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Radio Talk Finale
With Frank Ahrens
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2001; 1 p.m. EST
Join Frank Ahrens, The Post's "Radio Listener," today at 1 p.m. EST for his last Live Online discussion on all things radio. After three years of writing
The Listener for The Post's Style section, Frank is moving to the Financial section, where he'll cover media, entertainment and advertising.
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!
Also, check out Radio Lives with Frank Ahrens, a series of conversations with washington radio's biggest stars.
The transcript follows.
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: For the last time, I give you greetings, all, and welcome to the discussion.
This is turning out to be the hardest part of giving up the radio column. And you thought it would be Don and Mike...
These discussions have been eye-opening, newsmaking, fun, and educational, especially for me. You guys have given me plenty of story ideas and lots of feedback on stuff I've written. The expertise of regulars like O Dubya, the sheer joy of Gen-X Gurl, the lust of D.C. Lawyers, the warmth of Laurie and all the rest--Dee Cee, Geotown, etc. etc., have made this plenty of fun.
As I said, I'll be moving to the Bizness section to cover an excellent beat--media/entertainment/advertising. It's a hard news beat, which I'd been wanting for awhile. It was a great beat before Sept. 11, but afterwards, even more so. You've got media companies hemhorraging money, ad agencies trying to figure out tone in pitches, a former Madison Ave. ad queen who came up with the Uncle Ben's campaign now in charge of the government's war sell, etc., etc., etc.
I'm going to work with the folks at Live On-line to see if, after I become a complete expert on my new beat (I figure it will take at least a month), if we can't carve out a new Live On-Line discussion for me in my new beat, maybe somethign on advertising. And maybe some of you will come with me.
There will be a new Listener, tho they haven't been named yet, so I expect a short hiatus until the next column. But stick with them--whoever they are, they'll be talented and smart and will take the column even better places.
So, with all that hand-wringing behind us, let's get down to business.
Of course, before we start: Thanks to everyone. You've made this a great ride.
Heartbroken:
Mr. A, say it isn't so! I really can't believe you are going to dry, old business where your talent for incredibly evocative and lovely writing cannot shine. What can they give you that Style can't? I have emailed more of your pieces to pals than any other writer (OK, maybe Achenbach is tied for first with you, but you get the drift).
Anyway, seriously, your writing is wonderful, from your laugh-outloud "Smooth Jazz" piece to the one on your mom last year, to the one on Oldsmobiles and your dad.
Sigh.
Frank Ahrens: Well, I think dry, old Business is not that at all, else I would not be going. And the hope is to bring what I do to Business, and I hope you'll come with me. I don't write boring stories in Style, why would I start in Business. Come on in, the water's fine!
Thanks for the nice words, though.
Washington, D.C.:
I offer this: there are a limited number of air waves and there has simply got to be an allowance for some kind of alternative station(s). That goes for country, free-form, jazz, whatever. The entire vanguard of progressive music has been shut off. College stations are a good idea but they have no power (what happened to WGTB?). For 98% of the available airwaves to be sodden with < 2% of critically great exisiting music and great musicians is public censorship based on private $$ profit. The unvalued void in creativity and the fact that people in the industry are also very disatisfied indicates a major problem. Thoughts or ideas? Good luck to you.
Frank Ahrens: You're right: physics limits the bandwidth availabe. Internet radio was hoped to be a creative cornucopia, but rights issues caused most radio stations to shut down their streams. There exist thousands of Internet-only stations, many of them excellent, but it's still a pain to try to listen to Internet radio.
As I said today, I think the dearth of college radio in this town is awful. American Unviersity's staiton is WAMU, a public station with no students on air; Howard University's station is WHUR, a commercial station with no students. Geotown and GWU have in-house stations that can only be heard on campus. Only WMUC at U-Md. is a legit student-run station. The truth is, you can't depend on commercial radio to provide much variety--it simply doesn't pay enough in this climate where radio stations are run by publicly owned companies that bow, quite appropriately, to stockholder pressure. I wish Washington had a AAA (adult album alternative) station; on my Dish Network satellite TV system at home, where you get something like 25 digital music channels, that's the one I listen to most. But general manager after general manager has told me that AAA will not make enough money in Washington. So no station for Frank. I don't know, quite frankly, what the answer is.
Rockville, Md.:
Hi Frank -
No question, just a "Thanks" for doing both the column and these chats on Tuesdays. I will miss you! Hopefully, your successor will continue the grand tradition.
Frank Ahrens: Thanks to you for participating.
