KSUL

Fall 2008 V.O. Workshop

2008-07-07T09:45:00.000-07:00

Kick off FALL of 2008 with a jump start to your voice-over career. Sylvia Aimerito (KRTH 101) & Tim Keenan (former KSULer) are gearing up for yet another of our occasional voice-over workshops at Creative Media Recording in Cypress. We try to keep the classes small and they're a lot of fun. We’ve been gathering more sample scripts as well as industry related articles to share with our next class.

The dates are set for Wednesday evenings, 6:30pm to 9:30pm for FOUR weeks in a row – September 3rd thru September 24th. Because of busy work schedules, we are now only doing a couple workshops per year so sign up today!

Many of our workshop grads are out there making some extra cash doing voice-overs! You can, too!

Visit our new websitelink at: http://creativemediarecording.com/vo.html

We hope you’ll consider joining us at this next voice-over class. If you have any questions about the workshop or our location please give us a call at 714/892-9469!

Voice Over Workshop

2008-01-08T17:25:00.000-08:00

Kick off 2008 with a jump start to your voice-over career. Sylvia Aimerito (KRTH) & Tim Keenan (former KSULer) are gearing up for yet another of our occasional voice-over workshops at Creative Media Recording in Cypress. We try to keep the classes small and they're a lot of fun. We’ve been gathering more sample scripts as well as industry related articles to share with our next class.

The dates are set for Wednesday evenings, 6:30pm to 9:30pm for FOUR weeks in a row – February 13th thru March 5th. Because of busy work schedules, we are now only doing a couple workshops per year so sign up today!

Many of our workshop grads are out there making some extra cash doing voice-overs! You can, too!

Visit our website at: http://creativemediarecording.com/news/workshop.asp

We hope you’ll consider joining us at this next voice-over class. If you have any questions about the workshop or our location please give us a call at 714/892-9469!

Dave Randall (Burchett) on KRTH

2007-11-12T07:44:00.000-08:00

Dave has his own blog at: http://daverandall.blogspot.com/

KSULer in the News: LARadio.com (11-9-07): Ducky Call for Hulett (Phil)

2007-11-09T10:31:00.001-08:00

From LARadio.com (11-9-07)
Ducky Call for Hulett. Phil Hulett took over full-time evening anchoring chores at KFWB at the end of the summer. As a result he had to step down as the Anaheim Ducks' primary public address announcer. Mike Carlucci, who served as Anaheim's PA announcer from 1994 – 97, will return to the microphone. Phil will continue to be available in a backup PA role, and Anaheim will recognize Phil's 11 seasons with the Ducks at a future home game.

"Phil has been a tremendous public address announcer for the Ducks for the last 11 years, presiding over almost 500 games and a Stanley Cup Championship," said Anaheim Ducks evp/coo Tim Ryan.

KSUL & Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

2007-10-17T04:34:00.000-07:00

On Friday, June 6, 1980, the KSUL staff and listeners boarded a bus in the turnaround in front of Long Beach State. The destination was the ABC Studios in Hollywood where we were part of the audience for a, then, new late night television show called "Fridays" -- ABC's short lived answer to Saturday Night Live. The "real" reason we were all so excited about going to this "TV show" was that the musical guest for that night's show was Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers - who at the time - was just out of a nasty lawsuit with his record company and was back with a new album -- "Damn the Torpedos". Our group were the last to be let into the studio, but ended up in the first few rows where we got to see TP and the boys do, the classic, "American Girl' and a new song "Shadow Of A Doubt (Complex Kid)".

Both songs are featured in the new Peter Bogdanovich documentary "Runnin' On A Dream: Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers" and included on the bonus CD that comes with the 3 DVD package.

I have yet to wade through the hours of material included with this great documentary, but from what I've seen so far, this package is well worth the price if you are a TP fan.

Voice Over Workshop

2007-07-13T13:29:00.000-07:00

Kick off Fall 2007 with a jump start to your voice-over career. Sylvia Aimerito & Tim Keenan (former KSULer) are gearing up for yet another of our occasional voice-over workshops at Creative Media Recording in Cypress. We’ve had a lot of fun and success with our past V.O. workshops and we’ve been gathering more sample scripts as well as industry related articles to share with our next class. The dates are set for Wednesday evenings, 6:30pm to 9:30pm for FOUR weeks in a row – August 29th thru September 19th. Because of busy work schedules, we are now only doing a couple workshops per year so sign up today!

Visit our website at: http://creativemediarecording.com/news/workshop.asp

We hope you’ll consider joining us at this next voice-over class. If you have any questions about the workshop or our location please give us a call at 714/892-9469!

Final Thoughts on radio at CSULB

2007-06-05T15:12:00.000-07:00

Someone once said of radio that it's "one step above a circus clown on the entertainment hierarchy" Those of us that work in radio know that isn't true and that radio is the most spontaneous, real, intimate and direct art form of the electronic mediums. The powers that be at California State University Long Beach feel otherwise and have spoken loudly to that. This is why, although as a former CSULB Alumni President it pains me greatly, we must now speak loudly by directing our dollars and sense to other institutions that will give us more respect.

I've worked with many of you to try to meet with University officials to bring back a radio program at the college which mirrored the experience we all shared and either - developed bonds with each other that have existed over 25 years or, more importantly in the context of this discussion, developed a career that spans that same distance. Instead of seeing the potential in our numbers, as Alumni of the University, we have been treated like we never existed and even with disdain. Except for the current department head of the "Film and Electronic Arts" department, officials at the University, including the president, quickly hit the "delete" button when they see an e-mail regarding this issue. I can certainly appreciate that they are sick of hearing from me because I am passionate about the issue, but there are countless other radio alumni that they could consult if there was any real interest in bringing back a radio curriculum and bringing back a large number of displaced radio alums with resources that could be tapped into for the good of the entire University community.

The University recently had a huge opportunity to bring back a meaningful radio program as the KKJZ contract ended with the "group" that originally displaced KSUL, being displaced themselves after years of red ink and questionable management. They choose to turn the station over to a commercial broadcaster. While I do have a great respect for this broadcaster as an "independent", there was never any thought or discussion to consider resurrecting a radio curriculum. The press releases associated with the change in management all lauded how students would be a part of the new station operation with scholarships and internships being offered by the new operator. The question, of course, is where will these "student interns" be drawn from and since there is no radio program at CSULB, who would be getting these scholarships. Repeated e-mails to the president and the University press office asking this question have been ignored.

At this point, when the University calls you (if, in fact they still do call you) for that "multi times a year" donation, you might want to consider channeling your resources to another institution that still thinks radio is important. My favorite is the Cerritos College radio program, headed by KSUL's own Craig Breit, but there are still many other colleges and Universities that think radio is a viable curriculum that will welcome your help. Former KSUL PD Phil Hulett, along with his duties at KFWB and with the champion Anaheim Ducks, teaches radio at Mt. San Antonio College. Tim Keenan, one of KSUL's first "management types" has a local radio production house that also offers voiceover classes. As a student of "college radio" I would be more than willing to help you find an institution you might be comfortable in helping.

After last years extremely successful KSUL reunion, Pat Barr has graciously started planning another event for later this month. I hope we can all get together, have some fun, reacquaint with each other and revel in what KSUL was about. The University, appears, will never "get it", so lets enjoy the bonds we've built over the last 25 years and "move on". I'm sure the University will welcome that prospect as well.

