KFRC and the Boss Jocks

[John Mack Flanagan]

Of course music is the "star" at KFRC. Most radio competition comes from ipods and mp3 players. It truly is, Hit against Hit. Get the quarter hour mix o.k. and the rest will take care of itself. Except for Wolfman Jack and Dr. Don Rose, disc jockey's don't matter. The average listener feels jocks get in the way. Disc jockey's are a fading memory. No one remembers or cares. ... These are my thoughts today. ... But in the past air personalities sold the music, the advertisers, the promotions. The jocks were the glue that held it (the radio station) all together. I never believed I'd live to see the day when jocks were irrevelant, but times must change and so do tastes and perceptions. The Beatles came and went, Dr. Don's dead, nothing stays the same, but I do believe at one point the jock really mattered. As someone who spent their life behind a microphone (age 17-53) I can say without a doubt I would rather have been an on air talent than anything else ( and I've been a singer all my life! That why I orginally got into radio, was to get a record contract and be the next Elvis. ...). I was and am proud to have been a disc jockey. A disc jockey. And nothing more. You've never had the words spoken to you that I have ("loved your work" ... "you were great at K - - -"). I know what I did mattered. And I'm grateful for all my opportunities. I was always asked, "What happens to old disc jockey's?" I'm finding out. -John-

 

[IAN WRIGHT]

Hi, John.

Like you, I too started ON-AIR at 17, I'm now 53 and still LOVE it, albeit voice tracked on Weekends (many, many, people tell me it sounds LIVE), in between radio sales weekdays. Also, like you, my Programme Director tells me that our music is the 90% "Star" of the station. The station I work for here in South Australia features a "Timeless Music" format, with announcer breaks 3 times per hour outside of 'Breakfast' (your 'Morning Drive').

I won't get into the fickle topic of music and rotations, suffice to say I don't agree with the 90% claim. To me, LIVE or VOICE TRACKED the ingredient which remains largely predictable is the music, particularly in a Classics Hits format like KFRC or a Timeless Music format that I work. I have a theory that many (not all) people listen for a sense of 'relief from reality', within the music environment. An environment which makes them feel more positive for the experience, part of that experience is feeling genuine empathy from the broadcaster, be he/she warm, wacky, wild or simply there. To me, great radio is still a 1 on 1 great companion and whilst companions can be predictable, what makes them even more interesting is 'their other side', their 'out there' persona.

Don't know about you John, but even in my conservative music format, I'm always pushing the boundaries (within reason) to position myself with the audience as 'different to the rest'. It's not a fake thing, it is me, but a real life EXTENSION of the more conservative, almost shy me in daily life. I approach it as wanting to make a positive difference to my listener. A case of me sensing I'm in their shoes and knowing 'what' I need to do to either raise a smile, a groan, a 'what'd he say' ? reaction or simply to be there in between the music as a pal.

In my humble opinion, mp3 players & iPods provide a 100% solution if you want 100% music, whilst personality music radio done well provides the best of both worlds. A known genre of music coupled with the human touch. A cocktail if you like of predictability, spontaneity, warmth and information that forms the total package...great radio, THE 100% SOLUTION.

I admire your track record and talent John and it's obvious you have a legion of fans from the many comments on this Board and at Uncle Ricky's REELRADIO site. Glad to hear you are part of KFRC once again and I wish you a happy life. Whether radio is 10% or 100% of your future working life, I know you'll be giving it 100% plus and the audience will love it !

Regards,
IAN in Oz.