Lee Arnold's Blog

Martin Luther King "I have a dream"

2010-08-28T06:59:00.000-05:00

HISTORY MADE : WRIF #1 12+ in Detroit

2009-09-10T16:23:00.001-05:00

History Made in Detroit Radio. WRIF was #1 12+ in the August ARB. This is the first Rock Station of any form to be Number One 12+ EVER in Detroit. Congratulations to the Staff of 101 WRIF. (Of course they were #1 25-54 Adults as well)

LONG MAY IT WAVE

2009-07-04T10:48:00.000-05:00

Michael Jackson performs Billie Jean live at Motown 25th Anniversary Special (1983)

2009-06-26T10:50:00.001-05:00

This started it all.

BROCK WHALEY : Spotlight on

2009-06-09T14:25:00.005-05:00

Call Brock Whaley and ask him how he did this: His new format at KPOI started in mid February.

Monthly 25-54 Adult extraps:

Feb-3.3
Mar- 5.2
April -7.2

He did this without Promotion or Advertising. All Programming driven.
Spring book for KPOI should be REALLY interesting. Brock's spin on the "Triple A" format is a winner. Smart group programmers or owners, please take note.

Greater Media @ Performance Tax Town Hall Mtg - Detroit

2009-06-05T16:11:00.001-05:00

THE BEATLES : ROCK BAND

2009-06-02T11:01:00.002-05:00

History of Weed

2009-05-23T01:14:00.001-05:00

THIS MAY BE A GAME CHANGER

2009-05-06T13:44:00.002-05:00

An invention that could change the internet for ever.

Revolutionary new web software could put giants such as Google in the shade when it comes out later this month. Andrew Johnson reports.

The biggest internet revolution for a generation will be unveiled this month with the launch of software that will understand questions and give specific, tailored answers in a way that the web has never managed before. (MORE) (SIGN UP)

2009 Kentucky Derby Replay

2009-05-05T07:32:00.001-05:00

Making the impossible, possible.

FAMILY GUY-BAG OF WEED

2009-04-20T14:17:00.001-05:00

Michael Bloomfield Guitar Bonus

2009-04-10T15:47:00.000-05:00

DON'T DAMAGE YOUR BRAND

2009-04-07T07:44:00.002-05:00

by Al Ries (ADWEEK)

Marketing is a long-term proposition. A company can get in trouble if it changes its marketing strategy to cope with a short-term problem.

Years ago, Packard was the premier luxury car, not Cadillac. The 1915 introduction of the Twin-Six Packard, one of the first 12-cylinder automobiles, created a crescendo of favorable publicity. In its time, Packard was known as "the American Rolls-Royce."

For many years, Packard outsold Cadillac by a wide margin. From 1925 to 1934, for example, Packard sold 243,748 cars versus just 134,341 for Cadillac.

Of course, 1934 was near the bottom of the depression. Even though Packard outsold Cadillac that year, the company was concerned because its 1934 sales (6,552) were only a fraction of the 44,634 cars Packard sold in the boom year of 1929.

What should Packard do? Hey, things are bad. We need to come out with a cheaper version of our product. (How often have you heard that said in the boardroom?)

So in 1935 Packard introduced the 120, its first middle-market vehicle. Sales took off. That year Packard sold 37,653 cars, more than five times as many vehicles as it sold the year before. Obviously the new strategy was working.

And it continued to work for more than a decade. From 1935 to 1941, Packard sold three times as many cars as Cadillac, 456,503 versus 135,628.

But the brand was getting tarnished. More and more car buyers perceived Packard to be just another mid-priced vehicle and Cadillac to be the only luxury car. In 1941, for example, the cheapest Cadillac sold for $1,445. The cheapest Packard was just $927. (You can't build a premium perception on a middle-of-the-road price.)

As soon as the economy improved after World War II, Packard started to fade. By 1950, Cadillac was way ahead of Packard. By 1957, Packard was gone and Cadillac was king of the luxury-car market.(MORE)

The 2009 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame All-Star - Train Kept 'a Rolling All Night Long

2009-04-05T13:14:00.001-05:00

Metallica featuring Jeff Beck-Jimmy Page-Ron Wood and Joe Perry.
NICE!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE 45 RPM SINGLE

2009-03-31T11:57:00.002-05:00

Apr. 2 1949 Advertisement in Billboard.The initial release of the 45. Actually today, March 31, 1949 was the kick-off day.

Congratulations to our associates, the RCA Victor Dealers everywhere, whose confidence in RCA Victor has made possible this 50-year marketing achievement. To them must go much of the praise for these two newest and finest examples of research and engineering -- the best automatic changer ever built -- the finest record ever made. For, without the assurance of it's dealer's confidence, no company could undertake any major improvement in home entertainment.

Without the confidence of its dealers in 1923, RCA Victor, founder of the phonograph and record business, could never have started radio down its billion-dollar road. Countless other improvements could never have reached the market if it were not for the great confidence RCA Victor dealers have in RCA Victor products. Include Television! Here is a 50-million dollar RCA investment which is today establishing itself as another billion-dollar business for dealers across the country.

And, what inspires this great dealer confidence? Many things...too many to enumerate here. But, proof that it is worth having, lies in the fact that today the RCA Victor dealer franchise is the most profitable in the entire industry. With the continued confidence of dealers and with the unique foresight of RCA Victor management, and RCA Victor franchise will remain the most profitable in the entire industry.

The new RCA Victor system of recorded music is a shining example of management's foresight. With continued dealer confidence the ultimate profit is inevitable. Work started on the new system in 1939. RCA Victor engineers were granted complete freedom of action...freedom from even the major inhibitions, such as non-standardization of record sizes, and speed of turntables. Engineers had but a goal... to produce the finest changer and record ever conceived. The customers' dollars will prove that these engineers reached their goal. The new RCA Victor record and changer constitute the sensible, modern, inexpensive way to enjoy recorded music. The product is ready... the public is ready. A demonstration, more than ever before, means a "close." Its advantages will eventually make it the only way to play music in the home.

