Podcast to Terrestrial

(March 31, 2014) KFWB is introducing a new show tomorrow afternoon at 2 p.m., As We See It with Phil Hulett and Friends. “We’ve been working with Phil to adapt a weekly podcast he’s been doing into a one-hour, daily radio program,” emailed KFWB pd Andy Ludlum. “Live from his San Pedro studio, As We See It promises to be an entertaining look at the stories behind the stories that matter the most to you.” Hulett’s KFWB show will now be offered as a daily podcast at: http://philhulettandfriends.com.

Phil’s cast includes Jennifer Bjorklund (r), a veteran broadcast news anchor and reporter with 27 years in the business, the last 15 of them in Los Angeles television. She spent 12 years with KNBC/Channel 4, five of those years anchoring Today in LA, according to her website. She started her career in radio at Cal Poly SLO’s radio station KCPR, where she was news director. Her first real broadcast news job was morning drive anchor for the Santa Maria ABC News radio station KUHL.

From there she moved to Santa Barbara, taking over as the morning anchor when the station’s news anchor Linda Nunez departed to KNX. Jennifer later moved to tv, working at KEYT first as a writer/producer and weekend reporter, then as morning anchor, and finally as weekend anchor. She arrived in Los Angeles with an offer to cover breaking news in the helicopter for KTTV, flying in SkyFox during the station’s early morning newscast and Good Day LA. Jayson Campadonia and Chris Martin complete the team for the new KFWB show.  As We See It replaces Business Rockstars. With these changes, the KFWB afternoon drive news block will now begin an hour earlier at 3 p.m.

Shotgun’s Return. KRTH’s Shotgun Tom Kelly continues to recuperate from quadruple bypass heart surgery. The station was optimistic that Tom would be returning to his afternoon drive show on April 1, but apparently that was premature. Shotgun is seeing his doctor today. “He’ll make the decision,” emailed Tom. “I'm feeling really good.”

Backstage at the recent AMP concert: night jock Casey McCabe, afternooner Booker, pd Kevin Weatherly, Zedd, evening personality Michelle Boros,
Interscope's Chris Moradi, apd John Michael, imaging director Jake Kaplan. Photo credit: Gabriel Olsen

Hear Ache. AMP Radio’s Carson Daly is expecting his third child … Don Geronimo, former KIIS and KFI jock in the early 80s, has joined digital RELM Network (http://www.relmnetwork.com/) to produce his podcast that will be available via subscription only … Congressman Mike Rogers joins Cumulus Media after the conclusion of his 7^th term in the House of Representatives at the end of the year. No word if his contributions will appear on KLOS or KABC … Anyone know the whereabouts "Stereo Steve" Snyder of NewWave/Rockabilly 105.5 KNAC (Long Beach) from the early 1980's? … Len Weiner, former pd at KMPC when it was a sports station, is joining WAXY (“The Ticket”) in Miami as pd. He joins Maureen Lesourd who runs the Lincoln Financial Media cluster.

Wango Tango for 2014. KIIS/fm’s Ryan Seacrest has announced the line-up for the 2014 edition of Wango Tango, scheduled for May 10 at the StubHub Center in Carson. On-stage: Maroon 5, Shakira, Paramore, Ed Sheeran, One Republic, B.o.B, Kid Ink, A Great Big World featuring a special performance with Christina Aguilera, Rixton and closing the show, Tiesto!

Revenues Up. The Southern California Broadcasters Association (SCBA) announced strong, across-the-board ad revenue market gains for February. According to the Miller Kaplan Arase February 2014 Market Summary Report for all reporting LA Radio stations, total market revenue grew by 3.7% for the month. On a YTD basis through February, the LA total market revenue growth is 3.1%.

Recovering News for Joe McDonnell. Joe McDonnell posted some encouraging news about his recovery from three surgeries.

Twenty two days since the first of 3 surgeries in 4 ½ days. Got clearance from the Dr. to resume some normal activities. Found out I will have to have skin graft surgery in about a month. Apparently blew out the knee so completely – destroyed is how the Dr. put it – that I very nearly lost the leg. Thanks again for all your good wishes and prayers! Also some good news: weighed in at 234 lbs. meaning I’ve now lost 506 lbs since gastric bypass surgery in Oct 2004.

Brill Book. KNX news anchor Bob Brill is a prolific writer. His new book, Lancer: Hero of the West – The Prescott Affair, is available on Amazon. “This is the first in a series of Western novels based on a single character and his adventures. This follows my other two self-published books.” His other books include No Barrier – How the Internet Destroyed the World Economy and Al Kabul – Home Grown Terrorist. He also has a coffee table biography of Burlesque Queen Patti Waggin and her major league baseball playing husband Don Rudolph. Its title is Fan Letters to a Stripper – A Patti Waggin Tale.

Overheard.

• “Speaking of Radios does Radio Shack even sell them anymore?” (George Johns, radio consultant)

• “How do our pets know if, in fact, there is an earthquake or do they really know if there is an earthquake that’s going to happen?” (Warren Eckstein, KRLA)

• “Let’s be honest. Have you ever passed one of these massage parlors that looks like it is on the up and up?” (John Phillips, KABC)

• “The hardest thing for me and Angels games are watching and not hearing my dear, dear friend David Courtney. I miss him.” (Doug Dunlap, KNX)

• "There was a phase when I was into psychos. They can be more fun in certain arenas but you have to have an exit strategy." (Doug Steckler, KFI)

Funnie.

 Email Monday

We GET Email …

** Earl McDaniel’s Daughter

“The eloquent tribute you posted of our dad was most gracious and touching.

Sincerest heartfelt thanks.” – Chris Alderman

** Morning Show Created by McDaniel

“I probably shouldn’t be amazed that, after knowing Earl McDaniel for 36 years, I can still learn something new about his incredible life by reading what you wrote. Earl created ‘Perry and Price’ in 1983 and changed our lives.  And not a day goes by without one of us quoting the Master.

Aloha.” – Mike Perry

** Early Radio Influences

“Your 1950’s inspiration to get into radio was Earl McDaniel [KPOP 1020]. As I mentioned to you in Reno last month, mine was Noel Confer [‘Mighty 690’ XEAK].  I listened to both Earl and Noel in the mornings while growing up [or trying to] in Pasadena. But KPOP’s advantage was being live and local. 

Earl’s voice was always upbeat.  He used AT&T’s time recording as ‘Tillie the Timekeeper’ in his morning slot and he energetically promoted his sponsors like Paramount Chevrolet which I remember clearly.  At 8:30 a.m., he’d play a new album until 9 a.m. Imagine that today on AM or any station.

Earl debuted many new records and artists, many of which I purchased.  I remember hearing a lady customer in the record store saying, ‘Earl McDaniel played it this morning.’

My hero Noel Confer died a few years ago, thus I appreciate how you feel and I share sympathies regarding today’s loss of your icon, Earl McDaniel.” – Bill Kingman, Lake Tahoe

** Early Time and Temp

“I used to listen to Earl McDaniel while riding to school in a friend’s car. He had the most accurate time signals on the radio. He used the phone company’s time service that repeated each ten seconds. ‘At the tone the time will be seven twenty three and thirty seconds’ – beep. Each time signal took about ten seconds. I think Earl referred to her as Tillie the Timekeeper. Can you imagine a station taking ten seconds just to tell the time? It was a different world then. 

My condolences to the family of a man I never met and often wish I had.” – Tom Goodwin

** Hawaiian Reaction

“I was introduced to your newsletter from a post about Earl McDaniel in the Hawaii Alumni Radio group on Facebook. While the newsletter was new to me, your name was not. I feel privileged to request the addition of my name/email to your list.

Reading the various anecdotes about Earl McDaniel made me realize just how significant my face-to-face encounter with Earl was. I was just starting out in radio producing the PM drive show for Kimo Kahoano at KSSK.

One day Earl walked into the studio to talk to Kimo as I tried my best to blend in with the carts. Earl turned to me and said ‘Hi’ to which I was star struck, and followed his warm greeting with, ‘don’t sit on the counter.’ I never sat on another piece of studio furniture, except for chairs, ever again! While my encounter was such a minute fraction of the tiniest grain of sand, it always sits proudly displayed on my shelf of memories.

Thank you for allowing me to share.

Aloha!” – Jeff Kino

** Early Influencers

“I was very moved by your article about Earl McDaniel and how much he meant to you and the influence he had upon your life. I also read all of the emails that were sent to you about Earl. It's very difficult to lose someone such as that. He must have been an amazing person. Unfortunately, I never met him during my years in the radio business. Years ago, Mort Sidley passed away and he gave me my first job in the radio industry and also was a tremendous mentor. I learned much from him and we became close friends. I have a picture of him in my office and I gaze at it every day. This is a tough age and the losses keep coming.” – Bob Fox

** Earl a Mentor

"I think we talked by phone years ago. You and I both considered Earl as our mentor.

I went to KGMB in 1973. Earl recognized my talent and before long I was doing U.H. football, basketball and Hawaii Islanders baseball as well as tv sports. Earl and Ellie were my friends, my mentors and my psycholgists. As the crazy broadcast business took me on a tour, I always consulted Earl before making a move. I learned more in five years with Earl than I've learned anywhere since.

When I was broadcasting for the San Diego Padres, who trained in Peoria, Arizona, I always spent great times with Earl and Ellie who lived there. Earl has been one of the most important people in my life.

Recently I had to go to Peoria for a book signing. My book, I Love the Work But I Hate the Business, was on sale at the Padres-Mariners store, so I called Earl. A young woman answered and when I asked for Earl, I could hear her talking with him in the background. In a weakened voice I heard him say, 'Tell Mel I can't come to the phone right now. Tell him I said goodbye and that I love him and he should remember me the way I used to be.' After the girl repeated his words, I said, 'Please tell Earl I love him.' He died later that day." - Mel Proctor

** Standards Format Possibilities

“I can't help but think that Bill A. Jones is a wishful thinker with little or no knowledge of the industry. Please correct me if my impression is wrong.

Sports stations are not as dependent on ratings for their survival as music stations or news/talk stations.  They get ad buys from sponsors specifically looking for sports-oriented listeners and pay little or no attention to the Arbitrons ... er, Nielsens.  And no agency advertising decisions are made based on the meaningless 6+ numbers which are the only ones legally quotable by non-subscribers. 

There is also big revenue in carrying live sports, which again is not ratings-dependent. Decisions are made to market to the fans of particular teams, events, or specific sports. 

All of which means KSPN and KLAC aren't ‘wasted,’ nor are they in a ‘spiral,’ because they have an entirely different business model than the rest of the radio industry.

As for the format you would ‘love to see’ would probably be very popular ... with older listeners.  The problem there is that the agencies don’t buy radio stations that appeal to listeners over the age of 55. And you can no longer survive on just local ad buys.  It would be ‘breathtaking,’ all right: It would take the station’s breath away and kill it.

Even Saul Levine, who has been very innovative over the years in trying new formats, did variations on this idea several times on AM 1260. They weren’t saleable. And if Saul Levine couldn’t make it work, none of the rest of us could.” – K.M. Richards

** Make Money With Standards

“Bill Jones tells it like it is. Sportstalk is good for afternoon drive if you get some big names and less talk from the callers, but give me Diana Krall, Sinatra and yes Basie too. This is where some MONEY$$$$ can be had.” – Jack Naimo

** Format Over 65

“Regarding Bill A. Jones note for formatting an L.A. Station. The resulting increase in ratings would be noticeable only in an area where there is no real category, listeners over age 65. I’m well into that age group so I would enjoy it.  It sounds a little like the Music of your Life format. Does that still exist? It is sadly true that radio all but ignores our demographic.  When was the last time you heard a Depends or similar product commercial on radio? Watch The Price is Right on television and you can catch up on most products available for the over 65 set.  That is their demographic too.” – Tom Goodwin, Culver City

** Standards in the Northwest

“The format your reader envisions in his letter with standards and 50s and 60s is on the air in Seattle on KIXI AM, and does pretty well. Not breathtaking, but OK. Of course, if you’re 70, everything is breathtaking.” – Gary Bryan

** Outraged at Dodgers

“I totally agree with Bill Jones on the idea of a hybrid format of Adult Standards and Oldies on one of our underperforming major radio stations. I think such a format would big hit, especially with listeners who are 50 years of age and older.

