RADIO LIVES MATTER (Too)
Every time I read of the passing of one of our Radio legends or Icons such as Gary Owens,
George Wilson or a Casey Kasem, I often think about who will come along to take their
place. No one can replace their respective talents, but who will at least try to rise to their
level? Unlike other entertainment professions-Acting, Singing, Comedy etc.; Radio has
no "Farm Team", no outlet anymore where one can learn, make mistakes, or hone one's
ability to get better. Many years ago when "Movies" became the rage, I remember people
used to wonder what would become of the Vaudeville performer. Well, Radio appeared to
put many of them to work, and many of those went on to star in another "vaudeville"
- Television.
In my day ( '50's, '60's & '70's) there were plenty of smaller market"mom and pop" owned
radio stations where one could get started in a broadcast career.
Since Deregulation, the allowing the massing of hundreds of stations under central control of
one owner, there is limited opportunity for anyone to advance as an on air talent. There is no
Triple A "Farm Team" to go to. I see no talent pool of Radio lives to pull from who are trained
in this special form of communication....who possess the fundamental elements to succeed.
Radio, much like our Federal government, is diminishing personal achievement through
centralization of power OVER people. I see a steady erosion of an individual's pursuit of
The American Dream. Or even one's dream of a career in Radio. In the not to distant future,
I see the "Euthanasia" of Radio and it's people, due largely from "Bottom Liners" in the
corporate ownership of broadcast properties, who see "talent" as an expense rather than an
asset. These are the same people who control an individual's pursuit of happiness. In recent
months there have been mass "layoffs" and firings...and no replacements in sight. I doubt if
the last Dinosaur knew when it died that it's species was now extinct. I hope it's not too late to
help save another potential extinction that's now occurring in American Radio.
That's MY RadiOpinion....what's yours? - Gary Allyn
