TheBuzz
TheBuzz
Michael W. Perry and Larry Price have just signed new long-term contracts to do their top-rated morning show on KSSK AM/FM (590/92.3), two of seven Honolulu radio stations owned by Texas-based Clear Channel Communications Inc. Big dogs of
Hawaii radio
keep their jobsGeneral Manager Chuck Cotton declined to release specifics yesterday.
In the highly competitive broadcast industry, treating such information as proprietary also tosses a small roadblock in the way of competitors desiring to raid a rival station for talent.
Cotton said, "There isn't another morning show in the country that dominates the market like Perry and Price do." Not even Howard Stern, or Mancow (Muller), whose shows are syndicated to several markets? "Those are strong shows and they do well, but they don't have the kind of market share that Mike and Larry do," Cotton said.
"They have an amazing ability to communicate," he said.
They're also pretty good at joking around, often with a serious "set up."
"I really thought that I would spend my whole life coaching, I never thought I'd end up in the broadcasting business" said Price, a former pro football player and coach of the UH Rainbow Warrior football team. He added, the contract is "going to make this the longest relationship I've ever had with one person without sex."
Perry, laughing at his partner's quote, echoed wisdom gleaned from the comedic Smothers Brothers, "Having a partner is a lot like a marriage; lots of arguing and no sex.
"Personally I always thought I'd end up as a coach, but I guess I'll just stay in broadcasting."
Their morning show has aired for more than 18 years, but each was hired separately in 1978 by then station owner Cecil Heftel.
"Cec knew he was the best communicator in the state, and wanted his talents," Perry said. Price served as vice president of public relations. Perry was hired away from the old KKUA AM (690) for the "afternoon drive" airshift. A year later he became program director, relinquishing that title in 1983 "as soon as I had to get up at 3:30 in the morning." In 1983 the team succeeded the also-top-rated "Aku," who died after a lengthy illness.
Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin.
Call 529-4302, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached
at: eengle@starbulletin.com