Courtney Thompson <courtt1@bellsouth.net>: This'll put things into perspective for you...
http://members.chello.se/mbg/tsunamiphuket.wmv
9 years ago
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
RAP on Books for Creative Types
The readers of Radio & Production Magazine were asked in the January 2005 edition "what was the last book you read on radio creative?"
From: http://rapmag.com/ (Jerry Vigil)...
In the Blink of an Eye 2nd Edition
"In the Blink of an Eye: A Perspective on Film Editing"
Music, The Brain, and Ecstasy by Robert Jourdain
This is a fascinating and well-written book that should be a must for any sound designer. Robert Jourdain starts with the biology of how we perceive sound; analyzes what makes melodies, harmonies, and rhythms interesting; explains why composers are driven to what they do; and concludes with why music makes us feel good. Reading it, I also leared a lot about myself and some of my colleagues, and why we hear sounds differently than the general public... our unusual perceptual skills aren't because we're particularly talented, but an accident of biochemistry.
Copywriter: A Life of Making Ads and Other Mistakes ...
For close to 20 years Ray Welch dominated New England advertising awards. He was the Woody Allen of the industry, writing self-deprecating (but hilarious and strategically spot-on) ads, and later becoming one of the area's most effective voice-over announcers. He was also one of the most well-liked personalities in the community -- I should know, I was there -- and a great story-teller. These are his stories. They're all funny. Many of them also reveal truths of ad agency life, the kinds of people attracted to that business, and the thinking that goes into a great campaign. The book reads the way I remember that life. Except Welch obviously had a lot more fun.
Ray Welch displays print portfolio, plus downloadable radio commercials: www.raywelch.com/
Amazon.com: Books: VO: Tales and Techniques of a Voice-Over Actor
Everything Harlan Hogan writes is true: the techniques, the way the business works, the friendships that form between actors competing for the same jobs, the life. It's actually two books, interleaved. Chapters alternate between sage (and hard-earned) advice on polishing voice-acting performing and job-getting skills, and some of the things Harlan had to go through to learn these lesions. If you're an announcer, engineer, or sharp producer, you'll chuckle over the war stories. If you're trying to break into the business, you couldn't have a better teacher.
Harlan Hogan - Voice overs Narrations Commercials Promos
The Responsive Chord by Tony Schwartz: Amazon.com: Books: The Responsive Chord
Tony Schwartz was one of the first to ask "how does a sound track actually influence our behavior". Since he's also a noted sound designer specializing in radio and television advertising, he's in a good position to test his theories. Some of the examples are dated -- being the seminal work in the Resonance Theory of communication, it's about thirty years old -- but the entire book is still thought-provoking.
All of prod guy Jay Rose's recommended reading: www.dplay.com/dv/books.html
"Copywriter" - John E. Matthews
Barnes & Noble.com - Book Search: John E. Matthews
Steven Pressfield - Official Website
Seattle Times: "Yes, The War of Art is hell. But Steven Pressfield is our Clausewitz..""Read every other book about advertising creative before you read this book, because "The Book of Gossage" will spoil all those other books for you.."
AdBuzz.com
Chapter Excerpt: The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
And, of course - Roy Williams: www.wizardofads.com/
For me, the articles in RAP are very motivating, but the monthly CD of promos and spots is worth the subscription price all by itself. Radio And Production - Subscribe
From: http://rapmag.com/ (Jerry Vigil)...
In the Blink of an Eye 2nd Edition
"In the Blink of an Eye: A Perspective on Film Editing"
Music, The Brain, and Ecstasy by Robert Jourdain
This is a fascinating and well-written book that should be a must for any sound designer. Robert Jourdain starts with the biology of how we perceive sound; analyzes what makes melodies, harmonies, and rhythms interesting; explains why composers are driven to what they do; and concludes with why music makes us feel good. Reading it, I also leared a lot about myself and some of my colleagues, and why we hear sounds differently than the general public... our unusual perceptual skills aren't because we're particularly talented, but an accident of biochemistry.
Copywriter: A Life of Making Ads and Other Mistakes ...
For close to 20 years Ray Welch dominated New England advertising awards. He was the Woody Allen of the industry, writing self-deprecating (but hilarious and strategically spot-on) ads, and later becoming one of the area's most effective voice-over announcers. He was also one of the most well-liked personalities in the community -- I should know, I was there -- and a great story-teller. These are his stories. They're all funny. Many of them also reveal truths of ad agency life, the kinds of people attracted to that business, and the thinking that goes into a great campaign. The book reads the way I remember that life. Except Welch obviously had a lot more fun.
Ray Welch displays print portfolio, plus downloadable radio commercials: www.raywelch.com/
Amazon.com: Books: VO: Tales and Techniques of a Voice-Over Actor
Everything Harlan Hogan writes is true: the techniques, the way the business works, the friendships that form between actors competing for the same jobs, the life. It's actually two books, interleaved. Chapters alternate between sage (and hard-earned) advice on polishing voice-acting performing and job-getting skills, and some of the things Harlan had to go through to learn these lesions. If you're an announcer, engineer, or sharp producer, you'll chuckle over the war stories. If you're trying to break into the business, you couldn't have a better teacher.
Harlan Hogan - Voice overs Narrations Commercials Promos
The Responsive Chord by Tony Schwartz: Amazon.com: Books: The Responsive Chord
Tony Schwartz was one of the first to ask "how does a sound track actually influence our behavior". Since he's also a noted sound designer specializing in radio and television advertising, he's in a good position to test his theories. Some of the examples are dated -- being the seminal work in the Resonance Theory of communication, it's about thirty years old -- but the entire book is still thought-provoking.
All of prod guy Jay Rose's recommended reading: www.dplay.com/dv/books.html
"Copywriter" - John E. Matthews
Barnes & Noble.com - Book Search: John E. Matthews
Steven Pressfield - Official Website
Seattle Times: "Yes, The War of Art is hell. But Steven Pressfield is our Clausewitz..""Read every other book about advertising creative before you read this book, because "The Book of Gossage" will spoil all those other books for you.."
AdBuzz.com
Chapter Excerpt: The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
And, of course - Roy Williams: www.wizardofads.com/
For me, the articles in RAP are very motivating, but the monthly CD of promos and spots is worth the subscription price all by itself. Radio And Production - Subscribe
Saturday, January 01, 2005
5 in '05 = phone topic
You could make it last all week:
5...
favorite songs..
worst mistakes..
hottest country stars..
best movies..
people who deserve a pat on the back..
etc
.. in '05.
A little help in case the phones are slow: 2004's Best Testers..plus what to do in 2005.
5...
favorite songs..
worst mistakes..
hottest country stars..
best movies..
people who deserve a pat on the back..
etc
.. in '05.
A little help in case the phones are slow: 2004's Best Testers..plus what to do in 2005.
ACM Country Station of the Year/On-Air Personality of the Year
If you would like to submit your Country Radio Station or On-Air Personality for the 40th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, please visit www.acmcountry.com/radioandbroadcast.html and follow the prompts.
Tree Paine, Director of Marketing & Promotions for the ACM at 4100 West Alameda Avenue,
Suite 208, Burbank, CA 91505 (818 842-8400 x 213 - www.acmcountry.com - Email: tree@acmcountry.com) writes:
I am proud to report that for the first time in the Academy of Country Music’s history, all 3,500+ Academy members will be able to not only see photos and text on each final nominee for Country Station of the Year and On-Air Personality of the Year, but will also be able to hear the nominee’s demos.
Starting Monday, January 3, 2005, Country Radio Stations and On-Air Personalities will be able to upload their submissions via the Academy of Country Music website. All submissions will be viewed and voted on by a Blue Ribbon Committee. The top five nominees will then be posted to our 40th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards Online Ballot. Academy members will be able to see exactly what the Blue Ribbon judges voted on and will be able to give a fair and equal opportunity to all of the final five nominees.
