Radio - What Happened?
A look at the rise and fall of commercial radio, seen from the eyes of two baby boomers. Terry Bettis and Jim Christoferson both worked in local radio for years, in small to large markets. Their experience allows others to see what they see -- a virtual WKRP in every market across the country. Personalities, promotions, formats, actual air checks of the nation's top radio stations of the last 60 years -- all facets are talked about, listened to, and discussed in this weekly podcast.
Episodes
40 episodes
Episode #40: Let's listen to some airchecks!
This week, in our first podcast without Jim -- we trudge forward with some airchecks. Jim always loved it when we played airchecks, so that's what we're going to do. This week, we listen to some Los Angeles stations back in the late...
•
18:10
Episode #39: Rest In Peace: Jim Christoferson
Today, we give you the sad news that my podcast partner, friend and business associate - Jim Christoferson - has passed away. Jim suffered from pulminary fibrosis, and it had gotten progressively worse over the past 6 months. We all...
•
12:42
Episode #38: Part Two of our conversaton with Peter Boyles on 710 AM, KNUS Denver - as we talk about what led to our new book: Radio What Happened>?
This is hour two of our conversation on 710 AM, KNUS Denver on the Peter Boyles Show. He was a gracious host, as we discussed the radio business, and all the changes we've seen in the last 50 years -- and we talk about our new book - "Rad...
•
39:19
Episode #37: Peter Boyles at KNUS 710 AM in Denver, and our new book!
Welcome back -- to us! Sorry for the delay in getting a new episode out, but we're excited to get back in the saddle. Today, we talk about our recent interview with Peter Boyles at KNUS 710 AM in Denver. He's actually intervie...
•
36:43
Episode #36: Ron Harrell and Dr. Don Rose / KFRC San Francisco
This week, our guest is Ron Harrell. as we follow his journey from his Dad's pulpit where he performed his first 5 minutes - to working at some of the most high profile stations in the country, including KIMN Denver and KVIL Dallas. We ta...
•
58:59
Episode #35: Sean Ross and Charlie Van Dyke
This week, we talk again with Sean Ross, editor of RossOnRadio - a great newsletter about the current events of the radio industry. Topics include Christmas music and the songs that made a difference in 2023. We also have a snippet ...
•
31:54
Episode #34: Frozen in a block of ice?
This week's guest is Hall of Fame announcer, Rudy "Fearless" Fernandez from Abilene, Texas. He's been on the same station for 45 years, and continues to entertain his audience daily. And he's done some crazy stunts to raise money fo...
•
30:28
Episode #33: One of the great DJs of all time -- tribute to Charlie Tuna!
This episode will start a series where we highlight some of the all time great disc jockeys of our time (if you're as old as we are!). We start off with Charlie Tuna, a member of the National Radio Hall of Fame, and maybe best known for h...
•
40:19
Episode #32: Everybody did it. Did you?
Everybody did it -- but unfortunately most of us can't find them. We're talking "airchecks". And this week's guest knows all about them. He was one of the first (if not THE first) to offer a website to house airchecks. H...
•
28:12
Episode #31: Who Invented radio? If you said Marconi, you might not be right.
Who invented the radio? Raise your hand if you said Marconi. Most people would. But, you need to hear the story of Nikola Tesla, and his history with both the invention of not onlyradio, but robots, cell phones and the lig...
•
25:36
Episode #30: Radio: What Happened
This week, we talk to Aurora Cantu, about her time in the San Antonio, Tx market, her struggles as a woman in the industry, and her experience working with Ascap. Aurora is a member of the San Antonio Radio Hall of Fame, and has a ...
•
28:29
Episode #29: Old Time Radio - What Happened?
We're back! Yes, after a break dealing with the pandemic, we're back with new episodes about an "old" topic - old time radio shows! This week, we talk to Gary Doty about his brother Ralph, and his program back in the 60's called "Ra...
•
26:37
Episode #28: Our tribute to one of the best morning drive personalities ever -- Ron Chapman of KVIL, Dallas.
It's good to be back -- and we promise to do better! This week, we give our tribute to Ron Chapman, one of the best morning drive personalities ever. For over 50 years, Ron worked in the Dallas/Ft Worth market as a morning show stap...
•
30:02
Episode #27: Our year end podcast, with some of the highlights of the past year.
We take a look back at our first 26 episodes from 2020, with some highlights you may enjoy. Chickenman, Hollywood Hamilton, George Carlin, WKRP "Turkeys Away", and others. We hope you enjoy our retrospective look at the past year, a...
