art@artroberts.com
By overwhelming demand,
the late Art Roberts' Web site returns to the Internet
Click here to read
tributes to one of America's greatest radio personalities
Enjoy the tour of Art's Web site ... Start
with the video greeting from Art
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Bernie Allen was on middays on WLS |
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"Hi Art, Hope this finds you
doing well. I lived in Cleveland but was able to pick up WLS
after dark. I enjoyed your show and looked forward to your
"Peter Fugitive" episodes. Regards,"
TIM SEIFERT
"Hi Art,How are you? I really enjoyed
that special last night about all the great djs and bands from the
60's. Yes, THE CELLAR WAS THE PLACE TO BE. You will always be in
our hearts!!!" NANCY
"Art, I had this small transistor
radio that fit under my pillow and I would lay in bed and listen to
the top three hits at 10PM and then the latest chapter of Peter
Fugitive. Between you and Ron Riley, you helped define the 60's for a
young teen in northern Wisconsin. I always felt safe and at home when
I heard your voice - it was such a great time to be alive. Thank you
ever so much for the GREAT memories. (Whopper Waffles!!!)"
BILLYE RAYE SMITH
"Thanks for having more archives and
a great site here Art. I am 30 and am glad to have caught the
end of the AM gold era as a young child. Thanks for allowing me
to hear more that I never got to hear when it was new. In this
era of so many choices in entertainment it is nice to hear and know
what a great cultural impact that radio has had. And we owe it
all to radio gods like yourself! Thanks Art!! BRETT
ANTHONY
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Art's Book! “I
really enjoyed the book, Art. I felt like I was catching up with a dear
friend.” “I
think your book should be required reading for anyone interested in
getting in this business, or anyone currently in this business.” “Anyone
researching WLS history must have
this book.
I've long marveled at your positive spirit Art, “Thinkin' out
Loud" shows me how you've fueled it.” “I
have read nearly every "radio book" about people, formats,
promotions, stations, etc., but this is the first book that captures on
a personal level what it feels like to be in this business.” "Art’s
reminiscences give us glimpses of the glory years of radio, his inside
stories bring the characters of those years to life and his lessons
remind us of what radio (and life) was and is, but most of all should
be.” |
Thinkin'
Out Loud is a fun collection of stories and your radio philosophy.
Way to go. Enjoyed reading your recollections. Nice things
you said about Pat Martin. The best from Dallas!!! “Finished
the book! Great read. Loved every page. Lots of memories and lots of
stuff I did not know.” “I
believe anyone who is even remotely interested in a broadcasting career
should own this book. No other book I am aware of will provide
more vision into the field of broadcasting." “I
sincerely enjoyed your book "Thinkin' Out Loud."
Stayed up late, in fact, because I couldn't lay it down until I
finished it! You brought
back some really wonderful memories ... names that had begun to fade
from my mind.” |
Links
Listen
here now! 3 cuts from Art's "Hip Fables" CD!
Notes
Contents
Click a number &
turn up your speakers !
1 2
3 (Real
Player needed to listen - Click here to get it free!)
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R&I FORMATS OR FLOOR MATS? In the beginning, finding a " first Job" in Radio is a crapshoot. You'll play any number that turns up. As time passes and you grow into a seasoned announcer, ready to spread your wings, management might have a tendency to nail you into a corner. "We love the job you are doing in mid-days, Fred, keep up the good work." Poor Fred has been doing middays for four years. He dreams of doing a morning show, has 3 yellow pads full of ORIGINAL ideas ... Fred is watching the world pass him by. Worse than that -- the station could be sold.
Get your head out of the
sand, Fred -- every performer reaches
"the-end-of-a-run-of-a-play." Time to find a new part;
a new challenge.
"Mirror, Mirror on
the wall, who's the best Morning show of them all?"
"You are Fred. Now go out and prove it." (Glad we skipped the handsome part.)
Start by being creative in
the space you own, middays -- and not with that yellow pad of
treasured bits. Consider that your "Practice pad."
Offer interesting inserts that work for the audience and the format.
Think about WHO is out there. Clerical. Homemakers. Lotsa cars. Mom and Pop businesses. Students. Lotsa cars. Talk to them one at a time. Let them know YOU know they are there. Before long, a bond will be formed. Tell ya how you will know -- When you pick up the phone and the voice on the other end says, "Hi Fred, this is Alice..." First names are a handshake.
You're ready Freddy.
Network. Spread the word. Follow every lead. Put
together a Dynamite tape. When you get your first "eyeball
to eyeball meeting," mesmerize the interviewer. It's do or
die Freddy... Your choice. Own the Morning in your Format or
wind up a floor mat. Come on, come on ... We haven't got all
day...
... Art
Roberts
RADIO FREE
AFGHANISTAN: Radio
messages are being broadcast to Afghanistan. The USA has upped
the ante to $25 Million for a roadmap to Usama's cave. I got a
phone call asking if last weeks column stimulated or hastened the
radio broadcast. Truthfully, I doubt it ... but who cares.
The real credit belongs to Senator Joe Biden, the Democrat chairman of
the Senate foreign relations committee, who is the driving force
behind the effort, which covers more than just radio broadcasting.
