So -- Rock 103 is getting a makeover.

[JustARadioFan]

Well isn't that pleasant.

"Happy holidays. Get out."

Pretty much.... it was 11/3/06 when the cuts were made last year, but if you'll look at the other radio-info boards for that week, you'd see there were about 500 CC staff cut that week. And if you'll look at the other boards this week, you'll see the pattern repeating. End of the fiscal year - lousy timing, but it is what it is.

Rob brought up a very valid point - Spencer IS getting tired, but that's the problem of being the boss. Contrary to popular belief, he took the blood bath last year pretty hard. After he had to tell a person he sat across from for 18 years that she was no longer employed and walked her out, he had to repeat the process 10 more times. And now he had to repeat his role as hatchet man? I'm surprised the man's brain hasn't turned to total mush.

Also on Rob's note about walking through the 98.1, 103.5 & 106 all running on auto-pilot, I keep flashing back to episode of WKRP where Venus Flytrap is hired at another station as Program Director to only be taken to a room to oversee this huge computer and make sure the automated stations stay on the air. I remember how much that episode bothered me, thinking to myself how scary it would be if that ever came true. That was almost 30 years ago and it came true....

To Steve Butler, Steve Connelly, Bev Hart, Tom Presto, Dennis Phillipi, Marky B, Fred Hollywood, and all of those that have left positions the past couple of years, either willingly or not, I wish nothing but the best. For those that are coming up to fill shoes, God speed and keep the faith baby -- somebody has to keep radio real, so it may as well be you.

And THAT is my two cents worth - anyone got change?

 

[DeadElvis]

> End of the fiscal year - lousy timing, but it is what it is.

It's not really "lousy" timing, it's just the way it has worked of late at Clear Channel. You get the next year's budget, and learn how many fewer people you have for the coming year. So, Thanksgiving is coming. Give the employee notice, 30 days severance, and a walk to the door. Then, they are off the book for the new year.

Tough? Sure. But, that's Corporate America. It should not be a surprise to anyone.

DE

 

[Tynosaur]

MEEPSTER: "So...I don't know exactly what "TYNO" was trying to get at...
_____________________________
So...what ARE you saying?
What kind of "Blinders" are you referring to, and exactly WHO is wearing them?"

It seems to me the issues most discussed on this board are:

1. Classic Rock
2. Any other kind of rock
3. Sports radio
4. Engineering issues
5. Old times
6. Mongolian Throat Singing
-
-
-
10. Urban/Gospel radio in all their forms

That is my perception and it looks like blinders to me. I just want to see a more open discussion from ALL sides of the business.

 

[Sandscott]

The thing with Rock 103 and most other terrestrial radio stations is you ran me, a once loyal listener off. Call me old school but I still have the desire to be able to call a station and request something like UFO's "Doctor, Doctor" and there actually be a chance that it will get played. I like having live deejays who have a real personality. I want to actually be able to hear music on radio. 103 used to rock and now it is the same twenty bands and two hundred songs. One day seems the same as the other. How about updating the playlist? Where are the deep cuts? Where are bands like Triumph and Uriah Heep instead of playing Led Zeppelin six times a day, play them three times and give that slot to someone else. Why not play a few of the 80's bands, they should now be a part of classic rock. I have spoken with Spencer before and he is unfriendly and frankly a smart ass. 98.1 is just as bad though, which is why I listen to satellite radio more and more.

 

[MemBirdman]

MEEPSTER: "So...I don't know exactly what "TYNO" was trying to get at...
_____________________________
So...what ARE you saying?
What kind of "Blinders" are you referring to, and exactly WHO is wearing them?"

It seems to me the issues most discussed on this board are:

1. Classic Rock
2. Any other kind of rock
3. Sports radio
4. Engineering issues
5. Old times
6. Mongolian Throat Singing
-
-
-
10. Urban/Gospel radio in all their forms

That is my perception and it looks like blinders to me. I just want to see a more open discussion from ALL sides of the business.

*shrug* I get what you're saying. I get the impression that the loyal board members are of the non-urban inclination. And since we generally talk about what we're interested in, in life as much as on message boards, our conversations tend to track into those slots. Not because we don't know about them but, generally, because we don't care. I don't consider it to be offensive that I don't really care for Urban music and do care for Christian rock, so I find it equally inoffensive that I like talking about Radio U or KLove and don't like talking about K97 or V101. And it may be coming from a naive place but I don't think anyone's motives are any more sublime than that.

