Frank Ahrens (Craig Cola/ washingtonpost.com)

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Radio Talk
With Frank Ahrens
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2001; 1 p.m. EST

Frank Ahrens covers radio for The Washington Post. His column -- "The Listener" -- appears every other Tuesday in the Style section. Frank is also a general assignment feature writer, and his reporting subjects have included everything from minivans to murders, from baseball to bandwidth.

If you're wondering about the inner workings of radio in Washington, around the country and on the Web, or want to know what Frank really thinks of minivans, then don't touch that dial . . . um, mouse! Please join us for this discussion!

Below is today's transcript.

Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.

Frank Ahrens: Greetings, all, and thanks for joining us on the off-week.
Some news: Billy Bush's replacement on Z104 started yesterday--it's syndicated L.A. morning jock Rick Dees, who is probably the most popular jock on the West Coast. He's won all sorts of awards, is usually the top-rated jock in L.A. and is responsible for the reprehensible '70s novelty hit, "Disco Duck." Z104 management says Dees is a temporary-permanent replacemnet, depending on how well he does. Management gives him a couple of months to prove his chops. I had an interview with Dees last week and I'm writing it up, probably for tomorrow's Post.
Something should be happening soon on the AM dial, as Music of Your Life is about to flatline and go talk.
Personal to Midwest Job Applicant: I don't have enough info to offer good advice; e-mail me with details.
Let's go.

20814: I posted the Don and Mike show as a dating litmus test last week. So how did they like it (since I don't listen to them)? I think it's just about the greatest brain detector around - works every time. I'm going to suggest to area employers that it be used in conjunction with those urine tests as a pre-employment screening device, because anyone who thinks they are amusing can't possibly listen to the show and work at the same time.

Frank Ahrens: Hi. From your zip code, I know you're in Bethesda--I used to live there. I didn't hear Don and Mike comment on the D&M Dating Litmus Test. Any fans out there hear them talk about it last week?

Crystal City: Frank -

Did XM ever get their satellite launched? I heard they were having cashflow problems, too. Is this related? Doesn't Sirius already have a satellite up there?

Frank Ahrens: Hi. A few weeks ago, XM was set to launch their first of two satellites (Rock and Roll), but a perceived malfunction aborted the launch. It is reskedded for Feb. 28; second satellite set to go up in April. (They are launched from a big barge in the South Pacific.)
The trade journals reported that XM chief Hugh Panero said his compnay needs $150 million more cash by the end of the year. I asked him about this a couple of days ago and he said he was confident the money would come because A) he predicts the stock market will rebound and B) huge companies such as Clear Channel, DirectTV and GM have invested in him and would pony up the dough. Sirius already has all three of its satellites up.

Bowie, Md.: What happened to WHUR? Have you heard of any plans to wake up their morning show?

Frank Ahrens: WHUR is still (slowly) building its replacement morning show. T.C. Bandit, formerly of the WMMJ morning show, has been on-board and will be joined by a male host in the near future. Quite frankly, I am surprised that the station didn't have a replacement lined up when it became apparant last summer WHUR was going to lose Tom Joyner.

Alexandria, Va.: Mr. Ahrens,

Why is it radio is allowed to basically say anything it wants in terms of swear words. The songs I'm referring too..Like if a lyric has the f-word, they think they're "bleeping it," but only the smallest syllable is taken out, so it sounds like f-ck...or it's almost like it's whispered so softly, that it's then ok. I mean, we all know what's being said, why say you censor it if you're not? Does that take away from the integrity of a Limp Bizkit song because I can't hear him say f-ck? Please..

I'm not a middle-aged parent with kids or anything. Actually a 20-something professional. Just one of many things I hate about big radio.

Frank Ahrens: Good points. The radio edits that record companies do is completely bogus: If I can still tell what the edited word was, then to my way of thinking, it hasn't been edited out. It also has to do with legibility of the word. For instance: When Limp Bizkit shouts, I mean really punches, the f-word, there's no doubt about what they're saying, so they'll edit out the vowel and leave you with a sound like "fk," which everyone recognizes. However, the otherwise demure Sarah Mclaughlin had a huge radio hit a year or so ago, "Building a Mystery" that had the f-word buried deep in the back of the sound, lushly covered by strings, and sung in a fashion that leaves some doubt over what she's signing. But she was singing, "...a beautiful, f'ed-up man..." And I heard that plenty of times on the radio. As we talked about last week, the FCC responds only to listener complaints and differentiates between "obscenity" and "indecency." I hope that helps.

