• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

Morning Radio in Jacksonville

D

Dick Tater

Why has morning radio in Jacksonville gotten so stale?
Lex and Terry are phoning it in, no pun intended...Bubba doesn't have the fire he once had...MJ has his tail between his legs...Mark and Kris can't put two good shows in a row together...Boomer and Robbie, oh lord. Arthur? I saw someone on here mention him as a "legend". So what you have to do is stick around somewhere forever, accept mediocre pay and you're a legend? Shouldn't you be a really talented personality to be a legend?
The crew on Gator...Steve Sutton---now there's a deep thinker. Does he even prep that show? He was ok when he played fifth banana and did some traffic on Hoyle's show. He can't lead a show.
Tanner? Tanner. He really gets paid to do a morning show?
Not sure why everyone on here is romancing the local stone. It's like watching the Today show and hearing the nails across the chalkboard of the local tv morning show cutting in.
Hell with local. Save the money, dish 'em all in from the hinterlands and do away with these inept locals. Stop waxing nostalgic over the days of yore and get some real talent in here.
Don't even get me started on afternoon drive.
Or maybe I will get started on afternoon drive. Right after this 10 minute commercial break . Less is more.
Later,
Tater
 
radio wants cheap, part-time, no benefits. The current groups of managers are actually worried
that they’ll get fired if the numbers don’t add up. And their focus is short
term, this week, this month, and today. Like it or not, MORE voice tracking
and cyber-jocks are the trends for today and the future.

You know it's the true!
 
Arthur Crofton is Renda’s Jax bright spot. Yes, longevity does account for something especially given the fact most long term employees are out in the door in today’s environment.

I have a lot of respect and admiration for Arthur. While it’s easy to criticize and try to put everyone in a mold to fit a definition of personal legend status, in this case you have to get credit where it is due. Arthur has delivered time and time again. Is the morning show on the cutting-edge? No, and actually for a family-oriented morning show on an AC, it meets expectations.

Arthur is certainly a professional and that is one important element in my definition of a legend. And don’t knock the fact he hasn’t had to go from one station to another with disruption in paychecks. Very few have that employment status today. But really who can ever forget the sidekick he was teamed with before Valerie Seagraves. I give Arthur credit. He was often interrupted because his former partner was loud, obnoxious and an ego-maniac who always seemed to want the last word or the last laugh. Arthur never got flustered on the air and that shows true professionalism.

Yes, there’s a lot lacking in Jax morning shows but most of these guys are just following orders and this is not always the correct direction. There is talent on the air but they work under so many restrictions. I think Steve Sutton’s critique was a bit over the top. He has talent as far as I’m concerned and the Gator morning show is working. That’s more than half the battle when the audience digs what you do.
 
I agree with tater. In my opinion "Legend' is earned by being a creative air talent. Not from milking an english accent for decades, kissing the ass of TR and getting your rocks off from hearing your own voice. Mark & Kris atleast try and give it a shot everyday. Steve Sutton would do better with just Eden. What does Ama-hoey do there anyway/ They pay him? Stick with WB CW or try a job at Hess Express
 
Don't loose focus on the reality of tings as they are today...$$$$$$....It is all about the money. Managers must show the owner the money!
The only reason AC is still doing morning radio for Renda is because he knows there is no way on this blue marble we live on that he can ask for more cash. Renda pays him enough to buy coffee for himself and that's it. He pays his bills with endorsment dollars. If he were to start pushing for a raise because they cut the avails for endorsment dollars, he would be bagging groceries somewhere. I am a big fan of AC, he is actually a friend of mine and I hate to say this but it is going to happen. The current morning show on WEJZ will be part of the past soon.

btw...the morning show on Gator is working for peanuts as well...Only 1 person in the building is making a nice living, he's the one with the hatchet!
 
Wannabe, I think deep down inside many of us see that handwriting on the proverbial wall but may not like to openly admit it. How ironic that your post which was a breath of fresh air in not being caustic compared to what's been going on the board lately had to be sad in comment about the reality of things.

I suspect a younger 30 something-sounding voice will eventually replace everyone on the air who sounds middle-aged. If it means more $$$$, loyalty and overall track-record account for little or nothing. That is the business world now and one I'm happy to have behind me.

I guess I'll always be an old softee when it comes to people and how they are treated. You'd think I'd learn my lesson by now. But if that's a fault of mine, oh well. While I don't personally know AC, I can only hope he stashed whatever he could over the years aside. Somehow I feel he is prepared for whatever may or may not happen down the road.
 
wannabe brings a question to my mind ... in your opinion, what are 'peanuts'? What do you base your income statements on? Alleged reputations, half-truths, all out lies, personal in-depth knowledge of Renda's books?
I ask all of you this question because personal perception of anothers worth and/or value is fascinating.
While you believe some people are making peanuts, who in Jax is OVERPAID for what they do?
Peanuts in one persons eyes are a decent living in anothers.
Peanuts in my eyes are salty and burn ... ohhh, the burn.

