Has Elroy R.C. Smith (WGCI/V-103) overstayed his welcome in Chicago?

[Hamp]

Does anyone else think that Mr. Smith has been in this market for way too long and that WGCI and V-103 needs new leadership? I certainly do.
Mr. Smith has programmed GCI since 1992 and V-103 since 2000.
Over the years, he has made some very poor decisions (specifically with GCI).

1. He cancelled a successful dance music show (Club 107.5) at the height of its popularity. This show was THE number one show overall on Friday nights.

2. He is constantly censoring lyrics in music which to me aren't necessary to censor. Especially when you can hear the same songs WITHOUT his special edits on B-96, Power 92 or Kiss 103.5.

3. I feel Mr. Smith is taking both GCI and V-103 in too religious of a direction with certain songs and promotions that he does for these stations. Not everyone who listens to GCI and V-103 are religious or don't believe in religion the same way as Mr. Smith does. You have to respect ALL of your listeners.

4. Mr. Smith doesn't respect ALL of his listening audience, particularly his gay audience. He has (or has had) guests on GCI such as homophobic pastor James Meeks and that one idiot Alan Keyes, but he recently wouldn't let Jody Watley (who recently did an interview on V-103) discuss her appearance while in town at the Gay Games. What's wrong with this picture?

I am surprised GCI has been successful over the past five years or so. I guess people still listen out of habit.

 

[1069_KIFR]

Has Elroy R.C. Smith (WGCI/V-103) overstayed his welcome in Chicago?

YES!

 

[Jay F]

Well he has two stations in the top 5. Success should not be taken for granted, I say give him a raise and extend his contract

 

[Hamp]

Well he has two stations in the top 5. Success should not be taken for granted, I say give him a raise and extend his contract

That may be true, but I think the listeners have a little to do with that.
It doesn't mean he isn't somewhat of a bad PD. People listen to those stations more out of habit, not because of Elroy.
Besides, I think he is somewhat getting out of touch with the listeners of Chicago.

 

[Countrykev]

If it ain't broke, why fix it? Why would you take the guy who has guided two stations to the top 5 for years out? You point out some of his lowlights but if you're programming two stations at the top of the ratings, how are you doing a bad thing?

 

[Hamp]

If it ain't broke, why fix it? Why would you take the guy who has guided two stations to the top 5 for years out? You point out some of his lowlights but if you're programming two stations at the top of the ratings, how are you doing a bad thing?

Because he is getting to the point that he feels he can do anything that he wants. To me, that's not good. "If it ain't broke, why fix it" has to be the laziest expression I have ever heard. If more people thought that way, things would NEVER progress.

 

[Hamp]

To Jay F and Countrykev, do you guys work for Elroy?

 

[Countrykev]

No, but I am a pretty seasoned Operations Manager and Program Director.

Being a leader sometimes means making decisions that aren't always popular, but they're what has to be done for the overall good of the station. You don't really know the full stories as to why certain features were put on or taken off. I've met Elroy and he's a good guy. If you emailed him, I'm sure he'd respond to your questions as to why he did certain things. Instead of presuming, why not find out the full story and then make your decisions? It sounds to me like you're making a bunch of presumptions.

Because he is getting to the point that he feels he can do anything that he wants. To me, that's not good. "If it ain't broke, why fix it" has to be the laziest expression I have ever heard. If more people thought that way, things would NEVER progress.

And that has to be the weakest argument I've seen on this board. Of course he can do whatever he wants, he's proven that he's got the right ideas and the knowhow to take TWO stations to the top of the ratings. So he's earned the right from Clear Channel's management to have a lot of wiggle room. How can you dispute this?

You have a few points at the top that talk about what you think is wrong. You feel that he is out of touch with his listeners. Yet with Power, B96, KISS, etc... around as competition, WGCI STILL is #1. He's obviously doing something right. You may not agree with it, but apparently the rest of Chicago does. You can't get out of this box that because YOU don't like it, nobody does.

