The Akron Beacon Journal from Akron, Ohio • Page 10

B2 The Beacon Journal Sunday. December 24, 1989 RADIO Buyer snaps up stations, but Akron sale drags on Ff Bob Si fj Dyer fMJ two-man team consisting of holdover Bob Becker and newcomer Luther Heggs. Heggs is a Geveland native who has no previous radio experience. His main claim to fame, apparently, is that he's a friend of Becker's. Bob Fuller returns to mornings with news director Jim Mclntyre for an all-news show that runs from 5:30 to 10.

There's no reason not to believe one thing, Akron already has an AM country station WSLR (1350-AM) that owns a fiercely loyal audience, an audience that voted morning man Jaybird Drennan the most popular disc jockey in Akron in a 1986 Beacon Journal readers poll. Moreover, the country format isn't exactly knocking people over these days in the ratings race. In the last Arbitral book, neither WSLR nor Cleveland's WGAR (99.5-FM) could even crack the top 12 spots. But couldn't you just picture Adam and Bob spinning some Merle Haggard? Many area stations will program long, uninterrupted stretches of Christmas music this weekend, as noted in this week's radio highlights. Such a move kills two turtle doves with one stone: Listeners get some nice music, and station employees get some holiday time off.

Here's hoping they, and you, enjoy it. Bob Dyer is the Beacon Journal's radio writer. mational purposes only," and has not involved musical or personnel decisions, Anthony says. Why would a programmer take a new job without assurances from the incoming owners? "Any (contractual) agreements we have are assignable to a buyer, so the employees are protected in that respect," Anthony said. Henry is a partner in a large, prestigious Philly law firm named Wolf Block Schorr Solis-Cohen.

He has raised eyebrows throughout the radio industry by buying and selling stations at an amazing clip. Just last week, he announced still another deal: $8.4 million for two stations in El Paso, Texas. WWWE (1100-AM) has finally figured out what to do about replacing Gary Dee, fired in August for being terminally obnoxious. The station has hired Beth Albright, a talk-show host who has gabbed for stations in Milwaukee and Birmingham, Ala. The station claims she strikes "a delicate balance between controversy and good Starting Jan.

2, she'll be heard weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Following her, until 6 p.m., will be a The sale of Akron radio stations WONE (97.5-FM) and WAKR (1590-AM) has now dragged three months past the original closing date. It is not a matter of getting approval from the Federal Communications Commission. That came in early September.

Apparently it is a matter of the buyer getting together the $13 million payment. The buyer is Ragan Henry, a black Philadelphia lawyer. His skin color matters because the FCC permits minority-owned firms to own a maximum of 14 FM stations and 14 AMs, compared to 12 and 12 for whites. Henry has been racing toward that ownership limit at breakneck speed. And therein lies the problem.

According to national trade publications, Henry is on the verge of closing on several big deals worth almost $130 million. Unnamed investment bankers told Radio Records that financing for those purchases is contingent upon Henry's sale of two stations in Baltimore and one in Washington. Fred Anthony, WONE-WAKR vice president and general manager, said he didn't know whether the local deal is contingent upon other sales. Ragan Henry officials did not return phone calls. When asked if there is any possibility that the deal would fall through, Anthony said, "I don't think so.

What they said is they're having a little bit of a holdup trying to close on five properties at once." During this increasingly awkward transition period, the sellers, Summit Broadcasting, based in Atlanta, have continued to stay involved in the station's operation. It was they, along with Anthony, who hired WONB's new program director, Harve Alan, in November. The new owner visited WONE and WAKR briefly a couple of months ago, but the local folks otherwise have had limited contact with him or his people. Most of the contact has been "for infor Is WAKR going country? That's what you might deduce if you looked at a recent advertisement in a trade magazine. WAKR is one of 13 stations listed in an ad purchased by Pollack Media in Nashville, a consulting agency.

The other 12 stations have country-music formats. "Leading these great stations into a new decade," reads the blurb. So we can look for a new sound from WAKR as of Jan. When WAKR boss Anthony stopped laughing, he denied such a switch is in the offing. The agency's Nashville office "has expertise other than country," he said.

He added that the WAKR-Pollack partnership is "part of a package deal that was arranged by Summit Broadcasting" many months ago. RADIO (Com.) OUNlCont) 1520-WJMP-AM. Kent 91.J-W06WM, Oberth I pm I ftVT iUA WA 11 kH.C WA WA I Ml WA 11 WA ,1 WA fel NFL Football: Los Angeles Raiders at New York Giants (Live) Your Home Missing Dal Lifestyle of the Rich News NBC News NFL Football: Phoenix Cardinals at Philadelphia Eagles (Live) NFL Football: Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers (Live) NFL Football: Pittsburgh Steelersat Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Live) City Xmss Xmasls A Christmas Sampler Christmas Spectacular NFL Football: Phoenix Cardinals at Philadelphia Eagles (Live) 3 FL Football Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers (Live) NFL Football: Pittsburgh Steeiers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Live) 1989 Hollywood Christmas Parade News NBC News tj NFL Football: Phoenix Caromals at Philadelphia Eagles (Live) 3 NFL Football: Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers (Live) WTRF I Aduft Conttwnporyy Alance 949-WQMX-FM, Akron 98.9-WXBrFM, Youngstown 1021-WOOK-fM. demand 106 7-WKOfM. Cleveland 106 1-WVNOFM, Mansfield 106.WrlTF-FM, Cleveland 600-WSOM-AH Saem W60-WCW-AM, Canton 1330-rYRW-AM, Easttane 1480-WHBC-AM.

Canton Big Band 800CKLW-AM. Windsor. Cm B50-WRMB-AM, Cleveland 1340-WNCO-AM, AsNand 1380-WHKG-AM, loan 1390-WFMJ-AM, Youngstown 1520-WNW AM. Canton 91.9-WCWS-FM, Wooster Country 99 5-WGAR-fM, Cleveland 101.3-WNCO-FM, Ashland 104.5-WQKT-fM. Wooster 106.1-WQXK-fM, Salem 990-WDG-AM.

Masslon 1220-WGAR-AM, Cleveland 1350-WSLrVAM, Akron EatylMenfcg 94.1-WHBC-FM, Canton 104 1-WOAL-FM, Cleveland 930-WEOL-AM, Byna 1310-WFAH-AM, AHance Jaa 90.3-WCPN-FM, Cleveland Hm Age 107.3-WNWV-fM, Syria NnnvTk8ports 100.1-WNIftfM, Kent 570WKBN-AM. Youngstown 1100-WWWE-AM, Cleveland 1240-WB8W-AM. Youngstown 1300-WERE-AM, Ovaand 1590-WAKR-AM, Akron OUst 93.3-WBBOfM, Youngstown 98.5-WNCX-fM, Cleveland 960-WKVX-AM, Wooster 98. 1-WT0F-FM, Canton 103.3-WCRF-FM, Cleveland 1W.9-WZLE-FM, Lorain 640-WHLO-AM. Akron 1000-WCCD-AM, Cleveland 1 150-WCUE-AM.

Cuyahoga Fate 1260-WROZ-AM Cleveland 1540-WABOAM. Cleveland Rock 89 1-YVAPS-FM, Akron 92 3-WRQC-FM, Cleveland 93 7-WQIO-FM, Mount Vernon 959-WNPQ-fM, New Phi 96.5-WKDOFM. Akron 97.5-WONE-FM, Akron 100.7-WMMSM. Cleveland 10U-WHOT-FM. Youngstown 105.3-WYHT-FM, Mansfield 106.1-WNCDflA Ntes 106 9-WRQK-FM, Canton 107 9-WPHfVFM, Cleveland 1330-WHOT-AM, Youngstown Urban Contemporary 93.1-WZAK-FM, Cleveland 900-WBXT-AM, Canton 1040-WJTB, North Hdoevie M90-WJMO-AM, Cleveland 1420-WHK-AM, Cleveland 897-WKSlfM, Kent 955-waV-fU Cleveland 3:30 p.m.

Carols of Christmas 60 The Mormon Tabernacle Choir performs traditional music. 4:00 p.m. KTVRjgSee 10am. 8:00 p.m. Booknotas HTPB Marvin Kitman (The Making of the President.

1789). Midnight A Christmas Eva Service CD From the chapel of St. Clare's Hospital in Schenectady, N.Y. 12:40 a.m. Capital Agenda ItWl Sen.

Robert Bvrd speaks on the history of the Senate. 7:00 a.m. Monday Today OfflEB St. Thomas Bovs Choir; Mandy Patinkin; band Mannheim Steamroller; a bell choir: Christmas lights; toys popular for over 50 years; making a gingerbread house. tp This Morning 68 EH Peter, Paul Mary; Armm Mueller-Start! IMusie Box); Lor-na Luft; Joan Baez.

Good Morning America CD Donna Kane (Meet Me in St. Louis): Joan Lunden and Alan Thicke at Walt Disney World, '80s scientific discoveries and disappointments; Joel Stegel' 10-best movies of '89; expensive hobbies; candy cane "capital." Bryan, Ohio; Christmas in Aspen, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. ty that wasn 1956-63 New York Giants; profile of Jim Plunkett. 12:30 p.m. Little House on the Prairie The Ingalls struggle with limited funds as they decide on Christmas gifts.

1:00 p.m. NFL Football Los Angeles Raiders at New York Giants. NFL Football 03 Phoenu Cardinals at Philadelphia Eagles. NFl Football ED EffW) Pittsburgh Steeiers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 2:00 p.m.

Home Family IC Special family Christmas; cookie recipes; wheelchair fashion show. Akron John Carrol 88.9-wHX-fM, Ashland 89.3-WCS&fM, Cleveland Stat 91.1-WRMOfW Mount Union 91.1-WRUM-fM, Case-Western HIGHLIGHTS COMING ATTRACTIONS THEATER 'Only in Cleveland Children's book illustrations An exhibit of original children's book illustrations, The Illustrators' Art: A World of Children 's Books, will be shown at the Dairy Barn Cultural Arts Center in Athens Jan. 6-28. For more information, call 614-592-4981 or Only Kidding! opens at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Geveland Play House Drury Theatre, 8500 Euclid Ave.

Daniel J. Travanti, who starred in the TV series Hill Street Blues, is in the cast. After opening night, the comedy will be staged at 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, 8:30 p.m. Fridays, 4:30 and 8:30 p.m.

Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays through Jan. 21. Tickets are The box office number is 795-7000. Today 10 a.nu The annual Christmas service from King's College in Cambridge, England, airs on WKSU (89.7-FM) Nook WHBC (94.1-FM) begins 30 hours of Christmas music.

Noon: WDOK (102.1-FM) starts 36 hours of uninterrupted Christmas music. Noon: The Canton Symphony performs the Messiahon WKSU (89.7-FM) Noon: Randy Travis is the guest on The Weekly Country Countdown on WSLR (1350-AM). pjiu Robert Page conducts the Cleveland Orchestra and choruses in the 1988 Christmas Festival concert at Severance Hall on WCLV (95.5-FM). 0 pjiu WRMR (850-AM) begins 18 hours of Christmas music. 7p.nw WLTF (106.5-FM) launches 17 hours of Christmas music.

7 p.m.: Cleveland actor Johnny Price reads A Christmas Carol on WCLV (95.5-FM). 10 p.m- Phyllis Lucas, president of the Medina County Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, is the guest on Sunday Magazine on WSLR (1350-AM) The same show repeats at 1 1 p.m. on sister station WKDD Midnight: WOAL (104.1-FM) starts 42 hours of Christmas music. Monday 9 a.mu The Akron Symphony delivers a holiday pops concert, and Akron Deputy Mayor Dorothy Jackson narrates 'Twas the Night Before Crvsf-mas. on WKSU (89.7-FM).

10 a.mj A two-hour comedy and musical spoof of the 1980s airs on WKDD (96.5-FM). 10:30 a.m.: The Canton Symphony unites with local high school choruses for a Christmas pops concert. 7:30 p.m.: The religious drama Un-shackled! on WCUE (1150-AM) contrasts two communities that are separated by only a few miles but a world of difference. 9 p.m.: Handel's Messiah, as performed by Robert Shaw and the Atlanta Symphony, is heard on WCUE (1150-AM). Wednesday 9 p.m.: The Metropolitan Opera presents Aida on WCLV (95.5-FM) The event will be simulcast on WVIZ (Channel Saturday 1 p.m.: WCLV (95.5-FM) presents a live broadcast of Wagner's Flying Dutchman by the Metropolitan Opera.

ETCETERA Coliseum, 2923 Streetsboro Road, Richfield. Phone: 867-8910. Harlem Globetrotters, 8 p.m. Friday. Tickets: $12, $10, $8.50.

Concerts Palace Theatre, 1511 Euclid Cleveland. Phone: 771-4444. Michael Stanley, 7:30 p.m. Friday. Tickets: $16.50.

Lesley Gore, Mitch Ryder The Detroit Wheels, Joey Dee The Starliters, The Shirelles, Gary "U.S." Bonds, 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets: $18. ART Photo exhibit Cleveland's non-profit, artist-run gallery, SPACES, will present Clough, Metzger, Warren, a photography exhibit and installation Friday through Jan. 26.

An opening reception will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday. For more information, call 621-2314. Mary Martin honored, and she's ready to fly 9:00 a.m. Sunday Morning IWTtfl Louisville teacher gives toys to underprivileged students; families of soldiers deployed in Panama over the past week; U.S.

Panama military crisis; national wildlife refuges; review of Bom on the Fourth of July: Christmas compositions of Jim Harbison. tp 10:00 a.m. KTVgSR All-Santa Band; Tada' Theater Group; gifts for pets. Travel Guide tfflj The effect of natural disasters on tourism, Noon This Is the NFL Breaks of the Game. Philadelphia Eagles' luckv breaks; the dynas- All-star tribute to Orbison By Bruce Britt Los Angeles Daily News Los Angeles Will an all-star tribute concert to the late Roy Orbison next year upstage the 1990 Grammy Awards presentation? The buzz around Hollywood says that is a strong possibility, especially since the Feb.

24 concert is scheduled the same week as the Grammys, a period when many touring musicians will be in Los Angeles. The concert will be held at the Universal Amphitheatre, with proceeds going to the National Coalition for the Homeless. Heading a partial list of confirmed performers so far are the original Byrds, featuring David Crosby, Chris Hillman and Roger McGuinn. Country singers Johnny Cash, Dwight Yoakam and k.d. lang also will perform, as will blues legend B.B.

King. Other names include Bruce Hornsby, Was (Not Was), Elton John lyricist Bernie Taupin, actor and singer Gary Busey and guitarist Mike Campbell of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. "We're looking for something eclectic," spokeswoman Sarah McMullen said. "We don't want someone just on and off the stage. We want people to have more fun with it than that." Producer T-Bone Burnett will act as the concert's musical director, the same role he played in a Cinemax concert featuring Orbison and an all-star band a couple of years ago.

Plans call for a loose format for the performance. One possibility being discussed is a segment called "Pretty Women," a reference to Orbison's hit. Oh Pretty Woman. This portion of the show would feature female singers performing Orbison favorites. Bruce Springsteen, a friend of Orbison's, is expected to headline the show, although his presence has not been confirmed yet.

Orbison's Traveling Wilburys band mates, Tom Petty, George Harrison, Bob Dylan and Jeff Lynne, are also strong possibilities. Negotiations are under way with ABC Radio Network to si 'I'd like to use it He asked for what. 'I'm going to fly out the window and not come Every time he sees me he asks, 'When do we start on that window?" I say, 'I'll let you know." "I'm not kidding much. What a way to go, if you could." Just like Peter Pan. world.

I think you have a happier life if you can feel that way. You go on to the next step. When it's time to go, you go. "I said to the man who owns Madison Square Garden, who lives in the same place I do, Ran-cho Mirage, 'Do you have a window in the back of Madison Square He asktd why. recalled in an jnterview in the New York apartment of her son, actor Larry Hagman, star of Da7-his.

"In the Paramount (studio days, they made me up to look like her. In those days whoever was very famous, they made you look like her. One night we were at a party at Jack and Mary Benny's house. I was sitting with Claudette's husband, a very famous doctor. We were talking at great length.

He said he must go see a man. He came back and said, 'I think we have to go home "I said: 'I'd like to go home with you, but you can't go home with me. I'm not Miss Martin last flew in Peter Pan's aerial rig when she was 70, at a benefit in San Francisco. "I could do it this minute," she said. "I've had an absolutely wonderful life, with my family and my children and my friends and the theater, which I love more than anything," she said.

"I have no fear of leaving the New Year's Eve Gala Sunday, December 3 1 1 989 At The Akron Civic Theatre Join Us For A Spectacular New Year's Eve "Sight Sound" Countdown Ceremony! By Mary Campbell Associated Press New York Others have dared, but there's really only one Peter Pan, and her name is Mary Martin. Along with her role as nurse Nellie Forbush in South Pacific, Peter Pan is the 76-year-old entertainer's favorite part. It's in his self-description that she'd like to be remembered: "I'm youth. I'm joy. I'm freedom." Right now, though, she's happy to be recognized by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in its annual The Kennedy Center Honors.

A taped show of the early December festivities in Washington will be broadcast at 9 p.m. Friday by CBS on WJW (Channel 8), WKBN (Channel 27) and Wheeling's WTRF (Channel 7). Other honorees are actress Claudette Colbert, entertainer Jlarry Belafonte, composer William Schuman and ballerina Alexandra Danilova. Miss Martin found out she was to be honored from her old friend, Miss Colbert. "I Was on Martha's Vineyard last summer and she called from Barbados and said, 'Did you hear we're going to be Although Miss Martin counts her three years of making movies as the low part of her life, she did make some close friends in the business, including Miss Colbert.

"She came to stay with me in England when I was doing South Pacific over there. She had just lost her husband," Miss Martin FrcMlHi "ft in the allif tm RITCH SHYDNER TIM CAVANAUGH Rmjiv Qumi On Th "Tonight Show" And "Lat N19M" Failure Row Bnvtj Mills CopIL featuring Full Course Strip Steak Dinner Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail Boston Strip Steak wMushroom Wine Sauce Stuffed Baked Potato Hot Vegetable Special New Year's Dessert per person newim tit drinkt, ft tip. The NACA "Comic 01 Tha Yaar" from The SHOWTIME COMEDY CLUB NETWORK Heating This Special Event Win Be WNID's Stan Piatt Entire Package Includer i Top Netkmal Headllnera. a AM Beverages All Night Including A Champagne 1 Toast Al Midnight. a Hot And Cold Mors Oeuvnw Buffet a Party Favors And "Speclsl Effects" To Bring The New Year.

live Music And Dancing a Also. An Annual Coupon Book Of Year-long Entertainment Value Valued At Over $300 General Admission J75.00Coupla Preferred. I And Holel Packages Also Available Georgie's ELITE PARTY New York Style Grazer per person PHIL 'N THE BLANKS Laad lngr, PhD nidgwy, togatrwr with Cutrlgltt (guitar) and Van Chadwick (dnimsi. fomwd tha Ciasa of 57 back in Yaara of working togathar, lova of tha Doo-Wop sound, and tha addition of dynamic local racordlng artist. Mlka Samp-aal (piano-Canton), has mads Phil rha BJanka tha top oioiaa group in Ohtol In For hotel reservations with shuttle service call Pierre Radisson Inn 666-9300 THEATRE For mulcast the concert to affiliates nationwide.

DIR Broadcasting, co-executive producers of the Who's recent Tommy pay-per-view special, is performing similar duties for the Orbison tribute concert. Mil WiafE WHffi Before you go looking for new wheels turn the pages of The Beacon Journal to the Classified Automotive section. The Beacon Journal Reservations 154 8tate Roeo (Advance Purchase Only) Doors Open At 8 30 Cuyahoga Falls. Ohio MR3 18? Msln Street Akron. Ohio 535-3179 923-4700.