Bear's headed back for another round of 1800.
 
Without stooping to the levels of the radio washouts and the "hard on's" for renda.

Consider this quote.

“Strong and bitter words indicate a weak cause.”

Jesus loves you.
 
Wannabepd you’re 100% correct about AC and the morning show.

At some point, AC will be shown the door as Renda searches for a younger sound and audience. Maybe he’ll be moved to the b team on Sunny 94.1 The average age of EJZ is still about 45 and it’s too old. People their work for peanuts but I can’t imagine it’s any better over at CC or Cox. It’s the business.
Bear here’s what peanuts means. “You work very hard, bailey make enough to pay your bills and never get ahead” To keep these guys from postal management says “ as ratings go up you’ll make more money from endorsements and remote talent fees. Your income will be unlimited” Considering what TR makes it’s a crime what talented people are paid. But they plug on anyway because of their love for being on the air and couldn’t imagine doing anything else. And so they gladly eat crap and hope things will get better.

The hatchet man makes a nice living. Considering the state of radio today and where it’s going the hatchet man will have to cut more people (fat) to keep his nice living. And it’s just business. Otherwise the hatchet man will get axed too. He will anyway GM’s don’t last long with TR maybe 3-4 years max. After that they’re burnt out and can no longer meet TR’s greedy demands.
 
pocket-radio said:
The average age of EJZ is still about 45 and it’s too old.
Click to expand...

And where are listeners over the age of 45 supposed to go? With fewer and fewer format choices available in Jax, displaced listeners will find their way to a new favorite station(s) or as is often the case, they will just stay with the familiar. I have a friend who is 60 years old who still listens to Rock 105. He admits that its habit and he likes a lot of the music. And that's the way it is for a lot of stations. Many 50+ I know listen to Eagle.

This whole situation is nuts. People who still enjoy terrestrial radio need to go somewhere. Perhaps if the powers that be at Renda kept the oldies format going and published a target audience of 35-64 and programmed to that audience, there would have been a natural progression of older demos away from WEJZ. Yes, I know 35-64 is taboo to many of you but I believe very strongly it is strategy for at least one station in the cluster to target.

They had an opportunity too with WSOS but have blown it as far as I'm concerned. Playing as many 80s songs as they do does not help them differentiate themselves from everyone else. They will stay in the 0's or low 1 shares with their current marketing approach of calling themselves St. Augustine's radio station. Listeners outside St. Aug will feel the station is not a local and will move on. There is little incentive to tune in. Just my opinion. This really doesn't help WEJZ in creating choice for older listeners to move to another station but yet still be a part of the cluster family.

If WEJZ is bent on going younger, they can always add more and more songs one would typically find on Hot AC. But really it comes down to so little choice people have here. Not everyone is into talk radio so no one should be surprised that all these music stations that target 25-54 have listeners 55+.

I'm to a point that I don't care anymore as these ridiculous decisions continue to be made. So even the younger voices don't necessarily attract younger demos, huh? It's all about replacing long term talent with newer, cheaper talent. Often they are not better than what they replaced, but that matters little as the formatting/music is the star and the hatchet men continue to meet their goals and satisfy their bosses. I'm happy to have options on the Internet and XM. And that's the way it is.
 
AC has been with WEJZ a long time and I’m sure his pay has increased over time to the point where it may be a liability. I’m sure the hatchet man must be asking can he find someone talented, young and who will work for less/ AC’s possible replacement will be promised talent frees endorsements and the chance to work in market 47 a stepping stone to #1. I like AC he’s a good guy and it’s pure speculation on my part but if true it’s just business. And yes Brother Bear it does happen this way.

Agencies buy 25-to-54 and 35-54 younger is better. EJZ is national/agency driven. The mom and pops buy it too but the rates are so high that most little guys can’t buy the station on a regular business or buy it right. While the 50+ people have money,
research dictates companies must brand and target consumers before their brand preferences have been decided. Hence 25-to-54 is the money demo many buyers are forced buy based on what planners decide. 25-54 folks are people making money and they spend it on stuff they need. Once you hit 50's your needs are just that much less, in mass media thinkage. EJZ is women and 25-to-54 is the core.

listeners 45+ can relate to AC but I’m not sure the 25 to 30’s can. And the next generation 12-24’s want everything on their cell phones. Music, videos, weather & news. They don’t care about radio let alone AC.
 
