Radio Legend Silenced

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: Radio Legend Silenced : Story Created: Dec 6, 2008 at 9:05 AM CST : by Phil Cianciola : "The Biggest Name in Milwaukee Radio" : This is going to be a long post for two reasons. First and foremost because this is something I am passionate about. And secondly, well, I've got some time to kill before I go out snow-blowing (oh joy of freakin' joys). : A radio legend was silenced Friday morning in Chicago, when "The Stever", Steve Dahl told his JACK-FM listeners that this would be his last show. : I took the news hard. See, I had recently found Steve again after being a huge fan back in the days of Steve & Garry on the LOOP, AM 1000 in Chicago. I LOVED those guys together. Quick story--when I worked a wacky morning show with Don Vogel, who was a Chicago personality himself, I remember being at his wedding. His bride's family was from the Chicago area, and when I met his new mother-in-law (a listener of our show at the time) she said to me, "You two are so funny. You remind me of Garry from Steve and Garry." Well, that was a huge compliment to me. (If Dahl reads this I would assume he's rolling his eyes right now ) : I think Dahl is one of those "love him or hate him" kinda guys. Too often I think people hear that name and only think of the infamous Disco Demolition radio stunt. The Stever is so much more than that. I love him, and listened to his podcasts almost every day to keep myself grounded and in touch with the kind of radio I believe in. REAL RADIO. REAL PEOPLE. REAL LIFE. That's where I get passionate, because this business has been all I have known and loved since I was a kid and I believe that's how radio should be done. : It's the kind of radio I try to do every afternoon on WTMJ, and I am thankful there is still a mega station around that allows me to do so. : Radio, good radio, is about a connection between people, a connection that can never be replaced by music, the Internet or computer programs running stations with research being plugged into them. No, the magic of radio goes back to its roots, when people gathered around the big radio to listen instead of watch. : The power of radio lies in the relationship built over the air day after day, week after week. You the listener feel like you get to know your favorite person on the radio, and we in turn feed off knowing that fact. It's local talk magic and it's what I hope to God never fades away from my beloved radio. : If you read my personal bio on this radio station's web site you'll see a quote from me about a listener I met a few years ago while on a remote. That's a true story, and every time I get down about what's going on in the industry or frustrated by yet another stupid memo from management (every air talent gets them and knows what I am talking about) I remind myself of the brief conversation I had with that man at the remote that day. I remind myself that what he said is the reason I do what I do for a living instead of going out and getting a real job. What he said is why I am so passionate about radio that's personality oriented. I'm passionate about that bond we share. : Steve Dahl will be fine. He's going to get paid for NOT working there for a while since he had a contract that said so. I'm not worried about Stever. I DO hope he turns up somewhere soon though. I mean, come on, how will I get through my day not knowing what problems he had at the Blackhawks game or what he over-ate for dinner last night. His tips on prime rib at a buffet...priceless! : I AM worried about the business I so love and have been a part of for 30 years now, since the first day I started college at UWM in 1978. I worry that all that matters is a bottom line right now in a weak economy, a short-sighted approach in the industry that's troubling. It's something I guess J/S media critic (is that his title really?) Tim Cuprisin was getting at in his column today when he wrote of Dahl's departure: : "In an effort to cut costs--a move sped up by the worsening economy--radio's dropping the personalities who connect it to the audience. The short-term benefit can't help the longtime health of the radio biz" : I would agree. Not simply because I am, indeed, one of those personalities, but because whether or or not it's me or Steve Dahl, or Charlie Sykes or Rush Limbaugh I believe in the magic of that connection we all bring. The human touch. I hope it never, ever leaves the public airwaves and is never reduced to some jock screaming out a lame joke between U2 and Def Leppard songs. : Radio is so much more than some new-fangled people meters feeding ratings numbers to guys in suits who make decisions about what we are able to hear over the airwaves. And I for one plan on making radio magic for a long time right here in my hometown at WTMJ Radio, where they not only allow us to still do creative, fun radio but have shown that it can work for them in the business world as well. : If you too feel to any degree about how I feel about this relationship, you need to let management know. You need to pay attention to the sponsors of our shows...give your business to our advertisers. Every little bit helps. If part of your day includes listening to John and Gene every morning as you drive to work...or maybe it's the brain food of the issues of the day from Wagner or Sykes...or maybe it's the comfort of some goofy thing Jon and I are talking about during your drive home...or maybe it's sounding off yourself about the Packers with Michaels on his show...don't take that for granted. We need, together, to keep it alive and well into the future. : Jesus, it's still snowing even after writing this novelette. Looks like this could be a two-blow day!

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