Aerosmith & Cheap Trick rock Houston's Toyota Center

If you follow me on the old social media hangouts you saw that Monday night I was actually active and not just falling asleep on the couch. Instead I was hanging out with Steven Tyler, Joe Perry and the boys of a little Boston band known as Aerosmith. Well I wasn't so much hanging as watching. Didn't see Randy or Jennifer Lopez though...guess they don't hangout anymore.


Yep, I pulled a trick I learned from promoter Louis Messina of Houston's Pace Concerts fame. Years ago, for a KTRK 13 story I was working on, he told me if you want good concert seats, buy them the morning of the show. Bingo. I was 18 rows back from the stage and 14 seats away from the extended stage! Thanks to my glasses, I could see the glitter covering Tyler perfectly. And when he shook his ass, I could see that too. Maybe I should have stepped back some...

Here's the deal, this makes my fourth Aerosmith show. And compared to 20 years ago, they still do pretty well. As I've written before, I'm a fan of 70s Aerosmith. Not as much the Aero 2.0 relaunched around Permanent Vacation, Pump and beyond (some of it is good though). As a Rocks fan, the band did not disappoint. Houston set list here. Seeing "Rats in the Cellar" live was choice. They played "Combination," but Tyler sat that out and let Perry sing it. Still not bad.

Things that were different this time around: They had a lot more support players. The band always seems to have a semi-obscured keyboardist/back up singer, but this time they also had two female back ups (one played horns too) and another percussionist.

I have to mention Perry's smoking amp and Tom Hamilton's iPhone bass too.

Cheap Trick were the openers which I was excited about because I only heard them a few years ago while walking up to The Woodlands Pavilion for a Def Leppard show. They sounded good there, so I was excited to actually see the band. Robin Zander still has a great voice and looks great in his Dream Police uniform. Rick Nielsen is quite the showman on guitar and even announced his own kid who now plays drums for the band.

And no matter what you think of Tyler on American Idol, the Toyota Center looked almost sold out and it was full of everyone from kids to grandpas. Maybe Tyler really was as sly as a Fox.

Sprint sent me a demo HTC EVO 4GLTE phone to test out its new network. I took the opportunity to test out the phone's camera at the show which you will see above. Photos weren't too bad. Way better than what my original EVO can take.

Fox 26 KRIV hires Bob Morford as assistant ND

Bob Morford has been named Assistant News Director of KRIV FOX 26, announced Tom Doerr, the station’s Vice President and News Director. Morford assumes this position Monday, August 6th.

In making the announcement, Doerr stated, “Bob is an accomplished news manager with more than 30 years of experience. His track record of excellence speaks for itself. Bob will be a tremendous asset to our station and leader in the newsroom.”

Added Morford, “This is a tremendous opportunity. I look forward to working with the very talented news team here at FOX 26 to continue their commitment to meeting the changing news needs of our viewers.”

Most recently, Morford served as News Director at WCPO-TV in Cincinnati, OH for the past eleven years. Prior to that, he held News Director positions at several stations, including KNXV-TV in Phoenix, AZ, WPXI-TV in Pittsburgh, PA and WLWT-TV in Cincinnati, OH. Morford began his career in news at KBIA-FM in Columbia, MO as an anchor.

Morford holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Missouri.

(The following post was from a release Fox Broadcasting sent to me)

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Top 5 Houston TV Twitter users

I put up the first Houston TV Twitter and Facebook accounts in 2008 (KTRK 13) and other stations eventually successfully followed, but all of a sudden four years later, Houston TV stations really have a sudden case of social media fever.

This month two Houston television stations apparently held social media summit/bootcamps for employees. Those two stations also just hired folks to deal with social media specifically.

One station staffer posted on Twitter that there is a requirement for reporters to 'up' their follow counts. The future is here.

 I should offer a Twitter TV ghost writing/consultation service like Hollywood celebrities have. A TV anchor/reporter could hire me to 'up' their follow count by tweeting as them and giving advice. Ka-ching! You know how to contact me.

As the self-proclaimed "Father of Houston TV social media," I will now cover this area more since there is obvious interest like never before (before I figured no one would care so why waste the time).

So let's look at the top 5 Houston TV Twitter users in Houston by follow count for some social media tweets and giggles.

1. Jang, Lily (KHOU)
@khoulily
20,384 (Follow count)
22,957 (Tweets)
22,348 (Following)

2. Carey, Isiah (KRIV)
@isiahcarey1
3,902 (Follow count)
12,779 (Tweets)
1,107 (Following)

3. Benton, Mary (KPRC)
@MaryBenton
3,073 (Follow count)
11,457 (Tweets)
1,276 (Following)

4. Sachse, Dominique (KPRC)
@dominiquesachse
2,742 (Follow count)
423 (Tweets)
41 (Following)

5. Jaquez, Nefertiti (KPRC)
@nefertitijaquez
2,205 (Follow count)
4,384 (Tweets)
258 (Following)

These numbers only account for news anchors and reporters (I noticed not all weather folks have Twitter accounts so I just cut if off with news people - other departments could come later). I also learned stations seem to value Facebook more than Twitter - so it looks like more work is cut out for me on that angle.

I went to each Houston TV station website and acted as any normal viewer would to find lists of station related Twitter accounts. Not all reporter/anchor Twitter accounts are linked to the station websites so I figured either those are personal or not a priority for the station. Therefore they were not counted here.

(Numbers as of 7/27/2012)

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New DFW newscast, Fmr. Houston GM found dead and more

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Dombeck says goodbye, ends 12-year tenture as NBC5's early morning traffic cop
D-FW's dean of early morning traffic reporters. "Gridlock Buster" Tammy Dombeck, brought a halt to her days at NBC5 Friday morning.

Museum of Broadcasting? No, KTXD's impending oldies/goodies local newscast
Dallas-based KTXD-TV, a ME-TV venue for "classic" reruns, hopes that a retro daily local newscast will be a perfect fit. And The Texas Daily, due sometime in September, has most of its older familiar faces in place as the premiere date nears.

Drive, they said: Fox4 sports anchor Mike Doocy won't be flying high to Cowboys training camp
While his competitors leave on jet planes this weekend for Dallas Cowboys training camp, veteran Fox4 sports anchor Mike Doocy will be a ground trooper.

Ex-KRLD news director Eddie Barker, who announced Kennedy was dead in Dallas, has died at 84
Eddie Barker, the news director and anchor at KRLD-TV during President John Kennedy’s visit to Dallas, died at the age of 84.

A wedding shower for Miya Shay & Gene Wu
The pre-wedding parties just keep on coming for Channel 13 KTRK reporter Miya Shay and attorney Gene Wu (in the run-off for State Representative).

Voice Actor Dave Crockett – What it Takes to Make It
Dave Crockett talks leaving radio for the world of voice overs.

Texas Watchdog federal stimulus reporting highlighted in Harvard study
Texas Watchdog figures prominently in a Harvard study that says the federal stimulus program could have done a better job helping the public track its $862 billion in spending.

Ben Horne, Former KTRU Station Manager, Died While Mountaineering in Peru
Former KTRU Station Manager Ben Horne was on a mountaineering expedition in Peru with climbing partner Gil Weiss when the pair went missing and were later found dead.

