KHJ: INSIDE BOSS RADIO ~ SHIPPING!

We’ve all heard it said, regardless of what the media involved, that, "The very best advertising is by Word Of Mouth." That's certainly been something I've seen proved correct continuously over the years.

Within the last week, wonderfully patient folks have awaited the arrival of the revised edition of KHJ: INSIDE BOSS RADIO. The emails, letters and phone calls from those who have read the book are more gratifying to me (and the crew who worked on it) than I can can convey in words.

The closest thing is a Hawaiian mahalo!

An email arrived (DING) just as I typed the previous sentence. It s from writer and audiophile Gary Ginell, who says: "I am enjoying the hell out of your book. As one who has worked in that atmosphere (AM radio), I've worked with jingles, petulant DJs, playlists, commercials, weather spots, etc. etc. and know how complex it is.

"I'm re-listening to old KHJ air checks now from when I was 12 and 13 years old, when KHJ was like the air that I breathed. That was 1968 and '69 when you guys were on top of the world. You had such a tight rein on that format, and the music was so damned good back then. I really appreciate the variety of music you programmed. That's what gave me my broad taste today. You didn't care if it was black, white, vocal, instrumental, acoustic, electric, or whatever.

"Thanks, Gary."

And what a thrill to read what the legendary Chuck Blore wrote in a note to a friend. Yes, the same genius who was my programming idol, mentioned often in the KHJ book. I rubbed my eyes and read it again:

“When you look at the history of L.A. Radio, there are two stations whose monumental ratings numbers set them apart from all the rest. They are, as records indicate, KFWB-Color Radio, which averaged an audience share of over 35 through the mid-1969s, and, later, KHJ-Boss Radio which averaged close to 30, starting its run in 1965.

"Today, if a station even came close to a double-digit number it would make headlines 3 inches tall in online broadcast stories. Each of these historically successful stations needs to be memorialized. My autobio, which includes those days as PD of KFWB, is now hopefully nearing publication. The “KHJ book” is sitting in from of me right now.

"It's called KHJ: INSIDE BOSS RADIO. It is incredible in its infinite behind the scenes detail of how a truly great radio station was run, and I think, could be again if there was a PD as passionate as the book’s author, and former PD, Ron Jacobs. That's especially true because the entire second half of the book are his memos which are not only critical of something gone wrong, but explain in sometimes almost bombastic detail exactly how to do it right.

"I didn't really intend to run off on a rant like this, but it's really something everyone who has anything thing to do with, or interest in radio, then and now, would like to know about. I promise, it's really an exciting read for anyone and everyone who is in, has been in, or listened to Top 40 radio at its best, in its peak: 93/KHJ.”

Gracias, Señor Blore.

So ... Lord and Lady Blogsters, we will interupt the excerpts of KHJ: INSIDE BOSS RADIO that have been posted here for the past few weeks, to present more feedback just received.

Then, if you are curious about ALL the details about the book and getting your copy, please go to http://www.93khj.com/

One more email that made my day: "I received and read KHJ: INSIDE BOSS RADIO last Friday. I've read through it once, and am reading through it again.

"Everyone in what's left of the business should do the same. If they did, what comes out of the box would surely improve, and any jock with a modicum of talent would only be made better. Hell, it would aid the medium's ability to compete with IPods and the Internet. It might, maybe, could even encourage the testicular fortitude needed to maintain some integrity, while peacefully co-existing with sales...as opposed to sales running roughshod as they do, post Telecom '96.

"Memos like those you wrote 40-45 years in the past, can still rouse the competitive fire of any one who GETS it.

"There's not a single directive that does not apply today. They are fierce, laser-focused, and unrelenting. Especially the parts about not COASTING (although, in Southern California, today, you'd have to spell that kind of radio-mindset with a "K").

"I have worked at KRTH for 16 years--first as a 34-year-old, on staff with Morgan and Steele, an honor that was simply unreal, through today, marshaling the tough weekend hours along with Charlie Tuna, yet another privilege.

"As a first grader, in the fall of 1965, I'd be grabbing my lunch pail, heading to the bus stop, while my older brothers readied themselves for high school, with splashes of Aqua Velva on their faces, and Robert W. on their transistor radios.

"Imagine what it was like for me to have Morgan enter the KRTH control room in the summer of 1994 and tell me, "...you make the station sound good." Or three years later, having Don Steele's producer relay a message to me as RDS lay terminally ill: "That guy sounds like he's havin' fun!" Or to have Charlie Tuna compliment my preparation. UNBELIEVABLE!!

"Absorbing the history of KHJ, as it was directed and executed, inspires me to work even harder to cut through the malaise of today's radio. If that was your intent when deciding to publish this book, congratulations: it worked!

"Don't worry about the delay in its arrival--I didn't snap-up a copy in 2002, when I should have. Standing-by for a few months until you could re-release it was not a problem. It's the best 93 bucks I've spent in a while.

"I just hope that more people in this business can get past their epic megalomania and realize that the written history of what you accomplished is available for perusal. And I hope you understand that this is not from a stuttering-fan/suck-up.

"My wish is that one of these remaining companies would put your considerable wisdom and fire to use, TODAY." All the Best, David L. Burchett AKA Dave Randall. Thousand Oaks, CA."

Many thanks, Dave, I hope you make it to Hawaii some day and we can meet up.

So there you go,dear reader, some "words of mouth," all unsolicited. I hope you can get the book and enjoy it as much as these folks. Aloha, RJ.

2 B continued . . .

http://www.93khj.com/