Idaho Radio News Etc.

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.

KXLT/107.9 Lite FM didn’t waste any time getting in the Christmas spirit. The station has been non-stop holiday favorites since at least Friday November 13th.

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.”

The flurry of news releases from Peak Broadcasting lately continues – with today’s news of the pickup of Lisa Adams.

• Adams has been looking for work for the last year – something she chronicled on her Twitter page: “Got to keep the faith…it will all workout soon!” and “It’s been a nice 365 day vacation but I’m ready to get back to work! I hate moving….”
• Her last gig was a two year stop at CBS Radio in Portland. She appears to be the Northwest’s “Movin’” expert – she oversaw KQMV/Movin’ 92.5 in Seattle before she landed at KVMX/Movin’ 107.5 in the Rose City.
• Adams’ gig seems to be a fusion of two announced positions. Peak posted a KAWO PD job – then a KXLT/KCIX program director spot. Does this leave Jason Wilmot in charge of KCIX? I’ve got some questions out on this looking for answers.
• What does Peak plan to do with Lite? The station has been jockless for a while now – and its ratings haven’t been lighting up the charts. I’m guessing nothing would change before the end of the Christmas music season… but is there change in the wind?
• Kevin Godwin at Peak has been very good about sending out news releases of late. This makes my journalist heart happy – but it’s smart. I can’t think of the last time I saw a news release from another group. KTVB picked up the Austin Hill/Glenn Beck story – and I happened to notice that it was at the top of KTVB.COM’s most read stories box that day (wink wink). People seem interested in radio stories. (In case I’m being too coy: Bob Rosenthal, Don Morin and Darrell Calton should send out more news releases… hint hint).

Peak has hired Lisa Adams to helm KXLT/107.9 Lite FM and KAWO/Wow Country 104.3. More on this later – find the Peak news release after the jump
Read the rest of this entry »

Longtime former KIDO/580 AM producer Ray Amaya pulled a “Tom Collins.”

Tom Collins (to’m kol’enz)
1) adjective – To be unceremoniously dumped by Peak Broadcasting for reasons only clear to management – only to quickly snag a job with rival Citadel Communications days later
2) noun – A tall iced drink made with liquor, such as gin, and lemon or lime juice

No, he didn’t morph into a nice summer drink — he quickly transitioned to KBOI after KIDO let him go just a few weeks ago. Amaya is being heard all over the airwaves doing news and more for Boise’s only remaining news radio station.

And, in a modified-reverse Collins, Melissa Dawn is back at Peak. “Modified,” because she left Citadel on her own accord, and “reverse” because she went from Citadel to Peak. Dawn took over Claire Day’s morning traffic duties for the cluster more than a month ago.

One other side-note – am I the only that finds LiteOnline.com’s blank staff lineup page ironic — or maybe just appropriate?

A former Boise radio operations manager once told me the story of a morning host who walked into a meeting, threw a fork down on the table and said “stick a fork in me, I’m done.”  That was his classy way of announcing his resignation.

In the days leading up to the spring book’s release, there had been lots of chatter about a station finally throwing down the fork and flipping formats.

The suspects: KAWO/Wow Country 104.3, KXLT/107.9 Lite FM, KZMG/Magic 93.1 and KJOT/J-105.

But all of those stations seemed to have done just well enough to earn them a reprieve.

KJOT pulled up its numbers substantially. It is still the #2 pure-play classic rock station (behind KKGL), but among adults 25-54, it is beating stablemate KQXR (to say nothing of KRVB).

KZMG continued to see audience erosion just about everywhere – but as I noted here, it looks like Citadel is giving the station one more shot before making a drastic change. Also of note – Citadel has not flipped one single station in the Boise market since it acquired these properties.  The most drastic “makeover” was the rebranding of KTIK to add “The Ticket” to its name upon acuisition, and some slight changes to KQFC’s branding.

KAWO/Wow Country 104.3 is still the #3 country station in the market – but saw improvement in all the timeslots and most key demos. While it is not the station’s best book (that was spring of 2008) – it did show signs of life after a very poor fall 2008 book).

KXLT/107.9 Lite FM may be the closest to the guilatine – its numbers fell from the fall book in many places.  When you take the 12+ view however, KXLT is tied with KCIX/Mix 106 at the moment.  But when you dig into the demos, Mix has a clear advantage.  The one upside at the moment for Lite: zero personell costs.  The station is now completely jock-free — and the only “talent” on the station right now is Delilah.  Peak’s running the frequency cheaply – and always sees a boost from its Christmas music stunt in the fall.

So what does that leave us? KRVB? KQLZ? Journal has indicated that it likes what is happening on KRVB/Idaho’s 94.9 The River – and the station seems to be able to deliver for advertisers, despite its continually low ratings. The station in its previous incarnation – as KFXJ/KF-95 had a similar problem – but The River has been at the bottom of the ratings heap for quite some time now.

