I know this post will come off as callous or even blasphemous to many hardcore radio people, but I’ve been thinking a lot about point of view over the holidays.
In fact, I’ve changed my Facebook Timeline picture to show a view (in Michigan) out the windshield – rather than looking back through the rear-view mirror.
At so many formal and informal radio gatherings over the past few years, the conversation has devolved to a discussion, debate, or lamentation about how the radio business isn’t what it used to be.
Nothing is what it used to be. That’s why the phrase, “the new normal,” came into being. It’s a statement that life as we knew it has changed. It is incumbent upon all of us to adjust – or simply move on. Either decision is valid, but to stay in place and complain about how the business has gone to hell is simply counterproductive, especially for those of us who are making our way through it, trying to innovate, make adjustments, and keep it vital and healthy.
While there are so many aspects of radio that I also miss, getting caught up in conversations about the good old days erodes our ability to implement change, improvements, and to keep it moving forward.
So that’s why I’m looking ahead.
We can debate whether consolidation was good or bad, allowing radio companies to go public, and all the painful staff cuts that have taken place.
Or we can play the cards we’re dealt the best way possible to make it better.
So I’m done with radio reunions.
And it’s not because I don’t want to see old friends and colleagues because the past four decades have been cherished times professionally and personally for me.
But I’m hoping that the next decade is just as memorable, amazing, and exciting – even though I know all too well that it will be very different than the way things have been in the past.
No rear view here.
Eyes out the windshield.
Who’s taking the ride with me?
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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.
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Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
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I’m in!
I knew you’d be, Ed. Thanks for reading our blog.
I’m absolutely with you. Excuse the following ramble, but I got my first job at a radio station that ran soap operas, and opened each day with Don McNeil’s “Breakfast Club”. It was an AM/FM station with a separate FM staff. Unfortunately, this new thing called TELEVISION came along and took the audience…oh…and the advertisers…and most of the program content.Two years later, radio was trying to survive by playing MUSIC and employing DJ’S. The FM staff was long gone and simulcasting ruled. I was told RADIO IS DEAD. Well, surprise, surprise. By the mid 1960’s radio was just fine thanks. The FCC looked at all the wasted FM frequencies that were just repeating the AM programming and ordered FM license holders to create separate programming
on their FM’s or turn back their licenses. ABC decided to name me PD of their Detroit FM. The AM guys ((yeah, they were all guys in those days) would ask me with big smiles, “how’s that F thing
working out…ha…ha?) Well as we know, it worked out just fine despite the conventional wisdom, that there were too many stations and few would be able to survive. And lastly, when car makers made 8 Track…and then cassette players available….well who’s going to listen to radio??? In closing, I’ve seen radio written off several times and I’m convinced that we’ll survive yet
again. How…beats me. I originally thought “Underground FM” had no chance and don’t pretend to have any idea what’s next…just that there will be A NEXT! And as before, it will be due to young people…just like every time before.
Dick, you’re riding shotgun in the front seat! Thanks for the great story and the perspective. For the next generation of radio pros, this is truly inspirational. Thanks for sharing it.
Count me in, Fred. I ripped the rear view mirror off my radio perspective several years ago and have never felt better. Whenever I go to broadcasting conventions (and I go to a lot of them) I always try to bow out of a conversation gracefully when talk inevitably turns to “the good old days.”
Yes, it’s fun and comforting to reminisce about the music and stunts and pranks and hands-on approach to the audience (and advertisers), but the reality is that tomorrow’s “good old days” are today’s challenges. Virtually every industry is undergoing massive change, and those of us in radio can choose to either hang on to the memories of our adolescence or forge the prosperity of our maturity.
To that end, my windshield is clear, except maybe for a few bug splatters around the edges that the wipers didn’t get.
Reed Bunzel
Bunzel Media Strategies
http://www.bunzelmedia.com
Reed, I will be happy to squeegee your windshield any time! Thanks for taking the time.
