I don’t think his posts are aimed at the talent but more the corporate idiots who put the radio industry in a tailspin. It started with the Telecommunication Act of 1996, which Chackbay’s own Billy Tauzin helped author and get passed. It opened the flood gates for these corporations to scoop up all the major properties. Local owners would have “beernuts” not to sell their stations with the over-inflated offers on the table. They took the checks and laughed. That’s when I bowed out of the technical side of the business and glad I did. Thank the politicians in Washington.
I don’t know the folks on the air these days but do feel for them. But back in the 80’s & 90’s when I was in it, there were many big-headed jocks that thought way too highly of themselves. And, I’m sure you have your share of those types who deserve to the axe and others like Tiezra who probably don’t. How much fun it must be to wake up in the morning wondering “Am I next to be shown the door”? Or being told you have to double up on your responsibilities to justify your job? I feel for those people. Look at the engineers who ended up handling two stations before and then, up to seven after Clear Channel, Entercom and other came marching in a the saviors of radio. I didn’t buy into their song and dance. I decided to do my own Cajun, two-step on my own terms. Now, I’m dealing with the wonderful Washington politicians in the oil industry servicing boat electronics. It would open up more business personally if they opened up drilling but the idiots are squashing those opportunities but their way is better regardless of the people believe.
And finally, if Washington brains reinstates the Fairness Doctrine (killed in 1985), you can kiss radio goodbye. They again are telling use what we should be listening to. If the left-wing format was so good as a format, why didn’t Air America succeed? We all know the answer. The rating numbers don’t add up but the democrats want their beliefs voiced on the air, period. Plus, we can thank the Washington “Einsteins” for the state of our economy, too much or too little oversight and not the right ones. Believe me, the politicians and corporate suits are lining their pockets while we suffer. And they’ll walk away with not as much as a dent in their pockets. Think any of them care about the folks at the bottom of the food chain? Think again. You’ll be doing tons more for the same or less and it’s a shame.
So, as the stock price dwindle to pennies, look for the Entercon’s to go bankrupt, taken over by the banks because they can’t meet their debt service or flat out sell properties. Anyway you look at it, they are on life support and the plug is getting ready to get pulled. Maybe local buyer might jump in if the price is right.
It’s off the soap box now and good luck radio people.
