I saw the above phrase on the side of a bus yesterday as part of an ad for a local independent radio station. The phrase has a subtle tinge of paranoia, doesn’t it? Well, that’s to be expected.
The station is run by the a short, bird-like man with poor enunciation and a nasal voice that would probably get him laughed out of a radio station in a major market. Some of his behavior is so strange that I often question his sanity. For example, when a rival station debuted with a nickname particular to a local neighborhood, it was seen as a direct assault on the station. All DJs were prohibited from referring to the neighborhood on the air at all, as the owner was convinced that it would be giving free advertising to the new competition. Frequent listeners might have noticed that some businesses are now said to be on a particular street and not in a certain district in town.
The owner’s idiosyncratic style can be physically seen all over the station’s studio (anyone can walk in there, especially during their bi-annual fund drives). There are passive aggressive notes all over, from the booth to the bathroom, in bold an/or capitol letters warning of repercussions for everything from playing a song at a time not in keeping with the color coded system to not putting trash in the right receptacle.
The station has a few paid employees, but the rest of the staff is comprised of unpaid volunteers. Staff meetings often consist of the fearful leader complaining about small mishaps (molehills made into mountains) and swear infused rants about other stations, the FCC, and other issues that are more facts of the industry than things about which the staff can actually do something. These people are clearly passionate about music and are willing to put up with the environment there. My hat’s off to them. I have seen him berate a volunteer for following one rule (identify the station immediately after a set of songs) but not a conflicting one that was seemingly cooked up on the spot without concern about how it affected the other (announce the name of the songs as soon as the set is over).
So, who is controlling your radio? A very strange, little man if you listen to one of the older stations in town. I hope the new station that came on the air last year is a sign of good things to come.
One last note: if you’ve seen this guy around town, you might notice that he isn’t burdened by bills at many establishments. This is because some of the advertising (excusez-moi, they refer to it as underwriting) is the result of ye old barter system. Equipment might be broken or malfunctioning, but lunch is on the house today!
That’s what I think of just one local station. What radio stations and DJs do you like? Which ones do you loathe? Is your tuner “locked” on one station, do you hop around a bit or have you given up on radio altogether and rely on your MP3 player for music?
Popularity: 3% [?]
Tagged as: Albemarle County, Charlottesville, Music, Rumors
First off, good job Upstart for your ability to keep this as truthful as possible without becoming libelous. I will try to follow suit.
I”ve heard stories over the years from various anonymous people that this station, like many nonprofits that grow organically over the years, is infested with unprofessional attitudes, disrespectful behavior, and is just not a good place to work. At least, that’s the conclusion I’ve drawn from various stories I’ve heard over the years.
And the overall paranoia and snottiness coupled with announcers who stumble and muff words and ramble on for ages makes the place laughable. Which is sad, as it has so much potential.
I like WTJU for their crazy, eclectic programming (the Show SHow! for instance! the oldy music on Tuesdays; the international jams!) but I wish they had a more set schedule and better trained announcers who didn’t all sound like they were depressed and about to fall asleep. It’s not good radio, that part.
I like the Corner, because I like the music. I feel like its directed to my age group. Not much of the winy-crass crap that passes for rock these days.
I like to listen to Kidd Kraddick in the Morning on 107.5 because it makes me laugh. A guilty pleasure.
I’m sick of the snotty condescension of the NPR stations. I wish we had a Pacifica station here.
I agree with your comments about TJU, maiaoming. It’s eclectic and interesting, but I sometimes wonder if they’re having any fun. I like The Corner, especially their local music sets. I wish they had a few specialty programs, though.
On the whole, though, I rely on streaming stations from other cities (I posted my favorites in the forum), downloading podcasts, and my own MP3s.
I stick to NPR. Every once in a blue moon I’ll see if WNRN has anything good on, but alas, it never does.
To the Upstart
You’re obviously either a volunteer, former volunteer, or close associate of one. You try to suggest you just noticed these things as a member of the public, but that’s clearly bullshit to someone who works at the station in question. So why don’t you grow a pair and own up to it, asshole.
Let’s be grown ups here.
No doubt.
Of course, Brave Little Toaster quite illustrates my point about the dysfunctional nature of that little world over there.
Upstart: yes, I stream a lot of things, too. I’m very picky (obviously). But sometimes it’s nice to listen to something and be surprised - the problem with self-picked music/podcasts is that you screen out things - which is great but sometimes very limiting…
The information would remain the same if I included its source, so I see no point in revealing it. As maiaoming commented, stories of the happenings at the station about which I wrote have been floating around for years.
