Kevin Robinson
By Kevin Robinson
You might expect a piece like this when one retires or passes on. But, I heard it from The Man loud and clear. On the other end of the phone was the legendary Dick Biondi, inviting me(!!) to one of his record hops.
Just prior to the invitation, he expressed angst about last year’s legendary Dick Biondi 36 hour toy drive – and obsessed about how the ‘new company’ put him on a pedestal and he couldn’t touch his people.
“Kevin, they put me on a riser, put my face on a big screen and roped off the stage – I couldn’t get down to talk to my people”, he said.
Here’s a talent, who was well on the way to ‘legend’ before most of us were born, hungering, even now for access to his fans.
For those who need schooling, Dick introduced the Beatles at The Hollywood Bowl, is feted in the Radio Hall of Fame, and hosted the first nationally syndicated music show in the country (among hundreds of other mileposts).
And all he wants to do is connect with his Listener. That’s it. This, in a time where I hear programmers asking for advice on how to motivate their air talent to ‘get out’ into the Listener’s world. My wish would be for every young air talent to witness Dick, on site, in action.
Dick isn’t the best on-air talent of all time, Dick wasn’t a Drake Boss Jock and often times is plain sloppy on-air. But Dick Biondi is – The Very Best – at developing a connection, a relationship with his Listener.
No contest. Period.
And in our voice-tracked, XM vs. Sirius, iPod, You Tube, Texting world – isn’t that what it’s all about?
Kevin Robinson is a Strategic Consultant for the Audience Development Group, joining in December 2006 after 25 years as a successful broadcaster. Robinson’s deep programming experience includes success in Chicago, St. Louis, Buffalo and Lansing in a wide variety of formats including Hot AC, Oldies, Christian AC, Mainstream AC, CHR and Talk.
