Press and Media

Former WIBQ is sporting WSRQ

Dear Readers: Just after deadline last week, a couple of items came in about changes at Sarasota's 1220 AM ("Sunny 1220").

Radio Babe notified you that it had adopted the call letters "WSRQ," previously held by Clear Channel's local news channel 1450 AM (before that station became WSDV, a full-time simulcast of Venice's WDDV 1320 AM adult standards music, on Sept. 18, 2006).

What didn't make it into the column was -- and is -- equally significant (because its content directly related to one of last week's questions, and still relates to WSRQ) is that Cliff Roles' "Talk of the Sun Coast" switched to WSLR (96.5 FM), Sarasota's low-power FM.

"Talk of the Sun Coast" hopped to the community-run station's 2-3 p.m. weekday time slot without missing a beat last Monday. (It can also be heard via live streaming online at www.wslr.org.)

As for WIBQ -- er, WSRQ -- program director Doug Miles wrote that the call letter change "fits the market and what we do well."

That's especially true for Miles' "Suncoast Magazine," an area-centric talk and call-in program that moves from mornings to the former 2 to 3 p.m. weekday slot that Roles' program formerly inhabited. It also airs from 5 to 6 p.m.

However, the new WSRQ now fills most overnights and weekends with the Sporting News Network for a unique, though not local, night-owl sports itinerary.

Specific hours are 10 p.m. until 8 a.m. Mondays through Thursdays, then 10 p.m. Fridays to 9 a.m. Saturdays and again at 1 to 10 p.m. Saturdays, midnight to 8 p.m. Sundays and 1 to 8 a.m. Mondays.

Its programming during those hours consists of "Todd Wright Tonight," 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. weekdays; "The David Stein Show," 2 to 6 a.m. weekdays; "The Morning Show with Matt Spiegel & Bill Lekas," 6 to 8 a.m. weekdays; and "The Chris Russell Show," 2 to 7 a.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 a.m. Sunday.

Saturday programming also brings "Nationwide Golf Exchange with Mark Wood" from 7 to 8 a.m., "The Traders Speak Collecting Hour With (Mike) Berkus, (John) Broggi and (Bob) Wilke" from 8 to 9 a.m., "Sports Saturday with Bob Berger & Bob Stelton" from 1 to 7 p.m., and "SNR Postgame With Jeff Biggs & Patrick Cortes" from 7 to 10 p.m.

Biggs and Cortes finish their program from midnight to 1 a.m. Sunday when the aforementioned Russell kicks in, followed by "The Matt Spiegel Show" from 5 to 8 a.m. and his "Fantasy Source with Matt Spiegel" from 8 to 9 a.m.

The rest of Sunday's shows are "SNR Pregame" airing 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., "Sports Sunday with Bob Berger & Bob Stelton," 1 to 7 p.m., and the "SNR Postgame With Jeff Biggs & Patrick Cortes" running 7 to 10 p.m. and midnight to 1 a.m. Monday.

This item appeared in the "Radio Babe" Column in the Sarasota Herald Tribune 2/26/07:

Dear Radio Babe: Subject: Listener Habits. Since I am an avid radio listener, a friend suggested I write to you.

I work during the day in an office in downtown Sarasota. ... We use headphones or earpieces (so) as not to disturb (co-workers).

WIBQ (1220 AM) has been my main source of entertainment during the workday for nearly a year now. My morning starts with "Health Beat of America" with Rochelle Herman (8-10 a.m.). ... She discusses many different health-related subjects ...

Although I was never a real big sports fan, I do enjoy listening to Scott and Jake from noon-2 p.m. I find myself telling my husband about things I learned on the show, which starts (him) talking about sports, which makes my eyes ... glaze over and I wonder what I said to begin with. Good to keep those lines of communication open!

On the way home from work, I listen to the dulcet tones of Doug Miles ... and learn even more about the area.

... WIBQ has made me feel like a true Sarasotan by keeping me informed of the people, places and things that make this area so great. ... I never thought I'd enjoy talk radio, but the gang at 1220 has changed all that ...

I just thought you'd like to know. Sincerely

-- T.D.

Dear T.D.: Radio Babe appreciates your colorful commentary and is sure the "Sunny 1220" hosts did, too! P.S.: Late-breaking news came in at press time that WIBQ changed its call letters to WSRQ! More next week ...

