Who are the good indpendent owners in Nashville?

[radioatlantis]

Most everyone would agree that sometimes it doesn't matter if an radio owner is indie or not.
Every since consolidation, more smaller guys have adapted the bottom line models of the big guys, to build empires on a relative scale.

Every once and while you spot the exceptions (at least those who profess to be exceptions) posting ads. I have never had the good fortune of finding one to know but I believe that there must be some groups out there who are mavericks and revolutionaries at heart and are applying that to their stations with some success.

So who, of the indies in Nashville walks the walk and likes people to the extant that the still refer to them as their "product"?

 

[scottwmro]

Most everyone would agree that sometimes it doesn't matter if an radio owner is indie or not.
Every since consolidation, more smaller guys have adapted the bottom line models of the big guys, to build empires on a relative scale.

Every once and while you spot the exceptions (at least those who profess to be exceptions) posting ads. I have never had the good fortune of finding one to know but I believe that there must be some groups out there who are mavericks and revolutionaries at heart and are applying that to their stations with some success.

So who, of the indies in Nashville walks the walk and likes people to the extant that the still refer to them as their "product"?

Sounds to me you are one of the ones that go to small station to small station, in the outline areas of Nashville, begging for a D.J. Job.

Well dude, from an owners standpoint. You have no clue of the economic situation of this country. Don't you watch CNN, MSNBC, FOX, etc. This country is in a mess, and it's going to get worse with all these clowns running for president whom are not qualified, be it a "R" or "D"!

In small towns, especially ones near metro areas, small businesses (what mom & pops are left) can not afford to spend avertising dollars. Usually, you do go enough to get 50-75 dollars a month out of them. The majority of the medium to large businesses are control by ad agencies that buy ONLY the big boys AND maybe the local newspaper owned by Gannett.

Small AM stations (1000 watts and less) are doing good just to pay the light bill, in addition to the royalities to play music and upkeep and maintenace on equipment, city, county and state taxes.

This is the reason for the cutbacks, and the damn FCC doesn't understand this. I personally invited Kevin Martin, head commissioner of the FCC and one person from the DOJ to take a peek at my books. They stink! Don't give me no crap you can do it better than me because I've tried everything in God's name to bring in extra income. I've been in this business for almost 30 years, and the ecomomy is working against us.

The media biz is going to the big boys and YOU have no right to pick on small business people who are struggling to make thier stations stay afloat. We have to do what it takes to make it. Thank God for computer automation, if we didn't have it, some of the big boys would even shut down some of thier operations as well, and all the small town stations would be gone for the most part.

I've preached and preached this on this board, as I'm in the middle of the small business owner crsis that has hit the US in the past 20 years. I making it o.k., but with just me and my wife doing it all. Until the government says I have to hire "X" amount of empolyees and jocks, that's the way it's going to stay.

I've already have had one battle with the NAB, and we stopped paying them being a member. I'm still a member of TAB, but there will be a day when that will be cut!

Folks....Localism comes with a HUGE pricetag, unless you get volunteers to help out, and at times, I have found them unreliable!

To the editor of this board: I've spoke to you in private that this board, as well as others are just full of D.J. wanna bees, who went to Vol State or some other college, thinking they can go out here, sit on thier tails, play music all day, when a computer can do it better, and is much more cost effective. It doesn't call in sick, works holidays and weekends, and you don't have to pay out to the feds social security, fica, etc. Sorry for my rant!

 

[romer979fm]

this board, as well as others are just full of D.J. wanna bees, who went to Vol State or some other college, thinking they can go out here, sit on thier tails, play music all day, when a computer can do it better, and is much more cost effective.

that's a might broad brush you're painting with there, picasso...
better open up a bottle (or two) from your stash of Arbor Mist.

 

[radioatlantis]

Most everyone would agree that sometimes it doesn't matter if an radio owner is indie or not.
Every since consolidation, more smaller guys have adapted the bottom line models of the big guys, to build empires on a relative scale.

Every once and while you spot the exceptions (at least those who profess to be exceptions) posting ads. I have never had the good fortune of finding one to know but I believe that there must be some groups out there who are mavericks and revolutionaries at heart and are applying that to their stations with some success.

