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east texas

Retiring to East Texas

I've been in the Houston market for most of my career, going back to the 1960s, but back in the 80s I was News Director at KJ-103 -- before it used that logo. It was just KEEE/KJCS then, owned and managed by Robert Hill and Jimmy Rucker, on the 2nd floor of the Stone Fort Bank.

It was the greatest job I ever had because Hill paid me a pretty decent salary to give the news a major market sound and quality, which I did for nearly five years. I won a wall full of Texas A-P awards for it. My lord -- my wife and I could actually pay our bills.

When H&R sold the stations in 1987, the new manager, Ben Downs, took one look at how much money I was making and decided to cut costs. Three months later I was back in Houston at KTRH.

I've been Morning News anchor at KUHF Houston Public Radio since the early 90s, but I'm planning to "exercise my pension options" in two years, and move back to Lufkin, my hometown and ancestral home.

My question for today: what are the chances that a very experienced radio guy who's done just about everything in radio -- who sounds 25 years younger -- can find something to do in Lufkin or Nac radio to supplement the retirement income? Full time or part time. Can it be done? Or should I just forget about radio and look for something else?

Anybody?
 
If it was a few years ago,I would say why not? The problem is small town stations have gotten the disease of cutting costs and going satellite. The only live portion is the mornings,and they are usually filled up by the PD or some yaah00( Ie:Dru at KYKX) who don't know or respect someones broadcast experience. Find a small college to teach audio,visual or high school. Share your experience and hopefully turn out a future broadcaster,as opposed to the current wave.
 
I fear you're right about the current condition of small town radio. It was heading in that direction when I left out of there in 1987. Thanks for the suggestion about teaching. That's something I haven't thought much about, but it could be a real possibility.
 
FilioScotia, I think you could easily find something to do in Lufkin. KPLEX's comments were correct about Tyler, but not about Lufkin - Lufkin is much more 'real radio' than Tyler. Since they have a News/Talk, Classic Rock, and Country station... I'd say apply to Clear Channel.
 
Thanks to all who responded. You've given me something to think about. My primary goal, aside from enjoying my retirement, is to find something to do that's productive and fulfilling and supplement the retirement income.

Did somebody here mention Bill Vance? And him buying one of the Yates stations? When did that happen? How is that working out for him?
 
FilioScotia said:
Thanks to all who responded. You've given me something to think about. My primary goal, aside from enjoying my retirement, is to find something to do that's productive and fulfilling and supplement the retirement income.

Did somebody here mention Bill Vance? And him buying one of the Yates stations? When did that happen? How is that working out for him?
Click to expand...

Vance doesn't own any of the Yates stations.
 
Bill Vance is the owner of KJCS and KVLL. Those stations are based in Nacogdoches. I don't have anything good to say about him,,,so I won't say anything at all. Clear Channel Lufkin was just purchased by Gap Broadcasting,,headed by a very experienced radio guy. Those stations have a long history of success. The GM is Johnny Lathrop, who used to do afternoons on KTBQ-Q-107, when they were Hot AC, he also pulled a full time shift, and programmed KJCS for a time. Great guy,,and he knows his stuff. Since they are no longer going to be under the CC umbrella,,,they might be considering going live all the time,,I don't know. It would be worth your time to contact them though. Contact me at: [email protected] and I'll forward you their contact information. I'm close friends with both Johnny and Danny Merrell, who is the OM there. They might have a place for you there. There sure are alot of old Lufkin guys in this market,,aren't there? RB McEntire,,Me,,CJ Cooke,,Jeff Garrison is from Nac.,,,good to know there's one more in you. Let me know about the contact info.
 
Lufkin Radios change hands

Wow. I didn't know CC had sold all those stations, including its entire Luf/Nac group. Not having the Death Star running everything is going to bring some serious changes to that area. It might become a civilized radio market again.

Every radio station needs experienced part-timers, especially in small markets, and you may be right in thinking I can find something to do up there when I retire.
 
Re: Lufkin Radios change hands

FilioScotia said:
Wow. I didn't know CC had sold all those stations, including its entire Luf/Nac group. Not having the Death Star running everything is going to bring some serious changes to that area. It might become a civilized radio market again.

Every radio station needs experienced part-timers, especially in small markets, and you may be right in thinking I can find something to do up there when I retire.
Click to expand...



Don't be getting your hopes up. The new owner had grand ideas about E Tx radio...then came to town and saw how much $$$$ was comin in and how little he was payin in salaries, and all that grand change talk quited down quickly. I don't expect wholesale changes at all.
 
Re: Lufkin Radios change hands

johnqdoe said:
FilioScotia said:
Wow. I didn't know CC had sold all those stations, including its entire Luf/Nac group. Not having the Death Star running everything is going to bring some serious changes to that area. It might become a civilized radio market again.

Every radio station needs experienced part-timers, especially in small markets, and you may be right in thinking I can find something to do up there when I retire.
Click to expand...



Don't be getting your hopes up. The new owner had grand ideas about E Tx radio...then came to town and saw how much $$$$ was comin in and how little he was payin in salaries, and all that grand change talk quited down quickly. I don't expect wholesale changes at all.
Click to expand...

And you know this, how?
 
"Don't be getting your hopes up. The new owner had grand ideas about E Tx radio...then came to town and saw how much $$$$ was comin in and how little he was payin in salaries, and all that grand change talk quited down quickly. I don't expect wholesale changes at all."



Hey -- I really would like to know who you are and how you would come to say this.
 
I've heard some things from the CC folks in these markets. If you are waiting for the new owner to ride in on a big white horse and go back to live and local 24/7....you better not hold your breath.
 
Don't be getting your hopes up. The new owner had grand ideas about E Tx radio...then came to town and saw how much $$$$ was comin in and how little he was payin in salaries, and all that grand change talk quited down quickly. I don't expect wholesale changes at all


Hey -- I really would like to know who you are and how you would come to say this


Mr doe is one of the better morning talents this market has ever had. fact not fiction!

Why would anyone come in and change something that ain't broke? Just to be local? I think not. The CC cluster proved listener's don't care if it's a 800 nation wide number or the jock they like is in Beaumont or Boston. Play what they want and they will listen.
 
johnqdoe said:
I've heard some things from the CC folks in these markets. If you are waiting for the new owner to ride in on a big white horse and go back to live and local 24/7....you better not hold your breath.
Click to expand...

As an employee of CC, I'll have you know that nobody has been given that information.
 
OFFICIALLY" but can you be absolutely sure somebody didn't have a few beers and met with colleagues,who just MIGHT B privy to info? Its been known to happen and having worked for CC myself at the HQ on Basse Rd IN SA,thatplace ain't air tight,literally.
 
KPLEXCOMPLEX said:
OFFICIALLY" but can you be absolutely sure somebody didn't have a few beers and met with colleagues,who just MIGHT B privy to info? Its been known to happen and having worked for CC myself at the HQ on Basse Rd IN SA,thatplace ain't air tight,literally.
Click to expand...

That's quite plausible. However, the said source is from within CC. If infact this info was leaked into the current CC enough to be posted here on Radio-Info, it would have already been spread like wildfire through CC.

I'm just stating, 90% of the 'info' on radio-info is off-target speculation. You may be correct, but I myself choose to wait and see.
 
If "John Doe" is such a well known jock -- why use that name?

Rumors are rumors. Don't try to kick it up a notch just to get people to see your post.
Facts work much better.

I guess we will all wait and see what happens, huh?

(just my two cents....)
 
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