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t’s rather ironic that in this 20th anniversary issue of TALKERS magazine Larry King is honored as one of the “100 Most Important Radio Talk Show Hosts of All Time” while word of his imminent departure from CNN’s “Larry King Live” is in the news. It’s been an amazing broadcast career for King who started in local radio, is a pioneer in syndicated radio and went on to become one of the most recognizable cable television personalities in the world. But King’s retirement from the nightly show is not a surprise. It’s been rumored for some time, amidst flagging ratings, that he would be replaced. That’s not the public story though. King tweeted a message to fans before a recent program that said, in part: “Before I start the show tonight, I want to share some personal news with you. 25 years ago, I sat across this table from New York Governor Mario Cuomo for the first broadcast of ‘Larry King Live.’ Now, decades later, I talked to the guys here at CNN and I told them I would like to end ‘Larry King Live,’ the nightly show, this fall and CNN has graciously accepted, giving me more time for my wife and I to get to the kids’ little league games. I’ll still be a part of the CNN family, hosting several ‘Larry King’ specials on major national and international subjects.” Exactly when King gives up the show is not known, except that it will be this fall…..CNN formally announces that former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer is being paired with conservative Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper columnist Kathleen Parker for a news-oriented, roundtable-style talk show to debut in September. The still-untitled New York City-based program will run at 8:00 pm ET filling the time slot recently vacated by Campbell Brown. According to Jon Klein, president of CNN/U.S, “Other cable news channels force-feed viewers one narrow, predictable point of view. In contrast, CNN will be offering a lively roundup of all the best ideas –– presented by two of the most intelligent and outspoken figures in the country. Eliot and Kathleen are beholden to no vested interest –– in fact, quite the opposite: they are renowned for taking on the most powerful targets and most important causes.”…..It was not unexpected when Clear Channel president and CEO Mark Mays announced he would be stepping down from the position at the end of the year. Many industry insiders were wondering how long Mays would head the company that’s now effectively run by private equity firms. Mays says he will stay on as chairman of the board. He issued a company-wide memo that read, in part: “I have thought carefully about the steps we need to take as a company to realize our full potential over the long term. We have significantly strengthened our management team and we are fortunate to have robust leadership in place in our businesses. After many hard decisions over the last year, we are well positioned to continue leading and succeeding in the marketplace. Given the positive trends we are seeing, I am very optimistic about the future of Clear Channel. That’s why I feel this is an opportune time for a new CEO to work with the management team in leading our terrific company forward.”…..Two major media entities recently made changes to the way they brand themselves that shines a light on the future of radio. First, Bonneville’s all-news WTOP, Washington, DC took the word “radio” out of its positioning statements. Top and bottom-of-the-hour liners now refer to WTOP as “News, traffic, weather. On-air, online, mobile.” VP of programming Jim Farley says they view their operation not as a radio station but as a news organization. In a related story, Washington, DC-based National Public Radio is instructing its staff to refer to the company as NPR from now on. Like WTOP, NPR offers its content across multiple platforms and realizes that the word “radio” is a 20th century word…..Longtime Los Angeles talk programmer Jack Silver joins Citadel to program legendary news/talk station KABC, Los Angeles, replacing David G. Hall. President and general manager Bob Moore says, “I have had the pleasure of working with Jack for the past 11 years, together we experienced numerous successes and I look forward to him bringing that winning way to KABC.” Moore says Silver’s charge is to build “a very focused produced and executed adult radio station that compliments the success of Sean Hannity, Mark Levin and the Los Angeles Dodgers. KABC is fortunate to have Peter Tilden, Frosty, Heidi and Frank and John Phillips on staff, along with Doug McIntyre, Don Imus and John Bachelor. KABC has been a fixture in Los Angeles talk radio celebrating our 40th year in the talk format. This is one of the most important years in history; the fall elections will shape the future of both California and the country. Everyday something of interest is happening across the world and KABC-AM will be talking about it.” Silver had been working with CBS Radio music outlets KRTH-FM and KTWV-FM since the demise of former hot talk station KLSX-FM which he programmed for many years…..Sean Hannity’s Salt Lake City switcheroo was not exactly the typical changing of affiliates. Bonneville’s KSL, Salt Lake City recently announced the cancellation of the show when the contract comes up in October but says the station wants more local programming. Prior to that announcement, Salt Lake Tribune blogger Glen Warchol had written that Bonneville’s Deseret Media believes Sean Hannity’s “tone” doesn’t fit the “corporate values code” espoused by the LDS-owned company. The official announcement from Deseret Media chief Mark Willes said, “We acknowledge the great partnership we’ve had with Sean Hannity and appreciate his contributions to furthering public dialogue. At the end of the day, we simply feel our future success and competitive advantage reside in creating unique local content and that is our objective for developing replacement programming.” Clear Channel’s crosstown KNRS-FM is picking up the show…..Talk Radio Network host Laura Ingraham publishes her latest book titled, The Obama Diaries (Threshold Editions 2010). The new book is a satirical political analysis of President Barack Obama through a reading of his “diary” of which the author has come into possession. Ingraham is out and about promoting the new book…..Former Arkansas Governor (and former presidential candidate) Mike Huckabee still has his weekly show on Fox News Channel and his daily radio feature through Citadel Media. But now he’s testing a daytime talk show on seven Fox Televison O&Os. “The Huckabee Show” airs for six weeks beginning July 26 on WNYW-TV, New York; KDFW-TV, Dallas; WFXT-TV, Boston; WAGA-TV, Atlanta; WJBK-TV, Detroit; WTVT-FM, Tampa; and KMSP-TV, Minneapolis, according to Broadcasting and Cable. The show airs in the late morning and early afternoon and varies from station to station. The one-hour show will be taped before a live studio audience in New York…..The Media Bureau Policy Division of the Federal Communications Commission offers informal advice to the Missouri Broadcasters Association agreeing that avowed racist F. Glenn Miller is not a viable candidate for office and therefore broadcasters do not have to air his ads containing racially charged rhetoric. Miller claims to be running for a U.S. Senate seat from Missouri as a write-in candidate and recorded the ads that aired on Entercom’s KMBZ, Kansas City. KMBZ aired the spots believing it had no choice under Federal Election laws. However the Missouri Broadcasters Association challenged Miller’s status as a viable candidate, criteria for which entails such activities as taking a campaign office, appearing before the public, employing a campaign staff, etc., things that Miller has apparently not done…..Fox News Radio talk show host and Fox Business Network anchor Tom Sullivan gets a weekly program on the Fox Business Network. Sulllivan’s show airs Saturdays at 7:00 pm ET…..Former KLLI-FM, Dallas hot talk PM drive personality Russ Martin is back on the radio, now with Clear Channel’s classic rock KEGL-FM, Dallas in morning drive. Martin exited KLLI-FM in 2008 after being arrested on a domestic battery charge involving his girlfriend. Martin pleaded no contest to the charges against him. KLLI-FM flipped to sports as KRLD-FM several months later. Now Martin is back with his crew: Trey Trenholm, Dan O’Malley, Clo Raborn and Everett Newton…..WPHT, Philadelphia evening host Dom Giordano recently hosted a special broadcast on outside Joey Vento’s Geno’s Steaks in South Philadelphia encouraging listeners to make donations to the online fundraising effort that’s being promoted by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer to help pay for her state’s legal battle against the federal government in its suit against the state over Arizona’s controversial illegal immigration law. The event kicked off a long-term campaign sponsored by Vento to raise funds for Arizona. Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, Arizona State Senator Russell Pearce (writer of the controversial bill), Pennsylvania State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (supporter of a similar law for Pennsylvania), Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and Hazelton, Pennsylvania Mayor Lou Barletta all took part in the broadcast…..Arianna Huffington and Mary Matalin – two of the most recognized women in media today – are featured in a new one-hour weekend national radio program called “Both Sides Now.” The program was created and is hosted by broadcasting executive, political figure and best-selling author Mark Green. Distributed by Media Management Group of New York and consulted by Gabe Hobbs, this major one-hour weekend offering had been running beneath the radar as a pilot for the month prior to its June 26 “official” debut on approximately 15 news/talk stations across the country. Gabe Hobbs tells TALKERS magazine, “This is a show that will literally work on almost any form of talk station and is truly unique. This approach is long overdue in our business as it really is refreshing to hear a smart, entertaining talk show that isn’t screaming at you or someone else.”…..Nationally syndicated Los Angeles-based talk host Leslie Marshall is hard to miss on cable news/talk television but now, she’s actually going to get paid for it. Marshall joins Fox News as a contributor and will appear on the network three times per week: She’ll appear on Megyn Kelly’s show on Tuesdays, on Fox Business Network on Thursdays and on “The O’Reilly Factor” every Friday evening…..Townsquare Media –– the former Regent Communications –– announces SVP of operations John King will retire and exit the company after 39 years in the radio business. The company, operated by Oaktree Capital Management, also announces five executives join the firm –– three of them from FiveWire Ventures. They are: Alex Berkett, senior vice president of business development and mergers and acquisitions; Dhruv Prasad, senior vice president of strategy and operations; and Scott Schatz, vice president of finance and information technology. Also joining the company are Greg Yudkin, vice president and controller and Christina Frey, vice president and project manager for digital strategy…..Clear Channel ends the John & Ken simulcast on KNEW, San Francisco. The successful KFI, Los Angeles duo of John & Ken are no longer heard on there as the station brings Fox News Radio’s John Gibson aboard in the PM drive slot. John & Ken had been simulcast from their Southern California base at KFI since the departure of Talk Radio Network star Michael Savage’s departure from the station in September of 2009. Savage is now heard on sports KTRB…..Talk host Bob Lonsberry’s morning drive show on Clear Channel’s KNRS-FM, Salt Lake City is dropped, leaving him with just his WHAM, Rochester midday show. Lonsberry has written on his blog that the flip from AM to FM and Aribtron’s PPM coming to Salt Lake City did a double-whammy on his ratings. He also implies that he doesn’t make enough money at WHAM to support his family (he has seven kids!) and he may have to find more lucrative employment…..Chicago radio personalities Eddie Volkman and Joe Bohannon are hosting a Saturday evening show on Citadel’s WLS. The duo are best known in Chicagoland for their 20-year run as morning hosts at rhythmic CHR WBBM-FM. They were let go by CBS Radio in November of 2008…..Sirius XM’s Joe Madison is now heard on Armed Forces Radio. He joins the schedule following Michael Medved and before Lou Dobbs. The program is one hour and Madison’s staff is putting together a “best-of” program to fill the 55-minute slot the network provides…..CBS Radio’s WBZ, Boston gives longtime Boston radio personality Bradley Jay his own Sunday night talk show. “Jay Talkin’” airs from 10:00 pm to 12:00 midnight beginning July 11. Jay is executive producer and occasional fill-in host for the station’s “Nightside with Dan Rea,” positions he is retaining. The station says “Jay Talkin’” will appeal to a broad demographic as the program wrestles with topics ranging from local news, politics and entertainment to pressing national issues. It is all encompassing, ready to push buttons and challenge its listeners. Jay says, “I want to cut through the clutter, and attack the monster issues that affect your family, your wallet and your conscience.” Prior to his work at WBZ, Jay spent 28 years at rock WBCN-FM, Boston…..The “2010 Public Radio Today” study indicates that almost half of all public radio listening is to the news/talk format. In 2009 alone, a dozen non-comm stations adopted the news/talk format. This data is probably not surprising to commercial news/talk programmers who’ve been privy to Arbitron figures that often show the local news/talk heavy public station in their market to be a big recipient of adults 25-54 listening…..Programming pro Phil Tower, who also serves as general manager for the nationally syndicated Allen Hunt show, takes on the newly created content manager position at Citadel’s WJRW, Grand Rapids. Tower remains with the growing Allen Hunt show but will assist WJRW PD Dave Jaconette programming the station that airs a number of local programs including: Michael Patrick Shiels in AM drive, Tony Gates in midday and Lee VanAmeyde in PM drive. WJR, Detroit’s Frank Beckman is simulcast on the station in the mid-morning slot. Tower programmed Clear Channel’s WOOD and WTKG in the market for more than 10 years before leaving to join the Allen Hunt show…..Hearst’s WBAL, Baltimore moves talk host Ron Smith from his PM drive slot to the 9:00 am to 12:00 noon shift and debuts the “Afternoon News Journal with Shari Elliker.” Smith had hosted the PM drive show at WBAL for almost 25 years. WBAL recently re-tooled its morning drive show into a news magazine-type show and now does the same with afternoon drive…..The Dave Ramsey show announces the unveiling of the “Ask Dave Ramsey iPhone App.” Ramsey show EVP Bill Hampton says the app allows users to listen to more than two thousand calls from the Dave Ramsey show, be encouraged by hearing families scream “We’re Debt Free!,” and search more than 20 categories of topics related to life and money. People can read Dave’s answers or listen to the original radio show audio streamed via the iPhone’s Wi-Fi connection. “Many of Dave’s 4.5 million listeners are iPhone users – including myself. They’ve been asking for an app that lets them access Dave’s advice by topic, and we delivered just such a tool.”…..Former Maryland governor Bob Ehrlich ends his Saturday program at Hearst’s WBAL, Baltimore as he officially prepares to challenge Governor Martin O’Malley in the fall. Ehrlich’s program has been in the news for some time as O’Malley has charged that Ehrlich announced his intention to run and the program amounted to an in-kind contribution to this campaign. The Maryland AG office ruled that was not the case since Ehrlich had not officially become a candidate. But the matter hadn’t died there. O’Malley has been buying ads on Ehrlich’s show to amp up the political rhetoric…..WBIX, Boston owner Alex Langer signs a deal to do a combo sale/donation with Holy Family Communications that will see Langer get about $1 million in cash for WBIX plus a note that the other $500,000 of value of the station is in the form of a donation. Holy Family operates stations in upstate New York and reports it is delighted to get into the heavily Catholic Boston market on such a powerful signal. WBIX will continue to broadcast a business format until sometime this fall when the deal closes. Langer owned WBIX before selling it to Brad Bleidt who was sentenced to prison in late 2005 for mail fraud and money laundering as the result of a Ponzi scheme he was running. Langer took ownership of the station after Bleidt’s conviction…..Former radio talk host Mark Williams enters the political fray as a candidate. He’s been a major player in the Tea Party movement but now announces he’s running for Sacramento City Council. Williams is part of a move to oust the entire city council for its vote to support a boycott of Arizona in protest of its new anti-illegal immigration law…..With the end of Citadel’s LMA of John Pirkle-owned WNOX-FM, Knoxville at 100.3, Citadel is planning to move the programming currently airing there to its own 98.7 FM which had been airing Scott Shannon’s True Oldies format when the LMA ends on July 31. Pirkle has hired former Citadel GM Ed Brantley to run the talk format on 100.3 when the deal ends. Brantley will handle morning drive and the station will air such syndicated fare as Dial Global’s Neal Boortz, Talk Radio Network’s Michael Savage, Fox News Radio’s Alan Colmes and