Monthly Archives: March 2020

Geo’s Media Blog (Inside The Cone Of Sales) New 4/06/20

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Everyone,

The following is something  Kevin asked me to bring up on Monday’s call.  It is an email from George Johns,  one of my mentors of over 30 years in the radio business.  He is emailing his client in Santa Rosa, CA.  Sometimes, I am fortunate enough to be copied on his thoughts.

For credibility sake, George is considered to be the inventor of Adult Contemporary Radio with the launch of the legendary station in Dallas back in the ’70s called KVIL. It was one of the first stations to bill well over a million dollars every month. The company he was with outperformed ratings to revenue ratios by over 4.5 %, which was and still is an almost impossible feat.  The message here is to look beyond everything going on.  Who are the survivors?  Who is going away? Where do we spend our energy?

I thought it would be a good idea to give everyone a head start on this conversation by sharing this email.

Reid Reker
General Manager
Adams Outdoor Advertising.

Gordon, who would have figured that a virus so small that we can’t even see it, would bring the world to its knees. I guess it just wasn’t afraid of all those warships and supersonic jets that we’ve spent billions and billions on.

Since moving to America from Canada in the early ’70s, I’ve been through several crises, and more than once I wondered what the hell I was doing here. Gas shortages, skyrocketing interest rates, a recession, 911, the collapse of the real estate market, and the banks, to name but a few.

Luckily though, I went through all that with Jim Hilliard who looked at each crisis as an opportunity. With each one he’d predict what businesses were going to fail and those who were going to get filthy rich.

Once Jim figured out who had nothing bad times ahead of them, he wouldn’t allow his salespeople to call on them. He knew that no amount of advertising would be able to save them, which meant they’d never be able to pay their advertising bill. It’s kind of like the government foolishly bailing out Boeing, I mean, who the hell is going to buy a Boeing jet? The only way Boeing gets rid of the stink of those death planes is by ridding themselves of every person who worked on that disastrous project. A bailout is only going to delay that any shot they may have at a comeback which also means the Feds can kiss the bailout money goodbye.

However, unlike the government, once Jim figured out who was going to prosper, he sent his sales force to help them. Their job was to recommend what products those clients should be focussed on, and also how to best advertise them.
Even though we had our best years during crises, I doubt very much that Jim longed for them, but he sure didn’t look frightened whenever they showed up. Geo

GEO’S LIFE-LINES
One of the things that the pretty ladies who live in South Florida find out early; there’s no such thing as a young “Sugar Daddy.” 
 
A teacher is merely the student’s assistant, as is the patient’s Doctor. 
 
Brains are of little use when brawn is what’s needed. 
 
Bitchin’ and whining fix nothing. 
 
Men never forgive, but they forget whereas women forgive, but they never forget. 
 
I think Bernie should try out his theories in Mexico first if they work there than bring them here. 
 
I wonder if Meghan has figured out that the Queen outsmarted her yet? 
 
According to Brent Farris, the rich didn’t know they were rich until they weren’t, whereas poor people have always known that they were f#ked.
 
Stuff that appears too good to be true usually is, but it’s always easy to sell and is still in high demand. 
 
Author Vic Gold once told me that you could educate yourself by reading novels because at least half of it is true. However, that’s a scary thought because most stories depict big business and the government as the bad guys. Hell, even they’re only half right, we’re toast. 
 
The toughest part about living with someone is that we are all evolving, but unfortunately, we do it at a very different rate of speed. 
 
My dad spent most of my time growing up preparing me for the second coming of the depression. Well, it better hurry because I’m running out of time. 
 
You don’t want to win the race to the bottom. 
 
The meek may inherit the earth, but some bold judge will take it from them in court. 
 
The most you can expect from an undisciplined talent is the occasional 10, but most of their shows are 3s and 4s. However, you only put up with them because you can get a promo out of the ten.
 
Speaking of promos, I used to tell the air talent to forget about ratings, I’ve got that covered. All I need you to do is a show that will give me a couple of promos. 
 
The only problems we have left are the tough ones. 
 
