Emmis Communications: Bring Back KZLA

LA's New Country Station!

2006-11-28T22:48:00.000-08:00

The LA Times published another article today about the new AM stations (XSUR and KKGO) that are changing their format to country music. A few quotes I felt obligated to share...

"I began to get dozens if not hundreds of telephone calls from country fans saying, 'You're the last one who can save it,' " says Saul Levine, president and general manager of Mt. Wilson FM Broadcasters, which owns XSUR and KKGO. "This kept going on and I thought, 'These were really nice people.' "

"We had the most loyal audience," says [Whitney] Allen, whose "Big Time" show will air weekdays from 3 to 8 p.m. starting Jan. 8, in addition to her "The Big Time Saturday Night" show that is already being carried. "I've been in radio a long time and thought I'd seen everything, but these people never gave up hope that they would get a country station back. They'd like a better signal, but they are so thankful." (If you remember, we met Whitney when I posted her response to the switch)

Tony Brown, senior partner in Universal Music Group's Nashville-based Universal South operations, doesn't think that will be a problem, regardless of it being AM rather than FM, given that Southern California has long been the nation's No. 1 or 2 market for retail sales of country music.

"If KZLA added a record in the first week, it means you might have a hit on your hands," Brown says. "And L.A. is the place with all the TV shows you try to get your acts on, so having the exposure there is crucial. I can't believe the labels wouldn't feel the need to step up and support this."

Here's the link to the entire article if you feel like reading...
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/music/la-et-country28nov28,1,5822742.story?coll=la-entnews-music&ctrack=1&cset=true

Advertising on new station...

2006-11-28T14:20:00.000-08:00

In order for the new AM country stations to be successful, there obviously needs to be a strong advertising presence.

Some of the advertisers who worked with KZLA were Home Depot, REI and many of the major TV stations.

I can't wait to see who comes on board with the AM stations...and how much money Emmis Communication misses out on.

Someone else's comment

2006-11-28T13:40:00.000-08:00

I really enjoyed an anonymous comment I got yesterday...

The person noted that it was funny that Kelly Clarkson is now trying to break into country music because that is where all of the money is. Thank goodness someone sees that!

Clearly Emmis Communications didn't...just another point to prove they are idiots.

Forget you, Jeff Smulyan!

2006-11-27T13:20:00.000-08:00

Thank goodness someone has undone the actions of the money hoarding racist Jeff Smulyan. I hope he realizes that he gave up an enormous position...

Because someone else did!

YES!!

2006-11-27T13:17:00.000-08:00

Just announced today...

LA HAS A NEW COUNTRY MUSIC STATION!! Two AM stations will begin broadcasting in the country music format December 1st. KKGO-AM (1260) and XSURF-AM (540) will both begin a country music format featuring some of the on-air personalities from KZLA.

Thank goodness someone in LA recognizes the power of country music! Here's the link if you want to take a look...

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/music/cl-et-kkgo18nov18,1,2375684.story?coll=la-entnews-music&ctrack=1&cset=true

Who needs you, Emmis Communications?!

People Magazine: The Country Edition

2006-11-20T20:27:00.000-08:00

Another example of a media giant who believes in the power of country fans: People Magazine. The magazine released an edition dedicated to country music and its artists.

The edition featured profiles on artists, gossip and stories on artists' tours. It was formatted much like a regular edition, only all dedicated to country music.

But, I guess that Emmis Communications is better than ABC, People Magazine and VH1. Well, at least, they think they are. Can't wait for them to find out they are wrong...

CMT Giants Tap Reba

2006-11-20T20:19:00.000-08:00

CMT (Country Music Television) did something that Emmis Communications didn't...honored a country music legend.

Reba McEntire was the first to be inducted into the CMT Giants, CMT's version of a Hall of Fame. Other stars such as Faith Hill, Trisha Yearwood, Dolly Parton and LeeAnn Rimes sang Reba's hits as the red-headed star looked on smiling and occasionally crying.

Thank goodness for CMT. They won't do like Emmis Communications and drop us country fans.

