Monthly Archives: March 2023

Radio Geo’s Media Blog (Annoying) New 5/1/23

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I’ve always loved driving up the California coast, which I have done many times over the last forty years while consulting KZST in Santa Rosa.
Two of those trips are very special because even though my Daughters are more than twenty years apart, I did the drive with them when they were both fifteen.

What made those trips so memorable was even though my Daughters aren’t that much alike, their attitudes at fifteen were identical.
You know what I’m talking about; walk ten paces behind me, don’t talk to my friends, sit at a different table at a restaurant; this will be fine; drop me off right here (Two blocks from school) and, could you drive us to the mall, I’ll text you when it’s time to pick us up.

However, even though I thought I handled being an “embarrassment” much better the 2nd time, Cami seemed annoyed with me anyway.
I guess I didn’t always follow her instructions to the letter.

Thankfully, I was privileged to overhear a conversation one day between my two Daughters.
Candis was telling Cami that she wished she could be there the day Cami discovered how brilliant her Dad was. Cami looked at her like she was crazy!

GEO’S LIFE-LINERS

Sometimes questions are good, but most times, they’re only self-serving.

The only thing about having daughters that’s not wonderful is the realization that you’ve got to protect them for the rest of your life.

I gotta believe that with the millions and millions of dollars, we’re sending to Ukraine, corruption must be rampant; how could it not be?

Unfortunately, ignoring the existence of a problem is much easier than solving it.

Much as we love them, no man ever falls in love with a BJ.

Most women know exactly what we want but are hoping that we give them what they want long before they give us what we want.

Did you notice that the World Champion Canadian Junior Hockey players didn’t kneel during the playing of the Canadian National Anthem?

If you could reconnect with an old love, what would you say?

So answer me this; why should you take anybody seriously who spends their mornings painting themselves and their afternoons getting Botox?

The only way you can predict the future is by creating it.

Men spend most of their money on women; women spend most of theirs on shoes. Neither makes much sense.

Did Harry marry Mehgan to get a green card?

Beautiful women aren’t any smarter than the rest; they’re just richer.

So, when do we get to respond to those who claim all white people are bad?

Does anybody know what causes racism or makes people prejudiced?

Whenever pussy gets involved in a deal, the deal is f*cked, right, Mr. Lennon?

Kids are only cool if they’re yours.

Damn! The Winnipeg Jets are already out of the playoffs, but the Panthers surprisingly beat the Bruins to move one step closer to the Stanely Cup.

COMMENTS
Jed Duval: George, as someone who had the honor and privilege to try to implement and oversee many of the promotions you created for 1070 / WIBC-AM, I would like to add that a successful promotion is not only one that the air talent loves but one that shows forethought, preparation, and investment. The key to buy-in is belief in the simplicity and impact in audience response.  Your promotional ideas were easily understood and embraced by our listeners. Thank you. (Gordon Zlot)
Geo: No, thank you, Jed. However, the hardest part was getting the promotions past Hilliard. After that, the rest was easy.

According to, amongst other things, publisher Jerry Del Colliano, the time to stop chasing your dream is never.
Jerry Del Colliano: Thank you for the mention — I love to read your stuff to escape virtual reality and return to reality, if even for a few minutes, and after working at WFIL with Jim Hilliard, I share your love for this man and his brilliance. Keep going, my friend!
Jerry Del Colliano Professor Music Business Program
NYU Steinhardt Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions
Geo: Thanks for the read, Jerry; I hope all is well.

Wendy Homes: Hmmm, I wonder what a man’s shelf life is??? (Evergreens)
Radio Geo: As long as women think we have money, Wendy, we will remain attractive. Just ask the Asian and Russian ladies who hit on us daily.

