I've spent decades in broadcasting. But I've also spent decades in and out of the music business as a musician.
Radio and music went hand-in-hand for a long, long time. I spent most of grades 9-12 playing in bands and working weekends on the radio somewhere. Guitar was my main instrument; I managed to make very good money playing in a lot of DC-area groups in the 70s. But I also dabbled in reeds (clarinet, alto, tenor, flute) and Hammond B-3 organ. When I was 17; I got a job working Friday-Saturday nights playing solo guitar in between sets at Blues Alley. Huge feather in the cap. No matter it paid just $15 an hour, which was the union rate at the time. Of course; $30 a night went a lot farther then. Fact was--I was suddenly thrust into being able to play with some of the top jazz musicians of the day. I even got mentioned by Felix Grant one night on WMAL! Understand--this was 1972-73--and, when you're a kid and all the planets are aligned; well...
I continued to play through college and into the early 80s. But then, I abruptly gave it up and sold all my equipment. Little things like a '65 ES335; a '59 blond Stratocaster, a vintage 4-10 Bassman amp (perhaps the ultimate guitar amp), plus scads of accessories.
Boy, was that stupid. Had I had some foresight; I would have put those things in temperature-controlled storage!
Been on eBAY lately? My 335 (bought at Chuck Levin's for $300 or so)...would now fetch in the area of $10,000! And my beloved Strat? $15,000 easily! Holy crap! Even the new guitars are going for four figures! The new version of the 335 is over 2 grand. A new, playable Strat is close to that--and that's not even the same-quality guitar made back in the day! Hell; the guy who used to WORK on my guitars, Paul Reed Smith (who was a guitar tech at Chuck Levin's before striking out on his own), is making a fortune selling better-quality guitars than Fender or Gibson. It's said "it's not the guitar; it's the player." But those PRS guitars are wonderful.
Okay. Fast-forward to today. One of the stations I do news for from home for is having a big event this coming Sunday. The Fabulous Hubcaps are headlining. This is a great local band; guys who get AARP and are still going strong! Most I know from years and bands past. But also on the bill is a band made up of guys who work at the station! Turns out we all used to play for a living; a couple still do--so the plan was launched.
Thursday; I'll pack the Hammond XK3 keyboard I play nowadays and truck up to the other side of the Chesapeake Bay and we'll start practicing. We need 20 songs for Sunday's two one-hour sets. We won't get a dime for it; in fact...we might have to pay THEM! But the fun we'll have will outweigh any hassle. We're expecting to have lots of fun with The Hubcaps...and we're also expecting to relive some memories we all thought would go by the wayside.
It must be Reunion Week. Broadcasting last week; music this week. What's next?
Cross your fingers we don't suck. Some of those "memories" may come back slower than others!
Monday, September 15, 2008
Saturday, September 13, 2008
MBS/NBC Radio 10-Year Reunion
I love it when a plan comes together.
Showing up at Saturday night's Mutual/NBC Radio reunion was almost like going to the MBS/NBC Christmas Party back in the day. For a lot of us; reconnecting was almost like not having to reconnect at all. Many of us had stayed in touch over the years; some of us had worked together again since the two networks were ousted from Crystal City in August, 1998. Some people weren't there because they were working and couldn't get off. Others weren't there because they weren't with us anymore. Regardless; everyone who was there had a great time. Lots of memories. Lots of inside stuff that spouses and outsiders who aren't in the business don't understand:
--Jim Bohannon was the perfect MC, as he always is.
--Bob Edwards read the "Mutual" chapter from his soon-to-be-released memoirs. It pretty much put the entire network in perspective. It also told the saga of C. Edward Little; legendary now...at least to the Geezers. The youngins don't understand what that era was all about.
--Dan Scanlan was moved to tears.
--Yours Truly played and commented on the last-ever MBS cast from Crystal City.
--John Henrehan told his Tom O'Brien story which, if you had ever worked with Tom, hit everything on the head. Everyone who worked there in the Bopper Era has a Tom O'Brien story.
--Dick Rosse, who may actually look younger than ten years ago, read a poem he wrote for the occasion.
--Paul Anthony played the "Laff and Gaffe" blooper reels, with commentary in between each cut. Sad they didn't have the one with Tony Marvin, obviously schnockered, completely butchering a "The World Today" newscast when the sponsor's executives were in a listening room in Minneapolis. Tony got two weeks off for that one. Anyone else (at the time) would have been permanently jettisoned from the industry.
--Marty Davis was stunning, as usual. She shot the video and it'll be on YouTube shortly.
--Bart Tessler, our boss at the end, showed up for the cocktail gathering, then, left.
--Phil Alexiou liked the salmon.
--I would have walked right by Rob Schaefer on the street. Glad I saw his name tag lol!
--Cara Fogarty and husband John Stempin couldn't make it at the last minute. Sad, since Cara was a good friend to all of us.
--Pat McDougall brought her mega-expensive Canon digital SLR and got lots of candids.
--Pat O'Donnell (Wash/Balt AFTRA Exec Secretary) sat at the front table. I hoped they comped her ticket. Pat's efforts in 1997 kept our salaries, severance and benefits intact. If it weren't for Pat; we would've gotten about $37.50 when we left. Pat's now-late husband, Tom Powers, was the AFTRA local counsel for years. He, too, was remembered fondly. He was just as instrumental in getting that contract as Pat was. Pat would probably say even more so than her.
--Where was Dean Everette? How could we have a party without Dean?
--We remembered Fred Lowery. We all wish Fred could have been there. Perhaps he was, anyway. We also remembered Kurt Henschen. He was probably there in spirit, too.
