Today was a perfect example of what Portland and most medium to large market radio stations have lost: being live and local and out there.
It seems lime Salem-Keizer is the last place where stations still broadcast from Home Shows. They don't just have the interns or marketing director show up with a big ol boom box and stickers, but two stations are LIVE, on the air from the Home Show.
That is why the listeners to these two stations are so loyal. They cater to their clients and their listeners. I couldn't be more proud of this market. Pretty small potatoes to the folks up north, but to the folks around here, who stopped by in droves and said their "hellos', it was VERY big.
While PDX stations continue to be bought and sold, employees treated like cattle and formats screwed around with, little ol' Salem just keeps chugging along with LOCAL ownership and LOCAL appeal. Laugh at us you will, but, we still have jobs and we still get out there and chase the biz and live the life that we all got into radio for in the first place.

Dodger,
With all due respect, I love being at a large (market 23) radio station in Portland. I still feel like I'm doing great radio and I still try to get better every day. Bill, you and I both know that, sometimes, "small market" radio can be very bad. Good for you in enjoying your Salem experience. Again, with all due respect, I still get satisfaction and thrill almost every time I open the mic ... live and local in PDX. I don't know what the future holds, but I thank the Universe I've have the chance to be on small market AND Portland radio. It's what you make it.

Sometimes you have to swim upstream like a salmon trying to get lucky, but your happiness and success in this business definitely depends on what you make of whatever the radio gods roll your way.

One of the three best radio stations I've worked at was in a dusty military town in the midwest; the other two were in a large city near and dear to us on the West Coast. My most vacuous and frustrating experiences were in top ten markets--and a cattle town in the Rockies.

I learned by age 32 that so-called major markets can be repositories of mediocrity, but small markets can truly and deeply suck. It depends on the station, and it depends on you..what you bring to the table, and what you're willing to put up with.

The vast majority of radio stations are toilets. Some are just bigger and cleaner than others. Most of them truly and deeply suck, large or small market, especially lately. Notice I said "most" and not "all."

Primarily, what he said: once again, Eastwood (I think I know who you are but am not sure) nails it.

Bill: No one is laughing or sneering at you, especially me; quite the contrary. Good on ya, lad.

Steve: You're one of the finest broadcast journalists I've ever heard. It was hard for us to get our chemistry together, but we were in a really, really weird, uptight and crapulent scene at a station that shall remain unnamed.

As exceptional as you are, though, a lot of it is the luck of the draw. But good on you, too.

I still miss Portland and the radio scene, what's left of it, and being part of the aural landscape. I didn't realize how much I appreciated Portland until I wasn't living and/or working there anymore.

Terry: I thought you were going to make me some herbal tea, hold my hand, and tell me everything was going to be all right?

"I learned by age 32 that so-called major markets can be repositories of mediocrity, but small markets can truly and deeply suck. It depends on the station, and it depends on you..what you bring to the table, and what you're willing to put up with."

Eastwood...all so true. It used to be that radio in L.A./San Francisco/San Diego was inCREEEDible...right across the dial. Not so much, anymore.

However, there are still some oasis for good radio. There are still places where it's being done, right: live and local with compelling and engaging air talent.

It's out there....just gotta find it.

Funny, I just read all of these and every one of you... Dodger, Steve, Eastwood, Jeffrey and Lander all tapped into it from every insight.

Being that I'm now in a small market, after spending most of my career in Portland and Seattle, it's great to be a positive part of a listeners life.

For example, while on vacation, I learned that those filling in for me seem to have forgotten the etiquette of "... in for so and so." So when I returned back on the air, I received overwhelming response with a positive spin that I wasn't terminated. Just those simple words would have kept many clients and listeners at ease. Amazing what part of a life we can play.

However, as I try to carefully utilize all the skills I've learned, some from a few of you on this forum that I've worked with in the past, in my 25 years, I do feel what most of you expressed, the disappointment of MANY in our profession that well... shouldn't be in it.

I've been called an "ego" in my small market world, for more reasons than just caring about the VERY SLOW tempo of the music, when even the females are complaining about it. Or hoping the person editing logs is making sure that your commercial doesn't come up against yourself in a live stopset or voice track. Whether or not the station actually has working equipment, stickers and just looks down right positively presentable at a function when you don't even have tables or skirts or a canopy, just a banner.

