Jack Adamson, Salt Lake City, Utah: an interview by Tim Larson

Transcript (23 pages) of interview by Tim Larson with Jack Adamson, President of KSL, on August 18, 1986. This interview is no. 145 in the Everett L. Cooley Oral History Project, and tape no. 525

Professor of Communications, Adamson, recalls his first jobs in radio in Salt Lake, his later jobs as president of both the California and Washington divisions of Bonneville International, and his return to Salt Lake as CEO of KSL, 1950s-1980s. Interviewer: Tim Larson

Acc 814 Interview No. JACK ADAMSON 145 JACK Salt An Lake L. City, Cooley Tape Oral No. History 525 18, Marriott 1986 Library University Lake By Larson August Salt Utah Interview Tim Everett ADAMSON of City, Utah Utah Project ! UNIVERSITY F UNIVERSITY MARRIOTT LIBRARY SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 84112 TA EVERETT L. COOLEY ORAL HISTORY COLLECTION Dafe w2 = S5 7 (!-— I willingly 119 to scholarly contribute the my testimony the of Library recorded University on of E;:—‘/Qj/ Utah to be purposes. /;K: Open and Usable usable with the after my following N L review. restrictions: Yo T Interviewee Interviewer <i5 2 2?Z57 used for Table University COUErSesS. ErrsEeRaAdIe N TODSA Out-of-State Salt Lake Development s . « « o o e Bonneville Bonneville of the of « « o e e Years. Years. "Utah Contents . e . « Spirit" e . « . « at e . « =« = KSL. THIS IS AN AUGUST 18, PART OF THE Th2 INTERVIEW WITH JACK ADAMSON AT KSL TELEVISION, 1986. THE INTERVIEWER IS TIM LARSON. [THIS IS EVERETT L. COOLEY ORAL HISTORY PROGRAM.] I graduating after World War KLUB who Howe the was station at that so I time up Louise interviewing be to going I and her interviewed Malloné, Utah. of University the at Hill Louise from courses And Fadel. Ray was told her you. She now. 1£2 s Yeah. lady Malloné. it's Oh); taking was I that said and manager was just I the‘way, again me, big the and Carman was--I Fadel Ray fascinated Carman. Frank Yeah, By favorite--the course, Of radio. and-- Frank With radio and major, English and sell to wanted recognizing So II. 1argest the was major speech a of always I the to was in class selling, loved went She that kind knew I but TLis And was that--I I 1949. and Utah of University the in graduated Bonneville. with here to went I see. let's Well, connection, Bonneville your back up ended you how and broadcasting, in years your discuss you have is do to you for like I'd What was those classes, a quite days, department. but Howe Hill Louise We'd lady. the It radio take there Malloné. was was very department couple one not of, where well, you of sophisticated broadcasting mainly could be speech a disk JACK ADAMSON #1 jockey and it the deep, Ray Fadel, was went to selling gust I'd coming get out a and take into you know. said, "I'd said--Oh, like now let out out the war, of then we the job? 8L II. I'd better the job market in So to You work Wschool, War 1like no. back World night. "Oh of go job those at said, me a of classes I'd get I all couple said so before start I days And to SoilibeforenTiigotniout get those go have from I there went to to smart to Ray work be an into here announcer announcing sales." took I ididn't couldn't I voices, and and you No, " he in earlier He first, be went hired. wanti an back training to Lyman I didn't a tough lesson. ten KDYL. Leeson. And this of with Montgomery Ward--two was back one then of in with second opinion So I went into So Leeson bless in '59, hired his 2 me. got He heart. was He went the was knew: a of on us whiz the were kids, Ferrin. is--I So learned jobs to T voice, job Arnie which I a the different '58 I kind and a years. Dell with university Clark get an'yannouncer.: the players go toivbes announcer program basketball next And I voice, better and selling. and this quarter a Fadel, with ballsy atNiliittiess guys so course KLUB." decided So of for the work for manager. more Dell of a JACK ADAMSON #1 newspaperman Ben Larson of Of and about '58, '59. all so so that I sales and then Channel was the was the radio station. we're talking people, I met manager. At KDYL at at Starley Buéh I And also so Tom with time was Danny I KWIC, which with them? 3 is which and said you KWIC radio, now That's can of across Jay friends. time. Bob Welti. he this was the is another then finally get which a piece was KRGO. before I there, manager and and there So sitting at guy, copy, looked gotten that Welti this went just--I I good Ranger Bob Ivory at And talent. ran very KDYL writing By sales I very, at remember see into taken sales. feelings--but where became had [laughter] me that's time. and the