Mike Stark

KKJZ: The latest.....

2007-03-29T17:09:00.000-07:00

From LARadio.com:
Saul and All That Jazz. California State University, Long Beach Foundation and Saul Levine’s newly formed Global Jazz, Inc., have signed a 10-year contract for the programming of KKJZ (88.1/fm). Under the contract K-JAZZ will be programmed as a mainstream jazz and blues station. As part of the agreement, Global Jazz will provide four $5,000 scholarships for CSULB students, offer four students paid internships and will make additional efforts to employ students as interns, volunteers and paid employees of the station. Global Jazz will also continue to offer the annual Blues Festival, a major KKJZ event, and will co-sponsor events at the university. The agreement was signed last Friday. “Our goal is to turn KKJZ into the nation’s number one public provider of jazz radio,” said Saul.

With a plan to closely identify the station with the university, Saul is no newcomer to jazz radio. Beginning in 1960, he carried a jazz format on KKGO 105.1/fm for 29 years. Saul has pledged that KKJZ will remain a mainstream jazz and blues station.

As far as funding the station, Saul explained: “There are two categories: the donations, which are the pledge drives and there is the sale of time, which is called underwriting, not advertising. We’ll be handling both of those.”

Kane Biscaya, the general sales manager, might be the busiest gm in town. “He’s got the greatest radio station, Country 105, now he’s got 88.1, KKJZ, and K-Mozart 1260. He’s just terrific. I just couldn’t be happier,” said Saul by phone yesterday.

Saul can announce his program director sooner than the April 21 take-over but a final deal has not been completed. “We all know there will be changes to the programming staff,” said Saul. “Some have already left on their own within the last few weeks. We’ll check the roster and determine those who we will retain.”
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From LARadio.com article: ‘As part of the agreement, Global Jazz will provide four $5,000 scholarships for CSULB students, offer four students paid internships and will make additional efforts to employ students as interns, volunteers and paid employees of the station.’

Since there is no Radio curriculum at CSULB, who will be getting these scholarships and internships?

I'm happy that my alma mater has finally given the operation of the college radio station to someone that actually knows what they're doing, but, unfortunately, any student wishing to learn radio will have to go to another institution that has a meaningful radio curriculum.
As much as it pains me as a graduate of CSULB, I would have to encourage students who want to learn radio to go to Cerritos College, which is operated by graduates of the ‘former’ CSULB radio program, Mt. San Antonio College, where KFWB's Phil Hulett [also a CSULB radio alum] is an instructor or attend CSULB Alumni Tim Keenan's voice over workshop at his 25 year long production house business - Creative Media in Cypress (http://creativemediarecording.com/news/workshop.asp). Of course there are many other fine institutions in Southern California that offer great radio programs, many of them discussed often in the pages of LARadio.com, but to not be able to point folks to my own school any longer is distressing. I might remember all this the next time the college calls for some more cash.” – Mike Stark

KSUL "non-broadcasters" Update

2006-12-01T19:12:00.000-08:00

It was brought to my attention that there are a lot of people that went through the KSUL experience and didn't go into radio and have experienced success in their lives -- and it doesn't involve a microphone. Many of you on this list fall into that category. Besides being smarter than those of us that did pursue a broadcasting career, I'd like to find out more about the "non-broadcaster" KSUL Alumni and pass it on to everyone else.

The one thing I realized in talking to people at the reunion this past summer is that the values and disciplines that people got from their experiences at KSUL have been applied to WHATEVER it is that they have done for the last 30 years - not just the technical aspects of the craft of broadcasting.

So my plea is to the "smarter" people who are Alumni of KSUL to send me a little note about what you're up to in your life, what you've been able to accomplish in the last 30 years and how, if at all, your experiences at KSUL shaped those accomplishments.

PLEASE drop me an e-mail, I'll compile those "superstars" and include it in future "KSUL updates". Special shout-out to the following to send me your info: Steve Buck, Kevin Poore, Kevin Glenn, Mike Ballinger, Bill McMullen, Pat Barr, Ellen (Glassock) Reiner, Jeff Sanders, Craig Breit, Clint Webber and Ellen Walker.

KSUL Broadcaster Update

2006-11-30T08:12:00.000-08:00

Dave Burchett (Dave Randall) came in 4th in this years LARadio.com listener poll for LA overnight radio personalities for his fine work on KRTH, ironically beating out KKJZ (no personality named) -- they came in 10th.

Kim Amidon continues her successful run on KOST as part of the longest running morning show team in LA radio history.

John Palmintari has confirmed that he is NOT Jamaican even though he is the King of Santa Barbara broadcasting working as a TV feature reporter for KEYT Channel 3 and reporting the news at KJEE 92.9FM and KCLU 102.3FM.

Phil Hulett continues to be the "go to guy" anchoring around the clock at KFWB.

Paul Sakrison continues as the chief engineering guru at KFWB/KNX.

Dennis Clare, along with his duties at WPMD.org as operations director, is working for the ABC Radio Network on various shows and currently working on the nationally syndicated Al B. Sure "Secret Garden" show.

...and, yes, I'm still with the nationally syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show (100 markets), which airs locally mornings on 100.3 KKBT, where I am the west coast producer and contributor to rock writer Dave Marsh's "Kick Out the Jams" on Sirius Satellite radio.

It appears, at this point, that Saul Levine's Mt.Wilson Broadcasting will soon be operating KKJZ for CSULB. Tom Mullins and myself continue to try and talk to someone -- anyone into bringing back a meaningful student radio program (like the one that trained the above superstars). With KKJZ operating with the newest technology of HD radio, it's our hope that we might be able to apprehend a "subchannel" for students to broadcast on, that won't effect the "main channel" -- the University's showcase and money making machine. Don't hold your breath on this one because the University is sold on the prospect of student "interns" at KKJZ and we all know how effective internships are in broadcasting.

Recently, in one of Long Beach's finer pubs, a meeting of the minds of Kevin Poore, Dave Burchett, Kevin Glenn, Mike Ballinger and myself, accomplished absolutely nothing, but to confirm that KSUL built bonds that are as fresh today as it was when we got booted off campus 30 years ago. Taking the "reunion" concept one step further than we did this last summer was discussed over several brews, but Dave Burchett is probably the only one that is clear on that discussion because he wasn't drinking. I'll get back to you on any future plans once I go over the details with Dave.

If you have any news about KSUL Alumni -- send it my way. I'll pass it on to the masses.

From LARadio.com

2006-11-09T02:36:00.000-08:00

There are those that consider my rants about students actually operating a university owned radio station as crazed, dazed and confused. Here are two e-mails from LARadio.com. One from an absolute veteran of LA radio - Roger Carroll. I don't know Roger. We've never met. I've respected his work at numerous LA radio stations and respect him even more now. The other is from our own Phil Hulett, answering Roger's e-mail submission. Along with these submissions I've added an e-mail that I got, concerning this discussion, from former KSUL GM Bill McMullen.

Who can even guess anymore what the University is thinking. I do know that in the long run their decision will effect a segment of Alumni support of the college, but I don't even think they care about that either.

Mike Stark

We GET Email…

** KKJZ Conspiracy?“Why doesn't Saul Levine name these people who claim he will change the format at KKJZ. IMHO a commercial radio station should not be allowed to operate a non-commercial college radio station.

