The future is internet radio…and the future is NOW !

CES 2009 Preview: Internet radio in the car

by Chris Tutor

up date on Rooster.

all is well.

Rooster is home and recovering from a heart attack.

His doctor and his wife said he’ll return to the airwaves in 3 weeks…

Rooster says…I’ll see you on Monday.

We’ll see.

Thanks for all your prayers.

Good enough to become a macism ? you decide and let me know. If you set out to be liked, you would be prepared to comprimise on anything at any time, and you would achieve nothing. Margaret Thatcher

Humbleing Blog about Des Moines Local Live…thanks Pete. !

Live world in Des Moines
November 10, 2009 By: Pete Jones Category: Home is Where the Heart Is, Young Professionals

What are YOU passionate about?

That is the first thing Mac asks people when he meets them. From there, conversations are easy and in depth, but it is that first question that sparks it all. Who is Mac you might ask? Well, he is Mac, of Macs World…you know, that Local Live Radio station you listen to every day on the internet. Yes, I said the internet.

Macs World Live is a local station dedicated to Des Moines. There are 40 different segments featuring businesses and people from Des Moines. People like Doug Mitchell (“The Red Alert Hour”), Jason Kiesau (“Realization Nation”), Claire Clesi (“The Public Relations Princess”), Jeff Bratz (“Your Money Your Future – Now”), Michael Libbie (“Insight on Business”), and the newest addition starting tonight at 9 pm, Mike Banasiak (“YP Live,” featuring the Young Professionals Connection ).

Mac and his buddy Rooster hold their daily segment at 9 am when they speak about anything and everything, and they have been known to state their opinion a few times as well. Their good natured shows are the keynote to the entire station and the platform for Mac to explore people and their passions.

Macs World Live is complete with Blogs, Podcasts, Show Archives, and of course the Live shows. They broadcast right in the heart of Downtown, on the Skywalk level, right across from Panera Bread (** correction, actually it is Palmer’s Deli ). You probably know one of the segment hosts on Macs World, or if you work downtown have most likely walked right past them during one of their segments. Next time wave and you might just get a chance to pop in and say “Hi” while on the air. Well, ok, I can’t promise the last part…but wave anyway because the shows feature people from Des Moines and our great city.

Share and Enjoy

Nuff said. Citadel Broadcasting Sux…cause of it’s leaders…not it’s employees.

Loss Of Trust: How Citadel Media Just Raped Radio
A message from Radio Ink Publisher Eric Rhoads

Before I begin: In the interest of full disclosure, Citadel Media (formerly ABC Radio Networks) is an advertiser of Radio Ink.

Imagine, if you will, that your local radio station has spent 15 years and loads of money establishing a local personality. We all know that the personal connection to the talent on our radio stations is one of the most important assets we have. Radio’s value is not its signal or its tower. The value comes from the relationship we have with our listeners.

Our Worst Nightmare
When I was a programming consultant, our worst nightmare was having to find a way to take audience away from a heritage air talent who had a lifetime relationship with the listeners. We knew that if we could get that talent to jump ship, there was often more loyalty to the talent than to the radio station itself. If we could take the two or three most established personalities and move them to our station, we could have a much more successful start -up and destroy a competitor. If we couldn’t get them to come to us, we would look for ways to get them hired out of the market. That’s how important a strong local talent can be.

Sounding Local
Today, thousands of radio stations around the country rely on radio network feeds of formats and talent. The big sell is that you cannot afford to hire personalities this good in most small towns. Technology has become so flawless that local listeners most of the time don’t know that a talent is voicetracked or coming from a satellite network. The ability to sound local has improved significantly. Therefore, to the local listeners, the talent they are hearing is local talent.

Sleight of Hand
Last night we received a press release about how Citadel Media had shifted some talent around. What the spin didn’t indicate is that these changes were because of a bloodbath of network talent firings. Today my phone has been ringing off the hook from affiliates who are either immediately canceling their Citadel contracts or talking to alternative providers with the intent of canceling. Why? As one local manager I spoke with said, “Our stations success has been built around two air personalities who have been on our air for 15 years. Suddenly, they have been replaced. Our listeners don’t know these are satellite guys. They are local as far as they are concerned.”

Destroying Hundreds of Stations
Imagine the impact of this decision, which was economically driven. This casual decision to remove some high-priced talent on several formats is disrupting the competitive advantage on hundreds of radio stations in one fell swoop. One format alone may have several hundred stations that had built their entire businesses around those personalities over decades. Their competitors are popping open the champagne because the toughest talent to beat just got replaced by people who don’t have a bond with listeners. Of course, doing this across several formats could destroy (yes, destroy) the businesses of hundreds and perhaps thousands of radio stations. All to save a little money on highly paid talent.