This item appeared in the "Radio Babe" Column in the Sarasota Herald Tribune 1/29/07:

A quick million

WIBQ's Doug Miles and Ed Schneider now run play-by-play of Sarasota's Southern States Football League team, the Millionaires, Saturdays at 7 p.m. on 1220 AM.

Listen for the big game -- the NFL's Super Bowl XLI -- on Sunday, preceded by a live pre-game show (with a big-screen TV giveaway) from 2 to 5 p.m.
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Direct queries and comments to Radio Babe c/o the Herald-Tribune, P.O. Drawer 1719, Sarasota, FL 34230, or e-mail dawnzig@hotmail.com.

Interview with Michael Manning (michaelmanning.tv) 1/24/07

Introduction from Michael: I'd like to welcome my First Guest on "THE INTERVIEW" for 2007: Doug Miles, one of the truly Good Guys in an industry I've spent 17 years working in: Radio. I met Doug in the Spring of 2006 as I was walking down Main Street in downtown Sarasota, Florida. It was a nice warm day and out of nowhere I heard an English accent overhead from a canopy mounted speaker. I looked up in time to see a very large picture window with Doug's colleague Cliff Roles conducting an interview "Live" and "On the Air"! So, I walked into the radio station and struck up a conversation with a man who happened to own the station! We swapped "war stories" and got along famously. So much so, that he asked me to meet his Production Manager and Co-Host of a program called "Suncoast Magazine". At the time, I was still pursuing a "hard news" job with Radio or Television and after I was introduced to Doug Miles, I discovered that he knew of my dear friend and Radio Legend Jim West---and for a very good reason! Doug's station, WIBQ "Sunny 1220" News/Talk AM Radio is a Nostalgia (Big Band and Great Singers) format--one of many radio formats I've worked with in my career. Jim West is responsible for syndicating "The Music of Your Life" on over 400 stations from Maine to Florida and then Florida to California! In a pleasant surprise, Doug asked me to consider becoming a Guest on his show after I returned to Ohio! This was the beginning of a wonderful friendship with a very generous and very kind man who finds everyone interesting. I wondered what I had to offer as his Guest? But after we started talking "Live" on the air we were laughing our fool heads off as I reeled off tales about the eccentricities of Cincinnati (which you can go hear on my REEL Page). I'm sure Doug won't mind. Lastly, before we get started, I wanted to share a heartwarming story.

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When "The Rick Springfield Benefit Concert for Sahara Aldridge", the 12 year old girl who is battling a stage IV glioblastoma malignant brain stem tumor came to my attention via Rick Springfield's website, as many of you know, I wanted to contribute somehow. For me that meant a "grass roots" project in support of Rick's generous vision from afar. The concept for me involved filling a tour bus in Cincinnati, Ohio where I currently reside with Rick's fans to attend the show in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. I was in-between positions at the time, and this project and purpose was far more important to me than a job search that was stalled the last 45 days of 2006 anyway. So, long story-short, I took the "pencil to the paper" and outlined a way to involve Cincinnati--one of the most dangerous cities in America to live in--and lend an opportunity to our new Mayor Mark Mallory (who graciously worked with me) to show the nation that "Love and Compassion must transcend state lines". The Cincinnatri News Media--(much to my annoyance and the City's embarrassment) behaved very badly and refused coverage with the excuse that Sahara wasn't an Ohio resident and that stations were embroiled in a television ratings period many of you know as "sweeps". Turns out I am the last one to realize our world and it's priorities have changed! I fought hard not to feel bitter about my colleagues' misplaced sense of what really matters most.

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Doug Miles saw what was going down and quickly came to my rescue. It just so happens that Sarasota has a very large Cincinnati and Toledo Ohio contingent of residents known as "snow birds" who have retirement homes in Florida. Doug and I put our heads together by e-mail and over the phone. If I could reach the Sarasota contingent of Cincinnati and Toldeo seasonal residents, we reasoned, I could fill a tour bus of people who would receive and respond to a "Call to Action" --yes--from literally a phone call from one of their Sarasota relatives to buy a very affordable concert ticket and take advantage of a great hotel lodge rate to support Sahara and her family with a great show! (Doug's radio interview taped with me during those 16-hour days spent affecting this outcome between November 6th and December 7th of 2006 can also be heard on my "REEL" Page at www.michaelmanning.tv). Doug's attitude was: "We certainly want to do whatever we can for Sahara and this is a worthy cause with the great Rick Springfield". THAT's the kind of rare friend Doug Miles is. And...he ran that interview 4 TIMES as we attempted to motivate people to participate. It was a valiant effort and I am forever grateful to Doug and all the wonderful people at WIBQ who moved on this important event rapidly to help out when my own hometown media community failed shamefully. With this bit of background in mind, Doug most deservedly needed to be MY "Guest" for a change, so each of you could come to know him and of late, to listen to WIBQ 1220 AM Radio via "streaming" on the Internet. Without further adieu, it is my pride and privilege to welcome a friend and a colleague: Doug Miles!

