Re(3): Would 61Country still be on top today? Posted on March 11, 2024 at 03:31:38 AM by Ron Eric Retro-memories
How could you missed the facts?. I called Mead our "indoor cat"; he showed no interest in going next door and I dont think ever left the Fairway studio where he ended his career at BZ writing copy. It was me who got the GM to buy WHB's first portable cassette recorder and go over next door on my own time and get some tape. WHB's practice was not to get the news but to grab soundbites offered by the political parties that week.
Thats when I decided it was time to leave because I was wasting my degree. Luckily the ND at the station I'd left a year before left news to get into sales.
The year here in KCt paid well in this larger market but all they wanted was Rip and Read, brought to you by Bill Bill Allen Allen.
A timbered voice is no substitute for newsgathering; Dolan put me on mornings across from Phil but there's no prestige in morning AM radio.
Sadly the last KC radio News operation, BZ, goes through the motions 40 years later today; There's no way to cover a metro THIS size with one guy driving around in Cruiser 980.
Radio news really no longer exists in corporate broadcasting that puts forth as little money as possible to fill time between discounted commercials. Even then, except for the morning man, all jocks did was repeat their moniker names and the call letters. Now a good part of their broadcast day, they've even automated THAT.
Our society slap radio programs together just like construction companies slap together apartment complexes! Todays kids don't know the difference. Those of us who remember WHB nightbeat who are still alive are on heart meds and look forward mostly to seeing our grandkids and taking an occasional cruise.
Would those of us retirees here now actually have gone into the business 50 years ago if it was the way it is today? Not me. I would have stayed in school getting an accounting degree to COUNT money because that's all corporations care about today.
It occurred to me that I got into radio 50 years ago. 50 years before I got into radio, there were silent movies, radio drama from New York, and live local band performances. They were celebrating their 50th anniversaries in the 1970s and the only guys who were around when I got in were the old grayhaired engineers who wired their first transmitters
If anyone today is getting into radio now, well 50 years in the future, I don't think there'll be any need for local radio at all. Or affiliate TV for that matter. Luckily for me, I got out in time for my 2nd career to help us to save enough for our retirement.
So who's left who wanders in here from WHB? Mead? Ron Eric who ended up back in Wichita? That midday guy, what's his name? Dunno. I dont think he said ten words to me in the year I was there. It wasn't a good time to be in AM radio after the SuperQ signed on. We got nailed by technology too! Replies: