Line Out - Comments on I Anonymous, Line Out Edition

Comment by local guy

local guy — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 09:38:30 -0800

Well, to be fair, there are plenty of donor dollars coming in from NYC as well. But I do wish the station would focus more on Seattle and split its time less. (Insert plug for Hollow Earth Radio as truly local alternative deserving of support.)

As to the first two sentences, what's the basis for that? Is this acknowledged fact that I've missed, or just another rumor?

Comment by cosby

cosby — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 09:55:37 -0800

replace 'new york' with 'kirkland' or 'bothell' to see how dumb this rant is. dude wants to spend the money he earned to do something he wants, why does anon care? isn't there an entire government infrastructure doing a shitty job to tear apart before a dude who is doing a good job?

Comment by Megan Seling

Megan Seling — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 10:02:55 -0800

I have calls and e-mails into the station to confirm whether or not this is true. We'll keep you posted.

Comment by Jeff

Jeff — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 10:09:28 -0800

Why is this news? Who cares where John lives or how he choses to spend the money he earned.

This reaks of childish jealousy on some spurned volunteers part.

He runs a label, does consulting and manages bands. KEXP is not his sole source of income.

Besides, eveyone already know Kid Hops is the best DJ on the station.

Comment by local guy

local guy — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 10:18:34 -0800

@4 - People care because they give their own money to support the station and the music it plays, not the multiple houses of one personality and broadcasts 3000 miles away. Yeah, he has other sources of income, but he gets a huge chunk of it from KEXP. I'm not saying I agree completely with the original complaint, but I do understand where he's coming from.

Comment by not true

not true — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 10:22:06 -0800

IT IS NOT TRUE. KEXP is adding a show that will air in NYC. There will be a different DJ.

Comment by blip

blip — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 10:25:16 -0800

I guess the best option for this guy is to stop pledging if he is so concerned with what part of the organization his money is going toward. Geez.

Comment by Gem

Gem — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 10:33:44 -0800

@6 - will it air on the dial?? KEXP has been very strategically moving into the NYC market - sponsoring shows and events there, buddying up with recording studios, and even taking over a station on the dial for a week last year. New York really, really needs a KEXP. The music scene there is so huge, anything that could make it more cohesive, and give music fans a way to find out more about local bands would be welcome.

At the same time, it's going to take a lot of money and marketing to make that station succeed. FM radio stations have trouble because no one in NYC really drives, so there isn't a whole lot of opportunity to turn on the radio. Also, in Manhattan, the tall buildings interfere with reception. So even if you had an FM radio in your apartment or at work, you might have trouble getting it to come in clearly.

Hopefully, they'll spare the expense of having an address on the FM dial and just do an online NYC broadcast and have an NYC website/ calendar listings. That would be really cool.

Comment by kerri harrop

kerri harrop — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 10:45:27 -0800

@4: Kid Hops murders it on a regular basis. He is right up at the very tip top of great KEXP DJs

Gotta add Riz and Masa in there, too. Also Greg Vandy and Johnny Horn. Seriously good stuff.

As for where John Richards lives, who gives a fuck? Technology has made it possible for many to do the same thing. Don't hate the player, hate the game.

Comment by fullon

fullon — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 11:01:58 -0800

As a longtime KEXP and KCMU listener, I've found John Richards to be overrated (and overpaid) for years now. KEXP should dump him entirely. The celebrity status he has achieved, especially in this city but beyond as well, has eclipsed what made KEXP so great - fresh, cutting edge, unexpected and wonderful music. John Richard's own morning tune choices have become predictable and banal.

KEXP needs new blood.

On a personal note, I have not made a donation to the station since two years ago after learning of Richard's highly over-inflated salary. I don't even want to know what he's making now.

Comment by mackro mackro

mackro mackro — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 11:02:05 -0800

OK, I like KEXP. But New York does NOT need a KEXP. They already have something nearby that's much better: WFMU.

Comment by mackro mackro

mackro mackro — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 11:03:56 -0800

I wish Seattle had a WFMU.

Can we donate to KAOS in Olympia so they can get a megatransmitter so we can get them up here?

Comment by Jeff

Jeff — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 11:09:40 -0800

WFMU is by far more eclectic and free-from radio, this is true.

The Best Show on WFMU with Tom Scharpling is audio gold.

Comment by juan richards

juan richards — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 11:13:10 -0800

other facts about him:
-he employs illegal aliens, paying them sub-minimum wage to wash his cars (he has seven)
-he made high five-figure donations to both mccain & hilary
-he is in on the group that is buying the crocodile, and plans to build a live-in loft/recording studio
-he's a member of NRA

Comment by Seattle Radio Fan from Way Back

Seattle Radio Fan from Way Back — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 11:18:29 -0800

Who? What I want to know is when Robin and Maynard and Pat Cashman will be back on the air.