Could WGCI stay on top of the ratings because of the music and not Elroy? Perhaps. The reasons why he should stay are pretty obvious: What's he's doing there is working. Nothing needs to be improved. WGCI has been at the top for years. The music only does so much, but it's the overall presence of the station that is what makes it work, and it seems he's put together successful stations. If you're Clear Channel management, and you've got two stations at the top of the ratings, why would you remove the person in charge if you don't have to? Just to shake things up? There's no need for progress because it's already successful!

And the fact that you're accusing me of working for Elroy also proves your immaturity when it comes to making a formal argument. Instead of just making stupid accusations about us, why not do a little research and then come back to the table.

 

[LovelyMom]

Why are you hating on Elroy? Were you employed by him at some point and didn't quite make the cut? I personally think that if he is censoring the music to a certain degree, what's wrong with that if it's making it more palatable to some of us who chooses to have a large enough vocabulary and understands larger words than others. As broadcasters there is a responsibility to the public in which he serves. Are you anti family? I personally don't want to be overwhelmed with a lot of unneccessary curse words and I don't want to introduce my young children to them. I am not saying that my family lives in a vacuum, but this is the public airwaves and I am tired of my ears being assaulted by a bunch of garbage.

 

[Countrykev]

That's a great point, and I think that's Elroy's position in regards to programming WGCI.

He's sitting on the top rated station music station in the market. You're playing music that's being generated talking about sexuality, street life, gang life, etc...

You have the power to actually send a positive message to the community that he's broadcasting to. Instead of being a ghetto-sounding radio station that deepens stereotypes and pushes the black community into degeneration, he has chosen to put positive messages into the station. So what if he injects some religion? Gospel and Urban radio stations go together very well...case in point Power 92 and Crawford Broadcasting. He edits songs...good for him. Again, it's projecting a far more positive message than being a "Hit playing ghetto bangin'" radio station which it very well could be. The best part is that the vast majority of Chicago agrees with his position. They participate in very community driven events and instead of further degenerating the culture, he's pushing it towards a more positive direction. That's the power of radio, and I think it's being programmed correctly. The ratings reflect the right decisions he makes.

 

[Jay F]

To Jay F and Countrykev, do you guys work for Elroy?

No I don't, but I admire a PD who can keep two stations consistently successful. This is especially impressive considering all of the competition WGCI/WVAZ have. As everyone knows there is no shortage of urban and urban leaning stations in Chicago.

I disagree that "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" is lazy. Actually there is a lot of wisdom in that saying. There have been far too many times when stations that are doing well make programming changes for the sake of change and then end up destroying themselves.

At one time I would have agreed with your cenorship/editing criticisms. But as the years have gone by I have realized that all of the smut/porn/violence in popular culture has been terrible for society. The fact that we have been desensitized to the point where nothing is suppossed to offend us has not brought us great freedom or some type of utopia. Instead it has contributed to crime, family breakdown, and an overall lack of civility. I applaud Elroy for doing his part to bring some positivity instead of further moral decay to society and the African-American community in particular. He is a good man.

 

[Hamp]

Why are you hating on Elroy? Were you employed by him at some point and didn't quite make the cut? I personally think that if he is censoring the music to a certain degree, what's wrong with that if it's making it more palatable to some of us who chooses to have a large enough vocabulary and understands larger words than others. As broadcasters there is a responsibility to the public in which he serves. Are you anti family? I personally don't want to be overwhelmed with a lot of unneccessary curse words and I don't want to introduce my young children to them. I am not saying that my family lives in a vacuum, but this is the public airwaves and I am tired of my ears being assaulted by a bunch of garbage.

