A few thank you’s and an important question
June 13, 2008 8:50 am Joe And Petrina's BlogI need to ask you… for a favour.
But before all that I have to say a few “thank you”s.
First thanks to John Cheong for setting up the Facebook group “How Dare They Fire Joe Augustin?”. I really appreciate the gesture.
Second, thanks to everyone for getting involved. Quite a number of people think it’s a goofball thing to say, but one of the main reasons I keep doing this, is that I believe that someone out there needs what I do to have a better day.
Third, I want to thank 91.3 for setting me free. For those of you who know me – I am all about meaning. And increasingly I was finding less and less meaning to what I was doing except for the radio show with Petrina. And when Petrina decided to quit, I was quite literally at my wit’s end. I was in two minds. Should I quit or try and “find the love in the scene”?
I decided I’d stay. They decided I wouldn’t. So I couldn’t.
It was my first radio firing.
But not the first time I was taken forcibly from my audience.
The last time that had happened, was back in the old days of 95, when the management there decided that they needed to freshen up the mornings and so they brought in a morning team. I was redeployed on 90.5 for the evening show for 6 months.
All that time, I thought about how I could get back to the morning show. I came up with a proposal for a morning show on 90.5 and to my surprise, they told me they wanted me to do that show on 95.
And just like that… I was back.
Well guess what guys… I will be back.
But this time it has to be different – in one VERY important way.
All those other times I was doing a morning show, I was either:
a) unable to promote my show specifically, when I was in charge at Power – and had to be “fair to all the other shows” (read “office politics”) or
b) I left the promotion of my show to others who had been hired by the station to do that.
i.e. I did not actively market my own show.
Next time I will and frankly… I must.
But I do not have the money to take on the media giants that I probably will be up against. And yes, whoever it is I’m working with should be doing it, but I do not want to take that chance.
So I will need your help when that time comes.
My question is – Will you be there?
ac :
Date: June 13, 2008 @ 9:15 am
Without a shadow of a doubt. Joe’s army awaits battle! Just bring it I say!
btw, this blog has become my new homepage :p
tee :
Date: June 13, 2008 @ 9:28 am
you can bet on it, i will!
Jasper :
Date: June 13, 2008 @ 9:49 am
“for tonight…we shall dine in HELL!….SPARTANSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!
Gerry :
Date: June 13, 2008 @ 10:11 am
Of course lah…. then?? But seriously – we will be there, poms poms and all!
bryan :
Date: June 13, 2008 @ 10:27 am
joe, no offence but, are you kidding??
with the ”
It’s getting NUTS! 161,400+ hits in the first 11 days of June.” you guys are getting here, i’d say its ALMOST impossible for you to start something without us behind you!
and you can use the ”
It’s getting NUTS! 161,400+ hits in the first 11 days of June.” as your market research data for your proposal with whichever party you would be working with. heh
i will now buy 4D 3 times a week “zhap dua, ba li suay” ($10 Big $120 Small) and hope to strike “tao bio” to help make your dreams come true. also, i will give TOTO a shot too.
afterall, your dreams are our dreams too. and our comfort. and our entertainment. and.. you get the gyst. lol.
i say that 91.3 would be afraid to do a market survey on themselves now coz they obviously would know that they would not perform to a justifiable standard for their advertisers. if they do that survey, i would at least respect them for having the courage to do so, foreseeing such dismal responses.
cant stay awake :
Date: June 13, 2008 @ 10:39 am
need you even ask? com’on man..like what bryan said, we are talking over 100,000 hits in 11 days! Even though it is probably clocked by the same bunch of ppl logging in various times of the day to check for updates, but hell, that is still a c**p load of people ‘tuning’ in here.
so give it a whirl…with our new-age technology nowadays, anything is possible.
