Pastrick Gone at 'HTT!

[jandersonn]

Excuse my Rob...excuse me Sir....you both have no idea the issues I have with "Mr. Pastrick" This is just one of those beautiful swings of the wheel in the universe that makes one believe that justice sometimes prevails. Spare me your "the business cut down another solid talent" junk. Jimmy stepped on many.....sometimes you kick the gong....and sometimes the gong kicks you

 

[Steven21]

Jimmy stepped on many.....sometimes you kick the gong....and sometimes the gong kicks you

I had to laugh at this.

I cannot think of anyone I know in this business who has ever been in any position of authority or responsability, who hasn't done what some would consider "stepping" on some others toes or otherwise.

Hate to say it, but most I know who HAVEN'T done this to any degree, are VERY popular in the bizz right now---because they usually make close to minimum wage.

 

[Savage]

We've all (well, those who didn't stay mired at the minimum-wage level) had to on occasion in radio, discipline, suspend or fire somebody. It's never a pleasant experience. All of us, be it on the giving or receiving end, would prefer to be something happier. But from time to time, change in our business is inevitable and on frequent occasions is a healthy thing. It's part of the process of strengthening the organization, putting together the best team for the greater good. Usually it's literally in EVERYONE'S best interests. Keeping somebody on board who isn't a good fit is unfair both to the station and the individual. If you keep an ill-performing person aboard, worst of all to protect "their feelings," chaos results. Everyone has to clean up after the failing employee, plus it's unfair to the individual. They might actually succeed somewhere else if you cut them loose.

True radio professionals learn from their failures and move on, using what they've learned to grow and succeed at their next gig. OTOH, the dipsticks store away the resentment and collect interest on it, compounded over the years, and vent it as a bitter future complaint about "being stepped on" by somebody. (Whatever the hell THAT means.)

Take the kick-Jim-while-he's-VERY-temporarily-down comments at face value. It's just another nasty little self-centered song in the key of Mi, Mi, Mi, Mi.....

BTW: the sentiments expressed in paragraph #1 do NOT apply to the wholesale furloughs of entire staffs of professionals because ownership/management failed to put together a financial model which isn't self-immolating insanity.

 

[Jim Cummings]

I worked with Jim for many years. What really pissed me off was his racist off-air views. He always referred to a very popular Buffalo radio personality (who happened to be Jewish) as L.N.J.B., which according to Pastrick stood for Long Nose J*w Boy. He is entitled to his opinions but that never sat well with me. You can flame me all you want but that is the God's honest truth.

 

[Steven21]

I worked with Jim for many years. What really pissed me off was his racist off-air views. He always referred to a very popular Buffalo radio personality (who happened to be Jewish) as L.N.J.B., which according to Pastrick stood for Long Nose J*w Boy. He is entitled to his opinions but that never sat well with me. You can flame me all you want but that is the God's honest truth.

Please.

True or not, how can we take seriously anyone who cannot distinguish between racism and antisemitism?

 

[Steven21]

Buy the way....

I've worked with people over the years who hadn't a prejudiced bone in their body and would even call out those who actually discriminated based on such differences, BUT would also on occasion make remarks that, if analized in print, would make them sound racist or antisemitic. There is a provocative and edgy type discourse that many engage in, that is now highly scrutinized in this age of PC. Ironically, some of those I've met who were the most vocal in making fun of certain groups, were memebers OF those groups. So spare me.

We can't all be as serious and principled as you.

Thank God.

 

[Brian_J]

That Pastrick Guy

Wow. That rat-bastard Pastrick is a racist? Let me tell you about that Pastrick guy.

Did he ever come after you with a hammer?

It was 1975, and I worked for Pastrick in Utica, NY, at WBVM, a kilowatt daytimer. There I am, doing the mid-day show - the ONLY full shift on the station during most of the year. I snap the mic off after going into a stopset, and this madman bursts into the studio wielding a HAMMER. Then he goes on a rant about "2 minutes into a stopset" and "diarrhea of the mouth" and "SIX elements going into a stopset?" and blah-blah-blah. Man, you'd think that I'd stopped the entire momentum of the station, and personally encouraged half the audience to tune out.

If you know Pastrick, and if you've ever met me, you're probably wondering "why the hammer"? It's not like Pastrick would need a prop for dramatic effect, or that he might need to get my FULL attention.