You know what I think about that: you can't win if you don't enter. A&O've judged many winning entries over the years and would be delighted to help coach you on your entry just for the asking. It's fun to work with winners, like YOU.
Tree Paine, Director of Marketing & Promotions for the ACM at 4100 West Alameda Avenue,
Suite 208, Burbank, CA 91505 (818 842-8400 x 213 - www.acmcountry.com - Email: tree@acmcountry.com) writes:
I am proud to report that for the first time in the Academy of Country Music’s history, all 3,500+ Academy members will be able to not only see photos and text on each final nominee for Country Station of the Year and On-Air Personality of the Year, but will also be able to hear the nominee’s demos.
Starting Monday, January 3, 2005, Country Radio Stations and On-Air Personalities will be able to upload their submissions via the Academy of Country Music website. All submissions will be viewed and voted on by a Blue Ribbon Committee. The top five nominees will then be posted to our 40th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards Online Ballot. Academy members will be able to see exactly what the Blue Ribbon judges voted on and will be able to give a fair and equal opportunity to all of the final five nominees.
You know what I think about that: you can't win if you don't enter. A&O've judged many winning entries over the years and would be delighted to help coach you on your entry just for the asking. It's fun to work with winners, like YOU.
Friday, December 31, 2004
Are you utterly predictable?
I love reading news-talk consultant Holland Cooke's colorful writing style in his idea-filled monthly newsletter. For example in the January 2005 issue he says:
Does your take on the topic at hand ever surprise regular listeners? Or are you utterly predictable?
Tip: You’re better off being remarkable…literally. Once in a while, take a position that would cause regular listeners to remark.
Why: Arbitron’s unaided recall methodology measures what diarykeepers REMEMBER. So you want to avoid the day-to-day sameness that threatens heavy users’ remembering how-heavily they listened. Listeners need to be exercised, or their recall will atrophy. Make people think, and you’ll ensure that they remember having listened.
Promotions: There’s still time to exploit the Super Bowl.
Sales: Think Consumer Electronics, Food, and Furniture categories.Fact: The only day of the year when Americans eat more is Thanksgiving.
Several client stations are throwing Super Bowl parties at which we’ll give away an expensive new TV, or “the best seat in the house” for the big game, a recliner.
Promotions and Sales: Have you finalized plans to mail valentines to women in your station’s database?
They could be cute E-mails, or endearingly traditional snailmail cards. And either could come with a Valentine’s Day gift, perhaps a cute coupon from a sponsoring station advertiser.
You DO have a listener database, right? Email addresses you’ve saved, contest entries, etc.?
Have you finalized plans for St. Patrick’s Day yet? (March 17)
For at least one day, EVERYONE – listeners and advertisers -- is at-least-a-little Irish.
Baseball: It’s not too late to make plans for Spring Training!
Think your listeners are winter-weary NOW? Wait until March! After all the sub-freezing days and nights that chill much of the USA – and various bombshell player trades and signings – The Boys of Summer will be a welcome sound to listeners.
Why doing so has value:
· It’s local, high-affinity, station-pertinent content that is – as I used the term above – “remarkable.” Just hearing that the lads are limbering up under palm trees will make folks back home feel a tad warmer. Listeners will remember listening when you say, “LET’S GO LIVE TO ORIOLES SPRING TRAINING IN FORT LAUDERDALE!”
· It’s a money-maker, more baseball inventory. Bundle Spring Training coverage with regular season packages. Or bonus it as a closer for sponsors who commit early.
· It’s a schmooze! Take those early-committing advertisers on a junket! I doubt that the newspaper will. You’ll be in solid.
· It’s a spiff! The rep who writes the most early baseball business gets to host the junket. Or the advertiser could give away the trip, to a listener who registered at the store. If the team doesn’t offer an all-inclusive trip package, put your own together. If you can’t trade, this needn’t be expensive. I just booked my annual trip to the O’s camp in Lauderdale and got great hotel rates, right on A1A, from www.hotels.com. And now that airlines themselves are competing with Priceline, the airlines’ own web sites offer inexpensive fares that don’t necessarily require Saturday night stay.
News is made in training camp. In March, “name” player cuts and trades are headlines, not sports headlines. But the Spring Training is story is more about…stories. Do lots of color.
· Have your reporter Email-back digital photos for the station’s web site, establishing your presence there. If you do a clientjunket, include their smiling, sunburned mugs. Ditto for contest winners.
· Use travelogue to place the listener on-scene. As you’re landing, record the flight attendant’s announcement, which generally includes the present temperature. And occasionally announce temps for your team’s camp at the end of weather forecasts.
· Spring training is a rich interview opportunity.
Hooked? Get the Holland Cooke Newsletter · January ‘05 at www.HollandCooke.com · 401-330-6868 · Fax: 720-293-0802 · cookeh@aol.com
Does your take on the topic at hand ever surprise regular listeners? Or are you utterly predictable?
Tip: You’re better off being remarkable…literally. Once in a while, take a position that would cause regular listeners to remark.
Why: Arbitron’s unaided recall methodology measures what diarykeepers REMEMBER. So you want to avoid the day-to-day sameness that threatens heavy users’ remembering how-heavily they listened. Listeners need to be exercised, or their recall will atrophy. Make people think, and you’ll ensure that they remember having listened.
Promotions: There’s still time to exploit the Super Bowl.
Sales: Think Consumer Electronics, Food, and Furniture categories.Fact: The only day of the year when Americans eat more is Thanksgiving.
Several client stations are throwing Super Bowl parties at which we’ll give away an expensive new TV, or “the best seat in the house” for the big game, a recliner.
Promotions and Sales: Have you finalized plans to mail valentines to women in your station’s database?
They could be cute E-mails, or endearingly traditional snailmail cards. And either could come with a Valentine’s Day gift, perhaps a cute coupon from a sponsoring station advertiser.
You DO have a listener database, right? Email addresses you’ve saved, contest entries, etc.?
Have you finalized plans for St. Patrick’s Day yet? (March 17)
For at least one day, EVERYONE – listeners and advertisers -- is at-least-a-little Irish.
Baseball: It’s not too late to make plans for Spring Training!
Think your listeners are winter-weary NOW? Wait until March! After all the sub-freezing days and nights that chill much of the USA – and various bombshell player trades and signings – The Boys of Summer will be a welcome sound to listeners.
Why doing so has value:
· It’s local, high-affinity, station-pertinent content that is – as I used the term above – “remarkable.” Just hearing that the lads are limbering up under palm trees will make folks back home feel a tad warmer. Listeners will remember listening when you say, “LET’S GO LIVE TO ORIOLES SPRING TRAINING IN FORT LAUDERDALE!”
· It’s a money-maker, more baseball inventory. Bundle Spring Training coverage with regular season packages. Or bonus it as a closer for sponsors who commit early.
· It’s a schmooze! Take those early-committing advertisers on a junket! I doubt that the newspaper will. You’ll be in solid.
· It’s a spiff! The rep who writes the most early baseball business gets to host the junket. Or the advertiser could give away the trip, to a listener who registered at the store. If the team doesn’t offer an all-inclusive trip package, put your own together. If you can’t trade, this needn’t be expensive. I just booked my annual trip to the O’s camp in Lauderdale and got great hotel rates, right on A1A, from www.hotels.com. And now that airlines themselves are competing with Priceline, the airlines’ own web sites offer inexpensive fares that don’t necessarily require Saturday night stay.
News is made in training camp. In March, “name” player cuts and trades are headlines, not sports headlines. But the Spring Training is story is more about…stories. Do lots of color.
· Have your reporter Email-back digital photos for the station’s web site, establishing your presence there. If you do a clientjunket, include their smiling, sunburned mugs. Ditto for contest winners.
· Use travelogue to place the listener on-scene. As you’re landing, record the flight attendant’s announcement, which generally includes the present temperature. And occasionally announce temps for your team’s camp at the end of weather forecasts.
· Spring training is a rich interview opportunity.
