Spring 09

[greg.hahn]

Monday was a perfect example of how bad local radio has become. While downtown Louisville saw recorded rainfall and flooding of its business center, WHAS in particular keeps playing Rush Limbaugh. I was home that day and could tune into WAVE 3 for local news coverage nearly non-stop from 8am til 5pm, but if I had been traveling I would have expected Newsradio 84 to have covered the event. I guess cutbacks have made it impossible for this once great station to cover a major news story.

Dude, by the time Rush Limbaugh was on it was no longer news. And if WHAS really did drop the ball on storm coverage, why blame all 29 local stations for that? However, I'd just venture a guess that the entire Francine show was dedicated to storm coverage. Correct me if I'm wrong.

When round two of the storm was near, WHAS had Terry come on after the 2:30 local news and take calls until his show started at 3 like usual. They usually have been running Fox News at the bottom of the hour during Rush so I guess they gave us a treat. We didn't have power where I was at so WHAS actaully came in handy with batteries.

I live in Indiana 20 minutes from downtown and the 2nd round of storms were hitting us right after 2pm. As I mentioned earlier, WAVE was already on, and on the radio good ole hurricane Rush was blowin hard as usual. Off went the radio, so if Terry was on at 2:30 I missed him.

Why blame WHAS and not the other 29 stations? Well, they do call themselves Newsradio 84 afterall.

But you did use your perceived failure of WHAS at 2:30 that day as an example of "how bad local radio has become". Those were your words, and that sounds like you're blaming every radio station in Louisville for WHAS not devoting their afternoon to the secondary storm of the day.

And you're apparently agreeing with 50000watts, who also slammed every radio station and air personality in Louisville radio with his totally unfounded remarks about the lack of experience and professionalism among the air talent in our city.

That's nonsense.

 

[KyDXIn]

Monday was a perfect example of how bad local radio has become. While downtown Louisville saw recorded rainfall and flooding of its business center, WHAS in particular keeps playing Rush Limbaugh. I was home that day and could tune into WAVE 3 for local news coverage nearly non-stop from 8am til 5pm, but if I had been traveling I would have expected Newsradio 84 to have covered the event. I guess cutbacks have made it impossible for this once great station to cover a major news story.

Dude, by the time Rush Limbaugh was on it was no longer news. And if WHAS really did drop the ball on storm coverage, why blame all 29 local stations for that? However, I'd just venture a guess that the entire Francine show was dedicated to storm coverage. Correct me if I'm wrong.

When round two of the storm was near, WHAS had Terry come on after the 2:30 local news and take calls until his show started at 3 like usual. They usually have been running Fox News at the bottom of the hour during Rush so I guess they gave us a treat. We didn't have power where I was at so WHAS actaully came in handy with batteries.

I live in Indiana 20 minutes from downtown and the 2nd round of storms were hitting us right after 2pm. As I mentioned earlier, WAVE was already on, and on the radio good ole hurricane Rush was blowin hard as usual. Off went the radio, so if Terry was on at 2:30 I missed him.

Why blame WHAS and not the other 29 stations? Well, they do call themselves Newsradio 84 afterall.

But you did use your perceived failure of WHAS at 2:30 that day as an example of "how bad local radio has become". Those were your words, and that sounds like you're blaming every radio station in Louisville for WHAS not devoting their afternoon to the secondary storm of the day.

And you're apparently agreeing with 50000watts, who also slammed every radio station and air personality in Louisville radio with his totally unfounded remarks about the lack of experience and professionalism among the air talent in our city.

That's nonsense.

I'm not knocking the people who work in radio, in fact I'm saying corporate radio has cut too many of them and they lack the staff to run these stations properly. Here's an example, two weeks ago Bobby Jack Murphy of WAMZ was ill and couldn't work his morning shift. Ron Fisher had to fill-in for him and not work on WHAS radio. When you start hearing one person on 3 or 4 stations, that denotes a lack of staff. I wonder just how many are on the news staff of HAS these days.

