FM 94/9 takes on Mikey in the mornings…
This is a letter I wrote to program director Garrett Michaels @ 94.9 FM in San Diego…
Hi Garrett,
It has come to my attention that 94/9 FM has decided to pick up Mike Esparza of the Mikey show. This concerns me on many levels. I have never cared enough about a radio station to even bother writing an email, as there are very few radio stations like 94/9, I have decided it is my duty to write a letter with my feelings on this matter. I’ll start by again stating my obvious love for 94/9, the “about the music” vibe, the educational value, the intelligent approach to all forms of good music, no matter what genre or platform its origins lie. I love that 94/9 doesn’t talk over songs, educates it’s listeners through intelligent discussions about the facts behind the music and the artists creating it, your approach to your sponsors’ and doing what you have to do to sell advertising and keeping said advertising from making any decisions about what you play… All in all, 94/9 has been the most balanced, alternative/progressive station I have even had the fortune to have in my community. With that being said, I caught your long speech the other night, regarding operating in the red in 2009 for the first time, not making a profit and having to make the hard decision to let Halloran go, the other guy who has been there from the start… I really respected the info, the way it was handled and the complete transparency that you as a person and as a station have always had. Even if I don’t agree with everything, I can always count on you guys to be straight up and on the level…
I cannot for the life of me understand why; as a radio station, a company, an individual would sacrifice the last several years of building a solid reputation as one of the best radio stations in the country, by bringing a show like the Mikey morning show onto your station. I have had the misfortune of listening to Mikey in the mornings on a few occasions and I am really struggling to see how he fits into your mission statement as I see it (http://www.fm949sd.com/TheMission.aspx).My personal thoughts on Mike Esparza are as follows…Holier than though, close-minded and misogynistic. How in the hell does this guy fit into the realm of such a progressive and intelligent station? I half expect the next step will be hearing bands like Nickelback, Creed and Stain’d creeping into the play-lists. I’m fearful that this is the beginning of the demise of a great station. What will happen to the Friday morning Blues set, or the guys from Stone Brewery? The reason I listen to 94/9 in the morning in the first place is because it is the ONLY station that plays great music, with limited interruptions. It’s some news, local events and then back to the music. It is a formula that works. No bullshit, no whistles, no games, sound effects or goofy morning personalities. I enjoy the momentary commentary about a certain artist or song before going into session after session of just great music.
Mikey angers me and I’m sure I am not the only one that feels this way. 94/9 will be my refuge for Big Sonic Chill and Bob Marley and friends on Sundays… I will not listen to 94/9 in the mornings starting Jan 25th. Thanks for your time in reading this rant.Concerned listener,Joshua Riddle