05 January 2008 @ 11:16 am
Mr. West  
I was forwarded a message from an F.O.P regarding "Mr. West" from the former "Chunga and Mister Show."  I thought other F.O.Ps might be interested.  I've posted the contents of the message in the comments.  The posting of this letter is not an endorsement of it's content by Radio From Hell, X96, Simmon's Media, or Atropos.  It is only posted for the interest of The Radio From Hell Blog readers. 
 
 
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[info]atroposrandom on January 5th, 2008 06:25 pm (UTC)
If Parker's arrival to 101.9 The End was the death knell for the station, then the letting go of Mister West is undeniably the confirmation of it. For those of us that listen between the lines, we saw it coming on one of Parker’s first days on the air when he started trashing Artie. Not cool flit boy, not cool.

Change is inevitable, but this one hurts, and it is very significant when looking at the history of SLC alternative music stations. Salt Lake City has always had an unusually large group of alternative music lovers for a city that has typically been behind the times in other things. Mr. West has been an integral part of this history. I've listened to every permutation of this station since the KCGL days. KCGL, KRP, KRPN, KJQ, X96. I was at the Berlin concert the day KCGL died and Biff and the DJs got on the stage to say they'd be back. This was back when 99% of the world hadn’t heard of U2, and the word “alternative” hadn’t been coined to describe our music – New Order, The Cure, Depeche Mode, Joy Division, Thompson Twins, Yaz. I remember being crouched over the radio on Sunday nights when they could only afford a few hours of air time in the evening on some random station. But eventually, when the rest of the world clued in and alternative music became not so alternative, a lot of the core people came back and prospered. Infighting, feuds, and competing stations aside, there is a core group of people gave us music that for a number of years you couldn’t find in any store. Many of these core people have faded into different markets/professions, but some have continued to exist (at least up until recently) at 101.9 The End and X96. No station has ever lived up to KCGL standards, but then again, who could? The bar was set pretty high because the commercials were few and the DJs were playing the music they loved. They were gods to us; it was real radio. But you've got to make money to stay in the game, right?

Mr. West, you are missed. Together, you and Chunga had at times wit and timing that could make me laugh out loud. The Saturday Night Cold Case days were some of the best radio I've ever heard. We were always listening to you when we were out on the town. It was as good as Bill and Kerry's original KJQ morning show when Brett (Chunga) was their lackey. No wonder he has such an inferiority complex going. Unfortunately, without you, Chunga's act is weak, repetitive, juvenile and boring. He's just not funny anymore. I find his unfounded arrogance and name dropping too much to bear without you to balance it out like only you can. His acting is laughable (good luck with that endeavor there Brett, maybe you'll land a gig at a nice dinner theater somewhere if you really focus your boundless talent) and his lack of sincere self-deprecation in the face of his arrogance is his undoing. Unfortunately guys, my kids and I had to stop listening to you months ago when Chelsea started chiming in. She's a disgusting excuse for a woman and is witless. Chelsea, if are reading this, if you can in fact read, go DJ at a strip club where you belong. Actually, you and I both know you're not even qualified for that. I've started to listen to X96 exclusively now instead of switching back and forth during commercials. Gina, Bill, Kerry, thanks for letting me listen.

Parker, I find it hard to even waste my breath on you. Your ignorance and disrespect for the unique culture and history of SLC alternative music listeners is unforgivable. Will you please just run the station into the ground as quickly as possible so SLC can be done with you? Artie is 10 times the DJ and talent you'll ever be, because you're a no talent poseur. Artie, I'm sorry about your Mom my friend. May she rest in peace.

Mr., is there bad blood between you and x96, or could you maybe land a gig over there? Todd, Kerry, Bill, anyone listening over there? Isn't there a job over there for Mr. West?

I suggest that rather than anyone wasting time on an email campaign aimed at 101.9 that will fall on deaf ears on a sinking ship, maybe we can appeal to X96 to carve out a niche for one of their own. Anyone agree?
Thayne[info]b00m3rh0 on January 5th, 2008 07:57 pm (UTC)
This F.O.P. has undeniably posted my feelings, exactly.
Mädchen von Unmöglichen Träumen[info]skiesclear on January 6th, 2008 12:30 am (UTC)
I also miss the Chunga and Mr Saturday nights of Old. Phones X got me through my highschool years with some semblance of sanity.
Ancient of Days[info]gracewanderer on January 7th, 2008 05:49 pm (UTC)
Thanks for letting me listen.

That's kind of a sad letter. Everything ends eventually, but I hope RFH holds on a bit longer than most. I agree about trying to hire Mr. West there if you can.

I also wanted to say that, when I graduated from Boot Camp, the first three things I wanted to do when I got home were:

1. Engage in coitus with as many women as possible
2. Eat chocolate
3. Listen to Radio from Hell

and on my first morning home, I did all three of these at once. Again, thank you for letting me listen.