My point is you have said that my show is weak and I would like to know how to improve it. Am I going to pay you for your opinion, no. But I'll keep it in mind if I slip in the ratings 
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splicer38
Guest
First, I don't know who you are but you narrow it down to 2 stations. Wait, you said Middays right? I'm guessing Middays on ZID? I won't use names here because we are all anonymous...
OK...In today's corporate, overly formatted environment, Jocks are not permitted to really showcase their talents. They have all become juke boxes, including WZID and WGIR outside of the morning shows. I learned early on from Dale Dorman the importance of differentiation and Humor. George Taylor Morris taught me the value of musical knowledge and Don Kelley the importance of local relatability. J.J. Wright showed me the value of talent too and how to use it. I'm not just name dropping here but all of these programming and talented people thrive today (with the noted exception of GTM...RIP) because they know the formula that works for radio and they have adjusted to changing environments for years. Here's a quote from a 1992ish R&R interview with Dale Dorman advising future jocks... "If all you can say is that was Mariah Carey and here's Whitney Houston, then you suck and should go flip burgers"! It's as true today as it was then. BUT how can you do this when multiple stations have common jocks voice tracking and not doing it live. If you are on ONE station and doing it live you have a HUGE advantage over all the others.
Don't take your ratings too seriously. Look back and see what they were BEFORE you got to YOUR show. If you got there and they suddenly jumped 20% you may have something. Otherwise don't get too smug about the "Numbers". Management won't. Unless your Mike Morin or Greg Corchmare (spelling...sorry), Managment does not hold you in high regard. Are you on Contract or are you an at will employee.
Finally, find a way to set yourself apart, do a clean show, know what your doing (or fake it really good), "touch" your local community and stay grounded. secret to success in my book. Good luck. Want to communicate via email, my address is [email protected]. I hope you take this in the spirit it was intended and you are not offended by what I have written today.
OK...In today's corporate, overly formatted environment, Jocks are not permitted to really showcase their talents. They have all become juke boxes, including WZID and WGIR outside of the morning shows. I learned early on from Dale Dorman the importance of differentiation and Humor. George Taylor Morris taught me the value of musical knowledge and Don Kelley the importance of local relatability. J.J. Wright showed me the value of talent too and how to use it. I'm not just name dropping here but all of these programming and talented people thrive today (with the noted exception of GTM...RIP) because they know the formula that works for radio and they have adjusted to changing environments for years. Here's a quote from a 1992ish R&R interview with Dale Dorman advising future jocks... "If all you can say is that was Mariah Carey and here's Whitney Houston, then you suck and should go flip burgers"! It's as true today as it was then. BUT how can you do this when multiple stations have common jocks voice tracking and not doing it live. If you are on ONE station and doing it live you have a HUGE advantage over all the others.
Don't take your ratings too seriously. Look back and see what they were BEFORE you got to YOUR show. If you got there and they suddenly jumped 20% you may have something. Otherwise don't get too smug about the "Numbers". Management won't. Unless your Mike Morin or Greg Corchmare (spelling...sorry), Managment does not hold you in high regard. Are you on Contract or are you an at will employee.
Finally, find a way to set yourself apart, do a clean show, know what your doing (or fake it really good), "touch" your local community and stay grounded. secret to success in my book. Good luck. Want to communicate via email, my address is [email protected]. I hope you take this in the spirit it was intended and you are not offended by what I have written today.
I have been "outed" many times on this site by other. I am Heather and I am on ZID. I take pride in my show. I do everything I can to make it local and entertaining. I also know that my job is to be light tight and bright. To be entertaining but not intrusive. Trust me I KNOW I am NOT a Mike or Gregg and I don't pretend to be. I disagree about the mangement comment. I beleive that they know I am a hard worker and respect my talents and what I bring to the table. Having worked in alot of small markets I also know that numbers are numbers, they can be skewed anyway you want them. If you Live by the book DIE by the book, and that's not how I roll. My goal is to make a good enjoyable show, do good for my listeners and the community and to continue to work at what I love.
