Stern's lawyers have told him the radio giant is in breach of contract for pulling him from the airwaves of WXDX/Pittsburgh, KIOZ/San Diego, WNVE/Rochester, WTFX/Louisville, WTKS/Orlando and WBGG/Miami.

"Apologize for what? This is stuff we do everyday," Stern said, after Robin Quivers read Hogan's opening remarks from Thursday's indecency hearing.

Stern alleged that the only reason CC suspended him was so Hogan could look good in front of lawmakers.

"Clear Channel has tons of Rap stations, and I'm sure the word n****r is used on those," he said in reference to the content CC cited in dumping him. "And that's not even a word considered objectionable by the FCC, but I still hung up on the dude because he said the N word."

National Radio Wires (Feb 28, 2004)

"AFTRA speaks on behalf of its on-air broadcasters and deejays that companies are looking to burden with potential FCC fines related to content decency.

"The responsibility for complying with FCC regulations rests with the employers. Our members aren't responsible for programming the stations and they don't hold a station's license to broadcast on the public airwaves.

"It's completely inappropriate and unprecedented for a broadcast company to shift the burden of complying with FCC regulations onto the backs of its employees. To the extent that individual employees may make on-the-spot errors that run afoul of FCC regs or company policy, that employee's existing personal services agreement already provides recourse for the company.

"What's truly indecent about this situation is how big media is trying to absolve itself of complying with FCC regulations by making its employees pay fines that are only levied because of management's programming decisions."

rronline
Bob And Tom To Follow CC Indecency Edict... Tom Griswold, one-half of the WFBQ/Indianapolis-based, Premiere-syndicated morning show, tells the Indianapolis Star that he has no desire to test Clear Channel's hard-line indecency standards that have been put in place on a national basis. Griswold and partner Bob Kevoian have long used sexual innuendo and double entendres on their show, which airs on more than 130 stations throughout the U.S., and Griswold says, "We're going to do a show that a soccer mom can listen to with her kids in the car." The Bob and Tom Show has seen just one infraction from the FCC during its two-decade run, and Griswold says he's "not going to take the chance of being anywhere near the line. We have pulled way, way back. We have to make this decision at 6:30 in the morning, talking to some comedian. The FCC has months or years to read transcripts and listen to tapes to decide, after talking to 16 lawyers, what is or what isn't acceptable."

More Howard Stern Rants (Feb 27, 2004)

Clear Channel San Diego Observations... Though suspended, ads for "Howard Stern" have been heard on KIOZ 105.3 Thursday. Also, 91X played the unedited version of Sublime's song "The Wrong Way" mentioning "tits" and "s**t" (slang for human waste) in the lyrics, as well as The Nails' edited version of "88 Lines About 44 Women", but left intact a lyric about a woman self-gratifying herself. Um, what was that about zero tolerance that CC was talking about?

Related Story...
FMQB: John Hogan at Indecency Hearing: Clear Channel Going "In A Different Direction"
Excerpt: Clear Channel Radio CEO John Hogan began his prepared testimony at this morning's House subcommittee hearing on indecency by apologizing for the 2001 broadcasts by Bubba The Love Sponge that sparked the largest single proposed indecency fine in radio history. "I am embarrassed to be here," Hogan told Rep. Fred Upton's subcommittee. "As a broadcaster, as the CEO, and as the father of a 9-year-old girl, I'm ashamed to be associated in any way with those words. They're tasteless, they're vulgar, they should not, do not, and will not represent what our radio stations are all about." Read more at FMQB.

Roger Hedgecock Show Flashfax (Feb 27, 2004)

We work for Clearchannel. Since ROGER has been on the air for 18+ years he's seen corporations come and go, but mostly seen gobbling and creation of a media giant. My recollection only goes back to Gannet and then Jacor and now Clearchannel. And important to note that in each corporate incarnation ROGER has been respected and honored and valued.

While Clearchannel suit folks are on the griddle in D.C. and are playing defense all over the place we'll play just a bit of offense.from our very little place in this very big corporation. Fault us as you may ROGER'S show has been Radio Free San Diego for nearly 20 years fulfilling the highest standards of community broadcasting. For two decades The Roger Hedgecock Show has been a community forum. A place for local folks to gather each day and raise an alarm, offer a comment, rant about near anything. The Cracker-barrel place. The wood stove place. The water cooler place. The well in the center of town place. And, please note that when Clearchannel came in they were totally supportive of ROGER'S care taking of the public airwaves. (we believe this stuff folks-those radio waves are yours).

Won't belabor the work that ROGER (and this audience) has done over the years of care taking but do want to make the point that the suits on the griddle don't have to be totally "ashamed." Point with pride to ROGER and other stalwarts on the radio around the nation who have served in the highest tradition of broadcasting. And let me suck up a bit more.we take our local suits to task periodically (Storm Watch 2004 and etc).but when there is a community need KOGO and Clearchannel are there. A blood drive, fire relief radiothon, support our troops rallies, news that serves San Diego citizens, food drives, support of Father Joe, thousands of hours of free radio time for political debates.it's a long list.