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MM: DOUG WELCOME TO "THE INTERVIEW". IT'S NICE TO TRADE PLACES FOR A CHANGE SINCE YOU'VE BEEN SO SUPPORTIVE OF MY ENDEAVORS AND HAVE REGULARLY INTERVIEWED ME ON SUNNY 1220, WIBQ "NEWS/TALK" RADIO. TELL US HOW YOU WERE FIRST BITTEN BY THE BROADCASTING BUG AS A KID?

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DM: I've always loved radio. Growing up in NY, I got to listen to the best in the business. Don Imus on the old WNBC was a favorite. I listened to Marv Albert doing the Knicks, Rangers and NY Giants football games on radio. Marty Glickman, who invented radio play by play for the most part, was also a favorite. And when we played street hockey or any sport, every guy would do play by play as we scored or made a great play. I'm still fascinated by radio and am always turning the dial to see what's on.

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MM: WHAT WAS IT LIKE FOR YOU WHEN YOU FIRST STEPPED BEHIND THE RADIO MICROPHONE AT WBAU 90.3 FM AT ADELPHI UNIVERSITY? I KNOW YOU FOUND YOURSELF THRUST INTO HE MIDDLE OF COVERING A NATIONAL TRAGEDY? (Doug went on the air just as John Hinckley was apprehended after trying to assassinate President Ronald Regan).

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DM: Believe it or not, it took me about a year and half to get up the nerve to walk into the campus station at Adelphi University, WBAU on Long Island. I finally went through the door and have never looked back. I started doing news for the AM side which only broadcast on campus before working up to the FM side which covered a good part of Nassau County and got into the city. That first week on the air, the UPI ticker alarm rang constantly and we knew there was big news going on. It was the day President Reagan was shot. I was on the air doing updates for several hours on that story. At WBAU, I was Sports Director, handled all the play by play of Adelphi sports, hosted all kinds of shows including the Big Band Sound which continues today as the Big Band Files on WIBQ in Sarasota.

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MM: I'VE NOTICED THAT SPORTS AND NEWS FIGURE PROMINENTLY IN YOUR CAREER AFTER GRADUATION FROM COLLEGE. HOW CAN YOU DESCRIBE WORKING IN NEW YORK RADIO STATIONS AND YOUR WORK TODAY IN SARASOTA, FLORIDA ON THE SUNCOAST?

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DM: I worked at Sports Phone for awhile as well as doing various stringing for different stations around NY City and Long Island. I moved to Tampa and did weekends at WUSF-FM in Tampa and was a copywriter at WLFF-AM in St. Petersburg. I also hosted a nationwide sports show on The Sun Radio Network which at that time was based out of Tampa. Tampa radio has an interesting history and there are a ton of stories there, but that's for another interview :)

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MM: HOW DID THE BIG BAND RADIO FORMAT COME INTO YOUR LIFE?

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DM: I've always loved the standards and big bands and jazz. I grew up listening to my parents records and station WNEW-AM which played American Popular Standards. WNEW-AM was one of the great radio stations in the country. I've had the opportunity to interview Jim Lowe who was the program director there and Mike Eisgrau, who was a news anchor on WIBQ. I started the big band show on WBAU and continue it today on WIBQ on the weekends.

MM: NEARLY EVERYONE I KNOW IN SOUTH FLORIDA HAS A RELATIVE LIVING IN THE NORTHEAST. TELL US HOW YOU ENDED UP IN FLORIDA?

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DM: We always visited Florida for vacation. My grandparents moved to Ft Lauderdale when I was 10, so we always spent Christmas with them. I always knew I wanted to live in Florida and in 1988 I moved here.

