A frequent question I’m asked is whether I would advise a high school kid to pursue a career in radio. There’s no easy answer. It’s complicated.
How bad do you want it? How hard are you willing to work? Do you have a special talent or skill (or maybe more than one)?
Are you willing to leave it all out on the field? Are you prepared for the joys – and the heartbreak – both of which are likely inevitable?
Like the “Do you really want to bring children into the world at this time?” – question that’s been asked for centuries – whether it’s a wise move to go into broadcast radio now or pursue a career in biomedicine, logistics, IT, becoming a social media influencer, or investing in Non Fungible Tokens…
Well, it’s a personal thing.
A radio career ends up meaning something very different to all of us, even though we often share similar experiences.
That’s why when I saw Gerry McCracken’s heartfelt adieu to radio on Facebook the other night, it stopped me.
These days, we’re seeing lots of retirements – forced and intentional – a true changing of the guard. But Gerry’s career recap sums up so many of the rewarding moments that make for a wonderful, colorful career. I wanted to share them with you.
I’m not sure Gerry and I have met, aside perhaps from a fleeting moment at an R&R Convention or a Cox group meeting. But after reading his post, I feel like I know him, just like I know many of you. And so I hope he doesn’t mind that I’ve designated him “guest blogger” for the day. I can always use a break, and besides, I couldn’t have said it any better than he has.
On his embedded post below, just click on the “See more” button to read his entire retrospective.
And the next time a young person asks you about the wisdom of going into the radio business during this crazy time, you might want to respond with a simple two word answer:
“Read this.”
Gerry, I wish you well in whatever comes next. Radio will most certainly miss you. – FJ
Fred Jacobs founded Jacobs Media in 1983, and quickly became known for the creation of the Classic Rock radio format.
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
In 2008, jacapps was launched - a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created - a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the "connected car" and its impact.
Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Media's commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment.
Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
Working the “God squad” gives you a pass at purgatory.
I did the same thing while also working a 3,000 Wattz FM “Christian” station in Cincinnati. Congratulations on a long career, the thousands who have been replaced by automation (including myself) are envious! May you have a long and fun filled retirement!
Thanks Dan, My first PD at my first radio station in New Castle PA was Tom Tishey, you my remember him as Tom Walker who did mornings at Warm 98 in Cincinnati for a long time…He taught me how to talk, got the Pittsburgese out of me…I’d watch him do production for hours, how incredibly blessed to have Tom as my first PD, R.I.P. and guy that does mornings there now, Jim Day…I gave him his name about 20 years ago…That’s a great story, if you ever see him, ask him about it…
How positively poignant! Thanks for sharing Gerry. I appreciate you sharing. It’s takes great faith to do what we do… Thank you for making that point visible… God Bless ya’ bro!
Wow, wow, wow, I can’t even begin to describe how much I LOVE this! This is my EXACT story…while at the same time being 180 degrees different from my own radio experience!
Despite all of our lives and careers and paths being so different, Gerry managed to write the story of us all! A story where every word reverberates with us, no matter how much we have to change the details.
Thanks, Gerry! And thanks, Fred. This is such a wonderful reminder of what truly makes radio so great and so special–and that what makes it so great and special just can’t always be fit into some computer-generated questionnaire of what career choice a person should follow. For many of us it boils down to what’s in our hearts–and we could never be happier anywhere else.
@Gerry, may you never stop seeking other amazing adventures…you will always be watched over and guided by the ultimate spirit of radio…enjoy and ride on
Radio is a lifestyle. How many people in this world can retire and have the satisfaction to have LIVED! (Not just existed) to have made a difference to touched people made them laugh and maybe cry. Gerry enjoy retirement! Pray for us who still have a few years to get there!
When Gerry is sitting around that Starbucks in Savannah with the lawyers, CPAs, and insurance salesmen, they’ll be hanging on every word of his amazing radio stories. There must be some joy in that. Thanks, Angie.
I have no regrets about my radio career other than if I could go back in time and do it all over again I would have worked harder and taken advantage of every available second I had at one station I worked at. It was a great experience and I knew it but I didn’t know just how special until later. I also would have set goals and had a plan, then worked the plan. Again no complaints somehow I was able to work at some really great radio stations that better talents only dream of. Much of that was right place, right time, willing to work, smile and enjoy it!
Radio Today? We live in a world of perfect computer automation, listeners have ever shorter attention spans and if you ask them what they want they always say less talk and more music. It used to be the “air personality” was a star, people cared and knew who was on the air. Now it’s more like don’t you have a real job? The respect, the oh wow factor is gone, Maybe video finally killed the radio star, or more music another 12 in a row without talk. After all there is just one morning show on each station, and a lot of competition for that time slot.
It’s fascinating when you look back, Mike – all those shoulda, coulda, wouldas. I’ve got ’em, too, although I try hard to focus on what I did rather than what I might have done. It’s all about making decisions, hopefully good ones. And as you note, you were blessed with working for some good broadcasters along the way.
Today’s generation of radio people don’t know how good you had it – or I had it. They’re dealing with radio in the here and now. Hopefully, they’ll be wise enough to make some good decisions or themselves. Thanks for commenting.
I do think a lot of it, as you say, is being at the right place at the right time, at least in my case…I won the Medium Market Promotion of the Year from the CRB back in the 80’s for offering a million dollar reward for the capture of the Lizardman and got tons of free press, so for my presentation at CRS I put it all the free press on a VHS tape, simply played the tape and at the end got up and said “We spend $14 on this, thank you”…and sat down…I didn’t know it at the time, but E. Karl, had the next presentation in that room and standing in the back…I was working for Cox in three months and spent 20 some years with them…Of course, I had to get myself into that position but the rest is God, fate or whatever…
No doubt, Gerry, luck and serendipity play into success (or failure, given the lack of both). But had you not pulled off that promotion, E. wouldn’t have paid attention to you. Thanks for sharing the story, reinforcing why you enjoyed a great career run.
