Before moving to Theodore's current city of Los Angeles, CA, Theodore lived in Oakland CA and San Mateo CA. List of "grandfathered" FM radio stations in the U.S. [64] By 1991, rap and hip-hop were being mixed in, and the station evolved to an urban contemporary format as "92.3 The Beat".[65]. In late 1986, KMEL wanted to explore the mix show format, which Naftaly and Michaels put into place Powermixers DJ Dave Moss and DJ Alex Mejia as interns on a new Saturday night show called "Club 106." businesses, and does affect the Reputation Score. The Beat's all-star lineup included John London and The House Party (mornings), Diana Steele (middays), Theo (Afternoons), and Lisa Canning (Evenings). Awards. [9] Despite the format switch, the KMEL callsign was retained as a holdover to this day. This third-party data is then indexed through methods similar to those used by Google or Bing to create a listing. Around the same time, Arsenio Hall, who was super hot with his TV show and at the time had just had a huge falling out with the same branch and then president Willis Edwards as they were complaining that Arsenio wasnt hiring other black people for the production of the show. Rimzy (@_rimuu.ne_) on Instagram: "Theo Mizuhara, former DJ to KKBT 92.3 The Beat. Photo Gallery. That's his goal. But maybe it was The Beat's incredible talent lineup that really had me in awe, then and now. KHHT's sister station KBIG-FM once had a rhythmic AC direction before shifting back to Hot AC in September 2007. I was friends with Theo in college while we were both taking broadcasting courses here in San Francisco back in the 80's. The station was one of 10 stations awarded the 2007 Crystal Radio Award for public service awarded by the National Association of Broadcasters. )[74] Another reason for the change was the station's poor ratings performance; KHHT was ranked 14th in the market with a 2.5 share in the January 2015 PPM Nielsen radio ratings. MyLife aggregates publicly available information from government, social, and other sources, plus personal reviews written by others. The fact of the matteris that it isn't even close to being him. We know that Theodore is single at this point. Tre was an excellent jock. I spent a whole huge section of my early life just trying to fit in, he says. By September 1992, Century Broadcasting sold KMEL to Evergreen Media. Theo Mizuhara is, in fact, the son of second-generation Japanese American parents--and hes such a hot figure in the hip-hop world that such hit rappers as Warren G and Tha Dogg Pound have had him as a guest on their albums. Oct 4, 2021. Im sure it was instead of running the story. I'm a male and enjoyed his nightly show the most with all the "on-air" calls he would get from female listeners, pure radio entertainment. KMEL is rebroadcast on the following FM Booster: 1 = This station is a simulcast, in whole or in part, Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}374124N 1222617W / 37.690N 122.438W / 37.690; -122.438. Thats when I met face to face with understanding how the situation at KKBT had worked. filed concerning the project proposed for 6735 Yucca Street in Hollywood", "Other Stations Move to Fill Classical Void", "Black Radio Comes In Loud and Clear: Music: 'Urban contemporary' is a leading format in cities throughout the country", https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Ratings-Directories/RR-1991-1.pdf, "The Beat Goes On To Adult Urban: New Airstaff To Be Named", "Charting the Rise of 'Urban Contemporary': Radio: KKBT's new format has launched it into Southern California's Top 10. Hit and Run in Lakewood: Pedestrian Killed and Driver Left the A California Woman Accused of Running Over a Man Following A Oakland School Shooting: 6 Injured And 2 In Critical Condition, Police Woman killed in a deadly hit and run on I-25, Colorado 10 Most Underrated Great Black Female Singers, Top 10 Best Black Female Singers in Groups. [42], The on-air heartbeat sound stunting would continue for the next 23 hours, interspersed with brief snippets of rock songs,[42] ahead of the debut of KKBT the next day (September 21, 1989). KMEL (106.1 FM) is an urban contemporary radio station that is licensed to San Francisco, California, and serving the San Francisco Bay Area. KKBT was the absolute hottest station in the country, but they had their share of problems. i didnt care for or