Ken Carr

Fox 11 - The Informal Gathering

2012-01-28T01:41:00.001-07:00

A handful of people who work at Fox 11 got together to hang out and have some food and drink. Its the last few days for this group to be together so it was fun to socialize.

I tend to take very Kenparazzi style photos at these kinds of things and this was no exception.

At Union -- at Campbell and River Rd in Tucson:

Val and Carissa eat mussels.

Val eats mussels. I take photo. The end.

Mark and Kelly.

Val and Carissa.

Kelly looks at a menu.
Lee has a mouthful of pizza.
I told you I take very Kenparazzi photos at events like this.

Three people, one thumb.

Mark, Samantha, Marcelino, Kelly.

Samantha and Marcelino.

Mark eats some really cheesy macaroni and cheese.
From left: Carissa, Kevin, Mark, Samantha.

Hey Ken, we're eating.
Stop taking photos!

Kelly eats ahi tuna.

Kelly eats tuna.
Marcelino eats macaroni and cheese.
Lee crosses his arms.

Tuna strikes fear in the heart of Karen.

One of these two people ate a forkfull of tuna.
Hint: The one on the left.

Karen eats bread that looks like poop.
Mmm. Poop.

A great group of people having a really good time.

My Rosie O'Donnell story

2012-01-26T00:46:00.001-07:00

Jimmy Fallon has Rosie O'Donnell on as a guest tonight and it reminded me of my encounter with Rosie back in 1991.

I was the morning deejay on Kix 106 in Providence, Rhode Island. I was asked if I would have Rosie on as a guest. She was doing her stand-up act at a local comedy club and was making the rounds on local radio stations to promote the show.

At the time, she was the host of VH1's "Stand Up Spotlight". She did a little standup comedy on each show and then brought other comedians on. VH1 still played a lot of music videos at the time so it was a show that kind of stood out and was a big help in giving her national exposure.

My show was on from 5-10 a.m. She came in with the promoter from the club who was appointed as her driver at around 7 a.m.

Rosie was wearing overalls and immediately announced she was tired and didn't know how I could be so cheery that early. It made sense at the time -- she was primarily a stand-up comedienne and that meant working late nights at comedy clubs doing her routine.

She was gracious and funny. We were on about 4-5 minutes and then I had to get a commercial break and traffic report on before chatting with her some more.

During the break, she looked at me and said "I know you make a lot of money". I stared at her in disbelief. I asked "Did I leave my paystub lying around?"

She said, "No. But I just turned down an offer to be on the Howard and Stephanie morning show on Hot 97 in New York for $500,000. I thought it would tie me down too much from my stand-up and TV career which is really taking off so I turned it down. Plus, I'm working on some possible movie deals."

I was making $27,000 a year at the time.

We finished up her time on the air and after she left I wondered if she made the right choice.

I think its obvious looking back... that she did.

My new job is...

2012-01-24T02:03:00.000-07:00

I've been telling you a little about searching for my next career opportunity after my employment ends at Fox 11 KMSB on January 31.

After weeks of searching and interviewing, I'm excited to announce that I have accepted an offer to be the Executive Producer of the Morning Blend TV show on KGUN 9 here in Tucson starting February 6. If you haven't watched the show, it airs at 11 a.m. weekdays (with a replay at noon on CW Channel 58) and its a one hour local lifestyle/entertainment show.

I made the transition from radio to television in October 2011 after my job ended at Mega 106.3. Working as a news producer at Fox 11 gave me the opportunity to learn new skills. It also demonstrated that I could successfully transition to television. That turned out to be an important component in landing this position.

I will be returning to Journal Broadcast Group, the company I worked for before Fox 11, but on the television side. Its an amazing opportunity and I am excited to get started. The people who work on the show are fantastic. Plus, I will be working again with the same wonderful group of people I had the privilege of working with for six years during my first run at Journal.

Who says you can't go home?

Gabrielle Giffords Resigns

2012-01-22T17:13:00.002-07:00

A sad day for many in the Tucson area and around the country.

Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords announcing she'll resign from her seat in the House of Representatives.

Some people agree with her political views and some don't... but one thing that is obvious through the shooting incident on January 8, 2011 and the last year of her recovery: She's a strong woman full of fight.

There will be a special election to replace her in the near future. Here's hoping that someone runs who is as extraordinary as she is. Or else I'm writing in a name. Justin Bieber?

Anthony ate ANOTHER whole cake!

2012-01-21T23:32:00.002-07:00

I am endlessly fascinated by Anthony's eating habits.

Back on January 5th I posted a photo of an empty Pepperidge Farm Lemon Cake box. It was empty because Anth ate the entire cake by himself. It only took hours for him to do it. Click here for that story.

He's done it... AGAIN!

He's totally happy having cake for breakfast. He's also thin and healthy. Its fascinating.

He just polished off another cake. This one was Red Velvet.

This is the cake Anthony ate all by himself.
He also had four giant cupcakes in the last two days.
Total rockstar move.

11 Days Left - at Fox 11

2012-01-20T02:13:00.000-07:00

Today marks 11 days left at Fox 11.

Its been an extraordinary experience. Everyone I've had the privilege to work with is awesome. My co-workers have been patient, kind to me, and willing to teach me a brand new set of job skills. Its a really good group of people.

Even though this job was short in its tenure, I've gotten the opportunity to learn how to produce a newscast. Plus, I've gotten the chance to show that I can successfully make a career change (working as a news producer is very much a career change compared to programming a radio station and working as an on-air talent).

The most extraordinary part of my time at Fox 11 is seeing how professional and together everyone has been knowing its about to end. It won't end for people who watch each day. Viewers will still get their news at 9 p.m. plus two new hours of programming in the morning. But, it will look different and will feature a different cast of people delivering the news stories on camera. Most people won't know the blood, sweat and tears that went into putting together the newscasts prior to February 1 with a small, hardworking, dedicated staff. It will be done by a different company and different people at that time. The newscast will also be in high definition for the first time.

The part that will end is the group of people who work together now. Some are getting hired at Raycom (the company that owns KOLD and will be responsible for producing newscasts starting February 1), some at other stations in Tucson, some in other cities, and some will be going on to other jobs other than in television news.

One thing that has been unusual is the open nature of finding employment. There hasn't been a day that has gone by since mid-November where I haven't heard co-workers ask each other things like "Did you get a new job?" or "How's the job hunt going?" and get to hear real candid conversations. I've never experienced anything like it.

It was a gamble for the company to hire an inexperienced producer and it was a gamble for me to take on the job. I'd like to think the gamble was a successful one for both sides. I'm grateful that I've had the opportunity even if its only been for a short time.

I work nine of the last eleven days. I imagine it'll be a one of a kind experience.

Flashback: Mega Movie - "Mouth Hunt"

2012-01-19T00:17:00.003-07:00

I hosted the Mega Movie on the CW Channel 58 for 2 1/2 years and some nights of filming my mouth just wouldn't work right.

Here's a Ken Carr flashback: An out take from March 2009 when "Mouse Hunt" turned into "Mouth Hunt".

KENjoy.

January 2012 Winter Rain in Tucson

2012-01-17T00:40:00.002-07:00

A cool cloudy day with rain in Tucson, Arizona... is an event.

If you are from somewhere else you probably think this is ridiculous.

This is one of the sunniest climates in America. There are more than 200 days on average each year where clouds cover less than a third of the sky. That puts Tucson in sixth place overall. The least cloudy city in America is Yuma, Arizona in case you were wondering.

I put up the occasional photo of rain or clouds because its unusual. Its mostly sunny, mostly warm compared to most cities. Today it was 61 and rainy from morning until late afternoon. Brrrr.

I was driving to work yesterday and a few drops hit my windshield so I grabbed my camera for a photo. Its not terribly safe to take a picture while driving but I live dangerously. Ahem.

Grant Road in Tucson driving west of Tucson Blvd on a grey cloudy rainy day

Flashback: My brand new cooler

2012-01-12T02:47:00.000-07:00

Here's a photo of my brother Mike in one of his first apartments in Kansas City. It was around 1990 I believe.

He moved there to go to school at DeVry and there are several funny elements (to me anyway) about this picture.

He was making a twelve egg omelette. In this photo he's cutting up potatoes. Who is this thin and can pack away a twelve egg omelette?!

He's also wearing a t-shirt from a bar called "Caboose". I believe that was a stolen (ok, discarded) item from his big brother Ken.

Here's the thing that really caught my eye - the cooler on the counter. I still have it more than twenty years later!

Here's a toast to the chickens... who had to produce all those eggs.

Twelve egg omelettes - all the rage back in the day.

Flashback: Christmas 2003

2012-01-12T01:30:00.001-07:00

Here's a photo I found from my days at 93.7 KRQ. It was a staff photo at the Tucson Mall with Santa in December 2003.

It was then Program Director Steve King's idea for all of us to go to the mall for this photo.

I was the big dork in the back doing a fake ear licking of Polo.

Good times!

KRQ crew - December 2003

Fantasy Bachelor

2012-01-10T14:34:00.002-07:00

I overheard a conversation here at Fox 11 and have to share.

A couple of my co-workers participate in "Fantasy Bachelor".

Fantasy Bachelor is kind of like fantasy football. You draft women contestants when the season starts, there's some sort of point system, and as they're eliminated you lose your players.

I asked to have it explained to me and I don't understand it any more than what I just described.

I can tell you I won't be participating. I watched one episode of that show a few years ago and I thought it was awful.

You caught my eye

2012-01-09T09:07:00.000-07:00

A man is dining in a fancy restaurant and there is a gorgeous redhead sitting at the next table. He has been checking her out since he sat down.

Suddenly she sneezes, and her glass eye comes flying out of its socket toward the man. He reflexively reaches out, grabs it out of the air, and hands it back.

'Oh my, I am so sorry,' the woman says as she pops her eye back in place. 'Let me buy your dinner to make it up to you,' she says.

