Well, folks, I am going on hiatus. But just like your favorite television show, I’ll be back soon with new episodes.
I won't bore you by playing a bunch of repeats until then, unless you want to peruse the archives here. If you miss me that much, please give me a call or send me a line and let me know what you're up to!
And now, I bring you this special season finale…
First up, I’d like to congratulate Specs Howard’s very own Kelia Karson (pictured left). In addition to being a full-time instructor here at the school, Kelia’s own career in radio has been heating up so much that City Talk Magazine featured her in a recent “Who’s Hot” column.
Kelia is currently an on-air talent at Radio One-Detroit's 105.9 KISS FM and hosts her own syndicated show called Kickin’ it wit’ Kelia Karson, a Kickin’ it Kountdown, which she is working on getting in every market in America. She is also voice tracking a show for WDKX in New York, just finished recording an audio book written by Annetta Powell (another successful African American entrepreneur), and does voice work for companies all over the country including actor/director/playwright Tyler Perry.
She does all this and more. When does she sleep? My congratulations to Kelia for the much-deserved recognition!
"GET ME OUTTA HERE!"
Grad Zach Dufresne, an assistant editor over at Griot Editorial, is also generating his share of attention lately after his 60-second PSA, Get Out, won the fourth annual Filmspotting competition sponsored by the Detroit chapter of the Association of Independent Creative (AICE).
The Detroit competition, open to all assistant editors employed by AICE member companies, challenged participants to create a 60-second PSA using footage from feature films released between 1970 and 1980 without the use of a voice-over.
Get Out urges viewers to bring American troops home from Iraq through a series of 16 clips from movies such as Star Wars, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest and Young Frankenstein. The end result is a pretty powerful message.
I'd also like to mention that the runner up in this year’s competition is also a grad. Marjorie Sacks, an assistant editor at Milagro, placed a close second with her PSA, Ugly.
Both spots are worth taking a trip to the following link to see: You can check them out for yourself here.
The picture of Marjorie and Zach (above right) is courtesy of Michigan Vue and was taken at the screening party this past November.
MAB FOUNDATION COLLEGE BROADCAST AWARD WINNERS
In radio...
Matthew Bailey: Honorable Mention, PSA
In television...
Stacey Szostek and Jena Major: 2nd Place, News Feature/Magazine Program
Urian Harmon: 1st place, PSA
Mindy Parius, Dan Earle & Jamie Marks: Honorable Mention, PSA
GNOME GNOTES & RANDOM GOSSIP
Specs grad Charlie Langton had the time of his life anchoring the recent primary coverage at MYFOX.com from 6:00 to 10:00pm as the returns became available. Charlie is a lawyer who does regular commentaries on legal issues (he also covered the recent Grant trial) for Fox2 News, serves in the same capacity for WWJ radio and runs his own law firm. Again, when does he sleep?
Rob St. Mary will soon be joining several other grads at Detroit Public Radio, WDET-FM. Rob has been at WOOD Radio in Grand Rapids for several years, the past two as News Director. Welcome back to the Motor City, Rob.
Kirk Montgomery of KUSA-TV-9 News in Denver has inked a new multi-year contract with the station. Kirk has won several EMMYs, numerous AP Awards and countless "Best of ____" awards. Nothing like a multi-year contract to convince you that you're loved and valued! My sincere congratulations to you, Kirk!
Mark Lane was named Director of Public Relations & Special Events for Goodwill Industries. Mark brings years of experience in several different areas of the business including PR positions in the Detroit area.
Heard from Bob Mounts, a 1991 grad who's now the program director at WOBR 95.3-The Rock in Nags Head - in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. He's looking for a mid-day personality for this classic rock station. Anybody interested? Call me!
Melissa (Hunt) Sampey checked in to let us know she's now a market communications consultant for the Henry Ford Health System.
Andrea Campbell (RTV-08-04) dropped us an e-mail to let us know that she's the production coordinator for shows & presentations at BBDO Advertising and included the following message:
“You guys were always so helpful and caring about my career goals and dreams. Specs allowed me to grow and helped me find a direction where I want to go.”
Well, Andrea, that's why all of us at Specs Howard School show up every day, and the pay-off is watching folks like you succeed. Thanks for checking in!
Remember, now, just because my blog is on hiatus, I'm not actually on vacation -- yet. So send me your fan mail and show suggestions. Unlike many other would-be celebs, this long-haired leaping gnome really does try and answer every single one!
'Til next time... uk
Wow, I have to tell you how fired up I am about the changes to the school's lobby.
One entire wall is a tribute to members of The Specs Howard Hall of Fame. All 37 inductees -- all grads, of course -- are pictured with their bios, and it looks fabulous! Plus, brand new hi-def flat screens have replaced all the old television monitors so it’s really looking great. We have plans to induct several more grads this year so watch for more on that to come…
This week, let me start by saying our female grads rock!
