For many working-class Pittsburghers, Al Julius was a powerful voice for those who didn't hold large sums of money or influential positions of authority.
Loved by the blue-collars. Feared by the white-collars. The former was his world.
"Julius' World" was the name of his five-minute commentary five days a week on KDKA-TV's six o'clock news edition.
He wore suits and ties when he was on KQV radio in the 1960s. But by 1973, the brash, Brooklyn native had made the move to television, and in doing so, ironically took on a less camera-friendly image, marked by his full graying beard and abandoning suits for sportcoats, usually with sweaters and never a necktie.
And makeup? I can see him telling the director "you know what you can do with that."
Why? Because the people he was trying to reach likely didn't own a suit, much less wear one often. He was the de facto voice in the media for those who had none.
He was bare and blunt, unashamed of his words and actions, and had no patience for those who tap-danced around what they really wanted to say. In Julius' World, it's OK to get mad!
"Out out out!" One of his catchphrases during interviews. He wanted that raw emotion, that anger, that feeling of discontentment that few externalize in polite society.
He had no time for it. Less so for what he described as the 'fluff and puff' that people wanted to hear and see on TV, rather than what they needed to hear.
He wanted people to know the opinions those had of local government. The wasteful spending, the indifference towards those losing their jobs after the steel industry collapsed. The blind eye towards Pittsburgh's fabled red-light district along Liberty Avenue. The poor and hungry in our own backyard trying to find something in their lives to be thankful for...which culminated in something that still lives on, more than two decades after his departure and over a decade this month after his death.
He introduced "Julius' Turkeys" with all the subtlety of a busted chainsaw in the on-air promo that launched the annual Thanksgiving fundraiser.
He had the characteristic angry look in his eye...almost as if he were daring you to have a Happy Thanksgiving esconced in your suburban home's Barcalounger after stuffing yourself with turkey and stuffing, without giving a second thought to those less fortunate.
"THEIR tables will be bare...NOTHING!"
He wanted you to feel guilty about it. He wanted you to want to do something about it, and the last thing he wanted was having to tell you it was your duty to your fellow man to do it.
But if not for the imperfect world in which we live, Al's world may not have existed.
Al was rudely shoved aside during a massive layoff at KDKA-TV in 1991. While he said he would have accepted a pay cut, he was less willing to change the style that made him just as much a part of Pittsburgh as chipped ham and Iron City beer.
He proved it in 1995 when he given a chance to deliver a farewell address, which he began with his trademark irreverence.
"Where was I before I was so rudely interrupted?"
Unfortunately, the likes of Al have fallen into anachronistic anonymity, where journalistic backbone has given way to 'safe' news reporting pandering to advertisers and political cronyism.
I've often heard it said it's better to safe than sorry.
Is it?
I'm sure Al would be the first to say "don't even think of going there."
NEXT WEEK: Workout to Work Out
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Sunday, June 23, 2013
KZ's Country
Hey, it doesn't affect me. Yet why do I still care?
Local AM radio stations have been leaving the dial en masse since the Telecommunications Act of 1996 that mandated that radio stations listed as 'silent' had so many days to power back up or see their licenses expire.
Many of said stations were small-town operations that were licensed to operate only between sunrise and sunset. Over time, they lost their relevance and were supplanted by FM stations or other media altogether.
On May 16, 2013, it was the end of the line for a forty-two-and-a-half-year-old AM daytime station licensed to the city of Washington, Pennsylvania.
WKZV originally took to the air on October 1, 1970 as WKEG. The one thousand watt AM daytimer came on the air at a rather odd time, when FM radio was starting to gain momentum (though automakers weren't entirely sure at that time). Nonetheless, this little station pressed on and was a pretty impressive little powerhouse through the late 1980s, when its owner of 16 years decided to retire and sell to another owner.
Said owner ran said station into the ground faster than a pile driver at a Boston loading dock. It went off the air indefinitely until another owner was found. That owner eventually cut his losses after a year, unable to overcome the stigma created by previous mismanagement, and also went off the air until a new owner could be found.
