The Radio Story Of The Year…

Monday, January, 19, 2009 by Mel Phillips.

(MLK Jr. Day Edition)

The year is just 19 days old yet I know of no other story in radio as big as this.  For the first time ever, a radio station has swapped their frequency for the Internet.  I was so curious I just had to sample L.A.’s Indie 103.1 and discovered the best digital radio signal I have ever heard.  You owe it to your ears to listen too.  You don’t have to like their format of alternative, punkish music done free-form, just listen to the quality of their digital signal…

This whole swap thing came about when Indie 103.1 decided that rather than ”play the corporate game” which they apparently were not winning, they would opt out for taking their free-form format, lock, stock and disc jockeys to the web.  Indie 103.1 debuted on Christmas Day, 2003.  They vacated terrestrial radio last Thursday, January 15, 2009.  I don’t know what they were billing on terrestrial radio but a trip to their website finds tons of ads.  Those ads can’t possibly make up for what their radio revenue brought in but they’re still in business…

There’s a story in the New York Times about European radio lagging behind television and even newspapers in making the jump from analog to digital distribution.  Speaking about AM radio, Swiss broadcaster Ernst Werder summed it up by saying “we think it’s an old technology.”  He added this: “it is time for radio to be digital.”  Amen to that Ernst…    

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1949] A raise to six figures: The president’s salary is increased from $75,000 to $100,000 with an additional $50,000 expense allowance for each year…
2. 1952] Signed, sealed and delivered: The NFL buys the New York Yanks, then awards the franchise to a group in Dallas. The Dallas Texans will then be awarded to Baltimore in 1953 to form the Colts. Are you following all this? There will be a test…
3. 1953] Splain it to me Lucy: A whopping 68% of all TV sets are tuned to “I Love Lucy” as Lucy Ricardo gives birth to a baby boy…
4. 1957] Who hit the mute button?: Ernie Kovacs does a half-hour TV show without saying one word.  Here’s the close of one of Ernie’s shows…
5. 1972] Going to Hall: Sandy Koufax, Yogi Berra and Early Wynn are elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame…
6. 1974] Irish wake: Notre Dame stops UCLA’s remarkable 88-game winning streak 71-70. The Irish move up in the polls from 2 to 1, replacing the Bruins. It marks the first time UCLA is not #1 since the 1968 NCAA Championship Tournament…
7. 1998] “Happy Trails“: The legendary Carl Perkins dies at 65 from complications caused by several strokes…2006] Wilson Pickett, 64, passes away after suffering a heart attack…2008] Actress Suzanne Pleshette, 70, dies from lung cancer…2008] John Stewart, 68, of The Kingston Trio, suffers a massive and fatal stroke…
8. 2000] Guilty as charged: Robert F. Kennedy nephew, Michael Skakel surrenders to Greenwich (CT) police to face charges in the 1975 death of neighbor Martha Moxley. He will be convicted and is serving time in prison…
9. 2002] Last call for alcohol: Schaefer Stadium hosts its final Patriots game. New England beats Oakland 16-13 in overtime in an AFC Divisional Playoff game, played in a snowstorm. The game features the infamous “tuck” rule used to protect QB Tom Brady. An Adam Vinatieri field goal wins it…
10. 2004] Wacked out: John Kerry wins Iowa’s Democratic presidential caucus and Howard Dean who finishes third, delivers his famous, fist-pumping, over-the-top speech that will bury him as a serious candidate…

Music Memories:

• 1957] Having a Ball: Pat Boone sings at Ike’s presidential inauguration.  He sang this song…1977] Charlie Daniels and Marshall Tucker play at Jimmy Carter’s inauguration. Aretha Franklin sings “God, Bless America“…1981] Frank Sinatra, Donny & Marie Osmond and Dean Martin perform at Ronald Reagan’s inauguration.  Frank sang this song in 1985…1993] Fleetwood Mac reunites to perform “Don’t Stop” at Bill Clinton’s inaugural…
• 1967] Meow: Lesley Gore appears on “Batman” as Pussycat, the Catwoman’s sidekick…

“Happy Birthday…happy birthday“:

Frank Caliendo (35), Junior Seau (40), Katey Sagal (55), Desi Arnaz Jr. (56), America’s Dewey Bunnell (58), Dolly Parton (63), Shelley Fabares (65), Michael Crawford (67), Phil Everly (69), Robert MacNeil (78), Tippi Hedren (79), Fritz Weaver (83) and Jean Stapleton (86)…

Timeline Countdown: Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, one day until the Inauguration, 13 days until the Super Bowl and 26 days until pitchers and catchers can report voluntarily to spring training…

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