I think Clearchannel should have kept Mark Travis, Denton Randall, and Joe Elliott, who are 3 very talented and hard working people, and I'm sure there are others in this market who are just as talented who also have been cut too. Radio has become "bad" because there is too much repeated syndicated programming. I don't care to listen to a tape delayed broadcast of Mark Levin or Dave Ramsey. My main problem was when there was a once in 100 year flooding event, I turned on the radio and heard a national program that I can easily listen to on other radio stations (55 WKRC comes to mind).

 

[greg.hahn]

I'm not knocking the people who work in radio, in fact I'm saying corporate radio has cut too many of them and they lack the staff to run these stations properly. Here's an example, two weeks ago Bobby Jack Murphy of WAMZ was ill and couldn't work his morning shift. Ron Fisher had to fill-in for him and not work on WHAS radio. When you start hearing one person on 3 or 4 stations, that denotes a lack of staff. I wonder just how many are on the news staff of HAS these days.

I think Clearchannel should have kept Mark Travis, Denton Randall, and Joe Elliott, who are 3 very talented and hard working people, and I'm sure there are others in this market who are just as talented who also have been cut too. Radio has become "bad" because there is too much repeated syndicated programming. I don't care to listen to a tape delayed broadcast of Mark Levin or Dave Ramsey. My main problem was when there was a once in 100 year flooding event, I turned on the radio and heard a national program that I can easily listen to on other radio stations (55 WKRC comes to mind).

Well Clear Channel is pretty well broke, that's why they made the cuts they made. (Which I agree, should not have been made.)

But radioville says they DID come on that afternoon with special coverage, and I'm betting they did that morning as well.

And again, you didn't say, "this is how bad WHAS has become". You said, "this is how bad LOCAL RADIO has become. And that, my friend, denigrates all of us.

Also, for what it's worth, Cox has the exact same number of full time jocks now as they did at this time 3 years ago. John Ashton and Joe Fedele are gone, but Kris Daniels and Shane Collins are additions. That's not inexperienced, Paducah level talent coming through a revolving door. Kris and Shane are very talented radio broadcasters with long track records.

 

[50000watts]

Greg Hahn is exactly right and I should have made my points much more clear. When I say revolving door, I did not mean all stations/companies. When I said beginner talent, I should have said "beginner sounding" as I have no idea how long some of these bozo the clown sounding jocks have been in the biz. (Greg, you HAVE to admit, not EVERY air talent here sounds good enough to be in this size market) I would rather not point out whom I think sounds beginner as I don't want to hurt feelings. But I will say as a hint, Cox had done a great job of keeping their stations sounding competitive and keeping the best air talent in the market.

 

[storrs19]

WHAS is a joke. No traffic helicopter for about decade now, very little local programming and p**s poor severe weather coverage on the weekend, overnight or a holiday. Also on somewhat related note what is up with the stupid EAS weather alerts for Huntingburg (Dubois County) which is 70 miles west of Louisville on 1450AM? You can't even hear that station more than 6 miles away from Jeffersonville to begin with and when the EAS does come on you hear music playing in the background the whole time. This whole area is pathetic IMHO for radio which is why I listen to satellite to begin with. At least 700 WLW in Cincinnati has kept mostly local talent and still has weather and traffic every 10 minutes in the morning and afternoon as well as LIVE weather coverage 24-7.

 

[greg.hahn]

This whole area is pathetic IMHO for radio which is why I listen to satellite to begin with.

Translation: The people running Louisville radio don't know what they are doing. If someone who knew how to run a radio station did come to Louisville, he would dominate. Sadly, whoever these people are that know how to run radio stations, they don't come here.

Man, that's a bummer.

 

[Radio Dave]

This whole area is pathetic IMHO for radio which is why I listen to satellite to begin with.

Translation: The people running Louisville radio don't know what they are doing. If someone who knew how to run a radio station did come to Louisville, he would dominate. Sadly, whoever these people are that know how to run radio stations, they don't come here.

