Lights Out for Local Programming on KUDO.
CC, host of Cutting Edge on KUDO 1080am announced today that the station will be suspending all local programming effective immediately.
The decision was made yesterday by the IBEW, owners of the station. It’s been a rocky road for our friends at KUDO. Last year on this day, we lost two of our favorites Shannyn Moore and Aaron Selbig. And today we bid farewell to Cary Carrigan, Kathy Phillips and CC.
KUDO will continue to broadcast progressive talk from national feeds, but the important work of providing local information and discussion will be no more. It’s a sad thing when an open mic is silenced, and KUDO’s fans, though fewer in number than some stations, were loyal and no doubt will be mourning the loss.
No word yet what future plans are for the station or for the on air team.
We know that they will land on their feet. It’s often moments like this that open up new and unexpected opportunities. We will be waiting and ready to support them in whatever the future holds.
CC had special visits on her final show by mayoral candidate Eric Croft and Senator Mark Begich. Her farewell was gracious, and touching.
Please use the space below for messages of love and support for CC and the crew. Our heartfelt thanks go out to those who gave us a place to vent our frustrations, talk out the issues of the day, and share our hearts. Their voices will be sorely missed.
CC
Who will I listen to on my to work and on my way home!!!
Halco’s slot is open 1-4 on 650, maybe someone can jump on that.
Although not in Alaska, I support local programming on our (NPR) KCFR station in Denver. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.
I wont be listening to KUDO anymore. My only reason for tuning in was Cary’s morning show and CC in the afternoon. Already emailed the station with my thoughts on the matter.
Just called my SO at work who is IBEW. he won’t be coming home before stopping by the hall and giving them an earful from me (and telling them thanks for putting him in the dog house!) and that his wife tuned in for the local programing but probably wont be tuning in anymore! AArrGGG!!! Though Cary’s time slot didn’t work out for me I always listen to CC. You will be missed! Thank You so much for all you’ve done. You’ve been an invaluable voice for the community!!!
Thank you CC and Cary, your programs were always informative and entertaining. It was like having good friends drop by when Carolyn or some of the other regular callers would phone in. I am furious on behalf of all the loyal listeners that are left with NO Progressive choices on our local airwaves.
What a shame! You would think a progressive station would be thinking “local” and delivering on it. I really enjoyed the CC shows I caught in the last few months.
I’m going to miss them – and I listen from Georgia! I hope they start broadcasting again soon. Good luck, folks.
Feels like someone just kicked me in the junk. And I’m a chick…
All too familiar, with flashbacks of last year….
I know they all are on to new and grander journeys-so much talent there..but those of us who listen? WwwaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!!!!
CC – you rock the airwaves and i sure hope KNBA or KSKA picks up “Cutting Edge” pronto!
It is because CC, even all by her self, scared the crap out of the powers that be. And that the listeners, while not great in numbers, found a effective voice. Run for office CC and I’ll do your poster.
I’m sad to hear this news. Best of luck to CC and company – your contribution to the community was noticed and appreciated.
Maybe you progressive blogger type can stream audio, or post recordings of segments on an Alaskan Blog. podcast or something like that…
If you get enough people involved, you could do it part time to create 30-40 minutes a day…
just a thought …
CC–Going to miss you. A listener from Prescott Valley Az. Hope the local scene didn’t influence the decision. Your voice needs to be heard, CC.
Sorry to hear the news.
Methinks an Artic “R”at is somehow involved with this….
PepperzMom::: or those related with them of late…
Here’s me thinking there was an election next week. So much for ‘brotherhood’ …
CC is a talented broadcaster and I know she has an international audience, because I’m part of it. Or was.
CC, I’ll miss your passion – and your “uh-!” I hope Alaska doesn’t lose you.
MOST VALUABLE LOCAL MEDIA PERSONALITY: CC (Camille Conte)
When Sarah Palin stumbled onto the national stage, after her selection as John McCain’s running-mate, everyone scrambled to figure out what was up with Alaska’s governor. A lot of the lower-48 blogosphere (and the major media that followed its lead) obsessed about Palin’s family life. But Anchorage radio host Camille Conte, who is universally known in Alaska as “CC,” steered the discussion toward Troopergate–the scandal that proved Palin was not the reformer her supporters claimed but a Cheney-esque abuser of power. CC’s daily “Cutting Edge” show on Anchorage’s Air America affiliate, News-Talk 1080/KUDO: Alaska’s Progressive Voice became required fare for journalists visiting the state–she had better access than anyone else to the key players, who trusted the veteran local host–and CC turned up on radio stations across the U.S. No one else contributed as much to 2008′s Palintological studies.
