MotherofConfusion.com

Gene Chenault: A rock radio legend retrospective, by Sean Conrad

Genevieve Hinson — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:44:48 +0000

By Sean Conrad, Guest Blogger

Gene Chenault and wife Suzy.

Rock radio legend Gene “Pappy” Chenault died on Feb. 23 at the age of 90. Gene, along with programmer Bill Drake, fathered 60’s & 70’s Top 40 Radio as we know it today. In 1962, when Gene was being beaten by the competition at KYNO Radio in Fresno, he made contact with up-and-coming programmer Drake to go on and destroy any radio station that happened to be in their path. With the success they achieved at KYNO, they cut a deal with the struggling RKO Radio Group and went on to duplicate that success with a format called Boss Radio at their stations in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Boston and Detroit. This team effort by Gene and Bill was poetry in motion, as we used to say back in the day.

Elton John with Sean Conrad in Fresno.

As Bill gave the listener a reason for listening, Gene kept the sales department in check, making commercial air time a valuable commodity by simply limiting the amount. By decreasing the number of commercials in any given hour, and at the same time, raising the unit costs, the station attracted huge audience numbers, made truckloads of money and dominated the ratings in any market they entered.

When Gene and Bill came on the scene, most all radio stations in America had no restrictions on the number of commercials they aired per hour, nor any time limits on their disc jockeys. They could talk as long as they wished, and playing music was only an afterthought. In Fresno, Bill Drake along with input from an assembled team of other hot programming talent, cleaned up KYNO’s sound. They emphasized playing more music and instructing the on-air talent: “If you can’t say it in 10 seconds or less, don’t say it at all.”

As time went by and they attracted talented disc jockeys such as Robert W. Morgan and Charlie Van Dyke to their stations, these restrictions were loosened up to allow their personalities to shine through. And, yes, it is true most of the format ideas were written out on cocktail napkins at Cedar Lanes Bowling Alley a few blocks away from KYNO in Fresno! Inside this bowling alley was a top quality restaurant and great adult beverages that allowed the flow of ideas to fall onto the napkins. What also made it on to those napkins were great contest and promotion ideas that added the missing ingredient to an exciting radio station.

One of the greatest ideas they ever conceived was “the KYNO Millionaire.” Drake would dress someone in a tuxedo, send him around town in a limo, stopping people on the street and handing them cold hard cash. Of course, periodically, the jock on the air would tip people off as to where this friendly gentleman might show up. More than once, huge crowds of people could be seen standing around waiting to see that limo pull up.

Late in the evening, the Drake-Chenault boys would converge on the windowless restaurant with its crushed red velvet wallpaper and black leather half moon-shaped tables. After a few pops, the ideas would start to flow, and many times before they knew it, it was closing time. The next day, changes would take place on their airwaves in an almost imperceptible manner that would go right over the heads of the competition. In no time, it became too late for their competitors to react, and almost immediately, KYNO dominated the ratings.

Car Giveaway

It was only in the middle ‘70s when underground FM radio came on the scene that KYNO’s ratings started decreasing. Even though they were no longer pulling 40s and 50s in the ratings, they still stayed No. 1 for many, many years.

In 1970, after the original Drake-Chenault crew had moved on to the big cities to work their magic, I was hired out of Detroit as a disc jockey. When my program director, Harry Miller, moved on to be a San Diego jock, I cautiously approached Gene with the idea that I would make a great team leader for his pride and joy KYNO. Pappy arranged for me to fly to the home office in Canoga Park and go through interviews with national PD Bill Watson and national music director Bernie Torres. I passed the stringent test and for the next three years, made sure KYNO stayed number one.

We became a testing ground for new ideas and experimental music additions to the playlists in the RKO chain. With very little risk, a new idea or record could be implemented at KYNO, and if it passed the test there, they’d take it to the majors. I had a great time during those years, assisting Drake and his boys as they tweaked the KYNO format from the confines of a suite at the Fresno Hilton. They’d all come swooping in to town for brainstorming sessions, and of course, after a long hard day of concentration on the format, we’d all wind up at Cedar Lanes for a trip down memory lane.