Man, that's a bummer.

It's a safe bet that a few know what there are doing but the higher ups won't let them do it.

 

[KyDXIn]

I'm not knocking the people who work in radio, in fact I'm saying corporate radio has cut too many of them and they lack the staff to run these stations properly. Here's an example, two weeks ago Bobby Jack Murphy of WAMZ was ill and couldn't work his morning shift. Ron Fisher had to fill-in for him and not work on WHAS radio. When you start hearing one person on 3 or 4 stations, that denotes a lack of staff. I wonder just how many are on the news staff of HAS these days.

Well Clear Channel is pretty well broke, that's why they made the cuts they made. (Which I agree, should not have been made.)

But radioville says they DID come on that afternoon with special coverage, and I'm betting they did that morning as well.

And again, you didn't say, "this is how bad WHAS has become". You said, "this is how bad LOCAL RADIO has become. And that, my friend, denigrates all of us.

Also, for what it's worth, Cox has the exact same number of full time jocks now as they did at this time 3 years ago. John Ashton and Joe Fedele are gone, but Kris Daniels and Shane Collins are additions. That's not inexperienced, Paducah level talent coming through a revolving door. Kris and Shane are very talented radio broadcasters with long track records.

Well now that you are citing specific personalities, I personally don't listen to Kris and Shane. I knew nothing about Kris and did a search after she appeared on the new Q. Seems like she has been all over the western US, so what does she know about Louisville? I'd say she was brought here cause she will work cheaper than other talent you had available. Cheaper is not always best. She is probably a great person, but does she know more about Bakersfield than Bardstown? At least Shane has some experience in this market. I'm sure he is a fine gentleman, but his product and delivery is not something I prefer.

You agree that the cuts at WHAS shouldn't have been made, but you made cuts too if you count the EXPERIENCE your prior employees had in this market. Both John and Joe knew this market, and the listener could tell it in the product they provided. They had a calm smooth style. (Would you rather listen to American Idol try-outs or Tony Bennett?) Newer less-talented local talent is just one step up from voice-tracked talent from parts unknown. I no longer watch WHAS-TV evening news cause of the way they handled the EXPERIENCED Ken Schulz, and this is the same principle. WAVE handled Tom Wills with dignity and I would say retained viewers cause of the way the issue was handled. It's called good Public Relations. WAVE even marketed his EXPERIENCE to their advantage in commericals for the station. Wayne Perkey was EXPERIENCED in this market and people turned to him for his knowledge while he was at WHAS. I don't believe I ever saw an advertisement for him when he was at WRKA. A good marketing campaign (with billboards and TV spots) could have been done for him and with John and Joe and increased your audience.

This is not just a WHAS/Clearchannel issue. Not all, but most, companies are jettisoning EXPERIENCED talent and this is what is wrong with the industry (i.e. this is how bad LOCAL RADIO has become). While your company may not be as bad as others, you have to admit your company has talent with less experience than it did a few years ago. In the end, you operate your stations the way you see fit, but I as a listener decide which station I choose. I've cited that EXPERIENCE counts when I decide what I tune into. You need to ask yourself, "Am I making the right decisions?" Once EXPERIENCE mattered. Why doesn't it matter anymore? Is there a correlation between falling ratings and reduced EXPERIENCE of talent? Both seem to be dropping at a steady rate, but you have access to the figures. Why not try an experiment? Bring back one of your talented EXPERIENCED employees, advertise their product, and see what happens? It might cost a few dollars more, but wouln't it be worth it for better ratings? Come to think of it, isn't the Country Legends 103.9 having surprisingly good ratings and isn't Gary one of your more EXPERIENCE employees? Hmmmm. Perhaps this would work during afternoon drive time with say a Mark Travis or former WAMZ personality like Joe Sharkey?? HAHAHA! I'm sure you will find fault with what I've said, but how many others feel the same way I do?