Self-Destruction
This cost-saving move, which corporate executives may see as harmless, could result in loss of ALL of their format affiliates. Citadel Media’s competitors are on the phone today with every affiliate. In fact, while I was talking to one manager today, he received a call from Dial Global.

Killing Trust
Look, I would not want the debt, the pressure, the bankruptcy Citadel may be facing soon. And I too would be looking to save as much money as possible. I wouldn’t want to be in their shoes (though I’ll be one step closer when they cancel their advertising because of this missive). But don’t make material changes that kill the trust of your customers.

If you want to do it at your own radio stations and risk losing audience and revenue, so be it. But today millions of radio listeners woke up to new talent, wondering where the people who have been their friends for decades have gone. Radio owners across America just lost their heritage brands, and that has to severely impact their business. Advertisers have talent loyalties too, and this move could kill these affiliates.

How Dare You?
Where is Citadel Media’s loyalty to its affiliates? Without them, they have no business. How can affiliates trust Citadel Media now, when they’ve raped the airwaves in hundreds of markets that built their business on the heritage brands and air talent? Farid, how dare you treat your customers like this?

Broken Eggs
Corporate responsibility must go beyond financial responsibility to shareholders. Thousands of affiliate radio stations had all their eggs in the Citadel Media basket, and those eggs were broken over a decision to make the next quarter look a little better. The ironic thing is that this move will worsen shareholder value because of affiliates jumping ship, knowing they can never trust the company again.

Undo This Decision
If Farid Suleman were savvy, he’d call all those fired talent back, apologize to his affiliates, tell them this was a terrible error in judgment and that he did not realize the negative impact to his affiliates. This, and only this, will save his format business and might prevent a class action lawsuit.

Revenue Lost
I don’t make a habit of cutting my own throat. I know I’ll never see another advertising dime from Citadel Media. I know Farid will probably decide not to make his annual appearance on the group heads’ panel at our Forecast conference. I don’t care. I’m livid, and someone has to speak up and defend these radio stations, even at the expense of losing a substantial advertiser.

Hundreds of radio stations may be destroyed over this, millions of dollars in advertising may be lost, entire businesses may be destroyed because of this decision, which could impact the incomes of hundreds or thousands of radio station owners. This decision was simply irresponsible.

Best,
Eric Rhoads
Radio Ink

Outdoor Pursuits, November 9th, 2009

Thanks for listening in this week! We had a great show in the new RE/MAX Real Estate Concepts Studios. We are also on a new operating system which will also take some getting used to. HOWEVER, at the bottom of this post you will see that we EMBEDDED the show into the post, rather than posting a link, which is easier for you to use when listening to the archived shows. This way is much cooler!

Our special guest this week was Glenn Vondra, current seat holder on the Iowa Safari Club International’s Board of directors, and former chapter president.  This picture is of Glenn with a Reedbuck he took while in South Africa.

Glenn is a life-long hunter and has had many experiences on exotic hunts, but still considers the Iowa White-tailed deer his favorite game to pursue.  The Iowa Safari Club International is an official sponsor here on Outdoor Pursuits, and we set this interview up to inform our listeners about the value of becoming and maintaining a membership with this organization.  SCI fights for our rights as hunters and gun owners.  It is that plain and simple!  Last year SCI spent nearly $300,000,000 in efforts to educate Washington and fight the anti-hunting crowd.  This group needs your support as they support you!  Please visit SCI for more information on how you can get in volved.  

Glenn is also available to answer questions and discuss the many different activities and efforts the Iowa Chapter has been involved in.  Feel free to give Glenn a call!  515-996-9327

Glenn and I also discussed many of his adventures overseas and how emmersing youself into the culture of other nations while sharing the common language associated with our passion of hunting makes the hunt itself secondary to the entire experience!

Here are a few pictures of Glenn’s adventures:

Nyala Bull

Glenn with a Red Duiker

Glenn’s daughter, Beth Ann Gerring with a Tiger Fish…. these things could give our Muskies a run for their money!!

I won’t give too much more away about our conversation, you will have to listen to the archived show which is embedded below.  But above all else, your involvment in SCI will help assure the future of this sport that we love so much!  Consider it please, for our children’s sake!