daytime moved also anyway, action good. there story. of TV them I'd and Bush into moved anyone's would Starley Fox after weatherman But Sid months Welti--I I television. six and the and sharp much And working all very Four. Jay now, wasn't Larson was the when the so Ben He desk, then there manager and Bob that's of and hurting Lloyd, But in looked because was KDYL literally people not good Four. were top I'm Larson Now, time--remember And there, hope Ben Channel people his manager. the-- Now, sales a because Manager KDYL than you had-- a JACK ADAMSON #1 JA: Starley Bush. Tom so and his, got Ivory and I--and us was that's hurt time what really when KLUB radio--Frank beautiful were music 1like commercials; format. then up So Arch then Madsen and big things TV. there have at KIRO to to see leave I industry. Salt Arch Salt I don't Lake It's anyplace: Magna syndrome, I s Stuck in JA: Yeah. And one so, Lloyd said Madsen?" at years and who was then moved when and Now it some go ago. "Oh "Oh, are you no, I'd I caught just New York I and don't offer isn't see And party, to get AM, know, I'd said, much syndrome." KIRO "Jack, says, should syndrome, of dinner you three the you, I they as years she so songs, me, And too of, don't a to format-- bought were think L.A. the cluster "I I And have time KSL nineteen wife the Koerner at If was that couple said, this about speak Bonneville Lake." you a been that's my think for had just to could "Lloyd happening. home go that me, And So to out Three we that. and--no, way care. the to are went going did KIRO. Madsen." the what bought Arch on I FM station. said Seattle FM, FM no he and Bush about Carman--went Was that's someone in now. an Starley bought I Then the up Salt in Lake. syndrome, whatever. place. you know, 4 I said, "Okay." Now, keep in JACK ADAMSON #1 mind. The wife, "Hey, got to knew him, I knew 'cause that I would be? So was--now to left in But in '67, and words. man--that went get out, out, of City, and I up manager. But and I as then to was at when KWIC. KWIC. local national, was in Kansas transferred vice-president and equipment And I I so was to station manager of me is to get people to Kansas and 1968 from not the general Seattle of did. going manager, from in this he going to 5 knew went then City telling came, So sales and were you're KIGO that Those I me 1959-- Search was that if in would So me. partners sent In and sent "Well, a time popular. called Bonneville books assets he That's year "And minutes man joined that I days, I didn't, twenty Excellence. the said, just to I for my buy was moved the anyplace sell." Texas know say, she this What I man told in his town. Madsen. those because to this But and in says will Arch subtract. you they in anyplace wasn't go stuck Zion?" talked corporate and we'll out I I'd and to guy wife into go this That back and '68 are expendable. went a the leave Passion But people And remember, have I Excellence I I in going that So that get to "And went I'm 1968. Or we he is want offer." that. and buzz to Mother?" I scenario don't I much leave so normal '72 KIRO then sales to to '72, '76 radio-- JACK ADAMSON #1 FiEEy K. Which station KMBZ were AM/KMBR you with in Kansas City? FM. KMBZ. From KMBZ AM/KMBR FM. put together--aftef the country surviving So it that AM was packages being be; news fifty the '76 to K, and Huskies I put which was University when so the the I And of put then next to eight see where the big came into all-news I've lost You left Eto some KIRO Because it's Is '84 that Yeah. Y82 years to '78. I then? years? in been then? '76. four, six, in and proand '72--six? years. '76 sports Huskies, To\"'82. Exom the thing (-1 p Six around together the and information. Washington together radio be and Seahawks in KIRO could would station. From I stations And [laugh] there to going the Six. went was prepared sports year I radio with football. a so news a Washington, And and eight years. went to JACK ADAMSON #1 L Y765 to. JA: No.