The gifted can see the beauty in everything. 
 
Unhappy people are hazardous. 
 
One of the more challenging jobs radio has, is convincing its listeners that it’s going to give away all those prizes. For Politicians, the tough job is convincing the voters that they are going to do something once elected. Good luck to both. 
 

Just because you have a microphone doesn’t mean anyone should listen.

It’s never too late to start again.

It’s 5 o’clock somewhere has never made more sense.

COMMENTS
Bill Gardner: Still love the “Rocky” story, George.
Initially, the movie director called WIBG, where he was transferred to the Program Director, me. Told me his “you’ve never heard of him star” named Sylvester Stallone had requested he call WIBG since Sylvester grew up with his Mom in Philly listening to WIBG. They asked me, the WIBG morning guy, if I could do the movie cameo…..for their zero budget. I said, “No, thanks, but that’s RIGHT up the alley of our 9-Noon guy Don Cannon.”
And so went MY movie acting career.:-) (Philadelphia Freedom)

Geo: The other neat thing about that movie, Bill, was we used the melody for the WIBG jingle from WIBC jingle in Indianapolis. So the folks in Indy thought the jingle in the movie was singing WIBC.

Xrey: Hey BG – remember how Bill Conti’s “Gonna Fly Now” always annoyed Chapman, and he claimed every copy we played was allegedly “off-center”?  I find out decades later that the recording studio’s master tape machine had wow & flutter. Thank goodness I don’t have perfect pitch. (Philadelphia Freedom)

More Xrey: Geo – Yancey’s ascertainment story cracked me up!
Do you recall the year KVIL’s license renewal came up, and we were required to interview community leaders and address their pressing issues in our public affairs programs, usually buried on Sunday mornings?  The late, great newsman Ben Laurie was sent to interview civic leaders in our city of license, Highland Park, TX.  They claimed there were no problems such as homelessness or rampant crime to address in their fair city.  Ben comes back empty-handed.
So while some stations were saddled with hours and hours of boring programs to address D/FW’s problems, KVIL handled our ascertainment requirement with the long-running Sunday morning “gab-fest,” known as “Staff Meeting.” An unscripted hour with all our jocks, random guests & passersby, and maybe an occasional celebrity recorded Fridays after Chapman’s show with everyone just shooting the $#!+ and commenting on everything from headlines to local market gossip. Good times! (Philadelphia Freedom)

Doug Chappell: George, you certainly got it right when talking about “bean counters” taking over a business. When you look at the record biz and back when everything was chugging along with lots of money being made and flowing. The enter the BC (bean counters), cut back on promotion and marketing dollars, and definitely cut back on A& R spending. Year 1 of the new regime profits are through the roof, so make more cuts, and probably profits are still good. Then comes year three, and there are no more new breaking artists on the label, and those that are signed get no promo or marketing. The catalogue (catalog in the USA) sales have declined since most people have it that wanted it. The BC now tell the companies to keep laying off people until the last employee leaves and shuts off the lights. (Both Sides Now)

Rev. Robin: Hi George, cool that Tom makes those mojitos…I reserve the right to try one sometime. blessings. (It Takes No Brains)

Geo: You have to be careful with those, Robin, too many of them could cause a girl to say my favorite prayer, “Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh God!

Red Robinson: George Keep on punching I read your stuff all the time. Good radio was always in the hands of people like you. What happened to radio is happening in newspapers and magazines. They have taken the low road. Hey, they are corporations, and you better toe the line or get out now. (Our Good Economy Is Good For Whom?)

Geo: Thanks for the read, Red. Hey, what I can’t understand is when I was just a kid, my folks would drive from Winnipeg to Vancouver on vacation, and I’d listen to you on the radio. How is it that we’re about the same age now?

