`Tech Guy' set to unplug from radio this month
Leo Laporte — “The Tech Guy” — heard locally on KFI (640 AM) from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, announced his retirement from radio effective in December. His last live show will air Dec. 18.
Technically it wasn't Laporte who announced the retirement … comedian Steve Martin called in to make the announcement for him during the Nov. 19 edition of the program. Laporte retires after nearly 50 years on the air, the last 19 of which were spent as The Tech Guy, giving advice and troubleshooting support to listeners on all things tech.
Replacing Laporte will be Rich DeMuro, who will bring his podcast and KTLA Channel 5 Morning News segment to the radio airwaves. “Rich on Tech” will replace “The Tech Guy” starting Jan. 7; “Best of Tech Guy” programs will air until then.
Voice in the wilderness
At the recent convention of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting, someone — finally — spoke in support of AM radio. That someone was none other than commissioner Nathan Simington of the Federal Communications Commission, the agency that purports to help advance the broadcast industry, even though in my opinion it normally doses the opposite.
So many bad FCC initiatives have hurt radio: lifting station ownership limits, dropping news and public affairs requirements, allowing college “public” stations to be staffed by professionals, the AM stereo debacle, the HD radio debacle, allowing low-powered translators on FM as a way to “save” AM, random enforcement of indecency rules … the list goes on and on.
Sometimes it's not just the direct rules they make. Not enforcing existing interference rules has had a tremendously negative effect on radio reception affecting both bands, but truly hurting AM. If any product negatively affects radio reception, it is illegal, according to FCC rules and regulations. Yet dimmers, some energy efficient light bulbs, cable boxes, cheap “wall-wart” power supplies, and even computers can make AM reception not only difficult but darnnear impossible. The FCC on these issues? Crickets.
But finally, after years of silence, one commissioner of the impotent commission is at least trying. Speaking at the convention, Simington emphasized the importance of AM radio due to the popularity of the band among farmers, many of whom are not necessarily near an FM station; the fact that AM radio operates as an essential part of the emergency alert system; and more.
He called on automakers to keep AM reception available on cars and trucks as more and more electric vehicles are developed. EVs by nature cause interference, and many automakers take the easy way out by simply deleting AM from the in-car radio. Problem is, that interference can affect reception to any radio nearby as well, which would appear to make them illegal if they do so, from my understanding of the law. But again, it has been years since the FCC actually did anything benefiting broadcasters.
Regardless, it is refreshing that at least one commissioner is doing (or saying) something. The trick is getting the rest of the commission — and Congress — onboard.
More Christmas music
Fred Travalena was an impressionist and entertainer; starting in the 1970s he became known as “The Man of a Thousand Faces” with appearances across the country, including headlining in Las Vegas; Atlantic City, New Jersey, and Reno — appearances on talk shows including “The Tonight Show” — and starring in his own television specials such as “The Many Faces of Fred Travalena.”
His wife, singer Lois Travalena, and Fred appeared together at Andrews Air Force Base in the early days of his singing career. It was at this show where he started doing his impressions — developed while in grade school — in public.
He also made a Christmas album. Called “The Manhattan Christmas Suite,” it is an album of songs dedicated to memories of his New York childhood; he was born in the Bronx and grew up on Long Island. But you probably haven't heard it … Lois says getting her late husband's music on the radio has been extremely difficult.
In this era of streaming music, perhaps it doesn't matter. And for that matter, if it did pick up popularity streaming, perhaps stations would consider adding it to their playlist. If you'd like to hear it, search on Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, Deezer or even iHeart Music.
Give it a listen and let me know your thoughts.