what has become of radio!?!??!

[wikhradio]

Alright, I go in for an interview for a board op position at a bigger company, that owns 5 stations in the market, and owns another 25 in other markets around WI MI, MN, and some other states.

Currently, I am working at a small mom and pop type station, who owns 2 stations in this market (the 2 that I work at) and 2 in another market in WI.

Now, what I thought is that these big corporations paid more money out to their employees (I am getting 7 an hour at this current job, and a guaranteed amount of hours until March). Boy was I WRONG! This company, which didn't offer the job to me directly, pays over 50 cents less an hour than what I am currently making, for experienced board ops, and no guaranteed amount of hours. I was kind of taken back by this.

I was also told that I had to go to extra lengths to pick up more hours, such as going to all remotes and what not. Not that this would be an issue, but this station is only a mile less than the other station for me, and I am 30 miles from the station I currently listen to. It would also be hard for me to go to all remotes and what not, as I am soooo far away. I have barely went to any for the station I work at currently, and they LOVE me at the current station.

Another thing I noticed, this station I interviewed at was live 24/7 2 or 3 years ago, now it is over half voicetracked. All their stations there are either vted out of market by others who vt for 4 or 5 stations in the company.

I was really taken back by this all, and am at a loss at what radio is coming to! I thought I was worse off at the small station with jerry rigged equipment.

Boy was I wrong!! This makes me want to go into a partnership and buy a station even more, than working for radio stations. I feel that opportunities in the field are getting smalllll.

Thanks for letting me vent! Just been a long day, trying to finish up a job that I quit 2 weeks ago, and have the flu.

Comments are very much welcome on the state of radio, hehe!<P ID="signature">______________


Moderator, Community Radio board</P>

 

[davideduardo]

Re: what has become of radio... indeed!

>
> I was really taken back by this all, and am at a loss at
> what radio is coming to! I thought I was worse off at the
> small station with jerry rigged equipment.

I went in to a station that was close to my home. They found out I knew a little about radio, and let me hang around. I did this for about 6 months, and took coffee to the jocks, straigtened up and stuff like that. One of my jobs was holding my finger on the plate on button at 6 PM when a factory down the street shut down, usually knocking us off the air... my finger got us back instantly!

After about 6 months, I got paid for some of the hours, too.

Finally, I got to run the board on Sundays, which was voice tracked but needed an operator anyway. I got a little more money.

I asked about how to make more money, and they told me the sister station needed a board op for Sunday mornings, and it paid better. But the other station was about 10 miles away, and I did not have a car and the little increase would not pay for the bus, even.

What, indeed, has become of radio.

This story happened at WCUY (FM) and WJMO between 1959 and 1961.

 

[JohnnyMorganWXJX]

WJMO's locale vs. WCUY's locale

> This story happened at WCUY (FM) and WJMO between 1959 and
> 1961.

David, where was WCUY vs. WJMO? Wasn't WJMO on Euclid and 80th, if I remember right (currently the tx site for WABQ). If so, where the hell was WCUY? It wasn't everyday that you saw sister stations not housed together, especially then.

 

[davideduardo]

Re: WJMO's locale vs. WCUY's locale

> > This story happened at WCUY (FM) and WJMO between 1959 and
>
> > 1961.
>
> David, where was WCUY vs. WJMO? Wasn't WJMO on Euclid and
> 80th, if I remember right (currently the tx site for WABQ).
> If so, where the hell was WCUY? It wasn't everyday that you
> saw sister stations not housed together, especially then.
>

WCUY was at Cedar and Lee, across from Cleveland Heights High School. It was at the original location of WSRS AM & FM (Sam R. Segue, proprietor) which was over the Ford dealership on the ground floor. The tower was built for AM, with a conunterpoise system on the roof. The FM was originally on 4 RCA pylon antennas, later replaced with a Jampro V antenna array.

WJMO moved to just east of Severence Center in about 1960, to get the signal as close to the Black community as possible and still city grade Cleveland Hights, the COL. The ground system was welded to the ground strap on the railroad tracks to the SE side of the site... not sure that helped, but it sounds interesting.

WCUY had a Gates studioette board, plus two maggies and apair of turntables and an obnoxious Gates transmitter that went off all the time.

WCUY ran from 5 PM to 11 PM, M-F. When the FCC required minimum 16 hours a day, 7 days, I got to sign on and sign off on sunday, running the full 16 hours myself with the help of a bag of Royal Castle (opposite corner, sixteen cents for burgers, a dime for coffee) which I put on top of the transmitter to keep warm.

It paid a buck fifteen an hour, too. I made about $40 every two weeks.

