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97 Rock is on the hunt for JP's replacement

T

Tall Thin One

From the RAMP Newsletter this morning:

Cumulus Classic Rock WGRF (97 Rock)/Buffalo, NY has a rare midday opening (like Powerball rare).
Before you plunge in: Do you have the work ethic, on-air, digital, production, and social media skills to honor and enhance the legend of 97 Rock? We're live, local, and intimately tied to Western New York. You should be a world-class storyteller, skilled at audience engagement using audio and digital channels and be killer in a production studio. If you are the best at what you do and are willing to swear off ranch dressing, reach out, because this gig won't be open long.
 
ckg279 said:
I'm curious: Did JP retire from 97 Rock?
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Reportedly, Piccillo ("JP") resigned because Cumulus put a hard stop to the company's Covid-19 work-from-home options for all employees, requiring on-air and support staff to return to the building. Having elderly parents and being their primary caretaker, JP didn't want to take the risks of again contracting Covid-19 and potentially infecting his parents. He'd been working from home and his on-air performance remained consistent and productive. A number of Cumulus employees, on-air and support staff, have endured bouts of Covid-19, notably Ted Shredd & Tom Ragan when they did mornings on the Edge, and former WHTT morning host Bill Lacy, who has since retired. Shredd was severely impacted by Covid-19. He was hospitalized, treated with extraordinary measures, and documented his bout with Covid-19 on his Facebook page.

In a column posted March 29, 2023, Buffalo News Media-TV-Radio columnist Alan Pergament wrote about the situation with Piccillo; "A spokesperson for Cumulus, which owns the station, wouldn’t say anything beyond confirming Piccillo hasn’t left the company. [-] Reached by telephone, J.P. said he is on family medical leave to take care of his parents, who are in their 90s. 'J.P.,' who recently had Covid-19, said he was “really appreciative that people have been asking about him [-] “It is family first,” said J.P. “Hopefully, I’ll be back on the air soon."”

The Buffalo News (Story may be behind a paywall)
 
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Rusty Bridges said:
Reportedly, Piccillo ("JP") resigned because Cumulus put a hard stop to the company's Covid-19 work-from-home options for all employees, requiring on-air and support staff to return to the building. Having elderly parents and being their primary caretaker, JP didn't want to take the risks of again contracting Covid-19 and potentially infecting his parents.
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That alone seems like an odd reason. Unless he never goes to supermarkets, concerts, theatre, etc...-- He could bring to COVID to his parents from anywhere. It's understandable and commendable to take extended leave to help his parents.

Working from the station studio shouldn't be a problem. He would be alone in the room most of the day. One assumes they sanitize regularly. Perhaps he finally had his fill of "Free Bird" and the wretched playlist. Maybe it was money. Cumulus may not bother to fill his position, but rather just extend the other shifts. Many Classic Rock stations only have 6am - Noon and Noon to 6pm shifts...
 
This begs the question of what happens to the other personalities at WECK. Roger Christian is the current host from 10am-3pm weekdays. Tom Donahue hosts from 7-10am.
 
tbolt909 said:
That alone seems like an odd reason. Unless he never goes to supermarkets, concerts, theatre, etc...-- He could bring to COVID to his parents from anywhere. It's understandable and commendable to take extended leave to help his parents.

Working from the station studio shouldn't be a problem. He would be alone in the room most of the day. One assumes they sanitize regularly. Perhaps he finally had his fill of "Free Bird" and the wretched playlist. Maybe it was money. Cumulus may not bother to fill his position, but rather just extend the other shifts. Many Classic Rock stations only have 6am - Noon and Noon to 6pm shifts...
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JP would n e v e r go out in public and do any remotes or appearances even before the pandemic , likes to keep listener interaction to a minimum. Rarely even answered phones unless it was for a prize giveaway. He will have no listener interaction at WECK. he & Buddy will butt heads at some point & it will all be over.
 
stanley said:
JP would n e v e r go out in public and do any remotes or appearances even before the pandemic , likes to keep listener interaction to a minimum. Rarely even answered phones unless it was for a prize giveaway. He will have no listener interaction at WECK. he & Buddy will butt heads at some point & it will all be over.
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JP is a pro, doesn't need to shill for a car dealer or supermarket with a remote! You are attacking someone who you obviously don't know.
 
Oldbloodandguts said:
JP is a pro, doesn't need to shill for a car dealer or supermarket with a remote! You are attacking someone who you obviously don't know.
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oh , I'm sorry , I thought he worked in commercial radio. silly me. not an attack just facts. And he used personal endorsements commercials for his "shilling".
 
