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Let's take a small test

Well Easy, I am glad you like your Cheap Channel job. Everyone should like their job. And, no I am not in radio at this time. However, when I was, my station was #1 in its market in the key 18-49 demos, 25-54 demos, 35-64 demos, on a 1,000 watt AM station. The reason for this, was because we never settled for mediocrity. I was not happy with being between 5th and 7th place. And yeah a lot of stations would love to be in that position, but as I tried to explain, when you are running a Classic Rock format and that is your target demo, you should be doing better than that! Since you work for CC, call WDVE in Pittsburgh and ask them to fax you their numbers and you will see how a truly GREAT Classic Rock station is supposed to perform. Try listening to them on line sometime, and see how much better they sound than KKRW. And, it's a shame, because I like most of KKRW's personalities. I listen to Dean & Rog. And, I'll say it until I am blue in the face, Colonel St. James belongs in Afternoon Drive. It's a toss-up in this market, who is the best personality to me, and it's either Paul Christy or the Colonel. I never cared for Fixx, when he was at KLOL (I think he was part of its demise, but that's for another post).

For someone to tell me, that a station whose target demos is the 25-54 range and that they are happy with a 5th-7th place finish, in a market with only TWO stations geared toward the ROCK audience, tells me the state of Clear Channel Houston in a nutshell. Don't feel bad though, Cox is the same way. This is why I am not in radio anymore. I chose to get out. I want to be able to make the right decisions for my market and what I think sounds right. I don't need someone in San Antonio (my hometown, by the way), where CC is based or Atlanta, where Cox is based, telling me what is best for Houston! I don't need my station to sound like New York, LA, Chicago, or any other city. And, when I brought up WDVE earlier, I am not trying to make KKRW sound like WDVE. I am just using them as an example for success with the format, and their outstanding promotions, marketing, programming and music that they provide Pittsburgh with each day. I want to be able to make decisions on everything from music, to marketing, to staffing, on a local basis. As long as I am making ratings and hitting the budget, I want as little corporate input as possible.

As I said Easy Money, I am happy that you are happy with your job. However, some of us and some of our friends have been thrown under the bus by the Clear Cut Channel machine and some of us were probably doing this long before you even saw your first microphone. You can defend them and the state of radio now, all you want, some of us know better and know when it was MUCH BETTER.
 
you're funny sno-man. How noble of you to "get out" of radio as if it we're the right thing to do, then spend 3 hours crafting a rip on Easy.

bitter bitter bitter bitter bitter bitter - [EDIT]

[EDIT-inflammatory]
 
This was not a "rift" on Clear Channel, Dickie, it was an appeal for better classic rock radio. And if you go back to my posts, you'll see I've said nothing to disparage Clear Channel either. Gee, you'd think I said I like The Point better than The Buzz or something horrible. And I like Mad magazine too. They had a great staff of artists and writers, some of whom went on to write for network TV. Their style and sales figures inspired Matty Simmons to start National Lampoon -- right? -- some of whose writers are among the most successful comedy writers in the country, and their radio show led to Saturday Night Live, didn't it, which has been a springboard for some great talent, y'know?

Flame on, Dickie.
 
easy money said:
How about this Fred the Head:

CC Houston pulls a 38% of the revenues out of the Houston market, it's closest competitor pulls 17% share.
All 5 of CC's Fm's are in the top 5 for A25-54
KTRH is the top rated AM station in Houston and KPRC ranks 3rd on the AM dial.
So the ratings are great and the revenues are second to done, shall I send you more ?? I'm happy to.

