Locally Owned Radio in Burlington

[lakemonstervt]

We all know that there are not a lot of locally owned stations in Burlington...
Does anybody else find it strange that WXXX (95 Triple X) is locally owned and it's that best station in Burlington? Sison Broadcasting seems to be doing something right. You may not love top 40 music, but the quality of the station is fantastic. The combo of Mike and Chantal in the morning and great jocks during the rest of the day make for a great airstaff. It's amazing how awful Corm and The Coach are next to M&C! Any thoughts?

-LakeMonsterVT

 

[bsboy]

I'm sorry, I know that Ben would never do this. What I meant to say was One of Ben’s lackeys.

 

[bsboy]

We'll Ben, when your morning shop steals material from Z-100 all the time, including the phone call bit, what would you expect.

 

[louiemanno]

Just thought I’d throw in my 2 bits… I agree Mike and Chantal are exceptional… And no matter where material comes from… It takes hard work and talent to turn it into good radio.

Louie

 

[Burkie]

Why is C&C "awful" Lakemonstervt? Just curious.

 

[bsboy]

Sorry Louie, but I do not agree with you. When you plagiarize word for word that is not good radio!

 

[MassMusicMan]

We all know that there are not a lot of locally owned stations in Burlington...
Does anybody else find it strange that WXXX (95 Triple X) is locally owned and it's that best station in Burlington? Sison Broadcasting seems to be doing something right. You may not love top 40 music, but the quality of the station is fantastic. The combo of Mike and Chantal in the morning and great jocks during the rest of the day make for a great airstaff. It's amazing how awful Corm and The Coach are next to M&C! Any thoughts?

-LakeMonsterVT

I love how:

a) this is his first post and

b) he attacks Corm and the Coach for no reason.

 

[louiemanno]

Sorry Louie, but I do not agree with you. When you plagiarize word for word that is not good radio!

BSBoy:

I agree with your point… My point I guess is more generic… I’ll clarify it by saying the material of a duly or credited compensated 3rd party. I don’t know the particulars of the Z 100 thing…. so I can’t comment on that.

99% of the material that I’ve ever done was self generated… That being said… it takes a talented performer to take someone else’s stuff and make it sound like there own.

I think M&C are great performers… You can’t take that away from them. The other thing (if it’s true) is more of a reflection on management.

Louie

 

[MassMusicMan]

I don’t know the particulars of the Z 100 thing…. so I can’t comment on that.

Basically, Hamilton records Z100's stream, and transcribes their "Phone Tap" segments. Mike and Chantal (who are great people and talented broadcasters in their own right when their boss doesn't force them into his scheme) then record the "call" themselves word for word. The person on the other end has the copy as well. They're all staged. Incidentally, Mike and Chantal are capable of creating great radio on their own without having to rely on this chicanery, but Hamilton would rather force Z100 down everybody's throat.

99% of the material that I’ve ever done was self generated… That being said… it takes a talented performer to take someone else’s stuff and make it sound like there own.

Mike and Chantal sell it well.

I think M&C are great performers… You can’t take that away from them. The other thing (if it’s true) is more of a reflection on management.

Bingo.

Louie, while we're at it, you should tell your Goldman story.

 

[louiemanno]

Louie, while we're at it, you should tell your Goldman story.

Now Now… The old Brooklyn Buckaroo isn’t about fussing and fighting on this leg of the journey (Only if it’s necessary to have a homie’s back) … Besides… I just read “The Secret” and if the universe is going to line up to manifest my bliss then I must think only pleasant thoughts.

Happy everything!

Louie

 

[802radio]

I don't usually chime in on Radio info, but to think there's some extra merit for being "original" is ludicrous.
I have consulted radio stations for over twenty years, and believe me the same bits have been going around and around for a long time. The key to this business is to know who to steal from. I can tell you as fact that Z100's producer, Brody has two interns that do nothing other than scour other morning shows for bits. The truth of the matter is that a local Vermont talent could simply not have the resources, time or wherewithal to orchestrate enough material to fill a four hour show everyday. If in fact he can do it, what the hell is he doing in Vermont?
By the way, the Ryan Seacrest show in LA is a direct ripoff of the Kid Kraddick show in Dallas.
Would it be better to have non-original material thats funny ororiginal material thats not?
The last time I heard 95 Triple X ws in '01 so I can't really speak of it on a daily basis, however what I do know is that both the station and the program director are greatly respected in the industry.
My question to anyone else on this thread is, are you currently doing a morning show and pulling numbers? If not, why? You should ask yourself why no radio station is chomping at the bit to use your services. Let me guess, they just don't understand your immense talent.

 

[MassMusicMan]

My question to anyone else on this thread is, are you currently doing a morning show and pulling numbers? If not, why? You should ask yourself why no radio station is chomping at the bit to use your services. Let me guess, they just don't understand your immense talent.

I'll bite on this one as well:

I'm not doing a morning show (or any radio show) for the same reason that you're not doing a morning show. Like you, I've found an opportunity to make money that doesn't involve reporting to disingenuous radio people.

