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Brad Barton and Mark Watkins out at KRLD?

Mike S. - you're taking me back!

KEWS (94.9 FM) was the reason I moved to Dallas in July 1996!

Shadow Broadcast Services (owned by Westwood One) opened up a traffic shop in Dallas for the express purpose of traffic every 10 minutes/24 hours a day. Neal Rohrig and I both came up from Houston for the gig. Pete Gardener, formerly of KTRH in Houston - with the best pipes this side of Orson Welles - was the head honcho over there and it was HIS innovation of traffic and weather together every ten minutes, 24 hours a day.

I believe around this time, Westwood One had merged with CBS so we were all supposed to be one big happy family with Poppa Mel Karmazin. I remember flirting shamelessly on the phone and over the air with the lovely Iris Becker - who I'm sure was as pretty in person as her voice was though I never got to meet her. I was the traffic guy from 7:00 PM to 1:00 AM Weekdays.

Then would day, like the Grinch who stole Christmas, Poppa Mel sold KEWS and left many talented people disenfranchised, some more than others.

So much for my walk down memory lane..

CR Big Band
 
Mike, KRLD became allnews/all day (13 hours) when I first showed up in 1978. That may not satisfy your standard for all news and I fully understand. KRLD went allnews 24 hours a couple years later. Dick Wheeler and Laurel Ornish were two of our overnight anchors during that period. KRLD went back and forth between newstalk and allnews-all day a couple times. Ernie Brown was a midday anchor briefly.
Bob has since emailed me privately with more outrageous accusations. I tried to respond privately but somehow the link didn't work, so Bob, here goes nothin.
1. SOLD, not filed, SOLD as your own work for MONEY and not just once.
2. I was referring to three other people whose severe weather mistakes cost them their jobs but not at my request. Without identifying the four other dismissed employees you mentioned, allow me to use phrases that will keep them straight and outline the reason:
"Trigger-happy-grandpappy," gross misconduct on air including comparing Gitmo detainees to 7-11 clerks.
"Pulp Fiction," incompetence, absenteeism and insubordination, but I think she might have left on her own.
"GeorgeWashingtonNorthTollLoopway," gross misconduct including threatening a state official on his answering machine. He went on to greater fame losing a rented car (no damage waiver) in the surf while covering a hurricane.
Jack Hines was my boss. I was his assistant. I knew he was in trouble, told him so and tried to help.
3. I never said "all priests are gay." Cmon, Bob
4. Sorry my dad's car didn't work out for you, but there was NO odometer fraud. He was in his 80's when he bought the car. It could not have had 80,000 miles on it.
5. There was one meteorologist at KRLD. Me. You were to use my forecast or NWS when I was off duty, even if I was wrong, which I was occasionally. You decided to use your own forecast on KRLD or someone else's in the market. If you were called on the carpet it was for that policy breach. More coming
 
6. I've met Kristine Kahanek. I've worked with Kristine Kahanek. Kristine Kahanek gave me a hug and several minutes of friendly conversation at Al Moller's retirement dinner. Again, people who know me as other broadcasters understand how we compare and make fun of each other. If I had said something truly inappropriate about Kristine or NWS forecasters, they would know. One of the positive posters on the DMN blog was a forecaster who identified himself as an NWS employee. Bill Bunting's personal note to me is private but very warm. No sale.
7. Sorry about running over time, but to say I ALWAYS took as much time as I WANTED is another gross distortion that could be refuted by dozens of people.
8. I was NOT eager to re-assume the anchor chair. I turned Tom Bigby down three times until he quit asking and straight-out told me I had no choice. Mark Watkins was the victim of that move and to his credit we are still good friends today, hoping the best for each other's job search.
My live-endorse ads...also not my idea. I resisted Michael Spears on that for months until again, he quit asking. I always identify the sponsor at the beginning and end of the commercial..and avoided any news stories that might present a conflict. Other greater journalists than I have done spots. And again, how can you presume to lecture ANYONE on journalistic ethics after what got you terminated for cause?
9. The "Evolution File" was only one of many assertions proven to be false in that case, which you know nothing about. "Raw deal," right.
Your age meant nothing to me. I don't even remember what you age is. Our relationship changed when I became your supervisor and your lack of performance was my business. You were not blackballed, either. Your years on the overnight shift at BAP prove that. And, to be honest, you were very good there. I listened to you every morning on the way into work because you were so good on the weather summary.
Making enemies after 3 decades in this business is unavoidable. I'm sorry you feel the way you do toward me and wish nothing but the best for you and your family.
 
I know how it feels to lose a job and then see negative comments posted about me on Radio-Info.
The differences here are:
I had nothing to do with Brad losing his job.
I didn't get severance pay.
My posts are factual.
 
GC, I don't think you can win this one and quite honestly, you've once again shown your true colors by even getting into this in a public forum. It's clear that you are bitter about not only Brad having such solid character as a man, but having so much support from so many people. The DMN doesn't print such huge articles about just anyone, for just any reason. The 2 of you may have disagreed on a few things back in the day, but to call him out at a time like this was just low-class.... no class.

You owe the man an apology. A public one.
 
