Terry

Radio - What Happened?

News EN ↓ 40 episodes

A look at the rise and fall of commercial radio, seen from the eyes of two baby boomers. Terry Bettis and Jim Christoferson both worked in local radio for years, in small to large markets. Their experience allows others to see what they see -- a virtual WKRP in every market across the country. Personalities, promotions, formats, actual air checks of the nation's top radio stations of the last 60 years -- all facets are talked about, listened to, and discussed in this weekly podcast.

Be sure to visit the podcast's website and support the creator: www.whathappenedtoradio.com

Author

Terry

Episodes

Episode #15: Interview with Lisa Orkin, daughter of the great Dick Orkin -- with samples of radio spots and an episode of Chickenman! 22.06.2020 28:20

This week, we have the pleasure of talking with Lisa Orkin, the daughter of one of radio's greatest creative minds ever! Plus, she's shared a couple of great radio commercials that her current company produced, as well as a full episode of Chickenman! Plus, we have a winner! Yes, Stephen Bailey correctly guessed all 10 songs in our montage. Congratulations!

Episode #14: Interview with Sean Ross, editor of the Ross On Radio Newsletter - and Lost Songs of the 70's and 80's! Plus, our first contest -- see if you can name all these songs! 08.06.2020 31:52

This week, we talk to Sean Ross, the editor of the Ross On Radio Newsletter. Sean worked with R&R from '83 to '87, then was the radio editor for Billboard from '88 to '93. For the last 15 years, he's been the VP of music and programming for Edison Research, as well as the author of the Ross on Radio Newsletter. He's come up with a list of "LOST SONGS"...

Episode #13: Who came up with "Top 40"? Todd Storz or Gordon Mclendon? Find our in this week's episode. Plus a fantastic "Top 40" aircheck from KTLK in Denver. 22.05.2020 21:21

Two men are basically credited with the beginning of "Top 40" radio. One came up with the format, and the other branded it. Find out who did what, in Episode #13. And we have a great aircheck from 1974 -- KTLK in Denver. Wow, this guy "Big Ron O'Brien" is fantastic. Lots of energy -- typical of top 40 stations.

Episode #12: Interview with Dan O'Day, of O'Bits and O'Liners fame. Plus a recording of John Records Landecker's first words on radio, back in 1963. And finally, air checks of Rick Dees and Jay Thomas back in the early 70's. 07.05.2020 33:33

This week, we talk to Dan O'Day! Lots of dj's will remember O'Bits and O'Liners that he started back in the mid 70's in Radio & Records Magazine. His website is chock full of airchecks, sound bits, books and more -- all about radio, voice work, being a personality and more. Plus, we hear John "Records" Landecker and his first words on radio back in 1965,...

Episode #11: Part 2 of our interview with the Great Bobby Ocean -- An air check from the first week of BOSS RADIO at KHJ in '65 -- and more talk about the Brinkley Act and how it's come back into the news. 29.04.2020 35:39

This week, we finish our talk with Bobby Ocean, one of the great announcers of our time. We also have an air check of the first week of BOSS RADIO, at KHJ, Los Angeles in 1965. And we resume a conversation about the Brinkley Act, first enacted by the US Government back in 1934 -- and how it's back in the news, thanks to Ted Cruz, Senator from Texas. Thanks for all the listeners, and as usua...

Episode #10 -- Conversation with Kris Abrams - Operations Manager for Cumulus/Albuquerque 22.04.2020 23:58

This week we talk to Kris Abrams about how radio stations are changing the way they communicate to their audience during the CoVid pandemic. Hope you enjoy this conversation, and please share with anyone who might be interested. We continue to look for air checks of radio stations from any market in the country. Please email them to: radiowhathappened@gmail.com

Episode #9 -- Our interview with the great Bobby Ocean -- and air checks from two stations he worked at, KFRC in San Franciso and KHJ in Los Angeles! 14.04.2020 28:51

This week, we air Part 1 of our incredible interview with Bobby Ocean. He discusses his first jobs in radio (and why he was fired!), his introduction to"Boss Radio" as well as what he used to make sure he "hit the post". Enjoy Part 1 -- and please continue to share. People all over the country would like to hear this guy's stories.

Episode #8: Tribute to New York City -- Wolfman Jack, Howard Stern, Cousin Brucie and more! 10.04.2020 30:34

This week, we pay tribute to the city hit hardest by CoVid-19, New York City. Airchecks of 5 of the greatest dj's of all time: Dan Ingram, Cousin Brucie, Don Imus, Wolfman Jack (yes he worked in New York City) and the incredible Howard Stern. And, as always....Gary Owens brings us our sponsors for the week and a couple of vintage radio commercials to sweeten the pot. Hope you enjoy -- and...

Episode #7: Stories of call letters, Sound from Mexico radio stations, and talk about the effect of the Coronavirus on the radio industry. 01.04.2020 27:53

This week we travel south of the border to listen to some power house radio stations in Mexico, including some Wolfman Jack. Some were broadcasting with 250,000 watts! We also talk about the coronavirus effect on radio listening. Is it up or down? Enjoy!

Episode #6: Aircheck from WQXI in Atlanta, KNOW in Austin, and from our own Jim Christoferson in LA back in the 70's! 24.03.2020 17:28

This week, we have three air checks for you. WQXI in Atlanta (did you know that WKRP was inspired by this radio station?!?), KNOW in Austin, Texas and a clip from LA back in the late 70's with our own Jim Christoferson. Enjoy, and thanks again for sharing.

Episode #5: Great Conversation with John Fletcher, a quick story about George Carlin and an air check from KLIF, Dallas! 16.03.2020 19:45

In this episode we talk with John Fletcher, veteran radio broadcaster from Texas, whose father hired George Carlin to work the night shift -- but there's more to the story! Plus, another fabulous air check, this time from KLIF in Dallas, a station that at one time had over a 50 share of the market! What a great station!

Episode #4: Unbelievable ratings for a morning show, Gary Owen, and air check from WLS! 09.03.2020 25:13

Our first interview is with three guys who achieved unbelievable ratings for their Morning Show back in the '80's in Abilene, Texas. While other stations were fighting for 8's, 9's, 10's, etc -- these guys pulled a 44 Share in a market of about a dozen signals! Plus, our usual sponsor mentions brought to you by Gary Owens, and an air check from one of the greatest radio...

Episode #3: Gary Owens, WCFL & Dick Biondi and more conversation with Jim & Terry 03.03.2020 21:39

This week, we talk about call letters, the FCC (!) and heart some 1971 radio with Dick Biondi of WCFL.

Episode #2: Gary Owens, Chickenman and WRKO/Boston 24.02.2020 18:00

This week, we have a little bit more from Gary Owens, and his time with the Armed Forces Radio Network. Plus, a listen to the beginning of a great comedy series from Dick Orkin, "Chickenman!" And, lastly, an air check of the great WRKO in Boston. Enjoy!

Episode #1: What Happened to Radio? 17.02.2020 33:52

Welcome to Episode #1 of "Radio: What Happened?" Terry Bettis and Jim Christoferson discuss all the changes in radio over the past 60 years, including ownership, music formats, personalities, promotions, and more. We'll also highlight one radio station from the past each week with a air check from the 60's or 70's. This week -- KOMA in Oklahoma City.