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.

Mike Halloran Named Program Director at 91X

Halloran teaching Nova how to work the boards back in May 2014

I can't believe I forgot to post this news yesterday! I can't even go into what Halloran has meant to me over the years, back when I was a kid growing up listening to 91X and then through all his other endeavors like The Flash and trying to get his voice in when he was at that weird Y-something station in Riverside, and when FM 94/9 first flipped and I called in and was the official 13th listener. Of course he's been back at 91X for a while now and over the past 6 weeks or so, many wondered if the Program Director spot would go to someone from San Diego and within the 91X staff (as it should) or if the station would try to bring in new blood. Clearly they went with the right choice by choosing someone already in the family. He's a mentor to many, and I'm happy to call him a friend. 

Here's the press release:

Mike Halloran will take the reigns as Program Director at 91X, effective immediately.

“Halloran,” as he is known on-air, came to San Diego from Detroit in 1986, to work on-air on 91X when the station was still adapting an alternative rock format. He quickly became known for his encyclopedia-like knowledge of music, eccentric presentation, and ubiquitous presence at local concerts and lifestyle events. 

After leaving the station in the 90’s, Halloran returned to 91X in 2012 as the afternoon drive DJ from 2:00 – 6:00 PM. Halloran will retain the same on-air shift while inheriting PD responsibilities. 

“Does this mean I get to finally know where the keys to the prize closet are?” said Halloran. “In all seriousness, I am more than honored.” 

“Halloran’s knowledge of the brand, the city, and the music are a huge asset to the station,” said Joe Lindsay, Director of Operations and Programming. “He is passionate and has a deep respect for 91X and the staff. I am looking forward to him leading the team to another level and exceeding the expectations of the audience.”

91X (XTRA-FM) is owned and operated by Local Media San Diego, a privately held San Diego-based company. LMSD also operates Z90.3 (XHTZ-FM) and Magic 92.5 (XHRM-FM).

Halloran Takes Over Afternoons At 91X

Hot out of the inbox oven:

91X LOCKS IN HALLORAN ON AFTERNOONS

SAN DIEGO – Halloran is back hosting afternoons on 91X, 2:00 to 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

This makes him the permanent host of the day-part he has filled since the departure of Capone in late February. Halloran will also remain the host of 91X’s show dedicated to local music “91X Loudspeaker,” which airs Sundays from 7:00 to 9:00 PM.

91X is owned and operated by Local Media San Diego, a privately held San Diego-based company. LMSD also operates Z90.3 (XHTZ-FM) and Magic 92.5 (XHRM-FM).

Halloran Reveals SoundSystem (((*)))

[I wrote this blog post on August 17, but didn't want to post without Halloran's consent. In light of the announcement today that he'll be hosting Loudspeaker and a new show, FTW, when he returns to 91X on October 2, I remembered that it was just sitting in my queue, and since George Varga mentioned it, he said it's okay to talk about, so here's my original post. Halloran says the show has been picked up to air on TV. Broadcasts are expected to begin in late October. -rosey]

A few weeks ago, my friends at Gaglione Brothers hosted a small party at their Mission Gorge location to celebrate the one year anniversary of the store. Along with their delicious garlic fries and samples of their amazing cheesesteaks, I was hanging outside with Michael Halloran and his family catching up on...well, everything, I guess. Conversation is never reduced to small talk with Hal. Anyway, he was telling me about a project he's been working on but told me I wasn't allowed to say anything until the time was right. I believe he said something to the effect of me having a big mouth and anything he tells me would be blabbed all over the internet before we were finished talking. I promised to keep it quiet, but now it's out...it was on facebook, the site is up (in beta) and the Vimeo Channel has been unlocked from the private setting, so I guess it's okay to spread the good word.

Sound System Sizzle Film from SoundSystem on Vimeo.

Halloran Returns To 91X

I really planned on sleeping in, but couldn't resist checking email while letting Pascha out to handle her business and I just thought I had to share this with you before I crawl back into bed: Michael Halloran is going back on the air at 91X. He'll be the new host of Loudspeaker after the spot was left vacant when Rowley accepted an amazing opportunity at Slacker. As you can read in the full press release below, Hal will also have a new program called "FTW", certainly a spin on "FTP" which he started at 94/9 years ago but is currently hosted by Tim Pyles from 7-8pm on Sundays. Pyles and Halloran will then go head to head on their respective local shows from 8-10pm. Having Hal back on the air is a smart move on all sides and certainly will be an outlet to pimp some visibility for that other thing that Mike's been working on that I'm not sure if we're talking about yet. Congrats to 91X and Halloran. Sundays just got a little bit more interesting.

