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A couple of questions for you all...

D

digitaldevil23

Guest
Hey all, living in Atlanta and looking to potentially relocate in Los Angeles and am I curious about the radio market. Is it stale, hard to get into (yeah, I know most major cities are hard to break into), does Clear Channel rule uber alles, and so on.

I've been busting my a$$ the last three years in a college radio station (www.wras.org), have a decent grasp of most radio station aspects (from programming to production to promotions to on-air talent), and have garnered a small following of listeners doing my shows. I'd like to take my talents elsewhere and would appreciate your opinions.

Thanks all! I look forward to cruising this board more often.<P ID="signature">______________
Album 88 - 88.5FM
Psychobilly Freakout Mondays from 8-10pm</P>
 
Well the good thing, nobody is doing the Psychobilly Freakout: Mon 8-10pm; and Cowtipper's Delight: Tue 10-midnight in Southern California. 3 Years at a college station is plenty of experience!.

> Hey all, living in Atlanta and looking to potentially
> relocate in Los Angeles and am I curious about the radio
> market. Is it stale, hard to get into (yeah, I know most
> major cities are hard to break into), does Clear Channel
> rule uber alles, and so on.
>
> I've been busting my a$$ the last three years in a college
> radio station (www.wras.org), have a decent grasp of most
> radio station aspects (from programming to production to
> promotions to on-air talent), and have garnered a small
> following of listeners doing my shows. I'd like to take my
> talents elsewhere and would appreciate your opinions.
>
> Thanks all! I look forward to cruising this board more
> often.
>
 
> Well the good thing, nobody is doing the Psychobilly
> Freakout: Mon 8-10pm; and Cowtipper's Delight: Tue
> 10-midnight in Southern California.

What can I say, I have an eclectic taste in music. A lot of my friends in LA tell me the rockabilly and psychobilly scene is enormous, so hopefully I have that in my favor.

>3 Years at a college
> station is plenty of experience!.
>

That's the coolest thing I've read all day. Thanks!<P ID="signature">______________
Album 88 - 88.5FM
Psychobilly Freakout Mondays from 8-10pm</P>
 
> >3 Years at a college
> > station is plenty of experience!.
>
> That's the coolest thing I've read all day. Thanks!

I think Scott was being facetious.

No one is going to break into the L.A. market directly from college station experience. My advice is to put in some time in smaller markets before trying to crack the majors.

The competition here is fierce. (Rob Archer, you can chime in here whenever you want.) A good chunk of the market is Spanish language, and both CBS and Clear Channel operate full complements of stations. The latter is in the process of downsizing its staff level, too.

I'm not saying don't try if you want to, but don't get your hopes up.<P ID="signature">______________


</P>
 
> I think Scott was being facetious.
>
> No one is going to break into the L.A. market directly from
> college station experience. My advice is to put in some
> time in smaller markets before trying to crack the majors.
>
> The competition here is fierce. (Rob Archer, you can chime
> in here whenever you want.) A good chunk of the market is
> Spanish language, and both CBS and Clear Channel operate
> full complements of stations. The latter is in the process
> of downsizing its staff level, too.
>
> I'm not saying don't try if you want to, but don't get your
> hopes up.
>

I didn't think I'd immediately jump into a huge station, I'd be insane to think that. I do plan on checking around some of the metro area for stations near the area.

Thanks!<P ID="signature">______________
Album 88 - 88.5FM
Psychobilly Freakout Mondays from 8-10pm</P>
 
Try this!

the Southern California Broadcasters Association offers a great Job list each Week, and it's free. I paid $15 a Month for this info by mail 15 years ago!

