Why radio still seduces the man behind ‘The Drive’
Robservations on the media beat:
Greg Solk
- If he did nothing else in his career but invent “The Drive” — the most successful new radio format of the last 10 years — Greg Solk would be a local legend. But that’s just one in his impressive list of credits. So it seemed perfectly fitting that in conjunction with a multiyear contract extension, Solk, 48, was promoted this week to senior vice president of programming for Bonneville International. In addition to the blue chip trio of WDRV-FM (97.1), WTMX-FM (101.9) and WILV-FM (100.3) here, he oversees programming in a variety of formats nationwide for the Salt Lake City-based company. In announcing the promotion, Bonneville president and CEO Bruce Reese cited Solk’s “hard, smart work, which has earned the respect and appreciation of all his colleagues.” Solk began his career as a producer for Steve Dahl’s morning show when he was a 15-year wunderkind at Niles North High School in Skokie. What makes the dedicated radio veteran still believe in the business? Said Solk:
“There’s been a lot said about the demise of the radio business . . . blah, blah, blah. I have been seduced by this business since I was 15 years old. I still am today. I grew up with radio in the best time in radio’s history — the magical time of the Top 40 radio wars between WLS and WCFL, the movement of ‘album rock’ to the FM band — and I’ve listened to and worked side by side with the biggest air personalities the city’s ever seen. I’ve been fortunate to hang on long enough to see all the ebbs and flows of this industry, and I will not let all the naysayers distract or disrupt my passion for the business. Formats will come and go, so will big-name personalities. That’s the reality of the biz. But radio still remains vibrant and an important, vital part of millions of Chicagoans’ lives every day. I intend to do my best to keep the magic of radio alive and well — and I thank Bonneville for giving me that opportunity.”
- The Winter Olympics may have aired here on NBC-owned WMAQ-Channel 5, but the gold medal for news in February still went to ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7. At 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, Channel 7 won with a 9.8 rating, followed by Channel 5 with a 7.0 and CBS-owned WBBM-Channel 2 with a 5.2. On the nine weeknights when the Olympics weren’t on, Channel 7 had an even more commanding lead with an 11.0 rating, followed by Channel 2’s 6.1 and Channel 5’s 5.6. (One Nielsen ratings point represents about 35000 households.)
- Staffers at Fox-owned WFLD-Channel 32 and WPWR-Channel 50 are bracing for massive layoffs — mainly among technical and other off-air personnel — to take effect between now and July. Insiders said as many as 25 positions may be cut. Stayed tuned.
- Richard Roeper, the Sun-Times columnist and multimedia movie critic whose reviews appear on richardroeper.com, Starz, YouTube, hulu.com and elsewhere, turns up with Jay Leno on NBC’s new “Tonight Show” Monday to recap the Academy Awards. (Roeper’s Best Picture Oscar prediction: “The Hurt Locker.”) He’ll also talk about his new book, Bet the House: How I Gambled over a Grand a Day for 30 Days on Sports, Poker, and Games of Chance, published by Chicago Review Press.
- To hear them tell it, Ed Volkman and Joe Bohannon have a lot at stake when they substitute for afternoon host Roe Conn Thursday on Citadel Broadcasting news/talk WLS-AM (890). It’ll be their first show together as Eddie & Jobo since they left CBS Radio rhythmic Top 40 WBBM-FM (96.3) in November 2008. “We hope it turns out to be an on-air audition for somebody around town,” Volkman said of the fill-in gig. “We’re taking our comeback appearance kind of seriously.” Added Bohannon: “Seriously, this is gonna be a big step for us to see if we can make that transition.” The duo appeared in a morning show interview Thursday on Tribune Co.-owned WGN-Channel 9.
- Mark Bieganski, former Web editor and Oprah Winfrey blogger at the Sun-Times, this week launched his new Oprah blog for Time Out Chicago, where he’s senior online producer. And it’s a beauty. Titled “The end of O: Last days of talk-show queen Oprah’s reign,” it includes tips on how to score tickets to the show and links to all things Oprah on the Web. But the real draw is Bieganski’s authoritative (and unabashedly pro-Oprah) prose.
- Adriene Hill has resigned as business and economy reporter for Chicago Public Radio WBEZ-FM (91.5) to join American Public Media. She’ll be involved in a multi-platform project on sustainability, working with “Marketplace” and the American RadioWorks documentary unit.