Jill "I Need A Job" Nado and Rita Rich did a helluva job of putting this thing together.
Reunions don't mean much except to those who attend them. But we had close to 100 people show up for an event where Jill was hoping just to break even with 50-60. There were others who couldn't come that night who wanted to; others were conspicuously absent. I know one thing: The 12th floor of 1755 Jeff Davis Highway--as screwed up as it was--was home for a lot of us in more ways than "just a job." When we left 8/31/98, severance checks in hand; we left a piece of ourselves in that building. Perhaps that's why so many of us showed up Saturday night. We may have moved on in jobs and careers, but will always remember the toil to put together a product that, despite the limitations--was many times better than the rest.
Showing up at Saturday night's Mutual/NBC Radio reunion was almost like going to the MBS/NBC Christmas Party back in the day. For a lot of us; reconnecting was almost like not having to reconnect at all. Many of us had stayed in touch over the years; some of us had worked together again since the two networks were ousted from Crystal City in August, 1998. Some people weren't there because they were working and couldn't get off. Others weren't there because they weren't with us anymore. Regardless; everyone who was there had a great time. Lots of memories. Lots of inside stuff that spouses and outsiders who aren't in the business don't understand:
--Jim Bohannon was the perfect MC, as he always is.
--Bob Edwards read the "Mutual" chapter from his soon-to-be-released memoirs. It pretty much put the entire network in perspective. It also told the saga of C. Edward Little; legendary now...at least to the Geezers. The youngins don't understand what that era was all about.
--Dan Scanlan was moved to tears.
--Yours Truly played and commented on the last-ever MBS cast from Crystal City.
--John Henrehan told his Tom O'Brien story which, if you had ever worked with Tom, hit everything on the head. Everyone who worked there in the Bopper Era has a Tom O'Brien story.
--Dick Rosse, who may actually look younger than ten years ago, read a poem he wrote for the occasion.
--Paul Anthony played the "Laff and Gaffe" blooper reels, with commentary in between each cut. Sad they didn't have the one with Tony Marvin, obviously schnockered, completely butchering a "The World Today" newscast when the sponsor's executives were in a listening room in Minneapolis. Tony got two weeks off for that one. Anyone else (at the time) would have been permanently jettisoned from the industry.
--Marty Davis was stunning, as usual. She shot the video and it'll be on YouTube shortly.
--Bart Tessler, our boss at the end, showed up for the cocktail gathering, then, left.
--Phil Alexiou liked the salmon.
--I would have walked right by Rob Schaefer on the street. Glad I saw his name tag lol!
--Cara Fogarty and husband John Stempin couldn't make it at the last minute. Sad, since Cara was a good friend to all of us.
--Pat McDougall brought her mega-expensive Canon digital SLR and got lots of candids.
--Pat O'Donnell (Wash/Balt AFTRA Exec Secretary) sat at the front table. I hoped they comped her ticket. Pat's efforts in 1997 kept our salaries, severance and benefits intact. If it weren't for Pat; we would've gotten about $37.50 when we left. Pat's now-late husband, Tom Powers, was the AFTRA local counsel for years. He, too, was remembered fondly. He was just as instrumental in getting that contract as Pat was. Pat would probably say even more so than her.
--Where was Dean Everette? How could we have a party without Dean?
--We remembered Fred Lowery. We all wish Fred could have been there. Perhaps he was, anyway. We also remembered Kurt Henschen. He was probably there in spirit, too.
Jill "I Need A Job" Nado and Rita Rich did a helluva job of putting this thing together.
Reunions don't mean much except to those who attend them. But we had close to 100 people show up for an event where Jill was hoping just to break even with 50-60. There were others who couldn't come that night who wanted to; others were conspicuously absent. I know one thing: The 12th floor of 1755 Jeff Davis Highway--as screwed up as it was--was home for a lot of us in more ways than "just a job." When we left 8/31/98, severance checks in hand; we left a piece of ourselves in that building. Perhaps that's why so many of us showed up Saturday night. We may have moved on in jobs and careers, but will always remember the toil to put together a product that, despite the limitations--was many times better than the rest.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Welcome Back Spam!
Last Friday; Virginia's Supreme Court declared the state's anti-spam law unconstitutional. At the same time; it overturned the conviction of Jeremy Jaynes, considered one of the world's biggest spammers. Jaynes got nine years for sending billions of spam emails worldwide...lots of them for things like "Cialis Soft-Tabs," "Chewable Viagra" and other things anyone with half a brain just knows aren't true. Jaynes was allowed to stay out of jail pending appeals.
And it looks like he'll be staying out of jail for a long time to come.
Jaynes made a fortune before being convicted and sentenced...apparently, enough money to hire great attorneys who kept his case in various courts until Friday's ruling. Although his case could conceivably go through federal appeals courts and, eventually, to the U-S Supreme Court; it appears Jeremy has won.
Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell says he'll take it to the U-S Supreme Court; says he's "very disappointed" in Friday's ruling. But, it's an election year--and it looks like McDonnell's going to run for Governor next year--so...
Two questions: What will this do to anti-spam laws in other states? When will Jeremy start spamming again?
Other states have similar anti-spam laws, but they haven't really been tested. Will Jaynes become the poster child for spam--and will his attorneys file in other states to have those laws overturned, too? Probably.
If Jeremy has any of his fortune left--and he probably does--it will take him about five minutes to find a provider and start spamming again. There are plenty of ISPs that will take his money and set up a corner of the server room just for him.
