Latest News

CITADEL SELLS FOR 2 BILLION DOLLARS

January 16, 2000: Citadel Communications has been sold to a venture capital leveraged buyout firm Forstmann Little & Co. for $2,000,000,000. CEO Larry Wilson's predictable move was criticized as not happening soon enough. Wilson had stated early in Citadel's begining that it was being built to sell, and missing a chance to really cash in before the market turned sour, he sought to get out before things got much worse. According to the new owners of Citadel management structure will remain intact, however we smell some layoffs and selloffs coming soon.

It's interesting to note that Forstmann Little & Co. had dealings with Hicks, Muse, Tate and Furst who owns Clear Channel. Citadel has been rumoured to have been in negotiations with Clear Channel, but opted not to sell to the investment banking firm instead. Forstmann Little & Co. sold the ailing soda pop company Dr. Pepper to Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst in the 1980's.
With this previous relationship between Hicks and Forstmann, one could infer that the 214 stations Citadel just sold could fall into the hands of the dominating corporate force in radio, Clear Channel.

There was a time where radio stations were owned by small businesses, competition was healthy for the market and people cared about the quality of radio put forth in the community. Now we have investment bankers, venture capitalists, and leveraged buyout firms owning major portions of radio markets throughout the country. They have made it clear there is no room for the old days of "Mom & Pop" owned radio stations, and there is no room for competition on the dial.

One voice, one company, one studio, thats the future of radio. Those who have dreamed about a future in radio better get some business suits and ties, and learn how to sell advertising because those will be the only jobs left in this corporate controled world of monopolized radio markets.

MORE DEATH IN THE CITADEL MODESTO CLUSTER

Nov. 29, 2000 Modesto,CA: Citadel Communications has changed format on their 95.1fm frequency known as "Rock 95". The format switch took place at 4pm today to the new station which they are calling "The Planet 95". They claim they are birthing a new "breed" of radio by launching an "80's & Beyond" type of format. Once again, the rock radio listeners of the San Joaquin Valley are getting screwed over.
It is rumoured that listeners are planning to rally and protest out side of the station offices at 1581 Cummins Drive, Modesto.
While the motivation for this drastic action during a ratings period has only been speculatory, there are stories circulating that this station cluster is on Larry Wilson's list of selling off. It's also being assumed that the air talent on the former "Rock 95" will be let go because the station is going in another direction, however the station denies any layoffs. At least 2 people on The Hawk morning shift have been affected by this transition and are being replaced by Clear Channel owned morning satellite show with Bob & Tom. Bob & Tom have moved over from 95.1 to The Hawk 104.1 pushing out the former lame local morning team that was barely clinging to life. It's clear that they don't know how to program a rock station from a hole in the ground and are changing format not because of what the community wants, but whats best for increasing their advertising marketshare.

October 6, 1999 Albuquerque, New Mexico

Seems like the unethical decisions of Citadel management have caused some more legal action. Our thanks to DJ Welsh and The Guardian for submitting this informaiton:

(Copy of Release sent to Responsible members of the Media and Organizations in New Mexico striving expose pervasive corruption and criminal activity without accountability)

You probably recall the 6 day series on RC Gorman by KOB News Radio last month exposing Gorman's pedophelia, judicial and law enforcement corruption. Vern Beachy, who did the series was fired on Monday - no explanation. We think Gorman's attorneys threatened to sue Citadel Broadcasting unless they fired Vern...he was going to do a series that would expose Gorman's art fraud .. we found 2 witnesses that were willing to testify to this. Also, last week, Gorman ran into the following "troubles" regarding the exposure of his pedophilia which I'm sure sent him over the edge and prompted any threats that were made to Citadel:

1. Gorman flew to Flagstaff on Friday to receive an award from Northern Arizona University. When they found out about his pedophile background, the university cancelled his award. NAU had previously given Gorman an honorary PhD from their university and that was why he was to be a guest speaker and receive an honorary award at their Centennial Homecoming this past weekend.

2. PBS TV cancelled a half hour special upon learning of Gorman's jaded past. In this special they were going to talk about his new book, "Nudes and Foods", which I'm sure pissed him off big time.

3. The Albuquerque Native American Cultural Society was going to donate several Gorman posters for Balloon Fiesta (which is sponsored by KOB). When they found out about Gorman (a Navajo) they retracted their donation of his posters stating "We do not want to be associated with this man and his reputation...". I'm also sure that the Native American Cultural Society returned all of his posters - this would have infuriated Gorman.

