So Ends the Ten Dollar Radio Show (but not this blog)

From the desk of Peter Crowley:

Well, it’s over.

Yesterday morning at 10, Ted Morgan, owner of the Rock 105 radio station the Ten Dollar Radio Show has aired on these last two years, called me at work to tell me, in a roundabout way, that he was killing the show.

He said it’s been an inherent conflict having me, as editor of the local daily newspaper, working in his office and using his staff members’ computers and desks. He said he doesn’t think I ever have or would steal news tips or sensitive proprietary information - I reassured him I never had or would - but he still said he has ignored the situation for too long and now feels compelled to do something about it. This is what he decided to do.

He was nice about it and even suggested I take the show to his competitor, WSLP (which I’m not going to do, by the way).

I admit I would feel a little queasy if I came into our newspaper office and found a competing reporter at my desk, on my computer, but on the other hand, this had gone on for two years with everyone being honest and friendly about it. I normally chatted with the news directors and reporters there. It was a trusting relationship.

I told Ted I had never taken anything from his station (he again said he never suggested I had) and that I had not only added a new show with a brand-new audience but also several thousand really good songs to its computer library. I don’t really see how that was a bad deal for him. Also, Ned and I had kept doing the show for free after Ted failed to pay us the $10 each per week he had agreed to two years ago. (The truth of the show’s name finally comes out; it was a reminder for him to pay us.)

Although I will miss the show and don’t agree with Ted’s decision, I respect his right to make it and accept it, because of the investment and risk he has sunk into giving us locally owned radio. While listeners should tell him what they want to hear on the air, keep in mind that the guy could have shut down our local stations - or sold them to ClearChannel - years ago and saved himself a lot of trouble. As long as he pays Ned and me the money he owes us, I’ll walk away with no hard feelings.

Ned and I are going to keep this here blog going, at least as long as it’s still more fun than work. I don’t have the gear to do a podcast-only radio show, but I will start posting podcasts of the Ten Dollar Radio studio sessions we recorded over the last two years, from the Dust Bunnies to King Wilkie to Kris Delmhorst. Maybe, “after this short break” (as they say in radio talk), I’ll make a play to restart the show on another station. Meanwhile, I’ll enjoy a little more weekend time with my family.

Really, folks, I can’t say this in any way that doesn’t sound like I’m taking you for granted, but thank you so, so much for listening!