Monday Drive-time Radio

Oh, I remember this blog thing. Anyone still out there reading this? That's cool, as long you are listening to me on The 9-5-0, KTRH, etc...

Since you're here...I'll be sitting in for Joe Pags today during his 3p-5p show on The 9-5-0. Pags, I believe, yaps a little about politics and other boring things so I'll try to spice your afternoon up a bit.

Feel free to send topic ideas.

Local Residents Tempering Ike's Aftermath

I remember sitting in the KTRH and KPRC anchor chairs in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina and Rita. It was my job to talk with people on air and disperse information. I also got an earful of hate from listeners who were not happy with local and federal government response.

Fast forward three years later and my stint in the KTRH anchor chair last night was vastly different. The lines were full of callers but this time the attitudes seemed to be much better for the most part. Instead of spewing bile towards the mayor, president, FEMA, God and anyone else who could be blamed, the listeners I spoke with seemed to be thankful and realized that things would soon return to normal.

We reported that 69% of local residents were without power last night and still the callers let me know that they understood the mighty task that Centerpoint is going through. Many offered tips on boiling water, washing dishes and sharing generators and refrigerators with neighbors.

Maybe we can all get along.

I will be hosting NewsRadio 740 KTRH in-depth team coverage of Hurricane Ike tonight again from 10p-Midnight. Give me a call to share your stories or tips - (713)212-KTRH.

I will also appear and take calls on Great Day Houston tomorrow during their special live afternoon show from 3p-4p. KHOU-TV, Channel 11.

I should be in studio for my regular Saturday "High-Tech Texan Show" on The 9-5-0 from 11a-2p and then back in the KTRH anchor chair that evening from 7p-9p. Hang in there H-Town and stay classy (and cool).

Another new communication innovation

Here's a little secret (or sneak preview) of something pretty unique that will be happening very soon at some of our local radio stations.

Talk radio hosts pride ourselves on talking to and with our listeners. It's been easy...dial 713-212-5950 (for my particular station) and you can get on the air. For several years we have been reading emails at computers in front us (for some of us who know how to use email) and last year we implemented an IM feature (again, for some of us who know what IM is).

I have hosted my own videoconference silmulcast since 2006 and soon we will put the power of communicating with us in the hands of a device that most everyone has - a cell phone!

Our AM stations (The 9-5-0, 790 The Sports Animal and NewsRadio 740 KTRH) will soon launch a texting service to contact the hosts and receive breaking news, sports, weather, traffic, contests and of course, the all-important technology news and updates.

I volunteered to jump start this effort which will begin on-air in a few weeks. HOWEVER, for my blog readers, go ahead and join now. Ssshhhh...

From your cell phone, text TECH to 777111. Welcome to to my club. You'll never know what you'll get.

Saturday Show Info

Saturday's line-up will be a bit out of whack due to an afternoon Texas Tech football game broadcast. My show will air from 11a - 1:30pm. Kind of near my old (and orginal) start time, huh?

No need to tune in to the videoconference this weekend as we will run a repeat show. You'll still learn and laugh as usual but I need a day to spend repenting all of my "sins" this past year.

We're back next week at the regular 1pm show time but not for long...On October 6 the Saturday lineup changes and I move to 11a-2p permanently. Set your clocks.

5768, NFL and Early Evening Radio

As pointed out in the previous post's comments, I wonder how I will be writing the year 5767 on my checks? (Thanks, Mr. Crap Man).

Hung around the house today planning on how to conquer the world this new year. Got in an extra helping of ESPN and saw lots of news...

Roger Goodell is STRONG. I think he's doing a helluva job as NFL Commish and really making his power felt. He slapped Bill Beli-Cheat with a $500,000 fine and the Patriots' first or 2nd and 3rd round draft picks next year for taping the Jets' signals. You go, Rog. And don't evah let Michael Vick back you in your league.