But I'm sure none of this is important to you, these are just trivial statistics.
Click to expand...
Yes they are stats...just because they own 5 top stations in the market and the two dominant AMs does not make them the BEST in radio...it means they had the money to buy them...thats all....(and most of that was thanks to Tom Hicks of AMFM who is an investor; owner of the Dallas Stars, brother to Steve and son of John Hicks who owned/ran KLVI in Beaumont for decades)

IF I had the money to own the FMs in Houston CC does, and the AMs, would I be a GREAT radio group?? Who knows....but those of us who HAVE worked for CC (in bigger markets than Houston) and gotten the shaft, etc, well, sorry it aint all roses kid....also I would work for someone like ABC/ Citadel before working for CC again.(Oh wait, I DID work for ABC too..and that was a pretty good experience....and JACOR too who paid me quite well and I ENJOYED the group at Jacor....until CC bought us out and screwed it all up (and there I was working for CC again; second time in my career; never again.......got friends there but the company? BLOWS....like my stock)
 
CW,
Well stated. EASY sounds like a freshman sales manager who has graduated from the Evil Empire Storm Trooper school, aka, clear channel university. And if EASY isn't a sales manager, just keep drinking the cool aid you will get there. When you are making less than 5% on spots, you better get to management.
 
DickNixon said:
you're funny sno-man. How noble of you to "get out" of radio as if it we're the right thing to do, then spend 3 hours crafting a rip on Easy.

bitter bitter bitter bitter bitter bitter - [EDIT]

[EDIT-inflammatory]
Click to expand...

I didn't get to see what inflamed old Tricky Dick, but just like the person with the same name, I see his words got him into some trouble. Try to play nicer with others. We're all entitled to our opinions, and contrary to your opinion, I was not trying to "rip" Easy Money. I am TRULY happy that he is happy with his Clear Channel gig. I know a lot of people who work for them, who feel the same way. However, some of us have been done wrong by the company, and it wasn't warranted. And, my getting out of radio had nothing to do with nobility. It had to do with deciding whether to pay the rent or eat. I chose to do both, so I needed to find a new career, since I wasn't interested in kissing butt doing sales in radio to go along with my PD/MD/On-Air duties. I figured 12-16 hour day/6 or 7 day weeks were enough time to give to radio.
 
Fo-Fo-Fo-Hye said:
Then why haven't they? That's the big question. Because the market wouldn't support it. If it could make someone money, it would have already happened. This is a $$ business. Companies want a return for their investment. If this market could support a station, it would have it. Blame it on "corporate radio" (a term that makes me laugh by the way). But the truth is, no mom & pop outfit could afford to come in and buy a station, and sustain it for a year or more before it makes a profit. Big companies want the money right now.. thus, no Active Rock station in town. If there was money to be made CC would have one here. Sad? Maybe. True? yup.
I've said it before. If KACC had ANY brains behind it, they would be a flame throwing Active Rock station. They don't rely on ratings to stay afloat. They could do it and get away with it. The audience that wants it would put up with their crap signal. But what does the "Gulf Coast Joker" do? Play the same tired Blue Oyster Cult crap they everyone hates. Why? because it's safe.. and it's easy. I've never understood why in the world they didn't do something with their signal. Rock it out.. who cares if you don't get ratings.. you don't have to anyway. But that's just my opinion. But to me it's laughable to hear someone who wasn't even a gleam in their daddies eye... backselling a record that came out about two decades before they were born. But what do I know?
Click to expand...


I don't usually post on this board, although I find some of the banter quite interesting. However, I feel that I must take up for our little radio station. Fo Fo....c'mon man....you're kicking a college radio station. If KACC had any brains? The Gulf Coast Joker? I like it. It might be one of our next positioning statements. I'd give you credit, but I don't know who you are. Interestingly, you would like to hear KACC become an "Active Rock" station; yet, we have Sixx, Foo Fighters, Atreyu, Breaking Benjamin, Endeverafter, and many more in heavy rotation. I'm pretty sure Sunny doesn't have those songs in rotation. Maybe we'll become a 24 hour KORN station. We can change our calls to K-O-R-N.....yeah, we could count the listeners on one finger. Probably the middle one.

Seriously, we're rocking the best that we can. We get a tremendous amount of compliments. Our listeners seem to like what we're doing. We'd prefer to program for our listeners, not radio guys. No offense, but sometimes being on the inside for too long makes it difficult to remember what it was like on the outside. We play classic rock, but we'll throw some UFO, April Wine, Triumph, Deep Trower cuts, and Hendrix cuts like Little Wing and If 6 Was 9. Can you name another station playing those songs? I can already hear you...."THOSE SONGS DON'T TEST WELL WITH FOCUS GROUPS." Good! That's why we play them. Othewise, we could just put Freebird on a constant loop and lock the doors.