WCUY, of course, was named for Cuyahoga County... and we all know that Cuyahoga suppsedly means "crooked." Not coincidentally, the station was owned by Richard Eaton, who was as straight as the Maine coastline. As you no doubt know, he lost multiple licences before he had the good sense to expire.

 

[Rocco]

Re: WJMO's locale vs. WCUY's locale

WJMO, United Broadcasting?

 

[Rocco]

Re: WJMO's locale vs. WCUY's locale

WJMO, United Broadcasting? If you worked for the Eatons, you likely would have had plenty of great stories to tell! Were Pierre and Richard hooked up with them in those days?

 

[davideduardo]

Re: WJMO's locale vs. WCUY's locale

> WJMO, United Broadcasting?

The very same.

 

[davideduardo]

Re: A case for consolidation!

> WJMO, United Broadcasting? If you worked for the Eatons,
> you likely would have had plenty of great stories to tell!
> Were Pierre and Richard hooked up with them in those days?
>

Richard Eaton came to visit us only once, in about 1959. He had to be carried up the stairs to the second floor, and there was a pool on which nmbered step they would slip on... indicating the dislike held for the company.

This was the place where employees had to bring thir own toilet paper and soap, as the procedure for requisitioning supplies from DC was so silly that it seemed more like a black hole.

At the time, Eaton owned two stations in Mexico, XEMC in Mexico City and XERF in Villa Acuña, Coah., on the border. I later became friends with the manager of XERF in the 60's, and he told me stories of bandits on horseback riding into the lobby of the station to enforce the rights of the pervious owner.

In about 1962, I visited WFAB in Miami, another UBC station, which later lost its license in a double billing scam. What is amazing was that they only lost WFAB and WOOK and not more. There were log violations, technical violations and all kinds of strange things going on.

I was too young to know much of what was going on (I started with WCUY at 13) but it sure was a horrible place to work if you were an adult and had to sustain a family. No insurance, no benefits. Of course, later they had insurance... a company also owned by Eaton... and they would terminate imployees who had terminal ilnesses so as not to pay medical costs.

And people think consolidation is a bad thing!

 

[JohnnyMorganWXJX]

WJMO/WCUY personnel

David, I know Jim Quinn (Pittsburgh jock--former KQV, WTAE, B-94, Channel 97, and now mornings on FM News Talk 104.7, as well as Dayton's WING and NYC's WPLJ, WPIX, and Buffalo's WKBW) worked at the United-Cleveland organization while he was at John Carroll.

Was he there the same time as you, or did he come on board a few years later?

 

[davideduardo]

Re: WJMO/WCUY personnel

> David, I know Jim Quinn (Pittsburgh jock--former KQV, WTAE,
> B-94, Channel 97, and now mornings on FM News Talk 104.7, as
> well as Dayton's WING and NYC's WPLJ, WPIX, and Buffalo's
> WKBW) worked at the United-Cleveland organization while he
> was at John Carroll.
>
> Was he there the same time as you, or did he come on board a
> few years later?

Was that his name then? We had one part-timer who went to JC, but I am pretty sure he did not have that name. While I was there, the AM and FM GM was Curlette C. Courtney, and in about 1963, before I left the US, we had a dedicated FM manager, Dick Ferguson. The WCUY PD and afternoon guy was Ron Seaman. Ken Hawkins, who held a Ph. D. from OSU in Literature, was PD of WJMO... where there was considerable staff support for voter registration in the South. A bunch of us even went to AL and MS on a registration campaing, but that is another story (yes, I was their "token" white kid).
>

 

[wikhradio]

> Alright, I go in for an interview for a board op position at
> a bigger company, that owns 5 stations in the market, and
> owns another 25 in other markets around WI MI, MN, and some
> other states.
>
> Currently, I am working at a small mom and pop type station,
> who owns 2 stations in this market (the 2 that I work at)
> and 2 in another market in WI.
>
> Now, what I thought is that these big corporations paid more
> money out to their employees (I am getting 7 an hour at this
> current job, and a guaranteed amount of hours until March).
> Boy was I WRONG! This company, which didn't offer the job to
> me directly, pays over 50 cents less an hour than what I am
> currently making, for experienced board ops, and no
> guaranteed amount of hours. I was kind of taken back by
> this.
>
> I was also told that I had to go to extra lengths to pick up
> more hours, such as going to all remotes and what not. Not
> that this would be an issue, but this station is only a mile
> less than the other station for me, and I am 30 miles from
> the station I currently listen to. It would also be hard for
> me to go to all remotes and what not, as I am soooo far
> away. I have barely went to any for the station I work at
> currently, and they LOVE me at the current station.
>
> Another thing I noticed, this station I interviewed at was
> live 24/7 2 or 3 years ago, now it is over half
> voicetracked. All their stations there are either vted out
> of market by others who vt for 4 or 5 stations in the
> company.
>
> I was really taken back by this all, and am at a loss at
> what radio is coming to! I thought I was worse off at the
> small station with jerry rigged equipment.
>
> Boy was I wrong!! This makes me want to go into a
> partnership and buy a station even more, than working for
> radio stations. I feel that opportunities in the field are
> getting smalllll.
>
> Thanks for letting me vent! Just been a long day, trying to
> finish up a job that I quit 2 weeks ago, and have the flu.
>
> Comments are very much welcome on the state of radio, hehe!
>

