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Nelson Multimedia WJDK-FM, WSQR-FM, WCSJ-AM/FM, WSPY-AM/FM

M

Midwest Only

Guest
Nelson Multimedia WJDK-FM, WSQR-FM, WCSJ-AM/FM, WSPY-AM/FM

Anyone have recent dealings with Nelson Multimedia (WJDK-FM, WSQR-FM, WCSJ-AM/FM, WSPY-AM/FM)? Is Larry Nelson still calling the shots or has he retired? Is the staff treated well (compensated...etc...yes, I know it is small market)? What is the GM Beth Pierre like...good to work for? Feel free to email me if you don't want to post here.

[email protected]
 
Re: Nelson Multimedia WJDK-FM, WSQR-FM, WCSJ-AM/FM, WSPY-AM/FM

In my opinion this is Bottom-feeder radio. Many chiefs and few Indians...meaning the place is basically ran by the family. Larry (aka Boss Hogg as he is referred to) is still there...but is trying to step back for his kids...which causes conflict...one family member telling staffers to do something only to be countered by another family member. IMHO...the GM is a figurehead role...the family pulls the strings and micro manages. Boss Hogg is someone to stay away from in my opinion...only heartache and frustration will come working with them. Nice enough facilities considering the marketsize...but, IMHO it is the inmates running the asylum.
 
Re: Nelson Multimedia WJDK-FM, WSQR-FM, WCSJ-AM/FM, WSPY-AM/FM

About year ago I was on the beach. Saw that WSPY was looking for a morning host so I applied (knowing full well of Boss Hog's reputation as an unethical piece of trash). During the interview I was asked "where do you want to be in 5 years?". I replied....on the air doing great radio...preferably at WGN. You would have thought I had asked for Hitler's phone number. It just sucked the air out of the room. I had insulted them with my reply. The nerve of me aspiring to work for WGN "The NEW YORK YANKEES OF RADIO". Boss Hog told me the previous guy had left after only 6 months and that he wants someone to stay forever and blah blah blah. We had also disagreed on overall philosophy. I believe in a consistant, clean format with a target audience and their FM is cluttered with Cow and Corn reports, tons of sports, 7 minute stopsets, and female targeted AC music.

Very nice facility, lots of nepotism, horrible logo.

The most important thing for me when I apply for a gig is philosophy.

Good luck to you!
 
Re: Nelson Multimedia WJDK-FM, WSQR-FM, WCSJ-AM/FM, WSPY-AM/FM

Great info Dying...thanks for sharing. Were you interviewed by the whole family or was it solo with Boss Hogg? They seem to like to interview people like the Spanish Inquisition. Was the pay decent or something like thirteen hundred a month?
 
Re: Nelson Multimedia WJDK-FM, WSQR-FM, WCSJ-AM/FM, WSPY-AM/FM

You're correct. It was Inquisition style. Did you have the same experience?

For me it was 5 on one side and me on the other. If Uncle Lar had a gavel it would have been like a Senate sub commitee. I recall telling them I wanted 28,000 a year, 100 per remote and 5 bucks per live read. I had asked them what they had bugeted but they didn't reveal that. I'm not sure what they pay. Beth emailed me after the interview seeking more audio from a talk show I had hosted. I sent some files back and I never heard from them again. They eventually hired someone. Did he leave already?

Keep the faith! Radio is still a lot of fun.
 
Re: Nelson Multimedia WJDK-FM, WSQR-FM, WCSJ-AM/FM, WSPY-AM/FM

Dying,
$5 per live read - in Plano? That wouldn't even happen in Lafayette, IN.

To an owner manager your post is quite humorous. Today, most radio is big corps or what you call "bottom feeder." Why use you, if they can go satellite?

The "inquisition" interview is because they ALL have to work with you. It is quite common is other industries, like health care. Lots of people are looking, so the inquisitors can be picky.

In a closely held place in the midwest, farm markets can go in between the format music without difficulty. It's not WGN-it's Plano. I think SPY beats wgn (as did my stations).

Glad you are having fun.
 
Re: Nelson Multimedia WJDK-FM, WSQR-FM, WCSJ-AM/FM, WSPY-AM/FM

Prais,

Quit haulin’ water for big business. You do sound like a corporate weenie boy. WSPY beats WGN??? Now that is funny.

