Geo’s Media Blog (We’re Still Alive) Under construction.

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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 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 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 all still alive 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 what 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, send your name and email address to radiogeo@gmail.com.

Radio Geo’s Media Blog (Sugar Sugar) Under Construction

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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 by a few 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 something 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 Buffalo Springfield may have summed up what’s wrong with the world when Steven Stills sang, “Everybody’s Right and Nobody’s Wrong.”

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

I wonder if old rich black guys and old rich Hispanics are any 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 definitely wasn’t from Rusty; he was across the street from us. I met him years later and was very impressed with him. 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 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.

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.

Chapter XLVII (Once Accused You Lose.) 2/01/23 (47)

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Loved living in South Florida
a new Daddy again
Until a lady scammer
tried to serve me up
some pain

Reading that Movie Star Kevin Spacey was acquitted of four counts of sexual assault reminded me of Jian Ghomeshi in Canada and Brett Kavanaugh, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court in DC, and my tale of woe in West Palm Beach.

Jian was a popular radio host on the CBC who, like Kevin, was also accused of four counts of sexual assault.
And, like Kevin, was also acquitted of all charges. 

Brett Kavanaugh was accused of molesting a woman when he attended college.
However, his accuser now says that she never even met him back then, let alone he molested her.

I bet all these men were excited about their acquittals, but it looks like only Brett came out of it unscathed.
Kevin and Jian’s careers are in shambles, so my question to you is, what should happen to these false accusers?

My part of the story began at the corporate headquarters of Fairbanks broadcasting, where, being their in-house consultant, I had an office.
One day, the receptionist called me to say that there was a woman here who wanted to meet with me about a program on WRMF.

Not being busy, I told her to send her back, and when she entered my office, she introduced herself as Dee.
She told me that she had an idea for a Delilah-type show for younger women that she wanted to talk to me about.

I told her she was talking to the wrong guy and that the guy she needed to talk to was Ken Payne, the Program Director of WRMF.
I then called Ken, who said to send her right over. I later heard that Ken had hired her to do some part-time.

The next time I saw Dee was when she made another surprise visit to the corporate headquarters, but his time, she was bearing a cake.
I have no idea how she knew it was my birthday, but as the corporate staff gathered around, she unveiled the cake.

The top of the cake featured a naked woman, complete with pubic hair.
It was the kind of thing you’d expect to see at a stag, not at a corporate office.

The next time I heard anything about Dee was when the station lawyers informed us that she had accused me of sexually harassing her.
The charges were ludicrous, not to mention that her story kept changing, but nonetheless, the case dragged on and on and on.

Her lawyers must have smelled big settlement money because they’d take her case on a contingency basis.
As I said, Dee’s recollections were ever-changing, and each time her story unraveled, her latest lawyer would be gone.

However, another one would pop up, and we’d start again.
I guess they hoped the company would eventually tire of the case and settle. 

What I thought was weird was when the cake story came up at one of the depositions, the lady lawyers, including my own, didn’t think it was a big deal.
I, on the other hand, thought that it proved that she was the pervert, not me, and I can only wonder what would have happened had I been the one serving up that cake.

At the final deposition, for some unknown reason, Dee’s newest lawyer wanted to depose my daughter Cami’s mother, Kari.
I had no idea what to expect because, at the time, Kari and I were on again, off again.

I’ll never forget Kari’s answer when she was asked how she felt when she heard that I was sexually harassing her client.
Kari claimed she didn’t feel anything because she didn’t believe it.

When the lawyer asked her why she was so sure, Kari pointed across the table at Dee and said, “Look at her; now look at me!” (Kari is pictured below)

 

 

Radio Geo’s Media Blog (Happy Father’s Day) June 18/23 Under Construction

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RADIO GEO’S LIFE-LINERS

Taking too long to decide what you’ll do with your life may result in it being over before you begin.

Being told, “You can’t have that, ” only made me want it more. 

Does anybody ever like what they see in the mirror?

Contrary to what you see on TV and in the movies, I think most folks marry within their race and/or their religion.

The best thing about fear is it keeps you vigilant.

Nothing is nearly as good or bad as it seems.

Becoming a parent is the most joyous moment you’ll ever experience. Unfortunately, it’s followed by a lifetime of worry.

I was schooled at TCI but educated at Pete’s Poolroom.

Most men will back off if their wives or children are threatened.

Young wives are wonderful, except for the fact that they’re still working on the future while you’re living yours.

Women aren’t that innocent; they know what we want. Great morning show folks tell stories about the city they live in, and their fans tell stories about them.

As much as I like to drive, I must admit, there’s nothing better than having a driver.

Here’s what the ladies don’t understand, there is no way to share in the upside if they don’t share in the downside too.

I know a few guys that have their own private jets, but I only know one guy who has his own private train.

Most things are rarely as permanent as they appear to be.