While on the soapbox, I would like to express my outrage about the fact that [at least for the time being] televised Dodger baseball games will be available only to Time-Warner customers.  I think the Dodger games should be available for a reasonable [not outrageous] fee to all cable providers and that at least 10 to 15 percent of the games should be televised on a regular tv channel, available to all.” – Carl C. Spring, Jr., West LA

** Super Seniors

“I loved Bill Jones’ comment. Trouble is nobody’s willing to play to super-seniors. Nobody under the age of 65 would listen to such a format, cool as it would be for the likes of us.” – Rich Brother Robbin

** Real OLDies Radio

“I would agree with Bill A. Jones.  There is a market for Standards, and Chuck Southcott could do it.” – Johnny St. Thomas

** Try for Standards

“In the early ’90s I hatched an idea with a friend [who has unfortunately passed] to launch a Big Band radio show. This may be on interest to Bill A Jones.

We located Les Brown and pitched him at his house in LA. We told him we thought a show with vintage Big Band music along with new music would catch on. It did. It was not easy to find new big band music but it was out there and we had an interview subject on each show, beginning with Doris Day, who of course sang on The Band of Renown’s biggest hit, Sentimental Journey.

We were able to syndicate to 35 stations and would have had more but the economy tanked and we lost our sponsors.

I think Bill is on to something with his idea. I am a rock n’roller but the experience with Les was amazing and hopefully there are still stations out there who might be interested in a similar show.” – Mike Raphone Ritto

Sunday Funnies

LARadio Archives from April 2007

Don Imus Fired from CBS Radio...Permanently   (April 13, 2007) CBS fired Don Imus from his radio show yesterday, the finale to a stunning fall for one of the nation's most prominent broadcasters. No one should gloat with the conclusion to this 8-day media circus. In making the announcement CBS Radio said the decision to cease broadcasting Imus in the Morning was permanent and effective immediately. “From the outset, I believe all of us have been deeply upset and repulsed by the statements that were made on our air about the young women who represented Rutgers University in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship with such class, energy and talent,” said CBS president/ceo Leslie Moonves, in announcing the decision. “Those who have spoken with us the last few days represent people of goodwill from all segments of our society – all races, economic groups, men and women alike. In our meetings with concerned groups, there has been much discussion of the effect language like this has on our young people, particularly young women of color trying to make their way in this society. That consideration has weighed most heavily on our minds as we made our decision, as have the many emails, phone calls and personal discussions we have had with our colleagues across the CBS Corporation and our many other constituencies.” Moonves concluded: “I want to thank all those who came to see us to express their views. We are now presented with a significant opportunity to expand on our record on issues of diversity, race and gender. We intend to seize that opportunity as we move forward together.” Time Magazine once named Imus one of the 25 Most Influential People in America. He is also a member of the National Broadcaster Hall of Fame.  Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson met with Moonves to advocate Imus' removal, promising a rally outside CBS headquarters Saturday and an effort to persuade more advertisers to abandon Imus. Imus Meets With Rutgers' Women. Don Imus met with the 10 women basketball players and the coach from the Rutgers squad last night at the New Jersey governor's mansion. He and his wife Deidre had an opportunity to exchange apologies with the women he offended while on the air April 4. Reports describe the three-hour meeting as "emotional." In a bizarre sidebar to the story, New Jersey governor Jon Corzine had offered up his mansion as a private meeting place for the two sides to gather. The Governor never made the meeting because he was involved in an auto accident on the way to meeting. Corzine was critically injured in the crash with a broken left leg, a broken sternum, a broken collarbone, a slight fracture of the lower vertebrae and six broken ribs on each side. Injuries apparently are not life-threatening and he is recuperating in the trauma wing of a local hospital.

Email Friday

We GET Email …

(March 28, 2014) Much of the emails yesterday were condolences about the passing of Earl McDaniel, one of the early pioneers in rock ‘n roll radio in the 50s and 60s, and my mentor. Thank you for reaching out. There were some emails with personal memories of Earl. Others commented on the way he chose to communicate for the last time.

** Million Dollar Giveaway

“Earl McDaniel believed in me. In 1983 he made me program director of KSSK radio after Aku died. I said ‘Earl, I don't know anything about program directing.’ He said, ‘You'll be learning from the best program director in the country.....me!’ And I learned. We gave away $1,000,000 that year.

In 1985 when I told him I really wanted to be an engineer, he let me do it. And I'm still doing it at KSSK.

I told him many times that I owe him my career. Other stuff too. Like when he told me in the late '80's stop renting and buy a house. Life lessons. 

Earl is larger than life and I'm so glad he was in mine.” - Dale Machado, Chief Engineer, KSSK

** Working for Earl Like College

“Earl McDaniel had a profound influence on me personally and professionally. My friend Larry Huffman, who was there at the time, and I describe the three years we spent working for Earl and his late buddy Jim Hawthorne at KGMB in Honolulu as our Harvard or Yale. It was as close as I ever came to going to college and maybe better.

Earl spoiled me for all the bosses to come. I thought I would always work for people of his caliber. I was too young and inexperienced to realize how special he was. After Earl, very few measured up. I wish I had known at the time just how lucky I was to have come into his orbit. 

We only worked together for three years and I’m sure it was little more than a blip on Earl’s career radar. But being only 22 when we met, those years seemed like forever and they remain some of the most important years of my career.

Earl was a mentor to me. He also became a friend. I vividly recall his energy, his enthusiasm, his decency and his ability to motivate and nurture talent. A lot of what I am today, I credit to the lessons I learned from Earl. I tried to express some of this to him over the years. I hope he realized how grateful I was.

Thanks Earl. You were the best.” - Neil Ross

** Cecil Heftel’s Son

“Hi, my name is Richard Heftel. My father was Cecil Heftel. Unlike Earl, I did not die today. I think Earl would have liked that line.

Earl was my mentor. He taught me everything I know about radio, promotions, and about living. As long as I am alive he will be remembered. I thanked him many times for all that he did for me. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Thank you very much.” – Richard Heftel

** Classy Guy

“We have lost not only an outstanding broadcaster but an outstanding human being. I met Earl many years ago at KFVD when I asked for a tour of the station. I told him I was on the ABC announcing staff and I had a friend who lived by the Western Avenue studios and loved seeing radio stations.

Earl was very nice to us. I was thrilled that Earl also introduced me to Hunter Hancock, another outstanding broadcaster.

When Earl went to work for Cecil in Honolulu, we had a home in Maui. We saw each other when I visited Hawaii.

Earl sent a beautiful, caring note when Beverly died.

Earl was class.

My condolences to his family. Earl, RIP.” – Roger Carroll

** Listened to KPOP

“I am sorry to learn that Earl McDaniel has passed. You've mentioned a number of times on how he was your mentor and good friend. As a young one myself interested in radio, I remember hearing Earl doing his shows on 1020 K-POP. 

Radio was really fascinating back in those days. The personalities were very uniquely different from one other. When K-POP morphed into KGBS we lost a Great station, even though it had only existed during the daytime.  y that time 1110 KRLA had begun, and we still had Channel 98 KFWB and 1580 KDAY, but the old 1020 K-POP was a special sounding station and definitely one to remember.   

Thanks for sharing the contributions of Earl and the legacy that he has left in broadcast history.” – Dave Paulson

** Early Days

“I am three quarters of the way through Chuck Blore's book. I guess of the original group only Chuck and Elliot Field remain. What a privilege it was to have been a small part of that organization - 1960 at KEWB and 1965 at KFWB. 

Earl set an example for all who followed. God Bless you Earl.” – Jack Hayes

** Football Competitor

“My prayers and condolences to Earl McDaniel's family and to you, at his passing. Losing Earl must have been like losing your father a second time.

His ‘auto-obituary’ is wonderful. I hope I can be half as clever when it's my turn to go.

Earl was a tough competitor in the DB Football Pool right up 'til the end, and his presence in the Pool will be missed. I think a good place to spread Earl's ashes would be under the tower of one of his radio stations. R.I.P., Earl McDaniel.” - Jerry Downey, Detroit

** Losing a Family Member

“I'm so sorry for your loss. Earl was so much more than a mentor to you. He was truly family, and I know how hard it is to lose a family member.

I only met Earl once, but he left a lasting impression on me too.

Thank you for sharing your memories of such a wonderful and inspiring man.” – Ron Shapiro

** Aloha

"Sad to hear the news about the passing of Earl McDaniel. As a young broadcaster hanging around KGMQ [now KSSK] sister station to KGMB [Aku J Pupule] I met Earl on several occasions. 

He was liked and respected by everyone. He was one of the Good Guys! His light will continue to shine in our industry. Condolences to his family.” - Joe Huser, Operation Director, H Hawaii Media/Maui 

** KNEZ Connection

“I am so sorry to hear that he has gone, but if anyone was gracious and prepared, after a full life, it was Earl! 

One of the highlights of my life [after many years of knowing him from afar] was actually meeting him in Santa Barbara celebrating your marriage. Meeting Earl and Cherie the same day was damned special.  As I told him, my life was forever changed because of him and his wonderful friendship with you.  It made ‘us’ possible and that is so major in my life. The KNEZ connection was one of life’s great intersections.

Your words and his final email have left me with both tears and a sense of joy. Like you, I am fortunate to have met a generous and helpful and caring man who has always been there.

Though he may not have subscribed to a ‘hereafter,’ I do and unlike many, have been ‘over there.’ Believing that he and Ellie are together now and in a state of peace and comfort and love – eternally – works for me as I age and am faced with so many wonderful folks escaping this dimension.” – Craig Hines

** Tight and Bright

“Earl McDaniel's self-composed epitaph is so tight, concise and bright, it could have fit on a liner card. Drake would be proud. Sad to see a giant with such spirit leave us.” - Randy West

** Fired by Earl

“”Earl McDaniel fired me at KGMB in Honolulu in the early 70s. When he did, he sat me down and took the time to explain what I would have to do in my life to insure it would never happen again and his message has stayed with me throughout my entire life.

Several years ago you give me Earl’s email address and he and I shared a few memories of those days. I’ve been a better person because of Earl.” – Jerry Lewine 

“I Died” – Earl McDaniel
August 24, 1928 - March 26, 2014

(March 27, 2014) The most important man in my life died last night. His daughter informed me a few minutes ago and I wanted to share with you the story of an amazing man – Earl McDaniel. Her note included the following from Earl:

I died today. 

(I typed this earlier so that all Kathy, my daughter, had to do was type in the date and hit the "send" button. Isn't modern technology marvelous?) 

I am an agnostic. I will be taken to the Neptune Society for cremation. I've told my heirs that I don't care where they let the ashes fly.  When it is over, it is over.

To that end...there will be no funeral...no casket ...no flowers...only that we know I have celebrated life for 85 years, and that celebration has been a wonderful, wonderful ride and that we have touched each other’s lives in ways that produced huge smiles, a few tears, many, many good times and memories that are HUGE. So thanx to each of you for sharing a part of your life with me. It has been beautiful, and thank you, thank you, thank you for the times we shared.

All of you have contributed in various levels to my happiness, laughter, and sometimes some very stupid things. I have been contemplating all the good times, and the good times were fantabulous.

If I've borrowed something I haven't returned or money I haven't repaid, contact my daughter, Kathy.  

Don't sing me any sad songs.  I’ve been there, done that.  

If I were to have an epitaph, it would be, "Earl McDaniel..from 1928 to 2014, he lived."

I met Earl while attending Santa Monica High School in the 1950s. He was a pioneer at KFVD and KPOP (1020AM, a station that also boasted Hunter Hancock and Art Laboe) in bridging that delicate transition between playing Pop music and the new rock ‘n roll. Some wanted to play Gogi Grant. Earl wanted to play LaVern Baker. Others played Rick Nelson while he played Fats Domino. And those who had only heard Tutti Frutti sung by Pat Boone were in for a treat when they heard Earl play the Little Richard version.

Earl was hosting an event at the Hollywood Palladium. One of my Samohi buddies drove. I wasn’t old enough yet, but I would have done anything to meet my idol. He was the biggest deal on the radio dial in the 50s. He was the early Rick Dees or Ryan Seacrest.

Nervously, I approached Earl that fateful night and he ignored my nervousness. He invited us to join his guests during one of the breaks and before the evening was over he invited me to drop by the radio station (it was on Western Avenue) anytime. That was the beginning of my impossible dream of being a radio guy.

When I got my driver’s license, I would ditch school and sit with Earl while he was on the air. During the holidays, I was there every morning, sorting records, doing odds and ends and being a proud go-fer.

He took me along to meetings with some of the biggest names in the record world. After one big concert he was promoting, he found himself in a jam as crowds surrounded the limos of the stars, so he asked me to pull my car around behind the venue.  Earl escorted Bobby Rydell and Fabian into my car and I drove them to their hotel. Though I was still a teen, somehow he trusted me. But it was me who blindly trusted him. I was absorbing every experience, as even then I knew something special was happening to me and it would be life-changing. And it was.

He encouraged me to get a college education and a 1^st Class FCC license. His sage advice launched my radio journey that began in Lompoc, CA on March 10, 1965.