Hollis Duncan: I am not surprised that Spence doesn’t know who I am. That shows just how much attention he paid to the Engineering Staff. But how could I know this story if I didn’t work with Andy?
BTW, there are two guys at KVIL who don’t get nearly enough credit. The first is Dan Bell, the best overnight man that I ever heard. Dan has the ability to talk to the listener and was very good at it.  The second is Mike Rey, who dealt with the nuts and bolts of Programming and allowed Ron the freedom to deal with the big picture. Mike was willing to be the “bad guy” when necessary, and that helped Ron lead the team. (It Takes No Brains)

Doug Erickson: Plus, George, our parents, and grandparents not only built our interstate highway system and most of the major dams and bridges in the country but they rebuilt Europe and Japan after WW2 and still managed to prosper despite much higher taxes. The rich stayed rich with a 70% tax rate on their income. The only thing that trickles down in the trickle-down tax plan is inherited wealth. (Our Good Economy Is Good For Whom)

Ivan Braiker: Thank you, George! It was a wonderful time, and as you know, I so enjoyed working with you, and you remain number 1 on my list of who to have dinner with! (Do You Believe In Magic?)

Geo: Those indeed were fun days, Ivan, we thought they’d never end my friend.

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 Geo’s Media Blog @ GeorgeJohns.com. On Twitter @GeoOfTheRadio. Sharing and commenting is appreciated.

Geo’s Media Blog (Strat Me Up) New 3/16/20

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Bought me a Stratocaster
put it in tune
I started singing with the “Devines.”
the next afternoon.

Became “Shayne and The Rebel Raiders.”
a real rockin’ band
But when we morphed to the Phantoms
we gained a lot more fans

Elvis turned me on to guitars, but Buddy Holly played the one I wanted. (pictured above) Lowe’s Music in Winnipeg told me that Buddy’s guitar was a Fender Stratocaster, and they could have one for me in about two weeks, my heart soared. However, when they said that it cost $473.00, that was the end of that magic moment. How the hell was a kid like me gonna come up with that kinda coin?
Lowe’s saved the day, though, by taking my trumpet in on trade and putting me on their $14 a month payment plan. Geos-FenderI was so excited the day they called me to say that my “Strat” was in, and before long, I was back at Lowes strapping it on, and staring back at me in the mirror was a “Rock Star.”

Next, I bought a couple of guitar books and then spent hours in my basement bedroom trying to learn a few chords. I soon learned that dreaming about becoming a “guitar man” was a hell of a lot easier than becoming one because so far, all I had to show for my efforts were bleeding fingers.

Still struggling with my “Strat,” out of the blue, I received a phone call from Shayne, of Shayne and the Devines inviting me to join his vocal group. Then within weeks of becoming a Divine there, I was in a talent show where we came in third and got booked for a car club dance.
What made the car club dance so special was even though I still couldn’t play my guitar, that night, I became a professional musician because they paid us.

I was unplugged at the beginning of my musical career as I was when it ended at the Winnipeg Convention Center some 30 years later.
John Einarson had written a book about all the Winnipeg groups in the ’60s, so they decided to reunite a bunch of them and do a concert for charity.  I returned to Winnipeg to reunite with my band, The Jury, and hang out with The Guess Who, BTO, and Neil Young, but that’s another story for another time.

Upon hearing that you should rid yourself of anything you haven’t used in six months, I realized that I hadn’t even seen my guitar, let alone played it in ten years, so I sold it to Randy Bachman. (The Guess Who & BTO).
While putting the deal together, Randy mentioned that Neil Young had recently told him when they were talking about the early days, he said, “George had one of the first cool guitars in Winnipeg.”

Seeing as the value of a ’58 “Strat” is all over the place, Randy and I settled on a price somewhere in the middle, but unfortunately, Randy is now pissed at me. He didn’t realize that in 1965, I had it refurbished, which he claims diminishes the value.
I guess like a car; you should never sell a guitar to a friend.

GEO’S LIFE-LINES
The reason I became a reasonably successful AC programmer was because I didn’t like the music.

Mickey Mouse was the first non-human to win an Oscar.

Why do the people who attack President Trump get so outraged when he attacks them back? 

Did you know that one out of every two hundred people is a descendant of Genghis Khan?

Millennials expect to be forgiven.

Be kind; almost everyone is fighting some kind of adversity.

