Idaho Radio News Etc.

The Journal stations are going all out this year for Toys for Tots – the annual program of the US Marine Corps.  The two television and four radio outlets are all helping get the word out and bring in toy donations.

Also:

KRVB/Idaho’s 94.9 The River is hosting the annual “Concert for Cause” concert at the Knitting Factory tonight. John Ondrasik of Five for Fighting is performing to benefit the Canyon County Community Clinic. A live & silent auction is also being held

KJOT/J-105 hosted a Hell’s Belles show on the 11th, and a portion of proceeds went to Boise Rock School

KTHI/107.1 K-Hits is auctioning off a Fiesta Bowl football to benefit Make-A-Wish.

KTHI/107.1 K-Hits no longer features Larry Doss on its airwaves. Doss, a long-time member of the Boise Journal Broadcast Group staff was let go last week. He was also featured on the KRVB/94.9 The River morning show, among other duties.

K-Hits has filled the gap by rearranging its voicetrackers.

UPDATE: I think I’m losing my mind. I posted this news EXACTLY one year ago… with the EXACT same headline. I could delete it, but instead you can laugh at what a spaz I am.

You likely have heard about KTHI/107.1 K Hits morning host Margo Vaughn, and her public (and winning) battle against breast cancer. But she’s not the only member of the K-Hits staff to stare down cancer. In a preview story for this week’s Main Street Mile, The Idaho Statesman talks to Larry Doss — who was diagnosed with prostate cancer. The MSM event is a way to promote awareness – and hopefully screenings for – prostate cancer. Doss has been cancer-free for two years now — which deserves a big CONGRATS!

Journal Broadcast Group once streamed four of its six Boise stations on the Interwebs – but now the only station to provide its audio over the Internet is KRVB/94.9 The River. KJOT, KQXR and KTHI are now only available for those people with one of those old-school radios.

Breast cancer survivor Margo Vaughn (and KTHI/107.1 K-Hits morning co-host) Margo Vaughn will team up with Intermountain Medical Imaging for a mammo-party.  On June 8th, IMI will do mammograms throughout the day, and help women set up their own breast cancer parties. Details on khits.fm.

KTHI/107.1 K-Hits just wrapped up a search for Idaho’s next millionaire — a fun bit of radio theater involving Cher, roulette and a $100 bill.  The station gave away a trip to Las Vegas — and provided a $100, to be put down on red 1 on the roulette wheel at Ceasers Palace.  If that $100 hit – that listner would be on their way to a million dollar pay day!  Either way, the station gave the lucky listeners tickets to see Cher in Sin City.  The tag? “From the station where money is no object and the object is no money.”

Next up, K-Hits will hold its 7th birthday bash — hosting another concert Friday June 19th.  The event is will be held at the Taco Bell Arena (TBA) — and the artist is also… TBA.  An announcement is coming soon.

Two Boise Journal Broadcast Group stations are no longer streaming online: KJOT/J-105 and KTHI/107.1 K-Hits.

Why? This from the Pete & Joe Show Facebook page:

Sorry folks, no live stream for now. That unfortunatly [sic] had to be given the ol’ heave ho due to the economy.

KQXR/100.3 The X and KRVB/Idaho’s 94.9 The River still have live streams — and to my knowledge the AM stations never offered that feature (or websites at all really).

Just about everyone is jumping on the Twitter bandwagon. Some of my favorite “tweets” (aka Twitter posts) from the past few days:

@1071KHits: quote of the AM “The young naked man approached her with this poodle, and she immediately realized something peculiar.” http://bit.ly/yofWp

@kekeluv: Just woke up! Now, I can’t sleep! Welcome to my world ever since last april! Eating cereal, working on Taylor Swift promo, headed 2 work!

@580KIDO: Who is the sexiest cartoon character of all time? Dave and Brian will let you know what America decided just after 8am.

@donjarrett: has exceeded the maximum attention span of a 6 year old….and the drama begins in 5…4…3…2…1….duck & cover!

@kissin92: Billy Currington joins Cody Alan on CMT Radio Live 7pm – 12m on Kissin’ 92. Catch him tonight! www.kizn.com for everything Kissin92!

