You’ve described what I’ve been watching happen at stations I’ve worked in for the past 20 years. The ’super jcks’ we grew up listening to have all gone, the examples just aren’t out there anymore. Fewer outstanding people to imitate. I imitated my share…Dan Ingram, MG Kelly, Jay Nelson, John Driscoll, ‘Teddy Bear’ Richards and The Greaseman. These were guys who could make any format come off the page.
I think it falls to us to find the talent and teach them, mine those personalities that can entertain the future…problem is, many young radio people act as though they’ve ‘arrived’ as soon as they get their first job…it’s as though school was the groundwork and the job is the payoff. I can’t think of a single power jock from the 70’s who was really big who didn’t suffer thru more than a few ‘rip me apart’ air checks that made them way better.
Seems like the passion is gone. Too many times I’ve seen jocks scoot out the door as soon as their shift is done, they can’t wait to get out and they don’t seem to value community appearances. Sad.

Chili Challis