Tanks for Listening

http://www.b95.com/, Albany has a nice loyalty promotion for first quarter 2005.

FREE GAS FOR A YEAR!

It's BACCKKKKkkkkkk...Our B95.5 "Tanks For Listening" Contest. Your chance to win FREE gas for a YEAR from B95.5 & Stewarts Shops! Listen to Chuck & Kelly each weekday morning at 7:10 for details!

Can you top this?

From the "Major Political Leaders Having Fun on Your Show" dept as reported by www.milkman.com:

In his phone call to the BOB FM morning show today, Prime Minister Paul Martin jokingly asked why the station was called "Bob" FM and not "Paul" FM.

Hosts JR and Sandy told the PM that if he was able to influence Bono and U2 to play live in Ottawa, they'd change the name of the station for a day in his honor.

The call was carried live on The New RO & Canada AM as well!

Hear the interview here... oh, and sign Bob's petition to bring U2 back to Ottawa here.

Valentine Stunts in Buffalo and New York City..

Kevin Carter (kcarter@radioandrecords.com) at R&R Street Talk Daily seems to have magnetic powers to pick up the craziest promotions..

Citadel Classic Rocker WGRF (97 Rock)/Buffalo put a unique spin onthose usual tired Valentine’s Day promotions with the help of notedpromotional envelope-pusher Paige Nienaber of C.P.R. PD JohnHager explains: “We contacted the Niagara Falls Air Force Base andfound out that Sgt. Greg Eich of Buffalo was passing through CampDrum, NY after a year in Germany on his way to Iraq. We contacted hisgirlfriend, Suzie Dyer, and told her that we would hook up a videoconference with him as a Valentine’s Day gift,” he tells ST Daily. [Cuegolf announcer voice: Unbeknownst to Suzie, the station flew Eich intoBuffalo, snuck him in the back door and stashed him in a production studio. And now, back to our riveting story....]

“The morning guys explained to Suzie that they were having‘technical difficulties’ getting the video feed to work, but were ableto hook up them up by phone for a few minutes,” Hagar says.

Finally, someone went to fetch an engineer. Hagar says, “He cameback in and said, ‘I couldn’t find the engineer — but I found thisguy.’ Greg walked in, and she freaked out!”

Bonus Love Epilogue: “Greg got down on one knee andproposed to Suzie — and she accepted!” says Hagar.

“All the localTV affiliates were here to cover it along with a crew from A&E, whowill be featuring this story soon.”

Like A Lost I Love Lucy Episode
Another outside-the-box Valentine’s Day promotion is unfolding aswe speak in New York, as WKTU morning maniacs Baltazar & Goumba Johnny present “Have Your Cake & Eat It Too.”

Here’s chief co-conspirator/Exec. Producer Mike Opelka: “We baked an eight-foot-tall wedding cake and filled it with five diamond pendants, 10 full-day spa certificates worth $1,250 each and a seven-day trip to the Brazilian Riviera!”

At 8am Valentine's day, in the front window of New York’s Planet Hollywood, a dozen crazed women, winners of an essay competition, will be turned loose on the cake to find the tiny numbered ring boxes inside “using only their hands and mouths,” Opelka tells ST Daily.

Enjoy the visual.

Seeking Desperate Housewives, Doubling Paychecks

John Marks, PD at Jefferson-Pilot's KSON, San Diego (jmarks@kson.com) reports they are:

Seeking Desperate Housewives
Cliff & Company play Desperate Housewives Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7:40am. We'll put 2 women on the air to tell us what makes them "Desperate Housewives." Then, they go head to head in a battle of wits for fabulous prizes, including tickets to Regal Cinemas. In case you're wondering, yes, it's a shameless attempt to capitalize on the ABC TV hit.

Double Your Paycheck

KSON will announce one name, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 8:15am, 12:15pm and 4:15pm. We'll also announce one name per hour on Thursdays from 8:15am to 5:15pm. The person whose name is announced over the air has 30 minutes to call (from any San Diego County area code) to win their prize. KSON will double the weekly paycheck of all winners by matching one week's gross salary up to $1250. You must be 18 years of age or older, and a San Diego County Resident. If we call your name, and you don't call, your name could be called again. KSON will determine the winner's weekly salary by averaging the winner's previous 5 weekly pay stubs. Pay stubs must be dated from the 3-week period prior to winning the contest.

