On-air shift for KAHI's 'That Guy'

That Guy's high-energy morning show, which was a signature at Auburn's KAHI radio, has left drive time, leaving many wondering why.The radio station, in operation since 1956, has recently undergone some personnel shifts. The "voice of the foothills," Dave Rosenthal, was the mile-a-minute talker during the morning drive time show from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. He can now be heard from 9 a.m. to noon.Barry Stigers, 65, of Penryn has taken over the morning slot and not everyone is as pleased as the station's general manger is about the move."To tell you the truth I like David from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. to listen to my local news," said former Auburn mayor and local business owner Cheryl Maki. "It hasn't been the same since he hasn't been on the 6 a.m. hour. The other man seems quite nice, but I need Dave's energy in the morning."Jerry Henry, KAHI general manager, said Rosenthal was moved for "promotional reasons.""He wasn't able to do remote broadcasts between 6 and 9 in the morning," Henry said. "He's our local foothills guy and having him available from 9 to noon is what we were aiming for to do live broadcasts from remote locations."Rosenthal said the change is, for the most part, fine with him."It's great to have an opportunity to visit with the Auburn community later in the day," he said. "We've already been out (on location) a lot and the new nine to noon thing, for me, is fun."Stigers is the newest member of the station, and the new morning host. For the past three years he's been the afternoon news voice at KAHI and has a long history in the business. He worked in local TV on the East Coast, in station management and radio before settling in California."The broadcasting side of my life has always been there," Stigers said. "It's my first love."Although he isn't a foothill native, he said he and his wife of 24 years, Margaret, fell in love with the Auburn area and have made it their home.As for following in the footsteps of one of the more energetic morning hosts, Stigers said the two just have different styles."Dave was more a sports kind of guy, that's the difference - and I'm better looking," he joked. "I've been a news person most of my life and that's where my interests lie."Rosenthal said the new guy is doing what he knows best."Barry's doing a great job in the morning," Rosenthal said. "He's a news guy and that's what he's going to bring to the station and keep the community informed."In addition to the modifications to the morning show, Jim Ruffalo, host of the popular "Music Machine" program on KAHI radio, left the station in October. Henry has said the parting was mutual. Ruffalo continues to pen a local column twice a week in the Auburn Journal but has left broadcasting.The morning show "The Heat is On" featuring movers and shakers from Placer County law enforcement agencies, still airs on Mondays at 8:30 a.m. with Stiger hosting."I think (Barry) is very intelligent and understands the issues of the community," said Capt. Rick Ward, of the Newcastle office of the California Highway Patrol. "But as you know Dave has always been the heart of the station and very active in the community affairs."Although not official, there has been talk that the Heat could be moved to the 9 a.m. slot, which would mean Rosenthal would once again host the segment.Henry contends the changes at the station are all for the good."There are negative comments, but overall it's overwhelmingly positive," he said. "You're never going to please everybody."The Journal's Penne Usher can be reached at penneu@goldcountrymedia.com.