Changes at CC/Chicago....

[Anyacat]

Correction: Elroy is a PART owner of the station in Bermuda, not the sole proprietor. I'm not confident revenue from the station can maintain operational overhead and provide the lifestyle in which Elroy and his family are accustomed.

well, then, I hope he has something else lined up for when CC kicks him out the door.

 

[hootmon]

when CC kicks him out the door.

WOW. Does that mean it will become an all dance station?

 

[Anyacat]

when CC kicks him out the door.

WOW. Does that mean it will become an all dance station?

Whatever garners the most advertising revenue for ol' massa

 

[Chris_Rose]

What do you expect from a company who actually believes that LESS is equal to MORE? It's just not. LESS is not MORE. LESS is LESS you jackasses!!!

 

[Anyacat]

What do you expect from a company who actually believes that LESS is equal to MORE? It's just not. LESS is not MORE. LESS is LESS you jackasses!!!

The L. in L. Lowry Mays stands for "less"

 

[Marv-L.A.]

Nice to see that CC is destroying radio in Chicago just as thoroughly as they have in Boston, NYC & LA.

 

[Hamp]

According to today's (3/6) allaccess...

Effective Immediately, Elroy Smith is just the PD for WVAZ (V103). The new PD for WGCI is Kris Kelley, formerly of CC sister WJLB in Detroit.

Thoughts?

HIP, HIP, HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think it is time for some new leadership over at GCI. Maybe this new PD will actually listen to what listeners want rather than what their own ego wants. Oh, and for those who think Mr. Elroy Smith alone made GCI, he didn't. GCI is Howard McGee, Keesha Monk (who he fired even though she maintained good numbers during her shift), Tony Schulfeld, Sundance and of course, THE LISTENERS. For those of you who thought Elroy was just the perfect PD, he really isn't and this move just goes to show you NO ONE is immune from change. Besides, I think V-103 is a better fit for Elroy since he is getting older and really wasn't in touch with the latest Hip-hop and club hits. I hope this new PD makes some changes in the weekend mix programming and actually plays more House Music. Contrary to some belief by certain people on this board, GCI listeners still listen to House Music.

 

[Hamp]

And bringing in an APD (glorified MD) from Detroit to PROGRAM the #1 Station is going to fix things?

Nice that Chicago is now a training ground for APDS from Detroit!

I'm sure the salary cut that went along with the hire will no doubt help the bottom line.

That probably has more in play than we all realize.

Damixah, you may be right about Elroy being forced out. Again, I bring up the point that tampering with the products that are number 1 is brainless. However, Elroy has probably earned himself a nice paycheck over the years and with Clear Channel's investment strategy changing, more pressure could be placed on cutting costs. Get rid of the old timer
with the big paycheck and replacing them with someone at half the salary is the common strategy of corporate America today.

Well Countrykev, what did you expect? Did you think that Clear Channel was going to keep paying Elroy this fat salary as much as they have been cutting costs all across the country? It is like I said before (but you chose not to believe it) I don't care if WGCI is number one, the company wasn't going to keep someone that they would have to spend a ton of money on, Elroy Smith was no exception.

 

[Countrykev]

Well Countrykev, what did you expect? Did you think that Clear Channel was going to keep paying Elroy this fat salary as much as they have been cutting costs all across the country? It is like I said before (but you chose not to believe it) I don't care if WGCI is number one, the company wasn't going to keep someone that they would have to spend a ton of money on, Elroy Smith was no exception.

I never said Elroy was immune to any changes. I only said removing the person in charge of the #1 station to "shake things up" would be a stupid decision. For that matter, making any changes to the #1 station would be silly. Lately, though, CC Chicago has made a lot of boneheaded decisions and this would certainly make for one more.

It would only make somewhat sense if it were bringing someone in who was just as seasoned as Elroy, or promoting someone who has been with the station for a long time. This appears to be nothing more than a cost cutting measure by CC. Too many examples in radio over the past 10 years has shown that you get what every last penny pays for.