Dale City: Frank, A couple of weeks ago, somebody wondered about the ratings for public radio stations. Do you think Arbitron will ever include those numbers in their regular reports so we can see how WAMU, WETA, et al. fare against WMAL, WTOP, WARW, etc.?

Frank Ahrens: Ah, yes. I knew I meant to mention something else today. Thanks for reminding me.
I got the public radio Arbitron ratings for the most recent period--Fall 2000--and they stack up like this:
In the target audicne of 25-54 year olds, WAMU had an all-day share of 3.4, fairly respectable. In morning drive, when they play "Morning Edition," WAMU's share is 5.2, which is very strong, a respectable fourth-place behind Jack and Bert on Mix 107.3, Tom Joyner and Howard Stern. WETA also broadcasts "Morning Edition," but according to the ratings, almost no one is listening: WETA got a 1.8 share for "Morning Edition." WETA's overall share is a 2.4.
They cannot be published in the quarterly Arbitron guides for some proprietary reasons I never fully explored.
Oh, by comparison: WTOP had an all-day share of 4.2 with a 6.2 for morning drive.

Former DC Listener: Hi Frank,

I really miss DC radio and especially Don and Mike. I will be moving to the Big Apple next month and was wondering what is going on up their in talk radio (D&M style).

Frank Ahrens: Well, theyre' back on WNEW at nights, following Opie and Anthony. You can catch them there.

Prof from Vienna, Va.: I was tuning the dial this morning while Stern was on a commerical break and happened to land on the worst morning show ever. Rick Dees on 104.1 Is this the best they can come up with as a replacement for Billy Bush? 104.1 is now unlistenable due to Dees who without a doubt is the lamest DJ around. I read your comment about temp-perm. Any other names being tossed around to replace Bush?

Frank Ahrens: Right now, no. The station management tells me he is going to watch the rxn to Dees (via fon and e-mail, because he says he's given him only two months, which is not a full ratings book) while as a backup plan, trying to assemble his own local morning show. Much much more costly to build your own morning show than take a syndicated one.
I know what you mean about Dees: I am not a big fan of his happy-talk, Johnny-Carson-style humor, and I listen to so little Top 40 anymore, so I'm not a fan of the music. However, he has made his station in L.A., KIIS, the top-billing Top 40 station in the country, and he gets tons of celeb interviews, if that's your thing, (and for typical audience members of Top 40 stations--kids, particularly girls--it is) and he's been an L.A. ratings monster and industry award-winner for some time.

Silver Spring, Md.: About the bleeped language question earlier: What about the DJs themselves? This morning, just for an example, I had Elliot Segal on DC-101, and in the space of three minutes, I got, "Jesus Christ!" and "Goddam!" I'm no prude, but when did these usages become FCC-approved?

Frank Ahrens: Those are not obsecenities to the FCC. You've got to utter the F-bomb, the S-bomb or the MF-bomb, pretty much. I have been particularly troubled by the acceptance of "ass" into our over-the-air vernacular, both on radio and TV.

Arlington, Va.: You may have covered this topic before, but do you think XFM will be viable? I certainly wouldn't pay $10 a month for their service, and I don't know anyone else who would. I understand they have contracts with rental car companies, but can they live on this?

Frank Ahrens: They have more than contracts with car rental companies: Both XM and Sirius satellite radio have contracts with, between them, nearly every single auto manufacturer and satellite radios will be in lots and lots of models of new cars this fall. Further, you'll have to ask NOT to get it and the price of a one-year subscription will be included in the price of your car, just like AC or a sunroof. Wall Street predicts both companies to break even in 2004, even at $10 a month. Both companies will have some commercials on their channels. When you say you don't know anyone who would pay $10 a month for free radio, think back 25 years ago and remember the TV network execs who said "No one is gonna pay for free TV."

Alexandria, Va.: Hey, Frank--your glasses were cool for about 3 months in 1987. It's time for a change.

Frank Ahrens: HA! What you don't know is that I DO have new glasses, but have not updated my pic. Not to mention a little facial hair addition. On the old glasses, you are right...I actually bought them in about 1989 simply b/c they were the ugliest glasses I could find b/c for years I had tried and failed to find glasses that were actually flattering. So I just said, "Screw it!"

