In what I considered a shocking announcement today, Radio & Records, a trade publication since the 1970's announced they were going out of business.
They made the announcement online this afternoon. The last edition will be the on newsstands this week.
In under three hours, their web site went from the usual bells and whistles to this:
Since I got into radio 35 years ago, R&R was the bible.
I would find old copies in the stations I was working at and take them home and read every column, every chart, and every ad.
I found it to be an invaluable way to learn about the industry.
I've got quite a few R&R memories. One of the best involves former Top40 editor, John Leader.
John was a radio guy turned reporter when he took the job at R&R. He essentially became the good will ambassador for Top 40 radio through his work with R&R. He gave a lot of good press to guys who were wearing satin jackets, for God's sake!
I had been introduced to John years earlier, when he worked in Atlanta at WQXI.
In 1981, I accepted the night time gig at KIIS/Los Angeles. After about six months on the job, I started getting the itch to be a program director (again).
I was pretty tired of getting hotlined!
Rather to join their ranks, and show 'em how it's done. Plus, program directors had the power. They could actually set the tone and sound for their radio stations.
-Try that today-
So, I get offered a job in Sacramento, California to be the P.D. and afternoon jock at KSFM.
At lunch with John Leader, he set me straight.
I was good, and talent paid.
A lot more than ANY program director ever would.
He is the first person ever to say to me that a million dollars a year was not out of the question and would be a worthy goal. I was making about $45g at the time.
But he was right.
I stayed at KIISfm (til I was fired!) and never again walked the line of wanting to get into programming.
John's advice was sage, and not what I wanted to hear.
He told me to play to my strengths. He told me most PD's were broken DJ's. He advised me to stay on the air, not to become an off air PD.
He was on the side of talent, and it was not unusual for him to befriend someone he thought had talent and try to point them in the right direction.
He ended up putting the Sacramento job offer in Street Talk, the gossip page of R&R. So I got some mileage out of it, anyway.
He had a national forum, and could have been a total jerk. But he was a radio guy first and foremost, as were most of the people at R&R throughout the years. I again thank him for his friendship.
R&R's longtime Editor, Erica Farber, was my General Manager at WXLO/NY in 1977. She never gave me any sage advice!
R&R was always a safe haven for radio types. Over the years it morphed into a Billboard magazine look and style. But back when it mattered, if you could get something in R&R, you knew everyone would read it. Radio people.
I still have a subscription. Wonder if they're gonna refund the next three months I already paid for.
RADIO & RECORDS.
RIP.
d.
June 3, 2009
In what I considered a shocking announcement today, Radio & Records, a trade publication since the 1970's announced they were going out of business.
Good morning. I awoke from a long sleep, full of pep and looking forward to the new day at hand. Then I thought about how much I don't like reading/hearing/talking about some pop culture D list celebs.
Hello from the Atlantic Ocean! I come to you today, toes akimbo in the frothy sea suds with a few photos of celebs also enjoying beach time, as I am.
Quickly, before you pay $$$ to go to the movies. here are my reviews of the two new offerings this weekend!
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