Judging by the lack of interest from this group, Jacksonville radio must be really boring these days.
-
Get involved.
We want your input!
Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.
After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.
After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/
Thanks in advance and have fun!
RadioDiscussions Administrators
Jacksonville Radio
- Thread starter pocket-radio
- Start date
A
alcapone
Guest
Yep. very pitiful when the guy that put Gator Country on the map, PD Jeff Davis leaves and it doesn't even make it on here. Was he cannned or left on his own ?
W
wcrzx
Guest
Canned
A
alcapone
Guest
Ya don't ditch the one you brought to the dance -- without Jeff I hope gator takes a nose dive. He was the force that got that station to where it is. Good luck Jeff
J
jaxonair80
Guest
I believe their new morning show put the station on the map...no ?
A
alcapone
Guest
I knew someone would come up with that morning show crap. If that's the case it took them almost a year and a half to get where they are. That's what a good PD does ..give direction. Time will tell. oH YA AND Renda is just all over the place with their TV ad's..NOT.
Re: Jacksonville Radio\Gator Country Jeff Davis
Jeff is a good guy. He started with Tony Renda in Daytona Beach with Froggy Fm.
He then survived Tony Renda’s reckless, Froggy Fm relocation abortion to Jacksonville. Through all the needless drama and lies, Jeff some how still believed in Renda Broadcasting and moved his family to Jacksonville. Trust me others didn’t feel the same way. Upon arriving to Jax he was then charged with taking the rains of a no budget startup called Froggy Fm. And being true to their amateur mixed up style, weeks later they changed the station to Gator Country. I can’t make this stuff up. True the morning show was the next step to the stations success. But give the guy credit he did a great job working with what he had. And, he was also responsible for bringing their Free Gator Country Concerts to the Jacksonville Landing. They wouldn’t have that without Jeff’s hard work and contacts in the industry.
Well that’s radio. They treat talented loyal people like yesterdays news.
Pump and dump…that’s radio…
Jeff I hear WQIK could use some help.
If anyone knows of a radio job you should say something. I’m sure he reads this post.
Jeff is a good guy. He started with Tony Renda in Daytona Beach with Froggy Fm.
He then survived Tony Renda’s reckless, Froggy Fm relocation abortion to Jacksonville. Through all the needless drama and lies, Jeff some how still believed in Renda Broadcasting and moved his family to Jacksonville. Trust me others didn’t feel the same way. Upon arriving to Jax he was then charged with taking the rains of a no budget startup called Froggy Fm. And being true to their amateur mixed up style, weeks later they changed the station to Gator Country. I can’t make this stuff up. True the morning show was the next step to the stations success. But give the guy credit he did a great job working with what he had. And, he was also responsible for bringing their Free Gator Country Concerts to the Jacksonville Landing. They wouldn’t have that without Jeff’s hard work and contacts in the industry.
Well that’s radio. They treat talented loyal people like yesterdays news.
Pump and dump…that’s radio…
Jeff I hear WQIK could use some help.
If anyone knows of a radio job you should say something. I’m sure he reads this post.
B
Brother Bear
Guest
The beauty of this board is that no matter how ignorant you are of the radio business in general, or a certain situation in particular, you may opine and speculate to your little hearts content.
Here come the facts ... look 'em up.
Until the new morning show started last June, Gator wallowed anyhwere from 10th to 12th place without any market buzz whatsoever. Shares in the low 2's were commonplace, and while the free shows at the landing were successful they never had any effect on the ratings. Two and a half years of concerts ... two and a half years of 2 shares.
The first FULL book with the new morning show and the cume has DOUBLED (That's how important mornings are!), they finished with a 7 share, and boosted mid-days with Michele, a Gator bright spot, to an 8, and afternoons to a 6.7. Please feel free to check out the Fall '07 Arbs, Women 25-54 ... Gator's target audience.
Every trend shows Gator growing as a market force. Miller/Kaplan's show them growing as a revenue force. Weekends now have LIVE DJ's much of the time.
Jeff DID bring a lot to the table, but the fact remains ... Gator was a 2 share station until a relatable, local morning show came onboard and catapaulted the station to the next level by bringing customers in to check out the store (BTW, that's what cume is and that's what morning shows ... good morning shows, do.)
And the last time I checked, ratings and revenue are what radio is all about.
Do you know for a fact that Jeff was fired? Or is it mere speculation, as is so wont to happen around here?
Ciao, boys and girls ... I'm off for some bangers and mash!
Here come the facts ... look 'em up.
Until the new morning show started last June, Gator wallowed anyhwere from 10th to 12th place without any market buzz whatsoever. Shares in the low 2's were commonplace, and while the free shows at the landing were successful they never had any effect on the ratings. Two and a half years of concerts ... two and a half years of 2 shares.
The first FULL book with the new morning show and the cume has DOUBLED (That's how important mornings are!), they finished with a 7 share, and boosted mid-days with Michele, a Gator bright spot, to an 8, and afternoons to a 6.7. Please feel free to check out the Fall '07 Arbs, Women 25-54 ... Gator's target audience.