Bill Gardner: I still remember when you hired me for the launch of KVIL (recently out of mornings at flame-throwing rock legend KCBQ San Diego), you told me KVIL Dallas was going to be a “middle-of-the-road” station appealing primarily to women. I thought that meant I’d be playing cover versions of all the hits by bands like Ray Coniff and “finger snappers” like John Davidson, Jerry Vale, Al Martino, Tony Bennett, etc.
Boy, did I have a LOT to learn about the definition of “middle of the road?
And one more time, a big thank you to the legendary program director Jack McCoy for telling me while we were both at Bartell’s WMYQ-FM Miami, “There are some good radio people I want you to meet.” (Evergreens)
Radio Geo: Bill, it really was M-O-R Bill; I just used hit records with the same texture. I’m not sure who came up with the term Adult Contemporary.
Bill Gardner: I don’t know who came up with the TERM “adult contemporary” either, but there’s absolutely no doubt who INVENTED the adult contemporary.SOUND and FORMAT…George Johns. Period!

Ron Below: George, did you forget that WNAP is one of the great stations that are now gone? As I traveled the Midwest as a record promo-man, whenever PDs/MDs learned I was from Indianapolis before moving to Chicago, they would start asking about NAP. Sadly, another one bit the dust. (The World)
Geo: Thanks, Ron; it’s been corrected, but I’m sure I missed many others as well..

Radio Geo’s Media Blog is a politically incorrect inside look at Radio, TV, Music, Movies, Books, Social Media, Politics, Religion, and Life, primarily written with men in mind.
For a peek at some upcoming Blogs or to see some that you may have missed, go to GeorgeJohns.com. On Twitter @GeoOfTheRadio. Sharing and/or commenting is appreciated.
If you’d like to subscribe to Radio Geo’s Media Blog, send your email address to radiogeo@gmail.com.

Geo’s Media Blog (We’re Still Alive & Kickin’) New 7/24/23

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Occasionally, I’ll come across one of my old records on YouTube, which brings back many memories.
We were called The Jury, and when the Beatles invaded North America, even though we were all in our early 20s, we were one of the older Winnipeg bands.

The Beatles changed everything, and simply by changing singers, we managed to go from the Elvis era with Donny Burns to the British era with Bruce Walker.
Shortly thereafter, we went from being a bunch of guys sitting around listening to records to a bunch of guys who were cutting them.

By being one of the older groups, we kinda lucked out because we missed the drug era by a couple of years.
Our drug of choice back then was booze which may have caused us to misbehave a little ( a lot), but at least we’re all still alive.

I only mention all of this because I belong to a Facebook group called the Manitoba Music Museum which is a very cool site.
I really love it because not only does it displays pictures and stories of all the old groups I used to play with, but it also keeps me in touch with the Winnipeg music scene today.

Unfortunately, though, I’m now noticing that many of the younger-than-us groups are already missing a couple of members.
The members of The Jury miraculously are still kickin’ and probably still drinkin’ (The stories and incidents about what went on in those days will come shortly after the passing of my children.)

I, of course, being much wiser now, have switched from the hard stuff to a nice red that gives “good nose.”

GEO’S LIFE-LINERS

Figuring out how to raise children is rather simple when you don’t have any.

How do we carve out all welfare scammers before they turn us against those who need our help?

Most men, unlike women, care about how things are rather than why they are.

Sometimes, the only thing that makes sense is that which makes no sense.

Does any other country have borders as porous as ours?

So what are we supposed to do with all the crazy people who walk amongst which the law makes it too difficult to commit them to a mental institution?

I get that when a woman says no, she means no. But what I don’t get is why she doesn’t say, “Not without wrapping that rascal, you don’t,” when she doesn’t.

Boldness and genius mixed together produce magic.

Don’t you think all colleges should be not-for-profit, thus giving everybody a shot at a college education? Hey, but what the hell do I know? I was educated at a poolroom in Transcona.

Just like we Canadians, don’t buy that Russia invented hockey; I also don’t buy that black folks created Rock and Roll.

You think being a woman is tough; try being the man who is responsible for everything.

Nothing stays a secret for very long.

Aren’t rating parties the best? What’s that, you say? They don’t have them anymore because there’s nothing to celebrate.

I wonder when it’s going to occur to Jerry Jones that he needs to fire the GM not the coaches?

