Also, best wishes with BARB...no, not the sister of JACK...rather this fine concept of a Bay Area Radio Board. Cheers.
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IAN WRIGHT |
KFRC in 2005 & beyond |
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Hi one and all from SOUTH AUSTRALIA. After checking out the 'new' KFRC web site, let's hope the 'new' on-air format is more exciting and rewarding for all concerned !
Also, best wishes with BARB...no, not the sister of JACK...rather this fine concept of a Bay Area Radio Board. Cheers. |
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phonebone |
Re: KFRC in 2005 & beyond | ||
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After listening for a bit tonight, I'd have to say it isn't. KFRC used to be a station to listen to. Now it seems to be a station for background music at work.
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BayRadioDJ |
Re: KFRC in 2005 & beyond | ||
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As I noted elsewhere, I was hoping that KFRC would go for the fun sound that they actually had back when these songs were hits.
Instead, it sounds to me like they're going for the "Lite Rock/Less Talk" (but please don't fall asleep and drive off the road) sound. Incredibly dull. Invariably, somebody with a station that makes a change like this will write something like "You didn't give us a chance! We've made some adjustments in the weeks/months/years since we implemented the format!" My question is: why did you destroy what you had completely without having an exact idea of what you planned on doing? If you had gotten it right in the first place, you wouldn't have to go back and fix it. I'm afraid that this might just happen with this edition of KFRC. DJ |
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davee |
Re: KFRC in 2005 & beyond | ||
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I go along with just about everyone on this forum on the decision of Viacom. It was a bad move. Fortunately community radio is filling in the vacuum. For example, KPOO-FM in San Francisco on 89.5 offers several programs presenting Oldies that KFRC may have had in their playlist at one time (only a few in the corporate playlist). Of course KPOO emphasis is on R&B when it comes to oldies particularly on rare material but this was material that had airplay on local commerical stations (KYA, KEWB, KDIA, KSAN(AM), KSOL(AM)) that may have never got more than half way of the charts back in the fifties and sixties. I think listeners (primarily baby boomers) who grew up in the Bay Area crave this music.
Another example is KSJS (90.5) at San Jose State. They have an outstanding unique oldies program on Fridays from 10am to 2pm. Many interesting facts are presented about the artists and songs that are featured. Although I haven't listened for a while so I don't if the program is still on but on Saturday nights on KVYN (99.3) and simulcast on KVON 1440AM in the Napa Valley there was (or still is) a fantastic program featuring rare Pop and R&B and as well as comentary on the music and the Bay Area stations that played the music back in the fifties and sixties. So not all is lost although it can be a challenge from a technical point to hear these stations and they don't feature this type of programming 24/7. |
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Tom SF |
Re: KFRC in 2005 & beyond | ||
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Don't worry. KVYN is still doing Jay Arnold's oldies show on Saturday nights. After 10pm, he simulcasts on KVON 1440 AM-Stereo. He's a big KYA fan too.
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phonebone |
Re: KFRC in 2005 & beyond | ||
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Well, hold on, DJ. It appears they are doing exactly as you had hoped. I might have been too hasty last week in knocking KFRC. Maybe they were still tweaking with the new format.
Listening this week took me back to the '70s!! They sound a lot like the old "Big 610"! It was great! Not so much like a "Lite Rock, Less Talk (Listen At Work)" station, but a lot like the big Top-40 sound they had in the '70s. I am starting to like it a lot more now. If only Dr. Don Rose was still around! A similar thing just occurred with Cool 101.9 in Sacramento. They are now calling themselves Boss 101, and they have a similar '70s +/- thing going now. I thought I'd miss the old format, but maybe not! |
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jazzcaster |
Re: KFRC in 2005 & beyond | ||
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I agree that it is very much a bad move.
Oh well, I guess that I have to wake up earlier to listen to the oldies on Friday morning at KSJS. |
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IAN WRIGHT |
Re: KFRC in 2005 & beyond | ||
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Good morning San Francisco !
Since my September posting on the 'new' KFRC, I'm curious to know how they are sounding...good, bad, ugly or ??? As Infinity are not streaming (on my last check) I can only go on your feedback, which I appreciate. Thanks & regards from South Australia. IAN P.S. Bring back 'The Slim One' to the airwaves...she is a truly GREAT talent !!! |
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phonebone |
Re: KFRC in 2005 & beyond | ||
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Hello, Ian...
I tuned into KFRC last night. 99.7 FM comes in pretty strong even here in the central valley 100 miles away. I must say, I like them a lot better now than when they first changed the format. It now sounds a lot like the old "Big 610" and they play a lot of music from the '70s, which is when KFRC was pretty much the top AM music station. Unfortunately, I don't spend much time listening to them or any other over-the-air station since I now have Sirius satellite music at home and in my vehicles. Sirius 7, their '70s channel, with their music, jingles and swoops, remind me a lot of the old KFRC. Cheers.. Scott |
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IAN WRIGHT |
Re: KFRC in 2005 & beyond | ||
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Many thanks Scott. good to hear (via your ears) of the improvement.
