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A Legend to Retire!

It is possible that Rick is leaving because he has had enough 4am'ers in his lifetime. BUT..have you ever thought that since Lincoln Financial gave Eric Brandon his walking papers, that it's possible that they're giving Rick the chance to bow out gracefully?

With the way the market is crumbling, and the radio hog ownerships are tightening their belts (Voice Tracking, $10 an hour jocks, so on and so forth), I wouldn't be suprised that cutting alot of the big buck'd announcers is just another way to save a dollar.

Regardless.....i've had the privlage to work with Rick when the former owners of Y-100, Metroplex Communications, LMA'd WAXY 106FM many moons ago. He's always been quite the consumate broadcaster, and what ever he decides to do, I wish him nothing but the best!
 
Stuart Elliott said:
It is possible that Rick is leaving because he has had enough 4am'ers in his lifetime. BUT..have you ever thought that since Lincoln Financial gave Eric Brandon his walking papers, that it's possible that they're giving Rick the chance to bow out gracefully?
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I was actually thinking the same exact thing when I read about it earlier tonight on FMQB. It seems strangely familiar. I remember it as if it were earlier this year. Kenny Walker is suddenly fired from Y-100. Several months later the legendary Footy announces his 'retirement' after 32 years at the station. He 'retires' at the end of that same week after a week-long celebration.

Whether Rick Shaw is being forced out or if it really is entirely his decision he is truly a South Florida radio legend. If a Hall-Of-Fame existed for such legends then Rick Shaw and Footy should have their own walls within it.

THE MAJOR
 
WOW!!! The LEGEND!!! A class act...still made radio upbeat and fun to listen to. Kudo's and the best to him :) I think it is interesting that he said this was the time to get out. Sadly the times have changed. The days of the phones ringing off the hook in the studios, talking over and out of songs are over in most cases. I am glad I was part of the radio generation that cued up vinyl, and hit the green button on those funny looking cartridge machines. The program director made the decisions in his dusty office, and our rotation was index cards, and I listened to Rick Shaw to learn timing, format, and delivery. No space bars to set the next cue, just good old manual radio. Good luck Rick. You are a icon. We will miss you on the radio.
 
I don't think anyone is really surprised by this.

It's always classy when those with a long track record are allowed to say goodbye. That certainly doesn't happen most times. I read Rick's comments on the Majic website and his words reflect the class act he is.

I certainly wish Rick well and yes it is time.

Rick was very identified with oldies. His departure, I believe has more to do with what is to come in 2007 in the way of programming. My gut is telling me the station may wind up going Classic Top 40 with a mix of hits from the mid 60s through the early 80s as is happening to a lot of traditional oldies stations. But radio is always full of surprises.

Rick's replacement has big shoes to fill but that person, I believe, will be chosen to complement a format that will not be considered "your father's oldies station."

Happy Holidays ALL!
 
JohnJax said:
Rick was very identified with oldies. His departure, I believe has more to do with what is to come in 2007 in the way of programming. My gut is telling me the station may wind up going Classic Top 40 with a mix of hits from the mid 60s through the early 80s as is happening to a lot of traditional oldies stations. But radio is always full of surprises.
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You're right. Radio is always full of surprises - even if many of those surprises are just a bit too predictable in today's corporate radio world.

I think that you are on the right track by suggesting that MAJIC may go 'Classic Top 40' post Rick Shaw, but I would even go as far as to predict that they may even drop all of their 1960s material as well and just go with the classic hits of the '70s and '80s - perhaps even deeper into the '80s.

Here's another Major Hitwaves Lincoln Financial Group forecast for 2007 and WLYF (which has seen its ratings plummet over the past 12 months). I wouldn't be surprised if they dropped the longtime 'LIFE' moniker and went with something a bit more modern and youthful. And with a more youthful nickname how about a more youthful music format - such as 'HOT-A.C.' ?

THE MAJOR
 
The Major writes:
>>>>>
Here's another Major Hitwaves Lincoln Financial Group forecast for 2007 and WLYF (which has seen its ratings plummet over the past 12 months). I wouldn't be surprised if they dropped the longtime 'LIFE' moniker and went with something a bit more modern and youthful. And with a more youthful nickname how about a more youthful music format - such as 'HOT-A.C.' ?
>>>>>

The 'Life' moniker was dropped in 1993 ... with a transition to 'Lite 101.5' by late 1994 ... and the emergence of '101.5 LITE FM' in March 1996. The only vestige of the station's past 'Life' is the call sign 'WLYF' -- and that's buried in a top-of-the-hour station I.D. mention as part of the weather forecast.
 
otterk9 said:
The 'Life' moniker was dropped in 1993 ... with a transition to 'Lite 101.5' by late 1994 ... and the emergence of '101.5 LITE FM' in March 1996. The only vestige of the station's past 'Life' is the call sign 'WLYF' -- and that's buried in a top-of-the-hour station I.D. mention as part of the weather forecast.
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You're right, and I just realized my typo. The 'F' and the 'T' are adjacent to each other. I meant that I wouldn't be surprised if the 'LITE' was turned off per se from 101.5 FM in 2007. Perhaps the occasional Ace Of Base may be a sign of things to come. Let me know when they start to play Nickelback and Hinder !