COMMENTS

​Larry Dixon: George. Your comment about where to vacation when you’ve lived a few years in San Diego, and West Palm Beach reminded me of a quick story here.  Toward the end of my career, I worked at Salem Radio Network in affiliate sales, trying to place our talk programming on news/talk stations. One of my states was Hawaii. There was a guy on The Big Island that I enjoyed talking to. I called one day about this time of year and was informed by his secretary that he was on vacation. And I said when you live in Hawaii, where do you go on vacation, North Dakota?  And she said, actually, he went to Minnesota. Soo there ya go. I enjoy reading your stuff. (Benevolent Dictator)
Geo: Wow, the great Larry Dixon checks in. Thanks for the comment, Man.

Reid Reker: Yes, I was Peggy’s personal driver for every event because I was the only person her husband trusted. I’ll leave it to your imagination as to whether or not I was worthy of that. (I’ve Lived Everywhere, Man)
Geo: I think I’ll leave that one hanging, old friend.

Doug Herman: The Radio Wars back then were epic. Jack’s and my company working with you and a few other big-$$$, top-end programmers was the stuff that legends and life-long friendships are made of. Adrenaline and money were flying about everywhere. I’ve always thought that must be the same feeling NFL players have when they cash their checks and show up for work.  I can’t think of a single another thing I would rather have done with my time in the biz than The Last Contest, the Prize Catalog, the interactive telephone promotions, RAM Ratings (OK, that turned out to be a stiff, but mostly because everybody wanted it, we had a ton of clients, they just didn’t want to PAY for it….).  Can you imagine having done anything else with your life and career?  I certainly can’t.
Geo: I can’t imagine doing anything else, Doug.

Doug Erickson: I never heard your Canadian stations, George, but I was paying attention to KVIL when it became HUGE. You had THE BEST Air Talent in EVERY daypart; Ron Chapman, Bill Gardner, et al. Even your news people and traffic reporters were clearly better than anyone else in that market.
KVIL was the complete package 24/7, and I just never hear that anymore. How quickly could you capture any city if you were allowed to pay (hire) the best air talent anyone had ever heard?
Geo: In Canada, Doug, I was learning through trial and error, but by the time I hit Dallas, I knew how the diary worked. (It had started in Canada a few years earlier.) It was an unfair fight, and although we were exhilarated when we achieved the top position, Doug, it didn’t come unexpectedly.

Radio Geo’s Media Blog is a politically incorrect inside look at Radio, TV, Music, Movies, Books, Social Media, Politics, Religion, and Life, primarily written with men in mind.
For a peek at some upcoming Blogs or to see some that you may have missed, go to GeorgeJohns.com. On Twitter @GeoOfTheRadio. Sharing and/or commenting is appreciated.
If you’d like to subscribe to Radio Geo’s Media Blog, email your address to radiogeo@gmail.com.

Radio Geo’s Media Blog (Sugar Sugar) New 7/31/23

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The other day, I was thinking about how long it’s been since I’ve been to Vegas.
I used to go all the time, especially when the radio conventions were held there, but once they filled up with brokers and lawyers, I lost my appetite for them.

I believe the last time I was, there was when I was visiting my Buddy, Reid Reker, who was the GM of a Vegas radio station.
We were working on a project together, and while there, I thought I would continue researching what women want by holding a few small focus groups. (See on top)

I needed to continue probing so I could get a little closer to unlocking the mystery of women.
Hopefully, I could gather some useful information that I could eventually put on the radio.

The project Reid and I were working on was looking at getting involved in a musical that would open in Vegas and then move on to Broadway.
We were working with Emmy and Grammy award-winning musical director Nancy Gregory who was writing this musical about her friend Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame producer and songwriter Jeff Barry.

That night we had dinner with Nancy and Jeff at a steak house off the strip where Sinatra and the rest of the rat pack used to go for dinner after their last shows.
What a great night sitting there with the man who wrote most of the huge hits of the ’60s and ’70s.

I mean, can you resist singing along with, Tell Laura I Love Her, Be My Baby, Then He Kissed Me, Da Do Ron Ron, River Deep Mountain High, Chapel Of Love, I Honestly Love You, Hanky Panky, or Doo Wah Diddy, Diddy?

