People known to this board who have lost Radio jobs so far this year

[Skynet74]

I wouldn't even normally bother with such a topic, except for the fact that this summer has seen a surge in the amount of people who have been fired or have quit radio jobs. 3 people in August alone! If you know more than add them to the list. Does this represent a trend that more people are becoming frustrated with the business (or) do you think this is just an abnormal spike in unemployment?


Mike Sheridan - Metro traffic
Amy Hagan - WJZS
Keri Rodriques - WSAR
Erica Kay- formally Fun 107
Matt St. Peter - WCTK
Chris Whitten - WCTK
Brian Mulhern - from Coast
Steve Bianchi - from WJZS

 

[someplacesomewhere]

Several of those people left the jobs on their own, despite what has been said. Mike, Keri, Eric and Steve all voluntarily left, and only one or 2 quit due to thew direction radio was going. Erica fully expects to work in radio again, and I guarantee you so does Keri. So, no it does not. A few more people than usual left. And, acouple moved around, mainly at Metro, there are at least 2 new voices there.

 

[za-rex]

I thought it was mentioned that Amy Hagan is still at WJZS and was on vacation.
Also Robby Bridges voluntarily from WCTK. The WCTK PD probably unvoluntarily or mutually agreed upon.
Rick Everett unvoluntarily from Coast. David O'Leary voluntarily from Coast who probably saw the writing on the wall.
Yeah I think more people are getting frustrated with radio but mainly because they keep losing their jobs. It's always been the case that if you really are serious about your career you have to be ready to pull up roots when the ax falls. Now more than ever if you're on the beach and think you have options when it comes to Providence radio you're crazy. It's a bitter pill. Swallow it and move on.

 

[Moonstruck]

It used to be you could say that you could wait things out until the radio landscape changes but that isn't gonna happen either because any changes won't be for the better. I wonder if any of these people could end up back in Providence radio again. Bruce Palmer kind of lucked out. I could see Robby Bridges eventually ending up back here as a programmer. Matt and Chris are toast but Chris Whitten has his own DJ business to fall back on. I don't see where Mike Sheridan would have a problem getting a traffic job again if he wanted it. He's been out a while. Is he doing anything at all? As far as Brian Mulhern I just don't see it as he's almost pigeonholed in that humor oriented wiseacre sidekick type personality and no one seems to be hiring male sidekicks. HJY would have been the logical place but if they had room for him there it would've already happened. I honestly think unless you program then production is the way to go for more job security, especially if you have a home studio and can get some business of your own on the side.

 

[aqualung]

A little OT but along the lines of keeping your job is there a problem with older school radio people when it comes to doing more than just a show and cutting some spots? By older school I don't mean an age thing but more a mentality that you get paid to be on the air or use your voice in some way and that is it. Nowadays even bigger stations want multi tasking and there are off air duties having nothing to do with the show or spots. I wonder if some people are just stuck in the older school mentality and aren't about to do or really don't have the skills to do the other things like promotions, traffic, music scheduling, etc that stations want you to do. How many people in Providence radio or who have left still consider themselves to be radio personalities and nothing more? That could contribute to their downfall.

 

[jazzjock]

Mike Sheridan - Metro traffic
Amy Hagan - WJZS

Mike didnt lose a radio job, he left a radio job. It's subtle but there is a difference. I hope Mike enjoys not having to get up at 430am anymore!

Amy is on vacation, although Kenny, (who doesnt work for the station and has never been in the building in the 7 years I have been there) will tell you different! But that's because he has the ear of a friend of the programme director. I'm hurt I am not in that inner sanctum! I'm still waiting on the 'Amy has left the building and the company wishes her well' email.. When I get that I'll side with Ken!

Others to add to the list..

Kate Jennings - Kate decided to return to Australia with her husband..
Cindy Smith - Cindy left a few weeks after the format flip at WJZS

Oh and at Metro - Just to squash the rumour before it starts - Tina will be taking materinity leave later this month..

Happy Labour Day

Jazzy!

