It just seems that all stations sound the same and are bland, operating like big boomboxes rather than a high energy tight board operated format that was fun to listen to... Remembering the "good ole days" of real rockin' radio like WNAP, WIFE and WLS...can a rock/oldies station with dj's that can also be personalities on the air survive or even flourish? Or are the days of Chris Conner, Buster Bodine, Larry Lujack & John Landecker gone forever?
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REAL RADIO
- Thread starter indeaugie
- Start date
No offense intended indeaugie, but this is like the ga-zillionth time this subject has come up [folks lamenting the good ol' days]. It's done, gone. If you want to stay in this industry, change, adjust, adapt to the new business model. It is what it is now, not completely different, but substantially changed. many have left; some not by their own choice. But there still are jobs, the industry still has the majority of the population's attention [based on every available research source], and there still are folks enjoying the business. It's just not going to be the same - and it's not the only industry that's changed. There are many that have; so whether you used to build transmitters, worked for Peoples Bank, or pull an evening shift on local radio, it changed - OK?!
Nostalgia just ain't what it used to be.
http://www.tkoradionetwork.com/into70s.htmlbigtime said:
C
cspotrun
Guest
so, i guess YOU are the self-appointed voice for "New Radio" and how its changed(get out of the way you old farts! its all NEW now..)mouseman said:
correct! the industry HAS changed. and not too many regular people like it anymore.
years from now, what "Personality" will you be talking about, a Voice Tracker from Iowa? that 17 year old "Board-OP". thats about all that's left in the New World of radio. how's that Change working out for ya?
In my humble opinion, radio has lost personality and flavor. Listening to it isn't fun anymore and I think it is fair to ask why. One of my absolute favorite websites is reelradio.com. For 12 bucks a year (and it's tax deductible), it provides great entertainment and insight into the history of REAL radio and real radio personnel. There is a reason why stations like WNAP, WIFE, WLS, KHJ, and others were so popular. It wasn't the music, it was the complete mix of music, news, jocks with personality, and a tight board. And...it was fun to listen to and to work at. Again, in my opinion, WKLU made a mistake by going with the "OLDIES" format and Jeff Pigeon. The station was hitting its stride with interactive relations with the listener, by having Libby doing her morning drive requests and Jay Baker on the air at night and providing a good fairly consistent mix of classic rock and pop -- without "The Lion Sleeps Tonight!!" Maybe I'm crazy, but I feel a tightly run music radio format like the good ole days can work and you don't need a 50kw station and Jeff Pigeon to do it.
I'm fairly new to this forum, so if this has been discussed for the "ga-zillionth time," I apologize; but I think the topic is still relevant and --- sorry mouseman --- I respectfully disagree with your assessment. The programming from the olden days was great stuff, and I think it can work today. I do an alumni show at the old college station I worked for and programmed at the end of each semester, running the board like us old farts once did in the 1970s & 1980s; it is a blast to hear the students comment on the format, the tightness of the board and the fact that it's fun to listen to. If you listen to student stations, it is evident that the on-air staff is trained to read (occasionally) and push buttons on a board that makes the station sound like a mp3 boombox...that's it. To me, that's sad! Sorry for the rant...but I feel the topic merits discussion and a station in this market, programmed like the olden days, promoted and operated properly, can work.
I'm fairly new to this forum, so if this has been discussed for the "ga-zillionth time," I apologize; but I think the topic is still relevant and --- sorry mouseman --- I respectfully disagree with your assessment. The programming from the olden days was great stuff, and I think it can work today. I do an alumni show at the old college station I worked for and programmed at the end of each semester, running the board like us old farts once did in the 1970s & 1980s; it is a blast to hear the students comment on the format, the tightness of the board and the fact that it's fun to listen to. If you listen to student stations, it is evident that the on-air staff is trained to read (occasionally) and push buttons on a board that makes the station sound like a mp3 boombox...that's it. To me, that's sad! Sorry for the rant...but I feel the topic merits discussion and a station in this market, programmed like the olden days, promoted and operated properly, can work.
indeaugie said:
i have to agree. radio at one time was fun to listen to, now its the same 50 songs over and over (yes i know stations do play more then just 50 songs but its a example) and the DJ's (or what you call DJ's sat fed in from god know where) with there canned lines and plain ol robot sound.