So who, of the indies in Nashville walks the walk and likes people to the extant that the still refer to them as their "product"?

Sounds to me you are one of the ones that go to small station to small station, in the outline areas of Nashville, begging for a D.J. Job.

Well dude, from an owners standpoint. You have no clue of the economic situation of this country. Don't you watch CNN, MSNBC, FOX, etc. This country is in a mess, and it's going to get worse with all these clowns running for president whom are not qualified, be it a "R" or "D"!

In small towns, especially ones near metro areas, small businesses (what mom & pops are left) can not afford to spend avertising dollars. Usually, you do go enough to get 50-75 dollars a month out of them. The majority of the medium to large businesses are control by ad agencies that buy ONLY the big boys AND maybe the local newspaper owned by Gannett.

Small AM stations (1000 watts and less) are doing good just to pay the light bill, in addition to the royalities to play music and upkeep and maintenace on equipment, city, county and state taxes.

This is the reason for the cutbacks, and the damn FCC doesn't understand this. I personally invited Kevin Martin, head commissioner of the FCC and one person from the DOJ to take a peek at my books. They stink! Don't give me no crap you can do it better than me because I've tried everything in God's name to bring in extra income. I've been in this business for almost 30 years, and the ecomomy is working against us.

The media biz is going to the big boys and YOU have no right to pick on small business people who are struggling to make thier stations stay afloat. We have to do what it takes to make it. Thank God for computer automation, if we didn't have it, some of the big boys would even shut down some of thier operations as well, and all the small town stations would be gone for the most part.

I've preached and preached this on this board, as I'm in the middle of the small business owner crsis that has hit the US in the past 20 years. I making it o.k., but with just me and my wife doing it all. Until the government says I have to hire "X" amount of empolyees and jocks, that's the way it's going to stay.

I've already have had one battle with the NAB, and we stopped paying them being a member. I'm still a member of TAB, but there will be a day when that will be cut!

Folks....Localism comes with a HUGE pricetag, unless you get volunteers to help out, and at times, I have found them unreliable!

To the editor of this board: I've spoke to you in private that this board, as well as others are just full of D.J. wanna bees, who went to Vol State or some other college, thinking they can go out here, sit on thier tails, play music all day, when a computer can do it better, and is much more cost effective. It doesn't call in sick, works holidays and weekends, and you don't have to pay out to the feds social security, fica, etc. Sorry for my rant!

[EDIT] I just ask a very simple question. None of what [EDIT] had anything to do with me or the question!!! No wonder radio is in trouble.

[EDIT-inflammatory]

 

[romer979fm]

consider the source, atlantis...
consider the source.

check out scott's numerous other posts

 

[yorkie9]

Jeebus, Scott...I don't think Atlantis was attacking anyone by asking the question. To me, the question was who is in indie who has quite a bit of reach and is competing with the big guys maybe through being a legacy broadcaster that wasn't bought up or a station that might have some independent funding or external cashflow. A station that comes to mind for me is The Ride in Charlotte, NC(http://www.957theride.com/home.asp). It is probably a strange question for today's radio scene but it's worth pondering.

It's a stretch to think the question in any way implied a judgement call against stations doing the best they can serving local or rural markets (though Gallatin sure isn't rural anymore - it's nothing like it was 30 years ago!).

You're right - no one goes to Vol State or anywhere else to pursue a career in broadcasting with the idea that the industry will be gloom and doom when they get out. I'm not sure if that is a lack of realism or just plain youth. Unfortunately, I too have "crested the hill" and am getting farther away from youth and further into realism but I'd still hate for someone starting out to read this on the board and just give up. The newbies have a lot of the good side to learn from guys like you and Romer and Buddy and everyone else on here. For every 'rant' you've posted, there have been just as many enjoyable and some downright hilarious posts about your experiences growing up in radio. From reading those posts, I'm certain you came out of Vol State with the same excitement and passion for radio that you seem perplexed by today and I don't believe for one second that you don't still have it no matter how hard it has gotten.

 

[radioatlantis]

anyway, as I was saying.....

My guess that is Scottwmro wasn't cut out for the pressure. You are about to pop a vein my friend.

