It's Time To Support "Our" United Way

The Broadcasters Foundation of America has launched its "2013 Holiday Giving Campaign." 

If charity begins at home, it's important to remember that this cause is OUR home and ask fellow broadcasters to spread the word about the mission of BFA to those who may need its assistance, and encourages donations and memberships.

Often a last refuge, the Broadcasters Foundation has helped broadcasters and their families remain in their homes and made it possible for retirees to afford life-sustaining medications.

"The goal of the Foundation's Board of Directors is that no broadcaster's cry for help should ever go unanswered," stated BFA Chairman Phil Lombardo. "Requests for aid have more than doubled over the past few years and more come in every day. Next year, we will disburse over $900,000 in financial assistance, a 100 percent increase from five years ago.  The pace of incoming donations is lagging behind the requests for aid," added BFA President Jim Thompson. "Our grant recipients are our colleagues -- individuals who we have worked with and whose lives have been devastated by unthinkable circumstances. Aid from the Broadcasters Foundation can be life-saving, in many cases. I ask every broadcaster to consider making a donation or becoming a member."

Over the past 65 years, the Broadcasters Foundation has distributed millions of dollars in aid to hundreds of broadcasters who lost their livelihood through a catastrophic event, debilitating disease, or unforeseen family tragedy. Most recently, BFA provided emergency grants in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

Little Or Big?

Yeah, it's not a huge thing, but you have to hand it to Astral-Pembroke, Ontario's Star 96 for finding a clever way to push Movember without saying a single word.

If you can't immediately see what I am talking about, click on one of the graphics to enlarge it (or on the station link, above).

Sometimes doing something really viral requires subtlety.

Creating great radio isn't about doing one or two big things.

It's about getting a thousand little things right.

Freezin' For A Reason

Zoo Montana was going to have to close, due to financial pressures. (click to read the story)

Townsquare Media/Billings Program Director Larry Wilson devised a plan. Wilson, who also does an on-air shift, once did a promo called "Freezin' For a Reason" to bring awareness to the Haiti tragedy.

The idea was that no matter where in the world there is a tragedy, everybody can give back.

The concept: Sleep in the van, go on the air and try to raise money for a cause. And, keep in mind, Montana is not Florida.

The reason "Livin' Large Larry" made the sacrifice, of course, had nothing to do with winning an award, but last weekend at the MAB convention he won one, an E.B. Craney Award.

The "EB Awards" are named in memory of Montana broadcast pioneer Ed Craney. The "EBs" recognize excellence in local news, production, promotion and public service. The awards are presented annually during the Montana Broadcasters Association convention.

Congrats, Larry. Thanks again for proving that there's nothing like radio people and our listeners getting together to make big things happen.

KICX 91.7 Camps For Cans

Brad Hulme:

"An R-V… a dining tent… a fake fire… and a freak April Sudbury Snowstorm!"

Lucky for KICX 91.7 morning man Hulme the “campsite” was set up INSIDE the New Sudbury Shopping Centre.

Brad & Shannon began in Centre Court at 5:30 am last Monday and before the morning was up, Brad had vowed he wasn’t going to leave the mall until the dining tent was full of food donations for the downtown Elgin Street Mission.

Well, 2 sleeps later and KICX listeners showed why they are the best listeners in Greater Sudbury as they came out in force and donated ONE AND A HALF TONS of food AND more than 3-thousand dollars!

The real winner was the Elgin Street Mission, a downtown mission providing 100,000 warm and nutritious meals a year to the homeless and disadvantaged in Sudbury.

Congrats to the whole KICX Crew, the New Sudbury Shopping Centre, and especially KICX listeners for making “Camping for Cans” such a HUGE success!

Proof That Radio Is "A Really Big Shoe"

Yes, that is thousands of shoes covering the Idaho Capitol's steps.

Yes, that is a WOW 104.3 banner on the left and right pedestals.

Dan Matthews of WOW 104.3 blogs that they were only able to put about one-third of the shoes collected as the station teamed up with the Boise Rescue Mission and Rosendahl Foot And Shoe Center.

