KLOS (95.5 FM) is planning to announce an all-new afternoon drive show any day now.
“We are thrilled to share some exciting news!” began an internal email I’ve seen that was sent to KLOS staffers from general sales manager Ventura Montoya. “Please join us in welcoming Nik Carter to the Meruelo family as the new p.m. drive host on KLOS!”
Carter is not well-known in Los Angeles radio circles, having spent most of his time on-air at stations in New York and Boston. But he has national exposure via cable television’s VH1 Classic and satellite radio service SiriusXM, as well as commercial voiceover work.
He’s a music guy, and I think this shows the music-driven direction KLOS plans to embrace. Hopefully, it will also open up the playlist somewhat, as new rock would be a nice touch. For his part, Carter is a recipient of Billboard Magazine’s “Major Market Modern Rock Radio Personality of the Year” and has been nominated for numerous Radio and Records awards as well.
“Nik’s dynamic energy, sharp wit, and engaging personality make him the perfect fit,” continued Montoya in his email. “With an unmatched love for rock ’n’ roll and a proven ability to connect with listeners, Nik will bring an electrifying vibe to our afternoon audience”
Added one industry observer, “Nik really is strong. Very likable and fun.”
My understanding is that they also had to pay more than the $70-$90k they advertised back in September …
KLOS has been without an afternoon drive show since Doug “Sluggo” Roberts and Kevin Ryder were shown the door in September. During that time many fans wondered if there would be a new show or not, or if KLOS might be among the first to try an artificial intelligence-hosted show. I am glad they are doing something real … radio should be real; I can’t wait to hear him.
Between this and the (re)hiring of Frazer Smith for Sunday nights, could KLOS be on a roll?
Local Radio
The ink had not even dried on the column regarding Long Beach low-power FM station KLBP (99.1 FM) when fans of Orange County’s KFXM (104.7 FM) wrote in.
A sample:
“We have a wonderful low-powered radio station here in Laguna Beach. It gets us news music and all the local information that we need in our everyday lives here in Laguna. The station is KXFM. Hopefully, you will mention it in your column and the Orange County Register.” — Diane Leemon
“I was so glad to see your column today with the story about low-power community radio. However, you forgot KXFM! — Lynn Smith, Capo Beach
Actually, I didn’t forget … the story wasn’t on LPFM stations in general, it was solely regarding KLBP. But it does highlight something I find quite intriguing – if radio is “dead,” as so many seem to think, why is there such an interest in these low-powered FM signals? Stations that can’t often be heard more than a few blocks from the transmitter site?
It’s the local connection. Done right, a community station is a valuable asset, featuring voices, features and even music that can’t be heard elsewhere. I do plan to cover KFXM and all the others in future columns.
Big Oops!
“How could you forget Jackson Armstrong? Armstrong was on Ten-Q in 1979 … He was there even at the end of the format. Another person I really liked was Michael A McVey. Boy, did they speed up “Free Ride!” — Chime Hart
Hart is referring to last week’s story on the history of Ten-Q at the online site myten-qradio.com … and he is right. But I am feigning ignorance … Armstrong isn’t on the site either, in spite of being a big part of the station. I am sure it’s an oversight, but in the meantime, if you want to get a taste of Armstrong’s wild antics with his alter-ego “The Gorilla,” head over to YouTube and search “Ten-Q Jack Armstrong.” You’ll find numerous recordings hosted by RetroRadioJoe and Maverick, among others. You can find them on MixCloud and other sites as well.
Locally, Armstrong was heard on Ten-Q, KFI (640 AM) and KKHR Hit Radio 93 (now KCBS-FM, 93.1); there are numerous recordings of him as well on KFRC/San Francisco. All of them are a real treat. Armstrong was a wild man on the air, but always very professional. True talent!
Richard Wagoner is a San Pedro freelance columnist covering radio in Southern California. Email rwagoner@socalradiowaves.com