Radio Geo’s Media Blog (Coming to America) Part 1 (Inquiring Minds Need to Know) 12/12/22

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I was shocked when I heard that Jeff Smulyan had recently sold the land in Indy that the WIBC towers were on, which silenced the legendary station.
All the outstanding work that Jim Hilliard’s staff, Gary Todd, Fred Heckman, Lou Palmer, Paul Page, Jerry Baker, Orly Knudson, Bob Lamey, and Chuck Riley, had produced over the years was gone forever.

I spent eight fun years at WIBC/WNAP, and my relationship with most of the guys above continues today, especially with Jim Hilliard.
As they say, timing is everything, and my timing was perfect when I took a job as a board op at CKY in Winnipeg those many years ago.

The station had just hired a new program director from the U.S. named Jimmy Darin (Hilliard), who, in turn, hired several other talented individuals also from America.
I got to learn firsthand how big-time radio worked as a rookie board op.

Almost from the time we met, Jim and I have been able to finish each other’s sentences.
Unfortunately, though, years later, when I joined him in Indianapolis as his National PD, this ability got me dragged me into more meetings than I cared to attend.

All Jim would say was, “I  need you in here, buddy; you’ll pick up on what’s going on real fast.”
Not only was he right, but occasionally, I even helped bring the meeting to a successful conclusion, but then again, even the smoothest-running machine has the occasional glitch.

One day, Jim’s secretary, Judy Ramsey, came to my office and told me that Jim needed to see me immediately.
As I entered Jim’s office, I saw that Cris Conner, the Morning Man/PD of WNAP, and Jim were in the middle of a very intense discussion. 

As I sat down, Jim turned to me and said, “George, I’m glad you’re in here because I need your help.
It seems that Cris has recently discovered that his sales manager makes more money than he does, so I need you to help me explain why.”

“Hell, Jim,” I said, “I wanna hear that answer myself.”
(Cris, pictured on top with me at his induction into the Radio Hall Of Fame)

Part 2 (The Great Gift) continues next week.

RADIO GEO’S LIFE-LINERS

I’m pretty sure that Psychologists could fix us much faster if they weren’t paid by the hour.

So if we give up our guns, who’s gonna protect us from the Russian, Italian, and Irish mobs, not to mention all the thugs and gangs?

Who decided that managing art should pay more than the artist who created it?

If there are extraterrestrials out there, it’s gonna be like Columbus and the Indians, but unfortunately, we’re the Indians.

Speaking of extraterrestrials, are we sure that the probes the scientists are sending out will be answered in a friendly manner?

One of the most overlooked vices of all is unrequested advice.

I’m amazed that year after year; Businessmen still get away with only sharing their downside.

Sadly, the life of the party usually doesn’t have a life.

Sometimes handmade​ doesn’t mean well made.

If you can resist getting married, you shouldn’t do it.

One of the things that I never figured out was how to provide a good life for my family and be there too.

I’ve always been envious of the guys who got to turn down pussy.

Is there anything better than being a young man in a warm-weather town?

The only good thing about losing is it usually teaches you how to win. 

Of course, there should be some kind of gun control.

Your image is your everything.

Embrace the negative, it’s your best teacher.

We’re all prejudiced about someone or something.

I can understand being poor enough to steal, but I don’t understand anybody thinking that they have a right to do so.

As I have repeatedly said, “Don’t ever let Brady have the ball with two minutes to go.”

So we traded a bad boy for a bad girl, huh?

Speaking of Brittney, do you think there’ll be a welcome home parade for her?

COMMENTS

Jed Duvall: Unfortunately, after 1979, when Indianapolis’s Arbitron ratings periods went to quarterly from just the last two weeks in April and the first two weeks in May, WIBC found out that too-much Indianapolis 500 coverage (wall-to-wall) was not quite as golden and lucrative ratings-wise as it had been prior to 1978.  The on-air hand-wringing over the challenge by the newly-formed Championship Auto Racing Teams (C.A.R.T.) (the drivers and most of the car owners) against the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s sanctioning body, the United States Auto Club, (U.S.A.C.) (Speedway President Joe Cloutier and Tom Binford, Chief Steward since 1974 as well as U.S.’s representative to the international F.I.A.in Paris). C.A.R.T. wanted to take over the sanctioning and running of the 500 from the Speedway and U.S.A.C. and wanted more money from the Speedway, already the richest automobile race on the planet.  C.A.R.T. sued U.S.A.C. and the Speedway (which had NEVER accepted ultimatums from any team, driver, or outside racing interest since 1909).  The matter wound up in federal court.  The Speedway was forced by the court because of the accepted entry form language to allow C.A.R.T. teams to practice, qualify and race in the 500 for 1979.  U.S.A.C. withdrew, and the S.C.C.A. (Sports Car Club of America) sanctioned the race with Tom Binford as Chief Steward.  WIBC covered every blow-by-blow from gavel to gavel with disappointing results.  What we learned was that all the average Indianapolis metro area race fan cared about was Lou Palmer’s hourly practice reports, Lou and Donald Davidson’s qualification coverage, Donald Davidson’s nightly and weekend call-in programs, and the entire pre-race, race, and post-race coverage, including traffic reports from the 10-7-Oh Whirlybird! The U.S.A.C.-C.A.R.T. soap opera was of little interest to the average race fan.  After 1979, the intense interest in anything beyond the key coverage of WIBC’s highly-successful and lucrative “Thirty Days In May”, was, in my opinion, a tune-out to the vast majority of WIBC-AM’s listeners. Such are the trials and errors of a program director of a heritage AM full-service radio station. George:  As you always admonished us at WIBC in the glory days, “If it isn’t important and top-of-mind, wrap it up and play “Hey Jude”!” (Back Home Again)
Radio Geo: Those were the days, my friend; we thought they’d never end but end they did.

Wendy:Your buddy Big Bob has a disgusting attitude towards women, one that I don’t appreciate. I’ll bet he’s one of those Ice Age men who would want all women to be subservient to all men, and he would most probably want abortions to be banned in America! Yikes, not someone I’d like to know. (Fairbanks Management Conferences)
Radio Geo: Thanks for the read, Wendy but in the fine print below, I state that my blog is definitely not politically correct and is also written mostly for men.
With that in mind, occasionally, a few folks will find some things they disagree with, which I long for because I believe that communication leads to understanding. Your comments, though, are duly noted. Keep ’em comin’.

Bruce Munson: This blog is a glimpse into the radio equivalent of King Solomon’s mines. (The List)
Radio Geo: Bruce, you need to take a few deep breaths or get out more. Love ya, old friend.

Radio Geo’s Media Blog is a politically incorrect inside look at Radio, TV, Music, Movies, Books, Social Media, Politics, and Life, primarily with men in mind.
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 not only encouraged; it’s appreciated.
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One thought on “Radio Geo’s Media Blog (Coming to America) Part 1 (Inquiring Minds Need to Know) 12/12/22

  1. Kevin Robinson: From my front porch, I could see the 1070 towers. Up until two years ago. Retirement Condos are being built there now. Shame. (Coming to America Part 1)
    Radio Geo: Very sad, Kevin, as the jingle sang, “It’s a Shame What They’re Doing To Radio.” Hard to believe that WIBC once had a 19.4 share overall with a 27 in the morning. Oh, and the Buzzard was right behind “Big Mama” in second place.

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