Peak Broadcasting Boise and their listeners teamed up with the Boise Rescue Mission and Rosendahl Foot And Shoe Center, donating thousands of shoes to help keep local families warm this winter.

Pity the poor promotion staff who had to lay the shoes out for the great media event/photo op .. and then had to pack them all back up for distribution to the needy!

Two Moncton Midday Guys And Their Listeners Are Amazing

XL 96.9's Shilo Bellis and Newcap sister station C103 personality Tim Cormier were hoisted 80 feet above a downtown intersection and planned on staying there until $4,000 in donations for the Food Depot Alimentaire could be collected.

Twelve hours later, they’d almost doubled their goal – $7,000!

When You Hit The Streets

• You can't go wrong helping a noble cause.
• Make friends; make a big difference for charity.
• Size counts.
• Make it visually striking.

Toby Keith Event Raises Almost $600,000

The final accounting is still underway in Norman, Oklahoma and the numbers are staggering as the seventh annual Toby Keith & Friends Golf Classic counts the proceeds.

Comprised of a dinner/auction/concert and golf tournament the following day, the event has raised almost $3,000,000 since its inception for Oklahoma's children battling cancer and their families.

The perennially sold-out gathering was standing-room-only yet again on May 21-22, with co-emcee Larry The Cable Guy keeping the crowd in stitches and event namesake Toby Keith jumping on stage to perform with headliner David Allan Coe. Surprise guest, and Show Dog-Universal Music label mate, Phil Vassar also took the stage to rock the house for a few songs.

Top draws in the auction included dinner for 20 with Toby Keith. As it did last year, the meal generated such interest that Keith agreed to do two dinners, one for each of the top bidders at $28,000 a piece. A Super Bowl package went for $16,000 and top silent auction items included a canvas of Keith featuring the lyrics to "Cryin' For Me (Wayman's Song) that went for $3,900, Vikings and Jets Brett Favre jerseys at $4,100 and a Cal Ripken, Jr. package that brought in $3,500. Pros For Africa and Whitten-Newman Foundation Co-Founder Reggie Whitten donated a custom Triumph Rocket III motorcycle autographed by NFL stars Tommie Harris (Bears), Adrian Peterson (Vikings), Roy Williams (Bengals) and Mark Clayton (Ravens). The bike sold for $40,000 and Whitten intends to make the cycle donation an annual occurrence because, in his words, "Triumph" is exactly what he wants the sick children of Oklahoma to do.

Proceeds from this year's event will help fund the OK Kids Korral 16-room guest lodge, which will house pediatric cancer patients and their families on the grounds of Oklahoma University Medical Center. With completion expected in 2012, the 30,000 sq. ft. facility will be a haven of respite for families of young children struggling through cancer treatments.

Visit the Foundation website for full details.

Alan Jackson Pays Tribute To Victims Of West Virginia Coal Mining Disaster

Last weekend, Alan honored the fallen miners and rescue workers from April’s Upper Big Branch mining disaster with a benefit concert performance at the Charleston (WV) Civic Center:

“We're here to honor the ones that we lost or were injured and we're gonna celebrate their lives with some music."

The 31 families affected and 230 rescue workers who were on site at the nation’s biggest mining disaster in four decades were offered free tickets to the show. 27 families who lost loved ones and the two whose family members survived met with Jackson before the show, including the family of Cory Davis who would have been 21 on Saturday. His family presented Jackson with a bracelet with David’s birthday on it, and Jackson wore it throughout the show.

During the show, Jackson’s long time pedal steel player Robbie Flint, originally from Sylvester, WV, played the haunting ballad “Coalwood” as the faces of the miners flashed on two large screens on either side of the stage. As each name and face appeared, cheers reverberated through the crowd. Jackson followed the heart-felt tribute with his post 9/11 anthem, "Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning.

Profits from the benefit go to the Montcoal Mining Disaster Fund, administrated by the West Virginia Council of Churches.

721 Very Impressive Miles In 93 Days, Much More Ahead

Jimmy Wayne's Meet Me Halfway walk for homeless teens is such an impressive achievement that I simply do not have adequate words to express how much I admire his personal dedication and tenacity.

150 folks in Amarillo showed up Saturday after 93 days of walking to pat him on the back and wish him well.