S
splicer38
Guest
I'll be sure to give you a listen Heather when I'm up there next. ZID is top notch all around but (IMHO), like most AC's these days, over formatted. Saga is a great company with great people. They are the aboration when it comes to treatment of talent. You worked for Jeff Fisher before this gig? Again, another aboration! Try working for Clear Channel! You've been Spoiled!
Is any part of your show voice tracked or are you live the entire time? I'd like to listen to live breaks versus VT. Thanks! Keep up the positive attitude. Light, Tight and Bright... Cool.
Whatever you do, DON'T worry too much about the numbers. Unless you really suck or you're really great you won't affect the numbers that much. You're at the mercy of diary placement most times with the Manchester market. However I've heard that ZID has made talent decisions based upon those diaries, what they said and thier own focus groups.
Is any part of your show voice tracked or are you live the entire time? I'd like to listen to live breaks versus VT. Thanks! Keep up the positive attitude. Light, Tight and Bright... Cool.
Whatever you do, DON'T worry too much about the numbers. Unless you really suck or you're really great you won't affect the numbers that much. You're at the mercy of diary placement most times with the Manchester market. However I've heard that ZID has made talent decisions based upon those diaries, what they said and thier own focus groups.
B
Bakers_Bookstore
Guest
My report...
94.1 was live and local when I needed it, during the day out on the water. Hard to take for long periods of time (don't play stuff I can tolerate)
94.9 was also live and sort of local while we were on the water, but because their local is Portland it was not local enough
Rock 101 was spotty on the water
I thought there was a time when WOKQ/Peak ran TOH news in the afternoon? I didn't hear it if they still do.
WMWV has "local" news but don't even update the copy day to day or so it seamed.
I seriously doubt that programmers are going to light up EAS for routine thunderstorms etc! I was out on the water and watched a line squall run across the lake several miles ahead of me. None of the above "live and local" had anything about it and certainly EAS wasn't activated for something like that! (Talking points boys and girls, talking points!)
IMHO broadcasters in the Lakes Region are missing the boat (no pun intended) big time by not at least staffing during the summer when the Lakes Region population grows substantially!
94.1 was live and local when I needed it, during the day out on the water. Hard to take for long periods of time (don't play stuff I can tolerate)
94.9 was also live and sort of local while we were on the water, but because their local is Portland it was not local enough
Rock 101 was spotty on the water
I thought there was a time when WOKQ/Peak ran TOH news in the afternoon? I didn't hear it if they still do.
WMWV has "local" news but don't even update the copy day to day or so it seamed.
I seriously doubt that programmers are going to light up EAS for routine thunderstorms etc! I was out on the water and watched a line squall run across the lake several miles ahead of me. None of the above "live and local" had anything about it and certainly EAS wasn't activated for something like that! (Talking points boys and girls, talking points!)
IMHO broadcasters in the Lakes Region are missing the boat (no pun intended) big time by not at least staffing during the summer when the Lakes Region population grows substantially!
B
Bakers_Bookstore
Guest
Just to clarify, I can only pick up WMWV on my 30+ year old reciever, I can't get it on the boat or any other reciever at our place up there so they were not an option when I was on the water, but they do appear to be live and local in most shifts outside of the overnights.
come on NO WZID? I KNOW you can get it on the lake!
Heather rocks!!
Thank you (your check is in the mail)
S
splicer38
Guest
What?! No WLNH?! No WLKZ?! No EMJ?! No SCY or NHW?! Sounds like you missed the boat if you didn't check those signals out. However, you wouldn't have found anything different than a different music box. EMJ being the exception with NT.
Still have not gotten a chance to give you a listen Heather but the expectation now have been raised now that you reportedly "Rock"! I'll be up there next week and will tune in for sure.
Still have not gotten a chance to give you a listen Heather but the expectation now have been raised now that you reportedly "Rock"! I'll be up there next week and will tune in for sure.
Live and local, like tastes in anything is subjective.
If a station is live and local and I don't care for the music they play, I won't listen.
Us radio geeks yearn for yesteryear. Ah, the days of long weekend shifts and one day off a year.
