The Hawk

[unobtanium]

Man.. how stale is this station... The PD doesn't program it, DeMers does, but Bill Sheridan will tell you otherwise(after he finishes putting a hard day of golf in and puts his 3 hours in to load logs if he can remember to load them) How many times have you heard the Hawk run 3 hours straight of spots after 12am, cuz the stupid PD was too busy sticking his nose in the GM's butt and forgot to upload the logs... Too many times, why does he still have a job?? Poor folks like Stosh(who Bill knew for 20 years) gets fired and bad mouthed because he just didn't want to take Sheridans abusive behavior after putting up with it forever. They are a joke... Ooooh my daddy didn't love me doesn't give you a free pass to verbally abuse and terrorize your staff, as anyone who works there will tell you, but are too terrified to open their mouths fearing loss of job. The ratings are an indicator of how poorly the PD has been doing his job.. #3 and falling each book tells me that not freshening up your 250 song rotation is a bad thing, but it doesn't matter, I'll just go play 18 holes and not deal with it. The only reason they have any success is because of the Niche market that the GM came up with, and the money they spend on listener friendly promotions. Smoke and Mirrors... It is like a cemetary walking in that place, whatever happened to having fun and enjoying your job, everyone there is wound so tight that if you said BOO 30 people would soil their drawers. The Hawk is a classic example of why it sucks to work in Radio today, when most of us folks got in the business 10+years ago it was a different world, its ashame that corporations like Clear Channel and Infinity and Nassau have ruined it for the rest of us. What is my point? The point is if you have no clue about music, but know how to kiss a mean A$$ yu will always have a job in the industry. Folks who burn with a passion for the biz have no place anymore. Terrestrial radio has become a boil on the butt of media... It will change in a few years from now, when the consultants who ultimately run the busiess see the massive amount of folks abandoning radio for other sources of media (13 million + sattelite, 25 mill + I pod and other sources, things will shake down soon and terrestrial stations will devalue in the next 5 years) Radio used to be a community service driven device that truly valued and tried to serve the local population, now its all bottom line driven and a backlash if not happening now, will happen soon... So Bill.. keep telling your underlings how great you are, and how much they suck, its like this at every station, I am only singeling you out because you go over and beyond the name of ------.. But [EDIT]like you have killed it for the majority of unwashed masses...So thanks again for helping to kill a once great industry, but we'll se you on the unemployment line soon enough. I know I'm gonna get trashed for this email, but someone needed to say it, its not sour grapes, just the truth... So ponder it and get out of the biz while you still can on your own terms..

[EDIT-profanity]

 

[yocco]

Ok..you seem to have some inside knowledge of the place. But do you really believe things are any better at Citadel or Clear Channel in the Valley? What choice does one have if they want to work in radio and live in the Lehigh Valley? There are people who are dying to get out of those places as well.

 

[unobtanium]

no, absolutely not. I know for a fact that the situation at the other stations sucks as well. Its a problem that is industry wide. That is my point, radio isn't like the old days, it isn't fun anymore, and when a job isn't fun why bother doing it? So your arrogant PD can verbally abuse you? So you can collect a really crappy paycheck while you play the same stupid Bryan Adams song over and over. I just wanted to shed a little light on how bad it is at a particular place in the market, people need to know before they consider working for Nassau- who really do put the ASS in Nassau... Cuz thats what you will get pounded in if you work for them. So figured the board was getting a little boring, lets shake it up a bit. I'd like to hear horror stories from other people at the other players in this market... lets hear some dirt....

 

[Burton]

The original post reeks of disgruntled former employee. It's as sad as it is transparent. What's wrong, Stosh? Calling out specials over the PA at Kmart not working out for you?

You blew it. Get over it and move on.

 

[jeffwoehrle]

Ooooh! Burton!

AND Burton with one post. Wonder why? Oh, that's right...you are too slick to think anyone will notice.

What was blown, actually, was your ratings. Can the good people and watch the numbers tank. Or is that little yardstick tainted by a "disgruntled employee" as well?

Funny stuff. :

 

[radiolover78]

I enjoy the Hawk very much.

 

[unobtanium]

Well, Kevin, thats fine. As a listener, you don't get to see the turmoil behind the facade of the radio.
Personally, I think the Hawks music is old and stale, just like its PD, but thats only a personal opinion. And to you Burton, at least K-Mart pays much more than Nassau ever could.. Beats getting a back stabbing from you and your PD buddy there. Why are you so miserable. If I was married to you, I would kill myself...
you seem to have this effect on folks.. Misery... Pure and unadulterated... So keep doing your midday shift and pretend all is well in the wonderful world of Nassau, while all us listeners suffer from the same 250 songs over..and over..and over... And watch as the promtional gimmicks wear off, you are now #3 in the market and falling fast.. At some point it really needs to be substance over style, and with the neglect this station is getting, there is no help on the way in the immediate future. Nassau is selling this cluster off again anyways, probably why they don't care what happens, the weaker the Hawk, the stronger the Frank.. Makes sense to me (and probably to the bean counters on Alexander Rd. in Princeton as well..) Disgruntled employee, no I'm not, radio insider who sees stuff, yes I am... SO bring it on Burton...... love a good challenge, I'll eat you up faster than your back to work perk...