Hooked? Get the Holland Cooke Newsletter · January ‘05 at www.HollandCooke.com · 401-330-6868 · Fax: 720-293-0802 · cookeh@aol.com
Gen Y - which HALF does country have a shot at?
Here's a clue from David Rogerson, Managing Director, Strategic Media Solutions, Sydney, Australia:
Generation Y population trend is splitting into two tribes. One being those more traditional 18-29 year olds who were committed to mortgages, were married and having children and the heavy responsibilities that come with parenthood, little personal freedom. The other being quite different – they have all the adult freedoms but no responsibility. For many, nothing is permanent; careers are just jobs they have been in for too long. The political scene as we know it is dead. Left and right wings tend to make no sense at all. And of course, the Y's choose to stay at home where the rent is cheaper, the laundry cleaner, and the food generally more nutritious.
Read MORE (CLICK) on the McVay Media AC website.
Generation Y population trend is splitting into two tribes. One being those more traditional 18-29 year olds who were committed to mortgages, were married and having children and the heavy responsibilities that come with parenthood, little personal freedom. The other being quite different – they have all the adult freedoms but no responsibility. For many, nothing is permanent; careers are just jobs they have been in for too long. The political scene as we know it is dead. Left and right wings tend to make no sense at all. And of course, the Y's choose to stay at home where the rent is cheaper, the laundry cleaner, and the food generally more nutritious.
Read MORE (CLICK) on the McVay Media AC website.
News on Music Stations - Programming Power from JRN
walter.powers@jrnseattle.com passes along an end-of-year "Share Points" article which states that now is a good time to go over the top ten things a music intensive station should keep in mind when reporting news. Hank Aaron reports.... (CLICK TO READ)
Thursday, December 30, 2004
Country's 2004 in Review
Kirk Fitzgerald's http://www.countrymusicalive.com website is for passionate fans like himself, but it contains some great ideas for your year-end programming as well..
Newsworthy Country Format Events of 2004
2004 appeared to be focused around hospitals. From Charley Pride with brain surgery, Willie Nelson's carpal tunnel surgery, and Little Jimmy Dickens making two trips to the hospital (heart problems and then for pneumonia) it was a year of praying and hoping that all turns out well for these special artists in country music. However, the country music community did suffer loss this year in the deaths of Roy Drusky, Skeeter Davis, Charlie Waller, and music icon Ray Charles in which had a impact of music worldwide, including country music.
The country music community also suffered the shock of Gary Allan's wife committing suicide. Even though this event was a tragic time for his family, it also reminded us in the country music community of how we come together as a group when someone is in a time of need. Gary Allan's website was inedited with messages of support and thoughts from country music fans, fan clubs, and individuals all. It was so much support that the website was temporarily down due to the high amount of traffic.
Babies were a topic throughout 2004. Many new country music fans saw the first light during the year. Kenny Roger's wife gave birth to twins. Cledus T. Judd and Julie Roberts, Gary LeVox , Joe Diffe, Sara Evans, Natalie Maines, and Deana Carter all welcomed children into their lives.
Terri Clark and Trace Adkins were invited in 2004 to join the prestigious cast of the Grand Ole Opry.
The Country Music Association made news pretty much throughout 2004 announcing the Brooks n' Dunn would host this year's 39th Annual CMA Awards. Then, announcing that in 2005 the award show will be at Madison Square Gardens in New York, New York. The plans for 2006 to move the show to the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, Tennessee were announced instead of its current home of the Grand Ole Opry House.
Legal troubles for Marty Stuart with a DUI arrest and Glen Campbell played a concert behind bars of his Arizona prison while serving time for his charge of extreme drunk driving and leaving the scene of a minor accident kept both in the entertainment spotlight, not just in country music.
On the business side of things, the big story of 2004 was the Dreamworks Records consolidation with Universal Music Group.
A substantial amount of greatest hits albums made there way to store shelves this year. They didn't sit on the shelves long, however. Shania Twain, Alan Jackson, George Strait, LeAnn Rimes, Brooks n' Dunn, and Terri Clark all released greatest hits CDs this year.
Finally, this year was full of debate between fans on the topic of Big & Rich, one of "country music's" hottest duos of the year. Their unique high-paced tempo and attitude took "country music" to a new level, one that may call pop-rock or other words that are best left unspoken. On the other side of the argument found it to be refreshing, new, and allowing country music reach a new audience. This group also ignited the harder country music sound, now known as a new form of "Outlaw Country" was showcased in a high energy CMT special with Hank Williams Jr., Kid Rock, Gretchen Wilson, and many more.
This year's hottest stars ranged from veteran artists to newcomers. With the release of another #1 single, "I Hate Everything," his 2-CD "50 #1 Hits" package, and a successful tour, George Strait continues to be a very popular part of country music. Toby Keith's "Shock'N Y'ALL" album and "Greatest Hits II" in stores, and AOL's most successful performances of "AOL Live" made Keith one of the hottest stars of 2004. Newcomers Julie Roberts, Josh Turner, and Dierks Bentley all made a splash this year on the industry with talented debut albums.
The State of Country Music
2004 country music sales are up, big time. Country music sales are up over 12% from last year. This is just about double the pace of the music industry overall.
Billboard's Hot Country Singles & Tracks 2004
* Live Like You Were Dying - Tim McGraw
* Remember When -Alan Jackson
* You'll Think of Me - Keith Urban
* When The Sun Goes Down - Kenny Chesney & Uncle Cracker
* Letters From Home - John Michael Montgomery
Billboard's Top Country Albums 2004
* Shock 'N Y'All -Toby Keith
* When The Sun Goes Down -Kenny Chesney
* Here For The Party -Gretchen Wilson
* Live Like You Were Dying -Tim McGraw
* Horse of a Different Color -Big & Rich
Top Country Tours 2004
* Shania Twain
* Kenny Chesney
* Toby Keith
* Alan Jackson
* Tim McGraw
Information obtained from Billboard Newspaper, December 25, 2004 issue.
Country Music Alive's Hot List: 2004
The Best Females of 2004
2004 has been Gretchen Wilson's year. She finishes the year with mentions on the Top Pop Artists (36), Top New Pop Artists (4), Top New Pop Female (9), Top Bill Board 200 Artists (23), Top New Country Artists (1), Top New Female Artists (1) and Top Country Artists (5) from Billboard for 2004. Not only has she had chart success, she has been in the forefront of country music in giving a voice to the everyday female. Wilson is the real deal and prooves it not only in personality but also in talent.
Other female artists that have had success this year include the newest member of the Opry, Terri Clark with her "Girls Lie Too" hit. Shania Twain's greatest hits package with "Party For Two" brought Twain back to country music, and can be argued if she ever was not a part of the music. Sara Evans also had a wonderful year. All her singles kept her alive and a bright light in country music all year. Newcomer Julie Roberts deserves mention as well with her hits "Break Down Here" and "The Chance."
The Best Males of 2004
The year belonged to Toby Keith. The continued success of "Shock 'N Y'All" throughout the year along with his second greatest hits album made Keith a hot star all year. His year ending positions on Billboard prooves it as well. Top Pop Artists (7), Top Pop Artists (3), Billboard 200 Artists (3), Hot 100 Artists (24), Top Country Artists (1), and Top Male Country Artists (1) all have Keith's name in the list.
Even with his album coming out in late August, his performance of "Live Like You Were Dying" at the ACM Awards in the Spring kept fans talking all year. The release of the album, one of the best of the year, keeps selling and makes McGraw one of the best of 2004. Kenny Chesney also had a great year with releasing a high selling album and an energetic and popular tour. Brad Paisley also was highly popular throughout the year with his duet with Alison Krauss "Whiskey Lullaby" among other hits from his "Mud on the Tires" album. Alan Jackson also brought us some great music throughout the year with a second greatest hits package as well as a new album.
George Strait even stregthened his "King of Country Music" title this year with the the release of "50 #1 Hits" that even produced his 51st #1.
