After sitting through a movie in media class today, I have decided to blog about a radio personality mentioned in the movie.
Howard Stern. I don’t know what comes to your mind when you hear his name; but personally my stomach lurches and I have to hold back vomit.
I had the less than fortunate experience of witnessing one of his “shows” on television a few years ago while hanging out with some of my male friends. Needless to say, I couldn’t believe what I saw. A: I could not believe the way he spoke to his guests (usually females), and B: I couldn’t believe that women would willingly go on his show and allow him to speak like that.
I could care less about this guy, so I really don’t know much about him. After Googling him, disturbingly enough I discovered he is married! SERIOUSLY, what woman would want to MARRY Howard Stern?!
I could not believe it. Apparently Stern and his long-term girlfriend got married in October of 2008. I did a little more research on Stern’s marriage and I found the romantic story of how he proposed to his girlfriend . . .
"Do you want your Valentine's Day gift now?" MTV.com reports Stern said on the air Wednesday, re-enacting his proposal for his listeners. When Ostrosky said she wanted it, Stern says he ordered her to strip down – despite her protests that she was too "fat" to do that. After she said that, Stern says he thought, "Any girl who looks like that and thinks she's fat – I've got a chance with her." Once naked, Ostrosky was given a 5.2 carat diamond ring. "I love you. You're everything to me," Stern said he told her. "This is so gay. ... I'm asking you to spend the rest of your life with me."
WHAT A LUCKY GIRL!
After a little more research, I discovered something even more disturbing. This wasn’t Howard Stern’s first marriage. He had been married before to his first wife for 20 years!
I don’t know what is more upsetting; knowing a man who is famous for behavior like this, or knowing that not only there are women out there who are big enough masochists that they want to be guests on his show, but that there are women who want to marry this pig.
I can’t believe I spent the last hour Googling Howard Stern. I feel like I need to go to church immediately, and maybe pray the rosary.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
America says Goodbye to Paul Harvey
Radio broadcasting icon Paul Harvey died on Saturday in Arizona at the age of 90. Within the past year, he had been hosting his radio shows part-time after recovering from various physical ailments as well as the death of his wife, Lynne "Angel" Harvey, in May 2008. It was reported that Harvey passed away in a Phoenix hospital surrounded by his family.
Harvey was an icon in the radio world. Week after week over 25 million people “stand by” to listen to Harvey’s popular show. Paul Harvey is the most listened-to radeio personality in America, the number one personality in network radio, and his broadcasts rank among the top ten of radio network programs.
Paul Harvey literally grew up in newsrooms. Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, he made his own radio sets while still a boy. While in high school, he frequented KVOO radio until the manager finally decided to hire him. His contributions to broadcasting and communications took him around the world and brought him full circle back to Oklahoma for induction into The Hall of Fame.
Many people have made statements this past week in regards to the late radio icon. Former president Bush, president of ABC radio networks Jim Robinson, and Harvey’s son, were to name a few. Harvey’s son Paul Harvey Jr. said, "My father and mother created from thin air what one day became radio and television news. So in the past year, an industry has lost its godparents and today millions have lost a friend."
Harvey is well known for his dramatic pauses, quirky intonations and his folksiness in his broadcasts.. He explained his enthusiastic support of his sponsors: "I am fiercely loyal to those willing to put their money where my mouth is."
America said goodbye to the Grandfather of Radio this week, he will be missed and radio will never be the same.
Harvey was an icon in the radio world. Week after week over 25 million people “stand by” to listen to Harvey’s popular show. Paul Harvey is the most listened-to radeio personality in America, the number one personality in network radio, and his broadcasts rank among the top ten of radio network programs.
Paul Harvey literally grew up in newsrooms. Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, he made his own radio sets while still a boy. While in high school, he frequented KVOO radio until the manager finally decided to hire him. His contributions to broadcasting and communications took him around the world and brought him full circle back to Oklahoma for induction into The Hall of Fame.