I’m not far behind you, Gerry. Maybe one more year.
Let’s get together and ride the elephants one more time.
Thanks, Stan. I expect there are lots of elephant riders out there.
The crazy things this business has allowed us to do…For one thing, starring in Fred’s blog…If I could rewrite this I’d include that…
Same here, Gerry. I’ve ten years behind you, but I can relate to almost everything you wrote.
About the only difference is the market sizes I’ve worked in (the largest was Abilene, TX), but all the rest…yeah, I understand.
May your retirement be fullfilling and may you knock ’em dead at the Food Lion.
That’s so kind of you. Like you, Gerry, I feel blessed…and also lucky. But you expressed it so genuinely. Thanks for letting me repost it.
What a beautiful note and a great career. I hope we can all have a story like that when the ride stops and its time to get off.
And also have the wisdom to make that call (rather than someone else making it for us). Thanks, Abby.
Thanks for the kind words Abby. It was a good ride…So many memories…
Working the “God squad” gives you a pass at purgatory.
I did the same thing while also working a 3,000 Wattz FM “Christian” station in Cincinnati. Congratulations on a long career, the thousands who have been replaced by automation (including myself) are envious! May you have a long and fun filled retirement!
Thanks Dan, My first PD at my first radio station in New Castle PA was Tom Tishey, you my remember him as Tom Walker who did mornings at Warm 98 in Cincinnati for a long time…He taught me how to talk, got the Pittsburgese out of me…I’d watch him do production for hours, how incredibly blessed to have Tom as my first PD, R.I.P. and guy that does mornings there now, Jim Day…I gave him his name about 20 years ago…That’s a great story, if you ever see him, ask him about it…
Dan, buy me a beer and I’ll share the story! Lol I just told someone about it last night. Gerry was a huge blessing in my life.
How positively poignant! Thanks for sharing Gerry. I appreciate you sharing. It’s takes great faith to do what we do… Thank you for making that point visible… God Bless ya’ bro!
YBIC,
Max
Thanks Max, appreciate the kid words and appreciate the opportunity Fred has given me by posting my “so long” message on his blog…
Wow, wow, wow, I can’t even begin to describe how much I LOVE this! This is my EXACT story…while at the same time being 180 degrees different from my own radio experience!
Despite all of our lives and careers and paths being so different, Gerry managed to write the story of us all! A story where every word reverberates with us, no matter how much we have to change the details.
Thanks, Gerry! And thanks, Fred. This is such a wonderful reminder of what truly makes radio so great and so special–and that what makes it so great and special just can’t always be fit into some computer-generated questionnaire of what career choice a person should follow. For many of us it boils down to what’s in our hearts–and we could never be happier anywhere else.
Thank you again, both of you.
Thanks Dave.
Thanks FJ for sharing…
@Gerry, may you never stop seeking other amazing adventures…you will always be watched over and guided by the ultimate spirit of radio…enjoy and ride on
Thanks FJ, other adventures await I’m sure…
Radio is a lifestyle. How many people in this world can retire and have the satisfaction to have LIVED! (Not just existed) to have made a difference to touched people made them laugh and maybe cry. Gerry enjoy retirement! Pray for us who still have a few years to get there!
When Gerry is sitting around that Starbucks in Savannah with the lawyers, CPAs, and insurance salesmen, they’ll be hanging on every word of his amazing radio stories. There must be some joy in that. Thanks, Angie.
Thanks Angie…
Amen.
I have no regrets about my radio career other than if I could go back in time and do it all over again I would have worked harder and taken advantage of every available second I had at one station I worked at. It was a great experience and I knew it but I didn’t know just how special until later. I also would have set goals and had a plan, then worked the plan. Again no complaints somehow I was able to work at some really great radio stations that better talents only dream of. Much of that was right place, right time, willing to work, smile and enjoy it!
Radio Today? We live in a world of perfect computer automation, listeners have ever shorter attention spans and if you ask them what they want they always say less talk and more music. It used to be the “air personality” was a star, people cared and knew who was on the air. Now it’s more like don’t you have a real job? The respect, the oh wow factor is gone, Maybe video finally killed the radio star, or more music another 12 in a row without talk. After all there is just one morning show on each station, and a lot of competition for that time slot.
It’s fascinating when you look back, Mike – all those shoulda, coulda, wouldas. I’ve got ’em, too, although I try hard to focus on what I did rather than what I might have done. It’s all about making decisions, hopefully good ones. And as you note, you were blessed with working for some good broadcasters along the way.
Today’s generation of radio people don’t know how good you had it – or I had it. They’re dealing with radio in the here and now. Hopefully, they’ll be wise enough to make some good decisions or themselves. Thanks for commenting.
I do think a lot of it, as you say, is being at the right place at the right time, at least in my case…I won the Medium Market Promotion of the Year from the CRB back in the 80’s for offering a million dollar reward for the capture of the Lizardman and got tons of free press, so for my presentation at CRS I put it all the free press on a VHS tape, simply played the tape and at the end got up and said “We spend $14 on this, thank you”…and sat down…I didn’t know it at the time, but E. Karl, had the next presentation in that room and standing in the back…I was working for Cox in three months and spent 20 some years with them…Of course, I had to get myself into that position but the rest is God, fate or whatever…
No doubt, Gerry, luck and serendipity play into success (or failure, given the lack of both). But had you not pulled off that promotion, E. wouldn’t have paid attention to you. Thanks for sharing the story, reinforcing why you enjoyed a great career run.