Harford County (June 1, 2005) -- Baltimore's 102.7 WQSR-FM, an oldies powerhouse for two decades, disappeared last month, after years of declining ratings. Another victim of the corporate radio mentality, giant Infinity Radio unceremoniously dumped the format and all station personnel, resurrecting it as "Jack FM." Reportedly the decision wasn't made final until about 30 minutes before being implemented, personifying the "knee-jerk" style of management often found in commercial radio. WQSR's ratings had been slowly sagging for the past three years, due in no small part to an ever-shrinking playlist, which was reportedly down to just 400 songs. Ken Merson, who had been picking the songs there for years, was recently dispatched by Infinity to sister station WLIF-FM (101.9). But the rest of the 'QSR crew got the gate, including longtime morning host Steve Rouse and the legendary Johnny Dark, who only recently joined the staff after several years at Washington's WBIG-FM (100.3). Despite public protests, the Infinity brain trusts, who seem determined to steer their ships straight for the rocks, are sticking with the eclectic, iPod-like format on 102.7. Insiders tell me the station may remain "jockless" through Labor Day. Meanwhile, former WQSR afternoon drive host Bob Worthington is heading down the parkway to DC and J.D's old digs at Oldies 100.

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In response to the WQSR move, WWLG-AM (1370) dropped its adult standards format and is now "Oldies 1370." One of a handful of locally-owned stations, WWLG hopes to cash in on some of the disenfranchised former 'QSR listeners. The station has a strong daytime signal, reaching all the way to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. But the nighttime signal's another story, and technology has basically ignored the AM band for the past 25 years. The station's barely audible in two of my three cars due to static-the longtime scourge of AM radio. So far, WWLG's announcers, including R.C. Allen, Joe Pachino, Terry Trouyet, come across as totally lacking in energy, which is necessary for the oldies format. Song selection is also way out of balance. Recently, I heard Little Richard's "Rock It Up" followed immediately by Eric Carman's sleepy "Never Gonna Fall In Love Again." Yuck! For my money, I'm betting more local listeners will turn to Washington's WBIG-FM (100.3) or WSOX-FM (96.1) out of Red Lion, PA, rather than make the move back to AM. Like everything else, time will tell.

Two other Baltimore stations bit the dust in April. WBGR-AM (860), and WBMD-AM (750) went dark after being acquired by California-based Family Stations. WBGR, formerly WAYE, recently returned to the air simulcasting religious programming from another Family-owned station. WBMD remains silent as of this writing. Many of us are old enough to remember when WAYE's studios were in Dundalk, and WBMD was Baltimore's local country music powerhouse. Legendary broadcaster and genuinely nice guy Clark West spent 50 years at WBMD, which in recent years played religious and ethnic programs. A half century at one station—incredible, and unheard of in this industry. I'll bet Clark was the last one out the door on April 29th, when the lights went out at WBMD for the last time.

Four big names in local radio passed away recently. On March 15th, broadcasting pioneer Morris Blum died. Blum owned Annapolis R&B giant WANN-AM (now WBIS-AM 1190) from 1952 through 1998, and was one of the best liked and most respected men in the business. Morris Blum was 95.

Mike March died of a sudden heart attack on April 1, at age 70. March was a fixture for years on WCBM and the old WFBR. A resident of Lutherville, he left the business two decades ago to work for a beer distributor.

98 Rock's Lopez also passed away, losing his battle with lung cancer on May 23. Robert Lopez joined WIYY-FM (97.9) nearly 30 years ago, and his death attracted a great deal of media attention. Lopez was 52.

And legendary d.j. Charles "Hoppy" Adams died of cancer at Glen Burnie's North Arundel Hospital on May 1. Hoppy Adams was synonymous with Carr's Beach in Anne Arundel County, where he presented top soul and R&B acts over WANN during the 1950s and 60s. In the days of segregation, Carr's Beach attracted mostly African-Americans, although some whites were known to attend Hoppy's shows which regularly featured the likes of Jackie Wilson, James Brown, Sam Cooke and Otis Redding. Always nattily attired, Hoppy Adams is remembered as a gentleman and a pro, someone who never raised his voice or had an unkind word for anyone. The term "legendary" is too often applied these days, but when it comes to Hoppy Adams, it may be an understatement.

Jason Kidd is out as program director at WWMX-FM (106.5). Insiders there have been telling me for months that Kidd was absent much of the time and PD in name only. Like Infinity's other local stations, Mix 106.5's ratings have been stagnant at best for a couple of years. Jen Wagner is also out. Meanwhile, the Infinity "brains" have moved Fast Jimi Roberts from the wreckage that was WQSR up the dial to 106.5.

The coffers must be filling up over at Towson University, as WTMD-FM (89.7) has joined National Public Radio, an affiliation that ain't cheap. WTMD began carrying NPR newscasts on May 13, and they become Baltimore's third NPR affiliate, joining WYPR-FM (88.1) and WEAA-FM (88.9).

Finally, you can call off the search dogs. The lovely and talented Marilyn Getas has been found-alive and well-back in her native California. The former WBAL-TV (11) anchor is now serving in that same role for KION-TV, Channel 46, in Salinas, CA. Over the years, WBAL has let a few good ones get away, like Sue Simmons and Carol Costello. Add pretty Marilyn Getas to that list.

Have a question or comment? Email me at gwhelton@yahoo.com.

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