I guess the real challenge is not just the music, jingles, audio processing etc. but rather the chemistry and creativity of the on-air team versus the Dr. Don Rose era of the 70's & 80's. I read a new PD is on board, he'll no doubt be fully aware of what was once a San Francisco powerhouse and the respect the station achieved. Also, who remembers hearing "Father Harry Of The God Squad" spots on KFRC in the 80's ? Now of course "Monsignor", I recently exchanged emails with him, nice guy with a great feel for personality radio. He became very good friends with the late Dr. Don Rose and his wife Kay. Thanks again Scott & regards to all from South Australia. |
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phonebone |
Re: KFRC in 2005 & beyond | ||
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I do remember those "Father Harry/God Squad" bits! Was sponsored by the San Franscisco Diocese.
On an almost similar vein, I wonder if copies of KYUU's (ex-99.7) "Montgomery Street Mysteries" exist anyplace? They were pretty good, airing in the early '80s, I think. Scott |
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paris400 |
Re: KFRC in 2005 & beyond | ||
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I remember KFRC from 1978 to around 1982, when I switched to college and alternative radio. Dr. Don was my favorite back then; no morning was complete without hearing him feed Roscoe the leftovers from some restaurant he was plugging. I was fortunate enough to get an email from him back in the 90s where he thanked me for the kind words I sent him and said, "You've warmed this old rock n roll DJ's heart!" It was very sad to hear he died.
The apex of KFRC for me was the late 70s and very early 80s; the vibe was great. AM radio was naff after 1982. It was deja vu hearing two KFRC voices when they moved to NYC - Bill Lee, at WKTU and Jane Dornacker at WNBC. |
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phonebone |
Re: KFRC in 2005 & beyond | ||
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Aww, Jane Dornacker.
I remember her segues from "Dumbarton Bridge" to "Dumb BART" train delays in her bay area traffic reports. She and Dr. Don Rose are sorely missed. |
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BayRadioDJ |
Re: Father Harry of The God Squad | ||
Quote: For Ian and the legendary PhoneBone, and everyone else that remembers Father Harry of the God Squad, here's a classic "episode" from 1978: Father Harry of The God Squad (1978) DJ |
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IAN WRIGHT |
Re: Father Harry of The God Squad | ||
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Hey, thanks BayRadioDJ for the KFRC Father Harry "flashback" to 1978.
I've been corresponding with (Monsignor) Father Harry over the past year and he's kindly forwarded me copies of the most recent God Squad spots. Unfortunately, for radio audiences worldwide, 2006 is the wind-up year for this service. Father Harry will be doing other things, including the Internet to continue spreading the word ! Who knows (God obviously does), we may even hear him/see him one day on a computer screen near you. And a belated Happy 2006 to all who visit this site. Any updates on the sound of KFRC and their survey performance ? Regards, IAN in South Australia. |
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Hanky949 |
Re: KFRC in 2005 & beyond | ||
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Very bad move. It was the one of the worst moves KFRC(or any other Bay Area radio station) has ever made! Has Bay Area radio gotten worse or what?! I either listen to "XM" Satellite Radio, or listen to internet radio for my music!!!!!
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phonebone |
Re: KFRC in 2005 & beyond | ||
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Well, I think KFRC sounds pretty good these days, and it reminds me a lot of how they sounded in the '70s. But now there is another station on or near 99.7 closer to me that tends to prevent me from getting a clear signal.
Bay area radio just isn't much fun any more. I was really sad when KARA 105.7 was sold. No more Kim Vestal with her "Get your buns outta bed!" with the stripper music every morning. I heard she is on afternoons now at KBAY or KEZR and gets to sleep in now! I mostly listen to Sirius these days. Their '70s channel really captures the feel of that era, in my opinion. Take care, everyone! |
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phonebone |
Re: KFRC in 2005 & beyond | ||
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Awww.... !!!! Some awful right wing talk station has taken the 99.7 spot near me, so reception of KFRC is now spotty at best.
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IAN WRIGHT |
Re: KFRC in 2005 & beyond | ||
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Great to see on the KFRC web site, news and photographs relating to the just established Dr Don Rose Garden project.
He entertained so many people in the States and had a positive influence on many broadcasters, including some of us here in Australia. His humanitarian side lives on thanks to KFRC and supporters and I know his family would be so proud. Well done ! Regards to all, IAN. |
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IAN WRIGHT |
KFRC in 2005 & beyond | ||
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At least Dr. Don was honoured "on-air" and in public with the KFRC Dr. Don Rose Garden, BEFORE the plug was pulled, on this once great radio station.
It's the end of an 82 year old dynasty of talent & memories...RIP, KFRC. Regards, IAN in Oz |
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IAN WRIGHT |
KFRC in 2005 & beyond | ||
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Hi all from South Australia and all the best for 2007.
Can anybody in San Francisco confirm that Broadway Bill Lee is definitely joining Movin' 99.7 ? I see they are on a national talent hunt at present. If Bill does join the former KFRC, it would be a HUGE + for the new format, as Broadway Bill Lee is one heck of a great talent ! Kind regards, IAN in Oz. |
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