CC Utica/Rome No More

[funnyman]

A market changing day. Religion is everywhere. WOUR is Classic Rock 96.9 WOUR and almost entire CC Utica/Rome staff is gone including ALL former WOUR people. What becomes of Bob and Tom and MIX. Ed must be laughing all the way to the bank as he collects his money and finally gets the last chuckle.

 

[BobRoss]

Just checked, and indeed WRCK is now regurgitating K-Love via the bird. Couldn't pull 93.5 in here.

But WOUR, Mix and Kiss sound the same. (Of course, it's overnight, so there'd be no jocks anyway.) The websites for all 3 stations also look the same, with jock lineups intact. In fact, WOUR's "last 10 songs played" list continues to update as I write this post. Not to say I don't believe you, but it's still something I'd like to hear for myself... and I guess I'll have to wait for daytime to do that.

I suppose this all explains why Keeler's move to WXUR, originally reported as November 1, happened much earlier.

As for Bob & Tom... they're syndicated. WOUR hasn't had a local morning show for as long as I can remember. If the show gets decent numbers, Galaxy may keep it on the air simply because the only expense is the barter spots. It'd be stupid to wipe out a longtime show in favor of simulcasting Gomez & Dave just for the sake of freeing up... what, 4 or 5 spot avails per weekday? But, if Galaxy does go ahead and ax B&T, I'd fully expect them to bring in G&D.

As for Mix, that's been discussed at length in a previous thread on this board, so I won't regurgitate it all.

 

[Adman4120]

Hello...Bob...I'm not sure what area you are located, but 93.5, the former "River" has been off the air all this time, so no one can pick it up, even if they wanted to hear religious programming.

For now, everything else sounds pretty much the same. WTLB-AM-1310 switched from Music Of Your Life to a simulcast with WRNY-1350-Rome, and WIXT-1230 Little Falls. All three stations are now Fox Sports Radio. They will probably still do some local sporting events, even though Harly anyone can hear them at night when the games are played. WRNY at 58 watts goes about 3 to 4 miles on a good night, so most of Rome sports fans of Rome high school sports can never hear the games. Same holds true for WIXT 1230 in Little Falls. Even though they have 1000 watts at night, the signal goes about 4 miles if you're lucky at night. And even adding WTLB isn't a bonus. Their directional pattern at night at 500 watts is so tight, that they do not even cover all of Utica and the suberbs.

These AM's have never been a factor, and will have a tough time at it. WIBX is the station local sports fans are talking about and listening too, plus you can pick up WIBX. Hate to be an advertiser sponsoring a game and thinking all these people in the area are listening only to find out that most of the people cannot pick up a Galaxy AM signal at night. Wonder if the sales staff mentions that to a business before talking their sports money.

And last, but not least...keep an eye on WXUR and Keeler. Remember, this comment.

 

[funnyman]

Sure has been an interesting day. So far WOUR has middays piped in from Syracuse. How long does Bob and Tom stay? I hear they are $100k if you are not a CC station. The Rainman has been on air claiming he is the longest running afternoon rock jock in town. While true now, that shows the class of that operation.

As for sports, that's an easy thing to say about Galaxy stations Adman when you broadcast on their competition even if it true. Wasn't there a time though that you broadcast on those frequencies? I can't remember but thought there was.

Does another religious group take over on 93.5? It was great hearing how the telethon on 107 is struggling for money and they are hundreds of thousands of dollars short to keep afloat.

Comment on!

 

[RomeToupee]

Attention Adman...aka Dave!! Just for the heck of it we listened to your broadcast of last week's game...you were overmodulated, you had terrible diction and your voice is shall we say...Rome quality. It's no wonder that WTLB chose Ed OBrien, a true broadcast legend, over you and your has-been partner. May we suggest you apply your play by play skills at a more appropriate level, we understand there is an important Peewee football game in Rome this weekend looking for an announcer ...and.. you be da man!

 

[SirRoxalot]

Hi, Ed

Well, it seems like the Galaxians are checking in, now that they're fully involved in Utica/Rome. Gee, didn't Galaxy try to sell U/R a year or two ago, but got caught fudging the numbers?

It's a sad day if WOUR - a great radio station in its day - is relegated to rebroadcasting Syracuse. I remember a time when the opposite would have been an improvement for some stations in the 'Cuse.

 

[Adman4120]

Mr. RomeToupee...I will take your comments as a compliment. Yes, I did broadcast games on CC and never realized how many people never heard the games, which still holds true today. If I knew the signal was that poor, I would not have done the games. My mistake for not checking how far the signal did not go at night.

I admire your vote for the true broadcast legend. Too bad the egos and legend status are only in ones mind.