trust him or the GM the late Craig Wilbraham. I couldn't find anything with Theo talking about siblings or much of his private life really. They were being supported and used simultaneously. KKBT was still a much better station than many of the Black-owned stations that I had worked at but all those black owners warned me about stations like KKBT before I got there and they were right. This move also opened up a new battle in the Los Angeles radio war, which found KHHT taking on another rhythmic AC, KMVN, whose direction was more focused on recurrents from the 1970s and 1980s, which also explained KHHT's decision to add currents to its playlist. If he just wanted to get away from the spotlight, thats fine too but its just a fascinating concept to see a well known person go off the grid. Branded "The New FM 92 The Beat", the station offered a blend of adult rock, dance music, and adult contemporary. This may contain information such as company name, job title, address, and time period of service. : I seem to remember a Japanese sounding DJ with the name of Theo before on: the radio anyone from the SF Bay area know? Nobody seems to know of his whereabouts but we did hear he's working in the tech ind. Theo had a #successful #radio show on #LA's 92.3" Because the station broadcasts live via streaming audio from their website, it gives the genre a platform for possible worldwide exposure. At the promised time, after playing "My Girl" by The Temptations (the number 1 song in the aforementioned countdown) and "End of the Road" by Boyz II Men, KHHT changed back to urban, branded as "Real 92.3", launching with "10,000 joints in a row", beginning with "Only" and "Truffle Butter", both by Nicki Minaj. After our meeting, KKBT sponsored a pool party for one of the last BRE conferences. [14] During the football season in late 1985, 49ers tight end Russ Francis joined the morning zoo by phone and sometimes in person to comment on sports. The station had a slogan, No Color Lines, which the black male jocks made a joke about by saying starting with black men. I dont know who came up with that cheesy slogan, but it made no sense since it was not and had never been an industry standard in radio. The slogan wasnt about acceptance as much as it was an excuse. (Since then, he was served a lawsuit by KPWR's parent company Emmis Communications for breach of contract, thus preventing him from joining the station until his contract or his injunction was lifted; he would join the station on March 9. Ironically, black men, as in artists, rappers, and producers in hip-hop, were the main people the station used to garner success. I love Dr. Dres production, he says enthusiastically. 2023 - 2023 His dismissal occurred after new Program Director Michael Martin took charge of the station, and happened at the same time as the station changed many programming elements, as well as coinciding with the layoffs of several other station personnel, including on-air personalities Trace-Dog Nunez, Rosary Bides, and Franzen Wong. Finally, we went to BRE. [6] KFAC also slowly assembled an airstaff with unprecedented continuity and tenure, including, but not limited to: Thomas Cassidy,[7] Fred Crane,[8] Tom Dixon,[9] Dick Crawford,[10] Bill Carlson[11] and Carl Princi,[12] all six of which would be continuously employed by the station between 1953 and 1983. 130 Likes, 1 Comments - Rimu * . Los Angeles, CA. During its tenure as "The Beat", the station featured many popular and legendary DJs who came from stations like KPWR, KMEL, WQHT, KIIS-FM, and KDAY, like John London and The House Party (a popular morning show which competed with other top local shows such as Mark and Brian on KLOS and Rick Dees on KIIS), Diana Steele, Theodore "Theo" Mizuhara, Eric Cubiche, Nautica De La Cruz, P.J. The first song under the new format was "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" by Michael Jackson. I seem to remember a Japanese sounding DJ with the name of Theo before onthe radio anyone from the SF Bay area know? [37][39] Speculation began to accelerate when KFAC-FM dropped format in early Julyfor only a few minutesto carry part of a Rolling Stones press conference,[40] then Evergreen took responsibility for a cryptic billboard taken on Sunset Boulevard reading, "Pirate Radio, KLSX, KLOS: Get Ready to Move Over and Let the Big Dogs Eat! Write A Comment Cancel