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Columbus Radio

J

jmmt59

I never hear any discussion about Columbus radio. I'm sure its not too exciting but what do people listen to down there? Do most people tune into the Indy stations or does 107.3 do well here? Just wondering.......
 
What stations does White River/Findlay own these days? Are all the other stations in the area still heavily staffed by former White River employees?
 
Re: Columbus Radio: WRZQ-FM

Yes, it is still Q-Mix, WRZQ and I believe Dave is still there. Unfortunately, as a result of their reduction in signal strength, I can no longer receive it as well north of Bloomington. However, I can receive a decent signal in Bloomington and, until recently, WRZQ had one of the best music libraries I had heard in quite some time, especially for radio. Unfortunately, they have aged their library somwhat and it isn't quite as good, but, I can still hear several good songs in a row and not a lot of repeats. One of their current slogans is a "one-oh-seven in a row," describing their rotations, along with I believe to be a no-repeat workday. Who was doing the music over there and who is doing it now? Is it the same person and why the aging of the music, within the past several months? Has it increased numbers and/or reached older females, as I would assume they are trying to do?Thanks.--Bomba
 
White River owns 4 stations in Columbus, WKKG, Y-106, Oldies 104.9 and 1010 WCSI. At this time there is only one recently (Well 2 1/2 years ago) departed WRB employee working at a local station here. Although, a certain person working at WRB is so insecure about his job that he has and will blow out anyone that poses any type of threat to him. Go figure.
 
Actually, two-thirds of the Q-Mix morning show is made up of former White River folks...CJ and Liz. A little birdie also told me that the third piece of that show, Dawn, even interviewed with WRB a couple years ago. One of their sales guys is also a former WKKG jock.I'm sorta surprised that kkg's last morning guy Kelley didn't appear on Qmix too somewhere, that seems to be the protocol. The ones that can't cut it at WRB head down Washington street. Bomba, regarding the music on WRZQ. Agreed, I too can hear a major difference just in the last year. They went from an all-over-the-road Hot/Modern/Mainstream AC to an all-over-the-road Soft AC. A very weird mix of music, with segues like Natasha Bedingfield to The Righteous Brothers. I have to chuckle everytime I hear the "7 in a row" begin...I don't know if that's something I would promote loud and proud if I was running a station. I mean, 102.9 does 20 in a row! and KKG does 40 minutes.
 
At the risk of sounding like Simon Cowell, I have to be honest with you. When I'm driving on 65 between Louisville and Indy, I'm listening to either big market signals. Columbus, Bloomington, Seymour have nothing compelling to listen to. And if they did, who would know it? I have never seen a billboard or a bumper sticker promoting a local station there. Can you say "Invisable"?
 
WKKG and Y-106 (both WRB stations) are the two highest-cuming stations. I do love the way WRZQ sounds. Jimbo is the best! I 've worked for both companies (White River and Reising) and have nothing but good things to say about the two operators. The senior managment team at WRB is great! I still keep in touch with them and consider many to be close friends. I'd work there again in a heartbeat (if my family didn't mind starving LOL) Mike King at Reising has given many in this industry their first break. I'll always be indebted to him for taking a chance on me 20 years ago!
 
So as a recent college graduate who is moving to Columbus in a couple months it doesn't sound like there is much on the dial....Is this accurate???
 
You'll be able to pick up all of the Indy stations (except 96.3) very well. If hip-hop is your thing, you'll be disappointed. If you like country, rock or A/C, you'll get a lot of choices to listen to. If you're a radio geek (and I use that term affectionately), it's a cool place to live because a twenty minute drive to the south or east allows you to listen to Louisville and Cincinnati radio,too! For a town the size of Columbus (about 25,000 population), the local radio is very good (IMHO). It's a great place to raise a family!
 
Onesimus you are right on when you say that Columbus is a good place to raise a family. My folks still live there and love it. Radio on the other hand leaves alot to be desired in alot of areas. What I have heard when I come back there sounds like small market radio. If you want people to notice you you have to do things that get people's attention. Also, it seems to me that you should really do things that get you connected to your area and it does not sound like any station there does that very well. Buffstuff, you mentioned kelley, I believe you were referring to Joe Kelley. I listened to him before I left the area and he sounded pretty good on the radio and seemed to be very passionate about the can food drive and the radiothon both of which my family contributed to. The new guy, I believe his name is Matt or Mack, just did not sound like he was trying to inspire anyone during those events this year. He sounds like he is just going thru the motions and does not get excited about anything. Now I just listen to my cds in my car when I come home. Radio just does not seem the same anymore.
 
Onesimus, you are absolutely right - Jimbo and Mike King are two great guys who I still stay in touch with, and pop in to visit when I'm in town for the holidays. I'm told that QMIX actually beat out WRB in the most recent books. Seems like Dave Wineland has gotten the music sorted out (to some extent anyway) and really made the best of the station's community involvement.
 