Comment by Seth

Seth — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 11:23:16 -0800

According to The Stranger, Richards made $90K last year, maybe $120K in bonuses. That's BARELY enough to buy an APARTMENT in New York, let alone a "house"...let alone a "big house"...let alone a "new big house."

Comment by markle

markle — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 11:25:08 -0800

@14

he is a member of the national restaurant association?

whoa. dudes got his finger in all kinds of pies...

Comment by markle

markle — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 11:25:29 -0800

@14

he is a member of the national restaurant association?

whoa. dudes got his finger in all kinds of pies...

Comment by KEXP is Great

KEXP is Great — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 11:36:45 -0800

Kevin Cole and Stevie Zoom are strong DJs without all the ego. If John leaves, it would mean opportunity for all the other talented DJs and it would give a fresh breath to the music choices at KEXP. John is OK, but he seems like the Little Prince of the station. Seems like his 15 minutes are up.

Comment by KEXP is Great

KEXP is Great — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 11:36:45 -0800

Comment by KEXP is Great

KEXP is Great — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 11:37:07 -0800

Comment by KEXP is Great

KEXP is Great — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 11:37:09 -0800

Comment by KEXP is Great

KEXP is Great — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 11:41:26 -0800

btw - his salary is public information as he is technically an employee of the University of Washington.

Comment by KEXP is Great

KEXP is Great — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 12:03:04 -0800

Oops - I was wrong. John is paid by Friends of KEXP, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Their Form 990 shows his comp $109K in 2005. They have not yet filed their 2006 tax return, yet (even though it was due by 11/15/07 at the latest). You can view all 990s at www.guidestar.org.

Comment by infrequent

infrequent — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 12:28:45 -0800

well, i liked that he was in seattle -- though he could technically spin from anywhere -- because you know what's going on around you. sure, other people can keep you informed. but when you go out to shows, and meet people, you have a better change of representing that region.

Comment by Explorer

Explorer — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 12:46:46 -0800

If this is true, I think it would only mean good things for KEXP.

KEXP is not "paying a DJ to live in New York," or Seattle for that matter -- they're paying a DJ to do a job. If he can do his job from New York (which he certainly can) more power to him and more to the station, with more access to East Coast and European artists for in-studio performances and interviews, as is frequently the case when they broadcast from the Museum of TV & Radio there.

Comment by infrequent

infrequent — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 12:58:45 -0800

@26 eh... i still want seattle radio. i can get international arts anywhere.

Comment by Explorer

Explorer — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 13:06:01 -0800

@27, if it's true that he's splitting his time, you'll get both. Even if he's only going to be in NYC, you'll still get both.

Comment by Christine

Christine — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 14:53:25 -0800

Hey anonymous volunteer...
Get your facts straight.
John has not had a raise in several years and has not received one recently in conjunction with his move to NYC. Also, the "big house" was paid for with the money that John's mom left him when she passed away from lung cancer 4 years ago. Oh, and it's an 1,100 SF condo in Brooklyn.

Comment by MadDogM13

MadDogM13 — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 15:22:05 -0800

John the Morning Yapper is moving to NYC??? Thank Christ!! (Or the Friends of KEXP, whoever put in the most $$$. Hey, can I donate to them?)

Anyone who wants to listen to real music instead of whoever JTMY is making money off of this month can listen to WFMU at: http://wfmu.org/wfmu.pls.

Comment by lar

lar — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 15:37:10 -0800

@ 15

What about Chet Buchanan?

Comment by cosby

cosby — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 16:14:37 -0800

@30:
i'll be sure to listen to wfmu during drive time by getting a laptop, getting a broadband card, going to the wfmu homepage, clicking on their online broadcast, and hooking it up to a wireless fm transmitter instead of pressing a button to listen to kexp.

* disclosure: i've donated to, have been featured on, have had friends at, and all around like wfmu. also, i don't drive to work.

Comment by shotsix

shotsix — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 16:24:28 -0800

@10

Like you, my donations to KEXP ceased after a Weekly article several years ago exposed his six digit salary. I mean, geez, I thought I was supporting a bunch of starving students, not luxury amenities. He doesn't exactly come across as a sympathetic character anyways...

Comment by justin

justin — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 16:45:19 -0800

John is way over paid. I have thought it was lame for a while now that they have been doing live shows in Chicago and NY, and then begging for money. They need more money, let Paul Allen give it to them. I am tired of them playing the same old indie rock shit over and over any way.

Comment by anon

anon — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 16:51:43 -0800

It's true.

Comment by some girl

some girl — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 18:52:23 -0800

uh...hello? Since when is a six digit salary 'overpaid' in a city with such a high cost of living? Like him or don't (and i don't) he's a cultural asset to the city. Yes he's a bit of a prince of the station but he sort of built something out of nothing. People who start shit should get paid a lot more than people who carry it on.

Comment by Bob Dobolina

Bob Dobolina — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 19:29:27 -0800

Since when is 109k overpaid in Seattle or NYC? He raises the most money for the station, he deserves what he gets. In fact, I bet he could do a whole lot better if he moved on. And if he moved on, KEXP would be in financial trouble. Be careful for what you ask for haters.

