Big Jay Sorenson - WJRZ

[SoulCrusher]

Well, I don't work at WJRZ (but in the way of full disclosure - I admit that do have an OLDIES 100 ball cap and a pair of OLDIES 100 dice in my office) so I think I can put my finger on the problem very quickly: THE STATION IS NO LONGER AN OLDIES STATION!

The ratings of the station started to fall when Greater Media changed the format to one that doesn't play "oldies" nor can no longer call themselves "Oldies". It is a "classic hits" station. Brilliant choice for a station serving a community where the median age is 41 (25.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.8% who were 65 years of age or older).

Agreed completely. Blame Greater Media for that, a company that does radio on a national level and applies the same generic mentality to programming every one of their stations. They probably just decided to switch all of their Oldies stations over to Classic Hits regardless of the market and the population breakdown. Anyone with half a brain could see that there is a large senior population in Monmouth/Ocean that spent their formative years listening to early rock n' roll and doo wop - so the right thing to do must be to stop playing anything that came out before The Beatles, right?

Greater Media hasn't a clue how to operate radio stations in this market. I hope they sell their NJ stations to someone that does - that way WDHA can regain their focus, WRAT can go full-on Active Rock, and WJRZ could go back to playing '50s and '60s music (whether they brand it as "Oldies" or not).

 

[BRUSSTAR]

Right now I can choose to either entertain an anonymous coward launching inane attacks or I can listen to Big Jay HIMSELF addressing the matter on this weekend's Radio Racket.

A cheap plug for the show? Of course, but it really was good to hear Sorensen tell us what happened in his own words. And the rest of our two-hour chat was great too, up to and including the discussion about his WNBC days plus the launch of NJ 101.5.

If you're a Big Jay fan, I trust you'll enjoy it.

The sad thing-- Knowing what I know about some of the folks in today's radio management, the clown on this thread may very well be in a position of "power"...

 

[martymoose]

Classic Puker Rocks, but one correction...as I remember, it was Walter Sabo, not Jay who "invented" NJ 101.5. Jay was the first PD, but it wasn't his concept.

 

[cadillacjack]

Sabo created the NJ101.5, but Jay was the guy who made it work.

That's not a slam on Walt, but creation and execution are two different things. I should know.

CJ

 

[Freshface]

So I see while I was enjoying my fun filled weekend Big Jay was on a powerhouse massive internet stream to hopefully 20 people explaining his old glory days Of WNBC and 1015. From what I hear Walt Sabo told Big Jay what he wanted done and that was that. It's no big deal to do what you're told every jock does what they're told to do everyday of the week. My 8 year old kid even follows the same direction from me.

What no one wants to address is the recent decade of failures by Big Jay in Philly, Texas, Sirius, WCTC and WJRZ. I don't buy what Anita said about budget cuts. I believe that's what she was told and she's brave to breach what she was told probably confidentially by management but I just don't buy it. Anyone in management will tell a slacker we have to let you go due to budget cuts. If Big Jay was so good they would have moved heaven and earth to keep him. I would have fired Anita and another staffer if I thought Big Jay would bring in revenue that would help the bottom line.
Why would a team get rid of one of their best players due to a budget. They don't. They get rid of the slackers. C'mon stop with the excuses.

 

[Phil In]

I feel compelled to finally jump into this "Jay-Bashing" post because I happen to be another one "In The Know" on why Big Jay is no longer part of the WJRZ morning show.

Having worked at WJRZ since its inception in 1976 as a part-time newscaster, two full tours as the morning news anchor and co-host (1983-86, 1990-1993) and now whenever PD Jeff Rafter needs a fill-in for AM drive news, I know something about this recent and unfortunate situation.

As Anita has pointed out, Jay Sorenson's departure from the station had nothing to do with the station's ratings. This decision came from GM HQ in Boston. Also given walking papers that day, Mike Kazala, one of the nicest general managers I have ever worked for, as well as a promotions person at 'JRZ, whose name is not a household word, so I'll keep that person's identity a secret. Greater Media New Jersey is streamlining its staff, like nearly every other corporation these days, and people who worked at just one station, like WJRZ, are now multi-tasking, performing functions at other stations, such as WRAT. To the best of my knowledge, because a reason was never given to me, I went thru the same "salary dump" at Millennium in 2005 while I was already multi-tasking, doing AM Drive news (24 daily 'casts) on WOBM-F, WOBM-A and WADB-A. This, after WOBM-FM's morning show numbers jumped high enough in my first full book (Fall 2004) as the AM Drive newsperson to warrant a reception for the whole FM staff at a local country club. I'm certainly not taking full credit, but the same morning show dropped two consecutive books after I was gone. But, this is NOT about me. I'm just establishing my own record for those not familiar with my air work and experience.