Ten years ago--back in the Windows 95 and 98 days--we got spammed plenty. Go on your computer at 7:30 am and watch the inbox flow! One email for me; 150 spam. It was a real pain in the ass. Some people still get a lot of spam. But, for the most part; the industry--and computer users--grew a brain and figured out how to limit or eliminate it. Nowadays; I get maybe one a day that seeps through. Any other "direct emails" usually come from online merchants or services I've chosen to get emails from.
But spam is still a big problem. By and large; computer users (read: all of us) really don't want it unless we ask for it. Perhaps the original anti-spam laws were written wrong? If spam is now truly protected under the First Amendment; how about new laws that severely punish spammers if they continue to send emails to those on a "do not spam" list? It's worked in telemarketing, although more and more on the "do not call" list seem to be falling through the cracks.
Treat the disease, not the symptoms.
I, too, am disappointed at Friday's state Supreme Court ruling. I'm getting my inbox ready as I write...
And it looks like he'll be staying out of jail for a long time to come.
Jaynes made a fortune before being convicted and sentenced...apparently, enough money to hire great attorneys who kept his case in various courts until Friday's ruling. Although his case could conceivably go through federal appeals courts and, eventually, to the U-S Supreme Court; it appears Jeremy has won.
Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell says he'll take it to the U-S Supreme Court; says he's "very disappointed" in Friday's ruling. But, it's an election year--and it looks like McDonnell's going to run for Governor next year--so...
Two questions: What will this do to anti-spam laws in other states? When will Jeremy start spamming again?
Other states have similar anti-spam laws, but they haven't really been tested. Will Jaynes become the poster child for spam--and will his attorneys file in other states to have those laws overturned, too? Probably.
If Jeremy has any of his fortune left--and he probably does--it will take him about five minutes to find a provider and start spamming again. There are plenty of ISPs that will take his money and set up a corner of the server room just for him.
Ten years ago--back in the Windows 95 and 98 days--we got spammed plenty. Go on your computer at 7:30 am and watch the inbox flow! One email for me; 150 spam. It was a real pain in the ass. Some people still get a lot of spam. But, for the most part; the industry--and computer users--grew a brain and figured out how to limit or eliminate it. Nowadays; I get maybe one a day that seeps through. Any other "direct emails" usually come from online merchants or services I've chosen to get emails from.
But spam is still a big problem. By and large; computer users (read: all of us) really don't want it unless we ask for it. Perhaps the original anti-spam laws were written wrong? If spam is now truly protected under the First Amendment; how about new laws that severely punish spammers if they continue to send emails to those on a "do not spam" list? It's worked in telemarketing, although more and more on the "do not call" list seem to be falling through the cracks.
Treat the disease, not the symptoms.
I, too, am disappointed at Friday's state Supreme Court ruling. I'm getting my inbox ready as I write...
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Don Lafontaine
Anyone who's cracked a mic as a voiceover talent in our generation knows the name Don Lafontaine. Don was to voiceovers what Itzak Pearlman is to the violin. Trailers for over 5,000 movies; hundreds of thousands of commercials. Millions in net worth. He invented a whole new way of doing things.
Don Lafontaine died yesterday, Labor Day, of complications from pneumothorax. In a nutshell; he was admitted to Cedars-Sinai for shortness of breath. Turned out it was a collapsed lung. And, a blood clot. Word is the clot moved elsewhere after the lung was reinflated and that was pretty much that. Don Lafontaine was 68.
Very sad. On top of being the most-prolific and highest-paid voiceover talent in the Universe; Don Lafontaine was also one of the nicest guys in the business. As much money as Don Lafontaine made; he may have been equally responsible for mentoring others and launching their careers. He was a big ham; unafraid to parody himself or the business that made him so much money. The Geico TV spot with him is one example--but I think of others you can find on YouTube if you search with his name. The limo ride to the awards show (Five Guys In A Limo) is classic.
Once the funeral's done and the grieving subsides--one thing is certain: Life goes on. And in the 15-minutes-of-fame voiceover business--no doubt half the talent in L.A. will be on the phone with The Tisherman Agency or ICM this time next week. Don did so much work--it might take several people to take care of his schedule. My A-List guesses for his replacement:
--George DelHoyo
--Ben Patrick Johnson
--Andy Geller
--And, of course--Hal Douglas
--And here's a long shot: Comedian Pablo Francisco--who does an uncanny imitation of Don Lafontaine. Could he get into character for a couple million a year? I could...
God bless Don Lafontaine. He changed the industry and gave an entire generation of viewers and listeners a voice they'll always remember.
Don Lafontaine died yesterday, Labor Day, of complications from pneumothorax. In a nutshell; he was admitted to Cedars-Sinai for shortness of breath. Turned out it was a collapsed lung. And, a blood clot. Word is the clot moved elsewhere after the lung was reinflated and that was pretty much that. Don Lafontaine was 68.
Very sad. On top of being the most-prolific and highest-paid voiceover talent in the Universe; Don Lafontaine was also one of the nicest guys in the business. As much money as Don Lafontaine made; he may have been equally responsible for mentoring others and launching their careers. He was a big ham; unafraid to parody himself or the business that made him so much money. The Geico TV spot with him is one example--but I think of others you can find on YouTube if you search with his name. The limo ride to the awards show (Five Guys In A Limo) is classic.
