Eighteen months ago, Edison Research issued its second list of “30 Under 30”—thirty broadcast professionals who proved that there were still young broadcasters of promise in what Edison president Larry Rosin has called “an industry of old men.” Honorees spanned the broadcasters ranks from middays at L.A.’s top 40 powerhouse KIIS to the Chief Engineer’s workshop to station ownership.

The 30 Under 30 list was issued in an environment that was already tough on radio and tough on beginning broadcasters in general. Then, two months later, things got worse. So how have our broadcasters careers fared since then? Even this month has been tumultuous. Rich McLaughlin, who joined WFUV New York around that time has just joined Clear Channel to work with its digital initiatives. Charlamagne, on the other hand, has just exited the morning show at WPHI Philadelphia, which he launched six months ago, and is reportedly being replaced by syndication. And Emmis/Austin, Texas, OM Chase has overseen a format change and a frequency swap within his cluster. (And McVay Media’s Daniel Anstandig is now writing a new media column for Radio-Info.com.)

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be following up with as many of the “30 Under 30” as possible in Radio-Info.com’s Music and Programming Section. (Disclosure: The author is also VP of music and programming for Edison Research; this article, however, is the brainchild of Radio-Info.com publisher Diana Fleming, as part of the site’s emphasis on teaching and fostering the next generation of talent.)

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Charlamagne Then: Co-host of the syndicated Wendy Williams Experience, based at WBLS New York

What’s happened in your career since last summer?

Since last Summer, I was actually laid off as co-host of the Wendy Williams Experience due to budget cuts. That was in November(2008), but in May I was hired by WPHI (100.3 the Beat) Philadelphia to host my own morning show. I still do man on the street correspondence for Wendy Williams TV show on FOX and I have a book coming out on her book imprint in 2011. [Before leaving the Beat earlier this month], my 18-34 ratings in a PPM world were solid. In my last month, I was No. 7; the highest I had gotten was No. 5 and the lowest was No. 9 and that was with no station promotion, but I will be fine.

What are your thoughts on the current state of the business?

Radio is in a bad state economically and strategically. The economic part is self explanatory; what I mean by strategically is as much as people want to act like they have this PPM thing figured out, they don’t. They have no idea what makes PPM work and neither do I. All I know is that the radio stations have to put out the best possible product at all times.

As much as they want to say music is what drives the PPM numbers in a positive direction, I disagree. I think personalities and promotions are what drive any ratings system in your favor. If you have two Urbans in the market and both of the stations are music-driven, what separates the stations? I feel it’s the station with the best personalities and best promotions that will win.

I had a PD recently tell me, “Charlamagne, you can’t reinvent the wheel.” Well, that’s not a good strategy because they reinvented the ratings system so now someone must reinvent the presentation of the radio station. People aren’t even coming to radio stations to get music first anymore; the Internet has totally changed people’s habits when it comes to music. So if your primary focus is to have a music driven station, I think you’re doing yourself an injustice.

What’s it like being young in this business, particularly now? Do you feel like you have peers? Is this an “industry of old men?”

It’s still the industry of old men as far as the executive side of things is concerned. Lots of them are really out of touch with our culture; they haven’t grasped that we are in the information age, the Barack Obama era, so a lot of times listeners want to be educated as well as entertained. At 29, I most certainly have peers – people like Kendra G, Tazz Daddy, Devi Dev in L.A., Titi Torres in Virginia, DJ Frosty in Columbia S.C.; it’s a handful of young veterans out here who are doing their best to move the culture forward. I'm just blessed to be one of the leaders of the next generation.

What impact has being part of 30 Under 30 had over the last eighteen months?

It was a privilege. It was great to be acknowledged. It means that my hard work is paying off. I want to prove you all right in the next couple of years to where you all say we picked that guy right there and now look, he’s one of the biggest talents in the business.

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Chase Then: OM of Emmis/Austin, Texas

What’s happened in your career since last summer?

I’m still the OM for Emmis/Austin. I continue to work with a great team and take on new challenges on a near-daily basis. I’ve also become even more involved in our other departments, specifically in the sales and business areas, in the interest of expanding my knowledge base for future growth personally and professionally.