Alright, I am calm and content now... and I got what I wanted. They price matched the other company I work for currently, and they are promising me at least 14 hours per week. I am WANTED by them. That is a good feeling!

Gah what an emotional 48 hours! Finishing off a job, another job coming on board, AND me possibly putting in my 2 weeks at this other radio job in a week or so. Interesting how life goes sometimes!<P ID="signature">______________


Moderator, Community Radio board</P>

 

[radioboy]

Re: Hey Jake..

..just curious, what made you decide to leave the mom and pop
radio stations? The new offer doesn't sound that much better...




Alright, I go in for an interview for a board op position at
> a bigger company, that owns 5 stations in the market, and
> owns another 25 in other markets around WI MI, MN, and some
> other states.
>
> Currently, I am working at a small mom and pop type station,
> who owns 2 stations in this market (the 2 that I work at)
> and 2 in another market in WI.
>
> Now, what I thought is that these big corporations paid more
> money out to their employees (I am getting 7 an hour at this
> current job, and a guaranteed amount of hours until March).
> Boy was I WRONG! This company, which didn't offer the job to
> me directly, pays over 50 cents less an hour than what I am
> currently making, for experienced board ops, and no
> guaranteed amount of hours. I was kind of taken back by
> this.
>
> I was also told that I had to go to extra lengths to pick up
> more hours, such as going to all remotes and what not. Not
> that this would be an issue, but this station is only a mile
> less than the other station for me, and I am 30 miles from
> the station I currently listen to. It would also be hard for
> me to go to all remotes and what not, as I am soooo far
> away. I have barely went to any for the station I work at
> currently, and they LOVE me at the current station.
>
> Another thing I noticed, this station I interviewed at was
> live 24/7 2 or 3 years ago, now it is over half
> voicetracked. All their stations there are either vted out
> of market by others who vt for 4 or 5 stations in the
> company.
>
> I was really taken back by this all, and am at a loss at
> what radio is coming to! I thought I was worse off at the
> small station with jerry rigged equipment.
>
> Boy was I wrong!! This makes me want to go into a
> partnership and buy a station even more, than working for
> radio stations. I feel that opportunities in the field are
> getting smalllll.
>
> Thanks for letting me vent! Just been a long day, trying to
> finish up a job that I quit 2 weeks ago, and have the flu.
>
> Comments are very much welcome on the state of radio, hehe!
>
<P ID="signature">______________
Proudly remembering the days of the hometown "country giant" radio stations now at
http://www.live365.com/stations/alanmccall</P>

 

[wikhradio]

Re: Hey Jake..

> ..just curious, what made you decide to leave the mom and
> pop
> radio stations? The new offer doesn't sound that much
> better...
>

The opportunities made me leave the mom and pop stations. I have a better chance of getting on air faster at the bigger corporation. I have been constantly asking at the small station to get on the air on the FM, but have always failed. It has been like that for a year.

I just feel that I am going nowhere at the small station. I guess that is why you constantly move around in radio, for better opportunities that other stations won't offer you.


>
>
>
> Alright, I go in for an interview for a board op position at
>
> > a bigger company, that owns 5 stations in the market, and
> > owns another 25 in other markets around WI MI, MN, and
> some
> > other states.
> >
> > Currently, I am working at a small mom and pop type
> station,
> > who owns 2 stations in this market (the 2 that I work at)
> > and 2 in another market in WI.
> >
> > Now, what I thought is that these big corporations paid
> more
> > money out to their employees (I am getting 7 an hour at
> this
> > current job, and a guaranteed amount of hours until
> March).
> > Boy was I WRONG! This company, which didn't offer the job
> to
> > me directly, pays over 50 cents less an hour than what I
> am
> > currently making, for experienced board ops, and no
> > guaranteed amount of hours. I was kind of taken back by
> > this.
> >
> > I was also told that I had to go to extra lengths to pick
> up
> > more hours, such as going to all remotes and what not. Not
>
> > that this would be an issue, but this station is only a
> mile
> > less than the other station for me, and I am 30 miles from
>
> > the station I currently listen to. It would also be hard
> for
> > me to go to all remotes and what not, as I am soooo far
> > away. I have barely went to any for the station I work at
> > currently, and they LOVE me at the current station.
> >
> > Another thing I noticed, this station I interviewed at was
>
> > live 24/7 2 or 3 years ago, now it is over half
> > voicetracked. All their stations there are either vted out
>
> > of market by others who vt for 4 or 5 stations in the
> > company.
> >
> > I was really taken back by this all, and am at a loss at
> > what radio is coming to! I thought I was worse off at the
> > small station with jerry rigged equipment.
> >
> > Boy was I wrong!! This makes me want to go into a
> > partnership and buy a station even more, than working for
> > radio stations. I feel that opportunities in the field are
>
> > getting smalllll.
> >
> > Thanks for letting me vent! Just been a long day, trying
> to
> > finish up a job that I quit 2 weeks ago, and have the flu.
>
> >
> > Comments are very much welcome on the state of radio,
> hehe!
> >
>
<P ID="signature">______________