It is a new phase in the propaganda war against terrorists and adds a
third (TV) tier for the US in the media battle, which includes a
beefed-up Voice of America and a new Radio Free Afghanistan. The
entire effort is backed by $500 Million. For once we are
reaching the Right people. Sure beats flashing Usama's picture
on "America Most Wanted."
RON BIN
RILEY BIN AWARDED: "How
you Bin - I Bin down to Washington with Linda last night and Bin
awarded. Now it's over, the silver plate Bin put in the cabinet
with the Hummel's. I was really nervous - and as the last guy up
on the
Podium, I was actually shaky. Image that! I bin doing that stuff all my life - but it wasn't a hop, it wasn't a classroom, it wasn't people I know personally when I can relax, it was a room full of peers - anchor people from all the channels, Chris Mathews (Hardball MSNBC) who is married to one of the Channel 7 anchors - College professorial types who teach communications, Washington DC industry professionals. My Gawd! But I guess I did okay. The station produced a 3-minute tape of my TV (and WLS stuff) on it and I talked for 2 or 3 minutes. You know Art how us guys feel - 'been there done that'. One of the things I said was "one of our new out of college PA's (production assistants) said that she saw my tape after it was produced - and said - how old are you? - I said - well I'm younger than Dick Clark - and she said, "who's Dick Clark?" True story!"
"We had a round of 10
for the dinner - 5 of us from News Channel 8 and 5 more came down from
Maryland Public TV. I was honestly overwhelmed. I
don't want to go on and on about this as I may become boring - so
excuse me - it's just an emotional dump to a friend. Hope you're
coming along ok. RON RILEY
HOW MANY TIMES CAN YOU HEAR "GRAMMA GOT RUN OVER BY A REINDEER?" The toughest decision a Programmer has to face is WHEN and HOW to start Christmas Music Programming. His / Her choice usually sends shivers down the Station Managers spine. Especially when the PD decides NOT to ease into the "Season to be Jolly," but instead, jump into the deep end of the pool. In Cincinnati, WGRR-FM began 24 hour Christmas programming at 9:PM Friday, November 16, and will be known through the season as "Christmas 103.5." By Noon, the next day, WVMX - MIX94.1 started their "Round the clock" Christmas music. Typical Radio. Chase the competition. Who will be the first to use the slogan, "THE MOST CHRISTMAS MUSIC IN CINCINNATI?"
Actually, it is not a bad
idea. Stations getting the jump on "All Christmas -- All
day" music are staying in step with the shopping trend.
Malls are jammed, sales are everywhere, lines are long, the X-BOX is
almost sold out, and shopping carts look like Santa's sleigh.
Have to agree ... it IS a good fit.
But every rainbow has an
end. KBME (790 AM). Houston, TX started their Christmas music
Monday morning, November 19, and intend to play just Christmas music,
24/7, all the way through New Year's Day." Hold on there
Hoss ... After December 25th ... Continuing a steady diet of Christmas
Music sounds like a "TUNE - OUT" to me!
"TIRED OF CROWDED MALLS AND MEGA STORES?" GREAT gift idea. How about an autographed copy of my book "THINKIN' OUT LOUD?" Radio Professionals and Fans of Radio love it. My dog Willie loves it. Folks even love the cover. And it gets better ... The price per book is just $15. You can also buy the BOOK and the HIP FABLES CD for $25. NO SHIPPING CHARGES. Order Today through PAY PAL ON THE FRONT PAGE of ArtRoberts.Com I Thank you. My publisher thanks you. And your feet will thank you. QUOTE FOR THE DAY: "If you want to win anything -- a race, yourself, your life -- you have to go a little berserk." ... George Sheehan BODDA BOOM BODDA BING: Frank was a happily married man who had only one complaint: His wife, Myra, was always nursing sick birds. One cold November evening he came home to find a raven with a splint on its beak sitting in his favorite chair. On the dining room table there was a feverish eagle pecking at an aspirin tablet, while in the kitchen Myra was comforting a shivering wren.
Frank dropped his
briefcase and strode over to where his wife was toweling down the cold
little bird.
"Myra!" he
shouted. "I can't take it anymore! We've got to get
rid of all of these da..."
Myra held up her hand and
cut him off in mid-curse. "Please dear," she said.
"Not in front of the chilled wren!"
MY PAL PERRY NAMES THE TOP 10 THANKSGIVING MOVIE THEMES:
10. To Kill A
Walking Bird
9. Thighs Wide
Shut
8. The Texas
Coleslaw Massacre
7.
Casserolablanca
6. Silence of
the Yams
5. I
Know What You Ate Last Winter
4. All
the President's Menu
3. White
Meat Can't Jump
2. When
Harry Met Salad
1. The
Wing and I
IT AINT NEWS 'TIL LARRY SEZ IT'S NEWS: Radio Daily News -- Larry Shannon delivers Fresh and Factual Radio Info ... AND MORE ... EVERYDAY ... WEBBER OF THE WEEK: Mysteries of the Sixties -- like learning how to make Incense. "What's that smell in your room?" "Nothing Dad!" That's it for this week. ART ROBERTS Rumors are Forty Percent fact. Each week our New Feature (R & I) will be updated with “Rumors and I-nnuendoes” provided by YOU – The loyal readers of www.ArtRoberts.Com Send your juiciest gossip to: art@artroberts.com C’mon, knock yourself out! ART |
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