AC has been with WEJZ a long time and I’m sure his pay has increased over time to the point where it may be a liability. I’m sure the hatchet man must be asking can he find someone talented, young and who will work for less/ AC’s possible replacement will be promised talent frees endorsements and the chance to work in market 47 a stepping stone to #1. I like AC he’s a good guy and it’s pure speculation on my part but if true it’s just business. And yes Brother Bear it does happen this way.

Agencies buy 25-to-54 and 35-54 younger is better. EJZ is national/agency driven. The mom and pops buy it too but the rates are so high that most little guys can’t buy the station on a regular business or buy it right. While the 50+ people have money,
research dictates companies must brand and target consumers before their brand preferences have been decided. Hence 25-to-54 is the money demo many buyers are forced buy based on what planners decide. EJZ is women and 25-to-54 is the core.

listeners 45+ can relate to AC but I’m not sure the 25 to 30’s can. And the next generation 12-24’s wants everything on their cell phones. Music, videos, weather & news. They don’t care about radio let alone AC.
 
There's that word again.."GREEDY". Why do so many of us resort to that when we look at someone we consider to be rich? I think it is a result of this class warfare and envy that has been creeping into our little minds over the years more and more. I don't see any of these owners as greedy at all. If they work themselves into a position to make the kind of money I could only dream about why does that make them greedy bastards. No one is actually forced to work for them. I say good for them. The result is a natural unintended consequence. The number of outlets that are going after the same market dollars continues to grow yet the actual dollars has been the same for the last 5 to 8 years. Yes there has been some overall market growth but it is not just radio that radio is competing with for dollars. The morning show is your bread and butter as an owner. If the price of bread gets too high you have to look for ways to find the money to sustain yourself at the level you want, and have worked for. It is only fitting that owners are finding that they are not seeing the same return they once diid with these high price morning shows. I realize this is a large brush I am using here but for the most part we all see it. I listen to the bird when I can. I listen to music and all kinds of programming on my laptop just about anywhere I work. Radio on a stick is not able to keep up for many reasons and owners have to find ways to keep the dollars in their own pocket. Why is that such a bad thing? What it is, is reality. The market will change or it won't, but I don't think of it as bad, it just is, and that's why I got out of radio entirely. I waited a little too long and it hurt a little as a result but I don't miss it a bit. I miss the people I worked with, but not the BS that is radio today. If you own a radio station and you are making the kind of money you want, more power to you. The fact is that you employ morning shows and many other people who have bills to pay. Who cares how rich the owner is getting. If your not making what you want, aquire a skill in high demand and go get the money. If you love radio and don't care what you make, so be it, stay on the air and be happy you are doing what you love. I never loved radio that much. I wanted the money so I went somewhere where I can make the kind of money I want and I don't listen to local radio. There are alot of us out here who are just fine with where we are, and where radio is. It's just real life in a free market.
 
Hey wannabe are you high. You might of won the lottery beacause the Mays family, Renda's, Bob Neil, Entercom, Greater Media, Media General. every one of those people are the greedy bastards of the media radio world. And everyone of those people mentioned are getting older and trying to hold on to a medium nobody much even cares about anymore but if they can slash a throat to get money from an employee to cut the budget so it means more for themselves, they'll have the knife in hand in no time.
 
I can't disagree more that "nobody much even cares about" radio. Maybe YOU don't, but the people who still work in it DO. I realize this is much to your dismay, but I find your attitude toward the business common among the bitter and disenfranchised who sit around, poison the water, and bitch about how the old gray mare ain't what she used to be. Well you know what, Germany used to have a Kaiser AND Hitler that they thought were all the rage until proven otherwise.
wannabe's words sting you because he speaks the truth. Yes, the free market is a bitch and the bane of the entitlement crowd's existence, but that's the way it is. You believe wealth and greed go hand in hand and cant't exist without each other ... well, get your nose out of "Das Kapital" and "The Communist Manifesto" and join the rest of us here in the 21st century where rugged individuals and true entrepeneurs will rebuild the great nation that people waiting for a handout or for 'what they deserve' ran into the ground.
Ownerships that got lost on their way to making a profit combined with obsolete dinosaurs that overestimated their wealth and value have crippled radio. Neither is going away quietly (obviously) while the New Generation rebuilds, but don't condemn their belief that radio IS a great medium and WILL be for a long time.

Abraham Lincoln said...
"The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so must we think anew, and act anew. We must disenthrall ourselves ..."
In other words, if you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen ... and stop blowing the smoke of bitterness wherever you go.
 
Thanks Bear, let me dust off the Thesarus again. While I'm at it I need to find my World History book when I used it at Jacksonville High School.
 
Silly vadar! We know you never went to high school!
"Tee hee" the old Bear tee heed.
 
Er, what's a night jock????????????
Sorry, I miss Traine on the Radio in afternoons..........
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom