Post Two: The "740" and Hayes and Mullins

 Steve Hayes' Knockout?

With a huge response to the blog post yesterday, I want to make something clear. I believe it was a mistake for Steve Hayes to fire Larry Dale Mullins for playing the song "What the Hell You Know About That 740?" In saying that Hayes' reaction to Mullins airing the song was a "mistake," I mean it was inappropriate and illogical.

If Steve Hayes believed he had good reason to terminate Mullins -- playing the song without  approval, breaking station conduct rules, showing lack of concern over FCC regulations, airing improper subject matter, aggrandizing his status -- Hayes should weigh that reason(s) against Mullins' good intentions and excellent track record. Taking a person's livelihood and trashing his good standing in a profession are very serious actions.

As operations manager, Hayes must be sensitive to impropriety; however, his overreaction proved his own detachment from comprehending humans and emotions. While Hayes first concern should be fair treatment of his staff, he, instead, chose to act with a "company man" mentality. He acted rashly without proper compassion about his employee.  Even if Hayes believes Mullins did a major "no no," the manager must render retribution fairly without concern for his personal gratification.

I happen to believe Larry Dale Mullins made no mistake playing "740." WNXT and Steve Hayes may disagree, but I think I have a little perspective about selfish concerns of the station. I remember an afternoon call-in show that WNXT conducted soon after national attention had been drawn to Scioto County concerning its glut of pill mills. The station decided to weigh the fallout to the community's efforts to expose drug addiction and the illegal drug trade. At the time Scioto County was one of the epicenters of the prescription drug health epidemic.

During the call-in, positive and negative reaction to exposing the drug problem poured into the radio station. It was evident that the subject was extremely popular and controversial. I believe after seeing that some residents expressed the opinion that exposing the problem was giving Scioto County a "black eye," the station became hypersensitive to airing anything about drug abuse.

Indifference? No, not exactly -- as long as the news about abuse was deemed "vanilla" and unruffled, it passed station muster, yet if something was true but the slightest "ugly" or potentially contentious, WNXT took a pass. Give credit to Larry Dale for having the fortitude to play "740" despite its arguable nature. In retrospect, why can't the station simply release a statement saying "the opinions expressed in the song are not necessarily those of the radio station" and be done with the matter.

I will tell you why I believe Larry's simple actions resulted in an unfair reaction by the operations manager. Our area is too used to following rigid custom and control exerted by a faction of the population living in the past. This "good old boy" faction does not want to foster improvement that requires controversial change.

Scioto County is the unhealthiest county in the state of Ohio -- change for the better is imperative. RWR makes a dramatic statement in their song. Controversial -- yes. But true -- I think yes. If WNXT wants to lead the way to a healthier, more productive area, they must understand that "business as usual" might not be the answer. People on the front lines fighting problems here are suffering the bruises and cuts that come with protecting our homeland.

Should a man be fired for playing a song of protest? God knows playing Dylan's "Blowin' In the Wind," Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come," CSNY's "Ohio," or Lynyrd Skynyrd's "That Smell," would evidently cost a DJ his WNXT paycheck.

My take: get over your groundless fears, Mr. Hayes. Open your eyes and see your county as it really is. Illusions are fine for Disneyland, but here in Scioto, we deal daily with stark reality.

Steve, you made the "mistake." We all make them, but you must be "man" enough to admit your error and correct it. Instead of killing the messenger, read his message and thank him for delivering it. Take out any aggression you may have not by firing Larry Dale but by fighting drug abuse.

Some people here named Roberts and Krohn and Maloney care about you and yours, Steve Hayes. And, don't tell me you don't have friends and family suffering with the pains of dependency and addiction. That is, unless you want me to accept a lie. You see, in the "740," we all have loved ones suffering with this disease.

WNXT's Larry Dale Fired -- Hayes Upset With "740"

It has come to my attention that following airplay of a "clean" version of the song "What the Hell You Know About That 740?" by locals Big Mung, D' Gree and Random (known as RWR), Operations Manager Steve Hayes fired 99.3 WNXT Radio personality Larry Dale Mullins.

Mullins played the song as part of an interview with Portsmouth public health nurse/Scioto Drug Action Team leader Lisa Roberts and SOLACE Director Jo Anna Krohn to help publicize a concert by RWR and Farm Click on October 12 at the 17th Street Armory in Portsmouth.

The concert, dubbed the "740—Revive our Greatness Concert" was planned because of the high praise RWR's song "740" has received from the public. Krohn, herself, acknowledged the song has received its fair share of criticisms because of the way it portrays the area.

“The song is very powerful and critical about our community. The song is done in a way that’s inspirational and the core message is that, we as a community need to revive our greatness and have unity in the community,” Krohn said. There are two versions of the song, one clean and the other not so clean.

