What Is It About KIFM?

— Carol Archer/R&R Smooth Jazz Editor (310) 788-1665

Email: carcher@radioandrecords.com

I’ve been listening to KIFM/San Diego’s stream online at www.kifm.com and the station sounds simply great! You

can learn more about the philosophy that propelled KIFM to No. 1 12+ in the spring book in this week’s issue

of R&R (issue date 8/20), in which Jefferson-Pilot/San Diego Market VP/GM Darrel Goodin and KIFM PD Mike

Vasquez are interviewed.

As The World Turns

Richard Smith appeared Aug. 4 at KJZS/Reno, NV’s after-work party at Scruples ... Guitarist Blake Aaron

signs with David Chackler’s Philly-based 215 label ... KJZI/Minneapolis celebrated its first anniversary last

week with four concerts over four nights, featuring Spyro Gyra, Bobby Caldwell, Dave Koz & Friends

and Boney James ... KJCD/Denver morning personality Kenny Cortes says Praful put on one awesome

show at Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom in Denver last week. "He is sooooooooo cool," says Cortes. "I

had the privilege to interview him yesterday." Cortes says KJCD PD Mike Fischer has asked the station’s

webmaster to create an audio archive featuring interviews on CD104.3’s website, www.cd1043.com

... Lastly, is anyone getting key smooth jazz artists to do a "Smooth Jazz to Vote" promo, similar to Rock

the Vote?

 

Cancer Claims WJZZ/Atlanta’s Richard Dietrich

Regarded by his peers as a radio sales legend, Dietrich was a Sr. Account Executive with Radio One’s WJZZ/

Atlanta. He started his career in Detroit and went on to manage in Charlotte and Atlanta, holding senior positions

with Cox and Infinity. Dietrich, who passed away Aug. 12, is survived by his wife, Katie, and daughter,

Paige. A memorial fund has been established in his name; for details, contact Radio One/Atlanta at 404-765-9750.

Dietrich was 50 years old.

Herbie Hancock To Be Honored

The 2004 Surround Music Awards will be held on Aug. 31 at the Highlands nightclub in the Renaissance Hollywood

Hotel complex in Hollywood. The annual awards show celebrates those innovators who are creating the

next wave of musical entertainment, recognizes the best work of the year and pays tribute to the pioneering

individuals responsible for pushing the creative envelope beyond stereo recording. This year’s event is

sponsored by Dolby and will honor jazz legend Herbie Hancock, pop auteur Beck, electronica sensation BT and

audio pioneer Tomlinson Holman for their work in propelling the surround-sound format to prominence. A

portion of the proceeds will go to Quincy Jones’ We Are the Future charity. In addition, Hancock and Peter

Frampton will conduct workshops.

Milestones

Congratulations to All Comedy Radio Network’s Ralph Stewart (former longtime KTWV/Los Angeles Asst.

PD/MD) and his wife, KLOS/Los Angeles AE Mary Bedrossian, on the birth of their second child — a

daughter this time — Kate, who tipped the scale at 9 lbs., 7 oz. Her dad says she is "every bit the angel" ...

Sincere condolences to All That Jazz’s Cliff Gorov on the recent loss of his mother, Florence, 88, in Detroit.

We extend our deepest sympathy to him, as well as Jason and Julie Gorov and the entire Gorov family.

Donations in Florence Gorov’s memory may be made to your favorite charity.