A lesson to be learned here.....

[Kenny Atkinson]

These cuts by CC to program formats from a centralized location is the end of local radio dj's across the country.Face it.More companies and more stations will go this route in the future leaving shells of radio studios behind (i.e. WSNE).Getting there music piped in from outside.

My advice to you is to learn another trade.Chances are you will not get another on-air again unless it comes with many other responsibilities.
This is the future of radio.The monies just ar'nt there anymore to support a large on-air staff and like Newspapers tecchnoligy has stripped the heart and soul out of the bussiness.If there is someone to be mad at it is Bill Gates for the inventention of the home computer or the populization of it.

The radio DJ is quickly going the way of the "PIN SETTER" in a bowling alley. All automated.

 

[Skynet74]

Kenny's right. I went to Walmart today and they have about 6 automated checkouts now. More jobs gone thanks to computers. All you can do is accept it. You can't change evolution. You can only adjust to it.

 

[za-rex]

The public has wanted most jocks to go away for years. It's just that now technology is making that possible. Morning shows are another matter but I think in the long run only those who can entertain will remain. Now it's a matter of how many will stay with it even if they just voicetrack and keep the chatter to a minimum. Only those with egos who won't let them leave will stick with it. Personally I don't see what a voicetracked jock even gets out of it. Again, the ego. Radio has always been filled with employees who aren't even on the air but won't get out for anything because they just get off on having a radio station to go to each day regardless of what they do when they get there.

 

[Skynet74]

Here is something that will break a radio ego. Whenever a new station hits the air jockless and people happen to love it! As a matter of fact people "Can't get enough of it!" The Edge/99.7X for an example from the early 90's. Everyone I talked to loved that station....until..... they went and hired DJ'S. Then suddenly people stopped tuning in. I can't think of a better example than that to demonstrate how unimportant DJ's really are to most people.

I think we've all been in a car alone at one time or another and the DJ won't shut up. So we'll actually say outloud.... Shut the hell up already! Then we'll tune to another station. Everybody has done it. If people are tuned into a music station than they want music. If they are tuned into a talk station than they obviously want talk. Nothing shocking about that. So if you are a DJ... you need to come to the harsh realization that people arn't tuning in because of you. Not only that... but MORE people would probably tune in if you wern't even there.

 

[mistermicrophone]

Here is something that will break a radio ego. Whenever a new station hits the air jockless and people happen to love it! As a matter of fact people "Can't get enough of it!" The Edge/99.7X for an example from the early 90's. Everyone I talked to loved that station....until..... they went and hired DJ'S. Then suddenly people stopped tuning in. I can't think of a better example than that to demonstrate how unimportant DJ's really are to most people.

I think we've all been in a car alone at one time or another and the DJ won't shut up. So we'll actually say outloud.... Shut the hell up already! Then we'll tune to another station. Everybody has done it. If people are tuned into a music station than they want music. If they are tuned into a talk station than they obviously want talk. Nothing shocking about that. So if you are a DJ... you need to come to the harsh realization that people arn't tuning in because of you. Not only that... but MORE people would probably tune in if you wern't even there.

I think za-rex and Skynet have ego confused with passion for the industry and love for what you do. Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of ego's in this industry...but...just because (to quote za-rex) "employees who aren't even on the air but won't get out for anything because they just get off on having a radio station to go to each day regardless of what they do when they get there", that doesn't mean those people are driven by ego. What's wrong with having a job in the industry, even if it's not on the air? It's not just ego that drives radio people to radio. It's passion and love of the industry.

Sky, I don't have problems with jockless stations because there are opportunites for creative types to write and produce imaging that acts as the jocks in every daypart. Real radio people with real passion for the industry realize that as the indsustry changes, you can still find creative outlets because of how much passion we have for the industry.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, those who can, DO. Those who can't bitch about it and trash it on an internet board.

 

[Skynet74]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, those who can, DO.

------------------

Good point except for those that WANT to do..... but CAN'T. Nobody is on the beach by choice. There are lots of great radio people out there that WANT want they CAN'T have. They want a new radio gig when they get fired. However employers are broke and not giving them that chance. I think that is what we are talking about here. An industry that is collapsing upon itself. Lots of good people out the door and there really is no choice in the matter. So you end up with a lot of people who CAN, but at the same time they CAN'T. Nobody will hire them.

 

[mistermicrophone]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, those who can, DO.