I didn’t refer to them as bottom feeder. You need to read my post and react to what I write.

Try not to think so small. Look at the big picture and don’t be so defeatist. Kendall County is exploding with urban sprawl. I worked in Lafayette IN for 3 years and we sold live reads on the morning show for 25 dollars. Sales reps get the commission, jock gets 5 bucks, and the station gets 20. Everybody is happy and everybody wins! It’s called teamwork….Working together to achieve a common goal. On my current morning show I do the same thing. 1 live read per half hour, 25 bucks per and I get 5. Life is good.

So you think it is wise to talk about pigs and then into a Celine Dion song and then broadcast sports? Good luck with that.

Your argument isn’t even compelling. Challenge me next time.

Good luck Prais and I hope your stations have (or had) a target audience. If you’d like me to consult for you I only charge $2,000 per month.
 
Re: Nelson Multimedia WJDK-FM, WSQR-FM, WCSJ-AM/FM, WSPY-AM/FM

Dying said; "Quit haulin’ water for big business. You do sound like a corporate weenie boy."

Nope, No weenie. I owned the pig - 4 of them. Actually, I owned 4 stations, all with farm markets in between the music, then sold them
(in the 80's). Then, I owned a couple of funeral homes, sold them, and now, work for God.

"Water Hauling" forr ME? Nope. Ownership made my family and I, a
million two, so now, I'm just counting and watchin' the world go by.

Whoever is not looking for a way out of radio now, is very stupid, If you have to work for a doofus like "Boss Hog, it's over. Sell insurance. It's a much better business.
 
Re: Nelson Multimedia WJDK-FM, WSQR-FM, WCSJ-AM/FM, WSPY-AM/FM

If I were you I would be happy to work for a small mom and pop vs. the corporate giants like Cumulus. The only problem with mom and pops is when the kids get old enough to get in the mix. Most of the time they don't have a clue of what it takes to keep a good thing going. Another good example of that is what happened up the road in Aurora when the younger Salter sisters decided to take over. That was the beginning of the end.
 
Re: Nelson Multimedia WJDK-FM, WSQR-FM, WCSJ-AM/FM, WSPY-AM/FM

Dying_Industry said:
Prais,

Quit haulin’ water for big business. You do sound like a corporate weenie boy. WSPY beats WGN??? Now that is funny.

I didn’t refer to them as bottom feeder. You need to read my post and react to what I write.

Try not to think so small. Look at the big picture and don’t be so defeatist. Kendall County is exploding with urban sprawl. I worked in Lafayette IN for 3 years and we sold live reads on the morning show for 25 dollars. Sales reps get the commission, jock gets 5 bucks, and the station gets 20. Everybody is happy and everybody wins! It’s called teamwork….Working together to achieve a common goal. On my current morning show I do the same thing. 1 live read per half hour, 25 bucks per and I get 5. Life is good.

So you think it is wise to talk about pigs and then into a Celine Dion song and then broadcast sports? Good luck with that.

Your argument isn’t even compelling. Challenge me next time.

Good luck Prais and I hope your stations have (or had) a target audience. If you’d like me to consult for you I only charge $2,000 per month.
Click to expand...

If this is the attitude you showed in the interview, I'm not the least bit surprised you didn't get called back.

What number market are you in now?
 
Re: Nelson Multimedia WJDK-FM, WSQR-FM, WCSJ-AM/FM, WSPY-AM/FM

Thanks rk.
I thought that, but if I had SAID that, he ould have spit on me some more.
Peace!
 
Re: Nelson Multimedia WJDK-FM, WSQR-FM, WCSJ-AM/FM, WSPY-AM/FM

Prais said:
Thanks rk.
I thought that, but if I had SAID that, he ould have spit on me some more.
Peace!
Click to expand...

<shrug>

I understand personality is (or WAS) important in radio, but strength of personality is important in my business as well. I can tell you, if someone interviewed with me like that, not only would he/she be shown the door, I'd be sure to tell him/her exactly why.

Asking someone for a job is NOT the time to cop attitude.
 
Re: Nelson Multimedia WJDK-FM, WSQR-FM, WCSJ-AM/FM, WSPY-AM/FM

Thanks to those who have responded to this post and to those who have contacted me.