Reply. Mike Stradford didnt hire me, but as soon as he was out, John Monds hired me when I sent in my, by that time, 20th air check. Shortly after Dees arrived, KHHT shifted its format to a hybrid of rhythmic oldies and urban oldies, focusing mostly on urban rhythmic hits from 1970 to the late 1990s, with some soul hits from the 1960s sprinkled into the mix. He was good friends with the late Captain G (Greg Beasley), who was another jock at KKBT. We have found [16] The success of "The All New, All Hit 106 KMEL" eventually helped push main CHR rival KITS toward a modern rock format as "Live 105", while AM rival KFRC abandoned its CHR format in August 1986 for adult standards as "Magic 61". KMEL suffered a setback in ratings between 2009 and 2010. 106.1 FM began as KGO-FM, sister station of KGO. With so many album rock stations in the Bay Area, KMEL faced stiff competition. As far as Theo having a lot of personal baggage, he always has been a complex person (albeit a bit on the insecure side). Knew about it a few months before Yolk even came out because I'm friends with the publisher. London was somewhat distant and private, and I never had a lot of conversation with him, but I give him credit for completely being himself. He started his radio deejay career in the late 80s on San Franciscos KMEL-FM, a sister station to the Beat. Although it may have had elements of the former KCMG, KHHT had not tilted all the way back to rhythmic oldies or urban AC as most of the music was in line with other soft-leaning rhythmic adult contemporary outlets in nature. Believe me, I know Theo personally and the guy in JJ's video isdefinitely not Theo - though close enough for some people who don'treally know Theo to think it might be him. We have been repeatedly asked where former KKBT and KMEL DJ Theo Mizuhara is. [45] After a moment of silence led by de Castro, the air signal switched to a heartbeat sound effect,[58] while television monitors outside the studios started playing the television ad proclaiming the new format, accompanied by a skywriter scripting in the skies above "It's Alive. The Steve Harvey Morning Show Discusses a Woman Whose Groupie Husband Fantasizes About Black Actresses During Sex (video). The new owners guided KMEL into its current urban contemporary format, effectively shedding its Top 40 direction for good and refocused now as an R&B station with a strong emphasis on hip-hop. [17] These pseudo-stereo broadcasts were offered over both stations for 12 hours each week over the next decade, ending after KFAC-FM converted to a multiplexed signal in 1964. A $300-million (minimum) gondola to Dodger Stadium? See also. In September 1973, the KFRC-FM call letters were reinstated, and the station began a "nostalgia rock" format, playing oldies and soft rock as "K106". Crossed my mind when I read 100.3 shut down. Perhaps it was timing. A Radio Facts Exclusive Interview (video). Nonetheless, Quik had a huge part in 2Pac's cleanest album, mixing 14 of the songs forAll Eyez on Me. Interview with DJ Theo @ thefunktionhouse. Hes been MIA since the 90s, theres been some rumors that he witnessed either Tupac or Biggies murder and thats why hes gone MIA. But he's only been doing afternoon drive for about a year now or so. Theo Mizuhara Friday Night Mix 1993 #03 all mixes on this channel are also on mixcloud in its entirety because of copyright not all songs are available in some sets on youtube here the link. I believe the actual nameof the guy in the JJ "If" video that people were confusing for Theo isMichael Gong. He was known for his on-air personality and his ability to connect with his listeners. In February 1996, sister station WYNY in New York City simulcasted KKBT for a day as part of a week-long stunt of simulcasting sister stations nationwide before changing formats to rhythmic adult contemporary as WKTU. This section can be locked, requiring permission to Under Naftaly's guidance, KMEL gravitated its format direction from pop top 40 to rhythmic by adding more urban artists and increasing its popularity with younger audiences. Shortly after he got to KKBT, Theo was offered gigs on MTV, and Brandy and he did the voiceover in the blockbuster hit movie Waiting to Exhale. When were enjoying this good music, race isnt important. Bennett anchored the morning position which was followed by well-liked veteran Tony Kilbert covering