Newsy Bits: 91X Radio Shakeup & Goodbye Chargers?

I'm stunned to read the news that Michael Halloran, program director and afternoon host at 91X, has been let go. I mean, I guess we're all used to the radio shuffle here in SD, every year seems to see some big shakeup and as SoundDiego mentions, we should expect to see more when 94/9 begins their Padres broadcasts, but it doesn't mean we ever get used to it...not as listeners of the stations, not as friends of the jocks and programming directors and music directors, and even as a veteran of advertising where this kind of thing seemed to happen all the time. When I was let go from The Observatory, Hal was one of the only people to call me to check on me and I only hope he's staying in San Diego because he's an essential part of our music culture. I suspect, based on this inquiry about Garett Michaels "logging off" of KFM-BFM on Friday (and disappearing from their website), we might conclude he'll be installed as PD of 91X or oversee programming for multiple stations. But I guess we'll know when we know.

Here's the full article on SoundDiego

Bye-Bye Chargers?
In meantime, there's another article circulating social media, and that is this ESPN story that the Chargers are, in fact, leaving San Diego with an announcement to come tomorrow. While I would love for this to be true, as I commented on Facebook, I would love to do a FOIA request on all of Kevin Faulconer's e-mail tonight. And Sherman, and Zapf, and all of the City Council for that matter. This has been going on for years, of course, even before the renovations and upgrades that got us the blackout ticket purchase deal. I hoped that with November's resounding votes against Prop C & D, that this issue would be dead and gone. But I'll believe it when I see it. Meaning even if an announcement is to come tomorrow, I won't believe it. Not until the Chargers kick-off on someone else's, not paid for by San Diegans, field.

Let's think about this. This is the same team that "essentially pays no rent". This is the team only willing to contribute $350 million to a new San Diego stadium, even though leaving will cost them a $650 million relocation fee. And if they decide on moving, they still have to find a place to play until that L.A. stadium is finished in 2019. You really think they're playing in Carson Inglewood with half the seats as the Q for two years?? And on a really superficial level, you think they want two blue & gold teams in the same stadium? Give me a freaking break. I'm just not buying it.

But I hope it's true. We've wasted enough City and County resources and money on this billionaire family. Time to move on.

Public Invited to Celebrate The Life Of Junior Seau

photo credit: Chargers.com

Last week's news of Junior Seau's suicide hit San Diegans and fans worldwide in the gut. People really want to make sense of the circumstances, but whatever they are, his death is no less tragic because it was by his own hand. I find many public statements about mental illness, depression, and PTSD to be quite offensive and no matter how revered, successful, or happy someone may seem, you can never know what darkness people find unbearable and enough to break. Anyway, I thought I'd post this information in case you hadn't heard that there will be a public celebration of Junior Seau's life and contributions to our city.

Chargers host a celebration of life honoring Junior Seau on May 11 at 6:30 p.m. at Qualcomm Stadium.
The San Diego Chargers will host a Celebration of Life in honor of Chargers linebacker and San Diego community icon Junior Seau on Friday, May 11 at 6:30 pm at Qualcomm Stadium. The ceremony is open to the public and parking and admission are free. The Celebration of Life will allow San Diegans to join in a community-wide tribute to their native son who passed away on Wednesday, May 2. Special guest speakers will share stories and memories of the positive impact Seau made on them and countless others.
The parking lot at Qualcomm Stadium will open at 2 pm and the stadium gates will open at 4:30 pm. There is no reserve seating and a large crowd is expected, so fans are urged to arrive early and carpool or take the Trolley.
Donations in Junior’s honor can be made to the Junior Seau Foundation and mailed to the Junior Seau Foundation, 5275 Market Street, Suite B, San Diego, CA 92114. Donations also can be made online at www.juniorseau.org.

Go, Stan Miller!

My man just told the Massholes to show some class. Stan is hands down my favorite newsanchor.

The Chargers lost. Can we move on?

Chargers Mania

The Chargers' big game is on Sunday in New England. While everyone is getting all caught up in the crazies sports mania, you might've noticed an event in my listings at the House of Blues on Friday. I have more info on that, so I thought I'd repost here in case any of you psychos want to get up at the ass crack of dawn tomorrow morning.

