One- He talked the way real people talk. Paul Harvey was the master of relating, using radio’s most powerful secret, one on one communication. His delivery felt personal.

Two- Use of word pictures. There has been none better than Paul Harvey. The man spoke theatre-of-the-mind. He used this radio tactic to the utmost. Instead of saying—“it was a cold day”, he would say something like “ it was so cold the stubbly grass on the front lawn was white with frost and crunched under foot.”

Three- He was direct. Quick. Staccato. He left little to ambiguity. Paul Harvey’s phrases were exact. Trimmed. Concise. A commanding style that creates a sense authority.

Four- He was real. We learned of his family. His weekends in the country. His meetings with celebrities. He shared his life with us. How he spent Thanksgiving, weddings, births and deaths.

Five-He was a master salesman with intergrity. Paul Harvey only endorsed products he believed in. No other person on radio has been so convincing. The best promotions do not appear to be promotions. The best sales methods do not appear to be selling at all. His commercials were little slices of information delivered in a compelling voice. Sincere. Believable. Relateable.

Six- He was professional. Paul Harvey was a pro, plain and simple. The best. His example of professionalism is an example of refinement. Educated for practicality. In other words. Useful knowledge.

Seven- Paul Harvey was a master storyteller. His beginnings, middles and endings kept the listener on the edge with curiosity, in the grip of drama and in the wonder of awe . His voice carried the story with such transparency that  he disappeared and the story took over.

Eight- He always gave more than expected and in honor of that principle, I give one extra lesson-

He was creative. One classic newscast was nothing but laughter. He got tickled, could not regain his composure and laughed the entire newscast, right up to his signature closing… Paul Harvey… good day.

Thank you Mr. Harvey, for the memories. Thank you for the laughs, the sharing, and the lessons.

God speed Paul Harvey.

Just want to give a big congratulations to some of my radio DJ friends -Rick McCracken, Rob Tanner, Chris Allen, Pinkie, Catherine Lane, Charlie and Debbie, Chad Dixon, and the staff at WSOC 103.7 ( listen online at wsocfm.com) in Charlotte, NC.

They just won the Academy of Country Music’s LARGE Market Radio Station of the Year Award!

I am proud to know each one of them.  Rick did the  production of the entry for the awards and I was honored to produce Catherine’s portion of the entry.

( I was also honored to produce Catherine’s entry that received a CMA nomination this year as well.)

These folks work (hard ) every day to keep the listeners in Charlotte informed and entertained. The Academy of Country Music agrees that they do a great job.

I look forward to seeing the televised awards show April 5th from Las Vegas and hope to see them all accept it!

Being a radio producer has it’s finer moments and this is one to celebrate!