When an old friend emailed me yesterday that Gene had passed away, I thought back on how my personal life was such a mess when I was his PD between 1970 and 1973. Gene always forgave me and was my biggest fan. I busted my ass for him, and he rewarded me not only financially but with the emotional support I desperately needed in my troubled 20s. He treated me like a son. The world of radio—and my world— was a better place because of . I will miss him.

I am now going to go have a Tanqueray with a twist, Gene’s favorite, and count my blessings for having known him.

Sean Conrad (aka Ron Copeland) spent 30 years in radio as a disc jockey and program director at 22 radio stations in 15 cities between 1960 and 1990.

Fresno Flair past & present

31 Days of Aries: The book tour and iPod Touch giveaway starts now!

Genevieve Hinson — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 18:34:56 +0000

The 31 Days of Aries starts now! Watch my recent interview with Bonnie Hearn Hill, author of “Aries Rising.” We chat about her first young adult novel in the Star Crossed series, Fearless Astrology and her blog tour.

Bonnie has written six other books, including Intern, and is a teacher and mentor to many published and up-and-coming writers (myself included). She’ll be signing books in Fresno at Barnes and Noble on Saturday, March 13 at 2 p.m.

Want a chance to win a copy of “Aries Rising?” Share your astrology sign in a comment below, and any questions you might have for the author.

Also, the Aries Rising Blog Tour & Book Giveaway continues through March 31. Destinations will be posted daily on facebook.com/starcrossedseries, and a free copy of Aries Rising will be given away at each one. At the conclusion of the tour, a drawing will be held for an iPod Touch. No purchase is necessary.

You can enter as often as you wish, and you can qualify in three ways.

1. Be an Aries. Just send your birth date (month and day) to starcrossed.contest@gmail.com.

2. Write a review and post it anywhere. Send the link to the same address. (More work, I know, and I appreciate all of you who have taken the time to spread the word about my astro series).

3. Post a fan badge on your Facebook page and send the link to above address.

On each entry, include your name, address, e-mail, and phone number where you can be reached March 31.

Thank you Bonnie for the fabulous interview and making MotherofConfusion.com the first stop on your blog book tour!

Don’t want to get sick?

Genevieve Hinson — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 17:33:02 +0000

These kids share an important message about the best way to keep from getting sick. Go on, watch (they’re adorable and had their lines down perfect) and learn. Best yet, follow their advice and help prevent the spread of germs.

No related posts.

Friday Fave: 31 Days of Fresno

Genevieve Hinson — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:41:18 +0000

Fresno rocks! If you don’t know that yet, then open your eyes people. We have a thriving art community. An intense writers and poets community. Then there’s the Rogue Performance Festival, Swede Fest, F.U.S.E. fest, Farm Aid to Fresno 2010 (go support them!), Earth Day, Garden Fresno … and oh my goodness, the list goes on and on.

If you love your town, go share why on the 31 Days of Fresno Facebook fan page. Not a fan of the ‘No? Then you don’t know the ‘No. Time to go learn.

A grant to support deaf, hard of hearing or speech disabled students

Genevieve Hinson — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 03:00:05 +0000

The goal of the Hamilton Relay Scholarship is to support individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech disabled in their post secondary education. The Hamilton Relay Scholarship is extended to a qualifying high school student living within a state where Hamilton Relay is the contracted telecommunications relay service provider.

Many thanks to the folks at Family Resource Network in Stockton for sharing the information.

Hamilton Relay Scholarship: $500

Eligibility Criteria
1. Applicant must be a person who is deaf, hard of hearing or speech disabled.
2. Applicant must be a resident of one of the following states: AZ, CA, DC, GA, ID, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MT, NM, PA, RI, UT or WY.
3. Applicant must complete and submit application, essay and letter of recommendation to be eligible.
4. Scholarship will be awarded to chosen applicant after Hamilton State Scholarship Committee reviews all applications submitted on or before posted deadline.

