Don Barrett reports that Terry Grieger, the director of engineering for Clear Channel/LA’s cluster, left the company yesterday. He's had his health problems, however I hear things went south for him and his department when they came under the rule of another at the company. Seems to happen to every department or station there when a certain someone takes control. Sad, another one bites the dust.
-
Get involved.
We want your input!
Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.
After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.
After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/
Thanks in advance and have fun!
RadioDiscussions Administrators
Terry Grieger, director of engineering for Clear Channel/LA Exits
- Thread starter calguy
- Start date
calguy said:
Apparently, "G'day" is now a curse word.
Mr. Grieger and what's left of the staff at CC Burbank deserve better. They've put the place in the hands of Satan from down under and it's need of an immediate exorcism.
Surely, some suit at CBS or Cumulus corporate will reach out to Mr. Grieger.
Surely, some suit at CBS or Cumulus corporate will reach out to Mr. Grieger.
Finally, the word gets out. Even David knows now. Top rated stations, with LA's lowest morale and now you know why. You know that the people he's disposed of did not see eye to eye with him and while they're all without jobs, they're probably better off without the stress of working with a walking nightmare for a boss.
Stewie: A bit of clarification; The underlying message here is not about Mr. Grieger. He is a very competent and highly experienced engineer in major markets from NYC to LA. Mr. Grieger is a victim, as are the people at CC Burbank. The unnamed villain in this scenario is the station's Aussie (there, David, now I've said it) who needs, as I would say to my six year old, a time out.stewie said:
calguy said:
Strange coincidence:
I was watching an old cops show on TV while doing some scanning for my website. The episode was about the murder of an entertainment industry manager. The guy was a despot, rude, arbitrary and quick to put the blame on anyone but himself for anything that went wrong.
The investigators found that there were nearly 700 suspects on and off the stage and set; disgruntled performers, gaffers, best boys, sound engineers, and so on plus lots of union grievances.
One cop asks the other, "If he is such a terror, why don't they fire him?" The other cop says, "as long as his stuff puts lots butts in the seats, they'll put up with it!"
Seems to fit "The Wicked of Oz", eh?
Interesting analogy David. I would add that the Cluster Manager is aware of the problem, but either can't or won't address it, so New Zealand's contribution to North American Radio continues to ruin lives, either by terminating anyone who showed any resistance to his ideas or by continuing to torture them every day at work. I've heard of both and some of the true stories of what has gone on there are almost legendary. But I've been thinking about some of those who met their career demise at this person's hands and most seem to be experienced, talented people who did nothing more than make too much money, or simply disagreed with his orders and leadership style. This is not the first or last time someone has made work a living hell for those under the thumb of someone who should not be in charge of personnel. He may meet the objectives of management with regards to station performance and cost savings, but it also shows a blatant disregard for the welfare of the majority of workers that have to deal with this guy's shenanigans.
calguy said:
Sounds like the group I began with in radio: Richard Eaton's United Broadcasting. The ways in which evil was perpetrated on the staff could have added a dimension to any literary interpretation of the administration of Hades.
But I forgot... that was 35 years before consolidation, and we know how great radio was way back then. I must have just dreamed it, just the way that folks had the same dream when working for Don Burden, or Max Richmond in Boston or Harry Averil at WEAM...
Nasty managers have been with us throughout recorded history, and the "good old days" of radio had their fair share of what one could describe as evil. There are stories of PDs & GM's firing people in creative and sadistic ways after abusing them mentally for some time. It's nothing new, but it makes one ponder how it can continue to happen in this age of political correctness with HR usually on hand or there to investigate matters. Hearing about an incident individually may not raise any red flags at most companies, but when you start to collect and add up all of what has happened since this person's arrival the picture changes. What I've been wondering for a while now is if ANYONE in management at Clear Channel ever reads the posts here on Radio-Info/Radio Discussion? And if they do, do they ever think, gee, maybe all the people who have come to complain about their treatment might actually be right? The corner office in Burbank has it's shades down, or blinders if you will and that's even more disturbing.
As an example, by all accounts KOST was a successful operation staffed by a group of happy, talented people who all got a long pretty well and who knew how to win, all hand picked by the very talented programmer who built the station. But over the past several years it's been downgrade internally. Good people terminated in favor of those who will work for less, in favor of those who will bow down to the narcissistic behavior of some little Napoleon who demands that he be worshiped while he micro-manages. It's not the first time any of us have seen it happen, it's just that most can't believe that a company would let it happen to a prime property. Ratings wise the station is doing well, but it's hard to believe when you actually take a listen to what it sounds like now. It pales in comparison to it's earlier incarnation. Hats off to Ty Bentli for escaping from MyFM. He not only got away from all that tumult, but improved his position by heading to NYC for an even more high profile job.
As an example, by all accounts KOST was a successful operation staffed by a group of happy, talented people who all got a long pretty well and who knew how to win, all hand picked by the very talented programmer who built the station. But over the past several years it's been downgrade internally. Good people terminated in favor of those who will work for less, in favor of those who will bow down to the narcissistic behavior of some little Napoleon who demands that he be worshiped while he micro-manages. It's not the first time any of us have seen it happen, it's just that most can't believe that a company would let it happen to a prime property. Ratings wise the station is doing well, but it's hard to believe when you actually take a listen to what it sounds like now. It pales in comparison to it's earlier incarnation. Hats off to Ty Bentli for escaping from MyFM. He not only got away from all that tumult, but improved his position by heading to NYC for an even more high profile job.
Any word on who is going to replace Terry? ???
Now that AJ is in charge I doubt they'll hire a replacement. I'll bet CC just hands off all the FCC/Paperwork duties to another engineer there and save more cash. I'd guess that Chuck Ide will get those duties since he's one of the more competent engineers there when it comes to knowing the rules.
I guess I was really lucky through my career. I have worked for, and with, many great GMs and PDs. Only a couple of dolts, and one real jerk, but the rest were wonderful. Some were very tough, but always fair. I didn't always get what I wanted, but usually did if I presented a cogent argument.
observer8057 said:
You're fortunate. My story is similar to yours and though I've worked for a few jerks, they were angels compared to CC LA Ops manager... But he'll be there pretty much as long as he wants because he's seeing success with the station he programs, and the corner office feels he can do no wrong. Even if he does they look the other way.
Hoping that Terry Grieger finds work soon.
- Status