Star 94: End of an era..for a lot of people

[lipripper]

When Vikki Locke retires, what is going to happen with Steve McCoy and the rest of the on air people?

 

[atlradiofan2]

More cinnabons for everyone. Less tylenol for me.

 

[no1uno]

Steve will retire as well, he's had a good run, and the station will reinvent itself...again. It has survived many years doing this. Everyone thought it was the end of the world when Mghee(sp), Yetta and Redneckerson were done....they guessed wrong. It will do fine, and however maligned...make a lot of money for everyone.

 

[RoddyFreeman]

Here are my crazy ideas.

I never liked the 2-host show in afternoon drive. It completely changes the pace of a CHR station. In mornings, that's expected. Star 94's sister station in Charlotte, The Link, had been doing a 2-host PM drive show, and that might have been the inspiration. But The Link was a pop alternative station with a slower pace than Star; now The Link is a talk station.

Now...Star's reasoning (I'm guessing) for putting on Cindy & Ray in afternoon drive was to freshen things up and give people a unique reason to listen. Star's ratings had been eroding even though Craig Hunt was a very talented jock. At this point though, I don't think Star's ratings in afternoon drive are as high as they were before Cindy & Ray.

My first crazy idea is to make afternoon drive "The Steve McCoy Show." (I told you it was crazy.) Putting McCoy there would give people a special reason to listen but basically maintain the CHR pace of the station. He could do a few non-afternoon drive-type things, such as his own version of "Quickies from Vikki" but basically maintain Tripp's pacing. I realize McCoy is older than the demo, but he has the name and appeal to give people a reason to listen beyond just the music.

For mornings, they might want to initially move C&R into that slot although I personally don't think they're morning show material. Long-term they would need a new morning show, and I still like the idea of bringing up Matt & Ramona from afternoon drive on The Link in Charlotte. They're more edgy than Steve & Vikki but are adult-oriented and stay within the bounds of good taste.

I do agree with Number1Uno, owner of Uno's Sushi & Steaks, that Star 94 will come out fine. Star has had great leadership for years.

 

[RTibbs]

I belive I saw C & R are signed up for another 5 years. so if they move to mornings it will be for the long haul. I am not sure why you don't think they are a morning show. Some tweaking of the content would make them morning friendly not that they aren't already a morning tyope show doing afternoons.

 

[RoddyFreeman]

I belive I saw C & R are signed up for another 5 years. so if they move to mornings it will be for the long haul. I am not sure why you don't think they are a morning show. Some tweaking of the content would make them morning friendly not that they aren't already a morning tyope show doing afternoons.

I agree C&R are a morning show format. I was referring to the show's quality, but that's just my opinion. Obviously others--such as the station--disagree.

 

[Tibbs4]

Why does everyone think Steve McCoy will retire? He's had many co-hosts in his 30+ year career. Sure he will miss
Vicki, but he loves radio and entertaining and has incredible talent to be able to come up with all the bits after all
these years. It's not like he's 70 years old. Okay, the doors open...slam him shut in it.

 

[wombat]

Here are my crazy ideas.

I never liked the 2-host show in afternoon drive. It completely changes the pace of a CHR station. In mornings, that's expected. Star 94's sister station in Charlotte, The Link, had been doing a 2-host PM drive show, and that might have been the inspiration. But The Link was a pop alternative station with a slower pace than Star; now The Link is a talk station.

For mornings, they might want to initially move C&R into that slot although I personally don't think they're morning show material. Long-term they would need a new morning show, and I still like the idea of bringing up Matt & Ramona from afternoon drive on The Link in Charlotte. They're more edgy than Steve & Vikki but are adult-oriented and stay within the bounds of good taste.

well i've got to agree with you on the matt and ramona thing. they are the best team on the air, mornings or afternoons, that i've heard in the last 7 or 8 years. when star announced ray (who i love) and cindy, my first thought was they're mimicking matt and ramona. sadly, their show doesn't even compare.

 

[Ssummers]

Now...Star's reasoning (I'm guessing) for putting on Cindy & Ray in afternoon drive was to freshen things up and give people a unique reason to listen.

My first crazy idea is to make afternoon drive "The Steve McCoy Show." (I told you it was crazy.)

For mornings, they might want to initially move C&R into that slot although I personally don't think they're morning show material.

Not a bad idea (an excellent one, in fact) moving Steve to afternoons...and for all of the reasons you mentioned. But I'll have to part ways with you on the opinion that Cindy and Ray aren't morning show material. I think the big unspoken truth is that moving them to mornings was always in the back of management's collective mind...when a plausible "exit" strategy could be formulated (or one presented itself) for Steve and Vicki. I've known Ray for 20 years and he's got the "nuts" to make a successful morning show at Star. As long as management and ownership stays the same, if and when given the opportunity, Cindy and Ray will make everyone in the ATL forget about Matt and Ramona.