Time will tell the results...

 

[rkchgo]

According to today's (3/6) allaccess...

Effective Immediately, Elroy Smith is just the PD for WVAZ (V103). The new PD for WGCI is Kris Kelley, formerly of CC sister WJLB in Detroit.

Thoughts?

HIP, HIP, HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think it is time for some new leadership over at GCI. Maybe this new PD will actually listen to what listeners want rather than what their own ego wants. Oh, and for those who think Mr. Elroy Smith alone made GCI, he didn't. GCI is Howard McGee, Keesha Monk (who he fired even though she maintained good numbers during her shift), Tony Schulfeld, Sundance and of course, THE LISTENERS. For those of you who thought Elroy was just the perfect PD, he really isn't and this move just goes to show you NO ONE is immune from change. Besides, I think V-103 is a better fit for Elroy since he is getting older and really wasn't in touch with the latest Hip-hop and club hits. I hope this new PD makes some changes in the weekend mix programming and actually plays more House Music. Contrary to some belief by certain people on this board, GCI listeners still listen to House Music.

I was waiting for this post.

NUMBER ONE. NUMBER ONE. CONSISTENTLY NUMBER ONE. AS IN FIRST PLACE. AS IN MOST LISTENERS. AS IN BEST NUMBERS. AS IN NUMBER ONE. WHAT PART OF NUMBER ONE DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND?

You have slammed and lambasted the man for doing EXACTLY WHAT HE WAS SUPPOSED TO DO WHEN HE WAS HIRED. Why do you have a personal grudge?

How many stations have YOU brought to number one in a top three market?

I thought so.

 

[noknownuser]

For the record, WGCI was #1 before Elroy got there. However, he deserves credit for keeping the station at the top for almost 15 years.

Switching gears...is it safe to say Darren Davis is really the new PD of WGCI?

 

[Hamp]

According to today's (3/6) allaccess...

Effective Immediately, Elroy Smith is just the PD for WVAZ (V103). The new PD for WGCI is Kris Kelley, formerly of CC sister WJLB in Detroit.

Thoughts?

HIP, HIP, HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think it is time for some new leadership over at GCI. Maybe this new PD will actually listen to what listeners want rather than what their own ego wants. Oh, and for those who think Mr. Elroy Smith alone made GCI, he didn't. GCI is Howard McGee, Keesha Monk (who he fired even though she maintained good numbers during her shift), Tony Schulfeld, Sundance and of course, THE LISTENERS. For those of you who thought Elroy was just the perfect PD, he really isn't and this move just goes to show you NO ONE is immune from change. Besides, I think V-103 is a better fit for Elroy since he is getting older and really wasn't in touch with the latest Hip-hop and club hits. I hope this new PD makes some changes in the weekend mix programming and actually plays more House Music. Contrary to some belief by certain people on this board, GCI listeners still listen to House Music.

I was waiting for this post.

NUMBER ONE. NUMBER ONE. CONSISTENTLY NUMBER ONE. AS IN FIRST PLACE. AS IN MOST LISTENERS. AS IN BEST NUMBERS. AS IN NUMBER ONE. WHAT PART OF NUMBER ONE DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND?

You have slammed and lambasted the man for doing EXACTLY WHAT HE WAS SUPPOSED TO DO WHEN HE WAS HIRED. Why do you have a personal grudge?

How many stations have YOU brought to number one in a top three market?

I thought so.

1. I felt that the longer Mr. Smith was in that position, the bigger his ego got and he felt he could do anything with GCI and get away with it from unnecessary terminations of good DJ's, uncalled for edits of certain music and cancellations of specialty shows that didn't need to be messed with.

2. You keep mentioning NUMBER ONE. If GCI were the only thing needed in Chicago to satisfy listeners tastes, then there wouldn't be Power 92, B-96 or Kiss FM.

3. WGCI was number one ANYWAY when the PD before Elroy, James Alexander was there so they weren't exactly hurting for listenership. Oh, should I mention that Club 107.5 was not messed with and the station was still doing well.

