Cumulus Florence/Myrtle Beach

[Wabbit_Season]

From RadioInk:

Cumulus Puts 19 Stations In Trust

ATLANTA -- November 6, 2007: Cumulus agreed in July to a $1.3 billion buyout by an investment group led by CEO Lew Dickey and Merrill Lynch Global Private Equity, and now it's placed 19 stations in trust on the way to going private.

In a November 1 FCC filing, Cumulus says the merger beneficiaries hold attributable interests in more radio stations than allowed under FCC rules in 14 markets: Montgomery, AL; Fayetteville, AR; Albany, Macon, and Savannah, GA; Columbus, MS; Toledo and Youngstown, OH; Florence and Myrtle Beach, SC; Killeen, Odessa, and Wichita Falls, TX; and Green Bay, WI.

Cumulus is placing 19 stations in those markets in a new trust, headed by Scott Knoblauch, who will "serve as a trustee for the purpose of selling the stations to a third party or third parties and operating the stations pending the consummation of such sale."

The stations in Florence are WHLZ and Magic, and the stations in Myrtle are their two sports stations.

Comments? What will this mean for the playing field in each market?

 

[thebroker]

I think the better question might be who would want to buy the stations, and what on earth would you do with them? Obviously, they are the "worst" of the Cumulus stations in each market. I mean obviously, if they have to shed a signal or two, they are going to shed from the bottom and not the top.

Who wants to buy an obviously inferior signal and fight an uphill battle? (I'm playing devil's advocate with that statement, not expressing my opinion ;D )

 

[CrazeeCarroll1]

I can see a person give it a try and his name is Harold Miller..... CC1

 

[Gatekeeper007]

I agree if they were in my area I would too.

 

[Wabbit_Season]

I can see a person give it a try and his name is Harold Miller..... CC1

If I'm not mistaken, you've been on Harold's bandwagon for awhile. I'm just curious as to why? None of his current stations are making much of a splash...I know he owned 103X back in its heydey, but those days (for both Harold and 103X) seem to be long gone.

 

[CrazeeCarroll1]

Not on anybodies bandwagon... I am just glad that there are still some local people who still want to make a go of it... We all moan and groan about how CC, Citadel, and the rest all sound the same and although he is not getting big numbers with his stations what ever he is doing must be paying the bills... There are other people who would be great station owners if they can play the money game... Wabbit if you owned stations and were local I would be supporting you as well... I am for local people doing what they love and that is "Radio"... CC1

 

[Ssummers]

I can see a person give it a try and his name is Harold Miller..... CC1

If I'm not mistaken, you've been on Harold's bandwagon for awhile. I'm just curious as to why? None of his current stations are making much of a splash...I know he owned 103X back in its heydey, but those days (for both Harold and 103X) seem to be long gone.

Not to butt in, but, why not...lol. Allow me to wax nostalgic for a bit. I've known Harold(Catdaddy) since he was a part timer at Z96 back in the early 80s. His only dream as a kid was to start a radio station. Sounds corny if one doesn't know him, but he has gone as far as, literally, getting down on his knees with Freddie Avant(the owner of the bottling company that distributed Pepsi, I think, in Florence) back in the 80s, and pleading his case as to why Mr. Avant should invest money in buying WJMX-AM/FM. After exhorting Mr. Avant to "buy" (my pun, not Harold's) into his American Dream of taking a locally established radio station (on the decline), resurrecting it and taking it to the next logical level, Mr. Avant asked him to give him the weekend to think about it. As I hear the rest of the story told, by the time he and his wife, Teresa(one of the coolest people I know), got home that evening, there was a message on their answering machine(no voice mail back then) from Mr. Avant, informing him when he could pick up a million dollar check on the following Monday. Although I can't vouch with any veracity for the phone message and the amount of the check, I can attest to the passion and persuasiveness that he brought to the table with Mr. Avant that day and in the future with Atlantic Broadcasting. And although his stations haven't had the same level of success that 106X and, ultimately, 103X enjoyed back in their "heyday", one must remember that he re-invented/re-created WJMX and helped change South Carolina radio in the process. For that alone, he should be given the benefit of the doubt, but, more than that, he should be recognized as a radio pioneer with vision and the "balls" to make that vision a reality. It is for that last accolade that I, and anyone familiar with Harold, not only count on him being a part of the next reinvention of South Carolina radio, we expect him to be leading the way.