- Steve Darnall, who was spotlighted here Monday as the new host of “Those Were the Days,” is launching an Internet-only showcase for old-time radio on yesterdayusa.com. “Radio’s Golden Age” will air online from noon to 2 p.m. Sundays, starting this weekend.
- Laura Washington, Sun-Times columnist and longtime Chicago media contributor, has been named president of the Woods Fund of Chicago, a foundation focused on increasing opportunities for the disadvantaged. Washington has been a Woods Fund board member for eight years, including three as chair.
blogs.vocalo.org
Nice story on Greg Solk. He is saying exactly what I’ve been saying. Live and local, which is what makes WDRV-FM interesting to listen to. Bob Stroud is talking to me, about local stuff. Hopefully the other stations in town with “satellite shows” featuring “emcees from afar” will pay attention.
Since its inception, the “Drive” works; keep it going Greg!
Richard Roeper and I share a birthday.
Bruce Reese is a class act.
On his future TV assignments, I sure hope Roeper is sporting those K-Mart jeans that he was wearing this morning on Monster’s and Money. What kimd of grown man wears jeans with snappy designs on the back pockets? Either a person that wants to appear young or a person down on their luck and grab whatever they can afford regardless of style.
Greg Solk is one smart dude. He grew up listening to some of the All-Time greats in Radio, And worked for some too. It’s nice to see somebody working in Radio, understand how good Radio is done. Now if more companies that ruin (I mean run) these cluster Fu#ks had people like Greg Solk working for them, They would have a clue on how to fix their mistakes!
Roeper’s goofy jeans were OK on M&M. They fit the show.
How much longer will Channel 2 give “Monsters & Money in the Morning”? Clearly, Mike North is hated by everyone on the set except Jiggets, all Terry Savage says is “Go to my website”, and it just doesn’t work.
I’m not kidding: I think Nick Jr. would do better for this time slot.
That’s great that Solk has been able to make a good living from his passion, and be recognized and rewarded for his hard work.
Greg Solk’s employer Bonneville may be the best-run, big market radio corporation in the country. In DC, all-news WTOP has more ad revenue than all of Sirius-XM. Also in DC, they’ve made money for 10 years on a niche format known as “Federal News Radio”.
Now we want the records played on radio to be introduced by people born in Chicago? Yes, it is very important to me to know that a guy born in Jefferson park is introducing the next Stones song. C’ mon enough with the local jingonistic nonsense. WDRV is not popular due to Bob Stroud, it happens to play music that appeals to the largest demo block in the city. Wait, why I am listening to bandas not from Chicago? Where is the radio station that plays only the Smashing pumpkins and Kayne West? WRDV is about the music and it is not programmed to have the DJ’s “talk to us”.
Greg Solk, that’s one massive career for a relatively young guy. He’s in a minority, he’s doing something right while too many are doing so much wrong. Now there’s a guy who deserves a reward. I saw a nifty gift item on eBay… “One slightly used marble media shower. Like new, willing to deliver and install after my meatball shift. Contact J.A.” At least Solk earned it!
Who the hell did NBC5 piss off? You own the Olympics and can’t win on those nights, that’s bad enough. But losing to CBS2 on your off nights? Wow… I guess I was the only one tuning in for the mindless Youtube clips you play at the end of each newscast. I still haven’t seen my beloved water-skiing squirrel though. I guess ole Nutty wasn’t wearing his lifevest. :-( Maybe NBC5 can time shift the newscast like one of the Olympic events. “For those of you who haven’t heard about the fire, lower your volume as we give the results.”
I’ve been somewhat entertained by Roeper’s Sun Times columns in the past and I have one of his books. But I’m surprised that the myth of his actually being a legitimate movie critic wasn’t covered in his Hollywood Urban Legends. “You, sir, are no Rog Ebert!” Keep trying, but I think critical mass of Roep saturation is upon us. I’m not sold on your movie critic skills. You’re more of a pop culture columnist.
E&J… really, I hope you guys are taking this “audition” seriously. Jobo sounds like Jack Lemon’s “Glengarry Glen Ross” loser character Shelley Levene… pretty desperate. “Put me on the board! Put me on the Cadillac board!” Coffee is for closers, babe.