I remember listing to radio not only for the music but what is the DJ going to say next? something off the wall. poke a joke? tell a awesome quick story about meeting the members of the band he just played or is about to play.
now you might as well load up a mp3 playlist and get microsoft sam to just do the talking. radio dose not sound fun anymore it is dull and boring which is why i gave up listing to radio outside of the occasional talk station
C
cspotrun
Guest
somebody mentioned that it was a mistake for KLU to hire jeff pigeon, AGREED! if he belongs anywhere(and i'm not so sure he does) it would be at a "Talker", he did NOT fit on a music driven "Personality" station.. nice guy but...he's just not a good "jock"(if i can use that term). if KLU were owned by anybody other than a meddling "hotlining" owner, maybe the station would have had half a chance, all the ingredients were there but.. the owner appearantly wouldn't let the people do their jobs, that was one of many problems with KLU.
bigtime said:
Yea and he is working at a REAL "big time" station now....
http://www.wimsradio.com/livelocal4.php
That has to pay a but load of cash
PS- Yes I know he lives close...but still
cspotrun quote: so, i guess YOU are the self-appointed voice for "New Radio" and how its changed(get out of the way you old farts! its all NEW now..)
correct! the industry HAS changed. and not too many regular people like it anymore.
years from now, what "Personality" will you be talking about, a Voice Tracker from Iowa? that 17 year old "Board-OP". thats about all that's left in the New World of radio. how's that Change working out for ya?
I'm only stating the obvious changes - not a self-appointed voice or anything else. And according to the RAB, most of the population still listens to the product, even if it was once something much different [better or worse].
How's the industry changes working out for me? Well, I like some of them, and others not so much.... but I've tried to be adaptable for 29 years and counting now, so as long as the industry's writing me a check, I'll take 'em to the bank. ;D
correct! the industry HAS changed. and not too many regular people like it anymore.
years from now, what "Personality" will you be talking about, a Voice Tracker from Iowa? that 17 year old "Board-OP". thats about all that's left in the New World of radio. how's that Change working out for ya?
I'm only stating the obvious changes - not a self-appointed voice or anything else. And according to the RAB, most of the population still listens to the product, even if it was once something much different [better or worse].
How's the industry changes working out for me? Well, I like some of them, and others not so much.... but I've tried to be adaptable for 29 years and counting now, so as long as the industry's writing me a check, I'll take 'em to the bank. ;D
Spend some time REALLY listening critically to ndy radio. Very few of the air personalities "get it." Very few are are able...or, are ALLOWED to truly connect with their listeners anymore. Maybe corporate PD types handcuff them with time, temp, liner cards, this is...., that was.... - blah, blah...keep it short.
But, really WHO gets it anymore. Smiley? Problably works as hard as anyone to try to stay locally connected, I think. B & T? Yes, but not locally anymore. Laura Steele? I think. Steve Simpson? Absolutely...if you like news and public affaris. JD Canon? Tony Lamont? Wank & O'Brien?
We don't have to be nostalgic to recognize that listenable personalities know how to care about and connect with their listeners. They know how to be relevant.
There are very few out there....who am I forgetting??
But, really WHO gets it anymore. Smiley? Problably works as hard as anyone to try to stay locally connected, I think. B & T? Yes, but not locally anymore. Laura Steele? I think. Steve Simpson? Absolutely...if you like news and public affaris. JD Canon? Tony Lamont? Wank & O'Brien?
We don't have to be nostalgic to recognize that listenable personalities know how to care about and connect with their listeners. They know how to be relevant.
There are very few out there....who am I forgetting??
