Daniels and Webster

[DiRienzo]

Hey.

We're currently putting together something cool for Daniels and Webster's upcoming 5,000th show. If you've ever worked with Jay and/or John, would you please do me a favor and contact me, Dave DiRienzo, so I can fill you in on the details?

Thanks in advance.

(Note: Frankly, I'm not worried about how or why you left the employ of our company, I'm just trying to do something cool for Jay & John. Thanks for understanding.)

Dave DiRienzo, morning show producer
[email protected]
(570) 346 6555 x8501

 

[luvcoors]

Last milestone that will be celebrated. Word on street from sales via mgmt. is that if this Fall's numbers aren't good, the pink slips will arrive in early February after the numbers come out.

And everyone laughed when they said here it would never be possible...

 

[The Sigon]

Management pink slips maybe. They're a brand and those guys aren't going anywhere until they're ready. Your "word on the street" is something you just made up. Mine says maybe one of them is ready.

 

[luvcoors]

Not made up, I can assure you. Possible the PD may go as well...but the writing is definitely one the wall for both D & W. Too many bad books in recent memory with no evolution to grow and maintain a relevance to their audience.

Brands that don't change with the times in numerous aspects don't last...ask TV networks, beer companies, etc.

 

[Aramondo]

Yeah, it seems likely that management is giving that kind of information to salespeople.

 

[Nairda]

Brands that don't change with the times in numerous aspects don't last...ask TV networks, beer companies, etc.

D&W are both nice guys but their time has come and gone as has that of 107 and for that matter that of Times Shamrock in this market. They are not relevant anymore and TS is not going to pump any more life (aka money) into their properties here. It's over! If they were serious about radio they would have done a lot more with WEJL years ago. They are literally sitting on the largest news organization in NEPA and instead of putting effort into building WEJL and WBAX into the area's dominant news stations they took the easy road years ago and put them on the bird with ESPN. They have an enormous combined signal with 92 and 100 but choose to take the lazy route again with satellite. Don't be surprised if they put the bird on 107 eventually. They program by kneejerk not by thoughtful process. The 107 PD is a great guy too but my money is on a bet that he is nothing more than a puppet for the Lynetts and is forced to do what they want at the end of the day. His job is to be the sacraficial lamb. When the numbers continue to slide there will be someone to point a finger at while the management training program continues on its merry way. TS is a newspaper company. They are not radio people. Never were radio people! They are simply fortunate enough to have enough money to be able to play with radio as a hobby.

 

[luvcoors]

Yeah, it seems likely that management is giving that kind of information to salespeople.

If you don't think that happens behind a closed door and then chatted amongst people in the market while having the "please don't tell anyone this...but" game goes on....shows much you don't know or how out of touch you are.

 

[plooker]

Ya know.. Luvcoors and others, you are acting like a couple of idiots. Like another reader posted, this thread was about Dave looking for coworkers to relate stories about D & W... and a couple of idiots turn this into a D & W bash a thon...

Just the very fact that D & W have been in the market for 25 years, says something about these guys. There long term success is because they identify and relate to their audience, and embrace the area they're in, including using local slang on a ir to hilarious effect...
( goin up da I non.. heyyy naaaa fo 1 2 tree beers..)

I would just like to offer Jay and John my congrats on their success, and doing 5000 shows, especially in a sometimes difficult work environment up there on the 5th floor. WTG Guys, and I hope you do another 5000

 

[camelclutch]

Congrats to Jay and John. These guys are going nowhere. Everybody keeps saying ezx is a sinking ship. I looked over the last few books in the key demo. First off, they have been number #1 Men for the last 10plus books (even in the last book). They had a number 1 12 plus book last year at this time. So all said and done they have had one bad book recently. Not bad for Class A station in this market.

I only worked at TS briefly in the 80's. I never understood the bashing that's posted on this board. I loved my time there. They are the only locally owned Radio Station in WB/SCr market and everyone wants them to fail. Why? So a cumulus or Clear Channel can come in and run a cookie cutter station and pay their employees minimum wage? If TS is so bad? Why is over half their staff working there for 15plus years. What other stations in the market can say that? You may have few others in he market at other station like Frankie, Jeff, and some others. Maybe some people have been screwed by TS, but who hasn't been screwed in this business? The only reason I can even think of..is that if you got screwed by a station, all you have to do is wait 5 years before you can go back to it, because there will most likely be a new PD, GM new Jocks, New sales staff and sometimes a new Corporation owning the signal and It is like starting over.

