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    0 Hard Times for Radio Talent

    Another one of my former Philadelphia on-air broadcasting colleagues has had his position eliminated. First it was André Gardner. Now, it's Eric Johnson. These sad events all happened at the same highly successful Philly FM radio station during the past four months. Eric was not only on-air, he is what's called today a content officer or content manager; traditionally known in radio as a program director. These folks control the day-to-day broadcast operation. Personnel decisions effecting André and Eric hurt. The circus of revolving door talent, orchestrated by ring master management, is unfortunately a fact of life. Facts of life revelations compelled me to civilly spill my guts about my own professional experiences travelling up and down the radio highway. I amassed an eye opening forty-three years of frequent travel miles! I was lucky. I started as a seventeen year old, and bailed using my own exit strategy when I reached sixty-five. It was clear when I left, big industry transformations were coming. The winds of change were reaching gale velocity. Powerhouse Radio: Rough Roads, Radiance, and Rebirth, walks you through my own story and my love of my profession. Don't just take my word for it! There are dozens of verified reviews that have been posted about the paperback, eBook, and audiobook at Amazon. Here are just three of them that I selected at random:  My final thoughts The paperback and eBook are recommended, but if you favor an audiobook, that's also suggested! I read it myself. For a limited time only through February 28th as a Black History Month special, Audiobooks.com (you'll go to their website) has the audiobook for 50% off. All three versions of the book are also available at Amazon. Thank you radio for your experiences. Thank you radio fans past and present for your support! More about the book at KingsleyHSmith.com Photo of me taken at United States Ambassador Philip D. Murphy's residence in Berlin, Germany. After his Ambassador duties ended, Phil Murphy would eventually be elected Governor of the state of New Jersey. Previous Post  

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    0 Powerhouse Radio Audiobook Deal

    As you kick off the New Year, here's something that may inspire you to be nothing but your best. Before heartless consolidation and idiocy on the airwaves, radio was locally authentic for the people, that's you and me!   My 2025 gift to you is the Award Winning audiobook of my story. I read it myself.   For a limited time, only with "audiobooks dot com" https://bit.ly/4iXEHvI , you get 50% off. Read the book summary for the scope of my adventure at audiobooks dot com. This is a great memoir.   Get this Winter special now before the deal is pulled. Thank you. Amazon has the paperback, eBook and audiobook too but not with this 50% off deal for the audiobook.   I'm holding the paperback in the photo. You asked for this special, so here it is!  Previous Post | Next Post

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    0 Blood, Sweat & Tears - What In The Hell Really Did Happen To Them?

    Once in awhile a really good documentary shows up on Amazon Prime Video. Recently I couldn't resist watching 2023's What The Hell Happened To Blood, Sweat & Tears?" For BS&T, It was an Eastern European first encounter in Yugoslavia (now Macedonia), Romania, and Poland that pulls you in. This tour, and much more make this production well worth watching. Replacement singer David Clayton-Thomas, and original BS&T lead vocalist  - founder Al Kooper all enter the storyline. I wondered too why Blood, Sweat & Tears disappeared so quickly compared to the band Chicago, and other horn driven ensembles. Here's a remix I did of BS&T drummer Bobby Colomby talking with DJ Frankie Crocker for the US Air Force when the group was hot. I took the raw dialogue (basically with little music), added some tunes that had to be shortened to keep the rights police happy, and made it visually contemporary for the YouTube age! It's 8 minutes, 40 seconds. Enjoy. Note: You must watch this one on YouTube as video playback on websites is disabled by the copyright owner. Select / touch 'Watch on YouTube' below. Previous Post | Next Post

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    0 Quincy Jones Music - One of a Kind

    • Review
    • by Kingsley H. Smith
    • 11/07/2024

    Quincy Jones was one of a kind. These albums represent just a handful of his amazing work through the years. In June, 2006 I shared a review of the Quincy Jones autobiography, Q written by Jazzscript.co.uk. Check it out on our Powerhouse Radio website. Quincy Jones Musical genius Quincy Jones (1933 - 2024) was born in Chicago. He studied music at Seattle University and at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Jones wore many successful hats as a musical director, film scorer, composer, musician, producer, conductor, arranger, and record company executive. He played and toured with Ray Charles, Lionel Hampton, and Dizzy Gillespie. Jones scored over 50 films. His first film score was "The Pawnbroker," in 1963. He won numerous Grammy Awards for his many years of creative work. Jones produced albums for the very best, including Michael Jackson. Besides winning Grammy Awards, Quincy Jones produced the actual network presentation on television of this music awards program. Bio courtesy of BlackHistoryPeople.com. Community Reentry Book Discussion Besides reading a lot of music books, memoirs, and biographies, within the last two years I became very interested in books about community reentry and justice. These manuscripts reveal shocking stories about the USA justice system. With so much gun violence across America, especially in big cities, I felt the need to look for solutions in the right places and offer some help. One of the specific things I do is donate financially to a Philadelphia organization that works with young African American men between 18 - 34 to open up their world to other options and possibilities beyond gun violence. The group has recently expanded their reach to younger teens. After all, when so many fifteen year-olds are packing firearms, the youngest in our society need the outreach too. I also joined a community reentry book discussion group. Our circle tackled the books below in 2024 reading and discussing various perspectives. My top picks are Yuseff Salaam's Better, Not Bitter and Monique Couvson's Pushout. The Second Chance Club by Jason Hardy is also very good. Jason was a New Orleans, Louisiana probation and parole officer. Hardy's stories reveal an up close and personal connection with New Orleans men and women who have been under the thumb of "The Big Easy" justice system. All of these books are really worth your read. Try one or all of them in the new year.      Previous Post | Next Post

