John Tesh on 'KTI

The first time I heard the John Tesh Radio Show, I was on vacation in Colorado. My wife and I were listening in the car. We got to our destination - and waited in the car. John was talking about bad investments that amateurs make - because they just seem to make sense. We wanted to wait and see how many we had made (fortunately - only one).

The next break, he talked about how to order a steak in a restaurant to make sure you get the best cut.

Later in the show, he talked about helping your kids through the loss of a family pet.

When I got home, I began listening more and more to the show on-line. I think John may be one of the most compelling people on the radio and we are thrilled to be adding him to the line-up at 'KTI. He will be on Sunday - Friday nights from 7 until midnight, with the Retro Pop Reunion moving to Saturday night at 8.

You probably have never heard the show and may have the initial reaction I did - John's a new age guy who plays jazz. He may be - but now on his show.

The John Tesh show is all about bettering yourself. John has a huge staff of researchers and writers and he only chooses to talk about the facts that he personally finds interesting.

As for music, we play our own music - so everything stays the same there.

The show is slugged as "music and intelligence for your life," and it starts tonight @ 7.

New Rule

If you've ever seen Bill Mahr's show on HBO, you know he does a very funny segment called "New Rules." He is making up rules he would like to see in society as absolute.

I've got one for the Brewers this season:

NEW RULE

If Derrik Turnbow issues a lead-off walk - take him out immediately. He doesn't have it.

Maybe it's working out of the stretch ...

Maybe it's the runner distracting him off first ...

Maybe it's the voices in his head ...

That lead off walk usually scores. Often, it's a game altering run like today against the Royals.

The Mystery Of The Missing Mast

From the mailbag at wkti.com:

I have been to several of your live events and seen your broadcast van. Why is the mast never up when you are broadcasting?

Great question! Our van will be the last one we ever own with a tall mast that can be raised to beam a signal back to the station.

We no longer need to send our signal back to Radio City on a two-way radio. We use a digital phone line called an ISDN line. If you come to our mobile studio's at Summerfest, State Fair, or any of the other big events this summer - you won't see the mast up. We don't even have to bring the van - we can bring one of the other vehicles. Our on-site control board feeds the signal from the microphones right into the ISDN line.

An ISDN line has to be specially ordered and installed at the location. Back at Radio City, we use a special ISDN digital modem to dial the number - just like you would dial your home phone. With a modem at each end, the digital signal goes live and is excellent broadcast quality. ISDN broadcasting can be on the expensive side - but we think the quality is worth it.

You are probably familiar with the work of ISDN even if you have never heard one of our live broadcasts. Most sports teams use the same technology to send the game back to the flagship station when the team is on the road.

Our ISDN set-up allows the people on location at Summerfest, State Fair, etc to communicate with the producer back in the control room. It's pretty cool!

The Guys in The Truck RULE!

Don't ever underestimate the value of a great producer.

While on vacation I caught the Cubs-Padres game on WGN-TV. Before the end of the inning with Derrik Lee going after Chris Young - they had a graphic up on the screen showing each of the players and their reach. It was great because it was immediately obvious that Young was going to kick his butt. Derrik underestimated his opponent's reach.

Man - that is superior producing. Kudo's to the Superstation.

Was It True Genius?

I am on vacation right now, but had to post this Sopranos e-mail forwarded to me by a friend. I admit, I watched the episode on the DVR after midnight as I had been out all weekend long. I was tired and having trouble following it.

So the point would have been that life continues and we may never know the end of the Sopranos. But if you pay attention to the history, you will find that all the answers lie in the characters in the restaurant. So here is what has been found out.

The guy at the bar is also credited as Nikki Leotardo. The same actor played him in the first part of season 6 during a brief sit down concerning the future of Vito. That wasn't that long ago. Apparently, he is the nephew of Phil. Phil's brother Nikki Senior was killed in 1976 in a car accident. Absolutely Genius!!!!

David Chase is truly rewarding the true fans who pay attention to detail.

The trucker was the brother of the guy who was robbed by Christopher in Season 2. Remember the DVD players? The trucker had to identify the body.

The cub scouts were in the train store.

The black guys at the end were the ones who tried to kill Tony and only clipped him in the ear.