Few people realize the extent to which Harold's touch has influenced radio in South Carolina. I am one of those people.

 

[thebroker]

I've never met Harold, and we've only talked on the phone once. However, during that conversation, he struck me as one of the FEW folks left out there doing radio the right way. He's a gentleman and a scholar, in my book.

 

[Lhsh]

It is really refreshing to see someone who is willing to stick their neck out and make locally owned radio make something out of itself and frankly I am sorry to see that something like that has not really caught on here in the Columbia area with all of the crappy corporate stuff that we have to put up with night and day

 

[Wabbit_Season]

I am not questioning Harold's past contributions to SC broadcasting; I guess my issue is, that's all in the past...from what I see in recent years, he is more interested in owning a few properties that, with minimal effort, will make just enough to pay the bills. It's hard for me to get behind the guy if he's not going to make a serious run at putting on some great radio.

I have nothing against a guy resting on his laurels and collecting a few bucks in the process, but let's not make the mistake of thinking Harold is going to champion small market, family-owned radio and wield his sling and pebbles against corporate radio.

Maybe 25 years ago, but not now. Right now his radio ownership is more about financial security for him and his family than it is bringing around some heydey of local radio.

I could be wrong. I would love to be wrong about this. I just don't think I am.

 

[Ssummers]

I am not questioning Harold's past contributions to SC broadcasting; I guess my issue is, that's all in the past...from what I see in recent years, he is more interested in owning a few properties that, with minimal effort, will make just enough to pay the bills. It's hard for me to get behind the guy if he's not going to make a serious run at putting on some great radio.

I have nothing against a guy resting on his laurels and collecting a few bucks in the process, but let's not make the mistake of thinking Harold is going to champion small market, family-owned radio and wield his sling and pebbles against corporate radio.

Maybe 25 years ago, but not now. Right now his radio ownership is more about financial security for him and his family than it is bringing around some heydey of local radio.

I could be wrong. I would love to be wrong about this. I just don't think I am.

Hey dude, no offense, but how do you know what Harold's radio ownership is about? Seems that your "issues" are just that..."your" issues. You asked why Carroll was on the Harold "bandwagon". I interjected and told you a little about Harold, thinking that if you got an idea about his passion for the industry, you might understand why people like Carroll and me (and many others) are such strong advocates of Harold's. None of us have any clue whatsoever whether Harold has chosen to rest "on his laurels" or not, but, if that's his choice, then more power to him. Do you work for Harold? Have you ever worked for Harold? Are you planning on working for Harold? I ask because, unless you do, have or will work with him, why is it so important to anyone that you "get behind" him at all? Like I said in an earlier post, he's a radio pioneer in South Carolina and he is a proven success as an owner. He's a radio guy from the ground up...not some guy who sold a lot of computers, insurance or real estate and then decided to buy some stations and "dabble" in radio. He gets it. Radio is constantly changing and it changes more rapidly with each passing moment, so if you don't constantly change with it and reinvent yourself and your strategy, you get left behind and become irrelevant. Rest assured, Harold is far from irrelevant. From reading your posts regarding Harold, it seems clear (at least to me) that you don't know what Harold's about at all. He isn't about championing "small market, family-owned radio" and wielding "his sling and pebbles against corporate radio". Among other things, he's about providing a consistently superior radio product...on the part of his radio stations and South Carolina radio stations in general. Part of that involves putting on "some great radio", but, surely you know that "great" radio is far more that posting records, playing the best songs, having the best promotions and getting the best ratings. Sure, ratings are hugely important...from the business perspective, and Harold is acutely attuned to the "business" aspect of it. After all, it's "radio" and it's a "business"...that's why they call it the "radio business". To be successful, you have to strike a balance between the two. Harold is a student of radio and is, therefore, keenly interested in the improvement of the "content" that radio delivers to the community at large. Hey, you can own the best facilities, play the best records and have the best jocks, but, at the end of the day, the frequency belongs to the government to inform the public in times of emergency. In that spirit, if your radio station can't effectively serve the community it is licensed to and help that community put it's "best foot" forward so that when said community looks in the mirror, it likes what it sees, you won't be rewarded with loyalty, listenership, revenue, success, or, since you brought it up, financial security for you and your family. Harold is all about providing radio that effectively serves the community...from hurricane relief efforts and breast cancer research fundraisers to local high school involvement and civic group sponsorships...the whole package. Like I said, Harold "gets" it. As for dismissing his past contributions to South Carolina broadcasting as being "in the past", I'll take my chances with someone with a proven track record...especially one as exemplary as Harold's.