Obviously this Pee Wee football broadcast team and WIBX have struck a nerve with certain people. We just continue to do what the schools and fans want, and that is to do games for the kids and parents without critisizing others who also do games on the radio. Too bad, you and your legend have never taken that same professional approach. If you read my post more carefully, I never mentioned any person, nor ever will. Everyone does a job the best they can. I was talking about the poor signal, which is a fact.

Thanks for your comments and thanks for listening.

 

[Radknowski]

Well, it seems like the Galaxians are checking in, now that they're fully involved in Utica/Rome. Gee, didn't Galaxy try to sell U/R a year or two ago, but got caught fudging the numbers?

What, you didn't study VooDoo Economics 301 in college?

It's a sad day if WOUR - a great radio station in its day - is relegated to rebroadcasting Syracuse. I remember a time when the opposite would have been an improvement for some stations in the 'Cuse.

And so, the Syracuse/Utica board comes to life, just in time for Halloween. Wonder what lucky Utican Dreaded Eddie will designate to wash his Jag when visiting. Check the trunk to see if poor Bone's in there wearing a leather mask and a red ball in his mouth.

 

[funnyman]

Hahahaha Rad from what I hear they didn't keep any staff members other than 2 sales people. Laser wash seems to be the only route to go.

 

[BobRoss]

Laser wash seems to be the only route to go.

And it'll be on trade!

 

[Time Traveler]

A market changing day. Religion is everywhere. WOUR is Classic Rock 96.9 WOUR and almost entire CC Utica/Rome staff is gone including ALL former WOUR people. What becomes of Bob and Tom and MIX. Ed must be laughing all the way to the bank as he collects his money and finally gets the last chuckle.

With regards to WOUR this is truly sad...a once legendary station reduced to this...Did the air staff have any final comments their final day, or did they even know that it was their final day? WOUR was one of the early progressive rockers in New York State. From what I recall they signed on as a jesus station in 1969 and than went automated
Top 40/Oldies (Hit Parade) in 1970. In 1971, they started splitting time between the automated hit parade format by day, and broadcast progressive rock at night. With in a couple of years they were full time progressive rock. Back in those days they identified themselves as "The Forerunner"....WOUR...Utica.....

 

[FredFriendly]

Despite all the moaning here this is a great week for Utica-Rome radio.  Now that all the deadwood has been trimmed away and the former CC stations are locally owned and operated I expect to see a big jump in the ratings.  If you've been listening just over the last day you can tell listeners and advertisers alike appreciate whats going on.  For too long the people of the area have been taken for granted, and now theres new, local ownership in place that intends to treat them the way they deserve.

From what I hear the response to the new lineups has been overwhelmingly positive, and thats before any tweaks.  Don't let the propaganda you hear here fool you- the people have spoken.  I just find it funny that a certain someone was crowing about what a sports powerhouse WTLB would be last month, and now he's changed his tune for obviously self-serving reasons.  Believe me, everything is on track on that front.

As for any other "personalities" in the market they're nothing more than a blip on the screen.  We all know the truth- real pros get payed to do thier jobs, while hacks and has-beens have to pay to get on the air.

For too long local radio has been sick, despite the claims of any self-absorbed "doctors" otherwise.  Now there's a new doctor in town and he's doing what it takes to save the patient.  In the end you'll all be thanking him.

 

[Adman4120]

Let me start off and finish a previous reply on this thread to the person who felt it necessary to critisize the sports boradcasts on WIBX. Coming from the former CC Utica management team...Good luck in your future job search.

Now, on to more professional conversations...It indeed was a sad day for WOUR, River, MIX and some Kiss employees, along with behind the scenes staff. Friends inidicated the way it was handled witha touch of arrogance. As many of us have stated before, this business isn't what it used to be. The human element is gone. Consider most people treated like some sort of animal.

People like Gerry Kraus, Allison, Tom Starr, Mike Walsh, Linda Rae and others who I am missing. This new era translates into about 21 people who just lost their jobs like that. One day here, next day out of a job with no insurance or anything. Some will obviosuly have no problem getting another position in the same or related field.

Wouldn't be something if WXUR changed format, upgraded equipment, increased power, and put the WOUR format on their station, had Keeler as the morning show, then hired back Gerry and Allison? Stay tuned. I still say WXUR will no longer be the unknown station in the market. They are the sleeper, and I predicit down the road, they could become that sleeping giant.

To all former CC on-air people, many who I know persoanlly, best of luck in the future.

And to Fred Friendly's comments that a someone was crowing about how WTLB could have been a powerhouse, don't be shy...it was me. I have nothing to hide. And my mind was never changed for self serving reasons. I'll take my blip on the screen anyday as I have for over the past 30-years. I wonder why when I'm not even employed by any radio station in the market, so many such as you are so concerned about what sports I do, or how things go with sports at the other station.