Radio needs to be shaken up like in the pilot episode of WKRP. Check out the format change at 14:00indeaugie said:
http://www.hulu.com/watch/308/wkrp-in-cincinnati-pilot-part-1#x-0,vepisode,1
Or will what will happen when you can no longer feed yourself???
Matt said; John Landecker is still around.
Yea and he is working at a REAL "big time" station now....
Hey Matt, With respect, tell us what "big time" station gives YOU a paycheck? Just askin".
Very often what YOU think is "big time" - is "big time" stress, crabby bosses, and a lousy place to work. "Wannabees" who are enamored by the "image" and post on on radio-info ALWAYS glamorize the blowtorches, but "the good old days" aren't always so good.
Yea and he is working at a REAL "big time" station now....
Hey Matt, With respect, tell us what "big time" station gives YOU a paycheck? Just askin".
Very often what YOU think is "big time" - is "big time" stress, crabby bosses, and a lousy place to work. "Wannabees" who are enamored by the "image" and post on on radio-info ALWAYS glamorize the blowtorches, but "the good old days" aren't always so good.
Yes, Here-here! VERY WELL SAID! When I was a pup, I, like most all of us wanted that gig in a top 25 market... The WLS's, WABC's, KHJ's, KFRC's, KCBQ's, etc.....But, doing: good commerical radio geared at the individual, community, and with a as professional but personal approach possible is a goal of us middle aged vets.... I am excited to jump in as of yesterday... I signed a lease to buy/LMA for my first station in a 'micro-politan' area of just under 100,000 people... Hard work and fun..... Give me the car and let me tune it, and drive it!
C
cspotrun
Guest
i've worked in a top 25 market, and i can tell anyone who would listen, after a few years and several "unscheduled moves", what really matters is doing what you love and "Quality of Life", no matter how big the market is.skippertthomas said:Yes, Here-here! VERY WELL SAID! When I was a pup, I, like most all of us wanted that gig in a top 25 market... The WLS's, WABC's, KHJ's, KFRC's, KCBQ's, etc.....But, doing: good commerical radio geared at the individual, community, and with a as professional but personal approach possible is a goal of us middle aged vets.... I am excited to jump in as of yesterday... I signed a lease to buy/LMA for my first station in a 'micro-politan' area of just under 100,000 people... Hard work and fun..... Give me the car and let me tune it, and drive it!
Real radio was Wolfman Jack on XERF. Real radio was Chris Conner on WNAP.
Real radio was when I got to pick the music for my show and be a personality.
Real radio died when stations all play it safe and become cookie cutter clones.
You say I'm pining for the old days. You say my thinking is unprofessional.
I say your thinking will kill radio.
Real radio was when I got to pick the music for my show and be a personality.
Real radio died when stations all play it safe and become cookie cutter clones.
You say I'm pining for the old days. You say my thinking is unprofessional.
I say your thinking will kill radio.
Timewarp said:
Wolfman is dead. RIP. Truly out of the box even if you didn't like his style.
I didn't have a choice in music (except some on request shows) since 1981. Good and bad to this. The great stations had some music rotation in the 1960's.
Our desire to have a station on every corner like the gas station industry is killing us. Despite the diversity of owners they all sell gas in 3 or 4 types. No one cleans your window. Crap, they can't keep the cleaner in the bucket. Check your oil? Where are you from? They ALL made changes to be like each other. Unfortunately I still NEED gas.
If we could make radio a need and not a want this would revitalize the industry. That involves people. I'm not saying you are pining for the old days because I'm not. I would like to see radio useful for something other than a doorstop.
We need ideas and obviously they aren't there.
Jeff Smulyan spent some bucks to get radios in cell phones. Kind of like selling slushies and groceries at gas stations. One you need the other is a value added. This has apparently already paid off.
We need new ideas to make us useful.
I think free internet with a web page might be good. For example WWWW.com. Free wmail with use of the browser.
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