Thread by @RyanBrownLive

One year ago today, a group I consider family walked away from WJOX. Many people thought we were insane. Ratings were terrific, revenue was terrific and Cumulus Media was actively trying to sign us to a new contract. We were as a safe as anyone in the industry. (Big thread👇)

So, why do it? The COVID shutdown caused all of us to realize not just how little of our future we controlled but how little of our present we controlled. Our industry was full of layoffs, furloughs and working from home. We were safe, but for how long?

Most people guess it was about money but it was more about control and freedom. I’ll say this for Cumulus and WJOX management, they always payed us above market and were very hands off our product. When I say control, I mean controlling all aspects of our show.

We scanned the landscape of the industry and determined our @NextRoundLive model was the direction the entire industry is headed, why would we not own it ourselves rather than allow someone else to dictate our future? Was it a gamble? Boy, was it. Many fulfilling things are.

I’ll never forget being on the 6th fairway at @ShoalCreekAL (#HumbleBrag) when our agents @Balch_Sports_RC and @Balch_Sports_PS (Unquestioned best in the business) hit the group text: “We need to talk to one of you”. I immediately called and they said “It’s over with Cumulus”

I looked across the fairway to @jimdunaway and gave him the throat slash, he knew exactly what I was saying. Our contract had been up since May 31 and we had informed Cumulus we were leaving before then but both sides were discussing the possibility of a partnership.

Those negotiations had finally hit a wall and our agents shut it down. The feeling that moment of knowing it was all on us from now on was equal parts exhilarating and “Holy crap, there’s no going back now”. Word was starting to leak out and our phones were blowing up, too.

Our host that day was an incredibly nice man named Floyd Larkins. He said “Guys, do we need to quit and walk in?” I look at Dunaway and said, “Let’s play until dark, we don’t have to be up at 4:00 AM anymore.” We only played 18 but then went and hammered some Mexican food.

So, not even a year into the actual show and we have:
4,000,000 Podcast Downloads
3,100,000 Live views or listens
10,170,000 On demand views or listens
41,221,409 Social media impressions
And our show has been consumed in all 50 US states and 68 countries. Absolutely mind blowing

This is a stupidly long thread to say two things: 1. I couldn’t pick a better group of people to work with than @jimdunaway @TheLanceTaylor @RockstarBHM @jlunce @ScottForesterTV @ReadeTaylor @davidwa69733940 and @klhd23. (And our currently growing family: Welcome, @korn1taylor)

MOST IMPORTANTLY: None of this, not one bit, would be possible without all of you, the most loyal and passionate audience ever. We asked you to completely change the time and way you listen to us and you enthusiastically did it. Forever grateful! What a year! Much more to come!