The Houston Chronicle's Dwight Silverman, from Rock Critic to Nerd King
As a tech writer and blogger for the Chron, and now as its editorial social media manager, Dwight Silverman has certainly left his mark upon the daily with both his insightful writing and his techie know-how.

KSAT Names Colorado Shooting Victim Jessica Ghawi Honorary Sportscaster
San Antonio ABC-affiliate KSAT has named Jessica Ghawi, one of the 12 victims in the Colorado movie theater shooting, an honorary member of the sports department.

The Austin News Director Revolving Door
Don't get too close to your Austin news director.

Meet KVUE's new investigative reporter Andy Pierrotti
Meet Andy Pierrotti, KVUE Defenders' new investigative reporter.

KXAN-TV Continues Early Evening Dominance; KEYE-TV Plummets at 10 P.M.; FOX 7 Wins Mornings
The July ratings numbers are out and KXAN-TV is still the news ratings leader at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m, holding on to the first place position it established in the May ratings, while KVUE-TV closed the gap a bit in second place.

Former meteorologist enjoying post-KXAN life
More than six months after meteorologist Shawn Rutherford disappeared from KXAN’s morning and midday newscasts, he remains on the minds of many Central Texans.

New, familiar faces join KTSM/KDBC anchor desks
The stations have welcomed new face Keagan Harsha at KTSM and local favorite Nichole Ayoub at KDBC.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
- Astronaut to DJ from space on Third Rock Radio
- CultureMap hires fmr. O Magazine publisher Alyce Alston
- Track Houston media through Twitter
- Where is KPRC's Jennifer Reyna?
- UH stays with 790 KBME

UH stays with 790 KBME

Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Houston announced today a multi-year agreement with The University of Houston to keep SportsTalk 790 as the home of its football and basketball coverage through the 2015 seasons.

The University of Houston fans will be able to hear all regular season football and
basketball games on SportsTalk 790. In addition, weekly coach’s shows and other
University of Houston related programming will broadcast on SportsTalk 790 through the
2015 seasons. This year’s broadcast coverage will begin Saturday, September 1, when the
University of Houston will take on Texas State in a matchup of interstate rivals. Football broadcasts will include an hour long Tailgate Show, a 30-minute Pregame Show, game broadcasts and a 30-minute Postgame Show.

“We are thrilled to team up with the University of Houston and IMG for another three
years. The University of Houston and its athletic program have always portrayed the
highest degree of excellence both on and off the field,” said Eddie Martiny, President and Market Manager, Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Houston. “The University of
Houston is the type of institution we love to align our properties with and this longstanding relationship will only reinforce SportsTalk 790’s love for the Houston community and all things sports in this great city.”

“We are excited to again work with SportsTalk 790 and Clear Channel Houston to bring
greater coverage to University of Houston fans,” said Pat Streko, Houston IMG’s General
Manager. “Continuing our relationship with the market leader ensures that Houston
Athletics will continue to be an integral part of the sports landscape in Houston. The
extended football pregame show coupled with additional broadcasts of the Tony Levine
Show and the James Dickey Show will provide fans throughout the region with expanded
coverage.”

(This post is from a press release Clear Channel Houston sent to me)

Where is KPRC's Jennifer Reyna?

Lots of questions have come in to me about the whereabouts of KPRC 2 anchor Jennifer Reyna. She breaks her silence on her KPRC Facebook page:

Since I last wrote to you, I have some personally devastating news…my loving dad passed away earlier this month. I was blessed to have been there with him, holding his hand as he went to join mom. Broken-hearted; my life is forever changed. My father was a strong, independent man who's loyalty was profound. I'll miss those qualities and so much more. Tomorrow will be especially tough as I rise for work without his usual wake-up call. What a great dad. I am so grateful to him and mom for the years and precious memories together.

Thank you all so much for your kind words and prayers. They've meant the world to me.

Know I am thinking of all of you who have shared that you are in a similar situation, my heart breaks for you.

Born to love you dad and always will.

And if you emailed in, I answered you, but I did not post about it. Here's why. As someone who lost both of his parents within a few years at a young age, I was not going to post anything about this until Jennifer Reyna did...even if she is the most popular Houston media type on this blog. It's painful enough for her, she doesn't need me talking about it.

Reyna's fans have been posting condolence comments on her Facebook account for weeks now.

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VIDEO: Classic Houston TV hosts talk about golden age

KUHT 8 host and producer Ernie Manouse invites some of Houston's most beloved television personalities from local television's golden age, to share stories and memories of a bygone era when the day started with "Good Morning Houston" and ended with a friendly face telling us of the state of the world around us. Warner Roberts ("The Warner Roberts Show"), Jan Glenn ("Good Morning Houston"), Harold Gunn ("Captain Harold's Theater Of The Sky") Jim Bernhard ("The Greenroom") and Doug Johnson (KPRC News).

Track Houston media through Twitter

I've added a new feature to my blog that I'm really excited about. It lets you track the Houston media through its member's tweets. That's nearly 300 people you can watch tweet in real-time.

During breaking news situations, like when it rained really hard a few weeks ago, I knew what was going on without having to turn on the TV, simply by watching this Houston media Twitter page.

From a competitive standpoint, TV stations might just want to throw this page up on a monitor in the newsroom so you know what the folks across the street are doing. For example, this pre-dates my Houston tweets page, but when I worked at KIAH 39, I knew the stories the other stations were doing ahead of time, by just watching Twitter.

It's not just limited to TV though. I have radio DJs and print writers from the likes of the Houston Chronicle, Houston Press, Houston Business Journal, Houston Community Newspapers...etc.

This page is causing me to actually check my own blog throughout the day. Clearly I know what's on there and what's coming up, but this feature always keeps me surprised. Great for those quick five minute breaks you need when sitting in cubicle land.

To access the page, look for the "Houston tweets" tab in the top navigation of this blog or for a link on the right column under my Twitter follow button.

CultureMap hires fmr. O Magazine publisher Alyce Alston

CultureMap, LLC, a leading-edge digital media services company today announced that Alyce C. Alston has been appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Alston brings top-level executive leadership experience in building brands and successfully launching and growing companies across multiple industries to CultureMap. Her 25-year history of outstanding achievement is highlighted by her meteoric rise to the upper echelon in the magazine, publishing, and digital products industries, most notably as Publisher of O, The Oprah Magazine – the biggest magazine launch in history in ad revenue and circulation. She also has served as Vice
President, Group Publisher for Fairchild/Condé Nast Publicationsʼ W magazine, among others; and as President of Emerging Businesses for Readerʼs Digest Association, a $3 billion global multi-channel direct marketer of content products and services.

In addition, Alston launched De Beers Diamond Jewellers in the U.S., serving as CEO of a joint venture between De Beers and Louis Vuitton - Moët Hennessy (LVMH), the worldʼs leading luxury goods company. Most recently, she served as President and CEO of Commemorative Brands, Incorporated / American Achievement Corporation, a privately held consumer goods company located in Austin.

Having launched and expanded some of the worldʼs most recognizable brands, Alston has restructured and revived organizations, launched new businesses and dramatically increased the impact and profitability of start-up and large companies. Entrepreneurial in nature, her consumer product and brand-building efforts have catapulted revenue, profits and market share for major organizations, and her vast resources and contacts within the publishing and media industries will establish CultureMap on a national level.

