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!

Look at the call letters in the upper right.  1993, Greater Media's WMJX-FM Boston, and a chance to be the new on-air morning guy!  At the time, I was doing mornings on country KFM 102 Las Vegas, but thought WMJX's Adult Contemporary format might an even better fit.  They bought me a nonstop ride on Delta, and I was delighted at the nice room General Manager Peter Smythe got me at the Ritz Carlton downtown Boston.  Things were looking great!  I was very excited!

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From the Ritz, it was an easy hop down to the legendary Bull & Finch Tavern, (where the then current TV show "Cheers" was inspired and even sometime taping shows!).  I felt like Peter Smythe and I were answering each other's questions just the way we both hoped.  Having worked on the radio in Boston for George Johns, Jim Hilliard, and WVBF-FM almost two decades earlier, I knew how expensive a nice life in Massachusetts would be.  Then again, Boston was a top five market...they had big revenue.  Las Vegas was barely in the top 50.  My fingers were crossed and my hopes high.  But sadly, the best Peter Smythe could come up with was match my already nice Las Vegas salary.  A move to Boston would sadly be a huge financial mistake.. So I said "Thank you SO much Peter, but I can't do it."        .   

Looking back now, maybe the funniest part of our conversation along the way at the Bull & Finch:  Among my early questions during the interview I asked, "Why did the prior morning man leave, and what was his name?  Do I know him?"   They smiled and said, "No.  You don't know him. It was a pleasant enough exit, but he said he was moving to California and has this idea that he'll become a star. (laugh, laugh). He's a guy named Tom Bergeron."  :-)  Nice work Tom!  You won that one!  Here he is hosting "Dancing With The Stars." 

Easter Supper was terrific for Mrs. Gardner and me as I ordered us three pounds of mega-colossal Florida Stone Crab claws!  My all time favorite meal!  Here's how excited you look when you actually pull a mega-colossal claw from your crab pot in the waters of the Florida Keys!  Each claw weighs about one pound!  Best yet, they're totally sustainable.  The crabber removes one claw, throws the crab back in the ocean, and he grows a new one!  Happy Easter to you!

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, you'll notice I always took George's lessons to heart.

Do you take requests for your 'beautiful lady of the week,' I was asked?   Heck yeah.  Especially when it's your wonderful brother Andre Gardner who's asking!  Meet his pick, Kristina Partsinevelos, on air talent and NASDAQ reporter at CNBC!