Good luck with gender cleansing in France and Quebec.

For a moment, you were once the youngest person on earth. 

Am I just getting old, or is the new Vette just f**king beautiful?

Boy, they shut everything down pretty quickly, but I don’t think it will start back up very fast, and who decides?

Single women give birth to 40% of the children born in America.

Don’t you hate it when a movie company, trying to save a few bucks, put junk music in a movie and the actors have to pretend they’re singing along to some big hits?

Now that there are no sports, are the sports announcers being laid off like all the stadium workers are?

COMMENTS

Jarry Bobo: CBS’ only concern is always “shareholder value”………bottom line. (Sales Promotions)

Doug Herman: George, most of those engineers have either retired or been canned in the ongoing purge of radio people from the industry. And, because the industry has become such an employment trainwreck, smart technical people are staying away in droves.  Also, fewer engineers are needed now.  What they did in the old days was to keep the radio on the radio.  Some of it was FCC mandated; some of it was that thinks used to be a lot more fragile than a computer that plays music, spots, and voice tracks.  Remember carts?  And cart machines?  Remember equipment, especially transmitters, with lots of white-hot tubes?  All very maintenance-heavy and prone to failure.  And, in every station I worked at back in the day, the engineers were also responsible for the phone system, the station cars, the field where the tower(s) stood, changing light bulbs, setting up remotes, etc.  A lot of this work is no longer needed, and the rest has been pawned off on somebody else who works cheaper.

Tim Moore: George:
Playing not to lose ensures you will. Why then is this the over-arching strategy of so many groups?
As some coaches say, “the ‘prevent defense’ accomplishes only one thing: it prevents you from winning.” (The Mythicals)

Jim Wood: For a kid from Dayton, Ohio, who was just hired from Chattanooga Tennessee to be the Ops Manager and PD for a set of ABC Stations in LA…(George..remember Peter Newell the GM …He was overwhelmed by the group of us but saw the magic) …These sorts of nuisances at the outside edge of the entire event were and still are powerful images in my brain. I have a million of these stories, but I will wait until someone writes “The Book.” (Comments About Jack McCoy)

Nascar Jeff: I remember Jerry St.James and Jim Harper on WNIC, and when the news hit that they had split up and Jerry was going to WMJC. From what I recall, they both where to go to WMJC, and Jerry had already singed, and Jim said he wanted to be either the Program Director or Music Director, and the station said no. So, both started looking for new on-air partners, and Harper/Gannon and You hit the air first on WNIC followed a few months later by Jerry St.James and Elliott on WMJC.
Jim and Steve had the funnier show by far, but somehow it all fell apart, and Steve left only to return when I think when Jim Harper and Mike Bradley bought WABX and renaming it WDTX. Jeff and Jer left for Chicago then San Diego and were a team for thirty-three years when Jerry then going by his real name, Jerry Cecek, retired from the show leaving Jeff Detrow (Elliott) still with the program. (Chelsea Never Had Sex)

Geo: Jeff, I had the privilege of working with Harper and Gannon in Detroit and Jeff & Jer in San Diego. All of them were very gifted and fun to work with. My part was to figure out how they liked their coffee, and then serve it up to them just that way.

Jim Harper: Nascar Jeff: Your story about the St. James and Harper breakup is not accurate. Also, the part about Mike Bradley being a partner in the buying of WABX is totally wrong. But, you saying Harper & Gannon were funnier…I liked that part. Thanks for keeping my name top-of-mind on Geo’s Blog, though. (Under Construction)

Bob Glasco: Making us think while you made us laugh…that’s why you’re the best George! Thanks. (Time To Wake Up America)

Bob Christy: Tom Cochrun and I were sitting with our wives on the beach in Cambria, and the conversation turned to Fred Heckman while Lana and Cakes were discussing their gardens. Fred shared so much of his knowledge with both of us that we could later put to good use. Tom said things he learned from Fred as a kid in the WIBC newsroom translated seamlessly to his career in TV news. Things Fred taught me about news and writing I was able to pass on and share with some outstanding news people over the years. I remember Ed Bell, the head of the AP in Washington DC, saying to me, “How the hell do you know so much about the news?” I told him, Fred Heckman. Eddie smiled and said, “Okay, then.” (Shoot The Chicken)

