Pondering the future(?) of Twang and Talk from the Legendary Citadel?

[Tibbs4]

I officially cannot take it anymore:

For many moons we've been reading about nothing but AM radio and now some dumb--- semi-TV channel in
the sticks (just playing CR, lol) --- can we possibly talk about FM radio with a signal over say 11.29 watts for
a while?

I'll try to get this going ---

I wanna pick on Chitadel since they are in the brick house. With all the job cuts, etc. since their stock is
now negative a couple of dollars, how can they keep going with mediocre stations? A country station in
a three-way tie for fourth...a talk station after football season with a stout payroll...and a bunch of pencil
pushing demons red-lining without logic spells exactly what for the semi-clusterf here? Certain to ruin it
even more and give it less of a heartbeat instead of revive or reformulate and go for the glory, what's ahead
for 103 The Bore and Plas?

There ya go...at least some of you laughed a little...or probably cried more at the methodical destruction
ahead. Nock me down!

 

[ShadowB]

Someone told me that KDF is on the right track and is #1 in demo. Don't know? Zone is still strong BUT with all the cuts the company has done it looks like the ax will swing soon. Hate to see it. Who do you think will get cut? Air staff? Sales? or higher?

 

[Tenn Radio Boy]

Citadel is trying to save their way to prosperity. It amazes me that when revenue is down, they cut out programming staff, the content providers that generate the revenue.
Why don't they fire the GM, DOS, GSM and a whole bunch of sellers for doing a crappy job.
Why don't the President take a bullet for the poor performance.
With as much top down management and up-stream reporting, this was not a suprise to anyone in NYC.
Farid should take a bullet along with Judy Ellis, the President.
Because if they keep cutting and slashing, there won't be anybody to produce the spot and put in their systems.
Whatever happened to live, local and in the community interest?

Radio sadly is on a slow, agonizing death rattle due to these numb nuts.

 

[Tibbs4]

You're spot on --- these corporate clowns will always protect themselves one way or another and that
hard working dedicated employee that gave his or her all (and was popular with listeners and generated
revneues) will be cut in a uncaring, thankless manner and after the firing the team of suits will all huddle
and smile because they have bought their own butts a little more time. Eventually, they'll have to eat
their own, right???

I used to blindly believe corporations were not evil, but I cannot find many positive examples in this country.
It's very sad.

 

[Nock]

It's not just radio. My wife and myself work for companies (Top 10 Employers in the world) that are structured the same way. The bigger the company the less they care at the local level where the rubber hits the road. The brass at Citadel will spend more on a bar tab tonight than what is lost at the local level. I live it every day

Nock

 

[jetfli]

Someone told me that KDF is on the right track and is #1 in demo. Don't know? Zone is still strong BUT with all the cuts the company has done it looks like the ax will swing soon. Hate to see it. Who do you think will get cut? Air staff? Sales? or higher?

Are those vultures circling Rutledge Hill?

Nah, just pigeons.

We all knew they'd be bringing the sensibilites by which they run their medium market stations to the big market stations at some point anyway. They knew it and Disney knew it at the time of the sale. All they needed was a point of impetus. And we also knew Citadel was in it for the networks... how long before we see the networks put to greater use across the entire station inventory?

So what might happen locally? Remember, it hasn't been that long since a couple of rounds of cuts were made locally. And look at the numbers: It's been reported they're cutting an average of 40 percent from the handfull of stations they bought from ABC, but only an average of 25 percent from all of the other stations they owned before the merger. What they might do here, where things are running well lately, would be offset by greater measures that might come to New Orleans or Birmingham and other cities which have been cited as markets that currently aren't going well.

Of course that doesn't mean they wouldn't look for a chance to cut any bloat if it's here, but things are pretty tight now. I am surprised they're not already bringing in a few hours of one of ABC's country networks for some off-peak hours at 103. I am surprised there's not more regionally-shared programming at the Zone, what with Citadel having sports or talk stations throughout SEC country. Oh, and what of the fact that Jim Rome is listed as being on daily from 10-3 (11-3 on Mondays) on the Zone's new Media Span website -- perhaps a harbinger of things to come? Of course, the Zone's schedule has rarely been accurate on their website, but what if they've gotten it right this time?

I just don't see there would be anything here like the "bloodbaths" we've seen in the big markets. The Zone and Titans Radio seem safer, since the demographics are so good and so much of what they do is sponsored. Isn't it interesting how even the smallest segments of sports programming can be sponsored (and the listeners don't mind) on a routine basis, but if a company were to sponsor a particular song every time if came around during music programming, it's likely to be considered payola? No wonder station groups need new models for bringing in revenue or cut costs.