more. To add another wrinkle to the story, at press time both operators expect to be able to keep the WNOX-FM calls and image. Each say they will use them until the FCC says otherwise…..Former WTKS-FM, Orlando midday talk host Shannon Burke returned to the radio in Orlando on WEUS on July 5. Burke was fired from WTKS-FM after an alcohol-fueled incident in 2009 in which he shot his dog and wife (both survived). Burke has been through rehab, continues alcoholism counseling and served jail time for his offenses. Burke’s show will air from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm. The deal is not a true brokered situation but Burke tells the Orlando Sentinel he gets the show for free but splits the commercial inventory with the station…..Talk personality Mike O’Meara is back on terrestrial radio in Washington, DC. Once partnered with Don Geronimo on the extremely successful Don & Mike show based at CBS Radio’s WJFK-FM, Washington, DC and syndicated nationally, O’Meara makes his return alongside WVRX-FM personality Kirk McEwen for morning drive on the classic rock outlet. O’Meara had been producing a podcast with other cast members of his WJFK-FM program since that show ended with WJFK-FM’s flip to sports talk. Word is that the podcast will continue. Meanwhile, Don Geronimo is hosting the midday show at sports KHTK, Sacramento…..Dr. Jan McBarron, who hosts the natural health talk radio show “Duke and the Doctor” alongside her husband Duke Liberatore, was named “Clinician of the Year” by the Natural Product Association at its recent convention in Las Vegas. McBarron and Liberatore have been hosting “Duke and the Doctor” for 17 years. The daily show is heard in more than 100 markets. Liberatore says, “We wouldn’t be where we are today if it wasn’t for our listeners. So we were thrilled to have them there to celebrate in this prestigious honor of Dr. McBarron being named Clinician of the Year, as well as participate in the live radio show.”…..Fort Myers Broadcasting Company announces it is flipping current sports simulcast WPTK (1200 AM) and WNPL (1460 AM), Ft. Myers-Naples-Marco Island to all news beginning August 2. Program director Chad Rufer tells TALKERS magazine the stations will be branded WINK Newsradio. Currently, sister company Meridian Broadcasting operates the simulcast of news/talk WFSX-FM, WINK (1240 AM), Ft. Myers and WNOG (1270 AM), Naples and brands them “Fox News.” Rufer says eventually the WINK calls will come to the all-news 1200 AM signal. Regarding the flip to news, Fort Myers Broadcasting Company VP/GM Wayne Simons says the stations will have the full news resources of the trusted WINK-TV news department, the News-Press and The Naples Daily News. This makes the station Southwest Florida’s largest news operation powered by the knowledge and experience of over 200 local news professionals providing the most up to the minute local news, national news, breaking news, weather, traffic, sports, financial news, political news, and interviews with local news makers. This in addition to the station’s national partners: Marketwatch.com, Bloomberg Radio, and CNN Radio News will give the station the credibility as Southwest Florida’s ONLY Radio News station…..Premiere’s Bob & Tom Show cuts the executive producer position. Marty Bender, the longtime programmer at Bob & Tom’s home base of WFBQ-FM, Indianapolis who resigned from that post two years ago to concentrate on the Bob & Tom show is out. Bender had programmed WFBQ-FM for more than 20 years prior to his exit…..Citadel Broadcasting announces the promotion of Robert Mathers to the newly created position of vice president of digital operations. Mathers is a 15-year radio veteran and has most recently served as senior director of digital content for Citadel. In his new role, he is responsible for managing all existing digital partnerships, creating new content opportunities and working closely with the company’s network division, Citadel Media, as well as Citadel’s portfolio of stations to ensure they have the best available digital tools and content…..Citadel announces the creation of the new director of media strategy and the appointment of Jeff Davidson to the post. The company says “Davidson will supervise all research projects across Citadel’s terrestrial radio, network and digital platforms while providing thought leadership and strategy oversight to the company’s most critical sales and programming objectives.” Davidson most recently served as national PPM account manager for Arbitron…..Glenn Beck’s Mercury Radio Arts promotes Carolyn Polke to VP of digital. She has served with the production company of Premiere Radio Networks and Fox News Channel star Glenn Beck as director of e-commerce. Mercury president and COO Christopher Balfe says, “Carolyn has been critical to building GlennBeck.com into the robust online business that it is today. Considering some of the digital initiatives we have planned, her continued leadership in delivering engaging online experiences will be more important than ever.”…..United Stations Radio Networks and Bloomberg Radio are offering expanded business content for radio stations. Offered in national syndication are 60-second “Bloomberg Businessweek Updates” several times a day and a weekly two-hour talk show titled “Bloomberg Businessweek Radio” hosted by Ken Prewitt and Pimm Fox that is fed live Friday evenings at 8:00 pm ET. Bloomberg Radio Station Manager Al Mayers says, “The new content helps us reach a wider audience, with stories that impact not just investment professionals but listeners interested in the business community at large.”…..”Motley Fool Money,” the independently syndicated finance radio show produced by Motley Fool and hosted by Chris Hill, adds a number of new affiliates to its weekend program. New stations include: KFNN, Phoenix; KIKK, Houston; KYNO, Fresno; KDOW, San Francisco; WLAD, Danbury, Connecticut; KBNP, Portland; KBCT, Waco; and KSBN, Spokane…..Clear Channel and WFCR Foundation, owner of Western Massachusetts public radio station WFCR-FM, Amherst, come to terms on the sale of WNNZ AM 640 (licensed to Westfield, Massachusetts). WFCR has been operating WNNZ under an LMA for several years, simulcasting NPR AM and PM drive programming heard on WFCR-FM, then airing news/talk programming on the signal when WFCR-FM plays classical music during the midday. The sale price is $525,000. Clear Channel paid $1.2 million for the station in 1998 and operated it as a news/talk and sports talk station for several years before leasing it to WFCR…..United Stations Radio Networks announces Leslie Sturm joins the company as senior account executive working out of the company’s New York City offices. Sturm most recently served as senior account executive at Sirius XM Satellite Radio…..Cox Media promotes vice president of sales Gene Vidler to VP/market manager of the Tulsa cluster that includes talk KRMG-AM/FM. Vidler replaces Dan Lawrie who takes the VP/MM role at Cox’s San Antonio cluster. As a result of Vidler’s promotion, Mary Rogers moves up to VP of sales, Lisa Hizer becomes GSM of KRAV-FM and Matt Ledbetter is named GSM of KWEN-FM and KJSR-FM…..WDWS, Champaign, Illinois morning host Steve Khachaturian –– known as Stevie Jay on the air –– exits the station to join two other principles to form SJ Broadcasting, LLC. The group is buying RadioStar, Inc.’s four-station cluster of FM music stations operating in the Champaign market. The group is currently operating the stations under an LMA and there’s no indication it intends to flip any of the FM stations to talk…..Sunrise Broadcasting announces a new morning drive show on news/talk KSNM, Las Cruces, New Mexico hosted by Jim Spence and Michael Swickard airing from 7:00 am to 9:00 am. Premiere’s Glenn Beck program moves to the 9:00 am to 12:00 noon time slot. Operations manager Ernesto Garcia says, “Given the current state of economics and politics in New Mexico, Jim’s and Michael’s return to the airwaves comes at a critical time. I know they’ll be able to give the listeners a fresh perspective on current events.” Swickard hosted the morning program at KSNM for five years. Spence has broadcast play-by-play of college and prep sports in the region…..Grenax Broadcasting is announcing it’s moving Hot AC KFLX-FM, Kachina Village/Flagstaff, Arizona from 105.1 down to 92.5. Grenax is creating KBTK-FM – The Big Talker and putting it on the 105.1 frequency. No specific word yet on the programming…..WOCA, Ocala, Florida changes hands. The north-central Florida news/talk station has been owned by Westshore Broadcasting since 2000. But now Westshore agrees to sell to Generations Broadcasting. The website cflradio.net says Generations is operated by four members of the Martone family. The price and terms of the sale are being disclosed at this time…..Send your news and photos to info @talkers.com

The following text is a collection of excerpts from all of the articles featured in this month’s issue of TALKERS magazine. If you wish to read the complete story,
you may subscribe to the publication by clicking here.

TALKERS reaches 20-year milestone

A candid conversation with Michael Harrison

By Mike Kinosian
TALKERS MAGAZINE
Special Features Correspondent

LOS ANGELES – Casually flipping a common household switch or pushing one of a cadre of buttons grants immediate entrée to a bevy of utility-related services, and naturally to one’s favorite radio station(s). The swiftness and effortlessness of such a mundane ritual mightily minimizes the magnitude and sheer magic of what have become our everyday culture’s most rudimentary components.

Any radio programmer though would hasten to stress that generating a quality product consumed analogous to that of a utility is an arduous task predicated on countless labor-intensive hours. Such a daunting setup drains every conceivable ounce of energy while unrelentingly challenging a person to exceed creatively in ways he or she never imagined were even remotely possible.

In classic Pavlov-like behavior, today’s broadcasters are conditioned to receive incisive news nuggets and cutting-edge trend data from a trusted – albeit shrinking – array of trade sources.

Only a relative handful of industry professionals are intimately aware of behind-the-scenes machinations involved in the gathering and delivering of information, which in a deliciously curious twist of irony, ultimately shapes radio’s very foundation.

Toil in radio’s trade publication arena and you can wholeheartedly relate to such a pressure-laden scenario. Having worked since 1987 at Radio & Records and Inside Radio, I am a first-hand witness to the arduous process of consistently putting out a trade publication that is taken seriously by an industry as discerning as this one.

The entire story appears in the July/August 2010 print edition of TALKERS magazine.
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An annotated timeline of talk radio history

A list of some of the major stories and events that have shaped American talk radio

By Kevin Casey
TALKERS MAGAZINE
Managing Editor

SPRINGFIELD – Certainly a detailed history of talk radio in the United States could comprise a book – or several for that matter. But since we’re celebrating the 20th anniversary of the talk media industry’s original trade publication – TALKERS magazine – the editorial staff thought a useful complement to the story of the magazine (and its sister media) would be a concise, easy-to-read timeline that illustrates some of the important events that have occurred over the years to make talk radio in this country what it is today.

