Fred:
Sadly, you're absolutely right about the Lima market in regards to radio.
I remember when I was first starting out back in '96, and all (I repeat, "ALL") of the radio in Lima was fun and worth listening to. It was relevant, and that's what made it so good. People made money, and as they say in the Applebees commercial, everyone was "eatin' good in the neighborhood". Over the last eleven and a half years since I started, I have watched each station, one by one in the market, go down and now there is absolutely nothing left to listen to in this market besides the stations based outside of Lima, and most of the time, outside of the state.
I didn't want to accept it for the longest time, but it's true. Being on both sides of the equation (working on both sides of the street), I have seen and been on the front lines of the fight...and from my point of view (especially with everything that I've seen happen over the last year, maybe year and a half), it's just not worth fighting for anymore.
...and for the record, I would like to say that this is not coming from the point of view of anyone who is bitter, nor is it coming the point of view of someone who was terminated, and then decided to vent their frustrations on a message board (just to clear the air). This is coming from the point of view of someone who is extremely proud of everything that they have done and accomplished within the market, and outside of the market.
From starting out as a mascot, to board-op'ing, to VT'ing a shift because I was too nervous to go live, to going live, to finding a new calling in production, to programming, to co-writing and producing a sports-talk show, to working live for the number one station in town, to producing for another sports-talk show and getting recognized on an international level, to imaging for a market just below the Top-50 mark...I honestly believe that I can look back (so far) and say it's been a great ride, and a ride that I if I had the chance to (and could do it with no future negative reprocussions), I would do it all over again in a flash...but, that's not possible.
So, the only thing that I can do is move on. I accepted a long time ago that Lima radio is dead. It's dead in the water, and there's no turning back. That's why I decided to get work outside of the market, and also, branch into television and web media. One day, I do intend to move on and do radio outside of the market, but until that point, I will do what I have to do and work with what I have to to survive until that time comes (which hopefully will be soon considering that I'm getting married in May).
It seems like I've been saying this a lot lately, but it's the truth. FRED RICHARDS IS RIGHT!