A bit more about my cause...

2006-11-08T09:53:00.000-08:00

I was combing through some old posts and comments this morning and found a great comment with questions I never answered. Another student basically asked me why I am so passionate about country music and have such a hate for Emmis Communications. Here is a bit of why...

Although I clearly reside in southern California now, I am Oklahoma born and Texas raised, so you can say that country music is in my blood. Some of my best memories growing up are listening to Randy Travis (my all time favorite) in my dad's truck, my sister and I singing "There's a tear in my beer" on the fireplace for our parents and seeing Garth Brooks perform live.

When I was forced to move from Texas to southern California in high school, listening to country music made me not miss home so much. I took comfort in the sound and lyrics - it made me feel not so much out of place in a crazy new state. As I have grown up and found independence through driving my own car, my love for country music has deepened and become something that I can't live without.

And now, Emmis Communications has forced me to and I'm pissed. Their racist actions affected tons of people in their selfish desire to gain a cheap buck. Jeff Smulyan is now bad guy #1 to me. I am on a personal mission to see him fail.

Faith Hill's CMA Moment

2006-11-07T10:36:00.000-08:00

Last night at the CMAs, Faith Hill had an interesting reaction to Carrie Underwood winning the Female Vocalist of the Year.

While being filmed backstage, Hill threw up her arms and shouted "What?!" and appeared to storm off.

Hill's publicist claims that it was a joke and she would never disrespect any other artists. Who knows for sure...here's the link to the AP article. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061107/ap_on_en_mu/cma_awards_faith_hill

CMA Results!

2006-11-07T08:14:00.000-08:00

Last night, the 40th annual Country Music Awards aired on ABC...here is a quick rundown of the winners

Musical event - Brad Paisley (featuring Dolly Parton)
When I Get Where I'm Going

Music video - Brooks and Dunn
Believe

Vocal duo - Brooks and Dunn

Vocal group - Rascal Flatts

Horizon Award - Carrie Underwood

Male vocalist - Keith Urban

Female vocalist - Carrie Underwood

Song of the year - Brooks and Dunn
Believe

Single of the year - Brooks and Dunn
Believe

Album of the year - Brad Paisley
Time Well Wasted

Entertainer of the year - Kenny Chesney

More on the CMAs to come...

Jeff Smulyan, what will you be doing tomorrow night?

2006-11-05T21:46:00.000-08:00

Jeff Smulyan, will you be watching the CMA Awards on ABC tomorrow night? Will you be watching while ABC and their advertisers reap the financial rewards of broadcasting a country music show? I hope so...so you can see what you are missing.

CMAs on ABC 11/6 8/7c!!

A tribute to Keith Urban

2006-11-02T20:17:00.000-08:00

As I'm sure you have heard, country rocker Keith Urban has checked himself into rehab for alcoholism. Unfortunately this means he will not be appearing at the CMAs this coming Monday. Hopefully he will be able to return soon and be able to rock the stage as he always has.

To Keith - we wish you well in your recovery. Country music will miss you while you are gone. Take care.

A picture from an amazing Keith Urban concert last December my roommate and I attended... He is incredible in concert.

Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders on VH1

2006-10-30T17:54:00.000-08:00

Recently I've become fixed on this series on CMT: "Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders: Making the Team." I was feeding my fixation on Saturday night when I suddenly realized - I was watching it on VH1. It turns out VH1 has picked up the old episodes to rebroadcast.

Traditionally, the Dallas Cowboys and their loyal cheerleaders are most revered by those who live a more conservative lifestyle, including those who listen to country music. So why would VH1 decide to spend the money to broadcast a show catering to that demographic?

Because they realize something Emmis Communications didn't - us country listeners are actually worth something.

Country music and charity

2006-10-24T14:39:00.000-07:00

I noticed something this morning while driving to school...

I was listening to KIIS FM, Emmis's direct competitor and realized that I never hear them doing anything for the community. KZLA always made a point to give back to the community. When they went off the air, they were doing an outreach program for single mothers.