Guidelines for Hamilton Relay Scholarship
A. Application packet must be completed and postmarked by March 31, 2010, to include the following:
a. Scholarship Application
b. Letter of Recommendation from staff at high school or place of employment
c. One page essay as required (topic assigned on application)
B. Mail the application and attachments to:
Hamilton Relay Scholarship Committee
Hamilton Relay, 1001 12th Street, Aurora, NE 68818
Note: applications and attachments may be scanned and emailed to scholarship@hamiltonrelay.com by midnight March 31, 2010. Original application and attachments must still be mailed to the scholarship office within 10 days following this date for our files.
C. Scholarship award announcements to be made on or before April 30, 2010.
D. Scholarship award recipients must complete and return a “Scholarship Recipient’s Agreement Form”, along with a Letter of Acceptance to the post secondary school they will attend, allowing Hamilton to process payment directly to the school.
——-

Hamilton Relay Scholarship Application
School Year 2009-2010

(You may print or type responses on this form, or reproduce form on computer.)

• Awarded to graduating high school senior who is Deaf, Hard of Hearing or Speech Disabled.
• Please clip all attachments together with application. Do not staple. Do not include binders or report covers with your submission.
• If a question is not applicable to you, please write “NA” (do not leave question blank).
• Deadline is March 31, 2010 (application must be postmarked by this date).

Applicant Information:

Name (First, Middle, Last): _____________________________________________

Date of Birth (MM/DD/YY): _______________________ Gender: M ____ F ____

Address: _______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

Student E-mail: __________________________________________________

Home Telephone (V/TTY/Internet Relay/Video Relay): ______________________

__________________________________________________________

Parent’s/Guardian’s Names:

__________________________________________________________

Parent’s/Guardian’s Contact Information:

__________________________________________________________

High School Attended / Graduation Date:

_________________________________________________ __________________

High School Counselor’s Name: _________________________________________

High School Telephone Number: _________________________________________

High School Address: __________________________________________________

College/University/Trade School Name and Address:

__________________________________________________________

How did you hear about the Hamilton Relay Scholarship?

__________________________________________________________

The $500 scholarship is intended for a graduating senior who is Deaf, Hard of Hearing or Speech Disabled. Please indicate your position.

Deaf ___________ Hard of Hearing ___________ Speech Disabled __________

Essay (Limit one page): Please write a short essay answering the question below:

What communication technology/capability would you like to
have that is not available to you today (i.e., not yet in existence)?

List clubs, sports, organizations, community service and activities that you have been involved in during your high school years:

__________________________________________________________

Work Experience:

__________________________________________________________

Please list the schools you have applied to/been accepted for admission:

__________________________________________________________

Please read before submitting your scholarship application: By submitting this application, I certify that the information contained therein is correct to the best of my ability and understand that false information or omission of data may result in denial of my application. I will provide all materials to the Hamilton Relay scholarship committee to be postmarked by March 31, 2010. If chosen for the Hamilton Relay $500 Scholarship award, I agree to complete the Scholarship Recipient’s Agreement Form and return it to Hamilton Relay. I understand that if I do not comply with this requirement, my scholarship funds will be awarded to the selected alternate.

Signed: _________________________________________ Date: _______________

______ I have included a letter of recommendation from staff at my
High School or place of Employment.

______ I have included the Application Form with one page Essay.

Please return the required materials by mail on or before March 31, 2010 (application must be postmarked by this date) to:

Hamilton Relay Scholarship Committee
Hamilton Relay
1001 12th Street
Aurora, NE 68818

Application may also be submitted by email to: scholarship@hamiltonrelay.com. E-mail applications must be received by Midnight of the Time Zone in the state in which you reside. Important: If submitting via email, you must still mail the hard copy originals of your application to the Hamilton Relay scholarship office for our files within 10 days.

No related posts.

What’s so great about happy?

Genevieve Hinson — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 18:55:17 +0000

Happy. What is up with this one emotion that is valued above and beyond all others? And when did we get suckered into using it as a benchmark of success in our lives?

Even more boggling, nowadays, moms and dads are responsible for their kid’s maintained level of euphoria. Why else would so many parenting magazines publish articles like “10 ways to raise a happy child?”