They enjoy a wonderful dinner, afterwards they go to the theater followed by drinks. They talk, they laugh, they share their deepest dreams. She pays for everything and asks him if he would like a nightcap. The next morning, she cooks a gourmet meal with all the trimmings. The guy is amazed. Everything had been SO incredible!

'You know,' he said, 'you are the perfect woman. Are you this nice to every guy you meet?'

'No,' she replies. . .'You just happened to catch my eye.'

The joy of January 8

2012-01-09T01:08:00.002-07:00

One year ago on January 8 a terrible incident happened in Tucson. The shooting in front of the Safeway at Ina Road and Oracle Road that left six dead and many injured including Representative Gabrielle Giffords.

The incident happened on January 8, 2011 at 10:11 a.m. I was asleep.

I was Program Director of Mega 106.3 at the time and Dino, who usually worked Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. was in the studio when it occured, starting getting calls from station listeners asking what was going on. He did an excellent job of getting information out about the incident.

It was one of the darkest days in Tucson's history.

I think most viewers of television, or listeners or radio, don't know the amount of work that is involved to generate programming that centers around unusual events. It involves a lot of planning and coordination.

Now that I work in TV news I realize how stressful covering this sort of thing can be.

I'm sad for the victims... but glad its over.

Anthony ate a whole lemon cake

2012-01-05T20:31:00.001-07:00

I know one person who didn't make a New Year's resolution to lose weight: Anthony.

He doesn't need it to begin with. He's thin. But, if he'd made a resolution like that it would have already been broken.

We went to the grocery store last night and among the items purchased was a Pepperidge Farm Lemon Cake.

He ate the entire thing by himself in less than 18 hours.

All that is left is the box.

One man... three layers... one pound two ounces of lemon cake.
At least it had luscious lemon flavor.

Cracking 10,000

2012-01-03T17:37:00.002-07:00

I hit a big milestone to start 2012!

More than 10,000 friends and followers on Facebook and Twitter. In the media business... numbers and reach mean a lot.

As of this writing I have 2,568 Facebook friends and exactly 7,500 followers between my two Twitter accounts.

If you're part of that group... thank you. I hope you find my posts / information helpful, informative, or you just get a good laugh.

I appreciate you!

New Years Eve 2011

2012-01-01T23:56:00.002-07:00

2011 was quite a year in my life.

I didn't travel far last year (I think the biggest drive I made was about 30 miles and no airplane trips). I didn't have to travel to have plenty of life adventures however.

The year included long hours working at Journal / Mega 106.3, moving in together with Anthony, guest hosting Cosmic Bingo, leaky roof issues in my apartment finally getting fixed, getting a couple of new digital cameras, my first call to jury duty since I've lived in Arizona, being nominated Tucson's Most Influential Man by Arizona Foothills Magazine (I came in third in the voting), my laptop dying and my brother Mike doing a rockstar job at fixing it, photos with Boyz II Men and the San Diego Chicken, getting a shout out from Patti LaBelle at her Tucson concert and I wasn't even at the show, doing stage announcements at the Old School Summer Jam in front of 5000 people, and the biggest bombshell of the year... getting let go from my six year job at Journal Broadcast Group... followed by quickly being hired at Fox 11 KMSB.

The last moments of 2011 were spent at Leslie's New Year's Eve party where at the stroke of midnight Anthony asked me to marry him. It was amazing. And I said yes.

The Kenparazzi photos:

Laura and Anthony

A little bit o' conversation

Holly turns her back on the half bottle of champagne she drank

Leslie and Aaron

Holly doesn't feel well.
I have a sad face... and an Elmo hat.
Holly takes medication.

Goat cheese coated in blueberries.
Or as I like to call it: poop.

I'm still wearing the Elmo hat and Anthony's hand is stuck in my armpit.

Leslie's neighbors show up right before midnight to join in the festivities.

Holly blows... her noisemaker.
It gets excited.

Anthony sporting a crown lookin' thing.

Holly's still blowing the noisemaker.
She's wearing it out.

Toasting the champagne at midnight

Laura... spilling in the New Year.

Aaron and Leslie with a Happy New Year hug.
Awwwww.

Everyone yells Happy New Year!
I feel a tug on my pant leg... look down...
and this is what I see.
A man holding a ring.

I think this is meant for me!

Together nearly three years...
Anthony asks me to marry him.

I'm still in shock!

The ring is awesome!
And.... I said yes!

It does look good on my finger!

Pepperoni pizza is the rockstar way to bring in a new year!

The ring, the box in came in, and the foam thingy that holds cold drinks.
I may not be on that station anymore but I got the foam thingy for free.
And free is for me!

After eating snacks I need a paper towel to keep my hand grease free so it doesn't
mess up the ring.
Oops... I bumped my ass into Leslie.
That may... or may not... have been on purpose.

A pepperoni cheese French loaf thingy.
That's the biggest one of those... I've ever seen.

Eating tortilla chips with a fork

2011-12-27T22:58:00.001-07:00

Anthony rarely likes eating food with his hands. He prefers utensils.

There's nothing wrong with that. But there are moments watching him eat where I see foods eaten with a utensil I've never seen consumed that way.

We ate lunch at El Taco Tote on Wilmot on Monday. He asked me to get him some tortilla chips while he got salsa from the salsa bar.

Then, before digging into his enchiladas he ate his chips. With a fork.

The first step was picking up a chip. Sometimes it took numerous tries. Then, while carefully balancing the chip on the fork he dunked it into some salsa and into his mouth it would go.

He was remarkably good at it. Very little spilling.

Here's how its done:

Step one: Anthony picks up a chip with his fork.

Step two: While balancing the chip, it gets a salsa bath.
Its a talent worthy of America's Got Talent.

Christmas shopping

2011-12-26T11:23:00.000-07:00

I had forgotten (until today) that I had taken these pictures with my Blackberry of shopping with Anthony before Christmas.

We spent a couple of hours at Park Place Mall in Tucson. These photos were at H&M and Macy's. Clothes and a new vacuum cleaner.

Merry Christmas to us!

Police officers need cash too

2011-12-26T11:18:00.000-07:00

I thought this was fun.

I've gone to the ATM many times in my life but have never pulled in behind a police officer getting cash.

Until now.

Working on Christmas

2011-12-25T23:54:00.001-07:00

It seems no matter where I work... I end up working on holidays.

Since I've worked at Fox 11 I've worked on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and today Christmas Day.

I'm not mad. It comes with the territory. People expect to see something on their screens when they turn on their televisions. Somebody has to produce it. That somebody... is me!

It was a bit lonely in the parking lot today though...

The Ken Carr car.... all by itself on Christmas at Fox 11.

Anthony drove me today - its a Christmas Miracle!

2011-12-21T20:31:00.003-07:00

Anthony and I went holiday shopping today.

And, HE DROVE!

It is such a rare occurance (we've known each other since May 2009, its the third time he's ever driven while I'm in the passenger seat) I had to capture the moment the best way I know how: Kenparazzi style.

I didn't realize until I downloaded the photo from my camera that it looks like he's an unsafe driver... drinking water in traffic with no hands on the wheel. To his credit, its not as dangerous as it looks. We were stopped at the traffic light at Speedway and Wilmot.

And now, the moment captured...

Anthony driving Ken Carr.
History made on December 21, 2011.

More Tucson Winter Rain

2011-12-13T15:25:00.001-07:00

I have the day off today. Its a cold, rainy, yucky day in Tucson.

Rain is kind of an unusual event in Tucson. The desert is relatively dry.

I did take a few photos today from my apartment balcony to show how much rain we received.

Puddles!
(And, Ridgepointe Apts has actual grass... don't see that much around Tucson).

Puddle in the parking lot.

Drips of water on a tree branch.
My artistic photo for today!

Tucson Winter Rain

2011-12-12T16:49:00.001-07:00

I took some photos of today's winter rain.

Don't try this at home (I didn't, I took these while I was driving).

Rain at the Ridgepointe Apartments parking lot

Time to turn on the windshield wipers

Puddles on Columbus Blvd

Splish splash - driving south on Columbus Blvd

At Grant Rd and Columbus Blvd.
This truck can see itself on the street!

Grant Rd and Columbus Blvd is wet wet wet.

Anthony made cookies

2011-12-12T00:30:00.002-07:00

Anthony made cookies.

Ridiculously good homemade cookies with icing and sprinkles!!

Mmmmmmmmm. Cookies.

Backing dat ass (or car) up is dangerous

2011-12-12T00:10:00.002-07:00

I've been producing the news for a couple of months now. All kind of stories air but one stuck out to me in the last few days.

A woman was killed walking across the lot of the Chevron station at Valencia Road and Midvale Park in Tucson. The manner in which she was killed was what was caught my eye.

She was run over by a tow truck that was backing up. She died from her injuries when she was struck.

The story stuck out to me because it reminded me of a class I took a couple of years ago. I had looked into whether being a cab driver would make a good second job for me. I spent a couple of days checking into it including taking a class at the cab company.

I learned that driving a cab isn't the best job for me. A big shout out to anyone who does drive a cab because you're tougher than I am and you're awesome. I got uneasy about the most remote possibility that someone could try to rob me and that ended that.

I did learn from the class I attended about how to safely drive a cab / vehicle. There were lessons that included how far to drive behind someone, the importance of driving at safe speeds and paying close attention to your surroundings and what other people do at intersections. I also learned the least safe driving maneuver there is: backing up.

The class instruction suggested backing up slowly, carefully, and as infrequently as possible is the best bet. The reason is you have the least amount of visibility regardless of what you drive when you go in reverse.

I took that to heart even though I didn't end up working for the cab company. I am super careful when putting a car in reverse. Then a news story popped up that solidified what I was taught.

The tow truck driver wasn't cited, alcohol wasn't a factor, in all likelihood he just didn't see her and probably backed up too fast. (I don't know that for a fact.... its just a guess on my part.)

When you're behind vehicles or if you're going to back one up: Be careful. Backing dat ass, or dat car up... can be more dangerous than it seems.

