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I had lunch with broadcaster Don Keyes in Dallas this week.
I have written about Don in quite a few columns. He was one
of the top executives for Gordon McLendon….his right hand
and arm for about fifteen years I think. Gordon was one of
the co-inventors (along with Todd Storz) of recruiting radio
listeners back to radio when television took them away in
the 50’s. The concept/format was called TOP 40….the current
pop hits of the day repeated over, and over, and over.
Don was involved in the development of KABL in San Francisco
…which, in my opinion, is THE beautiful music station of all
time. And with K-ADS which was the first want ad station in
the LA area.
At lunch Don mentioned a new format that could be applied to
the two vacant AM frequencies in Dallas. He had a two tiered
approach. I won’t reveal them because they are worth some
bucks to Don. If you as an owner would like to know Don’s
idea e-mail me and I will have Don get in contact. It is a
very clever concept, and will make buckets of money in this
wonderful Dallas market.
We also discussed Chuck Blore. I think both Don and I share
the belief that Chuck is the best all time creative genius
of writing and producing radio spots. I suspect Chuck has a
site so you might Google him to check on his
accomplishments. I mentioned to Don that Chuck was now
involved with my client TicketsNow producing new radio
spots. I have recently read the copy, and heard Chuck read
it (long distance from LA). Both Kenneth Dotson of
TicketsNow and the agency handling the TicketsNow
advertising were on the phone, and laughing like crazy at
the effectiveness of the first spots. I know because I WAS
THERE on the phone. Soon the spots will be in production and
heard around the country. It is just more of the same from
Chuck Blore’s fertile brain. AND I am heartened by what some
of the major groups are doing to create…that IS the
word…CREATE….better radio spots for local merchants. It’s
about time. I have already heard some of these improvements
on the radio. Spots are part of the programming of a
station, so they must be as good as the announcer/dj’s and
music (if it is a music station). I have also noticed a
definite up-tick in promotional announcement creativity.
Yep, production seems to be improving after five…or is that
ten…dull years.
Don has also produced an amazing CD about his association
with the aforementioned Gordon McLendon including a McLendon
sound bite. If you are a broadcaster you need a copy. I
think every school and University should have a copy of
contemporary radio history…and this CD is it. There is at
least one person who sells media books/things/cd’s to
colleges and universities, but I do not know who he or she
is??? Do you??? If so, let me know. There are ideas in the
CD that you as a broadcaster can expand in today’s world.
Gordon’s son, Bart, called Don and ordered 50 of them. I
bought two. And others have called and ordered as well. They
are 25 bucks. If you would like to buy one e-mail me and I
will forward your request to Don. Nice work, Don. Great
lunch, and I will see you tomorrow night at the 2005 Texas
Radio Hall of Fame inductions here in Dallas (Don was
inducted a few years ago). Among those inducted this year
will be comedian George Carlin, and ace Houston Astro play
by play genius Milo Hamilton. Great fun in Big D!!!!!!
e-mail Kent
kent@kentburkhart.com
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