I Think I'm About To Lose It...Seriously....

[ImOffTheAir]

Lost full time gig 6 months ago.

Was left with part time gig for which I am truly grateful.

Haven't been able to secure another FT gig...yet....but I'm holding on.

Part gig usually pays on 1st of month.

Today's the 13th...still no check.

It's the only income I have.

My savings has been exhausted.

I've been calling payroll over the past 3-4 days. They are not answering the phone. In fact, not even the operator is picking up.

By the way, the company that I work for is Westwood One.

Anybody else experiencing the same check issues? Maybe I would feel a little (just a little) better if I knew that I'm not alone.

 

[Silkie]

Just a suggestion: Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested, and make a notation on the green card - in red ink -that you demand the signature be legible when the Post Office delivers it.

I have been in that boat as one who worked under contract. Imagine if they told you that it takes longer than 30 days every time for a few years. The difference is that I had other clients, and while it pinched at times I was still able to tell them not to send any more business until they paid me for past work and paid for future work up front.

It's hard "out there" for a whole lot of people right now, and it just doesn't help when you don't get paid as you are supposed to.

 

[Yeziknoradio]

Hmmm...that's odd. Yes WestWood 1 has had troubles here and there over the years, but as far as I know, everyone got paid.

Google the words "Westwood 1Paycheck" and see what comes up...a blog or something... ???

I don't work at Westwood 1, so I'm not much help.

All I can find so far is a write up from last year hinting at their troubles...ones that may be worse this year. (I'm guessing)

"Westwood One, which produces news, talk, traffic and sports programming for radio stations, yesterday said it is in talks with banks and bondholders about refinancing or extending the maturities of $85 million in debt due next year, according to Bloomberg."

Source: http://www.nypost.com/seven/10142008/business/media_in_a_muddle_133463.htm

Hope you get paid.

 

[justula]

The late Richard Carlson of Don't Sweat the Small Stuff said we shouldn't save 6 months salary for bad times. Instead, we should save at least 2 years worth.

I've done that, and it helps you operate from a position of strength. You're also more able to offer your employer better ideas if you realize you don't have to worry so much about getting canned.

 

[Silkie]

The late Richard Carlson of Don't Sweat the Small Stuff said we shouldn't save 6 months salary for bad times. Instead, we should save at least 2 years worth.

I've done that, and it helps you operate from a position of strength. You're also more able to offer your employer better ideas if you realize you don't have to worry so much about getting canned.

It also doesn't hurt when you don't absolutely have to have the job, and you can truly be in a position that you weren't looking for a job when you do end up working someplace. Conversely, as the Dylan song went, "When ya ain't got nothin', ya got nothin' to lose". Either way don't worry about any of it. You're in good company.

 

[nightfly61]

Just a suggestion: Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested, and make a notation on the green card - in red ink -that you demand the signature be legible when the Post Office delivers it.

What if you can't afford to send a certified letter to payroll because you're broke because of payroll?

And how can you save 2 years(muchless 2 months!) of salary living pc to pc in radio? ???

 

[Silkie]

Just a suggestion: Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested, and make a notation on the green card - in red ink -that you demand the signature be legible when the Post Office delivers it.

What if you can't afford to send a certified letter to payroll because you're broke because of payroll?

And how can you save 2 years(muchless 2 months!) of salary living pc to pc in radio? ???

Well, it is a fact that there are some cheap junk people in radio, but sheesh, I'll send ya the postage.

 

[Element9]

Radio is so totally f**ked. As a result, so are the businesses that serve radio. I sympathize with you. If it's any consolation, you're in good company with thousands of talented people who got bent over, sharing your plight, because companies like Clear Channel gave millions to Rush Limbaugh while sticking it up the tookas of regular, every day men and women who work their assets off to make $42-5 a year. Citadel pays Don Imus, a guy who looks like a friggin' zombie and who's well beyond the twilight of a fading career $5 million a year. Still, this doesn't help pay your rent. Ever thought about visiting a law school and asking to sit down with a professor (attorney) of labor law? Nothing's going to change until people like you shout it from the house tops that you've had enough. Sorry to say, it's going to get worse before it gets better. I know it's nihilistic thinking because more good people will get hurt, but a part of me hopes Clear Channel and Citadel implode. Hell they're more than halfway there already. Bastards.

