KZLA Dumps Country and Goes Dance/Rick Dees

Los Angeles no longer has a country station -- KZLA, which billed itself as "America's Most Listened-To Country Station," has dumped the format in favor of a dance-leaning top 40 sound.

[Sue]

There's a reason KIIS fired Rick Dees ... he's old, annoying, and pathetic and he's sure as hell not going to get me to listen to the new 93.9. I've removed 93.9 from my car presets and replaced it with 95.1 KFRG, even though I can't really recieve it in Glendale.

[Kathy]

It's pathetic to realize that as far as the owners of KZLA are concerned I don't count in their demographics. I'm a white, 47 year young, female who dumped Rick Dees with my pom poms from high school. I've already deleted 93.9 from all of my radios and will not be returning.

[zwrites]

I was shocked by the news. LA, likes country. That's what I listened to while I lived in Glendale. Maybe. somebody bigger and better will come to take their place. In the meantime, turn your dials off KZLA. They will get listeners but aren't all the other stations just about the same????
And, Rick Dees, is he such a big pull anymore. Especailly for the youngters out there?
May country play across the air ways in LA again...real soon.
Z
GB+

[Belva]

Rick Dees is a old has been who should have retired years ago. His stick is old and vulgar and not relatable. Is he coming to work with his walker and oxygen now. I was absolutely SHOCKED when KZLA took country off the radio, you had the BEST JOCKS ever. They were family friendly, clean and wonderful to listen to. I have deleted 93.9 off my home radios and my car radios. Your new format is just another Rap Crap, garbage talking, street trash radio station and LA doesn't need another one. As owners you had one of the greatest radio stations out there with the country format and the best award winning Jocks. Gee what has Rick Dees won lately, another free trip the geriatric center?
We listened to your station for the past 26 years and loyal country fans - what about us? We build your KZLA name in LA now you just dump us like the garbage you're putting on the radio.

[Carl Whittier CA]

As you probably noticed many country music fans are shocked and outraged at your "politically correct" decision to remove the only country radio station in LA & Orange County. Hopefully with all the feed back you have received you will reinstate a country station in the LA & Orange County area so that all people can listen to stations of their choice not what the media/media outlets believes is best for them. Isn't it time to make sure that all the public is represented?

[Martin Allen]

I was very disgusted with the way KZLA's format change was made, and further I am even more appalled at some of the reasoning behind this decision, LA may be a huge metropolis (melting pot) but let us not forget that there is still a great appreciation for country music, it is the foundation for a lot of our great american values, which must not be overlooked because we are trying to appeal to a group that has more than their fair share of listening choices here in Los Angeles, we cater way too much to certain genres and styles but we forget about our basic foundation and by that I mean we had just one station where we could call home and now its been taken away because it was a better business decision, with all that is going on in this country politically and overseas what is next?? are we going to cater to the enemy to make sure we can keep our country??? Final word country will never die despite what the big executives try to push on americans, while I enjoy a variety of genres, I still believe in values and country music is still part of me. Los Angeles has enough of hip hop and others we can't even have one country station?? that is really pathetic that we are being forced to adjust to something that we have grown to love and appreciate. Yet another example of how things are changing in this country, some things just don't always mean better! I hope LA does get its country back, it never left in the first place!!!

[Brenda]

Rick Dees, is a legend in the radio biz! He will be great at KZLA. You people are just angry because they took off country music. Hello, this is LA not Texas. Ayhew, I look forward to hearing Rick Dess on the radio again. There is something about his soothing voice that makes it easier appreciate.

XOXO

[zwrites]

Brenda wrote:

Rick Dees, is a legend in the radio biz! He will be great at KZLA. You people are just angry because they took off country music. Hello, this is LA not Texas. Ayhew, I look forward to hearing Rick Dess on the radio again. There is something about his soothing voice that makes it easier appreciate.
XOXO

I have nothing against Rick Dees. But, imagine if your favorite music was taken off the air. And, they play country through out the USA. Not, just Texas. But, Rick Dees as likable as he maybe...won't draw the Hip Hop crowd. Rick Dees and the Hip Hop crowd..I don't see it. KZLA, is crazy not to see it too.
Z
GB+

[Cowboy JT]

As someone who used to work in the business, radio has made itself irrelevant. KZLA’s recent format change is proof. I am a country listener, but KZLA was such a poor station that I always had to turn to other local stations, as well as satellite and online streams of other country stations (like 967thetwister.com ) in order to actually hear any new country. The new format at 93.9 sounds like what the DJ plays at Oilcans and Rawhide on their “country” nights, so its hard to believe the people in LA will mind. Country is a safe advertiser format for troubled stations, it wont be long before one of them picks up the format here in LA. As for the Rick Dees on a hip-hop station comments, the station didnt go hip-hop, it went "Female Hot Adult Contemporary", a safe and bland format that attracts women aged 35-54 - the same demo that would tend to like Rick Dees. I dont care for Dees or the new format, but I'm a country guy, so I'm not the target. The silver lining could be that we may now finally get a good country station that actually plays new country and not the same old top 20 over and over.