\ ¥eah. that 18472 '76 to KBIG. went stations tough for KBIG ten I had has been in Ten years. so And '84. to Tt's years. pretty the well-= top And five L.A. is a market. Yeah. Of course they're there and which involved You said also the all tough. president KOIT But--so of in San president of the I president California Francisco. the was And division then-- California division of Bonneville? California San division Francisco part of was and '84, I that Brady I advisory then he TL: What was JA: No. No, moved no, at up retired in Los KBIG. I'd And from had which then Arch retired. and Rod Angeles. met him was in the Madsen, Got really later and the Brady. He really news Now, was it on twice Rod my and here. doing he call he known board he a had Bonneville Angeles. that he had Los got mentioned Friday of was in L.A.? the Was he executive in education there? vice-president of--Margaret? Yes? What with? did Rod--what was that drug company that he was JACK ADAMSON #1 I know. don't Yeah, I Brunswick just heard Yeah, thank Brunswick, up Weber State. Weber State. want six down to want It and -- I took a know, the the call Jack, months know job from saying, is Arch called that"--I worked now when me and said, was my for him. is--no, Lloyd went said, "I put that? he He "Well, this Jay did of president. of-- your"--how he as that,"-- Arch I'm vice-president president before But because him. was got that never he grapevine. executive became I to the was then to know and," under He that. you but you. eight with you through So you Company. it here or Drug and moved I Brunswick? want "I "Congratulations mentor. And Never he hired worked me, directly And-- directly under him? No. Tn But this'city? he says, biggest you fan, don't "That said, me. But and have didn't he "I and want that to occur it anyway, you I to know, really worry isn't so to am about me." I 8 in that supporting a can't even--you then Jack, job." think know, about two it I'm you, And I of the may weeks your and said, word come I got to a JACK ADAMSON call #1 from Mr. his Madsen Club." And intoel Arch secretary, want you so said, I and exploratory." So we had former lunch people. really didn't. loved it--doing said, "Can make to any any of '85. year Yeah, me A and he really I liked excuse me?" He he July came him, I real comfortable eyes of of here. get know, I working ownership I to you." to talk I knew that to leave kind of talking, "I'm not he the of months. going he he to right everything can soar and came back, I he going to going want So the and of any to be excuse came whether because dive, and you back." under I going "Can know town. make said, come don't to not "Jack, I fourteenth couple I'm L.A. wasn't '85. and my philosophies of and 9 just that said, you is this June then and need "You freedom. and went were not But and my was there, first." We a up said, of "I'm back up lot and said, I we This ago flew same was told fourteenth year come said, was Alta want It so I the minutes didn't and at I the Brady lunch want had And everything," stairs, "We L.A. "Mr. "Now well. until until and man, I The And twenty decisions. ago. decisions there said, decisions." make June A you to said, in this said, up "Okay." he and he come he And boss, about to and down you I to told I'd be corporate I've as had long a as JACK ADAMSON #1 you're of successful the that home if I to--you ago, one office." So really see, and cities wasn't had Some were just with that. Just wasn't I charge tell you I I felt in L.A. when that I stayed in L.A. the rest really believe what I preach, and I I could helping my make sure people philosophy. that with four really I wrong I I ought my their hundred 10 to into go for 100 in a very people, effect and people, if I that to it just if I practice position philosophies in this, And ought now back thinking I highest anyway, put selfish be knew. was I wrong manage. to--I career. to those Nothing So be seeping tougher. Exactly. started other Different you I years in were reason would be is that and believed, I would objective wasn't way went The of that reach It responsible as me me knew Some with. I'm So I out struck nineteen so orientation struck what or ---?---, that it philosophy. right to you're organization. important. is Arch styles. was went this people did but prime down. people was with same no my pushed comfortable when I 110 that that in, the when talked, whole There's bothers believed being not what what he different was actually we talked the managers That I what through ever believed when knew it down no where of people, potential. That's selfish ---?