Bill Virgin's Radio Beat - April 26, 2007

Includes archive of Bill Virgin's columns fromJ une 2006 - March 2009

Postby radiofan » Wed Apr 25, 2007 6:35 pm

On Radio: KQMV-FM finally names a new morning host
By BILL VIRGIN
P-I REPORTER


When a radio station launches a new format it often tries to do so with a high-profile show in morning drive, considered the period of greatest listenership and most crucial to establishing an image and brand.

Of late, a few music stations have gone in the opposite direction -- no hosts at all in mornings (KJAQ-FM, marketed as Jack, which uses no hosts during the entire day, and KJR-FM, which uses announcers after morning drive).

KQMV-FM (92.5) didn't do either. The station, featuring rhythmic and dance-music artists from classics such as Prince and Donna Summer to current artists including Beyonc? and the Black Eyed Peas, launched in May 2006 without any hosts at all. Gradually it has added on-air hosts, leaving morning drive for last.

Now that job is filled too. KQMV has named Pat Clark, who had been with a station in Milwaukee, its new morning host. He'll start the last week of May in the 5:30-10 a.m. slot.

Marc Kaye, general manager for Sandusky Radio Seattle, said the station took its time in filling the position since "our morning show is going to be quite a bit different from what was out there in the '80s and '90s."

By that Kaye means the morning zoo-style show of multiple hosts fighting for airtime. "Music stations in the morning became more like talk shows," he says.

If the new Movin' morning show has a co-host, it'll be the audience, in the form of listener calls. The show will include information updates but the plan is "it will still be music-intensive," he says.

The one job left to fill is producer for the morning show. Kaye says that person will be an actual producer, not a co-host as has been the trend with many morning shows.

Kaye says the station has done two music tests and a more in-depth perceptual study with listeners; while some songs have been given a rest to avoid burning them out, in general the station hasn't had major tweaks in its first year. "We're pretty much on target," he says.

In other radio notes:

Pat Cashman is no longer doing his once-a-week show for KRKO-AM (1380). KRKO President Andrew Skotdal said both sides agreed that a two-hour once-a-week show "wasn't the best way to highlight his talents." Skotdal also said the station and Cashman "left the door open to do something in the future."

KNHC-FM (89.5) is launching its spring membership drive this weekend. What's different about this fundraising drive, says general manager Gregg Neilson, is that the student-run station at Nathan Hale High School is looking for money for both operations and a capital campaign. Neilson said of the $135,000 the station hopes to raise each of the spring and fall drives, $110,000 from each will go to operations.

The balance will be for a planned conversion of KNHC to digital HD broadcasting. The station has $50,000 in matching funds and some cash in reserve to complete the $130,000 project. Neilson said the station hopes to convert by the end of this year, and plans to add a second channel using HD technology.

Two program-director appointments to pass on. Bonneville Seattle named Rod Arquette, formerly with the company's Salt Lake City radio group, as named program director for KIRO-AM (710) and KTTH-AM (770). And Kevin Welch, formerly with Portland's KINK-FM, has been named program director at KMTT-FM (103.7), succeeding the departed Shawn Stewart.

King County Executive Ron Sims takes listener calls on "Weekday" at 10 a.m. today on KUOW-FM (94.9).

King County Councilmember Bob Ferguson is among the guests on "Conversations With Father Bob" at 8 a.m. Saturday on KKNW-AM (1150) and 5 p.m. Tuesday on KBLE-AM (1050).

The Metropolitan Opera performs Puccini's "Il Trittico" at 10:30 a.m. Saturday on KING-FM (98.1).

The Tiptons Saxophone Quartet and Drums performs on "Sonarchy" at midnight Saturday on KEXP-FM (90.3).

Jim Wilke's "Jazz Northwest" at 1 p.m. Sunday on KPLU-FM (88.5) features a recent performance by singer Gail Pettis and her quartet.

RADIO STATIONS

AM STATIONS
Freq. Format
KVI 570 Talk
KCIS 630 Christian
KIRO 710 News/Talk
KTTH 770 Talk
KGNW 820 Christian
KIXI 880 Nostalgic pop hits
KJR 950 Sports/Talk
KOMO 1000 News
KBLE 1050 Religious
KPTK 1090 Air America
KKNW 1150 News/Talk
KWMG 1210 Spanish
KKDZ 1250 Radio Disney
KKOL 1300 Talk
KKMO 1360 Spanish
KRKO 1380 Sports/Talk
KRIZ 1420 Classic soul/R&B
KXPA 1540 Spanish
KLFE 1590 Christian
KYIZ 1620 Urban contemporary
KDOW 1680 Spanish

FM STATIONS
KPLU 88.5 Jazz/News
KNHC 89.5 Top 40/Dance
KGRG 89.9 Alternative rock
KEXP 90.3 Alternative/ World music
KSER 90.7 Public affairs/Music
KBCS 91.3 Jazz/Folk/World
KQMV 92.5 Rhythmic hits
KUBE 93.3 Urban contemporary
KMPS 94.1 Country
KUOW 94.9 News/NPR
KJR 95.7 Classic rock hits
KJAQ 96.5 Rock/pop hits
KBSG 97.3 Oldies
KING 98.1 Classical
KWJZ 98.9 Smooth jazz
KISW 99.9 Rock
KKWF 100.7 Country
KPLZ 101.5 Adult contemporary
KZOK 102.5 Classic rock
KMTT 103.7 Adult alternative
KMIH 104.5 Contemporary hits
KFNK 104.9 Rock
KCMS 105.3 Contemporary Christian
KBKS 106.1 Contemporary hits
KRWM 106.9 Soft rock
KNDD 107.7 Alternative


P-I reporter Bill Virgin can be reached at 206-448-8319 or billvirgin@seattlepi.com.

Bill Virgin's Radio Beat, Thursdays in the Seattle P-I
Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by those who couldn't hear the music.
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