Can't be bad..

...to have Randy Michaels back as the head of a radio company.

I worked for Jacor, and thereby for Randy Michaels, in the late 90's-early 00's. Jacor was by far, without a doubt, head and shoulders, the BEST company I ever worked for! I oversaw several of Jacor's country stations, and I'll always remember the way Michaels said the company was set up. Engineering came FIRST (if they can't hear you, you won't have listeners) Programming was the next priority (you have to give listeners something worth hearing) Last priority, Sales. Not that selling isn't important, but the other two legs have to be in place first. This is the opposite of everywhere else I've ever worked. Sales always comes first. They're the ones that get training, expense accounts, perks. Sell, sell, sell! IF we make budget, maybe programming can get something they've wanted (a production library that isn't on vinyl). IF we hit goals, maybe we can replace the failing tube in the transmitter.

Jacor/ Randy Michaels had it right. I was a pretty small fish in a pretty small part of Jacor's fairly-large pond, but Randy Michaels, head of the company himself, responded to my e-mails. I would forward good news to the chiefs above me (it's politics, you know). Michaels would actually read it and hit reply and say "good job!"

Some people don't care for Michaels, but I've got nothing but respect for him. I wish I still worked for Jacor! The fact that radios' great quality decline began at about the same time Clear Channel forced Michaels out is too great a coincidence to ignore.

I've got a nice business going here, but for you Randy, I'm available!