Sure B There :
Date: June 13, 2008 @ 10:45 am
Mian Kong! No need say. like they always say, stamp, chop, sign, drip blood etc
No worries, I believe the hits shows that we will be there as long as you dun need me to donate my looks
HdBanger :
Date: June 13, 2008 @ 11:27 am
joe,
i think you know that being in this line for a while, you’ve taken that initial group of audience along with you all these years.
and most of them are now in their 30s to 40s, and beyond. i think there’s some 20s too. outside that (and inside the early 20s), is what you can market to.
esp if they are like us, a group of people overloaded with music, and want a little difference in presentation. it was how some chinese stations did great programs (i rem 933’s ‘xian ge ji yi’, some letter cum dedication program), they brought themselves closer to the people.
win the 20s, and you’d have a battle on your hands with the s&s gang.
i don’t mind fighting another few years with my wife for the dial (cos she’s still rooting for hossan at times, heh).
beyond that (if we’re talking about subscription etc), bring on the proposal. you’re in direct contact with the audience for now, they’d help you fine tune, i guess. i would. save part of the guesswork. and we can move on.
decals? no problem. shoutouts? many of us here i think can help.
on retrospect, starting this blog for the morning show was one of the best things you did. simple but stunningly effective.
Alvin :
Date: June 13, 2008 @ 11:34 am
joe….as others have said…no need to ask! i will be there to support you….as i have since your class 95 days. thanks for the good times on radio. looking forward to more!
tesse :
Date: June 13, 2008 @ 11:38 am
this is probably my 2nd post since this blog started. as with the others, have tried to give the new morning show a chance.. again, as with the others, switch it off after 5mins and revert to my ipod.
dear pet & joe, can understand that you’re probably trying hard to be objective and suppress any negative feelings towards 91.3fm, that’s why we listerners are fuming on your behalf.
so, if u are starting another show on ur own, or planning some other action, will definitely give u my full support. juz say the word.
it’s abt time we get a say on what we REALLY want on radio.
there goes my morning fix ;( :
Date: June 13, 2008 @ 11:43 am
…and the meek shall inherit the earth…
answer to you, joe: YES! bring it on!!
Emma :
Date: June 13, 2008 @ 11:54 am
Bring it on….Joe boleh!
Please please….no loud music heh. Most of us are in our 30s and 40s.
Heap…Heap…Hooray.
James :
Date: June 13, 2008 @ 12:15 pm
Come back soon, watever freq may it be. Tuned into the new breakfast show this morning, omg… disgusted… Poor Suzanne has to do the job of 2 ppl.
Pappaquins :
Date: June 13, 2008 @ 12:24 pm
Joe, you are sometimes so politically correct that your message is lost-lah. Don’t be coy, just say it.
Come to think of it, having followed your show for a good year now, I think you need Petrina’s help for this. She is usually better at just saying things – you’re usually trying to stop the Petrina Train once she gets going.
So, Petrina, please interpret Joe’s blog entry for the rest of us – what is the favour (ie the blog starts with “I need to ask you for a favour”)?
Don’t worry, Joe, I think we’re all mature enough to take it in the right spirit.
Rene :
Date: June 13, 2008 @ 12:40 pm
No worries mate..of course u will have us listening..past few days my morning ride has been quiet without me listening to anything good out there..save for the evening show wif Rod…
Vanessa and Leonard :
Date: June 13, 2008 @ 12:47 pm
Absolutely!!! We are here to support you all the way!!!
Dont hesitate!! You are the best!!
leo and vanessa
jOe R :
Date: June 13, 2008 @ 1:16 pm
My finger is on the radio dial now. just tell me the frequency.
dramamama :
Date: June 13, 2008 @ 1:25 pm
count me in!
Neversaydie :
Date: June 13, 2008 @ 2:05 pm
That`s d spirit Joe. So when u going to be on air again and which station please?
Keith Neo :
Date: June 13, 2008 @ 2:09 pm
Taking on the media giant can be quite a daunting task; fingers crossed and best of luck to you, Joe!
Al :
Date: June 13, 2008 @ 2:12 pm
Yes I will definitely. Can you please clue us in on what is the major announcement?
tiffanyLoos :
Date: June 13, 2008 @ 3:04 pm
the major announcement?..its “JOE AUGUSTIN IS TAKING OVER JAIME MELDRUM”!!
tiffanyLoos :
Date: June 13, 2008 @ 3:27 pm
ooops…to answer your qestion joe, here it is : 161,400+++ YES YES YES!