CultureMap, LLC is parent company to CultureMap.com, the daily digital magazine with a network of sites throughout Texas. CultureMap.com presents users with a curated guide to each cityʼs best in class offerings in art, fashion, dining, music, events, politics,sports, social scenes and more.

Eliminating noise and providing users with only the best of what each city has to offer, ultureMap.com affords its users a greater opportunity to become more deeply rooted within their community through local intelligence and insight that shines a light on stories, places and happenings. The siteʼs highly regarded editorial staff forges relationships with local establishments in order to bring together the cityʼs most cultivated outlets into a single network.

“We are thrilled that Alyce has joined CultureMap, where she will be a leader and catalyst for our future success and unparalleled growth. We are enthusiastically committed to dramatically ʻupping the stakesʼ with Alyce at the helm,” said John F. Thrash, speaking on behalf of a majority of the financial partners who have invested more than $5 million dollars. “From the investor perspective, we are fully prepared to support our new Chairman and CEO in her vision to take CultureMap to levels heretofore beyond our own imaginings, including an immediate multiple large-markets launch throughout Texas.”

“I am extremely excited to join CultureMap,” stated Alston. “CultureMapʼs reputation for a great editorial product, and an outstanding web and mobile publishing platform that is aligned with a sea of change in consumer trends and preferences, provides a foundation for success. I look forward to working with such a talented and dedicated team.”

Alston holds an M.B.A. from Pepperdine University and a B.A. from Southern Methodist University. She regularly speaks at industry events on changing markets and the impact on company growth. She also serves as an Advisory Board Member for The Eudora Welty Literary Foundation, the Texas Heritage Songwriters Hall of Fame, Texas Women of Wall Street and The Odyssey Advancement Learning.


(This was from a press release sent to me from CultureMap)

Rock 101 KLOL documentary needs your help

For my Rock 101 KLOL documentary, I am looking to interview Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue and Joey Kramer of Aerosmith. And I need your help.

Both bands just so happen to be playing Houston next week.

I'd like to talk to Sixx because he has a history with KLOL and hosts the Sixx Sense radio show. Here is an example of someone having an impact on rock radio personally.

Obviously Aerosmith has a KLOL history. Steven Tyler was at one of the Rock and Roll Auctions. Why I want Kramer in particular is because his wife is supposedly from Houston! So I assume she is aware of KLOL. I would love to interview both of them together.

Anyone have any connection to ZZ Top?

I've put in requests through their management to talk to them, but do you have a more direct way of communicating with these rockers? Or members of KISS and Cheap Trick who are also coming next week with these bands? Let me know.

PHOTOS

Also, I'm looking for photos you took from the Rock 101 KLOL years. Have any? Let me know.

Astronaut to DJ from space on Third Rock Radio

NASA astronaut Joe Acaba will host a two-hour special radio broadcast on the Internet radio station Third Rock Radio while aboard the International Space Station, 240 miles above Earth. "The Joe Show: New Rock from Space" will debut at 4 p.m. EDT, Friday, Aug. 3.

Acaba, a fan of classic rock, will discuss his experiences aboard the orbiting laboratory while presenting new rock to listeners around the world. The Joe Show is a blend of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and art. It highlights the latest technology, all within the context of "exploring new worlds of music."

"I'm excited to be the first astronaut to DJ from space on Third Rock Radio," Acaba said. "From the recordings launched aboard the Voyager spacecraft to the wakeup songs on shuttle missions, NASA and music have a long history together. As a former educator, I also appreciate the strong links between music and math, one of the core STEM components that is so critical to my work as an astronaut."

Third Rock Radio is produced under a NASA Space Act Agreement with RFC Media of Houston. It was created to help cultivate new interest in STEM among hard-to-reach young Americans.

Third Rock Radio can be streamed for free from the NASA homepage at nasa.gov and via the TuneIn mobile app, which is available for smart phones and tablet computers through both the Google Play and iTunes app stores.

To stream Third Rock Radio over the Internet, visit:thirdrockradio.net

(This was from a NASA release)

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Bob Allen, DFW & Austin departures plus more

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A post-NBC5 McGarry blooms anew while putting her station behind her
McGarry continued to pleasantly but firmly state that "for the time being" her widely circulated exit statements on both NBC5's website and her Facebook page will have to speak for themselves.

KTVT Hires Whitey Drolen, Promotes Teresa Frosini
Traffic anchor Teresa Frosini will shift into a reporting role at KTVT Dallas and will be replaced by Whitney Drolen from KCBS-KCAL in Los Angeles.

Anchor Debbie Denmon leaves WFAA8
Anchor Debbie Denmon, who joined WFAA8 in October, 2000, announced on her Facebook page Wednesday that she's leaving the Dallas-based station after a turbulent tenure marked by a discrimination suit that she lost last year.

Houston media member tweets
Real-time Houston media tweets. Get the scoop, watch the competition, spy on your favorite anchor/reporter/writer/DJ.
- Houston media photos

Reminiscing Houston Sports With ABC13′s Bob Allen
Bob Allen could certainly be considered the “face” of sports reporting in Houston. The Odd Couple get a rare opportunity to sit down and pick the brain of “pretty boy” Bob Allen, who has covered sports in houston with ABC13 since 1974.
- KTRK 13's Bob Allen emptying his TV locker this year

Upcoming documentary film chronicles Houston’s punk/metal music scene of the 1990s
“When We Ruled H-Town” co-producers J. Schneider and Brent Himes of the band Taste of Garlic and Robbie Conley of Monster Soup have pieced together current interviews interspersed with photos, videos and music to capture Houston’s punk/metal music scene of the 1990s.

Proctor named managing editor of Houston Chronicle
Steve Proctor, an award-winning journalist who has served as managing editor of the San Francisco Chronicle since 2009, assumed the same position at the Houston Chronicle.

The Dallas Morning News Acquires Pegasus News
The Dallas Morning News announced today that it has acquired Pegasus News (www.pegasusnews.com), an online news and information business serving Dallas-Fort Worth, from PanLocal Media LLC, a subsidiary of Archstream LLC of Dallas.

Tribune Stations Mix It Up In The Morning
Tribune’s two-hour Eye Opener — the company’s new morning show that airs in Philadelphia, Dallas, Houston, Miami and Portland, Ore. - is a news-entertainment hybrid aimed at offering viewers an alternative to the usual morning fare.

DJ Kidd Kraddick and his team join new entertainment strip 'Dish Nation'
Twentieth Television and Studio City have recruited Kid Kraddick of KHKS-FM (106.1) and other DJs from Dallas and Los Angeles to join their new entertainment strip, Dish Nation.

Fox 26 takes in-depth look inside Fire Station No. 6
Behind the scenes of a Fox 26 KRIV morning live shot with photographer Stu Brown, reporter Ruben Dominguez and intern Anna Wiernicki.

Sad day at KABB: Rampage victim remembered for her passion
KABB television staffers are expressing deep sadness today over the death of former sports intern, Jessica Ghawi, who was among those killed in the Colorado theater massacre during a late-night screening of “The Dark Knight Rises.”

