Musings for the week of July 26th

…random musings having just arrived back from NM HQ wondering…



Why in the hell did I head back to such hot and humid weather in Texas….crazy heat….


…for those that wonder about my obsession with NM…former boss at Drake-Chenault Bill Sanders reminded me that “if you go through a pair of shoes you’re stuck for life”….so dang true….


…another is headlines way above the fold like this one last Saturday morning from the ABQ Journal…”Gov. Weighs Pardon for Billy the Kid”…c’mon…you’re paper got that one?


..my pal and world speed golf record holder (shot 65 in a little over 44 minutes!...yep, while running…no cart!) Christopher Smith reminded me that I play best when I play fast…his book “99 Swing Thoughts and Hitting the Ball Isn’t One of Them” is a terrific read….I once saw him shoot 75 in like 47 minutes…took a little longer because the speed golfer in front of him had bronchitis and slowed him down!....check him out at www.ChristopherSmithGolf.com


…Dave Van Dyke’s Bridge Ratings just completed a great study showing the radio consumer’s internet interest and how radio delivers on that interest…really, really is a must read. www.bridgeratings.com


..personal note…my nephew recently returned from Afghanistan….career soldier (like his dad) and after three tours of Iraq and now Afghanistan has decided to retire this Fall. One of my heroes and one of many of our soldiers who help provide our freedom every day…welcome CSM Brian Lambert…ready for the party!


…music notes…my favorite country song of the summer so far is “Lover, Lover”—Jerrod Nieman….so Katy Perry hears “New York State of Mind” and thinks Tupac wouldn’t be happy…so she writes “California Gurls” and it becomes of the hottest summer anthems….neat song…if you get a second you have to hear Natalie Merchant sing “If I Only Had a Brain”…(side note: not as cool as my pal Danny Duffy’s version but pretty dang neat!)…


..entering dog days of sports coverage in Dallas….Rangers playing their asses off and every story is about the Cowboys and that knucklehead Dez Bryant..and being a fan of the E-A-G-L-E-S!...well yanno….


--smart move by Apple on the bumpers for the iP4…and quick…already got the credit on my card


…so my kid brother has decided to blog…he’s funny as hell and trust me when I tell you he has a “different” view of the world…great brother, great dad, crappy golfer….enjoy the read…I did. http://genelambert.blogspot.com/


..one of my very best friends, Don Wasley, has one of the great marketing minds in the world…worked with him @ Casablanca Records and saw his handiwork at LA Gear and Skechers…great track record and loves to do one-off projects….looking for a different way to market and connect? DoooDaaa@aol.com


…I never say it or mention it enough but my wife Terry Lynn is one of the most amazing people on the planet…smart, compassionate, fun and funny…and has an amazing knack of reading the minds of our entire crew of horses, dogs and cats…and me always! Gotta love a woman who drives a ¾ ton diesel truck everyday…


…working on the final touches of my updated web site tonight…it will have opt in options for this blog, etc…..only two people so far think these musings are nonsense and have opted out…encouraging to me but then I’m not sure what the percentages are for this sort of thing…learning as I go….


…okay…Arizona takes heat for immigration laws while neighboring states NM is “requiring illegal immigrants and other foreign nationals seeking driver’s licenses to make appointments at a MVD office rather than walking in at anytime for the transactions”….will the current DOJ file suit for inconveniencing these folks?


…having satellite TV in both places (TX & NM) I can officially state that Dish sucks….thrilled that ESPNU is now bundled near the other ESPN channels so I can easily remember to watch and listen to the best syndicated sports show on the radio “The Herd with Colin Cowherd”….never ever a bad listen…just loving listening to Greggo Williams back on the air in DFW…Mark Levin never waivers in his beliefs and is a great listen…


…great to catch-up with friend and affiliate relations pro Dennis Green, EVP over at WW1…ditto Red Zebra CEO Bruce Gilbert….blast from the past as Cleveland guy Max Heywood checks in…Max was part of the lineup of extraordinary talent I had the pleasure of working with at WGCL…Tim “The Birdman” Byrd, Sue O’Neal, Jeff Gerber, JJ Jackson, Dude Walker, Bob Travis, Lee “Baby” Simms, Bob Gott…and many more…


…sooooo great to see the CBS stations back in the mix for the Marconi’s…I’ve always had trouble with these awards…it’s never been the best station but the best NAB member station….so it goes but CBS is back and perennial nominee 77KKOB is back for another run at station of the year….


…I believe that ask.com is onto something here…Ask.com will launch a social network Tuesday that allows people to poll the community for the best possible answer. The engine hopes to tap into the approximate 87 million people visiting the search engine monthly. The project has been in the works for seven months…..


…for those of you who have been holding out on the iP4 for the white version…Apple has announced that it has run into manufacturing delays on the white version of the iPhone 4 and that shipments will be delayed "until later this year." Some Apple watchers, however, say they think the delay could have something to do with the device's much-hyped antenna problems…


..Thanks for reading and have a great week….trust me, you’ll be able to sign up or opt out stating next week….----tjl

Musings for the Week of July 19th

Musing while watching the afternoon thunderstorms roll into and toward the NM HQ office….and wondering..