You’ll notice that this timeline begins with some legal action dating back to well before the formats known as talk, news/talk, hot talk, all-news or sports talk came into being. While this is not intended to be a comprehensive look at the laws and regulations that govern terrestrial broadcasters, some of these points are crucial to understanding how the genre evolved.

Finally, we by no means believe these are the only important historical issues relative to this dynamic industry. Rather, they are important because they were a force that caused change or had serious impact on major players in the business.

The entire story appears in the July/August 2010 print edition of TALKERS magazine.
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20th anniversary reflections

View from the eye of the news/talk storm

By Ellen Ratner
TALK RADIO NEWS SERVICE
Bureau Chief

WASHINGTON – As I look at 210 issues of TALKERS magazine it’s almost overwhelming to think of the number of political issues, stories and events in which the news/talk format has been intimately involved. Obviously, the format being what it is, there’s been no end of Washington, DC-related issues to talk about over the last 20 years. Here at the DC bureau of TALKERS magazine – which also houses the publication’s sister firm, Talk Radio News Service – we have found ourselves with a bird’s-eye view of modern history in the making from the center of many an exciting storm. We officially put out the shingle in 1994 but we’ve been here since 1992.

During the modern talk era and the early years of TALKERS magazine, one of the first non-partisan stories out of Washington to ignite a spontaneous outcry from the talk industry was the House of Representatives banking scandal in early 1992. The mainstream press wrote some rather mild articles, but many talk radio hosts ran with it as an example of Congress being corrupt and unethically (even illegally) operating above the law. It was the first time that there was a broad response to a Washington political story on talk radio that really influenced what happened in Washington. But the banking scandal was only the beginning as the 1992 emergence of Bill Clinton in a presidential election provided fresh meat with such great radio drama as the Jennifer Flowers tapes and Ross Perot’s folksy speeches.

The entire story appears in the July/August 2010 print edition of TALKERS magazine.
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20 years of talk media law

By Steven J.J. Weisman

BOSTON – It seems like yesterday, but it has been 20 years since Michael Harrison first brought TALKERS magazine to life. I joined the TALKERS staff in its early years and the time has gone by quickly for me. But I know it has been a long time. I look back at pictures of me in the magazine and wonder who that young man with the dark hair is.

A lot has changed in media law in 20 years and as a part of TALKERS 20th anniversary I thought we would look at some of the developments in media law during that time.

At the 2004 Super Bowl, Janet Jackson released the breast that launched a storm of lawsuits and controversy. At the time, many of us watching the game were not even sure what we had just seen, which is not surprising since the entire episode was over in a mere 9/16 of a second. In its role as guardian of the morals of America, the FCC fined CBS $550,000 only to have the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals throw out the fine. The FCC appealed that decision to the Supreme Court, which in turn sent the case back to the 3rd Circuit for another ruling for which we are still waiting.

The entire story appears in the July/August 2010 print edition of TALKERS magazine.
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Smashing of the gate

By Walter Sabo
SABO MEDIA
President

NEW YORK –– A single event in September 2003 defines the next 10 years – or more – of media evolution. Before revealing this event it is important to stress that it is NOT the people, technology or terminology associated with this event, but the result: The gates to the old media kingdom were smashed. Forever.

The barriers to distributing a show or idea to the world were banished. As the result of a single event, every broadcast tower, printing press, newspaper editor, program director, radio patent, TV patent, printing patent, content budget and syndication right all began to diminish in value. More stunningly, every person on the planet could communicate their thoughts – regardless how boring, overwrought or outright entertaining – to almost anyone.

In September 2003, Dave Winer created a special RSS-with-enclosures feed for his Harvard Berkman Center colleague Christopher Lydon’s weblog. THE PODCAST WAS BORN. (See footnote.)

The entire story appears in the July/August 2010 print edition of TALKERS magazine.
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20 years later: Are you a “Sleeper” or a “writer?”

By Holland Cooke
MCVAY MEDIA
News/Talk Specialist

BLOCK ISLAND, R.I. – There’s no avoiding dated references in this TALKERS issue, so here’s mine: “Sleeper,” the 1973 Woody Allen classic. Our hero is thawed from cryogenic suspension. Awkward, often hilarious, future shock ensues. If you haven’t seen it, move it to the top of your Netflix list.

Imagine having gone comatose for the last two decades? As you regain consciousness, you hear one nurse tell another how many songs she has on her phone. Or she mentions Netflix. Or satellite TV at home. Or satellite radio in the car. Huh?

Lots has changed. Lots hasn’t. Twenty years ago, we were horrified by pictures of wildlife suffering the consequences of a massive oil spill in a once-pristine environment.

In 1990, AM radio exhaled. So much Time Spent Listening had shifted to FM that some wondered if AM spectrum would be re-allocated…until that new Rush Limbaugh show pointed to what we now call a new “app” for AM radio. The vaunted Talk Radio Revolution was underway.

Fast-forward to present day. To defend the station’s brand and assets, AMs are reallocating on their own, by simulcasting on or outright moving to FM. Even before the seemingly inevitable music royalty fees that could suddenly double the number of talk stations. “Music radio” might not be extinct yet, but it’s clearly obsolete, as iPod gives users control and Pandora lets them relinquish it.

The entire story appears in the July/August 2010 print edition of TALKERS magazine.
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Telling a story in the 21st century

By Tom Becka
KFAB
Talk Show Host

OMAHA – For years I have been hearing the so-called experts talk about the death of traditional media. Well, traditional media isn’t dying, but it is evolving and it’s exciting to be a part of this (r)evolution. I’m not sure when the actual moment happened but at some point I stopped being just a radio talk show host and started being a radio talk show host/ blogger/videographer/citizen journalist.

I recently returned from a trip to Louisiana where I reported on the gulf oil disaster. Why would a local Midwest talk show host/ blogger/videographer/citizen journalist want to go down to the gulf to report on what is primarily a national story? What could I offer my audience that they couldn’t get from other sources?

Here are some of the reasons I went down to Grand Isle, Louisiana:

The entire story appears in the July/August 2010 print edition of TALKERS magazine.
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Tools of the trade

By Al Herskovitz

BRADENTON, Fla. – The tools available to talk radio sales people some 20 years ago were fairly limited compared to the current amazing era. In fact, the format itself was pretty much still in its adolescence. There were numerous talk stations dotting the country and others that were a mix of music and talk programming. Some were doing quite well. Although the explosion and rapid growth of the format that would take place over the next two decades hadn’t begun, you could sense something was going to happen to change the course of radio broadcasting.

