KLUV THEN AND NOW

[RADIO TRUTH]

The most valid point made above is that KLUV and the bodys who read the liner cards were not in the same league as Dan Ingram and WCBS-FM, not to mention the Chicago, L. A. and Philly stations.  That is why KLUV was far inferior to those stations from a talent and personality point of view.  It was very obvious when one listened and compared them.  Unfortunately, today WCBS-FM has lowered its standards to the level of KLUV rather than KLUV improving.

[SK727]

I agree Steve E is right on point.  Just an outside opinion, but what seems to be missing from this discussion is the fact and I do mean FACT, that the LISTENERS seem to like KLUV just fine.  You remember listeners right?  It really isn't about some jaded, cynical overblown "radio guys" miguided idea of what great radio is.  Great radio is subjective and the listener is the determining factor.  I know RT will probably say "I am a listener", but you are a truely a "radio guy" who listens and evaluates, NOT AVERAGE JOE LISTENER.  BIG DIFFERENCE.  Not being confrantational, just making an observation.  Now back to our regularly scheduled programming 

[RADIO TRUTH]

The typical oldies listener is the most loyal listener in radio.  The typical oldies listener would rather have a bad
oldies station than no oldies station at all.  If a radio station on fm came along today and was automated and played nothing but, 50s and 60s music, it would have the same audience that KLUV had.  None of these facts mean that KLUV was a great station.  Again, in the land of the blind, the one eyed man is king.

[MikeShannon914]

RT, I'm sure you mean well with these posts, and hold those certain jocks close to your heart.  However, you're casting a lot of stones at radio folks that don't deserve it, and your blanket statements of there being no talent, then or now, in DFW radio, is preposterous.  We EACH have our own measuring stick of what we like and don't like, and why you want to pee all over our personal likes and dislikes really doesn't accomplish much...other that p!ssing people off--and NOT changing their minds (or is that your quest?)

I'd be happy to stomp all over your regard for Dan Ingram, but what would it accomplish?  And Ingram doesn't deserve to be taken to task.  But neither do these local radio folks, bro.

Let's roll through some notables that worked at KLUV/KLVU:  Brother Jon Rivers (original PD, and concurrent host of the syndie "Powerline,") Dave Tucker (40+ years in this market,) Craig Jackson (long career with Clear Channel thereafter,) Ernie Brown (later nationally syndicated; back with KRLD now,) Art Riley (station manager and owner across the US,) Jason Walker (30+ year vet,) Jonathan Hayes (with KVIL in its heyday; long career thereafter,) Larry Carolla, Dave Van Dyke, Charlie Van Dyke (voiceovers,) Art Roberts, Mike Wade, Chuck Brinkman, Trevor Lay (in LA radio between Dallas gigs,) Paula Street (Boston TV now,) Kate Garvin (was KTVT news anchor,) Steve Eberhart (national show via ABC Radio, plus tons of national VO work,) John Summers (over 10 years at KLUV,) Johnny Michaels, Ken "Hubcap" Carter, "Catfish" Jim Prewitt (national show via ABC Radio,) Johnny Stone, John McCarty (national show via ABC Radio,) Peter Stewart (national show via ABC Radio,) Frank Welch (national show via ABC Radio,) Ben Laurie (in TX radio since 1962,) Debi Diaz (at KLUV for 16 years now,) Jody Dean, Michael T. Parker, and many others.

As for the station itself, it's been an evolution, just like with anything else that's been around for a long time:

October, 1981-flips from KNUS to KLVU when station is sold to John Tenaglia /dba/ TK Communications by San Juan Racing.  Format flips from Hot AC to Soft Rock/Soft Currents.

January, 1984-Tenaglia pays a Haynesville, LA station $10,000 to swap their KLUV calls for TK's KLVU. 

July, 1984-Format slowly drifts away from Soft Currents and incorporates Soft Oldies/AC Gold.  Brief competitor KIXK-106.1 announces plans to flip from Pop Oldies to Hot AC in September, leaving KLUV to own the oldies format all alone.

November, 1985-Fort Worth's KXOL-1360 signs off, and KLUV buys up its oldies music collection at auction.  Format gradually flips to Pop Oldies/AC Gold, with a 1955-73 time range.  This is the rule for the next 13 years.

October, 1991-KLUV's only true FM competition ever, KODZ-94.9, signs on.  Despite bringing longtime KLUV personality Ken "Hubcap" Carter over, the format lasts one year.

April, 1995-Infinity purchases KLUV for $55 million.

August, 1998-KLUV moves the 1955-62 oldies to the new "KLUV-1190."  John Summers is PD of the new AM station, which lasts until 2000.  Meanwhile, the FM side drops the "doo-wop" and concentrates on 1963-73 oldies. 

Over the next 9 years, newer oldies are occasionally peppered into the mix, with select hits from the 80s included regularly by 2005.


Sure, I contend that KLUV gets a good share of its audience by default.  There's nothing competing with it, and KLUV has seen consistent growth in ratings over the years, and especially in the last two...hitting #2 recently in 12+.  I also don't like the idea of a 300-song playlist...but it must work for the bulk of the listeners.  Sure, it could be better, the jocks could interact more, the playlist could be broadened, the spots could be reduced...but apparently no one's complaining, and someone's laughing all the way to the bank!

[RADIO TRUTH]

My response to the above.....

If KLUV, or any station like them, is a cash cow, it is because their are a limited amount of frequencies in the spectrum and owning a radio or tv station, especially in a big market, is like owning a monopoly.  Radio station owners have a captive audience because there could be no real competition.  Add to the fact, the 1996 communication act which allowed one company to own multi radio stations in the same market in large markets.  The companies like CBS or Clear Channel are more going against themselves than any real competition.  That is one major reason why the quality of the product continues to go down hill.  However, this is going to radically change the day internet radio is available in cars.  Conglomerate radio station owners will actually have to spend
money to bring in real talent when internet competition is unlimited.  There will be no more artificial monopolies anymore.  If the big conglomerates chose not to spend the money, their audiences and billing will continue to erode and they will die a slow and ugly death.  As far as the so called talent list listed above for the history of KLUV, I don't see much talent there.  Quantity does not equate to quality.  This is my opinion.  It may not be the popular opinion and when your opinion isn't the popular opinion, you can irritate some people.  If I irritate some people, it won't change my mind.  I still think KLUV has lacked the talent of the other CBS o & o oldies stations through history.

[Robert Bass]

RT,

You like what you like, just as much as the next person.  Enough with the pissing contests OK?  It's getting old...

R

[jdean]

Some people are still of the opinion that the earth is flat. It isn't, but that's their opinion.

Write on. Just as long as you get the call letters right. 

[Kevinc]

I don't like Oprah, but that doesn't mean she isn't a talented interviewer...  Its the same with all the talent listed above.  Your not liking their talent does not mean they have none in the eyes of others.

[RADIO TRUTH]

The earth may not be flat but, KLUV's personalities through history (and I use the term liberaly) sound pretty flat.

[RADIO TRUTH]

Others can have their own opinion.  Their opinions are irrelevant to me.  My opinion is relevant to me and my opinion won't change.