Have you heard my side of the KFRC story? I didn't think so cause I don't hang my dirty laundry out for the world to see. But, it's only fair you know what happened to me at the new KFRC. When Mike Preston and Tim Jordan called me to be part of the 106.9 KFRC, they stated they wanted it to be "a positive experience for me." They said my last experiences hadn't been good ones, and they wanted to change that. So, what happened? You tell me. Not a single person from CBS has spoken to me. Period. I was not invited to the "Going Away" (Again...) party, and Ben Fong Torres never mentioned my name in his Radio Waves column even though we shared a mailbox together at the station. What have I done to receive such treatment? I've never been given an ounce of respect in San Francisco (make that Northern California...) and I just don't understand? If anyone has a clue, will you clue me? I'm 'clueless in San Francisco'. My wife of 43 years loves me. My daughter Kelly and her baby daughter Dylan love me. But the rest of the world...I'm not sure where I stand. Your friend in limbo, -John-
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KFRC - My Side of the Story
- Thread starter John Mack Flanagan
- Start date
John Mack Flanagan said:
John - I can assure you that you have the respect and admiration of your listeners over the years. We did not forget you and your work during the years you were out of the business, and we won't forget you now. Though I have never worked in the radio business, I'm sure you also have the respect of your many past coworkers. I don't know why Ben didn't mention you in his column- but it was probably just an oversight.
When the new KFRC came along, a number of people of this board were upset that you weren't given a regular weekday air-shift. I didn't say that, because I kind of cynically assumed that the Classic Hits format would be temporary anyway, and you would be out the door again, along with everyone else.
I've had some professional disappointments over the years in my career (been laid off, and was fired once), and those were the times I was especially grateful for the love of my family. On-air radio professionals are especially cursed to work in a cruel business.
Your Beatles program and Ben's show were the only bright spots on an otherwise pathetic excuse for a Classic Hits radio station.
R
rickradio
Guest
Unfortunately, John, this doesn't surprise me in the least. In fact, this is precisely why I changed careers altogether like you did. You and I both spent years, even decades, in radio's trenches. But make no mistake: I didn't leave radio, radio left me. No one called me to "come back" anywhere, but that's OK 'cuz I can't say I miss corporate radio in the slightest. I have my own Part 15 AM & FM, and am more than happy with them. When I parted ways with the last cluster I was at, I didn't even look back. That company (among many others) was run by a bunch of clueless, inept trust fund babies who were only out for themselves, their supposed "faith" and Christian programming notwithstanding. I had had enough; I was fed up with it all. And I can clearly see that I'm not alone. A lot of our fellow broadcast veterans, if not already, are hanging up their headphones left and right and "jumping ship" as it were. Some left of their own accord because of the increasingly unbearable climate, while others were bounced out on their talented asses simply because that's what the glorified bean counters at headquarters, having no grasp of the concept of "product attracts sales," said to do.
Know this, John: you not only have your loving wife, daughter and grandbaby, but you have also loving friends and buddies like David Jackson, Jay Arnold, me, and an untold myriad of others who would literally give you the shirts off our backs. WE haven't forgotten you, John, and never will...
Know this, John: you not only have your loving wife, daughter and grandbaby, but you have also loving friends and buddies like David Jackson, Jay Arnold, me, and an untold myriad of others who would literally give you the shirts off our backs. WE haven't forgotten you, John, and never will...
rickradio said:
Rick, you took the words right out of my ... errr, keyboard.
John, you're one of my true heroes, and it ain't simply because of your work on the air. I can truly say that you are one of the best people I've ever met, and it's an honor to count you among my friends.
As Llew mentioned, I think nearly all of us have had disappointments and low moments in our careers; it's just that people in the entertainment industry have to suffer the indignity of having it happen in public view.
I don't think that the people at CBS who perpetrated this are bad people -- in fact, I know that they aren't -- and I'm sure that they were just following orders. It's distasteful and painful, but it happens in businesses of all types, especially these days. It would have been nice if it had been handled more graciously, though.
So when are we getting together for your birthday lunch?
DJ
Don't think the new KFRC is the first time I've been dumped. My last full-time job in San Francisco was 1996 at a station called: KBIG. ... BIG 98.1, a power rock station that my wife swears is the best station I ever worked. We played lots of Foreigner and Boston. I took afternoons to 1/10 th of a share from #1 KGO, 25-54. So what happened? While on vacation everyone at KBIG was fired and the station changed to soul music as KISS 98.1 which it is today. A box arrived on my front porch with my personal possessions and a check was mailed to my house! ... No one ever spoke to me. Period. And haven't until this day. How can people be treated this way? See what I mean? This is a common way of doing business. I am more than a little discouraged. Thanks to everyone for your support. I'm trying to keep my chin up. -John-
John Mack Flanagan said:
It could have been worse. I think I mentioned here about the time Les Malloy, owner of the old KSOL 1450 decided to change format from the urban soul music to beautiful music. The first idea most DJs had that they'd been fired was when their keys no longer worked in the front door.
The philosopher Rush Limbaugh once said, "San Francisco is the pretty whore who won't love you back." I can't think of anything else so succinct and true has been said about the nature of SF.
I'm going through such an interesting thing this week. Among my various hobbies I run a card games and board games group, SF Games ( http://www.sfgames.org ) which has been meeting weekly for over 13 years. I formed the group to help create a community. And it has worked very well in some ways. Besides the games, people often go out to movies, plays, bike riding, etc.
Well, Thanksgiving is coming around. There are several groups, especially one really big one, that will be having dinner together. Do you think anybody thought to invite me? No. I even hinted on the email list a little, and still nothing. I've also come to find out that there are several other activities people have put together in the past that nobody told me about. Sometimes it makes me want to throw in the towel on people entirely.
I think we trade the lack of close social structure for the freedom to be ourselves that draws so many of us here. I tried to live in Sacramento. I hated it so bad I had to come back 3 days a week in order to tolerate my career there.
I liked Portland on some levels, but I was taken aback when some woman I didn't know stopped me on the street to question me about "all the men" who were seen entering and leaving my cottage. (It happens that I'm a spades player and played spades 2 or 3 nights a week.) As I often say about SF, nobody cares if you make out with your dog, as long as neither you nor the dog don't make any noise after 10pm.
John Mack Flanagan said:
The brass who make these decisions don't give a poop about the talent, who are but cattle to them.
The functionaries who have to carry them out are either trying to imitate the brass (seeking to become them someday), or are ashamed of what they have to do and don't want to have to have personal contact with the affected. Either way they'd rather pretend the outgoing talent never existed.
You want stability in the radio biz, be the engineer...
weav said:
Alan Graft, a broadcast engineer in the Central Valley who taught me a lot, once told me that I should really be an engineer instead of talent (I've always had my feet in both worlds). I asked him why. He told me, "Six months after a DJ leaves nobody remembers their name, not even the PD who hired them." In the meanwhile, Alan was in demand for a bunch of stations, pretty much securing his career.
There is, of course, the cold hard fact that the DJ is the cotton candy scent that gets the rubes into the tent to begin with. The commodity the station is selling is the rubes in the tent, who are being sold to the highest bidder, the advertiser. The cotton candy is just an incidental expense.
All in all in my scattered 10 years in the business I was never treated badly, but then I was never a real star, either. I was a journeyman DJ, talkhost, board op, salesman, whatever was needed. So, when I fell I didn't have far to fall.
John Mack Flanagan said:
After years of recieving such cut throat treatment myself, I had no other choice but to abandon my own dreams and hopes of a career in radio broadcasting. But I have never regretted it - ESPECIALLY these days. As heartbreaking as it still is, there is a certain amount of pleasure knowing that not long after you've been terminated in such a way that it amounts to something more of personal violation than a mere "downsizing", the ones who did this to you will inevitably get theirs - and then some. Karma is a bitch.
Besides, how can anybody look at ANY industry that does THAT and call it "professional"? Even the porn industry has higher standards.
It's hard, if not IMPOSSIBLE not to be cynical sometimes, as good radio jocks and staff because we are the first to get the knives in our collective backs. But buck up, I've watched the people who coldly booted me out get theirs too.......