--- if I didn't do responsible. JACK ADAMSON So I #1 did. I to s I'm "Yes, in 1live. Because if or wherever. want you I So me do--" to me I me; balance. in wherever that though, kill would I L.A.; in smoggy want you what or home, it all go I'll coming. with balance-- over [laugh] they're if decision, a made Lake; good a balance, snow Salt in three in are too the life in can I Hawaii; that's if and go, They it's matter doesn't it said, balance: snow shovel can't where fever island But of out they're get matter really doesn't major have are you three those if but work; over my relationship those or religious, over can you and my doing; good if of in need a Now, heaven. in Father my one I'm what have home; at relationship again, been--I like to need I because always has philosophies things: came at day Alta the Club? JA: why "Jack, are I've found that I that have" if and I he said, successful?" Rod said, been so this situation?" handling you "How you have now, interesting And minutes. twenty In get I'm people not I "well, same values the with talking said, about religious things. I know. It's spiritual, motivate people but if it's they 4 deeper have the than same religion. values I that can I JACK ADAMSON have, #1 but tell me me if and they tell again how we talked, And Keep in our said. He He "IT'm the back I see Sure. TEs to hire ready you And so, see, you to hired move here This is me for an do in what so I'd said is hire jumped. something. a a year later value-driven it says, "I'm that's you and be--tell just almost a what I now." Bonneville that is until twenty he aside. he sign, the anything in should whatever, to day now." too he that So upstairs going later, of that wasn't but up. that every And Bonneville person." "I'm in they [laugh] year that. come what knew a that ready I was said, picked am. but values-driven they again I that seminar On me good mind company. don't, office. evidentially--he he got back He asked minutes. there, me to needed. Now, you go back and tell your wife. JA: I say that problem?" born and born in knew. to--." officer he wants Oh, and we raised. Lehi, She but I've I'm to were Norma we "Oh said, And me born was 12 for the is "Do Utah. in loved you, worked in We've yeah. back. born both telling ever come Heber, got best have Okay, that Rod you to, we and L.A. Jack. chief Brady. a were I was But she We got executive There has JACK ADAMSON not #1 been one shouldn't right JA: have thing. he's P let me no think he has Heavens, executive us stuff officer. get that I call that things manages by you goes toward and it's A work not good through time mind. But through has wait they may that. that am, and a--I don't he difficult people. that sets it once work for 13 work a you people have That's in He's a driven-goals I and that. the had any work for and they to say, absolutely and statement, happened truly graciously, don't through by relationship, when minute. make ever so have isn't--you a sharp. really how picked He is all root manages beautiful You little he he know for Then He's Not chief has handles a You the other But a He someone you out, the knows. around. It I did I about into industry. example. something. once He relationship. people. wrong." stuff. been that--well, I having saying get But thought "Hey, I'm about them. what not and His talk knows doesn't--it's the Jjust excellent say what done man. if "Gee, background. wandering quick-study may his in know getting know, with thought, wonder he dive. He to or and That's not people you soar broadcast no. ever moment. problem a I've that," one just is that done Not There of time year you Not plus can once, two JACK ADAMSON #1 months TPhe So that even here, JA: I've been leaving you here. So-- California don't have and any-- bringing your Jaguar [laughter] Seejthat's——you knew, " thatls « cute. WThat's" truly really because, see, doesn't care. And interesting I'm not colored shirts, remember George your time. I JA: Okay. know he who He Hatch But and he out in--well, here. got a a Monitor him back style. Jazbo Didn't much-- a in Al my me. Jazbo to wear style. I I remember Collins before big-- in go Al loves Salt not 1local and here, was to because maybe Married with that's Hatch--excuse him in girl, going is. him Lake he I'm know, brought he's he change. you George brought brought to and once once TL: going you to had work married Lake NBC and and then and all a because started girl to out had of been proceeded Now, local Salt he but it, KALL. and to started had been back East so change Hatch his nothing. No. Went on--went-- Left. ILeft the Francisco. town I think of Vincent(?) he's 14 still and there went on an to San all-night JACK ADAMSON JA: But #1 see, that's Someone that said, after, I And he said, said, "I it." And he Jag, I'm going and as And I Rod I was to sell it, know, say, "Listen, if doesn't other doesn't make a love have to sell couple of days thinking You about--" knew I liked ask about if work as you someday Now, blue Rod He want to in but you for has the will is the five get the smart Brady Buick said. it, know. people decisions I you last or into he six that. morning see, not what doesn't people. force his expectations on others. Exactly. been his success and your success. so. Besides that, he must know JA: Oh sure. TL: Just ago he wear. right. one