Those of us who go back beyond those 20 years will recall some of the sales materials that were available to us in the dawn of talk on the AM dial. Before Arbitron there were a couple of other ratings firms. There was one called Hooper which presented very basic audience estimates. Then there was another named Pulse, which was a bit more sophisticated and offered some additional data. Where are they today? Long gone. Their intent was to count the number of people tuned in.

What about the computer, the internet and e-mail? Well, they were around – in a very different form – but you couldn’t carry them around in your pocket as you can now. Back then the currently controversial PPM was unheard of.

The entire story appears in the July/August 2010 print edition of TALKERS magazine.
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The key to winging it is preparation

By Richard Neer

NEW YORK – My early radio experience happened during the “free form” FM era. I learned from masters like Scott Muni, Alison Steele and Dave Herman. One of the aforementioned, I forget whom, when asked how they prepared for their show said, “Life is preparation for my show.”

Back in the day, that was code for, “I don’t prepare, I just go with the flow.” Indeed that is what free form was all about. It’s what on occasion elevated radio into an art form, but like much modern art, it was maddeningly inconsistent. Flights of fancy, sometimes drug induced, could make the airwaves soar with amazing insight or fall flat into narcissistic drivel.

The entire story appears in the July/August 2010 print edition of TALKERS magazine.
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Interpreting the ratings in sports talk

By Dan Sileo
WDAE, TAMPA
Talk Show Host

TAMPA – Let’s face it… regardless of format, the ratings system in ALL of radio is in a period of flux. You don’t need a sports talk show host, former NFL player and part-time trade magazine contributor to point out that Arbitron’s PPM is, to say it politely, a work in progress and – adding insult to injury – the competition facing radio from new media is watering down the specificity of the numbers in general.

Keeping the above in mind, it is important to remember that since its inception all the way back to the days when most of radio “lived and died” by the ratings, sports talk radio played by its own idiosyncratic rules! It was what was then called a “qualitative” buy and, when marketed properly, was usually able to outperform the industry revenue standards from a sheer numbers perspective in market after market.

The entire story appears in the July/August 2010 print edition of TALKERS magazine.
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The following article is reprinted from Issue No. 1 of TALKERS, The Information-Radio Newspaper – July 23, 1990.

News/Talk: The First Format?

SPRINGFIELD, MA – Although most of today’s popular music-oriented radio formats trace their beginnings no further back than the second half of the twentieth century, News/Talk can accurately claim to be the first generic form of government licensed radio broadcasting going back to September 19, 1921.

The station was WBZ-AM, Springfield, Massachusetts, which received its authorization September 15, 1921 from the Secretary of Commerce and Labor under the Radio Act of 1912 which was the first Federal Law regulating radio (and a precursor to the Communications Act of 1934.)

The WBZ call letters were later adopted by Boston station WBZA-AM in a switch with the Springfield outlet which went dark in 1962 when its owners, Westinghouse, bought WINS-AM, New York.

Some historians credit KDKA-AM, Pittsburgh (also a Westinghouse facility) with being first because at the time it had already been conducting pioneering informational broadcasts to a 1,000 mile radius for six months. But KDKA-AM did not receive its authorization from the Feds until November 7, 1921.

According to Springfield Journal research, the Springfield Union newspaper dated September 18, 1921 contained the following report on the first “licensed” broadcast:

“Tomorrow, Springfield will have the first of the wireless telephone instrument known as the Radio-phone. People all over New England will be interested in this demonstration, in which it is expected that the Governors of the New England states will have a part. The demonstration will be made at the Springfield factory of the Westinghouse Company, where this past week was in-stalled the largest radio telephone instrument in New England. It is expected that most of the New England Governors will be in attendance there, and will be transmitting their own greetings over the telephone.”

The following day, the broadcast took place as predicted with Massachusetts Speaker of the House, Frederick H. Gillett delivering a short speech on the importance of farming in New England to the six governors who then all took turns expressing their greetings to a fascinated radio audience glued to their Aerola, Jr. sets within a 200 mile radius of Springfield.
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Old Spice means new media, said the captain to the bosun

By Matthew B. Harrison

NEW YORK – You may not immediately recognize the name Isaiah Mustafa. But you would have to be living under a rock to not recognize his face. He is Old Spice’s “perfect man.” Why is he important to you? He’s doing more than just keeping clean; he is engaging people with humor and a paid message.

While I may be referencing an advertising campaign, the similarities between this and successful talk programs are too numerous to ignore. There are two “magical” ingredients at the core of this advertising campaign – the same two core ingredients of your program – a charismatic spokesman and a vehicle that allows him to interact with people. The Old Spice guy is a commercial example of a successful balance between using terrestrial media outlets supported by a social media campaign. Applying this use to your program is what can likely make you money.

It has long been discussed how social media helps create transparency between consumer and suppliers, but the Old Spice Guy’s use of social media takes advertising to the next level: engagement.

