BF-T's "Radio Waves" (Dec. 29 Edition)

[BossRadioDJ]

And now, from our department of being self-indulgent department, in case you missed Ben Fong-Torres' latest "Radio Waves" column, you may find it online at:

http://tinyurl.com/36ckf5

I think my name was mentioned in there somewhere, among all the super-duperstars of local radio that are spotlighted.

DJ

 

[DavidKaye]

I think my name was mentioned in there somewhere, among all the super-duperstars of local radio that are spotlighted.
DJ

I'm curious: If you've never worked in radio, why do you bill yourself as "BossRadioDJ"?

 

[LKellerIII]

"I'm curious: If you've never worked in radio, why do you bill yourself as 'BossRadioDJ'? "

Ooh -ooh - I know the answer! It's because his name is David Jackson. I assume the "Boss Radio" part is a tribute - because he's a fan of the old Boss Radio format, as he is in regard to radio in general.

DJ - BFT's article was a great tribute - you're doing a good thing.

Gee - I really am sucking up today...

 

[BossRadioDJ]

I'm curious: If you've never worked in radio, why do you bill yourself as "BossRadioDJ"?

Gee, David, why would you be curious about that? Was there something in the column that prompted it? (You have my email address and could have asked me directly, rather than in this forum.)

Many years ago when this board was started, everybody used "handles" rather than their real names. Since my interest in radio focused originally on the Boss Radio era, and 93/KHJ in particular (and The Real Don Steele primarily), I combined my initials with BossRadio.

Occasionally, it raises the hackles of someone that has had a long and brilliant career in radio that I use "BossRadioDJ" here -- usually with the "you've never worked in radio" spitball tacked on the end -- when I'm obviously not "one of them."

I always look at it this way: what I do is the equivalent of a guy who collects baseball cards. It isn't necessary to have played in the major leagues to collect baseball cards. It's the same thing with collecting broadcasting memorabilia.

Except it seems to really annoy some people "in radio" -- especially on the fringes -- that I do what I do. Oh well.

DJ

 

[DavidKaye]

Gee, David, why would you be curious about that? Was there something in the column that prompted it? (You have my email address and could have asked me directly, rather than in this forum.)

Is the question any less valid? It was far easier to repond in the forum than via email because I'm not sure which account has your address in it. Plus, there is nothing to be ashamed of. It's not like you've committed a sin or anything.

[/quote]

 

[SFStatic]

There may be a few folks that get riled because of their special feelings about the great old "boss radio" staffs, which, back in the day, were something a lot of jocks idolized. Didn't notice any of the living legends giving you any hassle about it, and frankly, at least a couple are literally world famous. You did a nice job with the HOF awards.

 

[Madmansam]

And now, from our department of being self-indulgent department, in case you missed Ben Fong-Torres' latest "Radio Waves" column, you may find it online at:

http://tinyurl.com/36ckf5

I think my name was mentioned in there somewhere, among all the super-duperstars of local radio that are spotlighted.

DJ

David, I am curious? Is BEN FONG-TORRES himself in the Hall Of Fame? If not, he should be nominated?

 

[DavidKaye]

Is BEN FONG-TORRES himself in the Hall Of Fame? If not, he should be nominated?

Why should he be nominated? He's not a legendary broadcaster, is he? He did some shifts here and there over the years, not unlike any other journeyman DJ. If you want to elect BF-T then why not Tom Campbell, Sean O'Callahan, Bill Wood, Buck Herring, Cottonseed Clark, Jerry Leeds, Grant Wrathall, Al Covaia, Tom Benner, or Bill Keffury?

 

[tripton99]

Ben Fong Torres has done a lot more "for" radio in the Bay Area than some of the jocks already installed. Let's broaden our approach to future voting and use the nomination process to include those who have done the good things. I would also mention Bill Gavin here. He was a memorable show host in his 30 years of work on KPO/KNBC with the likes of "Lucky Lager Dance Time," but he also championed the integrity and ethics of Bay Area radio through his newsletter trade publication, The Gavin Report.

BTW, I admit to having two dogs in the above fight.

In future years of Hall of Fame selections I hope we can pay tribute to local owners. GMs, newspersons, sportscasters and even the rare journalist who gives a hoot about radio (I can count them on one hand), the award will have more meaning and be more inclusive.

I'm getting lazy in my old age, does anyone recall what the wording is on the reasons we nominate who we nominate, or is it completely vague?

Happy New Year, everyone.

 

[BossRadioDJ]

In future years of Hall of Fame selections I hope we can pay tribute to local owners. GMs, newspersons, sportscasters and even the rare journalist who gives a hoot about radio (I can count them on one hand), the award will have more meaning and be more inclusive.

I'm getting lazy in my old age, does anyone recall what the wording is on the reasons we nominate who we nominate, or is it completely vague?

The nomination process is not completely vague, but it is fairly broad. Basically, it comes down to this: anyone who has distinguished him/herself in local radio either on the air or behind the scenes is eligible for nomination.

Popularity, longevity, creativity and innovation are all factors -- but how are they defined? There are some radio personalities that have been on the air for decades here, but have never distinguished themselves; just showing up for work each day doesn't make you a Hall of Famer. (Does it?)

On the other hand, there are engineers, programmers and executives that have worked behind the scenes for years and years that deserve recognition for their work, even though 99% of the listening public has never heard of them.

On the other other hand, I've had people come up to me and say, "Why isn't [INSERT NAME] in the Hall of Fame? He worked in radio for fifty years in Utah and Colorado, and had a show on a public station up in Nevada for a few years. I've known him forever. He's really a great guy!"