Christmas OR New Years.
Rest of the population has adapted, (new technology and all) and has moved on.
Most of us grew up in a top down world. We had to wait for the almighty station to play our favorite song, tell us what the weather was going to be, if we had school, and hear who won last night's game.
All this and more is available on my cell phone.
I still see a good future for the business. There will be another bright star or two who will re-invent radio.
If a station is live and local and I don't care for the music they play, I won't listen.
Us radio geeks yearn for yesteryear. Ah, the days of long weekend shifts and one day off a year.
Christmas OR New Years.
Rest of the population has adapted, (new technology and all) and has moved on.
Most of us grew up in a top down world. We had to wait for the almighty station to play our favorite song, tell us what the weather was going to be, if we had school, and hear who won last night's game.
All this and more is available on my cell phone.
I still see a good future for the business. There will be another bright star or two who will re-invent radio.
Well said, 12 in a row. (remember when KISS 108 did that?)
What do you think radio must do to adapt in this ever changing world? I too think it can still succeed, that question is... how?
What do you think radio must do to adapt in this ever changing world? I too think it can still succeed, that question is... how?
Present day I see more and more podcasts. Radio and TV are doing a great job embracing the let me listen/view on my time.
Looking back, who would have thought in 1989 where we would be in 2009.
Imagine what it will be in 2029.
We have the basics, we have the talent. Exciting days ahead for those willing to embrace the future.
Looking back, who would have thought in 1989 where we would be in 2009.
Imagine what it will be in 2029.
We have the basics, we have the talent. Exciting days ahead for those willing to embrace the future.
J
JimmyJames
Guest
How's the cellphone data coverage out on the lakes and in the mountains? Maybe local radio still counts where people can't use those high tech cellphones to get everything.
I am new to posting messages on this (and any other board for that matter) so go easy on me...
I grew up in the lakes region and cut my teeth on local radio (WEMJ/WLNH/WWSS/WLKZ/WNNH/WZID) when I first came up. We did things differently back then. We had more staff. There was more of a "Team" concept. I had great teachers like Dave Emerson, Dave Symounds, Dirk Nadon, Warren Bailey, Scot McCay, Pat Kelly, Clark Smidt, Tom Kallechey...etc. The idea of coming in early and staying late was how we (I) learned the business. Now with fewer people, consolidated stations, corporate influenced formats and a complete disregard for local involvement, it's no wonder radio is in the bind it's in. Solution is for stations to be unwound from consolidation and returned to "serving" the local communities. This will be harder for the bigger markets. my initial thoughts. Also, is this supposed to be annonymous? I kind of blew that with my screen name! Looking forward to the discussion.
I grew up in the lakes region and cut my teeth on local radio (WEMJ/WLNH/WWSS/WLKZ/WNNH/WZID) when I first came up. We did things differently back then. We had more staff. There was more of a "Team" concept. I had great teachers like Dave Emerson, Dave Symounds, Dirk Nadon, Warren Bailey, Scot McCay, Pat Kelly, Clark Smidt, Tom Kallechey...etc. The idea of coming in early and staying late was how we (I) learned the business. Now with fewer people, consolidated stations, corporate influenced formats and a complete disregard for local involvement, it's no wonder radio is in the bind it's in. Solution is for stations to be unwound from consolidation and returned to "serving" the local communities. This will be harder for the bigger markets. my initial thoughts. Also, is this supposed to be annonymous? I kind of blew that with my screen name! Looking forward to the discussion.
K
Konrad Kayne
Guest
Bravo Keith!
We have seen a number of changes in this business. Technology has been a blessing, a handy tool and a curse. Technology and some limited thinking corporate types have shrunken radio to the pygmy of the broadcast media.
Programming should reflect quality, sound sharp(professional) so the station owners can make money.
Simple concept.
What has hurt is the mentality that dictated limited or no connection with the communities served. No connection with listeners. AND...sameness. You know the cookie cutter theroy. Each station in a company has matching brands in other states. Same liners, same playlists,same logos and names. Same contests. Same same same.