The Best Duos/Groups of 2004
Rascal Flatts showed country music that their is room for the contemporary sound, no doubt. Selling tickets to tour stops and the release of "Feels Like Today" kept them on top of the country music scene daily through the year.
Lonestar's release of "Mr. Mom" kept them even busier. Also, Big & Rich kept country music wide awake with the release of "Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy." Nothing like a little controversy whether to consider a group country or not to keep record sales and popularity high all year.
Contact Kirk Fitzgerald by email: countrymusicalive@verizon.netphone: Local/fax: 804-364-2490 toll free: 1-888-870-1573
Newsworthy Country Format Events of 2004
2004 appeared to be focused around hospitals. From Charley Pride with brain surgery, Willie Nelson's carpal tunnel surgery, and Little Jimmy Dickens making two trips to the hospital (heart problems and then for pneumonia) it was a year of praying and hoping that all turns out well for these special artists in country music. However, the country music community did suffer loss this year in the deaths of Roy Drusky, Skeeter Davis, Charlie Waller, and music icon Ray Charles in which had a impact of music worldwide, including country music.
The country music community also suffered the shock of Gary Allan's wife committing suicide. Even though this event was a tragic time for his family, it also reminded us in the country music community of how we come together as a group when someone is in a time of need. Gary Allan's website was inedited with messages of support and thoughts from country music fans, fan clubs, and individuals all. It was so much support that the website was temporarily down due to the high amount of traffic.
Babies were a topic throughout 2004. Many new country music fans saw the first light during the year. Kenny Roger's wife gave birth to twins. Cledus T. Judd and Julie Roberts, Gary LeVox , Joe Diffe, Sara Evans, Natalie Maines, and Deana Carter all welcomed children into their lives.
Terri Clark and Trace Adkins were invited in 2004 to join the prestigious cast of the Grand Ole Opry.
The Country Music Association made news pretty much throughout 2004 announcing the Brooks n' Dunn would host this year's 39th Annual CMA Awards. Then, announcing that in 2005 the award show will be at Madison Square Gardens in New York, New York. The plans for 2006 to move the show to the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, Tennessee were announced instead of its current home of the Grand Ole Opry House.
Legal troubles for Marty Stuart with a DUI arrest and Glen Campbell played a concert behind bars of his Arizona prison while serving time for his charge of extreme drunk driving and leaving the scene of a minor accident kept both in the entertainment spotlight, not just in country music.
On the business side of things, the big story of 2004 was the Dreamworks Records consolidation with Universal Music Group.
A substantial amount of greatest hits albums made there way to store shelves this year. They didn't sit on the shelves long, however. Shania Twain, Alan Jackson, George Strait, LeAnn Rimes, Brooks n' Dunn, and Terri Clark all released greatest hits CDs this year.
Finally, this year was full of debate between fans on the topic of Big & Rich, one of "country music's" hottest duos of the year. Their unique high-paced tempo and attitude took "country music" to a new level, one that may call pop-rock or other words that are best left unspoken. On the other side of the argument found it to be refreshing, new, and allowing country music reach a new audience. This group also ignited the harder country music sound, now known as a new form of "Outlaw Country" was showcased in a high energy CMT special with Hank Williams Jr., Kid Rock, Gretchen Wilson, and many more.
This year's hottest stars ranged from veteran artists to newcomers. With the release of another #1 single, "I Hate Everything," his 2-CD "50 #1 Hits" package, and a successful tour, George Strait continues to be a very popular part of country music. Toby Keith's "Shock'N Y'ALL" album and "Greatest Hits II" in stores, and AOL's most successful performances of "AOL Live" made Keith one of the hottest stars of 2004. Newcomers Julie Roberts, Josh Turner, and Dierks Bentley all made a splash this year on the industry with talented debut albums.
The State of Country Music
2004 country music sales are up, big time. Country music sales are up over 12% from last year. This is just about double the pace of the music industry overall.
Billboard's Hot Country Singles & Tracks 2004
* Live Like You Were Dying - Tim McGraw
* Remember When -Alan Jackson
* You'll Think of Me - Keith Urban
* When The Sun Goes Down - Kenny Chesney & Uncle Cracker
* Letters From Home - John Michael Montgomery
Billboard's Top Country Albums 2004
* Shock 'N Y'All -Toby Keith
* When The Sun Goes Down -Kenny Chesney
* Here For The Party -Gretchen Wilson
* Live Like You Were Dying -Tim McGraw
* Horse of a Different Color -Big & Rich
Top Country Tours 2004
* Shania Twain
* Kenny Chesney
* Toby Keith
* Alan Jackson
* Tim McGraw
Information obtained from Billboard Newspaper, December 25, 2004 issue.
Country Music Alive's Hot List: 2004
The Best Females of 2004
2004 has been Gretchen Wilson's year. She finishes the year with mentions on the Top Pop Artists (36), Top New Pop Artists (4), Top New Pop Female (9), Top Bill Board 200 Artists (23), Top New Country Artists (1), Top New Female Artists (1) and Top Country Artists (5) from Billboard for 2004. Not only has she had chart success, she has been in the forefront of country music in giving a voice to the everyday female. Wilson is the real deal and prooves it not only in personality but also in talent.
Other female artists that have had success this year include the newest member of the Opry, Terri Clark with her "Girls Lie Too" hit. Shania Twain's greatest hits package with "Party For Two" brought Twain back to country music, and can be argued if she ever was not a part of the music. Sara Evans also had a wonderful year. All her singles kept her alive and a bright light in country music all year. Newcomer Julie Roberts deserves mention as well with her hits "Break Down Here" and "The Chance."
The Best Males of 2004
The year belonged to Toby Keith. The continued success of "Shock 'N Y'All" throughout the year along with his second greatest hits album made Keith a hot star all year. His year ending positions on Billboard prooves it as well. Top Pop Artists (7), Top Pop Artists (3), Billboard 200 Artists (3), Hot 100 Artists (24), Top Country Artists (1), and Top Male Country Artists (1) all have Keith's name in the list.
Even with his album coming out in late August, his performance of "Live Like You Were Dying" at the ACM Awards in the Spring kept fans talking all year. The release of the album, one of the best of the year, keeps selling and makes McGraw one of the best of 2004. Kenny Chesney also had a great year with releasing a high selling album and an energetic and popular tour. Brad Paisley also was highly popular throughout the year with his duet with Alison Krauss "Whiskey Lullaby" among other hits from his "Mud on the Tires" album. Alan Jackson also brought us some great music throughout the year with a second greatest hits package as well as a new album.
George Strait even stregthened his "King of Country Music" title this year with the the release of "50 #1 Hits" that even produced his 51st #1.
The Best Duos/Groups of 2004
Rascal Flatts showed country music that their is room for the contemporary sound, no doubt. Selling tickets to tour stops and the release of "Feels Like Today" kept them on top of the country music scene daily through the year.
Lonestar's release of "Mr. Mom" kept them even busier. Also, Big & Rich kept country music wide awake with the release of "Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy." Nothing like a little controversy whether to consider a group country or not to keep record sales and popularity high all year.
Contact Kirk Fitzgerald by email: countrymusicalive@verizon.netphone: Local/fax: 804-364-2490 toll free: 1-888-870-1573
Substance of Style + Change Management = biz trends to watch
The quarterly magazine Strategy in Business just published its list of the best business books. Randall Rothenberg, editor in chief, recommends:
The Substance of Style: How the Rise of Aesthetic Value Is Remaking Commerce, Culture, and Consciousness (Virginia Postrel)
The “look and feel” of people, places, and things are more important than we think. Aesthetic pleasure taps deep human instincts and is essential for creativity and growth. Drawing from fields as diverse as fashion, real estate, politics, design, and economics, Postrel deftly chronicles our culture’s aesthetic imperative and argues persuasively that it is a vital component of a healthy, forward-looking society. MORE: http://www.dynamist.com/tsos/
After reading, I am convinced and would only add "imagination and sound" to her list as well. If you don't have time to read the book, I have two words for you: "Apple Ipod."