Earl was never more than a phone call away. I went to him first for advice whenever there was a stumbling block in my journey. He would help me see a way to roll the boulder out of the pathway. He provided life tools to be a success – personally and professionally.

He met his wife-to-be, Ellie, about the same time I met Earl. They were married for 50 years and what a stunning couple they made. She had been a model and when they moved to Hawaii to run Cecil Heftel’s KGMB (and he later became president of the Heftel empire), Ellie was active in the Miss Teen Pageant that originated in Hawaii for years. Ellie made such friends of the young women that many stayed in her life until her death a few years ago. I loved Ellie so much. Every other Christmas holiday my son and I would spend with them in Hawaii. While in LARadio, Earl not only worked at KPOP, but he was on KLAC, pd at KDAY and for two years at KFWB before being sent to KEWB-San Francisco to program the Crowell-Collier station. Earl was the first to pair Robert W. Morgan and The Real Don Steele long before they arrived in Southern California for "Boss Radio."

Earl spent two decades working for Senator Cecil Heftel in Hawaii, as pd, then gm. He took the morning man, Aku, to new heights, capturing over 50% of the listeners in morning drive. Earl was the first to give away $1,000,000 to one person.  When he ran KGMB, the population of Hawaii was about 700,000, yet the million-dollar contest drew over 4 million entries. Earl became president of Heftel's broadcasting empire, and was involved with WLUP-Chicago, 13Q-Pittsburgh and Spanish KTNQ in Los Angeles. 

The accompanying photo of Earl with Elvis Presley was taken at an event that catapulted Earl to national recognition. RCA sent Earl to Las Vegas to present the first gold record for Heartbreak Hotel on stage. Earl was credited with breaking the song nationally. Earl produced and presented live stage shows with the major rock stars of the era. He also had the first record hop/dance show on L.A. television. Earl broke the Chipmunks Christmas Song and lost his job over it. On Thanksgiving weekend he played it twice an hour and the station owner threatened to fire Earl if he played it one more time. Earl did and was fired, however, by Monday it was the hottest record at Wallichs Music City.

When Earl retired from radio, he bought a home in Gig Harbor, Washington, to be close to Ellie’s family, and another home in Phoenix where he could enjoy his passion for golf during the rainy and cold months in Washington. He and Ellie traveled extensively, not only around the United States, but all over the world.

I’m not sure that Earl ever wasted a day. That’s the way he lived. He was always figuring out a way to make things better, bigger and more spectacular. He not only coined the phrase: “If you don’t promote a funny thing happens – NOTHING” but he lived by it. When Earl was running KGMB, one year the station took in 60% of the revenues in the 18-station market. I remember remarking to him what a stunning statistic that was. He dismissed it and said he wouldn’t be happy until he got 100% of all advertising dollars.

Earl was the personification of what it is to be a mentor. There is no one I have trusted more. Sometimes it was a piece of advice. Other times it was just a listening ear. I have attempted to emulate that trait that Earl so freely demonstrated to me.

(Charlie Van Dyke and Don Barrett flanking Earl, Earl and Ellie visiting the Taj Mahal, Price and Perry replaced Aku at KGMB, and Earl with Cherie and Don Barrett)

When I got engaged two years ago, I wanted to take a trip to Phoenix for Cherie to meet Earl. He had some cancer surgery just a few weeks before our arrival but he insisted on climbing into an air balloon for a morning cruise over the Arizona desert. When we got married a year ago September, I, of course, wanted Earl to share the day with us but we were concerned about his health. He got in a car and drove by himself to Santa Barbara to share the special day. And last fall we made a road trip to Phoenix to spend a couple of days with him. Every visit was unique, stimulating, and just plain fun.

As my wife and I prepared for a trip to Ireland a week and a half ago, we called Earl. He was upbeat and shared memories of Ireland trips he took with Ellie. I noticed something in his voice that just didn’t seem right. He alluded to some health issues. I offered to fly to Phoenix but he said that his daughter was coming for a visit. When we returned from our trip earlier this week, I called Earl. No answer. And then the email this morning.

A flood of memories keep coming between the sobs and tears. My God, did he touch me. I will forever be grateful for every act of kindness he gave to me and my family. I will forever be grateful for Earl McDaniel.

Earl lived by the credo: "Whatever you did yesterday doesn't count. It's the future that counts." 

KIIS/fm Regains #1 Position in February ’14 Ratings 

(March 26, 2014) The see-saw battle between KIIS/fm and MY/fm (KBIG) for top spot was there for all to see in the February ’14 ratings as KIIS regained the #1 position. The monthly Nielsen radio ratings showed that Clear Channel dominates the top 3 positions with KIIS, MY/fm, and KOST. The top two stations have shown remarkable consistency over the last six months. 

KOST always takes a hit after its stratospheric holiday ratings because of their all-Christmas music format in half of November and for most of December.  However, between January and February, the AC station made a significant increase. 

KTWV’s program director Rick Thomas may be on to something as he continues to shift the WAVE from Smooth Jazz to Smooth AC to Smooth R&B. He may have his ears tuned to HOT 92.3 (KHHT) with the hopes of siphoning some of HOT’s hot ratings. HOT 92.3 has the highest ratings since last summer and firmly in the Top 10 in February. KTWV continued to make progress, landing in 16th.  CBS sister station K-EARTH 101 (KRTH), also overseen by Thomas, sees progress with its updated playlist of more 70s and 80s, landing just outside of the top five. 

Sports stations lag behind in the overall ratings, but may be more successful in the Men 25 – 54 demo.  The ESPN station continues to be ahead of the Fox Sports Radio station. KSPN (710AM) came in 31^st, while KLAC (570AM) continues a downward spiral at 39^th, falling behind other Spoken Word stations, KEIB (1150AM), KABC (790AM), and KRLA (870AM).  

Speaking of KEIB, the newly rebranded station that boasts Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, and Sean Hannity is now called “the Patriot.”  The numbers moved up to 0.6 from a 0.4 the month before, but were still 36^th in the market, though the new all-conservative lineup bested heritage talker KABC.  The Angels’ station, KLAA, came in 42^nd with 0.1 share. 

LA’s Country station is experiencing surf-like conditions.  KKGO (GO Country 105) went from 2.8 in October ’13 followed by monthly shares of 2.6, 2.9, 2.5, 2.8, and 2.4 last month. 

All-News KNX came in 12^th. 

Top 10 stations, PPM 6+ Mon-Sun, 6a-Mid: 

1. KIIS (Top 40/M) 5.2 – 5.5 

2. KBIG (MY/fm) 5.4 – 5.2

    KOST (AC) 4.7 – 5.2 

4. KPWR (Top 40/R) 4.2 – 4.6 

5. KAMP (Top 40/M) 4.2 – 4.5 

6. KRTH (Classic Hits) 3.8 – 4.2 

7. KROQ (Alternative) 3.6 – 3.5 

8. KHHT (Hot 92.3) 3.0 – 3.3 

9. KLVE (Spanish Contemporary) 3.6 – 3..1 

10. KFI (Talk) 3.1 – 3.0
      KYSR (Alternative) 2.9 – 3.0

Driven to Gridlock on KNX 

(March 14, 2014) KNX will present a comprehensive and unprecedented examination of Southern California’s infamous traffic congestion that often turns the region’s freeways and streets into a continuum of parking lots. The day-long series entitled, Driven to Gridlock: L.A.’s Never-Ending Sig Alert, will air on Thursday, March 27 from 5 a.m. – 7 p.m. exclusively on KNX 1070 and cbsLA.com. From Red Car Trolleys to cars that drive themselves, producers Charles Feldman and Laraine Herman, along with KNX’s award-winning news staff, will explore the past, present and future of SoCal’s traffic situation with help from urban planners, civic leaders, technology experts, law enforcement and commuters. Among the topics to be covered in 26 special reports will be the evolution of our region’s car culture; why traffic congestion will likely worsen before it improves; the future of mass transit; the financial impact of traffic jams on business; coping with an aging infrastructure and growing population; the impact of past ‘solutions’ such as signal synchronization, car pool lanes, ridesharing, and toll lanes; and more-recent ideas like congestion pricing popular in Europe and flexible work schedules.

“We’ll be looking in-depth at the countless ideas that have been tried over more than a century and the radical proposals that are currently under consideration,” Feldman said. “But the biggest question we’ll try to answer is whether anything will significantly alleviate the most important local issue faced by Southern Californians.”

Overheard.

• “We had listeners send Selfies to #SeacrestShow. They came from all over the world. Number four was a tie between Minneapolis and Columbus. #3 was Anaheim. #2 was cities in the Philippines. And #1 was LA.” (Ryan Seacrest, KIIS)

• “Don’t forget that the Chinese people are a very warlike people. They can be very cultured and very passive when need be. They have a great history of war in their thousands of years of history.” (Michael Savage)

• “Tex Watson is biggest piece of scumbag on the earth because he’s been able to father four kids. Don’t even get me started about conjugal visits.” (Jillian Barberie, KABC)

• "Happy Pie Day." (Gary Hoffmann, KFI)

• "You can put three pairs of glasses on Ashley Banfield and it's not going to make her any smarter." (Doug McIntyre, KABC)

Greatest Achievement. The trade publication FMQB asked the question this week, ‘What have been your greatest achievements both inside and outside the business?’ Jimmy Steal, program director at KPWR (Power 106) responded: “Keeping Power 106 dominant in PPM for many years on end, leading a team that amasses great digital metric driving content across all platforms, and inspiring our crew to keep the fun quotient sky high driving our success every day! Outside the business still working on being the best dad and husband I can be, still very much a work in progress.”

Hear Ache. LARadio will be on holiday for the next couple of weeks … “We’re in a business and we exist by selling advertising to people,” said KCAA’s Don Imus. "One of the sales managers here at WABC-New York told me, ‘If you advertise, you will sell more product.’ You know how many My Pillows I’ve sold? Well, over 7 pillows, as a result of this program. So the radio station, though, because it costs a lot of money to advertise, they don’t advertise their product. It’s just the way it goes.” … KFWB’s Doug Stephan has partnered with Norm Pattiz’ PodcastOne, for distribution of his podcast.

Funnie. (from Gerry Downey, Detroit)

Q: Where does an Irishman go for vacation?

A: A different pub.

Email Friday

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** Promo Items “When I see music lists and promotional stuff that radio stations created and made available to listeners, usually through record stores, I’m constantly reminded that radio had a lot of fun, innocence and whimsy back in the 60s, 70s and 80s, before The Internet, computers, social media, consolidation and corporate greed took over.” – Gerry Downey, Detroit

** Unique Firing

“This happened around 1973 [+ or -].

I was working as a newsman at K-DAY during a recession. The station was hurting for revenue and the manager came to me one day to say I would have to take a pay cut or my job would be eliminated. I reluctantly agreed.

A week later he came to me and said I would have to work both the morning and afternoon shifts for the same money or my job would be eliminated. Not happy about it, I again agreed.

A week later he came to me and said I would have to take another pay cut or my job would be eliminated. I sent him a note that said, ‘The way things are going, in another week I will be working 24 hours a day for free.’

The next day I got a note back from him saying ‘Mr. Fredericks, your job performance is unsatisfactory and your services are no longer needed.’” – Steve (Fredericks) Liddick

** Pirate Radio “Great tribute site, but it so hard to read. Maybe that’s why they don’t make books with blue type on black pages. ;)” - Brian Perez ** More Pirate Radio “I attempted to send an email through the link on that web page, but it won't go through. But, the story was good, but with one error I found. The address that the station used was not a P O box, but ‘general delivery, Avalon, Catalina Island.’ And this meant that someone had to take a ship to Catalina daily to get their mail, since they couldn't give out a phone number without the prefix giving away that the station wasn't in some strange place, or aboard a boat.” – David Aten

** College Radio

I’m quite glad that someone has brought up the topic of college radio, something that even as an outside casual listener, I’ve seen many changes.  In many cases, I preferred the way things were 36 years ago, when I first arrived in L.A.

I suppose KUSC is a good example of what’s happened with college radio.  Now it’s a slickly run station that, other than the call letters, you wouldn’t know that it’s a University station.  At one time, KUSC ran features, such as at least two long-form offerings from the Christian Science Monitor.  We could also find a radio version of Washington Week in Review. The station also had a lot of weekend specialty shows which have been replaced over time. Of course, in the station’s defense, KUSC is a successful station, with some of the finest ratings in years for a classical music station with a 2.4. One more note, the station’s HD feed is missing.