 

[scottwmro]

Carl P. and Mike Donegan should have NEVER been taken off KDF. If Citadel was smart, they would bring them two back, and make a neck-n-neck run with Jerry House. People my age do one of two things. They either listen to Country, Classic Rock, or AC.

The age group I grew up in listened to KDF as a Rocker. It was time that KDF changed to Country when it did. They just messed up by replacing the jocks. I know we can't bring back "Chattie Patty", but she would fit right in with Carl & Mike. The ole guys my age like country (especially Alan Jackson, Garth, Lori Morgan, Alabama, etc.)

Bring back the old logo.....instead of it saying ROCK....replace it with COUNTRY! You would see that sticker/logo on every red necks car in Nashville, and the station would pull some great numbers. Oh , don't forget Bubba!

I guess it makes too much sense for corporate!

 

[Bat Fastard]

There is no question about how good 103-KDF was "back in the day". Mayfield (with Steve "True Stories" Dickert and Anne-Marie Deer), Patti Murray, Dave Walton ("Walt Tune"), Kidd Redd and Shannon. That was the best line-up to my ear.

Mayfield had it going on. They got more mileage out of a single bit than anyone I can remember. The premise was that they had found a little stray dog outside the station. First, it was a "name the dog" contest. After the dog had been named "Sex", there were 40-thousand variations on the theme...like who was going to take care of the dog that weekend. Comments like: "you can't have Sex this weekend, it's my turn to have Sex" were priceless.

All was not well in paradise, though. There was a good bit of internal strife on Second Avenue among the staff and much of it can be laid at the feet of a few out-of-control egos who had an extremely high opinion of their net worth. While 103-KDF once was one of the great "album rock" stations, they had begun to slip. A very mediocre WSM-FM had beaten them and so did WSIX. For his part, I think Mayfield saw the writing on the wall and jumped on the offer he got at WSIX. Whether he made a significant, positive contribution at WSIX is debatable, but he never was as good as he was at the old 103-KDF.

Without question, one of the best of that staff was the late Patti Murray. What a talent. Shannon was young but showed a world of potential. Anybody know what happened to her?

 

[romer979fm]

Carl P. and Mike Donegan should have NEVER been taken off KDF. If Citadel was smart, they would bring them two back, and make a neck-n-neck run with Jerry House.

Scott...why do you think Carl P could make it a "neck-n-neck" run now , when he wasn't a threat then?
Maybe the 10,000th replay of "P-Nuts Auto Parts"? Funny stuff...the first 1000 times.
It's just my opinion, but I think Carl quite giving it 100% while still doing afternoons at WSIX...but when he
was going all out, he and Gerry were unbeatable in both drive times

 

[SwissVol]

There is no question about how good 103-KDF was "back in the day". Mayfield (with Steve "True Stories" Dickert and Anne-Marie Deer), Patti Murray, Dave Walton ("Walt Tune"), Kidd Redd and Shannon. That was the best line-up to my ear.

Mayfield had it going on. They got more mileage out of a single bit than anyone I can remember. The premise was that they had found a little stray dog outside the station. First, it was a "name the dog" contest. After the dog had been named "Sex", there were 40-thousand variations on the theme...like who was going to take care of the dog that weekend. Comments like: "you can't have Sex this weekend, it's my turn to have Sex" were priceless.

All was not well in paradise, though. There was a good bit of internal strife on Second Avenue among the staff and much of it can be laid at the feet of a few out-of-control egos who had an extremely high opinion of their net worth. While 103-KDF once was one of the great "album rock" stations, they had begun to slip. A very mediocre WSM-FM had beaten them and so did WSIX. For his part, I think Mayfield saw the writing on the wall and jumped on the offer he got at WSIX. Whether he made a significant, positive contribution at WSIX is debatable, but he never was as good as he was at the old 103-KDF.

Without question, one of the best of that staff was the late Patti Murray. What a talent. Shannon was young but showed a world of potential. Anybody know what happened to her?

Wasn't Shanon at XM radio on one of the country chanels for awhile? I do not know for certain, but I do seem to remember seeing Shanon on the XM radio credits on one of those country channels. One thing I remember about Shanon when she was at Rock KDF was everytime she played Tesla or one of those silly hair rock and roll bands, she would sigh, as would the rest of us. lol

 

[icecube]

Bring back KDF. SIX ain't worth a crap, all the Jocks are idiots, including House.