Working outside the Beltway:
We wish you well with your new assignment; my questions to you are simple. By your column this morning, you obviously think Don and Mike are by far more talented and entertaining than Opie and Anthony, correct? Can you tell us about the types of feedback from listeners you received comparing the programs? Also, Do you have cyberflirts with women behind Gen X Gurls (and our) back?
Frank Ahrens: Hahaha! Good questions. I actually think Opie and Anthony are talented, but they are not to my taste. I actually have difficulty listening to them becaue I often find them very offensive. It's easier to listen to Don and Mike, who seem to me to be doing more family-oriented (i.e., what Freda and Bart are up to) stuff these days, which I like. Everyone knows that Don and Mike's fans are legion and sometimes very mad at me. There's one guy who send me an e-mail about once every three months. The subject line reads: "Just so you know..." then you open it and it finishes: "...you're still an idiot." I like the succinctness. Gospel truth: There is NO off-discussion contact between Gen-X Gurl and me. I would not flirt behind your back!
Washington, D.C. Born and Bred:
Hey Frank -
So sorry to hear you are moving on to another section - your insights have been honest and appreciated. One thing that I find is disturbing in DC-area radio is the disappearance of any kind of local identity - with the cookie-cutter formats like those of Clear Channel, we are suffering from a real lack of what DC is really listening to. Is this a national trend? Your thoughts?
Frank Ahrens: Thanks for the nice words. Yes, I think this is a problem, not just with Clear Channel. NPR Morning Edition host Bob Edwards tells a story about how he used to drive into work at around 1 a.m. listening to his boyhood favorite station from Louisville, Ky., and his favorite host. (AM signals travel far at night). Recently, the station was bought by Clear Channel, which fired the nighttime host and brought in their syndicated programming. Edwards says, "It's not my station anymore." This is a problem, not only for local identity, but also: Where's the farm team for new talent now? It is my hope that satellite radio--which is a national service--will nudge local radio to be more local.
Chugiak, Alaska:
What ever happened to The Greaseman?
Frank Ahrens: Doug "Greaseman" Tracht has a studio at his home in Potomac and is broadcasting a daily show to a small network of about six stations. He was nominated for an AIR award (radio award) for best local morning show. He has been talking with a big radio chain about coming back on a big local station.
I.T.B.:
Oh, Frank, Frank, Frank, Frank, Frank. Finally the truth comes out and it seems you listen to WTOP all the time, just as I do. So, how exactly do they keep up that frenetic pace in the afternoons without exploding from the stress? It sounds like they're flying on caffeine and crystal meth or something but the news still gets out there -- they must have a secret, and YOU MUST KNOW IT, right? (Bob Marburgh is the only exception in the evening rush; he isn't really talking slowly, but compared to the rest of the station he seems like Mr. Rogers or something.)
Frank Ahrens: The entire staff of WTOP are not human. They are actually cyborgs created by evil news director Jim "That's FRONKenstein" Farley. Now you know.
Fairfax Station, Va.:
Frank,
I have enjoyed following this chat forum for a couple of years, but have always been one of those who simply reads the postings and your replies without submitting my own views. I will miss your witty, slightly twisted (quirky) perspective. I have especially enjoyed many of the articles you wrote for the style section, and the Post Magazine (I thought your piece on the "Buffalo Bridge" showed a deep fondness for the unique facets of Washington DC's heritage.) I'm curious to see how your style translates to the biz pages. Hopefully your creativity will not be stifled by the apparent dryness of the subject matter. Good luck. I, for one will be looking for your byline with interest.
- "Radio Listener and reader"
Frank Ahrens: Thanks very much for the nice words. Working for The Post is really a great, great gig in journalism. Not only did I work for the best feature section in American newspapering, I had the opportunity to stretch to other areas of the paper, such as the Magazine, where the Buffalo Bridge story you referred to appeared. I think Business will be the same. I'll still write for Style and the Mag from time to time. But look at how easy my decision was to make:
Stay in Style: Lunch with Don and Mike.
Go to Business: Lunch with Maria Bartiromo.
You make the call.
Gaithersburg, Md.:
Hey, it's me, Gaithersburg. Just wanna squeeze in behind O Dubya and the Gurl and say thanks for letting me rant about stoopid short classic rock playlists and happy-talk WTOP news readers (have they stopped doing that?) and WAMU doubletalk about how they're playing more bluegrass than ever now that they've taken it off the air and how it's been all downhill ever since WMAL sacked John Lyon years ago.
Not that I'm bitter.
See you in the mutual funds, Frank. Wake me up when you're back in the liberal arts.
Frank Ahrens: Hahaha! Thanks for checking in, Gburg. It's been a pleasure.