Change Without Pain: How Managers Can Overcome Initiative Overload, Organizational Chaos, and Employee Burnout (Eric Abrahamson)
Abrahamson advocates changes that avert the cynicism and anxiety bred by "change or perish" leadership fads. Abrahamson, a management professor at Columbia Business School in New York, calls his technique "creative recombination," in which companies look within for the resources to bring about change rather than destroying what they have and imposing new processes and structures.
READ MORE: http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3495/is_6_49/ai_n6076899
The Substance of Style: How the Rise of Aesthetic Value Is Remaking Commerce, Culture, and Consciousness (Virginia Postrel)
The “look and feel” of people, places, and things are more important than we think. Aesthetic pleasure taps deep human instincts and is essential for creativity and growth. Drawing from fields as diverse as fashion, real estate, politics, design, and economics, Postrel deftly chronicles our culture’s aesthetic imperative and argues persuasively that it is a vital component of a healthy, forward-looking society. MORE: http://www.dynamist.com/tsos/
After reading, I am convinced and would only add "imagination and sound" to her list as well. If you don't have time to read the book, I have two words for you: "Apple Ipod."
Change Without Pain: How Managers Can Overcome Initiative Overload, Organizational Chaos, and Employee Burnout (Eric Abrahamson)
Abrahamson advocates changes that avert the cynicism and anxiety bred by "change or perish" leadership fads. Abrahamson, a management professor at Columbia Business School in New York, calls his technique "creative recombination," in which companies look within for the resources to bring about change rather than destroying what they have and imposing new processes and structures.
READ MORE: http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3495/is_6_49/ai_n6076899
Are you raising the bar for the entire country format?
From: http://www.strategy-business.com/press/article/04412?pg=0
When companies are so preoccupied with fiddling with individual products and brands, they lose sight of the value they can create for themselves, and for consumers, by raising the bar for the entire category. If Crest, Exxon Mobil, Tide, Citibank, or Marriott disappeared tomorrow, most American consumers would at worst feel slightly inconvenienced by having to switch to an indistinguishable alternative. (How different is Pepsodent, Shell, All, Chase, or Hyatt?) But how would they feel if an entire category — toothpaste, gasoline, detergent, consumer banks, or hotels — disappeared? That would have an effect on their lives they’d notice.
So how can a company be rewarded for getting consumers to notice their role in raising category quality? To start, companies need to know what customers really care about. In 1993, Unilever launched Mentadent toothpaste, a combination of toothpaste, baking soda, and peroxide delivered through a clever pump. Within two years, Mentadent became a $250 million brand with a 12 percent share of the U.S. toothpaste market, an impressive figure in this crowded category. Why? Because Unilever understood that dental hygiene is what’s on people’s minds when they buy toothpaste. So the company created a product that offered superior dental hygiene. Unlike a meaningless pink stripe down the middle of the toothpaste, this was differentiation that made a difference.
Because the product-extension mentality of “uniqueness without a difference” is so strong, however, executives who try to manage their brands by influencing category value frequently face an uphill struggle. That was Pat O’Driscoll’s experience when she was asked in mid-1999 to lead an effort to improve Shell Oil Company’s gasoline sales in its $30 billion European retail operation. Ms. O’Driscoll, then vice president of European retail sales for the oil giant, conducted extensive customer surveys to determine what really mattered to customers of all gas stations — not just Shell’s — and what generally dissatisfied them. Overwhelmingly, customers responded that they wanted to refuel at a reasonable cost; be sheltered from sun, wind, and rain; and pay and exit quickly. Additionally, they expected the pumps and bathrooms to be clean and working.
Some Shell executives were hesitant to accept that merely fixing these basics would revitalize their European gas station business. To convince them otherwise, Ms. O’Driscoll asked senior and middle managers to make regular, unannounced visits to gas stations. She even conducted business meetings at gas station sites, all in an effort to let executives test her conclusions on customers by gauging their response to Shell’s possible new initiative. Finally convinced that customers would respond well, Shell committed to retrofitting its European gas stations to meet these customer requirements by early 2000. The following year, Shell reported a double-digit increase in the European region’s gasoline sales while its return on capital, which was zero prior to the initiative, reached double digits and exceeded targets.
RADIO'S CLEAN BATHROOMS: less clutter
RADIO'S CLEVER PUMP: better creative between the songs
I think it would work, don't you? Can you start today? -J.
When companies are so preoccupied with fiddling with individual products and brands, they lose sight of the value they can create for themselves, and for consumers, by raising the bar for the entire category. If Crest, Exxon Mobil, Tide, Citibank, or Marriott disappeared tomorrow, most American consumers would at worst feel slightly inconvenienced by having to switch to an indistinguishable alternative. (How different is Pepsodent, Shell, All, Chase, or Hyatt?) But how would they feel if an entire category — toothpaste, gasoline, detergent, consumer banks, or hotels — disappeared? That would have an effect on their lives they’d notice.
So how can a company be rewarded for getting consumers to notice their role in raising category quality? To start, companies need to know what customers really care about. In 1993, Unilever launched Mentadent toothpaste, a combination of toothpaste, baking soda, and peroxide delivered through a clever pump. Within two years, Mentadent became a $250 million brand with a 12 percent share of the U.S. toothpaste market, an impressive figure in this crowded category. Why? Because Unilever understood that dental hygiene is what’s on people’s minds when they buy toothpaste. So the company created a product that offered superior dental hygiene. Unlike a meaningless pink stripe down the middle of the toothpaste, this was differentiation that made a difference.
Because the product-extension mentality of “uniqueness without a difference” is so strong, however, executives who try to manage their brands by influencing category value frequently face an uphill struggle. That was Pat O’Driscoll’s experience when she was asked in mid-1999 to lead an effort to improve Shell Oil Company’s gasoline sales in its $30 billion European retail operation. Ms. O’Driscoll, then vice president of European retail sales for the oil giant, conducted extensive customer surveys to determine what really mattered to customers of all gas stations — not just Shell’s — and what generally dissatisfied them. Overwhelmingly, customers responded that they wanted to refuel at a reasonable cost; be sheltered from sun, wind, and rain; and pay and exit quickly. Additionally, they expected the pumps and bathrooms to be clean and working.
Some Shell executives were hesitant to accept that merely fixing these basics would revitalize their European gas station business. To convince them otherwise, Ms. O’Driscoll asked senior and middle managers to make regular, unannounced visits to gas stations. She even conducted business meetings at gas station sites, all in an effort to let executives test her conclusions on customers by gauging their response to Shell’s possible new initiative. Finally convinced that customers would respond well, Shell committed to retrofitting its European gas stations to meet these customer requirements by early 2000. The following year, Shell reported a double-digit increase in the European region’s gasoline sales while its return on capital, which was zero prior to the initiative, reached double digits and exceeded targets.
RADIO'S CLEAN BATHROOMS: less clutter
RADIO'S CLEVER PUMP: better creative between the songs
I think it would work, don't you? Can you start today? -J.
Chuck Blore: How To Get A 72 Share
Read: http://www.radiodailynews.com/chuckblorebook.htm
I should explain what I believe triggered that 72% share. A flying saucer scare.I was on the air from 9 to noon. A fellow by the name of Ted Payne was doing news. He came into the announce booth to tell me there were three people in the lobby from the nearby air-force base. Ted wanted to put them on his very next newscast but thought what they had to say was so unbelievable he wanted to clear it with me first. He brought them in, three non-commissioned officers with something very odd in common. They all had a very serious sunburn on one side of their faces. They told me that the night before they had been driving in the desert with the top down on their car. Three flying objects suddenly appeared in the sky and hovered over them for a brief moment while shining incredibly bright beams of light down at them. All the cars’ electrical units failed. The engine stopped, the lights went out, the radio quit. Then, the flying objects were gone. In a moment the radio popped on as did the lights on the car. They started the car again with no problem. They went back to the base to report the incident and were dismissed. No such thing had happened. They were obviously all drunkThey said they woke up this morning with proof, the horrendous sunburn which they attributed to the light they had been bathed in for that brief moment the night before. Once again they were dismissed by the Air Force authorities so they decided to come to the station to tell their story.
