Vincent QUITS at KUOW

[majoradio]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/entertainment/2003845465_kuow.html

 

[IndigoCoyote]

How DARE the PD actually make a programming decision. And the right one at that, IMHO!

Vincent comes across on-air as a somewhat full of himself, righteous airbag. Good riddance...and take the other guy on your airstaff who loves his own voice, AM guy Derek Wong...jeez.

 

[notalent]

Derek Wong sounds young and green... like no PD has ever airchecked him, Do they do airchecks in public radio? Every day the temp will be "around" 73 degrees. every time the mariners win "by a score of"... lots of crutch phrases and a funny accent that shows up in words with vowells in the middle. like "UH RAYOUND" for around. and seben instead of seven. at least he does say K U O DOUBLE U correctly. When you start noticing the speech pattern it becomes something that you can't help but notice, annoying to me, for me anyway it take away from his message.

Props to Ken Vincent for having the balls to stand up for what he believes. most radio people dont have the cajones to beach themselves. He's going to have to go to LA or SF to get a comparable gig though.

That being said KUOW will still be number 1 without him.

 

[FMSteve]

I find it very interesting that all of this came down a week or two after the Spring Book came out, showing that KUOW is number one in Seattle. I postulate that Ken Vincent decided he wanted more money, and that triggered his resignation. Nothing wrong with that, except these NPR stations typically don't pay that well. KEXP, however, has lots of money.............isn't their morning guy paid in the six figures? Vincent could go there while Hansen bides his time.

 

[livelocalradio]

KEXP, however, has lots of money.............isn't their morning guy paid in the six figures? Vincent could go there while Hansen bides his time.

I would not be surprised with what you said about KEXP. Being in partnership with Paul Allen of Microsoft-fame does have a few advantages.

 

[FMSteve]

Hey! I was right on about the salary issue. Check out today's article in The Stranger:

http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Content?oid=297396

 

[seatacpro]

Oh, 50K is pretty low ball for a gig like that! But I cant assume its just the money, other wise he would have walked a while ago.

I APPLUAD him for standing up for what he believes in and saying good bye. There was a time, come around the camp fire kids, when jocks, annoucners, news reporters held their standard to serving the public. They stood up for what was right for the listener. Ya know, the little guy we are supposed to be serving. As opposed to what we all do today, which is rock the boat the least because the same 4 companies own everything and you listen to edict for risk of never working again. And you live in fear that there are 50 unemployed people that will do your job for cheaper than you are.

I know a couple of people who have walked out for programming reasons, and some selfish. One guy took a hike when a new company took control of his station and made him go from high personality to liner jock. He is in a smaller market than he was now, but he is getting to do his show. Another guy walked out when he said the 'life of the station had been beaten out of it' by the less is more standard. He was able to head back to his hometown and after little time he works for a cluster in native territory. THESE ARE STAND UP GUYS!

Im glad for Vincent, because for every one of him there are 1000 bitchy employees who hate what they do but keep cashing the check. Ever listen to 'The Last DJ' by Petty?

 

[LITTLEBOYBLUE]

I don't see this as a $$ issue as much as one where your fuse burns out when it was originally lit by passion. Probably not fair for me to judge Vincent's scenario when I don't know anything about the people ... but I do know I have been in situations where you wake up one day and just say "enough, already".

I find the better PD's have confidence, lead by respect, and treat their folks well. The ones who don't fit that mold are generally suffering from a huge void of confidence...so make up by emphasizing their role as "the boss". Had one like that years ago at KNBQ ... didn't get the job because he earned it, but got the job because he was the "easiest" hire for a G/M who was also not all that qualified to be captain. Conflict between that PD and me grew ... and one day he called me in and gave the ultimatum that I had "x" days to show 50% improvement in attitude or I'd be gone. My retort was I assumed that meant I was supposed to kiss his $$ with BOTH lips from now on .... and so much for my "x" days as he canned me on the spot. My only reaction was "relief" ... that I wasn't going to be putting up with that inane leadership every day.

So like seatacpro, I applaud when people say "my working conditions are more important than the market size" and go experience their dream every day. I have always felt we have so few days with which we get to do ANYTHING that it's a shame to waste any of them being miserable. What I don't understand is why there are so MANY places where we apparently have to be "miserable". It just works out so much better for everyone when the whole team gets up every day and is energized to hang out, get something done, and go home. Like so many other issues...it always seems to come down to "culture" and "ego" and that's unfortunate.

Good luck, Ken!