Meanwhile, RCA Victor will continue to provide its dealers with 78 rpm records and record playing equipment. This period is not one of revolution but one of transition. There will be plenty of time for all dealers to adjust their inventories in making way for this new, improved, more profitable product. To welcome change is to show a keen awareness of the principal factor lying behind all of our country's industrial progress. That factor is the constant striving of the American public to own something finer. In this light, the new RCA Victor system of recorded music will flourish. To RCA Victor's dealers, whose confidence makes such progress possible, will again go a rich reward of bigger profits through continued high turnover.

Lucien Carr

2009-03-18T10:26:00.001-05:00

Lucien Carr

USEFUL INFO ABOUT GAS FILLER CAPS

2009-03-12T16:56:00.008-05:00

I have been driving for many-many years.... Of course, this isn't true in older vehicles... I would think I would notice the little secret on my dashboard that was staring me in the face...I didn't...and I bet you didn't either... After reading this I immediately went to check it out in my car.? It's true!!!? Please read and check for yourselves.

Have you ever rented or borrowed a car and when arriving at the gas station and wondered...mmm, which side is the gas filler cap?
My normal solution was to stick my head out the window, strain my neck and look, try to see in the side mirrors or even get out of the car! Well ladies and gentlemen, I'm going to share with you this little secret so you will no longer look like Ace Ventura on your way to the gas station or put your neck at risk of discomfort or injury.
If you look at your gas gauge, you will see a small icon of a gas pump? The handle of the gas pump will extend out on either the left or right side of the gas pump? If your tank is on the left, the handle will be on the left? If your tank is on the right, the handle will be on the right (see photo). It is that simple!

OUR FIVE YEAR MISSION...

2009-03-08T20:47:00.001-05:00

Daylight Savings Time Starts Sunday

2009-03-05T17:42:00.002-06:00

Remember: Spring ahead-Fall Behind. This Sunday morning (Saturday night) at 2:00 AM, Move your clocks to 3:00 AM (Spring ahead). It's the start of Daylight Savings Time.

THE BEATLES COME TO ROCK BAND

2009-03-05T12:12:00.004-06:00

Apple Corps, Ltd., Harmonix and MTV Games, a part of Viacom's MTV Networks, today announced the 9/9/09 worldwide release of The Beatles: Rock Band . The music-based video game, an unprecedented, experiential progression through and celebration of the music and artistry of The Beatles, will be available simultaneously worldwide in North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and other territories for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and Wii home videogame console from Nintendo.

The Beatles: Rock Band will allow fans to pick up the guitar, bass, mic or drums and experience The Beatles extraordinary catalogue of music through gameplay that takes players on a journey through the legacy and evolution of the band's legendary career. In addition, The Beatles: Rock Band will offer a limited number of new hardware offerings modeled after instruments used by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr throughout their career.

The Beatles: Rock Band will be offered as standalone software and hardware as well as a limited edition bundle. The game will be compatible with all Rock Band instrument controllers and other current music-based video game peripherals. (Website Here)

HAS TWITTER JUMPED THE SHARK?

2009-03-05T08:57:00.000-06:00

45 Vintage ‘Space Age’ Illustrations

2009-03-01T08:53:00.003-06:00

45 Vintage ‘Space Age’ Illustrations (HERE)

THE UH OH MOMENT

2009-02-23T13:14:00.004-06:00

Daily Doonesbury available (HERE)

What Is the Best Book Ever Written on Marketing or Media?

2009-02-23T12:06:00.003-06:00

What Is the Best Book Ever Written on Marketing or Media?

Here Are Ad Age's Picks (Here)

HEADPHONE INVENTOR DIES

2009-02-20T11:36:00.005-06:00

In the spirit of those famous Koss billboards, it's fair to say the company exists, at least in part, beKoss of Martin Lange Jr.

In 1958, Lange was the engineer who developed the prototype for the first Koss Stereophone, inspired by John C. Koss Sr.'s idea for personal stereo headphones.

The rest is headphone history.

"Marty Lange was instrumental in the development of the first SP/3Stereophone," said Koss, founder and now chairman of the Koss Corp. "His creativity and dedication were critical to the business we built together."

Lange died of natural causes Tuesday in hospice care at his Glendale home. He was 82.

Read more about the inventor of Koss Headphones (HERE)

Newton Minow 1961

2009-02-19T10:45:00.001-06:00

Ours has been called the jet age, the atomic age, the space age. It is also, I submit, the television age. And just as history will decide whether the leaders of today's world employed the atom to destroy the world or rebuild it for mankind's benefit, so will history decide whether today's broadcasters employed their powerful voice to enrich the people or to debase them. - Newton Minow 1961

45 YEARS AGO TONIGHT--EVERYTHING CHANGED

2009-02-09T09:28:00.001-06:00

Sunday February 9, 1964, at 8 p.m., the Beatles made their first American debut on The Ed Sullivan Show. During their appearance, the Beatles sang five songs in the following order: All My Loving, Till There Was You, She Loves You, I Saw Her Standing There, and I Want To Hold Your Hand. On this night, 73 million people watched The Beatles. Their appearance had such an impact that most normal activities in America came to a standstill watching their performance. Criminal activity in most of the major cities and towns in America was put on hold, and getting a taxi or bus in New York was almost impossible, until their performance was over. Mass hysteria resulted wherever the Beatles appeared, and Beatlemania was created.

TRUE BLOOD / BAD THINGS

2009-02-07T13:54:00.000-06:00

Jace Everett - Bad Things via Noolmusic.com

Watch All the Super Bowl Spots

2009-02-01T21:36:00.002-06:00

NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- Did you miss one of the Super Bowl ads? Never fear, Ad Age has gathered them all up and presents them here for your viewing pleasure. From the Budweiser Clydesdales to the SoBe Lizards, watch them all as often as you like. (HERE)

OBAMATIZE YOURSELF

2009-01-22T10:30:00.006-06:00

FUN WITH COMPUTERS (HERE)

HISTORY

2009-01-20T09:32:00.002-06:00

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Martin Luther King-"I Have A Dream"

2009-01-19T16:43:00.001-06:00

U2 - City Of Blinding Lights (DVD)

2009-01-19T10:37:00.001-06:00

STEVE JOBS STEPPING DOWN

2009-01-14T15:56:00.002-06:00

Today Apple CEO Steve Jobs said he is relinquishing his duties until June for health-related reasons. Tom Cook, the current chief operating officer, will take over until Jobs returns.