4. All of the credit shouldn't even be going to Elroy for the station's success anyway, what about the listeners and air talent?

5. Why are you defending Elroy anyway, is he your best friend or something? RkChgo, not everyone sees Elroy as a God like you do and do have the right to critcize his shortcomings. If Elroy was such a good PD, then he would have moved on to another market and did the same thing (with the same result), not stay at the same station for 15 years.

 

[rkchgo]

I was waiting for this post.

NUMBER ONE. NUMBER ONE. CONSISTENTLY NUMBER ONE. AS IN FIRST PLACE. AS IN MOST LISTENERS. AS IN BEST NUMBERS. AS IN NUMBER ONE. WHAT PART OF NUMBER ONE DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND?

You have slammed and lambasted the man for doing EXACTLY WHAT HE WAS SUPPOSED TO DO WHEN HE WAS HIRED. Why do you have a personal grudge?

How many stations have YOU brought to number one in a top three market?

I thought so.

1. I felt that the longer Mr. Smith was in that position, the bigger his ego got and he felt he could do anything with GCI and get away with it from unnecessary terminations of good DJ's, uncalled for edits of certain music and cancellations of specialty shows that didn't need to be messed with.

If he brought OR kept that station at number one for that long, he deserves a fair amount of self-pride. YOU felt the terminations were unnecessary, YOU don't like the edits, YOU felt the shows didn't need to be messed with. He felt differently. He ran the station. You ran your mouth. See the difference?

2. You keep mentioning NUMBER ONE. If GCI were the only thing needed in Chicago to satisfy listeners tastes, then there wouldn't be Power 92, B-96 or Kiss FM.

All of which exist, and yet don't matter, in this conversation. He was NUMBER ONE. Where are those stations? Trying to catch up. You don't mess with what works. Simple as that.

3. WGCI was number one ANYWAY when the PD before Elroy, James Alexander was there so they weren't exactly hurting for listenership. Oh, should I mention that Club 107.5 was not messed with and the station was still doing well.

Oh well, so he changed it and tweaked it, and of course, the station IMMEDIATELY BOMBED...oh wait, no, it stayed number one, didn't it?

4. All of the credit shouldn't even be going to Elroy for the station's success anyway, what about the listeners and air talent?

Who hired the air talent? And the listeners apparently enjoyed the station enough to make it number one, WITHOUT YOUR CHANGES.

5. Why are you defending Elroy anyway, is he your best friend or something? RkChgo, not everyone sees Elroy as a God like you do and do have the right to critcize his shortcomings. If Elroy was such a good PD, then he would have moved on to another market and did the same thing (with the same result), not stay at the same station for 15 years.

Never met the man. Don't like the music. I'm a country fan, so I am about as far away from GCI as one can get. I just don't think that someone who has been, let's face it, wildly successful, deserves to get trashed by someone who, let's face it, has not.

And I've read your posts on the Phoenix board. All you can do is trash radio stations. If they don't play ALL HAMP, ALL THE TIME, then you claim they're wrong, don't know what they're doing, and should listen to what YOU proclaim to be the answer.

So I'll ask you again, Hamp. How many radio stations HAVE you programmed to number one in a top three market?

I thought so. Just like before.

Go get an ipod. Program it to your heart's content. Then brag that it's number one in your ears!



[/quote]

 

[Hamp]

I was waiting for this post.

NUMBER ONE. NUMBER ONE. CONSISTENTLY NUMBER ONE. AS IN FIRST PLACE. AS IN MOST LISTENERS. AS IN BEST NUMBERS. AS IN NUMBER ONE. WHAT PART OF NUMBER ONE DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND?

You have slammed and lambasted the man for doing EXACTLY WHAT HE WAS SUPPOSED TO DO WHEN HE WAS HIRED. Why do you have a personal grudge?

How many stations have YOU brought to number one in a top three market?