For starters, I recently heard from Kelly Parish (Mullin) who's been doing mornings at WBXX in Battle Creek for several years. Her male co-host recently left so the station decided to call the show “Kelly & Company,” making her the main personality. (Kelly is pictured left.)
Kelly not only brings years of morning drive experience to her own show, she was born and raised in Battle Creek and knows the market better than anyone. I’m always happy when grads get a morning show, but particularly when a woman becomes the main personality, not just the traffic and weather chick. Way to go Kelly!
Speaking of successful women in positions traditionally held by men, a big shout out to grad April Lake, who after several years as Group Program Director for Northern Star Communications has just been named Program Director of WFBE-FM in Flint.
Another hugely successful female I know, Teresa Lucas, has been named PD of WNIC FM. She has served as Assistant Program Director/Music Director for a lot of years so this promotion was long overdue. Congratulations, Teresa!
And then there's grad Linda Lexy (pictured below). Linda runs The Radio Bar at Motor City Casino, entertaining patrons who want to listen to disco as they place their bets. I wonder how many people she has actually dancing at the tables and slot machines.
She is the fourth grad I know who works over there. Just last week I was blogging about the amazing light show Marty LaCombe has created. And then there are two others -- John Stewartruns the whole audio-visual department and is assisted by none other than grad, Dave Shank.
And in other news...
I recently heard from Curtis Smith, a graduate from 1997. He’s been living on the east coast for 10 years in pursuit of a film career. He’s currently producing a feature-length film entitled, “Trust Us,” a sci-fi drama about time travel. He also plans to make his motion-picture directorial debut soon with the film, “Pardoned – A Judicial Memoir.”
Leading up to this, Curtis has worked on a number of films, primarily as the 1st assistant director. His credits include Girlfight, Pootie Tang, Robot Stories, Sex, Love & Lies, The Orphan King, The Tripper and The Education of Charlie Banks.
And last item for this week: I called Alex Tear to congratulate him on the FMQB award he won recently to find that in addition, his morning show -- known as The Morning Freakshow -- consisted of two other grads, Big Bob & Mikey (Bob Mason & Mike Dougherty) who won Best CHR Morning Show! So out of six categories, Specs grads won half of them. Congrats to you all.
Happy New Year, friends and family! I don’t know about you, but I was ready to get back to work. Yes, you read that right. Like many of you, I love what I do!
Over the break, I heard from Mark Staycer (a grad from way back) and so I thought I’d share his latest endeavors as a John Lennon impersonator with you. That's him pictured above and not the actual Lennon, by the way. Uncanny, isn't it?
About six years ago, it occurred to Mark that he should put his “fab” collection of guitars and his resemblance to Lennon to work and began performing as ImagineLennon professionally. And it wasn’t long before he left a successful radio career in Northern Michigan to pursue his job as “John Lennon” full-time.
Mark has since played Liverpool during International Beatles Week, toured Japan for two months and was recruited to join a Beatle tribute band in Toronto called the BeatleManiacs. Since last November, they have been touring the world -- as in Italy, England, Greece, Turkey, Russia, France, China, and so on on major cruise lines such as Princess, Royal Caribbean, Regent, and Cunard.
Currently, he is flying from Traverse City to St. Maarten every Tuesday to perform two cruise ship theater shows on Wednesdays and flies back on Thursdays.
He also recently portrayed Lennon in a Canadian film titled, “I Was There.”
“I had a blast working on the project,” says Mark via email. “It's a cool film, if I do say so myself. Producers are working on getting it into various film festivals like Sundance.”
Check out Mark’s video below. His portrayal of Lennon is truly remarkable!
Grad lights up the sky
Imagine my surprise upon opening last Friday’s Free Press and reading a major feature story about the Motor City Casino’s amazing nightly light show (pictured below) capable of over 16 million color possibilities and discovering that grad Marty LaCombe had designed and is responsible for programming it.
If you haven't had the chance to see it after dark, trust me it's worth a ride down the Lodge, but please find a place to stop and check it out as trying to drive and look at the same time could be dangerous.
Click here for more about Motor City Casino's light show.
In other grad news...
I also heard from several grads who have new jobs.
*Jennifer (Heffernan) Sulik is now Sales Manager at l06.7-The Fox
*Brian Chidester is Operations Manager at Postique
*Amy Fueheris a reporter for WNEM-TV Ch.5
In Memory
In closing, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy to the family & friends of a true Michigan radio legend, Charles (Chuck) Mefford who passed away December 6th. I'll never forget the first time I met him at WITL in Lansing back in the early 70s. I figured I could place entry-level grads with him because the station was playing country music for gosh sakes. Who the heck listened to country music?
Yeah, I've always been a genius!! I also pass along regrets from Kevin Scollin who worked for Chuck twice, first as an air talent, and later as an account executive. Chuck served as President of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters and in 1989, was elected to the MAB Hall of Fame.
Click here for more about Chuck Mefford.