The entire story appears in the July/August 2010 print edition of TALKERS magazine.
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s forecast several months ago, former Dallas Cowboys and Miami Hurricanes star Michael Irvin is syndicating his own sports talk show based out of Beasley’s WQAM, Miami. The show, owned by Michael Irvin Media, co-stars veteran broadcaster Kevin Kiley with whom Irvin has been friends and a collaborator with for some time. In a release, Irvin’s company states, “Michael and Kevin appreciate the generosity and hard work of general manager Joe Bell and the Beasley family in helping to make possible this very unique partnership.” Irvin was fired from ESPN O&O KESN-FM, Dallas in early February, according to station officials for the show’s poor performance, at the same time Ivrin was accused of rape in civil suit in Florida. Irvin filed a $100 million dollar countersuit…..Two big sports outlets are holding promotion-based tryouts for new talent. Big League Broadcasting’s WQXI, Atlanta – “790 The Zone” is holding a talent search to fill two slots on its new “Young Guns” show. Programmer Matt Edgar says the station wants to find two 20-somethings who can bring a fresh new vibe to sports radio. The “Young Guns” search is looking for a wide range of personalities: everything from the straight-edged sports numbers guy to the beer-funneling, sports-loving recent college grad who answers to no one. The station took applications online to participate in an open, on-air audition in front of Edgar and Zone personality Steak Shapiro. The audition will eventually have four finalists competing against each other on the morning show, “Mayhem in the AM,” for a chance to host the “The Zone’s hot new product…the Young Guns Show.”…..WFAN, New York begins its contest to find new sports talk talent. Dubbed the “Fantasy Phenom Challenge,” the promotion (and talent search!), which began this month, includes live auditions at various sponsored locations including Buffalo Wings Restaurants. Those who pass the initial phase will audition in front of a panel of judges including members of the Boomer & Carton morning show along with WFAN update anchor Erica Herskowitz. Finalists will then be judged for the ultimate prize at Mike Francesa’s “End of Summer” beach party and broadcast live from Bar A in Lake Como, New Jersey on Friday, August 27, broadcast on-air and online at www.wfan.com. WFAN operations manager Mark Chernoff says, “WFAN is ready to add someone to the payroll. We know jobs in radio are hard to come by but we’re doing our part to identify talent and give someone a shot to host their own show on The Fan. Our own Joe Benigno got his start at The Fan through a similar contest 15 years ago and we’re hoping to find talent this time around to be with us for another 15. It guarantees to be a lot of fun.”…..Play-by-play pro Kevin Harlan joins Boomer Esiason on Westwood One’s radio production of the NFL’s Monday Night Football beginning this season. Harlan takes over for Marv Albert who chose not to re-sign with WW1 this year. Harlan called some of the MNF games last season and has called NFL games for CBS and Fox. Harlan says, “I am honored to have been selected as part of Westwood One’s Monday Night Football broadcast team with Boomer Esiason. I am truly humbled by the great voices that have held this position, including one of the legends of broadcasting, Marv Albert.”…..Program director Aaron Spielberg exits ESPN O&O WEPN, New York. Spielberg was promoted from executive producer to PD in 2007 after three years at the station…..In another note from WEPN, the station strikes a deal with New York Jets QB Mark Sanchez to appear on the Michael Kay show each Thursday at 5:00 pm during the NFL season. WEPN is also the radio flagship for Jets football this season…..Popular Seattle sports talk host Dave Grosby returns to the Seattle air on Bonneville’s KIRO in the 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm time slot. Grosby was lured away from his longtime gig at crosstown KJR and, after sitting out a non-compete, was to join Kevin Calabro on the PM drive show. Instead, Calabro and Jim Moore stay in the 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm shift and Grosby goes solo in the early afternoon daypart. Program director Owen Murphy says, “We are putting ‘The Groz’ back in his time-honored, midday spot where he spent 16 years as a dominant force in local sports media. Dave is one of the Northwest’s best-known, most popular and longest-tenured sports personalities. In addition, this change moves ‘Brock and Salk’ earlier in the day providing more flexibility to expand on the NFL, NCAA football and Major League Baseball. It keeps Kevin Calabro in his current time slot along with sports columnist, Jim Moore. We’ve adjusted our local programming to follow the country’s most dominant sports talk radio show, ‘Mike and Mike in the Morning.’” To make room, the station drops ESPN’s Colin Cowherd show…..Lincoln Financial Media’s sports KKFN, Denver adds former Denver Bronco and ESPN personality Mark Schlereth to the PM drive show co-hosted by former Bronco Alfred Williams and Darren McKee. Schlereth has worked with the station in a limited capacity but now joins full time. He continues his work with ESPN…..CBS Radio’s sports KHTK, Sacramento evening host Carmichael Dave leaves his evening show to become part of Don Geronimo’s midday show. On KHTK’s website Dave recently wrote, “This was MY decision 100%. I was not forced, coerced, or even prodded to do this. Without going into all the crazy details (most of which were discussed on Don’s show Friday) I was contacted by Don, who asked me to join his show. Period. That’s really all I need to say.” Dave began his radio career as a caller who then joined the station as an intern and moved up through the ranks on the station…..Curtis Media’s Triad-area North Carolina sports talk stations – WSML, Winston-Salem; WMFR, High Point; and WCOG, Greensboro – begin simulcasting a new lineup the company is calling the Triad Sports Network. All three stations will air ESPN’s Mike & Mike in the Morning, Taylor Zarzour’s WDNC, Raleigh-Durham-based “Sports Drive” from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon, David Glenn’s WCMC-FM, Raleigh-Durham-based show from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm and Mark Packer’s WFNZ, Charlotte-based regionally syndicated “Primetime with the Packman” show from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm…..Dan Neil is a talk show host on Border Media Partners’ KTXX-FM, Austin but he’s off the station’s air until after the November elections to avoid an equal time issue. Not so unusual for a news/talk host running for office but Neil is a sports talker and KTXX-FM is a sports talk outlet. Neil is challenging Texas State Rep. Donna Howard for her seat. Recently, representatives of Howard’s campaign approached station officials about getting four minutes of time for her ads during his morning drive show to even things up but the station ultimately decided to just keep Neil off the air until the election. Neil was surprised by the move since he talks sports, not politics. But just the visibility of being on the air every day can help win an election and the station chose to play it safe…..Former Pittsburgh Steelers punter Josh Miller is joining the station for gameday analysis and for appearances on Gregg Giannotti’s evening show. In a statement, KDKA-FM program director Terry Foxx said, “We are proud to have Josh Miller join KDKA-FM as an NFL analyst, he brings us inside the virtual huddle of the NFL and still has a great following in Pittsburgh.”…..Good Karma’s WKNR, Cleveland tweaks its afternoon and evening lineup moving evening host Kenny Roda to afternoons alongside Michael Reghi for the 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm show. Roda sticks around to work alongside LeCharles Bentley for the 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm show. Then Bentley pairs up with J’rod Cherry, for the 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm “Xs and Os with the Pros” show that moves over to WKNR from sister WWGK before giving way to the new “ESPN Gamenight Cleveland” show hosted by Greg Brinda and Chris Fedor…..Grand Slam Sports, owner of St. Louis sports talker KFNS is buying Simmons Media’s KSLG for a reported $350,000 and begins operating the station under an LMA immediately. Grand Slam had been operating KFNS under an LMA and recently completed the purchase of that station for $1.4 million. A major shuffling of talent between the two sports talk outlets took place back on June 14…..KGOW, Houston lets general manager Richard Topper go after three years at the station. Gow Communications chief David Gow reassessed the management structure at the station after Gow Communications and Mission Media Group brought Sporting Radio News’ operations to KGOW. Topper’s GM position won’t be filled…..Emmis’ WIBC-FM announces it will carry Indiana Pacers basketball beginning with the 2010-2011 season. Previously, games had been heard on the company’s sports talk WFNI.Send your sports news and photos to info@talkers.com.

