"Captain" Jim McMahan

Harford County (November 20, 2003) -- Adios, Captain Jim. It's official. Aberdeen's WAMD-AM (970) has been sold. Dallas-based Big D Broadcasting has purchased the local oldies station from "Captain" Jim McMahan for $150,000 (asking price was $200,000). No word yet on when the ownership transfer will take place, or whether the station will retain its present oldies format (don't bet on it). In any event, the retirement of Captain Jim represents the end of an era, and it leaves Harford County with one less locally owned business. Of course, McMahan won't exactly be retired, since he serves as a commissioner for the town of Bel Air. Big D Broadcasting is a subsidiary of First Broadcasting Company LP, headed by Texas businessman Gary Lawrence. He owns nine other stations in addition to WAMD. Guess we'll just have to wait and see if the studio and tower sites will be moved from their present locations on Hiob Lane as previously rumored.

Another promotion for Channel 11's Stan Stovall. With the departure of Jeff Pegues to New York's WABC-TV, Stovall has been tapped to take over his anchor position opposite Donna Hamilton on WBAL's successful evening newscasts. I've never met Stan Stovall and know little about him personally, but consider him Baltimore's top local news anchor (as you'll read shortly). He's intelligent, friendly, and seems to connect well with viewers. Plus he seems like a heck of a nice guy, so I'm happy he's back where he belongs. Makes one wonder how the suits at WMAR-TV (2) feel these days, a year after cutting Stovall loose over on York Road. Stan's basically gone full circle now, having first been the evening news anchor at 11 back in 1978, when he was then teamed with the late Vince Gibbons.

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	Bel Air's WHFC-FM 91.1 . now 24/7!

WHFC-FM's (91.1) fall fundraiser fell short of its $7,500 goal, raising just over $5,200 in pledges during October. The Bel Air-based public broadcaster hopes to weather the next six months without making any major cuts to programming and service. They also hope to restore Internet webcasts, which were cut off early in the fall. And speaking of WHFC, has everyone caught the return of "The Rock n' Roll Doctor", Steve Cochran? The former WKTK and WQSR personality hosts "The Roots Café" every Saturday night at 7:00 and seems to be having a ball doing it. Cochran's new show features grassroots and eclectic music and is really quite entertaining. Steve and I grew up during the 1950's and '60's in the same East Baltimore neighborhood -- literally one block away from each other -- yet we never met until last year.

Jason Kidd is out as program director for WSMJ-FM (104.3), Baltimore's new "smooth jazz" outlet. He was there just two months. And speaking of WSMJ, would someone please inform them that not every African-American musical artist does jazz? Since changing from its former classic rock music format, 104.3 has featured "Just My Imagination" by The Temptations, "Isn't She Lovely" by Stevie Wonder, "Dock of the Bay" by Otis Redding and other similar '60's and '70's songs. Attention WSMJ folks -- they ain't jazz! I'll start listening again after you drop these r&b/soul oldies artists and replace them with folks like Walter Beasley, Kim Waters, Warren Hill, Diana Krall, and Fourplay, and there's plenty more where they come from. If you're gonna play jazz, play JAZZ.

Finally, since this is my last column of 2003, I've decided to give you my take on the "Best and Worst of 2003." Best male local news anchor, Stan Stovall; worst, a tie, Kai Jackson and Rod Daniels (they both stumble on their words too much). Best female local news anchor, Jennifer Gilbert; worst, Sally Thorner (her squeaky voice and scatterbrained demeanor irritate the @#!*& out of me!). Best local sports anchor, Gerry Sandusky (but Gere, drop the clichés, please); worst, a two-way tie between Keith Mills and Stan Saunders (guys, try decaf). Best local weathercaster, Lori Pinson (shame on you, Channel 45). In her absence, Tom Tasselmyer. Worst, any of Lori's assorted replacements on Channel 45. Best overall local TV news, WBAL (but folks, "Late Breaking" is two words). Worst overall local TV news, WJZ (too much "show business," and what's with the insipid whistle when you introduce Bob Turk?). Finally, my vote for Best Overall TV News Personality goes to Stan Stovall, for all the obvious reasons. My vote for the Worst Overall TV News Personality goes to Marty Bass, again for all the obvious reasons.

Best Local Radio Station goes to WWLG-AM (1370), for keeping the old songs and maintaining the old standards of quality and good taste. Three stations share my vote for Worst Local Radio Station. First, WQSR-FM (102.7) for programming the same old tired songs over and over again and sticking with Rouse and Company in the morning. Sorry guys, you're just not my cup of tea since I passed puberty. Second is WXYV-FM (105.7). I'd rather have a steady diet of ground glass than listen to Howard what's-his-name. And last is WERQ-FM (92.3), because I hate hip-hop, plain and simple.

Happy holidays.

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

GH