Washington Sticks It To Terrestrial Radio…

Thursday, October, 29, 2009 by Mel Phillips.

Washington seems to think that it’s more important to grant Low Power FM licenses than it is to help an industry on the brink of extinction. Why else would they move the Local Community Radio Act of 2009 to a full House vote? The measure not only would create a horde of Low Power FM signals, it would repeal legislation which requires the FCC to protect full-power broadcasters from interference from Low Power FM stations being placed on third-adjacent channels. Radio has a right to be incensed…

If you think our country’s airlanes are overcrowded, wait till you see the logjam of radio signals we’ll be getting. Washington will be forced to use radar screens to scan all the radio frequencies we’ll have. For the record, we already have over 800 existing Low Power FM radio stations licensed to community organizations and others, who shall be referred to as — an assortment of gypsies, tramps and thieves…

If you’d like to voice your complaint about the imminent onslaught of Low Power FM radio stations, click this and include your zip code to find out who your Congress person is. You are urged to contact them, because this vote will come up on the House floor within a couple of weeks. The Low Power FM bill is H.1147… 

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1652] The birth of the Bay State: The Massachusetts Bay Colony proclaims itself an independent commonwealth. Knowing this wouldn’t work on a T-shirt, the founding fathers rename it Massachusetts, giving the Bee Gees another hit…
2. 1929] Cur-rash: “Black Tuesday” ushers in ‘The Great Depression’ as banks and stocks go belly up…
3. 1940] Brrrrrrr there’s a draft in here: The first peacetime military draft begins in the U.S…
4. 1956] Premiered on this date: Chet Huntley (from New York) & David Brinkley (Washington) debut on the “Huntley-Brinkley Report” which begins a 15-year run. This is the pair’s last broadcast together…1967] “Hair” opens on Broadway. Here’s a scene from the movie…
5. 1964] Natural History heist: Thieves make off with the Star of India and other gems from the American Museum of Natural History in New York. Tom Cruise is arrested immediately. This is a shot of the museum when no heist was taking place…
6. 1966] NOW and then: The National Organization for Women is founded. I know she didn’t found it but I saw Gloria Steinem during my morning walk on Monday…
7. 1971] “Happy Trails“: Duane Allman is killed in a motorcycle crash in Macon (GA) at 24…
8. 1998] Deja Vu all over again: The space shuttle Discovery blasts off with 77-year old John Glenn. In 1962 he was the first American astronaut to orbit…
9. 2004] Osama sighting: Osama bin Laden in a videotaped statement, directly admits for the first time, ordering the September 11 attacks. He tells America “the best way to avoid another Manhattan” is to stop threatening Muslims’ security”…
10. 2008] Fightin’ Phillies Phantastic: The Philadelphia Phillies win the World Series 4 games to 1 when they beat the Tampa Bay Rays 4-3 in Game 5… 

Music

Music Memories:

• 1957] Released on this date: “Oh Boy” - Crickets…1977] “Bat Out Of Hell” LP - Meatloaf…
• 1970] Gold Standard: “Cracklin’ Rosie” - Neil Diamond…
• 1990] R&R HOF announcement: The class of ‘91 inductees: Byrds, LaVern Baker, John Lee Hooker, Impressions, Wilson Pickett, Jimmy Reed and Ike & Tina Turner.  Letterman interviewed Roger McGuinn (Byrds) about changing his name.  It was an interview that defied description…

Commentary:

The countdown has begun for the 2009 Tampa Bay Radio Reunion — it’s just one week from this Saturday. The fun will begin at 2pm November 7th at the Courtside Grille, 110 Fountain Parkway North, off of Ulmerton Road in the Carillon Town Center, St. Pete. Confirm your plans to attend by contacting Sandy Hall at swoodworth@embarqmail.com

“Happy Birthday…happy birthday“:

Winona Ryder (38), Joely Fisher (42), Denis Potvin (56), Kate Jackson (61), Richard Dreyfuss (62), Melba Moore (64) and Denny Laine (65)…

Timeline Countdown: 2 nights until Halloween, 3 days until Standard (back one hour) Time and 28 days until Thanksgiving…

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