 

[Silkie]

Radio is so totally f**ked. As a result, so are the businesses that serve radio. I sympathize with you. If it's any consolation, you're in good company with thousands of talented people who got bent over, sharing your plight, because companies like Clear Channel gave millions to Rush Limbaugh while sticking it up the tookas of regular, every day men and women who work their assets off to make $42-5 a year. Citadel pays Don Imus, a guy who looks like a friggin' zombie and who's well beyond the twilight of a fading career $5 million a year. Still, this doesn't help pay your rent. Ever thought about visiting a law school and asking to sit down with a professor (attorney) of labor law? Nothing's going to change until people like you shout it from the house tops that you've had enough. Sorry to say, it's going to get worse before it gets better. I know it's nihilistic thinking because more good people will get hurt, but a part of me hopes Clear Channel and Citadel implode. Hell they're more than halfway there already. Bastards.

Granted you have the big names, but you also have niche places that claim to be mom and pop types, who have some real garbage on the air, and they keep it on the air. And I do mean garbage. To use the language that I would like to use would get me thrown of the boards not only for the rest of my life, but for the rest of world history. There is some vile garbage out there.

Fortunately I have found a station that I like, and while the garbage tries to step in on them they don't get in.

 

[davideduardo]

I sympathize with you. If it's any consolation, you're in good company with thousands of talented people who got bent over, sharing your plight, because companies like Clear Channel gave millions to Rush Limbaugh while sticking it up the tookas of regular, every day men and women who work their assets off to make $42-5 a year. Citadel pays Don Imus, a guy who looks like a friggin' zombie and who's well beyond the twilight of a fading career $5 million a year.

So? They produce revenue for the companies that syndicate them. If I bought Premiere on Monday, I would make sure Rush was happy, as he brings in the money. I can't syndicate the weekend guy from des Moines or the night rocker from Tulsa... but I can make tens of millions a year from someone like Rush.

You need to look at the film industry or even pro sports... the talent that wins by helping to create big-ticket movies or games gets the big bucks. The folks in the B movies and the minors don't. There is a reason, and you do not have to see a labor lawyer to figure it out.

 

[Element9]

I sympathize with you. If it's any consolation, you're in good company with thousands of talented people who got bent over, sharing your plight, because companies like Clear Channel gave millions to Rush Limbaugh while sticking it up the tookas of regular, every day men and women who work their assets off to make $42-5 a year. Citadel pays Don Imus, a guy who looks like a friggin' zombie and who's well beyond the twilight of a fading career $5 million a year.

So? They produce revenue for the companies that syndicate them. If I bought Premiere on Monday, I would make sure Rush was happy, as he brings in the money. I can't syndicate the weekend guy from des Moines or the night rocker from Tulsa... but I can make tens of millions a year from someone like Rush.

You need to look at the film industry or even pro sports... the talent that wins by helping to create big-ticket movies or games gets the big bucks. The folks in the B movies and the minors don't. There is a reason, and you do not have to see a labor lawyer to figure it out.

To quote Van Halen, "C'mon Dave, gimme a break." Dave, I have no truck with you. You're well-schooled and have a lifetime of real world experience. However, I take exception to the "Rush is a star" mantra that so readily falls from the mouths of PDs, consultants and GMs. Dial it down a tad.

"Rush brings in the dollars." Yeah, and he's put people out of work because Premier overpaid for him. Okay, I'm ready, bring the argument, "Is Kobie Bryant overpaid?" Let's keep this to radio, because as fat as I know, there's a big difference between radio and professional sports and movies.

