‘Quit’ The Big Talker? That’s the Mark of a radio host not going anywhere
Remember when Mark Fuhrman “quit” his talk radio gig at KGA-AM (1510, The Big Talker) two weeks ago? Never mind.
On Thursday, KGA announced that it has re-signed former LAPD detective Fuhrman and producer Rebecca Mack and that it will continue to carry Fuhrman’s show “for a long time to come.”
Why the turnaround?
Program director Dan Mitchinson said the station heard from many listeners after Furhman announced that he was quitting.
“While you may not always agree with what Mark says, your calls, e-mails and letters have told us that you still enjoy having an outlet to discuss local issues that matter to you,” said Mitchinson, in an on-air announcement Thursday. “We listened.”
Was quitting just a negotiating ploy? No, said Mitchinson. Fuhrman’s old contract expired at the end of September and it indeed looked as if he was moving on. But they were eventually able to work out a satisfactory deal.
Mitchinson said that the new contract gives Furhman more flexibility to continue his other careers: true-crime author and TV commentator. For one thing, the contract allows him to do his three-hour daily radio show from remote locations while on the road.
Yet the show will remain local in emphasis. Not counting sports, it is Spokane’s only daily local radio talk show.
Roth update
Speaking of local talk, here’s an update on Laurie Roth, the host of a locally produced independent talk show syndicated to KQNT-AM (NewsTalk 590) and 40-plus stations around the country:
Roth is still recovering from serious injuries suffered in an Aug. 25 motorcycle crash. She will require more rehabilitation before she can return to the microphone.
Her show continued for several weeks on KQNT and the national network, using taped “best-of” shows and new shows with guest host Rick Still, who was her producer.
However, Still was unable to continue doing the show. So last week, Roth and her husband made the decision to pull the show off the air, according to Kosta Panidis, market manager of Clear Channel in Spokane.
He bristled at suggestions that KQNT cold-heartedly canceled the show. KQNT does not own the Roth show, even though it is considered Roth’s “flagship” station. She broadcasts from her home north of Spokane.
Panidis said his station continued to run the show through Friday, as long as it was available. He said he fervently hopes that Roth will someday be able to resume the show.
“When Laurie’s ready, she’ll have all our support and help,” said Panidis.
Meanwhile, a benevolence fund has been organized by the Timberview Christian Fellowship in Mead to help her pay her medical bills. Call 468-4363 for information.
Get organ-ized at LC
Cameron Carpenter, an organ prodigy and celebrated Juilliard School virtuoso, is coming to Lewis and Clark High School to perform on the auditorium’s historic Austin pipe organ, Friday at 7 p.m.
Carpenter, in his early 20s, has been performing all over the world since his early teens. He is known for “his individualized style and outspokenness,” in the words of one of his concert bios.
Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for students, available at the door of the LC Auditorium, 521 W. Fourth Ave.
The concert is presented in association with the Spokane Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
The Evensong tradition
Here’s another classical music event that caught my eye: Choral Evensong at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Oct. 9 at 4 p.m.
Evensong is a tradition stretching back to the days of early medieval monasteries. It’s a choral service of reflection, psalms and canticles.
This candlelight service will feature the Ladies of the Cathedral Choir, under the direction of Rev. Barbara Novak, and organists Billie Severtsen and Janet Satre Ahrend.
The public is invited to attend, and the cathedral will be open for touring from noon until the service at 4 p.m. It’s free, although an offering will be taken. Call 838-4277 for more information.