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I got a beef

M

maddog1964

Guest
Sorry, I got a beef:
I know I will get a answer on this as quick as the speed of light but, WTFM I've noticed for some time is stuck in it's rotation. How many times a day or week do we have to hear the George Michael/Elton John "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me". Now their playing just the Elton John version. "Crusin' " by Smoky Robinson is better
than Huey Lewis and that actress who's name I forgot. WTFM is in real bad need of a music director. I don't hear Sade, Mariah Carey's 90's stuff, Lionel Richie, Commodores, Chicago, Little River Band. Ray Parker's "A Woman Needs Love" would be great. I could go on and on but I won't. Nobody cares anymore or if ever about the Backstreet Boys. No, it will not sound like an oldies station if you MIX IT UP!!!!!! That's why I listen to especially on the weekends to WMYI(My 102.5, Greenville SC,) they've even beat out the rap station in the last book for no.1 in the market.They play seventies on the weekends. ALL WEEKEND! Someone please tie up and gag Widener in the restroom. Let Elva Marie talk instead of reading cards. She's cute, I've seen her!!!!! Whew! the dawg is foaming at the mouth. Where's my water bowl.
 
They have a new PD coming in, that info coming from Uncle Buck. I can't remember what his name is. Hopefully, things will be better for the Holston Valley crew soon, and better for the station as a whole.
 
TFM has an extremely passive audience. It is background. They can play garbage all day and thier listeners will continue to tune in, and more importantly, fill out thier arb diaries. I agree, it could be a lot better, but they stay consistant. So why spend the money? Why bother? Its a very passive radio station that makes money.
 
Let's face it, a new PD will do NOTHING for this stale radio station. Just like EVERYONE
in the past, his (or her) hands will be tied. Argue with me, go ahead, but we all no it's true.
And yes I do know what I am talking about, thank you very much.
Have a nice day.
 
As a PP said, it's passive. They play the same songs because those songs don't disturb the @ work crowd. One of the Bristol restaurants (that has the BEST chicken tenders platter in 400 miles) plays TFM simply because it's guaranteed not to offend anyone.

As my current OM always tells me, never say or play anything that you wouldn't at a crowded dinner party where you are trying to politely mingle. ::)
 
Okay, here's the deal on WTFM. I agree that the station is programmed to be background noise at work (Your Listen at Work Station), but they could really tweak the station and not really mess with that rule, but still make it better. Even though a lot of people don't pay attention, I know a lot of people who do actively listen to TFM, but can't stand the fact that they burn songs to a nuked crisp. You can't tell me that in the era of music they play (late 60's to today), there aren't songs out there that fit the non-offensive rule that currently aren't on the playlist.
This artist gets a bad rep, but Neil Diamond is a perfect example. A few years ago, he would've not fit on TFM, but since they've started playing a lot older music, Neil would now. "Cherry, Cherry"..."Sweet Caroline"..."Love on the Rocks"..."America"..."Hello Again"..."Song Sung Blue" aren't that much different than some of the artists being currently played like Elton John, Rod Stewart, Celine Dion, etc. A good deal of the songs by those artists have a very similar sound. And, quite frankly, I have been to two Neil Diamond concerts (there, I admit it) and a lot of the people who go would be WTFM listeners if they lived in the Tri-Cities.
I guess I am just trying to say that there's a lot of songs and artists that WTFM doesn't play or, at most, plays very sparingly. They need to open it up a little and freshen up their sound. And as much as it pains me to agree with Maddog (just kidding, dude), he's right about the jocks being card readers. They have personality, let them express it. Elva was really good when she used to do Love Notes back in the 80's and 90's. Dave has personality, too. Plus Steve needs to be made the star of the morning show again. He is too dang good to be playing second fiddle to Taylor. That's not meant to be a slam at her, she is not bad. Just saying Steve Mann is a legend in this market for a reason and I think he is being under utilized.
All of these things can be done without turning WTFM into Electric. It's just another blaring example of Holston Valley Broadcasting's extreme need to be cautious. Caution and discretion are fine until it paralyzes you from making any moves!
 
Well, I was told last week that 'TFM had a new PD coming in, and then I see this on allaccess.com, posted on Saturday (2/17)...what gives?

Holston Valley Broadcasting Corporation has a rare opening for a Program Director of AC radio station WTFM-FM in the beautiful mountains of East Tennessee. We are continuing our search for the right person for our organization. We are looking for someone who is not only a great Program Director, but also has good people skills. 98.5 WTFM is a full class C FM station in the Johnson City, Kingsport, Bristol Tennessee/Virginia market # 99, and is one of America's most successful AC radio stations, which has had only (2) PD’s in the past twenty plus years. We are seeking an individual who can keep us at the top. The ideal candidate will have AC programming experience with a winning track record. Qualities that will help you win this job are: creativity, promotional ideas, production skills, Selector and Scott System experience and the ability to lead a winning team. We offer full benefits including a qualified retirement plan, 401(k) with matching funds, health, dental and life Insurance, paid vacation and sick leave. Please send your resume to David Widener at WTFM 222 Commerce Street Kingsport, TN 37660 or [email protected]. HVBC is an equal opportunity employer.
 
I'd betcha...Just a gut feeling ;) ...The guy got a better offer to stay at his current job.
 
With a name like MADDOG...Why are you listening to TFM anyway? TFM would be more for a poodle. OR possibly a maddog on doggie prozac.
 
He either got a better offer to stay where he was OR he got a vibe from meeting with David, and decided he was better off to stay. Sure, they've only had two PD in 20 years, but only one of them was there for 18 of that and the other didn't last two! And the one that was there 18 was burned out big time by the time he left. And that's nothing against Mark, I don't know how he did it for that long. I am glad he was able to move on to greener pastures. DeFranzo just didn't have the life experience yet to know how to guide David where he needed to go and to pick his battles. For that matter, neither did I. At least it looks that way because neither of us are working there anymore. McKinney didn't get fired...JT and Double-D did!
 
Tightwad, I'm sorry you got fired. I was not. I left to do my own thing, my way. I'll be the first to say, I was not well liked by the staff and I'm over it. You work for a great radio company now, make the best of it!
 
Sorry, radiorat. I was misinformed. My apologies. Anyway, yes, I do work for a good company now. Just wish things hadn't ended so badly. I still love a lot of those people at HVBC. After working somewhere for 15 years, a lot of memories. Kind of feels like I got kicked out of my family. Eagle was looking good in the last book. Congrats on that!
 
Turd:
I along with my fellow employees at my other job HAVE to listen to TFM during the week. We have no choice. The folks I work with don't have higher than a fourth grade education there anyway. They wouldn't know good radio if it bit them on the ***. I listen to WMYI 102.5 at home. A bigger market and smarter listeners apparently. The people at work are not smart enough to find 102.5 on that radio that can't even pick up a Greeneville Tn station! Just a slobbery observation. Someone has hid my water bowl again.
 
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