Once the funeral's done and the grieving subsides--one thing is certain: Life goes on. And in the 15-minutes-of-fame voiceover business--no doubt half the talent in L.A. will be on the phone with The Tisherman Agency or ICM this time next week. Don did so much work--it might take several people to take care of his schedule. My A-List guesses for his replacement:
--George DelHoyo
--Ben Patrick Johnson
--Andy Geller
--And, of course--Hal Douglas
--And here's a long shot: Comedian Pablo Francisco--who does an uncanny imitation of Don Lafontaine. Could he get into character for a couple million a year? I could...
God bless Don Lafontaine. He changed the industry and gave an entire generation of viewers and listeners a voice they'll always remember.
Monday, September 1, 2008
School Days
Our family is about to enter a new phase: Middle School.
When Michele and I first met; she was going through a very bad divorce and I was coming off a very disappointing relationship. We wouldn't date for several more years. That's for another piece. But I remember, when we were introduced and met to chat the first time--her adorable son, Nicholas. He was about four at the time. Always smiling; always easy to make laugh. And always laughing. Until I got married, I was never much into kids, although I thought it would be novel to have one of my own. But Nick seemed to be a great template for the imaginary "ideal kid."
In an earlier blog; I discussed Nick's finally acquiring a Nintendo Wii. Tuesday; Nick puts the Wii on the back burner and heads off to an experience he'll hopefully remember longer than the Wii: Farmwell Station Middle School.
As anyone at the top end of the 45-54 demo like I am can attest; school is different these days. I can't relate. For me, public school was K-6, then 7-9, then 10-12. I vividly remember the first day of seventh grade. We didn't have "orientation" or an Ice Cream Social, where parents ate ice cream and waited patiently for their darlings to finish their tour, get their class schedules, meet their teachers , buy Spirit Wear and try out their locker combinations. We, on the other hand, got our class schedules sometime in July, in a little 3/4 size envelope, printed out on a grid on one of those old mainframe data printers. We simply showed up at our new school the day after Labor Day and fended for ourselves. And everyone was thrown in the mix together. We feared getting "rooked," where 8th and 9th graders would try to mark your face or clothing with lipstick. Or, getting "froot looped," which is where someone would yank the hang loop off the back of your shirt, effectively ruining it, since the hang loop was sewn into the shoulder pleat just below the collar. If you haven't guessed by now; this was the 60s. We wore Bass Weejuns, Peters golf jackets, wore Canterbury belts and carried Canterbury wallets. We were preppy but didn't know it. We didn't have Abercrombie or Old Navy. We had The Varsity Shop.
Nowadays; middle school starts in sixth grade. Sorry, but that's way too young. The administrator who made that decision should be shot. To me, every phase of public school needs a point where the student becomes the big fish in the pond. Sixth grade for elementary; 9th grade for junior high and 12th grade for high school. These are tried-and-true transitional ages. I just don't think sixth graders are necessarily ready for the rigors of large-scale social interaction. That includes culture shocks like fighting, first day in the locker room and missing the bus when you live eight miles away.
Oops. I spoke too soon. Lots has happened since 1966-1970, when I went to middle school. Kids don't worry about getting in a playground scrap nowadays. They worry about being gunned down because the kid sitting next to them brought their dad's Glock 40 for a nouveau version of Show and Tell. Girls don't just worry about menstrual cramps and why boys suddenly like them. They worry Justin will be at Amber's party next Friday night while her parents are away. Not that they don't like Justin, but Justin's presence might mean sudden parenthood. Whether they like it or not.
Geez. Remember when the norm was "let's not and say we did?" Okay. perhaps that's why middle school now starts in sixth grade. Perhaps this is why kids are now in a more-structured setting at an earlier age. Sex, drugs, guns, gangs. Fashion. Peer pressure. It gets younger and younger.
That's really sad.
As you get older; you realize there's a time and place for everything. And as you look back on your life; you realize losing one's innocence wasn't all it was cracked up to be. Fun at the time? Maybe. But how you'd love to have those couple of years back now...
These days; middle school is highly-structured and highly-specialized. Gone are the six or seven period days. Now; it's four 90 minute blocks, with different classes on alternating days. Kinda like college. And the school resembles prison. No bars, but each grade is, for the most part, sequestered in their own "house." No more "lunch buddies." Each homeroom must eat lunch together. There is little if any cross-socialization.
Remember the first time you saw a boy and girl holding hands, walking down the hall? I don't know about Farmwell, but in other schools, such PDA today will get you suspended, if not expelled. Same for horseplay or even a scuffle that gets broken up before it escalates. Text your friend in History class and get caught? You'll need an attorney.
All this in mind; we've tried to get Nick to realize he's not the only one going through this tomorrow. Millions of kids nationwide will take the next step toward adulthood. He's psyched, too. Already has his bookbag packed with the requisite school supplies. Now, if he can just get through the next 23 hours...
I hope Nick remembers middle school as a positive experience. Eighth grade is usually the worst, transitionally. But, in reality; they all are. All we can do, as parents, is make sure Nick knows right from wrong, support him unconditionally and point him in the right direction. And, wish we were his age again--and know what we know now...
When Michele and I first met; she was going through a very bad divorce and I was coming off a very disappointing relationship. We wouldn't date for several more years. That's for another piece. But I remember, when we were introduced and met to chat the first time--her adorable son, Nicholas. He was about four at the time. Always smiling; always easy to make laugh. And always laughing. Until I got married, I was never much into kids, although I thought it would be novel to have one of my own. But Nick seemed to be a great template for the imaginary "ideal kid."
In an earlier blog; I discussed Nick's finally acquiring a Nintendo Wii. Tuesday; Nick puts the Wii on the back burner and heads off to an experience he'll hopefully remember longer than the Wii: Farmwell Station Middle School.