 

[nebossjock]

Wow

You guys are stirring it up! Haven't seen this much reaction since Madonna adopted...or John Kerry blew the joke. Yes radio is all about safer times...nake you wonder why the nation wasn't charmed by the "charisma" (tic) of Al Gore!

Well Un-ObbeWan...times were even better 20 years ago...but de-reg killed that.
All Consultants are former stars who burned out and now have become the Black Hole of todays safe Cover Your A....radio
Nobody takes responsibility so you can fire the research! And we should...because research burns more cleanly than out carbon based body.

So if you've got the stuff, the heart and the attitude...seek the next level, just like FM did it to AM.
FM was a revolution! You can make a difference so don't even think of giving up.

Why did the Democrats win in PA, because they were an Alternative!
So Bring it On!

I once was a pioneer too. Now just trying to get the kids thru college and buy a Sailboat headed for
the Carribean Islands...I hope when I get there I have an Internet or satillite connection so I can hear what you've Got!
Give em Hell!

(Damn this board is getting good after a long layoff...)

 

[yocco]

Just like the Democrats...the so called "alternative"....I'm not seeing any new ideas on how to make things better. Just alot of complaining. If you don't have an answer to a problem you believe exists, I'd keep my mouth shut.

 

[Radiodeity]

...Just like the Democrats...the so called "alternative"....I'm not seeing any new ideas on how to make things better. Just alot of complaining. If you don't have an answer to a problem you believe exists, I'd keep my mouth shut...

And here we go. An election just passed by. The Republicans lost (sort of). But – please pay close attention here – the economy has been going down the crapper for the last few months, way before the election. Now who is going to get blamed when the whole thing tanks in the Spring? Hummmm…

Remember you saw it here first.

Or are you one of "the public" who is accused of having a short memory? Time will tell. I hope I'm wrong... :-\

 

[unobtanium]

Just like the Democrats...the so called "alternative"....I'm not seeing any new ideas on how to make things better. Just alot of complaining. If you don't have an answer to a problem you believe exists, I'd keep my mouth shut

Well.. here ya go for a solution... Fire the PD and his $80K plus salary for being a non interested lacky. Can your consultant and save a boatload there as well. I would actually promote Kara to PD (despite her horrible interpersonal skills, but she does know selector) And then just keep the rotation fresh. You can still do this in a classic rock format, damn its so easy, how many thousands of top 100 classic rock songs have been made from the late 1960s to the early 1990s... Hey call me crazy, but how about mixing it up a little, maybe 1 oh wow song an hour(like Custard Pie or Trampled underfoot from Zep, Fearless from Floyd, Peace Frog from the Doors, not talking wacky, stuff that used to be staples on AOR 15 years ago) Then if you want to run with a 400 song rotation, why not change out your A's and B's, Jesus, theres so much here to make things interesting, Triumph-Lay it on the Line, Rush-Red Barchetta, Stones-Little T & A, again, so many good choices, its the whole stagnant, lets just play the same songs over and over(for 5 years now) I could program this in my sleep, yeah I can hear all the detractors out there saying what do I know about programming... And my response is, I lived this lifestyle as did most of the 29-54 demo that your trying to hit.. we know these songs by heart, how stupid do you think the public is>>(which according to BS is very, aint it ironic the PDs initials are BS.... that should tell us something) Satellite is already chunking out large sectors of Terrestrial radio by following this exact credo... Be pro-active and not re-active and give the public what they want, instead of the same old safe, white bread crap that everyone(not just The Hawk) plays.. BUt, this will never happen, so I pay my $13 a month to Sirius, and get so much variety and selection, I will never listen to terrestrial again... (unles forced) Radio is entering a (not so)Brave New World, and not by its choice, can't wait to see what the fallout brings....

 

[yocco]

Been paying attention to the stock market? I don't agree with you that the economy is going into the tanker.
But if it does, it'll be because the newly elected Democratic majority will have been successful in raising taxes. Pelosi's posse...the Charlie Rengels of the world..are already salivating about it. Ya all better think about the effect this will have on small businesses..where most jobs come from today. And to prove that I am fair about this... the Republicans have spent money like theere is no tomorrow. Granted, we're at war..and there is going to have to be more money spent on the military. But I'll bet there are plenty of unnecessary projects that money has been spent on. The Republicans need to go back to being fiscally conservative. Bush's tax cuts...which I'm sure you believe were unnecessary..are the reason why the economy has held up. Let them run out in two years, and we will be in a recession. But what does any of this have to do with the Hawk..which is what the original post was about? So back to topic......I do believe the station does sound stale. The funny thing is...their sister down the road in Boyertown does not. Perhaps, whoever is doing the music scheduling is doing a better job.