 

[romer979fm]

Bring back KDF. SIX ain't worth a crap, all the Jocks are idiots, including House.

hey "icecube"...I forgot: just where are you working again?
I'll just hang up and listen.

 

[yorkie9]

Carl P. and Mike Donegan should have NEVER been taken off KDF. If Citadel was smart, they would bring them two back, and make a neck-n-neck run with Jerry House. People my age do one of two things. They either listen to Country, Classic Rock, or AC.

The age group I grew up in listened to KDF as a Rocker. It was time that KDF changed to Country when it did. They just messed up by replacing the jocks. I know we can't bring back "Chattie Patty", but she would fit right in with Carl & Mike. The ole guys my age like country (especially Alan Jackson, Garth, Lori Morgan, Alabama, etc.)

Bring back the old logo.....instead of it saying ROCK....replace it with COUNTRY! You would see that sticker/logo on every red necks car in Nashville, and the station would pull some great numbers. Oh , don't forget Bubba!

I guess it makes too much sense for corporate!

Holy crap, Scott - you can't be serious! I thought Carl P got his rear kicked by House the last time they were head to head. One of them is still on in the morning. I thought Carl was excellent in the afternoons at WSIX - but I don't think he liked sharing the attention. There is only one person to blame for Carl not working out and that was Carl. Obviously, other people agreed that he was pretty good on country since they flipped a heritage station and built it completely around him only to have that bomb out also. Again, there is only one person to blame for that one. See the pattern? And you want to bring him back for another round - ;D ;D ;D ;D. LOL!

However - I completely and totally agree with you the format losing steam and the need to switch when they did. That last alternative mess was just a disgrace to the calls. And, you're dead on about the stickers. Why they never grabbed on to that is AMAZING to me. Those stickers were everywhere - and not just on cars. Toolboxes, bedroom windows, you name it. I remember the night I saw it on WKRP and thought Nashville had hit the big time!!!

The bad part - that was 30 years ago this fall. Those of us who remember KDF as what it was are getting fewer and fewer. I don't know that making a run now would work but I agree with you that it would be interesting to see what would happen.

Bring back KDF. SIX ain't worth a crap, all the Jocks are idiots, including House.

Oh - icecube - you poser, lurker, what ever - come back when you have something meaningful to say. I smell someone jealous because they can't even secure part-time employment.

 

[scottwmro]

Carl P. and Mike Donegan should have NEVER been taken off KDF. If Citadel was smart, they would bring them two back, and make a neck-n-neck run with Jerry House. People my age do one of two things. They either listen to Country, Classic Rock, or AC.

The age group I grew up in listened to KDF as a Rocker. It was time that KDF changed to Country when it did. They just messed up by replacing the jocks. I know we can't bring back "Chattie Patty", but she would fit right in with Carl & Mike. The ole guys my age like country (especially Alan Jackson, Garth, Lori Morgan, Alabama, etc.)

Bring back the old logo.....instead of it saying ROCK....replace it with COUNTRY! You would see that sticker/logo on every red necks car in Nashville, and the station would pull some great numbers. Oh , don't forget Bubba!

I guess it makes too much sense for corporate!

Holy crap, Scott - you can't be serious! I thought Carl P got his rear kicked by House the last time they were head to head. One of them is still on in the morning. I thought Carl was excellent in the afternoons at WSIX - but I don't think he liked sharing the attention. There is only one person to blame for Carl not working out and that was Carl. Obviously, other people agreed that he was pretty good on country since they flipped a heritage station and built it completely around him only to have that bomb out also. Again, there is only one person to blame for that one. See the pattern? And you want to bring him back for another round - ;D ;D ;D ;D. LOL!

However - I completely and totally agree with you the format losing steam and the need to switch when they did. That last alternative mess was just a disgrace to the calls. And, you're dead on about the stickers. Why they never grabbed on to that is AMAZING to me. Those stickers were everywhere - and not just on cars. Toolboxes, bedroom windows, you name it. I remember the night I saw it on WKRP and thought Nashville had hit the big time!!!

The bad part - that was 30 years ago this fall. Those of us who remember KDF as what it was are getting fewer and fewer. I don't know that making a run now would work but I agree with you that it would be interesting to see what would happen.

Bring back KDF. SIX ain't worth a crap, all the Jocks are idiots, including House.

Oh - icecube - you poser, lurker, what ever - come back when you have something meaningful to say. I smell someone jealous because they can't even secure part-time employment.