Country music gives back to communities...stations like Movin' 93.9 do not. Don't we all want our community to benefit?

ABC believes in country music

2006-10-23T16:49:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday while watching Grey's Anatomy, I saw an advertisement that peaked my interest. ABC is broadcasting the Country Music Association Awards on November 6th at 8/7c. The advertisements label it as "the biggest night of the year" and "a night you don't want to miss."

Clearly ABC, one of the leading television stations, finds value in country music. Too bad Emmis Communications can't take a lesson from them...

Here's the link for those who are interested...

http://abc.go.com/specials/cma/nominations.html

Clear Channel's Opportunity

2006-10-17T22:01:00.000-07:00

One thing I don't understand...why wouldn't Clear Channel, Emmis' biggest competitor, change one of their formats to country music? To me it seems clear cut - the audience is ready and waiting, I'll be some of the KZLA anchors would work for them and there were obviously advertisers who saw the value in reaching out to the country music demographic.

Although I am not in Clear Channel's position, it seems to me that I would rather sacrifice a smaller station that is sistered by similar stations for the listeners to go to and then introduce the only country station in the LA market. I can't believe they want satellite radio to win, do they?

KZLA's response to the switch

2006-10-16T15:40:00.000-07:00

Whitney Allen, one of KZLA's anchors writes on LAradio.com what the switch has been like for her. Most remarkable: the last paragraph. Thanks to countryfanlink.blogdrive.com for this.
-----------------------------------------

KZLA Afternooner. Whitney Allen, afternoons at KZLA until Thursday, said that she has been receiving emails at the rate of 5-10 a minute. "I have tried to answer every one of them. Which is fine, as obsessing on that slows me down on obsessing on the rest of the situation, which goes far beyond me losing my job," emailed Whitney.

Whitney was filling in for Blair Garner on the syndicated After Midnite when she signed off the last Country station in New York quite a few years ago. "I was certain that someone would grab the Country music banner and run with it in the Big Apple before long. Well, a lot of people are still waiting. I hope and pray that Los Angeles does no suffer the same plight."

Whitney continued: "The passion of these now mostly station-less listeners is OVERWHELMING. It is something that makes me sadder and more frustrated than I could ever have though possible. After all, as we hear over and over again, and even say to ourselves, 'it's only radio.' We sometimes forget, and we should not, the difference we can make in someone's day, or dare I say life.

In my two plus years at KZLA I have felt embraced by these Country music listeners more than I have felt in any of my other 25 plus years in radio." "The caliber of people I got to work with, the talent of the artists I got to play on the radio, the KZLA concerts that I was a part of...the things I learned - unsurpassed in my career," said Whitney.

"I loved working for Emmis. I have never worked with such a great group of people as I have at KZLA. If I start naming names, I will leave someone out. But quickly, RJ Curtis tried to hire me for YEARS before I took the job. I am so thankful he was so persistent." Whitney didn't start writing to LARadio.com to reminisce about the great times she had at KZLA.

"I started writing in the hopes that someone will recognize the passion that is in the hearts and souls of these country music listeners. After Hurricane Katrina, KZLA asked listeners to fill a truck to take to the Gulf States, and what did they do? They filled a PARKING LOT. It was the first time in a long time that the generosity and compassion of listeners made me weep. They deserve a place to call Home."

Jeff Smulyan Jokes about Selling KZLA

2006-10-16T15:25:00.000-07:00

An interesting conversation to look at...some good points both for and against the selling of KZLA.

http://www.radio-info.com/smf/index.php/topic,48423.msg338142.html#msg338142

Although the money aspect seems to make sense for Emmis Communications, what doesn't make sense to me is why they would put themselves in direct competition with the number two station in the country - KIIS 102.7. Ryan Seacrest hosts the morning show, and he is unstoppable as a host right now. Rick Dees was dropped from KIIS for a reason.

Emmis Communications: Have fun being number two. You'll miss your time at the top.

