Monday, November 30, 2009

DL Hughley FINALLY Says Something Hilarious!

Taken from RadioInfo.Com

The comedian took on the “Kiss 98.7” morning role only this Summer. But just about 10 days ago (November 19) he dropped in on the syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show, hinting that while Tom may be “getting paid” to work, D.L. isn’t. Hughley jokes that he’s been doing a movie to make money, because radio wasn’t paying him. Last week he was on vacation from WRKS, with Boyz II Men hosting. But he’s back today – and this T-R-I Newsletter suspects the folks at WRKS owner Emmis will be listening extra-hard to see just what he says on the air.

Oh-No-he-didn't

This C list, UNFUNNY negro was HANDED a morning show on a platinum platter - with NO radio experience - in the # 1 RADIO MARKET - and he's over there on the TJMS talking smack about not getting paid? Whoooooo Lawdy. I can GUARANTEE that his salary is more than what most EXPERIENCED personalities are getting paid now days and his ungrateful azz is on a syndicated radio program trying to be slick at the mouth?? Wow. Furthermore, has he been in the seat 6 months yet? Has he shown and proven himself to be a force to be reckoned with in NY morning radio and therefore is DESERVING of a big fat pay increase?

Just imagine for a split second what would happen to my black azz if I got on a national stage talking crap about my employer and my pay scale. I would have been standing on the unemployment line like THAT SAME DAY.

I can't help but wonder about how hard DL works prior to each airshift. Does he come in an hour or two early to prep? Does he pick up a newspaper to see what's going on in that big ole' city of New York? Does he bring fresh, innovative ideas to the table? Does he personally answer text messages & e-mails from listeners? Does he have a facebook or twitter page? Does he blog? Does he upload a few video every now and then to YouTube in a effort to generate a little interest about himself, his co- hosts or the radio station even? Does he know when ratings are published and is he eager to find out how he's doing so that he can make improvements where necessary? Does he even KNOW what PPM is? Does he make a conscious effort to do something that his competition Steve Harvey CAN'T do....which is BE LOCAL? Does he meet with the PD for aircheck sessions on a weekly basis? Does this negro know ANYTHING about doing a compelling morning show?

Probably not. Just give him a couple of millions of dollars for basically SUCKING. That's all.

Emmis Communications - -I truly believe you guys deserve each other. This is what y'all get for hiring this fool. I hope he continues on this rampage...and I hope it spills over onto the WRKS airwaves.


PS- My production friend tells me that when Boys II Men sat in last week, it wasn't even live. The whole thing was prerecorded. They sat there for a few days, talked about having Spam for Thanksgiving and played Boys II Men songs all morning. THIS is what radio has turned into. Amazing.

PPS- I'm going for an interview tomorrow for a job that pays $10.00 an hour. Reminder: I used to make $4,000 every two weeks. Wish me luck.

Friday, November 27, 2009

What Charlamagne Tha God Won't/Can't Tell You....


I wrote the following the same evening I heard about the Beanie Sigel interview:

"Dear Charlamagne:

I like you. I've never met you..but I like you. I didn't listen to your show regularly, but I know enough about you to like you. I admire you for being a personality who thinks OUTSIDE the box. I view you as being controversial...but not in a forced kind of way. You're a little obnoxious, but I still like you. Why? Because you ENGAGE the listener. You get it. You HAVE to give the listener a little more than the temperature and a liner in order to compete.

I checked on your well being regularly because knowing your R Kelly's boyfriend aka your former boss, the way that I do, I found it hard to believe that everything was honky dory every morning when you got off the air. In fact, after this 30 minute interview with Beans, I thought I heard ERCS screaming in his office all the way on the west coast."

On or around September 9th, about a month or so BEFORE Charlemagne was terminated at THE BEAT in Philly, I blogged the following:

Charlamagne Tha God has been doing exceptionally well @ 100.3 in Philly. A part of me can't help to wonder if Elroy is in his office pulling his hair out. (figuratively speaking, that is) Elroy likes manufactured, feel good, corny azz radio personalities that he can control. (hence the Miss Jones' firing) Tha God doesn't seem like "that dude". Elroy also will secretly wish death to anyone who says anything negative about his boyfriend, R Kelly. This will be interesting to watch. *sidebar* - Elroy...you can kiss my ass too. I'm thinking about writing a book about what a fraud you are.


You see, I knew Elroy wouldn't be able to last long. I.KNEW.IT.

C Tha God was not your typical radio personality. He was different. He knows and truly understands the importance of utilizing technology as it relates to keeping the listener ENGAGED. Even when I'm sure Elroy didn't exactly get it...and his bosses boss didn't understand....CHARLAMAGNE got it. In the few months that he graced the Philly airwaves, he made a TREMENDOUS connection with his listeners...and he did this not only through the traditional airwaves...but through the use of YouTube & Twitter. In fact, he was so good at it....until he easily drew attention and quickly gained notoriety among a ton of popular blogs and various print publications. He became popular really quick. Charlamagne knew how to push the envelope. He was the type of radio cat that you may talk trash about because of his on air persona....but you couldn't stop listening. He was good. He was DAMN good. So while the internets was buzzing about C's firing, assuming that Beanie Sigel had something to do with it, I knew in my heart what really happened. Since the radio world refuses to say anything anti-Elroy, I'll go ahead and break it down. Elroy is a bitch. He couldn't control C...and so C had to go. I am so serious. By the way, did he try to change your name when he first hired you like he did to "Beyonce Foxx" & "S Dot Carter" back in Chicago a few years ago? (more true examples of the Smith dictatorship)

