How It Got Started

"I could do that..." I'd find myself saying, when listening to the Radio or watching TV when I was younger. Yes, they had TV back then... and it was Really different.  Most of what passes for entertainment now would have Never been allowed on TV or Radio.  It was just More creative.  Maybe it was because the Early Days of Radio, that led to TV, was so Theatre of the Mind.  When you'd listen, You would see the program.  That was because the Writing AND Acting was so strong... and not just set up and boom, another in Your Face crotch joke. Thanks Drew. Sure, sex sells.  It's just that when you followed along with the story-line or plot, it, sex, sold in a totally different way.  You knew.  It wasn't necessary to Say It to understand it. (Even the classic music of the 50s-70s sold sex with a wink... that's why it still stands. Not like the here, let me just tell you what I mean to your face, with stolen hooks, stuff that plays now... sigh, OK I'm better now.  Some of it's not bad.  Like the Black Keys...now, where was I...) If you look at the transition of, say, Radio Drama to the Big Screen to TV you will notice how well it worked.  Take Orson Wells.  When he panicked the Nation with War of the Worlds he had the finest team of writers, actors and production team ever. When they moved from Radio to the Stage, they moved audiences the same way they did on Radio.  Maybe more. Visual is so stimulating... and they proved it when everything Orson's troupe, the Mercury Players, went to Hollywood.  Wells movies still hold You.  The lack of this same creative process is possible why everything seems to be heading to 3D.  Anyway, getting back on my thoughts about Why I did what I did for so long is simple.  I felt I learned from the best.  The timing of Jack Benny, Bob Hope in the early radio years to Steve Allen, Bob Crane, Johnny Carson to the era of the Boss Jocks and Progressive FM-ers.  I Loved It All.  And besides the On Air Talent, there was ALL that great music!!  I was hooked.  So while working on a piece work job(paid for what you made)at a small shop in the City of Lomita, the announcement came on Our Station that we listened to on the Slab(work area). KNAC, Long Beach announced they were going to have a Disc Jockey Derby.  After hearing this, my friend Derek said to me, sarcastically... "Hey Jeff... You could do that!!" then smiling.  I, ah, saluted him.. if you follow me... and said, "Ya, I could"  And I did.  More to come....

It All Started

Years ago, as a child, that loved Comedy.  Especially those that delivered it.  The way their stories just rolled off their tongues... and how they pulled you into their situation.  And, of course, the Big Payoff... The Joke. Made your Life seem better.  Knowing that someone else may experience the same things as You.  And that their outlook... whatever life moment it was... was easier to swallow with Humor.  It just didn't matter as much when you are laughing.  Knowing, they know, How Ridiculous they made it All seem.  And the best in the business seem to hone their Craft in one area.  Radio.  More to come....