Our signal is weak in Houston because we're 5.6K. Believe it or not, that's less than the 100,000 watt stations that are out there. We're not here to compete. We're here to educate students, promote local music, preserve LIVE radio, and maybe gather a listener or two on the way.

I am puzzled that you find it laughable that we have young people backselling rock that was out before they were born. When did exposing young students to bands like the Beatles, The Who, Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd become uncool? Apparently I didn't get that "radio memo."

Most people on this forum say very positive things about our station. We're thrilled. We also appreciate "constructive" criticism. We do our best. Some might even say that's pretty good.

Mark Moss
89.7 FM The Gulf Coast Joker

PS: Everyone hates Blue Oyster Cult? Who's everyone? Have you been talking to a focus group again?

KBOC......I like that too....:)
 
MarkMoss said:
Fo-Fo-Fo-Hye said:
Then why haven't they? That's the big question. Because the market wouldn't support it. If it could make someone money, it would have already happened. This is a $$ business. Companies want a return for their investment. If this market could support a station, it would have it. Blame it on "corporate radio" (a term that makes me laugh by the way). But the truth is, no mom & pop outfit could afford to come in and buy a station, and sustain it for a year or more before it makes a profit. Big companies want the money right now.. thus, no Active Rock station in town. If there was money to be made CC would have one here. Sad? Maybe. True? yup.
I've said it before. If KACC had ANY brains behind it, they would be a flame throwing Active Rock station. They don't rely on ratings to stay afloat. They could do it and get away with it. The audience that wants it would put up with their crap signal. But what does the "Gulf Coast Joker" do? Play the same tired Blue Oyster Cult crap they everyone hates. Why? because it's safe.. and it's easy. I've never understood why in the world they didn't do something with their signal. Rock it out.. who cares if you don't get ratings.. you don't have to anyway. But that's just my opinion. But to me it's laughable to hear someone who wasn't even a gleam in their daddies eye... backselling a record that came out about two decades before they were born. But what do I know?
Click to expand...


I don't usually post on this board, although I find some of the banter quite interesting. However, I feel that I must take up for our little radio station. Fo Fo....c'mon man....you're kicking a college radio station. If KACC had any brains? The Gulf Coast Joker? I like it. It might be one of our next positioning statements. I'd give you credit, but I don't know who you are. Interestingly, you would like to hear KACC become an "Active Rock" station; yet, we have Sixx, Foo Fighters, Atreyu, Breaking Benjamin, Endeverafter, and many more in heavy rotation. I'm pretty sure Sunny doesn't have those songs in rotation. Maybe we'll become a 24 hour KORN station. We can change our calls to K-O-R-N.....yeah, we could count the listeners on one finger. Probably the middle one.

Seriously, we're rocking the best that we can. We get a tremendous amount of compliments. Our listeners seem to like what we're doing. We'd prefer to program for our listeners, not radio guys. No offense, but sometimes being on the inside for too long makes it difficult to remember what it was like on the outside. We play classic rock, but we'll throw some UFO, April Wine, Triumph, Deep Trower cuts, and Hendrix cuts like Little Wing and If 6 Was 9. Can you name another station playing those songs? I can already hear you...."THOSE SONGS DON'T TEST WELL WITH FOCUS GROUPS." Good! That's why we play them. Othewise, we could just put Freebird on a constant loop and lock the doors.

Our signal is weak in Houston because we're 5.6K. Believe it or not, that's less than the 100,000 watt stations that are out there. We're not here to compete. We're here to educate students, promote local music, preserve LIVE radio, and maybe gather a listener or two on the way.

I am puzzled that you find it laughable that we have young people backselling rock that was out before they were born. When did exposing young students to bands like the Beatles, The Who, Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd become uncool? Apparently I didn't get that "radio memo."

