WHEN TO "HANG THE HEADPHONES UP"

[Mike Sheridan]

Good advice too but I wouldn't call radio a career anymore, at most stations it's just a job.

What's the difference between a job and a career? A job is one thing someone does on an hourly basis for their life. A career is something that changes, grows, with room for advancement, and usually doesn't involve an hourly wage. Which one of those describes being on air? There are lots of careers in radio. There are fewer jobs in radio. Decide what's important to you, what you really want to do, and if you can find fulfillment in radio by going about it in a different way.

Take off the rose colored glasses, there are more jobs and fewer careers in radio. Most count themselves lucky to have a job. In my top 25 market it's not unusual to see an air staff of 3 jocks where there used to be 6. One of the 3 is the PD!

I know lots of talented on air and production folks of all ages who got kicked to the curb and couldn't find another gig. They got out not because they wanted to, but because they HAD TO.

The cheese has gone bad and yes it does stink. You must be in a time warp or something, it's 2010 here, soon to be 2011.

 

[InSearchOfGear]

Good advice too but I wouldn't call radio a career anymore, at most stations it's just a job.

What's the difference between a job and a career? A job is one thing someone does on an hourly basis for their life. A career is something that changes, grows, with room for advancement, and usually doesn't involve an hourly wage. Which one of those describes being on air? There are lots of careers in radio. There are fewer jobs in radio. Decide what's important to you, what you really want to do, and if you can find fulfillment in radio by going about it in a different way.

Take off the rose colored glasses, there are more jobs and fewer careers in radio. Most count themselves lucky to have a job. In my top 25 market it's not unusual to see an air staff of 3 jocks where there used to be 6. One of the 3 is the PD!

I know lots of talented on air and production folks of all ages who got kicked to the curb and couldn't find another gig. They got out not because they wanted to, but because they HAD TO.

The cheese has gone bad and yes it does stink. You must be in a time warp or something, it's 2010 here, soon to be 2011.

I'll have to concur. Some people cannot see beyond their own circumstances. Instead of being grateful they're not in the same leaky boat as other people, they villify the victim. "I'm doing great! If you're not, it's your own fault!" Am I warm?

 

[TheBigA]

Take off the rose colored glasses, there are more jobs and fewer careers in radio. Most count themselves lucky to have a job. In my top 25 market it's not unusual to see an air staff of 3 jocks where there used to be 6. One of the 3 is the PD!

You don't seem to understand. Being on the air isn't a career. Hasn't been in a very long time. It's an hourly job, no different from frying burgers. The job hasn't changed much in 30 years. That's not a career. If you want a career in radio, it's in other areas that aren't on the air. Radio stations are looking for content, but not from hourly employees. That's where the future is.

 

[Mike Sheridan]

We're saying the same thing "A" on that I agree. So what kind of content are stations looking for? Sometimes I don't think even they know or even care. Content is just filler from one spot set to the next.

Are you saying I have to produce and syndicate my own show? Even there the opportunities are very limited.

 

[TheBigA]

Sometimes I don't think even they know or even care. Content is just filler from one spot set to the next.

In some cases they don't. It's up to the person making the pitch to tell them what they need. It's not easy. You don't just submit a demo and resume. That's how you get an hourly job, just like at WalMart. But I think there's a real need for it.

 

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

If I had a video clip, this would be the place to insert it.

Magnum P.I. was the show.

A regular line on the show: What are you looking for? I dunno. But I will recognize it when I see it.

Sometimes we lament over the good ol' days when radio supposedly worked a bit like the baseball farm system. You get a job at some hometown radio station. You learn the trade. You polish-up your skills and then move up to the next league. Repeat as needed and able.

I understand what you are saying, BigA. But what do we teach the youngsters we would mentor today. What are they looking for. How will they know when they see it? How will they know when "they have it"?

And when I finally have it.... how do I get past all the gatekeepers and present "my have-it" to "The Man"... and how many of them will recognize it when I show it to them?

 

[TheBigA]

But what do we teach the youngsters we would mentor today. What are they looking for. How will they know when they see it? How will they know when "they have it"?

Did you see "The Social Network?" They didn't know they "had it." But they had the conviction in what they were doing, and the willingness to take a risk with what they had. That's what's missing right now. Lots of out-of-work radio people, all with varying levels of talent, but few are willing to take a risk with what they have to get it on the market and see how the public reacts. Those few who have, like Steve Dahl and Rick Dees, have been relatively successful. But it's harder to be an employer than an employee.

 

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

But it's harder to be an employer than an employee.

Oh, how well I understand that. Inherited it from my father I think. In a creative moment I can sometimes define an activity that should make a great business opportunity. But rounding up the capital, turning the day-dream into nuts-and-bolts and written plans and "pulling the trigger" has never been my strong suit.

There are lots of business enterprises where the entrepreneur/impresario teams up with "talent" *** and they provide for each other. We all have a different idea as to when "The Golden Age" of radio was, but it was a great time for this odd-couple teamwork to function. Some of the best air talent had introvert qualities. Put them in a studio and let them close the drapes because even though their product was to be shared with the public, they could not "create" when they could look through the window and see the public (or the staff) looking in on them.

That is an extreme example, but it points out that sometimes a business enterprise is built on people who need each other. We seem to be in an era (not just in radio) where people are not very sure they NEED each other.

*** Talent as I used it exists in many fields. Some architects head their own firms, some must ally themselves to someone else. Same is true with lawyers. And look at what is happening today with doctors!

So what do we say to the person who has audio-content-skills... a modern day Stan Freeberg... or a modern day Jack Paar... but the person knows.... and we know.... they don't have the deal-making-skills?

What do you say to your own child who has great creative skills in some field.... but not the deal-making-skills needed in that field?

And now we return to our regularly scheduled program. I think it is fair to say that a lot of people in the broadcasting industry have deal-making-skills..... but wouldn't know talent if they tripped over it on the way to the bathroom in the middle of the night. (Oh, I must share the source of that line from years ago with a friend of mine who lurks and posts here... but does not know about the incident he set up for me. ;D )

 

[TheBigA]

So what do we say to the person who has audio-content-skills... a modern day Stan Freeberg... or a modern day Jack Paar... but the person knows.... and we know.... they don't have the deal-making-skills?

Find someone who does. That's what Bill Drake did. That's what Howard Stern did. You can't do it alone. But that's what's missing from radio now, and the funny part is that it's never been easier or cheaper to do it.

 

[Mike Sheridan]

Well I know that I don't have the deal making skills. I also have a face for radio with body to match.