Iowa Safari Club International

A big word of THANKS to our official Sponsors:

Berkley Fishing Products

Iowa Safari Club International

Please listen to and enjoy the archived show to get all the details and be sure to check out our Official Home Page Blog ONLY  on MacsWorldLive.Com

Attack on Ft. Hood WAS Terrorism !…

I will work  my best to not sound like a raving, anti-Muslim, flag waving, America loving pissed off patriot…But this savage attack on Ft. Hood was a terrorist attack !

This is a quote from National News Network Fox…

11/6/2009
“ Authorities search apartment of Fort Hood suspect Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, who reportedly gave away his furniture and copies of the Koran to neighbors before the shooting.”

…and this…
“Authorities have not ruled out that Hasan was acting on behalf of some unidentified radical group, a senior U.S. official in Washington said. Soldiers who witnessed the shooting rampage at Fort Hood that left 13 people dead reported that the gunman shouted “Allahu Akbar!” before opening fire. The religious  comment  is Arabic for “God is great!”

 

…and then there is this from the Associated Press

” An Imam from a mosque Hasan regularly attended said Hasan was  a lifelong Muslim.”

OK…

I’m not making this up..

When are we going to wake up and start being God Loving Americans ?

This religion grows hate and violence…

you might say “so do all religions”…

yep…and when we find signs that that religion, whatever it may be, is interfering with the freedoms from religion we so Cherish…we eliminate those public signs of that faith.

No cross’s on public ground.

No Ten Ccommandments in court houses

No manger scenes outside…anywhere ! ( thank heavens for the Catholics who refuse to remove their Nativity scenes from their Churches )

So when we have World Wide Evidence of a religion killing people for no reason other than their religion hays they will go to heaven for eternity and be rewarded for killing the infidel with virgins…Please !
We would yell B.S. if anyone tried to justify that justification for any action..let alone murder !
This is America.
We are the King of B.S .radar.
We can smell it a mile away…

We have the authority to stop this within our borders…
Or are we too chicken of the Political Correctness Police to call a spade a spade.
This is a religion of hate and murder..
We loose blood and treasure everyday somewhere in the world fighting this extreme religion…

No…today , we have to fight it here…on what most Americans agree that was the safest place in the world…Ft. Hood.  People…our streets are next…and then Americans will live in the same fear that other peace loving people do all over the middle east.
We see it everyday on TV report after TV report…
Suicide bombers murdering innocent people in markets all over the world.
is Court Ave next…
How about Jordon Creek on a Sunday before Christmas?
or the campus before a sat afternoon college football  game?

No, you say…

They’ll just stick to Tall Buildings and Hotels. LOL

 
Do we have to Ban Islam in America ?

No…absolutely not.
But if this religion can’t weed out the crazies, then we will…
and they will not be protected by their “Religious Freedoms”
Over and over this terrorist was found difficult to work with.
He was argumentative about his angst against Obama and the war…

and over and over used his “religious freedom” to threaten any actions towards him.

My Grandmother used to tell my mother…”If You can’t control your children…I will!”

Islam…if you cant control your followers…America will.
Ball is in your court…I will fight for your right to honor our Father God in any way you choose…
but if in the name of our God…
you continue to terrorize this nation…
You will be the first religion considered Banned in this great country..
and that IS what America is all about.

” If you want to belong to the club…you gotta follow the rules. You don’t like the rules?…tough!
Your out of the club !
God Bless America!
There is no room in the country for people who choose to murder innocent American citizens.

But it’s your voice I want to hear in Macs World…

I’m Listening…

 

My Nephew Cody Heisel wrote this amazing tribute to our vets.

 

Called to Serve

by
Cody Austin Heisel
            The Great War.  The war to end all wars.  The pointless peace war.  The First World War had multiple names, but for the men who fought in it, war was war.  From 1917 to1918, more than 4.7 million Americans had signed up for the military.  A total of 116,516 soldiers’ lives were taken in World War I.  On November 11, 1918, an armistice was signed to end one of the most destructive wars in all of our history.  On May 13, 1938, an Act, specifically 52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code, Sec. 87a, was approved to make this date, November 11, a legal holiday.  The day was mostly dedicated to our veterans and the world peace they had enforced.  This day was celebrated as “Armistice Day.”  On June 1, 1954, the holiday’s name was changed to “Veterans’ Day,” primarily for the purpose of including World War II veterans in the celebration.  The Uniforms Holiday Bill, signed on June 28, 1968, had the purpose of insuring that Veterans Day, George Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, and Columbus Day all be held on Mondays, giving Federal employees multiple three-day weekends.  On September 20, 1975, Public Law 94-97 was signed by Gerald R. Ford, returning the celebration date of Veterans Day to November 11, no matter what day of the week it falls upon.