 

[Radio Dave]

Bring back one of your talented EXPERIENCED employees, advertise their product, and see what happens? It might cost a few dollars more, but wouln't it be worth it for better ratings?
[/quote]

I always found it odd that radio wants businesses to advertise but radio (a business) won't do the same.

 

[radiorob2.0]

Bring back one of your talented EXPERIENCED employees, advertise their product, and see what happens? It might cost a few dollars more, but wouln't it be worth it for better ratings?

I always found it odd that radio wants businesses to advertise but radio (a business) won't do the same.
[/quote]

We have a winner!

 

[greg.hahn]

Well now that you are citing specific personalities, I personally don't listen to Kris and Shane. I knew nothing about Kris and did a search after she appeared on the new Q. Seems like she has been all over the western US, so what does she know about Louisville? I'd say she was brought here cause she will work cheaper than other talent you had available. Cheaper is not always best. She is probably a great person, but does she know more about Bakersfield than Bardstown? At least Shane has some experience in this market. I'm sure he is a fine gentleman, but his product and delivery is not something I prefer.

You agree that the cuts at WHAS shouldn't have been made, but you made cuts too if you count the EXPERIENCE your prior employees had in this market. Both John and Joe knew this market, and the listener could tell it in the product they provided. They had a calm smooth style. (Would you rather listen to American Idol try-outs or Tony Bennett?) Newer less-talented local talent is just one step up from voice-tracked talent from parts unknown. I no longer watch WHAS-TV evening news cause of the way they handled the EXPERIENCED Ken Schulz, and this is the same principle. WAVE handled Tom Wills with dignity and I would say retained viewers cause of the way the issue was handled. It's called good Public Relations. WAVE even marketed his EXPERIENCE to their advantage in commericals for the station. Wayne Perkey was EXPERIENCED in this market and people turned to him for his knowledge while he was at WHAS. I don't believe I ever saw an advertisement for him when he was at WRKA. A good marketing campaign (with billboards and TV spots) could have been done for him and with John and Joe and increased your audience.

This is not just a WHAS/Clearchannel issue. Not all, but most, companies are jettisoning EXPERIENCED talent and this is what is wrong with the industry (i.e. this is how bad LOCAL RADIO has become). While your company may not be as bad as others, you have to admit your company has talent with less experience than it did a few years ago. In the end, you operate your stations the way you see fit, but I as a listener decide which station I choose. I've cited that EXPERIENCE counts when I decide what I tune into. You need to ask yourself, "Am I making the right decisions?" Once EXPERIENCE mattered. Why doesn't it matter anymore? Is there a correlation between falling ratings and reduced EXPERIENCE of talent? Both seem to be dropping at a steady rate, but you have access to the figures. Why not try an experiment? Bring back one of your talented EXPERIENCED employees, advertise their product, and see what happens? It might cost a few dollars more, but wouln't it be worth it for better ratings? Come to think of it, isn't the Country Legends 103.9 having surprisingly good ratings and isn't Gary one of your more EXPERIENCE employees? Hmmmm. Perhaps this would work during afternoon drive time with say a Mark Travis or former WAMZ personality like Joe Sharkey?? HAHAHA! I'm sure you will find fault with what I've said, but how many others feel the same way I do?

This is why Radio-Info.com is such a valuable resource. You would never think, by just using facts and your rational mind, that luring a radio personality away from a full-time job in California and moving her and her family to Kentucky would be more economical than hiring an unemployed disk jockey that already lives here.

No, that's the kind of Info you can only get from someone hiding behind a screen name, who has likely never worked a day in radio in his life, and can't possibly know any of the facts surrounding the issue of which he postulates about a radio station he admittedly never listens to.

Thank God for this place. Where else are you gonna go to get Info like this? Weekly World News?

 

[Radio Dave]

This is why Radio-Info.com is such a valuable resource. You would never think, by just using facts and your rational mind, that luring a radio personality away from a full-time job in California and moving her and her family to Kentucky would be more economical than hiring an unemployed disk jockey that already lives here.