XX Sports Radio 1090am and 105.7fm's Scott and BR, Live and Wired

Join us this Friday at the House of Powder Blues for a live broadcast and early morning party. There will be live music, contests, prizes, food and drink specials with surprise guests.

We will also have live performances by Skanic and Bolts Idol winner, Marcus Preciado. Help us send our team off as they travel to take on a soon to be defeated New England Patriots. Get out of bed early and kickoff your playoff weekend.

Doors open at 5:45am.

For those that missed it, last week San Diego's own Brad Bohensky (drummer of Transit War) and Chris Armes (former frontman of Agent 51) stepped into the XX Sports Radio show on 1090am and 105.7fm. Brad not only called the score of 28-24 Chargers, but took third in the Bolts Idol contest. Brad and Chris entered the Frightening Lightning song into the contest with a chance to win a paid trip to last weeks playoff game. When asked his prediction this week for Chargers vs. Patriots and he said 31-21 Chargers. Lets all rally starting tomorrow morning bright and early at the House of Powder Blues downtown on 5th ave.

boomp3.com

Christmas Eve at Qualcomm: Chargers Win!

I don't have a lot to say about Monday's Charger game except that it was my first game in several years, it was really fun, and I was glad we took a cab to and from the game. We got into the stadium with ease, drank some beer and jack in the parking lot, then enjoyed the game, making friends with the group of people around us, and maybe I should've had more than just nachos to go along with the booze. After the game we really had no problem finding a cab home, then Adam and I caught another cab to the Casbah for Exile on Kettner. Fortunately my friend Jim was there, so he was kind enough to give us a ride home. A nice end to a lovely Christmas Eve afternoon and night. Then, lo and behold, it was time for Christmas.

Charger Tickets For Sale

So the Chargers already clinched the AFC West title...whatever. If anyone is interested in going to the Chargers game on Christmas Eve...that's a Monday Night Football game...let me know. Adam and I are going, but he's got an extra pair of tix he's willing to sell for face, which is $92 a ticket.

Any interested parties should e-mail me ASAP.

Weekend Recap: Sunday

I woke up to my phone ringing at aroun 12:30. In my panic during the night and with the fear of having to evacuate, I had called Sara, my parents, a couple old neighbors all numerous times with nobody answering. My parents were freaked as was Sara but as everything was ok, they felt better after talking to me.

I decided to watch the Chargers game from home since I'd not had much sleep. I also didn't have a good feeling about the game and didn't want to be around a bunch of people who take a loss personal, or turn into big shit talkers if the game does go their way. It's just my feeling that athletic franchises have no loyalty to their hometowns, so people who worship any team kinda puzzle me. I like watching sports. I do not however, think of myself as being on a team and don't understand the "we're gonna kick your asses" shit talking. That's just me.

I don't need to mention what an ugly game the Chargers played. Disappointing, yes. Surprising, no.

The rest of my Sunday was chill until 8 when Dave picked me up to head to the Belly Up. We arrived during Matt Curreri's set. He and Joanie and Ray Suen of Exfriends were playing minus Kevin on bass and no drums. I love Matt Curreri. I like his quirky songwriting, I like that he is reminiscent of Tweedy but still stands alone on his own songwriting merit. Ray Suen is just amazing on both violin and mandolin. Joanie seems to have backed down on her vocals since the last time I saw them and I like it better that way. The crowd was really responsive to their music, especially the two hecklers up front that Matt had to ask "don't you need to get another beer or something?"

When Rhett came out, it was almost sad. His voice was strained and I'm sure today he has full on larenghitis. He kept apologizing for his voice, for having to spit, and thanking the crowd for "pretending like (he) could sing". Still, he powered through and played some Old 97s stuff and lots of songs from both his solo releases. I have to admit (sorry to eveyone who is so much cooler than me) that I was a Rhett Miller fan first and then went backward to the Old 97's. I have seen Rhett solo and fronting the band and I love both but very differently. For all the struggling through his set, he was a good sport and the crowd wouldn't give up on him. And really, how could you walk out on the man who has, hands down, the most piercing eyes, the best hair, and the best booty shake in all of rock n roll?

Some girls in the front who had videotaped the entire show and the others that had bought Rhett two shots of Patrón were not happy that I chatted with the sound guy who climbed onstage to get me the setlist. But I do it all for you dear Blog Readers...