More cuts????

[tubetop1]

If Spittle is gone, and Brad Barton is gone and KRLD doesn't have a GM who the heck is running the place?

 

[johnsummers]

While you certainly have a right to your opinion, you would think that, knowing that I read and post here, you would have the decorum to hold it for a later post. It's really easy to hide behind a pseudonym and kick someone when they're down. I don't know how many major market radio jobs you've held for 14 plus years, but I would be willing to bet it's ZEEERO!!! If you had done it, you'd know better. You, sir, are a class-less individual.

 

[charles123]

If Spittle is gone, and Brad Barton is gone and KRLD doesn't have a GM who the heck is running the place?

I think it's Tom Bigby.

 

[BigDannyB]

I'm behind John. As KLUV's former Saturday Night DJ I can tell you that you would be lucky to have John on the air at your radio stationin any daypart (Do you know what a daypart is?) He is a true broadcast professional.

But even more important he is a good guy.

Once I came into the radio station carrying three bags from McDonald's. I had pretty much ordered everything in sight and hauled it into the studio. John looked at me and couldn't believe I was about to go on an eating binge. I told it I didn't care because I was middle aged and married and it didn't matter and his response was, "Well I care...I hate to see you eat that crap".

I don't know if you remember that little episode,John, but it certainly stuck with me.

I could go into John's professionalism for days...down to the fact that he never left the studio a mess and always made sure everything was in place before he left. But his resume speaks to that. The few times I filled in for him doing the Drive at 5 and working with Kym West I would stop and think to myself WWJD-What would John do? How would he get into traffic with Kym? What kind of callers would he put on the air?

I know John personally and if I were a PD I would hire him to be on my radio station without thinking twice.

John-There are plenty of radio wannabes on this board who know nothing of what it is to be a broadcaster. The people who count know that you're a top notch broadcaster. Don't let them get to you..You're better than that.

John-you know where to find me if you need anything....don't hesitate to call.

 

[SmokeRing]

Glad to see John Summers out at KLUV.

I hope you will think better of your post and apologize. Rejoicing in someone else's bad fortune is awfully dark.

 

[MikeShannon914]

Glad to see John Summers out at KLUV. He was way overused at the station and sounded horrible to boot. He had no range and was "always on". You can't play every afternoon like it's a Saturday Night.

You must be talking about a different John Summers.

That "always on" is the kind of thing that took KVIL to ratings heights in the 70s and 80s. I can assure you that a good share of KLUV's success over the last 10 years was attributable to John. For a station that drifted in and out of the bottom of the Top 30 since 1981, and then to blast into the Top 5 for most of the last 10 years, they must have done something right. (And you can imagine how it pains me to give CBS credit for ANYTHING!!)

I've watched John in action many times, and his passion behind the mic is an incredible and fascinating thing to watch. And if you're not into his "vocal range," I know plenty of "golden throats" who don't have near the control and finesse with their own God-given pipes.

And shame on you for kicking a man when he's down. No matter how "classless" my own posts get sometimes, I've never been that blatently mean to anyone that just got axed...and that even includes The Russiah. Have a heart.

And John, all the best to you, my pal...I am very sorry to see this happen. We're quickly running out of room on "the beach" these days. Anything I can do to help, just say the word.

 

[MissyRadio]

I know that's been bandied about here before in various discussions and I am just a fan with friends in the business but it seems to me that radio (or broadcasting in general) has truly become a ticket to nowhere...
Tell me if I am wrong here:
-Graduate college with Broadcasting Degree
-Accept low paying job just to be on the air.
-Develop skills and talent while slowly getting cost of living increases (4%)
-Change jobs to get higher pay
-Become very skilled on-air talent making decent money
-Get let go because there is always someone younger and less skilled willing to take less money BECAUSE the accepted level of "talent" on-air has decreased considerably in the past 20 years. In other words, the bar is now so low that practically any schmoe off the street could do the job without any real public outcry.

 

[SaveDFWRadio]

Glad to see John Summers out at KLUV.

I hope you will think better of your post and apologize. Rejoicing in someone else's bad fortune is awfully dark.

