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nocajunmoon
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is anything for sale in central miss?
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If you have $$...Yes. Thanks, JBI
nocajunmoon said:
I've been checking back to see what kind of money he has, JB, but I guess it's like most folks who dream of owning their own radio station. It's an admirable dream, yes, but it's the pesky details that get in the way.jboydingram said:
That's not to say it's impossible, it's just difficult. If you truly want to be an owner, you must accept the fact that you could probably make more money and have a more secure future if you opened a shoe store or a sewer cleaning service. But, I digress. Any way you cut it, it takes money to become an owner. Where does the money come from? I've had friends who have sold their homes and rented small apartments. Others have borrowed money from their friends and family. Still others, have assembled groups of individuals into partnerships, each buying their way in and bringing their specialty (sales, engineering, programming, etc). That's how I got in. And don't even try to approach a bank or the SBA for a loan if this is your first station and you have no experience as a general manager or sales manager. Again, the bank may want your business after you get things going, but at the beginning, it's a lonley place. As much as we would like to believe, radio is a business and not just an art form. It has to make money. That means sales. If you don't have some kind/any kind of experience in sales, you will fail. You can build the best station, program it exactly to fit your market and deliver an audience, and you will still fail. Someone has to go out and sell the station to the prospective customers. They will not beat a path to your door. You are competing with the local paper, local TV, cable TV, and other signals for a piece of the ad revenue your market is capable of generating. It's an uphill battle and can mean missed vacations, 80 hour weeks and can put a tremendous burden on a marriage. But, if you really want to become an owner, seek out the best advice and counsel, you can make it happen. Somewhere along the line you might even begin to enjoy radio again. But, that's not a guarantee. Best of luck.
You have nailed it, Doug...and it is amazing how many "wantabe" owners have already made up their minds about the formats they want, etc., in advance, even before securing a station...as you know, a major mistake. A startup needs some expert advice...such as yours. You have been there! There are those that are willing to help and counsel (except the new owners already know it all)...Sad, but true. Well, the dreamers abound and the rest of us keep pushing. I am still doing so in Batesville, but will soon be transferring my stations to my son after 50 years
in the business...however my earlier offer of a catfish and hushpuppy dinner is still valid as long as I am kicking! Cheers...JBI
in the business...however my earlier offer of a catfish and hushpuppy dinner is still valid as long as I am kicking! Cheers...JBI
After reading my post, I might have come off a little harsh. And I bear nocajunmoon no ill will. To the contrary, I hope he finds what he's looking for and wish him well. He may be an accomplished, successful broadcaster with an incredible balance sheet and is looking for a bargain. He may be writing you an offer right now JBjboydingram said:
. It's just that so many people only want the magic of radio, but are not willing to put in the hard work it takes to succeed. So what are you going to do with your free time?Not harsh...just factual, Doug. Spare time..what is that? Still doing consultant work and having a ball with my antique transmitter collection, some on the ham bands. Just call for W4DQM. If there is no answer, I am probably in St. Martinville,LA...having a cool one on the Bayou Teche, along with a big bowl of crawfish etouffe...thanks JBI.
I might add, it's getting tougher and tougher to get into ownership. If I had only known what I know now when I was in my 20's. I would be a millionaire by now. I owned a station in Arkansas for 5 years. I've even sold a C. P. or two and I'm still not "rich." However, I wouldn't trade the experience for anything! I'll admit, I worked my tale off! I didn't leave town for the first year I had the station... seriously!!! As anyone knows who has been in ownership, good help is the hardest thing to keep. It's also the biggest part of your budget. Just when I would get comfortable with someone, they would leave for a better deal. I really can't blame them. There is only so much you can afford in a small town, Murfreesboro, Arkansas in my case. The last year that I owned KMTB I had one employee. He did the morning show with me then we both sold all day. I usually worked late in production. My mother-in-law actually sat at the front desk and answered the phone all day for free! We were the first station in North America to buy the Digital Studio system from T M Century. Data compression was not perfected in 1991 so we had 1.2 gig of hard drive space for commercials and programming elements. All music came off of Sony C.D. jukeboxes. It worked like a charm and took care of having to worry with a full staff, which I did for the first few years. I was lucky enough to get an upgrade from class A to C3 and was able to sell the thing in 1993 for 2 1/2 times what I paid for it. I could have moved the tower and gone to a C2 but never did. I've always regreted that. Who knows, I might have gotten more for it. The station has gone through 3 owners since then with Jay Bunyard as the present owner. I understand he is doing very well with it. Hey, I was lucky to find a deal where the owner was about to go under and was able to purchase it for a very good price. Those deals are hard to come by today. By the way, my wife says that I can own my next radio station with my next wife. It takes up an incredible amount of time if you do it right.
What are you doing these days Phil?
Oooh you probably don't remember me. Grant Merrill out of Russellville. We have a number of mutual friends.
Mr Obryanpobryan said:
I used to work in Brookhaven and in Laurel/Hattiesburg radio. Since then, went to Seminary in New Orleans and shifted my career to a higher calling. Just recently moved into Greenville, MS from Meridian, so I'm VERY familiar with K-LOVE (in Quitman) and Air-1 (from a repeater SOMEWHERE near Meridian)... is there any chance you'll change K-LOVE in Greenville to Air-1, or would that be "too racy" a format for the mid-delta region?
Don't feel bad...I have lived in Batesville for 25 years since the call letters were changed from WBLE (They went to our 50 KW FM) and most people still don't get it!
If you can't really get us in Grenada, there must be a receiver issue here...we are 1KW day, and the closest co-channel in your direction is in Meridian.
Whatever, we appreciate your listening, and stop in to see us....1040 Hwy 6, Batesville. Tnx (W) JBI.
If you can't really get us in Grenada, there must be a receiver issue here...we are 1KW day, and the closest co-channel in your direction is in Meridian.
Whatever, we appreciate your listening, and stop in to see us....1040 Hwy 6, Batesville. Tnx (W) JBI.
First, JBoyd wrote: Whatever, we appreciate your listening, and stop in to see us....1040 Hwy 6, Batesville. Tnx (W) JBI.
And Zach replied: Don't tempt me, I love touring radio stations.
Then Douglasb chimed in: Zach, JBoyd has been inviting me to visit for years, but I have yet to make it back to Mississippi. Please take advantage of his hospitality.......and tell him I sent you.......
And Zach replied: Don't tempt me, I love touring radio stations.
Then Douglasb chimed in: Zach, JBoyd has been inviting me to visit for years, but I have yet to make it back to Mississippi. Please take advantage of his hospitality.......and tell him I sent you.......
I tried again yesterday when I went to "downtown" to get my car tag renewed - dead as a doornail. Must be something about this area. I only get the station in the faintest with an old Panasonic shortwave portable that was my father's.jboydingram said:
In the car, the only thing strong enough to be listenable is WCRV out of Memphis. 1240 in Greenwood's usually decent, and when it's cloudy KXJK 950 in Forrest City, AR is usually a good bet. But that's about it. :-[
Next time I'm up in Batesville during business hours, I'll drop by.
KXJK is a monster. I can usually get that up here in Russellville, and there is a 950 in Fort Smith less than eighty miles from where I am sitting. I have heard them as far south as Monroe, and as far east as Jackson, TN. It is a blowtorch. They used to play really good music, but went to a more AC format. My favorite was "Rock and Soul"...
I want to come see JBI's place as well. I usually listen to WBLE when I am in Memphis because it comes in. Last time I was through Batesville and stopped at the Cracker Barrell to eat. The food took a little long so by the time I got to the studios it was after closing time. I enjoy the oldies station as well Mr. Ingram! Do you still play Alex Ward's "Pig and Whistle" show?
I want to come see JBI's place as well. I usually listen to WBLE when I am in Memphis because it comes in. Last time I was through Batesville and stopped at the Cracker Barrell to eat. The food took a little long so by the time I got to the studios it was after closing time. I enjoy the oldies station as well Mr. Ingram! Do you still play Alex Ward's "Pig and Whistle" show?
Ah, YES, Mogul...I would consider it a treat to meet you...Just please let us know when you are coming...I am transferring the station to my son as of 2008, but will remain as the engineer and chief flunky as long as I can...We can provide vittles a little above the CB when you come...The "Pig and Whistle" is still on our oldies FM...we get lots of positive response on it...as you probably know, we are at 1040 Hwy 6, West, Batesville. For your convenience, I include the telephone number of the station, 662-563-4664. Just ask my son, John, to buzz you thru to the "mad laboratory" behind the station. I am also known for frequent sabbaticals
to South Louisiana, some advance notice is advisable. Thanks (W) JBI
to South Louisiana, some advance notice is advisable. Thanks (W) JBI
...AND, Zack...see the previous post it applies to you, too...and thanks...(w) JBI.
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