media bytes for wednesday, september 19, 2007

Wednesday, September 19, 2007 by SDRadio.

Welcome to SDRadio for Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2007

The world-famous GelderHead Thought Of The Day: When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.

KyXy Cafe & HoS: Charlie Quinn Operations Manager of CBS Radio in San Diego announced that KyXy and Radio Sophie have launched their HD2 multicast. Charlie writes: “On Friday morning 9/14 at 6 a.m. KyXy and KSCF began broadcasting our HD2 formats.

“KyXy’s HD-2 station is called “The Cafe” and features an eclectic blend of coffee house music including contemporary pop to blues, reggae, ambient chill, even classic 40s and 50s vocalists like Sarah Vaughn, Bessie Smith and Cab Calloway.

“KSCF’s HD-2 station is “House of Sophie” targeting what internet radio considers one of it’s fastest growing subculture formats, Electronica. “H.O.S.” features the most popular product from 15 electronica subgroupings including Trance, Chillout, Hard Dance, Ambient, Pop Synth, etc. “H.O.S.” is mood sensitive making it both compatible at work and when it’s time to play.”

Both stations will be offered with the option of live streaming audio through their respective analog/HD-1 websites. The Cafe will be available at KyXy.com, and HoS at Radio Sophie.

KGTV’s Loren Nancarrow can give a great weather forecast — except when there is a group protesting the station.

Last weekend I noted how the AM band was full of hash — scrambling the long distance reception of some stations. Last night my catch of HDRadio stations on the AM band included:

KOGO-AM San Diego 600
KCBS-AM San Francisco 740
KGO-AM San Francisco 810
KOA-AM Denver 850
KFWB-AM 980 Los Angeles

The stations outside of San Diego were strong enough to have their call letters and text displayed on my HDRadio receiver. KOA, from Denver, was the furtherest east station I could get in HDRadio. I also tried other high-power stations, but the stations were not strong enough (For example, 1520 KOKC did not display to call letters, just an asterisk. Likewise for 770 KKOB.)

Meanwhile, there is some backlash from Mexico and Canada governments on the full-time AM broadcast of the “standard”. Both countries blame the sideband for limiting their reception of local stations adjacent to the blow-torch signals. You can hear the hash at 590 AM, and 730 AM after 9 p.m.

The countries are trying to get border stations, such as KOGO and possibly the LA-based ones, to turn off the HDRadio signal after local sunset.

Noted: LA’s KFI was previously HDRadio prior to the AM antenna being toppled by a small aircraft. Once the tower is rebuilt, HDRadio broadcast will resume. Currently, KFI, the nation’s most listened to AM station, is at 25,000 watts. The tower can be seen near the Los Angeles county line, off the 5-freeway and near the Knott’s Berry Farm exit. As always, stay digitally tuned.

It was pure magic at 92.5 FM on Monday morning. Trisha Lord St. George writes that she took Limerick to see Jagger and Kristi. The 92.5 morning crew had a good time with the adoption ready dog. Trisha adds, “”Limerick” and his eight siblings came to Helen Woodward Animal Center from another Southern California Shelter that was reaching capacity and had exhausted other resources for adoption. About 80-percent of HWAC’s adoptions are pets (like “Limerick” and his siblings known as “The ‘L’ Puppies”) that have been transferred from other shelters or rescue groups. All are given a second chance to become the love of YOUR life!”

Jagger & Kristi are supporters of the Lions, Tigers and Bears Big Cat Sanctuary in Alpine. Founder, Bobbi Brink recently rescued three lion cubs and they are now in Alpine. The enclosure for these cubs is almost finished. However, work needs to begin on an exercise enclosure for all the cats at LTB and they need your help.

If you haven’t seen the Bengal Tigers and Lion Cubs at LTB yet, your chance to visit all the big cats and the cubs is coming up at the 4th Annual Between The Stripes Gala on Sunday, October 7. MAGIC 92.5 is the official radio sponsor and Jagger & Kristi are announcing the event. The event is held on the lawn at LTB and it’s fun for the entire family. Get your tickets now and help support Lions, Tigers and Bears! (Pictured is Jagger & Kristi with Bakari.)

Former ESPN radio host Dan Patrick is slated to start his national show on Monday, Oct. 1. XX Sports Radio has announced that they will carry the show in San Diego. The program will be digitally delayed and start at 2 p.m. Also noted: the daily videos at his web site are worth a stop — every day.

World Famous Shotgun Tom Kelly writes about his weekend adventures in LA: “K-Earth 101’s 35th Anniversary Concert was so much fun for everyone. The station hired a television director and a crew. Gary Bryan and myself interviewed the Four Tops, The Stylistics, War, The Doobie Brothers and Chicago on mykearth101.com. We did an on camera web cast, so people at home, on their computers, could watch the interviews. In between interviews I went out into the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater to meet and to talk to as many people who were watching the concert as possible. I even went up to the seats that were furthest from the stage. Everybody I talked to said “Shotgun, I just want to thank K-Earth 101 for putting on one of the best concerts I have ever attended.” All in all everybody seemed to have a great time.

“I made my way backstage to watch Chicago finish their set and the bass player, Jason Scheff came off stage and said “Shotgun, when I was 16 growing up in San Diego, I used to listen to you on KCBQ Radio. (Pictured: Shotgun Tom with Jason) I used to call in for the contests and win stuff from you. One of the things that I won was a Chicago album. Little did I know that one day I would be hired to be a part of that band and have been for 22 years. You made a great impression on me and I thank you for that.”