…how a person wakes up one morning and says…”gee, let me hide 18 monkeys under my clothes and head to the airport to fly out of here..” and then is amazed when stopped at a Mexican airport security checkpoint…swear…true story….and not a morning show stunt…we think…Les Nessman investigating….


Terrific dinner with Cumulus execs John Dickey (more energy than me I swear), Jan Jeffries and Gary Klein….what a terrific night of idea sharing and a little visit to the way back machine to my days in the record biz….


One of the longest running confabs, The Conclave, headed by old friend Tom Kay keeps chugging along…and attendance in a tough environment up 60%...greats panels and great learning…and..


….a revealed rift amongst broadcasters about the PRA…Bonneville and Saga heads differ in opinion…I’ve said it for a long time…if radio wasn’t so important to the record companies success why spend a gazillion dollars chasing airplay with promotion departments?...


…yep, gotta have it….the MODU phone…way small and way cool….phone, text and 2 gig of memory….soon in the states and the next generation of radio listeners will be early adopters…take a peek at www.modumobile.com  


..lots of notes regarding the Broadcasters Foundation and how to help….membership is $150 annually and donations of any amount are always welcome…info had by contacting President Jim Thompson at jim@thebfoa.org


…recent lunch with former Citadel Media prez Jim Robinson…it’s a monthly get-together that I always look forward to…always great food and always great idea sharing….JRo’s agent to the stars business is growing (agent to Rick Dees and others!) and he also has a great program that can save stations/groups a load of dough on utility bills….more info shoot me an email at tj@tjlambert.net


Premiere’s Julie Talbott has never, EVER failed to return a call or answer an email within a day…well earned respect amongst affiliates and peers…thanks for the call and the chat Jules!


…the buzz is all abuzz about hyper-local….ESPN does a great job with their local sites in NY, LA, DFW, Boston and Philly…..whenever I think of hyper-local I always think of Cromwell Group and their Pres Bud Walters….great owner who cares about his people and the communities that they serve….localism makes money too…Bud is ahead year-to-year….and has been even in a tough economy…


….call me a proud and biased family member but my brother’s company has to be in the mention for “best companies to work for”…brother Art and longtime friend/partner Ron treat their people very well with training, benefits, incentives and more….Art’s son Dean does the day to day….great vibe in the office…great culture…..check them out at www.lexjet.com (btw…he keeps my younger brother Gene way busy…a good thing!)


…how many of you had your hopes pinned on picking Louis Oosthuizen to win The Open?


..of the many magical things in this world one has to be the hummingbird…we have plenty here at NM HQ…there is nothing more awesome than having one park a foot from your eyes….

...lessons learned department....once did a profile interview...felt great during the interview but didn't get a chance to review before publishing....ALWAYS get agreement for that review process...was talking about a veery high level meeting and who was there and what we accomplished...said "and (this guy) had a hand in it as well" meaning of course that meeting...well the guy told everyone in the world that I was a shit since he had a major part in the overall project...and he did...never told me his feelings but ended up disparaging me later to CEO of our group....always get a review agreement...in retrospect I probably would've changed that answer a bit.....


Have a terrific week and many thanks for the great feedback…----tjl

As I see It...Week of July 12th

Random musings as I see them.....If you start everyday as I do "cleaning up" after three horses and getting them and the 9 dogs off to a start of their day, what could possibly make anything one of those "I don't do that sort of work..." moments!
My pal DVD reminded me to be sure to add in links if I like something so one doesn't have to search for it...hence www.grooveshark.com !
Let's make sure we have this right....a trade pub announces a co-chair for its once a year outlook conference...this co-chair took a fantastic radio company (actually 2!) into bankruptcy and stiffed how many shareholders for more than a billion $ right?..I suppose the opening session will be "How to Take a Legacy Company, Screw the Shareholders, Get a New Overpriced Contract and Get Appointed a Co-Chair on the Future of the Radio Business...I think I just heard the sound of cancellation to a trade!


Loved, loved, loved the US Women's Open this weekend...now who won the John Deere? The Scottish Open?...for that matter The World Cup? (I know, I know, Spain!)....even cooler (or more amazing) is that the World Cup set a ratings record for soccer in the US…something like a 26 share…


Great to hear Greggo Williams back on the air in Dallas...Bigby and CBS taking an educated gamble...good luck Greggo!....
Here's hoping good pal Dan Halyburton can keep a job this time landing with Mike McVay's New Media Division!...


Most of you know I'm a Seth Godin fan...he's sharing a freebie for all on his main blog site...makes much more sense if you've read Linchpin but still terrific....check out "Insubordinate"..