As anyone at the top end of the 45-54 demo like I am can attest; school is different these days. I can't relate. For me, public school was K-6, then 7-9, then 10-12. I vividly remember the first day of seventh grade. We didn't have "orientation" or an Ice Cream Social, where parents ate ice cream and waited patiently for their darlings to finish their tour, get their class schedules, meet their teachers , buy Spirit Wear and try out their locker combinations. We, on the other hand, got our class schedules sometime in July, in a little 3/4 size envelope, printed out on a grid on one of those old mainframe data printers. We simply showed up at our new school the day after Labor Day and fended for ourselves. And everyone was thrown in the mix together. We feared getting "rooked," where 8th and 9th graders would try to mark your face or clothing with lipstick. Or, getting "froot looped," which is where someone would yank the hang loop off the back of your shirt, effectively ruining it, since the hang loop was sewn into the shoulder pleat just below the collar. If you haven't guessed by now; this was the 60s. We wore Bass Weejuns, Peters golf jackets, wore Canterbury belts and carried Canterbury wallets. We were preppy but didn't know it. We didn't have Abercrombie or Old Navy. We had The Varsity Shop.
Nowadays; middle school starts in sixth grade. Sorry, but that's way too young. The administrator who made that decision should be shot. To me, every phase of public school needs a point where the student becomes the big fish in the pond. Sixth grade for elementary; 9th grade for junior high and 12th grade for high school. These are tried-and-true transitional ages. I just don't think sixth graders are necessarily ready for the rigors of large-scale social interaction. That includes culture shocks like fighting, first day in the locker room and missing the bus when you live eight miles away.
Oops. I spoke too soon. Lots has happened since 1966-1970, when I went to middle school. Kids don't worry about getting in a playground scrap nowadays. They worry about being gunned down because the kid sitting next to them brought their dad's Glock 40 for a nouveau version of Show and Tell. Girls don't just worry about menstrual cramps and why boys suddenly like them. They worry Justin will be at Amber's party next Friday night while her parents are away. Not that they don't like Justin, but Justin's presence might mean sudden parenthood. Whether they like it or not.
Geez. Remember when the norm was "let's not and say we did?" Okay. perhaps that's why middle school now starts in sixth grade. Perhaps this is why kids are now in a more-structured setting at an earlier age. Sex, drugs, guns, gangs. Fashion. Peer pressure. It gets younger and younger.
That's really sad.
As you get older; you realize there's a time and place for everything. And as you look back on your life; you realize losing one's innocence wasn't all it was cracked up to be. Fun at the time? Maybe. But how you'd love to have those couple of years back now...
These days; middle school is highly-structured and highly-specialized. Gone are the six or seven period days. Now; it's four 90 minute blocks, with different classes on alternating days. Kinda like college. And the school resembles prison. No bars, but each grade is, for the most part, sequestered in their own "house." No more "lunch buddies." Each homeroom must eat lunch together. There is little if any cross-socialization.
Remember the first time you saw a boy and girl holding hands, walking down the hall? I don't know about Farmwell, but in other schools, such PDA today will get you suspended, if not expelled. Same for horseplay or even a scuffle that gets broken up before it escalates. Text your friend in History class and get caught? You'll need an attorney.
All this in mind; we've tried to get Nick to realize he's not the only one going through this tomorrow. Millions of kids nationwide will take the next step toward adulthood. He's psyched, too. Already has his bookbag packed with the requisite school supplies. Now, if he can just get through the next 23 hours...
I hope Nick remembers middle school as a positive experience. Eighth grade is usually the worst, transitionally. But, in reality; they all are. All we can do, as parents, is make sure Nick knows right from wrong, support him unconditionally and point him in the right direction. And, wish we were his age again--and know what we know now...
Saturday, August 30, 2008
The Mutual/NBC Radio Reunion--Or, Cash Bar At Its Finest...
In a couple of weeks; broadcasters from near and far will gather at a hotel to eat, drink, mingle, talk about old times and listen to some audio memories from days gone by. Certainly not the first time that's happened in my career...and it probably won't be the last.
But major bashes like the upcoming NBC Radio/Mutual Broadcasting System reunion are special--not just because of the camaraderie, but because we'll have a chance to remember how things were "back in the day." And, for me, at least (although I'm sure others will feel similar); the rememberances will go back a long time. I'll explain, albeit in a roundabout way.
Broadcasting has changed little on the outside in the last ten years. Radio stations and formats come and go. People come and go. But it's changed exponentially on the inside. The purge of NBC/Mutual in August of 1998 was a grand example of how things were about to change industry-wide. In a nutshell; Mel Karmazin, whom you may know now runs Sirius/XM; took over NBC/Mutual and CBS Radio. Mel eventually decided he didn't need NBC/Mutual, or its staff, payroll and general overhead. So, in July of 1998; we were told, en masse, we were being let go and NBC/Mutual's operations would move to NYC, down the hall from CBS. Once those network's contractual obligations to affiliates were fulfilled; NBC and Mutual would be killed off, although that would take a while. CNNRadio would eventually pick up most of those affiliates.
A few of the NBC/MBS crew went to NYC. But literally dozens lost jobs here. Fortunately; all but a few "stragglers" landed on their feet, found other work and moved on. Interesting that, had the networks not folded; most of us might still be there today, working on double-digit anniversaries and calculating our severance.
