Chapter XXIX (California Dreamin’) 2/09/23 (29)

Download PDF

I was very successful
and living well

But turning forty
started ringing my bell.

California dreaming
became my new game

Because living in Indy
just wasn’t the same.

As I wrote in the previous chapter (Dirty Water & Dirty Tricks), I enjoyed working at Fairbanks, and things were going well.
WIBC just had its best book ever, and WNAP also finished right behind “Big Mama” in second place.

KVIL was #1 in Dallas and fast becoming the nation’s sweetheart. F-105 had pushed WRKO out of the format in Boston, and WRMF had just gone #1 in South Florida.

We lived in a beautiful two-story brick home on a half-acre treed lot with a creek running through it in Carmel, Indiana. (Pictured on top)
We had a pool & spa outback with a Cadillac and a Mercedes out front, so I had to be happy right? Not!

Oh, did I neglect to mention that I was also turning forty? Can you say, “Mid-life Crazies?”
The first clue that something was amiss was when I started growing a beard against my wife’s wishes. (pictured above)
My next move, though, was much more dramatic and also life-changing. 

Sitting out by the pool one evening, having a cocktail with Lana before dinner, I said, “I think I’m outta here.”
When she asked what I was talking about, I said,  “I didn’t move to America to die in Indiana; I’m going to California.” All she said was, “I’m not coming.”

Growing up in Transcona, I used to watch the Rose Bowl every New Year’s day, and because it was 35 below outside where I lived, I was very envious of all the folks in shorts and short-sleeved shirts.
Sitting there watching, I remember thinking, “Someday, man, someday.”

After dropping the California bomb on Lana, I headed to work the next morning to bring Hilliard up to speed.
Even now, more than 40 years later, whenever I’m talking to or see Jim, he always brings that day up and refers to it as the day I f**ked him.

Anyway, after I told Jim about my moving to California, he asked me if I had a plan.
I told him that I hoped to find a client who had a radio station somewhere in California where I could office and grow my consultancy.

Jim then said I should take the weekend to think about it, especially the part about how long I thought it would take to get back financially to where I already was.

The next day, while watching my son Curtis play little league ball, I was surprised by Jim sliding into the seat next to me.
“Ok, Johns,” he said, “Here’s what a real plan looks like.

You and Lana will fly first class to Stuttgart, Germany, where you”ll watch them build your new Mercedes.
Then when the new car’s ready to roll, you and Lana can use it to travel all over Europe.

When you get bored with touring, just put your new wheels on a ship and fly back home to Indy.
How does that sound?”

“That sounds wonderful,” I said, “but I barely have time to breathe now, so I’m confused about where all that touring time will come from?”
“You’re right,” Jim exclaimed, “Just get your ass down to the Mercedes store and order up whatever the hell you want and then get back to work and get me some decent ratings.”

On August 3rd, 1981, California Dreamin’ became a reality when I moved to San Diego to start my own company.
What I find so strange about this whole scenario is that my daughter Candis recently headed up a team that designed and built floats for the Rose Bowl parade, which brought everything full circle for me.

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *