Sunday, December 31, 2023

A Happy New Year to All Confessors

REMINDER: ANONYMOUS POSTS WILL BE DELETED

78 comments:

  1. It's been a wild 2023.

    • The Freak's sad showing with some pretty good people.

    • Dan and Jake's departure.

    • Cumulus's half-hearted and clumsy legal response.

    • Dan and Jake's (1) victory, as they're putting out product and doing reasonably well, it seems, and (2) failure (so far) in their counsel's crusade to change American non-compete law, as the judge indicated she was going to rule against them on it, and I can't find any evidence that it's going anywhere at the NLRB. Although that remains to be seen, as I also can't find any evidence that the complaints have been withdrawn. (PS: The New York governor, Kathy Hochul, just vetoed a bill that would have outlawed noncompetes in New York.)

    • Norm's says farewell, with carveouts.

    • The Ticket's continued domination of its market segment.

    • Rangers won the Series.

    • Many new MTC readers, some of whom have had to go through an adjustment period as they accustom themselves to the more genteel conversations we hold here. Let's keep up the collegiality, what say?

    As for MTC: Confessors have remarked that it's not as active as it used to be. Quite so. Not much new under the sun when it comes to The Little One (other than as noted above, which we did cover pretty extensively). I have no plans to retire it, but yeah, the commentaries are fewer and further between.

    And I would expect that, as time goes by, there will be changes at the station. We've been warned about butt-holding seismic eruptions in the past, all of which have proven either false or grossly oversold, but one of these days, one of them will turn out to be right.

    In the meantime, y'all have a safe and Happy Ticket New Year.

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  2. I just happened to notice that there were 17 posts in 2021, 17 in 2022, and 39 this year. (31 in 2020, 37 in 2019.) Thank you, Dan and Jake, for helping to keep My Ticket Confession as the Source for Responsible Ticket Journalism.

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  3. In my bullet points above, I think I should have mentioned the return, and P1s' growing-but-still-cautious acceptance of, Matt McClearin.

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  4. guys, it's about to get Freaky.

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    1. I don't think so. I ran into Danny earlier in the week at a watering hole and asked him if changes were coming and specifically about TDZ. He said it's been interesting hearing all the rumors, but that no one is leaving and no one is coming onboard. He did say that it's refreshing to work with partners who actually give a shit. Doesn't take a Sherlock to figure out who he was talking about.

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    2. You really think Danny or anyone working for any station is gonna tell some dude at a bar about that sort of stuff? C'mon, bruh. No f'n way. Scuttlebutt is more along what tom foolery said. I'm eating the cheese.

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  5. Danny talking about partners that “give a shit” ?? Dude always seemed like the laziest producer lol. It worked in a Danny way but come on.

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  6. Just as Danny told me, nothing happened.

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    1. It's logical to assume one of two things:

      1) that nothing will happen until the station is ready to announce and present its full set of changes (which presumably coincide w/ THZ's NC ending and them being able to receive an offer, ala Danny's story of how he ended up on the station)

      2) it is unlikely Danny would be told in advance he and everyone else is about to get blown out in a format change.

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  7. In this original posting I neglected to warn that anonymous posts would be deleted. So 1009 gets a pass.

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  8. my understanding is tdz's nc is officially up 1/20. yes they dropped a new episode today, but it's canned and that coming off their own dry dock, which in itself is kinda odd. it's odd when you consider (i) they're no longer in the radio game. (ii) in the bigger picture their pod is in its beginning stage, so you'd think they'd have a fire in the belly for it--which I can say as a sub they don't come off that way--and wouldn't want to take an extended vacation. (iii) as a sub who digs most of the content, i will admit there's something off about the way they go about it and the apparent lack of a real plan. everything's kinda jokey and half assed. it's always 'we're thinking about doing this or we might do that but i dunno we'll see'. the point to all this is when i think about it and add in 1/20, i'm kinda thinking they're either going to the freak at the end of the month/beginning of feb or something pretty huge will be announced that day or the next. like maybe they're going to be a part of a big podcast network or something along that line.

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  9. Nah you’re way, way off!January 3, 2024 at 5:14 PM

    It’s up on 2/1 and they’re scouting studio spaces. They’re set to really get rolling on advertisers as soon as that calendar turns. Pretty sure they’ve got plenty of them lined up.

    That’s why there’s not been a huge sense of urgency in growing their subscriber base.

