B94: Resurrect Old Talent or Not?

[Interested Observer]

Melanie is the traffic reporter on WTAE-TV Morning Show. I can't see her giving that up to return to radio.

She's probably making a lot more money on TAE.

It was my understanding that it was a part-time gig.

 

[dogdoug1]

The memory of B94 will be greater than any station they can put on.

What you are forgeting getting is, all the "old talent you want to resurrect" were beat by KISS FM before the format flip, All demos, all day parts! So why put them back on?

 

[toddjammin]

The memory of B94 will be greater than any station they can put on.

What you are forgeting getting is, all the "old talent you want to resurrect" were beat by KISS FM before the format flip, All demos, all day parts! So why put them back on?

I agree with you Dog. However, if they go adult CHR, they won't be competing with Kiss and could bring back some of the former B 94 DJ's. If they have the same exact CHR format as Kiss, they need fresh talent all together or Kiss will kill them again.

 

[indebiz]

What do all of these names have in common?

From the "Action" section of All Access' Net News yesterday:

KEITH CLARK, RYAN MILL, ALEX TEAR, DYLAN, LACY NEFF, KASPER, JOHN TROUT.

Coincidence? Maybe. But all of these names have something to do with CHR in Pittsburgh, the 96.1 frequency, and could be potential names for PD of the new B94.

Keith and Ryan... who knows what's up there. Alex Tear and Dylan suprise me in that sense, but maybe Dylan gets a first time PD gig? Is Pennsylvania a state that recognizes non-competes? Lacy Neff... has run WVAQ for a long time and has consistently put a great product on the air. A promotion just up the road from Morgantown to Pittsburgh doesn't seem too far fetched.

Kasper, however.... returned to Cleveland from Q102 for the specific reason of getting back into programming, probably SHOULD have gotten the PD gig at WAKS when Dan Mason left, worked for B94 back in his "starting out" days... seems to me like he would be a P-E-R-F-E-C-T choice to lead B94, if CBS can make it worth his while financially to leave Clear Channel.

Trout... ehh, the only reason I see him in there is that he was a part of 96.1 back when it was Mix and he's out of a job right now, still living in the area.

 

[FCR]

Re: What do all of these names have in common?

From the "Action" section of All Access' Net News yesterday:

KEITH CLARK, RYAN MILL, ALEX TEAR, DYLAN, LACY NEFF, KASPER, JOHN TROUT.

Coincidence? Maybe. But all of these names have something to do with CHR in Pittsburgh, the 96.1 frequency, and could be potential names for PD of the new B94.

Keith and Ryan... who knows what's up there. Alex Tear and Dylan suprise me in that sense, but maybe Dylan gets a first time PD gig? Is Pennsylvania a state that recognizes non-competes? Lacy Neff... has run WVAQ for a long time and has consistently put a great product on the air. A promotion just up the road from Morgantown to Pittsburgh doesn't seem too far fetched.

Kasper, however.... returned to Cleveland from Q102 for the specific reason of getting back into programming, probably SHOULD have gotten the PD gig at WAKS when Dan Mason left, worked for B94 back in his "starting out" days... seems to me like he would be a P-E-R-F-E-C-T choice to lead B94, if CBS can make it worth his while financially to leave Clear Channel.

Trout... ehh, the only reason I see him in there is that he was a part of 96.1 back when it was Mix and he's out of a job right now, still living in the area.

Don't hold your breath, I'm sure Ryan Mill and Keith Clark will be at the helm of B94. No first time PDs here (although, can you call Ryan a PD?)

And typically, non-competes only apply to one market.

 

[Snafu]

Kerri isn't coming back. Her parting with CBS and Keith was, shall we say, way less than cordial.

Melanie isn't coming back either. Yes, the TV gig is part time, but its decent $$ and she'd rather spend the extra time with her kid.

I would not bet against the JDBS reunion. Keith thought the show was his baby and was living purely on his genius even when it was horribly stale its last three years and the numbers started to tank. Only thing that might be stopping the deal is John's availability.

