John Granato and Ken Hoffman to appear on new Houston radio station KILE

What's called 1560 KILE-AM at this point will change call letters and be the new home of former KILT Morning guy, John Granato and newspaper columnist Ken Hoffman reports Houston's daily:

"People have said, 'Four sports stations?' " said Granato, who will be the primary morning on-air personality. "But I don't think we have enough sports talk. I think there's room for more."

Granato was wooed to the station by David Gow, a Houston investor who pooled his money with about a dozen other people to buy KILE for $8.4 million earlier this year. After deciding on a sports-talk format, the group focused on getting high-profile personalities who would draw advertisers.

In addition to Granato, who also is vice president of programming at KILE, the station has signed Houston Chronicle columnist Ken Hoffman.

Granato's show will air 6-9 a.m. weekdays followed by Hoffman, who will continue to write for the Chronicle and previously was featured on The Michael Berry Show on KPRC (950 AM)

More from The Chronicle's David Barron:

Gow also said Chronicle columnist Ken Hoffman will host a show on 1560 but would not confirm reports that Granato's co-host will be Sean Pendergast, the once (and future) Houston businessman who has five times won the annual smackoff on Jim Rome's radio show.

"Sean is a great talent. I've enjoyed listening to him on the Rome show for years," Gow said while dismissing reports that Pendergast will work as Granato's co-host as "speculation." He also declined to confirm reports that KILE will carry the syndicated Erich "Mancow" Muller show but did say it was likely the station will have new call letters when it launches its new format.

RELATED - (blogHOUSTON)

I guessed 1560 KILE The Game on 6/11, Imus back? and KPRC does some cutting

Richard Justice is going to 1560 KILE says David Barron:

Chronicle columnist Richard Justice will join Houston's newest sports talk station, KILE (1560 AM) when it launches as "The Game" later this summer.

Justice says he will host a show from 10 a.m. to noon after considering and turning down opportunities to join the other three sports talk stations in the market. His show will follow John Granato's morning drive show and precede Chronicle columnist Ken Hoffman's afternoon show.

John Harris and Sean Pendergast will work afternoon drive, and Spencer Tillman will voice promos and intros and contribute to Granato's show, said KILE owner David Gow.

READ THE REST

Here is what I am amazed about. On June 11th, I wrote a post about naming 1560 KILE. My first choice for a station name was "The Game." Look above at what Barron said the name of the station will be, "The Game." That is amazing! I promise no one told me that would be the name either.

This sports radio thing is weird because it has Chronicle writers reporting on and breaking news about each other. This is some real investigative journalism.

In other news, it looks like Don Imus will be back on the radio. Could it be CBS Radio? I'm not sure that I care.

I heard about this one a few days ago and now KPRC Local 2 announces it is cutting half of its 4pm newscast. Extra will take that half hour over.

On an NBC related note, the network says it is funny on Thursday despite the ratings. It must not be as must see as it used to. Hey, but I do love The Office.

Ralph Cooper leaving KCOH? 1560 KILE gets new building

UPDATE 7/4:
The Chron is reporting that Cooper is staying put and Richard Justice is leaving KILT:

Craig Roberts will return to Houston radio on Monday as host of an hour-long talk show on KBME (790 AM), but veteran talk show host Ralph Cooper says he will remain on KCOH (1430 AM) after electing not to accept a verbal offer to switch to 790.

Also, Chronicle columnist Richard Justice said he will no longer appear on CBS' Radio's KILT (610 AM) and that he also has declined an offer to co-host a show on 790.

READ MORE

So does this mean Richard Justice is going to 1560 KILE too?
---------------------------

Looks like the AM sports radio world in Houston could get rocked as Ralph Cooper might jump ship:

Ralph Cooper expects to let Clear Channel Radio Houston executive Michael Berry know Monday if he will jump from KCOH (1430 AM) to KBME (790 AM) to host an evening talk show.It could be the most significant move in our rapidly escalating sports talk radio competition, but it might not be the only one.

READ MORE

Plus, 1560 KILE is getting one step closer to becoming a sports station. The game is on:

Gow Communications leased 7,813 square feet at 5353 W. Alabama. Ron McWherter of CB Richard Ellis represented the tenant. David Gow, CEO of Gow Communications, and a group of other Houston investors purchased the licensing broadcast signal of KILE (1560 AM) earlier this year.

