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Be a Bridge Builder
Powerhouse Radio: Rough Roads, Radiance, and Rebirth is not only a memoir about adversity, failure, and ultimate success, it explores the history of radio including the Black commercial radio stations. Why was it important for you to write this book?
In radio’s glory days, thousands of radio professionals toiled away in small and medium markets making contributions to their communities, while they polished their craft. Media folks use the same playbook today. These personalities come and go. Their stories are rarely featured or known. My story mimics this arc, with a glide path that touches down in several major US broadcasting markets. I wanted to present the story of a typical radio crusader who uses music, talk, social engagement, or other skills to make a difference in the lives of the people they touch. My memoir uses personal radio experiences to amplify the pursuit of a career goal and presents it in a broader life context.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Success can be achieved, even when the view from outside of your supportive family circle indicates that you will have a harder time than many others. I mention early in the book that I am an only child who never knew my father and was raised by an entrepreneurial single mother.
As I detail my radio journey, some creative ways are presented to readers describing how I got into the industry and landed subsequent jobs while I was a young college student. The theme of ingenuity to find success is stressed.
Anyone in broadcasting can tell you that getting fired is just a part of dealing with unpredictable difficulties handed to you until you can rise like the phoenix to conquer your next job challenge. I stress how I managed to keep things moving when times got tough. I explain what I did to diversify my skill set.
Other themes I focus on: be a bridge builder, treat your colleagues with respect, and be willing to take some chances on your way to grabbing the brass ring of achievement.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
My personal relationships with women. I could have dived much deeper into additional “kiss and tell” anecdotes but took the high road to concentrate on one particular connection that will leave readers with an understanding of my honesty, trust, and judgment.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your story?
Radio is fun, broadcasting is hard work, almost no one is an overnight sensation, and despite AI, radio’s audio variants will survive!
Author Links: GoodReads | Threads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Despite roadblocks, the author details how he took advantage of growth opportunities offered at both general market and Black commercial radio stations in the Philadelphia radio market. Experiences at Southern New Jersey radio stations are carefully detailed.
When the story expands to Washington, DC and Smith’s NPR management responsibilities, this radio memoir documents what public broadcasting really creates. You’ll learn what listener sponsored media attempts to do domestically and internationally, all in the public interest.
You’ll come along for the ride at the launch of satellite radio when the author and his team prepare two channels for a new world of digital subscribers across the USA.
What you must know to create a memorable internet radio online audio music streaming service is discussed in depth in a chapter about Smith’s fifteen years as a Live365 producer.
Music radio personality hosts have opinions about the music they play for their broadcast audience. So does Kingsley. You’ll get five crafted opinions in reviews about five award winning popular culture music artists expressed by the author in the paperback, eBook, and audiobook.
Powerhouse Radio: Rough Roads, Radiance, and Rebirth
Powerhouse Radio offers a captivating exploration of radio culture, particularly since the 1970s, through the experiences of Kingsley Smith. Smith, a passionate African American radio enthusiast, provides readers with a unique window into the evolving world of radio broadcasting. This book effectively juxtaposes the mainstream radio landscape with ‘Black Radio,’ delving into their practical and historical distinctions in a manner that is as informative as it is intriguing.
Smith’s love for radio is palpable throughout the book. His narrative style is both professional and engaging, effortlessly guiding the reader through the complexities of radio’s technical and professional aspects. This approach is particularly enlightening for those like myself who were introduced to the world of broadcasting in the era of satellite and streaming. The book is not just an educational journey; it’s a personal one, filled with rich anecdotes and insights that make the reader feel as though they are part of a conversation with Smith himself. The penultimate chapter, “New Horizons and Radio Today,” is a highlight. Smith skillfully blends a sense of nostalgia with a forward-looking perspective, discussing the impact of smartphones, satellite radio, and the emerging role of AI and automation in the media landscape. His message is one of encouragement, asserting that despite the shifts in the industry, opportunities still abound for those with a passion for broadcasting.
Powerhouse Radio is more than just a well-written account; it’s a tribute to the bygone era of radio, offering both a reflective look at the past and an insightful perspective on the future. Ideal for creatives, historians, and radio enthusiasts, this book is not just a noteworthy contribution to the literature on broadcasting; it’s a reminder of the enduring power and evolution of radio in our ever-changing media landscape.
Pages: 180 | ASIN : B0CDMBDKVP
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