No need to apologize. It is my opinion and I am entitled to mine as you are yours. John's response was typical. Playing the victim to rally the support of the other board members. And here they come.

I do not take pleasure in ANYBODY losing their job. However, my opinion of the show still stands. I am certain that John is a wonderful person. But the schtick was old and no longer fit. Evidentially, CBS Radio felt the same.

Class-less John? Certainly not. Just a little tough criticism.

 

[thunderradio]

Not to make it a "love fest " for John, I will say this. John can and often did run rings araound 90% of this markets on air "so called" personalities.His delivery was one that kept a listener, not make them reach for the dial or ipod. 'Save DFW Radio" I imagine is someone 18-30 who most likely never did audio production with a china marker and a razor balde and make it sound better than anything that cool edit could do. John has. His ego is in check and is and will remain one of the nicest persons in this business, he actually cares about his work, and the work of others and will offer to help that other person reach their potential."save DFW Radio" is one who is probably limited to a one format mind" while John is adaptable to various formats. CBS was and remains just plain stupid reducing John's role at KLUV,just like it was when Debi Diaz was cut. The "no mic" experience suits know programming just like Dr. Kervorkian knows health care. The same methodology applies between the two: suicide. CBS has strongly given another reason not to tune in,but they will lay blame at what little talent they have left instead of the desk where their fat rump sits.
Boss 1947, I respect you and have often agreed with you. Not this time. Yes many of the XM-Sirius jocks have cut their teeth on Terrestrial radio and some have gone back(who would want to work for Mel Karamazin anyways?) The DJ's on 6,7, 8 and the classic rock channels as well as classic R&B were selected becasue of that and they know their craft plusmaintain an audience. THEY ENTERTAIN! You very very very very rarely hear that anymore on terrestrial radio!! Its more concentrated on ADS, or website locations. That is what your average listeners seeks anddesires, not a"continous 15 min ad sweep"followed by a song you heard 70 minutes ago for the third time this morning. Corporations won't admit defeat about terrestrial radio. Look at the marvelous job they are doing with their HD channels. On satellite radio I am getting my money's worth by listening to what is not offered on terrestrial radio,,,entertainment, balanced information,and music I haven't heard since I cued up my last 45. I agree though internet radio is coming on,but it is far from being widely accepted like sat. radio has. Not to mention terrestrial radio websites will over shadow it. Very few outside of these boards and in the industry are aware of internet radio stations not affiliated with a terrestrial radio station. I seriously doubt terrestrial radio will return to its roots as it was when you and I sat in a studio by having fun, our listeners had fun and we ruled the waves. Quoting Chad and Jeremy: ' and that was yesterday nd yesterday's gone".

 

[spinderella]

Decorum would be to wait to criticize John...unless you enjoy the misfortune of others. That comment could've waited.

By the way, Brad Barton has sent an email to former KRLD, now WBAP, anchor Carla Marion. She posted it on her recession mama blog.

http://recessionmama.wordpress.com/

 

[thunderradio]

Missy Radio:
Extremely well said and 100% accurate. No holds barred.

 

[MikeShannon914]

Playing the victim to rally the support of the other board members. And here they come.

Did I miss something in John's post? I didn't see him playing the victim whatsoever. He never said you didn't have a right to an opinion, he never said there wasn't credence in what you said, he never asked for a rally of board members, etc. You, however, didn't answer his question about your OWN history on the air. IMHO, both of your posts reek of having a personal axe to grind with John. But to use THIS opportunity to do that, well, John said it best.

 

[SaveDFWRadio]

Playing the victim to rally the support of the other board members. And here they come.

Did I miss something in John's post? I didn't see him playing the victim whatsoever. He never said you didn't have a right to an opinion, he never said there wasn't credence in what you said, he never asked for a rally of board members, etc. You, however, didn't answer his question about your OWN history on the air. IMHO, both of your posts reek of having a personal axe to grind with John. But to use THIS opportunity to do that, well, John said it best.

Surely you're smart enough to read between the lines. "Kicking a man while he is down" is a wonderful statement that tugs on the heart strings.

Maybe you can take a moment and explain what my personal resume has to do with my opinion. Do you have to have a career in politics to be critical of your politicians?