Many people have made statements this past week in regards to the late radio icon. Former president Bush, president of ABC radio networks Jim Robinson, and Harvey’s son, were to name a few. Harvey’s son Paul Harvey Jr. said, "My father and mother created from thin air what one day became radio and television news. So in the past year, an industry has lost its godparents and today millions have lost a friend."
Harvey is well known for his dramatic pauses, quirky intonations and his folksiness in his broadcasts.. He explained his enthusiastic support of his sponsors: "I am fiercely loyal to those willing to put their money where my mouth is."
America said goodbye to the Grandfather of Radio this week, he will be missed and radio will never be the same.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Money Money Money
Entertainers in the Music industry on Tuesday urged Congress to force radio stations to pay performers when their music is broadcast. When I read this at first I thought seriously? Don’t they make enough? Then I learned that Satellite radio, Internet radio and cable TV music channels already pay fees to performers and musicians, along with songwriter royalties. AM and FM radio stations do not pay performers' royalties, just songwriters.
If radio stations are paying songwriters royalties, should they be paying musicians? Honestly, if you think about all the money that musicians make with going on tour, CD sales, and everything else, is it really necessary for them to be paid for this too? Almost all musicians say they are in the business for “the music”, however, whenever a money issue like this arises, it becomes a huge deal.
Sheryl Crow, will.i.am, Herbie Hancock and other entertainers were present in Washington and spoke before congress. Hancock said people tune in to the radio because of the music."Just as radio promotes music, music promotes radio," he said. Dionne Warwick and Pattie Labelle were present at Capitol Hill for a news conference on behalf of the musicFIRST Coalition. This group wants radio stations to be required to pay musicians royalties for having their music on the radio, just like songwriters.
Warwick said she hasn't been compensated while her songs played around the world for 48 years."I think now is about time that I do get paid," she said.
Dionne Warwick cancelled her presidential inaugural ball due to low ticket sales. Tickets were sold for $450.00 dollars, and at the moment people are unable to get their money back because "technically" the non-profit organization they bought the tickets from doesn't exists. The 'Dionne and Friends Foundation Inc.' has not had incorporation status for nearly three years -- and there's no record it ever had IRS nonprofit status. Does it sound like she is hurting for money?
What do you think? Musicians make music for us to listen to and enjoy. They make millions, but don’t seem to think that is enough…is it?
If radio stations are paying songwriters royalties, should they be paying musicians? Honestly, if you think about all the money that musicians make with going on tour, CD sales, and everything else, is it really necessary for them to be paid for this too? Almost all musicians say they are in the business for “the music”, however, whenever a money issue like this arises, it becomes a huge deal.
Sheryl Crow, will.i.am, Herbie Hancock and other entertainers were present in Washington and spoke before congress. Hancock said people tune in to the radio because of the music."Just as radio promotes music, music promotes radio," he said. Dionne Warwick and Pattie Labelle were present at Capitol Hill for a news conference on behalf of the musicFIRST Coalition. This group wants radio stations to be required to pay musicians royalties for having their music on the radio, just like songwriters.
Warwick said she hasn't been compensated while her songs played around the world for 48 years."I think now is about time that I do get paid," she said.
Dionne Warwick cancelled her presidential inaugural ball due to low ticket sales. Tickets were sold for $450.00 dollars, and at the moment people are unable to get their money back because "technically" the non-profit organization they bought the tickets from doesn't exists. The 'Dionne and Friends Foundation Inc.' has not had incorporation status for nearly three years -- and there's no record it ever had IRS nonprofit status. Does it sound like she is hurting for money?
What do you think? Musicians make music for us to listen to and enjoy. They make millions, but don’t seem to think that is enough…is it?
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
She's Baaaack
Everyone was wondering if it would every happen. By some freak chance it did. Britney Spears made her comeback. How . . . I have no idea.I can’t say that I have ever been a huge Britney fan. I do remember jamming out to hit me baby one more time when I was listening to the radio waiting for my favorite Backstreet Boys song to play on Y94. However, I did enjoy the train wreck that was her life for the past few years. If that makes me a terrible person, so be it.
