Pittsburgh Radio Watch
AMC...@delphi.com
(Copyright, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Reprinted here
by permission. Republication prohibited in any medium.)
A number of local radio stations will observe a 15-second moment of
silence tonight in memory of the 132 lives lost on flight 427 last week.
WTAE/WVTY program Bruce Gilbert organized the collective airwave
tribute,
which will begin tonight at 7:05 p.m - one week after the tragic
incident.
At press time, several stations had committed to the 15 seconds of
silence: WVTY-FM, WTAE-AM, WDVE-FM, WBZZ-FM, WSHH-FM, WLTJ-FM,
WRRK-FM, WQKB-FM, WDSY-FM, WXRB-FM and WEEP-AM. Other stations are
expected to take part.
WQKB-FM (K-Bear) fired the latest volley in the country radio wars
over Labor Day weekend. Following months of rumors and speculation
that the station was going to switch format, it didn't. Every major
summer holiday since Memorial Day weekend has been accompanied by
murmurings that K-Bear was switching from everything to '70s hits
to alternative.
They didn't change the channel, but they did turn up the volume, with
a shift to ``Rockin' Country.'' The music is generally uptempo, with
a harder brighter sound.
Former WTAE-AM morning show host David Lawrence has gone national
with a syndicated radio show devoted to personal computers.
Lawrence came to Pittsburgh in 1988 and moved on to Washington, D.C.
He worked at stations in Cleveland, Columbus and New Haven, .is a
computer consultant and was a founding member and executive producer
of the American Comedy Network
``OnLine Tonight with David Lawrence'' airs live on Sundays from
8-10 p.m. and features Lawrence and a team of specialists in different
areas who answer questions and discuss issues relating to personal
computers. Its creators describe it as ``fast, funny, and it's 100
percent geek-free.''
The show is syndicated in around a dozen U.S. cities - but not here.
However, you can tune in by phone by calling 1-800-846-4OLT (800-846-4658)
and following the prompts. The charge is 30 cents per minute. To call the
show with computer questions, the number is 1-800-39-ONLINE
(1-800-396-6546)
Lucky for Dr. Michael Lynn that the Steelers beat the Cleveland Browns
on Sunday. The WAMO-FM morning host had more riding on the game than
most people.
Lynn challenged a rival Cleveland station and jock - WZAK-FM's Lynn
Toliver - to a bet. If the Browns won, Lynn vowed to take a drink from
Lake Erie. If the Steelers won, Toliver would have to down some Allegheny
River water, which he allegedly did earlier this week.
Long-time NPR host and correspondent Susan Stamberg will be inducted
into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame in November, along with
16 other media professionals.
Stamberg, who now covers cultural issues as a special correspondent for
NPR's news magazines, also cohosted ``All Things Considered'' for 14 years,
and moved on to ``Weekend Edition'' when it premiered in 1987.
Psychic Jim Attina will host a new talk show on WWCS-AM starting Sept.
28. ``The Jim Attina Show'' will feature guests, listener call-ins and
topics relating to the paranormal. It will air Wednesdays from 7 to
9 p.m.
Attina hosted a similar program on WEDO-AM and has been a featured psychic
on other local radio talk shows.
Around the Dial:
Rolling Stones fever is hitting the rock and classic rock formats in the
days preceding the band's upcoming appearance here. WDVE-FM will broadcast
live from Three Rivers Stadium on Sept. 29 and will have an all-Stones
day featuring music and interviews starting at noon that day.
WRRK-FM will do a 21-hour Stones marathon, with interviews and music
running Sept. 26-28 (Monday through Wednesday before the concert) from
7 p.m. to 2 a.m.
WSHH-FM will broadcast live from the Make-A-Wish Foundation Balloon
Launch at Hartwood Acres from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Correction: An item in the last column on the sale of WWKS-FM/WBVP-AM
in Beaver Falls listed incorrect call letters for the AM station.