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More Changes in Terre Haute

R

radiojobs44

Guest
I was driving by 13th and Ohio today and saw some changes happening. The B102.7 signs are all gone along with some of the Crock stuff. Looks like we are getting ready for some more changes here in Terre Haute very soon.
 
That's rather odd that they'd adjust the signage before doing anything on-air ...
 
I just checked out B1027fm.com and it list their format as A/C at the bottom. Is this new or has it always been listed that way? There is no mention of anything new.
 
radiojobs44 said:
I was driving by 13th and Ohio today and saw some changes happening. The B102.7 signs are all gone along with some of the Crock stuff. Looks like we are getting ready for some more changes here in Terre Haute very soon.
Click to expand...

We did have a wind storm a few weeks ago and radio stations always go with the lowest price on signs.
 
My, how observant of everyone! I agree with Matt Luecking; there hasn't been this much "buzz" since back in the day with the flip of 'MGI. So glad I could be a part of it! Typically, I shy away from these type message boards; they're usually cluttered with bitter ex-employees behind the guise of a clever pseudonym who fixate on the flaws of others because they have nothing better to do with their lives, or the competition just trying to fuel the fire. BUT, there are a few who share the same passion for radio as I do. You know who you are, enough said! And that being said, let me shed some light on the subject for those who truly care...

Yes, the signs are down. Yes, the changes are coming. Yes, there will be some on these boards who think it's a huge mistake. But to those whose opinions matter the most - the listeners - I think it will be quite enjoyable. There comes a time when you've exhausted just about everything else, and it's time to get back to basics. I agree with everyone who thinks that WBOW-FM should be the "bread and butter" of our company, and with our signal we should stand out as a major player in this community. Could not agree more. And I have no doubt that eventually, we will. As for how, all I can say is, you'll have to stay tuned! And who knows, maybe I'll hit up these boards again someday soon...

Best,

Adam Michaels
Program Director / WBOW-FM
 
Good reply Adam... Go get 'em...
 
It was nice for the Crossroads PD to respond to the threads. But putting up some new signs on that old dated building at 1301 Ohio and a format flip or two still won't move the meter upward for Crossroads. MONEY makes the radio play, and for years, Crossroads has existed as a "bottom feeder." No matter what the PD or Crossroads wants to do with 102.7, the bigger problem in Terre Haute is lack of revenue in that market to sustain the number of radio stations. The pie is just not that big for all the stations. The other problem that cannot be changed in Terre Haute is there are too many TV stations depending on the retail advertiser for revenue. Bottom line is that you can attempt to fix a lot of things, but no one can change the fact there is just not much money for radio stations to survive, unless they are the top 3 rated stations. At this time it would take a well-heeled operator to take on the top 3 stations in that market, with a lot of staying power and tons of money to cover losses in the interim.
 
I don't post on these boards much anymore either, but I had to come out to show support for the stations for which I used to work. I programmed B1027 a few years ago, and I'm glad to see the PD taking a stand. I agree that most of the people on here are bitter ex-employees or (in some cases) current employees just trying to bring other people down. But I'm glad that Adam is on board with the changes and that he's excited to see something new happening in this town. It's not often that anyone in radio gets a chance to oversee changes in their station. I wish them nothing but the best.

-Sketch Brumfield
Former PD/OM
Crossroads Radio
 
It is interesting what is going on in the Terre Haute market. It does seem like a market overloaded with media. I caught an old WBOW jingle on 102.7 going into a commercial break. Sounds like a tease for going oldies. Maybe taking the WAXI success to 102.7 for a bigger signal. I have still been hearing Country, especially with WINH going off to News Talk. Has anyone heard how that is going? I don't hear many advertisers on it yet. ??? I am sure Emmis is loving them making a change.
 
In response to the comment that Emmis is probably loving the WINH format switch. Honestly, if you look at the numbers, I really don't think 98.5 had HI 99 shaking in their cowboy boots to begin with, so I really doubt there's any great rejoicing over a format change..maybe just a slight grin.
 
Good stuff here. For WBOW, in my opinion, Soft A/C is the way for Crossroads to go. They gave the Hot AC thing a try the last 2 or 3 years, and it hasn't worked. They went directly after Mix, and they are stuck fighting in the cellar with The Party. While Soft A/C may not get them # 1 or # 2 in the market, it can return them to at least a respectable #3 or #4. It is the safest bet right now, and will get their station turned back on in offices across the Wabash Valley.

While this has been mainly a WBOW thread, I would like to touch on what Midwest Communications has done to WMGI (Mix-FM). They have a new afternoon guy, who is by far one of the worst jocks I ever remember hearing on a drive time in this market. Did they pull this guy off the street?? He may be a nice guy, but they can't be serious having this guy anchor a drive time. I don't think he even sells the music or the station at all, he just kind of talks. However, I like the morning show they brought in, they are a nice change of pace for the market, but I am not a big fan of what they have done to their mid-days and afternoons. One would think after all the turnover on that station the last 3 or 4 years, they would do what a lot of stations do and bump their night guy that has a lot of market experience to PM Drive. I think he has been there thru a good 3 or 4 complete airstaff overhauls.

On the plus for Midwest, I am looking forward to see how a FM News Talk rates in the market. I think they need to add some more local elements and it would be even better, but I think it may surprise some people!
 
98.5 could use a local talk show, and I caught the local news and it was nothing more that having the Trib-Star read to me. In the news department it's going to be hard to compete with HI-99 news since they have TV-10 in the same building providing the latest news and weather information to their LIVE dj's.
 
812: The WMGI PM driver had been working in Louisville for Metro traffic and weekends for WIKY in Evansville before picking up the MIX afternoon slot.

I wouldn't be surprised if 98.5 is still working on a local lineup and newsgathering. Someone might just be hiring in radio!
 
radiomic812 said:
Good stuff here. For WBOW, in my opinion, Soft A/C is the way for Crossroads to go. They gave the Hot AC thing a try the last 2 or 3 years, and it hasn't worked. They went directly after Mix, and they are stuck fighting in the cellar with The Party. While Soft A/C may not get them # 1 or # 2 in the market, it can return them to at least a respectable #3 or #4. It is the safest bet right now, and will get their station turned back on in offices across the Wabash Valley.

While this has been mainly a WBOW thread, I would like to touch on what Midwest Communications has done to WMGI (Mix-FM). They have a new afternoon guy, who is by far one of the worst jocks I ever remember hearing on a drive time in this market. Did they pull this guy off the street?? He may be a nice guy, but they can't be serious having this guy anchor a drive time. I don't think he even sells the music or the station at all, he just kind of talks. However, I like the morning show they brought in, they are a nice change of pace for the market, but I am not a big fan of what they have done to their mid-days and afternoons. One would think after all the turnover on that station the last 3 or 4 years, they would do what a lot of stations do and bump their night guy that has a lot of market experience to PM Drive. I think he has been there thru a good 3 or 4 complete airstaff overhauls.

On the plus for Midwest, I am looking forward to see how a FM News Talk rates in the market. I think they need to add some more local elements and it would be even better, but I think it may surprise some people!
Click to expand...




I was told a few years ago by a PD in Seattle to not pay attention to these boards -- they're mostly filled with board operators and bitter employees (I mean, those that actually work in radio wouldn’t have the time to play on these things)...

Anyways, I appreciate radiomic812's constructive criticism This was a shift that had been voicetracked for several weeks, and to just throw a full afternoon show on at once would be too much, it's not like replacing a active morning show with another. Do I just "talk"... sure, the job is to talk to the listener, not at the listener, right? Am I a liner reader who will just back and pre sell songs and read liner cards, no.. but, I will talk to the women listening, about entertainment and what's happening in their lives, I'm not a "jock" and I'm not going to sound like a used car salesman either, I'll talk to the listener, other voices in town can talk at them.

Did I come off the streets? Nope, actually I came here via I-65 to I-70 from Louisville where I worked for Metro Networks handling traffic and news for several Louisville stations and a television affiliate, I also did weekends for WIKY in Evansville. I've also worked on air at a CHR in Paducah and at a HOT A/C and Rhythmic A/C in Seattle.

I'm sure if the night guy, who is great at what he does, wanted afternoons he could've had it.

Like I said, I normally don't pay attention to these boards, but, a friend told me about this posting and I figured I should introduce myself if nothing else! ;D

So, radiomic812, I hope you check in again soon and listen during the afternoons, and I hope I can win your approval... HA! Ohh, and only people who actually work in the building with me would say I'm a nice guy, or would they?
 