Moderator, Community Radio board</P>

 

[radioboy]

Re: Hey Jake..

> > ..just curious, what made you decide to leave the mom and
> > pop
> > radio stations? The new offer doesn't sound that much
> > better...
> >
>
> The opportunities made me leave the mom and pop stations. I
> have a better chance of getting on air faster at the bigger
> corporation. I have been constantly asking at the small
> station to get on the air on the FM, but have always failed.
> It has been like that for a year.
>
> I just feel that I am going nowhere at the small station. I
> guess that is why you constantly move around in radio, for
> better opportunities that other stations won't offer you.
>
>
> > Gotcha!

I guess I was fortunate, in a way..

My first radio job was at a small standalone, then Class IV 1kw AM. I started out just board op'ing the Larry King Show overnights, but someone quit about a week later and I ended up doing the evening music show from 9p to midnight plus the overnights. I stayed there a year until it sold, although after 4 months I wasn't doing as many overnights. The new owners fired EVERYBODY.

Next job was at a daytimer..first day on the job..
"Can you run this board and talk?"
"Yes, sir."
"You're on."

Thus started another 21 years of a roller coaster ride in radio.

I'm working on a new venture with Live365 so I don't think I'm done yet,
only with the $7 an hour they still want to pay everyone in this market, even after 15-plus years.

Good luck Jake and Happy New Year to you! Hope all goes well.


> >
> >
> > Alright, I go in for an interview for a board op position
> at
> >
> > > a bigger company, that owns 5 stations in the market,
> and
> > > owns another 25 in other markets around WI MI, MN, and
> > some
> > > other states.
> > >
> > > Currently, I am working at a small mom and pop type
> > station,
> > > who owns 2 stations in this market (the 2 that I work
> at)
> > > and 2 in another market in WI.
> > >
> > > Now, what I thought is that these big corporations paid
> > more
> > > money out to their employees (I am getting 7 an hour at
> > this
> > > current job, and a guaranteed amount of hours until
> > March).
> > > Boy was I WRONG! This company, which didn't offer the
> job
> > to
> > > me directly, pays over 50 cents less an hour than what I
>
> > am
> > > currently making, for experienced board ops, and no
> > > guaranteed amount of hours. I was kind of taken back by
> > > this.
> > >
> > > I was also told that I had to go to extra lengths to
> pick
> > up
> > > more hours, such as going to all remotes and what not.
> Not
> >
> > > that this would be an issue, but this station is only a
> > mile
> > > less than the other station for me, and I am 30 miles
> from
> >
> > > the station I currently listen to. It would also be hard
>
> > for
> > > me to go to all remotes and what not, as I am soooo far
> > > away. I have barely went to any for the station I work
> at
> > > currently, and they LOVE me at the current station.
> > >
> > > Another thing I noticed, this station I interviewed at
> was
> >
> > > live 24/7 2 or 3 years ago, now it is over half
> > > voicetracked. All their stations there are either vted
> out
> >
> > > of market by others who vt for 4 or 5 stations in the
> > > company.
> > >
> > > I was really taken back by this all, and am at a loss at
>
> > > what radio is coming to! I thought I was worse off at
> the
> > > small station with jerry rigged equipment.
> > >
> > > Boy was I wrong!! This makes me want to go into a
> > > partnership and buy a station even more, than working
> for
> > > radio stations. I feel that opportunities in the field
> are
> >
> > > getting smalllll.
> > >
> > > Thanks for letting me vent! Just been a long day, trying
>
> > to
> > > finish up a job that I quit 2 weeks ago, and have the
> flu.
> >
> > >
> > > Comments are very much welcome on the state of radio,
> > hehe!
> > >
> >
>
<P ID="signature">______________
Proudly remembering the days of the hometown "country giant" radio stations now at
http://www.live365.com/stations/alanmccall</P>