“Some people are not going appreciate the words of the song because it paints a bad picture of the area, though it is unfortunately true. We are the second poorest county in Ohio, we do have a high hepatitis rate and a number of other things that are not good,” Krohn said. “What these guys are doing is acknowledging the truth of the area and inspiring people to come together to do something. The words are powerful and I think its an awesome song. I really think this might be the next thing we need to unite us again to do something more about our problems.”

She said the event is more than the groups that will be performing. She said throughout the event there will be speakers telling of their inspirational stories. “We are also going to talk about what our next steps should be, to further make positive changes in the community,” Krohn said.

Allegedly, Steve Hayes, who was out of town at the time, took exception to Mullins playing the song without his permission. Hayes supposedly accused Mullins of attempting to become a "hero" and aggrandize his status in the community by simply airing the song one time. Reports say Larry Dale has be "unofficially" terminated from employment by WNXT.

Steve Hayes

My Take

First of all, those who know Larry Dale Mullins understand that he is not the type of person who wants glory or celebrity. He is kind, selfless, and courteous to a fault -- a person who lives a quiet life but who contributes greatly to his community. I and many others in Scioto County admire Larry Dale and respect him for his work. Doesn't Steve Hayes know how many people are friends with Mullins and see him as an all-around "good guy"? I believe Larry Dale makes no attempt to glorify his persona.

Second, I believe this is not a singular incident but, instead, part of a long string of negative reactions to broadcasting the truth about the drug epidemic in Scioto County. A stigma concerning any grain of negativity associated with promoting efforts to fight drug abuse exists. Many of the "who's who" and the "good old boys" of the enduring Scioto past do not want to hear the truth about the state of drug problems here. They see carrying the flag of leadership against abuse as a potential "black eye" for commerce and, in this case, a "shiner" for generating advertising revenue.

To these indifferent attitudes I say: "Be a part of the solution, not a part of neglecting priorities." I know that WNXT has had ample opportunities in the past to assist local efforts. To be honest, their track record is dismal. They chose to use kid gloves with efforts to end abuse because they fear that some of their listening audience doesn't want to hear any mention of "d-r-u-g-s."

Instead, the station could lead the fight with confidence that drug abuse radio spots and honest reports will reduce addiction. They have not contributed much to events sponsored by the Action Team or by local nonprofits. To influence real change, WNXT could do so much much to assist those trying hard to make a difference.

Next, let me assure you from my experience of the last five years or more that NO ONE does more good to stop drug abuse in this county than Lisa Roberts and Jo Anna Krohn. I know both well, and I have worked with them extensively. I am witness to their tremendous work. The state of Scioto County would be deplorable without the industry of both of these strong, courageous, well-spoken women. Kudos to Larry Dale Mullins for having the guts and sense to play "740."

In addition, many people in the area want WNXT to play "740." I have, myself, heard scores of positive reactions to the station's airing of the song during the interview. Most reflect the attitude of "it's about time we hear the truth." If Steve Hayes is upset to the point of firing Mullins for simply playing the song, perhaps he is jealous that he is not getting praise to speak honestly against abuse. Steve Hayes may believe that any prestige should be attributed to him.

And, it's not as if Hayes hasn't made controversial comments and editorials on his own radio broadcasts. He should know this. He is often political and opinionated about causes that he supports, sometimes to the point of offending listeners. Perhaps the skewed judgment that Mullins made a mistake by playing "740" rests in the brain of Steve Hayes. He seems to relish being "large and in charge."

I praise RWR for recording and promoting "What the Hell You Know About That 740?" I praise Roberts and Krohn for their tireless work in saving lives in my backyard. I, despite protests from Steve Hayes and WNXT radio, praise Larry Dale Mullins for playing the controversial song. He has  unknowingly lit a fire in a tinderbox begging for ignition -- he chose to expose the truth in its deplorable state.

By releasing "740" to the 740 area airwaves and getting terminated for doing so, Mullins has successfully fired a shot that will help destroy the status quo, "good old boy" hold and mentality. I feel sorry for Larry Dale. He should never have been given such a severe penalty by Hayes for merely doing what is right.

Shame on you, Steve Hayes. You may have fired an employee, but I believe you have also injured your radio station with your gigantic ego. As far as beloved radio personalities and well-deserved credit go, you should just look towards a true icon -- "Mr. Deejay USA in 1959" Zeke Mullins. And, Steve, the seed fell right beside the sturdy oak. Larry Dale Mullins is a fine person, a superb radio personality, and a gutsy man. Thanks for everything you do, Larry Dale.

Zeke Mullins

Postscript

Tickets for the "740—Revive our Greatness Concert" can be purchased for $10 at the SOLACE office on 11th street, Hilltop Market on Grandview Ave. and the Sixth Street Carryout.