The series of special reports ran on KOB News Radio last month detailing victim accounts of how they were drugged, sexually abused and tortured by RC Gorman when they were children. Gorman has been able to perpetrate these crimes for over 30 years here in NM due to his power, money and influence. The courage of the victims to come forward and the integrity of one of NM's most prominent news personalities shed a ray of light on the hope that these types of crimes would be exposed and those responsible would be held accountable. However, these hopes were shattered on Monday when KOB News Radio (Citadel Broadcasting) fired Vern Beachy. Since no explanation was given by the station, it can only be concluded that once again, Gorman used his influence on Citadel to send a message to the rest of the media regarding further exposure of his crimes. This is wrong and should not be tolerated by those of us who want to make a change here in NM. Are we to assume now that the media (Citadel) will only report on innocuous stories and protect those with power, money and influence guilty of heinous crimes...that is certainly the message they are sending.

If freedom of speech can be bought by offenders and the press can be paid or otherwise influenced to censor stories regarding powerful individuals we can be assured that these individuals will be empowered to continue...and they (and others like them) will have confidence that they will not be exposed or held accountable for their crimes. We urge you to make your feelings known to Citadel...the media is supposed to be the voice of the people when all else fails...Citadel has failed in this case. Contact Citadel Communications at 767.6700 and ask for Pat Frisch. Ask him about 770 KOB News Radio's "new" approach to the kind of news they will be reporting on in the future. Express your concerns and dissatisfaction.

Guardian of NM

Any information you may have access to regarding the firing of Vern Beachy by Citadel would be very useful. All sources of information will remain confidential. Our organization is looking to expose Citadel for any wrongdoing with regard to their service to the community.

DJ Welsh

Guardian, Founder

505.440.0837

March 1999

Well I guess it's back to the drawing board for Citadel Modesto. After firing their 3rd engineer in the last 2 years, and the one before quitting, it looks like slim pickens for technical staff. Especially since they are out of Federal compliance on numerous counts. They have let a major violation slide for three years if not more, yet they are firing their engineer because they feel he isn't working hard enough for them. Hmmmmm sound familiar? Well according to the horses mouth, Citadel had been accusing their engineer of lying and stealing equipment. Thats pretty much the pot calling the kettle black since the management who made these accusations are pretty much backstabbing liers and wouldn't doubt if they have company equipment or promotional items they swipped from the stations in their posession.

You wanna really hear how nasty and ugly this company is? The engineer who they fired because of their perception of his lack of work, (thats 5 transmitter sites and 7 studios to maintain and only ONE person) didn't allow him but 2 days to be with his family while his wife had a baby who only a few hours after birth died. Normally company policy allows for multiple weeks off for pregnancy leave, supposedly for both parents, and at least 3 days for immediate family deaths, but not in this case. Could it be that Citadel now has blood on their hands from the death of a child because of working the father so hard the health and welfare of his family was put on the line? So, they yank this guy out out to California from Alabama, moves his family and pregnant wife out here, they suffer the loss of their baby and a month and a half later they fire him upon learning he has a better station set up than they all do put together! Now, some of the management is stalking this guy cause they are jealous that he has a better setup than their station. You can read more about this one story at: http://www.radiolink.net/lickfm

Some other things that this company engages in that would be considered unethical is telling it's employees who they can and can't talk to, or hang out with. They attempt to intimidate people who they see as a threat to their stability by sending them warnings and threats. They expend all sorts of energy to harrass people they don't like. Many of the people who work there still will pretend to be your friend, then turn around and stab you in the back when you aren't looking. Not to mention if you told just one person who you felt you could trust about something you didn't really want common knowledge, you can be sure that the next day the whole building would know about it.

FROM ALL ACCESS.COM ...

THE CITADEL DEATH STAR
Kelly Hammer is right about the Citadel death star. Citadel claims that People are their biggest asset. If you buy that line then you are not an asset, just an ass. People are bailing out of Citadel Salt Lake after the Uncle Nasty -- Kelly Hammer debacle. Citadel has claimed that other networks are morally corrupt after they fire their top talent. The high ratings are a "fluke" according to the new P.D. Congratulations to Nasty and Hammer, to the Bear staff who still care, and to Clyde Lewis of Ground Zero whose numbers topped out at a 27 share 18-24 demos. Citadel claimed that GZ was headed for syndication along with Nasty and Hammer, The Outlaw on K-Bull and Awsome 80's with Ci Ci Williams on B-98.7. After on year the Death Star continues destroy careers and morale.

Bearing the Burden
Posted by Clyde on 1/29/98 3:41:42 PM - 7312 Kelly Hammer is right about the Citadel death star. Citadel claims that People are their biggest asset. If you buy that line then you are not an asset, just an ass. People are bailing out of Citadel Salt Lake after the Uncle Nasty -- Kelly Hammer debacle. Citadel has claimed that other networks are morally corrupt after they fire their top talent. The high ratings are a "fluke" according to the new P.D. Congratulations to Nasty and Hammer, to the Bear staff who still care, and to Clyde Lewis of Ground Zero whose numbers topped out at a 27 share 18-24 demos. Citadel claimed that GZ was headed for syndication along with Nasty and Hammer, The Outlaw on K-Bull and Awsome 80's with Ci Ci Williams on B-98.7. After on year the Death Star continues destroy careers and morale.