If you're reading this and you are a part of the radio industry - - you already know. Stop fooling yourself. Elroy is a serious, SERIOUS media whore and a control freak. He would give up BOTH of his kidneys at the opportunity to be on the cover of somebody's industry trade. When celebrities come to the station and you would prepare to take a picture with them, he would literally jump in front of you and destroy the whole moment. By the time you get off the air, that picture is already on the homepage of Urban Insite & All Access. Always trying to steal the little bit of spotlight. He suffers from a condition called, Jackass-itis. Don't believe me? Watch this vid:






(*I think I just threw up a little bit in my mouth*)
Brand new morning show @ The Beat...and Elroy couldn't even let poor Charlamagne do a little intro video for the listeners alone.

And so....as I watched Charlamagne quickly grow....I knew that it wouldn't last. I too was independent and creative...and I didn't last either. I remember asking Elroy if I could incorporate certain elements into my show...and he downright refused. Why? I may have turned into a Charlamagne...that's why. Miss Jones didn't last 5 minutes with Elroy either. And if C expects to get another radio job, his best bet is to maintain his composure, refrain from bitch slapping Elroy and bow out and exit gracefully....which he did. Good for you.

Listen up Program Directors out there. You really need to stop resisting creative radio personalities. Try to learn about this little phenomenon called social networking and it's impact on the radio experience. Stop trying to tell artists how to paint. You will lose.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

When Will This Shit End?????

I honestly didn't want this blog to be a continuous whine-fest...so I've been avoiding it. I do have a couple of things to get off my chest...so here we go.

I didn't want to come in here. My situation hasn't changed....and I simply don't know what to do. I really think I'm suffering from depression. I have all the signs. I don't sleep. I've gained weight. I cry uncontrollably. I don't drink...but I think I may raid my mother's liquor closet to ease my non stop pain. I actually didn't pay my rent last month. I told my landlord that I need to use my security deposit for rent. He was very understanding. I actually had to call the corporate office of my part time gig and DEMAND that they send my check. Only God knows why they had decided to withhold my check.

I want to move to a smaller apartment...but I'm afraid that I my part time gig could dissolve at any moment...and then I'd REALLY be up shit's creek.

I spent 5 years strengthening my credit...and now it's about to be fucked up again before I'm literally living off my credit cards...and I can't afford to pay them.

I received an e-mail yesterday:

Dear XXX,

Thank you for taking the time to apply and/or interview with Sirius XM Radio back in March 2009. We regret to inform you that the Receptionist position for which you applied is now filled.

Sirius XM's staffing needs continuously change. We will retain your information in our recruitment database so please continue to look through our open positions for future opportunities.

Due to the large volume of candidates we receive, we will be unable to personally respond to replies to this email. If you would like to check your status for any other position you have applied for, feel free to visit our careers page at http://careers.xmradio.com.

We appreciate your interest in Sirius XM and wish you continued success in your professional endeavors.

Sincerely,

Sirius XM Radio Recruitment Department


I'm thinking about sending them an e-mail back.


Dear XM:


So nice of you to e-mail me about the position that I applied for back in March 2009.


Fuck You.


Sincerely,


The Radio Chick.



Radio colleague Mark Raymond passed away recently. I never met him...buy my heart literally broke when I learned of the news. I read the following on another industry blog and I felt compelled to share:

"...I think Mark Raymond died of a Broken Heart, not by some fine chick from Alabama where he was living and was once the PD of a Huntsville Urban AC , but by the business of radio that he spent most of his life in.

I remember a few years ago Mark wrote something about him getting out the business for ever and how he was frustrated by aolt of the things that were going on and shortly after that he got the PD position in Huntville.

I worked with Mark at the first station I ever worked and he and Chris Turner were PD and Assistant PD and they gave me my first fulltime job in radio at WGIV Charlotte. We were a struggling AM at that time and we were trying to stay afloat while the new FM at that time WPEG was emerging.


Mark, who was from Trenton, NJ and me from Philly were good friends and we both had big dreams of working in big markets, making alot of money and enjoy the life of radio business that we both loved. We often debated over who was the better station WBLS or WDAS. With Mark living in Trenton he heard both stations while I was very partial toward WDAS FM.
Mark left the station to be PD at WERD in Jacksonville, with Chris Turner and they wanted me to come, but I had a new born daughter and didnt want to move at time. I loss track of Mark for a few years and then he called me after hearing me somewhere in he told me that he was out of the radio business and working for Circuit City in the Winston Salem area. He later got back in the business that he loved, radio.

Mark, like me and others have spent almost our entire lives doing this radio thing in small towns like Winston-Salem, Sumter, Huntsville and other towns paying the socalled dues and dreaming of bigger markets and bigger things.

Mark never made it to WBLS like he always talked about but he did what he loved. He was a good kat who was serious about the business and I hope he was fullfilled.
I worked with some good kats and Mark was one of the good ones, and I just wanted to say that cause I havent seen anyone comment on him. Even though he wasnt one of those so called bigtime over hyped PDs or syndicated hotshot, I know he was a real black radio guy who worked in the trenches for little money , little hype, and he deserves his due."

RIP Mark. I honestly know how you felt. God give me strength.

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