AMP's line up?

[Big E]

Well they're certainly looking for jocks, I saw an ad last week on All Access asking for airchecks, for Air Talent and Imaging.

 

[calguy]

Anyone who hits 40 needs to remove themselves from a top 40 station before they are removed. They just can't relate no matter how good they are.
[/quote]

It’s funny but if you used those same criteria in the 60's, 70's or even the 80’s it wouldn't have worked. The degree of precision, talent and skill needed to do Top 40 in those days didn't come to that many jocks in their 20's. I can remember being told by an LA program director that at 22 years of age I had neither the experience nor maturity to work in the majors and I had been in radio since my junior year in high school. There were always exceptions, but those were usually naturally gifted people who started in radio while still in high school. Age is not always a factor. There are plenty of people who are older and can relate, and living the "lifestyle" isn't always a factor. You just need to do your homework and have an open mind to whatever is the latest thing. Being gifted helps, but knowing your craft is a big factor. Of course now days you don't need to have a great voice, smooth delivery or polished sound to work in Top 40 radio, and since there are so many voice tracked station it's hard to even work your way up anymore. Now they just pluck guys from the promo street teams and throw them on the air, and god it sounds like it at many stations. By the way, why in the world would one quit a job just because he or she is over 40? That's just idiotic. That’s like modern PD’s who can’t recognize talent and ask for studio auditions with their format and music before they can decide to hire someone. Good talent transcends format and music differences.

 

[4UH8SIMBKAGN]

Anyone who hits 40 needs to remove themselves from a top 40 station before they are removed. They just can't relate no matter how good they are.

It’s funny but if you used those same criteria in the 60's, 70's or even the 80’s it wouldn't have worked. The degree of precision, talent and skill needed to do Top 40 in those days didn't come to that many jocks in their 20's. I can remember being told by an LA program director that at 22 years of age I had neither the experience nor maturity to work in the majors and I had been in radio since my junior year in high school. There were always exceptions, but those were usually naturally gifted people who started in radio while still in high school. Age is not always a factor. There are plenty of people who are older and can relate, and living the "lifestyle" isn't always a factor. You just need to do your homework and have an open mind to whatever is the latest thing. Being gifted helps, but knowing your craft is a big factor. Of course now days you don't need to have a great voice, smooth delivery or polished sound to work in Top 40 radio, and since there are so many voice tracked station it's hard to even work your way up anymore. Now they just pluck guys from the promo street teams and throw them on the air, and god it sounds like it at many stations. By the way, why in the world would one quit a job just because he or she is over 40? That's just idiotic. That’s like modern PD’s who can’t recognize talent and ask for studio auditions with their format and music before they can decide to hire someone. Good talent transcends format and music differences.
[/quote]






The classic case was already mentioned in this thread, Rick Dees. Here's a guy who once had the highest modern ratings of anyone ANYONE in Los Angeles. His bits, still today, are stuck in the 80's. His references are stuck in the 80's. He's surrounded himself with a younger staff who, especially in the beginning at Movin, make him SOUND old and unhip. He's out of touch. Then we see those butt shaking spots and, well, he's made himself look like an old guy trying to be hip. I'm sorry, it doesn't work. You can't hide your age forever. You can't get out there to do appearances and still try to be young and hip and think you are going to relate to a generation you have nothing in common with.

Another jock who is trying to be younger, hipper and he's done an o.k. job up until now, but it is starting to show, is Jo Jo on KIIS. I'm sorry but having known this guy since he was at KEZY over 20 years ago, he just can't relate to a 20 year old KIIS listener any longer and get away it. I suspect that once AMP ramps up with a staff, that will be the end for Jo Jo. KIIS has been moving to a younger staff and needs to do so in that shift as well.

One that made the right move from KIIS is Valentine. Now, he's the shining star of KBIG. Gary Spears, another great ex-KIIS jock, also made the right move unfortunately, his destiny was sealed at Clear Channel long before went over to KBIG.

Once again, once you hit your 40's, it's time to call CHR quits before they get to you. You're too old, you can't relate to 20 somes, you don't look right for appearances or studio cams, you are not hip no matter what "gangsta" lingo you learn, how much you use Facebook or "tweet" or how many times you ask people if you are still hip. That alone is a sign to call it quits and move on to another (adult) format.