Here's where the genius comes in: When Tony's walking in the diner, you see the camera focus on him, then it switches to his perspective, and you see him looking at the booth he's gonna sit at ... Then the camera switches back to Tony's face, then it once again switches to his perspective, and it shows him looking at the door and looking at the people come in.....

Every time the door opens the Chimes sound.......

Carmela walks in, Chimes, AJ walks in, Chimes, this while Meadows tries to parallel park, still trying to get inside the restaurant....

At this point the camera switches back to the trucker who goes in the bathroom......

Then it goes to a scene where Meadow finally parks and starts running in the diner....

The doors about to open, Tony looks up....

And No Chimes......................

No Music............

Everything just goes black...............

In one of the early episodes of the Sopranos, Tony's talking with Bobby about what it must feel like to die. Bobby says "at the end, you probably don't hear anything, everything just goes black"Part of that was revisited in the second to last episode during the last seconds of it, when Tony's about to go to sleep and he flashes back to the memory of him and Bobby on the boat ... "You probably don't hear anything everything just goes black"

So in the end, the Journey song was playing, the chimes on the door sounded but when Meadow came in, the guy in the trucker hat came out and killed Tony.

It's the reason you don't hear, or see anything when he died....

It was from his perspective.... and everything went black, then the credits rolled.

True Genius.

Okay - but I heard chimes when Meadow walked in ... did you? Unless the author was talking about a chime when the door opens ... and a chime when it closes. There was only one short chime - then fade to black.

Picture Day!

Yesterday was PICTURE DAY at Radio City for Mathew, Erin and AJ. You'll see the final product soon enough. Here is what my camera phone caught behind the scenes ...

First -up: Mathew gets made up (and finds it surprisingly fun)

Didn't AJ say men should never wear make-up? I had to wait until his eyes were closed to shoot this one ...


Mathew's not really a control freak ... but he did have to control the make-up session.

Gettin' all girly ...

Now ... who will stand where?

Now the colors coordinate ... and we're ready:

What a handsome bunch.

Thanks!

Thanks for all of your e-mail regarding the last post. I honestly didn't think many people read these blogs. But we are booked for the rest of the month and well into July.

Can't wait to have you all meet Mathew, Erin and AJ. Thanks again!

Do we need tour jackets?

Somehow I figured once we got Mathew, Erin and AJ in place, things would get back to normal - meaning I could get back into a routine. Well that hasn't happened yet.

So many people have written in to welcome the new show that we decided to reciprocate your well wishes in person. It started yesterday, and we're pretty much booked all this month bringing lunch and/or snacks to people who have called or written. Yesterday we made the rounds at a Miller's H.Q. - they could not have been more welcoming, setting up Mathew, Erin and AJ with all the Miller swag they could want (and some cool Miller retro Brewers hats).

We still have a couple of open days this month. If you would like to meet and welcome the new team, e-mail me at bwalker@wkti.com.


Also - thanks to Vince Vitrano from TMJ-4 for writing about his experience with our new show:

http://www.todaystmj4.com/bloggers/vitrano/7785906.html

No Hope

When was the last time you saw something so ulgy ...

So disturbing ...

The image lingers in your mind for days ...

I'm still not over it.

On Sunday I was pulling into a Wal-Mart parking lot following a car full of people (looked like at least 6 people inside this early 90's Pontiac Sunbird.) As the car turned toward the open part of the lot I saw something I never imagined still happened in 2007.

Somebody threw an entire fast-food bag full of discarded burger wrappers and soft-drink cups out the window.

Using the parking lot as their personal trash can.

What kind of person does this?

I don't care who you are ... how you were raised ... who wronged you in the past ... how much or how little money you make ...

That's just plain wrong - and everyone knows better.

Seriously - how can you justify taking up space on this planet when you throw your trash out your car window?

Touching other people's discarded food trash is pretty disgusting to me. But leaving that litter on the parking lot was just wrong. My young son saw it happen too and wanted to help, but I would not let him grab the stranger's trash. I took a spare plastic bag we had in the car, picked up the trash and walked all of the 20 or so steps to the giant trash containers outside of Wal-Mart - then quickly headed to the men's room for a scrubbing.

I know there are crimes committed that are much more heinous - but again: what hope does this person have of being a contributing member of society?

None.

