Wods Production Dir. Out

[pqgeorge]

Unbelieveable!

[size=8pt][size=8pt]>>Moments ago I gave my resignation letter here at WODS-FM. I can no longer tolerate the ncompetence and poor work ethic of my fellow employees that is accepted at this radio station and having to cover their mistakes. I will be returning to teaching, on-air work(part-time), and making cookies with my kids while my wife stabs people with needles at her job a little more often. Just to spice things up a bit and to keep my guitar chops fresh I’ve joined a Madonna tribute band as their sexy guitarist. I am writing you this letter mainly to let you know how to reach me now: ################### or the Palermo Party line(my cell) #########. Please use this contact info now here on in. Friday, 12/29 will be my last day here at WODS.<<[/size][/size]

Can you say "professional suicide"? It's one thing to leave a job, citing "professional differences". But it's another thing to diss fellow employees and the whole station as well. WODS is part of a major conglomerate called CBS. And.... well..... the radio and TV business is a very small community. And after sending that e-mail to clients and agencies of the station, you can assume that this person will not be able to show his wares in the industry for some time to come. Major blunder.

 

[Varulven]

The frustration level, unfortunately, was brought on by two men I voted for - Ed Markey & Bill Clinton and their very Republican heavy TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT of 1996.

CBS should not own a majority of the stations in this town, nor should any of the other huge entities; competition is a healthy thing. None of these conglomerates think about the public. They think about the shareholders.

And by the way, my Pete Falconi comment on this e mail is just a little funny about Christmas music.
Oldies 103 is one of my favorite stations. But they did not treat Little Walter fairly for his years
of service, his professionalism, his library that they embraced.

Radio isn't radio anymore. Do you really think being an on-air announcer at some station, playing
music you probably can't stand, reading things with a cheery voice is actually "radio"?

Look at the awful hacks that have invaded our allegedly public airwaves.

There is no creativity and without creativity there is stagnation.

"I can no longer tolerate the incompetence and poor work ethic of my fellow employees that is accepted at this radio station and having to cover their mistakes." Hey, at least the guy resigned.

It takes guts.

You either shut up and take it for a pay check that is always on thin ice (think Rod Fritz and Listo Fisher if you want to see how the industry respects talent) or you make your move.

Bravo. The fellow has more guts than other CBS employees who whine and complain about everyone; who push people around for years. So there's no guessing I'm speaking specifically about former CBS
employee Ed Oedipus Hyson and how he ruined "The rock of Boston" beyond repair.

Who has more talent? Rod Fritz or Ed Hyson?

Who has the million dollar playhouse and who is out of a job this Christmas season.

Radio is not fair. I say REVOLT.

Bravo to the guy. We need more people like him. Instead we have lackeys and political hires who mumble over the airwaves and think people like them. Notice the personalities who were terminated who show up here complaining? Neither did the audience.

Resign with your head held high.

And for the little minority who attack my public access show - it's a component of my life that allows me to be creative and speak with amazing personalities, people the Program Directors would love to have on the air.
Problem is the higher ups won't let them. Gotta keep playing to the niche. THAT'S NOT RADIO.

Visual Radio is more radio than anything you'll get on the airwaves in this city. WZLX was rough when it was independent of CBS, but at least back then there was some wiggle room to have Mick Taylor, Denny Laine and other classic rockers on the air; now it might as well be MIKE FM. Ho hum.

 

[Signpost]

So who's doing production at WODS now?

Doug Macaskill i hope !

 

[nhradiochild]

Perhaps I was thinking about Mistress Carrie? Going to Iraq for a publicity stunt as if she's Bob Hope.

I hate to open up a can of worms (as people here must have multiple cans of them kicking around somewhere ), but I, from a listener and soldier's standpoint, don't really care much if something is done for publicity if the cause is just. I should remind everyone that everything in radio should be done for publicity. The key is to garner good publicity instead of bad.

My hat goes off to Mistress Carrie regardless of whether it was done for publicity or not. She stepped forward to endanger her life for her alleged publicity stunt. I was in Iraq for a year, I know what it's all about. Additionally, I am sure many of the troops she visited were familiar with her show and enjoy it for what it is. The troops she visited were from the Massachusetts National Guard if I recall correctly, so it's not as if she did a grand tour of the entire Army in-country, "Bob Hope style". I myself, have occasionally tuned in to WAAF (online here in Korea) as I find it to be one of the few signals that is still enjoyable to listen to. (Though I don't much care for their morning show.)

Aside from that, your bickering back and forth to each other has proven quite entertaining, just as Varulven alluded to. Interestingly, while he does seem to have some negative thoughts about certain stations or individuals, I'm not sure it warranted the overwhelming response it received. Yes, if he's inaccurate he should be corrected. Varulven, "kind" does not seem to be in your vocabulary, but that's your schtick and if that's how you feel, then you shouldn't be coerced to feel something other than your true conviction. On the flip side of the coin, I see these other posters' point about seeming to introduce something new to the equation each and every time you post, even if it was instigated by the people that are holding you accountable for it. However, that IS how people regain attention, or the cause dies. I think Varulven recognizes this, and until something changes in his life or his listening ethic, he will remain this way, much to the rest of your chagrins. Also, you accuse him of (and I paraphrase) loving to hear himself talk. It would seem to me that most of us do, and your repeated LENGTHY replies indicates that you probably do too. (I'll admit it, I do too.)

So my friends, I conclude by saying, y'all are on the air for a reason. If there are hacks and those unwilling to play the game anymore, so be it. I'm pretty sure the guy knew that by writing that email he wasn't going to solicit invitations for employment by the people he was railing against (which I interpret to be radio conglomerates in general), which is the way he wants it. No big deal to him I would guess, at least for right now. Some hacks with the right guidance might be the next prodigy, but who's to say they'll ever get that luxury? And if you're not on the air, there's probably a reason for that too. Whether it be because of lack of talent or brown-nosing ability, or just divine intervention.

Oh and before people get testy, my name is Mark Decker, I used to broadcast in NH on WPNH, WNTK, WFRD, and Q106 cluster (sort of), and am now an active duty Army Sergeant stationed in South Korea.

 

[fwdmo]

[EDIT-post edited for being off topic]

As for the email sent out by the ODS Prod Director, WOW...it sounded like a spoiled brat who didn't get his way more than an adult, just my take!!!

 

[bostonmusicman]

I APPLAUD THE MODS OR WHOEVER IS EDITING THIS!!! THANK YOU!!

That really burns your bridge.. Say somebody @ CC read it and denied him hiring because he was a bad employee (NOT THAT THEY ARE HIRING!!! HAHA) Doesn't look good when you want to put them down as a refrence haha. Happy New Year!

 

[TowerBuzz]

I think you're right becasue I have received that email from an ODS client and someone at greater media too. So it's made the rounds. Dumb, dumb, dumb. Just leave with your head held high, the room is too small to do something like that and hope to remain in it.

:

 

[Varulven]

Maybe the Production Director knew something was up re: how higher ups are treating people.

That Barry Scott was e mailed the Saturday Night Termination indicates my partial support of the
Production Director was not that far off base.

In November Neggy said that WODS BITES
http://www.radio-info.com/smf/index.php/topic,54934.0.html

Add now the Barry Scott thing:
http://www.radio-info.com/smf/index.php/topic,59690.0.html

Three issues regarding WODS. Is there a pattern? What's up?

Remember how they treated Little Walter, who helped build their library and gave them some
great promotional events on Sunday nights. I have one such PR event on tape with cars lined up down the road waiting - we aired it a few years back.

 

[greg11]

Could it just be that WODS is making some changes they feel are needed for the stations future. As far as the Produciton Director...I think if you really get down to it a lot of Production Directors at many stations feel they way he probably did. So rather than it being a trend on how WODS treats people...could it be a trend on how the entire business treats Production Directors in general? Lets face it it's all about getting the spots on so the station makes money.

 

[chitchatjf]

if they want to make some positive changes,change the music format.

The same 300 or so oldies over and over and over again can get a little tiring after awhile.

Even a well planned HiJACK might be welcome,though I would prefer a Movin format myself,heavier on 60s/70s RnB.

 

[WLYNWAZNgm]

learn from Portland!

I had occasion this past weekend, while searching for snow, to listen the
oldies station 100.9 in Portland. It sounded automated, but we held the
signal in the car for several hours of driving. Their playlist was a feast of 60's and 70's
musical moments, popping right along at a consistent pace. And some vintage-sounding
jingles. Too cool!

 

[raccoonradio]

I'm not sure how well they do in 25-54, but in 12 + WODS does fairly well; people seem to like the
60s/70s (and an occasional 80s tune) and they don't mind using the name "Oldies". But yes, it can
be quite repetitive...which is why "Lost 45s", "10:00 Beatles" (that's where I first heard cuts from
"Love" several weeks before release), and some other features are welcome because they offer
a few tunes not normally heard.

 

[argytunes]

Hi WLYNgm...

A former employer & long-time friend brought up the EXACT SAME THING about Oldies 100.9 that you did!

Bob was very pleased by the excellent mix of 60s and 70s music. Not only did the station play the major hits, but also managed to blend in a few "recognizable, but not so huge hits" as well?

I think you brought up a great point about automation & "canned announcers!" There are certain radio personalities who have the talent to make themselves and their listeners believe that they're LIVE (even when they aren't)! And then there are 'liner card readers' who can't go beyond 2 sentences without screwing up the name of an artist, musical gendre or even their own name!

argytunes

 

[Eli Polonsky]

But yes, it can be quite repetitive...which is why "Lost 45s", "10:00 Beatles" (that's where I first heard cuts from "Love" several weeks before release), and some other features are welcome because they offer a few tunes not normally heard.

My favorite feature on WODS is the "Top 20 Countdown" (formerly the "Thursday Night Countdown", but it's now also being repeated on Saturday mornings). They play the actual Billboard Top 20 for the week from one of their core years (mid-60's to mid-70's) including all the songs that are not in their regular format rotation, not just the ones in their usual playlist. It's amazing how many great songs were Top 20 hits that they no longer play at all at any other time.

Patrick Callahan does a great job supplying little bits of information about the songs, and he pads out extra time with what he calls "chart extras", songs that were below the Top 20 on the featured weeks chart. That's where he gets to occasionally dig out some lesser-heard gems.

It's on Thursdays 7-9 PM, and rerun Saturdays 7-9 AM. Since the show is now being produced without day-specific elements so that it can air at different times, I think it could be a good candidate for a syndicated weekly oldies specialty show.

Barry Scott does an excellent job producing "The Lost 45's", it's a high-quality show, but personally, for me it specializes in all the mid-70's bubblegum that made me turn the station back in those days. I know that stuff is nostalgic and kitchy for many who grew up with Top 40 then, but I was an album rocker at that time, and I still get the same urge to change the station when those mid-70's teenypop songs come on as I did back then.

 

[raccoonradio]

Yes Top 20 countdown is great and it's good to hear those rarely heard songs. I'm reminded of a show
I used to hear when I was into shortwave, The Vintage Chart Show on BBC World Service. It's probably
still around for all I know (these days they're probably more into online stuff)--counting down top hits for
a given week, BRITISH charts. More than a few songs I hadn't heard before. This is why I also like hearing
stuff like Sunday Morning oldies Show with Roger Ashby on CHUM Toronto.. some hits that only made
Canadian charts, trivia, etc.