 

[CHRles]

I dont know if I buy into this once you're 40 you can no longer relate to younger people. How old is Elvis Duran of Z-100 or MJ of 93.3 FLZ?
Hell, Kidd Kraddick is almost 50 and is extremely successful on numerous CHRs with his KHKS-based morning show.

What about the leading club DJs? How old is Carl Cox? Sasha & Digweed? Tiesto?

 

[Doctah]

I dont know if I buy into this once you're 40 you can no longer relate to younger people. How old is Elvis Duran of Z-100 or MJ of 93.3 FLZ?
Hell, Kidd Kraddick is almost 50 and is extremely successful on numerous CHRs with his KHKS-based morning show.

What about the leading club DJs? How old is Carl Cox? Sasha & Digweed? Tiesto?

I do find listening to Jo Jo on KIIS amusing, as he sounds like a 40 year old trying to act street. What's with that strange accent he uses, as if he's trying to talk like he's from the dirrrty South? No 40something white guy would normally talk like that; he's laying it on awfully thick.

 

[AM FM listener]

I do find listening to Jo Jo on KIIS amusing, as he sounds like a 40 year old trying to act street. What's with that strange accent he uses, as if he's trying to talk like he's from the dirrrty South? No 40something white guy would normally talk like that; he's laying it on awfully thick.

Jo Jo is over 40? He's got me fooled then. He's probably got a lot of people fooled. I think he does a great job on KIIS. The kids seem to love him.

 

[4UH8SIMBKAGN]

I do find listening to Jo Jo on KIIS amusing, as he sounds like a 40 year old trying to act street. What's with that strange accent he uses, as if he's trying to talk like he's from the dirrrty South? No 40something white guy would normally talk like that; he's laying it on awfully thick.

Jo Jo is over 40? He's got me fooled then. He's probably got a lot of people fooled. I think he does a great job on KIIS. The kids seem to love him.

He was at KEZY-FM in 88 and he was over 20 then.

 

[calguy]

So if Jo Jo is over 40 that would prove that you don't have to hang up the headphones after you hit the big 4 0h now wouldn't it? His listeners love him, his ratings are great and he shows no signs of needing to bow out. All of this talk boils down to age discrimination. You can't just make a general blanket statement that anyone past the age of 40 should step down. Everyone has their own time and if they can continue to do the job why should they quit just because you think so? Besides, no one is going to leave a good paying job in this economy unless they have to. Jocks have families to support as well, why make it hard on them just because of someone's discriminatory opinion. Would you have told the Real Don Steel to step down after K100 because was too old. He was in his prime and pushing 40 at KTNQ, where he related and sounded great.

 

[4UH8SIMBKAGN]

So if Jo Jo is over 40 that would prove that you don't have to hang up the headphones after you hit the big 4 0h now wouldn't it? His listeners love him, his ratings are great and he shows no signs of needing to bow out. All of this talk boils down to age discrimination. You can't just make a general blanket statement that anyone past the age of 40 should step down. Everyone has their own time and if they can continue to do the job why should they quit just because you think so? Besides, no one is going to leave a good paying job in this economy unless they have to. Jocks have families to support as well, why make it hard on them just because of someone's discriminatory opinion. Would you have told the Real Don Steel to step down after K100 because was too old. He was in his prime and pushing 40 at KTNQ, where he related and sounded great.

I have never mentioned hanging your headphones up when you turn 40. Read my posts. I already mentioned two ex KIIS jocks who were over 40. They saw the handwriting. If AMP gets some ratings, who do you think will be first to go?

There is no judge in this state who would ever take a case over discrimination when you're over 40 and you're removed from a CHR where your target demo is a generation younger. That's not discrimination, it's good business.

Ten Q was 30 years ago and top 40 wasn't even 20 years old. Has nothing to do with today.

 

[Doctah]

And to add to that, top 40 is much more narrow in appeal -- and much younger-skewing -- than top 40 was in the day of the Real Don Steel. Look at today's top 40 -- it's heavily urban, and has been since the mid-90s. Artists have an edgier, street sound and reputation. Jocks are now asked to sound the part -- they have to speak the language of these artists.

