On the last night of WDRM-FM's existence, they aired a show called "Baby New Year Spectacular." The story was set at an arena where Baby New Year would preside over a rock and roll concert that featured groups like The Scorpions, the Cardigans, Quiet Riot, and others, as well as "visits" by Burt Reynolds, Art Carney, H.R. Pufnstuff and more.
"Hi! I'm Baby New Year!"
Boos!
"And it's time for Baby New Year Spectacular!"
More boos!
Just as the show started airing-around 7 p.m.-somebody drove a car into the empty studio(the show had been recorded earlier in the day over in England) and a few people jumped out of the car. They started trashing the studio and confiscating the equipment before setting the studio on fire. How they managed to get that car out of there and back on the road was anybody's guess, but the whole studio was destroyed with the tape turning into mush.
That's the reason why the station didn't make it to their midnight sign-off time; hell, it was over in less than 25 minutes. And those jerks who did it are still at large.
Monday, July 25, 2011
THE SLOW DEATH OF THE AM BAND!
When I was growing up, most of my listening was on the AM band. That's where most of the music was, as well as the news and sports. WRKO 680 and WMEX 1510 fought their hardest to get the top 40 youth while WBZ 1030 and WHDH 850 combined full service radio with music, talk, news and sports. And then there were the daytime stations: WCAS-AM 740, which was a top 40, then a folk station. WILD-AM 1090, which was the only urban station in the Boston area and played soul and disco music. WJDA-AM 1300, which served the South Shore with nostalgia and information. WHIL(later WWEL) at 1430, which broadcast specialty programming such as oldies and ethnic shows. And WLYN at 1360, which was mostly music and news.
However, in the 1960s, there was a prediction that FM Radio would rule the airwaves. When WVBF, WBCN and WROR came along with rock and roll, including long versions of songs, top 40's days on AM were numbered. Also, later on in the 1980s, some daytime stations began to broadcast well into the night by filling their blocks with sports or ethnic programming. Some stations developed a niche format-serving Hispanic and Greek communities, among others, with foreign language programs.
And since the 1970s, FM radio has all but destroyed the music genre on the AM band with specialized formats of top 40, Hot AC, alternative, hip hop, etc. Most of the DJs we grew up with are either dead or retired.
When AM Stereo came out in the 1980s, people thought that it would save music on the AM band, but because there were 4 different formats, it never caught on. AM Radio turned to talk hosts like Rush Limbaugh, Art Bell, Larry King, Dr. Laura and Rev. Al Sharpton for their ratings rush. Meanwhile, some stations began doing brokered time programming.
I remember growing up in Boston listening to the radio at night and picking up radio stations from Chicago, New York Montreal, Detroit, Albany, New Haven, Toronto and other cities along the Northeast corridor. You got to hear stuff that you wouldn't find on your own radio station here in Boston. However, many of these AM stations are no longer on the air, especially in Canada, where small cities and towns are seeing their radio stations leave the band. Three CBC clear channel stations-two in Montreal and one in Moncton-no longer broadcast on their heritage frequencies. And Nova Scotia doesn't have any stations on AM.
So many AM radio stations are now simulcasting their broadcasts on their FM sister stations, like WGY up in Schenectady and WBBM in Chicago.
HD Radio was supposed to be a "savior" to the AM band by offering crystal clear FM type broadcasting, but it interferes with other stations. WBZ's HD signal, for example, destroys the analog signals of their New York, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh stations. Also, Radio Disney Boston's HD signal at AM 1260, causes interference with WESX in Salem and WJDA in Quincy, which makes them unlistenable.
With the baby boom generation reaching retirement and the influx of both legal and illegal immigrants, most radio stations are turning over their time to ethnic audiences. Once local radio stations, WJDA and WESX now offer programming in Spanish and Portuguese, most of which is very good(if you can hear it through Radio Disney's HD hishash. WJIB(the old WCAS) now plays the beautiful music format that was pushed off the air by corporate owners. And of course, there's WUNR 1600, which broadcasts in over 20 different languages(the bulk of it in Spanish) to serve the needs of the immigrant communities. (I used to listen to WUNR overnights for their Super 16 urban programs during the week, and Kenny Mayer on Sunday nights).
Somehow, the AM band is dying a slow death as most people of my generation switch to FM radio(which is mostly voicetracked jukeboxes) or to the internet(which has unbridled freedom for music). Satellite radio, once the crown jewel of listening, has fallen off the wagon. When they were seperate companies, XM and Sirius satellite radio's music channels had freeform formats. Now that they've merged, they've become the Clear Channel of Satellite. (They've even got a number of their stations on the systems.)