D
djtalker
Guest
John: Sorry to hear the disappointment the radio business has brought to you. After reading about your birthday lunch, you might want to be very selective in the choice of those who call you a friend. Thanks for all of the great voice work you've done for the Bay Area!
KFRC is ruthless,, Im stymied why they treat legends in radio with such disrespect! Ive said it so many times before this Bay Arae got punished with those two loud mouths Ron and Cammy,, I called that station 100 times in 93 when they were searching for afternoon drive. i constantly said JOHN MACK FLANAGAN!! No such luck! The only thing we really won on was when getting Bobby Ocean back on in 2001!!! I seriously doubt the two suits running KFRC has the vast radio knowledge or PERSONALITY JMF HAS! Some of these GMs seem to play favorites in radio, people get overlooked, and for me Im an avid radio listener only, Know very little how it works, one thing for sure, either you like the DJ or you dont, amazing how Ron parker holds a job at WCBS fm and Sirius /XM 70s channel! Needless to say i dont listen to him ever, i immediatly turn to the 60s channel ! Parker monopolized the bay area tooo looong! Funny how John mack Flanagan took so many stations to the top and was done this way,, Parker is 55, in 1964 when John mack Flanagan started in radio Parker was 11! So was I !!! Then youve got Bobby Ocean who did VO forever was overlloked for this last no name guy! XM ousted Bobby Ocean off the 70s channel a while ago, a year and 1/2,, afternnon drive is a bore! Radio is a funny business, In 1992 when KYA got bought out and john mack Flanagan got ousted, and Terry Mcgovern took over, it wasnt my cup of tea! In 1990 KSFO/KYA brought in John mack Flanagan when then Jeff Young left the station, quite a unique transition John was actually working with Jeff till he took over that slot! Jeff Young was burned out, you could tell, afternnon drive was great on KSFO/KYA again! One thing for sure i tuned in to the show till 6pm everynite, you ever noticed some DJs can hold you to the Radio! Heres a few others that really make you listen, Chris Edwards ( the 1968 AVCO GUY) Lee baby Simms, Big Tom Parker, Sylvia Chacon, J Paul Emerson, Gary Bryan, J Parker Antrim, Mucho Morales, and Candi Chamberlain,,, what a voice . Hey John Mack Flanagan your #1 in my book, thanks for the GREAT RADIO you gave us. Kenny in Concord,, forgot to add Bobby ocean but it goes without being said, another OVERLOOKED LEGEND Kenny in Concord
It is professional cowardice, and not just limited to the Bay area, it is all over. Its as if the current staff/management doesn't want to speak with the fired jock thinking they somehow will be "infected" and get fired as well. This happened at one of my last gigs, and what was most disappointing is my wife when she met the PD on our trip out there for the 2nd interview, thought the PD was a stand up person...but when I was shown the door 2+ years later, not a peep from them, even after I tried to stay in touch/reach out to say thanks...professional cowardice!
You know your real friends/pros when you are let go, they are the ones who reach out to at least say they are sorry and see how you are doing.
So that should tell you all you need to know about the folks at KFRC...
You know your real friends/pros when you are let go, they are the ones who reach out to at least say they are sorry and see how you are doing.
So that should tell you all you need to know about the folks at KFRC...
John Mack Flanagan said:
JMF:
You have and always will have my upmost respect for your on air talent and as a husband and father. I've never worked in the San Francisco market other than a brief stint as PD of KHQT San Jose in 1989. I then heard and learned all about you. You gave it your best shot at KFRC. Don't take it personally. The treatment you have and are receiving happens to many in this industry. Sometimes people deserve it many times they don't. It's the nature of the beast.
Be lucky you have a family that loves you. That's all that counts in the long run.
God bless you and hang in there my friend!
Catfish Jim Prewitt
101.9 The Wolf-Sacramento
2
2ez
Guest
LOVE those old KFRC Airchecks! John, you've influenced many a successful career. You've made your mark. What was, was, and what is, blows. Radio is no longer entrepenaurial, and hence why it's such a sinkhole full o' chit.
I wish you and your family all the best. Their opinion is the only opinion that counts. Your treatment is not your making. And, when they try to rationalize it, don't listen.
I wish you and your family all the best. Their opinion is the only opinion that counts. Your treatment is not your making. And, when they try to rationalize it, don't listen.
John:
Nothing like this surprises me anymore. As I've said elsewhere on this board, corporate radio is doing its best to turn itself into the limbless knight in "Monty Python & The Holy Grail".
You are a great talent. The airchecks we had squirreled out of Northern California to upstate New York motivated our group of baby DJs in Albany and Utica back in the 70s. And ought to be studied by talents today.
I have only been to the Bay Area a couple of times for conventions and once on a job interview. I spent five days in the area for that, and after ten short minutes with the GM of the station, I knew I wouldn't be moving west. As I did all the tourist things and researched the station at ground level, I got the feeling that SF was a really beautiful place...until you scratched the surface just a tiny bit.
Best of luck to you and thanks for the airchecks.
Nothing like this surprises me anymore. As I've said elsewhere on this board, corporate radio is doing its best to turn itself into the limbless knight in "Monty Python & The Holy Grail".
You are a great talent. The airchecks we had squirreled out of Northern California to upstate New York motivated our group of baby DJs in Albany and Utica back in the 70s. And ought to be studied by talents today.
I have only been to the Bay Area a couple of times for conventions and once on a job interview. I spent five days in the area for that, and after ten short minutes with the GM of the station, I knew I wouldn't be moving west. As I did all the tourist things and researched the station at ground level, I got the feeling that SF was a really beautiful place...until you scratched the surface just a tiny bit.
Best of luck to you and thanks for the airchecks.
John, I must agree with most posters here that you are a great air talent,
and very likeable off-air - at least with me, especially following our KOMY
disaster last year...
The business climate has changed to the point where only the bottom-line
matters, and no matter how talented a jock or jockette is, things - such
as your treatment at the latest incarnation of KFRC - happen the way
they do...
You were one of the few bright spots at KFRC with your "TimeLine" and
weekend Beatles features, and that will not soon be forgotten to us
here on R-I...
I only hope that, when it's time for Radio to "rise from the ashes," that
we get to hear you back on-air in some capacity where your talents WILL
be appreciated, and, who knows...maybe we can work together again,
and in a BETTER work climate...
Meantime, Happy Thanksgiving, and best to ya, John Mack! You'll be back!...
--jay
P.S. - Thanks, RickRadio - you couldn't have spoken about the present
scenario of radio any better. Radio left me, too!
and very likeable off-air - at least with me, especially following our KOMY
disaster last year...
The business climate has changed to the point where only the bottom-line
matters, and no matter how talented a jock or jockette is, things - such
as your treatment at the latest incarnation of KFRC - happen the way
they do...
You were one of the few bright spots at KFRC with your "TimeLine" and
weekend Beatles features, and that will not soon be forgotten to us
here on R-I...
I only hope that, when it's time for Radio to "rise from the ashes," that
we get to hear you back on-air in some capacity where your talents WILL
be appreciated, and, who knows...maybe we can work together again,
and in a BETTER work climate...
Meantime, Happy Thanksgiving, and best to ya, John Mack! You'll be back!...
--jay
P.S. - Thanks, RickRadio - you couldn't have spoken about the present
scenario of radio any better. Radio left me, too!
OK, lets stop the pity party here. I was in the biz on & off for over 30 years, and this business has always treated people like crap. If your feelings are easily hurt, you're in the wrong line of work.
I'm an east-coaster and have no idea who the OP is, maybe he's the biggest star to hit SF since Don Sherwood, maybe he's just another jock. It doesn't matter. Whining on some message board about how shabbily you were treated is not going to help you get another gig.
I'm an east-coaster and have no idea who the OP is, maybe he's the biggest star to hit SF since Don Sherwood, maybe he's just another jock. It doesn't matter. Whining on some message board about how shabbily you were treated is not going to help you get another gig.
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