3-1/2 decades to Memorial Day (Essay)

[LITTLEBOYBLUE]

Its was kind of an interesting week for me in Seattle radio land! 35 years ago last Monday, I rolled my first 45RPM on a "lite adult" station in Houston. Later I spent many years tracking down that song -- eventually found it a few years ago in the Netherlands, and included it on one of my mixed tapes.I happened to spend this "anniversary week" servicing a broadcast operation in town ... and through a series of events at the end of the week the message from this company was pretty clear: "You, dawg, are just too old to hunt!!". They seem to have people without all that baggage of experience who will do a better job of offering perspectives. Fair enough...I appreciate that point of view without any argument from me.At the very end of the week, I drove downtown to a celebration to say goodbye to one of the people leaving that station -- and the ultimate omen reared its head when I emerged from Mt. Baker tunnel and faced the Seattle skyline, that "first" song (above) began playing on the mixed tape in my car!! One can't help but smile at the irony.Lucky for me that by midweek I had already reached the conclusion that it probably IS too late for some of us to try to hold much passion and hope to change an industry we have adored for many years. While I don't blame this company for their opinions, I have a gentle sadness for knowing what COULD be and realizing what probably WILL be for the choices they like to make. One can approach these crossroads by continually trying to coax broadcasters who don't want to change; or you find ways to stay involved and support the opportunities and evolutions by participating in the developments from the "new thinking" side of the playground that could, eventually, lead to the financial demise of broadcast operators. It's a hard choice for those of us with so much passion for years of broadcasting ... but sometimes we don't get to vote!There are things I don't think I will miss about shifting to the other side of the tug-of-war:a. The empty hallways and lack of conversation at the coffee pot -- and recalling days when the station leadership regularly cruised around just to see how folks are doing and knew what was happening in everyone's life outside the station. Seems now you have to enter the management office and grab someone by the hair and raise their attention from a spreadsheet to engage in conversation.b. The corporate mindset of "here's your revenue line" or "here's your margin expectation" ... and "now go develop programming to deliver this". Biotech, retail, software ... none of those businesses would ever HOPE to try to get by on budget first and THEN develop your product or innovation to make that budget a reality; but broadcasting low lives globally by that expectation.c. The ongoing quotes from various headquarters professing that "radio is always going to win because it's local"; only to find an hour later that another part of the "local" just got cut by the decision to voice-track from Lenexa, Kansas because that savings will quickly add to the afore-mentioned revenue or margin expecation. If you don't "play it" after you "say it" -- how can you hope to believe your own "strategy"?d. The dictates that tell a program director to do a great job ... only to see that most of those dictates are quickly following by various no-choice mandates from a regional or group programmer, a VP/Programming or a consultant. The most insulting is seeing great talent just starting to get a rhythm only to find they're set aside within a few weeks or months so one of those players can bring in the "guy that did a great job for us 15 years ago in a market 2500 miles away" -- and a year later repeating the same stunt all over because their "performer" never performed as promised.And there are things I know I will miss:a. That amazing payback when a listener takes 2 minutes out of their day to call you and thank you for making them smile or giggle and that they appreciate your station's role in their life.b. The network of people you end up meeting who share the passion for an industry built on lousy working conditions; but continues to be fueled simply based on their adoration for the opportunity and the service. This is especially true when going to legendary stations and finding the one or two people there who appreciate the heritage of the place they are working (even though 95% of their coworkers don't know and don't seem to care about that same history).c. The impact a station or promotion has when it wants to get behind something and honestly and truly make a difference in the community. Watching Entercom/CChannel in New Orleans following Katrina shows that spirit CAN still be alive.d. The days of lunging into a rental car (while going to consult a station) and reprogramming all the radio presets before putting on the seat belt. (Unfortunately that hasn't happened for years as I no longer find I am engaged in programming of other markets because I already know it sounds just like the market I just left).In any case...I hope each of you find the happiness in this industry that you deserve! Thanks for allowing me to ramble here -- I only posted this because I know there are many who feel the same way I do and probably nodding, at least partially, in some agreement. I am hoping to launch a web site this summer that I think many of you will really enjoy so will let you know when that's up and running!!LBB

 

[TowerLamp]

LBB...Way too much passion to waste on the past. We need fire like yours now more than ever. Stay in the hunt till you find a player that "gets it". They are out there!And hey, inquiring minds want to know...What was that song from 35 years ago?