Michael Parnell

[thatwasradio]

Ask and you shall receive... in due time though. I have some airchecks with some of the Dick's Pawn Shop spots on 'em somewhere, but it will take me quite some time to find them, I didn't label the tapes as "this one has Dick's on it", LOL. Just to think that I filed the reel to reel tapes of each one of those spots in a wooden shelf in the Power 98 and Wave 104 production room monthly, I should have known they would never be used for anything else, wish I had snagged 'em.
Something I just remembered about Michael Parnell. When I moved from Power to Wave 104, I briefly mentioned in casual conversation to Michael that I had always wanted to do the Studebaker's spots for a long time, but we never had the account at Power 98, he promptly assigned a new Studebaker's spot to me EVERY week there after, (their copy changed every week) I thought "AWESOME"!!!! Dan Hoffman later told me that Michael used to do all those spots and he took very much pride and ownership in them. He must have thought I wouldn't screw them up too bad.

[Carolina]

I've known Mike and his family forever, since before any of us even got into the business.  My friendship with him will always be something I'll cherish.  My thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Parnell clan.  Sometimes bad things happen to good people and God gave us a good one when he sent Michael P our way.  I'll always remember you my friend.  Go in peace.  You will be missed.

[Surfside]

I worked with Michael at the Cumulus cluster from 2002-2005.  He was production director for the cluster and a real professional.  He cared so much about the product that he insisted on being in charge of syndication dubbing for 4 of our stations.  When I approached him about ripping the CDs in instead of dubbing, he insisted on dubbing them to maintain quality.  He would write all the commercials, record at least half of them himself and still spend hours (I do mean hours) a week recording our syndication into the automation.  He had reason to throw up roadblocks due to the amount of work he did- however, it was Michael Parnell who volunteered to voicetrack Sunny 106.5's night show each day- a task he loved.  Sunny 106.5 sounded great from 7pm-midnight because of Michael.  It sounded great in every spotset because of him too.

When a jock was sick on any of our stations- yes, even our Urban station- it was Michael Parnell who stepped up to fill the spot.  I will always remember him as a real radio man & a true friend.  Even after he was starting to get sick, he was worried that Dickie at Dick's Pawn Show had a creative spot ready to roll.  This was a man who loved radio and during his time here, made a difference.  No matter the obstacle, Michael loved to be a hero.... and was.  Life is truly short- he made a difference while he was here.

I learned a lot of important things from Michael that I carry with me and share with others.  His impact is sure.  Not only with me, but with those I meet and those I work with.  People who never even met him will benefit from Michael Parnell.  I will miss him and thank God for putting our paths together.

Dave

Dave Solomon, President
Mix Radio Network/SRP Radio Network
(former OM at Cumulus Myrtle Beach)