If you haven't donated as yet, please do so. He has a long way to go. Seems like a click on a website and a few bucks on a credit card is the least all of us can do.

Livin' Large, Livin' COLD To Help Haiti

Broadcaster lives in hut to raise money for Haiti

It is sacrifices like this (click to watch the video) being made by Larry Wilson (Livin Large Larry), Ops. Mgr./Air Talent for Gapwest/Billings which make you proud to be in the radio business.

Yeah, it's snowy and cold, and that's bad enough.. but he also missed the Super Bowl too! (or is that a generator next to his frosty hut?)

Country Radio Mobilizes Haiti Aid

Compassion International has been in Haiti for over 40 years serving hundreds of thousands of children and families. When the military is retracted and most of the other charity groups are gone, Compassion will remain in country.

On February 1st Compassion is mobilizing a one-day national radio event to help country radio listeners bring hope to a devastated country, desperate for both immediate and long-term solutions.

I am currently asking any radio group or syndicated show to partner with us. I understand some stations are already involved with specific charities through NAB or their own local affiliation, but there are so many who aren’t directly connected to anyone and would like to plug in to a legitimate and trusted organization. Especially to a charity group with 30+ years and significant ties within the music industry and who can help make it country format specific. - Mike Severson

If radio stations would like to do something on February 1st, or even before like KKGO/Los Angeles is currently planning, we just need to have collaboration to expediently put it in place. Individual stations can then run it through our online tool kit.

If you are willing to help in this effort or have any questions, contact former Midas Records, Rounder and All Access Exec Severson.

A Lesson In How To Get A TV Station To Mention Your Name And Call Letters

Peak Broadcasting's WOW Country 104.3 morning guy Don Jarrett not only got some amazing TV coverage, but won recognition of Idaho NewsChannel7 as their "7's Hero" award for an amazing accomplishment, as he lived on the street for 104 hours (click to watch the video).

Ya wonder if the job application he filled out when Don returned from Salt Lake City to work at WOW 104.3 contained anything about tolerance to cold.

His next stunt? Make-A-Wish Foundation's January 1 "Polar Bear Challenge!"

"Hug Those Babies When You Get Home"

.. that's the sign-off phrase WYNK's Scott Innes has used as he heads home each evening after his afternoon show in Baton Rouge for many, many years. And, he's really bringing it to life now.

He sends along this photo which says it all for the cause he's working hard to raise money for right now, "Baseball's Most Touching Night, The Hal & Al Miracle League Concert."
Good work and congrats, Scott!

It's so great to see that the event is going to be a complete sell-out.

Ordinary Event = Extraordinary Results

Team JRfm/Vancouver's Weekend To End Breast Cancer Bake Sale was a fun on-air event that put morning cohosts Clay and Karen out in the community, but more importantly raised an incredible $3500.00.

"Country listeners are community conscious and will help out any way they can, whether its Basics For Babies, Union Gospel Mission or the Weekend to End Breast Cancer. Perhaps they respond to our appeals because we are their connection to the community. That position didn't happen by accident." -- Gord Eno, PD, CJJR

Two 90's Country Superstars Aid "Cat" Causes

Coincidentally, two very active "Cat Country" radio stations, one in Colorado Springs and the other in Pensacola, have undertaken two great causes and two class acts, Tracy Lawrence and John Michael Montgomery are lending a hand.

Lawrence headlines an already nearly sold-out benefit for “Aden’s Friends” – named for the cancer-stricken 6-year-old son of Citadel’s manager, Mike Knar. “Cat Country 95.1” is donating all proceeds through the Aden’s Friends charity to Childhood Hematology Oncology Associates, where Aden is being treated for leukemia.

Montgomery is doing a free show for the troops, their families and the listeners of "Cat Country 98.7" on board Naval Air Station, Pensacola.

Hats off to the two stars, who continue to prove they know what it means to go that extra mile to give back and the two owners of WYCT, ADX Broadcasting, and KATC, Citadel Radio, for working hard to give back to their communities.