As a regular WNRN listener with closer-than-average ties (been to the studio a few times) I see what you’re getting at. I’d almost question your preoccupation with this individual’s hang-ups (and their questionable relevance to the station’s overall programming quality), but then I remember this is a blog and that no level of urgency or importance should really be assumed. But I’m led to wonder if this source material (read: you) has a good enough grasp on what it takes to run a gaggle of volunteers that are in and out all hours of the night. Maybe tossing up a few signs is really just the best way to do it sometimes.
Now to another matter: if the WNRN counter-advertising is to be believed and The Corner is in fact a corporate station masquerading as local, methinks it worthwhile to take a closer look at the future that might represent for traditional “big” radio. As Top-40 becomes less and less dependent on the FM airwaves for its exposure and promotion, an evolution towards this kind of programming might be iminent, an evolution I find exciting and a prime example of at least one facet of the music industry’s ability to adapt with the advancement of the civilized world. An evolution that, God willing, may allow for a little peaceful coexistence with the competition.
Lastly: let’s take it a little easy on the short bird-like man, shall we? If only because the shorts he wears to Gold’s are amusing.
Upstart, you obviously had an unpleasant volunteering experience at NRN, and I’m sorry to hear that. But I would like to say that there are plenty of us who pour lots of effort and time and love into that place, and you’re misrepresenting it a bit. If it were as bad as you make it sound, I don’t think I’d be in my 7th year of volunteering there, or devoting so many hours of my time a week to it, or spending so much time and effort planning for its future. Yeah, we’ve got some eccentricity on display. Without outing my two other [unrelated] work places, I’d have to say they’re no different.
Without divulging my opinions on the other station on the table, I will at least answer Marshall’s question: The Corner is owned by Saga Communications, a major national radio company that specializes in college markets. They attempt to duplicate the sound of their flagship station, WRSI with these stations. [Incidentally, I don’t want to be misleading by calling it their flagship–WRSI was an independent station before they bought it–they didn’t start it. I just mean that it’s the most successful and famous of their stations in the “different is good” format]. Saga’s moniker that they use in Charlottesville is the “Charlottesville Radio Group”; but that’s all it is (a moniker). I’m not saying “corporate radio is bad, mmkay.” It just is what it is.
So, anyhow, I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy your time at NRN, but I think it’d be a shame if you dissuaded other people from volunteering there. I fucking love it there, which is why I’ve made it such an important part of my life, and I’d be happy to train anyone else who wanted to find out why.
WNRN is a godsend in a lot of ways, but I do think they are over-reacting when they say the Corner is out to get them. It’s a shame they have a paranoid streak, but true visionaries in this community tend to have those for some reason. Look what happened to Fred Boyce of the Prism. WNRN has many strengths - most notably that they have matured into a station that reaches all across Central Virginia. They likely need a really good retreat and someone to give them perspective about the great job they’ve done in the past ten years.
Marshall’s comments are spot-on. But, I am glad we have a site like cvillain to talk about these things. One thing about being in a Southern culture is that you tend not to say what you really think. I for one like the venting here. People deserve to say what they think, and these comment sections are a great way to carry on the discussion. I’d use your forums, but I don’t have enough time. For me, the comments ARE the forums!
Ocarina, we really appreciate your comments
Ronda - your comments about CRG are not accurate. Saga purchased Eure communications in 2004. Eure owns WINA, 3WV and Z95, and does not yet own 106.1 - I believe they are operating it under a joint agreement for now. Eure owned those stations for a very long time, and they still retain a great deal of local identity.
Why is competition bad? Competition should force your station do a better job of delivering its core service - providing music to people. A look at your two websites clearly shows that the Corner is thinking of itself as much more than just a radio station. They provide a great deal of interactivity, and the local identity clearly extends to their website, which seems to be updated daily. They are trying to build a brand, the same way WNRN has built a very successful brand. WNRN (and other local public radio stations) has got to do more than maintain the status quo. I am certain there is more than enough room for both stations.
I didn’t say that it was.
But Marshall asked if the station was owned locally, and I answered him that it’s not. According to their Wikipedia page: “WCNR is owned by Saga Communications as Force 5 Communications sold the signal in late 2006.” I do understand Wikipedia may at times be inaccurate. Saga Communications is based in Michigan. I am sure that many people, perhaps most people, don’t care one way or another. Marshall seemed to, though [unless I was misunderstanding him].
part of my post got left off. I began by quoting Ocarina Man’s “Why is competition bad?” Hence the seeming non-sequitur.