@miggy05: Ordering Twilight on PPV Iam Scured !!! hahahah

@DJDickman: @luckythadj get off the railing. Safety first!

@LuckyThaDJ: @miggy05 your down for shots ? Lol no friggin way ! Have a good night man

@Wild101: Thank You Everyone For The Love And Thank You For Keeping It Locked On Wild 101 Idaho’s Party Station!!!

@frosticles: The president giggling on 60 Minutes didn’t bother me. I figured the laugh meant, “Look how much work I have to do.”

The Idaho Press-Tribune has a great backstage look at Margo Vaughn’s battle with cancer.  The best news? She tells the paper that there are no signs of cancer right now — though she stops short of declaring her cancer in remission.

Despite that on-the-air cheeriness, Vaughn and her co-workers say it was a tough road:

“When the mic was off she would be sprawled out on the floor,” station program director KJ Mac said.

I’m a little obsessed with Twitter right now… and I don’t even have an account.  At least on a personal level… but I run @ktvb.  I’ve noticed a few local stations are also now on the service – including @580KIDO and @1071KHITS.

Others? Comment away…

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.

Journal Broadcast Group’s stations had a tough book. The group has one station in the top 10 – perennial winner 107.1 K-Hits with a strong 6.7.

The rest of the stations are in the doldrums.

- KJOT/J-105 down 12% from last year to 3.3
- KQXR/100.3 The X lost a third of its audience for a 3.1
- KRVB/Idaho’s 94.9 The River went up slightly from spring ‘07, but only notched at 2.6

And as a commenter noted, Impact’s automated, unstaffed KSRV/96.1 Bob FM outranked those three stations – despite management upheaval and a fairly weak overall presentation.

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

The folks at KTHI/107.1 K-Hits celebrate six year of superhits last Friday with a listener concert. To introduce the fun, the “K-Hits Bunch” put together this video intro:

Bonus points to the first person who can name all eight people in the video…

KTHI/107.1 K-Hits morning co-host has another blog entry – thanking folks for participating in the Race for the Cure. She notes that events like this do more than just raise spirits – they have a direct impact:

I now know first hand what good the monies raised from events like that do. A Stage 3 breast cancer years ago would have left me far worse for the wear if it weren’t for the tremendous strides in treatments they’ve made. And it’s not done without proper funding. Thanks to all those individuals and companies and the volunteers who raise those dollars

KTHI/107.1 K-Hits will take over the Arena at Boise State to celebrate its sixth year. The station – which is now Idaho’s oldest oldies station – will feature a four-pack of artists, with all those in attendance getting through the doors for free.

Larry Hoppen of Orleans, David Pack formerly of Ambrosia, David Jenkins of Pablo Cruise, John Ford Coley formerly of England Dan & John Ford Coley will take the stage. Listeners can only get in by listening to K-Hits or entering online at khits.fm.

Update: As noted, the concert is June 6th (06/06…)

KJOT/J-105 Journal Broadcast Group has a nice little exclusive set for tomorrow night. The station has a preview screening of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull. The group has been snagging winners for the last few days – and will pack an auditorium at Edwards 21 Tuesday – two days before the movie opens wide to the general public.

Update: KRVB/Idaho’s 94.9 The River, KQXR/100.3 The X and KTHI/107.1 K-Hits are also in on the fun

KTHI/107.1 K-Hits helped co-host KIVI’s coverage of Race for the Cure today. He held down the fort at the halfway point for the station’s coverage of the race event today. Mac joined a pair of KIVI anchors and an Idaho Daily Statesman reporter for the broadcast.

And as a PS/shameless plug… you can find lots of video, pics and exclusive aerial video & finish line cam over at KTVB.COM.

And PPS: After Race for the Cure I was standing behind my dad downtown today at the Saturday Market with a KTVB vest on when my dad (a former radio guy) said “hi” to none other than Bob Rosenthal. I was uncharacteristically quiet…

KTHI/107.1 K-Hits co-host Margo Vaughn updated her blog – with a letter she wrote to her mom recently:

I’m up this morning aching thru every pore, I’m not sure why. Today (Wednesday) was my best day. I didn’t have to take nausea medicine (last week I couldn’t spell naousea). But I woke up about midnight and felt like I’d been hit by a Mac truck. And restless.

Read the full entry here.

The spring ratings period is underway, and the usual array of promotions has started to unroll. A sampling:

- KQXR is giving away tickets/air/hotel to a music festival in Columbus in May.
- KTHI/107.1 K-Hits is helping the Warm Springs Counseling Center bring Tony Bennett to town – and is giving away tickets to the show next month.
- KZMG/Magic 93.1 is doing a flyaway to see Jordin Sparks and Alicia Keys in Las Vegas.
- KIZN/Kissin’ 92.3 has several irons in the fire. The station is giving away a trip to see Niagra Falls to see James Otto. It is also doing a “word of the day” contest that ties into its new online rewards program – giving away a share of more than $20k in prizes.
- KQFC/97.9 FM is giving away tickets and backstage passes to see Carrie Underwood when she hits town in May.
- KAWO/WOW Country 104.3 is also giving away tickets to see the hot Ms. Underwood – saying it is “giving away the most tickets.”
- KJOT/J-105 is blowing out tickets to this month’s Def Leppard show at the Idaho Center. It is also doing it’s annual Extreme Garage Makeover.

The topic I get the most e-mail about is “how is Margo Vaughn doing?”

Her latest blog post notes that she is working to slow down – and learning how to be healthier by not overloading her life. It includes these words of wisdom:

“It’s not my youth I wasted,….it’s my old age that wasted me.”
- Margaret Margo Rose Vaughn Nelson Churchwell, circa 2057

Just about a month ago – she gave a bit longer update:

Still hanging in there, although my poor husband must be at the end of his rope. Somebody should take him out. I mean somebody should take him out for a drink or something….not “out”. Not like a Soprano thing.

The problem is all these drugs and toxins we’re pumping in the body to kill any cancer that thought about hanging around after we cut it out, is now affecting my typically spunky mood. ( i.e. I’m crying all the time.) And I add for no good reason. An ant might have crossed my path, probably didn’t see it, but I break out in a big ol’ tear fest. The sun rises and there I go again, the dam bursting.

KIVI’s Michelle Edmunds has traditionally put together a team for the Race for the Cure – and this year that team will be walking for Margo

If you’ve been keeping up with Margo Vaughn’s blog “Road to Recovery,” you’ve been reading a funny, poignant, insightful account of the KTHI/107.1 K-Hits host’s battle with breast cancer.

Here’s a piece of her latest entry:

I’ve been chasing normal for so long, long before my cancer diagnosis, and I have realized now that normal is elusive. It’s not “normal” for someone to get up at 2:45am every week day to go to work. It’s probably not normal to put on insurance and credit forms that your occupation is news and laughter. I’m giving up. I’m going to let myself redefine my normal. I’ve had to since the surgery, I can’t do my normal yoga poses, my arm won’t extend … and for me … now … that’s normal. Appreciate it, enjoy it, savor it, it offers room to grow, room that I perhaps never had before … a method for marking achievement and progress … a small victory.

KTHI/107.1 K-Hits morning show co-host Margo Vaugh has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Vaughn made the announcement this morning. A blog entry on khits.fm says the diagnosis was made early during a regular screening. She will undergo surgery Monday – with an as-yet undetermined course of follow-up treatment.

Vaughn will blog the treatment and recovery at “Margo’s Road to Recovery.”

Our thoughts and prayers are of course with her – and I hope you’ll share warm words as well.

You might be out of the Christmas mood – but allow yourself to get back in the spirit for a moment and listen to KTHI/107.1 K-Hits’ version of A Christmas Carol. Local radio folks – and very well done to boot.

Act I
Act II
Act III

Tons of local references are peppered in -including numerous Boise State mentions, traffic on Eagle Rd., and Larry Craig. David Augusto, Scott Dorval and Don Nelson also get name-checked – as well as dozens of sponsors (though I’m told only Paul’s is an “official” sponsor).

It’s that time of the year – when local stations crack out the ol’ calculators and start counting things. KTHI/107.1 K-Hits is counting down the top 500 Billboard hits from 1964-1979 – KSAS/103.3 Kiss FM is doing a bunch of top tens – and of course KSRV/96.1 Bob FM is going A to Z through its playlist (they’ve made it to the letter R today).