 

[CHRles]

And to add to that, top 40 is much more narrow in appeal -- and much younger-skewing -- than top 40 was in the day of the Real Don Steel. Look at today's top 40 -- it's heavily urban, and has been since the mid-90s. Artists have an edgier, street sound and reputation. Jocks are now asked to sound the part -- they have to speak the language of these artists.

Actually, Top 40 is less edgy and less younger skewing then it used to be.
Think about it. When Rock & Roll started charting high atop the Pop charts do you think the older generation were big on it? No, it was the kids. The kids of the late 50s all the way to the late 60s were oftentimes turned off by Frank Sinatra or by the bubblegum boy bands of the early to mid 50s. They were into Elvis, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, The Stones, and then they were also into Motown. Do you think their parents were grooving along to this music as well?

By the 1970s Rock music had been around on the charts long enough to also garner big ratings with an older, bit more mature audience. The same can be said today with regards to Hip Hop music.

 

[calguy]

So if Jo Jo is over 40 that would prove that you don't have to hang up the headphones after you hit the big 4 0h now wouldn't it? His listeners love him, his ratings are great and he shows no signs of needing to bow out. All of this talk boils down to age discrimination. You can't just make a general blanket statement that anyone past the age of 40 should step down. Everyone has their own time and if they can continue to do the job why should they quit just because you think so? Besides, no one is going to leave a good paying job in this economy unless they have to. Jocks have families to support as well, why make it hard on them just because of someone's discriminatory opinion. Would you have told the Real Don Steel to step down after K100 because was too old. He was in his prime and pushing 40 at KTNQ, where he related and sounded great.

I have never mentioned hanging your headphones up when you turn 40. Read my posts. I already mentioned two ex KIIS jocks who were over 40. They saw the handwriting. If AMP gets some ratings, who do you think will be first to go?

There is no judge in this state who would ever take a case over discrimination when you're over 40 and you're removed from a CHR where your target demo is a generation younger. That's not discrimination, it's good business.

Ten Q was 30 years ago and top 40 wasn't even 20 years old. Has nothing to do with today.

So let me get this straight. You don't advocate "hanging up your headphones" when you turn 40, you just look for another gig in radio that pays as well as the one you're voluntarily giving up just because it's the what “some people” think you should do? Makes no sense at all unless those people are your bosses. If your numbers hold up and if the company you work for wants to keep you, why in the world would you quit unless a better paying job opened up in an upper demo format? If you’re in the industry, or read any of the trades you know that landing another gig is pretty tough now. Now it would be a neat trick to be able to make that transition at will, but it’s not always as easy as you seem to think it is.

You know, you can’t just say that a certain age is a cutoff for everyone. Dees may have kept going but didn’t change enough with the times; others have hung on longer by adapting. Each individual talent has their own expiration date.

And no matter what you say, age is not an excuse to fire someone.

 

[AM FM listener]

Don't many Top 40's do very well 25-54 -- e.g., KIIS, WHTZ?

 

[CHRles]

Rick Dees performed very well at KIIS-FM all throughout the 90s when he was in his 40s, and in fact wasnt let go until well into his 50s. The guy is almost 60 nowadays so maybe the cutoff from Top 40 radio should be 55 or something :

 

[AM FM listener]

Rick Dees performed very well at KIIS-FM all throughout the 90s when he was in his 40s, and in fact wasnt let go until well into his 50s. The guy is almost 60 nowadays so maybe the cutoff from Top 40 radio should be 55 or something :

Heck, 55 is apparently the cut-off alright, even for a listener, since that's outside the 25-54 demo and thus, of no value to an advertiser.

 

[4UH8SIMBKAGN]

Rick Dees performed very well at KIIS-FM all throughout the 90s when he was in his 40s, and in fact wasnt let go until well into his 50s. The guy is almost 60 nowadays so maybe the cutoff from Top 40 radio should be 55 or something :

Rick Dees peaked in the 80's. If you want to pinpoint a time, other than his all-time high morning ratings, I'd say when Power 106 hit the airwaves. That's 22 years ago. You're also bringing up a morning talent where most top 40 stations, including KIIS, go for soccer moms and kids. Ellen K is another one who doesn't have much time left. I'm shocked they renewed her contract this round. She can't keep getting facelifts and boob jobs forever. The skin from her feet will soon be on her face.

