FROM THE EXOTIC VAULT OF
MOTO GROOVE
Cris Conner is a guy with a fertile mind to say the very least. For years he presided over the airwaves and a team of inventive broadcasters creating a theater of the mind. Cris is to broadcasting what Dali is to painting.
To listen to airchecks of his work and those of his teammates reminds you of a time when creativity, innovation and imagination mattered. Full disclosure here. I worked with Cris, also known to his fans as Moto Groove, for many years and was perpetually amused and surprised by what he did, said and the ideas he gave birth to. He was a pioneer of FM rock, but it was much more than that. It was about finding a niche in emerging lifestyles and growing it until it had become habitual in the daily routines of an ever growing audience. It was always fun.
But what continues to amaze me is that Cris, who is a photographic artist of exquisite talent, can still find, see, spot and know things that mere humans can not. From time to time he'll shoot me a link of something he has created or something he has found. I am usually left amazed, laughing or simply shaking my head wondering what planet he is really from. I offer this little ditty as exhibit A.
Enjoy. I'll bet you've not seen anything like this, short of a wild dream.
GOODBYE TO A LEGEND
It was impossible to be around auto racing since the 1950's and not to know Tom Carnegie. He is best known as being the Voice of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In that vast space, his was the voice booming over the speakers around the two and half mile track. His style was unique and some of his patented phrases are famous. Tom died on Friday at 91.
Like a lot of folks in broadcasting, Tom had a secret, his real name. Carl Karnegy was in a public speaking group back in the 1960's. So was my father Karl. They hit it off, starting with sharing the same name with a variation in spelling. I was a kid and more interested in playing ball than being aware of who was on radio or TV, but dad told me to pay attention to Tom Carnegie. In those days he provided sports on both radio and TV and was an early play by play announcer.
It was my pleasure to know Tom and to even work with him on a project or two. He left his mark and legions of racing fans have memories of the Indianapolis 500, enriched by Tom's voice. He was a pro.
I did my TV internship at Channel 6. Tom was the sports director. He always went out of his way to welcome the interns and help us thru any problems, give advice, etc. I was always impressed how someone of his stature and importance sincerely cared about a bunch of wide eyed, eager college students.
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