PERMANENT VACATION
Hello my fellow radio comrades,
After 44 years of being a mad scientist in the radio industry, I decided to call it a career at the end of 2023. During my time in the lab, I was fortunate enough to work with over 100 stations in all market sizes and with multiple formats as a programmer, morning personality and consultant. Needless to say, I worked with a lot of outstanding people that allowed me to have a long career and to them I say thank you. I now realize it was you that allowed me to have such a long and rewarding career and you know who you are.
It's been over two years since I exited stage right, and the best way I can explain leaving the business is it was extremely difficult to go from working at a 150 mph pace down to about 10 mph. The people I had relationships began to fade due to them still having busy careers and personal lives. In short, life gets extremely quiet and after talking to others in my situation from all walks of life, this is normal. I've actually become very fond of the quiet and wonder how I put up with all the chaos a career in radio brings with it. Time has now become my most valuable commodity and I've chosen to spend it wisely with a small circle of family and friends.
To those of you who remain involved in the radio industry have your work cut out for you. I hear the stories from the people I stay in touch with and they tell me it's a real challenge. The best advice I can give you is radio has always been a challenge. The challenges are just different. As radio evolves, the changes will be many but if you choose to remain, then it's up to you to change the culture for yourself and others. It has to come from the bottom up and not top down. Your attitude will determine how far you go and I urge you to be outrageous so its contagious enough to inspire others. Always be proactive and not reactive. Spend time in thought daily and learn to think strategically by continuing to educate yourself on the business. Never forget radio is part of the entertainment industry, not the digital industry, use digital to become the best entertainers you can be because that's where the industry is right now. Finally, surround yourself with people you trust and admire. Do this and I promise you'll improve the industry and have tremendous success along the way.
To those of you who remain involved in the radio industry have your work cut out for you. I hear the stories from the people I stay in touch with and they tell me it's a real challenge. The best advice I can give you is radio has always been a challenge. The challenges are just different. As radio evolves, the changes will be many but if you choose to remain, then it's up to you to change the culture for yourself and others. It has to come from the bottom up and not top down. Your attitude will determine how far you go and I urge you to be outrageous so its contagious enough to inspire others. Always be proactive and not reactive. Spend time in thought daily and learn to think strategically by continuing to educate yourself on the business. Never forget radio is part of the entertainment industry, not the digital industry, use digital to become the best entertainers you can be because that's where the industry is right now. Finally, surround yourself with people you trust and admire. Do this and I promise you'll improve the industry and have tremendous success along the way.
I wish you all the best of luck. - ME
Over the past two plus years since calling it a career, I've wrestled with the idea of writing a book about my journey in radio. When I started, it was the beginning of when FM began its rise and started replacing AM as the dominant source for music. Radio personalities were also known to be the original influencers, especially those of us who were on Top 40 or Contemporary Hit Radio.
I actually worked on it for about three months and scraped the idea because I got it in to my head that nobody would care about hearing old radio war stories from behind the scenes. Although, if you like books about rockstars, many radio personalities, including me, lived a lifestyle similar to a rockstar. There are also somethings that are better of left unsaid and kept in Pandora's Box.
A former colleague asked me last year, "what are you going to do with all the knowledge you've obtained, take it to the grave?" This led me to toy with the idea of leaving behind a legacy of my work in the lab including all the programming techniques and morning show fundamentals I implemented during my career. Afterall, nobody sticks around for more than 44 years in the radio industry unless they're exceptional and without breaking my arm to pat myself on the back, I was exceptional. It took leaving the business behind before I realized it. As I started to write and post it, I was reminded of how valuable knowledge is and decided I still want to get paid for my expertise.
Recently, I read an article where someone asked, "how did radio get here?" and the light bulb went on. I know exactly how radio got to where it is today and decided to write a book about the rise and fall of FM radio because I lived through all of it.
I am happy to announce that I'm now writing a book called "From Heaven To Hell" The Rise and Fall of AM/FM Radio. In it I will tell the story about a business that once upon a time was a license to print money before becoming another household appliance. Plus I will add a few stories and programming techniques. I also want to pay tribute to those who helped me along the way and to those who worked with me side by side to deliver a product no radio station delivers today in any market size.
I've already asked myself all the questions that would typically talk me out of doing a project like this including the big one, who's going to read this nonsense? The answer is it doesn't matter. By writing it, I get to relive it one more time and that is the only incentive I need because it was an amazing journey. I mean, imagine getting paid well to do something that never felt like a job.
I have no idea when I'll release it but it's coming...eventually.
E: mem@markelliottmedia.com
P: (818) 259-0091
Copyright 2026
P: (818) 259-0091
Copyright 2026
