"SATURDAY IN THE PARK, I THINK IT WAS THE FOURTH OF JULY…"*

   * Thanks to Chicago for the tune and to the American Legion Post in Cambria for putting on the party.

   See you down the trail.

THE WEEKENDER-Singing Anchors

TALENT WITH TALENT

     In the television news business, the anchors, correspondents and reporters are referred to as "Talent." Some are, as in talented.

     The gold standard used to be experience in the field, as a reporter. The influence of consultants-they used to be called news doctors-and the advent of cable news led to a sea of talent who were essentially good at looking good.  In some cases, little else accompanied the package.

      There are still good, intelligent and skilled journalistic talent working.  As a news executive I looked for life experience and journalistic experience ahead of the cosmetic factors. I was able to hire many good talent. And then there was the extraordinary guy.

      He was a young guy still, not too long out of school and was working in one of our broadcast divsion's smaller markets.  I had known his father, when we were street reporters, back in our youth. Since then Phil had gone on to a solid and illustrious broadcast career in the tough Chicago market.  Phil had another son Dan who also had followed him into broadcasting.  So I knew Anthony had great news "genes," on top of his own intelligent and capable work. It was an easy hire.  

     When he arrived I learned that he was also a concert pianist and a vocalist.  A talent with real talent.

     In what I think must be a book waiting to be written, Phil, Dan and Anthony practice their skill in Chicago. At this years Newzapalooza charitable fundraiser, brothers Dan and Anthony displayed a talent, deeper than that required on a news desk.  Ironically they perform their tune THE ANCHORMAN.  

    Enjoy the Ponce brothers, and have a great weekend.

Dan, Phil and Anthony Ponce in Chicago.
Photo courtesy of Yvette Marie Postani for The Chicago Tribune
See you down the trail.