I would suggest the board get someone like Chuck Southcott who really knows the radio business to run the station with some pros who could help the students and use the talents of the students taking broadcasting. Saul did drop the Jazz format for Classical, but I commend him for a very smart move. The format change made the station a huge profit center. Footnote for Chuck, you may not be looking for a gig, but you would be the man.” – Roger Carroll

**Regarding Roger Carroll's comments.....In the second paragraph, Roger may be commenting based on an erroneous assumption that CSULB, like any other college, has a ready supply of students taking "broadcasting." This is not the case, and hasn't been since 1981 when the school booted students out of college radio in favor of hiring "pros" to run the newly acquired KLON. Under the assumption, Roger makes total sense. Under the reality, not only would the station need a guy like Chuck, but another individual to propose, get approval on, and build a new department. Then this new department would have to actively recruit students who want to be broadcasters. That would take a long-term commitment on the part of CSULB, and thoseof us who were Radio/TV majors at CSULB pre-KLON, myself included, know where "The Beach" stands on a commitment to broadcasting - Phil Hulett, KFWB News Anchor, Anaheim Ducks Public Address Announcer, Co-Founder KNAC.COMRadio, Broadcasting Instructor, Mt. San Antonio College

Mike -

It truely is amazing how money dictates whatever we do. Well not just money, but politics and money - I do not honestly believe that either one of us are idealistic, but also would like to believe that in order for us to continue to grow as individuals we mentor those that follow us, and not for personal gain, but rather the pure enjoyment of seeing success in others....some how this concept has gone haywire at the beuraucratic level - even noted in Roger's comments with regard to the "profit center". I can still hear Roger on the old KMPC saying, "Hi, this is Roger Carroll and I play records." - or Sandy MacMillian praising the genius of Chuck Southcott - wonder if we will ever get to that point again - where students have "hands on" opportunities at CSULB?

Bill

KKJZ Change

2006-10-10T03:56:00.000-07:00

On the upside, it's good that real "broadcasters" will finally be managing KKJZ. Also, PPR, who have not been held accountable for the 30 years that they controlled the operation, are now getting a taste of the medicine they fed the students when they replaced student radio.

The down side is that, promises were made 30 years ago about student participation and it not only didn't happen, but the "radio curriculum" completely disintegrated due to the loss of a true radio lab. No matter what great intentions the new operators may have regarding student participation, there is no program or curriculum to draw students from, with the exception of the journalism department. This certainly isn't the fault of the new operator, but neglect on the part of the University and, specifically, the School of the Arts. Even though there are many people that went through the radio program at CSULB and on to successful radio careers -- many here in LA, the Dean from the School of Arts has characterized the radio program as having a "problematic mission." The former "Radio TV Film" department is now called "Film and Electronic Arts". The name change alone shows the departments disregard for the medium of radio.

I believe it was Howard Stern that said, "Radio is one step above circus clowns on the entertainment hierarchy" and CSULB has certainly gone with that philosophy. However, I don't believe they've added any circus clown classes yet, so there still might be hope for a radio program now that broadcasters will be running the campus radio station.

Mike

KKJZ changes....Terrestrial Radio vs XM/Sirrus/podcasts/ipod

Perhaps CSULB's focus away from Radio/TV in the conventional sense is a good thing, although, not by design. I think that the moniker of "Film" is a bit old-fashioned, too. Perhaps Media Creation and Delivery Systems would be a better choice.

I wish the new management well. Perhaps they can be the spark that makes things happen and gets CSULB more bang for their tax dollar buck. Truth is, however, if they don't become part of the CSULB community it will be at their own peril. Heck, I can turn on my XM radio and choose from multiple jazz outlets...all commercial free. The only difference the CSULB station might offer is content that relates to the community it serves--geographical instead of content community. The folks who took out KSUL with KLON seemed to forget the community aspect. They simply didn't get it and would have met an earlier demise had they not received "funding".

I think the university would be better served by offering a broad based, forward focused discipline that embraces sound, sight, immersion and media delivery history. While some delivery systems are in their infancy, one can see the impact of streaming video, podcasts, and others yet to come. Most will fail, some will flourish. The trick is not being tied down.

Knowing how to slip cue a 45 has little use today... knowing how to tell a compelling story will always have importance. Knowing how to think outside the constraints of common thought will allow students to take on the world and succeed.

Best

Chet Simmons

KSUL station manager once upon a time.

Press-Telegram: New KKJZ owners to keep all that jazz

2006-10-06T11:22:00.000-07:00

New KKJZ owners to keep all that jazz

CSULB offers station to L.A. classical music operator.

By Kevin Butler, Staff writer

LONG BEACH - Cal State Long Beach intends to end its 19-year relationship with the operator of its KKJZ-FM station and hire the owner of a Los Angeles classical music station to run the jazz outlet instead, a university body decided Thursday.

The board of directors of the private CSULB Foundation, which holds the radio license for classic jazz station KKJZ (88.1), unanimously voted to begin negotiating a management contract with Mt. Wilson FM Broadcasters, owner of the classical station KMZT-FM (105.1) and pop standards station KKGO-AM (1260/540).

Pacific Public Radio, which has operated KKJZ since 1987, had sought to continue managing the station, but it was among three bidders rejected Thursday. PPR has managed the station month-to-month since its contract expired in December.

The foundation chose Mt. Wilson, headed by independent radio owner Saul Levine, because of its financial strength and its dedication to jazz, said Joseph A. Latter, the foundation's assistant treasurer.

The firm also pledged to promote the university and involve CSULB students by providing them jobs, internships and scholarships, he said.

"They will provide a greater promotion of CSULB, both on and off the air, particularly at events," Latter said.

Levine's firm also promised to retain as many current KKJZ staffers as possible, he said.

Latter said that assuming negations go well, Mt. Wilson could begin operating the station in three to six months.

KKJZ is one of the few stations in the country focusing on classic jazz, as opposed to the soft or smooth kind. The classic genre includes the works of such jazz pioneers as Miles Davis and Charles Mingus.

The university is committed to keeping KKJZ a jazz station, Latter said.

The foundation has been "disappointed" that PPR has not adequately promoted the school in the station's posters, concerts and other events, Latter said.

"You would have never known that CSULB was involved in those activities," he said.

Matthew Knabe, a member of PPR's board of directors, called those statements "outrageous."

"We promote Cal State Long Beach all the time," he said. "Everybody knows we're from Cal State Long Beach."

Knabe said that the station's 300,000 local listeners are going to be "very upset" about the university's decision.

Latter said he anticipates some negative reaction, but believes that Levine's firm will make KKJZ a stronger station.

Knabe said that by opening the bidding process this spring, the university hurt fund-raising by putting doubts in potential donors' minds about the station's future.

As a result, revenue from its spring pledge drive was down about $180,000 from the previous year and receipts from its Long Beach Blues Festival were down about $175,000, he said.

"Nobody's going to give you money if they don't know if you'll be around," he said.

Knabe says that the university has "systematically dismantled the station since the beginning of the year to get us to a position of weakness so that they could take us over."

Cash flow was so weak PPR turned to the university for help, he said. Two weeks ago, university officials asked all members of the PPR board of directors to resign, Knabe said.

Some PPR members stayed on, but university and foundation officials occupy six of the nine board seats, he said.

