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62JDX Mass Exodus
- Thread starter ronniev
- Start date
JDX reunion most likely prevented by statute-of-limitations. I think I'm just kidding...
"Hey now, I just can't be bothered. Tommy was supposed to fix these headphones and they're still broken. I can't do this without headphones! Now what am I gonna do? We got the new ABBA single in today. It's gonna be a smash! Any coffee in there?"
Johnny... when I came aboard in 1974, did I replace High Roller Zoller? Way too long... I remember Ronnie hired me but not much else. Got moved to middays, then back to nights.
Bob "I can out jerk anyone" Burton decided to fire me, and called me in for a Monday morning "come to Jesus" meeting. I walked in, sat down, and Bob was standing. Before he could say a word, I told him I was leaving, going to do middays in St. Louis at KSLQ.
Bob sat down. Quickly.
Somewhere, I still have the cart with my old personalized jingle. It would probably disintegrate if I could find a working cart machine and try to play it.
Rob: Weren't you doing weekends when I left in May, 1975?
Oh- and I remember the ZZQ guys always coming over and asking me to turn the thermostat up. For some reason, unlike me, they didn't like the studios at 55 degrees..........
Bob "I can out jerk anyone" Burton decided to fire me, and called me in for a Monday morning "come to Jesus" meeting. I walked in, sat down, and Bob was standing. Before he could say a word, I told him I was leaving, going to do middays in St. Louis at KSLQ.
Bob sat down. Quickly.
Somewhere, I still have the cart with my old personalized jingle. It would probably disintegrate if I could find a working cart machine and try to play it.
Rob: Weren't you doing weekends when I left in May, 1975?
Oh- and I remember the ZZQ guys always coming over and asking me to turn the thermostat up. For some reason, unlike me, they didn't like the studios at 55 degrees..........
Let's set the night-time scene: The JDX side wanted it colder, while the guys across the hall at ZZQ liked to keep the air moist and warm with heat lamps. Weren't there some plants growing in the corner of the control room? Always seemed darker on that side......nah, just my imagination running away with me....
M
markoni
Guest
How cool to hear the old "WJDX WalkOut" story!
I was working there as J. Mark Shands, seem like we had just started working at the new building. After building up Lamar Life's tired old station, they axed Tanner and we were happpy to walk! I remember hangin' out with my fellow unemployed DJs. That's when a meal became a small container of milk and a Nestle Crunch bar. Funny the things you remember, right?
I was fortunate to get a job offer from Marie Perkins down at WQNZ-FM in Natchez. Her sons, David and Alan Perkins made it happen! Bill Crews came too, he was PD and morning man down there. (Crews later went to Y-100/Miami but I think he missed Mississippi!)
Finally I got an offer from Lee Abrams to help with WRNO in New Orleans. It blew my mind that my old station in Jackson was a much more quality operation than WRNO was!
One day Tanner called from Y-100/Miami and said he could pay me more than the $40 per week I was making at WRNO.
It was like old home week at Y-100. Tanner, Cramer Haas, Jim Rehile, Doctor Dave, Jay Marks (Rodney W. Randall) and later Johnny V, were all there from the WJDX/Jackson crew.
I remember some of the local Miami radio people kinda making fun of us all being from Mississippi, at first. The laughs soon ended as the ratings came in year after year!
What a great time!
I was working there as J. Mark Shands, seem like we had just started working at the new building. After building up Lamar Life's tired old station, they axed Tanner and we were happpy to walk! I remember hangin' out with my fellow unemployed DJs. That's when a meal became a small container of milk and a Nestle Crunch bar. Funny the things you remember, right?
I was fortunate to get a job offer from Marie Perkins down at WQNZ-FM in Natchez. Her sons, David and Alan Perkins made it happen! Bill Crews came too, he was PD and morning man down there. (Crews later went to Y-100/Miami but I think he missed Mississippi!)
Finally I got an offer from Lee Abrams to help with WRNO in New Orleans. It blew my mind that my old station in Jackson was a much more quality operation than WRNO was!
One day Tanner called from Y-100/Miami and said he could pay me more than the $40 per week I was making at WRNO.
It was like old home week at Y-100. Tanner, Cramer Haas, Jim Rehile, Doctor Dave, Jay Marks (Rodney W. Randall) and later Johnny V, were all there from the WJDX/Jackson crew.
I remember some of the local Miami radio people kinda making fun of us all being from Mississippi, at first. The laughs soon ended as the ratings came in year after year!
