Bill Gardner

What Are These Trophies???

In February 2024, well-respected National Radio Consultant Mike McVay told me, "You have done it all.  Bill Gardner understands radio more than most ever did.....or will." Thanks Mike! 

Legendary radio programmer and former Exec VP NBC-FM Stations  Walter Sabo just told me, "Mike Phillips said you were the best AC jock alive, and he was right!"  Thanks Walter!  (On the air as Walter Sterling, currently national talk show personality by the way).

Another of America's leading radio consultants and a national name you radio guys 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.  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 immediately moving from 13th to 4th most popular morning show in Phoenix."  Soon after to be #1 25-54!)

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!

I enjoyed a wonderful forty-five year radio career in some of America's biggest radio stations and greatest cities.  (See the list by clicking "resume" at the top of the center column if you like).  But when bottom-feeding corporations slashed radio salaries and replaced most of us with lower cost people or recorded or out of town recorded voices, I'm SO fortunate to also have that Airline Transport Pilot license and join a small airline here in Las Vegas for almost nine years.   Until my recent retirement, my position was as an Airline Captain, with 4AM breakfast in progress pictured below.. It was fun to be in a profession where gray hair and plenty of experience are actually appreciated!  :-)  But when I realized it wasn't as much fun anymore, I'm gone!

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 mornings at KOOL 94.5 Phoenix!

 Mid-May, exactly 29 years ago.. Wow,, the WOGL-FM Philly Legends Radio Reunion!  Newspaper ad shows my friend, good dude, and former WIBG Philly teammate Ray Gilmore and I doing our share, Noon to 2, Sunday May 12th.  Check the names on this list.  Wow!

   

I grew up in Philadelphia, had the honor to work at WIBG, WFIL, and WMMR-FM and still thank WOGL-FM Program Director Scott Walker for inviting me and including me in this gathering of Philly radio legends!        

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How I ended up front and center in the group shot above with Promotion Director Cindy Webster on my knee still amazes me.  Faces in this shot that I recognize include, up front Bob Pantone, Christy Springfield, George Michael, Brother Love. Standing, that's Georgie Woods, Ken Matz, Bill Wright Sr., Dickie Heatherton, Don Cannon, Jim Nettleton, Ray Gilmore, PD Scott Walker, J. J. Jeffrey, and Dave Parks among others.  Jay Cook and Tom Moran between rows, right side.   

Below, Ray Gilmore, Dave Parks, me in the back, Dr. Don Rose,  Ed Hurst, J. J. Jeffrey, Dickie Heatherton   My apologies to the fellow with glasses and the lady with the red hair...no names, since I never got to meet or work with them.    

 

Sad to think that many of these legends are now gone, including Ken Matz and Don Cannon, first two on the left.  Happy to report that Ray "Sean Casey" Gilmore is still very much alive and well, living in suburban Boston, and we're in touch from time to time.     

Cool Pic of the Day....

Who says radio guys don't do 17th century Japanese proverbs? "Hear No Evil, See No Evil, and Speak No Evil."  Here's the Ken Matz, Bill Gardner, Ray Gilmore 21st century version. :-)   

 

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 my friend and radio consultant the late George Johns (www.georgejohns.com).   As always,  I take George's lessons to heart.

How about two pictures?  Showing once more that beauty comes in all ages, 58 year old Salma Hayek is the cover girl and one of many featured  bikini models in Sports Illustrated Annual Swimsuit Issue out this week!  Saw Salma interviewed on TV this week where she shared her surprise and humility at being chosen.  No surprise Salma, great selection on their part! .  .