How things have change...

[wannabepd]

I visited my old place of employment recently and what I saw was sad, no one was there. There are 4 radio stations in the building, one of them is one of the most popular stations in this market and the only people working were sales and production staff. Not one control room was in use by anyone. It was 11:30 in the morning and the place was dead. Just a few short years ago there was someone live on the air till 7pm on 3 of the 4 stations in this group. It was so sad to me. How and why did this happen? It is impossible to connect with the listener if there's no one there. I'm not the sharpest tool in the box but come on. I just don't get it.

 

[ok walters]

Maybe that is why you are "wannabepd" because you can't understand such advanced thinking. You would put real live bodies in there if you were PD? What are you thinking? Are you crazy?

Pretty sad but true commentary on the state of radio

 

[John FL]

Change is everywhere. Go to any office park and what was once a thriving metropolis is today practically a ghost town. Between layoffs and the increasing numbers of people who now work from home to save their cost centers cubicle rent, change has taken on a new meaning. Almost everyday, I notice this place or that place; especially mom and pops just fade away. Americana and so much that was unique or maybe even had a special place in our lives is either gone or takes on practices of the big chains.

Then there is radio. Many like me saw the handwriting on the wall many moons ago as we watched radio evolve to something lifeless and insipid. If we just look at all the posts of protest on R.I. over the years, it comes down to a noble effort and fight but it couldn’t prevent what was to be. There really is so much that was lost but the sad reality is few really noticed. The public is in love with their technology toys, especially their phones. To the average Joe, radio is something to listen to once in a while in the car or at the office. The emotion, the bond, that special place we heard our favorite tunes and the guy on the radio who was our buddy mainly exist today as memories for a generation radio shuns.

They say it’s progress, it’s simply business, the times change, etc. etc. etc.

But here’s a reality check. Many of you may have read a story a few days ago about legendary DJ, Ron Lundy, who is very ill. Even for those of you who were born and raised in Jax, you may have heard him. If you saw the movie “Midnight Cowboy,” when Dustin Hoffman’s character arrives in NYC on the bus, Ron’s voice is heard doing his signature “Hello Love” and the “Greatest City in the World” on that transistor radio. Talk about a time radio had such a significant role in daily life. My words can’t describe what listening to legends like Ron was like and to experience the excitement radio once held. Apparently I’m not alone as I’ve read a good number news articles over the past few days celebrating Ron and a time and way of doing things are just long gone.

There’s another radio board sometimes referred to as the dentist’s board in NYC. I can’t begin to tell you the number of posts of well wishes I found. There was one from Ron’s former PD that was so touching that it actually brought a tear to my eyes. We often hear how cold radio is, especially management, and to be reminded of a human side that seems to take a back seat today was just welcomed by this very weary guy.

Today, we live in a business environment that goes way beyond what we hear on the radio. It’s all about revenue and little else. The subject post is how things have changed but the question to really ask is are we the better for it? I’ve often said there is more than one way to achieve goals and especially make money without having to sell your soul or be unethical in how you operate. My view is in the minority but I am firm in my belief and still hopeful some will see the light. In the end, I’ve been pretty lucky to have experienced an incredible wave of pure music genius and to have heard many wonderful legends of radio. When we read of the next talent who looses his livehood or business that lays off hundreds or our government that passes legislation few have read, it's nice to know our special memories can help us cope with a world that's so ****ed up.







.

 

[Stewy]

I agree with you all, the problem can be traced back very simply to one thing that was/is the problem with radio; Telecommunications Act.

 

[John FL]

The Telecommunications Act - me thinks I was duped. When that all came about I was thinking no worries, after all here was an opportunity for struggling radio stations to join a stronger company. In my simple mind, I thought it would save jobs and enable some of these stations to better compete. Another naive belief is I thought many formats already in place would continue because they would have more $$ to promote etc. Maybe it's a reason today I trust very little and think the opposite of what most politicians say or that we the public are really stupid and DC really knows what is best for us.

But beyond all that, radio suffered from the same disease that swept a lot of other industry and it was about satisfying Wall Street expectations. The focus and the incredible pressure to drive unrealistic revenue goals was all about investors and favorable press releases. I saw in my own banking employment the handwriting on the wall - they were making very unsound and risky decisions - all designed to beat the revenue achievements the quarter and the year prior. Eventually the bubble bursts. To me slow and steady was the way to go but with today's 24 news cycles - it's just not good enough.

