In the last couple of weeks Hurricanes Helene and Milton have upended lives and property in the southeast USA. Having lived in the Sunshine State for over three decades I know how Floridians can transform into amateur meteorologists binge watching The Weather Channel. It’s never a good thing when you see Jim Cantore standing in your front yard.
We can learn a lot from The Weather Channel…
Continue readingContent is definitely what I get asked about most in sessions and in radio seminars. And since it takes a long time to get people who haven’t seen how easy it is to catch on, many times I give them an overview – a lesson I learned from watching the great comic and actor Steve Martin over the years.
Continue readingBelieve it or not we’re just a few weeks from radio stations flipping their programming upside down by playing some amount of Christmas music. The logical thinkers dip their proverbial toe into Christmas music like thoughtful grown-ups. Others jump in whole-heartedly like adolescents into a frigid lake.
Christmas music programming. Is it good or bad? Right or wrong? Harmony in the hallways?
Continue readingAn interesting point came up in a recent session came from an air talent I’ve worked with for years. She was talking about how a break can go wrong if you’re not sure of how you’re going to start. This was my feedback…
The West Wing. It’s my favorite TV show ever. (Unless you consider Seinfeld, The Brady Bunch Variety Hour, or The Beverly Hillbillies return to Hooterville).
They’ve just celebrated the 25th anniversary of The West Wing at the West Wing. The 25 best episodes, rated from Great to Perfect.
Continue readingHere’s a question for you: What stood out on your show today? Anything? A funny line? A really connective ‘take’ on something? A phone call that surprised you?
Great radio is about Memorable Moments.
If YOU can’t remember anything that stood out on your show today, no one else will, either.
I met a new friend during the pandemic. His name is Marvin. He’s a very skilled general contractor who helped us remodel during COVID, a time that was a challenge for hiring folks if you remember.
We learned a lot from Marvin. As the homeowner I had a sense of things I would enjoy. But Marvin, being the professional with far more experience, was able to connect the dots and see beyond the emotion of the idea that we thought was neato.
Continue readingEarly in my career, working at a 50,00 watt Top 40 giant, KEEL in Shreveport, Louisiana, I got a huge break.
Although I was probably the weakest air talent on the staff, my PD made me Music Director. (I’m a musician. That helps.)
All of a sudden, I had WORTH. I controlled the music we played. It was important. I became a link in the chain of terrific jocks we had.
It’s a question we don’t ask enough. Why do people tune in to our stations, either for the first time or the 500th time? And I’m not just talking about the music.
What point of view do they expect? What lifestyle do our stations reflect?
“What are people hiring you for?” Mark Ramsey asks.
Continue readingIn the last tip, I mentioned one of my earliest mentors, Howard Clark. Howard was part of the original air staff of the legendary KFRC in San Francisco, and later in life returned to his (and my) hometown of Shreveport, Louisiana. And believe me, just listening to Howard was a lesson in how there are endless opportunities to do real Content.
