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artmorris
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Posted: Tue May 15th, 2007 01:55 pm |
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Ever since I first drove through Springfield in 1970, I wanted to work in radio in the Queen City. I didn't know much about Springfield radio at the time. I listened to KICK when I passed through, because they were playing my music. They sounded a lot like other Class IV stations at the time. They subscribed to Pepper-Tanner's "Airplay" production service, which was very popular at the time.
Of course, I was aware of KWTO, given their heritage, and that GIANT neon sign at the south end of town. What a shame that sign was given up. It should have been on the national register of historic places.
Through the 70's, I sent dozens of tapes & resumes to Springfield stations, KICK, KGBX, Rock 99, KTTS, even KBUG/KLSM. But, I couldn't get anyone interested. Some of the pictures of the old KGBX that are on my website were taken on one of those visits when I was trying to land a gig. Eventually, I took a job in Bolivar in 1983, so I could at least get close to Springfield. I reasoned that, if I was close, surely I could get in the market. I cultivated friendships inside the stations, but to no avail. When KYOO-FM was sold to John Borders and became the new KGBX-FM, I really had my hopes up. I had even participated in the construction of the station. But, no.
In 1991, I moved to Aurora and brought KSWM-AM back from the brink of oblivion. Not long after that, Monte Chaney had left KWTO as their longtime engineer, and KWTO (then owned by Cole Media) hired an old friend as their engineer. IT wasn't long after that I got a call that they were hiring everybody who could wield a pair of dykes to help move KWTO out of the building at 2750 S. Campbell. I jumped in and helped them move Rock99 into an RV at the transmitter building at Nixa. This began a relationship with Dave Alexander (Thiessen), which was as close as I ever got to working on the air in Springfield.
I started working for them part time as an engineer, and Dave used me to record weather forecasts that ran on KWTO-AM. I heard from friends three states, who heard me doing "Skywatch Weather" during the Rush Limbaugh show.
Eventually, KWTO was sold to Mr. Meyer, and Dave Alexander and his crew moved over to B-95. I continued doing "Skywatch Weather" for them, and helping out with automation and engineering. Over at Aurora, we had built 106.7FM in 1993 as a Mt. Vernon station. It was sold to the B-95 people, and "Hot106.7" was born. The stations were bought by SuperFrank Copsidas, who had also recently purchased 104.7. For a time, 3 stations were operated from the studios on East Kearney. Eventually, SUperFrank sold 95.5, which became "Alice", and purchased 104.1, which had studios at Republic.
They created "Star 104.1", and I voice-tracked a mid-day show on that station. The format didn't last long, and that was the last time my voice was on Springfield air.
After SuperFrank sold 104.1 and 106.7 to Wilks, the handwriting was on the wall. I tried over and over to get into one of the stations in Springfield, either as on-air talent or engineering. It's been long enough now that I don't have many contacts inside anymore.
As far as KTTS was concerned, it was always (sorry Curt) "we'll be in touch".
I've always wondered... was I just not good enough? It always appeared that Springfield Radio was a 'closed society', and I didn't know the secret handshake. It's worked out well enough for me, but I've always wondered.... What was the deal with Springfield?
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Will Sterrett
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Posted: Tue May 15th, 2007 11:21 pm |
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I'm not sure what 'the deal' is with Springfield radio. I certainly didn't go at it as hard as you did (and props to you for doing so, Art) but I made a moderate effort in 2002. I was fresh out of college, needed a gig, and got the 'don't call us, we'll call you' response from a handful of stations in the market. A month later Colorado called, and that was the end of me pursuing anything in Springfield. I certainly felt that I had the chops at the time, but I don't really think about it much.
Art, It's been a long time since I heard you as a jock (late 90's VT'd on KBFL) but it always seemed like you had the goods to be on the air in Springfield. But in this industry, it's hard to plan your market moves. Never for a second did I think I'd live in any of the places radio has taken me (Vail, Champaign IL, Omaha, Atlanta), but I figure if you keep working at it, someday, you'll get to point to a specific place, say "I want to work here", and get the job. NOTE: I'm very happy with my current job - all I'm saying is that I'd never anticipated being in Alanta.
While we're on the topic, Springfield radio is a lot better than many similarly-sized markets. I'd take any Springfield station over its equivalent in, say, Peoria or Chattanooga.
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Turner the burner
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Posted: Sun May 27th, 2007 12:13 pm |
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I have fond memories of my two stints in radio in Springfield in the 70's and again in the 90's. I love the city and the people who live there and the radio folks who work there.
I just want to say today Happy Memorial Day to all and thanks to Art for this board. I missed the old Missouriradio.net forum (where I posted under the "pen name" "professor" and I'm glad to see another board where I can follow the happenings of radio in the ozarks.
I look forward to following the dialog and chimming in from time to time.
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DB
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Posted: Sun May 27th, 2007 08:39 pm |
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| Well see if you can tell Dusty N Hot where this is now. Morris,RJ and plenty of others are missed and would give the board a boost.
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RickMasters
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Posted: Thu Dec 20th, 2007 04:32 pm |
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Wow, Art... I had no idea you traversed that road. Surprising to me, since I've always admired and looked up to you as an engineer, and announcer. I'm absolutely amazed that you had that kind of trouble. My analysis is this:
1. Springfield radio (and radio in general) has morphed into something entirely different over the past 15-20 years. Obviously. Back in the South Campbell days, (those of you from SGF will know what I mean) the board had to be manned 24/7. Those were the days when DJs were sought after and paid fairly well. I mean really good guys had to fit in all the slots... Woody, Dave A., Bruce Hammer, Rick Moore, Kevin Allen, Jim Wesley... you know. These guys brought a ton to the table and always entertained.