If you are currently unemployed, you would receive the minimum prize amount of $500.
If you are retired or a homemaker, you would receive the minimum prize amount of $500.
If you work but make less than $500 a week, you would still receive the minimum prize amount of $500.
We match one week's gross salary up to $1250.

Twenty-one Ideas...

From Bobby Rich, Journal/Tucson (Bobby@BobbyRich.com) "... For Valentine's and any other day..."

ONE.
Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

TWO.
Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.

THREE.
Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.

FOUR.
When you say, "I love you," mean it.

FIVE.
When you say, "I'm sorry," look the person in the eye.

SIX.
Be engaged at least six months before you get married.

SEVEN.
Believe in love at first sight.

EIGHT.
Never laugh at anyone's dreams. People who don't have dreams don't have much.

NINE.
Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.

TEN.
In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.

ELEVEN.
Don't judge people by their relatives

TWELVE.
Talk slowly but think quickly.

THIRTEEN.
When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, "Why do you want to know?"

FOURTEEN.
Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

FIFTEEN.
Say "bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.

SIXTEEN.
When you lose, don't lose the lesson

SEVENTEEN.
Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and Responsibility for all your actions.

EIGHTEEN.
Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

NINETEEN.
When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

TWENTY.
Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.

TWENTY-ONE.
Spend some time alone.

Prep links (more!)

Jay Trachman: http://121online.net/

The Vent -- the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's daily column of humorous
quips. There's an adaptable line or two in there all the time.
www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/vent/index.html

AC Radio News -- superb sheet with insightful comments from well-known
radio programmers. www.acradio.com

Jones Radio's "Programming Power" -- useful comments on programming, music
and promotions from the JRN consultants. www.jonesradio.com

Shoptalk -- daily industry newsletter focusing mainly on TV, but they have
a great "topical humor" section. Ask to get on their free distribution list
by writing to: newsletter@tvspy.com

Country 95, Lethbridge Marv & PJ - best DJs

Reid Morgan, PD at CHLB (pd@country95.fm) reports: "Marv and PJ & the Country 95 Coffee Crew" were voted the best "Morning DJ's" (Newspapers terminology) by the Lethbridge Herald Sun TImes. It was an unaided random vote.

How's that for a good omen?

Quick update, Keith Urban (Now sold out) is really fueling our RateTheMusic.com database sign ups!

Call it anything BUT 'sexy'

Priceless history from Cluck Blore:

When I wrote that last one I was using the word “sexy” to mean easier to listen to. I was suggesting we find a way to make our traffic reports attractive to the 85% of our audience who did not happen to be in cars at that moment. Putting stuff on the air which you know 85% of your audience has no interest in, regardless of the fact that “Those reports are sold!” to me was a form of programming suicide. I went to Mr. Purcell, “Robert, you said that anything I thought would interfere with programming would not be allowed on the air.” “So I did.” “Well this memo from you ...” I put the memo on his desk and put my best, ‘I trusted you’ look on my face “... says I can’t say ‘screw traffic’ because those reports are sold.” (read more from Chuck Blore)

Thanks to larryshannon@radiodailynews.com for making these great sites happen for the guys who wrote history.

Valentine gift: name a monkey after your mate!

Field biologist Robert Wallace and a team of researchers from the Wildlife Conservation Society have discovered a new species of monkey in Bolivia's Madidi National Park. A charity auction is being held for the rights to name the monkey.

More on the 'Titi' Monkey at the Wildlife Conservation Society Web Site

Learn More About the Auction to Name the Monkey at CharityFolks.com

The Redneck Dictionary

Comedian Jeff Foxworthy has signed a book deal with Villard Books to publish The Redneck Dictionary. The deal is in the high six figures and the book will be published in the fall of 2005.

In April 1999, The Jeff Foxworthy Countdown, a three-hour weekly country hits countdown show nationally syndicated by Premiere Radio Networks, debuted. Airing on more than 200 country stations, the show features intimate conversations with country’s biggest stars, the week’s top songs and new music.

Jeff received a Country Music Association nomination in 2001 for “Broadcast Personality of the Year.” (visit Jeff Foxworthy Countdown)

Those MONSTERS (truck that is) Bob & Tom

On January 29, a monster truck sponsored by Bob and Tom debuted at the U.S. Hot Rod Monster Jam in Indianapolis, Ind. at the RCA Dome. The truck won the racing event by defeating tough competition including Grave Digger, Predator, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle and more. (visit Bob and Tom Web site)

What are you doing for your community?