Pat O’Day: George.
As you yourself proclaim, and you’ve experienced with Hilliard, who experienced with me, and me who under The Late Lester Smith enjoyed total freedom to do with KJR and KISW what I pleased, is the secret to creating successful radio stations.  Find people with wisdom combined with talent, and TURN THEM LOOSE!  Rewards will be great!  No matter how large your company may be (iheart), the formula remains the same. (The Greater Good)

Ivan Braiker: George, I believe looking at deregulation as the killer of radio is surprising, especially for you. Radio was slow to adapt to new tech and opportunities and, most importantly, not fully understanding that their only way to survive was with TALENT and by creating compelling content. Radio was crippled by short sited and cheap operators, not deregulation! My vent. 🙂 (Sales Promotions)

Bob Richards Foster: “Radio sounds like it is in black and white” nailed the reason I seldom listen to the radio anymore.  I was listening to a particular station this morning – for the first time in 6 months – when they played one of those phony “your station is incredible” telephone liners/segues. Somebody in the car dropped an F-bomb. Oh. It was me. As the Guess Who once said, “No time.” (Oh God, Oh)

Tom Cochrun: George, I really enjoyed hearing the aircheck with Bob. He was a real trooper and loved radio right up to his last day. The composite brought back a lot of fond memories of that era. (WNAP 1974)

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 Geo’s Media Blog @ GeorgeJohns.com. On Twitter @GeoOfTheRadio. Sharing and commenting is appreciated.

Radio Geo’s Media Blog (Hillbilly Music) New 3/30/20

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While watching the Ken Burns documentary about Country Music a while back, I was very interested in the segment they did about Buck Owens because it brought back a lot of memories.
Back in the ’60s, I used to play in a band from Winnipeg called The Jury, who played in a lot of towns in Manitoba and the northern United States.

Sometimes, getting back home from some of these gigs required driving all night, and I guess because it was my car, I was the designated driver.
Unfortunately, back then, the only music you could get on the radio was Country, which at the time,I didn’t care for, but I kinda liked Buck Owens because he rocked a little.

Fast forward about twenty years to California, where I’m now a radio consultant.
One evening and as I left my office in La Jolla, I dialed up the Country station KSON for a change of pace.

I had no idea that as I watched the hills of La Jolla fade from the rearview mirror, I’d soon end up on the streets of Bakersfield.
Driving south on I-5, all of a sudden, Dwight Yoakam’s “Guitars and Cadillacs” came on so I cranked it up and sang along.

I think I like Dwight’s music because it reminds me of Buck Owens, which then also reminds me of my old band days.
Anyway, just as it begins to fade, the jock jumps in and says, “Hey, I bet Dwight will be singing that one when he takes the stage in a few minutes at the Convention Center.”

At that very moment, my headlights hit the exit sign for the Convention Center, and even though I had an early flight in the morning, “What the hell.”
Once inside, unfortunately, I discovered that the opening act wasn’t very good, so I decided to leave.

Fortunately, as I was walking out, I noticed a bar out back, so I decided to have a couple of CCs and Coke, hoping the whole night wouldn’t be a waste.
As I stood there sipping my adult beverage, suddenly, on came Dwight.

Talk about electricity, he was just rockin’, and the ladies were howlin’.
He had his cowboy hat pulled way down as he strutted and pranced all over the stage and his ripped skin-tight jeans with cool silver medallions down the sides looked painted on.

What a show, I was so glad I hadn’t left and was still thinking about it as I boarded my flight the next morning to visit WLAC in Nashville.
As I changed planes in Dallas, I thought I recognized RC Bradly from KZBS in Oklahoma at the gate.

RC was the sales manager there when I consulted them, so Taking a chance, I called out his name.
Sure enough, when he looked up, a big smile came over his face as he came over to say hi.