An Oprah blog! I was wondering where I would get my O-Fix for the one minute of the day that Oprah isn’t invading our media lives. Long live the Queen!
“Check under your seats! Everyone gets a free ticket to my new show in L.A.!”
What bugs me about stations like “The Drive” and WXRT is their sense of self-importance; they seem to REALLY BELIEVE that they are playing “The greatest/most important music ever made,” or whatever the current tagline is. Come on, folks…like just about everyone else born after WWII I’ve enjoyed “contemporary” music and even like some of the stuff on the current Top 40 stations…but “the greatest?” Sorry, I have to tip my hat to the stuff on WFMT for that honor. And maybe a second-place vote to a hefty portion of the “Great American Songbook” but unfortunately that music seldom gets played on major-market stations anymore. (Anyone remember the “Music of Your Life” format on the old WJJD AM?)
I use to try and defend Mike North but I give up. He really does not have an ounce of common sense in his cranium. This week, he “scooped” that Mayor Daley wants a 2nd NFL team and the nitwits at Ch. 2 treated it as a real news story. Mayor Daley would also like the Olympics. The NFL has a little problem called a “lack of an NFL team in Los Angeles” before they consider a 2nd team in Chicago. However, the best example of his lack of intelligence is his idea to get 53 local corporations to each contribute $200,000 to support high schools sports and for the $200,000 each sponsor gets a logo on a t-shirt. North also thinks that each corporation will compete against each other for bragging rights as to which High School is better. This is his 16 inch soft mentality coming through. There is now way in heck that he is going to find 53 corporations to pony up $200,000. The corporations are not benevolent society’s and expect an equitable ROI for their money. Heck, the pro teams fight for $200,000 but North thinks a marketing executive is going to approve $200,000 for a local high school. And once again, WBBM-TV is treating his proposal as if it has legs and the city is behind this.
Finally, Terry Savage is a weak link on that show, along with North. She has no insight to offer on anything, including money matters.
>> In DC, all-news WTOP has more ad revenue than all of Sirius-XM. <<
#9, that is an odd statement, can you back it up? Is there a link anywhere to substantiate this? Not disputing it, just want to know where you picked that up from.
Hats off to Greg, The Drive is a no-frills, low cost, money generating machine that people love and keeps evolving with the times.
Warms Regards,
President Pedro
You’re right, Tony. I’m sure Greg Solk is constantly reminding Bob Stroud to give the weather in Boston, tell the listeners that the Stones are in concert in Boise, Idaho and tickets go on sales tomorrow, and give them the score from the Tacoma Washington class A baseball affiliate yesterday.
#15 I am not sure I know what you mean but it does not matter. It is obvious that you have never spent one day in this business.
I grew up listening to Larry Lujack, Tommy Edwards, Yvonne Daniels, Fred Winston, et al on WLS and the old WCFL (Super ‘CFL). Listening to WDRV is the next best thing to music-radio like it used to be in Chicago, but without as many of the obnoxious commercials that plagued muscis radio in the 1970’s.
I also am an avid listener of XM-Radio (satellite radio). They have entire stations devoted to music of various genres (60’s, 70’s, Beatles, Elvis, and others). The DJ’s are actual throw-backs to the Boss-radio DJ’s of the late 60’s. And the best thing…NO COMMERCIALS!! And their music inventory is incredible. They play the full-length songs (as opposed to the way commercial radio cuts the classic songs to fit a 3 minute format) and it’s the best of music radio the way radio used to be, but because of no commercials, it’s about 10 times better.
It costs about $13.00 a month, but it’s well worth every penney. Give it a try. You’ll be hooked in no time. (As an added bonus, for no extra charge, you can listen to every American and National league baseball game being played anywhere in country, which for me is a major plus)
WDRV is the closest thing to the way music-radio used to be and it’s free. But satellite radio is downright addictive.
One time when I was the traffic manager, I had an account executive ask me what the format of the station was. I’m thinking it might be you. Every program director I’ve ever worked for always told me to talk about whats going on locally when I’m on the air.
Nice piece about a District 219 alum; wish he would’ve gone to Niles East though!