I am going to miss everyone at KUDO and remember the great work they’ve done to build a station, build the grassroots that allowed us to elect progressives and show our strength. Though we don’t have a local radio voice, it is my sincere hope the cause transcends the loss.
Scarah is doing her best to fend off the steady stream of punches being thrown at her by the wonderful progressives in AK. DO NOT cave! The TKO is right around the corner…
Keep up the great work AK PJ-clad bloggers!
What does it cost to start a radio station?
okay I just read the funniest comment ever over on a freaky site,which I won’t name, but I’m sure you can figure it out.
“Sarah Palin doesn’t just do something without it being well thought out and researched.”
hahahahahahaha OMG hahahahahahahaha lol hahaha lmaohahhahah
Yet another instance of an America we know disappearing… yet, the Limbaugh’s of this country continue to rake in the bucks for spewing hatred. Just doesn’t pay to be moral and intelligent.
I agree with Dr. Chill that it’s time to do the same kind of creative thinking around broadcast medium that’s happening in print. Podcast. Heck, even I have done podcasts. Ingredients: a digital recorder, audio editing software (download a freeware off the tubes), a place to park the mp3. Voila!
Local voices need to be heard.
There’s a woman on Jay Leno doing a talent act… squawking like a chicken… just like I imagine Palin’s mouthpiece sounding when denying, denying, denying.
Truly a sad day. Carrie and CC were part of my day, even my eleven year old would ask that we listen to CC and hated to miss her show. We know who has turned the screws on this one. Don’t cave.
I wonder if the Democratic Party could sponsor CC on another radio channel and perhaps try to line up some advertising for her show. Doesn’t matter what channel– AM or FM; just tell us where to tune. 3 days a week would be fine.
i said i wasn’t going to listen to it anymore, after aaron and shannyn were given the ax, but i still did because where else was i supposed to go?
i’ve listened to KUDO from the first week it was on the air, almost five years ago. many fine moments. bummer!
i thought the trend we would see, in newspapers and radio would be going back to an intense focus on local content, reporting and programming, instead of just switching between different national feeds. we don’t need national and world news in the newspaper anymore because we can get it much better on the net. and we don’t need feeds and rebroadcasts of national shows because we can stream and podcast them instead. but we do desperately need a local perspective and a forum for all views.
http://www.tatibroadcasting.com/
This is the company that pulled the rug out from under local programs. Make yourselves heard!
Hey – best of luck to you guys – You can do something great, I should say, you will CONTINUE to do great things. -
Would boycotting help? Do radio stations have devices or methods that give them numbers of listeners?
I haven’t even read anyone else’s comments. But I just have to say, does this have to do with money?
If so, it totally sucks.
And it makes me wonder how it figures in to the confusing mess that the Palin/Alaska political/media/money conglomerate has enmeshed us in !!!!!
It was only a few days ago that I finally was brave enough to try to connect to CC’s show, and amazingly it worked pretty well, even on my dial-up connection. I was thrilled to hear it.
Alaska SORELY needs real live feeds to Alaska happenings. We are so removed from our legislators and policy makers. It is SOOOOOOO important to hear what is happening to us!
KUDO — just keep on, I tell ya! KEEP ON !!!!
We will continue to look for you out there — wherever you are.
CC I only listened to your show a couple of times, When AKM would post, CC has “—–”on I loved your show and am very sorry to see it shut down when they leave E.Smurk on the radio, and the idiots like him. I even emailed you one and you were so nice to email me back. Maybe the station that Shannyn went to will consider picking you up, as you are very popular, of course probably not by the queen. I hope this wasn’t some sort of censorship issue.
Very sad. I only tuned to KUDO for local morning & afternoon
broadcasts. Dumb management decisions abound.
CC-I teared up when I heard you were being dismissed. There is a hole in my heart. I wish you well and hope you find what you are looking for, following bruce s.