The worst job interview I ever had

2011-12-07T00:02:00.001-07:00

I'm embarking on another round of job interviews in search of my next job (see previous posts about why I won't be at Fox 11 after January 31, 2012).

I thought I'd share the worst job interview experience I've ever had.

Flashback to 1996: I had just returned to California from working in Salt Lake City. The station there had been sold and I was looking for a new career challenge.

I got a lead that an alternative rock station in Sacramento was looking for a new Program Director. The station had a strong signal and was owned by a local guy. It seemed like a job I could succeed at so I decided to go for it.

I spent three days putting together a presentation. I was sure I was going to be competitive for the job so it was worth the investment in my time and effort.

I drove 50 miles from Stockton to downtown Sacramento. The radio station occupied the penthouse suite of the Renaissance Tower, an ominous looking black skyscraper. I was excited. This could be amazing.

I arrived in the lobby and waited almost 25 minutes before the owner came out.

I had a little background on the guy. Apparently he had a law degree, liked to fix broken equipment in the station himself, drove a purple Corvette, and had been described to me as a bit quirky. I work in the media business and had encountered plenty of quirky so I didn't think a whole lot about it.

The man I was there to see was a tall skinny man in a cheap suit. He also had an odd voice.

I got a tour of the station before we ended up in his office. It was impressive. There was a remarkable view of not only downtown but a lot of the Sacramento metro area.

The interview started... and the weird started. He'd ask me a question, I'd answer it, and then he'd proceed to pick apart my answer. It was quickly obvious he hated everything about my presentation. I told him how I thought his station stood in comparison to his competition. He told me that I was dead wrong. He listened to the audio presentation I brought and told me it was too long. I suggested ways he could increase revenue and ratings. He told me that I didn't understand the Sacramento market.

I was in his office for three hours. He interupted the interview multiple times to take phone calls. The most memorable was the conversation he had with someone who apparently was a sexual partner he had lined up for later that night. He asked her on the phone if she had a friend so they could make it a threesome and then requested that she describe in detail how big her friend's breasts were and who would do what. I felt uncomfortable. After he hung up from that call he said, "Sorry about that, I have a meeting tonight that I had to set up."

I'm not a prude by any means but it seemed gross that I made the time to prepare, drive an hour to get there, spend an afternoon with this guy, and ended up fighting back the urge to throw up in my mouth picturing him and some hideous woman (or women I suppose) in a hot tub exchanging diseases.

After three hours of being mowed down by this guy I got onto the elevator to make the long trip down to the parking garage and I thought to myself: "I don't care how much money this man would offer, I would never ever work there."

I never heard from him or that station. I ended up working for a competing station in Sacramento instead.

Its amused me in the years since because he ended up selling the station to Entercom for $25 million dollars. Then he proceeded to sue that company in an attempt to get his station back and having the sale nullified after he had seller's remorse. It went on for years in court. He lost every lawsuit. He no longer owns that property and now has stations in Palm Springs and Las Vegas.

The lesson I learned: If I'm in an interview and the person interviewing stops to take a phone call to ask how big the caller's boobs are, it may not be the job for me.

Shopping trip - Ken Carr style

2011-11-29T22:11:00.001-07:00

A few festive photos from around Tucson this weekend:

I found this sheepskin hat at Target.
The ears on top helped me hear better.

A historic moment at Walmart Neighborhood Market at Grant and Alvernon:
I found a Rice Krispie Treat bar that's actually larger than my giant head.
(I got photobombed by the guy behind me in pajama pants!)

A delicous maple frosted donut at Dunkin' Donuts at Grant and Swan.
Bonus: I have a Walgreen's sign coming out of the back of my head.

Anthony's culinary delights

2011-11-29T22:07:00.001-07:00

Anthony's been cooking lately. He asks me to take photos of his food and I never say no to taking a photo!

Anthony's homemade stuffing.
Including cranberries, sausage, chiles, and of course made with love.

Anthony's banana nut cupcakes with cream cheese frosting

Anthony's double fudge brownies with Nutella frosting.
I hope he was using the knife to cut the brownies.
It could also be a murder weapon.

Jury duty update

2011-11-26T00:04:00.001-07:00

Earlier this year I was called to jury duty.

I spent one day there. I was dismissed from the jury pool because I recognized the case being presented. I had heard the initial call on the scanner and watched the live report on KGUN9.

Fast forward to now: It turns out the defendant in the case was found guilty. He had killed someone at the Candy Store strip club (which is called something else these days... located at 22nd and Craycroft).

The Arizona Daily Star just reported that the murderer received twelve years in prison for the crime.

I know that jury duty is important but I'm glad I didn't end up having to serve more than one day. It would have been difficult to not be biased in this case. I suppose its the challenge of working in media. I'm hyper-sensitive to events that occur around Tucson. It doesn't make me a good jury candidate.

Here's the story of the sentencing from the Arizona Daily Star: Click here

In the news: Tucson Weekly

2011-11-25T23:52:00.001-07:00

I'm mentioned in the Tucson Weekly's "Media Watch" column this week.

The column is about the shared services agreement between KOLD and Fox 11 and the elimination of Fox 11 employees. I'm one of those people.

Read it by clicking here.

Getting help

2011-11-23T00:27:00.001-07:00

I have to look for a job (again). Which means I had to update my resume' (again).

I do a lot of writing but I have always struggled with resumes. I have experimented with a variety of formats, looks, and ways to do it. In the earlier days of my career before computers I typed them with my electric typewriter (yes, I owned one!). After typing it, I'd head to an office supply to run the copies and mail them out. At one point, I had this brilliant idea to use electric green paper so it would stand out in a stack of resumes on someone's desk. Looking back, it was a silly idea but it can never be said that I'm not willing to be adventurous.

The radio business allowed for some sloppy resume writing. If the tape sent showcasing on-air work was awesome the resume could be written in crayon drunk and you could still get a job.

Its a different world these days.

It seems many companies that own radio stations are eager to cut staff and lay people off. I've always loved the radio business but the business of radio these days seems to be more about how cheap a station can be run than pride in the product on the air. Finding a quality radio job is becoming a lot like finding a needle in a haystack.

I decided to broaden my horizons a bit. That's why I ended up at Fox 11. Unfortunately this job ends in January so I'm looking for another opportunity.

Thanks to one of my Facebook friends (Mr. Eric Cawley), for the first time in my nearly 25 year broadcasting career, I got some help.

I have so much experience that I need perspective. How do I take a career where I've done so much and put it all into a page or two that means something to a prospective employer?

There's something weird that happens when you get a lot of experience and expertise. It narrows your job prospects. Its kind of like wishing for a lottery win. Sure, you end up having all the money you want to buy everything you've ever desired. But, it presents an entirely new set of problems that you never thought you'd encounter.

The new version of my resume is the best one I've ever had. It put my years of hard work into a well organized document. Its already scored me an interview for next week. I'm grateful for the help, perspective, and advice.

Here's to my next job. And, take this advice for yourself: Solicit advice from others. Use it wisely. It can make a big difference.

An article on the Fox 11 situation

2011-11-18T23:42:00.001-07:00

A virtual high five to Dave Hatfield of Inside Tucson Business.

He writes a good local media column. He's also a nice guy.

This is one of the most complete articles I've seen yet about the Fox 11 situation. I'll write a complete story later after I don't work there anymore. I do still have a job at Fox 11 and it wouldn't be appropriate to say much until after it ends.

In the meantime, if you want to read the Inside Tucson Business story, click here.

Life can change in the blink of an eye

2011-11-16T00:22:00.001-07:00

There's an old saying that goes "Life can change in the blink of an eye".

The eye blinked on October 5 when I was let go from Mega 106.3. It blinked when I was fortunate enough to land a news producer job at Fox 11. Today, another blink.

The corporation I work for is going to outsource its newscasts to another company and I have to find a new job by January 31.

Legacy media (radio, television, print) has taken a beating in the last few years. Businesses that rely on advertising revenue always struggle in a down economy. Companies that operate these types of businesses have been forced to think out of the box to survive. That certainly seems the case with my current employer.

I believe if I work as hard as I can, learn whatever I'm capable of, and maintain a positive attitude no matter what happens that good things will occur. This is a setback I was not expecting (just like the last setback I was not expecting) but I'm not going to let it get me down. I'm upbeat because I have more than two months to look. I didn't have that luxury at my last job.

I put posts up on Facebook and Twitter today and a number of people expressed sympathy about my latest situation. I don't have a deadly disease. I have to change jobs again. Its a bit stressful but its not the worst thing that could happen to me.

Here's hoping that I am as lucky finding another job as quickly as I found the one I have now. I'd like to keep the next one longer though.

Hi / Goodbye Party

2011-11-14T22:24:00.001-07:00

I was let go from my last job on October 5.

A custom at my old job is to have a goodbye party. There was so much work left for my old co-workers after my departure that they just got around to having the party. I've moved on to my new job at Fox 11 but it was nice to hang out with some of my former co-workers for a night.

The party was at Nimbus Bistro on Tanque Verde. Its only five blocks from where I live so it worked out great. I had never been there before and the place is nice.

Now, onto the part you really want to see... the Kenparazzi photos!

Dino (eating a chicKEN wing), Rob, and Leslie

Bianca and Anthony

Jason (hey, nice tongue), Terri, Ina and Holly

Chris, my new sweater, JP, and Jason

Holly, my new sweater, Terri and Ina

My tongue is legendary.
Terri experienced the legend.

Chris, my tongue, and JP.
JP's had my tongue before.

My new sweater, Rob, Leslie, and Jason.
Jason drinking two fisted makes him very very happy.

Holly was annoyed I wasn't paying enough attention to her.
No, you're not high maintenance.

Nimbus makes some bitchin' nachos.

Fresh appetizers, Leslie, Holly and Terri.

Leslie has a little trouble with her appetizer.
Meanwhile, Holly gives me a death stare and Terri points.

Bianca and Anthony with Anthony's birthday eve cheesecake.
If you believe the candle arrangement Anthony is turning one year old.