When KDF changed to country (almost 10 years ago), the target demo wasn't really ready for it to happen, but something had to be done with KDF at the time because it was just a dead weight modern rocker, with Sherry Sexton boring the audience to tears. Fast foward time ten years later, we have gotten older and the demo is more into country and country music itself has changed.

For Romer: it's pretty obvious you'll stick up for SIX, you been a part of it for many years, which that's good to be loyal to what you believe in. KDF should have stay Rock a few more years before they changed. The market was not ready for them to go fully away as a rocker, OR they could of made a slow transistion from Rock to Country. I don't know, hell, I'm not a consultant or P.D., but I've got one thing to say:

KDF WILL NEVER BE A ROCKER AGAIN, SO ALL OF YOU WHINING ABOUT KDF GOING BACK TO ROCK MUST HAVE YOUR HEAD IN THE SAND! It will stay the way it is from now on out, IMHO the next 10 years. By that time, the rapers will grab ahold of it and it will sound like 101.1 (YUK!)

 

[Tibbs4]

First and foremost, KDF was to blame for KDF's demise. They wimped out. KQB busted their butt off the bat and
even then, they never learned. KDF should have rocked and gone crazy, instead the played the Police and played
it safe. I cannot understand why KDF should not be the rock powerhouse in this city, uninterrupted after all
these years. I never cared to listen to the redneck rocker in the day, but in retrospect, they had a monopoly
situation and let it go by blinking. Maybe times have changed, but I don't care what you say. If they brought
it back properly, they'd be THE ONLY name-brand radio station that could do it again. That says alot after a
decade. This city has changed, but word of mouth alone would make a huge % of the population who never
heard the real KDF know what it once was and could be. I don't pretend to believe they'll flip it. I just say the
brand marketing on that station IS THE BEST I HAVE EVER SEEN. KX104, 96 Kiss and even Y-107 could not
come back with force like KDF. And CPM has sounded tired and uninterested since they were Rock. I think
even Romer could beat his @$$ in the numbers )). Gerry House is one of a handful of talents with staying power
and anyone who says he is anything but incredible is a doomed fool in this (or any) business.

 

[yorkie9]

KDF WILL NEVER BE A ROCKER AGAIN, SO ALL OF YOU WHINING ABOUT KDF GOING BACK TO ROCK MUST HAVE YOUR HEAD IN THE SAND! It will stay the way it is from now on out, IMHO the next 10 years. By that time, the rapers will grab ahold of it and it will sound like 101.1 (YUK!)

I think everyone agrees and agrees with you on going after the branding again - not the format. (Wow-typing in bold is fun!) I'm still amazed you would want to see Carl P. back on mornings - Rick Marino is doing a fine job on mornings at KDF. I can tell you one thing people our age didn't do - and that was listen to Carl P. in the morning regardless of the format (the ratings proved that). I had a choice a few months ago - buy Sirius (former home of Carl P.) or buy XM (home of WSIX). No competition there - WSIX sounds mighty good when I'm in a rental car driving through Florida.

 

[KevinCrashDavis]

On the discussion of KDF and Carl P. Mayfield....

2 things

1) does anyone know what happened to Carl and Duke on Sirrius?

2) does ANYONE have any mp3 airchecks, etc of KDF from 1980-1985 era?

Thanks

(p.s....about that great airstaff, don't forget David Hall "Rocks Ya'll" )

-Kevin "Crash" Davis

 

[Wind]

Nashville staff is being told all is well, cuts are only to ABC stations. Any cuts outside the ABC stations?

 

[Tibbs4]

The real issues will come in 23 more weeks, when they realize nothing is working on generating $20M cuts.

 

[courier37027]

Forgotten in this mix was a station willing to take KDF's abandoned "new rock" format, within about 18 hours. KDF changed from rock to country on April 1 1999. The Buzz, perviously Power Country 102.9 and Moo 102.9, changed to alternative and new rock a day later. In essence it was neighbor frequencies trading formats. 102.9 kept Bob & Tom mornings, while KDF brought back Mayfield. Oldies 96.3 signed Coyote within this time frame.

Regarding Mayfield's return, station ownership took out a Purity milk jug ad campaign announcing CPM's morning return to 104.5, not 103. Eventually Mayfield went to 104.5 as new talker "The Zone", left, then onto satellite radio.

I agree that KDF went into a ratings free fall for many years. I point to the social conscience light rock offerings of Phil Collins/Genesis, John Cougar Mellencamp, non-rock artists like Prince and Bananarama played ad nauseum.