No, that's the kind of Info you can only get from someone hiding behind a screen name, who has likely never worked a day in radio in his life, and can't possibly know any of the facts surrounding the issue of which he postulates about a radio station he admittedly never listens to.

Thank God for this place. Where else are you gonna go to get Info like this? Weekly World News?
[/quote]

Jesus I hope I never piss Greg off. But face it, management must make cuts. That means those making the most will be the first to go. I feel its a boneheaded move and sad but you can't fight fashion. Personality radio is dead and it ain't coming back. The higher ups have made sure of that. They see radio as nothing more than an ipod w/ stopsets at 20 & 50. And why would I want them to program my ipod? In other words, if your giving me nothing but the same songs, no personality PLUS commercials... you lose, my ipod wins. Or the car CD player. I also get a good laugh when they talk about HD radio. Do they really think thats what we want? I've said it before and I'll say it again. No one who talks about the good ol days of radio reminisces about the time their favorite station played their favorite song at 3:08 in the afternoon or that great stopset with their favorite commercial. Nope, it was the jock on the air at 3:08 in the afternoon who right after they heard their favorite song, sang along with the commercial jingle.

 

[Craven707]

HD radio, the 8 Track Tape Player for a new millennium. And now, back to Greg

 

[radiorob2.0]

HD radio, the 8 Track Tape Player for a new millennium. And now, back to Greg

I resemble that remark. The 8 track format worked each time it was used. My only annoyance with 8 track tape was when the song faded for a track change. Other than that it worked unless the batteries died or the playback head was knocked out of alignment. HD radio, not so much.

 

[icycool7227]

Well now that you are citing specific personalities, I personally don't listen to Kris and Shane. I knew nothing about Kris and did a search after she appeared on the new Q. Seems like she has been all over the western US, so what does she know about Louisville? I'd say she was brought here cause she will work cheaper than other talent you had available. Cheaper is not always best. She is probably a great person, but does she know more about Bakersfield than Bardstown? At least Shane has some experience in this market. I'm sure he is a fine gentleman, but his product and delivery is not something I prefer.

You agree that the cuts at WHAS shouldn't have been made, but you made cuts too if you count the EXPERIENCE your prior employees had in this market. Both John and Joe knew this market, and the listener could tell it in the product they provided. They had a calm smooth style. (Would you rather listen to American Idol try-outs or Tony Bennett?) Newer less-talented local talent is just one step up from voice-tracked talent from parts unknown. I no longer watch WHAS-TV evening news cause of the way they handled the EXPERIENCED Ken Schulz, and this is the same principle. WAVE handled Tom Wills with dignity and I would say retained viewers cause of the way the issue was handled. It's called good Public Relations. WAVE even marketed his EXPERIENCE to their advantage in commericals for the station. Wayne Perkey was EXPERIENCED in this market and people turned to him for his knowledge while he was at WHAS. I don't believe I ever saw an advertisement for him when he was at WRKA. A good marketing campaign (with billboards and TV spots) could have been done for him and with John and Joe and increased your audience.

This is not just a WHAS/Clearchannel issue. Not all, but most, companies are jettisoning EXPERIENCED talent and this is what is wrong with the industry (i.e. this is how bad LOCAL RADIO has become). While your company may not be as bad as others, you have to admit your company has talent with less experience than it did a few years ago. In the end, you operate your stations the way you see fit, but I as a listener decide which station I choose. I've cited that EXPERIENCE counts when I decide what I tune into. You need to ask yourself, "Am I making the right decisions?" Once EXPERIENCE mattered. Why doesn't it matter anymore? Is there a correlation between falling ratings and reduced EXPERIENCE of talent? Both seem to be dropping at a steady rate, but you have access to the figures. Why not try an experiment? Bring back one of your talented EXPERIENCED employees, advertise their product, and see what happens? It might cost a few dollars more, but wouln't it be worth it for better ratings? Come to think of it, isn't the Country Legends 103.9 having surprisingly good ratings and isn't Gary one of your more EXPERIENCE employees? Hmmmm. Perhaps this would work during afternoon drive time with say a Mark Travis or former WAMZ personality like Joe Sharkey?? HAHAHA! I'm sure you will find fault with what I've said, but how many others feel the same way I do?