Being interviewed by a panel I am certain can be intimidating to most. I have encountered these in the past at a couple of places...and usually it was a place that was owned and operated by family members and an "outsider" (non family member) was being hired. One place I was OM at (a company that did not have family members as staffers), we did a panel interview on rare occasions...when we hired a Chief Engineer and once with a morning show hire. This panel interviewing technique is not limited to broadcast companies, some other types of operations will use a panel to interview...ie. some Fire and Police Departments do this for telecommunicator positions...for they need to know how a person will react under pressure/mission critical environments. Thanks again for the posts and information!
 
Re: Nelson Multimedia WJDK-FM, WSQR-FM, WCSJ-AM/FM, WSPY-AM/FM

Midwest Only said:
Thanks to those who have responded to this post and to those who have contacted me.

Being interviewed by a panel I am certain can be intimidating to most. I have encountered these in the past at a couple of places...and usually it was a place that was owned and operated by family members and an "outsider" (non family member) was being hired. One place I was OM at (a company that did not have family members as staffers), we did a panel interview on rare occasions...when we hired a Chief Engineer and once with a morning show hire. This panel interviewing technique is not limited to broadcast companies, some other types of operations will use a panel to interview...ie. some Fire and Police Departments do this for telecommunicator positions...for they need to know how a person will react under pressure/mission critical environments. Thanks again for the posts and information!
Click to expand...

The folks also have a Permit in Casa Grande, AZ (South of Phoenix) for a new AM and are moving their AM in Green Valley, AZ(South of Tucson) right into Tucson.
 
Re: Nelson Multimedia WJDK-FM, WSQR-FM, WCSJ-AM/FM, WSPY-AM/FM

I was going over some books as I was packing tonight and found one I had fogotten in my library and could be a good read for anyone interested in Northern Illinois/burbs radio. Book is dated...but has plenty of history in it. It was published in the mid to late 90s and is titled, "Valley Voices A Radio History" by John Russell Ghrist. The book has a section on the Larry Nelson and WSPY and Sycamore. Might be a fun read for those here who are posting about Larry Nelson and WSPY ;D
 
Re: Nelson Multimedia WJDK-FM, WSQR-FM, WCSJ-AM/FM, WSPY-AM/FM

Dying_Industry said:
Are you two guys gonna make out now? Cause I can leave if you want.
Click to expand...

So? What number market are you in now? I asked a simple question. You're in the business, you should be proud of that!

So what number market are you in now?
 
Re: Nelson Multimedia WJDK-FM, WSQR-FM, WCSJ-AM/FM, WSPY-AM/FM

Well,

Mr Dying,

Since Midwest Ony brought it up, I hope you will allow another positive book recommendation as you continue to seek work;

Someone with your obvious personality deficits, that have been noted well by earlier posters here, may greatly benefit from reading Dale Carnegie, "How to Win Friends and Influence People." It is a definitive work.

Those unfortunate folks who must regularly deal with you could notice a great improvement in your present disrespectful attitude.

Sincere best of luck to you.
 
Re: Nelson Multimedia WJDK-FM, WSQR-FM, WCSJ-AM/FM, WSPY-AM/FM

I applied by various contacts... I am curious and would love to sit with five in a room.. You can get a great idea of what is expected and be more up front.... I saw the TV & Radio Jobs listing and sent an email with my full background and then was sent a nice return email with an Adobe Acrobat file to print and fill out and fax back... I did and sent a WAV file on "CD"... I am at the age that a nice suburban/small town station might fit a 50 year old.... They're mom and pop... I used to dread that type of radio, but with the recent success of several of my mature radio mentors with small AM's and FM's in outer counties around Arbitron markets, I see the fun in farm reports, local sports (I do play by play and referee at the high school and college level).... I need to hear them to really see if I'd be a fit.... I've got to work until I am 70 to have a decent retirement, and hope I am still healthy, hip and relevant to an aging country in twenty years... I am single, again with no kids and if the compensation can pay the bills and put some back for retirement and the group allows community involvement and civic activity... I'd love it..... Geez, after a ten year break from fulltime radio, community-smaller market radio is about the only thing with some localism.... Who knows????
 
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