Comment by mark

mark — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 19:50:26 -0800

any idea what the other Cheryl and Kevin make? Keven dj'd for prince, daaaaaaaaaaaaaammmmmmmmmnnnnn.

Comment by rk

rk — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 21:12:59 -0800

I'm totally fine with what he makes. When it comes to having any kind of reasonable home and lifestyle as an adult in this city, having a six-figure income definitely helps. I don't think he's overpaid, given his stature and that of KEXP.

It would be unfortunate, though, if he is indeed permanently and full time moving to NYC. I think it will tend to shift his perspective and that of KEXP away from Seattle.

Comment by rk

rk — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 21:18:02 -0800

On the other hand, I think KEXP continuing to ask for public donations, as if their very existence depends on it, is totally ridiculous.

Comment by KEXP is Great

KEXP is Great — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 22:01:27 -0800

In 2005 (3 years ago), Kevin Cole made $70K. Tom Mara made $119K. The other highly paid folks were "account executives".

Also, in 2005, contributions to KEXP were $2.7 million. (The station operated at a $200K net loss in 2005.)

Comment by no kidding

no kidding — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 22:10:39 -0800

Let him go to NY. Maybe we won't be subjected to stories about his kid any more.

Comment by huh

huh — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 22:22:05 -0800

@36
Yah, John is solely responsible for what KEXP is today, are you kidding me? What about the dozens of volunteers who have slaved away to be part of the station, only to have him take most of the credit? He's getting old and stale. But it's time we share all of this with KEXP, starting out by filling out their listener survey, www.kexp.org

Comment by some girl

some girl — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 01:40:26 -0800

@43 Some people are leaders. Some people are followers. No disrespect to the volunteers at KEXP but he blazed the trail. Trailblazers deserve to be compensated because they have a more significant impact on the world.

Comment by some other girl

some other girl — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 08:44:25 -0800

Let him go, maybe then they'll stop force feeding us the same jingly jangly recycled emo crap that's been slowly taking over at KEXP. And the very strangely WRONG, almost on the verge of Payola, pimping of The Blakes, John's little emo pets.

Comment by geoffrey

geoffrey — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 11:18:40 -0800

@44. trailblazers and leaders do deserve to be compensated me. but when many of your listers are poor, and when you live in such a liberal place, one cannot help but make the comparisons to the capitalist machine. this does not reflect the values of the community, where the workers should be treated well, and where the supporters should be asked for less if possible.

Comment by lame

lame — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 12:33:48 -0800

i agree with the anti-John rants. He's a lame dj, he's ruined the best station in Seattle and he's clearly pushing his interest conflicts. But the Kexp-lemmings are programmed to think he's great or cutting-edge, so they'll keep coming to suckle his tit everytime he gets exposed as the con his is.

Comment by some girl

some girl — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 12:53:36 -0800

yes the self-promotion of his bands bites and the lame recycled emo sucks too. but his compensation is not an issue to me. Don't we want people in nonprofit arts orgs to be well-compensated?

Comment by dark&long

dark&long — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 13:04:27 -0800

@48 translated: Yeah, JR possesses dubious ethics and foists lame music on his listeners, but, holy cow, he sure does bring in the $ from his legions of loyal suckers.

Comment by KEN

KEN — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 14:44:06 -0800

John is a terrible DJ. Not even close to being worth the premium they pay for him.

Comment by some other girl, too

some other girl, too — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 15:10:04 -0800

#48 - Yes, people in non-profit arts should be well compensated. The people who make the art - the musicians and the DJs who play them. All of the DJs who do their part should be paid fairly. Not just management and account executives and the Prince (who really is not a leader - not sure where you see him as a leader compared with others at the station). Do you also believe that CEOs should make $20 million while competent, innovative workers should make under $50K?

Comment by huh

huh — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 16:18:53 -0800

John as leader? Have you ever met him? He makes me want to run the other way. I support the station because I believe in it, and a lot of the other dj's are wonderful. If he left, KEXP would still be amazing, even if that meant it had a couple extra thousand lesss, which by the way is being put into a bank account so that they can go to New York.

Comment by update

update — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 09:01:27 -0800

The Seattle Times has the story: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004175984_kexpstory.html

This is a partnership with a for-profit radio station.

Comment by update

update — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 09:06:28 -0800

And the PI

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/tv/350771_kexp11.html

Comment by Billy Guns

Billy Guns — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 14:32:26 -0800

i think we need to give don slack a shot at the 6 to 10 am slot. he's long over due.

Comment by K. McAvoy

K. McAvoy — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 14:41:12 -0800

Yeah! I think we need a Slack Attack!! Some honky tonk mixed w/western swing would get that Radiohead taste out of our mouths.

Comment by jstme

jstme — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 19:13:16 -0800

FWIW, John's wife wants to go to school in NYC which is why he's considering the move...