I KNEW EXACTLY what I wanted to do for a living when I was 4 years old growing up in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. When I was a freshman in high school, a board op job fell in my lap (right place, right time). I ran the board for Traliblazer, Seahawks, and Oregon games at my station as well as producing local high school sports broadcasts. That was the COOLEST job a young high schooler could have and it was all mine! Now I call local high school football, basketball, and baseball in a different location of Oregon and I LOVE IT! I wish this could be my full-time gig but I won’t give it up until I’m forced out!
After seeing those 2 Open AI DJ sidekick videoes you made resently, I don't even think there's a future in writing scripts for AI jocks. That Open AI sounded to be ready to, and able to do it all by itself within a year or 2. Heck it will probably also do the playlists for the entire station.
Perhaps my optimism overtook my realism. :) You're right. It's scarily good now...give it 10 minutes. BUT, early on, I think it still needs some hand holding to insure "broadcast worthy" content. (Whatever that is anymore??)
Well in American economics it might sounds ridiculous but for me 300 USD a month for a 4 hours voice track shift 6 days a week sounds really good. I've always done radio "for free" on local and comunity station because those station only runs minimum commercial so can't operate while paying the hosts. But with this system you have to get a good team, otherwhise the project becomes less interesting. Where I'm from, only national radio presenters gets paid.
Omg I've been watching your channel since you kicked off your TH-cam channel in fact we emailed a bit about my company starting a station geared towards Cincinnati. Anyway this cast has to be the best WFKU bit I've heard you do. Since I've gotten older I don't care what other folks think if I blast them if they deserve it. Seriously that shit was funny, on Monday I'll have everyone in the office crying laughing cause we will toss this up on our wall monitor. Keep up the great work brother
I know this has nothing to do exactly with the video above but I just discovered your channel and my story is kinda the opposite of yours. I went into Internet Radio back in 2001 when I was told bluntly "Blind people can't succeed in rsdio. We (The state government) refuse to pay for that training and education for you" They did not see Social media coming into existence with stations actually needing to do it and have people coordinate and moderate it which I successfully did for almost ten years for Country music websites. So phooey on them. I bet you can imagine how crushed I was to be told what I was told. Keep up the great work
Thanks for sharing your story, Brian! The power of YOU always kicks the ass of THEIR limiting vision. Back in da day, I worked with a blind jock in Santa Barbara. I was impressed by his way around the board. Plus, he was a great jock. Keep rockin' that mic!
Ok now I have to wonder; For someone who really likes the sound of their own voice, loves people, loves their community in an average sized metropolitan area, what about all news stations, as compared to the Johnny Fever crowd?
Good question! In 2024, news/talk radio stations face different challenges compared to music stations. Both formats are struggling with audience fragmentation and competition from digital platforms like streaming services and podcasts, but the impact is more pronounced for news talk radio. To me, they need to prioritize localization & and a good digital presence. BUT, it's rough out there for all Radio Pimps!
I've personally been in the radio dj market for about a year fresh off the community college scene. Jobs that I've seen pay minimum wage. So I joined a start up internet radio company and the thing I hate is that all the money goes back to operations and not into my pocket. But you know, I love what I'm doing in pizazzed Voice Tracking and programming a Top 40 station, I've got enough money to cover for my losses, and my broadcasting dream are still coming true. Maybe someday, I can slip some AI into the show and to the station overall.
The world of radio just got a little tougher. Cumulus laid off a bunch of people this past week and iHeart did the same a couple weeks ago. Our industry is circling the bowl before going down the hole I am afraid. Makes me sad as it's only thing I've wanted to do and am now just a few years from retirement age.
