Monthly Archives: May 2018

Geo’s Media Blog. An inside look at Music Movies Radio & Life (How did that happen) June 18 /18)

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When I left CKY in Winnipeg for the program director’s job at CKOM in Saskatoon, I was basically a glorified board-op. Luckily, I also had two titles under my belt, Music and Production Director. My old boss Jimmy Darin had given me the Production Director title just before he left to go back to the states and on the advice of my old friend Daryl ‘B’, my new boss, Bill Grogan gave me the Music Director’s title. I’m pretty sure having those two titles got me the PD job in Saskatoon ’cause I sure as hell didn’t know much about programming.
Four years later after having just been made the station manager of CFTR in Toronto, I took the family back home to Winnipeg for a short vacation. While there I popped up to the CKY studios to see all my old buds but as I arrived, they were all leaving for a press conference, so I tagged along. 
The press conference turned out to be for hockey superstar Bobby Hull who had just signed a multi-million dollar contract with the Winnipeg Jets. At that conference, they were also presenting Bobby with a million dollar bonus check (see picture above) for being the first NHL player to jump to the WHL.
What a great day, not only did I get to meet Bobby Hull, and hang with my old friends, I got to catch up with some of the other media people I knew. One of them was Don Slade who had been at my going away party four years earlier when I was leaving for Saskatoon. Don was the longtime morning man at CKRC, and when he spotted me, a big smile appeared on his face as he walked over to greet me. When he asked how things were going at CKOM and I told him that I was no longer there that smile quickly turned into a frown. “Oh no,” he said, “What happened?” When I brought him up to date with the fact that I was now the station manager of CFTR in Toronto his frown turned into one of bewilderment.
As I look back now, at no point did I ever think that my career was moving ahead quickly? But now as I see it through Don’s eyes, I’m with him, because I too wonder, “How the hell did that happen?”
 

FROM THE BUSINESS & MORE BLOG@ GeorgeJohns.com

I was asked on Fathers Day if I remembered the best advice he ever gave me? Yes, I replied, he told me to stay away from the bad girls, I, of course, didn’t listen.

I believe in local radio but what I don’t believe in are carnival barker car commercials and tire store remotes.
 
What makes you feel more powerful ladies, your beauty or your brains? 
 
I was just reading in Radio Inc. that the NAB is considering petitioning the FCC for even fewer restraints on radio station ownership. That must be because of how successful consolidation has been so far. NOT!
 
Loud music softens with age?
 
Ever since I was a little kid, I was driven by the need to be somebody which I’ve finally achieved. I’m the father of Candis, Curtis, and Cami, not to mention, Nathaniel’s Buppa.
 
Speaking of Nathaniel, I’m hoping that in the future he focuses on business and finance. Because as far as I can tell, that’ll be the only way he’ll be able to continue living in California.
 
One of the neatest things about working for Jim Hilliard was that you got to take credit for a lot of things because he didn’t want the credit he just wanted the money.
 
My experiences with Uber have always been great. However, now I see ads on TV with the new president claiming that Uber is gonna get better. Why would I want that?
 
When you don’t ask, the answer is always no.
 
When the road behind grows longer than the path in front, it’s time to live for today.

Being the best gets you fancy cars, big homes, beautiful women, a ton of money and a lot of respect. Unfortunately, though, none of that can make you the best.

I bet sales folks are about as excited hearing programming’s sales ideas as we are hearing their programming suggestions.

You learn nothing while talking.

What fool decided that music was no longer needed to be taught in schools but history which half of isn’t even true is?

What a great life Prince Harry and his new bride are going to have. Harry is six or seventh in line, so he doesn’t need to be trained to be a King. As a Prince, his only job will be to never embarrass the crown. Rock on Harry!

Isn’t it strange that in books written by women, the wedding usually comes near the end whereas it’s somewhere near the middle if written by a man?

Speaking of weddings, I think they may need to consider making marriage a little more male-friendly if they want it to continue.

I’m pretty sure that the only thing the current radio owners know about talent was that they were expensive.

I wonder if the British press will rip Harry’s new wife like the press here does Trumps? I think not though because the Brits can be sued for slander as they were when they accused Liberace of being gay. He made a fortune off of them when they couldn’t prove it even though he was.

Has anyone checked to see if Canada’s PM, Mr. Trudeau, or the PM’s before him ever placed and still have any tariffs on American products entering Canada?

Am I just being negative by assuming that things aren’t going to get cheaper during a trade war?

After a 20-year hiatus, I became a father again Since and have gone from Da Da to Daddy to Dad to Dude and am now back to Daddy. It’s great being a father but even more special being a Daddy.

Speaking of fathers, Cami’s grandmother Maggie, once told me that any man can become a father but it takes a hell of a man to become a daddy.