An argument can be made that Rush's hefty salary brought a substantial dilema upon Clear Channel. Want to talk movies, superstars and sports heroes? We know that Hollywood cranks out some real lousy movies with "A list" stars and professional sports teams have overpaid for some real stars who didn't bring it when the game was on the line.

I'm ready for the "Rush saved AM radio retort." I'll grant that he turned the tide and pointed AM in a better direction when FM music stations were making AM music stations' lives miserable. But he also spawned Rush-Lites all over the country, spouting talking points and essentially doing "Talk Radio as the WWF."

Then esteemed guys like consultants, PDs and GMs fed the radio crack habit with "well, he gets numbers and bring in the revenue." Really? Because it was easier to air Rush off the bird than to develop and retain live, local talent? Well, the chickens came home to roost.

Consider also what Rush and his ilk cost to the local stations with the limited avails and the fact that this right wing radio extremist (to use language that Rush might use to demean an opponent) doesn't play well with the young men and women that news-talk needs to attract.

Look, I know it's NOT about politics, it's about entertainment. I'm not an ideolgue. I love hand to hand, entertaining, profit generating talk radio. I've seen good local talkers go up against Rush and fight fire with fire and win. He's not invincible. And I'm not talking about putting the weekender from East Spearfish up against him. Suffice it to say, given equal signals, good talent and support, Rush and Hannity can be beaten.

Now then, about this poor guy here who hasn't been paid. What would you suggest to help him Dave, given your vast experience and knowledge, aside from a labor lawyer, that is.

 

[TheBigA]

"Rush brings in the dollars." Yeah, and he's put people out of work because Premier overpaid for him. Okay, I'm ready, bring the argument, "Is Kobie Bryant overpaid?" Let's keep this to radio, because as fat as I know, there's a big difference between radio and professional sports and movies.

Talent is talent. I suggest that some radio folks could learn a lot from watching recording artists, athletes, and actors in terms of turning what they do into a money-making career.

Rush has many immitators, and he's spawned an entire format of conservative trash talkers, but he is an original at what he does. Rush gets paid the big money NOT because of the people he replaces at stations, but because of what he commands on the open market. If Premiere didn't pay him, lots of others would. He is the A-Rod of conservative talk.

Then esteemed guys like consultants, PDs and GMs fed the radio crack habit with "well, he gets numbers and bring in the revenue." Really? Because it was easier to air Rush off the bird than to develop and retain live, local talent? Well, the chickens came home to roost.

I could be wrong, but I don't know any station that runs Rush 24/7. Typically, they have at least someone live and local. It's usually in morning drive, who usually gets paid a lot of money, and is probably someone who demands care, attention, and a lot of maintenance. You saw this with Stern, who resented other similar local jocks at K-Rock. He insisted the rest of the day was music, and he was the only person who did what he did. That's the reality of big time radio. The PD & GM end up sucking up to their big name local talent, and they have little time or money left for anyone else. So they run someone off the bird, and it makes their local star feel less threatened.

I understand the view that the radio station, the PD, or the OM should do more to develop local talent. But in the end, it's really up to the talent to do their own career development. That way, you are in control of your career, not your boss. That's the situation these big morning drive folks enjoy.

He's not invincible. And I'm not talking about putting the weekender from East Spearfish up against him. Suffice it to say, given equal signals, good talent and support, Rush and Hannity can be beaten.

As I said, sometimes it doesn't matter if other circumstances come into play. It gets back to learning from recording artists, athletes, and actors. How do they create value in themselves? Do they depend on their PDs to hire them for a salary with benefits? Or are they free agents who invest in themselves and create their own personal value? You have to ask yourself if what you do in radio is a talent or skill, or is it more like a clerk or caretaker position, where anyone can do it?

What we've seen over the last 25 years is the rise of lots of people who call themselves DJs and MCs, driving their PAs and turntables around entertaining people and building their own fan bases. Some of those people went on to become recording stars and celebrities. How did that happen, while so many other people stayed behind at the radio station, taking the hourly wage? In my view, it's about being original, having real talent, investing in yourself, and developing your audience. That's how the stars do it.

