Signs that a jock is a burnout

[nightfly61]

But this post isn't about those of you shaking your finger at those of us who ARE burned out...it's just about "signs that you are burnt out"-period! You don't have to analize it. If you're tired of it you're tired of it. It's easy to see why, especially when most jocks are treated as 2nd class citizens UNTIL sales needs a last minute spot or the receptionist wants a disc of her favorite country crap burned or the idiotic listeners have your blood boiling calling in birthday detications for their 1 year old or the 8 year old's slumber party keeps calling over & over while you're trying to do a contest or someone's trying to get YOU to sell their football tickets they can't use or the office people don't have the decency to get up off their lazy ass to come to the studio to tell you you have a call...instead they'll page you & not bother to listen to see if you're on the air or cutting a spot & BEEEEEEP goes across in the background or your GM is moaning at you bor working too much yet trying to figure out how to keep you under 40 hours a week while you're pulling double duty+ working weekends at $8.00 an hour while sales & office staff are hogging up all the nearly expired prizes that contest winners didn't pick up.
Use your sick days, sit at home in complete silence, don't look at news, don't watch Idol & don't answer the phone for about 3 days. It makes for a great "jock wage vacation". Maybe sit in a wading pool like Weekend at Bernies. Then go back to all the ass kissing pencil pushers in the office & be treated like crap again.

 

[radioindy]

If people would start using their brain, the boss wouldn't have to use the hotline so often!

When your station gets smoked by an automated jukebox playing classic rock - and you chose the music and liners - the buck stops with you!

To bad there's no one to tell the owner he's brain dead and burnt out.

 

[tmac1960]

"the idiotic listeners have your blood boiling calling in birthday detications for their 1 year old or the 8 year old's slumber party keeps calling over & over while you're trying to do a contest.

Never, ever forget nightfly61, those "idiotic listeners" are the ones responsible for your paycheck.

 

[radioindy]

Never, ever forget nightfly61, those "idiotic listeners" are the ones responsible for your paycheck.

Technically, it's the advertisers who are responsible for your paycheck.

So, if you are an AE, and have a good client, but he brings in donuts every morning and wants to sit for four hours shooting the s***. EVERY MORNING (just like the same callers every day) -

Do you politely let him know you have to call on other clients, etc., and RISK upsetting him (like you would the callers if you don't talk to them - according to tmac) or do you lose four hours every day just for the one account?

Same with callers. Unless you want a brain dead owner calling to tell you how bad you sounded on that intro (because we all know listeners will stop listening if you don't hit that intro just right), you need to pay attention to your board, upcoming breaks, liners, weather - all the important things a jock does every day.

Taking calls is part of the job, but if your phone is ringing every time you hang it up, are you suppose to continue to answer and miss your spot breaks?

come on people, both employees and owners need to quit generalizing so much one way or the other and have some common sense here.

 

[radiowannab]

If people would start using their brain, the boss wouldn't have to use the hotline so often!

It is hard to imagine working at a job where someone calls you screaming and saying some of the terrible things mentioned on this board while you are trying to do your best. It appears a lot of people in this business think they are a lot more important than they really are. It is just hard to believe that an industry has become so beaten down that people are willing to take that kind of abuse just to continue to think that they are somebody.

 

[tmac1960]

Radioindy, you think anyone is on the air without those "idiotic listeners"? You bet it is the listeners who are responsible for the paycheck. Advertisers are the ones providing the money, but without the listeners driving the ratings, that money goes to someone else.

 

[radioindy]

Radioindy, you think anyone is on the air without those "idiotic listeners"? You bet it is the listeners who are responsible for the paycheck. Advertisers are the ones providing the money, but without the listeners driving the ratings, that money goes to someone else.

You're going to listen to a country station even if you don't like country because you like the dj?

You listen to Alternative Rock even though you don't like it, because you like the dj?

You listen to Classic Rock, even though you don't like Lynyrd Skynyrd because you want to hear washed up djs crack the mic for 90 seconds every third song?