What are your thoughts on the current state of the business?

Hopeful. I don’t consider myself to be naive, but I am an eternal optimist, with good reason. While radio, along with the rest of media that is supported by ad sales, has had a really tough year, we’re starting to see signs that the tides are shifting. 2010 is looking better than 2009, and I believe that 2011 will be a solid growth year for our medium. While newspapers and other traditional print media are facing losses that will, in all likelihood, never recover, radio is uniquely positioned to gain a disproportionate amount of the ad share these media leave on the table via our massive audience reach, expanding digital platforms, and relatively low cost to potential advertisers delivering a very high return on investment.

I’m definitely looking forward to the future and leaving 2009 behind. I’m grateful for the lessons this tough year has taught us, and I believe we will rebound stronger because of it. It was a year of navigating the industry and aligning our company so that when the economy turns around we end up on the right side of it. I’m confident that I’m part of a team that gets that and has done that exceptionally well. Now, I look forward to the coming months and years when our entire industry can take a giant leap forward.

What’s it like being young in this business, particularly now? Do you feel like you have peers? Is this an “industry of old men?

For me, it’s exciting. Yes, our business has challenges ahead, but being relatively young and working for a company that I share mutual respect with means that I have a hand in shaping my company, and our industry … If I worked in an industry that had every variable figured out, then I wouldn’t stand to make much of an impact.

I do believe I have peers. While it’s easy to be cynical and view radio as the “industry of old men,” I have to reflect on my personal experiences and disagree. I do think the young “talent” of this industry needs to be harvested, and I do think we can do a better job at recruiting this young talent, however, I haven’t had any issues whatsoever in finding talented people to work on our teams. Whenever I post a position, whether it is a part-time remote coordinator in promotions, or a morning show on one of our biggest brands, I am always pleasantly satisfied with level of talent that applies. There is no lack of talent available, and no lack of great mentors to bring this talent along, but I do believe we can do a better job at connecting those dots on a more regular basis. Getting our managers to be leaders who pride themselves on developing the available talent is how we’ll raise the next generation of leaders for our industry—and I’m sure they’ll be called “old men” at some point as well, but at least they’ll have something to offer their next generation.

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Chris Thomas Then: PD WLVQ (Q-FM-96) Columbus, Ohio

What’s happened in your career since last summer?

Well, the last year or so has certainly been full of change and adventure. I had a wonderful time at Conclave in the summer of ‘08 and being named one of the “30 under 30” was an extreme honor. At that time I had no idea that less than one year later I would be laid off. After leading Wilks Broadcasting’s WLVQ to 10 consecutive No. 1 books Men 25-54, I was one of many hit by an on-going string of layoffs in May of 2009. But in the midst of this bad news, I was blessed to go out on top. A day after being laid off, the latest ratings showed my midday daypart as #1 Persons and Men 25-54. The station was #1 Men 25-54 and #2 Persons 25-54.

What are your thoughts on the current state of the business?

Along with other businesses, radio is going through a tough time. So much great talent is on the beach. I think of the tens of thousands of years of experience (or more) and ideas on the sidelines and the effect that will have on the future of the industry. Personalities, emotional connections to the listener, and creativity are what make radio great.

What’s it like being young in this business, particularly now? Do you feel like you have peers? Is this an “industry of old men?“

It’s more the “industry of few men (and women)” now. Hats off to the remaining talent for picking up two-to-three times the responsibilities. And for those remaining it can be tough to nurture the creative process and mentor to their fullest because of lack of time and/or resources. They are juggling so many titles, and many are having their pay cut while doing it. But then again, it’s never been about the money in radio. You’re in it because you love it. Radio will survive because it’s full of talented fighters.

What impact has being part of 30 Under 30 had over the last eighteen months?

