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SAD BILLY CHARLES (WLKE) NEWS

R

ray ting

I hear from a friend of mine in the Ellsworth area that Billy Charles, recently released as the morning talent at Clear Channel's WLKE, was found dead this morning. Suicide is the apparent cause. Everything I heard about him as a person was always positive. Very sad.
 
???

And PD's, GM's and GM's STILL claim that radio employment doesn't mess up 'some people's heads?' Especially when the jock or an A.E. they've hired is doing his or her best to make the radio group(s) they work for sound GREAT?

I wonder.....?

argytunes
 
I was very sad to hear the news. My experiences with Billy were always positive. When I saw him in public he always wanted to make sure people were enjoying the experience. Whether it be at a remote slinging hot dogs or at the Blue Hill Fair, Billy Charles was always one of the first people to greet you with a smiling face and maybe even a Lucky 99 sticker...

Billy will be greatly missed. By Co-workers and the people of Downeast Maine that once started thier day the with the Billy Charles Morning show.

God Bless.

A Former Clear Channel Compadre
 
Billy was a good friend and a helluva good broadcaster...he had a passion for the business that was unmatched. His passing leaves a huge hole in Downeast Maine. The airwaves will never be the same without him.

Wish I could've done more...

Nelz :'(
 
I only met Billy once, about 4 years ago; we both worked for CC Bangor. Everything I've heard about him has been positive.

I'm fairly sure I can't say anything more about that outfit that hasn't already been said. :( RIP, Billy.

Sweet dreams, Clear Channel.
 
"Sweet Dreams, Clear Channel"

What is that supposed to mean? Do you think we aren't hurting over here? CC might be a big company but us...in this building. We are a family. And we lost one of our own. I feel sorry for you.
 
Lagnaf said:
"Sweet Dreams, Clear Channel"

What is that supposed to mean? Do you think we aren't hurting over here? CC might be a big company but us...in this building. We are a family. And we lost one of our own. I feel sorry for you.
Click to expand...

Don't feel sorry for him; feel sorry for the CC management who have to look themselves in the mirror every morning. If they have a shred of decency left, that is.
 
So are we to blame Clear Channel for Billy’s death? Please, people. Business is business. CC did not fire Billy to “put him over the edge”. It was a financial decision. If you want to accuse CC of being cheap and not appreciating its employees, then you may have a valid argument. But to say (or even imply) that Clear Channel is responsible for what happened to Billy, that’s just shameful. Billy’s choice to live or die was his and his alone. Please don’t use his death as “just another reason to hate Clear Channel.” Don’t you have enough reasons already?
 
Bang Bang wrote:<Please don’t use his death as “just another reason to hate Clear Channel.” Don’t you have enough reasons already?>

That's certainly true.

I wasn't picking on Clear Channel Bangor in particular; I know they get their orders from above. And to say this wasn't a factor in his death is naive. Certainly it was Billy's decision, but do you honestly think if he still had this job he loved we would be having this discussion right now?
 
I never said his firing wasn't a factor in his decision. I'm certainly not that "naive", as you put it. And you're right; if he hadn't lost the job, we might not be having this discussion at all. All I'M saying is: those who deal us the cards are not responsible for what we do with them. We ALL face trials in life -- whether it's disease, divorce, loss of a loved one, financial problems, whatever. How we HANDLE those problems is up to us.
 
I agree that we should not use this as another excuse to hate Clear Channel. I'd seen Billy many times, but had never been introduced, so I can't claim to have known him. But I understand enough about those who take their own lives to know that it's never one single event. Maybe, if he hadn't been fired, we wouldn't be having this discussion... but maybe we would. None of us truly knows the sorrows and frustrations that pushed Billy to this point. As with all suicides, Billy took those reasons with him. All I know is, death is a very personal thing, especially when it is ended by choice. To try to make it anything else, is to cheapen his memory.

Remember Billy as an extremely talented and passionate man who loved being "Billy Charles." Downeast Maine was lucky to have known him. And he will be missed.

Rest in Peace, Billy
 
To blame Clear Channel for this is outrageous. Last I heard Cindy Michaels and Sue Faloon are still alive. I'm not in radio so I don't know all the particulars of why he was let go nor is it important. Obviously, Billy was suffering from something much deeper that un-employment. Instead of pointing fingers and speculating, our energy should be spent finding a way to send our support to his family and friends. Maybe somebody on here can find a way to do that?
It is very sad when a person chooses to end their own life, especially someone as well known and obviously well liked as Billy Charles. I never met him and only listened to him a handful of times but I do feel for his family. Hell, I even feel for whoever told him he was being let go. I am a radio fan and I am truely saddened by this story.
We should also use this public forum to say to anyone else who may have reached that same breaking point to hold on, call someone who can help you and remember that time is too short on it's own course and tomorrow offers another chance for better things if you choose to carry on.
Peace!
 
Yeah, you're right. Clear Channel was just doing its job. Just another day in the radio business, I guess. God rest Billy's soul.
 
Unfortunately, I know the subject of suicide all too well. I studied it intently. I was a willing interviewee for television and print on the matter, and spoke at a number of schools, churches, and other gatherings to help young people and their families and teachers come to grips with such a "secret" issue. As was the case when we lost our oldest son in 1996, initially--and sometimes for a period of time--there's a lot of pain, grief, finger-pointing, anger, hate, confusion, etc. (fill in emotion here____.) It's a good thing for everyone to unload their thoughts in this way whether you agree with them or not. To hang on to them is not healthy.

I've read a lot of heartfelt comments about Billy's death. Billy would have been touched to know how much people cared for and loved him.

I have in my physical possession, and also in very recent memory, Billy's writings and face and voice as we conversed about his life, job, family, etc. As I read and replayed all of it in my head, I can say that there wasn't a hint of what was to come. Often, this is the case.

We can't change what happened. Let's give Billy the respect he deserves. Let's just remember the goofball, loveable Billy Charles. Someone already stated it and it's worth repeating: Let's think about the family. They'll need support to overcome this tragedy for years to come.

nelz
 
Nelz is right, we all need to morn. Billy was a good man, and my friend. He was a friend to the community as well. We used to go to retirement homes, and I would play guitar and he would play the banjo and sing, and it was all Billy's idea. He just wanted to give. Billy Charles will be sorely missed. His obit is in the BDN today 9/30/06.
 
If anyone is/was offended by my remarks, I'm sorry. Heat of the moment thing, and of course my thoughts now are directed towards Billy, his family, and his close friends.
 
To True Grit...no offense taken here...some of us know more than we wish we did. I'd be a big, fat liar if
some of what you wrote didn't pass through my head...just the pain talkin'...just the pain.

nelz
 
May we be reminded, just one more time, to not push aside our compassion or loving feelings towards those we know or hold close, for another day...for you never know if today will be their last. I'm sorry Billy that I didn't get around to returning your thoughtful and caring phone call before it was too late. I will miss you. We will miss you.
 
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