Blow little Anthony... blow.

Rosemary and Holly.
Hello divas.

My new sweater, cold drinks, and Anthony.
I would have displayed the drink label but they didn't pay me.

Leslie's signature drink move portrayed by Anthony and Bianca.

Will and Leslie as Leslie performs her signature drinking move.
#Twinning.

Selena and my new sweater.
I was apparently attempting to keep the counter from floating away.

Anthony sticking something into his mouth.
I took this too early. You should have seen when it was deeper.

I'm an onion ring angel.

Jim, Dino and Leslie.

Leslie and Anthony take their signature photo together.

Leslie and Anthony's signature photo together with a bonus "haaaay" by Leslie.

Rain rain go away

2011-11-14T01:59:00.001-07:00

It was a cold rainy day in Tucson yesterday.

There's a fog advisory for this morning. That's a rare occurance in these parts.

A couple of photos of today's rain from the parking lot of my apartment complex.

Drip drip drip

A puddle.
Kind of an artsy photo!

Tucson radio ratings: Down down down

2011-11-09T23:49:00.001-07:00

The latest radio ratings came out for Tucson yesterday.

The ratings work on a 90 day rolling average. Each month a new number is posted. The oldest month drops off, the newest month is added.

I posted a few weeks ago that it was ironic the last ratings I was responsible for at Mega resulted in the biggest numbers the station had since 2008.

The new number today was a bit satisfying.

106.3 fell from 8th to 11th. A 3.7 share to a 2.9. Its a 90 day rolling average so it had to have crashed and burned badly in October for it to fall that far.

I'm torn about it. Its easy to say things like "See, it was a stupid decision" or "Screw them, that's what they deserve" but I don't think like that. The decision made was based on research. Where it went wrong is that the research was poorly interpreted. I wasn't in a position to influence that. I may have nearly 25 years of experience in media but my opinion wasn't important.

The station needs to do well so there aren't more people like me that end up unemployed. There are people that stuck their neck out deciding this was the best course of action. I don't want anyone else to deal with what myself, Rosemary and Dino did.

Since I don't have responsibility for that anymore I can KENjoy the aftermath. It makes no difference in my life anymore. I'm not employed there. I can just watch the car fall off the cliff.

See the numbers: Click here

The problem with the Joe Paterno firing

2011-11-09T23:21:00.001-07:00

I don't generally comment much on national news stories. Mostly because I find myself a whole lot more interesting. (That's a joke... I hope you're laughing).

I am bothered a bit by the firing of Penn State coach Joe Paterno.

I'd like to state that I don't think its right that children were allegedly molested, the assistant coach was employed for years after the alleged incident took place, and I don't give a crap about Penn State. I have an issue with it for a different reason.

If you've ever been employed in management at most any organization there is a protocol for dealing with matters such as this. That is certainly the case at most every media organization I've ever worked for. While the order and method in which an issue such as a sexual assault or harrassment is handled varies a little from company to company, its essentially the same in most organizations.

To sum it up in once sentence: "The shit flows upstream."

I have seen many people suggest on the internet that Coach Paterno should have immediately called the police once the incident was brought to his attention. That is not how things such as this are handled in most organizations. There are a variety of reasons why.

From what I've read, and this is all I can base my opinion on, he brought the incident to the attention of his boss(es). That is what you do when you when you're a manager. While you may be responsible for the people under you, you are not responsible for how an organization handles a situation like this.

If Paterno had immediately called the police, as it has been suggested by many, he himself would have been in big trouble at the university. Its usually up to someone in a high ranking position, or in human resources, to make that decision. The failure in this situation isn't the coach not dialing 911. It was the people he reported it to for not taking the appropriate action.

The university's reputation has been bloodied at the moment for sure. A list of people will be standing in the unemployment line as a result of someone in a high ranking position at the university not properly handling the situation. But, a head football coach may be the face of a football team or at many schools the face of the school itself (at Penn State that's most certainly the case for Coach Paterno), a coach is not in the end responsible for making that decision.

I've had a couple of incidents in my career where a sexual harrassment or similar sort of incident has been alleged. If I had picked up the phone and called the police immediately I would have been fired long before the employee in question had lost his or her job. That was not my call. It was my responsibility to report it to my boss, provide any information I had, and if I was directed to release that employee from his or her duties as a result I had the unenviable task of doing so. But that decision was not mine.

The reason so many people were fired at Penn State as a result of this incident was due to the fear that if anyone who could have been potentially involved in any kind of cover up was allowed to stay it would be viewed by the public as inexcusable. They had to do it.

The lesson learned is an ugly one. If you or I as an employee report a crime as awful as this one was to your boss and they choose to do nothing about it, you can still be fired anyway. Not very fair but sometimes that's how it works.

Ken cooked!

2011-11-07T20:19:00.001-07:00

I cook upon occasion. Not well in my opinion.

I decided to make dinner tonight since I had the day off for Anthony and I.

He purchased ground sausage over the weekend when he bought groceries. I searched the internet and came up with a recipe for Taco Turnovers. Which are essentially like taco empenadas except I used biscuit dough.

I had a few problems when I made them. I thought we had taco seasoning. We had fajita seasoning. I also realized I've never chopped an onion before. I'm now going to buy one of those Slap Chop contraptions from the TV commercials.

Anthony said after eating them that they were ridiculously good. I was pretty sure they were going to be terrible and in my clumsy yet adventurous nature I nailed it. They were delicious.

Anthony also mentioned to me something that my friend Brandon told him once about me: "Ken doesn't know how to fail." I don't think that's the case at all but somehow I did manage to make something edible for dinner.

Here's the finished product right out of the oven:

(And here's the link to the recipe if you want to try 'em... use a fajitas seasoning packet instead of taco seasoning and ground sausage instead of ground beef and you'll get Ken Carr-like results).

Taco Turnovers - Ken Carr style!

Sunset over Tucson

2011-11-07T20:11:00.002-07:00

I promised I'd try to get a photo taken today. I was thinking I'd take more but I got lazy. It is my day off work today!

It was the coldest day we've had in Tucson in about eight months. We didn't make it to 60 today. Which is unusually cold for November. It also rained early this morning.

It made for very clear air and the clouds enhanced tonight's sunset.

Tucson, Arizona sunset
as seen from Ridgepointe Apartments
on November 7, 2011

Its the freakin weekend!

2011-11-06T23:57:00.002-07:00

Today ended week number two of my new job. Its my weekend!

As far as the job goes, I'm enjoying the experience. Learning new things is always good.

I've been totally lame at one of my favorite things to do in the last couple of weeks since I've been concentrating on my new job. That is taking pictures.

I have two days off. My goal is to take some photos... of something. I know that isn't specific but surprises are fun right?

I'll post what I photograph. Stand by!

Back in the news again!

2011-11-06T01:06:00.001-07:00

My career move to Fox 11 got a writeup in the Arizona Daily Star newspaper today!

I didn't know this article was going to appear. I wasn't interviewed.

But, its always nice to get publicity. I like publicity.
To read it, click here.

Winter preview today

2011-11-05T00:56:00.002-07:00

I was a bit sad today because a winter storm started rolling through.

I love Tucson's weather because most days its warm and relatively sunny. I don't like winter. I never have no matter where I have lived.

The wind cranked up very strong in the afternoon yesterday and is still blowing this early morning. There are rain chances in the forecast and its expected highs will be in the low 60's today. That's miserable for Tucson standards.

Anthony was kind enough to buy me a new winter jacket a few weeks ago and it looks like I'll be using it sooner than I thought.

Boo hoo.

Wiper-suck-o-rama

2011-11-04T02:16:00.000-07:00

One of the challenges with living in the desert is the sun.

Its wonderful most of the time. It also shortens the life of most everything made from petroleum products including windshield wipers.

It doesn't seem to matter how much or how little I spend on a set. They never last a whole year.

They bake in the sun to a hard crisp and their life is over.

The latest set I had on the Ken Carr car made it 18 months. That's almost a record.

Replacing them makes me feel stupid. I can't seem to locate the same type each time so figuring out how they go on is an adventure every time.

I've switched out other people's like a rockstar. I swapped out Anthony's in August with no problem. Switching out my own is an adventure every time.

The light above my license plate burned out at some point this summer and I got pulled over for it a few weeks ago. I had to go to the auto parts store to get a new bulb (by the way, I didn't get a ticket, the officer was kind to me and told me to get it replaced without giving me a citation). I bought new wiper blades at the same time I purchased a new license plate illumination bulb since I had to make a trip to Autozone anyway.

The replacement of the bulb was easy. I did a Google search and there was a video that showed how to do it on a Mazda RX-8. The internet is good for things like that. I got it done in about five minutes during a recent lunch break at Fox 11.

There is a big storm coming this weekend so I knew I had to get the wipers changed. I had been stalling because I knew I'd struggle through it.

I got home from work tonight and since it wasn't very cold out I thought this was the best time to do it. I grabbed a flashlight and screwdriver and headed out to the car in the parking lot of my apartment complex.

Removing the old ones is always easy. I don't need to have them off in good condition and they come off quickly. Putting the new ones on is where I always have trouble.

The wipers I purchased this time, Bosch Icon, had a different looking clip and look than the last ones I purchased. This is how they're described directly from the Bosch website: "The most powerful wiper blade series ever! For more than 75 years, motorists have relied on Bosch wiper blades for superior performance, the latest in design and technology, and more great benefits. Beam technology, dual rubber process, Quiet-Glide™ micro-finish wiping edge and DirectConnect™ one-step installation system are just a few of the reasons that motorists prefer Bosch Wiper Blades."

A lot of fancy talk for "we tried to make fancy wiper blades but Ken, you're going to have trouble putting them on".

I couldn't figure out why the driver's side didn't fit flush on the window. Then I realized there's a second part next to the attachment clip that I had to release. 20 minutes of messing with it uncovered that mystery.