And already the knee jerk begins to happen. Clearchannel issues new standards. Applicable to all!! Heck at KOGO they've even reinstated the 7-second delay on live broadcasts including ROGER'S radio show. Hello!! Worst part is that they can't figure out how to make the delay happen (notice that you keep hearing repeated phrases?). Trying to get a live traffic report on the air has suddenly become brain surgery.

Again, as with the Janet Jackson nonsense there is over-reaction (the end of live broadcasting..Emmys tape delayed.Oscars will be too). Foolishness folks.

And while it wasn't gonna be part of this rant, as I am multi-tasking (writing this, posting pix to the the website, clearing e-mail and posting stories to the homework page) I come across an e-mail that ought to be given a moment of thought and comment:

How is this going to affect your radio show? Will it still be possible for you to air unedited clips of liberal Democrats who claim the Republicans intend to put "...fee-cees in the water..."among their other indecent, objectionable claims? I would hate to think we will no longer be able to get both sides of the news from you due to this new policy!!

Please explain!

Tongue firmly in cheek,

Our first response to Cheek is "not to worry," but!! Can't speak for Clearchannel and ought not speak for ROGER but in the latter case I know the man. This radio programme will not change. A spade will still be called a shovel. Fraud and corruption will still be rooted out. Truth will be told. News you can't get anywhere else will still be available. And ROGER will continue to open his daily programme with the phrase: "this is your time in the media." When it gets to mandated "gummint speak," or required "corporate speak," you'll likely have to find ROGER someplace else..but believe me you will find him. (guess I ought to get a raise now, right?)

Backtrax USA Now "Zero Tolerance Guaranteed" (Feb 27, 2004)

The syndicated Backtrax USA program has instituted a "Zero Tolerance Indecency Guarantee," the first show of its type to do so. What's next, "Dr. Demento?"

Executive Producer Kathy Gilbert said, "We are promising our affiliates that we will not cross the FCC's line for indecency in any of the communities that we serve. Furthermore, we will cover any FCC fines and/or penalties assessed against any of our 400 affiliates for any indecent material found to have been broadcast during our show. We challenge other syndication companies to raise their bar as well and offer a similar guarantee."

Backtrax USA was launched in 1992 as the original syndicated 80s show. A 90s version was added in 2003.

SD Forum Talk: 98.9 Format Change Mean End of "Rewire?" (Feb 27, 2004)

Editor's note: this show made great background music while we used to watch TV shows on Fridays such as "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" and other reruns on cable TV. Looks like we'll be using BPM 81 on XM Radio for background music when we watch the classic shows on TV (listen to the news on 6, 51, or 39 while listening to The Move XM 82 for a unique experience).

The only place where you'll hear dance mix shows are on Clear Channel stations locally. Thank God for the Internet. It's where I've been getting Dr. Demento show downloads and live feeds for the past eight years while San Diego radio has gone too soft for many of educated minds to stay loyal. 98.9 going hip hop better mean that they're going to do something like the old Z90 and Power Moves 96.1 once did, but with better variety and selection than the CC-controlled Z90 is doing today. 94.9 won't resurrect "Hard Drive" or "Paul Oakenfold Presents", staples that used to be on the old 92.1.

This also means that San Diego still needs a full-time dance music station if 98.9 isn't going to do dance part time anymore. Oh well, looks like a preset will be reassigned to another blank FM channel. I got fewer stations I can listen to than presets on the car radio.

San Diego has too many stations playing hip hop, classic rock, soft pop, chick contemporary, teen R&B, 80's pop-ish new wave, and other monotonous serious music. Where's the fun on the dial? No Demento. No Stern. No Rewire. The radio revolution is not being televised in San Diego, America's Behindest City.

Bring on the pirates! Arrrr!

KSON's Annual St. Jude Telethon (Feb 26 and 27, 2004)

You can become a Partner In Hope ($30 a month, billed to your credit card) by calling 1-800-345-HOPE (during the radiothon), and when you become a Partner In Hope you'll not only receive a commemorative Long Sleeve T-Shirt courtesy of KSON--but you'll also get a pair of tickets to our PRIVATE "Partner in Hope Concert" on Sunday, March 21st (4th & B Club Downtown) featuring Joe Diffie, Sherri‚ Austin and Craig Morgan.

St. Jude supporter and singer of the big hit "Streets of Heaven," Sherri‚ Austin is scheduled to stop by this Friday (February 27th) at 7:00am. You can buy the CD "Streets of Heaven," Sherri‚ will autograph your copy and 25 cents from each sale will also go to the kids of St. Jude.

The Radiothon kicks off this Thursday at 5:30 a.m. with Nick & Jane on Kayson Country Mornings. We'll see you there!

Today's Best Country KSON FM 97.3 and now 92.1 FM in North County

Thanks to Tone Stakes, Fun & Games Department, for that reminder.

Los Angeles Radio Wires (Feb 27, 2004)

All Access (registration required)
The initial ON-AIR WITH RYAN SEACREST show on KIIS-FM/LOS ANGELES kicked off with in-studio interviews with J.C. CHASEZ and HILARY DUFF. I guess former Rick Dees listeners aren't going to bother sticking around KIIS anymore for this kind of morning show.

