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Bah, Hard Drive!
- Thread starter Element9
- Start date
Element9 said:
And the point of this thread is....?
I could count on the fingers of one hand the number of jocks I've known who didn't hate working holidays. We did it because we had to. Christmas eve/morning you knew almost no one was listening, there was no spot load other than those lame "sponsorships" (the staff of Nancy's Quilt Shoppe want to take this opportunity to wish joy and peace to you and we hope you're enjoying this wonderful time of the year...) we had to read. I don't miss it one bit.
Tell that to Santella Claus! Jim has done a great Christmas show for as long as I can remember. I remember when he used to dole out batteries to beleaguered parents who forgot about the "Batteries not included" warning.
I worked a lot of Christmas mornings, and never regretted it because I was single and knew that my friends and colleagues were able to celebrate with their little ones. And, I got an amazing number of phone calls and Christmas wishes from listeners. Not everybody has the storybook Christmas, and a lot of people appreciate the warmth of a friend on the other side of that speaker.
I worked a lot of Christmas mornings, and never regretted it because I was single and knew that my friends and colleagues were able to celebrate with their little ones. And, I got an amazing number of phone calls and Christmas wishes from listeners. Not everybody has the storybook Christmas, and a lot of people appreciate the warmth of a friend on the other side of that speaker.
gr8oldies said:
Merry Christmas, Gr8. You make it easier for some of us appreciate our own lives, and the people in them.
Sure sounds as if a few people had nothing better to do but scan the radio dials this Christmas. That's sad, yet, very understanding due to circumstances.
At the same time ... it seems not all that time ago that many of the same people bemoaning the fact that Otto Mation was working -- saving corporate all those overtime dollars, jocks who for the sake of another sip of eggnog just decided not to show up for work (as a former PD, I pulled a few of those holiday shifts for those who "checked out" without permission,) and other reasons like having to snowmobile to the radio station in Minnesota to change the automation reels every four hours over 24 hours (I did that, too, as the GM) to give the staff the day off (with pay.)
Seems like we'd be pitching a b***h in the not to distant past about HAVING to work those lonely Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning, and Christmas Day shifts. "How cruel." Now, we b***h the other way around.
I was frequently one of those jocks, ops managers, PD's and GM's who either found ways to make it worthwhile for the staff to take the night/day off with pay, filled in (and had a few calls that, frankly, at the last minute cost a very few irresponsible people their jobs due to their beligerance and attitude) and I did it with a young family for a few years, because it was "on my watch."
I didn't complain, because I remember how it felt just once be put up with dip-crap management who took me very early in my career to dinner on Christmas Eve. I had done a morning airshift. Had to do program logs for the next day by hand (pre-computer) because the traffic lady decided not to show up and it took forever -- because I also had to do the weekend logs to.
So, the owner took me to dinner for my extra service.
And fired me.
That night.
I can't afford to pay you. You're a great employee and the best on the staff. But I can't do it. I've sold the station as of Jan. 1. I fire the rest of the staff on Monday and we go off the air for a week.
I was handed my last paycheck. No severance. No vacation. Part timers ran the station the next three days.
Believe me. I know the humiliation. 1975, in fact. I'll never forget it.
That's why I never minded helping out in the future and finding ways to try to come up with fairness to those who were equally fair with me. Proudly, after 40 years, I'd say it turned out ok, to be honest.
Merry Christmas.
At the same time ... it seems not all that time ago that many of the same people bemoaning the fact that Otto Mation was working -- saving corporate all those overtime dollars, jocks who for the sake of another sip of eggnog just decided not to show up for work (as a former PD, I pulled a few of those holiday shifts for those who "checked out" without permission,) and other reasons like having to snowmobile to the radio station in Minnesota to change the automation reels every four hours over 24 hours (I did that, too, as the GM) to give the staff the day off (with pay.)
Seems like we'd be pitching a b***h in the not to distant past about HAVING to work those lonely Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning, and Christmas Day shifts. "How cruel." Now, we b***h the other way around.
I was frequently one of those jocks, ops managers, PD's and GM's who either found ways to make it worthwhile for the staff to take the night/day off with pay, filled in (and had a few calls that, frankly, at the last minute cost a very few irresponsible people their jobs due to their beligerance and attitude) and I did it with a young family for a few years, because it was "on my watch."