I thought the passenger side would be easier if I pried it up with a screwdriver since it had taken so long to figure out the driver's side. Not so much. I ended up breaking the clip that attaches it to the arm. That was $20 dollars down the drain. It was unrepairable. The next part of the adventure was locating an open auto parts store at 11:15 p.m. I had to get another wiper otherwise the wipers would be totally unusuable and with a winter storm hours away that would have made driving home from work on Friday require my sticking my head out the window in the pouring rain.

I enlisted Anthony's help to search the internet. He found an auto parts store I could get to within fifteen minutes. I made it to the Autozone at 22nd and Swan just twenty minutes before closing. The guy seemed sympathetic to my plight but it cost me 20 more dollars to buy another wiper. He also asked me why I had trouble. I told him I broke the clip. He then asked me if I should be changing wiper blades at night. I wanted to strangle him.

I got it home, worked on putting it on, had to come back upstairs to my apartment to retrieve a flashlight, and it still took me another ten minutes of messing with it to get it on.

If you ever need a mechanical type to put on a wiper blade I'm a rockstar... on yours. Just don't ask me to show you on my own car or you'll run away screaming.

Update on 11/6: Turns out the story wasn't over. I turned on the wipers yesterday and this weird plastic clip thingy was causing the passenger side wiper to not seat flush on the window. I have made the executive decision to remove the clip that is supposed to make it more attractive. Hey people at Bosch, thanks for the lame design flaw.

A shout out to the fallen

2011-11-03T01:23:00.001-07:00

Another downsizing in radio.

In early October I experienced what many have in recent years. The loss of their job in the radio business.

The downsizing has continued. At Clear Channel in Tucson that has included Rosanna Gaxiola, Jennie Grabel, Carlos Zeta, and Chris Patyk. I worked with all but Chris while I was at Clear Channel back in the day. They're all wonderful people. I know how they feel.

I also know of Steve Jackson in Modesto and my friend Robbie in Birmingham, Alabama who were also let go from their radio jobs.

Here's a shout out to everyone who has lost their job and a giant wish you find a new job quickly that you love. Its a challenge to find something new that you can pour your passion into. But, when you're shoved out the door for no reason except you were an expense a company no longer wanted its satisfying to know they'll be worse off without you.

Halloween at Boston Market

2011-11-02T00:51:00.002-07:00

When you don't dress up in a costume and hit the clubs on Halloween what do you do?

I'll tell you what I did. Had dinner at Boston Market with Anthony.

He had chicKEN salad. I had a chicKEN meal.

I've been in dozens of pictures over the years putting food in my mouth. Now there's one more.

ChicKEN salad. Tah dah!

Eating chicKEN.

Halloween Party 2011

2011-10-30T02:29:00.005-07:00

I went to a fun and festive Halloween party!

Of course I brought along the ol' Kenparazzi camera for some photos.

New Job at Fox 11: Day One

2011-10-27T00:04:00.003-07:00

I started my job and immediately searched for the most important part of my workplace: The KENding machines.

One has snacks and the other has 20 oz. bottles of Coca-Cola products including Diet Coke!

Vending machines.
How Ken Carr survives at work.

ebee's: There's an app for that

2011-10-26T23:39:00.002-07:00

I was driving by the Applebee's at Grant and Swan in Tucson tonight and the 'l' is burned out on their sign.

It looked like it was an ebee's App! There's an App for that!

The Kenparazzi photo:

There's an App for that!

Isn't that ironic? - Part 2

2011-10-26T03:01:00.002-07:00

David Hatfield of Inside Tucson Business write a column about Tucson media.

He updates readers about each Arbitron ratings period and radio station's performance.

I posted a couple of weeks ago that Mega ended its Summer ratings period ranked 7th with 25-54 year olds and 8th overall in Tucson.

I learned an additional piece of information today: I was also in the top ten in morning drive.

I said this before and I still stand by it: I really do wish the company and the station the best. However, I find the ratings have a bit of irony considering the circumstances.

It doesn't suck ending a job successfully. It really doesn't.

To read the article, click here.

I start my new job today!

2011-10-26T01:32:00.002-07:00

I'm starting my new job today at Fox 11.

Starting a new job reminds me of the first day of school. Will the other kids be cool? What should I wear? Where do I go? Will I be liked by the popular kids?

Ok, maybe its not quite like the first day of school. But, it has a little bit of that element.

I'm excited for the opportunity! I'll let you know how it goes!

By the way, I am hoping they have cool vending machines.

Ken Carr: Coca-Cola Freestyle Fan of the Week!

2011-10-24T11:58:00.001-07:00

I was chosen as the Coca-Cola Freestyle Fan of the Week on their Facebook page! (To visit their fan page, click here).

They choose someone's photo with a Coca-Cola Freestyle soda machine each week to be 'Fan of the Week'. I posed for a photo with the Coca-Cola Freestyle machine at the El Taco Tote near my apartment on Wilmot recently and it was chosen to be fan of the week. To see the original blog post, click here.

Here's the photo! Woohoo!

Mega 106.3 is now 106.3 The Groove

2011-10-24T02:27:00.003-07:00

Today is the day that Mega 106.3 has been switched to 106.3 The Groove.

While I'm aware of the reasons the decision was made, due to contractual obligations I can't say much about the switch. I'm obviously not involved anymore and it wouldn't really be appropriate to do so. The one thing that I will say is that its remarkably similar to what it was yesterday (after listening for a couple of hours).

As far as my lack of involvement, I'm reminded of a few people I've worked with or heard about during my career. They had been let go due to station format changes or other reasons outside of their control. They trashed their former employers in the media, left being bitter human beings, or even have been as crazy as attempting to erase whole music libraries before they walked out the door.

I'm not that kind of person.

I have always believed its much better to be well thought of. The world is getting smaller every day. You never know who knows who and thanks to the internet its getting smaller all the time. I left my last job knowing I did my best and tried as hard as I could with what I was given to work with. I have always believed that if I did that I'd always have a chance. The final radio ratings proved the work I did still had an audience. I'll also admit I made mistakes. I took on every work task that was suggested. I thought it would make me more valuable. Maybe it did but in the end it wasn't enough to keep me employed there. I'll always be disappointed I didn't leave on my own terms but life isn't always fair.

Opportunities are created and chance is left to lotteries and drawings. Its also true that working harder than most people pays off. I learned that from my dad. He worked really hard and I admired that about him. I got my work ethic from him. He worked harder than anybody I've ever encountered in my lifetime. He's always been my hero. I've known that hard work isn't enough so one thing I've added is a creative side. Its been a combination that has worked for me.

I wish the best to 106.3 The Groove.

As I embark on the next chapter of my career starting Wednesday at Fox 11, I'm hoping they enjoy and appreciate what I do, who I am, and my work ethic.

Here's to success for everybody!

Unemployed Tour 2011: Furry hat

2011-10-23T23:59:00.005-07:00

A shopping trip to Target on one of the last stops of the Unemployed Tour 2011.

Winter's coming. Maybe I need a hat.

That's real fake fur I'm wearing!

Unemployed Tour 2011: Cosmic Bingo

2011-10-23T02:43:00.002-07:00

The last few days of the Ken Carr Unemployed Tour 2011!

I went to Cosmic Bingo at Casino Del Sol. I won $100!

Maybe my luck is changing since I've got a new job starting Wednesday.

Here's what my bingo machine screen looked like when I got the win and then a bonus photo of my buddy Clem rolling the big ass dice to win free bingo comps:

Winner!

Clem the big ass dice roller

Unemployed Tour 2011: Target

2011-10-22T19:52:00.003-07:00

The last few days of the Ken Carr Unemployed Tour 2011 featured a stop at Target.

Maybe I should buy some ruby red slippers to wear at my new job.

I'm not in Kansas anymore!

Unemployed Tour 2011: Carl's Jr

2011-10-22T19:50:00.001-07:00

Now that I've found a new job, I only have a few days left of the Unemployed Tour 2011.

Tonight's first stop was at Carl's Jr at Grant and Wilmot in Tucson. I had chicKEN KENders!

I tried to get Anthony to pose for a photo. I got the usual response when I pulled out the Kenparazzi camera.

Anthony doesn't appreciate the Kenparazzi.

I have a new job!

2011-10-22T01:49:00.001-07:00

I posted 17 days ago that I was let go from my job of six years at Mega 106.3 / Journal Broadcast Group on October 5. That started the Unemployment Tour 2011. I will admit that I did enjoy the little vacation (if unemployment can be called a vacation) but its about to come to an end.

I'm proud to announce: The Unemployment Tour 2011 ends.... Wednesday October 26! I have a new job!

Everything in my life has some kind of story or unusual angle. The story of how I got my new job is no different.

I have worked very hard in recent years to make new friends and connect with people on Myspace, Facebook and Twitter. Social networking has given me lots of joy, given me a creative outlet that has gone beyond radio, gave me a place to share photos (which I love taking even though I'm nothing more than amateur photographer), and has been part of my effort to have more people recognize my name and work in media in Tucson and beyond.

The latest thing I can thank social networking for (Twitter specifically) is my new job.

I originally started my @kencarr Twitter account (http://twitter.com/kencarr) on 8/8/08. Almost two years ago I was offered a second Twitter account by a wonderful woman named Leesa who I didn't know except through Twitter. She had started @whatsuptucson (http://twitter.com/whatsuptucson) and was moving to Monterey, California. She thought someone from Tucson should maintain it.

@whatsuptucson had about 2000 followers when Leesa gave it to me. I had to figure out what to do with it and it ended up being a place I could post Twitter sized headlines and stuff I'd hear listening to the police scanner while continuing to use @kencarr for more comedy and behind the scenes Tweets about work and my life. Many times while working at Mega late at night the posts I put up on @whatsuptucson ended up being the only place on Twitter in Tucson that posted info about breaking news stories. I got a thrill out of being the first to post news on Twitter before Tucson's professional news organizations. It's a fun hobby and broke the monotony of many of the long late nights I had working as much as I did while I was at Mega.