he to change think years, to going he had want a maybe has because to Jack. "You Brady twenty that's year know, [laughter] doesn't That's "You See? suits Yeah, me Jaguar." eighteen, to to Adamson, way. try said won't style, going Jack that he's you're as a He hasn't--my Rod said, hard have blue Rod "Well, Jaguar. and what your values are good. In other words, that. Sure. other and thing. you Let's see said--what? 15 now. In You other came here words, a you JACK ADAMSON #1 weren't going Lloyd. JA: And had the did you obviously, want it's doesn't said, he'd "let's do have Because was kind bother me at myself for Jack my off I own the respect what I for observed and But when have management It year or to in You and very the great 16 said, I said, I it another were close. different But style, it doesn't the first while--say, place." not second love, was the but have such respect that wife there put goes picture her I You to want I out. And because introduce Lloyd's goes dquickly She And do down I home." know, came know. say--I'm furniture the I you Jay took Margaret done?" style. doesn't, I want Jay, that. but Adamson. wall." you orientated, first furniture are and all. "All says, "What Jay a It say, people. is guess the I'll I I of think or what hours mean this but we small and Jay Jay self-esteem. this." of don't one's a and See, and Jay the that. years, would way people say don't for that, here? wee, not things, like scared done that different who I "What it the get good came about secretary "Well, know, I many you in You're things you feels [laughter] I "T'm and that here. had when sometimes Jay's Jay do one doing?" way." to mean morning here he interesting how was continue transitions Well, it's to great too. were So a JACK ADAMSON lot #1 of scars ill. TL Was ill. JA: And no KSL else. had See, not he leadership, not because Jay didn't or years he and was, it when had two maybe for what knew one anything KSL. leadership management was at went down in Hawaii-Had JA: First recuperating been hadn't of was leadership was it So interim. them, the ones that are magnificently, but there was still some of Jay because you later this know, the passed needed sensed I So, leadership. was away. was a then and It's spirit. L7/ a If CBS Arch And that the who did fix here who did leadership. And over management and a gloom was there then tragedy. then in still his fault No over." taking And and alive, still funeral that. a and year down, no there But anyone. Dbetween difference a 1is there a managers the to left for take corporation a of president the so. of of kind just and went he when then I'll "Well, maybe fault No years. And anyone. said, real two maybe half, the so and hernia from Jjust wasn't he and hernia his from Thought headaches. getting hernia, a Had call. was it history? a been there TL: wife So would he died. three I felt have And months what said, JACK ADAMSON #1 "What's a I would And so was, good feeling? say, "Share that's what we then find the and decisions, and times you for the authority. were two They months the I opportunity shouldn't, but managers. picked does So some that Yes, I it the kind Margaret I know of make good authority, the three. you've gotten They they improve both I within should have or glorified general So general Well, themselves, be not back. weren't either shouldn't and but that managers. that boys All they sales managers. And 1like their style. and there were I So and you came you people Smoot. Margaret spirit in that you hired or And did to chose you see some put-in her wanted. left. she did. See, Actually. banker, holds job that? well-established instance, see main accountability, station made‘them does, where line," spirit." my could the someone they answer for the to tough them a a what that managers. were could Develop someone and station thing, accountability. Usually my managers. give work good That's people the responsibility a spirit. did. and the here the then responsibility, Many What's and a been she'd good woman, 18 but and traveling she came to me. been a This is JACK ADAMSON the #1 class people, you waving You my had. know, out "I've your didn't given I they get paychecks. and take. But Margaret a place for me with say like everything retirement. don't Jack, so to lot in you know, "You know, I'm of KSL." believe And said, a And that. it's I a don't going to go going to leave on way." [END JA: And see, give see she --See and what kind to there man just was and There Wilson, anyway, this are And Glade two in your So department; not so developed that will are I said scattered, 19 ones we I you me. Sam a you and