He DEMANDS that I tighten up, become more succint, PLAN my breaks ahead of time, and maybe ever REHEARSE. The NERVE of that guy. Just because he rescued me from Dunkirk, NY, you'd think that I OWED him something.

I worked for him for two years. You want to know what Pastrick did to me? He taught me to be so good that I had the #1 mid-day show in Utica on KILOWATT DAYTIMER. He forced me to sharpen my production techniques, learn how to do remotes, and even talked me into helping him create a production studio - which meant punching a hole through three layers of brick with a star drill and a sledge hammer.

I won't even begin to tell you the story of what happened when the base of the tower went under water during a flood on the Mohawk River.

If it wasn't for Pastrick, I would never have moved up the ladder, ending up with a pretty successful run at WPhD a few years later. I probably would have been out of radio years sooner, or knocking around the bush leagues thinking I knew what I was doing.

Who does he think he is, demanding excellence. Just because he demands that of himself, you think that gives him the right to ask you to "be all you can be" when he's your boss? I don't think I ever missed a day of work when he was my boss, and I probably learned something new from him every freakin' day.

Jim Pastrick, RACIST. Wow. I've known him for damn near 40 years, and I had NO idea. I've worked for him, and with him, during the best of times, and during the worst of times, and I had NO idea. I've seen him deal with a LOT of people, in a LOT of situations, and I had NO idea. I wonder if Jeff Kaye - who considers Jim a friend - knows? I'm guessing that there are a TON of people who know Jim well that never realized what he's REALLY like.

Thank heavens that "Jim Cummings" is around to straighten us all out.

And, "jandersonn", I feel your pain. That Pastrick can be SO demanding. Geez, he expects you to show up, do the job, be sober, pay attention, and maybe ever LEARN something. What a freakin' dictator. He even expects you to be HONEST with him, and act like a PROFESSIONAL.

You can bet that I'll be keeping a close eye on Pastrick from now on, thanks to you guys. Next time I'm out with him, having a beer, and STILL learning new things about radio, life, and people from him, I'll be sure to watch out for the things that you two have warned us about.

All these years I thought that he was a thorough professional, an incredible talent, one of the fairest people I know, and a great friend. Boy, I must be a chump. And I'm sure that I'm not the only one.

 

[qman]

Well said Walker Texas Ranger

 

[SirRoxalot]

Consider the Source

By my count, we've got about 30 people in favor of Jim Pastrick, and 2 who revel in his current difficulties. Most of the 30 are willing (or able) to sign their names. The other 2? Anonymous. It makes you wonder who else those 2 may have "issues" with?

Apparently Mr. Pastrick is not perfect. Damn, there goes his shot at sainthood. The charge that he's a "racist", however, is just plain BS.

Has Jim ever made an "inappropriate" remark? Probably. As have most of us. But tagging him as a "racist" is way over the top.

 

[shiftless]

I am Devistated! I am angry. This one hits my gut, and makes me utterely sick.Why doesn't Hager stick up for his jocks, didn't he fight this or was he afraid of losing his job. I am sure he feels probably as bad as we do.So I shouldn't remark, but who is to blame? there is someone on top that is making all the money.

 

[shiftless]

Jimmy stepped on many.....sometimes you kick the gong....and sometimes the gong kicks you

I had to laugh at this.

I cannot think of anyone I know in this business who has ever been in any position of authority or responsability, who hasn't done what some would consider "stepping" on some others toes or otherwise.

Hate to say it, but most I know who HAVEN'T done this to any degree, are VERY popular in the bizz right now---because they usually make close to minimum wage.

 

[OneDaySale]

Man I can't wait to hear what people say about me in 20 years....

....is it possible that Pastrick let himself go. I mean it seemed to me over the years he was looking to have less and less responsibility, or maybe he was more and more frustrated with the politics at citadel.

I really don't think this was a bad thing. I'm sure that it's actually a relief...

 

[Mark Giardina]

Man I can't wait to hear what people say about me in 20 years....

It is highly doubtful that radio, as we know it today, will be around in 20s years. So don't worry what people might say about you.

Remember the old adage that most people forget who was on the radio or television after six months.
I for one couldn't begin to provide you with a list of people I worked with who were either fired or left on their own.

 

[Element9]

This thread needs a rest. It's been nearly a week and we're still rehashing this. Good, bad or whatever, the guy's not on the radio anymore. Cummings and Andersonn are happy, I'm ambivilent, and some of the regulars are pissed off. Meanwhile Pastrick seems to have gone on with his life. He's posted here once, said thanks for the good words and hasn't jumped into the fray about his alledged anti-semitic remarks. Anybody have proof that he never hired somebody because they were black, Jewish, African American, Hispanic, Muslim? By the way, for the holier than thou Revenge of Karma types, ever accidentally or intentionally called somebody a Pollack? Dago? Ever drop the N word? Ever call somebody a Cracker or Honky; Sp*c? Towel Head, Sand Rat? G**k? Ever tell a joke that started with "Three *select the stereotype* walk into a bar..." Me? Guilty, but I never acted on those words. There are radio talk show hosts who use these words and take their opinions and words seriously. Islamo-Fascist = Muslim. World Banker = Jew. Fundamentalist = Christian.

Man I can't wait to hear what people say about me in 20 years... is it possible that Pastrick let himself go. I mean it seemed to me over the years he was looking to have less and less responsibility, or maybe he was more and more frustrated with the politics at citadel. I really don't think this was a bad thing. I'm sure that it's actually a relief...

Heard him at the Field House during Bills home games working the Bills pre-game shows on 97 Rock/The Edge. He did commercial production and Bills production and a five hour airshift. Worked on the air at 97 and 104. One of the part time tech guys told me he vacuumed the studio and shoveled the sidewalks just to help out the rest of the staff. Doesn't sound like less responsibility to me. Maybe's he's relieved, maybe he's got a life beyond radio.

 

[SirRoxalot]

I'll just say one more thing:

Anybody who can't tell the difference between the everyday irreverence that goes on in radio stations (and a LOT of other workplaces) and actual racism either:

A) never spent much time in a radio station, or

B) needs to get out more.

C) Both of the above.

 

[alw]

I'm not sure where the anti-semite bizness came from, but after about 40 years of friendship, I think I might have nosed out his hatred for me on those grounds.

Oh.... how I've been fooled!

alw
(juden)

 

[Rocco]

It is probably stupid to even contribute and continue this thread, but Pastrick a good guy and class act all the way around. If someone has had a bad experience with him, that's just what it is - a bad experience that one person had with him. To generalize something else about such a good guy - in and out of radio - is absurd.

What is actually worthy of conversation is what is happening to radio... in the same week I saw a guy who helped mentor me a little, a guy I grew up listening to get the ax... and then saw one of the few GREAT stations left taken down. This article is bittersweet - on one hand what a great, classic radio story... and now the station is gone.

http://www.laweekly.com/2009-01-22/columns/the-day-the-music-died

This business sucks.

 

[alw]

Ahhh Rocco.........the voice of reason!

Thanks for ending this crap.

 

[therealjm12]

I have to agree with what Brian J. Walker has said above but have to add I was the competitor to that 1,000 watt day timer in Utica. Working against Jim is like working against a 40 car freight train (another train reference) coming at you at 60 mph. It's not a place for a thin skinned or sensitive person. It made me admire Jim for his talent and knowledge. I would work for/with Jim anytime. It would be an education even at this advanced state. Good luck Jim. I know for you one door closes and another one opens up for you.

 

[val townsend]

long time lurker, first time poster..

I don't have a way to get in touch with Jim, so I hope he's still glancing at the boards every now and again.

Just wanted to say that I wish Jim well. He came to work every single day ready to bring it -- whether it was at Oldies 104 when I was part time slumming it at the Edge on Franklin Street, all the way to when we worked together at Mix. He is the *most* professional radio person I've ever met.

Jim it would be a pleasure to have you speak in one of my classes, if you feel up to telling the kids today that radio is still great, or to give a word of caution -- I'm always unbiased-ly honest with them, that's for sure!

If you want to get in touch, my un-business email is [email protected]. I hope to hear from you.

What's going down at Citadel, Clear Channel, Entercom, etc., is happening all over the country, regardless of your profession. I'm sure Jim wasn't let go because he wasn't wanted or needed --- recently we've seen a lot of talented people be cut by the bottom line. I'm sure that if I hadn't left for an outside-of-radio opportunity, I'd find myself in a similar spot -- either being pay-cut to death, or let go altogether.

It sure isn't a lack of talent or skill that's responsible for these layoffs...