Radio my friends to me fell into the hands of people who are not real radio people. When I described the outpouring of love, support and best wishes for a giant in the business fighting for his life - that is real and it represents the kind of impression radio really made to its audience. There was a connection and there was a bond and there was a pulse. That has been taken away from us in favor of a balance sheet. My God, I don't care what anyone says - that is tragic.

The business of radio is not a non-profit endeavor. But I believe, her better way to operate lies somewhere in the middle ground of thinking. Over the years, I've made concessions for the good of the business. It started with the elimination of live, local talent overnights. I said, OK, I can understand that decision as the impacts are small. Then it went on to the next daypart and on and on until the situation described in the first post is now the norm.

Over the years I have come to expect cold, calculated and root-canal destruction of the lifeblood that was once radio from at least two of our major Jax operators. But there is one who has dissapointed me the most. I once believed they represented the best opportunity to be different because they were more mom and pop. I thought we would have one who would really put the listener first, to offer listeners something different even if on LPFM and they would grow accordingly. Just as I was wrong about Telecommunications, I was wrong about them too.

For a long time I've said our problems in this town are geography (we don't benefit from rim shot signals) and we need another player who doesn't subscribe to the same way of thinking as all others. That belief is now stronger than ever.

 

[John FL]

In the last post I talked about “slow and steady” as a business option and finding some middle ground in which to operate. They are viable options and while results may not be as immediate and get that banner headline, it’s something I put merit in the long run health of radio.

Let’s move away from radio for a moment and look at television history to perhaps make my point. When “Cheers” came on the scene, the show was dead-last in the ratings. Its first season was not a success. Seinfeld’s first season was not a hit, nor was M*A*S*H and if we get closer to the present, even CSI was just so-so. What all these programs had going for it is that someone of influence and position believed in them, gave them a chance and gave them the opportunity to succeed. The bean-counters of that industry probably recommended another course, but happily that thinking did not prevail.

The decision to go against the grain and not subscribe to one way, one thought-process, one method of operation but rather going with that gut-feeling, taking a risk based on true skill sets of recognizing potential in the long run wound up making the network tons of money and with reruns, the cash cow continues to be milked for others in the syndication world. I would call what happened in this example, a good business decision because it went way beyond the now and the bean-counter only methodology. Sure, not all decisions result in outcomes like this but by the second season, if any of those shows weren’t making it – they would be gone as the case should be.

Many in radio look for the quick fix, results have to be immediate and everyone’s job is on the hook if things don’t happen yesterday. So there’s a lot of name-calling of a competitor and a peeing contest to have the fewest spots for a main purpose of bragging rights. Helllo - reducing spots reduces revenue so the quick fix will continue to slash payroll. My Lord, what a mess you guys have created. Sadly, those type strategies get quick results. But it’s not a recipe for success over time as listeners wind up eventually not paying attention to these messages of name calling and we play fewer comnercial than the others guys. When a listener hears a spot, they don't think about all the music. They have their phones, CD, button pushing and who knows what else. In the end and in the long run, they will seek out, support and listen to what turns them on.

When I look at radio history of our town in say just the last 5 years, I often wish the same line of thinking that saw potential in certain TV programs for the long haul were applied to formats that I believe had potential and viability for the long run too. Alas, they just needed someone to believe in them and give them time. When a product, a program, a format – whatever- is about quality and finding a niche, the potential is there for long run profitability and market growth. Slow and steady baby. We often hear that those in radio play it very safe. Perhaps this is just an opinion of one frustrated guy, but the greatest risk is putting all your eggs in one or two formats and demos and not thinking about tomorrow. Hint, the government is discussing subsidizing the internet. Think about the effects that could have on radio and ask yourself, is there anything on in the Jax market (besides Jones College Radio) that really stands out on its own for being anything more than just average to be able to compete on a world stage?

I talked slow and steady too. For all those with 401Ks and pension accounts, those who didn’t get sucked into the promise of those big returns but kept a good portion of their money in money market accounts are having the last laugh. They are ahead of what all the experts tell you to do. Marching to the beat of a different drummer - how I wish one player could do that here.

