Yes, yours truly is back on WVIA-TV... I'll be co-hosting the Great TV Auction this Friday night and next Friday night on channel 44.
Watch and bid.
Buckle up,
TS
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
I'm here...
...I just haven't had time to think lately. :)
More later this week. I promise... TV on Friday.
More later this week. I promise... TV on Friday.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Breaking a 10-pound chocolate bar on your knee is painful...
...just ask Michael Buble.
Whaaa?
And how did I find out?
Drum roll please... I went to my first concert.
Michael Buble was in Hershey this past Tuesday night. My one friend invited me to go along. Since I like his style of music, I figured it'd be a good show. No surprise that it was sold out with 9000 people.
After the excellent opening act Naturally 7 (think Boyz II Men using their mouths to play all their instruments), Michael took the stage at the south end of the arena and sang two songs.
Then the fun started. He brought out a 10-pound Hershey bar, broke it over his knee, and passed it out to the first row. He stressed to us that he doesn't take each performance for granted, that he and his 13-piece band strive to put on a great show every night, and that he's been blessed by such great fan support.
He even went to the crowd to greet a cute 7-year-old all dressed up and took pictures with him and a few other fans. He got serious when he sang his version of "Always On My Mind" and his latest hit "Lost."
The fun picked up again when he did shtick with the band, and later sang "YMCA."
This was his only stop in PA for this tour. He said he'll be back to Hershey. If you enjoy "Everything" and his version of "Save The Last Dance For Me," as well as 50s style entertainers, like the Rat Pack, you'll really like his show.
Buckle Up,
TS
Whaaa?
And how did I find out?
Drum roll please... I went to my first concert.
Michael Buble was in Hershey this past Tuesday night. My one friend invited me to go along. Since I like his style of music, I figured it'd be a good show. No surprise that it was sold out with 9000 people.
After the excellent opening act Naturally 7 (think Boyz II Men using their mouths to play all their instruments), Michael took the stage at the south end of the arena and sang two songs.
Then the fun started. He brought out a 10-pound Hershey bar, broke it over his knee, and passed it out to the first row. He stressed to us that he doesn't take each performance for granted, that he and his 13-piece band strive to put on a great show every night, and that he's been blessed by such great fan support.
He even went to the crowd to greet a cute 7-year-old all dressed up and took pictures with him and a few other fans. He got serious when he sang his version of "Always On My Mind" and his latest hit "Lost."
The fun picked up again when he did shtick with the band, and later sang "YMCA."
This was his only stop in PA for this tour. He said he'll be back to Hershey. If you enjoy "Everything" and his version of "Save The Last Dance For Me," as well as 50s style entertainers, like the Rat Pack, you'll really like his show.
Buckle Up,
TS
Friday, April 11, 2008
Well, it's been pushed up...
I mentioned in a previous blog that Don & Mike Show co-host Don Geronimo would retire in May. Well, he moved his retirement up to today, April 11.
What a lucky guy... he's had his share of bad luck and decisions (drugs, bouncing from city to city in radio, then the death of his wife three years ago), and good luck (awesome ratings for 30+ years). The show was compelling, and I never had the chance to listen as much as I wanted to... the show's website was taken down, and all I have is the WJFK website's podcast page to rely on.
The other half of the show, Mike O'Meara, will continue on with the show, along with the rest of the show's cast.
Happy retirement, Don. Like it or not, you inspired this kid to get into radio. I'll never be the guy-talk kind of host you are, but your passion has little equal in this biz.
Buckle Up,
TS
What a lucky guy... he's had his share of bad luck and decisions (drugs, bouncing from city to city in radio, then the death of his wife three years ago), and good luck (awesome ratings for 30+ years). The show was compelling, and I never had the chance to listen as much as I wanted to... the show's website was taken down, and all I have is the WJFK website's podcast page to rely on.
The other half of the show, Mike O'Meara, will continue on with the show, along with the rest of the show's cast.
Happy retirement, Don. Like it or not, you inspired this kid to get into radio. I'll never be the guy-talk kind of host you are, but your passion has little equal in this biz.
Buckle Up,
TS
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Award-winning...