http://www.scba.com/viewentry.asp?ID=165328&PT=Job Alert Bulletin



> > I think Scott was being facetious.
> >
> > No one is going to break into the L.A. market directly
> from
> > college station experience. My advice is to put in some
> > time in smaller markets before trying to crack the majors.
>
> >
> > The competition here is fierce. (Rob Archer, you can
> chime
> > in here whenever you want.) A good chunk of the market is
>
> > Spanish language, and both CBS and Clear Channel operate
> > full complements of stations. The latter is in the
> process
> > of downsizing its staff level, too.
> >
> > I'm not saying don't try if you want to, but don't get
> your
> > hopes up.
> >
>
> I didn't think I'd immediately jump into a huge station, I'd
> be insane to think that. I do plan on checking around some
> of the metro area for stations near the area.
>
> Thanks!
>
 
> No one is going to break into the L.A. market directly from
> college station experience. My advice is to put in some
> time in smaller markets before trying to crack the majors.
>
> The competition here is fierce. (Rob Archer, you can chime
> in here whenever you want.) A good chunk of the market is
> Spanish language, and both CBS and Clear Channel operate
> full complements of stations. The latter is in the process
> of downsizing its staff level, too.
>
> I'm not saying don't try if you want to, but don't get your
> hopes up.


Chiming in...

Yes, it's very hard, even if you've been in the market for a few years.

In my years of experience, I've found that most of the time -- not all, but most -- a jock lands a job not by sending out demos and resumes blindly, but because the PD knows him or knows someone who knows him, and already has him in mind. And not just in L.A., but in smaller markets too.

Every job I've ever landed came through connections, and having those connections contact me or me contacting them at just the right time.

If I were to give advice for someone trying to break in to L.A., I'd say become a prostitute instead. You'll get paid more and screwed less. :)

Seriously, the best course is to try and land a gig at a rimshot station. And while you're there, get into town and network as much as you can. Meet L.A. radio people and build relationships. Of course, you'll starve in the interim, especially in you have a family to feed, but you can always dump the family. You have to prioritize.

Oh, and get an agent. Of course, to get an agent, you have to be a big shot and have a prime gig. But you can't be a bigshot and get a prime gig until you get an agent. It's a game that has only two rules: one, you must play; and two, you can't win. :)<P ID="signature">______________
http://spaces.msn.com/robertarcher</P>
 
Re: Try this!

> the Southern California Broadcasters Association offers a
> great Job list each Week, and it's free. I paid $15 a Month
> for this info by mail 15 years ago!
>
http://ww> w.scba.com/viewentry.asp?ID=165328&PT=Job%20Alert%20Bulletin

Cool, I'll save that link and check it out. Much appreciated.

I realize I have very little experience right now, but I'm determined to make this work even if I starve a little here and there. I'm willing to take that chance in order to follow my goal.<P ID="signature">______________
Album 88 - 88.5FM
Psychobilly Freakout Mondays from 8-10pm</P>
 
> Chiming in...
>
> Yes, it's very hard, even if you've been in the market for a
> few years.
>
> In my years of experience, I've found that most of the time
> -- not all, but most -- a jock lands a job not by sending
> out demos and resumes blindly, but because the PD knows him
> or knows someone who knows him, and already has him in mind.
> And not just in L.A., but in smaller markets too.
>
> Every job I've ever landed came through connections, and
> having those connections contact me or me contacting them at
> just the right time.
>
> If I were to give advice for someone trying to break in to
> L.A., I'd say become a prostitute instead. You'll get paid
> more and screwed less. :)
>
> Seriously, the best course is to try and land a gig at a
> rimshot station. And while you're there, get into town and
> network as much as you can. Meet L.A. radio people and build
> relationships. Of course, you'll starve in the interim,
> especially in you have a family to feed, but you can always
> dump the family. You have to prioritize.
>
> Oh, and get an agent. Of course, to get an agent, you have
> to be a big shot and have a prime gig. But you can't be a
> bigshot and get a prime gig until you get an agent. It's a
> game that has only two rules: one, you must play; and two,
> you can't win. :)
>

Thanks, Rob. Working gigs at the outer edge of LA is where I figured I'd start out. I might as well sign up for a lobotomy if I thought I could step in and take over LA, let alone my home city of Atlanta.