Great guy, maybe. Great broadcaster, perhaps. Bay Area Radio Hall of Famer? Probably not.

The suggestions I've heard so far (outside this board) for the Class of 2008 include Scott Beach, Alex Bennett, Roy Storey, Doug Pledger, Russ "The Moose" Syracuse, Les Crane, Jimmy Lyons, Don Klein, Phil Lerza, Dave Morey, Bill Gavin, Bud Heyde, Terry McGovern, John Mack Flanagan, Bob Jones, Mickey Luckoff, Frank Terry, J.P. McCarthy and Bobby Dale.

Who are we leaving off?

DJ

 

[DavidKaye]

The suggestions I've heard so far (outside this board) for the Class of 2008 include Scott Beach, Alex Bennett, Roy Storey, Doug Pledger, Russ "The Moose" Syracuse, Les Crane, Jimmy Lyons, Don Klein, Phil Lerza, Dave Morey, Bill Gavin, Bud Heyde, Terry McGovern, John Mack Flanagan, Bob Jones, Mickey Luckoff, Frank Terry, J.P. McCarthy and Bobby Dale.

We all have good memories of these guys, but let's take Frank Terry as an example. What makes him so great? He was one of the original KHJ Boss Jocks and all that. Fine, but in the Bay Area what was he? He was a journeyman DJ who worked at KNBR, KNEW, and KFRC. There is nothing particularly distinguishable about him. Sure, he's got a fine voice with a country drawl that he turned on when needed. But was he any better than, say, Bill Keffury, who had a longer stint in Bay Area radio?

(I had the unnerving luck to get interviewed for a DJ job at KNEW immediately before him. As I was sitting there waiting to meet the PD he came in. We met and chatted briefly and I asked myself why bother when he's got it in the bag. He did. He got the job.)

 

[SFStatic]

If you heard the last morning show on KSAN as country, you would have gone home and buried your microphone and kicked the dog. That's how I felt. Frank showed just what a giant he was, with every line brilliant radio. He sucked the air out of the room. His talent level was WAY above a journeyman jock, and up there with any other KHJ Boss Jock. We should all be that lucky to have so much talent.

 

[anotherlistener50]

Is BEN FONG-TORRES himself in the Hall Of Fame? If not, he should be nominated?

Why should he be nominated? He's not a legendary broadcaster, is he? He did some shifts here and there over the years, not unlike any other journeyman DJ. If you want to elect BF-T then why not Tom Campbell, Sean O'Callahan, Bill Wood, Buck Herring, Cottonseed Clark, Jerry Leeds, Grant Wrathall, Al Covaia, Tom Benner, or Bill Keffury?

if you nominate cottonseed clark, shouldn't you also nominate....red murrell....john whalen....julie stevens?

 

[BossRadioDJ]

if you nominate cottonseed clark, shouldn't you also nominate....red murrell....john whalen....julie stevens?

Cactus Jack ... Black Jack Wayne ... Gary Scott Thomas?

 

[DavidKaye]

Cactus Jack ... Black Jack Wayne ... Gary Scott Thomas?

Don't know who GST is, but I've heard BJW, CJ, and of course Cottonseed Clark. In fact, my introduction to KEEN in SJ at age 9 was when I pleaded with my parents to drive up into the orchard on Old Oakland Road to KEEN to meet CC. He was on the air at the time. This was when KEEN was in its heyday as a Western music station. I was disappointed to see a college kid board opping and playing back gigantic reels (15-inch?) of CC between the records. Still, even voicetracked, he sounded great.

One of my faves was Jerry Leeds of KSAY, another Western station. (Now we go into my rant about how our local version of "country" music was actually Western music, and how the KEEN and KSAY were cool and nothing today compares because it's all Nashville Sound garbarge.)

Anyhow, Jerry Leeds had afternoons on KSAY, and it didn't matter much to the listeners that they had to sign off at sunset. They did their best, and I'm sure Grant Wrathall made enough money on the place, selling it to James Gabbert and retiring to the Santa Cruz area to start yet another station there.

Jerry had this earthshaking deep voice. I think he was also the voice for California Raisins at the time, too. I liked listening to him because I had this fantasy that he was some kind of music star (because he had the voice for it). I have no idea whether he was a musician or not, though.

But still I get back to wondering what should constitute a hall of famer. Just because someone is good on the air is not enough, I don't think. The Bay Area has been blessed with plenty of people who sound good on the air. Should they all be inducted? If so, it weakens the concept of a hall of fame, does it not?

 

[BossRadioDJ]

Cactus Jack ... Black Jack Wayne ... Gary Scott Thomas?

Don't know who GST is...

Gary Scott Thomas has been the outstanding morning man at KRTY/95.3 for about fifteen years. He co-hosts with the equally outstanding Julie Stevens.

 

[BossRadioDJ]

But still I get back to wondering what should constitute a hall of famer. Just because someone is good on the air is not enough, I don't think.The Bay Area has been blessed with plenty of people who sound good on the air.Should they all be inducted? If so, it weakens the concept of a hall of fame, does it not?

Asked and answered in my earlier post in this thread: There are some radio personalities that have been on the air for decades here, but have never distinguished themselves; just showing up for work each day doesn't make you a Hall of Famer. (Does it?)

 

[DavidKaye]

Gary Scott Thomas has been the outstanding morning man at KRTY/95.3 for about fifteen years. He co-hosts with the equally outstanding Julie Stevens.

Oh, okay. I don't listen to Nashville Sound, which is KRTY's stock in trade.