Radio News: Tommy Hough Takes The Helm of 91X Morning Drive & Garett Michaels Returns to San Diego with KFMB-FM

Back in October, it was announced that "Local Media San Diego, LLC and KFMB Stations, two leading digital and broadcast companies in the greater San Diego area, announced a joint operating agreement that preserves local ownership and operation of San Diego’s top-rated radio stations. Magic 92.5, Z90, 91X, 100.7 Jack FM and AM 760 KFMB will now make up the largest local radio broadcasting platform in San Diego."

At the time, I didn't post the press release, because it's the kind of things radio nerds like me care about, but so long as it didn't affect major shifts on the stations, it didn't seem something necessary to share. Fast-forward a few months, and we're starting to see just the impact the joint operation is having and it is a good thing for San Diego. Besides some "shared assets", in the way of focused sales and promotions staff able to work across formats and stations, yesterday it was announced that Tommy Hough would be taking over full time on morning drive at 91X and that Garett Michaels is returning to San Diego as the new Program Director at KFMB-FM (Jack FM).

Garett Michaels from back in his FM 94/9 days

I'll post the full news releases after the jump, but I have to say the most interesting thing about the news was this quote by SDLocal Vice President / General Manager Gregg Wolfson (Wolfie!), who said about Michaels, “with his large market experience, knowledge of San Diego, and his proficiency in CHR, AC, Alternative, Triple A, Rock, and Country, he is the perfect fit for the future format of KFMB-FM.” (emphasis mine) Could this mean change is coming to Jack? I certainly hope so, because I don't care how high DSC ratings are, Dave is off the rails and shouldn't have a mic in his face anymore, and with the recent sale of KPRI-FM, there is definitely a void in San Diego radio in the realm of Triple A (Adult Album Alternative) and really breaking new music in the market, which is only reinforced every time a new show is booked in San Diego and the agents ask for our "KEXP or KCRW equivalent" and we have none. But that's just my little projection. Congratulations to Tommy and welcome back, Garett. You'll both be hearing from me, I'm sure. Full press releases after the jump.

TOMMY HOUGH NAMED MORNING DRIVE HOST ON 91X.

SDLocal announces the addition of longtime San Diego radio personality Tommy Hough to the Morning Drive on-air shift at 91X XETRA (91.1 FM).

Best known in the San Diego market as part of the original FM 94/9 airstaff, Tommy was recently heard on weekends at the now-defunct 102.1 KPRI, and as the host of the Mandatory Marley segment on the KPRI morning show.

“It’s pretty unbelievable to be coming to 91X,” says Hough. “This is the station that’s been tenderizing the ears of San Diego since 1983, and has played a large part in molding the tastes and musical vibe of the San Diego community with a sound we take for granted today. 91X has been the region’s ears, musical conscience and tastemaker for three decades, and continues to play that role.”

One of the first San Diego broadcasters to embrace the region’s exploding craft beer scene on the air, Tommy has recently been the host of the craft beer and conversation show High Octane Growler. He continues to produce and host the long-running Sunday morning Brunch With Bob and Friends program, which airs on inland North County station KOPA Rez Radio 91.3, and produced and hosted the environmental affairs program Treehuggers International.

For Tommy, arriving at 91X ties everything together.

“In many ways, coming aboard at 91X is like coming home, because there’s so many great people and personalities here I’ve worked with over the years like Halloran, Mike Aitken and Tim Pyles,” says Hough. “And I’ve known my fellow Pittsburgh native Robin Roth for years, but we’ve never actually worked together, so it’s a real pleasure.”

GARETT MICHAELS RETURNS TO SAN DIEGO, NAMED KFMB-FM PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Veteran radio programmer and personality Garett Michaels has been named Program Director at KFMB-FM.

Michaels’ San Diego radio roots date back to 2002 as the original and founding Program Director of KBZT-FM, a position he held for nearly a decade. He most recently spent two years as the Program Director of KNDD-FM “107.7 The End” in Seattle.

“After spending the last few months exploring my strategic options, I couldn’t be more excited to return to San Diego,” said Michaels. “It's an honor to be a part of KFMB, call letters that have such an important history and heritage here. Also, I’m stoked to be working with the legendary Dave, Shelley and Chainsaw, San Diego’s best and highest rated morning show. A huge thanks to Elisabeth Kimmel for making this possible.”

“We welcome Garett back home to San Diego,” said SDLocal Vice President / General Manager Gregg Wolfson. “With his large market experience, knowledge of San Diego, and his proficiency in CHR, AC, Alternative, Triple A, Rock, and Country, he is the perfect fit for the future format of KFMB-FM.”