Look, no one would love to have an endless discourse about everything that is tearing a once great business down and the equally as deteriorating situation of our government, our society, and the really bad choice they give us for candidates who can clean up the mess of the last
self-serving tyrant; but mine began as a simple post that asks a question based on a given condition of our buisness. It was not intended to induce a heart attack in those who should probably be making pot holders in therapy - not owning radio stations.

But since you took us all down this dark road Scott, I will tell you that EVERY ONE of these turkeys will only support the rich cannibalistic corporate monsters in any sector. Edwards and Paul are probably the only possible exceptions to that.

Knowing Paul is a very sincere Constitutionalist, he also represents common sense. (not an endorsement)

The current administration has given radio everything it asks for...but radio is not all
represented by the big money boys and the NAB lobby. The commission should not be partisan at all, but they are errand boys for the Oligarchy and little Kevin is an ambitious snake.

Lets not forget (if we every really knew) that BILL was the one who took GEORGE SR.s "free trade agreements" and got them passed by buying off the eight hold out votes in Congress.
BILL was also the one who saw the 93 telecom act passed and the feeding frenzy of consolidation began.

95% of these kinds of people are all alike...doesn't matter what the parties are anymore.

W was representing an ideology as old as Lincoln - one of fiscal conservatism -- he spends money like RONNIE ate jellybeans! Here is the man that did to America what the WHO used to do to hotel rooms. Now, we are here and most of us only want to deny our mistake of ever supporting such a puppet for power and are bound to repeat the same mistake again.

As for the net, believe me, all the corporate wolves want to be in charge of the hen house. They all want power and control and to be the gatekeepers of all that we see and hear and read. IT WOULD BE YOUR JOB TO BECOME ACTIVE IN STOPPING THEM. Are you?

Scott......you could have done the same thing you are doing with your computer and automation software on the Internet and saved yourself the money and a coronary..and the rest of this business would do well to examine itself closely....and determine how much shelf-life is left on aging product that is never "new and improved."

When someone wants to put on some great radio - create the revolution of broadcasting again, let me know. I have a plan.

Until then, Does anyone know who the best indies are in the business today?

I am just doing research so I can write a paper but if this continues, I might decide to write something else with real-life content, by way of RI message board contributions, that will surpass the brilliance of Kesey's "Cuckoo's Nest."

Good evening, Ladies and Gents. The smoking lamp is out.

 

[RulesAsFollows]

Sounds to me you are one of the ones that go to small station to small station, in the outline areas of Nashville, begging for a D.J. Job.

Well dude, from an owners standpoint. You have no clue of the economic situation of this country. Don't you watch CNN, MSNBC, FOX, etc. This country is in a mess, and it's going to get worse with all these clowns running for president whom are not qualified, be it a "R" or "D"!

In small towns, especially ones near metro areas, small businesses (what mom & pops are left) can not afford to spend avertising dollars. Usually, you do go enough to get 50-75 dollars a month out of them. The majority of the medium to large businesses are control by ad agencies that buy ONLY the big boys AND maybe the local newspaper owned by Gannett.

Small AM stations (1000 watts and less) are doing good just to pay the light bill, in addition to the royalities to play music and upkeep and maintenace on equipment, city, county and state taxes.

This is the reason for the cutbacks, and the damn FCC doesn't understand this. I personally invited Kevin Martin, head commissioner of the FCC and one person from the DOJ to take a peek at my books. They stink! Don't give me no crap you can do it better than me because I've tried everything in God's name to bring in extra income. I've been in this business for almost 30 years, and the ecomomy is working against us.

The media biz is going to the big boys and YOU have no right to pick on small business people who are struggling to make thier stations stay afloat. We have to do what it takes to make it. Thank God for computer automation, if we didn't have it, some of the big boys would even shut down some of thier operations as well, and all the small town stations would be gone for the most part.

I've preached and preached this on this board, as I'm in the middle of the small business owner crsis that has hit the US in the past 20 years. I making it o.k., but with just me and my wife doing it all. Until the government says I have to hire "X" amount of empolyees and jocks, that's the way it's going to stay.

I've already have had one battle with the NAB, and we stopped paying them being a member. I'm still a member of TAB, but there will be a day when that will be cut!

