Beauty and the Geek Beats Miss Universe

Check out: http://www.medialifemagazine.com/

Steep ratings slide for 'Miss Universe'
Off 14 percent: How much longer can American beauty pageants survive on the networks?

In all reality, it's 'Beauty and the Geek.'

As Michael O'Malley said during our Atlantic City talent seminar last October: "Real is in, Ideal is out as Austin Powers burlesques the perfect spy of the previous generation, James Bond."

Making Streaming Financially-Possible

WWYZ, Hartford sells their stream. Click on "listen live" and look at the banner ads. You do what you have to do to make it possible.

Clear Channel station websites like this one send a very irritating 'we're a very cluttered station' message, just the opposite of what they intend with "Less is More." Hopefully, their next corporate campaign will be to clean up their web efforts.. BUT, if that's what it takes to stream, I still think it is worth it.

Rawlco Saskatoon Breakfast Guy Leads Poker Team To Las Vegas

TEAM CANUCK POKER is a loose association of Canadian poker players who share a few common traits:

--- We play poker for fun. Although we are professional and semi-professional players, money is not the main reason we play.
--- We work hard at making the game fun. At the table, or away from it, we know that poker is a game. Games are supposed to be fun.
--- We intend to win the World Series of Poker Championship.

Who is C95's Dave Scharf?

Win or lose in Vegas, it's a fun stunt. If you ever consider doing Poker on the radio, it would be worth reaching out to Dave.

Most Of Your Compen$ation Is Not On Your 1040EZ

A great 'how to' profile on how to be a successful talk radio personality:

Jim Fisher, talk radio host for WOC-1420 AM, is arguably the best known radio personality in the Quad-Cities. Cadres of fans tune in or call every weekday from 3 to 6 p.m. Many of the politicians and government bureaucrats that he regularly jabs loathe him. Fisher says he wishes they wouldn’t take it personally, but a little anger and resentment comes with the job. His is not a news show, he says. It’s a combination of entertainment, pot stirring and a forum for those who want to vent their opinions on an uncensored platform where reporters and producers don’t pick and choose what gets aired (read more - Quad City Times)

But, I'll save you the click through and reprint the (sad, but true) data about the job at the very bottom of the article:

ABOUT THIS JOB
* Nature of work: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics describes those who perform on-air duties and other responsibilities at radio and television stations as announcers.
* Number of workers nationwide: 76,000
* Number of workers in Iowa and Illinois: 2,550
* Median annual wage: $20,612
* Median annual wage in Iowa and Illinois: $18,429
* Hours: The nature of the job requires announcers to put in long hours at unusual intervals depending on when they are on the air.
* education: Most have a bachelor’s degree in a major such as communications, broadcasting or journalism.

Let's face it: we do this for LOVE, not $$... and, I don't know about you, but I would not change my choice of this career field with anyone!

How about YOU?

AND, if that's not enough career motivation, try this profile on for size of "Radio Rich" Dalton. "I've had a magical life," said Dalton in a recent interview. "I've found out that if you do what you love, what your heart tells you to, it will lead you to the right place." (read more - Joe Holleman-St Louis Post-Dispatch)

Give me a job you can love and make a difference in the local community every time. There are no IRS deductions taken out of your check for the many real rewards of this gig! If you love what you do and put max passion into it, listeners can tell, as the careers of these two pro's prove.

In-Box Room For One More Radio Newsletter?

Solutions Research and NewRadioStar collaborate on a very comprehensive weekly one, which I eyeball and would recommend to you too, if you're not getting enough media updates and news now. CLICK to subscribe.

Garth Post-Engagement Audio

Thanks to Chuck Clifford for this clip from Wednesday night's Buck Owens event where Garth proposed to Trisha: He says it's one of the best days of his life.

Idol Winner: Carrie Underwood/Inside Your Heaven

Read all about it:

Carrie Underwood in!
Ken Jennings out!
Neal Shapiro toast!
May sweeps ends!

CLICK: Carrie Underwood, All Choked Up (Washington Post) "Underwood, a college senior from Checotah, Okla. (population about 3,500), choked again last night, after show host Ryan Seacrest announced she'd won and she tried to perform the original tune "Inside Your Heaven," which both contestants had been forced to sing the night before. It will be her first single. Warbling through tears and fireworks, Underwood's rendition of "Inside Your Heaven" sounded just as lousy last night as it had Tuesday. Good luck with that, Clive Davis..."

I dutifully downloaded the BMG "Promo Only" version (wav) too and regretably it's not any better. (This "15 minutes of fame" may last only 2:56..)

The best thing about Wednesday night's show: Rascal Flatts performed and did not disappoint. THEY are the real deal.

The FCC Is Watching YOU

Tom Taylor at Inside Radio reports: FCC Commissioner Adelstein says Americans are angry over "overt commercial pitches" in the media.

From: Jim Carnegie at RBR - View the full text of Adelstein's prepared comments

Adelstein is in the Democratic minority on the FCC and so probably won't be able to get the GOP-dominated commission to do more than talk about it, but it's still a word to the wise - if you're getting paid or spiffed in any way to plug something on the air whether it's a product, service, a nice meal at a fancy restaurant or a song, full disclosure is in order!

Need More of Star Wars?

Check out http://theforce.net/.

And, if you want to laugh, search the site for the word "shertenlieb" (Kidd Kraddock's stunt guy).

Or, cut to the chase: Texas EP3 Screening Disrupted by Radio Station

The Pet Psychic

Sonya Fitzpatrick is her name, and she is quite a compelling guest as long as you don't overuse her. If you email or call her number, be sure to let 'em know that you are a radio station or they may try to $$$ charge $$$ you..

Two Of The Big Three Now Podcast

ABC News and NBC News announced plans Tuesday to offer podcasts, the rapidly growing mobile technology. ABC News launched its podcast through its Web site, ABCNews.com, offering immediately a combination of original and repurposed content (read more - Hollywood Reporter)

I'd sure be podcasting my "best of bits" too and also local news, traffic and weather updates branded for your station. BUT, remember that licensing issues are still murky, so avoid music and anything else that might involve copyright or ownership issues. Podcasting is happening. Getting sued or fined is NOT..

Rose Colored Glasses On Hannity & Colmes

John Conlee joins the politically-opposed pair in-studio on Memorial Day for a discussion of what it means to truly support our Nation’s troops and the families and friends that are behind them – all the while never forgetting those that have passed on before us for the cause of America (visit Hannity and Colmes)

Behind The Scenes Of TV

Seattle TV news prodicer Corey Bergman's blog is always full of great gossip and readable opinions.

How old media can survive in a new world

The WSJ has published a special report with a collection of ideas on how traditional media companies can thrive in a digital world.

Do This In Your Community!

SCHOOL KIDS IN CHARLOTTE HAVE BANDED TOGETHER TO HELP SAVE THEIR TOWN'S HISTORY.

PARADE magazine notes that the students at Hornets Nest Elementary School in Charlotte have partnered with the organization "Historic Charlotte" to send their students to study the Davidson family cemetery, the final resting place of some of the city's founders.

It's just one of the projects supported by The History Channel's "Save OurHistory" initiative, which gives grants and awards to schools and groups that combine community preservation and education. According to the chief historian for the TV network: "Local history can provide roots for kids and help them appreciate their environment." You can learn more about the initiative by surfing over to saveourhistory.com.

Thanks to http://www.paraderadio.com/ for the tip!

Satire from Corey Deitz

(Has anyone noticed how both XM and SIRIUS Satellite Radio seem to be in a fevered competition to acquire and announce more "strategic partnerships" than the other? Every week these guys announce a new show, a new channel, a new host - in an endless hail of press releases. Well, here: this press release should put an end to that.)

In a bid to once-and-for-all out-position its competitor, SIRIUS Satellite Radio announced today a strategic partnership with God. According to the deal – heralded by trumpets with a special appearance by Gabriel himself - God confirmed he will be doing his own Sunday show beginning in July (read more - Corey Deitz-About)

Country Dance Club Promotion

Jeff Walker of AristoMedia ­(615-269-7071 ext. 123 /jwalker@aristomedia.com) wants to see country dance clubs start to network with each other, using a new website

Club Connection, a division of Marco Promotions, has announced the launch of Marcoclubconnection.com, a website designed for Country Music dance enthusiasts.

In addition to providing club and dance event news, the site also provides readers with the latest Country Music headlines, chat forums, event calendars, and an array of country music and dance resources. It will also spotlight artists currently impacting the club and dance communities with a special multi-media On Air section.

"Over the past year, we've seen a reinvigoration in the club and dance community," Jeff Walker, President of parent company, AristoMedia, said. "We've also seen an embrace of new media throughout the industry. We feel this new site is the next logical step toward bridging the gap between the artists, music industry, clubs and dance enthusiasts."

For more information about submitting press and calendar events to the site, email jg@marcoclubconnection.com.

Do You Remember Radio From 30 Years Ago?

If so, you will enjoy Jim Rose's web recollections from Houston.

Hopefully, some wise and observant folks will create some equally memory-filled and accurate memoirs someday of our biz in 2005 in a couple decades.. Jim provides a good how-to example for us all.

Lorna Ozmon Gets It

If the very next post - on moving your content into the foreground - inspires you, but you feel you lack the tools to accomplish it and maybe you've spent the day with Jaye Albright and/or Mike O'Malley at one of our motivating, idea-filled "Extreme Personality Workshops" and now you're hungry for more, here's another great source of inspiration from talent coach Lorna Ozmon: Getting Them to Listen is Not Enough!

http://www.ozmonmedia.com/ is Lorna's home on the net, and her CRS-2005 seminar handouts (Creating Compelling Radio) are simply terrific: Download PDF

Moving Radio From The Background Into The Foreground

When Jefferson-Pilot's Rick Jackson talks, I pay attention. For one thing, he is the only GM I know who hosts is own weekly country gold syndicated program, primarily because he has a passion for country's musical heritage. At the same time, he oversees "AC talk" WLNK (which calls itself an adult top 40, but plays very little music during daytime hours) and news-talk WBT, Charlotte and brags that although WBT ranks #7 and 'The Link' ranks #11 25-54, they rank #2 and #3 in Miller-Kaplan revenue rankers.

He told Carl Marcucci of RBR:

"To progress in coming years, radio will need to innovate at every level, and that includes radio sales. As we move away from 'the music box' sponge radio has so effectively squeezed these many years and move toward more innovative programming, the sales staff will also need to reposition themselves.

"TV has certainly experienced change in programming and sales - just ask anyone who works for cable these days. They're having a lot of fun and tremendous success with their 'niche' innovations.

"We boast that they learned it from us (radio) and some of that is true but it's time for radio to take it to the next level. I think our most effective innovations will start be downsizing our scope. Radio will continue to niche and splinter and smart operators will see this as an opportunity to adjust and prosper.

"Much of the value will come from the product. Radio can't produce the same kind of results with 'background'-based programming. Foreground (talk) radio functions very differently for the listener and our clients."

Are you a part of the 'music box sponge' which radio has been squeezing? If so, it's now time to think very differently about what you do between the songs, at the very least. Does anyone really need to hear what you are saying right now?