Monday, November 18, 2013

Spokane Radio: C. Foster Kane OUT At KKZX-FM

For more than 20 years, thousands of people across the Spokane area tuned in to classic rock KKZX-98.9 FM on weekday mornings to listen to the Radio Men.

But, according to  spokesman.com, just after Halloween, the popular duo of Jim Arnold and C. Foster Kane suddenly went off the air – to the dismay of many who commented on the classic rock station’s Facebook page:
  • “Been listening to the Radio Men since I was 6. Think I’m done with 98.9 … sad.”
  • “No Radio Men? I will move on and never speak this station’s call letters again.”
  • “I listened to Radio Men with my father and those were great memories. How could you let all the loyal fans down like that without even a word?”

It was a matter of money, said Cal Hall, Spokane market manager for Clear Channel Communications. The Texas-based media giant owns KKZX and several other local stations.

“We were working with the Radio Men, trying to come to an agreement financially,” Hall said Thursday. “Unfortunately, we were not able to come to an agreement with C. Foster Kane, so we decided to part ways.”

Arnold remains with the station, taking over the afternoon show from 3 to 7 p.m.

“Putting him on in the morning by himself didn’t make sense,” Hall said. “That doesn’t mean he won’t be back in the morning. We’re looking for a good morning show, and that may include Jim.”

There’s no timetable for launching the new show, he added: “I’m going to take as long as it takes to find the best fit for that station.”

Spokane-born Arnold, 59, and native Californian Kane, 61, worked in markets across the country before teaming up on KKZX in 1992. Their show, typically among the top-rated local morning offerings, was a mixture of music and offbeat banter.

5 comments:

  1. It's too bad that C is gone...he and Jim were the two biggest reasons I became a Family Member way back when KKZX first came on the air.

    Don't get me wrong...Jim's a fantastic radio personality, but you will be missed, C. It just isn't the same without you, sir.

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  2. Good riddance to both of them. They weren't ever funny. I still don't listen to Jurassic Rock, though.

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  3. My opinion -- C. Foster Kane often came across as a horse's arse, so I stopped listening long ago anyhow.

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  4. I love the brave people ragging on Jim and C. Anonymous.
    I loved the Radio Men, and they sure as shit are funnier than the replacement. I'm not surprised at the loss, though...when you have stations being gobbled up in bigger and bigger consolidation, they're going to dump locals for cheap, and shitty, syndication. Jim, I'd love to know how C is doing, if you can respond.

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