Where are these guys?! (and girls)

[arby]

Anybody have any idea what happened to all these veteran air personalities? It's hard to believe that some of these struggling stations with very mediocre numbers wouldn't want them on their staff. Larry Dixon?
Ken Barnett? Smokin Kevin Browning? Jeff Elliot? Sammi G? Pamela Steele? Fast Eddie Coyle? Is John Dillon still on KZPS? I know there are many others I'm forgetting here, but have any of these people left the market? Please post some others that I missed. With the exception of Kidd Kraddick and Terry Dorsey, and maybe a couple more, it seems like a mass of card-reading generic people just out of broadcasting school! Is it just me or does anyone else hear this? I can barely stand to listen anymore. Other major cities have held on to many "name" air talent and they're still sounding great. What's happened to Dallas?

 

[little1]

And where are all the vetran cowboys? You think some struggling team with a mediocre record would want to hire Curvin Richards, Phil Pozderac or Troy Hambrick.

Oh wait, those guys are all past their prime, aren't they?

I like Dillon, but when's the last time he was relevant, 1985? (at best?)

Pam has her own voiceover buisness..Probably a lot more personally rewarding that intro'ing Stairway to Heaven for the 3487th time...

And larry Dixon? Is he the guy that helped drive KVIL into the depths of mediocrity ? (Have you seen their ratings or revenue lately, BTW?) Why would ANY station want a guy who drives listeners away on their station?

 

[arby]

So you're saying that Larry Dixon drove KVIL into the ground? By himself? With all the changes over the past year, why are they still stuck going nowhere?

 

[AndyWaldrop]

And larry Dixon? Is he the guy that helped drive KVIL into the depths of mediocrity ? (Have you seen their ratings or revenue lately, BTW?) Why would ANY station want a guy who drives listeners away on their station?

No, he was absolutely NOT the one that drove KVIL to mediocrity. To the contrary, Larry was a big part of the building of KVIL to, perhaps, the hottest radio station in the country from the mid-to-late 70's and beyond. I don't remember exactly when Larry was there...but I do know he was there in those formative years...along with Chapman, Ken Barnett, Cat Simon, Steve Eberhart...and the list goes on.

In those days, when KVIL was owned by Fairbanks Broadcasting, the station was programmed the way it should have been...by locals (with Chapman at the helm) for locals.

Anybody with a freakin' brain knows what drove KVIL (and the vast majority of radio stations in the country) into a terminal state of mediocrity. That, of course, are the pseudo experts that run (very haphazardly, I might add) the big broadcasting companies today. Anyone and everyone that knows ANYTHING about this business knows that is the case.

Larry Dixon and all the rest of the people at that once-great radio station should be very proud of themselves for being a HUGE part of that phenomenal radio station.

In a very small way, and for a very short period of time, I was part of that radio station in those great years...having been hired by Chief Engineer Jerry Klabunde (Sp?) to assist in the build-out of the studios in the Capital Bank Building on Mockingbird at Central. And though it was tiny in comparison to all the others there...I'll always be proud of the fact that I had a part (albeit small) in the building (no pun intended) of that phenomenal radio station.

If ANYONE is driving away listeners from a radio station...it ain't Larry Dixon!

 

[Steve Eberhart]

Little 1, I must challenge you on the subject of Larry Dixon. If you think HE is the reason KVIL sits in mediocrity, perhaps you need a lesson in history. Larry is one of the greatest voices to hit the airwaves in Dallas, AND, more importantly one of the most talented air personalities to ever grace the airwaves of KVIL or any other station. Check the numbers, he OWNED afternoons at KVIL for a very long time.
There were MANY factors that created the demise of KVIL. We all have our opinions as to why this happened, but ultimately, most knowledgeable sources would pinpoint it on one person becoming less involved in decision making and programming. I don't fault that person either as they certainly did their time above and beyond the call of duty for many, many years. The fact is, those who followed in the footsteps of programming and managing the station simply were less knowledgeable and incapable of repeating the time and effort it took to accomplish what one person did tirelessly. I don't think anyone else had the passion necessary as well. I'm not sure anyone else could have! And again, few know precisely how it was done in the first place.

