media bytes for monday, april 7, 2008

Monday, April 7, 2008 by SDRadio.

Welcome to SDRadio for Monday, April 7, 2008

SignOn Radio prepares to Sign Off

Sign On Radio made a promise when first launched from the Union-Tribune building. “The combination of entertainment, information and news is unparalleled in the radio industry. Our goal is to inform and entertain - bringing you not only the newsmakers but the keen analysis of the journalists who cover them. And when we’re not talking, we’re playing the best from San Diego musicians.”

Starting at 7 a.m., Dave Mason (pictured) kicks it off with the Daily Briefing. He is joined in studio with Drew Schlosberg and Anne Maclachlan. The two hour show was similar to the KOGO newscast that Dave anchored prior the the station’s move.

SignOn Radio proclaimed the station as a unique one. “No other radio station, public or otherwise, can come close to the kind of local coverage SignOn Radio can provide. Our studios are located just a few yards from the newsroom of The San Diego Union-Tribune.

It did that and exceeded by tapping the vast back ground of the paper, but also bringing on board some talented folks that were known for radio. Dave Mason, Charlie & Harrigan, Ken Copper, Clark Anthony, and a few other radio icons joined the internet streaming station.

Ken and Clark’s (pictured) 11 a.m. show was more than a bridge to the afternoon programming, it is a look at the heart beat of the county. Using their vast background as radio journalists (and television for Clark), they left no corner of the county unturned. Topical and lively, their show remains a standout in the broadcast day at SignOn Radio. They had more U-T staffers on the mic offering insight to Karla Peterson, Neil Logan and Steve Breen. Their show, along with the Morning Briefing, will be missed.

Also adding to the fun was Charlie & Harrigan (pictured) coming to the ‘net from a secret North County location. Like their former radio shows, always entertaining and fun to hear.

Not right, nor left, but a realistic look at San Diego and beyond, SignOn Radio had exceeded where local AM radio failed: a local look with local talent that made it fun and entertainment.

It is not known if this will be the last full week or next, however an interesting chapter in broadcast stream will come to a close soon. Please sample the station at SignOn San Diego and you’ll see the link to SignOn Radio.

Clear Channel Radio has announced the implementation of the HD Radio iTunes tagging feature. The service is on more than 340 of its primary HD stations. This gives iPod user ability of transferring a song heard on the radio to the media play.

Clear Channel has 440 HD Radio stations and 340 HD2 outlets. San Diego Clear Channel stations broadcasting in HD include 101KGB, Star 94.1, New Country 95.7, Rock 105.3, and Channel 933.

San Diego 1700’s Mark Larson will record his 50th broadcast for radio in Iraq. His longtime partnership with Marine Chaplains resulted in a daily Monday through Friday special broadcast on the “Voice in the Wilderness” network, heard on US military bases in Iraq.

The show features highlights of Mark’s new 1700AM talk show and special segments done exclusively for members of the military, airing twice a day on the unique network. The program began airing on February 25, and is recorded a few weeks in advance. He remains the only San Diego radio personality who has gone “on site” to cover both Iraq and Afghanistan. He’s also broadcast from Tibet, Southeast Asia and (multiple times) from China. He’s headed back there this fall. More info: www.marklarson.com.

I asked Mark about his broad -cast from Tibet where recent political activity has been in the news. Mark writes he was there in “1998.. when only 2,000 foreigners were allowed in annually that was the in the second year of my involvement with Heart To Heart International.”

The photo is from Mark’s collection. “(This is the ) Potala Palace I took from the roof of Johkang Temple, current site of the uprisings.” On his vast world-wide travels, “Tibet and Afghanistan are still the most amazing places I’ve visited.”

Mark adds, “We took a couple million bucks on aid with us and I recorded special programs for H2H on-site… that led to more programs in China.. and I’ve been a member of their National Board of Directors for several years..also their Global Leadership Council.” That is the same group that includes former Kansas senator Bob Dole.

Mark said, “I have a real heart for the Chinese people, and especially those facing problems in Tibet. The latest uprisings have been in places I know quite well. Been there.” Not one to stay in one place very long, Mark has a trip planned. He said that he is “taking my 27 year old son with me to China this fall.”

SDRadio note: The photo of John McCain and Mark Larson that was published last week, was taken by Paul Nestor.

Thank you for making SDRadio part of your internet travels. See YOU on the radio today and here later in the broadcast week!

Posted in News | Print | No Comments »