KQLZ/99.1 Idaho’s True Oldies Channel is probably safe for now – since Impact has some success in KWYD and KSRV to talk about.

And then there were… none. KXLT/107.9 Lite FM morning host (and sole personality) Claire Day is leaving Peak Broadcasting.

Day is finishing her second tour of duty with the Peak/Clear Channel cluster of stations — having previously left in 2003. This time she’s leaving radio for a gig with the Ada County Sheriff’s Office as a dispatcher.

Peak has already posted a PT traffic job (see below), but it is unclear what the plan is for her KXLT shift.

Claire Day’s last day is this Friday.

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.

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.

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

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.

KXLT/107.9 Lite FM star Claire Day was all over the dial today… not only holding down her usual slot as the only talent on Lite FM, but also anchoring traffic for the rest of the Peak stations. Byl was heard on KSAS/103.3 Kiss FM…. so perhaps he’s landed back in his role as producer for Hooker in the Morning.

An ad on AllAccess hinted at Peak’s need for a KXLT morning host – which raises lots of questions that I don’t have answers for. Claire was front and center at the Women’s Fitness Celebration 5k with Kate McGwire – so it’s anyone’s guess as the what is going on.

Peak seems to be pushing resource toward Kiss FM after its strong book and big morning numbers – but doesn’t appear to know what to do with KXLT.

No, it’s not the title of a Three Dog Night song heard on KXLT/107.9 Lite FM… it’s the description of the Lite FM staff. Remember when the station had a full complement of five local DJs?

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″

KXLT/107.9 Lite FM parted ways with AM co-host Kevin Murphy. Murphy has been with KXLT since before the Peak handoff. That leaves Claire Day as the lone personality local personality on the station.

What’s next for Lite?

Well, after all the nice farewell comments you all left about Tobin Jeffries… we had to… um… balance that out.

Courtesy: Anonymous Source

KXLT/Peak Broadcasting host Tobin Jeffries is leaving Boise – headed for Louisiana to care for his parents. Peak is already searching for his replacement.

Jeffries has a long history in the market – with stops at a number of local stations.

Melissa Dawn is the only former Peak-er to land at KBOI/News-Talk 670. Greg Williamson id filling in on Idaho’s First Morning News and Idaho Talks Live for Paul J. Schneider. The “Voice of the Broncos” is on the road with the basketball team – and Citadel brought Williamson into pinch hit. Greg noted on the air this morning that he will be filling in quite a bit in coming weeks.

Peak Broadcasting’s loss is Citadel’s gain: Melissa Dawn is back on the air. Dawn is now the PM news anchor for KBOI/News-Talk 670, with news updates during the new “live and local” Nate Shelman show. Dawn & Greg Williamson were let go by Peak when they decided to turn KXLT/107.9 Lite FM jockless during the daytime hours.

KXLT/107.9 Lite FM returned to regular programming today – cutting (most of) the Christmas music in favor of its regular mainstream AC lineup early this morning. The station is still mixing in a few holiday cuts per hour today – in case folks just didn’t get enough in the last month.

There’s something missing of course: on-air talent. The station lite-ened its payroll by cutting Melissa Dawn and Greg Williamson the day before Thanksgiving. Now, the format has picked up song tags – with each song ID’ed at the end by a neutral female voice. Kevin & Claire still hold down the morning fort.

Who needs jocks anymore? With automation performing the job function of a DJ – and now song tags taking care of the personality (that’s a joke) – what’s left for a human being to do?

The station rolled out new liners that attempt to back up their no-personality format: “We think sometimes the best company is just some really good songs.”

So they’ve stripped away the only thing that differentiates them from a hard drive full of MP3s or Internet radio – and that’s a positive?

Remember when Peak Broadcasting launched, execs planned to turn KSAS/103.3 Kiss FM into a Bob FM format station – but Tester Broadcasting outmaneuvered them and got on the air first with KSRV/96.1 Bob FM.

Now, the company has basically launched a “Bob FM” station for women. Variety hits aimed at females with no jocks.

The radio dial is sounding quite festive this Christmas eve. As I headed to services this evening – I was pleasantly surprised at the number of stations that dropped their normal formats to get in the spirit – with 100% Christmas music:

KTSY/89.5 FM
KIZN/Kissin’ 92.3
KZMG/Magic 93.1
KRVB/Idaho’s 94.9 The River
KAYN/Boomer 100.7
KAWO/WOW Country 104.3
KBOI/News-Talk 670
KTHI/107.1 K-Hits

These stations join KXLT/107.9 Lite FM which went all-Holiday on Thanksgiving, and KDJQ-AM which went all Christmas last week.