"To me that is a huge conflict of interest," Knabe said.

The university owns the building the station is located in and pays for electricity and maintenance. Knabe said PPR owns the jazz library, equipment, antennae and transponder.

The other bidders for the management contract were the Los Angeles Jazz Institute and Southern California Pacific Radio, owner of all-news station KPCC-FM (89.3).

"White Button"

2006-07-09T10:38:00.000-07:00

One of the early KSULers was Larry Lantz. Larry's air name was "White Button" because of the blank white button he always wore. He was an extremely creative guy who went on to "work in the business" and start a company called "Buzzy’s Recording and Team Buzzy’s Worldwide" - One of the world’s premiere voice-over studios, located in Hollywood. (Picture: Larry with Martin Sheen at Buzzy's)

Tom Mullins, in searching the Internet, found Larry, his recording studio and his accomplishments, but, unfortunately, found that he had passed several years ago.

Below is a small write up on Larry from "Planet Proctor", the website of Phil Proctor, a member of the legendary Firesign Theatre.

Larry Lantz, who though unknown to most of you, was a dear friend and a continually inspirational force "behind the glass" to many of us in the recording industry during his all too short life. Starting at Alan Barzman's Newjack Studios under the guidance of Fred Jones, he became Proctor and Bergman's Production Assistant for our 70's record "Give Us A Break" and eventually President and co-owner of Buzzy's Recording with Andrew, Maria and Mrs. Danvers, their much-adored studio Scottie.

KSUL On Air Reunion - from Cerritos College NOT CSULB

2006-06-17T23:45:00.000-07:00

The "on air" reunion at WPMD.org on June 10th was a great warmup for what followed at El Dorado Park. Phil Hulett, Kevin O'Brien, Dennis Clare, Paul Sakrison, Jeff Sanders, Bill McMullen, Craig Breit, Clint Webber and, on the phone, Dave Burchett shared their experiences at KSUL, how the station impacted their careers and lives, their thoughts on student radio and radio, in general - plus lots of cool air checks. Click here to listen.

The Reunion

2006-06-10T22:29:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to Pat Barr for a tremendous job on organizing this reunion. Let's not wait another 25 years. In fact, let's do it next year.

KSUL

2006-06-04T22:09:00.000-07:00

Richard Wagoner made this comment in the Daily Breeze which completely knocked the wind out of me for a moment. If I was a regular Breeze reader instead of some guy on Mike Stark's mailing list I would've responded in the paper.

"I have said this many times in the past -- I don't think a university should be allowed to hold a license to a station that is not run by and for students as much as possible. I don't care about the format: if students aren't a primary part, the station should lose its license."

If we don't have schools running our public radio stations, then whom? I only know of one public station in the L.A./Long Beach metro area that is not operated by a college or university and that is Pacifica Foundation's KPFK.

KPFK is a strongly left-wing station with a mission of political change. Although they may still have a smattering of entertainment programs, that is not what they are about.

If public radio stations won't exist without heavy student involvement, woe to South Californians who want to hear popular music on shows like KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic and unbiased news from top flight reporters and talk show hosts like those at KPCC.

In my youth, radio in So Cal was mostly mediocre, with some stations rising above that level with high quality programs. Radio in the 1990's through to today is burdened with too many commercials, sexual talk that makes KPFK's airing of Carlin's "Seven Words you can't say..." in the '70's seem tame, foreign-language programming, and news and talk stations that are nothing more than right-wing propaganda machines. The focus is on profits first, last, and in the middle.

So what are we training college students for? They need to leave the ethics they learn in college at the door for many of the jobs available in commercial radio. Without talented professionals hosting local public radio shows, there won't be any jobs to fill in that area.

Let's not view KSUL through green glasses, Toto, because it wasn't a shining Emerald City but quite a mixed bag. It was a fun station with some very good shows but some of us hit the airwaves long before we were ready. There were many cringe-inducing moments on the air.

Even the students I worked with at the OC High School of the Arts had to pass an audition before getting up on the stage and college students should do the same, even in a "lab" environment. In both the Radio/TV and Journalism departments, once the students had passed their lower division classes they often went right on the air.

Elements of the KSUL model could make for a fine public radio station. But KSUL as it was in 1981 was not that station.

KSUL Reunion

2006-04-05T02:04:00.000-07:00

Note from Pat the Cat: It has been pointed out, that if we follow the instructions on the Re-June-ion flyer, we'll be spending the afternoon eating nothing but grilled meat with our bare hands. Now, this might be fine for the on-air staff at KABC...So, to bring a bit of civilization to the festivities, I suggest we use a "virtual sign-up sheet" to get some needed extras on the scene.

Submitted for your approval: Bread (I plan to bring a couple dozen burger and dog buns), Paper Plates, Plasticware, Salads, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Condiments, Condi-rice (mmm, tasty!)Fruit/Nuts/Chips, Juice, Pop (such as Vanilla Cherry Coke with Lime and Jalapeños).

Shade (There are trees in the park, but these are inhabited by angry, rabid flying squirrels so I don't know how close we'll be able to get.)

FM Radio-- small, medium, or large size to receive background music and KSUL nostalgia (no airchecks please!) from a transmitter only slightly less-powerful than KSUL's original one. I'll bring one or two, but a few more would be nice.You may want to bring blankets, folding chairs, an X-box, hot air balloons, or watercraft. These are quite optional however.

Pre-Reunion Parties:

Thursday, June 8th, Liquid Lounge, 3522 E. Anaheim St. Long Beach CA 90804(Corner of Redondo and Anaheim) - They feature unsigned artists every Thursday Night. A very casual atmosphere - pool tables - lots of space and best of all $5 pitchers on Thursday Nights. Live Music starts just before 9pm, I'll try to be there just after 8.

Friday, June 9th, Panama Joes - Belmont Shore - 6pm - Let's start here and work our way up and down 2nd street -- an historical tour for many of us who, in college, spent a lot of time at KSUL and the rest of our lives on 2nd Street.

Saturday, June 10th, 10am to 1pm - WPMD.org KSUL "on air" reunion - For those that can't make the reunion or pre-parties, here is you opportunity to celebrate from wherever you are in the world, via the Internet. Those that want to participate in this "on air" event -- let me know and I'll get you further instructions and directions.

Obscure Palminteria

2006-03-07T17:17:00.000-08:00

KSUL
This guy is everywhere!.

The missing

2006-02-22T10:29:00.000-08:00

Eventually there will be a KSUL reunion. When it happens there are certain people that I really would like to see at the event. Many of my favorite KSULers are either part of this blog or someone has their contact information. However, there are still a few people that I would like to see at the event that are missing. I've googled and I've yahooed these folks without luck, so I thought I'd open the discussion up for everyone to talk about who we need to double our efforts in finding before the reunion -- and we can all do our part to try and find these folks -- and drag them, kicking and screaming, to the reunion.

I have four folks I'd love to see. Joan Mulligan, Craig Camou, Rocky Principle and, the one and only, Bob Soto.

Post yours and help me find my "missing".

Mike Stark

Another KSULer checks in.......

