Part of my experience in this business was spent at Clear Channel Communications. That is now known as I Heart Media. Apparently, it is about to be known as Out of Business. To be fair, we saw this coming more recently. Farther back in time we suspected if the company didn't do anything more smart than what they were doing, the end was inevitable.
That apparently has come. The end is near. Like, the end of this month near.
Plus music from Her Majesty's Buzz.
Download this episode (right click and save)
NEXT WEEK: Morons. Plus music from The Bluff City Backsliders.
Stay tuned...
Showing posts with label clear channel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label clear channel. Show all posts
14 May 2017
31 August 2014
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.
Download this episode (right click and save)
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...
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.
Download this episode (right click and save)
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...
24 August 2014
Exiled to Radioland, Part II: Rise of The Evil Empire
So many of you have been incredibly kind and patient over the last three years regarding this story. I thank you all. Here is the second part of the story. The so called "salad days" are here. This is also the beginning of the end of the tale.
There are those out there who will find what they hear in this episode to border on the incredible. There are those (named in this episode) who may feel this content is not to their liking. Understandable. A lot of people were affected by the events that occurred. Once again, this was through my eyes and my experiences. These people may call me "bitter" and "delusional". These people who will say things are no longer part of the Memphis radio scene, either.
A little note about the production of this episode. This was recorded in the same session as part 3 (coming next week) and allowed me to walk through some great memories. Conversely, I had to go back through some dark hallways and re-open some old wounds. I wanted to make sure I put all of that down here.
It wasn't easy to do but, it was worth doing.
Language is an issue here as some rather pointed things are said here. I allowed some of emotion to participate in this episode (and next week's episode) to the extent as was necessary. I call it like I saw it and hopefully, you will understand the situation in that manner as well.
Download this episode (right click and save)
Next week: The conclusion. Exiled to Radioland, Part III: Out of The Ashes
There are those out there who will find what they hear in this episode to border on the incredible. There are those (named in this episode) who may feel this content is not to their liking. Understandable. A lot of people were affected by the events that occurred. Once again, this was through my eyes and my experiences. These people may call me "bitter" and "delusional". These people who will say things are no longer part of the Memphis radio scene, either.
A little note about the production of this episode. This was recorded in the same session as part 3 (coming next week) and allowed me to walk through some great memories. Conversely, I had to go back through some dark hallways and re-open some old wounds. I wanted to make sure I put all of that down here.
It wasn't easy to do but, it was worth doing.
Language is an issue here as some rather pointed things are said here. I allowed some of emotion to participate in this episode (and next week's episode) to the extent as was necessary. I call it like I saw it and hopefully, you will understand the situation in that manner as well.
Download this episode (right click and save)
Next week: The conclusion. Exiled to Radioland, Part III: Out of The Ashes
17 August 2014
Exiled to Radioland, Part I: Where It All Began
And so it begins. The season three premiere of From Radioland starts with a 3 part series. This is the one people have been asking for. Well, maybe not this one, but this sets the stage. Since 2011, I have been asked to tell the story of my career in Memphis at Clear Channel. It was a blast. It was tough. It was more fun than the law should allow. It also ended in great tragedy.
One of the biggest highlights of my career was working with John "Baddog" McCormack. It was a time I will forever cherish and it will take me a bit to get to all the things that happened in those days. This episode is the first of that. It begins with my first days in the world of broadcasting. How I walked away from radio in the early days for the weirdness that is TV news. From there, I will tell you about my return to radio and my landing in Memphis beginning what would become a 14 year career in Memphis with one of the most iconic stations on the air and working with and sharing the spotlight with one of the most iconic broadcasters in the business.
Please, keep in mind over the next 3 episodes I will be relaying the stories and experiences I have been a part of over the past 30 years. I do name names and call out those who did, in my mind, despicable things in the name of corporate greed and ego. Am I bitter? Not anymore. Not after recording these episodes.
Bear with me, this is a long story. It is by no means the complete story. It is the story through my eyes and my ears. Those who I have named have earned, in my opinion, their rightful tongue lashing I will mete out over the next three weeks. If the shoe fits... right? What follows is from my recollections of those events and my experience directly from those same events.
Download this episode (right click and save)
A reminder here, after this series of episodes, I will no longer speak of these things in public. All future inquiries regarding the events depicted through these episodes will be referred to these shows. This was a difficult series to record. In fact, after taping this first episode, I lost my voice for a day. It was worth it.
Next week: Exiled to Radioland, Part II: Rise of the Evil Empire
Stay tuned...
One of the biggest highlights of my career was working with John "Baddog" McCormack. It was a time I will forever cherish and it will take me a bit to get to all the things that happened in those days. This episode is the first of that. It begins with my first days in the world of broadcasting. How I walked away from radio in the early days for the weirdness that is TV news. From there, I will tell you about my return to radio and my landing in Memphis beginning what would become a 14 year career in Memphis with one of the most iconic stations on the air and working with and sharing the spotlight with one of the most iconic broadcasters in the business.
Please, keep in mind over the next 3 episodes I will be relaying the stories and experiences I have been a part of over the past 30 years. I do name names and call out those who did, in my mind, despicable things in the name of corporate greed and ego. Am I bitter? Not anymore. Not after recording these episodes.
Bear with me, this is a long story. It is by no means the complete story. It is the story through my eyes and my ears. Those who I have named have earned, in my opinion, their rightful tongue lashing I will mete out over the next three weeks. If the shoe fits... right? What follows is from my recollections of those events and my experience directly from those same events.
Download this episode (right click and save)
A reminder here, after this series of episodes, I will no longer speak of these things in public. All future inquiries regarding the events depicted through these episodes will be referred to these shows. This was a difficult series to record. In fact, after taping this first episode, I lost my voice for a day. It was worth it.
Next week: Exiled to Radioland, Part II: Rise of the Evil Empire
Stay tuned...
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