I've worked at a few radio stations in this county off and on over the years. Yes, I went through the "I want to be a star" thing, and the "I think I know more than the owners and managers" thing. I grew up and started to see more clearly. One place I never stop visiting is WJSB/WAAZ in Crestview. I consider it a privilege to be able to walk in that door and to be treated like a friend. When I see all the improvements made to the facilities, I feel proud for Jimmy Whitaker. Also, it bothers me to think that one day Jimmy might give in to all the offers he has to sell. If I had millions to spend, I'd buy that station and have it run by someone close to Jimmy... someone who knows exactly how he'd want it done after he retires. No, that would not be me. But I'd be stopping by to drink coffee and listen to stories . . . with respect.
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Okaloosa Radio
- Thread starter sidedoor
- Start date
AMEN! I used to work for WSB in Atlanta for the Braves Network. We got calls complaining that Jimmy was talking during the games questioning Bobby Cox moves...who of us hadn't. I had to call him and tell him he couldn't do that. He said ok, but the next time you are down this way, you better stop in and say hello. Well I did, and by the time I left, I wanted to go to work for him!
Always right behind ya, CCENG. Happy New Year ` sir!!!
Comments about Jimmy Whitaker have been made on this board for a number of years and I think virtually nothing but "wow" have been the overall comments. It's only fitting that we go into 2010 with more kind
words about this fine gentleman. Radiopro, there was this time that I stopped by to see Jimmy and these
three corporate tools in suits were standing outside the station smoking and plotting their attack. One of
them threw a cigarette out on the ground and I told the clown that he'd better pick up that cigarette butt if he knew what was best for him (okay, I knew two of them from various FWB/Destin radio run-ins ~ all positive
so we kind of laughed it off.) I went in and didn't stay long so JW could meet with them. He had warned me they were going to buy his station and that I better watch out (again, more of his good natured humor.) I
left and didn't give it much thought until I ran into one of the suits in a restaurant a few months later. He told me that the suit with the smokes and attitude had been fired because he said he could steal WAAZ from "that hick" and of course HE FAILED. Best part of the story (and I have to believe it was true.) When Jimmy finished this "meeting" and was standing there being the consumate gentleman, shook their hands and
thanked them for coming to see him and then handed that cigarette butt back to the suit and said something like "I doubt I'll see any of your butts around here again." Funny thing, my source told me they don't know how Jimmy got that cigarette butt, since he was with the three inside the building until that point. I never asked Jimmy about that, but it seems totally possible. Other good stories: "why does a man need 100kw on
the damn beach when most of it is heard by a bunch of damn fish...it's a waste of energy" or other FCC stories that his dad dealt with are priceless. Add some more CW!
Comments about Jimmy Whitaker have been made on this board for a number of years and I think virtually nothing but "wow" have been the overall comments. It's only fitting that we go into 2010 with more kind
words about this fine gentleman. Radiopro, there was this time that I stopped by to see Jimmy and these
three corporate tools in suits were standing outside the station smoking and plotting their attack. One of
them threw a cigarette out on the ground and I told the clown that he'd better pick up that cigarette butt if he knew what was best for him (okay, I knew two of them from various FWB/Destin radio run-ins ~ all positive
so we kind of laughed it off.) I went in and didn't stay long so JW could meet with them. He had warned me they were going to buy his station and that I better watch out (again, more of his good natured humor.) I
left and didn't give it much thought until I ran into one of the suits in a restaurant a few months later. He told me that the suit with the smokes and attitude had been fired because he said he could steal WAAZ from "that hick" and of course HE FAILED. Best part of the story (and I have to believe it was true.) When Jimmy finished this "meeting" and was standing there being the consumate gentleman, shook their hands and
thanked them for coming to see him and then handed that cigarette butt back to the suit and said something like "I doubt I'll see any of your butts around here again." Funny thing, my source told me they don't know how Jimmy got that cigarette butt, since he was with the three inside the building until that point. I never asked Jimmy about that, but it seems totally possible. Other good stories: "why does a man need 100kw on
the damn beach when most of it is heard by a bunch of damn fish...it's a waste of energy" or other FCC stories that his dad dealt with are priceless. Add some more CW!
It is a rarity to find a station in this day and age like WAAZ. I've enjoyed listening when I'm in the fringe of the listening area, and only hope I can tune in without hearing a corporate clone of CC or Cumulus anytime soon. In the past 10 years I've been addicted to radio, I have witnessed several small town stations lose the battle and give in to regional or national conglomerates which rebrand the station and ultimately result in forever losing it's identity. This is one of the few 100K local small town stations I can think of, and hopefully it will continue to be one of them. Really, the only thing I dislike about the station is there is no website w/ a listen link.
-Travis
-Travis
- Status
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