I didn't complain, because I remember how it felt just once be put up with dip-crap management who took me very early in my career to dinner on Christmas Eve. I had done a morning airshift. Had to do program logs for the next day by hand (pre-computer) because the traffic lady decided not to show up and it took forever -- because I also had to do the weekend logs to.
So, the owner took me to dinner for my extra service.
And fired me.
That night.
I can't afford to pay you. You're a great employee and the best on the staff. But I can't do it. I've sold the station as of Jan. 1. I fire the rest of the staff on Monday and we go off the air for a week.
I was handed my last paycheck. No severance. No vacation. Part timers ran the station the next three days.
Believe me. I know the humiliation. 1975, in fact. I'll never forget it.
That's why I never minded helping out in the future and finding ways to try to come up with fairness to those who were equally fair with me. Proudly, after 40 years, I'd say it turned out ok, to be honest.
Merry Christmas.
When I was a young, single, itinerant disc jockey, I was always more than happy to work on Christmas. I knew it was important to my co-workers with families to have the holiday off, and I rarely had any plans for the day. I worked many Christmases at many stations, always by choice.
Once in the late 70's I really hit the jackpot. At WGAN in Portland, I'd told the PD to feel free to schedule me on Christmas for as many hours as he wanted. I wound up working 6AM to 6PM running the board for one of those imported day-long Christmas specials. The PD was so grateful, that without my asking, he paid me double time for the 12 hours and gave me a comp day! (Not many PDs today, of course, would have the flexibility to be that generous.)
Now that I'm married, even though my wife and I don't do Christmas in a big way, It's more important me to have the holiday off and just have a free day together.
Nick Seneca
Once in the late 70's I really hit the jackpot. At WGAN in Portland, I'd told the PD to feel free to schedule me on Christmas for as many hours as he wanted. I wound up working 6AM to 6PM running the board for one of those imported day-long Christmas specials. The PD was so grateful, that without my asking, he paid me double time for the 12 hours and gave me a comp day! (Not many PDs today, of course, would have the flexibility to be that generous.)
Now that I'm married, even though my wife and I don't do Christmas in a big way, It's more important me to have the holiday off and just have a free day together.
Nick Seneca
B
bub
Guest
Oldbones said:
You may have HAD to but I CHOOSE to work the holiday because, frankly, holidays are boring as hell to me. As of this year, I have now worked 18 out of the last 20 Christmases. And keep in mind it's not just radio...people are manning convenience stores and movie theatres on Christmas Day.
Some very interesting stories of Christmases past here. I think the desire not to work on holidays like Thanksgiving, Easter and Christmas increases with age, experience and seniority as family becomes far more important than slingin' the hits. As a jock and PD, I too have worked on holidays and tracked the automation or gone to the station to re-arrange a poorly merged log or incorrectly coded promo or song. Only last Christmas, I was off for the holiday but kept an ear on the station spot-checking it every few hours with a hard copy of the log just to keep track things while the PD was out of town. I was only too happy to help, lending my knowledge and expertise. As it turned out, things ran flawlessly with only a minor glitch that was undectectable to the average listener. Dedication and expertise are two qualities that define professionalism. I'd do it again, given the opportunity. The PDs and local managers seem to appreciate going above and beyond the call, but you wonder if it makes a gnat's nut of an impact on CEO's.
I always enjoyed working on Xmas. I had a program director, that allowed all the jocks working on Xmas day to play whatever
holiday song they wanted to. Or was requested by a listener. He also left a cookie tray loaded to the max for those working.
holiday song they wanted to. Or was requested by a listener. He also left a cookie tray loaded to the max for those working.
Oldbones said:
Oldbones, I don’t know whether or not we know each other (your moniker could fit any one of a number of old radio friends, after all
). But you can count me among those who didn’t hate working certain holidays.Ironically, I was chatting with someone just yesterday about the many Christmases I had worked while in radio...and how in some ways I miss it very much. That’s right, I liked working on Christmas...because I enjoyed seeing those in my “extended family,” and it gave me the chance to personally wish Merry Christmas (or Happy Chanukah) to them. (Plus, I, too, didn’t mind working if it allowed those with small children to be home.)
Speaking strictly for myself (but fairly confident others from the era would agree), the mid- and late-’90s Heritage/News Corp./Entercom on-air staff was like a small, sixth-floor family (including—perhaps especially—the part-timers). Some on that crew and I had known each other since college radio, while others and I had crossed paths at one or more other stations through the years.
