Jim LaBarbara, The Country Professor?

[onegreatplace]

I've never heard Big Dave's show, sorry Dave, but herein may be one of the problems with the sad state of terrestrial radio. I'm assuming that Dave is not permitted to get this creative on the air in between the records. I've only talked to Dave one time in my life and it was when he did a call in during a program while I was on duty on the B on a Sunday morning last year. And he sounded like a nice guy, not a jerk or anything . But, man, if he was allowed to get that crazy in between the records, it might be a reason for me to turn off my Sirius and tune in the B to see what the hell is going on. Is it still fun today? geez, sorry, I've really veered off the topic.

Steve Hawkins and I did alot of that kind of stuff on the Q back in the mid 80's when Radio was really fun.

[EDIT]

[EDIT-inflammatory]

 

[titoisradio]

I've never heard Big Dave's show, sorry Dave, but herein may be one of the problems with the sad state of terrestrial radio. I'm assuming that Dave is not permitted to get this creative on the air in between the records. I've only talked to Dave one time in my life and it was when he did a call in during a program while I was on duty on the B on a Sunday morning last year. And he sounded like a nice guy, not a jerk or anything . But, man, if he was allowed to get that crazy in between the records, it might be a reason for me to turn off my Sirius and tune in the B to see what the hell is going on. Is it still fun today? geez, sorry, I've really veered off the topic.

Steve Hawkins and I did alot of that kind of stuff on the Q back in the mid 80's when Radio was really fun.

[EDIT]

[EDIT-inflammatory]

Actually yes they were good. Hawkins was probably one of the best night jocks Cincinnati has ever had, especially on a CHR format. Anyone know where he is now? Last I heard he was a financial advisor.

 

[onegreatplace]

That kind of sums up his marketability.

 

[punchbuggy]

You lost me at "Lababbler". How juvenile. Make fun of the guys appetite and the fact that he attempted to open his own business. Juvenile and petty.

Your comment kills me. You obviously don't know the guy, or don't know him well. EVERYBODY made fun of his appetite, including Jim himself. They even used it as a gag in on-air promotional spots. Jim never met a sandwich he didn't like and would tell you so himself.

As for his video business, he didn't "attempt" to open a business, he DID own one for quite a while. However, when the time was right and Blockbuster wanted to buy (read BUY) him out, he said only if they called it "Jim LaBarbara's Blockbuster Video". Again, the ego got in the way of common sense and he got burned. Instead of paying him to go away, Blockbuster just went ahead and crowded him out. Like I said before, nice enough guy, but true professional? Nah baby nah.

 

[jcmccoy]

Excellent post, Punch

 

[Mr. Bates]

Yeah, excellent post, punch. Too bad some people, like JC McCoy, are going to read it as gospel truth.

I know that Jim Labarbara makes fun of his own appetite. My post was aimed at the tone of Rumourmonger's comments. His post wasn't intended in good fun (like Jim's on air promotional spots) it was an attempt to mock him.

Oh, and you may want to look up "attempt". Attempt: "To make an effort at, try". Last time I checked, Jim Labarbara's video store was no longer in business... having gone "belly up" as Rumourmonger so eloquently put it. He attempted to open up a business.

And since when does a chain like Blockbuster "buy" (read buy) anyone out. That's like Wal-Mart coming in and "buying out" the mom and pop on the corner. Doesn't happen.

Before you start passing off what you think are facts as facts maybe you should get your facts straight.

 

[punchbuggy]

OK, I hesitate to even respond to Bate's post. He questions my facts, but fails to dispute anything I actually said. But the pathetic attempt to run to LaBarbara's aid when in fact nothing I said was inflammatory in the first place screams for a response, so here goes.

Attempt indeed means an effort, a try. There was a successful business for quite a few years. Therefore, although it is no longer business, the business was not "attempted." Would you say John Shillito "attempted" to open a department store?

As for Blockbuster offering to buy him out, ask Jim. It happened. This was quite a few years ago, before the "mom and pop" video stores were an anomaly.

If you have facts that aren't in evidence here, please share. If you like LaBarbara and think he's a "true professional", give him a job. The truth is, although he's mellowed over the years, far, far too many people in this business have had a less than warm and fuzzy experience with him. The bridges he's burned may be tough to build again.

 

[LocalGuy]

And since when does a chain like Blockbuster "buy" (read buy) anyone out. That's like Wal-Mart coming in and "buying out" the mom and pop on the corner. Doesn't happen.

It does happen. And, with Blockbuster, in particular, it definitely did.