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MM: YOU AND I HAVE HANDLED MANY OF THE SAME RESPONSIBILITIES SUCH AS COPYWRITING, SCRIPTWRITING, NEWS AND SO FORTH. BUT YOU'VE WORKED FOR A RADIO READING SERVICE FOR THE BLIND. THE CLOSEST I'VE COME TO THAT WAS READING THE HEADLINES FOR MY LATE FATHER AS HIS PARKINSON'S PROGRESSED, AND IT WAS A THRILL FOR HIM TO HAVE ME SITTING NEXT TO HIM AS HE LISTENED TO WORLD EVENTS WITH AN "OH?" OR "CAN YOU IMAGINE?" TELL US ABOUT THIS EXPERIENCE FROM THE RADIO SIDE OF THINGS?

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DM: At WUSF-FM in Tampa, I did some volunteer reading of magazines for the Radio Reading Service which was recorded. In Sarasota, I got my Dad involved as well. We read the local newspapers live on the air from a small studio at the Sarasota Opera House for 2 hours a week. It's a great service and the special radios are provided free to those who need them.

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MM: I RECENTLY LEARNED THAT YOU ARE ALSO A TECHNICAL WRITER AND THAT DIFFERS SO MUCH FROM MY PERSONAL WRITING. TELL US HOW YOUR CAREER IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CAME ABOUT?

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DM: As all of us in broadcasting do from time to time, we get out of it on a full time basis and need to do other things to make a living. I worked at Computer Science Corp in Sarasota which specialized in information technology for the insurance industry. I did some technical writing and IT work, but always kept my hand in broadcasting even then.

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MM: HOW IS YOUR TENNIS AND GOLF GAME COMING ALONG?

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DM: Unfortunately, I haven't played either as much as I want to recently. I want to get back into tennis. Golf just takes up too much time right now.

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MM: YOU HAVE A GREAT ON-AIR PRESENCE AND I CAN'T RESIST ASKING YOU ABOUT THE MANY, MANY CELEBRITIES WE WOULD ALL RECOGNIZE THAT YOU'VE HAD ON THE AIR AT WIBQ. CAN YOU SHARE SOME NAMES AND STORIES?

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DM: I've been very fortunate to have the opportunity to interview many of the people I watched on TV growing up or listened to on radio. Comedians like Jackie Mason, Don Rickles and Rich Little are just 3 of the people that have been on with me. Martin Short was very introspective and quiet unlike his on stage persona, but still very interesting. Tim Conway was just like he is on TV, very funny. Singers like Andy Williams, Jack Jones, Michael Feinstein have been on. Senator Bob Smith, former Republican senator from New Hampshire who lives in Sarasota is a regular guest. I even had a chance to talk to Katherine Harris. It's never dull in Sarasota. My favorite interview guest is Deana Martin, the daughter of Dean Martin who has been on several times. She has great stories of her Dad, Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack and she's a very nice lady.

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MM: MANY OF MY READERS ARE NEW AND MAY NOT KNOW THIS. BUT LAST SPRING, I WAS LITERALLY WALKING DOWN MAIN STREET IN SARASOTA WHEN I PASSED BY YOUR OLD STUDIOS. AND I HEARD A FAMILIAR ACCENT—AN ENGLISH ACCENT FROM AN OVERHEAD SPEAKER AND REALIZED AS I TURNED TO MY LEFT AN SAW CLIFF ROLES WAS DOING A LIVE RADIO SHOW FROM THE SIDEWALK PICTURE WINDOW. RADIO HAS LOST SO MUCH OF THE FUN IT USED TO BE FOR MANY OF US. FROM THE CREW YOU HAVE AT WIBQ I IMAGINE THAT IS THE CLOSEST ONE CAN EVER GET TO WHAT RADIO ONCE WAS UP UNTIL 1996 OR SO? WHAT IS YOUR VIEW?

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DM: Yes, WIBQ is kind of a throwback to old time radio in a sense. We do long form talk shows and a lot of local programming. We are now at the Westfield Square Shopping Mall in Sarasota and have built a window front studio there as well.

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MM: HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED TELEVISION IN YOUR CAREER?

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DM: Yes, I do some TV locally, hosting a weekly talk show occasionally and a weekly sports show. TV is always fun to do.

