Bill Gardner 

What Are These Trophies???

Not long ago, well-respected National Radio Consultant Mike McVay told me, "You have done it all.  Bill Gardner understands radio more than most ever did.....or will." Thanks Mike!  The amazingly humble HRHOF Inductee Mike McVay said "YOU are the one who should be in the National Radio Hall of Fame.  Seriously!"  Thanks again Mike.

Legendary radio programmer and former Exec VP NBC-FM Stations  Walter Sabo just told me, "Mike Phillips said you were the best AC jock alive, and he was right!"  Thanks Walter!  (On the air as Walter Sterling, currently national talk show personality by the way).

Another of America's leading radio consultants and a national name you radio guys know, (not George Johns, by the way), humorously calls Bill Gardner "the best radio morning man in America NOT currently on the air!"  We protect his confidence.  Ask and I'll whisper his name to you.

During the halcyon days at KOOL-FM Phoenix with General Manager Clancy Woods and Program Director Tim Maranville, our many number one "25-54 adults and 12+ persons" rating "books" were rewarded with these personalized trophies, still proudly displayed here at our home. Bill Gardner's ability to "remain under the radar," (amazingly sometimes even to his own consultants and management), has allowed him to "sneak into a situation," and enjoy some of the most defense- free, dramatic turnarounds, and a 100% success record as morning personality and program executive! 

An Exact Fit for Your Job Needs?

Bill Gardner has been an "immediate impact player" in Adult Contemporary, Country, Oldies, Classic Hits, and Rock & Roll radio.  There's "easy-to-document" success* as a Drive Time On Air Personality, a VP/Programming or Program Director, even President/General Manager while owner-operator of an Arizona AM/FM combo, many times assuming both senior programming and morning drive on air roles simultaneously back when doing both was thought to be impossible :-)  And this "easy-to-document success" doesn't happen some of the time...it happens every time!

(Search or ask for your copy of the Arizona Republic July 31, 1999, article where with virtually no other change in KOOL 94.5 mornings other than hiring Bill Gardner, the Spring 1999 ratings "book" their radio and TV columnist detailed Bill Gardner with "the biggest gain in Valley radio," almost immediately moving from 13th to 4th most popular morning show in Phoenix."  Soon after to be #1 25-54!)

Bill Gardner On The Air!

You've found the site for airchecks, interview samples, resume, letters of recommendation and more for legendary radio morning guy Bill Gardner, for almost a decade through 2008 the top-rated morning personality of KOOL-FM Phoenix, as well as morning personality and program director for Los Angeles area's 92.7 Jill FM through summer 2010.

And a special thank you to the many KOOL 94.5 Phoenix listeners who've sought me out via search engines and sent emails to my email address below.  Even after more than ten years, new emails continue to arrive in my inbox!  Really!  Your thoughts and loyalty are genuinely appreciated!  It's nice to be missed, especially when I wasn't given a chance to say goodbye on air!

 Bill Gardner IN The Air!

I enjoyed a wonderful forty-five-year radio career in some of America's biggest radio stations and greatest cities.  (See the list by clicking "resume" at the top of the center column if you like).  But when bottom-feeding corporations slashed radio salaries and replaced most of us with lower cost people or recorded or out of town recorded voices, I'm SO fortunate to also have that Airline Transport Pilot license and join a small airline here in Las Vegas for almost nine years.   Until my retirement, my position was as an Airline Captain, with 4AM breakfast in progress pictured below. It was fun to be in a profession where gray hair and plenty of experience are actually appreciated!  :-)  But when I realized it wasn't as much fun anymore, I'm gone!

FUN Web Search?

Web site archive!  Enter billgardnerontheradio.com, or koolradio.com at www.archive.org and see posts dating back to my decade doing mornings at KOOL 94.5 Phoenix!  There's different stories and different radio stations each week.  See some fun posts you may have missed!

San Antonio was a wonderul two and a half year adventure.  After the population of Dallas-Fort Worth had more than tripled, San Antonio seemed just the right size.  We loved the town and its culture.  As VP/Programming, I was responsible  for two radio stations.  Adult Contemporary KLLS "Class FM,"  and sister station KCCW-AM, a country radio station.  George Johns used to make me laugh when he'd frequently remind me that "only one dollar per year of your salary is for KCCW-AM.  I want all your focus and energy directed at Class FM."  :-)  

We did direct mail advertising, like the one you see above, and I even managed to get my face on another billboard along Loop 410!  Over time, we hired three different Program Directors and some great on air talent.  I guided the ship over that two and a half years,and KLLS "Class FM" became a top San Antonio radio station and frequently on top of the coveted 25-54 demographic.

Mrs. Gardner and I both loved San Antonio.  First time I ever tried and learned to love "fajitas."  And above, a killer Chicken Fried Steak from the legendary Alamo Cafe, just a few minutes from our home just north of San Antonio International Airport. Saved up and bought our first Beech Bonanza while we were there. Even after leaving, we've made several vacation trips back over the years while I owned another Beech Bonanza.  .Bottom line?  We think San Antonio is the best of Texas!    

Born and raised in Philly, I miss real Philly cheese steaks and even scrapple alongside my eggs for breakfast.  When I heard  that Philadelphia's Tony Lukes had opened a cheese steak shop a while back inside the Rio Hotel & Casino here in Las Vegas, it was definitely on my "to do" list!  We recently went by and enjoyed a pretty realistic slice of Philly.  Tony Lukes didn't exist when we last lived in Philly.  AND, I've  always been a "Pat's King of Steaks" 9th & Wharton, South Philly guy, still the best.  .  

Those Beautiful Girls Keep On Coming! . 

 "If you want people to visit your web site, you'd better have a picture of a beautiful girl!"  One of my favorite quotes from my friend and radio consultant, the late George Johns.  I had a fun and excellent 40+ year radio career with plenty of it following good advice from George, so no exception here. 

I just saw a funny online clip this week that said, "Sara Cardona of NBC Channel 6 Miami is the best part of this year's Miami Dolphins football season!"  (They're 0-4 so far).  Haven't caught one, so I'm not sure if Sara's sldeline reporting at Miami Dolphins games sound thorough and great, but I'm sure they LOOK terrific!    .