Press Release:

Mike Halloran will return to the airwaves on San Diego alternative rock station 91X (XTRA-FM, 91.1) beginning this Sunday, October 2 as the permanent new host of “Loudspeaker,” San Diego’s longest running radio program dedicated to local music.

Loudspeaker will air 7:00 to 9:00 P.M. Sunday nights. Immediately following, Halloran will also air a new program from 9:00 to 10:00 P.M. on Sunday called “FTW.” The free-form program will adopt a “no rules, no gimmicks” moniker, driven by the unpredictability and immeasurable music knowledge Halloran is known for.

“I am honored to take part in the ongoing resurgence of my first home and my first love in San Diego, 91X,” says Halloran. “Oddly enough, October 2 is two days before the 25th anniversary of my original start date of October 4, 1986. Seems like yesterday, not last century.”

“Simply put, Mike is the perfect host for Loudspeaker as well as our new musical brainchild “FTW.” New music, unreleased music, and tasty nuggets from the 91X archives,” says 91X Program Director Garrett Capone. “We are absolutely stoked to welcome Mike back to the 91X family and I assure you that San Diego radio on Sunday nights will never be the same!”

Plug Awards Nominees: The Locust & Mike Halloran

The PLUG Awards are to indie bands what the Grammy's are for sellout cheeseballs who sell a bazillion records to the masses. Wait, does that really work as an analogy? Not really. But anyway, they're annual awards that are kind of a big deal in the indie music world. So yeah, Band of Horses are in pretty much every category ("and the Plug Award for biggest asshole goes to...") but there are some other worthy mentionables, like the National and Arcade Fire who appear to be fighting for the top spot on most lists this year.

San Diego is getting some shout outs, too, so ye shall get yer indie butt over and vote here.

In the "Punk Album of the Year" category, The Locust are nominated for New Erections.

In the "Best Specialty Show" category, Mike Halloran from FM 94/9 (KBZT) is nominated for FTP (or as we all know it, Fuck Tim Pyles), which, ironically, is sometimes hosted by Tim Pyles.

Anyway, show some local love for the Plugs.

Interpol didn't flake

I just wanted to make a correction on a previous post. After the Independence Jam on Monday, the Interpol guys were supposed to dj and I said they were delayed. Halloran wanted me to point out that 3 of them did actually show up. One was sorta mobbed by people, so he didn't stay long, one was on the turntables, and the other was chilling in the Atari lounge playing pool. I didn't really notice any of them, but seeing as that was after midnight, I think my carriage was already a pumpkin, if you know what I mean. I did get this lovely picture of Halloran, however.



Thanks for the clarification, Hal.

While I'm at it, I thought it was worth noting that TK from Indie 103.1 was here for FM 94/9's show and has been talking about how great it was all week on-air. Of course, he's not gonna mention a competing radio station, but it's good to note that our little town is getting some shoutouts in LA.

Tuesday Newsy Tidbits

I'm adding a link on my page to mVideoJukebox. A project by Dwight Jegler, there are 124 bands on the site including many older and now defunct local San Diego bands as well as bands that are still around. And speaking of....

Did you know Tim Pyles was in a band? You can see footage of the Banana Seeds? in action back in 2001 if you click the popups. Rumor has it that there have been talks for some time of a new project with Tim Pyles, Mike Halloran, Garrett Michaels and John Reis. That is a band I wanna see!

Alex of Swim Party is currently practicing with Kite Flying Society and preparing to hit the road with them this weekend for a mini tour. He says he'll play with them as long as they need him, however his priority is and will be Swim Party and he does not plan on being a permanent fixture in KFS. He may or not play with them as they do a weekly residency at the House of Blues Sidestage starting on Wednesday, February 7 and continuing each Wednesday for 4 weeks. Don't miss the show on February 28th with Princeton, a great band out of Santa Monica right in the same vein as KFS.