Before relatively cheap DVDs, VOD, and broadband (stealing movies P2P), video rental was a huge business, and it was assumed to have growth potential for years and years to come. Blockbuster had worked itself into the lead and wanted to keep itself there by having more locations and protecting or getting even more market share (grocery stores and gas stations were doing it, for crying out loud). The easiest and quickest way to do that was to send its people out to find local or regional outlets or chains, buy them, and remodel and rebrand them, and that's exactly what they did. At the peak, a Blockbuster was more than a five- or ten-minute drive from almost no one in good-sized cities primarily as a result of these buy-outs.

 

[onegreatplace]

What's their late fee policy anyway?

 

[jcmccoy]

The truth is, although he's mellowed over the years, far, far too many people in this business have had a less than warm and fuzzy experience with him. The bridges he's burned may be tough to build again.
[/quote]

Again, excellent and accurate post. I could elaborate with more details, but why kick a guy when he's down? I know how it feels.

 

[Mr. Bates]

why kick a guy when he's down?

Because that's what you do. You know how it feels, but you don't hesitate to add your 2 cents when the bandwagon is filling up. Instead of taking the high road you stoke the fire.

And despite your "I'm not trying to create anything here" comment, my guess is you're reveling in the attacks on Jim Labarbara's character. Obviously, there was no love lost between the two of you when you worked together but what purpose does it serve to publically bad-mouth him and after he's lost his job... other than make your self feel superior?

You like to call out people who hide behind an alias... what's amazing to me is you obviously have no shame. You don't appear brave for using your real name, you appear insecure, vindictive and petty.

 

[FRR]

Wow! Old Jim sure was able to illicit some strong responses from allot of you folks. He was fun to listen to years ago, but all those little tidbits of musical knowledge can be found on the internet whenever you want them. I'll bet he just loves to read all these comments, (or at least most of them) about himself. I think you would all agree that the man had a healthy ego, but that's not all bad...Hey, good luck Jim, no matter what or where you end up.

 

[jcmccoy]

Show me where I "bad mouthed" him, Norman or Master, whoever you are

 

[ChiefEngineer]

Worked with Jim at WLW. Even as the guy ahed of him on the air he struck me as one of the true professionals of the business.

He said what he expected for his shift when he came on. He wanted commercials for the next hour pulled, logs where he could find them, and news headlines.

Is this pampering him? No. Burbank would do the same for me before I went on.

Old school goes back to radio's golden age when people like Dusty and Jim were just doing what they did because they liked it.

Even if you have the internet music facts and information are relatables which is what Jim and Dusty excel at. Some people still don't get this.

Longevity means you have time when you lay out. You don't go somewhere else because you don't want to.

Why he isn't on Sirius or XM I don't know. Grippos channel 57.

 

[Mr. Bates]

Show me where I "bad mouthed" him, Norman or Master, whoever you are

I think everyone here can read between the lines. Implying that you've got some "details" that'll show everybody what Jim Labarbara's really like - in your opinion - but you won't relate them because, well, it "just wouldn't be right". Don't want to kick a guy when he's down and all.... which is pretty much what you're doing anyway... "But, hey, just so you know, I've got some details."

You're like the guy in the crowd yelling "Amen, brother! Tell 'em!" egging on the others in the crowd.

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone, JC.

Oh, and I get the joke. Norman... Bates... but I think you spelled Mastur wrong.

 

[onegreatplace]

I'm siding with Bates on this one.

 

[jcmccoy]

Bates, again, just like Punch had asked of you earlier to provide some facts,, again I say, show me where I badmouthed him in this thread. I'm waiting, Norman . I started in on this thread by asking when did he and Marty become friends. I think thats a legitimate question. Not bad mouthing. But I'm sure you'll twist that too. Oh and by the way, I'm waiting for your details. I give you permission publically. C'mon spill. Oh, and just so you know, I'm not waiting for my next radio gig so I dont give a rat's ^%$^ toward whatever you've got to spew.

 

[Mr. Bates]

I think we're at an impasse. Anyone on this board who's impartial - and I'm guessing that's most - can see that you have an ax to grind with Jim Labarbara.

 

[jcmccoy]

Again, what axe? I'm asking when they became friends because that's not the impression I had from being there from 98-01. In fact, Norman, I could accuse you of having an axe to grind with me! And by the way, Punch, you must have been more of an insider than me at GRR because your posts are very, should I say, interesting. I did traffic during LaBarbara's show in an adjoining studio and conversed with him on air daily. I just didnt work in the same building or on the same staff or did remotes with him or heard stuff 2nd hand. I think that gives me a unique perspective.

 

[Flavin]

Again, what axe?

Lillian? Rock On!