Mr. Trump, it doesn’t matter whose fault it is, we gave you the power to stop children being separated from their families. Use it or we will take it away from you.

For a sneak peek at upcoming music blogs, sports blogs, romantic blogs, retro blogs, satire blogs, business blogs, lifestyle blogs, and past radio blogs, political & politically incorrect blogs, lovely lady blogs, manly blogs, family blogs, and some sex drugs and rock & roll blogs, go to GeorgeJohns.com. On Twitter@GeoOfTheRadio. Sharing and commenting appreciated.

 

 

I Don’t Bowl Man, I Radio. (A Bands, Bowling, Hockey, & Radio Blog for the week of June 11/18)

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While growing up and going to school in a suburb of Winnipeg called Transcona, I played in a few bands such as Shayne and The Devines, The Rebel Raiders, The Phantoms, and finally The Jury. However, even though I made pretty good money, according to my father, “The Johns Men work for a living, we don’t play guitar.” Unfortunately, I was much better on guitar than I was hunting down a job, I just couldn’t find anything that I’d like to do. My Dad didn’t care if I liked the job or not so he found most of my jobs for me. Consequently, I’ve worked at almost everything you can imagine including becoming assistant manager of a bowling alley, even though I barely knew how to bowl.
Not being shy about taking advantage of a situation, I used my assistant manager title and applied for the GM’s job at a bowling alley that was under construction. The thing that was neat though was it was also going to have a pool room. Now I may not have known much about bowling, but pool I knew after being educated at a pool hall on my way home from school.
The interview with the owners went well, but I was told that I had to be a licensed bowling instructor before they could consider me for the position. So it was off to bowling school I go where I aced the test, got my diploma, (see above) and went home to wait for the construction to be finished and my phone to ring with their big offer. Meanwhile, I was still playing with my band which used the Dee-Jays from CKY to MC our dances and one of them; Mark Parr taught me how to run a radio board. Not only did Mark teach me the board, but he also got me a job at the station as a part-time board-op and as excited as I was about doing the radio thing, my Mom not so much. In fact, it brought her to tears when she overheard me on the phone telling the bowling alley folks that I had to turn down their big offer because I’m a radioman now.

 

And Now On With The Bands, Bowling, Hockey, And Radio Blog@ GeorgeJohns.com.

Whenever you think something is impossible, look up at the moon and imagine somebody walking on it, because they already have.

Damn it! The Jets failed in their the hunt for the cup, but oh well, there’s always next year and the next and the next.

Speaking of the Stanely Cup, I’m reminded of a story about Wayne Gretzky. The legend goes that when he was five years old and was watching the NHL on TV, he began drawing lines on a legal pad while he watched. When the first period was over he said, “Hey Dad, look where the puck always ends up.”

I wonder how many great priests have been lost to the Church because they couldn’t resist falling in love with a beautiful woman?
 
How come the liberals have just now noticed that Kanye is crazy?
 
I recently saw an ad that read, “New San Diego County homes starting at just 1.3 million.” How does the word “just” fit into this scenario?
 
Ok, let me see if I’ve got this right, liberals are for Iran and conservatives are for Israel? Who the hell decides what side to be on? 

Now that you can sell pot legally in a few states, where are ya gonna keep the money? Banks are  federally controlled.

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I wonder if the Cuban people realize that their revolution thing was a bust? They have more poor people than ever plus fewer rich and virtually no middle class.

You can’t back your way into fortune and fame.

The truth is that the truth ain’t popular.

The road to success is more enjoyable than the arrival.

Is it politically incorrect to criticize blacks or females when doing sports commentary?

If you did all the things you were capable of doing, you would amaze yourself.

How much I wonder, does it cost to be called a friend of the Voice which gives you the right to do your new tune in the show’s finals?

How come I’m only a great singer in the shower?

Unfortunately, we all look the same backstage. What now rich kid?

When I hear the play by play guys on the radio say, “Hey the refs are letting them play tonight” I’ve got a feeling that the league needs it to go seven.

I’d rather be a has-been than a coulda-been. A has-been was, but a coulda-been never was.

It’s the imperfections that make people perfect.

It was rich people who owned slaves, not white people.

Why are government projects always late and over budget?

No great story ever began with, “So there I was eating a salad.”

If you replace the letter I with the word You, your ratings go up.

How does a big radio company get away with filling a position then posting it?

Ain’t nothing gonna change until women stop marrying for money and men stop marrying women ’cause they’re beautiful.

As long as teachers continue to live in the past, they will be paid like they do.

Most pro golfers can hit a ball within 6 inches of the cup all the time except in a tournament.

Quincy Jones sure started a shit storm with his rants before going silent, didn’t he? What’s up with that?