Every trend shows Gator growing as a market force. Miller/Kaplan's show them growing as a revenue force. Weekends now have LIVE DJ's much of the time.
Jeff DID bring a lot to the table, but the fact remains ... Gator was a 2 share station until a relatable, local morning show came onboard and catapaulted the station to the next level by bringing customers in to check out the store (BTW, that's what cume is and that's what morning shows ... good morning shows, do.)
And the last time I checked, ratings and revenue are what radio is all about.
Do you know for a fact that Jeff was fired? Or is it mere speculation, as is so wont to happen around here?
Ciao, boys and girls ... I'm off for some bangers and mash!
I suspect it’s about budget cuts. And yes he got let go. A super star morning show makes a big difference and drives the remaining dayparts. The problem is finding one.. finding people willing to relocate and what budgets will allow for. As you know WMUV still has no morning or midday shows. On paper it looks good but It's not that easy brother bear.
In radio today the poor soles who remain wear 30 hats. Why have four program directors, when management/ownership feels they can easily program four stations with one. And whatever they don’t have time for the grunts can handle. Clear Channel and their clones are still eliminating fat. And soon radio will cut off their legs and sell them on Ebay. CC is now eliminating mid-day jocks. In some markets promotions is getting the axe too. It’s depressing.
In radio today the poor soles who remain wear 30 hats. Why have four program directors, when management/ownership feels they can easily program four stations with one. And whatever they don’t have time for the grunts can handle. Clear Channel and their clones are still eliminating fat. And soon radio will cut off their legs and sell them on Ebay. CC is now eliminating mid-day jocks. In some markets promotions is getting the axe too. It’s depressing.
I am sorry, but I have to admit I was a big fan of Jeff and to hear that he was canned just makes me want to scream...Renda may have just lost a a future intern because of this....I am going into my last year of college, looking at internships and was wanting to intern at Gator Country and now that Jeff did get canned as what seems to be said here I just could not intern at a place that just let go one of the most valuable PDs that Jax has seen since the days before pre-consolidation 1996 (well 2000 I guess was when things went downhill..IDK). I guess their will be stuff awaiting this Communication-Broadcasting major. I guess my iPod is going on full time..except to listen to WFCF, Flagler College Radio in St. Augustine....hint....where i am going to school at. Ok I need a sugar rush to believe all of this.....YIKES!!!!!
Jeff best of luck where ever you may go....and if you do read these boards let us know where you go.
Later.
Jeff best of luck where ever you may go....and if you do read these boards let us know where you go.
Later.
This is upsetting but canning quality people is just business as usual in radio nowadays. It seems once a station has established itself and has become successful, management appears to adopt a remote control mentality that makes the PD the sacrifical lamb once again just to save bucks. They all seem to think they don't need good PDs once everything appears OK.
As discussed in prior comments, Jeff did perform well given what he had. And while concerts may not have directly reflected on ratings, at least there was an attempt on his part to promote the station. We also can't forget that when Gator came to Jax, it went up against two heritage country music stations. The other guys weren't doing this so at least Jeff tried to differentiate Gator. Even if there were a good promotional budget, growing an audience and getting listeners to switch stations takes time and it seems everyone wants results overnight. Not realistic.
Yes, a great morning show is the lifeblood of any radio station. But if the music, programming/imaging sucks or talent is not given guidance, direction/feedback then listeners who are attracted to familiar voices will not always stick with you. I believe a PD who knows what he/she is doing is vital to the long term success of the station.
And when I see young, enthusiastic people like Mhbroncos who want to get into the business because they have a passion for radio, I wonder if they will have a future at all. Talent both on the air and behind the scenes are being axed left and right.
Bronocos, I'm not going to tell you to not follow your dream but just consider what "Uncle Johnny" is saying here. Develop whatever other skill you have so you can prepare yourself for future employment. Even if you do get a radio gig down the road, keep up with fine tuning other skills. And remember, people are always needed in the service industry, trades and labor, administrative and management roles. Enough said.
And Jeff, good luck and best wishes to you! Even though this is the norm today, I'm pretty shocked this happened.
As discussed in prior comments, Jeff did perform well given what he had. And while concerts may not have directly reflected on ratings, at least there was an attempt on his part to promote the station. We also can't forget that when Gator came to Jax, it went up against two heritage country music stations. The other guys weren't doing this so at least Jeff tried to differentiate Gator. Even if there were a good promotional budget, growing an audience and getting listeners to switch stations takes time and it seems everyone wants results overnight. Not realistic.
Yes, a great morning show is the lifeblood of any radio station. But if the music, programming/imaging sucks or talent is not given guidance, direction/feedback then listeners who are attracted to familiar voices will not always stick with you. I believe a PD who knows what he/she is doing is vital to the long term success of the station.
And when I see young, enthusiastic people like Mhbroncos who want to get into the business because they have a passion for radio, I wonder if they will have a future at all. Talent both on the air and behind the scenes are being axed left and right.