Follow-Up

My last post was on radio singles (versions of songs that labels re-mix to add more punch, shorten the song, or sometimes 'rub' out words). Someone made an excellent point in a comment that I wanted to bring out for discussion.

The song to which we referred, Nickelback's "Rockstar," has two words in it that radio station's would be fined for airing. Both words refer to the same part of the human anatomy and would not pass the FCC's rules.

Is that right?

Should radio stations like KTI take a stand?

Are the FCC rules a good thing?

This is the law of the land. Is it a good thing? Is it a bad thing? I would love your comments.

The Single

From the mailbag - This is probably the most recurring question I hear throughout the year.

I bought the CD and the version is different than what you play on KTI. How can I get your version?

When many artists record CD's, they may have an idea about which songs they want to release as a single (meaning a single CD, or single track to iTunes). After they have recorded the CD, they may hear something they wish they had done - or even realize the song needs a little more "punch." Before they release the single (which may be months later), they will go back into the studio and possibly edit the song - or remix it - or even add a harmony track.

The end result is sometimes called the single version ... or radio edit.

One of the biggest out-cries I remember hearing was with Creed's "With Arms Wide Open." Early versions of the song didn't have the strings that made the single so cool.

Another change they may make is to 'rub' out dirty words or even shorten the song. I have had plenty of people ask me why we clipped the bad word out of Nickelback's ROCKSTAR. We didn't clip 'em. Instead, we are playing the radio edit.

You may ask why???? The song is obviously making fun of the rock star lifestyle and I think the words are necessary to tell the story. But we are not comfortable with the derogatory term that rockstars call the women that follow them around - and it is prominent in the CD version.

It has nothing to do with Don Imus and his use of the word.

I just think the word has no class. Milwaukee has more class than that.

As far as getting the version we play - check iTunes or visit a real music store. They usually have a CD single secion. Also try Amazon and other cool music sites.

Time To Take A Stand

The next 10 games will tell all about the 2007 Milwaukee Brewers. So far, our options are:

A - They are the best of the weak teams
B - They got lucky in April
C - Both of the above




The next 10 games are against the Marlins, Cubs and Rangers (stink, stank, stunk). If we win 7 or more, we are the best of the weak teams.

If we win 5-6 games, it's probably both weak and lucky.

If we win 3 or 4, we were just lucky in April.

If we can't win at least 3, someone has gotta shake up this team. Not saying where - but there it too much talent on the 07 Crew to be pushed around by the Marlins, Cubs and Rangers. Frankly, it was bad enough taking our lumps from the Braves and Twins in OUR HOUSE.

I have a colleague who likes to quote that great 80's movie: Ferris Bueller's Day Off. In the words of Cameron, "I gotta make a stand."

Brewers - hear the great Cameron. Take a stand now. There is nothing wrong with being the best of the crappy teams.

No more baseball blogs until after the 10 games.

Old Media in Disguise

I've been swamped these past two weeks trying to make the necessary preparations for our new morning show on 'KTI. I pretty much cleared my schedule to get this done.

But there was one thing I didn't want to postpone. I had been asked to participate in a discussion with some young students studying for careers in media. What really caught my attention was that they were studying new media versus traditional media.

Okay - I was pretty sure where my media stood, and I was ready to sit on that side of the discussion. After all, my interpretation of new media was cool new gadgets and hi-tech stuff. You know - the stuff that makes you feel old.

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the discussion on weblogs (blogs, like this one) and was most interested in what sites these 20-somethings were into. Sure they liked TMZ and Perez Hilton, but there were plenty of other sites all known to them (and unknown to me) that were of a more serious nature.

Spoiler alert - here comes the part where I learn something.

I mentioned the name of a (self-proclaimed) prominent local blogger.

Sure - everyone had heard of her. A few even had visited her blog. But when I asked them how she fit into their new media world - I was shocked to find out she did not.

She is an excellent writer. Makes her points well. Chooses her subjects/topics and makes a compelling argument for her own opinion.

What was the catch?

She did not allow comments.

You see, these 20-somethings didn't respect and give 'new media' status to anyone who just spews out opinion without a forum for rebuttal.

One of them put it best, saying the only thing she had over traditional media was that her voice didn't cost us trees (a reference to newspaper print).