READ MORE

This will be John Granato's and Lance Zierlein's new home. OK, that is not official concerning the Z-man, I'm just guessing. But come on, his leaving KILT is just to coincidental!

1560 The Game is now KGOW AM

We've been talking about 1560 KILE around here for a few months now. You know, that's the the sports/guy-talk station that's about to come on the air with John Granato, Ken Hoffman and Richard Justice.

Well, the Chronicle's David Barron probably walked down the paper's hallway and tripped over someone who will work there to find out the station is changing call letters. Instead of KILE, it will now be KGOW. Let Dave tell you more:

Much to the chagrin of its owner, Houston businessman David Gow, KILE (1560 AM) will become KGOW when it signs on Aug. 20 with a sports/entertainment talk format.

The new call letters were the idea of station manager Richard Topper, and Gow, reluctantly, acceded. The station will be branded as "The Game," so Topper said KGOW "is more of a business application than a listener application."

READ THE REST

They picked better call letters than this place.

Barron also mentions a dude from my old TV station in Waco, KXXV, will be working there.

My question is, when is David Barron getting a radio show? Don't all of the other Chron sports guys get air time now? Where is Mr. Barron? Maybe I will raise the money, start my own radio station, put another sports talker on and give David his shot.

(Thanks Bob!)

Lance Zierlein exits Sports Radio 610 KILT in Houston?

Lance Zierlein has taken off his KILT and left Sports Radio 610 AM says the Chron's David Barron. Where will he go next?:

Zierlein declined Saturday to address rumors that he will join former KILT partner John Granato on the soon-to-be-reformatted KILE (1560 AM) or will seek a position with one of Houston's two other sports-talk stations -- KBME (790 AM) or KFNC (97.5 FM).

At this point, reports have Granato hosting a morning drive-ime show at 1560, which will have new call letters when it launches its new format later this year, with Sean Pendergast, the former Houstonian who is a five-time winner of the Jim Rome smack-off.

READ THE REST

Now it's everyone's guessing game to see if he goes to the new 1560 KILE with John Granato and Ken Hoffman.

Supposedly they are dumping the KILE call letters at the new station, so lets have some fun and come up with names for the new station that is rumored to be sports/guy talk focused. I'll go first:

1560 The Game
1560 The Locker Room
1560 The Testosterone
1560 The Fourth Houston Sports Station
1560 We're Way Up the AM Dial!!!
1560 KILT Free Radio
1560 The Hoff
1560 Dudes Talking and Stuff

Wow, I've been racking my brain all night. I need help. Comment below, clearly I am no radio programming genius.

UPDATE:
Barron leaks the new KILT lineup:

As expected, Marc Vandermeer and Andre Ware will man the morning shift from 6 to 11 a.m., followed by the Jim Rome show from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Rich Lord and Matt Jackson from 2 to 6 p.m. Adam Wexler will remain on 6 to 10 p.m. shift, to be joined by a co-host to be named later. Jeremy Foster and Dave Harbison continue as news readers for mornings and afternoons, respectively.

READ THE REST

Barron reports that KILT still wants to work it out with Lance Zierlein.

1560 KILE ushers in sports radio wars, plus KPRC 950 swings the axe

John Granato's upcoming 1560 KILE station is really generating the buzz.

Now the Houston Press is covering the Houston sports talk radio station wars:
- Sports talk radio stations fight for listeners in Houston
- Jock Radio: Numbers Game
- Radio Sweethearts

Does anyone know about Lance Zierlein yet?

Meanwhile, The Chronicle reports that Michael Berry's friend, Geoff Berg, filled in for the councilman on Talk Radio 950 KPRC and was fired after his first day. Yikes.

Also talking: blogHOUSTON

A new Houston radio station...sorta

There is a lot of speculation and rumors out in Houston radio land.

First it is reported that Mancow (a former shock jock) and his syndicated show are coming to the Bayou City. No word on which station.

Then there is talk about 1560 KILE becoming a guy talk format. At least that's what's being said on the Radio-Info board:

The new KILE format is speculated as "Guy Talk" which is sort of what is done on KTCK in DFW, with a good deal of success. The format here would probably inevitably include some sports content, but it probably won't be the main focus. Too much other competition in that genre here.

SEE MORE HERE

How many sports stations can this city handle?

Classic Houston radio aircheck audio from the 1950s to the 2000s

Here's something different, vintage Houston radio clips ranging from the 1950s to the 2000s! And all of these air checks are available on YouTube thanks mostly to coolcat713. If you love old radio or are feeling nostalgic, then I have just sucked many hours and hours away from you!

