Nashville's Glory Days

[jwk1979]

I was pretty young THEN, but am I correct that it was Dick Kent at 15LAC in the mid-70's++? Jetfli --- on your line of powerjocks what about Chuck Britton?

There was also a weird, but hilarious, short termer at KDF that used to always pretend to make huge mistakes like skipping through albums,
breaking the mic, falling and hurting himself and screwing up traffic and callers, etc. Anyone remember who that was?

There was an afternoon drive time DJ at 103 KDF back around 1989 and 1990 named "Slats" that was kind of a crazy character. Is that the guy? He was not around long . If I remember correctly, I seem to remember his leaving for 96 Rock Atlanta.

I remember "Slats". Iirc, I think he first appeared in Nashville on KDF in late 1988 and stayed for a couple of years. I think he came from Orlando, the same station that Tommy and Paul, who did mornings on 104.5 the Fox around that time. They seem to have friendly rivalry with each other and I seem to remember that it was mentioned that they all had worked together at the same station before all three came to Nashville about the same time.

 

[redneckriviera]

For what it's worth...

a) there's one continuing thread to the Glory Days on air every day: Gerry House. I'm 500 miles from Nashville, but listen to him every morning on XM. Great talent.

b) I always thought Devon O'Day was a kick-ass talent. When she was part of the House act and they had Carl P. on in afternoons, that was one hellacious lineup.

c) but the Spooner/Shannon (et al) lineup of MAK ranks with the all-time best, anywhere/anytime. BTW, when was the last time you saw three-hour shifts?!

 

[ROCKO11]

Jim Eskew is with Metro Networks and yes, it is a pleasure to hear his golden tones once again grace our local airwaves.

Jim Kent and Hossman were legends. I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Kent when I first came to town and had the privilege of working with Hoss.

In my time here, I'd have to say the best news voice I've heard is that of Paul Randall Dickerson, now with the Associated Press. He has been a friend and mentor and I'm fortunate to have worked with him.

Jim is doing afternoon drive traffic reports for me at my station, Magic 1560, Gallatin. He's a real great guy to work with, but I don't remember hearing him on as a jock on any of the stations around here. I guess that's before my time, as I turn 43 next month. I didn't start paying attention to Nashville Radio until about 1973 or so. I was too busy as a kid tearing up a radio to figure out how it worked! (HA!) and pee wee baseball practice.

We had David Park for many years, but because of the work load over there at Metro, Jim took over for David to do our reports. Very nice man, and a gentleman, I might add.

 

[ROCKO11]

You ain't to shabby either Buddy!!! BUT, why is everybody kissing up to Romer???

Because he has to sit next to him at work, and somebody has to keep an eye on Buddy to make sure he stays out of trouble. We all want to make sure Buddy is keeping that weight down, so we can keep him around for a long while.

Buddy, oh by the way, when are you going to retire? You can pig out on that day! (HA!)

By the way, Buddy is the Lyle Dean (WLS Newsguy during the CHR days) of this market. Lyle Dean had that great news voice, but sadly he had a stroke and is not as well as he once was.

Scott

 

[romer979fm]

Jim is doing afternoon drive traffic reports for me at my station, Magic 1560, Gallatin. He's a real great guy to work with, but I don't remember hearing him on as a jock on any of the stations around here. I guess that's before my time, as I turn 43 next month. [/quote]

Jim'a probably best know for his work as Jay Franklin...doing mornings as KDA-FM in the mid 70s. You don't remember
his "astrology guide"? We worked together for a while at WMAK/92Q...mostly playing Pac Mac at 19th & West End.
Jim was also the 2nd PD at WRLT when the station was still had studios in an office park in Brentwood...I did three weekends there after getting canned at WGFX back in '90

 

[ROCKO11]

Jim'a probably best know for his work as Jay Franklin...doing mornings as KDA-FM in the mid 70s. You don't remember
his "astrology guide"? We worked together for a while at WMAK/92Q...mostly playing Pac Mac at 19th & West End.
Jim was also the 2nd PD at WRLT when the station was still had studios in an office park in Brentwood...I did three weekends there after getting canned at WGFX back in '90
[/quote]

Oh yea, I now remember something about his astrolgy guide. I think I have some air check I downloaded from somewhere when he was on KDA-FM.

I think it might have shocked him the afternoon we changed format from Oldies to Hot AC, fulltime. He seem confused during the first traffic break for the afternoon. I forgot to call him and inform him the music format changed on WMRO a couple of weeks ago. He sounds good with our new format. We are still Magic 1560, but the new slogan is: The best of the 80s, 90s & Now! Anyhow, he sounds great and I'm happy to have him on.

 

[chatterbox]

Anyone know where Coyote and Cathy might be hanging out?

 

[Mayberry]

Coyote McCloud is one of the best. I was only in the Nashville radio game for a while, (engineer at Kx 104 from 1980 till 84), but I grew to admire the crap out of that guy. Very humble about his killer credentials, quick wit and a true radio pro.
I think he secretly wants to be a song writer, but I'd love to hear Hurricane Jane right now.....

 

[jetfli]

From what I understand, Coyote's and Cathy's non-compete is up relatively soon, and I'm sure they'll be looking once that's up to see if anything's available locally. They've towed the line honoring the non-compete. They have been doing some area charity work in the meantime.