KKGL, KCIX, KJOT, KQFC, KWEI, KDBI, KSAS are all playing some Christmas cuts along with their normal format. That’s 17 total stations from ‘AWO to ‘ZMG. They should all conspire to play Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer at the same time. Now THAT would be funny.

About the only stations I could find that hadn’t adjusted formats were KSRV/96.1 Bob FM and The X.

Former KXLT/107.9 Lite FM host and Peak Broadcasting employee Greg Williamson was back on the air with Peak last week. Robin Scott anchored morning traffic while GW anchored the afternoon reports for the group’s six stations.

GW was subbing in for Tobin Jeffries.

Here’s a look at what Boise-area stations are doing to help the community this year. The Idaho State Broadcasters Association notes that in 2005 (the most recent year available), Idaho radio stations took in $2.1 in fundraising donations (along with $20 million in PSA value).

KTSY – The station is holding a Christmas concert at the Nampa Civic Center on December 19th, featuring local artists. Admission is a new, unwrapped toy which will go to Nampa’s Salvation Army. Details

KIZN – The annual Keep Kids Warm event is taking several approaches to help pay for heating costs for area families. Schools are competing to raise funds – with the school that raises the most getting a concert with American Idol star Bucky Covington. The station is also teaming with Intermountain Gas, to make it easy for folks to add money to their bill to donate to those in need. The station will also host an on-air auction that will start December 17th. Last year, Keep Kids Warm raised $50,000. Details

KZMG – Magic 93.1 is taking part in Christmas in the Nighttime Sky (see KBOI)

KRVB – The River’s annual Concert for Cause was held Wednesday night, and featured an all-local bill headed by Curtis Stigers. The event moved to the Morrison Center and benefited the new Interfaith Sanctuary. Details. KRVB is also joining other Journal stations, KIVI, KTVB, KBCI and others in collecting toys for Toys for Tots.

KKGL – 96.9 The Eagle is helping collect gifts for children at the Idaho Youth Ranch. Details

KQFC – All this week, 97.9 KQFC’s Q Wakin’ Crew is helping collect donations for five families. Morning co-host Debi is on location at Wal-Mart and Albertsons locations around the Valley helping collect items for the families selected. Details

KWEI – The Spanish AM/FM combo is helping collect needed items for the Ronald McDonald House. The House – located near St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital – gives families of sick kids a place to stay. Details

KQXR – The X is helping collect Toys for Tots.

KSAS – Hooker in the Morning is taking Christmas wishes during the morning show and helping to fill the needs for a variety of listeners.

KAWO – WOW Country 104.3 is taking suggestions for folks who should get a free Christmas tree this holiday. Details. Also, the station is in the midst of its St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital drive.

KJOT – J-105 is helping collect Toys for Tots.

KCIX – Mix 106 is featuring twelve cute puppies and 12 kittens in need of a home for its “12 Strays of Christmas” promotion. Each of the animals is from the Canyon County Animal Shelter – and two of the ten animals featured so far have found a new home. Details

KTHI – 107.1 K-Hits is helping collect Toys for Tots.

KXLT – 107.9 Lite FM continues a tradition started long ago by KCIX/K-106 with the Home Federal Christmas Wish. Folks can stop into any Home Federal location, nominate a deserving family for a variety of needs – and Home Federal and KXLT will work to fill wishes each day through the holidays. Details

KBOI – KBOI is teaming up with several other Citadel stations for Christmas in the Nighttime Sky. The station is taking toy donations for Toys for Tots during the event this Saturday night at Memorial Stadium in Garden City. The event will feature a fireworks show, hot foods for sale and more. Santa Claus will be on hand – and donations will go to the American Heart Association.

KTIK – KTIK is taking part in Christmas in the Nighttime Sky (see KBOI).

Others? Let me know…

More talent changes at Peak Broadcasting Boise – as Brian “the Bird” exits KAWO/Wow Country 104.3. Brian started with KAWO as evening host before sliding into the AM show producer job. (He also did weekends on KTMY before the station was rebranded under the Wow Country name).

This is the third on-air staff cut at Peak in the past week.

A memo obtained by Idaho Radio News written by Peak Boise SVP Kevin Godwin says the decision to let go Melissa Dawn and Greg Williamson the day before Thanksgiving was made after “months of thought and consideration.” Godwin’s note says Dawn and Williamson are “both terrific people and this was a very difficult decision.” He also said that if “given the opportunity, would hope to have them back at Peak Broadcasting.”

KXLT’s morning show will remain in place, but the station will focus on “more music at work.” Wether this means voice trackers or no jocks at all is unknown.

Also: Along with the move to morning traffic anchor, Tobin Jeffries will no longer hold the title of program director for KXLT/107.9 Lite FM. Current KCIX/Mix 106 program director Brent Carey will take over that role, with Jeffries acting as assistant program director for Lite, as well as network operations manager for the traffic group.