Yeah, it's a rocky road. I just saw iHeart-less canned 22 of the news staff at their flagship AM here in LA, KFI. Brutal times, indeed. BUT, once you start your internet station, they can't touch you. As they continue to kill personality-driven radio, you can keep it alive online...without a pesky paycheck you need to waste time at the bank depositing. Win-win! 🤣
Is a god story Jeff and my guess is that voice tracking will never go away. Here in The Netherlands only the BIG commercial radio stations pay their morning crew a million Euros per year or more. The national public stations are paying their dj’s enormous figures of our taxpayers money. And the small local and inter local stations can’t pay anything or even less than that. They work with volunteers, they get a volunteer’s fee. And yes, these stations can only survive with help of voice track programs! I think that in a few decades there will be 60% less radio stations as we know them since the 50s or 60s. My children never listen to the “normal” radio, they listen to Spotify or other streaming providers. So let’s enjoy the stations while they are still here. Before you know…… they are gone 😢🥴
Wow, interesting perspective from The Netherlands. Sadly, it's true. The day will come when the FM band isn't as crowded. BUT, in some markets, I've seen underperforming stations change hands to foreign language programming. Some foreign govs actually pay a bundle to transmit content in their language. You could see more of that as traditional FMs start failing.
If you dont go for the cheap jobs - you will have no jobs - at all. And you dont earn any money. Voice over jobs are 60 words for 30 $ . If you ask for more - youre out of job.
Sadly true. Sites like Fiverr aren't helping, either. BUT, if you have a system to quickly knock out orders, at least it's a little extra $$. I found an incredible VO talent on that site for my station, XXX80s.com.
Absolutely the same here in Germany, not all stations but the most. And all of them are complaining about losing listeners (in total over decades..)😅 th-cam.com/users/clipUgkxJ-JOsrzyoIMo0D7g9KknMSTy9Ui7E1fV?si=UGcqdRAmTFed6_vT
The Buggles said that "video" killed the radio star but it was actually radio station automation software and voice tracking. THAT is what truly KILLED the "radio star". Kids today, don't even know what a "DJ" is (or was). I doubt there's a kid out there that even owns a "radio". Why would they have a "radio"? Their phone is their "radio". They don't listen to "radio", they listen to their Spotify playlists on their smartphones. Radio DJ Dude, you and I are relics of the past. Back in the day, It was a lot of fun, but our time in the sun has passed us by. Gramps Radio was started solely to promote conservative Republican politics and Republican candidates (AND because it was fun playing radio DJ again.) Gramps Radio will cease streaming after the November election. In my head, I'm hearing Peter Griffin say "Oh My GOD! WHO The Hell CARES!" I've read that about $400 to $500 a month is pretty standard pay for remote voice tracking a 5 hour shift, five days a week. If you spend no more than one hour, voice tracking each shift, (about 24 hours per month) that would come out to an hourly rate of about $16.67 to $20.83 per hour, pre-tax, gross wages. Something like that would be fine for someone looking to supplement their Social Security Retirement income. That would be US! :) Voice track "two" stations, working only two hours a day, Monday through Friday, and pick up an extra grand per month!
Aaah, ha! I'm going to see if one of those AI music creators can refresh that Buggles song to make it more accurate to today's reality. As for Social Security, not my reality for a while. BUT, if I were 67, and the shock therapy didn't work to eradicate my need for radio, then maybe I would consider $500/mo to track a show. NOT $300, though. I'll get back to you in 13 years. 🤣
@@RadioDJDude Wow! OK, you're really making me feel OLD, now! So, you're only 54!? A Young-un! I started drawing Social Security retirement at 65; I'm 68 now; 69 in a few months. I'm living proof that the radio bug never leaves you once it's in your blood! I agree, the $300.00 thing was ridiculous! Didn't mean to insult you, Radio DJ Dude... or should I say, youngster? Rock on!
@@grampsradio Ha! Takes more than that to insult me. 😀 Hey, I'll be there in no time. Until then, just enjoyin' the thrill ride. I love you're still creating...hope to do the same down the road.
I KNEW EXACTLY what I wanted to do for a living when I was 4 years old growing up in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. When I was a freshman in high school, a board op job fell in my lap (right place, right time). I ran the board for Traliblazer, Seahawks, and Oregon games at my station as well as producing local high school sports broadcasts. That was the COOLEST job a young high schooler could have and it was all mine!
Now I call local high school football, basketball, and baseball in a different location of Oregon and I LOVE IT! I wish this could be my full-time gig but I won’t give it up until I’m forced out!