Paulsen was fired plain and simple. They gave him enough walking around money that he'll probably go back to working on his books for a while. There isn't enough money in the world to get him back in a morning shift. Don't be surprised if he's done with radio.

Keith and Ryan are still in charge despite being 0-3 with format changes. B94 will be as complete a recycle as possible because there isn't a fresh idea between them. Even the liners and sweeps will be recycled from what I am lead to believe.

This whole format flip is a great deal to do about nothing.

 

[Interested Observer]

Kerri isn't coming back. Her parting with CBS and Keith was, shall we say, way less than cordial.

Melanie isn't coming back either. Yes, the TV gig is part time, but its decent $$ and she'd rather spend the extra time with her kid.

I would not bet against the JDBS reunion. Keith thought the show was his baby and was living purely on his genius even when it was horribly stale its last three years and the numbers started to tank. Only thing that might be stopping the deal is John's availability.

Paulsen was fired plain and simple. They gave him enough walking around money that he'll probably go back to working on his books for a while. There isn't enough money in the world to get him back in a morning shift. Don't be surprised if he's done with radio.

Keith and Ryan are still in charge despite being 0-3 with format changes. B94 will be as complete a recycle as possible because there isn't a fresh idea between them. Even the liners and sweeps will be recycled from what I am lead to believe.

This whole format flip is a great deal to do about nothing.

One has to wonder how long CBS corporate will put up with Keith's "genius". First his 2 attempts at "rebranding" B94 to 93.7 BZZ then to B93.7, the format shifts to KRock to the Zone, now again, presumably to one of the "B" incarnations; that has to have cost a ton of money! What does he have to show for it other than a rating below a 1?

 

[kenhawk1160]

One has to wonder how long CBS corporate will put up with Keith's "genius". First his 2 attempts at "rebranding" B94 to 93.7 BZZ then to B93.7, the format shifts to KRock to the Zone, now again, presumably to one of the "B" incarnations; that has to have cost a ton of money! What does he have to show for it other than a rating below a 1?

In Keith's defense (and don't any of you dare to call me a Keith Clark apologist!), that was a branding error in judgment on his part. Every consultant I've come across is forever hammering "You have to read it digitally! People have to know where to find you!" on and on and on. The digital could have been done without changing the station's branding entirely...

Like..."93.7...Pittsburgh's Hits, B94", the first and last words out of every jock's mouth. That would have been enough to make everyone happy without confusing your listeners. It's nothing new, either. Does Y108 say Y107.9 now? No! They still say Y108 and occasionally work the digital in there.

 

[Interested Observer]

One has to wonder how long CBS corporate will put up with Keith's "genius". First his 2 attempts at "rebranding" B94 to 93.7 BZZ then to B93.7, the format shifts to KRock to the Zone, now again, presumably to one of the "B" incarnations; that has to have cost a ton of money! What does he have to show for it other than a rating below a 1?

In Keith's defense (and don't any of you dare to call me a Keith Clark apologist!), that was a branding error in judgment on his part. Every consultant I've come across is forever hammering "You have to read it digitally! People have to know where to find you!" on and on and on. The digital could have been done without changing the station's branding entirely...

Like..."93.7...Pittsburgh's Hits, B94", the first and last words out of every jock's mouth. That would have been enough to make everyone happy without confusing your listeners. It's nothing new, either. Does Y108 say Y107.9 now? No! They still say Y108 and occasionally work the digital in there.

I see what you mean Ken, but that covers just one of his mistakes. I honestly don't understand how this man is still employed.

 

[kenhawk1160]

One has to wonder how long CBS corporate will put up with Keith's "genius". First his 2 attempts at "rebranding" B94 to 93.7 BZZ then to B93.7, the format shifts to KRock to the Zone, now again, presumably to one of the "B" incarnations; that has to have cost a ton of money! What does he have to show for it other than a rating below a 1?

