Airwaves: November 7, 2008

Internet Tuna

Few personalities have been around Los Angeles radio as long as Charlie Tuna. He came to the City of Angels back in 1967 as KHJ’s (930 AM) “midday son,” eventually taking on mornings and working at numerous other stations as varied as KKDJ (now KIIS-FM, 102.7), KTNQ (1020 AM) and KIKF (now KMXN, 94.3 FM).

He’s worked formats from top-40 to oldies to country. And every time, he’s proved himself worthy of his fans’ adoration.

Well, perhaps adoration is pushing it a bit, slightly. But I have been amazed at his flexibility, and the way he manages to have fun at every gig he has landed, including his present position as fill-in and weekend host at KRTH (101.1 FM). Through it all, Tuna has remained the same person off air as he presents on ... genuinely a nice guy.

Now, through his web site, www.charlietuna.com, you can catch some of the best of his bits, both old and new, via a selection of recorded audio clips. Included are short airchecks form a few of his varied stations, including a recording of him on the air as the Sylmar earthquake hit the area back in 1971. On it you can actually hear the record warbling as the quake shook the Melrose Boulevard KHJ studios.

Hear Charlie on KRTH Saturdays from 9 AM to 2 PM, and Sundays from 10:00 to 3:00.

Speaking of Tuna

The United Stations Radio network has signed Tuna up for a show heard Monday through Fridays 10 AM to 2 PM Eastern time on their Classic Top-40 format.

Available to subscriber stations via satellite or download (would the download be considered canned Tuna?), the show features what once were called oldies along with Tuna’s legendary style. Other personalities on the syndicated format include Eric Chase and John Records Landecker.

Currently no local station carries the format; I’ll let you know when it is available.

Site of Record

Don Barrett never intended his web site, www.laradio.com, to be anything more than an advertisement for his book, Los Angeles Radio People. What started as an advertisement, however, fast became the radio news site of record as it pertains to Los Angeles radio personalities, both past and present.

Now a subscription site, Barrett somehow pulls together news from all aspects of Los Angeles radio. From what personalities are up to now to the background of how various events in radio came about. it is one site that I read daily.

Through the month of November, Barrett is allowing free access to everyone interested in LA radio, not just subscribers. So head on over to laradio.com, and check it out for free all this month.

Play Thing

Tomorrow at 10 PM on KPCC (89.3 FM), The LA Theater Work’s The Play’s The Thing features The Ride Down Mt. Morgan. Written by Arthur Miller and starring Brian Cox is the story of Lyman Felt’s perfect life and an accident that brings him and his two wives together for the first time.

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Copyright © 2008 Richard Wagoner and Los Angeles Newspaper Group.

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