Our Dallas Cowboys (or maybe just MY Dallas Cowboys) were just named the world's most valuable sports franchise by Forbes Magazine. Jerry Jones' "little" investment in 1989 is now worth $1.5 billion. And who says the AFC is the better league? 3 of the top 5 most valuable teams are in the NFC EAST. And who says #2...Who says winning is a measure of a good team? Our Houston Texans (Ok, maybe YOUR Houston Texans) are #4 on the most valuable list. Sell now while the gettin's good, Bob.

Typing of football, The 9-5-0 is airing a Texas Tech game this Saturday for some reason. That will push my show back to a late start. Tune in around 6pm for my show this weekend.

Stop freakin', I'm just going back Saturdays

Did I scare anyone this Monday morning when I signed off with a big, "my weekday show is OVAH"? My inbox has been working OT since then with questions of my whereabouts.

Relax. I will. I'm leaving for a long-planned family event/vacation in Hawaii. I normally broadcast from my travel spots but since I'm going 5 hours to the west I'd rather sleep than talk to the city at 4am local Kona time. Thus we will be running some repeats the rest of this week.

It's no secret now that KPRC is tweaking its format and beginning Monday, July 30, will have a new line-up. I've known about these changes for a while and now happy to say that you're getting me back on Saturdays. That's where my show began on KPRC back in 2002. Now I get a three hour gig from 1–4pm to talk tech, trash and anything else on your mind.

So get your back-to-school gadget questions and your webcam fired up on August 4. I’ll be back.

Day 1

Wake up: 6:30am
Take kids to school: 7:30am
Arrive at KPRC studios: 8:00am
Figure out what the hell I'm gonna talk about my 1st day: 14.8 seconds
Move my stuff into office with Berry and Chris Baker: 8:40am
Mic on: 9:06am
Dead air: Believe it or not, NONE!

Got through my first day as a "real" talk host today and it went alright. I've done this media thing for a long time but I had one of those nervous-excited feelings. Kinda like David Carr before a game realizing he's probably going to get embarassed and have the s**t kicked out of him.

Had a nice batch of callers in Hour 1 but they tapered off in the 2nd hour. I have to get the audience used to not calling about technology related questions as I'll save those for my Saturday 12p-2p show. Got a few random calls about the Michael Richards incident which we covered pretty well.

I received no less than 60 emails during the show with most posing the queston "Where is Pat Gray?" The station has an official statement for the response but in simple terms he is a good man, the station's ratings weren't where they wanted them to be and it was time for a change. I found out about the opportunity only last Thursday but it is certainly something I had been wanting for some time.

I'll get more comfy moving into more subjects as time goes by. I know you are out there listening and blogging so don'tbe shy. Suck it up and call. Shoot the s**t with me. Think of it as an on-air blog. And maybe I'll be around for a while.

Welcome To The End Of My Career

Payback. After enjoying a luxurious 7 year vacation of sorts by "working" a few hours a week on radio, it's time I get my lazy butt in gear and start earning a living. Not that local radio pays a whole helluva lot but I'm gonna try.

Beginning Tuesday, November 21, I will host the daily 9a-11a slot on TalkRadio 950 KPRC. The suits at Clear Channel apparently think my B.S. degree from UT stands for something other than Bachelor of Science. So they are letting me use these initials to hopefully provide some provocative thoughts and interesting talk every morning.

I am actually pretty excited. The technology schtick got me this far so maybe opening up my mind may do something even more. I need your help, though. When you get to the office tune in to the live stream by clicking the station link above. You can send me email (make it funny and sarcastic and you're sure to get it on air) and I'll soon be bringing in my webcam for a live videoconference.

My Saturday afternoon technology show first aired back in April 2002 (photo). I'll still host this for a few more weeks until I dedicate my full time to the daily gig. If I'm lucky I may make the M-F deal last at least the 4 1/2 years my Saturday show has been on. If not, it's been nice knowing you!