WOAI-TV to be purchased by parent company of local FOX station
Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc. announced Thursday that it has entered into an agreement to purchase six TV stations owned and/or operated by Newport Television, including WOAI-TV, the NBC affiliate in San Antonio.

ND Suzanne Black Leaving KEYE TV
ND Suzanne Black Leaving KEYE TV

Changes aplenty at Austin radio stations
The radio beat has been crazy busy in recent days.

Cox Selling 4 TVs In Wake Of Newport Buys
Cox sells El Paso, Texas (KFOX, Fox affiliate).

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
- Woody Harrelson's Houston-based play
- KPRC 2 hires EP Aaron Wische from KNXV Phoenix
- KXAS 5 imports Rick Mitchell from KOCO
- 103.7 KHJK becomes Air 1
- Dayna Steele finds “101 Ways to Rock Your World”
- KHOU's Ron Trevino hits 30 years at channel 11
- KTRK's Don Kobos celebrates 30 years today too
- KRIV, KDFW and KTBC broadcast U.S. Senate debate
- Houston Mayor Annise Parker interviewed on mikemcguff.com first

Houston Mayor Annise Parker interviewed on mikemcguff.com first

Before Houston Mayor Annise Parker hit Comedy Central's The Colbert Report, she was on mikemcguff.com! I always try to scoop Stephen Colbert when it comes to Houstonians.

Watch above and check out when I later begged her to declare a mikemcguff.com day below. Who do I think I am, Fox 26 KRIV's Isiah Carey AKA The Insite?




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KRIV, KDFW and KTBC broadcast U.S. Senate debate

Did you watch this weeks Belo Debate that had enough fireworks to make you think it was the 4th of July? If not, you get another chance.

Fox 26 KRIV in Houston will host a US Senate debate between candidates Ted Cruz and current Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst Monday July 23rd from 6 to 7pm.

KTBC FOX 7 in Austin and KDFW FOX 4 in Dallas will broadcast the showdown at the same time.

Fox 26 will carry the debate live from the headquarters of King Street Patriots in Northwest Houston. It will be moderated by Melinda Spaulding and reporter Sally MacDonald will question the candidates.

You will be able to submit questions via the station's Twitter account, Facebook account and its website at myfoxhouston.com.

The station group has designated the hashtag #TXdebate for the big event (See Houston media member tweets).

The Texas sized battle will be streamed live on myfoxhoustonlive.com too.

KTRK's Don Kobos celebrates 30 years today too

Yesterday I posted about how KHOU 11 anchor Ron Trevino was hitting his 30th anniversary at the station today.

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 04, 2014
Don Kobos retires from KTRK abc13

He's not the only one.

TV insiders let me know I forgot about Don Kobos at KTRK. You might remember Kobos as a reporter on channel 13 for 18 years, but over the last decade, he's been off camera as the station's assistant news director.

Turns out Kobos has also been at his station for 30 years with today as the anniversary date. Now that is an interesting coincidence.

Legend has it that Trevino and Kobos drop their competitive edge for five minutes each July 19th for a congratulatory phone call to each other on making it another year. I think for 30 they should buy each other a pearl brooch or something.

If you've read this blog for a while, you know I used to work at KTRK 13. In fact, Kobos is one of those repsonsible for hiring me full time in the station's news department (you can blame him). That means I know a thing or two about my old boss.

Before KTRK, the Wake Forest football player and graduate worked at WRAL in Raleigh. He came to 13 as an investigative reporter and ended up covering everything from politics, education to general assignments. When I interned there in the 90's, he was the station's city hall guy.

I remember Kobos having a cool business card that had a cartoon image of himself drawn by Bill Hinds of Tank McNamara fame. He has a sandwich named after him at Kahn's Deli in the Rice Village which I blogged about in 2006.

Kobos also used to call Rice University football games on the radio, he had a column in the Houston Community Newspapers and wrote a study skills booklet for junior high students. He once showed me a copy in his office.

Thanks JT for the photos!

KHOU's Ron Trevino hits 30 years at channel 11

KHOU 11 morning anchor Ron Trevino hits a big milestone Thursday. Thirty years working at KHOU. He was kind enough to write a guest post for mikemcguff.com about his time at the station and in Houston.

Here is KHOU's Ron Trevino in his own words - a mikemcguff.com exclusive:

Being at KHOU for 30 years means I have worked here for most of my life…WOW! I was 23 years old when I was hired. I was still in college, so some of the interns in the news department were actually older than me! Now, I work with people who weren't even born when I got hired.

People are amazed when I tell them about the old days…working WITHOUT computers and all the fancy animated graphics. We had electric typewriters back then, which was a huge upgrade for me, because I worked with manual typewriters down in Corpus Christi.

I started out as a producer here, and some of the anchors I worked with included names like, Mitch Duncan, Steve Smith, Sylvan Rodriguez, Chip Moody, Amanda Arnold and Clare Casademont…any of those names jog the memory banks?

Being the producer of a newscast has always been a high pressure job and it was back then, too. I have vivid memories of manning the control room during our non-stop coverage of Hurricane Alicia, the Challenger disaster, and so many of the other major stories of the ‘80’s.

I went back and forth from producing duties and reporting duties for years. As reporter, I’ve covered everything from serial killers to rodeos. And my job has sent me all over the world. Still, when people ask me what my favorite story is, I can’t really answer. There’s really just too many to choose from.

I’ve had the best job in the world…and on many occasions, the worst, because also too numerous to mention, are all the stories that brought you and me to tears. Triumphs and tragedies and everything in between. Sorry if that sounds like a cliché, but that’s life. And “life” is basically what I still cover, to this day.

You may ask, why does one man stay one place for 30 years??? I love Houston. I love Texas.

And, KHOU is one of best stations in the country. Don’t take my word for it. Ask around. And watch some of our former reporters. They’re at all the major networks now.

Thirty years has been an honor. I would tell you more, but I have to go to bed now…that alarm clock goes off at 2:30 AM.

By the way, anchoring the morning news IS the best job on the planet! Except for that 2:30 thing.

Trevino anchors KHOU 11 News This Morning and KHOU 11 News at Noon.

Dayna Steele finds “101 Ways to Rock Your World”

In her new book “101 Ways to Rock Your World: Everyday Activities for Success Every Day” (published by iUniverse) Dayna Steele offers readers an inspiring and easy-to-follow guide to personal success.


Steele suggests that a success story begins with setting a strong foundation – through daily habits, consistency, reliability and creativity – and creating a personal brand.

In “101 Ways to Rock Your World” Steele provides readers the tools to help them become their vision of success. She provides readers with an experience close to having Steele – a successful entrepreneur, author and speaker – act as their personal
success coach, guiding them through their daily activities to find success and stay successful.

Steele draws from her own success story to give readers advice, but she also looks to the success of some of the world’s great rock stars as inspiration for the book. She stresses that no matter what avenue people take in life, they must be committed to success if they want to obtain it. She says, “It is a very competitive world, in order to stand out like a rock star, you have to work every detail every day.”

