Hi all!

[Steve Sawyer <steve5@tiac.net>]

It's been about 2 months since I last saw this room from Texas, but alas, I've returned 
to New England to find the radio dial much the same as where I left it years ago.  While 
I guess most of you know the Boston market intimately, I thought I'd share my 
observations and opinions of what I've heard on the air around here since March 25th (I 
guess this is the 'for what it's worth' column).

I guess, to start with, I'm totally impressed with the job the "new" WROR 105.7 sounds 
like.  This sounds almost like the original 98.5 WROR, only, I think, better.  

Just what is WBOS 92.9 doing?  From what I heard yesterday, they seem to have no focus 
whatsoever.. while the music is good, the format seems to be all over the road.  Lets 
bring back "Country 93".

WXKS-FM 107.9 (Kiss 108) sounds good, I expected more of an R&B sound from what I 
remember of them, but it appears that most of the "dance" music went to Jammin' 94-5 (I 
know they are co-owned).  Is Dale Dorman still on afternoons?

Are WAAF 107.3 & WBCN 104.3 in competition or something?  This modern rock thing gives 
me a headache.  At least 'AAF is playing some classics.

Speaking of classics, it's good to see WZLX is still around.

West of Boston, WXLO 104.5 sounds fantastic!  Definitely not the same station I worked 
for in the 80's!  WSRS 96.1 also sounds good, solid A/C format.. Same jingle package in 
use at WASH-FM 97.1 in Washington, DC

WINQ 97.7 Winchendon (MA) sounds much better these days than the oldies format circa 
1990, A/C format now, live dayparts and a LOCAL NEWS COMMITMENT... in Western Mass..  
Now THAT I like!

WKNE-FM 103.7 Keene still playing the hits, but the format sounds muddy, only going by 
FM 103.7.. doesn't anyone know how to say call letters anymore??

...out here in the hinterlands of Orange, WCAT-FM 99.9 is still a satellite jukebox.  
Very little community involvement.. Hey, somebody get me a quarter, I've got a request!! 
 You'll never hear a live DJ on THAT station as long as current ownership remains.  
WCAT-AM 700 is another regurgitated broadcast of the "TalkAmerica Radio Network".  
Question: does anyone really listen to that, or is it a good way to create a tax write 
off?  Evidently someone at WRPT 650 thinks it's good.
The excitement in Orange is (how can we support 3 stations here????) WJDF 97.3 is doing 
a bang up job with community support.  It is LIVE.  Course, the owners (Jay, Donn & Fred 
Deane) all work on the air... and other jobs.  I wish them the best.

As for the AM band, with the exception of WBZ, WRKO, WEEI and perhaps WTAG Worcester, 
the band sounds like garbage.  WGAW 1340 Gardner is simulcasting with WEIM 1280? 
Fitchburg.  WEIM was always a class act for a central Mass AM, and they still sound 
good.  I had read that WGAW was simulcasting with WSRO 1470, but, perhaps that ended.  
Looks to me like the #1 personality on AM around here is GOD (sorry, Rush <grin>).  Just 
one question o almighty one, why so MANY stations, I can pick you up on just ONE just 
fine.

And with that, thank you all for taking the time to read this.  The 
boston-radio-interest group really helped me pass the time in Texas this past winter and 
I got to talk with you all about what was going on in New England.

Later!

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