Side note here, I've actually been critized for carrying my own remote backpack with an extra set of headphones, mic, cables, batteries (useable in all our gear) notepad and pens.

However, after all I've been through, I just think, I'm not the little ceasar, I'm just the jock who cares and I try to keep moving on.

Yeah, Lander put it well.. "However, there are still some oasis for good radio. There are still places where it's being done, right: live and local with compelling and engaging air talent. It's out there....just gotta find it."

I hear ya man, and that's why many of us have to keep looking.

For those of you still in the profession, SALUTE!. For those of you out of it, SALUTE! But for those that believe in all of it, whether you are in it or not, take all that you know and use it well in any career field, because the ideas are so refreshing for most employers in any field!

Keep the faith.

Sometimes smaller market stations have better equipment than large market stations. Check out this video of the late Big Ron O'Brien on KIIS from 1983. Lots of good shots of the studio and console.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yscAxfzZaA

It goes to show you. People with skills don't need fancy equipment to sound the best.

I worked with Big Ron. I've never seen a more intuitive sense of timing when talking over music. He'd make use of every instrumental ripple, drum entrance, or "oh, yeah!" as though he was part of the band. Never ever walked a vocal or a post. High energy and yet completely natural. He was constantly wringing his hands and sweating from his great big forehead, but man, what a brilliant AM jock, back when AM rock was cool. Ran the board like it was an extension of his fingertips. Very sweet guy, too. RIP. You gotta take care of yourself.

Kahtik: I didn't quite grasp the meaning of paragraph (or very long sentence) #4. I might be dense or half asleep (just awoke from a Sunday afternoon nap), but could you please rephrase or translate? Or, maybe, as Jackson Browne once responded when asked about the meaning of one of his songs: If you don't understand it, it's probably about you.

Otherwise, what a good post for the most part, promoting positivity and performing and caring to the nth degree. You're absolutely right, of course.

Thanks.

It is too bad that Big Ron died of pneumonia last year. I hadn't heard of him until today, but I was blown away by the videos of him at KIIS and KFI. He could execute a tight delivery, either if he were running the board himself (KIIS) or if he had a board-op doing it for him (KFI). I got a kick out of the oversized SM-58 look-alike in use as the KIIS control room mic!

It is a Sennheiser MD-421. That particular windscreen wasn't used very often

Kahtik:
Brilliant post.
As you have mentioned one of the "perks" of small market is you CAN be a "star" in the area.
I was eating at a restaurant last Sunday afternoon with my family, a family was seated in the next booth. Their toddler came towards my table and I just said one sentence along the line of "hey little guy, better get back to mom and dad". The father turned to me and asked me if I was __________(dodger). ONE SENTENCE and he recognized my voice and then proceeded to tell his whole family who I was and how "great" I am etc.
It was hilarious, but happens more often than not.
Our town is just over 150,000 and I am recognized pretty much everywhere I go.
Not bragging at all, it's just as I said, one of the benefits of small market radio.
That also brings the side benefits of: free dinners, free movies, discounted furniture, use of a car dealer car, etc.
So, I may not be doing much here, but evidently it is SOMETHING to SOMEBODY!

I know I have taken my hits as a broadcaster who voice tracks a morning show with my wife in a small market. However the thrill is still there for us as well. March 15 will mark our 8th year in the Coos Bay market. It's by far the longest stretch at any station either one of us has been associated with. I guess by keeping us out of the hallways gives us a longer shelf life.

The company is locally owned and we do as much as we can talking about local events and places. The live morning show team at our sister station will tell us that from time to time we find things they don't even know about.

We take great pride in our show. And that is what I am reading from the pro's here. No matter where you are in this business your professionalism shows up the moment you crack that mic.

I get my personal ego filled with all the voice work I'm doing and finding great success in that industry. But there is nothing like a great break into a stop set that gets ones broadcast juices flowing.