Reston, 20190: Frank, in reference to censored songs. Last year I heard the Wal-Mart version of "What it's like" with not only f*ck and such removed but also "gun", "shot" etc. Turned it from a good song about tolerance into an extremely funny song about nothing in particular. So, yeah, bleeping can damage the song.

Frank Ahrens: That's pretty funny, considering Wal-Mart sells guns.

Vienna, Va.: With all this shuffling of djs, what do you think about local hip-hop stations? Donnie Simpson seems to be an evergreen with WPGC and I really like his program.

Frank Ahrens: Donnie is an intersting case: When he went from WKYS to WPGC several years ago, it was a major, major story--even bigger than Tom Joyner skipping from WHUR to WMMJ, b/c Donnie is local and is/was quite a heartthrob, a real matinee idol. He was a huge celebrity deejay and one of Washington's first million-dollar deejays. Now, his ratings aren't the monster numbers he used to have...in the most recent Arbitron report, among listeners 18-34, he finished second to Russ Parr and Olivia Fox on WKYS, which is normal these days. But when Donnie steps out to a public appearance, the reaction from fans lets you know he's still a superstar. Sometimes, I wonder if, as he ages, he wouldn't be a better fit at a 25-54 station, an adult-contemporary black--or for that matter, white--station like WHUR. (Donnie is talented enough to helm any morning show you can think of, regardless of color or demo)

Towson, Baltimore: I have noticed a pattern lately, and it was triggered by a previous question today. Are you trying to influence people to call the FCC to complain about offensive radio, more specifically to complain about Don and Mike? And is this because you personally don't like them? Man, you are sneaky.

Frank Ahrens: Drat! My nefarious plot has been uncovered! And so easily! And I would have succeeded, if not for you meddling kids! (Cue Scooby Do music).

Malibu: Rick Dees is the funniest man alive. "Disco Duck" is the greatest song ever recorded. Charmin is the best use ever found for paper. Styrofoam is just goldarn neato.

Frank Ahrens: Terrific!

20853: Hey Bethesda zip code: For someone who dosen't like or listen to Don and Mike, you sure do seem fanatic about them. Me doth think the lady (?) protests too much!

Frank Ahrens: This is exactly what William Gibson warned us about: We're now communicating with each other by numbers alone: bar-code people talking to each other in digital bits of 100101011.

Laurie: About the obscenity thing --- do you think with Michael Powell at the helm the FCC might actually take a shot at cleaning up the airwaves?

Frank Ahrens: Hi, Laurie. In the past, FCCs under Republican presidents have been more activist in prosecuting and enforcing decency and obscenity standars--it was under the Reagan administration that Stern got into all his trouble.

Alexandria, Va.: Do you think Rick Dees will steal Jack Diamond's audience.. and what Jack's reaction to this might be?

Frank Ahrens: That's a good point: Rick Dees' new station in town--Z104--goes for a very young audience, on the lower end of 18-34. But Dees himself is upper 40s, lower 50s and might, quite honestly, be more of a threat to Jack Diamond and Bert Weiss on Mix 107.3 than Elliot Segal on DC101, which shares target audience with Z104. That's if Mix listeners can stand the Z music...

NW, D.C.: Mr Aherns:
Please answer this question, as it is asked with sincerity. I know you get flooded with pro-Don and Mike messages every week in your on line chats, and most don't make the cut for posting. (Fine - it's your choice as to what gets in.)
BUT...why do you always include one, two, or three -sometimes more- anti Don & Mike posts? For instance, the very first post you presented this week was from someone who posted last week with her D&M litmus test. (As I recall, if a fellow listed to D&M, she wouldn't date him.)
Are you being fair in what posts you allow to be posted? (Again, I realize it's your party here, just wish you'd say so.) To read this board week after week one might get the impression that Don and Mike are no talent hacks who are hated by a large number of folks.
The truth is, they do garner huge #1 ratings. You said last week that that doesn't necessarily mean it's a quality show. Just your feelings, as you are the 'radio reporter'.
So how about allowing a fair ammount of pro and con posts about Don and Mike? I have written this in a forthright manner with no disrespect intended. Please respond. Thank you.

Frank Ahrens: No prob. I post your posting with respect and glee. Please believe me, all, there is no anti Don and Mike campaign...if you go through the history of these chats, you'll see lots of pro and con.
The way I go through these questions and post them is more a function of the machinery: They come in, based on their time of submission, and stack up, on a big list on my screen. The newest ones are on top and the older ones--the ones posted first--are at the bottom. Often, when I'm flying through, I'll take ones off the top. But then, as I'm about to do now, I'll often go down throught he whole list to the bottom, and start dealing off the bottom of the deck.

