On the Radio Show Today: Jim Brown and NBC Bay Area's Janelle Wang

Today on the radio:

1-1: 30 PM PT: NBC Bay Area Anchor, Janelle Wang

3-3: 30PM: NFL Hall-of-Famer: Jim Brown

Listen live here




 

Janelle Wang



Jim Brown

Jim Brown round-up, media notes, the Oakland tribute; 'this and that on Saturday

Finally catching my breath after a long week of phone calls, last-minute 'schmoozing, follow-ups with people with massive egos that you really want to say something bad to, but can't because you're trying to make a show happen.

I played media event planner the past few months' with Jim Brown, the honored guest for his great foundation, "Amer-I-Can" at Monaghan's sports bar in Oakland. It was a resounding success by all accounts, with hundreds of people crowding the smallish facility in the Woodminster area.

Jim Brown brings out the great ones; Rick Barry, RC Owens, Greg Papa, Ted Robinson, Bob St. Clair, Vida Blue, Willie Brown, Jim Otto...all of 'em, including Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, which televised "Chronicle Live" direct from the event, along with XTRA Sports radio and Ken Dito doing a live remote.

We were busy all right and that was fun even though at times I felt as if I was about to collapse, which at one point I nearly did. Thank god for cold water and ice, as opposed to fire and ice, which is how I felt about one particular star player, (the only guy who didn't make the affair after his publicist and I played e-mail footsie for the better part of six weeks...."he has a lot of 'commitments you know, but he'll try." Really? For Jim Brown? Thanks Jerry Rice, and have fun at your golf show)

Yes, I'm bitching, but gloating too. There were a few other no-shows, but the big boys showed up and the media girls and boys were terrific. ...Ted Robinson is one class guy, as is Scott Ostler of the SF Chronicle and Monte Poole of the Oakland Tribune. You truly know how to depend on guys to promote your event and these guys came through mightily, as did Glenn Dickey.

Of course it helps when you have a guy like Jim Brown at the top of the marquee. I knew that Brown was big, real big, but I didn't think that would resonate THAT big for the event and was astounded that we packed in over 500 people in a restaurant/bar that can barely hold 300, (don't call the fire marshall.)

**Great vibe the entire night, except for the autograph mafia; there's nothing wrong with seeking autographs, but when you bring a suitcase full of helmets and pictures and playing cards, oy!...Great line from Brown: "They always ask me, 'Jim, why did you give up playing at the age of 29? 'I went to Hollywood to make movies, I had a lot of money, and I 'made love to Raquel Welch."...

Nuff said.

Pass the saltines.

Me and Jim Brown: a true living legend, (a personal gush)

Sorry for this brief egotistical foray, but when you hook up with a true legend and the greatest running back in Pro Football history, well, the rest is history.

The great one himself, my friend, Jim Brown at "Monaghan's in Oakland." 4-8-10

(photo, courtesy Sheldon Baker)

**Follow me on Twitter

Sports Legends Night: A Tribute to NFL Great Jim Brown; @ Oakland's "Monaghan's on the Hill' April 8th

Sports Legends Night: A tribute to NFL Hall-of-Famer Jim Brown
@ Oakland's new upscale sports bar/restaurant, "Monaghans on the Hill"
2820 Mountain Blvd Oakland, CA 94602 (off Hwy 13 near the Mormom Temple in the Oakland hills)

**April 8Th, 2010 6-9PM VIP event spectacular--Tickets: $25, (limited) to benefit "Amer-I-Can", (scheduled to go on sale March 10th.)

Phone/Show information: 415-999-4454 and/or 510-482-2500

Live radio show and TV/media spectacular...SURPRISE APPEARANCES!!

THE PROGRAM:

RICH LIEBERMAN PRESENTS: In Person--


Sports luminary and NFL Hall-of-Famer, JIM BROWN, will be honored at Oakland's upscale "Monaghan's on the Hill", located in Woodminster, (Oakland Hills, off Hwy. 13)

In attendance, honoring Brown include NBA greats, Rick Barry, Al Attles and Nate Thurmond...Invited guests include 49Er's great and Hall-of-Fame inductee, Jerry Rice...Numerous surprise appearances from the sports, entertainment, and celebrity world. Proceeds to benefit Brown's charity: "Amer-I-Can".

**JIM BROWN: Mr. Jim Brown—Athlete, Actor, Mentor To Our Youth and Civic Leader
James Nathaniel Brown is one of the greatest athletes of the 20th Century. For 9 years, he reigned supreme as the most dominant, prolific and feared running back in the National Football League. He founded the Amer-I-Can Program for Social Change, reaching out to young men with the message that there is life and there is hope.

**NOTE: All invited guests and VIP appearances subject to change.

**Follow me on Twitter, Facebook and look for information on the event on this web blog and SF-Oak media outlets.