When I asked him what he was doing now, he shockingly claimed that he managed a hillbilly singer named Dwight Yoakam.
When I told him I’d seen Dwight in San Diego last night, he just laughed and said, “Let me see, do I have this right, George Johns, one of America’s most respected Adult Contemporary consultants, spends his downtime going to cowboy concerts?”

After telling RC my connection to Dwight came from my old band days because he reminded me of Buck Owens, RC asked if I would like to meet Dwight.
When I said, “Absolutely,” off, he went and was back a few minutes later with two guys who were wearing these very cool long trail coats made out of Indian Blankets.

After introducing me to Dwight, he said, “And this George is the legendary Buck Owens.”
You’re sh*ting me; how f#cking cool is that?

It turned out that they were going to Nashville to tape a TV Special, which was honoring the legends of Country Music.
Luckily, when they called our flight for Nashville, I’d used my reward miles to upgrade, so I got to sit upfront with them.

Once we were in the air and enjoying a couple of cocktails, Suddenly, Dwight and Buck got their guitars down from the overhead.
For the next hour, we were entertained by Buck teaching Dwight the words to a song they would do on the TV special.

The thing that made this even more special was none of us, including them, had any idea that we were witnessing the birth of Dwight Yoakam’s first #1 record, “The Streets Of Bakersfield.”
(To see them do it live, click the link at the bottom of the page.)

RADIO GEO’S LIFE-LINERS

You know you’re getting old when you no longer can handle doing the indoor sunglasses thing.

True happiness is when you laugh with a small child about nothing.

The Feds are considering adding a 25-cent-a-gallon tax to gasoline nationwide. How will that work in California, where the State government is already running that scam? I want the gun concession; they may be ready. Isn’t that what the second amendment is all about?

Speaking of guns, if the slaves had guns, would there have been any slaves in America?

No Blacks are moving to Africa, no Jews are moving to Israel, and I’m sure not moving to Britain, so why don’t we work it all out?

The only difference between the NFL owners and other owners is … The NFL pays a hell of a lot more.

Doing what you were born to do is easy; the tough part is figuring out exactly what that is.

The only good thing about time flying by so fast is you’re the pilot. 

I don’t think people who live in mansions should be the ones telling the rest of us how we should live. 

Speaking of rich people, why don’t politicians use some of that lobbyist payola to do some good? 

Speaking of payola, how can we expect the politicians who accept money from the companies who are hurting the planet, to work on climate change?

If you think it’s tough trying to get people to give up their guns, wait until you attempt to talk kids into giving up their video games with guns. 

How come the list of what my homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover is at least twice as long as what it does cover? 

Isn’t it weird how the best are also usually the worst? 

Life being unfair doesn’t give you the right to do wrong.

I think my friends back home should bang on Baby Trudeau about Canada’s shrinking dollar. It’s worth 70 cents at the moment.

So here we are hunkered down from an enemy we can’t even see but at least I’m sequestered with a beautiful 24-year-old so I should be happy, right? Oh, did I neglect to mention that it’s my daughter?

COMMENTS

Tim Byrd: George, Good stuff, we understand that it is the middle class that makes the country work, but when the plan on their (currents in office) part is to “fundamentally change America” to a socialist gulag, there becomes a derailed train running at high speeds that no one has the fortitude to stop. It is, after all, as you said a Republic; Politicians are not known to have balls in their sack or a bone up their back. And so it goes…..Thanks for all the George(isms)  (It’s The Middle-Class Stupid)

Robin Solis: That Paul McCartney bit had it all, didn’t it?  And it just fell perfectly into place as the karaoke in the car is a regular segment. Although not a fan of the show itself, I did watch the Stevie Wonder segment when it came out. It was me, and I love Stevie. But I guess when it’s Sir Paul, there’s just that Beatles Magic that happens. I’m still swooning. (Radio Royalty)
Geo: Robin, my favorite quote from Sir Paul, is, “I am more amazed by the Beatles now than I ever was when I was one.

Ron Paley: Geo: I am truly honoured to be mentioned in your blog, and finally, after many years, we find out how close we were to each other in the CKY Winnipeg days yet, so far apart. It wasn’t until we got together in West Palm for brunch in 2010 that we met again for the first time since the early ’60s. Your achievements in radio are to be admired, and thanks again for the posts on Facebook and mentions in your blog.

Bruce Devine: Hi George,
Somewhere around here, I have the CFTR Last Contest promos Jack McCoy cut for us as well four reels of music beds he sent along. I can never hear Rod Serling without thinking Last Contest.
Considering there was only one Mono production studio (no multi-track) to handle the station’s regular traffic and all those prize packs (each prize pack aired only once)…it was really something. Plus, if you recall, that studio had hot water heating, and often, sometimes in the middle of a take, the pipes would Clank and; we’d have to start all over again. (The Last Contest)

Doug Chappell: George,
Congrats on today’s read… I love it when your politically incorrect side comes out… as the song goes, “Don’t go changin'” (Designated Survivor)

Eric Edwards: Said it then, and I’ll say it now, “the wrath of the buzzard” was the best station id ever produced… I had the good fortune to work with Chuck many times in Los Angeles; he was an amazing talent (Chuck Riley)

Geo’s Media Blog is an inside look at Radio, Music, Movies, Books, Social Media, Politics, and Life is primarily written for men, but ladies are always welcome.
For a peek at upcoming Blogs or to see some you may have missed, go to GeorgeJohns.com. On Twitter @GeoOfTheRadio. Sharing and commenting are appreciated.

Geo’s Media Blog. (Maybe I’ll Get Lucky With #7) New 3/23/20

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A couple of years ago, because so many unusual things have happened, I began writing an autobiography entitled Guitars & Radio & Wild Wild Women. Unfortunately, when I got around to the wild women part, it turns out that I don’t remember them all that well.

Who I do remember, though, are the ones I fell in love with, which, as you may know, is the best and worst thing that will ever happen to you. I know I’ve done it six times, but luckily I also know that like any addiction, you can get over it, which makes none of them worth dying for or over. (Daughters are a whole other story)

Even though I was in love six times, I only married once, got friendship ringed once, was engaged twice, and two of them gave me daughters. Other then they were all beautiful; the only thing they had in common was me. (Four of the six are pictured above, the other two are in witness protection) 🙂 

My first love was my innocent childhood sweetheart, (RIP) followed by a not so innocent who taught me a few extraordinary things, and she was replaced by a sexy fun one who, in turn, was replaced by an intellectual. Next came the smart and happy Meg Ryan type, and then finally, the wild one my father warned me about. (I have a whole book in me itching to get out about her, including the part about her great grandfather being one of the Younger Brothers who rode with Jesse James. She does, though, get a whole chapter in my book.)

However, as I look around me now, none of these beautiful ladies are present, so I’m beginning to think that maybe I’m the problem? Nah, couldn’t be!
 
GEO’S LIFE-LINES

Instead of the ten laws that we originally started with, we now have 17,000 pages of them. Did anything get better?

Once you stop learning, you stop living.

Figure out what you can get away with and then do it!

Being good keeps you from being great.

In the last fifty years, has there ever been a movie star or a rock star that has convinced anybody to change their vote?

Is there anybody more unqualified to dispense advice or make recommendations than Mrs. Doctor,  Mrs. President, or Mrs. CEO?

When is Congress going to realize that they’re not a big deal? Almost every person in sports is way more popular than they are. Sad!

Most optimists are a little disappointed about how things turn out but not the pessimists.

An apology that’s followed by an excuse automatically cancels the apology.

What percentage of Americans do you suppose, buy into what the Democrats or the Republicans claim they want to do?

Sometimes it just ain’t about us.

Have you ever noticed that rich people always seem to be angry?

If you buy things to impress, that’s called scoreboarding. Your letting everybody know that you don’t have fancy things is because you’re not into that sort of thing is also called scoreboarding.

The way it works as a runner is; Do long slow runs, and you will become faster. It works the same way in life.