The Airless Cubicle: Which legislator has the strongest influence over radio? My bet is on Rep. Billy Tauzin, Republican from Louisiana's Third District. He is of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and as such, has a hammerlock over telecommunications legislation. Tauzin relies on legislative rather than technical solutions to problems; he listens to the Consumer Electronics Association rather than radio users; and he doesn't distinguish the varying needs of different parts of the industry.
Republican control of the Senate implies preferring market forces over government regulation to shape industry. In the telecommunications industry, this is good for the young, Internet-based industries. Radio broadcasting, however, is a mature industry, and the same laissez-faire attitude towards which fiber-optic switches a company uses can lead to sloppy engineering practices at mega-corporate stations, which leads to poor signals, which leads to fewer listeners. As an example, Clear Channel's current WGAY-1260-Bethesda could cover the entire DC area well if they improved the grounding around their antenna near Walter Reed, but to Clear Channel WGAY is a marginal property. It wouldn't be if it were as clearly heard as it was in the 1960s and 1970s.
The FCC should be given the manpower and technical facilities to enforce broadcasting technical standards while letting the newer industries sort themselves out.

The Original Dubya

Frank Ahrens: As always, O(riginal) Dubya, this is a terrific, fact-filled posting. Tauzin is a major player but dont' forget about Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). He chairs the powerful Senate Commerce Committee, which oversees everything the FCC does and he is a fan of low-power radio. Not to mention he is unpredictable. Tauzin and Mike Oxley have been sparring for leadership control in teh House and have used radio as their flogging tool.
On the FCC, you're right. I found out while researching a big low-power story last year that the FCC's research and science staff--mind you, this is the govt.'s expert agency on communications technology--is udnerstaffed and under-resourced. An FCC employee did the math for me: the budget is eaten up by salaries, and, at the time, there wasn't one engineer on the staffs of any of the FCC commissioners, which is shocking.

Fairfax, Va.: Caught part of Dees broadcast this morning.... It is so chopped up that it doesn't sound right....... there was one segment (after Mel Gibson) that Rick's sidekick was cutoff in mid sentence... the only thing was that Rick started to stay the call letters of the LA station and that what was chopped. It is not very professional, especially since they have all night to cut and paste the bits.

Frank Ahrens: This is a good posting. Thanks for that. These are things Z104 needs to address if Dees is to get a fair shot here.

Emerald City: Keller confesses to a murder he didn't commit in order to save Beecher's life. Now that's friendship.

Frank Ahrens: Serious! I couldn't believe he did that last week (for the non-informed: We're talking about the best show on TV, HBO's "Oz."). First they kill Adebisi then they ship off Kelleher. But the introduction of Burr Redding is a great piece of casting; he's suddenly the most interesting new character (haven't made up my mind about Luke Perry's preacher yet...)

Capitol Hill: Question: When a radio station "sponsors" a concert, what's the process behind it? I ask because I've heard quite a few stations promoting concerts for bands they don't play much or not at all.

Comment: Billy Bush should try out for a role on "Oz"...perhaps he could work with Luke Perry to convert the sinners...

Frank Ahrens: This is a process I'm not that familiar with only to say that the radio station pays the concert promoters to display the radio station name at the show, etc. You should ask our rock crit David Segal on his chat about that.
What I can guess, though, is this: The largest radio chain in the U.S., Clear Channel, which owns 8 stations in Washington, also owns SFX, the nation's largest concernt promoter. So it would make sense that, say, WMZQ (a Clear Channel station) might help promote, say, a Sting concert put on by SFX b/c Sting is played on WASH (another Clear Channel station).

Washington, D.C.: Who plays "Music of Your Life" in the area? I'm 46 and listened to it 15 years ago in Indianapolis when I had a stressful midnight-shift job. If it's still on, it might help quiet this town down too.

Frank Ahrens: You can hear "Music of Your Life" on WGAY (1260 AM), but probalby only for a few more days: That station is killing that format to become something else and I feel reasonably safe in saying no one else in the area will pick it up.

