V-103’s Frank Ski under temporary contract while negotiating a new one. Should he stay?
Frank Ski is working under a temporary contract. CREDIT: Rodney Ho/rho@ajc.com
Loading ...Frank Ski’s latest three-year contract with V-103 expired last month.
But the top-rated R&B/hip-hop station and the veteran radio personality wasn’t able to iron out a new deal in time so he accepted a temporary contract while negotiations continue, Ski said in a brief interview last week. But he’s now living in a bit of limbo and is taking what he’s dubbed a vacation this week.
His boss Rick Caffey, per long-standing policy, declined comment.
Ski, with co-host Wanda Smith, has been part of the longest-running morning show on a single music station in Atlanta, entering the market from Baltimore in 1998. He replaced Mike Roberts & Carol Blackmon, a show which lasted 12 years.
Without a doubt, Ski has been an unqualified success. His show has generated consistently strong ratings for V-103 over the years, almost always No. 1 in key demographics and often by wide margins.
Ski, 48, has always been accessible and friendly to me but is understandably terse about this situation. He has his share of critics, many who feel he name drops too much and can act like a know it all. (When I posted a wholly unscientific poll in 2009 asking then if V-103 should sign him again, 56% said no. For kicks, I’ve posted the same poll today.)
Ski is deservedly well compensated – into the six figures, though I’m not sure exactly how much. But even a No. 1 station such as V-103 has to weigh what it feels is a viable salary vs. its revenues. And while stars are hard to find, much less nurture in Atlanta radio, V-103 has a deep roster of talent. Their other key personality is Atlanta native Ryan Cameron, who spent many years hosting mornings at rival Hot 107.9 before jumping ship in 2004 to be the afternoon guy at V-103. Given V-103’s size, Cameron was able to garner morning show money while enjoying significantly better working hours than Ski. He’s been happy where he is.
But V-103 could always slot Cameron into mornings if need be and he already regularly subs for Ski when Ski is on vacation.
In fact, Cameron’s on the morning show this week with Smith, taking over for Ski while Ski is in Napa Valley making his own wine. (Ski opened his own restaurant under his own name in Buckhead last year, too.)
Ski’s September Arbitron numbers were solid among 25 to 54 year olds, with a 10.5 rating, on par with its typical numbers and No. 1 as usual. But his younger 18-34 numbers (which are more volatile by the very nature of Arbitron’s rating system) have slipped off sharply from a 17.3 rating in January to 9.9 in September. For the first time since June, 2011, Frank & Wanda fell behind Q100’s Bert Show, coming in second.
Mark Trigg, Ski’s attorney, did not return a text, a call or an email, but I’ll update if he has any insight into the situation. It’s very likely Caffey told him not to talk to me. Trigg was pretty gabby and accessible in 2009.
So is Ski asking for more money? Probably since it’s likely he took a pay cut in 2009 when the economy was in a real dumper. He might be trying to emulate Bert Weiss, asking for syndication, though CBS Radio has a relatively modest stable of urban stations to access within its own family of stations. Ski tried syndication a few years back but it didn’t stick.
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157 comments Add your comment
thedreamisreal
October 16th, 2012
1:01 pm
I think Kenny Burns and Wanda make a great team. Their energy is infectious. The chemistry with Frank and Wanda is no longer there. I need Ryan to stay where he is in his current time slot. He gets me through the toughest part of my work day.
Be gone
October 16th, 2012
1:01 pm
@BigB there will be no Elle coming back. That experiment with having her co-host with Ryan and Frank and Wanda was a joke. She doesn’t have audience appeal..She couldn’t contribute much of anything to conversations. She’s at 11 Alive..let her stay there!!!!!
Gotta Go Gotta Go!
October 16th, 2012
1:03 pm
I stopped listening to anybody on V103 years ago. In fact I hated listening to Frank on V103 and Ryan on 107.9 so much I bought satellite radio. Rick Caffey if you’re reading these comments, PLEASE, PLEASE change hosts and PLEASE not Ryan Cameron. Hell, he’s not funny and he brags and name drops just as much as Frank.
cbb
October 16th, 2012
1:12 pm
GET RID OF FRANK WANDA AND THE WHOLE STATION AND I WILL NOT SHED ONE TEAR
Frank Ski Leaving V103? | Funkatopia
October 16th, 2012
1:16 pm
[...] contract while the negotiations continue. Reading the commentary on the blog piece posted on the Atlanta Journal Constitution website, people just don’t seem to like him very [...]
Rodney Ho
October 16th, 2012
1:18 pm
@Just Curious: Mike Roberts runs a station in Macon. Carol is on mid-days at Majic 107.5/97.5.