Here's a dream team for 2007 - 'MOVIN-97.3' & 'MIX-101.5' !

THE MAJOR
 
The Major writes:
>>>>>
"Let me know when they start to play Nickelback and Hinder !"
>>>>>

Do Hoobastank and Creed count? They're in there -- but so are Babs and Barry. If anything, I figure LITE will continue to evolve, always staying slightly 'behind the curve'.

As for The Major's suggestion to debut 'Mix 101.5': That was a cursed concept that sank 105.9 fifteen years ago!

'Movin' 97.3'? My bet's on that coming first to 94.9. There's still too much equity in the 'Coast' brand -- WFLC is actually doing quite well again these days, especially with the 18-34 demo.
 
otterk9 said:
As for The Major's suggestion to debut 'Mix 101.5': That was a cursed concept that sank 105.9 fifteen years ago!
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HEY ! I was a MASSIVE fan of that station (while it lasted barely into 1992). I believe it was legendary DJ Stuart Elliott (as well as countless other posters on here) who have stated over the past year that what may have failed 10 or 15 or 20 years ago won't necessarily fail today if it's executed properly. The radio and music landscape is light years different today than it was in 1991. The 'MIX-105.9' of 1991 failed because it went up against the behemoth Y-100 of 1991 which itself was more 'HOT-A.C.' than TOP 40. Of course most of us all know what happened after that with the 'Great LMA Of January 1992' when the owners of Y-100 agreed to buy all of the air time of 'WAXY-106'. The legend - Mr. Rick Shaw - became the new morning man of the rejuvenated 'WAXY'.

THE MAJOR ... ALWAYS ON-TOPIC !
 
Major, yes you are always on topic. Thanks for at least getting back to Rick Shaw in this string. ;)

No doubt, Rick's last broadcast at Majic will be a collector's item.

An idea for Majic - I just may follow up by writing the station - but I think a lot of folks would love to get a CD of highlights of the last broadcast. The proceeds can go to the Majic Children's Fund. I bet that could raise lots of $$$ for Rick's kids. What do you think?

If something like this doesn't pan out, I just may need to make arrangements with one of the great cast of characters on this board to help me get a copy of those last moments.

Happy Holidays!!!
 
JohnJax said:
No doubt, Rick's last broadcast at Majic will be a collector's item.
An idea for Majic - I just may follow up by writing the station - but I think a lot of folks would love to get a CD of highlights of the last broadcast. The proceeds can go to the Majic Children's Fund. I bet that could raise lots of $$$ for Rick's kids. What do you think?
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I was actually thinking the same thing for Footy. Bobby & Footy and Kenny & Footy both put out tapes / CDs of their most hilarious moments. I wish Footy would do the same for his 32 years of memories (or at least his final week of celebration shows on-the-road). It would be great for his 'Here's Help' charity. I would scoop that one up in a second !

As for Rick Shaw can you imagine how many songs he has introduced over the past 50 years of radio broadcasts ?

THE MAJOR
 
The-Major said:
I was actually thinking the same thing for Footy. Bobby & Footy and Kenny & Footy both put out tapes / CDs of their most hilarious moments. I wish Footy would do the same for his 32 years of memories (or at least his final week of celebration shows on-the-road). It would be great for his 'Here's Help' charity. I would scoop that one up in a second !

As for Rick Shaw can you imagine how many songs he has introduced over the past 50 years of radio broadcasts ?

THE MAJOR
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You know Major, your love of Y-100 and those who made it what it was, shows just how big a fan you are. We can be talking about Bohemian Rhapsodies in here and somehow you would find a way to make a connection to Y-100, Footie, etc. etc.

And as much as you are devoted to Y-100 and CHR I'm equally as devoted to the oldies format and still see a good deal of potential in it - even if it's a hybrid of what it once was.

And so, when South Florida's version of Cousin Brucie decides to retire, it is indeed an end of an era. Your mention of comedy bits over the years got me thiniking about something else as well.

While it would be great to hear Rick's last hour, it would be far greater if Majic put together a montage of special moments that can be a part of his last show.

It makes me think of when WABC changed format from music to talk and did a montage of all the #1 songs the station played in some 22 years. Now that was a special treat for loyal fans.

Joe Johnson over at Majic is one really talented and creative guy. I would have a feeling he would be involved in producing something special. Or at least I hope that will be the case.

Rick may actually not want a lot of fanfare and we would need to respect that as well. When Everybody Loves Raymond ended, the final scene was a classic in my opinion - no hype and that's what they were all about.

Whatever happens for the final hour for Rick, it will be worth recording.

Happy Holidays!
 
Hockeyfan said:
Wish he'd quit waering that dumb hat. :D
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Give the guy a break, you know why he wears the hat. :D

Nice to hear the WAXY aircheck. I remember when Rick moved to WMXJ, he sounded very stiff. I don't know if he was allowed to loosen up after awhile. He didn't sound comfortable at all.

If you want to hear some really good Rick Shaw. Find an aircheck from his time at WQAM. The LTR drop ins were funny!
 
I think I was at a WQAM sock hop in 1962. Just can't remember if it was Rick Shaw or Roby Younge at the helm.
 
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