MM: I ONCE JOKED IN A BLOG ABOUT CLIFF ROLES HAVING HIS PICTURE TAKEN WITH SO MANY BEAUTIFUL WOMEN AND I SAID, "IT MUST BE THE BRITISH ACCENT". DO YOU THINK CLIFF CAN COACH ME A BIT? I WAS HOPING MAYBE I COULD GET A DATE WITH ROBYN LYNN?
DM: Cliff is definitely a character. Robyn is definitely easy on the eyes and belongs on TV doing the news. I'd watch!

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MM: SO WOULD I. PLEASE PASS THAT ALONG! ARE THERE ANY GUESTS, DOUG, WHOM YOU HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO GET ON YOUR SHOW BUT EITHER HAVEN'T GOTTEN AROUND TO IT OR HAVE HAD TROUBLE FINDING THEM TO GUEST ON "SUNCOAST MAGAZINE"?

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DM: I've been able to get just about everyone I've wanted so far. There are some people that just don't do interviews, but there is never a shortage of interesting guests to talk to.

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MM: WHAT'S IN THE FUTURE FOR DOUG MILES AS THE NEW YEAR IS UNDERWAY NOW?

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DM: I want to continue to help build WIBQ into a major radio station on the west coast of Florida. This winter and spring I'm doing play by play of Sarasota Millionaires Football games on WIBQ. We have a lot of things in the works. Stay tuned!

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MM: DOUG, ONE OF THE THINGS I DO HERE ON "THE INTERVIEW" IS TURN THE FLOOR OVER TO MY GUESTS AND LET THEM EXPOUND ABOUT WHATEVER IS ON THEIR MIND. IT COULD BE THE INDUSTRY, THE WEATHER, WHAT YOU'D LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN IN MEDIA. AS THEY SAY IN SHOWBUSINESS: "THE FLOOR IS YOURS":

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DM: Thanks Michael. First of all, it's always fun to have you join us on air. The concert you helped promote last fall was a great story. I'd like to see more stations take our approach of covering local events and doing local programming. There are too many stations just running syndicated shows and have no local presence in their market. Thank you for the opportunity to talk to your readers on your website.

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MM: DOUG, IT'S BEEN A JOY AND I LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING YOU BACK HERE ON "THE INTERVIEW" TO KEEP UP WITH YOU. THERE YOU HAVE IT MY FRIENDS. A RARE MAN IN THIS INDUSTRY WHO IS AS "DOWN TO EARTH AS YOU CAN GET. I WISH THERE WERE MORE DOUG MILE'S IN THIS INDUSTRY. IT WOULD MAKE FOR A KINDER AND GENTLER WORLD. REMEMBER TO CATCH DOUG ON "SUNCOAST MAGAZINE" VIA WIBQ, "SUNNY 1220" AM NEWS/ TALK RADIO. TRULY ONE OF AMERICA'S GREAT RADIO STATIONS! AND ONE OF AMERICA'S GREAT BROADCASTERS IN DOUG MILES. THANKS FOR JOINING US!

Sarasota Herald Tribune Alan Dell 9/14/06

EAST MANATEE SPORTS

Lakewood Ranch on the air

What's a high school football team without a radio station to broadcast its games? Around the Manatee-Sarasota County area having one is a sign of prestige. It makes your program complete.

It's one reason those connected with the Lakewood Ranch High football program are especially enthusiastic. For the first time in school history, the Mustang football games are being broadcast live, on WIBQ 1220-AM.

The deal was consummated last summer, but the idea was born a couple of years ago when new owners bought the station. Ed Schneider, who does color for the games, said it was a natural thing to do.

"Lakewood Ranch is one of the biggest schools around that didn't have radio broadcast and we thought from a long-term grown aspect, it was the place to be," Schneider said.

Schneider teams with play-by-play announcer Doug Miles, who has been involved in radio around Tampa Bay for more than two decades.

In their second game of the season the duo got its biggest challenge in the Lakewood Ranch at Southeast High game. The officials never showed up for the game that was eventually canceled. But that was almost two hours after they went on air so Schneider and Miles had to use their ingenuity to keep listeners tuned in.

"The Southeast game was the hardest it will ever be," said Miles, who has been with the station for 21/2 years.

Miles said the station is 600 watts during the day and 250 at night, which means the games can be heard in South Sarasota. He said the station is expected to be licensed to go to 5,000 watts soon.