Hey, and what about one of his biggest, “Sugar Sugar” which even Frank Zappa was caught singing along to at a stop light by a couple of his horrified fans?
What a magical evening! (Jeff Barry is pictured below)

GEO’S LIFE-LINERS

As the Ray Stevens song goes, “Everything is Beautiful,” but unfortunately, not everyone sees all the beauty in the world.

Is there anything better than a beautiful woman only having eyes for you and your buddies and enemies all wondering, “How the fuck did he get her?”

Just because you’re not for something doesn’t necessarily mean you’re against it.

Nope, nothing changed. I checked again; I still hate the word no.

Unsolicited criticism may result in a blowback.

Perfection only exists for a moment, whereas imperfection lasts forever.

Most great men have a similar fault, women.

How can you not want revenge if a person kills a person you love?

Do the women who are living large care where the money’s coming from?

Why do some questions sound like allegations?

A trot down the aisle doesn’t make love unconditional. As you grow older, your need to know why we’re here diminishes.

Sometimes one great memory can erase some bad ones.

A lot of great people weren’t very good human beings.

Absolutely everything is on its way out.

The law doesn’t always represent what’s right.

Would you rather make good money doing what you dislike or less doing something you love?

To become smarter, one must ask questions.

When you put your work ahead of everything else, it may result in success, but there will be consequences.

I think Stven Stills may have summed up what’s wrong with the world when he sang, “And Nobody’s Right If Everybody’s Wrong.”

Is there anything better than a hug from your little girl?

I wonder if old rich black guys and old rich Hispanics Dudes are different than old rich white guys?

COMMENTS

John Willyard: Wow, what a remarkable adventure you’ve written about! And “Don’t Tell Your Mama!” An unmistakably pithy, apropos name!
I loved catching up this way, and sad about the circumstances of your friend’s passing!
I recall getting a call years ago about the Boston Country Club station I had been voicing, first as WCLB, then WKLB. Do you remember the wonderful TV spots that Bill Young Productions produced that I voiced? About 1992, 93? I’ve always wondered how y’all discovered me (since certainly pre-Internet): was it Rusty Walker and his team? I know that early on, I would call almost every day asking for a demo (Fed Ex’d cassette), and I’ll always ask: “How did you hear about me?” “Rusty told us to call.” (Big Apple)
Geo: Hey John, so good to hear from you. I’m not sure how we got your name, but it wasn’t from Rusty; he was across the street from us. I met him years later and was very impressed. What a class act.
You always sounded great, John, and I’m so glad we got your name from Mr. Whomever.

Amanda Vidler: What a great story about my dad; I can’t tell you how nice it was to read this! I miss him so much. Thank you so much for writing about him; he spoke about you often, and you were such an important and great friend to him. (Big Apple Part 2)
Radio Geo: So good to hear from you, Amanda. I, too, miss your Dad; he was a dear friend to me and will always be remembered as a kind and gentle man.

Bob Tracey: Great story. Next time you get up here, head out to the stadium, to the Candlewyck Diner, where locals go after the game. And check out 101.1 CBS FM. Radio like it used to be. (Big Apple Part 2)
Radio Geo: Thanks for checking in, Bob; I’m a big fan of your voice-over work.

Winnipeg Wendy: George, regarding bad girls, hindsight is 20/20! But then, I see the double entendre in my comment, which would possibly suggest that I might be a bad girl! Ya better stay away from me!! (Gordon Zlot)
Radio Geo: Wendy, when my father told me to stay away from the “Bad Girls,” I was only hoping that I’d get to meet one​ someday. As I remember it, you had a lot of potential. 🙂

Radio Geo’s Media Blog is a politically incorrect inside look at Radio, TV, Music, Movies, Books, Social Media, Politics, and Life, primarily written with men in mind.
For a peek at some upcoming Blogs or to see some that you may have missed, go to GeorgeJohns.com. On Twitter @GeoOfTheRadio. Sharing and/or commenting is appreciated.
If you’d like to subscribe to Radio Geo’s Media Blog, send your name and email address to radiogeo@gmail.com.