The Best Who Ever Was Passes It On

Legendary personality Scott Shannon announced his retirement from full-time radio a few weeks back. The impact this man has had on the business has also been “legendary!” He’s been a classic example of career reinvention, going from a well-known Program Director in the South to a label head to a premiere morning talent.

He ran promotion for the label that created Kiss, Donna Summer and others. He was responsible for the invention of the morning “zoo” concept copied by numerous stations in various formats. His well-publicized “worst to first” campaign created what is today one of the country’s most prestigious radio stations in Z100/New York. He moved from CHR to Hot AC to Classic Hits as a morning host, and never left the top 5. On top of all that, he influenced numerous broadcast careers, including this one.

As I read about his retirement, I couldn’t help but remember a rainy Saturday back in the day in South Georgia when Scott and his Regional Promotion Director for Casablanca Records challenged me and my Program Director, Ken Curtis, to a tennis match. He arrived in typical Shannon style in a limo. (Sidebar – the book on him on the tennis court was to aim for his knees and you were sure of a point.) Think about this: here was a National Promotion Director traveling three hours to the middle of nowhere in South Georgia to visit a small market Radio & Records magazine reporter. Typical Shannon, full of surprises.

The most memorable part of the visit was the 30-minute limo ride back from the indoor tennis court to the radio station. (Sidebar #2 – Ken and I won easily!) That trip literally altered the entire trajectory of mine and Ken’s careers. We were two young, aspiring programmers in our mid-20s looking to get to a larger market, and here we were with one of the sharpest programming minds in our business. We decided to take advantage of this “captive audience” and pick the man’s brain.

For 30 minutes we listened. He told us to think bigger than we ever have. Think as if we were in New York or Chicago or L.A., not Vidalia, GA. Program with a major market mind. We talked lots of nuts and bolts.

Ken and I could not wait to get to work, and that we did. It is no coincidence that four months later, Ken moved to Tulsa, OK, and then, six months after that, New York to program stations. I was elevated to Program Director and, six months later, wound up in Birmingham, AL on my way to an amazing programming career including Portland, OR; New Orleans; Dallas and more. Along the way, Scott was always available for advice, guidance and his usual crazy, creative ideas.

Part of this is a simple thank you to Scott Shannon for taking the time to help a young, very green radio guy become a very capable radio programmer. Thank you for the multitude of programmers you have helped. You always had time!

There are two lessons that can be learned from both sides of this. First, for the aspiring broadcasters in our business, DO NOT be afraid to approach a well-known personality, programmer or manager and ask for advice. If Ken Curtis and I had just decided to play tennis and nothing more, I’m guessing our careers may have taken a lot longer to blossom, if at all. Be prepared and be specific. You won’t get help unless you ask for it.

Secondly, for the experienced radio people out there, NEVER turn your back on mentoring someone. If you have the knowledge, experience and expertise, SHARE IT! Be available and be intentional. Heck, do it in the name of Scott Shannon!

“Taking Your Radio Presence To The Next Level. Be it an artist, radio programmer or on-air talent. Coaching and mentoring down to your foundational level”

Contact me:
John Shomby
Owner/CEO Country’s Radio Coach
jshomby@countrysradiocoach.com
757-323-1460
https://countrysradiocoach.com