Perhaps A Difficult Question

[SpareChange]

Just guessing, but reading this board over the many years and participating in its discussions for only the last few years, it appears that most of the posters are actively in radio or have been in radio for a number of years and left the business, either by their own decision or otherwise.

It seems many posters, for whatever reason, have chosen to stay or return to Buffalo and/or Rochester. Why is that? What is it about Buffalo, Rochester and Western New York that attracts you?

With few exceptions, the demographic of the participants here appears to be Men 45+. Reading the posts and the subject matter, it also appears that most posters have experience with vinyl (LP's and 45's), rotary pot boards and cart machines.

A few days ago, while watching a movie trailer I heard a quote that one of my college professors used from time to time: "Find something you really enjoy doing and if you can make it your career and make a living doing it, it really doesn't matter how much you make, because you'll enjoy going to work every day and in the long run, you'll be happy."

I always liked the theory behind that quote, but it would appear from reading some of the posts here, that it's not practical these days and may not have been practical for the last ten years.

My question is, would you do it again. Knowing now what you may not have known then but certainly know NOW, would you have made radio your career? What, if anything, would you have done differently? Does radio still make you happy? And is happiness the same as contentment?

Thank you.

 

[Element9]

My first inclination was to offer a flip response, but the intent of the question seems serious so I'll respond in kind. This is a difficult question.

You're right about the people who post here. Most are or were broadcasters. I'll speak only for myself and say I'm proud to be a broadcaster. Next, I'll draw a distinction between being "in radio" (which is sometimes called the "ghetto of show business") and being "a broadcaster."

To me, being "a broadcaster" means understanding the value of the service and entertainment that broadcasting can provide to the public. Being a broadcaster means knowing and understanding how a radio station works to serve the community. Being a broadcaster means knowing that this is a business and understanding how the business works; how all components of a successful radio station work in unison; sales, engineering, programming, promotion, accounting, legal and human resources.

I'm a broadcaster. And yes, despite some challenging times and situations, I'd do it again... but I'd do it smarter and try not to make the mistakes I may have made the first time around.

-9-

 

[sleepyhead]

I wouldn't have been such an ass. Then again I wouldn't have grabbed monster ratings either. When you get a good book in the land of "Lake Effect", and management disses you, then it's time to move on. Buffalo radio appears to retain talent while Rochester has issues.

Some years back an owner in upstate flew me on an interview coast-to-coast and begged me (with a nice offer) to do a show in the snow. 18 months later my contract was torched and I'm back on the coast enjoying life.

Do it smarter you ask! Find a good partner and get out of upstate.

 

[JIBGUY]

Had I had the chance to do it all over again.... I would have moved out of Rochester earlier than I did.

(Served my time in and around the Flour City 1967-77)

 

[Mark_Giardina]

My question is, would you do it again. Knowing now what you may not have known then but certainly know NOW, would you have made radio your career? What, if anything, would you have done differently? Does radio still make you happy? And is happiness the same as contentment?

Considering today’s broadcasting environment, compared to when I started in the business, I would have to honestly say that no, I would not consider radio a career. It’s entirely different than when I started in 1973. Back then there were numerous small market stations that were staffed with live announcers so one could learn the business, first-hand. Regulations were in place that required stations to provide the listening public with local news and information, and they forbid one company from owning more than two radio stations in a market. That led to competition. Today you have the reverse. Two companies owning most of the radio stations in a market and competition is almost nil.

If I had to do it all over again I would have gone either into teaching history in school, or getting a government job so that next year I would have been eligible for retirement at age 55 with over 30 years seniority.

I will add however that I did enjoy my 30+ years in radio because of some great people that I worked for and with plus the excitement of being able to report the news. That I miss even today.

There have been some people on here who either wish for, or speculate that radio might return to the “good old days.” I’m afraid they are dreaming. Once deregulation arrived it’s like a cancer. It won’t go away unless the federal government imposes changes. And with lobbyists controlling Washington DC politicos, that won’t happen in my lifetime.