So who do we lefties listen to now??? It will be a total void in my morning and evening valley commute. The local angle is what it was all about, now we are just another whitebread listener in a wonderbread world.
I forgot to say thank you KUDO staff and best wishes.
You were there at a very critical time– when we needed to learn the truth about Palin. She could have really screwed up our country (even worse than Bush) but I think the word is out on this lady, largely thanks to KUDO.
CC –
Thank you for all you did for us ……..
all this time …….
i am sick of writing negative letters to people. i do not think it does any good. so i think maybe we should start a positive letter writing campaign to kbyr. two weeks ago they gave former kudo host shannyn moore a two hour saturday slot. if i can figure out who to write to there, i am going to tell them how much i enjoyed kudo in its prime and respectfully suggest they should consider picking up cc as well.
38 clark Says:
April 28th, 2009 at 9:25 PM–
YEAH! GO FOR IT!!!
As some have mentioned, media is changing. Newspapers aren’t the first and only source of news. Radio is meeting the same changes. Trouble is, they don’t know what to do and go for the lowest common denominator in programming. Unless this change is a form of censorship *ahem*cough*.
One can still do local broadcasting though — except it’s from one’s own laptop, just like blogging. The audience needs to find you and have an internet connection…but it’s possible.
Today’s streaming video sites like www [dot] justin [dot] tv or www [dot] ustream [dot] tv are free to stream. It’s up to the streamer to find advertisers. One can do a live show, tape it and leave it up on their streaming site for others to access at their leisure. No bureaucracy, no censorship, include a program schedule with hours of live operation and a guest list too.
Believe me, the interactive nature of it all has the television stations sh^tting. The summer’s coming and people are canceling their cable, but keeping the internet portion. If they want to hook the tv cable portion, they get a discount as a new viewer in the fall. Fall always brings promotions.
The future looks bright for local. The market is fragmenting, a perfect opportunity awaits. I await CC Broadcasting LLC. lol.
Friends,
If anyone feels badly about the loss of local programming at KUDO it’s me. I’m one of the guys who started it. When I moved to KUDO I owned a home free and clear and had health coverage. When I left KUDO I had a mortgage and no health insurance. I’m not saying this to make any one feel badly, I’m doing better than many of my fellow citizens in this economy. I say it just to point out that radio stations cost money to run and that money has to come from somewhere. I don’t regret having tried.
We figured we could make it if we got a 3% audience share. We only barely approached 2%. “Progressive” businesses didn’t step up in large enough numbers to advertise when we didn’t get the numbers. I can’t really blame them. We sold KUDO to IBEW and they invested their money to keep it going and increase local offerings. But they have obligations to their members and in this economy things only got worse. KUDO is not alone in America in dropping local programming. Nationally advertising revenue for radio is way down. You just can’t keep spending money. For now, Anchorage still has an outlet for national progressive programming.
My best to CC and to all of the people who formed the KUDO Community. My best to the iBEW for keeping us going longer than we could have kept it going ourselves. We made a difference for the in the last 5 years. We gave progressives the slogan “We’re in it to win.” We helped organize the base, but we never earned enough money to even cover our expenses. Heaven knows, we tried.
In the meantime I have a “real” job again, Suzi and I are living in Serbia, doing media development work. We ave health care coverage and are feeling much better about America because of our new President.
Remember, We’re still in it to win!”
Take Care Friends,
Rich
41 Rich McClear Says:
“Remember, We’re still in it to win!”
==========
Rich,
What a story. From what you said, I think I know what you went through.
So actually, it really is about money, eh?
What if we raised funds? could we resurrect KUDO in another form? what do you think?
We progressives are still out here, you know!
Got ideas ???
I’m sitting here listing to Sparks, live, on KWMD. Some people need to get paid. It is not simple or easy, especially when people pull in different directions, instead of together.
I’ve never had the privilege of listening to CC’s radio shows. I’ve only heard “second hand” info from Mudflats, Celtic Diva, Shannyn Moore.
I believe that Sarah Palin is a joke, not to mention a racist and let’s not forget – an IDIOT. This grifter disguised as a governor needs to be – taken down.
This grifter disguised as a governor needs to be told – times up, grifter.