No KZLA since August

2006-10-16T15:14:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately tomorrow marks the two month anniversary of "Black Thursday," the day when Emmis Communications changed KZLA to a new urban format and announced Rick Dees was returning to Los Angeles in the morning.

Here's what makes me sad...if you search the blogs, no one has said much since August. Is everyone getting used to not having country music? Did everyone switch to satellite radio? Well, here is one life-long country fan who is not giving up! Forget you, Emmis Communications, we'll find someone who isn't racist.

Who is Jeff Smulyan?

2006-10-15T23:18:00.000-07:00

A bit of history on Jeff Smulyan, CEO of Emmis Communications...

He is estimated to be worth approximately $299 million.
He unsuccessfully tried to purchase the Washington Nationals in 2005.
He owned the Seattle Mariners from 1989 to 1992, with unimpressive records for those seasons
Emmis Communications reported a revenue of $591 million in 2004.

My question is, if he is worth so much and Emmis makes so much, why is he still so greedy? Must just be a money hungry jerk...that's the only explanation for his decision to pull KZLA off the air.

OC Weekly still believes...

2006-10-15T23:07:00.000-07:00

Interesting OC Weekly article published two days before the KZLA Country Bash...too bad Emmis, you missed out. XM Satellite Radio swooped in after you left KZLA in the dust.

The Show Must Go On!

The Country Bash 2006—your last chance to listen to KZLA. Ever
By WANDA ESPY
Thursday, October 12, 2006 - 3:00 pm

What happens when a radio station promoting a huge Orange County concert suddenly flips formats from Big Hat Country to The Mix That Makes You Move? Not a lot, apparently, if you’re KZLA-FM and you’re referring to the Country Bash 2006, featuring Gretchen Wilson, REO Speedwagon, SheDAISY, Phil Vassar, Taylor Swift and Jamie O’Neal.

“We’re still promoting the show,” claims programming assistant Vicki Pepper, one of the few KZLA staffers still working at the new Movin’ 93.9 FM. On Aug. 17, the former pop country station owned by Emmis Communications switched to “rhythmic pop contemporary music,” leaving the nation’s second-largest media market without a full-time country radio station. Jimmy Steal, Emmis’ vice president of programming, cited declining ratings as well as an opportunity to increase revenue as the reason for the flip.

Although the Country Bash is now being promoted through XM (a first for satellite radio), LiveNation and the Academy of Country Music, KZLA is still promoting the show on its website at KZLA.com (where you can hear country music without commercials or live DJs) and through its HD2 side channel. Shawn Parr, the beloved former KZLA midday host whose name has been synonymous with KZLA for 14 years—and who is the also the voice of the Academy of Country Music—will host the Bash.

So what’s different? Of course, you won’t find the KZLA street crew out at the Bash. Redubbed the “Movin’ Cruizers,” 93.9’s street team is now busy driving newly decorated vans and promoting Dorothy the Dinosaur’s Dance Party at the Terrace Theater in Long Beach. And you won’t find the band Heartland, previously scheduled to do a tailgate party in the parking lot of the Verizon Amphitheater. Some smaller bands dropped off the schedule, but the remaining bill leaves a lot for the KZLA fan to enjoy; most artists scheduled were in regular rotation at the country station, with the exception of REO Speedwagon. But that’s okay, because, Pepper says, “our listeners were very loyal to KZLA, but there’s definitely a shared audience between country and classic rock stations.”

Ironically, that “shared audience” (or lack of audience share) may be what did in KZLA. Now, KZLA’s website encourages loyal fans and displaced listeners to “carry the flag for country music in Los Angeles” and “show their country pride” by coming out to the Bash. Does LA/OC love country so much that another station will emerge to fill the void? Rumors have it that a Clear Channel adult contemporary station might flip soon to Top 40 Country. Star 98.7 or K-BIG 104.3 seem likely candidates. Of course, there were rumors that KZLA would flip too, rumors the staff thought were unfounded for years, until they came to work one morning and heard Shakira instead of Shania.

