RADIO'S REVOLVING DOORS!

     TUESDAY, MAY 22ND., 2018
    RADIO'S REVOLVING DOORS!

    The announced departure of  popular
radio talk show host Sue Henry from
WILK radio came as a shock to many people
Monday. I was one of them. But I shouldn't
have been!
     I learned, pretty quickly, that radio
stations have revolving doors!
     There's always somebody pushing or
being pushed. Some to get in. Some to
get out!
     I worked at 8 different stations during
my first 21 years in broadcasting. I'm not
sure there are 8 stations around here now
that employ live on-air people!
     Things can change fast in the industry!
     A new format can see an entire on air
staff wiped out overnight!
     A Consultant gets hired to "improve"
a station and he's got to come up with
some changes because that's what's he
being paid to do. So somebody gets
axed.
      Then, of course, there's salaries, or
the lack of them! There's always a kid
willing to work for free to get started.
       Popularity? It's a factor. But not
one that guarantees anyone a job!
Clayton Moore was the third person to
play The Lone Ranger on network radio.
No one is indispensable!
       Of course many people leave on their
own for the sake of advancement. Usually to
bigger markets.
        I was fortunate to be able to switch
from my early days as a DJ to becoming
a news reporter. That opened the doors to
television. But they're revolving doors
too!
         Think back just a few short years
to broadcasters you remember seeing
who were too young to retire but who are
no longer seen. At least around here!
          There's a lot of wonderful things
about being in the media and I had a
great career in commercial broadcasting
which continues today as a volunteer
at our area's Public Access Station.
           But don't get too used to any of
your favorites. They're all just a step
away from that revolving door!
            Here's hoping all that step through
find greener pastures (in or out of
broadcasting) and that all their, and your,
NEWS is good!