Miles, who is a graduate of Adelphi University and grew up on Long Island, is impressed with the brand of high school football they play in the area and likes what he has seen from Lakewood Ranch in its two games.

"Where I grew up high school football wasn't the way it is here," Miles said. "I am impressed with Andy Slowik (Ranch quarterback), and the team is a lot more versatile offensively this season. But Friday night (at Manatee High) is going to be very tough."

Schneider said the station has a sports talk show on every day from noon to 2 p.m. and next week it will have a new, but familiar look when well-known local sportscasters Scotty Hayes and Jake Jacobson are re-united to do the show. On Thursday during that segment, the station plans to run interviews with Lakewood Ranch head football coach Shawn Trent and the head coach from the Mustangs opponent that week.

This item appeared in Dawn Scire's Radio Babe Column in the Sarasota Herald Tribune Sept 4, 2006:

Dear Radio Babe: Wanted to send an update of our sports programming at WIBQ (1220 AM).

We are now an affiliate for Florida State football broadcasts. We're also carrying an NCAA college football game of the week on Saturday (at 3 p.m.) and an NFL doubleheader every Sunday at 1 and 4:15 p.m. We will carry the games to completion.

We are also broadcasting Lakewood Ranch football on Friday nights ... at 7:05 p.m. with the pre-game show; kickoff of the play-by-play starts at 7:30 p.m.

We also have the "Sports Forum," which airs Monday-Friday ... noon to 2 p.m.

Thanks for keeping the radio column alive. Great job! -- Doug (Miles, 1220 AM producer and co-host/DJ)

Dear Doug: Radio Babe thanks you for the sports-data update. Fans always need to know where and when to tune in.

This item appeared in Dawn Scire's Radio Babe Column in the Sarasota Herald Tribune May 22, 2006:

Dear Radio Babe: Please advise if there is an AM or

FM station that carries "The Sounds of Sinatra with Sid Marks." It is a syndicated

two-hour program usually carried on a weekend. Thank you. -- R.W.

Dear H.J. and R.W.: Some good news, and some not so good.

Sid Marks of the aforementioned program has been spinning Sinatra for more than 40 years; that's a lotta Sinatra!

Now carried on about 200 affiliates, R.B. found Marks on Sarasota's WIBQ (1220 AM, aka: Sunny 1220) from 8 to 10 p.m. Saturdays.

Also, following Sid Marks on WIBQ Saturdays from 10 p.m. to midnight, and again at 8 p.m. Sundays, "Big Band Files with Doug Miles" revisits yesteryear's music and reminiscing via interviews with celebrity guests.

This item appeared in Dawn Scire's Radio Column in the Sarasota Herald Tribune September 19, 2005:

WIBQ emphasizes its local programming
Dear Radio Babe, We at 1220 WIBQ feel like we have been lodged between two mountains now that Salem Broadcasting has come to town!

They have taken Bill Bennett in the morning from us, and now it looks like Laura Ingraham is going the same way ... I guess that's big business!

WLSS 930 has nothing to do with local broadcasting as much as they come into local markets and say they are -- they even moved their studio from Sarasota to Tampa! Local?

The 930 general manager may not understand exactly what local means -- so here's some help from 1220!

Rochelle Herman's "It's All About Health," Monday through Friday, 8-10 a.m.; "Sports Forum," Monday through Friday, noon to 2 p.m.; Cliff Roles' "Talk of the Suncoast," Monday through Friday, 2-3 p.m.; Judy Gallagher's "Cooking in Paradise," Tuesday and Friday, 5-6 p.m.; Doug Miles' "All That Jazz," Sunday, 8-10 p.m.; Sandy Dietz's "The Restaurant Connection," Saturday, 1-3 p.m.; and "Realty Today," Saturday, 9-10 a.m. -- all "live" from our window studios on Main Street in downtown Sarasota.

That's what we call local! Thanks, Jim Grady, President, 1220 WIBQ

This item appeared in Dawn Scire's Radio Column in the Sarasota Herald Tribune February 2005:

Dear Readers,

Last week, we started talking about jazz options -- not the "smooth" stuff, but the down 'n' dirty jizz-azz with pizzazz -- on the local dial, and filled the column in no time.
LITTLE BITS -- "Doug Miles' Big Band Files" broadcasts live performances by local jazz-meisters, spinning old-to-new sounds from 7 to 9 p.m. Sundays on Sarasota's WIBQ (1220 AM).

