For a long time now, I've witnessed countless rants on this board regarding a variety of stations I've either worked at or grew up listening to from the sidelines. While we can pretty much agree that the state of the business that many of us know and love has evolved over the years - the one thing I learned a long time ago is never burn a bridge. With that said...
...lets for a moment head back to 1986 when a young high school freshman ventured into 130 Rock Street in Fall River looking to learn radio. He was warned that he wasn't going to get paid (learning the term "intern" rather quickly), but got the chance to work with and learn from some professionals (and some not so professionals) in this business that he would learn to love. How about the time when that station, located at 1400 on the dial which had a pittance of a news staff, had a breaking story, and this young buck of a reporter was sent out by one of his favorite GM's of all time (George Colajezzi) with a tape deck and a ragged 635A microphone, to cover a hostage story in downtown Fall River. That story landed him the chance, the opportunity, the minimum wage paid gig, to be the Weekend morning newsperson on WALE. Under the watchful eye of one Bernie Sullivan (not the newspaper editor...the gravely voiced radio guy) he learned the business of news by covering some of the worst meetings ever held. He also got the chance to become the "jack of all trades" at WALE - from board op to a record spinner to producer.
Stepping into the summer of 1989 - that young buck of a reporter who wanted to be in radio so bad he nearly slept at the radio station when he had to, received a call from Colajezzi, but this time, it was to work for a new company. SNE Broadcasting - owned by Bob and Jim Karam, two local business owners who were buying 1400 and calling it WHTB - and we were luring the local legend himself Hec Gauthier from the competition across the river. The new station going to be number 1. And they were. Maybe not in any ratings books, but to the people that mattered - the local listeners. That young buck spent more than a year working with and for Gauthier and "The Brothers Karam" before moving on to a career in media that spanned print, radio, television and even the Internet.
(If you haven't figured it out yet, gentle reader, that young buck was me.) That brings me to my point: If it weren't for the likes of Hec Gauthier, Bob and Jim Karam, George Colajezzi, Bernie Sullivan, Jim Manley, John Greenwood, Richard Trieff, Mike Moran, Louise Mauro, Steve Klamkin, Paul Rogers, Bill Sylvia, Kim Tunnicliff, Laurie Johnson, PJ Carroll, and even a young buck (at the time) named John Chartier - I wouldn't have been able to do what I've done in my career. (To those who I forgot - I'm sorry...I'm not so young anymore.) Granted I never went major market, I don't think I ever really wanted to. I was always content at what was comfortable - local, hometown radio.
Is Hec Gauthier tired? Probably, and deservedly so. There was a time he'd trek from Fall River to Connecticut for a morning drive air shift - every day! Someone with the wear and tear on him like Hec might have even earned the right to be bitter about whatever changes have taken place at 1480. But you know what: You'll never hear it from him. He'll keep plugging along, like the consummate professional that he always has been. And you'll never catch him bitching about his bread and butter in public, let along on some message board. Kids today in broadcasting school could only hope to learn and remember a smattering of what Hec has forgotten in his career. Simply put: Leave Hec Gauthier alone. He's earned that respect from each and everyone of us reading this board.
As for The Karams - they are businessmen, like any radio station owner. Has anyone who ever worked for a local radio station ever saw eye-to-eye or liked their ownership? Probably a few - but not many. The Karam's could have tossed this young buck out on his ear back on July 20, 1989 - but they didn't. Whether it was because I was cheap labor, talented, or hopefully a mix of both - I owe them a debt of gratitude for the chance to hone my craft on their dime.
I've never met Keri - but guess what? She's a program director - pretty much nothing she ever does is right, especially in the eyes of talent. There were times I even thought that of Hec when he was my PD. Little did I know. Good luck Keri, give 'em hell. Tell my old my old boss I said Hi and Thanks for me.
As for me, I've been in and out of this crazy business a few times since leaving the old homestead on the South Coast. But one thing has always stayed with me: my experiences (both good and not so good) in Fall River radio. So - before you go knocking anyone - keep in mind - we too were once low man on the totem pole. AND - you never know who your next boss is going to be...
Going back to my lurking position.
Marc Lemay
(the "young buck" who turned off WALE 1400 and turned on WHTB 1400 in 1989)
