More cuts at KSMB Lafayette

[radiopixie]

Chris Reed let go from CHR KSMB in Lafayette. The new daily lineup as of 5/5/09 is Bobby Novosad-AM Ryan Seacrest-Midday, Troy Leger-PM and Jackson Blue-Nights. So now with KSMB having only 2 live dayparts, and WFMF being almost completely syndicated....are there any CHR's left in the state that are actually live and local?


Sad......Chris will be missed. He's a quality radio personality.

 

[Fieldtech1]

So now with KSMB having only 2 live dayparts, and WFMF being almost completely syndicated....are there any CHR's left in the state that are actually live and local?

KQID Alexandria is still local from 6am till Midnight. For now..........[

 

[buttonpuncher]

just local or live AND local??

 

[Fieldtech1]

live and local as far as i can tell since they air phoners.

 

[onthemic]

This is NOT Chris' loss by any stretch or means. He will move on, and I would venture to say someone close by will recognize his talent. Citadel fumbles AGAIN!!!

 

[smashedcd]

So now with KSMB having only 2 live dayparts, and WFMF being almost completely syndicated....are there any CHR's left in the state that are actually live and local?

KQID Alexandria is still local from 6am till Midnight. For now..........[

You beat me too it. 93.1 and 96.9 are two of a select few FM stations I will still listen to.

 

[tenyearveteran]

Though it shouldn't be a surprise, I'm shocked to hear this, especially given the fact that Chris has been there for (if memory holds) eight or so years. I wonder how long it's going to be before the geniuses Citadel decide to syndicate all of KSMB's broadcast schedule--including (God forbid) the mighty Bobby Novosad's slot. They got rid of Mary Galyean and Chris Reed, one has to wonder who's next on the Citadel hit list.

Oh, how a mighty radio station has fallen . . .

Best of luck to Chris in all of his future endeavors.

 

[MajorMedia]

It is a shock that Chris Reed is gone from KSMB.

Lafayette is a college town, and Chris, a native of the area, was the last person to totally embrace the fun radio lifestyle we all know and love.

In my opinion, Chris was such a valuable asset to the station because he understood the younger demo.

Like those who have moved on to bigger and better things from KSMB in the past, Chris will move on to. He will be missed.

 

[stevenNOLA]

It is a shock that Chris Reed is gone from KSMB.

Lafayette is a college town, and Chris, a native of the area, was the last person to totally embrace the fun radio lifestyle we all know and love.

In my opinion, Chris was such a valuable asset to the station because he understood the younger demo.

Like those who have moved on to bigger and better things from KSMB in the past, Chris will move on to. He will be missed.

Agreed and well stated!

 

[Ihearall]

The station will survive. No offense here but most listeners will never notice he is gone. KSMB already has had the younger demo covered across the board. The bigger challenge will be observing this heritage station now over a year and a half without a sales manager and now no gm attempt to achieve a decent monthly billing. How does that happen? I've been in the business for only twelve years but I still have to wonder don't you cover one position as big as director of sales before canning the gm? Am I missing something?


Ihearall because people offer.

 

[radiopixie]

The station will survive. No offense here but most listeners will never notice he is gone. KSMB already has had the younger demo covered across the board. The bigger challenge will be observing this heritage station now over a year and a half without a sales manager and now no gm attempt to achieve a decent monthly billing. How does that happen? I've been in the business for only twelve years but I still have to wonder don't you cover one position as big as director of sales before canning the gm? Am I missing something?


Ihearall because people offer.

I really agree with that other post! Chris Reed really was the last LOCAL connection to the college aged demo AND the female 18-35 demo that was left at KSMB not including any syndicated shows (the midday and night show)...AND he did make radio sound fun!! I just have a hard time understanding how the younger demographic is still being covered at KSMB. You have a morning show where either member hasnt seen a college schedule in 10-25 years, the morning show runs solely off of the credibility of the named host, and the overall content and sound is either a "rip and read" off of a daily prep service or an overall general AC sounding content. The show was more apt to hit the college age mark a few years ago with the younger personalities that have since departed were still involved ie: Producer Bill, Producer Big Rob, Riley etc... Not to take away from the talent of the current personalities, and NO disrespect intended, they just seem better suited for an older demographic. If anyone can offer up any viewpoints to help me understand how that line-up is catering to the younger, college-aged demo...please let me know....I'm always looking to learn new things Thanks

 

[therealdemo]

