CAN ANYONE ENLIGHTEN ME ABOUT RUSS OASIS?

[MACK184]

THEN - Quinns sold Indy's only independent radio station to an individual instead of a corporation because they were assuming the torch would be carried.








[/quote]
If you want to get really technical here, WKLU is NOT an "Indy" station, it's licensed to Brownsburg, but let's say that they are an Indy station for reasonable purposes of discussion. WKLU was NOT Indy's only "independent" station. WYSW/WEDJ is not owned by any of the giants, nor does Marvin Kossofsky own any other radio stations. And like WKLU the FM is not licensed to Indy, but to Danville. You can all go back to yelling at each other now.

 

[Timewarp]

Hippo's point is well taken. Mud slinging is bad for all of us in the biz. There is nothing wrong
with doing oldies. I have said that Indy needed an oldies station for a long time! The station
sounds good.
Got to give Mr Oasis some credit here. His name is very much in the spotlight now, while
the rest of us have faded away.

 

[hipporadio]

Well Hippo and Ho. Very interesting reading! Maybe you'd think Bruce Quinn was a better radio businessman
if he had called WFBQ and asked for 3 million to take off the classic rock Or, maybe, you'd think he was brighter if he'd asked the Spanish station for a quarter million or else he'd do Spanish. No, I don't think
making money this way ever crossed his mind!
Yes, he could have dropped all those crappy local events that paid the bills and gone bankrupt just
like almost all the other single sticks in Indiana during the 1990s.

I am aware of the Quinns turning down a ten million dollar offer for WKLU prior to 2003.
Now you can say all you want about corporate radio. But show me one instance where Clear Channel offered
6.8 million for a license and didn't pay all the money.

Risking the wrath of the “hit counter” [I’d much-rather enjoy “The Wrath of The Buzzard” – again]; I would like to offer some comments on this reply... I have enjoyed T-O-D’s posts, but feel to need to bring into clear focus some inference here.

First, I have NEVER come on this forum and criticized any “adventure” of one Bruce Quinn. In fact, at times I have found his activities to be somewhat delightful... I have formed an alternative form of RESPECT for him! I KNOW NOTHING related to the FACTS of his pending civil-legal entanglement with Mr. Oasis; so I will not comment, other then to humorously-develop the analogy that it appears to be a case of “one getting a gastric affliction after visiting a new Mexican restaurant”.

I can fully-empathize with the circumstances that lead to his divestiture of WKLU – REALLY, I CAN [at a personal level]! I’m happy that he has found an outlet for his creativity in the sterling community of Columbus.

Speculation has been often-floated that he was offered TEN-megabucks by the Malaise Family to “just go away”... Seriously, can ANY not a quart-low in Gray Matter believe this? This trumps even the recent contention here that the May 2005 upgrade of the WKLU facilities enjoys a nice signal because Russ has camouflaged a 25kw transmitter in that shack near Eagle Creek... That “inside information”—soon to be un-earthed by FCC investigation was summarily-deemed “foolish” when one of Indiana’s BEST radio engineers came into that thread to provide a 100-level tutorial on FM transmit power versus coverage... ‘See WHAT we suffer and endure here while some pursue “trashing Russ” as a hobby?

Secondly, T-O-D asks for an instance where “Clear Channel” failed to fork-over the cash on a station transfer to one of “the little people”. Good point, Dog... I can’t recall one. The purchaser of my operation was a mere infant compared to the CCU league, and they flawlessly-honored EVERY provision of the contract and made all required payments on time. Remember though, these business arrangements are tied to the Transfer Application presented before the FCC... Failure to abide with such-approved by that agency would invite subsequent action. HINT: I’d rather be in a courtroom in Marion County then in one in DC [I suspect Indy lawyers are a bit more-affordable than those notorious DC Communications Barristers]!

As for asking money from “The Amigos”... Well. THAT’S A CROCK, and should BE CLOBBERED by the Regulators if PROVEN to be true! The sad reality is... Corporate radio has added this slimy maneuver to their near-daily arsenal of dirty tricks... Please review the recent “creativity” that accompanied the complicated transfer of nearly THREE-QUARTERS of the FM channels in Cincinnati as proof!

My “outburst” is complete... I’ll free you to return to your regularly-scheduled “broadcast activities” and I’ll return to mine. I’m going to access the new Oldies 101.9—101.9 stream and hope for the full 6:17 version of Argent’s “Hold Your Head Up”... Bruce Quinn would love-it, and so might I – 'doubt those diary-keepers wouldn’t hit the seek button though.

BTW... I AGREE with Timewarp [I usually always do] in Reply #46... The current WKLU is “OK” with its “Oldies presentation”—it actually addresses many of the concerns I have long-held in regards to the going-forward viability of that format. WGLD—it is not, but remember—Roddy is in the “family” at 101.9 now.

 

[mouseman]

I have never seen such animosity posted throughout such a long thread on a board.

I suspect those of you who are ex-employees feel a certain vindication being able to post here what you wished you could have said in person to Oasis when you were let go. Anyone who has been in our industry for any length of time has been let go, at least once. It's an awful feeling, and a personal hardship. It would envoke hard feelings.

I've never even met Russ; only spoke on the phone with him once. I don't know what kind of person he is.

But, I will give him this. He has had the courage to put himself on the line as an entrepreneur. It's his name on the mortgage, on all the lease agreements, on every paycheck, on all the bills. Whether it's a radio station, or any small business, it takes some serious-sized kahonas to be personally responsible for all of it. Beyond all the criticism by employees [past and present], listener-customers, business-customers, he's financially responsible, and owning a business carries bills much bigger than a couple of personal credit cards. He's also legally exposed in many ways most here can't appreciate; the liability alone snuffs out many businesses. So I for one give him his due respect for taking a leap of faith that most wouldn't, regardless of what kind of owner/operator he is.

Oh, and again, I'm not an employee, personal friend, even acquantance. I'm just someone who respects any entrepreneur's courage to take the personal risk. I did once myself, and was damn glad the '96 T-Comm Act made it a sellers market, so I could get the hell out from under it all.

 

[hipporadio]

...I'm just someone who respects any entrepreneur's courage to take the personal risk. I did once myself, and was damn glad the '96 T-Comm Act made it a sellers market, so I could get the hell out from under it all.

ME-TOO mouse... I hear 'ya Bro!

 

[flashback]

I never worked in radio but have listened to radio closely since 63 or so as a kid.I was a big fan of bruce quinn`s wklu. I hated it when russ oasis took it over. but I listened off and on and after a while I liked the station again.that was because of the way the sound evolved. not as much as when quinn ran it but liked it nevertheless.

I understand that if wklu was losing listeners, I can see why it had to change.



it took a while to get to that point.

I am still looking for a radio station that I can listen to all the time.I guess I have to jump between wklu wfbq and the former jack station.

it is unfortunate that there aren`t enough listoners open minded enough to make a progressive underground radio station a successful venture.I would think most people would be sick of hearing the same limited playlists that permiates radio stations everywhere.

I still would like to get details on the lawsuit.

 

[AdamDouglas]

I have never seen such animosity posted throughout such a long thread on a board.

I suspect those of you who are ex-employees feel a certain vindication being able to post here what you wished you could have said in person to Oasis when you were let go. Anyone who has been in our industry for any length of time has been let go, at least once. It's an awful feeling, and a personal hardship. It would envoke hard feelings.

I've never even met Russ; only spoke on the phone with him once. I don't know what kind of person he is.

But, I will give him this. He has had the courage to put himself on the line as an entrepreneur. It's his name on the mortgage, on all the lease agreements, on every paycheck, on all the bills. Whether it's a radio station, or any small business, it takes some serious-sized kahonas to be personally responsible for all of it. Beyond all the criticism by employees [past and present], listener-customers, business-customers, he's financially responsible, and owning a business carries bills much bigger than a couple of personal credit cards. He's also legally exposed in many ways most here can't appreciate; the liability alone snuffs out many businesses. So I for one give him his due respect for taking a leap of faith that most wouldn't, regardless of what kind of owner/operator he is.

Oh, and again, I'm not an employee, personal friend, even acquantance. I'm just someone who respects any entrepreneur's courage to take the personal risk. I did once myself, and was damn glad the '96 T-Comm Act made it a sellers market, so I could get the hell out from under it all.

I believe I agree with everything you say here, Mouseman.

I HAVE worked for Russ; I DO know him (and no, there isn't really anything I've said here that I haven't or wouldn't say to him in person).

My problem is that, for all of the unique problems that go along with Russ (or anyone) being an independent owner...a key difference remains. This key difference, on the one hand, is what makes being a "non-corporate" station a great thing. On the other hand, it can be the very thing that causes its demise.

Lack of accountability.

