Thursday, September 07, 2006

Cleveland Radio Vet Losing Her Station

The rumblings started popping up online this morning, and it now appears to be official: Phoenix rock station KDKB/93.3 is flipping formats a week from Friday, and the new format is likely to be in Spanish.

The station has wiped out its website and tells listeners:

WE THANK YOU FOR 35 YEARS…
TUNE IN 93-3 FRIDAY MORNING SEPTEMBER 15TH AT 9:33 A.M…
WE’LL ANNOUNCE OUR NEW FORMAT…

And something that would seem to confirm the rumors, the message is immediately repeated on the web page...in Spanish.

Since this is not Arizona Media Watch, we should probably tell you that we're posting this because the move apparently displaces Cleveland radio veteran Ruby Cheeks, who held down middays on the Sandusky-owned rock station. (That's Sandusky - the radio company, not Sandusky - the home of Cedar Point.)

Ruby, who is best known here for her stint at rock WMMS/100.7, also did talk radio on the old 3WE before it became today's WTAM/1100.

Her KDKB bio, which we fished out of the Google cache, says she was "coaxed out of radio retirement" to join the Phoenix station - after an off-air job with Premiere Radio Networks.

We don't know if this is the end of the road for Ruby in Phoenix, as other stations in that market have recently made changes that involve moving to other frequencies and owners. And even if not, she could pop up somewhere else...

4 comments:

Cliff said...

Maybe if Kim doesn't work out at WNCX, they can hire ruby for the morning team there. That would be a better fit.

Anonymous said...

Having lived in Phoenix, I am stunned that KDKB is changing formats. They have been the same for a LONG time. They even survived the early 90's Stern blitz. Bummer for Ruby. Perhaps she has a place at her former home RQK.

Shu

Anonymous said...

what would be intersting is of CC would hire her in phoenix and she could v/t rqk.....or mms.....

she still has legs......great lady

Unknown said...

I am really bummed about this. I moved to Phoenix from Tucson in 1972. I basically grew up with KDKB. I remember way back when: Toad Hall, Bill Compton, Mary McCann...and the old crazy carrot tee shirts. KDKB and Norml sponsored midnight movies at the Valley Art. I miss listening to Frank Zappa, Captain Beefheart, Flo and Eddie, The Tubes and such.


Oh, well. I am just glad I have CDs.