Great to hear from Mr. McClear again. What a great guy. It’s a shame that KUDO is still trying to find its footing. I thought it was a major mistake to fire Shanyn Moore and Aaron Selbig a year ago. It’s great that Shannyn has a new weekend show on the otherwise dreadful KBYR. I hope CC and everyone else lands on their feet. Can we go back to Stephanie MIller 5-8am, and Ed Shultz live 8-11? Guess we’ll find out soon enough.
I don’t know the legalities of the site, but maybe something can still be done via Twitter. Ashton Kutcher does live feeds I believe via Tweetdeck.com
I feel bad about the latest loss that KUDO has endured.
However, I have to be honest in that I never really cared for Cari’s style of Radio — he didn’t seem good at conducting interviews and was way all over the place. He was better suited for TV, IMHO. I’ll stop my criticism there, as I know it takes major skill to successfully conduct a good radio show, and I would be downright horrible at it.
I really liked CC, she had a great show and it will be dearly missed
Having said that, I always thought, and still think to this day that Aaron Selbig was the biggest star in KUDO’s lineup. He had the courage to really shake things up and keep it interesting and controversial. I think the biggest mistake KUDO made was that they let go of Aaron and replaced him with Cari. I think Aaron had a good vision for the station but was never allowed to fully flesh it out. They just wouldn’t let him advertise the station the way he wanted to.
I’m not necessarily saying that his absence was responsible for the downturn, but who knows it could have contributed to it.
Oh well, aloha KUDO!
I like the podcast idea. Calling all local techno-types…
CC’s contributions have been vast, not limited to radio, and can continue to be so, but must think outside the box!
Best wishes to CC, good luck with the future, may this be a blessing in disguise.
Not to be a wet balloon or anything, but ……
Some of us out here are not into Tweets or anything of the sort.
It would just be nice to find the right blog and read it every day.
Podcasts, Tweets …… most of us grandmas don’t do that stuff. Wish I could, but just gettin’ too gosh darn old!
Sorry guys — should have further explained …
I HAVE found the right blog — in Mudflats!
Internet broadcast is a cheap and easy option to keep local content alive. No reason that CC and others can’t be broadcasting live from a coffee shops or living rooms around anchorage. Certainly not as easy for all as the airwaves but with low overhead, podcast caoability etc. It’s a viable alternative – certainly when compared to… dead progressive air.
I wish CC well.
Cary was part of the problem and I will not miss him.
Andrew Halcrow’s spot is a thought, but……
You have to remember Tati IS reTHUGlican. Look at the rest of the stations.
The podcasting seems like a good idea, but one still needs $$ support these folks need to make a living.
to: Justin McDonald
subject: in support of local left talk
Justin,
I hope this isn’t misdirected, but you are the Manager and/or Program Director of KBYR-AM, correct?
Just a note to let you know how happy I am that you gave a two hour Saturday show to Shannyn Moore.
And a request to consider adding more Democratic/left wing content to your weekend and/or weekday lineup. KUDO today cancelled its two remaining local programs. If KBYR were to pick up Camille Conte, I’ll bet you would get most of KUDO’s listeners tuning in to hear her and Shannyn. I think it could be very good for KBYR on several levels. For one, you would be doing more than merely paying lip service to the Fox slogan “fair and balanced”. I believe KUDO’s listenership numbers were consistently underestimated. Everyone I know listens to KUDO and we were all hoping for its continued success in the Anchorage marketplace of ideas. In its earlier days it was remarkable — the development of the three local hosts, Shannyn, CC and Aaron Selbig augmenting commentary by Rich McClear and guest commentators like Mr. Whitekeys and Geoff Kennedy. It was razor sharp, witty, fun. They came out of the gate early, about at the same time as the launch of Air America, but they were pretty nimble and realized early that AAR was crashing and they shouldn’t rely on it for the majority of their air time. CC received a national award in 2008 for her pursuit of Troopergate and other Alaska political developments.
National progressive talk host Randi Rhodes has said on repeated occasions that the idea of talk radio stations being ‘segregated’ [having either all left or right wing content] is a bad one — that it would serve both sides better if all stations mixed it up a little. There’s more common ground than you would think. Rhodes just signed with a network that also syndicates Limbaugh and her new show starts early next month.
Like a lot of people of my age and political leanings, I used to pretty much listen to public radio exclusively but became disenchanted with NPR and CPB around 2004 after they moved to the right in their content and presentation.