One other theory is that it is a natural evolutionary process that great radio stations run in cycles. True, some are able to re-invent themselves and continue on with greatness but the stark reality is that not unlike many things in life, there simply comes a time when something has run its course. I have some names in mind about who "blew it", but I can assure Dixon is not on the list.

Larry Dixon is an outstanding talent who still has more to offer than well over half of the talent on the air in DFW. Finding the right fit is essential to mutual success in this industry and I hope he hasn't given up on it entirely because we need more people like him who "get it".

 

[KPLEXCOMPLEX]

Andy and Steve are correct!
Steve:"I don't think anyone else had the passion necessary as well. I'm not sure anyone else could have! And again, few know precisely how it was done in the first place. "

What Steve has stated here is very very true. It takes "passion" to be a success. The KVIL team that Andy mentioned had it all. Today is mediocrity and advertisers will buy anything and too much of it at that.

Ron was the driving force of KVIL that was handed down from his days at KLIF.McLendon was an innovator,Chapman took it further.
It amazes me when I hear from those who entered the field of radio post 1985,and condemn what went on before as old and worn out. have you ever heard "what was once old can be new again? It has been proven over time and time again in many forms. The problem is the broadcaster of today is not being taught that. They are taught "assembly line" tactics. There is no "daring"no creativity,no inspiration and above all "NO PASSION".What you hear is what you get,poorly written copy,poorly executed announcing, and poorly programmed music. In other words the management of today literally have no clue ,and thus that is why great proud stations like KVIL lost ground and were decimated. "Talent" is not taught,groomed, and criticized by a caring PD today. They are "placed" on the air to fill a slot; "Let's place a woman on middays, evenings,a guy in the morning surrounded by 5 others (including at least one woman) a guy in the afternoon,and a guy overnight voice tracking. No problem with (except the voice track) IF THEY are indeed talented, NOT PLACED!
That is the problem with almost any radio station,especially a station controlled from a building 400+miles away. There is no " hands on" and most of all there is NO PRIDE.

So little one your assessment of why KVIL fell into the dumpster,and placing it on one talent is ridiculous. Management is to blame,not necessarily the PD,after all the "Corporative mind"hired them and the buck stops there.

Ken Barnett is now teaching in Dallas at the Columbia School of Broadcasting of Dallas ,so there is hope for any broadcasting student coming out of there.

 

[little1]

My apologies to Larry, maybe I'm thinking of somebody else. Since there's apparently any number of other people that helped drive KVIL into the depths of mediocrity.

But my point (which some of you missed in your rush to defend LD) still stands.

Do you really think retreads from the 70's are the saving grace?

Are they enough by themselves to make a once great station great again?

Because I'm reminded of a quote by Emmitt Smith. Which the children that run the Ticket delight in playing...Deascribing himself (and some of his hall of fame compatriots) on those later Cowboys teams he said they were 'diamonds surrounded by pooh-pooh'.

So back to the original post. Do you really think a Larry Dixon will save KVIL? Could Pam Steele make the tiny playlists at the Bone or KZPS better? Hell, could Jeff K returning to the Edge make me sit through the crap they play now-a-days? Or would they all be diamonds surrounded by pooh-pooh.

Great jocks are, well...great. On great radio stations. And marginal jocks on great radio stations sound pretty damn good (because a rising tide lifts all boats)...But don't kid yourselves. Bringing back some dinosaurs aren't going to save any number of stations in town....Ain't gonna happen...

 

[KPLEXCOMPLEX]

Little 1:It depends on many factors. How much Carte Blanche, ( if any) are they given? How much true local control are they given? How much freedom do they have with promotions,such as budget?
Who can they pick to hire and fire? Ron Chapman had it all then Infinity came in and dampened the party, and it only got worse after that and the enthusiasm was on life support there after. The VETS could do it ,if the VETS are allowed, but you and I know it won't happen. The current climate is cheaper is better,and the cheaper you put in,the cheaper the results(a decline). Larry Dixon, Steve,Cat Simon, Ken Barnett,Jim Edwards
could do it,if they are allowed to be themselves, and not a copy machine from New York.

 

[TheLaffer]

My apologies to Larry, maybe I'm thinking of somebody else. Since there's apparently any number of other people that helped drive KVIL into the depths of mediocrity.

But my point (which some of you missed in your rush to defend LD) still stands.

Do you really think retreads from the 70's are the saving grace?