Bronocos, I'm not going to tell you to not follow your dream but just consider what "Uncle Johnny" is saying here. Develop whatever other skill you have so you can prepare yourself for future employment. Even if you do get a radio gig down the road, keep up with fine tuning other skills. And remember, people are always needed in the service industry, trades and labor, administrative and management roles. Enough said.
And Jeff, good luck and best wishes to you! Even though this is the norm today, I'm pretty shocked this happened.
A
alcapone
Guest
My guess is the renda powers that be will have one PD run all 3 stations now. Like one PD can really do all 3 stations and keep them running smooth and keep ratings up. PD's can barely run one station but the PD's today are just yes men/women to the zipperheads who should just stick to sales and should never be called marketing managers and for the most part should have no business hiring on air talent or programming radio stations.
What goes around comes around. One day, TR will show up at the office "out of the blue" and let people go. Trust me someone can always con a buyer to do the job cheaper and better. Like, I’ve said I can't make this stuff up.
Bronocos the bottom is still falling out of radio. The best thing to happen, stations go dark or some such major event that causes the value of stations to drop and once again become affordable for operators who care about their people, communities and the industry. What we have now are coal miners, the kind of operators that strip the land of any last nugget for profit. These same operators have no intention of restoring mother earth once they’ve finished.. Call them radio operators, coal miners or carnie they’re all the same.
Bronocos the bottom is still falling out of radio. The best thing to happen, stations go dark or some such major event that causes the value of stations to drop and once again become affordable for operators who care about their people, communities and the industry. What we have now are coal miners, the kind of operators that strip the land of any last nugget for profit. These same operators have no intention of restoring mother earth once they’ve finished.. Call them radio operators, coal miners or carnie they’re all the same.
W
wcrzx
Guest
to: vtdude & pocket radio
Pull your head out from where it don't shine. Did Jeff do a good job, yes. did he do a great job, I guess not if he got let go.
Pocket, did you work for Froggy in Daytona? Sure seems that way! The move to Jax was the best thing TR could do with the station. True there were bumps in the road but after 3 years it looks like the station has the poential to be a top 5 radio station and from what I hear is setting billing records monthly so there goes your theory on budget cuts. So once again a disgruntled former employee!
VT- If you read the trades you will realize that Renda is looking for a top-notched PD to take over. Does the word sore loser mean anything!. who fired you?
Pull your head out from where it don't shine. Did Jeff do a good job, yes. did he do a great job, I guess not if he got let go.
Pocket, did you work for Froggy in Daytona? Sure seems that way! The move to Jax was the best thing TR could do with the station. True there were bumps in the road but after 3 years it looks like the station has the poential to be a top 5 radio station and from what I hear is setting billing records monthly so there goes your theory on budget cuts. So once again a disgruntled former employee!
VT- If you read the trades you will realize that Renda is looking for a top-notched PD to take over. Does the word sore loser mean anything!. who fired you?
B
Brother Bear
Guest
wcrzx - thanks for posting what everyone else (with an uncompromised brain stem) is thinking. With the caterwauling malcontents that spend a majority of their time complaining about how horrible radio is, who would WANT to be in radio? Would you really want them as "colleagues"?
My Grandpa always said, "If you're so darn smart, why aren't you rich?"
In turn, "If you are all such radio wunderkinds, why aren't you out here setting the woods on fire?"
Oh, that's right ... those that CAN do, those that CAN'T b***h about it.
My Grandpa always said, "If you're so darn smart, why aren't you rich?"
In turn, "If you are all such radio wunderkinds, why aren't you out here setting the woods on fire?"
Oh, that's right ... those that CAN do, those that CAN'T b***h about it.
Hopefully they will find a new PD... sure as heck don't need more of Chuck Beck... look how great he is doing with Movin (HA) and Sunny where exactly did they show up in last book?, as a Jax native knowing the market beeter than the people who run the stations over there.. EJZ can do what they are doing without Chucky..he should have been let go not Jeff.... and no I don't work for Renda and never have.
J
jaxonair80
Guest
Wow Jenny. Are you THAT delusional too?
Rome wasnt built in a day.
Maybe you should program the entire cluster?
Rome wasnt built in a day.
Maybe you should program the entire cluster?
W
wcrzx
Guest
LOL well said!
Sunny - It's not a city grade signal. waht do you expect.
Movin- That frequency will always have problems due to signal strength. Though I understand it is doing beter and better in billing.
Sunny - It's not a city grade signal. waht do you expect.
Movin- That frequency will always have problems due to signal strength. Though I understand it is doing beter and better in billing.
A
alcapone
Guest
Yeah so you mean renda is charging 2.25 a spot for Movin instead of 2.00
D
drafty
Guest
I know of several candidates that WGNE management interviewed WAY BEFORE Jeff was canned. We're talking several weeks of interviews, mostly outside the Atlantic Ave. digs...Yes, there is definitely no doubt Jeff was canned. They have been shopping for a new PD for a while now. Their biggest challenge seems to be coming up with the right money for the right person. What a surprise!
From what I hear, the money is way low for a major PD gig plus a drive shift in this market. And a couple of the names I heard were pretty heavy hitters too....
- Status