In general, a lot of syndicated and network offerings on local non-commercial radio have disappeared.  At one time, KLON ran As it Happens, a news interview show that’s been a fixture for over 40 years on the Canadian Broadcasting System. Several college stations, including KUSC, KCRW, KCSN, and KPCC were affiliated with NPR so that there were diverse times in which we could find a particular National Public Radio offering. With the localization of non-commercial radio, it becomes difficult to be able to hear national news events, such as a presidential speech, on any of the college stations.

Probably KXLU, which broadcasts from the Loyola Marymount campus, is the only college station that actually still employs students both on the air and behind the scenes. KXLU is probably the truest model of a college station run for and by students.

One problem with college radio is that many stations have mediocre signals, which hampers who can hear them. Though KKJZ/fm 88.1 did an upgrade three years ago, I still can’t hear the station clearly at my residence in the Valley.  In addition, that also means that I can’t access the station’s three HD channel offerings.  Since analog tv programming will soon be complete discontinued from the analog dial, maybe when the current VHF channel 6 goes black, it’s possible for KKJZ to apply for a power increase. I did listen and record some of KPCC back in 1981, but I remember that there wasn’t a consistent, strong signal. I still have trouble hearing the station with full quieting.

Compare what’s here in L.A. versus what’s happening in college radio elsewhere. KQED San Francisco and KPBS San Diego are non-commercial news-talk stations with full-grade signals. Both stations are at or near the top of the ratings.  Except for KUSC, which has largely abandoned information programming, all of the other stations licensed to colleges have limited coverage. As a news junkie, I for one would be quite happy if KPCC were to buy out KCRW (which was essentially a news station back in the md-90s) and combine the programming on both stations, extending the reach of non-commercial news-talk throughout Southern California.

Thanks for listening.” - Larry Hart, Sherman Oaks

** Game Shows

“You mentioned that Heidi Harris was on Family Feud in 1988. I've been on four game shows and enjoyed them all. On Break the Bank in 1976, one of my opponents was Dixie Whatley and what a wonderful person she was and is. I was also on the Weakest Link a few years ago.” – Fred Wallin, Sports Byline USA 

Let's Rock with Wink Martindale

(March 13, 2014) Let’s Rock was a 1958 movie from Columbia Pictures that attempted to bridge the gap between Pop music and the burgeoning rock ‘n roll and Wink Martindale, one of our LARP icons, played a pivotal role in the film. He was an actor, tv host, and singer.

Julius LaRosa (far right) was confronted with the reality of being a crooner was now passé to this new-fangled rock music. His promoter thinks if he can get LaRosa on Wink Martindale’s rock ‘n roll show, perhaps the kids will embrace him. Let’s Rock is in the Turner Classic Movies vault. It’s a black and white production that generally gets a 2 out 4 reviews. Lotsa fun.

Heavy Hundred. We covered the Top 11 who appeared on the list of TALKERS. Com Heavy Hundred Talk Radio hosts. Here are some more LARP on the list:

12. Mike Gallagher (KRLA)

13. Dennis Miller (KRLA)

14. John & Ken (KFI)

15. Laura Ingraham (formerly with KRLA and KFWB)

16. George Noory (KFI)

17. Michael Smerconish (e-KFWB)

18. Doug Stephan (KFWB)

19. Todd Schnitt (ex-KFWB)

20. Jim Bohannon (ex-KGIL)

Decode This. Reed Berry is a collector, or hoarder, or just a radio nerd. Aren’t we all to some degree? “I was going through some things and came across my Captain K-Earth decoder from 1974,” emailed Reed. “I was one of K-Earth's original listeners in the early 70s. I was in high school at the time and, since Alhambra High had no student parking, I had to arrive super early each morning to get nearby street parking. Once parked, I would sit in my white pimp-style Buick Riviera for the next 90 minutes listening to K-Earth 101. At least decoding Captain K-Earth's messages gave me something to do each morning. Yes, my teen years were certainly exciting and productive.”

KNEZ – In the Valley of the Flowers. My radio career started on March 10, 1965 in Lompoc, 45 minutes above Santa Barbara. First song at 3 p.m. was Stop in the Name of Love. On the station was Joe Collins (he was ya-da-ya-da Joe Sullivan). Wonderful jock and we have stayed in touch over the years.

I was reminded of this beginning with a Facebook post by Joe, who now lives in Fresno.

“Springtime in Fresno. Good morning. There's something special about a Spring morning in The San Joaquin Valley. As the temperatures hover in the 70's, and the clouds clear, there's a magic in the air. You can smell the aroma of freshly mowed lawns, and driving into the station this morning around 5:30am, I feel a sense of gratitude and promise, for the coming day. I'm blessed to be granted the opportunity to still get to work at something that I've loved for the past 51 years, and to be surrounded with so many friends who I've come to know over these past 38 years here in The Valley. Even though I grew up on the Coast of California, I truly consider Fresno...."Home". Have a great day.”

Pirate Radio Anniversary. Monday is the 25th anniversary of the launch of KQLZ-FM/Pirate Radio. If you were not around then, there is a tribute site you can find by clicking the artwork.

Hear Ache. K-EARTH’s Shotgun Tom Kelly is expected to be released from Grossmont Hospital in the San Diego area today. On Saturday, he had successful quadruple bypass heart surgery. His wife, Linda, appeared with Gary Bryan yesterday morning. She told about her husband's ordeal. "He was in surgery for six hours. I never waited for anyone who was in surgery before." Linda said that within three hours after being back in his room, the nurses had him sitting up in a chair. Lisa Stanley wanted to know the size of the scar. "It is what is called a zipper scar that starts right below the neck." Linda revealed the answer to the question everyone wants to know. No, he didn't have his hat on during the surgery, nor did he wear it in the hospital. He asked for it but Linda said no … In December, R Dub, former Hot 92.3 pd and contestant on Shark Tank, traveled to the far off and mysterious country of Suriname. He secured another station to carry his Sunday Night Slow Jams. “It is a very intriguing country nestled above Brasil, to the east of Venezuela, in the Guyanas,” emailed R Dub … C0ndolences to Bernie Alan on the death of his wife. “Linda and I were married just 18-days shy of 50 years,” emailed Bernie. “It was quite a shock and I’m still having trouble coming to terms with it.  My family has been terrific but I still have some rough moments.” 

LARP from 10 years ago: We've all suffered the humility of being fired (or is it a lay off or downsizing or let go?).
Do you have an interesting story on how you were fired?

Brian Beirne (Mr. Rock N' Roll) It was 1964. I was going to the University Of Oregon and working at two different stations, one as a jock and the other as a newsman. I had just started at this station doing news and they had just switched formats and gone with an automation system. Well, they had all of these records just sitting there and being the record collector that I always have been I asked if I could have some of the records since they were no longer using them. The manager said, 'sure take what you want.' So I worked overnight loading up my '55 Chevy and making runs back to my apartment. The next day the manager came in and asked what happened to the records and I said "well you told me to take what I wanted..and I wanted them all.' I then asked if I could take the shelves since he would no longer be using them. That's when I got fired.. I was hired back two days later when he cooled down. My record collection grew to 40,000 before I pared down a couple of years ago. 

Mike Evans: The second time I was fired from KROQ [yes they did hire me back a year later] I went home to Hawaii and was doing mornings on the FOX. The sales weasels came to me with a promotion, a personal appearance that paid $200, which, believe it or not, was money I could dearly use. All I had to do was mud wrestle these hot girls at a club called, Gussy Lamores’!

Against my better judgment I did it. For 30 minutes, these girls held me down, shoved my face in the mud, and humiliated me in front of a full house. The worst, however, came after I got out of the ‘mud ring’ and asked where I could clean up. The answer, a hose outside in the front of the building. Soooo, at 1 a.m., I went out, and while hosing myself off, I took the verbal abuses from drunks leaving the club and others that were just driving by. Bottom line, check bounced!! Just glad my kids never saw it!!

Michael Jackson (KNX): I once asked Count Basie how he fired a sideman who'd been part of his great band. He said, "I'll tell you, I break it to them easy. Joe, four weeks from now you'll be two weeks gone."  

Don Herbert (KFWB Anchor Emeritus): After working at WTOP-AM & TV as news anchor, for over two years, I was called into the news director's office and told that I was being let go. I guess that phrase is softer that FIRED but more to the point than BEING LAID OFF. So, as would anyone with a modicum of sense, I asked why was I being let go and the news director told me, 'We don’t like your voice!' For over two years my voice was just fine. They loved my audition tape and suddenly, my voice had changed and it wasn’t puberty because I was 29 at the time.  

So, I cleaned out my desk and left, heading directly to AFTRA offices. There, they said they would investigate because the situation seemed bogus to them too. About three weeks later, I was informed that one of my former colleagues, Julian Barber, now deceased, had found a memo from the news director to the station manager saying he would let a full timer go and use his salary to hire two young kids, just out of college. Since I was the only one let go, and those two college kids were already working at the station, I must have been the full timer mentioned in the memo.  

So AFTRA filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board and a month later, we held a hearing, open to all station employees. It was there that the memo was revealed. It was the smoking gun. I was given my job back, I received all back pay including estimated overtime, and my seniority was restored.  

I returned to work the very next day and as expected, management made life miserable for me giving me stupid assignments and criticizing everything I said, did or wore. Yes, they criticized my tie. So, at the end of the day, I handed in my resignation and left for good. Three months later, I arrived in Burbank where I became news writer and producer - and nobody criticized my tie. 

Geoff Edwards: This relates to tv, not radio, but I was doing a morning show with a studio band. I was in makeup one morning when the drummer came in and said, “I just wanted to say goodbye.” Wow, I said, “Where are you going?” “Oh I’m not going anywhere,” he said, “you are!” 

Email Thursday

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** Darin Memories

"It is particularly hard for Meg and me at the moment because of Johnnie’s passing. Over the last 20 years we had become even closer to him as part of the Radio Gang dinners at Moe’s and Little Tony’s Pizza. And where it’s always easy to share a tale of first meetings, old gigs and folks we knew … it’s hardly enough to say what a genuinely terrific human being he always was.  

From the time his own son passed away, he and Meg were very close. Johnnie and I always knew each other since 1975, but became great friends back in the early 1980’s and remained so ever since. Beyond his great talent as a professional, his skills as an innovator and artist, he was truly a class act at every turn. He will be missed, but as you can see from the outpouring … he will be remembered and celebrated for a long time to come.   

Congratulations John, you’ve finally made to that permanent ‘Afternoon Drive’ gig that you get to keep forever.

Thanks for the spins.” - Meg McDonald & Brent Seltzer

** Northern California Eyeing LA

“I really enjoy your site and I use it all the time to look up old friends from the biz, etc.

Now that I’m up here in northern California it’s great to be able to look back and see all those memories!

I was so lucky to have worked with Roger Barkley at KJOI when I produced his weekend voice tracks. Roger would regularly have his good friend Tim Conway come in just to ‘hang out’ and they would crack jokes constantly. We were supposed to tape the intro/out voice tracks for a 4 hour show in under an hour [then I would edit onto carts for playback] but with Conway there we would have to re-take everything a couple times because they would intentionally crack each other up and ruin the take. As the production guy, I just kept the tape rolling and let them have their fun. I wish I had saved some of those reels.

I got to work with some great ones: Claudine St. Claire, Burton Richardson, Dick Heatherton …my boss Bob Griffith and Phil Gonzalez [both from KMET].

I’m still in touch with Phil and Bob. I wish I knew where Claudine St Claire was. I think she went back to nursing after radio.

Thanks for the great site!” - Phil Feser 

Bill Handel Hosts Highest Ranked Local Talk Show on TALKERS Heavy Hundred

(March 12, 2014) TALKERS magazine, the trade bible for Talk Radio, has released the “2014 TALKERS Heavy Hundred” list. KFI’s Bill Handel is ranked 11th, which makes him the highest placed local, non-syndicated talk show host. “The selection process is subjective with the goal being to create a list reflective of the industry’s diversity and total flavor as well as giving credit where credit is due,” state the publishers of TALKERS.

The Top 10 TALKERS:

1. Rush Limbaugh (KEIB)

2. Sean Hannity (KEIB)

3. Dave Ramsey (KEIB)

4. Michael Savage (former KGIL 1260 AM)

5. Glenn Beck (KEIB)

6. Mark Levin (KABC)

7. Howard Stern (Sirius/XM)

8. Ed Schultz (former KTLK)

9. Joe Madison (Sirius/XM)

10. Thom Hartmann (former KTLK)

 

Storage Wars. The sale of an abandoned storage warehouse has yielded two boxes of memorabilia from Gary Lycan, longtime Orange Country Register radio writer who died last year. Items that were owned by Gary have found their way to auction. “They are individual folders of the different people/stories he’s covered dating way back to the beginning of 1963 before John Kennedy was shot,” emailed Robert Graf. “There’s also personal correspondence between Gary and different radio/tv stations. Some of the names on the folders Gary worked on and personally saved for his own collection are: Ted Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Bing Crosby, Marilyn Monroe and Dr. Demento.” Robert wants to sell the two boxes for $300. If interested, contact him at: 424.244.5627.

