Difference Between SF and LA DJs

[DavidKaye]

Michael Hagerty and others have echoed what I have felt all along: SF and LA DJs were very different animals, as their markets were very different. 

MH brought up the differences between KFRC and KHJ, between KSFO and KMPC, between KNBR and KFI.  I concur.  When KFRC took on the Drake format it was very much like KHJ's style.  But it didn't take very long to evolve into its own sound.  As time went on and I visited LA, KHJ got faster and harder sell, and KFRC felt like a comfortable pair of tennies -- fun to play in, but comfortable, too. 

KFRC's approach was highlighted by the stuff coming out of their superb public affairs department ("God Squad", "Dupont Gai", "Mustard Seed", etc).  In the meanwhile, KHJ became almost a caricature of Top 40 radio, just as the East Coast screamer Top 40s had become caricatures.

But in retrospect MH was also right about the difference between KSFO and KMPC.  KMPC was very "announcerish" whereas KSFO was dripping with warm, quirky personalities.  Gary Owens belonged on KMPC with his hand cupped to his ear.  Jazzbeaux Collins was pure KSFO, and so it goes. 

I can only think that the difference between SF and LA is probably LA's concentration on style before substance.  You're probably not going to go far in the biz in LA unless you sound hotter and have the bell-shaped tones. 

[Lkeller]

I think it's true to this day for the old-line DJs.  Check out Shotgun Tom Kelly on K-Earth 101 for example - very theatrical old-line Top 40 delivery - somewhat like the Real Don Steele.

On the other hand - say what you will about Ryan Seacrest - nobody is more conversational in the morning.  He doesn't depend on a big voice at all.  In fact, he used the same style in the Bay Area on K-101 for awhile in the late 90s, but didn't stay long.  If I remember correctly, he took the afternoon drive slot when Rick Shaw died. Kind of like Morgan and Steele, Los Angeles beckoned soon afterward.

[SFStatic]

Rick Shaw did middays at K101 before he passed. He generally moved to mornings when Don Bleu was on vacation. I believe Teri King was in the PMD slot for a lot of that time. I know this, as I covered the midday after Rick died for 3 months. Rick O'Bryan was brought in, and took over the midday slot for a couple years. Seacrest did afternoon drive for a short while, but frequently flew back to L.A. even during that time.

[crguy]

But now it could be argued that there is little difference between Star DJs in SF and KBIG DJs in LA.  I'm just sayin'.

[DavidKaye]

But now it could be argued that there is little difference between Star DJs in SF and KBIG DJs in LA.  I'm just sayin'.

Yeah, times have changed and DJ tracks are pretty much interchangeable now.  What amazed me was last year or whenever it was that Bobby Ocean was doing an afternoon slot on KOIT.  He was live!  Who knew that any DJs were live on KOIT?  Well, now I know and I notice that they do mention temperatures and other "live" things, but oh how I wish they'd inject more pesonality into the format.  Of course, who am I to say?  KOIT consistently leads the ratings.

[calguy]

Haven't heard KOIT in a while, but the delivery seems to me to be almost a beautiful Music style of delivery.  Reminds me of KOST in the early 90's.  As for Star and MyFm deejays sounding the same, that's because both stations share the same PD and 2 of the jocks from LA, track for SF.  Kari Steele and Lisa Foxx both pull double duty. Oh yeah, almost forgot to remind you, these are Clear Channel stations, so sounding the same is the norm.

[crguy]

both stations share the same PD and 2 of the jocks from LA, track for SF.  Kari Steele and Lisa Foxx both pull double duty.

You mean the same PD and 3 of the jocks from LA.

Alice is all live and local.  Star is neither.

[SFStatic]

Exception: the Star morning show. Don Bleu has been on live in the mornings since before Alice was born. Wait, what? Yes, Don's a Grandpa.

[calguy]

both stations share the same PD and 2 of the jocks from LA, track for SF.  Kari Steele and Lisa Foxx both pull double duty.

You mean the same PD and 3 of the jocks from LA.

Alice is all live and local.  Star is neither.

Okay there's Kari Steele and Lisa Foxx.  Who is the 3rd jock they share? I'm unaware.

[Michael Rivers Kramer]

Haven't heard KOIT in a while, but the delivery seems to me to be almost a beautiful Music style of delivery.  Reminds me of KOST in the early 90's.  As for Star and MyFm deejays sounding the same, that's because both stations share the same PD and 2 of the jocks from LA, track for SF.  Kari Steele and Lisa Foxx both pull double duty. Oh yeah, almost forgot to remind you, these are Clear Channel stations, so sounding the same is the norm.

KOIT's delivery sounds to me like a brightly delivered easy listening station.  They don't talk over the music or over music beds or jingle ramps.  You won't hear contests or cheesy jock jingles.

KOST on the other hand you will hear music beds, listeners on air and jocks talking over jingle ramps that sing out the jock name.   The talent sounds warm for the most part.  Some of the formatics include  weather forecasts full of old radio cliches like "Right now...Newport Beach 'checks in' with 75 degrees    ....it's 80 degrees along the................................................. "Coast!"   Their old top of the hour used to have a silly tag line provided by Dick Clark that said something like "Southern California's Soft Rock".  I think they pulled it from their TV ad.  KOST really sounds like "LA" and it took me a couple of years to get used to the station and (the area) aflter living in the Bay Area for a good chunk of my life.  They are QUITE SUCCESSFUL and their airstaff has been stable force for years.   They recently changed their jungle package.


KOIT's delivery is warm, friendly and simple with lots and lots of liners.  They sound community driven although that may have changed "post Bonneville".