20 Years--Radio Memories

 

This year marks my 20th year as a professional writer. Over the course of 2024, I'll be sharing a few of those offerings you may have missed along the way.

This is an excerpt from my book The Radio Producer's Handbook. It's about something that happened 36 years ago this week. It provides a good lesson to the other radio producers of the world. After you read it, I'm sure I don't need to tell you what that lesson is.

This excerpt from "The Radio Producer's Handbook" details the single worst moment of my broadcasting career. It shaped me for years to come...

Depending on the number of shows on your station, the secret in-studio phone number (commonly called the hotline) may not exactly be a secret. During the 1988 presidential election, Michael Dukakis was in Chicago attending a fundraiser. One of the writers of this book (OK—it was Rick) had unsuccessfully attempted to get him on the show he was producing.

As the traffic reporter was discussing the traffic created by the Dukakis motorcade, the hotline rang. It was someone claiming to be in the limo with Dukakis. He said that Dukakis wanted to get on the air to let Chicago know he was sorry for the traffic delay. Because Rick had made several calls to the Dukakis campaign, he believed the caller.

The hosts (Steve Dahl & Garry Meier) were pleasantly flattered that a presidential candidate would be calling the show, and they believed it too. However, about three seconds into the Dukakis call it became obvious that isn’t wasn’t Dukakis. It was a hoax. If Rick had insisted on speaking to Dukakis himself on the phone before he told the host, the entire situation could have been avoided.

I was lucky that Steve & Garry made a bit out of my stupidity that day. The show wasn't ruined (only my reputation was). However, that moment also turned me into a different producer. I vowed never to let anything like that ever happen again.

About a month later when Steve & Garry were at a live broadcast somewhere, the hotline rang again. I was back at the studio running the controls.

"Hey, who's this?" the caller asked.

"Who's this?" I challenged.

"It's Jim Belushi," he said.

"Right."

"No, really. It's me. Jim Belushi."

"Yeah, and I'm Michael Dukakis."

I hung up on him. He sounded like an imposter to me.

About twenty minutes later I was listening off the air to Steve and Garry during a commercial break. (The sound still came back to the studio, but it wasn't going over the air).

"Hey Garry," Steve said. "Look, it's Jim Belushi."

"Hey guys," Belushi said. "I tried to call you at the station to find out the address of this place, and some guy hung up on me."

Sigh.

I got much better with experience, but every time I hear someone mention the names Michael Dukakis or Jim Belushi the hair still stands up on my neck.

And it's been over 35 years.

***

A few historical notes.

This week in 1991 (November 5), I returned to produce the Steve & Garry show for the last time. (It was the third time they asked me back after someone else hadn't worked out).

This week in 2013 (November 9), Steve and Garry were inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame. Garry attended the ceremony. Steve did not.

20 Years: The Radio Producer's Handbook

 

This year marks my 20th year as a professional writer. Over the course of 2024, I'll be sharing a few of those offerings you may have missed along the way.

The official start of my professional writing career was the publication of my first book, The Radio Producer's Handbook, co-written with John Swanson in 2004. It was a huge hit. At one point it was being used in 65 universities around the country. You'll be hard pressed to find a radio station that doesn't have it in their station's library.

Here are some of the reviews from pros in the media when the book first came out...

RADIO PERSONALITIES


JOHN RECORDS LANDECKER, Legendary Radio Personality, (WIBG, WLS, CFTR, WJMK, and many other stations.)
"Rick Kaempfer was my executive producer for ten years. I’ve had marriages that didn’t last that long. By the end of our long run together, if Rick wasn’t with me in the studio, the show didn’t feel right to me. His co-author John Swanson is another producer I’ve gotten to know over the years. I’ve worked him on select occasions and I greatly respect his abilities. Just look at their collective resumes. In addition to working with me, the two of them have produced for the biggest radio stars in Chicago over the past twenty years, including Jonathon Brandmeier, Steve Dahl and Garry Meier, Kevin Matthews, Steve Cochran, and Eric and Kathy (John’s current job). If these guys tell you this is how to produce a radio show, this is how to produce a radio show. It’s as simple as that."