I couldn't check our sites quick enough to make sure all of our KTI people allowed comments on their blogs. I was proud to see that they all do.

So today I have a new perspective on "new media" from the eyes of a 20-something. It's more than HTML and WI-FI. It's about the free sharing of ideas.

How can you not be excited about the future when these kids will sit in our chairs someday - unless they have invented some sort of levitation device by then ... and don't need chairs!

Training Camp Is Winding Down

The first week of work for a full-service radio show is kind of like a training camp for football. While Mathew, Erin and AJ are not starting their show until Tuesday morning, they have been here all week practicing in our studio, driving around town and meeting everyone inside Radio City.

Tuesday we had a Radio City luncheon so everyone at TMJ-4 and 620 WTMJ could meet the new team. It was kind of like a media day because most of the people in attendance were the Milwaukee media.

Everyone was nervous when Courtney Gerrish took a peek at the food bar (we passed!).

On Wednesday we spent the day learning the equipment in the WKTI studio and they even practiced over-night a few times hosting a midnight - 3am shift (thanks for all of the calls - what great callers even in the middle of the night). They also had to organize all of their CD's and music beds that will be part of the show.

Tomorrow morning, they plan on getting up and out by 5:30 so they can drive around the area - experiencing the morning commute like you would. By the way - I think we are going to make that standard practice with all of our talent: what a great way to understand your world while using the radio in the car.

We also have to begin building the new morning show web-page. They have committed to building one of the most interactive sites on a radio station - anywhere. Hopefully, we can wrap it up by early tomorrow evening.

The has been a long week of practicing, meeting new colleagues, and planning out the show. A few days of R&R will be a good thing. Oh - wait: they are hosting the A-Z weekend: so they will be busy.

So we move from training camp this week, to the exhibition season this weekend.

But the big morning will be Tuesday morning. Opening day. We can't wait.

Their First Day

Do you remember your first day at your job? I bet Mathew, Erin and AJ will remember today.

Frankly - we got very little "work-like" stuff done. Today was a chance for the new guys to meet Lips, Dan and everyone else who works at WKTI. It's an odd situation because people here know a lot about them - but Mathew, Erin and AJ know very little about everyone at 'KTI. Today, that all changed.

So we handled all the HR stuff, took thier ID badge photos, met with everyone on staff - and that was pretty much the day. We have a big staff, and people really wanted to sit and talk with them. Thus, we didn't get a whole lot done other than introductions.

Tomorrow - media day for Mathew, Erin and AJ inside Radio City.

Links

One more thing, I told someone on the phone a few days ago that if Gene's blog is not yet up on the WTMJ website, just google it. Same for Gino's.

They acted like HOW DARE YOU suggest I google. It's not a naughty word - honest! So here, I did it for you:

http://genemueller.blogspot.com

http://ginosalomone.blogspot.com

Neither of these blogs is hosted by our site, so I do not know if they are going to be updated.

Why Longevity Is So Rare

There really is nothing harder in show-biz than keeping a group of individuals together: whether it is in music, an ensemble TV cast, or on the radio. When you think of it, the words group and individual are quite opposite. Yet that’s what we have: a group of individuals.

Whether you were into the Beatles or the Bangles, their breakup was inevitable. Sometimes it is creative differences. Most of the time it is just their individual needs and desires taking over. It is also why longevity in the biz is so rare.

We create successful radio shows when we find different individuals, with different points of view and different desires in life and let them com bust (ala “The View”). There is more to it than that: but that is the foundation. It sure is whole lot more entertaining than listening to a panel of people agreeing with each other.

We were spoiled at KTI in having the Reitman and Mueller clan stay together for so long. The reason we called our celebration of Bob's career "The Reitman Era" was because of a one line e-mail we got from a listener. Right after Bob said he was leaving, she wrote simply: "It's the end of an era in Milwaukee." And as is typical with most ensemble groups, once a piece is removed others soon follow. It just happens: in bands, in TV casts and in radio. In our case, Bob retired. Amy followed by deciding to be home with her triplets while they are still of pre-school age. Gene's dream job opened up at WTMJ where he can talk news and sports (his passions) instead of American Idol. So in 6 months, our foursome was down to one. We made the decision that instead of trying to continue to patch together the old show pairing Gino with new people it was probably time to start over. So that is what we will do after Memorial Day.

