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And now for something completely different. At C. Crane we love radio and
radio history. So we thought, what better way to share that with you,
our readers, than to seek out some of the most interesting people in
the history of radio, talk with them, and share with you their experiences
and insights. And today we've decided to begin with one of the most
compelling, energetic - some might even say frantic - personalities
in the radio biz - Michael Harrison. The founder and editor of Talkers
Magazine, Mr. Harrison does the impossible every year by getting together
radio hosts, program directors, radio executives and radio aficionados
- assembling them in one place, and giving them a chance to talk (and
sometimes scream) at each other. It's an intimidating event, and just
the thought of such a colossal task can numb most minds - but not Michael
Harrison. He relishes in it - and he thrives in the contagious energy
of these Talkers Conventions. And there's no doubt that these conventions
have made a major impact on radio in the US - especially when you consider
that recent keynote speakers have included the incomparable G. Gordon
Liddy, and the soon-to-be-president George W. Bush. So, without further
ado, we invite you to share in the pleasure of learning about radio
through a person who's been there, done that, and will surely continue
to be there for years to come: The Radio Maverick, Michael Harrison.
(You can learn more about Talkers at their Web site, www.talkers.com.)
Enjoy.
You're called a Radio Maverick - what does that mean to you?
"I'm not certain if I really am a maverick in the literal sense (meaning
not being part of any organized or established group or party) because
I do work within the mainstream of the industry and am involved with
its biggest players. However, I have always believed in the individual
and in being as independent as possible. I am not a fan of what is
called "conventional wisdom" and I don't like to appease bean counters.
Working on the leading edge of movements in which I'm involved and
paving new ground has marked my career. When scenes become too commercial
or corporate, I might stick around a while to make money, but my heart
moves on to something else. In cases in which I've failed it has been
because I've been too early on trends that eventually came around.
I've NEVER been too late. Of course, the key is to be right on time.
Fortunately, that was the case with TALKERS magazine."
When you started Talkers, in 1990, what did you have in mind?
"I wanted to start a trade publication that would fan the sparks of what
I saw as the beginning the whole talk radio explosion about to come.
As early as the mid-seventies I had a feeling that the nineties were
going to be the decade of talk radio. This was a matter of intuition
mixed with trend projection. TALKERS was designed to serve the industry
by explaining it in intelligent, knowing terms. Many trade publications
don't really understand the nitty gritty of their fields and you can
tell that the people writing for them never worked in the business
they're covering. This has not been the case with TALKERS magazine.
Also, I wanted the publication to encourage a sense of community within
the talk business. Finally, I wanted to have it promote talk radio
to the rest of the world (outside of radio) as a force to be reckoned
with. No doubt, these goals have been accomplished and then some."
In your estimation, what's the future of radio?
"In the short term -- meaning the next decade or so -- it will basically
remain the same. The big changes of the modern era are those that have
already been inflicted by consolidation over the past five years and
they are probably irreparable. Radio was better when it was owned by
a larger number of small companies but there's little we can do about
that now. In terms of the long haul - I see something along the lines
of wireless internet being a standard band on your average "radio" opening
up infinite worldwide variety on a convenient level to the average
person and markedly devaluating what is known in the business as the "stick" (the
standard broadcasting station licensed by the FCC to serve a particular
market on the AM and FM bands, delivered through the air via a transmitter)."
What's your first memory of radio?
"I grew up in New York in the fifties, so I heard some really historic
radio. No doubt, my first major memory and earliest influence was the
great Alan Freed on WINS during the dawn of rock 'n' roll."
What got you interested in working in the radio industry?
"Many things. First, I loved listening to radio and popular music. Second,
I was mystified by the "magic" of radio. I would sit at night and try
to pick up AM stations from all over the country. Third, I had a predisposition
toward being in show business and radio is a very accessible form of
it. If it were as easy to break into the movies, I might have gone
in that direction."
How many years have you been working in radio?
"Since 1967, my second year of college."
What's your favorite food?
"The kind that encourages thought."
Do you have one experience that defines your career in radio?
"No. Just the opposite. I have had a hyperactive career that has taken place
on multiple parallel tracks. I've been editor, publisher, columnist
or consultant with four major trade publications (Radio & Records,
Billboard, Goodphone Weekly, and TALKERS magazine). I've been a rock
'n' roll disc jockey at major stations on both coasts. I've been program
director at four major market stations. I've owned and operated a radio
station in Springfield, Massachusetts. I've produced hundreds of hours
of syndicated music and/or talk programming for almost all the major
networks. I served as a talk show host in Los Angeles for 10 years.
And I've organized and presented at least 15 national radio conventions.
Each of these compartments, if you will, in my career has offered me
enough key experiences to write a book. I cannot think of one experience
that represents or defines my career."
What motivates you to keep working with the radio industry?
"It's great to be able to make money while being creative. Also, I enjoy
and care about the people with whom my work brings me in contact. Finally,
I stay in the business because of sheer momentum. There's so much happening
in my world it would be hard to get off a moving train. We're already
planning next year's convention."
Do you think radio tends more towards reflecting public opinion or directing it?
"This is an extremely philosophical question that is at the basis of the
most important theory the true thinkers in our business ponder daily.
The simplest answer I can give you: a delicate and fragile balance
between both. They play off with each other in a sort of dance."
When do you usually listen to radio?
"All the time. Sometimes, even when I am sleeping."
To view our past articles, please visit our What's in the News Archives.
As always, please contact us with any comments or
article suggestions you might have.
If you are interested in using C. Crane's articles on your own Web site,
please let me know. I'd be happy to take a look at your Web site and
see what we can do. Good-bye for now, Carlos. About
the author
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