I, of course, jumped at it. I went on the air with the men who repeated their story. One of them said he felt the flying objects were still around us, spying on us. When I said that maybe they were trying to contact us all three of them agreed that was a strong possibility. I said, okay, let’s give them a frequency on which to contact us. I knew that every radio station had sidebands, or something like that, and I told the audience that from this moment on we were making our sidebands available to the unidentified flying objects. I produced a kind of a Twilight Zone sounding invitation in three languages. Our receptionist spoke Spanish, our engineering department, a fellow named Otto spoke pretty good German and Tom Payne voiced this invitation offering the visitors the use of our frequency for any message to Earth. We will get it to the proper authorities. Then there was a minutes worth or static, which represented the open sidebands we were making available to our friends from space. We broadcast it every hour. And every hour, we could tell by our phones and the hordes of people suddenly visiting the City Dump that we had a hit on our hands. Now .... how to stretch it out without stretching the truth ... too much.
But, of course, before you do THAT, also read this paragraph:
I had memorized the collection of (Gordon) McLendon memos and programming notes which was referred to as the Policy Book...
It was mostly about shutting up and cleaning up.
Shutting up was easy to explain: If what you say doesn’t matter to the overall entertainment or information quality of your show, don’t say it. If it doesn’t matter, it doesn’t matter! Cleaning up was also easy to explain. But cleaning the clutter which had collected, mostly out of neglect, not caring, or not knowing was a different deal. I preferred the ‘not knowing’ interpretation mostly because one of the not knowers was me. I knew what that inviolable policy book said but I had no idea how to put it into any kind of action.
Neglect: The guys we had on the air were all pretty good but they were not talking to anyone specifically. The things they were saying were all kind of random, generalized adlibs which were as appropriate (?) at, say 9:30 AM, as they might have been at 9:30 PM. Neglecting the specific audience available at that particular time. Neglecting to relate what you are doing and saying to that particular group of people. Generalizing is sloppy radio.
Not caring: Not preparing what you are going to do and say ahead of time. Not bothering to prepare compelling, entertaining material specifically designed to establish a consistent connection with the people you want most to reach. Not caring about that consistent connection is a waste of both time and talent.
The ‘Not Knowing’ part was probably the biggest problem for me at the time because, as I suggested a moment ago, I was still so new at all of this that even though I knew what the book said, I simply didn’t know what it meant. I think I’d better re-state that ... I knew what it said, I simply didn’t know that I knew what it meant. The bottom line was and is, successful programming is that which elicits a positive emotional response rather than a cerebral one.
The truth is not in what you think is right but in what you feel is right. Trust yourself.We put all of these things into some kind of embryonic effect almost at once. And you could hear the difference almost at once.
Seems to me that the stunt would not have worked as well if the basics weren't there first.
Visit Chuck at the Chuck Blore Company, online at www.chuckblore.com and send him an e-mail at bloregroup@aol.com. Thanks to Larry Shannon (larryshannon@radiodailynews.com) for getting pros like Blore, Hall, Burkhart et al to put their experiences in writing.
I should explain what I believe triggered that 72% share. A flying saucer scare.I was on the air from 9 to noon. A fellow by the name of Ted Payne was doing news. He came into the announce booth to tell me there were three people in the lobby from the nearby air-force base. Ted wanted to put them on his very next newscast but thought what they had to say was so unbelievable he wanted to clear it with me first. He brought them in, three non-commissioned officers with something very odd in common. They all had a very serious sunburn on one side of their faces. They told me that the night before they had been driving in the desert with the top down on their car. Three flying objects suddenly appeared in the sky and hovered over them for a brief moment while shining incredibly bright beams of light down at them. All the cars’ electrical units failed. The engine stopped, the lights went out, the radio quit. Then, the flying objects were gone. In a moment the radio popped on as did the lights on the car. They started the car again with no problem. They went back to the base to report the incident and were dismissed. No such thing had happened. They were obviously all drunkThey said they woke up this morning with proof, the horrendous sunburn which they attributed to the light they had been bathed in for that brief moment the night before. Once again they were dismissed by the Air Force authorities so they decided to come to the station to tell their story.
I, of course, jumped at it. I went on the air with the men who repeated their story. One of them said he felt the flying objects were still around us, spying on us. When I said that maybe they were trying to contact us all three of them agreed that was a strong possibility. I said, okay, let’s give them a frequency on which to contact us. I knew that every radio station had sidebands, or something like that, and I told the audience that from this moment on we were making our sidebands available to the unidentified flying objects. I produced a kind of a Twilight Zone sounding invitation in three languages. Our receptionist spoke Spanish, our engineering department, a fellow named Otto spoke pretty good German and Tom Payne voiced this invitation offering the visitors the use of our frequency for any message to Earth. We will get it to the proper authorities. Then there was a minutes worth or static, which represented the open sidebands we were making available to our friends from space. We broadcast it every hour. And every hour, we could tell by our phones and the hordes of people suddenly visiting the City Dump that we had a hit on our hands. Now .... how to stretch it out without stretching the truth ... too much.
But, of course, before you do THAT, also read this paragraph:
I had memorized the collection of (Gordon) McLendon memos and programming notes which was referred to as the Policy Book...
It was mostly about shutting up and cleaning up.
Shutting up was easy to explain: If what you say doesn’t matter to the overall entertainment or information quality of your show, don’t say it. If it doesn’t matter, it doesn’t matter! Cleaning up was also easy to explain. But cleaning the clutter which had collected, mostly out of neglect, not caring, or not knowing was a different deal. I preferred the ‘not knowing’ interpretation mostly because one of the not knowers was me. I knew what that inviolable policy book said but I had no idea how to put it into any kind of action.
Neglect: The guys we had on the air were all pretty good but they were not talking to anyone specifically. The things they were saying were all kind of random, generalized adlibs which were as appropriate (?) at, say 9:30 AM, as they might have been at 9:30 PM. Neglecting the specific audience available at that particular time. Neglecting to relate what you are doing and saying to that particular group of people. Generalizing is sloppy radio.
Not caring: Not preparing what you are going to do and say ahead of time. Not bothering to prepare compelling, entertaining material specifically designed to establish a consistent connection with the people you want most to reach. Not caring about that consistent connection is a waste of both time and talent.
The ‘Not Knowing’ part was probably the biggest problem for me at the time because, as I suggested a moment ago, I was still so new at all of this that even though I knew what the book said, I simply didn’t know what it meant. I think I’d better re-state that ... I knew what it said, I simply didn’t know that I knew what it meant. The bottom line was and is, successful programming is that which elicits a positive emotional response rather than a cerebral one.
The truth is not in what you think is right but in what you feel is right. Trust yourself.We put all of these things into some kind of embryonic effect almost at once. And you could hear the difference almost at once.
Seems to me that the stunt would not have worked as well if the basics weren't there first.
Visit Chuck at the Chuck Blore Company, online at www.chuckblore.com and send him an e-mail at bloregroup@aol.com. Thanks to Larry Shannon (larryshannon@radiodailynews.com) for getting pros like Blore, Hall, Burkhart et al to put their experiences in writing.
"Regrets.. I've had a few.."
Idea for a phone topic: what regrets do you have about 2004 that you hope not to repeat in 2005?
For example, Broadway and TV (literally!) "lovely" Dame Edna says that her regret is that she tosses gladiolas to the audience every night as her on stage farewell, costing big bucks. She now wishes she had chosen cactuses or nettles (to save a few dollars), according to the Sunday New York Times on 12/26..
For example, Broadway and TV (literally!) "lovely" Dame Edna says that her regret is that she tosses gladiolas to the audience every night as her on stage farewell, costing big bucks. She now wishes she had chosen cactuses or nettles (to save a few dollars), according to the Sunday New York Times on 12/26..