One of the most important messages Steele delivers is that everyone should define what success means to them. She says that no matter how lofty or humble a goal is, her book is a key to being successful in the quest to achieve that goal.

http://www.daynasteele.com/

Book Signing - 101 Ways to Rock Your World by Dayna Steele
Saturday, July 21, 2012
1pm to 4pm
Barnes & Noble Bay Area (details)
1029 W Bay Area Blvd
Webster, TX 77598
281-554-8224

RELATED
- Rock 101 KLOL back on air?
- Former KLOL rocker Dayna Steele wants to help you publish a book

(This post was taken from a release sent to me)

Air1 Houston

Air1 Houston debuted at 103.7 KHJK-FM on July 17, 2012 at 5pm Central.

"Houston is a world class city and we are thrilled to be here," Air1 Radio Network program director told mikemcguff.com in a statement.  "When Air1 added KZAR-FM/San Antonio last winter, the response was Texas-sized, and it quickly became the most listened to station in the Air1 network. We expect the response to be even greater in H-town. Texans love Air1 and we love them!”

At the time, EMF Broadcasting Air1’s Christian CHR format was carried on 105 stations and listened to by over two million

people each week.

The non-commercial radio network and is branded as "The Positive Alternative." It plays Christian artists from Switchfoot and Relient K to tobyMac and the Fray.

Air1 is the sister station to K-LOVE (where Mike Kankelfritz now works) which sounds more like Houston Christian music radio 89.3 KSBJ. Air1 would sound more like NGEN (another KSBJ station).

Former KSBJ afternoon DJ Liz Jordan was voicetracking weekends for Air1 at the time.

Air1 Houston took over for Cumulus's 103.7FM KHJK Houston’s Adult Alternative.  Before that the company programmed the Houston radio frequency with 103.7 JACK FM Houston and 103.7 KIOL, the Rock 101 KLOL clone.

http://www.air1.com/ 

KXAS 5 imports Rick Mitchell from KOCO

Meteorologist Rick Mitchell has been at Oklahoma City's KOCO forever. Now he is crossing the border to Texas and landing at KXAS 5 Dallas-Fort Worth.

"I'm moving to Dallas," Mitchell said on Twitter. "It was the toughest decision of my life. The last 18 yrs in OK have been wonderful."

According to his bio, the University of Nebraska grad worked at Accu-Weather, WOI in Des Moines and arrived at KOCO in 1994 where he has been the chief meteorologist.

"I've been honored to have you as my viewers for the last 18 yrs," Mitchell added. "My last day will be Aug 20."

TVSpy reports that Mitchell is going to replace morning meteorologist Jennifer Lopez who left the NBC station earlier this year. Has the other Jennifer Lopez left American Idol yet? Oh wait, I don't care. Glad to see Steven Tyler off that show though. Looking forward to the new hopefully old-school Aerosmith album.

UPDATE from KXAS NBC5
Mitchell’s day-to-day responsibilities and his on-air start date at NBC 5 will be announced in the coming weeks. He fills a position left vacant when meteorologist Jennifer Lopez left the NBC 5 weather team earlier this year.

He has been recognized for his severe weather forecasting experiences from the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters and the Associated Press. Mitchell’s team of meteorologists at KOCO-TV was also recognized by then Oklahoma governor, Frank Keating, for their exceptional work covering tornados in May 1999.

(Thanks Michael)

KPRC 2 hires EP Aaron Wische from KNXV Phoenix

Aaron Wische, the Executive Producer of Special Projects/I-Team for KNXV Phoenix, announced he is coming to Houston.

UPDATE OCTOBER 2023

Aaron Fernandez-Wische heads to FOX 26 Houston

Wishce will be the Executive Producer of Special Projects for KPRC 2. He even has history at the Post-Newsweek station.

"I was a KPRC intern in 1995," Wishce tweeted. "Now I get to work there!"

According to LinkedIn, The Syracuse University graduate went on to work in the following roles for such stations as:

Executive Producer, Special Projects at KTVT-TV
Executive Producer, Special Projects at WTTG-TV
Executive Producer, Special Projects and Investigations at WFTS-TV
Special Projects Manager at WEWS-TV
Newscast Producer at KRIV-TV
Newscast Producer at KOTV

Wishce's account also says he currently runs a specialized unit of 12 producers, reporters, photographers and editors who work on long form investigative and consumer investigative stories for the ABC affiliate in Phoenix, AZ. Does this mean a big change for KPRC?

He's won awards like the Columbia duPont Silver Baton, IRE Certificate, National Headliner Awards and a National Emmy Nomination for investigative reporting. And if this were a dating website, you might want to know he has an interest in growing viewership online and on television through social media engagement and marketing.

I noticed that Wishce worked for KTVT in Dallas-Fort Worth. That just so happens to be the station that KPRC hired its assistant news director Chris Best in January.

Woody Harrelson's Houston-based play

So actor Woody Harrelson has a new play based on his time in Houston working construction in the early 1980s. It's a comedy and is called Bullet for Adolf:

During the summer of 1983, in the sweltering heat of Houston, an unlikely friendship is formed when a couple of mid-western rubes with uncertain futures meet up with a slick New Yorker on the run from his past. The disappearance of a WWII artifact sets off a chain of events that proves that nothing changes the present like a blast from the past. The characters that populate this hysterical, rapid-fire new comedy by
real-life friends Woody Harrelson and Frankie Hyman are based on real people, though the events depicted are fiction and the names have been changed to protect the not-so-innocent.

“Frankie and I worked construction together in Houston in the summer of 1983,” Harrelson explained. “The people we got to know that summer had a profound effect on us and we knew we had to write a play about them. The only problem was our real lives didn’t have much of a plot, so we started embellishing. Now it's about seven-percent history and ninety-three-percent embroidery.”

Bullet for Adolf received its world premiere last spring at the Hart House Theatre in Toronto, Canada.

The cast includes: Marsha Stephanie Blake, Raul Casso, Brandon Coffey, David Coomber, Shamika Cotton, Shannon Garland, Chris Myers and Nick Wyman.

Performances begin July 19, 2012 at New World Stages in New York (340 West 50th Street), with an official Opening Night set for August 8. It's scheduled to play through September 9.

Angry Stripper, Tim Melton, DFW TV changes and more

MORE VIDEO
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- Tour of ABC News Headquarters
- Tim Melton's brief appearance on KTRK 13

Higgins & Bankert debut in hopes of someday waking up CBS11's snoring early morning ratings
CBS11's latest restart of its early morning news dawned brightly with the first pairing of Brendan Higgins and Adrienne Bankert in place of previous anchors Lisa Pineiro and Keith Garvin.

WFAA8's Alexa Conomos has third child and first baby girl
Congratulations to WFAA8 Daybreak personality Alexa Conomos, who became a mom for the third time Wednesday morning.

Dombeck makes it official: she's leaving NBC5
Veteran NBC5 early morning traffic reporter Tammy Dombeck has confirmed an earlier unclebarky.com report that she'll be leaving the station.

Second bench warrant for arrest of WFAA8's Shon Gables issued by second judge
The legal difficulties keep mounting for WFAA8 anchor-reporter Shon Gables, who now has a second bench warrant issued for her arrest, this time by a different Michigan judge.

The Brand of an Angry Stripper
Sarah Tressler is the angry stripper who was fired from her day job at the Houston Chronicle when they discovered her secret second career. It was, to use proper startup terminology, one monster pivot.