My thanks to the judges who chose my "Pennsylvania Derby Recap" as best Sports Feature among small market station entries. In addition, congratulations to Dave & Marge Smith, whose Nascar News earned 3rd place in that same category.
It's fun every year to listen to participate in these peer reviews, as I call them. The PA members of the Associated Press judged Michigan's entries this year. I had four categories to judge, all among non-commercial stations. Michigan hasn't revealed their winners yet, so I can't name them... but I look forward to listening to some of those stations in my visit to Michigan this summer.
In years past, I judged Ohio's entries for news coverage, and the Massachusetts/Rhode Island submissions for best talk show... if you remember Helen Glover from Survivor, she now has a talk show in Providence, which is fantastic.
----
I've never really been a Red Sox fan, but I'm a huge supporter of what they did yesterday.
In 1986, my 6th grade classmates and I all rooted for the Mets. As most sports fans remember, Red Sox first baseman Bill Buckner had a ball hit towards him in the 6th game, and the ball went beneath his glove. On that play, the Mets scored the winning run, tying the series at three games each. The Mets won the series the next night.
Buckner received much of the blame for the Red Sox losing the 1986 World Series.
He came back to Fenway Park as part of the Red Sox's home-opener and celebration of their 2007 World Series title. Buckner came out to throw the first pitch... it took him a while, because the Fenway faithful game him a four-minute standing ovation. When he pitched, he threw a strike. Buckner says he forgives the media for painting him as the scapegoat and causing his family all the pain they went through 22 years ago.
He retired after a 22-year career and settled in Idaho. I think he's a happier person not that he has a big load of his shoulders. Would it have been the same if the Red Sox hadn't won both the 2004 and 2007 titles? Probably not, knowing how ruthless the media can be.
And now, does this mean all the Cubs players over the last 100 years will be forgiven if they win the World Series this year?
It's fun every year to listen to participate in these peer reviews, as I call them. The PA members of the Associated Press judged Michigan's entries this year. I had four categories to judge, all among non-commercial stations. Michigan hasn't revealed their winners yet, so I can't name them... but I look forward to listening to some of those stations in my visit to Michigan this summer.
In years past, I judged Ohio's entries for news coverage, and the Massachusetts/Rhode Island submissions for best talk show... if you remember Helen Glover from Survivor, she now has a talk show in Providence, which is fantastic.
----
I've never really been a Red Sox fan, but I'm a huge supporter of what they did yesterday.
In 1986, my 6th grade classmates and I all rooted for the Mets. As most sports fans remember, Red Sox first baseman Bill Buckner had a ball hit towards him in the 6th game, and the ball went beneath his glove. On that play, the Mets scored the winning run, tying the series at three games each. The Mets won the series the next night.
Buckner received much of the blame for the Red Sox losing the 1986 World Series.
He came back to Fenway Park as part of the Red Sox's home-opener and celebration of their 2007 World Series title. Buckner came out to throw the first pitch... it took him a while, because the Fenway faithful game him a four-minute standing ovation. When he pitched, he threw a strike. Buckner says he forgives the media for painting him as the scapegoat and causing his family all the pain they went through 22 years ago.
He retired after a 22-year career and settled in Idaho. I think he's a happier person not that he has a big load of his shoulders. Would it have been the same if the Red Sox hadn't won both the 2004 and 2007 titles? Probably not, knowing how ruthless the media can be.
And now, does this mean all the Cubs players over the last 100 years will be forgiven if they win the World Series this year?
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
The campaigns roll through...
Pennsylvania has become the political pundit pit stop du jour...
With Barack and Hilary making campaign stops just hours apart in Wilkes-Barre yesterday, I am reminded of the last time Bill Clinton was in Wilkes-Barre.
After the floods of January '96, President Clinton came to town to survey flood damage and bring relief to that part of Luzerne County.
Three days prior to his visit, the announcement was made that he'd be coming to King's College. The whole school had very little time to prepare, but ended up pulling it off well.
