Bill Gardner

What Are TheseTrophies???

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 career on the air in radio spanned almost five decades, and it's been fun to think of exactly where I was at certain times.....like exactly fifty years ago in Summer 1972!  

Seattle didn't look like this too often, due to plenty of rainy, drizzly weather.  But it was beautiful on a rare perfect day like this.  I remember when I was new there and getting used to the weather, I asked "Does the rain ever end???"  Someone said "Wait until you see August!"  My thought was "There's eleven months they're not talking about."  :-)

Seattle radio?  Legendary AM giants KJR and KOL were battlling us at upstart KING-AM, "The Big Eleven."  Friends Bob "Mike Brody" Glasco, and Al "Gary Mitchell" Vanik joined me on the air each day with the top 40, as well as Program Director Buzz Barr, Big Jim Martin, and Ken "Dan Hemingway" Sasso.  I held down the 3-6PM airshift from late 1971 to early 1873.  

Among interesting memories, the Bullitt family that owned KING-AM-FM-TV would send a recruiter east, and hire only Ivy League college grads as our on air news people, even though none had any broadcast experience!  So their education was flawless, even if their on air sound was that of a newcomer.  And below, on the marquee outside the KING Broadcast Center on Aurora Avenue, it was my turn to be on display for those that drove by :-)

 Airline Stuff... 

Didn't believe the first one, but these TWO positive Covid tests kept me down and at home this week, battling the fever and the rest of Covid's nasty stuff. 

The FAA requires all airline flight crews to retrain every six months, and I'm due before the end of this month.  So I assumed my Jethro studying habits and spent much time this week studying and preparing for my upcoming check ride this week.  

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 tried this interesting Google Image Search.  I typed in "drop dead gorgeous lady," and here she is!