I can’t help but admire those who believe the station will survive. It shows incurable optimism (or plain gullibility) in the face of likely demise. So kudos to those with that attitude. I’d agree with you if a few conditions were met. For starters, I’m sure everyone agrees with me in saying that consolidation and corporate ownership are a big problem. So, with that, KSMB must somehow break free of its corporate overlords, one way or another. Secondly, the PD of that station is an example of another growing problem, not only in radio, but in other broadcasting fields, maybe even in other industries. I like to call it “Generation Past”. There is a large group of industry professionals that refuse to move aside and let the next generation take their place. They have done amazing things for the business and became very well known for it, but their egos will not let them move on. The PD at KSMB goes through the motions and “phones it in” on his morning show. You’re left with a product that is generic, tame, and just plain boring. Not exactly what I would put on a CHR station. A PD that can go through each day, taking advice from fellow “Generation Past’ers” and ignore that of young, talented individuals with fresh ideas and a DESIRE to live the CHR lifestyle isn’t worthy of the position they hold. When will they realize that their name will only take them so far? You have to still want it. The minute you give up should be followed by the minute you call it quits. So with the dismissal of Chris Reed, and countless other talents across the nation, I say BE GONE with all you “Generation Past’ers”. You have served your industry well, without your contributions, we wouldn’t be where we are today, but it is time to step aside and let the next generation build upon your achievements, so that one day…..we can do the same.

P.S. The notion that KSMB has the younger demo is unbelievably naïve, not to mention just plain false. The local university doesn’t even know who you are and there is no one at the station under 30. Stop lying to yourself, and don’t throw out Arbitron numbers if you don’t know how to read them.

 

[Ihearall]

Before I posted again it was important to me that I grab a peek of the last few Arbitrons and acquire some knowledge before spewing off as many do here without any facts to backup their lopsided statements. Our sales staff doesn't always share the Arbitron data and treat it as if it were gold bars from Fort Knox.
To say the the university doesn't even know that KSMB exists is laughable. This statement "The notion that KSMB has the younger demo is unbelievably naïve, not to mention just plain false" is actually false and a true sign of someone not knowing what they are talking about. The station outright owns the 18-34 demo. The morning show stomps all over 107-9 96-5 and 95-5. The station posted a 12.9 share of adults 18-34.
While you continue to knock the morning show host you must have overlooked the fact that his numbers speak for themselves. The show has been number one for several books. I saw fifteen plus shares in women 18-34. Pretty good for a host that you claim phones it in. Continuing to knock the guy and refer to him as Generation Past sounds more like sour grapes to me. What happened? Did you get turned down for an opening at the station? Maybe radio pals of Chris?
Being a fan of radio I like rock and CHR morning shows. Button tuning is my favorite past time. I've heard the as you refer to it the Generation past morning show and they are much on top of the market and the celebrity crap. The Tawanna character is somewhat offensive for my ears. Listening many times to KSMB in the afternoons I found Chris to be a total mimmick of Ryan Seacrest. Caller I think I love you. Really? Besides sounding robotic a lot of times overanunciating every word he spoke his lines and phrases came right from the mouth of Ryan Seacrest. That's not to be spiteful just an observation.
We can all critique this station and any others we feel but after reading these posts they've all come across as self serving. Same group of friends with the same comments with different user names. In the end you've criticized a person, staff and station that at the same time is very successful. It all sounds extremely personal if you ask me.
You may find this amusing especially after reading my post but I could not work for that station today. I tried a few years back before the corporate takeover. From what I hear there is no existing budget to promote the station and hasn't been for several years. Outdoor is kaput. The salaries are below state average. My ears inside told me the bonuses went away and now the airstaff is paid a spiff if the sales staff beats the quarterly sales goal by five percent. Is that something new?
Excuse my rambling but if you are going to post persoanl slams and outright false information you should at least be able to back it up instead of throwing out what you and your friends think.

P.S. Kraddick turns fifty this year. He seems to be doing OK. or is he Generation Past too?

 

[Rex Tremendae]

Novasap

You mean Bobby Novasap, friend and supporter of Kenny Hazelet who was convicted of statutory rape after confessing his love for a 14 year old girl when Kenny was in his early 50s while working in BR in the late 90s?

Rex be askin'.