So, if you’re reading, Merry Christmas to “Big Daddy” Dave Beck (and Connie), Tom, Boris/Bobby/Johnny, Chuck, Andy, Mike, KB (and Earl), Jim, Evan/Nick, Todd, Marti, Terry, Dee Dee and everyone from the old ’BEE/’KLX/’BBF family (including chief engineer Dave Lane, who graciously answered numerous off-hour holiday and weekend phone calls and patiently talked us through minor technical glitches). And Happy Chanukah, Alicia!
I’ll concede, however, that I wasn’t particularly fond of working certain other holidays (such as July 4th), so a major benefit of automation is holiday coverage.
Happy holidays, all!
Nick Gerard said:
This reminds me of my Christmas Day 1995: WKLX 6 a.m.–noon, WBEE noon–6 p.m. (This was back in the days when “crossing the hall” between sister stations wasn’t nearly as common as it later became.)
And, Thanksgiving Day 1996: WBEE 9 a.m.–2 p.m., WKLX 4–midnight (allowing me just enough time to drive home between shifts to let the dog out). If memory serves, I believe this was also when Dave Beck surprised me, as my ’KLX shift was beginning, with Thanksgiving dinner and all the trimmings, courtesy of him and Connie. I have never forgotten that, and it exemplifies the meaning of “extended family” in my above post.
D
Dave Beck
Guest
Thanks for the kind words, Mike. A day late, but Merry Christmas to you too!
Big Daddy
Big Daddy
J
jlf018
Guest
Mike Saffran said:
Mike, I was also the recipient of Dave and Connie Beck's thoughtfulness... I think it was in '94, when I was snowed-in on-the-air at WBEE. Dave made it in to take over at the end of my 10-hour marathon airshift, handing me a plate with a big slab of Connie's home-made lasagna. And I've never forgotten that either.
I can't say I ever really liked working holidays, but I, too, didn't mind it so much when it meant someone from out-of-town or with a family could enjoy their day. (Of course, at Heritage Media the fulltimers weren't allowed to work holidays, so we were all grateful to the part time crew!).
Several days late, but thank you for the holiday well-wishes and same back to you, Dave, and all our old friends!
A
anderson
Guest
I have to chime in and agree with Mike. Some of the best shifts I had were when everyone else was home having turkey or opening gifts. A few of the listeners that called to wish me Happy Holidays eventually became life-long friends. Yes - Dave and Connie make fantastic meals!
I probably have worked at least 25 of the last 30 Christmas, New Years, Easter, Thanksgiving, Arbor Day, etc. It used to bother me. I missed a lot of family gatherings. I wish I could have those moments back. Ironically, now days I wouldn't mind it so much and would like the little extra $, but thanks to the big companies and automation there is no work for anyone.
I agree, with the above poster. Part of the job was talking to the lonely hearts on the phone. There are a lot lonely people out there. I always tried to be friendly to them (unless they just wierded me out). These people consider the person on the radio their friend and look forward to talking to them. It might be the only the only person they talk to on holidays. Not that anyone in the accounting office knows or cares about that.
I agree, with the above poster. Part of the job was talking to the lonely hearts on the phone. There are a lot lonely people out there. I always tried to be friendly to them (unless they just wierded me out). These people consider the person on the radio their friend and look forward to talking to them. It might be the only the only person they talk to on holidays. Not that anyone in the accounting office knows or cares about that.
Reviving this old one because...
After a number of years away from commercial radio (with only a bit of college-radio advising during that time), including having all major holidays off (with pay), I found myself this year covering some holiday-week shifts on the radio.
So, rather than resting during my annual Christmas week off from my regular “day job,” I instead just wrapped up a shortened week of waking up at 3:15 a.m. everyday, along with a live New Year’s Day shift ... and I loved every minute of it! Not only was it great fun, but I so much enjoyed seeing, around the holidays, some of those old radio friends—part of the “extended family” to which I referred in the earlier post of a couple years ago.
Long live ‘live, local radio’!
After a number of years away from commercial radio (with only a bit of college-radio advising during that time), including having all major holidays off (with pay), I found myself this year covering some holiday-week shifts on the radio.
So, rather than resting during my annual Christmas week off from my regular “day job,” I instead just wrapped up a shortened week of waking up at 3:15 a.m. everyday, along with a live New Year’s Day shift ... and I loved every minute of it! Not only was it great fun, but I so much enjoyed seeing, around the holidays, some of those old radio friends—part of the “extended family” to which I referred in the earlier post of a couple years ago.
Long live ‘live, local radio’!
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