The Airless Cubicle:
Hi, Frank, and fellow listeners:
Again, we wish you well in Business, Frank.
As solar winter sets in, it's a good chance to see how other cities across the country -- or at least the Eastern part of the United States, in my case -- handle the problems common to all commercial radio stations in getting and keeping audience. The malaise in Washington radio does extend across the regional and national industry.
Stations which have succeeded in large markets, such as New York or Chicago, have formats that have been locked in by habit. I would have said "tradition", but that's not true; had it been, WFAN-660-New York would still be WNBC-AM. The most stable stations seem to be news stations, such as WCBS-880-New York or WBBM-780-Chicago, not to mention WTOP-1500-Washington here in our local market. The next most stable are the talk stations, though the hosts change. WABC-770-New York and WJR-750-Detroit are good examples of this.
Sports talk has been the latest trend to dominate the medium-wave bands, such as ESPN-1000-Chicago (for the life of me, I cannot remember their call sign now; they used to be WCFL, and ESPN discourages local callsigns). Chicago's WGN-670 was destroyed and replaced by WCSR, "The Score." However, after a while, these stations run out of things to say for a listener who isn't interested in the national sports scene.
The biggest loss in the last three years has been country music on the air. Though WSM-640-Nashville has both the Grand Old Opry and Eddie Stubbs, late of WAMU-FM, the next-best station, WWKB-1520-Buffalo, flipped to business radio. Business radio as a subgenre of news-talk is stable, but a fringe market. It's hard to find objective business analysis on such stations; there are too many independent brokers buying air time to shill their products.
The saddest loss in the last three years has been the CBC's move to FM (and eventually the 1400-MHz digital band) in Montreal and Toronto. Though CHOM provides a fix for standards radio, it takes a little effort to get CBC programs such as "The World at Six," "Quirks and Quarks", and "As It Happens" during rush hour. I am sorry to say that NPR's rebroadcast comes too late in the working day. I also miss the international relays on CBC Overnight, though World Radio Network does an adequate job.
The medium-wave airwaves are less rich and less interesting these days, unless you're a radio hobbyist who collects QSL cards from these stations. Even that has been less fruitful, thanks to Mr. Anthrax in New Jersey.
Will medium-wave radio revive into a medium of interest again? The first way I can see that happening would be "radio contraction"; if local stations closed down and regional and national radio services took their place. However, this would choke off the local talent stream radio needs.
A second way would be better: "radio diversification." Put back highly-restrictive ownership rules. Break up Clear Channel and Infinity/CBS and Disney monopolies. Station managers and owners would be interested in getting and keeping local market. Talent would have places to develop. Best of all for everyone, we'd have a reason to listen to local radio again.
Affectionately,
The Original Dubya
Radio Geek
Frank Ahrens: O Dubya, you I'll miss greatly. Your radio knowledge has been of great help to me and, I trust, to my successor. I will advise him/her of your prowess and urge them to cultivate your knowledge.
Every posting of yours I read is an education. Thanks greatly for all the help.
And make sure the seal on the bunker door doesn't get dry rot.
Somewhere in the Heartland (you know, west of the Appalachians):
Frank:
Long time lurker, first time submitter. Thanks for three years of sharp, clever, and informative writing. Having previously worked in radio, I can attest first hand to your analysis that consolidation has irreparably constrained creativity. Paducah, Kentucky, sounds like Trenton, New Jersey, which sounds like Cheyenne, Wyoming, especially when they crank the reverb way up.
I hope your successor is up to the task of replacing a man who -- given the option of simply calling Dr. Laura a shrew - went one step further in this morning's column and derided her as a harpy. That line approaches one of my favorite from Kornheiser, when he calls Brian Billick a "preening schmo!"
I'll hang up and watch my computer for your response...(not that this posting really calls for one).
Frank Ahrens: Thanks much for the nice words. Perhaps the most gratifying part of this discussion was to hear from radio professionals like yourself who let me know I wasn't completely off my rocker, as I'm apt to be.
Alexandria, Va.:
Radio station 104.1 seems to have gone from a predominantly hip-hop Top 40 format to a pseudo-Top 40 format minus most of the hip hop.
Yet when I speak to pre-teens of all backgrounds they love hip-hop (Nelly, City High, Ja Rule, etc.) and no longer like Britney Spears or the Back Street Boys.
What is going on at Z104? Why the change away from what the kids want?