What a great time!
I remember getting the call from Blair down in Jackson. David, I think you were working for WWUN at the time. I was in Starkville. David says, "Hey have you heard? All the jocks walked out at JDX. It's my big chance to work there!!!"
That's how I first heard the HUGE Mississippi radio news.
J Mark, it's funny we never met but worked at a lot of the same stations. WNAT/WQNZ (simulcast at the time), WKOR and WJDX.
I always liked your style, totally unique!
That's how I first heard the HUGE Mississippi radio news.
J Mark, it's funny we never met but worked at a lot of the same stations. WNAT/WQNZ (simulcast at the time), WKOR and WJDX.
I always liked your style, totally unique!
On the GM at exodus... I believe it was Chuck Cooper. And I believe part of what "fanned the flames" was that Tanner aired a call from Chuck who bought in to the April Fools joke.
Dave... I was doing weekends at the time of your departure for KSLQ. You lobbied with Bob Burton to help me get the job! I would drive down from Greenville, pull two or three shifts over the weekend, crash on Walt's couch, then drive back and go to school for the week. Your departure conveniently opened up overnights (midnight to 6 back then), which I started the Monday after graduation.
Dave... I was doing weekends at the time of your departure for KSLQ. You lobbied with Bob Burton to help me get the job! I would drive down from Greenville, pull two or three shifts over the weekend, crash on Walt's couch, then drive back and go to school for the week. Your departure conveniently opened up overnights (midnight to 6 back then), which I started the Monday after graduation.
"It was like old home week at Y-100. Tanner, Cramer Haas, Jim Rehile, Doctor Dave, Jay Marks (Rodney W.
"Randall) and later Johnny V, Markoni too, were all there from the WJDX/Jackson crew."
Was in New Orleans on medical-business and happened to go by an R& R or Gavin convention,
not sure which it was; and think I heard Tanner or Somebody at this say, All these guys
above when they where on JDX & ZZQ; and All of them and others that were Y-100 crew,
were like "Mini-Pds" when they were on the air, "They Got It!" Big difference Today when
entire Air-Staffs and PD were once all in the Zone together; there may be Pockets I hear
that have that kind of Atmosphere, but few and far between I'm afraid.
"Randall) and later Johnny V, Markoni too, were all there from the WJDX/Jackson crew."
Was in New Orleans on medical-business and happened to go by an R& R or Gavin convention,
not sure which it was; and think I heard Tanner or Somebody at this say, All these guys
above when they where on JDX & ZZQ; and All of them and others that were Y-100 crew,
were like "Mini-Pds" when they were on the air, "They Got It!" Big difference Today when
entire Air-Staffs and PD were once all in the Zone together; there may be Pockets I hear
that have that kind of Atmosphere, but few and far between I'm afraid.
Maybe this is the time and place to do this. The recollection of this event and the resulting thread has really touched me.
What I want to say is:
Thank you, all.
Thank you for making my experiences so memorable. A few will remember me. Blair, for sure. J Boyd might recall the night we sat up all night with a sick xmtr at Vicksburg. Johnny Summer might remember a few phone conversations years ago (it's OK if you don't). PhilO should remember. Hey, J Mark in the dark, I knew you sister! And Rob Grayson is still probably scatching his head trying to place me. But that's OK. I remember you all. And you all made my career not only possible, but enjoyable as well. Many of you, over the years, offered advice, counsel, critique, and, more than anything else, gave me a sense of being part of a large, loving family. Our industry has changed, and so have we, but in the end, I can say I am proud to have shared ideas, headphones, apartments, even girlfriends with you. For me, that was a long time ago. We did some great things, had some great times, knew some great people. And that, I think, is what it's all about.
Thanks.
What I want to say is:
Thank you, all.
Thank you for making my experiences so memorable. A few will remember me. Blair, for sure. J Boyd might recall the night we sat up all night with a sick xmtr at Vicksburg. Johnny Summer might remember a few phone conversations years ago (it's OK if you don't). PhilO should remember. Hey, J Mark in the dark, I knew you sister! And Rob Grayson is still probably scatching his head trying to place me. But that's OK. I remember you all. And you all made my career not only possible, but enjoyable as well. Many of you, over the years, offered advice, counsel, critique, and, more than anything else, gave me a sense of being part of a large, loving family. Our industry has changed, and so have we, but in the end, I can say I am proud to have shared ideas, headphones, apartments, even girlfriends with you. For me, that was a long time ago. We did some great things, had some great times, knew some great people. And that, I think, is what it's all about.