Country Bash 2006 at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, 8808 Irvine Center Dr., Irvine, (949) 855-8096. Sat., 3 p.m. $25-$55.

Pictures of the Bash to come soon...

Emmis Communications is full of crap

2006-10-10T13:11:00.000-07:00

Here are Emmis Communication's supposed "Eleven Commandments" Let's count how many they violated in taking away KZLA.

Number 11: They never admitted to practicing poor human resources techniques while firing their anchors in the middle of the day without warning.

Number 7: Never get smug? Come on...you can't believe you are going to take down KIIS FM if you aren't smug. You used to be the only country station in the second-biggest market in the country.

Number 4: They very successfully jeopardized their integrity by treating their employees in such a horrible manner. What person of integrity fires someone with a family to support in the middle of the day without any warning?

Number 3: They were horrible to their people. Nice job blowing this one out of the water...

Number 2: Clearly their chosen actions do not show compassion for the people who have dedicated literally years to growing their company and radio station.

Number 1: They dumped one of the biggest audiences in the country, leaving both the audience and advertisers with a huge adjustment to make. That is not taking care of them by any means.

Nice work Emmis...you screwed this one up too.

Red Ribbons for KZLA

2006-10-03T09:16:00.000-07:00

All of the former KZLA listeners, known as the "KZLAnation" have begun and participated in the Red Ribbon Campaign. Karen Oliver, a former KZLA listener, began the "Bring Country Back" red ribbon campaign as a way to show dedication to bringing country music back to Los Angeles.

"This is a very poignant way to get the word out that we want our country music back. There is a huge devoted and passionate audience for this genre," states Karen Oliver, organizer of the ribbon campaign. (http://top40-charts.com/news.php?nid=26867)

Oliver is expecting to see red ribbons by the thousands at the KZLA Country Bash on October 14th, featuring Phil Vassar, Gretchen Wilson and SheDaisy. "We have been sending them out in bundles. We will also have them available at the concert itself. But if you want your own ribbon now, you can send a self-addressed, stamped envelop to 'Save Country Music,' 263 W. Olive Ave No 292, Burbank, CA, 91502," said Oliver. (http://top40-charts.com/news.php?nid=26867)

So in addition to boycotting the 93.9 station and their advertisers (more to come on that next time), all of looking to kick Emmis Communications in the shin can show our support by donning a red ribbon.

Useful KZLA/Emmis Communications links

2006-10-01T20:48:00.000-07:00

There is a huge fight to bring country music back to LA - I'm only a small part of it. Here are some other great links to find out what else is being done to bring free country music back to LA. I encourage everyone to get involved because the more we fight back, the more Emmis Communications will realize that they made an ignorant decision in taking away KZLA.

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2006/9/prweb439974.htm
http://countryboards.com/boards/viewforum.php?f=5
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/Country_Fan_Link/index.html
http://franklinavenue.blogspot.com/2006/08/breaking-news-kzla-dumps-country-and.html

Those are just to start...I'll add more as I find them. If you find any good sites, please send them to me. We need to get everyone involved! Emmis Communications...you guys are ignorant.

I want my country music!

2006-09-28T12:59:00.000-07:00

This blog is dedicated to bringing a country music station back to Los Angeles. On August 17, 2006 ("Black Thursday"), 93.9 KZLA changed its format to hip-hop and urban music, leaving Los Angeles without a free source of country music. The new "Moovin' 93.9" is bringing Rick Dees back to LA in the morning, leaving us country fans without our Peter Tilden and Ashley. This blog seeks to aid in the fight to see the return of our beloved country music in Los Angeles, even if it means creating a new radio station.

To worsen the situation, the KZLA staff was informed of this decision mid-day, without any type of warning or say. For years, the staff has dedicated itself to the radio station, just to be promptly removed in favor of tunes that cater to the minority populations in LA. Emmis Communications, the owner of KZLA, practiced poor employee relations and, in the process, ticked off a whole lot of people. Well, as Toby Keith shows us in his song "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue," us country fans aren't ones to back down. Good luck Emmis...we're coming for you.