Q Morning Zoo John Lander
Smokin’ Joe and Mulligan Matt mark the 30th anniversary of the Q Morning Zoo (and Joe’s start in radio) with a special guest…Texas Radio Hall of Fame nominee John Lander.
- More John Lander stories

Some Local Doppler Radars are Slower Than Others
In looking through the radar of all the local television stations, the Houston Chronicle, the National Weather Service, Weather.com and Weather Underground, The Houston Press found that many of them showed images that were well behind current time.

Astros' Hamilton into final lap of broadcasting career
Milo Hamilton's last All-Star break as a full-time baseball announcer is done, and now he heads into the home stretch of his final season as the Astros' lead radio voice.

First for Houston TV: 'Tweetup' for Blue Cure
It wasn't only a first for KHOU, it was also a first for Houston television.

Antonio Canales Named President-GM of KTMD
Antonio Canales will take over as president and general manager of KTMD, the Telemundo station in Houston, on July 16.

Hoffman and Garfield lunch
Ken Hoffman writes about his lunch with 950 KPRC's Michael Garfield aka The High Tech Texan.

The BusinessMakers Radio Show moving to News 92 FM
The BusinessMakers Radio Show, co-produced by Russ Capper and the Houston Business Journal, is moving to News 92 FM.

A Brief History Of A Crowded Dallas/Fort Worth Media Market
In the Dallas/Fort Worth area, there were four main newspapers in the 50’s and 60s: The Dallas Morning News, The Dallas Times Herald, The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and the Fort Worth Press. They all teamed up with TV.

Texas 2 step
A couple of sports additions at KXAN Austin, TX (Market #47).

Duitch leaves KDAF
CW33 KDAF news director David Duitch is leaving the Tribune owned station to head up dallasnews.com.

New ND at KXAN
Chad Cross takes over as news director at KXAN from KWCH.

Price, future of radio at issue in UT’s proposal to acquire station
Is there a future for over-the-air radio? That appears to be one of the questions that prompted University of Texas System regents to abruptly table a vote this week on the purchase of a sister radio station for UT-operated 90.5 KUT-FM, Austin’s National Public Radio affiliate.

New, Austin owned radio station with iconic call letters - KOKE-FM
A new, locally owned radio station with iconic call letters — KOKE-FM — is airing primarily in Austin and Texas-centric country music while featuring a roster of personalities who are well known to Central Texas listeners.
- KOKE-FM makes its debut

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
- Rock 101 KLOL back on air?
- Drew Shirley (KVUE, KXII) to KPLC Lake Charles
- The 2012 Texas Radio Hall of Fame inductees
- KXAS 5' Jane McGarry apologizes for DWI; leaves station
- KTRK 13 scores Greg Bailey from WCNC
- KHOU 11 Promotes Miles Cathey to Director of Sales
- HCN duo want to become The Leader of community news

HCN duo want to become The Leader of community news

I noticed some departures from the Houston Community Newspaper chain. So I went to Charlotte Perry Aguilar, who is no stranger to this blog, and a longtime editor at HCN for answers (she has also been a field producer at ABC News for those keeping score).Turns out she is no longer with the newspaper company, which she says was sold, either.  

In fact, she wrote the following to fill us in on what is going on in her world (hint, her world is centering around another newspaper now):

The new ownership for The Leader, which serves The Heights, Garden Oaks and Oak Forest and adjacent neighborhoods, took over on Sunday and publishes its first redesigned issue next Thursday, July 12. McElvy Media, LLC, purchased the newspaper from Burge Publishing, which had owned the 50,000-circulation weekly since 1957, three years after it was founded.

Jonathan McElvy, former editorial vice president of Houston Community Newspapers (as well as the parent company's chains in Colorado and East Texas), is the new owner. He was credited with raising the editorial and design standards of the 30-plus HCN papers during his six years there, and he built the company's online and social media presence.

"We had the great opportunity to buy a newspaper with an incredible brand," McElvy said. "People love The Leader, and you can't say that about every newspaper and its reader base these days. For us, it's really just a matter of building on that brand, not being afraid to try new ways of reaching the younger demographic in the Greater Heights area, while serving our traditional readers with solid reporting and local advertising."

Taking over as editor and general manager of The Leader is Charlotte Aguilar, who edited the four Examiner Newspapers (West University, Bellaire, River Oaks and Memorial) for six years, and who, for the past year, had served as digital editor for the Examiners and seven other HCN editions in Fort Bend County, the Cinco Ranch and Cypress areas.

"Community news is the one thriving segment of the print newspaper business," said Aguilar, "especially when you blend a successful print presence with hyperlocal online news and social media, such as Facebook and Twitter. The Greater Heights and communities to the north are the most vibrant, growing and eclectic areas in Houston, and it's a joy to serve our traditional readers and give newer residents more reasons to follow The Leader."

Already, in its first week, the new ownership has created a Facebook page and a Twitter account (@heightsleader). It plans to strengthen its web presence, over the next several weeks.

KHOU 11 Promotes Miles Cathey to Director of Sales

KHOU 11, Houston’s CBS affiliate, has named Miles Cathey as its new Director of Sales.

Cathey joined the station in March 1999 as a Local Sales Manager and was appointed to Director of Local Sales the following year.

“For 13 years, Miles has been a leader in our Sales Department. He understands the importance of new business development and cross platform selling and has made these a priority with the local sales staff,” said Susan McEldoon, KHOU President and General Manager. “With his experience, expertise and guidance, I’m confident that KHOU will continue along the path of success that we’ve come to enjoy."

Prior to joining KHOU, Cathey served as Vice President/Sales Manager for Petry Television in Houston, having previously worked at Petry Television’s Charlotte, NC office as an account executive from 1986 to 1995. Cathey’s sales career began in 1982 as an account executive with WRCB-TV in Chattanooga, TN, followed by an account executive position at WBTV-TV in Charlotte, NC.

Throughout his career, Cathey has been active in various civic, business and professional organizations.

He is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, where he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in communications and minor in marketing. He and his wife Sherri have two children.

(This post was from a KHOU release sent to me)

KTRK 13 scores Greg Bailey from WCNC

KTRK 13 has named a successor for sports director Bob Allen. The station announced it has hired Greg Bailey from WCNC 36 in Charlotte.

The station says Allen will remain on staff as Sports Director Emeritus until his retirement at the end of the year. Allen has been with the station since 1974.

"I’m thrilled to come home to Texas and join the team at KTRK," Bailey told mikemcguff.com. "I look forward to working alongside Bob Allen and the great group he’s assembled in the sports office."

Bailey has been with WCNC since 2007.

Before that he was:
- Weekend sports anchor/reporter for KING-TV in Seattle from 2000 to 2007
- Sports director/anchor at KAKE in Wichita, KS
- Weekend sports anchor/reporter at KLBK-TV in Lubbock, TX
- Sports anchor/reporter at KBTX in Bryan, TX

"Houston’s such a great city and I really look forward to getting started and catching up with so many friends back home," Bailey added.

Bailey is a 2011 Emmy winner. He has also won an Edward R. Murrow and honors from the Texas Associated Press.