After being recognized as one of the 30 under 30, I received many calls, e-mails and letters of congratulations from other industry professionals. Many I knew, some I had never met! That was very cool that they took the time to reach out. I felt a lot of pride — but not just personal pride. It was pride in the sense that I had done right for an industry I respect and love (that has been a part of my life since the age of 16); pride in working with and learning from so many amazing people over the years that led me to that moment. There are too many people to mention, but you know who you are! I have always been very driven to succeed, to lead a station to #1, to be #1 in my daypart, etc. But I am the most driven to make an honest difference for my passion, radio.

What’s been going on with you since leaving WLVQ?

I still have the pleasure of working with many of those fighters in radio from a freelance standpoint. After providing voice over, imaging, and commercial production part time for a handful of stations, agencies and clients over the years, I'm actively growing my CT Audio Productions client base (recently welcoming stations in the U.K. and the Philippines). Check out demos at www.CTAudioProductions.com. Utilizing my home recording studio, business is growing quickly and the future looks bright!

Being away from the station has enabled me to enjoy radio more from a listener’s perspective instead of just as a PD. That has given me some fresh approaches and new ideas to use if the right opportunity comes along to re-enter Programming/On Air. In the meantime, I'm enjoying the flexibility and growth of self employment while staying in touch with radio. I am also a jazz trumpet player and am finding more time to play a few gigs here and there. And in August, my wife and I welcomed a healthy baby girl into our lives and I am blessed with the ability to work from my home studio while spending time with my growing daughter. Readers are welcome to reach out to me at 712-253-5635 or ChrisThomas@CTAudioProductions.com.

I also just released an album of 80 comedy ringtones, alerts,and alarms I created through iTunes. I will be donating a portion of all proceeds to the humane society. For more details, click here.

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Tommy Chuck Then: PD WFLZ Tampa, Fla.

What’s happened in your career since last summer? There’s been no change to the job title. Still PD of WFLZ and serving as Tampa’s Digital Director overseeing all of our websites and mobile platforms.

What are your thoughts on the current state of the business?

Right now, there’s never a boring day. Right now, there is never a day where we don’t learn something new. The current state of the business is still difficult, but it’s looking up! PPM is making things exciting. Everyone is re-learning how to play the game and trying to be the smartest kid in the class. I'm confident that 2009 will be the hardest year we will see for a long time – maybe ever – in our careers.

What’s it like being young in this business, particularly now? Do you feel like you have peers? Is this an “industry of old men?“

It’s still an “industry of old men” and for those that have embraced new technology and methodology, I'm okay with it. It’s the old men who still think it’s 1995 that worry me. There are still some of those hanging on and I feel bad for people under their leadership. As dramatic change runs more and more of these types off, I'm happy to see younger people (and especially women) awarded with high profile positions. You can see it inside Clear Channel especially.

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James “Doubledown” Howard Then: PD WXTB Tampa/KYRK New Orleans/WTZB Sarasota, Pa.

What’s happened in your career since last summer?

I've taken on the Program Director responsibility for the Lex and Terry Radio Network, which is heard in over 30 markets. I wake up each morning with the guys from the show and we video conference to discuss the show’s direction, topic direction, and overall strategic plan for that day’s show. I also oversee www.lexandterry.com, which has grown to 18,000-20,000 unique visitors a day. It’s an absolutely blast working with this show every day.

What are your thoughts on the current state of the business?

It’s pretty clear that our business is shrinking and even with our online and mobile initiatives, we are way behind innovators in these fields. Radio has always been our core competency and it’s taken us far too long to embrace other platforms. We are catching up though.

What’s it like being young in this business, particularly now? Do you feel like you have peers? Is this an “industry of old men?”

I'm fortunate enough to work closely with a decent amount of young people in our business that makes it feel like I have classmates. However, there is no one behind us. You can see this reality in the trades when job openings get occupied by the same people, who move from city to city. The good news is, when I get fired, someone may take a chance on me again. The bad news is we aren’t investing in our future, because we are trying to weather our present economic struggles.

What impact has being part of 30 Under 30 had over the last eighteen months?

When it was announced, it was tremendous to hear from so many peers in our industry congratulating me on the honor — and it truly is an honor. Most of the comments were, “I always thought you were old, with all the grey hairs on your chin.” My job is certainly helping to cultivate hair with less pigment.

Read Part II here: