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SWEET SOUNDS: I heard it on the radio

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Today is National Radio Day. In my life, it means almost as much as my birthday.

Ron Clay & Terry Meiners exiting WLRS studios in The 800 Building as doorman Sam Grandison shakes his head. (1982)

I’ve been lucky enough to earn my living doing what I always wanted to do. From the time I was a little kid I just wanted to be on the radio. My dad laughed at Bill Bailey’s jokes. I loved WAKY radio and the lunacy I heard from its deejays.

I was hired at WHAS in 1985 for my sarcastic comedy streak, but the job evolved into conducting news making interviews with the powerful and prominent. Sometimes people become more prominent after appearing on my show.

Terry Meiners on the air at beginning of his radio career — WKQQ-FM (Lexington) in 1977.

After some of my WAKY buddies helped me put together an audition tape in 1976, I was hired by Jim Rivers, a Lexington programmer at WKQQ-FM and WBLG-AM. While other college kids were out having fun, I was tending to the automated rock songs on WKQQ from 10 PM until 6 AM on both Friday and Saturday nights. That’s the lowest rung on the ladder.

WKQQ program director pitched management on taking the radio station from automation to live deejays. His calculation for me, a college student, is misstated as “weekly” when he meant to type “monthly.” $40 x 12 months = $480

But I loved it. I was earning minimum wage and couldn’t wait until my next shift so that I could be part of the delivery system of music, promos, and a few parody pieces I started to submit. Eventually WKQQ went to live deejays and I was not selected. Six months in, one of the new hires didn’t work out so I was given a chance.

I’ve never stopped loving the job of opening the microphone and speaking extemporaneously to an unseen audience. Listening to your thoughts expands my mind. The rewards have been phenomenal.

Terry Meiners files snow reports along I-65 (January 22, 2016)

Happy National Radio Day. I hope your career brings you the soaring joy I still receive from mine some forty years later. Thanks for listening. Thanks for watching my TV nonsense. Thanks for being so supportive to my family after all these years. I hope I’ve been of help to you or your organization in some positive way.

Terry Meiners shares a drink with his pet cicada in 1987 (WHAS-TV)

WHAS radio team 1990 Wayne Perkey, Jack Fox, Milton Metz, Terry Meiners, Diane Williamson, Joe Donovan, and Doug McElvein

A lot of the folks in the above photo made great impressions on me and helped boost my career. I am forever grateful to all of the wonderful broadcast mates I’ve shared studios with. Each one added to my portfolio of knowledge and devotion to the craft of communication. Thank you all so much.

The most important component of my career has been taking part in the public service miracle called the Crusade for Children. Through all of the challenges of regular workdays, nothing rewards the soul more than helping special needs children and their families. I am eternally grateful for the chance to help in some small way. Onward.

1980 WHAS Crusade for Children with Wayne Perkey, Phyllis Knight, Jim Walton, and Milton Metz

In closing, one final hero must be spotlighted. Paul Harvey was the quintssential American broadcaster. We carried his broadcasts on WHAS for decades. See his story below.

The gas station lady suddenly fell in love with her lotto winner customer

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Lewis County, Kentucky is abuzz after one its residents won the LUCKY FOR LIFE prize on $1,000 per day for the rest of his life. David Jordan is the newest millionaire in Kentucky. Here’s what he had to say on the radio a few hours after picking up his winnings at Kentucky Lottery headquarters in Louisville.

Mr. Jordan wants to buy his daughter a new home and get a truck for himself. Since his brother refused to drive him to Louisville to claim the prize, well, stay tuned.

David Jordan, lottery winner

Rick Pitino halftime hilarity – Who knows what’s next?

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University of Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino and I had a ton of fun with his TV show during his first 12 years in Louisville. The contract eventually went to a different TV station and we lost our weekly silliness.

Here’s a typical show. It originally aired on December 20, 2008. The final segment (at approx 21 minutes in) shows a montage of the goofball halftime interviews we would do for laughs. Once I launched my second question, I had no idea what Pitino would say to break my shoes. ESPN Sportscenter eventually picked it up one night. Pitino saw it and texted: “Our act finally made it to national TV.” Mission accomplished.

Coach P is still one of the best interview subjects in all of media. He gives thoughtful, insightful answers and never forgets to add some humor. That skill set will serve him well whenever he steps away from coaching and goes to TV commentary.