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    1. as a sub and someone's who's listened to every pod, i've never heard any of this mentioned. not saying you're bs'n, but how do you know this? are you blake?

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    2. I guess it’s pretty serious

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    3. I swear, it seems like there's about 3.4 commenters that have anything of substance to say. The rest is reddit shit.

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  10. I Just Think That . . .January 4, 2024 at 12:04 PM

    In other news out of the Cumulus Cluster, Hot 93.3 has folded it's tent and WBAP is now simulcasting on that frequency.

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    1. That radio discussion board was onto this last month

      https://www.radiodiscussions.com/threads/wbap-will-be-simulcasting-on-93-3-fm.768761/

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  11. Just remember WBAP was on 96.7 before they parked KTCK there.

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  12. I Just Think That . . .January 7, 2024 at 1:20 PM

    More possible changes to the Dallas radio landscape. Audacy files for Chapter 11. That includes 105.3, the Cowboy flagship.
    https://www.cnbc.com/2024/01/07/largest-us-radio-company-audacy-files-for-bankruptcy-protection-.html

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    1. Maybe. But, as Audacity was filing for Chapter 11, CBS News reupped their contract with them. I'm thinking this is more of a restructuring of debt and a subsequent streamlining of (i.e., cutting the "fat") payroll, positions/roles, overall expenses, etc. The latter probably will entail a station or two being sold, however, and despite Ticket dominance, The FAN does pretty well. So, I'm thinking it is safe. Doesn't mean it is. Radio is a crazy, often irrational business. Anything's possible.

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    2. How long is the Cowboys contract with 105.3? If Audacy were to sell off a station would Jerry be in the bidding to buy it? All Cowboys, all the time, Jerry's way.

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    3. Well, seeing how TF keeps leaning more ans more in the sports direction, I could see a scenario where they have both the Mavs and Ciwboys. Let's say TDZ migrates thete in Feb. You might be talking about sone stiff competition for TT:

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    4. Please excuse the typos. Fat fingers and a small phone are a bad combo.

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  13. I Just Think That . . .January 7, 2024 at 8:42 PM

    Lest we forget, 105.3 is also the radio home of your world champion Texas Rangers.

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    1. Great point. Imagine the big three (sorry Stars, that's reality) on TF, helmed by TDZ.

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  14. Chapter 11 protection means nothing. Cumulus filed in 2017 and what changed with The Ticket? Nothing.

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  15. Might mean something, might not. But *knowing* Danny F Pants for a couple few decades via the airwaves, when he starts making little quips, smoke and its subsequent fire are usually in play. Long way to say that since their return from dry dock, Danny, dryly, and in a very nervous way, Sirois, have made numerous references to job security. Someone else pointed this out on reddit/Freak, to which neither KT (who's a member of TDB) nor Cavanaugh shot it down. Both those dudes, specially KT, are always all over any comment like that. Not this time. I'm thinking first week of Feb is gonna be super interesting. Pretty sure Feb 1 or thereabouts is when TDZ nc is up.

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  16. The Rangers and KRLD have renewed/extended their deal

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  17. Announcement Fri 730, they already announced ticket stock right?

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    1. They haven’t announced the marquee headliner yet

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  18. If TDZ goes anywhere i can't see them going to the Fan. The Fan is much more straight sports talk, I can't see that being a fit for Dan at all. Jake might want that but I don't think that's the case either, I think they would both feel constrained by that format.

    TF makes more sense for the kind of show they do even if it is a sinking ship. I really don't think they are going to go anywhere but a podcasting network. I haven't been right about anything though so I clearly am no expert.

    The fake Jason Kidd is a beating.

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  19. I am going to honest. This may make me sound like an old man, but I don’t understand what a podcast network is. I mean, who really gives an S if the same company produces multiple podcasts? It’s not like they are on the same channel or lead into each other or whatever.

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    1. Thank you for your honesty.

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    2. It makes a difference on how you subscribe. The subscribe to Dan Snow's History Hit network and I get like six different pods for that subscription. I don't know how big the cut is for each show is of that fee but it does at least feel like I'm getting more value from the subscription and its easier to keep up with.

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  20. It makes a difference on how you subscribe. The subscribe to Dan Snow's History Hit network and I get like six different pods for that subscription. I don't know how big the cut is for each show is of that fee but it does at least feel like I'm getting more value from the subscription and its easier to keep up with.

