Before I start off, I just have to say there are times that I am cracking up while I write this sh…. I get an incredible kick out of it. I am that same kid now that I was in Kindergarten telling dirty jokes to the nuns at Catholic school (from the Red Foxx albums I use to sneak and hear. Sh… they laughed). I am absolutely not bitter in any way about radio or my experiences because I have always made my money from labels (lol). I LOVE record labels. I have and will always be the champion of the underdog because at one time… I was one. Those that have been nullified, oppressed, abused, thrown away, molested and rejected will ALWAYS get the greatest support from me. I’m not in ANY way saying all that has happened to me, otherwise I’d probably be sitting on a street corner dirty as hell, smelling like sh… and drinking from a bottle of Boone’s Farm in a brown paper bag. Nevertheless, I will not have any mercy on the abuser ESPECIALLY when they use their position of power to do it. We ALL fart and it ALWAYS dammit I mean ALWAYS stinks. No man or woman is greater than another man or woman. No source will ever be revealed in this column or in any other way.
Well I got an email from Emmis this morning about my DL Hughley story read below…
Kevin,
Alex Cameron, Sr. VP / General Manager for the Emmis NY stations asked that I email you on her behalf. She’s traveling. Someone forwarded her a copy of your story about DL Hughley and Emmis from earlier this week. Alex asked that I let you know that your information is absolutely inaccurate. Your “source” has given you information that is not correct. Hopefully, you will not continue to print anything else that you now know to be false on this subject. Thanks much. Gladys Levy Emmis Communications NY
Notice there was no denial about the lawsuit. This was actually a pretty good source and I would give it some time to see if it’s true. Some corporations don’t want people to know what they’re up to and that’s fine. I don’t KNOW that this is false so I will remain neutral on it and post the response at the same time.
Taking a Dump
Radio One is seriously trying to dump stations in Detroit, Philly and Dallas as I reported several months ago. Looks like they have even approached Service Broadcasting in Dallas as a potential buyer for stations The Beat (KBFB) and KSOUL (KSOC). I hear Service Broadcasting owner Hymen Childs is interested but only if the price comes down.
Here’s Rickey Smiley
Speaking of Radio One…. As promised, predicted and reported right here…Rickey Smiley is about to debut on another station this Monday and Steve is out. I will not disclose the station but you will know on Monday.
WHUR in DC
No news on the Power 105 Gig but I’m hearing WHUR will probably name a PD by year’s end. The KKDA PD gig had seen cand idates come in from all radio markets for that job.. I’m hearing Michael Ericson is also interviewing and encouraging female programmers to apply for the position as well. The PD should be named by the end of November.
Has Anyone Seen my Teeth?
(OK, I’m so wrong for that headline) Skip Murphy is with Citadel on a deal to syndicate his show with the same team that was let’s just say “released” from KKDA a while back. Currently, the show is on WCCG in Fayeteville, a station I had never heard of before my sources told me about it. Apparently the station is in market 231… With all due respect to Murphy and his team. I left radio before I was 40… I personally was tired of playing that damn music and sitting in that lonely ass booth talking to a million people. I was damn good at it but I NEVER liked it and I always thought someone should be playing MY records. Why are people SO determined to keep doing radio? I don’t get it (leave comment). Know when to hold em and know when to fold em. Know when to walk away.. when the dealing’s DONE. (Kenny Rogers “The Gambler”)
Have a great weekend. Email me with news and tips here kevin@radiofacts.com
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Kevin,
I enjoy reading your newsletter and most of all I respect your honestly about this business. I own and operate a 24 hr FM station in Danville, IL. which is the only Black FM station in this area. For the past four years I’ve been trying to get serviced from the major labels (Universal, EMI etc.) I’ve written letters repeatedly to which I’ve received no reply. I just can’t figure out with the problem is, I remember in the old days it never was this hard for a station to receive product. Since you have a good relationship with the major labels maybe you can help me out or at least point me in the right direction.
Now in regards to your question about not understanding why people stay in radio past the age of forty let me see if I can clarify it for you. I started in radio in the late 60′s. When I returned from Vietnam I went to college you know I majored in Radio TV Broadcasting because I was always fascinated with radio as a child growing up in Chicago. When I finished college I got my first job and today I’m still in this business granted I’ve move around quite a bit but I wouldn’t take anything for the experience. I guess the reason I’m still in it is because I love it and as the old saying goes if you love what you’re doing then you’ll enjoy it. Judging from your newsletter you enjoy what you’re doing now. Hope to hear from you soon.