            The reason for Veterans Day is found in our history.  But in order to better understand what our veterans mean to us, the following story, inspired by stories of my grandfather, who served in World War 2, gives a portrayal of a soldier’s country and purpose.  Walk in his shoes, see through his eyes, and understand the depth of the responsibility he assumed in order to keep freedom alive.

            The plane rumbled beneath my feet.  I couldn’t believe that I was actually headed for home.  I lick my chapped lips, the anticipation leaves me restless.  How will I be welcomed? I wonder.  I check my watch, we are almost home.  My heart starts to pound, but I focus on the tiny, clouded window to maintain my calm.

            I feel the plane begin its decent, and within moments, it’s screeching to a halt.  Will my daughter push me away like the stranger I am?  Or will she fall into my loving arms that ache to hold her?  This is the first time we meet, and I’ve never been so nervous.  The plane’s door opens, and the foldable stairs come down with a thud.  I grab my backpack, adjust my hat, and take a deep breath.  I trail my fellow soldiers out onto American soil.  It feels different; smells different.  I refrain from bending over and kissing the ground.

            Scanning the crowd, I look for familiar faces.  I see the family of one of my best friends.  A deep sadness clouds their eyes, portraying clearly their misery.  A stab of loss threatens to steal my legs from underneath me as I approach them.  My friend’s mother wraps her arms around me, her slight body shaking.  She whispers, “Welcome home, son.”

            I want to tell her that I wish her own son could hear those words, but that would make it harder for her.  Instead I withdraw a letter from my breast pocket, warmed from the heat of my heart.  It’s stamped with an American flag, and in small, distinct lettering, reads:  “To my family, with love.”  I hand this to her; tears spill onto her cheeks as she clutches it to her chest.  These are the last words she will ever hear from her son.  I know that she will probably want to read them when she’s home, surrounded by his presence.  Tears blur my vision, my throat constricts.  The heavy silence is daunting.  I say, “Your son is a true American hero, ma’am.  He saved the lives of an entire school filled with children.  I am so proud to have served beside him.”  She begins to sob.

            Before I could add that I loved him like a brother, I feel a tug on my sleeve.  I know who it is, yet when I turn I’m surprised by the powerful, overwhelming emotions that I feel as I glimpse the warmth of her smile.  Is there a shadow of uncertainty there?  I smile back at her, enveloping my wife and daughter in my arms, not ever wanting to let go.  They are like a breath of fresh air, a reminder as to why I’m wearing this uniform.  I squeeze them harder, and my daughter squeals.  I let go, and take my wife’s hand as I study my daughter.  I forget to breathe in that moment, when her beauty and innocence hit me like a splash of cold water.  Mine, all mine, I think, gratitude and pride surging through my veins.  The tiny figure is staring at me now, with her thumb tucked firmly into her mouth.  She has my eyes, and they’re full of not acceptance really, but of open curiosity.  I smile encouragingly, my arms now outstretched, awaiting her arrival.  But she tucks her head against her mother’s neck, still just watching me.  “That’s Daddy,” my wife explains as she moves closer to me.  My baby smiles, from the cocoon of her mothers arms, four teeth beaming up at me.  All that I missed, all that I have, is bittersweet as I wrap them both again in my arms.

            Each night since my return, I have dreamt.  Tonight is no different.  Will I ever be truly free from the horror of my stints overseas?  I pull off the covers, the blast of air cold against my drenched skin, the screech of bombs still ringing in my ears.  Is it all worth it? I wonder.  I stare at my wife and daughter, snuggled safely in our bed.  There were no bombs to be heard in the distance here.  I glance out the window.  Light is peeking over the horizon.  The suburb street is quiet, save for two children with backpacks, waiting at the end of their driveways, their attention focused off into the distance, searching for the bus that would take them to school.  I realize now that the sacrifice and the risk are worth it.

            I lay down again, holding my family in my arms.  So much faith they have in me!  Sleep still evades me, and gives me ample time to think.  I find that my family has truly extended.  My family now encompasses all of America.  I am America’s parent, called to love and protect, and I reaffirm my vow to do so to the best of my abilities.  I will make them feel secure and thwart those who would harm them.  I will carry freedom to distant lands, spreading it like seeds in the wind, praying that freedom will take root and grow like wildflowers.  I hope my efforts will enfold the world in refreshing beauty.  In this way, I will continue to fight to keep my family safe.

