A Salute To The One Who Gave Us Access

One of the main topics of conversation over the past couple of weeks in our industry has, no doubt, been the announced decision to stop publishing All Access.

For most of us over the years, we had grown accustomed to the several daily emails starting early in the morning and into the early evening. Whenever we needed to find someone in the business, the All Access industry directory was second to none for that.

There was one thing that stood out to me (and maybe you) through the entire 28-year tenure: All Access had heart. It wasn’t just a news source for the business; it covered formats, musical shifts, chart analysis and lots more. All formats for all of us. The original architect for all of this, Joel Denver, will be there to lock the doors for the last time. He started it and he’s ending it.

I loved reading all the stories, these past couple of weeks, about the effect Joel personally had on so many people in this industry. He was everyone’s cheerleader, for sure. So, if you’ll indulge me, let’s talk about one more story involving this amazing man.

I have known Joel for longer than a lot of you have been on this earth. My first days with him go back to when I was a baby DJ on a suburban Philadelphia daytimer, and he was the late night jock (they had those then – 10pm to 2am) on Top 40 powerhouse (they had THOSE then, too!) WFIL. Joel and I met through the station prize patrol driver, who happened to be our daytime station’s news director, also.

Right then, I experienced that Joel was more of a listener than a talker. When I left the station for the south and brighter horizons, he let me know that he would stay in touch and asked me to do the same.

Over the years, we crossed paths as programmers and then, when Joel became Radio & Records’ Top 40 editor, we would speak often as I was programming a CHR station in Dallas at the time. (Ask him sometime about the “dress for success” article he wrote about me and how it affected even HIS mode of dress at conventions.) Joel was always on the line to see how the station was doing and, most of all, to see how I was personally doing. He always had a word of encouragement amidst the changing landscape of ’80s CHR. He was a great advisor, brainstormer and friend, which carried over to his move to All Access.

I found the site in the late ’90s when I was seeking out my first OM position. I found Joel there, and he connected me to someone he knew needed experienced PDs to move into this newly invented OM role, and a new career began for me, with Joel’s help. When I moved into the Country format for the first time in 2002, Joel was one of the first calls I got cheering me on and telling me how much I would enjoy it. By the way, he was so right!

Then, a little over a year ago, Joel asked if I would mind contributing a weekly column to All Access Country. He said he wanted someone who could shake things up a bit and not just write about the same ole same ole. I couldn’t say “yes” fast enough.

Thank you, Joel and thank you, too, to Nashville Bureau Chief Phyllis Stark, who meticulously edited my missives every week. This has been one of the most rewarding and fun things I’ve been able to do in my new broadcast life. It’s only fitting that the last one for All Access be a salute to the man who started it.

(Sidebar- these blogs will continue at https://countrysradiocoach.com until further notice. If you’d like a copy of the “Dress for Success” article email me at jshomby@countrysradiocoach.com)

“Taking Your Radio Presence To The Next Level. Be it an artist, radio programmer or on-air talent. Coaching and mentoring down to your foundational level”

Contact me:
John Shomby
Owner/CEO Country’s Radio Coach
jshomby@countrysradiocoach.com
757-323-1460
https://countrysradiocoach.com