Posted on 31 August 2010 by PhoenixAirchecks.com
Phoenix radio veteran Dave Pratt has recently been expressing his desires to return on-air via his Facebook and emails, confidently stating that he feels he will return on-air soon, though no specifics were given on what Valley stations may accommodate him.
Pratt has been away from mornings on CBS Radio Phoenix’s KMLE Country 108 since December 2008, but his contract is still in-effect to this day.
In a mass-email sent out today, Pratt updated his mailing list on how summer has been, his latest projects, and his hope to return on-the-air, depending on what CBS Radio does with his contract on its final year.
Pratt could return in as little as a few months if all goes his way.
“My hope is that CBS will not pick up the option on my final year,” wrote Pratt. “Sure, it’s been a long, paid vacation, but I am more than ready to get back in the air chair.”
Under the CBS Radio contract, Pratt remained off the air since December 2008 and has been spending more time with his family, remaining active in the community and blogging daily on AZCentral.com.
“If CBS does not pick up the option, I will be back in a few months,” Pratt wrote. He’s not ruling out rock, talk, country or sports.
Posted on 19 August 2010 by PhoenixAirchecks.com
Painting by artist and listener Brian Brooks, in celebration of Radio Free Phoenix's 6th birthday and depicting founder Andy Olson.
Radio Free Phoenix (RadioFreePhoenix.com), the free-form internet rock radio station based in the Valley, turns six years old this week.
Founded by Phoenix radio veteran Andy Olson in 2004, Radio Free Phoenix has continued to gain a loyal group of listeners that grow each year. The station prides itself on being free-form and on the internet. The on-air lineup is made of terrestrial radio veterans– a majority being from the Phoenix market–who have made the transition into the world of internet radio.
Some Radio Free Phoenix names that longtime Valley radio listeners would remember include Andy Olson (KSTM, KSLX, KZON), Liz Boyle (KOOL, KDKB, KESZ), Dave Cooper (KZON, KYOT, KJZZ), and Angela Allen (KOOL).
Posted on 04 August 2010 by PhoenixAirchecks.com
Just announced this morning, CBS Radio Phoenix adds two to the staff effective immediately.
Jeff Garrison, Vice Present of Programming of CBS Radio’s Country stations, has been named operations manager of KOOL, KMLE, and KZON, with additional programming duties for KOOL and KMLE.
Garrison is not new to the Phoenix market, or KMLE, having been KMLE’s program director from 1996 to 2002. He comes over most recently from being program director of CBS Radio’s country station in Houston, KILT.
In addition, Rick Gillette has been named program director of 101.5 JamZ (KZON). He comes most recently from programming Chicago’s KISSFM, a Top 40 station.
Posted on 20 July 2010 by PhoenixAirchecks.com
101.5 JamZ (KZON) morning man Gringo Suave announced today that he is leaving the station for an opportunity in programming– an “ultimate dream.”
“This came unexpected and was the toughest decision of my career…” Suave posted on his Twitter account. “It only felt right to listen to my heart, take the risk, and follow my dream. In a short amount of time, I became very attached to the CBS PHX family and you, the listeners.”
Gringo Suave joined the station in March to fill an opening for morning show host. Prior to JamZ, he spent some time in California as Joe Breezy, but Phoenix radio listeners know him from back on Power 92.3’s (KKFR) MG’s Morning Madhouse as an HR nightmare/stunt boy.
Suave has yet to announce where he will be headed, but acting program director Mikee Mike is currently searching for a replacement.
Posted on 26 May 2010 by PhoenixAirchecks.com
Valley stations have gone “orng” for the Suns’ two home playoff games at US Airways Center.
CBS Radio Phoenix stations 94.5 KOOL-FM, KMLE Country 108, and 101.5 JamZ attracted fans and listeners to sign the Suns board in front of US Airways Center.
101.5 JamZ and Power 98.3 staff and listeners represented themselves on national television last night, holding signs in support of the Suns with station logos on the back. They could be seen throughout TNT’s after-game show, “Inside The NBA.”
Power 98.3 signs held outside of US Airways Center Tuesday after a Phoenix Suns Game 4 victory over the Lakers. Photo Courtesy: TwitPic.com
Posted on 18 May 2010 by PhoenixAirchecks.com
Former KZON program director Dennis Martinez is set June 1 to become the new PD of 105.7 The Groove (WWVA)– Atlanta’s Rhythmic AC from Clear Channel. Martinez has currently been on-air at CBS Radio’s Top 40 MOViN 99.7/San Francisco.
Posted on 26 April 2010 by PhoenixAirchecks.com
Radio veteran and most recent program director of CBS Radio Phoenix’s KMLE and KZON, Bruce St. James, made the announcement today that he will get his start on 92.3 KTAR-FM on Monday.
St. James will take care of the 9am to noon shift– a shift that most recently belonged to Darrell Ankarlo. He is no stranger to KTAR-FM as he had been one of a few wheel of hosts filling in for the 9am to noon shift while Ankarlo continued to recover from a serious injury suffered over a year ago.
Bruce St. James will take late mornings over beginning Monday, May 3.
Posted on 08 March 2010 by PhoenixAirchecks.com
You might have known him as Joe Breezy in California, but most of us know him as Gringo Suave, the HR nightmare/stunt boy on MG’s Morning Madhouse back in the day on Power 92.3 (KKFR).
Since then, he’s had stints as Joe Breezy in Northern California markets such as Modesto, Monterey, San Francisco and most recently, KDND-FM in Sacramento.
Gringo Suave returns to the Phoenix airwaves taking over mornings on Top 40/rhythmic 101.5 JamZ (KZON). Program Director Bruce St. James made the announcement February 19.
Catch Gringo Suave’s first show this morning on 101.5 JamZ, 6-10am.
Original post: Feb. 22, 8:22pm. Last edit: March 8, 1:19am
Posted on 03 March 2010 by PhoenixAirchecks.com
Posted on 14 December 2009 by PhoenixAirchecks.com
Tim Pohlman will be joining CBS Radio Phoenix as their new market manager after the announced departure of Mark Waters in November. Pohlman will join the three station cluster consisting of country KMLE, classic hits KOOL, and top 40/rhythmic KZON.
Pohlman is no stranger to CBS Radio or the duties as market manager. He had been market manager of CBS Radio Los Angeles’ cluster. He has been CEO of Riviera Broadcasting.
