I began my radio career as a board op at CKY in Winnipeg where I had to produce a ton of commercials every day. So when the guys scurried down the back fire escape every afternoon to the ‘Cri’ for a few pops, I was much too busy to join them.
The ‘Cri’, as it was nicknamed, was made famous in the Peg by legendary TV and radio sportscaster, Jack Wells who also did mornings at CKY. He would end his show each day by saying that he was now heading to the Criterion Athletic club for his daily workout. The Criterion Athletic club which of course, was a beer parlor, was located in the Criterion Hotel which conveniently had a rear entrance which was just a few steps away from CKY’s studios.
It was also the workout choice of most of the other air staff at CKY including Daryl ‘B,’ Chuck Dann, (Riley) George Dawes, Gary Todd, and Mark Parr just to mention a few. They would all try to talk me into joining them as they left for a few cold ones but unfortunately, I had to take a rain check, because as I told them, “I still have a shitload of commercials to do.” What’s a sh**load you ask? Below are a few examples.
NOW ON WITH THE REST OF THE BLOG.
Speaking of a sh**load, my good friend Jim Harper who has a sh**load of talent has been nominated for induction into the National Radio Hall Of Fame. Jim was the longtime morning man at WNIC in Detroit where he did a lot of brilliant work. His nomination is so cool and just like Paul McCartney’s daughter’s t-shirt read when Sir Paul he was inducted, “It’s about f**king time.”
And while on the subject, if you’re a type ‘A’ with a sh**load of talent and love wine, I’ve got the perfect gig for ya. You can get my attention at radiogeo@gmail.com
Nobody has the right to be racist.
I wonder if the person who sold Prince the pills that killed him, feels any remorse?
Because you think it so doesn’t make it so.
So Meghan and Harry are married huh? Luckily for her, they changed the rule about royal brides having to be virgins. Diana had to be checked out by the Queen’s Doctor the night before.
I think the wedding would have been much better had Sir Paul, and Sir Elton sang “All You Need Is Love” with the choir. Also, James Bond arriving in an Astin Martin would have added a nice touch, don’t ya think?
Speaking of thinking, I think the Vegas Knights have just screwed the coaches and GM’s of all other NHL teams. GM’s used to be able to tell owners that it takes at least three years to build a good hockey team. However, ownership now may be saying, “Let’s do it Vegas style.”
Speaking of “shitload”, that would describe my career before we started listening to your wisdom as our consultant. Every great Radio jock needs a Brian Epstein to become a Beatle. That is the best way I can describe you, George. Someone who can see the potential in others, recognize talent and how to optimize it and then, the most important part: How to manage and HANDLE success. Add to that all the Life-wisdom you so generously share with anyone who will listen, and all I can say is:
I’m glad I know you George. And I’ll never stop being grateful.
I pride myself in quick comebacks Jim, but I ain’t got nothin’ for this, so I’ll just go with thank you.
Loved the story about the “Cri”. In those long-ago days, I think most radio stations had a “chief joint of staff” to which the crew adjourned after work. When I worked WOKY/Milwaukee, the official bar was The Annex, across the street. There was even an extension of the PD’s (George Wilson) office phone over there. Later, at WRIT, where the late Bob Collins and I did PM drive, the next stop was Orlando’s, where we’d usually find half the station staff when we got off the air. Fun times that I’m pretty sure don’t exist in radio any longer.
Ahh yes, Doug. In Indy, it was the Grog Shoppe right across the back parking lot from the 2 story brick where WIBC & WNAP were housed. We loved the place mostly because we had trade there and you’d find most of the staff there every afternoon. As a matter of fact, it was the only time you ever saw the sales and programming folks hanging out together.
Let’s see, Daisy’s, Ciao Bella, Papa Razzi, Capital Grill, Charlie’s and a couple of shitholes in Cambridge, none better than the Cantab..And shit I forgot Johnny D’s (rip) in Somerville. Oh and the dump on Boylston across from the Pru., the Pour House. And on special occasions The Ritz Bar and The Oak Bar in the Copley Plaza Hotel….my list is too long and I even lived over a great bar for awhile, Davios. Of course Sonsie where we celebrated the sale of WKLB or something like that.
Bobby that’s a shitload of bars, we should have been living in rehab.
And that’s only one market…remember My Martini and the Leopard Lounge to name two.
I wonder if you get extra points from them knowing your name in several bars in several cities?
We were back in Boston after being out here for 5 years and the bartender said to me, “Jack on the Rocks with a splash and Chardonnay for the lady”
I remember us going back to Ciao Bella’s for dinner after I don’t know how many years Bobby and unfortunately it was graduation night and it was jammed. When Brent spotted us in line waiting to put our name on the list, he shouted out, “Bob and George, your table for 4 is ready.”