First off, I am not "anti-family", BUT the point you are missing is not EVERYONE has a family that listens to GCI or any other contemporary station.
Number two, if you don't like what your children are listening to, the radio does have an on AND OFF button!!! Use it!!! WGCI isn't supposed to be Radio Disney, it is supposed to be catered to young adults.
I don't have children, but if I did, I wouldn't expect a radio station to play parent because I am too lazy to do so.
Also, I haven't been employed by Elroy Smith nor would I want to be. Elroy isn't a god, he can lose everything he has just like everyone else.
I also recent the fact that because someone doesn't want to hear constantly censored music means that they aren't intelligent. That is BULL!!!
Besides, what good does extra censoring do, the kids are going to hear it on the streets anyway? This is CHICAGO, not Salt Lake City, Utah!!!!

 

[Hamp]

To Jay F and Countrykev, do you guys work for Elroy?

No I don't, but I admire a PD who can keep two stations consistently successful. This is especially impressive considering all of the competition WGCI/WVAZ have. As everyone knows there is no shortage of urban and urban leaning stations in Chicago.

I disagree that "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" is lazy. Actually there is a lot of wisdom in that saying. There have been far too many times when stations that are doing well make programming changes for the sake of change and then end up destroying themselves.

At one time I would have agreed with your cenorship/editing criticisms. But as the years have gone by I have realized that all of the smut/porn/violence in popular culture has been terrible for society. The fact that we have been desensitized to the point where nothing is suppossed to offend us has not brought us great freedom or some type of utopia. Instead it has contributed to crime, family breakdown, and an overall lack of civility. I applaud Elroy for doing his part to bring some positivity instead of further moral decay to society and the African-American community in particular. He is a good man.

That's why we as a society have something called "Freedom of Choice." If I don't like or agree with something, I don't have to be subjected to it, but I don't have the right to tell others what they can and can't do.

 

[Hamp]

No, but I am a pretty seasoned Operations Manager and Program Director.

Being a leader sometimes means making decisions that aren't always popular, but they're what has to be done for the overall good of the station. You don't really know the full stories as to why certain features were put on or taken off. I've met Elroy and he's a good guy. If you emailed him, I'm sure he'd respond to your questions as to why he did certain things. Instead of presuming, why not find out the full story and then make your decisions? It sounds to me like you're making a bunch of presumptions.

Because he is getting to the point that he feels he can do anything that he wants. To me, that's not good. "If it ain't broke, why fix it" has to be the laziest expression I have ever heard. If more people thought that way, things would NEVER progress.

And that has to be the weakest argument I've seen on this board. Of course he can do whatever he wants, he's proven that he's got the right ideas and the knowhow to take TWO stations to the top of the ratings. So he's earned the right from Clear Channel's management to have a lot of wiggle room. How can you dispute this?

You have a few points at the top that talk about what you think is wrong. You feel that he is out of touch with his listeners. Yet with Power, B96, KISS, etc... around as competition, WGCI STILL is #1. He's obviously doing something right. You may not agree with it, but apparently the rest of Chicago does. You can't get out of this box that because YOU don't like it, nobody does.

Could WGCI stay on top of the ratings because of the music and not Elroy? Perhaps. The reasons why he should stay are pretty obvious: What's he's doing there is working. Nothing needs to be improved. WGCI has been at the top for years. The music only does so much, but it's the overall presence of the station that is what makes it work, and it seems he's put together successful stations. If you're Clear Channel management, and you've got two stations at the top of the ratings, why would you remove the person in charge if you don't have to? Just to shake things up? There's no need for progress because it's already successful!

And the fact that you're accusing me of working for Elroy also proves your immaturity when it comes to making a formal argument. Instead of just making stupid accusations about us, why not do a little research and then come back to the table.