Pitino tells me today that he is ready to go back to work on Monday with that same head of steam he brings every year.

SURJ urges purges of Statues of No Liberty

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Neo-Nazis touting white supremacy are battling with anti-racism activists in hotspots across America. The upheaval is one of the ugliest chasms in the country’s 241 year history.

alt right white nationalists rallying in Charlottesville, VA (August 2017)

SURJ spokesman Andrew Stone Porter, a Ph.D. candidate at Vanderbilt University, spoke on my radio show about the need for white allies to join people of color and religious minorities to strengthen their position against white nationalists.

We also talked about the push to remove Confederacy statues and the notion that monuments to George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and King Louis XVI should also be considered for removal.

PGA pros: like grandfather, like father, like son

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Louisville’s golf superstar Justin Thomas won the 99th PGA Championship, a dream to honor his father and grandfather, both PGA professionals. After the victory, Justin remembered his hometown buddies, too.

Many are noticing how millennial golfers enjoy more peer camaraderie than previous generations of competitors. Here’s an overview of Justin’s championship week.

Reflecting on his young life, 24-year-old Justin told ESPN he witnessed Tiger Woods’ 2000 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club. Justin, only seven at the time, said when he heard the crowd roar as Woods sank his winning putt, the second grader knew what he wanted to do with his life.

Tiger Woods and Justin Thomas, August 14, 2017

Tiger and Justin met for dinner in Florida the night after Justin’s victory.

Oh, and one last side note. Back in February, Justin was asked about his basketball loyalty.

Love it. Congrats to mom Jani, dad Mike, and Justin Thomas. We are thrilled for this humble and incredible St. Xavier High School family.

The Beasman says U of Smell is getting soccer’d into irrelevance

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THE BEASMAN soccer town

LARRY, WHEN Y’ALL GONNA HAVE ANOTHER PEPPER RALLY FOR U OF SMELL FOOTBAW? I WANNA BE THERE TO BOO MY SON-IN-LAW MIKE. DADGUMMIT, I WOULD RATHER MY DAUGHTER’S IDIOT HUSBAND TAKE A JOB AS A DRUG DEALER OR A TATTOO ARTIST BEFORE GOING BACK TO U OF SMELL…BUT HE DONE IT!

THE MAN WHO MARRIED MY DAUGHTER IS BACK IN GHETTOVILLE WORKIN FOR THAT COMMUNIST CARDINAL BOBBY PETRINKO. IT TURNS MY STOMACH TO THINK ABOUT MY LITTLE GIRL HAVIN TO CASH FILTHY CARDINAL PAYCHECKS AND BEIN EXPOSED TO ALL THAT CRIME AND CURSIN THAT LOSERVILLE PRIDES ITSELF ON. I HOPE MY DAUGHTER’S HUSBAND DON’T REALLY WANT U OF SMELL TO WIN AND THAT HE IS STILL A WILDCAT FAN CUZ HE USED TO WORK FOR THE BIG BLUE.

Mike Summers coaching at UK (photo: kentucky.com)

BUT I SEEN HIM ON TV WEARIN A UGLY RED SHIRT AND IT MADE ME MADDER THAN A BUNCH OF HORNETS IN A BLENDER. DADGUMMIT, I HOPE HE’S WEARING LUCKY WILDCAT UNDERSHARTS SO CAINT NO U OF SMELLERS KNOW HE’S REALLY BIG BLUE. HE AIN’T ALLOWED TO COME IN MY HOUSE AS LONG AS HE WORKS FOR “THE SMELL.” THAT’S WHAT I LIKE TO CALL U OF SMELL – THE SMELL. AIN’T THAT GOOD, LARRY? Y’ALL KNOW U UH KAY GONNA BEAT Y’ALL AT THE END OF THE SEASON BUT I BETCHA BOBBY PETRINKO IS LEAKIN OIL LONG BEFORE THAT.

THEM BROHM BOYS GONNA SMACK BOBBY AROUND ON THE OPENIN GAME AND THEN CLEMSON IS GONNA COME TO YOUR LITTLE PIZZA OVEN STADIUM AND THROW Y’ALL AROUND LIKE A RAG DOLL. I LOVE IT. I BETCHA BY THE TIME Y’ALL GIT TO LEXINUN YOU GONNA BE 2 AND 9. AND THEN THE CATS CAN KILL YOU OFF LIKE WE DONE LASS YEAR. YOU AIN’T GITTIN NO BO GAME BUT WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO HAVE L.S.U. BEAT YOUR BRAINS IN LIKE LASS YEAR? THE S.E.C. IS WHERE BIGTIME SCHOOLS LIKE ALABAMMER AND KENTUCKY PLAY. JUST STAY IN YOUR LITTLE BROTHER A.C.C. AND ACT LIKE Y’ALL IS BIGTIME.

HEY YOU GOT THE HEISHMAN TROPHY WINNER AND YOU IS BARELY RANKED…AND NOBODY GOT YOUR QB ON THE HEISHMAN TROPHY LIST. WHAT’S THAT TELL YOU? THEY ALL FEEL LIKE THEY GOT SNOOKERED INTO VOTIN FOR HIM LASS YEAR BUT THEY AIN’T GONNA MAKE THAT MISTAKE TWICE. U UH KAY’S QUARTERBACK STEVEN JOHNSTON IS GONNA WIN THE HEISHMAN THIS YEAR…AND WE WILL GIT TO KEEP IT CUZ THE NC2A IS TAKIN Y’ALLS AWAY WHEN THEY COME TO TOWN TO TAKE DOWN THAT BANNER. COME ON, NC2A…TAKE ALL THEIR SWAG! CHEATERS DON’T DESERVE NO TROPHIES! THEY NEED TO GO TO PRISON AND HAVE THEIR STADIUM SOLD TO THAT PROFESSIONAL SOCCER TEAM THAT’S MORE POP-A-LAR THAN U OF SMELL.

THAT LOSERVILLE CITY FC NAMED THEIRSELF THATAWAYS BECAUSE THE F.C. STANDS FOR “FAILED CARDINALS.” THEM SOCCER TEAM OWNERS KNOW THAT U OF SMELL’S DAYS IS NUMBERED AND SO THEY IS SWOOPIN IN TO GIT ALL THESE BEARDED MILLENNERALS TO COME TO THEIR GAMES AND QUIT GOIN TO U OF SMELL GAMES. SOCCER IS A SISSY SPART BUT MILLENNERALS HATE FOOTBAW BECAUSE IT EXPLOITS THE MARGINAL PEOPLES…WHATEVER THAT MEANS. SO U OF SMELL MIGHT AS WELL JUST HANG IT UP. BASKETBAW IS GITTIN THE DEATH PENALTY. FOOTBAW DONE BEEN PASSED UP BY LOSERVILLE CITY F.C. SOCCER.

AND Y’ALLS FOUNDATION KEEPS HIRING THIEVES AND LIARS SO AIN’T NOBODY WANTIN TO DONATE TO NO SCANDAL U. (sing) TURN OUT THE LIGHTS…THE PARTY’S OVER. LARRY, WHAT IS YOU GONNA DO FOR FUN NOW…CHASE PARKED CARS? IT’S OVER FOR YOU AND YOUR BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN BOYFRIEND SLICK RICK. MY SON-IN-LAW CAN GET A MORE HONORABLE JOB AS A HEROIN SALESMAN INSTEAD OF REPPERSENTIN SCUMBAG U OF SMELL SCANDAL COLLEGE.

ALL YOU SMART PEOPLE NEED TO GIT YOU A BLUE SHIRT AND START CHEERIN FOR THE ONLY DECENT SCHOOL IN KENTUCKY…THE WILDCATS! GO BLUE! GO CATS! HEISHMAN TROPHY FOR STEVEN JOHNSON, DADGUMMIT, OR IT’S RIGGED! AWWWW C-A-T-S CATS! CATS! CATS!

Two-fer Tuesday: political ping pong

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Governor Matt Bevin and U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth were together for the Lincoln Bridge dedication in December 2015. The two men are not friendly with each other.

My radio show today featured back-to-back interviews with political opposites Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin and U.S. Representative John Yarmuth (Ky-3).

Here’s the governor talking about potential expansion of Toyota’s manufacturing presence, his victory in the PVA assessment of his home, misdirected media, pension pressure, and tax changes to retain wealth. As for the possibility of facing Attorney General Andy Beshear in the 2019 gubernatorial race: “To me that would be fantastic. He is not even competent as an attorney general.”

AUDIO

Hello, I’d like to report a carjacking. This is Jack speaking! (2013)

Congressman Yarmuth talked about North Korea’s nuclear threats toward the U.S., President Trump’s reply that America would bring “fire and fury never before seen in the world,” congressional health care camaraderie, and whether VP Mike Pence is sincere in claiming that he is not considering a 2020 run for the presidency.

AUDIO

He was Swiftly fired

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Taylor Swift with my stepdaughter and two friends, May 2013

Taylor Swift meets hundreds of people during her concert tours. Contest winners, fan club officials, music industry people, and radio station employees are usually given a chance to say hello and pose for a photo at most Swift shows. She even sends personal follow-up notes to many radio personalities to thank them for playing her music.

photo via TMZ

One idiot Denver DJ decided to grab a handful of Taylor’s butt during a 2013 backstage photo shoot. (photo obtained by TMZ)

Now the idiot deejay is suing Taylor Swift, claiming that her “false accusation” that he sexually assaulted her cost him his job and future employment elsewhere. Taylor Swift countersued, saying that DJ David Mueller “took his hand and put it up my dress and grabbed onto my ass cheek. And no matter how much I scooted over, it was still there.”

About 30 “Swifties” (Taylor Swift fans) gathered outside the courthouse on the second day of jury selection. The trial could take up several more days and spill into next week.

Here’s the jury selection questionnaire. This idiot deejay wants his 15 minutes and Taylor Swift is putting the hammer down “serving as an example to other women who may resist publicly reliving similar outrageous and humiliating acts.”

UPDATE: DAY TWO

Eventual outcome: idiot gets nothing, Taylor gets the last laugh

Taylor Swift with my buddy Scott Shannon (WCBS-FM, New York) in 2014

Nothing inappropriate happened here with my longtime buddy Scott Shannon, New York City’s #1 rated morning show host. Taylor Swift makes regular visits to top radio stations and is very good natured about taking photos with radio supporters.

David Mueller, the former Denver deejay, is simply trying to hold onto his flash of fame with a ridiculous $3 million lawsuit. Taylor Swift is asking for $1.

UPDATE: Taylor Swift won. David Mueller still contends that he never groped Swift, that he didn’t want money, and all he needed was a note where her camp claimed it was a misunderstanding. Mueller says he needs that note to help him find employment in broadcasting.

DJ, please.

2016 Grammy Awards

TOPS Louisville: Meet Terry Meiners

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Thanks to editor Christine Fellingham and TOPS Louisville Magazine for the terrific profile of my family and career. Ms. Fellingham surprised me with a retelling of our first meeting 35 years ago.

Family is life. I am abundantly bathed in life and love. Thanks to all who are a part of my incredible journey. Let’s have lots more laughs going forward.

Holding my boy Johnny Fever, the most spoiled member of our family (all photos by TOPS Louisville, July 2017)

Mary George Meiners, an outstanding wife, mother, and best friend

Game night at the kitchen table…always a chance to grab the family coat of worthless wisdom

Brain pain may explain Dan’s drama

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The whack-a-mole process between the Louisville Metro Council and its longest-serving member is off the radar for now. Last month, council colleagues told Dan Johnson to resign his seat or they’d remove him. Alleged sexual harassment is the elephant in the room.

Democrats typically refuse to acknowledge elephants so maybe this one will fade away without further action. No one is talking about whether the mayor or five council members will launch court proceedings to remove the beleaguered official.

Dan says they won’t.

Councilman Johnson returned to my radio studio on August 1st, the deadline imposed by his peers. Bottom line: he’s not leaving…at least without a costly legal battle.

AUDIO

In the interview, Johnson says that the mayor won’t act to remove him and he feels that no court action will be taken by his colleagues. Johnson sent personal apology notes to all 25 members of the council asking to move forward in peace.

Johnson also spoke publicly about head trauma from a car accident in the 1970s and how it could affect his memory. He said he was in a coma for two weeks and this could very well be a reason for his sporadic memory losses.

Johnson also declared that he will ignore a request from the LMC president that he give a one hour advance notice before entering city hall, and that he will not limit his movements around the building as colleagues requested.

Taxpayers wound up paying over $200,000 in court costs and legal fees for two previous removal proceedings against other metro council members. Johnson says he will fight to the finish if he is put on trial and “sadly, the taxpayers will have to pay the bill.”

End of story? No one knows for sure but, for now, Smilin’ Dan is grabbing headlines.