Lansing State Journal from Lansing, Michigan • Page 21

Top 'O the Scene (A WD DC ffBircdls ctamige, comlroversy Lancour, its 53-year-old news director. General Manager Ron Kwasnick sees the move as simply an administrative one; Lancour feels it may be related to his age. Whichever it is, the firing was part of some quick moves by a station that once seemed only semi-visible. LATE LAST YEAR, WILX was bought for $20 million by Stephen Adams, a Minneapolis businessman. To Tom Jones who has been a top executive at all three local commercial stations, and now heads WFSL (Channel 47) the Lancour firing was a natural: "This is typical of the insensitivity you get with an absentee owner." To Kwasnick, that's nonsense.

"Adams had nothing to do with this. He's made it clear that it's my job to run the station This was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do." And to Lancour, the answer is somewhere in between. The firing-may have been Kwasnick's idea, he says, but it came partly from worry about the new owner. "Right now you have a very nervous general manager." THERE WAS a time when WILX drew little controversy or interest. It was the second station in a one-station town.

With a small staff split between Lansing offices and a Jackson studio, WILX couldn't compete. WJIM (Channel 6) dominated the news ratings. But Kwasnick achieve parity in 1980 with one sudden stroke stealing away WJIM sportscaster Tim Staudt. See NEW, Page 1 OS By MIKE HUGHES Staff Writer For TV station WILX (Channel 10), this is a year of churning change. The station already has a new owner and new equipment.

There's a new consultant on the way. By next season, there will be new programs and (maybe) a new studio. And there's a new-old controversy that won't die quietly. THAT CONTROVERSY came Monday, when WILX fired Howard CO a CO 33 to a CI (O CO CO Kwasnick Light foot savors 'new' life i LIGHTFOOT, 46, has a college-aged son and daughter, but isn't married now. "That could change.

I'm pretty tight with one." Someone he isn't tight with is former companion. Cathy Smith. When she was charged with murder in the John Belushi case, Lightfoot's name came into the headlihnes. "She and I broke up eight years ago," he says. Smith still lives in Toronto, but Lightfoot says he hasn't seen her in three months.

"I like to keep her at an arm's distance." ON LIGHTER NOTES, Lightfoot said he: Does have a favorite song. "Would you believe it? It's the Does his best writing on "a nice murky day." Stumbled on his own lyrics during his Lansing stop two years ago. "I used to get mad at myself for forgetting words. I still do that, but I don't think I forget them as much." Remains unchanged in one matter. "My attitude toward love will remain the same.

I'm for it." By DAVID WINKELSTERN Journal Correspondent "I loved drinking," Gordon Lightfoot said. "I used to do that because I was nervous." That happened to be quite often. "I was always very nervous going on stage." So Lightfoot began hitting the bottle before hitting the stage. "I didn't finish a show in Saratoga Springs last summer." he recalled in a phone interview from his Toronto home. "The drinking had a lot to do with that.

"People were beginning to question my credibility. It came time to stop." NOW A THINNER and "more alert" Lightfoot is heading to Lansing. He'll be at the Civic Center on Nov. 18, with tickets ($10 and $11) at the box office, Hudson's, and Where House Records. "Since I stopped drinking, I've lost 25 pounds," he said.

"I don't miss it I'm in better shape now than I've been in years." Indeed, Lightfoot says his sobriety has made him "less self-centered. I've been paying more attention to my kids." 7X III! 1 1 Cordon Ughtfoot Can David avoid Frizzell overflow? I faHawK 3jLE" RESTAURANTS fl i'Jk tVri east -VW i -JrT 126 W. Grand 7 m) saIlIIasttoth i I for a sumptuous Sunday fJ jV BRUNCH BUFFET (io m-2pn,) '5 I o-JfceO DINNER BUFFET p-cpm) 7 SAIL EAST TO THE SEAHAWK for a sumptuous Sunday BRUNCH BUFFET no m-zpn,) '5 DINNER BUFFET (2-6 pm, 7s5 Both Buffets have over 50 selections and are complemented by our Home-made Dessert Table all freshly prepared every Sunday by Chef Scott Captain Cilly Welcome Senior Citizens 10 Discount on Any Sunday Brunch or Buffet (Menu Service Available 2 pm-9 pm) ALSO, BE SURE TO CATCH El Entertainment 4 nights a week in the Quarterdeck Lounge Featuring "Doug Marcie" David Frizzell tne trade can deal with three of us at one time David Frizzell, Shelly West and Frizzell-and-West We don't wanna fight with ourselves out there." THERE ARE A few exceptions who seem to thrive no matter how many combinations are available, Fnzzell said. Willie Nelson is one of the most obvious examples. For David, the situation could become even more complex.

He recently produced an album of cuts recorded by his late brother, the legendary Lefty Frizzell. and several single releases are planned from that. He's also helping the recording career of his younger brother Allen, who's married to Shelly. His niece (Lefty's daughter) recently signed a recording contract. The public could be flooded with four Fnzzells.

FOR DAVID who was tentatively scheduled for a Lansing concert this fall, before plans fell through all this success is the belated realization of a dream. He started, out in the music busi-. See 'RETIRED Poge4S By HUGH LEACH Stoff Writer For the last two years. David Fnzzell and Shelly West have been the hottest duet act in country music. Now they've won the Country Music Association's duo-of-the-year award for the second straight year.

But now they've also boosted their solo careers. David scored first with his big hit "I'm Gonna Hire a Wino to Decorate Our Home." Then Shelly jumped to the top with "Jose Cuervo." THE DUETS and the soloes will continue. Frizzell said in a phone interview, but the record releases will be carefully planned. "They don't want to put too much product out on us at one time," he said. "You know how complicated that can be if you followed what happened to Charlie Rich a few years ago.

"They just simply flooded the market with everything on him and it hurt his career immensely. Well, it killed it, as far as I'm concerned. "I just don't think the people in SINGLES HIM MTET1N0 OTMESS HEALTH FOR: A QUALITY LIFE GET-AWAY WEEKEND AT THE HARLEY HOTEL OF LANSING NOVEMBER 18-20 I i 0 Weekend entertainment, Friday Saturday, Featuring "Frank-T Bear-Thiebert" Traditionally tantilizing Thanksgiving Buffet, 11-6 pm 7.95 Christmas is coming Plan your party now! CALL: 339-8250 351-6806 Register by Nov. 1 1 Limited Enrollment SESSIONS ON: Strut Management Communicating with othert Body Toning Nutrition, Creativity.