Today we’d like to introduce you to Ric Chetter.
Hi Ric, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I have been in the broadcast business for over 30 years. I came to Memphis in 1997 and eventually found myself working part-time at Rock 103.
Over time, I worked my way up through various positions including working as a Production Director and part-time on-air personality. Over time, I wound up being a part of the afternoon drive show called Dennis & Ric Show. Three years later, I was advanced to morning drive where I worked for three years as part of the Baddog & Ric Show.
After thirteen years, the corporate owners decided to “go in a different direction”. I along with several staff members was out as several positions were eliminated.
Shortly after my dismissal, John “Baddog” McCormack lost his fight with leukemia and I spent a few weeks trying to figure out my next move. That is when the idea of creating Radio Memphis happened. Eleven years later, we are still on the air.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Some days, it feels like we’ve just started. On other days it feels as though we’ve been at this for a hundred years.
Since we are a small business unencumbered by any corporate control, we are in the wonderful position of nearly complete freedom. Our goal has always been to bring the radio business back to what it used to be. Back to the way it should have always been before corporate broadcasting companies sterilized the genre and were more interested in counting money rather than entertaining an audience.
The one major hurdle we have had to overcome regards the listening habits of the general public. Corporate radio has done so much damage by taking the personalities off the air and limiting their playlists to just several songs. We have all heard from people who say that FM radio is just not listenable anymore. As for AM radio, well… that may as well be dead.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
There is always the actual running of the business component that stays at the forefront of all day-to-day operations.
We have a great crew of people who help us out by bringing unique ideas to the table. It’s not that we are re-inventing the business, per se, It’s a matter of getting back to the basics of what makes the industry work.
As for my time on the air. I think more along the lines of entertainment. It’s a strange one-way thing. We get into silly things and attempt to be a bit of an oasis from all the tough and depressing news that tends to dominate the daily broadcast cycles. Make no mistake, we don’t ignore the big events of the day, but we spend more of our time having fun over the lesser bits of news out there.
You would be fair to think that what Radio Memphis in The Morning does provides a bit of an escape from all the heavy stuff. But we aren’t alone in that endeavor. We have a show that follows Radio Memphis in The Morning with Ric & ElJay with Radio Memphis in The Afternoon with The Heavyweight Chumps (Mattox and Thundercookies) that delves into the pop culture scene only the way they can. It’s a rather smart show.
Other bits of programming feature music from around here including Progtime and Memphis Metal Mondays with Phil Berger, The Radio Memphis Live Music Hour with Tundrea, and Gerald who devote a weekly show featuring brand new and cutting-edge artists who are often getting their first radio experiences through us.
Also, on Sunday nights, there is the award-winning Booze & Blues Show hosted by Natalie and myself which turns the studio into a three-hour live performance with blues acts from the classic cats to the newest musicians in the genre. There is also Gumbo & Gospel with Lady A as well as The Spud Goodman Radio show. Not to mention several pop-up shows that occur featuring local artists with their latest recordings through an on-air listening party or a straight-up live performance. There is always something cooking in the studios.
In my mind at least, if we can provide varied and true entertainment to the listener without the baggage of subscribing to anything, I think it’s a winning format. Apparently, it’s working. Radio Memphis has been nominated by The Memphis Flyer as one of the best radio stations in the city. That alone is a clear indication that our crew is doing the right thing.
Any big plans?
There are always ideas floating around. We have some plans for additional programming we hope to get going in due time. If it is one thing we like to consider in our future plans is that we need to take our time with everything.
For the most part, there is no reason to fool around with what works. The basic premise we all stick to is rather simple. Never lie to the audience. Be consistent, and always be entertaining.
Sure we’ll try some new things. If they work, great. If they don’t, scrap it and move on. It’s all kind of baked in our DNA.
It is sort of the same thing we ask of any local artist who submits their music to us for consideration. Be original.
Bring the best quality of work you have. Don’t suck.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.radio-memphis.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/radiomemphisofficial/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/radiomemphis
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Radio_Memphis
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheRadioMemphis
Image Credits
Eric Sommer, Mark Caldwell, Shelle Cleland, and Ric Chetter
