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I Am Loving WASL-SL 100

S

Sandscott

Guest
The station is getting better and better and is probably the best rock station in the area (boy does 103 stink and 98.1 has the worst playlist!) I really like the fact they are John Boy and Billy (that show is clean and makes me laugh) and I have always loved The House of Hair. About my only complaint is I would like to hear that open up the classic rock band list a little more. They mix in a little bit of everything, but it would be nice for them to go a little deeper with some stuff like Uriah Heep, UFO, Alice Cooper, etc.
 
The times, they are (still!) a ch-ch-ch-changing! I remember when they first came up with the SL-100 name (sometime in the late '80s, I think), they were an AC station that wouldn't play anything that "rocked" any harder than Phil Collins! :eek: I also remember them adding quite a bit of modern country music to their then-hot AC format in the early '90s, and I'm not exactly referring to crossover stuff, either! Interesting to consider that the SL-100 of the '80s and '90s would never have even touched any of the artists or groups you mentioned!

So someone tell me, when did they change? Interesting, too, that they have kept the SL-100 moniker through all the changes! So if you see someone sporting one of the old SL-100 stickers on their car, do you wonder if they like what they are hearing on SL-100 these days? ;D
 
Music's doing fine. Staff still weak. Middays weak. I remember Maxie being all excited about getting Rufus Thomas' daughter in (Carla)...he loved (loves) her. I don't see it. Afternoons on SL is weak. I hear a little SL100 in the mornings (JB&B), some at lunchtime. JB&B are certainly preferrable over "Buzz" on WYNU. At noon, the girl on 92 drives me nuts with the phoners, ("Where you working AT?") and overall lameness. Carla is more tolerable than Julie...although her phoners are very weak! Always dig getting to hear Paul Harvey. Anytime I'm in the vehicle afternoons it WYNU. Greg kihn talks waaaaay toooo much at night.
For the most part-I guess I prefer SL100 to 92.3 these days.
JB&B beats Buzz.
Carla slightly edges Julie (both weak, though)
Gregg beats Roger.(or the "puker" I've heard afternoons-not sure whose shift it is)
That's the beauty of being out of the game. I can be honest.

That said...I prefer the music on BOTH these stations over anything I'm hearing in the Big City of Memphis.
 
Nice.....
First of all, Scott, SL-100 loves you, too....

Meep....honey, might be a good idea to get your facts straight before you throw insults. My name is NOT Carla. I have no idea who the heck RUFUS THOMAS is....I did have an imaginary friend named Rufus when I was three. He wasn't my father, he was my friend and we made mud pies together. Do you know him? Please send my regards, I haven't SEEN him in ages!! :D If he tells you he's my dad, he's obviously confused.

The woman on 92 is very talented. It's amazing, I never see anything positive about ANY women here. Old school, I'm guessing. Tell ya what though, what station are YOU on? Maybe I can listen and get some pointers for my weak middays. Funny, the only thing I find truly weak is the pathetic way the WATERBOYS of radio still try to coach from the bench.

Thanks for listening!!!!! :-*
 
Meepster really has nothing better to do. What station was he on? I don't remember anyone in the area going by that name on the radio. As for Rufus Thomas, isn't he in Memphis?? I don't think that's his daughter in Dyersburg. I do like the station tho, it really has changed over the past couple years. No more Ace of Bass! It's rockin, so keep up the great work! 8)
 
Thanks Coffee dude! We're a work in progress. The days of Prince followed by Ozzy are long gone!
Have no idea who he is but maybe my imaginary buddy Rufus does, I'll make a trip to the Hickman bottoms this weekend and ask him. :D

We have a fantastic staff here, the best I've ever worked with and thankfully, none of us have that "Radio-head!" Just regular (but slightly off-balanced) folks who love what they do and do it to the best of their ability. No ego-maniacs here, no waterboys either... ;)

I have to admit, I get a kick out of reading these posts. I have to remind myself that it's not personal and some people are just trying to make the world a better place...LOL Then, there are some who remind me of the strange little gung-ho volunteer firefighter or police officer who never could make it to the academy to be a real cop or fireman but they carry a walkie 24/7, know all the codes and chase fires and accidents with their red lights on their souped up four wheel drives. They're usually the ones who won't wear anything that doesn't come from a Gall's catalog. You've seen 'em....there's one in every department. Same for radio.....just no magnetic red lights on their vehicle. Just a big ole radio antenna. (Yes, I'm bein' a smart-@$$!!!!!!!)