So, I guess, in summation, you are wrong after all.

 

[thebroker]

I am not questioning Harold's past contributions to SC broadcasting; I guess my issue is, that's all in the past...from what I see in recent years, he is more interested in owning a few properties that, with minimal effort, will make just enough to pay the bills. It's hard for me to get behind the guy if he's not going to make a serious run at putting on some great radio.

I have nothing against a guy resting on his laurels and collecting a few bucks in the process, but let's not make the mistake of thinking Harold is going to champion small market, family-owned radio and wield his sling and pebbles against corporate radio.

Maybe 25 years ago, but not now. Right now his radio ownership is more about financial security for him and his family than it is bringing around some heydey of local radio.

I could be wrong. I would love to be wrong about this. I just don't think I am.

I'm not sure at all that you are accurate in your assertions. In fact, Scott has made some very valid points in disputing your claims. However, let's assume for the sake of argument that you ARE correct, and the gentleman has lived a great live as an owner and is now ready to slow down. He has built a great company and fought some good battles over the years. With all his contributions, he has been good to radio. Now maybe it is time for radio to be good to him, in the form of his stations offering financial security. What on earth do you see being wrong with this? Like I said, I don't believe this is the case, but even if it were, there's nothing wrong with it.

Let's face it...time marches on. I'm sure some day I'll get tired and decide to either rest on my laurels or cash out entirely and sell my stations. Does that mean me trying my very best to make this business a better one, every day since I was literally a teenager, is suddenly negated because I desire to slow down and relax in the financial security accrued during my career? Does that mean suddenly that I'm no longer a decent broadcaster with the best interest of my community and the industry as a whole at heart? Nope.

However, I think to say Harold's best work is in the past is to say that you aren't paying attention to the reality of the business. Listen to his stations. I have. In my opinion, he is still very much a player in the business.

I can't help but think your post seems more about sour grapes than anything.

 

[Lhsh]

Like I have said before, it is really refreshing to see someone who is willing to tak on the coporate giants and do it well and put out a quality product and if he wants a little financial security, then so what. It sounds like to me that all this is is a huge case of sour grapes and outright jealousy.

 

[Wabbit_Season]

It sounds like to me that all this is is a huge case of sour grapes and outright jealousy.

I could quote many lines from others who are slamming me for my views on Harold Miller, but I won't, as they are similar...and just what I was afraid of.

I worded what I said very carefully to avoid a) conflict and name-calling and b) either Harold bandwagoners OR haters coming out of the woodwork - and on that point I seem to have failed. So let me just amend and clarify my earlier statements.

First, to answer one question, I have never worked for Harold, nor do I intend to. I have, however, met him and like him. He is quite a charismatic personality, to say the least, and I have worked with enough people that have worked for him to hear some incredible stories, both positive and negative. I have nothing personal against the man; in fact, I applaud him for his past successes - as I would any broadcaster who holds out in an industry that is becoming increasingly homogenized through consolidation.

My questions - again - arise from the idea that some have put forth how great it would be for Harold Miller to acquire WHLZ and Magic (or any other properties)....the underlying thought being that he would really kick booty in Florence, or wherever. My thought was that, with the properties he's had, I haven't seen much ambition to put out a superior product. Granted, my knowledge is that of an outsider and observer, and certainly doesn't extend back to his wonder years, but if you look back the last 5-7 years, the track record for his stations hasn't been that impressive. He appears more to be a wheeler-dealer than a programmer.

I will say AGAIN - this is NOT an attack on the man. I have tried hard to avoid that appearance. The question I originally put forth was, if this was how he did radio over the last several years (stated, again, as an observer only), then what would lead one to believe if he picked up the Cumulus cast-offs that he would be able to bring about some sort of radio renaissance?