[Sherri]

What happened! Why do we need another dance/rap/pop radio station in the area. We're already overloaded! Hopefully someone will have enough brains to get another great country radio station back on the air. In the meantime, KFRG, you need to keep the "corn" down; Hoppy, Heather Froglear etc.! It's too corny!

[Karen Mathis]

I loved KZLA! I listened to KZLA since 1991. It was the best station out there. My kids grew up loving country music as well. It was a good family station. Much cleaner than the current ones out there. I don't understand why Emmis had to take our only Country station and turn it into another Hip Hop station. Aren't there enough of those? I'm totally lost in the morning without Peter & Ashley!
This is a sad day for Los Angeles. Bring my County back!!!

[Leah]

How awful -- you turn on the radio station ready to listen to the music that you like, and....what happened? This is a decision that is better for the executives? What about us, the listeners. We don't need another station that plays top 40. Los Angeles is plenty big...shame on you for this stupid, greedy, and insensitive decision. I hope another company puts on a country station for us to listen to.

[April La Verne CA]

I just want to say....quit crying this is LIFE. Rick Dees is an awesome man... I listened to him when I was younger, we ALL did. He will be great and all of you haters out there should just relax. If "your" stationed was removed, it's not the first and sure won't be the last. LOL. Everyone have a great day!

[zwrites]

Yeah, but "No" country...I feel for you my Los Angeles friends. I'm sure if there was not "hip hop" there would be an uproar. I like Hip Hop too. I like all kinds of music. Hoping Coutry will be playing for all of you soon. It there a petition to sign. I'll sign it.

[zwrites]

whoops Country...typing too fast.

[COLLEEN THRUPP]

Hi Ziggy,

I was hoping I could catch up with you ... But not to put a damner on your weekend ... Just to let you know that you and everyone in New Orleans and New York are in my prayers durng your time of reflection ...

After watching the news on New Orleans I can say that the Australian media covered the post hurricane disaster quite extensively and I just can't understand why any government would allow a situation like that to deteriorate so apporantly ...

Also shown on television this week was a special on the 9/11 which in my opinion is one of the biggest horrors to go down in history ... But after watching the neglect and total lack of respect for people and their lives in hurricane devasted New Orleans one wonders when will it all end and what can the government and the citizens of the world do to prevent it all happening again ...

Take Care Ziggy ... XO
Rise above everything and trust in your spirit ...

[zwrites]

Hi Colleen, Thank you. Yes, it's all hard to understand. But, hopefully what can come out of it, is to see the mistakes and correct them. But, many in this country still does't have the grasp of what happen here. The extent of it all. New Orleans is shown over and over again. But the damage expands over 2 states. Many cities...many neighborhoods. The tourist part of New Orleans looks fine. But, it was fine right after the hurricane. The spirit of the people here is strong and they will continue to let the government know how things should change.

[COLLEEN THRUPP]

zwrites wrote:

Hi Colleen, Thank you. Yes, it's all hard to understand. But, hopefully what can come out of it, is to see the mistakes and correct them. But, many in this country still does't have the grasp of what happen here. The extent of it all. New Orleans is shown over and over again. But the damage expands over 2 states. Many cities...many neighborhoods. The tourist part of New Orleans looks fine. But, it was fine right after the hurricane. The spirit of the people here is strong and they will continue to let the government know how things should change.

Ziggy,

The truth really is that most policitians intentions start out with big dreams, ideals and plans and then somehow when they get elected there's a different hat they wear and everything they promised to deliver goes down the gurgler ... They start believing they are untouchable and they loose touch with the realities of their constituants and their lives and their needs ...

When something like hurricane Katrina or 9/11 happens their ideals and potential are tested to the max and it all boils down to the fact that they didn't have the capabilities of the position description in the first place or the responsibility to be put in charge of the children, men and women of the communities ...

So, the question is ... When is the next election and what are the people going to do about changing it ...

THAT IS WHAT THE POWER OF THE PEOPLE IS ABOUT ...

Are the communities still in touch with the entertainers and company executives to let them know that their time and money have not been used effectively ... LET THEM KNOW!

I know that you continue your work at the hospital and don't for a minute think that what you do is not contributing to the health and welfare of the community ... A community needs it's medical staff to ensure them that there are essential services available to help them and their families ...

I raise my glass to you and your work collegues Ziggy ... And I'm sure New Orleans does too ...

Well done!!

Colleen ... XO

[Anna]

Sue wrote:

There's a reason KIIS fired Rick Dees ... he's old, annoying, and pathetic and he's sure as hell not going to get me to listen to the new 93.9. I've removed 93.9 from my car presets and replaced it with 95.1 KFRG, even though I can't really recieve it in Glendale.

Yes I too can't stant the new 93.9 And i have also changed to KFRG...Those Dance Stations are a dine a dozen, what were they thinking? Anna

[James Taylor]

April La Verne CA wrote:

I just want to say....quit crying this is LIFE. Rick Dees is an awesome man... I listened to him when I was younger, we ALL did. He will be great and all of you haters out there should just relax. If "your" stationed was removed, it's not the first and sure won't be the last. LOL. Everyone have a great day!

Thank you my friend, very well put. I agree with all you have said. jt