Where are they now updates

[Max]

Some of you may be aware of the site www.440.com. The site, while sometimes inaccurate (I made a fool of myself a few years back writing a sappy letter to a guy they told me was our Bill Bailey only to find out it wasn't), has some nice chronological history of alot of radio personalities. For instance, this track record of one of my favorite WAKY voices: Jason O'brian, aka, Howard Toole. Check it out sometime!


Howard Toole

• WRDW [Augusta GA] 1965 - Johnny Jay
  
• WBBQ [Augusta] 1967 - Johnny Jay
  
• WRFC [Athens GA] 1969 - Johnny Jay
  
• WAKY [Louisville KY] 1971 - Jason O'Brian
  
• WNOE-FM [New Orleans LA] 1973 - Jason O'Brian
  
• WVEE/WAOK [Atlanta GA] 1976
  
• KJMZ/KHVN [Dallas-Ft. Worth TX] 1991 - GM
  
• Metro Networks [Dallas] 1997-2003 - GM
  

Now: Howard says (6/03), "I am Director of Sales at Hispanic Broadcasting, Dallas, Texas."

[Max]

...by the way, after I sent them a scathing, but clean, e-mail they retracted and corrected the (mis)information. Turns out the Bill Bailey I got hold of actually was at WLS, but not at the same time. I think they had pretty much passed each other. Don't know whether or not the second one was hired to replace the Duke and be the 'Bill Bailey who follows their format' or not.

[Travis]

Hhmmm... I had forgotten that Jason O'Brian worked for WNOE (way down yonder in New Orleans). Based on the year ('73) and the fact that he went there right after WAKY, it's quite obvious that he was stolen from WAKY by WNOE's infamous program director, Garish "Poo-Poo" Burbank.

[Max]

By the way, in a form of 'where are they now', where are Kevin and RJC? They've always been staunch supporters of 79waky.com.

Just curious.

[bruiser]

Yeah, where are they? RJC has been missing from a couple of other boards he and I post on.

[John Quincy]

Kevin's probably been busy lately since the Kentucky State Legislature is in session. (He's a state representative.)

[Max]

bruiser said:

Yeah, where are they? RJC has been missing from a couple of other boards he and I post on.

Bruiser, I will dig up his T-shirt order form to find his address so I can send him a note. I'll pass it on to you via PM, if you'd like.

Ya know we gotta watch out for each other!

[bruiser]

Send a PM. You never know who might be phishing for personal info.

[Max]

Happy Birthday, RJC...wherever ya are. (RJC was at one time very active on this forum, but has since gone AWOL)

[bruiser]

RJC can not be found. Think he headed out for Parts Unknown.

[Max]

I am pleased to pass on that former WAKY alum and recent Clear Channel recipient of the axe Scott Goettel is now at WQXE 98.3 (Quicksie) doing production. What a talent that former WAKY DJ (1964) and Quicksie owner Bill Evans has landed!

Congrats to Scott!

[Max]

I've also sent an update on Scott to JQ...stay tuned...

[lewisllanier3]

Understand Jason O'Brian is now manager of 5 radio stations in Athens, Ga. Check it out please to make sure.

[Max]

Back in November Jason (Howard Toole) filed application for licenses with the FCC regarding 6 stations in the Atlanta/Athens, GA area, to which an entity, CVN, has filed and refiled petitions against this action, basing it against the idea of another radio conglomerate buying up privately owned stations, which alot of us can appreciate, referring to older threads on this board. The FCC has repeatedly denied CVN's petitions in favor of Jason's application and have granted his wishes. Apparently the dispute has continued with the latest ruling dated June 10, 2008.

[Max]

If you are the type that likes to read lawyer blabbering, the whole exchange
can be found at the following link:
www.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2008/db0610/DA-08-1372A1.txt

[Max]

This link is in laymen's terms:
www.radioink.com/HeadlineEntry.asp?hid=142480&pt=todaysnews

[Travis]

Layman's terms??

Insulting our intelligence again, eh Max?

By the way, just what is a layman?

Just nevermind.

[Max]

Jun 20, 2008 18:40:41 GMT -5 Travis said:

Layman's terms??

Insulting our intelligence again, eh Max?

By the way, just what is a layman?

Just nevermind.

Oh, no insult mean, Travis! I was referring to the gobbledygook wording of the first link and in the small AP type font. I had to carefully reread it myself before running across the easier to read and more simply written RadioInk article. (Don't believe I've ever knowingly insulted anyone on this board)

[Travis]

I'm pretty sure you haven't either, Max. Just my usual warped sense of humor (which at times has been misinterpreted and gotten me into a few flame wars on other boards).

[lewisllanier3]

Any news yet on Jason's new station?

[John Quincy]

From today's Taylor-on-Radio column:

In Rome, Georgia , the combo of talk WRGA (1470) and AC “Q102” WQTU is going to be locally-owned, says the acquiring Rome Radio Partners. The investor group includes general manager Randy Quick and comptroller Cheryl Scott, along with Howard Toole [aka Jason O'Brien] and James Smith. Seller is Paul Stone of Southern Broadcasting and he’s doing a lot more than simply selling this combo for $2,650,000. He’s taking his money in a 10-year note – all of it, month by month. Not only that, Rome Radio Partners will assume the LMAs of four other local stations. Those are country “South 107” WTSH, Rockmart. Adult standards WGJK (1360). Southern gospel WZOT, Rockmart (1220). And the FM signal that WRGA is simulcasting on – WRSM, Coosa at 95.3. On the station website, Randy Quick says “It is a great opportunity to provide the citizens of Rome, Floyd County and Northwest Georgia with locally owned and operated broadcasting by longtime employees.” WRGA’s been serving Rome since 1929.

[Max]

Thanks for the update, JQ, on one of the two most resonant voices on WAKY (in my opinion), right along with Dude Walker!

[Travis]

Max, you're taking entirely too long to reply to these posts.

Gotta say, I did enjoy Jason O'Brien's sound on WAKY. He said everything with a hint of Irish, and it was noticeably present in that unmistakable forced laugh which he did so often. Randolph says he was a perfectionist and would come in to the studios at 4 AM to do his production so he could record his voice while it had that rich low resonant tone (just think of how you sound at the breakfast table each morning and you've got it).

Of course, Randolph had the last laugh. After Jason did all that to give his spots that rich low resonating sound, his spots would air from a console where Randolph had rolled off the low-low end, boosted the high-high end and then shot it out over a 16 mile 15 kHz phone line to the transmitter. LOL!!

Alright. I'm just being an arse. There was a science and purpose behind WAKY's audio processing and Jason sounded just fine.

[Max]

Hey, Travis, cut me some slack...I've been away from this board for awhile!