 

[rdcuffpa1]

You're right about the people who post here. Most are or were broadcasters.

I am not a broadcaster, but I am a longtime student and fan of radio -- local, DX, international, and public. I have friends in other cities who grew up with the dream of being in radio and have lived that dream.

Radio was a key part of my youth in WNY; I used to print up "TV Guide" style listings, taking the by-station listings in the Buffalo Evening News and the Courier-Express and converting them into listings by hour...just for my own enjoyment.

It's fun to look at the industry now, versus the perspective I had as a young listener in the 1960s and 1970s.

Richard in Allentown, PA

 

[Mike Sheridan]

My question is, would you do it again. Knowing now what you may not have known then but certainly know NOW, would you have made radio your career? What, if anything, would you have done differently? Does radio still make you happy? And is happiness the same as contentment?

Thank you.

Question 1 no
Question 2 no
Question 3 If I had gone into radio I would have gotten a degree in something else as a backup plan.
Question 4 nope it doesn't make me happy because I only voicetrack part time and it's not as much fun
Question 5 I guess you can be content without being happy...?

Radio is all I ever wanted to do. Love the fun the DJ's have, love the technology too! I'm basically screwed for old age. Working in radio didn't give me any money to invest in my retirement. So I will probably have to work at something till I drop.

Buffalo radio was my first exposure at an early age and to my mind the personalities in Buffalo could hold there own in any market in the country. In my opinion they were the best!

 

[raymond_shaw]

I'm basically screwed for old age

Me too! When I was downsized several years back, my compassionate employers could have used me on one of the other stations in their cluster, at least on a part time basis. This would have extended my unemployment insurance and given them a highly reliable seasoned pro,. You think they would have offered me such a position(especially in recognition of my many years of loyal service), but I guess I'm just an old washout. The head Programming honcho at that time said some of us sounded older - more like we were getting older and since we're weren't local icons, it was time to show us the door.

Employees are like coffee filters - use 'em, then throw 'em out.

 

[jayaz]

I was on wGR more years ago than I care to discuss. This will give you a hint, Frank Benney did am drive before he did a "JOB" on the way to work one morning. I left Buffalo for KFI Los Angeles with a snow storm following me all the way. I spent a number of years in Los Angeles before going to morning drive
in New York at WNEW. I love this business. I can't leave it. It is so much a part of my life I'd be lost
off the air.

With any luck I'll stay where I am. I'll look up from my pool at the mountains and see a smattering of snow some miles away. I'll read the newspaper on my patio and discuss the snow in Denver. I'll get out my clubs and head for the golf course.

Have a great life guys and find some sun.

j

 

[raymond_shaw]

Have a great life guys

We'll try. Enjoy your charmed life. We must have been very bad in our previous lives(unlike you).

and find some sun.

We can't Most of us suffer from Rosacea

 

[Mike Sheridan]

He can't be serious, I can't think of many in radio who have it made....There must be one or two somewhere. Most of us end up like Johnny Fever....ha, ha...

I really can't say I regret it but knowing the nature of radio I would have taken more chances and socked money away for the inevitable periods of unemployment. I hate to say this but I took a few jobs that were less than ideal, just to get a paycheck and lived to regret it.

I also would have camped out on the doorsteps of WBEN, WGR or WKBW till they hired me. It would have been great to be home again!

 

[The Voice of Reason]

There are a few changes I would have made but all-in-all I am lucky to be in the business that I truly enjoy. Not many people can go to work everyday and say they love what they do. Of course there are occasions when one has to deal with a jerk for a boss, but you find that in almost every place. Let's hope that 2007 will bring with it a happier year for all of us. Merry Christmas and a joyous New Year to everyone!.

 

[Mike Sheridan]

...Amen and thanks to everyone who shares here....

Mike