There’s more than one way to success. Interestingly, I can think of a station in our market whose call letters equate to a call out for help as they are in distress. The numbers they earn could equate to an AM barter station. But it’s the business of today, the one way thinking of today to just be under an umbrella of a format that has billing potential even if you have no listeners. If you think this is a healthy way to operate – more power to you. I’ve often said – we can do better for our market and for the business of radio. Hopefully me message will resonate somehow, some way.

 

[AnotherCat]

It is happening in every industry. My "other job" for the last 12 years has been teaching fitness classes in gyms. Obviously as the economy declines people don't have the discretionary income to join a gym because they are getting laid off. so attendence in classes drops and they cut back on classes. The YMCA in Jax has closed several of their smaller facilities over the last year and will be closing another one soon which has put those staffers into the job market. Slow and steady has left the building in this industry too...you are given about two months to build a big following or you get the hook. Since it is a business of relationships - people come to your class because they enjoy you and because they enjoy seeing each other too - and relationships don't solidify that rapidly so you're constantly working on the edge. Just like in radio where owners want a one-book turnaround. Some of the chains (none in this market) even experimented with running videos on a big screen instead of using a live instructor they would have to pay until it occurred to them that someone needed to supervise/monitor participants for safety's sake!

Most of my radio friends are no longer working in the field, or are freelancing their skills while working a "daytime job" or two like me. It is so sad that so many gifted, talented people are on the beach while machines do the work in the most rote-uninteresting manner possible. That's why people are migrating to the web. Human beings create things there.

 

[BostonRandy]

I echo the above sentiments of my radio brethren. I was fortunate enough to get my first FT gig in Jax and, although I never moved on to a bigger market (was never my goal), I was able to learn from some excellent radio people to become a fairly decent jock and, eventually, a decent PD (until the budget axe fell).

After sitting out of the biz for a few months, I decided to give it another try and got a nice FT gig doing PM drive at a classic hits station and did well. But those budget cuts struck again, forcing me to segue to mid-days at our country station while VTing the classic hits property ALSO ON MID-DAYS. Go figure. 8 months later, I had enough of the nickel-and-dime BS, was offered a grocery manager gig that paid the same $$, and I left the biz. My former co-workers thought I was nuts to leave radio for the grocery business - but those who laughed me were downsized within 4 months. All of them. I opted for security and a solid future to approach retirement and it was the right move at the right time.

My point is: I loved being in radio, not for the ego, the free drinks at my fave pub, etc., but because we were part of the community. We (jocks) became part of listeners lives - almost as a bartender does with his/her clientele. It was fun being in the city's Christmas parade, judging the animal tricks contests, doing the show LIVE from the beach on the first day of summer, raising money for charity by letting listeners throw pies at me and so on.

While there were plenty of fun times, there were those days where we had to be serious. Many of us were on the air on September 11, 2001. We discarded our "wacky FM DJ" hats and became news people. Yes, we played music that day, but we dumped all commercial material and played no more than three songs in a row to keep folks updated on what was happening in NYC, Washington, DC and Pennsylvania. I lost track of how many calls I took in the studio from listeners - some I knew, some I didn't know - who were in tears and wanted to talk to someone they knew that they trusted....their fave radio personality. We listened, understanding their pain. We felt the same way they did. We impacted listeners' lives. But those days are long gone - not by our hand.

Blame corporate greed, blame technology, blame whatever you want - radio's glory days are gone. We can opine about what should be done, what we should have done, what we wanted to do...but it doesn't matter. Those great radio days are nothing but a memory for those who experienced it from behind the microphone. I moved on to better things. Do I miss it? You bet. Would I leave my present job for another full-time gig? Not a chance in hell. Unless a 10-year guaranteed contract was put in front of me....but I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for that to occur.

Those of us who moved on, of our own volition, can take comfort knowing that we did the right thing. We didn't forget the business of radio - the business of radio forgot us - the air personalities who prepped, brought compelling content to the airwaves, was that friendly voice to the average listener, told the wacky stories, aired the phone calls from that ONE nutty listener that was too good to be true and, most of all, cared about the craft that was left to us by those great jocks that we could only hope to be half as good as.


We did our best. Ultimately, the root of the demise of radio was far beyond our control. Be proud of what you accomplished - whether it was 1, 5, 10, 20 or 40 years. Hold your head high.