@whatsuptucson has grown to more than 4600 followers. One follower in particular was how I got started on the path to a new job.

One week to the day after I was let go from Journal I got a Direct Message on Twitter from Bob, the managing editor of Fox 11 News here in Tucson. He asked me to call him. The phone call resulted in an invitation to go to Fox 11 for an interview. Why did I get the call? He had been reading what I Tweet and thought I'd make a good candidate for being a news producer based on my media background, that I know and love Tucson, and the Tweets I had posted over recent months and years.

Yesterday I was offered a news producer job at Fox 11 and I accepted!

I start my shiny new job this Wednesday October 26. Three weeks to the day I was let go from Mega.

Twitter.... is..... AWESOME!

Unemployed Tour 2011: BJ's

2011-10-22T00:43:00.000-07:00

Another stop on the Ken Carr Unemployed Tour 2011 tonight: BJ's Brewhouse on Broadway Blvd in Tucson.

There's nothing more exciting on a Friday night then getting some BJ's!

Forgotten photo while working at Mega 106.3: One cloud

2011-10-22T00:40:00.001-07:00

I discovered a photo today I had taken while working at Mega 106.3 / Journal Broadcast Group that I hadn't downloaded from one of my digital cameras.

The photo was taken on September 22 just before 10 a.m. in the east parking lot at the radio/tv building. There was only one cloud in the sky and I thought it looked dramatic when I shot it. I was on my way into the building for a department head meeting.

A lone cloud over northeast Tucson as seen from the east parking lot of
the Journal Broadcast Group building.

Walmart is out of vowels

2011-10-21T03:04:00.002-07:00

I visted the Walmart Neighborhood Market on Valencia near Mission tonight in Tucson.

Apparently the store is out of vowels.

Who needs vowels in a sign? Walmart does.

Unemployed Tour 2011: El Taco Tote and the Coca Cola Freestyle Machine

2011-10-17T00:39:00.004-07:00

The latest stop on the Ken Carr Unemployed Tour 2011 was dinner at El Taco Tote on Wilmot north of Speedway in Tucson.

They have one of those amazing Coca-Cola Freestyle soda machines. It has more than 100 combinations of soda that can be dispensed by choosing what kind you want from a touchscreen. For example, you want a Coke? Touch Coke. Want it to be a Cherry Coke? Touch the icon that says cherry. How about a Peach coke? Touch the icon that says peach.

Its a remarkable invention. So remarkable, I had to express my love for it!

I was really happy to see the Coca-Cola Freestyle machine! I gave it a hug.

I may have gotten a little too excited about the Coca-Cola Freestyle machine. It got a kiss, too.

Unemployed Tour 2011: Hosting Cosmic Bingo

2011-10-16T04:31:00.005-07:00

I was a guest host at Casino Del Sol's Cosmic Bingo on October 15.

Its good to keep busy when you're unemployed!

Unemployed Tour 2011: Pride at Kino Stadium

2011-10-16T04:28:00.002-07:00

After visiting the Bud Light Fan Camp, I walked across the parking lot to Kino Stadium (where the Tucson Padres play baseball) and checked out the Tucson Pride festival.

I've attended pride festivals before in Tucson (the people watching is oh soooo good) but they were at Reid Park in midtown before. This is the first year they've moved it to Kino Stadium.

Photos? Oh yes.

Music stage

Festival from the field looking toward home plate

Don't know who these performers were but they were singing rock cover songs

Looking toward the stage

Concourse

Scott pimpin' beer tickets

Hugs are apparently being held captive because this guy wants to free them

She dressed up

Concourse

View of the field

Beer is popular at these things... and vendor booths

The stands

Concourse

One of the dance tents

Christian brought his poodle. It even had manicured toenails.

Michael and Chris

Shawn and Rick. I interuped Shawn eating a weiner.

Shawn eats the weiner. I take a picture. The end.

Too weird not to take a picture.

Francisco (middle) poses for a photo with that festive guy.

Perfect pride combo: Barbecue sandwich and a jello shot!

Unemployed Tour 2011: Bud Light Fan Camp

2011-10-16T04:16:00.002-07:00

One of the stops on the Ken Carr Unemployed Tour 2011 was the Bud Light Fan Camp at Kino Stadium's soccer fields.

There weren't a lot of people there but I did take a few photos and also ran into my friend JoeJoe from 93.7 KRQ. He and I used to work together back in the day.

Bud Light Fan Camp at Kino Stadium in Tucson

Whatever they were doing involved sitting on large balls

Two of the competitors and their large balls

This girl knew how to sit on a ball

JoeJoe from KRQ

JoeJoe from KRQ bending over

Unemployed Tour 2011: The return to Journal

2011-10-14T12:24:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to return to the Mega studios last night to edit some audio so I could use it to find my next job in radio.

The powers that be at Journal were kind enough to let me go in so I could get this done. It was a surreal experience though. My cubicle is now overrun with boxes (apparently my old desk is now better used for storage than someone working there) and I peeked into the 106.3 studio and everything on the walls had been taken down. It was like it was sanitized.

I have been told by many people that I'll find something "bigger and better" but it still hurts a little after just over a week. But, as my friend Brandon has pointed out to me in a conversation from the past, as an employee a job you have is an emotional investment and for the company you work for it isn't. We as employees spend a lot of our waking hours at work, use the money to have whatever lifestyle it affords, and in many cases gauge our happiness on how the interactions at work go and what we accomplish. The company doesn't have that emotional investment because employees serve a function. Fill a need at the company so it can make a profit off of the work an employee does. When the company decides it no longer needs an employee they're as easily discarded as an old sock. Its just how life is.

I was there for about two hours getting the audio and editing it so I have a current sample of my on-air work to send out. Mission accomplished!

Thanks to Leslie and Krystal for helping set this up so I could get it done.

Now KENjoy this photo of Leslie in a bathtub texting on her phone.

Leslie sitting in a bathtub at Loew's Ventana Canyon Resort texting on her phone

Unemployed Tour 2011: KAMP Radio

2011-10-12T23:19:00.001-07:00

I was asked to be a guest today on KAMP Radio, the student run radio station at the University of Arizona.

I have great love for college radio. I didn't finish college or ever get to work on a college station. I have been privileged to have an occasional guest spot on a college station thanks to my career to share the experience of working in radio and media.

College radio is awesome. At most stations the students get to program their own shows (which makes them Program Directors in a way), create their own content, learn the art of running studio equipment, and how to deal with performance pressure behind a microphone.

I was on with Greg a.k.a. Dr. Gonzo for an hour and was interviewed about my career, the business, and other randomness relating to radio. We also briefly chatted about my fabulous hair! A big thank you to Dr. Gonzo for the chance to be on!

Greg a.k.a. Dr. Gonzo in the KAMP Radio studio

Greg, Ken Carr, Mike

Outside of the studios. They have an amazing music library (and posters too).

This is Scott. He sat in during the interview. It was his last day as an intern.
Now he gets his own show as Scotty B. Fresh.

Isn't that ironic?

2011-10-11T10:50:00.001-07:00

The summer Arbitron radio ratings came out today for Tucson. This is the last ratings period I was responsible for on Mega 106.3.

It was the best ratings period the station had since 2008. The station ranked 7th in its key age demographic in the Tucson market.

I hope Journal enjoys my parting gift. Isn't it ironic the station got such good ratings just days after they let all of us go.... don't you think? (apologies to Alanis Morissette for borrowing her song lyrics!)

Unemployed Tour 2011: In N Out Burger

2011-10-11T00:08:00.001-07:00

Unemployed Tour 2011 continues with lunch at In N Out Burger with my friend Andres yesterday!

I had a cheeseburger. He bought. It was a win!

I've enjoyed having a few days to do things I haven't had a chance to do in years since I had been working seven days a week. Like lunch with friends.

These pigeons seemed really interested in me while I waited outside for Andres.
Either they thought I'd give them food or they were intrigued by the smell of the unemployed!

Lunch at In N Out Burger at Broadway and Kolb with Andres!
Ken Carr Unemployed Tour 2011

Unemployed Tour 2011: Shopping

2011-10-09T19:27:00.001-07:00

The Ken Carr Unemployed Tour 2011 continues with... shopping!

The afternoon began with my first visit ever to Culver's on Broadway in Tucson.

Which fur lined boot is the best style to wear when I'm unemployed?

I hadn't had a chance to buy new shoes since I'd been working so much in recent years.
So say hello to the new shoes I bought while unemployed!

We went to Macy's. Anthony decided to check out the clearance bins.
Clearance is your friend when you're unemployed.

Andres! While walking in Park Place Mall I visited him at Tilly's.
My timing was excellent because it was just in time
to see the couple behind us mount each other.

Unemployed Tour 2011: Cosmic Bingo Oct 8 2011

2011-10-09T12:34:00.002-07:00

Now that I'm unemployed, I'm enjoying a little bit of free time before I find a new job.

Last night's stop on the Unemployed Tour 2011: Cosmic Bingo at Casino Del Sol.

I sat with Anthony, and our friends Debbie and Clem. I did bring my camera and scored a couple of funny photos!

Debbie rolls the big fuzzy dice to try and win a prize.
Two things to note in this photo: 1.) The casino installed nice new carpet in the bingo hall and
2.) It appears Lucinda Holliday (in the blue dress) is sticking her finger up her nose.

Clem wasn't feeling well and decided to take a nap! Zzzzzzzz.

The last photo I took working at Journal Broadcast Group

2011-10-07T01:45:00.002-07:00

My last day working at Journal Broadcast Group was October 5.

The last thing I did was cleaned out my desk of personal items. I decided that Leslie, who had the cubicle next to mine, could use the collection of items I had stored in my desk.

This is the last photo I took working at Journal. Here's Leslie with the items I gave her from my desk: mints, spoons, forks, a DVD of some comedy thing, a bowl, Skittles, salt, cups, napkins, cups that contained packets of Taco Bell Mild Sauce, Jack In The Box Hot Sauce, Arby's Sauce, and ketchup, and a box of cling wrap.

