I happened across two books recently, both of which have at their heart broadcasting. They are written by former stars of both radio and that trendy thing called television, and fun, excellent reads.

“50 Years of Celebrity Chatter” by Bill Diehl gives a personal and behind-the-scenes look at the celebrities and stars that Diehl interviewed throughout his own career working radio. After starting out locally, he had a long career with ABC Radio where he spent five decades –the first 36 years as a staff correspondent and then later as a freelancer.

If you were a celebrity during that time, Diehl probably interviewed you: Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner, Charlie Chaplin, Celine Dion, Liza Minnelli, Tom Hanks, John Denver, Barbara Streisand, Tony Bennett, Peter Jennings, Esther Williams, Katherine Hepburn,  Larry King, Sharon Stone, Steve Allen. They are all there, just to name a few.

Diehl presents the stars as the people that they were and are, including personal recollections of the events leading to the interviews as well as something interesting that may have happened while talking … such as the time he recalls Robin Williams asking for carfare home after the interview. “One of our assistants gave him five dollars,” Diehl recalls.

Diehl isn’t name dropping; he takes his work seriously, and in fact used to be among the writers at ABC Radio who pre-prepared and updated celebrity memorials in case they passed away suddenly. In this book, he presents his interviewees as regular people, like you might just meet on the street.

It’s a fun read, not overly intense, and very entertaining. Well worth checking out.

“In Bed with Broadcasting: A Memoir” by Ken Davis takes you on a trip through time with award-winning writer, producer, editor and on-air reporter. Davis spent the majority of his career in television — he began anchoring news on NBC affiliate KOAI-TV in Flagstaff at the age of 20 — but his roots are in radio via work during college, so I think it’s OK to mention him here. Besides, television is nothing more than radio with pictures, right?

Davis calls broadcasting his “mistress,” and that helps set up the life’s story he provides about the trials, tribulations, occasional ethical concerns, and the people he ran across throughout his more than 40 years in the business.

He tells the story of the time he decided to — finally — devote an entire day to his family, only to almost miss out on the biggest news story of the year. Or the time Walter Cronkite asked Davis what he thought of Cronkite’s replacement Dan Rather, then turned the conversation toward Davis himself.

That one sticks out because it shows how serious Cronkite was when it came to news.

“The old newspaperman let out a deep breath and tapped those long fingers on the table.” Davis wrote of the conversation he had. “You can’t just pretend to be an objective journalist. You have to walk the walk,” Cronkite told him.

“Then he said something that I’ve repeated to journalism students over the years. ‘Respect your audience. A reporter’s only job is to hold up a clear mirror and truthfully show what’s happened.’ He leaned closer. ‘Opinions have no place in our business.

“‘Even my own kids don’t know how I vote,’” he recalls Cronkite saying.

It’s an easy read that envelops you into the world of Davis, his family and his career, and the balance involved that occasionally becomes difficult to master. The insights and behind-the-scenes information help garner a renewed respect for true journalism, that often seems to be lacking today. Again, another highly-recommended read.

Rush hours

Jim “Poorman” Trenton is expanding his Morning Rush show’s reach by simulcasting all but the last hour of his weekday 6-11 a.m. show for low-powered community station KOCI (101.5 FM) show. It will simulacast on Radio Suerte KLIE (90.3 FM), another low-powered community station.

KOCI covers Costa Mesa and Newport Beach; KLIE is licensed to Fountain Valley but can be heard as far away as San Pedro, depending on the weather. Both stations can be heard via streaming on their webpages (KOCIradio.com and radiosuerte.com) as well as on various smartphone apps.

Poorman says his show will stay exactly as it is now with a theme each morning for the songs that get played. Every song has to fit the theme in some way. So, for example, if the theme was “the evening,” or even  “fabric,” you might hear “Nights in White Satin” by the Moody Blues.

“It’s an all-request show already,” explains Poorman, “so you never really know what’s going to be played next. I’m really excited to see what the new audience comes up with for suggestions.”

KOCI will air the last hour of the Morning Rush exclusively due to programming needs on KLIE.

Restaurant Dreams

Speaking of Radio Suerte: Want to make your dreams come true? If your dream consists of owning a restaurant, Radio Suerte wants to help you out.

Airing Wednesdays from 1-3 p.m., “The Frank Garcia Show” will give advice and assist anyone who would like to open their own restaurant. Garcia’s experience comes from his own life as a restauranteur and philanthropist, as owner of La Casa Garcia in Anaheim and the founder of We Give Thanks, the non-profit that sponsors the annual free Thanksgiving dinner at the Honda Center.

According to station manager Maria Luisa Luna, Garcia is getting more involved in both the station and one of her proudest activities: feeding the homeless.

Related Articles

“We feel very blessed because — since 1987 — we’ve been taking care of the homeless and less fortunate in our communities due to the generosity of Victor Mendez — the star of Radio Suerte. Frank Garcia has agreed to step in, and from now on he will sponsor the International Crusade of the Penny by giving us all the food necessary, lending his dishes, and lending his delivery truck for us to take food to different destinations.”

The station sponsors the events once per month.