It's a wonderful opportunity, the equivalent of a political reporter getting the chance to report from Washington. At least that's what I think they said. The tough part is leaving Charlotte after too short a stay - two years, two months and 22 days. As a Northerner, I came South with the usual bundle of misconceptions, but leave with warm memories of a fine city and friendly people who made a newcomer's transition easy and his time here enjoyable. They sought to persuade me to come around to their views, rather than trying to force opinions on me.
Many listeners remain viscerally angry over host and program changes that began four years ago.
They feel the station betrayed them - and they're right to a degree, especially the older listeners. One of the worst business realities of radio and TV is the focus on younger listeners desired by advertisers and the abandonment of older ones. Nevertheless, WBT had to make changes or risk becoming a museum piece. Another business reality is the consolidation of stations. That doesn't say much for competing voices.