Talk Radio Junkie: I listen to WJFK almost exclusively, from Stern to G. Gordon, to D&M, to the Sports Junkies. Except for Saturday, which is reserved for The Gator Show on 89.3.
I would like to say that I wish all talk radio hosts were as good as G. Gordon at identifying "Best Of" shows. Stern & D&M NEVER ID the Best Of. I heard Don say it was so that people wouldn't tune out when they hear it's a re-run.
I think that most fans will stay on the best of, knowing that it will be a past favorite. But it is annoying to have to figure out if they are live or not.
Opinion?

Frank Ahrens: Yes, you're exactly right. Most shows are not as forthcoming as they ought to be about identifying their reruns.

Dying for an answer, Va.: I was hoping you can help me. I am looking for more info. on a 50's broadcaster in the DC area. He played mostly big band music. His first name was Joe, but I can't remember his last name. Can you help?

Frank Ahrens: I'm lost on this person offhand...calling all radio old-timers...anyone know who this was?
Many thanks.

The Blaguard: Hiya Frank, can you clarify please: is Rick Dees doing his show in DC now, or are they just picking up a simulcast from LA?

Frank Ahrens: It's tape delayed of his LA show from KIIS.

18th & M: Are Sirius and XM eventually going to challenge Westwood One, Infinity, etc. and try to lure their talent? Is it possible we will see WW1, Infinity, etc. make a foray into satellite broadcasting themselves? What is the landscape for the future with satellite radio entering the mix?

Frank Ahrens: That's a million-dollar question. Both services talked to Stern early on, but he decided to stay with Infinity. One Infinity GM told me that it's more important than ever for traditional broadcasters to hold on to their moneymakers in this ear of satellite radio, etc.
However: One of XM's biggest owners is Clear Channel Radio. And as Rick Dees, who works for Clear Channel, told me the other day: "XM owns me," meaing they have access to his shows, past and present. I'm sure one of XM's channels will have the Rick Dees show, or the Rick Dees Top 40 countdown. Further, Clear Channel also owns Premiere syndicate, which has: Rush, Dr. Laura, Jim Rome, Dees, and lots of other big names. The question here is the struggle between the satellite company and the local affilitates: If I'm WXYZ adn I'm paying Premiere/Clear Channel for the rights to broadcast Rush, which should give me exclusive rights to broadcst Rush in my signal range, why shouldn't I be outraged if Premiere/Clear Channel is also selling Rush to XM and people with satellite radios in my signal range can hear Rush there and not on my station, where I've told advertisers people listen to Rush?

Maryland: Hi Frank, Radio Chic here. Another posibility regarding the "sponsoring" of concerts: the poster may be hearing spots (commercials) that are simply purchased airtime that could include whatever. Example, Merriweather may buy a spot 60 second spot on say HFS which may promote a jazzy or bluesy artist because they know that station appeals to eclectic folk. Just another theory for ya. Hey, do you like the Sopranos?

Frank Ahrens: Good point. Yes, love Sopranos, which WAS my favorite until I discoverd Oz.

Dupont Circle: Did I read you correctly ? WTOP beats WAMU in the morning AND all week ? When did this happen ? I thought WAMU was the top dog in DC radio when it comes to news ? And didn't WMAL used to beat WTOP ?

Frank Ahrens: Yes. WTOP passed WAMU in the mornings sometimes around last summer, as best as I can read these Arbitron numbers. Aided by an election year and recount, WTOP has lept in the ratings. They have built a strong product. It's interesting that they're not compatible: WTOP's main listeners, when thyre' not listening to WTOP, listen to Mix 107, Oldies 100, Classic Rock 94.7 or WJFK. WAMU's listeners, when not tuned to WAMU, tune in WETA. WMAL is back in the pack.

Marc from CT: To the person looking for the 1950's broadcaster. Go to DCRTV http://dcrtv.tripoid.com/ and send an e-mail.

Dave posts all e-mails on his website and someone may have an answer for you.

Frank Ahrens: Good tip. Thanks.

Chevy Chase: Re: Rick Dees

Well, he may target younger audiences than Jack and Burt, but I don't know that the younger audiences are gonna go for it. My son is in ninth grade and listened to Z int he mornings, but he says the new guys laughs too mch (at his own jokes!). He's trying out a couple others (he says Jack and Burt talk too much). It seems to me this would be a good time for another Top 40 to come along...

Frank Ahrens: Good market research from an actual listener. Thanks much.

Chevy Chase: Frank, last week you told us who the ratings leaders are in the morning, broken down by men and women 25-54. When you combine men and women, and all ages, who is the overall king of mornings in Washington radio ? Is it Howard Stern or Tom Joyner ?