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  21. Roy Tillman 4 SheriffJanuary 11, 2024 at 2:10 PM

    The unWoke Ticket with Modano as the Ticketstock headliner. Way to go Ticket

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    1. Think you typed in the wrong URL, honcho. But thanks for stopping by. Always in your kitchen, eh.

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  22. Modano headlining is great. He's about to have a statue alongside Dirk's at the AAC. Modano is a hall of fame legend who was THE ambassador of the Stars in their early years here, a key part of the team that brought the Cup to Dallas, and an all around good dude. What's your problem? Oh I bet you're one of those who enjoys pissing on everything. Must be a blast to know you.

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  23. Stars are also good and relevant right now. Ppl loving the stars.

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  24. Less Ed Carter’s. In the world.

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  25. is Detty the Musers' new producer?

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  26. Cumulus has not filled the producer position despite Mike being gone for 6 weeks now.

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  27. The real TS headliner is not Mo. Rather, it will be The Announcement. HOTYB

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    1. Will it be a solo announcement, or a trio?

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  28. They won't announce talent departures at Ticketstock. Makes zero sense.

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    1. Of this nagnitude, yes. It'll be a celebration of 30 years.

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  29. Listen back to the Hardline saying goodbye to Ty. He didn’t want it aired. “Like the Mayflower vans in the night,” Bob joked, referencing the Colts. Why do you suppose they went ahead with saying goodbye to him, publicly ?

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    1. Maybe because they thought random people would reading into if they did not publicly acknowledge it.

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  30. Unfair Labor Practice Charges filed against Cumulus:

    https://mattbruenig.com/2024/01/15/i-filed-charges-against-cumulus-media-for-maintaining-17-illegal-handbook-rules/

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    1. Man did Dan ever violate that clause about addressing co-workers without sarcasm and in a reasonable tone and volume a number of times on air. Jake also blew through the profanity thing on any given episode of IJB. I'm not sure what is illegal about the treat co-workers with respect clause, is it restraint of free speech issue?

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  31. Told ya. They aten't heroes. There's no good guys in all this.

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  32. just wait till Dan and Jake have to read and sign the iHeart handbook.

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  33. So to a non lawyer what does this lawsuit mean?

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  34. I never thought D&J were the "good guys" or the "Bad guys", they were just the guys. I support their efforts against Noncompetes because I don't feel they are fair and only benefit the Employer. I'm not a fan of Dan at all, either his show or his radio persona. I still don't think they are going to the Freak or the Fan. Unless they have some guarantee that the Freak will be around long enough for them to get a real chance at building an audience I can't see that they'd benifit from going there. The Fan seems too sportsy for what they like to do. I tihnk maybe they were telling the truth when the said they wanted to try something different.

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  35. If another year goes by & D&J are not on terrestrial radio, I will eat all the crow. I’ll eat my hat (I am bald; I need my hat).

    I just don’t think 2 adult men in the particular stages they are in their lives, bet the farm without a safety net. One has young kids & one has serious medical issues. The other has kids in college. You can say they saved or the wife makes bank or whatever, but I believe it when I see it.

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    1. Yes because nobody has ever taken a business risk even with a family. Geez. Their DZ gig might have more long term safety than going to a dying medium

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  36. Regarding the unfair labor practice charge mentioned by Legl Egl:

    Here is the link posted by Legl Egl:

    https://mattbruenig.com/2024/01/15/i-filed-charges-against-cumulus-media-for-maintaining-17-illegal-handbook-rules/

    It was filed by Matt Bruenig, one of Dan and Jake's lawyers, on his own behalf. Although the Labor Board's rules say that charges may be filed by "individuals," I would be mildly surprised if Mr. Bruenig would have standing to complain about rules with which, being a non-employee, he does not have to comply and that do not injure him in any way.

    But, as we have noted before, this particular Labor Board and its staff is somewhat -- perhaps more than somewhat -- left of center, and perhaps it will entertain a complaint by the general public.

    If you take a look at the items that Mr. Breunig thinks are illegal, I think you will be surprised at the things he doesn't think employers should be allowed to do.

    I'm still curious as to what happened with Dan's and Jake's complaint. As I have written before, it would be shocking if the settlement with Cumulus did not require them to withdraw their NLRB complaint, but then . . . a lot of what Cumulus's defense did was surprising to me.

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  37. this filing may be the best clue that THZ is NOT going back to radio. If they are, it would have to be a concern to any Market Manager, especially one that just took the gig.