People choose radio stations based on the format and the selection of songs in that format. You can't focus your entire marketing/format on the handful of daily callers (unless you want to fail - which happens when you let listeners program your format - rookie ownership mistake.)

Every station in Indy that has failed, including the recently failed classic rock station, has failed because the owner/gm has chosen the wrong music.

Other than a Bob & Tom or a Howard Stern situation, MUSIC FORMAT is the reason people choose a station. If you think it's because of the djs you are still living in the 60s - which is why your station is failing.

 

[nightfly61]

"the idiotic listeners have your blood boiling calling in birthday detications for their 1 year old or the 8 year old's slumber party keeps calling over & over while you're trying to do a contest.

Never, ever forget nightfly61, those "idiotic listeners" are the ones responsible for your paycheck.

Oh, I see...the 8 year olds calling in for Justin Timberlake are(were-a giant jukebox ate my job also) paying my paycheck? Hmmm...they must be related to the Mays family. Granted there are decent loyal listeners but most don't call. Usually it's just bored freaks, weirdos or children calling in. I love that you think THIS kind of person is paying my paycheck at a HOT AC station:

"Hello, WXXX..."
"Ya, when are you guys gonna start playin good music?"
"What do you mean?"
"How come you play the same old bull****every single day over & over?"
"Well if you think it's that bad then why do you listen?"
"They keep it on at work here at the Ford plant & it's the only thing that comes in."
"Well can I at least play you a request?"
"Ya, somethin' good."
"Like what?"
"I don't know, how about some Dwight Yokem or some Slayer-send it out to Ratchet on the windshield line".


...glad to see you think this idiot's paying my paycheck- I always thought it was ADVERTISERS.

 

[radioindy]

"the idiotic listeners have your blood boiling calling in birthday detications for their 1 year old or the 8 year old's slumber party keeps calling over & over while you're trying to do a contest.

Never, ever forget nightfly61, those "idiotic listeners" are the ones responsible for your paycheck.

Oh, I see...the 8 year olds calling in for Justin Timberlake are(were-a giant jukebox ate my job also) paying my paycheck? Hmmm...they must be related to the Mays family. Granted there are decent loyal listeners but most don't call. Usually it's just bored freaks, weirdos or children calling in. I love that you think THIS kind of person is paying my paycheck at a HOT AC station:

"Hello, WXXX..."
"Ya, when are you guys gonna start playin good music?"
"What do you mean?"
"How come you play the same old bull****every single day over & over?"
"Well if you think it's that bad then why do you listen?"
"They keep it on at work here at the Ford plant & it's the only thing that comes in."
"Well can I at least play you a request?"
"Ya, somethin' good."
"Like what?"
"I don't know, how about some Dwight Yokem or some Slayer-send it out to Ratchet on the windshield line".


...glad to see you think this idiot's paying my paycheck- I always thought it was ADVERTISERS.

You don't get it nightfly. The same 20 people that call in are the only ones that also take the time out of their day to call the owner's hotline and complain that you wouldn't play dwight yoakam last night. And even though it's not even on the playlist - the owner will hotline you because you didn't play it.

So of course, as any good manager would do, he'll completely change the songlist to accomodate these same 20 people, alienating the other potential thousands (normal people).

Then of course, these same decision makers will blame the jocks and clean house when their format (selected by the minority few that call in every day) fails.

Look no further than Indy for several examples. One of those same decision makers is even on this thread - he won't pay attention to a word you say, but put don't think he won't try to find a way to add that dwight yoakam or Justin Timberlake song in with his oldies format ... alienating his regular listeners even more.

But it's your fault board op!

 

[N_D_Radioguy]

Usually it's just bored freaks, weirdos or children calling in.

I wouldn't say "usually" -- 9 out of every 10 calls I get are short sweet, and to the point from kind and polite people who just want some info and to hear a particular song -- but it's that ONE freakshow caller that stands out in every jock's mind.

So I'm not saying you're wrong or that you're deliberately exaggerating, it's just that those few calls are SO irritating that they lead to hyperbole.