To close, if you assume I have a bone to pick with Harold Miller, you could not be more wrong. No jealousy, no "sour grapes", none of that. I was honestly looking for an answer to my question. That's all.

Have at it.

 

[Ssummers]

It sounds like to me that all this is is a huge case of sour grapes and outright jealousy.

I could quote many lines from others who are slamming me for my views on Harold Miller, but I won't, as they are similar...and just what I was afraid of.

I worded what I said very carefully to avoid a) conflict and name-calling and b) either Harold bandwagoners OR haters coming out of the woodwork - and on that point I seem to have failed. So let me just amend and clarify my earlier statements.

No conflict or name calling at all...nor am I a Harold bandwagoner or hater towards anyone not supporting my opinions.
I agree with you regarding our shared belief that radio is becoming "homogenized" through consolidation. But what do you consider "good" radio? Are you speaking of the radio that monolithic consolidation-prone broadcast companies (that you obliquely refer to) provide? Or something that sounds different, that tends to stand out. Ironically, although I know it isn't what you mean, it is kind of amusing that you and I agree on the "consolidation begets homogenization" trend, indicating that stations are sounding more and more alike, then, in the same breath, you ponder that Harold's stations and their recent successes (or lack thereof) aren't "that impressive". I'm guessing that by not "that impressive", you mean that his stations don't sound like the "consolidated" stations, which is why you noticed them in the first place. Hmmm. Define what good radio is then we can talk.

Until then, I'll say again, no hateration here, my friend. And no bandwagoners here, either. Harold is my friend and has been for the entire 25 years you seem to think have rendered him impotent as a radio owner. Truth be told, the thing that grates on me (and what you're not noticing in your posts) is your tangible tone of sarcasm regarding Harold. For example, the "David and Goliath" imagery in your earlier post warning us not to make the mistake of "thinking Harold is going to champion small market, family-owned radio and wield his sling and pebbles against corporate radio" is offensive to me and more than a bit condesending because I know Harold and I know what he's about. Then, when you, in your most recent post, state that your knowledge of Harold "doesn't extend back to his wonder years", I found your choice of words to, again, be more than a little condescending and, yes, a little snarky. Maybe you're trying so hard to avoid conflict with your words, you're ignoring your tone...and the tone sounds to many of us like sarcasm and something less than the objectivity you profess.

 

[Wabbit_Season]

First, thanks to Scott for a measured and polite response.

As to my tone, you are correct in that I don't recognize a snarky or condescending tone, perhaps because one is not intended. If that is how it is coming across, I apologize.

My definition of "great radio" isn't necessarily about the things we in the business notice: the posts, the tight boardwork, the great payoff to a morning show bit, the awesome jingle package, although all of those things add up to a great SOUNDING radio station. To me, "great radio" is something that attacks the business and the "show" part of our chosen profession from an angle; that does things a little differently, instead of phoning it in. Whose imaging isn't your standard "50 minutes of music guaranteed" stuff, but maybe a little quirky and odd-sounding - but makes you perk your ears up. A country station that will throw in a great sounding album cut; a rock station that keeps a song a consultant might say isn't the "right fit for the station". Anything that smacks of the least bit of originality (that doesn't cause a train wreck at the same time) and makes you smile and say, "Ok, that was kinda cool". THAT'S great radio.

And think about it....how many times do we in the industry sit up at something we hear on a radio station and say "Wow....that rocked!"? You don't hear originality or FUN anymore because everything is so structured, so corporate, so homogenized. And the small radio station owners are so convinced that to compete you have to sound like the corporate guys, they lose the one edge they have over the big boys: autonomy. The ability to think and program and promote without being dictated to from Las Vegas or Atlanta or wherever.

So to answer your question, Scott, great radio is, to me, something that comes from the heart; something that seeks to make a place in listeners hearts not by sounding slick and syndicated and satellite-ish; but by falling down, making mistakes, risking failure in order to succeed, in the search for something different and FUN. Not the deepest voice, the slickest production, not the biggest tower. As long as the search for something even slightly out of the ordinary is there, then the potential for great radio exists.

