Dr. Demento, “Covered In Punk”
Radio legend Dr. Demento -- the man who popularized such oddball songs as "Fish Heads," "Wet Dream," and "Shaving Cream" -- visited my radio show to discuss his new project, "Covered In Punk." He was accompanied by John Cafiero, who produced the project, which plays...
As I Tweeted
Today marked the last day of existence for a company known as CBS Radio, which has been swallowed up by another radio company called Entercom. That means CBS will not have a third opportunity to hire me, get great ratings with my show, then fire me nonetheless. Too bad.
About My Friday KTRS Show
Five years ago, longtime KTRS afternoon host Frank O. Pinion decided he no longer wanted to work a five day week, so he asked me if I would take over Friday afternoons. I had given up full-time radio and was enjoying my semi-retirement with other projects, but being...
Fired For Being Accused
This report from NFL.com a couple of days ago caught my eye. It's about a man who was fired from his job for being accused of a crime he didn't commit... Lucky Whitehead didn't do it. One day after the wide receiver was informed he had been cut by the Cowboys for...
Radio’s Slow Death
Three years ago, Cumulus Media stock was at $60/share. This week, it was at 33 cents per share. You could own a piece of one of this country's biggest radio companies -- 570 stations in 150 markets -- with the change under the cushions of your couch. Despite...
Best Thing I’ve Read Today
Ken Levine explains Why Radio (as an industry) Sucks: Here’s the problem: when I was a kid radio was exciting. Every station had live DJ’s. They had freedom to be personalities. They had distinctive styles (well, some did and then fifty other jocks in smaller markets...
State Of The Union
In Hollywood, the Writers Guild has signed a new contract with the movie and TV producers, averting a strike and keeping us from having to watch Jimmy Fallon try to ad-lib his way through a monologue. The Guild was able to keep pressure on the producers because it's a...
Save It For The Show
Here's a piece I wrote in 2010... I've done hundreds of interviews in the course of my radio career. Only a small percentage have included a guest in the studio with me. The far larger majority were on the phone and, in most cases, that was a better working...