JoJo, for example, is going for kids. He sounds like he is trying too hard sound youthful. That's not going to play well against AMP.

I know too many people who are in denial in their 40's or older and still think they can do CHR today. It doesn't work. No matter how hard you try, you are not plugged into the youth of today.

 

[4UH8SIMBKAGN]

And to add to that, top 40 is much more narrow in appeal -- and much younger-skewing -- than top 40 was in the day of the Real Don Steel. Look at today's top 40 -- it's heavily urban, and has been since the mid-90s. Artists have an edgier, street sound and reputation. Jocks are now asked to sound the part -- they have to speak the language of these artists.

Actually, Top 40 is less edgy and less younger skewing then it used to be.
Think about it. When Rock & Roll started charting high atop the Pop charts do you think the older generation were big on it? No, it was the kids. The kids of the late 50s all the way to the late 60s were oftentimes turned off by Frank Sinatra or by the bubblegum boy bands of the early to mid 50s. They were into Elvis, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, The Stones, and then they were also into Motown. Do you think their parents were grooving along to this music as well?

By the 1970s Rock music had been around on the charts long enough to also garner big ratings with an older, bit more mature audience. The same can be said today with regards to Hip Hop music.

Show us the 35+ ratings for hip hop stations in Los Angeles. I don't see any in the top 10.

 

[4UH8SIMBKAGN]

So if Jo Jo is over 40 that would prove that you don't have to hang up the headphones after you hit the big 4 0h now wouldn't it? His listeners love him, his ratings are great and he shows no signs of needing to bow out. All of this talk boils down to age discrimination. You can't just make a general blanket statement that anyone past the age of 40 should step down. Everyone has their own time and if they can continue to do the job why should they quit just because you think so? Besides, no one is going to leave a good paying job in this economy unless they have to. Jocks have families to support as well, why make it hard on them just because of someone's discriminatory opinion. Would you have told the Real Don Steel to step down after K100 because was too old. He was in his prime and pushing 40 at KTNQ, where he related and sounded great.

I have never mentioned hanging your headphones up when you turn 40. Read my posts. I already mentioned two ex KIIS jocks who were over 40. They saw the handwriting. If AMP gets some ratings, who do you think will be first to go?

There is no judge in this state who would ever take a case over discrimination when you're over 40 and you're removed from a CHR where your target demo is a generation younger. That's not discrimination, it's good business.

Ten Q was 30 years ago and top 40 wasn't even 20 years old. Has nothing to do with today.

So let me get this straight. You don't advocate "hanging up your headphones" when you turn 40, you just look for another gig in radio that pays as well as the one you're voluntarily giving up just because it's the what “some people” think you should do? Makes no sense at all unless those people are your bosses. If your numbers hold up and if the company you work for wants to keep you, why in the world would you quit unless a better paying job opened up in an upper demo format? If you’re in the industry, or read any of the trades you know that landing another gig is pretty tough now. Now it would be a neat trick to be able to make that transition at will, but it’s not always as easy as you seem to think it is.

You know, you can’t just say that a certain age is a cutoff for everyone. Dees may have kept going but didn’t change enough with the times; others have hung on longer by adapting. Each individual talent has their own expiration date.

And no matter what you say, age is not an excuse to fire someone.

If you are in your 40's and still working CHR, you better start looking for a new gig or you will have no paycheck. I think you need to go back and watch some old WKRP episodes to get a reality check of something that's been going for many years.

 

[4UH8SIMBKAGN]

I'd love to hear Big Watusi back on the air. Radio needs talent like his again.

Sadly, CBS radio will give everyone a big automationtusi a.k.a. jukeboxtusi.

You were wrong. AMP is going to have a full staff of live, local air talent. One of them is on the air on AMP right now. The full on air staff likely to announced this week.

 

[Robnoxious]

Jed The Fish on KROQ is eligible for AARP benefits, half price tickets at movie matinees and the Early Bird Special at Denny's but can still amp the kids up with their favorite alt rock bands every afternoon. Come to think of it, Jed played my favorite alt rock bands back when I was a precocious teenager.

Rick Dees' air of infallibility was what did him in ultimately. Well after the Ricker's ego came back down to Earthbound status he had missed a great opportunity to be on K-Earth and likely still as revered as he was during his days at KIIS.