[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Lou Pickney's 2025 NFL Mock Draft

Variety Hits Mailbag

September 27, 2005

I try to make it very clear that I don't own, or work for, or represent any of the radio stations that I list here. This is merely a site that serves as an information source on the Variety Hits (or Adult Hits or whatever name you prefer) genre. Most people seem to get that. But there are some who just don't. Here's a collection of some e-mails that have found their way into my inbox in the past few weeks. I'm not looking to embarrass anyone (or get anyone fired -- some people list their current employer in the e-mail sig line), so I'll leave the names/info off of here for this go-around. I'll leave in the "mailed by" part, as the first person on the list e-mailed me from work! Pretty brazen, I'd say.

Mailed-By: clearchannel.com
To: LouPickney@gmail.com
Date: Sep 22, 2005 1:49 PM
Subject: Interested

Greetings Lou,

I hope you are the person I need to contact. I recently became aware of Liberty and checked it out. Exciting! You see, I've been waiting quite some time for something like this to hit Richmond. I've spent many years on the Richmond airwaves, jocking Hot AC, Lite AC and Rock. The variety YOU offer is a unique combination of many great songs.

I very much want to return to Richmond where enjoyed much success in the past.

So, here's my resume and a commerical. (obviously i have alot more voice work, but this a good sample to start with) I wrote this spot and did one of the voice's for it. (c-3po) I also won SPOT OF THE MONTH for it for MARKET DELETED. If you like what you see and hear, I'd love to chat.

Lou: The Variety that *I* offer! I like that. If I really owned all of those stations, well first I'd be demonized in the industry for "forcing" my format into markets, though Salem does the same thing and no one says anything. But I'd also be very wealthy; all I'd need would be a negative made-for-TV movie about me and maybe I could host my own version of The Apprentice. My catch-phrase would be: "You're off the air!" On second thought, maybe there is some joy to be had in anonymity. Though I don't want to elaborate too much on that and then sound like Dave Chappelle does on his HBO Comedy Half Hour special from 1997 where he talks about not wanting to be too famous because he doesn't know if he can handle it. Anyway, let's move on.

Mailed-By: bellsouth.net
To: loupickney@gmail.com
Date: Sep 24, 2005 7:33 PM
Subject: Louie fm

I have discovered your new radio station. Although I do enjoy the music, you have almost four decades to chose from and you repeat songs so much. I listen every day and will hear the same songs every day. Other channels repeat their song list but you really shouldn't with as much variety that you should have. I just thought that I would let you know what some of your listeners have been saying. We want variety that is why we tune in. If you are going to just repeat we may as well just listen to the Max.

Lou: See, this ownership thing isn't all that it's cracked up to be. People are threatening *ME* that they'll listen to a Radio One-owned Hot AC if Clear Channel's WLUE doesn't start opening up the playlist a little more. Though, in this case, maybe the woman who e-mailed me got confused and thought that I was the Louie in Louie FM (I did go by the name "Louie" in grade school).

If I wanted to be mean-spirited, I could really yank people's chains about this. Write back and say, "You know what, we're going to keep saying that we play variety but only play what tests very well, because we know 100.5's signal is going to dwarf the pea-shooter that Radio One has on 102.3. So go ahead and listen to 102.3; it'll be gone in six months, and then you'll HAVE to listen to us." But that's just not my style. Plus I don't think Clear Channel Louisville would like me sending those types of e-mails on their behalf. My whole point with the website is to support the format, not irritate those who might listen to it.

Mailed-By: worldnet.att.net
To: Loupickney@gmail.com
Date: Sep 21, 2005 3:14 PM

Mr. Pickney i saw your ad for part time board ops in a trade magazine, just wondering if there is still any positions available.

Signature and header deleted

April 13, 2005

New Jersey 101.5
Attn: NJ 101.5 Employment Dept
Address deleted

Dear Mr. Johnson:

If New Jersy 101.5 requires a high-energyradio screener/producer or board operator with a no-excuses attitude who is up to any task, then I'm the person you're seeking. My qualifications and experience will enable me to fulfill your expectations.

I am particularly interested in a position with New Jersey 101.5 because of my background in radio broadcasting. Recent examples of my work include DELETED. I am interested in interviewing with you or one of your associates. I can be reached at DELETED to arrange for an interview at a mutually convenient time.

Lou: Sometimes I get e-mail that really has no rhyme or reason to it. Variety Hits related? No. RadioHotTalk.com related? No. Unless someone put my e-mail address in a trade publication as a contact for New Jersey 101.5 (not to be confused with New Jersy 101.5) as a rib (and why would someone do that??), this one was way off.

Mailed-By: msn.com
To: loupickney@gmail.com
Date: Sep 16, 2005 2:25 PM
Subject: thanks

hey lou folks,
just a few lines to say thank you for being my ROCK station away from home. i stayed at the gault house a few days while with my mother attended the gosple convention. found you folks and stayed tuned in till you went out of range. now im back and tuned in to our station kinda like you folks the jack . well thanks again and i will hope you are on the air when i return in the summer of 2006.

Lou: I have no idea what station this is in reference to, though the Gault House is in Louisville, so perhaps it's about 100.5 Louie FM in Louisville? I thought he meant my name, but "lou folks" might mean the station. I suppose I should be glad my name isn't Jack or Bob though as far as things being confusing with the name game...