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 EVP 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 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! 

Heard from lots of friends and family last week for my birthday, including my long time pals and former KING Seattle teammates Al "Gary Mitchell" Vanik and Bob "Mike Brody" Glasco.  Had me recalling our time together in the Pacific Northwest.  

 

This was the marquee outside KING-AM/FM/TV on Aurora Avenue in Seattle.  It was my turn for "my name in lights" outside our building.

You have to zoom in and check the lower right corner  of our Top 40 Hits list to read our names and airshifts on "The Big 11."   Bob was on before me, and Al right after.  All three of us lived in the eastern suburb of Bellevue, and I drove over to Seattle each day across the Mercer Island Floating Bridge, which I'm told has SUNK into Puget Sound since!    

As you've probably heard, it rains a lot there.  I remember doing weather forecasts on the air on a Monday that would say "partial clearing on Thursday or Friday!"  I remember asking long timers, "When does it stop raining?  When they said "Wait till you see August around here.  Clear blue skies.. You can see Mount Rainier!"  I'd think, there's eleven months they're not talking about! 

Loved the town, met great people, and even loved KING, but I have to admit, Seattle's mostly cloudy, rainy weather kind of drove me batty.  Always a wise guy on the radio, the last thing I said on KING was that "....my favorite Seattle view would be in my rearview mirror headed south on Interstate 5 to (KCBQ) San Diego."  My pal Bob Glasco immortalized those words with this framed gift he created.  :-)   

 

Not too long ago, Al "Gary Mitchell" Vanik joined me in Las Vegas for a trip on Grand Canyon Airlines.  That's Al in the hat, and me up front in the Captain's chair.    

    

   Cool Pic of the Day....

There's been a lot written and said about the legendary Pete Rose, whom we lost recently.  My only contact with Pete was while on the air at CFTR Toronto in April 1980.  Mrs. Gardner and I hopped a train to Montreal one Saturday where Pete's Phillies were playing the Montreal Expos.  We were there early enough to watch players warming up.  After a little shouting towards the field, Pete Rose was kind enough to come over and sign this for my wife/  Pete even spelled Michaeletta. correctly  :-)   

   

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.

Speaking of my birthday, I share that date with Brigitte Bardot!  Just heard this legendary beauty just turned 90.  Thought I'd post a picture from the days when she was starring in movies and turning heads in France, Hollywood, and beyond.