Whatever the case may be with Meep....... I find him to be honest but aggravating, annoying yet amusing and I've enjoyed every minute of it!! Kinda wish he was my neighbor though, I love a good arguement!
 
There are many GREAT female jocks...and I NEVER said either of you were bad.
My mistake on the Thomas' daughter thing. I recall a few years back when Maxie was trying hard to get her there or something. I am sorry for assuming.
The girl on 92 is not bad...her phoners SUCK! Even in a loose friendly atmosphere..proper english should still be used. "Where you working AT?" is NOT correct, and admittedly a pet peeve of mine.
I have nothing against female jocks in particular..but they don't have to be NEAR as good at it as guys to acheive the same status. Heck, I'm even fine with ladies on my ESPN and doing games and such.

I am completely honest when I post opinions on this (or ANY) board, as I certainly have no dog in the fight.
I have been in and out of radio for a LOOOOOOOOOONG time. When I had to earn real money I got out.
Worked on huge stations and worked in much smaller places than any we've discussed here. I have been OM, PD, MD, Production Director, AM Drive, PM Drive, Middays, Overnights, and pretty much anything else you folks can think of in radio.

And before you start...the answer is YES I can do a better job on the air than anyone I've mentioned (with the possible exception of Gregg Rivers-who is genuinely really pretty good)

And, no..I'm not like the volunteer fireman and I'm NOT little nor very strange. Fact is that you DO have ego-maniacs on your staff-and you are apparently one of them. One quality which NON Ego-maniacs posess is that of being able to take constructive criticism. You obviously cannot. If you EVER had to do a real air-check session with an honest, real-live knowledgeable Program Director or OM, you'd probably cry and quit instead of listening and getting better.

And, while I'm being honest...you have a great voice. You sound good on the radio. You need to work on your "banter" with phoners AND people in the studio. Everytime I've happened to catch whoever that is in there with you occasionally (about 3 times) it is very uncomfortable and awkward.

And, no dear...I'm no longer in radio because I CHOSE to stay out. I left Memphis with a huge non-compete (they paid me well for it) and no desire to move to Philly or Florida. I have since been offered jobs all over including one on Sirrius radio. So, no, I'm no gung-ho fireman. I'm just a small town boy...born and raised "just south of Detroit", not IN South Detroit (One of the LAMEST trivia questions ever-with the possible exception of the next days "Ghostbuster" question)

Aggravate or amuse or both...I am and will be honest. And...I actually KNOW what I'm talking about. Therefore your "me too" and "I love you" groupies like "coffeewad" can jump to your defense all day, but we both know as far as the business of doing radio...they know very little.

I will keep listening. I like the music very much, too. I prefer it to 92 these days and would much rather listen to SL-100 than to anything (except afternoons) on 92.

The thing is that unless people in radio-especially on the programming side-do not do a real good job, v/t and automation can take over what little is left. If that happens-listeners and radio people will all suffer. Live local radio is on the way out in major markets and the rinky-dink ones.
Unfortunately-mediocrity will only accelerate that demise.
And sadly, your owner, like everyone else's, can get very cheap (or free) syndication service (sat. jocks that are REALLY good) and use them instead of actual people. Just get someone to do some local production and keep the computer running smoothly-insert local news, weather, and references and leave it on auto pilot.
No insurance, no benefits, no drama.

In the words of Darrius Rucker-formally of Hootie and the Blowfish- Don't think They don't think about it!
Strangly enough, blnkpg, we are actually on the same side. If you were twice as bad, I'd still prefer hearing your lovely LIVE and real voice between my favorite songs than to hear some polished, far away super-pro who has no idea whether it's raining in Dyersburg or not.

I am humble in the face of the true professionals I've learned radio from over these 30+ years (I started full-time as a high-schooler) And I had the ability, although quite the egotist myself back in the day, to take and use ANY information that might make me better at radio. I did ok.

As for "Coffee"..shut the hell up. You have very little idea what you're talking about at all.

Have a nice day ladies... ;D
 
And...by the way...I AM involved with WASL as I am a listener. Same with 92.3 and others.
Stations are supposed to care what their listeners think.
I wouldn't want your ownership and management to get wind that you are being rude to listeners.
I AM a listener...just not your average listener.
hahahahaha!
Hang on...this may be fun! ::)
 
Goodness! A radio friend of mine (who is also on this board) told me you referenced this ON THE AIR!!!
That is hilarious! Now...mostly I am just being a smart@zz, as referenced before. But I was feeling bad for typing "formally" when I meant "formerly". This is much worse.
Obviously, you've let this "waterboy" get to you, despite your assurance that it was only slightly annoying and amusing. Very unprofessional to refer to something from a board like this on the air-don't do that)
I kind of wish I had heard it though.

Relax, your market isn't even rated is it? After you've been #1 in real Arbitron ratings on your shift (in a Top 50 or better market)(Actually, I did it on TWO different dayparts) then I will consider being YOUR waterboy.

Until then, middays at a station in market #150?,(175? 200?-I dunno...as I recall Jackson is #125 or 130 or something..and I know WASL has tried to crck that nut) is your career pinnacle so far. So, you listening to a little coaching from the likes of me might not be such a bad idea.

Yes..mostly I'm just being a smart@zz (note disclaimer)...but all that aside, you DO have a great voice and a lot of potential to be great. Quit being so defensive if someone offers a bit of constructive criticism (was I harsh? didn't really mean to be) I think the girl at 92 is probably as good as she's going to get. I think you can get better.

Some serious tips...(not just smart@zz ones)

Keep that dude OUT of your control room. He is adding nothing!
Your natural voice sounds really good. Just keep it conversational all the time. Conversational triumphs over "announc-ey" everytime. That was a big one for me years back.
Relax on the phoners. When you do a live request show-phoners are essential. But make them sound like any other everyday conversation. (Listen to julie's and do it the OPPOSITE way she does)
Don't ask the same questions.Don't let it sound like an interview. Don't end sentences with prepositions on the air-it makes people think they're dealing with dummies although we know they're not.
Always be live and local! Real live jocks on the air are becoming extinct. Let them know you are a real person and not some "robot-jock" broadcasting from New Jersey or somewhere. If it's cold out...mention it. If some jerk pulled out in front of you on the way to work near Catfish Galley...mention it. Let us know you're one of us.
Listen to Gregg Rivers. He does this very well.

Enough free consulting...especially since it was completely unsolicited. (I know, I know)
In the end...I don't want to hurt your feelings nor tick you off. When I share opinions, I do it honestly.
The things I've mentioned about my years in radio are true. I'm out by choice, but will always love it.


The music at SL100 is good. I like JB&B. As far as live on-air jocks...from what I've heard you are the cream of their crop. You can be even better. Don't just listen to people that tell you you're terrific and hate on those of us that point some flaws out.

And, above and beyond, I mean NOTHING personal at all. Someone started this thread with an opinion about SL-100, and I chimed in. I thought that was what this board was for. I know it can be hard for someone to listen to a less than glowing opinion of what they do...but in radio, that's part of the deal. You always have the choice of NOT reading my posts.

I'm done if you are. I promise that I can be as nice or as mean as you want to get.
Now, even though I'm in a position where I can work my own schedule...I'll get back to work now.
I can't live on 4 or 500 bucks a week like I recall small-town radio paying, so I better hit it.

Thanks for the On-Air reference. It is hilarious that you did that and I cannot believe I missed it.
You shouldn't ever do anything like that (very unprofessional), but the fact that you were bothered enough by this to do it shows that the skin may be a little thinner than you care to admit. If I hurt your feelings; I'm sorry.
That is not my intention. And again, I DO listen...not just to hear your lovely voice-but for the actual MUSIC.
Sometimes it's hard for us radio people to really remember that's that is also the reason our listeners listen. Hard to believe, but it's not just for the pearls of entertainment and wisdom we share whilst giving the forecast and banter during those :24 second intros.
Course...any "waterboy" already knows that, huh?

Peace be with you and Merry Christmas! :)
 
Geezzzz.....you must be bored. Ego-maniac????? PLEASE.......Seems you can dish it out but can't take it. I've been in this business for nearly 22 years and love a good 'you sound like crap session'. It takes a hell of a lot to make this ole girl cry. I've worked for true ego-maniacs and for some of the biggest @$$holes in the business. I do this because I LOVE it and love the listeners. That's it.

Yeah, I talked about it on the air....a short :10 reference about people writing about what they hear.It was no big deal-oh well....to bad ya didn't hear it. I hate freakin phoners. Always have, always will. I keep them short because I hate awkward crap that goes on for hours. But thank you.

I was simply taking up for myself. I have that right, ya know. You need to seriously chill......I was NOT referring to YOU when I mentioned the fire thing. Heck, I wasn't talking to you. Most of what I said was tongue in cheek. I love to read your smart-@$$ comments. You remind me of someone.........

You didn't hurt my feelings or even really anger me. I was very amused, don't care what people think and enjoy reading the ramblings of folks who have more time on their hands than I do. You have a right to your opinion but just get my name right. :p

Now, if you'll excuse me,I'm thirsty. Where's that waterboy??? LOL ;)

ho ho ho...................
 
Great Response.
Okay...I'm chill. Was bored yesterday...busy today.
Loving it is most of the battle.
Only listeners like phoners...and I don't know why.
Besides...even if (and I'm sayin' IF) you don't happen to be the best thing ever on the air...all you gotta do is try and be better than whomever you consider your competition.
Why should anyone go to the trouble of spending money and striving to be their best, when all you really have to do is suck less than the station/daypart you're up against? (That's corporate-speak these days)
If you didn't care what people thought...you'd have never responded here OR especially on the air. Oh!
And that waterboy?...probably somewhere counting his cash and figuring new ways to diversify his portfolio because he makes SOOOO much more than midday jocks in radio Market #150 do.
That's it from the "sidelines" for now...but like Dr. Frasier Crane...I'm listening!

(Now, that I'm finished w/ smart@$$- This was fun. Merry Christmas!) :)
 
What an interesting echange between what are obviously a couple of radio pros. That's the beauty of a board...getting to sit in on the meetings.

One thought. Why not talk about it on air? You want conversational (and you're right about that), add the very human touch of this exchange? Then, ask their opinion. Betcha the phones light up.

Radio is - by it's very nature - a somewhat one-sided business. We send out our product on a signal and seek to find out if our efforts are being well received. What better way to involve the listeners, get valuable feedback from your core audience (since that's who usually will call) and talk WITH the listeners instead of AT them.

Seems like a great opportunity to me.

That's the view from the armchair quarterback in the cheap seats.
 
Sl-100 oh boy another Roger Vestal screw-up!!!!!!!!! he does it at every station he lays his hands on. We don't need a rock 92.3 sound alike or a 100.7 KGMO in West Tennessee. :mad:
 
Sl-100 oh boy another Roger Vestal screw-up!!!!!!!!! he does it at every station he lays his hands on. We don't need a rock 92.3 sound alike

If, by screwup, you mean another station with dramatically increased ratings and revenue, then thanks.
 
Ratings, Roger?
Don't get me wrong...I LIKE the music on SL-100, but I didn't know Dyersburg was a rated market.
Care to share some details on those dramatically increased ratings? I'd like to hear more.
Source? Dayparts? Market? Jackson?
And, sir, in these times of economic woes...If you have one of maybe 3% of the nation's radio stations with an increase in revenue...Congrats! Quite a feat on a small station in a small market.
Care to share just a few tidbits on HOW you increased revenues in a suppressed market?
And...when you say "Another station with dramatically increased ratings and revenues"...what "other" stations are we talking about?
If YOU did that...(and you seem to be taking credit...) why in the world are you still in Dyersburg and not been scarfed up by Clear Channel or Entercom or one of those big boys?
I'm sure they'd pay you more than the 6 figures you're rumored to be making now! hahahahahaha!
;D
Just yanking your chain about the "Six figures"...and I'm sure things have improved greatly during your tenure...but some one DID try to tell me that in a previous discussion.
I happen to recall an old formula that the GM traditionally makes about 5% (on the HIGH end)of the station's overall annual billing as a salary. May be an old formula..but just using those numbers...to make $100K at SL-100, that means the station would be billing $2 million a year. That would mean about $166,666.66 per month... Weird old formula or no, I explained to the person that said you were making six figures, that he may have been mistaken.
If I am mistaken...and SL-100 DOES bill nearly 170 grand a month...I apologize and may apply for a sales position myself...
Not that I care what you make (the more the merrier)...simply that I don't think radio people ought to be misled into thinking that GM at a station like SL-100, in a market like Dyersburg, is paying anybody that.
(Even though they may be as talented and successful as you obviously are)
BUT...if you ARE making that much...can I borrow a bit of that $8300+ per week?

