Carl East let go. Anyone got backstory?
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WBT PD
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Too many bad decisions it would seem.
bad by BT or bad by CE?
crossmymind said:
Sorry for Carl, but not surprised. Sometimes it's kind of tough to move up from an Assistant PD role to a full-fledged
Program Director. In this case, at least for awhile, Bill White, the previous PD, remained in the building as the Ops Manager. That probably didn't help. I'm not sure some of the veterans on the airstaff respected Carl as their boss, especially since White was still on premises.
My thoughts on bad decisions:
a) Moving Tara Servatius to PM drive.
b) Letting Pete Kaliner go, replacing Servatius with Vince Coakley.
c) Re-formatting "Charlotte's Morning News" with the advent of the PPM methodology in the market and removing whatever "personality" that had previously existed within the show.
SIDEBAR - Not Carl's decision, but losing Al Gardner (whatever you might think of him) had to hurt after the more than a dozen years in morning drive.
d) Announcing that Jim Szoke was Gardner's replacement, then rescinding that decision and conducting several weeks of on-air auditions. Hiring Bo Thompson, who in spite of his years working behind the scenes, probably was not the perfect replacement for Gardner.
e) The Keith Larson debacle. Who made the decision not to renew Larson's contract? Carl? Others? A group decision?
I don't personally disagree, I'm not a Larson fan, but for some reason the decision was reversed. I've mentioned my reasons for not caring for the show in previous posts. I have a feeling that Carl was unable to bring Larson under control.
I could be wrong, but it seems like the inmates might be running the WBT Asylum.
Yes, respect...which does have to earned, right.
Apparently it wasn't earned by Mr. East.
Bad decisions caused good people to leave, and what you have left is a mess.
Apparently it wasn't earned by Mr. East.
Bad decisions caused good people to leave, and what you have left is a mess.
It is a station being run from Boston by left wingers who are determined to make WBT like their neutered talk station there. No substance, no issues. Gardner was a real news man who has now been replaced by airheads. Larson does the worst show in the history of radio and should have been shown the door years ago, but at least he does not talk about anything important is their logic. Bradd and Britt are without question just awful but they are following the orders to not talk about anything of substance. East was a loyal soldier but probably began to raise some questions behind the scenes about what was happening to a station he loved and was told to pack his stuff as a reward. Can't wait until we have a real talk station again. Sure hope it is soon.
Active,
With all due respect, what in the world are you talking about? I have listened to brad and brit several times since they started at wbt, and their show is completely devoted to "subtance," including all of the important political issues of the day. I think what you mean to say is that they are unworthy because they don't fit the talk radio template in the way that you would like. To be sure, they have become left-leaning obama apologists, and will bend over backwards to make excuses for the president's thinly-veiled marxist tendencies. However, they also make a good faith effort to be factually correct, and do not dismiss callers who disagree with them on air.
With all due respect, what in the world are you talking about? I have listened to brad and brit several times since they started at wbt, and their show is completely devoted to "subtance," including all of the important political issues of the day. I think what you mean to say is that they are unworthy because they don't fit the talk radio template in the way that you would like. To be sure, they have become left-leaning obama apologists, and will bend over backwards to make excuses for the president's thinly-veiled marxist tendencies. However, they also make a good faith effort to be factually correct, and do not dismiss callers who disagree with them on air.
Or Mr. East was not a " loyal soldier", but an inexperienced asst. PD with no vision of his own, given a title that never fit. He was in over his head.
I am totally outside of the goings on at WBT so this is all speculation. The driving force is revenue, plain and simple. The right wing political talk audience is aging out of the sellable demographic and something needs to be done to attract younger listeners.
Mr. East was hardly a new guy, they had to know what they were getting. When it comes time and someone has to go it's the failure of the employee and the management as well. It's unfortunate.
Mr. East was hardly a new guy, they had to know what they were getting. When it comes time and someone has to go it's the failure of the employee and the management as well. It's unfortunate.
Revenue is all that matters, that's correct. Poor decision on talent affects the revenue, and I think the cavalier attitude towards key talent in the past is what has placed WBT in the position of flux that it finds itself. All Greater Media knew when they replaced the experienced outgoing PD with Mr. East was a way to save one salary. They didn't expect a quality PD, you're right. Greater Media knew he hadn't been in any other market or had any real programming experience. That is the very foundation of a good programmer, vision and experience. Mr. East has neither. If WBT were smart they would persuade someone with the experience and respect of an Al Gardner to replace Mr. East and try to piece by piece reassemble an exciting dynamic radio station. WBT has a long and grand history. This is just a shame.
All I can tell you is I am enjoying Brad and Brit. All the political talk is just a bore to me. It's not constructive, just lots of complaining, whatever side you're on.
As for Mr. East, I don't know him but isn't it logical to expect that he had learned a few things while he was assistant PD?
Let's face it radio isn't rocket science. Most people in radio copy and steal ideas. I once thought I worked for a brilliant PD. Many years later I found out he got most of his ideas from the station he had worked at before. I give him credit for recognizing some very good ideas though.
As for losing listeners just because Al Gardner moved on, I really doubt it. I have to ask where else would they go? I don't see them all switching to WFAE.
WBT's grand history ended when the station went to the talk format. Mr Charles Crutchfield himself felt that way.
If a station has a cavalier attitude toward key talent it's likely that attitude goes above the PD. The GM must have a good working relationship with the PD and the PD must have a good working relationship with the entire staff or the ship sinks!