I continued to shake my head in disbelief and disgust week after week while I read about her walking barefoot into public restrooms, driving her vehicle with her children on her lap, AND my personal favorite shaving her head completely bald. I honestly thought that she would either end up tragically dead from some drug overdose or locked up in some loony bin. I guess I was wrong.
I about died when Britney’s Womanizer video debuted on primetime television. I remember walking into the living room and thinking “My God, she is back.” Immediately after that thought came “Good for her.” The song was great, the video was fun, and she looked amazing. Britney finally got her act together.
Last week it was announced that her Circus tour would begin in March and she has started rehearsing. She announced on her blog how excited she was for her fans to see her latest tour that will kick off in New Orleans. The Pussycat Dolls are said to be opening for Britney on this tour. No comment…
I guess there is just no getting rid of Britney. This is thanks to her fans. To them, nothing has changed. There were no up-skirt shots or messy divorces, no shaved heads or stints in rehabilitation facilities. She has always been the perfect, pig-tailed American Idol and she always will be. Somehow, she has become vital, she has become iconic, and — most of all — she has become infallible. I am not sure why… but to her fans, Britney can do no wrong.
Thanks for all the “crazy” years Brit. You entertained me for quite a while. I hope she enjoys her “comeback” and I hope you guys won’t hold it against me that I own her Circus CD.
I continued to shake my head in disbelief and disgust week after week while I read about her walking barefoot into public restrooms, driving her vehicle with her children on her lap, AND my personal favorite shaving her head completely bald. I honestly thought that she would either end up tragically dead from some drug overdose or locked up in some loony bin. I guess I was wrong.
I about died when Britney’s Womanizer video debuted on primetime television. I remember walking into the living room and thinking “My God, she is back.” Immediately after that thought came “Good for her.” The song was great, the video was fun, and she looked amazing. Britney finally got her act together.
Last week it was announced that her Circus tour would begin in March and she has started rehearsing. She announced on her blog how excited she was for her fans to see her latest tour that will kick off in New Orleans. The Pussycat Dolls are said to be opening for Britney on this tour. No comment…
I guess there is just no getting rid of Britney. This is thanks to her fans. To them, nothing has changed. There were no up-skirt shots or messy divorces, no shaved heads or stints in rehabilitation facilities. She has always been the perfect, pig-tailed American Idol and she always will be. Somehow, she has become vital, she has become iconic, and — most of all — she has become infallible. I am not sure why… but to her fans, Britney can do no wrong.
Thanks for all the “crazy” years Brit. You entertained me for quite a while. I hope she enjoys her “comeback” and I hope you guys won’t hold it against me that I own her Circus CD.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Radio Stations Ban Chris Brown's Music
This week my blog is going to be about the alleged attack on singer Rihanna by her boyfriend, singer Chris Brown. If you watch television, listen to the radio, or hop on the internet, you have probably heard about this story.
Witnesses claim that they saw Chris Brown and “an unidentified woman” arguing in the front seats of his car at 12:30 am Sunday (Not the night of the Grammy’s but the night before). They then got outside of the vehicle where the fight escalated. The woman, who was later identified as Rihanna, was taken to the hospital, and cops booked Brown on “suspicion of making a criminal threat” which is a felony.
This happened the night before the Grammy’s; an event that both Rihanna and Chris Brown were scheduled to perform at. They cancelled just two hours before the award’s show began, and Justin Timberlake volunteered to fill in their time slot.
Photos taken by police show major contusions on both sides of the singer's face along with serious swelling and bruising. Her lip is split and her nose bloody. It was also rumored that Brown choked Rihanna until she was unconscious. All this information can be found on TMZ.