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Mark1981 said:
This begs the question of what happens to the other personalities at WECK. Roger Christian is the current host from 10am-3pm weekdays. Tom Donahue hosts from 7-10am.
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One assumes that someone will be out. The WECK Carousel of musical chairs never stops spinning...
 
Tall Thin One said:
From the RAMP Newsletter this morning:

Cumulus Classic Rock WGRF (97 Rock)/Buffalo, NY has a rare midday opening (like Powerball rare).
Before you plunge in: Do you have the work ethic, on-air, digital, production, and social media skills to honor and enhance the legend of 97 Rock? We're live, local, and intimately tied to Western New York. You should be a world-class storyteller, skilled at audience engagement using audio and digital channels and be killer in a production studio. If you are the best at what you do and are willing to swear off ranch dressing, reach out, because this gig won't be open long.
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This would've been a more exciting posting in 1992.
 
tbolt909 said:
One assumes that someone will be out. The WECK Carousel of musical chairs never stops spinning...
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That's a bit harsh. I have worked with stations that used semi-retired, "on the beach" and older people. Some enjoy getting back into action, some have become accustomed to retirement and can't get back in gear, and others have just slowed down to the point that they wear out or burn out quickly after returning to work.

So adapting schedules for some helps. Changing to part time works for others. Just doing specials so they can say "I'm still in radio" does something for still another group. The smallest group is made of those who want as intensive a schedule as they had when they were in their 30's and 40's.

I give extra points to station management that is willing to try to find a good fit for such people, even if it involves changing schedules and shift length.
 
DavidEduardo said:
That's a bit harsh. I have worked with stations that used semi-retired, "on the beach" and older people. Some enjoy getting back into action, some have become accustomed to retirement and can't get back in gear, and others have just slowed down to the point that they wear out or burn out quickly after returning to work.

So adapting schedules for some helps. Changing to part time works for others.
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The owner of WECK has made it clear he is not running a nursing home or a hobby shop for Radio retirees. He's in it for profit. That is fair enough, it's his station. You seem to have forgotten who owns this station...
 
stanley said:
JP & Buddy will butt heads at some point & it will all be over.
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Your prediction turned out to be accurate. Either you have inside info. or Nostradamus skills!

JP may have done Cumulus a favour. Will his position be filled or just "absorbed"? One more salary off the books...
 
tbolt909 said:
Your prediction turned out to be accurate. Either you have inside info. or Nostradamus skills!

JP may have done Cumulus a favour. Will his position be filled or just "absorbed"? One more salary off the books...
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I did see that Cumulus was advertising for a replacement and has begun interviewing people.
 
Tall Thin One said:
From the RAMP Newsletter this morning:

Cumulus Classic Rock WGRF (97 Rock)/Buffalo, NY has a rare midday opening (like Powerball rare).
Before you plunge in: Do you have the work ethic, on-air, digital, production, and social media skills to honor and enhance the legend of 97 Rock? We're live, local, and intimately tied to Western New York. You should be a world-class storyteller, skilled at audience engagement using audio and digital channels and be killer in a production studio. If you are the best at what you do and are willing to swear off ranch dressing, reach out, because this gig won't be open long.
Click to expand...
The new midday person may just be the old midday person, the one who held the shift when 97 Rock returned in 1989. If not, there should be a few radio people in WNY or NWPA who would fit the bill, a man or woman preferably in the 45-54 demo, young enough to hit the streets, and who knows Classic Rock; orders wings medium or hot, doesn't dip them in ranch or mayo, has scarfed at least one Super Mighty after a night on Allen Street or Hertel Avenue, has seen at least one show at Uncle Sams, the Belle Star or Stage 1 and can name the French Connection in less than three seconds, first try. If not, the person who's been doing the shift for the last two months and did it 30 years ago seems to be a good fit. Thirty years?!
 
The other threads regarding this former 97 Rock jock have been vaporized by the moderators. Interesting. The WGRF website is so awful that it barely works at all. The only staff listed is the Shred & Regan show. Given the current Radio economic conditions, a midday shift on a Classic Rock station may very well not be filled. They can just keep the part timer there...
 
RadioGuy1864 said:
FWIW, I can confirm that JP did indeed start his new shift today at WECK. Listened for a bit, nothing really special, but then again, it's an oldies station.
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I caught a little bit of it-and I heard a Stevie Wonder song that I have NEVER heard before on the radio. (And for the life of me, I cannot remember the title of it.)
 
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