Many of us have stories revolving around Radio & Records Magazine which has announced that this Friday’s issue will be their last. The R&R website has already sent the hamsters home and is redirecting people to the Billboard Magazine page. R&R magazine launched over thirty five years ago and focused on the Programming side of radio and, well, records.
My first issue of R&R was attained while living in Germany. I had become friends with a guy who worked for AFRTS (Armed Forces Radio & Television) and I convinced him to give me a tour of the studios one afternoon. I tried to act as nonchalant as possible while touring the facilities as this guy had NO IDEA that I was a radio groupie and was plotting my way into the industry. On the counter next to the old school board with round pot faders was an issue of R&R. I recall it looking so official with lots numbers and letters that read like a Top Secret military code.
+750 WHTZ, XKS, KIIS, KRBE, WPOW
What the hell were all of those numbers and codes and how could I crack them for a gig at a station? Who were these people deciding the fate of DJ’s and music? Why the HELL did this magazine have to cost hundreds of dollars for a subscription ensuring that I could never receive the magazine at home?
I spent the next few weeks combing every inch of that R&R Magazine and even built up enough nerve to call a station back in Florida that had an add posted for an opening. Imagine that, an actual job opening in radio? I know it seems like a thing of the past. I called the Program Director of WIRK in West Palm Beach and I’m sure he heard my nerves from across the Atlantic Ocean. Quickly, I was informed that they didn’t have an interest in my services but that I should look into training at Connecticut School of Broadcasting just up the road.
Here I sit about fifteen years later having just landed a great gig in Boston and to that I owe a small thanks to Radio & Records Magazine. Kudos to any of you that were awarded an R&R Personality of the Year award as it sadly just became a bit more exclusive.
K~