Ya but Chris, you REALLY NEED to be live in Coos Bay! Why? Having once been the midday guy at KHSN when it was Top 40, I KNOW the stench of the bay next to downtown. How can you possibly expect to relay that wondrous odor without BEING there!
I don't have the best memories of my time in the Bay. Oh wait, I did bowl in a league in town, that was cool.

Small markets really let you super connect to the listeners. They aren't a "team" you are talking about...they're (in my case) you daughter's friends.. Its not "a police officer who arrested..." it maybe a neighbor who was the arresting officer... After many years in Roseburg, its amazing the many connections which frankly makes we work harder to do a good job....As we say down here, this isn't just a "job", its our "home" so we hustle to go the extra mile. Back before debit cards were "it"
, I once wrote a check at Fred Meyer only to have the clerk express suprise that I had the same name as "the guy on the radio". I paused and said "I am the guy on the radio"...to which she said.."no he's younger and sounds better looking"....!

I have spent enough days in Coos Bay. I like the gig the way it is.

"I had the same name as "the guy on the radio". I paused and said "I am the guy on the radio"...to which she said.."no he's younger and sounds better looking"....!"

LOL! Yeh, I've noticed the remotes we do as DJ's, spoil the image we've built in their heads. All that "theatre of the mind" goes out the window when we stand face to face with them!

Kkb-
Classic classic classic. I'm going to use that quote at my next presentation about the radio industry.

Seems recently people have shown an interest in what I'm doing to earn a living. So along with some sound bites, bloopers and other radio related information I usually present a 30-40 minute monologue and your quote will be a perfect ice breaker.

Chris - go for it...If it makes you some money you owe me an espresso or microbew!

microbrew....duh can't spell...I swear I have only had one glass of Merlot

Chris - go for it...If it makes you some money you owe me an espresso or microbew!

Sorry, Jeffrey:

"Kahtik: I didn't quite grasp the meaning of paragraph (or very long sentence) #4. I might be dense or half asleep (just awoke from a Sunday afternoon nap), but could you please rephrase or translate? Or, maybe, as Jackson Browne once responded when asked about the meaning of one of his songs: If you don't understand it, it's probably about you."

No, error on my part as it read...
{However, as I try to carefully utilize all the skills I've learned, some from a few of you on this forum that I've worked with in the past, in my 25 years, I do feel what most of you expressed, the disappointment of MANY in our profession that well... shouldn't be in it.}

The coffee hadn't kicked in and the ADHD that I have always tried so hard to control takes over.

Side bar here... I constantly work at not derailing myself when on the radio, TV or just down right emceeing a national event. VERY frustrating. It's what I miss most about working with a partner in the morning. Having someone to help keep the train on the tracks.

What I meant in that sentence earlier was...

"I try to carefully utilize all the skills I've learned over the years. Some of which I've learned from a few of you that I've worked with over the years that are on this forum. During my 25 years, I still feel much of what you all hit on, the disappointment of MANY in our profession that well... shouldn't be in it."

Thanks Dodger. Enjoyed your story there!

It's funny, I've had similar things happen from working the old arena football games or when I was the Warren Miller Ski Films National Tour Emcee from 1997 - 2002. Great example:

I was in-between a couple of dates, and decided to hit Bachelor for the weekend. Was also going to ski with Warren that weekend as he was going to do a book signing at Mt. B.

I'm checking in at the Inn of 7th Mtn and this guy is standing behind me staring at me. Finally, after getting checked in, and he didn't here my name, he asked me, "Do I know you from somewhere?"

I smiled and said, "If you've listened to a lot of radio in Portland or Seattle, you might recognize my voice. Or if you've been to a lot of concerts in the area it's possible."

He replied, "No, but I know you from somewhere!"

I then mentioned that I worked for Warren Miller Films.

He then yelled, "I knew it! You're the emcee that introduces the the Warren films at the Panatages (Tacoma) Theatre for the last few years. My buddies and I LOVE going to those shows and love your energy! Hey, I'm with the Burgfundy (spelling?) Ski Club and we're just checking in. Would you emcee our event tomorrow night?"

I laughed, thanked him for the compliment, and informed him I would stop by, but couldn't emcee. As I looked over his shoulder, I saw Warren pulling into the parking lot and excused myself quickly to let Warren know he may not get much privacy if they knew HE was staying there too.