In the business, we call a radio station that's gone off the air indefinitely as one that has 'gone dark'. The term applies to the broadcast tower, usually lighted, as 'dark' because there's no more money to pay the electric bill.
And that owner found making a tough go of the station. But this time, the station did not go dark. Other investors were found to take it over. After some tweaking, the station began to finally recover and prosper over time.
Then as the owners got older, they got tired. Tired of the hard work involved in keeping a station like this on the air and staying competitive as technology around them evolved.
Local radio stations require a lot of hands-on care by an operator willing to 'wear a lot of hats' as part of keeping such operations profitable.
Many radio stations have found themselves relying more on promotions-based revenue as a means to make money. Advertisers today are no longer buying straight commercial ads in the traditional sense, but rather, the 'value-added', or 'buy-this-and-you'll get-that' mentality.
When you get to a certain age, and you're facing health issues, many of which are business-related, you're less willing to do this. And if you're less willing to do this, you're even less willing to embrace new technology...spending money to make it back down the road.
Unfortunately, this will cost you in the long run. And it did them.
The original Collins transmitter, purchased in 1968 after the permit to build the station was first issued, had limped along for years, breaking down more frequently as parts to maintain it were not purchased in advance and had to be 'rush-ordered' at the last minute, and very costly.
This proved to be the last straw for the sole remaining owner, the other two having passed on, one day, when it was learned that two tubes were going to need replaced.
This meant an investment of about $8,000. Just five years ago, you could buy a brand-new solid-state transmitter for that amount.
The transmitter site was sold to recoup years of losses. The doors were shuttered and the sole two employees left at the station were released.
No deep corporate pockets. No unlimited line of credit. Just a mom and pop operation determined to press on.
Many speculate on what could have been done to save WKZV. It no longer matters. But to this radio veteran, it's an example of the American spirit.
To try even at the risk of failure.
To try and fail is far more admirable than to not try at all.
NEXT WEEK: His World Was Our World
Local AM radio stations have been leaving the dial en masse since the Telecommunications Act of 1996 that mandated that radio stations listed as 'silent' had so many days to power back up or see their licenses expire.
Many of said stations were small-town operations that were licensed to operate only between sunrise and sunset. Over time, they lost their relevance and were supplanted by FM stations or other media altogether.
On May 16, 2013, it was the end of the line for a forty-two-and-a-half-year-old AM daytime station licensed to the city of Washington, Pennsylvania.
WKZV originally took to the air on October 1, 1970 as WKEG. The one thousand watt AM daytimer came on the air at a rather odd time, when FM radio was starting to gain momentum (though automakers weren't entirely sure at that time). Nonetheless, this little station pressed on and was a pretty impressive little powerhouse through the late 1980s, when its owner of 16 years decided to retire and sell to another owner.
Said owner ran said station into the ground faster than a pile driver at a Boston loading dock. It went off the air indefinitely until another owner was found. That owner eventually cut his losses after a year, unable to overcome the stigma created by previous mismanagement, and also went off the air until a new owner could be found.
In the business, we call a radio station that's gone off the air indefinitely as one that has 'gone dark'. The term applies to the broadcast tower, usually lighted, as 'dark' because there's no more money to pay the electric bill.
And that owner found making a tough go of the station. But this time, the station did not go dark. Other investors were found to take it over. After some tweaking, the station began to finally recover and prosper over time.
Then as the owners got older, they got tired. Tired of the hard work involved in keeping a station like this on the air and staying competitive as technology around them evolved.
Local radio stations require a lot of hands-on care by an operator willing to 'wear a lot of hats' as part of keeping such operations profitable.
Many radio stations have found themselves relying more on promotions-based revenue as a means to make money. Advertisers today are no longer buying straight commercial ads in the traditional sense, but rather, the 'value-added', or 'buy-this-and-you'll get-that' mentality.
When you get to a certain age, and you're facing health issues, many of which are business-related, you're less willing to do this. And if you're less willing to do this, you're even less willing to embrace new technology...spending money to make it back down the road.
Unfortunately, this will cost you in the long run. And it did them.