Take a hint from Starbucks: HeraldNet: County now eligible for Starbucks parks grants

Here's how it's done: www.starbuckslovesparks.com

OK, now.. what do you plan to do?

Valentine Show Prep

VALENTINE SHOW PREP FROM LOVETINGLE.COM

*You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print, or use on the air. Credit lovetingle.com*

>85% of all valentines are purchased by women.
>Over 1 billion Valentine cards are sent in the U.S. each year.
>Parents receive 20% of all valentines sent.
>The biggest days for giving flowers are Valentine's Day and Mother's Day.
>Valentines ranks second only to Christmas in number of greeting cards sent.
>Over 50 million roses are given for Valentine's Day each year worldwide.

CRAZY LOVE FACTS
>In Kentucky, 50% of the people who get married for the first time are teenagers.35% of the people who use personal ads for dating are already married.
>Impotence is grounds for divorce in 24 states in the United States.
>In Frackville, Pennsylvania, a woman filed for divorce because her husband insisted on "shooting tin cans off of her head with a slingshot."
>Each year over 11,000 people are injured trying out new sexual positions.
>People who have never been married are seven and a half times more likely to be admitted to a psychiatric facility than married people.
>Percentage of runners who say they think about sex while running: 66%. Percentage who say they think about running while having sex: 8%.
>The phrase "honeymoon" came from the Greeks. It was customary for the bride's family to supply the groom with a full moons cycle (a month) of wedding wine, which tasted like honey.
>Couples who marry in the months January, February, and March have the highest divorce rates.
>Over 278 bacteria colonies are exchanged during a French kiss.
>The world's greatest lover was documented to be King Mongkut of Siam. He had 9,000 women in his harem.

VALENTINE HISTORY

Who is St. Valentine?
One story says Valentine was a priest who served during third century Rome. There was an Emperor at that time by the name of Claudius II. Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those that were married. With this thought in mind he outlawed marriage for young men in hopes of building a stronger military. Valentine decided this decree just wasn't fair and chose to marry young couples secretly. When Emperor Claudius II found out about Valentine's actions he had him put to death.
Another legend claims Valentine was an imprisoned man who fell in love with his jailor's daughter. Before he was put to death he sent the first 'valentine' himself when he wrote her a letter and signed it 'Your Valentine', words still used on cards today.

What about Cupid?
In Latin, cupido means "desire". In Roman mythology Cupid is the son of Venus, goddess of love. His counterpart in Greek mythology is Eros, god of love. Cupid is often said to be a mischievous boy who goes around shooting both gods and humans with his arrows, causing them to fall in love.

LOW BUDGET VALENTINE GIFT IDEAS
-Make a love jar. Buy a nice medium jar (or find one in the house if you are broke). Cut out 365 pieces of paper. On each piece of paper write a reason why you love that person, cute poem, love coupon, etc. This is a time consuming but VERY thoughtful gift. You can modify this by cutting out 52 hearts and having your Valentine pick out one per week.
-Make a coupon book: Buy a blank book (available in the journal section of any bookstore) and fill out each page. (One free massage, one free breakfast in bed, etc.) For ideas go to http://lovetingle.com/coupons.htm
-Make a paper rose. They are extremely simple to make, and all you need is colored paper. Make a full bouquet, your date will absolutely love the creative, modified version. (To do this take a piece of paper and roll it up like you would do to make a telescope. Pinch down about one inch from the end to make the bud, then twist the rest tightly to make the stem) http://www.lovetingle.com/couples/paperrose.htm

TOP 10 VALENTINES MOVIES
1. Casablanca (1942). Humphrey Bogart stars. The plot: Rediscovery of lost love, and the need to lose it again for a higher cause.
2. Notting Hill (1999). Julia Roberts, Hugh Grant. This movie will rekindle any relationship and remind you how sweet that special someone is.
3. The Princess Bride (1987). Lots of action. Very witty. This classic tale is told from Grandfather to son.
4. Romeo and Juliet (1968 or 1996). The orginal is a by director Franco Zeffirelli. The updated version was a hit as well by Baz Luhrmann. Stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes.
5. West Side Story (1961). Set in New York City, this is a very popular romantic musical was made into a movie.
6. French Kiss (1995). Meg Ryan. Very romantic and very French with a happy ending.
7. Like Water For Chocolate (1993). For the eclectic tastes, this is a great foreign film that will get you both in the valentine mood.
8. A Room With a View (1986). This British flick is a great example of how little it takes to fall in love.
9. It Happened One Night (1934). Two people fall in love while on the road in this classic love tale.
10. Gone with the Wind (1939). Based on the incredible book, this epic tale has the most memorable characters of all time. Scarlett O'Hara is the best!