Sometimes Localism Can Give You Goosebumps

Since my post on how very often localism takes dedicated, passionate people to achieve, I have been receiving many examples of how far local radio station air staffs will go to assist local causes every day, but this one from WSRG (97.7 The Big Dawg)/Sturgeon Bay GM/PD/Morning co-host Jeff Stone (click to watch video of "The Big Dawg Plunge - Stone is the one in the wheel chair) makes the point more coldly than any of the others thus far:

"This was our chilly plunge we did in Lake Michigan last week for Relay For Life. We raised over $2000.00 in just a few hours to get their drive jump started. I was supposed to jump, but of course I talked a volunteer hot girl in a bikini to do it for me....Ha Ha....But other morning team members Hervy and Colin did it! Great stuff."

The Sound Of Localism

David Oxenford's "Broadcast Law" post on Localism Without Government Regulation makes radio's case against FCC-mandated local programming pretty well.

This comment from Tom Taggart it prompted makes it even more potently:

"Each winter we do a "coats for kids" drive. It's sold, but it's a lot of work. We put barrels at sponsor's stores, and have two dry cleaners who clean the donated coats. The coats then go to churches and community agencies. One bank sponsor has locations 50 miles apart we need to service. Under FCC's rules, we would get little credit for all this work. Now, if we ran four or five hour long discussion programs each Sunday on the need for coats for poor kids and that the government needs a program to solve this problem, why we could fill up the public file issues folder quite full."

Meanwhile, CJJR/Vancouver morning cohost Clay St. Thomas distributed this message to his listeners today:

"The weekend of August 14th to 16th, I'm going to be walking in the Weekend to End Breast Cancer. It's 60K of walking, spread over 2 days. Not bragging, just saying ;) Well, maybe bragging just a little...with that level of commitment, all the walkers on all teams are obviously serious about wanting to do something to end Breast Cancer. I'm a cancer survivor myself, and my mom lost her fight with cancer. Sadly, my circumstances are not unusual. 1 in 3 people will eventually be diagnosed with cancer. This disease runs in everyone's family, and the rate of increase in Breast Cancer specifically is nothing short of epidemic. So here's the pitch: Please consider heading over to http://tinyurl.com/qq8sj9 and making a donation. I know times are tight, which is honestly part of the reason why I'm doing this whole 'hat in hand' routine. Thanks for reading this, and especially for any support you can give. I really appreciate it. Yours in blister pads and damp socks, - Clay"

PS: his cohost Karen Daniels is doing it too!

There are some things you simply can't do with smoke and mirrors. That's the sound of genuine localism, actions thousands and thousands of radio personalities and their stations take upon themselves every single day, which move millions of listeners to get involved too, amplifying already-impressive individual efforts like Clay's and Tom's.

A sound of genuine "localism" in radio: running shoes on pavement. Just try to stick that in your Public File!

Astral/London Creates 10,000 Smiles

Christmas came early in London and the gift was a community full of giant hearts.

Astral Media London and Canadian Tire's Annual Toys for Tots campaign brought in over 10,000 toys plus an additional $10,000 cash. Toys, food and clothes have been donated to help ensure that every child in the London area experiences the warmth, magic and spirit of giving this holiday season.

Cluster Operations Manager Barry Smith was blown away by the generosity of the community and after loading another huge truck with toys stated,

“the list of all who have donated is longer than Santa’s. Thanks to everyone for their Christmas spirit…there are just too many of you to thank personally. You are all on Santa’s nice list this year.”

Combined efforts from local military reservists who volunteered their time allowed Toys for Tots to help more than 2,000 families!

Agencies benefited include: Big Sisters, N'Amerind Friendship Centre, United Way, Youth Action Centre, Merrymount, Teen Challenge Farm, Glen Cairn Community Resource Centre, Middlesex London Health Unit, Boys and Girls Club, Pathways, Community Outreach, Children's Aid, London Abused Women's Centre and Single Women In Motherhood.

What Makes It All Worthwhile

Brent Lane of WYCT (Cat Country 98.7), Pensacola's got decked up in a turkey suit yesterday, (click to watch it) and the heck what for?

"All Cat Country tonight on every newscast...," he brags.

Nice to see a guy whose priorities are in order! (smile)