My boyfriend, all my guy friends, and I’m sure every other male who knows who Rihanna is are appalled. Honestly, if you were lucky enough to be dating her, why would you beat on her? She is waaaaay cuter than Chris Brown anyway.
How this story ties into the radio is Chris Brown’s music on the radio, or rather, the lack there of as of Sunday. There is a growing list of radio stations across the nation that are banning Chris Brown’s music; some because the radio station refuses to play it, and others because of “listener’s outrage”. The most recent radio station to join this list is Fargo’s Y94. I have to say, I agree with this decision, however any man that raises his hand to a woman deserves a hell of a lot more than his crappy music being banned from a radio station. Someone should smack Chris Brown upside the head with an umbrella-ella-ella…
Witnesses claim that they saw Chris Brown and “an unidentified woman” arguing in the front seats of his car at 12:30 am Sunday (Not the night of the Grammy’s but the night before). They then got outside of the vehicle where the fight escalated. The woman, who was later identified as Rihanna, was taken to the hospital, and cops booked Brown on “suspicion of making a criminal threat” which is a felony.
This happened the night before the Grammy’s; an event that both Rihanna and Chris Brown were scheduled to perform at. They cancelled just two hours before the award’s show began, and Justin Timberlake volunteered to fill in their time slot.
Photos taken by police show major contusions on both sides of the singer's face along with serious swelling and bruising. Her lip is split and her nose bloody. It was also rumored that Brown choked Rihanna until she was unconscious. All this information can be found on TMZ.
My boyfriend, all my guy friends, and I’m sure every other male who knows who Rihanna is are appalled. Honestly, if you were lucky enough to be dating her, why would you beat on her? She is waaaaay cuter than Chris Brown anyway.
How this story ties into the radio is Chris Brown’s music on the radio, or rather, the lack there of as of Sunday. There is a growing list of radio stations across the nation that are banning Chris Brown’s music; some because the radio station refuses to play it, and others because of “listener’s outrage”. The most recent radio station to join this list is Fargo’s Y94. I have to say, I agree with this decision, however any man that raises his hand to a woman deserves a hell of a lot more than his crappy music being banned from a radio station. Someone should smack Chris Brown upside the head with an umbrella-ella-ella…
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Don't Mess With the Boss
I wouldn’t want to piss off the boss, but Ticketmaster has seemed to do just that. Bruce Springsteen is reportedly “furious” with Ticketmaster because of the way the website has been handling his concert tickets. Apparently, while fans were trying to purchase tickets on Ticketmaster, the site forwarded their requests to their secondary site, TicketsNow. This wouldn’t be a problem except TicketsNow sells the same concert tickets for higher prices. Springsteen heard what was happening, and immediately posted a letter on his fans website. Here is part of the letter:
“Last Monday, we were informed that Ticketmaster was redirecting your log-in requests for tickets at face value, to their secondary site TicketsNow, which specializes in up-selling tickets at above face value. They did this even when other seats remained available at face value. We condemn this practice.” -Bruce Springsteen, Jon Landau and the entire Springsteen Tour Team
To read the entire letter to the fans click here.
Another reason for Springsteen’s anger with Ticketmaster is it’s rumored merger with Live Nation, another ticket selling mogul. Since both companies are having issues, they are thinking about merging together to create one enormous concert giant. The problem with Live Nation and Ticketmaster coming up with a single system is that it would bring is to a near “monopoly” situation in music ticketing.
I don’t know about you, but concert are definitely things I enjoy going to. Some prices for concerts are outrageous and I can’t imagine prices getting higher than they already are. Wouldn’t it be cool if we were back in “They Day” and waiting in line and camping out in the cold for concert tickets at 4 in the morning? That would be half of the fun of the concert experience; meeting all the crazy people in line waiting with you who are pumped to see their favorite band… That is what my parents did and I am stuck with the lousy internet. I wish I were a teen in the 70’s…
“Last Monday, we were informed that Ticketmaster was redirecting your log-in requests for tickets at face value, to their secondary site TicketsNow, which specializes in up-selling tickets at above face value. They did this even when other seats remained available at face value. We condemn this practice.” -Bruce Springsteen, Jon Landau and the entire Springsteen Tour Team
To read the entire letter to the fans click here.