The original Collins transmitter, purchased in 1968 after the permit to build the station was first issued, had limped along for years, breaking down more frequently as parts to maintain it were not purchased in advance and had to be 'rush-ordered' at the last minute, and very costly.
This proved to be the last straw for the sole remaining owner, the other two having passed on, one day, when it was learned that two tubes were going to need replaced.
This meant an investment of about $8,000. Just five years ago, you could buy a brand-new solid-state transmitter for that amount.
The transmitter site was sold to recoup years of losses. The doors were shuttered and the sole two employees left at the station were released.
No deep corporate pockets. No unlimited line of credit. Just a mom and pop operation determined to press on.
Many speculate on what could have been done to save WKZV. It no longer matters. But to this radio veteran, it's an example of the American spirit.
To try even at the risk of failure.
To try and fail is far more admirable than to not try at all.
NEXT WEEK: His World Was Our World
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Stop the Pidgeon
In honor of Father's Day, this week's column is dedicated to a man who was both a father and a father figure to many others. Thanks for indulging me.
I meant to pay tribute to this man on the fifth anniversary of his passing last month. But I was still on the fence as to whether I wanted to come back and start writing on a weekly basis again.
To begin with, let's trace back.
Who remembers "Dastardly and Muttley in their Flying Machines" cartoon that ran from 1969 to 1970 on CBS and then an even longer life in syndication on independent TV years after it was canceled?
For those who do, you remember Paul Winchell (who voiced the former titular character) singing "Stop the pigeon, stop the pigeon..." referring to Dastardly's nemesis, Yankee Doodle pigeon, who managed to evade every bumbling attempt by Dastardly and his three cohorts, Muttley, Klunk and Dilly, to 'stop the pigeon' from carrying messages to the enemy during a fictitious World War I era setting.
They came close, but never succeeded to 'stop the pigeon'.
History lesson over. Class dismissed.
This lesson was the groundbreaker in young Kelly Pidgeon's career. As an early 20-something getting his start in the business as the morning news voice on the former WNRJ 104.7 in Pittsburgh, his morning show counterparts took great pleasure in playing the theme song under Kelly as he delivered his news.
Kelly had the last laugh, however. He's currently at KDKA and has his own production company.
But this isn't the story about Kelly or his career. Rather, it's about the man who played half the role of bringing him and his siblings into this world.
John A. "Jack" Pidgeon.
Growing up in the slums of Boston, Massachusetts, Jack Pidgeon was the son of a single mother who eked out a meager living for herself and her son by working as a cleaning woman. Using his athleticism to win a scholarship to a prestigious prep school, Jack entered the military and then college. The private sector, teaching, and an assistant headmastership at another school soon followed.
Then came Kiski.
Not the public school district in northern Westmoreland and southern Armstrong County. The home of the Cavaliers (and my alma mater) would not be formed until the end of the decade.
The Kiski School, or Kiskiminetas Springs School, or K-Prep, whatever you want to call it, had been around since the late 1800's. It was one of the oldest boarding schools in the country, and today is the oldest all-boys non-military boarding school in the U.S.
You may recall early movie portrayals of prep schools and Ivy League colleges as having students and faculty who wear overcoats in class.
That wasn't because of class distinction. It was out of necessity because of drafty windows that allowed the harsh New England winters to creep through warped and cracked windows.
Kiski was no exception when Jack Pidgeon arrived in 1957 as its new headmaster. Few are left insofar as those who would remember those days. When I arrived on campus to take my SAT exam in May 1987, I myself would not have known it. Nor did I know the gruff man in a golf shirt and walking shorts proctoring the exam was the reason behind the school's success.
Because Jack Pidgeon would not have it that way.
Yes, he was behind it. But it was not about him. It was about the school. And 'his' boys. He made sure everyone remembered that.
Stop the Pidgeon? Hell no.
Jack Pidgeon used the same determination as he did to rise above his humble upbringings years ago. He was determined to make Kiski succeed. And he did.
Famous alums include Congressman John Murtha, Jack Hanna, and Rafael De Medina, just to name a few. Those not-so-famous still went on to success in their own right.
And they never forgot Jack and the life lessons he taught them.