2. Now, with every station imaginable being a juke box with canned breaks, each cluster... not station... only needs a few guys to cover their shifts. In fact, as we all know, "shifts" don't even really exist anymore. Which, in a weird way, makes it even more difficult for a guy to break in.
3. Springfield has always been (as I'm sure most markets are) a "buddy" market. If you're an outsider and they didn't hire you to relocate here, you're automatically at a disadvantage. If you can't shake hands and slap the back of an "old friend" who is the mid-day guy when you interview, it makes it really tough. I got lucky and sent in a tape to US97 in 1989, then out of the blue, got a call from Mike Schmidt 6 months later. I think it's mostly because they were looking for a newbie who would cover that Midnight to 6 AM shift Friday and Saturday nights... which I gladly did. That's where Spankmeister and I first hugged. Ah, the old days on Pythian... with that broken back door and Bung's broken nose.
These days, the buddy system is more prevalent than ever. With fewer "DJs" needed, the powers that be can simply hire babysitters to keep an eye on things. That's really bad for radio. I don't believe mid to major markets can be saved. If radio ever veers back to its origin (community service and local programming) it will have to begin at the small market level. Heck, even stations like KKBL in Monett are trying to sound "big" - and I think it sounds just awful. The Buzz? c'mon. It's Monett, man... let's have more Floyd Stewart and less whiz-bang imaging. With their muffled signal, it doesn't come through.
Art, you rock, bro. Don't ever let them win. Don't you ever hang up your phones. It's guys like you that make guys like me (and Adam West) ALWAYS think about coming back. I remember when you and I would run into each other at KSWM back in the '90s when I was calling some baseball for Kelly Ellison. Ah, good times...
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AdamWest
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Posted: Thu Dec 20th, 2007 10:27 pm |
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OK Art, Rick has resurrected this one and you rarely reply to my posts so here goes...
I always enjoyed recording your weather spots for Hot and B...I regret those fuzzy mornings when I would forget or be slammed with phones and missed you. You have a unique voice, interesting personality, nice articulation and an enormous amount of skill in your briefcase. I echo Rick's words...buddy's usually got me the next gig and the jukebox effect has narrowed the demand for voices and bodies. It seems the remote has become a strange beast as well affecting air staffers by stretching their abilities and interests becoming strictly sales events read from a flier. Granted the reason is to generate account buzz but the lack of a gimmick makes the jock a crier for the next account that pays enough money regardless of how it plays into the format. Example, I always refused the strip club remotes meaning someone else received the privilege. Art, would you host a night at foxy's? Never mind.
You certainly have the talent and skills to succeed in the sgf market. I always thought you would be great on morning line back in the cole days...I know dave and randall had fun but you really would have given that combo some balsamic vinegar. I don't know if you are still chasing something in the metro but I would suggest keep trying. You mention the players have changed...sometimes that can be a benefit.
Adam
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artmorris
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Posted: Sat Dec 22nd, 2007 11:22 am |
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I'm certainly not bitter by any means.
I just always thought it was weird. If I believed in conspiracy theories, I would have blamed it on being a 'man of girth'. Yeah, yeah, that's the ticket. I was 'discriminated' against!
Or maybe because I could never decide if I wanted to be on the air, or work with the engineers.
I think your comment about 'buddies' is probably the right answer. I didn't cultivate enough friends in the market. When I was friends with Dave Alexander, I was actually working in Springfield.
But, given my self-recriminating nature, I always assumed I just wasn't good enough.
Doesn't matter now. I had a wonderful 15-years at KSWM. I still can't go to WalMart without being accosted by a half-dozen former listeners who miss the way I used to do the morning show. Small market radio is an artform all it's own, and it's going by the wayside as well. (But, that's another story)
And, I'm having a wonderful time now playing contract engineer.
Art
Last edited on Sat Dec 22nd, 2007 11:24 am by artmorris
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LostinTime
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Posted: Sat Dec 22nd, 2007 01:59 pm |
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| I think you are talented enough to work on air in a larger market. But, your true talent is doing a variety of things really well. I think that small market radio has been your thing because they need a guy like you. A friendly voice, team player, and not to mention if they hire you they get a full time engineer as an added bonus.
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Jamie Turner
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Posted: Sat Dec 22nd, 2007 05:46 pm |
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Small market radio IS an artform. I hate the way people rag on it. That's where I had most of my fun. It's like Olive Garden, "when you're there, you're family" and I had an awesome family and still do.
Art, your comments about going to wal mart remind me of when I was dating a girl in Waynesville. We went to wal mart and I saw ton of people who were saying hi to me. She laughed at how ironic it was that she had lived there all of her life, didn't know anyone, yet I had only been there a year or so and seemed to know everyone.
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ken371
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Posted: Thu Dec 27th, 2007 04:28 pm |
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| I dont want to sound smug or obnoxious, but in 1996 I had a shot at KTTS but the scarry idea of jumping from little ol AM 1060 to the mighty ranch scarred the living crap out of me and I screwed it all up. In those days the best way to get hired was be young and naive, attend SW school of broadcasting and show actual ambition instead of just be another Dr. Johnny Fever wanna be rube. Be a 1060 volunteer and really take it seriously. I dont know you personally Art, but if a dumbbleep like myself once had a shot at greatness, ... small town radio is no longer an option they are all 24-7 automation now. Well at least in the part of Kansas I left, and imagine that sorta thing is going on everywhere now. I like Supervillians BOSS radio thing, reminds me of when as a kid I took a trip with my dad and heard K-Earth 101 in SoCal... point is Disc Jockey as we wish it still was, is a dead profession. If I didnt have tape proof at home... today I feel like none of it ever really happened. Well, time to report to Ziggies, wash them dishes...
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