WVKO's WEB SITE IS UP...sort of

[xianbroadcaster]

I met Gary Richards several years ago when I would listen to The Light and he was working for them broadcasting high school sports.

I wish him nothing but the very best success as he seemed like such a very nice man and very passionate about what he was doing (high school sports)...I don't recall ever hearing him on The Light or any other Christian music station but I believe he was at CD101 when I used to listen to it years and years ago.

I hope WVKO does well with its intended market.

[GR]

Personally I would had wait for the Starguide boxes and a satellite dish then launch with an internet feed

Would you, now? Time to clarify a few things:

The Starguide boxes and dish were already there. But the station is in a storefront downtown, and a building is blocking the path to the AMC 8 bird - an unforseen and unfortunate complication. There is no easy solution, so there is no choice for now but to air an internet feed.

There was no time to get "everything right" before launch. An opportunity suddenly arose to LMA the station, and the format was rushed onto the air because it had to be. You can't sell a station that isn't on the air.

Sloppy ID insertions and breaks? Just bad radio? Agreed. Consider a staff of basically one - no PD, no OM, just a couple of neophyte volunteers and a guy who put his life savings on the line to chase a dream. With the clock ticking and another large rent payment looming, he's got better things to do than nurse the board - like trying to sell some spots. Oh, and with a sick 19 month old and sick wife at home, to boot.

Why don't you know-it-alls try doing something like that and see how easy it is?

[bwilliam614]

Hey GR I think it's time to take some prozak lighten up a little.

[xmusicmatt]

Oh, and with a sick 19 month old and sick wife at home, to boot.

My thoughts and prayers are with your family that their able to get well soon.   

[del_griffith]

Hey GR.  Appreicate what you've done.  I'm not a fan in general of lib talk radio, but I do listen to hear the "other side" of the debate. 

One thing I would suggest is to get some thick skin.  Yes, you do have some and have run into some unfortunate events.  They aren't fun and I know you're working hard to keep things together with shoestrings and baling wire.  But, as we all know, if this thing had launched without a hitch, you'd be sitting back with your thumbs under your suspenders and taking the kudos.  Well, the launch didn't happen that way.  If you're willing to take the glory, be willing to take the spears.  But to lash out to those who have taken issue with the issues you are having doesn't cut the cake and solve your problems. 

First of all, you signed up for the trip.  You get to wear the T-shirt.  Whether this is ultimately  a success or failure is on your shoulders.  There are many things working against you.  Lack of a good feed, an automation system that is probably is able to  run since it's not getting the proper switch tones through an internet feed.  Small beginning revenue stream and bills to pay.  No staff. But lashing out at some folks who have been critical of the launch as being nobodies because they aren't doing it isn't a sign of business savvy.  Maybe reaching out for some assistance from some of these folks to join your mission and cause might yield some out of the box answers and solutions.  Using your rationale, Ed Schultz shouldn't be ranting about how Bush is running the government cause he hasn't attempted to do it.  Face it, those in a leadership position open themselves to the Monday morning quarterbacks and pundits.  There will always be critics.  And many times, there are great elements of truth in their rants.  Glean through their rants and take the pertinent information and forget the rest. 

Second, even when all the above comes together, you have a problem with a limited signal.  I live in SE Cols.  From downtown to my home, the night signal is spotty.  It drops, has ingress from other stations and all the usual problems from a low power high frequency AM station in a night situation.  In a word....it sucks.  But night also means that morning drive is impacted for a good part of the year also.  While there isn't much you can probably do about it, it's just another limitation to be dealt with on a forever and ongoing basis.  Maybe with a fuller spectrum audio feed, you may be able to become loud enough to overcome some of this.

Finally, you have the ability to sell ice cubes to Eskimos on a frozen night.  I've heard some of the most unlikely advertisers through the years with the spots you've sold for the programs you do.  Leverage that ability to greatness. 



       

[jakej]

   Hey, I just think it's great that the guy posts on this board. I wish more of our local radio execs did. Best of luck to you, Gary.

[LocalGuy]

...just a couple of neophyte volunteers...

Is that legal?  Methinks not.

[CBusDave]

...just a couple of neophyte volunteers...

Is that legal?  Methinks not.

How is it not legal? Just wondering. If someone wants to donate their time to a company, why couldn't they?