Hear Ache. The Insane Darrell Wayne and the Knuckleheads perform LIVE from @LARadioStudio tonight at 7 p.m. in San Pedro. More info at: RSVP dw@kthoradio.com … Texas Radio Hall of Famer Chuck Dunaway underwent successful triple bypass heart surgery yesterday …Jay Stevens (Steve Jay), who worked a good deal of his LA days at 1110/KRLA and K-EARTH, spends most of his retirement days fulltime RVing. “We hit LARadio.com whenever we find Wi-Fi available,” emailed Jay from one of his Wi-Fi stops … Former KFI talker John Ziegler guests with Matt Lauer on The Today Show this morning ... Former KLAC Country jock Gerry House has just published his book, Country Music Broke My Brain ... We've had a rash of passings in recent weeks. Some are very public and some are private. Michelle Kube is the executive producer of the KFI morning Bill Handel Show. She has written a very moving tribute to her father who recently died. The story of her father appears here.

Shotgun Shout-out. Rich Brother Robbin and Shotgun Tom Kelly go back decades when both were giants in San Diego Top 40 radio. Rich still works afternoon drive at “105-7 the Walrus.” With Shotgun in a nearby hospital recovering from his quadruple bypass heart surgery last weekend, Rich rolled over the intro of a song: "A little shout-out here to our ol’ pal Shotgun Tom Kelly, a big radio and tv star here before movin’ up to L-A ... well Tom underwent quadruple-bypass operation here in town and the news is great – all went well! ... love ya Tommy!  (lowered voice): Man, I’m sure glad he got through it ok ’cause 78 is way too young to go." (vocal)

Overheard.

• “Just drive down the street and see the empty stores. Radio Shack is closing 1,100 stores. The rest are just teetering.” (Peter Tilden, KABC)

• “They are not ruling out terrorism in the disappearance of Malaysian Flight 370.” (Mark Thompson, KFI)

• “Crazy sex wears off too, just like the good ambassador. Kids are like salt peter.” (Jillian Barberie, KABC)

• “The fourth hour of Max & Marcellus is sponsored by the U.S. Postal Service.  They’re just going to mail it in.” (Steve Mason, KSPN).

Jack Roberts Memorial. CRN will be holding a memorial service for Jack Roberts this Saturday at 11 a.m. at Angelo’s and Vinci’s Restaurant in Fullerton. “All our invited to pay tribute to our friend,” emailed Jennifer Horn. If you are planning to attend, please email JHorn@CRNi.net by Thursday.

Funnie. An older couple is driving down I-80 when the wife gets a call from their daughter, who is frantic. “Mom, there’s a car driving the wrong way on I-80 near your house!” The wife turns to her husband behind the wheel and tells him, “Did you hear that? A lunatic is driving down the wrong side of the road!” The husband says, “One lunatic? There are hundreds of them.” (Funnie joke from a beautiful woman. Beth Behrs is on Broke Girls)

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** Epstein Fan

“Norm Epstein, smart, class and a good guy.” – Roger Carroll

** KMPC Compadre

“I worked for Norm Epstein at KMPC for over 15 years. He was the best boss ever. He just let me and my staff do our/their thing with his guidance. We enjoyed record ad sales. P.S. Besides his famous BOMP, his golf game is great. Live on Norm.” – Alan L. Gottfried

** Radio Better with Norm Epstein

“If there were more Norm Epstein’s in radio, this business would be a whole lot better. Unlike most in positions of power, you could always trust Norman.” - Fred Wallin, Sports Byline USA

** The Point on John Darin

“I want to add my voice to the friends/colleagues that have written about John Darin. I worked with him from the early days at KIIS Broadcasting Workshop, where along with Ken Levine, we taught aspiring students about what it would take to be a professional in radio. I think John’s quote about his early counsel from a dj telling him you can’t be both a DJ and a grown-up was our credo as we spoke with the students. 

Throughout the years, we crisscrossed the country, working side-by-side as Media Coaches for the executives of the nuclear industry and Bechtel. Wow. What we learned. And, we had to stay neutral and help them tell their truths. 

Recently, we worked together on some coaching for paramedics, financial and corporate execs. I was excited to see John’s career as an actor, educator, voiceover guy take off since moving to Utah. Additionally, with his business partner, Tom, they launched a fascinating company involved in moving commodities around the world. John joined the anti-GMO movement and became a board member of one the NGOs prominent in that field. Additionally, he became the rep for SAG, representing his Utah region.

This was a man with a plan. And, I will miss his puns, his wry humor, his quick wit and his enormous heart and caring for all those close to him. He loved his family and friends with a fierce and loyal stance. Upstairs, he’s regaling all with his stories and humor … and making plans.” – Stacie Hunt, POINT MEDIA, Beverly Hills

** Name Game

“Upon hearing of John Darin’s death, I thought of words he used to say quite often, ‘This is something up with which I will not put.’

Some people were surprised that Darin was not John Miller’s real last name. Prior to joining Kmen/San Bernardino in 1966 or 1967, his radio name was Johnny Christian. Unfortunately, Kmen had another dj with the name Chuck Christiansen, so John had to find another surname to use. I don’t think all the market research in the country could have picked a better name than Darin. How did he come to choose it?  He closed his eyes, opened a phone book and blindly poled at the page.  Under his finger was the name Darin.” – Jon Badeaux

** With Darin at KROQ

“I’ve been dealing with my wife’s death a month ago so it’s taken me time to acknowledge Johnny Darin’s death.

Johnny, of course was one of the two co-pds at KROQ in 1972 but left. When I got there in 1973, Johnny came back to do news from our Burbank studios [the music came from Pasadena].

He and Brother John Rydgren were the news team and since we weren’t being paid there was, of course, no budget. Since everybody else had traffic planes and copters in morning drive John came up with the brilliant idea of doing a report [simulated] while sky diving, complete with sfx. It was hilarious.

He was a very creative guy and I’m proud to have known him and worked with him.” – Bernie Alan

** Lucky Pair “Did you know that Geoff Edwards hosted his first game show in 1968 on a show produced by Bob Barker called Lucky Pair. It aired on KNXT at weekdays at noon. Geoff left the show after a year and was replaced by another personality hosting his first game show.  That personality’s name was Richard Dawson, who would later find fame hosting Family Feud in 1976.” – David Schwartz

** Adventures in Airtime

“Congrats on your Oscar prognostication, flawless as usual.

Just a note to let you know I am enjoying your book on my iPad and it got me to finally download the Kindle app. I feel so trendy now!” – Karen Martin 

---

Norm Epstein Excels at Water Color Painting

(March 11, 2014) It would be tough to find someone who doesn’t have a terrific story to tell about Norm Epstein, the veteran broadcaster who was a general manager, sales executive, radio station owner, and the entrepreneur who developed Marketron, a computer reach/frequency system that introduced the world of computers to packaging ratings information for ad agencies.

I had the absolute honor of working for Norm in my early radio career. In the late ‘60s I joined his sales team at XTRA/KOST when it was owned by Gordon McLendon.

Norm is a local boy, born and raised in Los Angeles and a graduate of USC, who never had to leave the market to leave his mark on the broadcast landscape. My love affair with Norm started at a managers’ meeting at McLendon’s 500-acre ranch, Cielo, in Denton, Texas in 1967. As national program director I got to attend the twice-a-year confabs that were held for his seven general managers (you could only own seven stations at the time) in the screening room at Gordon’s ranch. Norm has remained a friend since those days.

It doesn’t take long to realize the trait that puts Norm in a rare category … just how creative he is. Buyers and ad execs remember fondly how after a sales call, Norm would leave a personalized cartoon. He’s a great gin rummy player. He and his wife, Sandra, have three children.

Norm’s latest creative endeavor is water color painting. He started a class just a couple of months ago and he forwarded four of his early paintings.

“I enjoy the creativity and harmony while painting,” said Norm. “I learn something new every week.”

Norm’s story is featured in the first volume of Adventures in Airtime.  “Sometimes it is not the end result but rather it is the journey,” Norm reflected. “You finally get to the end and it was the journey that was exciting.”  

Hear Ache. Rick Scarry will be on Scandal this Thursday night playing a rich businessman accused of murdering a hooker. Although my character is referred to and pictures of me discussed at various points in the episode, my only real scene in this episode is near the beginning of the show. Hopefully the editor was kind to me….time will tell. I haven't killed a hooker in years, so I don't know why they cast me in this part.”

Darin Services Set. Service for John (Darin) Miller is on Monday 3/17 at 2 pm. St Michael Parish, 1208 11th Ave SE,  Olympia, WA 98501. Ph 360-754-4667.

Joe McDonnell’s Facebook page from March 8: “Well, Captain Clumsy did it again! And my wife has stepped in to help with a plea for blood donation. I can always depend on my wife to help whenever help is needed. Last Tuesday I mangled my knee in a collision with a metal chair - yep that’s me - and a humongous blood clot formed. I’ve had two major surgeries - last one at 7:30 this morning. But I’m still alive and still have my right leg, which wasn't a certainty by Tuesday night. They thought it might be a recurrence of the flesh-eating disease but thank God it wasn’t. I should be back in action in about a month, in which time Bozo the Coach D'Antoni will take a buyout, go play golf and quit polluting our Lakers! He almost makes Roy Rubin look competent. Or Randy Pfund. And PLEASE donate blood if u can. It probably saved my leg and it has the potential to do so much good for millions of others.” God speed to Joe. He has encountered much in recent years.  

Overheard.

• “According to the American Bible Society, Las Vegas ranks as one of the least Bible-minded cities. Would a bible-themed casino help change that perception?” (Ira David Sternberg)

• “We have our Bridgegate. I’m beginning to wonder if Chris Christie is governor of California. There’s a tiny bridge on Van Owen Street that has been under repair now for longer than it took to build the Golden Gate Bridge.” (Doug McIntyre, KABC)

• “Bobby McFerrin, he’s not worried, he’s happy, he’s 64 years old today.” (Gary Bryan, K-EARTH)

• "We worked hard with passion on Airplane. But 30 years later to be on the Dennis Prager Show reminiscing what it was like, I don't think anybody had a clue that would happen." (Airplane director Jim Abrams guesting with Dennis Prager, KRLA)

Funnie.

 Anyone lose a cat?

Email Tuesday

We GET Email …

** John Darin’s Passing

“I felt so stunned about John Darin passing that I didn't have it in me to write anything until just now. I just now stopped kicking myself because when I heard he was sick on the weekend, I booked a flight to Seattle with arrangements to Olympia on Tuesday to see him after calling numerous times and getting a busy signal.

As we both sat in the outer ring surrounding Los Angeles hoping for a gig there someday, we worked together through Al Anthony in the Bakersfield and San Bernardino markets and at separate stations, but we always stayed in touch.

John hired me at KROQ AM 1500 and I hired him when I took over as pd when I changed KIIS to Top 40 and merged it with FM 102.7 for our simulcasted format. He was so connected to guys like Jay Stevens, Charlie Tuna, and a bunch of other heavy hitters. His judgment was always keen. No one ever questioned it. And on-air his voice was just effortless and as smooth as butter. We often wondered why he wasn't a crooner.

When one of us would be out of work we would hire each other. It's true, it's not what you know, but who you know after you reach that certain plateau, no matter what business you are in.

John was a consummate professional. He was inspired and passionate about the business before he was even trained. He shed the announcer stereotype barriers that keep radio people out of voiceover.

He was also a good businessman and an insanely ridiculous punster. He particularly enjoyed the idea of Jay and I taunting each other with inside jokes on the air. Jay and I were each blind in one eye. When would we would handoff on adjacent air shifts, over the intro of the Four Seasons’ My Eyes adored you, we would change the name to ‘My Eye Adored You.’

John and I actually dated the same women. For some reason, neither of us ended up with any of them. Praise the Lord, and pass the ammunition. I know that's TMI, but bros is bros right down to the end.

I don't think John had an enemy in the world. My only regret was not accepting his most recent kind ski invitation to Utah.

John, you're in our prayers and you have made us appreciate life even more. The moments we have, finally knowing what it means to be living in the moment. All of our lives are better for having known you and we thank you for being part of all of it. You make us realize how we really are truly all connected.

John, it  was wonderful knowing you. Thanks for everything you gave us.

Goodnight, for now. Sincerely and spiritually.” - Don Elliot

** Darin Timeline

“Sorry to read about Johnny Darin. While the article mentioned KBLA from 1989 to 1992, the station was only on the air for 10 painful months under Johnny's direction in 1991. KBLA, broadcasting from the bankrupt FBN TV Studios in Century City, which Darrin also ran and they never sold a single commercial.