If you built a fan base during your time on the air, and you lose your job, you should be able to turn that celebrity into money somehow. What do the real stars do? I know some former athletes that took their name and started their own businesses, car dealerships, clothing stores, or restaurants. Former actors go into other areas of the business. Opie became Ron Howard the director. Back in the old days of radio, former DJs like Gary Stevens became station brokers. Another out-of-work DJ is now the voice of his local sports arena. Lots of guys are doing voice-over work, or they started their own ad agencies, turning their voice and production skills into money. My suggestion is to look beyond the salaried job with benefits. Those are going to become fewer and fewer, and those who start their own businesses will have no limits on the money they make, and no jerk boss telling them what to do.

 

[pocket-radio]

"artists, athletes, and actors. How do they create value in themselves?"

Big A the consolidators that you love, unfortunately see little value in DJ's. Some market are different and some morning teams thrive, but largely they're getting their legs chopped off. The radio world is changing fast and so is radio. Unless a local DJ can move across the street, or use his skills as the local TV weather man or traffic reporter their fan base isn't worth anything. To produce movies, the studios still need talented actors, stars. Football teams still need players and fans love their teams.

recording artists, create hits.. when the hits stop coming nobody cares..

DJ's play music, but PC does a better job. The glory days for DJ's have changed.

Agencies hire out talent. Using a DJ name or brand for a car dealership is creative

I agree people out of work must recreate themselves, relying on their fan base to create value or start a business sound more like magical thinking.

People watch Ron Howard movies because he produces good movies, the Opie connection is meaningless.
Star's known world wide start clubs and restaurants and the name or brand is the attraction.
Some dude in market 119 doing PM drive might have some brand quality.. Then again it's just a guying playing music, reading liners, weathers and traffics.. People listen for the music and less about the dude.

Some DJ's have business skills and connections and can start their own business. most just like talking on the radio.

some of your suggestions are correct, mostly it's about the words typed and how it makes you feel about yourself.

 

[TheBigA]

"artists, athletes, and actors. How do they create value in themselves?"

Big A the consolidators that you love, unfortunately see little value in DJ's.

That statement is a figment of your imagination. I don't work for nor do I love consolidators.

DJ's play music, but PC does a better job. The glory days for DJ's have changed.

It sounds like you're the one who sees little value in DJs.

Some dude in market 119 doing PM drive might have some brand quality.. Then again it's just a guying playing music, reading liners, weathers and traffics.. People listen for the music and less about the dude.

Which is why those who consider themselves talent need to reinvent themselves. And not expect some PD is going to do it for them. The PDs have their own problems to worry about. The DJ has to have Plan B. There are lots of opportunities out there for "content providers." Is THAT what a DJ is? If so, provide some content. And don't wait for a PD to tell you what that means.

For example, I know a DJ right now who, during his airshift, does a second corresponding show on Twitter. He communicates with his listeners. He plays music on the Twitter site that he could never play in his show. He shows pictures, he talks about issues in music and the world, and he has FUN! Which is what a show is supposed to be. This is NOT his station's Twitter site. It's his own. They know he's doing this and they're fine with it. It's an experiment. He came up with it, not his PD. This is what I'm talking about. In case you're wondering, he works for a major radio company, and they also approve of what he's doing.

 

[Silkie]

In case you're wondering, he works for a major radio company, and they also approve of what he's doing.

As long as he gets the kudos when it becomes a smashing success for the long haul.

 

[jackandcoke]

Lost full time gig 6 months ago.

Was left with part time gig for which I am truly grateful.

Haven't been able to secure another FT gig...yet....but I'm holding on.

Part gig usually pays on 1st of month.

Today's the 13th...still no check.

It's the only income I have.

My savings has been exhausted.

I've been calling payroll over the past 3-4 days. They are not answering the phone. In fact, not even the operator is picking up.

By the way, the company that I work for is Westwood One.