 

[raydiofreak]

Glory days for what time? I don't remember some of the people you guys are talking about. However I moved here in 97 and had some glory days of my own. At the River in the days of Proud Mary, Can and Blair, Rick Marino, Tom Peace, and Scooter. And more glory days in the early 2000's when Woody and Jim came along, Rich Davis, Jet Black. Great ratings and alot of fun!

I missed the old KDF days for the most part. I came along when it was stuggling to survive as a rock station. The Rock was AC and the Beat was Jazzy 101. And The Party stilled sucked. The buzz was Power Country with Coyote. WOW! Does anybody remember that????

Whose to say that right now isn't the "Glory days" for someone? Anybody have the vibe? You know what I'm talking about. Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

 

[BobSacamano]

From what I understand, Coyote's and Cathy's non-compete is up relatively soon, and I'm sure they'll be looking once that's up to see if anything's available locally. They've towed the line honoring the non-compete. They have been doing some area charity work in the meantime.

From what I gather, I'm not 100% sure Coyote & Cathy WANT to come back on the airwaves after the Cumulus debacle..I think the same goes for Bobby Knight as well

 

[Mayberry]

Radiofreak: In my humble opinion, the glory days were when you had 15 stations with 15 owners and 15 morning shows, and 15 P.D's, and the only that you got from a network (be it satellite or a wire) was the news.

 

[olebud]

I have to agree with radiofreak and mayberry and many of the others. The times of our lives when we most enjoyed what we were tuning to are OUR glory days. Mine hapen to go back more years than most. I remember going to bed with a transistor and listening to the New sound of rockabilly...which led into rock and roll. Riding in my dad's car with rock blasting. Tough to get radio in the dorm at MTSC (later U) but when we were in the car..finding something. I do take exception with Scott...yea I remember John R and Hoss and Herman and Gene. I worked with them. I listened to them sometimes, but they were not the leading sound here. rock and live people, whether Dick Kent when he was stuck in the station (MAK) because of the snow and his relief coundn't get in. The coverage from most stations when a major Nashville hotel burned at Christmas or later when I was able to take part in many of the leading news stories like major storms and tornadoes, a navy jet crashing into Antioch, the trial of a former governor, or country music and the people I was priviledged to meet are all included MY glory days. They were fun..they were live, mistakes happened and we just went on. The time was delivered...not just 12 past the hour because the announcer is in some city miles away. When news happened, you tuned to nearly any station in town and got a version of it, according to their staffing and equipment.
Youngsters today will have memories of whatever they're listening to...and where, Ipod, satellite, local radio. But it's their glory days they'll be discussing in years to come. Not mine, not yours.
I don't critcize yours....leave mine alone.

 

[Mayberry]

Buddy, I never got to meet you when I worked in Nashville, but I heard about you before, during and after. YOU are one of the reasons there are Glory Days to talk about.

 

[Evangelist]

I think Buddy has nailed it.

I guess my "glory days" in Nashville radio were my second stint at WLAC and my first time at Metro Networks, which overlapped 1994-1999. From '95 to '97, I worked at both. It was a great period in which I worked with some talented people.

My most recent stint at 'LAC was also good. I was privileged to once again be a part of a good morning news program. It's a shame they repeated their mistake of not giving all-news in the morning enough time to build and maintain its audience. I got to work with some good folks on that last go round, including Buddy himself.

 

[RealTime]

bring back BiscuitHead!

 

[junebaby62]

i'm so tired of hearing all them names of DJ's from the 60's and 70's. whats so special about them? Times have changed since then and the DJ's now are so much better than back then.

 

[jackshell]

You are out of your mind.

Go to http://www.reelradio.com.

Listen to REAL radio talent, and then tell me that today's talent is better.

Today's talent is good in their own right because the industry has changed and "talent" has evolved, but the real glory days of music radio are forever lost. Really, who do you listen to in Nashville that is "fun" to listen to on the air, and you make an appointment to listen to THAT dee-jay's show everyday?

The days of the music radio entertainer, the dee-jay, the cool, memorable guy/girl on the radio, are over... forever.

We are now left with music hosts, which are not the same as a radio dee-jay (and I hate it when it's spelled like that).

Once upon a time, you'd do a shift and be exhausted from prep, comedy, phoners, bits, wits, segues, memos (from your PD/consultants), and too much caffeine (and maybe nicotine... or some other smokable substance) that when you came home you either needed a drink or a nap. Today's "bold new breed" don't require either. Computer automation has made it all too easy.

Over the weekend, I indulged in my aircheck collection and got really heavy into some great 70s, 80s, and early 90s CHR checks. Those really were the days. The voicetrackers and computer babysitters of today will never go home wiped out after an airshift. I mean... a wiped the #$!* out kind of airshift. Doing a real, live, you-segue-your-own-songs, you-hit-the-sweepers/jingles-live, kind of airshift used to require copious amounts of wit and energy. I know that if I went home tired, I knew I did a good passable show. I am sure others can relate.

Those days are gone forever... over a long time ago. Oh yeah.

 

[Journeyman]

Once upon a time, you'd do a shift and be exhausted from prep, comedy, phoners, bits, wits, segues, memos (from your PD/consultants), and too much caffeine (and maybe nicotine... or some other smokable substance) that when you came home you either needed a drink or a nap. Today's "bold new breed" don't require either. Computer automation has made it all too easy.
ys are gone forever... over a long time ago. Oh yeah.

Preach on brother... and Tina Delgado is Alive! Alive! (12 brownie points to anybody out there who gets the reference)

 

[romer979fm]

If you don't know about Tina DelGado...you must leave the room!
and we'll all get "fractious" on Friday...