Thanks for writing this Fred because I can truly relate. When we finally pulled the plug on the Buzz a lot of the jocks and support staff wanted to sit and rehash the past 17 years, except for me and I still don’t. Many of them felt that I was cold and maybe I was but I did not want to talk about a “dead dog”. As the months passed and most of these people found jobs outside of the market, there were many “going away” parties most of which I refused to attend. I simply sent my regards and moved on because I knew that these parties were nothing more than staff reunions where everyone would sit around and drown their sorrows in a few cocktails. The truth is, I enjoyed working with them and loved what we created but I wanted to focus on the future and not dwell on what was. Did I lose a few friends, yes but only those who would have dragged me into their misery. I think that focusing on what’s ahead of you is far more important than the road behind you. I do have my memories but I will create more when I get around the corner which I believe isn’t that far away.
Thanks again Fred,
John O
John, great to hear from you and thanks for the industry perspective. Appreciate you reading our blog.
Preach on, Fred. As I said on someone’s Facebook page that linked this article, there’s nothing more tiresome than listening to someone bitch about the way things are. We’re still in the magic business; make the magic within the new rules.
Thanks so much for the kind words, Brian. We need to keep thinking showbiz
Radio indeed needs to stop competing for the moment and start competing for the future through earned relevance. Brian Solis makes some salient points in his book “The End of Business as Usual” that radio could learn from. Media is now global, social, ubiquitous and cheap. Deal with it. Opportunity awaits for those who can change.
Amen!
So, I won’t see you at that Detroit reunion, right Dave?
That is correct.
Great article and congrats on the Ford deal. Changing radio and making it better for the future is what EVERYONE IN RADIO should embrace. It’s so much fun to re-create radio. We have built an app and and API for any station with an app to interact with the station using voice and audio. We are going to be in Chicago/Detroit area soon. We need to get together.
Blair Giesen
Founder – Intercom.fm
Thanks for the kind words, Blair. Let’s talk offline.
I’m in!
Frank, good news! It’s getting crowded in here. Thanks for the comment.
Great advice Fred, wallowing gets you nowhere! I feel fortunate that two thirds of my 30 year career were during the fun days of radio, the last 10, not so much. I loved doing our morning show for 19 years until I became one of those corporate cost cuts.
I’ve since decided to fight back, creating a website called Aircheck. I reached out to downsized and marginalized jocks around the country, offering them a way to reconnect with their fans and find new ones with podcasts. I’m finding some amazing, creative talent and I’m letting them do whatever they want with no micro-managing on my part. We’ve just recently launched, but already have 39 shows and over 300 episodes! Making radio fun again is our slogan, and so far, so good!
Erica, thanks for the story. There are a lot of “expats” of radio finding a way to package their skill sets and talents for the digital media world. But we need great personality in radio, and I fear that we keep letting good ones get away during each round of “budget cuts.” Thanks for sharing and best of luck.
Good advice, Fred — And I support your premise having been surrounded on a few bar rails at conventions by those bemoaning the loss of the good old days. However, that said, even new driver’s are taught to regularly check their rear view mirrors while constantly moving forward. It’s important to be aware of the hazards behind you, as well as what is coming up in front of you. It’s hard to drive to where you are going if you don’t know where you’ve been, and even as the industry changes (as all industries do) we’d all be wise to remember that those who do not learn from history’s mistakes are bound to repeat them. The wisdom and knowledge and experience of those “of a certain age” (like you and I and a few other names I recognize here 🙂 can be a good thing for the next generation of broadcasters to tap into — even if we all do occasionally lapse into recounting a story of a wild night with some band on the road in the 70s and 80s 🙂
Al, good points all. The insights of industry vets is priceless and perspective matters. Past IS prologue and like great sports teams, the best staffs balance experience and youth. Thanks for the valuable perspective.
Forgive a cranky old man but…………….
I have 7 grandchildren….six of them above the age of potential radio listeners…..9 (over 12)
NONE of them listen to the radio.
I’m just sayin’
and…I don’t go to conventions any more because;
1. the folks there look so old…….and,
2. I can’t remember their names……
You’re still the smartest, handsomest guy in the room. But you’d better start working on those grandchildren!
As I said to you the other day.. I only wish I were at the beginning of my radio journey… there are so many exciting things happening in our business.. over the last four decades there were always changes.. those that adapted are still around…I am happy to see there are those that will make the lights brighter after we are gone…
Agree with you completely, Tom. For so many years, radio was on a pleasant plateau where there wasn’t a whole lot of change. By today’s standards, those days were quaint. As frenetic as things are now, I’m happier being in this environment. Thanks for chiming in and keep rocking.