I thought so.

1. I felt that the longer Mr. Smith was in that position, the bigger his ego got and he felt he could do anything with GCI and get away with it from unnecessary terminations of good DJ's, uncalled for edits of certain music and cancellations of specialty shows that didn't need to be messed with.

If he brought OR kept that station at number one for that long, he deserves a fair amount of self-pride. YOU felt the terminations were unnecessary, YOU don't like the edits, YOU felt the shows didn't need to be messed with. He felt differently. He ran the station. You ran your mouth. See the difference?

2. You keep mentioning NUMBER ONE. If GCI were the only thing needed in Chicago to satisfy listeners tastes, then there wouldn't be Power 92, B-96 or Kiss FM.

All of which exist, and yet don't matter, in this conversation. He was NUMBER ONE. Where are those stations? Trying to catch up. You don't mess with what works. Simple as that.

3. WGCI was number one ANYWAY when the PD before Elroy, James Alexander was there so they weren't exactly hurting for listenership. Oh, should I mention that Club 107.5 was not messed with and the station was still doing well.

Oh well, so he changed it and tweaked it, and of course, the station IMMEDIATELY BOMBED...oh wait, no, it stayed number one, didn't it?

4. All of the credit shouldn't even be going to Elroy for the station's success anyway, what about the listeners and air talent?

Who hired the air talent? And the listeners apparently enjoyed the station enough to make it number one, WITHOUT YOUR CHANGES.

5. Why are you defending Elroy anyway, is he your best friend or something? RkChgo, not everyone sees Elroy as a God like you do and do have the right to critcize his shortcomings. If Elroy was such a good PD, then he would have moved on to another market and did the same thing (with the same result), not stay at the same station for 15 years.

Never met the man. Don't like the music. I'm a country fan, so I am about as far away from GCI as one can get. I just don't think that someone who has been, let's face it, wildly successful, deserves to get trashed by someone who, let's face it, has not.

And I've read your posts on the Phoenix board. All you can do is trash radio stations. If they don't play ALL HAMP, ALL THE TIME, then you claim they're wrong, don't know what they're doing, and should listen to what YOU proclaim to be the answer.

So I'll ask you again, Hamp. How many radio stations HAVE you programmed to number one in a top three market?

I thought so. Just like before.

Go get an ipod. Program it to your heart's content. Then brag that it's number one in your ears!


You are contradicting yourself. If WGCI was number one in the first place, why would Elroy would have to tweak it in the first place? Also Elroy came into this market not knowing ANYTHING about the Chicago music scene or Chicagoans. He thought what he could do in former markets, he could do in Chicago and he was wrong.
All I am saying is this, the changes that he made in the past were not good, not just to me but for the market, PERIOD!!!
I have spoken to programming assistants and DJ's at GCI and a lot of them didn't agree with the decisions he made and yes, some of them didn't work.
A prime example would be once again, Club 107.5. He cancelled a show that was number one consistantly (without station support) in its time slot. He didn't have to do that, maybe tweak the show a little, but not cancel it.
Also, if you are SUCH a country fan, how do you know SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much about WGCI? Why do you even care?
Dude, the bottom line is Elroy is GONE from GCI and I am pleased as punch. I will actually start listening to GCI more since he isn't in charge!!!!! Maybe Kris will actually listen to what Chicagoans actually want in Urban radio.
So put that in your pipe and smoke it.

[/quote]

 

[rkchgo]

You are contradicting yourself. If WGCI was number one in the first place, why would Elroy would have to tweak it in the first place? Also Elroy came into this market not knowing ANYTHING about the Chicago music scene or Chicagoans. He thought what he could do in former markets, he could do in Chicago and he was wrong.

NUMBER ONE. NUMBER ONE. NUMBER ONE. How is that wrong? Thank you for proving my point perfectly.

All I am saying is this, the changes that he made in the past were not good, not just to me but for the market, PERIOD!!!

NUMBER ONE. How is that not good "for the market"?