 

[louiemanno]

I don't usually chime in on Radio info, but to think there's some extra merit for being "original" is ludicrous.
I have consulted radio stations for over twenty years, and believe me the same bits have been going around and around for a long time. The key to this business is to know who to steal from. I can tell you as fact that Z100's producer, Brody has two interns that do nothing other than scour other morning shows for bits. The truth of the matter is that a local Vermont talent could simply not have the resources, time or wherewithal to orchestrate enough material to fill a four hour show everyday. If in fact he can do it, what the hell is he doing in Vermont?
By the way, the Ryan Seacrest show in LA is a direct ripoff of the Kid Kraddick show in Dallas.
Would it be better to have non-original material thats funny ororiginal material thats not?
The last time I heard 95 Triple X ws in '01 so I can't really speak of it on a daily basis, however what I do know is that both the station and the program director are greatly respected in the industry.
My question to anyone else on this thread is, are you currently doing a morning show and pulling numbers? If not, why? You should ask yourself why no radio station is chomping at the bit to use your services. Let me guess, they just don't understand your immense talent.

802

Well said, I couldn’t agree with you more. Generating “good” original material is a discipline all by it’s self. But it takes true talent to crack open a live mic and make something your own …no matter the source.

To me, anyone who can pull that off successfully over the long haul is worthy of respect.

Louie

 

[MassMusicMan]

#3) Do good morning shows steal bits from other morning shows? F*** YES.

We're not disputing this. We know it happens, and it's not a problem. Triple X doesn't merely "steal bits", they create verbatim reproductions of them. I make fun of the X because somebody who gets paid large sums of money to create programming merely imitates Z100. Goldman doesn't know any better.

 

[therealvoice]

I believe I heard it said best like this:

"If radio had a code of ethics, we would have to steal it from someone else"

It's not where you get your morning show prep, it doesn't matter if you pay for the idea or borrow it, it's how well you can make it your own and if your listeners will tune into it and your advertisers will buy into it. For the market they're aiming for, M&C seem to do pretty well with that.

BTW - It's no secret to the Z that Ben likes what they do. Judging by the Careers of some of thir past talent like Lisa Berigan, Michal Mann, 'LA' Reid, Troy Shannon and others - PD's around the country like what Ben's doing too.

 

[MassMusicMan]

It's not where you get your morning show prep, it doesn't matter if you pay for the idea or borrow it, it's how well you can make it your own and if your listeners will tune into it and your advertisers will buy into it. For the market they're aiming for, M&C seem to do pretty well with that.

Advertisers? Triple X seems to languish in sales. While all the big national clients buy Star and WOKO, Triple X runs in-house spots for drug memorabilia sellers and cheesy nightclubs. I was never privy to sales figures when I worked there, but thin spotloads were not uncommon. You can make money with CHR even in a market as old as Burlington, but it's an uphill battle when you have a reputation as a juvenile radio station. Don't get me wrong, everybody there eats and pays the rent, but they could do a lot better.

BTW - It's no secret to the Z that Ben likes what they do. Judging by the Careers of some of thir past talent like Lisa Berigan, Michal Mann, 'LA' Reid, Troy Shannon and others - PD's around the country like what Ben's doing too.

No, PD's around the country like what Lisa, Michael, LA, and Troy are doing. Everybody who comes through that station makes their own way. The guy flagrantly discourages his people from chasing bigger jobs and bigger salaries.

I'd really love to figure out just exactly who you Hamilton apologists are.

 

[therealvoice]

quote]

No, PD's around the country like what Lisa, Michael, LA, and Troy are doing. Everybody who comes through that station makes their own way. The guy flagrantly discourages his people from chasing bigger jobs and bigger salaries.

Say what you will about the man - but I never saw him allow anyone to settle, and saw him repeatedly encourage big dreams. I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for the direction he gave me.

 

[MassMusicMan]

Say what you will about the man - but I never saw him allow anyone to settle, and saw him repeatedly encourage big dreams. I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for the direction he gave me.

Clearly, you worked there prior to 1998. He didn't do a damn thing for my career. Wouldn't even let me crack the mic. In my years there, I heard nothing but trash talk, and the sentiment that anybody who left for greener pastures was a Judas.

I'd really love to know who you are. If you don't want to post it on the board, AIM me. Discretion guaranteed.

 

[bsboy]

My question about Triple X and Hamilton is pure and simple. Where do they get all the money for the promotions they run? Is it my imagination or does triple x have a bigger promo and giveaway budget then all then all the other stations in Burlington combined?

No disrespect to anyone on this board but the word in the business is Hamilton is very sleazy.

 

[MassMusicMan]

My question about Triple X and Hamilton is pure and simple. Where do they get all the money for the promotions they run? Is it my imagination or does triple x have a bigger promo and giveaway budget then all then all the other stations in Burlington combined?

Overnight spins. When I was there, 12 spins could be had for $500. Then a record rep blew the whistle on them. That might be why you hear so many :30's promoting new artists in all dayparts these days. It might also explain why the popular "Cash Bomb" was replaced by the "Phrase That Pays" as the ratings period contest.