 

[emo474]

Plooker.. I agree 100%... a request to help with a celebration and it turned into a bash-a-thon!
I never met either person, but I admire 25 years in this business, let alone this market!
Best of luck guys!

 

[luvcoors]

Congrats to Jay and John. These guys are going nowhere. Everybody keeps saying ezx is a sinking ship. I looked over the last few books in the key demo. First off, they have been number #1 Men for the last 10plus books (even in the last book). They had a number 1 12 plus book last year at this time. So all said and done they have had one bad book recently. Not bad for Class A station in this market.

I only worked at TS briefly in the 80's. I never understood the bashing that's posted on this board. I loved my time there. They are the only locally owned Radio Station in WB/SCr market and everyone wants them to fail. Why? So a cumulus or Clear Channel can come in and run a cookie cutter station and pay their employees minimum wage? If TS is so bad? Why is over half their staff working there for 15plus years. What other stations in the market can say that? You may have few others in he market at other station like Frankie, Jeff, and some others. Maybe some people have been screwed by TS, but who hasn't been screwed in this business? The only reason I can even think of..is that if you got screwed by a station, all you have to do is wait 5 years before you can go back to it, because there will most likely be a new PD, GM new Jocks, New sales staff and sometimes a new Corporation owning the signal and It is like starting over.

You are so factually incorrect it's revolting.

They were NOT #1 in M 25-54 in the Spring Book...matter of fact I'll PM the actual numbers so I don't incur a ban for posting the actual numbers here. 2nd of all they've had at least 4 bad books in the last 2 years hence their rollercoaster ratings.

Third...I don't care what the original intent of this thread was. You telling me I don't have the freedom to post my thoughts here? If so, get a clue. My point was simple, enjoy the little party now since the writings on the wall. I'm encountering so much dislike for the comments by the fans because the truth hurts.

Do not ever come here and try to muffle someone's freedom to make comments on a subject. What's even more sad...you don't realize how NEPA is bizzaro world in radio. Their s--t would never work ANYWHERE else. If they're so good...why have they never left? And don't give me the "maybe they like it here" crap. It's called knowing their gimmick is limited and wanting to remain a "big fish" in a small pond.

Game over!

 

[Keeth]

" if you got screwed by a station, all you have to do is wait 5 years before you can go back to it, because there will most likely be a new PD, GM new Jocks, New sales staff and sometimes a new Corporation owning the signal and It is like starting over. "

This explains my 5 separate tenures at Citadel. I even got asked back AGAIN, but it's just too weird.
And what's wrong with not wanting to leave a market? Upward/geographical mobility is not always desirable to people. This is their home, for whatever reason. They have lives and families, own homes, why bash someone for that and call it a lack of ambition. Besides who wants to try to sella house in TODAY'S market??? Sounds like sour grapes to me. The only reason I left Montana is because of a good job offer here. Otherwise I'd still be there. The only reason I haven't left this market is my wife makes three times what I will ever make in radio and who wants to dump that to go somewhere else? I'm KIDDING-------kinda. I put roots down here and don't want to leave. How do you know Jay and John haven't gotten offers from somewhere else??? I put in two tours at T/S and I always found the reception I got from D&W as warm and welcoming. Even when I was at 97.9X they were very cool to me when our paths crossed. I've worked in broadcasting AND in the film and TV world---two vocations where you run into the most self-serving egotistical pr**ks in the world. The ones that last the longest are the ones that deserve it. Jay & John, Congrats on #5,000. You've lasted this long because you deserve it.

 

[Vepster]

Aww Keeth...if you were here I'd kiss you on the lips. Well, the cheek. Okay well not really kiss...more like a shoulder bump lean in handshake combo thing.

!!!

You're the best.

And I LOVED your scene in Wingman! LOL!

 

[Keeth]

I was being CHEEKY heeheehee

 

[SharkeySharkDog]

A little angry there LuvCoors? Nice job quoting something you can't verify. I'm offended that you're offended that intelligent people don't like your views. LOL

On to happy thoughts. Thank you Jay and John for many wonderful years in radio both as a fan and a co-worker. Plus, I can't thank you enough for giving me a place of infamy on the internet by posting me hanging a ball. It's one of like tree tings that come up when you google Shawn Sharksnas.

