G
georgiapeach
Guest
Someone told me that he was let go.....is it true??? ??? ??? ???
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S
Sandscott
Guest
If that is true, that's horrible. You don't get any nicer of a man than Tom.
R
radio_head
Guest
No Tom, it's Lance holding down the drivers seat.
E
eden
Guest
Tom is off for a few days, this much I do know. Not sure if he just couldn't talk about it, or it isn't true. I didn't ask. No one on the sales team seems to have heard anything either...
Would anybody REALLY be shocked? ???
Although Tom is great at this...the fact remains that the wiley old veterans usually have HUGE paychecks and costs that go with them.
It's the same all over corporate America.
Buy-outs.
Early retirements.(forced)
Demotions.
Pay cuts.
Younger, hungier people willing to do the same job and more for much less moola.
Even if they don't do it as well...they do it cheaper.
If they had a choice between keeping Tom and some other compensation-heavy personel...I can't really understand why they'd choose to cut Tom loose.
Although Tom is great at this...the fact remains that the wiley old veterans usually have HUGE paychecks and costs that go with them.
It's the same all over corporate America.
Buy-outs.
Early retirements.(forced)
Demotions.
Pay cuts.
Younger, hungier people willing to do the same job and more for much less moola.
Even if they don't do it as well...they do it cheaper.
If they had a choice between keeping Tom and some other compensation-heavy personel...I can't really understand why they'd choose to cut Tom loose.
G
georgiapeach
Guest
My feelings exactly Meep. When we cut loose all the vets, there is no one left to look up to as a mentor for those still interested in getting into the biz. I was just lamenting the other day the fact that I am now on the outside looking in, but it's situations like these that make me feel better about my decision. I hope that he has just taken some time off for personal reasons. However, Lance has been on the past two days and has not said, to my knowledge, that he is "filling in for Tom". :-\
M
MikeBratton
Guest
That's disappointing.
Though we shouldn't be surprised.
Today, Tom is the one who deserves a hug.
Though we shouldn't be surprised.
Today, Tom is the one who deserves a hug.
E
eden
Guest
He didn't get fired. His contract is up and it's up to him to decide if he's going to start a new one, he is off air until he does. Who knows if he'll be back...only him.
I have listened to Tom my ENTIRE life. I will be very sad to not hear him on FM100. When I sat down behind that mike to cover the 7p-12m shift...right after Tom got off air, I had never been more nervous in my life. But he said "hey kiddo, you want some advice?" And he's been someone I look up to ever since, and I always will. He was one of the only people that made me cry when I left; FM100, 93x and AM790 are a family of people and it was hardly a workplace, until Entercom came in. I am very disappointed in where they have taken the station, and where it seems to be going. If Tom goes, FM100 won't be "home" to me anymore.
I have listened to Tom my ENTIRE life. I will be very sad to not hear him on FM100. When I sat down behind that mike to cover the 7p-12m shift...right after Tom got off air, I had never been more nervous in my life. But he said "hey kiddo, you want some advice?" And he's been someone I look up to ever since, and I always will. He was one of the only people that made me cry when I left; FM100, 93x and AM790 are a family of people and it was hardly a workplace, until Entercom came in. I am very disappointed in where they have taken the station, and where it seems to be going. If Tom goes, FM100 won't be "home" to me anymore.
R
radio_head
Guest
I agree 27 years in the same slot/ same station has to be some sort of record.
Hands down Tom has it going on and this is coming from someone who shares drive time with him..You know you're the man when other jocks sneak and listen to your show during their shift and you're not even competition!
It amazes me how someone at his age and experience can still play artist like Gwen Stefani, Snow Patrol, etc and still sound good, youthful, and vibrant. It would be a sore loss for the station, if he opted not to renew.
Hands down Tom has it going on and this is coming from someone who shares drive time with him..You know you're the man when other jocks sneak and listen to your show during their shift and you're not even competition!
It amazes me how someone at his age and experience can still play artist like Gwen Stefani, Snow Patrol, etc and still sound good, youthful, and vibrant. It would be a sore loss for the station, if he opted not to renew.
Earlier this year I ran into Tom at an event and he said he was going to finish out his 30 years before retiring. I had really hoped that he would be there to retire and to go out on a high note.