------------------

Good point except for those that WANT to do..... but CAN'T. Nobody is on the beach by choice. There are lots of great radio people out there that WANT want they CAN'T have. They want a new radio gig when they get fired. However employers are broke and not giving them that chance. I think that is what we are talking about here. An industry that is collapsing upon itself. Lots of good people out the door and there really is no choice in the matter. So you end up with a lot of people who CAN, but at the same time they CAN'T. Nobody will hire them.

That's not what I'm talking about; that is a result of the industry and/or the economy. You're comments were about ego, not the times; as a matter of fact, you referenced a station in the early 90's...if I recall, times were pretty good then, right?

There are a lot of people who are out of work right now who can't find work, that is not news. Most want to continue to work in the industry because the LOVE it, not because of ego. Those who CAN'T (in reference to comment) are LOVING what's happening in the industry right now; now they have an excuse for what they couldn't do in the first place.

 

[Skynet74]

Those who CAN'T (in reference to comment) are LOVING what's happening in the industry right now; now they have an excuse for what they couldn't do in the first place.

Well I think you are making an incorrect assumption that people who can't make it in the industry are happy to see other people around them fail. I don't think most people want to see others jobless just because they can't get a job themselves. Is this really what you meant? I just want to make sure that I am not misunderstanding what you just wrote.

 

[DToTheJ]

Here is something that will break a radio ego. Whenever a new station hits the air jockless and people happen to love it! As a matter of fact people "Can't get enough of it!" The Edge/99.7X for an example from the early 90's. Everyone I talked to loved that station....until..... they went and hired DJ'S. Then suddenly people stopped tuning in. I can't think of a better example than that to demonstrate how unimportant DJ's really are to most people.

Wasn't that format eventually replaced by another automated format, "100.3 The Beat", with pre-recorded liners that said, "Just one commercial, and then you're back on the Beat!" (You'd think a station with no jocks would sell more than just one spot per break...)

 

[mistermicrophone]

Those who CAN'T (in reference to comment) are LOVING what's happening in the industry right now; now they have an excuse for what they couldn't do in the first place.

Well I think you are making an incorrect assumption that people who can't make it in the industry are happy to see other people around them fail. I don't think most people want to see others jobless just because they can't get a job themselves. Is this really what you meant? I just want to make sure that I am not misunderstanding what you just wrote.

No, I don't think anyone is happy to see anyone else out of work. What I said is those who can't and couldn't make in this industry (you know, the ones who come on and THINK they know so much more than those who are doing it) now can blame the state of the industry for THEIR inability for not making it.

I have been in this industry for a long time and I thought I knew it all when I first got into radio. Over time I realized I didn't know it all and I also learned how to adapt to what this industry has become. For you or za-rex to come on here and say my desire to stick with an industry I LOVE and have extreme passion for is because of ego is outrageous. I also don't come on this board and attack those who are doing. I do, however, take exception with those who think they know it all and obviously don't.

 

[Moonstruck]

One thing za-rex said that may be right is that in the long run all these changes may result in the ones remaining being the talented ones. The other surviving group will be the ones at the bottom of the food chain who don't really have a lot of talent or creativity but are worker bees and prove their worth by doing a lot. I think the ones who will be hurt are the ones in the middle, which are the basic good radio people who are not standouts but not untalented. They're the solid but generic ones who the industry will look at as disposable. In the long run unless you can prove you have a lot of talent or are willing to wear many hats behind the scenes you will have a hard time surviving. Unfortunately the majority of radio people do fall in that category of being solid but disposable in the industry's eyes. I'm not advocating that philosophy but just stating what I think may be fact. Those at the top and the bottom will survive for different reasons. You really can't keep a lot of people when you have to keep paying your morning stars six figures, but then maybe they're worth those six figures so the only other ones you can afford are the ones who make squat. Those middlemen making $65K-$100K are vulnerable.

 

[Speaker of Truth]

Those who will survive in this industry are those who want to work part time, and get a kick out of cutting commercials and promos..because as far as "on air" work is concerned, that's what's going to be left very soon..

Many of the people I've worked with who remain in the business have made the move to sales, because that's where the real money is going to be made..it always has been..

As far as anybody making $65 to 100-grand behind a mic, those folks are being removed on a daily basis..you're lucky if you can find a decent full time gig at 30-35 doing mornings these days..and soon, much of morning drive will be syndicated..either on a national or a regional basis..and you can always track middays...afternoon drive will remain live for now, but most night shifts in this market are tracked, which has already been talked about to death..