 

[Radiodeity]

Been paying attention to the stock market? I don't agree with you that the economy is going into the tanker.
But if it does, it'll be because the newly elected Democratic majority will have been successful in raising taxes...

Well, let's take a look at just today:

Thu, Nov. 30, 2006
(AP) - Ford Motor Co. said approximately 38,000 union workers have accepted its buyout offer.

Thu, Nov. 30, 2006
(AllAccess) - Many Downsized At Clear Channel/Cincinnati - Yesterday (11/29) was a tough one for as many as 15 employees at CLEAR CHANNEL/CINCINNATI.

Thu, Nov. 30, 2006
(The Kansas City Star) - In the last three months, help-wanted advertising has declined in eight of the nine U.S. regions evaluated by The Conference Board. “The job market is responding to a cooling in the overall economic environment,” said Ken Goldstein, labor economist. “Business plans have become cautious — on spending, on building inventory, and on hiring going forward.”

Thu, Nov. 30, 2006
(Reuters) - U.S. stocks were little changed, overcoming earlier losses, on Thursday as higher energy shares offset a disappointing outlook by Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s and a surprise drop in Midwest business activity.

Thu, Nov. 30, 2006
(RTTNews) - Thursday, retail giant Wal-Mart Stores Inc. reported a 0.1% slip in total U.S. comparable store sales for the month of November, compared to a 4.5% growth a year ago. Looking ahead, Bentonville, Arkansas-based Wal-Mart expects comparable store sales growth of 0 to 1% for the month of December.

So yes, I do follow the market at times.

But it's OK - you'll do fine. Don't worry about it...

 

[yocco]

To think any Clear Channel moves can be even equated with the economy is laughable. This is the company that slashes in good times and bad. Hopefully, they're done slicing and dicing in the Lehigh Valley.

 

[Radiodeity]

To think any Clear Channel moves can be even equated with the economy is laughable...

Being they are probably the largest broadcast group existing I feel they would have a prety good idea of the pulse and state of the financial markets. They just might have insight into things before other groups. They would begin cutting before things get worse to cut losses beginning today. And if they see what's happening with Ford, GM, Wal-Mart and other large corporations, wouldn't that tend to point out things have already begun to slip in the markets?

Maybe it's just me. Could be I'm wearing the wrong color glasses.... :-\

If so, sorry, please carry on... Ignore the other four headlines above...

 

[jeffwoehrle]

"...Being they are probably the largest broadcast group existing I feel they would have a prety good idea of the pulse and state of the financial markets. They just might have insight into things before other groups. They would begin cutting before things get worse to cut losses beginning today. And if they see what's happening with Ford, GM, Wal-Mart and other large corporations, wouldn't that tend to point out things have already begun to slip in the markets?

Maybe it's just me. Could be I'm wearing the wrong color glasses.... :-\

If so, sorry, please carry on... Ignore the other four headlines above... "


Actually, I believe that CC has a pretty good idea of the pulse of their own market, such as it is. CC is made up of 'mostly' underperforming stations spread out across the US in 'mostly' smaller markets that were not terribly profitable when CC purchased them. The economies of scale in those combined operations have long since been consumed, and CC is left with the remnants. Most of CC property were marginal to begin with. Now it's just a big lump of marginal property.

The balance of your argument ties the US economy to a few bloated, aged companies that did a piss poor job of adapting to a changing market. (I drive a Ford, so I am bashing my own brand here...) I do blame the unions, but not entirely. CEOs tend to be big-headed types. These individuals caved to union demands during their 'watch' so as not to upset the apple cart during their tenure. Remember, the unions extorted the companies for higher wages/cradle to crave benefits/etc during flush times for the companies. No CEO wants his legacy to be 'the guy who ended the gravy train'.

The overall economy is fantastic. The stock market overall is the best pulse of that, long term. The tax rate cuts really put the nail in the coffin of the Clinton recession, and grew the economy to fill in the holes left by the 'internet boom' and corporate scandals that inflated the market during Clinton's early years. The economy now is real and sustainable, not fabricated.
'
But, $100 oil would really put the brakes on everything. Yet we hear the left chant: "No Blood For Oil" along with all the other catchy phrases from the Birkenstock crowd. Hey, pinheads... WE NEED OIL. More than you can imagine...