Again, thanks for many years bouys! if I ever wake up before 9am I'll always listen.

Sharkey

 

[crmc]

Despite all the angst expressed on this board, it's nice to read some reasonable opinions expressed as well.

I've been involved with Morning radio in 6 different markets over 30 + years. I've always said, and I still believe, that D& W's show would work anywhere. Why? Because they are great broadcasters, smart, and funny.

They are here because they choose to make a life here. One was born here and at least three generations of his family live here, and one found his way here as a radio warrier almost 30 years ago and found a great place to live and work.

As for Times Shamrock, most people who worked there for a while realize what nice people work there and own the company. The Wall Street companies are blasted( and rightly so in most cases), yet a truly "Main street" company gets slammed as well. TS is in radio because they are radio people. The head of the company has been in radio for over 40 years.And they stuck it out thru tough times as well as good times.

They've operated radio stations in NEPA since 1922. They had many opportunities to sell their stations over the years.

In Milwaukee, they are the second longest in-town operators of radio, behind only the Milwaukee Journal.

They are even opening up new markets , like Reno Nevada.

Try the public companies. They might have more multi-market opportunities, but few companies in America have been Radio Broadcasters as long as Times Shamrock.

And last summers number 1 book didn't change anything, as well as this Summers crummy one won't. On average, WEZX/WPZX is one of America's most successful Class A simulcast's.And one of america's oldest Rock station's as well.

My bet is that both Times Shamrock and D & W will have quite a few more years together in NEPA.

 

[luvcoors]

A little angry there LuvCoors? Nice job quoting something you can't verify. I'm offended that you're offended that intelligent people don't like your views. LOL

On to happy thoughts. Thank you Jay and John for many wonderful years in radio both as a fan and a co-worker. Plus, I can't thank you enough for giving me a place of infamy on the internet by posting me hanging a ball. It's one of like tree tings that come up when you google Shawn Sharksnas.

Again, thanks for many years bouys! if I ever wake up before 9am I'll always listen.

Sharkey

You want me to verify the numbers? I have them, just a point, click, and password verification away...lemme know if the PM is something you want.

I strongly (still) disagree about their act working elsewhere. In another quickly dying PA market maybe...but anywhere else...nope. Unfocused, full of unrelatable jibberish, irrelevant topics, etc. There's some college kids that have better shows I've heard in the area.

Nothing I've said here on this site has been proven wrong...maybe it takes a little longer than what I've heard, but still...bottom line is their fall book performance will be the ultimate decision maker in determining a stay of execution!

 

[mevansrock]

Hello everybody on the board...

MIKE EVANS here. I don't post very often, but here we go...

First of all, a big CONGRATS to D&W. I had the pleasure of producing their show from 1995 to 2003. For most of those nine years, I was pulling a 12am to 9am shift doing double duty as overnight guy and morning show producer...and they always managed to wake me up at 6am.

I was there when they first started doing the TV segment in our old studio. I had to literally lay on the floor during the segment so I wouldn't be covering up the shot while trying to run the board.

I was there during the year-and-a-half of constant OJ TRIAL news.

I was there when Dave Yonki was a sales rep for the Rock and he would bring spiral cut hams (with all the fixins) from HEAVENLY HAM to the studio at 7am (we miss ya YONK!).

I was there on that awkward morning of September 12, 2001. "Do we do a show?"

Chester Viceroy...Eddie from the Office...countless parody songs...Mark Patrick...Top Cops...Pop Fligh...Jonesy...had a blast doing all of it.

D&W are survivors...they survived Dave London...Lumpy...eight year's under Rob Lipshutz's microscope...Uncle Bob on Rebel Radio...Howard Stern...they're not going anywhere unless THEY choose to. Luvcoors said their schtick wouldn't work anywhere else, and maybe he's right. But you know what? That's what makes them great. They are NEPA! That's why I've always liked the show. It's not all bright and cheery and "Good good morning to ya!" It's two guys sitting on barstools shooting the breeze. And that's exactly what it should be.