Here is the e-mail that Steve Jobs sent to Apple employees today:

Team,
I am sure all of you saw my letter last week sharing something very personal with the Apple community. Unfortunately, the curiosity over my personal health continues to be a distraction not only for me and my family, but everyone else at Apple as well. In addition, during the past week I have learned that my health-related issues are more complex than I originally thought.

In order to take myself out of the limelight and focus on my health, and to allow everyone at Apple to focus on delivering extraordinary products, I have decided to take a medical leave of absence until the end of June.

I have asked Tim Cook to be responsible for Apple's day to day operations, and I know he and the rest of the executive management team will do a great job. As CEO, I plan to remain involved in major strategic decisions while I am out. Our board of directors fully supports this plan.

I look forward to seeing all of you this summer.

Steve

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2009 Inductees Announced

2009-01-14T15:19:00.006-06:00

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced its 2009 Inductees to the Induction Ceremony and a weeklong schedule of events to celebrate the Induction’s return to Cleveland. On April 4, 2009, the Induction Ceremony will take place in Cleveland for the first time since 1997. The 2009 Induction Ceremony will be broadcast live on Fuse TV.

The performer inductees are:
Jeff Beck
Little Anthony & the Imperials
Metallica
Run-D.M.C.
Bobby Womack

Early Influence Category Inductee:
Wanda Jackson

Sidemen Category Inductees:
Bill Black
DJ Fontana
Spooner Oldham

The 2009 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame performer inductees were chosen by the 600 voters of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. Artists are eligible for inclusion in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twenty-five years after their first recording is released.

In addition to being honored at the April ceremony, each inducted artist is commemorated at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland Ohio, which serves as a monument to rock and roll’s impact on our culture. These inductees will be honored – along with previous year’s inductees and hundreds of other artists – with an exhibit and film that serve to tell the story of modern music. (MORE)

Buckminster Fuller, Personal Computers and Stewart Brand

2009-01-12T10:41:00.003-06:00

In 1968 Stewart Brand launched an innovative publication called The Whole Earth Catalog.It was groundbreaking, enlightening, and spawned a group of later publications. It's where I first heard of geodesic domes, Buckminster Fuller and personal computers. For those who were there and those who would like a peak at the dawning of the new age, The Whole Earth Catalog is now on-line here.

"Led Zeppelin are over!" says Jimmy Page's manager

2009-01-08T16:39:00.002-06:00

Despite published reports indicating otherwise, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham have abandoned plans to record and tour together.

MusicRadar spoke exclusively with Peter Mensch, Jimmy Page's manager, who stated categorically, "Led Zeppelin are over! If you didn't see them in 2007 [when they played a one-off reunion at London's O2 Arena], you missed them. It's done. I can't be any clearer than that."

Singers auditioned, "no one worked out"

Mensch confirmed that last fall, when singer Robert Plant made it known he was continuing his partnership with bluegrass artist Alison Krauss and had no intention of returning to Led Zeppelin, replacement vocalists were auditioned to possibly record and tour with Page, Jones and Bonham.

"They tried out a few singers, but no one worked out," says Mensch. "That was it. The whole thing is completely over now. There are absolutely no plans for them to continue. Zero. Frankly, I wish everybody would stop talking about it."

When asked what new projects Jimmy Page was going to be involved with in 2009, Mensch said, "Fuck if I know. I'm waiting to hear." (MORE HERE) and (HERE)

LESS ZEPPELIN

2009-01-08T12:03:00.005-06:00

Legendary rock manager Peter Mensch has been discussing his client Jimmy Page's plans to reform Led Zeppelin without Robert Plant.

According to Mensch, Jimmy Page, bassist John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham - the son of original Zep drummer John Bonham - look likely to tour, and there's even talk of recording an album.

“People don’t really understand it,” Mensch told 6 Music, “Jimmy Page has been playing guitar professionally since he was 16 years old. Jimmy Page likes being a musician. That’s what he does! He doesn’t want to be a race car driver or a solicitor.

“So they [Page, Jones, Bonham] did the show with Robert Plant; they had a really good time rehearsing, the three of them, before Robert showed up.

“And they decided that if they could find a singer that they thought would fit their bill – whatever their bill was at this stage in their career – that they’d make a record and go on tour.

“And I support that because, why not? That’s what Jimmy Page does. That’s his job, his hobby, his vocation.”

Mensch – whose company Q Prime also represents Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Snow Patrol – also revealed that the band have yet to find a replacement for Plant: “John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page enjoy playing with each other, Jason Bonham is a really good drummer so why not? We just need to find a singer.” (MORE from the BBC HERE)

Dan Fogelberg - Same Old Lang Syne (Live - 2003)

2009-01-01T01:46:00.001-06:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2009-01-01T01:27:00.002-06:00

Merry Christmas

2008-12-24T09:18:00.001-06:00

Merry Christmas to all.

I MISS PAUL YESKEL !!

2008-12-23T12:50:00.000-06:00

SUMIKO-POW

2008-12-22T11:37:00.002-06:00

PLEASE, NO!

2008-12-09T01:37:00.002-06:00

Seattle radio legend Steve Young has passed away. He had been struggling with various health issues and developed heart trouble, complicated by pneumonia during a vacation cruise through Mexican ports. This makes me so sad.

40 YEARS AGO IN MUSIC

2008-12-08T15:11:00.003-06:00

Here’s are Billboard's Top Ten Albums from December 7, 1968:

Cheap Thrills by Big Brother & the Holding Company
Feliciano! by José Feliciano
Electric Ladyland by the Jimi Hendrix Experience
The Second by Steppenwolf
Time Peace/The Rascals’ Greatest Hits by the Rascals
Wheels of Fire by Cream
In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida by Iron Butterfly
The Time Has Come by the Chambers Brothers
Are You Experienced? by the Jimi Hendrix Experience
Gentle On My Mind by Glen Campbell

Imagine

2008-12-08T11:14:00.001-06:00

Still miss you, John. More than ever.