It cannot have escaped your notice that the country has been moving left. Demographic shifts and exhaustive studies of election returns from ’06 and ’08 suggest its going to stay that way for awhile. 90% of talk radio is right wing. Over 50% of the voters are not. Probably 75% or more of the population are moderates, and many of the right wing hosts have limited appeal to moderates. Left wing national hosts such as Rhodes, Thom Hartmann, Ed Shultz, Rachel Maddow, Mike Malloy and many others have dedicated followings. There are many others [Ron Reagan, Sam Seder, Marc Maron, Cenk Uygur, Laura Flanders, for example] who are seasoned and accomplished and destined for greater awareness. I could mention lots of other shows [Ring of Fire with Mike Papantonio and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.; Stephanie Miller] that are consistently wonderful. It seems like a beautiful picture in terms of future marketability and success. As if there are millions of listeners being drastically under-served.
I do believe that local programs are precious, and they are also the wave of the future, as more and more people elect to podcast their national favorites instead of working their schedule around a local station’s whims. But there is a desperate need, more than ever for local coverage of all sides of political, news and human interest stories.
Finally, I want to say I did not just move here from San Francisco or anything. I am 49 years old and have been a resident of Anchorage since 1971.
Thank you again for giving Shannyn a shot.
Clark Yerrington
jmcdonald@kbyr.com
@ #48 Clark:
Whoaa! What a great post!
You’re right – Alaska needs more spokespersons in the media speaking on behalf of THE PEOPLE. The ones you cited have done a yeoman’s job.
Let’s see what the station does ……
I hope their decision includes CC.
yukonbushgrma Says:
April 28th, 2009 at 10:51 PM
Not to be a wet balloon or anything, but ……
Some of us out here are not into Tweets or anything of the sort.
It would just be nice to find the right blog and read it every day.
Podcasts, Tweets …… most of us grandmas don’t do that stuff. Wish I could, but just gettin’ too gosh darn old!
=========
How about clicking on a link to hear the conversation. Do you watch youtube videos? Like that …
Maybe progressives could sell their local program to radio stations.
Maybe a 1/2 or 1 hour program?
54 DrChill Says:
April 28th, 2009 at 11:25 PM
“How about clicking on a link to hear the conversation. Do you watch youtube videos? Like that …”
=========
Yeah, I know!!!!
I can hear audio pretty well. Fortuntely we can get some of that for the AK legislative proceedings.
With my dial-up connection, You-Tube stuff never works. I used to try to connect to it, but it never works — just sits there and tries to connect.
I’m just sitting here in the Alaska bush, waiting for some of the STIMULUS FUNDS to bring BROADBAND to the Bush!!!!
‘NUF SAID!
Impeach_Palin – I need to contact you via email but your email address keeps bouncing back to me. Can you please contact me with a correct and working email address via my contact form here –
http://www.snoskred.org/contact
thanks -
ot;
Roll Call: Senate vote on Sebelius’ confirmation
By The Associated Press – 8 hours ago
The 65-31 roll call by which the Senate voted to confirm Kathleen Sebelius as the nation’s health and human services secretary.
On this vote, a “yes” vote was a vote to confirm Sebelius and a “no” vote was a vote against it.
Voting “yes” were 54 Democrats, 9 Republicans and 2 independents.
Voting “no” were 0 Democrats and 31 Republicans.
Alaska
Begich (D) Yes; Murkowski (R) No.
CC we’ll miss you very much. I depended on you to keep me informed on local issues–muni and state. Thank you for all you have provided us from focusing on the issues to your call to arms when we need to keep our elected officials straight.
I hope your voice will soon be back with us, either on another station or a podcast. Lets all rally and get Croft elected for mayor. It will be harder without CC.
From the Alaska Report -
Rumor Central: Whopper story heading towards the S.S. Palin
An iceberg is heading toward the Palins. Can it be stopped? I don’t think so. Will it sink the ship, all signs say yes. Stay tuned…
Hhhmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!
UK Lady – Link ??
@austintx:
link = weallhope (dot) com
thankx, UK Lady. Heh.
Rumor Central: Whopper story heading towards the S.S. Palin
An iceberg is heading toward the Palins. Can it be stopped? I don’t think so. Will it sink the ship, all signs say yes. Stay tuned…
austintx – it is on the front page of The Alaska Report.
