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Blair Garner
Biography
Blair Garner is the host of "After
MidNite with Blair Garner." He is one of the most successful air personalities
in the country, nominated numerous times by Billboard for "Best Syndicated Radio
Personality" and having worked at several popular stations in Dallas, Washington
D.C., Houston, New York City, and Los Angeles.
Blair is the youngest of three Texas boys raised by Gary and Mariellen Garner. His
father still works as the director of the West Texas A&M University Band in Texas.
His oldest brother, Brad, followed in Gary's musical footsteps and teaches at the
Cincinnati Conservatory of Music in Ohio, and at The Juilliard School of Music in New
York. Blair's middle brother, Bryan, is a lexicographer in Dallas. Don't
worry, Blair didn't know what it meant either. Actually, Bryan is a leading scholar
on legal writing, and has several books published by The Oxford University Press. In
his free time Blair collects cars. As of his 36th birthday, he'd already owned over
seventy. At any given time he usually has six to fifteen different cars ranging from
Porsches and Ferraris to classic Cadillacs and Chryslers.
When asked about his amazing success, Blair quickly credits his parents. "My
parents taught us all two very important lessons: First my father taught us that if we
were going to make a mistake, make it as big and loud and hairy as you possibly can.
Commit yourself to it. If you're timid, you'll never reach the brass ring.
Don't be afraid to fail. Secondly, my mom always told us that we were special.
We could do anything we could dream. When you add those two lessons together,
the results can be pretty powerful."
History of After
MidNite with Blair Garner
We've all heard the phrase,
"Necessity is the mother of invention." It's certainly true in the history
of After MidNite. However, there were two necessities that needed to be met in this
instance. First, was radio's need for an answer to the problem of staffing the overnight
shift. Second, was Blair Garner's desire to work for himself.
When Blair first moved to Los Angeles, he had just left a lucrative, high profile job at
ABC in New York City. There was one thing he knew for sure: He didn't like working
under someone else's direction. Like his schoolteacher might have said, "he's a
good kid, but doesn't play well with others." Sure enough, Blair wanted to
strike out on his own. Over dinner, a close friend suggested that Blair try
syndication. It seemed easy enough, and his track record of success almost assured
interest from potential syndicators. Through the ensuing conversation it became
clear that every radio station shared a significant problem: Staffing the overnight
daypart. Usually, the d.j.'s that work the overnight shift are those that are still
developing their craft. As they improve, they seek out jobs during daytime hours
that command higher salaries. As a result, the program director is often left with a
revolving door of d.j.'s that host that shift. Their time is better spent working
with the morning and afternoon talents. After all, that's where the money is. So
there was the need. The question then became "Is anyone listening?"
In doing some research, Blair determined that nearly thirty to forty percent of a single
station's daytime audience share is retained overnights. For one station, those
numbers were hardly enough to set the sales force on fire. But, if you took that
thirty to forty percent from a station in Pittsburgh, and added that to one from
Milwaukee, and on and on, you would have a huge listenership before long. That was
the idea at least. But, would it work? T he first call Blair made was to a trusted friend
back at ABC Radio Networks. It was Rod West, Casey Casem's boss at American Top 40.
Over lunch Blair ran the idea by Rod. Try as he may, however, Rod couldn't think of
a reason it wouldn't work. Over the next month the two consulted regularly.
Finally, Blair convinced Rod he should leave ABC and join him to launch this new company.
On November 13, 1993 After MidNite aired for the first time to its initial affiliate base
of 12 stations. Soon, word spread about the show from station to station. For
its first year, After MidNite was adding up to ten new stations a week. Within four
months, there were over 100 affiliates. One month later, there were 133. It
tracked to be the fastest-growing show in radio history, even outpacing the growth of
industry veteran Rush Limbaugh. After owning the company privately for three years,
Blair, Rod, and their other two business partners accepted a proposed merger agreement
from Premiere Radio Networks. Their hard work was truly paying off. After
risking it all, they were each well rewarded for their efforts.
Today, the show boasts just under 300 affiliate radio stations, with Blair being the only
remaining member of that original team. And his dedication to the show and its
development is stronger than ever. Fortunately for Blair, Premiere has allowed him
to continue operating as if he were his own boss. After all, "he's a nice kid
that just doesn't play well with others."
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