This item appeared in Dawn Scire's "Radio Babe" column in the Sarasota Herald Tribune May 16th, 2005

One Sarasota radio station's gender identity crisis

Dear Radio Babe, What happened at station WIBQ? I tuned in to hear the "Mid-day Magazine", one of the best programs on the air. They have interesting interviews, book reviews, guests from show business, city officials; (and) Don Blair from NBC and Jack Perkins are regular "drop-ins."

To my surprise, I hear jocks talking sports to a mid-day audience of retirees and housewives who could care less about some baseball player taking steroids.

Either they have changed station managers, or they need to. Very truly yours, T.K.

Dear T.K., Strong words, there.

When I read your letter to WIBQ 1220 AM station owner Jim Grady, his first response was: "Awwww." You know, the way people do when making fun of someone, like, "Awwww, you poor baby!"

He said, "Everybody thinks they can be a programmer. When we get up to 100 complaints, I'll start thinking about it."

But let me first tell you, Radio Babe was perplexed by your inquiry, because Sarasota's "News Talk 1220" isn't a sports channel, nor is it the in-town station recently purchased and likely to be changing formats (more on that station later). However, she dug in and found your answer.

Doug Miles and Ted Fleming began talking "sports-ese" on May 2, when their alternating two-hour and one-hour (noon to 2 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Fridays, and noon to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays) "Sports Axcess" program started.

Back to Grady: He softened up, explaining that the switch occurred because WIBQ was more "lopsided toward women's talk radio," and they're simply attempting to mix things up by giving the guys a couple hours of content, too.

Besides, T.K., how do YOU know who's listening to WIBQ?

Did you take a poll, or is it conjecture that led to the "retirees and housewives" conclusion?"

Outside of your letter, Grady's gotten mostly compliments.

Someone even listens all the way from Denver via the Internet feed (through www.newstalk1220.com). He called to thank Grady, saying he couldn't find any other station airing daytime sports talk.

For the record, 1220's Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays begin at 7 a.m. with "For Women Only," followed by Rochelle Herman's "It's About Health" (although this is male- AND female-oriented!).

Laura Ingraham comes on at 10 a.m. (certainly her political topics aren't gender-dependent), and "Cooking in Paradise," hosted by Judi Gallagher (another co-ed subject) squeezes in between the en the "Sports Axcess" off-days -- that's 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.

From there, 2 p.m. until 5 a.m., the only other female voices are Dr. Laura's at 3 p.m. and Dr. Joy Browne's at midnight.

Mr. Grady isn't averse to dainty topics; it's the fact that an all-female roster of voices monopolizes prime daytime spots.

But he's not unreasonable. Grady said he'll re-evaluate "Sports Axcess" in another 10 days or so and see where things stand.

And "Mid-Day Magazine"? That's history.

It's been rolled into Cliff Roles' 2 p.m. "Talk of the Suncoast" because the two were so similarly formatted.

This item appeared in Dawn Scire's "Radio Babe" column in the Sarasota Herald Tribune May 23rd, 2005

Dear Radio Babe, If WIBQ thinks they need sports-centered yelling to make a successful mid-day show, they need to ask their listeners.

Not to mention, all these changes get confusing. We thought the "Sarasota Magazine" show with Doug Miles was wonderful. It, followed by chef Judi, our delicious food guru of Southwest Florida, was appropriate for office listening.

On the business end, I can't see how advertisers can really be happy to hear hours of jocks midday when their target audience wants to hear about culture, charity events, food, wine and travel. Bring back "Sarasota Magazine" and expand "Cooking in Paradise! Why change a great menu? -- T.K.

Dear T.K., Radio Babe thanks you for sharing about WIBQ 1220 AM's new "Sports Axcess" show that we discussed in-depth last week.

You make a good case about office buildings having tuned in for a range of listeners, but please recall that station manager Jim Grady gives the program a couple of weeks before reviewing its midday spot (noon to 2 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday; and only until 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays) to determine listenability.

Note, also, that Judi Gallagher's "Cooking in Paradise" does at least air 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. And R.B. has to ask you the same question she asked last week's questioner: Just how do you know what the WIBQ listeners "want to hear?"

If one were speaking for an entire office, a more effective protest would be to enlist many signees, not just one.