In a tragic accident Johnny's only son was hit and killed by an RTD Bus in the 70's. We all wish Johnny well!” - Scott Felten

** Lippincott Remembers Darin

“Another legendary entertainer / broadcaster forges ahead of the rest of us to blaze a new trail. My thoughts are with John Darin and those of is left behind.

Until we meet again.” - Ric Lippincott

** KLRA On-Air Friends

“Johnny Darin and I met when I came to KRLA in 1971. We were friends since then. When Johnny moved to Utah I didn't get to see him as often but we did get together when he visited LA.

John was an extremely talented and a good person. I called him on Friday and was able to visit with him briefly. I'm so thankful I was able to do that.

I will miss him and happy to have been his friend.” – World Famous Tom Murphy

** Re-naming Rights

“Maybe new name for LA Radio People these days: ‘Days of Our lives, General Hospital, Forrest Lawn Inc.’” - Alan L. Gottfried

** Laboe is Sad – You Better Believe it Baby “Once again LARadio.com is the first place we read about our broadcasting friends. We appreciate you writing about Shotgun Tom Kelly. Art Laboe feels very sad about that, as Shotgun always seemed in robust health.  But it just wasn't his time ... you better believe that Baby! Our prayers are with you and your family, Shotgun! Your fans, including us, miss you.  Get well soon!  Your friends at The Art Laboe Connection. And on Sunday I was with radio and tv friends, including Jim Walker RF Engineer of KVCR TV 24 and 91.9/fm and shared the news your report of Geoff Edwards passing. Jim was shocked as it was the first he was hearing about his friend he had worked with on the Big Spin. He then passed the news to 10 more friends that hadn't heard the news. Thank you for always sharing news of our friends and keeping us informed.” - Joanna L. Morones

** Step Aside Scioscia

“I once told Mike Scioscia to step aside just a little as he was nailed one time by Jack Clark of the Cardinals and you could feel the hit up in the booth. Mike just calmly replied I grew up knowing that's part of catching and you stand your ground.” – Jack Naimo

** Geoff Edwards/Connection to Kennedy Assassination

“Years ago, when I was with RKO General, Geoff Edwards joined KHJ. Right away, the tragedy in Dallas happened and Geoff was on a plane to Dallas. I had met Geoff and he was very friendly and not in the least pretentious. When Geoff returned from Dallas where he had been a first-hand observer of the shooting of Lee Harvey Oswald, he said to me let's have a cup of coffee and we went next door to Nickodell's. Geoff described in detail to me his observations and what happened in Dallas - there was no security to speak of and there seemed to be mass confusion.

Geoff was very bright and had a great sense of humor and he wasn't at KHJ very long. We would see each other from time to time. He was very likable. He liked people and they liked him. After he got into tv, we lost touch and we rarely saw each other over the ensuing years. But I remember him well - a terrific person.” – Bob Fox

** Edwards Up for Family Feud

“TV Media Insights has an obituary which details Geoff Edwards’ game show career. He was tapped to be the original host of Family Feud but was committed to another production company and NBC so Richard Dawson became host.

I’ll bet Edwards wouldn’t have kissed all the female contestants the way Dawson did!” – Steve Thompson 

---

John Darin, Versatile Veteran of Many Formats in LA Radio, Dies at 74

(March 10, 2014) John Darin (Miller), an L.A. radio veteran both in front of the mic as well as pd duties across the dial, has died at the age of 74.  The veteran of KRLA, KDAY, KROQ, KNAC, KGOE, KNX, KGIL, KJOI, and KBLA had just been diagnosed last month with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Born John Christian Miller in Rapid City, South Dakota, he grew up in Ventura. When he was a youth John watched a broadcast, which led him to tell the dj, “when I grow up, I want to be a disc jockey.” In response, the dj said, “you can't do both!” Johnny Darin arrived at KRLA in December of 1968 from KGB-San Diego via earlier stops at KACY-Oxnard and KMEN-San Bernardino, serving as music director at the latter. At KRLA, he started as a production man.  He would then become the character Filbert E. Yarborough (Bill Drake's name at KYA-San Francisco) on Dave Hull's morning drive show. Within a few months, Johnnie had his own show in late 1968 then a year later became program director. “It all happened very quickly,” recalled John 1972 was a busy year for John.  He started a decade of programs for Armed Forces Radio. He also served as the original pd at the ambitious, albeit ultimately unsuccessful KROQ/AM. After “the Roq,” John went to San Francisco to be gm of KSOL and orchestrated a Disco format.

In 1975, he returned to the Southland and spent a summer month at KNAC before becoming pd of KGOE in Thousand Oaks for six months. John’s father would give him prophetic advice about the “dj business,” telling him to prepare for a life after being a jock.

John began to make a transition into the world of business reporting on Channel 22 while doing business reports on KNX and playing music on KGIL. In the mid-1980s, John was an anchor on KCOP/Channel 13, field reporter on KHJ/Channel 9 and did reports for cable news. John and Chuck Ashman produced audio, video and websites for clients on nine major airlines under the banner “Flight Talk Network.” He has been reporting business news on American Airlines’ audio channel for years. John helped launch KBLA as a full-time Business station in 1989 when realtor Fred Sands bought the station. After leaving the day-to-day radio grind, John would eventually operate a full-service ad agency specializing in infomercials (many of which he hosted) and industrial video work. “There is life after radio if you are creative, ambitious...and DESPERATE,” John said when interviewed for Los Angeles Radio People. You can view John’s LA tv work at: http://talentmg.com/actors/john-darin/ and look at Demo 2.

Hear Ache. Hal Douglas, one of the most gifted trailer and promo voiceover actors, died last week. He did all the voices for A&E Biography and was ‘Jack the Trailer Guy’ in the trailer for Jerry Seinfeld’s Comedian …KCRW is having a heavy presence at the annual SXSW festival this week. Today will be hosted by Chris Douridas with the rest of the week hosted by Raul Campos, Jason Bentley andAnne Litt … David Cruz made his first appearance with Mark Thompson and Elizabeth Espinosa at KFI. David’s been doing news after losing his afternoon drive show at 1150 AM. The three reminisced about being former tv colleagues. “David was a great reporter,” said Elizabeth, “and we’re lucky to have him.”

Jack Roberts Dies. Longtime radio executive and personality Jack Roberts died late Friday, March 7 in Los Angeles, following a long illness. Roberts was 62. Roberts was most recently working at CRN Digital Talk Radio. During his extensive career in broadcasting, Roberts worked as an on-air personality, producer, program director, and general manager. He most recently served as executive producer for CRN’s programming, including What’s Cookin’ Today.

“Jack truly understood and loved radio,” said CRN Digital Talk Radio’s ceo/president Michael J. Horn. “He became an instant, caring friend to everyone he encountered. Not only has radio lost such a special person, but so has the world.”

Roberts was born on May 8, 1951 in Massachusetts. A graduate of Boston College, he worked with some of the nation’s top celebrity broadcasters and air talent. For more than 25 years, he booked for markets including Los Angeles, New York, Boston, Providence, and Hartford. 

“There wasn’t a guest or celebrity Jackie didn’t think he could get,” Horn said, “And he almost always booked them.”

Shotgun Update. Yesterday morning, Shotgun Tom Kelly was up and doing some walking following his quadruple bypass heart surgery on Saturday. He is recovering in Grossmont Hospital in El Cajon.

Silent Project. Kaci Christian is dedicating 2014 to listening better. And to do that she is not speaking for a year. (You can scroll down to recent columns and click January 2014 to read why she has undertaken this project) "My six-week exploration of Australia ranks ‘A.’ for AWESOME,” emailed Kaci “I also spent six beautiful nights in Bali, Indonesia, just a two-hour flight from Darwin, NT Australia. I had so many incredible experiences and expanded my relationships by meeting generous, kind and fantastic folks –all without saying a word. I’m six weeks into my year-long vow of silence as I travel the world learning to listen differently. Now that I’m home in Southern California, I’ll be able to update the blog posts at www.theSILENTproject.com and hopefully figure out how to upload photos to Facebook from my iPad without having Flash.”

Overheard.

• “What kind of egg did the bad chicken lay? A devil egg.” (Dude, character on Gary Bryan morning show, K-EARTH)

• “At one point during the evening that Rita Wilson [Mrs. Tom Hanks] was hosting, she said something like, ‘It’s too bad that LA doesn’t have a Country station.’ A lot of people in the audience shouted, ‘Go Country.’” (Larry Morgan, KKGO)

• “You don’t have to take any advice from a guy on the radio.” (Dennis Miller, KRLA)

• “11% of Americans think HTML is an STD.” (Christian Wheel, KFWB, Let’s Talk Tech)

Sky High. Thursday, March 6, wasn’t just another day in the life of KCSN’s pd Sky Daniels. Upon arriving at the radio station, there was a message that Paul McCartney wanted to speak with him. The message turned into a surprise interview with McCartney that included the music legend’s thanks to the station for regularly playing songs from his latest album, New, his thoughts on The Beatles’ 50th anniversary and more.

“Paul’s call was so thoughtful, I found myself fighting back tears,” Daniels said. “He told us how his friends all loved the station. They told him that KCSN was playing a number of songs from New and he simply wanted to say thanks.”

Funnie.

Email Monday

We GET Email …

** Passing of John Darin

“I called Jay Stevens with the news that John Darin died. He is as devastated as I am.

Jay was music director at KRLA while Johnnie was program director. We’re talking about a memorial of some kind in the near future for Johnnie. I’ll keep you in the loop on this, believe me!

Jay and I agree that Johnnie played a pivotal role in our careers. I never would have landed a job at KRLA/1110 without his support and encouragement. Later our relationship evolved into a great friendship.

I can never forget his wicked sense of humor and understanding of current events. We had lunch occasionally, reminisced about the old days, and kept up to date.

I will miss him terribly.” – Cam Currier (My God, life goes fast!!)

Doug Cox, former pd at 1110/KRLA, was "touched by the news." Photo: John Darin, William F. Williams, Chris Hillman (Byrds) and Cox

** KRLA Dream House

“Just heard of John Darin’s passing and had to express my sorrow. John was a very good friend of mine and he will be severely missed.

Without John and Doug Cox my dream of working at KRLA would have never been fulfilled. He was the Grand Geezer in our little clan. My deepest sympathy to his family.

We'll never forget you, Johnny.” – Jay Stevens

** Darin One of a Kind

“God bless my old friend, John Darin. He was not only talented he was a great person. He was one of a kind.” – Mike O’Neil

** Friend of Darin for 20 Years

“John Darin’s niece said that his passing was quiet and peaceful. 

I had just spoken to her Saturday night around 10 and she told me that it would not be much longer. He was heavily sedated due to the pain and the anxiety, so I did not get a chance to speak with him. She said he would soon be broadcasting from heaven and we tearfully laughed at what excellent company he would be in with the likes of Alan Freed, The Real Don Steele and Robert W. Morgan.

He was a very good friend of mine for over 20 years. He was a man of true talent and class. I will miss knowing he is on the planet.” –Tammy Trujillo

** Ogden School Colleague

“Very saddened by the news of Johnnie Darin’s illness. We went to Ogden’s radio school in 1964. He was always upbeat and positive, a great role model for everyone he touched.  May God bless him throughout his journey of this life and beyond.” – Johnny Helm

** Darin Was a Favorite

"Sad news regarding John Darin's passing. John was always one of my favorites. As a youngster, I stood next to him at the K/men Klondike Claim Stake [formerly the K/men Treasure Hunt] out in San Bernardino in the mid-1960s. Later, when the premiere K/men pd took off rather suddenly for Los Angeles, John became co-pd with Brian Lord. John was kind enough to pay me for my services as an intern [in 45s and LPs of course].

Then, in 1972 when [as the K/men apd] I arranged the 10 year on-air K/men reunion. John was one of the real cheerleaders and encouraged many original deejays like Huckleberry, William F. Williams and others to attend the event. It was a huge success thanks in large part to John's enthusiasm for bringing the gang together one more time.

I was proud of all that John Darin accomplished after K/men, including KRLA, the tv infomercials and so much more. I told him so, when I saw him decades later at Salem Los Angeles [KRLA] when I was employed there. He was always very humble and in every circumstance, always a real gentleman. As a young radio listener, he was my favorite. On-air, he was so smooth, so genuine and so believable.