KILT 610 Houston - Jingle Montage
Here's a collection of jingles and recordings from the 1950's to early 1980's on KILT 610 AM radio in Houston.

KNUZ Radio Houston - Arch Yancy (1962)
Vintage aircheck from 1962 with Arch Yancy on KNUZ AM 1230 Houston. K-NUZ
- KNUZ 1966 aircheck

KXYZ Radio Houston - (1964)
KXYZ-FM 96.5 with a Beautiful Music format from October 1964.

1230 KNUZ Houston - Hank Hammer (1964)
From December 1964, Hank Hammer on KNUZ-AM Radio 1230 in Houston.

1230 KNUZ Houston - Buddy McGregor (1965)
Recorded June 16, 1965 from KNUZ-AM 1230 radio in Houston, Texas.

KILT 610 Houston - Lee Randall (1966)
Top of hour time tone and I.D. for KILT-AM 610 Houston with Lee Randall, recorded December 1966

KILT 610 Houston - Bill Young (1967)
Bill Young on KILT-AM 610 Houston from 1967.

KILT 610 Houston - Ron Foster Show (1968)
Ron Foster on KILT 610 AM Houston from August 1968.

Joske's Houston radio advertisement (1968)
This radio advertisement was recorded in August of 1968 from Houston radio station, K I L T.

KILE Galveston - Darrell Hendrix Radio Show (1969)
From 1969, Galveston native, Darrell Hendrix on KILE-AM 1400 "The BIG 14" Galveston. (aircheck by Grady McAllister)

KILT 610 Houston - Rick Shaw (1969)
Recorded Jan 1969 from KILT-AM 610 in Houston.

KILT 610 Houston - Todd Wallace (1969)
Aircheck from 1969 with Todd Wallace on KILT AM 610 - Houston

KILT 610 Houston - Steve Lundy (1970)
Aircheck with Steve Lundy recorded 1970.

KRLY-FM Houston - Danny O' Brian (1971)
Recorded 1971 from KRLY 94 FM (93.7) in Houston.

KILT 610 Houston - Bill Young (1972)
(Recorded 1972) Then Program Director, Bill Young and listeners in Houston discusses KILT.

KENR 1070 Radio Houston jingles (1972)

KILT 610 Houston - K.O. Bayley - Rock Revival (1973)
From 1973, K.O. Bayley on KILT AM 610 in Houston with the Rock Revival.
- KILT 610 Houston - K.O. Bayley (1973)

KRLY-FM Houston - Danny O'Brian - (1973)
Recorded in 1971 from KRLY-FM 94 (93.7) Houston, Texas

KULF Houston - Composite part 1 (1972-1973)
KULF Houston - Composite part 2 (1972-1973)
KULF Radio Houston - Composite (1979)

KILT 610 Houston - Jay West (1975)
Jay West is featured on his 10AM - Noon KILT show on the first Sunday of Summer, 1975.

KILT 610 Houston - Hudson & Harrigan (1977)
Aircheck from 1977 with Hudson & Harrigan on 610 KILT AM radio in Houston (this is Stevens and Pruett as H&H).

KULF Houston - Chuck Buell (1977)
Chuck Buell on KULF-AM 790 "79 KULF" in Houston. (circa 1977)

KILT 610 Houston - Sheila Mayhew (1977)
Recorded in 1977 from KILT-AM 610 Houston

KAUM-FM Houston aircheck from Dec. 1979
Taped during the last hours of 1979, Rick Lambert counts down that year's hits and rings in the new decade.

KILT 610 Houston - Captain Jack (1980)
March 25,1980 from KILT 610 AM Houston.
- KILT 610 Houston - Top 9 at 9 with Capt. Jack (1980)

KULF Houston - Beau Weaver (1981)
790 AM KULF Houston radio aircheck with Beau Weaver, recorded December 29, 1981.

98FM KFMK Houston - TOH
Top of hour ID from KFMK-FM 97.9 "98FM KFMK" Houston with Lee Jolly, recorded in the early 80's.

KKBQ 93Q Houston - John Lander (1984)
KKBQ FM Pasadena/KKBQ Houston John Lander and the Q-Morning Zoo (taped 1984)

104 KRBE Houston - Chris Kelley (1984)
Chris Kelley talks to a Diana Ross fan (Dale Gibson) over the phone at the Diana Ross concert at the Houston Summit.