Anybody else experiencing the same check issues? Maybe I would feel a little (just a little) better if I knew that I'm not alone.

Back to the original post...

Any progress since April? Have you starved to death?

Did you pick up the phone and call everyone you know in radio to help with your job search--assuming that waiting two weeks for a part-time check was enough to convince you that a job search was in order?

Sure, radio gigs are scarce--but people die, people move because their spouse got hired to an even better non-radio gig across country... people get fired for getting tossed in jail for shooting their wife's dog (see Orlando)...

And SOMEBODY has to get hired. Might as well be you!

 

[Silkie]

So? They produce revenue for the companies that syndicate them. If I bought Premiere on Monday, I would make sure Rush was happy, as he brings in the money. I can't syndicate the weekend guy from des Moines or the night rocker from Tulsa... but I can make tens of millions a year from someone like Rush.

[reference to deleted content]

Wait until the brutal heat of the summer, when some idiot who actually takes lunch in a parkiing lot in her car, has heat stroke or overheats and destroys her car at midday. People who work on a department store clerk's wages don't stop to think that they are nothing to a daytime syndicated talker who is getting a few hundred million. Well...now they might get a mention, since it was mentioned here. Some of those little old ladies hang on his every word, and if you pay attention to what is going on around you, you will also see that many of them are quite frightened about whether they will be able to eat or anything else, based on what the guy has to say. I know one who is contemplating mortgaging her home to put a high solid fence up around her property..."and do you know what else Rush Limbo said?".

 

[Questor]

What we've seen over the last 25 years is the rise of lots of people who call themselves DJs and MCs, driving their PAs and turntables around entertaining people and building their own fan bases.  Some of those people went on to become recording stars and celebrities.  How did that happen, while so many other people stayed behind at the radio station, taking the hourly wage?  In my view, it's about being original, having real talent, investing in yourself, and developing your audience.  That's how the stars do it. 

I used to think Talent was the exclusive savior.  It is not.

You're definitely right about the "developing your audience" component, though.

If Talent was all that was necessary to make it and stand out, then let's take our aforementioned god of Rush Limbaugh and export him to the North Pole for a few months.  He could have all that talent up there, yet from a marketplace point of view it means nothing.  He may have the innate talent, and if he can't develop an audience he's toast.

Now let's go back to the not-as-pristine wasteland of 48 contiguous states and see ALL those people who can now produce their own videos, podcasts, and the like.  Do you believe that ALL those people who get noticed really have talent?  Or is it that some are better at creating the audience, fooling enough of the people enough of the time?

I've seen this repeatedly in countless professions, especially the creative ones like art and music.  One person may really know all his music theory, and how one chord fits better than another.  Yet the person who can't read a single note of music has some other kind of charm.  He may actually be off key, yet his packaging isn't.

I used to think it was all about really learning your craft and being known for such competence.  Not any more.  I've seen some folks who were loaded with talent get passed over by people who knew how to market themselves better.  Fair or not, that's just the way it is, especially with so many thinking they're stars just because they can make their own stuff.

And that, incidentally, applies to the OP's original request of getting himself out of this mess.  Some people are better at getting out of messes than any work they'll ever do.

 

[Silkie]

I used to think it was all about really learning your craft and being known for such competence. Not any more. I've seen some folks who were loaded with talent get passed over by people who knew how to market themselves better. Fair or not, that's just the way it is, especially with so many thinking they're stars just because they can make their own stuff.

Then there are those who think they are stars when they neither packaged themselves well, nor have they any talent; but the price was right. These are the very small handful who have a little home base from which they are purveyors of what they are all about - which ain't much.

 

[pocket-radio]

Talent comes in all industry's - Being a good plumber requires talent.

Having talent and building a brand from your talent or name is another story. Who is Billy Mase? Does he have talent? The guy is his own brand, in his own mind. Radio is going through many changes, and sadly many stations think they can prosper without high priced talent. In their minds less is more and the race is on to build a better jukebox!