First of all, Countrykev you don't know what I know, so don't call me immature just because I don't agree with what you say.
When Elroy first came to Chicago, he limited the amount of House Music that was played on GCI. That made no sense in the "House Music Capital of the World." GCI used to be known for its House Mixes and then Elroy came in and cut it down.
But I noticed when he took over V-103, the stepper audience was STILL well catered to. He didn't take off their show.
Before you say I don't know what I am talking about, I had a long conversation with Armando Rivera, the former host of Club 107.5 and current assistant PD of V-103. I was told by him that Elroy never really wanted House Music on GCI, he just wanted hip-hop and R&B. The only reason why he was somewhat compelled to rotate it was because of audience demand. I have even been told the same thing by DJ Lil John that management at one time didn't want House Music at all to be played. There is STILL a big House Music following in Chicago, why isn't GCI keeping up with it if Elroy is such the good PD that you claim he is.
Another point I want to make Countrykev is, I understand that bosses have to make certain decisions, but why make certain decisions that you know will alienate your audience just to satisfy your own personal agenda?
The purpose of a radio station is to ENTERTAIN, not to shove your own personal viewpoints down people's throats. For example, WGCI will have guests like the homophobic James Meeks and homophobic Alan Keyes on, but on V-103 Jody Watley was not allowed to speak of her future performance at the Gay Games. Is that right to you Mr. Countrykev? Not everyone that listens to these stations are "bible thumpers." You have to learn to appease everyone, not just a few. Chicago is a very diverse city and I think GCI needs to rep that a little bit. There needs to be more House added to the mixes and a better hip-hop show.
Maybe I am just rambling on and on, but CountryKev you don't have the right to say I don't know what I am talking about. Especially when you don't know me!!!!

 

[Jay F]

[/quote]
That's why we as a society have something called "Freedom of Choice." If I don't like or agree with something, I don't have to be subjected to it, but I don't have the right to tell others what they can and can't do.
[/quote]

Listeners have freedom of choice and they are choosing WGCI and WVAZ in large numbers.

 

[Hamp]

That's why we as a society have something called "Freedom of Choice." If I don't like or agree with something, I don't have to be subjected to it, but I don't have the right to tell others what they can and can't do.
[/quote]

Listeners have freedom of choice and they are choosing WGCI and WVAZ in large numbers.


[/quote]
Out of habit.

 

[Countrykev]

Habit really means nothing when it comes to listening. In 2006 there are PLENTY of other options, and there are plenty of examples around the country of heritage stations falling because of bad programming. Heritage and habit mean little in 2006. If they didn't like WGCI they'd listen to B96, or KISS, or Power 92, or an iPod. You said it yourself, that people could listen to the same music unedited on any of those other stations. Well if they were THAT offended by it, they would...but they're not! Trust me when I say that if the majority of people were as turned off by the programming as you seem to be, WGCI would not be at the top. Habit and heritage has little to do with that.

You say you've talked to many of the people who powered the house music who said the same thing. But what you didn't do was talk to Elroy. It sounds to me not like a personal thing, but a program director doing his job.

When you're hired to be a program director, it's your job to set the goal of the station, set the sound. What it sounds like was Elroy wanted a very consistent, very focused station. Getting house music off the station helped do that. That's nothing personal, that's a program director making sure his station has the right sound to be competitive. And it worked! If you want club music you can listen to B96 or KISS, but if you want plenty of R&B and Hip Hop, WGCI is THE place to be. That's the way you have to program a station these days, very focused and very consistent. You don't hear rock music on US99, or rap music on WNUA, do you? He may have alienated a few listeners, but he obviously didn't do that much damage because the numbers are still on top. You have to make decisions like that all the time as a program director. You have to do what's good for the overall station, and this is not a personal thing.

Yes, there is freedom of choice. But Elroy has done a fantastic job of making his station a very positive place and is using the power of radio to do something good, rather than appeal to the lowest common denomenator. That's something rare these days, and I applaud his efforts. If YOU don't like WGCI, turn it off, because you seem to be a minority.

I can't really defend his actions on preventing homosexuality being discussed. The only thing I can say is that he avoided what could be controversial programming. By not allowing the people on you avoid it, and nobody really notices anything. Whereas allowing it on has the chance to stir up complaints. And don't tell me that "Everyone" is aware of this, because if you asked some random person in a store they wouldn't tell you anything. I'm not defending it, I'm just speculating as to why he is taking that stance.

