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Myrtle Beach Pavilion being torn down!

During the summer working at 'KZQ in the 80's, we had the broadcast booth across from the Attic right there on the Boulevard...Ahhh, glass booth, bumper to bumper traffic outside, intercom to talk with people(hotties), and all of them checking the DJ out. Great times...

Actually, I think Deacon got the better of the gig...I think 'KZQ had a booth inside the Attic before the broadcast booth across the street. He used to tell me the coolest stories...over a bowl....of ...cereal...


...what'd you think I was gonna say?
 
I think I can tie this into radio, maybe. Okay, so it might be a stretch.

I average visiting the Grand Strand between six and eight times every summer for weekend getaways. However, I don't plan to visit at all in 2007. Instead, I'll be heading a bit further south to Charleston. The tearing-down of the pavillion, in my opinion, relates directly to what's happening in the radio business in Myrtle Beach. It seems like there's just nothing compelling there. Once upon a time, I looked forward to flipping on the radio while I was relaxing on the beach. These days, I'm thankful for my iPod.

Maybe it's a symptom of getting old, but I'm not THAT old. In fact, most folks would consider me to be young. However, I haven't found anything on the radio in Myrtle Beach worth listening to in a while, just like I don't think there's much left in Myrtle Beach for folks who fall between the clubbers and the golfers. I don't mean that as an insult to anybody working in radio in the Grand Strand. I think rather, it's a result of management decisions made at the upper level. When I think of radio at the beach, I think of many things. I like Oldies and Classic Rock, but Hot AC and CHR can be "beachy" formats, too. However, the music alone just doesn't do it for me. I can pick the music myself with my iPod. However, if there were some great personalities who weren't leashed by management, I'd definitely enjoy listening to the radio a bit more. Instead, I hear the same cookie-cutter radio that I hear in every other rated radio market in the world. Sorry, but I expect more from a "fun" town like Myrtle Beach.

Now that I've offended everuybody who works in radio in Myrtle Beach, I'll hush!
 
I hear ya, Broker. I've listened to Sunny 106.5 when I've gone to MB before...it used to be really good. Now it's just boring with a lot of 70s music, the last I heard it. Same with Charleston, nothing better there. Oldies/Y102.5 used to be very good but now it sounds like a 70s/80s AC station with a few 60s and a few 90s songs every now and then.

Starting to sound like the only decent Oldies stations left in SC are WOMG and WGOR (if it stays Oldies after 12/25)..
 
Sunny 106.5 used to be one of my favorite stations anywhere. Since Dave left, though, it kinda lost it's oomph. It doesn't give me the warm fuzzies like it used to. It seems like most of the once-great oldies stations have lost their charm. Is it a lack of true oldies programmers, or an indication that oldies isn't what the market wants these days? Good thing there happens to be an oldies station in my building that I'm free to program the way I think oldies should sound, because nobody else seems to be doing it. And, it makes a profit, so obviously the market doesn't think it's outdated or obsolete.
 
During the summer working at 'KZQ in the 80's, we had the broadcast booth across from the Attic right there on the Boulevard...Ahhh, glass booth, bumper to bumper traffic outside, intercom to talk with people(hotties), and all of them checking the DJ out. Great times...


I did that too! It was in the early 90's for Power 98 at the time. It was a blast! I spent my childhood there at the Pavilion too! I hate to see it gone, it should be listed as an historical marker and not distroyed. So many memories and so much fun! I wish I could take my children there, but alas, Burroughs and Chapin needs more money I guess, and feel that they need to distroy the memories of 50 generations. Way to go guys!!!!
 
raydiofreak said:
I did that too! It was in the early 90's for Power 98 at the time. It was a blast!
Click to expand...

You must've worked with Kilgo, Parnell and Greg Fry. All of 'em great guys...in fact, this weekend is the 15th Annual Much Ballyhooed and Maligned, World Famous Kilgo Conclave in Myrtle Beach and I'm supposing that much alcohol will be consumed by us in memory of 'KZQ's and Power's time on the Boulevard...among other things...lol.
 
Now that I've offended everuybody who works in radio in Myrtle Beach, I'll hush!

Why should I or anyone who is in radio in the Greater Myrtle Beach area be offended? Except you ignored the fact that there are still some of us who broadcast on AM Radio and find it can still actually work quite well. All the "cookie cutter" corporate radio actually creates quite a niche for someone who will be a little bit of a rebel. At WNMB we play oldies 24 hours a day.....should I say "classic hits" in AM Stereo. Our signal is also simulcast on Cable TV channel 15 to about 30,000 homes, and we stream audio at www.wnmb.net Now, here's something that may surprise you. By being a "local" station with the news and community things, and playing our geriatric rock and roll, we stay just about sold out. There's a great and loyal advertiser base composed of great business people who send checks every month. The moral of this little story is that sometimes if you just ignore what is supposed to be the trend and do your own thing in your own way, it can work. Next time you're visiting on the Grand Strand, stop and say hello to us at 429 Pine Avenue, just off Main Street in North Myrtle Beach.
 
