dave dart

it was bound to happen.  there are already stories floating around that suggest the “homeless dj” ted williams story is actually part of an elaborate radio stunt. there are also radio people everywhere proclaiming how this story proves the power of radio.  a radio friend (who's opinions and views I have much respect for) declared on facebook:

“The Ted Williams story is a huge testimonial for Radio Broadcasting. We are a medium that cares and the power of one single voice can affect the entire world.”

there is no mistaking this is the feel good story of the decade so far, and to be clear, I do not question the authenticity of ted’s story and I surely don’t believe this was a concocted radio “stunt” (even though I do believe many of the forthcoming offers smell of opportunism) but time will tell.  I unequivocally agree with the statement “one single voice can affect the entire  world”.  that said, let’s be clear.  this story is NOT a testimonial for radio  nor does it IN ANY WAY prove the power of radio, but rather the power and reach of the internet as video of ted’s story went viral around the web in just a very few hours. it is a story so many average americans can relate to on so many levels.

is radio a “medium that cares”?  I suppose that depends on how you define “cares”.  are the people rushing to offer mr. williams work really people who “care” about his plight, or are they people who see an opportunity to score unearned positive PR, who “care” more about their own image?  before you take me to task for being cynical, just answer the question honestly… prior to the video, how many of you would politely (or not so politely) ask mr. williams to “move along” had he walked into your radio station looking for work appearing as he did in the original video?

yes, there are caring people in radio and you don’t have to look far to see it every day.  there are also hundreds if not thousands of radio brothers and sisters who have been displaced by machines and corporate greed. they too are real people with real talent and real families to provide for just like ted williams. where is the rally of support for them?

today I couldn’t be happier for ted williams and I take nothing away from his newfound fame.  it is my hope that his story will inspire owners and managers alike to take a hard look at the corporate downsizing policies of the past 20 years that have displaced so many talented people and disenfranchised millions of listeners along the way.  we must ask if those policies have made us a stronger industry or ultimately a less relevant industry out of touch with the majority of americans? 

in the end I suspect the story will soon fade and we will have learned nothing.  unfortunate as that is, the tragedy is that we lose yet another opportunity to relate to those we serve and fundamentally make a difference by leading through example.