|
Radio Talk Host Gene Burns Dies at 72 
Veteran radio talk host Gene Burns has died at the age of 72, after a long period of failing health. Burns, who had experienced a series of strokes that forced him to end his long radio career, most recently had aired on KGO-AM, San Francisco, hosting a News Talk show, a popular restaurant/entertainment specialty program. He died in Orlando, Florida, where he had once aired in the 1970s and early 1980s on WKIS-AM. Burns left that station in 1981, but returned there briefly from 1984 to 1985. But he came to prominence in the late 1980s and early 1990s as part of the lineup at WRKO-AM, Boston. Then, a brief (but much noticed) stop at WOR-AM, New York, and national syndication on the WOR Radio Network. Burns had also aired for a time in Baltimore. Following his New York City radio work, he moved to San Francisco where he worked for KGO-AM until he exited in early 2012. His nightly 7-10pm show was said to be "ritual listening for many people." Burns also hosted the weekend program "Dining Around with Gene Burns." According to an updated bio, Gene Burns was born December 3, 1940, and died May 25, 2013. Conflicting reports say he either "retired" from KGO-AM or was forced out when he was among the hosts cut by KGO-AM as it shifted to more of a News format and away from a News Talk format. Burns was scheduled to continue his shows on crosstown KKSF-AM, but never actually aired there. Instead, fill-in hosts took his place as he recovered from an unknown illness. On April 3, 2012, Burns disclosed on his KKSF-AM blog that he was recovering from a stroke that had resulted in aphasia. Longtime KNX-AM/Los Angeles News Anchor Harry Birrell Dies at 85 
Longtime Los Angeles radio broadcaster Harry Birrell has died at the age of 85, according to "1070 Newsradio" KNX-AM. The station's Bob Brill reports that Birrell remained part of the station for 31 years. Born in Steubenville, Ohio, Birrell worked at many stations before joining the station in 1968 -- the same year KNX-AM first adopted an all-news format. Birrell anchored the news until 1993, covering some of the most important stories of the day. He then became the station’s Ventura County correspondent. Birrell retired in 1999. “An impeccable broadcaster. A truly fine gentlemen. And it was an honor to work with Harry Birrell,” said Business Editor Frank Mottek. Birrell resided in Thousand Oaks up until his death. On the Los Angeles board of RadioDiscussions.com, LARadioRewind, who provided a link to the cited report, also offers a link to ReelRadio.com with "a 1993 Shotgun Tom Kelly 'Salute To San Diego Radio' tribute that aired on KCBQ-FM in 1993. Among the voices is 'Jerry Walker.' That was the name that Harry Birrell used when he was on KCBQ, 1958-65." Birrell also worked at KFWB for a short time in 1968 before joining KNX, according to LARadioRewind. Reporting Birrell's passing, the Los Angeles Times reports, "The Radio and Television News Assn. of Southern California recognized Birrell with multiple Golden Mike awards for excellence in local broadcast journalism." Their report says that in 1975, Birrell told them, "It had always been my ambition to be a newscaster. I used to listen to Morgan Beatty, one of the old-time news people [on NBC], and I suppose that convinced me. I have found my niche. For me, this job is more than just reading the news. You're looking at cold copy much of the time, putting things together, and there are always people dropping off new material. But it never gets routine. You never come to work knowing what's going to happen from one minute to the next." Also, LARadio.com has more on Harry Birrell's long radio career.
News Reporter/Anchor Mary Frances Bragiel Exits WLS-AM 
Reporter/anchor Mary Frances Bragiel exits Cumulus-owned Talk WLS-AM, Chicago, to join the office of Illinois State Treasurer Dan Rutherford as Communications Director. She begins her new job June 3, based out of the Treasurer's Chicago office, reports Chicagoland Radio and Media. In a statement, Rutherford says of Bragiel: "I look forward to having Mary Frances as my communications director. I have always admired her work as a journalist, and I am confident she will bring the same integrity to my office." Bragiel has over a decade of time as a news reporter and anchor for Chicago radio and television. She began her broadcasting career as a news intern at WGN-AM in January 1996, before going to Virginia for TV positions, returning to the Windy City in 2005 at WBBM-AM, and later WGN-AM, before joining WLS-AM. CRM notes that Bragiel is the third evening news anchor at WLS-AM to exit over the last two years, following Lise Dominique and Monica DeSantis. Dominique and DeSantis both left WLS-AM to join Merlin Media’s ill-fated former “FM News 101.1” WIQI-FM.
