big KCIX/Mix 106 advertiser Bull’s Head Pub featured Ryan Wingfield as its main act on the comedy stage. Wingfield of course is the afternoon news anchor for KBOI/News Talk 670. So if you’ve tuned into Mix, you’ve heard a promo for the comedy stylings of Ryan Wingfield.

Peak Broadcasting continues to drop people from its roster – this time letting go of long-time employee Tom Collins. Tommy is one of the nicest guys in the business — and this news frankly comes as a surprise. He worked in production for the group, made appearances with Mike & Kate on KCIX/Mix 106 and held down the mid-day fort with the station.

A note to employees says his layoff “was not a performance issue, but a necessity as we continue to work our way thru the changes that 2009 keeps hitting us with.” I guess that means the economy – but it could mean something else. More on that in a moment.

He has been part of the KCIX fabric for more than a decade – he’s been paired in the mornings with Russ Novacs, Steve & Steph and Mike & Kate. He gained the nickname “Tommy the Stunt Boy,” but his always genial attitude and positive outlook made him a fast friend to many. He even anchored weekend morning weather at KTVB for several years.

Just six months ago, KCIX was a fully staffed station – with live talent in the morning, Tommy mid-day, and live jocks in the afternoon and evening – six on-air employees. Now? Now the station is left with its live morning show and voicetrackers.

There’s more to this story. Just this week, Peak hired Miggy Santos from Citadel and KZMG/Magic 93.1. Rumors continue to swirl – and the official line is he is headed for the group’s Fresno stations. However, Santos was seen in the Peak Boise building yesterday, leaving lots of people to speculate. Peak does not own a CHR or urban station in the Fresno market — instead it has news/talk, oldies, country and a hot AC station. That station – Y101 – is currently well staffed… making you wonder…

Boise stations KZMG/Magic 93.1, KSAS/103.3 Kiss FM and KWYD/Wild 101 are all paying tribute to Michael Jackson this afternoon — by playing a heavy diet of songs from the best-selling popstar.

• KZMG started the trend at 3:52pm – and has been non-stop Jackson since (as of 5:40pm).
• KSAS started at 4:07pm and played about half a dozen songs, and has talked about it quite a bit throughout the afternoon. Program director KeKe Luv tells Idaho Radio News “Michael Jackson was possibly the Elvis of our generation.”
• KWYD flipped into Michael mode at 4:41pm, and is still playing a heavy portion of his songs.
• KCIX/Mix 106, which promises “the best of the 80s, 90s and now” but is voicetracked in the afternoon — has not played a single Jackson track.

This echoes a similar trend decades ago when stations started playing non-stop John Lennon songs after that icon’s death.

UPDATE: About 20 minutes after this post, Mix 106 played a Jackson tune, according to Yes.com. At 7pm, when the station switches voicetrackers, it played “If Today Was Your Last Day” by Nickelback (basically a song about one’s last day on earth), followed by Beat It. Then, back to the music.

KZMG is running a series of promos – one of which is voiced and written as if the station is talking to Michael directly… ‘you will be missed Michael, from all of the Treasure Valley and the staff at Magic 93.1.’

KWYD laid off the all-Jacko all the time vibe, but in the 9pm hour has played several Jackson tracks.

Peak’s Jason Wilmot is now overseeing the AC stations as well – both KCIX/Mix 106 and KXLT/107.9 Lite FM. This is in addition to his duties over KIDO/580 AM and KFXD/63 KIDO.

KCIX/Mix 106 had a comedian on Friday — and when Mike Kasper asked the guy if he’d been “here before” the guy said “yeah… is the Chadillac and Hooker show still on the air?” Mike responded with a quick “they’ve been fired… lit on fire then fired.”

Program Director/On-Air Personality

Program Director / On-Air Talent
KCIX (Mix 106) & KXLT (107.9 Lite FM)

Peak Broadcasting Boise is looking for a program director that lives AC, breaths personality, walks the Selector walk, and talks to the target. You will motivate and inspire a high rated, well liked morning show, keep the music of both stations perfectly targeted, become a creative spark to generate revenue in new and exciting ways, communicate with a target audience that expects personality more than liner cards, keep the web site updated and rich in content, and make our AC brands market leaders.