The point I'm making is that even what we do in radio, can be easily translated to other fields.

On the bonus of radio, I've never been the one to take advantage of the free meals, etc. In fact, I've usually found out much later after other station employees abused such things. However, I did lead by example in supplying free concert tickets to staff that worked the pre-concert parties. It was great to get such wonderful turnout to help pump a show and the station.

To this day, I still get my hands dirty setting up, running and tearing down events. Heck, I just used rubbing alcohol the other day to clean some mic cables and our chief engineer personally thanked me.

Lead by example! We all have heard it, but unfortunately there are too many in this business that think it's "I lead or I'll trample!"

Keep the faith!

Regarding listener reactions to face time, the following has actually happened to me on more than one occasion:

Listener meets me at a remote, bar gig, whatever, looks me up and down and says "You have the most beautiful voice...but you don't look anything like you sound."

And they think its a compliment...!

Great Radiodawgz! Never gotten the first part...

"You have the most beautiful voice...but you don't look anything like you sound."

Usually it's "You sound just like you do on the radio, full of energy and just real..."

They usually think I'm short, bearded and a bit heavy. Sometimes blonde and pimpled. Yeah, they are more shocked that I'm 6'2", 200 lbs, dark hair and don't have the voice of God. LOL

I can only dream on the latter.

Keep the faith all!

Bergfreunde

I worked with 2 guys. One resembled Mel Tillis but had a booming bass voice. The other was 6' 7'' tall with a very soft voice and looked like a fullback! You just never know.

......it is SOMETHING to SOMEBODY!

and THAT is what big box radio can't grasp.

"I have spent enough days in Coos Bay. I like the gig the way it is."

Right, you must have spent enough time there, since you don't broadcast from there, you obviously DO know Coos Bay! LOL!

The best compliment I get is "you are the same as you are on the radio!"
Of course there is the occasional "you don't LOOK the same" but most find that I SOUND the same.
I think that is a great compliment.
That means I am not processed, pumped up and preamped to some unreal sound. It's just me and mr. microphone.

Kahtik: how true. I tore down and boxed up all the remote gear this weekend for the thousandth time. You can't expect the sale weasels to do that can you?
That's another part of the JOY of small market radio. Hands on. Going to a Home Show is especially fun as you have a captured sales audience, our weasels clean up there. I even get my hands dirty and make a few sales.

Dodger: Yeah, like that one too!

True on the natural sound. I just remembered, yes, we don't have the processing either. In fact, the first time I cracked the mic there, I was surprised to learn I had to start talking from six inches out and slowly move in. I was my own processor, just like Keith Allen taught us in school back in the early 80's.

Here's one for all. We actually have two sales people that have been with the company for years that ACTUALLY help set up and break down on their remotes! They usually handle the PA part while I'm running cords and setting up and checking the marti. It's WONDERFUL when you get a remote with them. The bonus too, if they can't be at the remote, they will attempt to be there to help and break down or ask another sales person to fill in.

Of course, they know that when they need production done, I'm ON IT! A couple of great people that due to these trying times, are unfortunately on the radar like myself. Ah, budget cuts. We'll see what happens in the coming months.

Keep the faith!

"Sales weasels?" Hey, wait a minute, there are some of us who are now doing radio sales who were top 40 jocks back when radio was real and you were walking around with a turd in your pants.

Hey now larbear! I just lovingly refer to them as sales weasels

Without them, no pay. I kiss their arses often.
Of course without the air talent they have nothing to sell. Hmm. Which came first, the chicken or the egg! haha
ps: just how old do you think I am???

Kahtik....I feel your pain, my friend. Within our world there are (unfathomably) SOME who mock those who care. It's as if being apathetic and not giving a rip about one's trade is some sort of strength.

My feeling: it's a defense mechanism. We're all a bit scared about where things are going in the industry and how it will effect us.

I know that I'M nothing short of petrified.

