Exiled to Radioland: Part III, Into The Fire, Out Of The Ashes

This is the final part of the whole story I have been telling over the past three weeks. I would say it would be a thrilling conclusion, but not so much.

Part of this might be difficult for some to listen to as the subject matter here is quite heavy. Especially to those who lived it or witnessed it all from the sidelines. To record this, I had to relive some of those moments of anger and bitterness. Yes, I was reduced to name calling. But, as you might be able to understand, this was an emotionally charged time. It was not only the death of a dear friend, but it was the death of a great radio station and the death of a once enjoyable career in terrestrial radio.

For the record, if any one mentioned in this or the previous episodes have any issue with what is said here, they are more than welcome to contact me directly and give their side of this story. I'll be more than happy to share their side with the public.

But it is not all sadness. From these events came forth a beautiful idea of that what I am doing now. This episode and the previous two is where I finally lay it all to rest. Once and for all. This is the final word I have on the subject.



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Epilogue: All of those who are mentioned in this show are no longer with Clear Channel. Eventually, after my career ended there, the corporate heads came in to Memphis and fired the middle and upper management. Even some of them lost their jobs as well. Tim is now on the air in Chicago and Michael... last I heard, is still out of the radio business. The wreckage they left behind in the wake of "corporate decisions" crippled Rock 103.

Shortly after these events, I was approached by their new management to come back and resume my position. Three times they came to me and all three times I said, "no".

Next week: I sit down with Dianna Fryer to talk about the business of show business and the popularity of internet radio.

Stay tuned...

All Good Things...

... Come to and end.  Bad Dog used to tell me when someone in the house broke something, his mother would say, "This is why we can't have nice things."  I know the feeling.  Somebody broke something.

Since February 25, my life got turned upside down.  Here I was, looking forward to 2011.  So many prospects lay before us all.  Bad Dog beating leukemia, the show getting better (which it was) and many other things that come to mind as the new year gets underway.  Then, the bottom fell out.  When I was fired, Bad Dog was pissed.  Very angry.  Then, not two weeks later (March 10th), he was gone.  The following Saturday (March 12th), I got word from my family that my sister's husband, Allen had passed.  He too was 55 but had been battling Alzheimer's.

I told my wife that all of this at one time was almost too much for one man to bear.  I've certainly had my ups and downs and all of this has seemed to happen so fast.  To be honest, accepting all of this has not been very easy on everyone else either.  I have heard from so many of you the sadness you feel.  I continue to be humbled by your words. 

Just the other day I was in a store when a fan of the show approached me and shook my hand.  He said he was speechless and felt bad about the whole situation.  I thanked him and said that I too was speechless and felt bad.  What else do you say when these things happen like this? 

What makes this thing unique, from my perspective at least, was that I was caught up in a storm that I neither caused, nor had control over.  Yet so many emotional things have been said, both positive and negative about it all.  I may had been told that I was now the "odd man out" but, as I have learned over the recent days, I was actually quite the opposite as so many of you have been so inclusive to me.  For that, I can never have the right words to express my gratitude. 

We lost a great man with Bad Dog.  We lost, what Bad Dog and I thought (as apparently most you thought) was a good show.  And I lost a great brother-in-law in Allen.  So many people have been hurt by these things that it can become almost too much to bear.  But we persevere, heads held high and being able to count who are true friends are.  And thankfully, those numbers have been many.

Things will get better, they always do.  "This too shall pass."  My mother keeps telling me.  There will never be a replacement for Bad Dog or Allen, however, I might be able to replace that show with something new someday. Hopefully, here in Memphis where once again we'll play records and tell a few jokes and occasionally reminisce about Bad Dog.

The next step in all of this is happening now.  I am being asked what my plans are.  To be honest with you, I have no idea.  As I mentioned before, things have moved pretty quickly so far.  There's no telling what may come around the next turn.  Whatever it is, I will be sure to let you all know.  In the meantime, stick around.  I'll be here for the foreseeable future and somewhere along the way, my sense of humor should start to return.  Assuming of course, I actually had one to begin with.  Feel free to drop me a line here, or by email or on Twitter or if you happen to run into me in public somewhere, I'd love to shake your hand.  We'll commiserate together.  It's easier that way.

Stay Tuned...