It is my understanding that QMIX did beat WRB in the latest book. Reason? No one thinking outside the box. Those folks think a couple of things. As far as WRB, they think they are the big dog. They have a big target on their back. You have to give people a reason to listen. There are alot of choices on the dial these days. Wanna be the big dog? Act like it. They are located between 2 much larger markets and if they wanna get noticed, they need to act like a big market station. The problem I see with that is that it appears they do not have the leadership in place to make that happen. According to some friends of mine that know that group well, the GM works when she wants to, the DOP is just looking forward to retirement and really does not take charge the way he should and one of the PDs thinks he is in charge of everything and can do whatever he wants. There also appears to be alot of animosity between certain people that are in charge as well as between the sales and programming department. From what I understand, it is like no management team I have ever heard of. It is a wonder they still have the doors open.
 
I sincerely respect your opinion Mobiledjin. I do, however, disagree with the assessment of the WRB managment team. They are professionals who are passionate about this industry. I've worked for some great companies throughout my career and WRB is among the best. I don't have a personal axe to grind with the other guys in town...they treated me fairly and I thought the owner was a fun guy to drink with... but the GM at WRB lets her program directors actually program the radio stations. You are allowed (and expected) to veto promotions that are purely sales driven if there's no benefit to the listener. I'll always "watch her back" because she was great to me. Her boss (Dave Glass) is one of the smartest guys I know. I don't have the county-by county numbers, but I'm told that you are correct that QMIX is number one in Bartholomew Co. I'm very happy for CJ, Jim, Mike, etc. They deserve it! But I think that even they would admit that when you look at the cume from the many counties that WKKG and Y-106 serve that this battle is far from over! Isn't this business great?!!
 
But isn't it great Paul Kenny could play "Take this job and shove it" 13 times before they escorted him out of the WKKG Studios..
 
Oh the drama that went on in that building!! Good Lord!IMHO, they let some good PDs and News Directors go. I don't know the exact reasoning behind it (although rumors flew like the wind) but those people really seemed to put 150% into those radio stations while they were there and seemed to genuinely care about their employees.I heard that the only reason the GM has that job is because her daddy (at the time) owned the company. The DOP does nothing but cow-tow to the wishes of the GM and it was hilarious to hear the rumors fly around the building when the GM's husband ran for mayor of Columbus. Dave Glass, based on my interactions with him, seems to be a class act!I have a whole drawer full of past meter readings that weren't taken and notes left by the chief engineer saying how important it is to do EAS tests. I've always wanted to fax those to the FCC but have yet to find a number to fax it to... nor the real desire. Deep down I'm not really that cruel. Way... way deep down.Bottom line... WRB is a wonderful stepping stone for those wanting to get into radio but as soon as you have your experience, move on quickly!
 
ONe, I am just wondering how long ago you worked there and who was there when you were. Almost sounds like you worked for the people that preceeded the current group. But I to have no axe to grind, but I have heard how their previous morning jock was treated by the PD and find it almost to funny for words. It seems, based on what I have been told by several people, that if you pose a threat to the PD's position in anyway, you may find your way out the door. As far as letting the PD's run their stations, there is a fine line between delegation and dereliction. She lets people do what they want and really does not care about anything until it could cost some money. If it is such a great group to work for, why have so many people been in and out. Buff, you said that, I believe his name was Joe Kelley, should have gone down the street because that is where those that could not make it at WRB go there. Wonder what things would be like in Columbus radio if he had gone there. From what I gather from my parents in Columbus, he was very well liked by the people in the community and also alot of the people in the building from what I have been told by a previous sales person from there. Wow, make a connection with the listeners, which in radio is what you are supposed to do, and get the boot. That is incredible.
 
Hi Mobiledjin! I was the WCSI program director in '93-'94 (I worked on-air at WRB from '85-'91 prior) . The current director of programming came a few months after I left. While I didn't work with him, he seems to be very sharp. I have so many fond memories of that place. I wasn't making a lot of money,but I loved coming to work every day and was sad to leave (even though my next job was a much better opportunity). I agree with Faith127 that it's a great stepping-stone to larger stations. Many successful broadcasters have launched their careers there. There's no such thing as "radio utopia." Every manager has his or her quirks. I think the secret to happiness at work is to find an employer who not only appreciates your strengths but accepts (or at least tolerates) your weaknesses. You also have to know which battles to pick!
 
One, based on the dates you stated in your post, you really have no working knowledge of the current management team in place there. I know several people that have worked there in the past 5 or 6 years and it must be a completely different place than the one you describe. They describe a palce completely void of any real leadership and no togetherness among employees. It is basically every one for themselves. Wow, what a way to run a business. That sir is a recipe for failure. It may not fail today or tomorrow, but it will fail and definately is not living up to its potential. It seems as though the management team there thinks only of themselves and what can the business do for me. Damn everyone else. My reports have the GM coming in maybe 2 days a week, wow, what a job. Be in the office for 2 days a week and get paid a fulltime salary that I must add is pretty healthy. You speak of the DOP. He may be sharp but it sounds like he has no control and wants to take control. The inmates are running the place. Just a sad commentary. From what I understand, the management team there would not last one week in a real job anywhere, other radio stations included. And yes there have been alot of good people go thru there in the last several years. It is a shame that alot of them are not there now. Seems to be in radio now, all you need to know is how to operate a computer.
 
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