Hey Dodger, notice I was smiling when I said that. Just trying to spice up these dry ass threads. Used to be, and I am as guilty as the next person, it was sales v.s. programming. But, we can't survive with that mentality. At this point, I still have more years under my belt in programming than in sales, I never got into radio to be in sales. But time has a way of changing one's attitude. The hard fact is that radio is a business. The revenue must be there. For people to survive in this business everybody is going to have to learn to work "combo"...a lot of us do it now in small markets. You get your on-air "fix" and contribute to the bottom line. Everybody lives to fight another day. But, some people can't or won't ever do that. Like my dear old dad told me when I got my first P.D. job and I was complaining about jocks being lazy. He said, "son if you are looking for people who want to work, you are in the wrong business"....

Back in the 70's the DJs of the local popular top 40 station in my small town played a charity basketball game (probably three-on-three) with the teachers at my high school. They sold several hundred tickets.

Stuff like that sounds crazy now.

LOL!! How true! I must admit, I am a VERY part-time sales weasel myself.
Shhhhhh, please don't sully my rep.
When my son got a job as a board op, first thing my dad said to him was: "don't be an idiot like your dad and get the radio bug".
True words.

> "don't be an idiot like your dad and get the radio bug".

That bug is very contagious!

You think termites and crabs are bad......nothing compared to the radio bug. I have seen it make grown men cry, and lie, and beg, and even die. I've seen that bug drive folks to drinking and destroy families. Break up friendships. Let's face the ugly truth. Much like drinking, and gambling, radio is an addiction. Most of us would gladly whore ourselves just to keep doing it...even if for one more day. We are a bunch of radio whores. And don't go getting uppty saying "you may be one, but as for me I'm a professional" yeah right.screw you! )

Hey Larbear, share some stories when you were at KFAT/KLOO in Corvallis. I bet they are good ones.

"...and contribute to the bottom line." If you're great on the air, you ARE contributing to the bottom line! It just occurred to me that to not value talent on the radio is akin to a big motion picture company hiring cheap actors to be in a big blockbuster. Few people will go to see it but look at all the money the company saved!

I would be happy to share some KFAT stories, and they are good ones, but first let me check on the statute of limitations.

Careful Larbear....several of us know where you live!

....to a big motion picture company hiring cheap actors to be in a big blockbuster.....

Sad part is there are some damn good actors who make a living as waiters. Not that they wouldn't be fabulous in a mega film, just that most of the financing for those films hinges on which "A" listers sign on. Since The A team guarantees that it will get a look, and you can't do the film first THEN get financing, these people never get a look. Tis the society of celebrity we have created and support.

Plenty of films show up and the "STAR" is obviously sleepwalking through it.

or, i could start the KFAT stories with some ABOUT the LARBEAR

"Sometimes smaller market stations have better equipment than large market stations. Check out this video of the late Big Ron O'Brien on KIIS from 1983. Lots of good shots of the studio and console.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yscAxfzZaA"

I was surprised as well about the retro board at KIIS. However someone told me at that time using the old board was part of Rick Dees contract.

Plenty of films show up and the "STAR" is obviously sleepwalking through it.

Yet many dopey movie goers flock to these same old tentpoles time and time again and ignore everything else being made.

Rick Dees liked old equipment?

Apparently he does. He recently had SAS custom build a digital console styled to appear as a vintage RCA, according to Radio Guide April 07

http://www.radio-guide.com/issues/RG-APR-2007.pdf

(In that same link is an article on broadcast audio quality by Jeff Schroeder, ex-KIQY.)

Hey Larbear, I think the statute of limitations is past. Maybe valley girl can start with some stories about Larbear then Larbear can continue with some stories about the days at KFAT

You know, there are a lot of raucous stories from the "old" days, and I'm sure KFAT led the pack. We did play hard. But the thing I remember most, was how the KFAT staff pulled together when the economy took a dive in the 80's. There were a lot of empty store fronts in the mid-valley, ad dollars were scarce, money was in short supply, we had to make painful cuts, curb our spending, and work long hours, but we pulled through it. My hat is off to those folks who, back then, not only on my staff, but at other small market stations, made it work. (and you know I don't take my hat off very often.) Once again we are facing hard times, I have faith that, collectively, we will all do what we have to do to pull through.