•
14:26
Episode #26: Remember the election of 1920? We do. In fact, it was the first time election returns were broadcast on the radio. KDKA in Pittsburgh was the station, and politics would never be the same.
100 years ago, KDKA in Pittsburgh became the first commercial station in the US. They also were the first station to broadcast presidential election returns. We actually have audio from that broadcast. You might be surpr...
•
13:46
Episode #25: Salute to WKRP's Thanksgiving Episode -- Turkeys Away!
Surely you remember the most famous of all the WKRP episodes. Newsman Les Nesman reports from the Pinedale Mall with the stations latest promotion, which goes horribly wrong.His reporting is classic in so many ways, especially when he yells...
•
11:57
Episode #24: Who remembers The Last Contest? This week, we listen to some promos and air checks of that famous event. Plus, more Chickenman, Gary Owens and the future of Am Radio.
This week, we remember one of the greatest radio promotions of all time -- The Last Contest, from 1972 on KCBQ, San Diego. Also, Jim discusses the digital future of AM radio, as we celebrate the 100th Anniversary of AM. Plus, we hav...
•
27:42
Episode #23: More from Hollywood Hamilton! Yes, Hollywood was kind enough to send us air checks of his career! Starting in Reno Nevada in 1979, all the way through KISS FM in 1991. Since then, he's moved back to New York City to do afternoons at WKTU.
How many of us can say that we were hired away from a "pirate radio station"? Especially from the station that turned us in to the FCC?!? Well, Hollywood Hamilton can. His fabulous career started in Reno, Nevada back in '79, w...
•
28:06
Episode #22: Finally! Our conversation with Hollywood Hamilton. He's in the National Radio Hall of Fame. He's worked with some of the all time greats in the radio industry. And he currently has two syndicated radio shows, airing nationally. You're go
This week, we proudly present our conversation with Hollywood Hamilton, a member of the National Radio Hall of Fame. He's worked with some of the all time greats in this business, and is currently doing afternoon drive at WKTU FM in New Y...
•
37:00
Episode #21: Part 2 of our conversation with Stan Webb, one of Gordon McLendon's "Magnificent Seven", plus Music Montage #3!
Last week's episode is already one of our most downloaded episodes, so we're excited about Part 2 of our conversation with Stan Webb, who beat out about 5,000 other applicants for one of the 7 coveted positions with Gordon McLendon's "Magnifice...
•
22:15
Episode #20: A One Hit Wonder -- and an interview with one of Gordon McLendon's "Magnificent Seven".
This episode is part 1 of our interview with Stan Webb, one of Gordon McLendon's "Magnificent Seven". Hear how history was made with this tremendous organization, at the beginning of what some call the true "golden" age of radio. Bo...
•
23:30
Episode #19: Our talk with producer/director Roger King about his documentary "I Am What I Play". Great conversation about this incredible movie about 4 jocks who were strong enough to play what they wanted. And a replay of our Music Montage #2.
How many of you ever worked somewhere where you could play the songs you wanted to play? I'm guessing not many. But, back in the 60's/70's, there were a few who had a strong enough following, that management had no choice but to let...
•
47:22
Episode #18: Lots to talk about -- an upcoming interview with Roger King, the producer/director of the documentary about rock dj's called "I Am What I Play". Also, a listen to what Radio London sounded like in 1967, and of course, more from our commerci
This week, we preview our upcoming conversation with Roger King, the producer / director of "I Am What I Play", a documentary about rock djs. You're going to love it. Also, we listen to an air check recorded on the last day of broad...
•
18:22
Episode #17: Listen to an epsidode of The Tooth Fairy, another music montage contest, and audio of Casey Kasem.
No interview this week, but some great audio! Lisa Orkin was kind enough to share an episode of The Tooth Fairy! She says she likes it better than Chickenman. We also have our second music montage contest. 10 songs from ...
•
14:35
Episode #16: Interview with Chuck Ingersoll -- with airchecks of Jack Armstrong, Ron Britain, Don Rose, Big Ron O'Brien -- and audio clips of Chuck himself, at WCMF and WSAY.
This week, we talk to Chuck Ingersoll, veteran radio broadcaster, copy writer, slogan writer (is that a job?), branding expert and winner of several Addy Awards, Aurora Awards as well as a Gold 2009 Marcom award for production of a brilliant se...
•
39:44