Awesome to hear, Tom! Happy you're able to still rock that mic.
Call it like it is love it WFKU
Thanks!
Those call letters are gold... GOLD!
I was fortunate to have worked at 6 radio stations back in the 1970’s. My gosh, the fun we had! FCC deregulation killed the industry 😢
Yes, SO true! We were blessed with good timing. At least you had a nice taste of it when radio was 100% real.
After seeing those 2 Open AI DJ sidekick videoes you made resently, I don't even think there's a future in writing scripts for AI jocks. That Open AI sounded to be ready to, and able to do it all by itself within a year or 2. Heck it will probably also do the playlists for the entire station.
Perhaps my optimism overtook my realism. :) You're right. It's scarily good now...give it 10 minutes. BUT, early on, I think it still needs some hand holding to insure "broadcast worthy" content. (Whatever that is anymore??)
Well in American economics it might sounds ridiculous but for me 300 USD a month for a 4 hours voice track shift 6 days a week sounds really good. I've always done radio "for free" on local and comunity station because those station only runs minimum commercial so can't operate while paying the hosts. But with this system you have to get a good team, otherwhise the project becomes less interesting. Where I'm from, only national radio presenters gets paid.
Great Video, Jeff! Educational, and yet still got some chuckles.
Thanks! I'm trying to corner the market on Info-Chuckle-Tainment! 😂
Omg I've been watching your channel since you kicked off your TH-cam channel in fact we emailed a bit about my company starting a station geared towards Cincinnati. Anyway this cast has to be the best WFKU bit I've heard you do. Since I've gotten older I don't care what other folks think if I blast them if they deserve it. Seriously that shit was funny, on Monday I'll have everyone in the office crying laughing cause we will toss this up on our wall monitor. Keep up the great work brother
Thanks, Tom! Great hearing from you. How's your station coming along?
@@RadioDJDude Ouch, we'll I've done nothing lol.
I know this has nothing to do exactly with the video above but I just discovered your channel and my story is kinda the opposite of yours. I went into Internet Radio back in 2001 when I was told bluntly "Blind people can't succeed in rsdio. We (The state government) refuse to pay for that training and education for you" They did not see Social media coming into existence with stations actually needing to do it and have people coordinate and moderate it which I successfully did for almost ten years for Country music websites. So phooey on them. I bet you can imagine how crushed I was to be told what I was told. Keep up the great work
Thanks for sharing your story, Brian! The power of YOU always kicks the ass of THEIR limiting vision. Back in da day, I worked with a blind jock in Santa Barbara. I was impressed by his way around the board. Plus, he was a great jock. Keep rockin' that mic!
Ok now I have to wonder; For someone who really likes the sound of their own voice, loves people, loves their community in an average sized metropolitan area, what about all news stations, as compared to the Johnny Fever crowd?
Good question! In 2024, news/talk radio stations face different challenges compared to music stations. Both formats are struggling with audience fragmentation and competition from digital platforms like streaming services and podcasts, but the impact is more pronounced for news talk radio. To me, they need to prioritize localization & and a good digital presence. BUT, it's rough out there for all Radio Pimps!
That demo... OMG,
so funny !!!
Happy you dug it!
Amazing video as usual.
Thanks SO much!
I've personally been in the radio dj market for about a year fresh off the community college scene. Jobs that I've seen pay minimum wage. So I joined a start up internet radio company and the thing I hate is that all the money goes back to operations and not into my pocket. But you know, I love what I'm doing in pizazzed Voice Tracking and programming a Top 40 station, I've got enough money to cover for my losses, and my broadcasting dream are still coming true. Maybe someday, I can slip some AI into the show and to the station overall.
Love hearing that! You found a way to make it work and still have a hoot!
The world of radio just got a little tougher.
Cumulus laid off a bunch of people this past week and iHeart did the same a couple weeks ago.
Our industry is circling the bowl before going down the hole I am afraid.
Makes me sad as it's only thing I've wanted to do and am now just a few years from retirement age.
