Someone gave me this cassette, somewhere between 1988 and 1992. Most likely it was handed to me at one of my seminars, although it might have been mailed to me.
I don’t know who made the original; I wish I could credit them. And I don’t even remember who gave it to me.
I think you’ll find the title to be self-explanatory. Here is Part One of a wonderful radio journey across the United States.
March, 1993: I began the month with my fifth appearance at the Country Radio Seminar in Nashville, where I conducted a special half-day radio programming seminar (Power Phones and Radio Self-Promotion: How To Manipulate the Media).
The most memorable moments came when all of the electricity in the mammoth Opryland Hotel went out…for a couple of hours. (Later I heard an automobile had smashed into a nearby power line.)
Fortunately, just moments before I had finished changing my clothes; otherwise, I would have been stuck in my underwear in my pitch-black hotel room until the lights went back on.
Now the truth can be told: I ghost-wrote a joke for R&R’s Erica Farber, who was about to address the attendees. MTV’s Unplugged still was new, so I whispered to Erica, “Welcome to CRS Unplugged.” Huge laughs when she delivered that line to the audience. And I got none of the credit.
The highlight probably was Dolly Parton’s terrific concert performance. This was the first time I’d seen her, and after 25 years of performing I expected a highly polished yet lifeless show. The enthusiasm and energy which infused her performance serve as an inspiration to radio & tv performers everywhere.
Two weeks later I conducted The Psychology Of Management in Toronto for Canada’s Music Industry Conference (now known as Canadian Music Week). This was the first year the MIC featured an exhibit hall, and word-of-mouth response seemed strong enough to suggest they’d do it next year, too…but bigger. By now, of course, CMW has become a huge event.
April, 1993: Although I’ve worked with the NAB on several occasions, this was my first speaking appearance at the huge Spring Convention in Las Vegas. Proud new father John David and Susan Platt asked me to create a new, 90-minute session entitled What Every Radio Station Manager Should Know About Programming.
May, 2003: I spent the first week of May in Stockholm, where I conducted a series of four seminars (2 programming, one management, one commercial copywriting) for Anne Chaabane of Swedish Local Radio. Sweden’s very first paid commercials aired April 1, so there was a very strong interest in the techniques of writing powerful radio spots.
This was my first visit to Sweden, and I fell in love with the country. The weather was postcard-perfect (even though everyone kept telling me it’s usually much colder that time of year). Stockholm is a great city for walking around (my favorite tourist activity).
Strolling around Gamla Stan (Old Town) — with homes & shops that have been in continuous use for 300-400 years — was wonderful. The people are very friendly in Stockholm, and everyone speaks English.
Although America is popular with Sweden, you might think otherwise from a great sign I saw outside a Gamla Stan restaurant. The entire menu was printed only in Swedish, but taped to the window were the following English words:
My strongest memory, however, is of a visit to the Vasa Museum. In 1628, the largest and most expensive battleship in the history of the world — the Vasa — was launched in Stockholm harbor. (Sweden was at war with Poland at the time.) All of Stockholm gathered to witness its maiden voyage.
Twenty minutes later, a gust of wind appeared, the ship listed to one side, water rushed in the open gun port holes, and with frightening speed the Vasa sank to the bottom of the harbor. This was a huge embarrassment for Sweden and its king.
An inquest was held to assign blame. When it became apparent that the two people most responsible for the debacle were the King and his right-hand man, no verdict was rendered, and the Vasa eventually (and deliberately) was forgotten.
In 1951, a Swedish researcher learned of the Vasa’s sinking, and he decided to look for it. Five years later, he found it. Due to the harbor’s frigid waters and peculiar lack of woodworms, the ship had lain virtually intact for over 300 years. After five years of work and preparation, in 1961 they raised the Vasa …and towed it up the harbor on its own keel.
It’s the only complete battleship from the 17th Century, and it’s in exquisite condition. (Until it was raised, historians weren’t even sure what 17th Century battleships looked like.)
For two years after raising it, the ship’s curators continuously sprayed it with water to keep it from crumbling. Gradually they replaced the water with a preservative, and after 40 years there’s no sign of deterioration.
The Vasa is three stories high, and it’s housed in a wonderful museum that already has attracted millions of visitors.
Trust me: Visiting Gamla Stan and seeing the Vasa are worth a trip to Stockholm. (If you’re thinking about going — it’s beautiful there in summer — feel free to call me for tips on air travel, hotels, customs…and even how to say “hello” and “thanks” in Swedish.)
After a week at home, catching up on mail and phone calls, I made a quick but enjoyable trip to Kalamazoo, Michigan, to conduct Air Personality Plus+ for WRKR. WRKR’s president, Ed Sackley, had attended my NAB convention session and booked me on the spot; just one month later I had the pleasure of working with his air staff. (He also gave me a VERY classy station t-shirt — perhaps the most impressive I’ve seen.)
For years, attendees of my International Radio Creative & Production Summit had suggested that I get Don LaFontaine to be a guest speaker. Only one problem: Don and I had never met nor had any kind of contact, and I was a too intimidated to call him up.
Finally I reminded myself of the counsel I always give others: “Don’t say no for the other person; let them say yes or know for themselves.” I believe that was in 2006.
Don was quite nice to me, but we had a schedule conflict that year. He said, “If you still want me, I’d be glad to participate in 2007…if I’m still alive.”
I assumed that was just a flippant reference to his having reached the age of Not As Young As I Used To Be.
The stars appeared to align much more efficiently in 2007, and Don officially became part of that year’s Summit program.
One morning less than a week before the Summit, the telephone rang the moment I came into the office. It was Don LaFontaine, calling with palpable chagrin and regret to explain that he wouldn’t be able to make it.
At my request, he recorded an audio explanation for me to pass along to the attendees. (I wrote the opening line, and Don took it from there.)
When he called, it was obvious that Don was stricken at having to bail out on such short notice. He kept apologizing.
Finally I said, “Don, trust me: If I could find a way to spin this situation so that I could get mad at you, I would. But I can’t figure out any way to blame you for this, so don’t worry about it. Have a safe trip, and say hello to Riley for me.”
Don, it was an honor to know you.
Those are the three major topics in the current issue of my Radio Advertising Letter.
I’ve created this post for any subscribers who would like to comment, disagree, or illuminate.