 

[Holy Cow!]

" I wonder if any of these people could end up back in Providence radio again. Bruce Palmer kind of lucked out. "

I just have to say this: Bruce Palmer didn't get lucky. I'm a firm believer that people create their own opportunities, either directly or indirectly. Bruce has adapted/morphed/built/diversified his continuing career. Through the years, Bruce has worked hard, swallowed his pride, been a 'team player,' done what he has to in order to stay rooted in the area with his family while maintaining an income in this increasingly tough business. It is not luck, and it isn't easy. He's not the only one who's pulled it off, but is one of the few. Along the way it would have been rather easy to burn bridges, piss people off, and create fewer options for himself.

Moving forward, if there ever is a resurgence in the Oldies format (and there will be in some way, shape or form) Bruce will be one of the best-positioned radio people. His radio sense, his tireless work ethic, his knowledge of the artists, format and audience, etc...are top notch. Sounds like I'm his sister, but I'm not. Just another radio person who admires the chameleon-like longevity of this business' smartest people.

 

[wknd92]

A little OT but along the lines of keeping your job is there a problem with older school radio people when it comes to doing more than just a show and cutting some spots? By older school I don't mean an age thing but more a mentality that you get paid to be on the air or use your voice in some way and that is it. Nowadays even bigger stations want multi tasking and there are off air duties having nothing to do with the show or spots. I wonder if some people are just stuck in the older school mentality and aren't about to do or really don't have the skills to do the other things like promotions, traffic, music scheduling, etc that stations want you to do. How many people in Providence radio or who have left still consider themselves to be radio personalities and nothing more? That could contribute to their downfall.

If you are in this boat and not doing mornings, get that resume tightened up as your days in radio as it is constituted now are going to be short. I cannot think of anyone in this market (again, outside of mornings) who does not do something besides their shift. Davey is MD & Jess is always voicing stuff as is Kerry at Pro Tanya & Charlie and Art are always voicing stuff at Lite, Kristen Lessard is VT 2 stations, don't listen to CTK, Hot or HJY enough to know anything further on those staffs...B is pretty much on autopilot after mornings.....am I missing any station?
Writing was on the wall a long time ago that this is where radio was going with multitasking....

 

[aqualung]

Voicing spots has always been part of the job. Now it goes beyond just a shift and production.
Also I forgot Tom St John left B101 this year voluntarily and then there were the firings at The Score.
Then in the category of leaving but not leaving Kerry Collins left Hot 106 but stayed on at PRO-FM and Scott Cordischi ended up back in the building again once a week.

 

[wkrpfm]

it may sound odd, but I didn't mind my "other duties" at all...I figured it was like my internship in college...the more I did, the better my resume looked..while I loved my onair shift, I often had more fun doing other things...especially my 10a-11a shift...I had extensive training in voiceovers, but to me, it was a blast meeting with clients, and trying to figure out what they wanted as far as an "end product", for their spots...and just meeting people outside the station..i found myself so busy,..if i had to break it down..I got to the station at 5am...prepped the night before. had 45 minutes to prep before our first break at 5:45am (yes, odd time to kickoff a show)....9a-10a was my solo hour..10a-11a was updating the morning show website. After that, I filed production orders (yes, college degree and I filed) for all 5 stations..wasn't my favorite part of the time,,but it came with it...there were some other production stuff, but I didn't mind, because VO's were my passion, and learning production for the first time was great...I did my VT shows, which weren't my favorite..i actually did them live until i was told i couldn't because it would go over hours (which i didn't keep track of anyway). I had so much fun learning about all the other aspects of radio, even if some of the tasks seemed mundane...the best part, and most flattering was being able to aircheck weekenders. The second I found out, I wanted to call Christine Fox and scream at the top of my longs...I was able to mentor...and alot of weekenders dont get anything...

 

[wknd92]

The second I found out, I wanted to call Christine Fox and scream at the top of my longs...I was able to mentor...and alot of weekenders dont get anything...

What do your longs look like!?!