Huckabee Talks About The Power Of Radio
December 8, 2009: Citadel Media Networks personality Mike Huckabee, a keynote speaker at Radio Ink's Forecast '10 Tuesday, began by telling the crowd that he began his working life in radio, at KXAR/Hope, AR. At age 14, Huckabee said, he was "entrusted with an entire radio station."
Things didn't always go smoothly -- Huckabee told a story of accidentally airing a fishing show in a church-sponsored slot where hymns were supposed to be heard, saying, "I had just had the local church telling people to go fishing that day." But, he said, "There were so many ways in which that [experience] was formative in my life in giving me many, many opportunities to do what I do today."
Though back then, Huckabee said, he was "opening the mic in obscurity," he said that today, "Life's a little different," being heard three times a day with his "Huckabee Report." He said, "You would think that people would recognize the fact that I ran for president, but when I ran for president, very few people knew it, and very few cared." To laughter from the audience, he added, "And that's why I'm here today." But Huckabee said that it's "almost frightening" how many more people know him from broadcasting than from his political career, attributing that to a "media-crazed culture."
Having continued to work in radio through college and graduate school, Huckabee said his show "has been a wonderful experience of getting back into a medium that gave me my first job, but, more important, my first experience of broadcasting." Huckabee also hosts a weekend show on Fox News, but said, "The power of radio is the power of the message and the power of the messenger," and that it is an ongoing challenge to make sure the message gets across.
Looking at the issues, Huckabee said that when he hears talk that the Fairness Doctrine is being discussed in Congress, he "cringes." He said working under the doctrine was a "nightmare" that drove controversial programming off the air, and that there is no lack of opportunity for political views to be heard today. He continued, "I know that broadcasters across America are trying to make sure that the public understands that freedom of speech and freedom of choice would be dramatically limited if the Fairness Doctrine were implemented again."
Huckabee said he hopes there will always be a place in radio for kids to find a job and "hang out at the radio station." He went on, "This country is a better country because of the broadcasting opportunities that have not only helped the legends in the business, but have helped kids like me, for whom radio was a ticket to something far greater than I could ever have imagined as a little kid."
In response to a question from the crowd about the possibility of performance royalties for radio, Huckabee said, "It's one more way in which government ought to stay out of the business of broadcasters." He went on to say the royalty is "nothing more than a tax" and that it's "not only bad timing, it's bad policy."
The royalties, Huckabee said, would put even more power in the hands of the labels and said he wishes artists would ask themselves if they trust the "studios" with "one more layer" of their lives and art. he said, "I think the answer would be no."
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(12/8/2009 11:49:25 PM) Huckabee Talks About The Power Of Radio, Huckabee is the Voice of the American people. On just a shoestring budget, Huckabee comes out of no where to nearly clinch the 2008 Republican Presidential Nomination with his superior communication skills. In last year's Presidential debates it was common to see "real time polling" charts on the TV screen while the candidates talked. And sure enough, Huckabee had the charts pegged at the top whenever he was given a chance to respond. Huckabee's superior communication skills provides him with an unparalleled level of influence in American politics. Mike Huckabee brings to the table three distinct characteristics that will help him secure the Presidential nomination in 2012. First, Mike Huckabee has the experience needed to become President of the United States. He was a successful Governor of Arkanas for ten and half years. His accomplishments earned him the prestigious Time Magazine's Best Governor in America award for his outstanding conservative achievements. Secondly, Mike Huckabee has the backing of the incredibly large conservative base in the Republican party. The same individuals that helped the Republican party sweep the House and Senate in 1994 elections with a super majority. It was called "The Contract with America", a conservative strategy used from President Reagan's State of the Union Address in 1985. Finally and most importantly, Mike Huckabee holds the key to any successful leader, that is his superior communications skills. Ronald Reagan one of America's most successful and admired Presidents in US history was called the "great communicator" back in the 80's. And with his unprecedented growth in popularity landing him big time media spots in TV and Radio Mike Huckabee has already claimed the mantle as the "great communicator" for the 21st century. Watch him earn a spot in the movie business too in the near future with his trademark quick one liners and down home laughter. In conclusion, it is Mike Huckabee who will dominate the Power Of Radio and TV for the upcoming years with his larger than life persona. From his succesful decade of running a Government to his conservative base thriving on his conservative message and finally to his superior communication skills will win over the hearts and minds of the American public in record numbers. Watch for Mike Huckabee's rapid rise as one of America's most influential person in the 21st century. Huckabee will not only dominate the Power Of Radio and TV, but also the Power of the White House as will be ushered in as the new United States President in 2012. Check it out for yourself, just google three simple words: Huckabee Fan Club. |
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