According to his bio, Greg likes to say he grew up "skinny and ugly" in Texas.

He is a graduate of Texas A&M. No word on what he thought of the Welcome to the SEC video the Aggies produced.

KXAS 5' Jane McGarry apologizes for DWI; leaves station

UPDATE:
Thanks to Chris S. who commented on Facebook that NBC 5 KXAS anchor Jane McGarry is also announcing she is leaving the station after posting an apology on Facebook concerning her DWI incident:

Long-time NBC 5 news anchor Jane McGarry announced that she will leave effective today, Tuesday, July 10, 2012.

Tom Ehlmann, NBC 5 president and general manager said, "We support Jane’s decision and truly thank her for her many contributions to NBC 5 throughout her long and distinguished career. We wish her the very best."

Jane McGarry said, "I want to thank the people of North Texas for inviting me into their homes for 30 wonderful years. In today’s world, 30 years is a long time to stay in any one job. I leave grateful for the wonderful career I have had at NBC 5 and am looking forward with anticipation to the next phase of my professional life."

Last May, KXAS NBC 5 anchor Jane McGarry was arrested for allegedly driving while intoxicated. Today she posted the following on her NBC 5 Facebook page:

Hi, it's been a while. I want to thank you for all your kindness. You have touched my heart. I have something I want to tell you.

I pleaded no contest to a Class B misdemeanor charge of driving while intoxicated. I apologize for my irresponsible behavior and am grateful that the police did their job and no one was hurt. Blood alcohol tests showed my blood alcohol level was .11, which is over the legal limit, and therefore I should not have been driving. I have paid a fine of $1,200, will be on probation for 18 months and will participate in at least 40 hours of community service. I am deeply sorry for making such a terrible mistake and pledge it will never happen again.

Jane

McGarry was taken off the air by the station after the incident.

According to her station bio, McGarry joined KXAS in 1982 after working as an anchor/reporter in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Before that she worked at WPSD-TV in Paducah, Kentucky and WRAJ Radio in Anna, Illinois.

Recently McGarry was anchoring NBC 5's 5pm news and Nonstop Nightly at 6:30pm on 5.2.

The 2012 Texas Radio Hall of Fame inductees

Congrats to the 2012 Texas Radio Hall of Fame inductees:

Buddy Cantu *Jock/Production* Houston (KIKK/KHJZ/KODA)

Paul Christy *Jock* Houston (KHMX/KZFX/KRBE)

George "Super" Cooper *Jock* San Antonio (deceased) (KBOX/KONO/KULF)

Bill Cordell *Engineer* Houston (KTRH)

Tyler Cox *Manager* Dallas (WBAP/KRLD/KMEO)

Muriel Funches *Manager* (KLOL/KTRH/KHJZ)

Dan Gallo *Jock* Houston (KILT/KILE/KTHT)

Ron Houston *Jock* San Antonio (deceased) (KTSA/KFAN/KENS)

Lee Jolly *Jock* Houston (KILT/KLDE/KFMK)

Dick Oppenheimer *Owner/Manager* (KYOK/KHFI/KLGO)

Dick Laine "Pickens" *Jock* Austin - KOKE/KNOW/KVET)

Brian Shannon *Jock* Houston/Dallas (KLOL/KEGL/KROI)

Rex Tackett *Manager* San Antonio (KTSA/WOAI/KAJA)

*** Note: Larry Shannon *Jock* Dallas-Fort Worth and original organizer of the Texas Radio Hall of Fame (KFJZ/KVIL/KXOL/KLIF 570) He received again this year enough votes to be inducted but declined saying that he would step aside again this year to allow another person to be inducted instead of him. If, in any future year after his death, he receives enough votes and support for induction, he will be inducted posthumously.

To be eligible to be inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame, one must have been employed at a radio station within the borders of the great State of Texas at some time during their radio career. Only voting members and past inductees and instatees may officially nominate and vote for the candidates.

http://www.texasradiohalloffame.com/

Drew Shirley (KVUE, KXII) to KPLC Lake Charles

UPDATE MAY 15, 2013
Drew Shirley hired as KHOU 11 sports producer from KPLC



Native Houstonian and Texas TV guy Drew Shirley has gone across state lines to accept the Sports Director role at KPLC Lake Charles, La.

Much like KPRC 2 anchor Irika Sargent, Shirley has a law degree. In fact, he will be still practicing law on the side.

That means when Shirley wants an exclusive interview with an athlete, he brings along a pen and an ironclad contract they can't get out of. Drives the other sports guys crazy (I'm kidding, Drew please don't bring legal action against me!).

Because of his strong Houston ties (his wife is from here, as well as the rest of his family), Shirley will be coming back on the weekends.

"I am so happy to be a sports guy again and to be able to stay close to home," Shirley told mikemcguff.com. "[Last week] was my first day back on the air, and there's just nothing like that feeling when the red light goes on."

Here's to hoping Shirley's next gig is covering Bayou City sports teams then. I'm sure the jury would be unanimous on that.

Shirley previously worked at KKCO NBC Grand Junction CO 2000-2003, KVUE ABC Austin 2003-2005 and KXII CBS Sherman 2009-2010.

UPDATE MAY 15, 2013
Drew Shirley hired as KHOU 11 sports producer from KPLC

Rock 101 KLOL back on air?

I'm getting lots of questions about a website and corresponding social media accounts that recently popped up concerning Rock 101 KLOL. The site is actually called Rock101KLOL.com and is now streaming music from the station's past.

I checked with Pat Fant, the guy who signed KLOL on the air in the 70s, and he knew nothing about it.

Turns out the new online station is run by a guy named Heath Bilbrey who is a computer network engineer (although he formerly worked at KJOJ in The Woodlands) and doesn't even live in the area anymore. Now that is some KLOL passion!

"KLOL was not just a radio station, it was a cultural experience for many who call Houston home," Bilbrey told mikemcguff.com. "I believe that analog terrestrial stations are dead and it is only a matter of time before the Internet Stations take the majority of the market share."

Heath is looking to bring back the Runaway Radio experience with music news, concert dates and other rocking attributes (not sure if that includes naked women in the studio or not). He says technology has reduced the cost of running a listener supported online station.

"While the temptation to relive the glory days is great, I am not convinced you can ever go back to the way it was, and you are better off to move forward while maintaining the essence of what made KLOL so great," Bilbrey added.

That's not to say he wouldn't love to have some of the former personalities back on the air through his site.

"I moved to the Houston area in '91 and Rock 101 KLOL meant the world to me because it reflected not only my musical tastes, but also my sense of humor and it helped me to quickly adjust to the Houston lifestyle by attending some KLOL events and meeting like minded people," Bilbrey told me. "Those long morning drives into downtown Houston were made tolerable as the Stevens and Pruett show played on my radio. Mark (Stevens) and Jim (Pruett) were magic together and I will never forget either of them."

Bilbrey plans to play the core music of Rock 101, some new stuff and feature Houston-area bands. Currently a test stream is playing music, but the plan is to officially launch a full website in time for the anniversary of KLOL's death date in November.

"The fact that people are still talking about Rock 101 KLOL almost eight years after Clear Channel pulled the plug is testament to the impact that the station had on generations of Houstonians," Bilbrey said. "The death of Mark Stevens was the only event more tragic than the day Rock 101 KLOL went off the air."