This leads me to envision a Corporate Happy™ happily crunching numbers and generating statistics to grade families on their smile-value™. Those who excel get to slap on a happy-face™ badge of approval. Oh, imagine the catty mom cliques that would form. Because you know, those Smiths next door are only rated a 3 on the happy-scale™. What’s the neighborhood coming to with those not-smiley-enough™ kids are allowed to race the sidewalks on their Big Wheels?

Listen up folks, happy is a feeling. It’s merely one emotional color in the spectrum. And yes, it’s a great one but so are contentment, satisfaction, anticipation, courage and optimism. Of course, I don’t enjoy melancholy, rage, frustration, envy or anxiety any more than the next sleep-deprived caffeine-seeking mom.

What I’m saying it’s my duty to love, feed, clothe and educate my child. It’s not my responsibility to make sure they’re happy. That’s on them.

And that’s exactly what I told my precocious 6-year-old son when he wanted me to switch out his video game for the umpteenth time this weekend.

“But Mom, it would make me super happy!”

“Not happening. Go outside and play,” I responded.

“Awwww man, you make me super sad now.” He crossed his arms, pouted and flashed his wide-eyed, and practiced, I’m-heartbroken-don’t-you-love-me-single-tear-streaming-down-cheek look. (Remember the cat in Shrek 2, Puss in Boots? Yeah, this is the real-life human child version of that and, like the cartoon character, stops most folks in their tracks. But not mom.)

“Mmm, yeah. Not my problem, go play.”

Of course, I will guide my children through difficult issues, sadness, conflict or other troubling emotions when needed. It’s my intent to always have a hug, shoulder, listening ear, and, if called for, sage advice available. However, it’s my child who will experience the emotions first-hand. He or she will take the lumps and the bumps, and feel the joys and triumphs. I can’t do that for them, even if I wanted to.

A lesson I’ve tried to impart on my family: If you’re sad, be sad. Don’t purposely wallow, but do accept and experience it. That emotion may be uncomfortable, but it should be respected because it’s valid.

This is life. Some of it sucks, but don’t rush, shove down or ignore the hurt to get to happy.

As Lisa Boyles, author of “The Moms’ House” and the inspiration for this post, said, “You can’t keep out the unpleasant feelings without keeping all of the emotions out.”
As a parent, I believe it’s important to be an example of how to really feel and validate emotions. Or more to the point, as Debra Legg, author of 9to5to9, commented on Lisa’s post, “… acknowledge the bumps.”

Smiles, laughter and cheer shouldn’t be the measuring stick for life, career and parental success.

There’s more to life than happy. So much more.

31 Days of Aries: Your chance to win free books–and maybe an iPod Touch

Genevieve Hinson — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 23:37:03 +0000

The Aries Rising Blog Tour & Book Giveaway continues through March 31. Destinations will be posted daily, and a free copy of Aries Rising will be given away at each one. At the conclusion of the tour, a drawing will be held for an iPod Touch. No purchase is necessary.

You can enter as often as you wish, and you can qualify in three ways.

1. Be an Aries. Just send your birth date (month and day) to starcrossed.contest@gmail.com.

2. Write a review and post it anywhere. Send the link to the same address. (More work, I know, and I appreciate all of you who have taken the time to spread the word about my astro series).

3. Post a fan badge on your Facebook page and send the link to above address.

On each entry, include your name, address, e-mail, and phone number where you can be reached March 31.

Author Interview: "Surviving the Cancer System"

Genevieve Hinson — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 07:28:29 +0000

Interview with Dr. Fesen about his book “Surviving the Cancer System.”

Inner Ear Jam with Jay McElroy

Genevieve Hinson — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 07:22:13 +0000

Jay McElroy performs during the January 2010 Inner Ear Jam at Full Circle Brewery in Fresno.

Inner Ear Jam with this one guy

Genevieve Hinson — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 07:17:31 +0000

This one guy performs during the January 2010 Inner Ear Jam at Full Circle Brewery in Fresno.