As first reported here last month, West Seattle on-air/online personality Marty Riemer is leaving The Mountain. And in case you missed it in the WSB Event Calendar, here’s a reminder that tomorrow, after his final airshift, you are invited to join the afterparty at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 7-10 pm. Details are in our calendar listing, and on the Facebook event page.
Marty was pretty much the only reason to listen to the Mountain anymore now that they’ve gone to this execrable oldies format (seriously, we needed another KZOK? all Led Zepelin, all the time?). Now there’s really nothing there. So sad to see him go, but I wish him the best in any future endeavors, and I hope you’ll keep us apprised of what he’s up to next!
Clear Channel fired hundreds of personalities and employees across the nation two weeks ago. They are trimming the fat because they are over $10 billion in debt. Happy holidays! Radio is losing to technology. Its all on the Internet now. You don’t need a transmitter to transmit a signal anymore. The Mountain is owned by Entercom I believe. Almost everything you hear on the radio is automated.
Good point, RN, though I don’t know if it’s related to Marty’s choice. Automation’s been out there forever – I worked at two automated stations in Vegas during my short-lived radio career in the late ’70s-early ’80s – the first one wasn’t even computerized, it involved reel-to-reel decks and cart decks that played in order, set by switches and knobs! But in terms of the technology, it’s the same as newspapers–>websites … whether it’s “over the air” or “off the presses,” things just keep moving ahead to the more-efficient delivery medium (which enables you to listen/read/etc. when you want to, not just when something is “aired” or “delivered”!). Marty did continue the podcast he launched after his first Mountain departure, so fans will be able to find him there … TR
Hey…I worked at an automated station 1981-1982 in northern Michigan with those same reel-to-reels and cart decks. Thanks for the brief trip in the wayback machine! It’s also where I developed an appreciation for 1940’s music.
I had debated whether or not to quit listening to the Mountain when it became the mostly John Mayer and Brandi Carlile format before Marty and Jodi were fired, and then made the decision once Journey was added to the playlist. For the first time in a very long time I put the station on this week and it feels like a cross musically between KZOK and KJR. I won’t stay there past the holidays, but it’s not too irritating for a short while (except for when they play Journey).
I thought video killed the radio star. Though, I could care less because C89.5 is my favorite radio station, and has been for years…
What I liked about KMTT was that it was a place for local adult “acoustic, eclectic, etc, etc” music. With the heavily programmed “mountain of classics” (blech!) format, I can’t listen to it anymore.
Seems the only place to previous format of music now is Sea-Tac airport.
It’s a huge loss, it’s rare across this country to find a format where the DJs actually have some input and a local focus or appreciation. *sigh*
There are two excellent stations at the bottom of the dial, 90.3 KEXP and 91.3 KBCS, both non-commercial and run by real people.
Probably little-known fact, we chat live with KBCS news host Sonya on the air most Wednesdays at 4 pm. Missed today at the very last minute due to something that came up at the very last minute.
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