How cool is it that CBS Radio Prez Dan Mason plays every week religiously with the NY stations softball team…class act and great leader…


Dave Van Dyke’s Bridge Ratings studies are must reads for all who love the radio biz…particularly if you have a nose for new media and ca$h! (www.bridgeratings.com)


Who won the HR Derby last night? I hear it was Big Poppy….but it was dragged out so long that the local news was already on in Dallas…good move by MLB to keep kids interested in the game…NOT!


77KKOB continues winning…more live and local and community oriented than syndicated and national….


Former KOB GM and one the first reporters on the Beatles first American Tour and one of the creators of “give us 20 minutes and we’ll give you the world”, Art Schreiber inducted into NM Broadcasters Hall of Fame last month…he deserves a spot in the NAB HOF and the Radio HOF in Chicago…let the lobbying start now….


Former Miami radio GM and marketing master David Ross has struck it big with 3Ci….might be the smartest guy I know in the mobile marketing world www.3cinteractive.com


Mega buzz on the new Android phone coming to AT&T…many claiming it will give business users a reason not to buy the iPhone4…time will tell but it seems that the usually flawless releases from Apple stumbled with this new iP4…


People from my past who has passed recently and who will be missed….Eli Bird and Bill Aucoin….the former as publisher of The Album Network and oldest of Bird brothers the late Bruce and my pal Gary, and the latter as the manager of KISS….Eli’s son Neal is a terrific Affiliate rep for WW1….


Because you never, EVER know…become a member of the Broadcasters Foundation www.broadcastersfoundation.org


Has there been a better Joint Board Chair at the NAB as Steve Newberry? Endless travel and endless/tireless efforts on behalf of all broadcasters…and more groups coming back to membership…a terrific thing…


What does it say about our radio business and the state of the economy when there will be no “floor” so-to-speak” but only “table top” exhibits at this year’s NAB/RAB Radio Show? www.radioshowweb.com


I’ll be setting up a blog feed so any of you who get this weekly musing can opt out or just tell me to buzz off so I ask for patience in the interim..


Have a great week….TEE-J

Random musings as I see them.....If you start everyday as I do "cleaning up" after three horses and getting them and the 9 dogs off to a start of their day, what could possibly make anything one of those "I don't do that sort of work..." moments!

My pal DVD reminded me to be sure to add in links if I like something so one doesn't have to search for it...hence www.grooveshark.com !

Let's make sure we have this right....a trade pub announces a co-chair for it's once a year outlook conference...this co-chair took a fantastic radio company (actually 2!) into bankruptcy and stiffed how many shareholders for more than a billion $ right?..I suppose the openbing session will be "How To Take a Legacy Company, Screw the Shareholders, Get a New Overpriced Contract and Get Appointed a Co-Chair on the Future of the Radio Business...Ithink I just heard the sound of cancellation to a trade!

Loved, loved, loved the US Women's Open this weekend...now who won the John Deere? The Scottish Open?...for that matter The World Cup? (I know, I know, Spain!)....

Great to hear Greggo Williams back on the air in Dallas...Bigby and CBS taking an educated gamble...good luck Greggo!....

Here's hoping good pal Dan Halyburton can keep a job this time landing with Mike McVay's NewMedia Division!...

Most of you know I'm a Seth Godin fan...he's sharing a freebie for all on his main blog site...makes much more sense if you've read Linchpin but still terrific....check out "Insubordinate"

Just thinking/typing out loud to mostly amuse myself...World Cup Soccer is kinda cool but how the hell does ESPN/ABC make money with no commercial breaks...does anyone care now that USA is kaput?...does soccer have a chance in hell of displacing the NFL?...notso much....the new iPhone4 is addicting because of the speed and the screen, yes?....why is it that smart gys play such a dumb random game as golf?....is it just me or has Sean Hannity become unlistenable?....I even own one and don't listen to HD Radio....same old crap repackaged.....If I wanted to hear annoying lack-of-talent morning shows on I certainly don't want to have to pay for it with my XM subscription...add to that the puker who does the countdown on the weekends on 20 on 20 and i'm this close to cancelling...olkay, time to really get into baseball...all-star break is upon us....can the Rangers, Reds etc really keep it up? Great opening remars by John Kincade (Sunday am show on ESPN Radio) talking about watershed moments for he and his dad and uncle...Phillies in 80 was the one....I remember going to nearly every game of the '64 collapse wth and without my dad as the Phillies crumbled....now I'm addicted to some carmel extra this and that at Starbucks....cool to see my pal Nisha's sister doing well on Big Break on Golf Channel.....btw, how good did Aroniminck look to the rest of the world for the AT&T....and it was interesting only because Tiger had a hand in it somehow....pretty sure I won't be dvr'ing the John Deere this week....I'm living proof that Pilates for golf and a contaption called a gyrotronic can work wonders...addicted!....great story in Newsmax Magazine on Google...revealing look at the giant....Still the best sports talk show on national radio is The Herd!.....Tom Taylor on Radio is still the best read in the business and starts my day everyday.....followed by GizMag..those that know me understand why!....Grooveshark is way cooler than Pandora..just sayin'!...see ya next week..---tjl