When I was in Florida I did spots for a dance club that ran on WKZQ..what was it called? Club Oddessy? or something like that? What became of it? Hate to see the pavillion raized..hope it gets a reprieve.

And hey Bill (above poster)I will take you up on that invite. My copywriter wife and myself (a 36 year radio production/imaging guy) are running to MB for a pre-Christmas vacation between the 18th and the 26th..I applaud you for doing what you do. Great, compelling radio always has it's rewards, and you're proving it with a positive cash flow. Any time you'd like to do some fresh imaging..for barter no cash (restaurant/mote trade) let me know. I currently do a fair amount of major market stations and I would love to jump in the "fun" boat with you and WNMB..I can do imaging for the station (production included) or spots and promos..just get me a little script..and we're good. Demos of some featured stations here:

www.jefflaurence.com/feature.html/

Call the studio and let's gab 888-780-8542
 
Bill said:
Now that I've offended everuybody who works in radio in Myrtle Beach, I'll hush!

Why should I or anyone who is in radio in the Greater Myrtle Beach area be offended? Except you ignored the fact that there are still some of us who broadcast on AM Radio and find it can still actually work quite well. All the "cookie cutter" corporate radio actually creates quite a niche for someone who will be a little bit of a rebel. At WNMB we play oldies 24 hours a day.....should I say "classic hits" in AM Stereo. Our signal is also simulcast on Cable TV channel 15 to about 30,000 homes, and we stream audio at www.wnmb.net Now, here's something that may surprise you. By being a "local" station with the news and community things, and playing our geriatric rock and roll, we stay just about sold out. There's a great and loyal advertiser base composed of great business people who send checks every month. The moral of this little story is that sometimes if you just ignore what is supposed to be the trend and do your own thing in your own way, it can work. Next time you're visiting on the Grand Strand, stop and say hello to us at 429 Pine Avenue, just off Main Street in North Myrtle Beach.
Click to expand...



Bill:

I've heard absolutely wonderful things about you and your station, and honestly I keep meaning to tune you in when I'm down that way and always seem to forget. I have listened to your webstream though, and I love the way your station sounds. I'd love to pop in and visit when I'm down that way again. From what I hear about you, it seems like you and I have operations that are a whole lot alike. I'd love to meet you sometime.

Take care, and keep it up!


TheBroker
 
Scott said:
raydiofreak said:
I did that too! It was in the early 90's for Power 98 at the time. It was a blast!
Click to expand...

You must've worked with Kilgo, Parnell and Greg Fry. All of 'em great guys...in fact, this weekend is the 15th Annual Much Ballyhooed and Maligned, World Famous Kilgo Conclave in Myrtle Beach and I'm supposing that much alcohol will be consumed by us in memory of 'KZQ's and Power's time on the Boulevard...among other things...lol.

That I did! And if I wasn't 9 1/2 months pregnant, in Nashville, and females were allowed I would be there!

I know Kilgo is in Atlanta, Greg is in LA, where is Parnell?

Do I know you? Have we consumed together before? I was Daryl Fox on the air back then, but go by my real name now, which is Temple. Ringin any bells?
Click to expand...
 
"Any time you'd like to do some fresh imaging..for barter no cash (restaurant/mote trade) let me know. I currently do a fair amount of major market stations and I would love to jump in the "fun" boat with you and WNMB..I can do imaging for the station (production included) or spots and promos..just get me a little script..and we're good. "​


Thanks to everyone who have said good things about WNMB's imaging. I am very proud to voice this for them on 100% barter. However, the production is all Bill! He makes it sound awesome in AM stereo. :D

www.DigitalAudioTracks.com, [email protected] or call 919-341-5615.

All barter monthly station ID voiceovers on select stations... including WNMB, N. Myrtle Beach, WFXY/WANO (Broker has heard of those stations... I think- lol) & dozens of radio stations from Richmond to Honolulu.
 
I think Parnell is still in MB, I think working for Cumulus. I worked with Kilgo in 1985 and 1988. We've remained friends ever since. That's when the Myrtle Beach Mafia was formed. Kilgo, Dwayne Ward, Ray Mariner, etc. I kept up with Power through Kilgo. Your ears should be burning this weekend, I guess. Drop me a line at [email protected].

Congrats on the upcoming addition to the family! 9 1/2 months?! INDUCE, INDUCE, INDUCE!
 
TheBroker and Surfside (dave); thank you so much for your kind words. I would love to have some additional voices, and I am very fortunate to have Dave doing liners and copy for us. He has the most incredible voice. It makes my little 500 watts sound like 50,000!
I have been incredibly fortunate in my career. There have many mentors and friends along the way, and every day I look forward to going to the station and having fun. Everything is different than it used to be in our industry just like every other profession keeps changing. It is, however, fortunate to still be able to fill a local niche that Satellite radio and the corporate radio groups cannot do.
If I may I will share a funny story. This past summer we completely remodeled our building inside. Part of the building I had used as a car museum was changed to additional offices and we wound up with about 3200 square feet to rent to someone. We put up a commercial lease sign on the street corner and among the folks coming to look was another radio station. We wound up renting the space to 94.9 The Surf, which is primarily a Beach Music station. The very day they moved in, the rumours were flying, and they ranged the full course from a listener coming to see me who said "I heard the Surf bought you out and they are taking over your building" to a customer who called and said "I heard you bought the Surf and you are moving them into your building". Then there was the in between comment from an advertiser who said "I see that you and the Surf have merged".
None of the above was true, we simply leased some space to another station, but it was amusing to hear the stories.
Finally, this week we have been having a new roof installed. I went next door to The Surf's office and told them the roofers had agreed that should they have an accident and drop anything through the roof ; that they had guaranteed it would fall on the Surf's side and land on top of their morning man, Billy Smith. Should that be the case, then no living thing would be harmed.
 
You are quite welcome. The more I hear about you, the more I realize how much you and I have in common. I, too, renovated our building this summer. When I bought the stations (a year ago last week...I just celebrated one full year back in the ownership game) I didn't have much to work with when it came to equipment. I have managed to replace everything from the microphone to the transmitter on one station, and everything from the microphone to the processor on the other. Finally, we have stations that I'm proud to say are mine. You sure wouldn't know WFXY is a little 1,000 watt AM by listening, and that is due in large part to, you guessed it...imaging from Dave! (And, what kinda guy would I be if I didn't give Dave a plug...he's by far the most professional and talented image-smith I've ever had the pleasure of working with.)

Any time you need some extra production help or some additional voices, drop me an email: joshwfxy(at)gmail.com. My ops manager lives to think up creative commercials...he and I spend hours at a time in the production room making promos and all sorts of fun stuff. We have the same sort of arrangement that Dave does...pump up our egos just a little, and that's payment enough :p

Just like you, we try to have fun with what we do. I think that the fact that we are in love with the business translates into better service for our listeners and advertisers. For a long time now, I've been frustrated by corporate cookie-cutter radio. My solution was probably just a little bit drastic...I put the brokerage business on the back burner and dove in head-first, buying two stations that I could run as I please. I think guys like you and I are proof-positive that doing radio the "right" way is a sound business decision. I don't care what the stockholders think, because I'm the only one. I don't answer to a board of directors, unless you count my community as a board. When somebody makes what I consider to be a good suggestion, I don't run it past sixteen vice-presidents and twelve focus groups. I just do it. The result is that people are turning on my stations even though they might not have listened to them since childhood. Our newest promotional campaign is "make the switch". We have testimonials from dozens of listeners saying "I made the switch to WFXY from *name a big neighboring-market FM*. Now, my radio stays tuned to 1490!". Our town has about 12,500 folks in in, and we average literally probably 200 calls per day to our request line. The great thing is, we've never heard of at least 35% of the people who call every day!

I'm done with my little rant now, and I'll climb off my soapbox. I made that little sermon only to say that local radio is still a very viable medium, provided that it's operated correctly. When I hear doom-and-gloom from some of the folks who frequent this site, I just laugh, because I realize that I'm blessed to see things from a perspective that many folks never get a glimpse of. Keep up the good work, Bill. I'll be stopping in next time I'm in town!
 
This thread has made for some good reading, thanks to all who have posted. And Bill, you're doing a GREAT job there, keep it up!
Back to the original post, I have some pics of The Pavillion when I did remotes there on Sunny 106.5 when we signed it on in the late eighties, and when I did stuff there on Power 98 and Wave 104 in the early nineties. But the best is an 8mm home movie of the sets that were used at The Pavilion for the making of the movie "Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken" and the VHS tapes of the day before and after Hurricane Hugo in '89, I have shots of Steve Richards on a pier as the waves were crashing onto it just 9 hours before the city lost all power in the eye of the storm. yes, we were fools to be out there in it, but we were young and dumb then.
Oh, and I have another 8mm home movie from 1987 of the Ripley's Beleive It Or Not building when they were renovating it, shots of the old WLAT/WYAV studios in Conway too!

Ric "Kahuna" Patterson
www.thatwasradio.com
 
Here's something else about radio and the Pavilion. I found it while looking for something else.

Sun News - July 14, 2005 - C1 LOCAL & THE CAROLINAS

`TEEN FORUM' RADIO PROGRAM AIRS FROM MB
Against the backdrop of the ocean, a group of opinionated youngsters with microphones held a wide-ranging, lively conversation revolving around the plight of Alabama teen Natalee Holloway during a 90-minute radio program called the ``Teen Forum Show.'' The students, many from the Columbia area, gathered Wednesday at The Attic on Ocean Boulevard near The Myrtle Beach Pavilion Amusement Park to discuss underage drinking, overseas senior class trips and beach safety....

To see more online you pay $3, but they object to us including the whole text on this site anyway.

Amazingly, this show (which had several stations) aired on WLSC, which I've never even picked up in Myrtle Beach.
 
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