I spoke with my dad earlier today, and my mother continues to gain a little strength each day.
She remains in the rehab wing after becoming ill earlier this month.
My dad said they've run a bunch of tests and the doctors feel they have quite a bit of information and narrowing down what else has been causing her weakness.
She might remain in the rehab wing for another couple of weeks, but we're so fortunate she's through what we hope is the tough part.
She's an amazingly strong woman and I can't wait to see her very soon.
I can't list all the great things she's done---it would take a million pages, but I will always remember her voice whenever my brothers and I were in competition, Little League, Pop Warner, Junior High, High School, anything--she was there and always knew how to keep us focused and motivated.
Love you mom!
David
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Special thanks to...
Van Goodall, Casey, Regan and Jordan, and Edward Graham from 104.9TheBeat for setting us up with a great location and backdrop at Cricket's Grill and Draft House----signs, live audience mic and prizes.
Thanks everyone!
For those who haven't dropped by on Wednesday's, we're here at Cricket's from 3:00pm-6:00pm and if you get on our live audience mic, you win a free appetizer.
We have t-shirts, prizes and even Baylor football tickets.
David Smoak
Thanks everyone!
For those who haven't dropped by on Wednesday's, we're here at Cricket's from 3:00pm-6:00pm and if you get on our live audience mic, you win a free appetizer.
We have t-shirts, prizes and even Baylor football tickets.
David Smoak
Sales, Sales, Sales, we couldn't do it without them...
I spent my first 9-years in the media business in television before moving into radio in January, 1990. My first owner in radio hired me to give the talk show some momentum and change the culture but he always said I'd be good with potential sponsors and in sales.
I didn't believe one word he said, at least then.
Well, at the time, coming from TV, sales and on-air types just didn't match.
I really enjoyed the dual challenge of on-air work and sales and although sales is a job where you get your teeth kicked-in more often than not, the high of the a client or sponsor saying, "yes," is fantastic.
Knowing both sides of being on-air and sales, and respecting what each has to do has allowed me to spend time with our sales department here at 1660ESPN.
I'll never forget that first meeting with our sales department and GM-Bill LeGrande on that Tuesday, June 22nd. I don't think anyone in that room believed me and/or some of my goals...but I hope they do now and if not, I'll keep working hard to make them believe in what we do.
I'd been given a heads-up on each them before arriving, and I'll never forget Terry Tacker asking me that afternoon, "What are your thoughts on the ratings?", "When are you going to get on the air?" and if we had more time, I'm sure he would've asked a hundred more questions.
I knew then, his passion and everyone else at that table and their passion for our radio stations.
I have a story about a client call with Terry from Wednesday that I'll mention in a second...but I have been lucky to have Bill, Becky LeGrande, Terry, Rich Richardson, Leslie, Kisha Davis, and Linda Hill on our side.
Bill has been in radio sales for years and once ran sales for a monster group in Houston. Now, that's pressure, sales in Houston. There are millions and millions of dollars on the line almost daily in that market. He's a veteran and a pro. He and I haven't always agreed with some of my ideas, but I appreciate how he gives me the time to "sell" my ideas or goals and not all GM's or Sales Managers give you a voice. I think he knows the history and contact of every potential client in Central Texas. Bill has gone out of his way to help me fight for things we've needed, technical equipment to a few other things. He's allowed me to "run a little bit," but knows when to pull me back.
Rich Richardson is a 7-foot sports-a-holic, who also happens to be a sales rep. He was here at 1660 before and then left and has returned. I call Rich the "wheeler dealer," and I mean he has ideas coming out of his head every hour. I've had to pull out the Program Director paddle on occasion when Rich wants to negotiate a little too much. There's no doubt though, he absolutely loves 1660ESPN Radio. He wants to be on the air, but most people do...I've thrown him a bone at times and I know one thing, he's a great in-game broadcast stats man. He's a huge Steelers fan, but we'll forgive him for that....oh yea, if you ever talk with Rich, ask him about his notebook of promotions and proposals. It's a wealth of information.