            My time at war was done.  All of the nights camped out in the freezing snow, marching in the smoldering sun, working always, relaxing never were finally over.  The fear of being killed, never to see your family again, was the worst feeling a man could feel.  Men killed for that thought.  They killed so they wouldn’t be killed.  If they ran, they were killed.  If they stayed and fought, often times, they were killed.  The sounds, the screaming agony of dying soldiers all around you, the artillery shots in the air, the smell of gunpowder, blood, infection, and death.  Acrid, horrid death.  Friends’ death.  Enemies’ death.  But all of this was over now.  I had given my life for my country, and, luckier than many, I survived.  I thought about what could have happened; it felt as if I had conquered Hell itself.  I could have been killed.  Worse, I could have been tortured, and then killed.  I could have been maimed to a point where my family couldn’t even tell who I was anymore.  I could have gone crazy.  I could have reflected on what I had just done, contemplating suicide.  Yet I was one of the fortunate ones.  I was coming back unscathed, except for nightly reminders of the horror and anguish that had surrounded me.  The nightmares were bearable though, compared to some.  I would have these nightmares for all of my years, but that just kept my pride strong.  They showed that me, my men, and anybody else that fought in the war that we had given all we had for our country.  She had repaid us, keeping our families safe, allowing us to continue on in the world as the United States of America.  To those who did not survive, we owe every shred of gratitude we can muster up; with them knowing the sacrifices they and their families took to preserve our country, and our future.  They will always be in our hearts and prayers, for they are the true heroes of America, the land of the free.

            Veterans think about country first and believe in America and her freedoms.  They carry the responsibility of maintaining this freedom, and spreading it; a heavy burden to bear.  Believe in them.  Veterans have risked, they’ve sacrificed, and they have always been there when America called.  Support them.  Veterans have seen and lived through so much, have shared so much, yet they’ve asked for very little in return.  Honor them.  By their selfless acts, our military mothers and fathers have earned our respect and our gratitude.  Let’s give them something in return, as we celebrate our veterans and their service to our country.  Remember them.

            Our veterans, our military…they are the backbone of our freedom and our unity.  They are our history and our future.  Today and forever more, we should serve them.

doug…yes mac?

Outdoor Pursuits, November 2nd, 2009

Thanks for listening in this week! We had a great show in the new RE/MAX Real Estate Concepts Studios. We are also on a new operating system which will also take some getting used to. HOWEVER, at the bottom of this post you will see that we EMBEDDED the show into the post, rather than posting a link, which is easier for you to use when listening to the archived shows. This way is much cooler!

Our first guest of the evening was the legendary “Fishbonker”  (Yes, that is his name, I am pretty sure he signs his checks that way)  Recently, ‘Bonker went to Oklahoma to hunt wild boars with Boar Ridge.  We talked with ‘Bonker about his experience as he relived his hunt.  I know a handful of people that have hunted at Boar Ridge and have nothing but great things to say!  I have not been there, but I trust the feedback I was given!  Here are a few photos of the big pig ’Bonker harvested.

These are large animals, no doubt!

Duped by the legendary Bonker-Flage

‘Bonker is also a boad member for the Iowa Bowhunters Association.  We discussed the importance of supporting this organization if bowhunting in Iowa is important to you.  They Politically fight for the rights of Iowa Bowhunters and encourage the next generation by financially supporting activities like Archery in the Schools program.  We will have ‘Bonker on again to talk about his Outdoor Pursuits and the IBA.  Thanks!
 

Our special guest tonight was Roger Sigler with Antler Dogs  

Pictured below are Roger’s daughter, Amy, wife Sharon, and two of their shed huntin’ pups.  You are truly out-classed, my friend!

We had a great time with Roger!  The story of how he got his start in the dog training world is inspirational and impressive!  He has been a student of animal training for a long time and his method is quite proven as his work has been published many times over.  Roger, Sharon, and Amy train dogs from a young age on hunting for shed antlers and blood trailing wounded game. 

As usual we ran out of time before we could get to all of our discussion topics.  We will be having Roger and Sharon on the show in the near future as we barely scratched the surface of what Roger has to share!

I don’t want to give too much away, this conversation was a ton of fun and you will have to listen to the show for the full experience!  Be sure to check out Roger’s  Antler Dogs Website.  Thank you very much for your time and insight Roger, we will have to do it again!

Please enjoy the archived show anytime, anywhere as it is EMBEDED below! 

A big word of THANKS to our official Sponsors:

Berkley Fishing Products

Iowa Safari Club International

Please listen to and enjoy the archived show to get all the details and be sure to check out our Official Home Page Blog ONLY on MacsWorldLive.Com

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