excerpt from Jim O’Neal’s draft, Radio Daze:
Certain topics were considered taboo in the dark ages when I started my career. No, I don’t mean the obvious: George Carlin’s Seven Dirty Words or lewd conduct. Rather, the things you could say on-the-air that would get you fired. For example: sly digs pointed at management or, even God forbid, toward advertisers.
Howard Stern changed all that. Although not in reality; most of us working deejays could never get away with the things he’s done. Those similarly situated as Mr. Stern seem untouchable until the money runs out.
At 24 I was cocky. I felt indestructible like the considerably more high profile Stern. Unlike my example I had neither the talent nor the Teflon armor he had. Near the end arrogant, although subtle jabs at management (on-air and off), reached their peak. As a result, a mutual heated discussion boiled over into a permanent separation. Jim O’Neal had yet to learn not to cross he who signs the checks. Just smile and say, “Yes, sir.” Humble pie, anyone?
Two years later I called wanting back my job. My former 17 year old protégé answered. Her dad, along with local investors, had bought the station from the old man. The new owners wanted nothing to do with me. As the old program director I had made her my doormat. Little did I know of how drastically our roles would flip. The career never recovered. Karma is, well…too hot for radio.
Stay tuned
©2011 Neal Rhoden. All rights reserved.