ERIC FERGUSON AND KATHY HART, Co-hosts of the Eric and Kathy Show on WTMX-Chicago.
"Rick and John have put together the 'must-have' producer handbook. Any success we've enjoyed can be directly attributable to guidance given in these pages."
--Eric

"A must have for anyone in the business or considering the business."
--Kathy



STEVE COCHRAN, Mid-day host on WGN Radio

"Read, learn, and do what's in this book and you will be prepared to do a great show everyday. You also will be able to take care of any lazy, no-good talent in the biz--not that I know anyone like that."




SPIKE MANTON, Radio personality, Playwright, and Comedian


"The first training manual for radio producers from someone who has done the job. Rick Kaempfer is the best producer in America. You can guess how to do the job, or you can read the book.”




DOBIE MAXWELL, Comedian and radio personality in four time zones

"This book is so dead on and packed with useful information that I think they ought to be made required reading by the FCC for anyone who buys a radio station. It's a great resource to have for anyone who is serious about winning in the radio game."



BOB DEARBORN, Legendary radio personality and programmer
"You're way too modest. This is no mere handbook. This is the Radio Producer's BIBLE! And it's not just for the novice producer. The book is an invaluable read for ANYone in radio who wants a better understanding of what it takes to succeed in today's highly competitive marketplace. Even old dogs like me who've been kickin' around this business for more than 40 years can learn new tricks from this excellent book."

TV & RADIO CRITICS

TED COX, TV & Radio critic, The Daily Herald

"Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in the industry."




ROBERT FEDER, TV & Radio Critic, The Chicago Sun-Times

"The definitive guide. The perfect primer."





PAIGE WISER, Columnist, The Chicago Sun-Times
"This book proves that there's no such thing as 'easy listening' on the radio -- at least not behind the scenes. But the authors show how this tricky business can be navigated with a minimum of difficulty (and a sense of humor)."



TELEVISION PERSONALITIES

BOB SIROTT, Anchor, WMAQ-TV, Channel 5 in Chicago.
"The complete and definitive manual on how to produce today's radio shows. In fact, radio and TV on-air personalities could learn a thing or two here as well. And I'm giving each of the producers of our television program this book too."


ANDY SHAW, News Reporter WLS-Television, Chicago
"A wonderful book by a couple of well respected Chicago radio producers. I've gotta tell you, it's the most interesting and best written technical manual you're likely to come across. "


RABBI DOUG of Chicagoland TV's: "TAPED with... Rabbi Doug"
"A clear explanation of the the radio industry behind the scenes, by two true professionals who really know the business!"



OTHER RADIO PRODUCERS, CURRENT AND FORMER


JIM WISER, Executive Producer of the Spike O'Dell Show, WGN Radio
"This is a book that should've been written years ago. It was well worth the wait."


JIMMY "Mac" McINERNEY, Production Director, 105.9 WCKG FM (Former producer of Kevin Matthews & Jonathon Brandmeier)
"After 16 straight years in 'The Biz,' I still actually find the info in the handbook indispensable. Real advice and scenarios from real radio professionals. If you are just entering the radio business, read this book. I teach broadcast students on the side and I make the book required reading. Many have used the information to propel themselves into a full time radio career...And then they recommend the book to their peers! Even if radio is not your desired profession, the stories and situations presented in this book make for interesting reading. A no-nonsense 'Behind the scenes' look at the radio business and a valuable source of education."


TOM SERITELLA, Long-time sports producer and programmer, WLUP, ESPN
"This is a true-to-life book written by a true-to-life producer(s). The ups and downs of producing radio are covered by two producers I'm proud to say taught me the meaning of work ethic, 100% accuracy and tolerance."


TOM SOCHOWSKI, Former producer WJMK, WCKG, ESPN.
"The most comprehensive book about how to become a successful producer in a major radio market. If you follow the advice in the book, success will follow you."



RADIO EXECUTIVES


GREG SOLK, VP of Programming for Bonneville Broadcasting
"Rick Kaempfer and John Swanson are at the top of a very short list of 'difference making' radio producers. In this book they give us the secrets to their considerable success, and it's my hope that it helps a whole new generation of radio producers create the kind of quality radio that Rick and John have been producing for the past twenty years."

DAN KELLY, Operations/Program Director, WMMQ-FM/WJIM-FM, Citadel/Lansing, MI
"I passed the book along to one of my “I’ve been through it all and know it all” morning air talents. After getting a cold stare from him he came back after a few days (just this last week) and thought it was one of the best morning show books ever written – and not only suggested additional copies for the other members of his show – but also copies for every air talent on the station. So this morning, I ordered another ten from Amazon – and when they arrive I’ll pass them out at an airstaff meeting - with the suggestion that if reading this book bores you, you ought to find a new line of work. Thanks for putting a great book together."