 

[kudzooter]

Rex be Askin', you come off more like Rex be Ask-hole. Kenny Hazelett was set up by the uncle and mother of the 14YO who looked more like 25YO, in fact, pushed into a situation where--with the sexual/social insecurities most of us airbooth giants suffer--it was pitifully predictable he would yield to the ever present temptation. As for Bobby Novosad's being a friend and supporter of Kenny -- Kenny had been long gone to KPEL (KTDY's AM sister) when I hired Bobby first as a KSMB weekend parttimer, then was lucky enough to be able to promote him to the midday show...where he was the dominating force that gave KSMB the ratings and billing that enabled Tom Galloway to sell it for the fortune he reeped.
Yeah, Bobby's a CHR morning guy in his 50s. But someone else pointed out Kraddick's similar vintage. And how about Scott Shannon, in the #1 freakin' market? "Super Shan" is almost as old as I am (so is most of the dirt in your entrance hall) and he's not exactly sucking in getting 'er done in The Big Apple.
One thing that's kept all three going, well past their use-by date, has been their willingness to continue to learn what their target audience is about, and serve that awareness. Perhaps a similar open-mindedness on your part will give you the opportunity to outlive your age-predictable usefulness, too. Or, you can stay as closed-minded as you appear to be, and probably never even have the chance to find out what that potential might have been.

 

[nolaradiobuff]

Kud - You cannot possibly have any credibility comparing Bobby Novasad with Kidd Kraddick or Scott Shannon! Bobby Novasad couldn't get another job in radio if his dad owned a station.

Have you even listened to his show (if you can call it that) lately? He's a hack.

 

[kudzooter]

Not comparing what they do -- just the fact that all three are over the age Rex be seems to consider a cut-off for CHR morning people ... and trying to separate his attacks on both Bobby and Kenny. How he feels about either or both, makes no difference to me. But to try to lump them together as a joined entity, just won't fly.

 

[nolaradiobuff]

Kud - I understand your point.

My point is, I don't care how old Bobby Novasad is, he was over 15 years ago. "Real" talent evolves (or retires). It doesn't keep trying to hang on to yesterday and keep propping itself up with retreaded bits and characters.

FYI, the "Tawanna" bit was done 30 years ago. And, it was done better.

One other point, I have no skins in this game. I never worked at KSMB, applied at KSMB, or know anyone at KSMB other than Bobby Novasad.

This time next year, if it takes that long, KSMB will be where KXKC is today: a shell of itself. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

[Rex Tremendae]

Rex be Askin', you come off more like Rex be Ask-hole. Kenny Hazelett was set up by the uncle and mother of the 14YO who looked more like 25YO, in fact, pushed into a situation where--with the sexual/social insecurities most of us airbooth giants suffer--it was pitifully predictable he would yield to the ever present temptation.

Sir, a 52 year old man who has sexual relations with a 14 year old girl is a child molester. When radio or TV people like Mike Longman or Vince Marinello or Kenny Hazelett are convicted of felonies in an American court of law they are usually repudiated and considered outcasts. Bobby Novasap put forth the same excuse for Kenny when the news broke for statutory rape of a child that every other child molester gives, they were framed by a girl who was too hot for her age.

Novasap couldn't cut it outside of KSMB. He is too old for the format. He is culturally and socially outdated for the music of KSMB. Radio in Lafayette is garbage, any fool with a mic can at least get some ratings.

So sayeth Rex.

 

[radiopixie]

After reading all points made...I cant help but think of the comparisions between Kidd Kraddick and the morning show on KSMB. Yes, Kidd Kraddick is about to hit the big 50's, and is still releveant to the younger demo. However, I cant help but wonder, if you take away the cast of characters ie Big Al, J-Si, Producer Shannon, etc.....would a show with only Kidd and Kellie still target the younger demo as successfully OR be a candidate for syndication like it is now?!? Kidd and Kellie = Bobby and Ali...younger demo targeted....hmmmmmm. Not saying I'm right...just saying...it's another variable to add to the equation. Is the younger demo in Lafayette being targeted? Judging by the responses on this board, some say yes, some say no, as a former resident and college student of Lafayette, I say no...radio in Lafayette has become boring and predictable. Also, commenting on another earlier post about Chris Reed sounding like Ryan Seacrest... he does adopt a Ryan Seacrest type persona....however, it seems to have proved quite successful for him. Last time I checked, Ryan Seacrest has been syndicated on an unprecedented number of stations nationwide, including KSMB, so maybe adopting a Ryan Seacrest persona isnt such a bad idea. I'm not a fan of Seacrest myself...but he's more successful then I am Just saying