As far as the TS bashing goes, look I'm not a "company guy" or anything but I will say this. Good book...bad book...in my 17 years here at the station, I've never once worried about losing my job and I've always been treated fairly. I've always got along with everyone on the fifth floor, and I've never dreaded coming to work.
This place isn't perfect, but show me a place that is.

Finally...with regards to Luvcoors...whomever that may be. He seems like someone who lives and breathes radio. And if that makes him happy, so be it. I think what he fails to realize is that for some of us (myself included), this is a job...plain and simple. We thoroughly enjoy it, but it doesn't necessarily define who we are. Personally, I never take it home with me. I'm a husband, father, film buff, music collector, grad student...radio is a part of my life, but it's just that - a "part."

Luvcoors asked that if they're so great, why are they still HERE after all these years? Is NEPA so bad? Not everybody wants that big city gig. I've been told by PD's at airchecks that I have "major market potential." Maybe I do. Maybe I don't. But who needs it? The cost of living here is relatively cheap. It's not a bad place to raise a family. It takes me 12 minutes to get to work (with traffic). And I don't have to worry about being fired if I slip to number 3 for a book.

So to wrap things up...

Congrats to my co-workers...always a pleasure!
And try not to take this stuff so seriously. Radio is nothing to get stressed about. Trust me. You'll live longer.

Until next time...EVANS

 

[Vepster]

John Webster here.

Thanks Mike, crmc, Shark, keeth, and everyone else here for your support and your generosity.

On October 3rd I will have been in the employ of Times/Shamrock for 25 years. My first year and a half I wasn't on the air, I was the office manager but my filing skills were not as good as my standing around in the hall and making odd noises skills so they gave me a shot on the radio.

That said, I'm grateful first to everyone who listens to our show. Listeners may not often give it conscious thought but of course if not for them we'd all be looking for work.

I'm grateful too that what I used to get detention for in high school I've been able to collect a paycheck for for more than two decades. As Mike Evans said in his post here, no place is perfect but I'm thankful to be able to make a comfortable living without anything even closely resembling a hassle or conflict with either the company, management, or my coworkers.

A wise man once told me that success has many fathers while failure is an orphan. When we have an exceptional book we all thump our chests and bask in the glory and when we have a not so exceptional book any excuse will do. Do we live and die by the book? We don't and again, like Mike, when a book has been less than what we hoped for I can truly say I've never feared losing my job. Arbitron is an approximation at best and I believe when our numbers are great they're probably inflated. When our numbers are less than what we hoped I believe they're artificially low.

When I was 30 I remember thinking that there is no way I'd still be doing this when I was 50.

I was wrong.

Now that I'm 51 the time frame is compressed and I can't imagine I'll still be doing this even when I'm 52 or 55 or 60.

Two years ago when my contract was up for renewal I announced to management that I'd be leaving. I thought it would be good to leave on my own terms and I have a job to go to. A standing offer. I'm sure we all realize that nothing can last forever particularly when it comes to working in radio and I thought leaving would be better than waiting around long enough to be asked to leave. But they convinced me to stay. Do I want to leave when my present contract is up for renewal next year? No. Will I leave then? It remains to be seen.

I've never had an honest-to-God job in my life. Radio isn't a job. It's what you do and you get a check for it but I can't call it a job in the traditional sense of the word and so leaving would be a huge change in my life but I will say that even with the less than stellar book of late I have no fear of being dismissed.

Sales of course enjoys when the numbers are good and they endure when the numbers are a disappointment but it all goes around to come around. I'm happy to have been a part of radio in NEPA for close to 25 years and if it lasts long beyond that so be it. If it doesn't, I'll point again to something Mike said. It's nothing to get stressed about. I'm confident I'll be fine wherever I end up.

Luvcoors, I don't know what your situation is though I suspect you were likely fired from a radio station at some point, probably ours. You're entitled to your opinion no matter what's happened in your life that colors it so. Someone once told me that "Opinions are like a _ _ holes, everybody's got one." That you think we're finished based on a down book, that's fine. I will say I'd probably pay more attention to what you have to say here if you were man enough to sign your name. But you're not.

Thanks to Times/Shamrock and the Lynett family for employing me for the past 25 years, thank you to all here for the kind words, and thank you to all who listen to our show. We appreciate it very much.

 

[Roger]

Can we put this to sleep every one? I do not work in radio.