The NBC/Mutual complex in Crystal City (near National Airport) was old by anyone's standards. While other networks had converted--or were converting--to digital media; NBC/Mutual was still all reel-to-reel and all-cart. For the uninitated, that means we were still recording on and playing back tape. Ironically; Mutual was a pioneer in computer-controlled newscasts, having gone to an automated mic and time gate decades ago. The system is common now, but was way ahead of its time then. The computer fired the theme, turned your mic on and "clipped" you if you ran over. Problem was, by the time I got there in 1995 as an anchor; they were using the same system they used in the early 80s. And it was being held together with chewing gum. And, sadly--that's the way most of the 12th floor was until the end. Hell; if it hadn't been for Norm Pattiz buying NBC Radio; we might have still been using manual typewriters and carbon paper! By the time I got there; the BASYS system hadn't been in the building all that long.
But it was a thrill to work there; a thrill to be on-the-air there; a thrill to contribute. Why?
I grew up with broadcasting. My dad, Jim Hall, was a long-time Mutual anchor and correspondent in the 60s and 70s. For his day, he was considered one of the best in the business. Not only was he a top-notch newsman, but made significant money as a voice talent. I don't say that because he was my father; that's what everyone else said about him. I grew up with that level of the business. When I was growing up; it was glamorous. And, because of who my dad "was;" I knew a lot of the heavies of the time. And, in my various stops in my career; I would run into some of them time and again.
When Jim passed away in 1990; a good deal of the "old-school" MBS people attended his memorial service. It was touching.
Mutual was a big part of my family's life. Thus, when I was hired on to anchor in 1995; I considered that a huge thrill. In the end; I made many friends there. And when we all gather in a couple of weeks; it'll be nice to see them again.
There will be some who will be missing. One who immediately comes to mind is Fred Lowery. One of the most talented radio newspeople ever. Simply the best. And one of the nicest people you would ever know. Fred held down the overnight anchor slot for 20+ years. He liked doing overnights. First; it kept him away from management. Second; it left his days free for golf. We played a lot of golf together.
Every year; Fred would take his five weeks vacation in one big lump. Fred and Ann would drive up to their little "summer place" in Norway, Maine. You can't get there from here. Every year I was at NBC/MBS; I would cover that five weeks of overnights. We wouldn't hear from Fred for five weeks. No phone, no nothing.
In July of 1998; Fred and Ann went to Maine, as they usually did. But this time, it was different. Not long into their stay; Fred became ill. The nearest hospital was nothing more than a "community hospital," with limited medical facilities. It is said Fred walked in the emergency room under his own power. But he never left. His body failed rapidly and he died of a massive infection July 26, 1998. He was only 55. He died much the same way Jim Henson of The Muppets died--a raging staph infection that, by the time doctors got to it--was uncontrollable.
When we got the call the next day--Monday morning; we were, individually and collectively, in shock. I had just gone to bed after working Fred's shift, when anchor Barbara Porter called me to tell me. I wasn't the only one who dropped what they were doing to go in and hang out after hearing the news. It was that kind of place.
Kurt Henschen is another one. Kurt was a familiar news voice on WMAL in the 70s before going to MBS. He died of ALS two years ago. We had a wake for him in May of 2006.
Ironically; I did the last-ever Mutual newscast from Crystal City. It was the 5 AM show on Sunday morning, 8/30/98. It was nothing more than luck of the schedule. Otherwise; someone else might have done it. But for me; it was apt. 35 years of family history with the network...and I'm the one who gets to shut it down.
The 6 AM newscast came out of NYC. Jim Chenevey anchored it. But I had to have a newscast ready and be in the booth, just in case.
On Monday, 8/31, we all went in for one last day to clean out our boxes and get our severance checks.
You can listen to the last MBS newscast from Crystal City here.
I'm hoping the NBC/MBS reunion is a great blowout. I hope we all have great fun. A big thank-you to Jill Nado, Judy Thomas and Rita Rich for putting this together.
I'll always remember the great time I had working there--both in high school as a tape editor and as an anchor as an adult. I know many others will feel the same way. That's because despite the problems inherent to a big broadcast news operation--translation: all the bullshit we went through; we were all made better for the experience.
But major bashes like the upcoming NBC Radio/Mutual Broadcasting System reunion are special--not just because of the camaraderie, but because we'll have a chance to remember how things were "back in the day." And, for me, at least (although I'm sure others will feel similar); the rememberances will go back a long time. I'll explain, albeit in a roundabout way.
Broadcasting has changed little on the outside in the last ten years. Radio stations and formats come and go. People come and go. But it's changed exponentially on the inside. The purge of NBC/Mutual in August of 1998 was a grand example of how things were about to change industry-wide. In a nutshell; Mel Karmazin, whom you may know now runs Sirius/XM; took over NBC/Mutual and CBS Radio. Mel eventually decided he didn't need NBC/Mutual, or its staff, payroll and general overhead. So, in July of 1998; we were told, en masse, we were being let go and NBC/Mutual's operations would move to NYC, down the hall from CBS. Once those network's contractual obligations to affiliates were fulfilled; NBC and Mutual would be killed off, although that would take a while. CNNRadio would eventually pick up most of those affiliates.
A few of the NBC/MBS crew went to NYC. But literally dozens lost jobs here. Fortunately; all but a few "stragglers" landed on their feet, found other work and moved on. Interesting that, had the networks not folded; most of us might still be there today, working on double-digit anniversaries and calculating our severance.
