Jim ‘Poorman’ Trenton aims to break records during 28-Hour New Year’s Party

“A lot of people think I’m nuts to be doing this again,” Jim “Poorman” Trenton told me. “As December 31st gets closer, I’m thinking they might be right.”

Poorman is talking about his annual dance with deprivation – sleep deprivation, that is. It’s all part of a local New Year’s Eve tradition, called “Poorman’s 28-Hour New Year’s Party,” a marathon broadcast presented on low-power KOCI (101.5 FM, in and around Newport Beach) and on KOCIradio.com everywhere else.

It’s the sixth year for the marathon, which starts on Poorman’s morning show (6 to 11 a.m.) and continues on through the day and night, ending at 1 p.m. New Year’s Day. In addition to Poorman, local residents ranging from listeners and business owners to politicians will fill the airwaves with what has to be the most unusual program on the air anywhere. Most guest hosts are on for an hour, though one gets a full two-hour shift.

“The middle of the night, New Year’s morning around 3 a.m. and onward is always the craziest,” Poorman confided. “I’m dealing with things after I’ve been on the air — with no sleep — for 18 hours. All in all, it’s a very cool experience to help people make their hours pop.”

During the broadcast, videos will be posted on Instagram and Facebook featuring each guest host as well. Featured hours will include:

• Huntington Beach criminal defense attorney Allen Baylis will talk about all the new laws going into effect January 1st, 2026, during his hour beginning at 11 a.m. New Year’s Eve. His specialty is defending traffic ticket cases. “Also, he plays a healthy dose of his favorite musician,” says Poorman. “Frank Zappa.”

• “Captain Z” — described by Poorman as “our second youngest listener” — will count down the top ten songs of his entire life. The Captain, whose real name is Zorander Clark, is eight years old. This will air from noon to 1 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.

• From 2 to 4 a.m. on New Year’s morning (though most of us still consider it New Year’s Eve … if we are up that late), “Rondawg” will host two hours. The first hour is music and Shakespeare; the second is “Great B-Sides” of popular songs.

• Mike Waldron (“PV Mike in HB”) is going to try to set the world record for most songs played in an hour. They’re all punk rock, I am told. Waldron thinks he can play 80, and he’ll try starting at 8 a.m. on New Year’s Day

• From noon to 1 p.m. on New Year’s Day, Christine Carey, Vice President of non-profit Tilly’s Life Center, hosts an hour with troubled teens who have turned their lives around. “Pretty compelling stuff in hour No. 28,” says Poorman.

The show will culminate at 1 p.m. with a phone call to“the Poordad,” Poorman’s father, who is 102 years old. Poorman will let him know how it all went after “28-plus straight hours in the air.”

Poorman calls it the ultimate New Year’s Eve party, though he admits it is a tough gig. “Every year, it’s a big decision … can I do this again? You get to a certain point, around Hour 18, and I guess it’s kind of like finishing the last five miles of a marathon running race. Fatigue is a big factor.”

But he considers it a form of public service, in addition to entertainment, stating, “The coolest thing is being a part of all the guest hosts doing their own unique, raw radio shows, many of whom have never done one before. Every hour is guest-hosted. It’s definitely the most fresh and amazing radio you’ve ever heard. They do whatever they like on the air, short of an FCC violation.”

KROQ Christmas

KROQ (106.7 FM) hosted its 34th annual “Almost Acoustic Christmas” on December 13th at Kia Forum in Los Angeles.

Performing live were Evanescence, Papa Roach, Social Distortion, Rise Against, The All-American Rejects, Third Eye Blind, Yellowcard, Wet Leg and The Paradox. Making a surprise appearance was 4 Non Blondes, and the evening culminated with a special finale when Jacoby Shaddix from Papa Roach joined Evanescence on stage to perform “Bring Me to Life.”

The concert benefited Para Los Niños and Al Wooten Jr. Youth Center, both of which support local youth education.

Music Gives

KLOS (95.5 FM) held an on-air Radiothon on December 12, raising money for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. And listeners really came though; partnering with Cadillac of Beverly Hills, the “KLOS Music Gives to St. Jude Kids Radiothon” raised $1.3 Million.

That’s impressive!

Richard Wagoner is a San Pedro freelance columnist covering radio in Southern California. Email rwagoner@socalradiowaves.com