Having just been hired by two radio stations in Scranton, they put my name in for a press pass. After clearing security and finding a pay-phone, I called the stations, and they put me right on air. It was my first time on commercial radio that didn't involve calling in and trying to win a contest or just to bug the DJ's. It was about 90 minutes before Bill had arrived to the school... he was part of a private session in the campus chapel, before meeting the entire crowd in the Scandlon Gymnasium. On air, I described the scene and the lines of people waiting to get in. My fellow Mass Communications major students were all over the place, working on projects and gathering information for various class projects. I headed upstairs to media headquarters... we got transcripts of all of Clinton's speeches. I could see why the term POTUS was used all the time, it was an acronym for President Of The United States. It was easier to type... keep in mind, this was right around the time when the internet grew popular. Good old paper and pen was still the way to go.
I quickly got into conversations with Wendell Goler, who is now with Fox, and a few other media reps. In the room next to me were NBC's Brian Williams, ABC's Ann Coulter, and CBS radio's Mark Knoller. It was fun sharing details about the area with everyone. One moment, I turn to my left, and there's Chuck Taylor from ABC radio, who was helping me with audio cuts. I turn another way, there's Governor Tom Ridge walking by. Next thing I see, a reporter from Pittsburgh is putting make-up on for his report. I peer across the gym, there's a fellow student named Patrick Murphy (no, not the diamond guy). Murphy is now Pennsylvania's 8th District Congressman. Murphy got to introduce the President. Clinton spoke for about an hour, and had everybody inside feeling good about his visit.
By the way, in an unusual twist, Murphy is endorsing Obama, not Clinton.
It was a memorable day for Wilkes-Barre... and for me.
12 years later, here's Wilkes-Barre thrust into the spotlight again. I'm sure that just like that day in '96, news vans from Philly, Harrisburg, and all over made the trip up and parked along Franklin and Main Streets. Who knows, maybe there was a young journalist somewhere among the crowds getting his first glimpse of being among the media. Only time will tell.
Buckle up,
TS
With Barack and Hilary making campaign stops just hours apart in Wilkes-Barre yesterday, I am reminded of the last time Bill Clinton was in Wilkes-Barre.
After the floods of January '96, President Clinton came to town to survey flood damage and bring relief to that part of Luzerne County.
Three days prior to his visit, the announcement was made that he'd be coming to King's College. The whole school had very little time to prepare, but ended up pulling it off well.
Having just been hired by two radio stations in Scranton, they put my name in for a press pass. After clearing security and finding a pay-phone, I called the stations, and they put me right on air. It was my first time on commercial radio that didn't involve calling in and trying to win a contest or just to bug the DJ's. It was about 90 minutes before Bill had arrived to the school... he was part of a private session in the campus chapel, before meeting the entire crowd in the Scandlon Gymnasium. On air, I described the scene and the lines of people waiting to get in. My fellow Mass Communications major students were all over the place, working on projects and gathering information for various class projects. I headed upstairs to media headquarters... we got transcripts of all of Clinton's speeches. I could see why the term POTUS was used all the time, it was an acronym for President Of The United States. It was easier to type... keep in mind, this was right around the time when the internet grew popular. Good old paper and pen was still the way to go.
I quickly got into conversations with Wendell Goler, who is now with Fox, and a few other media reps. In the room next to me were NBC's Brian Williams, ABC's Ann Coulter, and CBS radio's Mark Knoller. It was fun sharing details about the area with everyone. One moment, I turn to my left, and there's Chuck Taylor from ABC radio, who was helping me with audio cuts. I turn another way, there's Governor Tom Ridge walking by. Next thing I see, a reporter from Pittsburgh is putting make-up on for his report. I peer across the gym, there's a fellow student named Patrick Murphy (no, not the diamond guy). Murphy is now Pennsylvania's 8th District Congressman. Murphy got to introduce the President. Clinton spoke for about an hour, and had everybody inside feeling good about his visit.
By the way, in an unusual twist, Murphy is endorsing Obama, not Clinton.
It was a memorable day for Wilkes-Barre... and for me.
12 years later, here's Wilkes-Barre thrust into the spotlight again. I'm sure that just like that day in '96, news vans from Philly, Harrisburg, and all over made the trip up and parked along Franklin and Main Streets. Who knows, maybe there was a young journalist somewhere among the crowds getting his first glimpse of being among the media. Only time will tell.
Buckle up,
TS
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