You will need a lot of experience, creativity, heart, passion, and intelligence. You must be a leader. You will need to live the lifestyle that the listeners do and be in front of them. We will give all the support you need. Underappreciated, outstanding professionals are encouraged to accept this challenge. No first time PD’s or a losing track record will be correct for this position. We will check references and previous accomplishments.

Deadline for applying is March 6th, 2009.

To apply, submit your resume, demo, & salary history to:
General Manager
Peak Broadcasting
827 E. Park Blvd. Suite 201
Boise, ID 83712

Or, send you resume, demo, salary history to:
kevin.godwin@peakbroadcasting.com

KCIX/ Mix 106 program director Brent Carrey and APD Lucas are leaving Peak Broadcasting.

The news comes less than a week after managers told staff they will be taking a 10% pay cut.

Carrey was also PD for Lite FM, which is now left without any jocks, a live morning show, an MD, or a PD.

KCIX/Mix 106 has been turning on the time machine for a Saturday night trip of late. Station APD “Lucas” hosts Saturday Night 80s. The show is a updated throwback of sorts — since Mix once was home to 70s Saturday Night for several years – before the show was moved to Lite 108 – and eventually canceled.

Here’s our annual roundup of some of the great things stations are doing for the community.

• KTSY’s Christmas Wish program is underway. From home repair to a new pair of glasses, the station is looking to find people who need a hand – and will connect as many of them as possible to help.
• KIZN/Kissin 92.3 rolls into another year of the outstanding Keep Kids Warm.  The program started 12 years ago with a call to “Rivers and Valley” – the station’s morning show at the time. A young girl called and asked if there was any way her family could get some heating oil for the holiday – because the wanted to be warm for Christmas.  That year, listeners chipped in $17,000 for that girl and many others – and overall the program has racked up a stunning $650,000. This year’s on-air auction will be held December 15-19.
• KRVB/94.9 The River will hold its previously mentioned Concert for Cause later this month, and is also helping collect items for Toys for Tots.
• KSRV/96.1 Bob FM is directing people to the Boise Rescue Mission to make donations for the season.
• KKGL/96.9 The Eagle is also running a Christmas Wish program, this time in connection with the Idaho Youth Ranch. The station is helping collect a wide range of items for teens who are staying at the ranch – everything from cowboy boots to the Twilight book series.
• Starting Monday, the KQFC/Idaho Country 98 will travel the Treasure Valley stopping at five different Walmart locations – each day focusing on a different family that listeners can adopt. Each family has a different story and a different set of needs – and morning hosts Cory and Debi will introduce listeners to the family in need, and provide them with ways to help.
• KQLZ/99.1 Idaho’s True Oldies Channel just wrapped up a turkey drive – and raised $1380 in cash, plus 118 turkeys for the Idaho Food Bank. They are also pointing people to the Boise Rescue Mission.
• KQXR/100.3 The X is collecting toys for Toys for Tots.
• KAWO/Wow Country 104.3 is collecting toys for Toys for Tots.
• KJOT/J-105 is collecting toys for Toys for Tots.
• KCIX/Mix 106 is stuffing the semi for the Idaho Foodbank
• KTHI/107.1 K-Hits is collecting toys for Toys for Tots.
• KXLT/107.9 Lite FM continues its long Christmas Wish program with Home Federal – which has granted hundreds of wishes over the years and continues to find creative ways to help pepole out. You can nominate someone deserving at liteonline.com.
• KBOI/News Talk 670 is giving a boost to the Make a Wish Stories of Light campaign – helping fund wishes for several local kids with severe medical conditions.

The KCIX/Mix 106 effort to stuff a semi-truck full of 106,000 pounds of foods has been pretty good radio this week.  Kate McGwire’s been sacrificing herself to sit in the cold… on top of a semi truck… all week long.  Many great people in the local radio community have done lots of great things to help the community, and Kate is just the latest in a long line – but every time someone goes above and beyond just making this “a job” to doing something that is beyond themselves, it is impressive.  Moving around all over town to locations throughout the listening area has helped bring the effort closer to listeners – engaging more folks.

KCIX/Mix 106 morning host Kate McGwire is spending the week in a tent… on a semi… all over town.

