Last week was a bummer. The radio industry lost two talented professionals and quality people when both Gary Krantz and Pete Medhurst passed away. After learning of the news, I thought back on a conversation with a former co-worker earlier in my career in St. Louis. She shared a piece of advice, which was ‘work to live your life, don’t live your life to work‘.
Many will probably agree with that statement. I don’t.
It’s easy to suggest to others how they should approach their personal and professional lives. But we’re all built differently. Some count the hours until the work day ends so they can go home, relax, enjoy time with family, and think about anything but their job. Others like myself, wish there were more hours in the day to get things done. We’re driven by what we do, enjoy the challenges, and think about creating success from morning to night.
This popped into my head last week when I listened to The Sports Junkies on 106.7 The Fan. The morning crew paid tribute to Pete Medhurst who recently lost his battle with brain cancer. Grant and Danny did the same the afternoon before. Pete was a talented broadcaster and regular reader of ours. He loved the business, and I had the pleasure of talking to him a few times over the years. It was easy to see, he loved his work and was driven to be great at it. He enjoyed being a part of the industry, and his curiosity and attention to detail stood out during our conversations.
The Junkies shared how hard Pete worked at his craft, detailing what went into his preparation, what he sacrificed, and what made him exceptional. Every host on 106.7 The Fan spoke of Pete in a way that conveyed a deep respect for what he did, along with a genuine affinity for who he was. As I listened, I thought there was no better compliment to pay a man who loved his work, and wanted to excel at it.
I’m sure there were other things in Pete’s life that were equally important to him and his friends and family. In the professional world though, the things that audiences and co-workers notice most are how you execute, how hard you work at it, and how successful you are doing it. Those who get close to you learn more about what makes you, you, but most just know the professional, their abilities, their results, and their commitment. Fortunately for Pete Medhurst, his body of work, and the way he did it, rubbed off on those around him. It’s why they’ll remember him forever.
Gary Krantz was another gentlemen who lost his life last week, and had a similar spirit. I had the pleasure of talking to Gary many times in person, on the phone, and at our conferences. He loved the business, the people in it, had a lot of success in it, enjoyed playing the role of a connector, and understood the industry’s challenges. I don’t think I ever saw Gary without his ear piece in, ready for the next business call. His accomplishments and experiences over the years helped him create a legendary resume.
If you didn’t get a chance to read Garrett Searight’s tribute piece with feedback from industry folks, click here. It captures how highly regarded Gary was by those who knew him. I’d also recommend taking a listen to the conversation he had with E.B. Moss a few years ago. It showcases how interested he was in the industry, and covers a ton of his professional experiences.
Gary’s passion for the industry rubbed off on his son Michael who’s now pursuing his own path into it. Though the news of his passing was sad, and not having him here sucks, the best thing we can do is remember how much he loved what he did, and how he brought people together to make things better. Those who crossed paths with Gary know, he was quick witted, charismatic, unafraid to call something ugly, and passionate about the future.
When you’re driven to be great and successful, it consumes you. Many of the best in broadcasting, sports, music, and politics live and operate this way. Is it for everyone? No. Can you have success without being fully obsessed? Probably. But I see a lot of accomplished people who are built similarly. Take a listen to Nick Saban talking last week with Ryan Clark on The Pivot about this. It’s the same exact mindset.
Whether it’s Mark Cuban, Dave Portnoy, Paul Heyman, Clay Travis, Stephen A. Smith or others, top performers are relentless in their pursuit of excellence. They can succeed today, and feel unfulfilled tomorrow. That quest to compete, learn, be challenged, and win never ends. I know it well because it’s how I’m wired too.
I wake up thinking about how to attack the day and make an impact. It’s a passion and obsession that can’t be tamed. The smallest things create the biggest stress because you’re always aiming for perfection, even though you know being perfect will never happen. It drives others around you crazy because they don’t function the same way and they see the positive results you’ve produced. Yet no matter how great you are today, you’re thinking of what could be lost tomorrow if you take your eye off the ball.
Those who aren’t built this way don’t understand it. They can’t process why someone would spend hour after hour focused on work, not taking advantage of the time available to enjoy life. But for myself, and many others, it’s the only way we know how to function. From the time I stepped foot in this business, my mantra was ‘I’ll sacrifice what others won’t, and outwork anyone and everyone in every building I step foot in’. If I’m going to do something, I want to do it well, and make a permanent mark in the process.
As a programmer, it was common for the morning show and late night show to see me in my office. It sent a message, he’s always listening, and is invested in our success. Even now running a publishing and consulting company, my day starts at 6:30am and doesn’t end until 11pm or Midnight. I’ll take a break for family events, dinners, movies, etc. but that doesn’t mean my work isn’t top of mind. And I function that way M-F and spend hours on both Saturday and Sunday working too. My one exception, I break away to watch the NFL on Sunday’s during the fall!
Each individual has to decide for themselves how much they want out of this profession, and what they’re willing to do to get it. If a less stressful life is what you seek, that’s perfectly fine. For those who need to reach the top as much as they need oxygen to breathe, that works too. It’s not the worst thing in the world to wake up excited, challenged, and scared to death of what could be lost if you weren’t your very best. But it’s also ok to be content with an 8-9 hour day, and enjoy other aspects of life than your work.
The reality though is that we are in a competitive business that many want to be a part of. Success requires effort, focus, vision, and sacrifice as much as talent. A ‘living to work’ mindset is more often rewarded with promotions and bigger paychecks than those who operate the opposite way.
Gary Krantz, and Pete Medhurst understood that. So too does Nick Saban. It’s why their commitments and work stood out and will be remembered. Other parts of their lives may be equally special, and more deserving of higher praise, but in a dog eat dog business, there’s no greater sign of respect or appreciation than to acknowledge what one did to make a lasting impact. If you told both Gary and Pete that the work they did mattered, and would be recognized after they were gone, I’m sure both would feel good about what they did to make a difference.
If living to work provides joy for professionals who crave success and wish to be remembered, that should be appreciated. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be known for more than just being a good person who loved and supported his or her family. Pete Medhurst and Gary Krantz gave everything they had to this business. They each made significant contributions to it. The least we can do is remember it.
Jason Barrett is the Founder and CEO of Barrett Media. The company launched in September 2015 and has provided consulting services to America’s top audio and video brands, while simultaneously covering the media industry at BarrettMedia.com, becoming a daily destination for media professionals. Prior to Barrett Media, Jason built and programmed 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, and 101 ESPN in St. Louis. He was also the first sports programmer for SportsTalk 950 in Philadelphia, which later became 97.5 The Fanatic. Barrett also led 590 The Fan KFNS in St. Louis, and ESPN 1340/1390 in Poughkeepsie, NY, and worked on-air and behind the scenes at 101.5 WPDH, WTBQ 1110AM, and WPYX 106.5. He also spent two years at ESPN Radio in Bristol, CT producing ‘The Dan Patrick Show’ and ‘GameNight’. JB can be reached on Twitter @SportsRadioPD or by email at Jason@BarrettMedia.com.
