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The first of two summer radio conventions begin next week in
Cleveland. It is the Radio and Records spectacular with a
lot of doings at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
A lot of entertainment, fun and business will happen during
the meeting. For example, I am bringing Kenneth Dotson of
TicketsNow.com to continue introducing him to broadcasters
and consultants. Kenneth has a unique idea that I believe
works for all rated stations or networks. He has a 15 minute
power point presentation. I will be introducing Kenneth to
Steve Goldstein of Saga, Jim Richards of Vallie-Richards,
Mary Catherine Sneed of Radio One, Mike McVay of McVay
Media, Dwight Douglas of RCS, Chesley Maddox-Dorsey of
Access One….and others at the event. The convention should
be a dazzler as most R and R events are. I’ll write a column
about it for those of you who will not be able to attend.
Regarding last week’s column about the Osmonds….I heard from
Jerry Lembo whose company does work for Donny, and then from
Donny himself. Unfortunately cell phones being what they are
Donny and I did not have such a good connection, but enough
of one to swap e-mail addresses. So, we are in touch about
his new jazz album. Stay tuned.
Also, ten years ago about this time Charlie Minor was
murdered at his home in Malibu. For those of you who did not
know Charlie he may be the greatest record promotion person
ever. OK…that statement is arguable…two or three others may
be as good. However, Charlie was a friend to all in the
music and radio business, and was the catalyst for the A and
M record growth through the 70’s and 80’s. His life on the
road went something like this….he would invite twenty or
thirty people of importance to him to a restaurant, and it
would be party time for six hours.
Everyone loved Charlie. Matter of fact I understand that a
music director and program director in the Northwest came to
blows because of an argument as to which guy knew Charlie
the best. I have witnessed similar statements and arguments
about Charlie. Who was his best friend??? Everyone was his
best friend!!!! Everyone who knew Charlie thought that
Charlie was his/her best friend!!! What a legacy!!!! He
called me every Monday morning… it was 6 AM in LA, 9 my
time. We talked about people in radio, music…and potential
hits. And, I called him whenever I was looking for a new GM,
PD or air personality. If he didn’t have a recommendation
then, he would call back within hours with a name of two.
About the murder…a woman was prosecuted and given 20 years
or so without parole in California. As I understand it the
woman was jealous of Charlie seeing other women…and went to
his home and shot him. She was picked up shortly thereafter.
Memorials were held in both Los Angles at the A and M lot,
and Charlie’s home town, Atlanta. I spoke at the memorial in
Atlanta about his contribution of friendship to all of us.
Both memorials had a thousand people or more. So, Charlie
touched a lot of people. I think of him often. And, by the
way, one of Charlie’s meeting places in LA was a restaurant
on Sunset called Le Dome. Charlie held court as host at that
bar many, many nights…. the owners built a Charlie Minor
memorial fountain inside the restaurant. I know because I
WAS THERE.
e-mail Kent
kent@kentburkhart.com
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