Most people on this forum say very positive things about our station. We're thrilled. We also appreciate "constructive" criticism. We do our best. Some might even say that's pretty good.

Mark Moss
89.7 FM The Gulf Coast Joker

PS: Everyone hates Blue Oyster Cult? Who's everyone? Have you been talking to a focus group again?

KBOC......I like that too....:)
Click to expand...

Well said Mark... Sure wish I could get your signal better down here in Southern Brazoria County. Y'all do a great job.

Poops
 
KACC is a great place to learn about radio. Cathy was a truly good person & managed to leave one heck of a legacy. Mark & Bill are upstanding people who do their jobs well & deserve much more respect & credit than any corporate radio managers out there.

I have never worked for Clear Channel, had the chances but chose not to. So I can't say for sure if they are as bad as I have heard from others that have or do work there now. The number of people talking bad about how they treat their people far out number ones talking good about them.

My experience was with CBS & Cox, some good & some bad things about both of them but overall CBS was the best.

All in all I enjoyed my time in radio but choose to make a decent living for me & my family so I am not currently in radio as none of the current ownership groups think people other than the CEO, President & General Managers deserve to make decent money.

Lack of money as well as stifling creativity make it an undesirable career for me. Hopefully both of these will change before radio commits complete suicide but I doubt it. Until then I will sit it out with my iPod, CD's & sattelite radio entertaining me.
 
sno- I still can't quite find the whole financial implications part. perhaps you could highlight that part for me.



"For someone to tell me, that a station whose target demos is the 25-54 range and that they are happy with a 5th-7th place finish, in a market with only TWO stations geared toward the ROCK audience, tells me the state of Clear Channel Houston in a nutshell. Don't feel bad though, Cox is the same way. This is why I am not in radio anymore. I chose to get out. I want to be able to make the right decisions for my market and what I think sounds right. I don't need someone in San Antonio (my hometown, by the way), where CC is based or Atlanta, where Cox is based, telling me what is best for Houston! I don't need my station to sound like New York, LA, Chicago, or any other city."
 
I didn't say anything about financial implications. I did say as long as I am able to make my budget, and I am getting ratings, then I should be able to make the decisions at the local level, instead of the corporate level.
 
Snoman, if you were so good why are you out of the business? The big question is why do you spend time on a radio board when your not in the radio business?
 
Easy,

Being good has nothing to do with being in radio these days.

Being willing to do 3 or 4 jobs for 1/4th the pay while expressing undying gratitude to the heartless hacks running the madhouse for not taking you out in the latest round of cuts would be true in most cases.

I know a lot of fine, funny, talented people who aren't in radio anymore rather than subject themselves to such crap.

Not knocking your decision or desire to hang around until they finally sacrifice you on the altar of the accountants, if it works for you great.

But don't attack the abilities of others because they choose not to dance with the current people on the dance floor.

Oh & just because somebody isn't currently in the biz doesn't mean they don't have a reason to be on this board. Some of us use this to keep up with old friends from the industry & the current state of the industry.
 
easy money said:
Snoman, if you were so good why are you out of the business? The big question is why do you spend time on a radio board when your not in the radio business?
Click to expand...

Why are you attacking me, when I defended you for liking your job?! There are some people on these boards that are just looking to pick a fight. I still love radio that's why I am still on this board. And, Soloflyr1 was right. If you read some of my previous posts on this topic, I refuse to work 6-7 day weeks, 12-16 hour days and have to wear several different hats and put up with corporate B.S. I work FOUR days a week now and have a cushy 40 hour schedule, in which I have made more in three years, than I EVER did in radio. There are probably more people on these boards, that have left the business, than there are people still in it.
 