I wonder if by the end of this decade, maybe sooner, AM radio will cease to exist. That's something worth thinking about...NOT!
However, in the 1960s, there was a prediction that FM Radio would rule the airwaves. When WVBF, WBCN and WROR came along with rock and roll, including long versions of songs, top 40's days on AM were numbered. Also, later on in the 1980s, some daytime stations began to broadcast well into the night by filling their blocks with sports or ethnic programming. Some stations developed a niche format-serving Hispanic and Greek communities, among others, with foreign language programs.
And since the 1970s, FM radio has all but destroyed the music genre on the AM band with specialized formats of top 40, Hot AC, alternative, hip hop, etc. Most of the DJs we grew up with are either dead or retired.
When AM Stereo came out in the 1980s, people thought that it would save music on the AM band, but because there were 4 different formats, it never caught on. AM Radio turned to talk hosts like Rush Limbaugh, Art Bell, Larry King, Dr. Laura and Rev. Al Sharpton for their ratings rush. Meanwhile, some stations began doing brokered time programming.
I remember growing up in Boston listening to the radio at night and picking up radio stations from Chicago, New York Montreal, Detroit, Albany, New Haven, Toronto and other cities along the Northeast corridor. You got to hear stuff that you wouldn't find on your own radio station here in Boston. However, many of these AM stations are no longer on the air, especially in Canada, where small cities and towns are seeing their radio stations leave the band. Three CBC clear channel stations-two in Montreal and one in Moncton-no longer broadcast on their heritage frequencies. And Nova Scotia doesn't have any stations on AM.
So many AM radio stations are now simulcasting their broadcasts on their FM sister stations, like WGY up in Schenectady and WBBM in Chicago.
HD Radio was supposed to be a "savior" to the AM band by offering crystal clear FM type broadcasting, but it interferes with other stations. WBZ's HD signal, for example, destroys the analog signals of their New York, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh stations. Also, Radio Disney Boston's HD signal at AM 1260, causes interference with WESX in Salem and WJDA in Quincy, which makes them unlistenable.
With the baby boom generation reaching retirement and the influx of both legal and illegal immigrants, most radio stations are turning over their time to ethnic audiences. Once local radio stations, WJDA and WESX now offer programming in Spanish and Portuguese, most of which is very good(if you can hear it through Radio Disney's HD hishash. WJIB(the old WCAS) now plays the beautiful music format that was pushed off the air by corporate owners. And of course, there's WUNR 1600, which broadcasts in over 20 different languages(the bulk of it in Spanish) to serve the needs of the immigrant communities. (I used to listen to WUNR overnights for their Super 16 urban programs during the week, and Kenny Mayer on Sunday nights).
Somehow, the AM band is dying a slow death as most people of my generation switch to FM radio(which is mostly voicetracked jukeboxes) or to the internet(which has unbridled freedom for music). Satellite radio, once the crown jewel of listening, has fallen off the wagon. When they were seperate companies, XM and Sirius satellite radio's music channels had freeform formats. Now that they've merged, they've become the Clear Channel of Satellite. (They've even got a number of their stations on the systems.)
I wonder if by the end of this decade, maybe sooner, AM radio will cease to exist. That's something worth thinking about...NOT!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
CONTINUED!
The Cosgrove File! December 26th., 2012. This is Daniel Cosgrove on the CBC Radio Network. Millions of you were complaining about the American Nazi Party's profanity-laced recording of its President Werner Klump being tied up and gagged as he was being led to his execution on Monday night. This is the first time that an execution was televised on national TV, against the wishes of millions of viewers across the country. And of course, there was some very horrible reaction to it. You'll hear it after this for Fly By Night Airlines!
Music begins.
"There is no Christmas Cheer
on Fly By Night Airlines.
We've gone on strike
this Christmas time!
All our planes are grounded
and the phone lines are closed.
There's a bug going 'round
and we've messed our clothes.
Fly By Night never gets
where you want to go.
So sit back, relax,
and enjoy the show.
Fly By Night never gets
where you want to go.
So sit back, relax,
and enjoy the show."
Visit http://www.flybylight.bomb for further strike information.
Music begins.
"There is no Christmas Cheer
on Fly By Night Airlines.
We've gone on strike
this Christmas time!
All our planes are grounded
and the phone lines are closed.
