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PARKER: Dizzying changes in Denver radio

By Penny Parker, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published February 15, 2008 at 12:30 a.m.

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Is Denver going through a radio daze? Yes, if you listen to Sassy, Martini on the Rockies, KOOL 105 or The Wolf.

On Feb. 4, Sassy (KSYY-FM 107.1) tossed its old female- friendly format and DJs and changed to One FM, rhythmic pop, featuring artists such as Rob Thomas, Justin Timberlake, Alicia Keys and Rihanna, in order to appeal to a younger demographic.

And Martini (KTNI- FM 101.5), which plays standards from singers including Frank Sinatra, Michael Buble and Tony Bennett, is next, according to Steve Keeney, president and general manager of Denver Radio Co., owner of both stations.

The company filed bankruptcy last year but expects to emerge from Chapter 11 at the end of the year.

"We felt the place to go was a little bit younger," Keeney said about both format changes. "That's where better revenue opportunities are."

Meanwhile, over at CBS radio, parent company of KOOL 105 (105.1-FM) and The Wolf (92.5-FM) has made so many DJ changes that you'll need to sharpen your No. 2 pencil.

Ready? Here goes: The Wolf morning show jocks Giff and Murphy have been replaced by former afternoon drive team of Jonathan Wilde and Tracy Taylor.

Bo Reynolds, former midday DJ on The Wolf, has moved to Dan Mitchell's old spot from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on KOOL. Mitchell was let go. Mike Howell has moved from nights to afternoon drive time on The Wolf, and Leeann Sommers sits in the midday slot on The Wolf.

"One of the things you need to do to succeed as a radio station is have a big morning show," said CBS Radio spokesman Bill Gamble. "Jonathan and Tracy have been in the market for a long time."

Back at Sassy, one of my favorite people in the world, radio personality Gloria Neal, is out of a job after nearly two years at the startup station. She may be out, but she's not down.

"Even though the station goes away, my reputation and work ethic is beyond reproach," she said. "I have put a lot of sweat equity into the community, not just radio." You can keep up with her at gloneal.com.

COMEDY CLUB: This month's Top Secret act at Comedy Works is Carlos Mencia, star of Mind of Mencia on Comedy Central, at 7 and 9:30 p.m. Tuesday. Go to comedyworks.com and join the club for advance ticket info.

PARR PARTY: East High School senior Katy Parr, the lone survivor of a car accident that killed her parents and sister, turns 18 on Saturday, and her Denver friends will celebrate during a fundraiser beginning at 11 a.m. at Neighborhood Flix Cinema & Cafe, 2510 E. Colfax Ave.

Half of each $10 ticket sold (choose between Kite Runner at 11:30 a.m. or The Diving Bell and the Butterfly at 11:45 a.m.) will go to Katy's trip fund to travel with other students to Israel and the region this summer as part of the Student Interfaith Peace Project.

Katy won't be attending the party, but there will be cards for her that well-wishers can sign. More info: Celeste Archer at 303-399-0479.

EAVESDROPPING on a man at The Cable Center: "There should be a bumper sticker that says, 'I'd rather be exposed to a Democrat than kicked by a Republican.' "

Penny Parker's column appears Tuesday through Saturday. Listen to her on the Caplis and Silverman radio show between 4 and 5 p.m. Fridays on KHOW-AM (630). Call her at 303-954-5224 or e-mail parkerp@RockyMoun tainNews.com.

Comments

  • February 15, 2008

    3:25 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    gwats writes:

    Don't forget that new anal- retentive guy over @ 760 AM.. Mario..someone. He is hard to listen to. He sounds like he thinking out loud into the Mic with his disjointed thoughts and his occasional lapses into his native tongue. I would rather Listen to the comedian George Lopez than this loser. George's timing is WAY better. Give me Randi Rhodes in the drive-time spot and let Mario actually earn that spot instead of benefiting from the latest trend of pandering for the Hispanic dollar/demographic. It's insulting and disgusting. Now I understand why so many Anglo- Americans are opposed to affirmative action.

  • February 15, 2008

    4:10 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    bryanh writes:

    I switched to commercial free satellite and haven't looked back. I either have that or my iPOD on. I see no need to listen to 10 minutes of commecials when there are other options.

  • February 15, 2008

    9:12 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    jaybyrd writes:

    I have heard of KOOL 105...but who are these other stations? Maybe I should disconnect my IPOD from my MP3 player and listen in...Or maybe not. Welcome to the 21st Century, Denver radio. It is OVER for ya.

  • February 15, 2008

    10:07 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    elaineb writes:

    105.5 JACK FM is the BEST! Mostly music, very few commercials and NO ANNOYING DJ's!! The next best thing to satellite radio.

  • February 15, 2008

    12:56 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    blondiearvada writes:

    Satellite is the ONLY way to go. Hundreds of stations, no blab. I got sick of listening to all of the personal problems the dj's talk about, or their skanky talk show subjects. Dom and Jane on 100.3 are so boring and they play their show in the morning, evening, and again on the weekends! The only thing good coming out of Alice 105.9 is the Children's Miracle Network. Other than that 105.9 is just trash.

  • February 15, 2008

    1:01 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Tree_Hugger writes:

    99.5 The Mountain is pretty good too. They play three hours of uninterrupted, commercial-free music every week day from 9 a.m. to noon!

  • February 15, 2008

    2:03 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    jconder45 writes:

    gwats: Seconded.

  • February 15, 2008

    2:29 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Spencer writes:

    do we still have loser and earwax?

  • February 15, 2008

    4:32 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    elaineb writes:

    Yes...99.5 the Mountain IS great in the mornings!! I cannot STAND Lewis and Floorwax.

  • February 16, 2008

    12:35 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    mfmarti writes:

    KCUV 102.3 The ONLY radio station left in Denver worth listening to. Too bad about Sassy and Martini. Looks like it's the MP2 Player and KCUV on-line for me. Done with Denver radio.

  • February 16, 2008

    12:38 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    mfmarti writes:

    Oops ! That was supposed to be MP3!!!!!

  • February 18, 2008

    10:17 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    rebiky writes:

    There's in error in your column. Giff and Murphy were the KOOL 105 radio morning show DJs, not the Wolf ones. Jonathan and Tracy left their afternoon show on The Wolf and are now the morning show DJs on KOOL 105. The Wolf morning show (Jesse and Shotgun) are still on the Wolf.

  • February 18, 2008

    10:19 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    rebiky writes:

    I just noticed there's an error in my posting - oops! Supposed to read "There's an error..." Can you tell it's Monday morning?

  • February 18, 2008

    11:32 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Maven writes:

    mfmarti: I'm in agreement with you. KCUV 102.3 plays the best selection of music around. I used to like 99.5 The Mountain but they got rid of one of my favorite DJs, Archer. I'm only listening to KCUV and online, DI.FM and Pandora.