Argument Clinic

2008-12-06T14:42:00.002-06:00

In a bold move, Monty Python announces their partnership with YouTube, creating the first official Monty Python Video Channel on the internet. To all the fans who've for some unknown reason have sat, progressively losing their eyesight, squinting at their computer screens, watching The Dead Parrot Sketch, or missing the climax of The Fish Slapping Dance all because you're too damned cheap to buy the shiny new DVD box set, you who have gawped at grainy bootlegged Python snippets only to be left unfulfilled by the ripped-off rubbish posted on YouTube... Well loyal Python fan, strain no longer! Now you can save your eyesight and join the Monty Python YouTube Channel, where you can enjoy high quality Python lounging in your knickers. (Monty Python's YouTube Channel, HERE)

GRAMMY NOMINATIONS

2008-12-04T08:43:00.001-06:00

Grammy nominations (HERE)

Radio legend BILL DRAKE has died

2008-11-30T09:57:00.003-06:00

Radio legend BILL DRAKE has died from lung cancer at age 71 in LOS ANGELES. (HERE) Also see (HERE)

Axl Rose vs Dr. Pepper

2008-11-27T08:55:00.003-06:00

It took Axl Rose 14 years to complete the latest Guns N’ Roses album. But it took his lawyers only two days to take Dr Pepper to task for not making good on a promise of free soda to “everyone in America” in celebration.(MORE)

WKRP turkey drop scene Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-26T16:18:00.001-06:00

It's our annual Thanksgiving post.
Happy Thanksgiving to one and all.

A Colbert Christmas: Willie Nelson Sings

2008-11-26T10:18:00.001-06:00

The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

A Colbert Christmas: Willie Nelson Sings

Colbert at Christmas
Colbert Christmas DVD

Green Screen
Bill O'Reilly Interview

50 Things Everyone Should Know How To Do

2008-11-24T07:45:00.003-06:00

Self-reliance is a vital key to living a healthy, productive life. To be self-reliant one must master a basic set of skills, more or less making them a jack of all trades. Contrary to what you may have learned in school, a jack of all trades is far more equipped to deal with life than a specialized master of only one.

While not totally comprehensive, here is a list of 50 things everyone should know how to do.(HERE)

THE ASSASSINATION OF JFK (UNCUT CBS-TV FOOTAGE)(PART 1)

2008-11-22T08:09:00.002-06:00

Part 1 of a 9-part CBS YouTube series begins at the exact time when President John F. Kennedy was being shot and killed by rifle bullets in Dallas, Texas (12:30 PM, Dallas time; 1:30 PM on the east coast of the United States).

The daytime soap opera "As The World Turns" was airing on CBS-TV when Walter Cronkite breaks in with the first voice-over bulletin of the shooting that had just taken place 10 minutes earlier in Dallas' Dealey Plaza.

COMPLETE PLAYLIST FOR THIS 9-PART SERIES: HERE

Fire- Jimi Hendrx-Mitch Mitchell-Noel Redding

2008-11-12T20:42:00.001-06:00

MITCH MITCHELL DIES

2008-11-12T20:39:00.001-06:00

DAMN...Mitch Mitchell, drummer for the legendary Jimi Hendrix Experience and the group's last surviving member, was found dead in his hotel room early Wednesday. He was 61.

TODAY WE HONOR OUR VETERANS

2008-11-11T04:36:00.003-06:00

The History of Veterans Day (HERE)

Sarah Palin Got Punked

2008-11-01T15:50:00.001-05:00

MONTREAL — A Quebec comedy duo from CKOI 96.9 FM in Montreal, Quebec,notorious for prank calls to celebrities and heads of state has reached Sarah Palin, convincing the Republican vice-presidential nominee she was speaking with French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

STUDS TERKEL DIES

2008-11-01T08:00:00.002-05:00

Author-radio host-actor-activist and Chicago symbol Louis "Studs" Terkel died today at his Chicago home at age 96.

At his bedside was a copy of his latest book, "P.S. Further Thoughts From a Lifetime of Listening," scheduled for a November release.

Beset in recent years by a variety of ailments and the woes of age, which included being virtually deaf, Terkel's health took a turn for the worse when he suffered a fall in his home two weeks ago.

It is hard to imagine a fuller life. (MORE)

MARK AT TIMES SQUARE

2008-10-31T13:10:00.001-05:00

Just had to post this. Don't know why.

VOTE on Tuesday

2008-10-31T11:26:00.002-05:00

This election has me stressed to the max. I have not been posting here for the last couple of weeks or so due to my obsessive involvement in the Presidential campaign. I promise to return to matters of Radio, Records, Media and Pop Culture after November 4th.
Please make sure you VOTE on Tuesday.

REALLY?

2008-10-19T10:01:00.000-05:00

Pennington Promoted to Program Director at WRIF-FM in Detroit

2008-09-30T11:59:00.006-05:00

Detroit, MI (September 30, 2008): Greater Media Detroit announced today Mark Pennington has been promoted to Program Director at WRIF-FM in Detroit, Michigan. He will begin his new position on October 1, 2008.

Pennington joined WRIF-FM as the Music Director in 2000. Prior to that, he worked at WMMS-FM in Cleveland, Ohio. Pennington follows longtime WRIF Program Director Doug Podell, who recently was promoted to the position of Director of Rock Programming at 101.1 WRIF-FM and 94.7 WCSX-FM.

"When looking for someone to take over the daily duties of programming WRIF, Greater Media Market Manager John Gallagher and I only had to look to the next office," said Doug Podell, Greater Media Detroit Director of Programming. "I'm very confident Mark is qualified and ready to take RIFF into the PPM generation."

“I look forward to continuing Doug’s Motor City legacy in providing the very best rock and entertainment in the Motor City for our listeners,” said Pennington.

WRIF is owned by Greater Boston Radio, Inc., a subsidiary of Greater Media, Inc., the parent company of 23 AM and FM radio stations in the Boston, Charlotte, Detroit, New Jersey and Philadelphia markets. Greater Media also owns a group of weekly newspapers in central New Jersey and several telecommunications towers located throughout the United States.