Frank Ahrens: There's a couple of ways to look at the format change at Z104. Formerly a straight-ahead Top 40 station (Britney, N Sync), one could say they gave up the battle with Hot 99.5, a Top 40 station that debuted in April and plays the same music. In that case, it is a David vs. Goliath--Z104 is owned by Bonneville, which has less than 20 staitons, and Hot is owned by Clear Channel, with more than 1,200 stations, as well as a huge promotion arm that runs concert venues and can--repeat *can*, may not necessarily--apply muscle to record labels and acts that make it hard for the Z104's of the world to get new hits and pieces of visiting acts. Or you can say that Z104 decided to go narrow and upscale: They gave up the teen audience and are now aiming for women 18-49, hence all the Sarah Mclachlan. Also, in a bid for listeners' hearts, they cut back their commercials to 6 minutes and hour (naturally, jacking up rates) hoping to attract listeners sick of 22 minutes of ads an hour. It's an experiment; time will tell. (God, I can't believe I just worte that sentence. It *is* time to hang it up.)
Dupont Circle Underground, Washington, D.C.:
Submitting early, in case my job prevents me from participating live.
Good luck with the new beat, Frank. I hope they can find someone almost as good to take your place.
What is your perception on internet radio these days? Is it dead? Netradio closed its doors, and most other stations have shuttered their Web simulcasts because of the royalty issue brought up by the commercial actors' union. Many of the few stations that remain now try to force the listener to download and install their special program rather than just spinning their music via the existing formats. (I still can't figure out what Chaincast is supposed to do, and I think I'd like to know before installing it on my computer). The few stations that still stream live come via Web sites that are rife with obtrusive advertising and popup ads.
The thrill, to me, of Internet radio was the opportunity to listen to something different. The benefit to the stations was more in PR value than in coin. Now, given the beancounters' insistence on squeezing a few dimes out of net radio, the burgeoning industry seems to have melted down into a slag heap of failure. I wanted to listen to something different than the piffle I hear on my car radio, but it doesn't seem to be the case any longer.
Your opinion?
Frank Ahrens: I think Internet radio was cut down just as it was blossoming. The first hurdle it faces is interface: It's hard to listen to. You have to be at your computer. You have to download a player. Yadda yadda. A crippling blow was struck with the long-promised Kerbango radio was killed earlier this year. The Kerbango would have made listening to Internet radio as easy as listening to radio. Then, the contract and rights issues really have been nearly a death blow to radio stations that streamed their signals on the Internet. When youv'e got hundreds and hundreds of Clear Channel Internet broadcasts shut down overnight, that's devastating. Piece by piece, some stations--like WTOP--have crawled back into Internet broadcasting, softwaring themselves around the rights issues. Just yesterday, I saw that Lycos radio is going to stream one chain's broadcasts (I forget who). There's still plenty of good Internet-only stations out there, but you gotta hunt 'em down.
Olney, Md.:
Frank, first of all, you are a talented writer, especially with feature pieces and sports. I look forward to reading you on your new "beat". My question involves the public service nature of news-gathering organizations. As the Washington area has grown in size, stature and importance, the Post has added new content sections and built an incredible and dominant Internet news outlet. Washington radio, however, has cut news operations to the minimum. WTOP is the only fully-staffed radio news operation in the city (and they go syndcated at mmidnight), WMAL has no one minding the news helm after about 9pm..other stations pay lips-service to news with morning-drive only anchors. What's your view on where local news radio IS, and where it should be? If indeed, so many stations have elmiminated news operations and talent, haven't they failed to live up to part of their responsibility as a licensee?
Frank Ahrens: Good question. Radio news has probably been the biggest, and most civic-mindedly glaring, casualty of the past dozen years. Used to be, almost all stations--even music stations--had at least a modest news staff. But with the advent of services like Metro, where one reporter will read news for three or four stations, often with different names, that's saved stations money. News stations are the most expensive to run because of the bodies required--salaries are naturally the biggest expense of a radio station. (Often, the No. 2 expense, btw, is paying for Arbitron ratings.) Even WTOP has laid off some people recently. I'm glad the WMAL maintains some news staff, as does WHUR and WAMU, which promises more local features. I think it's a bad, bad idea to lose local radio news. In terms of public sercive, though, as long as they run their required number of public service announements, at 3 a.m. on Sunday, they keep their FCC license.
Greenbelt, Md.:
Gen-X-Gurl here...
Frank, in case I do not make it back before the chat ends, let me say the pleasure has been all mine. You have been a real online friend and have given me great advice and encouragement over the years.
In a few years, we will meet up and lunch will be on me at a place of your choosing. Until then, I assume you will still have an e-mail at the Post. Maybe, you will even have a chat in your new job.
Lots of love, with hugs and kisses!