GENERAL MANAGERS. The Pacifica Foundation, a non-profit radio foundation, is hiring general managers at four of its radio stations. Please go to: www.pacificafoundation.org/national/jobs/ for full description of job. EOE. Send resumé to: applygm@kpfk.org.

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR/ON-AIR. Huskeradio (Armada Media, Inc) in North Platte, Nebraska is looking for a creative production director. The successful candidate will have creative copywriting and production skills and will work with both the programming and sales staff, plus will co-host our Morning Newstalk Show. You will have the best equipment to work with and remote broadcast responsibilities for extra income. Talented individuals are encouraged. Apply to Tony Lama at: tlama@huskeradio.com. Armada Media is an equal opportunity employer.

PROGRAM DIRECTOR. South Florida’s 850 WFTL, Ft. Lauderdale is seeking a full-time program director for a locally focused news and talk station. Candidates must have a proven track record of success with the news/talk format and be able to work effectively with on-air talent. Applicants should send a resumé and cover letter to jobs@jamescrystalradio.com or fax to 954-315-1514. The James Crystal Radio Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

PRODUCER. WOR Radio New York’s Legendary Talk and Information station is looking for a full-time producer with major market experience. Ideal candidates should have knowledge of current events, and entertainment world. Booking, editing, scheduling, call screening and technical know-how a must. Resumés with producer experience will be reviewed only. Attach cover letters to WOR Radio, 111 Broadway, NY, NY 10006. Attn: Personnel – personnel@wor710.com. No Phone Calls. Fax 212-398-5516. F/M EEO.

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR. KRKO-AM, Seattle/Everett seeks a creative services director capable of filling multiple roles at a family owned radio station. Must have a demonstrable track record of being able to write, record and produce client commercials, and interface with clients. Additional skills that are desired, but not a requirement, are knowledge of computers beyond Adobe Audition, news reporting experience, on-air host experience, and/or website content management experience. Join a well-run radio station in a top market with a fun staff that is growing. Send resumé to Andrew Skotdal at andrew.skotdal@krko.com. EOE.

OPERATIONS MANAGER. Main Line Broadcasting seeks OM for 5-station cluster in Dayton: WGTZ-FM, WDHT-FM, WROU-FM, WKSW-FM and WING. Apply to Andrea Scott at ascott@mainlinedayton.com. (No calls please) Main Line Broadcasting is an EOE.

PRODUCTION. PART TIME opportunity for Los Angeles-based broadcast student or beginner to assist radio veteran in recording interviews and commentaries for podcasts. Must be familiar with portable digital recording equipment and uploading processes. Great way to earn a few extra bucks and make industry connections. Call Bill at 818-349-2171.

PROGRAM DIRECTOR. ESPN New York. This person is responsible for the on-air sound of the station, production, attitude, direction, focus, personality, etc., and is the key contact in the department for all on-air strategy. Responsible for budget management of the department and for hiring, managing and directing talent. Customers include all listeners, ESPN Corporate, AFTRA, Media Reporters, Agents, Full time and part-time Programming, Promotion and Sales staffs.

Required Qualifications: Minimum 5 years Major Market or Network Management Experience with a track record of ratings success. Minimum 5 years experience with Radio and Digital Audio platforms, Talent Development, and understanding of Arbitron & PPM Ratings. Apply at
jobs.espncareers.com/new-york-state/radio-production/jobid725311-program-director-jobs. ESPN, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Our goal is to create an inclusive workplace for all.

SALES MANAGER. Sports Talk 790 The Ticket WAXY, Miami is looking for a sales manager to lead a sales team and get results for local businesses and key marketing decision makers. We need a take-charge leader who has built a reputation driving revenue with innovative solutions using the many tools and assets available in sports or spoken-word radio.

Lincoln Financial Media is dedicated to growing our people so that they are world class at helping clients grow their business and get results. If you’re interested in building a top-performing sales team in a great market for a company that will appreciate your hard work, please send your cover letter and resumé to Howard Davis, Station Manager, hdavis@790theticket.com. EOE

MARIJUANA

– COMPASSION & COMMON SENSE –
Lanny Swerdlow, RN tells the truth about marijuana every Monday at 6 p.m. on KCAA 1050AM and www.kcaaradio.com in California’s Inland Empire. Generate new listeners with this HOT topic.
Contact: 760-799-2055 or lanny@marijuananews.org.

TALK SHOW HOST OPP. / BROKERED AIRTIME Major Market 50k Watt AM News-Talk Station in Phoenix, AZ. Time available – great rates. Call 602-277-1100 x1463. www.1100kfnx.com.

www.RadioTour.com –– Audition guests: Listen to their talking news releases. From the Yearbook of Experts®.

PUBLIC RELATIONS. Guaranteed exposure on nationally syndicated shows. Currently working with major recording companies, video companies, authors, game creators, toy manufacturer and music magazine, all with phenomenal success. Over 30 years experience utilizing radio to raise awareness and create excitement over products and services. Join the ranks of Dolly Parton, Kris Kristofferson, Scene-it! (DVD board game –– top 10 seller at Wal-Mart), Elvis and the Chicago Cubs. Contact: The Talk Connection, 360-417-8138; talkharris@olypen.com.

AIRTIME MEDIA. Need low-cost satellite uplinking and/or studio services? Low rates! Radio station LMA deals, media brokering services, paid program placement at stations across the U.S.A. (NO markups!) Call Tim Disa at 888-846-3472; Tim@Air-Time.com; www.Air-Time.com

BROKERED PROGRAM PLACEMENT. K&O Broadcasting specializes in placing paid programming and syndicating your radio show across the country. We also offer services such as spot placement, ad copy, voiceovers, telemarketing operations for your customer service needs. Please call us at 516.304.5599 x 1200 or visit us on the web at www.kobroadcasting.com

“A TOUCH OF GREY –– THE TALK SHOW FOR GROWN-UPS” has interviews, updates, information, celebrities and more. Available in one- and two-hour weekend formats. Call 860-572-0591 or e-mail: shelley@atouchofgrey.com
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