For more information, please contact:

Heidi A. Raphael

781-348-8612

hraphael@greatermedia.com

MICHAEL MOORE'S NEW FILM FOR FREE

2008-09-23T09:06:00.000-05:00

It's officially September 23rd and my new film, "Slacker Uprising," is now premiering live at SlackerUprising.com! It is available for free as a gift from me to all of you. And you have my permission to share it or show it in any way you see fit.

Watch it all: http://slackeruprising.com/download/location.php?utm_medium=download&utm_source=22821496

At that link, there are five ways you can watch it free and without advertising:

blip.tv is providing streaming right from slackeruprising.com, free of commercials and advertising.
Amazon Video on Demand will provide a higher resolution version of the above stream for people with lots of bandwidth. It will be available in a few hours.
iTunes will make it easy for you to download "Slacker Uprising" on your iTunes, iPod, or Apple TV, and view it there or transmit it to your television. This way, the film can be portable as well as for home viewing. This will be available soon.
Hypernia is providing bandwidth and servers to host MPEG4 and DivX versions of "Slacker Uprising" online, so you can burn a DVD or download the film to watch on your computer, XBOX, or PS3.
Lycos is providing free streaming of the film and an on-demand version.

Stream it, download it, burn it now. It's the first time a major feature-length film is being released for free on the internet. You can be part of this historic moment by logging on now!

Enjoy!!

Michael Moore
MMFlint@aol.com
MichaelMoore.com
SlackerUprising.com

P.S. Remember, we're doing something that's never been done, so I have no idea how it will all go! Don't give up if it seems to go slow (like with any streaming, give the downloading a head start before you hit play), and don't forget there are two places where you can actually download it to your hard drive and three ways to stream it. You can get to all of them at the link above.

P.P.S. If you're not yet registered to vote, here's a good link: https://www.voteforchange.com/. There's less than two weeks for you to get registered, especially if you have moved since the last time you voted.

Pink Floyd Live 1972 - Time w/ Breathe Reprise

2008-09-15T14:08:00.001-05:00

Pink Floyd's Richard Wright Dies

2008-09-15T13:20:00.002-05:00

Richard Wright, a founding member of the rock group Pink Floyd, died Monday. He was 65.
Pink Floyd's spokesman Doug Wright, who is not related to the artist, said Wright died after a battle with cancer at his home in Britain. He says the band member's family did not want to give more details about his death. (MORE)

TINA FEY KNOCKS IT OUT OF THE PARK!!

2008-09-14T12:13:00.001-05:00

John McCain's Convention Speech

2008-09-05T14:51:00.002-05:00

INTERVENTION

2008-09-03T15:59:00.002-05:00

See more Kristin Chenoweth videos at Funny or Die

GOOGLE LAUNCHES CHROME-BROWSER

2008-09-02T09:11:00.003-05:00

Google announced it's new browser called CHROME. Read all about it in the Google Comic Book. (HERE)

SEPARATED AT BIRTH

2008-08-29T23:35:00.006-05:00

OBAMA'S CONVENTION SPEECH

2008-08-29T06:12:00.002-05:00

In case you were abducted by aliens or at the emergency room and missed it. Republican, Pat Buchanan called it "The Greatest Convention Speech Ever."

Martin Luther King “I Have A Dream”

2008-08-28T08:54:00.001-05:00

“I Have A Dream” 45 years ago today.

WHAT DO JOHNNY DEPP AND NEAL MIRSKY HAVE IN COMMON?

2008-08-22T16:19:00.008-05:00

FORT LAUDERDALE – Bruce Witkin and Martin Chaddock of the Sheila Witkin Foundation in Los Angeles announced this week that the Second Annual Sheila Witkin Memorial Reunion Concert will be held on Friday, August 29th and Saturday, August 30th at Club Cinema, 3251 North Federal Highway in Pompano Beach beginning at 8PM. Doors open at 7PM.

The first Sheila Witkin Memorial Reunion Concert was held on January 28th, 2007, and was included in the critically acclaimed documentary film Rock and a Hard Place:Another Night at the Agora that teamed veteran filmmakers Diane Jacques and Aaron Wells who chronicled the explosive original South Florida rock music scene of the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. Last year’s concert lineup included the talents of Blank Tape, Charlie Pickett, Critical Mass, Z-Cars, Slyder, Tight Squeeze , The Kids featuring Johnny Depp, and a surprise performance by members of The Romantics.
The film will be screened in conjunction with the Sheila Witkin Memorial Reunion Concert at the historic Cinema Paradiso at 503 SE 6th Street in Fort Lauderdale at 6PM on Friday and 5:30PM on Saturday, and will include exclusive interview and performance footage not seen previously.

The 2008 concert lineup includes Charlie Pickett, Mad as Birds (with Debbie and Susan of The Cichlids ), Critical Mass, Z-Cars, The Reactions with members of Circus of Power, Slyder, Tight Squeeze , The Romantics and The Kids (Yes, Johnny Depp will be playing guitar with his old bandmates). The concert is being hosted by Mel T of Rock on Entertainment Management (ROEM) and Neal Mirsky, former programming director of legendary South Florida rock station WSHE (She’s Only Rock and Roll).

Advance general admission tickets for the “all ages” concert event are currently on sale at ticketmaster for $32.50 for a single night, or $55 for both Friday and Saturday. Tickets to the film range from $9 for general admission to $5 for members of the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival. The concert and film events are being sponsored by The Las Olas Company, The Riverside Hotel on Las Olas Boulevard, Club Cinema, DM Records and Mako Vodka. For information on the concert, logon to www.sheilawitkin.org, or for more on the film visit www.anothernightattheagora.com.
Proceeds from the concert benefit the Dan Marino and Sheila Witkin Foundations.

BERNIE BRILLSTEIN

2008-08-08T13:56:00.004-05:00

Bernie Brillstein has passed away at the age of 77. He was the most amazing personal manager in the entertainment busisness that I have ever had the pleasure of meeting and dealing with. He managed John Belushi, Dan Ackroyd, Jim Henson, Dabney Coleman, Richard Dreyfuss, Peter Falk, Garry Shandling, Bronson Pinchot, Gilda Radner, Jim Belushi, Gena Davis, Andy Williams, Norm Crosby, Thelma Hopkins, Marsha Mason and George Wendt. His writer clients included Jim Henson, Pat Lee, John Moffitt, Alan Rafkind, Jay Tarses, Dave Thomas, Alan Zweibel, Sheldon Keller, Buzz Kohan, Marty Pasetta, Perry Rosemont, Kenny Solms and Barry Sand.
He's the reason that there is SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE.
He did so much and was a mensch. Read more about him and his life HERE.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

2008-08-04T09:35:00.003-05:00

Barack turns 47 today.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Here is is with his Mom, Stanley Ann Dunham Soetoro.