To me, Tom IS Memphis radio. He's the first Jock that I listened to regularly when I moved here and he was one of the first to take me in when I was in the business. I know that the change in ownership has probably made him rethink renewing his contract, but then again, Tom's been through MANY ownership changes in his career. If nothing else, I hope he at least returns for a farewell.
Once Tom's off the air, I guess I'll be listening to KIX or talk radio on the way home... WYPL simulcasts Channel 5 News from 5-6:30.... Not much else worth listening to in afternoon drive ....
To me, Tom IS Memphis radio. He's the first Jock that I listened to regularly when I moved here and he was one of the first to take me in when I was in the business. I know that the change in ownership has probably made him rethink renewing his contract, but then again, Tom's been through MANY ownership changes in his career. If nothing else, I hope he at least returns for a farewell.
Once Tom's off the air, I guess I'll be listening to KIX or talk radio on the way home... WYPL simulcasts Channel 5 News from 5-6:30.... Not much else worth listening to in afternoon drive ....
Tom is a true gentleman, and a rightful legend. When I started to hear these rumblings, I was sickened. I don't pretend to know the details of what is REALLY going on with him. What I do know is he shouldn't be tampered with, as he appears to be now. I listened to what could be Tom's last FM 100 break. It was not the usual sign off this time. "Don't forget to hug your babies tonight, and Thank you. Thank you very much." Over "Sweet Escape" at around 6:48 pm Friday.
If his time at FM 100 is truly going to be over, it will be a crime against everything that's good. How can we not let this man say goodbye? If you are going to attempt to replace one of the most recognizable names in the business, do it with SOME class. When you list "mutual respect", as a company principle, shouldn't it be SOMEWHAT true?
How then, could Tom's departure be done correctly? That doesn't venture into whether it SHOULD be done. When someone devotes 28 years of their life, to something, and they did it really well, that should be celebrated at it's end. He should be allowed to say goodbye. That would be the ABSOLUTE least, that could be done.
Hunter S., and his quote about radio, is personified by treating people this way. No gold watch, no goodbye. Just an escort out of the building they've helped build, and a crappy parting gift check, if that. I truly hope this won't happen to him. Tom has paid a lot more dues than most of us, will ever see. He started that shift, when I was 4. He's probably forgotten more about the business, than at least I, will ever know about it. It sickens me to think that he will be in any way, disrespected in this.
I am not stupid. I know this is the norm, of this God awful business. Can't we make an exception in this case?
If this really is the end for him at 100, I am saddened. Very much so. Now that I have had the pleasure of meeting Tom since I made full time in Memphis, I can say, as a former competitor, he's without an equal. Memphis, and our industry will be a lot less of what it was, if he's gone. At least for me.
He never knew it, but I had his "Tom says Never, Never Give Up" bumper sticker. I was a big fan of his, when it was the best mix of the 80's and 90's, and I am no local, either. We met again recently, and he made it a point to take my kids on a tour of the "Company picnic". He treated my children better, than most of the in-laws do. Whatever stupid, competitive crap I said about him in years prior, haunted me again, when he did that. I couldn't have regretted anything more than I did, that day. He's a TRUE class act, that deserves MUCH, MUCH better than it looks like he'll get.
This move may look good on paper to somebody, but it really shouldn't. People do matter. When we, or anyone else forget that, we are the problem. When is it okay to tell someone, "They're too old" after 28 years of dedicated service? Just the thought of such a quote (true or untrue) makes me question what I am doing in this business. It should make anyone question it, shouldn't it? If this is made official, everyone who reads this board, should feel a very cold chill. God only knows what could happen next.
God bless you, Tom, wherever you may be.
CFKane
If his time at FM 100 is truly going to be over, it will be a crime against everything that's good. How can we not let this man say goodbye? If you are going to attempt to replace one of the most recognizable names in the business, do it with SOME class. When you list "mutual respect", as a company principle, shouldn't it be SOMEWHAT true?
How then, could Tom's departure be done correctly? That doesn't venture into whether it SHOULD be done. When someone devotes 28 years of their life, to something, and they did it really well, that should be celebrated at it's end. He should be allowed to say goodbye. That would be the ABSOLUTE least, that could be done.