We'll miss you John, but was a legacy you left behind. My sympathies to his family, friends and all who loved him." - Ted Ziegenbusch

** Brother From Another Mother “After coming home from a funeral for a long time friend on Saturday, I was stunned by the news that my lifelong friend Shotgun Tom Kelly was having triple bypass surgery. But hearing the news that it all went well and he ‘plans’ to be back to his K-EARTH afternoon drive show in a couple weeks made me feel much better.  Tommy and I first met at the corner of 7th & Ash in downtown San Diego. He was 16 and I was 17.  We used to stand there for hours watching the KCBQ disc jockey on the air from their second floor picture-window studio. There was a huge mirror over the top of the console and watching the dj work made us want to live our dream even more.  We both grew up loving radio and wanting to be The Real Don Steele. Tommy gets to live that dream every day. This picture was taken just before he received his star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame. His wife, Linda, is behind him over his left shoulder and his son, Nick, is behind my right shoulder. We hugged and he said to me as he walked to the podium: ‘This is for BOTH of our dreams Jimmy.’ [Tommy’s star is right next to Don Steele’s.] I was planning a trip next weekend to San Diego to see my family and be at Tommy’s Saturday Night ‘Pool Party.’ I think my wife, Judy, and I we be just visiting him and Linda for a few minutes, just to make sure my ‘Brother from another Mother’ is OK.  I’m sure he’s fine.  After-all, Shotgun Tom Kelly has ALWAYS been a Boss Jock and so you know, just like his heart: ‘The BEAT goes on!’” – Jim Duncan

** Well Wishing for Shotgun

“Thanks Don for sharing the Shotgun Tom Kelly story with us. I didn’t realize that he had any health issues. My prayers are with him for a full recovery, and looking forward to hearing him back on the air soon.

Wishing the best to Shotgun Tom and his family.” – Art Estrada, Long Beach

** Recovery Period After Bypass Surgery

“After bypass surgery, sitting is one of the worse things one can do. Recovery includes walking and more walking as one gets stronger. Shotgun Tom Kelly would be nuts to go back on the air for at least 6 weeks.

Hope his doctors are making this clear to him.” – Bob Fox

** More Recovery Timetable

“My prayers go out to Tom Kelly and his family. Having recently gone through this with my wife’s bypass surgery I know what he’s experiencing, and it’s tough. If my wife’s recovery is any indication a return in two weeks may be unrealistic, but it will be great to hear Tom on the air again when he's ready.

We're keeping Tom and his family in our thoughts and hoping for a super positive outcome.” – Bryan Simmons

** Wishing Shotgun a Speedy Recovery

“Wishing Tom Kelly the very best in his recovery. He certainly is one of the finest talents in Los Angeles Radio today.” – Mike O'Neil

** Jack Roberts Death

“We have lost an outstanding human being with Jack Roberts’s death. Jack stopped calling about two weeks ago. Jack would call me every week to make sure I was OK with the loss of Steven and Beverly.

His great concern for me when he was he was so ill and in such great pain. The tears start when I think about his suffering and our loss of Jack.” – Roger Carroll

** Roberts Touched So Many

“Oh, man ...

I’m poorer for never having actually met Jack Roberts. But richer for having known him through HollywoodHillsGroup.com, and a lot of emails and to share his great joy in his involvement with all the people he touched related to his beloved broadcasting and music.

One gains some comfort in assuming that he’s relieved of his pain and better off where he’s headed. St. Peter, you just picked-up a good one.

With a Jack [on the rocks] firmly in hand, I bow westward and say... Jack, God Speed.” – Bob Sherwood

** Talked with Jack Roberts Every Day

“Jack Roberts was a good friend of mine. I met him at Mike Horn’s CRN radio facility. Jack was the ‘go-to guy’ for Mike. 

A whole lot of former [mostly retired] ‘big deal radio and music folks from all over the country got involved with Jack’s pride and joy, his website, HollywoodHillsGroup.com. The site was a column that Jack wrote on a daily basis, a column that had a documented number of more than 10,000 readers from all across America and Canada on the day he died. How high would that number eventually get to if he hadn't died? We’ll never know.

Jack was not considered to have been a LA Radio and or tv guy like [for example] Don Barrett and I are considered to be, but broooo-ther … he became a L.A. Radio guy here and it was my privilege [as a member of the Board of Directors] to make Jack a PPB member [Pacific Pioneer Broadcaster] and when he received his membership card he was thrilled.

When things began to get tougher than tough for Jack, he asked me to please call him on a daily basis because of the positivity I was expressing to him during our phone conversations. I big time enjoyed those conversations and I was really sorry when he was no longer able to talk and he had returned to the hospital. While there, he was in great pain, he asked for more morphine, the doctors wouldn’t give it to him and my response was, ‘What are you afraid of?  Are you worried he might die?’ Yes, I was being sarcastic but yes, I understood the legal situations the doctors had to adhere to.

During our conversations, Jack Roberts made it very clear to me that despite the continuing awful pain, he didn’t want to die. I know a number of people who have said if they’re ever in a non-stop pain situation, they would want someone, anyone, to please ‘pull the plug.’  I’m not so sure that I wouldn’t say the same things if I was enduring what Jack Roberts had to endure.

Jack Roberts, pain and all, hung in there while hoping for a ‘turn-around’ miracle. Those of us who were/are his friends, were hoping the same thing.    

In my view, Jack Roberts’ toughness kept him alive probably longer than he should have, but Jack, besides his toughness and or stubbornness, had another ace in the hole, so to speak. Don Graham, a guy who is very well known in the music business, but he's also a guy who has a heart made of gold. And it was Don Graham who always was getting Jack to the hospital when it was necessary and Graham got all over any doctor who wasn’t treating Jack the way Graham felt Jack should have been treated.

Because of all that Jack had to suffer through before he died, Jack Roberts goes down in my memory book as the toughest S.O.B. I've ever known. The dude never whined, folks. Not once!

 R.I.P., my friend. And if there really is an afterlife of some kind, I hope I’ll have the privilege of being where you are when my ticket gets punched.” – Scott St. James

** Coming in Threes

“In the past two weeks we lost three great radio personalities. It is sad and reminds me that time goes by very fast and we should be making the most of it.” – Lynda Parets

** Bob Kingsley Turns 40

“I was so pleased to read the article about Bob Kingsley being honored at The Grand Ole Opry for his 40+ years in country music radio. Bob has been a good friend of mine for 35 years, and he was very instrumental in advancing me in my radio career.

He is proof that good guys do finish first.

Congratulations, BK.” – Jeffrey Leonard

** George Lopez Not Funny

“Regarding George Lopez’s show getting back reviews. George Lopez is not funny – never has been.” – Carol Wood

** College Radio

“A couple of reflections:

1. I would like to add a couple of names of prominent people who have worked for me at one of my stations:  Larry Van Nuys, Hal Fishman, Johnny Magnus, Geoff Edwards, Stan Duke, Crazy Eddie Alexander, Scott Shannon, Chuck Cecil, Nancy Sinatra, Michael Jackson, Gerald Wilson, Don Page, Steve Allen, Paul Compton, and Tom Dixon.

2. Cheers to Roger Carroll for raising the  issue of college radio stations. There aren’t any anymore. [except KKJZ]  What started out as ‘Educational Radio’ where university and non-profit organizations would present lectures, educational information, and students participating in programming has gone by the way side, and is now called Public Radio.

No more lectures and class room programming. They discovered that there were big bucks in NPR Liberal news, Conservative bashing, etc. – the foregoing is my OPINION. So out went educational radio and student radio.

Concerning KKJZ, formerly KLON, Cal State Long Beach has kept it in a music format. The college students have 88.1 HD3 for their own and it is programmed by students and grad students. I have been helping KKJZ stay on the air. Eight years ago it was losing hundreds of thousands of dollars annually with its niche format which was in danger of being turned off. There was a proposal by one of the public groups to turn it into a foreign language station. I and my daughter Stephanie have helped out, retained the Jazz format, and Cal State no longer loses money. And students have their own station on KKJZ, 88.1 HD3 to program as they wish. KKJZ also provides grants to Cal State University Long Beach students. As a side note, one of the local Public Stations has blocked KKJZ from expanding its coverage even though there is not a single listener of that station or its numerous family of stations that would be impacted or lose their signal. Their ‘gobblygook’ explanation is that they are fighting for a ‘principle.’” – Saul Levine

** College Radio Station

“I share Roger Carroll’s that campus radio stations should allow students to learn about radio broadcasting as a career.

As a graduate of CSULB I’ve been a vocal advocate for over 30 years for more student participation in the operation of K-JAZZ. HOWEVER, the landscape has changed at Long Beach State. KBEACH, the student run Internet and HD-3 signal on K-JAZZ, is clearly the most vibrant college radio property in Southern California.  Their facilities are top notch and the students involved are so far ahead of the broadcasting curve with their knowledge of how to connect radio with social media and the Internet, that I have a new hope for the future of our business. Check out what's going on at KBEACH.org.” – Mike Stark

** The Answer Man

“I was Geoff Edwards’ engineer for 11 years. The answer lady began as the answer man. Geoff was told that feature was already in use, so he just changed it to the answer lady.” – Bob Miller 

** Geoff Edwards and Radio Tonight

“I was saddened to hear of Geoff Edwards’ passing. In 2000, Geoff asked me to guest on a radio show called Radio Tonight that he was hosting on the Cypress Radio Network. As I was sitting with him in a small, newly-built Hollywood studio waiting to go on the air, I asked Geoff how many stations were on the network, to which he replied ‘Just one small station in Long Island, New York.’

I’m not sure how many people were actually listening, but we kept each other entertained and had quite a few laughs during the broadcast. I enjoyed spending that time with him, as well as conversations and emails we’ve exchanged in the years since.

Rest in peace, Geoff. You will be missed.” – Reed Berry

** Eye of the Tiger

“You reported that Scott Shannon kicked off his new Classic Hits show at WCBS-New York with Eye of the Tiger. Did you know he also kicked off his launch of 95.5 MOJO Radio [WPLJ] with the same song? I have the tape. A cassette tape. Nowhere to play it, but I still have it.” – Derek Newman

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(March 9 - LARadio bulletin) John Darin, veteran of various LA radio stations including Top 40 KRLA, newsman at KFWB, and Money Radio, KBLA, died this morning.

He learned recently that he had Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He was 74.

 

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Sunday Funnies

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Shotgun Tom Kelly Undergoes Quadruple Bypass Surgery

(March 8, 2014 - LARadio bulletin) Shotgun Tom Kelly, afternooner at K-EARTH, underwent successful quadruple heart bypass surgery in San Diego this afternoon. I received the following text from Tom last night at 10:40 pm:  “I just wanted you to know that I’m in San Diego and went to see my cardiologist. He said that I need a triple bypass. I’m going under the knife tomorrow morning at 7:20 a.m. Please, I need your prayers. God bless. I’m taking it one day at a time.” They did wheel him into surgery around 7:30 this morning and the doctors completed the procedure around 2 p.m. After the surgery, I received this email from Tom's wife, Linda: “Just his lungs are an issue, so they cannot remove the breathing tube and bring him around until they know he can breathe properly on his own.” They may wait until tomorrow.”

I spoke with Tom’s wife a few minutes ago and she was very optimistic about her husband's surgery and his recovery. Tom lives in Los Angeles during the week while dj’ing at K-EARTH and every Friday he drives to San Diego to spend the weekend at his longtime home in El Cajon with his wife.

Earlier this week, Tom went in for a routine, semi-annual physical. He told his doctor that he was experiencing “pressure on his chest.” They planned to do an angioplasty on Friday but an x-ray showed some blockage in his arteries. “Tom’s heart is very strong,” emphasized Linda.

Tom is scheduled to be in the hospital for five days and should be back on the air in two weeks. “He is very anxious to get back on the air at K-EARTH,” said Linda.