Frank Ahrens: Well, there you go, everybody. Proof positive nothing untoward has happened between me and Gen-X Gurl. D.C. Lawyers, are you listening?
The pleasure has been mine: Your observations have been trenchant and witty, and you've been a star attraction on this discussion. Sometimes, I think people tune in more for you than me, which is a good thing.
Best of luck in your radio career; I know you'll go far.
Rockville, Md.:
Did you really enjoy your dinner with Don Geronimo?
Frank Ahrens: I did indeed enjoy my dinner not only with Don Geronimo but also with his lovely wife, Freda. We had great steaks at The Palm, good conversation and general bonhomie. And then, I pinned his hand to the table with one swift stab of my fork. Freda seemed pleased.
Arlington, Va.:
Frank --
Just wanted to say how much we will all miss you and your wry commentary on the world, radio and beyond. Good luck in the business section -- don't let those northeastern city folk eat you up too badly!
And now the important question -- Mark Mcgwire's retirement -- any comments?
frustrated oriole fan...
Frank Ahrens: I guess I wanted to see McGwire stick around for another year to hit 600 homers. Just cause he was so close. But I think his class and ingenuousness, as Boswell put it today, are to be admired. The idea of not taking a lot of money if you don't think you can perform up to your expectations is almost shocking these days. I remember watching him hit those final 15 or so homers in 1998: He was so locked into a groove, it was hypnotic. His bat was so fast, I couldn't even see it anymore. Something to tell the grandkids about.
Washington, D.C.:
First of all, good luck with your new endeavor! Your column today mentioned the over-the-top coarseness of WJFK's Opie and Anthony. I agree - it's too much! Ratings-wise, how are they doing in comparison to Don and Mike in the same slot? Any chance O&A will get flushed and D&M will return during the commute hours?
Frank Ahrens: Think it's too early to tell about the ratings at WJFK since Don and Mike moved to middays (that's a real change from afternoons, audience-wise; Don and Mike depended on guys in their cars) and Opie and Anthony came in. I'd give it till spring, probably, to get a real notion of how they're taking.
Rosslyn, Va.:
Two conservative magazines are charging that the Voice of America's problems with the enemy aren't limited to airing interviews with the Taliban. In Nigeria, they've given an interview to a Muslim cleric who blamed 9/11 and Nigerian religious riots on the US. How can Washington monitor what gets said on 90 different language services?
Frank Ahrens: It's true, it's tough. VOA actually does 53 languages, but all emanate from the D.C. headquarters, so even though a stringer gets an interview with someone in Nigeria, it's sent back here and filtered through editors before it goes up. It's a real tough question for VOA: Their charter *requires* them to present fair, accurate and comprehensive news coverage, as well as editorials. And it doesn't say, "except during wartime." That's why they get criticism, often from the right.
Arlington, Va.:
Sigh, there is now no one left to discuss baseball on the radio with....
The Montreal Expos, the Minnesota Twins....now Frank Ahrens, say it ain't so!
Seriously, good luck...I'll be looking for you in the Business pages.
Frank Ahrens: Yes, now you know the real truth: I was contracted by Bud Selig.
DEE CEE (The Original):
Hiya Frank!-
Let me get my bid in early for a topic when you go over to the biz section- (and will you be doing on-line sessions in that job?) and that is the questionable ads that some radio stations air.
WTNT, WMAL, WJFK among others air ads touting laser eye surgery, teeth whitener, testosterone enhancers, estrogen enhancers,
hair growth enhancers, male virility enhancers and on and on.
Does anyone ever check these advertisers out?
The ads sound like pie-in-the-sky.
Does O'Dubya still have that email address for radio technical questions that was mentioned a few months back??
Will you have a regular day of the week, as you have with the Style section?
Gonna miss these radio chats; you've made them a lot of fun. See you over at the business page.
Frank Ahrens: Good to hear from you. You should look up the Gene Weingarten Sunday Magazine column from a little while ago where he poked gentle fun at WTOP for running some ad promoting some wacko snakeoil. WTOP responded by saying The Washington Post runs ads for "massage" spas that, strictly speaking, don't offer just massages. So, you're right. Dubya, can you supply your tech e-mail again? If I don't see it in the next few minutes, I'll see if I can dig it up...
As for my new gig, no, I won't appear on a regular day, as I won't be a columnist anymore. Which means you'll have to read the Biz section every day to look for me!
Fairfax, Va.:
Hey, Frank, sorry to see you go, you've done an awesome job! Really liked your column today and agree w/you on your stations, too. One last question:
English Beat or Adam Ant?
See you in the Finance pages!