Ok... here goes:

Brad, I'm sorry you were offended by my comments. I forgive you for what you have done. I only hope that when you realize what you have done you can forgive yourself.
 
Whew!

And I thought Jaan McCoy and I had conflicts at KAAM!

For what its worth:

Doc Gallagher (a long time sposnor at KAAM) often says, "Don't hate anyone. Whe you hate someone they own you."

I agree. In my case, I don't think of my former nemesis often, but when I do, I feel sorry for him for the way that he is and I wish him the best. If you truly feel you have been done wrong by someone in this business, have faith that one day they will get their just due and move on with your life and try to be the best person you can be. And never wait for the apology from the perceived transgressor that will never come.

Try to understand and acknowledge that you only know your side of the story and admit to yourself (if not to anyone else) that you may not know the WHOLE story and you may never.

Mr. Barton is correct about one thing at least: Success in this business long enough will inevitably lead to rancor in the ranks and resentment of some over time. Indeed this is unavoidable. But that is their problem - not yours.

Finally, never bear a grudge. Maybe (as I suspect of myself) that you're just not built to work for someone else - and be your own boss.

And if that doesn't work, build yourself a small cabin in Montana and live off the land.

Peace to all,
CR Big Band

P.S. Drinks, anyone?
 
I hate to wade into this, but what the heck.

I got to work with both Bob and Brad, enjoyed it, and hated seeing them lose their jobs. How and why things happened over the years is now water under the bridge - but there were periods of great craziness at KRLD. Alot of it, I had a hand in - but there was so much more. Leigh Roberton forced to call the roll on Black Tuesday. Charlie Seraphin thinking a cooking show on radio would work. Scott Carpenter as a talk host ("We don't want any old bags calling, okay?...lol). Thinking I could do a talk show. Michael Hedges, for crying out loud. Going from Michael Hedges to Michael Spears, God rest his soul. Rob Geiger interrupting an interview to tell Gloria Steinem "Hiya, Cupcake!". Milford packing a gat. Jim Dent kicking the stuffing out of Brad's car. The ill-fated Radio Laboratory of Dallas, with Chris Fox. The Dr. Laura appearance fiasco. So, so much more.

It was, at times, a verifiable asylum.

People bitch and moan while they're in it, usually with good reason. Feelings get rubbed raw. I know. I did plenty of rubbing. Frustrations boil over. That anyone holds onto sanity in that environment is something of a miracle.

I never threw to Brad when he didn't take whatever time he needed, and not one second more. Weather is the one thing that effects everyone, but he also knew when to get out of the way. On my best day Brad could run circles around me as an anchor, but he offered steadying advice when I was stumbling around trying to figure it out - and as far as I know, he never "wanted" anyone's chair. If his forecasts weren't always right, his counsel was - even when delivered with biting wit and a rolling eye, and he can bring both very effectively. Some people didn't like that, I guess. That happens. Nobody's perfect, but Brad's as good as anyone I've ever worked with.

Bob always struck me as having one of the most perfectly understated deliveries I'd ever heard. I enjoyed his reports and anchoring, and thought he was terrific - first at KRLD and then at WBAP. I heard about "the cause" later on, but only second-hand. All I know is that he was really good on the radio, and whatever the reasons that ended, it was a loss. I liked him, same as Brad, and still do.

Life's short. Those big hills we pick to die on look smaller over time and distance - like throwing a cart because you missed the post. Lots of things we wouldn't do then if we'd known what we know now. But now is not then.

Eighty-three years that station has been around. That's alot of then's for alot of people - and probably a waste of life and enery to keep hauling them around.
 
Whew! Man oh Man.Ok first Mike I remember KRLD being all news in 1978 as well with "Charles Wright",Frank Gleiber on sports ,etc and the constant stream of the "Eddie Chiles I'm mad" spots. It wassolid news and come on the heelsof WRR AM's NBC News and Information Service and30 min local newscasts. I thought it was great in regards toWRR ,thou that wasshorlived ,then KAAM was born. KRLD sounded great then and it was "the news source " in my opinion.

I only had one "slight " disagreement with Brad. It was told to use (us being traffic reporters)that Brad didn't want us to give weather conditions. Ok, but acouple of times I recall Brad gave some traffic conditons( that was almost 10 years ago).One night a major ice storm hit . I was called in early, Brad was doing his updates.I had truckers calling me from I-35w south of Burleson telling me of the high winds (60 mph) and how the ice was very bad. I went ahead and used their info. on my reports . Brad mentioned my name on air ,BUT confirmed my information. Later I was asked by my boss If did include weather information. I said yes,due to the fact it was necesary road conditions. I never got in trouble,and never was it mentioned again not to include weather in a report.

Bob I know and yes he can be strong, opinionated, but he has one thing missing in a majority of todays "alleged" radio personalities/reporters below the age of 40...passion and dedication for the industry. It takes a strong ego, a strong sense of getting it right and sometimes that will clash with others of the same ilk. Bob was/is Good. That my friends "WAS radio".Brad took pride in his stuff and yes he was demanding ,so was Ron Chapman, Jody, Tyler Cox,many who demanded and often got QUALITY, another commodity lacking in radio today.

Its a damn shame both Bob and Brad and several others who we personally know or professionally worked with,are now scouring on the TAB and Texas Workforce sites. Whether you like them or not, these are very fine people,and I hope the stupid suits will realize they are what is needed to breathe new life and get radio back on its feet.If not stick a fork in radio ,its done and the bar was lowered enough to be beyond submerged.
 
I have been visiting this board for several years and enjoyed reading the posts. This is the first topic I have felt compelled to comment on. I am not in the industry nor aspire to be, I am just an avid listener to DFW radio in all of its forms. With that said I have 2 comments. These are just opinions from the average Joe DFW listener:

1. Brad will be greatly missed. Period. Whenever bad weather approached I would always turn on KRLD to get Brad's perspective on the situation. Countless times I would wake up in the middle of the night when a storm hit to find Brad already on the air, informing me of what was going on. During the spring 2010 storm season we will certainly feel Brad's absence.

2. Jody Dean's post on this topic is, as usual, an attempt to make it all about him. I stopped listening to Jody on KRLD in the mid to late 90's when he made veiled references to smoking pot and having cravings for Doritos. I got tired of trying to explain what he really meant to my 7 yr old at 7:30am on our way to school.

Just my 2 cents.
 
"Worldly fame is but a breath of wind that blows now this way, and now that, and changes names as it changes directions."
- Dante

Tony
Tony Lyndell Williams
 
thunderradio said:
Bob I know and yes he can be strong, opinionated, but he has one thing missing in a majority of todays "alleged" radio personalities/reporters below the age of 40...passion and dedication for the industry. It takes a strong ego, a strong sense of getting it right and sometimes that will clash with others of the same ilk. Bob was/is Good. That my friends "WAS radio".Brad took pride in his stuff and yes he was demanding ,so was Ron Chapman, Jody, Tyler Cox,many who demanded and often got QUALITY, another commodity lacking in radio today.
Click to expand...

I was about to post and mention that it was typically not pleasant to pick up the phone (at metro) when Brad was on the other end... but you captured it well. Brad was demanding and there's nothing wrong with that. But in an age of outsourcing the nature of what it means to be demanding changes.

Back in the day, when coworkers found themselves in a high energy/high pressure situation... the more senior people would push the more junior people to get more... but you'd like to think that when things calmed down the guy who read you the riot act or yelled or whatnot, would pat you on the back and say 'good job today' or some other platitude. You know, just to keep up appearances. But that doesn't happen now. It's just a terse phone conversation, and then nothing. So the perspective you get from afar is that the guy is just a butthole. Guess that's how it goes.
 
I would have bet a week's pay that Brad Barton would have been snapped up by now. What gives? It can't be the economy because the Federal Reserve Chairman, Ben Bernanke, said the recession is over and President Obama has said that a recovery is under way. No way they would fib. ::)
 
jimbo said:
I would have bet a week's pay that Brad Barton would have been snapped up by now. What gives? .....
Click to expand...

A very good question. I found myself turning over to WBAP (a station I seldom listen to) to see if they hired Brad over there, but, no, didn't hear him there.


And what is the reason you had to bring politics up in this thread? Why do you want to see this thread in TIO, jimbo?
 
Brad's in a precarious spot. WBAP uses The Weather Channel (usually Jennifer Narramore, sometimes others) as it's likely a subscription-based (or commercial tradeout) service that keeps Citadel from having to keep a meteorologist on payroll; they also use Channel 8's weathercasters during the times that Ch 8 has the newsroom staffed. Given Citadel's financial picture these days, I'd seriously doubt Brad, or anyone else similar, is even a consideration. They're cutting back, not 'adding to.' But who else in the market (radio, that is) would want to take on a FT or PT meteorologist? That's one of those positions that's basically non-existent these days. Brad had a nice, long ride at KRLD, but it was destined to peter out at some point, sad to say.

Might be worth a shot to court Salem and try to get some local activity going at erstwhile KSKY. Five years of bottom-barrel ratings for a format that SHOULD have garnered some listener attention long ago---something there needs to change. But I doubt they'd spent Brad Barton-kind of money to get him over there.

Now Steve McCauley at Ch 8, for instance, makes a nice living on the side by owning his own weather forecasting service. He builds custom data for municipalities/first responders, private aircraft companies, etc, and apparently there's a demand for it. With Brad's reputation, he could do something similar.
 
Severe weather just doesn't seem the same without Brad. Seriously, where do you go for live weather updates when severe weather breaks out? KRLD - when weather breaks out we break in. Ha.

My sister goes to Ch8 which is ok until the power goes out. And with DTV the radio with the TV band is useless. I guess it's NOAA radio because everyone else gave it up. Here's another case of radio abdicating what it used to do so well.
 
I would not assume that Barton couldn't be hired at another station. He won't get the kind of money he got at KRLD, but he would still get decent pay to do news and weather. He would not be able to do just weather though. I also think it's possible he'll just go into a different line of work. Hopefully he's saved up some money and can afford to be somewhat retired by now.
 
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