2006-02-11T23:44:00.000-08:00

Hi Mike -
Just stumbled onto a few KSUL sites! Very exciting - as I was involved 1977 - 1979 - graduated 1979. I was there with Pat Barr, Craig Camou, Teri Moore, Steve Buck, Steve (I'm sure she means Dennis) Clare many others and you! Don't know how old this site is - if you have a chance let me know! I think Pat must have put together something over the years that is defunct because you can find a few pictures of our group at the station. I am interested to know about any planned reuinions and I was really glad to learn that there is so much energy in documenting those years and writing about what a valuable resource (not to mention a fun time!) the station was.

I now live in Australia, but travel back to California to connect with family and friends. Feel free to pass my email to anyone who may be interested - I would certainly look forward to reconnecting at some time!

Ellen Glassock(now Reiner)
rereiner@ozemail.com.au

CSULB and KKJZ

2006-02-07T14:07:00.000-08:00

The following was posted on the "Jazz Radio" section of the AllAboutJazz.com message boards:

For the record, because my "quotes" have been floating around this thread, I thought I'd clarify my position on KKJZ.

I and many other CSULB radio Alumni are working with the Film & Electronic Arts Department (formerly Radio-TV-Film) to bring the "radio" aspect back to the department. The ultimate goal would be to have a full-on department with a full curriculum and a real "radio lab" for students to hone their craft.

We've started with a meeting of the chair of the FEA department who was open to adding a radio class back into the course study. We are in the process of raising funds and establishing further funding to develop the program.

Hopefully, we can have a full plan together before a planned 25th Anniversary Reunion of KSUL (the student station displaced by KLON/KKJZ) sometime in the next few months. Past reunions have been extremely successful and it would be a perfect opportunity to "gather the troops" for the cause of bringing back a radio curriculum to CSULB.

It's been 25 years since KLON (now KKJZ) replaced the student run station and in that time many from KSUL have gone on to very successful broadcast careers, many on the air and behind the scenes right here in Southern California. Our goal (we don't need the teaching gig, we all have jobs in broadcasting) is to "grow" a radio department and give students an opportunity that we had. Nothing else.

It also seems like a good time to have the University reconsider the value of KKJZ. Could it serve the University better to have student involvement, broadcast campus events, have a working "radio lab", promote "the Beach" and bring some NEW resources from Alumni to the station and the University, than to always have the radio station at a long distance, emotionally, from the campus community? Based on numerous factors at KKJZ and PPR, it seems like the best time in 25 years to, at least, ask these questions.Thanks for allowing me to clarify my goals at CSULB.

....and yes, I wrote a book about Black Sabbath, but I also appreciate and love Coltrane.

Mike Stark

KSUL/CSULB Alumni Gets A Star

2006-02-02T08:43:00.000-08:00

From LARadio.com: Mark & Kim Star. Barry Manilow and writer-director Garry Marshall will be among the guests on hand tomorrow morning when KOST’s Mark Wallengren and Kim Amidon are honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The ceremony will mark the 20th Anniversary of “The Mark & Kim Show” on KOST.

“We’re thrilled that Barry and Garry will be part of Mark & Kim’s big day,” said KOST pd Stella Schwartz. “Barry Manilow is one of the greatest names in Adult Contemporary music. Barry was also Mark & Kim’s first in-studio guest, so to have him speak at the Walk of Fame ceremony means the world to them.”

Schwartz is equally excited to have Marshall take part. “Garry’s been a wonderful friend of the show for such a long time. It’s fitting that his star is so close to theirs. Like Mark & Kim, Garry has proven that you can be family-friendly and still entertain and move an audience.”

Mark & Kim’s star will be the 2,303rd star on the historic Hollywood Walk of Fame. It will be located on Hollywood Boulevard, near Disney’s El Capitan Theatre.
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Kim is an extremely talented broadcaster on so many levels and, no doubt, some of that talent was cultivated, tested and grew from her experiences at the one time "radio lab" at CSULB -- KSUL. Several other Alumni of KSUL are currently working with the college to rekindle such a program and at some point soon we'll be reaching out for YOUR help to make that happen. Congratulations Kim!! (If I remember correctly, Kim did mornings at KSUL, as well.)

Out of the shadows....

2006-02-01T21:56:00.000-08:00

Greetings All. When I look back over all the things I've experienced in my life, the KSUL days forever hold a special place in my heart. Has it really been 25 years? Am I in a time warp? Did I spend far too much time behind the library in Bob Soto's party van? Out of that dear radio station came lifelong friends and memories I will always treasure. Okay, enough sentimental stuff. First, a quick synopsis of the last couple of decades.

Career: Graduated in '83, worked in radio at KNAC for three years as a promotions manager and later putting together co-op advertising campaigns. Sold fine art after that, then spent 7 years in high-tech electronics manufacturing, and for nearly the last nine, been working in the AV business providing audio, video and lighting for live events, film, etc. Oh yeah, had a mobile DJ business for 13 years too. In the mid-80's I was the guy behind the "KNAC Mobile Music Show", where the station's DJs like Sylvia Aimerito (see Tim Keenan's post -- hi Tim) and our own Phil Hulett would emcee high school dances, weddings, etc.

What have I turned into? Yikes, time to see self clearly and describe to others. Living in Mission Viejo, married 16 years, two boys Nick 12 and Hunter 10. Still 20 years old inside, but mirror says 44 and counting. In my spare time, I'm a nut about scuba diving. Somewhere in my garage lies a box full of old KSUL carts, including the Spirit of Radio promo. Do they still make cart machines? Anybody out there own one and want to transfer all these puppies to a digital format for posterity (Tim?) There's tons of vinyl lining my garage shelves, but I don't own a turntable anymore. Hmmm, lots of them say KSUL. I still enjoy reading Scott Johnson's little comments on the labels. There's still an editing block and a china marker in the box. Can you believe we actually cut tape? I'd be lost in today's audio production studio. I still don't know how to make my VHS record a program, though I work for a company with cutting edge video technology. Call me an old dog. I don't have a PDA, a thumb drive, or bluetooth, but my dental hygiene is pretty darn good because my dentist is Mike "Modern" Bahlinger. I guess that leads me to the next topic: old friends.

Some of you from KSUL became lifelong friends that I've kept in regular touch with....Terri Grimshaw, Mike Bahlinger, Scott Johnson, Lori "Hathaway" Wertz. Some of you I've fallen out of touch with, but we've worked together or seen each other somewhere along the way. About a year ago, Kevin Poore & Dave Burchett & Mike Bahlinger & I got together for dinner and drinks - Mike & I hadn't seen Kevin & Dave for two decades. It was like we never parted - picked up right where we left off. We had the same gathering again a couple of months ago. It felt like time had brought us closer together. Into my memorabilia box went an autographed picture of Dave Randall from K-Earth 101. I remember him when he the less-famous Dave Burchett. When I hear Phil on KFWB, I think back to the time he gave me my first radio airshift on KSUL. Some of you I see in my wedding video from 1989. We all had more hair then.

Time to wrap it folks. I'll be at the 25th celebration, wherever and whenever it is. Can't wait. Keep in touch.
Kevin Glenn

Voice-Over workshop

2006-01-30T13:52:00.000-08:00

Hi former KSULers:

Tim Keenan here -- I was part of the KSUL family from 1973 - 1975 (we call it the Mike Stark "early years"). These days I run an O.C. based audio production company, Creative Media Recording. For those of you interested in voice-over, I've been co-conducting a VO workshop at our studio part time for about 5 years -- with voice artist and KRTH radio person Sylvia Aimerito. We're gearing up for another workshop in a few weeks and thought you might like to check it out (shamelss plug).