Hunter S., and his quote about radio, is personified by treating people this way. No gold watch, no goodbye. Just an escort out of the building they've helped build, and a crappy parting gift check, if that. I truly hope this won't happen to him. Tom has paid a lot more dues than most of us, will ever see. He started that shift, when I was 4. He's probably forgotten more about the business, than at least I, will ever know about it. It sickens me to think that he will be in any way, disrespected in this.
I am not stupid. I know this is the norm, of this God awful business. Can't we make an exception in this case?
If this really is the end for him at 100, I am saddened. Very much so. Now that I have had the pleasure of meeting Tom since I made full time in Memphis, I can say, as a former competitor, he's without an equal. Memphis, and our industry will be a lot less of what it was, if he's gone. At least for me.
He never knew it, but I had his "Tom says Never, Never Give Up" bumper sticker. I was a big fan of his, when it was the best mix of the 80's and 90's, and I am no local, either. We met again recently, and he made it a point to take my kids on a tour of the "Company picnic". He treated my children better, than most of the in-laws do. Whatever stupid, competitive crap I said about him in years prior, haunted me again, when he did that. I couldn't have regretted anything more than I did, that day. He's a TRUE class act, that deserves MUCH, MUCH better than it looks like he'll get.
This move may look good on paper to somebody, but it really shouldn't. People do matter. When we, or anyone else forget that, we are the problem. When is it okay to tell someone, "They're too old" after 28 years of dedicated service? Just the thought of such a quote (true or untrue) makes me question what I am doing in this business. It should make anyone question it, shouldn't it? If this is made official, everyone who reads this board, should feel a very cold chill. God only knows what could happen next.
God bless you, Tom, wherever you may be.
CFKane
K
KennyBosak
Guest
I'm just not ready to write Tom's radio epitaph yet.
If it's true that he and FM100 have parted ways, then I've got the biggest no-brainer since WHBQ hired Rick Dees.
WREC should RUN, not walk, to Tom's front door and offer him the morning host job.
His style would be a perfect fit, his consummate broadcast skills would be showcased, and it's a format he could thrive in for 15-20 years.
Not only that, he might just pull a few women into the WREC morning tent.
Plus, wouldn't that be more satisfying to Tom than playing the new Daughtry record?
If it's true that he and FM100 have parted ways, then I've got the biggest no-brainer since WHBQ hired Rick Dees.
WREC should RUN, not walk, to Tom's front door and offer him the morning host job.
His style would be a perfect fit, his consummate broadcast skills would be showcased, and it's a format he could thrive in for 15-20 years.
Not only that, he might just pull a few women into the WREC morning tent.
Plus, wouldn't that be more satisfying to Tom than playing the new Daughtry record?
I have often stated that the best move I ever made in my career was turning down the FM100 afternoon gig when offered in 1979. That allowed them to bring in Tom P, and thus, a legend was allowed to be created. Tom IS the "great communicator" in Memphis radio.
I certainly hope it isn't over for Tom at 100. All the wonderful things that have been said are true and totally deserving for someone who combines class and talent on a daily basis. He always will give us that regardless of what path he follows. That, quite simply, is Tom.
Kenny, I had a flashback when I read your comment. When I was PD at 790, Presto and I actually talked about him moving to the AM side to do mornings when he was ready to shift gears. That said, everyone on the morning show at WREC are dear friends of mine and they're doing a solid job. But your point is a great one...Tom would be an absolute natural in a talk/magazine/news format.
If he does leave and it isn't of his choosing, it's another brutal reminder of how the business has changed and will never be the same. Ask Steve Butler and Conley and Bev and...so it goes. Hoyt Wooten wouldn't like this. Nor do I.
Kenny, I had a flashback when I read your comment. When I was PD at 790, Presto and I actually talked about him moving to the AM side to do mornings when he was ready to shift gears. That said, everyone on the morning show at WREC are dear friends of mine and they're doing a solid job. But your point is a great one...Tom would be an absolute natural in a talk/magazine/news format.
If he does leave and it isn't of his choosing, it's another brutal reminder of how the business has changed and will never be the same. Ask Steve Butler and Conley and Bev and...so it goes. Hoyt Wooten wouldn't like this. Nor do I.
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