NOW, I did what no newsperson should ever do...bury the lead! Big Jay and I worked together at four different stations since 1973. While we always didn't get along during the Early Days, I have much admiration and respect for the performer and the man himself after personally witnessing his return to work after TWO major surgeries in the Fall of '05. I can't adequately or emphasize the physical pain Jay was suffering coming back to work, again IMHO, WAY too soon after his surgeries. As his health improved, so did the show. He was better on the air after major surgery than some other "air talent" who are in perfect physical shape. After Anita was hired in February of '06, she and Big Jay had been doing the best damn radio show in the Ocean-Monmouth area. And, although I don't listen to talk shows on radio, he was building quite a following of both listeners AND advertisers on his Sunday morning show "Down The Shore", up against WOBM's Bob Levy, who's been doing "Topic A" for more than 25 years.

As long as I have been working in this business, I recently learned a lot more while watching Big Jay prepare and do the morning show. He is the consummate broadcast professional, who arrived at the station at least an hour before airtime and went thru newspapers, internet sites and other sources, to make sure he knew what was going on, whether it was happening around the world and around the corner.

I don't understand at all why some people take joy in kicking a guy while he's down. One thing I can say for certain: After speaking to him after his separation from WJRZ, Big Jay is NOT down and remains the eternal optimist that bigger and better things await him very soon.

Jay is a hard-working individual who is both entertaining, knowledgeable, can hit the song posts better than anyone I know and very funny on the air. Off the air, he is a loving husband, father and grandfather who gives most of the credit for his physical healing to his wife Andrea, who I'm planning to nominate for Sainthood long BEFORE her time on Earth. During Jay's first few weeks back, Andrea drove him to and from the station.

I KNOW that Jay will land back on his feet, "post-haste." He's THAT GOOD and I am also proud to call him my friend.

Ralph Hahn

 

[Batfink]

I don't understand at all why some people take joy in kicking a guy while he's down.

I don't think it's really some "people"; more like one person who claims to not hold a personal grudge yet supposedly "knows" Jay's ratings at all these out of market stations where he says Jay "failed". I wonder how someone has all this data on one DJ's ratings at markets way out of the area if there is no alterior motive? Good DJ's get fired all the time; it's part of the business. I'm really not even familiar with Jay's work but it really is so annoyingly obvious that someone here has an agenda despite denials-- and has exposed himself as having zero credibility on this subject.

 

[Freshface]

What some of these posters haven't fiqured out yet is that I just reply to their silly excuses for Big Jay's ratings failure. They can't address the issue so instead they try to deflect. Nice try but most people in management see right through that.

 

[dmargalotti]

Nice try but most people in management see right through that.

If this implies that you are in a managment position with a radio station or broadcasting company, that's pretty scary. I've worked for my share of bad bosses...but I've never seen one of them come on a message board to launch a series of personal attacks against a fellow broadcaster.

I'm not deflecting here Freshface, I'm calling you out so please answer. Why do you feel the need to come on this board and educate the rest of us about "Jay's ratings failures" as you call it? Are you afraid that some of us might make a terrible mistake by hiring Jay? And you just want to help us avoid losing money and listeners because you're such a good humanitarian and radio expert? Is that it?

There are thousands of people in this business who've had bad books, bad gigs, and multiple bad runs at different stations. Maybe with all your insight and expertise, you could warn us about THEM to!

You say you have inside knowledge about Jay's poor ratings. I for one would like to know who you are, where you got your inside information from, and why you are so bent on convincing that rest of us that Jay is a big failure. What's in it for you Freshface?

 

[Starscream]

Fresh seems to have a lot of problems with people. First D&J, now Big Jay. Just an observation.

 

[buckup]

Fresh Greater Media doesnt fire people over ratings. That is a fact. They fire people over money or they fire people smarter than the managment. (crazy but true)

If they fired people over ratings then explain how the jocks at the Rat have kept there jobs for so long?