RUSSIA HATES EMO!!!

2008-07-30T12:36:00.005-05:00

A BIZARRE new Russian law hopes to make emo and goth music illegal in the eastern European country.

It could signal the end of heavy eyeliner and black nail polish for the kids who love to bop about to the likes of MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE and THURSDAY.

Legislation is currenting being drawn to regulate websites and ban emo and goth fashion in schools and government buildings.(MORE)

Christian the Lion

2008-07-23T08:37:00.002-05:00

Had to share this with all of you.

Full story on this remarkable friendship here.

WHAT DO SCOTT MUNI AND JACK BENNY HAVE IN COMMON?

2008-07-17T17:16:00.006-05:00

Scott Muni is not in the Radio Hall of Fame. Jack Benny isn’t in the Radio Hall of Fame, either. WHO makes these decisions?

What a bunch of CRAP!!!

Scott Muni Brief Bio (HERE)

Scott Muni Wikipedia (HERE)

Scott Muni Air Checks (HERE)

UPDATE: The inductees for 2008 into the National Radio Hall of Fame were announced today (Friday). Scott Muni, Tom Donahue, Bill Drake, Thom O'Hare, Bill Vermillion, Studs Terkel and Jack Benny were not among the inductees.
(2008 Inductees: HERE)

IF ONLY ARBITRON DID POLITICAL POLLING

2008-07-14T13:24:00.003-05:00

Say you want to reach a representative sample of the U.S. electorate for a presidential poll. The Obama-McCain race is relatively close these days, with the Democrat's lead hovering around 5 to 6 points in most surveys. Someone tells you that he's selected a sample that's predominantly under 40 years of age (oops, that one favors Obama); disproportionately renters rather than homeowners (Obama-leaning again); full of college students (sounds like a Starbucks Obama thing to me) -- and, for good measure, includes a higher proportion of blacks and Hispanics than the national population does.

At this point you throw up your hands and exclaim: "Why are we concentrating on such a pro-Obama universe? He could be leading by 20 points or more among those people!"

He could. He probably is. But in actuality, the sample I've described is either not being included at all in many national polls or is being undercounted. Why? Because I'm talking about the growing number of American cellphone users who have no other type of phone or who choose to go wireless for the vast majority of their interactive needs. And this election cycle -- for the first, and perhaps only, time -- this group has the chance to render presidential polls "wrong from the start": potentially disguising at least 2 to 3 percentage points of Obama support and maybe more.

Heretofore my industry has dismissed the cellphone-only population with a troika of "yes, buts." Yes, they're undercounted, but 1) they don't vote anyway; 2) their numbers are still small; and 3) we can find acceptable substitutes in the land-line population.

And to be honest, there is a fourth, still more powerful rationale that remains unstated: "Yes, they're undercounted, but it's too damn difficult and expensive to reach them."(More)

DAVE WELLINGTON TO DC101 and Channel 104.3

2008-07-07T10:57:00.002-05:00

Dave Wellington has been named PD at Clear Channel alternative WWDC (DC101/)/Washington and the company's newly-launched alternative WCHH (Channel 104.3)/ Baltimore.

“We conducted an extensive search for the next PD of DC101 and in the process signed on Channel 104.3 in Baltimore. With Elliot doing mornings at both stations, it was natural to combine the duties of Channel 104.3 with that of the DC101 PD,” Clear Channel Washington-Baltimore OM Jeff Kapugi says. “We had many qualified candidates, but Dave came across as the best fit for our needs and I know he’ll be a great addition to the stations and the CC DC/Baltimore cluster.”

“I am truly honored to be joining the No.1 radio company in the U.S.," Wellington remarks. "It’s always been a dream of mine to program for such true radio visionaries and strong leaders as Jeff Kapugi and [president/market manager] Hartley Adkins. I look forward to taking Clear Channel's DC101 and Channel 104.3 to new heights. It will be so exciting to work with such passionate staffs and a talented, top-rated local morning show like Elliot in the Morning. Smell my face!"

“We’re thrilled to add Dave to our exceptional team of programmers at CC DC/Baltimore,” Adkins adds. “His unique experience working with rock formats and exceptional talent make him the perfect person to lead our heritage DC 101 team as well as our brand new rock alternative station in Baltimore.”

Dave starts July 28.

HAPPY JULY FOURTH

2008-07-03T23:04:00.006-05:00

HAPPY JULY FOURTH

2008-07-03T23:04:00.002-05:00

The Star Spangled Banner

2008-07-03T22:53:00.001-05:00

HAVE A HAPPY JULY 4th

An Experience of Interconnectedness

2008-07-01T10:34:00.002-05:00

As astronaut Edgar Mitchell, the sixth man to walk on the moon, completed his Apollo 14 mission and returned home toward our big blue earth, he experienced a sudden and radical epiphany. Trained in all the disciplines appropriate for space exploration -- physics, engineering, orbital mechanics -- nothing could have prepared him for this life-changing experience:

"On the way home from the moon, looking out at the heavens, this insight - which I now call a transcendent experience - happened. I realized that the molecules of my body had been created or prototyped in an ancient generation of stars - along with the molecules of the spacecraft and my partners and everything else we could see including the Earth out in front of us. Suddenly, it was all very personal. Those were my molecules.

It was an experience of interconnectedness. It was an experience of bliss, of ecstasy...it was so profound. I realized that the story of ourselves as told by science - our cosmology, our religion - was incomplete and likely flawed. I recognized that the Newtonian idea of separate, independent, discreet things in the universe wasn't a fully accurate description."*

Upon his return from space, Edgar founded a research institute called the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS) which was born out of his profound unity experience, and his desire to bring scientific inquiry to the frontiers of human consciousness.