Are they enough by themselves to make a once great station great again?

Because I'm reminded of a quote by Emmitt Smith. Which the children that run the Ticket delight in playing...Deascribing himself (and some of his hall of fame compatriots) on those later Cowboys teams he said they were 'diamonds surrounded by pooh-pooh'.

So back to the original post. Do you really think a Larry Dixon will save KVIL? Could Pam Steele make the tiny playlists at the Bone or KZPS better? Hell, could Jeff K returning to the Edge make me sit through the crap they play now-a-days? Or would they all be diamonds surrounded by pooh-pooh.

Great jocks are, well...great. On great radio stations. And marginal jocks on great radio stations sound pretty damn good (because a rising tide lifts all boats)...But don't kid yourselves. Bringing back some dinosaurs aren't going to save any number of stations in town....Ain't gonna happen...

Little 1:

Can you give specifics as to why Larry Dixon and the others you trashed are ineffective other than they are in their late 40's early 50's? Many jocks like actors reach the pennacle of their talent late in there 30's, 40' even 50's.

Chuck Brinkman is one that comes to mind. He sounds 30 and is approacing 70. Same with Chapman. Same with a lot others. There are hundreds in other markets that are in the early 50's that sound Hip, Up and relevant. There are some great young talents out there too.

 

[OKCRadioGuy]

Too bad McRadio management doesn't take the advise of the "dinosaur" airtalent. If they did, they'd find themselves once again able to keep Wall Street happy. Unfortunatly, their system is to do it cheap and cookie-cutter. All radio is and has ever been in the past 50 years since leaving network programming is re-invention of the past. To say the "dinosaurs" are past their prime, at least in the advise department, is nothing less than blastphemous and ludicrous. Just keep in mind it WASN'T the "dinosours" that got us in this mess. It's the S.O.B.s that run McRadio that are nothing more than sleezy car salesmen in ivory towers that never pulled a shift or did real radio in the first place that srewed it all up. You can also blame the public for putting their $$$ and faith into the sleezbags at McRadio. If Wall Street had done their due dilligence, they would have noticed that Crap Channel overspent for nearly all the properties they aquired. Now they're all taking their chains "private" - translated we can't steel from the public anymore, so let's find some other big bucks from a group of people with more money than sense.

I just hope when McRadio has to sell a few of the bottom-feeder stations, some people with pride in the product that have a clue get a chance to snatch those stations up.

 

[KPLEXCOMPLEX]

When Clear Channel sells those station expect Cumulus,Cox and Radio One to be in the bread line awaiting the morsels. They in turn will do nothing to restore radio back to "when it was radio".

 

[little1]

Little 1:

Can you give specifics as to why Larry Dixon and the others you trashed are ineffective other than they are in their late 40's early 50's? Many jocks like actors reach the pennacle of their talent late in there 30's, 40' even 50's.

Chuck Brinkman is one that comes to mind. He sounds 30 and is approacing 70. Same with Chapman. Same with a lot others. There are hundreds in other markets that are in the early 50's that sound Hip, Up and relevant. There are some great young talents out there too.

Great talent doesn't "make" a station. Sure it contributes greatly, but to succeed, the station has to know it's audience, be playing music (or doing talk) that appeals to that audience, and last (but probably most importantly these days) they have to know how to sell that audience to advertisers that are looking to 'buy' that audience...

It's got nothing to do with age of the jocks. If you took Chapman, Stern, Jim Rome, Rush and Delilah and dumped them all on one frequency would that make a 'great' station? Haven't they all reached the pinnacle of their talents? Aren't they all 50ish (Plus) (well, maybe ROme is younger...)?

The point, and I'll type this slowly and see if you guys understand it better that way, a great talent on a mediocre station won't make that station "great". Chapman or Dixon coming back won't help KVIL get back all those women who now listen to Mix or KLTY or any of the other chick-leaning stations that have feasted on the carcass of KVIL.
or to use another example, Bringing back Redbeard won't ressurect Q102. They never survived the dividing when their audience started splitting into Classic Rockers going to ZPS, flannel wearing Gen X-ers to the Edge, metal heads to Z rock and the Eagle, etc etc...None of those stations alone killed Q102, it was a pack bringing down the dinosaur...And putting Redbeard, Pamela Steele, Dillon and Rody and the ghost of Labella on a reconstituted Q102 isn't going to make that a 'great' radio station. And all those jocks by themselves ARE great. And all 50ish...

