So. as i prepare to pack it in for the night there might be a little rant here - but maybe not. Who knows. Ive been starring at a computer screen for weeks and months on end preparing for today - so you never know where this might go. First - for those that thought a) i got fired, b) i dropped dead or c) thought i left the country (no pun intended) for the last several weeks - thank you for your concern - and i really apologize for not getting back to you if i havent. I was either too busy - or too tired of hiding a secret. Thanks for sticking it out - and thanks for the ooooh THATS what was going on messages. For those that hoped for one of the above to be true - sorry to disappoint - youre stuck with me. Second. I was really really lucky to be part of a plan for the last several months preparing for today. You see, in radio - this doesnt happen all the time. And this being - the staff gets to stay. Format changes on a radio station are a really, really big deal. Not only does it take months to prepare for - often times - its done from scratch meaning new people and new music. I was very fortunate - as were my colleagues that were all still in the same place. So not only am i fortunate today - but i dont think there are many, if any, morning radio announcers that are lucky enough to say they have worked in 3 formats in less than a year with the same company. Im lucky. I know that. And i feel very very fortunate. For the last few months ive had the opportunity to work on something that only very few knew about. That number grew over the last 2 weeks - but i got to work with some great people on a big secret and by some crazy luck - it stayed that way. Thats not only exciting - but at the same time - exhausting. I tried not to lie - but - it probably happened a few times. Theres a reason these things are secrets - and that reason proved its value today. Shock and awe? Crushing? Jubilation? All of the above and then some. Again - im pretty lucky to be a part of it from the beginning - and even luckier to hit the button today. About 8 years ago - i was fortunate to push the button to launch The Giant - another secret - another exciting time. Today - i was fortunate to also hit its last song. Classic Rock has a shelf life - after several years the novelty wears off and the classics get tired. Then when it changed a little to greatest hits - the same thing held true. But boy - did i love the last 8 months. I think i may have taken years off the lives of the speakers in the control room because i truly got to play some of my favourite music of all time - Fortunate? Very. But that too runs its course. At the end of the day - Radio is a business. We have jobs because you buy products from people that advertise with us. Its that simple. Business decisions are made based on that - and for those that understand the business - they know that too. Which brings us to today....at 12 noon. I cant decide if Im surprised by the reaction about the station or not. To be honest - some of us have been so heavily invested in that flip of the switch at noon today - that we havent really had a chance to take it all in. In the meantime - throughout the day - people are turning on their radios for the first time, knowing nothing of the change and feeling one of 3 things. 1) OMG WTF IS THAT..... 2) OMG I LOVE THIS SONG.......3) Eeek Country - lets give it a shot. Regardless of which of those 3 were your reaction - i dont take it personally. And neither will my colleagues. Those that know me know that if the boss walked in and said Ongaro youre hosting a polka show starting Monday - id probably say....Cool! Can i find someone to play the tuba?? I live for this business - i love what i do and the people i work with - and i get paid for all of that. Fortunate? Very. There are few jobs that are better than this one. So its ok if you dont like country. I havent worked in country radio in almost 20 yrs. I liked the music then - i like it more now. Its ok if you dont. If you dont, save yourself the trouble of the cowboy hat and belt buckle jokes - cause - ive kinda heard them all today. Seriously do yourself a favour and give it a listen and try to listen without the stereotype you have in your head about it. Its a proven, and recorded fact - that this is the most popular music format in North America - by a mile. Dont buy it? Look it up. I did. The best messages i got today from the people that have said - im not a fan of country but like you in the morning - Truly honoured by that. And really excited about the the new morning show that im part of. We wont disappoint. At the end of the day - were not saving lives - were making noise on a radio. If your heart is broken - thats ok, im sure youll be fine because its not the first time this has happened, and im willing to bet its not the only time this year its going to happen somewhere in this market (no, not us - were fine). In the meantime - take a deep breath and relax. If youre one of the ones that are snickering about it. Well get back to you on that. Get it out of your system. Thanks for the support and understanding if youve been ignored over the past while. Thanks for the countless messages and texts today. Some not so pretty but i dont think my friend list has shrunk. Its a good day. It was a very exciting and fun day. And starting Monday when the damn alarm starts going off at 3:15am instead of 3:45am - ill kick myself in the ass for agreeing to a 530am show start. Just kidding. Sorta. Until then - heres to another new beginning. (oh! One more thing. Like our page if you havent already. Wed appreciate the help. Weve got asses to kick with it) https://facebook/country1053
Posted on: Sat, 29 Mar 2014 03:45:34 +0000
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