I figured this day was coming, but was surprised at how abrupt it was presented. Last Thursday morning, effective May 1, there would be a 10% pay reduction across the board at New Northwest Broadcasters through the end of October.

In case you are unaware, New Northwest Broadcasters has stations in Tri-Cities, Yakima, Anchorage, Fairbanks, Klamath Falls and Astoria. Billings was sold recently to Pete Benedetti as he left the company to start his own. Ah the dream I still hold onto.

This is a second cut for me in less than five months. Realizing that, I think back to years ago after being a Clear Cut recipient and how upset I was. Now, that I'm older and mellowed, my wife would differ on using the wiser term, I realize I'm not upset with our company, I'm actually thankful. I STILL have a job in radio, which as all of us veterans know, doesn't pay like it used to, but has other rewards. Sure it's as addictive as drugs, alcohol or gambling, (I think the wife influenced that again), but it has it's rewards, which is why I decided to blog this today.

I thought I would take a moment for any of the slightly younger generation trying to move forward in our business to please remember... RADIO is one heck of a rollercoaster ride! There will be lots of highs and lows, but if you really want to do it, then buckle up and hang on, because it does get bumpy. But WOW, some of the memories many of us have from face to face artist interviews, energetic promotions and just great memories of people we've worked with, it still out weighs all the budget cuts and nightmares that go along with radio.

Remember to be willing to learn, succeed, fail, follow, lead and most of all, put every effort at being a team player, no matter who tries to shut you down. If you do all of that, who knows what market you will end up in, as many of us have worked them all, major, medium and small.

I'm just glad in this tough economy that I'm still doing what I love, and have an audience that appreciates it, friends that support it, and a wife that bears with it and still believes in it.

OK, gotta go do the work thing, but I'm not giving 10% less, I'm giving 10% more, because I believe in radio!

Time to crack the mic!

Questions.

Are the guys at the top taking a 10 percent cut as well?

Is the power company reducing rates 10 percent?
Has Safeway agreed to charge you 10 percent less for groceries?
Are gasoline prices dropping 10 percent as well?
Taxes? Phone?

I too got the pay cut and freeze, elimination of vacation pay, along with the 3 page letter via email outlining the need to control costs, and bring pay in line with "industry standards."

We were also reminded that the company is first and formost dedicated to it's people.......

I'm all for helping out the boss to keep the lights on. My problem is that as I look at companies (not just radio) shedding jobs, and asking for cuts, I also see projected increases for utilities, gas prices not under our control, and generally rising costs of living for NECESSITIES. Knowing we all can't be entrepreneurs, contract labor, and self employed, does anybody have any solution before a measurable percentage of people have to call a tent or a Toyota HOME?

For everyone who has trimmed expenses to the bone, and are delaying general maintenance of house, car, health, when does it all catch up?

I'll go back to the days of two bucks an hour, if we bring back 50 cent a gallon gas, two thousand dollar new cars, and ten thousand dollar homes, and the ability to have it all on one income.

If not, we might get to the point of a workforce of 50 million supporting the other 250 million with hand outs...........

P-s-s-s-s-t.... There's gold in California.