Radio - What Happened?

This episode is part 1 of our interview with Stan Webb, one of Gordon McLendon's "Magnificent Seven".  Hear how history was made with this tremendous organization, at the beginning of what some call the true "golden" age of radio.  Born in Cisco, Texas, Stan is probably the only person ever, to be named a National Sales Manager before he ever made a single sales call.  And, after being chosen from over 5,000 resumes, he says he's a "lucky, lucky guy."  Hope you enjoy his story.

How many of you ever worked somewhere where you could play the songs you wanted to play?  I'm guessing not many.  But, back in the 60's/70's, there were a few who had a strong enough following, that management had no choice but to let them play what they wanted.  "I Am What I Play" is a documentary about those 4 individuals, produced and directed by Roger King, our guest this week on "Radio: What Happened".  Also, a replay of our Music Montage #2 -- I guess it was a little tougher than the last one - no winner yet. Come on people, you can do it!  Hope you enjoy this week's episode and as always, share with your friends.

This week, we preview our upcoming conversation with Roger King, the producer / director of "I Am What I Play", a documentary about rock djs.  You're going to love it.  Also, we listen to an air check recorded on the last day of broadcasting for Radio London back in 1967.  Plus, we talk a little bit about some trends in ratings across the country, and what's hot and what's not.  Join us, and hopefully share with your friends.

No interview this week, but some great audio!  Lisa Orkin was kind enough to share an episode of The Tooth Fairy!  She says she likes it better than Chickenman.  We also have our second music montage contest.  10 songs from the 70's, see if you can name them all.  No Shazaam please!  And finally, we pay a small tribute to Casey Kasem, with audio from one of his shows in the 70's, and his final sign off.  Truly one of the greats of the radio industry.  Next week, an interview with Stan Webb, one of the main cogs in the beginning of Clear Channel.

This week, we talk to Chuck Ingersoll, veteran radio broadcaster, copy writer, slogan writer (is that a job?), branding expert and winner of several Addy Awards, Aurora Awards as well as a Gold 2009 Marcom award for production of a brilliant series of health care radio commercials. Plus, he's very entertaining as well.  We're sure you'll enjoy the interview! And an air check of one of the fastest talkers on radio, Jack Armstrong -- see if you don't agree.

This week, we have the pleasure of talking with Lisa Orkin, the daughter of one of radio's greatest creative minds ever!  Plus, she's shared a couple of great radio commercials that her current company produced, as well as a full episode of Chickenman!  Plus, we have a winner!  Yes, Stephen Bailey correctly guessed all 10 songs in our montage.  Congratulations!

This week, we talk to Sean Ross, the editor of the Ross On Radio Newsletter. Sean worked with R&R from '83 to '87, then was the radio editor for Billboard from '88 to '93.  For the last 15 years, he's been the VP of music and programming for Edison Research, as well as the author of the Ross on Radio Newsletter.  He's come up with a list of "LOST SONGS" from the late 70's to late 80's -- plus we have a little contest to see if you can recognize all 10 songs in this week's "Name 'Em" game!

Two men are basically credited with the beginning of "Top 40" radio.  One came up with the format, and the other branded it.  Find out who did what, in Episode #13.  And we have a great aircheck from 1974 -- KTLK in Denver.  Wow, this guy "Big Ron O'Brien" is fantastic.  Lots of energy -- typical of top 40 stations.  

This week, we talk to Dan O'Day!  Lots of dj's will remember O'Bits and O'Liners that he 
started back in the mid 70's in Radio & Records Magazine.  His website is chock full of 
airchecks, sound bits, books and more -- all about radio, voice work, being a personality and more.  Plus, we hear John "Records" Landecker and his first words on radio back in 1965, along with air checks of both Rick Dees (when he was a senior in college) and Jay
Thomas on The Ape, WAPE.  Hope you enjoy -- and please share.

This week, we finish our talk with Bobby Ocean, one of the great announcers of our time.  We also have an air check of the first week of BOSS RADIO, at KHJ, Los Angeles in 1965. And we resume a conversation about the Brinkley Act, first enacted by the US Government back in 1934 -- and how it's back in the news, thanks to Ted Cruz, Senator from Texas.  Thanks for all the listeners, and as usual, we ask that you share with anyone you think might be interested.  Still looking for small and medium market air checks.  Email to [email protected]