Not only did he build a school, but he built men.
Successful men.
If Jack wanted to be remembered for anything, it would be for that.
NEXT WEEK: Out in the Country
I meant to pay tribute to this man on the fifth anniversary of his passing last month. But I was still on the fence as to whether I wanted to come back and start writing on a weekly basis again.
To begin with, let's trace back.
Who remembers "Dastardly and Muttley in their Flying Machines" cartoon that ran from 1969 to 1970 on CBS and then an even longer life in syndication on independent TV years after it was canceled?
For those who do, you remember Paul Winchell (who voiced the former titular character) singing "Stop the pigeon, stop the pigeon..." referring to Dastardly's nemesis, Yankee Doodle pigeon, who managed to evade every bumbling attempt by Dastardly and his three cohorts, Muttley, Klunk and Dilly, to 'stop the pigeon' from carrying messages to the enemy during a fictitious World War I era setting.
They came close, but never succeeded to 'stop the pigeon'.
History lesson over. Class dismissed.
This lesson was the groundbreaker in young Kelly Pidgeon's career. As an early 20-something getting his start in the business as the morning news voice on the former WNRJ 104.7 in Pittsburgh, his morning show counterparts took great pleasure in playing the theme song under Kelly as he delivered his news.
Kelly had the last laugh, however. He's currently at KDKA and has his own production company.
But this isn't the story about Kelly or his career. Rather, it's about the man who played half the role of bringing him and his siblings into this world.
John A. "Jack" Pidgeon.
Growing up in the slums of Boston, Massachusetts, Jack Pidgeon was the son of a single mother who eked out a meager living for herself and her son by working as a cleaning woman. Using his athleticism to win a scholarship to a prestigious prep school, Jack entered the military and then college. The private sector, teaching, and an assistant headmastership at another school soon followed.
Then came Kiski.
Not the public school district in northern Westmoreland and southern Armstrong County. The home of the Cavaliers (and my alma mater) would not be formed until the end of the decade.
The Kiski School, or Kiskiminetas Springs School, or K-Prep, whatever you want to call it, had been around since the late 1800's. It was one of the oldest boarding schools in the country, and today is the oldest all-boys non-military boarding school in the U.S.
You may recall early movie portrayals of prep schools and Ivy League colleges as having students and faculty who wear overcoats in class.
That wasn't because of class distinction. It was out of necessity because of drafty windows that allowed the harsh New England winters to creep through warped and cracked windows.
Kiski was no exception when Jack Pidgeon arrived in 1957 as its new headmaster. Few are left insofar as those who would remember those days. When I arrived on campus to take my SAT exam in May 1987, I myself would not have known it. Nor did I know the gruff man in a golf shirt and walking shorts proctoring the exam was the reason behind the school's success.
Because Jack Pidgeon would not have it that way.
Yes, he was behind it. But it was not about him. It was about the school. And 'his' boys. He made sure everyone remembered that.
Stop the Pidgeon? Hell no.
Jack Pidgeon used the same determination as he did to rise above his humble upbringings years ago. He was determined to make Kiski succeed. And he did.
Famous alums include Congressman John Murtha, Jack Hanna, and Rafael De Medina, just to name a few. Those not-so-famous still went on to success in their own right.
And they never forgot Jack and the life lessons he taught them.
Not only did he build a school, but he built men.
Successful men.
If Jack wanted to be remembered for anything, it would be for that.
NEXT WEEK: Out in the Country
Sunday, June 9, 2013
I'm baaaaaaack....
...by popular demand, so to speak.
I had chosen to take a break some time ago to focus on other endeavors. However, the call of some of you who take the time to read what I have to say each week proved to be loud enough to the point where I could ignore it no more.
And I thank you all for it. You're the reason I've chosen to press on.
I don't know why what I have to say matters to some people. I don't hold public office, nor am I man of wealth, prestige, or large economic means. I'm just a guy with opinions. And we all know what is said of opinions.
I've written about family life, finances, the broadcasting industry that I've been a part of for more than two and a half decades (though no longer at the mic), politics, the economy, and even theology. You can read this drivel just about anywhere online by people of far greater stature than mine.
Though I believe in freedom of speech, I also believe that that same freedom carries with it some degree of responsibility. It should always be tempered with the accountability of the person or persons saying it. Unfortunately, that's not always the case, and that's what keeps our courtrooms full and our judges busy.
That said, I will do my best to promote that example of responsibility that so-called 'free speech' seems to lack these days. The kind that doesn't pander to fear-mongers, radicals, or even the establishment.
Journalism can be a powerful tool if used in a responsible manner. I have long felt this way, and sadly, it's falling by the wayside, even at the network level.
Pressure by management to 'get it first' rather than 'get it right' often breeds distrust through error. Dan Rather learned this the hard way. However, he's not the only guilty party.
Someone once pointed out to me that so-called 'world' news on America's networks is more 'national' than anything else. You get about 20 minutes of all-internal national news, maybe five minutes of world news, if you're lucky, with the remaining five minutes left to sell for commercial ad time.
I didn't discover the truth in this until one day when I watched a BBC newscast. For me, it was a real eye-opener.
We pay little attention to anything outside our borders and even less to what's happening in our borders at the top levels of government. It's personally distressing to me when younger people choose to get their 'news' from sources like "The Daily Show" or "Weekend Update".
Some say "I don't watch the news because it's too depressing." Hey, reality is a buzzkill. I'm not going to dispute that.
We have a broken Social Security system that's constantly in danger of running out of money. We work for companies more interested in cash now than compassion for its retirees. We've elected government leaders who have ideas but no clues as to how to effectively move forward and actually get things done. We complain about the country's state of affairs yet we choose not to vote and don't support the men and women who fight for our right to do just that.
So I say this...time to wake up, America.
NEXT WEEK: Did You Know Jack?
I had chosen to take a break some time ago to focus on other endeavors. However, the call of some of you who take the time to read what I have to say each week proved to be loud enough to the point where I could ignore it no more.
And I thank you all for it. You're the reason I've chosen to press on.
I don't know why what I have to say matters to some people. I don't hold public office, nor am I man of wealth, prestige, or large economic means. I'm just a guy with opinions. And we all know what is said of opinions.
I've written about family life, finances, the broadcasting industry that I've been a part of for more than two and a half decades (though no longer at the mic), politics, the economy, and even theology. You can read this drivel just about anywhere online by people of far greater stature than mine.
Though I believe in freedom of speech, I also believe that that same freedom carries with it some degree of responsibility. It should always be tempered with the accountability of the person or persons saying it. Unfortunately, that's not always the case, and that's what keeps our courtrooms full and our judges busy.
That said, I will do my best to promote that example of responsibility that so-called 'free speech' seems to lack these days. The kind that doesn't pander to fear-mongers, radicals, or even the establishment.
Journalism can be a powerful tool if used in a responsible manner. I have long felt this way, and sadly, it's falling by the wayside, even at the network level.
Pressure by management to 'get it first' rather than 'get it right' often breeds distrust through error. Dan Rather learned this the hard way. However, he's not the only guilty party.
Someone once pointed out to me that so-called 'world' news on America's networks is more 'national' than anything else. You get about 20 minutes of all-internal national news, maybe five minutes of world news, if you're lucky, with the remaining five minutes left to sell for commercial ad time.
I didn't discover the truth in this until one day when I watched a BBC newscast. For me, it was a real eye-opener.
We pay little attention to anything outside our borders and even less to what's happening in our borders at the top levels of government. It's personally distressing to me when younger people choose to get their 'news' from sources like "The Daily Show" or "Weekend Update".
Some say "I don't watch the news because it's too depressing." Hey, reality is a buzzkill. I'm not going to dispute that.
We have a broken Social Security system that's constantly in danger of running out of money. We work for companies more interested in cash now than compassion for its retirees. We've elected government leaders who have ideas but no clues as to how to effectively move forward and actually get things done. We complain about the country's state of affairs yet we choose not to vote and don't support the men and women who fight for our right to do just that.
So I say this...time to wake up, America.
NEXT WEEK: Did You Know Jack?
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