UPDATE ON ROCK 101 DOCUMENTARY

Since we are talking KLOL, you may know that I have been producing a documentary on the former rock station. I have a lot of interviews in the can and am now starting on a trailer. Hope to have it for you soon.

Best TV Reporter falls, Chita Johnson on Family Feud and more

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- Cat Attacks Live News Reporter, Draws Blood
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- New WGN Promo: ‘We Put the Suck in Succeed’
- Fake News Reporter Gets People to Believe Fake News by Looking Like a Real News Reporter
- ‘Friendly’ Cat Attacks Fresno Morning Anchor
- Teenagers Pour Water Over KBOI’s Alana Brophy During Her Live Shot
- Weatherman caught sleeping during newscast
- Cloudy with a Chance of Godzilla
- Classic Houston TV show hosts

WFAA8 reporter Craig Civale leaving for Baylor corporate
WFAA8 reporter Craig Civale, who joined the Dallas-based station in January 2007, is leaving to take a position in "the corporate world," his colleague, Jonathan Betz, tweeted Tuesday afternoon.

Meteorologist loves game shows
When Channel 11 anchorman Len Cannon turns to weathercaster Chita Johnson on the 4 p.m. news and asks, "So is it going to rain this weekend?"

'Morning Zoo' legend deserves radio hall of fame
Well, if there's ever a Mount Rushmore of Houston radio legends, John Lander should be the first one chiseled.

NBC 5 Breaks Ground on New Facility
NBC 5 / KXAS-TV broke ground on construction Friday on its state-of-the-art broadcasting and multimedia news facility located in The CentrePort Business Park just south of the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport in Fort Worth.
- NBC5 KXAS Announces Construction Of State-of-the-Art Media Facility

Steve Smith's big movie debut
Former KHOU 11 anchor Steve Smith hits the big screen.

Rangers broadcaster speaks about mystery malady
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Univision Launches CHR "Radio H2O" In Dallas
Univision-Dallas has flipped Spanish Adult Hits KESS to CHR as "Radio H2O."

KIKK (650 AM) to become city’s fifth all-sports station as part of new CBS network
CBS announced it will launch CBS Sports Radio next January, challenging ESPN Radio with a 24-hour, seven-day programming lineup that will air in Houston on KIKK (650 AM), a daytime-only signal that has hosted a variety of formats in recent years.
- Ranking Houston's Sports Radio Personalities
- Josh Innes with his 'I'm A Dumbass' sign in traffic

Col. St. James on the Texas Radio Hall of Fame and Naked Strippers on the KLOL Console
Getting into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame is a big deal when you consider the company includes Wolfman Jack and George Carlin among others. One local dee jay, Colonel St. James of 93.7 the Arrow, is among them. He has been on air since the 1970s and has worked at just about every rock and roll station imaginable including the legendary 101 KLOL.

Courtney Zubowski's big birthday bash
KHOU Channel 11 news ace Courtney Zubowski put aside her microphone, donned a party dress and kicked up her heels at a rocking birthday bash hosted by her steady squeeze Dr. Eric Haas.

KUHF's Paul Pendergraft on Engines of Our Ingenuity, Talking Pigs and Steely Dan
If you pay attention to local radio, you know Paul Pendergraft, but despite his receiving numerous accolades including an Edward R. Murrow award and appearing virtually every day on the radio in Houston for over 20 years, you might miss him.

Brown leaves FSN to launch CSN
Thirty years ago, Brown was part of the team that launched Home Sports Entertainment, Houston's original sports network.

Jim Kovacik of 97.9 The Box Talks About Being White and The Atascocita Thugz
It is difficult surviving local music radio in any city, but Houston in particular.

Chron Admits Journatic Stories May Have Had Fake Bylines
A "Note to our readers" detailed the Chron's recent discovery that stories provided to them by Journatic and affiliate Blockshopper had used pseudonyms instead of actual writer names.

'Such a great ride': KENS 5's Fred Lozano says final goodbye
After more than 30 years in news, anchor Fred Lozano has signed off from behind the KENS 5 newsdesk for the very last time.
- Good morning: KENS' Garcia nails first day on job

TV weather vet Linscomb leaves; what about Siobhain?
After more than 12 years of TV forecasting in San Antonio, Steve Linscomb left WOAI this week for a new venture that will free him up on Saturdays and Sundays.

Ex-Spurs announcer to be tested for stroke
A former San Antonio Spurs announcer is to undergo testing for a possible stroke, WFAA-TV is reporting.

Melissa Gale Signs Off from KVUE-TV Mornings
Veteran morning news anchor Melissa Gale and KVUE-TV parted ways.

KVUE-TV Hires New Award Winning Investigative Reporter from Florida
As the Austin TV news investigative wars heat up, KVUE is back in the ball game after doing without a chief investigative reporter since March when former birddog Keli Rabon left for Denver after just eight months on the beat.

KXAN-TV Fills Sports Staff With Kentucky, Lubbock Imports
The happiest guy at KXAN these days may just be Brian Sanders

TV ratings, numbers show Rangers have eased Astros' grip on Central Texas
TV ratings favor Texas; Houston to switch to new cable channel.

KUT wins prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award
Congrats to the crew at 90.5 KUT-FM, who received a super-prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award this week.

KLRU, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame partner to preserve ACL shows
The Austin City Limits TV show has been a big part of the city's music scene for 38 years.

Waco Tribune-Herald Bought By Warren Buffett
Another Texas paper has been bought by billionaire Warren Buffett, meaning more good news in the world of Texas journalism.

Tough time for Tribune stations auction
Biz keeps close eye on fate of stations crucial to syndie sales.

Texas Supreme Court agrees to review libel law
The Texas Supreme Court agreed Friday to review a libel case that could substantially affect the way news media report on controversies.

Missing paperwork costs a Texas station a total of $40K in FCC fines
"Providing incorrect factual material to the Commission" is a very bad thing to see in a Notice of Apparent Liability, and in this case, there are two.

MOVING

Fox 26 KRIV editor Damian Reed becomes Director of Creative Services at Fox 4 KBTV-TV.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
- KPRC 2 steals Nick Giovanni, the WJXT 4 utility guy
- KHOU 11's Courtney Zubowski joins the I-Team
- 93.7 The Arrow adds to Walton and Johnson Show
- Fox 26 KRIV adds new weekend newscasts
- 740 KTRH's Samantha Jordan leaves for WDBO 96.5
- KPRC 2 lands Andy Cerota from KTRK 13
- New faces of Houston TV
- Mia Gradney to KHOU 11
- Houston Rockets land on Sportstalk 790 KBME
- Fox 7 KTBC adds Greg Kerr as morning anchor
- Fox 4 KDFW scoops Jennifer Myers from KVIA
- KIAH 39's David Solano to WXYZ Detroit
- KHOU 11 grabs Doug Delony from Fox 26 KRIV
- Original KTRK news team reunites: Ward, Lovett & Dungan
- Mia Gradney talks new KHOU 11 role
- New Fox 26 weekend morning show's MacDonald & Dawson talk
- KHOU 11 launches morning show app