I have spoken to programming assistants and DJ's at GCI and a lot of them didn't agree with the decisions he made and yes, some of them didn't work.

ASSISTANTS AND DJ's. Not to demean them in any way, but if they were so talented, why weren't THEY programming number one stations themselves?

A prime example would be once again, Club 107.5. He cancelled a show that was number one consistantly (without station support) in its time slot. He didn't have to do that, maybe tweak the show a little, but not cancel it.

You're angry because he cancelled a show YOU LIKED, and claiming it was bad for the market. GET AN IPOD, DUDE.

Also, if you are SUCH a country fan, how do you know SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much about WGCI? Why do you even care?

Because I recognize success, and don't like someone who is completely unproven slamming someone because they have a different opinion. Let me say it again, for the last time: If you're so intelligent, and know so much about programming, why aren't you programming major market stations? Chicago OR phoenix, either one? I rest my case.

Dude, the bottom line is Elroy is GONE from GCI and I am pleased as punch. I will actually start listening to GCI more since he isn't in charge!!!!! Maybe Kris will actually listen to what Chicagoans actually want in Urban radio.
So put that in your pipe and smoke it.

Dude, the bottom line is, you're happy because a huge radio station didn't play YOUR playlist exactly the way YOU wanted it. I have news for you...the new guy probably won't, either. And you can't speak for Chicagoans, being a recent transplant, just as I wouldn't speak for Phoenicians, being a recent transplant there myself.

Get an IPOD and quit whining about things you don't have the knowledge to legitimately critique.

 

[Damixah3]

I see this post went south quick......I see the same responses from certain people for different post....lack of material, maybe?

Hamp...listen to JM3's show, he picked up where BMX & CLUB 1075 left off....

leave this maddness alone......

 

[Hamp]

You are contradicting yourself. If WGCI was number one in the first place, why would Elroy would have to tweak it in the first place? Also Elroy came into this market not knowing ANYTHING about the Chicago music scene or Chicagoans. He thought what he could do in former markets, he could do in Chicago and he was wrong.

NUMBER ONE. NUMBER ONE. NUMBER ONE. How is that wrong? Thank you for proving my point perfectly.

All I am saying is this, the changes that he made in the past were not good, not just to me but for the market, PERIOD!!!

NUMBER ONE. How is that not good "for the market"?

I have spoken to programming assistants and DJ's at GCI and a lot of them didn't agree with the decisions he made and yes, some of them didn't work.

ASSISTANTS AND DJ's. Not to demean them in any way, but if they were so talented, why weren't THEY programming number one stations themselves?

A prime example would be once again, Club 107.5. He cancelled a show that was number one consistantly (without station support) in its time slot. He didn't have to do that, maybe tweak the show a little, but not cancel it.

You're angry because he cancelled a show YOU LIKED, and claiming it was bad for the market. GET AN IPOD, DUDE.

Also, if you are SUCH a country fan, how do you know SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much about WGCI? Why do you even care?

Because I recognize success, and don't like someone who is completely unproven slamming someone because they have a different opinion. Let me say it again, for the last time: If you're so intelligent, and know so much about programming, why aren't you programming major market stations? Chicago OR phoenix, either one? I rest my case.

Dude, the bottom line is Elroy is GONE from GCI and I am pleased as punch. I will actually start listening to GCI more since he isn't in charge!!!!! Maybe Kris will actually listen to what Chicagoans actually want in Urban radio.
So put that in your pipe and smoke it.

Dude, the bottom line is, you're happy because a huge radio station didn't play YOUR playlist exactly the way YOU wanted it. I have news for you...the new guy probably won't, either. And you can't speak for Chicagoans, being a recent transplant, just as I wouldn't speak for Phoenicians, being a recent transplant there myself.

Get an IPOD and quit whining about things you don't have the knowledge to legitimately critique.