Conclave Webinar – Jacobs Media Techsurvey 9 
The Conclave will present a 90 minute webinar with Fred Jacobs and the results of Jacobs Media's Techsurvey 9. According to Jacobs, “Techsurvey9 shows that while gadgets and new media continue to occupy the headlines, radio’s ability to uniquely connect with consumers on their preferred platforms is the secret sauce for future success in the digital space.” The free Conclave webinar is set for Wednesday, June 5 at 2pm CT, but preregistration is required. According to a news release, "The Conclave presents Fred Jacobs with the results of Jacobs Media's Techsurvey 9, the high-tech revolution continues – but broadcast radio’s pathway to success may turn out to be more high-touch. Techsurvey9 explores the media habits of twelve different format core audiences. And this year, the study utilized four generations to tell a deeper story about media and technology use. From Baby Boomers through Generations X, Y, and Z, the narrative about radio and how millions of Americans use and connect with radio." The rare holiday weekend news release adds, "Comprised of data obtained from the largest radio tech study ever conducted (264 stations/12 formats/78,111 radio listeners), this very special 90 minutes presentation will bring into focus the questions and answers to many pressing issues facing the industry that delivers America's audio content and entertainment." Conclave webinars are free; however pre-registration is required -- at this location. We're told that "all Conclave webinars are moderated by Conclave Board Member Jay Philpott, air talent at Hubbard Radio's 106-5 The Arch, WARH/St. Louis." Our May 19 TPM 'Projections Monitor' Missed It? 
TPM ChartNotes:
A week ago we were feeling rather smug about our Projections Monitor published May 12, projecting May 19. The first nine songs were listed in the exact order confirmed by the May 19th Super Sixty. This week we are less than thrilled about the May 19 Projections Monitor projecting May 26. It should be noted that we continue to warn that the trending used by our
TotalsProjectionsMonitor software is always subject to change. And change it did! Also, we always emphasize that the PM30 offers "a projection of what the Top 30 on the next week's Super Sixty might look like" -- and, of course, there are no guarantees. Additionally, for the PM30's second stated purpose -- "a programming guide for the coming week for radio stations" -- we still value the "Projections Monitor 30" from May 19. For example, while "Mirrors" has been delayed in ranking Number One as projected, it is still on its way to our top position (likely within days, as will first be seen on our Daily Dozen listings); and despite its actual May 26 ranking as runner-up based on TotalPlaysMonitored at the Components of TotalPopularMusic, "Mirrors" is currently being programmed by TPM with a higher rotation rate than actual Number One-ranked "Just Give Me A Reason" (which, according to recent research, is beginning to show a significant "burn factor").
'Total Popular Music' Celebrates 50th Anniversary 
Although the current incarnation of "Total Popular Music" is just six years young, the original "Total Popular Music" is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year! Long ago and far away, a young, (very) overweight, punk teenager with aspirations to become radio's most popular disc jockey anywhere of all times began his radio career working weekends at a small hometown radio station in the garden section of the Garden State -- that is, southern New Jersey, better known to locals as South Jersey. His first gig featured a Saturday afternoon show (12noon-6pm) during which he hosted a teen-oriented "Top 30 Parade of Hits" countdown show. Since songs were only about 3:00 minutes each on vinyl 45 rpm records in those days, the six-hour show also featured "Hitbounds" and "Mark's Memories" interspersed
throuhout the countdown. For unknown reasons, this kid called himself "Your Guy Mark Eye," soon developing the tag line, "investigating the weird, wide, wonderful world of music." Remember, this was 1962. ("Where were you in '62?") By the end of the year, this kid dubbed his Saturday afternoon music marathon's offerings "Total Popular Music." An additional duty he'd obtained at this 250 watt AM station was compiling and printing (with a mimeograph machine) the station's weekly Top 30 Parade of Hits "music survey" which was distributed at several local retail outlets.
Harker Research: 'Fitbits, PPM, and Arbitron's Missing Quarter-Hours' 
Harker Research is telling broadcasters about a must-try "new tool" that affords "an opportunity for us all to feel what it is like to be a PPM panelist." In a new post, from Richard Harker and Glenda Shrader Bos, the questions are posed: "Want to better understand why PPM listening levels are lower than diary levels? Want to see why Arbitron only asks that panelists carry their meter eight hours a day while most people are awake twice as many hours? Want to see why PPM may be costing radio million dollars in lost revenue?" Harker Research then adds, "If you really want to better understand PPM’s limitations and challenges, there's a new tool you must try." They note that "Arbitron won’t let you experience what it’s like to be a PPM panelist. The company won't even let you carry a meter for a day or two." So what are we to do? "The good news is that the new Quantified Self movement has created an opportunity for us all to feel what it is like to be a PPM panelist." But, be warns: "you won't like what you find out."
MHBC Vs CNN: 'Kings of Radio: All-Time Great DJs' 
By now we're sure you've heard that CNN has chosen what they believe to be "The kings of the radio: All-time great DJs" -- the best/most influential radio personalities of all-time. This is a part of CNN's ongoing series. "They were, and are, your guide to the airwaves: the vinyl spinners, the blasts from the past, the paramount players of the platters that matter," says CNN.
Ross On Radio: 'The Summer Song Of 2013' 
So what is the "Summer Song of 2013"? What? The Summer Season is just starting and it's too early to answer that question? Not for Sean Ross. First we were (pleasantly) surprised to find a second "Ross On Radio" in the "Billboard Top 40 Mid Week Update" edition of the twice-weekly newsletter. After all, since Ross returned to his roots at Billboard, his ROR column has been a Monday feature. And we look forward to it each week. But to sign up for that Monday (no cost) newsletter from Billboard, we also "had to take" the mid week update. Then, with the latest second edition we were surprised that Sean Ross already has some predictions on the "Summer Song Of 2013" -- led by Daft Punk's "Get Lucky" (which we are still charting as on the rise at "Total Popular Music"). As we once wrote, "We've been reading Ross On Radio longer than Sean Ross has been writing it -- in its various incarnations at various venues." Read the "Summer Song" column in Portable Document Format (PDF) here. (And do yourself a favor: sign-up to receive it regularly in your email! Just click the ROR logo above.)