Linda Hill, Kisha Davis, and Leslie are are "newbies" on the sales staff. Leslie has a deep background in radio sales and she's about to help us a great deal especially down in our southern listening area. She was in Chicago, so like Bill, she knows how to be competitive. Linda and Kisha are still learning the business...both have sales backgrounds but not in radio, but I think both are "getting it now," and I believe in both of them. Linda is funny as heck, Kisha is very quiet---but she's always pounding the street for new clients and revenue. Linda and I have closed a couple of deals, including developing a great relationship with Randy Crook at Salty Dog.
Becky LeGrande has a media buyer background so mixing numbers, ratings, CPP, and proposals is her strength. We haven't been on as many calls since I arrived, but when we have, we're 2-2! La Fiesta and then Sam's on the Square. She is very good at creating promotions and really excels with Mix92.9. She did a great job with a "Fill The Bus" promotion for needy children in the Waco area.
Terry Tacker is the one who has taken me on more sales calls than anyone else. He's on the verge of breaking a personal record for sales in a month, I think he's $1,100 shy of that barrier for September. He's fearless in working on appointments and meeting potential clients. He has a board next to his corner of the room desk that looks like an NFL Draft-Board. If there's something that's been sold or something that hasn't been sold---it's up in his corner...it's impressive. Being a former Sports Information Director, I think Terry has an NFL Draft Board up there somewhere, just not sure...I'll figure it out one day. Not only has Terry taken me on numerous sales calls, he's introduced me to a lot of people who are decision-makers in Waco, he's always on the go, and his wife, Brenda---she works at Baylor---she's been like my Li'l Sis checking up on me from time to time.
Now, to today's story involving Terry.
He and I visited a prospective client today, spent about an hour and "she got it." She understands marketing, advertising and I think we'll get a commitment within 1-2 days.
I told Terry if he didn't close the deal, "he'd have hear about it for the next several weeks."
This prospective client loves 1660ESPN, and Terry had this detailed proposal and the client made a couple of suggestions and then I interjected some ideas she should look at and I promise you if the changes had been in red ink, it would have looked like one of my Chemistry tests back in high school.
I have great respect for the sales people who live and die by proposals and "yes and usually no."
I'm hoping we add the new sponsor very soon along with many others.
Thanks to our account exec's, and our great sponsors. We don't exist without them.
Smoaky
I didn't believe one word he said, at least then.
Well, at the time, coming from TV, sales and on-air types just didn't match.
I really enjoyed the dual challenge of on-air work and sales and although sales is a job where you get your teeth kicked-in more often than not, the high of the a client or sponsor saying, "yes," is fantastic.
Knowing both sides of being on-air and sales, and respecting what each has to do has allowed me to spend time with our sales department here at 1660ESPN.
I'll never forget that first meeting with our sales department and GM-Bill LeGrande on that Tuesday, June 22nd. I don't think anyone in that room believed me and/or some of my goals...but I hope they do now and if not, I'll keep working hard to make them believe in what we do.
I'd been given a heads-up on each them before arriving, and I'll never forget Terry Tacker asking me that afternoon, "What are your thoughts on the ratings?", "When are you going to get on the air?" and if we had more time, I'm sure he would've asked a hundred more questions.
I knew then, his passion and everyone else at that table and their passion for our radio stations.
I have a story about a client call with Terry from Wednesday that I'll mention in a second...but I have been lucky to have Bill, Becky LeGrande, Terry, Rich Richardson, Leslie, Kisha Davis, and Linda Hill on our side.
