Russ Martin is gone!!!!

[Stinkymess]

I think he also worked at KGVL in Greenville.

Isn't that the station Russ said he was fired from for having no talent?

 

[judypatudy]

This just in from Richie Whitt on his Dallas Observer blog...

As I heard on Monday, management at Live 105.3 105.3 The Fan has not only fired controversial/comment-creating (350? You shittin' me?) Russ Martin but also agreed to pay him through 2011 just to keep his ass off another local station. Confirmed by Russ here.

I also hear a previously planned Russ Martin Show Band gig at Joe Avezzano's joint up in Frisco on Dec. 19 may blossom into an explosive 105.3 protest, so stay tuned.

And I'm sure that fun little event will attract lots of message board folk. Bring your laptops and live-blog it for us.

Russ doesn't have to work if all that is true..
He will still have a paycheck till 2011..

 

[Accuracy]

[/quote]


Russ doesn't have to work if all that is true..
He will still have a paycheck till 2011..

[/quote]

Not necessarily. CBS may be able to void his contract based on the morals clause depending upon the outcome of his legal action. Even if he takes a plea to a lesser charge that could be enough to kill his deal. Despite what people think, the suits at CBS are not dumb about these things. You can be assured they didn't just decide to lose two million dollars and let someone sit at home.

 

[radiowise]

Russ Martin's only talent was finding radio programmers and managers who loved to be demeaned and belittled.

What they took for talent was not talent. It was schoolyard silliness.

Just how immature do you have to be to be in management and programming and hire a guy like Russ?

Pretty immature. It's beginning to look like owners are looking down the line and saying, "What was I thinking?"

Now, the management and programming people who are at fault for putting untalented people Martin, among many others, on stations around the country are just waiting for the axe to fall on them.

Long live talent. May the untalented rest in agony for what they did to this industry.

 

[Jimbo Ellis]

Despite what people think, the suits at CBS are not dumb about these things. You can be assured they didn't just decide to lose two million dollars and let someone sit at home.

*cough* Don Imus *cough*

Imus worked for CBS. Got fired. Got paid. Must have been the OTHER suits at CBS.....

 

[Accuracy]

Despite what people think, the suits at CBS are not dumb about these things. You can be assured they didn't just decide to lose two million dollars and let someone sit at home.

*cough* Don Imus *cough*

Imus worked for CBS. Got fired. Got paid. Must have been the OTHER suits at CBS.....

Imus did not commit a crime. If Russ pleads guilty to a lesser charge he is admitting his crime. Major difference, major financial savings for CBS.

 

[BigDickHunterBlows]

Slambang I think your missing something form Russ' career. He jocked during the 80's DOING appearances. He worked graveyard at the satellite network. I don't think working in Tyler is a major market so he didn't just walk into DFW and get a gig. Also, I cant think of ANY board op that wouldn't jump at the chance to do on air in the mornings when the syndicated show(Stern) left, if given the chance. The Eagle needed a replacement and Russ had on air experience. Why not have a local talent that had marketability. I'm starting(kinda already knew it) to think that A LOT of people on this board are just bitter that a guy like Russ actually had success. Hey, and if his advertisers want to pay the kind of cash that it required to be a sponsor of his show, then that's their deal. We all know that this industry is dog eat dog. Last I checked Limbaugh hasn't done an appearance in a long time and Stern's appearances aren't cheap, I'm sure.

Amen. It's frustrating to read the esoteric slams from those who obviously aren't anywhere near Russ' talent, yet begrudge him the success he's enjoyed. You can say what you will about him having a police/fire charity to get himself out of tickets - but that excuse doesn't span the YEARS of charity events, charity concerts (yeah that's fun), parades, checks written to the fallen, and sitting in a used, smelly Santa Claus outfit EVERY year for the past 8 years at Operation Kindness without fanfare, and without pay. For those of you that feel that your show, whether it's YOUR show, or you're behind the scenes, is better, shows more dedication, is more interesting, etc -- then you probably don't have time to sit on your laptop writing about it. Face it, he may screw some things up, but he's a real guy, and he really gives a s@$% about the charities he's involved in. If you knew anything about him really, you wouldn't bust him up. Good luck in your quest for success - surely 7-figures and a loyal fan base is just around the corner for you too.

 

[Slambang]

Amen.  It's frustrating to read the esoteric slams from those who obviously aren't anywhere near Russ' talent, yet begrudge him the success he's enjoyed. 

Ya know, this is the exact reason I got out of the business. I dont think anyone here begrudges anyone for their gained talent or position, hell knows ive praised quite a few folks who deserve the admiration and respect they deserve in this and other markets/products (sat/tv/ect..), not to mention ive also stood up for parties who've received the axe from no fault of their own,all in the name of saving a few bucks for the execs at the holidays.  I, however, take groups of folks to task who allow nepotisim, unoriginality and general stupidity a front seat in their radio/tv product.

My big issue with this market as a whole is the talent level and product has slipped dramatically over the past two decades, ive heard better radio in Austin over the past couple of years when it comes to both music and talk programming. Most, if not all, of the problems in D/FW and other markets can be blamed on the consolidating of broadcast companies, not to mention consultants being allowed to run the business into the ground with their moronic ideal that every station needs to sound like a Top 40 CHR clone in San Diego or a talker in Kansas City.  But, this can also be blamed on talent who've stalled on bringing in new material or arent willing to even try anymore. 

RMS was that show in its last few years. It basically did its tried and true white trash song and dance that played well in Dallas, pleasant grove and the outlying areas as well, but the product eventually slipped and so did its tired schtick. Compounding in the facts that its host has been a known egotistical jerk to parties he deals with in the office, not to mention the BS he pulled with his management, all the while pulling down a 7 figure salary for pretty much doing nothing, it would make anyone a target to be let go, seeing the decline in revenue in a post-stern CBS radio.  Then, when you bring in the outside legal issues he is facing on assault charges, the company is provided with an out to let him go w/ a potental morality clause violation. 

To take my comments and to think im taking a few shots at Russ himself and this industry as a whole, I am and I wont apologize. Im doing it for the fact we all know a guy or girl with alot of talent whos doesnt play the "game" with managment and toils hard in a smaller market, making 20-30k/yr running the boards, pulling an overnight and working a real job on the side, all for the love of what they do. When you get guys like you know who into a airshift making alot of cash for pretty much sitting on his butt for 4 hours a day , the least he could've done is start to develop new talent and use his influence to bring them in. Thats just my take on this issue, you can agree or disagree, I really dont care if the sycophants or fanboys do or dont...

 

[Jimbo Ellis]

Despite what people think, the suits at CBS are not dumb about these things. You can be assured they didn't just decide to lose two million dollars and let someone sit at home.

*cough* Don Imus *cough*

Imus worked for CBS. Got fired. Got paid. Must have been the OTHER suits at CBS.....

Imus did not commit a crime. If Russ pleads guilty to a lesser charge he is admitting his crime. Major difference, major financial savings for CBS.

Regardless of whether Imus committed a crime or not, you stated that the suits at CBS were not dumb enough to pay someone for sitting at home. The fact is that they did. The reason does not matter, actually, wouldn't it make them "dumber" to fire someone (Imus) and pay them if they DIDN'T commit a crime? That way there is no morality clause to get them out of doing so?

All of this being said, it makes no sense for people to argue this "morality clause." Do you know for a FACT that it exists? Have you seen Russ' contract? I am betting that you haven't. The knee-jerking and speculation on this board is comical at best, at the worst many of you sound like bitter old radio people that are just happy to see a man fall - pretty sad in my opinion. I mean, it is one thing to begrudge a man's success and even to dislike a man, but when people go so far as to take the time and trouble to look up a man's home address and post it for everyone to see - well, in my opinion, that crosses into stalker territory.

I was going to write about "Slambang" specifically, but I decided against it. Suffice it to say, it ("Slambang" is not gender specific) appears to have been personally accosted by RM or the RMS - there is too much hate and anger there to not have been at least personally offended by RM or his show. I have never seen such a blatant disregard for facts in my life. "Slambang," you should try MSNBC news, with your "don't give a damn about the facts - I will paint things the way I want them" attitude - you will fit in just fine.

Bottom line is this - Russ Martin is gone. At least for now. Will he be back? I am sure he will at some point. If he does come back, I wonder what all of you bitter, unknown, washed-up radio personalities will say then?

 

[SirFreebie1975]

Despite what people think, the suits at CBS are not dumb about these things. You can be assured they didn't just decide to lose two million dollars and let someone sit at home.

*cough* Don Imus *cough*

Imus worked for CBS. Got fired. Got paid. Must have been the OTHER suits at CBS.....

Imus did not commit a crime. If Russ pleads guilty to a lesser charge he is admitting his crime. Major difference, major financial savings for CBS.

Imus did commit a crime....of sucking LOL

 

[WheredidMergeGo]

Merge, ive decided not to carry out the conversation further for the simple fact you think you're always right...i'll let you live in that, enjoy the schadenfreude pie

Looks like I'm not the only one...

Thats just my take on this issue, you can agree or disagree, I really dont care if the sycophants or fanboys do or dont...

Merge, nothing personal, but it seems to me via your post that you appearantly have some sort of vested interest in either Russ Martin or someone in his crew..Im not normally the type of points fingers, but reading what you've said seems very suspicious....

So I guess by the nature of your posts it would seem you have some vested interest in consistently bashing the show/listeners... Im not normally the type of points fingers, but reading what you've said seems very suspicious....

 

[Accuracy]

The morals clause is standard in all CBS talent contracts and I have seen it in numerous contracts when I worked for CBS recently. It was not "dumb" to fire Imus after many advertiser cancellations, threatened boycotts by various groups, and a never ending stream of bad publicity. For CBS, it was the only decision they could make even if it meant they would lose some money on the deal. Now, with that in mind, I do believe CBS is one of the worst managed companies in broadcasting. However, dumping Russ Martin was a smart move based on his PPM numbers which did not justify his salary, and the fact that IF he pleads guilty or is found guilty of the charges against him they will save a lot of money on his contract. They will probably still have to pay J.D. Ryan but that is a much smaller sum of money.

I don't have a grudge against Martin, don't care where he lives, and I have a job! But from a business perspective, CBS, believe it or not, actually made the right decision this time.