“The radio business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There’s also a negative side.” — Hunter S. Thompson

I have known for some time that Larry & Willy were out at JACK FM but out of respect for the two men and the radio station I held back. It would have jeopardized their contract situation. Now that it is resolved we must understand that radio is a business.

The owners look upon each outlet as a commodity to bring greater returns for shareholders. Therefore, ratings and sales are unimportant. It is the shareholders who must be satisfied. Many think radio stations live for the ratings results, but the truth is they only worry about the returns for the next quarter. It is still a highly profitable game but for how long? Take away programming and personalities and what do you have?

Vanilla.

Unfortunately, no matter which radio station you go to the biggest earners on the air are the first out the door to save the bottom line for the next quarter’s results. Have you wondered why you haven’t heard any new personalities on radio in the past decade? This is the reason.

To the managers who carry out orders from their masters in Toronto, thanks for all this. In my opinion there are no local radio station managers in this market, only caretakers. When the call comes from corporate headquarters, that is when they go for the axe. To be fair, this is the only way they can keep their jobs.

Yes, the personalities suffer but we, the audience, suffer more. Good luck to Larry & Willy… and thanks for so many great years of entertainment!