Thanks.
All this was so long ago, yet it seems like yesterday.
I remember visiting Skinny in Natchez back when we were still in high school- and he had a big gnat ("NAT") drawing on his bedroom wall.
And Rob- I remembered thinking you had tons of talent, and like big brother, you were a great guy... I wanted to see you working in town! Then I headed to St. Louis and wasted away over the next 30 years. (Gads... it's odd to think I was a "fixture" in a market that size. I even somehow managed to pass up on chances to head to Chicago and L.A. Note to younger guys: Never marry a girl in the town you work if she isn't ready to visit the nation, because it will come back to haunt you! ;D)
Chuck Cooper was indeed the GM when the mass exodus happened. I was stunned when it happened- to me, JDX was a BIG DEAL, and Tanner was someone I was simply in awe of. I still think he was one of the brightest radio minds of the past 35 or so years. I never forgot trying to get a weekend job at JDX when I was a "sucks rocks" high school jock out of McComb. Tanner gave me some time, was encouraging, and I left there feeling positive even though I knew I wouldn't get hired. One brief interview set the tone of respect I held for the man ever since.
I may have worked at JDX, but it wasn't the JDX I wanted to work at. I have a copy of a station profile from 72, 72 or so. I used to listen to it and think it sounded better than a LOT of major market stations of the day.
Oh- and Johnny... after 32 years, I even remember your last name. LOL I'd wondered many times what had become of you after Y100.
Years ago, I wrote Jay Marks and we had a brief exchange. I used to love listening to him. He had a huge effect on how I sounded, and the approach I had on the air. Someone one time said I reminded them of Jay Marks... that may have been the biggest compliment I ever had.
Heck, I even remember Brian Harrigan (wasn't it Brian?) whose voice was so big, it took extra speakers to get it out. Guy must have had 2 ton stones it was so deep and rich.
KSLQ may have been the high point of my career with its national profile at the time... but the station I was always most proud of on my resume was 62JDX...
Damn, this is fun to go through again...
Funny thing... I haven't even been through Jackson in over 10 years now...
I remember visiting Skinny in Natchez back when we were still in high school- and he had a big gnat ("NAT") drawing on his bedroom wall.
And Rob- I remembered thinking you had tons of talent, and like big brother, you were a great guy... I wanted to see you working in town! Then I headed to St. Louis and wasted away over the next 30 years. (Gads... it's odd to think I was a "fixture" in a market that size. I even somehow managed to pass up on chances to head to Chicago and L.A. Note to younger guys: Never marry a girl in the town you work if she isn't ready to visit the nation, because it will come back to haunt you! ;D)
Chuck Cooper was indeed the GM when the mass exodus happened. I was stunned when it happened- to me, JDX was a BIG DEAL, and Tanner was someone I was simply in awe of. I still think he was one of the brightest radio minds of the past 35 or so years. I never forgot trying to get a weekend job at JDX when I was a "sucks rocks" high school jock out of McComb. Tanner gave me some time, was encouraging, and I left there feeling positive even though I knew I wouldn't get hired. One brief interview set the tone of respect I held for the man ever since.
I may have worked at JDX, but it wasn't the JDX I wanted to work at. I have a copy of a station profile from 72, 72 or so. I used to listen to it and think it sounded better than a LOT of major market stations of the day.
Oh- and Johnny... after 32 years, I even remember your last name. LOL I'd wondered many times what had become of you after Y100.
Years ago, I wrote Jay Marks and we had a brief exchange. I used to love listening to him. He had a huge effect on how I sounded, and the approach I had on the air. Someone one time said I reminded them of Jay Marks... that may have been the biggest compliment I ever had.
Heck, I even remember Brian Harrigan (wasn't it Brian?) whose voice was so big, it took extra speakers to get it out. Guy must have had 2 ton stones it was so deep and rich.
KSLQ may have been the high point of my career with its national profile at the time... but the station I was always most proud of on my resume was 62JDX...
Damn, this is fun to go through again...
Funny thing... I haven't even been through Jackson in over 10 years now...
so is the old WJDX.WZZQ building still there? The one by the old tower/transmitter... and where is Bill Crews... now?
Mark
Mark
It appears to be there still- the address is unchanged and the office number is the same. At to Bill- he seems to have disappeared.
You still around flytrap?
Looks like he hasn't visited since August of 2013.
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