Geo’s Media Blog (Happy Happy Birthday Baby) 10/04/21

Download PDF

To play or not to play, that was the question that was kinda going through my mind as I sat there on my 26th birthday awaiting the arrival of my son Curtis.
Even though I was only a radio rookie, I loved working part-time at CKY, and so far it wasn’t interfering with my playing for The Jury. However, I had a feeling that before long, it probably would.

Anyway, the whole adventure began in Transcona at my 26th birthday dinner with my expectant wife, Lana, and my parents.
Suddenly, Lana’s water broke so off we go to St Boniface Hospital.

Upon arrival, I was relegated to the waiting room because in those days expectant fathers weren’t welcome in the birthing rooms. (I have no idea why they wanna go in there now?)As I sat there waiting and waiting for the birth of my son, Curtis, the more excited I got. (I was told that it was a boy because of the way Lana was carrying)


All I was thinking about was all the fun things he and I were going to do together.
Hell, the only question I had about any of this was how old should he be when I take him to his first Blue Bomber game?

After what already seemed like forever, one of the nurses finally suggested that there was no need for me to hang around because it looked like it was going to be a long night.
12166344_10154267379724307_1879729255_nThankfully, my good friend Jim Coghill who worked at CKY with me, (pictured above) lived nearby.
We spent the evening toasting my son’s birth which was going to be a hell of a birthday present for me.

I of course continued to check in every half hour and when they finally, said that I should return, I hurried back.
Unfortunately, it was a false alarm, so I decided to take a nap in the waiting room.

 A few hours later, I awoke to the sound of my name being called.
Still half asleep and wiping the cobwebs out of my eyes, I notice a nurse standing there holding what looked like a wee alien.

The unfortunate thing was covered in goop and also appeared to have a misshapen head. (They had to use forceps)
Still trying to clear my head, I heard her say, “Congratulations, Mr. Johns, you’re the proud father of a new baby….”

Now, this is where it gets really weird because it didn’t sound at all like she said, baby boy or baby son.
Suddenly, I realized that she hadn’t said either of those, she said, baby girl. Huh! A daughter, what the hell do you do with them?

Happy Birthday, Candis, I love you. xoxoxo.
(Pictured on top celebrating our birthdays together in Burbank California.

GEO’S LIFE-LINES

Wives are the most expensive women on earth.

Imagine how great America would be if there were no Lobbyists.

I think the only way the Democrats have a shot at the White House is if Elizabeth Warren is their candidate. America is ready for a female president, and if she now claims that she’s a lesbian instead of an Indian, she’s a shoo-in.

You’re at your happiest when you’re grateful.

Have you ever noticed that the only people who want to talk to you on the phone now are the people who are trying to sell you something?

Do druggies ever notice that the people who sell them the drugs don’t do drugs?

In the beginning, the radio station is always bigger than the act.

COMMENTS

Barry Obrien: George….I have always thought that was a good idea. After all, the government isn’t collecting any taxes on all the income from jobs paid under the table in cash.   And think of all the billions of dollars of drug money income that goes untaxed!   When someone buys a Rolls Royce with drug money, a universal sales tax would generate tax revenue.    And with vehicles, it’s a never-ending source of income!   If you buy a new car for $50 grand, a 25% tax would give the government $12,500 in taxes.   If they kept the same policy they have now for allowing you to save sales tax by crediting you the amount they give you for your trade-in, that would be good.   Because when the car sells again, they’ll collect tax another time.  And every time the car sells. Real estate could be tricky, though. Who wants to pay an extra 25% for a home? They could do a similar credit as they do for vehicles, but first-time buyers would really get hit.   We both know it’ll never happen.  Too many lobbyists would be up in arms. But in theory, it’s a great idea. (To Tax Ir Not To Tax)

Geo: Thanks for the read, Barry, I think the big sales tax idea the only way the playing field gets leveled. Not only would the rich and poor be paying taxes, but even Hookers and drug dealers would too. There’d be no sense in anybody hiding money.

Ken Sebastion Singer: Wow George, thanks for the memories of CKOM. What an amazing story. I remember that the station wouldn’t financially back the cost of a new music service or station imaging package. So at a jock meeting, we decided we would do some “record hops” and turned over our fees to make initial payments on the new services.  Management, feeling a bit embarrassed, finally agreed to buy the tools we needed.  What an awesome team you assembled George. Never forget those times my friend. (We Gotta Get Outta This Place)

Geo: I have a ton of memories about those times, Ken, like you referring to Ron Andrews as “Fat Cat” on your show and his retaliation of putting your home phone number on his early morning show the next day. I learned a lot at CKOM, Ken, unfortunately, though, most of it was stuff that I’d never tolerate again. So proud of you Man!

Bob Christy: I’m not an advocate of the “Way Radio Used to Be”. Our memories of the past are better than the reality. In the late ’80s, I bought a 68 Mustang GT. When it was restored, it looked and sounded great, the truth was it didn’t drive worth a damn, the brakes were lousy, it didn’t corner, and there was no ventilation. The seats were terrible. I liked it but it wasn’t a good ride. The reality is a V6 Camry is faster than any of the old muscle cars. Look it up.
What radio had then, what we did with it was terrific for the time, and we pushed the business forward. We tossed out the old rules and wrote new ones. I don’t hear any of that energy or progress today. There are things from the past that are valid today. Attention to detail is one. Production quality and technique is another. There are many more, we can discuss later.

Our California canyon house is almost a hundred years old, when it was built, it had kerosene lighting and no central heat or AC. I wouldn’t want to live like that today. What our house does have is style and a certain “feel” to it. To my mind, those are the qualities that radio today is missing. It’s the same with the new Mustangs, Camaros, and Challengers, they have the style and look of their predecessors, but are much better cars in every respect. (Writing The Wrongs)

Ken LeMann: I’m sure, if Bart McClendon really cared about radio, he would feel the same as you regarding squandered opportunities such as yours with Rick Moranis. One of my buddies at KNUS in Dallas was the overnight kid, Fred Kennedy (Olson). Although he was always the center of attention off the air, nobody seemed to hear how talented he was on the air. Even you guys at KVIL missed your chance by choosing the talented Cat Simon from our staff instead. When KNUS dissolved and the on-air talent scattered to various parts of the country, Fred teamed up with our afternoon guy, Randy Hames, and became the new Hudson and Harrigan in Houston for the next 3 decades. I can only assume they made a fortune. (Send In The Troubled Ladies)

Geo: I must have smartened up when I hired you for WRMF in Palm Beach, Kenny.

Geo’s Media Blog is an inside look at Radio, Music, Movies, and Life. For a sneak peek at some upcoming Blogs, or to see some that you may have missed, go to GeorgeJohns.com. On Twitter @GeoOfTheRadio. Sharing and commenting is appreciated.

 

3 thoughts on “Geo’s Media Blog (Happy Happy Birthday Baby) 10/04/21

  1. Hollis W. Duncan: Mike Rey’s Assistant Bobby Sorrell went over to KNUS and recommended me for Chief Engineer. I went down to the Theater and following a tour, I met with Bart and asked him what he wanted in a Chief Engineer. It quickly became clear that Bart had no concept of the job. After that, I asked the departing Chief Engineer for advice. Hie response “Close the door” and told me that he had been up all night because Gordon had come through the night before in a drunken rage and destroyed the News Room and he had to put it back together. When I returned to KVIL later that afternoon, Andy McCollum dragged me aside and vehemently advised me not to go to work for McLendon. So I didn’t. (Happy Birthday Baby)

Leave a Reply to Hollis W. Duncan Cancel reply

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