I can't speak for anyone else that posts here; the reason that I did/do is to try to shine some light on certain things that, left unanswered, allows some people to control perceptions of themselves that are sometimes inaccurate.

When Russ mentions (in this public forum, which -- as has been mentioned before here -- is a little inappropriate in and of itself) what a great boss he is (and I'm not necessarily saying that he isn't) -- that he has only enforced a non-compete on two people EVER and offers to release anyone else who asks -- when it is clearly untrue and/or clearly an offer that he doesn't intend to follow through with (I asked Russ point blank if I was being released from mine, and -- in his lengthy response -- he conveniently failed to answer that question -- I then feel that this public forum is an appropriate place to provide some measure of accountability that he tends not to get much of. [You've just read the world's longest run-on sentence.]

I respect Russ as a businessman. Clearly a lot of people could learn a lot of things from him (as have I). Balance, accountability, and objectivity can never be a bad thing, though. Why is he the hottest topic on the Indiana board YEARS RUNNING? Because he is the ONLY owner/key decision-maker/programmer who wastes his time here (without attempting to conceal his identity, anyway.) For that reason, he deserves whatever is said here about him -- good or bad. =\

 

[Onesimus]

Why would anyone sign a non-compete that doesn't PAY you to sit on the beach? I appreciate and understand that good on-air jobs are rare, but this deal seems very one-sided. This "contract" isn't typical in my experience.

 

[van hespen]

Saw the big allacccess ad for new ops mgr. for Russ's Oldies station. Is he seeking a new staff and that is what has started this discussion?

 

[a1avet]

Why would anyone sign a non-compete that doesn't PAY you to sit on the beach? I appreciate and understand that good on-air jobs are rare, but this deal seems very one-sided. This "contract" isn't typical in my experience.

Because Russ likes to hire B (or lower) list people that are either A) blighted in some way, B) desparate in some way or C) have the type of personality that won't talk back/disagree/speak up when he mistreats them (and he will).

It's not typical, and it would never stand up in court. He doesn't have to worry about that, though, because everyone is too scared to raise the "legal dander" of a known-to-be-litigious multimillionaire. That's why it's easy for him to give a blanket release to all former employees right on this board, except...from the looks of AdamDouglas' postings, he didn't really mean that, either.

 

[realinsider]

Read this article. It's mostly about racing, but it does talk about his radio history deeper into the article.

The 24 hours, what a blast. Anyone who loves racing should go!!! ;D

 

[realinsider]

I mean, isn't this how the whole thread kind of started???

 

[Scott Roddy]

So, I got an e-mail saying to check out the Indiana Radio Info board. Wow. I’m amazed at the negativity. All of that mess is really sad. That said, I just wanted to pop on and say thanks for the kind words. Fort Wayne is a great market, and the competition is very good here. I’m proud to work with the staff at U.S. 93.3. They all work extremely hard and put their heart into their work. They are very, very good people.

One of the posts said I started at WSKT. I actually started at WCBK in Martinsville, IN on my 14th birthday. Remember when we all had to have an FCC license? I was more nervous about taking that test than any other time in my career. A really good guy named John Taylor gave me my break doing the Sell N’ Swap Shop. I think John is back doing part time work again. There were some REALLY good people at that station. Dave Stanley…he was the PD after John left. Dave was the best. He used to come down and cut the grass on the weekends for an extra 20 bucks. WCBK was (might still be) in a little split level house on Burton Lane. I remember how I wasn’t strong enough to pull start our generator, it was a VW bug engine. I had to call Scott Wayman to come in and start the thing so we could get back on the air during a power outage. Scott Wayman is still down there too I believe. Scott’s an awesome guy. Easily one of the nicest guys I’ve ever known in the business.

When I was 16 I went to WSKT. That was a fun place. Remember, their studio was in a strip mall? I remember too that we broadcast over a phone line…it was horrible. But, man…when you’re 16 and getting to live your dream by doing a Saturday night request shift, you feel like you’re the king of the world. Lisa and I did that shift together. She’s a blast. Last I heard she’s running a talent agency…or something like that. I think she does weekends on WTTS too, is that right? Tony Kale was the PD and an AWESOME guy! Is he still around?

Enough of nostalgia mode. When it’s all said and done, I’m still really happy to be in the business that I dreamt of being in since I was 11.

There are some really good and decent people in radio. I hope most of them still come to the boards for some rational conversation. I’m sorry though that there are so many who are unhappy and take it out on these boards.