Folks....Localism comes with a HUGE pricetag, unless you get volunteers to help out, and at times, I have found them unreliable!

To the editor of this board: I've spoke to you in private that this board, as well as others are just full of D.J. wanna bees, who went to Vol State or some other college, thinking they can go out here, sit on thier tails, play music all day, when a computer can do it better, and is much more cost effective. It doesn't call in sick, works holidays and weekends, and you don't have to pay out to the feds social security, fica, etc. Sorry for my rant!

;D ;DI'm sorry but you just sound just like the OLD WHITE MEN IN SUITS that keep running this country and have NO idea how to do it. You keep blaming it on so many other things, and you CLAIM that you have tried everything in the books to get more revenue and add ratings to your stations, but yet it is still the same old crap. Just the left overs from the big boys. You just copy cat what the big boys do, just so you can stay afloat. If you would seriously step out of your box and quit blaming everything else for the problems of your station, you might be able to get somewhere with an idea. Sometimes the young 'whipper snappers' have some pretty good ideas, and you just keep blowing them off. "Well, I've been in the busy 30 years, I know what I am doing." Experience is not always the right answer. You have to find a good balance of OLD and NEW and find a happy medium that meets in the middle. NEW FRESH ideas sometimes could be the lifesaver, but you just continue to throw those by the wayside...

 

[Hillbillicus]

Isn't the obvious answer to the well being of small independant operators AM-HD? Certainly the folks at iBiquity think so. Just plug it in and the ad dollars should start rolling in. There you go, problem solved.

 

[in3media_be1]

Some of the posts from this thread have been moved to TAKE IT OUTSIDE


http://www.radio-info.com/smf/index.php/topic,91041.msg692885.html#msg692885

 

[yorkie9]

My smiley got moved to TIO. My work on earth is complete!

 

[radioatlantis]

Yorkie -- Your and Romer's humor and mediation were certainly appreciated.
I don't know Scott and I don't think I want to but i am still seeking answers to the question so
if you have friends who might want to contribute something, I'd appreciate that too.

 

[yorkie9]

On one of the messages TIO'ed, Firepoint525 made an interesting point:
"Getting back to the original question, I once thought that Tuned In Broadcasting was still one of the "good guys" here in Nashville, but they sold off the Phoenix, so that jettisoned that idea!"

I think selling off the Phoenix was a cash flow necessity at the time and you have to do what you have to do to survive. WRLT is focused on the money demo and I'm certain that's how they stay afloat.

There are a lot of good independent broadcasters out there but the scope and impact on ratings/economy really varies. In between the lines of the rant, Scott makes good points and is doing all of it - sales, engineering, etc. - you name it. A trip down the list at radio-locator.com proves that most independents left are on AM. The FCC's rules are overwhelming pro-consolidation which is a huge shame. Interesting to me is that Clear Channel is entangled in a fight with the FCC on not having stations staffed 24/7 for emergency needs - this would have a huge negative impact on the indies out there more than the big guys like CC, but it would hurt their bottom lines too because the economy is squeezing everyone. The FCC expects stations to have 24/7 staffing while turning right around and making that sort of luxury nearly impossible for most stations.

As Scott said in previous posts, he can control WMRO from his home via the magic of computers and get the word out if Gallatin Road gets blocked by hay bales or space aliens land at the Dairy Queen up there in Gallatin.

I hope some other forum regulars will speak up with their opinions and help you out.

 

[firepoint525]

On one of the messages TIO'ed, Firepoint525 made an interesting point:
"Getting back to the original question, I once thought that Tuned In Broadcasting was still one of the "good guys" here in Nashville, but they sold off the Phoenix, so that jettisoned that idea!"

I think selling off the Phoenix was a cash flow necessity at the time and you have to do what you have to do to survive. WRLT is focused on the money demo and I'm certain that's how they stay afloat.

