New Morning "Show" on WWBX B97 Bangor

[popman]

From All Access
Brooks Does Mornings On Bangor's 'B97'

Joey Brooks
CLEAR CHANNEL Top 40/Mainstream WWBX (B97)/BANGOR, ME PD CHRIS DUGGAN checks in with ALL ACCESS to announce that JOEY BROOKS will voicetrack mornings on the station. BROOKS also continues in afternoons on Top 40/Mainstream sister WIOQ (Q102)/PHILADELPHIA.

At B97 BROOKS replaces syndicated morning talent and KIIS/LOS ANGELES afternoon driver VALENTINE, whose last day in mornings on WWBX was WEDNESDAY (9/20).

 

[PaulBWalkerJr]

Whoever came up with the idea of voicetracking the morning show in a big FM station in a decent sized market is a moron.

 

[argytunes]

More than likely...the person responsible for creating the "morning voice tracking" on the big FM....was the station accountant!

argytunes

 

[Schuyler]

Whoever came up with the idea of voicetracking the morning show in a big FM station in a decent sized market is a moron.

Not to nitpick, but the person who came up with that idea was a greedy S.O.B. The legistlators who approved the Telecommunicatins Act of 1996 were morons.

 

[argytunes]

:

Paul...

If you honestly think about it....and I know you're very knowledgeable when it comes to radio...haven't there been a lot of GREEDY S.O.B's connected with the business over the past several decades?

Voice tracking basically took "the personality" and the occasional gliches that used to be present in live radio in order to provide more room for (WHAT ELSE)...MORE COMMERCIALS!

argytunes

 

[PaulBWalkerJr]

I jus tcan't see a morning show in a "big" town like Bangor being voicetracked and oing very well.

However, I guess they're paying him about 75 percent less theyd pay a full time jock, hes talking less.. and therefore, more commercials.. so ok....

 

[Nelz]

It's the equivalent to "throwing in the towel." It's great for us across the penobbie. ;D

 

[toongrl]

Hi Nelz...
I think the place across the Penobbie needs to hire Cindy Michaels.
Miss ya!

 

[Nelz]

Hey Toon Grl,

Right back at ya! Where are ya?

Cindy Michaels is a great talent. Openings are rare anywhere. I fell into my job at EZQ totally by chance. Since that time, they've cut back.

Cindy is a single woman (last I knew). She actually belongs in a larger market, or should be doing voice work on a regular basis for national products. I'm glad she didn't sign the non-compete. It's the dumbest thing ever created, not to mention that it's absurd for small markets. I'd take CC to court...I'd raise such a stink, they'd smell it back in San Antonio.

nelz

 

[cooper]

Nelz/Toongrl,
Perhaps a nice thought, but..... As I hear it, those who sue tend to end up blackballed. Illegal? Yes. But it does stil happen.

 

[popman]

I vote for get hired then sue them for wrongful termination! ;D

 

[argytunes]

From one who had to go this route ("suing for wrongful termination" at the risk of losing his job) several years ago....getting reinstated, and remaining at the same broadcast facility that tried to let me go for AN ADDITIONAL 5 years....I can only tell you that there are a few Maine Broadcasters who find it impossible to "get over a grudge from the past?"

Even if that grudge is MORE THAN 20 YEARS OLD!

I won't bother 'name dropping'---since one of the 'offenders' is still connected with the Portland Radio Market. But I'd be curious to know if there were other other "talented broadcasters" barred from the airwaves because of his insensitivity? [or should I just be blunt and use the words: HIS STUPIDITY?].

argytunes

 

[toongrl]

Argytunes...
The 'offender' that you are referring to....is this an individual that has not gotten over a grudge or is the 'offender' the individual that fired Cindy Michaels?

Also...If someone is blackballed for standing up for what they believe is right for their lives, then so be the blackballing. To sign a noncompete agreement without the guarantee of employment is absurd. You just back yourself in a corner at their mercy. And if you decide to sign ...then get fired...then go to work with another radio station before your 'wait' time is up....they will take YOU to court and try and make you pay the attorney fees and whatever else they can get out of you. Either way you are screwed.
I am told that noncompetes can be enforced in the state of Maine.

 

[dabutler]

Cindy is a top talent, I wish we could offer her more here than fill in work. ANY RADIO STATION LOOKING FOR AN AWESOME DEDICATED AIR TALENT would be smart to get Cindy on board. Our years working at B97 togeather were the highlight of my CC expirence.

 

[argytunes]

:-\

Hi toongrl...

I'm not sure if the 'offender' I referenced earlier had any connection with the firing of Cindy Michaels? [I've never worked with her so I really don't know---sorry]!

I DO know that the PD who fired me ignored an AFTRA contract clause. By "bouncing me out of the building'---C was trying to score a few points with the (now former) GM of the radio station....whose intention was to break up AFTRA in order to save a few pennies? Apparently, the station (I worked for) was the only AFTRA signatory at the time...so I guess my firing was "a test case" to see if the union could be eliminated?

Anyway...I was out of work for 5 months (except for several part-time emergencies when I was paid an hourly wage comparable to an on-air part-timer until the arbitration hearing was held. The arbitrator felt the radio station was wrong in letting me go since there were several part-timers on the payroll who were not covered by the union. Our contract clearly stated that "in the event of a staff cutback, ALL part-timers/non union on-air personnel had to be 'let go' before any AFTRA member! Management had chosen to ignore this portion of the agreement. So I was reinstated and reimbursed with 5 months of back pay!

When the contract was renewed the following year...I became the shop steward!

I think most of us who are or have been connected radio or television...(whether we're covered by a union contract or agree to a non-compete clause) just want to GO IN AND DO OUR JOBS for the station(s) we work for? Regrettably, there are a still few 'management types' who think it's more fun to "mess with our heads" irregardless of how hard we work our 'butts' off for the broadcast station (or group) that employs us?

argytunes

 

[Erie_Lackawanna]

:-\

(snip)

..whose intention was to break up AFTRA in order to save a few pennies? Apparently, the station (I worked for) was the only AFTRA signatory at the time...so I guess my firing was "a test case" to see if the union could be eliminated?

(snip)

When the contract was renewed the following year...I became the shop steward!

(snip)

and just how long after you became shop steward and held negotiations with the NEW owners/management team did the union bust up??? you were actually present at a contract negotiation, as shop steward, with the NEW regime (Taylor Communications) and watched as a union member (part-time at the time but none the less a dues-paying member) was asked to leave the negotiations. it came down to the basics of 2 dues-paying AFTRA members not equalling a "shop." (u & dickie) iirc, you worked for the new, non-union workplace for a time. but not through any fault of your efforts - you gave it a valiant try. also, iirc, your initial grievance was not over part-timers being let go first - you had solid ground on the fact that you were laid off out of shop seniority as the contract did not include the language designating union talent by department (on-air, programming vs on-air, production). GGBS thought they had eliminated your "production" position, but the contract provided no such breakdown for union talent. it was by that fact that you had the most valid argument. the language in every union contract is such that part-time employees may not be used to reduce the full-time, union workforce.

 

[BangBang]

Cindy is a top talent, I wish we could offer her more here than fill in work. ANY RADIO STATION LOOKING FOR AN AWESOME DEDICATED AIR TALENT would be smart to get Cindy on board. Our years working at B97 togeather were the highlight of my CC expirence.

Hey, DaButler! I agree that Cindy is the cream-of-the-crop, talent-wise ... but I thought I was the highlight of your CC experience!

 

[argytunes]

Erie...

You sound a little bitter with your latest response to me. If you wish to defend a Program Director (now a GM) who wouldn't rehire you until you "begged for your old job" back....I guess you feel you need to be loyal???

Personally...I DON'T share that sort of loyalty for a PD or GM who puts his own ambition ahead of the radio station (or group) he works for! But that's a point on which you and I differ GREATLY!

Taylor Communications drove the union out because so many union members had left! The Taylor people had no desire to keep A.F.T.R.A. going and most of the key players like B.S., J.M. and D.H. had little incentive to stay! Actually, the 3 of 'em made more than the A.F.T.R.A. minimum.

So the remaining announcers who weren't union members, but still performed on-air work didn't wish to keep A.F.T.R.A. going.

If you're gonna 'slam dunk' me on the board...you might want to concede that in spite of CRS's intentions to prove that I wasn't a "regular announcer"---my voice was featured on at least 25% of the commercials and promos that GGBS aired from 1980 to mid 1983 and after that, close to 50% for Taylor communications.

So if you count nights, weekends, sports events, etc...this was more "on-air exposure than the morning and afternoon drive guys COMBINED!

argytunes

 

[Erie_Lackawanna]

Erie...

You sound a little bitter with your latest response to me.
(Snip)
If you're gonna 'slam dunk' me on the board...you might want to concede that in spite of CRS's intentions to prove that I wasn't a "regular announcer"---my voice was featured on at least 25% of the commercials and promos that GGBS aired from 1980 to mid 1983 and after that, close to 50% for Taylor communications.

So if you count nights, weekends, sports events, etc...this was more "on-air exposure than the morning and afternoon drive guys COMBINED!

argytunes

i did not "slam dunk" in regards to the loss of position - i fully agreed that you got screwed. i'm merely pointing out that your original "lay off" was based, by management, on department - and that they were wrong in doing that as the contract did not specify "departments" for on-air union talent. if anything, i was merely trying to clarify the idea that you put forth - that GGBS was trying to usurp the union with part-timers, which they did not do. no part-timer was hired to take over your old production duties. if they needed to eliminate a position, they should have whacked the last-hired union on-air talent (midday guy, post-McGary). your contention that GGBS was trying to knock out the union, i feel, is unfounded. the subsequent owners of 560/102.9 were indeed very forthright in bringing in new people who were very openly discouraged from joining the union. i know this as a first-hand fact.
and, fwiw - the same pd who pulled the lever on your gig was responsible for having me launched from a job, too. one needs to learn to pick one's battles carefully, and it's never, ever a good idea to burn a bridge.

 

[argytunes]

Erie...

It's certainly NEVER my intention to "burn a bridge"....but I think there's a very fine line (in this market anyway) between striking a match...and relating truth that certain broadcasters (past and present) don't wish to hear?

The majority find it easier to IGNORE a problem (and we're talking everything from programming to sales and traffic)...than correct it!

Non-related...but I caught your Morning show on my way into Portland Wednesday and Thursday. Who is the terrific lady doing the entertainment news segment? SHE'S GREAT!

'Flip Flash' would be very envious of her...if he was still doing the daily "Hollywood Showbiz News" reports locally.

argytunes