Chapter LV (Magic Moments) 2/19/23 (55)

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I’ve had a wonderful life
but it’s flown by much too fast
So I’m writing these rhymes
hoping just to make it last

The writing of these memoirs has made me realize that my life has been pretty magical. However, it sure didn’t start that way.
Growing up in Transcona, the best you could hope for was a decent job or maybe an apprenticeship at the CNR Shops.

Other than wanting to be a big deal, I had no idea what I wanted to do, so while I was figuring it out, I attended some sheet metal classes at the Manitoba Institute of Technology.
Growing bored, shortly after seeing Elvis and Buddy Holly on TV, I bought a guitar and started a band.

Even though I never enjoyed going to the trade school, I must admit that having MIT on my resume looks pretty impressive.
Boredom may have been the incentive to buy a guitar, but as I look back now, that’s when the magic began.

Speaking of magic, can you imagine how magical it was to hear the words after Hal Ross of London Records listened to Until You, “Hell, I’ll release that!”
Or how about while we were on our way to a gig, we heard Jimmy Darin say on the radio, “Here’s a CKY exclusive, Until You Do, by The Jury.”(Pictured on top)

Oh, and then there was the time while visiting Mark Parr at CKY-FM my whole life changed again.
For whatever reason, Mark showed me how to run a radio board, and I instantly got the radio bug.
(Mark shown below) 63503_10151827117384307_192927957_n Or how about when I walked into the main studio at CKY and overheard George Dawes say, “Thanks but no thanks,” before hanging up the phone
When I asked him about it, he said, “Oh, it was a job offer from Saskatoon for the Program Director’s job, but I’m not interested.
When I said that I’d sure be interested, the next thing I knew, I was the new Program Director of CKOM in Saskatoon. (George Dawes is shown below) What kind of magic did Jim Hilliard hear that caused him to pull over and call me from a phone booth to say, “Johns, we’ve got a shot.”
Before I knew it, Billboards went up all over Dallas, and the rest, as they say, is history.
I think it would be easier to win the lottery than get the call I got from my best friend from Transcona, Jim Quail, saying, “Georgie boy, I had no idea you were such a big deal in the States.”

When I asked him what the hell he was talking about, he said he was up late doing a little paperwork and, while doing so, was listening to a talk show on an American radio station.
Suddenly, he heard a caller say, “I’m calling you from Winnipeg, which is probably a city you’ve never heard of.”

Jim then said he immediately turned the radio up and heard, “Of course, I’ve heard of Winnipeg; it’s where Neil Young, The Guess Who, and Bachman Turner Overdrive are from.
“Oh, and here’s something you may not know”, she added, “Winnipeg’s also where one of America’s biggest radio consultants, George Johns, is from.”
That, Jim said, was when I fell off my chair and scared the hell out of my wife who was asleep in their bedroom.” (The host turned out to be Rollye James, pictured above. Jim and his wife Di are pictured below) Then there was the time when my oldest daughter, Candis was going to College at NYU in New York and we had dinner with Rick Moranis. (Rick pictured below)
At dinner, Rick graciously told Candis, “Your Dad was the one responsible for launching my show biz career.”

“When I was going to medical school in Toronto,” he went on to say, “I also did some part-time board op work at CFTR.
However, when your Dad put me on the air for an overnighter one weekend, I instantly knew that I was born to be in showbiz so I quit medical school.”Oh, and then there was the magical evening while dining with my CPA, Cindy Adair, when she asked if I knew who Delilah was because she loved her show.
When I told her that I did and then asked if she would like to meet her, she said, “How is that possible?”

Knowing that Delilah was in town making a personal appearance at the Woman’s Fair in Jupiter, I responded to Cindy with, “I can make it happen.”
Upon our arrival at the Woman’s Fair, we spotted Delilah signing autographs in the corridor.

As we made our way up the side of a very long line, I could tell that Cindy still had doubts about whether or not I knew her.
However, when I shouted, “Hey There, Delilah,” and with a massive grin on her face, Delilah got up and made her way over to us and gave me a big hug, I think Cindy’s doubts may have disappeared.

I introduced Cindy to Delilah by saying, “Delilah, this is my tax accountant Cindy Adair; she keeps me out of jail.”
Delilah responded, “If George goes to jail, Cindy, I doubt it will be for financial reasons.”

When the crowd began chanting, “Back of the line, back of the line,” Delilah turned to them and said, “Hush, if it wasn’t for this man, I’d never be syndicated.” (Me and Delilah pictured below at her ranch/farm in Washington State) A few more “Magic Moments;”
Opening for Roy Orbison and Johnny Cash.
Being recruited by Randy Bachman for the Guess Who.
Becoming a Program Director for the first time at CKOM in Saskatoon.
Adopting my son Curtis in Ottawa.
Getting my first rating book at CFTR in Toronto proving that adults also liked the hits.
Moving to America.
Launching the first AC station in America on KVIL in Dallas.
Seeing Hawaii for the first time.
Getting a 19.3 share on WIBC in Indianapolis.
Buying my first Mercedes.
Falling in love six times.
Moving to California
Becoming #1 in San Antonio, which jump-started my consulting career.
Celebrating my 40th birthday at the Polo Lounge in the Beverly Hills Hotel.
Going to the Grammys and all the after-Grammy parties with my daughter Candis.
Being on stage for the first time with Shayne and the Devines and for the last time twenty years later with The Jury at a Winnipeg band reunion concert.Running the LA Maraton with Candis.
Running a PR. 38:20 10K when I turned 50.
Buying K103 in Portland, which remained #1 for over 30 years.
Riding on the Orient Express.
Driving a Rolls Royce convertible.
Inducting Ron Chapman into the Radio Hall of Fame on National TV.
Appearing in an Emmy-winning documentary about Rock Radio in Indianapolis.

I’ve experienced many magical moments, but none compare to the magic I felt when I held my daughters moments after they were born. (Candis and Cami are pictured below with me at the birthday party they threw for me in San Diego) 

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