I predicted this from DAY 1

[troone]

I know Steve very well, and I appreciate his talents and his work ethic. He would be IDEAL as a promoter or personal manager to a musician or athlete. Incredible energy and can squeeze out just enough charm when the deal depends on it.

The Stoli thing and the lawsuit had nothing to do with this. The cast was die long before that.

As for "not being fired", Steve would surrender half his severance to avoid being saddled with that. He was fired; Dave just made him an offer they knew he would refuse.

The Waterloo? He has no defining broadcasting talent. He's not likable, on the air or off the air. He's not naturally funny. His ideas are often very good but he doesnt have the natural talent to execute it. Thats not a knock either; there arent many who can at a high level. Which bring us to...

Putting him on the air with an untested rookie (nothing against Firfer personally) in a two-voice environment was not going to happen! Caffey and Engel should have seen this a mile away!

Mom and Dad Sward will continue to finance his films and I would guess he'll return to the Atlanta airwaves as an independent party but not as a station-financed personality.

 

[evnlee]

I know Steve very well, and I appreciate his talents and his work ethic. He would be IDEAL as a promoter or personal manager to a musician or athlete. Incredible energy and can squeeze out just enough charm when the deal depends on it.

The Stoli and the lawsuit had nothing to do with this. The cast was die long before that.

BUT, he has no defining broadcasting talent. He's not likable, on the air or off the air. He's not naturally funny. His ideas are often very good but he doesnt have the natural talent to execute it. Thats not a knock either; there arent many who can at a high level. Which bring us to...

Putting him on the air with an untested rookie (nothing against Firfer personally) in a two-voice environment was not going to happen! Caffey and Engel should have seen this a mile away!

Mom and Dad Sward will continue to finance his films and I would guess he'll return to the Atlanta airwaves as an independent party but not as a station-financed personality.

well put. Kudos to you~ you called it.

 

[Dixie Jock]

One of the few posts here that nails it...well done.

 

[factory]

I'm surprised 'slider7' hasn't piped up from a post like this one.

 

[mshawnarnold]

I've just been waiting for everyone to take their shots....

If you remember, I was simply defending Barnes around the dog witch hunt. I never got into the merits of their show, primarily because what I think really doesn't matter in the context of this board. I liked the morning show, which is fine. That's kind of the point with any form of entertainment, some people may like it, but you'll never have a situation where everyone likes it. I'm sure there are people out there who like licorice jelly beans, for example, but I just think you have a screw loose if you do....

Anyway, I don't completely agree or disagree with troone. I think the real issue is that Barnes already started out behind the 8 Ball in that he was fighting his reputation, and, ultimately, that was probably the biggest factor. As I've said before, I've always liked Steve and he has never been anything but great to me. If people have had a personal contact with him and formed their own opinion, fair enough. I just think there are a lot of people here and elsewhere that let other people form their opinions for them, and I think that is silly. They don't dislike Steve because they know anything about him, but just because they've heard other people bash him, or they are fans of other people in radio that have bashed him. I personally think that all the time people were taking personal shots at him, particularly other radio personalities on the air, he never retailiated in kind. Never once did any attack on any former or current 99X'ers happen on the Dave morning show. I think it was probably hard, but admirable that he chose to take the high road. Everyone says what a bad guy he is, but no one ever mentions things like that.

I just think it's really funny that everyone on here seems to have all the answers, but no one here is on KISS, or KROQ or Q101. I don't see anyone who has a hit radio show on here bashing people for their lack of talent. I can't stand Stern, but he must be doing something right to get is 93 billion dollars. But I would never fire off shots from the cheaps seats because I'm not a jock. I don't really have a credible frame of reference. I can certainly say whole heartedly the things I like and don't like, but evaluating talent? A much different story.

But, it's not about the money for Steve. He really enjoys radio. And, having been in a situation where I didn't have a job all of a sudden, I feel badly for him. It's not an enviable position. And I think anyone that would root for another person to lose 1) a job they love, and 2) their source of income, is pretty awful.

But, I'm sure Steve will land on his feet. And I hope the best for him...

 

[troone]

Thats a good post. And you're correct on two things:

* He took the high road - at least publicly - about his former workmates. In fact, even at the end of his time at 99x, I never heard him bash Jimmy.
* He absolutely will land on his feet. He's one of the most capable, resourceful people I've ever known. I've just always thought that his vanity prevents him from finding a career thats better-suited for his talents.