COMMENTS

Jerry Bobo: George, during those long sessions one year, Jim gave me a plaque with our annual billing goal on it, which looked like an unreachable amount for KVIL, and told me to hang it on my office wall as a daily reminder. Like the sometimes cocky SOB that I am, in October of the next year, I got a nail, scratched a big CHECK mark on it, and sent it back with a note that said, “DONE; what’s next?” That was the last time he gave me a plaque. One of my goals was to charge and get the highest price per spot in America. What I wanted the KVIL clients to understand is that KVIL wasn’t just another radio station. It was a special breed and the best in all of radio broadcasting so they had to pay more for being with the best. In fact, I wouldn’t allow clients to buy just the Ron Chapman show; they had to purchase other dayparts as well. Ron did not voice spots except for one “Grandfathered” auto dealer. His endorsement was strictly for KVIL and our audience. It pissed a lot of clients off, but they soon got over it once their store traffic increased. Several months before it came time each year to raise the advertising rates, I would annouce to the sales staff that I was raising the rates much higher than I would actually but I would always raise them a little over half of what I had announced. So AE’s had the clients thinking a big increase in the spot rate was coming, and when it was much less than expected, everyone accepted the new higher price with ease. We were billing over $2 M a month back in the 1980s; that’s why Richard M gave me a new Mercedes one year. Boy, those were the good old days of radio. (Fairbanks Management)
Geo: Jerry, you gave me my consulting career. When you hit your first million-dollar month, my phone started ringing off the wall. I had two choices answer their questions or sell them the answers. I chose “Faster Cars, Older Whiskey, Younger Women, and Mo’ Money.”What a ride, love ya, man!”

Bruce Munson: If I ain’t teasin’ ya, I ain’t lovin’ ya!” George, your line is remarkably similar to what my dad used to say to his grandkids! Like you, he loved to tell stories. Another of his favorite lines was, “Now, if you’ve already heard this…don’t stop me because I want to tell it again.” (Fairbanks management)Radio
Geo: I completely understand what he was talkin’ about, Bruce.

Bruce Devine: Geo. Roger Klein says that when you were at CFRA: ‘You took Ken  ‘The General’ Grant’s uniform Away’ ?:) (Character!)
Radio Geo: I wish that were true, Bruce:-)

Jack Schell: Mighty interesting words and picture on your blog this morning…even with the horizontal squish of that picture that takes 40-50 ponds off of each participant…some of them, on the way to looking just a bit like Beldar, The Conehead.The text of it all had me thinking about how, when there was a need at KVIL, Ron assigned me the jobs of DJ, Chief Engineer, Program Director and Promotion Director, now and then, along the way between 1967 and 1993…plus, taking on his show (commuting from Gun Barrel City each morning to do it) in the very early 2000s when he went on vacation.  As a result, I have an odd collection of anecdotes…some happy, some not.  Oh brother, DO I! Anyway, Ron wrote a lot of thank you notes, which I still have…I collect stuff.  Among them, a small Post-It Note, from him, from among the batch, has been attached to my bathroom mirror for many years, so as to see it at least at the beginning of each day (when home).  It isn’t really negative (although a first impression might make one think so). It simply says, “Remember, Jack, no one cares…except for a precious few”.  It was intended, not as a reason to become depressed and give up…but to be careful, diligent and undeterred…kinda like those signs along the highway that say, “Bridge freezes before road”  Like, no prob, just watch your step.  I thanked him often.  This rare note to your blog is NOT meant to spill the story of my life in radio, but simply to help you bring that picture of the Fairbanks crew back to reality…it is not all that difficult with today’s digital gadgetry.  In the meantime, I find it difficult to fully express how glad I am that we had that little get-together in Dallas (2019?) with Ron, you, Bill G., Becky, Xrey, sales folks, and many more.I know, I know…”Blah, blah, blah – where’s that fixed picture, Jack?” Alrighty (and have a super 2023, George)!  Also, you’re welcome. (Fairbanks Management)
Radio Geo: As usual, Jack, I have trouble staying with you, but I think I got this one. You and all the crew a KVIL did a spectacular job and should be very proud of yourselves. Thanks for the fixed picture; it now adorns the Blog.

Wendy Holmes: Looks like you had a very successful radio career, George; congratulations! I met Beau and Tom at the radio station on the Pembina highway. An optometrist office that I worked at was in that building, and they were our customers. Tom was pretty quiet, but Beau was quite contagious. Did you ever meet Howard Kroeger? (Character!)
Geo: Thanks for the read, Wendy. Yep, radio’s been very good to me, and no, I’ve never met Howard Kroeger.

Radio Geo’s Media Blog (Are You Gifted or Creative?) Under Construction.

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Growing up in Transcona, one of the things my Father used to say was, “If you’re not sweatin’, you ain’t workin’.”
It was just one of the many things we disagreed about because I think if you’re sweating while you work, it might mean that you’re not very good at what you’re doing.  (My Dad, Sandy Johns, pictured on top)

Gifted people, though, tend to go in another direction; they’d rather rely on their gifts and not do any work.
Not to worry, though, because most productivity comes from creative people, and you can learn how to do that, whereas you can’t learn how to be gifted.