Scott

 

[radiowannab]

I’m sorry though that there are so many who are unhappy and take it out on these boards.

You mean like your boss?

On another note though I really enjoyed listening to you when you were on 1045. I wish they would bring you back down here. It might give me a reason to listen to your station again. Even though your boss tried to belittle me on here.

 

[Onesimus]

Your friends at WFMS miss you Scott! Give "John Denver" a call when you get a chance...his dad passed away. Congrats on a great book!

 

[Scott Roddy]

Thank you...and thank you.

I will call JDC. I had no idea. I'm very sorry to hear that. Will you shoot me an e-mail with the details please? Is it too late to send flowers? I'm at [email protected] Also, if you ever hear what happened to some of our brothers and sisters, let me know. Driving back from Indy tonight I spent an hour on the phone with Don Riley. He sounded like a little kid. He's REALLY happy. He's a news anchor/reporter at WIBC FM now. He said he's totally reinvented himself. It was SO cool. Talk about a great guy. Man. He's done it all and now he's come full circle back to WIBC. Did you hear that Steve Rich is up at KI now? He's really happy up there. I'm pretty sure it's his hometown. He's there with KJ and her husband right? Last I heard from her (KJ) she was very happy...but I don't remember if she was with Disney or in Kokomo. Some of those other names I mentioned, like Tony and Lisa. Does anyone know where they are now? What about Brian Stevens? I heard from him when Russ first took WKLU to Oldies, but I lost his contact info. I saw Rick Berry at the Spectrum Awards a few years ago. Remember him from The Bear? He's up in South Bend working for Fed Med I think and doing very well. He's a talented guy and a really good person. Speaking of The Bear, Nigel came through there prior to WRZX right? When Radio Now went to Radio One (I think I have that right) did they keep him on?

Scott

 

[PTBoardOp94]

Tony Kale is still mornings/PD/Play-by-Play guy for WCLS.

 

[mouseman]

Scott,
KJ is still working at Radio Disney in sales. She's been in sales going on three years now, after a year in sales at KI [where she met Kevin]. She's doing better and better in sales, and because Radio Disney has a small full time staff, she still does some production from time to time, just for the fun of it.
She and Kevin are doing well; though they would be better if they could sell one of the two houses [they each had one prior to getting married]. Kevin just accepted a "promotion" a couple months ago; he's now on AM DR at KI.
Speaking of folks from The Bear, I didn't know if you had heard that Tim Burns moved on from Shadeland Ave.; he's at Fox Sports Midwest selling TV.
I too noticed that BTU was kickin' some butt in the most recent Ft. Wayne ratings; nice. Good luck to you.

 

[shortbaldguy2007]

Thank you...and thank you.

I will call JDC. I had no idea. I'm very sorry to hear that. Will you shoot me an e-mail with the details please? Is it too late to send flowers? I'm at [email protected] Also, if you ever hear what happened to some of our brothers and sisters, let me know. Driving back from Indy tonight I spent an hour on the phone with Don Riley. He sounded like a little kid. He's REALLY happy. He's a news anchor/reporter at WIBC FM now. He said he's totally reinvented himself. It was SO cool. Talk about a great guy. Man. He's done it all and now he's come full circle back to WIBC. Did you hear that Steve Rich is up at KI now? He's really happy up there. I'm pretty sure it's his hometown. He's there with KJ and her husband right? Last I heard from her (KJ) she was very happy...but I don't remember if she was with Disney or in Kokomo. Some of those other names I mentioned, like Tony and Lisa. Does anyone know where they are now? What about Brian Stevens? I heard from him when Russ first took WKLU to Oldies, but I lost his contact info. I saw Rick Berry at the Spectrum Awards a few years ago. Remember him from The Bear? He's up in South Bend working for Fed Med I think and doing very well. He's a talented guy and a really good person. Speaking of The Bear, Nigel came through there prior to WRZX right? When Radio Now went to Radio One (I think I have that right) did they keep him on?

Scott

Last I heard about Brian Stevens had him in Ohio somewhere, out of radio but doing some voiceover work. Nigel took a gig somewhere in Texas and you're right about Rick. He's with FedMed's SB country station.

 

[Tired-Old-Dog]

Bruce Quinn's wife Mitsy has suffered a heart attack. She is very ill. This is why Bruce has not been
able to respond to Russ Oasis and issues raised here.

We hope mitsy recovers soon and best of luck to her from this tired old dog!