Yeah, it's a rocky road. I just saw iHeart-less canned 22 of the news staff at their flagship AM here in LA, KFI. Brutal times, indeed. BUT, once you start your internet station, they can't touch you. As they continue to kill personality-driven radio, you can keep it alive online...without a pesky paycheck you need to waste time at the bank depositing. Win-win! 🤣
@@RadioDJDude LOL
Are you doing live shows on xxx? You should. Just for yourself. Radiofever forever!
Doc Rock, help me! I've got a fever...🤣
Is a god story Jeff and my guess is that voice tracking will never go away. Here in The Netherlands only the BIG commercial radio stations pay their morning crew a million Euros per year or more. The national public stations are paying their dj’s enormous figures of our taxpayers money. And the small local and inter local stations can’t pay anything or even less than that. They work with volunteers, they get a volunteer’s fee. And yes, these stations can only survive with help of voice track programs! I think that in a few decades there will be 60% less radio stations as we know them since the 50s or 60s. My children never listen to the “normal” radio, they listen to Spotify or other streaming providers. So let’s enjoy the stations while they are still here. Before you know…… they are gone 😢🥴
Wow, interesting perspective from The Netherlands. Sadly, it's true. The day will come when the FM band isn't as crowded. BUT, in some markets, I've seen underperforming stations change hands to foreign language programming. Some foreign govs actually pay a bundle to transmit content in their language. You could see more of that as traditional FMs start failing.
If you dont go for the cheap jobs - you will have no jobs - at all. And you dont earn any money. Voice over jobs are 60 words for 30 $ . If you ask for more - youre out of job.
Sadly true. Sites like Fiverr aren't helping, either. BUT, if you have a system to quickly knock out orders, at least it's a little extra $$. I found an incredible VO talent on that site for my station, XXX80s.com.
Absolutely the same here in Germany, not all stations but the most. And all of them are complaining about losing listeners (in total over decades..)😅
th-cam.com/users/clipUgkxJ-JOsrzyoIMo0D7g9KknMSTy9Ui7E1fV?si=UGcqdRAmTFed6_vT
The Buggles said that "video" killed the radio star but it was actually radio station automation software and voice tracking. THAT is what truly KILLED the "radio star". Kids today, don't even know what a "DJ" is (or was). I doubt there's a kid out there that even owns a "radio". Why would they have a "radio"? Their phone is their "radio". They don't listen to "radio", they listen to their Spotify playlists on their smartphones.
Radio DJ Dude, you and I are relics of the past. Back in the day, It was a lot of fun, but our time in the sun has passed us by.
Gramps Radio was started solely to promote conservative Republican politics and Republican candidates (AND because it was fun playing radio DJ again.) Gramps Radio will cease streaming after the November election. In my head, I'm hearing Peter Griffin say "Oh My GOD! WHO The Hell CARES!"
I've read that about $400 to $500 a month is pretty standard pay for remote voice tracking a 5 hour shift, five days a week. If you spend no more than one hour, voice tracking each shift, (about 24 hours per month) that would come out to an hourly rate of about $16.67 to $20.83 per hour, pre-tax, gross wages.
Something like that would be fine for someone looking to supplement their Social Security Retirement income. That would be US! :) Voice track "two" stations, working only two hours a day, Monday through Friday, and pick up an extra grand per month!
Aaah, ha! I'm going to see if one of those AI music creators can refresh that Buggles song to make it more accurate to today's reality. As for Social Security, not my reality for a while. BUT, if I were 67, and the shock therapy didn't work to eradicate my need for radio, then maybe I would consider $500/mo to track a show. NOT $300, though. I'll get back to you in 13 years. 🤣
@@RadioDJDude Wow! OK, you're really making me feel OLD, now! So, you're only 54!? A Young-un! I started drawing Social Security retirement at 65; I'm 68 now; 69 in a few months. I'm living proof that the radio bug never leaves you once it's in your blood! I agree, the $300.00 thing was ridiculous! Didn't mean to insult you, Radio DJ Dude... or should I say, youngster? Rock on!
@@grampsradio Ha! Takes more than that to insult me. 😀 Hey, I'll be there in no time. Until then, just enjoyin' the thrill ride. I love you're still creating...hope to do the same down the road.