News came last night (see story here) that Dave Wilson
was among 105 full and part-time Emmis employees caught in the most recent round of layoffs.
When I arrived in Indy nearly 15 years ago, Dave "The King" Wilson was one of the guys whose voice on the radio heped me feel connected to my new home.
Local radio personalities can do that. I found him on the dial because, when it comes to radio, I gravitate toward voices rather than music. Whether listening in Indy or while on the road, I tend to search the dial for someone--almost anyone--sharing an opinion or aiming for a laugh.
Dave did both. And while I didn't always agree with him (who wants to listen to someone who you agree with all the time?), I listened.
He was an entertainer. And his years as a stand-up comic served him well. His laid back on-air approach hid the prep time required to actually write new material. His jokes may have often been groaners, but they were new groaners.
Eventually, I became an occassional guest on his show, and I always felt welcome.
I'll admit I didn't listen much after format changes took his show (and station) to FM. But I'm still sad to see/hear him go. And I'm hoping that he finds his way back soon, if for nothing else than for his perspective on the Indy 500.
His voice will be missed.
My thoughts go out to Dave and all those impacted by the cuts.
Your thoughts? And who in the local radio pool do you still enjoy listening to?
When I arrived in Indy nearly 15 years ago, Dave "The King" Wilson was one of the guys whose voice on the radio heped me feel connected to my new home.
Local radio personalities can do that. I found him on the dial because, when it comes to radio, I gravitate toward voices rather than music. Whether listening in Indy or while on the road, I tend to search the dial for someone--almost anyone--sharing an opinion or aiming for a laugh.
Dave did both. And while I didn't always agree with him (who wants to listen to someone who you agree with all the time?), I listened.
He was an entertainer. And his years as a stand-up comic served him well. His laid back on-air approach hid the prep time required to actually write new material. His jokes may have often been groaners, but they were new groaners.
Eventually, I became an occassional guest on his show, and I always felt welcome.
I'll admit I didn't listen much after format changes took his show (and station) to FM. But I'm still sad to see/hear him go. And I'm hoping that he finds his way back soon, if for nothing else than for his perspective on the Indy 500.
His voice will be missed.
My thoughts go out to Dave and all those impacted by the cuts.
Your thoughts? And who in the local radio pool do you still enjoy listening to?
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I'll be looking for you to pop back up soon. It wasn't the station it was you!
Good luck to you, Big Joe and the rest of your crew!
Yes this economy if tough, be it just got a little tougher. Too bad management can't see this error in judgement!
Thanks,
Chris
PS - Take care of Turk for us! :)
Geez, Jeff Smulyan, if you wanted to save some money, get rid of Kravitz and Eddie lame excuse of an afternoon sports show.
As you nicely state, Dave has been the voice of Indy for many years and will be sorely missed - not just by listeners but also by the many charities Dave supported on air and in person.
The Indy radio-scape of on-air personalities is now reduced to the dumbed down duo of Terry/Joe on WIBC mornings, Smiley for the teens, Wank & O'Brien for the country set and the increasingly less-than-entertaining parade of comics masquerading as the Bob & Tom Show.
Stay tuned for the ongoing demise of local radio relevance.
I'm not a fan of bashing management at Emmis for the staff reductions or format /on-air personality changes. Like The King, Emmis is a major contributor to causes in our state and across the country. I would guess that Jeff and his team are doing the best job they can to stave losses at a time when radio is simply losing relevance. Changing an industry is difficult. If anyone is up the challenge, my money's with Emmis vs. their competition.
Joe this morning gave a small explanation & tribute, very briefly at 5:30 am. I don't expect Emmis to now try to spin the story, they don't care about the listeners.
It was a slap in the face to the listeners to have kept silent. But then the marketing people were airing an ad likening listeners to fish to be caught by advertisers. Yes, advertising supports the station, but don't publicly refer to us as fish, save that for the sales meetings. With such poor handling of this situation, we fish feel like we just got fried and lost our trust.
Jason, what are you smoking?
Smulyan took all the proceeds from selling his TV stations out in lump sum dividend and executive pay leaving nothing for radio operations.
He is cutting local programing left and right and doesn't contribute money to local causes as he did when times were good.
For the record, I'd gladly take your money on such a silly bet.
Jeff Smulyan can do what he wants with his stations. Radio IS evolving, it has to. It's always been a bottom line business -- more so now than ever. Not to say these are all good moves, but I assume there are reasons -- like ratings, demographics, economics.
For my money, the local lineup on Emmis' WFNI, the new 1070, is top notch. Talented, entertaining, and engaging -- Dakich, Kravitz and Eddie are definitely big league.
I wish WIBC the best, but they seem to be losing focus on local news, their local morning show is a wreck, and the team of Garrison and Limbaugh are just too political and negative. They must appeal to old-fart conservatives. Think about it though, who else listens to radio at that time of day?
I hope IBC returns to its roots of local news/weather/traffic coverage (I still turn to them for that) and local talk that is informative, engaging, entertaining -- and cuts both ways politically. It makes us a better city.
I still wish the best to a good man, a good promoter of auto racing, and a quick and much appreciated wit, DAVE, THE KING, WILSON!
It's sad that the WIBC employees are losing their jobs but maybe the station will focus more on news and commentary, which they claim is a basis of their station.
Good luck to all of them.
I will miss his little jokes about news items the most, like the time he commented on a tanker full of milk spilling on a highway, and several people gathered around it crying. Those little jokes made my afternoon drives enjoyable.
So wherever Dave lands, that's where I'll tune in. Thanks and good luck, Dave. So long, WIBC.
I will miss Dave as I am an IRL fan, but Steve is a good guy, accessible, and better than Dave alone.
We will miss you Dave.
P.S. Wilson's makes an awesome BBQ Chicken pizza!
am or ?. This is so wrong from money all the way to honor, money wins every
time. This is terrible, 40 year listerner not sure now!
Pigeon and Terry was great; as was the King, Joe,and Matt trio.
Apparently Emmis has taken the stance that 'things can't last forever', but with their horrible change-up, the same goes for my being a listener.
King was the more outspoken of station's air personalities in terms of Conservative ideas. I would bet that was a factor in the decision.
Major mistake on your part, Emmis...IMO
Thanks for the laughs Dave...wish you well in all that you do!
WIBC was the station I adopted when listening to Gary, Joe, and Fred. That was great radio talent. Pige and Terri were great together, as were Wilson, Big Joe, and Matt. Those combos had chemistry that made me look forward to the next show. Big Joe and Terri are good, not exciting, but good. I could do with less Garrison and Limbaugh. And Steve is less entertaining and interesting than any of the others.
Really sorry to see the King go. Gonna miss you, Big Guy.
I no longer listen to any Emmis station.
Timbo
Dave was honest, sincere and always fun to listen too, even if you did not agree with all his ideas. He had the courage to express them.
What a great icon. He was Indianpolis. He will be missed, not only by his listeners but all the indiviuals/charities he supported both publicly and privately. Lastly he will be missed by me. I remember Dave from the 1970's. I am not quite ready to call it quits with Dave. Good Luck! Dave, I know you will land on your feet and hope to hear your voice and jokes soon.
Cheryl (Fellow Space Pioneer)
Something to ponder:
'To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.' When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive somethin better. 'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.'
Best of luck to you Dave! You will be greatly missed!
Jan
The King was enjoyable in the afternoons, but now the 3:00 drive time is a yawner. I have turned it off completely.
Mr. Smulyan, thank you for killing Indy radio.
Dave's show was the best when it was Dave, Joe, and Matt. I always thought Joe was a little hard to take but the mix was perfect. Then Matt got promoted and it was Dave & Joe Show or something. It started getting harder to listen but at least Dave was there. I had to have that show on in the afternoon drive home from Fishers to the west side. Was wondering what happened to Dave and just found out that he was let go. That goes to show that the decision maker is out of touch with his/her own listening audience.
Steve Simpson is a good part of shows but is unbearable to me to listen to him for more than a few moments. And where the hell is Wilksy?! The weather guy now is loud and I miss the banter with Dave and Brian.
As far as mornings go it's hard not to like Teri but Joe is not a good fit. He sounds like he's desparate to keep his job at this point and I can't blame him but again as an almost stand alone personality, he's the wrong fit for the morning, in my opinion.
Mel-Mel keeps me listening at this point. If there is to be any saving the station's wonderful reputation, then bring back Dave Wilson, park Joe with him and put Mel on in the mornings with Teri and perhaps a couple features with a male during the show do keep it mixed up and let Steve come in now and again for limited time.
Ulimately the paying sponsors will decide if it is working or not so if you truly want to see Dave back, let them know! I already have and while I got simply a thanks for contacting us (which is fine), the more people who speak out the better.
out of nothing. His interviews with ordinary people were a delight - he made
people laugh and that's a gift few people possess. I understand having to make
tough and sometimes unpopular decisions, it's a part of business - however, in
my opinion, this decision was a poor one. Business is not about saving money
it's about making money - speaking of making money, I wonder how ad sales
are going since Dave the King has left the building.
Anyway - on the upside - I've personally discovered that there's music on the
radio - who knew? Thanks for the memories Dave - take care and good luck.
Now it's just freeze-dried bullshit. I'm gonna take it off my dial. Jiminy Christmas. And I had to look online to see why he was gone.
Thanks IBC for being so damn customer sensitive. Some of us pay for your advertising.
show is really very weak. He just doesn't get it. I've tried listening he is boring. I o I've switched to 1070 AM with Eddie White and sports radio.
In fact, I used to listen the morning show because I like big Joe and Terri but now
I never turn on 93.1. If suits from 93.1 read this you just lost a retiree who
listens all day to the radio as I work in the garage. I even got a high powered
antenna to pick up AM radio. You loose! I still remember Dave Wilson's 1st
day on WIBC when he got all the call from the little old ladies that didn't like his
topic. He played them back the next day.
know that Dave will really be missed by this guy.