Ginny
Frank Ahrens: That's the easiest one ever! English Beat, easy. I'm a second-waver from way back. Two-Tone, and all that.
Rockville, Md.:
You mentioned G. Gordon Liddy got fired. What happened? When? Can't say I'm sorry, just would like to find out why.
Frank Ahrens: No prob. Happened a month or so ago. Just didn't fit with what WJFK, Infinity and new program director Don Geronimo wanted to do with the station.
Wheaton, Md.:
Hey, Frank, great job on the column (and chats) over the years. Congratulations on your new job. I look forward to continue reading your pieces.
The comments in your column this morning about public radio stations abandoning certain kinds of music as well as the article about the public radio researcher in the New York Times on Sunday got me wondering -- Is NPR selling out or is research really helping them "better serve" their listeners? I had always held out hope that NPR would stay strong and do all it could to remain a source of great art and creativity on the airwaves. Now I'm not so sure. Thoughts?
Thanks.
Frank Ahrens: Public radio, specifically NPR-affiliates such as WAMU and WETA, are forced to chase the bucks just like commerical radio. They get only about 15 pct. of their money from the fedgov. Another 25-30 pct. comes from grants and underwriting. The rest comes directly from listener support, in the form of pledges. So they, almost more than commercial staitons, have to give most of their listeners what they want. So, if more listeners want news/talk in the afternoons on WAMU than bluegrass, bluegrass gets the boot. Simple economics. The only answer would be complete government subsidy of public radio, and I don't think too many people want that.
The Hill:
So Frank, cant blame you for moving on to the hard news - We will be watching out for your wise words.
Anyhow, I agree with your comment on Opie & Anthony on WJFK- I love Don & Mike, and have loved Howard Stern for years, but somehow O&A seem to be missing an ability to reach different listeners and views. They also seem to lack the warmth.
What do you think of JFK's late night show from NY Ron & Fez? The more I listen, the more I think these are the guys that should be on earlier. They have a great patter going on and crack me up.
Frank Ahrens: Thanks for the nice words. Yes, sometimes Ron and Fez crack me up, too. They had a great interview once with either Sid or Marty Kroft (whichever one is still alive), the creator of "H.R. Puffenstuff," an acid-induced kids show if there ever was one.
Upper Marlboro, Md.:
Frank, I too have enjoyed reading your articles and will miss them. I don't have a question, just a statement. I am one of those listeners who have pretty much given up on radio and almost listen to Internet radio exclusively. Check out www.soul24-7.com. This London-based radio station plays a variety of Soul/Jazz music, with CD sound quality. I listen to it at work and home. When I am commuting to work, I listen to CDs that I have purchased as a result of listening to Soul 24-7. I am quite happy!
Good luck in the Business section. Will check you out there.
Frank Ahrens: Good recommendation. I'll give it a listen this afternoon. And thanks for the nice words.
Arlington, Va.:
Hey Frank, thanks for the interest in our local radio effort. D.C. radio is not as bad as it is made out to be today. Some of us are really trying to serve the taste of the washington listener. M. O'Brien vp/gm z104.
Frank Ahrens: A GM heard from. Thanks, Mark. Good luck with the grand experiment.
Greenbelt, Md.:
One last SERIOUS question Frank.
What do you really think.....
1. WMAL is it really doomed or can it be saved? The answer does lie in a total housecleaning on the local side does'nt it?
2. WTEM, it will be gone within two years won't it?
3. Like it or not, Jack Diamond is the 21st century Harden and Weaver, correct?
4. WTOP has really come a long way in the past five years. They are the new WMAL without the music, correct?
5. The first station locally that can truly blend the black and white cultures will be the the biggest thing since WMAL-FM ruled 15 years ago. Agree or disagree
Love,
G-X-G doing a Drew Barrymore for her version of David Letterman.
Frank Ahrens: Good questions.
1) I think WMAL is playing a diminishing game. They seem to be focusing on tighter and tighter groups, soccer moms, then soccer moms in Montgomery and Fairfax counties, etc. I think their franchise has been local, and I think they're hurting themselves by cutting it. I have talked to ABC radio execs in New York and they are not happy with the course WMAL has taken over the past few years. I will be listening with curiosity.
2) As long as there's local professional teams, WTEM or some form of it will be around, specially cuz WTOP has zero interest in broadcasting sports again, ever.
3) I agree with your assessment of Jack Diamond.
4) WTOP is perhaps the most-improved station I've covered over the past three years. Runner-up: DC101. Least-improved: WHFS.