This is why Radio-Info.com is such a valuable resource. You would never think, by just using facts and your rational mind, that luring a radio personality away from a full-time job in California and moving her and her family to Kentucky would be more economical than hiring an unemployed disk jockey that already lives here.

No, that's the kind of Info you can only get from someone hiding behind a screen name, who has likely never worked a day in radio in his life, and can't possibly know any of the facts surrounding the issue of which he postulates about a radio station he admittedly never listens to.

Thank God for this place. Where else are you gonna go to get Info like this? Weekly World News?

Greg, then I suggest you tell those damn stations to hire more people then. Face it, it's HARD to get into!

 

[Bengalsfan]

Greg, then I suggest you tell those damn stations to hire more people then. Face it, it's HARD to get into!

Dude, did you not "get it"? Radio isn't hiring. If you are wanting a job on the air, I would suggest you start an internet radio station or something because broadcast radio, even the small markets, are cutting costs to the bone. Which means very few, if any, new hires.

 

[oxford777]

John Ashton and Joe Fedele are gone..........

Just curious.....have John and/or Joe landed anywhere?

 

[KyDXIn]

This is why Radio-Info.com is such a valuable resource. You would never think, by just using facts and your rational mind, that luring a radio personality away from a full-time job in California and moving her and her family to Kentucky would be more economical than hiring an unemployed disk jockey that already lives here.

No, that's the kind of Info you can only get from someone hiding behind a screen name, who has likely never worked a day in radio in his life, and can't possibly know any of the facts surrounding the issue of which he postulates about a radio station he admittedly never listens to.

Thank God for this place. Where else are you gonna go to get Info like this? Weekly World News?

Hiding?? I didn't know we were supposed to give our address and phone number? Are you a lonely man needing a date or what?? I didn't know membership on here was for the elite only! Sir, I am part of your listening public, and you have missed the most important rule in business-- the customer is alway right. You may not agree with what I have to say, but you should listen. You need to ask yourself how many others feel the same way? You may realize this one day when your ratings keep dwindling and you wonder, "What happened?" You may wish one day to have another listener to listen to that crap you have on our airwaves. I think you have forgotten who actually owns your license to operate a radio station. [EDIT]



[EDIT-namecalling]

 

[Radio Dave]

John Ashton and Joe Fedele are gone..........

Just curious.....have John and/or Joe landed anywhere?

John Ashton has a golf show Saturday mornings at 8 on 970 WGTK.

 

[Bengalsfan]

You may wish one day to have another listener to listen to that crap you have on our airwaves. I think you have forgotten who actually owns your license to operate a radio station.

The concept of public ownership of the airwaves is repeated over and over without a close examination as to whether the notion has any legal basis or makes any sense. As Franklin Delano Roosevelt once said, repetition does not transform a lie into the truth. If you review the record, it is clear that Congress never intended for the public to control the airwaves.

Sen. Clarence Dill, co-author of the Radio Act of 1927, “The government does not own the frequencies, as we call them, or the use of the frequencies. It only possesses the right to regulate the apparatus. We might declare that we own all the channels, but we do not.”

The Congressional Research Service concluded that “the notion that the public or the government owns the airwaves is without precedent. We find no case that so holds." When enacting the Radio Act of 1927, Congress specifically deleted a House-passed “declaration of ownership."

The radio frequency spectrum cannot be seen, touched or heard. Like sunlight and the wind, it has existed since the beginning of time—long before any person was around to claim it as their own. The spectrum—actually pulses of energy at different frequencies—cannot be contained, or divided, or held in any way. So how can anyone own or control it? The very idea is preposterous.