October 2nd, 2008 
joel This is the first in a regular feature where you can sit in the radio programmer’s chair and evaluate Erie’s morning personalities. Whether I was on the receiving or giving end of an air check evaluation what we listened for included relevance, concise thoughts, quick pace, tight board operation, and empathy and connection with the target listeners. As you listen to the scoped air check, keep those values in mind.
We start with Erie’s most listened morning show, Warvel and Curry on Star 104.
We pulled Tuesday morning’s 7:00 hour to hear how they are doing in these early weeks of the ratings period. After you’ve had your chance to listen and weigh-in, I’ll give my evaluation in the comments Friday. Remember we want constructive and civil criticism, and keep from any partisan attacks; you never know when we’ll be putting your station under the microscope!
Morning Show Scope: WRTS (Star 104)
Date: Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2008
Time: 7:00 – 8:00 AM
Personalities: Craig Warvel and Jessica Curry
- 7:00 AM: Legal ID and Local News (Curry)
- 7:02 AM: Erie Weather (Tom DiVecchio/WJET-TV)
- 7:03 AM: Live promo upcoming features
- 7:03 AM: (song) Sexy Can I-Ray-J
- 7:07 AM: Pick your perfect wedding promo/show prep piece about big wedding burger
- 7:10 AM: (song) Better in Time-Leona Lewis (current)
- 7:13 AM: Quarter After Laughter comedy bit
- 7:15 AM: Spotset:
- Tristate Business Institute
- Time Warner Cable (Roadrunner)
- Pilewski Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning
- New Motors Volkswagen
- Giant Eagle Pharmacy
- Erie Otters Hockey
- Star Promo (Shrine Club Remote)
- 7:20 AM: (song) Sugar, We’re Goin Down-Fall Out Boy
- 7:24 AM: Friendship traditions with your girlfriends
- 7:27 AM: (song) Dangerous-Kardinal Offishall (current)
- 7:31 AM: Legal ID and Local News (Curry)
- 7:34 AM: Spotset:
- Menopause: The Musical
- 7:35 AM: Erie Weather (Tom DiVecchio/WJET-TV)/promo for circus ticket giveaway, birthdays, and trivia game
- 7:36 AM: (song) Sorry-Buckcherry
- 7:40 AM: Birthdays, promo trivia giveaway
- 7:41 AM: Stopset:
- Robertson Kitchens
- Porreco Nissan
- The Cell Block
- 7:45 AM: (song) Bubbly-Colbie Caillat
- 7:48 AM: Totally Useless trivia game
- 7:49 AM: Stopset:
- Star Promo (star104.com)
- Sprint
- McCain/Palin 2008
- PA Dept. of State
- 7:53 AM: (song) In The Ayer-Flo Rida (current)
- 7:57 AM: (song) Paralyzer-Finger Eleven
Download the WRTS scoped show – Sept. 30, 2008, 7-8 AM (Warvel & Curry) or listen below.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Posted in 
Tags: 
Loading ...
I can’t believe that, after this long, these two still don’t have that chemistry that makes a great morning show. The humor is dull, they seem poorly prepared, the boardwork is sloppy and the programming…well, it’s not their fault but pop music lacks talent and variety lately. The station imaging has changed and just doesn’t emit that high-energy, fun, family-friendly kind of vibe that it used to in years past. I hadn’t listened in almost a year until recently. Star used to be “my” station, but after hearing what the station sounds like now, I’m almost embarrassed to admit it. The morning show lacks creativity, humor, SHOW PREP and intelligent banter. There is no chemistry between Warvel & Curry–half the time one doesn’t understand what the other is talking about. They definitely don’t have that mass appeal that existed between Warvel and his previous morning co-hosts.
OK I had to comment again…I wasn’t able to hear the specific segment you are referring to, but I tuned in yesterday morning and heard one of their new little games in the morning called “Will She Know?” Craig prepares to ask Jessica 3 questions re: pop culture, entertainment, politics, etc, and the caller only has to guess beforehand whether she will know the answer or not….ummmm my guess would always be no, no, and NO. Duhhhh.
When the caller did guess yes, instead of even trying to answer the question, Jessica simply squealed, “NO, I don’t (tee hee hee)” Lame, not entertaining at all. The caller has to get 2 out of 3 right to win the prize. Since the caller missed the first two, (both of which he guessed Jessica would know and her response to both was the same “No, I don’t”), they simply thanked him for playing and then opened up the prize to caller 14. Caller 14 just so happened to be “Jamie”, the same caller who had attempted the game. Wow, what luck. HELLO, Warvel & Curry–he is the ONLY listener you have left!
This morning show has really gone to hell, sorry to say. When Jessica joined Warvel, I just kept telling myself, “Give it time, it’ll get better….”. But it hasn’t. And it won’t. Jessica may have redeeming qualities but perhaps her talents are being misutilized. She & Craig are not a good fit at all.
If you ask me, Rocket’s got the best morning show hands-down. Great chemistry, timing, boardwork, personality & humor. THAT’S what it’s about.
Nothing beat Martin & Warvel
How about the version of the Breakfast Club on Classy 100 w/Dan Geary, Newsman Dave and Terri Bohen. I don’t think anythings topped them and their on air chemistry and humor.
Have to agree with K104Ever. The Morning Mayor was the best.
I LISTENED TO FRANK MARTIN FOR MORE YEARS THEN I LIKE TO THINK ABOUT. HE WAS ONE OF THE BEST IF NOT THE BEST IN ERIE RADIO. TALK ABOUT SMOOTH.
Frank Martin is a class act… on and off the air. If there is anyone to feel sorry for on Star, it is Warvel. He is a talented talented individual, but is held back by his co-host and format. I am, however, happy his is still on the air after the recent string of cuts.
Here’s my belated evaluation of the Star morning show:
Positives:
Negatives:
Overall, I think Warvel and Curry are doing ok, but it seems like the morning drive show on the number one station could be a lot “bigger”.
Maybe it’s not fair to base a whole show on one hour, but if you only have a 17-21 minute commute to capture a new cume listener, you’ve got to try keep me locked in.
That morning show hasn’t changed in years. I remember Warvel and McBride- Those two had amazing energy together. Jessica’s laughing takes up the whole time. I think it needs something new to keep listeners wanting more, it just seems a bit boring to me. I heard that Jessica is the program director, and if this is true, don’t you think she would want to think of new and exciting things to do on the air that will gain listeners. It sounds like it has been the exact same show for years. I have heard comments before of hers that I have really took offense too, not going to go into detail. But the show needs some pizazz, I hope they realize this before it’s too late.
I think already know the answer (money) but I’ll ask the question of my radio friends anyway…
Why is it that Erie radio recycles and reinvents morning talent instead of investing in announcers from larger markets. Example…I believe Star’s Jessica came from …DuBois?
Jessica did come from Dubois. She spent some time in the millitary and was originally hired at NextMedia as a sales person. After the depature of Sherri McBride, she was promoted to mornings.
To answer your question, Raggy, it isn’t so much about money in the hold-up of getting bigger named talent. Erie is more of a stepping stone, and unfortuanately, most big city talent would look at this market as a step backwards. But it isn’t just a recycling of morning talent… it seems like Citadel has become a “safe haven” for dearly departed Connoissuer jocks (Johnny Marx, Tony J, Elly McVahey, Chico).