I'm sure they'll go to good use!

Leslie and the goodies I cleaned out from my desk

Mega 106.3 and Journal Broadcast Group: The end of my time

2011-10-05T18:57:00.003-07:00

Today has been an extraordinary day.

I went to work this morning an employed person and came home a few hours later an unemployed person. Isn't it amazing how quickly life can change?

I was employed at Journal Broadcast Group for six years almost to the day. I was first hired to do mornings on 104.1 The Point in October 2005, then moved to afternoons when Journal repackaged 104.1 as "Z104.1". When 104.1 was switched to conservative talk/news in April 2007 I was given the opportunity to move to Mega 106.3 and 104.9 to do afternoons and program the radio station.

Working on Mega has been a combination of triumph and frustration. It had a hot run the first year I programmed it, reaching 6th with 25-54 year olds (the most desired demographic with radio advertisers). Then budget cuts followed. Following that in January of 2010 the broadcast tower for 106.3 fell over in an extraordinary ice and wind storm on Mount Lemmon which severely reduced the station's signal coverage.

The poor signal and technical issues took a year to resolve. A new signal booster was put online just before Christmas 2010 but all technical issues with the station's signal were not resolved until late spring of 2011. The station's ratings and audience declined due to poor coverage and they've been slow to recover.

In an attempt to create a signature personality for the station I put myself on mornings in addition to afternoons in May 2011. That created a situation where I was working 70 hour weeks seven days a week but I thought that in combination with grass roots marketing through social networking and additional exposure hosting the Mega Movie on CW that would help the station's profile in the Tucson market. The station's ratings have improved some but apparently it wasn't sufficient fast enough.

There were three of us that worked on Mega on the air: Myself, Rosemary and Dino. We worked hard to put on the best station we had the resources and capability to put on the air. It was a privilege to work with both of them over the last handful of years.

While I am disappointed that my involvement with Mega and Journal has come to an end I'm proud of the attempt to make it a winner. I had the chance to do things while working at Journal I had never had the opportunity to do before. I was on television two nights a week on Mega's TV sister station The CW Tucson Channel 58 hosting a movie show for nearly three years. I had never done television before that and the opportunity to do it was one I'll be forever grateful for and an amazing addition to my resume. I also did the voiceovers for CW's promos and that was a new experience as well.

I will miss the wonderful people I worked with each day. The hardest part of leaving any job is not having the opportunity to work with people you grow quite fond of. I am not upset at whoemever made the decision to end my employment at Mega / Journal. They made the decision in what they believe is the best interest of the company and that's how a business should be run. Being selfish for a moment (I can do that right?), I hope it was a really difficult decision for the person that made it and my contribution to the day to day operation of the business is missed. Then I'll know I was doing my job.

I posted what happened on Facebook and Twitter today and the hundreds of comments, Tweets, emails and calls have been overwhelming in a really good way. Everyone has been amazing.

Life goes on. I'll find another job of some sort most likely in media (since that's where I have almost all of my career experience). I'll look fondly on my time working at Journal Tucson. It was KENtastic!

Sausage and melons at Safeway

2011-10-02T22:26:00.002-07:00

I am fun at the grocery store. Here's the proof!

A trip to Safeway at Grant and Craycroft in Tucson:

These melons were firm.

I found my name in the meat department!

I think this is the right amount of sausage.

Tucson Oktoberfest 2011 at Hi Corbett Field

2011-10-01T22:19:00.004-07:00

I've been doing a live broadcast at the Tucson Oktoberfest at Hi Corbett Field for a few years now. I was there again this year.

This year's photos: (click on photos to KENlarge)

Tucson radio legends Alan Cook and Alan Michaels

Lauryn and Jessica show off prizes at the Mega tent

They fold like they have worked at The Gap

Spin the wheel for prizes

Arts and crafts booths

View toward center field. Those are food booths.

They pitched a huge tent!

Mega and kettle corn. Delicious combination.

That's photojournalist Craig Mills and reporter Corinne Hautata from KGUN 9.
I work with them. They were doing a story on Oktoberfest.

Arts and crafts booths in right field

Spin to win

A couple of biker types spin the wheel

They're hoping to win a prize

Did I win? Did I win?

Still giving away prizes

Arf arf arf.

I thought this was a Halloween costume. Turns out thats what she normally wears.

I used to work with Corey. He was at Oktoberfest shooting photos for a college class.
I decided to shoot him first.

Corey looking very photographer like.

Two of Tucson's finest. And a woman. They're obviously security detail for her mom jeans.

This little guy was very energetic.

They were performing a German dance of some kind.

Fun inflatable kid thingys.

Their milkshake brought these boys to the yard.

Random family enjoying Oktoberfest

Why isn't my name on this sign? Don't they know who I am?

Yo Quiero Taco Bell.

I called these two "The Injury Twins". Get well soon... whatever happened to you.

Cotton candy. Om nom nom.

This is the rear view of St. Pauli Girl 2011 Jessica England.

St. Pauli Girl 2011 Jessica England. She hadn't even started signing autographs and
was already poking her eyes out.

Ken Carr and St. Pauli Girl 2011 Jessica England.
I will never tell you what I was doing with my left hand.
What happens at Oktoberfest stays at Oktoberfest.

St. Pauli Girl 2011 Jessica England signs autographs.
Her milkshake brought all these boys to the yard.

Jessica, Lauryn and Alan check out the entertainment under the giant white tent.

If he becomes a big star one day I will be selling this photo for big bucks.

Oktoberfest is a German festival.
This didn't look German to me.

Tables, umbrellas, chairs and grass.

Tucson is famous for inflatable children's jumping things to fly away in the wind.
These looked pretty anchored down. So far, so good at the time this photo was taken.

Roar.

View of the stands at Hi Corbett.

I wish I could win this. It would totally score hotties. And bird droppings on my head.

Outside view of Hi Corbett field.

Mega Monsoon Party September 30 2011

2011-10-01T21:55:00.000-07:00

Another Friday, another amazing Mega 106.3 Monsoon Party at Desert Diamond Casino's Monsoon Nightclub!

Here are the photos (click on them to KENlarge):

JP has trouble opening this Monster drink

Will the side sip help?

He had to resort to the suck.

Dance floor at Monsoon

DJ Louie

It was Rochelle's birthday!

Dancing

Prize signup

Line 'em up and dance!

How low can you go?

Stick 'em up!

Bending over is fun!

Cupid Shuffle

Hey to you too!

Entry in box

Birthday girl Rochelle dances!

Full house!

They're waiting to get in

Dance floor

JP and Jessica brave their way through rocks and plants to carry the equipment!

The Patti Labelle shoutout

2011-09-26T03:22:00.001-07:00

Friday night I had a completely wacky moment.

I was working the Mega Monsoon Party at Desert Diamond Casino as I do most Fridays. I got a text from a co-worker who was at the Patti Labelle concert at Centennial Hall.

She told me that Patti gave me a shoutout on stage at the concert!

I had done a phone interview with her earlier in the week. It was a strange interview. She did it by cell phone and her call dropped 3 minutes in. She did call back and we finished up about ten minutes worth of interview which I used pieces of on the air. She didn't really answer the questions I was asking her. But, it was a privilege to speak to her and she was gracious and very very nice.

She was kind enough to remember the interview and said my name on stage. I wasn't even there to hear it. How wacky is that?

Thanks Patti! That was awesome!

Housesitting at Terri's

2011-09-26T02:35:00.005-07:00

I did a night of house / dog sitting at my co-worker Terri's.

Of course I took pictures!

Harley the dog coming through the doggie door. Nice house! Here's the living room.

Gorgeous kitchen

View from inside the front door

Living room into the kitchen

Master bedroom

Master bathroom. Notice I'm waving in the mirror. Holy crap. I was taking this photo just before 4 a.m.!

I'm a ham. Harley's not interested.

Mega Monsoon Party at Desert Diamond Casino on Sept 24 2011

2011-09-26T02:32:00.002-07:00

Photos from the Mega Monsoon Party on Sept 24, 2011.

Debra says hello to JP

Ooooooooh!

Debra, JP, and Joann

Wave your hands in the air... like you don't care...

Joann hates it when I catch her in a KENdid dance move

Debra, Joann, and DJ Louie

Joann and Debra do some dancin'

DJ Louie hard at work

Club starting to fill up

Lauryn and JP strikin' a pose

Pre-pose photo

Dance floor

Club getting busier

Dancing!

Lavender suits are all the rage these days

Happy Birthday! Now stick up your hands!

Writing down a request

Prize sign up

Wendi and Stephen do the Cupid Shuffle

Another Lauryn and JP photo just for good measure

Cyndi and her crew

Still doing the Cupid Shuffle

Cupid Shuffle... what the hell are they doing?

How LA Fitness almost got me into trouble

2011-09-23T01:11:00.003-07:00

I had just finished a live broadcast at O'Rielly Chevrolet.

There was no room to park on the O'Rielly lot so I had parked next to BevMo to the east. I was returning to my car and noticed that the LA Fitness sign had the "it" burned out so it read "LAF NESS". Which sounded like a bad comedy club name and I thought I'd take a picture of it.

I walked down from my car, took the photo, and was returning to my car when a little pickup with yellow lights on top pulled up behind my car with what appeared to be a 90 year old woman driving in a uniform. She apparently was the security guard on duty. I am not exaggerating about her age. If she was any younger than 90 life hasn't been kind to her.

The wackjob of ancient origin asked me what I was taking a picture of. I pointed to the sign and told her that I thought it looked funny and I wanted to snap a photo to post online.

"You cannot take photos on this property without prior authorization of the property manager. Do you have authorization of the property manager for taking photos? And why are you parked here? What organization are you with?"

I explained I was with Mega 106.3, I had done an event at O'Rielly, they had no available parking so I parked next to BevMo, I had take a photo of the sign because it looked funny to me, and I was leaving.

"You cannot do this. No photos are allowed on this property without prior authorization of the property manager."