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Tsunami - you can help now
Thanks to personality and international format consultant (he does everything from morning show coaching to oldies in Paris) Doug Erickson (Email: EMCPRES@cs.com) for this powerful reminder..
Thirty-three September 11ths. At this moment, the death toll from the tsunamis in South Asia stands may hit 100,000 - Tsunami: Five million struggle - more than 33 times the toll from the horror of September 11, 2001.
It's beyond our human ability to comprehend that many people dying in such a short time. It's not beyond our ability to care. Speaking of the geological impact of an event like this, one leading scientist said, "After a major earthquake, the whole world resonates like a bell that has been struck." In fact, the hearts of the whole world should resonate like a bell that has been struck!Every one of those people was someone's son or daughter, someone's mother or father or brother or sister. And the crushing grief of suddenly having someone you love snatched away is the same, no matter what country or color. You can see in the media images of survivors the agony, the shock, and the confusion of "what now?"Sustained compassion. That's what a moment like this requires. Not just a concern that lasts for the short media shelf-life of any tragedy, but the sustained compassion of the world's governments, relief agencies, and people of faith. Of course, we are remembering these people in our prayers.
We can each help by sending our normal tithe or charitable donation to one of these two organizations:
Doctors Without Borders: this site will give you some background ont their programs: http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/ng/ This is the link to donate: http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/donate/ The organization won the Nobel Peace Prize and their reputation for international relief aid is the absolute highest.
The International Committee of the Red Cross: http://www.icrc.org/eng and the link to make a donation: http://www.ifrc.org/index.asp
I'm certainly not trying to preach, but I know you are a person of compassion, and I figured you -- like me -- would be wanting a way to help.
This is one way.
Thirty-three September 11ths. At this moment, the death toll from the tsunamis in South Asia stands may hit 100,000 - Tsunami: Five million struggle - more than 33 times the toll from the horror of September 11, 2001.
It's beyond our human ability to comprehend that many people dying in such a short time. It's not beyond our ability to care. Speaking of the geological impact of an event like this, one leading scientist said, "After a major earthquake, the whole world resonates like a bell that has been struck." In fact, the hearts of the whole world should resonate like a bell that has been struck!Every one of those people was someone's son or daughter, someone's mother or father or brother or sister. And the crushing grief of suddenly having someone you love snatched away is the same, no matter what country or color. You can see in the media images of survivors the agony, the shock, and the confusion of "what now?"Sustained compassion. That's what a moment like this requires. Not just a concern that lasts for the short media shelf-life of any tragedy, but the sustained compassion of the world's governments, relief agencies, and people of faith. Of course, we are remembering these people in our prayers.
We can each help by sending our normal tithe or charitable donation to one of these two organizations:
Doctors Without Borders: this site will give you some background ont their programs: http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/ng/ This is the link to donate: http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/donate/ The organization won the Nobel Peace Prize and their reputation for international relief aid is the absolute highest.
The International Committee of the Red Cross: http://www.icrc.org/eng and the link to make a donation: http://www.ifrc.org/index.asp
I'm certainly not trying to preach, but I know you are a person of compassion, and I figured you -- like me -- would be wanting a way to help.
This is one way.
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
Email database builder
Cary Rolfe, PD at KUPL, Portland found a way to make a client happy with a value-added promotion to start the new year and also grow the station's email database at the same time:
Check out: http://207.44.154.229/ or email Cary for more info on it: cary@kupl.com.
Check out: http://207.44.154.229/ or email Cary for more info on it: cary@kupl.com.
Sunday, December 26, 2004
Y - 2 - K (and a HALF!)
As the father of Premiere Radio Networks' comedy prep services, VP/Programming Larry Morgan's (LMorgan@premiereradio.com) auto-responder notes, while he's away for the holidays....
2005?!? What?!?!? Wasn't it just yesterday that we were worried about Y2K and all that stuff? Where has half the DECADE gone?!?
2005?!? What?!?!? Wasn't it just yesterday that we were worried about Y2K and all that stuff? Where has half the DECADE gone?!?
Taking time to say THANKS to God's "Chosen People"
.. who must feel especially 'chosen' each time the annual Christian Holiday work schedule gets posted!
Former CBS News correspondent, who was embedded with the troops during the attack on Baghdad, and all around 'rock and roll news guy' Rob Milford (milford55@hotmail.com) wrote a Christmas Day greeting letter that is a reminder of how it's important to say a special THANK YOU to the Jews among us...
I remember the first five or ten years on the air, in Mobile, Fort Worth, and even in New York, during my Holidays at ABC...having to pull those shifts, overnights,in the small hours, thinking that I was the only person in the world away from home and family, and missing them and the holiday ritual just terribly. And no matter how many long distance calls were made, it wasn't the same. Just not like when we were kids. There were white Christmases with snow, but no train set around the tree, and most times, no tree.
I also remember my two Christmas stretches at WABB in Mobile, how program director Gary Mitchell would come in from 6a-12noon and pull the Christmas morning shift. How the air staff were relieved of that burden.Well, it showed two things. First, leadership, the kind that we're missing these days. Secondly, Gary was an air name for Barry Silverman, and yes, he was Jewish, so December 25th was "just another day" to him.
I don't think I ever said "Thank you" for his pulling that shift. These days, with voice tracking and satellite delivered programs, it's not necessary for someone to be in the air chair on a day like today.
When you count your blessings today, Remember those shifts we all pulled, staying on the air, keeping the city groovin' with the hits, and how we scraped up news content anyway we could.
How fortunate we all are, how many of our coworkers didn't reach their dreams like we have.
My wish for you and your family... the very best Christmas.
...and you might want to call the hotline and thank the people working Christmas day...for doing just that.
Former CBS News correspondent, who was embedded with the troops during the attack on Baghdad, and all around 'rock and roll news guy' Rob Milford (milford55@hotmail.com) wrote a Christmas Day greeting letter that is a reminder of how it's important to say a special THANK YOU to the Jews among us...
I remember the first five or ten years on the air, in Mobile, Fort Worth, and even in New York, during my Holidays at ABC...having to pull those shifts, overnights,in the small hours, thinking that I was the only person in the world away from home and family, and missing them and the holiday ritual just terribly. And no matter how many long distance calls were made, it wasn't the same. Just not like when we were kids. There were white Christmases with snow, but no train set around the tree, and most times, no tree.
I also remember my two Christmas stretches at WABB in Mobile, how program director Gary Mitchell would come in from 6a-12noon and pull the Christmas morning shift. How the air staff were relieved of that burden.Well, it showed two things. First, leadership, the kind that we're missing these days. Secondly, Gary was an air name for Barry Silverman, and yes, he was Jewish, so December 25th was "just another day" to him.
I don't think I ever said "Thank you" for his pulling that shift. These days, with voice tracking and satellite delivered programs, it's not necessary for someone to be in the air chair on a day like today.
When you count your blessings today, Remember those shifts we all pulled, staying on the air, keeping the city groovin' with the hits, and how we scraped up news content anyway we could.
How fortunate we all are, how many of our coworkers didn't reach their dreams like we have.
My wish for you and your family... the very best Christmas.
...and you might want to call the hotline and thank the people working Christmas day...for doing just that.
Life lessons
From: "Life Coach" Dr. Philip E. Humbert, PhD: http://www.philiphumbert.com
Eight Life Lessons that Make a Difference
This will go out the day after Christmas, and I wanted toshare a few of the most important Life Lessons that have made a difference for me. Sometimes it takes a while but I have learned a few things, and when I remember to usethem, they make life better. Over the years, we do beginto figure things out, and knowing the "rules" sure makeslife easier!
Which leads to my first Big Truth: we just have to learn some things for ourselves. I've read lots of books, studiedwith smart people, and been given great advice. Unfortunately, in the eagerness of youth, I chose to ignore most of it. It takes time to figure life out and otherpeople's advice doesn't always fit, and that's ok. Give yourself some time and a bit of slack. You don't have toget the hang of this all at once.