I flip back and forth between the two. Sometimes, I want two turntables and a microphone. And sometimes, I want to hear a little diddy about Jack and Diane. This is why I’m hot.
I have minimal knowledge of radio stations, but I do know that hosting the last letter game has got to suck. How do you find a nice way to say, “Thanks for your call, but not only is your ‘E’ song featured on VH-1’s worst songs of 1987 show, it also ends in another ‘E.’ This is how it could have all started with Imus.” I love this show. I can’t wait for this station to do online streaming.
Kudos to the other station for online streaming. I love all of the Sunday programming in particular, with the exception of 11am-noon. To quote the local cab bumpers, if it goes without saying, let it.
Can I point to the purple elephant? At least neither are Clear Channel.
I love the ability to talk about this, too. I know that if it were MY station getting this kind of feedback, though - anonymous or not - I would investigate what was happening in the organization’s treatment of its volunteers to generate this kind of response.
I’m glad Ronda’s had such a great experience; but all of us have worked at jobs where, for whatever reason, it sucks for some and is fine for others. A place like this that relies so much on volunteer efforts should find it absolutely CRUCIAL to keep up good relations with the public and with its volunteer staff. Word of mouth can kill the ability of a place to get quality help. And what it sounds like to me is that the paid employees in this place have priorities that make some volunteers - I’m guessing ones not hosting radio shows? - feel that they are not valued.
That’s a shame.
Well, if Upstart is who I think she is, I heard her on the air once while I was driving around, and called her to tell her she was doing a good job and had a great voice for radio. So I’m genuinely sorry she had a bad experience with us, and I wish I could have done more to improve it. But I am not Wonder Woman, and I think I speak for most of my friends at the station when I say we’re all working about as hard as we can. It is fun and rewarding, but it’s also demanding and time-consuming. Please don’t jump to conclusions about over-worked, under-paid employees you don’t know.
i wouldn’t generalize about paid staff based on one or two. some staff members are not only well aware of these issues, but are doing what they can to address them.
Another fringe person, here, who has had higher than average ability to see what goes on behind the scenes at the station in question. I’ve been able to sit in during shows with DJ friends (all of whom seemed to quite enjoy what they were doing). I know the bird-like man. And “quirky” is probably the tip of the iceberg, there. But the point remains that he created a local station where DJ’s know their stuff and where jarring beer ads won’t play more often than the music. They provide a wonderful opportunity to virtually anyone who wants to try his or her hand at DJ’ing over there. Or reading the news. Training included. Over the years, any place of employment (or volunteering) will serve up a less than desireable experience to a number of people. The odds dictate that. But my own personal experience has been that the volunteers are good eggs. They volunteer because they love music. They enjoy a station not so completely wedded to a playlist that pulling out the obscure gem, now and again, is allowable and appreciated. And few take the bird-like man as seriously as you seem to. Most just giggle and get back to having fun debuting new music, before it hits mainstream, or delving into the vault of lost favorites no one else still explores. I’m sorry you had a bad experience. It will happen anywhere, to a certain percentage of people. Not everyone has had your experience.
In this whole little banter abour what we all know what its about I don’t see why upstart doesn’t own up and get a pair to quote a phrase:)
I’m a big NPR listener and Ipod for the record. I’ve also had some issues with the NRN fundraiser and there music selection
Brake
In few years we will see a result
I like the Grateful Dead and Phriends show on Saturday mornings from 9-12. That guy must be stoned!!! Keep up the good work WNRN!
The Hook has a related story this week.
Upstart - I’m surprised that they didn’t talk about this article. This one had quite the bit of controversy.
“One last note: if you’ve seen this guy around town, you might notice that he isn’t burdened by bills at many establishments. This is because some of the advertising (excusez-moi, they refer to it as underwriting) is the result of ye old barter system. Equipment might be broken or malfunctioning, but lunch is on the house today!”
If that’s true it’s…let’s see…what is the word I’m looking for? Oh yeah - illegal. As hell. The FCC allows community radio licenses (typically at a seriously reduced rate) to encourage radio to provide a community service. They have extremely specific and strict regulations about how the underwriting has to be handled and accounted for. they have equally specific guidelines about who can benefit from said underwriting, and how. I’m willing to bet that free lunches for the “owner” isn’t anywhere to be found within those guidelines.