97 Rock Houston aircheck from 1985
Recorded during the fall of 1985 from KSRR-FM 96.5 (97 ROCK) Houston, TX.

Houston's 104 KRBE as it sounded back in 1985
Matt Allen recorded on 104 KRBE in 1985.

KKBQ Houston - Chris Allen (1987)
The late Chris Allen on KKBQ-FM "93Q" Houston from 1987.

KKBQ 93Q Houston - John Lander Q Morning Zoo - Fall 1989
KKBQ 93Q Houston - John Lander Q Morning Zoo - Fall 1989
- 93Q tribute celebrates John Lander and top 40 1980s radio

KNRJ 96.5 Houston - Jammin' Johnny "O" (1989)
From 1989, a small composite from KNRJ-FM Houston (Energy 96.5).

KLTR 93.7 Houston - Jim Conlee (1989)
Jim Conlee and Betsy Ballard are included in this station profile/aircheck.

KKBQ 93Q Houston - Susan Wise (1989)
Recorded in 1989 from KKBQ-FM Pasadena/Houston, TX

1230 KNUZ Houston - Bob Edwards (1991)
KNUZ-AM 1230 radio Houston aircheck with Bob Edwards, recorded Nov.1991.

KMJQ "102 Jamz" Houston - Long John (1992)
From November 1992, Long John on KMJQ-FM "102 Jamz"

KRBE 104 Houston - Sam Malone - August 1993
KRBE 104 Houston - Sam Malone - August 1993
- Sam Malone of KRBE, KHMX talks to Mike McGuff

101 KLOL Houston - "Scary Gary" Poole - (1993)
From 1993, "Scary Gary" on Outlaw Radio, KLOL-FM Houston "101 KLOL".

104 KRBE Houston - Paul "Cubby" Bryant (1993)
104 KRBE Houston - Paul "Cubby" Bryant (1993)

101 KLOL Houston - Scott T. Phillips (1993)
From 1993, Scott T. Phillips on Outlaw Radio, KLOL-FM Houston "101 KLOL".

Mix 96.5 Houston - Clint Wright (1994)
From February of 1994, Clint Wright on KHMX-FM 96.5 "Mix 96.5" Houston.

104 KRBE Houston - Ryan Chase (1994)
Ryan Chase on KRBE-FM Houston. (Recorded by Kevin M. - July 4, 1994.)

104 KRBE Houston - Scott Sparks (1996)
From 1996 - Scott Sparks on KRBE/Houston

104 KRBE Houston - Sam Malone (2000)
From 2000, Sam Malone and the Morning Show, with Maria Todd on KRBE-FM Houston "104 KRBE".
- Should Sam Malone have stayed at 104.1 KRBE?
- Sam Malone joins 1070 The Answer KNTH

ROCK 101 KLOL Houston - June 2000
Outlaw Dave on KLOL/Houston

KODA-FM Houston - Weaver & Dana (2000)
Weaver & Dana on KODA-FM, Houston's Sunny 99.1 from June 2000.

KLDE "Oldies 107.5" Houston - aircheck (2002)
From 2002, Barry Kaye on KLDE-FM, "Oldies 107.5" Houston.

KHMX Houston - Paul Christy (2002)
Paul Christy on KHMX-FM Houston, "Mix 96.5" from 2002.

Lance Zierlein wants back on Houston radio, plus KPRC

I can't even begin to tell you how many readers come to this blog looking for the scoop on Lance Zierlein. Well, my main man Mr. David Barron has the latest news on how the former Sports Radio 610 KILT talent wants back on Houston radio:

Laura Morris, general manager of CBS Radio's Houston stations, said she removed Zierlein from the morning drive slot because KILT needed to move forward after the departure of Zierlein's longtime co-host John Granato, who left in late April after reaching an out-of-court settlement in a breech-of-contract lawsuit against the station.

Morris, who installed Marc Vandermeer and Andre Ware in the morning drive slot, said she hoped KILT could reach an agreement that would keep Zierlein on board. However, Zierlein and his attorney, Brian Zimmerman, said Morris has made no efforts toward that end.

[snip, snip]

"Everyone assumes there is a preference, but not really," Zierlein said. "Right now, no one will touch me because I'm under contract. I'm interested in seeing what is out there and whether there will be anything open for me."

Despite the consequences of his decision, Zierlein said he does not regret rejecting KILT's offer of a contract extension, which came as he was still reeling from Granato's departure.