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  38. https://barrettsportsmedia.com/2024/01/19/corby-davidson-inks-5-year-extension-with-the-ticket-in-dallas/

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  39. So much for those who thought the Big Announcement of Retirement would be at the birthday bash.

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    1. the gender pool (see what I did here?)January 20, 2024 at 12:11 AM

      Bruh, Corbles isn't a Muser. If ya gonna snark, if ya gonna troll, have your s together.

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    2. Corby signs a new deal; this is celebrated by the Musers, who are choosing to both undercut their pal’s announcement and ruin an anniversary for an entire fan base…

      Makes sense. Bruh.

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    3. When is Ticketstock? Yeah, that's right. And yeah, that's right, Corby and Co. are going to celebrate his new contract at Ticketstock. Talk about making sense. The Announcement will be THE celebration. Musers are happy that THL 69.13 will carry on. They're happy because they love The Ticket and their bunkermates. Has zero bearing on their own plans.

      Use your brain, bucko.

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    4. “Hey, all! Thanks for paying money to come out. We love you so much. We know you love us. So we’re gone. Thanks again!”

      If I’m proven wrong, I’ll admit as much then.

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    5. Rhyner: Self-important, cliquish, douche who does what he wants, consequences for others be damned leaves his coworkers, supposed bunkermates, and legions of diehard fans in the lurch with a self created meme of a faux Irish Goodbye video that had the imagination of Michael Scott on a bad day.

      Musers: Might not always get it right, but try to go about their business the right way. Say goodbye and field questions (in person) from fans and friends (coworkers), give everyone a sense of understanding (for each Muser and as a collective) and closure. A true celebration of a genuine institution that has come to its final cadence. Not a "see ya, we gone" thing. Far from it. It's The Announcment that will kick off __ months to their exit, which gives P1s and personnel the time to get their heads right with ball.

      It's easy peasy stuff, bucko. Don't make The Fonz call you into his office (viz., the men's room at Arnold's).

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  40. Something i've noticed that I find somewhat interesting, but ultimately useless is the idea of the 'vocal hangzone fans.' Before Dan and Jake left, the ticket reddit page was always very heavy with HZ fans. Some including myself, felt that the HZ had the most vocal and interactive fans. Maybe because it attracted a younger audience, maybe because it was people that were dedicated enough to a radio station that they would listen in the middle of the day versus just drive time, can't say. But the Dumbzone reddit has almost 2700 users I think, and the DZ paid patreon members is around 5600. I would imagine that all of the DZ reddit users are paid subscribers. Like I said, useless information, but it is interesting to me that nearly half of the DZ subscribers are active on Reddit.

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    1. In the days before or in the very early days of Reddit there were a number of Ticket related discussion groups. Remove Rowdy and Grubes is my Leader/hero and a half dozen more. I wonder how many of those posters just transitioned to Reddit? A lot of the comments then were just P1s kicking each other in the nuts and an occasional ticket related post. The Reddit TOS cut a lot of that nonsense out. That said, those old boards were quite entertaining at times.

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    2. I used to post on grubesismyleader.com

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    3. Stay hard, nicepiece.com!

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    4. Shaggurly! Welcome back from your extended Ted Williamsesque cryosesh. Sorry 'bout dem hrns. As Dr Hook was wont to sing, " Better love next time, baby."

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  41. 30th Birthday - https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/2024/01/24/well-played-1310-the-ticket-shares-its-winning-formula-30-years-after-kickoff-in-dallas-radio/

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  42. I find myself a bit melancholy on this anniversary of the little Ticket. Its sad that key people in the success of the station have moved on and in some cases created bad blood. The Hammer, the OGW, Danny, Dan, and even Jake & Grubes all had some role in the station being what it is and the fact they aren't part of celebrating an unheard of level of longevity in the radio business is sad. That's leaving out th epeople that left on good terms of course. I dont suspect Norm or Fernando will be at the party since its unlikely they would have been even when still at the station. Did any Confessors manage to score tickets to the party?

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    1. D&J alluded to this, but it's very odd to "celebrate" 30 years while ignoring half the people who made up that 30 years.

      It'd be like a Ring of Honor ceremony without any of the other inductees.

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    2. But - THEY CHOSE to leave the station on their own volition. No one is "ignoring" anyone. All of those that chose to "go do their own thing" were left out only because they made it clear they wanted to part ways. It's humorous to learn any of them are whining, commenting or reflecting on that fact.

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  43. George crying and saying his kids will be at the 30th birthday party and saying it's just different this time

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