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My bags are packed and
I am heading to the National Association of Broadcasters
meeting in Philadelphia which begins next Wednesday (9-21).
Those in charge have indicated that this will be highly
attended meeting. Thousands and thousands of broadcasters,
consultants, brokers, and engineers will be there to talk
what they talk…on panels, in the hallways and at dinners.
Rumor is they may even visit a bar or two. Philadelphia may
never be the same!!!!!
One of the most
interesting events will be an invitation-only party
sponsored by
TicketsNow.com They asked me to furnish a list of key
broadcasters as a working invitation list. The list had to
be a thousand or more. Certain consultants will be
introduced as “radio doctors”, and I provided that list as
well. I am happy to say that I am one of the hosts for the
evening. Special guest: CAL RIPKIN, Jr. Yep, the baseball
great….known as major league baseballs “Ironman” will be
shaking hands and saying high to those in attendance. No
speeches, no sales pitches. Just a good time. For those of
you who want to know more about
www.ticketsnow.com check out their
site. They are moving their product into broadcasting with
a FREE concept to increase services that a radio station
provides its listeners. I’ve asked certain broadcasters to
look at their Power Point presentation and they liked what
they saw. Beta tests in major markets have been very
successful. If you would like to have the Power Point
presentation let me know and I will see that it happens
(downloaded to you). TicketsNow is a hundred million dollar
plus company based in the Chicago area. I enjoy consulting
for them. Smart operators led by superstar Kenneth Dotson,
a marketing guru who created the radio concept/idea I
mentioned.
I
will keep my ears tuned for water cooler conversation about
mergers, new equipment, programming and sales concepts. If I
have any hot news I will immediately e-mail it to
www.radiodailynews.com for your
reading pleasure…a news flash from Philly.
On
another subject, I was able to locate the location of Jimmy
Walsh and his family. I mentioned in my last column that he
and his family had not checked in since the hurricane hit
their city of New Orleans. Fortunately, they are safe in
Alabama, but still do not know the extent of damage to their
beautiful home.
And,
speaking of New Orleans, a guy by the name of Ray Harris
once worked as a bell hop at a large hotel there. He had a
great gift of gab and years ago was hired to become a record
promotion man for Capitol Records…his entry into show biz!!!
I was pleased to be best man at his wedding to Jan…a
southern beauty. Yep, I WAS THERE!! Ray went on to move to
Los Angeles and became the co-manager (with Seymor Heller)
of Liberace. Ray hit the big time!!! Ray was more or less
in charge of the Liberace concerts in Europe and spent a lot
of time there. I got an e-mail from Ray which stated “My
old home where I grew up in New Orleans no longer stands”.
Another victim of a category 4!! However, there is some
good news…Ray and Jan’s daughter, Cassandra, just married in
a castle outside London to some sort of royalty as I
understand it. Hey, Cassandra, remember me???? I’m waiting
for a dinner invitation in your castle!!!!! You have our
number!!!
e-mail Kent
kent@kentburkhart.com
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