I told her I only was taking one photo, I am leaving, and I closed my trunk (I was putting my camera away).

"Do not take any additional photos or I will have to take further action." At this point, she then drives away.

Hopefully further action would have not involved flinging her Depends diaper at me. Park Place Mall security is FIERCE!

Here's the photo:

Hello LA Fitness. You make me LAF.

Live KENcast at O'Rielly Chevrolet

2011-09-23T01:01:00.003-07:00

Photos from my live Mega 106.3 broadcast at O'Rielly Chevrolet in Tucson:

Listeners spin the wheel for prizes

Promotions guru Jason shows off his balancing skills.

Corvettes!

Getting the Mega tent ready

Chevy Malibus

View of the O'Rielly lot from the Mega tent

Mega tent

O'Rielly Chevrolet showroom

Jessica and Lauren from the Mega Street Team strike a pose

Have a cookie!

Its a banner day!

Mega 106.3 at O'Rielly

Go ahead! Spin the wheel to win a prize!

Chevy Cruze

Big trucks!

Rear view of the new Chevy Volt

C'mon! Come over and win a prize!

Front view of the new Chevy Volt

Cosmic Bingo

2011-09-18T02:48:00.002-07:00

I guest hosted Cosmic Bingo at Casino Del Sol tonight.

The photos:

The lights get funky!

The music and lights are fun and funky

Happy Birthday to Ariana, Ashley and Rhonda

Birthday hats (and birthday nachos and Frito pie)

Birthday boys

She turned 40. An immature 40.

Anthony took this picture of me working. I had to use my Blackberry to get the score of the
Arizona football game to share with the crowd (they lost to Stanford, boo hoo).

Diva contest at Mega Monsoon Party

2011-09-18T02:40:00.006-07:00

We had a fun contest on Friday night at the Mega Monsoon Party.

A diva contest! And we had a great crowd.

Photos taken with my new (to me) Panasonic Lumix DSC FZ35 camera.

Monsoon Nightclub shortly after doors opened

Stephen celebrates his birthday (with Amber)

Wendi's fabulous shoes

DJ Louie mixin'

Cuttin' a rug (or a wooden dance floor in this case)

Dance!

Crowd dances

Birthday party

Karen!

Signing up for prizes

Jessica and JP from the Mega street team

Now that's dancing!

Electric slide

Cupid Shuffle

What real hard work actually looks like

JP's best Ken Carr impression

DJ Louie. I think the video screen was duct taped!

Freakin'

Stuff it in the box!

Party crowd

Birthday party

Dance floor

Dancing to old school

Full Monsoon Nightclub

Diva contest! These ladies showed off their true inner diva.

Bend and shake

Diva contest! These ladies showed off their true inner diva.

Put your hands in the air... and wave 'em like you just don't care

Diva... diva... diva...

Wooooooo

Diva contest

Wendi!

This guy wanted to be in the diva contest

Wendi explains to him why he isn't a diva

Diva contest winner!

Sunset in Tucson

2011-09-14T23:15:00.003-07:00

Here are the next set of photos I've taken with the my recently acquired Lumix camera...

Pictures of tonight's sunset in Tucson. In an semi-unusual moment, it was colorful both looking west and east.

View to the west

View to the east

Rain on the window

2011-09-14T23:13:00.000-07:00

I have had my recently acquired Panasonic Lumix DSC FZ35 for one day. I really like it!

Here's the second photo I've taken with that (that I've posted).

Rain on the Mega 106.3 studio window today:

Rain rain go away

2011-09-14T00:17:00.001-07:00

Fifth day of rain in Tucson... in a row. Unusual!

I got my new (to me) camera today (and I really like it, yaay for $160 worth of nearly new technology purchased from a seller on Craigslist). Here's the first photo I'm posting that I took with it.

Rain in the back parking lot of the Journal Broadcast Group building.

Video camera for sale

2011-09-13T04:02:00.004-07:00

Camera has been SOLD (my brother Mike bought it!) Thanks for looking anyway.

I have been wanting to get a better still camera than the 2004 model I bought on Craigslist a couple of years ago.
I spotted the exact one I want on Craigslist used today.

But, I don't have the money they're asking for it so I'm selling my HD video camera so I can buy it. My loss is your gain!

I bought this camera early last year. It takes really clear and awesome HD video. You'll love it! Its Sony HDR CX-110 if you want to Google it.

It has 24x zoom, uses flash memory cards (which I'm throwing in the 16GB card I bought when I got it... which is good for about two hours of video at the highest quality setting), its small and can fit in my pocket (or yours) or a purse.

I haven't used it a lot and its in excellent condition. I have the original box with all the instructions, cords, even an extra battery I bought which I'll include!

Price? $280! I spent almost double that on the camera, extra battery, and memory card. You're getting a nearly new camera setup at almost half price because you're awesome.

A few photos of what it looks like: (As a bonus, I bought a soft carrying bag for it that you'll also get!)

I'll throw in a free hug if that'll get the deal done. :)

Old School Summer Jam 2011

2011-09-12T03:18:00.000-07:00

What a night! That's the best way I can describe the Old School Summer Jam at the Tucson Convention Center on Saturday September 10, 2011.

The drive to the TCC was an adventure. I've lived in Tucson since 2001 and I've never seen a storm that produced that much water citywide. I drove from my apartment near Pima and Wilmot all the way across the city to get there and could barely see out of my windshield. Sheets of rain going sideways, hail, unbelievable wind. It was even worse when I reached downtown. The streets were so flooded it was like piloting a boat down a street. I drive a little sportscar and was sure I'd hit something or someone or would just float away. But I made it!

The concert started about ten minutes late due to a brief power outage at the TCC. But, we had a great crowd of hearty souls who braved the insane weather to see an amazing concert.
I've been to hundreds of concerts in my career but I have to say this was one of the biggest lineups of any of the shows I've been to.

The Floaters started it off. I didn't learn until later in the night that Larry Cunningham, who now lives in Tucson, had been in intensive care earlier in the week after having an adverse reaction to medication he was taking and nearly died. He had a blood transfusion while at ICU but bounced back enough to come to the show. He and the Floaters were fantastic.

Barbara Lewis was next. She is a bit feeble these days but put on a great performance and the crowd totally loved her!

The Originals took the stage and were great. It was fun standing backstage and hearing the crowd sing along to their hits.

Jojo of the Mary Jane Girls and her two backup singers/dancers were next. I had a fun moment when they were done when I stopped her on stage to compliment her on her shoes. They were awesome. She hugged me and gave me a kiss! I may never wash my left cheek again.

Rose Royce did a great set and wrapped up with Car Wash. That was one thing no one was worried about at the TCC thanks to the storm outside!

Evelyn "Champagne" King performed before the intermission. I've done several shows with her and she knows how to work the crowd. A little bit sexy and a whole lot of amazing vocalist. Did you know she got discovered back in the 1970's when she was a cleaning lady at a record company in Philadelphia? One of the producers who worked there heard her singing while she was working and that led to her eventual record deal. Amazing story!

After a fifteen minute intermission (we were doing meet and greets with some Mega winners backstage), we kicked off the last part of the show with the Delfonics. They had amazing suits and were great.

GQ was on next. There's one member who carries on the GQ name these days and he is an incredibly talented man. He had a bad ass limousine that has his picture and name on the side that was parked backstage. I took a picture of it I thought it was so cool.

Heatwave wrapped up the night with their hits including "Boogie Nights" and "Always and Forever". It was fun hearing thousands of people sing along to "Always and Forever". That's one of those timeless songs we all love!

If you were there a big giant THANK YOU! You made the night a total success.

Of course I took photos! Check 'em out.

The Floaters

Rosemary from Mega 106.3

Barbara Lewis

The Originals

Dino from Mega 106.3

Jojo of the Mary Jane Girls

Mega listener Marcella

Rose Royce

Evelyn "Champagne" King

From the back of the stage

Crowd shot from the stage

Backstage autograph signings

Mega 106.3's Dino chatting with Larry Cunningham's wife (of the Floaters)

Rosemary chatting with Larry Cunningham of the Floaters

Dino with one of the members of the Delfonics

Jojo of the Mary Jane Girls had some fabulous shoes. Check 'em out!

Delfonics

Shot from the stage at intermission

Mega 106.3's Rosemary lookin' fabulous!

Heatwave

GQ's bad ass limo backstage

Middle Age Texting Codes

2011-09-08T01:21:00.002-07:00

One of my friends posted this on Facebook and I thought it was funny.

MIDDLE AGE TEXTING CODES:
ATD -at the doctor.
BFF -best friend fell.
BTW -bring the wheelchair.
BYOT -bring your own teeth.
FWIW -forgot where I was.
GGJIO -gotta go, Jeopardy is on
GHA -got heartburn again.
IMHAO -is my hearing aid on?
LMDO -laughing my dentures out.
OMMR -on my massage recliner.
ROFLACGU -rolling on floor laughing and can't get up.

Million Dollar Game Show

2011-09-06T03:40:00.003-07:00

I went to the Million Dollar Game Show event at Casino Del Sol on Labor Day.

I was full of hope I'd win something. Four hours of my life = not getting my name drawn.

Life can be cruel sometimes.

The event was emceed by Shannon Black (who I worked together with years ago at 93.7 KRQ) and Porkchop of 99.5 KIIM-FM, the country music station in Tucson. There was a lot of steps to get to the grand prize winner (who didn't win a million but did win $20,000). In an epic moment, Shannon awarded the prize to the wrong winner and had to correct it per casino rules. It did get an audience boo. I felt for her because its one of those moments when you emcee an event that occasionally happens because we're all human.

A few photos from my perspective in the audience:

Local band performed before the game show began

104 contestants make their way onto the stage

These 104 were narrowed down to one $20,000 winner

Cosmic Bingo win!

2011-09-06T03:34:00.000-07:00

I scored a bingo at Cosmic Bingo at Casino Del Sol on September 4, 2011! One hundred bucks!