I've just spent the weekend with Edgar and a handful of colleagues on the IONS board who inspired me to write this post, although this article is not really about any single individual. It is about our interconnectedness. It is about unity. Oneness. The direct experience of being non-different from all that is.(MORE)

BACK TO VINYL

2008-06-27T16:33:00.003-05:00

Boston's Tom Scholz on why Digital music sucks:

In general, you've never been a fan of digital.
I work only in an analog studio, so I hear music at its very best. I mean, there's nothing like the sound of an analog multitrack recording playing back. You'll never hear it sound so good again because it actually is the real thing. It's the real music by the real musicians, the phase hasn't been all screwed up by the A/D conversion, and the high end isn't all messed up trying to fit a 16-kHz tone into three pieces of a 44-Hz sampling rate. In an analog studio, you're hearing pristine, real-world sound — the way it would sound if it was coming through the mikes, and you were listening to them in headphones right there in your room.

24-bit digital sounds pretty good to me. But as soon as you make the conversion to 16-bit, it sounds like crap. [laughs] I have a hard time listening to CDs after working on an analog original because of what they do to the depth perception. The phase-angle errors caused by the A/D conversion really bother me. They bothered me the very first time I heard digital next to an analog original. I was always amazed that people didn't perceive that something that once sounded like it was located way beyond their speakers now sounded like it was on a flat plane...

All collapsed, basically...
Yeah. That's what digital does. It changes the audio waveform. People think digital is an accurate representation of music, and it's not. And because of the phase-angle error, all the things that your ear and your brain do normally to figure out where sounds are coming from to form a mental aural map, if you will, of your audio surroundings — it takes that and completely fools it. It turns something that had enormous depth and was recorded in a natural, beautiful hall and puts it into a little flat thing in front of you. So, as you can see, I've hated digital from the beginning. But it's cheap, and it's got a lot of features, and that's what sells. (MORE)

Inside Barack Obama’s iPod

2008-06-25T09:41:00.004-05:00

Barack Obama is a Stevie Wonder geek. In the Democratic presidential candidate’s new interview with Rolling Stone editor-in-chief Jann S. Wenner, Obama waxed rhapsodic about his favorite artists, many of whom — Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Jay-Z — have shown him love with endorsements.

“If I had one musical hero, it would have to be Stevie Wonder,” says Obama, who grew up on Seventies R&B and rock staples including Earth, Wind and Fire, Elton John and the Rolling Stones. “When I was at that point where you start getting involved in music, Stevie had that run with Music of My Mind, Talking Book, Fulfillingness’ First Finale and Innervisions, and then Songs in the Key of Life. Those are as brilliant a set of five albums as we’ve ever seen.”

Wonder shares room on Obama’s iPod with “everything from Howlin’ Wolf to Yo-Yo Ma to Sheryl Crow,” he says. “And I have probably 30 Dylan songs on my iPod.” Though he’s partial to 1975’s Blood on the Tracks, “Maggie’s Farm” is “one of my favorites during the political season,” says Obama. “It speaks to me as I listen to some of the political rhetoric.” (MORE)

Audio From the Rolling Stone Cover Story (HERE)

.# 1 WORST COVER VERSION EVER

2008-06-24T12:43:00.001-05:00

CELINE DION - You Shook Me All Night Long.
OMG!!!

Comedian George Carlin Dead at Age 71

2008-06-23T10:11:00.003-05:00

George Carlin, the frenzied performer whose routine "Seven Words You Can Never Say On Television" led to a key Supreme Court ruling on obscenity, has died.

Carlin, who had a history of heart trouble, went into St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica on Sunday afternoon complaining of chest pain and died later that evening, said his publicist, Jeff
Abraham. He had performed as recently as last weekend at the Orleans Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas. He was 71.

ROCKET SURGERY Pt. 3

2008-06-17T17:29:00.006-05:00

In the early 1980’s, I arrived at WQFM (93QFM) in Milwaukee to be the new Program Director.
The previous PD, Brent Alberts, had put a really terrific air staff together.

I knew that they just needed focus and some attitude adjustment to be Killers.

This staff with few changes went on to help the station post an 8.5 12+ share that drove our direct competitor, WLPX, out of the format.

When I first got there, I did the standard one-on-ones with each air staff member. After two or three days, I realized that I still didn’t remember half the names of my staff. Those that I did remember were my morning team (Rodio and Mueller), the show was called Morning Sickness and my 10 PM to 2 AM jock, Tim The Rock N’ Roll Animal. The rest of the guys’ names were a blur.

Then, it came to me, another epiphany.

If I was having a hard time remembering the names of our talent, it was either because of my years of damaging my brain or THEIR NAMES WEREN’T THAT MEMORABLE. I figured even if it was the brain damage reason; this was something I shared with a large segment of our listening audience. I wanted our talent to be known, to be bigger-than-life rock radio stars with our listeners. They needed radio rock star names.

First, I met with my 10AM-3PM star, Jeff Peterson. We discussed nicknames and decided on Mr. Midday for him. Next was Terry Gibson, my afternoon drive killer. He came up with Terry “Twelve String” Gibson.

My daytime lineup was now: The Morning Sickness Show followed by Mister Midday followed by Terry “Twelve String” Gibson. Nights were Mike Wolfe (catchy enough) followed by Tim The Rock N’ Roll Animal. Memorable names to go along with top notch rock radio stars.

What’s in a name? Everything when you’re in show business. It was the first step toward ultimate victory and. market dominance.

Download Firefox 3 and Set a Guinness World Record

2008-06-17T16:12:00.003-05:00

(Thanks to ONMILWAUKEE.COM)

In an attempt to break the Guinness world record for most software downloaded in one day, the Mozilla Foundation has declared today to be "Firefox 3 Download Day.

Firefox 3 offers marked improvements. JavaScript renders three times faster than before and memory usage has been cut. The Web address bar is no longer restricted to Web addresses and works more like a regular search, examining the Web, your bookmarks, and your browsing history. And it learns what you're looking for, too!

