Stories
Everyone in radio has stories. These are some that are still vivid in my memory - and that I can share:
JACK DANIELS?
When I was OM / Morning show host for the Southern Broadcasting group in Tallahassee Florida, I struggled with finding reliable over-night talent (before computer automation). Most of my college students part-timers were not reliable (#1 responsibility of an overnight guy is to show-up!)
I was thrilled to find a really strong talent who had moved to town from Memphis. He was happy to do over-nights.
Life was good for about 6 months.
As the morning show guy - I'm out of the house by 5:00am. I get in the car - no audio coming over our flagship station. The carrier is there - so I know it's not a transmitter issue.
I race to the station - only to find it deserted (our group was still in 2 different buildings).
I get music on the air and go on at 6am as scheduled. Have to figure out what happened later.
About an hour into the show a caller asks me if that guy was okay last night.
Humh?
She told me about babbling on about women, Jack Daniels and using the B-word over and over again.
Uh-oh.
The news guy overhears this and notices that a cassette was in the air-check machine. For the rest of my show - we just look at the cassette ... afraid to hear what is on it.
The tape told the story.
His wife was leaving him - going back to Memphis. He was on the air drinking Jack Daniels - pleading with her to stay. As the night went on - he got drunker and angrier. He used the B-word, the C-Word and more. Eventually the music stopped.
Our best guess is that he passed out. Came-too about an hour later - then left. We know that because an album side played later in the morning. We figure he at least put on a CD to play out as he took off.
The GM confiscated and destroyed the tape. Couldn't blame her - but I sure wish I had made a copy first. Whenever I run into anyone from those Tallahassee days, they ask for a copy of that tape.
We got a dozen or so calls that day. Most were concerned as they know the guy was in trouble.
Uncle Chuck says - "yeah, but you gotta give him a little credit for at least coming into work."
OSMOND FAMILY FUN CENTER
My morning show in Salt Lake City decided to have some fun with Delta Airlines threatening to pull their hub out of SLC.
They held a mock press conference in which it was allegedly being announced that our downtown arena was being renamed - from the Delta Center, to the Osmond Family Fun Center.
They did a great job staging the event - all necessary sound effects and Donny's voice.
It was believable because Donny was a regular on the station and because Delta was playing hard-ball with SLC.
Everyone believed it. Channel 2 was frantically calling to find out where this press conference was being held.
Delta was PO'd. The Delta Center was PO'd. My boss was very PO'd.
I ... was on the train.
I had decided to try the whole mass transit thing. I took the train to a bus ... to another bus ... to the office. Even though it took me 20 minutes longer than to drive, it was supposed to be relaxing and less stressful than fighting I-15 traffic.
Delta Airlines pulled all of their advertising. Channel 2 pulled theirs. The Utah Jazz did something too.
I had to fight to keep those guys that day.
I never took mass transit again.
SIGHTINGS
We used to call them "brushes with greatness" when I hosted a morning show. They are strange celebrity interactions ...
- Bill Schultz and I were coming out of the Atlantis/Reno and he spotted Dan Quayle getting into a town car. It just didn't look like Quayle to me. So, wearing full Alice @ 96.5 gear, I shout out, "Hey - how do you spell potato?" The former VP turns and stares at me for a long time. Bill loved every minute of it.
- I was coming out of my office at WKTI and Joe Montana passed me in the hall. He was being escorted to the Channel 4 side of the building by an intern. Our GSM comes down the hall and says, "look - Joe Montana". I replied - "That's not Joe Montana". From down the hall we hear Joe say ... "yes it is"
- My station in Salt Lake City was promoting the Cher concert at the Delta Center. We we all down there for a Cher sing-a-long type of contest for front row seats. Someone on staff pointed out this old lady -watching from the side wearing a winter coat and hood that covered her head. She was also wearing big black sunglasses. It was Cher. We didn't know until showtime.
- Our group was co-sponsoring a big Star Trek convention at the Tallahassee Civic Center. I always liked Star Trek and was looking forward to it. As I left for the convention, my wife asked me to get Sulu's autograph - worth a try. When I got there, I figured my chances got better as one of my part-timers was in charge of security for George Taki (Sulu). He wouldn't let me back stage. We were the sponsors of the event and I was wearing the right credentials. He tells me this area is for some level of security only that has to be approved the local chapter of the Trek fan club. Later - I run into Sulu and ask for the autograph. My part-timer goes nuts ... tells me I might have to leave the convention. Poor Sulu - his eyes were a plea from help to get away from this guy. When I saw him at the station over the weekend ... sure I wanted to can him. But he was on over-night fill in who would show up. They are HARD to come by!
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