Just Curious
October 16th, 2012
1:32 pm
@Rodney Ho…Thanks for the update. I’ve always been curious about them since they left. As I said before, I listened to Mike and Carol for years and truly hated when they left V-103. I tried to listen to Frank at the beginning of his tenure, but after a month I couldn’t take him any more. V-103 lost a loyal listener at that point…not that it obviously mattered…
truthhurts
October 16th, 2012
1:46 pm
I do think it is time for Frank to go, but I don’t think Ryan is the answer. If V-103 wants to grab the younger crowd they need younger hosts. A teen/college person is not going to want to listen to someone’s parents talk about hip hop. Bring in some fresh new talent and keep Ryan where he is at. He is perfect for the afternoon. It’s time for a change but recycling old talent is not the answer.
DJFM
October 16th, 2012
1:50 pm
Frank Ski will be just fine when/if he moves elsewhere. After all he is getting older and v103 needs someone of the younger generation to carry the torch (Not Ryan Cameron – please..). Those older people who so dislike Frank Ski doesn not listen to the station anyway. The music basically does not appeal to them anymore. He will be much better off somewhere like 107.5/97.5 where he can play the music he is comfortable with and yet provide a good balance for that station. Then after that continue to build and expand his businesses and even create himself a political presence in Atlanta. Let the haters hate. After all they are only doing what they do best…
itzme
October 16th, 2012
1:55 pm
I just typed a long passage and I’m upset that it didn’t go through. Let’s try this again.
Frank is cool, but he is becoming a little aged. He’s great at being informative and being in the community, but it’s odd to hear someone of his stature discussing the Chris Brown/Rihanna saga. V-103 should bring in a new, younger team (late 20s, early 30s) to host the morning show. Don’t get me wrong, I listen to Frank and Wanda everyday, but it’s time. The newer host should be able to keep the show young and refreshed, but they should also be able to be informative and discuss serious issues within our community.
As for Ryan, I agree with @truthhurts, Ryan is not the answer. I need him (and Crash) at the 2p slot to help me finish my workday out.
itzme
October 16th, 2012
1:58 pm
One more thing, Frank’s not hurting, and will not be hurting, at all. He’s a very smart man. He knows that his days are numbered, so he’s taken steps to continue developing the “Frank Ski” brand… i.e., the restaurant, his foundation, the wine, etc. He’s avery smart business man.
Sweetpea12
October 16th, 2012
2:07 pm
Love Frank Ski and Wanda! Thank you god the things you have also done in our community. My thoughts if you don’t like them, you have other options on the radio.
True ATL Fan
October 16th, 2012
2:48 pm
Reading these comments lets you know that most of you are not from this city. Yes Frank and Wanda are extremely terrible, we all know that. V103 has always been an urban hip-hop station even back when Ryan was doing the 6-10 evening show before Greg Street came back in the 90s. The reason why personalities like Ryan and Rashaun are liked so much is because THEY ARE ACTUALLY FROM HERE and know the nuances of the city. Where V103 began messing up was trying to compete with 107.9 (which they didn’t have too) and confused the 30 yr old crowd. Actualy most of you sound like 35+ so it might be time to let it go and swith to 104.1 or the oldies stations. Seriously.
G
October 16th, 2012
3:43 pm
In terms of AM shows, V-103 must be under tremendous pressure to pick up a syndicated program. Most all of the stations in the area have succombed to AM syndication. It seems as thought it would be to the station’s advantage to try and syndicate an already home-based show (i.e. F&W). Maybe this time trying a new strategy. If not F&W, then someone else. I really don’t know how much longer V-103 can survive without syndication.
MzPrizzy
October 16th, 2012
4:04 pm
Change is good. We recently hired a new CEO and all of the Senior Executives that had been in place for 15+yrs are currently being transitioned out of the organization. Get the point. I only listen to the mixes at 12pm and 5pm (hoping it isn’t baby Yu)…get rid of him. I LOVE Kenny Burns energy…not certain he can capture the morning crowd, maybe shift Ryan and his sidekick to the morning, and Kenny Burns to the afternoon.
ATL4LIFE
October 16th, 2012
4:42 pm
@ Just Curious. I am a native ATLien (born and raised), and have been listening to the station since a child. Mike and Carol in the morning had become very corny. Mike had gotten old, boring, and became out of touch with his listeners, and so did Carol but not as bad as Mike. When Frank Ski came to the station, he brought the energy back and was very in-tune with the listeners.
And LOL @ True ATL Fan. I feel’ya Homey!
TG
October 16th, 2012
4:44 pm
I haven’t listened to V-103 in sooo long, Frank Ski’s show in years probably. V-103, THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO GET RID OF THESE SUB-PAR TRANSPLANT ONCE AND FOR ALL. There is enough home-grown TALENT that you don’t have to pick mediocre rubes from ghetto Baltimore. Get rid of that whole B-more crew and instantly raise the IQ of your morning show.
TG
October 16th, 2012
4:45 pm
Oh, forgot to mention Ski is not totally talentless. He’s a good dj in clubs. He has a decent lounge spot. He needs to do that full time.
Alexander Richards
October 16th, 2012
5:15 pm
As a 32 year old male living in Atlanta, I believe Kenny Burns should be the morning show host. He is young enough to be aligned with the younger audience and mature enough to speak on more serious issues like politics. When he has replaced Frank on the morning show his chemistry with Wanda has been remarkable and I honestly enjoy his sense of humor and personality more than Frank.
Idalis
October 16th, 2012
5:16 pm
My vote is for Kenny Burns in the morning – he and Wanda are a hoot together. Otherwise, Wanda has to work really hard to make up for lame azz Frank and shuts down after she gets annoyed when he goes into his ‘I know everything and am always right’ routine – cuz we’re all too stupid to get it, right Frank!!
cissy969
October 16th, 2012
5:20 pm
I haven’t listened to V-103 since Mike and Carol left several years ago.Really tired of Tom as well as Steve in the morning….Listen to 91.9 or personal music
Eric
October 16th, 2012
6:05 pm
I remember when Mike Roberts and Caro Blackmon’s morning show on V-103 was disbanded back in 1998… and Frank Ski coming along. I too have seen Carol host lottery drawings. I remember Mike moving to Macon to manage radio stations… and if I’m not mistaken, I believe he was an interim GM for Macon NBC affiliate WMGT-TV Channel 41, before that stations parent company named a permanent GM.
I don’t listen to V-103. It seems that Frank and Wanda have just about over-stayed their welcome. As for Ryan getting the morning show hosting gig… that would be anybody’s guess.
With changes that we’re seeing at other stations… it would seem that Atlanta radio is quickly becoming a shell of its former self.
harrythehawk
October 16th, 2012
7:42 pm
Frank has got to go! He has overstayed his welcome in the ATL.
PSI4POWER
October 16th, 2012
8:20 pm
Keep him and Wanda, how soon we forget. Half these looser who want to get rid of him and talking about he’s played out are from North of Virginia, so who cares what you carpet baggers think. Get out of my City chumps.
finally
October 16th, 2012
8:52 pm
Not a fan of Frank and Wanda, I would listen if they changed the morning show. But that awful Turn Out the Lights song with the dude that sounds like somebody’s drunk uncle singing has got to go.
Mustard OnTheBeats
October 17th, 2012
2:39 am
yeah it’s about that time for a change in the am but dont blame it all on Frank. he wouldn’t sound so totally outdated if all of the music that he has to play in between the topics he talks about is so YOUNG in scope. it’s hard to take him or his topics serious if all he’s playing is “diveinandpopthatbootyinthetrap” type songs during his air shift. there is so much music out there that adults who have grown up with v103 all their lives want to hear but can’t due to extremely micromanaged and limited music programming by the PD Reggie Rouse (who isn’t from here i might add), so they turn elsewhere, such as WCLK, 102.5, or Magic 107.5/97.5. let’s not also forget the use of Pandora, or satellite radio.
Mustard OnTheBeats
October 17th, 2012
3:04 am
and while we’re talking about change, now that we’ve all gotten the chance to listen to her for a full 6 months at 10am what’s the real deal opinion about Egypt at 10am-2pm? i’m of the opinion that she’s a little too chatty, plus when she asks for feedback on things she doesn’t really stick to the topics long enough for them to really resonate with listeners. it’s almost as if she’s trying to talk a little bit too much. she’s really easy on the eyes, but you never really get to see her out in the community anywhere except for TV or movie premieres. she minimally shouts out her DJ at noon which is a shame because Jay C has pretty much been the only consistent great feature during that timeslot for the last 5 years now even with the multitude of different personalities rotating thru. get it together Rick & Reggie!
pebblebeach
October 17th, 2012
6:30 am
Ryan is a bit silly for a morning show…who needs to wake up and listen to silliness in the morning…can barely handle Ryan in the afternoon…he is simply silly…
Frank has a sense of maturity, is seemingly articulate and far better at engaging with guests…
Ryan is simply too silly for the morning…
Michael
October 17th, 2012
7:15 am
I agree with pebblebeach. While Ryan has some talent he is more silly than funny. Leave him in the afternoon and get a syndicated morning show.
Gigi
October 17th, 2012
8:24 am
Frank can go…..he seems to be full of himself, somewhat of a classist, meaning he’s discriminting against his very listeners, assuming everyone is as well oFf as he is. He never gives an unbiased interview with his celebrity “friends”, and name drops WAAAYYYY too much. Heaven forbid he say anything bad about one of those celeberity “friends”, even if it’s a rumor. Wanda might work out better with Ryan, Crash D, or even Kenny Burns. Change the whole show format, tired of hearing the same songs every hour, in rotation. There is so much more music out there that people are listening to. Break out of the mold. Tat’s part of the reason people don’t isten to V-103 anymore, despite what the polls are saying. I agree with another poster who said people tune in because of the signal strength, not because of Frank sKI.
Kellee
October 17th, 2012
9:28 am
They both need to go, frank is too damn old for hip hop and Wanda is useless, loud and laughs at everything good grief!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kimberly T Jenkins
October 17th, 2012
10:42 am
I have to say that I agree I stopped listening to V103 a long time ago because I think Frank is very arrogant and he name drops a lot. He does do good things in the community but I think he does this for show and not from the heart. Wanda has no talent at all she is ghetto and very loud. Me personal I have always felt Ryan Cameron is the man. He real say what is on his mind and he does things in the community that we don’t even know about. I respect him and love to hear him on the radio. I listen to XM radio in the morning I can’t entertain V103 in the morning its just not real.
Pitchy
October 17th, 2012
12:01 pm
I remember when Frank Ski first came on the airwaves here in Atlanta. With me being from New York, I was beyond delighted. He rocked like we did back home for many years. Fast forward to 2012. I rarely even dial into the show. They mean well, and love to help those less fortunate in Atlanta, however, they’ve become quie annoying.
Pitchy
October 17th, 2012
12:07 pm
And yes, I got tired of hearing Frank say “my good friend so an so.” He drops names every chance he gets.
LaShonda Jones
October 17th, 2012
10:13 pm
They better bring Frank back. How I gonna no who to vote 4 if Frank duzn’t tell me.
Pari
October 17th, 2012
10:18 pm
Do NOT move Ryan from his 2-6 slot! I don’t really care what V does in the mornings though. I’m usually on Q-100
Kevin
October 17th, 2012
10:18 pm
PLEASE let this dude go V-103. Let Ryan or someone else host the morning show. I’ve stop listening to V-103 all together.
Radio head
October 18th, 2012
5:08 am
I personally think that Frank Ski has outgrown V103. He needs to move on and focus on other things and his brand. When I do listen I feel as if Frank has to dumb himself down to be on the show with Wanda … Lets face it… We all can tell that Wanda doesn’t prepare for serious interviews and topics on the show. With that said I feel that Frank needs more of an adult audience… Not these young late teens and early – mid 20’s! As far as people saying bring back miss Sophia… She has her own entertainment show on fmdigitallive.com (Joyce littel, formerly of v103’s quiet storms station) I also feel like Frank had something to do with Miss Sophia not coming back. Ryan is ehhh … He’s not that funny to me and is be over him in the morning just like I’m over him and the white dude crash in the afternoon. Atlanta radio sucks big time compared to other cities … Cities that are smaller. There’s no reason why we can’t have the best on air talent at all times of the day. All Atlanta radio focuses on are playing the same 3-4 songs all day long!
No2Frankski
October 18th, 2012
8:40 am
I used to love the show when WANDA SMITH was hosting and saying more right before it turned to frank ski and wanda i think WANDA SMITH should have the morning show she is fun energetic and likes to keep her topics and comments young and interesting without boring the younger audience and still keeping the older audience attention. Frank Ski IS BORING!!!!!!! and defends Eddie Long too much geesh makes me wonder are they dating?? So to eliminate hearing frank ski in the morning id rather Laugh my A** of on the way to work and listen to Rickey Smiley but i flip from station to station because i love Wanda Smith her personality is so wonderful. But Frank Ski?? he is using this station to capitalize off the city and yes u wanna move on up in the world but he gettin easy money but not everyone wants to hear him just MY opinion. I think the morning show should be Wanda Smith and Ryan Cameron they are flippin hillarious and informative about the city.
QD
October 18th, 2012
10:04 am
Interestingly, I was listening to the morning show this morning with Ryan & Wanda…and I really think their chemistry is a much better. They both bring humor in the morning when it’s most needed to start the day. I couldn’t stop laughing at one of the segments.
truthhurts
October 18th, 2012
1:35 pm
@rodneyho_If Frank leaves could he move to another station in town? Is Steve, Tom planning on retiring or leaving anytime soon?
