KPIG Article In East Bay Express

"Casting Swine Before Pearl Jam":

+ East Bay Express, June 1, 2005

You'll note that Chris Thompson gets the Piedmont station's call letters wrong (should be KMZT, not KMRT, which I believe is the flagship station for K-Mart stores).

Among the quotes I did not completely agree with:

> (KPIG's) entry into the fourth-largest radio market in America could spell problems for both KPFA and KFOG, the two stations whose music format most closely approximates the station's Americana sound.

KFOG ... Americana???

> For the first time since KSAN and KMEL were reprogrammed into the grave, listeners will have a commercial station that does something unexpected, even creative. And behemoths like Clear Channel are taking notice.

Why he chose KSAN and KMEL as stations that were "reprogrammed into the grave" is beyond me. Are those the two highest examples of good stations gone bad around here?

DJ

> "Casting Swine Before Pearl Jam":
>
> + East Bay Express, June 1, 2005
>
> You'll note that Chris Thompson gets the Piedmont station's
> call letters wrong (should be KMZT, not KMRT, which I
> believe is the flagship station for K-Mart stores).
>
> Among the quotes I did not completely agree with:
>
> > (KPIG's) entry into the fourth-largest radio market in
> America could spell problems for both KPFA and KFOG, the two
> stations whose music format most closely approximates the
> station's Americana sound.
>
> KFOG ... Americana???

Not literally, but I think he means it's the closest (commercial) thing in SF to being "eclectic". They do play Steve Earle and Wilco and blues but that's about as close as they come to approximating KPIG. And KPFA only simulates KPIG in individual shows at specific times, like the Sunday afternoon alt.country block. I'm looking forward to having KPIG as a choice in SF, much as I will miss KMZT's unique approach to oldies.

KFOG, on the other hand has more to worry about from MAX -- they're already reacting, playing more '70s stuff -- heard "American Woman" at 7am for the first time in ages (outside of 10@10, that is).

> "Casting Swine Before Pearl Jam":
>
> + East Bay Express, June 1, 2005
>
> You'll note that Chris Thompson gets the Piedmont station's
> call letters wrong (should be KMZT, not KMRT, which I
> believe is the flagship station for K-Mart stores).
>
> Among the quotes I did not completely agree with:
>
> > (KPIG's) entry into the fourth-largest radio market in
> America could spell problems for both KPFA and KFOG, the two
> stations whose music format most closely approximates the
> station's Americana sound.
>
> KFOG ... Americana???
>
> > For the first time since KSAN and KMEL were reprogrammed
> into the grave, listeners will have a commercial station
> that does something unexpected, even creative. And behemoths
> like Clear Channel are taking notice.
>
> Why he chose KSAN and KMEL as stations that were
> "reprogrammed into the grave" is beyond me. Are those the
> two highest examples of good stations gone bad around here?
>
> DJ
>
This "PIG" Format on an AM Station "1510" will not "Now or Ever" be any kind of threat to KPFA or KFOG. The audience listening to those stations don't even know or care that this AM station even exists. The very idea that they would is
laughable!! If it ever gets a rating of 1.0 or higher I will be totally amazed!
As I've said before "Next Format!"

>
> Not literally, but I think he means it's the closest
> (commercial) thing in SF to being "eclectic". They do play
> Steve Earle and Wilco and blues but that's about as close as
> they come to approximating KPIG. And KPFA only simulates
> KPIG in individual shows at specific times, like the Sunday
> afternoon alt.country block. I'm looking forward to having
> KPIG as a choice in SF, much as I will miss KMZT's unique
> approach to oldies.

To remind you, KMZT was just a simulcast from Los Angeles of Oldies 1260/540AM.
The oldies are still being played out here.<P ID="signature">______________
Kyle Hojem
[email protected]
Member of the Los Angeles, Phoenix Radio, and California TV moderation team</P>

> To remind you, KMZT was just a simulcast from Los Angeles of
> Oldies 1260/540AM.
> The oldies are still being played out here.