 

[martymoose]

I don't want to pile on here, but will say this: Mr. Sorenson didn't exactly show the compassion that some now seek for him when others were in the position he now finds himself in. Karma's a *****. Hopefully Big Jay can learn from this experience, park his ego, and become a bit humbler in the future.

 

[Big Jay]

Ok..so now I must chime (time) in.
Mr. MOOSE: (how's bunny rabbit? A little Capt. Kangaroo humor)..
IF you were someone who I may have passed over for a job by ME in my 37 years in the business..forgive me. While being in the position to HIRE people was only a few years out of those 37 BY DESIGN on my end, I was LIKELY only doing what was BEST for THAT particular station at the time! Perhaps you just couldn't come to grips with something I said..not sure.. But I must tell you, when WE as programmers are in CHARGE of keeping a radio station's license, maintaining a certain SOUND, or just have HIGH standards..we have to make decisions that are NOT always LIKED or agreed with. So.. Marty, (yeah..like that's your name)..
IF, indeed you feel slighted, (even after way too MANY years of feeling shat upon, I'd be HAPPY to help you find something that fits your talents..yeah..even from my LOWLY position as an out of work (not for long) oaf.
But being CLOAKED on THIS board seems to EMBOLDEN (is that a word) some people to say what they want, yet remain anonymous. I am still in awe of these fascinating boards where people who know close to NOTHING about the NUANCES that make our business click, have SO many things to say without regard to WHO they may step on along the way. AND..if they DO know, find it necessary to play some kind of schoolyard game of spreading crap.
Look..I'm a big boy..and can TAKE it as well as I can dish it out, which is OBVIOUS to ANYONE who has EVER listened to me in ANY of my many incarnations on the radio.. It is for THAT reason I have chosen to stay OFF of this amazingly LONG and extremely WELL-READ THREAD..(there goes rhymin' Sorensen)..for as long as THIS. I DO, however, thank the THOUSANDS of you who have taken time out of your incredibly busy days to READ about my pathetic, angst-filled, ratings shriveled, has-been, non-talented, sorry ass.
By the way..Mr. Moose, if you KNOW me..at least SPELL my not so well known name RIGHT! That's not too much to ASK for, now IS it MARTYMEESE???
I have parked my incredibly large ego, and re-written this reply about a dozen times in the last few moments..and almost didn't hit the POST button..fearing that at least ANOTHER 3000 plus people would take time out of THEIR busy, entertaining, thrilling lives to read about me..or to RESPOND hidden in darkness.
But I had NOTHING better to do, because I'm reeking of bad KARMA. I'll need a NEW supply of GOOD Karma from all of the people I have helped HAVE exciting, and lucrative careers all over the NATION through my guidance. Not only can I NOT believe some of the dopes who RUN this business and get away with it...I'm amazed that some folks just CAN'T move on and get a grip even if they're a PART of it either NOW or back in the day.
I don't live my life that way, but if you DO, that's sad.
IN conclusion. Thank you all for giving two craps about what I do. I'm quite secure in KNOWING who I am, being confident of my abilities..only bringing out my parked ego when it gets a ticket, and conscious of ALL people who I come in contact with either in person or via other forms of communication.
I will NOT respond to any followup posts. I'll just read 'em and smile.
And one more thing..I do it ALL for yous! And for those in Pittsburgh, it's You'ns..
and FINALLY.. BE BIG!
www.bigjayandanita.com

 

[JoeFromTomsRiver]

Jay, If I worked in radio, I would steer clear of these boards. I think that a lot of the people who post on this board have some hidden agenda. I think that most of them are absolute cowards because they hide behind their keyboards. Its amazing how normal, decent people can turn into immature, vindictive, and nasty people as soon as ANONYMITY is offered. Don't lower yourself by coming on here and defending yourself to people who thrive on pushing people's buttons.

 

[sack]

I agree with Joe, so many people here just have an ax to grind or are bitter because they just couldn't make it in the business. Jay, you should get an award for surviving in this nasty profession for all these years. When I was on the air, I was abused on these boards, and found out it was someone I worked with trying to get me fired so they could get my job. So Jay, be proud of your accomplishments and feel pity on the poor souls that improve their self esteem by bashing a pro on an anonymous board.