In Keith's defense (and don't any of you dare to call me a Keith Clark apologist!), that was a branding error in judgment on his part. Every consultant I've come across is forever hammering "You have to read it digitally! People have to know where to find you!" on and on and on. The digital could have been done without changing the station's branding entirely...

Like..."93.7...Pittsburgh's Hits, B94", the first and last words out of every jock's mouth. That would have been enough to make everyone happy without confusing your listeners. It's nothing new, either. Does Y108 say Y107.9 now? No! They still say Y108 and occasionally work the digital in there.

I see what you mean Ken, but that covers just one of his mistakes. I honestly don't understand how this man is still employed.

I do realize that. The point I was making was that there are other ways to accomplish the goal if better attention is paid to the details.

 

[Lee_Sackett]

Re: What do all of these names have in common?

Lacy Neff... has run WVAQ for a long time and has consistently put a great product on the air. A promotion just up the road from Morgantown to Pittsburgh doesn't seem too far fetched.

Lacy actually did work at the B under the name "Johnson" for a few months around 1995-96 when I was doing imaging for 100.7. He left of his own accord and went back to Morgantown after only a few months, after Buddy Scott left.

 

[trojan18]

Shelley Duffy (of the John, Dave, Bubba, Shelley team) has mysteriously disappeared from CBS-KDKA 1020 AM. They've introduced a new entertainment reporter.

JDBS reunion is looking likely. The Freak Show on Kiss might be in trouble.

 

[toddjammin]

Shelley Duffy (of the John, Dave, Bubba, Shelley team) has mysteriously disappeared from CBS-KDKA 1020 AM. They've introduced a new entertainment reporter.

JDBS reunion is looking likely. The Freak Show on Kiss might be in trouble.

Per the CBSradio website, B 94 is looking for one on air personality and a PD.

 

[FCR]

Shelley Duffy (of the John, Dave, Bubba, Shelley team) has mysteriously disappeared from CBS-KDKA 1020 AM. They've introduced a new entertainment reporter.

JDBS reunion is looking likely. The Freak Show on Kiss might be in trouble.

I wouldn't count on John Kline returning. He parted with WZPT pretty badly.

 

[Raymond]

Jocks who just won't work on B94:

Scott Alexander...too old and really no talent. He is the mop of all talents. When someone's fired, he's right there to catch the gig!

Melanie?? Are you serious? When I think of B94, I remember her as a somewhat part-timer who talked like an elf. Kerri Griffith is MUCH better!! I have heard there was no love between her and Keith Clark, so I don't think she'd come back. BUT, she was an original member of the successfu B94 team.

Who would work out at B94? Would LOVE to hear Troy Garrett and Zak Zabo back on the B. Those two, along with Kerri, made up the successful lineup I remember.

I don't think the problem people were talking about Kate (wasn't she also middays at 97rock at one time?) were JR and Bubba. I think Bubba just didn't fit with Kate & Jr. Kate and JR have chemistry. Throwing John Kline and Bubba in the mix was just stupid programming. Glad Bubba is gone.

I would like to see Star flipped to an active Rock station and give DVE a run for the money. DVE is not the station people perceive it to be. It is a stale station that is only around because people think they play rock. They don't. These people are stupid and believe in the brand that DVE has made for itself. DVE plays selected oldies and rock. They don't play a variety of rock for the true rock fan. Hardly any currents. And, their airstaff is stale, too. Especially, the morning show. They truly SUCK!

 

[kenhawk1160]

If they're going to go with a four-person morning show, make it a 50/50 split. Two vets and two pups that know the market but getting their feet wet in small market. Forever in Meadville has a lot of young Pittsburgh homegrowns that sound good! Put some of those people in for the remaining dayparts.

Unfortunately, management likes to name-drop talents when selling simply because it's easier. If talent keeps getting fired before they have a chance to grow, there's not going to be anyone to replace the stalwarts!