Second, some lessons have to be learned more than once. If only I had a nickel for everytime I've made a mistake, learned from it, then done the same thing all over again!(I take some comfort in noticing that other people do this,too.) Humans are smart, but we aren't as smart as we think we are. And, we have short memories. Fortunately, we're allowed more than one mistake! Get over it.
Third, flexibility is more important than power. People who are hopeful, cheerful, and creative also tend to be optimistic and happy. Too often, strong-willed people arejust stubborn. I'd rather be optimistic, eager and creative than "determined." I finally learned this truth: "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again - then move on."
Fourth, curiosity is more valuable than talent. Talented people take offense at this, but little kids taught me this one. The eager kids with the big eyes and restless questions always seem to figure stuff out. The bright kidsusually get better grades, but they don't have as many adventures or good stories to tell. In life, go for the stories!
Fifth, doing stuff is more important than knowing stuff. I loved school and earned three Masters and a Doctorate, so I obviously believe that knowing stuff is important, but life must be LIVED, not studied. People who take risks, try things, build or invent stuff, make mistakes, and create memories are the people who live the "good life". Get in the game!
Sixth, people are more important than things. Sure, all you wise folks are going, "Duh!", but this one takes a while for most of us to really absorb. As kids, we want new toys, as adults we need new cars, or whatever. It's not untillater that we realize memories and success come from people. Adventure and delight and joy come from our relationships with people. Stuff just clutters up our attics and our lives.
Seventh, opportunity is more fun than success. We need achallenge, we need to grow, stretch, look over the horizon,and explore the next frontier. Every level of success is afoundation for the "next big thing." Highly successful, creative and energetic people enjoy life's big challenges; the rest of us just sit with our problems.
And finally, what we contribute is more meaningful than what we get. This may be consistent with some great religious or spiritual tradition, but mostly it's just practical. Creating and building is simply more rewarding than consuming and throwing stuff away. Leaving footprints that others can follow, being kind or generous, mentoring, or opening a door for someone, is simply more fun than collecting stuff.
There are lots of collections of life lessons and "rules"for making life work out well. My guess is that we all have to find our own path, find our own rules, and word them in our own way so that they truly work for us. The key is tofind the principles, the "rules" that DO work for you.
Eight Life Lessons that Make a Difference
This will go out the day after Christmas, and I wanted toshare a few of the most important Life Lessons that have made a difference for me. Sometimes it takes a while but I have learned a few things, and when I remember to usethem, they make life better. Over the years, we do beginto figure things out, and knowing the "rules" sure makeslife easier!
Which leads to my first Big Truth: we just have to learn some things for ourselves. I've read lots of books, studiedwith smart people, and been given great advice. Unfortunately, in the eagerness of youth, I chose to ignore most of it. It takes time to figure life out and otherpeople's advice doesn't always fit, and that's ok. Give yourself some time and a bit of slack. You don't have toget the hang of this all at once.
Second, some lessons have to be learned more than once. If only I had a nickel for everytime I've made a mistake, learned from it, then done the same thing all over again!(I take some comfort in noticing that other people do this,too.) Humans are smart, but we aren't as smart as we think we are. And, we have short memories. Fortunately, we're allowed more than one mistake! Get over it.
Third, flexibility is more important than power. People who are hopeful, cheerful, and creative also tend to be optimistic and happy. Too often, strong-willed people arejust stubborn. I'd rather be optimistic, eager and creative than "determined." I finally learned this truth: "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again - then move on."
Fourth, curiosity is more valuable than talent. Talented people take offense at this, but little kids taught me this one. The eager kids with the big eyes and restless questions always seem to figure stuff out. The bright kidsusually get better grades, but they don't have as many adventures or good stories to tell. In life, go for the stories!
Fifth, doing stuff is more important than knowing stuff. I loved school and earned three Masters and a Doctorate, so I obviously believe that knowing stuff is important, but life must be LIVED, not studied. People who take risks, try things, build or invent stuff, make mistakes, and create memories are the people who live the "good life". Get in the game!
Sixth, people are more important than things. Sure, all you wise folks are going, "Duh!", but this one takes a while for most of us to really absorb. As kids, we want new toys, as adults we need new cars, or whatever. It's not untillater that we realize memories and success come from people. Adventure and delight and joy come from our relationships with people. Stuff just clutters up our attics and our lives.
Seventh, opportunity is more fun than success. We need achallenge, we need to grow, stretch, look over the horizon,and explore the next frontier. Every level of success is afoundation for the "next big thing." Highly successful, creative and energetic people enjoy life's big challenges; the rest of us just sit with our problems.
And finally, what we contribute is more meaningful than what we get. This may be consistent with some great religious or spiritual tradition, but mostly it's just practical. Creating and building is simply more rewarding than consuming and throwing stuff away. Leaving footprints that others can follow, being kind or generous, mentoring, or opening a door for someone, is simply more fun than collecting stuff.
There are lots of collections of life lessons and "rules"for making life work out well. My guess is that we all have to find our own path, find our own rules, and word them in our own way so that they truly work for us. The key is tofind the principles, the "rules" that DO work for you.
Are you listening? How WELL?
Listening Skills Self-Evaluation
How well you and your partner listen is critical to effective communication. Effective communication is the life-blood of all good relationships.
Check out your listening skills: http://www.positive-way.com/listenin.htm
This listening skills rating is a self-evaluation of the current level of your listening skills as well as what you perceive your partner’s listening skills to be. Please complete the form at this time and, if your partner is working along with you, he/she should do so as well. Take the evaluations separately, review the scoring which follows on a page indicated at the bottom, and then get together to discuss the results. We suggest that you print the evaluations and complete them on paper so you will have print copies to compare. Be sure to keep an open mind so you may learn and grow.
You may use the automated online version or the following manual version. The both have their advantages.
How well you and your partner listen is critical to effective communication. Effective communication is the life-blood of all good relationships.
Check out your listening skills: http://www.positive-way.com/listenin.htm
This listening skills rating is a self-evaluation of the current level of your listening skills as well as what you perceive your partner’s listening skills to be. Please complete the form at this time and, if your partner is working along with you, he/she should do so as well. Take the evaluations separately, review the scoring which follows on a page indicated at the bottom, and then get together to discuss the results. We suggest that you print the evaluations and complete them on paper so you will have print copies to compare. Be sure to keep an open mind so you may learn and grow.
You may use the automated online version or the following manual version. The both have their advantages.
2004 Trivia
Yes, you do need to sign up and register to get http://www.nytimes.com/ topical emails and web posts, but it's FREE and very much worth it for things like...
2004: Final Answers
A test of how much trivia you accumulated in 2004 - or at least, how good you are at guessing. http://www.nytimes.com/gst/weekinreview_quiz.html?quiz_number=1
QUOTATION OF THE DAY
"I certainly understand the need to balance the federal budget, but people need to remember that to balance the federal budget off the backs of the poorest people in the country is simply unacceptable. You don't pull feeding tubes from people. You don't pull the wheelchair out from under the child with muscular dystrophy."- GOV. MIKE HUCKABEE, of Arkansas, on a bipartisan lobbying effort by governorsto stave off federal cuts in Medicaid allotments.
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/26/national/26medicaid.html?th
2004: Final Answers
A test of how much trivia you accumulated in 2004 - or at least, how good you are at guessing. http://www.nytimes.com/gst/weekinreview_quiz.html?quiz_number=1
QUOTATION OF THE DAY
"I certainly understand the need to balance the federal budget, but people need to remember that to balance the federal budget off the backs of the poorest people in the country is simply unacceptable. You don't pull feeding tubes from people. You don't pull the wheelchair out from under the child with muscular dystrophy."- GOV. MIKE HUCKABEE, of Arkansas, on a bipartisan lobbying effort by governorsto stave off federal cuts in Medicaid allotments.
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/26/national/26medicaid.html?th
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