 

[MikeShannon914]

No, I guess I'm not smart enough. I take things pretty much at face value and tend to trust people at their word. Friend or not to John, I'm in the same boat being unemployed, so sure, my sensitivity on such matters is heightened these days. Really, it's less to do with your opinion but more to do with your TIMING. I think that was John's original point, too.

I reviewed some of your earlier posts, and you had the same axe to grind with Debi Diaz. There was an impasse between you and I then as well, and we had to simply agree-to-disagree. I guess that's where this is headed, too.

 

[thunderradio]

Save DFW radio is not a fan of the "oldies/classic hits format" that much is obvious. It goes back to my earlier comment about the age (30 or below). No you don't have to have a resume' to offer a critque, just a strong background of experience in regards to the subject at hand . 'DFW" seems to fall short on this ,therefore what you don't know criticize. He sounds like one of those recent particiapants at shoutdown rallies involving healthcare, speak first,without reviewing the subject .

 

[SmokeRing]

the schtick was old and no longer fit. Evidentially, CBS Radio felt the same.

The last thing anyone should assume about this move is that it has anything to do with talent or someone's opinion in programming. CBS has been in cost-cutting mode for almost 10 years now. It's not the economy. It's not a rise or fall in ratings. It's an unhealthy radio company trying to keep the ship from completely sinking by throwing its heavier equipment overboard. Don't be surprised when CBS announces another round of stations on the seller's block.

 

[ISaidSo]

Give me a break.... If the guy is your friend he is "Off Limits" and if he is hated by you can say what ever you want? Come on Mike S. You attacked Russ like no other (Rightly BTW) There is a ton of talented people out of radio these days. Including the life long Traffic guys..... People are allowed to say and feel how they like about on air talent because it is a public forum. If you turn on the Mic your are open to be fired on. I think that Brad Barton was/is a jerk. Having worked with him I know that to be true. Glad he is gone. I never liked John's work either, maybe at some point those spots will be filled by people I find talented, maybe not.... thats how it works.... Let it go.

 

[marksman]

All this loss of weather talent in the D/FW market... Now the average prognostication accuracy will drop from 35% down to 27%.

What ever will we do without experienced people to be wrong about the weather most of the time?

If you have some young neophyte in there they might accidently get the weather right and we can't tolerate that.

 

[CatfishJimPrewitt]

Playing the victim to rally the support of the other board members. And here they come.

Did I miss something in John's post? I didn't see him playing the victim whatsoever. He never said you didn't have a right to an opinion, he never said there wasn't credence in what you said, he never asked for a rally of board members, etc. You, however, didn't answer his question about your OWN history on the air. IMHO, both of your posts reek of having a personal axe to grind with John. But to use THIS opportunity to do that, well, John said it best.

Surely you're smart enough to read between the lines. "Kicking a man while he is down" is a wonderful statement that tugs on the heart strings.

Maybe you can take a moment and explain what my personal resume has to do with my opinion. Do you have to have a career in politics to be critical of your politicians?

SaveDFW: You have a right to post your opinion but your opinion is off, way off. John has a very natural sound. It's a lively delivery and more importantly he understands that content and brevity go hand in hand. He balances that out flawlessly on the air. Frequently John surpassed Chuck Brinkmans ratings which is quite impressive in itself. 14 years is a long run for this business and it takes a good talent with consistancy to deliver year after year after year.

 

[scrtr84]

Save...

Like the others have suggested, your timing stinks. Have a right to your opinion? Of course. Have a right to express that opinion? Absolutely. But You really should have waited a few months before posting that remark. It does make you look like you are lacking in the class department.

John,

Ignore the rotten timing of that guy. I don't know you personally, but I know you have a long history with KLUV, and that speaks volumes. Of course I have my share of "rotten" people, but I sure as hell would not kick them right after they lost their job. That's just cruel...

And the point about this market losing veteran broadcasters, is indeed unfortunate. I wish all of you who have lost your radio gigs, the best of luck.

Also, I agree with a lot of Missy's comments about working in radio today. The industry has changed for the worst. The best times to be in radio are long gone and unless there's a major change, I doubt any of us will see those good times again.