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    0 From Reel-to-Reel Tape Machine to Digital Audio Glory

    • Audio
    • by Kingsley H. Smith
    • 10/24/2024

    Now, you only see these things in movies! When I put the Powerhouse Radio website back online in 2021, I needed a reel-to-reel machine to digitize old audio tape reels and cassettes so you could hear some magical history. This beautifully refurbished, vintage Teac 3300 - 10.5 inch reel wonder arrived in New Jersey from California in late 2024. Before this machine, I had an Akai X-200D - 7 inch (only) reel-to-reel that I acquired off eBay in 2021. As a teenager, I used a Lafayette RK 710 solid state reel-to-reel tape recorder to sample the best of AM & FM broadcasting. I mention this machine in my Powerhouse Radio Book (see my author website for book details). Does it Work? When I took the Teac 3300 out of the box, I wanted to test it immediately to check if the seller's promise of a refurbished machine was an honest evaluation. In the picture are two MacBooks: a MacBook Pro and a MacBook Air. I plugged the Teac 3300 into a small amplifier, then into a small mixing console that is  primarily used out in the field. Two mini speakers were plugged into the amplifier. Everything worked perfectly. No audio distortion from this reel-to-reel dinosaur. Mechanically it is solid. Aesthetically the look is pristine. The box was Grandma tested for dirt. It has a super clean gleam!   As a warning, if you need to hunt for a used reel-to-reel recorder, make sure you do your research and vet carefully what you are attempting to purchase. Usually, look for these: Lots of well shot pictures of the item A very long detailed description Full disclosure about any defects! Many positive reviews about the seller If all pass the smell test, I'm sure you'll get a boost in the trust factor for the possible transaction. How is Digitizing Done? Audio or musical features will jump from the tape / audio machines, possibly with the help of a mixing console, into the computer domain of MP3, MP4, or WAV files. WIFI can be used for some transfers. Most of the time cables get the job done, along with digital editing software for audio or video. We offer the produced versions when you hear or see them online! Thankfully, I did not have to return this 40 pound Teac 3300 machine back to California, but anyway, I saved the box it came in. Lucky me!  Previous Post | Next Post

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    0 Frankie Beverly, Philly, and the Musical Success of Maze

    • Video
    • by Kingsley H. Smith
    • 09/18/2024

    Frankie Beverly formed the group Maze in Philadelphia, PA. The core members were Frankie Beverly, (vocals and guitar), Wayne Thomas (guitar), Sam Porter (keyboards), Roame Lowry (percussion), Robin Duhe (bass), and Michael White (drums). Other musicians would also join during the Maze journey. Time spent in the San Francisco/Oakland area in 1971 contributed to Beverly's unique blend of urban R&B. Frankie's legacy is his smooth, modern, soulful sound, presented through the context of a guitar and keyboard driven band. In this video, I honor Frankie Beverly's musical contribution, while noting his passing in 2024. Previous Post | Next Post

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    0 André Gardner - Philly Radio Professional and Legend

    • Radio
    • by Kingsley H. Smith
    • 08/14/2024

      André Gardner (left) is a great broadcast friend. The photo of us was taken in August, 2023. In glory days, we shared the mic at three Philadelphia FM stations (WIFI 92, WSNI 104.5, and WZGO 106). André is a class act, a first class guy, and knows more about the class of The Beatles than just about anyone. Bonus: check out my Soul of the Beatles expose'. November 24 update: Radio is a tough business. André and 102.9 WMGK Philly (his most recent station) have parted ways. Not his choice. Super consolidation is a reality today across many jobs where employees are losing gigs because of downsizing and automation. Despite this, I congratulate André who in November became a member of the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Hall of Fame! Oh my, the irony of life! All the best my friend. Previous Post | Next Post

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    0 Google Salute to Kingsley H. Smith and his NJ Library Appearance

      In May I was contacted by Google. They interviewed me for 45 minutes on a Zoom call. The conversation was to be used for a future publication. Google requested that I not mention any details until the July 23rd publication date. #WeArePlay features stories about people from all over the United States and the world who build apps and game businesses. In the Google Play story, my Powerhouse Radio book is mentioned. I'm holding an actual circulating library copy standing in front of my regional county library. Thank you libraries for adding the book. Thank you Google for featuring my work after thirteen years of Android app development! I represent New Jersey along with other Garden State developers in the Google feature. Previous Post | Next Post

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    0 Art Blakey Interview - Jazz Is?

    Art Blakey has a lot to say about music and the electronic influences diluting the genre he loves in this audio interview recorded 13 years before his passing. I learn why Art Blakey thinks there is an important connection between our ears and the craft of jazz. You know I was thrilled to talk to this jazz legend live on-air during my broadcasting journey through Atlantic City, New Jersey radio. Definitely check this one out! Previous Post | Next Post

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    0 AWB - Average White Band Interview - Pick Up The Pieces Interview

    Average White Band - AWB were the real deal. While a student at New York University, I interviewed AWB members Hamish Stuart and Molly Duncan live on WNYU FM radio right after the first AWB Atlantic Records album was released. It was one of the first USA interviews by the Average White Band. It's 1974! AWB was in New York City to appear at the Bottom Line music venue. Enjoy! Previous Post | Next Post

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