I deal with interns who just want to be "on the air"...and they want to be little worker bees who will work for next to nothing in most cases..and they're going to be the employees of the future after I find a way out of this business...

 

[McRadio]

Of course one thing some of you are neglecting when it comes to who gets eliminated is that some of the ones let go did actually fall into that "talent" category. It isn't only the generic ones. And if you've been in Providence long enough it can be a tough sell to convince another station paying good money that you can establish yourself in another market in the same way.

 

[DToTheJ]

Those who will survive in this industry are those who want to work part time, and get a kick out of cutting commercials and promos..because as far as "on air" work is concerned, that's what's going to be left very soon.

Don't forget to look at this on the other side of the spectrum...

National syndication = job security

Live it... Learn it... Know it...

 

[Kenny Atkinson]

Those who will survive in this industry are those who want to work part time, and get a kick out of cutting commercials and promos..because as far as "on air" work is concerned, that's what's going to be left very soon.

Don't forget to look at this on the other side of the spectrum...

National syndication = job security

Live it... Learn it... Know it...

So national syndication = job security.
How do you figure that?

When they flipped WSNE and B101 to bird this past weekend the whole air staff of WSNE was let go along with B101 with the exeption of the morning show.WHJJ has one 2 hour local show.So, the job security is where with these guys?Most part-timers I may add. that were handed pink slips this past week.

 

[DToTheJ]

I'm talking about the Rush Limbaughs of the world... the Ryan Seacrests... the Jim Romes... and the no-names that "take over" new markets like Elvis Duran and Elliot Segal...

 

[Skynet74]

I'm talking about the Rush Limbaughs of the world... the Ryan Seacrests... the Jim Romes... and the no-names that "take over" new markets like Elvis Duran and Elliot Segal...

That is the future of Radio right there. A few select big names. Perhaps 15 or 20 syndicated radio hosts who you can recognize by name. Yes they are the ones making the money! Sad to realize that your odds in Vegas are much better than ever becoming one of those big names who make it in radio. You better plan on doing something besides being a cookie cutter DJ if you ever plan on becoming something Big. I would always encourage someone to follow their dreams. Think Big and become even Bigger! Nothing wrong with that. But man oh man... the odds sure do suck!

 

[radiojay1]

Three words......

Corporate.....radio.....SUCKS!  I was in radio, when it was really radio, before the MONEY HUNGRY GIANTS took over.  I am so glad I got OUT of it before it became the pathethic shadow of what it once was.  I went to CSB.  Now, there is no CSB.  Am I surprised?  No.  Not with the truly sad state of radio today.  Who knows if it will come back, CSB or radio as it was before the corporate takeovers.  Much better chance of CSB coming back than the latter.  Of course I don't want anyone to lose their job in this business, but for those thinking about working in corporate radio, who would ever want to work in a business with absolutely NO JOB SECURITY.  Even longevity does not matter anymore.  Legends?  Here today, fired tomorrow.  If I knew anyone who was interested in it, I would tell them the real truth about how bad it is.  Others can sugarcoat it and make it sound as good and promising as ever, but people who want to work in corporate radio need to know the truth.  I recommend anyone wanting to experience REAL radio, to work for an INDEPENDENT station, that actually cares about its listeners and community.  Yeah, the pay may be low, but when was the pay ever good in radio anyway, unless you really hit it big.  I remember how excited I was when I passed the audition for CSB and got accepted to the school.  We were still using reel to reel recorders back then, and I was amazed how clear those actually sounded.  Ah, radio's pre-corporate glory days.  I still give credit to the independent stations out there like 92.1 WLNG in Sag Harbor, NY, and 1240 WOON in Woonsocket.  These stations have remained true to their listeners, communities, and their employees through tough times. 

 

[Skynet74]

Ditto. I was so excited to take the Bonanza bus into Boston every day for my class at Northeast Broadcasting School. Also no longer around. In 20 years the business is only a shell of what it once was. I wouldn't be nearly as excited going to class now if Radio was like this back then.

 

[Dighton Rockhead]

Re: Three words......

I still give credit to the independent stations out there like 92.1 WLNG in Sag Harbor, NY, and 1240 WOON in Woonsocket. These stations have remained true to their listeners, communities, and their employees through tough times.

Although not quite in the same league with 1240 WOON, I would also add an honorary mention to Fall River's 1480 WSAR.

The Karams may be far from perfect......but they've managed to keep WSAR 'live and local' from morning drive through afternoon drive......something quite a few larger market stations around the country no longer do (are ya listening 920?).