Bill Gardner
ATPBill
Another of America's leading radio consultants and a national name you know, (not George Johns, by the way), humorously calls Bill Gardner "the best radio morning man in America NOT currently on the air!" We protect his confidence, but ask and I'll whisper his name to you.
During the halcyon days at KOOL-FM Phoenix with General Manager Clancy Woods and Program Director Tim Maranville, our many number one "25-54 adults and 12+ persons" rating "books" were rewarded with these personalized trophies, still proudly displayed here at our home. Bill Gardner's ability to "remain under the radar," (amazingly sometimes even to his own consultants and management), has allowed him to "sneak into a situation," and enjoy some of the most defense- free, dramatic turnarounds, and a 100% success record as morning personality and program executive!
An Exact Fit For Your Job Needs?
Bill Gardner has been an "immediate impact player" in Adult Contemporary, Country, Oldies, Classic Hits, and Rock & Roll radio. There's "easy-to-document" success* as a Drive Time On Air Personality, a VP/Programming or Program Director, even President/General Manager while owner-operator of an Arizona AM/FM combo, many times assuming both senior programming and morning drive on air roles simultaneously back when doing both was thought to be impossible :-) And this "easy-to-document success" doesn't happen some of the time...it happens every time!
( *Search or ask for your copy of the Arizona Republic July 31, 1999 article where with virtually no other change in KOOL 94.5 mornings other than hiring Bill Gardner, the Spring 1999 ratings "book" their radio and TV columnist detailed Bill Gardner with "the biggest gain in Valley radio," almost instantly moving from 13th to 4th most popular morning show in Phoenix")
Bill Gardner On The Air!
You've found the site for airchecks, interview samples, resume, letters of recommendation and more for legendary radio morning guy Bill Gardner, for almost a decade through 2008 the top-rated morning personality of KOOL-FM Phoenix, as well as morning personality and program director for Los Angeles area's 92.7 Jill FM through summer 2010.
And a special thank you to the many KOOL 94.5 Phoenix listeners who've sought me out via search engines and sent emails to my email address below. Even after more than ten years, new emails continue to arrive in my inbox! Really! Your thoughts and loyalty are genuinely appreciated! It's nice to be missed, especially when I wasn't given a chance to say goodbye on air!
Bill Gardner IN The Air!
Jeff Schutt, our airline's Director of Flight Operations, jokes I should have TWO web sites..."Bill Gardner On The Air" and "Bill Gardner IN The Air!" My position is as a full time Airline Captain, with 4AM breakfast in progress here. Most radio salaries have been stripped to the bone or positions eliminated, and it's really enjoyable to be in a profession where gray hair is actually appreciated! :-)
FUN Web Search?
Web site archive! Enter billgardnerontheradio.com, or koolradio.com at www.archive.org and see posts dating back to my decade doing mornngs at KOOL 94.5 Phoenix!
My New, "Old Radio Picture"
My short time at WMYQ-FM Miami in late summer '73 actually changed my radio career! Legendary Program Director Jack McCoy had been asked by our company to leave KCBQ San Diego and do what he could at their Miami radio station to fight a tough and well financed upstart competitor, Y100 Miami and Buzz Bennett. Jack asked me to join him in Miami, and I did.
Miami was a temporary assignment for us both, and late in '73 Jack said to me "I want to introduce you to a group of broadcasters who are good people and pay very well. I'm going to introduce you to George Johns and Fairbanks Broadcasting." For the next many years, George and I, as well as my former WFIL Philadelphia Program Director Jim Hilliard, who was now Fairbanks Company President, did some big things at KVIL Dallas, WVBF Boston, WIBG Philadelphia, and later K-101 San Francisco, KZBS OKC, KLLS San Antonio and KLZZ San Diego. What a run, and what an impact we had!
Another cool side note. Our humble, talented, and nice WMYQ Miami midday man asked, "Bill, I'm kind of a local Florida guy....you've seen radio around America. I have a chance to go to WGN Chicago. What do you think?" I told him "Huge station...go!" That man was Bob Collins, who went on to become a true Chicago morning radio legend!
Thanks for long time former KOOL 94.5 Phoenix listener David Morris for turning us on to Vince V's upcoming performance in the Phoenix Valley.
Airline Stuff...
Have you seen the news reports of flooding in parts of Las Vegas? Monsoon season means summer thunderstorms, and this radar pic shows our arrival back to the Las Vegas area this week from Page-Lake Powell Arizona. I flew our airliner on this radar map from right to left, safely between those thunderstorms.
Hey George Johns.... Those Beautiful Girls Keep On Coming!
If you want people to visit your web site, you'd better have a picture of a beautiful girl!" One of my favorite quotes from radio consultant George Johns (www.georgejohns.com) , As always, you'll notice I take George's lessons to heart.
I have no idea who this spectacular beauty is, but if you Google "black-haired beauty," this is one of the show stopper faces that comes up. Wow. Google works great. They brought me just what I searched for.
Bill Gardner
ATPBill