READ ALL OF THE REST

As Barron states, the Z-man could end up on KBME or KFNC but we all just assume it will be 1560 KILE. Maybe we have been wrong all this time?!

In other Houston radio news, the drum beat gets louder and louder. My ear drums hurt! Rumored changes are on the horizon for 950 KPRC and 740 KTRH. Hey Michael Berry told me he would be making some big changes. Maybe we are starting to hear the Berry wheels of change!

But what are these changes? Hosts? Station formats? A new coffee machine and a fresh coat of paint on the studio wall? Who knows?

Lance Zierlein and 610 KILT officially say goodbye

It looks like Sports Radio 610 KILT and Lance Zierlein are no longer playing together according to the Chron's David Barron:

Lance Zierlein is no longer an employee of KILT (610 AM). He and the station said in a joint statement Monday afternoon that their contract dispute has been settled and that Zierlein has left the station.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed. However, speculation has it that the clock is now ticking on Zierlein's six-month non-compete provision, which was to kick in when his contract expired Nov. 30. If that is the case, since he was taken off the air in early June, he theoretically could return before the end of the year.

READ THE REST

Now Lance is not talking about where he is going just yet. One might suspect he'll go up to 1560 KGOW The Game (still KILE at this point). If he does that, he most likely will not be on at night:

Federal Communications Commission officials late last week rejected a request by KGOW (1560 AM) for special temporary authority to add nighttime broadcasts. The request, as described in the agency's ruling, would have permitted nighttime operations while KGOW's owners work to resolve issues surrounding an FCC construction permit for a new night transmitter location.

READ THE REST

Supposedly that station will have a web presence at 1560thegame.com so maybe we can find out more there. The fun starts at the new 1560, August 20th.

2022 Texas Radio Hall of Fame nominees

The Texas Radio Hall of Fame (TRHOF) has released the names of the fifty (50) nominees for its 2022 Induction Class. 

UPDATE AUGUST 2022
2022 Texas Radio Hall of Fame inductees list

The voting portal will open at Noon CST on Wednesday, July 20th accessible to voting members via www.TRHOF.net through Friday, July 30th.

“We’ve been continually working to refine, streamline, and demystify the nomination and voting process” observes TRHOF Executive Director Doug Harris, “and this rollout represents a major step forward. We are fortunate to have a group of outstanding broadcasters for our voting members to consider and, for the first time, biographical information on the nominees.”

Over 200 broadcast professionals with ties to Texas radio were nominated for consideration by the TRHOF Review Committee, which reached a consensus on the final fifty. Voting members of the TRHOF will now determine the twenty individuals who will be honored in the TRHOF’s Annual Induction Ceremony at the Texas Museum of Broadcasting and Communications in Kilgore, TX.

“This slate of nominees spotlights the talent on both sides of the mic,” says Harris. “From the tower to the board to the conference room, this list of nominees touches every aspect of Texas radio. We have small town and major market representation that connects to a variety of formats and showcases virtually every position of service in the broadcast world.”

Selection of the 2022 Induction Class is the latest organizational milestone in a year that has, so far, included the TRHOF’s monthlong salute to the Pioneers of Black Radio and the launch of its inaugural scholarship program. The commemoration of the TRHOF’s 20th anniversary will reach its zenith during the organization’s Annual Induction and Reunion Weekend, November 4-5,

2022, at the Texas Museum of Broadcasting and Communications in Kilgore, Texas. Information on becoming a TRHOF voting member is available on the organization’s website and interested parties may still join—and vote—in this year’s selection.