you a about for want a your meeting are Al Talmage to really know, seven- become this really but developed we that was and department," working the a and happened that's It Canard come So see things, Murdoch in "my do Spence where out just affairs. I'd Bill isn't don't you was team I and manager. It people Now, it And public So areas, it's and these place. no others "I'm myself." and business generalists. now, says, TAPE] around, team. generalists. become she was management specialist OF business there Tom the seven-man become a ONE organization. management Ball. So flipping no Henderson year try because of SIDE happens. going anything OF But well. managing to get couple a of JACK ADAMSON #1 people over there in here public government weren't some management. took and doing stations, and good couple Smoot from and Not job, but look for made other here Not said it some a the that needs people. and and what KSL. I team people over that's so. management Margaret pitches a because let's The and and so a So pitches. pitches, radio affairs wants they took in So myself took presentation. of other outside we We television station--inside presentations. This was Public specifically affairs. presentation believe And that it. So out. That's And haven't She officer. the but creating, for you this ?--- what want to I all down I And said, America" you "It's been And she said, So I'm developing, give them in California authority 20 and a work that her. know, you an together on any done it growth has. you if or to fabulous "Yes, done as haven't said, learned she's creating be to a couldn't "You but I with talking July, year." in We back. sing "I that came that--either just and affairs. out. Margaret was was, ---?---." management us deadwood I put of Fourth Smoot opportunity an had Margaret the then I public hired All where for blew we magnificently. get now you The see,--- really responsibility and JACK ADAMSON #1 accountability--see, number it of seminars usually whether days, any goes it's and of you And talk be and there." I've don't each read it any bring excited call so time yeu in call I what well. So Okay. I You're haven't, so you have to a not I'm use focus management same called 21 thing. Roger to you files, not 1like Okay. Now, if you'll say, "I go you through develop to team so Hendricks, to do going to us on going not a that. do Keep all the together, and sending And had it's facilitator. of glare and money--I'm the Instead of down going I'm ago. heads you to See, get learned." guess but or you kind them, years this the talks "I I your you it. bring out, eyes something. going I'm what in Well, five or more. you of three department back thought, I So and it and say Harvard notes I'm book to your some on it's go your tell or put put use you four is me you understand." everybody worked you say, focus--facilitate people back "Let book vocabulary. This so come you the and a you and don't seminar to or think, you way York the that the New and Then here's weeks it, off. go the to And the You about back reading seminar. and of two say, you to, think it's and and been and or You together over, a stop week go notes, you you've at a them. these =---?--- really it's and I said, JACK ADAMSON "Come #1 on been down TV and forth; look radio. couldn't management the more that of because he office, and works in we're going and it S.S. I do this, team. The call Magnificent And it Significant S.S. Seven, having But you walk through KSL. It's different. want to want I to hope know. I and down a here meet take that to do this, we are going So handle around these that's seven, here the so call we it the call it Seven. seven. the been only people Seven. have can And Magnificent I how fabulous. Seven. the is his facilitator going this in have focus do radio-- gets we that we're just I The at when and is When Utah we'll how he this the and about When and take thing, generalist. "Okay, So talks always back developed whole Bill and Business management the we specialist. says, to it." call a how it's fighting together. now as Because radio that's meetings, flies and and a KSL." it because he's do TV jingles management at get team, Spirit, to and you any helps lot and more because fun, are You lately, get of you. 22 you'll and this, it's and story time. it. they can do feel the spirit absolutely your your they And [laughter] right. part also. of I I've why don't I JACK ADAMSON TL: This JA: Because a though. Maybe Thy I #1 It's has. don't lot think helped of it's so. it me lot. philosophy more is too a much Adamson. [END OF TAPE] 23 history philosophy. ends This than the interview with Jack