There's a bug going 'round
and we've messed our clothes.
Fly By Night never gets
where you want to go.
So sit back, relax,
and enjoy the show.
Fly By Night never gets
where you want to go.
So sit back, relax,
and enjoy the show."
Visit http://www.flybylight.bomb for further strike information.
THIS IS MY LOVE SONG!
"The Cosgrove File. December 25th., 2012. This is Craig Cosgrove on the CBC Radio Network. The world didn't end this past weekend, but someone in the studio got a really big idea. The idea was this: what if a nuclear exchange took place on Christmas Eve night, leaving the world in ruins on Christmas Day? Well, Ted Kelly and I wrote a song about that possibility, which we talked about a few days ago. You'll hear it after this for the American Nazi Party."
ANNOUNCER: Achtung! Ze following is a transcript of a short farewell speech from American Nazi Party President Werner Klump to ze listeners of this station. It vas recorded just before he was put to death last night in the Death House at the Texas State Prison.
VOICE: MMMMPH! MMMMPH! MMMMMMMPH!
"ALL RIGHT, YOU NAZI FUCK! GET YOUR HANDS BEHIND YOUR BACK BECAUSE WE'RE TYING 'EM WHETHER YOU WANT TO OR NOT!"
VOICE: HMMMMMPH! HHHMMMMMPH!
"EVERYBODY KNOWS YOU KNOCKED OFF THAT JERK IN THE LAUNDRY ROOM! WHERE YOU'RE GOING, YOU'RE GONNA GET YOUR ASS KICKED!"
VOICE: MMMMMMMPH! MMMMMMMPH!
"COME ON! IT'S ALMOST MIDNIGHT! YOU DON'T WANT TO KEEP THE HANGMAN WAITING, DO YA?"
VOICE: MMMMMMMMMPH! MMMMMMMPH! MMMMMMMMMMMPHF!
"TAKE HIM AWAY, BOYS! HAVE THE PRIEST EXCOMMUNICATE HIM BEFORE WE HANG HIM!"
Sorry, folks. The Christmas song was full of profanity in it, so we can't do that one. Merry Christmas, everybody. I'm Craig Cosgrove on CBC Radio Network. And remember, the only good Nazi is a dead one! Remember, transcripts, podcasts and mp3s of this program are availible on CBCRadio.bomb. And I'll see you on the Television this Sunday morning for Weekend Open House. Check your listings for showtimes.
ANNOUNCER: Achtung! Ze following is a transcript of a short farewell speech from American Nazi Party President Werner Klump to ze listeners of this station. It vas recorded just before he was put to death last night in the Death House at the Texas State Prison.
VOICE: MMMMPH! MMMMPH! MMMMMMMPH!
"ALL RIGHT, YOU NAZI FUCK! GET YOUR HANDS BEHIND YOUR BACK BECAUSE WE'RE TYING 'EM WHETHER YOU WANT TO OR NOT!"
VOICE: HMMMMMPH! HHHMMMMMPH!
"EVERYBODY KNOWS YOU KNOCKED OFF THAT JERK IN THE LAUNDRY ROOM! WHERE YOU'RE GOING, YOU'RE GONNA GET YOUR ASS KICKED!"
VOICE: MMMMMMMPH! MMMMMMMPH!
"COME ON! IT'S ALMOST MIDNIGHT! YOU DON'T WANT TO KEEP THE HANGMAN WAITING, DO YA?"
VOICE: MMMMMMMMMPH! MMMMMMMPH! MMMMMMMMMMMPHF!
"TAKE HIM AWAY, BOYS! HAVE THE PRIEST EXCOMMUNICATE HIM BEFORE WE HANG HIM!"
Sorry, folks. The Christmas song was full of profanity in it, so we can't do that one. Merry Christmas, everybody. I'm Craig Cosgrove on CBC Radio Network. And remember, the only good Nazi is a dead one! Remember, transcripts, podcasts and mp3s of this program are availible on CBCRadio.bomb. And I'll see you on the Television this Sunday morning for Weekend Open House. Check your listings for showtimes.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
AFTER THE MARATHON!
PART 2!
Getting back to the marathon, after we closed the station down, one of the phone operators-Joey, I'll call him-started a fight with Seymour, who was our man in the control room that day.
"I don't know why you're talking about Mr. Clausen," one of the telephone operators shouted.
"I told you that fuckin' A doesn't belong in Cuba," Joey replied.
"You are an asshole," the operator said.
"So are you!" he retorted, causing her to cry.