TEXAS RADIO HALL OF FAME 2022 NOMINEES-FINAL LIST

1. Debbie Alcocer (KBFM, KZZY, KISS, KKZN, KZPS, KOAI, ABC Radio Networks, KVIL)

2. Roger Allen (KONO, KAJA, KTSA, KLLS, KITY, KSMG, KTFM)

3. Joe "The Godfather" Anthony (Yanuzzi) (KMAC, KISS, KESI, KSAQ, Z-ROCK ABC Network)

4. Albert Calvo (KUKA, KVAR, KMFM, KLVL, KQQK, KSAH)

5. Roula Christie (KHMX/KRBE)

6. James “Moby” Carney (KLOL/KSRR/KEGL)

7. Steve Coffman (KAFM, KZEP, KFAN, KENS)

8. Raoul Cortez (KCOR/The Sombrero Network)

9. Manuel D’avila, Sr. (Founder of Tejano Radio KEDA, KBOP, KESS, KIWW, KEXX, KUKA, KCCT & KBSO)

10. Dave Dillon (KODA)

11. Dean and Rog/Dean Myers and Roger Beaty (KKRW/KGLK)

12. Kandi Eastman (KMJQ)

13. Bob Ford (KZFX; KLOL; KSRR; KAUM; KXYZ, KILE)

14. Mary Lanoue -Gers (KISS, KSMG, KCYY, KONO, KKYX)

15. JD "Bo Leo" Gonzalez (KXTN/KBFM)

16. Harmon and Evans (KPLX)

17. Gladys Hill, aka KYOK's original Dizzy Lizzy, aka Gladys "Gee Gee" Hill (KYOK/KCOH/KZEY)

18. Stan Kelly (KTSA, KLLS, KSMG, KLUP, WOAI, KONO)

19. Lisle and Hahn/John Lisle & Steve Hahn (KISS)

20. “Uncle Funky” Larry Jones (KMJQ/KHJZ)

21. Pam Kelly (KLOL, KSBJ, KILT, KHPT, RFC Media)

22. Laurie Kendrick (KLOL)

23. Mark Masepohl (KTRH/KISS/KLNO)

24. Eddie Martiny (IHeart Houston Region President: KTRH, KPRC, KXYZ, KTBZ, KODA, KQBT)

25. Pam McKay (KASE/KMJQ/Urban One)

26. “The Musers”/George Dunham, Craig Miller, and Gordon Keith (KTCK)

27. George Henry Nelson, aka Brother George Nelson Sr. (KTRH, KYOK, KTSU)

28. John “The Lama” Oakes (KWTX)

29. Mona Parker (KKYX, KIUN, KCOR, KBOP)

30. Dave "Stone" Pinkstone (KSEL, KDAV, KPEP, KZIP)

31. Joe Pogge (KHMX/KILT/KKBQ)

32. David Ranken (KRLD, KLUV, KVIL, KODA, KILT, KSBJ, KLTR, Metro Traffic, Texas State Network)

33. Kelli Raspberry (KHKS)

34. Tom Richards (KRTS/KLEF)

35. Claude "Rick" Roberts (KYOK/KTSU)

36. Rod Ryan (KTBZ)

37. Bill Schoening (KVET/KSAM University of Texas Sports Play by Play)

38. Cindy Scull (KEGL)

39. Clifton "King Bee" Smith (KNUZ/KCOH/KPRC)

40. Ted Stecker (KAJA, KHYS, KSCS, KTYS)

41. Gary B. Stone (KXOL/KIKK/Spanish Broadcasting System Regional Manager)

42. H.F. Stone (KKDA/KMJQ)

43. Hannah Storm (KSRR/C-101 Corpus)

44. Bobby Swinson (KCLW)

45. Bart Taylor (KXYZ, KRLY, KSRR, KLOL, WCKW, XM Satellite Radio)

46. Terri Thomas (KBXX/KMJQ/KROI)

47. Maria Todd (KRBE/KHMX)

48. John Trapane (KILT/KIKK/KKBQ/EMI Records)

49. Dana Tyson (KODA)

50. James White (KYOK KPRC KTRH KMJQ)

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/

The media loves 1560 “The Game”

1560 The Game KGOW, the little independently owned Houston sports station that could, just keeps getting love from the media. First it was the Houston Press and now the Houston Chronicle jumps in.

I have to brag and say I was covering this station since its call letters were KILE!

Had lots of fun hanging out over there on the radio with Ken Hoffman a few years ago too.

RELATED
- Houston Sports Radio About To Strike Out Again

Steve Mark joins WeatherNationTV

Steve Mark, former Houston television sports anchor and news manager, is leaving Space City for Denver to be the news director of WeatherNationTV and America's Voice.

"It's a bit surreal, sometimes, to mark the passage of time; in this case, 36 years here," Mark told mikemcguff.com. "One of the benefits of having worked at just about every TV outlet in Houston (KIAH, KPRC, KRIV, KHOU, Houston Dynamo) is that it's afforded me to build on a wide variety of relationships that I really treasure.  There are a lot of people here that I'll miss."

Mark, certainly left his mark on Houston TV news, from his time as the CW39 KIAH NewsFix managing editor, to his roles at various Houston TV stations as a sports anchor/reporter.