I appreciate the advice. I'll take it to heart and keep it in mind while I do my search!

-Andy<P ID="signature">______________
Album 88 - 88.5FM
Psychobilly Freakout Mondays from 8-10pm</P>
 
Re: Try this!

For what it's worth:

I had 4 years on air in market #40, then came to LA. Had to sweat it out board opping overnights for a year before getting a shot. I now do weekends and fill-ins at a big station, and couldn't be happier...well, I suppose I could be, but it would involve much more blow and hookers. But I digress, the speed at which I managed this climb was a surprise. So it can happen, but you really need to get some experience at a smaller market. And everyone else is already thinking "I know...I could do Riverside to start!" anyway, so try to get a gig in Atlanta while you are there.
And for god's sake...you have the Clermont Lounge. Why in the hell would you leave pregnant strippers for Los Angeles?



> > the Southern California Broadcasters Association offers a
> > great Job list each Week, and it's free. I paid $15 a
> Month
> > for this info by mail 15 years ago!
> >
> http://ww>
> w.scba.com/viewentry.asp?ID=165328&PT=Job%20Alert%20Bulletin
>
>
> Cool, I'll save that link and check it out. Much
> appreciated.
>
> I realize I have very little experience right now, but I'm
> determined to make this work even if I starve a little here
> and there. I'm willing to take that chance in order to
> follow my goal.
>
 
Re: Try this!

> I realize I have very little experience right now, but I'm
> determined to make this work even if I starve a little here
> and there. I'm willing to take that chance in order to
> follow my goal.
>
You may be surprised at the talent level at the "smaller" stations:
lots of former LA talent out there on the fringes. Not remotely
suggesting you don't try...or succeed...in fact, not trying would be
a huge mistake. You don't want to look back in 20 years and think
"if only I'd tried SoCal". Trust me...you don't want to age out.
Now then: are you aware of the cost of housing in the Southland?
And be ready to add the word "the" to the names of the freeways as
in "the 10" or "the 101".<P ID="signature">______________
but wait...there's more!</P>
 
The answer is YES...its real tough to break into LA right out of the box especially for on-air talent. There's thousands of people across the country who want to come to LA for a gig. I'd have to say that if you want into LA someday, you should get more experience in small to medium markets outside of California. You may find that you will have more opportunity as on-air talent versus doing behind the scenes jobs in LA and by using that experience, it may help you get into LA on-air. If you want to do California immediatley, perhaps check into Barstow or other areas just outside the LA market. There are a lot of stations that have popped up over the years between LA and Las Vegas so that may proove to be a great stepping stone as well. Not everyone can make it into LA like Seacrest by age 21 but looking at him as an example, its one of those "you never know" things so keep up the positive attitude. Meet as many people in the industry as you can and keep in touch with them. Good Luck to you in your career! We'll see you in Hollywood!
 
Re: Try this!

> For what it's worth:
>
> I had 4 years on air in market #40, then came to LA. Had to
> sweat it out board opping overnights for a year before
> getting a shot. I now do weekends and fill-ins at a big
> station, and couldn't be happier...well, I suppose I could
> be, but it would involve much more blow and hookers. But I
> digress, the speed at which I managed this climb was a
> surprise. So it can happen, but you really need to get some
> experience at a smaller market. And everyone else is
> already thinking "I know...I could do Riverside to start!"
> anyway, so try to get a gig in Atlanta while you are there.
>
> And for god's sake...you have the Clermont Lounge. Why in
> the hell would you leave pregnant strippers for Los Angeles?

I'm actually meeting with a buddy on mine next week to talk over my gameplan. He's been in radio for the last 10 years and has promised to give me as much advise as I can possibly use. I'd like a little experience in my hometown, since it is, afterall, my hometown.

Dude, it's not the pregnant strippers I go there for. I go there to see the 70 year old strippers and their *lower* blue hair. *shivers*<P ID="signature">______________
Album 88 - 88.5FM
Psychobilly Freakout Mondays from 8-10pm</P>
 
Re: Try this!