I'm obviously not going to change your mind, but I want to make clear to you that WGCI is not winning by heritage or habit. There is too much competition that exists for that to be a valid argument. WGCI and V103 are winning because the programming is what it should be, and the numbers reflect that. I really find it hard to believe that you can dispute that. I also find it hard to believe that you are arguing to have tasteless lyrics and trash air on that station. Your argument that "Kids will just hear that on the streets" is terrible! So why not just allow teachers and professionals to talk trashy too...because "Everyone hears it anyway." I think your opinions will change once you have kids. WGCI has chosen a positive position...which is very rare for a radio station and it works.

p.s. I didn't call you immature. You're the one who accused me of working for Elroy, which is usually a last ditch effort of a bad argument. You didn't really prove your case at all, you just threw accusations, which is why I said that it proves your immaturity when it comes to making an argument.

 

[Countrykev]

Habit really means nothing when it comes to listening. In 2006 there are PLENTY of other options, and there are plenty of examples around the country of heritage stations falling because of bad programming. Heritage and habit mean little in 2006. If they didn't like WGCI they'd listen to B96, or KISS, or Power 92, or an iPod. You said it yourself, that people could listen to the same music unedited on any of those other stations. Well if they were THAT offended by it, they would...but they're not! Trust me when I say that if the majority of people were as turned off by the programming as you seem to be, WGCI would not be at the top. Habit and heritage has little to do with that.

You say you've talked to many of the people who powered the house music who said the same thing. But what you didn't do was talk to Elroy. It sounds to me not like a personal thing, but a program director doing his job.

When you're hired to be a program director, it's your job to set the goal of the station, set the sound. What it sounds like was Elroy wanted a very consistent, very focused station. Getting house music off the station helped do that. That's nothing personal, that's a program director making sure his station has the right sound to be competitive. And it worked! If you want club music you can listen to B96 or KISS, but if you want plenty of R&B and Hip Hop, WGCI is THE place to be. That's the way you have to program a station these days, very focused and very consistent. You don't hear rock music on US99, or rap music on WNUA, do you?

Yes, there is freedom of choice. But Elroy has done a fantastic job of making his station a very positive place and is using the power of radio to do something good, rather than appeal to the lowest common denomenator. That's something rare these days, and I applaud his efforts. If YOU don't like WGCI, turn it off, because you seem to be a minority.

I'm obviously not going to change your mind, but I want to make clear to you that WGCI is not winning by heritage or habit. There is too much competition that exists for that to be a valid argument. WGCI and V103 are winning because the programming is what it should be, and the numbers reflect that. I really find it hard to believe that you can dispute that.

 

[Hamp]

Habit really means nothing when it comes to listening. In 2006 there are PLENTY of other options, and there are plenty of examples around the country of heritage stations falling because of bad programming. Heritage and habit mean little in 2006. If they didn't like WGCI they'd listen to B96, or KISS, or Power 92, or an iPod. You said it yourself, that people could listen to the same music unedited on any of those other stations. Well if they were THAT offended by it, they would...but they're not! Trust me when I say that if the majority of people were as turned off by the programming as you seem to be, WGCI would not be at the top. Habit and heritage has little to do with that.

You say you've talked to many of the people who powered the house music who said the same thing. But what you didn't do was talk to Elroy. It sounds to me not like a personal thing, but a program director doing his job.

When you're hired to be a program director, it's your job to set the goal of the station, set the sound. What it sounds like was Elroy wanted a very consistent, very focused station. Getting house music off the station helped do that. That's nothing personal, that's a program director making sure his station has the right sound to be competitive. And it worked! If you want club music you can listen to B96 or KISS, but if you want plenty of R&B and Hip Hop, WGCI is THE place to be. That's the way you have to program a station these days, very focused and very consistent. You don't hear rock music on US99, or rap music on WNUA, do you? He may have alienated a few listeners, but he obviously didn't do that much damage because the numbers are still on top. You have to make decisions like that all the time as a program director. You have to do what's good for the overall station, and this is not a personal thing.

Yes, there is freedom of choice. But Elroy has done a fantastic job of making his station a very positive place and is using the power of radio to do something good, rather than appeal to the lowest common denomenator. That's something rare these days, and I applaud his efforts. If YOU don't like WGCI, turn it off, because you seem to be a minority.

I can't really defend his actions on preventing homosexuality being discussed. The only thing I can say is that he avoided what could be controversial programming. By not allowing the people on you avoid it, and nobody really notices anything. Whereas allowing it on has the chance to stir up complaints. And don't tell me that "Everyone" is aware of this, because if you asked some random person in a store they wouldn't tell you anything. I'm not defending it, I'm just speculating as to why he is taking that stance.

I'm obviously not going to change your mind, but I want to make clear to you that WGCI is not winning by heritage or habit. There is too much competition that exists for that to be a valid argument. WGCI and V103 are winning because the programming is what it should be, and the numbers reflect that. I really find it hard to believe that you can dispute that. I also find it hard to believe that you are arguing to have tasteless lyrics and trash air on that station. Your argument that "Kids will just hear that on the streets" is terrible! So why not just allow teachers and professionals to talk trashy too...because "Everyone hears it anyway." I think your opinions will change once you have kids. WGCI has chosen a positive position...which is very rare for a radio station and it works.

p.s. I didn't call you immature. You're the one who accused me of working for Elroy, which is usually a last ditch effort of a bad argument. You didn't really prove your case at all, you just threw accusations, which is why I said that it proves your immaturity when it comes to making an argument.

Okay, lets be fair. I am NOT saying that Elroy Smith is a bad PD all the way around. But what I am saying is that when someone is head of something for too long, things tend to get stale. They don't feel they have to try as hard. That is all I am saying.
Also, why wouldn't House Music fit the sound of GCI. There is plenty of "urban influenced" House Music that would work well on GCI and would keep the listening audience. I just feel as if Elroy didn't give it enough of a chance to work.
You also keep saying I didn't talk to Elroy. Do you think he would honestly tell me the truth? NO!! Besides, there isn't a way to reach him directly anyway. He doesn't make his e-mail address available on the GCI website, he used to. Even if you were to call the station, you should know that PD's tend to avoid talking to the general public about what they want to hear. If you aren't important, you will get their voice mail and they don't call you back.
Once again, I am going to disagree with you about habit. WGCI has been around for over 25 years now and from that length of time you are going to build a listener base. That is what I mean by people listening because of habit. They have listened to GCI for so long they don't really think of anything else.
Also, I feel GCI and V-103 have large numbers because of their community involvement, not necessarily because of the music content.
One more thing, I never said that obscene, vulgar language should be used on the air. The only thing I am saying is that Elroy takes it to the extreme when it isn't that big of a deal. You don't think the some of the younger people don't know what they are talking about? I don't care how much you try to censor. Editing out a few words in a song isn't going to change anything, that starts at home. Radio isn't meant to be a parent, parents are. That is what you aren't understanding. Once again, if you don't like it, TURN THE RADIO OFF!!!!! Radio is also meant for adult listening as well, don't the grown folks have a say as to what they should hear?
Last but not least, the ONLY reason why I asked did you work for Elroy because you only seem to see things from his point of view, not the listeners.
You cannot get on the board and make statements saying the majority of people agree with what Elroy does because you don't know that for sure. I don't care what the numbers say. People may listen, but they don't necessarily agree. There are most likely those who listen to GCI or V-103 who may not like everything that they do, but a lot of times they will not complain about it. Sometimes they just take the bad with the good and just go with the flow.
I don't hate WGCI or V-103, but what to the 52-minute music hours on GCI or "ten in a row" on V-103? I don't want to hear two or three songs and then seven commericals. Those are just some of the aspects that need to be changed.

 

[Anyacat]

WGCI is a Clear Channel station. When it stops producing sufficient revenue, it will change. As long as the station meets it's advertising quote, WGCI will remain on the air as it is.