The NBC/Mutual complex in Crystal City (near National Airport) was old by anyone's standards. While other networks had converted--or were converting--to digital media; NBC/Mutual was still all reel-to-reel and all-cart. For the uninitated, that means we were still recording on and playing back tape. Ironically; Mutual was a pioneer in computer-controlled newscasts, having gone to an automated mic and time gate decades ago. The system is common now, but was way ahead of its time then. The computer fired the theme, turned your mic on and "clipped" you if you ran over. Problem was, by the time I got there in 1995 as an anchor; they were using the same system they used in the early 80s. And it was being held together with chewing gum. And, sadly--that's the way most of the 12th floor was until the end. Hell; if it hadn't been for Norm Pattiz buying NBC Radio; we might have still been using manual typewriters and carbon paper! By the time I got there; the BASYS system hadn't been in the building all that long.
But it was a thrill to work there; a thrill to be on-the-air there; a thrill to contribute. Why?
I grew up with broadcasting. My dad, Jim Hall, was a long-time Mutual anchor and correspondent in the 60s and 70s. For his day, he was considered one of the best in the business. Not only was he a top-notch newsman, but made significant money as a voice talent. I don't say that because he was my father; that's what everyone else said about him. I grew up with that level of the business. When I was growing up; it was glamorous. And, because of who my dad "was;" I knew a lot of the heavies of the time. And, in my various stops in my career; I would run into some of them time and again.
When Jim passed away in 1990; a good deal of the "old-school" MBS people attended his memorial service. It was touching.
Mutual was a big part of my family's life. Thus, when I was hired on to anchor in 1995; I considered that a huge thrill. In the end; I made many friends there. And when we all gather in a couple of weeks; it'll be nice to see them again.
There will be some who will be missing. One who immediately comes to mind is Fred Lowery. One of the most talented radio newspeople ever. Simply the best. And one of the nicest people you would ever know. Fred held down the overnight anchor slot for 20+ years. He liked doing overnights. First; it kept him away from management. Second; it left his days free for golf. We played a lot of golf together.
Every year; Fred would take his five weeks vacation in one big lump. Fred and Ann would drive up to their little "summer place" in Norway, Maine. You can't get there from here. Every year I was at NBC/MBS; I would cover that five weeks of overnights. We wouldn't hear from Fred for five weeks. No phone, no nothing.
In July of 1998; Fred and Ann went to Maine, as they usually did. But this time, it was different. Not long into their stay; Fred became ill. The nearest hospital was nothing more than a "community hospital," with limited medical facilities. It is said Fred walked in the emergency room under his own power. But he never left. His body failed rapidly and he died of a massive infection July 26, 1998. He was only 55. He died much the same way Jim Henson of The Muppets died--a raging staph infection that, by the time doctors got to it--was uncontrollable.
When we got the call the next day--Monday morning; we were, individually and collectively, in shock. I had just gone to bed after working Fred's shift, when anchor Barbara Porter called me to tell me. I wasn't the only one who dropped what they were doing to go in and hang out after hearing the news. It was that kind of place.
Kurt Henschen is another one. Kurt was a familiar news voice on WMAL in the 70s before going to MBS. He died of ALS two years ago. We had a wake for him in May of 2006.
Ironically; I did the last-ever Mutual newscast from Crystal City. It was the 5 AM show on Sunday morning, 8/30/98. It was nothing more than luck of the schedule. Otherwise; someone else might have done it. But for me; it was apt. 35 years of family history with the network...and I'm the one who gets to shut it down.
The 6 AM newscast came out of NYC. Jim Chenevey anchored it. But I had to have a newscast ready and be in the booth, just in case.
On Monday, 8/31, we all went in for one last day to clean out our boxes and get our severance checks.
You can listen to the last MBS newscast from Crystal City here.
I'm hoping the NBC/MBS reunion is a great blowout. I hope we all have great fun. A big thank-you to Jill Nado, Judy Thomas and Rita Rich for putting this together.
I'll always remember the great time I had working there--both in high school as a tape editor and as an anchor as an adult. I know many others will feel the same way. That's because despite the problems inherent to a big broadcast news operation--translation: all the bullshit we went through; we were all made better for the experience.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Food Network: Anodyne To Civilization?
When Food Network first went on the air; I was, like, "so what?" Who's Emeril Lagasse and why does anyone care?
BAM!
These days; I can't go more than a day without watching Food Network at length. I haven't learned all that much about cooking. But I've learned a LOT about marketing.
Whomever's behind the casting and marketing of Food Network's show inventory is either a flat-out genius...or lucky. Maybe both. Emeril Lagasse. Rachael Ray. Paula Deen. Giada DeLaurentis. Ina Garten. Bobby Flay. Tyler Florence. Guy Fieri.
Boy--if I had my life to live over; my ass would be in culinary school!
I would think most of those I've mentioned--and a few others I haven't--would be doing okay without Food Network. But their day-in, day-out TV exposure has made most of them millions.
Paula Deen, for example. Started out as a single mom with $200, making bag lunches for local businesspeople. Her kids, Jamie and Bobby (now TV stars in their own right), delivered them. Paula then opened a little restaurant, which became a big restaurant. Then, her brother, Bubba (how apt), opened his own place. Licenses to print money. Then, Paula gets the Food Network gig. Ever watch her "Paula's Cooking" show? I've never seen so many Rolexes in one show! She's got one. Her husband, Michael, has one. Her kids have 'em. Paula, whose first marriage ended up in a landfill, marries Michael in a paradise setting and settles in to a quaint little place that dwarfs my entire condo building. Little vacations to the Caribbean, Paris; you get the idea. And it's all in the hard drive room at Food Network. Where's my checkbook, y'all?