In what could be the best user-experience development since the pop-up blocker, Web sites are no longer allowed to resize or move the Firefox 3 browser without your expressed permission. Security has increased with Firefox 3 preventing spyware, rootkits, viruses, and malware from being offered, gives visual indications of whether a site is authentic or not (green is good). And there's much, much more that will probably go unnoticed. (DOWNLOAD HERE)

MYSPACE 2.0

2008-06-13T14:53:00.005-05:00

News Corp.’s MySpace is attempting to climb out from behind its current state of clutter with a redesign, which will officially debut next Wednesday. The makeover includes improvements on both the front-end and back-end, highlighting more intuitive search capabilities that categorize desired results and a reduction of the currently overwhelming amount of navigation options and ad noise on the site’s homepage, a higher quality video player for MySpaceTV with popout and full screen controls.

The site, according to Comscore, still boasts more than 100 million users. But even with the potential redesign, and its recent more persistent engagement with its development community, MySpace is still fighting the user base stigma of being just for kids, teens and less savvy Internet users with a fondness for animated avatars.

In an interview with the Associated Press , MySpace founder Tom Anderson said that the redesign is in part fueled by its desire to shatter its “kids only” image. But in the wake of Facebook’s steady popularity with the “grown-up” networking audience, can MySpace earn the trust of business users? (More from ZDNET)

Rocket Surgery Pt. 2

2008-06-10T17:08:00.005-05:00

Back in the late 1980’s I was living in Chicago and had a pretty heavy tobacco addiction. Running out of cigarettes was the worst possible thing that could happen to me. I had a giant pack on my back.

One day when I found myself without any cigs, I jumped in the car and began racing to a convenience store to satisfy my habit. While driving, a song came on my car radio that I really liked, but had no idea who the artist was. I figured that I must have spaced each time that it had been identified on the air. This time I decided that I was going to make sure I listened for the back announcement and find out who the artist was. Now I had two things that I needed to accomplish, CIGARETTES and the answer to who the mystery artist was that I liked so much.

I got to the store as the song was ending. PERFECT. But no, the station segued into the next song. I was on a mission. I wasn’t going to get out of the car until I found out who it was. I sat there for another four or five minutes waiting for the song to end. I was going to finally find out. Believe me, it wasn’t easy sitting there, in need of a cigarette fix, but I wasn’t going to miss it this time. Who was that song by?

The second song finally ended after what seemed like an eternity. The Jock came on, gave the call letters and went into a spot cluster. NO SONG IDENTIFICATION!!! I went ballistic. I started yelling and cursing at the radio. I pounded on the dashboard a couple times and got out of the car, SLAMMING the door.

I ran in and got my cigarettes and came back to the car. I ripped open the pack and lit one up, sat back and came to an epiphany.

NEVER, EVER MAKE YOUR LISTENERS YELL AT THEIR RADIO!!!

Don’t ever fail to deliver the basic information that a music station should deliver. If music is the main product that you are selling, you must let the listener have the information he requires.

Now I’m not suggesting long, information laden back sells that bring the forward momentum of the station to a screeching halt. Just a quick identification of the two or three songs that just played. Pearl Jam, Nickleback and Seether on 92Rock. See, that didn’t take but 2 seconds and did not stop the forward movement at all. And no one ended up yelling at his or her Radio. That’s a good thing.

I DON'T GO TO WORK, I GO TO WAR!!!

2008-06-10T15:58:00.003-05:00

The storms moved through the Midwest this weekend. I spent "way too much" time in my basement, saving things and going through boxes. I came across this picture from the front page of The Detroit Free Press from 1984. Boy Radio was FUN!!!!

AL THINGS HD

2008-06-09T16:13:00.002-05:00

My favorite genius, Dave Martin has launched his HD RADIO News Blog.
This will be a TRUE clearing house for "all things HD".

Dave wrote:
Radio has an execution problem.
Reducing radio's present day business performance to a one-liner, there's perhaps no better way to account for what's happening; it certainly seems the most reasonable approach in explaining what's not happening.

There is no more conspicuous an illustration of this theme than the progress of HD Radio.(READ MORE)

iPhone 2.0 Introduced

2008-06-09T15:54:00.003-05:00

Enough with the new software, time for a new iPhone! Due in about a month, the iPhone 3G is thinner at the edges and cheaper and runs on a faster data network, Steve Jobs says.

Jobs says the new version runs on AT&T's 3G (industry-speak for third-generation) network. That should help shoot down one of the biggest criticisms of the iPhone: It's a great Web-surfing device when you're within range of an open Wi-Fi connection, but it's brutally slow when you're on AT&T's standard cellular network, Edge.

AT&T's 3G network is almost three times as fast as Edge, Jobs says. He loaded a page from the National Geographic website -- it took 59 seconds on the Edge network and only 21 seconds on the 3G version. "It's amazingly zippy," Jobs said.

The iPhone 3G also has built-in GPS, which he said would lead to new services that target you by location.

Oh, and Jobs says it has got better battery life: five hours of talking, six hours of Web browsing, seven hours of video-watching or 24 hours of audio-listening.

Whoa! It's going to cost $199 for an 8-gigabyte version and $299 for 16 gigabytes of storage. That's a lot cheaper than the least-expensive model's current price of $399.

It's launching on July 11 in 22 countries. (MORE)

BRANDING 101

2008-06-07T10:26:00.001-05:00

We can all take a lesson in branding from this venerable Milwaukee icon!!

"I'M MAD AS HELL AND I'M NOT GONNA TAKE IT NO MORE!"

2008-06-06T14:30:00.006-05:00

If your morning show is not angry when talking about this, then they are making too much money.

Oil prices shot up more than $11 to a new record above $139 Friday after Morgan Stanley predicted prices would hit $150 by the Fourth of July. The unprecedented jump is all but certain to drive gas prices well past the $4 mark in the coming weeks. (MORE)

This is not political. This is a travesty. Everyone in your audience is being adversely affected by this. To ignore it is to be out of touch. If you're not being hurt by this because you make lots of money, pretend it's hurting you. You can not have this disconnect from your audience and still be credible. "I'M MAD AS HELL AND I'M NOT GONNA TAKE IT NO MORE!" must be the attitude.

FIST POUND HEARD ROUND THE WORLD

2008-06-06T08:19:00.002-05:00

The Morning Guy

2008-06-04T14:52:00.002-05:00

Fred Jacobs turned me on to this. This is GREAT. Thanks, Fred.