Bill Gardner

What Are These Trophies???

In February 2024, 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! 

Legendary radio programmer and former EVP 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 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 recent 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! 

1979 had become 1980.  I was on the air at CFTR 680 in beautiful and cool Toronto Canada., But down in Orlando, once dominant WBJW-FM, "BJ105" had slipped again to #3 in the latest Arbitron Ratings; the morning show 5th.  Talked with VP Programming Tom West and even owner Robert Rounsaville, both no longer with us, "Was I interested in becoming Morning Guy and Program Director at BJ105 Orlando?"  Heck yeah!  Sign me up!

 

I got to work as morning guy, launched my plans and schemes to return BJ105 to it's former glory, and even ended up on another billboard!   

There were some timeless and amazing songs that summer!  Like "Sailing" and "Ride Like The Wind," Christopher Cross, "Cars" Gary Numan, "Upside Down" Diana Ross, "Magic" Olivia Newton John, "Love You Inside Out" The Bee Gees, "Sara" by Fleetwood Mac, "Shining Star," The Manhattans, "What You Won't Do For Love," Bobby Caldwell, "Hot Rod Hearts," Robbie Dupree, "Passion," Rod Stewart, "Into The Night," Benny Mardones, even more.  Wow!.  Whenever I hear any of these songs, I'm instantly transported back to Orlando and those fun days at BJ105. I can't remember ever having one day there that I didn't thoroughly enjoy! 

And Orlando responded.  In half a year, BJ105 leaped back to #1 with a 14.7 share, and my morning show had an unheard of 16.1 share up from an 8.7.

Funny sidebar that kind of sums it up.  I recall I drove down to Orlando from Toronto in tan Volkswagen Rabbit; and later moved to WFYR-FM Chicago in a brand new loaded red and silver Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz.  :-)   

 

Among the radio legends at BJ105 was this guy, Bill Barber, my close long time friend and ace 3-7PM on air guy.  I said I really appreciate your visit to my website, but can I ask one favor?  Can I add your wish and kind thought for my pal Bill as he works his way past some tough medical challenges?  Thanks.    

    

   Cool OLD Pic of the Day....

I found this picture on the web of the old BJ105 offices and studio on Orlando's Dubsdread Golf Course at 222 Hazard Street!   Wow.  I remember driving up on many a pre-dawn morning!  Looked on Google Maps.  The building is still there, painted plain tan, and now house "La Voz" 1220 AM radio station.

   

Hey George Johns.... 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 radio consultant George Johns (www.georgejohns.com).   As always, you'll notice I take George's lessons to heart.

Don't know much about her.  Her name is Isabell, and she sure makes a bikini look wonderful, doesn't she?