Kick off 2006 with a jump start to your voice-over career.

Sylvia Aimerito & Tim Keenan are ready for yet another of our occassional voice-over workshops at Creative Media Recording. We’ve had a lot of success with our past workshops and we’ve been gathering more v.o. copy as well as articles to share for our next class. The dates are set for Wednesday evenings, 6:30pm to 9:30pm for FOUR weeks in a row – March 1st thru the 22nd - 2006.

Check our link for more info: http://creativemediarecording.com/news/workshop.asp

If you're interested give us a call at 714/892-9469.

We hope this new schedule works with yours and you’ll consider joining us at this next voice-over class.

TK

.....Back from the Dead...

2006-01-13T18:13:00.000-08:00

Hi ! my name is Bill and I like long walks on the beach, a nice fire....oops wrong letter. I have to say I was quite taken by the website and the plethora of information conveyed with regard to former KSUL personalities and staff members. I thoroughly enjoyed reading and discovering all the tid-bits of black-mail fodder and will be sending out notices shortly as to what might be owed to keep me quiet.

There continue to be many, many times when I reflect back on the wonderful times experienced with so many great people during my stint with KSUL. I do believe I met and shared times with some of the most creative individuals I have been fortunate enough to have met, self included of course. And then as I clicked to find "where are they now?" I discover, holy crap, most of them are still in Southern California. Well then so am I, and I am resurfacing with a new .wife and live in the Wrigley area of Long Beach. Regretfully, I am employed due to financial commitments as opposed to financial independence and direct a customer service department within the logistics industry. (I always knew I would be a director).

In closing I am sincerely and honestly impressed with the family spirit that so many individuals have maintained and the efforts put forth by Mike Stark, Pat Barr and Paul Sakisron to name a few. I would be most honored and humbled to be welcomed back into the active membership of ex KSUL vets and your friendship.

Bill McMullen

Back to the campus....

2006-01-12T21:12:00.000-08:00

Tom Mullins and I spent an hour or so today with Craig Smith, the current chairman of the Film and Electronic Arts Department (formerly Radio/TV/Film) at CSULB. We wanted to discuss the possibilities of bringing back radio to the FEA curriculum. It turned out it didn't require much selling of the idea. He admittedly does not come from a radio background but feels with the growth of Internet streaming, podcasting and satellite radio, that "broadcasting" is probably a more important discipline than it was when it faded away from the campus after the demise of KSUL. After only a few minutes into the meeting he asked for our help in taking the first steps -- to bring back some "core" radio classes. He would like to schedule those classes to start in the fall of this year.

I think we were sucessful in conveying to Mr. Smith that not only do we need a commitment to a radio curriculum, but that it will ultimately require a working "lab" to make the program work.

In the next few months we're going to be working, with the help of other radio alumni, to develop a plan to help provide support for, what could be, a real rebirth of student radio at CSULB. We'll keep you updated and, hopefully, we can count on your help in this effort.

E-mail to the CSULB Presidents......

2005-12-12T15:28:00.000-08:00

Dear Presidents Maxson and Alexander -

Isn't it time to give this station (KKJZ) back to the students? There was a time at CSULB when the students had a curriculum, a "radio laboratory" and a department (Radio-TV-Film) that provided an educational package that placed many students in prominent positions in radio throughout the country, including top on and off the air careers here in Southern California. Not only would it be a showcase for "college radio", but would bring back scores of Alumni (and their resources), disenfranchised from the University since the radio curriculum was abandoned in the early 80's. With all the new radio technologies (including "podcasting", satellite and Internet streaming) the need for radio "content" will grow as these new forms of "broadcasting" grow.

As someone who benefited with a wonderful career courtesy the "college radio" experience I got at CSULB, I have been "pitching" this concept to anyone that will listen for years. It appears that there has never been a better time to make a change than right now.

Michael Stark

From LARadio.com: All That Jazz GM Exits KKJZ

(December 12, 2005) Judy Jankowski, gm at KKJZ, exited the Long Beach Jazz station last Friday. One station insider said that she was taking early retirement. Usually these personnel changes happen as a result of disappointing fundraising pledge drives, but there was no official word from KKJZ management announcing her exit.

In 1994, she arrived to manage the Long Beach Jazz station (when it was KLON) from a similar position at WDUQ-Pittsburgh, Duquain University's public radio station, where she worked for 24 years.

KSUL Grand Prix coverage

2005-11-30T22:51:00.000-08:00

Click here to hear Steve Buck, Mike Stark, Ray Siri and Mike Ensch with live KSUL Long Beach Grand Prix coverage for March 29, 1980.

If you wish to add the KSUL "blog"podcast to any kind of Ipodder "like" software -- subscribe at the following address: http://feeds.feedburner.com/ksul. Anytime a new piece of audio is added to the site your software will automatically download it to your computer, Ipod or Mp3 player.

Ray Siri checks in.....

2005-11-28T21:26:00.000-08:00

I got this note from Ray Siri today. Sometimes us music freaks forget what a great sports department we had at KSUL. Ray was one of the main reasons the department was so good.

Hey Mike Stark -

I was doing a search and I came across the KSUL web site, so I gave Mike Ensch a call and we both want to know how come our pictures weren't included, I mean after all, Ensch and I were the best-looking guys at the station after you and Buck of course!

It's Ray Siri Mike and I just wanted to drop you a line after spending time looking at the site, it brought back a lot of good memories. I just got off the phone with Ensch and we were wondering if there were any more pictures available and if so, who would have them?

I've been back in San Francisco for about 13 years now after spending 12 in the radio business in Texas and Washington, D.C., I've been in the bar/restaurant business predominately since then and I do quite a bit of carpentry on the side. It beats wearing a suit!

Hope that all is well with you.

Ray

Paul Sakerison aka Paul Henry

2005-11-22T16:55:00.000-08:00

Click Here to read a Radio World article on our own Paul Sakrison, who, as KNX/KFWB's Chief Engineer recently moved Infinity Radio's two news outlets into new facilities.

Stereo Journey... part the second

2005-11-18T19:32:00.000-08:00

In the eighties, the science of concert sound really matured. Live music moved closer to being music and away from being a social event, though partying continued...

Frazer Smith... The Roxy (1/11/80) ...Phil Hulett, Marcy Morrison, and a few others were there to see the LA radio icon.

Peter Gabriel... The Greek (80)... Apparently, most of KSUL were there: Phil, Remy, Tim Guebert, even Ray Shulman of Gentle Giant (later prez of Atco records). The theatre was dark and the band entered from the audience side, each wearing miner's headlamps. Sound quality from Altec's Stanley Screamer speakers was outstanding.

Fischer Z... The Whiskey (80) A small crowd of dedicated fans including me and Doug.

Genesis... Long Beach Arena (80) Not bad for an arena show. Clint was there too.

Plastics... The Roxy (07/02/81) We got some rocking pixof the wacky Japanese group that night.

King Crimson... The Roxy (81) Me and Rod Smear caught this show. I got in trouble for taking photos.

Wall of Voodoo... The Roxy (81) Me and John Hays witnessed an orgy of noise and of slam dancing.

Renaissance... Perkins Palace (81) This time I sneaked right up to the stage and snapped great pix with my mini camera.