Not saying that discussion isn't open, just not a lot of discussion-starters here for certain parts of the biz. Maybe that's why you're here?

Just a thought...

 

[BookerT]

It is an unfortunate fact of life that radio is no longer a hometown business. It is run, and will continue to be run, by big corporations.

The few remaining local owners, life the Doc, are seen as small time whack jobs.

 

[banjer62]

I hear Jennifer Reed has returned to Memphis... I guess she is the surprise afternoon DJ at 103....

 

[JustARadioFan]

Who's yer Daddy, cuz that be MY Big Daddy over there.... :-* Loved the email... very informative!!

SandScott, I'm sorry you hit Spencer on a particularly bad day - you may have been the 23rd person in two hours to tell him everything that's wrong with all of the stations, and all of it being stuff he has absolutely no control or say in getting it changed even though he would gladly do many unspeakable acts with small animals to get one, JUST ONE little thing done to make the station better (and help control that nervous eye tic that's getting a little more pronounced of late....). Now don't go thinking I'm saying he's a saint (sorry, I made myself spew on that one). Oh brother trust me, I know he's got that side to him. There is NOTHING so blood curdling as being in your car, listening to an interview you set up go horribly wrong and then this low, rumbling voice through clenched teeth saying "yooooouuuuu..... call me NOOOOOOOOW".

But every once in a great while, the thorazine wears off and a couple of the guys just say "oh, to heck with this drivel, I'm playing Bridge of Sounds by Robin Trower just as loud as I can get it to go, then I'm gonna run through the halls dressed only in bumper stickers, and then I'll give a pair of 1910 Fruitgum Company tickets (check Pollstar, they ARE coming!) to the correct caller to predict how high I get on the tower before I either pass out and fall or am shot down like the coons from Jerry Clower's famous hunts.

Yep, corporate America, be it radio, tv, auto manufacturers, US Mail, produce at the local grocer -- it's all linked more than we'd like to admit, and most of that would be $$$$.... now if you'll excuse me, I have to prepare my tin foil sleeping hat and booties to make sure I'm safe from those mind and spirit sucking guns they point into my window when drive by in the wee hours of the morning....

 

[mchatham103]

Thus the reason I left the business. I flirt with returning every so often, but the ART of radio is dead and gone...lost to the suits. If ever I do return, it will be strictly in production.

MC

 

[radiosaur]

MEEPSTER: "So...I don't know exactly what "TYNO" was trying to get at...
_____________________________
So...what ARE you saying?
What kind of "Blinders" are you referring to, and exactly WHO is wearing them?"

It seems to me the issues most discussed on this board are:

1. Classic Rock
2. Any other kind of rock
3. Sports radio
4. Engineering issues
5. Old times
6. Mongolian Throat Singing
-
-
-
10. Urban/Gospel radio in all their forms

That is my perception and it looks like blinders to me. I just want to see a more open discussion from ALL sides of the business.

That's crap and if I wasn't so easygoing and used to dealing with crap in my second career I'd be banned from here in an instant.

Most of us are rock listeners, or alums of rock or CHR stations or engineering, etc. We talk about what we know. Fact is no one posted anything about the 'DIA firings, and if they had there would have been some serious outpouring of support. You didn't do your research. There have been many posts on here commenting how WDIA is still a strong music AM in an FM world AND how they superserve thier listeners.

 

[Medusa2U]

"Where does this leave Melody? I enjoyed listening to her as a midday jock."

Thank you!. ;D

Hey to you 'seasoned' folks I know here. I too like Robin Trower's Bridge of Sighs, Triumph, Uriah Heep...... 8)

Mel

 

[Robrt32]

Well, I guess i have yet another reason to leave the XM playing.. I did listen to 103 in the mornings.. The afternoon show never did anything for me.. I agree with who ever said they don't listen to radio for the music..XM165 has become my favorite station and the Virus

 

[DeadElvis]

It is interesting that few comments have been made about a major lay-off at WDIA. While lay-offs at any station are tragic for those involved (especially when they are nice folks like Melody) a lay-off at WDIA is different in kind, in that it shows a change of attitude toward the historic station.

WDIA is an odd bird. I can't think of another station in the country that still fits that label "full service," especially in the Urban arena. WDIA has always done well because it is -- well -- WDIA. It is uniquely plugged in to its community, and truly serves its audience. When one makes a major cut to that station, it begins to lose what philosophers would call its "WDIA-ness." While some formats can be VTed with little impact, I can't see how one can do that with WDIA; the station would just end up as a music box on AM. And, that ain't gonna work, HD Radio not withstanding.

So, we'll have to see how this goes. It's hard to imagine WDIA without folks like Hollywood.

DE


http://applezombies.wordpress.com/

 

[radio_lurker]

First off: Mel - I'm glad you're not among the wounded on the street, way to go! ;D

Next: it is tragic about all the cuts at CC. Whether it be at 103 or 'DIA, the old gray mare...well, you know the rest. It's kind of like celebrity plastic surgery. Like Michael Jackson, they've had a few too many cuts, and will become an unrecognizable parody of their former selves.

Damn shame.

 

[Tynosaur]

Sad though the reason for this thread, I appreciate the thought that's going into the responses and applaud you all.

Mel,
Best wishes to you in future endeavors. I count the time co-working with you as enjoyable and productive. Without sounding like a high school annual inscription, good luck and thank you for your professionalism - an altogether too rare commodity in this damfool business these days.

And sincere best wishes to both the CC Tims as well. The demands made on you by corporate bottom-liners chew deeply into one's humanity. As both a former employee and stockholder, I understand what you suffer and endure as well.

 

[BookerT]

Know what would be really cool at Rock 103? It would be cool if they update their airstaff page since it still has Dennis and Mel on it. Nothing like kicking people to the curb and leaving the little details hanging.

 

[Meepster]

So..."Tynosaur" are not voting Republican I gather?

HA! Anyway, Although many of your posts have been informative and entertaining, to suddenly even remotely hint that the regular users of this board are racist in any way-is absolutely ridiculous.
(or as one poster put it-CRAP!)

Do yourself (and us) a favor and do not ever attempt comment on our social conscious again-at least not mine-
You don't know me and have no right to make any ignorant assumptions as to my attitude toward ANYTHING- much less race.


WDIA is an icon of radio, and no one's happy to see layoffs and firings there nor anywhere else.
We are all on the same side here, and I for one do not appreciate unwarranted attempts at division.

That said...I believe the main reason that you don't see much on here about WDIA is that the people who work there or have concerns with the station do not often post.

Have a wonderful day. :

 

[Double M]

Did Mel Meadows get cut totally from CC? She was heading up Total Traffic Network. Why are they cutting Mel, if they are just gonna put someone else in her place? If it's Jennifer it couldn't be about money could it? I'm sure she comes with a high price tag considering the markets she's worked in and her popularity? I like both of them but don't think this new line up is going to work. Though I know Jen hasn't been on the radio in quite sometime. If Tim doesn't want to do mornings anymore I understand. I'm sure after getting up that early for twenty years he's grown tired of it. Plus all the other management stuff he has to do. I think it would have been better to move Dennis, Ric, and Luca to mornings. I don't see it working with McCormack. Don't get me wrong I like John just not paired with Ric and Luca. They could have flipped John to WREC. John Has a wealth of knowledge on many subjects and expresses himself well. I would listen. It would be better than more of that right wing syndicated stuff. Though I seem to be alone on this observation. Or they could have moved Luca to mornings with Tim and Bad Dog and let ric do afternoons. But do we have to have six hours of a morning show? That's pushing it. Maybe I'm wrog about all of this. Maybe things will work out or maybe not. I haven't been in the biz as long as most on this board. I do know what I like to hear though. I just think all of commercial radio needs to be revamped.

 

[radio_lurker]

DM-

To my knowledge, no, Mel did NOT get cut. I heard Spencer say she was going to do traffic in mornings.
And I agree...moving D&R&L to mornings would be better, and no, I doubt it will work with McCormack. They are all talented, but...

guess they're not saving that much $$ if they fired Philipi, but hired Jen.

and I wouldn't bet on a high price tag...looks like most people are just happy to have a job and the price is coming down....

;D

 

[Zeke_Terry]

I realize this thread concerns Rock 103, but what about Fred "Hollywood" Moore and Denise Dean being let go from WDIA. I see no thread mentioning the changes at CC's urban properties. Is there some double standard I've not been made aware of in the bylaws of this site? Or are most of the contributors wearing blinders? One wonders.

I'm not gonna talk about the urban properties because I don't listen to them. I hear enough urban where I work now, and if I wanted to hear gospel music I'd go to church.

You know how to start a thread as well as the rest of us.