Mysterious women are only exciting until you fall in love with them.

When this virus is done with us, the whole world will be different, not better, just different.

COMMENTS

Randy White: If you want to know what’s going on in a radio station, ask the engineer. They’re always around sticking a screwdriver into something, running a wire, being ignored – but listening or overhearing. (The Voice)

Lauren: So much truth to your comment, “The two hardest things to find in life are loyal friends and true love.” (I Prefer Torture)

Tom Hoyt: Loved the KFROG story as I was there for 14 years under three owners, Amaturo Group, ARS…then CBS. CBS sells everything radio to Entercom. Based on what I know, Entercom should be called Entercom for all the BS that was passed out to the loyal KFROG staffers….some of whom are there now, I worked with and were there before me!  Severance does nothing to compensate for the years of market-leading revenues likely not now, and without local leadership in all things, a market-leading station should be. Soon, a Morning Show from San Diego that has no relevance to the Inland Empire. All the cuts haven’t done much for the stock price but certainly have destroyed a solid local station in the 25th market. Riddle me this grasshopper?! (Money Not Brains)

Geo: And the FCC is actually considering letting the big corporations who already ruined radio, have even fewer restrictions. Someone should remind the FCC that their obligation is to protect the people Tom, not big business.

Bob DeCarlo: George, you made the last half of my days in radio so much more fun than the years before. I never did thank you enough for all you taught me (and a lot of other folks, too).Kudos for your blog. (Wanna Fool Around)

Jo Myers: So, your baby girl is back from college and living with you; hopefully, you’ll be okay, Geo. 🙂
If I went to vote without knowing who the Democrat or who the Republican was, I’d still know (by their talk and walk) and vote how I always do. 🙂 I enjoyed the blog! (I Felt The Earth Move)

John Forsythe: I just retired this year after 50 years on the radio. Hanging out in Hawaii right now where radio still sounds original and fun. (although KKCN in Honolulu is big and is programmed like stateside stations but with local music)
I agree that original and fun is always better, but comparing kids in the ’60s to kids today, come on, get real. Kids today have so many media choices. A boss jock “posting” a 42-second intro would not interest them. They will respond to real talent, making them laugh, and sharing a social media or website video that they can share with friends. There is talent out there, but it is a multilayered challenge that most didn’t have to face in the past.
While in Orlando for the back-patting, check out The News Junkie on Real Radio or evenings on XL 106.7. Some talent is still connecting. (Radio, It’s Over)

Steve Eberhart: Reminds me of a time in the late 70’s when Ron Chapman got the entire on-air staff (none of which lived in Ft. Worth) in a ten passenger van and drove us to Fort Worth to “tour” Fort Worth to familiarize ourselves with the “other half” of our huge KVIL audience.  (KVIL was the first ‘Dallas’ station not only to acknowledge but engage and marry Ft Worth, while other ‘Dallas’ stations ignored it or made fun of “Cowtown.”)  We spent all day going by and getting first-hand observations of the city Dallas radio forgot.  The effect was tremendous, and now we were so much more aware of our area and diverse lifestyles of the audience we talk about and to.

It was on the way back Ron finally turned the radio in the van on KVIL, and some part-time weekender was filling in with instructions to play it cool and keep it simple.  The first break we all heard was blown.  At that point, Ron said, “you know guys, if a truck hits this van and wipes us all out, that guy is the new morning man and the station is toast!” That got quite a laugh – as it was so very true! (Designated Survivor)

Geo: Steve, we were the only radio station that was targetting the new DFW rating book. As I recall, we were #3 in the Dallas book and #5 in Fort Worth’s, which made us #1 in the DFW book.

Doug Herman: RE your comment about doctors who didn’t graduate at the top of their class. The late George Carlin had a great truth (actually, he had many), which was, “Somewhere there is the world’s very worst doctor, and he has patients.” (Which One’s The Whore)

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 Geo’s Media Blog @ GeorgeJohns.com. On Twitter @GeoOfTheRadio. Sharing and commenting is appreciated.