Well, yeah, narrow playlists are a huge part of the dissatisfaction with the business model, Fredthehead. I routinely taxi an SUV-full of active teenagers around, and their mp3 players provide whatever we're going to plug into the dash. They stopped listening to KRBE sometime last year, and their disdain for The Buzz has grown exponentially with every repetition of the Foo Fighters 'The Pretender.' The music they bring to my vehicle are deep cuts, Myspace artists, and vocalists they can emulate (oh, and here's a little secret for anybody in the business---no matter what your politics, 14-18 year-old girls in Texas absolutely love the Dixie Chicks. My kiddo's been entering singing competitions for a couple of years, and we've heard contestants sing just about everything in their catalogue without so much as a peep of protest from their parents or the judges, so again---what the listeners are doing, and where they're getting their new music has very little to do with what stations are playing. I can vouch for the lack of inbreeding with my kids, Tim, although I wouldn't swear to it with a couple of their friends). The kids don't bother to wait around to hear the music they like on-air, they simply download what they want and then repeat that over and over until their parents are sick of it, which is the natural order of things. They're underserved by radio, and they're not sticking around to wait until radio gets it right. In case you folks haven't been paying attention to what CC has been telling us, radio is only a small part of the media landscape.

Sno---by the way, you know I think you're a class act all the way---it seems that easymoney and the other CC-ites would prove their happiness a lot more if they were a little less belligerant about it on the boards. Who are they trying to convince, us or themselves? I cannot imagine the brain-exploding-pressure-cooker environment in the hallways at 2000 West Loop South right about now. Every day must be like tiptoeing through a minefield. The Tahoe giveaway (or was that Tercel? j/k) smacks of the desperation that CC must be feeling to sell, sell, sell like there's no tomorrow, and pray that the privatization deal goes through. There's to be zero spending and lots more cost-cutting. I heard someone venture to say that by the time the deal goes through, if it goes through, they'll probably be selling off the sales cubicles and pieces of the boards. Less is more is an obvious casualty of the cash-out, already, according to R&R. Right now, this is the biggest thing going on in the business today. All eyes are upon this deal, and if it doesn't go through, I'd hate to be one of the survivors in the buildings. Holy cow. It's a lose-lose. Once you've gutted your assets, stripped them bare like The Grinch at Cindy Lou Who's house, if the deal falls through, how can you possibly function? Chapter 07 might be the next and only viable option. And yet, just like Enron, the staff (unwitting victims) drink the Kool-Aid and repeat the company head's reassurances. What else can they do?

Maybe easymoney can win himself an SUV out of the deal, and that's great. If he does, I hope he has the sense to have it outfitted with Sirius :). There's some really great programming going on out here in the rest of the world.
 
Thank you to my favorite "Aunti". ;) Easy Money sounds like a sales person. And, there is a big difference between working the sales side of the road, and the Programming/On-Air side of things. Sales people rarely work weekends. They work 12-16 hour days. They have ONE job to do. And I am not saying it is "easy", however, when you're having to do an on-air shift, programming, music, promotions, and manage staff, it is difficult and stressful. For example, ask Marc Sherman if given a choice he wouldn't go back to how it was about eight years ago, whenever he was able to focus solely on Programming KODA. However, now he has to wake up with the chickens, pull an airshift, since CC decided not to replace Weaver Morrow when he left. He has to not only focus on his Programming Duties of KODA, but since Vince headed up I-45 North, Marc is overseeing Operations at the other CC FMs. Not to mention his various management duties that he has to do. I'm sure, if you were to ask him, in comparison, of how things were run under Chancellor/AM-FM and how they are done under Clear Channel now, I'm sure he'd vote for the Chancellor/AM-FM days. Sorry FredTheHead. I will stay on-topic now. I tried to edit my post to add this earlier, but it wouldn't let me. And, I was too tired to start over again.
 
hang in there easy - lotta playa hatin' going on hear. Keep cashing your commission checks, drivin' that sweet sled, and pulling hotties. It's tough duty, but somebody's gotta do it.
 
DickNixon said:
hang in there easy - lotta playa hatin' going on hear. Keep cashing your commission checks, drivin' that sweet sled, and pulling hotties. It's tough duty, but somebody's gotta do it.
Click to expand...
, he soothed reassuringly. How does wishing someone success on their station sales contest constitute "playa hatin'"?

Btw, playa hatin'? Sled? Pullin' hotties?

1997 called.
 
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