Behind the Microphone: The Ins and Outs of Radio Kent Sterling returns to Indianapolis, rejoining Chris Hagan for "Ahead of The Curve With Hagan and Sterling" on "1070 The Fan" WFNI-AM and FM translator W298BB (107.5). The show airs Saturdays from 10am-1pm. Most recently, Sterling was Program Director of "101 ESPN" WXOS-FM, St. Louis. Previously, he served as PD at "Fan" sister News Talk WIBC-FM before moving to St. Louis ... "Classic Hits 93.1" debuts at WNOX-FM, Knoxville, after two weeks of simulcasting with Country "Q 100.3" WCYQ-FM (on WNOX-FM's former frequency). WNOX-FM, at 100.3, was a News Talk station before Journal Broadcast Group purchased it for WCYQ-FM ... Morning co-host Amy Reed exits Hot AC "Live 95.9" WBEC-FM, Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The station is seeking her replacement.
|
From Mark Harris Broadcast Consulting
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Memorial Day Weekend Update
With the permission of Program Director and mentor "Paul Stevens" (Paul Mitchell) -- who would go on to big things as PD of Philadelphia's WDVR-FM and ABC Radio's KXYZ, Houston -- Mark changed the "Parade of Hits" to "Total Popular Music." In early 1963, "Mark Eye" (who in 1965 would become "Mark Harris" at WLDB-AM and WRNJ-FM, Atlantic City), was asked to "local host" what were then known as "record hops" at a local parochial high school. The dances were advertised as hosted by legendary Philadelphia personality Hy Lit. He, however, often had a half dozen (or more) such events scheduled at various locations the same night! At the time the "teen audience" favorite, evenings on "Wibbage" WIBG-AM, Philadelphia, (also known as "Radio 99"), Hyski had a helicopter transport him from one "Hy Lit Record Hop" to another, making appearances at all of them, with locals handling the majority of the evening. Mark therefore got to know Hy Lit early in what would become a long (and sometimes successful) radio career. Mark also handed out mimeographed copies of his local station's "Total Popular Music Top 30" at these weekly dances. "Hyski O'Rooney McVautie O'Zoot" took a copy back to "Wibbage" -- and not too long thereafter Mark was contacted by WIBG's then-owner Storer Broadcasting. They wanted to "buy" the name "Total Popular Music." Mark, a budding entrepreneur (?), sold the rights for the extremely large sum of $50 -- and declared he was "rich"(?) at the age of 15. A few weeks later, when he was broke, he realized he'd sold it too cheaply. Ultimately, he received another $50 -- plus the OK to continue using the "slogo" locally at his hometown station. Some years later -- long after Storer sold the station and it no longer used "Total Popular Music" -- Mark discovered they had never actually registered or trademarked the "TPM" brand, and he reclaimed it at a 5,000 watt AM Top 40 station in Elizabeth City, which he programmed as "Northeastern North Carolina's Friendly Giant." Thereafter, TPM became dormant until 2007 when the current TPM -- Total Popular Music -- was born. (Or more correctly, "re-born.")
We're told, "The Quantified Self is a movement that uses new technology in portable data acquisition to document a person’s daily activity." OK, guys, you've got our attention. Please, tell us more. "One of the technologies is a new category of small fitness tracker toys devices that use an accelerometer to measure our movement throughout the day. The PPM uses a similar accelerometer to determine whether a PPM is in motion. Fitbit v JawboneDevices like the Jawbone fitness tracker are worn on the wrist like a bracelet, while others are small clip-on devices like the Fitbit Zip. The Fitbit Zip is particularly interesting because in many ways it can serve as a valuable surrogate for the PPM meter. Wearing a Fitbit Zip is just like a panelist carrying a PPM meter. And the Zip will tell you how many hours in a day a PPM meter would have been able to capture listening." Richard Harker then tells us about his experience with
"the Quantified Self moment and began wearing both a Jawbone Up and Fitbit Zip." Without providing a reason why you shouldn't read the full post for yourself, we note that he says, "Little did I know that I would soon develop great empathy for Arbitron’s panelists." And Harker Research does suggest some answers to the questions posed at the start of the post from experience with the devices -- particularly the $60 Fitbit Zip. But you'll have to 
You can view their listing for yourself. However, MHBC's Chief of Everything (COE) Mark Harris says, "They didn't do that bad of a job in assembling their list -- but let's be real: CNN didn't even exist in the era they are featuring." Therefore, MHBC has assembled its own listing. We don't dispute CNN's per se. We just think ours is better. And, while some will argue otherwise, ours is "totally unbiased" (*ahem*).
Please feel free to disagree in the comments section.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment