So....when does Cumulus start making changes?

[Clickin]

Yes, I believe that Blueberry is locally owned. However, I disagree with Musicman's comment about Blueberry having the worst sounding stations in the state. I think all of the radio groups in Bangor have some very good...and yes...some pretty bad sounding stations. Personally, I think I95, WKIT, and WVOM are the best sounding stations (from each group) in Bangor.

What sticks out to me is the morale of the employees. I have yet to hear from an unhappy employee from Zone Corp or Blueberry. I can't say the same about Cumulus.

 

[gboone70]

Zone Corp actually has an opening in their news department and for a talk show. Who is leaving?

 

[Pugsley]

I've talked to unhappy people at Zone Corp.
And Nelson Jewell is tracked.

 

[Mainedude2007]

Zone Corp actually has an opening in their news department and for a talk show. Who is leaving?

probably attempt #2 at a local morning show on their liberal talker WZON 103.1/620

 

[Bobby Russell]

Yes, we're looking for a morning talk show and a news director at The Pulse WZON, and no, nobody's leaving. We're expanding.

 

[Nelz]

I've talked to unhappy people at Zone Corp.
And Nelson Jewell is tracked.

I'm tracked?!! Why didn't somebody tell me? I wouldn't have been doing all this live radio stuff for all these years.

And there's unhappy people at Zone Corp? Truth be known, there are both unhappy and happy peeps everywhere in radio.

As for the tracking? I'm both live and tracked, but I'm still in the studio working and taking calls while the occasional VT plays. Tis the nature of the business...has been for many a year. I'm wearing many hats.

I would say that most of us left in radio are pretty content to have a job these days doing the thing we were born to do. There's many a great talent that posts regularly on this site. If you are amongst the unemployed, my heart goes out to you. I wish there was something I could do to put you back behind the mic where you belong.

BTW, I take no offense to things posted about me here. This has always been a great site to vent a little. We all do it.

God Bless,
Nelz

 

[True Grit]

I've talked to unhappy people at Zone Corp.
And Nelson Jewell is tracked.

I'm tracked?!! Why didn't somebody tell me? I wouldn't have been doing all this live radio stuff for all these years.

And there's unhappy people at Zone Corp? Truth be known, there are both unhappy and happy peeps everywhere in radio.

As for the tracking? I'm both live and tracked, but I'm still in the studio working and taking calls while the occasional VT plays. Tis the nature of the business...has been for many a year. I'm wearing many hats.

I would say that most of us left in radio are pretty content to have a job these days doing the thing we were born to do. There's many a great talent that posts regularly on this site. If you are amongst the unemployed, my heart goes out to you. I wish there was something I could do to put you back behind the mic where you belong.

BTW, I take no offense to things posted about me here. This has always been a great site to vent a little. We all do it.

God Bless,
Nelz

Nice post from one of THE truly good guys in the biz.

 

[Me Venture Capital]

when its over there will be no live studios, as programming will come from a jock in other states. Basic business, cut all overhead and make all the profit. Want to know when? Just stay tuned.

I've been reading about this transition and have kept quiet, but this sentence, while I have no concrete proof, is total BS. The only thing I have to back this up is the Cumulus cluster in even tinier Bangor. While there has been a lot of cutbacks in both local programming and employees, Cumulus does keep a lot of local live and voicetracked programming.

WDEA AM 1370 definitely has the smallest amount of local programming, but Rick Foster (broadcasting forever at WDEA) is there every weekday morning from an Ellsworth studio. Plus there are many local basketball games from Ellsworth and MDI high school every winter. The rest is from the satellite. Oh yeah, plus WDEA holds a record with the Boston Red Sox. They have been broadcasting the Sox continuously on the same station longer than any other in New England.

WEZQ 92.9 Soft AC follows close behind. Only middays are local and live. Bob and Sheri in the morning and Delilah in the evening have been on WEZQ since before Cumulus bought the station.

WWMJ 95.7 Classic Hits is local 24 hours but only has local talent from 6a to 6p. Chuck Foster (who has been there since Cumulus bought the station) is live in the morning at least until 9 (think he's voice tracked after that.) And PD Fred Miller is on from noon to 6p. Fred came with the station when Cumulus bought it. ;D

WBZN 107.3 CHR While not my cup of tea, I know they are local from 6a to 10p. The Kid who does mornings has been there since before Cumulus bought the station (NOTICE A TREND HERE?) I'm not sure how much the rest of the day is voice tracked but I'm pretty sure at least the evening is 'cause Chuck Foster is on then.

WQCB 106.5 Country Again live in the morning, and at least some during midday and afternoon drive. Maybe someone closer (True Grit?) can give the specifics. After 7p there is some syndicated show. Now I'm pretty sure middays Cindy Campbell has been there since before Cumulus bought the station. And I'm not sure about the morning dude.

Now am I defending the way Cumulus runs the stations? Not totally. But I think I can safely say that they DO put their trust in the employees they have, and that it can't be a totally bad place to work since they have a lot of long time employees. In fact, I can't even tell you when Cumulus bought this cluster, but I'm sure it's been over 10 years. Someone correct me please if I'm wrong.

The real meaning for writing this post is to point out to Me Venture Capital is that your post about WMTW-FM and 102.9 was full of false information and after reading your rants on this subject, I would tend to be skeptical about ANYTHING you now post.

To the moderator: If the last paragraph is too inflammatory, please delete it.

To your last paragraph, it is easy to get dates wrong, and I did have some things wrong about the past, but not the future. As a large shareholder of cumulus [CMLS traded on the NASDAQ, everyone should buy stock!], just wait and see. I respect your right to post and even get dates wrong, and to be skeptical of what I say; no problem I am human. I am not arguing either, just like the "Buggles" said "Video Killed the Radio Star" So will the internet: kill newspapers, most forms of T.V., broadcasting and radio, we are facing a technological revolution, those who are not aware of this do not realize how fast these changes will be taking place. Think about it who would use a radio when any smart phone is better and more self selectable. The future will be the proving ground, they [Cumulus] may have local production staff, but the trend to use out of state jocks is not new, and for large groups it is a huge overhead savings... Nothing is safe even Direct TV and other sat stations!

Thanks for your opinion! it is welcome...

 

[ray ting]

To Me Venture Capital: If radio's future is truly as dire as you predict it to be, it is curious to me why you are still a "large shareholder of Cumulus".

*sniff* *sniff* Do I smell something?

 

[special ed]

CMLS is 40% down from when I bought some. Why would I want more as they are about to repeat Citadel's mistakes?

 

[Me Venture Capital]

To Me Venture Capital: If radio's future is truly as dire as you predict it to be, it is curious to me why you are still a "large shareholder of Cumulus".

*sniff* *sniff* Do I smell something?

Yes you do, me making money short term...

 

[Me Venture Capital]

CMLS is 40% down from when I bought some. Why would I want more as they are about to repeat Citadel's mistakes?

Yes but while you lost 40%, I am buying now (low, after all a share is between $4 & $6 bucks now) I only have to wait till I make 2 to 3 %...

The only better investment is buying foreclosed properties and holding them until you make a good R.O.I. which isn't hard... A man with money in his hand at this time in our economy can make billions. And to think I was once only a stupid dj, busting my hump for the rich station owners.

Did you ever want to buy an old station you worked for, just to fire the snobs that fired you??? I do, and I will, because I can. God Bless America!