Geek Alert — Radio of the Future?

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The title of the article in ScienceDaily.com is what caught my eye: “World’s Smallest Radio Stations: Two Molecules Communicate via Single Photons.” I’ve always agreed with the radio curmudgeons who say radio is dying, although I think it’s going to live a very long time yet before it expires.  However, technology continues to make new options possible.  If your local station lets you down, you already have lots of other choices online or by satellite. This scientific breakthrough in atomic physics may not have real implications for radio but it’s fun to let your imagination run wild. In … Continue Reading

Losing a Classical Station in Kansas City

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KXTR, known as Radio Bach at 1660 AM in Kansas City is switching formats to an all talk business channel by next week.  The switch does not completely eliminate classical music on the radio in KC, because KPR plays 6-8 hours of classical a day on their dual format station.  But it does eliminate the majority of classical listening hours.  KXTR has enjoyed a large audience, at times registering a 4-share despite being on an AM frequency and not being very good at raising money. Bottom Line Communications reports that KXTR is donating its music library to KPR. … Continue Reading

Classical News Bits

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Lorin Levee, the wonderful principal clarinetist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, has died at age 61 of a blood disorder.  A very sad day.  Scanning the Dial shares in sending condolences to his family and to his orchestra colleagues. Colorado Public Radio has officially purchased classical KVOD, although CPR has been operating the station under an LMA since 2008.  The purchase price was $8.364 million. It doesn’t play in Peoria!  Pjstar.com reports that HD Radio is going nowhere, which we all knew.  Despite that, many stations dump their classical broadcasting onto HD channels and pretend that people will still … Continue Reading

Woody Allen and Dick Cavett Dish on Radio

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An article on The Playlist reports on an absolutely wonderful chat by Woody Allen and Dick Cavett at the 92nd St. Y in NY.  It’s charming and nostalgic. Every Allen afficionado will recognize the filmmaker’s extensive use of old jazz standards and classical composers and he revealed that his love of music came from growing up with the radio playing constantly. “When I grew up radio was all we had,” Allen said. “And you turned it on, or at least in my family you did, when you woke up in the morning and when I … Continue Reading

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