 

[Stewy]

I agree Randy, be proud of what has been done but I also say to you that the opportunity to do things the way they should is coming again, eventually. When the politicians mandate some clarity/disclosure in the bond market the shell game of corporate financing should end quickly which will allow broadcasters back into the buildings. I've heard many say that there is no way to "put the genie back into the bottle" concerning Telcom. True enough but when the bottles glass becomes clear I think the genie may in voluntarily.

 

[John FL]

Randy, I enjoyed reading your post because it was from the heart. I suppose that’s considered emotion and they say there is little place for that in business. I disagree. Maybe there are two emotional trains of thought at work as it applies to radio. There’s a lot of anger from those of you who embraced radio and made it an integral part of your life by working in it. You have witnessed your roles become a liability and not an asset. You have seen automation outperform a heartbeat in certain dayparts. You have seen the focus and attention move away from listeners to the corporate board meetings. But despite all the bad and contrary opinions as to how radio should operate, there’s also the opposite of anger and despair and it is hope.

The other day I caught Andy Johnson doing his thing on his progressive talk station. Regardless of how you may feel about this guy’s opinions, you got to give him props. While some of us do a lot of chatting on these boards dreaming of some kind of utopia, Andy makes a difference. This guy has been on the air, finding a place on this station and that, over a period of time that has even exceed those who are what I call the real broadcasters.

He flat out talked about how he is leasing 105.3 but is very interested in buying a station. My goodness – the man thinks big and that earns my respect. He believes in what he believes and he makes a difference. Apparently, he stood up and fought to remain on the air at that signal but in the end, he won didn’t he?

We have Seven Bridges LLC who I believe are running a very good operation in their sports talk format. For an AM station to perform as well as they are proves they have found a niche and in the end, the right talent has made all the difference. I still maintain my belief that Jax is not a true sports town, yet they are holding their own on a band that is for the most part non existent to a large segment of listeners.

It was sad to read that WBOB was sold. Like the little engine that could, they didn’t let a poor signal stop them from putting together a good line-up. So we have Andy looking for an FM, WBOB is looking for one and even Seven Bridges would like an FM sports presence. I think it was the Renda engineer who once explained there aren’t any available signals. There’s a lot of determined people so I’m curious to see how it all turns out.

As far as signal goes, the days of a traditional looking table top radio is coming to an end. I found a website (www.rewoundradio.com) Their name to fame is they call themselves oldies without the 80’s. For those of you who like that sort of thing – check them out. They are devoting practically the entire weekend to actual airchecks of the late Ron Lundy. For those of you who can’t understand the deep emotion of his passing, I suggest you listen. Maybe you will understand why his passing has had such a tremendous emotional impact on me. He was one of the good guys in the business and I will forever remember him.

They have a link to some kind of device that uses a low power antenna giving you the ability to hear internet radio on an FM radio within 50 feet of the computer source. Maybe this is old news to many of you but for me, it’s the start of something really good. Maybe in a year or two, this will amount of to an 8 track as technology seems to improve by the second.

I believe the so called low power FMs (LPFM) can offer the best opportunity for the radio community to hear something unique and representative of that community. People like Andy Johnson are in my hero column. The other day as I heard Andy, I kept thinking – I wish I really knew this guy. What an ally he could have been as I have waged a fight in words but he engages in reality and makes the impossible happen. My friends, that is so much more productive in the business of radio than all the posts that don't change anything.

 

[John FL]

Frequently, I have shared my life experiences with each of you here to make the case for change. I do see so many parallels between my career in banking to the business of radio. Interestingly, operation methods of the big guns whether radio or banking is not being practiced by “community” businesses and that is growing slow and steady. I have come to realize my appeals have been directed to the wrong people.

There was a time I travelled to Charlotte NC almost weekly in my role. One day a bunch of us were invited to a working luncheon high atop the corporate headquarters building. The subject that day had to do with the usual cutting expenses and growing revenue. No pun intended but I had a bitter taste in my mouth as we dined on shrimp cocktail, beef tenderloin and all kinds of offerings with French names. Something was off with all of that extravagance where job cuts and socking the public with more service charges were discussed so casually. Everything was tied up in a nice, neat unemotional PowerPoint presentation. But I kept my mouth shut and only confided my disgust to my closest buds in the business.

I would bet a lot of comparison can be made to radio. There has to be a number of GMs in their 40s and 50s who need to stay in their jobs for a little longer, so they keep quiet just as I did. Maybe in their hearts, they don’t agree but their silence perpetuates the problems. I wonder too how many radio decisions are made high atop some corporate building where these emotionless bean-counter execs have never ever been on the air, nor experienced the excitement and that connection with the audience. I bet there’s a lot of substantial research justifying the neutering of radio in a nice, neat PowerPoint presentation far away from the reality of the personal medium radio was meant to fulfill.

There’s a lot of copycat behavior in radio. When one company gets rid of talent and still performs well, others look at that as reason to do the same and so with the incredible pressure to make budget no matter what, the fix as they say is in. I talk about the long run and staying the course. Radio IMHO is doing the same thing the big banks did – do whatever it takes to satisfy Wall Street and all will be fine. We see what happened to a lot of the big banks and how the jig is now up. There were many in that business like me who expressed concerns but we were ignored. Big radio doesn’t listen to anyone either.

I believe those in positions such as PDs and GMs will reach a point in their lives, just as I had, where they will say it ain’t worth it and it just isn’t fun anymore. Randy in the earlier post admitted to that. Maybe by time the kids are off on their own and they can downsize their home and lifestyle, they may find themselves at a small station or maybe on a farm somewhere enjoying their lives once again.

Community banks and credit unions are enjoying some nice growth mainly from customers who have had enough. That’s why I believe there is room for small operators in every market, not only Jacksonville. With far less pressure and out of the Wall Street spotlight, I believe there is a place to sell locally and online and be responsive and unique to the market. Our market has small operator representation in talk, sports and even Spanish music and I’m sure I’m missing some too. There’s a lot of anger out there as many people feel no one is listening to them. Radio does not listen unless it fits into their design. Still, I remain hopeful that the enlightened will indeed see the light one day.

Indulge me just a bit further. I realize this is Jacksonville and what I considered near and dear to me in my more youthful days may not have relevance for any of you. However, I would like to make one more final point. I spent many hours this weekend listening to airchecks of Ron Lundy from the 60’s, 70’s 80’s and even 90’s. It’s clear to see how radio has evolved over time. I’m not sure why his passing has put me into such a melancholy state. More and more, the legends pass and we have in its place automation and sweepers. Maybe that should explain the blue funk.

So much great and influential music lies on the cutting floor similar to what an editor of a movie does as they consider some scenes not worthy – but that’s just one opinion of one person of influence. As I listened, I realized just how much music we don’t hear anywhere. The few in the business come to the opinion that only a relatively few handful of tunes are worthy of airplay based on all the science, statistics, research and board room presentations. I ask, how do we really know that they are correct if virtually everyone follows like sheep.

If there were any bright spots as a radio legend’s life in the business has been celebrated, it’s that the power of great music truly did unite us and that was a wonderful thing. I loved music all my life and I loved radio equally as much. Even as a kid, at the end of each year I would create my own Top 25 list of my favorite songs. This weekend I heard “Elusive Butterfly” by Bob Lind in the memorial presentation. I can’t recall the last time I heard that song on commercial radio but simply, it’s a beautiful song and it turned out to be the #1 song on my personal list from way back in 1966. Time did not change my opinion of the song. I wound up listening it on YouTube probably 5 times in a row and it brought me back to that special place many of us share and have. I’ve always gravitated to the songs that tell a story and have creative lyrics and imagery. Lots of times, the ballads beat out the rockers. Today, country songs have popularity because they tell a story too. Things don't really change as much as you think. BTW, Elusive Butterfly made it to #5 nationally - not too shabby.

I’m not alone in my love of music. Sure, we have many sources in which to hear music that holds a special place and I realize what one person may like, another will not. But with technology, even a small station – even AM - can stream to the world and sell to the world too. When I see the rise of all these internet sites that don’t forget the artistry and a time and place that still stirs passions and emotions in many people, I believe a market exists. In a few posts back, I talked TV. Not to long ago, I came upon a Retirement Channel and I had to say holly cow, someone’s not actually afraid to acknowledge that not everyone is 35.

With loads of competition, there also comes opportunity. Even though I have experienced sadness realizing a once booming voice is now silenced, I look to him and those like him who made radio such a wonderful experience. It can happen again by those who don’t eat lunch on top of the world and who realize money can be made without selling your soul. I have hope in the future and it’s with the very small operators. On this board, I started to believe I was loosing my passion for radio. I guess it never really did go away after all.




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