I'm glad you brought up my point, because I wasn't quite finished with that idea. ;D

I thought Tuned In's intent with all their frequencies around 94 on the FM dial was to simulcast one station (in this case, the Phoenix) on all three of them. This would include the two that are now the Fish, and the one in the Springfield area. Seems to me they could have sold enough advertising on all three of them to keep that one station afloat. I can't speak for the Springfield station, but the one at 94.1, licensed to Smyrna, always had a weak signal, no matter where I was listening from. I lived in the (former) Harding Mall area back in the Phoenix days, and I could pick them up just fine at 93.7. I missed them when they left the air because they were one of the few still doing anything innovative. No one (not even Lightning 100 themselves) has done anything even remotely like it since then! :'(

You bring up another point I wanted to respond to, so as we say in the "biz," stay tuned! ;D

There are a lot of good independent broadcasters out there but the scope and impact on ratings/economy really varies. In between the lines of the rant, Scott makes good points and is doing all of it - sales, engineering, etc. - you name it. A trip down the list at radio-locator.com proves that most independents left are on AM. The FCC's rules are overwhelming pro-consolidation which is a huge shame. Interesting to me is that Clear Channel is entangled in a fight with the FCC on not having stations staffed 24/7 for emergency needs - this would have a huge negative impact on the indies out there more than the big guys like CC, but it would hurt their bottom lines too because the economy is squeezing everyone. The FCC expects stations to have 24/7 staffing while turning right around and making that sort of luxury nearly impossible for most stations.

Doesn't the EAS have a way of "overriding" a station's signal in the event of a true emergency? In the old EBS days, the announcement went something to the effect of, "...you would be instructed where to tune in your area for news and official information..." I was kind of under the impression that with EAS, this kind of emergency alerting is automatic!

 

[yorkie9]

I was kind of under the impression that with EAS, this kind of emergency alerting is automatic!

Yes it is and Clear Channel's stance is that their EAS system was operational but local authorities had not installed equipment that would trigger it. The National Weather Service did have the equipment and had triggered the station EAS system several times prior, proving that the problem was not at the station.

Aside from the $$, I've always thought shedding the other stations was also a ploy to get a power increase for WRLT. Obviously, the FCC has no sympathy!

 

[Tibbs4]

[EDIT] I just ask a very simple question. None of what [EDIT] had anything to do with me or the question!!! No wonder radio is in trouble.

[EDIT-inflammatory]
[/quote]

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Atlantis ---care to give us the first letter or two of each edited word, so we can all chuckle at this a little more? I no longer feel bad about
my tirades that Rome so enjoys. Wonder what other magic radio buttons could have sent this board into outer space? What's our vector, Victor?

Yorkie: Congrats that's the best comeback of 2008: "My smiley got moved to TIO. My work on earth is complete!" LMAO.

I have nothing to add to this stellar thread. Wow! Arbor Mist must be a thing of the past.

 

[scottwmro]

[EDIT] I just ask a very simple question. None of what [EDIT] had anything to do with me or the question!!! No wonder radio is in trouble.

[EDIT-inflammatory]

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Atlantis ---care to give us the first letter or two of each edited word, so we can all chuckle at this a little more? I no longer feel bad about
my tirades that Rome so enjoys. Wonder what other magic radio buttons could have sent this board into outer space? What's our vector, Victor?

Yorkie: Congrats that's the best comeback of 2008: "My smiley got moved to TIO. My work on earth is complete!" LMAO.

I have nothing to add to this stellar thread. Wow! Arbor Mist must be a thing of the past.


_________________________________________________
There are a lot of good independent broadcasters out there but the scope and impact on ratings/economy really varies. In between the lines of the rant, Scott makes good points and is doing all of it - sales, engineering, etc. - you name it. A trip down the list at radio-locator.com proves that most independents left are on AM. The FCC's rules are overwhelming pro-consolidation which is a huge shame. Interesting to me is that Clear Channel is entangled in a fight with the FCC on not having stations staffed 24/7 for emergency needs - this would have a huge negative impact on the indies out there more than the big guys like CC, but it would hurt their bottom lines too because the economy is squeezing everyone. The FCC expects stations to have 24/7 staffing while turning right around and making that sort of luxury nearly impossible for most stations.

As Scott said in previous posts, he can control WMRO from his home via the magic of computers and get the word out if Gallatin Road gets blocked by hay bales or space aliens land at the Dairy Queen up there in Gallatin.