It's great to have a new doctor in town. I'm happy the other station took all of my reccomendations for sports. And being the nice guy that I am, I never sent them a consultant's fee invoice.

Local sports, except for Rome has always been an after thought in the area for radio, so I'm proud that a couple of us and WIBX have such a force to get it on the map and have so many others stew over it. While some may act like children and are more concerned about egos and think they are the best station or play-by-play person, we will continue to concentrate on the game itself and bring some excitement to the students, schools, parents, grand parents and fans.

 

[Radknowski]

Now there's a new doctor in town and he's doing what it takes to save the patient.

It's only a matter of time before the new doc reveals himself. Quack or legit?

Sorry to hear about those who are now on the beach. If it's any consolation, there is life after radio or what passes as radio these days.

As to the sports debate. Local always wins, expecially when it's on a signal that can be heard throughout the market. Any station running ESPN, Sporting News, Fox Sports on life support without local back-up is destined to lose.

 

[FredFriendly]

Wouldn't be something if WXUR changed format, upgraded equipment, increased power, and put the WOUR format on their station, had Keeler as the morning show, then hired back Gerry and Allison?  Stay tuned.  I still say WXUR will no longer be the unknown station in the market.  They are the sleeper, and I predicit down the road, they could become that sleeping giant.

As I said, real pros get paid to do their job and hacks and has-beens have to buy airtime...that's just the way it is when your on-air efforts are about as successful as your lawsuits.  Anyone claiming that their "good friends" at CC are even considering working at the same station obviously hasn't actually talked to them.  Offers have already been made, and rejected, because of the history there...and anyone who was really on the inside would know that..so try again.

To all former CC on-air people, many who I know persoanlly, best of luck in the future.

 

I'm sure your "good friends" appreciate the thought. 

And to Fred Friendly's comments that a someone was crowing about how WTLB could have been a powerhouse, don't be shy...it was me. I have nothing to hide.  And my mind was never changed for self serving reasons.

I apologize...I'd just heard some rumors about someone else and angry phone calls and having to rip up their new "Program Director" business cards when the real management was put in place.

So sad, too bad...try again.

It's great to have a new doctor in town.

 

Truer words were never spoken.

 

[SirRoxalot]

S 'cuse Me...

Gee, I'll bet the folks in Utica/Rome are just weeping with joy that Syracuse radio is now being piped in on their (formerly) favorite frequencies.

I wonder if Ed can duplicate his Albany-Schenectady-Troy success in a market much closer to home?

Good luck to you folks who are now temporarily working for the State Dept. of Labor. We all know that this day comes, but it doesn't make it any easier when it finally arrives.

As for our "new doctor", Fred doesn't seem very Friendly, huh? Maybe he'll resuscitate a moribund U/R market in ways that he hadn't anticipated.

 

[dustintv]

Utica is a depressing town these days, it's very sad to reflect back upon as to what it once was. How soon before someone does indeed decide automation is the key for survival? :'(

 

[Osama]

Well..."Fred"...someone used to say that "good radio stations get good ratings and bad radio stations get bad ratings" repeatedly....Does that phrase sound familiar? I thought that it would? I wonder if that individual felt that way about WBOE/WOOB/WRCZ/WKRD????

 

[Producer]

Hey there Dave...it seems that you're not the only one being Galaxized. I love his obsession!

 

[BobRoss]

With regards to WOUR this is truly sad...a once legendary station reduced to this...Did the air staff have any final comments their final day, or did they even know that it was their final day?

Not to sound mean, but they HAD to know it was going to happen. If not when CC first announced its plans to spinoff everything below market 100, they MUST have had a clue when the rumors started circulating about Galaxy buying the cluster. Kudos to Kenny and Roadie for seeing the writing on the wall and proactively doing something about it for themselves, before Ed did it for them.

As for the rest, did they actually think there'd be a chance they'd be asked to stay on board? Sure, Jerry and Alison have been on WOUR for decades, but Ed probably figures he can still make just as much, or more money, going jockless or piping in people from Syracuse. Even if the ratings wind up being cut in half, the salary costs are cut by a lot more than that (guessing the Syracuse jocks make at least a little extra for voicetracking), so Ed still makes a profit.

I do feel bad for them, especially since they've been on the air for such a long time, and at that age, you're not really expecting to suddenly change careers. Hopefully they can pick up some agency voicework, something in PR, or maybe teaching at HCCC. Or as someone suggested, maybe WXUR will bulk up and attempt to take on WOUR. There's no better way to take on a heritage station than to steal all of its talent! Of course, this assumes they aren't stuck waiting out non-compete clauses like Keeler had to when he was fired by Galaxy. And it assumes WXUR can find a way to offer these folks enough cash to make it worth their while.