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After Midnight with Blair Garner
Blair Garner
We've all heard the phrase, "Necessity is the mother of invention." It's certainly true in the history of After MidNite. However, there were two necessities that needed to be met in this instance. First, was radio's need for an answer to the problem of staffing the overnight shift. Second, was Blair Garner's desire to work for himself.
When Blair first moved to Los Angeles, he had just left a lucrative, high profile job at ABC in New York City. There was one thing he knew for sure: he didn't like working under someone else's direction. Like his schoolteacher might have said, "he's a good kid, but doesn't play well with others." Sure enough, Blair wanted to strike out on his own. Over dinner, a close friend suggested that Blair try syndication. It seemed easy enough, and his track record of success almost assured interest from potential syndicators. Through the ensuing conversation it became clear that every radio station shared a significant problem: Staffing the overnight daypart. Usually, the d.j.'s that work the overnight shift are those that are still developing their craft. As they improve, they seek out jobs during daytime hours that command higher salaries. As a result, the program director is often left with a revolving door of DJ's that host that shift. Their time is better spent working with the morning and afternoon talents. After all, that's where the money is. So there was the need. The question then became "Is anyone listening?"
In doing some research, Blair determined that nearly thirty to forty percent of a single station's daytime audience share is retained overnights. For one station, those numbers were hardly enough to set the sales force on fire. But, if you took that thirty to forty percent from a station in Pittsburgh, and added that to one from Milwaukee, and on and on, you would have a huge listenership before long. That was the idea at least. But, would it work? The first call Blair made was to a trusted friend back at ABC Radio Networks. It was Rod West, Casey Kasem's boss at American Top 40. Over lunch Blair ran the idea by Rod. Try as he may, however, Rod couldn't think of a reason it wouldn't work. Over the next month the two consulted regularly. Finally, Blair convinced Rod he should leave ABC and join him to launch this new company.
When Blair first moved to Los Angeles, he had just left a lucrative, high profile job at ABC in New York City. There was one thing he knew for sure: he didn't like working under someone else's direction. Like his schoolteacher might have said, "he's a good kid, but doesn't play well with others." Sure enough, Blair wanted to strike out on his own. Over dinner, a close friend suggested that Blair try syndication. It seemed easy enough, and his track record of success almost assured interest from potential syndicators. Through the ensuing conversation it became clear that every radio station shared a significant problem: Staffing the overnight daypart. Usually, the d.j.'s that work the overnight shift are those that are still developing their craft. As they improve, they seek out jobs during daytime hours that command higher salaries. As a result, the program director is often left with a revolving door of DJ's that host that shift. Their time is better spent working with the morning and afternoon talents. After all, that's where the money is. So there was the need. The question then became "Is anyone listening?"
In doing some research, Blair determined that nearly thirty to forty percent of a single station's daytime audience share is retained overnights. For one station, those numbers were hardly enough to set the sales force on fire. But, if you took that thirty to forty percent from a station in Pittsburgh, and added that to one from Milwaukee, and on and on, you would have a huge listenership before long. That was the idea at least. But, would it work? The first call Blair made was to a trusted friend back at ABC Radio Networks. It was Rod West, Casey Kasem's boss at American Top 40. Over lunch Blair ran the idea by Rod. Try as he may, however, Rod couldn't think of a reason it wouldn't work. Over the next month the two consulted regularly. Finally, Blair convinced Rod he should leave ABC and join him to launch this new company.
Bio
Blair Garner hosts the highly acclaimed Country radio show After MidNite, a six-hour nationally syndicated show that airs on nearly 250 affiliates, including WXTU-FM / Philadelphia, WKLB-FM / Boston, WMZQ-FM / Washington, D.C., KSCS-FM / Dallas, WUBL-FM / Atlanta, KNIX-FM / Phoenix and WPOC-FM / Baltimore. After 13 years in national syndication, Garner added another show to his daily hosting duties in 2006. The Blair Garner Show, which airs from 10 p.m. to midnight, is nationally syndicated on more than 40 affiliates, including WWWW-FM / Detroit, WAMZ-FM / Louisville, WQHK-FM / Ft. Wayne, KAFF-FM / Flagstaff, WNWN-FM / Grand Rapids, and WBUL-FM / Lexington.
In 2006, Garner won the Academy of Country Music’s “On-Air Personality of the Year” Award in the national category. He also won this award in 2004 when the national and local categories were combined. Garner’s popularity is attributed to him keeping his show fresh and entertaining with guests such as George Strait, Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire, Taylor Swift, Brooks and Dunn, Martina McBride, Faith Hill, Toby Keith, Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Lonestar, Alan Jackson and Keith Urban.
Garner started his radio career in Canyon, Texas, later moving to Dallas to work at KAFM-FM, then to Washington, D.C.’s WASH-FM. From there, he moved to Houston to work at KKBQ-FM. Months later, WPLJ-FM in New York recruited Garner as their afternoon-drive host, where he was named among the top ten most-listened-to disc jockeys in America. Garner then moved to the West Coast and worked as the afternoon-drive personality for KIIS-FM in Los Angeles. After having ratings success in five of the top 10 markets, Garner created After MidNite, which was purchased by Premiere Radio Networks in 1997.
This Canyon, Texas, native graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in Advertising. Garner and his family reside in Nashville, Tenn. He prides himself in his car collection. He bought his first car when he was 12 years old and, to date, has owned and renovated more than 70 cars.
In 2006, Garner won the Academy of Country Music’s “On-Air Personality of the Year” Award in the national category. He also won this award in 2004 when the national and local categories were combined. Garner’s popularity is attributed to him keeping his show fresh and entertaining with guests such as George Strait, Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire, Taylor Swift, Brooks and Dunn, Martina McBride, Faith Hill, Toby Keith, Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts, Lonestar, Alan Jackson and Keith Urban.
Garner started his radio career in Canyon, Texas, later moving to Dallas to work at KAFM-FM, then to Washington, D.C.’s WASH-FM. From there, he moved to Houston to work at KKBQ-FM. Months later, WPLJ-FM in New York recruited Garner as their afternoon-drive host, where he was named among the top ten most-listened-to disc jockeys in America. Garner then moved to the West Coast and worked as the afternoon-drive personality for KIIS-FM in Los Angeles. After having ratings success in five of the top 10 markets, Garner created After MidNite, which was purchased by Premiere Radio Networks in 1997.
This Canyon, Texas, native graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in Advertising. Garner and his family reside in Nashville, Tenn. He prides himself in his car collection. He bought his first car when he was 12 years old and, to date, has owned and renovated more than 70 cars.
Show Information
Air Time: 12am - 6am
Website: AfterMidnight.com
Website: AfterMidnight.com