Rodney Ho
October 18th, 2012
1:41 pm
@truthhurts Tom Joyner, at age 62, is no spring chicken but I have heard no rumblings that he plans to retire any time soon. Steve Harvey has other fish to fry (Talk show, game show, et. al) so you never know but I think he enjoys doing the radio show. Right now, Frank has nowhere else to go in Atlanta, really.
RadioAlexander
October 18th, 2012
2:00 pm
Frank & Wanda are a good combo for what Atlanta’s current demographic… although the time to make a shift is nearing. V would be pushing it if they gave him 3-5 more years. Ryan is good at what he does… and although I enjoy Ryan and Wanda much more… Frank & Wanda communicate to a good majority. People know what they’re going to get from Frank. Wanda’s infectious laugh is probably the most enjoyable part of her being there. I listen to it all… I was listening when it was Frank Ski in the Morning w/Wanda & Big Chuck Smith. I loved Ryan on Hot in the mornings too. During that time, I was in High School… and it made me love “my” city even more. Local roots. Whether he stays or goes… Frank and the team at V have been instrumental in pushing people forwards and not dragging them down (i.e. Hot’s syndicated mess).
Michael
October 18th, 2012
2:19 pm
Obviously Frank & Wanda are not a good combo for Atlanta’s current demograhic IF you are reading the comments in this blog and if you look at the poll that is saying 7 out of 10 people want Frank Ski gone. The blog is even more against Frank Ski, about 9 out of 10 have negative things to say about Frank and the show. V-103 can put almost anyone in the morning show slot and still be a metro Atlanta leader. When they let Mike Roberts and Carol go they were leading in ratings. They have the strong signal and the management to stay on top for a long time. It’s not because of Frank Ski.
RN--FOR LIFE
October 18th, 2012
8:51 pm
I think Wanda need the boot. This woman has no class, very loud, and ghetto. I do not listen to this station. I am surprised that the radio station has not paid her to move out of state and tell no one that she worked on the radio. IJS. She is not the person for the job. KISS 104 is on point.
Kalissa Spencer
October 19th, 2012
12:30 am
I enjoy Frank Ski..I think he brings substance to the show. I personally am not a huge fan of Ryan Cameron..I know he appeals to a certain segment but he’s not very funny to me and is annoying at times. Give the man a break and renew his contract.
Ericka
October 19th, 2012
10:51 am
I say keep Frank, maybe switch him and Ryan. I think Ryan does a better job in the mornings. Frank would be better in that afternoon slot appealing to more diversed listeners. Now why we all harping on Frank leaving, Wanda is a waste of payroll for the radio station. What does she do for the community thats not first endorsed by Frank?
shaun turner
October 19th, 2012
2:45 pm
i agree with the article it’s one thing that turned me away from listening to there morning show frank ski thinks he knows everything and name drops alot they do need some fresh,new,younger vj’s frank needs to concentrate more on being a father,husband,and his business ventures he is 48yrs old and still tring to hang with 20and30 year old people
ron
October 19th, 2012
3:53 pm
Point blank frank is very arrogant and he do name drop but that is him. I know that Wanda is not the topic here but she has gotten just like him. She went from give me 20 dollars to one day saying 4700 was no money, that blowed me away. It’s funny how she makes people dam near beg for whatever they win on air. Money changes people and they are no different,. I must say that Frank keeps people imformed on what is going on but he makes you feel if you don’t agree with him you are totally stupid. I don’t know any of them but that’s just what a get from them. Kenny Burns seems to be a great person for the morning shoe. Ryan is too silly at times but is also good for the job as long as he leaves that funny boo boo behind that is jsut stupid, make s me turn the statiion esp on Tues
DoTheRightThing
October 19th, 2012
5:21 pm
I’ve been in Atlanta since 1995 and remember the days of Mike Roberts and Carol Blackmon. I thought they were BORING and personally think that Wanda and Frankski is worst at times. I stopped listening to V-103 in the mornings about 10 years ago. Frank just knows too much and don’t listen. And Ms. Wanda doesn’t take anything serious expect the MALE STRIPPERS! And why is V-103 allowing her to advertise that all the time on the radio! I also personally think that egypt sherrod is HORRIBLE. She should stick to TV and leave radio alone. When she comes on I turn to online radio. There is just no ONE good on from 10am – 2pm (Carol Blackmon- should hang it up too). Overall V-103 make a change and many people will tune back in.
Just my thoughts