Don't mistake this though, there were companies in the "past" that would have if they could have. Cheap money grubbers who could give a crap about what went on the air.
When I first started, for WLNH in the old farmhouse on Parade Road in Laconia,the GM (owner's son) came in one night to bunk out in the apartment he maintained upstairs. He introduced himself,I did the same. I asked how he thought I was doing. He said:"I don't really care kid. Just play the commercials." He disappeared upstairs and I don't believe I ever saw him again.
Sconnix rolled in soon after and they had a different approach. They enjoyed coming to work. They talked with you because they were hands on in the building everyday. The station, then later the company florished.
They liked making money too. Scott McQueen was noted for picking up paperclips off the floor because somehow they cost him money or trade which was like money.
People on either side of the radio speakers. That's the difference along with some common sense and a few good ideas.
I can hardly wait for someone to come to their senses and bring back radio. We can always embrace technology and new ways of doing what we do.
We have seen a number of changes in this business. Technology has been a blessing, a handy tool and a curse. Technology and some limited thinking corporate types have shrunken radio to the pygmy of the broadcast media.
Programming should reflect quality, sound sharp(professional) so the station owners can make money.
Simple concept.
What has hurt is the mentality that dictated limited or no connection with the communities served. No connection with listeners. AND...sameness. You know the cookie cutter theroy. Each station in a company has matching brands in other states. Same liners, same playlists,same logos and names. Same contests. Same same same.
Don't mistake this though, there were companies in the "past" that would have if they could have. Cheap money grubbers who could give a crap about what went on the air.
When I first started, for WLNH in the old farmhouse on Parade Road in Laconia,the GM (owner's son) came in one night to bunk out in the apartment he maintained upstairs. He introduced himself,I did the same. I asked how he thought I was doing. He said:"I don't really care kid. Just play the commercials." He disappeared upstairs and I don't believe I ever saw him again.
Sconnix rolled in soon after and they had a different approach. They enjoyed coming to work. They talked with you because they were hands on in the building everyday. The station, then later the company florished.
They liked making money too. Scott McQueen was noted for picking up paperclips off the floor because somehow they cost him money or trade which was like money.
People on either side of the radio speakers. That's the difference along with some common sense and a few good ideas.
I can hardly wait for someone to come to their senses and bring back radio. We can always embrace technology and new ways of doing what we do.
WEMJ will hopefully be picking up Free Talk Live (my nationally syndicated show originating from across NH in Keene) after baseball season. So then they will be live and semi-local on Saturday nights.
WEMJ Program Director Pat Kelly is a really great guy, but boy does he have a lot on his plate these days. Tough man to get hold of sometimes.
WEMJ Program Director Pat Kelly is a really great guy, but boy does he have a lot on his plate these days. Tough man to get hold of sometimes.
J
Jimc
Guest
Well, when does the show air? WEMJ at night, well...you'd have to be standing in front of the transmittor to pick it up!
Pat is a great guy. Doing Mornings on WLNH and production and half dozen other things. I'm sure you're on the list somewhere.
Pat is a great guy. Doing Mornings on WLNH and production and half dozen other things. I'm sure you're on the list somewhere.
S
splicer38
Guest
Does WEMJ Stream? I'd love to hear the show and see how they handle it locally.
Pat Kelly? He's been working like a madman for under funded, under staffed, demanding stations ever since he started at WLKZ back in the late 80's. I don't think he has ever experienced a radio gig that was somewhat "Normal"!!!
He went from Jay Williams to Tele-Media to Nassau... I'm sure at some point there was some normalcy... Nah!
I've heard he's a quality guy. Talented. Loyal. Dedicated. And lucky to still have a job in the biz!
Pat Kelly? He's been working like a madman for under funded, under staffed, demanding stations ever since he started at WLKZ back in the late 80's. I don't think he has ever experienced a radio gig that was somewhat "Normal"!!!
He went from Jay Williams to Tele-Media to Nassau... I'm sure at some point there was some normalcy... Nah!
I've heard he's a quality guy. Talented. Loyal. Dedicated. And lucky to still have a job in the biz!
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