How does the reported cost of living remain the same even though prices continue to rise and salaries don’t?

The only people getting raises these days are executives and politicians. Maybe it’s time to scare them with unions again?

Saying the words, “I wish I would have” is the worst possible conclusion to anyone’s life.

Wow, the Caps won the Stanely Cup. Go Jets!

I’ve always claimed that great talent comes from the dark side, but the darkness doesn’t play fair and it just claimed another victim. Anthony Bourdain, dead from suicide at 61. 

Looks like the Cavs just gave up huh?

 Justify wins the triple crown, only the 2nd horse to do it undefeated.

Maybe if the Tony Awards were about Broadway instead of politics, more people would watch them?

For a sneak peek at upcoming music blogs, sports blogs, romantic blogs, retro blogs, satire blogs, business blogs, lifestyle blogs, and past radio blogs, politically incorrect blogs, manly blogs, family blogs, and some sex drugs and rock & roll blogs, go to GeorgeJohns.com. On Twitter@GeoOfTheRadio. Sharing and commenting appreciated.

 

 

“A Sh**load” Retro Radio Blog 5/21/18)

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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?

It is said that if they know your name at a bar, you’re probably an alcoholic. Hell, mine is known at three, wait a minute, maybe four. What now?
 
Nobody attempts the impossible without believing in something greater than themselves.
 
Being aware of the what’s wrong with you is a lot more valuable than being aware of what’s wrong with others.
 
Great people were first thought to be crazy.
 
You don’t bring peace to the world by being peaceful.
 
The last people to make any money in radio were the ones who sold it to the current owners.
 
Nothing good ever comes from reliving the past, but what the hell else does one have for sure?
 
If socialism is the way to go, why don’t they teach it at Harvard Business School?
 
Great people create their own life, whereas life creates everyone else’s.
 
Nothing makes you feel older than not knowing most of the cover tunes the finalists are singing on the Voice.
 
If it’s not a little bit frightening, it has little potential.
 
Your not liking change doesn’t change the need for it.
 
I would rather align with Russians than Muslims, Muslims only align with each other.
 
If you’re not invited to the meeting at lunch, you’re probably lunch.
 
Progress is a risky business. 
 
The only women men understand are the ones they love.
 
Wow, forget about Bill, think about what Bill Cosby’s family has to live with for the rest of their lives.

 
The only person who has any chance of changing you is the man in the mirror.
 
Wow, forget about Bill, think about what Bill Cosby’s family has to live with for the rest of their lives.
 
The only person who has any chance of changing you is the man in the mirror.
 
Without rules, we’d all live like animals.
 
How long do you suppose a New York Jew would remain a liberal in Israel?
 
I have never heard as many accolades for any president like Obama gets. Is that a racist thing?
 
I don’t think it does any harm to believe there’s a God in heaven; it’s the people on earth who claim that they speak for him who are the danger.
What I can’t understand is if liberal radio doesn’t work why do they think liberal TV will?
 
Society doesn’t deserve revenge, but the victim’s families sure do.

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.”

Much more@ GeorgeJohns.com. On Twitter @GeoOfTheRadio. Sharing & commenting is appreciated.

 

 

Courtney

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I met a pretty lady
workin’ near the beach
Her name is Courtney
but I think she’s outta my reach.

I’m writing this tune
to get a head start
On the other fools
trying to capture her heart.

She’s got long blonde hair
and a gorgeous smile
Not to mention a body
like I haven’t seen in a while

Hey beautiful lady 
behind the bar
Let’s go to California 
it’s not that far
 
We’ll live in a cottage
 down by the sea
Having nothing but fun
while planning a family.
 
We’ll vacation in Hawaii
that’s for sure
With weekends in the wine country
where the air is pure.
 
We’ll go to concerts
and hang out with the stars
 Who’ll all wanna know
just who you are?
 
You’ll need a new ride
so you can get around
With a huge stereo system
blasting your favorite sounds.
 
 Your days are numbered  
pouring drinks
So let’s go shopping
and pick up a few things
 
Victoria’s Secret
might be one of our stops 
Finding out what her secret was
 sure, cost me a lot.
 
Then it’s off to the frock shop
for a new dress or two
But what good are dresses
without matching shoes
 
We’ll dance our way 
all through the night
Then I’ll ask you to marry me
when the moment’s right.
 
We’ll do a perfect wedding
down by the sea
Where we’ll exchange vows
in front of friends and family.
 
Then it’s off to Big Sur 
for our big honeymoon
Where if all goes well
you’ll be pregnant by noon.
  
Ok ok enough of this song
Hey, pretty lady
you’ve gotta speak too 
So what say you, Courtney Dew?