There goes the last DJ / an interview with Brother Wease
Alan Levin, affectionately known, by his friends, fans and the radio world in general, as Brother Wease, was let go from WCMF when the station was purchased by Entercom Rochester and negotiations broke down. The lone liberal radio talk show host in Rochester, it’s hard to see him go.
Last week, Stlo7 and I sat down with Brother Wease to find out where he’s been and where he’s going.
Bottom line - he is excited about this new opportunity at The Fox, The dust-up with his old station was “just business” and he relishes the opportunity to bring his brand of discussion and ideals to The Fox. Oh, looks like there will be some discussion and debate between Wease and Lonsberry. Can’t wait for that
He had just started his new job at Clear Channel’s 95.1-The Fox. He was cheered by the executives when he arrived and says,
“Lonsberry, who I disagree with about just about everything, was so excited to have me there. I got ideas for him. I told him-I got things that could broaden your Horizons. I brought a comedian to the show. He’s never had a comedian on before. Normally he talks about his Mormonism and other conservative s***”
When asked what his title is now, he said:
“I don’t have a title. I’m a morning talk show host waiting to go on”.
And so he is. He doesn’t yet know when he will be back on the air. His former contract does not allow him to be on the air on a competing station for a while. Fortunately, a while translates to months, not years.
He’s looking forward to the opportunity to debate with conservatives-starting with Lonsberry. Having served 3 tours of Duty in Vietnam, Wease has a perspective of experience when he discusses the Iraq war, torture, and other issues paramount to our society.
“Three tours of duty in Vietnam and nothing changed-58,000 of my brothers and sisters died-nothing changed here”
We discussed Iraq and Wease happily gave us his opinions (paraphrased) - Of course I support the troops, but the policies they are enforcing are wrong and are making things worse. As a result, we are more vulnerable now than before we went in.
Wease has the heart of a liberal, but he believes that we are genetically predetermined in our political beliefs:
“Conservatives, Liberals-it’s in your genes. It’s gotta be. I’m right, but Lonsberry believes he’s right too.”
But enough about Politics -
We asked him, what keeps you in Rochester? He cites his involvement throughout the years with the Park Ave Fest, the Jazz Festival, Music in the Park, the RBTL, etc. :
“I truly believe in Rochester. People who I meet around the country are dying to come back here. There’s something about Rochester!”
Wease is optimistic, upbeat and looking forward to the future (and Jonesin’ to be back on the air). His message to his fans:
“If there is such a thing as a fan, I thank them. I love these people and I hope they will wait for me.”
Yup, there goes the last DJ-Sing for me Tom…….
[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/0sygqFWmFrw" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]
Related posts:
Great write-up.
We as a community need to take a stand. We need to lock and load our car radios, home stereos and portables with 95.1.
We have the ability to stand behind someone who has stood up. It’s our responsibility. Sure, we may not all agree with everything Wease has said, but he STOOD UP. And that took guts. And that’s what we all try to do everyday.
So take a stand. Lock and Load. 95.1. Stand behind, and stand up Rochester!
Clear Channel has prohibited the local affiliates from playing the new Springsteen album (which happens to be anti-Bush, anti-Iraq war).
http://downwithtyranny.blogspot.com/2007/10/clear-channel-republican-propaganda.html
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/10/30/clear-channel-is-attempting-to-silence-bruce-springsteen/
I wonder if Wease has any thoughts about that.
Thank you for this guys—really nice piece
Sounds like Wease has got some great, interesting things going on. I can’t wait to have him back on the air.
What exactly did he “stand up” for, besides wanting more money than Entercom was prepared to offer? There’s no idealism there. It was a business decision made by both parties involved, pure and simple.
He stood up as a radio personality and supported progressive values, which is not happening locally with any others.
Of course his leaving CMF was a business decision, and a poor one in my view for Entercom!
Thanks Peter- it was a labor of love.
Urban myth, no matter how much it’s getting propagated around the blogosphere.
http://blog.pennlive.com/go/2007/11/springsteen_vs_clear_channel.html
http://community.sonikmatter.com/forums/index.php?s=9d3c4cd19a836b0b92a4f11696bd8f79&showtopic=37790&pid=226477&st=20&#entry226477
You think Wease is going to listen to any corporate programmer who tries to tell him he can or can’t play something? Ask him.
(Ask him how he liked the Springsteen concert here the other night, too - I saw him heading for the VIP entrance on my way to the nosebleed seats.)