Another reason for Springsteen’s anger with Ticketmaster is it’s rumored merger with Live Nation, another ticket selling mogul. Since both companies are having issues, they are thinking about merging together to create one enormous concert giant. The problem with Live Nation and Ticketmaster coming up with a single system is that it would bring is to a near “monopoly” situation in music ticketing.
I don’t know about you, but concert are definitely things I enjoy going to. Some prices for concerts are outrageous and I can’t imagine prices getting higher than they already are. Wouldn’t it be cool if we were back in “They Day” and waiting in line and camping out in the cold for concert tickets at 4 in the morning? That would be half of the fun of the concert experience; meeting all the crazy people in line waiting with you who are pumped to see their favorite band… That is what my parents did and I am stuck with the lousy internet. I wish I were a teen in the 70’s…
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Twins Radio
Last week I talked a lot about how much I dislike talk radio. Some of you left comments agreeing with me, and others listed some of the radio shows they liked to listen to. I figured this week would be a good week to talk about a form of talk radio that I actually do enjoy and completely forgot about… Twins Radio.
My family and I are huge Minnesota Twins fans. Whenever I get the chance I am watching a game on television, getting stats online (usually during class around noon or one o’clock), or listening to the game on the radio in the car. Considering they have their own radio network, it is very easy to find the game on the radio in the car.
The Minnesota Twins, in conjunction with the Minnesota News Network, announced that the Twins Radio Network has grown to include nearly 70 stations that will broadcast throughout Twins Territory. Historically, the Twins Radio Network has been one of the largest in all of Major League Baseball with hometown radio partners bringing Twins baseball to fans across five states, and the network continues to grow. In 2007, the Twins assumed control and development of the Twins Radio Network. Not bad for the upper Midwest!
There is a link to listen to Twins Radio on the Minnesota Twins website. The radio stations for Twins Radio provide listeners with pre-game shows, play-by-play action during the game, and then the post game show. Some of the specialty shows on the stations include “Talkin’ Twins” with Matt Thomas, and “The Ron Gardenhire Show” with Ron himself. Along with regular season games, a lot of the stations also have spring training coverage as well.
So, I guess I spoke to soon; there IS a form of talk radio that I enjoy. If you are around the Fargo/Moorhead area like me, and enjoy listening to the Twins games, you can turn on KFGO Fargo, 790 on am radio. Enjoy!
My family and I are huge Minnesota Twins fans. Whenever I get the chance I am watching a game on television, getting stats online (usually during class around noon or one o’clock), or listening to the game on the radio in the car. Considering they have their own radio network, it is very easy to find the game on the radio in the car.
The Minnesota Twins, in conjunction with the Minnesota News Network, announced that the Twins Radio Network has grown to include nearly 70 stations that will broadcast throughout Twins Territory. Historically, the Twins Radio Network has been one of the largest in all of Major League Baseball with hometown radio partners bringing Twins baseball to fans across five states, and the network continues to grow. In 2007, the Twins assumed control and development of the Twins Radio Network. Not bad for the upper Midwest!
There is a link to listen to Twins Radio on the Minnesota Twins website. The radio stations for Twins Radio provide listeners with pre-game shows, play-by-play action during the game, and then the post game show. Some of the specialty shows on the stations include “Talkin’ Twins” with Matt Thomas, and “The Ron Gardenhire Show” with Ron himself. Along with regular season games, a lot of the stations also have spring training coverage as well.
So, I guess I spoke to soon; there IS a form of talk radio that I enjoy. If you are around the Fargo/Moorhead area like me, and enjoy listening to the Twins games, you can turn on KFGO Fargo, 790 on am radio. Enjoy!
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