KIPPER McGEE, Program Director, WLS-Radio
"To have so much solid, useable info and helpful 'how-to' tips in one handy resource is invaluable. All the great war stories and examples by experience are an added plus. This book should be in every producer's arsenal."


LISA PIOVOSI, Marketing Director
"The Radio Producer's Handbook is fabulous! So informative, interesting, funny and easy to read. The book is of course great for people just starting to embark on their careers in radio, as they will learn a ton from the experience of the authors. But it's also great for those of us in the radio industry as well... I was in radio for five years and was completely entertained with the book.. and even learned some interesting tidbits along the way. A must read!"


LEN O'KELLY, WRLL Radio

"I've recommended the book to students I've worked with. It gives a very realistic picture of the radio industry - warts and all. There's valuable insight in it for seasoned pros as well."






OTHERS

RICK'S MOTHER (HILDEGARD), RICK'S SISTER (CINDY), RICK'S BROTHER (Peter) 


"I haven't read it."
--Hildegard


"I really should read that some time."
--Cindy

"Rick? Doesn't ring a bell."
--Peter

Eckhartz Everyday

 *On this day in 2004, I became an author for the first time for my book The Radio Producer's Handbook (written with John Swanson). Bill Zwecker interviewed Swany & I in the Chicago Sun Times.

*On this day in 2015, Pat Colander had the release party for her book Hugh Hefner's First Funeral. Photos are here if you'd like to see them.

*Author Jason Coles released his sneaker book on this day in 2016. That inspired Eckhartz Press author Ryan Trembath to write his book Signature Shoes. Coles even provided a blurb for it...

• “From the very first to the very latest, they’re all here, every single signature sneaker that you need to know about. In Signature Shoes, Ryan Trembath explores the symbiotic relationship between signature sneakers and the athletes who wore them, and reveals in delicious detail how they changed popular culture. A treat for sports nuts, sneakerheads and fashionistas alike.”

  --Jason Coles, Author of "Golden Kicks: The Shoes That Changed Sport."
• 
  
  
  

Eckhartz Everyday

 *Today is the birthday of Eckhartz Press author Lee Kingsmill (Safe Inside). Happy birthday Lee! To read our Q&A with him, click here.

*On this day in 2005, I appeared on Taped with Rabbi Doug, a local Chicago cable television show. Yikes was I young. 

*

Eckhartz Everyday

 

*On this day in 2014, Chicago broadcasting icon Joel Daly got the first copy of his Eckhartz Press book The Daly News. This is the photo we took of him at his favorite breakfast joint, the day he got the book. Dave and I had breakfast with Joel at this place in Western Springs every other month from the day his book was published until just a few months before his death. Great guy. We loved him.

*Today is Alice Cooper's birthday. Alice is featured in Bobby Skafish's book We Have Company. He's also featured in my book The Radio Producer's Handbook, and in the pages of Father Knows Nothing, I rewrote the words to "Schools Out" to more appropriately convey the subject from the parent's point of view.

The Radio Producer's Handbook

A few weeks ago Radio Hall of Famer Scott Shannon posted a picture on Twitter of someone holding the book "The Radio Producer's Handbook". It's kept in their station lobby and green room as reading material. I retweeted that and was sent a bunch of messages from other radio stations around the country that also use that book.

Last night I got my royalty check for the past six months. People are still buying it.

It came out ten years ago this month. All I can say is--thanks so much for your support!

The Radio Producer's Handbook...in India?

You just never know where you'll inspire someone. This article comes from The Hindu, a publication in India. (Not joking)

The Radio Producer’s Handbook by Rick Kaempfer looked Sachin Tantry in the eye almost a decade ago. He tuned into the world of sound and worked with Radio Mirchi. College beckoned and he returned to the classroom, this time, as professor of communication at Jain University.

The thirty-year-old now divides time between Manipal University Bangalore campus, Avagmah B School and Centre for Management & Entrepreneurship, NMKRV College, Center for Management Studies, Sri Sri Center for Media Studies School of Commerce and Management Studies, various corporates and his alma mater Jain University, disseminating gyaan on Media Ethics and Radiogiri.