Bill has been in radio sales for years and once ran sales for a monster group in Houston. Now, that's pressure, sales in Houston. There are millions and millions of dollars on the line almost daily in that market. He's a veteran and a pro. He and I haven't always agreed with some of my ideas, but I appreciate how he gives me the time to "sell" my ideas or goals and not all GM's or Sales Managers give you a voice. I think he knows the history and contact of every potential client in Central Texas. Bill has gone out of his way to help me fight for things we've needed, technical equipment to a few other things. He's allowed me to "run a little bit," but knows when to pull me back.
Rich Richardson is a 7-foot sports-a-holic, who also happens to be a sales rep. He was here at 1660 before and then left and has returned. I call Rich the "wheeler dealer," and I mean he has ideas coming out of his head every hour. I've had to pull out the Program Director paddle on occasion when Rich wants to negotiate a little too much. There's no doubt though, he absolutely loves 1660ESPN Radio. He wants to be on the air, but most people do...I've thrown him a bone at times and I know one thing, he's a great in-game broadcast stats man. He's a huge Steelers fan, but we'll forgive him for that....oh yea, if you ever talk with Rich, ask him about his notebook of promotions and proposals. It's a wealth of information.
Linda Hill, Kisha Davis, and Leslie are are "newbies" on the sales staff. Leslie has a deep background in radio sales and she's about to help us a great deal especially down in our southern listening area. She was in Chicago, so like Bill, she knows how to be competitive. Linda and Kisha are still learning the business...both have sales backgrounds but not in radio, but I think both are "getting it now," and I believe in both of them. Linda is funny as heck, Kisha is very quiet---but she's always pounding the street for new clients and revenue. Linda and I have closed a couple of deals, including developing a great relationship with Randy Crook at Salty Dog.
Becky LeGrande has a media buyer background so mixing numbers, ratings, CPP, and proposals is her strength. We haven't been on as many calls since I arrived, but when we have, we're 2-2! La Fiesta and then Sam's on the Square. She is very good at creating promotions and really excels with Mix92.9. She did a great job with a "Fill The Bus" promotion for needy children in the Waco area.
Terry Tacker is the one who has taken me on more sales calls than anyone else. He's on the verge of breaking a personal record for sales in a month, I think he's $1,100 shy of that barrier for September. He's fearless in working on appointments and meeting potential clients. He has a board next to his corner of the room desk that looks like an NFL Draft-Board. If there's something that's been sold or something that hasn't been sold---it's up in his corner...it's impressive. Being a former Sports Information Director, I think Terry has an NFL Draft Board up there somewhere, just not sure...I'll figure it out one day. Not only has Terry taken me on numerous sales calls, he's introduced me to a lot of people who are decision-makers in Waco, he's always on the go, and his wife, Brenda---she works at Baylor---she's been like my Li'l Sis checking up on me from time to time.
Now, to today's story involving Terry.
He and I visited a prospective client today, spent about an hour and "she got it." She understands marketing, advertising and I think we'll get a commitment within 1-2 days.
I told Terry if he didn't close the deal, "he'd have hear about it for the next several weeks."
This prospective client loves 1660ESPN, and Terry had this detailed proposal and the client made a couple of suggestions and then I interjected some ideas she should look at and I promise you if the changes had been in red ink, it would have looked like one of my Chemistry tests back in high school.
I have great respect for the sales people who live and die by proposals and "yes and usually no."
I'm hoping we add the new sponsor very soon along with many others.
Thanks to our account exec's, and our great sponsors. We don't exist without them.
Smoaky
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Wrapping up another week of HS broadcast preparation...
Just tweaked and revised my China Spring offensive and defensive spotter-boards for their game on Friday against McGregor.
I've finished McGregor's spotter-boards as well, now waiting for a little information and feedback from Tim Seward, especially some pronunciations.
McGregor is coming off back-to-back losses to Crawford and Reicher, so they'll play well on Friday.
China Spring won a huge road game last Friday in Liberty Hill.
Smoaky
I've finished McGregor's spotter-boards as well, now waiting for a little information and feedback from Tim Seward, especially some pronunciations.