I wish they'd stream...

The only Oldies station in America with PJ Proby in regular rotation. LOL!

Kyle_Hojem wrote:

> To remind you, KMZT was just a simulcast from Los Angeles of Oldies 1260/540AM. The oldies are still being played out here.

The oldies are still being played here, too. KMZT is currently just an oldies jukebox with occasional local bumpers and IDs dropped in.

And previously it was just a simulcast of K-Mozart's classical music programming.

DJ

> This "PIG" Format on an AM Station "1510" will not "Now or
> Ever" be any kind of threat to KPFA or KFOG. The audience
> listening to those stations don't even know or care that
> this AM station even exists. The very idea that they would
> is
> laughable!! If it ever gets a rating of 1.0 or higher I will
> be totally amazed!
> As I've said before "Next Format!"
>

You seem so anxious for this endeavor to fail. I wonder what YOU would do with such an insignificant signal in a market already oversaturated with "AM-ready formats" like News/Talk, religion, and foreign language. I applaude Mapleton for taking this gamble, and knowing the cult awareness of KPIG, there is already an enthusiastic audience waiting, and at least a chance for some press and awareness.

And should it be a small success, it could open the door for something bigger down the road. KFOG probably doesn't have anything to be concerned about, but I'd be willing to bet KPIG draws at least as big a share (in the small area it will serve) as KPFA. But it certainly will not come out of KPFA's listener base. While both KPIG and KPFA have "attitudes", the similarity ends there. KPIG is fun. KPFA takes itself and it's political views way too seriously (for my taste).

SO WHAT WOULD YOU DO AT 1510???<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by radio-outsider on 06/02/05 12:48 AM.</FONT></P>

I agree. I wouldn't call KFOG "Americana".

> > (KPIG's) entry into the fourth-largest radio market in
> America could spell problems for both KPFA and KFOG, the two
> stations whose music format most closely approximates the
> station's Americana sound.
>
> KFOG ... Americana???
>
> > For the first time since KSAN and KMEL were reprogrammed
> into the grave, listeners will have a commercial station
> that does something unexpected, even creative. And behemoths
> like Clear Channel are taking notice.
>
> Why he chose KSAN and KMEL as stations that were
> "reprogrammed into the grave" is beyond me. Are those the
> two highest examples of good stations gone bad around here?
>
> DJ
>

I believe he was refering to the comparison with KSAN and KMEL (he conveniently left out Y-93 which was the best--and soberest-- of the bunch) when they were album-rock stations.

Tom
>

I don't think they're even worrying about KPFA (what do they do anyway besides have stoned Socialists on?) or KFOG. The Pig listeners will tune to their pig station.

I also didn't like that remark about "tinny" AM sound.... You can still find an AM stereo tuner with some searching. I bought the Denon TU 680 when it was new and the AM section sounds sharp.

If they last long enough, and if (BIG 'IF') digital broadcast is improved on AM, we won't have to worry about sound quality at all.

Tom

> >
> This "PIG" Format on an AM Station "1510" will not "Now or
> Ever" be any kind of threat to KPFA or KFOG. The audience
> listening to those stations don't even know or care that
> this AM station even exists. The very idea that they would
> is
> laughable!! If it ever gets a rating of 1.0 or higher I will
> be totally amazed!
> As I've said before "Next Format!"
>

Re: I wouldn't worry about KFOG

Don't worry about KFOG unless they start playing "Mill Valley" by Rita Abrams and the Strawberry Point School 3rd Grade Class.
>
> KFOG, on the other hand has more to worry about from MAX --
> they're already reacting, playing more '70s stuff -- heard
> "American Woman" at 7am for the first time in ages (outside
> of 10@10, that is).
>

Re: I wouldn't worry about KFOG

How much can I get for my copy of that 45?

Re: I wouldn't worry about KFOG

> How much can I get for my copy of that 45?

I saw some prices on it anywhere from $1.00 to $11.50 at Gemm.com. I still have my copy of it, but I found it on a CD too. Always liked that one.
>