Steve Hackett... The Roxy (11/28/81) Sold-out show from obscure cult band had Me, Tim, Kim, and Gloria bowing down before their brilliance. Gloria said they were really good looking guys too.

Peter Gabriel... Universal Amphitheatre (82) He invited a few fans to dance onstage for "Kiss of Life."

Mike Oldfield... Santa Monica Civic (82) Emotive guitar and massive drums turned me into Maynard Krebbs ("Dobie, I'm gettin' a little misty.")

Bill Nelson... Fenders, Long Beach (82) KNAC's Doug "Adams" introduced the show featuring the intriguing British guitarist who was plagued by sound problems.

The Residents/Wall of Voodoo... Perkins' Palace(10/30/82) Weird stage show told the Mole Man saga.
Penn Gillette narrated until he offended the band. He was subsequently bound, gagged, and tied to a chair.

King Crimson... Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre (6/09/84)

The B-52's... Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre (8/04/89)

My Stereophonic Travels-- Part the First

2005-11-02T20:29:00.000-08:00

Doug Buseck suggested compiling a list of all the live shows I've seen. Try it, it fun!

Part the First: The Early Years

Genesis... the Starlight Bowl, Burbank (76)
My first concert cost $5 for lawn "seating." I remember a picnic atmosphere, lasers, illegal entry by fence climbers, and lots of dope. "Good evening, Pot Pickers," said Steve Hackett. Lots of costume changes, 3 movie screens, and some jokes from Steve and Phil.
PFM... The Golden Bear, Huntington Bch (77) They came all the way from Italy to make some noise for us.
Renaissance/Jon-Luc Ponty... The Greek Theatre (77) The sound was pretty bad that night.
Peter Gabriel... Roxy Theatre (78) I waited from 5:30 AM till 11:00 to buy tix in the Roxy pkg lot. Wireless mic madness.
Genesis ... The Forum (78) Lousy sound. Girlfriend dozed off. I never went to the Forum again unless the Kings were playing.
Rachel Sweet... Roxy (79) Cute girl. She had a different band than on the record. Kinda lame by comparison.
Horslips... The Whisky (79) They launched modern Irish rock. No Horslips= no Corrs or U2; Bono said so. Brilliant!
Shake the Tree... Clint Webber's House (8/26/79) They had a Clavinet I recall.

John Paul... Man of Our Times

2005-11-01T19:06:00.000-08:00

October 13, 2005
Santa Barbara Independent
2005
Best of S.B.
the RESULTS of our
Readers' Poll

S.B. TV News Personality
John Palminteri
Every day John Palminteri, who feels honored for the recognition, reports news for public radio station KCLU for two hours, then moves over to modern rock KJEE for two more. "Then, I start my full-time job," he laughed, meaning the television reporting he does daily for KEYT. Not enough work ethic for you? He also writes a column called Palminteri Commentary for a Carpinteria weekly, a job he hasn't missed once, no vacation, for 108 straight weeks. Meanwhile, he chases breaking stories. "I sleep with the police band on," he said. "It's not as easy as it looks," though he admits maybe he's got a bit of an addiction to the thrills thing going on. "They've got a 12-step program for everything except what I've got," he said.

Amber Rose Reporting

2005-10-29T16:28:00.000-07:00

Amber Rose reported via e-mail:

Amber Rose here! Well, if you were there today at Marri's, you know that we had a rockin' good time (without the rock!) together. We talked about old times, and what we're up to currently. I for one had that warm fuzzy feeling all over.

In attendance were: Paul Sakrison, Ellen Walker, Phil Hulett and Remy Hulett, Pat Barr, Jeff Sanders, Andre Champagne, Dennis Clare, Doug Busek, Mike Stark, and Opher Banarie.

After it was over I called my husband while I was driving home and told him 10 times what a wonderful time I'd had. For most of the afternoon I felt as if I was hovering above everyone watching a movie. I just couldn't believe we were all there together. I know--what a girlie thing to say, but hey, I am a girl. Thank you to all who were there and Clint, who I got to talk to on the cell. You all really made my day, month, maybe even my entire year.

We didn't get anything planned for the reunion exactly, but did lay some groundwork--like that we want a good audio system and will probably do this at someone's house. I know Pat will keep everyone updated. Let's all send some kudos to Pat for starting this whole thing.

Sending some Radioactive KSUL Love to all of you!

Ellen Walker now Hoffman AKA Amber Rose

KSUL Pre-Union

2005-10-23T18:31:00.000-07:00

All interested parties (and partiers)... the plan is to meet next Saturday at Marri's Pizza on Palo Verde in Long Beach about 2PM (Rocktober 29).

Whether you will be joining us or not, any ideas for the 25-year are most welcome.

-- Pat
(when he's not goggling over Kate Bush. Hey Kate, from the looks of the new video, it might be time to film future videos using the "Ann (Wilson) cam".)

I'm in love all over again.

2005-10-22T12:30:00.000-07:00

EMI have kindly made the new Kate Bush video available for viewing Right Here!

(It's really good.)

CSULB and Radio

2005-10-19T15:54:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, I've been a continuing advocate for the return to a real radio program for students at CSULB.

The CSULB Associated Students have no interest other than their "jukebox" (KBEACH) for students to "play" radio, without the curriculum to support it. The old "Radio-TV-Film" department is now "The Department of Film and Electronic Arts" with radio not a factor. What was KLON (now KJZZ) flounders along, year after year, perpetually in debt to the University and with little or no student involvement.

I've approached the University, the Associated Students and the department chairs for FEA -- with lukewarm, non existent or even negative results to my suggestions of starting a new student radio program.

Craig Breit has taken the KSUL model and applied it to the Cerritos College radio program, but because it's a community college, apathy is even more rampant than at the University. It is a good program with a great facility, but the lack of support from the college and the low enrollment by students, "still searching" for their career, has failed to create anything close to what we did at KSUL.

The questions: How important is it that a student radio program return to CSULB? Do you feel your degree has lost it's value with the lack of a student radio program at the University? Has the way you look at CSULB as an Alumni been shaped by what happened to KSUL and the subsequent demise of student radio, in any scholarly form, at CSULB? And finally, would you donate more economically if the program was brought back?

Was there a single defining moment that you remember at KSUL

2005-10-14T16:49:00.000-07:00

Just a thought... and please don't use the final signoff countdown for obvious reasons. Personally I remember (and he may not like this post) in our closing days Phil (H) Diamond turning off the monitor in the 'meeting room/record library' adjoining the studio while a group of 'big shots' discussed our fate and then playing Keep It Greasy by Zappa. At least I think it was Phil. Okay it was. Anyway peeking in on their angry faces... knowing they couldn't hear this profaine and wonderful song going out over the air. The schizophrenic nature of the scene was something I won't forget. Oh and never being invited to any of the beach parties etc...

Radio Radio part 1

2005-10-13T22:47:00.000-07:00

With the state of broadcast radio today, it's hard to lament the loss of a learning environment at CSULB. Commercial radio wasn't great back then, but now... well, you know the story.

My biggest complaint is the heavy fragmentation of playlists. You won't hear anything before 1967 or after 1985 on a typical Classic Rock station. Oldies radio, K-Earth style reaches from about 1957 to 1966 and leaves out some lesser-known greats even from that tiny slice of musicana. KOLA in San Berdoo is quite a bit broader, though they are still "oldies" only. The "Jack" format (93 FM) is not bad to listen to, but the total lack of live personalities leaves it sounding a bit cold-- I'm almost longing to hear Jim Ladd (I said almost) again.