As for Mr. East, I don't know him but isn't it logical to expect that he had learned a few things while he was assistant PD?
Let's face it radio isn't rocket science. Most people in radio copy and steal ideas. I once thought I worked for a brilliant PD. Many years later I found out he got most of his ideas from the station he had worked at before. I give him credit for recognizing some very good ideas though.
As for losing listeners just because Al Gardner moved on, I really doubt it. I have to ask where else would they go? I don't see them all switching to WFAE.
WBT's grand history ended when the station went to the talk format. Mr Charles Crutchfield himself felt that way.
If a station has a cavalier attitude toward key talent it's likely that attitude goes above the PD. The GM must have a good working relationship with the PD and the PD must have a good working relationship with the entire staff or the ship sinks!
Exactly, we agree, vision and experience comes from previous jobs. I believe Mr. East's resume includes only one previous radio station, in Rock Hill. Not much to draw on. Most of the talent on that staff has been in gigs around the country. They have years of experience to draw on. Mr. East chose not draw on that, whether he was intimidated or just not smart enough to tap in on it.
Attitude does comes from their leader, you're right. What attitude comes from someone who doesn't know how to lead? Chaos.
Attitude does comes from their leader, you're right. What attitude comes from someone who doesn't know how to lead? Chaos.
Crossmymind, curious. What staff members are you referring to as far as Mr. East seeking input? Larson and Hancock? Limbaugh, Boortz, Noory? The guys in the newsroom?
Since Brad and Britt are new arrivals - I'm guessing you're not including them.
Doesn't look like there are many there to talk to?
Also, I don't know if you were suggesting Al Gardner as WBT's PD or just someone with his experience. But, early listening to Al's station in Philly - it sounds very similar to "Charlotte's Morning News".
Since Brad and Britt are new arrivals - I'm guessing you're not including them.
Doesn't look like there are many there to talk to?
Also, I don't know if you were suggesting Al Gardner as WBT's PD or just someone with his experience. But, early listening to Al's station in Philly - it sounds very similar to "Charlotte's Morning News".
I left Charlotte in 1973, when radio here was top notch, including WBT (in addition to Big WAYS and WIST). I returned here in 2009, and was sad to see WBT's decline into yet another hate-spewing right wing outlet. I hope this signals a turnaround in their programming. With AMs struggling everywhere, it isn't easy. But WBT is a legacy station, a huge signal, and something could still be made of it.
Back in the 70s, I lived in south Charlotte, so the WBT signal was super powered. I now live near Concord. Not so great out this way. Would love to see in conjunction with a resurgence of the station, a full-powered FM simulcast on one of the many wasted FM signals in town, either by purchase or LMA.
Back in the 70s, I lived in south Charlotte, so the WBT signal was super powered. I now live near Concord. Not so great out this way. Would love to see in conjunction with a resurgence of the station, a full-powered FM simulcast on one of the many wasted FM signals in town, either by purchase or LMA.
Don't have to be curious. I stand by what I've voiced, and the final result showed in the quality of the current content and the revenue loss over the past 18 months since a steady PD was in control.
Hopefully the replacement will have experience and vision.
Haven't heard Al Gardner in Philly, but why wouldn't the show sound like the successful show HE created in Charlotte? Good luck to him.
Hopefully we can get back some of the quality lost at WBT.
Hopefully the replacement will have experience and vision.
Haven't heard Al Gardner in Philly, but why wouldn't the show sound like the successful show HE created in Charlotte? Good luck to him.
Hopefully we can get back some of the quality lost at WBT.
Crossmymind-I don't disagree with any of what you wrote. I was curious only because it seems there are only, basically, two folks to talk to - Mr. Larson and Mr. Hancock. I'm not sure Limbaugh, Lewis, Boortz or Noory are in the business of offering their affiliated stations program advice.
I, too, would love to see WBT get back to what it once was - with entertaining, local hosts across the board and interesting, compelling programming. I'm just one more radio listener who's tired of all of the (mostly right-wing political rants) that pepper the AM dial all over the country.
By that, don't take that to mean the current local hosts are always on the money in my book. One in particular seems to be mailing it in on a daily basis; and very little of what he has to offer comes close to compelling.
Re: Al Gardner - I haven't listened lately, butthe show, at least early on, was very much like the show he did on WBT during the recent PPM era. Not the Al of a few years ago.
I hope for your sake, you get the kind of Program Director you're hoping for. But, then again, be careful of what you wish for - because you might get it!
I, too, would love to see WBT get back to what it once was - with entertaining, local hosts across the board and interesting, compelling programming. I'm just one more radio listener who's tired of all of the (mostly right-wing political rants) that pepper the AM dial all over the country.
By that, don't take that to mean the current local hosts are always on the money in my book. One in particular seems to be mailing it in on a daily basis; and very little of what he has to offer comes close to compelling.
Re: Al Gardner - I haven't listened lately, butthe show, at least early on, was very much like the show he did on WBT during the recent PPM era. Not the Al of a few years ago.
I hope for your sake, you get the kind of Program Director you're hoping for. But, then again, be careful of what you wish for - because you might get it!
I happen to think Larson's show is good. To me it is something different on the radio. I also feel the need to remind you folks in Charlotte of how you are very lucky to have a talk station that has 13 hours of local content during the day. Most cities are not so lucky anymore.
Overall WBT seems to have a solid line-up.
Overall WBT seems to have a solid line-up.
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