Thanks ipsos, now why didn’t I think to check snopes.com? Anyway-glad you investigated. Just sent Wease a link to this post, so maybe you can ask him about the Springsteen concert yourself.
You either are trying to be provacative or you have never listed to him. Wease 101: It starts before the Vietnam War and ends with a new job. And there is a whole hellava lot inbetween that stands for what he stands for - and he has stood up and delivered time and time again for this community as a whole.
Whether it was fundraisers for kids, awareness of public issues, insights into his own experiences in life and health - he’s done it - and then some.
Now whtwtrdood, what have YOU done?
Only time will tell but I believe Entercom made their decision based upon a long-range view. Take a hit now and start to rebuild market share with a new morning crew, whether it be what they have at present or bringing in someone new. Wease is beyond his prime. His ratings have slipped, attempts at syndication have failed, and he’s almost old enough to draw Social Security. What business model does that fit in with for a station trying to reach the 18 - 40 male demo? I doubt Entercom is looking for the next Paul Harvey to lure those listeners.
I find his situation similar to a superstar athlete whose skills aren’t in the upper echelon any more. The team owner decides not to renew his contract but the athlete thinks he’s “still the man” so he signs on with a new team. All of the hometown fans are up in arms, until they watch him in his new uniform and suddenly realize, the arm has lost some of it’s zing or there isn’t the same quickness in his cuts. As an example, watching Joe Montana in a Chiefs uniform or OJ Simpson as a 49er was just sad and a terrible way to last remember them. It’s quite likely the same thing could happen in this situation.
Inre to how long before he’s back on the air, from what I’ve read in the trade publications, it won’t be until the fall.
Thanks, ladkiddo. And if Wease doesn’t beat me to pointing it out - the name of his former employer (however briefly) was Entercom, not “Intercom,” though I have no doubt there are indeed some “intercom” systems out there with better ratings than CMF’s replacement morning show.
oops unintentional typo - thanks and corrected
I love people who say ratings were slipping. Not true at all. As a matter of FACT, my last book was one of our best in 2 years. UP!!! Past my prime? Well, I’m smarter, and quite vibrant. The job is to share talks and experience. My denp is 25-54 which we dominated for years. Be jealous and shoot me down all you like, but try actual facts because here you’re WRONG! The syndication failed because I got cancer…check page 228 of the current Gentlemen’s Quarterly, and tell me it’s over. Entercom is completely staffed with people who lost jobs. FACT: It’s quite economical and may be good business. We’ll see.
Thanks for chiming in here, Wease-it’s good to have the actual facts, straight from the horse’s mouth.
Wease - you’re the voice of the heart of Rochester - looking forward to hearing you on the radio again, been missing you.
Jealous? Of what, exactly? I don’t care personally whether you’re on the air or not. I grew up with Brother Wease and Sister Sleaze and listened devoutly for some time but I stopped being a regular listener long ago, probably a little while after BJ left. I, along with many my age simply outgrew “The Wease”, like we outgrew getting hammered every weekend or treating women like they were objects.
My points were merely addressing the situation from a business perspective. I don’t view this any different than when WCMF outbid WHAM for the Bill’s radio broadcast. The team has been mired in mediocrity for several years now but still has a core of direhard fans no matter what. However, in hindsight, WHAM looks pretty good for letting the broadcasts go and I’m sure the team’s future at the time played into their decision. Will there always be devout Brother Wease listeners? Sure. Will he continue to be a cornerstone in which to build a station around? 95.1 is about to find out.
So Wease is now getting together with Lonsberry and shooting the .. Both of these guys have had some rather salacious stumbles that have prevented them from advancing there careers. I like Wease and detest Lonsberry.
Wease needs a team, or at least a strong sidekick. That won’t happen in the building where he now parks his butt. If he wants to be a part of a localized Hannity and Colmes type setup then he’ll come across as a weak Colmes. Not a good scenario.
I would’ve taken the pay cut and kept the crew at WCMF. He’s nearly past his prime. From what I surmise however is that Wease needs the work and the scratch. Good Luck.
[...] Semi-liberal, off-the-wall DJ Brother Wease is officially back on the air, on WFXF, 95.1 FM. We interviewed him back in March. [...]
I agree ,wease was all about himself and did not care who he hurt.What really angered me is when he was silent on the Dave Kane firing.This told me all I need to know about him.A liberal he is not but selfish he certainly is.Greed will be his downfall.