Congratulations to Laura Washington. Let us hope her new job means we won’t see her in the newspaper anymore.
uh tony smith, bob stroud, born and raised in michigan, as for xm, great variety, but the dj’s are god awfull, and the 50’s station plays 60’s songs and the 60’s station plays 70’s songs, but i still like it enough to pay for it. i signed up for one year, there were great discounts to sign up for 4 years, but if they go bankrupt, you are out your subscription fees
as for wdrv, i like when they do the a-z thing, it takes like 9 days, but how come when they go back to regular programing, you can here some of the same songs the next day? and to borrow from an old king b (ron britian) bit, why oh why, oh why, oh why is the great bob stroud show, rock and roll roots, buried at 7AM on a sunday morning, answer that one mr. solk!!!!
He was a producer when he was 15? Wow what a great resume he must have had!
What people don’t seem to realize is that Bonneville is directly owned by the Mormon Church . . . a very organized and extremely wealthy religious cult. They have all the money they need to hire the best people and program the most successful formats.
Re: The Drive
It didn’t take a genius to create the so-called new format of The Drive. It seems Greg Solk noticed the same thing everyone else did: Prior to the creation of The Drive, WDAI had switched to a light classic rock format and experienced a modicum of success with Bob Stroud as their only name jock. Listeners clearly enjoyed the lack of interruption by the stale, cigarette-soaked voices of veteran jocks spewing clichés. But, maybe because it had always been done that way, WDAI went out and hired those aged veterans to fill the gaps between songs – resulting in a dramatic drop in ratings. Those who witnessed this realized the solution was to create the same format without the annoying jocks. The Drive is nothing more than the early stage WDAI as a light classic rock station.
congrats to Adriene Hill! sorry to see her leaving chi pub radio but at least i’ll still get to hear her on other shows…
….and leno is still on tv?
Mr Geneity’s comment should be removed. The Mormon Church is a religion, not a cult. His comment is highly offensive and has no place on this board.
And congrats to Greg Solk; one of the true professionals in the biz and a really nice guy. Something that can also be said about his bosses at Bonneville – nice people to do business with.
I feel soooo cheated. I once shared a hotel room with Greg (true) and I wasn’t seduced!!!!!
Ooops, slipped with the wording there. Of course it’s not a cult. Certainly not. No way. Why would anyone even think that? I MUST become more PC. I MUST become more PC.
They certainly do smile an awful lot over there at Bonneville, though…
@a person of civility #25, I agree with you that Homer Geneity’s comments are offensive. However, I do not think they should be removed. Homer Geneity has the freedom to be ignorant about such things. Some would hide their religious discrimination more discreetly. Maybe it would help to put a giant “M” insignia on each Mormon’s clothes for easy future identification. Now where have we seen such behavior in history? Hmmm… careful now.
Although I’m not a member of the Church of Latter Day Saints, railing against Mormon owned Bonneville stations is dangerous. That will lead you down some dark paths. Who will be next?
-signed Kent Brockman
Proud card carrying member of
Monty Python’s “Silly Party”.
Congratulations to Monica DeSantis for her promotion at WLS. Rock on, Monica!
I love The Drive. My 19 yr old daughter loves The Drive. It’s not just the music, or just the DJ’s. I contacted the station, via email, because I wanted to know how to get a 2010 Calendar. My daughter and I get one a year, and we enjoy that we are both on the Drive’s Advisory Board. I was emailed back immediately letting me know that although they were giving them away free at Midas, that they would get one out to me before January 2010. THAT IS CUSTOMER SERVICE. It is a Calendar. But I feature mine in my busy downtown Chicago Staffing Firm, and my daughter at her University. That was how radio stations earned a customer base. I actually still have my WLS Fantastic Plastic Card from the 80s.
If Greg Solk is so wonderful, why does the drive play the same 120 tune that were played when they were commercial free 10 years ago? And while we’re on the subject, why does radio in Chicago still suck? Why do WLS-AM and WGN sound alike? Why is the rest of the dial bland? Why does Felicia Middlebrooks STILL after being in Chicago for almost 20 years STILL mispronounce any word containing an “in” or an “en” combination?
The Bonneville station tags for classic rockers include:
The Sound…LA
The Mountain…Denver
The Arrow..Salt Lake
Their commercial breaks are so long that the people on internet streaming get an extra song in the break (fewer commericials than over air radio)
But the “deep tracks” HD2 stream is super.