In January 2011, I published my first Radio Geo’s Media Blog, and since then, I’ve written over a thousand of them, which has produced more than five thousand comments.
After reviewing all the Life-Liners that have popped into my head over the years, what I find most interesting is how many of them I’ve changed my mind about.
Now, as we head towards the twelve days of Christmas, I thought that this would be a good time as any to repost some of my most-read blogs.
So, without further ado, may I present Radio Geo’s “All-Time” Top 12.
#12 K103 PART II, CRAIG WALKER
Eventually, my brother Reg and I, along with our CFO Bill Yde, raised some money and purchased a brand-new facility in Portland Oregen KKCW (K-103).
Then, after listening to the # 1 radio station in town, KGW, I realized I had to have their morning man.
Not only was Craig warm and smooth, but I could tell he loved Portland, and that Portland loved him, especially the ladies.
Not only did he have a non-compete, but if you looked up the word expensive, you’d see his photo.
When our investors refused to sign off on our deal with Craig Reg and I took care of it by mortgaging our homes. (Craig claims that he still has the napkin I wrote his offer on.)
Having to wait a year for him would have been a deal-breaker for most, but for the most part it was perfect for us.
We called the concept, “Build Your Own Radio Station” which was originally created in Dallas as a stall technique while waiting for Arbitron to merge the Dallas and Fort Worth rating books.
Even though we were only being cute in Palm Beach and Sanantonio, in Portland, we weren’t kidding, we needed to stall for a whole year.
It all began with produced promos saying that the FCC had granted us a license to broadcast at 103 on the FM band.
The promo then went on to say that we were required by law to serve the public, so the best way to do that we figured, was by turning the radio station over to the Portland people.
Now that 103 FM was their radio station, we told them that we were standing by the phones anxious to hear what Portland wanted us to do with it.
Then, every Monday morning, using their calls telling us to do it, we’d launch something new.
Eventually, a newspaper reporter finally took the bait and came-a-calling.
When she finally got around to it, she said, “I heard a rumor that Craig Walker was joining you guys, but when I checked it out with KGW, they said absolutely not.”
I responded by asking if she ever listened to Craig, and when she said that she did, I said, “Can you imagine how good he’s going to sound in stereo on K103?
However, the lady reporter did mention that the last time she asked Craig about it, he did have a mischievous smile on his face.
I guess they were hoping the Portland people would forget about him, but they must have forgotten that he was on TV every afternoon as the host of PM Magazine.
Oh, and KGW? Well, they went from first to worst, and the rest, as they say, is history.
(Craig pictured above and below)
GEO’S LIFE-LINERS
Diplomacy doesn’t always work; ask the folks who had to deal with Attila The Hun, Genghis Khan, Hitler, Mussolini, Himmler, Hirohito, Stalin, Castro, Idi Amin, Pol Pot, Ghadafi. Sadam Hussein and Osama Bin Ladin.
Few people notice you doing anything right, but everyone sees you do something wrong.
Wealthy people are all alike; even rich thugs don’t share.
The people who bitch the most are usually the people who caused what the bitching’s about.
Nobody is more powerful than the middle class; we can elect the government, and we can also throw them out.
When asked if you want to hear a joke, does anybody ever say yes?
People who are hurt, hurt others.
I can remember when people were known for more important things than being a Republican or Democrat.
When Cami was a little girl, my mom scolded me for taking her on so many adventures because she’d never remember any of them. I responded, “I don’t care; we’re both enjoying ourselves right now.”
You know you’re getting old when people start calling you mister. I’m still not used to it, and whenever someone calls me Mr. Johns, I can’t help but look around to see what the hell my father’s doing here.
Why would Trump think that whatever the hell he’s working on is much more important than kids being with their parents?
The Countdown Continues Tomorow with #11.
Radio Geo’s Media Blog is a politically incorrect inside look at Radio, TV, Music, Movies, Books, Social Media, Politics, and Religion, but mostly Life, primarily written with men in mind.
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Craig Walker: George,
What a great story. Not only is it true, there were other developments that made it even stranger. But it turned out to be the most important career decision I ever made. I did mornings at k103 for almost 20 years, and we had extraordinary success from start to finish. I didn’t do it alone. My on-air partner was John Erickson who was not only our news director but also a major contributor to the numbers.
I was blessed to be on the air in this market for over 30 years with only one job change. I wouldn’t change a thing.
Thanks for sharing the story, George. (Craig Walker)
ps. I thought of including a photo of the napkin, but I decided to keep it between the two of us. I will say that we ended up about three times higher than that original offer.
Geo: Unfortunately for me, Craig, my wanting you and only you as our morning guy caused us to end up selling the station which we didn’t want to do. It all started with them refusing to guarantee your salary and spiraled down from there. The only way we could rid ourselves of them was by selling the station. Lucky for you though because I would have never let you retire when you did. 🙂