Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Columnist John Katsilometes: Mitchell caught in radio daze

John Katsilometes is the Sun assistant features editor. His column appears Mondays. Reach him at 259-2327 or [email protected].

Dennis Mitchell looks like radio. Or maybe a long-lost Doonesbury character come to life.

Dressed in his unofficial on-air uniform -- Lennon-style glasses, white sneakers, a faded purple Bruce Springsteen concert shirt and old blue jeans -- Mitchell and his KVBC 105.1-FM partner Garry O'Neal broadcast live Thursday from Roadrunner Saloon on West Sahara.

After just four months on the air as KVBC's "Action Guys," Thursday's 2 1/2-hour broadcast was Mitchell and O'Neal's last. The all-talk station, operated by KVBC Channel 3 owner James Rogers, has been sold to an outfit out of San Jose, Calif., called EXCL.

The new station began offering all-Hispanic programming Thursday in an attempt to snare the industry's fastest-growing market. The move marks the second sign-off in less than six months for the venerable Mitchell, who left KKLZ 96.3-FM in June after 10 years, during which he worked with the enduring Johnson and Tofte morning show and carved a niche with his "Breakfast With the Beatles," Sunday morning program.

Despite being jobless less than a month before Christmas, Mitchell has displayed traits rarely found in the bombastic, hyper-competitive world of morning radio. Rather than take shots at the new owners with, say, a sarcastic on-air rendition of "Feliz Navidad," the 20-year Las Vegan turned philosophic.

"We don't begrudge anybody," Mitchell said just before taking the air Thursday afternoon. "We get all of these calls from people all upset with these new owners, saying 'Those bastards!' But that's how it is in radio. You find the cheapest property and turn a profit."

But it's apparent Mitchell and O'Neal had little chance at success in their 5:30-9 a.m. time slot. They were signed to supplant the Don Imus syndicated show and were told their debut would be in August. Then the date was abruptly shifted to July 1 -- about two weeks after Mitchell left KKLZ.

Then the station's program director, Pat Frisch, left to take a position in Albuquerque, N.M., and was never replaced. The move served as an ominous sign that the station was about to change hands.

"You need a program director to funnel ideas through and to help give direction," Mitchell said. "... In retrospect we feel that behind the scenes the elements were in place to sell the station."

Also, KVBC's signal was notoriously weak throughout the Las Vegas Valley, Mitchell said, and the signal was actually transmitted in mono rather than stereo. That's fine for talk, but Mitchell's "Breakfast With The Beatles" shows, which he resurrected at KVBC, sounded pretty crummy.

"Some things you can't control," Mitchell said.

Mitchell said he's taking a couple of months off to rest and explore his options. Having arrived in Las Vegas in 1979, Mitchell has worked at a half-dozen stations and he wants to stay in the area. He's been married to wife Suzan for 21 years, and his son, Nick, is 11. Mitchell would also like to keep working with good friend O'Neal, and hopefully revive his weekly Beatles show.

"I haven't had any serious talks with anyone," Mitchell said. "I'd sure love to stay here."

It seems that a smart local guy lacking an over-inflated ego should find a permanent home on Las Vegas radio. If not, it might be time to turn it off.

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