Working hard is admirable, but working smarter gets you more places.
Once you learn how to be creative, your only concern is that the gifted people wake up and learn creativity too.

On the rare occasion of this happening, I suggest getting out of their way.
These folks, when they’re on fire, have the capability of producing some pretty magical things.

Unfortunately, many of them come from the dark side and tend to self-destruct.
When this happens, it’s time for the rest of us to get back to creativity again.

I wonder if Loren Michaels ever considered or cared how much work some of the cast members of Saturday Night Live put into a skit before he decided to cut it or not.

Speaking of gifted, Chuck Riley, back at CKY in Winnipeg, said to me just before slipping out the back Jack to the Criterion Athletic Club (beer parlor), “I like you, kid, so I’m going to save you a couple of thousand hours.
Always remember, “You Cant Splice Strings.” Then he turned on his heel and left me with, as we say in the biz, “A shit load of production.”

 GEO’S LIFE-LINERS.

It’s easy to get someone’s attention; holding their interest is what’s tough.

You’re much happier when your giving than you are receiving. Who smiles more than Santa?

Laughter cures almost everything.

Without Radio, there’d be no Rock&Roll; without Rock&Roll, there’d be no Elvis or The Beatles.

Unless you need the government’s help, being accused of being prejudiced or racist doesn’t mean much.

I know a lot about a little and a little about a lot.

A desperate man is the most dangerous man of all.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if motivational emails actually inspired someone?

I never did like dealing with negatives, so whenever I thought the station sounded a little loose, I’d threaten the air staff with a “Jock in the box” session. (A random air check being played that would be critiqued by us all.) The mere mention of that usually tightened the station right up.

Keeping a secret is one of the most difficult things you’ll ever have to do.

Trying to make payroll tends to lower your standards.

Ain’t it funny how the new big new thing quickly becomes the “flavor of the week.”

Did you know that it costs two cents to make a penny?

Speaking of money, you rarely need anybody’s permission to do a radio promotion that costs nothing.

Speaking of promotions, it’s pretty easy to create a good one if you’re got a good budget; tough if ya don’t, but still doable.

Sometimes having a plan “B” keeps you from focusing on Plan “A.” There’s no such thing as too much praise.

At my age, many things that used to make sense no longer do.

When you’re no longer able to change things, change yourself.

Marc LaFrance: What a wonderful adventure. Always enjoy reading your blog. Merry Christmas, and all the best in 2023. (Bucket List Wrap-Up)
Radio Geo: Joyeux Noel et Bonne Annee Mon Ami, it was good to finally meet you.

Doug Thompson: George, re: WIBC transmitter site being turned into condos. I had the same feeling when CTV bought CHUM and decided 1331 Yonge street would also be turned into condos.  So much history in that building over 50 years at 1050 CHUM with Program Director Allan Slaight and later J. Robert Wood, General Manager Fred Sherratt, and Mr.  Waters for President. You couldn’t have had a more perfect group. Then there was CHUM FM with Ops Managers Bob Laine, Duff Roman, Program Directors Warren Cosford, Ross Davies, and many others over the years. As well as Roger Ashby’s amazing career on both AM & FM. As Chuck Riley once said in a voice track to a CHUM promo, “Time Marches On.” I also never realized that he had such cute knees after working with Chuck Riley on many projects. (The Great Gift)

Doug Herman: Many of us have similar feelings regarding a station that helped “make” our careers.  KCBQ comes to mind for me.  The station still exists (in a Salem right-wing and religious format with near-zero numbers), but the original building and the field with six towers that rocked the industry way back when are now a Lowe’s store. (The Great Gift)
Geo: Doug and Dougie, you’re both right; we thought the great stations earned the right to last forever. Sad!

Kevin Robinson: George Johns – Nazi!  🙂 (CFTR)
Geo: It does look a little harsh, doesn’t it, Kevin? I was much older then; I’m younger than that now.

Wendy Holmes: A new reply to your opinion of Pierre Trudeau!
Many years ago, my daughter Heidi and I visited Ottawa together. One of the high points was, of course, the Parliament Building. As we wandered down the hallway where all of the portraits of our Prime Ministers are, she stopped at Pierre’s portrait and gazed and pondered it for quite some time. She said it was so different than all of the others. In some way, it revealed the type of individual he was as he posed there with his French Tam pulled to one side and his sassy half smile. Interesting observation, don’t you think?? (The 1% Club)
Radio Geo: Very interesting observation, Wendy, and so true. In fact, the only thing Justin and his Dad have in common is their last names. The big difference between the two is that the whole world listened when Pierre spoke.

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 upcoming Blogs or to see some that you may have missed, go to GeorgeJohns.com. On Twitter @GeoOfTheRadio. Sharing and/or commenting is appreciated.
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