While Gino is no longer with 'KTI, he still works with our sister station TMJ-4 and I'm sure will continue to do the movie junkets. Those are the trips the movie studio's provide for him to Hollywood whenever they want to promote a movie. He gets to hang with the stars, attend Hollywood functions and stay at the 4-Seasons hotel. I hope he gets to do it for a long time to come. Gino is a very resourceful person and is about as well connected as anyone can be. We wish him nothing but the best and will do whatever we can to help him.

It's a unique situation for me in that these people are all still in my life. Reitman was in the office today to say 'hi' and record some commercials. Gene was in to go on Charlie's show on 'TMJ - and starts on Moday. Amy is on vacation but sent me an e-mail checking-in. And Gino will be back next week to do the TV cut-ins. For that matter, Gordon Hinckley still visits us on a regular basis (for those who don't listen to 'TMJ, he has Reitman status over there).

Again, I will be happy to answer any questions about 'KTI or our new direction in the morning. If you're serious, you can call me at (414) 967-4094. I will call anyone back who I miss as long as you leave your number clearly and maybe twice. If you just want to comment, feel free to zap me at morningshowfeedback@wkti.com.

Have a great weekend!

Pet Friendly Living

What great listeners we have at 'KTI.

I was talking on the air this morning about how our new morning show host, Erin, needs to find a pet friendly place to live.

I cannot keep up with the e-mails from people with suggestions. Thanks so much!

One link I got over and over again was absolutely perfect. It was the Humane Society's page of pet friendly places to rent.

I wish I had known about this when I moved here:

http://www.wihumane.org/services/housing.aspx

Thanks again - Erin is also amazed with the response.

Miles To Go Before They Sleep

Mathew, Erin and AJ have started fresh new blogs as they begin their journey to Milwaukee and a fresh new start at 'KTI.

Someone recently told me that the three most stressful things in an average person's life: Moving, Starting A New Job, Having a First Kid.

Our new morning show is tackling two of them at once. They will most likely have to pack up their computers in the next day or two - so the posts may be spotty. But only until they start at 'KTI on Tuesday 5/29.

Mathew:

http://mathewblades.blogspot.com/

Erin:

http://erinaustin.blogspot.com/

AJ:

http://ajsmusings.blogspot.com/

Gene Mueller

As Gene Mueller crosses the great divide at radio city ... from the 'home of the hits' to the 'biggest stick in the state,' I wanted to share some thoughts on Gene and my time with him at WKTI. I wrote this right as Gene was making his announcement, but held it until today.

In my 7 years as the program director for WKTI, I do not think I have ever met anyone like Gene Mueller. First of all – everyone likes Gene. Can you think of anyone in your life that has no detractors? Second of all, Gene is about a dedicated a co-worker as you would ever find. At the first hint of anything happening that is news, Gene is right back at the station – no matter the day or time. It is also not uncommon to see Gene working at his computer or in a production studio long after the show is over – taking that extra step to deliver a great product.

I'll never forget how quickly Gene moved on 9/11 from goofy morning show stuff, to serious news coverage. He was adamant that we not report anything that was coming across as "unconfirmed." Being that there was no play-book for that day, I turned the station over to him.

But you have to admit, Gene Mueller’s sense of humor is his most endearing quality. Gene has the ability to deliver a punch-line that may be biting – but with such a sense of innocence that you find yourself drawn to him. Remember when Reitman had to go make piece with Jimmy the Clown before the Circus Parade (Reitman had inadvertently insulted Jimmy and he would not go on stage)? When it was over, Gene asked Reitman if he had to kiss Jimmy “where there ain’t no grease-paint?” Funny – and to the point. That’s Gene Mueller.

The biggest thing that surprised me about Gene when I got to 'KTI was his aversion to the spotlight. I just figured a guy with his credentials and long illustrious career would want the bright light on him. The truth is the exact opposite. He never wants to be the the story. When we were discussing his last days at 'KTI, I jokingly said I couldn't get the Riverside - so I booked the Pabst. He gave me the most serious look of pain I have ever seen from him. Just kidding - I said.

Now that I am no longer Gene's supervisor/boss/program director - whatever you want to call it - I was trying to figure out where we stand. Colleagues - sure. Friends: absolutely.