Again, why do you care? You obviously have a vested interest in the station. Or, GASP, you could be Elroy posing as someone else. Also, if I don't like something about a station, I as a listener have the right to say I don't. Just because a station or anything else for that matter is number one, doesn't mean people will not have complaints about it. That's how you stay number one in the first place.
Another thing, I have visited and lived in Chicago off and on for twenty years now, so I think I know a little bit more about Chi-Town than you!!! Oh, and for the record, I DO own an IPOD, but that doesn't mean I can't still listen to the radio and say what I like and don't like about it. It is called being an involved listener. So, instead of taking up for an egotistical PD like Elroy R.C. Smith, you need to be focusing on the listener instead. Because if it wasn't for them companies such as: Clear Channel, Emmis Communications, CBS Radio, etc. would have to shut their doors!!!!
Look, I really don't care what you think. If I see something wrong with a business I will speak up about it. So you may as well stop trying to put me down and just let sleeping dogs lie, because persons like yourself RKChgo (or maybe Elroy in disguise) will only make me speak up LOUDER!!!!

 

[Hamp]

I see this post went south quick......I see the same responses from certain people for different post....lack of material, maybe?

Hamp...listen to JM3's show, he picked up where BMX & CLUB 1075 left off....

leave this maddness alone......

You are right!!! I have listened a little to the JM3 show on Love FM and I have to say I am impressed with his selections. But also, people don't have the right to say I can't criticize something I don't care for. Not JM3's show, but if I don't care for certain programming decisions at other stations, that's all.

 

[Damixah3]

You are right!!! I have listened a little to the JM3 show on Love FM and I have to say I am impressed with his selections. But also, people don't have the right to say I can't criticize something I don't care for. Not JM3's show, but if I don't care for certain programming decisions at other stations, that's all.

I know what you mean, Hamp...You have every right to voice your opinion.

 

[rkchgo]

why do you care? You obviously have a vested interest in the station. Or, GASP, you could be Elroy posing as someone else. Also, if I don't like something about a station, I as a listener have the right to say I don't. Just because a station or anything else for that matter is number one, doesn't mean people will not have complaints about it. That's how you stay number one in the first place.
Another thing, I have visited and lived in Chicago off and on for twenty years now, so I think I know a little bit more about Chi-Town than you!!! Oh, and for the record, I DO own an IPOD, but that doesn't mean I can't still listen to the radio and say what I like and don't like about it. It is called being an involved listener. So, instead of taking up for an egotistical PD like Elroy R.C. Smith, you need to be focusing on the listener instead. Because if it wasn't for them companies such as: Clear Channel, Emmis Communications, CBS Radio, etc. would have to shut their doors!!!!
Look, I really don't care what you think. If I see something wrong with a business I will speak up about it. So you may as well stop trying to put me down and just let sleeping dogs lie, because persons like yourself RKChgo (or maybe Elroy in disguise) will only make me speak up LOUDER!!!!

1. I am not he. I am me. There are folks on this board who know who I am and where I am. Rest assured, I am not he.

2. You keep saying things like "If I see something wrong with a business I will speak up about it." The problem is, it's YOUR OPINION. I have no issue with you not agreeing with what he did. I have an issue with you badmouthing him and saying it's WRONG. It's not WRONG. It's simply not what you prefer. And I wish you had the honesty and integrity to admit that, rather than badmouth someone with far more success than you.

3. Born in Evanston. Lived in the city (northside) as well as Park Ridge, Des Plaines, Mount Prospect, Wheeling, Wauconda, Fox Lake, and Round Lake Heights. 42 years in the metro. Not off and on; just on. You know more about Chicago than I? Try again.

4. I find that generally, when people say the same thing over and over and over again, louder each time, without change, it means that they haven't bothered to pay any attention to an opposing viewpoint.

In closing: Hamp, you have every right to speak your opinion. And I have every right to speak mine. And I did. And it's up to the readers of this board to decide with whom they agree. I don't think saying the same wrong-headed things over and over, louder and louder, will work for you. After all, this is not the OTA board. <grin>

Have a nice time in Chicago.