Just havin' fun, Mr. Vestal...I happen to know you've been in radio a LOOOOOONG time.
 
Dear Meepster,

How do we know how well we're doing in the ratings in a non-rated market like Dyersburg? Well, one way to know is that we have to pay a bonus to our morning show if we do very well in Jackson...and we've been paying a bonus. Our morning show has lifted the entire station.
I also want to make it clear that all of the stations that I have been involved with in a managerial capacity have been successful. Not because of me, but because of the team of people I have been lucky enough to work with over the years. I've been fortunate in that I have worked with some of the best talent this market has to offer in both programming and sales. (Including one of your favorite jocks, Gregg Rivers. I've served three tours of duty with him.)
And I wish I was making $8300 a week.
;)

Meepster, I want you and blnkpg to resume your battle of wits. I have been entertained by your exchanges.
 
Although there may have been a smart@zz tone to my post, I assure you the questions were/are real.
So, you are stating that you have been responsible, (at least in part) for "dramatic ratings and revenue increases" at a number of stations. So, we can take it that the number of stations includes SL-100 and WYNU.
I am simply asking for some specifics. If I owned "John Boy and Billy" for example, I'd do everything in my power to take whatever numbers I could from a real Arbitron in Jackson (Market #125?, I dunno) to make them appear fabulous so that the station would have to pay a "bonus."
All of us in radio for a while KNOW that those numbers can be (and ARE) dissected, peeled, twisted, and turned to show nearly whatever a sales manager/gm wants them to show. I can't imagine that being any different with a syndicated show.

Apparently, unbeknownst to you...you and I go waaaaaaaay back in radio. All the way back to the days when
"The New 92 FM" was actually new. ( I remember you all running around in your bright yellow shiny jackets.)
I left town and moved on to other markets for several years, but I have had many friends go through the halls of various radio stations in Jackson. I, myself only worked for 2 there fulltime...and have done some part-time in the past (via a request from a good PD friend) at WYNU. (Even at SL 100)

Gregg Rivers and I are not really personal friends. We know each other. I first heard of him a long time ago when I was doing pharmeceutical sales and fairly often drove throughout West Tennessee. I'd hear him on a station in Selmer maybe? He was fundmentally pretty good, except the "Your pal Gregg Rivers" drove me crazy and he talked as much or more than Kyle Dewberry! His enthusiasm was unquestionable.
He went on to Jackson and the rest is history. He's gotten rid of MOST of the bad habits from the old days and is quite personable and relatable on the air. Those factors are FAR more important than just voice and technical. While I guess he is, like you say, one of my favorite jocks, he still occasionally talks to much.
He knows I appreciate the irony of his show being called "he Shut Up and Rock" show. There are also very few (myself NOT included) that can hold a candle to him in the production room. (I can hang with him on the air all day.)
That explains that.

I assume we (you and I) are about the same age. I started in radio full-time at 16 (junior in high school)
Without naming the town, I'll tell you I started in a small West TN town that became a virtual hotbed of future fairly sucessful on-air jocks. If I began to name names, you (and others who read) would recognize them.
I say all that only to make you aware that, while I can be kind of an ass...I'm not making up anything I say.
Am I God's gift to radio? No. Radio has changed a great deal since I got in it. It has even changed a lot since I got out. The future of live and local radio is in great peril. If it is to stay alive...then the people in it are responsible for doing and sounding the best they can at all times.

If I can make a joke here or there..or get on a local board and share an opinion in that vein...I will.
Our midday buddy is good and can be better. I'm real good and can be better. gregg in real good and can be better. SL 100 is good and can be better. WYNU is okay and needs improvement in a lot of areas. It is THEIR fault that SL100 or anyone else is doing well in Jackson. It is not Gregg's, but I'm talking ownership.
If they truly wanted to, they could blow SL100's butt clean back to Dyersburg and make it never want to mess around in the market again. I doubt that management there will ever let them.

Sorry this is so long to the people bothered by it...but then again...nobody made you read it.

Roger...just like I told blnkpg...you and I are on the same team. I'm inactive...but still have a head full of many years of working with a great deal of TRULY professional radio people. If I didn't need to make pretty serious money...I'd dive my old behind right back into full-time radio.

Have a nice day...
 
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