Fowler returns to the air to try talk radio at KGNW

VICTOR STREDICKE March 30, 1989 – Frosty Fowler, whose identity was cemented in Seattle radio 20 years ago, takes to the air again Monday. He’ll be a talk-show host on the Christian-oriented radio station KGNW. His program is “Talkline,” 4 to 6 p.m. weekdays on 820 kHz
Fowler was top-rated morning personality for 10 years on KING-AM, and for the past 18 years has been marketing director (and sometimes veep) at a savings institution.

As savings-and-loan associations tumble faster than radio stations change format, here comes Fowler back for another dose of ether.
“Frosty is an excellent communicator,” said Roger Grossenbacher, KGNW operations director. “He’s only done occasional radio interviewing. Talk shows will be a new challenge for him.”

“Everyone I talk to has an interesting story,” Fowler said. Fowler has been one of the organizers of Christians in Advertising, a luncheon group.

Rolling the hits

— Adams Communications of Clearwater, Fla., has finally taken control of KZOK/KQUL. New general manager is Mike Fowler, from Chicago. KQUL continues with “kool oldies.” KZOK will continue with classic album rock. However, during the transition KZOK has been “just rolling the old hits,” but a new morning team and a new afternoon disk jockey will begin Monday.

— Because KING-AM hired Jim Bickel from KXL, Portland, KXL welcomed back Tom Parker from KMGI Seattle. That means there’s a new morning team coming for KMGI.

AIDS reports

Five National Public Radio reporters next week will air a week-long series of reports on three NPR programs. “AIDS and Black America: Breaking the Silence” will air within “Morning Edition,” 5-9 a.m, “All Things Considered” 4:30-6:30 p.m. and “Weekend Edition,” 6-10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday on KUOW, 94.9 and roughly similar times on KPLU, 88.5 mhz. The series is described as unprecedented in depth and scope, and includes a debate among black church leaders trying to square theology with sexuality.

New radio approach

The board of directors of Fisher Broadcasting Co. has given an OK for the search for an FM frequency in the Puget Sound area, to serve as companion to KOMO-AM. That would assume that there is an FM frequency for sale, and that a waiver can be secured from the Federal Communications Commission to add a frequency to a TV-AM combination.

The addition of FM would, of course, put Fisher Broadcasting in a more equitable position against such TV-station combos as KING-TV-AM-FM and KIRO-TV-AM/KSEA-FM.

Victor Stredicke

Former radio columnist for the Seattle Times (1964-1989).
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