5) Sort of disagree. One station *does* get a nearly 50-50 share of black/white listeners--Smooth Jazz 105.9. They're a perpetual Top 10 station, but I don't think *any* station can get 25 shares anymore, at least not in big cities.
I get the Barrymore reference and I'm blushing.
Dunmore, Pa.:
Congratulations on your new job at the Post! It's their gain, truly our loss! As a former professional broadcaster, I can heartily agree with the statement that radio is a lot less fun and a lot more stressful than it used to be. At my old, non-chain-owned, station, the turnover was incredible...I can't believe I stayed 10 years. Those who haven't left have too much time in and are just waiting on their pensions. Sad to say, but true. If it's not fun anymore there is no point in doing it. I wish you well and hope you'll cover radio business sometime and put your style of writing into it!
Frank Ahrens: Thanks much. As I said earlier, it's always great to hear from pros.
Annapolis, Md.:
Frank, I am sorry to see you leave. Your articles and chats have always been extremely informative and brought up interesting topics, the types you think of when driving in you car, stuck in traffic, that you think no one else is thinking about. You will be sorely missed.
I have 2 final random thoughts for you. Bob Marburgh (spelling?) the traffic reporter for WTOP. Is it just me, or does he sound exactly like Sam Waterson from Law and Order or what? IS it a side job? And the weekend guy on Oldies 100 - he totally sounds like Norm Macdonald. I swear it is him.
Just me? Just a coincidence? or is Hollywood making some money on the side?
Frank Ahrens: Bob Marbourg, the "dean of Washington traffic," is indeed a traffic god. He lives, breathes and takes very seriously traffic. It is his fulltime job. See more about Bob on www.wtop.com.
I'm reasonably sure that's not Norm MacDonald.
Fairfax, Va.:
Frank,
I've started seeing ads for satellite radio. You gotta buy a receiver and it's $10 a month. Is this going to be worth it one day, or will I have a useless receiver after it goes belly-up in six months?
- Bill the Tape Guy
Frank Ahrens: Well, as they say on the gambling shows, "Nothing I say should be used as the basis for an actual cash wager." I think even before Sept. 11, it was a tough time to launch a new, luxury business like satellite radio. There are two companies--Washington's XM radio, which is on the air now--and NYC's Sirius, which is not. I think one will survive. It's going to cost more than I thought it would: Just got an e-mail from a guy yesterday who told me he had a whole new XM system put into his car. Between the new receiver, the antenna, the activation service and a years's subscription, he plunked down something like $1,200. THat's a lot of green for pay radio. On the other hand, it's based on a hypersuccessful bizness model: cable TV.
San Francisco, Calif.:
Will your past chats be available in the archives? I hope so.
Another question: do you know anything about PC add-on cards that let you listen to the radio through the PC? I don't mean from a web site that has streaming audio, I mean via the airwaves, onto a PC. This would be convenient for recording. If you know about these, can you recommend a brand or model? Thanks.
washingtonpost.com:
Find previous online archived discussions: Radio Talk Transcripts.
Frank Ahrens: I have never heard of such a device, but perhaps my tech-savvy readers have...
Oak hill, Va.:
Hi frank
I started reading your column because I have 2 sons who either were or are now involved with their college radio stations. My youngest son insisted on visiting the stations when we made college visits so he could check out what kind of music they played. Both of their colleges supported the stations with money and they both gained great friends and great experience even though they both did it just for their love of music, especially cutting - edge music. I wish I could remember the wattage but one station could be heard about 10 miles out and the other, about 30 miles. Do the stations here not have the support of the administrations or are the students not motivated to fight for more funds and more wattage?
i've enjoyed reading your column and discussing it with my sons...i read the business section too so i'll look forward to seeing you there...thanks,
longtime mom and post reader
Frank Ahrens: Thanks for the nice words. Quick history: Georgetown's student radio station because, essentially, a communist bastion in the late '60s and early '70s, and the Jesuits got fed up and gave the station away. Don't know if GWU ever had one. American decided to make theirs professional and public and Howard decided to make theirs professional and commercial. A good idea, moneywise: WHUR makes Howard somethign like $22 million a year. But no students get broadcast experience. That's a bad thing.
Re Z104:
Just wanted to chime in on Z104. Call me what you will, but I really like the new format. When I first heard what they were going to be playing and the low numbers of commercials--I thought, someone's been listening to my conversations! Then I read their target demo, and went AHA, that's me.
So, it may not be for everyone, but I'm really enjoying it and I hope it lasts!
Frank Ahrens: There you go, Mr. O'Brien.