Jay, kudos for responding. I never doubted you were a nice guy, I've never met you, and have no reason to believe any different. I also understand what you mean by not wanting to change the world at once, I guess my real frustrations lie in the fact that Midwest has let that slot be so bland and boring since they let go of Matt Leucking so long ago. He had a show that was entertaining and fun to listen to. They never have been able to seem to find someone to replace him. Maybe instead of venting just about you, I should also vent about the last 4 or 5 afternoon guys they have had as well, because they pretty much all did the same thing too. I wish you luck, and hope when you add features to the show they work. I'm just tired of hearing a whole lot of nothing, which has been going on in that PM Drive for years.
 
Wow 812, I guess you have listened to our station for a while. I really appreciate the compliment, but I am quite cozy being the night guy. Less sales and office people you have to deal with! haha. I do think you are a bit off on Jay and a lot of my former co-workers. All of these guys I have worked with are great guys, and are friends, and it takes all of them some time to adjust, especially if you are moving in from out of market. Matt is a great friend, who I still see a lot, and sometimes hook up with for a good hoops matchup. He had a great show, and did a lot for Mix FM. I know Matt has sure taught me a lot about radio, life, music, and I miss getting to work with him everyday. He still puts on a hell of a show, at WZPL, that is cool to listen to when I drive thru Indy on a Sunday afternoon. It's cool to hear someone you worked with in a small market like Terre Haute do well in a big market like Indy. I still have listeners call and ask about Matt, Jamie Dawson, Julie, and even go old school and ask about Steve Smith and Ben Davis. I think the same goes for people like Chad Edwards, Adam Michaels, Rich O'Brien, Chris Carter, and Ryan Ross, all who worked afternoons on Mix since I've been there in 2005. All of them are good people, and talented guys who have done a lot in their careers, or definitely will before they hang up the headphones. Sure we have had some fill-ins here and there between a lot of those guys, but for the most part I feel like we carried the banner strong. Numbers for a lot of them will prove it.

While I personally haven't got to spend a lot of time with Jay yet, I know he will be just as good as those above. He's been aboard like 2 or 3 weeks. Anyone who has ever had to move to a new gig will tell you there is an adjustment period. Every station and situation is different. In addition to the show, you also have to learn things like new automation systems, and all the other jobs that air talent now have to perform other than their show. Air staff now have to be utility people, they don't get the prep time we used to get back in 2002. In addition to their 4 or 5 hour show they have to do production, imaging, traffic, web design, promotions, etc. Doing all the above adds more things you have to learn and do and adds to your adjustment period. Jay is a nice, outgoing guy, and as long as you have that personality with the strong passion for your station and radio in general, you typically will succeed.

All of us at the station are pros and work as hard as we can with the resources available. The hard work paid off in the fall, and I see no reason why it can't carry over into 2009.
 
Jay if a fabulous air talent and can get more out of a ten second open mic than most can in five.. He WILL do a great job and it was an honor to have worked weekends with him in Evansville.. Go get 'em Jay! A true CHR dj... 8)
 
Wow, mixfmkyle brought back some people I had forgotten about! I've listened to that station for a long time and those were the names that made it one of the higher rated in the market. They've had some turnover, but had a good book. Time will tell if they can maintain it, although other than WTHI, nobody in the market has for any length of time. As for the new afternoon jock, let's give him chance. Who knows, maybe a consultant/OM-type is telling him to "just talk", we don't know. I remember starting a new job and hearing from people how great the guy before me was...and he may have been, but that didn't have anything to do with me. In a small market, personalities change (unless you're WTHI). Some are good...some are bad...and some are average. Give this guy a chance. Mixfmkyle, thanks for the reminder of those names.
 
Thanks Kyle! You too Skip!

As far as someone telling me to "just talk" -- naw, this is who I am, I'm not a afternoon "jock" - like I mentioned earlier, I'm not a "jock" - and research shows that women don't respond to that - women don't connect with a talent who is screaming at them - they want someone to talk to them, and with them.

I'm pretty positive that most of the posters on this board aren't the P1's I'm going after, so it's not that big of a deal. We have some interesting things planned for afternoons -- but, as far as hiring someone to replace someone else, that's not going to happen. I wasn't hired to replace anyone, I was hired to fill the afternoon slot. I'm sure if Bill Cain wanted to replace a former jock on the station he could've found someone who sounded more like them than I do.

But, I am proud to sit in the same time slot as some of the other great people that were listed. I also think the airstaff at MIX sounds larger than it is... Tim and Stacey have a fabulous chemistry together, Bill is a pro, Natalie has worked in top 50 markets and Kyle should be in a top 50 market!

And about Ben Davis, one of the best by far!
 
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