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LARadio Archives from October 2009

KNX Was Irvine's Amphitheater  (October 1, 2009) Earlier this year George Nicholaw, the original general manager when KNX became an all-News station, was presented with a ‘LARadio Lifetime Achievement Award.’ During the time leading up to the ceremony, many of his colleagues from the embryonic days of the new format surfaced, but not Bob Irvine, the program director. He was living out of the radio limelight in Carmel since 1984. He found his calling as a writer. In a quarter of a century he has written 21 books, nine of which were in the famous Moroni Traveler mystery series. “In 1965 I was working at KTLA/Channel 5 in the news department and Bob Arthur had been the anchor for a while. The anchors were Arthur, Joseph Benti, Tom Snyder and Bill Stout and nobody watched," remembered Irvine. "The station hired George Putnam and that was kind of the end of it for me. There was no news and I just didn’t want to deal with it.”  Bob got a job producing a program called Newsday at KNX. It was a news block with Bob Arthur from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Fred Anderson did Kaleidoscope. “It was really my first introduction to radio and I quite enjoyed it. CBS had ten minutes of news and they had all these great 5-minute programs. It was really a good news block. After a year I got named assistant news director under Barney Miller.”  Barney retired and Irvine didn’t get named news director. “Nicholaw hired some guy to be program director and news director, which sort of frosted us all. Turned out this guy was never in his office, he was in the Brown Derby. George said he made a mistake. This is one of the things I really admired about George. He didn’t hesitate and let him go after just a month and a half.”  Shortly after Irvine was appointed news director, in late 1967 Nicholaw told Irvine that there was a chance the station could go all-News and asked him to prepare a detailed budget on needs for people, equipment, and changes to the newsroom. “We went to New York. There were five news directors and five general managers from the CBS O&Os. We went into this fancy conference room at ‘Black Rock’ [CBS headquarters in Manhattan]. Clark George was president of CBS Radio. Bill Paley was referred to as ‘The Chairman.’ Clark tells us that ‘The Chairman’ feels that the O&Os should go to all-News. It was just marvelous. It changed everything in my life and I got to set up the format and hire all these guys. It was really impressive.”  “FM was a throwaway in those days,” said Irvine. “We were practicing the format on fm [93.1] because no one was listening to fm. George and I would drive around the city and listen. It was during one of these drives that we determined something had to change with the teletype sound.”  One of the distinguishing features of the sound of KNX during the all-News decades was the teletype pounding away. The sound did not come easily. “We put three teletype machines – AP, UPI, and City News – right in the middle of the studio. But it didn’t sound like a wire service so we eventually went to a continuous loop cartridge with the teletype sound we thought was best. The real thing didn’t sound right. It sounded like static.”  Irvine hired some classic newsmen in those embryonic days like Harry Birrell. He inherited some great guys like Russ Powell and Bob Arthur.  After graduating from the University of California at Berkeley, Irvine spent two years (1959-62) as a Counterintelligence Agent in the U. S. Army. “When I got out I wanted to be a writer. Ernest Hemingway started out as a newspaper reporter so I got a job as a reporter for the Huntington Park Daily Signal, and later at the Hollywood Citizen-News. I worked up really fast.”  After launching the all-News operation at KNX, Irvine returned to tv as news director at KABC/Channel 7. “Baxter Ward was just leaving. I brought in Bill Bonds from the ABC O&O in Detroit to replace Baxter. Bill was a real character. We went from schlock news to a pretty good news operation. And then I had to fire Bonds and that was pretty much the end of my news career because it pissed off a lot of people. But it had to happen. Bonds went on the air and passed out. I was young. I just fired him on the spot and then told the general manager. We brought in Joseph Benti. He and his wife were living in Norway and we convinced him to come back. He did and then I had to get out. My blood pressure had gone sky high working in the news department.” Bob went home and wrote a book, Jump Cut. While waiting for his book to be published, Irvine was asked to produce Ralph Story’s AM Los Angeles and he was the first writer for Two on the Town with Connie Chung and Steve Edwards at KNXT/Channel 2. “Steve was the best I ever worked with. Most people after they see what you write would change it and make it worse. Not Steve. Every time he made a suggestion he made it better. He was good to work with. Melody Rogers followed Connie after she left for New York and Melody was a sweetheart.” Irvine has written 16 novels under his name and five more with his wife, Val Davis. “My first two, Jump Cut and Freeze Frame were nominated for Edgar Allen Poe awards,” said Irvine. A book he wrote with his wife was optioned by Hollywood to be made into a movie. (The Spoken Word was the 6th book in the Moroni Traveler mystery series) One of his early experiences in the KNX newsroom was the night Bobby Kennedy was shot. Irvine had reporters all over town and was feeding all the West Coast CBS stations. “Emerson Stone who was director of CBS Radio News called me and he said he was taking the network back. I told him no. I told him we had people here. He said I am giving you an order to give the network back. Again, I told him no and hung up on him. We were live all night long. The next morning Stone called to apologize and he said, ‘You were right.’ That’s what happens when you are young.” “As I look back, KNX was the best fun. George Nicholaw was the best. He never got wrinkles in his clothes and I was always looking rumpled. George looked perfect. At KNX there was never a consideration on doing it on the cheap. We really had to expand and remodel the newsroom. Everything was done with class.” You can reach Bob Irvine at: rairvine@redshift.com

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John Darin Needs Our Prayers

(March 7, 2014) John Darin (Miller) has been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Unfortunately, his prognosis is not good, according to his colleague and friend, Jon Badeaux. He is in Olympia, Washington to be near his sister and family. John has been moved from a hospital to Providence Mother Joseph Care Center in Olympia. He is up for phone calls at: 360.493.4900 or you can write him at Providence Mother Joseph Care, 3333 Ensign Road NE , Olympia, WA 98506, Room A-6. “A friend of ours saw him over New Year's Eve, celebrated his birthday [12.31] and had a wonderful week together. When he returned home he was experiencing some severe pain, so he had an MRI and the rest is history. He is declining very rapidly,” emailed Jon. “Darin is on morphine but can still carrying on very coherent conversations for short periods of time. I know he’d love to hear from anyone he worked with.” The list of stations for John Darin is impressive: KIIS; KRLA, 1968-71; KDAY, 1971; KROQ, 1972-73; KNAC, 1975; KGOE, 1975; KNX, 1976; KGIL, 1976-83; KJOI, 1978; KBLA, 1989-92; KGIL, 1993; KMNY; KFWB, 1998-2008.

More Medical. “Is there a black woman guardian angel over me!?” wondered former KABC talk show host, Al Rantel, on his Facebook page. “Strange. Years ago at Cedars Hospital I was very sick. One night late a black nurse came in and said you will be fine, can I hold your hand and sing you a song? She sang amazingly. The next day I asked the head nurse who that was on duty and she said there was no such staff member. Yesterday I had been prepped for surgery and a black woman came in and said you’ll be fine and you know it’s Ash Wednesday? I’ll pray for you. I said I’m not religious so I don’t ask for things in prayer. She said that makes no difference. She left and another nurse came in. I said I thought the other woman was already here. She said no there is no other nurse that’s going to help me! True story. Remains a mystery.”

Lopez as Saint George. George Lopez, former morning man on KHHT (HOT 92.3), debuted his new sitcom this week. The critics weren’t so kind. Here is a sampling: From Variety and Brian Lowry: “Returning for another sitcom that features his first name in the title, George Lopez and everyone else, including the producers of Home Improvement, sleepwalks through Saint George, a numbingly awful multicamera sitcom that plays like something conjured in a lab once the presumably magical ingredient George Lopez was acquired. By that measure, Saint George isn’t so much a new show as simply a repackaging of Lopez’s ABC sitcom with a new modifier. It might work well enough to merit the full run, but grading strictly in terms of comedy, there aren’t enough laughs here to overpower a kitten, much less slay a dragon.’ Alison Keene in The Hollywood Reporter: “The broad and charmless comedy stars George Lopez as a fictionalized version of himself, struggling to balance his American life and Mexican heritage.”  Robert Lloyd, LA Times television critic, offers: “Notwithstanding the star's recent unscheduled nap on a casino floor — nothing by Charlie Sheen standards, after all — Lopez is a major star, and, at 52, still the biggest Latino comic around. His series stands a good chance of success, I would guess, in spite of the fact that creatively it is a bit of a mess.”

Overheard.

• “The President is not going to send an aircraft carrier into the Black Sea. The man has retreated in every aspect of foreign policy. He wants to retreat and that’s exactly what he’s doing.” (Stuart Varney, guesting with Don Imus, KCAA)

•  “A man is never more vulnerable than the moment another coworker notices his haircut.” (Damien Fahey)

• "I got a note on my windshield that the relationship was over." (Tim Conway, Jr., KFI)

• “The irony of William Fulbright is that he couldn’t come within hailing distance of getting a Fulbright scholarship.” (Dennis Miller, KRLA)

• “Non-stop stimulation.” (KFI liner)

Funnie (translated). Rats, the tire has lost its air. Entirely ? No, just at the bottom !

Email Friday

We GET Email …

** Geoff Edwards Memory “One the most memorable lunches in my life was when Geoff Edwards was at KMPC and I was the promo guy for Warner Brothers. We went to the Brown Derby in Hollywood and had Cobb Salad and ice cold Chablis. But what I remember most was his ability to listen ... be funny … say smart things, and his gentle love of people. I’ll always think of him from that day. It made a difference to me. RIP” – Larry Van Nuys ** Can I Ask a Question? “My favorite Geoff Edwards bit was ‘The Answer Lady.’ He had one rule for the listeners who called in: Only one question per person. Many times a caller would begin with ‘Can I ask a question?’ Geoff would say ‘Yes you can’ and then go to the next caller. I always knew how Geoff would respond to such a question and I still thought it was hilarious every time it happened.” – Steve Thompson ** Worked With Geoff Pre-KHJ “Sorry to see Geoff Edwards passing.  Got to work with him when he was pd at KHJ pre-Boss Radio. He always MC’d all the retirement parties and station social events.  He was much funnier and more talented than all the air personalities on KHJ at that time.” – Tom Bernstein

** Geoff Edwards Laughed Like Crazy

“My most memorable Geoff Edwards experience was when after I had been hired to work with him on his morning tv show [Channel 9] while I was also doing sports anchor stuff in the evening.  During this particular time, I had also been hired by the ABC ‘suits’ to participate in a television film that starred Robert Blake.

It was my first acting job, after I was finished I was on Channel 9’s morning show with Geoff and all he wanted to talk about was my ABC experience.  While talking, I put on a little show for him, he laughed like crazy [this was all live tv].

Well, you just had to be there or were watching to appreciate what was going on. Translation? He really was … one of a kind.

R.I.P., Geoff.   Love ya like a brother.” – Scott St. James

** Almaguer Stuck in Mud

“What's with NBC reporters? Remember when the KNBC news van burned up in the brush fire in the San Berdos in ‘05 or ’06 and Chuck Henry came close to being toast.

PS. KNX’s Pete Demetriou never met a mud slide, brush fire or earthquake he couldn’t whip.” – Diane Thompson

** College Radio Station

“Where are the students who should be on the air and doing other duties at K-JAZZ, learning about radio broadcasting as a career like the students at Cerritos College radio WPMD? 88.1 KJAZZ is licensed as a college radio station.” – Roger Carroll

** Imus Off Base

“Don Imus is so off base with his comment about JCPenny. He obviously hasn’t been there. They have great clothes, WAY above Wal-Mart and Kohl’s, lots of merchandise, fabulous prices and good service.” – Leslie Taylor, Orange County 

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Geoff Edwards on the Day JFK Died (November 22, 2013) Radio played an important early role in the events surrounding the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22. Geoff Edwards (photo), former 710/KMPC personality, host of various tv game shows, and the face of the weekly California Lottery drawing for over a decade, had a unique perch from which to observe the story unfolding. On the day of the assassination, Geoff was in San Diego packing his bags to move to LA for a new job at KHJ. As soon as news broke that JFK had been assassinated, Geoff grabbed a bag of clothes, headed for the airport, and within hours was in Dallas, reporting for KHJ and the Mutual Broadcasting System. “My first impression of Dallas was a hefty Dallas policeman directing traffic with a cigar hanging from his mouth,” remembered Geoff. “Little did I know it was a metaphor.” Geoff immediately headed for Dallas police headquarters, walked right past the desk sergeant and down the hall without showing any press credentials, or indeed any ID at all. “There were reporters from all over the world in a room set aside for the press. Oswald was brought down a hall with the press lined on one side yelling out questions. His rifle was held high by an FBI agent. Oswald was asked if he had a lawyer,” said Edwards. “No”, he said in a soft voice. “I want Melvin Belli.” After Jack Ruby shot and killed Oswald, Belli represented Ruby for free.” Edwards recalls the FBI bringing Oswald into a good sized room to be questioned by a group of reporters. “Oswald was seated behind a long table. He was asked if he was handcuffed. Oswald held his hands up in front of him and said, ‘Yes sir.’ Next day the front pages of almost every major newspaper showed that photo with the caption, ‘Oswald gestures defiantly at the press.’”

At one point during the day, Geoff opened the door to an interrogation room. “I was surprised to find Oswald and his mother. That was the one time during the weekend I backed away.”

Geoff was shocked at his freedom to walk the hallways. He locked himself in an office to file a report to the Mutual network. A police information Captain knocked loudly and rattled the door handle. Geoff told him he would be finished shortly. Again, no ID was ever requested.

“At the garage entrance door, press credentials were checked for the first time. I walked up to the back of the van that was waiting for Oswald. A police officer roughly yanked me back.”

Edwards wonders how Jack Ruby somehow made his way through the group. “There was one pay phone in the garage area. I was the first to get to it and KHJ and Mutual were the first in radio to get the word.”