 

[RoddyFreeman]

But I'll have to part ways with you on the opinion that Cindy and Ray aren't morning show material. I think the big unspoken truth is that moving them to mornings was always in the back of management's collective mind...when a plausible "exit" strategy could be formulated (or one presented itself) for Steve and Vicki. I've known Ray for 20 years and he's got the "nuts" to make a successful morning show at Star.

Your point on Cindy & Ray being morning show material is well taken.

I don't necessarily agree with you, however, that Vicki's leaving is a "plausible exit strategy." Vicki made very specific comments to the AJC about her reason for leaving and even quoted her husband's concern for her condition. The depth and personal nature of her comments would have been a little too much if her exit from the station had been orchestrated. I believe her.

 

[Ssummers]

But I'll have to part ways with you on the opinion that Cindy and Ray aren't morning show material. I think the big unspoken truth is that moving them to mornings was always in the back of management's collective mind...when a plausible "exit" strategy could be formulated (or one presented itself) for Steve and Vicki. I've known Ray for 20 years and he's got the "nuts" to make a successful morning show at Star.

Your point on Cindy & Ray being morning show material is well taken.

I don't necessarily agree with you, however, that Vicki's leaving is a "plausible exit strategy." Vicki made very specific comments to the AJC about her reason for leaving and even quoted her husband's concern for her condition. The depth and personal nature of her comments would have been a little too much if her exit from the station had been orchestrated. I believe her.

Roddy, I believe her, too. Short of robbing a bank, I think Steve and Vicki both have been there long enough and have provided overly successful track records to the extent that they could/can leave just about when they want to (kind of like Joe Paterno at Penn State...they've earned the right to leave when and under whatever circumstances they deem suitable or necessary). If you look closely to what I wrote, I added the caveat in parentheses regarding any "exit" strategy being formulated, "...or one presented itself". Any health concern causing one to leave a job or position is an extremely unfortunate circumstance...but it is a circumstance which presented itself nonetheless. I certainly did not mean to suggest that it was "orchestrated" or fabricated in any way. One of the HUGE factors that figured in Steve and Vicki's long term success at Star was there sincerity. It is what makes them so likable and human. I wish nothing but renewed health and a long happy future for her and her family.

 

[Tibbs4]

Ifuss, that's funny! Maybe you should apply for S & V's job and "save" Star.

 

[earswideopen]

I agree with the well wishers. Vikki Locke is a class act. In saying that, one does have to wonder if Steve stays - who will he work with once Vikki is gone? Is the fact that they haven't been able to keep a producer around for longer than a year or so (at least the last few) indicative of being hard to work with? And something nobody has pondered on this board - what about Tom Sullivan? What happens to Tom? Will Star pair somebody with Tom until the initial shock of Steve and Vikki being gone diminishes? Do you burn a show before you bring in a team that you see as the future long term morning show? Just thoughts...

 

[manwhore]

Last I heard Matt and Ramona were tanking in Charlotte. Why would they do better in ATL?

 

[Dixie Jock]

Let's not forget that Lincoln Financial is for sale. Once they are purchased, all of Star 94 could go away.

 

[mshawnarnold]

Yeah, that's definitely likely. I mean, if I bought a company, I would definitely blow up the $25 - $30 million billing machine and 3rd highest billing station in the 9th largest market in America....

Makes perfect sense....

 

[radiochic05]

Let's not forget that Lincoln Financial is for sale. Once they are purchased, all of Star 94 could go away.

Sounds like wishful thinking there Dixie.

 

[RTibbs]

Star 94 is probably one of the topping billing station overall for Lincoln so why would a buyer blow it up. If the company is parceled out, Star 94 is going to be bought because it is Star 94 not because it is 94.1 on the Atlanta dial.

 

[Tibbs4]

And who is mainly to blame for all of the financial success of Star 94? The morning man who they ain't gonna let slip away, perhaps? Then again, it's not like there's any loyalty or common sense in radio these days.

OFR, McCoy isn't ready to retire. He loves life to the fullest and understands that it's best for Vicki to take this step. He'll be fine
and in a sense, it's a chance to refresh the station and possibly increase revenues and the image.

But, anything management decides to do is up in the air....

 

[caller10]

I know! I know! The real value in 94.1 is someone could buy it and relaunch it as Superhits of the 60s, 70s, and 80s 94Q.

Star 94 is probably one of the topping billing station overall for Lincoln so why would a buyer blow it up. If the company is parceled out, Star 94 is going to be bought because it is Star 94 not because it is 94.1 on the Atlanta dial.