Seymour heard that and confronted Joey.
"What do you want?" Joey shouted.
"Listen, Joey," Seymour said, "it's not our fault that we're in the red. Mr. Clausen called the marathon a halt."
"Fuck no!" Joey shouted.
"And you have no right to chew our operators out!" Seymour snarled.
"Yeah, right!" Joey retorted.
"So why are you angry at him?" Seymour barked.
"Clausen should not be in Cuba! That bastard will get blacklisted by the USA government."
"Listen, Joey," Seymour reminded him, "he and his parish are on a charity mission for a children's hospital in Havana. So he's not subject to the blacklist."
"Oh, yeah?" Joey said. "Remember when he played rugby in Johannesburg with the All American Values team after being told not to go?"
"He didn't go to Johannesburg, you idiot!"
"Well, if he didn't go to Johannesbug..."
"That's enough!" Seymour shouted as he hit Joey in the face. Joey replied by kicking him in the nuts, causing him to wet his pants and collapse on the floor.
"You've done it!" Seymour screamed, leaping back to his feet and punching Joey in the jaw. Before you knew it, a fight between the two now enused. Fortunately, the Campus Police station is just across the hall from our radio station, so the cops were able to subdue Joey and drag him across the hall to get booked.
"You're fired, dickhead!"
"Go to Hell, Seymour!"
"Don't let me catch you in here again! You're barred!"
"Bullshit! Fuck you!"
Two weeks of fundraising had taken a toll on the staff, and when the others came out to see what happened, Seymour said, "Just an unruly employee, everybody. You guys punch out and go home. We'll call you back soon."
They wouldn't get their chance, though. The trustees of the University closed the station down permamently after the incident. And 3 days later, the University itself was closed down after over 80 years of service to the community.
To be continued....
Getting back to the marathon, after we closed the station down, one of the phone operators-Joey, I'll call him-started a fight with Seymour, who was our man in the control room that day.
"I don't know why you're talking about Mr. Clausen," one of the telephone operators shouted.
"I told you that fuckin' A doesn't belong in Cuba," Joey replied.
"You are an asshole," the operator said.
"So are you!" he retorted, causing her to cry.
Seymour heard that and confronted Joey.
"What do you want?" Joey shouted.
"Listen, Joey," Seymour said, "it's not our fault that we're in the red. Mr. Clausen called the marathon a halt."
"Fuck no!" Joey shouted.
"And you have no right to chew our operators out!" Seymour snarled.
"Yeah, right!" Joey retorted.
"So why are you angry at him?" Seymour barked.
"Clausen should not be in Cuba! That bastard will get blacklisted by the USA government."
"Listen, Joey," Seymour reminded him, "he and his parish are on a charity mission for a children's hospital in Havana. So he's not subject to the blacklist."
"Oh, yeah?" Joey said. "Remember when he played rugby in Johannesburg with the All American Values team after being told not to go?"
"He didn't go to Johannesburg, you idiot!"
"Well, if he didn't go to Johannesbug..."
"That's enough!" Seymour shouted as he hit Joey in the face. Joey replied by kicking him in the nuts, causing him to wet his pants and collapse on the floor.
"You've done it!" Seymour screamed, leaping back to his feet and punching Joey in the jaw. Before you knew it, a fight between the two now enused. Fortunately, the Campus Police station is just across the hall from our radio station, so the cops were able to subdue Joey and drag him across the hall to get booked.
"You're fired, dickhead!"
"Go to Hell, Seymour!"
"Don't let me catch you in here again! You're barred!"
"Bullshit! Fuck you!"
Two weeks of fundraising had taken a toll on the staff, and when the others came out to see what happened, Seymour said, "Just an unruly employee, everybody. You guys punch out and go home. We'll call you back soon."
They wouldn't get their chance, though. The trustees of the University closed the station down permamently after the incident. And 3 days later, the University itself was closed down after over 80 years of service to the community.
To be continued....
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
WHO'S NEXT THIS YEAR?
Well, KDKA's 90th. anniversary is over, so who's next? I believe it's WEW in Saint Louis, which has been a daytimer all its life, but now is working on improving its status to full time 24/7. While they would be on limited power at night, they can blast their signal 'round the clock on the internet at http://www.wew.com. Also, there's WBZ, New England's news radio station, which has been the home to personalities like Alan Dary, Carl DeSuze, Gary Lapierre, Gil Santos, David Brudnoy, and so much more. When you think about it, radio is still a powerful medium.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)