Our “Best of” second week of our most popular blog posts of 2021 continues today with one of my favorites, too. One of the impacts of the pandemic has been all the retirements that have occurred throughout the radio business, from the corner office to the air studio.
Of course, some of this activity has been due to belt tightening and those dreaded “reductions in force.” But my sense is that more of these exits have been due to folks looking in the mirror, surveying the situation, and deciding to call it quits.
Yes, some of these decisions have most definitely been “age-based.” Careers that endure for 35, 40, or even 50 years are quite unusual in most businesses. In radio, we all have much respect for those who have stuck it out for the better part of half a century.
One such person is Gerry McCracken who left his post this year, announcing his decision last March. His picture at the top of this post speaks volumes. You can see his career in his eyes.
But Gerry’s sign-off is eloquent and resonant, not just for those of you thinking of heading for the exits, but for those of you who might be contemplating a radio career, or perhaps wondering why you chose it – or it chose you.
As we move into that retrospective time of the year, obscured by a new COVID variant and the other troubles that weigh us down, I hope you’ll find Gerry’s words as inspiring and meaningful as I did. – FJ
March 19, 2021
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 and crypotocurrency…
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
Take my job…Please
Gig Alert Savanah Georgia
Hey there Radio friends…
I’m hanging up the headphones at the end July….
Posted by Gerry McCracken on Tuesday, March 16, 2021
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Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
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Somehow I missed that one earlier. Thanks for reposting, Fred.
Glad you enjoyed it, John.
So beautifully said. Thank you for sharing Gerry’s Facebook posting. It is because of individuals like him I am in Radio. I hope he knows how much his hard work has meant to the communities he has worked in and the companies he has worked for. What a blessing!
Indeed, Erica. The first time I saw it on Facebook, I knew there was nothing I could say that could possibly sum it up better. Gerry’s words and deeds speak for themselves.
Erica, thank you for the kind words…You presented me with the Medium Market Promotion of the Year back in 1988 or 1989 at the CRS when you were working for them…I was at WCOS in Columbia, SC and it was for The Liard Man…lol…I believe it was the first time the CRS did a Promotion contest…
The Lizard Man was actually one of my Weekly World News appearances…Back when the Space Alien was meeting all the Presidents and the Bat Boy was discovered in a cave and decided to run for office too…What a great publication…
Here at C895/KNHC, we’ve been encouraging high school kids to get into radio for more than 50 years! Not every student will ‘get the bug’ but they learn what it’s like to work in a real radio station, find their voice and maybe, their passion. In addition to developing their on-air personality and teaching them how to produce, write social media, pick great music, and some basic engineering, they learn collaboration… cooperation… responsibility… professionalism… skills that are good to have for every job, every day. Check out a TV feature done about the station and how it impacts our students: https://fb.watch/9WqUAxir00/
That was seriously AWESOME, June!! Wow, good for Larry Adams, good for the students and GREAT for Seattle! That moment when “adrenalized fear intersects with unabashed joy”! If that sentence doesn’t just RESONATE in your soul, you have no business being in radio!
It’s so true! These days, the students are teaching us how the current generation communicates, the newest social media platform, urban slang, and pop culture trends. They love it when I ask them to show me something — shows that we are all a team and learn from each other. They also realize that it’s okay to ask for help… something I think a lot of us have trouble admitting, but that’s so important for success. I started my career in a high school radio station 40+ years ago and I’m still having a blast!
June, you may have had the best line of all: “It’s the magic of this space.” I have always felt that way, too, and only wish Cooley High in Detroit would have had a station like C895 back when I roamed those halls.
This is truly inspiring. We have a couple of high school FMs here in suburban Detroit – the BIF in Bloomfield Hills and the Park at Plymouth Salem HS in Canton. I try to show up annually at the latter – to share and to learn.
Congrats to you and the staff at Nathan Hale’s C895 for keeping the flame roaring. We need all the energy from stations and students like yours to keep this thing goinog. Appreciate you reaching out.
Thanks Fred! C895 is truly a special place and I’m so lucky to be here. When you’re out this way next time, please be in touch and I’ll give you the dollar tour. (We’re worth WAY more than a nickel!)
Seattle is one of my favorite places in this big country of ours. Once travel picks up again, I hope to get out your way. And I’ll hold you that offer. Thanks for connecting here.
Unfortunately, I wouldn’t recommend a career in radio until the corporations stop running it into the ground. There are far better ways to make ends meet. The truth of the matter is radio could be great again, but it won’t until all corporations clean house and remove the people who have had their hand in turning so many people’s lives upside down over the past 10-15 years. Corporations have destroyed the radio industry, marginalizing radio talent to the point where so many people have the left the industry they once loved to do something else. You’d think that radio companies would be rolling in the money still and be able to pay people, but they can’t.
Mike, good to hear from you. I think that the way in which radio has evolved isn’t all that different than what we’ve seen in other industries – like the airlines. It’s just that when you’re an entertainment/information business, the conditions that lead to creativity and great content can be sapped by a top-down environment. These things move in cycles, and I’m hopeful we’ll be around long enough to see another one come our way. We need talented, creative people to keep this enterprise going. Thanks for connecting here.
A favorite story from this past year. Plus I got a cool, incredibly funny new facebook friend out of it!
Another connection, right? That’s an unintended benefit from enjoying the same content others do. Thanks, David.
This post was “all the feels” and had me reflecting on my own 25 year radio career. Thanks for sharing, Fred.
My pleasure, Ronnie. Thanks for reading it.