Tee Hee!
Anybody home out there ????
yukonbushgrma
Hi, Yes I’m here and all aquiver with glee. I have a whole list of possibilities in my head, would write them all now but have two nutty dogs jumping all over me for their walk. Will most definitely be tuning in a lot today.
p.s. Immoral Minority is sending out big teasers too!
UK Lady:
I’ve got two nutty dogs too … border collies. They totally consume me sometimes. But I’d never wish for any other dogs……..they are so precious.
Now I have to check out what Gryphen has to say.
@58 Matha:
Roll Call: Senate vote on Sebelius’ confirmation
Murkowski (R) No.
========
way to go, Lisa! sheesh
Thanks, Matha, for the reporting on the roll call.
UK Lady – KO is not gonna stop. Comments are a hoot !!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/28/hannity-waterboard-offer-_n_192578.html
Wait a minute … she said, trying to remember back to her college radio days …
Isn’t providing a certain amount of local programming required to keep your FCC license? Doesn’t a TV or radio station have to provide some minimum amount of … something! … that proves they are providing a service specifically to the communities their broadcast area covers?
Or did that go out with Ronald Reagan?
austintx
Thanks for link, will look a bit later when I have some time.
p.s. I posted a tip to Huffpo with the Alaska Report tease and also Immoral Minority’s tease, can’t wait!
Slightly OT, but slightly related:
OT in that this relates more to a prior thread on prosecutorial misconduct. In Boston, a federal judge has been on the case of the local US Attorney’s office for intentionally and/or inadvertently withholding critical evidence.
On topic in that the last of the three comments (only 3 at 8:10 eastern) notes how the most recent suggestion of misconduct would not have been uncovered absent the work of journalists who work for our daily and favorite newspapers. As with our local talk radio and issues, a piece of America is disappearing as this very important part of our network of news is being cut back due to bottom line issues.
oops.. forgot the link: http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/04/29/judge_pursues_leaks_in_us_probe/
43
jeremy lansman Says:
“I’m sitting here listing to Sparks, live, on KWMD. Some people need to get paid. It is not simple or easy, especially when people pull in different directions, instead of together.”
Wow, a name from my past, one of the mad geniuses behind the legendary KFAT! Wondered where you might’ve landed.
There’s a voice to pay attention to, Mudpups. He knows radio…
Back OT,
Regarding tweeting, it definitely is for a much younger demographic, for now. That’s all. As for Canadian Neighbour’s comment, Anton Kucher is part of ustream’s rush to twitter and from the comments, some aren’t liking it at all…. http://www.ustream.tv/blog/ [see first post comments regarding the site'soverhaul]
As any community or local information, it all starts somewhere. Much like AKM started here… go for it CC, if you can.
What am I going to listen to as I drive to and from daycare, work and home? Oh, I am devastated. I’m going to miss you all, but especially Cary and CC. You have brought me information, laughs and when you broadcasted the president’s inauguration, tears. Thank you so much for everything! Let us know where you land so we can continue supporting you both.
CC,
I am sorry to hear you are going off the air. I wanted to say “thank you” for having me on your program during the senate vancacy flap here in Juneau. We Democrats here in Juneau are grateful to you for for your support. I wanted you to know that Dennis Egan will do a good job as Juneau’s Senator. I hope I get to meet you at the upcoming Central Committee meeting.
Rich Listowski
geez, I love CC, who are we going to listen to now? ADN is just printing schmutz now, Mudflats has the only real info in the state, no CC? how?
Thank you everyone for your kind words. History has proven that you don’t give a live mic to a fired jock so I’m grateful Mike Robbins gave me the show yesterday to say good-bye. I’ve been honored to be a part of this journey, have learned so much and have made new friends. I now join millions of Americans at the unemployment office as I buy some time and see what the Gods & Goddesses have for me next. We’re blessed to have such an awesome Progressive Blogger’s Community and I thank Mudflats for offering me a space here anytime I have a need to talk to you. I’ll certainly miss that the most. Again, thanks for your well wishes. As Bruce would say, “These are better days, baby.” Love CC
I feel the need to respond to this but must admit that it took me totally by surprise! I am very grateful to CC for supporting me by allowing me to come on her show and speak to the listeners about the validity of my recent testimony against Ross.
That in and of itself was an invaluable tool for the progressive community by allowing for our collective voices to come together and work in concert on extremely serious issues that threatened Alaskans at the amateur hands of Palin & Co.
CC…you will come back…Progressives need your voice! Somehow I feel there is more to this story somewhere in the background…hmmmm
Leah Burton
You will be missed, CC!! I thoroughly enjoyed listening to your program and it really stinks that this happened! I am sure you will find another great opportunity as you are very talented at what you do. Best of luck to you!!
I’ll miss you, CC.
The only reason I tuned in to KUDO was to listen to CC at 3p.m. I’d turn the radio on at noon and listen to the earlier shows while waiting for her show. I had to set up a portable radio to tune in, because the old stereo wouldn’t switch from FM to AM anymore (was stuck on FM).
It WAS worth it, while it lasted.
I can’t/won’t turn on the local for-profit stations. The local shows are full of ‘red-necks’, racists, ‘tin-foil hat’ people, and anti-anything ‘democrat’. Then there’s the national shows, which are more of the same.
Guess I’ll go back to strictly NPR and KWJG.
AARRGGHHH!!!! I leave town for a couple of days and look what happens!!!! How will I ever know what’s going on around here? I am very dependent upon the three of them. THIS IS AWFUL!
I live in Iowa and every day I looked forward to turning to KUDO radio to hear CC . She was the best!!! I think this stinks that she will no longer be broadcasting. As far as I am concerned they could have taken S.M. off and left CC on. I am no longer going to listen to KUDO. It is no longer fun to listen to—Cary Carrigan and CC made it great!
I posted this over at http://www.precinct1080.com but I thought I would share it here too:
“I haven’t posted here in almost a year but I thought I would chime in with a long-time listener’s perspective.
With 20/20 hindsight, we can now see the full effect of the unfortunate changes that happened to KUDO almost exactly one year ago. The real value of KUDO was in it’s local voices & opinions and with the firing of CC that value is now mostly gone. I and many others predicted at that time that the station would fail after Cary & crew took over. First Aaron was fired, then Shannyn quit (much to their assurances that she wouldn’t leave), and now CC, the last holdout, has been sacked. I will dearly miss CC as her show was something to look forward to on my daily drive home from work. I really hope she finds a new radio home.
As for the future of KUDO, I think that TATI Broadcasting & the IBEW are going to scrap KUDO completely. KUDO is now a vegetable and its only a matter of time before the plug is pulled. The recent events are just symptoms of the disease (corporate greed) that will eventually kill KUDO. Ironically, it seems KUDO will succumb to the very thing it once rallied against. I think Aaron, if they had let him do what he needed to do as programming director, may have been able to steer the station in the right direction. But even if he couldn’t have saved the good ship KUDO, it would have been better & more interesting than what Cary had in store for the station. I tried to give Cary’s show a fair chance. I really did. But in my opinion he never improved as a talk radio host. The only reason I listened to his show was that the conservative alternatives in Anchorage were worse.
The questionable programming choices Cary made (running gold advertisements in place of Shannyn’s show?) only served to turn me away as a listener. Shannyn WAS the gold that the station should have been advertising. If TATI thought bringing in Cary would fix things they were terribly wrong. He certainly did ‘shake things up’, but not in a good way. Sure, the old, ‘BC’ KUDO was a little ragtag and rough around the edges, but we liked it in that underdog kind of way. The shiny, corporate makeover that ensued after the shakeup ruined that ‘local feel’ and instead of making the station better, it made it worse.
Rich McClear, one of the station’s founders, posted in the mudflats comments section about how basically the current incarnation of KUDO is a mere shadow of it’s former self. Whatever is now inhabiting 1080 AM on the dial is not the KUDO that the station founders originally intended, it’s just a robotic vehicle running solely for profit (that’s probably not even profitable anymore). Gone are the halcyon days when KUDO was anchored with three strong grassroots hosts who shared a vision for a unified progressive voice in Anchorage.
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PS. I added an addendum to this post that noted how I believe it was the economy more that anything that finally served to tank KUDO.
I wish Cary Carrigan the best in his future endeavors. I was a little too harsh on him.
Peace.