 

[KPLEXCOMPLEX]

LITTLE 1 Seems you have a thing about vets being over 50. If you had read my other post,and if you brought back the vets plus still had the current thinking of management,damn straight they would fail. If you gave the vets "carte blanche" You would end up saying " Well I'll be damned". You admited personalities play a "key" part in a stations success. The sad part is ,there are very few "personalities"left. Its all "robotic reading" preprogrammed timing of music and most spots per hour than ever before,because ad agencies think someone is listening intently. Bo and Jim could be a lot more successful,and a lot more entertaining than they are now. They've been "pruned" from doing what they do best. KZPS keeps them and Dillon due to name recognition only and not allowing themselves to be "themselves" "Oh we might offend someone" Geez I am so tired of the corporate bland PC philosophy.Little 1 there are a good number of "50 somethings" you actually listen to and enjoy.They either act,or do spots you find entertaining. You can't tell,because they are that good. Soon as you see their picture or know who it is ,you would be disgusted. Its all in the mindset,not the ability.Its the visible image you seek,not the substance. A lot of times substance wins out over image.

 

[jd]

klif (and Laffer, too): agreed on virtually all your points. If only the collective corporate minds could realize what hasn't worked and tap into the talents that are still around, we might see a rejuvenation of DFW radio. There are younger talents here, too, and they could benefit from exposure to some of the old hands, provided management loosened their grip. It's painful to listen to talented air people, young or old, when you know what's really happening behind the scenes. It's just as painful to listen to "jukeboxes" in Market #5. Put a real morning show on Jack. Hire some hip youngsters for Movin' and turn 'em loose! Lose the losers on local talk radio, and try some formats that aren't flankers. Just do it, and it may make a real difference.

little1, I'd also point out, just like klif and Laffer, that there are many 50ish folks (some way past that point) that still draw great numbers here. And how old is Russ Martin now? Not that far away...

 

[JayDavis]

Truly no one likes change. I'm still so upset about The Oasis changing its format it drives me crazy at times.

With that being said, I've started to listen to Bo and Jim alot as I now am driving to work instead of being in a virtual office. They are funny and it is a shame that they aren't being allowed to do their ENTIRE show..................I too am so sick of all the PC around these days. It has thoroughly ruined our country but that debate is for another day and another forum.

I still remember Y-95 when I first moved to Dallas. Trey and Bill, "The Nicest Guys" on the radio and Wendy in the afternoon. She was a HOTTIE !! Wonder whatever happened to her????

It is just too bad that corporate America has ruined radio not just in the DFW area but over the entire country. I think that is why many are going to XM type stations as well as Podcast and their Ipods in their cars. Radio just flat out sucks these days because no one is afraid to take chances. I also remember how good The Edge was when it first started..............oh well.

 

[nomansland91]

Going back to the first post...I often wonder if the people being mentioned initiate the posts to keep their names in the limelight. I cannot tell if you are in Dallas, but it seems you are. If Dillon is so awesome, wouldn't you already know where he is? You speak of KZPS but do not know who is on? Dillon is doing nights after settling a lawsuit for age discrimination(although the jock that replaced him in pm drive at KZPS the previous year was older than he....try to figure that one out.) Sammi Martinez is wrapping up her year of severance pay from CC after suing them for alleged racial discrimination( this after she admitted she knew nothing about classic rock when she was let go from KZPS and the midday ratings all but proved it). Fast Eddie...didn't someone on here say he went into business for himself? His being let go by CC was truly a mistake. The man is very talented indeed. Redbeard is still doing In the Studio and it is played on KZPS on Sunday nights. Again, another awesome talent.