Cookie :
Date: June 13, 2008 @ 3:48 pm
Big Brother Joe, need you even ask? We didn’t follow your blog and post for fun did we? OF COS WE WILL BE THERE! (i will still do a few occassional sms to your show)
And, I remb, back in 98 and than in 91.3, you had asked callers, if they had told their friends about the show. WE will not only be there, WE will tell our friends about whichever show you are in.
And, if you can, take Elliot and Rod along with you. Your show encouraged Elliot to learn the skills of radio DJing. Listen to Elliot’s dedication program on Sat, it’s a far cry from e morning show he is with you guys. YOU both groom Elliot to speak on ur show.
And and and, i am not forgetting Petrina, convince her to quit her taitai life and get back to radio. Maybe work out a schedule with her, she can do lesser hours, or alternate days, etc.
It will be fun with her. Afterall, you said, who can ever tell their grand kids that they talkcock sing song 4-5hrs a day and being paid.
kahlan :
Date: June 13, 2008 @ 5:14 pm
behind you all the way followed you from Class 95, then to Power 98 and finally to 91.3.
miles :
Date: June 13, 2008 @ 5:35 pm
just say when and where… we will be there.
blindroach :
Date: June 13, 2008 @ 5:56 pm
Hey joe….just tell us where and when…I’m very sure all your soldiers will be there… including me
Joey :
Date: June 13, 2008 @ 7:37 pm
Need you ask? Hell yeah i’ll be there. I’ve been supporting you spiritually since i was like 12. From the days of class 95 till now man….. I’m now 23 Hahahaha….
You’ve even met up with me once to help out with a interview for a school project(wonder how many else you’ve helped?) And as you can see by the number of hits, this is a totally reality.
I wonder if everyone could like donate $1 to fund this project of yours? What say you Mr. Augustin? $1 and it could be a radio station for the people by the people.
All the best in your endeavours, keep on trucking!
Pamela :
Date: June 13, 2008 @ 8:42 pm
We’re there. Just say the word. Hands on dial now..would it be radio? Or something else? *nudge nudge*
Billie :
Date: June 14, 2008 @ 12:01 am
Joe, I’ve been following you from 95 to 98 to 913. To me, you and Petrina were the best pairing ever. Both of you never failed to brighten up my morning with your wacky sense of humour. I’ve now resorted to playing CDs in my car on the drive to work rather than listen to the other crap stations. I don’t know how long I can last playing CDs so pls come back on air soon and let us know soon.
Ben :
Date: June 14, 2008 @ 1:46 am
Yea. Joe, I’ll be there supporting you all the way.. But remember to choose a radio station which plays great music like 91.3, haha.. Don’t worry, if you are not able to, I’ll still be able to listen to your great voice on air. All the best.!!
Celia :
Date: June 14, 2008 @ 11:51 am
DEFINITELY Joe!
nadnut :
Date: June 14, 2008 @ 1:30 pm
definitely!
then how :
Date: June 15, 2008 @ 12:06 am
Steady lah Joe! Just say the frequency, I fight my kids for the dial if I have to! Hell, I’ll make my owe decal!
V :
Date: June 15, 2008 @ 12:59 am
please hurry and tell us the frequency…!
Why :
Date: June 16, 2008 @ 11:06 am
gosh, I have been listening to Joe since the Class95 days when the cohost is Jessica. ( and I am still under 30 even when some newspaper reported that the show’s demographics are for the mid-40s)
My housemates thought i was crazy when i listened to the morning show at midnight over the internet radio when I was overseas back in 2006.
so we will try to wait patiently for any good announcments
Joe Augustin :
Date: June 16, 2008 @ 2:06 pm
It’s coming… just hang on a little more…
Melissa :
Date: June 16, 2008 @ 4:39 pm
*Wink* The mystery that you are preparing now in the meantime, seem quite interesting.. lol.. Can’t wait to find out what you have prepared for us!
PS: Joe, thought i saw you n your family at the carpark of Funan on saturday.
Alvin :
Date: June 16, 2008 @ 6:10 pm
eagerly waiting for tomorrow
Emma :
Date: June 17, 2008 @ 9:11 am
3 hours or there about…can’t wait leh. Joe and Pet the best match on radio.
frogprince :
Date: June 18, 2008 @ 1:01 am
I’LL BE THERE FOR YOU!!!