Houston sports fans first caught Mark's work back in December 1984 when he arrived at KHOU 11.  He later moved to FOX 26 KRIV in August 1988.  From there, he joined KPRC 2 in 1997 where he spent the next decade.

"Between reporting sports and news, I've been fortunate to cover a lot of landmark events here: The Rockets' NBA titles, a few no-hitters, (Mike Scott, Darryl Kile) and the Atlanta Olympics that was so Houston-centric," Mark told me. "George Foreman's heavyweight title win in 2007 changed the landscape in boxing for five years, and his KO in Las Vegas was hugely memorable.  Sprinkle in a hurricane or two for good measure.  There's a certain vibe covering those moments that you can't replicate."

In between his decades covering sports and his jump to new management with KIAH, Mark worked for the Houston Dynamo as Director of Public Relations.

The University of Texas grad started in broadcasting with KLBJ 590 AM Austin as a sports reporter. A year later in 1980, Mark moved to TV as a sports anchor/reporter by joining KTVV (now KXAN 36).

From there, the Texas-Ex made the daring move of crossing the Red River by joining KOTV Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Now as he crosses the Texas state line again, Mark is looking forward to his next journey.

"I loved making the jump to management while at KIAH," Mark told me.  "After Tribune eliminated NewsFix, my plan was not to simply find any job, but what I call the Next Big Thing.  This opportunity in Denver is unique and quite special.  The people at WeatherNationTV and America's Voice are really terrific, and are pros at what they do.  I look forward to diving in."

950 KPRC is getting its Mojo like Austin Powers

Like I've been mentioning lately, there are lots of changes coming to the Houston radio dial. That's a good thing, us listeners don't want it going stale.

There is currently news all over the Internet about the changes coming to Talk Radio 950 KPRC and to a lesser extent, NewsRadio 740 KTRH. Looks like the Mojo is coming to 950. Like Mike Myers said, "Yeah baby!" Owner Clear Channel has registered Mojo950.com if you do a whois lookup.

This format sounds like the guy talk format that we all thought 1560 KILE was going to bring in. But then Ken Hoffman told me last week that it really wasn't going to be like that at the high end of the dial, at least not during his show. He's doing sports and entertainment.

Before I had this blog, I interviewed John Walton of Walton and Johnson about that show going from KLOL to 97.5 KIOL (eventually 103.7 KIOL). It looks like that Cumulus deal is done. Word on the radio message boards is that Walton and Johnson will be doing mornings over at the new KPRC. The duo are alluding to this on the radio show's web site. Former shock jock Mancow will supposedly be on Mojo 950 too.

I also hear that former TV reporter Cynthia Hunt will have a show on KPRC (not the TV station this time). She will possibly team up with Chris Baker who could be doing time on both AM stations. Based on the new format, I'm guessing Michael Savage is staying put. Maybe the new Phil Hendrie show will show up there too (again).

Michael Berry told me on this very blog he was going to shake things up on the AM dial and it looks like he is delivering. Good luck to all of those in this new format. I can't wait to hear this new station whenever it comes on the air.

UPDATE
blogHOUSTON discovered the new 740 KTRH schedule.

UPDATE 2
Talk Radio 950 KPRC's web site now shows the new format - The 950 AM Radio MOJO with the new schedule.

5:30-10 a.m. — Walton & Johnson
10 a.m.-Noon — Mancow
Noon-2 p.m. — Dave Ramsey
2-4 p.m. — Baker & The Hunt
(Chris Baker & Cynthia Hunt)
4-5 p.m. — Mancow Happy Hour
5-8 p.m. — Michael Savage
8-10 p.m. — Phil Hendrie
10 p.m.-Midnight — Mark Levin
Midnight-2 a.m. — Bill O’Reilly
2-4 a.m. — Jerry Doyle
4-5:30 a.m. — Glenn Beck

Former Houston radio DJ's business smashed

 

Jennifer Reyna and Chris Alan holding shirts from favoriteradioshirts.com at "Runaway Radio" cast/crew screening.

Chris Alan is now the co-owner of the various Christians Tailgate Bar & Grill locations around town, but Houston radio listeners will recognize his voice from Rock 101 KLOL, 93.7 The Arrow KKRW, Majic 102 KMJQ, 97.9 The Box KBXX, 93Q KKBQ, Energy 96.5 KNRJ, Hit 96.5 KKHT, going all the way back to 1400 KILE-AM Galveston.

This week, the Christians Tailgate West U area location at 5114 Kirby had its big front windows smashed in an early morning act of vandalism. 