Shotgun adds: “It is nice to know that I made an impression on someone’s life.” Today, Jason is the bass player for Chicago. Shotgun included “Everybody that I have talked to said that the concert was huge success and they were thoroughly entertained.”

Shotgun Tom can be heard 4 to 8 p.m. on KEARTH 101. Prior to moving his microphone to LA, Shotgun was heard practically every where in San Diego including KCBQ, KOGO, and other fine stations in the market.

OH MY: LA was not big enough for 104.3 KBIG-FM. On Monday, long time on-air personality Charlie Tuna signed the format off as 104.3 My FM entered the airwaves at 10 a.m.

Tuna may be known to listeners of Armed Forces Radio for the over 2,000 radio shows he did. Stay Tuna‘d as the morning host and voice over specialist is expected to fill a roll at Clear Channel Los Angeles.

San Diego was home of My 94.1 before the station was re-branded as Star 94.1.

Fred Lewis: Paul Williams writes: “It’s sad to hear about the passing of Fred Lewis, he was indeed a radio icon in San Diego. I remember, as a child, listening to him do the news on KGB-AM, and I’ve pretty much followed his career ever since, on TV as well as on radio. He had a long and prolific career in the local market, and he deserves to be honored for it, but it would have been nice for him to have been recognized for his work, say…before his death!!!! It’s like a pastor that I know up here in L.A. would say: You’ve got to give folks their flowers while they can still smell them!

In any case, I and many other longtime San Diegans will never forget him or his great work! In fact, there should be a San Diego Radio & TV Hall of Fame to honor all those, like Fred Lewis, who greatly contributed to keeping America’s Finest City informed and entertained for decades. It’s such a shame that nothing like that exists down there, but it should, believe me!!!”

Mark Larson writes about Fred: “Fred was a consummate pro, always consistent. He did a great service to San Diego with his TV series, archiving important local stories for the ages.

“No one could match his “tones” when he spoke. I always remember Joe Bauer (of “Hudson & Bauer”) joking about Fred in the year when he did PA work at the Sports Arena.. such as at Clippers games. Joe would imitate “Coaching for the Clippers, Paul Silas— and gee, don’t I sound terrific?”

Jack Hayes writes: “I just read about the passing of Fred Lewis. A great voice and the consummate professional. My condolences.”

Prognosticating Pooch for Wednesday, September 19!SIT!  STAY!  Listen to Cliff & Company on KSON!

Arf…sez I Tis one Salty Dawg! "Diesel" is a fun loving, three month old, neutered, male, German Shepherd/Shar Pei Mix! Avast full of cuteness at just 12 pounds…fully grown maybe 20 pounds! Check out "Diesels" cute booty! He’s ready to set sail with you on the high seas of adventure! Where be the treasure? At Helen Woodward Animal Center…Yo-ho-ho "Diesel"!

Our featured Prognosticating Pooches have enjoyed a 100% adoption rate! Adopt your new best friend today! Call the Helen Woodward Animal Center at 858-756-4117 or visit www.animalcenter.org!

Streaming on the ‘net: SoundExchange announced on Tuesday that significant numbers of small commercial webcasters have signed agreements that allows them to continue operating through 2010 with essentially the same terms they have enjoyed under the Small Webcaster Settlement Act (SWSA). These agreements - sent in late August and signed individually with each webcaster - guarantee the same rates through 2010 that qualified small webcasters have received since 1998 for the use of sound recordings owned by SoundExchange members. The agreements are retroactive to January 1, 2006, which is the beginning of the current rate period, and continue through December 31, 2010, at which time new rates will be set either through negotiation or by the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB).

“Giving small webcasters more time to build their businesses with below-market rates is
something Members of Congress wanted us to get done, and we have,” said John Simson, Executive Director of SoundExchange. “We hope that these small webcasters will continue to provide innovative kinds of programming and a rich diversity of music.”

Twenty-four small webcasters have already signed the agreements with others indicating they are in the process of signing. Some opted not to sign the agreements because their business models benefit more from the regular commercial rates (due to their size and the difference in minimum
payments). Others did not sign because they operate via webcast aggregators who handle payments on their behalf.

Qualified small commercial webcasters who accepted the offer are now able to stream sound recordings of any and all SoundExchange members at subsidized rates. SoundExchange represents more than 28,000 recording artists and 3,500 record labels, including all the major
recording companies. As part of the agreement, small webcasters (defined as those earning $1.25 million or less in total revenues) would pay royalty fees of 10 or 12 percent of revenue. The agreement also includes a usage cap to ensure that this subsidy is used only by webcasters of
a certain size who are forming or strengthening their businesses.

San Diego 1700’s Mark Larson, in the middle of the issues every morning on the new talk station, was also in the middle of Emmy Weekend in LA. He emceed the Media Fellowship International “Awards Weekend Praise Brunch” at the Beverly Hills Hotel. The 9th annual gathering salutes people of faith in the media, and was attended by over 350 people, including several Emmy and Grammy winners, as well as Oscar nominees. It was the seventh time he’s emceed the special event. Also noted that Mark had on Councilmember Donna Frye who is trying broker a meeting between Mark and Congressman Bob Filner.

SDRadio receives press: The San Diego Beat recognized this web site in their September edition. Thanks to Carole Lane. The ‘beat for the region can be found by reading the on-line ‘zine.

Thank you for making SDRadio part of your internet travels. More news as it happens later in the broadcast day. See YOU on the radio and here later in the broadcast week.

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