TOP 5 ROMANTIC SONGS BY FORMAT

Country
Garth Brooks, The Dance
John Michael Montgomery, I Swear
Patsy Cline, Crazy
Lonestar, Amazed
Garth Brooks, Make You Feel My Love

Pop/Adult Contemporary
Whitney Houston, I Will Always Love You
Eric Clapton, Wonderful Tonight
Celine Dion, My Heart Will Go On
Aerosmith, Don't Want To Miss A Thing
Bryan Adams, Everything I Do (I Do For You)

Other Great Romantic Songs
Peter Gabriel, In Your Eyes
Beauty & The Beast Soundtrack, Beauty And The Beast
Berlin, Take My Breath Away
Vanessa Williams, Save The Best For Last
Boyz II Men, I'll Make Love To You
Bryan Adams, All For Love
Righteous Brothers, Unchained Melody
Bryan Adams, Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman
K-Ci & Jojo, All My Life
Lionel Richie, Endless Love
Aladdin Soundtrack, A Whole New World
Seal, Kiss From A Rose
Backstreet Boys, As Long As You Love Me
Bangles, Eternal Flame

GREAT ROMANTIC IDEAS
>Cover the floor with poster board and finger paint a giant valentine card for your lover.
>Have DINNER in bed.
>Fire up the grill and roast marshmallows then lay under the stars.
>Rent your favorite romantic movies, make some popcorn and hot chocolate, and stay up all night watching movies and cuddling.
>Surprise your lover with a bubble bath for two. After the bath dry them off and brush their hair for them.
>Spread out a large blanket in the living room and have an indoor picnic.
>Read old cards and letters from each other to one another.
>Play hide and seek. (Clothing is optional)
>Grab a romantic novel and take turns reading aloud to each other.

MARRIED ON VALENTINES DAY
Sharon Stone, Prince, Roseanne, Jerry Garcia, Harold Robbins, Meg Ryan, Dennis Quaid and Elton John

BORN ON VALENTINE'S DAY
Hugh Downs, Florence Henderson, Carl Bernstein, Gregory Hines, magician Teller of Penn and Teller, Ken Wahl and Meg Tilly

Superbowl commercial talkabouts

Super Bowl Ads Test Limits of Credulity
Fox Flattens Miller Lite's Super Bowl Ads
A Look at This Year's Super Bowl Ads

Longest broadcast = 120 hours, not 110

From: http://www.rwonline.com/dailynews/one.php?id=6669

No World Record for DJ
Dave Plotkin won't be in the Guinness Book of World Records, at least not yet.
According to the AP, the 25-year-old college disc jockey in Florida who thought he had set a world record for the longest continuous radio broadcast apparently fell 10 hours short. He got the word from Guinness.

The broadcast was 110 hours, three minutes, broadcast on Rollins College's WPRK(FM) in January.

Guinness says a Sri Lankan man, Arulanantham Suresh Joachim, stayed on the air 120 hours in 2003, but its records had not been updated. According to AP, Guinness said it took a year and a half to complete the documentation and update its database.

Plotkin said the station has raised $17,000 so far and he hopes to shoot for 144 hours by next year. "It was the most fun I ever had," he said.

A Requiem For the NHL in Edmonton

Gerry Siemens, GM at JRfm/AM600, Vancouver (gsiemens@jrfm.com) forwarded a promo idea that came with his K-97 (Edmonton) data base letter Friday (2/4):

We all need closure to the NHL 2004-2005 season. We all need "friends"tolean on in this time of grief.

Join 97-3 K-ROCK this Saturday, February 5 as we lay the 2004-2005 NHL Season to rest at West Edmonton Mall.

We will start the Procession from outside The Bay at 12:30PM. A piper will lead the casket and our group of mourners to the Ice Palace where viewing of the once mighty "cup" will begin at 1PM.

As mourners pass by, we encourage them to say a final word to the 2004-2005 season, and fill out an entry form to win a pair of season TNT Tickets to the NEXT Oilers' season... whenever that may be.

At 3PM, we will move the casket and the "cup" to Hooters on Bourbon Street for a Wake were we will celebrate the once vibrant NHL league and its players.