Where's the fun and adventure? Historically, I would list few stations that I really ever loved: the original progressive rock version of K-West (around 1975-76), KPOL in '77 and '78...

I will always have a fondness for Gene Autry's stations beginning with KMPC AM. Gary Owens (the Story Lady, Rumour of the Day, he even played Rick Wakeman and Nilsson), Dick Whittinghill (Helen Trump, the Story Record, a bit of Sinatra), and Johnny Magnus playing real jazz and fusion after 9pm on AM radio. I bet Mike Stark would be willing to admit that "Baseball Scores with a Hit" was inspired by "Weather with a Beat."

Then Gene came back in the '90's with KMPC-FM and the late, great KSCA 102.9-- which mixed a bit of blues and rock while reuniting So Cal with Dr. Dimento and Jeff Gonzer-- before retiring. Phil Hulett and I had a somewhat heated argument about the popularity of that station, but I have heard both in the L.A. Times and Larry Mantle's show on KPCC that KSCA did quite well in its brief heyday.

What are your faves of yesteryear?

The beginnings.....

2005-10-11T15:18:00.000-07:00

For those that haven't been on board the "e-mail list" that was sent out by Pat Barr in organizing a 25th Anniversary reunion here is what you have missed (edited for the blog):

Pat Barr writes:
Are you anywhere near the San Gabriel Valley? Those of you with fuel in your vehicles and a little time on your hands are cordially invited to join me Saturday afternoon in Old Town Monrovia for the unofficial KSUL Pre-Union on October, er, Rocktober 29. We can brainstorm a bit and get some ideas for the 25th anniversary of the Final Night of broadcast which is coming up next year if my 4th grade math skills are holding up. Meet at Old Town Pizza across from Library Park here in Monrovia (Myrtle St. near Lime St.) around 2PM. RSVP if you care to dare. (yellowsubmarine64@verizon.net)

Amber Rose likes the Long Beach area better but that may be a bit far for some of you. I realize that we tried to avoid feedback while on the radio, but it could be a good thing in this case.

******The Electrical Radio Program's Halloween show is coming along nicely and features some classic scarey moments from L.A. radio and TV-- KMPC, KIIS, KTLA, etc. I also hope to have the new single from you-know-who! No, not Lord Valdemort, but rather...

Amber Rose writes:
Hey everyone...

Is anyone else nervous about not recognizing or even remembering each other? We haven't seen each other in a lifetime, unless you all have gotten together without me. I know, I'm acting like a silly woman, but humor me.

Pat, when you have this thing all together, maybe you could send out a list of everyone's actual names. As I look at the email addresses I cqn only identify a few recognizable names.

Who is married? Kids? Careers? Can we catch up?

I have a 19 year old son in his soph year at UCI. I'm married for the 2nd time, happily this time, live in West Garden Grove, and still only about 15 min. from CSULB. I am in my 18th year of teaching Kindergarten for Garden Grove Unified School District.

When I hear the expression, "Those were the good old days" I immediately think of my KSUL experience, and you, my friends and cohorts. It still means the world to me. If I had two days that I could turn back the clock, I'd spend a day with all of you in the KSUL building, saying, "LEARN HOW TO USE THE EQUIPMENT!" I always think of those times when there are technical difficulties! The second day for which I'd turn back the clock would be to leave my first husband waiting at the altar instead of marrying him.

Is anyone in touch with John Palminteri? Bill McMullen? Marcy Morrison? Bill Cavanaugh? Cameron Cosgrove? Craig Breit? Ray Siri? Steve Buck? I believe I have Steve Buck's email: sbuck@att.com
I don't know, however, if it is current. Have you emailed Paul Sakrison? paul@sakrison.com, or phsakrison@kfwb.cbs.com

Hey, remember Nash Contreras???!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for "listening." I'd love to hear from some of you and maybe I'll see you whenever and wherever the meeting is.

John Hays writes:
John Hays here (now you know the name that goes with this e-dress). Even though I've been married (and divorced) twice, that's still my name ;)My girlfriend of over 3 years is getting her PhD in History at UCI. What's your son's major, if any? (I took General Ed. at LBCC, then picked Film/TV/Radio when I continued at CSULB).I occasionally keep in touch with Rick DuVall and Steve Binder, both of whom were KSUL D.J.s, and Rick Leddy, who was a Broadcast Journalism major there, and did some news pieces for our station.I lived with both Ricks (and a guy named Richard, believe it or not, who was replaced by a guy named Mark) for 4 years in Huntington Beach after graduating from CSULB. Now I'm in the Hollywood area, and work in the movie/TV industry, which I've been doing for around 20 years.

Rick DuVall lives in Anaheim, and teaches in one of the O.C. school districts (I'm not sure which one).

Kevin O'Brien writes:
Getting together is a great idea!...but I can’t make it. Through some incredibly poor scheduling I’m on the road doing consulting projects for stations almost non-stop through the end of the year.

As long as everyone’s adding a bit of family history—I’ve been married 26 years (met my wife at CSULB, so I got my degree and the second degree from the same place), three kids, 24, 22 and 21; and just celebrated my 30th year in Radio, dating back to my first KSUL shift in Sept 1975 in the “old” studios. First song: Dan Fogelberg’s “Part of the Plan”. Some things you never forget—now if I could remember my kids’ names…
Thanks for keeping the KSUL flame lit!

Jeff Sanders writes:
I keep my hand in a bit of audio production now and then, and once in a while you can see me playing guitar here and there. But my real gig is being a full time software weenie twiddling bits and bytes. Been doing that for over 25 years. Also have a second degree in Computer Science.

I was living in the Santa Barbara area until about 3 years ago when I relocated to Moorpark, in Ventura County. Yep, I had enough of the good life (and the snobs), wanted to try something different.

I have been married to Brenda for 25+ years.
I have 2 children:
Nathan, who is 21 and 6 foot 4 inches. Has long hair. When he grows a beard he looks like Jesus Christ, only taller.
Emily, who is 18 and away at college back in Santa Barbara
My very outdated website is http://www.jeffbsanders.com/.

Monrovia works ok, Long Beach would be better.

See you all the 29th

Opher Banarie writes:
Well, since this is turning into a de-facto "bio update" mailing, here's mine:After CSULB and one semester at KSUL, I struck out for the big world of software development. That took me to Northrup Electronics, where HR offered me $50 a month more to work in the typing pool rather than as a programmer! (Sheesh, labor was once expensive!)

After five years at Northrup and eleven at ARCO, with a few shorter gigs in between, I took up software consulting (it was that or move to Bangalor) and travelled the countryside. Seven years of that got me a million American Airline miles and a quick trip to divorce court.

Now I'm settling into a real office job in Rancho Bernardo (San Diego), but continue to live near my two daughters in Aliso Viejo (Orange County).

I'll join the group in either Monrovia or Long Beach...but can someone tell me why the San Gabriel Valley has Claremont and Montclair as adjacent communities? Was there a shortage of city names at some point in the past?
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SO...what's up with you?

KSUL Returns!!!!!!

2005-10-10T16:36:00.000-07:00

Let the discussion begin!!!!