What is Talent?

[John Mack Flanagan]

A few months ago a post on this site stated, "If I had to color Mike Amatori's (of KGO ...) talent, I'd color it beige". Well Mike Amatori is in my opinion a Radio God. Who else does what he does? Creating witty pieces that sell the radio station and Mike has been doing it for 40 years! Or most of 40. It started me thinking, What is Talent? Ophra's got it. Barbara Walters has got it. Bobby Ocean has oodles of it, but What is Talent? For my two cents it's the ability to connect with people. I've worked with all kinds, beautiful voices, some with a gimmick (a pet rock side kick) but think about it, What is Talent? I'd like to know what you think, What is Talent, and who's got it? Don't stop until you've written everything you can think of about the word talent. Your opinion counts here. ... I'll be back ... -John-

[DavidKaye]

I think you've pretty much said all there is to say about talent: the ability to connect with an audience.  I was thinking about movie heroes and villains and realized that it was true.  It doesn't matter if the role is a sympathetic character.  Actors who play both heroes and villains manage to connect with audiences. 

You learn this a lot in street performing.  Jim Rose's book, "Freak Like Me" is a must-read about how to busk a street show.  He details how a performer must gradually bring in an audience, getting them curious and willing to wait for the show to begin.  The performers who are considered to have talent are those who can connect with the audience.  Those who can't simply won't bring in a crowd.

[SFStatic]

In discussing talent with my market manager a few years ago, talking about several personalities we had on the air on various stations, and one we were thinking about bringing in, Carter B. Smith came up. The market manager (who is now back in LA, and has also managed in the Bay Area and Florida a couple times), remarked, "Carter touches people." This is really another way of saying what David just posted, but it's of note because it came from a guy who has been a GM and market manager. I am not sure there is anyone left at corporate offices and in a lot of market manager chairs right now that grasp this concept.

[radio dx]

To me "talent" is not only a connect with the listener but being creative and being able to stand out from the rest.
being funny helps along with a good voice. The ability to "play-up" to the callers and having fun with music also helps.

I come from the "old school' and a few "drops" couldn't hurt....now starts the flip side

[Domino Rippy]

Talent is being able to keep a dozen plates spinning on the end of a stick to music played by the Ray Block orchestra. Just before the Rolling Stones Perform. That's talent.

[Production Boy]

A few months ago a post on this site stated, "If I had to color Mike Amatori's (of KGO ...) talent, I'd color it beige". Well Mike Amatori is in my opinion a Radio God. Who else does what he does? Creating witty pieces that sell the radio station and Mike has been doing it for 40 years! Or most of 40. It started me thinking, What is Talent? Ophra's got it. Barbara Walters has got it. Bobby Ocean has oodles of it, but What is Talent? For my two cents it's the ability to connect with people. I've worked with all kinds, beautiful voices, some with a gimmick (a pet rock side kick) but think about it, What is Talent? I'd like to know what you think, What is Talent, and who's got it? Don't stop until you've written everything you can think of about the word talent. Your opinion counts here. ... I'll be back ... -John-

John, thank you for the kind words. You and David K nailed it. Now, as we both know, not everyone is going to like you. That is a chance all Talent takes...But as a wise fellow named JM Flanagan said to me one day while we were discussing radio...
" You Gotta Do Something, You Gotta make something Happen " Which I chose to interpret as... Take a chance! Don't just go with the status quo. AND Be Original, Which is what I have been doing for about 40 years. The Good News, It seems to have worked fairly well.
OH, Not a radio god, just a radio guy looking to connect with the listeners. And just remember what I have always told you...You are the BEST DJ I have ever heard...My Opinion and a Fact.

Regards,

Mike

[DavidKaye]

Which is what I have been doing for about 40 years.

Speaking of...uh...40 years ago:  Somewhere I still have an open reel of one of your first, a promo for KCSM-FM with Tony Bennett singing, "I want to be around to pick up the pieces..." with the sound of plates crashing to the floor.  I know the tape is in a box...somewhere...