Anayeli Ruiz of KHOU 11 reported:

"Surveillance footage shows a man walking up to Christians Tailgate's patio area and throwing furniture, shattering double-pane windows and glass doors.

'It's a sinking feeling you get when someone damages something you care about,' said co-owner Chris Alan. 

In just seconds, the man caused thousands of dollars in damage and left the scene without taking anything. Chairs were flipped, tables tossed, and shards of glass scattered across the bar’s front entrance."

As your friendly neighborhood Houston media blogger, I went down to take a look at the now boarded-up scene, and Alan informed me that another restaurant across the Southwest Freeway had also apparently been broken into.

What else could I do while I was there but eat a club sandwich and talk old radio stories?

Christians Tailgate catered my "Runaway Radio" cast, crew, and family screening back in 2023.  The first time the documentary film was ever shown to anyone outside of the production team.

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1560 The Game is a year old

Cory Crow at Lose an Eye, it's a Sport, points out that 1560 The Game KGOW is a year old. It seems just like yesterday I started posting about 1560 KILE and how it was about to become a new sports station.

Congrats on the last year.

1560 The Game: KGOW's first day review

I emailed Ken Hoffman after his first day on the air at 1560 The Game KGOW and in classic Hoffman form he replied with this:

"I think the owners of Earplugs Inc. owe me a finder's fee for what I
did on radio today."

His was the only show I listened to Monday. He did a good job. I hear it was rougher for the Houston Chronicle's Richard Justice though. People told me he was on fire during the Bud Selig interview, but by himself you got a lot of "uhhs" and pauses. Chalk it up to first day jitters I guess.

Justice's Chron colleague David Barron reported on Justice's problems and more on his blog. According to Barron, the station's transmitter isn't doing so well, so much of Houston probably couldn't receive the signal. I picked it up pretty well.

Over here you can spy on what people who work in Houston radio and radio geeks are saying about 1560 The Game.

I guess the 1560 KILE days are finally over and we can just concentrate on 1560 The Game KGOW.

HouStoned has noticed that most of the Houston Chronicle's sports columnist have radio shows or appear on the radio now. According to the Press' blog, Jeff Cohen, the Houston Chronicle's editor, is getting mad about some of his writers pimping products on the air. I always wondered about this when Deborah Duncan had a show on KTRH and read commercials, but KHOU must have not cared.

KGOW 1560 The Game is alive

Why do I feel like a proud father watching my son go off to his first day of kindergarten for some guy talk? Really I don't know because none of it has anything to do with me.

If you've been reading this blog for any amount of time, you know 1560 KILE is going on the air today as 1560 KGOW The Game. This is the John Granato, Richard Justice, Ken Hoffman and Sean Pendergast station we've heard about for a while. Is it guy talk? Is it sports? Maybe both.

The web site is alive at 1560thegame.com.

This weekend, the station was playing music every time I tuned in. Maybe it was sports themed music? I'll be honest, it is not the easiest station to pick up. I have a Sharper Image radio I listen to. It picks up almost everything except for 103.7 KIOL and 106.9 The Point KHPT. 1560 sort of comes in. Maybe that will get better.

Meanwhile, the other guy station MOJO 950 KPRC is already on the air or is it? Seems like the station has not done a good job of killing off the Talk Radio 950 KPRC imaging. During Matt Drudge Sunday night, I heard promos for both Sam Malone and Sean Hannity during the music tosses to the ad breaks. Neither guy is on that station anymore. I'm surprised Clear Channel is that sloppy.

Let the Sports/Guy radio station war begin in Houston. I think I hear Jim Rome about to parachute into Houston to defend Sports Radio 610 KILT's honor.

(blogHOUSTON is also talking about this)

Houston has a new radio station as of Sunday

The Houston radio landscape keeps changing.

Yesterday spanish station 92.1 La Mera Mera KROI became urban-gospel station Praise 92.1 KROI. Most of you probably didn't know there was a station on 92.1 FM in Houston.

Banjo Jones has details on how 1560 AM KILE was sold and the history of that station.

Of course we heard the debut of the Scott Sparks show on Houston's 107.5 The New K-HITS today.

And Roula and Ryan lovers are happy to have the team back on the airwaves of 104.1 KRBE July 24th.

As for Atom Smasher and Maria Todd, we don't know where they are.

But Dave E. Crockett says all of these personnel changes won't matter much.