Frank Ahrens: Among men and women, 25-54, the top 5 goes like this (in most recent ratings):
1) Mix 107.3 (Jack and Bert)
2) WMMJ (Joyner)
3) WJFK (Stern)
4) WKYS (Russ Parr/Olivia Fox)
5 tie) WPGC (Donnie Simpson)
5)tie) WASH (just-fired Bill Worthington/Kim Burton)

Washington, NW: I don't think policing the airwaves is the way to go. Why not rate radio stations so listeners don't feel like they were jumped ugly when they hear a bad word.

Why not get Tipper Gore to head a commission? If you don't like what you hear, don't listen or let your family listen. Take control of your own life.

Live long and prosper!

Frank Ahrens: Ratings are, in theory, a great idea, but I don't know how you rate a non-visual medium. (Come to think of it, when we all have digital radios in a coupel of years, and digital signals, the dial on our digital radio will have a tiny video screen and when you tune in to a new station, it mights say: "WJFK 106.7, hot-talk, Viacom/Infinity. Currently: The Don & Mike Show, 3 to 7 p.m., Rated: R.")

Dee Cee (the original): Hi Frank-
In a previous column you reported that Bill Wax left the mid-day blues show at WPFW for one of the new satellite radio networks.

Do you know what the format will be like? Will he be live and then rebroadcast throughout the day (like Zero24-7 used to do)? Will they allow his music selection to go to obscure recordings or will he only be playing a blues "greatest hits" format (with minimal talking)?

BTW- your photo with your "ugly" eyeglasses remind me of my high school chemistry teacher!!

Frank Ahrens: Yo, Dee Cee. I believe the XM format is for their jocks, like Wax, to do one shift per day, say a four-hour shift, then repeat it and also augment it with other programming to fill out the 24-hour progamming day.

20005, DC: Wait a minute....there's going to be commercials on these satellite radio stations? That's bogus! I was wavering over whether or not I was going to pony up for the service, because I'm a fan of my DMX service over Digital Cable, but if I have to pay AND listen to annoying commercials....NO WAY!

Frank Ahrens: It's like this: Both XM Sirius will have about 50 talk channels and 50 music channels. Most of the talk channels will be from other providers--AP, Weather Channel, Bloomberg, etc. Those will have commericals. On the music side, Sirius is promising no commercials and XM says "some" of its music channels will be commercial-free with others having a "max" of 6 mins of ads per hour.

Beltsville, MD: Re: Don & Mike Litmus Test.
If you start off with the assumption that anyone listening to Don & Mike is lacking in brain capacity, and then, upon hearing that someone listens to Don & Mike, drop them from your life (because you "know" that they are lacking, since they listen to Don & Mike), then nothing is being proven except that you don't associate with people who like Don & Mike. Unless you use some other means of discerning their brain capacity, such as SAT scores maybe, you can't make a correlation between smartness and radio preferences.

I scored a 1490 on my SAT, and I listen to Don & Mike.

Frank Ahrens: The National Merit Scholar Vote checks in!

Greetings from Teeny Bopper Radio Land Again: And no, I'm not at Z104. Anyone who loses to Rick Dees in the DC ratings should be banned from ever working in radio again. Dees's act is outdated by about 25 years. But putting him on the air here is typical of radio management double-speak. When your ratings are up it's because of the music, not you. But when your ratings are down, you're fired.

When it comes to what listeners want, PDs tell you research shows they want relatability. Don't tell cornball jokes. Talk to them like a real person about local events, current events, and things they can relate to from their own lives. But to save big bucks Z's management will put on a 21-hour-tape-delayed lounge lizard from the wrong coast.

On the sponsorship thing, when a station sponsors a concert, it's paying money to get exclusive rights to promote itself at the concert. There are a lot of technicalities involved too. Jocks have to be careful how they phrase things when talking about concerts. If you're not sponsoring the concert, you can't say you're station "presents" so-and-so in concert. Other phrases such as "welcomes" can be used only in certain circumstances too.

Frank Ahrens: Thanks for the insight. Muchos gracias.

Frank Ahrens: That's gonna do it for today, folks. Thanks for tuning in and thanks for all the swell questions--we covered a lot of ground today, I thought.
Have a good rest of the week and I'll talk to you next week.
P.S. Pitchers and catchers report in a couple of weeks!

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