I hope some other forum regulars will speak up with their opinions and help you out.




[/quote]

Thanks Yorkie,

It takes alot of money to run a small 1 KW AM radio station in 2008. I believe AM is still a buyable product, but the corporate giants have come in (as well as other mom & pop businesses) and have smushed us down to the ground, with lots of owners, including small station owners, going out of business, forced to sell thier stations to the corporate giants. In addition, we have to compete with FM, XM, Podcasting, etc.

Running an AM station in a small town of 25,000, and having to compete with another station that has been here for nearly 50 years, with an outstanding reputation is very stressful. Yes, I rant and carry on stuff on this board, most of you don't have to manage the stations operational account, pay a radio station's bills, keep your customers and a small staff of almost volunteers, happy. Yes, that's when I need that Good Ole "Arbor Mist" at the end of the day. Don't worry Tibbs, Arbor Mist is alive and well, and I hope it will be while I own this station! (HA) It chases the stress away. GOOD FOR THE GM!

In the beginning, WMRO had empolyees, and week to week, I stayed worried that I couldn't make payroll. This was 1994. Mr. Romer should understand because he worked at one time in my building when it was WAMG, under Lee Raines ownership, and conditions of the station showed it. Some of those conditions were there when I bought the place from the IRS.

I'll tell ya, if it were not for computers, ISDN, internet high speed connections from point "A" to point "B", I couldn't operate at all. I moved my production room to a room in my newly built house to get things done "on the fly" and out on the air just as quick as if I was there in the building. Believe me, if we have an emergency situation in Gallatin, I can go on the air from anywhere, take off my regular programming, and get the word out. It's is a shame the FCC commissioners want to take us back to per-1987 rules, rules that will be soon 30 years old, costing the media to loose it grip with localism in the fast pace world were in now.

WMRO is fully live and ran manually one day a week, and that is on Sundays. Myself and Wanye Akins do most of it, and my brother in-in-law, Mark Creekmore is my back up jock and board op. The ABC programming is dropped for gospel music, religious programs, local music by local artist that Wayne plays, some local news of interest, and "one on one" contact with the audience. We have lots of pepole stop by to see us, some come in my office to talk to me about local concerns or just chat. To the ones that down me for how I have to run the station, I feel like there is plenty of "localism" with the station, and we have to do it in on an economic budget.

To the young man who asked the question, I apoligize to you. I do hope you understand what we "little AM guys" have to do what it takes to stay afloat. Everyone has good ideas, and I read them and I'm listening, but I know what my budget is, how much the station is going to bring in, and I have to stay within my limits. Don't worry, I'm not going broke, I just learned from my father, and other local broadcasters in the past like the late Ron Simpson, former owner of WQKR in Portland, TN, on how to run a small AM station on a budget, not let it break you, and save money. You never know when that transmitter is going to "kick the bucket", then you're out spending 20 grand that you didn't budget for.

Scott

 

[radioatlantis]

[EDIT] I just ask a very simple question. None of what [EDIT] had anything to do with me or the question!!! No wonder radio is in trouble.

[EDIT-inflammatory]

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Atlantis ---care to give us the first letter or two of each edited word, so we can all chuckle at this a little more? I no longer feel bad about
my tirades that Rome so enjoys. Wonder what other magic radio buttons could have sent this board into outer space? What's our vector, Victor?

I think it began with F and ended in FACE (can't remember..he has a good way of making one lose their composure.) The other part was stating that "nothing that he expelled from a certain cavity had anything to do with my question."

BY THE WAY SCOTT, apologies accepted. Believe me, I don't envy the situation you or other indies are in with consolidators being Frank Charlie's favorites.... it is part of the reason I am writing the article.

Yorkie: Congrats that's the best comeback of 2008: "My smiley got moved to TIO. My work on earth is complete!" LMAO.

I have nothing to add to this stellar thread. Wow! Arbor Mist must be a thing of the past.



[/quote]

 

[Tibbs4]

Everybody kissing and making up makes me feel, rather Arbor Misty....

 

[Tenn Radio Boy]

non-sequitor
"Good" and "Independant"
no money, can't compete and won't ever be top tier. If they happen to get a good book, the big boys will come and make them a non-event.