McGregor is coming off back-to-back losses to Crawford and Reicher, so they'll play well on Friday.
China Spring won a huge road game last Friday in Liberty Hill.
Smoaky
Sunday, September 12, 2010
"You Make The Call" Online Streaming...
(Monday)
http://kmacsports.ezstream.com/play/...&id=1925688C5F
(Tuesday)
http://kmacsports.ezstream.com/play/...&id=19233E8C6C
(Wednesday)
http://kmacsports.ezstream.com/play/...&id=19233E8C79
(Thursday)
http://kmacsports.ezstream.com/play/...&id=1923EF8C86
(Friday)
http://kmacsports.ezstream.com/play/...&id=191BE68C93
Saturday, September 11, 2010
I cannot imagine why Baylor's game with Buffalo wouldn't reach a crowd of 40,000+
I don't know enough about some of the old scars between the City of Waco, Central Texas and Baylor University.
But, like anything else, everyone needs to grow up and bury the hatchet.
Has BU made some previous decisions that alienated potential ticket buyers, yes--and based on my conversations with Ken Starr, Ian McCaw and others---they've tried to reach out and attract a new fan base and perhaps work a new relationship with those who haven't been coming to the games.
In my opinion, two things need to happen or Baylor football will be on the outside looking in again sometime sooner than you think.
1) Everyone needs to grow up, forgive and forget and give Baylor another chance. But, that doesn't happen without Baylor truly reaching out and sustaining their interest in the community...not for a couple of home games but forever.
2) No matter how much BU markets their football program, they team MUST win and they must be convincing in some of their victories.
Look, they're in a very difficult division, but that's not going to change, so get better.
Art Briles and his staff are doing what they believe in to bring the Bears back, it won't happen overnight, but the window of opportunity to convince fans is ticking.
I mentioned how disappointed I'd be if the attendace didn't reach 40,000+ today, and about 25-minutes from kickoff, that's up in the air.
I hope those who told me I'm clueless about demanding 40,000 are wrong.
If not, I'll be hammering away at my philosophy on Baylor's football future and the fan base.
If you want to be a big-boy program, you have to act like one.
That's on the team, program, players, coaches and fan base.
David Smoak
But, like anything else, everyone needs to grow up and bury the hatchet.
Has BU made some previous decisions that alienated potential ticket buyers, yes--and based on my conversations with Ken Starr, Ian McCaw and others---they've tried to reach out and attract a new fan base and perhaps work a new relationship with those who haven't been coming to the games.
In my opinion, two things need to happen or Baylor football will be on the outside looking in again sometime sooner than you think.
1) Everyone needs to grow up, forgive and forget and give Baylor another chance. But, that doesn't happen without Baylor truly reaching out and sustaining their interest in the community...not for a couple of home games but forever.
2) No matter how much BU markets their football program, they team MUST win and they must be convincing in some of their victories.
Look, they're in a very difficult division, but that's not going to change, so get better.
Art Briles and his staff are doing what they believe in to bring the Bears back, it won't happen overnight, but the window of opportunity to convince fans is ticking.
I mentioned how disappointed I'd be if the attendace didn't reach 40,000+ today, and about 25-minutes from kickoff, that's up in the air.
I hope those who told me I'm clueless about demanding 40,000 are wrong.
If not, I'll be hammering away at my philosophy on Baylor's football future and the fan base.
If you want to be a big-boy program, you have to act like one.
That's on the team, program, players, coaches and fan base.
David Smoak
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
"You Make The Call" Online Streaming Test Drive
We're launching our new website later this month and eventually the setup for online streaming.
However, until then, we will look for options, including an online streaming TEST DRIVE on Thursday, September 9th between 3:00pm-6:00pm.
http://kmacsports.ezstream.com/play/index.cfm?id=191BAE711A=
http://kmacsports.ezstream.com/play/index.cfm?id=191BAE711A=
Please send responses on the quality of sound to smoaky@1660espn.com.
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