Whether one thinks Harold Miller in 2007 pursues the above definition of "great radio" (and since your definition may vary, so might your mileage when it comes to this question) is a matter of opinion. For me, Harold's stations in 2007 don't meet the definition I put forth; if in your heart you believe Harold does great radio, and think he can make a go of it vs. Qantum and Cumulus with a couple new properties, then that's your opinion - and every bit as valid as mine. Maybe moreso.

 

[DudeFan]

I'll jump in real quick.

I only know Catdaddy by reputation.

If you heard the stations he now owns before he took them over, Harold Miller has done a fantastic job of upgrading unrated small market radio in terms of the quality and production. I am not familiar with his operation, but my impression as on outsider is that he is running an entire cluster with a handful of folks -- and not because of the cost-cutting, but because that is what those markets can support. I remember how dreadful Orangeburg and Sumter radio was before he came in the market -- either really bad production or painfully obvious satellite automation.

 

[hitkicker]

Gentlemen, it not about the storms, it's making sure you come out the other side. It's not about being #1, it's about how much you have treated people as #1. It's not about the taking, it's about the givin'. You have just as much responsibility coming down the mountain as climbing it. Just as much responsibility to step aside and let the young men have the mic as when we "all" use to hog it. Providing a smooth riding highway for the new radio wanderers is pure happiness. Life changes as the world turns and if you don't change with it, it will throw you off. Nobody is perfect, if you do not go through challenging times, we could not measure success. In other word, if it were not for the smell of BS, we would not pay $60 for a dozen roses

This Harold Miller guy will be ok and I'm sure he appreciate all the good ink and bad, now it's time for you guys to moonwalk. I hope all of you just knock one slap out of the park and break a few lights out the light bar! Don't forget to pack your fish heads and onions and say your prayers. Remember one thing, a radio station serving the public interest, is one in the Black. You cannot throw $5 in the Salvation Army kettle at Christmas if you are broke! In other words, you can't help anybody do anything, fire up any transmitter, make any payroll or fight any war if you have no cashola! Money isn't everything but money is freedom. Unfortunately, we live in a world that measures the success of men by, "the God almighty bottom Line." Hey, that's just the way it is! Get use to it!

Isn't debate Great but remember, If you giving away $100 dollar bills, somebody will not like it!
God bless all of you and Happy Thanksgiving!
The name has been changed to protect the innocent and sometime not so innocent!

Remembering Frank

 

[Ssummers]

Gentlemen, it not about the storms, it's making sure you come out the other side. It's not about being #1, it's about how much you have treated people as #1. It's not about the taking, it's about the givin'. You have just as much responsibility coming down the mountain as climbing it. Just as much responsibility to step aside and let the young men have the mic as when we "all" use to hog it. Providing a smooth riding highway for the new radio wanderers is pure happiness. Life changes as the world turns and if you don't change with it, it will throw you off. Nobody is perfect, if you do not go through challenging times, we could not measure success. In other word, if it were not for the smell of BS, we would not pay $60 for a dozen roses

This Harold Miller guy will be ok and I'm sure he appreciate all the good ink and bad, now it's time for you guys to moonwalk. I hope all of you just knock one slap out of the park and break a few lights out the light bar! Don't forget to pack your fish heads and onions and say your prayers. Remember one thing, a radio station serving the public interest, is one in the Black. You cannot throw $5 in the Salvation Army kettle at Christmas if you are broke! In other words, you can't help anybody do anything, fire up any transmitter, make any payroll or fight any war if you have no cashola! Money isn't everything but money is freedom. Unfortunately, we live in a world that measures the success of men by, "the God almighty bottom Line." Hey, that's just the way it is! Get use to it!

Isn't debate Great but remember, If you giving away $100 dollar bills, somebody will not like it!
God bless all of you and Happy Thanksgiving!
The name has been changed to protect the innocent and sometime not so innocent!

Remembering Frank

You talk an awful lot like Harold...but can you put your car into a 360 degree power slide at a busy intersection in Myrtle Beach at night with me in the car like Harold...and then laugh about it with me? Then you're my kind of guy.

And I am with you on Frank, without whom none of us could've cut our teeth. None...bar none.