mid-day, music director Paul Vincent covering the afternoon, then Mary Holloway and Michael St. John in the evening. Filmography (by Job) Trailers and Videos. You can hear it below. We were young and a bit green. here in San Francisco that Theo actually started telling people over the air that it was indeed him in the video. KKBT was as racist as the day is long and I was very surprised to see her do that but then again after all that happened. Also in 1992, KSOL, which ironically suffered in ratings due to KMEL's newfound success, retooled itself as KYLD "Wild 107.7" (now "Wild 94.9") and quickly emerged as KMEL's prime competitor for their mutual core audience demographic. He originally started at KKBT doing overnights. The fact of the matter is that it isn't even close to being him. , Japan 661 friends 11 reviews He's a real cool guy. KGO-FM moved to 106.1 FM on November 3, 1947, with facilities at a former General Electric plant on East 12th Street in Oakland. I saw Mike at an industry event after I was fired and he told me he was going to expose The Beat for being the most racist station in the industry. In November 2010, KHHT tweaked its direction again, shifting to a Gold-based rhythmic AC approach and reducing the number of currents. He seemed content, and at the time, he had gone back to work at KMEL, and/or was doing some kind of radio syndication, he stated. Which was the furthest thing from the truth, and thats when we knew she had been playing both sides. He attended Meadowdale High School in Dayton, where he was a standout basketball player. "I can't think, homie," responds Quik, delivering perhaps one of the most bone-chilling responses toPac's impending death ever recorded. I never told a soul about it. [63] While the station attracted criticism for its aggressive on-air tactics, KKBT's ratings rose significantly after the switch;[63] by the summer of that year, it evolved to a strictly urban AC format. I had come to realize how much power the press and organizations have but I planned to do things differently than the experiences I had with KKBT. Finally, there was a meeting called, and the late Craig Wilbraham, who was white, declared the station employed a majority of black employees, but that was not true, and there were very few, if any, in management or decision-making positions. In the car or at home, hes as likely to be listening to Stevie Wonder, Al Green and Earth, Wind & Fire as Ice Cube or Dr. Dre. Seeing Theo in Studio City Over the past several years, Ross states he has repeatedly been asked where former KKBT and KMEL DJ Theo Mizuhara is. This gave Clear Channel five FM stations in Los Angeles and KIIS, which Clear Channel already owned. My Lovin' (The Morning After Dub) (1992) by En Vogue Remixer credit: Theo Mizuhara. The music, the branding, the imaging and the promotions were all top-notch. So right around the time, I started the magazine, I put the station on a complete blast and told the whole story in one of the first issues, and the response was so phenomenal with other black jocks around the country who felt the same way I was encouraged to keep going. None of the demands benefited the black men unjustly fired from the station. It is owned and operated by iHeartMedia. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Weekends were anchored by Sue Hall and Ty Bell. [29][30], An ownership transfer in 1986 attracted controversy after most of the tenured airstaff was dismissed on December 31, 1986. The station's branding as "106 KMEL" remained in place for many years.[17]. One their worst moments was Theo Mizuhara as Programing Director and had balls big enough to rename the station 93.5 The Beat and picked up more syndicated shows such as Michael Baisden, Keith Sweat Hotel, Monique's radio show and Theo Mizuhara was the only live personality from 8pm . Free Your Mind (Theo's Rec and Wreck Edit) (1992) by En Vogue feat. As of April 2009, KHHT once again became the only rhythmic adult contemporary in the market, as KMVN made a format change to Spanish. This ability of remixing and redrumming the records became very popular among all of KMEL's "Powermixers". Whatever Happened to John London from The House Party? [73] The announcement came just a day after KHHT's HD3 sub-channel launched with Air 1 and just a few hours after KPWR's morning host Big Boy announced he would leave KPWR for KHHT.