[BC] Underground = Classic

[Steve]

Hi Kent:

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kent Winrich, K9EZ" <kwinrich at gmail.com>
To: "Broadcast Radio Mailing List" <broadcast at radiolists.net>;
<kwinrich at gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2006 7:37 AM
Subject: Re: [BC] Underground = Classic



Get off your DUFF and get to work, else find another line of
> employment!

Another line of employment? This is ALL I've done since I was 16 years old.
I was still in high school and doing an air shift at a station in San
Francisco. Most start in the boonies. I was lucky. That was 1961. Now I'm 60
but am, like many in here, young at heart and can still rock 'n roll with
the best of 'em. I can (just did tracks for) also do classical music (for
picky Europeans). I decided I didn't want the rat-race of the big cities
anymore so I moved out to some property I bought in Lower Alabama near
Florida about 11 years ago. This was when I was thinking of getting out of
the business and came here for a business venture. Things didn't work as
planned so I went back into broadcasting after about a year.Currently I'm
working for (am trying to purchase) the local station here.(Country!!) I
sell, do production, do an on-air shift, tweek the transmitter, fix things,
adjust satellite dishes when needed, etc. I've found it to be like starting
my "line of employment" over again. This time, however, I come to the table
with experience. Now I know many don't think experience is important but I
think it is. It was one of the central points of my post about all this. As
far as I'm concerned one of the most important things I can do now is share
that experience with others. Let me quote the end of a note from a local
who, because of so many reasons couldn't find radio employment in this area
and now has a family to support. I've seen this kid grow and wanted to hire
him but he couldn't wait any longer. He has mouths to feed. Back into the
military he went. Here's a part of that note I got just before he left his
wife and kids.

Quote:

I hope it's not too much to ask, but if you ever have the time, I would love
to have some air checks of your air shift and production.  I have learned so
much from your work, I have to say even though I'm nowhere near as good as
you, what I do know , all came from your work(of art).  I would just like to
thank you for EVERYTHING!  You are truly a great friend!

End Quote:

He's 25 years old. Now that's why experience is so important because you can
pass it on. I'm glad I did.


> Steve you say that broadcasters have been through the mud.  Well thats
> fine, but it is what you do after being through the mud.  Do you stay
> there and whine about it?

Kent, I wasn't whining. I was, like a scientist, just looking and noticing
those things going on around me, then conveying some of those thoughts in
this forum.

> I have been knocked down MANY times in my
> life.  But I keep telling myself, it doesnt matter how many times you
> get knocked down (or dragged through the mud), but how quickly you get
> back on your feet.  Do you keep the same pissed off attitude?  Or do you
> adjust your attitude and get to what is important?  It is so easy to be
> an arm chair quarterback.  That is the easy way out.

I have worked, like so many in here, in the major markets where all I had to
do was focus on one maybe two things. Now I focus on many. I don't think
someone who was pissed off in my 43rd year at doing this would take on new
challenges as I have and on top of that have two prominant people in this
small community back me in the purchase of  a radio station. Sweat equity
gets me 25%. I believe I have gotten back to "what is important". No?

> I LOVED radio in the late 60's/early 70's.  I was glued to WLS, KAAY,
> WOWO, WABC, WOKY, CKLW, ya da ya da. But I have a feeling that my memory
> of those days are little biased.  Things always seem better in the "Good
> Ole Days".

I won't dwell on this one but I believe they were. It's not only the
creative part of the biz but some of the other areas that were run more
efficiently than they are now. I believe time will prove that point.


> Frankly I dont need a whole lot of input as I have a TON of
> ideas, and generate new ones daily.


Now there's a red flag.


> I LOVE radio!  If you dont have the enthusiasm for radio, then perhaps
> radio is not for you.  If you have lost the edge, perhaps a new line of
> work is due.  If  you cant offer ideas to help radio, then move along
> l'il dogie.  Dont bring down the rest of us that are busting our butts.
> I have no time for that.

I'm working on a new idea right now and have been for months...well, maybe
years now. My mind is always working on something. I hate to be idle.

> I am off to practice my art of BROADCASTING......

Still practicing, eh? Just kidding. It's the best biz I know. Enjoy!


> Kent Winrich
> DoE
> Clear Channel Milwaukee

At the risk of getting into a whole other discussion I will end by saying
the Communications Act of 1996 was not a good thing for the biz. I'll leave
it at that. I respect the fact you work for one of the companies that was
able to give birth to many stations because of it.

Live long and prosper. That's right. Sulu is now Stern's head announcer.
What a gig! :)

Steve
Steve Walker Productions