\So not to be anonymous, Sack here. WZXL, WMMR , WNJO, WDHA, XM (but i do miss jersey)

 

[calstymes]

JoeFromTomsRiver opined:

Its amazing how normal, decent people can turn into immature, vindictive, and nasty people as soon as ANONYMITY is offered. Don't lower yourself by coming on here and defending yourself to people who thrive on pushing people's buttons.

Well it depends on whose buttons you push, eh? To aggravate just for the sake of aggravating is definitely not cool. But some people just seem to deserve it. These are the people who imply that they are very bright and because of their vast experience in "the business" they know what they're talking about and you don't. I have no patience for people like that and I WILL push their buttons, particularly if I know more about about whatever it is the braggarts talking about than they do.

And BTW, I am offering my opinion strictly to Joe's comment, not to whether or not Big Jay deserves to be harassed. Since I am totally unfamiliar with Jay's work the subject of my post has absolutely nothing to do with him.

Then, sack appropriately observed:

When I was on the air, I was abused on these boards, and found out it was someone I worked with trying to get me fired so they could get my job.

Sadly, being on the air in this business is just about the most cut throat kind of job there exists anywhere and in any industry. My observation is that the trick to surviving for the long haul in the broadcast business is three-fold:

1) Always be professional. Treat everyone you work with like a professional, even if they don't deserve it. Most of them don't but it reflects badly on YOU if YOU don't.

2) Always admit it when you make a mistake. You are human and you will make them. If you always try to pass off blame to somebody or something else it will eventually catch up to you and you will get a reputation for habitually doing that sort of thing.

3) Don't work on the air. It is much more rewarding and vastly more stable to find a "behind-the-scenes" kind of job in this business than it is to work on the air.

Cal

 

[eatspaste]

If they fired people over ratings then explain how the jocks at the Rat have kept there jobs for so long?

WRAT is #1 men 18-34, that's how.

 

[buckup]

If they fired people over ratings then explain how the jocks at the Rat have kept there jobs for so long?

WRAT is #1 men 18-34, that's how.

lol the hell they are.....there not number 1 any demo! nice try keep spitin out them 2.2 12+ numbers and try to spin some positive out of it....its the greater media way! lol
wrat #1 18-34 now that really made me laugh...i needed that today

 

[Hook]

If they fired people over ratings then explain how the jocks at the Rat have kept there jobs for so long?

WRAT is #1 men 18-34, that's how.

lol the hell they are.....there not number 1 any demo! nice try keep spitin out them 2.2 12+ numbers and try to spin some positive out of it....its the greater media way! lol
wrat #1 18-34 now that really made me laugh...i needed that today

I don't know who you are,and frankly I don't care to know,but one thing is certain. You have a major axe to grind against Greater Media. Why? Again,I don't know or care. Perhaps you are a disgruntled former employee. Or perhaps just some wannabe who got rejected for employment. Dont know. Don't care.

However,you are clearly [EDIT] who is only too happy to lie about GM,and The Rat in particular. I will state right up front who I am. I'm Steve Hook,and I have been employed at The Rat since day one.

The fact is that The Rat is indeed number one in our target demo. We have owned men 18-34 for quite some time now in fact. Why don't you come out and tell us all exactly who you are [EDIT]? You obviously are clueless as to any real Arbitron numbers. I guess it makes you feel good to pretend that you have some insight. You are sorely lacking in any true credibility.

Folks,this guy is lying through his/her teeth,and anyone that has a hardcopy of the last book knows this. I only responded to this guy/gal because I have seen him/her continually lie about the company that has employed me for the last decade here on the Jersey Shore,and a man that has achieved more in radio than this [EDIT] could ever dream of. Dan Finn is a great man that has the respect,and admiration of everyone who is privileged enough to work with him.


So buckup time for you to buck up yourself. Who are you,and what's your problem with Greater Media and Dan Finn?





[namecalling]

 

[PhilGalasso]

However,you are clearly [EDIT] who is only too happy to lie about GM,and The Rat in particular. I will state right up front who I am. I'm Steve Hook,and I have been employed at The Rat since day one.

Hello Steve...and how the hell are you? I can vouch for what you say, as I did some per diem work for the Rat a few years ago before ending up in Pennsylvania. Dan Finn was the general manager there at the time and he always treated me very well. As for the Rat and its programming...it targets men 18-34, always did from Day One of the rock format, and it does an excellent job of it!

I still get to the Shore area a couple of times a month. Join me with a glass or two of sweet tea?