READ THIS:
"This is hilarious, I have been out of the Vegas market for
about seven years, I remember Jon David being the voice for
one of the TV stations, I believe."
Actually, I was the first helicopter reporter for News 13, KTNV.
(You think this is hilarious? You're kidding, right?)
"I never had the pleasure
of working with him, but do remember I admired his work. I
think I also remember a colleague who had worked with him
describe him as talented, great voice and good talent, we
talked about how all that talent was wasted because of
attitude and ego, nobody wanted to hire him for more than
fill in or weekend duties...That was almost ten years ago."
In that 10 year timeframe, I did both Morning and Afternoon Drive (#1) for KOOL 93.1; Oldies, Afternoon Drive (Doubled the ratings for $9.00/hr) at KXNT; Talk, Afternoons (Highest rated on the station) for K-NEWS; News/Talk.
And then went on to be rehired at KXNT, where I put my supposed "Attitude and Ego" in my pocket to board-op, do traffic, and pay dues doing Weekends and fill-in. All full-time gigs.
It was there that my show became the highest-rated local talkshow in town....not in AQH Shares, but in AQH Persons. In fact, in the Fall of 2003, the show beat everyone except Rush.
"Should we admire him for being true? Or should we feel sorry
for it?"
That's up to you. But mine is a story of being held down in the face of honest achievement....Of jumping through every hoop ever put before me in this town, and then dealing with the absurd notion that somehow my "Attitude and Ego" justifies some of the Las Vegas radio management welching on their promises to me, and others in this town. Read on....
"Either way, more than one has mentioned talent,
so I am sure he is that. There have been many talents
that no one every cares for or hears from because no one
wants to be around them. If Howard Stern had the ego and
attitude he has now before he went to New York, I doubt he
would have made it."
Howard made it because he stood up for himself and what he does as a broadcaster. That's all I'm doing, and I'm getting hammered for it.
He also made it because he works in a competitive situation. In New York, you have to win, no matter what it takes. (As Howard shows us.) In Las Vegas, you have to play politics, be quiet in the face of management misconduct, AND WHATEVER YOU DO, NOT WIN:
Glen Boychuk--#1 in Morning Drive....Fired
Carlotta--#1 in Mid-Days....Fired
Johnson & Tofte--#1 in Morning Drive....Fired
Brian White--#1 Oldies PD....Fired
"Jon seems to be giving syndicated
morning drive ego and attitude to his part time working."
Nope...just telling the truth. SOME Las Vegas radio management screws over the help, and then slanders them to justify it. Period.
"I don't think that has ever worked right or wrong, you need to
choose your battles, and make them ones you can win."
I speak in terms of available fact. They speak in terms of dubious opinion. And yet, as you say, they win that battle. And here are two reasons why....Threats, and Intimidation.
On the other hand here's an example of my quoting availble fact: Look at the vast number of frightened people USING ALIASES as they try to justify the absurdity of current radio business practices AGAINST competent talent.
MILLIONS OF LISTENERS ARE PAYING MONEY TO ESCAPE TODAY'S RADIO....HELLO!
And to top if off, when a fearless man with honest credentials and a decades-long history of achievement stands up to this pathological unreality, this same fear-filled pack, foolishly attacks with words of "Attitude and Ego", and then seeks to denegrate those undeniable credentials and achievements.
Why? Who's side are you on?
Radio Management has made millions in today's radio game. Radio Salesmen have made millions in today's radio game. Automation manufacturers have made millions in today's radio game. Stockholders listening to XM, and Sirius while they drive their Bentlys have made millions in today's radio game.
15-THOUSAND ON-AIR BROADCASTERS HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS SINCE 1996. Why? Was it their attitudes, and egos?
Look, I'm fighting for the future of ON-AIR Broadcasting. And if I don't fight, who will? Drtylawndry?
What are you fighting for?
Jon-David Wells
Fearless Broadcaster