 

[boingo]

Going back a couple posts, Jay Davis mentions Y-95. Now THERE was a great CHR battle. When Y-95 went on the air, "All-Hit, 97.1 KEGL, The Eagle" was just rockin' along and all of a sudden they had some major competition to deal with. Y-95 sounded awesome, but it made the Eagle sound even better too. They were both fun to listen to at any time of the day. Trey and Bill against Kidd Kraddick in mornings, Billy Burke on Y-95 against Fast Eddie Coyle on the Eagle in afternoons, and yes, Wendy DID bring some heat to radio. Even a much more upbeat Ken Barnett was on Y-95. They were both excellent CHR stations. With the exception of Ron Chapman's big prizes on KVIL, the Eagle-Y-95 war was probably the last days of the great promotions. Lots of money and cars from both. Remember all the Porsches KEGL gave away? It's a damn shame that kind of radio is gone. Will it ever return? Probably not. The new corporate executive has no idea what the word "promotion" means today. They don't understand or believe that if you actually give away something of VALUE, that more people would be inclined to listen or at least sample their radio stations. What a concept. Anybody know of any links that have airchecks of these jocks at that time?

 

[Jack Schell]

Hey, troops...hi Steve...everybody covered their outdoor spigot (in DFW area)?
About 40 minutes ago I finished prepping for the cold snap...came in to check the email...and bingo, a long-ago pal from KAWA had found me and sent a nice note...gotta tell you, the internet has been mighty good, for quite some time now.

Point? That quick catch-up reminded me that I have been wanting to contact Ken Barnett - same reason - just to say howdy, and see about lunch and stuff. And for some unknown reason, rather than digging around in my notes for his number, I thought I might...just might see a word or two about Ken's current whereabouts on Radio-Info.

In the words of the late-great Mike Selden, "Great Googa-Mooga!" The first post on the DFW Board catches my eye...Larry Dixon (a very close personal and respected friend) and all those other thoughts!!! Darn it all...I had to read it all. By now, that was a whole HOUR ago! Steve, how do you DO this?!?

Anyway, very very interesting to catch everyone wading in. As for me, I kinda think a disappearance of "hunger" ran up and down the whole system. Wayne Newton sang, THE HUNGRY YEARS...and how he missed'em. When the whole tribe/team/company is hungry: LOOK OUT!! That's just a quick 2 cents worth.

Finally, out all the back-and-forth I saw it...where I can find Ken. Tomorrow I'll call him and tell him how the boards flushed him out for me. I'll tell him YOU said hello, too.

Thanks gang, I appreciate the effort. Ken will too. Especially since lunch will be on me.

 

[Musicradio]

My 2 cents here....

I worked with Pamela Steele, Stubie Doak, Ed Budenaro (sp?) and a few others in 1986 at KZPS. Total pros under John Shomby.

And -- so many things make a winning station. It is a passion -- and add talent, music with your style for your format in there, too.

I still think a mixture of both new and old jocks, with both new and old ideas about radio can be a good thing. We can all learn from each other.

I hope radio returns to a place where the magic is found in each signal.

 

[Steve Eberhart]

Jack Schell!!!! How great to see you here!
We really need to get the whole gang together for a lunch sometime.

For the record, I would like to say Jack is one of my favorite people in the whole world. Not only the friendliest person you will ever cross paths with, but also probably THEE best midday air talent in the industry. We used to describe his show as a 3 (or 4 o r 5..) hour continuing conversation. His ability to integrate phone calls on the air is one of the best examples of how it is supposed to be done. Anyone who is curious about this should get an aircheck of his from the late 80's/early 90's at KVIL. No one did this better, no one, and it was typically all done seemlessly over intro's. He executed that format flawlessly and always with incredibly relevant content and information, presented in a conversational manner that had you truly feeling he was sitting next to you.
I can recall, and I'm sure Jack does as well, many days after his 5 hour midday shift, him walking into my office at KVIL and sitting down in the chair to relax. Although it was never his nature to actually say it, I would look at him and realize he had given literally every ounce of whatever he had to offer on that show that day! On occasion, he'd actually fall asleep for a few minutes from sheer exhaustion.

One of my and Michael Rey's favorite Jack Schell stories:
Jack is promoting on the air the monthly storm siren tests. He plans to broadcast it live on the air. He's backtimed perfectly to exactly 12 noon and opens the microphone on the roof of the Capitol Bank Building where the station was located at the time. There is a storm siren across the street which should have been able to be heard perfectly. At noon he stops and turns on the rooftop mic and there is nothing - silence - to which Jack comments, "...hmm, this is the first Thursday of the month isn't it...it is 12 noon isn't it??...this is the 3rd planet from the sun isn't it???"

In the words of Chuck Rhodes " AH HAAAAAA!"