Refreashing Radio
In a suprise showing, here is a story about a morning drive time radio show. This show brings good news and feelings to its listeners, no foul inuendos or stupidity. Thanks to Michelle Malkin for bringing this to my attention . Much to my shame as Salem Media is my employer.
It's morning drive time in Los Angeles.
Howard Stern is hosting "Stump the Perv" on KSLX-FM (97.1), which features a male contestant pitted against a Nevada call girl in a porn trivia contest. He wins and gets five minutes alone with her in Howard's bathroom.
Meanwhile, Jamie, Jack and Stench on KYSR-FM (98.7) are talking about gay bull riders, crotchless hazmat suits and their white-trash childhoods — all topics that would be applauded at most of the ratings-hungry morning shows on the radio dial.
That is, except for one show — "The Family Friendly Morning Show" from 5 to 9 a.m. hosted by Billy Burke on KFSH-FM (95.9), a Christian-themed station often referred to as the Fish. On one recent morning, Burke is discussing one of his favorite promotions, Random Acts of Kindness Day, where listeners are encouraged to phone in their stories of good deeds either witnessed or performed.
A mother tells Burke that her three children are donating all the money earned from part-time jobs and allowances to their godmother so she can pay for chemotherapy. "Kids are doing good things," said Burke, a veteran of Top 40 stations and a father of two children, ages 13 and 8. "The majority of kids are good kids."
The family-oriented show stands virtually alone in the lion's den of the morning drive time, a fiercely competitive programming block known more for its raunchiness than heart. The feel-good format itself is not unique to Los Angeles, but one of about 10 that broadcast around the nation in such cities as Sacramento, Nashville and Atlanta.
Rolled out over the last several years by Camarillo-based Salem Communications, which owns more than 100 mostly Christian-oriented radio stations, the idea is quite simple — air a morning show that parents and children can tune into without wincing.
It's morning drive time in Los Angeles.
Howard Stern is hosting "Stump the Perv" on KSLX-FM (97.1), which features a male contestant pitted against a Nevada call girl in a porn trivia contest. He wins and gets five minutes alone with her in Howard's bathroom.
Meanwhile, Jamie, Jack and Stench on KYSR-FM (98.7) are talking about gay bull riders, crotchless hazmat suits and their white-trash childhoods — all topics that would be applauded at most of the ratings-hungry morning shows on the radio dial.
That is, except for one show — "The Family Friendly Morning Show" from 5 to 9 a.m. hosted by Billy Burke on KFSH-FM (95.9), a Christian-themed station often referred to as the Fish. On one recent morning, Burke is discussing one of his favorite promotions, Random Acts of Kindness Day, where listeners are encouraged to phone in their stories of good deeds either witnessed or performed.
A mother tells Burke that her three children are donating all the money earned from part-time jobs and allowances to their godmother so she can pay for chemotherapy. "Kids are doing good things," said Burke, a veteran of Top 40 stations and a father of two children, ages 13 and 8. "The majority of kids are good kids."
The family-oriented show stands virtually alone in the lion's den of the morning drive time, a fiercely competitive programming block known more for its raunchiness than heart. The feel-good format itself is not unique to Los Angeles, but one of about 10 that broadcast around the nation in such cities as Sacramento, Nashville and Atlanta.
Rolled out over the last several years by Camarillo-based Salem Communications, which owns more than 100 mostly Christian-oriented radio stations, the idea is quite simple — air a morning show that parents and children can tune into without wincing.