To put a close to the death of the 2004-2005 season, we will leave the casket in internment at Hooters at 5PM... at which time we will draw a name to see who will see the Oilers in action... whenever the season comes to life again.

We remind you to wear the jersey of your favorite NHL team to show the league and the players that someone cares about the death of the season.

Regards,

Terry, Bill, & Steve
Edmonton's Classic Rock 97.3

Google Video Search Engine!

Brian DePoe, VP/Programming for Standard Radio Group, Toronto (bdepoe@ezrock.com) is the first to pass the word about Google's newest beta, http://video.google.com, which looks like an invaluable too for anyone talking about hot TV shows and commercials, but who may have forgotten to "TIVO" something important.. A powerful tool: http://video.google.com

WOGI Pittsburgh Prepares For On Air Wedding

Love is on the air at WOGI Froggy 98.3.
In the past week, more than 30 local couples responded to an opportunity for an all-expenses paid Valentine's Day on-air wedding courtesy of the Pittsburgh Country station. The field will be narrowed to five qualifiers this afternoon from 3-7 p.m. on the "Danger Frog Show." Qualifying couples will be interviewed by a panel of "expert judges" comprised of Froggy employees and the Grand Prize winner will be announced on-air at 5 p.m. February 3rd, giving them plenty of time to acquire their Allegheny County wedding license and invite family and friends to "My Big Fat Froggy Wedding," which will happen live on the air at 5 p.m. Valentine's Day on the "Danger Frog Show."

The Grand Prize couple will receive a package of prizes worth more than $5000 including, Wedding rings from Henne Jewelers, Tuxedos from Jack's Tuxedo, Wedding gown from Bridals by Skye's the Limit, Flowers from McCandless Floral, Hairstyle and makeup by Studio G, Wedding crystal and garter from Carlisle's of Pittsburgh, Three-tier wedding cake from Kribel's Bakery, Limousine service from A. Carter Limousine, Honeymoon weekend at the Country Inn & Suites on Campbell's Run Road and Mattress and box springs from Izzy Miller, Carnegie.

Chili Cookoff Attracts Record Crowd

www.allaboutcountry.com reports that twenty years ago, KISS Country started a tradition of bringing together the best country music with the spiciest chili during the First KISS Country Chili Cookoff.

Now two decades later, this nationally renowned event, which was held on January 30, 2005 at C.B. Smith Park in Pembroke Pines, broke all attendance records and is still going strong. The Twentieth Anniversary KISS Country Chili Cookoff combined a full day of family fun, chili contests sanctioned by the International Chili Society and a great line-up of country music headlined by Hank Williams, Jr. In addition to Hank, Jr., Keith Urban, Montgomery Gentry, Big & Rich, and newcomer Katrina Elam performed. For the first time in its 20-year history, the show had a co-host, Terri Clark, who joined the air personalities on stage and shared emceeing duties.

Record crowds packed the park beginning the night before the event, parking their vehicles outside the gates to insure seating up close to the stage. Fans came from as far away as California and Canada to see their favorite country artists on a typically beautiful South Florida day. Over 75 teams of chili cooks competed for the chance to win the title of Best Chili with the first place honors going to “Sky’s the Limit,” captained by Fred Boehm of Fort Lauderdale, winning $500 and advancing to the International Chili Society’s next level of competition.

“As we plan for the 21st Birthday of the KISS Country Chili Cookoff in 2006, we are thrilled at how much of a tradition this event has become for country music fans and chili aficionados throughout the Southeast,” said Joe Bell, WKIS’ General Manager. “Every luminary of Country Music has played the Chili Cookoff at least once during our star-studded history. We are looking forward to continuing that tradition for many years to come.”

Check out tons of pictures at WKIS.com.

WNOE New Orleans Hosts Lundi Gras Wedding

101.1 WNOE New Orleans morning show hosts Big D & Bubba are trumping the success of last year’s Lundi Gras wedding by marrying three couples during their live broadcast from the Royal Sonesta Hotel. The nuptials will take place during the 6 a.m., 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. hours of WNOE’s Morning Show on February 7 on a balcony overlooking historic Bourbon Street.

For more: The Big D & Bubba Show

Winning couples were selected from over 100 applicants who logged onto 101.1WNOE.com and submitted the reasons why they deserved to win the Lundi Gras Wedding.

The prize package includes wedding essentials like a justice of the peace, rings, a king cake wedding cake, photography, the bride’s bouquet, and a honeymoon weekend at the Woodland Plantation in Myrtle Grove, LA.