Rachael Ray. Holy crap! Buyer for Macy's, right? Ends up teaching these "30 Minute Meals" courses at some community college. First cookbook goes through the roof. She's so adorable; it's hard to believe that Beef-On-Weck accent comes out of her mouth! When she was doing those "$40 A Day" shows; it was plain to see she was not just there for the shoot. Every show had a different guy. Then, she marries John Cusimano in Italy. By this time, Rachel's flush with cash. Flew 100 of her friends and relatives to the wedding and put them up! Wonder what was in the "thank you" bag? Now; Rachel's taping schedule rivals most trauma surgeon's surgical schedules. How good is that?
Giada DeLaurentis. Did Grandpa Dino get her this gig--or was he already gone by then? I'd love to see the Nielson breakouts on male viewers for "Everyday Italian." If any Food Network personality is flat-out beautiful; it's Giada. And, she can cook! Mangia!
Ina Garten. A Nice Jewish Girl who's husband just happens to be a top trial lawyer and they just happen to live in this "little place in the country" that just happens to have a full-blown restaurant kitchen. Ina does things like make Popsicles out of Martini & Rossi and freezes beef and chicken broth in cube trays for future use. I wonder if she's ever popped a couple in a glass of iced tea by mistake? I love their little lunch and dinner parties for their nearby rich friends, where they delicately slice thru the dishes she's painstakingly made from scratch. Usually; husband Michael is just getting home from work on the train and is famished. What timing. Her show's called "The Barefoot Contessa." But I swear I've never seen her barefoot!
Bobby Flay. Just once; I'd like to see Bobby make a dish WITHOUT habenero pepper. Just once!
Guy Fieri. What happens when your high school locker partner goes to cooking school...
Mario Batali. Anyone with the balls to wear orange wooden clogs is okay in my book. I remember the "Cooking With Mario" (or whatever it was called) episode where he whips up things at the kitchen counter, with 2-3 people sitting on stools on the other side? Do you remember the female impersonator? I honestly don't think Mario had a clue until about midway through the show. By then, it was too late.
Well; I could go on...but Emeril Live is coming up momentarily. I must prepare.
BAM!
These days; I can't go more than a day without watching Food Network at length. I haven't learned all that much about cooking. But I've learned a LOT about marketing.
Whomever's behind the casting and marketing of Food Network's show inventory is either a flat-out genius...or lucky. Maybe both. Emeril Lagasse. Rachael Ray. Paula Deen. Giada DeLaurentis. Ina Garten. Bobby Flay. Tyler Florence. Guy Fieri.
Boy--if I had my life to live over; my ass would be in culinary school!
I would think most of those I've mentioned--and a few others I haven't--would be doing okay without Food Network. But their day-in, day-out TV exposure has made most of them millions.
Paula Deen, for example. Started out as a single mom with $200, making bag lunches for local businesspeople. Her kids, Jamie and Bobby (now TV stars in their own right), delivered them. Paula then opened a little restaurant, which became a big restaurant. Then, her brother, Bubba (how apt), opened his own place. Licenses to print money. Then, Paula gets the Food Network gig. Ever watch her "Paula's Cooking" show? I've never seen so many Rolexes in one show! She's got one. Her husband, Michael, has one. Her kids have 'em. Paula, whose first marriage ended up in a landfill, marries Michael in a paradise setting and settles in to a quaint little place that dwarfs my entire condo building. Little vacations to the Caribbean, Paris; you get the idea. And it's all in the hard drive room at Food Network. Where's my checkbook, y'all?
Rachael Ray. Holy crap! Buyer for Macy's, right? Ends up teaching these "30 Minute Meals" courses at some community college. First cookbook goes through the roof. She's so adorable; it's hard to believe that Beef-On-Weck accent comes out of her mouth! When she was doing those "$40 A Day" shows; it was plain to see she was not just there for the shoot. Every show had a different guy. Then, she marries John Cusimano in Italy. By this time, Rachel's flush with cash. Flew 100 of her friends and relatives to the wedding and put them up! Wonder what was in the "thank you" bag? Now; Rachel's taping schedule rivals most trauma surgeon's surgical schedules. How good is that?
Giada DeLaurentis. Did Grandpa Dino get her this gig--or was he already gone by then? I'd love to see the Nielson breakouts on male viewers for "Everyday Italian." If any Food Network personality is flat-out beautiful; it's Giada. And, she can cook! Mangia!
Ina Garten. A Nice Jewish Girl who's husband just happens to be a top trial lawyer and they just happen to live in this "little place in the country" that just happens to have a full-blown restaurant kitchen. Ina does things like make Popsicles out of Martini & Rossi and freezes beef and chicken broth in cube trays for future use. I wonder if she's ever popped a couple in a glass of iced tea by mistake? I love their little lunch and dinner parties for their nearby rich friends, where they delicately slice thru the dishes she's painstakingly made from scratch. Usually; husband Michael is just getting home from work on the train and is famished. What timing. Her show's called "The Barefoot Contessa." But I swear I've never seen her barefoot!
Bobby Flay. Just once; I'd like to see Bobby make a dish WITHOUT habenero pepper. Just once!
Guy Fieri. What happens when your high school locker partner goes to cooking school...
Mario Batali. Anyone with the balls to wear orange wooden clogs is okay in my book. I remember the "Cooking With Mario" (or whatever it was called) episode where he whips up things at the kitchen counter, with 2-3 people sitting on stools on the other side? Do you remember the female impersonator? I honestly don't think Mario had a clue until about midway through the show. By then, it was too late.
Well; I could go on...but Emeril Live is coming up momentarily. I must prepare.
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