 

[nightfly61]

"the idiotic listeners have your blood boiling calling in birthday detications for their 1 year old or the 8 year old's slumber party keeps calling over & over while you're trying to do a contest.

Never, ever forget nightfly61, those "idiotic listeners" are the ones responsible for your paycheck.

Oh, I see...the 8 year olds calling in for Justin Timberlake are(were-a giant jukebox ate my job also) paying my paycheck? Hmmm...they must be related to the Mays family. Granted there are decent loyal listeners but most don't call. Usually it's just bored freaks, weirdos or children calling in. I love that you think THIS kind of person is paying my paycheck at a HOT AC station:

"Hello, WXXX..."
"Ya, when are you guys gonna start playin good music?"
"What do you mean?"
"How come you play the same old bull****every single day over & over?"
"Well if you think it's that bad then why do you listen?"
"They keep it on at work here at the Ford plant & it's the only thing that comes in."
"Well can I at least play you a request?"
"Ya, somethin' good."
"Like what?"
"I don't know, how about some Dwight Yokem or some Slayer-send it out to Ratchet on the windshield line".


...glad to see you think this idiot's paying my paycheck- I always thought it was ADVERTISERS.

You don't get it nightfly. The same 20 people that call in are the only ones that also take the time out of their day to call the owner's hotline and complain that you wouldn't play dwight yoakam last night. And even though it's not even on the playlist - the owner will hotline you because you didn't play it.

So of course, as any good manager would do, he'll completely change the songlist to accomodate these same 20 people, alienating the other potential thousands (normal people).

I highly doubt that any owner would make a HAC jock play Slayer or Yokem. It's not the owner's business what goes on in programming. That's what he pays an OM to do. And any normal owner that got a call from some goon like that would probably side with the jock.

 

[JimmyJames]

Being loyal, consistent, and always being ready to take an extra shift or cut production at a second's notice, you name it, and yet being told on a weekly basis how much cheaper other jocks work, how easily replaceable you are, and how none of your programming decisions are right (despite increased audience and advertising.) Then can the jock for a cheaper replacement and post explicit and false allegations on a messageboard, just to be sure he/she is humiliated completely. That will burn a jock out.

 

[radioindy]

I highly doubt that any owner would make a HAC jock play Slayer or Yokem. It's not the owner's business what goes on in programming. That's what he pays an OM to do. And any normal owner that got a call from some goon like that would probably side with the jock.

You've obviously not worked at the station in Indy with the owner that posts on here with several screen names making a fool of himself.

Being loyal, consistent, and always being ready to take an extra shift or cut production at a second's notice, you name it, and yet being told on a weekly basis how much cheaper other jocks work, how easily replaceable you are, and how none of your programming decisions are right (despite increased audience and advertising.) Then can the jock for a cheaper replacement and post explicit and false allegations on a messageboard, just to be sure he/she is humiliated completely. That will burn a jock out.

c'mon. There is NO owner that would come on a radio board and embarrass himself by making false allegations regarding former employees...

oh sorry, I forgot the one that keeps signing on with different screen names. Okay, there is no PROFESSIONAL LEGITIMATE owner that would post on a radio board criticizing former employees.

 

[flashback]

Radioindy, you think anyone is on the air without those "idiotic listeners"? You bet it is the listeners who are responsible for the paycheck. Advertisers are the ones providing the money, but without the listeners driving the ratings, that money goes to someone else.

You're going to listen to a country station even if you don't like country because you like the dj?

You listen to Alternative Rock even though you don't like it, because you like the dj?

You listen to Classic Rock, even though you don't like Lynyrd Skynyrd because you want to hear washed up djs crack the mic for 90 seconds every third song?

People choose radio stations based on the format and the selection of songs in that format. You can't focus your entire marketing/format on the handful of daily callers (unless you want to fail - which happens when you let listeners program your format - rookie ownership mistake.)

Every station in Indy that has failed, including the recently failed classic rock station, has failed because the owner/gm has chosen the wrong music.

Other than a Bob & Tom or a Howard Stern situation, MUSIC FORMAT is the reason people choose a station. If you think it's because of the djs you are still living in the 60s - which is why your station is failing.

perhaps if the dj`s were allowed to be more creative ,without doing a philibuster like stern or bob and tom, between music they could be a major reason people listen and radio would be better and more interesting.

 

[radioindy]

Radioindy, you think anyone is on the air without those "idiotic listeners"? You bet it is the listeners who are responsible for the paycheck. Advertisers are the ones providing the money, but without the listeners driving the ratings, that money goes to someone else.

You're going to listen to a country station even if you don't like country because you like the dj?

You listen to Alternative Rock even though you don't like it, because you like the dj?

You listen to Classic Rock, even though you don't like Lynyrd Skynyrd because you want to hear washed up djs crack the mic for 90 seconds every third song?

People choose radio stations based on the format and the selection of songs in that format. You can't focus your entire marketing/format on the handful of daily callers (unless you want to fail - which happens when you let listeners program your format - rookie ownership mistake.)

Every station in Indy that has failed, including the recently failed classic rock station, has failed because the owner/gm has chosen the wrong music.

Other than a Bob & Tom or a Howard Stern situation, MUSIC FORMAT is the reason people choose a station. If you think it's because of the djs you are still living in the 60s - which is why your station is failing.

perhaps if the dj`s were allowed to be more creative ,without doing a philibuster like stern or bob and tom, between music they could be a major reason people listen and radio would be better and more interesting.

But that would go against all consultanting. c'mon, you think you know more than the paid consultants? That's why radio is in the great state it's in now! You jocks think you know everything.

 

[tmac1960]

Radioindy, you think anyone is on the air without those "idiotic listeners"? You bet it is the listeners who are responsible for the paycheck. Advertisers are the ones providing the money, but without the listeners driving the ratings, that money goes to someone else.

You're going to listen to a country station even if you don't like country because you like the dj?

You listen to Alternative Rock even though you don't like it, because you like the dj?

You listen to Classic Rock, even though you don't like Lynyrd Skynyrd because you want to hear washed up djs crack the mic for 90 seconds every third song?

People choose radio stations based on the format and the selection of songs in that format. You can't focus your entire marketing/format on the handful of daily callers (unless you want to fail - which happens when you let listeners program your format - rookie ownership mistake.)

Every station in Indy that has failed, including the recently failed classic rock station, has failed because the owner/gm has chosen the wrong music.

Other than a Bob & Tom or a Howard Stern situation, MUSIC FORMAT is the reason people choose a station. If you think it's because of the djs you are still living in the 60s - which is why your station is failing.

perhaps if the dj`s were allowed to be more creative ,without doing a philibuster like stern or bob and tom, between music they could be a major reason people listen and radio would be better and more interesting.

But that would go against all consultanting. c'mon, you think you know more than the paid consultants? That's why radio is in the great state it's in now! You jocks think you know everything.

That is a great point flashback - creativity is not allowed any longer - and it is all because of what Radioindy says - consultants and wall streeters - people in charge who know nothing about the business.

That doesn't change my argument about listeners. Continue to treat them like crap (regardless of format) you won't be around long.

 

[nightfly61]

Radioindy, you think anyone is on the air without those "idiotic listeners"? You bet it is the listeners who are responsible for the paycheck. Advertisers are the ones providing the money, but without the listeners driving the ratings, that money goes to someone else.

You're going to listen to a country station even if you don't like country because you like the dj?

You listen to Alternative Rock even though you don't like it, because you like the dj?

You listen to Classic Rock, even though you don't like Lynyrd Skynyrd because you want to hear washed up djs crack the mic for 90 seconds every third song?

People choose radio stations based on the format and the selection of songs in that format. You can't focus your entire marketing/format on the handful of daily callers (unless you want to fail - which happens when you let listeners program your format - rookie ownership mistake.)

Every station in Indy that has failed, including the recently failed classic rock station, has failed because the owner/gm has chosen the wrong music.

Other than a Bob & Tom or a Howard Stern situation, MUSIC FORMAT is the reason people choose a station. If you think it's because of the djs you are still living in the 60s - which is why your station is failing.

perhaps if the dj`s were allowed to be more creative ,without doing a philibuster like stern or bob and tom, between music they could be a major reason people listen and radio would be better and more interesting.

But that would go against all consultanting. c'mon, you think you know more than the paid consultants? That's why radio is in the great state it's in now! You jocks think you know everything.

You sound like the typical salesperson...and btw...most consultants USED TO BE JOCKS but just get paid a hell of a lot more now. Maybe if you'd come in on a weekend (when the program's not canned or voicetracked) and go on the air as yourself(and not 2 or 3 fake names like on here) and be on this end of the request line for a while you may get a clue...oh...but I'm sure you're too good to come in on weekends.

 

[ChiefEngineer]

Everyone gets burned out from time to time. Some carry the burnout mentality their entire lives. Ever meet them? I hate this stinking job. Manager sucks, etc. If the jock has this at one place and moves on super.

Problem is there are truly many creative (menatally unstable) people in radio. Fact of life. This provides both negative and positive results.

It is each station's responsibility not to use people but also to be a steward of this talent. In older days I had a program director that walked me through everything I would do when I didn't know how to do anything. I had a friend who scripted my first airshift after AT40. (I was later told that his idea of referring to the planned parenthood condition on the psa was pregnant not knocked up but I really enjoyed this learning experience) (One toke over the line by Brewer and Shipley shouldn't run immediately after the Men's Bible Class at the First Christian Church where the speaker was on for the cue in and out.....) At the first 5 stations I worked at only one did this. Thanks White River Broadcasting, Mike King, Kim Gatten,and Bob Hawkins (knocked up? One toke over the line does talk about sweet Jesus).

Oh , I can rant about bad managers and program directors too. Most of these guys filter out over the years.

The bad attitude can break you. It can go with you. Throw it out and give everyone the benefit or move on.

Good PD's become great consultants. Even a little E Alvin Davis , Jack Taddio, or (your consultant here) can help. If you don't agree with everything he says, keep the mo at least. Don't bog down. Bog is a swamp. No momentum and you are up to your knees. Momentum gets you out of the bog.

I am working at a non com as a volunteer. I'm not even paid. The ratings are well, unrated. What a rotten job? I get complaints, requests, and this is truly the worst financial situation ever.

When I am on the air I try to be positive and use the small section of spectrum for something good.

What's your goal? Financial Gain? Get a different line of work or move every 6 months to year while moving up the ladder. Eventually whatever it is you are looking for will win out.

Self fulfilling prophesies of low self esteem will win out too.

A mom of an IU grad was wondering what her daughter would do after years of college with a degree in journalism. I told her many options because she saw this as bleak.

This can be rewarding or other but the bottom line is it is up to you.

There is no need to ever have a burned out jock.

Blessings


Brother Chuck

 

[radioindy]

You sound like the typical salesperson...and btw...most consultants USED TO BE JOCKS but just get paid a hell of a lot more now. Maybe if you'd come in on a weekend (when the program's not canned or voicetracked) and go on the air as yourself(and not 2 or 3 fake names like on here) and be on this end of the request line for a while you may get a clue...oh...but I'm sure you're too good to come in on weekends.

short of posting my resume on here, I can say I've work hundreds of weekends over the past thirty years, and no, I have no intention of going back to those conditions.

And I only use one fake name on here. I think you have to own a station in order to be able to use 3 fake names (old skool, coldcoffee, radiowannabe).

 

[nightfly61]

Sign that a jock is burned out:
After being treated like crap & no raise for 10 years, a week before the jock knows today is his last day (because they need to hire 2 more salespeople), they schedule
the unedited version of "Who Are You" to pop up at 7:15 am and the unedited version of Kid Rock's "Cowboy" to pop up later in the afternoon a week after they're long gone. At 7:20am the jock has a friend call in with a complaint about vulgarity on the air & reports it to the FCC. Later in the afternoon the jock has another friend call in to report more offensive material. How's that for a $10,000 going away party?