San Diego Radio Wires (Feb 26, 2004)

Reader Blurt
Mojo Nixon and the Beat Farmers in an article (not online as of 8pm Wed)

San Diego City Beat
nothing in radio this week.

SDRadio.net
former Z90's to join retuned XHMORE? What's with Sully?

Randy Dotinga
Generous column gives more awards... Give, give, give. That's all I ever do here at the North County Times weekly radio column. So as everyone awaits the Academy Awards in Hollywood, how about a second round of the SCARs (Static Column Award for Radio)?

Excerpt: The "Blast From the Past" award goes to alternative rock station 91X for its delicious attack on arch-competitor FM 94/9. For weeks, 91X has been playing a promo featuring an unnamed voice lauding the station's heritage. And whose voice is that? It belongs to programmer and disc jockey Mike Halloran, a former 91Xer (and former KUPRer and former 92.5/The Flash'er and former Premium 92.1er) who has finally shed his reputation as the DJ of Doom by turning FM 94/9 into a winner.

Planet 103.7 Newsletter (Feb 26, 2004)

ONE BOURBON, ONE SCOTCH AND TWO TICKETS! Have you heard about our "Bad to the Bone Bar-B-Que?" March 18th we're putting the meat in "meet and greet!" Before George Thorogood takes the Viejas stage, he'll drop by The Planet's private backstage barbeque for autographs and a little bit of barbeque! Listen to 103.7 FM right now to win your free passes to see George's concert and passes for our "Bad to the Bone Bar-B-Que!"

"YOU'RE NOT FROM AROUND HERE, ARE YA?" This week California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger publicly supported a bill that would allow foreigners, not born in the US, the right to run for President. What do you think? Take the Planet Poll HERE to voice your opinion. 20 years after becoming a US citizen, should foreigners be allowed to run for the White House? Not everyone agrees, cast your Planet Poll vote.

BUY FLEETWOOD MAC TICKETS THIS WEEKEND High noon this Saturday you can reserve your seats to see Lindsey, Stevie, Mick and John's return to San Diego June 22nd at Coors! If you're on our music advisory board, The Planet Music Panel, you can win free tickets to the concert, just for listening to music! Not a member of our Panel? Click HERE so we know what songs you love to hear on 103.7 FM (and so you can register for those free 'Mac tickets!)

Radio Rumors and Other Talk (Feb 26, 2004)

Posted by SDRadio: great, something exciting is coming .... Hmmm. Free surf boards to the fifth calller?

Posted by SDRadio: XEDD 920 AM is mere hours away from filling the airwaves.... Stay el-tuned!

San Diego Radio Wires (Feb 24, 2004)

New Pirate in San Diego. Arrrr! (Feb 24, 2004)

Profile of Past Radio Pirate: Power Moves 96.1 (2-24-04!)

Before there was Pirate Radio 96.9, there was one other notable past pirate radio station in town five years ago.

Power Moves 2000.com and Power Moves 96.1 FM were launched in September of 1999 with no media notice except for reception reports seen in the 1999 "Dave's Radio Waves" section. The radio station seemed to originate from the North Park area for about a year, then it disappearred.

According to the article, the radio station originally was launched to provide a stage for local talent and to showcase real underground hip hop.

Excerpt: The original idea was to broadcast from TJ into the US to be out of the long arms of the law here in San Diego. After the permits and a suitable location were not found the project became an unauthorized underground station. Commonly these radio stations are referred to as pirate radio. Power Moves 96.1 FM finally emerged as one such pirate station. After over a year of ground breaking hip hop in San Diego the project shifted towards petitions for legal low power FM and has discontinued the unauthorized broadcasts.

We have not heard from the organization since that time.

Excerpt: Power Moves 96.1 FM was the first station in San Diego to play underground hip hop singles, live underground mix shows, and showcase local gangster rap in programs like 3rd Degree Burns, and Drive-By-Radio. Power Moves also hosted specialty shows like Reggae Zone and Local Artist interviews.

The radio station took requests live and let local hip hop heads chat, rap, or rhyme with their in studio guests.

Programming included from Mitchy Slick's Drive-By-Radio on Thursday nights doing interviews and premiering new gangsta rap songs, late nights with uncut and raw underground tracks from the street, underground rap mix shows on weekends, and other ideas to fill a niche in San Diego that mainstream stations were not covering locally.

Power Moves was never publicized (except here) but the signal's perimeter was about 30 miles covering most of the metro area.

According to the article, Power Moves will soon return, but no date was announced.

Excerpt: Many thanks for support form the following individuals: Elow, Mika, Leslie Edman, Glenn Forte, Mitchy Slick, Rass Mike, DJ Handgun, LA Wrecklace, DJ 3rd Rail, Rocelle Turell, Frost, DJ Nalgas, DJ Unknown, B-ruckus, DJ Dubs, Roy, Darrel, Will, Kenny, D-Nice, and the whole Underground Live Crew.