The station is helping collect canned goods for the Idaho Foodbank. Details over here

KQXR/100.3 The X brought back former morning show host.. and former night guy Ian earlier this month. They parted ways due to budget cuts about six months ago.

He replaces Jac who left the station to do about 30 other things (including fill in work on KCIX…)

It’s amazing how KZMG/Magic 93.1 morning hosts Kate McGwire and Mike Kasper have been able to stay together on-air for seven years. My the consistency.

Welll…. except the pair aren’t on Magic anymore – since they took their act away from the Citadel Palace in favor of a gig with KCIX/Mix 106. The duo weren’t together on Magic long (and were followed by a long parade of failed shows), but have found a perfect home at Mix 106. They’re going to celebrate twice on Wednesday – once with an AM party outside the Peak studios, and again that night at the Bull’s Head Pub.

Congrats!

The Idaho State Broadcasters’ Association honored the best of the best in radio and TV recently. The awards are open to entrants statewide, but only Treasure Valley stations took home awards at the annual Sun Valley ceremony.

NEWS

• Best Public Affairs – KBOI “Return of the Salmon,” Ken Weaver
• Best Agricultural Program – KIDO “Coyotes,” Sean Chaney
• Best Local Newscast – KIDO “KIDO News Team”
• Best News Story – KBOI “Democrats Caucus,” Melissa Dawn, Ken Weaver
• Best Sports Program – KTIK “Sports Talk with Caves and Prater”
• Best Sports Play-by-play – KBOI “3OT WAC Championship,” Paul J. Schneider & Todd Miles
• Best Investigative Report – KBOI “Shopping Quest Scam,” Brett Reckamp
• Best Spot News – KBOI “Super Tuesday,” Melissa Dawn, Jay Howell
• Best Feature News Story – KIDO “Pearl Harbor 66 Years Later”

COMMERCIALS

• Best Commercial Single – KSAS, “Ideal Image Code 7 Yetti,” Jodi Sali, Chris Adams, Robin Scott
• Best Commercial Series – KCIX “Escape the Crate Doggie Daycare,” Jodi Sali
• Best Commercial Copy – KXLT “Ideal Image You’re Right,” Jodi Sali
• Best Public Service of Public Affairs Announcement – KJOT “Idaho Transportation Department DUI Awarness,” Dave Sparks

ENTERTAINMENT

• Best Personality – KIZN Steve Shannon
• Best Morning Show – KJOT “Pete & Joe Show,” Pete Stauffer, Joe Weber

PROMOTION

• Best Audience Promotion, TV Using Radio – KIZN “Steve Shannon CMT,” Steve Shannon
• Best Audience Promotion, Radio Using Radio – KIZN “Kissin’ Gave ‘Em Away,” Rich Summers
• Special Projects – KSAS “Live for 175″

Blogs blogs everywhere. Check out all the (mostly active) blogs from local radio folks:

• KRVB’s Morning blog
• KJOT’s Aftershow blog
• KCIX’s Mike & Kate blog
• Casey Acevedo’s “Master Cleanse” blog at DanTooker.com… proceed with caution.
• Brenda Mee’s Mrs. Idaho International blog
• KTHI’s Road to Recovery blog by Margo Vaughn on her fight against breast cancer
• Jerry & Michelle Radio Show blog from KTSY
• KAWO’s Tarzan Dan blog

- KIZN/Kissin 92.3 is doing a flyaway to Chicago to see Rascal Flatts
- KRVB/Idaho’s 94.9 The River is putting two folks on a plane to Denver to see the Mile High Music Festival with Tom Petty, DMB, Jason Mraz and a bunch of others
- KKGL/96.9 The Eagle is giving away a “Tricked Out Truck” – a 2001 Silverado with all sorts of bells and whistles
- KQFC/98 FM will send two people to see Brooks & Dunn in Seattle
- KQXR/100.3 The X has another free show lined up with Safety Suit
- KJOT/J-105 is loading up a bus with listeners for a Mötley Crüe show in SLC.
- KCIX/Mix 106 is doing a $25,000 home makeover contest. 106 people qualify for a whole list of home-related stuff. Yes, one person will actually win.