You have a sort of "mellowness" delivering the news--describe your style?I prefer "intimate." I was drawn to the news anchors of the late 60s and 70s who were not readers but story tellers. It was about theater, one-on-one communicating. Some of the best I ever heard were Chet Rogers, Nick Alexander and Denny Fleenor in Seattle, Jack Popejoy and "Pat Paraquat" Kelly in LA and Dave McQueen, Joanne Greene, Abby Goldman, Gil Haar, Dave Cooke, Jo Interrante and Paul Fredricks in San Francisco.
OK, you have the graveyard shift, but we're a 24/7 world...any thoughts about that?Those who listen at 11pm and 2am are just as important to me as a broadcaster as those who listen at 7am and 5pm. I see it as a big responsibility to serve the audience craving a live, personal connection in the middle of the night.
What's your day like?Up at 1:30pm, Peet's coffee, read the news, listen to music, garden, play with my three dogs, read, "Tim Time" when my partner Tim gets home from work at 3:30, pack two meals for work, then BART to the City for CrossFit training. I show up at KCBS around 8:15 to eat dinner before I start writing. I take pride in doing all my own writing. On air at 10pm.
What's the coffee machine like at KCBS?It's pretty wretched. I've tried it only twice. I drink only water at work.
Anything in local radio that bothers you?Sadly, there isn't enough of it. Nights and weekends, most local music radio, even talk is canned or syndicated and therefore of no value to me as a listener. It's neither live nor local. So, I'd rather listen to my own IPod collection of 11,000 songs. The only 24/7 live and local radio station left in San Francisco is KCBS. Viva KCBS!!
Who was the best person in Bay Area broadcasting that you worked with?I've worked with so many great people since I came to San Francisco 1979. It would be impossible to name one so I'll name several. KYA-Russ 'The Moose' Syracuse, KMEL-Stephen Capen, Abby Goldman, Randi Mayem Singer, Mal Sharpe, Brian Cooley, KGO-Bruce Kamen, KFRC-Dr. Don Rose, Bobby Ocean, Dave Sholin, Vikki Liviakis, Robert McCormick, Joanne Greene, K101-Don Bleu, Sue Hall, Jo Interrante, KPIX-Marcia Brandwynne, KFOG-Dave Morey, Rosalie, Linda McGinnis, KKSF-Dave McQueen, Miranda Wilson, Ray White, KDFC-Bill Lueth, Rik Malone. My mentors and friends!
And the worst?
No comment.
Airport stuff--do you prefer pat down or the body scan?Pat down of course!
If you weren't doing radio news, what type of work would you do?
I wanted to be a chef. For two years in high school I worked for and trained with the late Frugal Gourmet Jeff Smith. I also wanted to be a physical fitness trainer. Now that I am in my 50s, I'd rather teach, train dogs or become the next famous American novelist. Endless possibilities.
And finally.... Other than me, who do you most admire and why?
Cute! I admire those who volunteer in their communities. Whether it's working in a shelter, church, after school program or running errands for the elderly. Every Sunday morning around 6:00, I pick up trash in my neighborhood. It gives me a sense of belonging and an opportunity to give back.
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TIPS/E-MAIL: Rich.Lieberman@Gmail.com
Nice interview. Its enjoyable, Rich, to read your pleasantries instead of always TV bashing.
ReplyDeleteI love John Evans, both as a broadcaster and a friend. He has the wonderful ability of connecting with me (his listeners). Whether I'm on my way to work at 4am or( when he was afternoons at KDFC), out and about, he was on everywhere I went! I hope you have this gig forever, John! Live and local, baby!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the mention! I do my 'radio" these days via my daily blog on Facebook. It's a joke,an interesting interview or commentary... every day. Facebook search Paraquat Kelley. Good Luck!
ReplyDeletePat Paraquat must have ugliest yard in her hood..Good thing her neighbor "Agent Orange" Andy doesn't complain...
ReplyDeleteNobody but nobody does mellow like Lakers P.A announcer lawrence Tanter,it's better than counting sheep.
ReplyDeleteVery good interview. I'd like to see more interviews like this with Bay Area media personalities -- it provides in-depth insight into their thoughts about their professional careers.
ReplyDeleteNow that I've moved to southern California, I still listen to KCBS when I can to catch up on Bay Area news and events. And John Evans does a terrific job as a broadcaster!
He mentioned Jack Popejoy and Robert McCormick (now known as Bob McCormick). I listen to both of them everyday on KNX newsradio in L.A. Bob "Robert" McCormick, who used to do the news on KFRC with Dr. Don Rose, is simply one of the best in the business. His voice is distinct and very, very rarely will he make a verbal or pronunciation mistake. He's basically flawless.
KCBS has evolved as perhaps one of the best, if not the best, newsradio stations in the country -- as evidenced by their #1 standing in the ratings. I think they are doing something right!
John's friend's list is a Who's Who of California radio in the 80s. It's good to hear him on the air at KCBS. He is a consistent pro no matter what the station or format.
ReplyDeleteSweet little interview, which I just now spotted 18 mos late.
ReplyDeleteI've always been an owl and really, really dig the quality and delivery of John Evans, around 3AM, headphones on, maybe a tad stoned and ready for a good snooze. It's a drag on the weekend when KCBS runs syndicated "newsmagazine" crapola.
What a blas from the past to see Patrick "Paraquat" Kelly's name! He was a big part of the soundtrack to my life c.1978-82 at KMET-LA "The Mighty Met." Hell, that was when he took on the "Paraquat" name because the Reaganites got the Mexicans to spray their cannabis with paraquat...which, as Michael Pollan suggests in his book Botany of Desire, forced some of our best gardeners underground, to figure out how to grow the best pot here in the US...and it worked! Sometimes stupidity is the driving force for intelligence and innovation, but I see I've digressed...
I love John Evans, and I don't care who knows it.
PS: in LA, Jack Popejoy is the John Evans...but really knows his seismology and is more of an on-the-scene reporter. Comforting like Evans, though.
I love you, John Evans! - Randi Mayem Singer
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