New York:
Frank,
Good luck on your new beat. It should be fun. But we'll miss you here. Hope to see you in chats soon. Re: setting aside bandwidth for alternative radio, it certainly won't happen under the current FCC which is very much pro-competition. Until then are there AAA stations on the net you can recommend for us?
As for Don & Mike, I agree with you, very funny guys, occasionally over the line. And finally, one big story you left out of today's column -- the demise of WHFS. Where have you gone old friend?
Best of luck.
Frank Ahrens: Last things first: I guess my take on WHFS has evolved to this: People should get over the fact that it's not the old WHFS anymore, with Cerph and Damien and rockers dropping by and freeform and so forth, simply because the times aren't like that anymore. It's sort of like blaming Cadillac for getting rid of tailfins. On the other hand, I don't think WHFS has found a way to be define itself strongly as its new thing. Part of that is because there's no such thing as alternative rock anymore. The alternative has become the mainstream and it's pretty boring, quite frankly. In fact, "alternative rock" is probably, nowadays, dinorockers like AC/DC and Van Halen. So there's that.
One AAA station I really like that you can get on the Internet is www.kexp.org. Terrific station.
Laurie:
Frank --
Tuesdays - 1:00 will never be the same. Thanks for being our ears and letting us vent. Good luck on your new beat!
Frank Ahrens: Thanks, Laurie. I'll miss you, as well.
As you can see, we're going a little longer today. (Channeling William Shatner) "I....just....can'tletgo!"
The Airless Cubicle:
Computer-only radio receivers exist on the market these days. Ten-Tec has the RX-320, I think, which is a shortwave receiver with AM/FM capacity. I have seen others.
If people want to continue the discussion in the hiatus, let me know at my email and I will set something up until the Listener to Be arrives. O Dubya
originaldubya at hotmail dot com
Frank Ahrens: That's why you're the best, O Dubya. Many thanks.
The Airless Cubicle:
The email is originaldubya-hotmail.com
o r i g i n a l d u b y a - h o t m a i l . c o m.
O Dubya, over, clear.
Frank Ahrens: Just in case you didn't get it a moment ago...
Rockville, Md.:
Will there be anyone replacing you Frank on this column and if so, who?
Frank Ahrens: A staff writer, most likely of the Style section, will pick up the Listener column. That person hasn't been picked yet, so I expect a short hiatus between today's column and the next Listener column.
Harwood, Md.:
I know "hard" news is cool for journalists-- but I hope they still let you do some feature articles and essays now and then,too. Your writing style has a quality and soul which, to me at least, transcends the corporate flakes you'll be dealing with.
Frank Ahrens: Thanks very much. I hope not to leave my voice behind in the Style section.
Greenbelt, Md.:
Gen-X-Gurl here.
I presume what I wrote in already is now to be personal between us Frank, although if you want to post it, it is okay with me.
I really do think both you, and the Post, are missing your real calling. You should take a shot at the Sunday Style humor column now that Kornheiser is burning out his career though vast overexposure from a yen for more bucks than anyone needs.
Now, a couple of notes. Unless you get a new chat time in the new job, this is also my swansong. What we have is a special kind of kinship that is not transferable, nor would either of us want it to be.
You have been a dear friend Frank. I have valued, and largely listened to, your knowledge and advice. To the lawyers, what Frank has never told you is that, well, our relationship is a special one and that is all either of us will ever say. Frank, in two years or less, lunch at a place of your choosing will be on me. My future lies in the Heartland of America and the job was accepted, two weeks ago, for after graduation in May.
Frank, in parting, a question you MUST answer. Is Holly Golightly still the best, or has Nicole Kidman surplanted her?
Best of luck, we will remain in touch and our paths will cross. A great big hug, and even bigger kiss and in about a year, you will be able to say you knew me "back when".
Frank Ahrens: Wow. What a sign-off. I'm tearing up, here. D.C. Laywers, eat your heart out. And funny you should ask: Just saw "To Die For" again on HBO last night. I think that might tip the balance, Kidman-wise.
Frank Ahrens: Believe it or not, I have to sign off this disucssoin right now: We're having a fire alarm!
It's been a blast. Thanks to everyone. You've been great. And I'll see you in Business.
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Frank Ahrens: Glad to let everyone know the fire alarm is over (how was that for a dramatic exit?) and we're all back at our workstations, production tomorrow's Washington Post.
Just wanted to give a less hasty, more thoughtful signoff. These discussions have been a real augmentation to the radio coverage and have helped me greatly. I'll miss them and I'll miss you. But stay tuned and keep watching; as I said, a discussion from my new perch in Business may present itself.
Until then, this is The Listener, signing off.
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