> > I realize I have very little experience right now, but I'm
>
> > determined to make this work even if I starve a little
> here
> > and there. I'm willing to take that chance in order to
> > follow my goal.
> >
> You may be surprised at the talent level at the "smaller"
> stations:
> lots of former LA talent out there on the fringes. Not
> remotely
> suggesting you don't try...or succeed...in fact, not
> trying would be
> a huge mistake. You don't want to look back in 20 years
> and think
> "if only I'd tried SoCal". Trust me...you don't want to
> age out.
> Now then: are you aware of the cost of housing in the
> Southland?
> And be ready to add the word "the" to the names of the
> freeways as
> in "the 10" or "the 101".
>

I've already looked back at 7 years and can't count how many times I've slapped myself for waiting this long. I'll just keep working hard and learning from every one of my experiences.

"The", eh? At least I'm used to the horrible traffic. Atlanta is in competition with LA as "The Worst Traffic Known to Man." Ugh.<P ID="signature">______________
Album 88 - 88.5FM
Psychobilly Freakout Mondays from 8-10pm</P>
 
> The answer is YES...its real tough to break into LA right
> out of the box especially for on-air talent. There's
> thousands of people across the country who want to come to
> LA for a gig. I'd have to say that if you want into LA
> someday, you should get more experience in small to medium
> markets outside of California. You may find that you will
> have more opportunity as on-air talent versus doing behind
> the scenes jobs in LA and by using that experience, it may
> help you get into LA on-air. If you want to do California
> immediatley, perhaps check into Barstow or other areas just
> outside the LA market. There are a lot of stations that
> have popped up over the years between LA and Las Vegas so
> that may proove to be a great stepping stone as well. Not
> everyone can make it into LA like Seacrest by age 21 but
> looking at him as an example, its one of those "you never
> know" things so keep up the positive attitude. Meet as many
> people in the industry as you can and keep in touch with
> them. Good Luck to you in your career! We'll see you in
> Hollywood!
>

Thanks for naming Barstow. I'll definitely add them to my plan. I also appreciate the words of encouragement. I know radio is a dog eat dog industry, but it's always good to find the people who encourage to you at least try.

-Andy<P ID="signature">______________
Album 88 - 88.5FM
Psychobilly Freakout Mondays from 8-10pm</P>
 
Yes, you must have caught everyone on their good days.

Usually posts like your original one are eaten up and disposed of unceremoniously around here. And that's just the posters!

> Thanks for naming Barstow. I'll definitely add them to my
> plan. I also appreciate the words of encouragement. I know
> radio is a dog eat dog industry, but it's always good to
> find the people who encourage to you at least try.
>
> -Andy
>
 
> > The answer is YES...its real tough to break into LA right
> > out of the box especially for on-air talent. There's
> > thousands of people across the country who want to come to
>
> > LA for a gig. I'd have to say that if you want into LA
> > someday, you should get more experience in small to medium
>
> > markets outside of California. You may find that you will
>
> > have more opportunity as on-air talent versus doing behind
>
> > the scenes jobs in LA and by using that experience, it may
>
> > help you get into LA on-air. If you want to do California
>
> > immediatley, perhaps check into Barstow or other areas
> just
> > outside the LA market. There are a lot of stations that
> > have popped up over the years between LA and Las Vegas so
> > that may proove to be a great stepping stone as well. Not
>
> > everyone can make it into LA like Seacrest by age 21 but
> > looking at him as an example, its one of those "you never
> > know" things so keep up the positive attitude. Meet as
> many
> > people in the industry as you can and keep in touch with
> > them. Good Luck to you in your career! We'll see you in
> > Hollywood!
> >
>
> Thanks for naming Barstow. I'll definitely add them to my
> plan. I also appreciate the words of encouragement. I know
> radio is a dog eat dog industry, but it's always good to
> find the people who encourage to you at least try.
>
> -Andy
>

Hi Andy,

Fancy meeting you here.

Brooke
 
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